JP2005236480A - Information communication terminal, network route selecting method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information communication terminal comprising a plurality of communication interfaces connectable with a specific network in which an optimal network route can be selected. <P>SOLUTION: When connection with a server (23, 33) existing on an arbitrary network (21, 31) is requested, the information communication terminal (10) selects a communication interface (11, 12) previously specified depending on the server for which connection is requested, makes a connection with a network (21, 31) on which the server is installed through the selected communication interface (11, 12), and acquires the IP address of the server from an apparatus (22, 32) on the network. A connection with the server (23, 33) is then made based on the IP address of the server thus acquired, and the communication interface (11, 12) previously specified depending on the server. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information communication terminal device, a network route selection method, and a network route selection program, and in particular, an information communication terminal device capable of selecting an appropriate network route in an information communication terminal device having a plurality of communication interfaces, The present invention relates to a network route selection method and a network route selection program.

  In recent years, access to the Internet using personal computers and portable information terminals has become common, and various applications using TCP / IP, which is a common protocol, have been created one after another. Mobile phone companies generally provide functions for accessing the Internet using a mobile phone network. Also, TCP / IP-based applications are mounted on mobile phones. In addition, with the maturity of wireless LAN technology and the lower cost of chips, an information communication terminal device having a plurality of bearer interfaces that can access an IP network is becoming feasible.

  On the other hand, wireless LAN technology such as IEEE 802.11 is inexpensive and easily available, and is easy to set up, so that companies and general users can construct their own networks. Such a network is not always connected to the Internet, and networks that are uniquely constructed are often not connected to each other.

  That is, in an information communication terminal device having a plurality of radio bearer interfaces, the networks connected from each radio bearer interface may be isolated and individual, but the protocols used on the networks are If a server is installed on each network, the same application can receive services on each network.

  In such a service environment on the network, when an application instructs connection to a specific server, an appropriate radio bearer interface is selected, and a connection instruction is issued using the selected radio bearer interface. You need to connect to the server. At this time, if an inappropriate route is selected, the target server cannot be found or the connection is blocked due to the network environment (such as the presence of a firewall in the network route). It will not be received.

  Also, in a service environment where various services distributed over multiple networks are accessed using various applications, it is impossible for the user to manually select the optimal radio bearer interface every time. It is indispensable that a method for selecting a radio bearer interface that can reduce the time and effort required for realizing a detailed service is required.

  Even if a server is reachable from all bearer interfaces, depending on the nature of the service provided by the server, it is more convenient for the user to connect using a specific bearer preferentially. There is. For example, in the case of a service using a large bandwidth such as video streaming, it is better to preferentially connect with a bearer having a large bandwidth. In addition, in the case of a service such as voice chat with real-time characteristics, it is better to preferentially connect with a bearer with less delay. In addition, various properties such as a charging system, security, and whether high-speed handover is possible influence the determination of priority.

  As a technical document filed prior to the present invention, there is a method related to a bearer selection method for a communication terminal device having a plurality of bearer interfaces. In a region where a plurality of different wireless communication networks exist, transmission from a wireless communication network is possible. Wireless communication that receives traffic information related to a plurality of wireless communication networks, recognizes traffic information of each wireless communication network based on the received traffic information, selects a wireless communication network with low traffic, and connects communication lines There is a composite terminal device for use (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, when the calling telephone number is a telephone number stored in the telephone number storage means, there is a wireless communication device that transmits to a wireless communication network designated corresponding to the telephone number (for example, see Patent Document 2). .

There is also a portable information terminal device that automatically switches a telephone function to be selected by application software to be used (for example, see Patent Document 3). In addition, a specific network address for accessing the server machine identified by the specific network address is selected, and a network connection is provided between the network browser and the server machine according to the connection information related to the selected specific network address. There is one that uses a network connection to access a server machine located at a specific network address (see, for example, Patent Document 4).
JP 2000-209644 A JP 2001-119552 A JP 10-327463 A JP-T-2002-523928

  However, the above-mentioned patent document 1 selects a bearer with smaller traffic, which cannot be switched according to the content and application, and cannot cope with the future spread of IP networks and various applications. . Further, the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 is to determine the priority order of bearers based on a destination telephone number, and eventually, the user needs to select a connection destination Internet provider. Further, the wireless LAN bearer in Patent Document 2 cannot be applied because it is not a dial-up connection.

  Further, the above-mentioned Patent Document 3 fixes the priority order of bearers for each application, which is necessary and sufficient for a specific application, but handles various contents such as a WWW browser, When a service provider is connected to receive a service, the service is limited. Moreover, although the said patent document 4 accesses the server machine arrange | positioned at a specific network address according to the connection information relevant to a specific network address, there is no suggestion about the specific access. In addition, it continuously accesses a server machine located at a specific network address according to connection information related to the specific network address, and it takes time to access the server machine.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an information communication terminal capable of selecting an optimum network path using an information communication terminal apparatus including a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to a specific network. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, a network route selection method, and a network route selection program.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention has the following features.

  An information communication terminal device according to the present invention is an information communication terminal device including a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to a specific network, and connection request means for requesting connection to a server existing on an arbitrary network; Select a communication interface designated in advance according to the server for which the connection request is made, connect to the network where the server is installed via the selected communication interface, and obtain the IP address of the server from the device on the network. It has a connection information acquisition means to acquire, an IP address of the acquired server, and a connection means for connecting to the server based on a communication interface specified in advance according to the server.

  Further, in the information communication terminal device according to the present invention, the connection request means requests connection to the server by an application, and the connection information acquisition means previously corresponds to the server when a connection request is made by the application. The specified communication interface is selected.

  The information communication terminal device according to the present invention has selection information storage means for storing selection information for selecting a communication interface in association with the server, and the connection information acquisition means is designated in advance according to the server. The communication interface is selected based on the selection information stored in the selection information storage means.

  Moreover, in the information communication terminal device according to the present invention, the selection information stored in the selection information storage means includes information specifying the priority order of the communication interfaces, and the connection information acquisition means A communication interface designated in advance according to the server is selected in the priority order of the communication interfaces.

  In the information communication terminal device according to the present invention, the selection information stored in the selection information storage means stores the device address of the device on the network, and the connection information acquisition means is preliminarily set according to the server. Based on the designated communication interface and device address, the device is connected to a device on the network, and the IP address of the server is acquired from the device on the network.

  In the information communication terminal device according to the present invention, as information for storing selection information in association with a server, information including at least one of server domain name, port number, and protocol is connection information. It is stored in the storage means, and the connection request means requests connection to the server based on at least one information of the domain name of the server name, the port number, and the protocol. is there.

  Moreover, the information communication terminal device according to the present invention is characterized by having an updating means for updating the information stored in the selection information storage means.

  In addition, the information communication terminal device according to the present invention is characterized by having means for setting information specifying the priority order of communication interfaces in descending order of connection frequency of communication interfaces connected to the server.

  In the information communication terminal device according to the present invention, when the connection information acquisition unit acquires the device address of the device from the network, the connection information acquisition unit selects the acquired device address according to the server for which the connection request is made. The information is stored in an information storage means.

  The network route selection method according to the present invention is a network route selection method in an information communication terminal device having a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to a specific network, and is a server existing on an arbitrary network depending on an application. When a connection to the server is requested, a communication interface designated in advance is selected according to the server for which the connection request is made, and the network is connected to the network where the server is installed via the selected communication interface. The information communication terminal device performs a step of acquiring the server IP address from the above device, a step of connecting to the server based on the acquired IP address of the server and a communication interface specified in advance according to the server. It is characterized by.

  In the network route selection method according to the present invention, the information communication terminal device includes a storage unit in which selection information for selecting a communication interface is stored in association with the server. A communication interface designated in advance according to a server is selected based on selection information stored in a storage unit.

  In the network route selection method according to the present invention, the selection information stored in the storage unit includes information specifying the priority order of the communication interfaces, and the information communication terminal device is stored in the storage unit. A communication interface designated in advance according to the server is selected in the priority order of the communication interfaces.

  In the network route selection method according to the present invention, the selection information stored in the storage unit includes the device address of the device on the network, and the information communication terminal device is designated in advance according to the server. The network interface is connected to a device on the network based on the communication interface and the device address, and the IP address of the server is acquired from the device on the network.

  Further, in the network route selection method according to the present invention, information including at least one of the server domain name, port number, and protocol is stored as information stored in the storage unit in association with the server. The information communication terminal device, which is stored in the storage unit, requests connection to the server based on at least one of the server name domain name, port number, and protocol. It is.

  The network route selection method according to the present invention is characterized in that the information communication terminal device performs a step of updating information stored in the storage unit.

  The network route selection method according to the present invention is characterized in that the information communication terminal device performs the step of setting the information specifying the priority order of the communication interfaces in descending order of the connection frequency of the communication interfaces connected to the server. Is.

  Further, the network route selection method according to the present invention includes a step of storing the acquired device address in the storage unit according to the server for which the connection request is made when the device address of the device is acquired from the network. The information communication terminal device performs this.

  A network route selection program according to the present invention is a network route selection program that is executed in an information communication terminal device having a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to a specific network. When a connection to an existing server is requested, a communication interface designated in advance is selected according to the server for which the connection request is made, and the server is connected to the network where the server is installed via the selected communication interface. Information communication between an acquisition process for acquiring the IP address of the server from a device on the network, a connection process for connecting to the server based on a communication interface specified in advance according to the server, and the acquired IP address of the server Characterized by being executed in a terminal device A.

  In the network route selection program according to the present invention, the information communication terminal device has a storage unit in which selection information for selecting a communication interface is stored in association with the server, and the acquisition process is performed on the server. Accordingly, a communication interface designated in advance is selected based on selection information stored in the storage unit.

  In the network route selection program according to the present invention, the selection information stored in the storage unit includes information specifying the priority order of the communication interfaces, and the acquisition process is stored in the storage unit. A communication interface designated in advance according to the server is selected in the priority order of the communication interfaces.

  In the network route selection program according to the present invention, the selection information stored in the storage unit includes the device address of the device on the network, and the acquisition process is a communication designated in advance according to the server. The server is connected to a device on the network based on the interface and the device address, and the IP address of the server is acquired from the device on the network.

  In the network route selection program according to the present invention, the storage unit includes at least one information of the server domain name, the port number, and the protocol as information for storing the selection information in association with the server. Information is stored, and the acquisition process is performed when a connection to the server is requested based on at least one of the server name domain name, port number, and protocol. A communication interface designated in advance is selected according to the specified server.

  In the network route selection program according to the present invention, the information communication terminal device is caused to execute processing for updating information stored in the storage unit.

  In the network route selection program according to the present invention, the information communication terminal device is configured to execute processing for setting information specifying the priority order of communication interfaces in descending order of connection frequency of communication interfaces connected to the server. To do.

  Further, the network route selection program according to the present invention, when acquiring the device address of the device from the network, stores the acquired device address in the storage unit according to the server for which the connection request is made. The information communication terminal device is executed.

  An information communication terminal device, a network route selection method, and a network route selection program according to the present invention are provided for an information communication terminal device including a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to a specific network to a server on an arbitrary network. When a connection is requested, a communication interface designated in advance is selected according to the server for which the connection request is made, and a connection is established with the network where the server is installed via the selected communication interface. Obtain the server IP address from the device. Then, the server is connected to the server based on the acquired IP address of the server and a communication interface designated in advance according to the server. This makes it possible to select an optimal network path using an information communication terminal device having a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to a specific network.

First, an information communication terminal device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
A portable information terminal (10) serving as an information communication terminal device according to the present invention includes a plurality of radio bearer interfaces (11, 12), and the radio bearer interface (11) is a base station (20). The portable information terminal (10) accesses the network (21) using the radio bearer interface (11). Similarly, the radio bearer interface (12) can be connected only to the base station (30), and the portable information terminal (10) accesses the network (31) using the radio bearer interface (12). . Note that the TCP / IP protocol is used on the networks (21, 31).

  On the network (21), a DNS server (22), a WWW server (23), and a DHCP server (24) are installed to provide services to the portable information terminal (10). Become. It is assumed that “server.net1” is registered in the DNS server (22) as the server name of the WWW server (23).

  In addition, a DNS server (32), a WWW server (33), and a DHCP server (34) are installed on the network (31) and provide services to the portable information terminal (10). It will be. It is assumed that “machine.net2” is registered in the DNS server (32) as the server name of the WWW server (33).

Next, the internal configuration of the portable information terminal (10) will be described with reference to FIG.
As suggested in FIG. 2, the WWW browser (40) is operating on the portable information terminal (10). The portable information terminal (10) includes, as internal modules, a content acquisition unit (41), a name resolution unit (42), a server name pattern database (43), a communication control unit (44), and a radio control unit. (45, 46).

  The server name pattern database (43) is a database for associating the server name with the priority of the used bearer interface, and information as shown in FIG. 3 is set in the server name pattern database (43) in advance. As suggested in FIG. 3, in the server name pattern database (43), when the server name ends with “***. Net1”, the radio bearer interface (11) is used, and the server name is When it ends with “***. Net2”, the radio bearer interface (12) is used, and when the server name is neither of them, the radio bearer interface (11) can be used if the radio bearer interface (11) can be used. ) Is preferentially used, and if the radio bearer interface (11) cannot be used, information indicating that the radio bearer interface (12) is used is stored.

  When the name resolution means (42) makes an inquiry to the server name pattern database (43), for example, if the server name is “server.net1”, the radio bearer interface (11) is selected, When the server name is “machine.net2”, the radio bearer interface (12) is selected.

  When the connection to a certain server is instructed, the WWW browser (40) selects an appropriate radio bearer interface and uses the selected radio bearer interface to connect to the server for which the connection instruction has been issued. There is a need to do. At this time, if the WWW browser (40) selects an inappropriate communication path, the server for which the connection instruction is issued cannot be found, or the connection is made depending on the network environment (the presence of a firewall in the network path, etc.). Will be cut off and you will not be able to receive services. Also, even if a server can be reached from all bearer interfaces, depending on the nature of the service provided by that server, it is more convenient for users to connect to the server using a specific bearer interface preferentially. There is a case to let you.

  That is, the portable information terminal (10) having a plurality of radio bearer interfaces needs to select a communication path by an appropriate method before accessing the server. Therefore, the WWW browser (40) determines the radio bearer interface as follows based on the information stored in the server name pattern database (43).

  First, the user operates the WWW browser (40) from the operation unit of the portable information terminal (10), clicks on a certain link, and instructs the WWW browser (40) to acquire content. At this time, the WWW browser (40) transmits the server name and content name associated with the link to the content acquisition means (41). The content acquisition unit (41) that has received the server name and the content name transmits the received server name to the name resolution unit (42).

  The name resolution means (42) that has received the server name inquires of the server name pattern database (43), and acquires a radio bearer interface that matches the received server name. Thus, for example, when the server name “server.net1” is designated, the name resolution means (42) should use the radio bearer interface (11) and connect to the network (21) shown in FIG. Information to that effect is obtained.

  Next, the name resolution means (42) operates the radio control unit (45) via the communication control unit (44) and uses the radio bearer interface (11) to connect the network (21) shown in FIG. Will be connected.

  At this time, the name resolution means (42) acquires the address of the DNS server (22) from the DHCP server (24) on the network (21) shown in FIG. 1, and based on the acquired address of the DNS server (22). Is connected to the DNS server (22), the server name "server.net1" is queried, and the IP address of the WWW server (23) is acquired from the DNS server (22).

  Next, the name resolution means (42) transmits the IP address of the WWW server (23) shown in FIG. 1 and the information of the selected radio bearer interface (11) to the content acquisition means (41). Become.

  Then, the content acquisition means (41) uses the WWW server (shown in FIG. 1) based on the IP address of the WWW server (23) received from the name resolution means (42) and the information of the radio bearer interface (11). 23), the content corresponding to the content name designated from the WWW browser (40) is acquired from the WWW server (23), and the acquired content is transmitted to the WWW browser (40). Then, the WWW browser (40) displays the content received from the content acquisition means (41) on the display unit of the portable information terminal (10) and presents the content to the user.

  As described above, the portable information terminal (10) according to the present invention acquires the information of the radio bearer interface (11) that matches the WWW server name designated from the WWW browser (40) from the server name pattern database (43). Then, the information of the acquired radio bearer interface (11) is used to connect to the network (21) shown in FIG. Then, the mobile information terminal (10) acquires the address of the DNS server (22) from the DHCP server (24) on the network (21) shown in FIG. 1, and based on the acquired address of the DNS server (22). It connects with the DNS server (22), and acquires the IP address of the WWW server (23) from the DNS server (22). Then, the portable information terminal (10) connects to the WWW server (23) shown in FIG. 1 based on the IP address of the WWW server (23) shown in FIG. 1 and the information of the radio bearer interface (11). The content corresponding to the content name designated from the WWW browser (40) is acquired from the WWW server (23).

  Therefore, when the portable information terminal (10) according to the present invention is requested to connect to the server (23, 33) existing on an arbitrary network (21, 31), the server ( 23, 33), a communication interface (11, 12) designated in advance is selected, and the network (21, 31) in which the server (23, 33) is installed via the selected communication interface (11, 12). ) To obtain the IP address of the server (23, 33) from the device (22, 32) on the network (21, 31). Then, the server (23, 33) is connected to the server (23, 33) based on the acquired IP address of the server (23, 33) and the communication interface (11, 12) designated in advance according to the server (23, 33). Thus, it becomes possible to select an optimal network path in the portable information terminal (10) having a plurality of communication interfaces (11, 12) connectable to a specific network (21, 31).

  Hereinafter, a method for selecting a network route using a mobile phone (101) as an information communication terminal device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, the network configuration in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As suggested in FIG. 4, the mobile phone (101) in the first embodiment is configured to have a WCDMA bearer interface (102) of a WCDMA communication system and a wireless LAN bearer interface (103). .

  The WCDMA bearer interface (102) can be connected to the mobile phone network (public network) (202) via the WCDMA base station (201). A gateway (206) is installed on the mobile phone network (202), and the gateway (206) is connected to the Internet (401).

  The wireless LAN bearer interface (103) is a wireless LAN of the IEEE 802.11 communication system, and can be connected to a LAN (local area network) (302) via a wireless LAN base station (301).

  A gateway (306) is installed on the LAN (302), and the gateway (306) is connected to the Internet (401).

  Note that the gateways (206, 306) are set to reject connection requests from the Internet (401) for safety.

  That is, the application on the mobile phone (101) cannot connect to the various servers (203, 204, 205) on the mobile phone network (202) using the wireless LAN bearer interface (103). Similarly, it is impossible to connect to various servers (303, 304, 305) on the LAN (302) using the WCDMA bearer interface (102). It should be noted that the server (402, 403) installed on the Internet (401) can be connected using either the WCDMA bearer interface (102) or the wireless LAN bearer interface (103). Is set to be able to.

The ESSID of the wireless LAN base station (301) is set to “local”.
Also, “server.carrier.ne.jp” is registered in the DNS server (204) as the name of the WWW server (205), and the name of the WWW server (305) is registered in the DNS server (304). “WWW.research.local” is registered. Also, “WWW.nec.co.jp” is registered in the DNS server (402) as the name of the WWW server (403).

  If the server name inquired from the mobile phone (101) is not registered in the DNS server (204, 304) itself, the DNS server (204, 304) has a DNS server (402) on the Internet (401). ) Is set to forward inquiries.

  Next, the internal configuration of the mobile phone (101) shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The cellular phone (101) in the first embodiment includes a WCDMA communication system WCDMA bearer interface (102), a wireless LAN bearer interface (103), a WWW browser (110), and content acquisition means (internal modules). 111), name resolution means (112), server name pattern database (113), communication control unit (114), WCDMA control unit (115), and wireless LAN control unit (116). It is configured.

  It is assumed that the WWW browser (110) is operating on the mobile phone (101) in the first embodiment.

  The server name pattern database (113) is set with information suggested in FIG. 6, and the server name pattern database (113) has the server name “***. Carrier.ne.jp”. When the process ends, the WCDMA bearer interface (102) of the WCDMA communication method is used. When the server name ends with “***. Local”, the wireless LAN bearer interface (103) is used, and the ESSID is This indicates that the connection is limited to the “local” base station, and if the server name is neither of the above, if the wireless LAN bearer interface (103) is available, the wireless LAN bearer interface (103) is given priority. If the wireless LAN bearer interface (103) is not available, the WCDM Information suggesting the use of bearer interface (102) is set.

(Processing operation in the first embodiment)
Next, the processing operation of the cellular phone (101) of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The processing operation of the first embodiment will be described based on the sequence numbers (S1 to S17) shown in FIG.

  First, the user operates the WWW browser (110) on the mobile phone (101) and clicks on a certain hyperlink to request acquisition of content (step S1). The hyperlink is associated with a URL indicating the location of the content, and the URL is composed of a server name and content file path information. It is assumed that the URL of the clicked link is “http: //www.research.local/file.html”.

  Next, the WWW browser (110) transmits this URL to the content acquisition means (111) (step S2). The content acquisition unit (111) that has received the URL checks the server address and the server name portion of the URL received from the WWW browser (110) in order to check the bearer interface to be used, “www.research.local. "Is transmitted to the name resolution means (112) (step S3).

  The name resolution means (112) inquires the server name pattern database (113) based on the server name received from the content acquisition means (111) (step S4), and obtains bearer interface information corresponding to the server name in the server name database ( 113) (step S5). Here, the server name on the second line of the server name pattern suggested in FIG. 6 corresponds to “www.research.local”. In other words, the name resolution unit (112) acquires information that the ESSID should be connected to a wireless LAN access point with "local".

  Next, the name resolution means (112) makes a connection request to the wireless LAN access point whose ESSID is “local” to the communication control unit (114) (step S6), and the communication control unit (114). Causes the wireless LAN control unit (116) to execute ESSID search processing and connection processing (step S7).

  Here, the mobile phone (101) is located in the wireless area of the wireless LAN base station (301) shown in FIG. 4, and the communication control unit (114) searches the wireless LAN control unit (116) for an ESSID. The communication control unit (114) connects to the wireless LAN base station (301) via the wireless LAN bearer interface, and the connection between the mobile phone (101) and the wireless LAN base station (301) is established. Suppose you succeed.

  If the cellular phone (101) succeeds in this connection, the communication control unit (114) broadcasts a DHCP request on the LAN (302) shown in FIG. 4, and the IP address for the wireless LAN bearer interface from the DHCP server (303). And the address of the DNS server (304).

  Next, the communication control unit (114) obtains the address of the DNS server (304) acquired from the DHCP server (303) shown in FIG. 4 and the information when connecting to the LAN (302) as a name resolution unit (112). (Step S8).

  The name resolution means (112) receives the above information from the communication control unit (114), connects to the DNS server (304) suggested in FIG. 4, and sets the address of the server name “www.research.local” to DNS. The server (304) is inquired, and the name resolution means (112) acquires the IP address of the WWW server (305) from the DNS server (304) (steps S9, S10, S11). Next, the name resolution unit (112) transmits the IP address of the WWW server (305) suggested in FIG. 4 and information of the selected bearer interface to the content acquisition unit (111) (step). S12).

  The content acquisition unit (111) uses the HTTP protocol to connect to the WWW server (305) based on the IP address of the WWW server (305) received from the name resolution unit (112) (steps S13 and S14). The content corresponding to the content file name “/file.html” designated from the WWW browser (110) is acquired from the WWW server (305) (step S15), and the acquired content is transmitted to the WWW browser (110). (Step S16).

  The WWW browser (110) displays the content file name “/file.html” received from the content acquisition means (111) on the display unit of the mobile phone (101) and presents the content to the user. (Step S17).

  Next, assume that the user clicks another link, and the URL is “http://server.carrier.ne.jp/login.html”.

  In this case, the processing operation similar to the above sequence is performed, and the mobile phone (101) uses the WCDMA bearer interface (102) to connect to the mobile phone network (202) suggested in FIG. 205) The above content “/login.html” is acquired.

  Also, assume that the user clicks another link and the URL is “http://www.nec.co.jp/index.html”.

  In this case, processing operations similar to the above sequence are performed, and the cellular phone (101) preferentially uses the wireless LAN bearer interface (103) to connect to the LAN (302) suggested in FIG. The content “/index.html” on the server (403) is acquired. If the wireless LAN bearer interface (103) cannot be used, the WCDMA bearer interface (102) is used to connect to the cellular phone network (202) suggested in FIG. /Index.html "is acquired.

As is apparent from the above description, the first embodiment has the following effects.
A first effect is that a server name pattern database (113) for associating a server name with a used bearer interface is provided, and an appropriate used bearer interface is automatically selected from the server name pattern database (113). Is possible. Thereby, it is not necessary for the user to manually select the bearer interface to be used, and the user's trouble can be reduced.

  The second effect is that by appropriately setting the server name pattern database (131) and the DNS server (22, 32), the used bearer interface that can reach the target server can be specified, and wasteful connection is achieved. Processing and cutting processing can be reduced.

  The third effect is that it is possible to easily make a conventional application compatible with a plurality of bearer interfaces by centrally determining the selection of bearer interfaces by the name resolution means (112).

  The fourth effect is that by constructing the server name pattern database (131) so as to determine the bearer interface to be used in association with the server name pattern, the content creator simply describes the content link in the server name pattern. It becomes possible to control the bearer interface used by the mobile phone (101).

  The fifth effect is that even when wireless service areas overlap, a server name pattern database (131), a DNS server (22, 32), and a wireless LAN base station so that each area is constructed separately. By setting the ESSID of (301), it becomes possible to explicitly distinguish and access each network by the name of the server.

  A sixth effect is that even if the IP addresses of servers connected to different networks are duplicated, the server name pattern database (131), the DNS server (22, 32) are configured so that each network forms a separate area. ) And setting the ESSID of the wireless LAN base station (301), it is possible to give different server names to the respective IP addresses.

Next, a second embodiment will be described.
In the first embodiment, as indicated in FIG. 6, the server name pattern database (113) stores bearer interfaces used in accordance with the server name pattern in association with each other. As suggested in FIG. 7, the bearer interface used in accordance with the server name pattern and the DNS server address are stored in association with each other. This eliminates the need to automatically acquire the DNS server address when connecting via DHCP, as in the first embodiment. The processing operation in the second embodiment will be described below.

First, the network configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As suggested in FIG. 8, the cellular phone (101) in the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that the WCDMA bearer interface (102) of the WCDMA communication system, the wireless LAN bearer interface (103), , And is configured.

  In the network configuration in the second embodiment, a DHCP server (313) and a gateway (314) are installed on the local area network C (312). The gateway (314) is connected to the local area network A (321) and the local area network B (331), and is connected to each local area network A, B (321, 331). The WWW server (322, 332) and the DNS server (323, 333) are installed.

  Next, a method for selecting a network route using the cellular phone (101) in the network configuration of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The cellular phone (101) suggested in FIG. 8 is constructed from the same configuration as that of the first embodiment suggested in FIG. 5, and the server name pattern database (113) suggested in FIG. It is assumed that the information suggested in is stored.

  First, it is assumed that the user operates the WWW browser (110) on the mobile phone (101), clicks a link, and the URL is “http://server.carrier.ne.jp/login.html”. .

  In this case, the processing operation similar to the sequence of the first embodiment is performed, and the mobile phone (101) searches the server name pattern database (113) and corresponds to the first line suggested in FIG. The mobile phone (101) uses the WCDMA bearer interface (102) to connect to the mobile phone network (202) suggested in FIG. 8, and acquires the content “/login.html” on the WWW server (205). Will do.

  Further, it is assumed that the user operates the WWW browser (110) on the mobile phone (101), clicks a link, and the URL is “http: //www.local.lan1/index.html”.

  In this case, the mobile phone (101) searches the server name pattern database (113) and corresponds to the second line suggested in FIG. 7, and the mobile phone (101) should be connected to the wireless LAN. The information (WLAN) indicating that it exists and the address of the DNS server 323 are acquired. Then, the mobile phone (101) performs connection processing with the wireless LAN base station (311) suggested in FIG. 8 based on the information retrieved and acquired from the server name pattern database (113) suggested in FIG. Become.

  Next, when the cellular phone (101) completes the connection process with the wireless LAN base station (311) suggested in FIG. 8, the cellular phone (101) is connected to the DHCP on the local area network C (312). The request is broadcast, and only the IP address for the wireless LAN bearer interface is acquired from the DHCP server (313). The mobile phone (101) then obtains the IP address for the wireless LAN bearer interface acquired from the DHCP server (313) and the address of the DNS server 323 acquired from the server name pattern database (113) suggested in FIG. 8 is connected to the DNA server (323) suggested in FIG. 8, the DNS server (323) is inquired about the address of the server name “www.local.lan1”, and the IP address of the WWW server (322) is obtained from the DNS server (323). ) Will be obtained from. Then, the mobile phone (101) connects to the WWW server (323) based on the IP address of the WWW server (322) obtained from the DNS server (323) using the HTTP protocol, and the WWW browser (110). The content corresponding to the content file “index.html” designated by the user is acquired from the WWW server (323).

  As described above, the network route selection method in the second embodiment stores the bearer interface to be used and the DNS server address in association with each other according to the server name pattern, as suggested in FIG. It is characterized by. This eliminates the need to automatically obtain the DNS server address when connecting via DHCP. In addition, the operator of the local area network A (321) and the operator of the local area network B (331) share the same access point and provide a service. The server need not be shared, and the DNS server can be managed independently. Therefore, the network change operation can be performed flexibly.

  In the above embodiment, the DNS server address is stored in advance in the server name pattern database (113) of the mobile phone (101). However, when connected by DHCP as in the first embodiment. It is also possible to store the acquired DNS server address in association with the server name pattern database (113).

  The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications are made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Implementation is possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the information communication terminal device connected to the network by the radio bearer interface is assumed. However, this is highly likely to be realized due to the convenience of the user and the ability to connect to various networks. The present invention is not limited to the radio bearer interface, but is also applied to information communication terminal devices having a plurality of wired bearer interfaces and terminals having both wired and wireless bearer interfaces. It is possible to do.

  In addition, the network environment and the server installation configuration in the above embodiment are not essential requirements of the present invention, but are closed to the communication method and module configuration inside the information communication terminal device, and the network environment, that is, the topology ( The network configuration) and the server installation configuration are arbitrary and are not particularly limited.

  It is also possible to use an application other than the WWW browser. For example, mail, instant message, FTP, etc. can be applied.

  Further, the server name pattern database (113) can be constructed to be applied to three or more bearer interfaces. The server name pattern database (113) can also be constructed so that it can be searched using not only the domain name but also the port number and protocol type as a key. The information in the server name pattern database (113) is not fixed, and the user can change the contents of the server name pattern database (113) from the operation unit of the information communication terminal device, or can be automatically downloaded via the network. It is also possible to update the contents of the server name pattern database (113).

  Further, the priority order of the server name pattern database (113) can be constructed so as to change the priority order according to the connection frequency of the bearer interface. This makes it possible to preferentially use the bearer interface with the highest connection frequency.

  In addition, the network route selection method using the mobile phone (101) serving as the information communication terminal device in the above embodiment can also be executed by a computer program. It is also possible to record on a recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor, and load the information recording terminal apparatus from the recording medium. It is also possible to load the above program into the information communication terminal device from an external device connected via a predetermined network.

  The information communication terminal device, the network route selection method, and the network route selection program according to the present invention can be applied to an information communication terminal device having a plurality of communication interfaces.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure for demonstrating the selection method of the network path | route using the portable information terminal used as the information communication terminal device concerning this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the portable information terminal concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the server name pattern database which the portable information terminal concerning this invention comprises. It is a figure which shows one structural example for demonstrating the selection method of the network path | route in the 1st Example using the mobile telephone used as the information communication terminal device concerning this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the mobile telephone concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the server name pattern database which the mobile telephone concerning this invention has. It is a figure which shows one structural example for demonstrating the selection method of the network path | route in the 2nd Example using the mobile telephone used as the information communication terminal device concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the server name pattern database which the mobile telephone concerning this invention has.

Explanation of symbols

10 Mobile information terminal 11, 12 Radio bearer interface 20, 30 Base station 21, 31 Network 22, 32, 204, 304, 323, 333, 402 DNS server 23, 33, 205, 305, 322, 332, 403 WWW server 24 , 34, 203, 303, 313 DHCP server 40, 110 WWW browser 41, 111 Content acquisition unit 42, 112 Name resolution unit 43, 113 Server name pattern database 44, 114 Communication control unit 45, 46 Wireless control unit 101 Mobile phone 102 WCDMA bearer interface 103 Wireless LAN bearer interface 115 WCDMA control unit 116 Wireless LAN control unit 201 WCDMA base station 202 Mobile phone network 206, 306, 314 Gateway 301, 311 Wireless LAN base station 302, 312, 321, 331 LAN (local area network)
401 Internet

Claims (25)

