JP7756830B1 - Information processing device and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] Charging for application of preferential communication services to appropriate individuals. [Solution] An information processing device (2) includes: a wireless terminal (1) that communicates using a communication network, a receiver (231) that receives a request for application of the preferential communication service to communication of the wireless terminal (1) that satisfies predetermined conditions for application of the preferential communication service, which is a service that gives preferential treatment to communication on a communication network, including the execution of an application related to the use of a facility; an application processor (232) that executes processing to apply the preferential communication service to communication of the wireless terminal (1) based on the application request received by the receiver (231); and a calculation unit (233) that calculates a charge for application of the preferential communication service to be charged to a business that provides an application related to the use of a facility, based on the application status of the preferential communication service to communication of the wireless terminal (1). [Selected Figure] Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and an information processing method.

Conventionally, communication networks have provided preferential communication services that give preferential treatment to the communications of wireless terminals used by users. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that applies a slice network to a user's wireless terminal in response to the user applying to use the slice network as a preferential communication service.

Patent No. 7358665

In addition to users signing up for preferential communications services, service providers or facilities such as stores or apps used by users may apply preferential communications services to communications from the user's wireless device. In such cases, preferential communications services may be applied to communications from the user's wireless device in situations unintended by the user. In such cases, if the user were to bear the fees for applying preferential communications services, a problem would arise in which the user would be charged in situations unintended by the user. For this reason, it is necessary to ensure that charges for applying preferential communications services are made to the appropriate party.

The present invention was made in consideration of these points, and aims to prevent charges related to the application of preferential communication services from being made to inappropriate individuals.

A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing device. The information processing device includes: a wireless terminal that communicates using a communication network, the wireless terminal satisfying predetermined conditions for receiving a preferential communication service, which is a service that gives preferential treatment to communication on the communication network, including the wireless terminal being running an application related to the use of a facility, a receiving unit that receives a request to apply the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal; an application processing unit that executes processing to apply 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 fee for applying the preferential communication service to a business that provides an application related to the use of the facility, based on the application status of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal.

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.

The receiving unit may receive a continuation request for application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal, which is transmitted from the wireless terminal after applying the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal, the continuation request being transmitted 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 not transmitted 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 preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal if the continuation request is not received within a predetermined time after applying the preferential communication 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.

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.

The receiving unit may receive a request to apply the preferential communication service, which includes user identification information for identifying the 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, if the service identification information included in the application request received by the receiving unit is predetermined identification information, execute processing to apply the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal based on the user identification information.

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

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.

A second aspect of the present invention is an information processing method. This information processing method, executed by a computer, includes the steps of receiving a request for application of a preferential communications service to communications of a wireless terminal that communicates using a communications network and that satisfies predetermined conditions for application of the preferential communications service, which is a service that gives preferential treatment to communications on the communications network, including the wireless terminal being running an application related to the use of a facility; executing processing for applying the preferential communications service to the communications of the wireless terminal based on the received application request; and calculating a fee for application of the preferential communications service to be charged to a business that provides an application related to the use of the facility, based on the application status of the preferential communications service to the communications of the wireless terminal.

The present invention has the advantage of enabling charges related to the application of preferential communications services to be made to the appropriate person.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a communication system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a wireless terminal. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an information processing device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of application management information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of application history information. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow relating to application of a preferential communication service in a wireless terminal. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing related to application of a preferential communication service in an information processing device.

[Overview of communication system S]
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 communications.

Wireless terminal 1 is, for example, a terminal capable of wireless communication, such as a smartphone used by a user. Information processing device 2 is a computer for providing a preferential communication service that gives preferential treatment to communications from wireless terminal 1, and functions as a control device that controls the application of the preferential communication service.

The preferential communication service is provided by a specified telecommunications carrier to wireless terminals 1 of users who use the communication network provided by that carrier in 5G (5th Generation) SA (Stand Alone) areas or 5G NSA (Non-Stand Alone) areas established by that carrier. The preferential communication service is a service that gives preferential treatment to communications from wireless terminals 1 located in these areas compared to communications from wireless terminals used by users who use the communication network provided by the specified telecommunications carrier but do not use that service. The preferential communication service is applied, for example, to wireless terminals 1 performing 5G communications.

