JP2000183971A - Network connecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network connecting device for connecting a fixed terminal on an internet through a much shorter path with a radio terminal, and for preventing the useless consumption of an IP address. SOLUTION: A name resolving server 111 in this network connecting device receives a request for resolving a name corresponding to the name of a radio terminal from a fixed terminal 101, requests the IP address of the radio terminal to base station controllers 121-123, and communicates the returned IP address to the fixed terminal 101. The base station controllers 121-123 receive the request for the IP address, and when the radio terminal registers the position in its own device, the base station controllers 121-123 assign the IP address to the radio terminal, and communicate it to the name solving server 111, and when the radio terminal registers the position in the other device, the base station controllers 121-123 communicate the other device to the name solving server 111. Afterwards, the base station controllers 121-123 receive an IP packet, and transfers it by operating radio-connection with the radio terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a network connection device for connecting a fixed terminal on a network to a wireless terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, wireless high-speed data communication services for wireless terminals have been started, and the number of users who use the Internet connection service from wireless terminals has increased rapidly. In order to connect to the Internet from a wireless terminal, there is a method of connecting via an Internet service provider (hereinafter referred to as a provider) or a corporate LAN by a dial-up IP (internet protocol) connection method.

Prior to this dial-up IP connection,
One IP address is automatically assigned to the wireless terminal. Here, the IP address is an identification number uniquely assigned to a terminal connected to the Internet,
Thereby, the location of the terminal is specified. As a result, the terminal can exchange IP packets between its own terminal and the other terminal as long as it knows its own IP address and the IP address of the other terminal.

[0004] The same applies to the case where a wireless terminal connects to another partner terminal. If the IP address of the wireless terminal and the IP address of the partner terminal are known, the wireless terminal connects to the partner terminal and transmits an IP packet. Can be exchanged. However, if your device is connected to the Internet and connects to a wireless device that is not connected to the Internet,
Complicated procedures such as a process of connecting a wireless terminal to the Internet and a process of acquiring an IP address of a wireless terminal connected to the Internet are required.

[0005] An interconnecting device will be described below as an example of a conventional connecting device. The interconnection device includes a plurality of wireless terminals and a plurality of base station controllers. The wireless terminal registers the identification number (hereinafter, wireless terminal number) of the wireless terminal in one base station controller in advance, and an IP address is assigned by the base station controller.

[0006] The base station controller stores the correspondence between the wireless terminal and the IP address in the internal memory by registration from the wireless terminal. The base station controller at which the wireless terminal is registered is called a home base station controller, and the IP address assigned therefrom is called a home IP address.
Since the home IP address is created based on the identification number of the home base station controller, the home base station controller can be specified by the home IP address.

When the radio terminal moves out of the area of the home base station controller and registers its location with the base station controller in the destination area, another IP address is assigned from the base station controller. Then, the wireless terminal number and the IP address in the area are stored in the memory of the base station controller. This destination base station controller is called a visitor base station controller, and an I
The P address is called a visitor IP address.
Since the visitor IP address is created based on the identification number of the visitor base station controller, the visitor base station controller of the wireless terminal can be specified by the visitor IP address.

[0008] The visitor base station controller notifies the home base station controller of the wireless terminal of the visitor IP address assigned to the wireless terminal. The home base station controller stores the visitor IP address in the memory in association with the wireless terminal number and the home IP address. Under the above situation, when the wireless terminal is present in the area of the home base station controller, when the IP packet to which the home IP address is added from the fixed terminal on the Internet reaches the home base station controller, the home terminal is controlled. The base station control device has a home IP
The wireless terminal number corresponding to the address is read from the memory, connected to the wireless terminal via a wireless line, and the IP packet is transferred.

When the wireless terminal is located in the area of the visitor base station controller, an IP packet to which a home IP address is added from a fixed terminal on the Internet first reaches the home base station controller. Then, the home base station controller refers to the memory, finds a visitor IP address corresponding to the home IP address, adds the visitor IP address to the IP packet, and transfers the packet to the visitor base station controller. The visitor base station controller reads the wireless terminal number corresponding to the visitor IP address added to the IP packet from the memory, connects to the wireless terminal via a wireless line, and transfers the IP packet.

[0010] By using the interconnecting device as described above, a fixed terminal on the Internet can be connected to a wireless terminal.

[0011]

By the way, in the above-mentioned prior art interconnection apparatus, when an IP packet is transmitted from a fixed terminal on the Internet to a wireless terminal, the IP packet is transmitted.
The packet communication path is fixed terminal → home base station controller → visitor base station controller → wireless terminal, and always passes through the home base station controller of the wireless terminal. For this reason, there is a problem that the route becomes redundant and the transfer of the IP packet is delayed accordingly.

For example, even if both a fixed terminal and a wireless terminal are located in Osaka, if the home base station controller of the wireless terminal is located in Tokyo, an IP packet from the fixed terminal is:
It is sent from Osaka to the wireless terminal in Osaka via the home base station controller in Tokyo, and the route becomes redundant. Further, since the wireless terminal uses a fixed IP address (home IP address) and a destination visitor IP address, the interconnecting device has a problem in that resources of the IP address are wasted.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a network connection device that can connect to a wireless terminal from a fixed terminal on the Internet via a shorter path, and eliminates wasteful consumption of IP addresses.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, a network connection device according to the present invention comprises a name resolution server connected to a network and a plurality of connection devices, from a fixed terminal connected to the network to a wireless terminal. The name resolution server is connected to the fixed terminal, and receives a wireless terminal name from the fixed terminal via a network, and requests the address of the wireless terminal to one or more connection devices when the wireless terminal name is received. Requesting means, and a notifying means for notifying the address of the wireless terminal to the fixed terminal if the address is returned as a result of the request.Each connection device uses the location registration of the wireless terminal to perform the request. Means for specifying the connection device whose location is registered by the wireless terminal when a request is issued to the own device by the means; In the case of, allocating means for allocating an address to the wireless terminal, reply means for replying to the name resolution server the address allocated by the allocating means, and packets addressed to the address allocated to the wireless terminal from the fixed terminal are And a transfer unit for, when the packet arrives, wirelessly connecting to the wireless terminal to which the address is assigned and transferring the packet.

