JP2020054004A - Communication capacity management device, communication capacity management method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a function for limiting use of communication capacity in a case where the communication capacity is transferred regarding a radio communication line whose communication capacity is limited.SOLUTION: A communication capacity management device comprises a discrimination part for discriminating whether communication capacity can be transferred between a first radio communication line and a second radio communication line. In a case where the communication capacity is transferred from the first radio communication line to the second radio communication line, regarding the communication capacity transferred from the first radio communication line to the second radio communication line in communication capacity of the second radio communication line, the discrimination part prohibits the communication capacity from being transferred from the second radio communication line to the other radio communication line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the communication capacity of data communication using a mobile terminal is limited, for example, on a monthly basis. Then, if the communication capacity given in advance in the month is consumed, data communication cannot be used in that month, or the communication speed can be suppressed to a low speed even though use is possible. Further, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a system in which a communication fee is paid in advance, billing is performed according to the usage of the communication capacity, and the communication capacity corresponding to the prepaid fee can be used. Patent Document 2 discloses that a plurality of mobile terminals are grouped and a communication capacity (connection frequency) is set for the group. There are disclosures of technologies that are managed by each department.

  Also, in recent years, many minors own mobile terminals such as smartphones, and minors access harmful websites or pay excessive communication costs and excessively use data communication services. There are also opinions that raise concerns. On the other hand, a mechanism (a parental lock or the like) for restricting a specific function or application from being used is provided.

JP 2001-504299 A JP 2003-18333 A

  By the way, there is an individual difference in the frequency of use of the communication capacity.For example, even in a family, parents do not communicate much and leave the monthly communication capacity which is provided monthly, while children frequently use email and email. It is possible that the Internet or the like is used up to use up the periodical communication capacity. In such a case, for example, it is convenient if part of the communication capacity given to the wireless communication line contracted by the parent can be transferred to the wireless communication line contracted in the name of a child. However, even if the parent can transfer the communication capacity to the child, if the child can use the communication capacity without limitation, the transferred capacity can be used up immediately or the communication capacity can be transferred. As a result, the child is further encouraged to use the data communication service, resulting in a result contrary to the intention of the parent who has transferred the communication capacity.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, for example, when the communication capacity given to a wireless communication line contracted by a certain user is transferred to a wireless communication line contracted by another user, An object of the present invention is to provide a communication capacity management device, a communication capacity management method, and a computer program that can control the use of communication capacity for a transfer destination wireless communication line.

(1) According to one embodiment of the present invention, for a first wireless communication line and a second wireless communication line which are wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity, a desired communication capacity is selected from the remaining communication capacity of the first wireless communication line. A communication capacity transfer unit for transferring the communication capacity of the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line; the remaining communication capacity of each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line; A remaining capacity management unit that manages the communication capacity transferred from the communication line, a determination unit that determines whether the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, The communication capacity transfer unit manages the communication capacity based on the determination of the determination unit, and the determination unit transfers the communication capacity from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line. The second radio Prohibiting transfer from the second wireless communication line to another wireless communication line for the communication capacity transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line out of the communication line communication capacity. It is a capacity management device.
(2) In one aspect of the present invention, the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract for giving a communication capacity to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line. Wherein the remaining capacity management unit is configured to determine, based on the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract signed by the first wireless communication line, the communication capacity signed by the second wireless communication line, The communication capacity given to the second wireless communication line is managed separately, and the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract and the communication capacity given to the second wireless communication line by the communication contract The communication capacity management device according to the above (1), wherein the transferred communication capacity is an object to be transferred.
(3) In one aspect of the present invention, the remaining capacity management unit includes a periodical communication capacity, which is a communication capacity with a usage period, provided by a predetermined amount every predetermined period for each wireless communication line; The communication capacity management device according to (2), wherein the communication capacity management apparatus of (2), wherein the communication capacity with the expiration date and the additional purchase communication capacity is managed separately, and the regular grant communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity are to be transferred. is there.

(4) According to one aspect of the present invention, the communication capacity management device determines the communication capacity of the first wireless communication line with respect to the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line that are wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity. A communication capacity transfer step of transferring a desired communication capacity from the remaining capacity to the second wireless communication line; and wherein the communication capacity management device is configured to transfer the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. And a remaining capacity management step of managing the communication capacity transferred from another wireless communication line included in the remaining capacity of the communication capacity management method, wherein the communication capacity management device comprises: A determining step of determining whether a communication capacity can be transferred between one wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line; and The communication capacity is managed based on the communication capacity of the second wireless communication line when the transfer of the communication capacity from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line is performed. A communication capacity management method for prohibiting transfer from the second wireless communication line to another wireless communication line for the communication capacity transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line.

(5) One embodiment of the present invention provides a computer for a communication capacity management device that communicates with a first wireless communication line and a second wireless communication line, which are wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity, using the first wireless communication line. Communication capacity transfer means for transferring a desired communication capacity from the remaining capacity of the capacity to the second wireless communication line; the remaining communication capacity of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line; Remaining capacity management means for managing the communication capacity transferred from another wireless communication line included in the capacity, and determining whether the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity transfer means manages the communication capacity based on the judgment of the judgment means, and the judgment means operates the second wireless communication line from the first wireless communication line. When the communication capacity is transferred to the second wireless communication line, the communication capacity of the second wireless communication line that is transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line is determined by the second wireless communication line. This is a computer program that prohibits transfer from a communication line to another wireless communication line.

