MEC device, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

An MEC device according to the present application is provided with: a management unit that manages resources and services of an application; a service provision unit that provides the services by the application to a user; and a change unit that causes the management unit to execute a change in a service level for the user on the basis of a request from the user to change the service level of the services.

Description

MEC device, information processing method, and information processing program

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

[0002] In recent years, multi-access edge computing (MEC) devices have been attracting attention. Because MEC devices are deployed in, for example, mobile communication networks, they have less latency between wireless terminals and can shorten application response times compared to devices deployed in a cloud environment (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-135765

[0004] There is a demand for technology that enables application services to be provided in a manner that better meets the needs of users.

[0005] The present application aims to provide an MEC device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can provide application-based services in a manner that better meets the needs of users.

[0006] The MEC device according to the present application comprises a management unit that manages application resources and services, a service providing unit that provides a service provided by the application to a user, and a change unit that causes the management unit to change the service level for the user based on a request from the user to change the service level of the service.

[0007] The management unit also sets in the service providing unit a new application that provides the service to the user at the service level indicated in the change request.

[0008] Furthermore, the management unit allocates the new application of the service level to a new resource based on a request from the change unit in response to the service level change request, and sets the new application of the service level to the service providing unit.

[0009] In addition, the service providing unit accepts an operation by the user requesting a change in the service level through an existing application that provides the service, and the change unit causes the management unit to change the service level for the user based on the operation by the user requesting a change accepted by the service providing unit.

[0010] The change unit also causes the management unit to change the service level for the user based on the change request operation by the user accepted by an external server that provides the service.

[0011] The change unit also acquires information about the user from a database that is located in a cloud and manages information about the user, and determines whether or not to change the service level based on the information about the user.

[0012] Furthermore, the management unit performs deployment of a network configuration including a network element that transfers data from the user to the application based on a request from the change unit in response to the service level change request.

[0013] The service level is at least one of the levels of delay, communication volume, and security.

[0014] The services also include services provided by applications using AI.

[0015] In addition, the information processing method of the present application is an information processing method executed by an MEC device, and includes a management process for managing application resources and services, a service provision process for providing a service by the application to a user, and a change process for causing the management unit to change the service level for the user based on a request by the user to change the service level of the service.

[0016] In addition, the information processing program of the present application causes an MEC device to execute a management procedure for managing application resources and services, a service provision procedure for providing a service by the application to a user, and a change procedure for causing the management unit to change the service level for the user based on a request by the user to change the service level of the service.

[0017] According to one aspect of the embodiment, it is possible to provide application services in a manner that better meets the needs of users.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mobile communication network including an MEC device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an MEC device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of service level related information stored in a storage unit of an MEC device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of processing by a management unit in a processing unit of an MEC device according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of processing by a management unit in a processing unit of an MEC device according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an information processing procedure according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of an MEC device.

[0019] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of an MEC apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program according to the present application (hereinafter referred to as an "embodiment") with reference to the drawings. Note that the MEC apparatus, the information processing method, and the information processing program according to the present application are not limited to the embodiment. Furthermore, the same components in the following embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0020] (Embodiments) [1. Introduction] In recent years, services using AI, such as generative AI (artificial intelligence), have been provided. However, AI services, which are services using AI, require a large amount of calculation and have a large processing delay compared to other services. Furthermore, AI training requires a large amount of data, and many services use data input by users for training.

[0021] Therefore, it is desirable for AI services to be able to finely set delays (latency) due to communication and processing, security levels during use (for example, limitations on communication paths and whether learning is enabled), etc. This is not limited to AI services, and may also be applied to other services.

[0022] It is known that cloud infrastructure as a service (IaaS) allows users to select a service level based on the quality and scale of the service, but because the connection is made to user terminals via the Internet, it is difficult to control communication latency or limit communication paths.

[0023] Therefore, in this embodiment, a MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) device is adopted as a device for providing services using applications such as SaaS (Software as a Service), so that it is possible to control communication delay time (latency) and limit communication paths.