According to this configuration, when the name resolution server receives a name resolution request for a wireless terminal from a fixed terminal, the network connection device requests one or more connection devices for an address. The wireless terminal specifies the connection device whose location is registered, and if it is its own device, assigns an address to the wireless terminal and replies to the name resolution server, and the name resolution server sends the returned address to the fixed terminal. Notify. When the connection device receives a packet to which an address addressed to the wireless terminal is added from the fixed terminal, the connection device wirelessly connects to the wireless terminal and transfers the packet. For this reason, the network connection device can dynamically assign an address to a moving wireless terminal,
There is an effect that the packet to which the address is added is transferred to the wireless terminal via the connection device whose position is registered by the wireless terminal on the shortest route on the Internet. Further, addresses can be dynamically allocated to the wireless terminals, so that address resources are saved.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A network connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. When a fixed terminal on the Internet connects to a wireless terminal that is not connected to the Internet, the network connection device according to the present embodiment dynamically assigns an IP address to the wireless terminal and transmits and receives an IP packet through a shorter path. Be composed. <Configuration of Network Connection Device> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a network including a network connection device and its peripheral components according to the present embodiment.

The network shown in FIG.
00, fixed terminals 101-103, LAN 104, 10
5, a name resolution server 111, base station control devices (connection devices) 121 to 123, base stations 131 to 137, wireless terminals 141 to 143, a public network 150, and a PHS service control station (location management device) 151. Among these components, the fixed terminals 101 to 103, the name resolution server 111, and the base station controllers 121 to 123 have fixed IP addresses uniquely assigned in advance. In the same figure, a line 160 is a dedicated line, a line 170 is a public network signal line,
Line 180 indicates wireless. R121, R122, R123
Indicates service areas of the base station controllers 121, 122 and 123, respectively.

Of these components, the portion surrounded by the broken line 1 is the configuration of the network connection device. Also, dashed line 2
The enclosed part is the system configuration of the PHS (Personal Handyphone System). Fixed terminals 101 to 103, a name resolution server 111, and base station controllers 121 to 123 are connected to the Internet 100 by dedicated lines. When an IP packet is transmitted from the fixed terminal to the Internet 100, the IP packet is transferred to the destination fixed terminal via the shortest path determined by the IP address.

The fixed terminal 101 is connected to the Internet 100 via a LAN 104 by a dedicated line.
A communication function is provided by communication software or a communication control device for performing communication with 41 to 143. With this communication function, the fixed terminal 101 can be transmitted from the user to the wireless terminal 141.
When the communication request with any one of the wireless terminals 141 to 143 is received, the communication with the name resolution server 111 is performed.
Acquire the P address and send an IP packet to the wireless terminal.

More specifically, the fixed terminal 101 accepts a communication request from a user specifying one of the wireless terminals 141 to 143 or a wireless terminal identification number (hereinafter, referred to as PS-ID). Here, the name of the wireless terminal is stored in advance in the name resolution server 1 together with the corresponding PS-ID.
11 is registered. The PS-ID is an identification number for a telephone line that each of the wireless terminals 141 to 143 has in advance.

When a communication request is received, the fixed terminal 101
Is the name of the wireless terminal or the PS-I
A request for inquiring about the IP address corresponding to D is transmitted. This request is hereinafter referred to as a name resolution request. As a result of the request, the corresponding IP address is returned from the name resolution server 111. The fixed terminal 101 adds the IP address to the IP packet and sends it out to the Internet 100.

The fixed terminals 102 and 103 are also connected to the fixed terminal 10.
Same as 1. <Name Resolution Server 111> Upon receiving a name resolution request from the fixed terminal 101, the name resolution server 111 communicates with the
P address is obtained, and its IP address is
Reply to 1-103.

[0023] The name resolution server 111
Similarly, when a name resolution request is received from the base stations 2 and 103, a corresponding IP address is obtained by communication with the base station controllers 121 to 123, and the corresponding IP address is returned to the fixed terminals 101 and 102. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a schematic process from when the name resolution server 111 receives a name resolution request from a fixed terminal to when it returns an IP address.

In the figure, the name resolution server 111 receives a request for name resolution of a wireless terminal from a fixed terminal (step 201). Here, when the name resolution server 111 receives the name resolution request of the wireless terminal name, it converts it into the corresponding PS-ID. The name resolution server 111
The base station controller 123 is notified of the PS-ID, and inquires about the IP address of the target wireless terminal (step 20).
2). This inquiry is hereinafter referred to as a first address request. Here, the name resolution server 111 stores in advance the base station controller 123 as a destination of the first address request.

The name resolution server is a base station controller 123
Then, a response to the first address request is received (step 203). Here, the response from the base station controller 123 is either the IP address of the wireless terminal or the identification number of another base station controller (hereinafter referred to as RPCU-ID). Which response is received depends on the position of the wireless terminal. That is, when the wireless terminal is located in the service area R123 of the base station controller 123, the IP address assigned to the wireless terminal by the base station controller 123 is returned. On the other hand, when the wireless terminal is not present in the service area R123 of the base station control device 123, the RPCU-ID of the base station control device in the service area where the wireless terminal currently exists is transmitted from the base station control device 123. Will be replied.

