Information processing device, information communication system, information processing method, program, and user terminal device

Abstract

To accurately tally the amount of communication transmitted and received between a wireless terminal and a server. [Solution] The information processing device includes an identification information notification acquisition unit that acquires information that associates an IP address assigned from a user terminal device in response to connection to a network with a unique identifier that can uniquely identify the user terminal device, at least at the time the IP address is newly assigned, a storage unit that stores correspondence information that indicates the correspondence between the IP address and the unique identifier, and a counting unit that counts the communication volume for each user terminal device based on the correspondence information.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a user terminal device connects to a server on an internetwork via a destination network (e.g., a cellular network) to receive various data (information). At this time, the server counts the amount of communication (number of packets, size) sent and received between the user terminal device and the server based on the IP address (Internet Protocol Address) assigned to the user terminal device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-203691 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, with the recent increase in the number of types of networks, it is expected that user terminal devices will be connected to servers via various destination networks (such as cellular networks and Wi-Fi (registered trademark) networks) managed and operated by different parties. However, when user terminal devices are connected to servers via various destination networks, the IP addresses assigned to the wireless terminals change dynamically, which may pose a problem in that the amount of communication sent and received between the user terminal devices and the server cannot be accurately tallied.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide an information processing device, an information communication system, an information processing method, a program, and a user terminal device that can accurately tally the amount of communication sent and received between a user terminal device and a server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) One aspect of the present invention is Connected to the server via multiple different networks From the user terminal device, The aforementioned The device comprises an identification information notification acquisition unit that acquires, at least at the timing when a new IP address is assigned, information associating an IP address assigned in response to connection to a network with a unique identifier that can uniquely identify the user terminal device; a storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the IP address and the unique identifier; and a counting unit that counts the communication volume for each user terminal device based on the correspondence information. The correspondence information includes destination network identification information that identifies the type of the network to which the user terminal device is connected, and the counting unit counts the communication volume for each of the networks identified by the destination network identification information. It is an information processing device.

[0007] (2) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of (1) above, The destination network identification information includes information indicating whether the type of the network is cellular, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or satellite communication. It is something.

[0008] (3) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of (1) above, The correspondence information includes QoS (Quality of Service) related information of the network to which the user is connected, and the counting unit performs more detailed classification according to differences in the QoS related information and counts the communication volume for each user terminal device. It is something.

[0009] (4) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of (1) above, The counting unit converts the communication volume for each of the user terminal devices counted for each of the IP addresses into a communication volume for each of the unique identifiers based on the correspondence information, thereby counting the communication volume for each of the user terminal devices. It is something.

[0010] (5) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of (1) above, The correspondence information is further associated with information regarding a time period during which the user terminal device having the unique identifier communicated information using the IP address. It is something.

[0011] (6) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of (1) above, The identification information notification acquisition unit further acquires the corresponding information even when the user terminal device has finished information communication using the IP address. It is something.

[0012] (7) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is the information processing device of (1) above, The holding unit includes a temporary storage unit that holds the correspondence between the IP address and the unique identifier for the user terminal device that was assigned the IP address when connecting to a network and is currently using the IP address, and a history storage unit that holds the correspondence between the IP address and the unique identifier as a past history for the user terminal device for which assignment of the IP address has been completed. It is something.

[0013] (8) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned ( 7 In the information processing device of The tallying unit includes a packet processing unit that tallies the communication volume for each user terminal device based on the IP address for the user terminal device that was assigned the IP address when connecting to a network and is currently using the IP address, and a packet count tallying unit that tallies the communication volume for each user terminal device based on the unique identifier for the user terminal device for which assignment of the IP address has been completed. It is something.

[0014] (9) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned ( 8 In the information processing device of The packet processing unit transmits a count result to the packet count tallying unit when a new IP address is assigned to the user terminal device. It is something.

[0015] (10) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned ( 8 In the information processing device of The device includes a plurality of packet processing units that perform counting for the user terminal devices allocated by a load balancer, and the packet counting unit aggregates and counts the results of counting by the plurality of packet processing units. It is something.

[0016] (11) Another aspect of the present invention is a system including the information processing device according to any one of (1) to (10) above and the user terminal device.

[0017] (12) Another aspect of the present invention is Connected to the server via multiple different networks From the user terminal device, The aforementioned The method includes: an identification information notification acquisition step of acquiring, at least at the timing when a new IP address is assigned, information associating an IP address assigned in response to connection to a network with a unique identifier that can uniquely identify the user terminal device; a storage step of storing correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the IP address and the unique identifier; and a counting step of counting the communication volume for each user terminal device based on the correspondence. The correspondence information includes destination network identification information that identifies the type of the destination network, and the counting step counts the communication volume of each user terminal device for each network identified by the destination network identification information. It is an information processing method.