  According to the present invention, when the communication capacity is transferred between wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity, the communication capacity assigned to the transferred wireless communication line can be limited.

It is a block diagram showing composition of communication capacity management device 1 concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of hardware for realizing the communication capacity management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system using a communication capacity management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data table used for managing communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of a data table used for judgment of transfer possibility of communication capacity concerning one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication restriction condition data table according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing an example of the traffic log data table concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the flowchart of the restriction | limiting process of the use of communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart of the restriction | limiting process of re-transfer of communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of a screen used for confiscation of communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present 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 one embodiment of the present invention.
1, the communication capacity management device 1 includes a remaining capacity management unit 11, a determination unit 12, a communication capacity transfer unit 13, a transfer request reception unit 14, a remaining capacity use control unit 15, a management data storage unit 16, a communication unit 17, Is provided.

  The remaining capacity management unit 11 manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity allocated to each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, which are the wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity. The remaining capacity management unit 11 manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity separately for the periodically provided communication capacity and the additionally purchased communication capacity, and further manages each of the periodically provided communication capacity and the additionally purchased communication capacity with another wireless communication line. Manages the communication capacity transferred from. The term-given communication capacity is a communication capacity with a time limit given by a predetermined amount every predetermined period. The additional purchase communication capacity is a communication capacity with an expiration date that has been additionally purchased, and is a communication capacity that is added by a user purchasing when the communication capacity is insufficient with only the periodical communication capacity. . In addition, transfer refers to replacing part or all of the communication capacity available for the first wireless communication line as the communication capacity available for the second wireless communication line. Management refers to storing, for each wireless communication line, a fixed amount of communication capacity that can be used in the wireless communication line and an additional purchase communication amount, and then, according to the use of the communication capacity in the wireless communication line, Alternatively, this means subtracting the used communication capacity from the additional purchased communication capacity. In addition, the term “management” refers to the term “periodically allocated communication capacity”, which is obtained by adding the periodical granted communication capacity by the amount given when the communication capacity is granted and stored. It means that only the additionally purchased communication capacity is added and stored. Further, the management means that when the communication capacity is transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line, the transfer amount is subtracted from the communication capacity stored in association with the first wireless communication line (the transfer source). This means that the value obtained by adding the transferred value to the communication capacity stored in association with the second wireless communication line (the transfer destination) is stored.

The determining unit 12 determines whether the transfer of the communication capacity from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line is possible.
The communication capacity transfer unit 13 transfers a desired communication capacity from the remaining communication capacity of the wireless communication line allocated to the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line based on the determination of the determination unit 12. I do.
The transfer request receiving unit 14 receives a transfer request when transferring the communication capacity from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line.

The remaining capacity use control unit 15 controls the use of the communication capacity assigned to each wireless communication line. In particular, when the communication capacity of a certain wireless communication line is transferred from another wireless communication line, the use of the communication capacity allocated to the wireless communication line to which the communication capacity has been transferred is restricted. The management data storage unit 16 stores the remaining communication capacity of each wireless communication line, the record of the transfer, and the like.
The communication unit 17 communicates with a user contract information management device 114, a settlement device 116, a communication control device 112, and the like, which will be described later.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of hardware for realizing the communication capacity management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2, the communication capacity management device 1 includes a CPU unit 21, a communication unit 17, and a storage unit 22. These units are configured to exchange data. The CPU section 21 controls the communication capacity management device 1. This control function is realized by the CPU unit 21 executing a computer program. The communication unit 17 communicates with another device. The storage unit 22 stores a computer program executed by the CPU unit 21 and various data. The storage unit 22 stores a communication capacity management program 24.

  The functions of the remaining capacity management unit 11, the determination unit 12, the communication capacity transfer unit 13, the transfer request reception unit 14, and the remaining capacity use control unit 15 illustrated in FIG. 1 are performed by the CPU unit 21 illustrated in FIG. Is realized by executing the communication capacity management program 24 stored in. 1. The management data storage unit 16 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 an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, terminal 102 is connected to base station 104 via wireless communication line 106. The wireless communication line 106 has a limited communication capacity. User data transmitted from terminal 102 to base station 104 using wireless communication line 106 is transferred from base station 104 to gateway 108. If 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 the user data addressed to the terminal 102 input from the Internet 110 to the terminal 102 via the base station 104 if the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 is permitted. .

  When the communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106 is within the limit, the 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 out of the limit, the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 is not permitted. Alternatively, the communication speed is reduced even if the communication is permitted. As a result, the terminal 102 can perform communication with another communication device connected to the Internet 110 using the wireless communication line 106 if 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 out of the limit, the terminal 102 performs communication with another communication device connected to the Internet 110 using the wireless communication line 106. Can not. Alternatively, even if communication is possible, the communication speed is reduced.

