Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

Charges for preferential telecommunications services will be made to appropriate persons. [Solution] The information processing device 2 is a wireless terminal 1 that communicates using a communication network, and has a receiving unit 231 that receives a request for application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, sent from the wireless terminal 1 that satisfies specified conditions for receiving the preferential communication service, which is a service that gives preferential treatment to communication on a communication network, including the fact that an application related to the use of a facility is being executed, an application processing unit 232 that executes processing to apply the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 based on the application request received by the receiving unit 231, and a calculation unit 233 that calculates the charge amount for application of the preferential communication service, which is to be charged to a business operator that provides an application related to the use of a facility, based on the application status of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, in a communication network, a preferential communication service that gives preferential treatment to the communication of a wireless terminal used by a user has been provided. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that applies a slice network to a wireless terminal of a user in response to the user applying for use of the slice network as a preferential communication service. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7358665 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In addition to users signing up for preferential communication services, service providers or facilities such as stores or apps used by users may apply preferential communication services to communications from the user's wireless terminal. In such cases, the preferential communication service may be applied to communications from the user's wireless terminal in situations unintended by the user. In such cases, if the user were to bear the fees for applying the preferential communication service, a problem would arise in that the user would be charged in situations unintended by the user. For this reason, it is necessary to charge the appropriate party for the application of the preferential communication service.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of these points, and aims to prevent charges relating to the application of preferential communication services from being made to inappropriate persons. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing device, comprising: a receiving unit that receives a request for application of a preferential communication service to communication of a wireless terminal that communicates using a communication network and that satisfies predetermined conditions for application of the preferential communication service, which is a service that gives preferential treatment to communication on the communication network, including execution of an application related to the use of a facility, the request being transmitted from the wireless terminal; an application processing unit that executes processing for applying the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal based on the application request received by the receiving unit; and a calculation unit that calculates a charge for application of the preferential communication service, which is to be charged to a business operator that provides the application related to the use of the facility, based on an application status of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal.

[0007] The calculation unit may calculate the billing amount based on a time period during which the preferential communication service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal. The calculation unit may calculate the charge amount based on a traffic volume of the communication while the preferential communication service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal.

[0008] The receiving unit may receive a continuation request for application of the communication preferential treatment service to the communication of the wireless terminal, which is sent from the wireless terminal after applying the communication preferential treatment service to the communication of the wireless terminal, and which is sent at predetermined time intervals when a screen of an application related to use of the facility is displayed on the display unit of the wireless terminal, and which is not sent when the screen is not displayed on the display unit and the screen is displayed in the background on the display unit, and the application processing unit may execute processing to terminate application of the communication preferential treatment service to the communication of the wireless terminal if the continuation request is not received within a predetermined time after applying the communication preferential treatment service to the communication of the wireless terminal, or if the continuation request is not received within a predetermined time after the last continuation request was received from the wireless terminal.

[0009] The calculation unit may calculate the billing amount based on the number of continuation requests received from the wireless terminal. The calculation unit may calculate the billing amount based on the number of application requests received from the wireless terminal.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012] The receiving unit may receive a request for application of the preferential communication service, which request includes user identification information for identifying a user of the wireless terminal and service identification information for identifying a service provided by an application related to the use of the facility, and the application processing unit may, when the service identification information included in the application request received by the receiving unit is predetermined identification information, perform processing for applying the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal based on the user identification information.

[0013] The application processing unit may perform processing to apply the communication preferential service to the communication related to a service provided by an application related to the use of the facility of the wireless terminal, based on the service identification information included in the application request received by the receiving unit.

[0014] The preferential communication service may include the application of a slice network, which is a virtually divided slice network of the communication network, in which communication is prioritized. The preferential communication service may include control for prioritizing communication of the wireless terminal over best-effort communication.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention is an information processing method, executed by a computer, comprising the steps of receiving a request for application of a preferential communication service to communication of the wireless terminal, the request being transmitted from the wireless terminal that communicates using a communication network and that satisfies predetermined conditions for application of the preferential communication service, which is a service that gives preferential treatment to communication on the communication network, including execution of an application related to the use of a facility, executing processing for applying the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal based on the received application request, and calculating a fee for application of the preferential communication service to be charged to a business operator that provides the application related to the use of the facility, based on an application status of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively charge an appropriate person for application of preferential communication services. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a wireless terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of application management information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of application history information. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow relating to application of a preferential communication service in a wireless terminal. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing related to application of a preferential communication service in an information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] [Communication System S Overview] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a communication system S. The communication system S includes a wireless terminal 1 and an information processing device 2, and is a system for applying a preferential communication service to the wireless terminal 1, giving preferential treatment to its communications.