[0018] (13) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a method for executing a program for a computer, comprising: Connected to the server via multiple different networks From the user terminal device, The aforementionedThe method executes an identification information notification acquisition step of acquiring, at least at the timing when a new IP address is assigned, information associating an IP address assigned in response to connection to a network with a unique identifier that can uniquely identify the user terminal device, a storage step of storing correspondence information indicating the correspondence between the IP address and the unique identifier, and a counting step of counting the communication volume for each user terminal device based on the correspondence. The correspondence information includes destination network identification information that identifies the type of the network to which the user terminal device is connected, and the counting step counts the communication volume for each of the networks identified by the destination network identification information. It is a program.

[0019] (14) Another aspect of the present invention is A user terminal device connected to a server via a plurality of different networks, An IP address assigned upon connection to the network and a unique identifier that can uniquely identify the device. destination network identification information that identifies the type of the destination network; was associated with correspondence The information is transmitted to the server at least at the timing when the IP address is newly assigned, and information regarding the time period when information communication was performed using the IP address is transmitted to the server. With respect to the correspondence information, The user terminal device further associates and transmits the information.

[0020] (15) Another aspect of the present invention is In the user terminal device of (14) above, the correspondence information includes QoS-related information of the network to which the device is connected. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device, an information communication system, an information processing method, a program, and a user terminal device that can accurately tally the amount of communication sent and received between a user terminal device and a server. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining detailed operations of each unit in the information communication system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation (start of allocation) of a user identification unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation (end of allocation) of the user identification unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an example of the operation of a user identification unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation (change / end) of the packet processing unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a packet processing unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation (counting) of a packet counting unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of a packet count aggregation unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an internal configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] [Embodiment] Preferred embodiments of an information processing device, an information communication system, an information processing method, a program, and a user terminal device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical or similar parts are designated by identical or similar reference numerals. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and includes various modifications and improvements. In other words, the components described below include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art and those that are substantially identical, and the components described below can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of components may be made in the present embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0024] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information communication system according to this embodiment. First, an example of the configuration of the information communication system 1 will be described with reference to the figure. In the figure, the information communication system 1 includes a plurality of user terminal devices 2, a destination network 3, the Internet 4, a load balancer 5, a server 6, a user identification unit 7, and a packet counting unit 8. User terminal devices 2-1 to 2-i are shown as an example of the plurality of user terminal devices 2. Destination networks 3-1 to 3-m are shown as an example of the plurality of destination networks 3. Servers 6-1, 6-2, ..., 6-n are shown as an example of the plurality of servers 6. In the following description, the destination network 3 may be simply referred to as a network.

[0025] The user terminal device 2 is provided (mounted) in a vehicle such as an automobile, and has functions provided in a general-purpose information communication device, functions specific to in-vehicle equipment, etc. The user terminal device 2 has at least a communication function, etc., and is connected to a predetermined network. Note that the multiple user terminal devices 2 may be connected to different networks or may be connected to the same network.

[0026] Specifically, the user terminal device 2 has, as its functional configuration, a terminal-specific identifier-IP address notification function unit 20 and a communication application client 21. Note that "application" is an abbreviation. The user terminal device 2 also stores a terminal-specific identifier 22 and an IP address 23 in a storage unit (not shown).

[0027] When connecting to servers 6-1 to 6-n, terminal unique identifier-IP address notification function unit 20 uses the existing MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) protocol to notify user identification unit 7 of terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information allocation start notification 8a. Terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information allocation start notification 8a includes terminal unique identifier 22, IP address 23, and start date and time (begin-datetime). Furthermore, when disconnecting from servers 6-1 to 6-n, terminal unique identifier-IP address notification function unit 20 notifies user identification unit 7 of terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information allocation end notification 8b. Similarly, terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information allocation end notification 8b includes terminal unique identifier 22, IP address 23, and start date and time.

[0028] Here, the terminal-specific identifier 22 is an identifier unique to the terminal. The terminal-specific identifier 22 is not changed and can uniquely identify the user terminal device 2. The terminal-specific identifier 22 may be an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), an IC Card Identifier (ICCID), a Media Access Control address (MAC) address, a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN), an International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI), or the like. An example of using an IMSI as the terminal-specific identifier 22 will be described below.

[0029] The IP address 23 is identification information temporarily assigned to the user terminal device 2 depending on which of the destination networks 3 the user terminal device 2 is connected to. Therefore, the IP address 23 may change every time the destination network to which the user terminal device 2 is connected is changed.

[0030] The communication application client 21 transmits and receives data to and from one of the servers 6 via the connected network 3 and the Internet 4. Specifically, the communication application client 21 may transmit and receive data using TCP or UDP. TCP stands for Transmission Control Protocol, and UDP stands for User Datagram Protocol.

[0031] The destination network 3 is, for example, a cellular network or a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) network. In the same figure, destination networks 3-1 to 3-m are shown as examples of the multiple destination networks 3. Specifically, the destination network 3-1 may be cellular, and the destination network 3-m may be Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc. The destination network 3 has an IP address assignment function unit 30.

