JP2021158681A - Communication capacity management device, communication capacity transfer method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a function capable of transferring the communication capacity of a radio communication line with communication capacity limited.SOLUTION: A communication capacity management device comprises: a residual capacity management unit for managing the residual capacity of communication capacity allocated to each of a first radio communication line and a second radio communication line, each of which is a radio communication line with communication capacity limited; a determination unit for determining whether or not communication capacity can be transferred from the first radio communication line to the second radio communication line; and a communication capacity transfer unit for transferring desired communication capacity from the residual capacity of communication capacity allocated to the first radio communication line to the second radio communication line on the basis of the determination of the determination unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

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

Conventionally, the communication capacity of data communication using a mobile terminal is limited, for example, on a monthly basis. Then, if the communication capacity allocated in advance in that month is consumed, data communication cannot be used in that month, or even if it can be used, the communication speed is generally suppressed to a low speed. Further, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a communication charge is paid in advance, a charge is made according to the use of the communication capacity, and the communication capacity corresponding to the prepaid charge can be used. Further, in Patent Document 2, by grouping a plurality of mobile terminals and setting a communication capacity (connection frequency) for the group, for example, members in a department of a company can share the communication capacity and charge a fee. There is disclosure about the technology to be managed by each department.

Special Table 2001-504299 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-18333

By the way, there are individual differences in the frequency of use of communication capacity. For example, parents do not communicate much even within their families, leaving the regular monthly communication capacity granted, but on the other hand, children are thriving. It is possible that the regular communication capacity will be used up by using e-mail or the Internet. In such a case, for example, it is convenient if a 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 the child. However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, for example, the communication capacity allocated to the wireless communication line contracted by a certain user cannot be transferred to the wireless communication line contracted by another user.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances. For example, the communication capacity assigned to a wireless communication line contracted by a certain user can be transferred to a wireless communication line contracted by another user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication capacity management device, a communication capacity transfer method, and a computer program.

(1) One aspect of the present invention is desired from the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in 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. Communication capacity transfer unit that transfers the communication capacity to the second wireless communication line, and a remaining capacity management unit that manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. A determination unit for determining whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line is provided, and the communication capacity transfer unit communicates based on the determination of the determination unit. After transferring the capacity, the determination unit determines whether or not the first wireless communication line is set so that the communication capacity can be transferred to another wireless communication line, and the first wireless communication is performed. A communication capacity management device for determining that communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line when the line has the above settings. The 1 wireless communication line and the 2nd wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract for granting communication capacity to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line, and the remaining capacity management unit is the first. The communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by one wireless communication line and the communication capacity given to the second wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the second wireless communication line. And are 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 are the targets of transfer. It is a communication capacity management device, and when the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are outside the limit of the communication capacity, the communication of the wireless communication line is permitted, but the communication speed of the wireless communication line is high. It is a communication capacity management device that is lower than the case where the communication capacity is within the limit.
(2) One aspect of the present invention is desired for the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, which are wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity, from the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in the first wireless communication line. Communication capacity transfer unit that transfers the communication capacity to the second wireless communication line, and a remaining capacity management unit that manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. A determination unit for determining whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line is provided, and the communication capacity transfer unit communicates based on the determination of the determination unit. After transferring the capacity, the determination unit determines whether or not the first wireless communication line is set so that the communication capacity can be transferred to another wireless communication line, and the first wireless communication is performed. A communication capacity management device for determining that communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line when the line has the above settings. The 1 wireless communication line and the 2nd wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract for granting communication capacity to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line, and the remaining capacity management unit is the first. The communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by one wireless communication line and the communication capacity given to the second wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the second wireless communication line. And are 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 are the targets of transfer. It is a communication capacity management device, and the transfer source terminal and the transfer destination terminal execute the communication capacity transfer approval work by a common application program, and the communication capacity management device is based on the execution result of the approval work. A communication capacity management device that transfers communication capacity.
(3) In one aspect of the present invention, the determination unit further determines whether or not the second wireless communication line is set so that the communication capacity can be transferred to another wireless communication line. When both the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line have the above settings, the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. It is a communication capacity management device according to any one of the above (1) or (2), which is determined to be present.
(4) In one aspect of the present invention, the remaining capacity management unit is a communication transferred from another wireless communication line included in the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity management device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, which manages the capacity.
(5) One aspect of the present invention is the first wireless communication line and the first wireless communication line by transmitting and receiving a message based on the identification information of the user of the first wireless communication line and the identification information of the user of the second wireless communication line. 2. The communication capacity management device according to any one of (1) to (4) above, further comprising a transfer request receiving unit that receives a request for transferring the communication capacity to and from the wireless communication line.
(6) In one aspect of the present invention, the determination unit determines whether or not the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are associated with each other, and the first wireless communication line and the first wireless communication line are associated with each other. 2 When the wireless communication line is associated, it is determined that the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, from (1) to (5) above. ) Is one of the communication capacity management devices.
(7) In one aspect of the present invention, the determination unit acquires the attribute information of the first user who uses the first wireless communication line and the attribute information of the second user who uses the second wireless communication line. The communication according to (6) above, which determines whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred based on the acquired relationship between the first user and the second user indicated by the acquired attribute information of the first user and the second user. It is a capacity management device.
(8) In one aspect of the present invention, the determination unit uses the billing group information of the first user who uses the first wireless communication line and the billing group information of the second user who uses the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity of the above (6) or (7) is determined that the transfer of the communication capacity is possible when the acquired first user and the billing group information of the second user are the same. It is a management device.
(9) In one aspect of the present invention, the determination unit further determines whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred based on a predetermined transfer plan, and the communication capacity transfer unit automatically determines whether the communication capacity can be transferred based on the transfer plan. The communication capacity management device according to any one of (1) to (8) above, which transfers the communication capacity to.