[0024] The MEC device of this embodiment is, for example, a fifth generation mobile communication system (5 th The MEC device is disposed in a mobile communication network such as a Mobile Access Network (MEC) or a Mobile Access Network (MACE) and is capable of communicating with a user's wireless terminal. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mobile communication network including an MEC device according to an embodiment. The mobile communication network according to this embodiment includes, for example, a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC). The RIC controls and optimizes, for example, RAN (Radio Access Network) functions.

[0025] The MEC device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is placed, for example, at a base station in a mobile communication network or at a location close to a base station, but may also be connected to a node within the core network of the mobile communication network, or to a node on a path between the core network of the mobile communication network and a base station.

[0026] 1, the MEC apparatus 100 includes a change unit 133 that receives a request to change the service level of a service provided by an application, and a management unit 134 that manages the resources and services of the application. This allows the MEC apparatus 100 to provide the service provided by the application in a manner that better meets the needs of the user U.

[0027] The service level is, for example, at least one of the levels of delay (latency), communication volume, and security. The service level related to delay becomes higher as the delay becomes smaller. The service level related to communication volume becomes higher as the maximum communication volume per unit time becomes larger.

[0028] The higher the security level, the higher the service level regarding security. Security is defined, for example, by the tenant level, whether or not learning is performed, and limitations on communication paths. Tenant levels include, for example, multi-tenant and single-tenant. In multi-tenant, multiple users U share a single instance or resource, while in single-tenant, a dedicated instance or resource is provided on a per-user basis.

[0029] The communication path is limited, for example, by network slicing, which sets instances such as DU (Distributed Unit), CU (Central Unit), and UPF (User Plane Function) on a per-user basis or on a per-user basis for a predetermined number of users or less.

[0030] The management unit 134 is, for example, a service management and orchestration (SMO) or an orchestrator, but is not limited to these examples. The change unit 133 is, for example, an application programming interface (API) that accepts a service level change request, and may be referred to as a service level change API below. Furthermore, a service level change request may be referred to as an SL change request, and the service level change API may be referred to as an SL change API below.

[0031] An AI application AIapp1, which is an application that provides an AI service, is deployed in the MEC device 100. A user U of a wireless terminal 200 can use the service provided by the AI ​​application AIapp1 by using the wireless terminal 200 to access the AI ​​application AIapp1 deployed in the MEC device 100.

[0032] The wireless terminal 200 accesses the MEC device 100 via, for example, an RU (Radio Unit), DU, CU, UPF, and UPF. The RU transmits and receives radio waves to and from the wireless terminal 200 and has a function of converting signals between analog and digital.

[0033] The AI ​​application AIapp1 can accept an SL change request operation, which is an operation by the user U requesting a change in the service level, and when the SL change request operation is accepted, it outputs an SL change request to the change unit 133.

[0034] The SL change request includes, for example, a user ID (identifier), which is identification information for the user U, an app ID, which is identification information for the application whose service level is to be changed, and information on the service level for which the user U has requested a change.

[0035] When the change unit 133 receives an SL change request, the change unit 133 outputs a configuration change request corresponding to the SL change request to the management unit 134. When the management unit 134 acquires the configuration change request output from the change unit 133, the management unit 134 creates a new resource based on the acquired configuration change request.

[0036] Then, the management unit 134 assigns the new AI application AIapp2 to the new resource by deploying the new AI application AIapp2 to the created new resource. The new AI application AIapp2 is an AI application of a service level corresponding to the SL change request, and is an AI application of the same type as the AI ​​application AIapp1.

[0037] Furthermore, the management unit 134 allocates the new AI application AIapp2 to the user U. As a result, the new AI application AIapp2 with a service level corresponding to the SL change request is allocated to the user U.

