JP6526282B2 - Communication capacity management apparatus, communication capacity management method and computer program - Google Patents

Description

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

  Conventionally, the communication capacity of data communication using a portable terminal is limited, for example, on a monthly basis. Then, when the communication capacity given in advance in that month is consumed, it is general that the data communication can not be used in that month, or the communication speed can be suppressed to a low speed although it can be used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that pre-pays communication charges, charges according to the use of the communication capacity, and enables use of the communication capacity corresponding to the prepaid charge. Further, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of mobile terminals are grouped, and communication capacity (degree of connection) is set for the group, for example, members in the department of a company share communication capacity and charge There is also disclosure about the technology to be managed in each department.

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

  By the way, there are fluctuations in the frequency and timing of use of communication capacity, and although a large amount of communication capacity is used in a certain month, it may not be used very much in the next month. For example, in a situation where the communication capacity is used a lot and the communication capacity provided monthly is running out, the required communication capacity is given in advance from the communication capacity scheduled to be provided the next month and used It is convenient if you can do it. However, in the above-described conventional technology, for example, with regard to a certain wireless communication line, it is not possible to provide communication capacity in advance from among the communication capacity scheduled to be provided in the next month.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances. For example, with regard to the communication capacity periodically provided to a certain wireless communication line, among the communication capacities scheduled to be provided to the next giving occasion, It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication capacity management device, a communication capacity management method, and a computer program, which can receive and use a communication capacity of a desired capacity in advance.

(1) One aspect of the present invention is the management of the remaining capacity of the periodic grant communication capacity, which is the communication capacity with the expiration date to be granted by a predetermined amount for each predetermined period, in a wireless communication line in which the communication capacity is limited. a remaining capacity management unit for performing, from the user who has subscribed to the wireless communication network, utilizing the desired capacity from periodic grant communication capacity for the next minute before the timing at which the periodic grant communication capacity of the next component is applied As described above , according to the present invention, the communication capacity management apparatus further comprises: a preceding grant request receiving unit for receiving a request for a prior grant process for applying the desired capacity in the wireless communication line .
(2) In one aspect of the present invention, in the communication capacity management apparatus according to the above (1), it is determined whether or not a condition of prior application is satisfied with respect to the request of the prior application process. The communication capacity management apparatus further includes a preceding assignment management unit that performs a preceding assignment process.
(3) In one aspect of the present invention, in the communication capacity management device according to the above (2), the advance assignment request receiving unit receives an input for selection of a condition of automatic advance assignment, and the advance assignment management unit The communication capacity management device automatically performs the preceding assignment process when the condition of the automatic prior assignment is satisfied.
(4) In one aspect of the present invention, in the communication capacity management apparatus according to any one of the above (2) or (3), the remaining capacity management unit periodically determines the communication capacity provided by the preceding application process. It is a communication capacity management device which gives the remaining communication capacity deducted from the granted communication capacity to the occasion where the periodic granted communication capacity for the next time is granted.
(5) One aspect of the present invention, in any one of the communication capacity control device of the above (2) to (4), said preceding grant management unit, if there is a delinquent payment for the user, the prior It is a communication capacity management device that determines that the condition for assignment is not satisfied .
(6) In one aspect of the present invention, in the communication capacity management apparatus according to any one of the above ( 2 ) to ( 4 ), the preceding provision management unit determines that the communication capacity to be preceded is less than or equal to a predetermined capacity. When the ratio does not exceed the predetermined ratio, the communication capacity management device determines that the condition of the preceding assignment is satisfied.
(7) One aspect of the present invention relates to the communication capacity management apparatus according to any one of the above (2) to (4), wherein the preceding grant management unit cancels a contract for granting the periodic grant communication capacity from a user. It is a communication capacity management device that determines that the condition of the prior assignment is satisfied when the request has not been received.
(8) In one aspect of the present invention, in the communication capacity management apparatus according to any one of the above (1) to (7), the restriction on the communication capacity is permission or non-permission of communication using the wireless communication line, Alternatively, it is a communication capacity management device, wherein the communication speed of communication using the wireless communication line is reduced or not.