(10) In one aspect of the present invention, the communication capacity management device has a communication capacity in 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. The communication capacity transfer step of transferring the desired communication capacity from the remaining capacity to the second wireless communication line, and the communication capacity management device of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. A remaining capacity management step for managing the remaining capacity of the above, and a determination step for determining whether or not the communication capacity management device can transfer the communication capacity between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. In the determination step, the communication capacity is transferred based on the determination of the determination step, and in the determination step, the first wireless communication line transfers the communication capacity to another wireless communication line. It is determined whether or not the setting is made so that the first wireless communication line can be set, and when the first wireless communication line has the setting, the communication capacity between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. It is a communication capacity transfer method for determining that the transfer is possible, and the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line have a communication contract in which the communication capacity is given to each wireless communication line. It is a wireless communication line concluded for each, and the communication capacity management device is a communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the first wireless communication line, and the second wireless communication. The communication capacity given to the second wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the line is managed separately, and the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract and the communication contract are used. When the communication capacity assigned to the second wireless communication line is the target of the transfer, which is the communication capacity transfer method, and the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are outside the limit of the communication capacity. Is a communication capacity transfer method in which communication on a wireless communication line is permitted, but the communication speed of the wireless communication line is lower than when the communication capacity is within the limit.
(11) In one aspect of the present invention, the communication capacity management device has a communication capacity in 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. The communication capacity transfer step of transferring the desired communication capacity from the remaining capacity to the second wireless communication line, and the communication capacity management device of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. A remaining capacity management step for managing the remaining capacity of the above, and a determination step for determining whether or not the communication capacity management device can transfer the communication capacity between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. In the determination step, the communication capacity is transferred based on the determination of the determination step, and in the determination step, the first wireless communication line transfers the communication capacity to another wireless communication line. It is determined whether or not the setting is made so that the first wireless communication line can be set, and when the first wireless communication line has the setting, the communication capacity between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. It is a communication capacity transfer method for determining that the transfer is possible, and the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line have a communication contract in which the communication capacity is given to each wireless communication line. It is a wireless communication line concluded for each, and the communication capacity management device is a communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the first wireless communication line, and the second wireless communication. The communication capacity given to the second wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the line is managed separately, and the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract and the communication contract are used. This is a communication capacity transfer method in which the communication capacity assigned to the second wireless communication line is the target of the transfer, and the transfer approval work of the communication capacity transfer is performed by a common application program between the transfer source terminal and the transfer destination terminal. Is executed, and the communication capacity management device is a communication capacity transfer method in which the communication capacity is transferred based on the execution result of the approval work.

(12) One aspect of the present invention is the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in 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 in the computer. A communication capacity transfer function for transferring a desired communication capacity from the inside to the second wireless communication line, and a remaining capacity management for managing the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. It is a computer program for realizing the function and a determination function for determining whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, and is the communication capacity transfer function. Transfers the communication capacity based on the determination of the determination function, and whether or not the determination function is set so that the first wireless communication line can transfer the communication capacity to another wireless communication line. When the first wireless communication line has the above settings, it is determined that the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. In the computer program, the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract in which communication capacity is given to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line. The remaining capacity management function includes the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the first wireless communication line and the second wireless by the communication contract concluded by the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity given to the 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 are managed separately. Is a computer program to be transferred, and if the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are outside the limit of communication capacity, communication of the wireless communication line is permitted but wireless. It is a computer program in which the communication speed of the communication line is lower than that when the communication capacity is within the limit.
(13) One aspect of the present invention is the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in 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 in the computer. A communication capacity transfer function for transferring a desired communication capacity from the inside to the second wireless communication line, and a remaining capacity management for managing the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. It is a computer program for realizing the function and a determination function for determining whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, and is the communication capacity transfer function. Transfers the communication capacity based on the determination of the determination function, and whether or not the determination function is set so that the first wireless communication line can transfer the communication capacity to another wireless communication line. When the first wireless communication line has the above settings, it is determined that the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. In the computer program, the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract in which communication capacity is given to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line. The remaining capacity management function includes the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the first wireless communication line and the second wireless by the communication contract concluded by the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity given to the 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 are managed separately. Is a computer program to be transferred, and the transfer source terminal and the transfer destination terminal execute the transfer approval work of the communication capacity by a common application program, and the execution result of the approval work is executed on the computer. It is a computer program for further realizing the function of transferring the communication capacity based on the above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect of improving the convenience of the user by transferring the communication capacity between wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity.

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 realizes the communication capacity management apparatus 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the configuration example of the wireless communication system which used the communication capacity management apparatus 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data table used for the management of the communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen used for the transfer of the communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data table used for determining whether or not the transfer of the communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is possible. This is an example of a flowchart of a communication capacity transfer process according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the transfer history log data table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the transfer performance management data table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen used for the automatic transfer of the communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the transfer request processing of the communication capacity 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 FIG. 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 charge processing unit 14, a transfer request reception unit 15, and a transfer communication capacity management unit 16. A notification unit 17, a communication unit 18, a management data storage unit 19, and an automatic transfer management unit 20 are 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 wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity. Further, the remaining capacity management unit 11 manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity separately for the periodical grant communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity. The periodical grant communication capacity is a communication capacity with an expiration date that is granted by a predetermined amount for each predetermined period. Further, the additionally purchased communication capacity is a communication capacity with an expiration date that has been additionally purchased, and is a communication capacity given by the user when the communication capacity is insufficient only by the regular grant communication capacity. ..

The determination unit 12 determines whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line. Here, the transfer is to replace a part or all of the communication capacity that can be used in the first wireless communication line as the communication capacity that can be used in the second wireless communication line. At this time, the communication capacity of the transfer source (first wireless communication line) is reduced by the amount of transfer, and the communication capacity of the transfer destination (second wireless communication line) is increased by the amount of transfer.
For example, the determination unit 12 determines the relationship between the first user and the second user indicated by the attribute information of the first user who uses the first wireless communication line and the attribute information of the second user who uses the second wireless communication line. Based on this, it is determined whether or not the transfer from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line is possible. Further, for example, the determination unit 12 determines that the communication capacity can be transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line when the billing group information of the first user and the second user are the same. do. The user who uses the wireless communication line indicates that the user has a contract for the wireless communication line.