The name resolution server 111 checks whether the reply from the base station control device 123 is an IP address or not.
D is determined (step 204). If the result of the determination is that it is an IP address, the name resolution server 111 notifies the fixed terminal of the IP address (step 20).
7). On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that it is an RPCU-ID, the name resolution server 111 inquires the base station controller of the RPCU-ID of the IP address of the wireless terminal (step 205). This inquiry is hereinafter referred to as a second address request.

The name resolution server 111 receives a reply of the IP address from the base station control device which has transmitted the second address request (step 206), and notifies the fixed terminal of the IP address (step 207). As described above, when the name resolution server 111 receives the name resolution request from the fixed terminal, the name resolution server 111 first sends a first address request to the base station control device 123 and receives a reply indicating whether the IP address or the RPCU-ID, and the RPCU-ID If the answer is RP
A second address request is sent to the CU-ID base station controller to receive a reply to the IP address, and the received IP address is notified to the fixed terminal by the first or second address request. <Base Station Controller 123> The base station controller 123 is connected to the Internet 100 and the public network 150, and has, as main functions, a position registration function as a PHS connection device in the PHS and a position registration in the base station controller 123. A function of dynamically allocating an IP address to the wireless terminal that is performing the operation, a function of inquiring the PHS service control station 151 about the position information of a wireless terminal that has not been registered in the base station controller 123, and a function of transferring an IP packet to the wireless terminal. Function to perform

Here, the location registration means that the wireless terminal notifies its base station controller of the service area to which it belongs to its own PS-ID. The base station controller 123 receives the location registration from the wireless terminal in its service area R123, stores it in the internal memory,
-Notify the PHS service control station 151 of information associating the ID with its own RPCU-ID as position information.
This series of functions is called a location registration function, which is a function provided in the PHS.

Upon receiving the first address request from the name resolution server 111, the base station controller 123 assigns an IP address if the wireless terminal has been registered in the base station controller 123 and assigns the IP address. In response to the name resolution server 111, if the wireless terminal has not registered in the base station controller 123, the PHS service control station 151 is inquired of the base station controller in which the wireless terminal is registered, and its RPCU- The ID is acquired and a reply is sent to the name resolution server 111.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a schematic process when the base station controller 123 receives a first address request from the name resolution server 111. In FIG. 7, upon receiving a first address request from the name resolution server 111 (step 301), the base station control device 123 stores in its internal memory whether or not the wireless terminal has registered its location in its own memory. The determination is made based on whether the PS-ID is stored. (Step 302).

If the result of the determination is that the wireless terminal has registered the location (step 303), the base station controller 123
Assign an IP address to the wireless terminal (step 30)
4), the IP address is returned to the name resolution server 111 (step 305). On the other hand, if the result of determination is that the wireless terminal has not registered its location in its own device (step 30).
3), the base station controller 123 communicates with the PHS service control station 151 to inquire about the RPCU-ID of the base station controller with which the wireless terminal has registered its location. This inquiry is hereinafter referred to as a position request. As a result, the base station controller 123 receives the RPCU-ID, which is a response to the location request, from the PHS service control station 151 (step 307). The base station control device 123 replies the RPCU-ID to the name resolution server 111 (step 30).
7).

As described above, when the base station controller 123 receives the first address request from the name resolution server 111, the base station controller 123 allocates the IP address assigned by the base station controller 123 according to the presence / absence of the location registration of the wireless terminal in its own device. Or PHS
The RPCU-ID received from the service control station 151 is returned to the name resolution server 111. When the base station controller 123 receives an IP packet from any of the fixed terminals 101 to 103 via the Internet 100,
The PS-ID of the wireless terminal whose location is registered in the service area R123 is determined from the IP address, the call is connected by connection, and the transmission and reception of the IP packet is relayed.

The base station controllers 121 and 122, like the base station controller 123, have a location registration function, a function of dynamically assigning an IP address to a wireless terminal, and a function of transferring an IP packet to a wireless terminal. However, it does not have a function of making a position request to the PHS service control station 151. Upon receiving the second address request from the name resolution server 111, the base station controllers 121 and 122 assign an IP address to the target wireless terminal existing in their service areas R121 and R122, and send the IP address to the name resolution server 111.
Reply the address.

The base station controllers 121 and 122
Internet 1 from any of fixed terminals 101 to 103
When the IP packet is received via the IP address 00, the own service area R is obtained from the IP address added to the IP packet.
The wireless terminals belonging to 121 and R122 are determined, and a call is made for connection, and transmission and reception of IP packets are relayed. The base stations 131 to 137 wirelessly connect to the wireless terminals 141, 142, and 143 under the control of the base station controllers 121 to 123.

Each of the wireless terminals 141 to 143 is composed of a portable personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a portable personal computer) and a PHS telephone, and has a communication function such as communication software or a communication control device. When each wireless terminal moves between the service areas, the service area R121-
The location is registered with the base station controllers 121 to 123 of R123.

The PHS service control station 151 is connected to the public network 1
Connected to the base station control devices 121 to 123 through 50,
The position information (PS-I) is transmitted from the base station controllers 121 to 123.
D and RPCU-ID) are received and stored and managed in an internal memory. When the PHS service control station 151 receives the position request from the base station control device 123 by the notification of the PS-ID, the PHS service control station 151 searches the internal memory for the position information and searches for the RPCU-I
D is returned to the base station controller 123.

