Service quality management system, terminal, server, service quality management program, and service quality management method

Abstract

To provide a service quality management system, method, program, a terminal, and a server that with respect to QoS control for an application of a terminal, provide appropriate QoS control based on determination of guaranty propriety of service quality and identify a cause of service quality guaranty impossibility.SOLUTION: A service quality management system 1 includes a terminal 10 and a server 30. The terminal 10 determines whether or not conditions for guaranteeing service quality are satisfied for predetermined terminal-side determination items in response to a QoS control start request from an application AP and, when it is determined that the conditions are satisfied, transmits a service quality guaranty propriety determination request to the server. The server determines whether or not conditions for guaranteeing the service quality are satisfied for predetermined server-side determination items in response to the service quality guaranty propriety determination request and, when the conditions are satisfied, notifies the terminal of guaranty propriety determination information including a determination result. The terminal starts QoS control of the application AP.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a service quality management system, a terminal, a server, a service quality management program, and a service quality management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Providers that provide network services are required to provide users with a certain level of QoS (Quality of Service). Providers implement QoS control to provide a certain level of service quality that is targeted. Furthermore, a Service Level Agreement (SLA) regarding the level of service quality to be provided may be established between the QoS provider and the user. When an SLA is established, the provider implements QoS control to ensure the service quality established as the SLA. Regarding QoS control, a technique is known in which a network device determines whether it can provide sufficient resources in response to a service request (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-260832 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In QoS control for wired networks and dedicated devices, the network is relatively stable, so as long as the quality of the network under the provider's management is guaranteed, it is easy for users to enjoy QoS control services, and SLA management is also completed with resources under the provider's control. However, in QoS control for mobile terminals and applications running on mobile terminals, communication conditions, including network conditions, change significantly due to factors outside the provider's control, such as changes in the mobile terminal's location status and the behavior of software within the mobile terminal. This makes it difficult to provide a certain level of service quality, and QoS control may not be possible. Furthermore, it is difficult for the provider to identify the cause of the inability to provide service quality.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide appropriate QoS control for an application or a terminal on which the application is executed, based on a determination of whether service quality can be guaranteed and whether QoS control can be implemented, and to identify the causes of inability to guarantee service quality and inability to implement QoS control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a service quality management system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a terminal on which an application is executed, and a service quality management device that manages the state of QoS control related to the service quality of communication, and the QoS control is a service quality management system that targets the application or the terminal, and the terminal, in response to a request to start QoS control from the application or the terminal, acquires parameter values ​​corresponding to each terminal-side check item for one or more terminal-side check items that are defined by associating predetermined parameters that can be acquired by the terminal with fulfillment conditions that should be fulfilled for the parameters, and determines whether the parameter values ​​fulfill the fulfillment conditions; and and a request unit which, when the condition judgment request for starting QoS control is acquired from the terminal, transmits a condition judgment request for starting QoS control to the service quality control device. The service quality control device, when acquiring the condition judgment request for starting QoS control from the terminal, is equipped with a second judgment unit which, for one or more service quality control device-side judgment items that are specified in association with predetermined parameters that can be acquired by the service quality control device and fulfillment conditions that should be fulfilled for the parameters, acquires parameter values ​​corresponding to each of the service quality control device-side judgment items and judges whether the parameter values ​​fulfill the conditions. When the second judgment unit judges that each parameter value of the service quality control device-side judgment item fulfills the corresponding fulfillment condition, at least one of the terminal and the service quality control device starts QoS control.

[0007] According to the above embodiment, the terminal first determines whether parameters related to QoS control satisfy predetermined conditions. If the terminal determines that the parameters satisfy the predetermined conditions, the service quality management device determines whether the parameters satisfy the predetermined conditions. If the service quality management device determines that the parameters satisfy the predetermined conditions, QoS control is initiated. Therefore, if there is a factor that makes it impossible to guarantee service quality or to perform QoS control, QoS control is not performed, thereby enabling appropriate QoS control to be provided. Furthermore, the service quality management device determines whether the parameters satisfy the predetermined conditions only if the terminal determines that the parameters satisfy the predetermined conditions. This prevents the service quality management device from performing unnecessary determination processing when the terminal does not satisfy the conditions. Furthermore, since the terminal and the service quality management device each determine whether the parameters satisfy the conditions, it is possible to identify the cause when the conditions are not satisfied. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent DOS (Denial of Service) attacks by unauthorized applications. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] With regard to QoS control for an application or a terminal on which the application is executed, it is possible to provide appropriate QoS control based on a determination of whether service quality can be guaranteed and whether QoS control can be implemented, and to identify the causes of inability to guarantee service quality and inability to implement QoS control. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a device configuration of a service quality management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal constituting the service quality management device. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server that constitutes the service quality management device. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of a terminal and a server that constitute the service quality management device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a QoS control start request. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing examples of check items. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a determination result of a terminal-side determination item. [Figure 8] Fig. 8(a) is a diagram showing an example of a determination log, which is another example of the first log information, and Fig. 8(b) is a diagram showing an example of a control implementation log, which is another example of the first log information. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a log in which the determination times for the determination items in the terminal are recorded. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a determination result of a server-side determination item. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a log recording the number of times a parameter for each check item is determined not to satisfy the condition in the terminal. [Figure 12] 1 is a flowchart showing the processing content of a service quality management method in a service quality management system. [Figure 13] 1 is a flowchart showing the processing content of a service quality management method in a service quality management system. [Figure 14] 1 is a flowchart showing the processing content of a service quality management method in a service quality management system. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing content of a service quality management method after QoS control is started in a terminal. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of a service quality management method after QoS control is started in a server. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of determination results for determination items on the terminal side and the server side after QoS control is started. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a service quality management program in a terminal. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a service quality control program in the server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of a service quality control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Whenever possible, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the device configuration of a service quality control system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the service quality control system 1 includes a terminal 10 and a server 30 configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network N. The server 30 constitutes a service quality control device on the server side. Note that, although this embodiment shows an example in which the service quality control device is configured by the server 30, this example is not limiting. The service quality control device may be configured by other devices, for example, by a network device for configuring a network. Note that the server 30 may exist on the network N. The terminal 10 may constitute a service quality control device on the terminal side.

[0012] The terminal 10 includes an application AP (hereinafter referred to as "application AP") that is a QoS control target. QoS control is implemented to provide the application AP with a certain network-related service quality that is a target for communication bandwidth, delay time, and the like. QoS control may also be implemented to provide the terminal 10 with a certain network-related service quality. That is, the server 30 may implement QoS control to provide the application AP or the terminal 10 with a network communication-related service quality. The terminal 10 may also implement QoS control to ensure the service quality. When an SLA is set, the server 30 or the terminal 10 may implement QoS control to ensure the service quality set as the SLA. In the following, this embodiment will describe an example in which an SLA is set. That is, the terminal 10 and the server 30 implement QoS control to ensure the service quality set as the SLA.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a terminal 10 constituting a service quality management device. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 10 includes a first acquisition unit 11, a first determination unit 12, a request unit 13, a first recording unit 14, a first log transmission unit 15, a first control unit 16, a first monitoring unit 17, and a first aggregation unit 18. The functional units 11 to 18 constitute a service quality management device on the terminal side and perform QoS control for an application AP. The functional units 11 to 18 are also configured to be able to access storage means such as a terminal-side check item storage unit 19 and a first log information storage unit 20. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the terminal-side check item storage unit 19 and the first log information storage unit 20 are configured inside the terminal 10, but they may also be configured outside the terminal 10.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of a server 30 constituting a service quality management device. As shown in Fig. 3, the server 30 includes a second acquisition unit 31, a second determination unit 32, a notification unit 33, a second recording unit 34, a second log transmission unit 35, a second control unit 36, a second monitoring unit 37, and a second tallying unit 38. Each of the functional units 31 to 37 is configured to be able to access storage means such as a server-side check item storage unit 38 and a second log information storage unit 39. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the server-side check item storage unit 38 and the second log information storage unit 39 are configured inside the server 30, but they may also be configured outside the server 30.