Based on the determination of the determination unit 12, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 transfers a desired communication capacity from the remaining capacity of the communication capacity of the wireless communication line assigned to the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line. do.
The billing processing unit 14 performs a process of collecting a transfer fee for the transfer of communication capacity.
When transferring the communication capacity from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line, the transfer request receiving unit 15 receives the transfer request.
The transfer communication capacity management unit 16 manages the total of the transferred communication capacities and the number of times the transfer has been performed for each wireless communication line.

When the transferred communication capacity or the number of transfers for a certain wireless communication line exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the notification unit 17 notifies the terminal used by the user who uses the wireless communication line to purchase additional communication capacity. conduct.
The communication unit 18 communicates with the user contract information management device 114, the payment device 116, the communication control device 112, and the like, which will be described later.
The management data storage unit 19 stores the remaining capacity of the communication capacity for each wireless communication line, the record of the transfer, and the like.
The automatic transfer management unit 20 starts the transfer process based on the set transfer plan.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of hardware that realizes the communication capacity management device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the communication capacity management device 1 includes a CPU unit 21, a communication unit 18, and a storage unit 22. Each of these parts is configured so that data can be exchanged. The CPU unit 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 18 communicates with another device. The storage unit 22 stores a computer program and various data executed by the CPU unit 21. The storage unit 22 stores the communication capacity management program 24.

Each of the remaining capacity management unit 11, the determination unit 12, the communication capacity transfer unit 13, the billing processing unit 14, the transfer request reception unit 15, the transfer communication capacity management unit 16, the notification unit 17, and the automatic transfer management unit 20 shown in FIG. The function is realized by the CPU unit 21 shown in FIG. 2 executing the communication capacity management program 24 stored in the management data storage unit 19. Further, the management data storage unit 19 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the storage unit 22 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication system using the communication capacity management device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the terminal 102 is connected to the base station 104 by a wireless communication line 106. The wireless communication line 106 has a limited communication capacity. The 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. The gateway 108 outputs the user data of the terminal 102 transferred from the base station 104 to the Internet 110 if the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 is permitted. 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. Or, even if communication is permitted, the communication speed will decrease. As a result, the terminal 102 can communicate with other communication devices connected to the Internet 110 by using the wireless communication line 106 within the limit of the communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106. can. On the other hand, when the terminal 102 is outside the limit of the communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106, the terminal 102 uses the wireless communication line 106 to perform communication with another communication device connected to the Internet 110. I can't. Or, even if communication is possible, the communication speed will decrease.

The communication control device 112 instructs the gateway 108 whether or not to allow (not permit) the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106, or the communication speed. The permission or disapproval of 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 the 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 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 device 1 updates the remaining amount of communication capacity for 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 amount of the communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106. This communication permission information is information on permitting or disallowing communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 and limiting the communication speed.

The user contract information management device 114 manages information (user contract information) of a user who has a contract for the wireless communication line 106. As the user contract information, there is information indicating the user identifier (user ID), the identification number (line number) of the wireless communication line 106, the contract contents regarding the communication capacity, and the like. The communication capacity management device 1 inquires of the user contract information management device 114 for user contract information, if necessary.

The payment device 116 performs payment 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 by communication. The communication between the terminal 102 and the communication capacity management device 1 may be a communication via the wireless communication line 106 or a communication not via the wireless communication line 106. The communication capacity management device 1 performs the corresponding processing in response to the 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 periodical grant communication capacity and additional purchase communication capacity. As an example, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the periodical grant communication capacity is granted by 7 GB each month to 106 wireless communication lines contracted to periodically grant the communication capacity, and the expiration date is one month. Further, it is assumed that the additional purchase communication capacity can be purchased in units of 500 MB or 1 GB, and the expiration date is 62 days from the date of purchase. Further, it is assumed that the communication capacity of these two types is preferentially used from the additionally purchased communication capacity. The user can contract and use a plurality of wireless communication lines 106.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing 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 data table used by the remaining capacity management unit 11 to manage the remaining capacity of the communication capacity for each wireless communication line. In the first row of the data table illustrated in FIG. 4, the user "001" subscribes to the wireless communication line "090-1234-5678" and is assigned to the wireless communication line "090-1234-5678". Of the remaining communication capacity, the remaining capacity of the regularly granted communication capacity is 7 GB, and the remaining capacity of the additional purchased communication capacity is 500 MB. Further, in the second line, the user "001" contracts and uses the second wireless communication line "080-1234-5678", and is assigned to the wireless communication line "080-1234-5678". Of the remaining capacity of the communication capacity, the remaining capacity of the regularly granted communication capacity is 5 GB, and the remaining capacity of the additionally purchased communication capacity is 200 MB. Further, in the third line, the user "002" contracts and uses the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679", and the remaining capacity of the communication capacity allocated to the wireless communication line is periodically assigned. It shows that the remaining capacity of the communication capacity is 1 GB and the remaining capacity of the additional purchased communication capacity is 1 GB.