[0032] When an access request is received from a user terminal device 2, the IP address assignment function unit 30 assigns an IP address to the user terminal device 2 that has received the request. The assigned IP address is stored in the user terminal device 2. The IP address assignment function unit 30 stores the assigned IP address in a storage unit (not shown).

[0033] The load balancer 5 distributes packets between the user terminal device 2 and the plurality of servers 6 on an IP address basis. The load balancer 5 distributes the load on the servers 6 through this distribution.

[0034] The server 6 provides predetermined content to the connected user terminal device 2 via the load balancer 5. In the figure, servers 6-1, 6-2, and 6-n are shown as an example of multiple servers 6. The servers 6 may have the same configuration. Below, only server 6-n will be described, and a description of servers 6-1 and 6-2, which have functions equivalent to those of server 6-n, will be omitted. Server 6-n has a packet processing unit 60-n. Packet processing unit 60-n has a packet count function unit 61-n and a packet count DB 62-n.

[0035] While the user terminal device 2-1 is connected, the packet counting function unit 61-n counts the amount of communication (number of packets) between the user terminal device 2-1 connected to the server 6-n based on the IP address assigned to the user terminal device 2-1.

[0036] The packet count DB 62-n stores the counted communication volume (number of packets) in association with the IP address 23 assigned to the user terminal device 2-1. The IP address 23 is associated with a server port number. The server port number is used to identify the server port number used for each application executed on the user terminal devices 2-1 to 2-i, and is information that is set in advance on the server side for each application. The server port number is detected together with the IP address in the (real-time) packet count process in each of the packet processing units 60-1 to 60-n of the servers 6-1 to 6-n.

[0037] The user identification unit 7 includes a terminal unique identifier-IP address receiving and managing function unit 70 and a terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information DB 71. When the terminal unique identifier-IP address receiving and managing function unit 70 receives a terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information allocation start notification 8a notified from the terminal unique identifier-IP address notifying function unit 20 of the user terminal device 2, the terminal unique identifier-IP address receiving and managing function unit 70 associates the terminal unique identifier 22, the IP address 23, and the start date and time (begin-datetime), and stores them in the terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information DB 71.

[0038] Furthermore, when the terminal unique identifier-IP address receiving and managing function unit 70 receives a terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information allocation end notification 8b transmitted from the terminal unique identifier-IP address notifying function unit 20 of the user terminal device 2-1, it adds an end date and time (end-datetime) to the terminal unique identifier 22, IP address 23, and start date and time, and stores the results in the terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information DB 71. Hereinafter, the terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information allocation start notification 8a and the terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information allocation end notification 8b may be collectively referred to as IMIS-IP correspondence information.

[0039] The packet count tallying unit 8 includes a terminal-specific identifier-based count tallying function unit 80 and a terminal-specific identifier-based tallying result DB 81. The terminal-specific identifier-based count tallying function unit 80 references the terminal-specific identifier-IP correspondence information DB 71 of the user identification unit 7 and the packet count DB 62 of the packet processing unit 60 provided in each server 6 at a predetermined timing, and identifies the corresponding terminal-specific identifier using each IP address in the packet count DB 62 as a key. The packet count tallying unit 8 tally the communication volume (number of packets) for each identified terminal-specific identifier, and stores the tallying results in the terminal-specific identifier-based tallying result DB 81. The terminal-specific identifier uniquely identifies the user terminal device 2, and specifically, the IMSI may be used. The terminal-specific identifier uniquely identifies the user terminal device 2, and therefore it is possible to tally the communication volume (number of packets) for each user terminal device 2.

[0040] In the following description, a configuration including packet processing units 60-1 to 60-n, user identification unit 7, and packet count tally unit 8 may be referred to as an information processing device. Furthermore, when the user identification unit 7 is regarded as one function provided in the information processing device, it may be referred to as an identification information notification acquisition unit. Similarly, when the packet count tally unit 8 is regarded as one function provided in the information processing device, it may be referred to as a tally unit. Similarly, when the terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information DB 71 is regarded as one function provided in the information processing device, it may be referred to as a storage unit. Furthermore, the terminal unique identifier 22 is an example of a unique identifier.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the detailed configuration and operation of each unit in the information communication system according to this embodiment. In the user terminal device 2, the MQTT client 24 corresponds to the terminal-specific identifier-IP address notification function unit 20 shown in FIG. 1. The MQTT client 24 notifies the MQTT broker mosquitto 72 of the user identification unit 7 of IMSI-IP correspondence information (referred to as IMSI-IP notification in the figure). As described above, the IMSI-IP correspondence information includes a begin-datetime or end-datetime, an IP address, and an IMSI. The TCP / UDP application client 25 corresponds to the communication application client 21 shown in FIG. 1. The TCP / UDP application client 25 accesses the server 6 via the load balancer 5 using a TCP / UDP IP 26.

