JP2001350937A - Method and system for lending address and computer readable recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a service requested by a user after lending an address and to charge a counter value corresponding to the service. SOLUTION: When a service provider lends the address used for network communication to the user via a network, the identification information on the service requested by the user and user identification information are acquired, and the acquired service identification information and user identification information are made correspond to each other and registered. When an address request including the user identification information is received from the user, any of lendable addresses assigned to each piece of a plurality of service identification information is selected on the basis of the user identification information including the address request and the registered service and user identification information and the selected address is offered to the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an address lending method, an address lending system, and a computer-readable address for lending an address used for network communication from a service provider to a service user (user) via a network. It relates to a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An Internet service provider provides an Internet connection service to service users.

In an Internet connection service provided by a service provider, an IP address for connecting to the Internet is issued to a service user by paying a fixed amount monthly.

[0004] Using the issued IP address, each service user can connect to the Internet, and each service user can uniformly receive the same service.

Similarly, a technology for issuing an IP address to a service user's computer has been established in an intranet of a general company.

[0006]

As described above, an IP address is lent to a service user's computer even in a general company's intranet.

[0007] However, in a conventional intranet, an IP address is lent to a user's computer, but what kind of service is provided using the IP address is not managed.

[0008] Therefore, within the conventional intranet, services of the same content are provided to each service user, and a uniform fee is required when the services are provided for a fee.

For this reason, in a conventional intranet,
It is difficult to provide services in response to user requests.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an address lending method and an address lending for providing a network service requested by a user and enabling the user to charge for the service. It is an object to provide a system and a computer-readable recording medium.

[0011]

Means taken to realize the present invention will be described below.

A first aspect of the present invention is an address lending method for renting an address used for network communication from a service provider to a user via a network, the method including: identifying information of a service requested by the user among a plurality of services; An acquisition step of acquiring the user identification information via the network, a registration step of associating the acquired service identification information with the user identification information in the storage means, and an address request including the user identification information. When received from the user via the network, based on the identification information of the user included in the address request, the identification information of the service registered in the storage unit, and the identification information of the user, each identification information of a plurality of services is obtained. Select one of the assigned borrowable addresses and select this selected An address lending process comprising the address providing step of providing the user with dress over the network.

In the first invention, an address is assigned to each type of service, and an address corresponding to the service requested by the user is lent.

Therefore, the contents of the service requested by the user can be recognized from the lent address, and the contents of the service can be managed for each user.

The second invention is an address lending method similar to the first invention, but after an address is provided to a user in an address providing step, a service request including the address provided to the user is sent from the user. When accepted via the network, the service recognizes the service identification information requested by the user based on the rentable address assigned to each of the plurality of service identification information and the address included in the service request. Address lending method to which a service providing step of providing the service indicated by the identification information to the user is added.

In the second invention, when an address is lent to a user, a service corresponding to the user's address is provided.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a service according to a user's request, and to determine a fee according to the service.

A third aspect of the present invention is an address lending method similar to the first or second aspect of the present invention, but includes a billing step for billing the user at least once via a network for a fee corresponding to a service requested by the user. This is an address lending method to which an address is added. As a result, it becomes possible to notify the user of the payment amount or to warn the user who is behind the fee.

The fourth invention is an address lending method similar to the third invention, except that when the user does not pay the bill charged in the billing step, the identification information of the user registered in the registration step This is an address lending method to which a deletion step for deleting the ID and the service identification information is added. As a result, it is possible to prevent the use of the user who has not paid the fee.

A fifth invention is an address lending system for lending an address used for network communication from a service provider to a user via a network,
A table for managing a lendable address for each of the plurality of service identification information, an acquisition unit for acquiring the identification information of the service requested by the user and the identification information of the user via a network, and an acquisition unit for acquiring the identification information of the user via the network. Registration means for associating service identification information with user identification information in a storage means and receiving an address request including the user identification information from the user via a network, identifying the user included in the address request Based on the information, the service identification information registered in the storage means, and the user identification information, select one of the addresses managed in the table, and provide the selected address to the user via the network. An address lending system comprising an address providing means for providing.