When the remaining capacity management unit 11 receives, for example, information indicating that 100 MB of data communication has been performed for the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679" (third line) from the communication control device 112, FIG. Refer to the data table illustrated in the above, and additionally purchase the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679". Read 1 GB, which is the remaining capacity of the communication capacity, and purchase additionally with the value (0.9 GB) obtained by subtracting 100 MB from the read 1 GB. Overwrite and update the communication capacity value. The value of the additional purchase communication capacity is updated because it is preferentially used from the additional purchase communication capacity as described above. In the next month, 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, this wireless communication line has a periodical allocation communication capacity. Based on this contract, the value of the periodical communication capacity of 1 GB is overwritten with 7 GB for the next month and renewed. The data table illustrated in FIG. 4 is stored in the management data storage unit 19, and the remaining capacity management unit 11 uses this data table to obtain the periodical allocation communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity communication capacity for each wireless communication line. Manage the remaining capacity separately.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen used for transferring the communication capacity according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The screen illustrated in FIG. 5 is an example of a screen in which the user sets to transfer a part of the communication capacity allocated to the wireless communication line contracted by the user to another wireless communication line. This screen is used by a user provided by a communication service entity, for example, to confirm the contract information of the wireless communication line to which the user contracts, or to confirm the usage status of the communication capacity allocated to the wireless communication line. It is provided on a dedicated portal site.
Reference numeral 41 is an area in which a list of wireless communication lines contracted by the user is displayed. In the area 41, the remaining capacity is displayed separately for each wireless communication line that is the transfer source, as a periodical grant communication capacity and an additional purchase communication capacity. The user selects the transfer source wireless communication line from these. Reference numeral 42 is a selection field for selecting whether to transfer the communication capacity from the regularly granted communication capacity or the communication capacity from the additionally purchased communication capacity with respect to the communication capacity to be transferred. Reference numeral 43 is an input field for the identification number of the wireless communication line to which the communication capacity is transferred. The transfer source user, for example, inputs the identification number "090-XXXX-XXXX" of the wireless communication line contracted by someone in his / her family in the input field 43. Reference numeral 44 is an input field for inputting the name and ID of the user who has a contract for the wireless communication line input in the input field 43. The value input in the input field 44 is used, for example, for checking whether or not the wireless communication line input in the input field 43 is a wireless communication line contracted by the user input in the input field 44. When the transfer destination is limited to the same billing group, the identification numbers of the wireless communication lines belonging to the same billing group are displayed in a pull-down list in the input field 43 so that they can be selected from the list. In the input field 44, the names of users belonging to the same billing group may be displayed in a pull-down menu so that they can be selected from the pull-down menus. If a wireless communication line has already been selected in the input field 43, the name of the user who has a contract for the wireless communication line may be automatically displayed in the input field 44. Reference numeral 45 is an input field for inputting the communication capacity to be transferred. When the user inputs these items and presses the registration button 46, the input information is written in the management data storage unit 19, and the communication capacity transfer process is executed. Specifically, the transfer request receiving unit 15 receives the transfer request, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the transfer is possible, and when it is determined that the transfer is possible, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 performs the transfer process. The details of the transfer process will be described later.
In addition to these items, this screen may display the number of transfers in the current month, the accumulated communication capacity transferred, the accumulated communication capacity transferred, or the history of transfer. Further, the number of transfers, the accumulation of communication capacity related to the transfer, the transfer history, and the like may be displayed on the management screen by providing a separate management screen.

When the information required for the transfer of communication capacity is registered on the screen illustrated in FIG. 5, the communication capacity is transferred based on the registered information. At this time, the transfer process is performed only when some conditions are satisfied. Run. An example of the conditions under which the communication capacity transfer processing is possible will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data table used for determining whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In the transfer possibility determination data table illustrated in FIG. 6, the "transfer service contract" column indicates whether or not the wireless communication line has a contract for a transfer service of communication capacity. In the present embodiment, in order to transfer the communication capacity, it is assumed that both the transfer source wireless communication line and the transfer destination wireless communication line have made this contract. The "family ID" is attribute information indicating a family to which a user who has a contract for a certain wireless communication line belongs. For example, when the user "001" and the user "002" are parents and children, the same value is set for this family ID. The "billing group ID" is an ID indicating a unit for paying a charge such as a communication charge for a wireless communication line. For example, in a family, when the father pays, the same value is set in the billing group ID for the wireless communication line contracted by the family. The "transfer group ID" is attribute information indicating a transfer group to which a user who has a contract for a certain wireless communication line belongs. The transfer group is a group in which wireless communication lines contracted by users can transfer communication capacities to each other. For example, if you want to form a group with friends and transfer the communication capacity between friends when the remaining communication capacity is insufficient, you can register the group as one transfer group and the members of that group. The same value is set for the transfer group ID of the wireless communication line contracted by, and the communication capacity can be transferred between the members of the group.

This transfer possibility 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 transfer possibility 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 whether the transfer is possible. Judge whether or not. For example, if the value of the "transfer service contract" of either the transfer source or the transfer destination wireless communication line is "none", the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer process is not possible. Further, if the family IDs 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. Alternatively, the determination unit 12 may determine that the transfer process is not possible unless the billing group IDs of the transfer source and transfer destination wireless communication lines are the same, and if the transfer group IDs are not the same, the transfer process is performed. It may be determined that it 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 these, and when at least one of these IDs has the same value, the determination unit 12 May determine that it is possible to transfer the communication capacity between the transfer source wireless communication line and the transfer destination wireless communication line.

Next, the transfer process of the communication capacity will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart of the communication capacity transfer process according to the embodiment of the present invention. The transfer of communication capacity can be performed free of charge, but the communication service provider may collect a transfer fee. In FIG. 7, a case of performing a billing process for collecting a transfer fee will be described as an example.
First, the transfer request receiving unit 15 receives the transfer request by the transfer source user (step S1). Specifically, the transfer source user inputs information necessary for transfer (transfer request information) such as the communication line of the transfer source and the transfer destination, the communication capacity to be transferred, and presses the registration button 46 on the screen illustrated in FIG. Press. Then, the transfer request receiving unit 15 receives the input information, writes it in the management data storage unit 19 and stores it, and instructs the communication capacity transfer unit 13 to execute the transfer process.

Next, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 requests the determination unit 12 to determine whether or not the transfer is possible. The determination unit 12 reads out the transfer request information received by the transfer request reception unit 15 from the management data storage unit 19, and determines whether or not the transfer process is possible based on the determination criteria described with reference to FIG. 6 (step S2). For example, if the transfer source or transfer destination wireless communication line does not have a transfer service contract, the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer is not possible and outputs the determination result to the communication capacity transfer unit 13. When the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer process is impossible (step S2; impossible), this process flow ends. On the other hand, if the transfer source and transfer destination wireless communication lines have a transfer service contract, and the transfer source and transfer destination wireless communication line contractors are in the same family, the determination unit 12 can transfer. Is determined, and the determination result is output to the communication capacity transfer unit 13.

The following conditions may be added to the determination in step S2. For example, the determination unit 12 acquires the contract information of the transfer destination and the transfer source from the user contract information management device 114, and after one or both of the transfer destination user and the transfer source user starts the contract of the wireless communication line. It is judged that the transfer is possible only when the predetermined period or more has passed. Further, based on the acquired contract information, the determination unit 12 can transfer only when one or both of the transfer destination user and the transfer source user have contracted a plurality of terminals for the wireless communication line related to the transfer. judge. In addition, the determination unit 12 has transferred the number of transfers, the transferred communication capacity, and the transferred communication capacity during the most recent predetermined period (for example, that month) for one or both of the transfer destination wireless communication line and the transfer source wireless communication line. If the communication capacity is within the specified number of times or less than the specified capacity, it is judged that the transfer is possible.

