JP6972414B2 - Communication capacity management device, 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 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, a plurality of mobile terminals are grouped and a communication capacity (connection frequency) is set 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 that management is also performed for each department.

Also, in recent years, many minors own mobile terminals such as smartphones, and minors access harmful websites or pay high communication costs to overuse data communication services. There is also an opinion that it is a problem. On the other hand, a mechanism (parental lock, etc.) that restricts the use of specific functions or applications is provided.

Special Table 2001-504299A Gazette 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 monthly grant communication capacity surplus, but on the other hand, children actively use e-mail. It is possible that the regular communication capacity will be used up by using the Internet or the like. In such a case, for example, it is convenient if a part of the communication capacity allocated 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, even if the parent can transfer the communication capacity to the child, if the child can use the communication capacity indefinitely, the transferred communication capacity will be used up immediately, or the communication capacity will be transferred. This encourages children to use data communication services even more, which is contrary to the intentions of parents who have transferred communication capacity.

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

(1) In one aspect of the present invention, with respect to the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, a desired communication capacity is obtained from the remaining communication capacity of the first wireless communication line, and the second wireless communication line is used. Management of communication capacity transfer unit, remaining capacity of communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, and communication capacity transferred from other wireless communication lines included in the remaining capacity. The remaining capacity management unit is provided with a remaining capacity management unit, and the remaining capacity management unit reduces the remaining capacity of the communication capacity transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line to 0 every month. It is a communication capacity management device to be updated.
(2) In one aspect of the present invention, the remaining capacity related to the transferred communication capacity is transferred from the remaining capacity related to the periodically granted communication capacity in the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line. It is a communication capacity, and the periodical grant communication capacity is the communication capacity with an expiration date given by a predetermined amount for each predetermined period, and is the communication capacity management device of the above (1).
(3) One aspect of the present invention further includes a determination unit for determining whether or not communication capacity can be transferred between the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, according to (1) or (1) above. It is a communication capacity management device according to any one of 2).
(4) In one aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit transfers the communication capacity from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line, the determination unit is among the communication capacities of the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity management according to (3) above, which prohibits the transfer of the communication capacity from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line from the second wireless communication line to another wireless communication line. It is a device.
(5) One aspect of the present invention is that the communication capacity transfer unit can transfer communication capacity between different wireless communication lines to the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. The communication capacity management device according to any one of (1) to (4) above, which transfers the communication capacity from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line when the same transfer group shown is set. be.

(6) In one aspect of the present invention, 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. The communication capacity transfer step for transferring to the second wireless communication line, and the communication capacity management device are included in the remaining capacity and the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. The remaining capacity management step includes a remaining capacity management step of managing the communication capacity transferred from the wireless communication line of the above, and in the remaining capacity management step, the communication capacity is transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line. This is a communication capacity management method in which the remaining capacity is updated to 0 every time the month changes.

(7) One aspect of the present invention is to use the computer of the communication capacity management device as the desired communication capacity for the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line from the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in the first wireless communication line. Is transferred from the communication capacity transfer means for transferring to the second wireless communication line, the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, and other wireless communication lines included in the remaining capacity. It functions as a remaining capacity management means for managing the communication capacity, and the remaining capacity management means transfers the remaining capacity related to the communication capacity transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line. It is a computer program that updates to 0 every month.

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

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 data table used for determining whether or not the transfer of the communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is possible. It is a figure which shows an example of the communication restriction condition data table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the traffic history log data table which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. This is an example of a flowchart of a process for limiting the use of communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the flowchart of the restriction process of the retransfer of the communication capacity which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. This is an example of a screen used for confiscation of communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication capacity management device 1 according to 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 transfer request reception unit 14, a remaining capacity use control unit 15, a management data storage unit 16, and a communication unit 17. To prepare for.

