JP2016052067A - Communication capacity management device, communication capacity management method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give facilities to a user who receives communication services by paying usage fees in advance.SOLUTION: A communication capacity management device 1 manages the communication capacity of a radio communication line of which the communication capacity is limited, and comprises: an additional purchase processing unit 16 for processing additional purchase of the communication capacity with an expiration date; a residual capacity management unit 12 that distinguishes regularly-added communication capacity, which is communication capacity with an expiry date added by a prescribed amount per prescribed period, from additional purchase communication capacity, which is additionally-purchased communication capacity with an expiry date and separately manages the residual of the communication capacity. A residual capacity management unit 12 changes a method for consuming the communication capacity on the basis of a prescribed consumption condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication capacity management device, a communication capacity management method, and a computer program.

  Conventionally, a prepaid telecommunications service is known in which a communication fee is paid in advance (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1). In this prepaid telecommunications service, communication can be performed for the communication available time within the communication usage period according to the amount paid in advance by the user.

Special table 2001-504299 gazette

NTT DOCOMO, “Prepaid Data Plan”, [Search July 30, 2014], Internet <URL: https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/charge/data_foma/bill_plan/prepaid/about/index.html>

  In the conventional prepaid telecommunications service, a certain amount according to the communication usage time of the user is deducted from the amount prepaid as the usage fee. On the other hand, if the consumption method of the prepaid amount can be changed flexibly, it is preferable because the convenience of the user can be achieved.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and provides a communication capacity management device, a communication capacity management method, and a computer program that can be used by a user who receives a communication service by paying a usage fee in advance. The issue is to provide.

(1) One aspect of the present invention is a communication capacity management device that manages the communication capacity of a wireless communication line with a limited communication capacity, and performs an addition process for additional purchase of the communication capacity with an expiration date A purchase processing unit, a regularly granted communication capacity that is the communication capacity with a usage period granted by a predetermined amount every predetermined period, and an additional purchase communication capacity that is the communication capacity with an expiration date that has been additionally purchased And a remaining capacity management unit that manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity, and the remaining capacity management unit changes the consumption method of the communication capacity based on a predetermined consumption condition. Device.
(2) One aspect of the present invention is the communication capacity management apparatus according to (1), wherein the remaining capacity management unit changes a data consumption rate of the communication capacity based on a predetermined consumption condition. is there.
(3) One aspect of the present invention is the communication capacity management apparatus according to (2), wherein the remaining capacity management unit changes the data consumption rate according to a congestion degree of a communication network band. .
(4) One aspect of the present invention is the communication capacity management apparatus according to (2), wherein the remaining capacity management unit changes the data consumption rate according to a communication location.
(5) One aspect of the present invention is the communication capacity management apparatus according to (2), wherein the remaining capacity management unit changes the data consumption rate according to a communication partner.
(6) One aspect of the present invention is the communication capacity management device according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein the remaining capacity management unit is configured to perform the additional purchase communication according to a purchase unit price of the additional purchase communication capacity. It is a communication capacity management device that changes the data consumption rate of capacity.
(7) One aspect of the present invention is the communication capacity management apparatus according to any one of the above (2) to (6), wherein only the additional purchased communication capacity is a target of the change of the data consumption rate. It is.
(8) According to one aspect of the present invention, in the communication capacity management device according to any one of (1) to (7), the remaining capacity management unit performs the use only for an actual usage period of the wireless communication line. It is a communication capacity management device that manages time limits.
(9) One aspect of the present invention is the communication capacity management device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the remaining capacity management unit is configured to determine the communication capacity based on a communication history in the wireless communication line. It is a communication capacity management device that outputs information about recommended additional purchase opportunities.
(10) One aspect of the present invention is the communication capacity management device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the remaining capacity management unit is configured to perform the periodic grant communication in a communication speed limit period of the wireless communication line. It is a communication capacity management device that selects which of the capacity and the additional purchased communication capacity to consume according to the input of the setting of the consumption method.
(11) One aspect of the present invention is the communication capacity management device according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the remaining capacity management unit is configured to use the communication capacity during actual use of the wireless communication line. The communication capacity management device outputs information on guidance regarding the additional purchase of the communication capacity when the remaining amount of the data decreases to a predetermined amount.

(12) One aspect of the present invention is a communication capacity management method for managing the communication capacity of a wireless communication line with a limited communication capacity, wherein the communication capacity management device additionally purchases the communication capacity with a expiration date. An additional purchase processing step for performing the processing for, a periodic grant communication capacity that is the communication capacity with the expiration date given for a predetermined amount every predetermined period, and the communication capacity with an expiration date that is additionally purchased A remaining capacity management step of managing a remaining capacity of the communication capacity by distinguishing from a certain additional purchased communication capacity, and the remaining capacity management step based on a predetermined consumption condition Is a communication capacity management method.