[0015] The block diagrams shown in Figures 2 and 3 show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the method for realizing each functional block. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more devices that are physically or logically separated and connected directly or indirectly (for example, using wires, wirelessly, etc.). A functional block may also be realized by combining software with the one device or the multiple devices.

[0016] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, judgment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, election, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocation, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0017] For example, the terminal 10 and the server 30 in one embodiment of the present invention may function as a computer. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal 10 and the server 30 according to this embodiment. The terminal 10 and the server 30 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0018] In the following description, the term "device" can be read as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the terminal 10 and the server 30 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the drawings, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

[0019] Each function in the terminal 10 and the server 30 is realized by loading specific software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001, memory 1002, etc., so that the processor 1001 performs calculations and controls communication via the communication device 1004 and the reading and / or writing of data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0020] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the functional units 11 to 18, 31 to 37, etc. shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0021] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program codes), software modules, and data from the storage 1003 and / or the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the functional units 11 to 18 and 31 to 37 of the terminal 10 and the server 30 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented on one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0022] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be composed of at least one of, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), and a random access memory (RAM). The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), or the like. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, and the like for implementing a service quality management method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be, for example, at least one of an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray disc), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other suitable medium including memory 1002 and / or storage 1003.

[0024] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via a wired and / or wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0025] The input device 1005 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (for example, a touch panel).

[0026] Furthermore, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured as a single bus, or may be configured as different buses between the devices.

[0027] Furthermore, the terminal 10 and the server 30 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented by at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0028] Next, each functional unit of the terminal 10 will be described. The first acquisition unit 11 acquires a QoS control start request from an application AP. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating the contents of the QoS control start request. As shown in FIG. 5, the QoS control start request includes information indicating a control request type. The QoS control start request may also include information indicating required specifications for that type. It is not essential that the QoS control start request includes required specifications. If an SLA is set for the application AP that is the target of QoS control, the QoS control start request may include required specifications corresponding to the service quality set as the SLA. The information indicating the control request type indicates, for example, bandwidth control or delay control. The information indicating required specifications indicates, for example, a guaranteed bandwidth value or a guaranteed delay value. The QoS control start request may also be issued by the terminal 10. In that case, the first acquisition unit 11 acquires the QoS control start request from the terminal 10.

[0029] When a request to start QoS control is acquired, the first determination unit 12 makes a determination on predetermined determination items to ensure a predetermined service quality related to communication. Specifically, the first determination unit 12 makes a determination on terminal-side determination items, which are determination items made by the terminal 10. The terminal-side determination item storage unit 19 is a storage means that stores information on the terminal-side determination items.

[0030] The terminal-side judgment items specify parameters that can be acquired by the terminal 10 and conditions for ensuring a predetermined service quality for the parameters in association with each other. The first judgment unit 12 acquires a parameter value corresponding to each terminal-side judgment item and judges whether the parameter value satisfies the condition.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating examples of judgment items. As illustrated in FIG. 6, each judgment item includes a parameter and a condition for determining that a predetermined service quality cannot be guaranteed. The terminal-side judgment item storage unit 19 stores, as terminal-side judgment items, judgment items for which the "device performing judgment" is a "terminal" among the judgment items illustrated in FIG. 6, and the first judgment unit 12 performs judgments regarding the terminal-side judgment items stored in the terminal-side judgment item storage unit 19. The first judgment unit 12 determines that the predetermined service quality can be guaranteed when each parameter of the terminal-side judgment item does not correspond to a condition for determining that the predetermined service quality cannot be guaranteed. The first judgment unit 12 may perform judgments regarding all or some of the terminal-side judgment items for each judgment trigger. Furthermore, the terminal-side judgment items to be judged may be dynamically changed for each judgment trigger.

[0032] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the determination results of the terminal-side determination items by the first determination unit 12. For example, the first determination unit 12 acquires the parameter value (ON / OFF) of "mobile data communication setting" via an API (Application Programming Interface) in the terminal, and determines that a predetermined service quality cannot be guaranteed if the parameter value is OFF. As shown in FIG. 7, if the parameter value is ON, the first determination unit 12 determines that a predetermined service quality can be guaranteed.

[0033] Furthermore, the first determination unit 12 acquires the CPU utilization rate of the terminal 10 via an API, and determines that it is not possible to guarantee a predetermined service quality if the CPU utilization rate is 90% or more, and determines that it is possible to guarantee the predetermined service quality if the CPU utilization rate is not 90% or more. As shown in Fig. 7, when the parameter value of the CPU utilization rate is 70%, the first determination unit 12 determines that it is possible to guarantee the predetermined service quality.

[0034] Furthermore, the first determination unit 12 acquires a parameter value indicating "whether or not the terminal is in a base station area where QoS control is possible" via an API, and determines that a predetermined service quality cannot be guaranteed if the parameter value indicates no presence in the area. The acquired parameter value may be based on, for example, RAT (Radio Access Technology) information in communication systems such as 3G, LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G, and 5G, as well as GPS information. As shown in FIG. 7, if the parameter value indicates presence in the area, the first determination unit 12 determines that a predetermined service quality can be guaranteed. Note that in this embodiment, the parameter "whether or not the terminal is in a base station area where QoS control is possible" is exemplified as one of the terminal-side determination items, but it may also be one of the server-side determination items.

[0035] When first determination unit 12 determines that the parameter values ​​of all of the terminal-side determination items among the terminal-side determination items to be determined satisfy the respective conditions for ensuring service quality, request unit 13 transmits a service quality guarantee availability determination request (a condition determination request for starting QoS control) to server 30. In this way, only when it is determined that service quality can be guaranteed in terminal 10, server 30 determines whether service quality can be guaranteed, and therefore, unnecessary determination processing in server 30 is prevented from being performed when service quality cannot be guaranteed on the terminal 10 side.

[0036] The first recording unit 14 records first log information including the results of processing by the first determination unit 12 for each terminal-side determination item. Specifically, the first recording unit 14 may record the results of the determination by the first determination unit 12 for each terminal-side determination item as the first log information, as shown in the table of FIG. 7. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, each record of the first log information may include the time at which the determination was made. The first recording unit 14 stores the first log information in the first log information storage unit 20, which is a storage means for recording the first log information.

[0037] 8 is a diagram showing another example of the first log information recorded in the first log information storage unit 20 by the first recording unit 14. The first recording unit 14 may record, as first log information, that it has been determined that the service quality can be guaranteed or that the service quality cannot be guaranteed, based on the first determination unit 12 determining that the parameter values ​​of all of the terminal-side determination items to be determined satisfy the conditions.

[0038] 8(a), the first recording unit 14 can record a determination log indicating that it has been determined that the service quality can be guaranteed or that it has been determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed as first log information. Note that each determination log may be associated with a time. The first log information, which is made up of a determination log indicating that it has been determined that the service quality can be guaranteed or that it has been determined that it cannot be guaranteed, does not need to include the determination results of each terminal-side determination item.

[0039] Furthermore, the first recording unit 14 may record the number of times it was determined that the service quality can be guaranteed as the first log information. Furthermore, the first recording unit 14 may record the number of times it was determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed as the first log information. The first log information consisting of the number of times it was determined that the service quality can be guaranteed or the number of times it was determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed does not need to be accompanied by the judgment results of each terminal-side judgment item.

[0040] In addition, the first recording unit 14 may record as first log information that QoS control was implemented by the server 30 or the terminal 10 based on the first judgment unit 12 judging that service quality can be guaranteed and also based on the second judgment unit 32 of the server 30 judging that service quality can be guaranteed with respect to a server-side judgment item, or that QoS control was not implemented because it was judged that service quality cannot be guaranteed.