  The communication control device 112 instructs the gateway 108 whether to permit (non-permit) the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 or the communication speed. The permission or non-permission of the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 and 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 device 112 acquires, from the gateway 108, transfer data amount information indicating the transfer amount of the user data transferred by the gateway 108 in the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106. This transfer data amount information is transmitted from the communication control device 112 to the communication capacity management device 1.

  The communication capacity management device 1 updates the remaining communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106 based on the transfer data amount information received from the communication control device 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 the wireless communication line 106. As the user contract information, there are information indicating a user identifier (user ID), an identification number (line number) of the wireless communication line 106, a contract content regarding a communication capacity, and the like. The communication capacity management device 1 queries the user contract information management device 114 for user contract information as needed.

  The settlement device 116 performs settlement processing for payment by the user. The communication capacity management device 1 inquires 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 through communication. Communication between the terminal 102 and the communication capacity management device 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.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the communication capacity that the user can use for data communication is allocated to each wireless communication line 106 contracted by the user. The types of communication capacities include the above-mentioned regular grant communication capacities and additional purchase communication capacities. As an example, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the regular grant communication capacity is given 7 GB every month to the wireless communication line 106 that has contracted to give the communication capacity periodically, and that the expiration date is one month. Further, the additional purchase communication capacity can be purchased in units of 500 MB or 1 GB, and the expiration date is assumed to be 62 days from the purchase date. Also, it is assumed that it is determined that, of these two types of communication capacities, the additional communication capacity is used preferentially. Note that the user can contract and use a plurality of wireless communication lines 106.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data table used for managing the communication capacity according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The data table illustrated in FIG. 4 is an example of a table used by the remaining capacity management unit 11 to manage the remaining capacity of the communication capacity for each wireless communication line. The first line of the data table illustrated in FIG. 4 indicates that the user “001” contracts and uses the wireless communication line “090-1234-5678”, and the periodical communication capacity allocated to this wireless communication line Indicates that the remaining capacity is 7 GB ("whole"), and the remaining capacity of the additionally purchased communication capacity is 500 MB ("whole"). The communication capacity transferred from the other wireless communication line out of the 7 GB of the periodical communication capacity is 0 GB (“the transfer amount”), and the transfer capacity from the other wireless communication line out of the additionally purchased communication capacity of 500 MB. Indicates that the communication capacity is 200 MB (“transfer amount”). Similarly, in the second line, the user “001” contracts and uses the second wireless communication line “080-1234-5678”, and the periodical communication capacity allocated to this wireless communication line is 5 GB. The transfer amount is 1 GB, the additional purchase communication capacity is 200 MB, and the transfer amount is 0 MB. The third line shows that the user “002” contracts and uses the wireless communication line “090-1234-5679”, and the remaining capacity of the periodical communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity allocated to this wireless communication line. Indicates that each is 1 GB, and the transfer amount is 0 GB in both cases.

  When the remaining capacity management unit 11 receives information from the communication control device 112 that, for example, data communication of 100 MB has been performed on the wireless communication line “090-1234-5679”, the remaining capacity management unit 11 refers to this data table and performs wireless communication. The remaining capacity of the additional purchase communication capacity of the line “090-1234-5679” is read out, and 1 GB is read out, and the value in the additional purchase communication capacity column is overwritten with a value (0.9 GB) obtained by subtracting 100 MB from the read 1 GB. . The value of the additional purchase communication capacity is updated because the additional purchase communication capacity is used preferentially as described above. Also, for example, when the next month comes, the remaining capacity management unit 11 acquires the contract information of the wireless communication line “090-1234-5679” from the user contract information management device 114, and for example, the wireless communication line If it is assumed that the contract is for providing the communication capacity, the value of 1 GB of the periodical communication capacity is overwritten and updated with 7 GB for the next month based on this contract.

  When the communication capacity is transferred from one communication line to another communication line, the remaining capacity management unit 11 obtains the information of the transferred communication capacity from the communication capacity transfer unit 13 and transmits the information from the other communication line. Manages the total value of transferred communication capacity. For example, when a communication capacity of 100 MB is transferred from another communication line with respect to the periodical communication capacity of the wireless communication line “090-1234-5679”, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 sets the wireless communication line “090-1234-5679”. 1GB, which is the value of the “entire” communication capacity of the periodical communication, is overwritten with the read 1 GB plus the transferred 100 MB (1.1 GB), and the transferred communication capacity (100 MB) is managed as the remaining capacity. Output to the unit 11. The remaining capacity management unit 11 reads, from the data table in FIG. 4, 0 GB, which is the value of the “transferred amount” of the periodical communication capacity, and adds the transferred 100 MB to the read 0 GB (0.1 GB). Update by overwriting with. The data table illustrated in FIG. 4 is stored in the management data storage unit 16, and the remaining capacity management unit 11 uses this data table to determine the communication capacity of the periodically assigned communication capacity and the additional communication capacity for each wireless communication line. It manages the remaining capacity and how much of the remaining capacity is the transferred communication capacity.