(13) One aspect of the present invention is a computer program for performing a communication capacity management process for managing the communication capacity of a wireless communication line with a limited communication capacity, and adding the communication capacity with a expiration date An additional purchase processing function for performing a process for purchase, a regularly granted communication capacity that is the communication capacity with a use period granted by a predetermined amount every predetermined period, and the communication capacity with an additional use period that has been purchased additionally And a remaining capacity management function for managing the remaining capacity of the communication capacity by distinguishing the additional purchased communication capacity from the computer program, the remaining capacity management function being a predetermined consumption condition The computer program changes the method of consuming the communication capacity based on the above.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to make the convenience of the user who receives the communication service by paying the usage fee in advance.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication capacity management apparatus 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the hardware which implement | achieves the communication capacity management apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the remaining capacity management data which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the periodical communication capacity management data which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the additional purchase communication capacity management data which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the remaining capacity management method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the remaining capacity management method which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of the additional purchase communication capacity management data which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication capacity management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the communication capacity management device 1 manages the communication capacity of a wireless communication line with a limited communication capacity. In FIG. 1, the communication capacity management device 1 includes a communication unit 10, a remaining capacity management unit 12, a remaining capacity management data storage unit 14, and an additional purchase processing unit 16.

  The communication unit 10 communicates with other devices. The remaining capacity management unit 12 manages the remaining capacity (remaining capacity) of the communication capacity for a wireless communication line with a limited communication capacity. There are two types of communication capacities for wireless communication lines: regular grant communication capacity and additional purchase communication capacity. The regularly assigned communication capacity is a communication capacity with a use period granted by a predetermined amount every predetermined period. For example, on the first day of every month, 10 GB (gigabytes) is assigned as the periodical granted communication capacity within the expiration date “within the month in which the periodical granted communication capacity is granted”. The additional purchased communication capacity is an additional purchased communication capacity with an expiration date. As the additional purchase communication capacity, for example, 100 MB (megabytes) as the communication data amount is additionally purchased with the expiration date “31 days from the additional purchase date”. The remaining capacity management unit 12 manages the remaining capacity by distinguishing between the regularly granted communication capacity and the additional purchased communication capacity. The remaining capacity management data storage unit 14 stores remaining capacity management data. The additional purchase processing unit 16 performs processing for additional purchase of additional purchase communication capacity.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of hardware for realizing the communication capacity management apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 1, the communication capacity management device 1 includes a CPU unit 20, a communication unit 10, and a storage unit 22. These units are configured to exchange data. The CPU unit 20 controls the communication capacity management device 1. This control function is realized by the CPU unit 20 executing a computer program. The communication unit 10 communicates with other devices. The storage unit 22 stores a computer program executed by the CPU unit 20 and various data. The storage unit 22 stores a communication capacity management program 24.

  The functions of the remaining capacity management unit 12, the remaining capacity management data storage unit 14 and the additional purchase processing unit 16 shown in FIG. 1 are the communication capacity management program 24 stored in the storage unit 22 by the CPU unit 20 shown in FIG. It is realized by executing. Further, the remaining capacity management data storage unit 14 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the storage unit 22 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system using the communication capacity management device 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, a terminal 102 is connected to a base station 104 through a wireless communication line 106. The wireless communication line 106 has a limited communication capacity. User data transmitted from the terminal 102 to the base station 104 using the wireless communication line 106 is transferred from the base station 104 to the gateway 108. If the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 is permitted, the gateway 108 outputs the user data of the terminal 102 transferred from the base station 104 to the Internet 110. Similarly, the gateway 108 transfers user data input from the Internet 110 and destined for the terminal 102 to the terminal 102 via the base station 104 if the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 is permitted. .

  If the communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106 is within the limit, communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 is permitted. On the other hand, when the communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106 is not limited, communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 is not permitted. Or, even if communication is permitted, the communication speed decreases. Thus, the terminal 102 can communicate with other communication devices connected to the Internet 110 using the wireless communication line 106 as long as the communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106 is within the limit. it can. On the other hand, when the communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106 is not limited, the terminal 102 communicates with another communication device connected to the Internet 110 using the wireless communication line 106. I can't. Or, even if communication is possible, the communication speed decreases.

  The communication control device 112 instructs the gateway 108 whether to permit (non-permitted) communication of the terminal 102 that uses the wireless communication line 106 or limit the communication speed. The permission or non-permission of communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 and the restriction on the communication speed are based on the communication permission information of the wireless communication line 106 from the communication capacity management device 1. Further, the communication control apparatus 112 acquires transfer data amount information indicating the transfer amount of user data transferred by the gateway 108 through communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 from the gateway 108. This transfer data amount information is transmitted from the communication control device 112 to the communication capacity management device 1.

