JP2004222002A - Radio communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively utilize radio resources in a radio LAN system. <P>SOLUTION: When a station (STA 103) which is a member of the Internet connection service of a first provider requests connection to the radio access point (AP 100) of the first provider, at the time of detecting that an effective speed is a low speed, the STA 103 is instructed to make the connection from another AP. Also, the AP 100 requests a nearby AP 101 to permit the connection of the STA 103. When the STA 103 accesses the AP 101, the AP 101 relays the authentication information of the STA 103 to the AP 100 on the basis of a connection request. Thus, the STA 103 enjoys the Internet connection service through the AP 101 of another provider and the radio resources are effectively utilized as well. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for effectively utilizing wireless resources of a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a wireless terminal subscribing to a wireless LAN service of a first operator using a communication facility of a second operator. Related to connecting technology.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A wireless LAN system exists as one of the wireless communication systems forming a wireless communication network with a base station and a wireless terminal. A base station of a wireless LAN system is generally called a wireless access point (hereinafter, referred to as an AP), and its wireless terminal is called a station (hereinafter, referred to as an STA).
[0003]
This wireless LAN system is not only used as an in-house LAN but also provides an Internet connection service to a user who has a mobile PC or PDA as a station by installing an access point in a store such as a fast food shop. There are multiple wireless access service providers. This is a so-called hot spot service. In order to provide this Internet connection service to authorized users, a server for authenticating users who have wirelessly connected to the access point is required.
[0004]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a general wireless LAN system. The AP 100 is a wireless access point involved in a wireless access service provided by a first business operator. The AP 101 is a wireless access point involved in a wireless access service provided by a second operator.
[0005]
The AP 100 and the AP 101 are connected to a public network 102. The STA 103 is a station of a user who has subscribed to a wireless access service provided by the first operator. The server 104 is an authentication server for managing the user of the first business operator. The server 105 is an authentication server for managing users of the second business. The public network 102 and the servers 104 and 105 are connected to the Internet 106 via wired lines.
[0006]
When the user of the STA 103 contracts with the first wireless access service provider, the subscription contents of the user are registered in the server 104, and the user can connect to the Internet via the AP 100 of the first provider.
[0007]
Note that in order for this user to enjoy the wireless access service provided by the second wireless access service provider, it was necessary to make a contract with the second wireless access service provider.
[0008]
In addition, it is not uncommon for a plurality of wireless access points having different operators to be arranged close to each other, and sometimes the service areas overlap.
[0009]
Such wireless environments are expected to increase as wireless access services transition to commercialization in earnest.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 1, in the AP 100 and the AP 101 having overlapping service areas, for example, a large number of STAs are connected to the AP 1 but a small number of STAs are connected to the AP 101.
[0011]
In such a case, it is known that the effective speed of the STA 103 connected to the AP 100 is generally lower than the average effective speed of the STA 103 connected to the AP 101. In such a case, if the STA can be shifted from the congested AP 100 to the relatively vacant AP 2, it is considered that the effective speed of the STA 103 can be improved.
[0012]
However, since the STA 103 has only a contract with the first provider and can connect to the Internet only via the AP 100, the STA 103 has an Internet connection via the AP 101 of the second provider whose average effective speed is higher than that of the AP 100. Could not connect to.
[0013]
Therefore, it can be said that the wireless resources cannot be effectively used in the conventional wireless LAN system.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a wireless communication system that provides a communication service to a wireless terminal via a base station, wherein, among the base stations, a first base station belonging to a first operator includes Means for managing a communication state with a wireless terminal connected to one base station, and transmitting a base station change request for changing the connected base station to the wireless terminal according to the communication state. Means, and means for transmitting a connection request to connect to the wireless terminal to a second base station belonging to a second operator different from the first operator, A second base station configured to receive a connection request from the first base station; a unit configured to connect to a wireless terminal associated with the connection request; and a packet received from the connected wireless terminal. Means for relaying to one base station, Means for receiving a broadcast signal transmitted from the base station, means for storing base station identification information corresponding to the received broadcast signal, and a base station change request from the first base station. And means for changing the connection destination to the base station corresponding to the stored identification information upon receiving the base station change request.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Of course, the following embodiments are merely subordinate concepts of the present invention disclosed as superordinate concepts. Therefore, the following embodiments are merely some examples included in the technical scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.
[0016]
Therefore, even if the embodiment is not directly described in the specification or the drawings of the present application, the invention and the technology described in the claims are still a superordinate concept disclosed in the specification or the drawings of the present application. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that if the ideas are common, they are included in the technical scope of the present invention.
[0017]
Although a plurality of embodiments will be described for convenience, those skilled in the art can easily understand that these inventions can be realized not only individually as inventions but also by appropriately combining a plurality of embodiments. .
[0018]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless LAN system based on the IEEE 802.11 standard to which the present embodiment is applicable. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user of the STA 103 has contracted with the first wireless access service provider and has not contracted with the second wireless access service provider. It should be noted that the names of the standards are merely examples, and the present invention is applicable not only to the upper standards but also to other standards.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the STA according to the present embodiment. The wireless unit 201 is a communication circuit for connecting to the AP. The storage unit 203 is a storage device for storing a control program and various data, and includes a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk drive, and the like. An AP information storage table 205 is stored in the storage unit 203. The control unit 202 is a CPU that controls the entire STA.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the AP according to the present embodiment. The wireless unit 301 is a communication circuit or the like for connecting to the STA. The storage unit 303 is a storage device for storing a control program and various data, and includes a RAM, a ROM, and the like. In the storage unit 303, a connection request STA storage table 305, an average effective speed storage unit 306, an effective speed prescribed value storage unit 308, and the like are stored. The control unit 302 is a CPU that controls the entire AP.
[0021]
For example, when the wireless unit 301 is communicating with the STA 103, the average effective speed is calculated based on the data acquired by the wireless unit 301, and the calculated value is associated with the identification information of the STA, and the average effective speed is calculated. It is stored in the storage unit 306. The wired I / F 307 is a communication circuit or the like for connecting to the public network 102 by wire.
[0022]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a server according to the embodiment. The storage unit 403 is a storage device for storing control programs and various data, and includes a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk drive, and the like. The storage unit 403 stores user authentication information 405 such as an ID and a password necessary for authenticating a user. The wired I / F 407 is a communication circuit or the like for connecting to the Internet 106 by wire.
[0023]
According to this embodiment, a wireless LAN terminal (eg, STA103) that switches and uses a plurality of wireless access points (eg, AP100 and AP101) belonging to different operators receives a broadcast signal transmitted by the wireless access point. Broadcast signal receiving means (e.g., the control unit 202 and the wireless unit 201), and wireless access point identification information (e.g., ESS-ID) of a wireless access point that can receive the broadcast signal among a plurality of wireless access points Identification information storage means (e.g., the storage unit 203, the AP information storage table 205) for storing the wireless LAN terminal and the wireless LAN access point when trying to connect to the first wireless access point (AP100) among the wireless access points. The first wireless access point is connected to the first wireless access point according to a communication state (eg, effective speed) with the first wireless access point. A change request receiving unit (eg, control unit 202, wireless unit 201) for receiving a transmitted connection destination change request (eg, an authentication rejection or a reconnection request), and identification information storage when a connection destination change request is received. Extracting means (for example, control unit 202) for extracting wireless access point identification information of a second wireless access point (for example, AP 101) belonging to another carrier stored in the means, and based on the extracted identification information. A changing unit (eg, control unit 202) for changing a connection destination to a second wireless access point; When the second wireless access point receives a connection request (eg, an STA connection request) to connect the wireless LAN terminal from the first wireless access point, the wireless LAN terminal transmits the connection request. The packet is relayed from the second wireless access point to the first wireless access point.
[0024]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the first wireless access point (eg, AP100) connected to the wireless LAN terminal (eg, STA103) is in the communication state (between the wireless LAN terminal and the first wireless access point). Example: effective speed) (acquisition means (example: control unit 302, wireless unit 301)) and whether to change the connection destination of the wireless LAN terminal to the second wireless access point based on the acquired communication state (E.g., the control unit 302) and, if it is determined that the connection destination should be changed, transmits a connection destination change request to the wireless LAN terminal, and transmits the request to the second wireless access point (e.g., the AP 101). ), A transmission unit (eg, control unit 302, radio unit 301) for transmitting a connection request to connect a wireless LAN terminal to the wireless LAN terminal, and a wireless LAN terminal via a second wireless access point. Receiving means for receiving et transmitted packets: equipped (eg control unit 302, radio unit 301) and a.
[0025]
Further, according to the present embodiment, the second wireless access point (eg, AP 101) connected to the wireless LAN terminal (eg, STA103) issues a connection request to connect the wireless LAN terminal to the first wireless access point. Receiving means (eg, control unit 302, wireless unit 301) for receiving from an access point (eg, AP 100) and storage means (eg, storage unit 303) for storing terminal identification information of a wireless LAN terminal based on a connection request. And comparing means (eg, the control unit 302) for comparing whether the received terminal identification information matches the terminal identification information stored in the storage means when the terminal identification information is received from the wireless LAN terminal. If the received terminal identification information matches the terminal identification information stored in the storage means, the packet received from the wireless LAN terminal is relayed to the first wireless access point. That the relay unit: comprises (eg control unit 302, radio unit 301) and a.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processing sequence according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process executed in the STA according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process executed in the AP according to the first embodiment. The right side in FIG. 7 shows the processing executed by the AP 100 of the provider providing the STA with the wireless access service, while the left side shows the processing performed by the AP 101 of the other provider. I have. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an AP information storage table according to the embodiment. The AP information storage table 205 stores an AP identifier 800, an ESS-ID 801, a WEP key 802, and a connectable flag 803 corresponding to each AP. The AP identifier 800, the ESS-ID 801, and the WEP key 802 of each AP are loaded into the storage unit 203 of the STA 103 when the user of the STA 103 contracts with the first operator, or an operation unit such as a keyboard. (Not shown) and stored.
[0027]
In step S500, the STA 103 searches for a connectable AP. Specifically, the control unit 202 of the STA 103 causes the wireless unit 201 to receive the broadcast signal transmitted by the AP. Then, the control unit 202 acquires the ESS-ID from the received broadcast signal, and sets the connection flag 703 corresponding to the acquired ESS-ID to 1 (S600). An AP for which the connectable flag 803 is set means that the AP is within a communication distance with the STA 103. According to FIG. 8, the STA 103 is in a range that can be connected to the AP 100 and the AP 101.
[0028]
In step S501, since the STA 103 is a STA contracted with the first operator, the STA 103 first connects to the AP 100, which is the AP of the first operator. That is, the control unit 202 reads necessary parameters such as the ESS-ID and the WEP key of the AP 100 from the storage unit 203, controls the wireless unit 201 based on the read parameters, and establishes a wireless link with the AP 100 (S601). ).
[0029]
In step S502, the STA 103 transmits a user authentication request to the server 104 of the first business operator. That is, the control unit 202 controls the wireless unit 201 and transmits a user authentication request signal to the server 104 via the AP 100 (S602).
[0030]
The control unit 302 of the AP 100 determines whether the signal received by the wireless unit 301 is an authentication request (S700). If the determination result is an authentication request, the control unit 301 refers to the average effective speed storage unit 306, acquires the average effective speed of the STA 103 connected to the AP 100, and the acquired value is equal to or greater than the specified value. It is determined whether or not (S702). If the value is equal to or more than the specified value, the process proceeds to step S708, where an authentication process is requested to the server. When it is detected that the link with the STA has been disconnected, the processing ends (S709).
[0031]
In step S503, the AP 100 transmits an authentication request rejection signal to the STA 103. That is, if the result of the determination in step S702 is lower than the specified value, the control unit 302 transmits a message indicating rejection of the authentication request to the STA 103 from the wireless unit 301 (S713). On the other hand, the control unit 302 of the STA 103 determines whether the message received by the wireless unit 301 is an authentication request received from the server 104 (S603). If the authentication request is accepted, the process proceeds to step S605, where the authentication information such as the password and the ID stored in the storage unit 203 is read and transmitted to the server 104 via the AP 100, and the authentication process with the server 104 is performed. As a result of the authentication process with the server 104, if it is determined that the user is a legitimate user, a connection is made to the Internet via the AP 100 (S606). Then, if the communication with the AP is disconnected in step S607, the process ends. on the other hand. If it is determined that the authentication request is rejected, the process proceeds to step S604. Note that, in order to clarify the difference from the normal authentication rejection, when it is determined that the reconnection request has been received after the authentication request rejection, the process may proceed to step S604. Alternatively, the presence or absence of a reconnection request may be determined instead of the authentication request rejection. For example, if the request is a reconnection request, the process proceeds to S604; otherwise, the process proceeds to S605, assuming that the authentication request has been accepted.
[0032]
In step S504, the AP 100 further transmits a STA reconnection request signal for requesting a reconnection to another AP to the STA 103. That is, the control unit 302 generates a STA reconnection request signal for the STA 103, and transmits the STA reconnection request signal from the wireless unit 301 (S704).
[0033]
In step S505, the AP 100 transmits an STA connection permission request to another AP (eg, the AP 101) to request permission for connection with the STA 103. That is, the control unit 302 reads out the IP address of the adjacent AP and the identification information of the STA 103 stored in the storage unit 303 in advance, and uses the IP address as a destination and a STA connection permission request that carries the identification information of the STA 103. Is generated and transmitted to the wired I / F 307 (S704). Note that access to a nearby AP may use a connection method similar to that of the STA 103 that connects using an ESS-ID. Alternatively, a management server that manages the relationship with a nearby AP may be provided, and the management server may be instructed by transmitting its own identification information and inquiring about the nearby AP.
[0034]
Upon receiving the message transmitted by the AP 100 and determining that the received message is a STA connection permission request (S701), the AP 101 updates the connection request STA storage table 305 (S703).
[0035]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the connection request STA storage table 305. Upon receiving the STA connection permission request from the other AP 100, the control unit 302 of the AP 102 registers the identification information of the STA 103 included in the request in the connection request STA storage table 305.
[0036]
In step S506, the STA 103 determines whether there is any connectable AP other than the AP 100. Specifically, the control unit 202 refers to the AP information storage table 205 and determines whether there is an AP other than the AP 100 and for which the connectable flag is set (S604). As a result of the determination, if there is another AP, the process proceeds to step S601; otherwise, the process ends. Here, it is assumed that the AP 101 has been selected as a connectable AP. The control unit 202 establishes a link with the AP 101 (S601).
[0037]
In step S507, the STA 103 transmits an authentication request to the server 104 of the first business entity via the AP 101. Upon receiving the user authentication request (the identification information of the STA 103 is installed) from the STA 103 (S705), the AP 101 refers to the connection request STA storage table 305 and stores the identifier of the STA 103 that is the source of the authentication request. It is determined whether it has been performed (S706). If it is stored, the control unit 302 further reads the average effective speed of the STA 103 from the average effective speed storage unit 306, reads the specified value from the specified effective speed storage unit 308, and the average effective speed of the STA 103 is equal to or more than the specified value. It is determined whether or not (S707). If the effective speed is equal to or greater than the specified value, the AP 101 relays the packet from the STA 103 to the AP 100 via the wired I / F 307 (S710). When it is detected that the link with the STA has been disconnected, the processing ends (S709). On the other hand, if NO in S706 and S707, the AP 101 notifies the STA 103 of rejection of the authentication request (S712), and returns to S700.
[0038]
Note that if the specified effective speed values of the AP 100 and the AP 101 are the same, the absolute evaluation of the effective speed becomes possible.
[0039]
In step S508, when the STA 103 receives the authentication request reception transmitted from the server 104 (YES in S603), the STA 103 transmits the authentication information to the server 104 via the AP 101 to execute the authentication processing with the server 104 (S605). ). That is, the control unit 202 reads out the authentication information (ID, password, and the like) enabled in the storage unit, generates a packet addressed to the server 104, and transmits the packet. After the authentication information is received by the AP 101, the authentication information is transferred to the AP 100, and further transferred from the AP 100 to the server 104.
[0040]
In step S509, the server 104 compares the authentication information stored in the storage unit 403 in advance with the authentication information received from the STA 103, and executes an authentication process. As a result of the comparison, if they match, an authentication permission message is transmitted to STA 103.
[0041]
In steps S510 and S511, a service for connecting to the Internet is provided to the STA 103 as an authorized user.
[0042]
With the above processing, when the effective speed of the AP 100 is low, the STA 103 can connect to the Internet via the faster AP 101 (S606), and the wireless resources can be effectively used. When the link with the AP 101 is disconnected, the processing ends (S607).
[0043]
According to the present embodiment, a wireless communication system that provides a communication service to a wireless terminal (eg, an STA) via a base station (eg, an AP) is provided. Example: The AP 100) manages a communication state (eg, average effective speed) with the wireless terminal (STA 103) connected to the first base station (eg, the control unit 302), and responds to the communication state. Means for transmitting a base station change request for changing a base station to be connected to a wireless terminal (eg, control unit 302, wireless unit 301), and a second operator different from the first operator. Means for transmitting a connection request to connect to a wireless terminal to a second base station (e.g., AP 101) to which the second base station belongs (e.g., the control unit 302, the wired I / F 307); The base station receives a connection request from the first base station (eg, Control unit 302, wired I / F 307), means for connecting to a wireless terminal associated with the connection request (eg, control unit 302, wireless unit 301), and a packet received from the connected wireless terminal to the first base station. (For example, the control unit 302 and the wired I / F 307), and the wireless terminal (for example, the STA 103) receives the broadcast signal transmitted from the base station (for example, the control unit 202; A radio unit 201), a unit (eg, a storage unit 203) for storing identification information (eg, ESS-ID) of a base station corresponding to the received broadcast signal, and a base station change from the first base station. Means for receiving the request (eg, control unit 202, radio unit 201), and means for changing the connection destination to the base station corresponding to the stored identification information upon receiving the base station change request (eg, control unit) 302, a wireless unit 301).
[0044]
Although the communication state has been described using the effective communication speed between the wireless terminal and the base station as an example, other communication quality measures such as an error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, and a signal-to-interference ratio may be used.
[0045]
[Second embodiment]
The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. Therefore, common processing is omitted by attaching the same reference numerals.
[0046]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a processing sequence according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process executed in the STA according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process executed in the AP according to the second embodiment.
[0047]
In particular, the feature of the second embodiment is that even when the effective speed of the AP 100 is low, the authentication process is executed via the AP 100, and the subsequent Internet connection service is provided from the AP 101. .
[0048]
In step S1008, the STA 103 transmits the authentication information to the server 104 via the AP 100. The AP 100 transfers the authentication information received from the STA 103 to the server 104 (S1200). As a result, the STA 103 executes authentication processing with the server 104 (S1105).
[0049]
In step S1009, the server 104 compares the authentication information stored in the storage unit 403 in advance with the authentication information received from the STA 103, and executes an authentication process. As a result of the comparison, if they match, an authentication permission message is transmitted to STA 103.
[0050]
In step S1014, PA 100 transmits a reconnection request to STA 103. This is transmitted as a result of the PA 100 determining that the effective speed of the STA 103 is not higher than or equal to the specified value (No in S702), in order to cause the STA 103 to reconnect with another AP (S713). The STA 103 determines whether the message received from the AP 100 is a reconnection request (S1106). If the request is not a reconnection request, the STA 103 connects to the AP 100 because the effective speed between the AP 100 and the STA 103 is at a level without any problem (S605). On the other hand, if the request is a reconnection request, the STA 103 extracts another connectable AP (S604). If there is another connectable AP (e.g., AP101), a link is connected to that AP101 (S1108), and an Internet connection service is enjoyed via the AP101 (S605).
[0051]
As described above, in the first embodiment, the STA 103 makes an authentication request to the server 104 of the first business operator after connecting to the AP 101, but in the second embodiment, the STA 103 transmits the authentication request to the AP 104 via the AP 100. After executing the authentication process with the server 104 of one company, the AP 100 requests the STA 103 to reconnect to another AP 101, and the STA 103 can enjoy the Internet connection service through the AP 101.
[0052]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the authentication information of the user is transferred within the first operator and does not pass through the AP 101 of the second operator, important information such as authentication information is leaked to another operator. Could be reduced.
[0053]
[Other embodiments]
As described above, the embodiments have been described in detail, but the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus including a single device.
[0054]
According to the present invention, a software program (a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 10, or FIG. 11 in the present embodiment) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or This includes a case where the program code is supplied from a remote place and the computer of the system or the apparatus reads out and executes the supplied program code. In that case, the form need not be a program as long as it has the function of the program.
[0055]
Therefore, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the claims of the present invention include the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.
[0056]
In this case, any form of the program, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data to be supplied to the OS, may be used as long as the program has a function.
[0057]
As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).
[0058]
In addition, as a method of supplying the program, a client computer connects to an Internet homepage using a browser, and downloads the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. Can also be supplied. Further, the present invention can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. In other words, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for implementing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.
[0059]
In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and downloaded to a user who satisfies predetermined conditions from a homepage via the Internet to download key information for decryption. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer to realize the program.
[0060]
The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented when the computer executes the read program, and an OS or the like running on the computer executes a part of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program. Alternatively, all the operations are performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.
[0061]
Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the A CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing also realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0062]
【The invention's effect】
In the present invention, the service area of the base station of the first operator and the service area of the base station of the second operator overlap, and the communication state of the base station related to the first operator is the same as that of the second operator. In the case where the state is worse than the communication state, the wireless terminal subscribing to the service of the first operator is connected to the base station of the second operator to provide the service indirectly. Effective use of radio resources.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless LAN system to which the present embodiment can be applied;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an STA according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an AP according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an authentication processing server according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processing sequence according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process executed in the STA according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process executed in the AP according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an AP information storage table according to the embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a connection request STA storage table (905).
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a processing sequence according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a process executed in the STA according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process executed in the AP according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100: wireless access points involved in wireless access services provided by the first operator
101: Wireless access points involved in wireless access services provided by the second operator
102 public network to which AP100 and AP101 are connected
103: Station of the user subscribing to the radio access service provided by the first operator
104: Authentication server for managing the user of the first business operator
105: Authentication server for managing the user of the second business
106 ... Internet

Claims (1)

In a wireless communication system that provides communication services to wireless terminals via a base station,
Among the base stations, a first base station belonging to a first operator is:
Means for managing a communication state with a wireless terminal connected to the first base station;
A means for transmitting a base station change request for changing the connected base station to the wireless terminal according to the communication state,
Means for transmitting, to a second base station belonging to a second operator different from the first operator, a connection request to connect to the wireless terminal;
The second base station comprises:
Means for receiving a connection request from the first base station;
Means for connecting to the wireless terminal associated with the connection request,
Means for relaying a packet received from the connected wireless terminal to the first base station,
The wireless terminal,
Means for receiving a broadcast signal transmitted from the base station,
Means for storing identification information of the base station corresponding to the received broadcast signal,
Means for receiving a base station change request from the first base station;
Means for changing a connection destination to a base station corresponding to the stored identification information upon receiving the base station change request.

Images