[0041] 8(b), the first recording unit 14 can record a control implementation log indicating that QoS control was implemented or that QoS control was not implemented as first log information. Each control implementation log may be associated with a time. The first log information, which is made up of a control implementation log indicating that QoS control was implemented or that QoS control was not implemented, does not need to include the determination results of each terminal-side determination item.

[0042] The first recording unit 14 may also record the number of times QoS control was performed as the first log information. The first recording unit 14 may also record the number of times QoS control was not performed as the first log information. The first log information consisting of the number of times QoS control was performed or the number of times QoS control was not performed does not need to be accompanied by the judgment results of each terminal-side judgment item.

[0043] The first log transmitter 15 transmits the first log information recorded by the first recorder 14 to the server at a predetermined trigger. The predetermined trigger may be, for example, the passage of a predetermined time period. By transmitting the log information to the server 30 in this manner, the terminal and the server can share information regarding the cause of the inability to guarantee a predetermined service quality.

[0044] The first control unit 16 starts QoS control for the application AP when it receives from the server 30 guarantee feasibility determination information (service quality determination information) indicating that a predetermined service quality can be guaranteed for all of the server-side check items to be determined. In this way, by implementing QoS control based on the guarantee feasibility determination information from the server 30, if there is a factor that makes it impossible to guarantee the predetermined service quality, QoS control is not implemented, making it possible to provide appropriate QoS control. The determination process for the check items in the server 30 will be described later.

[0045] The first monitoring unit 17 monitors communication information indicating the communication status of the application AP or terminal 10 that is the target of QoS control. The communication information includes bandwidth information, delay values, etc., depending on the guarantee content in QoS control (e.g., bandwidth guarantee or delay value guarantee) or the target network quality. During the implementation of QoS control, if the communication status indicated in the communication information monitored by the first monitoring unit 17 becomes a state in which the predetermined service quality is not satisfied, the first determining unit 12 makes a determination regarding the terminal-side determination items as described above.

[0046] In this way, the communication status of the application or terminal 10 is monitored, and when the communication status does not satisfy the service quality, a judgment is made regarding each terminal-side judgment item, making it possible to identify the cause of the inability to guarantee service quality due to an event that occurred on the terminal 10 side.

[0047] Here, we will explain an example of determining the order of determination processing for multiple terminal-side judgment items in first determination unit 12. To determine the order of determination processing, first recording unit 14 records the determination time required for first determination unit 12 to determine each terminal-side judgment item in the first log information.

[0048] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a log that records the determination times for terminal-side check items in the terminal 10. Specifically, the first recording unit 14 performs the determination process in a random order when determining each terminal-side check item for the first time, and records the determination time required to determine each terminal-side check item as first log information, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0049] When making a determination on each terminal-side determination item from the next time onward, first determination unit 12 may refer to the determination time recorded as first log information as shown in Fig. 9 and perform a determination on each terminal-side determination item in order of the determination time. In the example shown in Fig. 9, first determination unit 12 performs a determination process on "mobile data communication setting," "CPU utilization rate," and "whether or not the terminal is in a base station area where QoS control is possible" in that order.

[0050] In this way, by performing judgments on terminal-side judgment items in order of the shortest judgment time for each terminal-side judgment item, the time required to identify the cause when it becomes impossible to guarantee the specified service quality is reduced.

[0051] Each functional unit of the server 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The second acquisition unit 31 acquires a request for determining whether or not the quality of service can be guaranteed from the request unit 13 of the terminal 10.

[0052] The second determination unit 32 makes a determination on predetermined determination items for ensuring a predetermined service quality related to communication when the second acquisition unit 31 acquires a request for determining whether or not the service quality can be guaranteed. Specifically, the second determination unit 32 makes a determination on server-side determination items (service quality management device-side determination items), which are determination items to be determined by the server 30. The server-side determination item storage unit 38 is a storage means for storing information on the server-side determination items.

[0053] The server-side check items specify parameters that can be acquired by the server 30 and conditions for ensuring a predetermined service quality for the parameters in association with each other. The second check unit 32 acquires a parameter value corresponding to each server-side check item and determines whether the parameter value satisfies the condition.

[0054] Here, reference is made again to FIG. 6. The second judgment unit 32 judges, as server-side judgment items, judgment items for which the "device performing judgment" is "server" among the judgment items shown in FIG. 6. The second judgment unit 32 judges that the predetermined service quality can be guaranteed when each parameter of the server-side judgment item does not satisfy the condition for determining that the predetermined service quality cannot be guaranteed. The second judgment unit 32 may make judgments regarding all server-side judgment items or may make judgments regarding some of the server-side judgment items for each judgment trigger. Furthermore, the server-side judgment items to be judged may be dynamically changed for each judgment trigger.

[0055] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the determination results of the server-side determination items by the second determination unit 32 are added to the example of the determination results of the terminal-side determination items shown in Fig. 7. For example, the second determination unit 32 acquires, as a parameter value, the determination result of whether the service quality can be guaranteed at the destination terminal communicating with its own terminal, using information indicating "whether the destination terminal communicating with its own terminal can guarantee the service quality," and determines that the predetermined service quality cannot be guaranteed if the parameter value is "not possible."

[0056] As described above, in this embodiment, the parameter "whether or not the terminal is in a base station area where QoS control is possible" is exemplified as one of the terminal-side determination items, but it may also be one of the server-side determination items. That is, the second determination unit 32 may acquire the parameter value indicating "whether or not the terminal is in a base station area where QoS control is possible" via the API, and may determine that it is impossible to guarantee the predetermined service quality if the parameter value indicates no presence in the area.

[0057] Here, an example will be described in which the determination result of the destination terminal is required in determining the server-side determination items.

[0058] When an application AP subject to QoS control in terminal 10 requests P2P (Peer to Peer) communication between terminal 10 and a counterpart terminal different from terminal 10, second determination unit 32 requests the counterpart terminal to make a determination as to whether a predetermined service quality related to the communication can be guaranteed and to return determination result information indicating the result of the determination. Upon receiving this request, the counterpart terminal performs a determination process for the same terminal-side determination items as terminal 10 described with reference to Figures 6 and 7, and returns determination result information indicating the results of the determination to server 30. When determination result information indicating that the predetermined service quality can be guaranteed is returned from the counterpart terminal, second determination unit 32 makes a determination for the other server-side determination items.

[0059] In this way, when it is determined that a specified service quality can be guaranteed at the destination terminal, the server 30 determines whether or not the service quality can be guaranteed other than that related to the destination terminal, and if it is determined that it can be guaranteed, QoS control is implemented, making it possible to provide appropriate QoS control that takes into account the state of the destination terminal.

[0060] Referring again to Figure 10, the second judgment unit 32 acquires the parameter value of the "guaranteed delay value at the location where the mobile terminal is located" (hereinafter referred to as the "guaranteed delay value"), and determines that it is not possible to guarantee the specified service quality if the guaranteed delay value is 100 ms or more.

[0061] The server-side judgment items may include items for which it is judged whether or not a corresponding condition is satisfied by referring to the location information of the terminal 10. For example, the "delay guaranteeable value" is acquired based on location information indicating the location of the terminal 10. Specifically, the request unit 13 of the terminal 10 transmits the location information indicating the location of the terminal 10 to the server 30 together with a request for judgment on whether or not the service quality can be guaranteed.

[0062] The second determination unit 32 refers to a delay guarantee capability map in which geographical ranges and delay guarantee capability values ​​are associated with each other, and acquires the delay guarantee capability value for the terminal 10 as a parameter value based on the location information of the terminal 10. Then, the second determination unit 32 determines whether the acquired parameter value satisfies the "condition for determining that a predetermined service quality cannot be guaranteed." If the parameter value is 80 ms as shown in FIG. 10, the second determination unit 32 determines that the predetermined service quality can be guaranteed.