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. The remaining capacity management unit 11 manages the remaining capacity of the communication capacity separately for the periodical allocation communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity, and further, for each of the periodical allocation communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity, another wireless communication line. It manages the communication capacity transferred from. The periodical grant communication capacity is a communication capacity with an expiration date given in 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 added by the user's purchase when the communication capacity is insufficient only with the periodical grant communication capacity. .. Further, 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. Management is to store the periodical allocation communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity that can be used on the wireless communication line for each wireless communication line, and the periodical allocation communication capacity according to the use of the communication capacity on the wireless communication line. Or, it means subtracting the communication capacity by the amount used from the additional purchase communication capacity. In addition, management means that the periodical grant communication capacity is stored by adding the periodical grant communication capacity by the amount granted when the communication capacity is granted, and the additional purchase communication capacity is the purchase amount when the communication capacity is purchased. It means to add and store the additional purchase communication capacity. In addition, management means that when the communication capacity is transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line, only the transfer amount is subtracted from the communication capacity stored in association with the first wireless communication line (transfer source). It means to store the stored value and store the value added by the amount transferred to the communication capacity stored in association with the second wireless communication line (transfer destination).

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.
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 based on the determination of the determination unit 12. do.
When transferring the communication capacity from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line, the transfer request receiving unit 14 receives the transfer request.

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

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 17, 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 17 communicates with another device. The storage unit 22 stores computer programs and various data executed by the CPU unit 21. The storage unit 22 stores the communication capacity management program 24.

As for the functions of the remaining capacity management unit 11, the determination unit 12, the communication capacity transfer unit 13, the transfer request reception unit 14, and the remaining capacity use control unit 15 shown in FIG. 1, the CPU unit 21 shown in FIG. 2 is the storage unit 22. It is realized by executing the communication capacity management program 24 stored in. Further, the management data storage unit 16 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the storage unit 22 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram 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 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 another communication device 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 out of the limit of the communication capacity of the wireless communication line 106, the terminal 102 communicates with another communication device connected to the Internet 110 by using the wireless communication line 106. 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 (not permitted) communication of the terminal 102 using the wireless communication line 106 is permitted (not permitted), or the communication speed is instructed. 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 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 for 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 of the payment device 116 about the payment status of the payment by the user, if necessary.

The terminal 102 can access the communication capacity management device 1 by communication. The communication between the terminal 102 and the communication capacity management device 1 may be communication via the wireless communication line 106 or communication without 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 can be used by the user for data communication is allocated to each wireless communication line 106 contracted by the user. The types of communication capacity 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 allocation communication capacity is allocated by 7GB each month to 106 wireless communication lines for which a contract for periodical allocation of communication capacity is made, 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 exemplified in FIG. 4 is an example of a table used by the remaining capacity management unit 11 to manage the remaining capacity of the communication capacity for each wireless communication line. 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 uses it, and the periodical allocation communication capacity allocated to this wireless communication line. The remaining capacity of the additional purchase communication capacity is 7 GB (“whole”), and the remaining capacity of the additional purchase communication capacity is 500 MB (“whole”). In addition, the communication capacity transferred from another wireless communication line out of the 7 GB of the periodical grant communication capacity is 0 GB (“transferred portion”), and the additional purchased communication capacity of 500 MB is transferred from the other wireless communication line. It shows that the communication capacity is 200MB (“transferred”). Similarly, in the second line, the user "001" contracts and uses the second wireless communication line "080-1234-5678", and the periodical allocation communication capacity allocated to this wireless communication line is 5 GB. It shows that the transfer amount is 1GB, the additional purchase communication capacity is 200MB, and the transfer amount is 0MB. In the third line, the user "002" contracts and uses the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679", and the remaining capacity of the periodical grant communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity allocated to this wireless communication line. Each is 1 GB, indicating that the transfer amount is 0 GB for both of them.

When the remaining capacity management unit 11 receives information from the communication control device 112 that, for example, 100 MB of data communication has been performed for the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679", the remaining capacity management unit 11 refers to this data table and performs wireless communication. Read 1GB, which is the remaining capacity of the additional purchase communication capacity of the line "090-1234-5679", and update by overwriting the value in the additional purchase communication capacity column with the value obtained by subtracting 100MB from the read 1GB (0.9GB). .. The reason why the value of the additional purchase communication capacity is updated is that it is preferentially used from the additional purchase communication capacity as described above. Further, for example, when the next month arrives, 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 is periodically assigned. Assuming that the contract is for granting communication capacity, the value of the periodically granted communication capacity of 1 GB is overwritten with 7 GB for the next month and renewed based on this contract.

