Patent Publication Number: US-2020288350-A1

Title: Service control apparatus, charging management server, service control method, charging information management method, and non-transitory computer readable medium

Description:
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 
     Non-Patent Literature 
     
         
         [Non-Patent Literature 1] 3GPP TS23.682 V15.1.0 (2017-06) 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In the future, along with a rapid increase in the number of MTC terminals, it is expected that the number of MTC terminals (UEs) connected to the mobile network will be rapidly increased as well. When the number of UEs connected to the mobile network increases, the number of CP Parameter sets that the respective core network nodes hold also increases. When the core network node communicates with UE in accordance with CP Parameters, it is possible that communication timings defined by the respective CP Parameters may overlap each other. In this case, there is a problem that the greater the number of communication timings that overlap each other is, the higher the load of the core network node becomes. 
     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 preventing the communication timings defined by the CP Parameters from overlapping each other. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A service control apparatus according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a communication unit configured to receive, from each of a plurality of service providing apparatuses, a communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between each of the service providing apparatuses and a communication terminal; and a controller configured to predict a load of a network that performs data transmission between the communication terminal and each of the service providing apparatuses based on the plurality of communication patterns, in which, when it is predicted in the controller that the load of the network will become higher than a predetermined threshold, the communication unit transmits a message for prompting the communication pattern to change to at least one of the plurality of service providing apparatuses. 
     A charging management server according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes: a communication unit configured to receive, from a service control apparatus, identification information of at least one service providing apparatus whose communication pattern has been changed in accordance with a message for prompting a communication pattern to change that defines a timing of communication with a communication terminal, the at least one service providing apparatus being at least one of a plurality of service providing apparatuses that have received the message from the service control apparatus; and a controller configured to change a charging rate of the service providing apparatus specified using the identification information. 
     A service control method according to a third aspect of the present disclosure includes: receiving, from each of a plurality of service providing apparatuses, a communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between each of the service providing apparatuses and a communication terminal; predicting, based on the plurality of communication patterns, a load of a network that performs data transmission between the communication terminal and each of the service providing apparatuses; and transmitting, when it is predicted that the load of the network will become higher than a predetermined threshold, a message for prompting the communication pattern to change to at least one of the plurality of service providing apparatuses. 
     A charging information management method according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure includes: receiving, from a service control apparatus, identification information of at least one service providing apparatus whose communication pattern has been changed in accordance with a message for prompting a communication pattern to change that defines a timing of communication with a communication terminal, the at least one service providing apparatus being at least one of a plurality of service providing apparatuses that have received the message from the service control apparatus; and changing a charging rate of the service providing apparatus specified using the identification information. 
     A program according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure includes: receiving, from each of a plurality of service providing apparatuses, a communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between each of the service providing apparatuses and a communication terminal; predicting, based on the plurality of communication patterns, a load of a network that performs data transmission between the communication terminal and each of the service providing apparatuses; and transmitting, when it is predicted that the load of the network will become higher than a predetermined threshold, a message for prompting the communication pattern to change to at least one of the plurality of service providing apparatuses. 
     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 preventing the communication timings defined by the CP Parameters from overlapping each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a flow of CP Parameter change processing according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a configuration diagram of PCRF according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a flow of CP Parameter change processing according to the third embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6  is a configuration diagram of SCEF and PCRF according to each of the embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be explained. With reference to  FIG. 1 , a configuration example of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained. The communication system shown in  FIG. 1  includes a communication terminal  10 , a service control apparatus  20 , a service providing apparatus  30 , a service providing apparatus  32 , and a service providing apparatus  34 . Further, the communication terminal  10  performs communication with the service control apparatus  20  via a network. The network includes, for example, a radio network and a core network. It is assumed that the service control apparatus  20  is 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 terminal  10 , the service control apparatus  20 , the service providing apparatus  30 , the service providing apparatus  32 , and the service providing apparatus  34  may be a computer apparatus that operates by a processor executing a program stored in a memory. 