[0063] The notification unit 33 notifies the terminal 10 of guarantee feasibility determination information including the determination results of the server-side determination items by the second determination unit 32. When the notification unit 33 transmits to the terminal 10 guarantee feasibility determination information indicating that a predetermined service quality can be guaranteed for all of the server-side determination items to be determined, the first control unit 16 of the terminal 10 starts QoS control for the application AP.

[0064] The second recording unit 34 records second log information including the results of processing by the second determination unit 32 for each server-side determination item. Specifically, as shown in the table of FIG. 10, the second recording unit 34 may record the results of the determination by the second determination unit 32 for each server-side determination item (a determination item for which the "device that performs the determination" is a "server") as second log information. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, each record of the second log information may include the time at which the determination was made. The second recording unit 34 stores the second log information in the second log information storage unit 39, which is a storage means for recording the second log information.

[0065] Similar to the example of the first log information illustrated in FIG. 8, the second recording unit 34 may record as second log information that the service quality can be guaranteed or that the service quality cannot be guaranteed when the second judgment unit 32 judges that the parameter values ​​of all of the server-side judgment items to be judged satisfy the conditions.

[0066] 8(a), the second recording unit 34 can record, as second log information, a determination log indicating that it has been determined that the service quality can be guaranteed or that it has been determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed. Note that each determination log may be associated with a time. The second log information, which is made up of a determination log indicating that it has been determined that the service quality can be guaranteed or that it has been determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed, does not need to be accompanied by the determination results of each server-side determination item.

[0067] The second recording unit 34 may also record the number of times it was determined that the service quality can be guaranteed as the second log information. The second recording unit 34 may also record the number of times it was determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed as the second log information. The second log information consisting of the number of times it was determined that the service quality can be guaranteed or the number of times it was determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed does not need to be accompanied by the judgment results of each server-side judgment item.

[0068] In addition, the second recording unit 34 may record as second log information that QoS control was implemented by the server 30 or the terminal 10 based on the judgment by the first judgment unit 12 of the terminal 10 that service quality can be guaranteed, and also based on the judgment by the second judgment unit 32 that service quality can be guaranteed, or that QoS control was not implemented based on the judgment that service quality cannot be guaranteed.

[0069] 8(b), the second recording unit 34 can record a control implementation log indicating that QoS control was implemented or that QoS control was not implemented as second log information. Each control implementation log may be associated with a time. The second log information, which is made up of a control implementation log indicating that QoS control was implemented or that QoS control was not implemented, does not need to include the determination results of each server-side determination item.

[0070] The second recording unit 34 may also record the number of times QoS control was performed as the second log information. The second recording unit 34 may also record the number of times QoS control was not performed as the second log information. The second log information consisting of the number of times QoS control was performed or the number of times QoS control was not performed does not need to be accompanied by the determination results of each server-side determination item.

[0071] The second log transmission unit 35 transmits the second log information recorded by the second recording unit 34 to the terminal 10 at a predetermined trigger. The predetermined trigger may be, for example, the passage of a predetermined time period. By transmitting the log information to the terminal 10 in this manner, the terminal 10 and the server 30 can share information regarding the cause of the inability to guarantee a predetermined service quality.

[0072] The second control unit 36 ​​starts QoS control for the application AP or the terminal 10 when it is determined that a predetermined service quality can be guaranteed for all of the server-side check items to be checked.

[0073] The second monitoring unit 37 monitors communication information indicating the communication status of the application AP or terminal 10 that is the target of QoS control. The communication information includes bandwidth information, delay values, etc., depending on the guarantee content in QoS control (e.g., bandwidth guarantee or delay value guarantee) or the target network quality. During the implementation of QoS control, if the communication status indicated in the communication information monitored by the second monitoring unit 37 becomes a state in which the predetermined service quality is not satisfied, the second determination unit 32 makes a determination regarding the server-side determination items as described above.

[0074] Here, an example of determining the priority of the judgment process for each judgment item based on past judgment results for each judgment item in the first judgment unit 12 and the second judgment unit 32 will be described. To determine the priority of the judgment process, the terminal 10 includes a first counting unit 18. The server 30 includes a second counting unit 38.

[0075] The first counting unit 18 statistically counts the number of times that it has been determined that the parameter value of the terminal-side check item does not satisfy the condition for each terminal-side check item. Specifically, the first counting unit 18 acquires the first log information stored in the first log information storage unit 20, and counts the number of times that it has been determined that the parameter value of the terminal-side check item does not satisfy the condition based on the acquired first log information.

[0076] 11 is a diagram showing the counting results of the first counting unit 18 on the number of times that the service quality cannot be guaranteed for each terminal-side judgment item, i.e., the number of times that it was determined that the parameter value did not satisfy the condition. As shown in FIG. 11, the number of times that it was determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed for the terminal-side judgment item "mobile data communication settings" is zero. Furthermore, the number of times that it was determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed for the terminal-side judgment item "CPU usage rate" is two. Furthermore, the number of times that it was determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed for the terminal-side judgment item "whether the device is in a base station area where QoS control is possible" is ten.

[0077] The second tallying unit 38 also statistically tallies, for each server-side judgment item, the number of times it has been determined that the parameter value of the server-side judgment item does not satisfy the condition. Specifically, the second tallying unit 38 acquires the second log information stored in the second log information storage unit 39, and tallies the number of times it has been determined that the parameter value of the server-side judgment item does not satisfy the condition based on the acquired second log information.

[0078] The first determination unit 12 prioritizes the frequency or order of determination of terminal-side determination items that are likely to be determined not to satisfy the conditions based on the results of statistical counting by the first counting unit 18. In the example shown in Fig. 11, the first determination unit 12 performs determination processing in the order of "whether the terminal is in a base station area where QoS control is possible," "CPU utilization rate," and "mobile data communication settings." Furthermore, the first determination unit 12 may perform determination processing so that, of the three terminal-side determination items shown in Fig. 11, the frequency of determination processing for "whether the terminal is in a base station area where QoS control is possible" is the highest.

[0079] In addition, the second judgment unit 32 may prioritize, in terms of frequency or order, judgments on server-side judgment items that are likely to be determined not to satisfy the conditions based on the results of statistical aggregation by the second aggregation unit 38.

[0080] In this way, the number of times that the parameter value of each judgment item is judged not to satisfy the conditions is tallied for both the terminal 10 side and the server 30 side, and judgments are given priority to judgment items that are likely to be judged not to satisfy the conditions based on the tallied results, thereby reducing the time required to identify the possibility that it may become impossible to guarantee service quality and to identify the cause if it becomes impossible.

[0081] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a first example of the processing content of the service quality management method in the service quality management system 1.

[0082] In step S1, the first acquisition unit 11 determines whether or not a QoS control start request has been acquired from the application AP or the terminal 10. If it is determined that a QoS control start request has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if it is not determined that a QoS control start request has been acquired, the process of step S1 is repeated.

[0083] In step S2, the first determination unit 12 determines whether the conditions for the terminal-side determination items are met in order to ensure a predetermined quality of service for communication. In the following step S3, the first determination unit 12 determines that the predetermined quality of service can be ensured if the parameters for all of the terminal-side determination items to be determined do not meet the conditions for determining that the predetermined quality of service cannot be ensured. If it is determined that the predetermined quality of service can be ensured, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the predetermined quality of service can be ensured, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0084] In step S4, the request unit 13 transmits a request for determining whether or not the quality of service can be guaranteed to the server 30. Then, in step S11, the second acquisition unit 31 of the server 30 receives the request for determining whether or not the quality of service can be guaranteed.