Further, when the communication capacity is transferred from one communication line to another communication line, the remaining capacity management unit 11 acquires the information of the transferred communication capacity from the communication capacity transfer unit 13 and from the other communication line. Manage the total value of transferred communication capacity. For example, when a communication capacity of 100 MB is transferred from another communication line with respect to the periodical allocation communication capacity of the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679", the communication capacity transfer unit 13 transfers the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679". 1GB, which is the "whole" value of the periodically granted communication capacity of Output to unit 11. The remaining capacity management unit 11 reads 0 GB, which is the value of the “transferred portion” of the periodically assigned communication capacity, from the data table of FIG. 4, and adds 100 MB transferred to the read 0 GB (0.1 GB). Overwrite with and update. The data table exemplified in FIG. 4 is stored in the management data storage unit 16, and the remaining capacity management unit 11 uses this data table to determine the periodical allocation communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity communication capacity for each wireless communication line. It manages the remaining capacity and how much of the remaining capacity is the transferred communication capacity.

Next, an example of the conditions under which the communication capacity transfer process is possible will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 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.
The “transfer service contract” column in FIG. 5 indicates whether or not a communication capacity transfer service contract is made for each wireless communication line. 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 the wireless communication lines contracted by the user can transfer the communication capacity 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 it will be a member 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 can the transfer be possible? Judge whether or not. For example, if the value of the "transfer service contract" of any of the transfer source and transfer destination wireless communication lines is "none", the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer process is not possible. Further, if the family ID, billing group ID, and transfer group ID of the transfer source and transfer destination wireless communication lines are not the same, the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer process is not possible. The determination based on the family ID, the billing group ID, and the transfer group ID may be performed based on only one of 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.
In addition to these family IDs, billing group IDs, and transfer group IDs, a "transfer flag" indicating whether or not transfer is possible to another wireless communication line is added to the transfer availability determination data table, and other wireless communications. An item of "receipt flag" indicating whether or not the transfer from the line can be received may be provided so that the user can set these flags for each user or each wireless communication line. For example, even within the same family, junior high school children are set to "prohibited" in the "transfer flag" and "receipt flag", and university students are set to "prohibited" in the "transfer flag" and set to "receipt flag". "Allow" can be set. Then, for example, when transferring the communication capacity from the parent to the child of the college student, the determination unit 12 determines that the "receipt flag" of the wireless communication line used by the college student is "permission" in addition to the determination of the family ID and the like. Based on this, it is determined that transfer is possible. Further, when transferring the communication capacity from the parent to the child of the junior high school student, the determination unit 12 determines the family ID and the like, and based on the fact that the "receipt flag" of the wireless communication line used by the junior high school student is "prohibited". , Judge that transfer is not possible. Further, for example, when trying to transfer the communication capacity between the university student and the junior high school student, the determination unit 12 determines the family ID and the like, and in addition, the "transfer flag" of the wireless communication line used by the university student and the junior high school student is "prohibited". It is determined that the transfer is not possible based on the above. The "transfer flag" and "receipt flag" can be used in combination with any of the family ID, the billing group ID, and the transfer group ID. As a result, it is possible to control whether or not transfer is possible in a finer unit than the unit of family, billing group, and transfer group.

When the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer is possible, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 performs the transfer process. 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 14, the transfer communication capacity, the periodical grant communication capacity, and the additional purchase communication capacity. Obtain information such as whether to transfer the capacity. Then, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 transfers from the 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 exemplified in FIG. 4 based on the acquired information. Subtract the communication capacity to be transferred from the "whole" of the originally specified one. Next, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 adds the communication capacity to be transferred to the remaining capacity of the record of the transfer destination wireless communication line. At this time, if the transfer source transfers from the regularly granted communication capacity, the communication capacity to be transferred is added to the "whole" of the remaining capacity of the regularly granted communication capacity even at the transfer destination, and if the transfer is made from the additional purchased communication capacity, the transfer is performed. Add the communication capacity to be transferred to the "total" of the remaining capacity of the additional purchased communication capacity.
Further, the communication capacity transfer unit 13 outputs the wireless communication line of the transfer destination and the communication capacity to be transferred to the remaining capacity management unit 11. As described above, the remaining capacity management unit 11 adds the communication capacity to be transferred to the “transfer portion” of the communication capacity related to the transfer among the periodical allocation communication capacity or the additional purchase communication capacity for the transfer destination wireless communication line.
In the example here, the additional purchase communication capacity of the transfer source is transferred to the additional purchase communication capacity even at the transfer destination, but the transferred communication capacity is transferred to the transfer destination other than the regularly granted communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity. It may be managed separately as a communication capacity. Further, when transferring from the periodical grant communication capacity, the periodical grant communication capacity of the transfer source may be transferred to the additional purchase communication capacity of the transfer destination.