[0042] The load balancer 5 distributes accesses (packets) from the TCP / UDP application client 25 of the user terminal device 2 to the packet processors 60-1 and 60-2 according to a predetermined rule. The predetermined rule may be, for example, distribution by IP address (more specifically, exact match of the last x bits, etc.).

[0043] In the packet processing units 60-1 and 60-2, the TCP / UDP application servers 61-1a and 61-2a receive data transmitted and received between the user terminal device 2 and the servers 6-1 and 6-2, respectively, and count the communication volume (number of packets) using eBPF packet counters 61-1b and 61-2b. The communication volume (number of packets) is associated with the IP address of the user terminal device 2 and sequentially stored (updated) in BPF MAP packet-counts 61-1c and 61-2c.

[0044] The MAP (count) readers 61-1d and 61-2d read the communication volume (number of packets) sequentially stored in the BPF MAP packet-counts 61-1c and 61-2c, and store it in the packet count DBs 62-1 and 62-2. That is, if the packet is a packet between a known IP address, the communication volume (number of packets) is counted up, and if the IP address is new, a new entry is added to the BPF MAP packet-counts 61-1c and 61-2c.

[0045] In the user identification unit 7, the IMSI-IP DB-A73 and IMSI-IP DB-B74 correspond to the terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information DB71 shown in Fig. 1. The IMSI-IP DB-A73 holds the IMSI, IP address, and start date and time for which an IP address is currently being assigned (connected). The IMSI-IP DB-B74 holds the IMSI, IP address, and start date and time copied from the IMSI-IP DB-A73, with the end date and time added, when a different IP address is assigned, in other words, when the IP address assignment ends (connection ends). The IMSI-IP DB-A73 and DB-B74 will be described in detail later. The IMSI-IP management 75 manages the above-mentioned processes.

[0046] In the packet count tallying unit 8, packet count tally 82 corresponds to the terminal-unique-identifier-based count tallying function unit 80 shown in Fig. 1, and IMSI-based tally result 83 corresponds to terminal-unique-identifier-based tally result DB 81. Packet count tally 82 queries the IMSI-IP DB-B 74 and packet count DBs 62-1 and 62-2 using SQL (Structured Query Language), and tallies the communication volume (number of packets) by IMSI unit corresponding to the start and end dates and times using the IP address as a key. The tallying result is stored as IMSI-based tally result 83.

[0047] [User Identification Unit Operation] Fig. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation (start of allocation) of the user identification unit according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation (end of allocation) of the user identification unit according to this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the user identification unit according to this embodiment. With reference to these figures, an example of the operation of the user identification unit according to this embodiment will be described.

[0048] (Step S10) When the terminal unique identifier-IP address receiving and managing function unit 70 of the user identification unit 7 receives the IMSI-IP correspondence information (assignment start) notification from the user terminal device 2, it first searches the IMSI-IP DB-A 73. In the example shown in Fig. 5, new IMSI-IP correspondence information (IMIS: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.3) has been received (Sa1).

[0049] (Step S12) The terminal-specific identifier-IP address receiving and managing function unit 70 determines whether the received IMSI is new as a result of searching the IMSI-IP DB-A 73. If it is a new IMSI (YES in step S12), the process proceeds to step S14, and if it is not a new IMSI, i.e., if the IMSI is already connected (NO in step S12), the process proceeds to step S16.

[0050] (Step S14) If it is a new IMSI (YES in step S12), the entry {IMSIx, IPa, begin-t1} is stored in the IMSI-IP DB-A 73. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the new IMSI-IP correspondence information (IMIS: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.3) is stored in the IMSI-IP DB-A 73 as IMSI-IP correspondence information 73a {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.3, begin-datetime: 2025-01-06 10:15:36}. Then, the process ends.

[0051] (Step S16) On the other hand, if it is not a new IMSI (NO in step S12), it is determined whether it is the same IP address. If the same IMSI and the same IP address already exist in the IMSI-IP DB-A73, the process ends without doing anything. In other words, the connection state continues.

[0052] (Step S18) Furthermore, if the same IMSI already exists in the IMSI-IP DB-A73 but the same IP address does not exist, the terminal-unique-identifier-IP-address receiving and managing function unit 70 transcribes the entry {IMSIx, IPa, begin-t1} to the IMSI-IP DB-B74 and stores it with an end date and time (end-t1). In other words, if the same IMSI already exists in the IMSI-IP DB-A73 but the same IP address does not exist, this indicates that a new IP address has been assigned to the same IMSI, and the existing entry has ended. In the example shown in FIG. 5, when new IMSI-IP correspondence information (IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.1) is received (step Sa2), the IP address differs from the existing IMSI-IP correspondence information 73a (IP: 192.168.10.3), which means that the entry for the IMSI-IP correspondence information 73a has ended. Therefore, the IMSI-IP correspondence information 73a {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.3, begin-datetime: 2025-01-06 10:15:36} is transcribed into the IMSI-IP DB-B74, and the end date and time (end-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:31:45) is added, and the information is stored as IMSI-IP correspondence information 74a (step Sa3).