[0038] When the processing in response to the SL change request is completed, the change unit 133 notifies the change unit 133 of the completion of the configuration change. When the change unit 133 notifies the change unit 133 of the completion of the configuration change, the change unit 133 notifies the wireless terminal 200 of the completion of the SL change. This allows the user U to use the service provided by the AI ​​application AIapp2 at the service level in response to the SL change request.

[0039] In this way, when the MEC apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment receives a request to change the service level of a service provided by an application, it changes the service level in accordance with the change request. This allows the MEC apparatus 100 to provide the service provided by the application in a manner that better meets the needs of the user U. The specific configuration and processing of the MEC apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in further detail below.

[0040] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the MEC apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. The MEC apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a processing unit .

[0041] [2.1. Communication Unit 110] The communication unit 110 includes various interfaces, such as an interface for exchanging signals with the RU and an interface for sending and receiving data to and from a network within a mobile communication network.

[0042] The communication unit 110 transmits and receives signals to and from the wireless terminal 200 via the RU. The communication unit 110 also acquires user information from a user information database (DB) (see FIG. 1 ) that stores user information for each user U, which is information about the user U of the mobile communication network.

[0043] Furthermore, the communication unit 110 transmits and receives data to and from devices and applications (e.g., the AI ​​application AIApp shown in FIG. 1 ) located in the cloud or the like via a network N (see FIG. 1 ). The network N is, for example, the Internet, but is not limited to this example. The network N is connected to a network provided in a mobile communication network via a gateway or the like, for example.

[0044] [2.2. Storage Unit 120] The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0045] The storage unit 120 has a management information storage unit 121 that stores management information, which is information managed by the processing unit 130. The management information includes, for example, information indicating various instances deployed in the MEC apparatus 100, their resources, and connection relationships. The instances are, for example, network elements and applications, but are not limited to these examples.

[0046] The storage unit 120 also stores service level related information, which is information related to a service level set in response to an SL change request operation by the user U. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of service level related information stored in the storage unit 120 of the MEC apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

[0047] 3, the service level-related information stored in the management information storage unit 121 includes items such as "user ID," "application ID," and "service level." The "user ID" is identification information for a user U and is assigned to each user U. The "application ID" is identification information for each type of application and is assigned to each type of application.

[0048] "Service level" is information about the service level of the service of the application corresponding to the "app ID", and includes information about the service level for user U corresponding to the "user ID". Such service level information includes information indicating the service level related to delays due to processing, communication, etc., and information indicating the service level related to security. The information indicating the service level related to delays is specified, for example, by an upper limit value of delay.

[0049] The service level related to security includes a service level related to a tenant level, a service level related to the presence or absence of learning, a service level related to the limitation of communication paths, etc. The types of service levels related to the tenant level are, for example, multi-tenant and single-tenant, but multi-tenant may be further categorized by the number of tenants.

[0050] The service level regarding the presence or absence of learning indicates whether the data input by the user U is used for learning the AI ​​used in the AI ​​application. The types of information indicating whether the data is used for AI learning include information indicating the presence of learning and information indicating the absence of learning. The service level regarding the limitation of the communication path indicates the degree of exclusive use of the network element, and is indicated by, for example, the type of network element exclusive to the user U among DU, CU, and UPF, and the number of users. Although not shown, the service level information also includes a service level regarding communication volume.

[0051] [2.3. Processing Unit 130] The processing unit 130 is a controller, and is realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a GPGPU (General Purpose Graphics Processing Unit) executing various programs (corresponding to examples of information processing programs) stored in a storage device inside the MEC device 100 using a RAM or the like as a working area.

[0052] The processing unit 130 is a controller, and may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0053] 2, the processing unit 130 has a communication processing unit 131, a service providing unit 132, a change unit 133, and a management unit 134, and realizes or executes the functions and actions of the information processing described below. Note that the internal configuration of the processing unit 130 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and may be any other configuration as long as it performs the information processing described below.

[0054] [2.3.1. Communication Processing Unit 131] The communication processing unit 131 includes various network elements for transmitting and receiving data to and from the user U. The network elements are, for example, DU, CU, UPF, etc., and are instances deployed by the management unit 134, which manages the network configuration including the connection relationships between the network elements, the resources of the network elements, and the like.