[0019] The wireless terminal 1 is a terminal capable of wireless communication, such as a smartphone used by a user. The information processing device 2 is a computer for providing a preferential communication service that gives preferential treatment to communications of the wireless terminal 1, and functions as a control device that controls the application of the preferential communication service.

[0020] The preferential communication service is provided by a predetermined telecommunications carrier to a wireless terminal 1 of a user who uses a communication network provided by the carrier in a 5G (5th Generation) SA (Stand Alone) area or a 5G NSA (Non-Stand Alone) area established by the carrier. The preferential communication service is a service that gives preferential treatment to communications of a wireless terminal 1 located in these areas compared to communications of a wireless terminal used by a user who uses a communication network provided by the predetermined telecommunications carrier but does not use the service. The preferential communication service is applied, for example, to a wireless terminal 1 performing 5G communication.

[0021] A 5G SA area is an area where wireless communication is performed between communication facilities dedicated to 5G communication and a 5G base station, for example. A 5G NSA area is an area where wireless communication is performed between communication facilities dedicated to 4G (4th Generation) communication and a 4G base station and a 5G base station, for example.

[0022] The preferential communication service includes application of a slice network, which is a virtual division of a communication network, where communication is prioritized, control that prioritizes communication of wireless terminal 1 over best-effort communication, and delay guarantee that allocates wireless resources to communication of wireless terminal 1 so as to guarantee delay, jitter, etc. within a certain period of time. For example, when wireless terminal 1 is located in a 5G SA area, the preferential communication service is applied to the communication of wireless terminal 1. This is a throughput control that applies a first slice network, which is a virtual division of the communication network and guarantees a predetermined communication quality, or priority control that applies a second slice network, which gives priority to communication over best-effort communication applied to wireless terminals of users who do not use the preferential communication service. Furthermore, when wireless terminal 1 is located in a 5G NSA area, the preferential communication service is applied to the communication of wireless terminal 1. This is a communication control that prioritizes communication of wireless terminal 1 using the preferential communication service over best-effort communication.

[0023] Here, the communication network includes not only a wireless communication network but also a wired core network. When applying a preferential communication service to a wireless terminal in a 5G SA area, the preferential communication service does not include throughput control, and communication control may be applied that prioritizes communication of a wireless terminal 1 using the preferential communication service over communication of a wireless terminal of a user who does not use the preferential communication service, as in a 5G NSA area.

[0024] The information processing device 2 can apply preferential communication services to the communication of a wireless terminal by controlling the allocation of resource blocks allocated to the communication of the wireless terminal using a communication network provided in a 5G SA area or a communication network provided in a 5G NSA area.

[0025] In this embodiment, when certain conditions for receiving the preferential communication service, which is a service that provides preferential treatment to communications on a communication network, are met, the preferential communication service is applied to communications of the wireless terminal 1, including the fact that a payment application program is being executed on the wireless terminal 1 used by the user.

[0026] The payment application is, for example, an application for making a payment by code payment, but is not limited to this and may be an application for making a payment using short-range wireless communication. In the following description, the payment application is also referred to as a payment app. A business that provides the payment app partners with a predetermined telecommunications business and realizes applying a preferential communication service to the wireless terminal 1 when the wireless terminal 1 is running the payment app.

[0027] For example, when a payment application is executed ((1) in FIG. 1), the wireless terminal 1 determines whether a predetermined condition for receiving the preferential communication service is satisfied ((2) in FIG. 1). If the wireless terminal 1 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the wireless terminal 1 transmits an application request to the information processing device 2 to request the application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 ((3) in FIG. 1).

[0028] The information processing device 2 executes an application process for applying the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 based on the application request received from the wireless terminal 1 ((4) in FIG. 1). After requesting application of the preferential communication service, the wireless terminal 1 transmits and receives data related to the payment app ((5) in FIG. 1). In this way, the wireless terminal 1 can improve the communication quality of the communication of the wireless terminal 1 when the payment app is executed and communication related to payment is performed.

[0029] Furthermore, the information processing device 2 calculates the amount to be charged to the business that provides the payment app based on the application status of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 ((6) in FIG. 1). Since the preferential communication service is applied when the payment app is executed at the request of the business that provides the payment app, the information processing device 2 can charge the appropriate person for the application of the preferential communication service by calculating the amount to be charged to the business that provides the payment app.