The address lending system of the fifth invention is a network system for realizing the address lending method of the first invention, and has the same operation and effects as those of the first invention.

A sixth invention is an address lending system similar to the fifth invention, wherein an address is provided to a user by an address providing means, and a service request including the address provided to the user is transmitted from the user via a network. If the request is accepted, the service providing that recognizes the identification information of the service requested by the user based on the table and the address included in the service request, and provides the service indicated by the recognized identification information to the user This is an address lending system with additional means.

The address lending system according to the sixth invention is a network system for realizing the address lending method according to the second invention, and has the same effect as the second invention.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a function for causing a computer to manage a lendable address as a table for each of a plurality of service identification information, a plurality of service identification information of a service requested by a user, and Computer recording a program for realizing an acquisition function for acquiring identification information via a network, and a registration function for associating the identification information of a service acquired by the acquisition function with the identification information of a user and registering them in a storage unit It is a readable recording medium.

For example, a conventional DHCP (Dynamic Host C)
An address corresponding to a service requested by the user can be lent by adding a function realized by the program of the seventh invention to a function of renting an address realized by an onfiguration protocol) server or the like.

Thus, the contents of the service requested by the user can be recognized from the lent address, and the contents of the service can be managed for each user.

An eighth invention is a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for performing control for renting an address used for network communication from a service provider to a user via a network,
A function of causing a computer to manage a lendable address as a table for each identification information of a plurality of services, and to obtain, via a network, identification information of a service requested by a user among the plurality of services and identification information of the user. An acquisition function, a registration function for associating the service identification information acquired by the acquisition function with the user identification information and registering the identification information in the storage unit, and, when the identification information is registered by the registration function, an address of the user. A use permission function for notifying use permission via the network, and an address request including user identification information received from the user via the network after the use permission is notified by the use permission function, is included in the address request. User identification information and service identification information registered in the storage means and user A program for realizing an address providing function of allowing the user to select one of the addresses managed in the table based on the identification information and providing the selected address to the user via the network. It is a computer-readable recording medium.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing the functions of the address lending system described in the fifth aspect of the present invention by a computer.

By using a recording medium storing such a program, the above-mentioned functions can be easily added to a network system which does not have the above-mentioned functions.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium storing a program similar to that of the eighth aspect, wherein an address is provided to a computer by an address providing function, and the address provided to the user is provided. When a service request containing a service request is received from a user via a network, the identification information of the service requested by the user is recognized based on the table and the address included in the service request, and the service indicated by the recognized identification information is recognized. Is a computer-readable recording medium on which a program provided with a service providing function for providing a user with a service is recorded.

The ninth invention is a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for realizing the function of the address lending system described in the sixth invention by a computer is recorded.

By using a recording medium storing such a program, the above-described functions can be easily added to a network system that does not have the above-mentioned functions.

Incidentally, with respect to the eighth or ninth invention,
A function for realizing the billing step described in the third invention may be added, and a function for realizing the deleting step described in the fourth invention may be added.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, identification information of a plurality of services and a plurality of addresses used for network communication are stored in association with each other, and user identification information for identifying a user and a service requested by the user are stored. Is a computer-readable recording medium in which identification information is stored in association with each other.

In the tenth aspect, a data structure is used in which the identification information of the service is associated with the address, and the identification information of the user is associated with the identification information of the service requested by the user.

Thus, after the address is rented,
The contents of the service requested by the user can be recognized from the lent address, and the contents of the service can be managed for each user.

[0037]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) In this embodiment, an rentable IP address is set in advance for each of a plurality of services, and an IP address is lent based on a service requested by a user. An address lending method that provides a recognized service will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an address lending method according to the present embodiment from a contract application to a renewal of a lending period.

The database 2 of the service provider 1 includes:
A table 2a for managing rentable IP addresses is stored for each service rank indicating the type of service.

For example, the contents of services such as a guaranteed transfer rate, available application programs (hereinafter, referred to as “applications”), connectable servers, and the like differ depending on the service rank.

In the address lending method according to the present embodiment, first, the service user 3 applies for necessary items to the service provider 1 and applies for a contract (s).
1). By this application, the service rank requested by the service user 3 and the MA unique to the user terminal
User information including a C address and a user name is transmitted to the service provider 1 via a network (not shown).

