Service control apparatus, charging management server, service control method, charging information management method, and computer readable medium

A service control apparatus (20) according to the present disclosure includes: a communication unit (21) configured to receive a first communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a service providing apparatus (30) and a communication terminal (10) from the service providing apparatus (30) and a second communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a service providing apparatus (32) and the communication terminal (10) from the service providing apparatus (32); and a controller (22) configured to determine whether the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other. When the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other, the communication unit (21) transmits a message to the second service providing apparatus (32) requesting it to change its communication pattern to the first communication pattern.

This application is a National Stage Entry of PCT/JP2018/018088 filed on May 10, 2018, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application 2017-181505 filed on Sep. 21, 2017, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a service control apparatus, a charging management server, a service control method, a charging information management method, and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, network configurations for achieving communications between a number of Machine Type Communication (MTC) terminals connected to a network and a server apparatus have been studied by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Specifically, discussions regarding an interface between a Services Capability Server (SCS) and a Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF) entity (hereinafter, this entity is referred to as an SCEF) have been taking place. The SCS is connected to a plurality of Application Servers (ASs). The SCEF is a node arranged in a mobile network. The SCS is used as a service platform that accommodates a plurality of ASs. The mobile network is a network formed of a node apparatus whose specification is defined by the 3GPP.

Non-Patent Literature 1 defines that a T8 Reference Point is provided as an interface between the SCS and the SCEF.

Non-Patent Literature 1 defines, for example, T8 Transaction Reference ID (TTRI), T8 Long Term Transaction Reference ID (TLTRI), T8 Destination Address, Accuracy, Idle Status Indication and the like as common parameters transmitted in the T8 Reference Point.

Non-Patent Literature 1 further discloses a procedure for specifying or configuring, when the SCS performs communication with a User Equipment (UE) including an MTC terminal, communication patterns (CP) regarding the UE.

The communication patterns are defined to be CP parameters in Non-Patent Literature 1. Periodic communication indicator, Communication duration time, Periodic time, Scheduled communication time, and Stationary indication are defined as the CP parameters. Periodic communication indicator indicates whether the UE communicates periodically or only on demand. Communication duration time indicates duration interval time of periodic communication. Periodic time indicates interval time of periodic communication. Scheduled communication time indicates information regarding time when the UE is available for communication. Stationary indication indicates whether the UE performs stationary communication or mobile communication.

The SCS transmits a CP Parameter set in which at least one of Periodic communication indicator, Communication duration time, Periodic time, Scheduled communication time, and Stationary indication is configured to the SCEF via the T8 Reference Point. Next, the SCEF transmits the received CP Parameter set to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) that manages subscriber information of the UE. The HSS manages the CP Parameter set as subscriber information of the UE. Further, the HSS transmits the CP Parameter set regarding the UE to a core network node such as a Mobile Management Entity (MME) or a Serving General Packet Radio Service Support Node (SGSN) that performs mobility management and the like of the UE.

The core network that has received the CP Parameter set communicates with the UE or executes call processing and the like for performing communication with the UE in accordance with CP Parameters included in the CP Parameter set.

CITATION LIST

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

It is expected that the number of SCSs that provide services using MTC terminals will increase in the future. When, for example, a plurality of SCSs access one MTC terminal to perform communication, each of the SCSs communicates with the MTC terminal at a communication timing defined based on CP Parameters. In this case, if communication timings in the respective SCSs are different from one another, time during which the MTC terminal performs communication increases and time during which the MTC terminal that performs communication using a battery can perform communication will be reduced. Further, MTC terminals are often small-sized terminals such as sensor terminals and include batteries whose capacities are small as well. It is therefore required to perform communication so as not to reduce the battery capacities of the MTC terminals.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a service control apparatus, a charging management server, a service control method, a charging information management method, and a program capable of reducing communication time of MTC terminals even when the number of SCSs increases.

Solution to Problem

A service control apparatus according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a communication unit configured to receive a first communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a first service providing apparatus and a communication terminal from the first service providing apparatus and a second communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a second service providing apparatus and the communication terminal from the second service providing apparatus; and a controller configured to determine whether the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other, in which when the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other, the communication unit transmits a message to the second service providing apparatus requesting it to change its communication pattern to the first communication pattern.