Next, an example of under what conditions the transfer of the communication capacity is possible will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data table used to determine whether transfer of communication capacity is possible according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The “Transfer Service Contract” column in FIG. 5 indicates whether or not a contract for a transfer service of communication capacity has been made for each wireless communication line. In the present embodiment, in order to transfer the communication capacity, it is assumed that the wireless communication line of the transfer source and the wireless communication line of the transfer destination must both make this contract. “Family ID” is attribute information indicating a family to which a user subscribed to a certain wireless communication line belongs. For example, when the user “001” and the user “002” are a parent and a child, the same value is set to the family ID. The “billing group ID” is an ID indicating a unit for paying a fee such as a communication fee for a wireless communication line. For example, when a father pays for a certain family, the same value is set to the billing group ID for the wireless communication line contracted by the family. “Transfer group ID” is attribute information indicating a transfer group to which a user subscribed to a certain wireless communication line belongs. The transfer group is a group in which wireless communication lines contracted by the user can transfer the communication capacity to each other. For example, if a friend forms one group and the remaining communication capacity becomes insufficient, and the friend wants to transfer the communication capacity, the group is registered as one transfer group, and the members of the group are registered. The same value is set to the transfer group ID of the wireless communication line to which the contract is made, and the transfer of the communication capacity between the members of the group becomes possible.

This transfer permission / inhibition determination data table is stored in, for example, a storage unit included in the user contract information management device 114. The determination unit 12 of the communication capacity management device 1 acquires the information set in the transferability determination data table for the transfer source wireless communication line and the transfer destination wireless communication line from the user contract information management device 114, and determines whether transfer is possible. It determines whether or not. For example, if the value of “transfer service contract” of any of the transfer source and transfer destination wireless communication lines is “none”, the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer process is not possible. If the family ID, billing group ID, and transfer group ID of the transfer source and transfer destination wireless communication lines are not the same, the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer process is not possible. The determination based on the family ID, the billing group ID, and the transfer group ID may be performed based on only one of them, or when at least one of these IDs has the same value, the determination unit 12 May determine that the transfer of the communication capacity between the transfer source wireless communication line and the transfer destination wireless communication line is possible.
In addition to the family ID, the billing group ID, and the transfer group ID, a “transfer flag” indicating whether transfer to another wireless communication line is possible is included in the transfer availability determination data table, An item of "reception flag" indicating whether transfer from the line can be received may be provided, and the user may set these flags for each user or for each wireless communication line. For example, in the same family, the "transfer flag" and "reception flag" are set to "prohibited" for junior high school children, and the "transfer flag" is set to "prohibited" for university student children and the "reception flag" is set. "Permission" can be set. Then, for example, when transferring the communication capacity from the parent to the child of the college student, the determination unit 12 determines that the “acceptance flag” of the wireless communication line used by the college student is “permitted” in addition to the determination of the family ID and the like. Based on this, it is determined that transfer is possible. When the communication capacity is transferred from the parent to the child of the junior high school student, the determination unit 12 determines based on the fact that the “reception flag” of the wireless communication line used by the junior high school student is “prohibited” in addition to the determination of the family ID and the like. It is determined that transfer is impossible. Further, for example, when attempting to transfer the communication capacity between the college student and the junior high school student, the determination unit 12 sets the “transfer flag” of the wireless communication line used by the college student and the junior high school student to “prohibited” in addition to the determination of the family ID and the like. Is determined to be impossible to transfer. The "transfer flag" and "reception flag" can be used in combination with any of the family ID, the billing group ID, and the transfer group ID. As a result, it is possible to control whether transfer is possible in smaller units than the family, billing group, and transfer group.

When the determination unit 12 determines that transfer is possible, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 performs a transfer process. Specifically, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 communicates from one of the transfer source and transfer destination wireless communication lines, the transfer communication capacity, the periodical communication capacity, and the additional purchase communication capacity received by the transfer request reception unit 14. Obtain information such as whether to transfer the capacity. Then, based on the acquired information, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 transfers, from the user, the transfer capacity of the record of the transfer source wireless communication line in the data table illustrated in FIG. The transfer capacity to be transferred is subtracted from the original "whole". Next, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 adds the communication capacity to be transferred to the remaining capacity of the record of the wireless communication line of the transfer destination. At this time, if the transfer source transfers from the regular provisioned communication capacity, the transfer destination also adds the communication capacity to be transferred to the “total” of the remaining regular provisioned communication capacity, and if the transfer is performed from the additional purchase communication capacity, the transfer is performed. The communication capacity to be transferred to the "total" of the remaining capacity of the additionally purchased communication capacity is also added.
Further, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 outputs the wireless communication line of the transfer destination and the communication capacity to be transferred to the remaining capacity management unit 11. As described above, the remaining capacity management unit 11 adds the communication capacity to be transferred to the “transferred” of the communication capacity related to the transfer, out of the periodically provided communication capacity or the additionally purchased communication capacity, for the wireless communication line of the transfer destination.
Note that, in this example, the additional purchase communication capacity of the transfer source is also transferred to the additional purchase communication capacity at the transfer destination, but the transferred communication capacity is transferred to the transfer destination except for the periodical communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity. The communication capacity may be managed separately. In the case where the transfer is performed from the periodical communication capacity, the periodical communication capacity of the transfer source may be transferred to the additional purchase communication capacity of the transfer destination.