Next, the service provider 1 acquires the user information (s2), associates the user name, the MAC address, and the service rank included in the acquired user information with each other and registers them in the table 2b of the database 2. (S
3) Assuming that the application has been received, the permission to use the IP address is transmitted to the service user 3 (s4). This allows
An IP address use permission notification is transmitted from the service provider 1 to the service user 3 via the network.

In this state, it is assumed that the service user 3 instructs connection of the user terminal to the network or turns on the power of the user terminal (s5).

Then, an IP address request including the user name and the MAC address of the user terminal is transmitted from the service user 3 to the service provider 1 via the network.

The service provider 1 recognizes the service rank requested by the service user 3 at the time of contract based on the IP address request and the table 2b, and can lend it based on the service rank and the table 2a. An unrented IP address is selected from the IP addresses (s6).

Then, the service provider 1 selects the selected I
The P address is transmitted to the service user 3 (s7). Thus, the IP address is lent from the service provider 1 to the service user 3.

The service user 3 starts using the service using the rented IP address, and transmits a service request including this IP address to the service provider 1 via the network.

The service provider 1 recognizes the service rank requested by the service user 3 based on the IP address contained in the received service request and the table 2a (s9), and based on the service rank. The service of the applied content is provided to the service user 3 (s1
0).

When a predetermined date is reached or a predetermined period has elapsed, the service provider 1 recognizes the service rank requested by the service user 3 according to the table 2b, and pays according to the service rank. (S11).

The service user 3 transfers the payment in response to the request (s12), and the service provider 1 is notified of the transfer.

When the service provider 1 is notified of the transfer, the service provider 1 updates the user information of the service user 3 (s13).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a case where cancellation of a contract is requested in the address lending method according to the present embodiment.

In the address lending method according to this embodiment, when the service user 3 requests cancellation of the contract,
A contract cancellation request including a P address and a user name is sent from the service user 3 via the network to the service provider 1
(S14).

Then, the service provider 1 deletes the user information relating to the notified user name from the database 2 and sets the notified IP address as unrented (s1).
5).

Then, the service provider 1 notifies the service user 3 via the network that the contract cancellation has been accepted.
(S16).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a case where no payment has been made in the address lending method according to the present embodiment.

As described above, in the address lending method according to the present embodiment, payment is made according to the service rank (s11), but the service user 3 pays for this request. If you do not transfer (s1
7), the service provider 1 requests the payment again (s18).

If the service user 3 does not respond to this re-billing (s19), the service provider 1 deletes the user information on the service user 3 from the database 2 and is lent to the service user 3. The IP address is not leased (s20).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the service user 3 and the service provider 1 in the address lending method.

The service user 3 requests a service from the in-house network 1a of the service provider 1 using a user terminal 9 such as a PC, a user server, or a client.

Then, network services (bandwidth guarantee of the in-house network 1a, available applications, Internet 5) defined for each IP address
Is provided to the service user 3.

The service user 3 has the in-house network 1a within the range of the network service provided to himself / herself.
, And can access the Internet 5.

The service user 3 pays the service provider 1 for the network service received by the service user 3.

As described above, when the address lending method according to the present embodiment is used, the in-house network 1a
An IP address ranked for each service is lent to the service user 3 from the service provider 1 having.

As a result, the service provider 1 can provide the network service with the contents of the service previously requested by the service user 3, and can obtain a price for each rank of the provided service. For example, a service user who does not request an advanced service can be provided with a service at a low price, and a service user who requests an advanced service can be provided with a service at a high price.

(Second Embodiment) In the present embodiment, an address lending system that realizes the address lending method described in the first embodiment will be described.

This address lending system includes a means for registering a service user in advance, a means for providing a lendable address to the service user, information for specifying the rank of the rented IP address, and a service corresponding to the rank. Means for providing the contents.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the address lending system according to the present embodiment.
The same reference numerals are given to the same parts as.

A plurality of routers 71 to 73 are connected to the in-house network 1a of the address lending system 6.
A user terminal 9 is connected to the in-house network 1a via a router 71 and a hub 8, and a directory server 10 and a DHCP server 11 are connected via a router 72.