[0053] (Step S20) Next, the terminal-unique identifier-IP address receiving and managing function unit 70 deletes the entry {IMSIx, IPa, begin-t1} of the IMSI-IP DB-A 73 that was transcribed to the IMSI-IP DB-B 74. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the IMSI-IP correspondence information 73a {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.3, begin-datetime: 2025-01-06 10:15:36} is deleted (step Sa4).

[0054] (Step S22) Next, the terminal-unique identifier-IP address receiving and managing function unit 70 adds a new entry {IMSIx, IPb, begin-t2} to the IMSI-IP DB-A73. In the example shown in FIG. 5, IMSI-IP correspondence information 73b {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.1, begin-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:31:45} to the IMSI-IP DB-A73 (step Sa5). Note that the start date and time (begin_t2) of the IMSI-IP correspondence information 73b becomes the end date and time (end_t1) of the IMSI-IP correspondence information 74a. Then, the process ends.

[0055] (Step S30) Meanwhile, when the terminal-specific identifier-IP address receiving and managing function unit 70 of the user identifying unit 7 receives the IMSI-IP correspondence information (allocation end) notification from the user terminal device 2 (step Sa6), it first searches the IMSI-IP DB-A 73. IMSI-IP DB-A 73 currently holds IMSI-IP correspondence information 73b {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.1, begin-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:31:45} for which an IP address is being assigned, as shown in Fig. 5 .

[0056] (Step S32) The terminal-specific identifier-IP address receiving and managing function unit 70 determines whether or not there is a result of searching the IMSI-IP DB-A 73 that has the same IMSI and IP address as the received IMSI-IP correspondence information (allocation end). If there is a result with the same IMSI and IP address (YES in step S32), the process proceeds to step S34, and if there is no result with the same IMSI and IP address (NO in step S32), the process ends.

[0057] (Step S34) If the IMSI-IP DB-A73 contains an entry with the same IMSI and IP address as the received IMSI-IP correspondence information (allocation end), the terminal-specific identifier-IP address receiving and management function unit 70 transcribes the entry {IMSIx, IPa, begin-t1} into the IMSI-IP DB-B74, and also adds an end date and time (end-t1) and stores it. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the newly received IMSI-IP correspondence information (IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.1) and the IMSI-IP correspondence information 73b {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.1, begin-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:31:45} of the IMSI-IP DB-A73 have the same IMSI and the same IP address. Therefore, the IMSI-IP correspondence information 73b {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.1, begin-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:31:45} is used as the IMSI-IP The information is transcribed into DB-B74, and the end date and time (end-datetime: 2025-01-10 18:55:37) is added to the information, and the information is stored as IMSI-IP correspondence information 74b (step Sa7).

[0058] (Step S36) Next, the terminal unique identifier-IP address receiving and managing function unit 70 deletes the entry {IMSIx, IPa, begin-t1} of IMSI-IP DB-A 73 that was transcribed to IMSI-IP DB-B 74. In the example shown in Figure 5, the IMSI-IP correspondence information 73b {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.1, begin-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:31:45} is deleted (step Sa8). Then, the process ends.

[0059] Ultimately, in the example shown in FIG. 5, IMSI-IP DB-B74 will hold IMSI-IP correspondence information 74a {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.3, begin-datetime: 2025-01-06 10:15:36, end-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:31:45} and IMSI-IP correspondence information 74b {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.1, begin-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:31:45, end-datetime: 2025-01-10 18:55:37}.

[0060] Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation (change / end) of the packet processing unit according to this embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the packet processing unit according to this embodiment. Only the packet processing unit 60-1 will be explained below, but the same applies to the other packet processing units 60-2 to 60-n.

[0061] (Step S40) When the packet processing unit 60-1 receives the IMSI correspondence information allocation change / end notification from the user identification unit 7, it searches the BPF MAP packet-count 61-1c on the system kernel (step Sb1). In the example shown in Fig. 7, it is assumed that the IMSI correspondence information allocation change / end notification (IP: 192.168.10.1, end-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:27:07) has been received.

[0062] (Step S42) Next, the packet processing unit 60-1 determines whether the same IP address exists in the BPF MAP packet-count 61-1c on the system kernel. If the same IP address exists, the packet processing unit 60-1 proceeds to step S44, and if the same IP address does not exist, the process ends. In the example shown in Figure 7, it can be seen that the IP-count information 80a and 80b have the same IP address (192.168.10.1).

[0063] (Step S44) If the same IP address exists, the user identification unit 7 transcribes the IP entry {IPa, server-port, begin-t1, count} having the same IP address to the packet count DB 62-1 in the user space and adds the end date and time (end-datetime). In the example shown in Figure 7, the IP-count information 80a and 80b are transcribed to the packet count DB 62-1 in the user space and the end date and time (end-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:27:07) is added (step Sb2). As a result, packet count DB62-1 will store IP count information 81a {IP: 192.168.10.1, server-port: 80, begin-datetime: 2025-01-07 09:30:25, end-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:27:07, count: 528} and IP count information 81b {IP: 192.168.10.1, server-port: 110, begin-datetime: 2025-01-08 12:47:38, end-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:27:07, count: 273}.