( 9 ) One aspect of the present invention is the management of the remaining capacity of the periodic grant communication capacity, which is the communication capacity with the expiration date to be granted by a predetermined amount for each predetermined period, in a wireless communication line in which the communication capacity is limited. The communication capacity management apparatus for performing the following uses the desired capacity from the next periodical assigned communication capacity from the user who subscribes to the wireless communication line before the time when the next periodical assigned communication capacity is provided It is a communication capacity management method which receives the request | requirement of the prior | preceding provision process which provides the said desired capacity | capacitance in the said wireless communication circuit so that it can do .

( 10 ) According to an aspect of the present invention, in a wireless communication line having a limited communication capacity, management of a remaining capacity of regularly-provided communication capacity, which is a communication capacity with a use-limited time limit for which only a predetermined amount is provided every predetermined period. From the user who has contracted the wireless communication circuit, the computer of the communication capacity management device that performs the desired capacity from the next periodical assigned communication capacity before the time when the next periodical assigned communication capacity is provided It is a computer program for functioning as a means to receive the request | requirement of the prior | preceding provision process which provides the said desired capacity | capacitance in the said wireless communication circuit so that it can utilize .

  According to the present invention, with regard to the periodic grant communication capacity periodically assigned to the wireless communication line, the user is provided with a desired one of the periodic grant communication capacities for the next time in front of a predetermined grant occasion. The effect of improving the convenience of

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication capacity management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing the example of composition of the hardware which realizes communication capacity management device 1 concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communications system using 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 management 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 management of the prior provision of the regular provision communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen used for the instruction | indication of the prior provision of the regular provision communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart of the prior | preceding provision process of the regular provision communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart of the provision process of the fixed provision communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the flowchart of the process which urges addition of communication capacity to reduction of communication capacity concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen used for the setting of the automatic advance provision of the regular provision 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 the 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 manages the remaining capacity management unit 11, the prior grant management unit 12, the prior grant request reception unit 13, the charge processing unit 14, the notification unit 15, the communication unit 16, and management. And a data storage unit 17.

  When the remaining capacity management unit 11 manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity allocated to the wireless communication line having a restriction on the communication capacity, the communication capacity with the expiration date given by the predetermined amount for each predetermined period is used. A fixed periodic communication capacity and an additionally purchased communication capacity which is a additionally purchased communication capacity with a limited use period are distinguished and managed. The periodic grant communication capacity is a communication capacity with a limited use period which is given by a predetermined amount every predetermined period. Further, the additional purchase communication capacity is the additionally purchased communication capacity with the expiration date, and is the communication capacity to be added by the user purchasing when the communication capacity is insufficient only with the periodic grant communication capacity. . The management stores the periodic grant communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity that can be used in the wireless communication line for each wireless communication line, and the periodic grant communication capacity according to the use of the communication capacity in the wireless communication line Alternatively, it means that the communication capacity is subtracted from the additionally purchased communication capacity by the amount used. Furthermore, management means that when the communication capacity is given, the periodic addition communication capacity is added and stored for the periodic addition communication capacity, and when the communication capacity is purchased, the additional purchase communication capacity is purchased It means adding and storing only additional purchase communication capacity.

The advance grant management unit 12 acquires a desired capacity from among the periodic grant communication capacities to be granted at the next grant occasion for a wireless communication line before the next grant occasion and adds it to the current periodic grant communication capacity. Perform advance assignment processing.
When the advance assignment process is performed for a certain wireless communication line, the advance assignment request accepting unit 13 receives a request for the advance assignment process.

  When the advance assignment management unit 12 performs the advance assignment process, the charge processing unit 14 performs an accounting process in which a charge for the advance assignment process is collected.

When the communication capacity acquired in the preceding assignment process in the given wireless communication line or the number of times of the process for performing the preceding assignment process in a given wireless communication line exceeds a predetermined threshold, the notifying unit 15 sends a notification to the terminal device using the given wireless communication line. To notify you to purchase additional communication capacity.
The communication unit 16 communicates with a user contract information management device 114, a settlement device 116, a communication control device 112, and the like described later.
The management data storage unit 17 stores the remaining capacity of the communication capacity for each wireless communication line, the history of the prior assignment processing, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of hardware that implements the communication capacity management device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the communication capacity management device 1 includes a CPU unit 21, a communication unit 16, and a storage unit 22. These units are configured to exchange data. The CPU unit 24 controls the communication capacity management device 1. This control function is realized by the CPU unit 21 executing a computer program. The communication unit 16 communicates with other devices. The storage unit 22 stores computer programs executed by the CPU unit 21 and various data. The storage unit 22 stores a communication capacity management program 23.