[0030] [Functional configuration of wireless terminal 1] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the wireless terminal 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the wireless terminal 1. The wireless terminal 1 has an input unit 11, a display unit 12, a communication unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0031] The input unit 11 is, for example, a touch panel provided overlaid on buttons or the display unit 12, and receives operation inputs from the user of the wireless terminal 1. The display unit 12 is a liquid crystal display, and displays various screens under the control of the control unit 15.

[0032] The communication unit 13 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the information processing device 2 and a base station of a wireless communication network. The storage unit 14 is a storage medium that stores various types of data, and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage unit 14 stores programs executed by the control unit 15. The storage unit 14 stores a payment application program that causes the control unit 15 to function as a determination unit 151, a request unit 152, and a transmission / reception unit 153.

[0033] The control unit 15 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 15 executes a program stored in the storage unit 14, thereby functioning as a determination unit 151, a request unit 152, and a transmission / reception unit 153.

[0034] Determination unit 151 determines whether predetermined conditions, including the execution of a payment app, for the communication of wireless terminal 1 to be eligible for the preferential communication service are satisfied. Specifically, when the payment app is executed, control unit 15 functions as determination unit 151 and determines whether predetermined conditions, including the execution of the payment app itself, are satisfied.

[0035] The predetermined condition may include, in addition to the payment app itself being executed, an instruction to display a payment code, which is a code used by the payment app to make a payment, on the display unit 12 of the wireless terminal 1, or an instruction to read the payment code being received by the input unit 11 of the wireless terminal 1. In this way, the wireless terminal 1 can request application of the preferential communication service at the timing when an instruction to display or read the payment code is received and data related to the payment app is transmitted or received.

[0036] The predetermined condition may also include that the wireless terminal 1 is performing 5G communication. In this way, the wireless terminal 1 can request application of the preferential communication service on the condition that the wireless terminal 1 is performing 5G communication and that the preferential communication service is applicable to its own communication.

[0037] The predetermined condition may also include that the throughput of the wireless terminal 1 is less than a target throughput, which is a throughput targeted for communication of the wireless terminal. In this case, the determination unit 151 measures the throughput of communication using the communication network of the wireless terminal 1, or acquires the measurement result of the throughput of communication using the communication network, and determines whether the measured throughput is less than the target throughput. In this way, the wireless terminal 1 can request application of the preferential communication service when the measured throughput does not reach the target and the communication quality is unsatisfactory.

[0038] The predetermined condition may also include that the wireless terminal 1 is located in a predetermined area, such as an area where wireless communication is congested. In this case, the determination unit 151 identifies the location of the wireless terminal 1 and determines whether the location is included in a predetermined area. Note that terminal location information indicating the location of the wireless terminal 1 may be transmitted, and the information processing device 2 may apply the preferential communication service on the condition that the location of the wireless terminal 1 is included in the predetermined area. In this way, the preferential communication service can be applied only when the wireless terminal 1 is located in a predetermined area where wireless communication is congested and stable wireless communication is not possible.

[0039] When the determination unit 151 determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied, the request unit 152 requests the information processing device 2, which controls the application of the preferential communication service, to apply the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1. For example, the request unit 152 requests the application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 by transmitting to the information processing device 2 a request for application of the preferential communication service, the request including a user ID (Identification) as user identification information for identifying the user of the wireless terminal 1 and a service ID as service identification information for identifying the payment service provided by the payment app. The user ID is, for example, an ID that uniquely defines a contract for each line, such as an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity).

[0040] Upon receiving the application request, the information processing device 2 applies the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1. After the request unit 152 requests the application of the preferential communication service, the transmission / reception unit 153 transmits and receives data related to the payment app through communication using the communication network. For example, the transmission / reception unit 153 transmits and receives data related to the payment app after a first time has elapsed since the request unit 152 requested the application of the preferential communication service. The first time is, for example, a time longer than the time required from the transmission of the application request for the preferential communication service until the preferential communication service is applied.

[0041] Although the transmitting / receiving unit 153 transmits and receives data related to the payment app after the first time period has elapsed, this is not limiting. The transmitting / receiving unit 153 may receive information indicating that the preferential communication service has been applied in response to a request for application of the preferential communication service from the information processing device 2. Then, the transmitting / receiving unit 153 may transmit and receive data related to the payment app in response to receiving the information indicating that the preferential communication service has been applied.