A charging management server according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes: a communication unit configured to receive, when a second service providing apparatus that has received, from a service control apparatus, a message for requesting the second service providing apparatus to change a communication pattern that defines a timing of communication with a communication terminal to a first communication pattern specified by a first service providing apparatus has changed its communication pattern to the first communication pattern, identification information of the second service providing apparatus from the service control apparatus; and a controller configured to change a charging rate of the second service providing apparatus specified using the identification information.

A service control method according to a third aspect of the present disclosure includes: receiving a first communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a first service providing apparatus and a communication terminal from the first service providing apparatus and receiving a second communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a second service providing apparatus and the communication terminal from the second service providing apparatus; and determining whether the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other; and transmitting, when the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other, a message to the second service providing apparatus requesting it to change its communication pattern to the first communication pattern.

A charging information management method according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure includes: receiving, when a second service providing apparatus that has received, from a service control apparatus, a message for requesting the second service providing apparatus to change a communication pattern that defines a timing of communication with a communication terminal to a first communication pattern specified by a first service providing apparatus has changed its communication pattern to the first communication pattern, identification information of the second service providing apparatus from the service control apparatus; and changing a charging rate of the second service providing apparatus specified using the identification information.

A program according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to perform the following processing of: receiving a first communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a first service providing apparatus and a communication terminal from the first service providing apparatus and receiving a second communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a second service providing apparatus and the communication terminal from the second service providing apparatus; and determining whether the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other; and transmitting, when the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other, a message to the second service providing apparatus requesting it to change its communication pattern to the first communication pattern.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a service control apparatus, a charging management server, a service control method, a charging information management method, and a program capable of reducing communication time of MTC terminals even when the number of SCSs increases.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained. With reference toFIG. 1, a configuration example of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained. The communication system shown inFIG. 1includes a communication terminal10, a service control apparatus20, a service providing apparatus30, and a service providing apparatus32. Further, the communication terminal10performs communication with the service control apparatus20via a network. The network includes, for example, a radio network and a core network. It is assumed that the service control apparatus20is arranged in a core network. Further, the network that includes the radio network and the core network may be referred to as a mobile network.

Each of the communication terminal10, the service control apparatus20, the service providing apparatus30, and the service providing apparatus32may be a computer apparatus that operates by a processor executing a program stored in a memory.

The communication terminal10may be a mobile telephone terminal or a smartphone terminal. Further, the communication terminal10may be an MTC terminal or a Machine to Machine (M2M) terminal.

Each of the service providing apparatus30and the service providing apparatus32is an apparatus configured to provide communication services for the communication terminal10or an apparatus configured to provide communication services that use the communication terminal10. The communication services may also be referred to as, for example, application services or the like. Each of the service providing apparatus30and the service providing apparatus32may be a server apparatus that provides services.

The service control apparatus20is an apparatus that performs authentication processing and the like regarding the service providing apparatus30and the service providing apparatus32. The service control apparatus20may be a server apparatus that performs control regarding services provided for the communication terminal10or services that use the communication terminal10. The service control apparatus20is arranged between the communication terminal10, and the service providing apparatus30and the service providing apparatus32.

Next, a configuration example of the service control apparatus20will be explained. The service control apparatus20includes a communication unit21and a controller22. Each of the communication unit21and the controller22may be software or a module whose processing is executed by a processor executing a program stored in a memory. Alternatively, each of the communication unit21and the controller22may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip.

The communication unit21receives information regarding communication patterns that define a timing of communication between the service providing apparatus30and the communication terminal10from the service providing apparatus30. The communication unit21further receives information regarding communication patterns that define a timing of communication between the service providing apparatus32and the communication terminal10from the service providing apparatus32. The information regarding the communication patterns is information for defining a communication timing such as temporal information or time information regarding the time when the service providing apparatus30or the service providing apparatus32performs communication with the communication terminal10. The information regarding the communication patterns may be, for example, a CP Parameter set in which at least one of Communication duration time, Periodic time, and Scheduled communication time is configured.

Further, in the following description, the communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between the service providing apparatus30and the communication terminal10is referred to as a first communication pattern and the communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between the service providing apparatus32and the communication terminal10is referred to as a second communication pattern.