An information communication terminal device comprising a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to a specific network,
Connection request means for requesting connection to a server existing on an arbitrary network;
A communication interface designated in advance according to the server for which the connection request has been made is selected, connected to the network in which the server is installed via the selected communication interface, and from the device on the network to the server Connection information acquisition means for acquiring an IP address;
Connection means for connecting to the server based on the acquired IP address of the server and a communication interface designated in advance according to the server;
An information communication terminal device comprising: The connection request means requests connection to the server by an application,
2. The information communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection information acquisition unit selects a communication interface designated in advance according to the server when the connection request is made by the application. Selection information storage means for storing selection information for selecting the communication interface in association with the server;
The connection information acquisition means
2. The information communication terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a communication interface designated in advance according to the server is selected based on selection information stored in the selection information storage means. The selection information stored in the selection information storage means includes information specifying the priority order of the communication interfaces,
The connection information acquisition means
4. The information communication terminal device according to claim 3, wherein a communication interface designated in advance according to the server is selected in order of priority of the designated communication interface. The selection information stored in the selection information storage means stores the device address of the device on the network,
The connection information acquisition means
The IP address of the server is acquired from a device on the network by connecting to the device on the network based on a communication interface designated in advance according to the server and the device address. Item 5. The information communication terminal device according to Item 3 or 4. As information for storing the selection information in association with the server, information including at least one of the server domain name, port number, and protocol is stored in the connection information storage means,
The connection request means includes
The connection to the server is requested based on at least one information of a domain name, a port number, and a protocol of the server name, according to any one of claims 3 to 5. Information communication terminal device.   The information communication terminal apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an update unit that updates information stored in the selection information storage unit.   5. The information communication terminal device according to claim 4, further comprising means for setting information specifying the priority order of the communication interfaces in descending order of connection frequency of communication interfaces connected to the server. The connection information acquisition means
6. When the device address of the device is acquired from the network, the acquired device address is stored in the selection information storage unit in accordance with a server to which the connection request is made. The information communication terminal device described. A network route selection method in an information communication terminal device comprising a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to a specific network,
When a connection to a server existing on an arbitrary network is requested by an application, a communication interface designated in advance is selected according to the server for which the connection request is made, and the selected communication interface is used. Connecting to the network in which the server is installed, and obtaining an IP address of the server from a device on the network;
Connecting to the server based on the acquired IP address of the server and a communication interface specified in advance according to the server;
The network path selection method, wherein the information communication terminal device performs The information communication terminal device has a storage unit in which selection information for selecting the communication interface is stored in association with the server,
The information communication terminal device
11. The network route selection method according to claim 10, wherein a communication interface designated in advance according to the server is selected based on selection information stored in the storage unit. The selection information stored in the storage unit includes information specifying the priority order of the communication interfaces,
The information communication terminal device
12. The network route selection method according to claim 11, wherein a communication interface designated in advance according to the server is selected in the priority order of the communication interfaces stored in the storage unit. The selection information stored in the storage unit includes a device address of a device on the network,
The information communication terminal device
The IP address of the server is acquired from a device on the network by connecting to the device on the network based on a communication interface designated in advance according to the server and the device address. Item 13. The network route selection method according to Item 11 or 12. Information including at least one of the domain name, port number, and protocol of the server is stored in the storage unit as information stored in the storage unit in association with the server. ,
The information communication terminal device
14. The connection to the server is requested based on at least one information of a domain name, a port number, and a protocol of the server name. Network route selection method.   The network route selection method according to claim 11, wherein the information communication terminal device performs the step of updating the information stored in the storage unit.   13. The network route selection method according to claim 12, wherein the information communication terminal device performs the step of setting the information specifying the priority order of the communication interfaces in descending order of the connection frequency of the communication interfaces connected to the server. .   When the device address of the device is acquired from the network, the information communication terminal device performs a step of storing the acquired device address in the storage unit in accordance with the server for which the connection request is made. The network route selection method according to claim 13. A network route selection program executed in an information communication terminal device having a plurality of communication interfaces connectable to a specific network,
When a connection to a server existing on an arbitrary network is requested by an application, a communication interface designated in advance is selected according to the server for which the connection request is made, and the selected communication interface is used. Obtaining the IP address of the server from a device on the network, connected to the network where the server is installed,
A connection process for connecting to the server based on the acquired IP address of the server and a communication interface specified in advance according to the server;
Is executed in the information communication terminal device. The information communication terminal device has a storage unit in which selection information for selecting the communication interface is stored in association with the server,
The network path selection program according to claim 18, wherein the acquisition process selects a communication interface designated in advance according to the server based on selection information stored in the storage unit. The selection information stored in the storage unit includes information specifying the priority order of the communication interfaces,
The network route selection program according to claim 19, wherein the acquisition process selects a communication interface designated in advance according to the server in a priority order of communication interfaces stored in the storage unit. The selection information stored in the storage unit includes a device address of a device on the network,
The acquisition process includes
The IP address of the server is acquired from a device on the network by connecting to the device on the network based on a communication interface designated in advance according to the server and the device address. Item 19. The network route selection program according to Item 19 or 20. In the storage unit, information including at least one information of a domain name, a port number, and a protocol of the server is stored as information for storing the selection information in association with the server.
The acquisition process includes
When a connection to the server is requested based on at least one of the server name domain name, port number, and protocol, it is designated in advance according to the server that requested the connection. The network route selection program according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the selected communication interface is selected.   The network route selection program according to any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the information communication terminal device is caused to execute a process of updating information stored in the storage unit.   21. The network route selection according to claim 20, wherein the information communication terminal device executes processing for setting information specifying the priority order of the communication interfaces in descending order of connection frequency of communication interfaces connected to the server. program.   When the device address of the device is acquired from the network, the information communication terminal device executes a process of storing the acquired device address in the storage unit in accordance with the server for which the connection request is made. The network route selection program according to claim 21, wherein:

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