Information processing apparatus, terminal device, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of appropriately selecting a network slice desired by a user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge of communication.SOLUTION: An information processing device (1) includes an acquisition unit (11) that acquires numerical information relating to network slice attributes, which is numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface, and a selection unit (12) that selects a network slice that is a candidate for a connection destination of a terminal device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for selecting a network slice according to a request from a user are known. For example, as an example of such a technique, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for selecting a slice corresponding to a target service request determined based on a service selection command input by a user selecting a target service.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, since a slice is selected for each target service (application), not only does the communication quality differ for each target service, but there is also a problem in that detailed knowledge about communication is required on the user side in order to express the QoE (QoE: Quality of Experience) desired by the user.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an example of its object is to provide a technique capable of suitably selecting a network slice desired by a user without requiring excessive knowledge about communication from the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, the numerical information being related to attributes of network slices, and a selection unit that refers to the numerical information and selects, from among a plurality of network slices, a network slice that is a candidate for a connection destination of a terminal device.

[0007] A terminal device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an input information acquisition unit that acquires input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, and a providing unit that provides the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit, or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, the numerical information being related to attributes of network slices, to an information processing apparatus, and a network slice information acquisition unit that acquires, from the information processing apparatus, network slice information including attribute information of a network slice selected by referring to the numerical information.

[0008] An information processing system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an input information acquisition unit that acquires input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, a conversion unit that converts the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit into numerical information related to attributes of network slices, and a selection unit that refers to the numerical information and selects, from among a plurality of network slices, a network slice that is a candidate for a connection destination of a terminal device.

[0009] An information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention acquires numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, the numerical information being related to attributes of network slices, and refers to the numerical information to select, from among a plurality of network slices, a network slice that is a candidate for a connection destination of a terminal device.

[0010] An information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention acquires input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, and provides the acquired input information, or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, which is numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice, to an information processing apparatus, and acquires network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected with reference to the numerical information from the information processing apparatus.

[0011] A program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function as an information processing apparatus, and the program causes the computer to function as acquisition means for acquiring numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, which is numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice, and selection means for selecting, with reference to the numerical information, a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of a terminal device from among a plurality of network slices.

[0012] A program according to an aspect of the present invention functions as input information acquisition means for acquiring input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, provision means for providing the information processing apparatus with the input information acquired by the input information acquisition means, or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, which is numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice, and network slice information acquisition means for acquiring network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected with reference to the numerical information from the information processing apparatus.

Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suitably select a network slice desired by a user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge regarding communication.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] 〔Exemplary Embodiment 1〕 The first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is a basic form of the exemplary embodiments described later.

[0016] (Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 1) The configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus 1.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 includes an acquisition unit 11 and a selection unit 12. The acquisition unit 11 is a configuration that realizes acquisition means in this exemplary embodiment. The selection unit 12 is a configuration that realizes selection means in this exemplary embodiment.

[0018] The acquisition unit 11 acquires numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice. Here, in this exemplary embodiment, the numerical information is information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's desire regarding communication quality. Further, the attributes of a network slice include communication speed, delay, reliability (success rate of data transmission and reception), and capacity in the network slice.

[0019] Note that the conversion from the input information to the numerical information may be performed by the information processing apparatus 1 or by an apparatus other than the information processing apparatus 1. Also, the presentation of the network slice to the user may be performed by the information processing apparatus 1 or by an apparatus other than the information processing apparatus 1.

[0020] The selection unit 12 refers to the numerical information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 and selects a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device from among a plurality of network slices.

[0021] As described above, in the information processing apparatus 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which a network slice is selected by referring to numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality. In this way, in the information processing apparatus 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, since a network slice is selected by referring to the numerical information obtained by converting the input information, the network slice can be suitably selected by referring to the numerical information.

[0022] On the other hand, the user may input the input information via the user interface, and there is no need to input numerical information regarding the attributes of the network slice.

[0023] Therefore, according to the information processing apparatus 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, the user can suitably select a network slice desired by the user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge about communication.

[0024] (Flow of the information processing method) The flow of the information processing method S1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the information processing method S1.

[0025] (Step S11) In step S11, the acquisition unit 11 acquires numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, the numerical information being related to the attributes of a network slice.

[0026] (Step S12) Subsequently, in step S12, the selection unit 12 refers to the numerical information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 and selects, from among a plurality of network slices, a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device.

[0027] As described above, in the information processing method S1 according to this exemplary embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which a network slice is selected by referring to numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality. Therefore, according to the information processing method S1 according to this exemplary embodiment, the same effects as those of the information processing apparatus 1 are achieved.

[0028] (Configuration of Terminal Device 2) The configuration of the terminal device 2 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 2.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 2 includes an input information acquisition unit 21, a provision unit 22, and a network slice information acquisition unit 23. The input information acquisition unit 21 is a configuration that realizes input information acquisition means in this exemplary embodiment. The provision unit 22 is a configuration that realizes provision means in this exemplary embodiment. The network slice information acquisition unit 23 is a configuration that realizes network slice information acquisition means in this exemplary embodiment.

[0030] The input information acquisition unit 21 acquires input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality.

[0031] The providing unit 22 provides the information processing apparatus with the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, which is numerical information related to the attributes of the network slice.

[0032] Note that the conversion from the input information to the numerical information may be performed in the terminal device 2, or may be performed in a device other than the terminal device 2, which is the destination of the input information. Also, the presentation of the user interface to the user may be performed in the terminal device 2, or may be performed in a device other than the terminal device 2.

[0033] The network slice information acquisition unit 23 acquires, from the information processing apparatus, network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected with reference to the numerical information. Here, the attributes of the network slice are as described above. Also, the network slice information includes, in addition to the attribute information of the network slice, for example, information indicating the network slice and charge information regarding the charge for connecting to the network slice, which are information related to the network slice. However, this does not limit the present embodiment.

[0034] As described above, in the terminal device 2 according to this exemplary embodiment, the input information input via the user interface for receiving the user's request regarding the communication quality, or the numerical information obtained by converting the input information, is provided, and the network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected with reference to the numerical information is acquired. Therefore, according to the terminal device 2 according to this exemplary embodiment, it is possible to connect to a suitably selected network slice with reference to the numerical information obtained by converting the input information.

[0035] On the other hand, the user may input the input information via the user interface, and there is no need to input numerical information related to the attributes of the network slice.

[0036] Therefore, according to the terminal device 2 according to this exemplary embodiment, the user can suitably select a network slice desired by the user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge about communication.

[0037] (Flow of the information processing method) The flow of the information processing method S2 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the information processing method S2.

[0038] (Step S21) In step S21, the input information acquisition unit 21 acquires input information input via a user interface for receiving the user's request regarding communication quality.

[0039] (Step S22) Subsequently, in step S22, the providing unit 22 provides the acquired input information or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, which is numerical information regarding the attributes of the network slice, to the information processing apparatus.

[0040] (Step S23) Subsequently, in step S23, the network slice information acquisition unit 23 acquires network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected by referring to the numerical information from the information processing apparatus.

[0041] As described above, in the information processing method S2 according to this exemplary embodiment, the input information input via a user interface for receiving the user's request regarding communication quality or numerical information obtained by converting the input information is provided, and network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected by referring to the numerical information is acquired. Therefore, according to the information processing method S2 according to this exemplary embodiment, the same effect as that of the terminal device 2 is achieved.

[0042] (Configuration of the information processing system 100) The configuration of the information processing system 100 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system 100.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the information processing system 100 includes an input information acquisition unit 101, a conversion unit 102, and a selection unit 103. The input information acquisition unit 101 is configured to implement input information acquisition means in this exemplary embodiment. The conversion unit 102 is configured to implement conversion means in this exemplary embodiment. The selection unit 103 is configured to implement selection means in this exemplary embodiment.

[0044] The input information acquisition unit 101 acquires input information input via a user interface for receiving the user's request regarding communication quality.

[0045] The conversion unit 102 converts the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 101 into numerical information regarding the attributes of the network slice. Here, the attributes of the network slice are as described above.

[0046] The selection unit 103 selects, with reference to the numerical information, a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device from among a plurality of network slices.

[0047] As described above, in the information processing system 100 according to this exemplary embodiment, the input information input via a user interface for receiving the user's request regarding communication quality is converted into numerical information regarding the attributes of the network slice, and a configuration is adopted in which the network slice is selected with reference to the numerical information. In this way, in the information processing system 100 according to this exemplary embodiment, since the network slice is selected with reference to the numerical information obtained by converting the above input information, the network slice can be suitably selected with reference to the numerical information.

[0048] On the one hand, the user may input the above input information via the above user interface, and there is no need to input numerical information regarding the attributes of the network slice.

[0049] Therefore, according to the information processing system 100 according to this exemplary embodiment, the user can suitably select the network slice desired by the user without requiring excessive knowledge about communication from the user.

[0050] (Flow of the information processing method) The flow of the information processing method S100 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the information processing method S100.

[0051] (Step S101) In step S101, the input information acquisition unit 101 acquires the input information input via the user interface for receiving the user's request regarding communication quality.

[0052] (Step S102) Subsequently, in step S102, the conversion unit 102 converts the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 101 into numerical information regarding the attributes of the network slice.

[0053] (Step S103) Subsequently, in step S103, the selection unit 103 refers to the numerical information and selects a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device from among a plurality of network slices.

[0054] As described above, in the information processing method S100 according to this exemplary embodiment, the input information input via the user interface for receiving the user's request regarding communication quality is converted into numerical information regarding the attributes of the network slice, and a configuration for selecting a network slice by referring to the numerical information is adopted. Therefore, according to the information processing method S100 according to this exemplary embodiment, the same effect as that of the information processing system 100 is achieved.

[0055] [Exemplary Embodiment 2] A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in Exemplary Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0056] (Configuration of Information Processing System 100A) FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of an information processing system 100A according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the information processing system 100A includes an information processing apparatus 1A, terminal apparatuses 2A and 3A, a management server 111, a charging system 112, a network slice group 113, and a network slice group 114. Details of the information processing apparatus 1A and the terminal apparatus 2A will be described later with reference to different drawings.

[0057] In the example shown in FIG. 7, two terminal apparatuses, i.e., terminal apparatuses 2A and 3A, are exemplified as terminal apparatuses, but this does not limit the present embodiment, and the information processing system 100A can be configured to include any number of terminal apparatuses. Also, in this exemplary embodiment, these multiple terminal apparatuses have similar main component configurations to each other.

[0058] The management server 111 is a server that manages the charging system 112 and the information processing apparatus 1A.

[0059] The charging system 112 is a system that manages the fees for the terminal apparatuses 2A and 3A to connect to the network slices included in the network slice group 113 and the network slice group 114, respectively.

[0060] In this exemplary embodiment, the network slice group 113 and the network slice group 114 each include a plurality of network slices. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the network slice group 113 includes user charging network slices 113A to 113D, which are user charging type network slices. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 7, the network slice group 114 includes user charging network slices 114A to 114D, which are user charging type network slices.

[0061] The terminal device 2A is connected to any one of the user charging network slices 113A to 113D and is connected to the Internet. The terminal device 3A is connected to any one of the user charging network slices 114A to 114D and is connected to the Internet. The connection process of the terminal device to the network slice will be described later.

[0062] In this exemplary embodiment, as an example, the user charging network slices 113A to 113D are network slices in which at least a part of the attributes of the network slices are different from each other.

[0063] Similarly, in this exemplary embodiment, as an example, the user charging network slices 114A to 114D are network slices in which at least a part of the attributes of the network slices are different from each other.

[0064] Here, the attributes of each of the user charging network slices 113A to 113D are managed in association with each of the user charging network slices 113A to 113D as network slice attribute information.

[0065] Each network slice attribute information includes, for example, information regarding communication speed, information regarding delay, information regarding reliability (success rate of data transmission and reception), and information regarding capacity, as described in Exemplary Embodiment 1. As an example, the network slice attribute information may include the following information. · Attribute information of user-charged network slice 113A: Communication speed 3.0 Gbps, delay 1 ms or less, and reliability 99.99% · Attribute information of user-charged network slice 113B: Communication speed 5.0 Gbps, delay 10 ms, and reliability 99.99% · Attribute information of user-charged network slice 113C: Communication speed 3.0 Gbps, delay 10 ms, and reliability 99.80% · Attribute information of user-charged network slice 113D: Communication speed 5.0 Gbps, delay 1 ms or less, and reliability 99.99% In the following description, the user-charged network slice may sometimes be simply referred to as a network slice.

[0066] (Configuration of terminal device 2A) Subsequently, the configuration of the terminal device 2A according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the information processing device 1A and the terminal device 2A in the information processing system 100A. As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal device 2A includes a control unit 60A, a communication unit 61, a storage unit 62, a presentation unit 63, and an operation reception unit 64.

[0067] The communication unit 61 is a communication module for performing communication via the network N. The communication unit 61 outputs the data acquired from the information processing device 1A via the network N to the control unit 60A, or outputs the data acquired from the control unit 60A to the information processing device 1A.

[0068] Although the specific configuration of the network N does not limit this embodiment, as an example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a public switched telephone network, a mobile data communication network, or a combination of these networks can be used.

[0069] The storage unit 62 is a memory that stores various data referred to by the control unit 60A. The storage unit 62 is realized by, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, an EEPROM (registered trademark), an HDD, or a flash memory that allows content rewriting.

[0070] The presentation unit 63 is a configuration for presenting a user interface to the user for receiving the user's requests regarding communication quality. The presentation unit 63 includes, as an example, a display panel, and presents the user interface by displaying the user interface on the display panel.

[0071] Here, in this exemplary embodiment, as an example, at least two types of user interfaces exist as the above user interface. And the type information indicating the type of the user interface is managed in the information processing system 100A.

[0072] Specific examples of the above user interface will be described later. As the type of the above user interface, at least Type 1: A user interface for receiving problems in the communication environment felt by the user Type 2: A user interface for receiving the communication environment desired by the user exist.

[0073] Note that the user interface presented by the presentation unit 63 may be generated by the control unit 60A of the terminal device 2A or may be generated by the control unit 50A of the information processing device 1A.

[0074] The operation reception unit 64 receives operations from the user. As an example, the operation reception unit 64 can be configured to include a touch panel disposed to overlap the display panel included in the presentation unit 63, but this does not limit the present exemplary embodiment.

[0075] The operation reception unit 64 receives the user's operation on the user interface presented by the presentation unit 63, and supplies input information indicating the received operation to the input information acquisition unit 21.

[0076] (Control unit 60A) The control unit 60A controls each component of the terminal device 2A, for example, by one or more processors (such as a CPU, etc.) executing programs stored in a memory (such as a RAM, a ROM, etc.).

[0077] As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 60A also functions as an input information acquisition unit 21, a provision unit 22, a network slice information acquisition unit 23, a terminal identification information acquisition unit 24, and a connection unit 25. The input information acquisition unit 21 is a configuration that realizes input information acquisition means in the present exemplary embodiment. The provision unit 22 is a configuration that realizes provision means in the present exemplary embodiment. The network slice information acquisition unit 23 is a configuration that realizes network slice information acquisition means in the present exemplary embodiment. The terminal identification information acquisition unit 24 is a configuration that realizes terminal identification information acquisition means in the present exemplary embodiment. The connection unit 25 is a configuration that realizes connection means in the present exemplary embodiment.

[0078] The input information acquisition unit 21 acquires the input information input to the operation reception unit 64 via the user interface for receiving the user's desire regarding communication quality presented by the presentation unit 63. The input information includes information regarding the user's desire regarding communication quality. Specific examples of the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 will be described later.

[0079] The providing unit 22 provides the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 to the information processing apparatus 1A via the communication unit 61. Further, the providing unit 22 provides the selection information indicating the user's selection regarding whether to connect to the network slice indicated by the network slice information provided from the information processing apparatus 1A to the charging system 112 via the communication unit 61. Note that the providing unit 22 may be configured to provide the selection information to the information processing apparatus 1A via the communication unit 61, and the information processing apparatus 1A provides the selection information to the charging system 112.