  The communication capacity management apparatus 1 updates the remaining capacity of the communication capacity for the wireless communication line 106 based on the transfer data amount information received from the communication control apparatus 112. Further, the communication capacity management device 1 transmits the communication permission information of the wireless communication line 106 to the communication control device 112 based on the remaining communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106. This communication permission information is information on permission or non-permission of communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 and restriction on the communication speed.

  The user contract information management device 114 manages information (user contract information) of users who have contracted with the wireless communication line 106. As the user contract information, there is information indicating a user identifier (user ID), an identification number (line number) of the wireless communication line 106, a contract content for communication capacity, and the like. The communication capacity management apparatus 1 inquires of the user contract information management apparatus 114 about user contract information as necessary.

  The payment device 116 performs payment processing for payment by the user. The communication capacity management device 1 inquires of the payment device 116 about the payment status of the payment by the user, if necessary.

  The terminal 102 can access the communication capacity management device 1 by communication. Communication between the terminal 102 and the communication capacity management apparatus 1 may be communication via the wireless communication line 106 or may be communication not via the wireless communication line 106. The communication capacity management device 1 performs a corresponding process in response to a request from the terminal 102.

  Next, the operation of the communication capacity management device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, as an example of the regularly granted communication capacity, it is assumed that 10 GB is assigned as the communication data amount on the first day of each month within the expiration date “within the month in which the regularly granted communication capacity is assigned”. Further, it is assumed that the additional purchase communication capacity is additionally purchased in the unit of 100 MB as the communication data amount with the expiration date “31 days from the additional purchase date”. In this example, the expiration date of the additional purchased communication capacity is “31 days from the additional purchase date”, but is not limited to this. For example, the expiration date of the additional purchased communication capacity may be a predetermined period from the use start date.

[Remaining capacity management]
First, the remaining capacity management method according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of remaining capacity management data according to the present embodiment. The remaining capacity management data is stored in the remaining capacity management data storage unit 14. In FIG. 4, the remaining capacity management data includes a line number, a user ID, a periodical assigned communication capacity management data, and additional purchased communication capacity management data for each line number. The user ID is an identifier of a user who subscribes to the line number. The periodically assigned communication capacity management data is management data of the remaining amount of the periodically assigned communication capacity. The additional purchase communication capacity management data is management data of the remaining amount of additional purchase communication capacity. The user ID, the line number, and the contract status of the regularly granted communication capacity and the contract status of the additional purchase communication capacity for each line number are acquired from the user contract information management apparatus 114.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example (for example, management data A_0001) of the periodically assigned communication capacity management data according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the periodically assigned communication capacity management data includes information indicating the grant month and information indicating the remaining capacity assigned to the grant month for each month in which the regularly grant communication capacity is granted.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example (for example, management data B_0001) of additional purchase communication capacity management data according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, the additional purchase communication capacity management data includes, for each additional purchase, a purchase number for identifying the additional purchase, information indicating the remaining capacity for the additional purchase, and an expiration date for the additional purchase. It has information to show.

  7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the procedure of the remaining capacity management method according to the present embodiment. First, with reference to FIG. 7, operations related to provision of periodically granted communication capacity and additional purchase of additional purchased communication capacity will be described. The process of FIG. 7 is started at a predetermined time (for example, at a constant cycle).

(Step S <b> 11) The remaining capacity management unit 12 determines when the periodical communication capacity is granted. Here, since the time for granting the regularly granted communication capacity is the first day of every month, the remaining capacity management unit 12 determines whether the current date is a day.

(Step S12) As a result of the determination in step S11, if it is time to give, the process proceeds to step S13, and if not time to give, the process proceeds to step S14.

(Step S13) The remaining capacity management unit 12 updates the regularly assigned communication capacity management data. In the update of the regularly assigned communication capacity management data, data with the grant month being the current month and the remaining capacity being a predetermined amount is added to the periodically assigned communication capacity management data of each line number. Here, since the provision amount of the periodic grant communication capacity is 10 GB, data with the grant month of the current month and the remaining capacity of 10 GB is added. Accordingly, for example, on July 1, 2014, data of “July 2014, 10 GB” is added to the periodical assigned communication capacity management data (management data A_0001) illustrated in FIG.

(Step S14) The remaining capacity management unit 12 confirms the additional purchase of the additional purchased communication capacity. In the confirmation of the additional purchase, it is confirmed whether or not the additional purchase processing unit 16 has performed a process of performing a new additional purchase of the additional purchase communication capacity.

(Step S15) As a result of the confirmation in Step S14, if there is a new additional purchase of additional purchase communication capacity, the process proceeds to Step S16, and if there is no new additional purchase of additional purchase communication capacity, the processing of FIG. To do.