     The communication terminal  10  may be a mobile telephone terminal or a smartphone terminal. Further, the communication terminal  10  may be an MTC terminal or a Machine to Machine (M2M) terminal. 
     Each of the service providing apparatus  30 , the service providing apparatus  32 , and the service providing apparatus  34  is an apparatus configured to provide communication services for the communication terminal  10  or an apparatus configured to provide communication services that use the communication terminal  10 . The communication services may also be referred to as, for example, application services or the like. Each of the service providing apparatus  30 , the service providing apparatus  32 , and the service providing apparatus  34  may be a server apparatus that provides services. 
     The service control apparatus  20  is an apparatus that performs authentication processing and the like regarding the service providing apparatus  30 , the service providing apparatus  32 , and the service providing apparatus  34 . The service control apparatus  20  may be a server apparatus that performs control regarding services provided for the communication terminal  10  or services that use the communication terminal  10 . The service control apparatus  20  is arranged between the communication terminal  10 , and the service providing apparatus  30 , the service providing apparatus  32 , and the service providing apparatus  34 . 
     Next, a configuration example of the service control apparatus  20  will be explained. The service control apparatus  20  includes a communication unit  21  and a controller  22 . Each of the communication unit  21  and the controller  22  may be software or a module whose processing is executed by a processor executing a program stored in a memory. Alternatively, each of the communication unit  21  and the controller  22  may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip. 
     The communication unit  21  receives information regarding communication patterns that define a timing of communication between the service providing apparatus  30  and the communication terminal  10  from the service providing apparatus  30 . The communication unit  21  further receives information regarding communication patterns that define a timing of communication between the service providing apparatus  32  and the communication terminal  10  from the service providing apparatus  32 . The communication unit  21  further receives information regarding communication patterns that define a timing of communication between the service providing apparatus  34  and the communication terminal  10  from the service providing apparatus  34 . 
     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 apparatus  30  or the like performs communication with the communication terminal  10 . 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,  FIG. 1  shows a configuration in which the service providing apparatus  30 , the service providing apparatus  32 , and the service providing apparatus  34  perform communication with the communication terminal  10 . Further, the service providing apparatus  30 , the service providing apparatus  32 , and the service providing apparatus  34  may perform communication with a communication terminal other than the communication terminal  10 . 
     The controller  22  predicts the network load based on the communication patterns received from the service providing apparatus  30 , the service providing apparatus  32 , and the service providing apparatus  34 . The controller  22  is able to specify, from information regarding the communication terminal of the communication destination indicated in the communication patterns received from the respective service providing apparatuses, a core network node, a radio control apparatus and the like to be used for data transmission between the communication terminal and the service providing apparatus. The core network node is a node arranged in a core network. The radio control apparatus is an apparatus that performs radio communication with the communication terminal  10  and may be, for example, a base station. 
     Further, the controller  22  specifies how much load concentrates in a specific core network node or radio control apparatus within a predetermined period of time from information regarding the communication timing defined by the communication patterns. For example, the controller  22  determines that the load is high when it is expected that the amount of data or the number of times of transmission of data that a specific core network node or radio control apparatus transmits within a predetermined period of time will exceed a predetermined threshold. The load in the core network node or the radio control apparatus may instead be referred to as a network load. 
     Further, the controller  22  may determine that the load becomes high when the communication timings defined by the communication patterns received from the service providing apparatus  30 , the service providing apparatus  32 , and the service providing apparatus  34  coincide with each other or are concentrated within a predetermined period. Alternatively, the controller  22  may determine that the load becomes high when the number of service providing apparatuses whose communication timings coincide with each other or when the number of service providing apparatuses that provide services intensively in a predetermined period exceed a predetermined number. 
     When it is determined in the controller  22  that the load of the core network node or the radio control apparatus will become high in a predetermined period, the communication unit  21  transmits a message for prompting a communication pattern to change to at least one of the service providing apparatuses  30  to  34 . 