A 5G SA area is, for example, an area where wireless communication is conducted between communication equipment dedicated to 5G communication and a 5G base station. A 5G NSA area is, for example, an area where wireless communication is conducted between communication equipment dedicated to 4G (4th Generation) communication and a 4G base station and a 5G base station.

Preferential communication services include the application of slice networks, which are virtually divided communication networks, where communication is prioritized; control that prioritizes communication by wireless terminal 1 over best-effort communication; and delay guarantee, which allocates wireless resources to communication by wireless terminal 1 to guarantee delays and jitter within a certain period of time. For example, when wireless terminal 1 is located in a 5G SA area, the preferential communication service applies to the communication of wireless terminal 1. This is throughput control, in which a first slice network, which is a virtually divided communication network and guarantees a predetermined communication quality, is applied; or priority control, in which 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, is applied. Furthermore, when wireless terminal 1 is located in a 5G NSA area, the preferential communication service applies to the communication of wireless terminal 1. This is communication control, in which communication by wireless terminal 1 using the preferential communication service is prioritized over best-effort communication.

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

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

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, including the fact that a payment application program is running on the wireless terminal 1 used by the user, the preferential communication service is applied to communications on the wireless terminal 1.

The payment application is, for example, an application for making payments using code payment, but is not limited to this and may also be an application for making payments using short-range wireless communication. In the following description, payment applications are also referred to as payment apps. Businesses that provide payment apps partner with specific telecommunications carriers to enable the application of preferential communication services to wireless terminal 1 when wireless terminal 1 is running the payment app.

For example, when a payment app is executed ((1) in FIG. 1), the wireless terminal 1 determines whether predetermined conditions for receiving preferential communication service are met ((2) in FIG. 1). If the wireless terminal 1 determines that the predetermined conditions are met, it sends an application request to the information processing device 2 to request that the preferential communication service be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 ((3) in FIG. 1).

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.

In addition, the information processing device 2 calculates the amount to be charged to the provider that provides the payment app based on the application status of the preferential communication service to the communications of the wireless terminal 1 ((6) in Figure 1). Since the preferential communication service is applied when the payment app is executed at the request of the provider 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 provider that provides the payment app.

[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.

The input unit 11 is, for example, a touch panel provided overlaid on buttons or the display unit 12 , and receives operational 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 .

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 memory unit 14 is a storage medium that stores various types of data, and includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory unit 14 stores programs executed by the control unit 15. The memory 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.

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

The determination unit 151 determines whether the communications of the wireless terminal 1 satisfy predetermined conditions for the application of the preferential communications service, including the fact that the payment app is being executed. Specifically, when the payment app is executed, the control unit 15 functions as the determination unit 151 and determines whether predetermined conditions are satisfied, including the fact that the payment app itself is being executed.

The specified conditions 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 the application of the preferential communications service at the time an instruction to display or read the payment code is received and data related to the payment app is sent or received.

The specified conditions may also include the wireless terminal 1 being engaged in 5G communication. In this way, the wireless terminal 1 can request application of the preferential communication service on the condition that it is engaged in 5G communication and its own communication is eligible for the preferential communication service.

The specified conditions may also include the wireless terminal 1's throughput being less than the target throughput, which is the throughput targeted for the wireless terminal's communications. In this case, the determination unit 151 measures the throughput of communications using the wireless terminal 1's communications network, or obtains the measurement results of the throughput of communications using the communications network, and determines whether the measured throughput is less than the target throughput. In this way, the wireless terminal 1 can request the application of preferential communications services when the measured throughput does not reach the target and the communication quality is unsatisfactory.

The predetermined condition may also include the wireless terminal 1 being 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 within a predetermined area. 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 within 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.

When the determination unit 151 determines that a predetermined condition is met, 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 sending to the information processing device 2 a request for application of the preferential communication service that includes 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).

When the information processing device 2 receives the application request, it 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 via 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 request to apply the preferential communication service until the preferential communication service is applied.

Note that, although the transmission/reception unit 153 transmits and receives data related to the payment app after the first time period has elapsed, this is not limited to this. The transmission/reception unit 153 may receive information from the information processing device 2 indicating that the preferential communication service has been applied in response to a request to apply the preferential communication service. Then, the transmission/reception unit 153 may transmit and receive data related to the payment app in response to receiving information indicating that the preferential communication service has been applied.