The remaining capacity management unit 11 manages the extinction deadline of the transferred communication capacity as follows, for example. The value of "transferred amount" of the periodical grant communication capacity is updated to 0 every month. Further, the remaining capacity management unit 11 determines the communication capacity transferred at each transfer from the value of the "transferred portion" of the additional purchased communication capacity according to the expiration date of the additional purchased communication capacity at the time of the transfer. And perform the processing to reduce. For example, it is assumed that 100 MB is transferred from the additionally purchased communication capacity of the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line at a certain time. It is assumed that the purchase time of the last additional purchase communication capacity in the first wireless communication line at the time of the transfer was "Y1 year M January D1". Then, the remaining capacity management unit 11 is the last purchase at the time of the transfer from the purchase history log and the transfer history log of the additional purchase communication capacity of the first wireless communication line recorded in the management data storage unit 16. Detects that the time is "Y1 year M January D1 day", and 62 days after "Y1 year M January D1 day", additional purchase communication capacity "transfer" of the record showing the remaining capacity of the second wireless communication line Subtract 100MB from the value of. It is assumed that the history (purchase history log) in which the user additionally purchases the communication capacity is written in the management data storage unit 16 by the processing unit that performs the additional purchase process of the communication capacity. Further, it is assumed that the communication capacity transfer unit 13 writes the transfer process history (transfer history log) to the management data storage unit 16 for each transfer process. The transfer history log includes information such as the transfer date and time, the transfer source and transfer destination wireless communication lines, the transferred communication capacity, and which of the regular additional communication capacity and the additional purchase communication capacity was transferred. There is. In the example here, the last purchase time is used on the starting date of the expiration date of the additional purchase communication capacity, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the usage deadline may be 62 days from the usage start date, starting from the usage start date of the additionally purchased communication capacity. In addition, by purchasing additional communication capacity, not only the communication capacity purchased last but also the expiration date of the additional purchase communication capacity purchased before that will be extended, and the entire additional purchase communication capacity will be the last purchase time or start of use. It is also possible to give a 62-day expiration date starting from the day.

In this way, for example, by transferring the communication capacity from a user who has a surplus communication capacity in the family to a user who has a small remaining communication capacity, the surplus communication capacity can be effectively utilized, which is convenient. improves. On the other hand, in recent years, many minors own mobile terminals and freely use data communication services such as the Internet. On the other hand, parents of minors are worried about spending high communication charges and using the Internet until late at night. Under such circumstances, if a parent transfers the surplus communication capacity of the wireless communication line to which he / she contracts to a minor child, he / she will rather encourage the minor to use the data communication service. Therefore, the present embodiment is a method of limiting the use of the remaining capacity of the communication capacity allocated to the second wireless communication line when the communication capacity is transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line. I will provide a.

[Communication capacity usage restrictions]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a communication restriction condition data table according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The first row of this table indicates that the wireless communication line "090-1234-5678" is set to restrict communication in "HH: mm: ss1" to "HH: mm: ss2". Shows. Communication control is, for example, controlling so that data communication is not possible except for a part such as notification of disaster information in this time zone, or data communication is possible but the communication speed is reduced to a predetermined speed. Point to. The second line shows that the wireless communication line "080-1234-5678" is set to limit the daily communication capacity to "100MB". In the case of this communication restriction, for example, it means controlling so that data communication cannot be performed when the daily data transfer amount exceeds 100 MB, or performing control such as lowering the communication speed. In the third line, the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679" is restricted in communication from "HH: mm: ss3" to "HH: mm: ss4", and the daily communication capacity is set to "HH: mm: ss4". It shows that the setting is limited to "100MB". In this communication restriction condition data table, the value set by the transfer source user on the communication restriction condition setting screen (not shown) is stored.