  The remaining capacity management unit 11 manages the expiration date of the transferred communication capacity as follows, for example. The value of “transferred portion” of the periodical communication capacity is updated to 0 every month. Further, the remaining capacity management unit 11 determines the communication capacity transferred at the time of each transfer from the value of “transfer amount” of the additional purchase communication capacity according to the expiration date of the additional purchase communication capacity at the time of the transfer. Perform the process of reducing. For example, it is assumed that a transfer of 100 MB from the additionally purchased communication capacity of the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line at a certain time. It is assumed that the last additional purchase communication capacity purchase time in the first wireless communication line at the time of the transfer is “M1 / D1 in Y1”. Then, the remaining capacity management unit 11 uses the purchase history log and the transfer history log of the additional purchase communication capacity of the first wireless communication line recorded in the management data storage unit 16 to determine the last purchase at the time of the transfer. It is detected that the time is “M1 / D1 on Y1”, and 62 days after “M1 / D1 on Y1”, the additional purchase communication capacity of the record indicating the remaining capacity of the second wireless communication line is “transferred”. Is subtracted from the value of. It is assumed that the history of purchase of the additional communication capacity by the user (purchase history log) is written in the management data storage unit 16 by the processing unit that performs the additional purchase processing of the communication capacity. Also, it is assumed that the communication capacity transfer unit 13 has written the history of the transfer process (transfer history log) in the management data storage unit 16 for each transfer process. The transfer history log includes information such as the transfer date and time, the wireless communication line of the transfer source and the transfer destination, the transferred communication capacity, and which of the regular additional communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity has been transferred from. I have. In this example, the last purchase time is used on the start date of the expiration date of the additional purchase communication capacity, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the use expiration date may be 62 days from the use start date, with the use start date of the additional purchase communication capacity as a start date. In addition, the additional purchase of the communication capacity extends not only the communication capacity purchased last, but also the expiration date of the additional communication capacity purchased before that. It is also possible to give a 62-day expiration date starting from the date.

  In this way, for example, by transferring the communication capacity from a user having excess communication capacity in the family to a user having reduced remaining communication capacity, the excess communication capacity can be effectively used, and convenience can be improved. improves. On the other hand, in recent years, many minors have mobile terminals and freely use data communication services such as the Internet. On the other hand, guardians of minors have raised concerns about spending a large communication fee or using the Internet until late at night, for example. Under such circumstances, if the parent transfers the surplus communication capacity of the wireless communication line to which he or she contracts to the minor child, the minor is instead encouraged to use the data communication service. Therefore, the present embodiment is a method for limiting the use of the remaining communication capacity allocated to the second wireless communication line when the communication capacity is transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line. I will provide a.

[Restriction on usage of communication capacity]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the communication restriction condition data table according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The first line of this table indicates that the setting for restricting the communication is performed for “HH: mm: ss1” to “HH: mm: ss2” for the wireless communication line “090-1234-5678”. Is shown. Communication control means that, for example, during this time period, data communication except for a part such as notification of disaster information cannot be performed, or data communication is possible but the communication speed is reduced to a predetermined speed. Point to. The second line indicates that the setting for limiting the communication capacity per day to “100 MB” is performed for the wireless communication line “080-1234-5678”. In the case of this communication restriction, for example, it refers to control such that data communication cannot be performed if the data transfer amount per day exceeds 100 MB, or control such as lowering the communication speed. The third line restricts the communication of the wireless communication line “090-1234-5679” in “HH: mm: ss3” to “HH: mm: ss4”, and further sets the communication capacity per day to “HH: mm: ss3”. 100 MB "has been set. This communication restriction condition data table stores values set by the transfer source user on a communication restriction condition setting screen (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the communication restriction is performed when the communication restriction condition is satisfied and the communication capacity transferred to the wireless communication line exists. The execution of the communication restriction is based on the assumption that the transferred communication capacity is included in the remaining capacity of the wireless communication line. For example, in the case of the limitation based on the communication capacity per day, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 The communication control unit 112 manages the usage of the communication capacity for each predetermined time for each of the wireless communication lines based on the usage of the communication capacity and the limit value of the communication capacity per day illustrated in FIG. Is transmitted (communication permission information) for restricting the above. Further, in the case of the restriction based on the time zone, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 acquires the information of the “restriction start time” set in the data table of FIG. The communication permission information on the wireless communication line to be controlled is transmitted to the control device 112. The communication permission information includes an identification number of a wireless communication line for which communication is to be restricted, and information indicating the contents of the communication restriction. Upon receiving the communication permission information, the communication control device 112 performs control for restricting communication on the specified line by a known method.
In addition to the restriction based on the time zone and the communication capacity per day, the communication restriction may be performed when the actual use time of the data communication per day becomes a predetermined time or more.
As the communication restriction performed by the communication control device 112, in addition to prohibiting data communication and lowering the communication speed, it is also possible to prohibit access to a specific site.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a traffic log data table according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The management data storage unit 16 stores the communication history log data table. The remaining capacity use control unit 15 writes the total value of the communication capacity used by the wireless communication line received from the communication control device 112 into the communication amount history log data table at predetermined time intervals. When the usage limit of the communication capacity is performed based on the communication capacity per day, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 determines the communication capacity transmitted through each wireless communication line based on the communication amount history log data table illustrated in FIG. Figure out.

FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart of a process of restricting the use of communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As described above, as described above, the user performs data communication using the terminal 102 owned by the user, and the communication capacity used by the data communication is transmitted from the communication control device 112 to the communication capacity management device 1, In the capacity management device 1, the remaining capacity management unit 11 manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity and the communication capacity included in the transfer for each wireless communication line, and the remaining capacity use control unit 15 performs the wireless communication at a predetermined time. It is assumed that the communication capacity used for each line is recorded in the communication amount history log data table.

  First, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 reads the communication restriction condition data table illustrated in FIG. 6, acquires the condition for starting the communication restriction set for each wireless communication line, and determines whether the communication restriction condition is satisfied. Is determined (step S1). For example, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 determines that the restriction condition is satisfied when the “restriction start time” has arrived for the wireless communication line in which the condition of the communication restriction by the time zone is set. For a wireless communication line for which communication restriction conditions are set based on the communication capacity per day, based on the data table illustrated in FIG. 7, the communication capacity used on that day must start limiting. Is reached, it is determined that the restriction condition is satisfied. If the restriction condition is not satisfied (Step S1; No), the processing flow ends for the wireless communication line. When the communication limit condition is satisfied (Step S1; Yes), the remaining capacity use control unit 15 determines whether there is a communication capacity transferred from another wireless communication line for the remaining capacity of each wireless communication line satisfying the communication limit condition. It is determined whether or not there is (Step S2). Specifically, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 inquires the remaining capacity management unit 11 about the transferred communication capacity of the remaining capacity of each wireless communication line. The remaining capacity management unit 11 notifies the remaining capacity use control unit 15 of the presence or absence of the transferred communication capacity with reference to the data table illustrated in FIG. If there is no transferred communication capacity (Step S2; No), this processing flow ends for the wireless communication line. If there is a transferred communication capacity (step S2; Yes), the remaining capacity use control unit 15 transmits the communication permission information including information on whether or not communication is possible and a communication speed limit for the wireless communication line having the communication capacity transferred from another. Is read from the management data storage unit 16, and the identification number of the wireless communication line and the communication permission information are transmitted to the communication control device 112 via the communication unit 17. The communication control device 112 controls the acquired wireless communication line based on the communication permission information.

  In the determination in step S2, the following determination may be made. That is, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 determines whether or not the remaining capacity of each wireless communication line is equal to or less than the sum of the communication capacities transferred from other wireless communication lines (step S2). Specifically, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 inquires the remaining capacity management unit 11 about the remaining capacity of each wireless communication line and the transferred communication capacity. The remaining capacity management unit 11 refers to the data table illustrated in FIG. 4 and stores the remaining capacity (“overall”) of each wireless communication line and the transferred communication capacity (“transferred”) into the remaining capacity use control unit. 15 is output. The remaining capacity use control unit 15 compares the acquired remaining capacity with the transferred communication capacity, and if the transferred communication capacity is equal to or more than the remaining capacity, executes the process of step S3. If the transferred communication capacity is less than the remaining capacity, this processing flow ends.

  As a result, when the communication capacity allocated to the wireless communication line subscribed to the user is transferred to another wireless communication line, the communication time zone and the available communication capacity per day are restricted. In addition, it is possible to prevent the user who uses the transfer destination wireless communication line from using too much communication capacity.

[Restriction on transfer of communication capacity]
Next, the limitation of re-transfer of the communication capacity will be described. The transfer of the communication capacity refers to, for example, transferring the communication capacity transferred from the father A to the child A in a certain family A to the child B of another family B who is a friend. If re-transfer is permitted, for example, even if Family B does not permit transfer of communication capacity due to educational policies, etc., child A and child B form the same transfer group, and child B contracts through child A. It becomes possible to transfer the communication capacity to the wireless communication line. In addition, if the transfer of the communication capacity is unlimited, a user who consumes a large amount of communication capacity can indirectly transfer the communication capacity allocated to a communication line with which many other users have contracted to increase the communication capacity. It becomes possible to secure. As a result, imbalance with other users may occur, and the communication service provider may not be able to purchase additional communication capacity or use a higher cost communication service with more available communication capacity. There is also a problem such as not being able to obtain the income that should be obtained by subscribing. Therefore, the present embodiment provides a function of restricting the re-transfer of the communication capacity.

FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart of a restriction process of re-transfer of communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention.
First, the transfer request receiving unit 14 receives a transfer request from a transfer source user (step S11). Specifically, on a transfer processing instruction screen (not shown), a transfer source user inputs information such as a wireless communication line of a transfer source and a transfer destination, a communication capacity to be transferred, and performs a transfer instruction operation. Then, the transfer request receiving unit 14 writes and stores the input information in the management data storage unit 16 and instructs the communication capacity transfer unit 13 to execute a transfer process.
The transfer request may be received as follows. From the transfer request input screen (not shown), the transfer destination user inputs the identification number of the transfer source user or the transfer source wireless communication line, the communication capacity desired to be transferred, the identification number of the transfer destination wireless communication line, the purpose of use, and the transfer. Register the response deadline for accepting the request. Based on the transfer request, the transfer request receiving unit 14 transmits, by e-mail or the like, a web site guide for inputting that the transfer request has been made and whether or not to approve the transfer, to the user designated as the transfer source. I do. Then, when the user specified as the transfer source performs an operation such as pressing an approval button provided on the Web site guided within the answer deadline, the transfer request receiving unit 14 indicates that the transfer has been approved. The information is acquired, the transfer request registered by the transfer destination user is accepted, and the communication capacity transfer unit 13 is instructed to execute the transfer processing.