     The message for prompting the communication pattern to change may be, for example, a message indicating that the network load becomes high or may be a message requesting a change in the communication pattern. 
     Further, the controller  22  may determine the communication patterns in the respective service providing apparatuses whose network loads are low and are below a predetermined threshold. The communication unit  21  may transmit the communication pattern determined in the controller  22  to at least one of the service providing apparatus  30 , the service providing apparatus  32 , and the service providing apparatus  34 . 
     As described above, the service control apparatus  20  is able to transmit, when it is estimated that the load of the network will become high, a message for prompting the communication pattern to change to at least one of the service providing apparatuses  30  to  34 . When some of the service providing apparatuses that have received the message for prompting the communication pattern to change have changed the communication patterns, it is possible to prevent the load of the network from being high. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , a configuration example of a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained. The communication system shown in  FIG. 2  is composed of a node apparatus whose standards or specification are defined by the 3GPP. The communication system shown in  FIG. 2  includes a UE  40 , a Radio Access Network (RAN)  50 , an MME  60 , an SGSN  70 , an SCEF  80 , a PCRF  85 , an SCS  90 , an SCS  92 , an SCS  94 , an AS  100 , an AS  102 , and an AS  104 . A T8 Reference Point is defined between the SCEF  80  and the SCS  90 , between the SCEF  80  and the SCS  92 , and between the SCEF  80  and the SCS  94 . 
     The UE  40  corresponds to the communication terminal  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . The SCEF  80  corresponds to the service control apparatus  20  shown in  FIG. 1 . That is, the SCEF  80  has a configuration similar to that of the service control apparatus  20 . The SCS  90  and the AS  100  correspond to the service providing apparatus  30  shown in  FIG. 1 , the SCS  92  and the AS  102  correspond to the service providing apparatus  32  shown in  FIG. 1 , and the SCS  94  and the AS  104  correspond to the service providing apparatus  34  shown in  FIG. 1 . In the following description, the SCS  90  and the AS  100 , the SCS  92  and the AS  102 , and the SCS  94  and the AS  104  may be described as SCS  90 /AS  100 , SCS  92 /AS  102 , and SCS  94 /AS  104  as apparatuses for providing services. Further, while a configuration in which each of the SCS  90 , the SCS  92 , and the SCS  94  is connected to one AS is shown in  FIG. 2 , each of the SCSs may be connected to a plurality of ASs. 
     The RAN  50  may 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 UE  40  performs radio communication with the Node B or the eNB. Each of the MME  60  and the SGSN  70  is a node apparatus that performs mobility management regarding the UE  40 . 
     The PCRF  85  performs policy control in the mobile network. Further, the PCRF  85  performs charging control regarding the UE  40 , the SCS  90 /AS  100 , the SCS  92 /AS  102 , and the SCS  94 /AS  104 . The charging control includes, for example, change in a charging rate, generation of charging information and the like. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 3 , a flow of the CP Parameter change processing according to the second embodiment will be explained. First, the SCS  90  transmits a message including the CP Parameter set to the SCEF  80  (S 11 ). Similar to the operation in the SCS  90 , each of the SCS  92  and the SCS  94  also transmits a message including the CP Parameter set to the SCEF  80  (S 11 ). 
     Next, the SCEF  80  predicts the network load using the CP Parameter sets received from the SCS  90 , the SCS  92 , and the SCS  94  (S 12 ). The SCEF  80  may predict the network load using, for example, the CP Parameter sets received within a predetermined period of time. In other words, the SCEF  80  may predict the load of the network without using the CP Parameter sets received outside the predetermined period of time. Alternatively, the SCEF  80  may predict the network load when it has received a predetermined number of CP Parameter sets. In  FIG. 3 , for example, the SCEF  80  may define that the predetermined number is 3 and predict the network load in Step S 12  when it receives three CP Parameter sets. Further, descriptions of S 13  and the following steps will be given in  FIG. 3 , assuming that the SCEF  80  has predicted in Step S 12  that the network load will become high. 