Further, the Internet 5 having a WWW (World Wide Web) server 12 is connected to the in-house network 1a via a router 73.

FIG. 6 is a diagram exemplifying the user information 13a registered in the user information database 13 provided in the directory server 10.

The user information 13a in the user information database 13 includes a group ID corresponding to a service rank, a user name, and a MAC address.

In the directory server 10, a user name and a MAC address are managed for each group ID.

FIG. 7 shows the DHCP server 11 and the router 71
FIG. 7 is a diagram exemplifying IP address information 14a registered in an IP address information database 14 provided in each of FIG.

The IP address information 14a includes various group IDs and I
And a range of P addresses.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of the IP address lending information 15 provided in the DHCP server 11.

The IP address lending information 15 is composed of various IP addresses that can be lent, and a status indicating whether each lent IP address is lent or not lent (vacant).

FIG. 9 is a diagram exemplifying the service definition information 16a registered in the service definition information database 16 provided in the routers 71 to 73.

The service definition information 16a is composed of ranks of various services and contents of services provided in each rank.

FIG. 10 is a diagram exemplifying rank information 17a registered in the rank information database 17 provided in the routers 71 to 73.

The rank information 17a contains various group IDs.
“1” to “4” and their respective group IDs “1” to
It is composed of service ranks “S” to “C” corresponding to “4”.

Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of the address lending system 6 of FIG. 5 described above will be described.

The directory server 10 acquires the user information from the user terminal 9 by the acquisition function 18a of the directory server control unit 18, registers the user information in the user information database 13 by the registration function 18b, and responds to the request. Provide registered user information.

The DHCP server 11 uses the use permission function 19a of the DHCP server control unit 19 to notify the user terminal 9 that has registered the user information of the permission to use the IP address.

When the user terminal 9 is started or a network connection is established, the DHCP server 11 stores the contents of the IP address information database 14, the contents of the IP address lending information 15, and the contents of the user information database 13 of the directory server 10. , The IP address to be lent is determined and provided to the user terminal 9.

The operation of the DHCP server 11 is based on the DHCP
This is realized by the address providing function 19b of the P server control unit 19. Specifically, the address providing function 19b
Recognizes a group ID based on the user name or MAC address and the user information 13a, recognizes a rentable IP address in the recognized group ID from the IP address information 14a, and, among the recognized rentable IP addresses, One of the unrented IP addresses is determined from the IP address lending information 15 and provided to the user terminal 9.

Each of the routers 71 to 73 implements a network relay function by the router control unit 20 and the network interface 21. The service providing function 20 a of the router control unit 20 provides a service based on the IP address of the user terminal 9. Switch the contents of

Specifically, the service providing function 20a
A group ID corresponding to the IP address of the user terminal 9 is recognized from the IP address information 14a, a service rank is recognized from the recognized group ID based on the rank information 17a, and a service content corresponding to the recognized service rank is provided as a service. The information is recognized and provided from the definition information 16a.

An operation example of the address lending system 6 having the above configuration will be described below.

First, when making a contract, the service user 3 notifies the service provider 1 of the MAC address of the user terminal 9 receiving the service in advance. Service Provider 1
Registers the notified MAC address in the user information database 13 of the directory server 10.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of lending an IP address to a user terminal (DHCP client) 9 based on pre-registered user information.

When receiving the network service, the user terminal 9 first requests the DHCP server 11 to lend an IP address (t1). In this case, the lending request from the user terminal 9 includes the MAC address of the user terminal 9.

The hub 8 has a role of an aggregation device for connecting a plurality of user terminals.

D of the DHCP server 11 receiving the lending request
The HCP server control unit 19 makes an inquiry to the directory server 10 in order to obtain whether or not the MAC address of the user terminal 9 has been registered and the group ID to which the user terminal 9 belongs.

The directory server control unit 18 accepts the inquiry, and searches the user information database 13 for the presence of the MAC address of the user terminal 9 and the group ID to which the user terminal 9 belongs.