  Next, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 requests the determination unit 12 to determine whether transfer is possible. First, the determination unit 12 determines whether transfer processing is possible based on contract information and attribute information (step S12). Specifically, the determination unit 12 reads the transfer request information received by the transfer request reception unit 14 from the management data storage unit 16 and determines whether or not there is a contract for the transfer service based on the determination criteria described in FIG. It is determined based on the family ID whether transfer processing is possible or not. When it is determined that the transfer is not possible (Step S12; No), the determination unit 12 outputs the determination result to the communication capacity transfer unit 13. The communication capacity transfer unit 13 stops the transfer processing (Step S15). If it is determined that the transfer is possible (Step S12; Yes), the determination unit 12 determines whether or not there is a transferred communication capacity for the transfer source wireless communication line (Step S13). Specifically, the determination unit 12 inquires the remaining capacity management unit 11 about the presence or absence of the transferred communication capacity for the transfer source wireless communication line. The remaining capacity management unit 11 notifies the determination unit 12 of the presence or absence of the transferred communication capacity with reference to the data table illustrated in FIG. When there is a transferred communication capacity (Step S13; Yes), the determination unit 12 determines that transfer is impossible, and outputs the determination result to the communication capacity transfer unit 13. The communication capacity transfer unit 13 stops the transfer processing (Step S15). When there is no transferred communication capacity (Step S13; No), the determination unit 12 determines that transfer is possible, and outputs the determination result to the communication capacity transfer unit 13. The communication capacity transfer unit 13 executes a transfer process (Step S14).

This can prevent re-transfer of the transferred communication capacity and prevent the transfer of the communication capacity to an unintended third party or the concentration of the transferred communication capacity to a certain wireless communication line.
The transfer of the transferred communication capacity to a third party is prohibited, but the process of transferring (returning) the communication capacity to the transfer source communication line may be permitted. In this case, for example, in step S13, the determination unit 12 totals the transfer result of the communication capacity between the transfer source wireless communication line and the transfer destination wireless communication line from the transfer history log, and determines from the transfer destination wireless communication line If the communication capacity before the expiration date transferred to the transfer source wireless communication line exceeds the communication capacity currently being transferred, it is determined that transfer is possible.

[Confiscation of communication capacity]
Next, the confiscation of the communication capacity will be described. Forfeiture of communication capacity means that, for example, even after a parent transfers a communication capacity to a child, the child continues to receive requests for transfer of communication capacity from the child, which adversely affects school study It is a function that can take up the communication capacity that you have transferred when you are worried.
Normally, the transfer process is executed intentionally by the transfer source user, but in the process of confiscation of the communication capacity, the transfer process is executed regardless of the intention of the transfer source user.

FIG. 10 is an example of a screen used for confiscation of communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the area indicated by reference numeral 25, the transfer processing before the expiration date in the history of transfer processing performed from a wireless communication line contracted by a certain user to another wireless communication line is displayed. This screen is based on the transfer history log recorded by the communication capacity transfer unit 13. In this example, the transfer processing is performed three times from the wireless communication line “090-1234-5678” to the wireless communication line “090-1234-5679”. When a user subscribed to the wireless communication line “090-1234-5678” regains the communication capacity transferred to the wireless communication line “090-1234-5679”, the transfer history information corresponding to the communication capacity to be confiscated is displayed at the left end. Check and select. Then, when the user presses the confiscation button 26, the transfer request receiving unit 14 causes the transfer source wireless communication line, transfer destination wireless communication line, and communication capacity type (periodical communication capacity or additional purchase communication capacity) of the row with the check mark. Capacity) and information on the transferred communication capacity. The transfer request receiving unit 14 specifies the obtained transfer destination wireless communication line as the transfer source, specifies the obtained transfer source wireless communication line as the transfer destination, specifies the obtained communication capacity type as the communication capacity type, and The transferred communication capacity is designated as the communication capacity to be transferred, and the communication capacity transfer unit 13 is instructed to perform the transfer processing. The communication capacity transfer unit 13 performs a transfer process based on the instruction.

Accordingly, regardless of the intention of the transfer destination user, the user who has performed the transfer can prevent the transfer destination user from using the communication capacity by picking up the transferred communication capacity.
Note that, when the confiscation button 26 is pressed, the transfer request receiving unit 14 instructs the remaining capacity management unit 11 to subtract the communication capacity for the transfer, instead of picking up the transferred communication capacity. 11 may perform processing of subtracting the transferred communication capacity of the row from the remaining capacity of the transfer destination wireless communication line of the row selected by the user based on the instruction.