The detailed configuration of the name resolution server 111 and the base station controllers 121 to 123 which are the core components among the components described above will be described below. <Detailed Configuration of Name Resolution Server> FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the name resolution server 111 in the present embodiment.

In the figure, the name resolution server 111
PS-ID storage unit 401, address storage unit 402, request reception unit 403, conversion unit 404, address request unit 405,
It comprises a reply receiving unit 406 and an address notifying unit 407. The PS-ID storage unit 401 stores a “wireless terminal name: PS-I” that associates a plurality of wireless terminal names with their PS-IDs.
D "is registered as a user in advance and stored.

The RPCU-ID storage unit 402 stores in advance an “RPCU-ID: IP address” table in which the RPCU-ID and the IP address of each base station controller are associated. The request receiving unit 403 receives a signal indicating a PS-ID or a wireless terminal name according to a name resolution request from a fixed terminal on the Internet 100. The request receiving unit 403
It is determined whether the received signal is a wireless terminal name or a PS-ID. If the received signal is determined to be a PS-ID, the PS-ID
To the address request unit 405. On the other hand, if it is determined that the wireless terminal name is
After being converted into an ID, it is passed to the address requesting unit 405.

Upon receiving the wireless terminal name from request receiving section 403, converting section 404 converts the corresponding PS-ID to PS-I
The data is retrieved from the D storage unit 401 and passed to the address request unit 405. Also, the conversion unit 404 sends the RPC
When the U-ID is passed, the corresponding IP address is retrieved from the address storage unit 402 and passed to the address request unit 405.

The address request unit 405 is
3 or when the PS-ID is passed from the conversion unit 404, a first address request is sent to the base station controller 123. Further, when the IP address is passed from the conversion unit 404, the address request unit 405 sends a second address request to the IP address. Reply receiving section 406 receives a signal indicating a reply from base station controller 123, and determines whether the signal is an IP address or an RPC
It is determined whether it is a U-ID. If the result of the determination is that it is an IP address, it is passed to the address notification unit 407, while
If it is RPCU-ID, it is passed to conversion section 404.

The thus configured name resolution server 11
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the processing of each component of FIG. 1 based on FIG. FIG. 5 is different from FIG.
The point of clarifying the component that performed the processing of each step and S
The difference is that 501, 502, and 503 are added. FIG.
In FIG. 2 and FIG. 2, the same processes are denoted by the same step numbers.

S501: The request receiving unit 403 determines whether the received signal of the name resolution request is a PS-ID or a wireless terminal name. S502: If the result of determination is that it is a wireless terminal name, conversion unit 5
05 searches the PS-ID storage unit 401 and converts the wireless terminal name into PS-ID. S503: The conversion unit 404 converts the RPCU-ID received by the reply receiving unit 406 into an IP address by searching the address storage unit 402. <Detailed Configuration of Base Station Controllers 121 to 123> FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a more detailed configuration of a base station control device 123 according to the present embodiment.

In the figure, the base station controller 123 includes an address request receiving section 501, a location storage section 502, a location management section 503, an address pool section 504, and an address allocating section 5.
05, a reply unit 506, and an IP packet transfer unit 507. The address request receiving unit 501 receives the PS-ID according to the first address request from the name resolution server 111 and passes it to the position management unit 503.

The location storage unit 502 stores the service area R1
23 stores all the PS-IDs of the wireless terminals.
These PS-IDs are written by the position management unit 503. The location management unit 503 stores the service area R123
When the location registration is received from the wireless terminal existing in the location storage unit 502, the PS-ID is written to the location storage unit 502.

Further, when the PS-ID is passed from the address request receiving unit 501, the position management unit 503
02, it is determined whether the same PS-ID has been written. As a result of the determination, if the same PS-ID is written, the position management unit 503 determines that the PS-I
D is passed to the address assignment unit 505.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that the same PS-ID has not been written, location management section 503 issues a location request to PHS service control station 151 for inquiring the RPCU-ID of the service area in which the PS-ID exists. Send out. As a result, from the PHS service control station 151,
Since the RPCU-ID is returned, the position management unit 503 passes the RPCU-ID to the response unit 506.

The address pool 504 stores a plurality of IPs that can be assigned to wireless terminals existing in the service area R123.
The address is stored in association with the assignment status of the IP address (address assignment status). The address assignment status is represented by whether the IP address is assigned to the wireless terminal or in an empty state, and if the IP address is assigned, the PS-ID of the assigned wireless terminal.

The address allocating unit 505 includes the position managing unit 5
When the PS-ID is passed from 03, the address pool unit 5
04, and searches for a free IP address. Then, the retrieved IP address is passed to the reply unit 506,
The PS-ID is written in the address pool unit 504 in association with the IP address. Also, an address assignment unit 505
When the IP address is passed from the IP packet transfer unit 507, the PS-ID corresponding to the IP address is detected from the address pool unit 504, and the IP packet transfer unit 5
Return to 07.

The reply unit 506 returns the RPCU-ID passed from the location management unit 503 to the name resolution server 111. In addition, the reply unit 506 replies the IP address passed from the address assignment unit 505 to the name resolution server 111. The IP packet transfer unit 507 uses the Internet 1
The IP packet is received from the fixed terminal on 00. That I
The IP address is read from the P packet and passed to the address assignment unit 505. As a result, the address assignment unit 505
When the PS-ID is returned, the IP packet transfer unit 50
7 uses the PS-ID to make a call to the PS-ID wireless terminal.