[0085] In step S12, the second judgment unit 32 judges whether the conditions for the server-side judgment items are met in order to ensure a predetermined quality of service for communication. In step S13, the second judgment unit 32 judges that the predetermined quality of service can be guaranteed if the parameters for all of the server-side judgment items to be judged do not meet the conditions for determining that the predetermined quality of service cannot be guaranteed. If it is determined that the predetermined quality of service can be guaranteed, the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the predetermined quality of service can be guaranteed, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0086] In step S15, the second control unit 36 ​​of the server 30 implements QoS control for the application AP of the terminal 10 or for the terminal 10. The second control unit 36 ​​also notifies the terminal 10 that QoS control will be implemented. When the terminal 10 receives this notification and the application AP is subject to QoS control, the terminal 10 may notify the application AP that QoS control will be implemented. Furthermore, prior to implementing QoS control, the notification unit 33 may notify the terminal 10 of security feasibility determination information including the determination results of the server-side determination items made by the second determination unit 32.

[0087] If it is not determined in step S3 that the specified service quality can be guaranteed, in step S7, the first recording unit 14 records first log information including the results of the judgment made by the first judgment unit 12 regarding each terminal-side judgment item and the time when each judgment was made.

[0088] In step S8, the first log transmission unit 15 transmits the first log information recorded by the first recording unit 14 to the server 30 at a predetermined opportunity. Note that the processes in steps S7 and S8 are not limited to the case where it is determined in step S3 that the predetermined service quality can be guaranteed, but may be performed when it is determined that the predetermined service quality can be guaranteed.

[0089] If it is not determined in step S13 that the specified service quality can be guaranteed, in step S16, the second recording unit 34 records second log information including the results of the judgment made by the second judgment unit 32 regarding each server-side judgment item and the time when each judgment was made.

[0090] In step S17, the second log transmission unit 35 transmits the second log information recorded by the second recording unit 34 to the terminal 10 at a predetermined opportunity. Note that the processing of steps S16 and S17 is not limited to when it is determined in step S13 that the predetermined service quality can be guaranteed, and may be performed when it is determined that the predetermined service quality can be guaranteed.

[0091] In addition, if it is not determined in step S13 that the specified service quality can be guaranteed, the notification unit 33 may notify the terminal 10 of guarantee feasibility determination information indicating that the specified service quality cannot be guaranteed, as the determination result of the server-side determination item by the second determination unit 32.

[0092] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a second example of the processing content of the service quality management method in the service quality management system 1. The processing content of steps S1 to S4 and steps S11 to S13 in the flowchart in Fig. 13 is the same as the processing content of the same steps in the flowchart in Fig. 12, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0093] If it is determined in step S13 that the specified service quality can be guaranteed, in step S14, the notification unit 33 notifies the terminal 10 of guarantee feasibility determination information including the determination results of the server-side determination items by the second determination unit 32.

[0094] In step S5, the first control unit 16 receives from the server 30 guarantee feasibility determination information indicating that a predetermined service quality can be guaranteed for the server-side determination items. Then, in step S6-1, the first control unit 16 performs QoS control on the application AP. At this time, the first control unit 16 may notify the application AP of the implementation of QOS control. The first control unit 16 may also notify the server 30 of the implementation of QOS control.

[0095] The processing contents of steps S7 to S8 and steps S16 to S17 in the flowchart of Fig. 13 are the same as the processing contents of the same steps in the flowchart of Fig. 12, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. Note that, when it is not determined in step S13 that the predetermined service quality can be guaranteed, the notification unit 33 may notify the terminal 10 of guarantee feasibility determination information indicating that the predetermined service quality cannot be guaranteed, as the determination result of the server-side determination item by the second determination unit 32.

[0096] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing a third example of the processing content of the service quality management method in the service quality management system 1. The processing content of steps S1 to S4 and steps S11 to S13 in the flowchart in Fig. 14 is the same as the processing content of the same steps in the flowchart in Fig. 12, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0097] If it is determined in step S13 that the predetermined service quality can be guaranteed, in step S14 the notification unit 33 notifies the terminal 10 of guarantee feasibility determination information including the determination result of the server-side determination item by the second determination unit 32. In step S5, the first control unit 16 receives from the server 30 guarantee feasibility determination information indicating that the predetermined service quality can be guaranteed for the server-side determination item.

[0098] In step S6-2, the first control unit 16 transmits a request to perform QoS control to the server 30. In step S15, the second control unit 36 ​​performs QoS control on the application AP of the terminal 10 or on the terminal 10. The second control unit 36 ​​also notifies the terminal 10 that QoS control will be performed. Upon receiving this notification, the terminal 10 may notify the application AP that QoS control will be performed if the application AP is subject to QoS control.

[0099] Next, the processing content of the service quality management method after the start of QoS control will be described with reference to Fig. 15, which is a flowchart showing the processing content of the service quality management method after the start of QoS control in the terminal.

[0100] In step S21, the first monitor 17 monitors communication information indicating the state of communication of the application AP or terminal 10 that is the target of QoS control.

[0101] In step S22, the first monitoring unit 17 determines whether the communication state indicated by the communication information has become a state in which a predetermined service quality is not satisfied. If it is determined that the predetermined service quality has become unsatisfied, the process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the predetermined service quality has become unsatisfied, the process returns to step S21.

[0102] In step S23, the first determination unit 12 determines conditions related to terminal-side check items to ensure a predetermined service quality related to communication. Here, the first determination unit 12 may determine conditions related to all terminal-side check items, or may determine conditions related to some terminal-side check items. Furthermore, the first determination unit 12 may determine conditions related to dynamically changed terminal-side check items.

[0103] In step S24, the first recording unit 14 records first log information including the results of the processing for each terminal-side judgment item by the first judgment unit 12. This makes it possible to identify the cause of the communication state becoming a state in which a predetermined service quality is not satisfied.

[0104] In step S25, the first log transmission unit 15 transmits the first log information recorded by the first recording unit 14 to the server 30 at a predetermined opportunity.

[0105] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the service quality management method after the start of QoS control in the server 30.

[0106] In step S31, the second monitoring unit 37 monitors communication information indicating the state of communication of the application AP or the terminal 10 that is the target of QoS control.

[0107] In step S32, the second monitoring unit 37 determines whether the communication state indicated by the communication information has become a state in which a predetermined service quality is not satisfied. If it is determined that the predetermined service quality has become unsatisfied, the process proceeds to step S33. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the predetermined service quality has become unsatisfied, the process returns to step S31.

[0108] In step S33, the second determination unit 32 determines conditions related to server-side check items to ensure a predetermined service quality related to communication. Here, the second determination unit 32 may determine conditions related to all server-side check items, or may determine conditions related to some server-side check items. Furthermore, the second determination unit 32 may determine conditions related to dynamically changed server-side check items.

[0109] In step S34, the second recording unit 34 records second log information including the results of the processing for each server-side judgment item by the second judgment unit 32. This makes it possible to identify the cause of the communication state becoming a state in which a predetermined service quality is not satisfied.

[0110] In step S35, the second log transmission unit 35 transmits the second log information recorded by the second recording unit 34 to the terminal 10 at a predetermined opportunity.

[0111] 17 is a diagram showing an example of the determination results for the determination items on the terminal 10 side and the server 30 side after the start of QoS control. The example shown in FIG. 17 includes the first log information recorded in step S24 and the second log information recorded in step S34.

[0112] In the example shown in Figure 17, of the five judgment items, the acquired parameter value for "CPU usage rate", which is a terminal-side judgment item, is "95%", which meets the condition of "90% or more" for determining that the specified service quality cannot be guaranteed, so the first judgment unit 12 can identify that the cause of the inability to guarantee the specified service quality is "CPU usage rate".

[0113] Next, a service quality control program for causing a computer to function as the terminal 10 and the server 30 as the service quality control device of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the configuration of the service quality control program for the terminal 10.