[0042] Furthermore, when the screen of the payment app is displayed on the display unit 12 of the wireless terminal 1, that is, when the screen of the payment app is displayed in the foreground on the display unit 12, the request unit 152 requests the information processing device 2 to continue applying the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 every second time period (predetermined time period). For example, the request unit 152 determines whether the second time period has elapsed since the transmission time of the last transmitted application request or continuation request. When the request unit 152 determines that the second time period has elapsed since the transmission time of the last transmitted application request or continuation request, the request unit 152 requests the information processing device 2 to continue applying the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 by transmitting a continuation request for the preferential communication service, including the user ID of the user of the wireless terminal 1, every second time period.

[0043] In addition, when the screen of the payment app is not displayed on the display unit 12 of the wireless terminal 1, that is, when the screen of the payment app is displayed in the background on the display unit 12, the request unit 152 controls the information processing device 2 not to request the continuation of the application of the communication preferential service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1.

[0044] The second time period is shorter than the application period, which is the time from when application of the preferential communication service is started until application of the preferential communication service is automatically terminated in the information processing device 2. In this way, the wireless terminal 1 can maintain application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 even if it takes a long time to complete payment because the user has difficulty operating the payment app, for example.

[0045] Furthermore, in response to the completion of payment using the payment app, the request unit 152 requests the information processing device 2 to terminate application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1. Specifically, in response to the completion of payment using the payment app, the request unit 152 requests termination of application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 by transmitting to the information processing device 2 a request to terminate application of the preferential communication service, the request including the user ID of the user of the wireless terminal 1 and the service ID of the payment app. In this way, the preferential communication service continues to be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, thereby preventing the preferential communication service from being applied to the communication of other applications, even though the provider of the payment app pays the fee for applying the preferential communication service. Furthermore, by operating the wireless terminal 1 in this manner, the preferential communication service is applied only at the time of payment, which makes it easier to secure communication resources, thereby enabling effective use of communication resources.

[0046] [Functional configuration of information processing device 2] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the information processing device 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 2. The information processing device 2 has a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0047] The communication unit 21 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the wireless terminal 1 and an external device such as a communication device that manages a communication network. The storage unit 22 is a storage medium that stores various types of data, and includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 22 stores programs executed by the control unit 23. The storage unit 22 stores programs that cause the control unit 23 to function as a receiving unit 231, an application processing unit 232, a calculation unit 233, and a billing unit 234.

[0048] The control unit 23 is, for example, a CPU. The control unit 23 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 22, thereby functioning as a receiving unit 231, an application processing unit 232, a calculation unit 233, and a request unit 234.

[0049] The receiving unit 231 receives a request for application of a preferential communication service for communication of the wireless terminal 1, which is transmitted from the wireless terminal 1 that satisfies predetermined conditions for receiving the preferential communication service, including that a payment app is being executed. Specifically, the receiving unit 231 receives the request for application of the preferential communication service, which includes the user ID of the user of the wireless terminal 1 and the service ID of the service provided by the payment app.

[0050] The application processing unit 232 executes an application process, which is a process for applying a preferential communication service to communication of the wireless terminal 1, based on the application request received by the receiving unit 231. When the service ID included in the application request received by the receiving unit 231 is a predetermined ID, the application processing unit 232 determines whether or not the wireless terminal 1 can use 5G communication, based on the user ID included in the application request. For example, the application processing unit 232 identifies contract information related to the use of the user's communication network based on the user ID, and when it determines based on the contract information that the user of the wireless terminal 1 has concluded a contract related to the use of 5G communication with a telecommunications carrier, it determines that the wireless terminal 1 can use 5G communication. When it determines that the wireless terminal 1 can use 5G communication, the application processing unit 232 executes an application process, which is a process for applying a preferential communication service to communication of the wireless terminal 1.

[0051] Here, the predetermined ID is an ID indicating a service to which the preferential communication service is applied, and in this embodiment, it is an ID indicating a payment service provided by the payment app. Specifically, first, when the receiving unit 231 receives an application request, the application processing unit 232 determines, as an application process, whether or not the service ID included in the application request is a predetermined ID. Then, when the application processing unit 232 determines that the service ID is a predetermined ID, the application processing unit 232 applies the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 by instructing a communication control device (not shown) that controls communication of the communication network used by the wireless terminal 1 to apply the preferential communication service to the communication of the user ID included in the application request. When the application processing unit 232 applies the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, it sets the time when the application request was received as the application start time.

[0052] Furthermore, the application processing unit 232 sets the scheduled application end time, which is the time at which application of the preferential communication service to communication of the wireless terminal 1 corresponding to the user ID will end, to the time when a second time has elapsed since the time when the application request was received, i.e., the time when a second time has elapsed since the application start time. Then, the application processing unit 232 associates the user ID, the application start time, and the scheduled application end time, and stores them in the storage unit 22 as application management information. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of application management information. As shown in Fig. 4, it can be confirmed that the user ID, the application start time, and the scheduled application end time are associated with each other.