The controller22determines whether the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other. That the communication timings are different from each other may indicate, for example, that the time when the service providing apparatus30communicates with the communication terminal10is different from the time when the service providing apparatus32communicates with the communication terminal10.

Now, when the communication timing defined by the first communication pattern and the communication timing defined by the second communication pattern are executed within a predetermined period, it can be regarded that the communication timings are the same or coincide with each other. In other words, that the communication timings are different from each other may indicate that a period between these communication timings exceeds a predetermined period. That the communication timings are the same or coincide with each other may indicate that these timings are substantially the same or substantially coincide with each other, and may not necessarily indicate that they completely coincide with each other.

When the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other in the controller22, the communication unit21transmits, to the service providing apparatus32, a message requesting the service providing apparatus32to change the second communication pattern to the first communication pattern. That is, the communication unit21requests the service providing apparatus32to perform communication at a timing the same as the timing when the service providing apparatus30performs communication when the service providing apparatus32performs communication with the communication terminal10.

When the service providing apparatus32agrees to change its communication pattern, the communication pattern of the service providing apparatus32is changed to the first communication pattern.

As described above, the communication unit21is able to determine whether the timing when the service providing apparatus30communicates with the communication terminal10is different from the timing when the service providing apparatus32communicates with the communication terminal10. When the communication timings are different from each other, the communication unit21is able to request the service providing apparatus32to change its communication pattern to the communication pattern of the service providing apparatus30.

When the service providing apparatus32agrees to change its communication patterns, the service providing apparatus30and the service providing apparatus32communicate with the communication terminal10at the same communication timing.

As described above, since the service providing apparatus30and the service providing apparatus32communicate with the communication terminal10at the same timing, it is possible to reduce the communication time of the communication terminal10compared to a case in which they communicate with the communication terminal10at timings different from each other. It is therefore possible to save the capacity of the battery used by the communication terminal10.

Second Embodiment

Referring next toFIG. 2, a configuration example of a communication system according to a second embodiment will be explained. The communication system shown inFIG. 2is composed of a node apparatus whose standards or specification are defined by the 3GPP. The communication system shown inFIG. 2includes a UE40, a Radio Access Network (RAN)50, an MME60, an SGSN70, an SCEF80, a PCRF85, an SCS90, an SCS92, an AS100, and an AS102. A T8 Reference Point is defined between the SCEF80and the SCS90and between the SCEF80and the SCS92.

The UE40corresponds to the communication terminal10shown inFIG. 1. The SCEF80corresponds to the service control apparatus20shown inFIG. 1. That is, the SCEF80has a configuration similar to that of the service control apparatus20. The SCS90and the AS100correspond to the service providing apparatus30shown inFIG. 1and the SCS92and the AS102correspond to the service providing apparatus32shown inFIG. 1. In the following description, the SCS90and the AS100, and the SCS92and the AS102may be described as SCS90/AS100and SCS92/AS102as apparatuses for providing services. Further, while a configuration in which each of the SCS90and the SCS92is connected to one AS is shown inFIG. 2, each of the SCSs may be connected to a plurality of ASs.

The RAN50may include a Radio Network Controller (RNC), a NodeB that supports so-called 2G (Generation) or 3G as a radio communication system, an evolved Node B (eNB) that supports Long Term Evolution (LTE) as a radio communication system and the like. The UE40performs radio communication with the Node B or the eNB. Each of the MME60and the SGSN70is a node apparatus that performs mobility management regarding the UE40.

The PCRF85performs policy control in the mobile network. Further, the PCRF85performs charging control regarding the UE40, the SCS90/AS100, and the SCS92/AS102. The charging control includes, for example, change in a charging rate, generation of charging information and the like.

Referring next toFIG. 3, a flow of CP Parameter change processing according to the second embodiment will be explained. First, the SCS90transmits a configuration request message including CP Parameter set_1 to the SCEF80(S11). The CP Parameter set_1 is information indicating the communication timing when the SCS90communicates with the UE40. Next, the SCEF80determines whether the SCS90is able to request configuration of the CP Parameter set (S12). That is, the SCEF80performs authentication processing regarding the SCS90. The SCEF80may hold, for example, list information of SCSs capable of requesting configuration of the CP Parameter set. The SCEF80may determine that the SCS90is able to request configuration of the CP Parameter set when the identification information indicating the SCS that has transmitted the configuration request message, the identification information being configured in the configuration request message, is configured in the list information. Further, when it has been determined that the SCS90is able to request configuration of the CP Parameter set, the SCEF80performs processing of configuring the CP Parameter set_1 regarding the SCS90. The processing of configuring the CP Parameter set_1 may be, for example, processing of transmitting the CP Parameter set_1 to the HSS that manages subscriber information of the UE40. Further, upon receiving the CP Parameter set_1, the HSS transmits the CP Parameter set_1 to the MME or the SGSN that performs mobility management of the UE40.