[0064] (Step S46) Next, the packet processing unit 60-1 deletes the transcribed IP entry {IPa, server-port, begin-t1, count} from the BPF MAP packet-count 61-1c. In the example shown in Fig. 7, the transcribed IP-count information 80a and 80b are deleted from the BPF MAP packet-count 61-1c (step Sb3). As a result, only the IP-count information 80c remains in the BPF MAP packet-count 61-1c, and the communication volume (number of packets) for the IP-count information 80c continues to be counted.

[0065] Fig. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation (counting) of the packet count tallying unit 8 according to this embodiment. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the packet count tallying unit 8 according to this embodiment. Although only the counting operation for the packet processing unit 60-1 will be explained below, the same applies to the other packet processing units 60-2 to 60-n. In the packet count tallying unit 8, the terminal unique identifier unit count tallying function unit 80 executes the flowchart shown in Fig. 8 at a predetermined timing.

[0066] (Step S50) The terminal unique identifier unit count aggregation function unit 80 refers to the IMSI-IP DB-B 74 of the user identification unit 7 and the packet count DB 62-1 of the packet processing unit 60-1. 9, IMSI-IP correspondence information 74c {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.1, begin-datetime: 2025-01-07 09:30:25, end-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:27:07} and IMSI-IP correspondence information 74d {IMSI: 440019012345678, IP: 192.168.10.2, begin-datetime: 2025-01-09 14:35:23, end-datetime: 2025-01-09 16:41:17} are stored in IMSI-IP DB-B 74 of user identification unit 7. These pieces of IMSI-IP correspondence information 74c and 74d are for cases where communication has already ended.

[0067] Furthermore, packet count DB 62-1 of packet processor 60-1 holds IP count information 81c {IP: 192.168.10.1, server-port: 80, begin-datetime: 2025-01-07 09:30:25, end-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:27:07, count: 528} and IP count information 81d {IP: 192.168.10.2, server-port: 80, begin-datetime: 2025-01-09 14:35:23, end-datetime: 2025-01-09 16:41:17, count: 365}. These IP count information 81c and 81d also relate to communications that have already ended. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 9, IMSI-IP correspondence information 74c and IMSI-IP correspondence information 74d in IMSI-IP DB-B74 and IP-count information 81c and IP-count information 81d in packet count DB 62-1 are referenced (step Sc1).

[0068] (Step S52) The terminal-unique-identifier-based count aggregation function unit 80 uses each IMSI in the IMSI-IP DB-B74 as a key to identify the IP addresses in the packet count DB 62-1 that correspond to the same IMSI. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the IP address (192.168.10.1) in the IP-count information 81c and the IP address (192.168.10.2) in the IP-count information 81d that are linked to the IMSI (440019012345678) in the IMSI-IP DB-B74 are identified. Therefore, in this case, IP-count information 81c {IP: 192.168.10.1, begin-datetime: 2025-01-07 09:30:25, end-datetime: 2025-01-08 15:27:07, count: 528} and IP-count information 81d {IP: 192.168.10.2, begin-datetime: 2025-01-09 14:35:23, end-datetime: 2025-01-09 16:41:17, count: 365} are identified (step Sc2).

[0069] (Step S54) Next, the terminal-unique-identifier-based counting and aggregation function unit 80 aggregates the communication volume (number of packets; count) of the identified IMSI and stores it in the terminal-unique-identifier-based aggregation result DB 81. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the communication volume (count: 528, 365) of IP-count information 81c and 81d of IP addresses (192.168.10.1 and 192.168.10.2) corresponding to the identified IMSI (440019012345678) is aggregated (528 + 365 = 893) and stored in the terminal-unique-identifier-based aggregation result DB 81 together with IMSI count information 90a and 90b (step Sc3). This makes it possible to aggregate the communication volume (number of packets) during a predetermined time period for each user terminal device 2 uniquely identified by the IMSI. Note that, although the server port is ignored here, the communication volume (number of packets) may also be aggregated for each server port.

[0070] The above-mentioned IMSI-IP correspondence information 73a to 73c are an example of correspondence information, and the start date and time (begin-datetime) and end date and time (end-datetime) are an example of information relating to the time period during which information communication took place. Also, the IMSI-IP DB-A 73 is an example of a temporary storage unit, the IMSI-IP DB-B 74 is an example of a history storage unit, and the packet count function units 61-1 to 61-n are an example of a packet count aggregation unit.