[0080] The network slice information acquisition unit 23 acquires, from the information processing apparatus 1A via the communication unit 61, network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected by referring to the numerical information. Further, the network slice information acquisition unit 23 inquires of the user via the user interface whether to connect to the network slice indicated by the acquired network slice information. An example of the user interface through which the network slice information acquisition unit 23 inquires of the user will be described later.

[0081] The terminal identification information acquisition unit 24 acquires terminal identification information from the information processing apparatus 1A via the communication unit 61.

[0082] The connection unit 25 connects to the network slice indicated by the network slice information using the terminal identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquisition unit 24.

[0083] (Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 1A) Next, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 1A according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 8, the information processing apparatus 1A includes a control unit 50A, a communication unit 51, and a storage unit 52.

[0085] The communication unit 51 is a communication module for performing communication via the network N. The communication unit 51 outputs the data acquired from the terminal device 2A via the network N to the control unit 50A, or outputs the data acquired from the control unit 50A to the terminal device 2A.

[0086] The storage unit 52 is a memory in which various data referred to by the control unit 50A is stored. The storage unit 52 is realized by, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an EPROM, an EEPROM (registered trademark), an HDD, or a flash memory that allows content rewriting.

[0087] (Control unit 50A) The control unit 50A controls each component of the information processing apparatus 1A by, for example, one or more processors (such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit)) executing programs stored in a memory (such as a RAM (random access memory) or a ROM (read only memory)).

[0088] As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 50A also functions as an acquisition unit 11, a selection unit 12, a conversion unit 13, a network slice information providing unit 14, and a network slice management unit 15. The acquisition unit 11, the selection unit 12, and the conversion unit 13 are configurations that respectively implement an acquisition means, a selection means, and a conversion means in this exemplary embodiment. Further, the network slice information providing unit 14 is a configuration that implements a providing means in this exemplary embodiment.

[0089] The acquisition unit 11 acquires the input information input via a user interface for receiving the user's desire regarding communication quality, in association with the user interface, from the terminal device 2A via the communication unit 51. The acquisition unit 11 also acquires type information indicating the type of the user interface. The input information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is supplied to the conversion unit 13, and the type information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 is supplied to the selection unit 12.

[0090] The conversion unit 13 acquires the input information provided from the terminal device 2A from the acquisition unit 11, and converts the input information into numerical information regarding the attributes of the network slice. As an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information input via a user interface for receiving the user's request regarding communication quality into numerical information including numerical values of attributes such that the request is satisfied. Here, the numerical information includes, as an example, numerical values corresponding to the acquired input information. Further, the conversion unit 13 may be configured to convert the input information into numerical information by further referring to the attribute information of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected. A specific example of the conversion process by the conversion unit 13 will be described later.

[0091] Further, the acquisition unit 11 acquires the numerical information regarding the attributes of the network slice output from the conversion unit 13, and provides the acquired numerical information to the selection unit.

[0092] The selection unit 12 refers to the numerical information acquired by the acquisition unit 11, and selects a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device from among a plurality of network slices. More specifically, the selection unit 12 refers to the numerical information provided from the acquisition unit 11, and selects a network slice that solves the problems of the communication environment felt by the user or a network slice that approaches the communication environment desired by the user from among the plurality of network slices. The selection unit 12 may be configured to select a network slice by further referring to the type information indicating the type of the user interface presented by the presentation unit 63. A specific example of the selection process by the selection unit 12 will be described later.

[0093] Further, the selection unit 12 generates network slice information including the attribute information of the selected network slice. The selection unit 12 also identifies the fee for connecting to the selected network slice, and includes the fee information regarding the identified fee in the network slice information.

[0094] Further, when the acquisition unit 11 acquires connection permission information indicating permission for the connection from the terminal device 2A to the selected network slice, the selection unit 12 may be configured to generate terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device 2A from other terminal devices 3A.

[0095] Here, the terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device 2A from other terminal devices 3A is information referred to by the terminal device 2A when the terminal device 2A connects to a network slice. The terminal device 2A uses the terminal identification information to connect to the target network slice.

[0096] The network slice information providing unit 14 provides network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected by the selection unit 12 to the terminal device 2A via the communication unit 51. Further, the network slice information providing unit 14 provides the terminal identification information generated by the selection unit 12 to the terminal device 2A via the communication unit 51.

[0097] The network slice management unit 15 determines whether or not to connect to the user charging network slice. Further, the network slice management unit 15 performs addition and deletion of user charging network slices included in the user charging network slice group 113 and the user charging network slice group 114.

[0098] (Processing example by the information processing system 100A) Hereinafter, with reference to a specific example of the user interface presented by the presentation unit 63 of the terminal device 2A, a conversion process from input information to numerical information and a selection process example of a network slice based on the numerical information will be described.

[0099] (Processing example 1) FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface presented by the presentation unit 63 of the terminal device 2A. The user interface P1 shown in FIG. 9 is a user interface for receiving, as input information, information regarding problems with communication quality that a user feels as a user's request. Therefore, the user interface P1 shown in FIG. 9 is a user interface corresponding to the above-described type 1.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 9, the user interface P1 includes a group of options CH1, and the group of options CH1 includes a plurality of candidates for problems with communication quality that a user feels. The input information acquisition unit 21 of the terminal device 2A acquires input information regarding the problem with communication quality selected by the user via the user interface P1.

[0101] Then, the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 is acquired by the acquisition unit 11 of the information processing device 1A and supplied to the conversion unit 13. In this example, the conversion unit 13 refers to the attribute information of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected and converts the input information into numerical information.

[0102] As an example, when the input information indicates that the first option "slow communication speed" in the group of options CH1 is selected, the conversion unit 13 refers to the attribute information of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected and specifies the communication speed of the network slice. Then, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of a communication speed having a value greater than the communication speed of the network or network slice.

[0103] As a more specific example, when the input information indicates that the first option "slow communication speed" in the group of options CH1 is selected, and the communication speed of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected is 3.0 Gbps, as an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 4.0 Gbps.

[0104] As another example, when the input information indicates that the second option "there is a delay" among the option group CH1 is selected, the conversion unit 13 refers to the attribute information of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected to identify the delay time of the network slice. Then, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of a delay time having a value smaller than the delay time of the network or network slice.

[0105] As a more specific example, when the input information indicates that the second option "there is a delay" among the option group CH1 is selected, and the delay time of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected is 10 ms, as an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 5 ms.

[0106] As another example, when the input information indicates that the third option "communication is prone to interruption and unstable" among the option group CH1 is selected, the conversion unit 13 refers to the attribute information of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected to identify the reliability of the network slice. Then, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of reliability having a value higher than the reliability of the network or network slice.

[0107] As a more specific example, when the input information indicates that the third option "communication is prone to interruption and unstable" among the option group CH1 is selected, and the reliability of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected is 99.0%, as an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 99.5%.

[0108] In this way, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information regarding the communication quality issues felt by the user obtained via the user interface P1 into numerical information including numerical values of attributes that eliminate the issues.

[0109] Then, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice by referring to the type information of the user interface P1 and the numerical information. More specifically, when the type information indicates type 1, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice that satisfies the attribute indicated by the numerical information.

[0110] For example, when the numerical information indicates 4.0 Gbps, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice having a communication speed of 4.0 Gbps or higher as the attribute information.

[0111] In this way, the selection unit 12 can select a network slice that solves the problems of the communication environment felt by the user by referring to the numerical information.

[0112] (Processing Example 2) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the user interface presented by the presentation unit 63 of the terminal device 2A. The user interface P2 shown in FIG. 10 is a user interface for receiving, as input information, a communication environment that the user desires and that is an ideal communication environment regarding the communication speed. Therefore, the user interface P2 shown in FIG. 10 is a user interface corresponding to type 2 described above.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 10, the user interface P2 includes an option group CH2, and the option group CH2 includes a plurality of candidates for the communication environment that the user desires. The input information acquisition unit 21 of the terminal device 2A acquires input information regarding the ideal communication environment selected by the user via the user interface P2.

[0114] Then, the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 is acquired by the acquisition unit 11 of the information processing device 1A and supplied to the conversion unit 13. The conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information.