[Erasure of communication capacity]
Next, the disappearance of the communication capacity will be described. As described above, the remaining capacity management unit 11 manages the transferred communication capacities on the basis of the expiration dates corresponding to the expiration dates of those communication capacities at the transfer source. However, the remaining capacity management unit 11 may set the expiration date to a shorter period starting from the transfer. That is, when a predetermined period has elapsed since the transfer of the communication capacity for the remaining capacity of a certain wireless communication line, the remaining capacity management unit 11 subtracts the communication capacity by the transfer from the remaining capacity. For example, when the predetermined period is 10 days, the remaining capacity management unit 11 sets the transferred communication capacity to 0 when 10 days have elapsed since the transfer of the communication capacity was performed. More specifically, the remaining capacity management unit 11 acquires, from the transfer history log, the date and time when a certain wireless communication line was transferred and the transferred communication capacity, and when 10 days have passed since the transfer date and time. Then, the transferred communication capacity is subtracted from the remaining capacity of the wireless communication line. At this time, the transfer amount is subtracted from the remaining capacity of the periodic additional communication capacity if the transfer of the periodic additional communication capacity has been transferred, and from the remaining capacity of the additional purchase communication capacity if the additional additional communication capacity has been transferred. Is updated in the data table illustrated in FIG. Note that the number of days from the transfer to the expiration date may be determined in advance by the communication service provider, or may be arbitrarily set by the transfer source user from a setting screen (not shown).

  As a result, the usage period of the transferred communication capacity can be limited, and the transfer destination user can be prevented from using too much communication capacity.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and includes a design change or the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In addition, a computer program for realizing the function 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 by a computer system and executed. Is also good. Here, the “computer system” may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
The “computer-readable recording medium” includes a writable nonvolatile memory such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, and a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a computer system. Storage device such as a hard disk.

Further, a “computer-readable recording medium” is a volatile memory (for example, a DRAM (for example, a DRAM (DRAM)) in a computer system that is a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a wireless communication line such as a telephone line. Dynamic Random Access Memory) that holds programs for a certain period of time.
Further, the above 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 a program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a wireless communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
Further, 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, 11 ... Remaining capacity management part, 12 ... Judgment part, 13 ... Communication capacity transfer part, 14 ... Transfer request reception part 14 ... Remaining capacity use control part, 16 ... Management data storage part, 17 ... Communication Unit, 21 CPU unit, 22 storage unit, 24 communication capacity management program, 102 terminal, 104 base station, 106 wireless communication line, 108 gateway, 112 communication control unit, 114 user contract information management Device, 116 ... Payment device

Claims (5)

For a first wireless communication line and a second wireless communication line, which are wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity, a desired communication capacity is selected from the remaining communication capacity of the first wireless communication line. A communication capacity transfer unit for transferring to a line;
A remaining capacity management unit that manages a remaining capacity of communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line and a communication capacity transferred from another wireless communication line included in the remaining capacity;
A determining unit that determines whether transfer of communication capacity is possible between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line,
The communication capacity transfer unit manages the communication capacity based on the determination of the determination unit,
When the transfer of the communication capacity from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line is performed, the determination unit determines, from the communication capacity of the second wireless communication line, the first wireless communication line Prohibiting transfer from the second wireless communication line to another wireless communication line for the communication capacity transferred to the second wireless communication line;
Communication capacity management device. The first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract in which a communication capacity is given to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line,
The remaining capacity management unit is configured to determine the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract signed by the first wireless communication line, and the second capacity by the communication contract signed by the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity given to the wireless communication line is managed separately.
The communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract and the communication capacity given to the second wireless communication line by the communication contract are to be transferred.
The communication capacity management device according to claim 1. The remaining capacity management unit includes a periodical communication capacity that is a communication capacity with an expiration date given by a predetermined amount for each predetermined period for each wireless communication line, and a communication capacity with an expiration date additionally purchased. Manage separately from additional purchased communication capacity,
The periodic grant communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity are subject to transfer,
The communication capacity management device according to claim 2. The communication capacity management device determines a desired communication capacity from the remaining communication capacity of the first wireless communication line for the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, which are wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity. Transferring the communication capacity to the second wireless communication line;
The communication capacity management device manages the remaining communication capacity of each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line and the communication capacity transferred from another wireless communication line included in the remaining capacity. A capacity management step, comprising:
The communication capacity management device further includes a determination step of determining whether transfer of communication capacity is possible between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line,
The communication capacity transfer step manages the communication capacity based on the determination in the determination step,
When the transfer of the communication capacity is performed from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line, the determination step includes, among the communication capacities of the second wireless communication line, the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. Prohibiting transfer from the second wireless communication line to another wireless communication line for the communication capacity transferred to the second wireless communication line;
Communication capacity management method. The computer of the communication capacity management device
For a first wireless communication line and a second wireless communication line, which are wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity, a desired communication capacity is selected from the remaining communication capacity of the first wireless communication line. Communication capacity transfer means to transfer to the line,
Remaining capacity management means for managing the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line and the communication capacity transferred from another wireless communication line included in the remaining capacity;
Determining means for determining whether transfer of communication capacity is possible between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line,
Function as
The communication capacity transfer means manages the communication capacity based on the determination by the determination means,
When the transfer of the communication capacity is performed from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line, the determination unit determines the communication capacity of the second wireless communication line from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line. Prohibiting transfer from the second wireless communication line to another wireless communication line for the communication capacity transferred to the second wireless communication line;
Computer program.

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