  The remaining capacity management unit 11 shown in FIG. 1, the prior grant management unit 12, the prior grant request reception unit 13, the charge processing unit 14 and the notification unit 15 have the CPU unit 21 shown in FIG. This is realized by executing the communication capacity management program 23 stored in the storage unit 22. The management data storage unit 17 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 an 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. User data transmitted from the terminal 102 to the base station 104 using the wireless communication link 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, gateway 108 transfers user data addressed to terminal 102 input from Internet 110 to terminal 102 via base station 104 if communication of terminal 102 using wireless communication line 106 is permitted. .

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

  The communication control device 112 instructs the gateway 108 whether or not to permit the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 (non-permission), or instructs the communication speed. The permission or non-permission of the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 and the communication speed are based on the communication permission information of the wireless communication line 106 from the communication capacity management device 1. Further, the communication control apparatus 112 acquires, from the gateway 108, transfer data amount information indicating the transfer amount of user data transferred by the gateway 108 by the communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106. The 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 capacity of the 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 communication permission information of the wireless communication line 106 to the communication control device 112 based on the remaining amount of communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106. The communication permission information is information on permission or non-permission of communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 or restriction of communication speed.

  The user contract information management device 114 manages information (user contract information) of the user who has contracted the wireless communication line 106. The user contract information includes information indicating a user identifier (user ID), an identification number (line number) of the wireless communication line 106, and contents of a contract for communication capacity and the like. The communication capacity management device 1 inquires of the user contract information management device 114 about user contract information as necessary.

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

  The terminal 102 can access the communication capacity management device 1 by communication. Communication between the terminal 102 and the communication capacity management device 1 may be communication via the wireless communication line 106, or 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 available to the user for data communication is allocated to each of the wireless communication lines 106 contracted by the user. The types of communication capacity include the periodic grant communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity described above. As an example, in the present embodiment, 7 GB of monthly grant communication capacity is granted monthly to the wireless communication line 106 that has made a contract to grant the communication capacity on a regular basis, and the expiration date is one month. The additional purchase communication capacity can be purchased in units of 500 MB or 1 GB, and the expiration date is, for example, 62 days from the date of purchase. Further, among these two types of communication capacity, it is assumed that it is decided to be preferentially used from the additional purchase communication capacity. The user can subscribe to and use a plurality of wireless communication lines 106. In addition, with regard to the periodic grant communication capacity, it is assumed that carrying over to the next month or later is possible.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data table used to manage communication capacity according to an 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 line of the data table illustrated in FIG. 4, the user “001” subscribes to and uses the wireless communication line “090-1234-5678”, and is assigned to the wireless communication line “090-1234-5678” Of the remaining capacity of the communication capacity, it is indicated that the remaining capacity of the regularly assigned communication capacity is 7 GB and the remaining capacity of the additionally purchased communication capacity is 500 MB. In the second line, the user "001" is contracted to use the second wireless communication line "080-1234-5678" and assigned to the wireless communication line "080-1234-5678" Of the remaining capacity of the communication capacity, the remaining capacity of the periodic grant communication capacity is 5 GB, and the remaining capacity of the additional purchase communication capacity is 200 MB. In the third line, the user "002" subscribes to and uses the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679", and periodically assigns the remaining capacity of the communication capacity allocated to the wireless communication line The remaining capacity of the communication capacity is 1 GB, and the remaining capacity of the additionally purchased communication capacity is 1 GB.