(Step S16) The remaining capacity management unit 12 updates the additional purchased communication capacity management data. In the update of the additional purchase communication capacity management data, the new additional purchase purchase number and the remaining capacity are added to the additional purchase communication capacity management data of the line number for which the additional purchase communication capacity has been newly purchased. The data including the information indicating the additional purchase communication capacity for the additional purchase and the information indicating the expiration date of the remaining capacity is added. Thereby, for example, data of “B0001_xx2, 100 MB, July 25, 2014” is added to the additional purchased communication capacity management data (management data B_0001) illustrated in FIG. 6.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8, operations related to consumption of the regularly granted communication capacity and the additional purchased communication capacity will be described. The process of FIG. 8 is started when a communication permission inquiry is received from the communication control apparatus 112.

(Step S21) The remaining capacity management unit 12 determines the remaining capacity for the line number (inquiry line number) for which the communication control device 112 has inquired about communication permission. This determination is made based on the remaining capacity management data stored in the remaining capacity management data storage unit 14.

(Step S <b> 22) The remaining capacity management unit 12 transmits communication permission information for the inquiry line number to the communication control device 112 based on the determination result of the remaining capacity. For example, if there is a remaining capacity within the expiration date, communication permission information is notified to the communication control device 112 using communication permission information. On the other hand, if there is no remaining capacity within the expiration date, the communication control device 112 is notified of communication non-permission or communication speed limitation by communication permission information.

(Step S23) The remaining capacity management unit 12 determines a consumption method of the remaining capacity based on a predetermined consumption condition.

(Step S24) The remaining capacity management unit 12 manages the remaining capacity of the line number corresponding to the transfer data amount information based on the transfer data amount information received from the communication control device 112 and the consumption method determined in step S23. Update the data. In this update, the consumption based on the transfer data amount information and the consumption method is reduced from the remaining capacity within the expiration date indicated by the remaining capacity management data of the line number.

  Next, an example of a method for consuming remaining capacity according to the present embodiment will be described. The remaining capacity management unit 12 changes the data consumption rate of the remaining capacity based on a predetermined consumption condition. The data consumption rate is a ratio between the transfer data amount indicated by the transfer data amount information and the consumption amount. For example, when the data consumption rate is 100%, the same amount (100 MB) as the transfer data amount (for example, 100 MB) is set as the consumption amount, and the consumption amount (100 MB) is reduced from the remaining capacity within the expiration date. When the data consumption rate is 80%, 80% (80 MB) of the transfer data amount (for example, 100 MB) is set as the consumption amount, and the consumption amount (80 MB) is reduced from the remaining capacity within the expiration date. Hereinafter, examples of consumption conditions and data consumption rates will be described.

[Example 1 of consumption conditions and data consumption rate]
The remaining capacity management unit 12 changes the data consumption rate according to the congestion degree of the communication network band. The degree of congestion of the communication network band is notified from the communication control device 112. In the remaining capacity management unit 12, congestion degree / consumption rate relation data indicating the relationship between the congestion degree of the communication network band and the data consumption rate is set in advance. The remaining capacity management unit 12 obtains a data consumption rate corresponding to the congestion degree of the communication network band notified from the communication control device 112 from the congestion degree / consumption rate relation data. As the congestion degree / consumption rate relationship data, for example, data with a data consumption rate that decreases as the congestion level decreases. As a result, when the communication network band is idle (when the congestion level of the communication network band is less than the threshold value), when communicating (consuming the remaining capacity), the data consumption rate is smaller than in the non-expansion period. By doing so, it is possible to contribute to the promotion of communication use in a time zone in which the communication network band is vacant. Note that the following functions may be provided.
(1) When the terminal 102 accesses a predetermined web site or activates a predetermined application, network congestion level information indicating the level of congestion of the communication network band and data indicating the data consumption rate The consumption rate information is displayed on the display screen of the terminal 102.
(2) When the terminal 102 starts data communication, a pop-up screen that displays network congestion status information and data consumption rate information is displayed on the display screen of the terminal 102.
(3) When the display screen of the terminal 102 is unlocked, or when the touch panel screen of the terminal 102 is being operated, the terminal 102 performs network background state information and data consumption rate by background processing. Information is acquired, and network congestion status information and data consumption rate information are displayed on a menu screen or the like by using application icons or widgets by push notification.
(4) It is recommended that the user perform data communication when the data consumption rate is low. For example, a pop-up screen that displays a message to that effect is displayed on the display screen of the terminal 102.