When the wireless terminal establishes a wireless connection in response to the call, the IP packet transfer unit 507 transfers the received IP packet to the wireless terminal.
Packet and I from fixed terminal on Internet 100
Relays transmission and reception of P packets. FIG. 7 is a flowchart clarifying the processing of each component based on FIG. 3 for the base station controller 123 configured as described above. In FIG. 7 and FIG. 3, the same processes are denoted by the same step numbers.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart clarifying the processing of each component when the base station control device 123 receives an IP packet from a fixed terminal on the Internet 100. In the figure, an IP packet transfer unit 50
7 receives the IP packet and receives the IP
The address is passed to the address assignment unit 505 (step 8
01).

The address allocating unit 505 searches the address pool unit 504 for a PS-ID corresponding to the IP address and passes it to the IP packet transfer unit 507 (step 80).
2). The IP packet transfer unit 507 calls the wireless terminal using the PS-ID (step 803). When the connection with the wireless terminal is established, the IP packet transfer unit 507 transfers the received IP packet to the wireless terminal, and thereafter, the IP packet is transferred between the fixed terminal on the Internet 100 and the wireless terminal.
The relay of the packet transfer is performed (step 804).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the base station controller 121 according to this embodiment. Note that the detailed configuration of the base station control device 122 is the same as that of the base station control device 121, and a description thereof will be omitted. In the figure, the base station control device 122 includes an address request receiving unit 601, an address pool unit 604, an address allocating unit 605, a reply unit 606, and an IP packet transfer unit 607.
The base station control device 122 is different from the base station control device 123 in that the position storage unit 502 and the position management unit 503 are not provided.
The difference is that the input / output destinations of the address request receiving unit 601, the reply unit 606, and the address allocating unit 605 are different. Regarding the address pool unit 604 and the IP packet transfer unit 607,
Since the components are the same as those of the base station controller 123, the description is omitted.

The address request receiving section 601 receives the PS-ID according to the second address request from the name resolution server 111 and passes it to the address allocating section 605. The address allocating unit 605 receives the PS-ID from the address request receiving unit 601.
Is passed, an IP address in a free state is searched for with reference to the address pool unit 604. And the searched IP
The address is passed to the reply unit 606, and the PS-ID is written in the address pool unit 604 in association with the IP address.

Also, When the IP address is passed from the IP packet transfer unit 607, the address assignment unit 605 detects the PS-ID corresponding to the IP address from the address pool unit 604 and returns it to the IP packet transfer unit 607. The reply unit 606 replies the IP address passed from the address assignment unit 605 to the name resolution server 111.

The overall operation of the network connection device configured as described above will be described below. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a case where the fixed terminal 101 connects to the wireless terminal 143 and a case where the fixed terminal 101 connects to the wireless terminal 141 in the network of FIG.

In FIG. 10, the fixed terminal 101 notifies the name resolution server 111 of the wireless terminal name or PS-ID of the wireless terminal 143 and makes a name resolution request (1001).
When the wireless terminal name is notified by the name resolution request, the name resolution server 111 changes the name to the corresponding PS-ID (1002). The name resolution server 111 notifies the base station controller 123 of the PS-ID and makes a first address request (1003).

The base station controller 123 checks whether or not the PS-ID of the first address request has been registered in the base station controller 123. As a result, it is determined that the location is registered, and an IP address is assigned to the wireless terminal (100
4). The base station controller 123 sends the name resolution server 111
To the first address request (the assigned IP address) (1005).

The name resolution server 111 determines whether the response to the first address request is an IP address or an RPCU-ID, and as a result, determines that the response is an IP address (1006). The name resolution server 111 uses the fixed terminal 1
A response to the name resolution request (the IP address of the wireless terminal 143) is sent to the client terminal 01 (1007).

The fixed terminal 101 adds the IP address received in response to the name resolution request to the IP packet and sends it to the base station controller 123 (1008). The base station control device 123 that has received the IP packet checks the PS-ID of the corresponding wireless terminal from the IP address (10
09). The base station controller 123 makes a call using the PS-ID, that is, makes a call to the wireless terminal 143 (1010).

The wireless terminal 143 responds to the call (1011). Here, the wireless terminal 143 performs a dial-up IP connection such as PPP with the base station controller 123. The base station controller 123 transfers the received IP packet to the wireless terminal 143 (1012), and then relays the IP packet transfer between the wireless terminal 143 and the fixed terminal 101 (1013).

In FIG. 11, the fixed terminal 101 notifies the name resolution server 111 of the wireless terminal name or PS-ID of the wireless terminal 141 and makes a name resolution request (1101).
When the wireless terminal name is notified by the name resolution request, the name resolution server 111 changes the name to the corresponding PS-ID (1102). The name resolution server 111 notifies the base station controller 123 of the PS-ID and makes a first address request (1103).

The base station controller 123 checks whether or not the PS-ID of the first address request has been registered in the base station controller 123. As a result, it is determined that the position of the wireless terminal having the PS-ID has not been registered, but has been registered with another base station controller (1104). Base station controller 1
23 sends a PS-ID to the PHS service control station 151 to make a location request (1105).

The PHS service control station 151 searches the internal memory for an RPCU-ID corresponding to the PS-ID (1106). The PHS service control station 151 sends a response (RPCU-ID) of the location request to the base station control device 123 (1107). The base station control device 123
The response (RPCU-ID) of the address request is sent to the name resolution server 111 (1108).

The name resolution server 111 determines whether the reply to the first address request is an IP address or an RPCU-ID, and as a result, determines that the reply is an RPCU-ID (1109). The name resolution server 111 uses the RPCU-
The base station controller 121 of the ID is notified of the PS-ID and a second address request is sent (1110).