[0071] [Internal configuration] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of an information processing device according to this embodiment. At least some of the functions of the information processing device can be realized using a computer. As shown in the figure, the computer includes a central processing unit 901, a RAM 902, an input / output port 903, input / output devices 904 and 905, and a bus 906. The computer itself can be realized using existing technology. The central processing unit 901 executes instructions contained in a program read from the RAM 902 or the like. In accordance with each instruction, the central processing unit 901 writes data to the RAM 902, reads data from the RAM 902, and performs arithmetic and logical operations. The RAM 902 stores data and programs. Each element included in the RAM 902 has an address and can be accessed using the address. RAM stands for "random access memory." The input / output port 903 is a port through which the central processing unit 901 exchanges data with external input / output devices. The input / output devices 904 and 905 are input / output devices. Input / output devices 904 and 905 exchange data with the central processing unit 901 via an input / output port 903. A bus 906 is a common communication path used within the computer. For example, the central processing unit 901 reads and writes data from and to RAM 902 via the bus 906. Also, for example, the central processing unit 901 accesses the input / output port via the bus 906. Furthermore, all or part of each functional unit provided in the learning device may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. Furthermore, all or part of each functional unit may be realized by a combination of software and hardware.

[0072] [Summary of the embodiment] According to the above-described embodiment, the user identification unit 7 acquires, at least when the IP address 23 is newly assigned, a terminal-unique identifier-IP address association information allocation start notification that associates the IP address 23 assigned in response to the connection of the user terminal device 2-1 to the destination network 3-1 to 3-m with the terminal-unique identifier 22 that can uniquely identify the user terminal device 2-1 to 2-n. Correspondence information showing the correspondence between the IP address 23 and the terminal-unique identifier 22 is stored in the terminal-unique identifier-IP address association information DB 71. The packet count tallying unit 8 tally the communication volume for each user terminal device 2-1 to 2-n based on the correspondence information. This allows for accurate tallying of the communication volume between the wireless terminal and the server. Furthermore, accurate tallying of the communication volume allows for more flexible billing for services and more accurate understanding of traffic information, etc.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the type of the destination network 3-1 to 3-m (information such as cellular, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), satellite communication, etc.) may be included in the notification of start of allocation of terminal-specific identifier (IMSI)-IP address correspondence information that the user terminal devices 2-1 to 2-i notify the user identification unit 7 at the start of connection. Furthermore, the cellular APN (Access Point Name), VPN (Virtual Private Network) information, tunneling information, etc. may be added.

[0074] Furthermore, the notification of the start of allocation of terminal unique identifier (IMSI)-IP address correspondence information may include a QoS profile, (5G) network slice information, etc. as QoS (Quality of Service) related information of the destination networks 3-1 to 3-m. This is because it is difficult for the servers 6-1 to 6-n to directly acquire the destination networks 3-1 to 3-m or QoS related information of the destination networks 3-1 to 3-m. The user identification unit 7 stores this information in the terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information DB 71.

[0075] In this way, even when the type of destination network 3-1 to 3-m is included in the notification of start of allocation of terminal unique identifier (IMSI)-IP address correspondence information, the packet processing units 60-1 to 60-n basically count the communication volume (number of packets) for each IP address (+server port), but may also count the communication volume for each type of destination network 3-1 to 3-m or for each QoS information. This makes it possible to count the communication volume (number of packets) by classifying it in more detail according to the destination network 3-1 to 3-m or the QoS information, even for the same terminal unique identifier (IMSI), making it possible to charge for services more flexibly and to grasp traffic information more accurately.

[0076] In addition, all or part of the functions of the user identification unit 7, packet count tallying unit 8, and each unit of packet processing units 60-1 to 60-n in the above-mentioned embodiment may be realized by recording a program for realizing these functions on a computer-readable recording medium, and reading and executing the program recorded on this recording medium into a computer system. Note that the "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0077] Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage units such as hard disks built into computer systems. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" may also include devices that dynamically store programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs over networks like the Internet or communication lines like telephone lines, or devices that store programs for a fixed period of time, such as volatile memory within computer systems that serve as servers or clients. Furthermore, the programs may be programs that realize some of the aforementioned functions, or may be programs that can realize the aforementioned functions in combination with programs already stored in the computer system.

[0078] In the above-described embodiment, the destination networks 3-1 to 3-m are an example of networks, the packet processing units 60-1 to 60-n, the user identification unit 7, and the packet count tallying unit 8 are an example of information processing devices, the user identification unit 7 is an example of an identification information notification acquisition unit, the terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information DB 71 is an example of a storage unit, and the packet count tallying unit 8 is an example of a tallying unit. Furthermore, the terminal unique identifier 22 is an example of a unique identifier, the IMSI-IP correspondence information 73a to 73c are an example of correspondence information, and the start date and time (begin-datetime) and the end date and time (end-datetime) are an example of information relating to a time period during which information communication took place. Furthermore, the IMSI-IP DB-A 73 is an example of a temporary storage unit, the IMSI-IP DB-B 74 is an example of a history storage unit, and the packet count function units 61-1 to 61-n are examples of packet count tallying units.