In the present embodiment, the communication restriction is implemented when the communication restriction condition is satisfied and the communication capacity transferred for the wireless communication line exists. The implementation of the communication restriction is based on the premise that the remaining capacity of the wireless communication line has the transferred communication capacity. For example, in the case of the limitation by the communication capacity per day, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 controls the wireless communication line. The communication capacity usage record is managed for each predetermined time, and the wireless communication line to the communication control device 112 is based on the communication capacity usage record and the daily communication capacity limit value exemplified in FIG. Send instruction information (communication permission information) to restrict. Further, in the case of limitation by time zone, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 acquires the information of the "limit start time" set in the data table of FIG. 5, and when the limit start time is reached, communication is performed via the communication unit 17. Communication permission information about the wireless communication line to be controlled is transmitted to the control device 112. The communication permission information includes the identification number of the wireless communication line for which communication is restricted and information indicating the content of the communication restriction. Upon receiving the communication permission information, the communication control device 112 controls the instructed line to limit communication by a known method.
In addition to the limitation on the condition of the time zone and the communication capacity per day, the communication limitation may be performed when the actual usage time of the data communication per day exceeds a predetermined time.
Further, as the communication restriction performed by the communication control device 112, it is possible to prohibit access to a specific site in addition to prohibiting data communication and reducing the communication speed.

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

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

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

In the determination in step S2, the determination may be made as follows. That is, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 determines whether or not the remaining capacity of each wireless communication line is equal to or less than the total of the communication capacities transferred from the other wireless communication lines (step S2). Specifically, the remaining capacity use control unit 15 inquires of the remaining capacity management unit 11 regarding the remaining capacity of each wireless communication line and the transferred communication capacity. The remaining capacity management unit 11 refers to the data table exemplified in FIG. 4, and sets the remaining capacity of each wireless communication line (“whole”) and the transferred communication capacity (“transferred portion”) as the remaining capacity usage control unit. Output to 15. The remaining capacity use control unit 15 compares the acquired remaining capacity with the transferred communication capacity, and if the transferred communication capacity is equal to or greater than the remaining capacity, the process of step S3 is executed. If the transferred communication capacity is less than the remaining capacity, this processing flow is terminated.

As a result, when the communication capacity allocated to the wireless communication line that you have a contract with is transferred to another wireless communication line, you can limit the communication time zone and the available communication capacity per day. , It is possible to prevent the user who uses the transfer destination wireless communication line from overusing the communication capacity.

[Restriction on re-transfer of communication capacity]
Next, the limitation of re-transfer of communication capacity will be described. Re-transferring the communication capacity means, for example, transferring the communication capacity transferred by the father A to the child A in one family A to the child B of another family B who is a friend. If re-transfer is permitted, for example, even if family B does not allow transfer of communication capacity due to educational policies, etc., child A and child B form the same transfer group, and child B contracts through child A. It becomes possible to transfer the communication capacity to the wireless communication line. In addition, if the transfer of communication capacity is unlimited, one user who consumes a large amount of communication capacity indirectly takes over the communication capacity allocated to the communication line contracted by many other users, thereby increasing the communication capacity. It becomes possible to secure it. Then, an imbalance with other users occurs, and for the communication service entity, the user originally purchases additional communication capacity or can use more communication capacity, which is a higher-priced communication service. There are also problems such as not being able to obtain the income that should have been obtained by contracting. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a function of limiting the retransfer of the communication capacity is provided.

FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart of the process of limiting the retransfer of the communication capacity according to the embodiment of the present invention.
First, the transfer request receiving unit 14 receives the transfer request from the transfer source user (step S11). Specifically, on a transfer processing instruction screen (not shown), the transfer source user inputs information such as the wireless communication line of the transfer source and the transfer destination, the communication capacity to be transferred, and performs the transfer instruction operation. Then, the transfer request receiving unit 14 writes the input information in the management data storage unit 16 and stores it, and instructs the communication capacity transfer unit 13 to execute the transfer process.
In addition, the request for transfer may be accepted as follows. From the transfer request input screen (not shown), the transfer destination user can identify the transfer source user or transfer source wireless communication line, the communication capacity desired to be transferred, the transfer destination wireless communication line identification number, purpose of use, and transfer. Register the deadline for replying whether to accept the request. Based on the transfer request, the transfer request receiving unit 14 sends an e-mail or the like to the user designated as the transfer source, such as a guide to the website for inputting that the transfer request has been made and whether or not to accept the transfer. do. Then, when the user designated as the transfer source performs an operation such as pressing the consent button provided on the website guided within the response deadline, the transfer request receiving unit 14 indicates that the consent has been obtained. The information is acquired, the transfer request registered by the transfer destination user is received, and the communication capacity transfer unit 13 is instructed 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. First, the determination unit 12 determines whether or not the transfer process is possible based on the contract information and the attribute information (step S12). Specifically, the determination unit 12 reads the transfer request information received by the transfer request reception unit 14 from the management data storage unit 16, and based on the determination criteria described with reference to FIG. 6, for example, whether or not there is a transfer service contract. Whether or not the transfer process is possible is determined based on the family ID. When it is determined that the transfer is not possible (step S12; No), the determination unit 12 outputs the determination result to the communication capacity transfer unit 13. The communication capacity transfer unit 13 cancels the transfer process (step S15). When it is determined that the transfer is possible (step S12; Yes), the determination unit 12 determines whether or not there is a transferred communication capacity for the wireless communication line of the transfer source (step S13). Specifically, the determination unit 12 inquires the remaining capacity management unit 11 of the presence or absence of the transferred communication capacity for the transfer source wireless communication line. The remaining capacity management unit 11 notifies the determination unit 12 of the presence or absence of the transferred communication capacity with reference to the data table exemplified in FIG. When there is a transferred communication capacity (step S13; Yes), the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer is not possible, and outputs the determination result to the communication capacity transfer unit 13. The communication capacity transfer unit 13 cancels the transfer process (step S15). When there is no transferred communication capacity (step S13; No), the determination unit 12 determines that the transfer is possible, and outputs the determination result to the communication capacity transfer unit 13. The communication capacity transfer unit 13 executes the transfer process (step S14).

As a result, it is possible to prevent the re-transfer of the transferred communication capacity, prevent the communication capacity from being transferred to an unintended third party, and prevent the transferred communication capacity from being concentrated on a certain wireless communication line.
It is prohibited to re-transfer the transferred communication capacity to a third party, but the process of transferring (returning) to the transfer source communication line may be permitted. In that case, for example, in step S13, the determination unit 12 aggregates the transfer record of the communication capacity between the transfer source wireless communication line and the transfer destination wireless communication line from the transfer history log, and from the transfer destination wireless communication line. When the communication capacity before the extinction deadline transferred to the transfer source wireless communication line exceeds the communication capacity currently being transferred, it is determined that the transfer is possible.

[Confiscation of communication capacity]
Next, the confiscation of communication capacity will be described. For example, confiscation of communication capacity means that even after a parent transfers communication capacity to a child, the child continues to receive requests for transfer of communication capacity, which adversely affects school study. This is a function that allows you to pick up the communication capacity that you have transferred when you are concerned about.
Normally, the transfer process is intentionally executed by the transfer source user, but in the communication capacity confiscation process, it is executed regardless of the transfer source user's intention.

FIG. 10 is an example of a screen used for confiscation of communication capacity according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the area of reference numeral 25, the transfer process before the extinction deadline in the history of the transfer process performed from the wireless communication line contracted by a certain user to the other wireless communication line is displayed. This screen is based on the transfer history log recorded by the communication capacity transfer unit 13. In this example, the transfer process is performed three times from the wireless communication line "090-1234-5678" to the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679". When a user who has a contract for the wireless communication line "090-1234-5678" recovers the communication capacity transferred to the wireless communication line "090-1234-5679", the transfer history information corresponding to the communication capacity to be confiscated is displayed at the left end. Check and select. Then, when the user presses the confiscation button 26, the transfer request receiving unit 14 displays the transfer source wireless communication line, the transfer destination wireless communication line, and the communication capacity type (regularly assigned communication capacity or additional purchase communication) of the line marked with a check mark. Acquire information on the transferred communication capacity) and the transferred communication capacity. The transfer request receiving unit 14 designates the acquired transfer destination wireless communication line as the transfer source, designates the acquired transfer source wireless communication line as the transfer destination, designates the acquired communication capacity type as the communication capacity type, and acquires it. The transferred communication capacity is designated as the communication capacity to be transferred, and the transfer processing is instructed to the communication capacity transfer unit 13. The communication capacity transfer unit 13 performs the transfer process based on the instruction.

As a result, regardless of the intention of the transfer destination user, the transfer user can prevent the transfer destination user from using the communication capacity by picking up the transferred communication capacity.
When the confiscation button 26 is pressed, the transfer request receiving unit 14 gives an instruction to the remaining capacity management unit 11 to subtract the communication capacity for the transfer instead of picking up the transferred communication capacity, and the remaining capacity management unit 11 may perform a process of subtracting the transferred communication capacity of the line from the remaining capacity of the transfer destination wireless communication line of the line selected by the user based on the instruction.