If the MAC address exists, the search result and the group ID to which the directory server belongs are returned from the directory server control unit 18 to the DHCP server control unit 19 (t).
2). When the MAC address of the user terminal 9 does not exist in the user information database 13, the IP address is not lent.

The DHCP server control unit 19, which has received the group ID to which the MAC address of the user terminal 9 belongs from the directory server control unit 18, stores the address range of the received group ID in the IP address information database 14. 14a, and confirms whether an address within the range has already been lent or has not been rented.
It is confirmed by the address lending information 15 (t3).

When there is no unrented address, the IP address is not lent to the user terminal 9.

On the other hand, when there is an unrented address,
IP address lending information 15 of the IP address to be lent
Is lent, and the IP address is lent to the user terminal 9 (t4).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the process of updating the IP address lending period.

The rented IP address has a lending period set, and the IP address is set at the set timing.
An update request for the address lending period is sent from the user terminal 9 to the DH.
It is sent to the CP server 11 (u1). In this case, the update request from the user terminal 9 includes the MAC address of the user terminal 9.

The DHCP server 11 that has received the update request
The DHCP server control unit 19 of the user terminal 9
An inquiry is made to the directory server 10 to obtain whether or not the address has been registered and the group ID to which the address belongs.

The directory server control unit 18 accepts the inquiry, and searches the user information database 13 for the presence of the MAC address of the user terminal 9 and the group ID to which the user terminal 9 belongs.

If the MAC address exists, the directory server control unit 18 returns the search result and the belonging group ID to the DHCP server control unit 19 (u
2). If the MAC address of the user terminal 9 does not exist in the user information database 13, the IP address lending period is not updated.

The DHCP server control unit 19, having received the group ID to which the MAC address of the user terminal 9 belongs from the directory server control unit 18, stores the address range of the received group ID in the IP address information database 14. The IP address lending information 15 confirms whether or not there is an IP address that has already been lent to addresses within the range (u3).

If there is no lent address, the IP address is not lent to the user terminal 9.

On the other hand, if there is a leased address, the lease period of the leased IP address is updated in the IP address lending information 15 (u4), and the updated IP address is leased to the user terminal 9 (U4). u5).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process when a user terminal refers to a WWW server.

User terminal 9 whose IP address has been lent
Will be able to use the service. For example, the loaned I
Assume that the rank of the P address is A rank. In this case, the service content of rank A defined in the service definition information 16a of FIG. 9 described above can be used.

The user terminal 9 transmits a connection request to the WWW server 9 (v1).

[0112] The transmitted connection request includes the IP address of the user terminal 9 and the IP address of the WWW server 12.

The hub 8 transmits a connection request from the user terminal 9 to the router control unit 20 of the router 71.

Upon receiving the connection request, the router control unit 20 of the router 71 checks with the service providing function 20a whether or not the IP address of the user terminal 9 of the transmission source is registered in the IP address information database 14 of the router 71. (V2).

At this point, if the IP address is not registered in the IP address information database 14, it is determined that the user is an uncontracted user and the transfer process is not performed.

On the other hand, if the IP address has been registered, the group ID to which the IP address belongs is obtained from the IP address information 14a (v3).

Subsequently, the router control unit 20 of the router 71
Refers to the rank information 17a of the rank information database 17 provided in the router 71 by the service providing function 20a and acquires the rank to which the acquired group ID belongs (v4).

Subsequently, the router control unit 20 of the router 71
Stores the service definition information 16a of the service definition information database 16 provided in the router 71 in the service providing function 20.
a, the service providing function 20a determines whether or not the service currently used is registered as a service available for the acquired rank (v
5).

If registered, the service providing function 2
0a sets the transfer speed of the rank acquired from the service definition information 16a (v6).

Then, the router control unit 20 of the router 71
Sends an instruction to perform transmission within the range of the set transfer speed to the network interface 21, and a connection request is transmitted from the router 71 to the router 73 (v
7). The transmission destination of the connection request in this case is determined from the IP address of the connection request destination of the user terminal 9.

Upon receiving the connection request, the router control unit 20 of the router 73 checks with the service providing function 20a whether or not the IP address of the user terminal 9 of the transmission source is registered in the IP address information database 14 of the router 73. (V2).