     Next, the SCEF  80  transmits a message including information indicating that the load is high to the SCS  90 , the SCS  92 , and the SCS  94  as load prediction information (S 13 ). As the load prediction information, the message including information indicating that the load is high corresponds to a message for prompting the CP Parameters to change. The SCEF  80  transmits the load prediction information to the SCS  90 , the SCS  92 , and the SCS  94  that have transmitted the CP Parameter sets. 
     Next, the SCS  90 , the SCS  92 , and the SCS  94  that have received the load prediction information each determine whether to change the CP Parameters included in the CP Parameter set transmitted in Step S 11  (S 14 , S 15 , and S 16 ). For example, an operation in which the SCS  90  changes the CP Parameters is equal to an operation in which the SCS  90  changes the timing when the SCS  90  communicates with the UE  40 . Specifically, the SCS  90  may change at least one of Communication duration time, Periodic time, and Scheduled communication time and change the communication timing in order to change the timing when the SCS  90  performs communication with the UE  40 . 
     The SCS  90 , the SCS  92 , and the SCS  94  each determine whether to change the CP Parameters in accordance with a policy that each of the SCSs has such as whether the services to be provided will not be affected by the change of the CP Parameters. 
     In  FIG. 3 , descriptions will be made assuming that the SCS  92  determines that it should change the CP Parameters and the SCS  90  and the SCS  94  determine that they should not change the CP Parameters. In this case, the SCS  92  transmits a CP Parameter change request message including a CP Parameter set including CP Parameters whose values are different from those of the CP Parameters included in the CP Parameter set transmitted in Step S 11  to the SCEF  80  (S 17 ). 
     In the following processing, the SCEF  80  transmits the CP Parameter sets transmitted from the SCS  90 , the SCS  92 , and the SCS  94  to the HSS, and the HSS transmits the CP Parameter set to the MME  60  or the SGSN  70 . Further, the SCEF  80  may transmit, when the processing of changing the CP Parameter set has been completed in the core network, a message indicating that the change of the CP Parameter set has been completed to the SCS  92 . 
     As described above, the SCEF  80  according to the second embodiment is able to predict the network load using a plurality of CP Parameter sets received from the plurality of SCSs. Further, the SCEF  80  is able to transmit, when it is predicted that the network load will become high and exceed a predetermined threshold, load prediction information indicating that the network load will become high to each of the SCSs. If the SCS that has received the load prediction information has changed the CP Parameter set, it is possible to prevent that the load of the network from being high. 
     Further, in Step S 13 , the load prediction information transmitted by the SCEF  80  may include, besides prediction information indicating that the load will become high, change values of the CP Parameters. In other words, the SCEF  80  may determine the values of the CP Parameters that do not make the load of the network high and transmit the CP Parameters after the change to each of the SCSs. In other words, the SCEF  80  may determine the values of the CP Parameters so as to disperse the communication timings in order to prevent that the load of the network from being high. When the SCEF  80  has determined that the CP Parameters of only the SCS  92  among the SCS  90 , the SCS  92 , and the SCS  94  should be changed, the SCEF  80  may transmit the CP Parameters after the change only to the SCS  92 . 
     Further, in order to determine the SCS whose CP Parameters should be changed, the SCEF  80  may set priorities for the SCSs in advance, and change the CP Parameters in the SCS whose priority level is low. Alternatively, the SCEF  80  may set the SCS that has transmitted the CP Parameter Set at the earliest timing to be the SCS whose CP Parameters will be changed. Alternatively, the SCEF  80  may set the SCS that has transmitted the CP Parameter set at the latest timing to be the SCS whose CP Parameters will be changed. Alternatively, the SCEF  80  may determine the SCS whose CP Parameters should be changed in accordance with the timing when the CP Parameter set has been received. 