When the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer is possible (step S2; possible), the communication capacity transfer unit 13 performs the transfer process (step S13). Specifically, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 communicates from any of the transfer source and transfer destination wireless communication lines received by the transfer request reception unit 15, the transfer communication capacity, the periodical grant communication capacity, and the additional purchase communication capacity. Information on whether to transfer the capacity is acquired from the management data storage unit 19. Then, based on these acquired information, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 transfers the transfer source user out of the periodical grant communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity of the record of the wireless communication line of the transfer source of the data table illustrated in FIG. The communication capacity to be transferred is subtracted from the communication capacity selected by. Next, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 transfers the communication capacity to the same remaining capacity as the communication capacity selected by the transfer source, out of the periodical grant communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity of the record of the transfer destination wireless communication line. Is added. In other words, when transferring from the regularly granted communication capacity at the transfer source, the communication capacity to be transferred is added to the regularly granted communication capacity at the transfer destination, and when transferring from the additional purchase communication capacity, the additional purchase communication capacity is also added to the transfer destination. Add the communication capacity to be transferred.

Next, the billing processing unit 14 executes a billing process for collecting the transfer fee (step S4). Specifically, when the transfer process is successful, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 charges the user's ID (identification information) contracted with the transfer destination and transfer source wireless communication lines, information on the communication capacity to be transferred, and the like. It outputs to unit 14 and instructs the billing processing unit 14 to execute the billing process. The billing processing unit 14 reads the fee stored in the management data storage unit 19, transmits the user ID and the fee to be charged to the payment device 116, and requests the billing process. Regarding the fee, it is assumed that the management data storage unit 19 stores the fee for each transfer process or the fee set according to the communication capacity and the number of times to be transferred. Further, the billing processing unit 14 requests the payment device 116 to perform billing processing for at least one of the ID of the user who uses the wireless communication line of the transfer destination and the ID of the user who uses the wireless communication line of the transfer source. Whether to collect the fee from both the transfer destination and the transfer source user or to collect the fee from only one of them is determined in advance and stored in the management data storage unit 19. In addition, the user can decide whether to collect the fee from the transfer source or transfer destination user. For example, the screen illustrated in FIG. 5 may be provided with an item that allows the side that bears the fee to be selected. In addition, it is necessary to obtain the consent of the bearer when collecting the fee. For example, do you accept the transfer fee burden on the display screen of the terminal used by the user who bears the transfer process? Display a screen that allows you to select whether or not to do so, and perform the transfer process only if the user approves. Further, the collection of the transfer fee can be replaced not only by collecting money but also by collecting a certain capacity from the remaining capacity of the wireless communication line on the side that bears the fee. For example, a certain percentage of the communication capacity to be transferred may be collected.

According to the present embodiment, the surplus capacity of the communication capacity allocated to the first wireless communication line can be transferred to the second wireless communication line that requires the communication capacity, and the convenience of the user is improved.

[Restrictions on transfer processing]
Next, the function of limiting the transfer based on the number of transfers and the actual result of the transferred communication capacity will be described.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a transfer history log data table according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the transfer process is performed, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 writes information on the date and time when the transfer process was performed, the wireless communication lines of the transfer source and the transfer destination, and the communication capacity to be transferred to the transfer history log data table illustrated in FIG. It is assumed that the transfer history log data table is stored in the management data storage unit 19. For example, on a transfer history management screen (not shown) or the like, the transfer record for each wireless communication line contracted by the user may be displayed based on the information recorded in this data table.

The transfer communication capacity management unit 16 manages the total transferred communication capacity and the number of transfers for each wireless communication line based on the transfer history log data table of FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a transfer performance management data table according to an embodiment of the present invention. The transfer communication capacity management unit 16 transfers the number of transfers and the number of transfers for each wireless communication line and for each predetermined period (for example, one month) from the transfer processing history written in the transfer history log data table illustrated in FIG. The number of times transferred, the transferred communication capacity, and the transferred communication capacity are totaled, and are written and stored in the transfer record management data table illustrated in FIG. It is assumed that the transfer record management data table is stored in the management data storage unit 19.

When the user requests the transfer process, the transfer communication capacity management unit 16 reads the transfer record management data table from the management data storage unit 19, and the communication capacity of the wireless communication line designated as the transfer destination within a predetermined period. Acquires information on the number of times the transfer has been made and the total value of the transferred communication capacity. Then, the transfer communication capacity management unit 16 compares at least one of the number of times transferred or the total value of transferred communication capacity with a predetermined threshold value for each, and the number of times or the total value of communication capacity exceeds the threshold value. Then, for example, within the month, the wireless communication line designated as the transfer destination is controlled so as not to receive the transfer of the communication capacity. Specifically, when the transfer request receiving unit 15 receives the transfer request, the transfer communication capacity management unit 16 outputs instruction information to the determination unit 12 to determine that the transfer is not possible, and acquires the instruction information. The determination unit 12 determines that the transfer is not possible for the transfer process. It is assumed that the management data storage unit 19 stores the number of transfers and the threshold value of the transferred communication capacity.
Further, when the number of transfers and the total value of the transferred communication capacities exceed a predetermined threshold value, the transfer communication capacity management unit 16 executes the charge processing to the charge processing unit 14 instead of limiting the transfer. May be instructed. For example, if the number of transfer processes is equal to or less than the threshold value, the fee may be free, and if the number of transfer processes exceeds the threshold value, the charge may be charged according to the number of transfers and the communication capacity to be transferred. Further, when the fee is collected even if the number of transfers or the like is less than the threshold value, a higher fee may be collected when the number of times or the like exceeds the threshold value.