[0053] Furthermore, the receiving unit 231 receives a continuation request for application of the communication preferential service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, which is transmitted from the wireless terminal 1 after the communication preferential service has been applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1. When the receiving unit 231 receives the continuation request, the application processing unit 232 updates the scheduled end time of application of the communication preferential service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 corresponding to the user ID included in the continuation request. For example, the application processing unit 232 updates the scheduled end time of application associated with the user ID included in the continuation request in the application management information stored in the storage unit 22 to the time when a second time has elapsed since the time the continuation request was received. In this way, the information processing device 2 can maintain application of the communication preferential service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1.

[0054] The receiving unit 231 also receives an application termination request, which is a request to terminate application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, transmitted from the wireless terminal 1. The receiving unit 231 receives the application termination request transmitted from the wireless terminal 1 in response to completion of payment by the payment application being executed on the wireless terminal 1.

[0055] The application processing unit 232 executes application termination processing, which is processing for terminating application of the communication preferential service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, when a continuation request is not received within a second hour after the application of the communication preferential service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, when a continuation request is not received within a second hour after the last continuation request is received from the wireless terminal 1, or when the receiving unit 231 receives an application termination request. Here, depending on the congestion status of wireless communication, the continuation request transmitted from the wireless terminal 1 may arrive with a delay. In response to this, the application processing unit 232 may determine a delay time in advance, and execute the application termination processing when a continuation request is not received within a time obtained by adding the delay time to the second time after the application of the communication preferential service, or when a continuation request is not received within a time obtained by adding the delay time to the second time after the last continuation request is received from the wireless terminal 1. Furthermore, the application processing unit 232 may set the scheduled application termination time as the time when the time obtained by adding the delay time to the second time has elapsed since the time when the application request was received.

[0056] Specifically, the application processing unit 232 refers to the application management information stored in the storage unit 22 at intervals of a third time, which is shorter than the second time, and identifies a user ID associated with a scheduled application end time that is later than the current time. Furthermore, when the receiving unit 231 receives an application end process, the application processing unit 232 identifies a user ID included in the received application end process.

[0057] For example, as the application termination process, the application processing unit 232 refers to the application management information and, based on the identified user ID, identifies the communication network used for communication by the wireless terminal 1. Then, as the application termination process, the application processing unit 232 instructs the communication control device that controls communication of the identified communication network to terminate application of the communication preferential treatment service to communication of the wireless terminal 1 corresponding to the identified user ID, thereby terminating application of the communication preferential treatment service to communication of the wireless terminal 1.

[0058] If the information processing device 2 does not receive a continuation request, it terminates the application of the preferential communication service, thereby preventing the preferential communication service from continuing to be applied when the payment app is terminated midway on the wireless terminal 1, and making it possible to limit the preferential communication service to the payment service as much as possible. This allows the information processing device 2 to prevent excessive billing of the billing destination related to the application of the preferential communication service.

[0059] When the application processing unit 232 ends the application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, it associates the user ID of the wireless terminal 1, the application start time, and the application end time, which is the time when the application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, and stores these in the storage unit 22 as application history information. In addition, the application processing unit 232 deletes the user ID of the wireless terminal 1 and information associated with the user ID from the application management information. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of application history information. As shown in Figure 5, it can be seen that the user ID, the application start time, and the application end time are associated with each other.

[0060] The calculation unit 233 calculates the amount of money to be charged to the business operator that provides the payment application for the application of the preferential communication service, based on the application status of the preferential communication service for the communication of the wireless terminal 1.

[0061] For example, the calculation unit 233 calculates the billing amount based on the time during which the preferential communication service was applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1. Specifically, the calculation unit 233 refers to the application history information stored in the storage unit 22, and tallies the time during which the preferential communication service was applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 of each of the multiple users over a unit period (for example, one month). Then, the calculation unit 233 calculates the billing amount based on the tallied time. For example, the calculation unit 233 calculates the billing amount so that the longer the tallied time, the higher the billing amount. In this way, the information processing device 2 can calculate an appropriate billing amount based on the time during which the preferential communication service was applied.

[0062] Although the calculation unit 233 calculates the charge amount based on the time during which the preferential communication service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, the calculation unit 233 is not limited to this. The calculation unit 233 may calculate the charge amount based on the traffic volume of the communication while the preferential communication service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1.