[0055] The DU is a network element that performs physical layer processing, and for example, performs RLC (Radio Link Control) such as signal modulation, signal demodulation, radio resource allocation, and retransmission control. The CU performs processes such as PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) including packet encryption and RRC (Radio Resource Control) including radio resource management. The UPF transfers and processes user data.

[0056] The network elements in the communication processing unit 131 are network elements that are deployed to existing resources or new resources and managed by the management unit 134 .

[0057] [2.3.2. Service Providing Unit 132] The service providing unit 132 provides the user U with a service using an application.

[0058] The applications in the service providing unit 132 are applications that are deployed to existing resources or new resources and managed by the management unit 134. Examples of applications in the service providing unit 132 include, but are not limited to, AI applications that provide AI services, IoT (Internet of Things) applications that process data from the IoT in real time, and game applications that use augmented reality (AR).

[0059] Examples of AI applications include, but are not limited to, chatbot applications that use LLMs (Large Language Models), image recognition applications that perform image recognition using image recognition AI, and autonomous driving applications that control vehicles using autonomous driving AI and algorithms based on data obtained from various sensors installed in the vehicle.

[0060] The application in the service providing unit 132 accepts an SL change request operation, which is an operation requesting a change in service level by the user U. Such an application is an example of an existing application.

[0061] For example, the application in the service providing unit 132 provides a GUI for changing the service level to the user U and accepts an SL change request operation by the user on the GUI. When the application accepts the SL change request operation, it outputs an SL change request corresponding to the SL change request operation to the management unit 134.

[0062] The SL change request includes, for example, a user ID which is identification information of the user U, an app ID which is identification information of the application which is the target of the SL change request, and information on the service level for which the user U has requested a change in service level.

[0063] [2.3.3. Changing Unit 133] The changing unit 133 causes the management unit 134 to change the service level for the user U based on an SL change request, which is a request by the user U to change the service level of a service.

[0064] For example, the change unit 133 accepts an SL change request in response to an SL change request operation accepted by the service providing unit 132, and outputs a configuration change request in response to the accepted SL change request to the management unit 134, thereby causing the management unit 134 to change the service level in response to the SL change request operation.

[0065] For example, when an SL change operation is accepted by the AI ​​application AIapp1 (see FIG. 1 ), the change unit 133 accepts an SL change request output from the AI ​​application AIapp1, and outputs a configuration change request corresponding to the accepted SL change request to the management unit 134. The configuration change request includes, for example, information such as a user ID, an application ID, and a service level, but is not limited to these examples.

[0066] In addition, the change unit 133 can accept an SL change request in response to an SL change request operation accepted by an external server providing the service, and output a configuration change request in response to the SL change request to the management unit 134, thereby causing the management unit 134 to change the service level in response to the SL change request operation.

[0067] For example, when an SL change operation is accepted by an AI application AIapp (see Figure 1) deployed in the cloud, the change unit 133 outputs a configuration change request in response to the SL change request output from the AI ​​application AIapp to the management unit 134.

[0068] The change unit 133 can also determine whether or not to change the service level in response to the SL change request operation. For example, the change unit 133 acquires user information from a user information DB (see FIG. 1 ), which is a database in which user information, which is information about the user U, is managed, and determines whether or not to change the service level based on the acquired user information.

[0069] The user information includes, for example, information indicating the service class of the user U or information indicating the billing mode of the user U for each type of application or for each combination of multiple types of applications. The types of service classes include multiple levels of service classes such as basic class, intermediate class, and advanced class. For each service class, the services that the user U can use among the services provided by the applications differ.

[0070] The types of billing modes include, but are not limited to, a plurality of billing modes such as no billing, relatively inexpensive billing, and relatively effective billing. Note that, although a service class is set depending on the billing mode, the service class may be set based on, for example, the usage history of the user U.