[Disappearance of communication capacity]
Next, the disappearance of communication capacity will be described. As described above, the remaining capacity management unit 11 manages the transferred communication capacity based on the extinction deadline according to the expiration date of those communication capacities at the transfer source. However, the remaining capacity management unit 11 may set the extinction deadline to a shorter period starting from the time of transfer. That is, the remaining capacity management unit 11 subtracts the communication capacity due to the transfer from the remaining capacity when a predetermined period elapses after the transfer of the communication capacity is performed for the remaining capacity of a certain wireless communication line. For example, when the predetermined period is 10 days, the remaining capacity management unit 11 sets the transferred communication capacity to 0 after 10 days have passed since the transfer of the communication capacity was performed. More specifically, the remaining capacity management unit 11 acquires the date and time when a certain wireless communication line was transferred and the transferred communication capacity from the transfer history log, and when 10 days have passed from the date and time when the transfer was received. , The transferred communication capacity is subtracted from the remaining capacity of the wireless communication line. At this time, if the periodic additional communication capacity has been transferred, the transfer amount is subtracted from the remaining capacity of the periodic additional communication capacity, and if the additional purchase communication capacity has been transferred, the transfer amount is subtracted from the remaining capacity of the additional purchase communication capacity. The data table illustrated in FIG. 4 is updated with the value of. The number of days from the transfer to the extinction deadline may be set in advance by the communication service provider, or may be arbitrarily set by the transfer source user from a setting screen (not shown).

As a result, the expiration date of the transferred communication capacity can be limited, and it is possible to prevent the transfer destination user from overusing 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 includes design changes and the like within a range that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

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" 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, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a built-in computer system. A storage device such as an optical disk.

Further, 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 also includes 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 function 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 ... Transfer request reception unit 14 ... Remaining capacity usage control unit, 16 ... Management data storage unit, 17 ... Communication Unit, 21 ... CPU unit, 22 ... Storage unit, 24 ... Communication capacity management program, 102 ... Terminal, 104 ... Base station, 106 ... Wireless communication line, 108 ... Gateway, 112 ... Communication control device, 114 ... User contract information management Device, 116 ... Payment device

Claims (7)

With respect to the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line, a communication capacity transfer unit that transfers a desired communication capacity from the remaining communication capacity of the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line, and a communication capacity transfer unit.
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 and the communication capacity transferred from other wireless communication lines included in the remaining capacity.
Equipped with
The remaining capacity management unit updates the remaining capacity related to the communication capacity transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line to 0 every month.
Communication capacity management device. The remaining capacity related to the transferred communication capacity is the communication capacity transferred from the remaining capacity related to the periodically granted communication capacity in the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line.
The periodically granted communication capacity is a communication capacity with an expiration date given in a predetermined amount for each predetermined period.
The communication capacity management device according to claim 1. Further, 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 management device according to any one of claims 1 or 2. When the communication capacity is transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line, the determination unit has the first wireless communication line among the communication capacities of the second wireless communication line. 2 Regarding the communication capacity transferred to the wireless communication line, the transfer from the second wireless communication line to another wireless communication line is prohibited.
The communication capacity management device according to claim 3. The communication capacity transfer unit is set with the same transfer group indicating that different wireless communication lines can transfer communication capacity to each other for the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. In some cases, the communication capacity is transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line.
The communication capacity management device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The communication capacity management device transfers the desired communication capacity from the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line for the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line. Capacity transfer step and
The remaining 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 and the communication capacity transferred from other wireless communication lines included in the remaining capacity. Capacity management step and
Including
In the remaining capacity management step, the remaining capacity related to the communication capacity transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line is updated to 0 every month.
Communication capacity management method. The computer of the communication capacity management device,
A communication capacity transfer means for transferring a desired communication capacity from the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line for the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line.
A remaining capacity management means for managing the remaining capacity of the communication capacity in each of the first wireless communication line and the second wireless communication line and the communication capacity transferred from another wireless communication line included in the remaining capacity.
To function as
The remaining capacity management means updates the remaining capacity related to the communication capacity transferred from the first wireless communication line to the second wireless communication line to 0 every month.
Computer program.

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