The base station controller 121 checks whether the PS-ID of the second address request has been registered in the base station controller 121 or not. As a result, it is determined that the location is registered, and an IP address is assigned to the wireless terminal (111).
1). The base station control device 121 sends the name resolution server 111
Sends a reply to the second address request (assigned IP address) (1112).

The name resolution server 111 determines whether the response to the second address request is an IP address or an RPCU-ID, and as a result, determines that the response is an IP address (1113). The name resolution server 111 uses the fixed terminal 1
A response to the name resolution request (the IP address of the wireless terminal 141) is sent to the client terminal 01 (1114).

The fixed terminal 101 adds the IP address received in response to the name resolution request to the IP packet and sends it to the base station controller 121 (1115). The base station control device 121 that has received the IP packet checks the PS-ID of the corresponding wireless terminal from the IP address (11).
16). The base station controller 121 calls the wireless terminal 141 using the PS-ID (1117).

Radio terminal 141 responds to the call (1118). The base station controller 121 receives the received IP
The packet is transferred to the wireless terminal 141 (1119), and thereafter, the IP packet transfer between the wireless terminal 141 and the fixed terminal 101 is relayed (1120). As described above, the network connection device according to the present invention includes the name resolution server 11
1 searches for a base station controller in which a fixed terminal has registered its position by communicating with up to two base station controllers including the base station controller 123, and the base station controller dynamically determines the IP address at that position. Assign. With dynamic allocation, I
The problem of wasteful consumption of the P address is solved. When the fixed terminal sends an IP packet having a dynamic IP address to the Internet 100, the IP packet is
The IP address is transferred to the base station controller via the shortest path on the Internet 100, and the base station controller wirelessly connects to the wireless terminal via the base station to transfer the IP packet. Is
The fixed terminal can be connected to the wireless terminal via a shorter path.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the name resolution server 111 is configured to reply to the fixed terminal on the Internet 100 the IP address corresponding to the wireless terminal name.
You may comprise so that it may have the function of NS (domain name service). In other words, the DNS function is a function for the name resolution server 111 to perform mutual conversion between a domain name and an IP address of a fixed terminal on the Internet other than a wireless terminal or a fixed terminal for dial-up connection. Accordingly, when the name resolution server 111 receives a name resolution request from the fixed terminal, if the name resolution request is a name resolution request for the wireless terminal name, the name resolution server 111 obtains an IP address by communicating with the base station controller 123 and the like, and obtains the name of the domain name. If the request is a resolution request, an IP address is determined by a mutual conversion function inside the name resolution server 111, and the fixed terminal is notified of the IP address.

The destination of the first address request may be a base station controller other than the base station controller 123. Further, all the base station controllers may have the same function and configuration as the base station controller 123. Further, when receiving an address request from the name resolution server 111, each base station control device returns an IP address if the wireless terminal has registered its location with its own device, and the wireless terminal has not registered its location. In that case, the name resolution server 111 may be configured to reply to the request, and the name resolution server 111 may sequentially transmit the address request to each base station controller until the IP address is returned.

The name resolution server 111 is configured to send an address request to each base station controller at the same time, and each base station controller transmits an IP address when the wireless terminal is registered in its own location. , And if the wireless terminal has not registered its location, the wireless terminal may reply to that effect. Although the network connection device of this embodiment has only one name resolution server 111, it is configured to have a plurality of name resolution servers so that each name resolution server performs processing in a distributed manner. You may.

The name resolution server 111 is configured to connect to the base station controller via the Internet. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the name resolution server 111 may be configured to connect to a telephone network or wirelessly. Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration uses the location registration information of the conventional PHS service control station. However, a management unit for managing the location registration information exclusively for the network connection device may be provided.

Each base station controller is configured to mutually exchange information on the location registration of the wireless terminal, and the name resolution server 1
11 may be configured so that a response to the IP address or the RPCU-ID of the service area where the wireless terminal is present can be obtained even if the first address request is sent to any base station controller. Each base station controller does not have the location registration information of the wireless terminal, and inquires of the PHS service control station 151 only after receiving the first address request to acquire the RPCU-ID of the corresponding base station controller. May be.

In this embodiment, the base station controller, the base station, and the wireless terminal are configured as an outdoor public system, but may be configured as a private system, or may be used for both outdoor public and private use. Is also good. In this embodiment, the base station controller is configured as a base station for outdoor public use, but may be configured as a base station controller for private use.

In this embodiment, the wireless terminals 141 to 14
Reference numeral 3 denotes a portable personal computer and a PHS telephone. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a single mobile terminal, a single personal computer having a wireless communication function, or the like. In the present embodiment, the base station controller is configured to issue an incoming call request to the wireless terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured to issue an incoming request from a name server or the like.

In this embodiment, a campus LAN or an in-house LAN may be used instead of the Internet.

[0079]

The network connection device of the present invention comprises a name resolution server connected to a network and a plurality of connection devices, and is connected from a fixed terminal connected to the network to a wireless terminal. Receiving means for receiving a wireless terminal name from the fixed terminal via a network, requesting means for requesting an address of the wireless terminal to one or more connection devices when the wireless terminal name is received, Notifying means for notifying the address to the fixed terminal when the address of the wireless terminal is returned, and each connection device uses the location registration of the wireless terminal and receives a request to the own device by the request means. When the wireless terminal is located, the identification means for identifying the connection device whose location is registered, and when the identified connection device is its own device, And allocation means for allocating a dress,
Reply means for replying to the name resolution server the address assigned by the assigning means; and when a packet addressed to the address assigned to the wireless terminal from the fixed terminal arrives, wireless connection to the wireless terminal assigned the address is made. Transfer means for transferring the packet.