[0063] In this case, the application processing unit 232, for example, acquires traffic volume information indicating the traffic volume of communication while the preferential communication service is being applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 from a communication control device that controls communication in the communication network, and stores application history information including the traffic volume information in the storage unit 22. The calculation unit 233 refers to the application history information stored in the storage unit 22 and aggregates the traffic volume of communication of the wireless terminal 1 of each of the multiple users during a unit period. Then, the calculation unit 233 calculates a billing amount based on the aggregated traffic volume. For example, the calculation unit 233 calculates a billing amount such that the larger the aggregated traffic volume, the higher the billing amount.

[0064] The calculation unit 233 may also calculate the billing amount based on at least one of the number of application requests received from the wireless terminal 1 and the number of continuation requests received from the wireless terminal 1. In this case, the application processing unit 232 identifies the number of continuation requests received by the receiving unit 231 from the wireless terminal 1 while the communication preferential service is being applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, and stores application history information including the number in the storage unit 22. The calculation unit 233 refers to the application history information stored in the storage unit 22 and identifies the number of application requests received from the wireless terminal 1 of each of the multiple users in the unit period. For example, the calculation unit 233 refers to the application history information and identifies the number of application history information in the unit period as the number of application requests. The calculation unit 233 also refers to the application history information and tallies the number of continuation requests received from the wireless terminal 1 of each of the multiple users.

[0065] Then, the calculation unit 233 calculates the billing amount based on the identified number of application requests and the counted number of continuation requests. For example, the calculation unit 233 calculates the billing amount so that the billing amount increases as the total number of application requests and continuation requests increases.

[0066] The billing unit 234 bills the business operator that provides the payment application for the billing amount calculated by the calculation unit 233. For example, the billing unit 234 bills the business operator that provides the payment application for the billing amount by sending billing information indicating the calculated billing amount to a predetermined address of the business operator that provides the payment application.

[0067] [Operation flow] Next, a description will be given of the process flow relating to application of the preferential communication service in the wireless terminal 1 and the information processing device 2. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the process flow relating to application of the preferential communication service in the wireless terminal 1. This flowchart starts when a payment application is executed in the wireless terminal 1.

[0068] First, the determination unit 151 determines whether a predetermined condition for receiving the preferential communication service is satisfied for the communication of the wireless terminal 1 (S1). If the determination unit 151 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied (YES in S1), it proceeds to S2, and if it determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, it executes S1 again.

[0069] Next, the request unit 152 transmits a request for application of the preferential communication service, including the user ID of the user of the wireless terminal 1 and the service ID of the payment application, to the information processing device 2 (S2).

[0070] Next, the transmission / reception unit 153 starts the payment process, including the transmission and reception of data related to the payment application, through communication using the communication network after a first time has elapsed since the request unit 152 requested the application of the communication preferential service (S3).

[0071] Next, the request unit 152 determines whether a second time has elapsed since the transmission of the application request or the last continuation request (S4). If the request unit 152 determines that the second time has elapsed (YES in S4), the process proceeds to S5. If the request unit 152 determines that the second time has not elapsed (NO in S4), the process proceeds to S7.

[0072] Next, the request unit 152 determines whether the payment app is displayed on the display unit 12, that is, whether the payment app is displayed in the foreground on the display unit 12 (S5). Here, the request unit 152 may determine whether the payment app has been displayed on the display unit 12 for a second time. If the request unit 152 determines that the payment app is displayed on the display unit 12 (YES in S5), the process proceeds to S6, where the request unit 152 transmits a continuation request to the information processing device 2. If the request unit 152 determines that the payment app is not displayed on the display unit 12 (NO in S5), the process proceeds to S7.

[0073] In S7, the request unit 152 determines whether the payment process is complete. If the request unit 152 determines that the payment process is complete (YES in S7), the process proceeds to S8, where the request unit 152 transmits an application end request to the information processing device 2. If the request unit 152 determines that the payment process is not complete (NO in S7), the process proceeds to S4.

[0074] 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing related to application of the preferential communication service in the information processing device 2. This flowchart starts when the receiving unit 231 receives a request to apply the preferential communication service from the wireless terminal 1.

[0075] The application processing unit 232 determines whether the service ID included in the application request is a predetermined ID (S11). If the application processing unit 232 determines that the service ID is a predetermined ID (YES in S11), it proceeds to S12, and if it determines that the service ID is not a predetermined ID (NO in S11), it ends the processing according to this flowchart.