[0115] As an example, when the input information indicates that the first option "want to increase communication speed" among the option group CH2 is selected, the conversion unit 13 refers to the attribute information of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected to specify the communication speed of the network slice. Then, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of a communication speed having a value greater than the communication speed of the network or network slice.

[0116] As a more specific example, when the input information indicates that the first option "want to increase communication speed" among the option group CH2 is selected, and the communication speed of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected is 3.0 Gbps, as an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 4.0 Gbps.

[0117] As another example, when the input information indicates that the second option "want to view the web browser comfortably" among the option group CH2 is selected, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of a communication speed at which the web browser can be viewed comfortably. As an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 3.0 Gbps.

[0118] As another example, when the input information indicates that the third option "want to view videos in high quality on the smartphone" among the option group CH2 is selected, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of a communication speed at which videos can be viewed in high quality on the smartphone. As an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 5.0 Gbps.

[0119] As another example, when the input information indicates that the fourth option "want to increase the data download speed" among the option group CH2 is selected, the conversion unit 13 refers to the attribute information of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected to identify the communication speed of the network slice. Then, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of a communication speed having a value larger than the communication speed of the network or network slice.

[0120] As a more specific example, when the input information indicates that the fourth option "want to increase the data download speed" among the option group CH2 is selected and the communication speed of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected is 4.0 Gbps, as an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 5.0 Gbps.

[0121] In this way, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information regarding the communication environment desired by the user obtained via the user interface P2 into numerical information including numerical values of attributes that can realize the ideal.

[0122] Then, the selection unit 12 refers to the type information of the user interface P2 and the numerical information to select a network slice. More specifically, when the type information indicates type 2, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice closer to the attribute indicated by the numerical information.

[0123] For example, when the numerical information indicates 5.0 Gbps, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice having attribute information closer to 5.0 Gbps as the communication speed from among a plurality of network slices.

[0124] In this way, the selection unit 12 can select a network slice that can realize the user's ideal with reference to the numerical information.

[0125] In addition, in this processing example, as shown in FIG. 10, it may be configured to obtain, as input information, a numerical value of the communication speed desired by the user via the user interface P2. In this case, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice having an attribute that satisfies the numerical value indicated by the input information.

[0126] (Processing Example 3) FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the user interface presented by the presentation unit 63 of the terminal device 2A. The user interface P3 shown in FIG. 11 is a user interface for receiving, as input information, a communication environment that the user desires and that is an ideal communication environment for the user, particularly a communication environment related to delay. Therefore, the user interface P3 shown in FIG. 11 is a user interface corresponding to the above-described type 2.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 11, the user interface P3 includes a group of options CH3, and the group of options CH3 includes a plurality of candidates for the communication environment that the user desires. The input information acquisition unit 21 of the terminal device 2A acquires input information regarding the ideal communication environment selected by the user via the user interface P3.

[0128] Then, the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 is acquired by the acquisition unit 11 of the information processing device 1A and supplied to the conversion unit 13. The conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information.

[0129] As an example, when the input information indicates that the first option "want to reduce communication delay" among the group of options CH3 is selected, the conversion unit 13 refers to the attribute information of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected to identify the delay time of the network slice. Then, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of a delay time having a value smaller than the delay time of the network or network slice.

[0130] As a more specific example, when the input information indicates that the first option "want to reduce communication delay" among the option group CH3 is selected, and the delay time of the network or network slice to which the terminal device 2A is currently connected is 10 ms, as an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 5 ms.

[0131] As another example, when the input information indicates that the second option "want to play games comfortably online" among the option group CH3 is selected, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of the delay time that enables comfortable online gaming. As an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 1 ms.

[0132] As another example, when the input information indicates that the third option "want to remotely operate objects" among the option group CH3 is selected, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of the communication speed that enables remote operation of objects. As an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 1 ms.

[0133] In this way, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information regarding the communication environment desired by the user obtained via the user interface P3 into numerical information including numerical values of attributes that realize the ideal.

[0134] Then, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice with reference to the type information of the user interface P3 and the above numerical information. More specifically, when the type information indicates type 2, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice closer to the attribute indicated by the numerical information.

[0135] For example, when the numerical information indicates 1 ms, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice having attribute information closer to 1 ms as the delay time from among a plurality of network slices.

[0136] In this way, the selection unit 12 can select a network slice that realizes the user's ideal by referring to the numerical information.

[0137] In this processing example, as shown in FIG. 11, it may be configured to acquire, as input information, a numerical value of a delay time desired by the user via the user interface P3. In this case, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice having an attribute that satisfies the numerical value indicated by the input information.

[0138] (Processing Example 4) FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the user interface presented by the presentation unit 63 of the terminal device 2A. The user interface P4 shown in FIG. 12 is a user interface for receiving, as input information, a communication environment that is the user's desired communication environment and relates to the reliability of communication. Therefore, the user interface P4 shown in FIG. 12 is a user interface corresponding to the above-described type 2.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 12, the user interface P4 includes a selection option group CH3, and the selection option group CH3 includes a plurality of candidates for the communication reliability that the user desires. The input information acquisition unit 21 of the terminal device 2A acquires input information regarding the communication reliability selected by the user via the user interface P3.

[0140] Then, the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 is acquired by the acquisition unit 11 of the information processing device 1A and supplied to the conversion unit 13. The conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information.

[0141] As an example, when the input information indicates that the first option “I want to communicate comfortably even during high-speed movement” in the selection option group CH4 is selected, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of the reliability that enables comfortable communication even during high-speed movement. As an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 99.9%.

[0142] As another example, when the input information indicates that the second option, "want to communicate comfortably even underground or indoors", is selected from the option group CH4, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of reliability that enables comfortable communication even underground or indoors. As an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 99.5%.

[0143] As another example, when the input information indicates that the third option, "want to have comfortable video calls", is selected from the option group CH4, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information including a numerical value of reliability that enables comfortable video calls. As an example, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information to 99.9%.

[0144] In this way, the conversion unit 13 converts the input information regarding the communication environment desired by the user obtained via the user interface P4 into numerical information including numerical values of attributes that can realize the ideal.

[0145] Then, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice with reference to the type information of the user interface P4 and the above numerical information. More specifically, when the type information indicates type 2, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice closer to the attribute indicated by the above numerical information.

[0146] For example, when the reliability is 99.9%, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice having attribute information closer to 99.9% as the reliability from among a plurality of network slices.

[0147] In this way, the selection unit 12 can select a network slice that can realize the user's ideal with reference to the above numerical information.

[0148] In this processing example, as shown in FIG. 12, it may be configured to acquire, as input information, a numerical value of reliability (packet transmission / reception success rate) desired by the user via the user interface P4. In this case, the selection unit 12 selects a network slice having an attribute that satisfies the numerical value indicated by the input information.

[0149] (Processing Example 5) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the user interface presented by the presentation unit 63 of the terminal device 2A. The user interface P5 shown in FIG. 13 accepts, as input information, the period during which the user improves the communication quality and the timing at which the improvement of the communication quality is started, as the user's request.

[0150] The user interface P5 is presented to the user, for example, in addition to any of the user interfaces P1 to P4 according to Processing Examples 1 to 4. However, this does not limit the present embodiment, and it may be configured to be presented to the user without any relation to the user interfaces P1 to P4 according to Processing Examples 1 to 4.

[0151] As shown in FIG. 13, the user interface P5 includes an area for inputting the period for improving the communication quality and an area for inputting the date and time at which the improvement of the communication quality is started. The input information acquisition unit 21 of the terminal device 2A acquires, as input information, the period for improving the communication quality and the timing at which the improvement of the communication quality is started via the user interface P5.

[0152] Then, the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 is acquired by the acquisition unit 11 of the information processing device 1A and supplied to the conversion unit 13. The conversion unit 13 converts the input information into numerical information and then supplies it to the selection unit 12, or supplies the input information to the selection unit 12 as numerical information as it is.

[0153] As an example, the conversion unit 13 supplies numerical information including the time input via the user interface P5 as a numerical value to the selection unit 12.