The IP address information database 14 stores the IP
If the address is not registered, it is determined that the user is an uncontracted user and the transfer process is not performed.

On the other hand, if the IP address has been registered, the group ID to which the IP address belongs is obtained from the IP address information 14a (v3).

Subsequently, the router control unit 20 of the router 73
Refers to the rank information 17a of the rank information database 17 provided in the router 73 by the service providing function 20a, and acquires the rank to which the acquired group ID belongs (v4).

Subsequently, the router control unit 20 of the router 73
Stores the service definition information 16a of the service definition information database 16 of the router 73 in the service providing function 20.
a, the service providing function 20a determines whether or not the currently provided service is registered as a service available for the acquired rank (v
5).

If registered, the service providing function 20a sets the transfer speed of the rank acquired from the service definition information 16a (v6).

The router controller 20 of the router 73
Sends an instruction to perform transmission within the range of the set transfer speed to the network interface 21, and a connection request is transmitted from the router 73 to the WWW server 12 (v7).

On the basis of this connection request, the WWW server 12
Executes a process, and the result of access to the connection request from the user terminal 9 is transmitted from the WWW server 12 to the user terminal 9.

The access result transmitted from the WWW server 12 is received by the router control unit 20 of the router 73, and the router 73 executes the same processing as described above. However, the destination of the access result is determined to be the router 71 based on the IP address of the user terminal 9.

When the router control unit 20 of the router 71 receives the access result transmitted from the router 73, the router 7
The first router control unit 20 executes the same processing as described above, transmits the access result to the hub 8, and the hub 8 transmits the access result to the WWW server 12 to the user terminal 9.

In the above example, the user terminal 9 sends the FT
When the P service is used, the transfer is not performed because the FTP service is out of the service range (out of the A rank) of the user terminal 9 in the service definition information 16a of FIG. 9 described above. For other services,
It is determined whether or not the service corresponds to the user terminal 9.

As described above, the address lending system 6 according to the present embodiment registers in advance for each service content a service user who can use the service. When a service user requests an IP address to be lent, an IP address assigned in advance to the contents of the service requested by the service user is lent.

Therefore, in the address lending system 6 according to the present embodiment, a network service corresponding to the IP address lent to the service user can be provided to the service user, and a price corresponding to the content of the service is paid. Can be charged.

(Third Embodiment) In the present embodiment, a modification of the address lending system 6 described in the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the address lending system according to the present embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Only the parts will be described in detail.

The address lending system 22 according to the present embodiment holds the user information 13a held in the directory server 10 in the address lending system 6 according to the first embodiment described above in the DHCP server 23. This is the configuration.

The DHCP server control section 24 of the DHCP server 23 includes a use permitting function 19 a and an address providing function 19.
b, a user information acquisition function 18a and a registration function 18b are provided.

In the address lending system 22 having such a configuration, the process of lending an IP address to a service user is changed as follows.

When the service user receives a network service, the user terminal 9 requests the DHCP server 23 to lend an IP address.

In this case, the lending request from the user terminal 9 includes the MAC address of the user terminal 9.

The D of the DHCP server 23 that has received the lending request
The HCP server control unit 24 searches the user information database 13 for the presence of the MAC address of the user terminal 9 and the group ID to which the user terminal 9 belongs in order to obtain whether the MAC address of the user terminal 9 has been registered and the group ID to which the user terminal 9 belongs. I do.

If the MAC address exists, DH
Group I to which the CP server control unit 24 belongs with the search result
And D. If the MAC address of the user terminal 9 does not exist in the user information database 13,
Do not lend a P address.

The DHCP server control unit 24 having acquired the group ID to which the MAC address of the user terminal 9 belongs,
The address range of the obtained group ID is stored in the IP address information 14a of the IP address information database 14.
The IP address lending information 15 confirms whether an address within the range has been lent or has not been lent.

If there is no unrented address, the IP address is not lent to the user terminal 9.

On the other hand, when there is an unrented address,
IP address lending information 15 of the IP address to be lent
Is lent, and the IP address is lent to the user terminal 9.

The update process of the IP address lending period is as follows.