[0076] The application processing unit 232 determines whether or not the wireless terminal 1 can use 5G communication, for example, based on the user ID (S12). If the application processing unit 232 determines that the wireless terminal 1 can use 5G communication (YES in S12), it proceeds to S13, and if it determines that the wireless terminal 1 cannot use 5G communication (NO in S12), it terminates the processing related to this flowchart. In S13, the application processing unit 232 instructs a communication control device that controls communication of the communication network used by the wireless terminal 1 to apply the preferential communication service to communication of the user ID included in the application request.

[0077] Next, the application processing unit 232 associates the user ID, application start time, and scheduled application end time included in the application request, and stores them in the storage unit 22 as application management information (S14).

[0078] Next, the application processing unit 232 determines whether or not a continuation request has been received (S15). If the application processing unit 232 determines that a continuation request has been received (YES in S15), the process proceeds to S16, where it updates the scheduled application end time associated with the user ID included in the received continuation request in the application management information. If the application processing unit 232 determines that a continuation request has not been received (NO in S15), the process proceeds to S17.

[0079] The application processing unit 232 determines whether or not to terminate application of the preferential communication service (S17). Specifically, if the application processing unit 232 determines that an application termination request has been received from the wireless terminal 1 or that the current time has passed the scheduled application termination time stored in the application management information (YES in S17), the process proceeds to S18. If the application processing unit 232 determines that an application termination request has not been received from the wireless terminal 1 and that the current time has not passed the scheduled application termination time stored in the application management information (NO in S17), the process proceeds to S15.

[0080] The application processing unit 232 refers to the application management information and instructs the communication control device that controls communication of the communication network corresponding to the user ID to end application of the preferential communication service to communication of the wireless terminal 1 corresponding to the user ID (S18). The application processing unit 232 associates the user ID of the wireless terminal 1 with the application start time and application end time of the preferential communication service and stores them in the storage unit 22 as application history information (S19).

[0081] [Variations] In the above-described embodiment, the wireless terminal 1 is a terminal such as a smartphone used by a user, but is not limited thereto. The wireless terminal 1 may be, for example, a store terminal installed in a store, which performs payment-related communication wirelessly. That is, when a control unit of the store terminal used by the store determines that predetermined conditions for receiving the preferential communication service, including the execution of the payment app, are satisfied, the control unit may request the information processing device 2, which controls the application of the preferential communication service, to apply the preferential communication service to communication of the store terminal, and after requesting the application of the preferential communication service, may transmit and receive data related to the payment app via the communication.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the payment app functions as the determination unit 151 and the request unit 152, but this is not limiting. An application program installed on the wireless terminal 1, which is different from the payment app, may function as the determination unit 151 and the request unit.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the application processing unit 232 executes the application process of applying the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 based on the user ID, but the present invention is not limited to this. The application processing unit 232 may execute the application process of applying the preferential communication service to the communication related to the payment service provided by the payment app of the wireless terminal 1 based on the service ID and the user ID included in the application request received by the receiving unit 231.

[0084] For example, the application processing unit 232 applies the preferential communication service to the communication corresponding to the service ID by instructing a communication control device that controls communication of a communication network corresponding to a user ID included in the application request to apply the preferential communication service to communication corresponding to the service ID included in the application request, among communications of the user ID included in the application request. Also, the application processing unit 232 receives application information for applying the preferential communication service to communication corresponding to the service ID from the communication control device, and transmits the application information to the wireless terminal 1. For example, if the preferential communication service is application of a slice network to communication, the application information is information related to a User Equipment Route Selection Policy (URSP). Also, if the preferential communication service is priority control in which communication is given priority over best-effort communication, the application information is information indicating a bearer on which priority control is performed.

[0085] When transmitting and receiving data related to a payment application, the transmitting and receiving unit 153 of the wireless terminal 1 transmits and receives data based on the application information received from the information processing device 2. In this way, the information processing device 2 can apply the preferential communication service only to communications related to the payment application.

[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the preferential communication service is applied when a payment application for code payment is being executed, but this is not limited to this. For example, when an application related to facility use, such as entering a live music venue, stadium, entertainment facility, etc., or obtaining a Priority Pass for preferential use of the facility after entering the facility, is being executed, the wireless terminal 1 may transmit a request for application of the preferential communication service to the information processing device 2 in order to apply the preferential communication service. Also, for example, when a payment application for betting and paying for various types of competitions such as horse racing and bicycle racing is being executed, the wireless terminal 1 may transmit a request for application of the preferential communication service to the information processing device 2 in order to apply the preferential communication service.