[0114] The service quality management program P1 is configured to include a main module m10 that performs overall control of the service quality management processing in the terminal 10, a first acquisition module m11, a first judgment module m12, a request module m13, a first recording module m14, a first log transmission module m15, a first control module m16, a first monitoring module m17, and a first tallying module m18. The modules m11 to m18 realize the functions of the first acquisition unit 11, the first judgment unit 12, the request unit 13, the first recording unit 14, the first log transmission unit 15, the first control unit 16, the first monitoring unit 17, and the first tallying module 18.

[0115] The service quality control program P1 may be transmitted via a transmission medium such as a communication line, or may be stored in a recording medium M1 as shown in FIG.

[0116] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the configuration of a service quality control program for the server 30. As shown in FIG.

[0117] The service quality management program P3 is configured to include a main module m30 that performs overall control of the service quality management processing in the server 30, a second acquisition module m31, a second determination module m32, a notification module m33, a second recording module m34, a second log transmission module m35, a second control module m36, a second monitoring module m37, and a second tallying module m38. The modules m31 to m38 implement the functions of the second acquisition unit 31, the second determination unit 32, the notification unit 33, the second recording unit 34, the second log transmission unit 35, the second control unit 36, the second monitoring unit 37, and the second tallying module 38.

[0118] The service quality control program P3 may be transmitted via a transmission medium such as a communication line, or may be stored in a recording medium M3 as shown in FIG.

[0119] In the above explanation, several terminal-side check items and server-side check items are exemplified in Figures 6, 7, 10, and 17, but the check items are not limited to these examples. Additional examples of terminal-side check items and parameters for the check items are provided below. The terminal-side check items exemplified below may be determined on the server side, or may be determined on both the terminal side and the server side. Furthermore, the parameters for each check item may be acquired from within the terminal 10 or the server 30, or may be acquired as a response to an external inquiry. Mobile device communication settings Parameters: Mobile data communication settings, airplane mode settings, Wi-Fi mode settings, tethering settings, APN, destination carrier, destination carrier type (MNO, MVNO type) ·Hardware / software specifications and status of mobile terminal Parameters: device name, operation of communication function, operation status of terminal 10, type and version of OS, status of OS Resource status within the mobile device Parameters: CPU usage, RAM, ROM usage, application FPS (Flips per Second) - Status of QoS controlled applications Parameters: Malfunction of the QoS controlled application, operation of the QoS controlled application (for example, whether the application is running in the foreground or background), communication restrictions on the QoS controlled application, authentication status of the QoS controlled application, permission status for using QoS (for example, whether the application is permitted to use QoS in the service quality management system, whether the application is permitted to use QoS by an operator of the service quality management system, etc.), validity of the QoS request method (for example, whether the arguments of the QoS request IF (interface) defined by the service quality management system are set appropriately, whether the arguments of the QoS request IF defined by an operator of the service quality management system, etc. are set appropriately) - Operation status of multiple applications running on the same device Parameters: Required specifications and operating status of other applications that require QoS control, operating status and communication status of other applications that do not require QoS control Location of Terminal 10 Parameters: presence or absence of a base station area where QoS control is possible, presence or absence of surrounding obstructions, radio wave conditions due to weather conditions ·Communication contract status Parameters: Whether the contract allows QoS control, and contractual communication restrictions ·Verifying the identity of end users Parameters: End User Identity

[0120] Examples of server-side check items and their parameters are provided below. Note that the server-side check items exemplified below may be determined on the terminal side, or may be determined on both the server side and the terminal side. Furthermore, the parameters for each check item may be acquired from within the terminal 10 or the server 30, or may be acquired as a response to an external inquiry. -Device hardware / software specifications and status Parameters: Device name, operation of communication function, terminal operation status, OS type and version, OS status ·Communication contract status Parameter: QoS controllable contract or contractual communication limit ·Verifying the identity of end users Parameters: End User Identity - The status of the device communicating with your device Parameter: Whether the terminal on the other side communicating with the own terminal can guarantee the SLA, and whether the terminal on the other side communicating with the own terminal has the function of a service quality management device Malicious application communications Parameter: Validity of communication ·Whether the application is subject to QoS control Parameter: Whether the application requesting QoS control is subject to QoS control or not ·Whether the URL being accessed is subject to QoS control Parameter: Whether the URL accessed by the application requesting QoS control is subject to QoS control - QoS control target time, target period or target area Parameters: whether it is a time period when QoS control is possible, whether it is within a period when QoS control is possible, or whether it is an area where QoS control is possible Number of mobile terminals simultaneously accessing the same base station, number of access applications, or traffic volume - Number of mobile terminals, number of access applications, or traffic volume simultaneously accessing the same base station or network equipment such as core network equipment Parameters: remaining number of accesses, remaining amount of access traffic -Status of communication equipment such as base stations Parameters: Status of communication equipment when special circumstances occur, such as failure of communication equipment such as base stations, or disasters - Application server status Parameters: Application Server Failure - Delay information for the location of the mobile terminal Parameter: Delay guarantee value

[0121] In the service quality management system 1, service quality management method, and service quality management programs P1 and P3 of the present embodiment described above, the terminal 10 first determines whether parameters related to QoS control for the application AP or the terminal satisfy a predetermined condition. If the terminal 10 determines that the conditions are satisfied, the server 30 determines whether the parameters satisfy the predetermined condition. If the server 30 determines that the conditions are satisfied, QoS control is initiated. Therefore, if there is a factor that makes it impossible to guarantee service quality or to perform QoS control, QoS control is not performed, thereby enabling appropriate QoS control to be provided. Furthermore, the server 30 determines whether the parameters satisfy the predetermined condition only if the terminal 10 determines that the parameters satisfy the predetermined condition. This prevents the server 30 from performing unnecessary determination processing when the terminal 10 does not satisfy the condition. Furthermore, since the terminal and the server 30 each determine whether the parameters satisfy the condition, it is possible to identify the cause when the condition is not satisfied. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent DOS (Denial of Service) attacks by unauthorized applications.

[0122] In addition, in another embodiment of the service quality management system, the service quality management device further includes a control unit that starts QoS control for an application or a terminal when the second judgment unit judges that each parameter value of the judgment item on the service quality management device side satisfies the corresponding fulfillment condition.

[0123] According to the above embodiment, QoS control is initiated when it is determined that the parameter value of the service quality management device-side check item satisfies the satisfaction condition, so QoS control is not implemented when there is a factor that makes it impossible to guarantee service quality or QoS control, thereby making it possible to provide appropriate QoS control.

[0124] In addition, in another embodiment of the service quality management system, the terminal may further include a first recording unit that records first log information including the results of processing by the first judgment unit regarding each terminal-side judgment item, and a first log transmission unit that transmits the first log information recorded by the first recording unit to the service quality management device at a predetermined trigger.

[0125] According to the above embodiment, since the terminal records log information including the results of processing for each terminal-side decision item, it becomes possible to identify the cause when it is determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed or the QoS control is impossible. Furthermore, since the log information is transmitted to the service quality management device, information regarding the cause of the inability to guarantee the service quality or the inability to control the QoS can be shared between the terminal and the service quality management device.

[0126] In addition, in another embodiment of the service quality management system, the first recording unit may record the judgment time required for the first judgment unit to make a judgment on each terminal-side judgment item in the first log information, and the first judgment unit may make a judgment on the terminal-side judgment items in order of shortest judgment time when making a judgment on the terminal-side judgment items whose judgment history is recorded as the first log information.

[0127] According to the above embodiment, the judgments of the terminal-side judgment items are performed in order of the shortest judgment time for each terminal-side judgment item, thereby reducing the time required to identify the cause when it becomes impossible to guarantee service quality or to control QoS.