[Example 2 of consumption conditions and data consumption rate]
The remaining capacity management unit 12 changes the data consumption rate according to the communication location. The communication location is a location where the terminal 102 that communicates using the inquiry line number exists. The communication location is notified from the communication control device 112. In the remaining capacity management unit 12, location-to-consumption rate relationship data indicating the relationship between the communication location and the data consumption rate is set in advance. The remaining capacity management unit 12 obtains the data consumption rate corresponding to the communication location notified from the communication control device 112 from the location-to-consumption rate relationship data. As the location-to-consumption rate relationship data, for example, a specific data consumption rate is indicated for a location in a specific communication environment, and a normal data consumption rate (for example, 100%) is indicated for other locations. Is mentioned. More specifically, a value (for example, 95%) smaller than the normal data consumption rate (for example, 100%) may be set for a place where the number of existing terminals 102 is small and easy to be quiet. Can be mentioned. Thus, when communication is performed in a place where the number of terminals 102 is small daily and easy to be quiet (a place where communication is not performed much), a place where the communication is not performed much by reducing the data consumption rate than usual. It can contribute to the promotion of communication use in Japan. Note that the following functions may be provided.
(1) When the terminal 102 accesses a predetermined website or activates a predetermined application, the terminal 102 receives communication location status information indicating the status of the communication location and data consumption rate information indicating the data consumption rate. Is displayed on the display screen.
(2) When the terminal 102 starts data communication, a pop-up screen that displays communication location status information and data consumption rate information is displayed on the display screen of the terminal 102.
(3) When the lock on the display screen of the terminal 102 is released, or when the touch panel screen of the terminal 102 is being operated, the terminal 102 performs communication background status information and data consumption rate information through background processing. In response to the push notification, the communication location status information and the data consumption rate information are displayed on the menu screen or the like using an application icon or widget.
(4) It is recommended that the user perform data communication when the data consumption rate is low. For example, a pop-up screen that displays a message to that effect is displayed on the display screen of the terminal 102.

[Example 3 of consumption conditions and data consumption rate]
The remaining capacity management unit 12 changes the data consumption rate according to the communication partner. The communication partner is the communication partner of the terminal 102 that communicates using the inquiry line number. The communication partner is notified from the communication control device 112. In the remaining capacity management unit 12, communication partner-to-consumption rate relationship data indicating a relationship between a communication partner and a data consumption rate is set in advance. The remaining capacity management unit 12 obtains the data consumption rate corresponding to the communication partner notified from the communication control device 112 from the communication partner-to-consumption rate relationship data. As the communication partner-to-consumption rate relationship data, for example, a specific data consumption rate is shown for a specific attribute as the communication partner attribute, and a normal data consumption rate (eg, 100 %). More specifically, the specific attribute includes, for example, a website (paid site) that provides a paid service. Furthermore, it may be limited to a specific paid site. For example, for a specific paid site, a value (for example, 95%) smaller than a normal data consumption rate (for example, 100%) may be mentioned. Thereby, when communicating with the specific pay site, it is possible to contribute to the promotion of the use of the specific pay site by making the data consumption rate smaller than usual. Note that the following functions may be provided.
(1) Provide a menu that allows the user to select a communication partner with a low data consumption rate. The user may select a communication partner using the menu. An upper limit may be set for the number of selected communication partners.
(2) The data consumption rate is lowered with respect to a predetermined number of upper communication partners as user communication partners.

[Example 4 of consumption conditions and data consumption rate]
The remaining capacity management unit 12 changes the data consumption rate of the additional purchased communication capacity according to the unit purchase price of the additional purchased communication capacity. The purchase unit price of the additional purchase communication capacity is notified from the additional purchase processing unit 16. The user can select a purchase unit price from a plurality of candidates when purchasing additional communication capacity. For each additional purchase of the communication capacity, the additional purchase processing unit 16 selects the purchase unit price selected and applied by the user at the time of the additional purchase, and adds the additional purchase content (line number, user ID, purchase number, new additional purchase amount). ) And the remaining capacity management unit 12 are notified. The remaining capacity management unit 12 updates the additional purchased communication capacity management data for the corresponding line number based on the notified purchase unit price and additional purchase content. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of additional purchased communication capacity management data (for example, management data B_0001) according to the fourth example of the consumption condition and the data consumption rate. In FIG. 9, the additional purchase communication capacity management data includes, for each additional purchase, a purchase number for identifying the additional purchase, information indicating the remaining capacity for the additional purchase, and an expiration date for the additional purchase. And the purchase unit price applied to the additional purchase.

  In the remaining capacity management unit 12, purchase unit price / consumption rate relationship data indicating a relationship between the purchase unit price of the additional purchase communication capacity and the data consumption rate is set in advance. The remaining capacity management unit 12 obtains the data consumption rate corresponding to the purchase unit price of the additional purchase communication capacity to be consumed from the purchase unit price / consumption rate relationship data. The purchase unit price vs. consumption rate relationship data includes, for example, data purchase rate that decreases as the purchase unit price increases. Thereby, since additional purchase communication capacity can be consumed with the data consumption rate according to a purchase unit price, the variation of the purchase method can be increased with respect to a user.