[0079] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and their modifications are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

[0080] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment makes it possible, for example, to "accurately tally the amount of communication sent and received between a wireless terminal and a server," which will contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to "build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation." [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1...information and communication system, 2-1 to 2-i...user terminal device, 3-1 to 3-m...connection network, 4...Internet, 5...load balancer, 6-1 to 6-n...server, 7...user identification unit, 8...packet count aggregation unit, 20...terminal unique identifier-IP address notification function unit, 21...communication application / client (TCP / UDP), 22...terminal unique identifier (unique identifier), 23...IP address, 30...IP address allocation function unit (DHCP), 61-1 to 61-n...packet count function unit, 62-1 to 62-n...packet count DB, 70...terminal unique identifier-IP address reception / management function unit, 71...terminal unique identifier-IP address correspondence information DB, 80...terminal unique identifier unit count aggregation function unit, 81...terminal unique identifier unit aggregation result DB

Claims

1. An identification information notification acquisition unit that acquires, from a user terminal device connected to a server via multiple mutually different networks, information that associates an IP address assigned in response to connection to the network with a unique identifier that can uniquely identify the user terminal device, at least at the time the IP address is newly assigned; a storage unit that stores correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the IP address and the unique identifier; a counting unit that counts communication volumes for each of the user terminal devices based on the correspondence information; Equipped with the correspondence information includes destination network identification information that identifies the type of the destination network, the counting unit counts the communication volume of each of the user terminal devices for each of the networks identified by the destination network identification information. Information processing device.

2. The destination network identification information includes information indicating whether the type of the network is cellular, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or satellite communication. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The correspondence information includes QoS (Quality of Service) related information of the network to which the communication is connected; the counting unit performs more detailed classification according to differences in the QoS-related information and counts the communication volume for each of the user terminal devices. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. the counting unit converts the communication volume for each of the user terminal devices counted for each of the IP addresses into a communication volume for each of the unique identifiers based on the correspondence information, thereby counting the communication volume for each of the user terminal devices. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The correspondence information is further associated with information regarding a time period during which the user terminal device having the unique identifier communicated information using the IP address. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. the identification information notification acquisition unit further acquires the correspondence information even when the user terminal device has finished information communication using the IP address. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. The holding portion is a temporary storage unit that stores a correspondence between the IP address and the unique identifier for the user terminal device that was assigned the IP address when connecting to a network and is currently using the IP address; a history storage unit that stores, as a past history, a correspondence relationship between the IP address and the unique identifier for the user terminal device for which the assignment of the IP address has been completed; Equipped with The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. The aggregation unit a packet processing unit that counts the communication volume of each user terminal device based on the IP address, for the user terminal device that was assigned the IP address when connecting to a network and is currently using the IP address; a packet counting unit that counts communication volume for each user terminal device based on the unique identifier for the user terminal device after the assignment of the IP address has been completed; Equipped with The information processing device according to claim 7 .

9. the packet processing unit transmits a counting result to the packet counting unit when a new IP address is assigned to the user terminal device. The information processing device according to claim 8 .

10. a plurality of the packet processing units that perform aggregation for the user terminal devices allocated by a load balancer; the packet count tallying unit aggregates and tallys the results tallying by the plurality of packet processing units; The information processing device according to claim 8 .

11. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; the user terminal device; An information and communication system comprising:

12. An identification information notification acquisition process for acquiring, from a user terminal device connected to a server via a plurality of mutually different networks, information associating an IP address assigned in response to connection to the network with a unique identifier that can uniquely identify the user terminal device, at least at the time when the IP address is newly assigned; a storing step of storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the IP address and the unique identifier; a counting step of counting the communication volume for each of the user terminal devices based on the correspondence relationship; and the correspondence information includes destination network identification information that identifies the type of the destination network, the counting step counts the communication volume for each of the user terminal devices for each of the networks identified by the destination network identification information; Information processing methods.

13. On the computer, an identification information notification acquisition step of acquiring, from a user terminal device connected to a server via a plurality of mutually different networks, information in which an IP address assigned in response to connection to the network is associated with a unique identifier that can uniquely identify the user terminal device, at least at the timing when the IP address is newly assigned; a storing step of storing correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship between the IP address and the unique identifier; a counting step of counting communication volumes for each of the user terminal devices based on the correspondence relationship; Execute the correspondence information includes destination network identification information that identifies the type of the destination network, the counting step counts the communication volume of each of the user terminal devices for each of the networks identified by the destination network identification information; program.

14. A user terminal device connected to a server via a plurality of mutually different networks, transmits to the server, at least at the timing when the IP address is newly assigned, correspondence information in which the IP address assigned in response to connection to the network, a unique identifier that can uniquely identify the device itself, and destination network identification information that identifies the type of the destination network, are associated with each other; transmitting information relating to a time period during which information communication was performed using the IP address in association with the correspondence information; User terminal equipment.

15. The correspondence information includes QoS-related information of the network to which the device is connected.

15. A user terminal device according to claim 14.

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