[0128] In another embodiment of the service quality management system, the terminal may further include a first counting unit that statistically counts, for each terminal-side judgment item, the number of times that the parameter value of the terminal-side judgment item is judged not to satisfy the fulfillment condition based on the first log information, and the first judgment unit may prioritize, in terms of frequency or order, judgment on terminal-side judgment items that are more likely to be judged not to satisfy the condition based on the results of the statistical counting by the counting unit.

[0129] According to the above embodiment, the number of times that the parameter value of each judgment item is judged not to satisfy the condition is tallied on the terminal side, and judgment of judgment items that are likely to be judged not to satisfy the condition based on the tallied result is performed preferentially. This reduces the time required to identify the possibility that it will be impossible to guarantee service quality or to control QoS, and to identify the cause if it becomes impossible.

[0130] In addition, in another embodiment of the service quality management system, the service quality management device may further include a second recording unit that records second log information including the results of processing by the second judgment unit regarding each service quality management device side judgment item, and a second log transmission unit that transmits the second log information recorded by the second recording unit to the terminal at a predetermined trigger.

[0131] According to the above aspect, the service quality management device records log information including the results of processing for each service quality management device-side judgment item, making it possible to identify the cause when it is determined that the service quality cannot be guaranteed or QoS control is impossible. Furthermore, since the log information is transmitted to the terminal, information regarding the cause of the inability to guarantee the service quality or the inability to control QoS can be shared between the terminal and the service quality management device.

[0132] In addition, in another embodiment of the service quality management system, the second recording unit may record the judgment time required for the second judgment unit to make a judgment on each service quality management device side judgment item in the second log information, and the second judgment unit may make a judgment on the service quality management device side judgment item whose judgment history is recorded as the second log information in order of the shortest judgment time.

[0133] According to the above embodiment, the judgments of the service quality management device side judgment items are carried out in order of the shortest judgment time for each service quality management device side judgment item, thereby reducing the time required to identify the cause when it becomes impossible to guarantee service quality or QoS control becomes impossible.

[0134] In addition, in another embodiment of the service quality management system, the service quality management device further includes a second counting unit that statistically counts, for each service quality management device judgment item, the number of times that the parameter value of the service quality management device judgment item is judged not to satisfy the condition based on the second log information, and the second judgment unit may prioritize, in terms of frequency or order, judgment on service quality management device judgment items that are more likely to be judged not to satisfy the condition based on the results of the statistical counting by the counting unit.

[0135] According to the above embodiment, the server tally up the number of times that the parameter value of each judgment item is judged not to satisfy the condition, and based on the tallying results, prioritizes judgment of judgment items that are likely to be judged not to satisfy the condition. This reduces the time required to identify the possibility that it will be impossible to guarantee service quality or to control QoS, and to identify the cause if it becomes impossible.

[0136] In addition, in another embodiment of the service quality management system, the terminal may further include a first monitoring unit that monitors communication information indicating the application that is the target of QoS control or the communication status of the terminal, and the first judgment unit may make a judgment regarding the terminal-side judgment items when the communication status indicated by the communication information becomes a state in which a specified service quality is not satisfied during implementation of QoS control.

[0137] According to the above embodiment, the communication status of the application or terminal is monitored, and when the communication status does not satisfy the service quality, a judgment is made regarding each terminal-side judgment item, making it possible to identify the cause of the inability to guarantee service quality or the inability to control QoS due to an event occurring on the terminal side.

[0138] In addition, in another embodiment of the service quality management system, the service quality management device further includes a second monitoring unit that monitors communication information indicating the communication status of the application or terminal that is the target of QoS control, and the second judgment unit may make a judgment regarding the judgment items on the service quality management device side when the communication status indicated in the communication information becomes a state in which a specified service quality is not satisfied during implementation of QoS control.

[0139] According to the above embodiment, the communication status of the application or terminal is monitored, and when the communication status does not satisfy the service quality, a judgment is made regarding each server-side judgment item, making it possible to identify the cause of the inability to guarantee service quality or the inability to control QoS due to an event occurring on the server side.

[0140] In addition, in another embodiment of a service quality management system, the request unit transmits location information indicating the location of the terminal to the service quality management device along with a condition judgment request for starting QoS control, and one or more service quality management device-side judgment items include service quality management device-side judgment items in which the location information of the terminal is referenced to judge whether the corresponding condition is satisfied, and the second judgment unit makes a judgment regarding the service quality management device-side judgment item by reference to the location information of the terminal.

[0141] According to the above aspect, the location information of the terminal is transmitted to the service quality management device, so that it becomes possible to make a determination on a determination item related to the location of the terminal.

[0142] In addition, in another embodiment of the service quality management system, when an application requests communication between a terminal and a destination terminal different from the terminal using the P2P (Peer to Peer) method, the second judgment unit may request the destination terminal to make a judgment as to whether a specified service quality related to the communication can be guaranteed and to return judgment result information indicating the result of the judgment, and when judgment result information indicating that the specified service quality can be guaranteed is returned, make a judgment regarding the server-side judgment item.

[0143] According to the above embodiment, when the application to be subjected to QoS control requires communication via P2P, if it is determined that the destination terminal can guarantee a predetermined service quality, the server determines whether the service quality can be guaranteed, and if it is determined that it can be guaranteed, QoS control is implemented, thereby making it possible to provide appropriate QoS control that takes into account the state of the destination terminal.

[0144] Although the present embodiment has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to the embodiment described in this specification. The present embodiment can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present embodiment.

[0145] Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be applied to systems utilizing LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G, 5G, FRA (Future Radio Access), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other suitable systems and / or next generation systems enhanced thereon.

[0146] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described herein present elements of various steps in an example order and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0147] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or managed in a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0148] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0149] Each aspect / embodiment described in this specification may be used alone or in combination, or may be switched depending on the implementation. Furthermore, notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., by not notifying the predetermined information).

[0150] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0151] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0152] Furthermore, the application AP in the present disclosure may be configured as software, i.e., the application AP may be configured by one or more of instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc.

[0153] Software, instructions, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), and / or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0154] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0155] It should be noted that terms explained in this disclosure and / or terms necessary for understanding this specification may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

[0156] As used herein, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0157] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in this specification may be expressed as absolute values, as relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or as corresponding other information.

[0158] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0159] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0160] When designations such as "first," "second," etc. are used herein, any reference to such elements does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed therein or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

[0161] To the extent that the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used herein or in the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, the term "or," as used herein or in the claims, is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0162] In this specification, plural devices are also included unless the context or the technology clearly indicates that only one device is present.

[0163] Throughout this disclosure, the plural is intended to be included unless the singular is clearly indicated by the context. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 1...service quality management system, 10...terminal, 11...first acquisition unit, 12...first judgment unit, 13...request unit, 14...first recording unit, 15...first log transmission unit, 16...first control unit, 17...first monitoring unit, 18...first counting unit, 19...terminal side judgment item memory unit, 20...first log information memory unit, 30...server, 31...second acquisition unit, 32...second judgment unit, 33...notification unit, 34...second recording unit, 35...second log transmission unit, 36...second control unit, 37...second monitoring unit, 38...second counting unit, 38...server side judgment item memory unit, 39...second log information memory unit, m10...main module, m11...first acquisition module, m12...first judgment module, m13...request module, m14...first recording module, m15...first log transmission module, m16...first control module, m17...first monitoring module, m18...first aggregation module, m30...main module, m31...second acquisition module, m32...second judgment module, m33...notification module, m34...second recording module, m35...second log transmission module, m36...second control module, m37...second monitoring module, m38...second aggregation module, M1, M3...recording medium, P1, P3...service quality control program.