[0071] The change unit 133 permits the change of the service level if the information included in the user information of the user U who performed the SL change request operation satisfies predetermined conditions, and denies the change of the service level if not.

[0072] For example, the change unit 133 allows a change in the service level if the service class of the user U who performed the SL change request operation is other than the basic class or if the billing method of the user U who performed the SL change request operation is billing.

[0073] In addition, the change unit 133 rejects the change of the service level if the service class of the user U who performed the SL change request operation is the basic class or if the billing form of the user U who performed the SL change request operation is non-billing.

[0074] The change unit 133 can also determine whether to change the service level for each service level type based on the user information. The service level types include, for example, latency, communication volume, tenant level, whether learning has been performed, and communication path limitations. The tenant level, whether learning has been performed, and communication path limitations are security types.

[0075] For example, the change unit 133 determines whether or not to change the service level for each type of service level based on the service class level of the user U who performed the SL change request operation or the billing method of the user U who performed the SL change request operation.

[0076] [2.3.4. Management Unit 134] The management unit 134 manages various network elements and applications, performs various deployments, optimizes communications, etc. The management unit 134 is, for example, an SMO or an orchestrator, but is not limited to these examples.

[0077] Examples of resources include processors, memory, network resources, etc. Examples of deployments include deployment of network elements and deployment of applications.

[0078] The management of network functions includes management of resources and services of network elements, etc. Network elements are, for example, DU, CU, UPF, etc., and the management unit 134 manages instances of these network elements, etc.

[0079] The management of applications managed by the management unit 134 includes management of application resources and services, etc. The management of services includes management of service levels for each user U.

[0080] For example, based on the configuration change request output from the change unit 133, the management unit 134 sets the service level of the application to be provided to the user U to a service level corresponding to the configuration change request. The service level is at least one level of delay, communication volume, and security.

[0081] For example, the management unit 134 sets in the service providing unit 132 a new application that provides a service to the user U at the service level indicated in the configuration change request output from the change unit 133 .

[0082] For example, based on the configuration change request output from the change unit 133, the management unit 134 assigns a new application to a new resource and sets the new application in the service providing unit 132. In this way, the management unit 134 sets the new resource and deploys the new application to the set new resource, thereby setting the new application in the service providing unit 132. In this case, the new application becomes a single-tenant application.

[0083] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of processing by the management unit 134 in the processing unit 130 of the MEC apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 4A, when an SL change request output from the AI ​​application AIapp1 is received by the change unit 133, the change unit 133 outputs a configuration change request corresponding to the SL change request to the management unit 134.

[0084] As shown in (b) of Figure 4, the management unit 134 creates new resources based on the configuration change request output from the change unit 133, and assigns a new AI application AIapp2 in response to the configuration change request to the new resources.

[0085] The management unit 134 can also configure the service provider 132 by deploying a new application to an existing resource, in which case the existing resource becomes a multi-tenant resource.

[0086] Furthermore, the management unit 134 can perform deployment of a network configuration including a network element that transfers data from the user U to an application, based on a configuration change request in response to the SL change request. Then, the management unit 134 assigns the newly deployed network configuration to the new application.

[0087] This allows the management unit 134 to limit the communication paths and increase the security level for the services provided by the applications.

[0088] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating another example of processing by the management unit 134 in the processing unit 130 of the MEC apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 5A, when an SL change request output from the AI ​​application AIapp1 is received by the change unit 133, the change unit 133 outputs a configuration change request corresponding to the SL change request to the management unit 134.

[0089] As shown in (b) of Figure 4, the management unit 134 creates new resources based on the configuration change request output from the change unit 133, and assigns new network elements and a new AI application AIapp2 to the new resources in accordance with the SL change request.

[0090] 4B, the management unit 134 assigns DU, CU, UPF, and UPF as new network elements to new resources. This provides a dedicated communication path for user U, and limits the communication path for user U, thereby increasing the security level.