With this configuration, when the name resolution server receives a name resolution request for a wireless terminal from a fixed terminal, the network connection device requests one or more connection devices for an address. The wireless terminal specifies the connection device whose location is registered, and if it is its own device, assigns an address to the wireless terminal and replies to the name resolution server, and the name resolution server sends the returned address to the fixed terminal. Notify. When the connection device receives a packet to which an address addressed to the wireless terminal is added from the fixed terminal, the connection device wirelessly connects to the wireless terminal and transfers the packet. For this reason, the network connection device can dynamically assign an address to a moving wireless terminal,
There is an effect that the packet to which the address is added is transferred to the wireless terminal via the connection device whose position is registered by the wireless terminal on the shortest route on the Internet. Further, addresses can be dynamically allocated to the wireless terminals, so that address resources are saved.

In addition, when the wireless terminal name is accepted, the requesting means requests an address of the wireless terminal from any one of the connection devices, and the address of the wireless terminal is returned from the specific connection device. If there is no such address, the address may be sequentially requested from another connection device until a response is received. Thus, the name resolution server of the present invention
The address of the wireless terminal can be obtained by sequentially sending the address request to the connection device.

The requesting means requests the address of the wireless terminal from one connecting device when the wireless terminal name is accepted, and the one connecting device is further specified by the specifying means. If the connection device is not its own device, the connection device is provided with second response means for replying to the name resolution server the name of another connection device specified by the specification means, and the request means is provided with an address of the wireless terminal from the specific connection device. May be configured to request an address from the connection device replied by the second responding means if no response is received.

Therefore, the name resolution server of the present invention transmits an address request to the predetermined connection device and the connection device returned by the second response means, that is, communicates with up to two connection devices. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a response to the address of the wireless terminal, and there is an effect that the time from when the fixed terminal sends the name resolution request to when the address is notified from the name resolution server is shortened.

Further, the specifying means includes storage means for storing a plurality of correspondences between the wireless terminal and the connection device with which the wireless terminal has registered the position by utilizing the position registration of the wireless terminal, and When there is a request to the device, the storage device may be configured to specify the connection device whose location is registered by the wireless terminal. Thus, the connection device of the present invention can easily specify the connection device corresponding to the wireless terminal requested by the request unit by storing the correspondence between the plurality of wireless terminals and the connection device.

Further, when the allocating means allocates an address to the wireless terminal, the storage means stores the wireless terminal and the address in association with each other, and the response means stores the wireless terminal requested by the request means. When the address of the terminal is stored in the storage means, the address may be returned to the name resolution server. According to this configuration, since the storage means stores the correspondence between the address assigned by the allocating means and the wireless terminal, the allocating means assigns the address of the wireless terminal once requested by the requesting means again. Therefore, the time from when the name resolution server receives the wireless terminal name from the fixed terminal to when the name resolution server notifies the fixed terminal of the address of the wireless terminal is reduced.

Further, the specifying means includes an obtaining means for obtaining, from the position management apparatus on the wireless switching network, the connection apparatus name of the connection apparatus whose position is registered by the wireless terminal, wherein the request means requests the own apparatus. When there is, the connection device may be specified by causing the obtaining unit to obtain the connection device name. Thus, the connection device of the present invention can specify the connection device whose position is registered by the wireless terminal requested by the request unit by using the position management device on the wireless switching network.

[0087] Further, the specifying means includes a storage means for storing the name of the wireless terminal whose position is registered in its own device, and a connecting device of the connecting device whose position is registered by the wireless terminal from a position management device on the wireless switching network. Acquiring means for acquiring a name, and when the request is issued to the own device by the requesting means, if the wireless terminal name is stored in the storage means, the wireless terminal has registered the position of the own device. If the wireless device is specified as the connection device and the storage unit does not store the wireless terminal, the connection device may be specified by causing the acquisition unit to obtain the connection device name.

Thus, the connection apparatus of the present invention, when there is a request to the own apparatus by the request means, and when the position of the wireless terminal is registered in the own apparatus, sets the own apparatus to the wireless terminal. Can be easily identified as the connected device whose location has been registered. If the wireless terminal has been registered with another connected device, the wireless terminal can be identified by using a location management device on the wireless switching network. Can be specified.

The network connection device of the present invention comprises a name resolution server connected to a network and a plurality of connection devices, and is connected from a fixed terminal connected to the network to a wireless terminal. Accepting means for accepting a wireless terminal name from a terminal via a network, and identifying means for identifying a connection device with which the wireless terminal has registered the position using the position registration of the wireless terminal when the wireless terminal name has been accepted And allocating means for allocating an address to the wireless terminal based on the address of the specified connection device, and response means for replying the allocated address to the fixed terminal. When a packet addressed to the address assigned to the terminal arrives, the wireless connection to the wireless terminal assigned the address Configured to forward the packet.