  The above is an explanation of examples of consumption conditions and data consumption rates. The data consumption rate of the regularly assigned communication capacity may be fixed, and only the data consumption rate of the additionally purchased communication capacity may be changed.

[Example of how to manage expiration dates]
The remaining capacity management unit 12 may manage the expiration date of the communication capacity only for the actual usage period of the wireless communication line 106. This expiration date management method will be described. In the conventional expiration date management method, the expiration date of the communication capacity is determined regardless of whether or not the wireless communication line 106 is actually used for communication. For example, when the expiration date of the additional purchased communication capacity is “31 days from the additional purchase date”, even if the wireless communication line 106 having the additional purchased communication capacity is not used for communication at all, the additional purchased communication capacity is 31 days from the additional purchase date. Thus, the additional purchased communication capacity becomes unusable after the expiration date. This is a waste for the user. Therefore, in this expiration date management method, only the period during which the wireless communication line 106 is actually used for communication (actual usage period) is used for calculating the expiration date of the communication capacity.

  Information on the actual usage period of the wireless communication line 106 is notified from the communication control device 112. The remaining capacity management unit 12 records the actual usage period for each line number based on the notification from the communication control device 112. When determining the expiration date of the communication capacity, the remaining capacity management unit 12 determines whether it is within the expiration date based on the record of the actual usage period.

  For example, it is assumed here that the expiration date of the periodically assigned communication capacity is one month from the date of grant, and the grant date is recorded for each periodically assigned communication capacity in the periodically assigned communication capacity management data. In this case, in the record of the actual usage period for the line number subject to the expiration date, if the actual usage period from the date of grant is within one month, it is determined that the corresponding regularly granted communication capacity is within the expiration date. On the other hand, if it is longer than one month, it is determined that the corresponding regularly granted communication capacity has expired. As for the additional purchase communication capacity, it is assumed that the additional purchase date is recorded for each additional purchase communication capacity in the additional purchase communication capacity management data. For the additional purchase communication capacity expiration date “31 days from the additional purchase date”, the actual usage period from the additional purchase date is within 31 days in the record of the actual usage period for the line number subject to the expiration date. If so, it is determined that the corresponding additional purchased communication capacity is within the expiration date. On the other hand, if it is longer than one month, it is determined that the corresponding additional purchased communication capacity has expired.

As a result, the period during which the wireless communication line 106 is not actually used for communication is excluded from the calculation of the expiration date of the communication capacity. For example, since the wireless communication line 106 is not used for communication during the period when the user turns off the terminal 102, it is not reflected in the calculation of the expiration date of the communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106. This is preferable for the user.
The above is an example of an expiration date management method.

[Provision of recommended additional purchase opportunities]
Based on the communication history for each line number, the remaining capacity management unit 12 outputs information on the recommended additional purchase time for the additional purchase communication capacity. How to provide this recommended additional purchase opportunity will be described. The remaining capacity management unit 12 records a communication history for each line number. As the communication history, for example, the amount of transfer data for each time zone (for example, every hour) or every day can be mentioned. The transfer data amount is indicated by transfer data amount information transmitted from the communication control device 112 to the communication capacity management device 1. The remaining capacity management unit 12 determines a recommended additional purchase time for the additional purchased communication capacity from the communication history for each line number.

  As a method for determining this recommended additional purchase time, for example, from a communication history, a time period in which the amount of transferred data is the largest on average in a predetermined period (for example, one month) is determined on average, and a time period of this determination result is recommended. Time for purchase. Alternatively, from the communication history, the date and day of the week with the largest amount of transferred data are determined on average in a predetermined period (for example, for one month), and the date and day of the determination result are set as recommended additional purchase times. The remaining capacity management unit 12 outputs information on the recommended additional purchase time of the additional purchase communication capacity, which is the result of the determination, for each line number.

  Information about recommended additional purchase time for additional purchase communication capacity is provided to the user. For example, it is possible to send information about the recommended additional purchase timing to the user terminal 102 by e-mail. Thereby, the user can determine when additional purchase communication capacity should be purchased based on the information about the recommended additional purchase time.

[Guide to purchase additional communication capacity]
When the remaining capacity of the wireless communication line 106 decreases to a predetermined amount during actual use of the wireless communication line 106, the remaining capacity management unit 12 provides information on guidance for additional purchase of the additional purchased communication capacity. Is output. A guide method for this additional purchase will be described.