[0091] 6 is a sequence diagram showing an information processing procedure according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, a user U operates the wireless terminal 200 to perform an SL change request operation on a resource application (step S10). The resource application is, for example, the AI ​​application AIapp1 shown in FIG. 1 or the AI ​​application AIapp shown in FIG. 1.

[0092] When the resource application receives the SL change request operation, it outputs the SL change request corresponding to the SL change request operation to the change unit 133 (step S11). When the change unit 133 receives the SL change request, it acquires user information of the user U who performed the SL change request operation from the user information DB (see FIG. 1) (step S12), and performs an SL change permission determination, which is a determination of whether or not the service level can be changed, based on the acquired user information (step S13).

[0093] If the change unit 133 determines that the service level can be changed based on the user information, it outputs a configuration change request corresponding to the SL change request to the management unit 134 (step S14).

[0094] Based on the configuration change request, the management unit 134 changes the configuration of the communication processing unit 131 and the service providing unit 132 so that the application service can be provided to the user U corresponding to the SL change request operation at the service level corresponding to the SL change request operation (steps S15 to S17).

[0095] Specifically, in step S15, the management unit 134 creates a new resource, deploys a new application, and assigns the new application to the new resource for deployment, for example.

[0096] In step S16, the management unit 134 changes the network configuration of the target application and allocates the target application to the user U corresponding to the SL change request operation. In step S17, the management unit 134 changes the network configuration of the resource application and releases the allocation of the resource application to the user U corresponding to the SL change request operation.

[0097] When the processing of steps S15 to S17 is completed, the management unit 134 notifies the change unit 133 of the completion of the configuration change. When the change unit 133 receives the notification of the completion of the configuration change from the management unit 134, it notifies the wireless terminal 200 of the completion of the SL change. This allows the user U to use the service provided by the target application at the service level according to the SL change request.

[0098] 4. Effects As described above, the MEC apparatus 100 according to the embodiment includes the management unit 134 and the change unit 133. The management unit 134 manages application resources and services. The change unit 133 controls a service providing unit that provides application-based services to users, and causes the management unit 134 to change the service level for a user based on a user request to change the service level of the service. This allows the MEC apparatus 100 to provide application-based services in a manner that better meets the needs of the user.

[0099] Furthermore, the management unit 134 sets a new application in the service providing unit that provides a service to the user at the service level indicated in the change request, thereby enabling the MEC apparatus 100 to provide a service by the application in a manner that better meets the needs of the user.

[0100] Furthermore, the management unit 134 assigns new applications of the service level to new resources and sets them in the service providing unit based on a request from the change unit 133 in response to the service level change request, thereby enabling the MEC apparatus 100 to provide services by applications in a manner that better meets the needs of users.

[0101] Furthermore, the service providing unit 132 receives a user's operation requesting a change in the service level through an existing application that provides the service, and the changing unit 133 causes the management unit 134 to change the service level for the user based on the user's operation requesting the change received by the service providing unit. This allows the MEC apparatus 100 to provide services through applications in a manner that better meets the needs of the users.

[0102] Furthermore, the change unit 133 causes the management unit 134 to change the service level for the user based on a change request operation by the user received by the external server that provides the service. This allows the MEC apparatus 100 to provide application-based services in a manner that better meets the needs of the user.

[0103] The change unit 133 also acquires user information from a database that is located in the cloud and manages user information, and determines whether to change the service level based on the user information. This allows the MEC apparatus 100 to provide application-based services in a manner that better meets the needs of users.

[0104] Furthermore, the management unit 134 performs deployment of a network configuration including a network element that transfers data from a user to an application based on a request from the change unit 133 in response to a service level change request, thereby enabling the MEC apparatus 100 to provide services by applications in a manner that better meets the needs of users.

[0105] The service level is at least one of the levels of delay, communication volume, and security. This allows the MEC apparatus 100 to provide application-based services in a manner that better meets the needs of users.