  For example, when the remaining capacity management unit 11 receives, from the communication control apparatus 112, information indicating that 100 MB of data communication has been performed on the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679" (the third line), as shown in FIG. The 1GB which is the remaining capacity of the additional purchase communication capacity of the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679" is read out with reference to the data table illustrated in and additional purchase is made with a value (0.9GB) obtained by subtracting 100MB from the read 1GB Overwrite and update the communication capacity value. The value of the additional purchase communication capacity is updated because the additional purchase communication capacity is preferentially used as described above. In addition, when the next month comes, the remaining capacity management unit 11 acquires contract information of the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679" from the user contract information management device 114, and for example, the wireless communication line has a periodic assigned communication capacity. On the basis of this contract, the value 1 GB of the regularly assigned communication capacity is overwritten and updated with 7 GB of the next month.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a data table used to manage prior assignment of periodic assignment communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The data table includes, for each prior assignment, the line number of the wireless communication line, information on the date on which the prior assignment was performed, and information indicating the previously assigned communication capacity. When the preceding assignment processing is performed for a certain wireless communication line, the preceding assignment management unit 12 adds the preceding assignment to the periodic assignment communication capacity of the wireless communication line in the data table illustrated in FIG. Update the illustrated data table. For example, when 500 MB of preceding assignment is performed for the wireless communication line “090-1234-5678”, the remaining capacity management unit 11 adds the wireless communication line to which the preceding assignment has been performed, the date, and the communication capacity. Thereby, the data in the second line in FIG. 5 is added.
The management data storage unit 17 stores the data tables illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the remaining capacity management unit 11 uses the data tables to periodically apply communication capacity and additional purchase communication for each wireless communication line. Manage the remaining capacity of capacity communication capacity separately. In addition, with regard to the regularly assigned communication capacity, the capacity for the earlier granted included in the regularly granted communication capacity is grasped.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a screen used for an instruction of prior assignment of the periodic grant communication capacity according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The screen exemplified in FIG. 6 is, for example, a communication service business entity used by a user to confirm contract information of a wireless communication line to which he / she contracts, or to check the usage status of the communication capacity allocated to the wireless communication line. Provided in a portal site dedicated to users provided by Reference numeral 31 is an area in which a list of wireless communication lines contracted by the user is displayed. In the area 31, a list of wireless communication lines contracted by the user who performs the prior assignment is displayed. Further, for each wireless communication line, the present remaining capacity is divided and displayed on the periodic grant communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity. The user selects a wireless communication line to which the prior assignment is to be given from among these. Reference numeral 32 is an input field for inputting the communication capacity to be given in advance. When the user inputs these items and depresses the execution button 33, the input information is written to the management data storage unit 17, and the process of providing communication capacity in advance is executed. Specifically, the prior grant request receiving unit 13 receives the request for prior grant, and the prior grant managing unit 12 executes a prior grant process.
In addition to these items, this screen also displays the number of preceding grants in a predetermined period (for example, the last six months), the cumulative communication capacity obtained by the prior grant processing, and displays the history of the prior grant processing. It is also good. Further, a management screen may be separately provided and displayed on the management screen with respect to the number of times of prior application and the accumulation of the communication capacity previously applied, and the history of the prior application process.

Next, the process of prior assignment of communication capacity will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart of an advance assignment process of periodic assignment communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention.
First, the prior grant request receiving unit 13 receives a request for prior grant by the user (step S1). Specifically, the user selects the wireless communication line to which the periodic assignment communication capacity is to be precededed on the screen illustrated in FIG. 6, inputs the precedently applied wireless communication capacity, and presses the execution button 33. Then, the preceding assignment request receiving unit 13 receives the input information (the preceding assignment request information), writes the information in the management data storage unit 17 and stores it, and instructs the preceding assignment managing unit 12 to execute the preceding assignment.