Claims

1. A service quality management system including a terminal on which an application is executed and a service quality management device that provides QoS control related to the service quality of communication, The terminal a first determination unit that, in response to a request to start QoS control from the application or the terminal, acquires parameter values ​​corresponding to one or more terminal-side determination items for which satisfaction conditions that should be satisfied are defined with respect to predetermined parameters that can be acquired by the terminal, and determines whether or not the parameter values ​​satisfy the satisfaction conditions; a request unit that controls the service quality management device to provide QoS control when the first determination unit determines that the satisfaction condition of the terminal-side determination item is satisfied, The service quality control device a second determination unit that, in response to control of the provision of the QoS control from the terminal, acquires parameter values ​​corresponding to one or more service quality control device-side determination items for which fulfillment conditions to be fulfilled are defined with respect to predetermined parameters obtainable by the service quality control device, and determines whether or not the parameter values ​​fulfill the fulfillment conditions; When the second determination unit determines that the fulfillment condition of the service quality management device side determination item is satisfied, at least one of the terminal and the service quality management device starts the QoS control targeting the application or the terminal; the terminal further includes a first recording unit configured to record first log information including a result of processing performed by the first determination unit with respect to each terminal-side determination item; Service quality management system.

2. The service quality control device a control unit that starts the QoS control for the application or the terminal when the second determination unit determines that the fulfillment condition of the service quality management device side determination item is satisfied, The service quality control system according to claim 1 .

3. The terminal a first log transmission unit that transmits the first log information recorded by the first recording unit to the service quality management device at a predetermined opportunity; The service quality management system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. the first recording unit records, in first log information, a determination time required for the first determination unit to make a determination on each terminal-side determination item; the first determination unit, when determining the terminal-side check items whose determination history is recorded as the first log information, performs determinations on the terminal-side check items in ascending order of the determination time; The service quality control system according to claim 3 .

5. The terminal a first counting unit that statistically counts the number of times that it has been determined that the satisfaction condition for the terminal-side check item is not satisfied, for each terminal-side check item, based on the first log information; the first determination unit performs a determination on the terminal-side determination items that are likely to be determined not to satisfy the conditions, in order of frequency or order, based on the statistical counting results by the first counting unit; 5. The service quality control system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The service quality control device a second recording unit configured to record second log information including results of processing performed by the second determining unit on each of the service quality management device-side determination items; a second log transmission unit that transmits the second log information recorded by the second recording unit to the terminal at a predetermined opportunity; The service quality control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

7. the second recording unit records, in second log information, a determination time required for the second determination unit to make a determination on each of the service quality management device-side determination items; the second determination unit, when determining the service quality management device-side determination items whose determination history is recorded as the second log information, performs determinations on the service quality management device-side determination items in ascending order of determination time. The service quality control system according to claim 6 .

8. The service quality control device a second counting unit that statistically counts the number of times that it has been determined that the satisfaction condition of the service quality management device-side check item has not been satisfied, for each of the service quality management device-side check items, based on the second log information; the second determination unit performs a determination on the service quality management device-side determination items that are likely to be determined not to satisfy the conditions, in terms of frequency or order, based on the statistical counting results by the second counting unit.

8. The service quality control system according to claim 6 or 7.

9. the terminal further includes a first monitoring unit that monitors communication information indicating a state of the application or a communication of the terminal that is a target of the QoS control; the first determination unit performs a determination on the terminal-side determination item when a communication state indicated in the communication information becomes a state in which a predetermined service quality is not satisfied during the implementation of the QoS control. The service quality control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. the service quality management device further includes a second monitoring unit that monitors communication information indicating a communication state of the application or the terminal that is the target of the QoS control; the second determination unit performs a determination regarding the service quality management device-side determination item when the communication state indicated in the communication information becomes a state in which a predetermined service quality is not satisfied during the implementation of the QoS control. The service quality control system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A terminal configured to be able to communicate with a service quality management device that provides QoS control related to communication service quality, and on which an application that is a target of QoS control is executed, a first determination unit that, in response to a request to start QoS control from the application, acquires parameter values ​​corresponding to one or more terminal-side determination items for which satisfaction conditions that should be satisfied are defined with respect to predetermined parameters that can be acquired by the terminal, and determines whether or not the parameter values ​​satisfy the satisfaction conditions; a request unit that controls the service quality management device to provide QoS control when the first determination unit determines that the satisfaction condition of the terminal-side determination item is satisfied; a first recording unit configured to record first log information including results of processing performed by the first determining unit on each terminal-side determination item; A terminal comprising:

12. a first log transmission unit that transmits the first log information recorded by the first recording unit to the service quality management device at a predetermined opportunity; The terminal according to claim 11.

13. A server that provides QoS control related to communication service quality and is configured to be able to communicate with a terminal on which an application is executed, a second determination unit that, in response to control of the provision of the QoS control from the terminal, acquires parameter values ​​corresponding to one or more service quality management device-side determination items for which satisfaction conditions to be satisfied are defined with respect to predetermined parameters obtainable by the server, and determines whether or not the parameter values ​​satisfy the satisfaction conditions; When the second determination unit determines that the fulfillment condition of the service quality management device side determination item is satisfied, the second determination unit starts QoS control for the application or the terminal, or notifies the terminal of guarantee feasibility determination information including a determination result that the fulfillment condition is satisfied, thereby causing the terminal to implement QoS control for the application; a second recording unit configured to record second log information including results of processing performed by the second determining unit on each of the service quality management device-side determination items; a second log transmission unit that transmits the second log information recorded by the second recording unit to the terminal at a predetermined opportunity; server.

14. a control unit that starts the QoS control for the application or the terminal when the second determination unit determines that the fulfillment condition of the service quality management device side determination item is satisfied, The server of claim 13.

15. A service quality control program configured to be able to communicate with a service quality control device that provides QoS control related to communication service quality, for causing a computer to function as a terminal on which an application subject to QoS control is executed, comprising: The computer, a first determination function that, in response to a request to start QoS control from the application, acquires parameter values ​​corresponding to one or more terminal-side determination items for which satisfaction conditions that should be satisfied are defined with respect to predetermined parameters that can be acquired by the terminal, and determines whether or not the parameter values ​​satisfy the satisfaction conditions; a request function for controlling the service quality management device to provide QoS control when the first determination function determines that the fulfillment condition of the terminal-side determination item is satisfied; a first recording function for recording first log information including a result of processing related to each terminal-side judgment item by the first judgment function; A service quality management program that achieves this.

16. A service quality management program for providing QoS control related to communication service quality and causing a computer to function as a server configured to be able to communicate with a terminal on which an application is executed, comprising: The computer, a second determination function for obtaining a parameter value corresponding to each of one or more service quality control device-side determination items for which a fulfillment condition to be met is specified with respect to a predetermined parameter obtainable by the server in response to control of the provision of the QoS control from the terminal, and determining whether or not the parameter value fulfills the fulfillment condition; When the second judgment function judges that the fulfillment condition of the service quality management device side judgment item is satisfied, QoS control for the application or the terminal is started, or QoS control for the application or the terminal is caused to be implemented by notifying the terminal of guarantee feasibility judgment information including the judgment result that the fulfillment condition is satisfied, a second recording function for recording second log information including a result of processing related to each service quality management device side judgment item by the second judgment function; and a second log transmission function for transmitting the second log information recorded by the second recording function to the terminal at a predetermined opportunity. Service Quality Management Program.

17. A service quality control method in a terminal configured to be able to communicate with a service quality control device that provides QoS control related to communication service quality, and on which an application subject to QoS control is executed, comprising: the terminal includes a first determination unit and a request unit; The service quality control method includes: a first determination step of acquiring parameter values ​​corresponding to one or more terminal-side determination items for which conditions to be satisfied are defined with respect to predetermined parameters obtainable by the terminal in response to a request to start QoS control from the application, and determining whether or not the parameter values ​​satisfy the conditions; a request step of controlling the service quality management device to provide QoS control when it is determined in the first determination step that the satisfaction condition of the terminal side determination item is satisfied; a first recording step of recording first log information including results of processing related to each terminal-side judgment item in the first judgment step; A service quality control method comprising:

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