  Information during actual use of the wireless communication line 106 is notified from the communication control device 112. Based on the notification from the communication control device 112, the remaining capacity management unit 12 records whether or not actual use is in progress for each line number. Next, the remaining capacity management unit 12 identifies the line number that is in actual use based on the record. Next, the remaining capacity management unit 12 monitors the remaining capacity within the expiration date in the remaining capacity management data for the identified line number. Next, when the remaining capacity within the expiration date for the line number to be monitored has decreased to a predetermined amount, the remaining capacity management unit 12 outputs guidance information about additional purchase of additional purchased communication capacity.

  Information on guidance for additional purchase of additional purchase communication capacity is provided to the user. For example, the information on the guidance may be sent to the user terminal 102 by electronic mail. As a result, when the remaining capacity of the wireless communication line 106 is reduced to a predetermined amount while the user is communicating with the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106, the additional purchase of the additional purchased communication capacity is performed. It is possible to provide the user with information about the guidance. For example, a message indicating that the remaining capacity of the wireless communication line 106 has decreased can be displayed on the display screen of the terminal 102. Alternatively, as a guide for the additional purchase of the additional purchase communication capacity, an additional purchase screen for additional purchase communication capacity is displayed on the display screen of the terminal 102, and the user operates the additional purchase screen (for example, a purchase button). Click), the user may be able to easily perform additional purchase of additional purchase communication capacity. Thereby, it can contribute to preventing the situation where communication is interrupted due to a shortage of remaining capacity during communication.

[Selection of regularly assigned communication capacity and additional purchased communication capacity]
The remaining capacity management unit 12 selects which of the regularly granted communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity to consume in the communication speed limit period of the wireless communication line 106 according to the input of the setting of the consumption method. The user can input the setting of the consumption method by accessing the communication capacity management apparatus 1 from the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106. In the communication speed limit period of the wireless communication line 106, the remaining capacity management unit 12 determines whether to consume the regularly granted communication capacity or the additional purchased communication capacity according to the consumption method set by the input. select. At this time, if consumption of the additional purchased communication capacity is selected and the remaining amount within the expiration date of the additional purchased communication capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, the remaining capacity management unit 12 determines the communication speed of the wireless communication line 106. Remove the restriction.

As a result, the user performs low-speed communication with communication speed limitation due to consumption of the regularly granted communication capacity during the communication speed limitation period of the wireless communication line 106 or high-speed without communication speed limitation due to consumption of additional purchased communication capacity. Whether to perform communication can be arbitrarily selected. For example, when a special situation occurs during a period in which the communication speed limit is applied to the wireless communication line 106 due to a shortage of the remaining amount of the regularly granted communication capacity, the user purchases the additional purchased communication capacity from the consumption of the regularly assigned communication capacity. By changing the setting of the communication capacity to be consumed, it is possible to release the communication speed restriction and perform high-speed communication through the wireless communication line 106. This is particularly effective as a method of using the additional purchased communication capacity. Note that the following functions may be provided.
(1) On the display screen of the terminal 102, whether the regularly granted communication capacity or the additional purchased communication capacity is used, and further, which communication is low speed communication with communication speed limitation or high speed communication without communication speed limitation Display whether it is in a state. As this display method, for example, a pop-up screen is periodically displayed or always displayed using an application icon, a widget, or the like.
(2) On the display screen of the terminal 102, display that the communication capacity being used has been switched from the regularly assigned communication capacity to the additional purchase communication capacity. Further, it is displayed that the communication state has been switched from high-speed communication without communication speed restriction to low-speed communication with communication speed restriction due to the use of the regularly granted communication capacity. As this display method, for example, a pop-up screen is displayed when switching.

[Examples of other remaining capacity consumption methods]
The remaining capacity management unit 12 may consume the regularly granted communication capacity before the additional purchase communication capacity. This is to prevent the periodically granted communication capacity that is automatically given periodically from being wasted by preferentially consuming the regularly assigned communication capacity.

  In principle, the remaining capacity management unit 12 consumes the regularly granted communication capacity before the additional purchased communication capacity, provided that the remaining period until the expiration date is equal to or less than a predetermined period (remaining period determination threshold). As an exception, the additional purchased communication capacity may be consumed before the regularly granted communication capacity. As a result, the additional purchased communication capacity and the remaining capacity that is about to expire can be consumed earlier than the regularly granted communication capacity, which can contribute to preventing the additional purchased communication capacity from becoming unusable due to the expiration of the use period. Further, the remaining period determination threshold described above may be fixedly determined or may be dynamically determined. For example, for a line number that is determined to have a particularly low communication frequency and communication volume, the remaining period determination threshold value may be set longer than the initial value to consume additional purchased communication capacity early.