Next, upon completing the processing of configuring the CP Parameter set_1, the SCEF80transmits a configuration completion message to the SCS90(S13).

Next, the SCS92transmits a configuration request message including CP Parameter set_2 to the SCEF80(S14). The CP Parameter set_2 is information indicating the communication timing when the SCS92communicates with the UE40. Next, the SCEF80determines whether the SCS92is able to request configuration of the CP Parameter set (S15). That is, the SCEF80performs authentication processing regarding the SCS92.

When the SCEF80has determined that the SCS92is able to request configuration of the CP Parameter set, the SCEF80determines whether the communication timing indicated in the CP Parameter set_1 is different from the communication timing indicated in the CP Parameter set_2 (S16). The CP Parameter set_1 has already been configured as a CP Parameter set regarding the UE40. The CP Parameter set_2 is transmitted from the SCS92. That is, when the UE, which is a communication destination of the SCS90, coincides with the UE, which is a communication destination of the SCS92, the SCEF80may determine whether the communication timing of the SCS90and the communication timing of the SCS92are different from each other. A case in which communication timings are different from each other may be a case in which the difference between these communication timings exceeds a predetermined period. In this example, a description will be given based on the assumption that the SCEF80has determined in Step S16that the communication timing indicated in the CP Parameter set_1 is different from the communication timing indicated in the CP Parameter set_2.

Next, upon receiving the configuration change request message, the SCS92determines whether to change the CP Parameter set_2 to the CP Parameter set_1 (S18). The SCS92may determine whether to change the CP Parameter set in accordance with the policy that the SCS92has such as whether the services to be provided will not be affected by the change of the CP Parameter set. In this example, a description will be given based on the assumption that the SCS92has determined in Step S18that it should change the CP Parameter set_2 to the CP Parameter set_1.

Next, the SCS92transmits a configuration request message including the CP Parameter set_1 to the SCEF80(S19). Next, the SCEF80performs processing of configuring the CP Parameter set_1 regarding the SCS92(S20). Next, upon completion of the processing of configuring the CP Parameter set_1 regarding the SCS92, the SCEF80transmits a configuration completion message to the SCS92(S21).

With reference next toFIG. 4, a flow of the CP Parameter change processing according to the second embodiment, which is different from that shown inFIG. 3, will be explained. While the flow of the processing of the case in which the SCS92has determined that it will change its CP Parameter set has been described inFIG. 3, a flow of processing of a case in which the SCS92determines that it will not change its CP Parameter set will be explained inFIG. 4.

Since Steps S31-S37are similar to Steps S11-S17inFIG. 3, the detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Next, it is assumed that the SCS92has determined that it will not change the CP Parameter set_2 to the CP Parameter set_1 (S38). In this case, the SCS92transmits the configuration request message including the CP Parameter set_2 transmitted in Step S34to the SCEF80(S39). That is, the SCS92re-transmits the configuration request message transmitted in Step S34.

Next, the SCEF80performs processing of configuring the CP Parameter set_2 regarding the SCS92(S40). Next, upon completion of the processing of configuring the CP Parameter set_2 regarding the SCS92, the SCEF80transmits a configuration completion message to the SCS92(S41).

As described above, the SCEF80according to the second embodiment is able to determine whether the communication timing indicated in the CP Parameter set_1 transmitted from the SCS90is different from the communication timing indicated in the CP Parameter set_2 transmitted from the SCS92. When the communication timings are different from each other, the SCEF80is able to transmit a message for requesting the SCS92to change the communication timing to the SCS92. Specifically, the SCS90is able to request the SCS92to change its CP Parameter set to the CP Parameter set_1 used by the SCS90.