With this configuration, when the name resolution server receives a name resolution request for a wireless terminal from a fixed terminal, the network connection device uses the location registration of the wireless terminal to identify the connection device with which the wireless terminal has registered the location. Then, an address is assigned to the wireless terminal based on the specified address of the connection device, and the address is returned to the fixed terminal.
When the connection device later receives a packet to which the address for the wireless terminal is added from the fixed terminal, the connection device wirelessly connects to the wireless terminal and transfers the packet. For this reason, the network connection device can dynamically assign an address to a moving wireless terminal, and a packet with this address can be transmitted to a connection device whose position is registered by the wireless terminal on the shortest route on the Internet. This has the effect of being transferred to the wireless terminal via the

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network including a network connection device and peripheral components according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a schematic process from when a name resolution server 111 receives a name resolution request from a fixed terminal until it replies an IP address.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a case where the base station control device 123 operates the name resolution server 111;
9 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic process when a first address request is received.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a more detailed configuration of a name resolution server 111 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart clearly showing processing of each component based on FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a more detailed configuration of the base station control device 123 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart clearly showing processing of each component based on FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 shows a case where the base station controller 123 uses the Internet 100.
10 is a flowchart clarifying the processing of each component when an IP packet is received from the above fixed terminal.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a more detailed configuration of the base station control device 121 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a case where a fixed terminal 101 is a wireless terminal 14 in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a case of connecting to No. 3;

FIG. 11 shows a case where a fixed terminal 101 is a wireless terminal 14 in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a case of connecting to No. 1

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 Internet 101 to 103 Fixed terminal 104, 105 LAN 111 Name resolution server 121 to 123 Base station controller 131 to 137 Base station 141 to 143 Wireless terminal 150 Public network 151 PHS service control station

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04L 12/28 H04Q 7/04 C (72) Inventor Atsushi Yamaguchi 1006 Kazuma Kazuma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Incorporated (72) Inventor ▲ Hama ▼ Takayuki Ki 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kazuma City, Osaka Prefecture F-term (reference) 5B089 GA11 GA21 GA25 HA13 KA04 KA07 KB04 KB06 KG04 KG05 5K030 HD09 JL01 JT09 KA05 LD11 LE17 5K033 AA09 CB01 CB06 DA19 DB12 DB14 DB18 EC03 5K067 AA21 BB21 DD13 EE02 EE10 EE16 GG01 GG11 HH11 JJ64 9A001 BB02 BB03 BB04 CC05 CC07 DD10 EZ02 HH09 JJ18 JJ25 JJ27 KK37 KK56

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A network connection device comprising a name resolution server connected to a network and a plurality of connection devices and connecting a fixed terminal connected to the network to a wireless terminal, wherein the name resolution server is Receiving means for receiving a wireless terminal name via a network; requesting means for requesting an address of the wireless terminal to one or more connection devices when the wireless terminal name is received; Notifying means for notifying the address to the fixed terminal when the address is replied, each connection device uses the location registration of the wireless terminal, and when the request to the own device is made by the request means, Specifying means for specifying a connection device whose location is registered by the terminal; and, if the specified connection device is its own device, Allocating means for allocating a dress; replying means for replying to the name resolution server an address allocated by the allocating means; if a packet addressed to the address allocated to the wireless terminal from the fixed terminal arrives, the address is allocated. Transfer means for wirelessly connecting the wireless terminal to the wireless terminal and transferring the packet. 2. The requesting means, when the wireless terminal name is received, requests an address of the wireless terminal from any one of the connection devices, and the address of the wireless terminal is returned from the one connection device. 2. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein when there is no reply, the network connection device requests the addresses of other connection devices sequentially until a response is returned. 3. The requesting means, when the wireless terminal name is accepted, requests an address of the wireless terminal from one connecting device, and the one connecting device is further specified by the specifying means. If the connection device is not its own device, the connection device is provided with second response means for replying to the name resolution server the name of another connection device specified by the specification means, and the request means is provided with an address of the wireless terminal from the one connection device. 3. The network connection device according to claim 2, wherein if no is returned, an address is requested from the connection device of the connection device name returned by the second response means. 4. The identification unit includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of correspondences between a wireless terminal and a connection device with which the wireless terminal has registered the position by using the position registration of the wireless terminal. 2. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein when a request is made to the device, the connection device whose location is registered by the wireless terminal is specified from the storage unit. 5. The storage unit further stores, when the allocating unit allocates an address to the wireless terminal, the wireless terminal and the address in association with each other, and the reply unit stores the wireless terminal requested by the request unit. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein when the address of the terminal is stored in the storage means, the address is returned to the name resolution server.
The network connection device according to the above. 6. The identification unit includes an acquisition unit that acquires, from a location management device on the wireless switching network, a connection device name of a connection device whose location is registered by the wireless terminal, a request to the own device by the request unit. 2. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein when there is a connection, the connection device is specified by causing the obtaining unit to obtain the connection device name. 7. A storage device for storing a name of a wireless terminal whose position is registered in its own device, and a connection device of a connection device whose position of the wireless terminal is registered from a position management device on the wireless switching network. Acquiring means for acquiring a name, and when the requesting means makes a request to the own device, if the wireless terminal name is stored in the storage means, the wireless terminal registers the position of the own device. 2. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the connection device is specified as the connection device, and when the wireless terminal is not stored in the storage unit, the connection device is specified by causing the acquisition unit to obtain the connection device name. . 8. A network connection device comprising a name resolution server connected to a network and a plurality of connection devices, and connecting from a fixed terminal connected to the network to a wireless terminal. A receiving unit that receives a wireless terminal name via a network, and a specifying unit that specifies a connection device whose position of the wireless terminal is registered using position registration of the wireless terminal when the wireless terminal name is received, An assignment unit that assigns an address to the wireless terminal based on the address of the specified connection device, and a response unit that returns the assigned address to the fixed terminal, wherein each connection device assigns an address from the fixed terminal to the wireless terminal. If a packet addressed to the address arrives, connect wirelessly to the wireless terminal to which the address has been assigned. A network connection device comprising transferring the packet.