     Further, when the SCS  90  and the SCS  94  have determined not to change the CP Parameters in  FIG. 3 , the SCS  90  and the SCS  94  may each transmit a message indicating that the change of the CP Parameters will be rejected to the SCEF  80 . 
     Third Embodiment 
     Referring next to  FIG. 4 , a configuration example of the PCRF  85  according to a third embodiment will be explained. The PCRF  85  includes a communication unit  86  and a controller  87 . Each of the communication unit  86  and the controller  87  may be software or a module whose processing is executed by a processor executing a program stored in a memory. Alternatively, each of the communication unit  86  and the controller  87  may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip. 
     When at least one of the SCS  90 , the SCS  92 , and the SCS  94  has changed the values of the CP Parameters, the communication unit  86  receives, from the SCEF  80 , identification information on the SCS whose values of the CP Parameters have been changed. 
     The controller  87  changes the charging rate applied to the SCS specified by the identification information received by the communication unit  86 . The SCS whose values of the CP Parameters have been changed determines to change the values of the CP Parameters based on the results of the load prediction information from the SCEF  80 . 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 charging 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 to  FIG. 5 , a flow of CP Parameter change processing according to the third embodiment will be explained. Since Steps S 21 -S 27  are similar to Steps S 11 -S 17  in  FIG. 3 , detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     When the SCEF  80  has received the CP Parameter change request message from the SCS  92  in Step S 27 , the SCEF  80  transmits, to the PCRF  85 , a CP Parameter change request message including identification information on the SCS whose CP Parameters have been changed (S 28 ). The identification information on the SCS may be, for example, an IP address allocated to the SCS or may be information capable of uniquely identifying the SCS in the mobile network. 
     Next, the PCRF  85  changes the charging information of the SCS specified by the identification information received in Step S 28  (S 29 ). Specifically, the PCRF  85  changes the charging rate of the SCS specified by the identification information received in Step S 28  to lower this rate. 
     Next, when the change in the charging information is completed, the PCRF  85  transmits a CP Parameter change completion message to the SCEF  80  as a response to the message received in Step S 28  (S 30 ). Further, upon receiving the CP Parameter change completion message in Step S 30 , the SCEF  80  transmits the CP Parameter change completion message to the SCS  92  (S 31 ). 
     As described above, the PCRF  85  is able to lower the charging rate of the SCS whose CP parameters have been changed in response to the request from the SCEF  80 . 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 SCEF  80  will increase. 
     Next, in the following description, with reference to  FIG. 6 , a configuration example of the SCEF  80  and the PCRF  85  described in the aforementioned plurality of embodiments will be explained. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the SCEF  80  and the PCRF  85 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the SCEF  80  and the PCRF  85  each include a network interface  1201 , a processor  1202 , and a memory  1203 . The network interface  1201  is used to communicate with another network node apparatus that composes a communication system. The network interface  1201  may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) conforming to the IEEE 802.3 series. 
     The processor  1202  loads software (computer programs) from the memory  1203  and executes the loaded software (computer programs) to perform processing of the SCEF  80  and the PCRF  85  described with reference to the sequence diagrams and the flowcharts in the above embodiments. The processor  1202  may be, for example, a microprocessor, a Micro Processing Unit (MPU), or a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The processor  1202  may include a plurality of processors. 
     The memory  1203  is composed of a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The memory  1203  may include a storage located apart from the processor  1202 . In this case, the processor  1202  may access the memory  1203  via an I/O interface (not shown). 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 6 , the memory  1203  is used to store software modules. The processor  1202  may load these software modules from the memory  1203  and execute the loaded software modules, thereby performing the processing of the SCEF  80  and the PCRF  85  described in the above embodiments. 
     As described with reference to  FIG. 6 , each of the processors included in the SCEF  80  and the PCRF  85  executes 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. 2017-181504, 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. 