[0087] [Effects of the wireless terminal 1 and the information processing device 2] As described above, when wireless terminal 1 according to the present embodiment determines that predetermined conditions for receiving a preferential communication service, which is a service for giving preferential treatment to communications on a communication network, including the execution of a payment app, are met, it requests information processing device 2, which controls the application of the preferential communication service, to apply the preferential communication service to communications of wireless terminal 1, and after requesting the application of the preferential communication service, transmits and receives data related to the payment app through communications on the communication network. In this way, wireless terminal 1 can improve communication quality when performing communications related to the payment app.

[0088] Furthermore, the information processing device 2 according to this embodiment executes processing for applying the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 based on the application request for the preferential communication service received from the wireless terminal 1, and calculates the amount of charges to be billed to the business that provides the payment application based on the application status of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1. In this way, the information processing device 2 can charge the appropriate person for the application of the preferential communication service.

[0089] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and promote innovation and resilience."

[0090] The present invention has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically distributing or integrating any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combination also have the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1. Wireless terminal 11 Input section 12 Display section 13 Communications Department 14 Storage section 15 Control Unit 151 Judgment section 152 Request part 153 Transmitter / Receiver 2. Information processing equipment 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 231 Receiving unit 232 Application Processing Unit 233 Calculation Unit 234 Billing Department

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives a request for application of a preferential communication service to communication of the wireless terminal, the request being transmitted from the wireless terminal that performs communication using a communication network and that satisfies predetermined conditions for application of the preferential communication service, which is a service that gives preferential treatment to communication of the communication network, including preferential use of the facility after entry into the facility or execution of an application related to entry into the facility; an application processing unit that executes processing to apply the communication preferential service to the communication of the wireless terminal based on the application request received by the receiving unit; a calculation unit that calculates a charge amount related to application of the preferential communication service to be charged to a business operator that provides the application based on an application status of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal; and the receiving unit receives a continuation request for application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal, the continuation request being transmitted from the wireless terminal after the preferential communication service has been applied to the communication of the wireless terminal, the continuation request being transmitted at predetermined time intervals when a screen of the application is displayed on a display unit of the wireless terminal, and not being transmitted when the screen is not displayed on the display unit and the screen is displayed in the background on the display unit; the application processing unit executes a process for terminating application of the communication preferential service to the communication of the wireless terminal when the continuation request is not received within a predetermined time after the application of the communication preferential service to the communication of the wireless terminal, or when the continuation request is not received within a predetermined time after the last continuation request is received from the wireless terminal. Information processing device.

2. the calculation unit calculates the billing amount based on a time period during which the preferential communication service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the calculation unit calculates the charge amount based on a traffic volume of the communication while the preferential communication service is being applied to the communication of the wireless terminal; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

4. the calculation unit calculates the billing amount based on the number of continuation requests received from the wireless terminal. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the calculation unit calculates the billing amount based on the number of application requests received from the wireless terminal. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. the receiving unit receives a request for application of the preferential communication service, the request including user identification information for identifying a user of the wireless terminal and service identification information for identifying a service provided by the application; the application processing unit executes a process for applying the communication preferential service to the communication of the wireless terminal based on the user identification information when the service identification information included in the application request received by the receiving unit is predetermined identification information. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. the application processing unit executes a process for applying the preferential communication service to the communication related to the service provided by the application of the wireless terminal, based on the service identification information included in the application request received by the receiving unit. The information processing device according to claim 6 .

8. The communication preferential treatment service is a slice network obtained by virtually dividing the communication network, and includes application of a slice network in which communication is prioritized. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. the preferential communication service includes control for prioritizing communication of the wireless terminal over best-effort communication; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

10. The computer executes receiving a request for application of a preferential communication service to communication of the wireless terminal, the request being transmitted from the wireless terminal that performs communication using a communication network and that satisfies predetermined conditions for application of the preferential communication service, which is a service that gives preferential treatment to communication of the communication network, including preferential use of the facility after entry into the facility or execution of an application related to entry into the facility; executing a process for applying the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal based on the received application request; calculating a charge amount related to application of the preferential communication service to be charged to a business operator that provides the application based on an application status of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal; receiving a continuation request for application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal, the continuation request being transmitted from the wireless terminal after the preferential communication service has been applied to the communication of the wireless terminal, the continuation request being transmitted at predetermined time intervals when a screen of the application is displayed on a display unit of the wireless terminal, and not being transmitted when the screen is not displayed on the display unit and the screen is displayed in the background on the display unit; a step of executing a process for terminating application of the communication preferential service to the communication of the wireless terminal when the continuation request is not received within a predetermined time after the communication preferential service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal, or when the continuation request is not received within a predetermined time after the last continuation request is received from the wireless terminal; An information processing method comprising:

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