When the number of transfers or the like exceeds the threshold value, the transfer communication capacity management unit 16 transfers message transmission destination information such as the e-mail address and telephone number of the terminal using the transfer destination wireless communication line from the user contract information management device 114. You may instruct the notification unit 17 to acquire and notify the notification unit 17 to urge the additional purchase of the communication capacity. The notification unit 17 added an additional purchase such as "The maximum number of times the communication capacity can be transferred within the current month (communication capacity) has been exceeded. If communication capacity is required, please purchase additional communication capacity." A message prompting the purchase of communication capacity is notified to the message transmission destination acquired from the user contract information management device 114.

Further, the transfer communication capacity management unit 16 may also perform control that imposes restrictions on the wireless communication line of the transfer source. Specifically, when the user requests the transfer process, the transfer communication capacity management unit 16 reads the transfer record management data table and transfers the communication capacity of the wireless communication line designated as the transfer source within a predetermined period. Get information on the total number of times the operation was performed and the transferred communication capacity. Then, the transfer communication capacity management unit 16 compares at least one of the number of transfers and the total value of the transferred communication capacity with a predetermined threshold value determined for each, and the number of times or the total value of the communication capacity sets the threshold value. If it exceeds, for example, during the month, control is performed so that the communication capacity cannot be transferred from the wireless communication line specified as the transfer source. Specifically, when the transfer request receiving unit 15 receives the transfer request, the transfer communication capacity management unit 16 outputs instruction information to the determination unit 12 to determine that the transfer is not possible, and acquires the instruction information. The determination unit 12 determines that the transfer is not possible for the transfer process.

This prevents unlimited transfer of the transferred communication capacity and encourages users who need more communication capacity to purchase additional communication capacity, thereby maintaining the convenience of the user and maintaining the communication service business. The body can secure income.

[Automatic transfer process]
Next, the automatic transfer process will be described. The automatic transfer process is a function that automatically performs the transfer process when a predetermined condition is satisfied as a trigger. According to this function, for example, in a situation where a family transfers communication capacity from a parent to a child on a fixed day every month, it is decided every month without having to enter the information required for the transfer every time. The transfer will be done automatically on the day.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen used for automatic transfer of communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 10, the area 51, the selection field 52, and the input fields 53 to 55 are the same as the screen illustrated in FIG. That is, the wireless communication line contracted by the user and the remaining capacity thereof are displayed in the area 51. The selection field 52 is an item for selecting from which of the regular additional communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity the communication capacity is to be transferred. In the input field 53, the wireless communication line of the transfer destination is input. In the input field 54, enter a user name or the like that has a contract with the transfer destination line. When the transfer destination is limited to the same billing group, the identification numbers and user names of the wireless communication lines belonging to the same billing group are displayed in a pull-down list in the input field 53 and the input field 54, respectively. You may be able to select from among them. In the input field 55, the communication capacity to be transferred in one transfer process is input.

Reference numerals 56 to 59 are input fields for inputting the conditions for automatic transfer. In the input field 56, the number of transfers is input. The number of transfers indicates how many times the transfer process is automatically performed when the conditions for automatic transfer are met. For example, if the number of transfers is "2", it means that if the transfer process is automatically executed twice, the automatic transfer will not be performed thereafter. The transfer timing is input in the input field 57. The transfer timing can be selected from, for example, "remaining capacity designation", "transfer date designation", and "remaining capacity designation or transfer date designation". The "remaining capacity designation" is a condition for performing automatic transfer when the communication capacity input in the input field 53 reaches a designated value. The communication capacity as a condition is input in the input field 58. "Specify transfer date" is a condition for automatic transfer on the specified day every month. The date for automatic transfer is entered in the input field 59. Further, when "remaining capacity designation or transfer date designation" is selected, the transfer process is automatically executed when the condition of the communication capacity or the designated automatic transfer date is satisfied.
When the user presses the registration button 60, the transfer request receiving unit 15 writes the information (transfer plan) input on this screen into the management data storage unit 19 and stores it.

When the transfer plan is registered, the automatic transfer management unit 20 starts the transfer process based on the transfer plan. Further, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred based on the transfer plan.
For example, when the automatic transfer date is set, the automatic transfer management unit 20 reads the transfer plan from the management data storage unit 19 and outputs the read information to the communication capacity transfer unit 13 at the automatic transfer date every month. Instructs the execution of the transfer process. The communication capacity transfer unit 13 requests the determination unit 12 to determine whether or not the transfer is possible. The determination unit 12 acquires the contract information of the wireless communication line between the transfer source and the transfer destination and the attribute information of the user from the user contract information management device 114, and determines whether or not the transfer is possible depending on whether or not there is a transfer service contract and the transfer source and transfer destination. Judgment is made based on whether or not the user who has a contract with the wireless communication line belongs to the same family. Further, the determination unit 12 acquires the information on the remaining capacity of the wireless communication line of the transfer source from the remaining capacity management unit 11, and determines whether or not the communication capacity equal to or greater than the communication capacity to be transferred set in the transfer plan remains. do. If the transfer process is possible as a result of the determination of the determination unit 12, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 executes the transfer process based on the transfer plan.

When the remaining capacity is specified in the transfer plan, the automatic transfer management unit 20 acquires the information on the remaining capacity of the transfer destination wireless communication line from the remaining capacity management unit 11, and the remaining capacity of the transfer destination wireless communication line is transferred. Detects whether or not the communication capacity is less than the communication capacity required for automatic transfer set in the plan. When the communication capacity becomes less than or equal to the communication capacity set in the transfer plan, the automatic transfer management unit 20 instructs the communication capacity transfer unit 13 to execute the transfer process based on the transfer plan. The following processing is the same as when the automatic transfer date is set.

If the transfer condition of the automatic transfer is satisfied and the wireless communication line of the transfer source does not have sufficient remaining capacity and the communication capacity set in the transfer plan cannot be transferred, the notification unit 17 informs the user of the transfer source. In response, a notification is sent to urge the purchase of additional communication capacity. In this case, when the transfer source user can additionally purchase the communication capacity and transfer the communication capacity set in the transfer plan, the transfer process is performed.

As a result, the user can save the trouble of performing the transfer process, and can prevent the user from forgetting to execute the transfer process.