When the SCS92has determined that it will change its parameter set to the CP Parameter set_1, the communication timing when the SCS90communicates with the UE40coincides with the communication timing when the SCS92communicates with the UE40. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time during which the UE40performs communication. In other words, it is possible to reduce the time during which the UE40is connected to the radio network. During a period in which the UE40does not perform communication, the UE40may be operated in a Power Saving Mode (PSM) in which power consumption is reduced or communication intervals in Discontinuous Reception (DRX) may be increased. As a result, it is possible to save the capacity of the battery used by the UE40.

Further, when the SCS92has determined that it will not change its parameter set to the CP Parameter set_1, the SCEF80may transmit a message for requesting the SCS90in which the CP Parameter set_1 has already been configured to change the CP Parameter set_1 to the CP Parameter set_2.

Third Embodiment

With reference next toFIG. 5, a configuration example of the PCRF85according to a third embodiment will be explained. The PCRF85includes a communication unit86and a controller87. Each of the communication unit86and the controller87may be software or a module whose processing is executed by a processor executing a program stored in a memory. Alternatively, each of the communication unit86and the controller87may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip.

When the SCS90or the SCS92has changed the values of the CP Parameters in accordance with the communication timings of other SCSs, the communication unit86receives, from the SCEF80, identification information of the SCS whose values of the CP Parameters have been changed.

The controller87changes the charging rate applied to the SCS specified by the identification information received by the communication unit86. The SCS whose values of the CP Parameters have been changed determines to change the values of the CP Parameters based on the configuration change request message from the SCEF80. In other words, the SCS whose values of the CP Parameters have been changed changes the values of the CP Parameters in accordance with a request for changing the values of the CP Parameters transmitted from the communication carrier. Therefore, the communication carrier may change the charging rate of the SCS whose values of the CP Parameters have been changed so as to lower this rate. As described above, by performing processing of lowering the charging rate of the SCS whose values of the CP Parameters have been changed, it is possible to motivate the SCS to change the values of the CP Parameters in response to the request from the communication carrier.

Referring next toFIG. 6, a flow of CP Parameter change processing according to the third embodiment will be explained. Since Steps S51-S61are similar to Steps S11-S21shown inFIG. 3, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

After the processing of configuring the CP Parameter set_1 regarding the SCS92is completed, the SCEF80transmits a charging information change request message to the PCRF85(S62). The charging information change request message includes identification information of the SCS92whose CP Parameter set has been changed in response to the request from the SCEF80. The identification information of the SCS92may be, for example, an IP address allocated to the SCS92or information that is able to uniquely identify the SCS92in the mobile network.

Next, the PCRF85changes the charging information of the SCS92specified by the identification information received in Step S62(S63). Specifically, the PCRF85changes the charging rate of the Step SSCS92to lower this rate.

Next, when the change in the charging information is completed, the PCRF85transmits a charging information change completion message to the SCEF80as a response to the message received in Step S62(S64). Further, upon receiving the charging information change completion message in Step S64, the SCEF80transmits the charging information change completion message to the SCS92(S65).

As described above, the PCRF85is able to lower the charging rate of the SCS whose CP Parameters have been changed in response to the request from the SCEF80. Accordingly, it will be expected that the number of SCSs that will change the CP Parameters in response to the request for changing the CP Parameters transmitted from the SCEF80will increase.

Next, in the following description, with reference toFIG. 7, a configuration example of the SCEF80and the PCRF85described in the aforementioned plurality of embodiments will be explained.

FIG. 7is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the SCEF80and the PCRF85. Referring toFIG. 7, the SCEF80and the PCRF85each include a network interface1201, a processor1202, and a memory1203. The network interface1201is used to communicate with another network node apparatus that composes a communication system. The network interface1201may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) conforming to the IEEE 802.3 series.

The processor1202loads software (computer programs) from the memory1203and executes the loaded software (computer programs) to perform processing of the SCEF80and the PCRF85described with reference to the sequence diagrams and the flowcharts in the above embodiments. The processor1202may be, for example, a microprocessor, a Micro Processing Unit (MPU), or a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The processor1202may include a plurality of processors.

The memory1203is composed of a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The memory1203may include a storage located apart from the processor1202. In this case, the processor1202may access the memory1203via an I/O interface (not shown).

In the example shown inFIG. 7, the memory1203is used to store software modules. The processor1202may load these software modules from the memory1203and execute the loaded software modules, thereby performing the processing of the SCEF80and the PCRF85described in the above embodiments.

As described with reference toFIG. 7, each of the processors included in the SCEF80and the PCRF85executes one or more programs including instructions to cause a computer to perform an algorithm described with reference to the drawings.

In the aforementioned examples, the program(s) can be stored and provided to a computer using any type of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer readable media include any type of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic storage media, optical magnetic storage media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), CD-R, CD-R/W, and semiconductor memories. The storage media include, for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, and hard disk drives. The semiconductor memories include, for example, mask ROM, Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable PROM (EPROM), flash ROM, and Random Access Memory (RAM). Further, the program(s) may be provided to a computer using any type of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media include electric signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. Transitory computer readable media can provide the program to a computer via a wired communication line (e.g., electric wires, and optical fibers) or a wireless communication line.

Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments and may be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Further, the present disclosure may be executed by combining the embodiments as appropriate.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configurations and the details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-181505, filed on Sep. 21, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

A part or all of the aforementioned embodiments may be described as shown in the following Supplementary Notes. However, they are not limited thereto.

A service control apparatus comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive a first communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a first service providing apparatus and a communication terminal from the first service providing apparatus and a second communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a second service providing apparatus and the communication terminal from the second service providing apparatus; and

a controller configured to determine whether the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other, wherein

when the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other, the communication unit transmits a message to the second service providing apparatus requesting it to change its communication pattern to the first communication pattern.

The service control apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein at least one of duration time of periodic communication with the communication terminal, a time interval of the periodic communication, and time when communication with the communication terminal is available is used in the first and second communication patterns.

The service control apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein, when the second service providing apparatus has changed its communication pattern to the first communication pattern, the communication unit transmits, to a charging management server that manages charging rates regarding a plurality of service providing apparatuses, identification information of the second service providing apparatus whose communication pattern has been changed.

The service control apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein, when a change to the first communication pattern is not performed in the second service providing apparatus, the communication unit transmits, to the first service providing apparatus, a message requesting the first service providing apparatus to change its communication pattern to the second communication pattern.

A charging management server comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive, when a second service providing apparatus that has received, from a service control apparatus, a message for requesting the second service providing apparatus to change a communication pattern that defines a timing of communication with a communication terminal to a first communication pattern specified by a first service providing apparatus has changed its communication pattern to the first communication pattern, identification information of the second service providing apparatus from the service control apparatus; and

a controller configured to change a charging rate of the second service providing apparatus specified using the identification information.

A service control method comprising:

receiving a first communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a first service providing apparatus and a communication terminal from the first service providing apparatus and receiving a second communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a second service providing apparatus and the communication terminal from the second service providing apparatus; and

determining whether the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other; and

transmitting, when the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other, a message to the second service providing apparatus requesting it to change its communication pattern to the first communication pattern.

A charging information management method comprising:

receiving, when a second service providing apparatus that has received, from a service control apparatus, a message for requesting the second service providing apparatus to change a communication pattern that defines a timing of communication with a communication terminal to a first communication pattern specified by a first service providing apparatus has changed its communication pattern to the first communication pattern, identification information of the second service providing apparatus from the service control apparatus; and

changing a charging rate of the second service providing apparatus specified using the identification information.

A program for causing a computer to perform the following processing of:

receiving a first communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a first service providing apparatus and a communication terminal from the first service providing apparatus and receiving a second communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between a second service providing apparatus and the communication terminal from the second service providing apparatus; and

determining whether the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other; and

transmitting, when the first communication pattern and the second communication pattern indicate communication timings different from each other, a message to the second service providing apparatus requesting it to change its communication pattern to the first communication pattern.

A program for causing a computer to perform the following processing of:

receiving, when a second service providing apparatus that has received, from a service control apparatus, a message for requesting the second service providing apparatus to change a communication pattern that defines a timing of communication with a communication terminal to a first communication pattern specified by a first service providing apparatus has changed its communication pattern to the first communication pattern, identification information of the second service providing apparatus from the service control apparatus; and

change a charging rate of the second service providing apparatus specified using the identification information.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST