JP2003087183A - Constitution method of mobile communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a constitution method of a mobile communication network in which radio-relay systems can be installed by persons except for a communication company. SOLUTION: The method has communication controllers connected to a network and having exchange functions, mobile communication terminals capable of transmitting and receiving information and radio-relay systems for communication with the communication controllers by relaying the mobile communication terminals by radio. Each of the communication controllers has a means for allowing the mobile communication terminals to communicate. Each of the mobile communication terminals and the radio-relay systems has an identification number which can uniquely be specified within the communication network. Service controllers storing information necessary for the mobile communication terminal to perform communication connected with the communication controller are provided. In the case of communicating with another communication terminal the mobile communication terminal is connected with the communication controller via the radio-relay system selected by a predetermined procedure, the communication controller informs the service controller of the identification number of the mobile communication terminal and that of the radio-relay system, and the service controller decides a connecting method and a charging condition by referring to various kinds of information stored based on the given identification number of the mobile communication terminal and that of the radio-relay system.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless relay device required for constructing a mobile communication network, which is provided by a third party other than a carrier.
The present invention relates to a method for easily configuring a mobile communication network by enabling a person to install it and sharing communication equipment with an existing wired communication network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a wired communication network, ADSL that can always be connected as a high-speed / high-bandwidth communication service for individuals
And fiber optics are provided. Although these enable the use of high bandwidth services such as image communication,
It is rather rare for individuals to use high-speed / high-bandwidth communication services all the time, and it is considered that the ADSL line and optical fiber line are not used and become idle in many time zones.

Further, there are widespread cases where individuals and groups use wireless LANs as home networks. The wireless LAN does not require a license, and the wireless LAN device is a PC
It can be used by installing it on a terminal or the like and installing predetermined software. In particular, by combining a wireless LAN terminal connected to a wired line and a terminal equipped with a wireless LAN device, a communication service can be used as if the terminal equipped with the wireless LAN device is directly accessing the wired line. It becomes possible to do.
Recent wireless LAN devices have become cheaper and have improved performance. 25m to 50m without antenna
It is possible to communicate over 100 m if an antenna is used.

In view of the above situation, the present invention makes it easy for a telecommunications carrier to establish a wireless communication network by using a high-speed wired line extending to a home and a wireless LAN terminal installed by a home or an organization for its own use. In addition to making it feasible, by constructing a wireless communication network by effectively utilizing the free bandwidth of high-speed wired lines such as ADSL and optical fibers that are spread throughout the home, it will bring economic benefits to the subscribers of the wired lines. It relates to the invention.

[0005]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when constructing a mobile communication network, a telecommunications carrier has installed a radio relay device, a communication control device, a connection network between the communication control devices, and a service control device. On the other hand, in order to reduce the cost for constructing a new communication network and shorten the facility construction period, existing facilities have been used for the wired communication facility portion of the communication network. For example, a telecommunications carrier that constitutes a mobile communication network installs a wireless relay device and a communication control device connected to the wireless relay device, and the connection network portion between the communication control devices can be shared by borrowing an existing communication network. The mobile communication network was constructed by reducing the newly installed connection network by such a method. However, in order to enhance the competitiveness in the market, it is required to construct a communication network at a lower cost, and for that purpose, a method for further sharing with existing communication equipment is required.

On the other hand, the wireless relay device has been newly installed because it is a characteristic facility for constructing a mobile communication network. Especially in urban areas, there is a feature that the radio wave is blocked by buildings and the density of wireless communication terminals changes with time.Therefore, by installing the wireless relay device in detail, it is used for communication between the mobile terminal and the wireless relay device. It is essential to make effective use of the frequencies to be used. However, in order to newly install a large number of wireless relay devices, in addition to the cost of acquiring the wireless relay devices themselves, securing the installation location is a heavy burden.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve these problems, the present invention enables not only a communication carrier but also an individual or a group to install a wireless relay device, so that the equipment of the communication carrier can be installed. To provide a method of configuring a mobile communication network that reduces the burden and enables a carrier to return profits according to the use of a wireless relay device to an individual or a group having a wireless relay device installed. To aim.

[0008]

The features of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object are that at least one mobile communication device connected to a network and having a switching function, and at least one mobile communication device capable of transmitting and receiving information. And a plurality of wireless relay devices for communicating with the communication control device by relaying the mobile communication terminal wirelessly, and the communication control device is for the mobile communication terminal to perform communication. In the communication network having the identification number that allows the mobile communication terminal and the wireless relay device to be uniquely specified in the communication network, in order for the mobile communication terminal to communicate with the communication control device. At least one containing the required information
Mobile communication terminal is provided, the mobile communication terminal is connected to the communication control apparatus via a wireless relay apparatus selected by a predetermined procedure when communicating with another communication terminal, and the communication control apparatus is The service control device is notified of the identification number of the mobile communication terminal and the identification number of the wireless relay device, and the service control device is stored based on the notified identification number of the mobile communication terminal and the identification number of the wireless relay device. This is a method of configuring a mobile communication network that determines a connection method and a charging condition by referring to various information stored therein.

[0009] Preferably, the wireless relay device sets the number of mobile communication terminals that can be simultaneously connected to the communication control device, and the limit of the communication amount and the service type available to each communication terminal.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication network according to the present invention, in which communication control devices 11, 12, 13, 14 and service control devices 31, 32 are network 100.
, Wireless relay devices 21 and 22 are connected to the communication control device 11, wireless relay devices 25 and 26 are connected to the communication control device 12, and a wireless relay device 27 is connected to the communication control device 13. Wireless relay devices 23 and 28 are connected to the communication control device 14.

FIG. 2 shows the information stored in each service control device 31 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (a) shows the information of the mobile terminal. When each mobile terminal communicates with another communication terminal. Stored is wireless relay device information and usage information. The content of the wireless relay device information is appropriately updated by a predetermined method as the mobile terminal moves. The usage information stores the amount of communication (time or data size) that the mobile terminal has performed within the specified period, and if this is a negative value, the terminal cannot be used (connection is not permitted). Indicates.

In FIG. 2B, communication control device information to which each wireless relay device is connected, line contractor information of a wired line to which each wireless relay device is connected, usage information and connection information are registered. . The line contractor information is a number for identifying the contractor who has a contract with the wired line carrier to use the wired line to which the wireless relay device is connected, and the usage information is specified by the wireless relay device number. The amount of communication (time or data size) performed via the wireless relay device is indicated, and if this is a negative value, it indicates that the wireless relay device cannot be used (connection is not permitted). The connection information indicates the communication type and amount that can be used when passing through the wireless relay device specified by the wireless relay device number. If this information is "NULL", there is no limit to the communication type. Shows. In the example of FIG. 2B,
It shows that voice communication, music data download, and electronic mail transmission / reception are possible via the wireless relay device 21. In addition, when passing through the wireless relay device 28, communication with an upper limit of 64 Kbps per mobile terminal, the number of terminals that can be simultaneously relayed is 3 or less, and communication from two mobile terminals is currently being relayed. Shows.

An embodiment corresponding to claim 1 in which the user 1B communicates from the mobile terminal 1 to the mobile terminal 2 of the user 2B will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. When a communication request from the mobile terminal 1 to the mobile terminal 2 occurs, the wireless relay device 21
First, in order to determine whether or not the connection of the mobile terminal 1 is permitted, the communication control device 11 inquires about the connection together with the communication type, the mobile terminal 1 number, and the wireless relay device 21 number. The communication control device 11 accesses the service control device storing the terminal information of the mobile terminal 1 via the network and determines whether or not the mobile terminal is available. When the value of the usage information is negative, the communication control device 11 notifies the mobile terminal 1 via the wireless relay device 21 that communication is not permitted, and completes the process. If the value of the usage information is not negative, the communication control device 11 inquires of the service control device that stores the terminal information of the mobile terminal 2 and is capable of connecting to the mobile terminal 2.
(The wireless relay device 23 in this case) number, usage information, and connection information are obtained. If the value of the usage information of the wireless relay device 21 is negative or the communication type requested by the mobile terminal 1 is a type that is not permitted by the usage information, communication is not permitted to the mobile terminal 1 via the wireless relay device 21. The notification is made and the processing is completed. When the value of the usage information of the wireless relay device 21 is not negative and the communication type requested by the mobile terminal 1 is the type permitted by the usage information, the communication control device 11 stores the wireless relay device information of the wireless relay device 23. By accessing the existing service control device, the communication control device information, the usage information and the connection information to which the wireless relay device 23 is connected are obtained. If the value of the usage information of the wireless relay device 23 is negative or if the communication type requested by the mobile terminal 1 is a type not permitted by the usage information, the communication control device 11 sends to the mobile terminal 1 via the wireless relay device 21. The processing is completed by notifying that the communication is not permitted. When the value of the usage information of the wireless relay device 23 is not negative and the communication type requested by the mobile terminal 1 is the type permitted by the usage information, the communication control device 11 communicates with the communication control device 14 via the network. And the mobile terminal 2 is called via the communication control device 14 and the wireless relay device 23. When the user 2B responds to the call, the communication control device 11 notifies the mobile terminal 1 via the wireless relay device 21 that communication has been started. When the communication is started, the communication control device, if necessary, the wireless relay devices 21 and 23 stored in the service control device.
The content of the connection information is updated (for example, if the upper limit of the number of connectable terminals such as the wireless relay device 28 is set, the number of users is incremented by 1).

When the communication between the mobile terminal 1 and the mobile terminal 2 is completed, the communication control device 11 uses the amount of information (time and time) used in the communication as the usage information of the wireless relay devices 21 and 23 stored in the service control device. In addition to the data size), the amount (time and data size) used in communication is added to the usage information of the mobile terminal 1 stored in the service control device. Further, the content of the connection information of the wireless relay devices 21 and 23 stored in the service control device updated at the time of connection is updated as needed (for example, the upper limit of the number of connectable terminals like the wireless relay device 28 is set). If specified, decrement the number of users by one).

In this embodiment, the information used for connection and the usage information are stored in the same database.
These do not necessarily have to be stored in the same database, and may be stored in different service control devices. Further, in the present embodiment, the connection information can be set for each wireless relay device and the connection inconsistent with these is not performed at the time of connection, but it is not essential to perform these.

By registering the usage information as in the embodiment corresponding to claim 1 described above, the communication amount of each mobile terminal and the communication amount of each wireless relay device can be obtained. The wireless telecommunications carrier may collect a charge according to the communication amount from each wireless terminal contractor, and pay a charge according to the communication amount to the line contractor who connects each wireless relay device to the communication control device. It will be possible.

When a wireless relay device newly approved by the wireless communication service provider is installed, the installer makes a contract with the wireless communication service provider, and when the contract is established, the service control device receives information according to the content of the contract. By adding new wireless relay devices, it is possible to gradually increase the number of wireless relay devices, that is, to expand the wireless communication service area.

An embodiment corresponding to claim 2 in which the user 1B communicates from the mobile terminal 1 to the mobile terminal 2 of the user 2B will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. First, a means for setting information corresponding to the connection information described in the above embodiment in each wireless relay device and a means for referring to and updating the connection information from the communication control device are provided. The claim is realized by changing the procedure so that the connection information obtained from the service control device in the above example is obtained from the wireless relay device via the communication control device to which each wireless relay device is connected. It is possible to

By enabling the connection information to be set as in the embodiment corresponding to claim 2 described above, the communication service used by the mobile terminal to be connected according to the connection information set in each wireless relay device can be set. It is possible to limit the types and the number of devices, and it is possible to reduce the influence of the communication of the mobile terminal on the communication of the subscriber of the wired line.

In each of the above-described embodiments, fixed communication terminals (1A, 2A) are provided in addition to the mobile communication terminals so that not only communication between mobile communication terminals but also between mobile communication terminals and fixed communication terminals Alternatively, the present invention can be applied to communication between fixed communication terminals, and these applications are included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0021]

By using the present invention, a wireless communication carrier can construct a communication network by at least installing a service control device and adding a processing program to the communication control device, and in particular, a wireless relay device. It will be possible to significantly reduce the cost of installing. Further, the subscriber of the wired line can make a wireless communication carrier use a part of the free band of the line that he / she has a contract with and obtain a corresponding income.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration example of a mobile communication network to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an example of information stored in a service control device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Mobile terminals 1A, 2A Fixed terminals 1B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B Users 11, 12, 13, 14 Communication control devices 21, 22, 23, 24 , 25, 26, 27, 28 Wireless relay device 31, 32 Service control device 100 Network

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hideyuki Ito             2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Yoshiki Nakane             2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo             Inside Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F term (reference) 5K033 AA09 DA01 DA06 DA19 DB18                       EC03                 5K067 AA22 AA41 DD17 DD23 EE02                       EE06 EE10 EE16 HH22 HH23

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. At least one communication control device connected to a network and having a switching function, at least one mobile communication terminal capable of transmitting and receiving information, and the communication by relaying the mobile communication terminal wirelessly. A plurality of wireless relay devices for communicating with a control device, the communication control device has means for the mobile communication terminal to communicate, and the mobile communication terminal and the wireless relay device communicate with each other. In a communication network having an identification number that can be uniquely identified in the network, at least one service control device that stores information necessary for connecting with the communication control device and performing communication with the mobile communication terminal is provided. The mobile communication terminal is connected to the communication control device via a wireless relay device selected by a predetermined procedure when communicating with another communication terminal. The control device notifies the service control device of the identification number of the mobile communication terminal and the identification number of the wireless relay device, and the service control device is based on the notified identification number of the mobile communication terminal and the identification number of the wireless relay device. A method for configuring a mobile communication network, comprising determining a connection method and a charging condition by referring to various information stored in the mobile communication network. 2. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless relay device sets the number of mobile communication terminals that can be simultaneously connected to the communication control device, and the communication amount and service type limit that can be used by each communication terminal. Communication network configuration method.