[0154] As another example, when input information to the effect of "improve communication quality immediately" is input via the user interface P5, the input information is converted into the current time, and numerical information including the current time as a numerical value is supplied to the selection unit 12.

[0155] The selection unit 12 selects a network slice so that the terminal device 2A is connected to a network slice with higher communication quality during the timing and period indicated by the numerical information supplied from the conversion unit 13.

[0156] (Other presentation examples of the user interface) The terminal device 2A may be configured to present the user interface step by step. For example, a user interface for receiving problems in the communication environment felt by the user may be presented, and according to the input information received by the input information acquisition unit 21, a user interface for receiving the communication environment desired by the user may be presented.

[0157] As an example, the presentation unit 63 of the terminal device 2A presents the user interface P1 shown in FIG. 9. Then, when the first option "slow communication speed" in the option group CH1 included in the user interface P1 is selected, the presentation unit 63A presents, as the user's request, a user interface P2 (FIG. 10) for receiving, as input information, the communication environment desired by the user and related to the communication speed. Then, the input information acquisition unit 21 acquires input information related to the ideal communication environment selected by the user via the user interface P2.

[0158] As another example, the presentation unit 63A of the terminal device 2A presents the user interface P1 shown in FIG. 9. Then, when the second option "There is a delay" is selected from the option group CH1 included in the user interface P1, the presentation unit 63A presents, as a user request, a user interface P3 (FIG. 11) for receiving, as input information, a communication environment that is the communication environment desired by the user and related to the delay time. Then, the input information acquisition unit 21 acquires input information regarding the ideal communication environment selected by the user via the user interface P3.

[0159] As another example, the presentation unit 63A of the terminal device 2A presents the user interface P1 shown in FIG. 9. Then, when the third option "The communication is often interrupted and unstable" is selected from the option group CH1 included in the user interface P1, the presentation unit 63A presents, as a user request, a user interface P4 (FIG. 12) for receiving, as input information, a communication environment that is the communication environment desired by the user and related to the reliability of communication. Then, the input information acquisition unit 21 acquires input information regarding the ideal communication environment selected by the user via the user interface P4.

[0160] As described above, by the terminal device 2A presenting a plurality of types of user interfaces step by step, the user's requests can be received more suitably. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the user can more suitably select the network slice desired by the user.

[0161] (Flow of the information processing method) Subsequently, the flow of the information processing method S100A according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the information processing method S100A.

[0162] (Step S21) First, the input information acquisition unit 21 of the terminal device 2A acquires input information input via a user interface for receiving the user's requests regarding communication quality.

[0163] (Step S111) The providing unit 22 provides the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 to the information processing apparatus 1A via the communication unit 61.

[0164] (Step S101) The acquisition unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 1A acquires the input information provided from the terminal device 2A via the communication unit 51.

[0165] (Step S102) The conversion unit 13 converts the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 into numerical information regarding the attributes of the network slice. Since the specific conversion process by the conversion unit 13 has been described, the description is omitted here.

[0166] (Step S103) The selection unit 12 refers to the numerical information and selects a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device from among a plurality of network slices.

[0167] (Step S112) Subsequently, the selection unit 12 inquires of the network slice management unit 15 whether the terminal device 2A can be connected to the selected network slice.

[0168] (Step S113) If there is a response from the network slice management unit 15 that the terminal device 2A cannot be connected to the selected network slice, the selection unit 12 notifies the terminal device 2A via the communication unit 51 that it is impossible to connect to the network slice. When the terminal device 2A receives the notification that it is impossible to connect to the network slice, it returns to the process of Step S21.

[0169] (Step S114) On the other hand, when the network slice management unit 15 responds that the terminal device 2A can be connected to the selected network slice, the selection unit 12 requests the charging system 112 to notify the charging amount required to connect to the selected network slice.

[0170] (Step S115) When the charging system 112 receives a request to notify the charging amount required to connect to the network slice, it notifies the information processing device 1A of the charging amount required to connect to the network slice.

[0171] (Step S116) When the network slice information providing unit 14 of the information processing device 1A receives a notification of the charging amount required to connect to the network slice selected by the selection unit 12 from the charging system 112, it generates network slice information. The network slice information providing unit 14 provides the generated network slice information to the terminal device 2A via the communication unit 51.

[0172] (Step S23) The network slice information acquisition unit 23 of the terminal device 2A acquires network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected by referring to the numerical information from the information processing device.

[0173] (Step S117) The network slice information acquisition unit 23 asks the user whether to connect to the network slice indicated by the acquired network slice information. Here, the user interface for making this inquiry will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a user interface P6 which is an example of a user interface for asking the user whether to connect to the network slice indicated by the network slice information.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 15, the user interface P6 includes the attributes of the network slice indicated by the network slice information, and the user can check the attributes of the network slice via the user interface P6.

[0175] In addition, the user interface P6 includes a button B1 for receiving the fact that the user has selected not to connect to the above network slice, and a button B2 for receiving the fact that the user has selected to connect to the above network slice. By the user's operation on the button B1 and the button B2, the input information acquisition unit 21 acquires selection information indicating the user's selection regarding whether to connect to the network slice.

[0176] Also, when the network slice information acquired by the network slice information acquisition unit 23 includes charge information regarding the charge for connecting to the network slice, as shown in FIG. 15, the user interface P6 may be configured to include a text TXF indicating the charge indicated by the charge information.

[0177] (Step S118) When the input information acquisition unit 21 acquires selection information indicating not to connect to the network slice, the terminal device 2A notifies the information processing device 1A that it will not connect to the network slice, and returns to step S21.

[0178] (Step S119) When the input information acquisition unit 21 acquires selection information indicating to connect to the network slice, the providing unit 22 provides the selection information to the charging system 112 via the communication unit 61.

[0179] (Step S120) The charging system 112 acquires the selection information provided from the terminal device 2A.

[0180] (Step S121) When the charging system 112 acquires the selection information, it checks whether the user of the terminal device 2A has been charged. As an example of a method for the charging system 112 to check whether the user has been charged, the selection information may include information indicating the method by which the user of the terminal device 2A pays the fee. In this case, the charging system 112 acquires the selection information including the information indicating the method by which the user pays the fee, and checks whether the user has been charged according to the method by which the user pays the fee. When the charging system 112 confirms that the user of the terminal device 2A has been charged, it provides the information processing device 1A with connection permission information for permitting the connection from the terminal device 2A to the network slice.

[0181] (Step S122) The acquisition unit 11 of the information processing device 1A acquires the connection permission information provided from the charging system 112 via the communication unit 51.

[0182] (Step S123) When the acquisition unit 11 acquires the connection permission information, the selection unit 12 generates terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device 2A from other terminal devices.

[0183] (Step S124) The network slice information providing unit 14 provides the generated terminal identification information to the terminal device 2A via the communication unit 51.

[0184] (Step S125) The terminal identification information acquisition unit 24 of the terminal device 2A acquires the terminal identification information provided from the information processing device 1A via the communication unit 61.

[0185] (Step S126) The connection unit 25 uses the terminal identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquisition unit 24 to connect to the network slice indicated by the network slice information.

[0186] (Step S127) When the period during which the terminal device 2A is connected to the network slice elapses, the network slice management unit 15 of the information processing apparatus 1A provides the terminal device 2A with connection termination information, which is information for terminating the connection to the network slice, via the communication unit 51.

[0187] (Step S128) The connection unit 25 of the terminal device 2A acquires the connection termination information provided from the information processing apparatus 1A via the communication unit 61.

[0188] (Step S129) When the connection unit 25 acquires the connection termination information, it terminates the connection to the network slice.

[0189] In this way, in the information processing system 100A, the input information input via the user interface for receiving the user's request regarding the communication quality is converted into numerical information, and the network slice is selected with reference to the numerical information. Therefore, the user can suitably select the network slice desired by the user without requiring excessive knowledge about communication from the user.

[0190] (Modification example of the network slice information providing unit 14) In step S124 described above, the network slice information providing unit 14 may be configured to provide each of the plurality of terminal devices with the terminal identification information generated by the selection unit 12 in step S123.