  Next, the advance assignment management unit 12 determines whether or not the advance assignment is possible for the requested wireless communication line (step S2). For example, the preceding assignment management unit 12 extracts the history information of preceding assignment in the past predetermined period in the wireless communication line from the data table illustrated in FIG. Calculate the information of the total value of Then, the prior grant management unit 12 compares at least one of the number of times of prior grant and the total value of the communication capacity total value assigned earlier with the predetermined threshold value for each, and the number of times or the total communication capacity value exceeds the threshold value. If yes, for example, it is determined that prior grant is not possible within that month. Note that the management data storage unit 17 is assumed to store the number of prior grants and the threshold of the previously assigned communication capacity. In addition, the following conditions may be added to the determination of whether or not prior assignment is made. For example, when the remaining days until the expiration date (the end of the month) of the periodic grant communication capacity of the current month falls below a predetermined number of days, it is determined that the prior grant is possible. In addition, it is determined that the preceding assignment is possible if the previously given communication capacity does not exceed the predetermined capacity or does not exceed a predetermined ratio (for example, 50%) with respect to the regularly assigned portion (7 GB). In addition, it is determined that the preceding assignment is possible if the predetermined period has passed since the user who is trying to receive the prior assignment has made a contract for the periodic assignment. In addition, after the user has made a contract for periodical grant, it is determined that advance is possible if the number of payment delinquencies for the contract is equal to or less than a predetermined number. In addition, after the user has made a contract for periodical grant, it is determined that advance is possible if there is no delinquent payment for the contract. In addition, when the user has not received an offer to cancel the periodic grant contract, it is determined that the prior grant is possible. In addition, it is determined that the preceding assignment is possible when the user makes a contract for using a plurality of terminals for the wireless communication line to which the preceding assignment is to be received. In addition, it is determined that the preceding assignment is possible when the preceding assignment is not received continuously for the predetermined number of recent months. In addition, if there is a track record of having purchased additional communication capacity during a recent predetermined number of months, it can be said that prior granting is possible even if the period of time since the periodic grant contract has been contracted is short or the number of delinquents is large. judge. Note that these conditions may be used in combination. At that time, it may be determined that transfer is possible only when all of the plurality of conditions are satisfied, or transfer may be determined as possible if only one of the plurality of conditions is satisfied.

  If it is determined that the preceding assignment is not possible (Step S2; No), the preceding assignment managing unit 12 displays a message such as “The preceding assignment can not be executed because the condition for the prior assignment is not satisfied” on the screen of FIG. indicate. Also, the prior assignment management unit 12 acquires message transmission destination information such as the mail address and the telephone number of the terminal using the wireless communication line from the user contract information management device 114, and the notification unit 15 additionally purchases the communication capacity. Give instructions to make prompt notifications. The notification unit 15 additionally purchases, for example, "The number of times that the prior grant of communication capacity can be received within the current month or the upper limit of communication capacity is exceeded. If communication capacity is required, please purchase additional communication capacity." A message urging purchase of communication capacity is notified to the message transmission destination acquired from the user contract information management device 114 (step S5). Also, in order to allow the user to use the advance assignment service in the future, the conditions for being able to receive the advance assignment, and information such as which conditions were not met this time because the advance assignment could not be received, etc. You may make it notify.

If it is determined that the preceding assignment is possible (step S2; Yes), the preceding assignment managing unit 12 displays a message such as “Perform preceding assignment” on the screen of FIG. Notify that it is possible. Also, the notification unit 15 may transmit a message notifying execution of the prior assignment. Subsequently, the advance assignment management unit 12 performs an advance assignment process (step S3). Specifically, the advance assignment management unit 12 acquires, from the management data storage unit 17, the advance assignment request information accepted by the advance assignment request receiving unit 13. Then, based on the acquired information, the prior assignment management unit 12 adds the communication volume to be preceded to the periodic assignment communication capacity of the record of the wireless communication line of the data table illustrated in FIG. 4. In addition, the preceding assignment management unit 12 adds the line number of the wireless communication line, the processing date, and the information of the preceding allocated communication capacity to the data table illustrated in FIG. 5.
In addition, a fee is incurred for the advance assignment of the communication capacity, and the user's consent may be obtained each time the fee is collected. In that case, for example, a screen that allows the user to select whether or not to accept the burden of the advance application fee is displayed on the display screen of the terminal used, and the advance application process is performed only when the user approves it. .

  Next, the charging processing unit 14 executes a charging process for collecting the advance assignment fee (step S4). Specifically, when the preceding assignment processing is successful, the preceding assignment management unit 12 sends to the charge processing unit 14 the ID (identification information) of the user contracting with the wireless communication line, the information of the communication capacity to be given prior, and the like. It outputs and instructs the charge processing unit 14 to execute the charge processing. The charge processing unit 14 reads the fee stored in the management data storage unit 17, transmits the user ID and the fee to be charged to the settlement apparatus 116, and requests the charge process. Regarding the fee, it is assumed that the management data storage unit 17 stores the fee per preceding grant process, or the fee set according to the communication capacity and the number of times to be preceded. Further, the charging processing unit 14 requests the settlement apparatus 116 for charging processing for the user ID using the wireless communication line. In addition, it is desirable that the fee for the advance assignment is cheaper than the amount necessary for purchasing additional communication capacity. As a result, even a user who can not afford to additionally purchase a communication capacity can use the advance assignment, and the user's use of data communication can be promoted.

In addition, in the determination in step S2, when the number of prior grants and the total value of the communication capacity exceed a predetermined threshold value, a premium higher than a normal fee is collected to perform prior processing instead of limiting the prior grant. It may be performed.
Further, the advance assignment management unit 12 determines whether or not the conditions for executing advance assignment are satisfied for each wireless communication line at each predetermined timing (for example, once a day), and the conditions of the advance assignment are satisfied. For the user, a notification message such as “Because the conditions for prior assignment are met and the prior assignment service can be used” is sent via the notification unit 15, and the prior assignment is used for the user. You may be prompted.

Next, the process of giving periodic grant communication capacity at the time of normal grant will be described using FIG.
FIG. 8 is an example of a flowchart of an assignment processing of a periodic assignment communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process of FIG. 8 is started at a predetermined time (for example, on the first day of every month).

First, the remaining capacity management unit 11 determines whether or not it is a time to apply periodical assigned communication capacity (step S1). For example, it is determined whether the grant timing of the regularly assigned communication capacity is one day every month and the remaining capacity management unit 11 determines that the current date is one day. When it is not the time to apply (step S11; No), this processing flow is ended.
If it is the time to apply (step S11; Yes), the remaining capacity management unit 11 determines whether or not each wireless communication line has been previously assigned (step S12). Specifically, the remaining capacity management unit 11 inquires of the prior assignment management unit 12 about the presence or absence of the prior assignment. Based on the data table illustrated in FIG. 5, the preceding assignment management unit 12 outputs, to the remaining capacity management unit 11, information on the presence or absence of preceding assignment and the previously added communication capacity of each wireless communication line. The remaining capacity management unit 11 determines the presence or absence of prior assignment for each wireless communication line based on the acquired information about the presence or absence of prior assignment.

  If there is no prior assignment (step S12; No), periodic grant communication capacity (7 GB) is assigned to the wireless communication line (step S14). Specifically, the remaining capacity management unit 11 updates the value of “periodically assigned communication capacity” of the record of the wireless communication line targeted for the data table illustrated in FIG. 4 to 7 GB.

  If there is precedent assignment (step S12; Yes), a capacity obtained by subtracting the previously assigned communication capacity from the periodic assignment communication capacity is assigned to the wireless communication line (step S13). Specifically, when 2 GB is already assigned in advance, the remaining capacity management unit 11 calculates 5 G obtained by subtracting 2 G acquired from the prior assignment managing unit 12 from 7 GB of the regularly assigned communication capacity, as shown in FIG. The value of “periodically assigned communication capacity” of the record of the wireless communication line to be an object of the illustrated data table is updated with 5 GB.

  Here, the case where the periodic grant communication capacity of the previous month is 0 when the periodic grant communication capacity is newly granted is described as an example, but the surplus periodic grant communication capacity is also for the next month and thereafter It may be possible to carry over. For example, if 1 GB remains as the periodic grant communication capacity for the previous month, and 2 GB is given in advance in the previous month, the remaining capacity management unit 11 subtracts 7 GB from 2 GB from the remaining 1 GB of the previous month The “periodically assigned communication capacity” column of the wireless communication line is updated with a value (6 GB) obtained by adding (5 GB).

Next, processing for prompting the user for whom the remaining capacity is low to be preceded or to purchase additional communication capacity will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart of processing for prompting addition of communication capacity with respect to reduction of communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention.
First, when the remaining capacity management unit 11 updates the remaining capacity of the data table illustrated in FIG. 4 based on the information of the communication capacity consumed in the data communication received from the communication control device 112, the remaining capacity management unit 11 The remaining capacity (the sum of the periodic grant and the additional purchase) is compared with a predetermined threshold stored in the management data storage unit 17 (step S21). If the remaining capacity exceeds the threshold (step S21; No), this processing flow ends.

  If the remaining capacity is equal to or less than the threshold (step S21; Yes), the remaining capacity management unit 11 notifies the user to select one of the additional purchase of the communication capacity and the preceding application from the next regularly applied communication capacity. Output instruction information to the notification unit 15 to The notification unit 15 transmits, to the terminal used by the user of the prior assignment destination, a message prompting the prior assignment or additional purchase of the remaining capacity and communication capacity (step S22).

According to the present embodiment, the communication capacity periodically provided in the wireless communication line can be used even before the addition time, so the communication capacity is suddenly consumed and the remaining capacity is reduced. Even in such a case, the user can use the data communication service. Also, for communication service entities, an increase in revenue can be expected by promoting the use of data communication services by users.
Although the case has been described by way of example in which the fee is charged in the prior processing of the communication capacity, instead of charging, the capacity of the previously given communication capacity is subtracted from the periodically provided communication capacity, instead of charging. The communication capacity may be provided as the periodic communication capacity (payment by communication capacity). Alternatively, the user may be able to select billing and payment by communication capacity.

[Automatic Preceding Process]
Next, the automatic advance assignment process will be described. The automatic advance assignment process is a function of automatically performing the advance assignment process triggered by satisfying a predetermined condition.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen used for setting of automatic advance assignment of the periodic assignment communication capacity according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 10, in the area 41, the use results of the wireless communication line contracted by the user and the periodic assigned communication capacity in each line are displayed. The user refers to this display and selects which wireless communication line to set the automatic advance assignment. The input field 42 inputs the communication capacity to be provided in one prior application process.

Reference numerals 43 to 46 are input fields for inputting the conditions of automatic advance assignment. In the input field 43, the number of times of grant is entered. The number of times of application indicates how many times the advance application process is automatically performed when the conditions of the automatic advance application are satisfied. For example, if the number of times of application is “2”, this means that when the advance application process is automatically executed twice, no advance application is performed thereafter. In the input field 44, the application timing is input. The input field 44 is, for example, a pull-down, and can be selected from “remaining capacity designation”, “granting date designation”, and “remaining capacity designation or granting date designation”. The "remaining capacity designation" is a condition for performing automatic advance assignment when the remaining capacity reaches a designated value. The remaining capacity to be a condition is input in the input field 45. As the target of the remaining capacity as the condition, it may be possible to select whether the remaining capacity of the regularly assigned communication capacity or the total of the remaining capacity of the regularly assigned communication capacity and the remaining capacity of the additional purchased communication capacity. "Grant date designation" is a condition for performing automatic advance grant when the date designated every month is reached. The date of grant is entered in the entry field 46. Further, “remaining capacity designation or designation of assignment date” is a condition under which the preceding assignment processing is automatically executed when the condition of the remaining capacity as a condition or the designated assignment date is satisfied.
When the user presses the registration button 47, the prior assignment request accepting unit 13 writes and stores the information (the prior assignment plan) input on this screen in the management data storage unit 17.

  When the advance assignment plan is registered, the advance assignment management unit 12 determines whether the assignment timing set in the advance assignment plan is satisfied for the target wireless communication line, and starts the advance assignment process when the condition is satisfied. Let For example, when the grant date is set as the condition of the prior grant, the prior grant management unit 12 reads the precedent grant plan from the management data storage unit 17 every month when the grant date comes, and the precedent grant processing described using FIG. Run.

  Also, when the remaining capacity is designated in the grant plan, the prior granting management unit 12 periodically acquires information on the remaining capacity of the wireless communication destination line from the remaining capacity management unit 11, and It is detected whether or not the capacity has become equal to or less than the communication capacity set as a condition of prior provision set in the prior provision plan. If the communication capacity becomes smaller than the communication capacity set in the advance grant plan, the advance grant management unit 12 executes an advance grant process based on the grant plan. The following processing is the same as when the grant date is set.

  If the number of prior grants in the predetermined period and the previously assigned communication capacity are equal to or greater than the threshold when the condition of the automatic grant is satisfied, the notification unit 15 can not give prior to the user of the assignee. And a notification prompting you to purchase additional communication capacity.

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

  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 the scope of the present invention are also included.

A computer program for realizing the functions of the communication capacity management device 1 described above is recorded in a computer readable recording medium, and the computer system reads the program recorded in the recording medium and executes it. It is also good. Note that the “computer system” referred to here may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
The “computer readable recording medium” is a writable non-volatile memory such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a flash memory, etc., a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a computer system. Storage devices such as hard disks.

Furthermore, “computer-readable recording medium” refers to volatile memory (for example, DRAM (for example, DRAM (for example) in 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). Dynamic Random Access Memory), etc., includes those that hold a program for a certain period of time.
The program may be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a wireless communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
Further, the program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication capacity management apparatus, 11 ... Remaining capacity management part, 12 ... Preceding grant management part, 13 ... Precedence grant request reception part, 14 ... Charge processing part, 15 ... Notification part, 16 ... Communications part, 17 ... Management data storage , 21: CPU unit, 22: storage unit, 23: 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 ... settlement device

Claims (10)

Remaining capacity management unit that manages the remaining capacity of the regularly-assigned communication capacity, which is the communication capacity with the expiration date that is given for each predetermined period in a wireless communication line with a limited communication capacity, and
Wherein the user has subscribed wireless communication line, to be able to use the desired capacity from periodic grant communication capacity for the next minute before the timing at which the periodic grant communication capacity of the next component is applied, the radio A prior grant request accepting unit for accepting a request for prior grant processing for granting the desired capacity in the communication line ;
A communication capacity management device comprising: It further determines whether or not a condition of prior application is satisfied with respect to the request of the prior application process, and further comprises a prior application managing unit which performs the prior application process when the condition is satisfied.
The communication capacity management device according to claim 1. The preceding assignment request receiving unit receives an input for selecting an automatic preceding assignment condition,
The advance assignment management unit automatically performs the advance assignment process when the condition of the automatic advance assignment is satisfied.
The communication capacity management device according to claim 2. The remaining capacity management unit, the remaining communication capacity obtained by subtracting the communication capacity granted by the preceding addition process from regular grant communication capacity for the next minute, applied to the timing at which the periodic grant communication capacity for the next component is applied,
The communication capacity management device according to any one of claims 2 or 3. The advance assignment management unit determines that the condition of the advance assignment is not satisfied , when there is delinquent payment for the user.
The communication capacity management device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 . The preceding assignment management unit determines that the condition of the preceding assignment is satisfied, when the previously given communication capacity does not exceed a predetermined capacity or does not exceed a predetermined ratio with respect to the predetermined amount.
The communication capacity management device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The advance assignment management unit determines that the condition of the advance assignment is satisfied when the user has not received an offer to cancel the contract for applying the periodic assignment communication capacity.
The communication capacity management device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The restriction on the communication capacity is permission or non-permission of communication using the wireless communication line, or decrease or no decrease in communication speed of communication using the wireless communication line.
The communication capacity management device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . A communication capacity management apparatus for managing a remaining capacity of a periodic grant communication capacity, which is a communication capacity with a term of use limited to a predetermined amount every predetermined period, in a wireless communication line in which the communication capacity is limited,
Wherein the user has subscribed wireless communication line, to be able to use the desired capacity from periodic grant communication capacity for the next minute before the timing at which the periodic grant communication capacity of the next component is applied, the radio Accept a request for prior grant processing to grant the desired capacity in the communication line ,
Communication capacity management method. A computer of a communication capacity management apparatus for managing a remaining capacity of a periodic grant communication capacity, which is a communication capacity with a term of use limited to a predetermined amount every predetermined period in a wireless communication line having a restriction on the communication capacity;
Wherein the user has subscribed wireless communication line, to be able to use the desired capacity from periodic grant communication capacity for the next minute before the timing at which the periodic grant communication capacity of the next component is applied, the radio A means for receiving a request for prior application processing for providing the desired capacity in the communication line ,
Computer program to function as.

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