A rent period is set for the rented IP address, and the IP address is set at the set timing.
An update request for the address lending period is sent from the user terminal 9 to the DH.
Sent to CP server 11. In this case, the update request from the user terminal 9 includes the MAC address of the user terminal 9.

The DHCP server 23 that has received the update request
The DHCP server control unit 24 of the
In order to obtain whether or not the address has been registered and the group ID to which the group belongs, the presence of the MAC address of the user terminal 9 and the group I
Search for D.

If the MAC address exists, DH
The CP server control unit 24 acquires the search result and the group ID to which the search server belongs. If the MAC address of the user terminal 9 does not exist in the user information database 13,
Does not update the P address lending period.

The DHCP server control unit 24 having acquired the group ID to which the MAC address of the user terminal 9 belongs,
The address range of the received group ID is set to IP
IP address information 14 of the address information database 14
a, and whether or not there is an IP address that has already been rented to an address within the range is determined by the IP address lending information 15.
Confirm by

If there is no lent address, the IP address is not lent to the user terminal 9.

On the other hand, if there is a leased address, the lease period of the leased IP address in the IP address lease information 15 is updated, and the updated IP address is updated.
The address is lent to the user terminal 9.

By using such an address lending system 22, the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as when the address lending system 6 according to the second embodiment is used.

In the address lending systems 6 and 22 according to the second and third embodiments, the IP address information database 14, the service definition information database 16, and the rank information database 17 correspond to each router 71.
The service is identified for each rank, but the databases 14, 16, and 17 may be implemented on other devices to identify the service.

In the second and third embodiments, the transfer rate, available applications, and connectable range are defined for each service. However, other elements are defined as service contents. Is also good.

In the second and third embodiments, the IP address is lent to the MAC address of the user terminal 9, but the IP address is lent to other information that can be identified by the user. May be lent.

In the address lending systems 6 and 22 according to the second and third embodiments, if the same operation and function can be realized, the arrangement of each component may be changed. The components may be freely combined.

Each function and each element of the address lending systems 6 and 22 according to the second and third embodiments are as follows.
Examples of programs that can be executed by a computer include a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.) and an optical disk (CD-RO).
M, DVD, etc.), a semiconductor memory or the like, and can be applied to the recording medium, or transmitted by a communication medium, and applied to a computer or a computer system.

A computer that realizes the above functions reads the program recorded in the recording medium, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the program.

[0160]

As described above, in the present invention,
The content of the service is defined for each address leased from the service provider to the service user via the network, and an address corresponding to the content of the service requested by the service user is leased.

Thus, it is possible to recognize which service user should be provided what kind of service, to provide the service to the service user according to the contents of the service, and to provide an appropriate price for each service user. Can be requested.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining from a contract application to a renewal of a lending period in an address lending method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram illustrating a case where cancellation of a contract is requested in the address lending method according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram for explaining a case where no payment has been made in the address lending method according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between a service user and a service provider in the address lending method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an address lending system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram exemplifying user information registered in a user information database provided in a directory server.

FIG. 7 shows an IP provided in a DHCP server and a router.
The figure which illustrates the IP address information registered into the address information database.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of IP address lending information provided in a DHCP server.

FIG. 9 is a diagram exemplifying service definition information registered in a service definition information database provided in a router.

FIG. 10 is a diagram exemplifying rank information registered in a rank information database provided in a router;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of lending an IP address to a user terminal based on pre-registered user information.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an update process of a lending period of an IP address.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing processing when a user terminal refers to a WWW server.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an address lending system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Service provider 1a ... In-house network 2 ... Database 2a, 2b ... Table 3 ... Service user 5 ... Internet 6, 22 ... Address lending system 71-73 ... Router 8 ... Hub 9 ... User terminal 10 ... Directory server 11 Reference numeral 23 DHCP server 12 WWW server 13 User information database 13a User information 14 IP address information database 14a IP address information 15 IP address lending information 16 Service definition information database 16a Service definition information 17 Rank information Database 17a ... Rank information 18 ... Directory server control unit 18a ... Acquisition function 18b ... Registration function 19, 24 ... DHCP server control unit 19a ... Use permission function 19b ... Address provision function 20 ... Router control unit 2 a ... service providing function 21 ... network interface