     (Supplementary Note 1) 
     A service control apparatus comprising: 
     a communication unit configured to receive, from each of a plurality of service providing apparatuses, a communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between each of the service providing apparatuses and a communication terminal; and 
     a controller configured to predict a load of a network that performs data transmission between the communication terminal and each of the service providing apparatuses based on the plurality of communication patterns, 
     wherein, when it is predicted in the controller that the load of the network will become higher than a predetermined threshold, the communication unit transmits a message for prompting the communication pattern to change to at least one of the plurality of service providing apparatuses. 
     (Supplementary Note 2) 
     The service control apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the communication unit transmits information indicating a communication pattern after the change to the service providing apparatus as the message for prompting the communication pattern to change. 
     (Supplementary Note 3) 
     The service control apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the communication pattern after the change changes 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. 
     (Supplementary Note 4) 
     The service control apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein the controller determines the communication pattern after the change in such a way that the timing of communication between each of the service providing apparatuses and the communication terminal is dispersed. 
     (Supplementary Note 5) 
     The service control apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein, when at least one of the service providing apparatuses has changed the communication pattern, the communication unit transmits, to a charging management server that manages a charging rate regarding the plurality of service providing apparatuses, identification information of the service providing apparatus whose communication pattern has been changed. 
     (Supplementary Note 6) 
     A charging management server comprising: 
     a communication unit configured to receive, from a service control apparatus, identification information of at least one service providing apparatus whose communication pattern has been changed in accordance with a message for prompting a communication pattern to change that defines a timing of communication with a communication terminal, the at least one service providing apparatus being at least one of a plurality of service providing apparatuses that have received the message from the service control apparatus; and 
     a controller configured to change a charging rate of the service providing apparatus specified using the identification information. 
     (Supplementary Note 7) 
     A service control method comprising: 
     receiving, from each of a plurality of service providing apparatuses, a communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between each of the service providing apparatuses and a communication terminal; 
     predicting, based on the plurality of communication patterns, a load of a network that performs data transmission between the communication terminal and each of the service providing apparatuses; and 
     transmitting, when it is predicted that the load of the network will become higher than a predetermined threshold, a message for prompting the communication pattern to change to at least one of the plurality of service providing apparatuses. 
     (Supplementary Note 8) 
     A charging information management method comprising: receiving, from a service control apparatus, identification information of at least one service providing apparatus whose communication pattern has been changed in accordance with a message for prompting a communication pattern to change that defines a timing of communication with a communication terminal, the at least one service providing apparatus being at least one of a plurality of service providing apparatuses that have received the message from the service control apparatus; and 
     changing a charging rate of the service providing apparatus specified using the identification information. 
     (Supplementary Note 9) 
     A program for causing a computer to execute the following processing of: 
     receiving, from each of a plurality of service providing apparatuses, a communication pattern that defines a timing of communication between each of the service providing apparatuses and a communication terminal; 
     predicting, based on the plurality of communication patterns, a load of a network that performs data transmission between the communication terminal and each of the service providing apparatuses; and 
     transmitting, when it is predicted that the load of the network will become higher than a predetermined threshold, a message for prompting the communication pattern to change to at least one of the plurality of service providing apparatuses. 
     (Supplementary Note 10) 
     A program for causing a computer to execute the following processing of: 
     receiving, from a service control apparatus, identification information of at least one service providing apparatus whose communication pattern has been changed in accordance with a message for prompting a communication pattern to change that defines a timing of communication with a communication terminal, the at least one service providing apparatus being at least one of a plurality of service providing apparatuses that have received the message from the service control apparatus; and 
     changing a charging rate of the service providing apparatus specified using the identification information. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           10  Communication Terminal 
           20  Service Control Apparatus 
           21  Communication Unit 
           22  Controller 
           30  Service Providing Apparatus 
           32  Service Providing Apparatus 
           34  Service Providing Apparatus 
           40  UE 
           50  RAN 
           60  MME 
           70  SGSN 
           80  SCEF 
           85  PCRF 
           86  Communication Unit 
           87  Controller 
           90  SCS 
           92  SCS 
           94  SCS 
           100  AS 
           102  AS 
           104  AS