[0191] In this configuration, for example, in step S119, the input information acquisition unit 21 acquires selection information including information indicating each of a plurality of terminal devices that desire to connect to the selected network slice. The providing unit 22 provides the selection information to the charging system 112 and the information processing device 1A via the communication unit 61. The network slice information providing unit 14 of the information processing device 1A provides terminal identification information to each of the plurality of terminal devices indicated by the selection information provided from the terminal device 2A in step S123. Each of the plurality of terminal devices that has acquired the terminal identification information connects to the network slice selected by the information processing device 1A.

[0192] With this configuration, when the information processing device 1A performs communication between a plurality of terminal devices (for example, meetings and seminars by a plurality of terminal devices), the information processing device 1A can select a network slice suitable for communication between the plurality of terminal devices. In addition, the information processing device 1A can also connect a user without knowledge of communication to a suitable network slice.

[0193] 〔Exemplary Embodiment 3〕 The third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in Exemplary Embodiment 1 and Exemplary Embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0194] (Configuration of Information Processing System 100B) FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the configurations of the information processing device 1B and the terminal device 2B in the information processing system 100B according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 100B includes, in the same manner as the above-described information processing system 100A, a management server 111, a charging system 112, a user charging network slice group 113, and a user charging network slice group 114 not shown in FIG. 16. Note that the functions of the management server 111, the charging system 112, the user charging network slice group 113, and the user charging network slice group 114 are the same as the above-described functions, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0195] (Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus 1B) The configuration of the information processing apparatus 1B according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

[0196] As shown in FIG. 16, the information processing apparatus 1B includes a control unit 50B, a communication unit 51, and a storage unit 52. Since the functions of the communication unit 51 and the storage unit 52 are the same as those described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0197] As shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 50B also functions as a selection unit 12, a network slice information providing unit 14, a network slice management unit 15, and a numerical information acquisition unit 16. Since the functions of the selection unit 12, the network slice information providing unit 14, and the network slice management unit 15 are the same as those described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0198] The numerical information acquisition unit 16 acquires numerical information regarding the attributes of the network slice via the communication unit 51. The numerical information is as described above.

[0199] (Configuration of Terminal Device 2B) As shown in FIG. 16, the terminal device 2B includes a control unit 60B, a communication unit 61, and a storage unit 62. Since the functions of the communication unit 61 and the storage unit 62 are the same as those described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0200] As shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 60B also functions as an input information acquisition unit 21, a network slice information acquisition unit 23, a terminal identification information acquisition unit 24, a connection unit 25, a conversion unit 26, and a numerical information providing unit 27. Since the functions of the input information acquisition unit 21, the network slice information acquisition unit 23, the terminal identification information acquisition unit 24, and the connection unit 25 are the same as those described above, the description thereof will be omitted. The conversion unit 26 is a configuration that realizes the conversion means in this exemplary embodiment. The numerical information providing unit 27 is a configuration that realizes the providing means in this exemplary embodiment.

[0201] The conversion unit 26 converts the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 into numerical information. An example of the conversion unit 26 converting the input information into numerical information is the same as that of the conversion unit 13 according to the above-described exemplary embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

[0202] The numerical information providing unit 27 provides the numerical information converted by the conversion unit 26 to the information processing apparatus 1B via the communication unit 61.

[0203] (Flow of the information processing method) The flow of the information processing method S100B according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the information processing method S100B.

[0204] (Step S21) The input information acquisition unit 21 of the terminal device 2A acquires the input information input via the user interface for receiving the user's desire regarding the communication quality.

[0205] (Step S141) The conversion unit 26 converts the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 21 into numerical information.

[0206] (Step S142) The numerical information providing unit 27 provides the numerical information to the information processing apparatus 1B via the communication unit 61.

[0207] (Step S143) The numerical information acquisition unit 16 of the information processing apparatus 1B acquires the numerical information provided from the terminal device 2B via the communication unit 51.

[0208] (Processing after Step S13) The processing after Step S13 is as described in Exemplary Embodiment 2.

[0209] In this way, in the information processing system 100B, similar to the information processing system 100A according to the exemplary embodiment 2, the user can suitably select the network slice desired by the user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge about communication.

[0210] Further, in the information processing system 100B, by providing the conversion unit 26 in the terminal device 2B, the processing executed by the information processing device 1B can be reduced.

[0211] [Exemplary Embodiment 4] The fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the exemplary embodiments 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0212] (Configuration of Information Processing Device 1C) The configuration of the information processing device 1C according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 1C according to the exemplary embodiment 3 of the present invention. Similar to the above-described information processing devices 1A and 1B, the information processing device 1C is a component included in the information processing system 100C (not shown in FIG. 18) together with the terminal device 2C, the terminal device 2D, the management server 111, the charging system 112, the user charging network slice group 113, and the user charging network slice group 114. Note that the functions of the management server 111, the charging system 112, the user charging network slice group 113, and the user charging network slice group 114 are the same as the above-described functions, and thus the description thereof will be omitted. Also, the terminal device 2C has the same functions as the above-described terminal device 2A.

[0213] As shown in FIG. 18, the information processing device 1C includes a control unit 50C, a communication unit 51, and a storage unit 52. The functions of the communication unit 51 and the storage unit 52 are the same as the above-described functions, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0214] As shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 50C also functions as an acquisition unit 11, a selection unit 12, a conversion unit 13, a network slice information providing unit 14, a network slice management unit 15, and a storage unit 17. Since the functions of the acquisition unit 11, the selection unit 12, the conversion unit 13, the network slice information providing unit 14, and the network slice management unit 15 are the same as those described above, the description thereof is omitted. The network slice management unit 15 is a configuration that realizes management means in this exemplary embodiment. The storage unit 17 is a configuration that realizes storage means in this exemplary embodiment.

[0215] The storage unit 17 stores the input information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 or the numerical information converted by the conversion unit 13 in the storage unit 52. In other words, the storage unit 17 has a function of storing the user's requests.

[0216] (Example of addition and deletion of network slices by the network slice management unit 15) The network slice management unit 15 refers to the user requests stored in the storage unit 52 and executes at least one of a process of adding a new network slice to a plurality of network slices and a process of deleting a certain network slice from the plurality of network slices.

[0217] As an example, when the number of requests to increase the communication speed as a request from the user exceeds a predetermined number (for example, 100, 1000, etc., the same applies hereinafter) in a predetermined period (for example, 1 day, 1 week, etc., the same applies hereinafter), the network slice management unit 15 adds a network slice having attribute information with a higher communication speed than the network slice having the highest communication speed attribute information among the plurality of network slices it manages to the plurality of network slices.

[0218] As another example, when the number of requests to shorten the delay, which is a request from the user, exceeds a predetermined number within a predetermined period, the network slice management unit 15 adds a network slice having attribute information with a shorter delay than the network slice having the shortest delay attribute information among the plurality of network slices it manages to the plurality of network slices.

[0219] As another example, when the number of requests to increase the reliability, which is a request from the user, is less than a predetermined number within a predetermined period, the network slice management unit 15 deletes the network slice having the highest reliability attribute information from the plurality of network slices it manages.

[0220] In this way, the information processing apparatus 1C can provide a network slice according to the user's request.

[0221] 〔Exemplary Embodiment 5〕 The fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in Exemplary Embodiments 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0222] The information processing system 100D according to the fifth exemplary embodiment includes an information processing apparatus 1D, a terminal device 2D, a terminal device 3D, a management server 111D, a charging system 112, a user charging network slice group 113, and a user charging network slice group 114. Since the functions of the charging system 112, the user charging network slice group 113, and the user charging network slice group 114 are the same as the functions described above, the description thereof will be omitted. Also, since the terminal device 2D has the same functions as those of the terminal device 2A described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0223] In addition to the functions of the information processing apparatus 1A described above, in the information processing apparatus 1D, an acquisition unit 11 acquires connection instruction information via a communication unit 51. The connection instruction information is information indicating an instruction to connect to a predetermined network slice for a predetermined terminal (the terminal device 2D in this exemplary embodiment). When the information processing apparatus 1D acquires the connection instruction information, it provides terminal identification information for connecting to the network slice without providing the network slice information to the terminal device 2D. In other words, the information processing apparatus 1D provides the terminal identification information for connecting to the network slice without confirming whether the terminal device 2A connects to the network slice or not.

[0224] In addition to the functions of the management server 111 described above, the management server 111D provides connection instruction information to the information processing apparatus 1D when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Examples of the predetermined condition include when a disaster occurs, when a communication failure occurs in some network slices, etc., but this does not limit this embodiment.

[0225] (Flow of the information processing method) The flow of the information processing method S100D according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the information processing method S100D.

[0226] (Step S151) When the management server 111D determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied, it provides connection instruction information to the information processing apparatus 1D.

[0227] (Step S152) The acquisition unit 11 of the information processing apparatus 1D acquires the connection instruction information provided from the management server 111D via the communication unit 51.

[0228] (Step S153) The selection unit 12 refers to the connection instruction information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 and selects a predetermined network slice.

[0229] (Step S154) The selection unit 12 refers to the connection instruction information and generates terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device 2D, which is a predetermined terminal device, from other terminal devices.

[0230] (Processing after step S125) The processing after step S125 is as described in the exemplary embodiment 2.

[0231] As described above, in the information processing system 100D, in an emergency or the like, the terminal device 2D can be connected to a predetermined network slice without confirming whether the user of the terminal device 2D connects to the network slice.

[0232] 〔Example of implementation by software〕 Some or all of the functions of the information processing devices 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, the terminal devices 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, and the information processing system 100 may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC chip), or may be realized by software.

[0233] In the latter case, the information processing devices 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, the terminal devices 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, and the information processing system 100 are realized by, for example, a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software for realizing each function. An example of such a computer (hereinafter referred to as computer C) is shown in FIG. 20. The computer C includes at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. A program P for operating the computer C as the information processing devices 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, the terminal devices 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, and the information processing system 100 is recorded in the memory C2. In the computer C, the processor C1 reads the program P from the memory C2 and executes it, thereby realizing each function of the information processing devices 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, the terminal devices 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, and the information processing system 100.

[0234] As the processor C1, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an FPU (Floating point number Processing Unit), a PPU (Physics Processing Unit), a microcontroller, or a combination thereof can be used. As the memory C2, for example, a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a combination thereof can be used.

[0235] Note that the computer C may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program P during execution and temporarily storing various data. Further, the computer C may further include a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. Further, the computer C may further include an input / output interface for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and a printer.

[0236] Also, the program P can be recorded on a non-transitory tangible recording medium M readable by the computer C. As such a recording medium M, for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit can be used. The computer C can obtain the program P via such a recording medium M. Also, the program P can be transmitted via a transmission medium. As such a transmission medium, for example, a communication network or a broadcast wave can be used. The computer C can also obtain the program P via such a transmission medium.

[0237] 〔Supplementary Note 1〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. For example, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the above-described embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0238] [Supplementary Note 2] Some or all of the above-described embodiments may be described as follows. However, the present invention is not limited to the aspects described below.

[0239] (Supplementary Note 1) Numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, the obtaining means for obtaining numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice, and referring to the numerical information, selecting means for selecting a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device from among a plurality of network slices, an information processing apparatus comprising.

[0240] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suitably select a network slice desired by the user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge regarding communication.

[0241] (Supplementary Note 2) The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising conversion means for converting the input information into the numerical information.

[0242] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suitably select a network slice desired by the user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge regarding communication.

[0243] (Supplementary Note 3) The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, further comprising providing means for providing the terminal device with network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected by the selection means.

[0244] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suitably select a network slice desired by the user.

[0245] (Appendix 4) The selection means identifies a fee for connecting to the selected network slice and includes fee information regarding the identified fee in the network slice information. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 3.

[0246] According to the above configuration, it is possible to notify the user in advance of the fee for connecting to the selected network slice.

[0247] (Appendix 5) When the acquisition means acquires connection permission information for permitting connection from the terminal device to the selected network slice, the selection means generates terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device from other terminal devices, and the provision means provides the terminal identification information to the terminal device. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 3 or 4.

[0248] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the terminal device from connecting to the wrong network slice.

[0249] (Appendix 6) The selection means generates terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device from other terminal devices, and the provision means provides the terminal identification information to each of a plurality of terminal devices. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 3 to 5.

[0250] According to the above configuration, it is possible to connect a plurality of terminal devices to the selected network slice.

[0251] (Appendix 7) An information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6, comprising: a storage means for storing the user's requests; and a slice management means for referring to the user's requests stored by the storage means and executing at least one of a process of adding a new network slice to the plurality of network slices and a process of deleting a certain network slice from the plurality of network slices.

[0252] According to the above configuration, a network slice suitable for the user's requirements can be provided.

[0253] (Appendix 8) The user interface is an information processing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7 that receives at least information regarding problems with communication quality as the user's requirements.

[0254] According to the above configuration, a network slice that solves the problems felt by the user can be selected.

[0255] (Appendix 9) The user interface is an information processing device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 8 that receives at least information regarding the desired communication quality as the user's requirements.

[0256] According to the above configuration, a network slice that satisfies the communication quality desired by the user can be selected.

[0257] (Appendix 10) The user interface is an information processing device according to either Appendix 8 or 9 that receives at least the period for improving communication quality and the timing for starting the improvement of communication quality as the user's requirements.

[0258] According to the above configuration, a network slice can be provided only for the period desired by the user.

[0259] (Appendix 11) Input information acquisition means for acquiring input information input via a user interface for receiving user requests regarding communication quality, and the input information acquired by the input information acquisition means, or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, which is numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice, and providing means for providing the numerical information to an information processing device, and network slice information acquisition means for acquiring, from the information processing device, network slice information including attribute information of the network slice selected with reference to the numerical information.

[0260] According to the above configuration, the user can suitably select a network slice desired by the user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge regarding communication.

[0261] (Appendix 12) The terminal device according to Appendix 11, further comprising conversion means for converting the input information into the numerical information, and the providing means provides the numerical information to an information processing device.

[0262] According to the above configuration, the user can select a network slice that satisfies the communication quality desired by the user.

[0263] (Appendix 13) The terminal device according to Appendix 11 or 12, wherein the network slice information acquisition means acquires network slice information including charge information regarding the charge for connecting to the selected network slice.

[0264] According to the above configuration, the charge for connecting to the selected network slice can be notified to the user in advance.

[0265] (Appendix 14) The terminal device according to any one of Appendices 11 to 13, wherein the input information acquisition means acquires a user's selection regarding whether to connect to the network slice indicated by the network slice information acquired by the network slice information acquisition means, and the providing means provides selection information indicating the user's selection.

[0266] According to the above configuration, it is possible to confirm with the user whether to connect to the selected network slice.

[0267] (Appendix 15) Terminal identification information acquisition means for acquiring terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device from the information processing device, and connection means for connecting to the network slice indicated by the network slice information using the terminal identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquisition means, The terminal device according to any one of Appendices 11 to 14, further comprising:

[0268] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the terminal device from connecting to an incorrect network slice.

[0269] (Appendix 16) The user interface is the terminal device according to any one of Appendices 11 to 15, which at least receives information regarding problems with communication quality as the user's request.

[0270] According to the above configuration, it is possible to select a network slice that solves the problems felt by the user.

[0271] (Appendix 17) The user interface is the terminal device according to any one of Appendices 11 to 16, which at least receives information regarding the desired communication quality as the user's request.

[0272] According to the above configuration, it is possible to select a network slice that satisfies the communication quality desired by the user.

[0273] (Appendix 18) The user interface is the terminal device according to Appendix 16 or 17, which at least receives the period for improving the communication quality and the timing for starting the improvement of the communication quality as the user's request.

[0274] According to the above configuration, the network slice can be provided only for as long as the user desires.

[0275] (Appendix 19) An information processing system comprising: input information acquisition means for acquiring input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality; conversion means for converting the input information acquired by the input information acquisition means into numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice; and selection means for selecting, with reference to the numerical information, a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of a terminal device from among a plurality of network slices.

[0276] According to the above configuration, the user can suitably select a network slice desired by the user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge regarding communication.

[0277] (Appendix 20) An information processing method for acquiring numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice, which is numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, and selecting, with reference to the numerical information, a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of a terminal device from among a plurality of network slices.

[0278] According to the above configuration, the user can suitably select a network slice desired by the user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge regarding communication.

[0279] (Appendix 21) An information processing method for acquiring input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, providing the acquired input information or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, which is numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice, to an information processing device, and acquiring network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected with reference to the numerical information from the information processing device.

[0280] According to the above configuration, the user can suitably select a network slice desired by the user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge about communication.

[0281] (Appendix 22) A program that causes a computer to function as an information processing device, the program causing the computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, the numerical information being numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice, and a selection unit that refers to the numerical information and selects, from among a plurality of network slices, a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device.

[0282] According to the above configuration, the user can suitably select a network slice desired by the user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge about communication.

[0283] (Appendix 23) An input information acquisition unit that acquires input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, a provision unit that provides the information processing device with the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, the numerical information being numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice, and a network slice information acquisition unit that acquires, from the information processing device, network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected by referring to the numerical information.

[0284] According to the above configuration, the user can suitably select a network slice desired by the user without requiring the user to have excessive knowledge about communication.

[0285] (Appendix 24) An information processing apparatus including at least one processor, wherein the processor executes an acquisition process of acquiring numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's desire regarding communication quality, the numerical information being numerical information regarding attributes of network slices, and a selection process of selecting, with reference to the numerical information, a network slice that is a candidate for a connection destination of a terminal device from among a plurality of network slices.

[0286] Note that this information processing apparatus may further include a memory, and a program for causing the processor to execute the acquisition process and the selection process may be stored in the memory. Further, this program may be recorded on a non-transitory tangible computer-readable recording medium.

[0287] (Appendix 24) A terminal device including at least one processor, wherein the processor executes an input information acquisition process of acquiring input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's desire regarding communication quality, a provision process of providing, to the information processing apparatus, the input information acquired in the input information acquisition process or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, the numerical information being numerical information regarding attributes of network slices, and a network slice information acquisition process of acquiring, from the information processing apparatus, network slice information including attribute information of a network slice selected with reference to the numerical information.

[0288] Note that this terminal device may further include a memory, and a program for causing the processor to execute the input information acquisition process, the provision process, and the network slice information acquisition process may be stored in the memory. Further, this program may be recorded on a non-transitory tangible computer-readable recording medium.

[0289] (Appendix 25) An information processing system comprising at least one processor, the processor performing an input information acquisition process of acquiring input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's desire regarding communication quality, a conversion process of converting the input information acquired in the input information acquisition process into numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice, and a selection process of selecting, with reference to the numerical information, a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of a terminal device from among a plurality of network slices.

[0290] Note that this information processing system may further include a memory, and a program for causing the processor to execute the input information acquisition process, the conversion process, and the selection process may be stored in this memory. Further, this program may be recorded on a non-transitory tangible computer-readable recording medium.

Explanation of Signs

[0291] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D Information processing device 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D Terminal device 11 Acquisition unit 12, 103 Selection unit 13, 26, 102 Conversion unit 14 Network slice information providing unit 15 Network slice management unit 16 Numerical information acquisition unit 17 Storage unit 21, 101 Input information acquisition unit 22 Providing unit 23 Network slice information acquisition unit 24 Terminal identification information acquisition unit 25 Connection unit 27 Numerical information providing unit 50A, 50B, 50C, 60A, 60B Control unit 51, 61 Communication unit 52, 62 Storage unit 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Information processing system

Claims

1. Numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving user requests regarding communication quality, the obtaining means for obtaining numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice, selection means for selecting, with reference to the numerical information, a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device from among a plurality of network slices, comprising: The user interface, as the user's request, a period for improving communication quality, and the timing for starting the improvement of communication quality at least accepts An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. Further comprising conversion means for converting the input information into the numerical information The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. Further comprising providing means for providing the terminal device with network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected by the selection means The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.

4. The selection means specifies the fee for connecting to the selected network slice, and includes fee information regarding the specified fee in the network slice information, The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that.

5. When the acquisition means acquires connection permission information indicating permission to connect the terminal device to the selected network slice, the selection means generates terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device from other terminal devices, The providing means provides the terminal identification information to the terminal device The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that.

6. The selection means generates terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device from other terminal devices, The providing means provides the terminal identification information to each of a plurality of terminal devices The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that.

7. storage means for storing the user's requests, with reference to the user requests stored by the storage means, a process of adding a new network slice to the plurality of network slices, and a process of deleting a certain network slice from the plurality of network slices slice management means for executing at least any one of The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is provided.

8. The user interface at least receives, as the user's request, information regarding problems with communication quality The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that

9. The user interface at least receives, as the user's request, information regarding an ideal communication quality The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that

10. Input information acquisition means for acquiring input information input via a user interface for receiving the user's request regarding communication quality; Providing means for providing the information processing apparatus with the input information acquired by the input information acquisition means, or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, which is numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice; Network slice information acquisition means for acquiring, from the information processing apparatus, network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected with reference to the numerical information; and The user interface at least receives, as the user's request, a period for improving communication quality, and a timing for starting the improvement of communication quality The terminal device, characterized in that

11. The terminal device according to claim 10, further comprising conversion means for converting the input information into the numerical information, wherein the providing means provides the numerical information to the information processing apparatus

12. The terminal device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the network slice information acquisition means acquires network slice information including charge information regarding the charge for connecting to the selected network slice.

13. The input information acquisition means acquires a user's selection as to whether to connect to the network slice indicated by the network slice information acquired by the network slice information acquisition means, The terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the providing means provides selection information indicating the user's selection.

14. Terminal identification information acquisition means for acquiring, from the information processing apparatus, terminal identification information for identifying the terminal device from other terminal devices; Connection means for connecting to the network slice indicated by the network slice information using the terminal identification information acquired by the terminal identification information acquisition means ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 13, further comprising

15. The user interface, as a desire of the user, at least receives information regarding problems with communication quality The terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that

16. The user interface, as a desire of the user, at least receives information regarding an ideal communication quality The terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that

17. Input information acquisition means for acquiring input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's desire regarding communication quality; Conversion means for converting the input information acquired by the input information acquisition means into numerical information regarding the attributes of a network slice; Selection means for selecting, from among a plurality of network slices, a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device with reference to the numerical information; comprising The user interface, as a desire of the user, a period for improving communication quality, and a timing for starting improvement of communication quality at least receives An information processing system characterized by

18. Numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's desire regarding communication quality, the numerical information being regarding the attributes of a network slice, and acquiring selecting, from among a plurality of network slices, a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device with reference to the numerical information, The user interface, as a desire of the user, a period for improving communication quality, and a timing for starting improvement of communication quality An information processing method characterized by at least receiving

19. acquiring input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's desire regarding communication quality, providing the acquired input information or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, the numerical information being regarding the attributes of a network slice, to an information processing device, acquiring network slice information including attribute information of the network slice selected with reference to the numerical information from the information processing device, The user interface, as a desire of the user, a period for improving communication quality, and a timing for starting improvement of communication quality at least receives ​ ​ An information processing method characterized by the following.

20. A program that causes a computer to function as an information processing device, wherein the program causes the computer to an acquisition means for acquiring numerical information obtained by converting input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality, the numerical information being related to the attributes of a network slice; a selection means for selecting, from among a plurality of network slices, a network slice that is a candidate for the connection destination of the terminal device by referring to the numerical information; function as, the user interface, as the user's request, a period for improving communication quality, and the timing for starting the improvement of communication quality at least receive A program characterized by the above.

21. A program that causes a computer to function as a terminal device, wherein the program causes the computer to an input information acquisition means for acquiring input information input via a user interface for receiving a user's request regarding communication quality; a providing means for providing the input information acquired by the input information acquisition means, or numerical information obtained by converting the input information, the numerical information being related to the attributes of a network slice, to an information processing device; a network slice information acquisition means for acquiring, from the information processing device, network slice information including the attribute information of the network slice selected by referring to the numerical information, and function as, the user interface, as the user's request, a period for improving communication quality, and the timing for starting the improvement of communication quality at least receive A program characterized by the above.

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