Continued on front page F term (reference) 5B049 BB00 BB58 CC05 CC36 DD05 EE05 FF09 GG04 GG07 5K030 GA14 HA08 HB08 HC01 HD09 JA10 JT03 JT06 KA04 KA05 MA06 MD09

Claims (10)

[Claims] An address lending method for lending an address used for network communication from a service provider to a user via a network, comprising: identification information of a service requested by the user among a plurality of services; An acquisition step of acquiring identification information via the network; a registration step of associating the acquired identification information of the service with the identification information of the user in a storage unit; and an address request including the identification information of the user. When received from the user via the network, the plurality of services are identified based on the user identification information included in the address request, the service identification information registered in the storage unit, and the user identification information. Select one of the rentable addresses assigned to each piece of information An address providing step of providing the selected address to the user via the network. 2. The address lending method according to claim 1, wherein after the address is provided to the user in the address providing step, a service request including the address provided to the user is accepted from the user via the network. And recognizing the identification information of the service requested by the user based on the rentable address assigned to each of the plurality of service identification information and the address included in the service request. An address lending method to which a service providing step of providing a service indicated by identification information to the user is added. 3. The address lending method according to claim 1, wherein a request step of charging the user at least once via the network in accordance with a service requested by the user is added. Lending method. 4. The address lending method according to claim 3, wherein when the user does not pay the price charged in the billing step, the identification information of the user and the identification of the service registered in the registration step. Address lending method with a deletion step for deleting information and information. 5. An address lending system for lending an address used for network communication from a service provider to a user via a network, comprising: a table for managing a lendable address for each of a plurality of service identification information; Acquiring means for acquiring the identification information of the service requested by the user and the identification information of the user via a network, and associating the identification information of the service and the identification information of the user acquired by the acquiring means with the storage means Registering means for registering, when receiving an address request including the user identification information from the user via the network, identification information of the user included in the address request and identification of a service registered in the storage means Is managed in the table based on the information and the identification information of the user. Address lending system, characterized in that selects either, equipped with the address providing means for providing the selected address to the user via the network of the addresses are. 6. The address lending system according to claim 5, wherein the address is provided to the user by the address providing means, and a service request including the address provided to the user is received from the user via the network. Providing a service for recognizing identification information of a service requested by the user based on the table and an address included in the service request, and providing a service indicated by the recognized identification information to the user; Address lending system characterized by adding means. 7. A function for causing a computer to manage a lendable address as a table for each identification information of a plurality of services, and a function of identifying identification information of a service requested by a user among the plurality of services and identification information of the user. A computer-readable program that records a program for realizing an acquisition function to be acquired via a network, and a registration function of associating service identification information acquired by the acquisition function with user identification information and registering the information in a storage unit. recoding media. 8. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for performing control for lending an address used for network communication from a service provider to a user via a network is recorded. For each piece of identification information, a function of managing a lendable address as a table, an acquisition function of acquiring identification information of a service requested by the user and identification information of the user among a plurality of services via the network, A registration function for associating service identification information acquired by the acquisition function and user identification information with each other and registering them in a storage unit; and when the registration information is registered by the registration function, use of an address for the user. A use permission function for notifying permission via the network; After notifying the use permission by the use permission function, if an address request including the user identification information is received from the user via the network, the user identification information included in the address request and registered in the storage unit. The user selects one of the addresses managed in the table based on the identification information of the service being performed and the identification information of the user, and provides the user with the selected address via the network. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for realizing the provided function is recorded. 9. A computer-readable recording medium recording the program according to claim 8, wherein an address is provided to the user by the address providing function, and the service includes the address provided to the user. When the request is received from the user via the network, the identification information of the service requested by the user is recognized based on the table and the address included in the service request. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program, characterized by adding a service providing function for providing the indicated service to the user. 10. The identification information of a plurality of services and a plurality of addresses used for network communication are stored in association with each other, and user identification information for identifying a user and identification information of a service requested by the user are stored. A computer-readable recording medium in which are stored in association with each other.