[Processing for accepting other transfer requests]
In FIGS. 5 and 10, an example in which the transfer source user sets the transfer process on the screen of the portal site or the like has been described, but the transfer destination user requests the transfer source user to transfer the communication capacity, and the transfer is performed. When the original user approves, the transfer request receiving unit 15 accepts the approval operation, and the communication capacity transfer unit 13 can transfer the communication capacity based on the request information by the transfer destination user.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication capacity transfer request process according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11A is an example of the transmission setting screen of the transfer request mail. This screen is, for example, a screen displayed by an application program for a communication capacity transfer service provided in a portal site of a requesting user who makes a transfer request or a terminal owned by the requesting user. The requesting user who has run out of communication capacity inputs the transfer source wireless communication line in the input field 61, the transfer source user name in the input field 62, and the transfer destination wireless communication line on the screen illustrated in FIG. 11A. Enter the communication capacity to be transferred in the field 63 and the input field 64, and press the mail transmission button 65. Then, the transfer request receiving unit 15 receives the request mail creation operation by the requesting user, acquires the information, outputs the information to the determination unit 12, and determines whether the transfer processing can be performed based on the acquired information. To request. When the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer is possible, the transfer request reception unit 15 instructs the notification unit 17 to send a request email to the email address of the user who has a contract for the transfer source line. The notification unit 17 acquires the e-mail address of the transfer source user from the user contract information management device 114, and sends a transfer request e-mail. Further, the transfer request receiving unit 15 writes the information set on the transfer request mail setting screen into the management data storage unit 19.

FIG. 11B is an example of a transfer request email sent by the notification unit 17. The transfer source user who received the transfer request mail accesses, for example, the Web page indicated by the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) described in the request mail, and is provided on the access destination Web page illustrated in FIG. 11 (c). Click the "Approve" button. Then, the transfer request receiving unit 15 accepts the approval operation of the transfer source user, and instructs the communication capacity transfer unit 13 to execute the transfer process. The communication capacity transfer unit 13 reads the information set on the transfer request mail setting screen from the management data storage unit 19, and performs the transfer process based on this information. At this time, the management data storage unit 19 stores the contents set in advance by the transfer source user as to which of the regularly granted communication capacity and the additionally purchased communication capacity is to be transferred, and the communication is performed. It is assumed that the capacity transfer unit 13 reads out this setting and performs the transfer process. Alternatively, a selection field may be provided in FIG. 11C so that the transfer source user can select on the approval screen.

The method of notifying the transfer source is not limited to the request email. The application program for the transfer service provided in the terminal used by the transfer source user who sent the message by means such as SMS (Short Message Service) and received the message displays the same screen as in FIG. 11 (c). , When the transfer source user presses the approval button, information indicating that the application program has approved the transfer request may be transmitted to the communication capacity management device 1.

Further, the transfer request may be made as follows. For example, the requesting user A inputs information necessary for the transfer process by using the transfer application program included in the owned terminal A (second terminal). Then, the terminal A of the requesting user A performs short-range radio communication such as infrared communication or NFC with the terminal B (first terminal) used by the transfer source user B, and transfers the input transfer request information to the transfer source. It is transmitted to the terminal B of the user B. At the terminal B of the transfer source user B, the transfer application program included in the own device is started and the information is received. Then, the transfer application program displays a screen requesting approval for the received transfer request information on the display unit of the terminal. Then, when the transfer source user B performs the approval process, the transfer application program running on the transfer source user B's terminal B transfers the transfer request information and the information indicating that the request is approved to the communication capacity management device 1. Send to. In the communication capacity management device 1, the transfer request receiving unit 15 receives the transfer request information and the approval information, and the transfer request receiving unit 15 instructs the communication capacity transfer unit 13 to execute the transfer process based on the received transfer request information. do. The determination unit 12 determines whether or not the transfer is possible, and when it is determined that the transfer is possible, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 performs the transfer process. When the transfer is completed, the transfer application program of the terminal A and the terminal B displays the completion of the transfer process and the remaining communication capacity after the transfer.

As a result, the user who needs the communication capacity can more easily receive the transfer of the communication capacity.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like within a range not deviating from the gist of the present invention are also included.

Further, 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 the computer system and executed. May be good. The "computer system" referred to here may include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.
The "computer-readable recording medium" is a writable non-volatile memory such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, or a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a built-in computer system. A storage device such as an optical disc.

Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" is a volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a wireless communication line such as a telephone line (for example, DRAM (for example, DRAM). It shall include those that hold the program for a certain period of time, such as Dynamic Random Access Memory)).
Further, the program may be transmitted from a computer system in which this program is stored 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 above program may be for realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Further, a so-called difference file (difference program) may be used, which can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

1 ... Communication capacity management device, 11 ... Remaining capacity management unit, 12 ... Judgment unit, 13 ... Communication capacity transfer unit, 14 ... Billing processing unit, 15 ... Transfer request reception unit, 16 ... Transfer communication capacity management unit, 17 ... Notification Unit, 18 ... Communication unit, 19 ... Management data storage unit, 20 ... Automatic transfer management 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 device, 114 ... user contract information management device, 116 ... payment device

Claims (13)