[Additional purchase processing of additional purchase communication capacity]
The additional purchase processing unit 16 performs processing for additional purchase of additional purchase communication capacity. Specifically, the additional purchase processing unit 16 inquires of the payment device 116 about the payment status of the payment for the additional purchase application in response to the additional purchase application for the additional purchase communication capacity from the user. The additional purchase processing unit 16 permits the additional purchase application when the result of the inquiry about the settlement status is completion of the settlement. If the payment has not been completed, the application for additional purchase is not permitted. The additional purchase processing unit 16 notifies the remaining capacity management unit 12 of the contents of the permitted additional purchase application (line number, user ID, purchase number, additional purchase communication capacity for new additional purchase, expiration date). The remaining capacity management unit 12 updates the corresponding additional purchase communication capacity management data based on the notified contents of the additional purchase application.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the specific structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

Further, a computer program for realizing the functions of the communication capacity management device 1 described above is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed. Also good. Here, the “computer system” may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used.
“Computer-readable recording medium” refers to a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a writable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a built-in computer system. A storage device such as a hard disk.

Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” means a volatile memory (for example, DRAM (Dynamic DRAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Random Access Memory)), etc., which hold programs for a certain period of time.
The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication capacity management apparatus, 10 ... Communication part, 12 ... Remaining capacity management part, 14 ... Remaining capacity management data storage part, 16 ... Additional purchase process part, 20 ... CPU part, 22 ... Storage part, 24 ... Communication capacity management Program, 102 ... Terminal, 104 ... Base station, 106 ... Wireless communication line, 108 ... Gateway, 110 ... Internet, 112 ... Communication control device, 114 ... User contract information management device, 116 ... Payment device

Claims (13)

A communication capacity management device for managing the communication capacity of a wireless communication line having a limited communication capacity;
An additional purchase processing unit that performs processing for additional purchase of the communication capacity with an expiration date;
Distinguishing between the regularly granted communication capacity, which is the communication capacity with the expiration date given by a predetermined amount for each predetermined period, and the additional purchase communication capacity, which is the communication capacity with the expiration date purchased additionally, A remaining capacity management unit for managing the remaining capacity of the communication capacity,
The remaining capacity management unit changes a method of consuming the communication capacity based on a predetermined consumption condition.
Communication capacity management device. The remaining capacity management unit changes the data consumption rate of the communication capacity based on a predetermined consumption condition.
The communication capacity management apparatus according to claim 1. The remaining capacity management unit changes the data consumption rate according to the congestion degree of a communication network band.
The communication capacity management apparatus according to claim 2. The remaining capacity management unit changes the data consumption rate according to a communication location.
The communication capacity management apparatus according to claim 2. The remaining capacity management unit changes the data consumption rate according to a communication partner.
The communication capacity management apparatus according to claim 2. The remaining capacity management unit changes a data consumption rate of the additional purchase communication capacity according to a purchase unit price of the additional purchase communication capacity.
The communication capacity management apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5. Only the additional purchased communication capacity is subject to change in the data consumption rate,
The communication capacity management apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6. The remaining capacity management unit manages the expiration date only for the actual usage period of the wireless communication line,
The communication capacity management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The remaining capacity management unit outputs information on the recommended additional purchase time of the communication capacity based on a communication history in the wireless communication line.
The communication capacity management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The remaining capacity management unit selects which of the regularly granted communication capacity and the additional purchased communication capacity to consume in the communication speed limit period of the wireless communication line according to an input of a setting of the consumption method To
The communication capacity management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. The remaining capacity management unit outputs guidance information about additional purchase of the communication capacity when the remaining capacity of the communication capacity is reduced to a predetermined amount during actual use of the wireless communication line.
The communication capacity management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. A communication capacity management method for managing the communication capacity for a wireless communication line with a limited communication capacity,
An additional purchase processing step in which the communication capacity management device performs a process for additional purchase of the communication capacity with an expiration date;
Distinguishing between the regularly granted communication capacity, which is the communication capacity with the expiration date given by a predetermined amount for each predetermined period, and the additional purchase communication capacity, which is the communication capacity with the expiration date purchased additionally, A remaining capacity management step for managing the remaining capacity of the communication capacity,
The remaining capacity management step changes a method of consuming the communication capacity based on a predetermined consumption condition.
Communication capacity management method. A computer program for performing a communication capacity management process for managing the communication capacity for a wireless communication line having a limited communication capacity,
An additional purchase processing function for processing the additional purchase of the communication capacity with an expiration date;
Distinguishing between the regularly granted communication capacity, which is the communication capacity with the expiration date given by a predetermined amount for each predetermined period, and the additional purchase communication capacity, which is the communication capacity with the expiration date purchased additionally, A computer program for causing a computer to perform a remaining capacity management function for managing a remaining communication capacity;
The remaining capacity management function changes the consumption method of the communication capacity based on a predetermined consumption condition.
Computer program.

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