Furthermore, when the payment app screen is displayed on the display unit 12 of the wireless terminal 1, i.e., when the payment app screen 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 communications 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 time of the last application request or continuation request. If the request unit 152 determines that the second time period has elapsed since the time of the last application request or continuation request, the request unit 152 requests the information processing device 2 to continue applying the preferential communication service to the communications of the wireless terminal 1 by sending a continuation request for the preferential communication service, including the user ID of the user of the wireless terminal 1, every second time period.

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

The second time period is shorter than the application period, which is the time from when application of the preferential communication service begins until the information processing device 2 automatically terminates application of the preferential communication service. By doing this, the wireless terminal 1 can maintain application of the preferential communication service to the wireless terminal 1's communications even if it takes a long time to complete payment because the user has difficulty operating the payment app, for example.

Furthermore, in response to 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 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 sending a request to terminate application of the preferential communication service to the information processing device 2, 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, it is possible to prevent 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, as the preferential communication service continues to be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1. Furthermore, by operating the wireless terminal 1 in this manner, the preferential communication service is applied only at the time of payment, making it easier to secure communication resources, thereby enabling effective use of communication resources.

[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.

The communication unit 21 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the wireless terminal 1 and external devices 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.

The control unit 23 is, for example, a CPU. The control unit 23 executes 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 billing unit 234.

The receiving unit 231 receives a request for application of a preferential communication service to communication of the wireless terminal 1, the request being sent from the wireless terminal 1 that meets the predetermined conditions for receiving the preferential communication service, including the fact that a payment app is being executed. Specifically, the receiving unit 231 receives the request for application of a 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.

The application processing unit 232 executes application processing, which is processing for applying a preferential communication service to communications 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 user's use of the communication network based on the user ID, and if it determines based on the contract information that the user of the wireless terminal 1 has concluded a contract for the use of 5G communication with a telecommunications carrier, it determines that the wireless terminal 1 can use 5G communication. When the application processing unit 232 determines that the wireless terminal 1 can use 5G communication, it executes application processing, which is processing for applying a preferential communication service to communications of the wireless terminal 1.

Here, the specified ID is an ID indicating the service to which the preferential communication service is applied, and in this embodiment, it is an ID indicating the payment service provided by the payment app. Specifically, when the receiving unit 231 receives an application request, the application processing unit 232 first determines, as an application process, whether the service ID included in the application request is a specified ID. If the application processing unit 232 determines that the service ID is a specified ID, it applies the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 by instructing a communication control device (not shown) that controls communication on 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 at which the application request was received as the application start time.

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

The receiving unit 231 also receives a request for continuation of the application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, which is transmitted from the wireless terminal 1 after the preferential communication 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 preferential communication 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 memory 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 the application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1.

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

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

Specifically, the application processing unit 232 references the application management information stored in the storage unit 22 every third hour, which is shorter than the second hour, and identifies the 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 the user ID included in the received application end process.

For example, as an application termination process, the application processing unit 232 references the application management information and identifies the communication network that the wireless terminal 1 is using for communication based on the identified user ID. Then, as an application termination process, the application processing unit 232 instructs the communication control device that controls communication on the identified communication network to terminate the application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1 corresponding to the identified user ID, thereby terminating the application of the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 1.

If the information processing device 2 does not receive a continuation request, it terminates the application of the preferential communication service, preventing the preferential communication service from continuing to be applied if the payment app on the wireless terminal 1 is terminated midway, and ensuring that preferential communication treatment is limited to payment services as much as possible. This allows the information processing device 2 to avoid excessive charges being made to the billing recipient for the application of the preferential communication service.

When the application processing unit 232 ends the application of the preferential communication service to the communications 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 communications of the wireless terminal 1, and stores these in the storage unit 22 as application history information. The application processing unit 232 also deletes the user ID of the wireless terminal 1 and the information associated with this 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, application start time, and application end time are associated with each other.

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

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 references the application history information stored in the memory 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 multiple users over a unit period (for example, one month). The calculation unit 233 then 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.

Note that the calculation unit 233 calculated the billing amount based on the time during which the preferential communication service was applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, but this is not limited to this. The calculation unit 233 may also calculate the billing amount based on the traffic volume of the communication while the preferential communication service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1.

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

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 preferential communication service is being applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 1, and stores application history information including this number in the storage unit 22. The calculation unit 233 references 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 during the unit period. For example, the calculation unit 233 references the application history information and identifies the number of application history information items during the unit period as the number of application requests. The calculation unit 233 also references the application history information and tallies the number of continuation requests received from the wireless terminal 1 of each of the multiple users.