Regarding the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, which are wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity, the desired communication capacity is selected from the remaining communication capacity of the first wireless communication line, and the second wireless communication is performed. The communication capacity transfer section that transfers to the line, and
A remaining capacity management unit that manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
A determination unit for determining whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line is provided.
The communication capacity transfer unit transfers the communication capacity based on the determination of the determination unit.
The determination unit determines whether or not the first wireless communication line is set so that the communication capacity can be transferred to another wireless communication line, and the first wireless communication line makes the setting. A communication capacity management device that determines that the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract for granting communication capacity to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line.
The remaining capacity management unit has the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the first wireless communication line and the second communication contract by the communication contract concluded by the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity assigned to the wireless communication line is managed separately,
A communication capacity management device, wherein 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 the targets of transfer.
When the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are outside the limit of the communication capacity, the communication of the wireless communication line is permitted, but the communication speed of the wireless communication line is within the limit of the communication capacity. It is lower than the case,
Communication capacity management device. Regarding the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, which are wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity, the desired communication capacity is selected from the remaining communication capacity of the first wireless communication line, and the second wireless communication is performed. The communication capacity transfer section that transfers to the line, and
A remaining capacity management unit that manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
A determination unit for determining whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line is provided.
The communication capacity transfer unit transfers the communication capacity based on the determination of the determination unit.
The determination unit determines whether or not the first wireless communication line is set so that the communication capacity can be transferred to another wireless communication line, and the first wireless communication line makes the setting. A communication capacity management device that determines that the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract for granting communication capacity to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line.
The remaining capacity management unit has the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the first wireless communication line and the second communication contract by the communication contract concluded by the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity assigned to the wireless communication line is managed separately,
A communication capacity management device, wherein 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 the targets of transfer.
The transfer source terminal and the transfer destination terminal execute the approval work of the transfer of communication capacity by the common application program, and
The communication capacity management device transfers the communication capacity based on the execution result of the approval work.
Communication capacity management device. The determination unit further determines whether or not the second wireless communication line is set so that the communication capacity can be transferred to another wireless communication line, and the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are set. When all of the wireless communication lines have the above settings, it is determined that the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The communication capacity management device according to any one of claims 1 and 2. The remaining capacity management unit manages the communication capacity transferred from the other wireless communication lines included in the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The communication capacity management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Communication capacity between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line by transmitting and receiving a message based on the user identification information of the first wireless communication line and the user identification information of the second wireless communication line. Further equipped with a transfer request reception unit that accepts the transfer request of
The communication capacity management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The determination unit determines whether or not the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are associated with each other, and the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are associated with each other. If so, it is determined that the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The communication capacity management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The determination unit acquires the attribute information of the first user who uses the first wireless communication line and the attribute information of the second user who uses the second wireless communication line, and the acquired first user and the said It is determined whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred based on the relationship between the first user and the second user indicated by the attribute information of the second user.
The communication capacity management device according to claim 6. The determination unit acquires the billing group information of the first user who uses the first wireless communication line and the billing group information of the second user who uses the second wireless communication line, and the acquired first user. When the billing group information of the second user is the same, it is determined that the communication capacity can be transferred.
The communication capacity management device according to claim 6 or 7. The determination unit further determines whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred based on a predetermined transfer plan, and determines whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred.
The communication capacity transfer unit automatically transfers the communication capacity based on the transfer plan.
The communication capacity management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The communication capacity management device obtains a desired communication capacity from the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in 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. , The communication capacity transfer step of transferring to the second wireless communication line, and
A remaining capacity management step in which the communication capacity management device manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The communication capacity management device includes a determination step of determining whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
In the communication capacity transfer step, the communication capacity is transferred based on the determination of the determination step.
The determination step determines whether or not the first wireless communication line is set so that the communication capacity can be transferred to another wireless communication line, and the first wireless communication line makes the setting. This is a communication capacity transfer method for determining that the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract for granting communication capacity to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line.
The communication capacity management device is the second according to the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the first wireless communication line and the communication contract concluded by the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity assigned to the wireless communication line is managed separately,
A communication capacity transfer method in which 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 the targets of transfer.
When the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are outside the limit of the communication capacity, the communication of the wireless communication line is permitted, but the communication speed of the wireless communication line is within the limit of the communication capacity. It is lower than the case,
Communication capacity transfer method. The communication capacity management device obtains a desired communication capacity from the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in 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. , The communication capacity transfer step of transferring to the second wireless communication line, and
A remaining capacity management step in which the communication capacity management device manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The communication capacity management device includes a determination step of determining whether or not the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
In the communication capacity transfer step, the communication capacity is transferred based on the determination of the determination step.
The determination step determines whether or not the first wireless communication line is set so that the communication capacity can be transferred to another wireless communication line, and the first wireless communication line makes the setting. This is a communication capacity transfer method for determining that the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract for granting communication capacity to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line.
The communication capacity management device is the second according to the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the first wireless communication line and the communication contract concluded by the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity assigned to the wireless communication line is managed separately,
A communication capacity transfer method in which 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 the targets of transfer.
The transfer source terminal and the transfer destination terminal execute the approval work of the transfer of communication capacity by the common application program, and
The communication capacity management device transfers the communication capacity based on the execution result of the approval work.
Communication capacity transfer method. On the computer
Regarding the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, which are wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity, the desired communication capacity is selected from the remaining communication capacity of the first wireless communication line, and the second wireless communication is performed. Communication capacity transfer function to transfer to the line and
A remaining capacity management function that manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, and
It is a computer program for realizing a determination function for determining whether or not communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The communication capacity transfer function transfers the communication capacity based on the determination of the determination function.
The determination function determines whether or not the first wireless communication line is set so that the communication capacity can be transferred to another wireless communication line, and the first wireless communication line makes the setting. A computer program that determines that the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract for granting communication capacity to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line.
The remaining capacity management function includes the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the first wireless communication line and the second communication contract concluded by the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity assigned to the wireless communication line is managed separately,
A computer program to which 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.
When the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are outside the limit of the communication capacity, the communication of the wireless communication line is permitted, but the communication speed of the wireless communication line is within the limit of the communication capacity. It is lower than the case,
Computer program. On the computer
Regarding the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, which are wireless communication lines having a limited communication capacity, the desired communication capacity is selected from the remaining communication capacity of the first wireless communication line, and the second wireless communication is performed. Communication capacity transfer function to transfer to the line and
A remaining capacity management function that manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, and
It is a computer program for realizing a determination function for determining whether or not communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The communication capacity transfer function transfers the communication capacity based on the determination of the determination function.
The determination function determines whether or not the first wireless communication line is set so that the communication capacity can be transferred to another wireless communication line, and the first wireless communication line makes the setting. A computer program that determines that the communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
The first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line are wireless communication lines in which a communication contract for granting communication capacity to each wireless communication line is concluded for each wireless communication line.
The remaining capacity management function includes the communication capacity given to the first wireless communication line by the communication contract concluded by the first wireless communication line and the second communication contract concluded by the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity assigned to the wireless communication line is managed separately,
A computer program to which 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 transfer source terminal and the transfer destination terminal execute the approval work of the transfer of communication capacity by the common application program, and
A computer program for further realizing a function of transferring communication capacity to the computer based on the execution result of the approval work.

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