[0106] The services also include services provided by applications using AI, which allows the MEC device 100 to provide services provided by applications using AI in a manner that better meets the needs of users.

[0107] 5. Hardware Configuration The MEC apparatus 100 according to the embodiment described above is realized by a computer 1000 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of the MEC apparatus 100. The computer 1000 includes a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, a HDD 1400, a communication interface (I / F) 1500, an input / output interface (I / F) 1600, and a media interface (I / F) 1700.

[0108] The CPU 1100 operates and controls each unit based on programs stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400. The ROM 1300 stores a boot program executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 starts up, programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000, and the like.

[0109] The HDD 1400 stores programs executed by the CPU 1100, data used by such programs, etc. The communication interface 1500 receives data from other devices via a predetermined communication network and sends it to the CPU 1100, and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via the predetermined communication network.

[0110] The CPU 1100 controls output devices such as a display and a printer, and input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 acquires data from the input devices via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 also outputs generated data to the output devices via the input / output interface 1600.

[0111] Media interface 1700 reads a program or data stored in recording medium 1800 and provides it to CPU 1100 via RAM 1200. CPU 1100 loads the program or data from recording medium 1800 onto RAM 1200 via media interface 1700 and executes the loaded program. Recording medium 1800 is, for example, an optical recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a PD (Phase Change Rewritable Disc), a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optical disk), a tape medium, a magnetic recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

[0112] For example, when the computer 1000 functions as the MEC apparatus 100 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes programs loaded onto the RAM 1200 to realize the functions of the processing unit 130. The CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 reads and executes these programs from the recording medium 1800, but as another example, the CPU 1100 may acquire these programs from another device via a predetermined communication network.

[0113] Although some of the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in other forms that include the embodiments described in the Disclosure of the Invention section and that have undergone various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0114] [6. Other] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments and modifications, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown.

[0115] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the figure. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc.

[0116] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0117] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "section, module, unit" can be read as "means" or "circuit," etc. For example, an acquisition unit can be read as an acquisition means or an acquisition circuit.

[0118] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 MEC device 110 Communication unit 120 Storage unit 130 Processing unit 121 Management information storage unit 131 Communication processing unit 132 Service providing unit 133 Change unit 134 Management unit 200 Wireless terminal N Network

Claims

1. An MEC device comprising: a management unit that manages application resources and services; a service providing unit that provides services provided by the applications to users; and a change unit that causes the management unit to change the service level for the user based on a request from the user to change the service level of the service.

2. The MEC device according to claim 1, wherein the management unit sets, in the service providing unit, a new application that provides the service to the user at the service level indicated in the change request.

3. The MEC device according to claim 2, wherein the management unit allocates the new application of the service level to a new resource based on a request from the change unit in response to the service level change request, and sets the new application to the service providing unit.

4. An MEC device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the service providing unit receives an operation by the user requesting a change in the service level via an existing application that provides the service, and the change unit causes the management unit to change the service level for the user based on the operation by the user requesting a change received by the service providing unit.

5. An MEC device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the change unit causes the management unit to change the service level for the user based on the change request operation by the user accepted by an external server that provides the service.

6. An MEC device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the change unit acquires information about the user from a database located in a cloud in which information about the user is managed, and determines whether or not to change the service level based on the information about the user.

7. The MEC device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the management unit performs deployment of a network configuration including a network element that transfers data from the user to the application based on a request from the change unit in response to a request to change the service level.

8. The MEC device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the service level is at least one level of delay, communication volume, and security.

9. The MEC device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the service includes a service provided by an application using AI.

10. An information processing method executed by an MEC device, comprising: a management process for managing application resources and services; a service provision process for providing a service provided by the application to a user; and a change process for causing the management process to change the service level for the user based on a request from the user to change the service level of the service.

11. An information processing program that causes an MEC device to execute a management procedure that manages application resources and services, a service provision procedure that provides a service by the application to a user, and a change procedure that causes the management procedure to change the service level for the user based on a request by the user to change the service level of the service.

Images