The calculation unit 233 then calculates the billing amount based on the identified number of application requests and the aggregated number of continuation requests. For example, the calculation unit 233 calculates the billing amount so that the higher the total number of application requests and continuation requests, the higher the billing amount.

The billing unit 234 bills the business providing the payment app for the amount calculated by the calculation unit 233. For example, the billing unit 234 bills the business providing the payment app by sending billing information indicating the calculated amount to a predetermined address of the business providing the payment app.

[Operation flow]
Next, a description will be given of the processing flow related 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 processing flow related 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.

First, the determination unit 151 determines whether the communication of the wireless terminal 1 satisfies predetermined conditions for the application of the preferential communication service (S1). If the determination unit 151 determines that the predetermined conditions are satisfied (YES in S1), it proceeds to S2, and if it determines that the predetermined conditions are not satisfied, it executes S1 again.

Next, the request unit 152 sends a request to apply the preferential communication service to the information processing device 2, including the user ID of the user of the wireless terminal 1 and the service ID of the payment app (S2).

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

Next, the request unit 152 determines whether a second time has elapsed since the application request or the last continuation request was sent (S4). If the request unit 152 determines that the second time has elapsed (YES in S4), it proceeds to S5. If the request unit 152 determines that the second time has not elapsed (NO in S4), it proceeds to S7.

Next, the request unit 152 determines whether the payment app is displayed on the display unit 12, i.e., 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 sends 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.

In S7, the request unit 152 determines whether the payment process has been completed. If the request unit 152 determines that the payment process has been completed (YES in S7), the process proceeds to S8, where an application termination request is sent to the information processing device 2. If the request unit 152 determines that the payment process has not been completed (NO in S7), the process proceeds to S4.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing flow for applying preferential communication services in the information processing device 2. This flowchart starts when the receiving unit 231 receives a request to apply preferential communication services from the wireless terminal 1.

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. If the application processing unit 232 determines that the service ID is not a predetermined ID (NO in S11), it terminates the processing related to this flowchart.

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. If the application processing unit 232 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 the 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.

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).

Next, the application processing unit 232 determines whether a continuation request has been received (S15). If the application processing unit 232 determines that a continuation request has been received (YES in S15), it proceeds to S16 and 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), it proceeds to S17.

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

The application processing unit 232 references the application management information and instructs the communication control device that controls communications on the communication network corresponding to the user ID to end the application of the preferential communication service to communications of the wireless terminal 1 corresponding to that 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 memory unit 22 as application history information (S19).

[Modification]
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 a predetermined condition for receiving the preferential communication service, including the execution of the payment app, is 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. After requesting the application of the preferential communication service, the control unit may transmit and receive data related to the payment app via the communication.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the payment app functions as the determination unit 151 and the request unit 152, but this is not limited to this. An application program installed on the wireless terminal 1 that is different from the payment app may also function as the determination unit 151 and the request unit.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the application processing unit 232 executed application processing to apply the preferential communication service to communications of the wireless terminal 1 based on the user ID, but this is not limited to this. The application processing unit 232 may also execute application processing to apply the preferential communication service to communications related to a payment service provided by the payment app of the wireless terminal 1 based on the service ID and user ID included in the application request received by the receiving unit 231.

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

When transmitting and receiving data related to a payment app, the transmitter/receiver 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 app.

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

[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 that a payment app is being executed, are satisfied, wireless terminal 1 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 application of the preferential communication service, transmits and receives data related to the payment app via communications on the communication network. In this way, wireless terminal 1 can improve communication quality when performing communications related to the payment app.

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 a request for application of the preferential communication service received from the wireless terminal 1, and 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. In this way, the information processing device 2 can charge the appropriate person for the application of the preferential communication service.

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

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 alterations are possible within the spirit of the 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 new embodiments resulting from the combination will also have the effects of the original embodiments.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 wireless terminal 11 input unit 12 display unit 13 communication unit 14 storage unit 15 control unit 151 determination unit 152 request unit 153 transmission/reception unit 2 information processing device 21 communication unit 22 storage unit 23 control unit 231 reception unit 232 application processing unit 233 calculation unit 234 request unit

Claims (10)

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. 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 . 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: