JP2005136885A - Information communication system, mobile object, and information communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information communication system for allowing even a user terminal of a different communication scheme to surely communicate information of great capacitance in a mobile object that moves at high speed. <P>SOLUTION: The information communication system is provided for communicating information using a fixed communication network 110, a fixed communication unit 114 connected to the fixed communication network, a mobile communication unit 118 that is provided in a mobile object 102 capable of moving along a predetermined route and makes communication with the fixed communication unit within a first predetermined range wherein communication using a radio signal with the at least one fixed communication unit can be performed, and one or more user communication units 120 provided in the mobile object and connected with the mobile communication unit. Thus, information of great capacitance can be surely communicated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to information communication, and more particularly to an information communication system, a mobile unit, and an information communication method for performing wireless communication in a mobile unit.

  Conventionally, in a vehicle in a passenger transport system, when a passenger user tries to receive an information communication service using a mobile phone or a personal computer, wireless communication using a mobile communication network represented by a mobile phone is used. Communication was taking place.

  However, in the method using the communication network by the above mobile communication, the data transfer rate is slow. For example, when a large-capacity e-mail including an image data file is to be transmitted, it takes a considerable time to complete the transmission. In addition, since the vehicle travels at a high speed, the communication situation is unstable, and transmission is interrupted.

  In view of the above problems, such a vehicle and the external Internet are connected by a wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN, and information input / output means such as a keyboard and a display are connected to the wired LAN connected to the wireless LAN inside the train. A technique for connecting and using various services is known (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique for stably transmitting / receiving electronic mail using such a wired LAN is also known (for example, Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, a technology for receiving a comprehensive service of railway information including the Internet by adding an in-vehicle wireless device using a single wireless communication method to the above wired LAN has been studied (for example, Patent Documents). 3).

  However, in a situation where wireless communication is performed in a vehicle, if only a specific communication method such as LAN (IEEE802.11b compliant) or Bluetooth is provided in the vehicle, a user who cannot use such a communication method can use an information communication service. I couldn't get it. In addition, simply increasing the number of communication methods to deal with such problems will cost equipment and reduce space occupancy.

  In addition, since wireless communication between the vehicle and the outside uses relatively low-speed communication, large-capacity data is transmitted and received while the train is stopped and a certain distance from the external base station is maintained. It was difficult.

JP 2002-204237 A JP 2002-044122 A JP 2001-222603 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of conventional information communication systems, and the object of the present invention is to ensure that even a mobile terminal moving at high speed can be a user terminal having a different communication method. To provide a new and improved information communication system, mobile unit, and information communication method capable of communicating a large amount of information.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information communication system that communicates information in a mobile body that has a fixed communication network and is wireless and can move along a predetermined route. A fixed communication network as a backbone network; one or two or more fixed communication units connected to the fixed communication network and including a fixed radio signal communication unit; and provided in the mobile body, and having at least one fixed communication unit A mobile communication unit including a mobile radio signal communication unit that communicates with the fixed radio signal communication unit within a first predetermined range capable of communicating with the fixed radio signal communication unit by radio signals; An information communication system comprising a predetermined communication device connected to a mobile communication unit and used by a mobile body and one or more user communication units capable of communicating by radio signals It is subjected.

  Here, the moving body includes railway vehicles and buses whose operation routes are defined in advance, and the fixed integrated base station is a bus stop where each of the railway vehicles passes or stops, or at which a bus passes or stops. It may be provided for each. The fixed communication network is fixed as a backbone network including a backbone network connecting mid-level networks. For example, when the fixed communication unit is provided for each station or bus stop, the network between the stations or bus stops is used. Form.

  With this configuration, in a communicable area within the first predetermined range of the fixed wireless signal communication unit, a mobile body having a wireless relationship with the fixed communication network can establish a communication path with the fixed communication network. Data communication, for example, Web page reference, electronic mail (hereinafter simply referred to as mail) can be transmitted and received. Communication paths formed here are a user communication unit, a mobile communication unit, a fixed communication unit, and a fixed communication network.

  The mobile communication unit is at least one mobile integrated base station; the user communication unit is a mobile local base station; and the mobile is a light that connects the mobile integrated base station and the mobile local base station. And the communication between the mobile integrated base station and the mobile base station is performed by optical wireless fusion communication using the optical fiber and optically transmitting a radio signal corresponding to one or more wireless communication systems. It may be said. Further, the mobile communication unit further includes one or more mobile communication control units having different radio communication schemes, and the communication control unit transmits each communication scheme from a signal fused by the optical wireless fusion communication. It is also possible to take out a signal corresponding to each and perform processing corresponding to each communication method.

  Here, the mobile communication control unit includes a wireless communication system including LAN (Local Area Network) (compliant with IEEE802.11a), LAN (compliant with IEEE802.11b), LAN (compliant with IEEE802.11g), and Bluetooth. It may be selected.

  This optical wireless fusion communication is a communication method using a wide band of optical signals, and can easily change, add, and delete a plurality of wireless communication methods determined depending on the user terminal used. That is, in the conventional mobile unit, it is necessary to provide a base station with a predetermined wireless communication system in all user communication units, and change, addition to the other wireless communication system, or the old communication system Deletion involved changes, additions and deletions of all base stations and was inefficient. In this optical wireless fusion communication, such multiple wireless communication systems are integrated, and once a mobile base station receives radio signals from multiple wireless communication systems, converts them into optical signals with a wide bandwidth and transmits them to the mobile integrated base station. Then, it is divided into radio signals of each radio communication system via the mobile integrated base station. Accordingly, at least one mobile communication control unit having a predetermined wireless communication method is sufficient for one wireless communication method, and the wireless communication method can be easily changed, added, or deleted. In addition, even if such changes, additions, and deletions are made, the mobile integrated base station and the mobile base station are not modified, which is advantageous in terms of maintenance and cost.

  The fixed wireless communication unit includes at least one fixed integrated base station; one or two or more fixed local base stations that communicate with the mobile radio signal communication unit using a radio signal; the fixed integrated base station; And an optical fiber connecting the fixed local base station, and the communication between the fixed integrated base station and the fixed local base station uses the optical fiber to transmit a radio signal corresponding to one or more radio communication systems. It may be carried out by optical wireless fusion communication (ROF: Radio On Fiber) that optically transmits the light. In addition, if a fixed local base station is connected to a fixed integrated base station, the fixed local base station does not need to be close to the fixed integrated base station. It may be provided between stations or bus stops.

  Even in such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the effect of the above-described optical wireless fusion communication, and it is possible to easily change, add, and delete communication devices according to the wireless communication method. Moreover, even if this optical wireless fusion communication is used for one of the fixed wireless communication unit and the mobile body, it is possible to communicate a large amount of information while moving at a high speed. In addition, high-speed, large-capacity data communication can be performed.

  The information communication system further includes a user terminal that communicates with the user communication unit within a second predetermined range in which communication by radio signals with at least one of the user communication units is possible. You may connect to the said fixed communication network via a user communication part, the said mobile communication part, and the said fixed communication part.

  With this configuration, the user can connect to the fixed communication network using the user terminal within the second predetermined range of the user communication unit in the mobile body. Moreover, if it is in the 2nd predetermined range, even if it moves more freely within a mobile body, communication will not be interrupted and a comfortable communication environment can be obtained. Since the use range of the user terminal is determined to be in the mobile body, most of the range is covered by the user communication unit. Therefore, the user terminal can always communicate with the user communication unit.

  In addition, the fixed communication unit includes a fixed data holding unit that holds data received by the user terminal in response to a reception request from the user terminal at least while the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit cannot communicate with each other. Further, the data held in the fixed data holding unit may be transmitted to the mobile communication unit when the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit shift to a communicable state. The fixed data holding unit may be provided in a server connected to the fixed communication network.

  Even if the user terminal makes a data reception request such as mail, data cannot be received if the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit cannot communicate. The fixed data holding unit temporarily holds data that cannot be transmitted, and the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit can communicate with each other, whereby the held data is transmitted to the mobile communication unit.

  Here, the fixed data holding unit has means for holding information on whether the held data is a reception request of “when”, “with which fixed communication unit”, “with which mobile unit”, or “from which user terminal”. You may have. With this holding means, it is possible to prepare for transmission of request data in the fixed communication unit that is expected to be closest or closest to the moving route of the moving object, and to transmit the data to the user terminal in the shortest time. Can be sent. In addition, when the fixed data holding unit is provided in a server connected to the fixed communication network, it is possible to hold data in one place regardless of the moving route of the moving object, and the general moving object route If control is being performed, data can be transmitted accordingly.

  The mobile communication unit further includes a mobile data holding unit that holds data transmitted from a user terminal at least while the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit cannot communicate with each other. The data held in the unit may be transmitted to the fixed communication unit when the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit shift to a communicable state.

  As described above, even if data such as mail is transmitted from the user terminal, data cannot be transmitted if the fixed wireless signal communication unit and the mobile wireless signal communication unit cannot communicate. The mobile data holding unit temporarily holds data that cannot be transmitted, and the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit can communicate with each other, whereby the held data is transmitted to the fixed communication unit.

  The fixed communication unit further includes a fixed authentication unit that authenticates communication data with the mobile communication unit, and the mobile communication unit further includes a mobile authentication unit that authenticates communication data with the fixed communication unit. Communication between the communication unit and the mobile communication unit may be performed after the authentication process is completed. Furthermore, the communication data between the fixed communication unit and the mobile communication unit may be encrypted. With this configuration, it is possible to perform reliable and safe data communication between the fixed communication unit and the mobile communication unit.

  The fixed authentication unit and / or the mobile authentication unit may further include one or more functions selected from the group of an access authentication function unit, a DHCP function unit, a DNS function unit, and an SMTP function unit. The authentication unit may further include a POP function unit. With such a functional unit, more reliable and safe data communication can be performed.

  Here, the access authentication function unit is a function unit having a function of performing user authentication processing in response to an access authentication request and transmitting the result to the request source. The DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function unit is a protocol for automatically assigning IP (Internet Protocol) addresses to nodes on the network. IP addresses are automatically assigned and expired IP addresses. A functional unit having a function of collecting A DNS (Domain Name System) function unit refers to a function unit that associates an IP address with a domain name, for example, searches for an IP address from the domain name. A POP (Post Office Protocol) function unit is a function unit that performs authentication processing related to an e-mail before sending and receiving the e-mail. An SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) function unit is a function unit that controls mail transmission and / or reception including SMTP, which is a mail delivery protocol between mail servers on a communication network.

  The fixed communication network is further connected to a public communication network including the Internet, and authenticates communication data with the fixed communication unit to a predetermined individual communication unit other than the fixed communication network connected to the public communication network. The individual authentication unit, the fixed communication unit further includes a fixed authentication unit that authenticates communication data with the fixed communication unit, and communication between the individual communication unit and the fixed communication unit is performed after the authentication process is completed. It may be done at. Furthermore, the communication data between the fixed communication unit and the mobile communication unit may be further encrypted. Here, the individual communication unit includes a specific network or server connected to the Internet such as a corporate network. With this configuration, reliable and safe data communication can be performed between the individual communication unit and the fixed communication unit.

  With such a mobile authentication unit, fixed authentication unit, and individual authentication unit, communication from the user terminal in the mobile unit to the individual communication unit can be reliably performed based on the safety procedure by authentication. With such a configuration, for example, even when a user requests information possessed by his company network in a mobile body, it can be safely acquired.

  In addition, the mobile communication unit uses a satellite line or a mobile phone line that can be always connected except for wireless communication performed between the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit. A communication path switching section for switching a communication path according to the amount of data to be communicated between the constant communication section and the mobile radio signal communication section; May be configured such that predetermined data with a small amount of data is always connected to the communication unit and other data is connected to the mobile radio signal communication unit. Here, the predetermined data may be one or more data selected from the group of user ID, user password, and mail reception request necessary for user authentication.

  The user ID, the user password, and the mail reception request have a small amount of data, and even if communication is performed by connecting to a satellite line or a mobile phone line, the communication efficiency is not greatly affected. This is because when such a user ID, user password, and mail reception request are made by the mobile radio signal communication unit, the user is authenticated only when approaching the fixed communication unit, that is, only when the station or bus stop is stopped or passing. This is because the request for receiving e-mails is not made and an inefficient situation is caused.

  Also provided are a mobile unit and an information communication method for performing such an information communication system.

  The mobile authentication unit, the mobile data holding unit, one or more mobile communication control units, and the mobile integrated base station of the mobile communication unit can be formed as one device, and can be formed as separate devices. Further, the fixed authentication unit, the fixed data holding unit, and the fixed integrated base station of the fixed communication unit can be formed as one device, but different devices can also be formed. Furthermore, the fixed authentication unit and the mobile authentication unit further include one or more function units selected from the group of an access authentication function unit, a DHCP function unit, a DNS function unit, a POP function unit, and an SMTP function unit. A server having such a function unit independently may be provided separately.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably and safely communicate with a moving body that moves at high speed, and it is also possible to transmit and receive a large amount of information in a short time.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(1: Information communication system)
The information communication system according to the first embodiment is intended to perform information communication in a mobile body that can move on a predetermined route, which has a wireless relationship with a fixed communication network. Here, the mobile body is a railway. The fixed communication unit is provided at a station where the vehicle stops or passes.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information communication system according to the first embodiment.

  The information communication system is roughly divided into a fixed side such as a station 100 and a moving side such as a vehicle that is a moving body 102, and belongs to the fixed side, and includes a fixed communication network 110 and a fixed communication unit including a fixed radio signal communication unit 112. 114, a mobile communication unit 118 including a mobile radio signal communication unit 116 belonging to the mobile side, a user communication unit 120, and a user terminal 122.

  In the present embodiment, communication by the user terminal 122 can be freely and comfortably used in a mobile network (mobile network) formed by the mobile body 102 that moves at high speed. At this time, the mobile unit 102 and the station 100 establish a predetermined communication link for a predetermined period within a first predetermined range in which radio waves can communicate.

  The backbone network as the fixed communication network 110 can be connected to a public communication network such as the Internet via a server by connecting a mid-level network. This server can execute application protocols such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol), HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), and POP (Post Office Protocol). In the present embodiment, the fixed communication network 110 connects stations through which railcars pass, is connected to a plurality of fixed communication units 114, and is also used for control in the station premises. Furthermore, it is also used for route and time control of a plurality of vehicles.

  The fixed radio signal communication unit 112 includes a fixed integrated base station 130 and a plurality of fixed local base stations 132, and an optical fiber 134 is provided between the fixed integrated base station 130 and the fixed local base station 132. , Connected by optical wireless fusion communication. In addition, wireless communication is performed within a predetermined range (first predetermined range) with the mobile radio signal communication unit 116 of the mobile communication unit 118. A system formed by such optical wireless fusion communication is also referred to as an ROF system. With this optical wireless fusion communication, multiple communication methods can be sent and received at once, and high-speed and large-capacity data communication can be supported.

  Here, the fixed integrated base station 130 has a frequency conversion function, a wireless light conversion function, and the like. When the user terminal 122 receives data, the radio signal received from the fixed communication control unit 136 is frequency-converted as necessary, further performs radio optical conversion, generates an optical signal, and transmits it to the fixed local base station 132. To do. Further, when data is transmitted from the user terminal 122, an optical signal is received from the fixed local base station 132, a radio signal is generated by optical radio signal conversion, frequency conversion is performed as necessary, and a fixed communication control unit 136. In addition, the fixed integrated base station 130 and the fixed communication control unit 136 can perform not only wireless communication but also wired communication as a wireless signal component.

  The fixed local base station 132 includes a frequency conversion function, an optical wireless conversion function, and an antenna for performing wireless communication. When the user terminal 122 receives data, the optical signal received from the fixed integrated base station 130 via the optical fiber is optically converted to a radio signal, frequency-converted as necessary, and mobile communication via the antenna. To the unit 118. Further, when data is transmitted from the user terminal 122, the radio signal received from the mobile communication unit 118 via the antenna is frequency-converted as necessary, and further, the radio optical conversion is performed to the fixed integrated base station 130. Send.

  At least one fixed communication unit 114 is provided for each station. The fixed communication unit 114 includes a fixed wireless signal communication unit 112 and a fixed communication control unit 136. The fixed communication control unit 136 connects the fixed communication network 110 and the fixed wireless signal communication unit 112, and performs a network control function and access control. The wireless communication link is provided to the mobile communication unit 118 via the fixed wireless signal communication unit 112. Examples of the fixed communication control unit 136 include an ultrahigh-speed wireless LAN using a 60 GHz band.

  The mobile radio signal communication unit 116 can perform radio communication with the fixed radio signal communication unit 114 by having a first predetermined range relationship with the fixed local base station 132 of the fixed radio signal communication unit 114.

  The mobile communication unit 118 includes a mobile radio signal unit 116, a mobile communication control unit 140, and a mobile integrated base station 142. The mobile communication control unit 140 has a network control function, an access control function, and a wireless communication function, and provides a wireless communication link to the user terminal 122. Examples of the mobile communication control unit 140 include a LAN (IEEE802.11a compliant), LAN (IEEE802.11b compliant), LAN (IEEE802.11g compliant), Bluetooth, and other wireless communication apparatus. The mobile integrated base station 142 is connected to the mobile local base station 144 provided in the user communication unit 120 via an optical fiber 146, thereby providing an ROF system.

  In such an ROF system, the mobile integrated base station 142 has a frequency conversion function, a wireless optical conversion function, and the like, and the mobile local base station 144 has a frequency conversion function and an optical wireless conversion function. Since the communication format of the mobile integrated base station 142 and the mobile local base station 144 is substantially the same as that of the fixed integrated base station 130 and the fixed local base station 132, description thereof is omitted.

  The user communication unit 120 includes a mobile base station 144, and the mobile base station 144 includes an antenna for communicating with the user terminal 122.

  The user terminal 122 establishes a communication link with the mobile communication unit 118 when it is within a second predetermined range in which radio communication with the mobile base station 144 is possible. In addition, the user terminal 122 includes a network control function, an access control function, a wireless communication function, and an antenna for communicating with the mobile communication control unit 140. Also, application protocols such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol), HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), and POP (Post Office Protocol) can be executed. It also has a TCP / IP communication function, communication path encryption, or a composite function.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a two-stage ROF system of a vehicle and a station is provided, and a large amount of information can be reliably communicated in a moving body that moves at high speed.

(2: Information communication system)
In the information communication system according to the second embodiment, it is possible to perform wireless communication with various types of user terminals with different communication methods by providing a plurality of mobile communication control units with different communication methods in a vehicle as a moving body.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an information communication system according to the second embodiment.

  The information communication system is roughly divided into a fixed side such as a station 100 and a moving side such as a vehicle that is a moving body 102, and belongs to the fixed side, and includes a fixed communication network 110 and a fixed communication unit including a fixed radio signal communication unit 112. 114, a mobile communication unit 118 including a mobile radio signal communication unit 116 belonging to the mobile side, a user communication unit 120, and a user terminal 122.

  The fixed communication network 110, the fixed communication unit 114, and the user communication unit 120, which have already been described as the constituent elements in the first embodiment, have substantially the same functions, and thus redundant description is omitted. Here, the configurations are different. The mobile communication control units 210, 212, and 214 and the user terminals 220 and 222 will be described.

  The mobile communication control units 210, 212, and 214 have different communication methods such as LAN (IEEE802.11a compliant), LAN (IEEE802.11b compliant), LAN (IEEE802.11g compliant), Bluetooth, etc. It has a network control function, an access control function, and a wireless communication function. When the user terminal receives data, the radio signals output from the mobile communication control units 210, 212, and 214 via the mobile radio signal communication unit 116 are combined by the mobile integrated base station 142 and converted into optical signals. The On the other hand, when data is transmitted from the user terminal, the radio signal converted by the mobile integrated base station 142 is separated by a filter or the like, and each mobile communication control unit 210, 212, 214 uses each radio communication system. The signal processing according to is performed.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the user terminals 220 and 222 include a network control function, an access control function, a wireless communication function, and an antenna for communicating with the mobile communication control units 210, 212, and 214. Also, application protocols such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol), HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), and POP (Post Office Protocol) can be executed.

  For example, the mobile communication control unit 210 is a LAN (IEEE 802.11b compliant) communication method, the mobile communication control unit 212 is a Bluetooth communication method, and the mobile communication control unit 214 is a LAN (IEEE 802.11g compliant). When having the communication method, when the user terminal 220 requests communication by Bluetooth and the user terminal 222 requests communication by LAN (IEEE802.11b compliant), the mobile communication control unit 212 The mobile communication control unit 210 corresponds to the user terminal 222. Thus, it is possible to respond to various communication methods and a plurality of terminals by providing the mobile communication control unit having each communication method in the mobile communication unit 118.

  In addition, as described above, this embodiment has a two-stage ROF system of a vehicle and a station, and reliably communicates a large amount of information even at different user terminals in a moving body that moves at high speed. Is possible.

(3: Information communication system)
In the information communication system according to the third embodiment, even when the mobile communication unit of the vehicle is in a state incapable of communicating with the fixed communication unit of the station, it is possible to perform safe and reliable communication regarding data transmission and reception, particularly mail transmission and reception Can do.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an information communication system according to the third embodiment.

  The information communication system is roughly divided into a fixed side such as a station 100 and a moving side such as a vehicle that is a moving body 102, and belongs to the fixed side, a fixed communication network 110, a fixed radio signal communication unit 112, and a fixed data holding unit. 310, a fixed communication unit 114 including a fixed authentication unit 312, a mobile communication unit 118 belonging to the mobile side, including a mobile radio signal communication unit 116, a mobile data holding unit 320, and a mobile authentication unit 322, and a user communication unit 120. And a user terminal 122.

  Since the fixed communication network 110 already described as a component in the first embodiment and the user communication unit 120 have substantially the same functions, duplicate description is omitted. Here, the fixed data holding unit 310, which has a different configuration, The fixed authentication unit 312, the movement data holding unit 320, and the movement authentication unit 322 will be described.

  The fixed data holding unit 310 is connected to the fixed communication network 110 and the fixed communication control unit 136 by a wired communication link, and is received by the user terminal 122 when the fixed communication unit 114 and the mobile communication unit 118 are at a distance where communication is not possible. Temporarily retain data to be processed, especially mail or mail files that combine multiple mails. Then, when the fixed communication unit 114 and the mobile communication unit 118 establish wireless communication, the held data is collectively transmitted to the mobile authentication unit 322. It also has a communication data transfer management function, manages the transfer management table based on the mail reception request user list, and which mobile communication unit 118 is connected from the transfer management table via which station is the fixed communication unit 114. Determine whether to send to the train. Furthermore, the fixed data holding unit 310 also has a function of converting mail received at the request of the user into a mail file for collective management.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the fixed data holding unit 310 is included in the fixed communication unit 114 as shown in FIG. 3, but is directly connected to the fixed communication network 110 or the public communication such as the Internet connected to the fixed communication network 110. A net may be provided. The fixed communication network 110 is connected to a server that manages the arrival and departure of trains and the movement management. By integrating the fixed data holding unit 310 into the server, the transmission and reception destination of data can be easily determined. Efficient operation can be achieved.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the fixed authentication unit 312. The fixed authentication unit 312 includes a fixed authentication control unit 324, an access authentication function unit 326, a DHCP function unit 328, a DNS function unit 330, and an SMTP function unit 332, and manages or controls data transmitted to and received from the user terminal 122.

  Here, the fixed authentication control unit 324 manages and controls each functional unit of the fixed authentication unit 312 by a control device including a central processing unit (CPU). The access authentication function unit 326 is a functional unit having a function of performing user authentication processing and wireless communication channel encryption in response to an access authentication request from the user terminal 122 and the like, and transmitting the result to the request source. Functions as a RADIUS server or an IEEE 802.1x server are also implemented.

  The DHCP function unit 328 has a protocol for automatically assigning an IP address to a node on the network, and has a function of automatically assigning an IP address and collecting an expired IP address. . The DNS function unit 330 associates an IP address with a domain name, and can retrieve an IP address from the domain name, for example.

  The SMTP function unit 332 includes SMTP, which is a mail delivery protocol between mail servers on a communication network, and controls transmission and / or reception of mail. In addition, the SMTP function unit 332 performs mutual authentication with the mobile authentication unit 322, transmits the mail reception request user list received from the mobile authentication unit 322 to the fixed data holding unit 310, and It manages the mail reception requests of trains and users according to the notification.

  Each of the above functional units can also form an independent server device. It can also be directly connected to the fixed communication network 110 or provided in the fixed communication control unit 136.

  The mobile data holding unit 320 is connected to the mobile radio signal communication unit 116 and the mobile communication control unit 140 via a wired communication link, and the user terminal 122 is connected when the mobile communication unit 118 and the fixed communication unit 114 cannot communicate with each other. Temporarily retain sent data, especially mail or mail files. Then, when the mobile communication unit 118 and the fixed communication unit 114 establish wireless communication, the held data is collectively transmitted to the fixed authentication unit 312.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the movement authentication unit 322. The mobile authentication unit 322 includes a mobile authentication control unit 336, an access authentication function unit 338, a DHCP function unit 340, a DNS function unit 342, a POP function unit 344, and an SMTP function unit 346, and transmits and receives data to and from the user terminal 122. Manage or control.

  Here, the movement authentication control unit 336 manages and controls each functional unit of the movement authentication unit 322 by a control device including a central processing unit (CPU). The access authentication function unit 338 is a functional unit having a function of performing user authentication processing and wireless communication channel encryption in response to an access authentication request from the user terminal 122 and the like, and transmitting the result to the request source. Functions as a RADIUS server or an IEEE 802.1x server are also implemented.

  The DHCP function unit 340 has a protocol for automatically assigning an IP address to a node on the network, and has a function of automatically assigning an IP address and collecting an expired IP address. Prepare. The DNS function unit 342 associates an IP address with a domain name, for example, searches for an IP address from the domain name.

  The POP function unit 344 performs an authentication process related to the mail before sending / receiving the mail. In addition, a user having a mail account can be registered in the ISP, and a function for notifying the fixed authentication unit 312 of a mail reception request user notification function and user information for which a mail reception request has been made. In addition, when the train arrives at the terminal station or when the user terminal 122 is turned off, the function of deleting all the data held in the mobile data holding unit 320 and the user information for which a mail reception request has been made, It also has a function to store for a certain period.

  The SMTP function unit 346 includes SMTP, which is a mail delivery protocol between mail servers on a communication network, and controls transmission and / or reception of mail. It also has a function as a client of the DHCP function unit and the DNS function unit. In addition, a plurality of IP addresses are provided for communication with a plurality of mobile communication units 116, authentication is performed mutually with the fixed authentication unit 312, and user information notified from the POP function unit is received by a mail reception request user list. The mail file is transmitted to and received from the fixed authentication unit 312 and the received mail file is converted into a normal mail format.

  Each of the above functional units can also form an independent server device. It can also be provided in the mobile radio signal communication unit 116 or the mobile communication control unit 140.

  FIG. 6 shows a block diagram when the fixed communication network 110 and the company to which the user belongs are connected via the Internet.

  Here, the fixed communication network 110 is connected to a public communication network 354 such as the Internet, and is further connected to an individual authentication unit 350 which is a data window on the company side via an individual network 352 of the company as an individual communication unit. The procedure for sending and receiving mail between the user terminal 122 and the company to which the user belongs using the fixed data holding unit 310, the fixed authentication unit 312, the movement data holding unit 320, and the movement authentication unit 322 is shown in FIGS. A brief description will be given.

  When the user desires to receive mail, a mail reception request is issued from the user terminal 122, the mobile authentication unit 322 acquires an IP address or the like, and the fixed authentication unit 312, the fixed data holding unit 310, the fixed communication network 110, the public A mail request is transmitted to the individual authentication unit 350 via the communication network 354 and the individual network 352. When authentication is confirmed with the individual authentication unit 350, the requested mail is transmitted from the individual authentication unit 350 to the fixed data holding unit 310 via the individual network 352, the public communication network 354, and the fixed communication network 110. Here, the mail is temporarily held, and is transmitted to the user terminal 122 via the fixed authentication unit 312 and the mobile authentication unit 322 when the fixed communication unit 114 and the mobile communication unit 118 become capable of wireless communication.

  When the user transmits a mail, the user terminal 122 acquires an IP address or the like in the movement authentication unit 322, and the transmitted mail is temporarily held in the movement data holding unit 320 via the movement authentication unit 322. When the mobile communication unit 118 and the fixed communication unit 114 can wirelessly communicate, the mail is transmitted from the individual authentication unit 350 to the fixed data holding unit via the individual network 352, the public communication network 354, and the fixed communication network 110. Is done.

  By the above procedure, the user can send and receive mail stably and reliably at any time regardless of whether the train is stopped at the station or traveling.

  By the information communication system according to the third embodiment, even if the mobile communication unit of the vehicle is in a state incapable of communicating with the fixed communication unit of the station, it is possible to perform safe and reliable communication for data transmission and reception, particularly for mail transmission and reception. Can do.

(4: Information communication system)
In the information communication system according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to perform safer and more reliable communication with respect to data transmission / reception, in particular, mail transmission / reception, regardless of the movement of a mobile object.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an information communication system according to the fourth embodiment.

    The information communication system is formed by adding a public communication network 354, a mobile communication network 370, and a mobile base station 372 to the configuration shown in the first embodiment. In addition, the mobile communication unit 118 of the mobile body 102 also has a constant communication unit 374 and a communication path switching unit 376.

  Since the constituent elements already described as the constituent elements in the first embodiment have substantially the same functions, a duplicate description is omitted, and here, a newly added configuration will be described.

  The mobile communication network 370 is a communication path of a wireless terminal represented by a satellite line or a mobile phone line.

  The mobile base station 372 is connected to the mobile communication network 370 and performs wireless communication with a mobile phone or the like. The communication speed between the mobile communication unit 118 and the fixed communication unit 114 is very high for wireless communication via the mobile base station 372.

  The constant communication unit 374 is capable of wireless communication with the mobile base station 372 in most of the time, and is provided in the mobile communication unit 118.

  The communication path switching unit 376 is connected to the mobile communication control unit 140, the constant communication unit 374, and the mobile radio signal communication unit 116. The communication path switching unit 376 switches the communication path between the constant communication unit 374 and the mobile radio signal according to the amount of data to be communicated. Switching with the communication unit 116 is performed. In the switching, the constant communication unit 374 is selected for predetermined data with a small amount of data, and the mobile radio signal communication unit 116 is selected for other data.

  At this time, the predetermined data includes a user ID necessary for user authentication, a user password, and a mail reception request. Such predetermined data is transmitted through the mobile communication network 370 even if it is connected to a satellite line or a mobile phone line and does not have much influence on the efficiency of communication. This is because a predetermined procedure can be pre-processed by being connected. For example, in the configuration with only the mobile communication control unit 140, the communication time with the fixed communication unit 114 is limited. Therefore, when the user ID or password is incorrect, the error is reported for the first time at the next station, and is input again. Even if corrected, the transmission and reception of data will result in being carried over to the next station. In addition, the mail reception request itself is a standard small-capacity data, and if the mail reception request is issued for the first time at the next station, it will hinder comfortable mail reception processing.

  From another viewpoint of the present embodiment, the mobile radio signal communication unit 116 may transmit / receive a mail having an attached file, and the constant communication unit 374 may transmit / receive a text-only mail. Furthermore, it is possible to implement a method in which only the attached file portion of the mail is transmitted / received by the mobile radio signal communication unit 116 and the text portion of the mail is transmitted / received by the constant communication unit 374. In the former case, there is a possibility that the mail reception order may be out of order, so that it is possible to rearrange them according to the mail transmission date / time information. In the latter case, it is necessary to perform matching between the text part and the attached file. However, it is possible to add identification data based on ID numbers to the both and delete the ID numbers after connecting the received data.

(5: Fixed communication unit 114)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram specifically showing an embodiment of the fixed communication unit 114.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the fixed data holding server as the fixed data holding unit 310 and the ultrahigh-speed wireless LAN base station as the fixed communication control unit 136 are linked from the Gateway 380 which is a connection point with the fixed communication network 110, Further, fixed local base stations 132 are provided at equal intervals between or along the lines of the station from the fixed communication control unit 136 via the fixed integrated base station 130 and the optical fiber 134.

  The ROF system, which is optical wireless fusion communication, is implemented through the optical fiber 134.

(6: moving body 102)
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram specifically showing an embodiment of the moving body 102.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the Shinkansen of the mobile unit 102, data transmitted / received by the ultra-high speed wireless LAN mobile station which is the mobile radio signal communication unit 116 is transmitted to the mobile data holding server which is the mobile data holding unit 320 via the Gateway 390. Or a mobile communication control unit 210 or an 802.11b control unit, or a mobile communication control unit 212 or a Bluetooth control unit, and is connected to a mobile station in the user communication unit 120 via a mobile integrated base station 142 or an optical fiber 146. Connected to base station 144.

  Since the ROF system, which is optical and wireless fusion communication, is implemented through the optical fiber 146, the user terminal 122 does not need to care about the communication method and does not need to recognize which vehicle it is. Wireless communication can be performed with the station 144.

(7: Information communication method email reception)
10 and 11 are flowcharts for explaining an information communication method according to the seventh embodiment. Here, a mail reception request is made using this information communication method.

  In the present embodiment, the user terminal 122, a mobile authentication server 322 as a mobile authentication unit, a fixed authentication server 312 as a fixed authentication unit, a fixed data holding server 310 as a fixed data holding unit, and an individual authentication unit Information communication method is performed by the individual authentication server 350 and the in-house POP server 506, and between the user terminal 122 and the mobile authentication server 322, and between the mobile authentication server 322 and the fixed authentication server 312 by optical and wireless fusion communication. A communication network is formed, and the fixed authentication server 312 and the individual authentication server 350 are connected by a backbone network 110 as a fixed communication network and an Internet 354 as a public communication network.

  The mail reception by the user terminal 122 is roughly performed from the company via the station and the vehicle through the authentication process in the vehicle, the authentication with the station, and the authentication process with the server in the company. Specifically, it is performed by a user request process S470, a moving part request process S472, a fixed part request process S474, a mail holding process S476, a mobile part mail acquisition process S478, and a user mail acquisition process S480.

  First, the user activates the user terminal 122 in a vehicle that is a mobile body, and establishes a communication line with the mobile communication control unit 140 via the mobile local base station 144 and the mobile integrated base station 142 (S510). Next, the user terminal 122 transmits an access authentication request including a user name, a user ID, a password, and the like to the mobile authentication server 322 (S512), and the access authentication function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 transmits from the user terminal 122. When the received access authentication request is received, user authentication processing is performed (S514), and an access authentication response is transmitted to the user terminal 122 (S516). When this authentication process is completed, the communication path between the user terminal and the mobile station base station 144 is encrypted. Here, when the mobile local base station 144 or the mobile integrated base station 142 in the vehicle has an access authentication function, the processing from S512 to S516 can be omitted.

  Next, the user terminal 122 transmits a DHCP request to the DHCP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 (S518), and the DHCP function unit assigns an IP address in response to the DHCP request, and sends it to the user terminal 122. A DHCP response including the IP address assigned, the subnet mask, the DNS function unit IP address, the default gateway IP address, and the like is transmitted (S520). At this time, if a fixed IP address or the like is assigned to the user terminal 122 in advance, the processing of S518 and S520 can be omitted.

  Next, in the user terminal 122, mail software is activated, and a request for receiving the mail selected by the user is made (S522). Then, the user terminal 122 transmits a DNS request including the host name of the POP function unit to the DNS function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 (S524), and the DNS function unit searches for the IP address from this host name, and the user terminal A DNS response such as the searched IP address is transmitted to (S526). At this time, even if the user gets on a train other than the train of the present embodiment, the user can receive the information communication service with the same host name. This is because the DNS function unit provided in the movement authentication server 322 for each train returns an IP address corresponding to the train to the same host name.

  Next, the user terminal 122 transmits a POP mail reception request including a user name in ISP (Internet Service Provider), an ISP password, and the like to the POP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 (S528). User authentication is performed according to the received ISP user name and ISP password (S530), and a POP mail reception response (for example, “no mail”) is transmitted to the user terminal 122 (S532). The POP function unit stores a user who has received a mail reception request for a certain period.

  Subsequently, the POP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 transmits a mail reception request user notification message including the user name for ISP of the user who requested the mail reception to the SMTP function unit. The SMTP function unit creates or updates a mail reception request user list in response to the mail reception request user notification message (S534).

  The above is a state in which the fixed communication unit 114 and the mobile communication unit 118 cannot communicate, but when the vehicle in this embodiment arrives at the station where the fixed communication unit 114 is provided, the mail reception request process is started.

  First, the mobile communication unit 118 establishes a communication line with the fixed communication unit 114 (S550). The fixed communication unit 114 transmits a communicable area-in notification message to the mobile communication unit 118 (S552). Upon receiving this message, the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 temporarily stops adding user information to the mail reception request user list (S554). When a mail reception request user notification message is received during this temporary stop, it is managed as a new mail reception request user list and processed upon arrival at the next station.

  Subsequently, the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 transmits a DHCP request to the DHCP function unit of the fixed authentication server 312 (S556), and the DHCP function unit assigns an IP address in response to the DHCP request, A DHCP response including the IP address, subnet mask, DNS function unit IP address, default gateway IP address, and the like assigned to the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 is transmitted (S558). At this time, if a fixed IP address or the like is assigned in advance to the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322, the processing of S556 and S558 can be omitted.

  Next, the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 transmits a DNS request including the host name of the POP function unit to the DNS function unit of the fixed authentication server 312 (S560), and the DNS function unit receives the IP address from the host name. And a DNS response such as the retrieved IP address is transmitted to the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 (S562). Then, the device is authenticated between the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 and the SMTP function unit of the fixed authentication server 312 (564). Next, the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 transmits the mail reception request user list and its own train ID to the SMTP function unit of the fixed authentication server 312 (S566). When the own train ID can be confirmed at S564, transmission of the train ID can be omitted.

  The moving unit request step S472 is performed when the train stops at the station via the mobile radio signal communication unit 116 as described above. However, as described in the fourth embodiment, the mobile unit requesting step S472 is always performed via the communication unit 374. May be performed at any time.

  Further, the SMTP function unit of the fixed authentication server 312 transmits the mail reception request user list and its own train ID to the fixed data holding server 310 (S568). It is memorize | stored in a transfer management table whether it is a reception request | requirement of "from which user terminal" of a train (S570).

  FIG. 12 is a structural diagram showing the data arrangement of the transfer management table. The transfer management table includes a request time 630 corresponding to “when” in order from the left, a request fixed communication unit 632 corresponding to “at which station”, and a request mobile unit 634 corresponding to “which train”. User name 636 corresponding to “From”. In this transfer management table, information is written from the top in the order of request and managed by the fixed data holding server 310. The request fixed communication unit 632 may be obtained from position information using GPS, or may be position information linked with a train operation system.

  Next, the fixed data holding server 310 transmits the mail receiving user list and the train ID to the SMTP function unit of the fixed authentication server 502 where the train arrives next (S572). It is managed whether there is a mail reception request from the user terminal (S574).

  Subsequently, the fixed data holding server 310 authenticates the device with the individual authentication server 350 such as a company (S590), and transmits a mail transfer request message including the ISP user name (S592). The individual authentication server 350 refers to the user name conversion table in response to the mail transfer request message, and searches for the in-company user name and the in-company password from the ISP user name (S594). Further, the individual authentication server 350 transmits a POP mail reception request including the searched corporate user name and corporate password to the corporate POP server 506 (S596), and the corporate POP server 506 is used for corporate use. User authentication is performed using the user name and the company password, and an email is sent to the individual authentication server 350 as a POP email reception response (S598).

  FIG. 13 is a structural diagram showing the data arrangement of the user name conversion table. The transfer management table is composed of an ISP user name 640 that is input in order from the left, an in-house user name 642 to be converted, and an in-company password 644. This user name conversion table is managed by the individual authentication server 350.

  Next, when the individual authentication server 350 receives a mail from the in-house POP server 506, the body part of the mail is encrypted, and the destination of this mail is changed to the ISP mail address (S600). Further, the mail is sent by SMTP to the fixed data holding server 310 (S602).

  Next, the fixed data holding server 310 refers to the transfer management table from the destination user name for the mail received by SMTP, and determines to which station the fixed authentication server should be transferred. Furthermore, the mail format is converted and combined as one file (mail file) for each train. In addition, the fixed authentication server 502 of the fixed communication unit 504 of the next station, which is the determined transfer destination, is notified that preparation for mail transmission is complete (S604), and the mail file is held by the fixed data holding server 310. Note that mail format conversion and composition into one file are one means for improving transfer efficiency, and it is possible to perform SMTP transfer of mail one by one without format conversion.

  When the train approaches the next station, the fixed authentication server 502 performs authentication processing similar to the steps shown in S550 to S564 with the mobile authentication server 322 (S606). The mobile authentication server 322 transmits a mail reception request message and a train ID to the fixed authentication server 502 (S608), and the fixed authentication server 502 transmits a mail reception request message to the fixed data holding server 310 (S608). S610). The fixed data holding server 310 temporarily stops adding the mail file in response to the mail reception request, sends the mail file to the fixed authentication server 502 via SMTP (S612), and the fixed authentication server 502 moves the mail file. The SMTP is transmitted to the authentication server 322 (S614). The transmission of the train ID can be omitted if it can be confirmed in the process of S606. Subsequently, the mobile authentication server 322 converts the format of the received mail file, returns it to the mail format, and transfers it to the POP function unit (S616).

  Thereafter, the POP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 transmits a mail as a POP mail reception response to the user terminal 122 (S618). In the user terminal 122, the main part is combined with the encryption composite software, and this mail can be browsed (S620).

(8: Information communication method email transmission)
14 and 15 are flowcharts for explaining an information communication method according to the eighth embodiment. Here, mail is transmitted using this information communication method.

  In the present embodiment, the user terminal 122, a mobile authentication server 322 as a mobile authentication unit, a mobile data holding server 320 as a mobile data holding unit, a fixed authentication server 312 as a fixed authentication unit, and a fixed data holding unit Information communication method is performed by the fixed data holding server 310 and the individual authentication server 350 as the individual authentication unit, and, as in the seventh embodiment, between the user terminal 122 and the mobile authentication server 322, and the mobile authentication server. Between 322 and fixed authentication server 312, a communication network by optical and wireless integration communication is formed, and between fixed authentication server 312 and individual authentication server 350 is backbone network 110 as a fixed communication network and Internet 354 as a public communication network. It is connected.

  The above-described mail transmission by the user terminal 122 is roughly performed by authentication in a vehicle, transmission, authentication with a station, transmission, authentication with an in-house server, and a transmission process. In detail, it implements by user transmission process S490, moving part transmission process S492, and fixed part transmission process S494.

  First, the user activates the user terminal 122 in a vehicle that is a mobile body, and establishes a communication line with the mobile communication control unit 140 via the mobile local base station 144 and the mobile integrated base station 142 (S650). Next, the user terminal 122 transmits an access authentication request including a user name, a user ID, a password, and the like to the mobile authentication server 322 (S652), and the access authentication function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 is transmitted from the user terminal 122. When the transmitted access authentication request is received, user authentication processing is performed (S654), and an access authentication response is transmitted to the user terminal 122 (S656). When this authentication process is completed, the communication path between the user terminal and the mobile station base station 142 is encrypted. Here, when the mobile local base station 144 or the mobile integrated base station 142 in the vehicle has an access authentication function, the processing from S652 to S656 can be omitted.

  Next, the user terminal 122 transmits a DHCP request to the DHCP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 (S658), and the DHCP function unit assigns an IP address in response to the DHCP request, and sends it to the user terminal 122. Then, a DHCP response including the IP address assigned, the subnet mask, the DNS function unit IP address, the default gateway IP address, etc. is transmitted (S660). At this time, if a fixed IP address or the like is assigned to the user terminal 122 in advance, the processing of S658 and S660 can be omitted.

  Next, in the user terminal 122, the mail software and the communication path encryption software are activated, and a mail to be transmitted is created. In addition, according to the user's mail transmission request, the mail body is encrypted, and the mail body is also encrypted after the mail transmission request. Further, the encrypted mail body is encapsulated and the mail address is set in the in-house individual authentication server 350 (S662). Then, the user terminal 122 transmits a DNS request including the host name of the POP function unit to the DNS function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 (S664), and the DNS function unit searches for the IP address from this host name, and the user terminal A DNS response such as the searched IP address is transmitted to (S666). At this time, even if the user gets on a train other than the train of the present embodiment, the user can receive the information communication service with the same host name. This is because the DNS function unit provided in the movement authentication server 322 for each train returns an IP address corresponding to the train to the same host name.

  Subsequently, the user terminal 122 transmits an email as an SMTP mail transmission request to the SMTP function unit (S668), and the SMTP function unit transmits an SMTP mail transmission completion notification message to the user terminal 122 (S670). The SMTP function unit converts the mail format and composes it as a single file (mail file). Note that mail format conversion and composition into one file are one means for improving transfer efficiency, and it is possible to perform SMTP transfer of mail one by one without format conversion. The mail file generated in this way is temporarily held in the mobile data holding server 320 in a state where communication such as between stations is not possible (S674).

  The above is a state in which the fixed communication unit 114 and the mobile communication unit 118 cannot communicate. When the vehicle in this embodiment arrives at the station where the fixed communication unit 114 is provided, the mail transmission process is started.

  First, the mobile communication unit 118 establishes a communication line with the fixed communication unit 114 (S690). The fixed communication unit 114 transmits a communicable area-in notification message to the mobile communication unit 118 (S692). Upon receiving this message, the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 requests to receive the mail file held in the mobile data holding server 320 (S694), and the mobile data holding server 320 holds it in response to this reception request. The mail file is transmitted to the movement authentication server 322 (S696). In such a case, the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 temporarily stops adding the mail file so that the mail file is not updated (S698). If a mail is received during this temporary stop, it is managed as a new mail and processed upon arrival at the next station.

  Subsequently, the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 transmits a DHCP request to the DHCP function unit of the fixed authentication server 312 (S700), and the DHCP function unit assigns an IP address in response to the DHCP request, A DHCP response including the IP address, subnet mask, DNS function unit IP address, default gateway IP address, and the like assigned to the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 is transmitted (S702). At this time, if a fixed IP address or the like is assigned in advance to the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322, the processes of S700 and S702 can be omitted.

  Next, the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 transmits a DNS request including the host name of the POP function unit to the DNS function unit of the fixed authentication server 312 (S704), and the DNS function unit starts from this host name. The IP address is searched, and a DNS response such as the searched IP address is transmitted to the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 (S706). Then, the device is authenticated between the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 and the SMTP function unit of the fixed authentication server 312 (708).

  Next, the SMTP function unit of the mobile authentication server 322 transmits the mail file to the SMTP function unit of the fixed authentication server 312 (S710). The SMTP function unit of the fixed authentication server 312 converts the format of the received mail file and returns it to the mail format (S712).

  Next, the fixed authentication server 312 sends the mail to the fixed data holding server 310 by SMTP (S714). Then, the fixed data holding server 310 authenticates the device with the individual authentication server 350 of a company or the like (S716), and sends a mail by SMTP (S718). The individual authentication server 350 takes out the encapsulated part (encrypted mail body) of the received mail and combines it (S720). Further, the individual authentication server 350 transmits the mail by SMTP to the destination address of the mail body (for example, the in-house POP server) (S722).

  By implementing such an information communication method, it is possible to send and receive secure and reliable mail between the user and the company.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, the above embodiment is described assuming a train as a mobile communication station and a station as a fixed communication unit. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form, and if mobile communication is possible within the mobile body, The fixed communication unit may be a general road, a toll road, a bus route, or an airfield.

  In the above-described embodiment, e-mail is particularly exemplified as the data communication. However, the present invention can also be used for a message service such as an instant message or a streaming service provided on the Internet.

  The present invention relates to information communication, and is particularly applicable to an information communication system, a mobile unit, and an information communication method that perform wireless communication in a mobile unit.

It is a block diagram explaining the information communication system by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the information communication system by 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the information communication system by 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a fixed authentication part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a movement authentication part. It is a block diagram at the time of connecting a fixed communication network and a company via the Internet. It is a block diagram explaining the information communication system by 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed concretely embodiment of the fixed communication part by 5th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed concretely embodiment of the mobile body by 6th Embodiment. It is a flowchart figure explaining the information communication method by 7th Embodiment. It is a flowchart figure explaining the information communication method by 7th Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a structural diagram showing data arrangement of a transfer management table. It is the structure figure which showed the data arrangement | positioning of the user name conversion table. It is a flowchart figure explaining the information communication method by 8th Embodiment. It is a flowchart figure explaining the information communication method by 8th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Station 102 Mobile body 110 Fixed communication network 112 Fixed radio signal communication part 114 Fixed communication part 116 Mobile radio signal communication part 118 Mobile communication part 120 User communication part 122 User terminal 130 Fixed integrated base station 132 Fixed local base station 134 Optical fiber 136 Fixed communication control unit 140 Mobile communication control unit 142 Mobile integrated base station 144 Mobile station base station 146 Optical fiber 310 Fixed data holding unit 312 Fixed authentication unit 320 Mobile data holding unit 322 Mobile authentication unit 350 Individual authentication unit 374 Continuous communication unit 376 Communication path switching unit S470 User request step S472 Movement unit request step S474 Fixed unit request step S476 Mail holding step S478 Mobile unit mail acquisition step S480 User mail acquisition step S490 User transmission step S492 Mobile unit transmission step S494 Fixed unit transmission step

Claims (40)

An information communication system that has a fixed communication network and wireless relationship and communicates information in a mobile body that can move along a predetermined route:
A fixed communication network as a backbone network;
One or more fixed communication units connected to the fixed communication network and including a fixed radio signal communication unit;
A mobile radio signal communication unit that is provided in the mobile body and communicates with the fixed radio signal communication unit within a first predetermined range capable of communicating with a fixed radio signal communication unit of at least one of the fixed communication units using a radio signal A mobile communication unit including:
One or more user communication units provided in the mobile unit, connected to the mobile communication unit, and capable of communicating with a predetermined communication device used in the mobile unit by radio signals;
An information communication system comprising: The mobile communication unit includes at least one mobile integrated base station;
The user communication unit includes a mobile base station;
The mobile unit includes an optical fiber connecting the mobile integrated base station and a mobile base station;
In addition,
The communication between the mobile integrated base station and the mobile local base station is performed by optical wireless fusion communication that optically transmits a radio signal according to one or more wireless communication systems using the optical fiber. The information communication system according to claim 1. The mobile communication unit further includes one or more mobile communication control units having different wireless communication methods,
3. The information according to claim 2, wherein the communication control unit extracts a signal corresponding to each communication method from the signal fused by the optical wireless fusion communication, and performs processing corresponding to each communication method. Communications system.   The mobile communication control unit controls one communication method selected from the group of LAN (conforming to IEEE802.11a), LAN (conforming to IEEE802.11b), LAN (conforming to IEEE802.11g), and Bluetooth. The information communication system according to claim 3. The fixed wireless communication unit is
At least one fixed integrated base station;
One or more fixed local base stations that communicate with the mobile radio signal communication unit by radio signals;
An optical fiber connecting the fixed integrated base station and the fixed local base station;
With
The communication between the fixed integrated base station and the fixed local base station is performed by optical wireless fusion communication that optically transmits a radio signal according to one or more wireless communication systems using the optical fiber. The information communication system according to claim 1. A user terminal that communicates with the user communication unit within a second predetermined range capable of communicating with the at least one user communication unit by radio signals;
The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the user terminal is connected to the fixed communication network via the user communication unit, the mobile communication unit, and the fixed communication unit. The fixed communication unit further includes a fixed data holding unit that holds data received by the user terminal in response to a reception request from the user terminal at least while the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit cannot communicate with each other. ,
The data held in the fixed data holding unit is transmitted to the mobile communication unit when the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit shift to a communicable state. Item 7. The information communication system according to Item 6. The mobile communication unit further includes a mobile data holding unit that holds data transmitted from a user terminal while at least the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit cannot communicate,
The data held in the mobile data holding unit is transmitted to the fixed communication unit when the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit shift to a communicable state. Item 7. The information communication system according to Item 6. The fixed communication unit further includes a fixed authentication unit that authenticates communication data with the mobile communication unit, and the mobile communication unit further includes a mobile authentication unit that authenticates communication data with the fixed communication unit,
The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication between the fixed communication unit and the mobile communication unit is performed after an authentication process is completed.   The information communication system according to claim 9, wherein communication data between the fixed communication unit and the mobile communication unit is further encrypted.   The fixed authentication unit may further include one or more function units selected from the group of an access authentication function unit, a DHCP function unit, a DNS function unit, and an SMTP function unit. Information communication system.   The mobile authentication unit further comprises one or more function units selected from the group of an access authentication function unit, a DHCP function unit, a DNS function unit, a POP function unit, and an SMTP function unit. 9. The information communication system according to 9. The fixed communication network is further connected to a public communication network including the Internet,
An individual authentication unit that authenticates communication data with the fixed communication unit to a predetermined individual communication unit other than the fixed communication network connected to the public communication network,
The fixed communication unit further includes a fixed authentication unit that authenticates communication data with the fixed communication unit,
The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication between the individual communication unit and the fixed communication unit is performed after the authentication process is completed.   14. The information communication system according to claim 13, wherein communication data between the individual communication unit and the fixed communication unit is further encrypted. The mobile communication unit communicates using a satellite line or a mobile phone line that can be always connected except for wireless communication performed between the fixed radio signal communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit. With regular communication department to do;
A communication path switching unit that switches a communication path according to the amount of data to be communicated between the constant communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit;
Further including
The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication path switching unit connects predetermined data with a small amount of data to a constant communication unit and other data to a mobile radio signal communication unit.   16. The information communication according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined data is one or more data selected from a group of a user ID, a user password, and an e-mail reception request necessary for user authentication. system.   The mobile body is a railway vehicle having a predetermined operation route, and the fixed integrated base station is provided at each station where the railway vehicle passes or stops. The information communication system described in 1.   6. The information according to claim 5, wherein the moving body is a bus whose operating route is defined in advance, and the fixed integrated base station is provided at each bus stop where the bus passes or stops. Communications system. A mobile body that is wirelessly connected to one or more fixed fixed communication units and is movable along a predetermined route:
A mobile radio signal communication unit that communicates with the fixed communication unit within a first predetermined range capable of communicating with the at least one fixed communication unit by radio signal;
One or more mobile communication control units connected to the mobile radio signal communication unit and having different radio communication systems;
One or more mobile integrated base stations connected to the mobile communication control unit;
One or two or more mobile base stations capable of communicating with a predetermined communication device used in the mobile body by radio signals;
An optical fiber connecting the mobile integrated base station and the mobile base station;
With
The communication between the mobile integrated base station and the mobile base station is performed by optical wireless fusion communication that optically transmits a radio signal according to one or more wireless communication systems using the optical fiber,
The mobile unit according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit extracts a signal corresponding to each communication method from a signal fused by the optical wireless fusion communication, and performs a process corresponding to each communication method. The mobile unit further includes a mobile data holding unit that holds data transmitted from a user terminal that communicates with the mobile base station at least while the fixed communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit cannot communicate with each other. ,
The data held in the mobile data holding unit is transmitted to the fixed communication unit when the fixed communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit shift to a communicable state. The moving body described in 1. The mobile body further includes a mobile authentication unit that authenticates communication data with the fixed communication unit,
The mobile authentication unit further comprises one or more function units selected from the group of an access authentication function unit, a DHCP function unit, a DNS function unit, a POP function unit, and an SMTP function unit. The moving body according to 19. The mobile unit can always be connected, except for wireless communication performed between the fixed communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit, and always communicates using a satellite line or a mobile phone line. Part;
A communication path switching unit that switches a communication path according to the amount of data to be communicated between the constant communication unit and the mobile radio signal communication unit;
Further including
The mobile unit according to claim 19, wherein the communication path switching unit connects predetermined data with a small amount of data to a constant communication unit and other data to a mobile radio signal communication unit.   The mobile object according to claim 22, wherein the predetermined data is one or more data selected from a group of a user ID, a user password, and an e-mail reception request necessary for user authentication. .   The communication control unit controls one communication method selected from the group of LAN (conforming to IEEE802.11a), LAN (conforming to IEEE802.11b), LAN (conforming to IEEE802.11g), and Bluetooth, The moving body according to claim 19.   The mobile body according to claim 19, wherein the mobile body is a railway vehicle having a predetermined operation route.   The mobile body according to claim 19, wherein the mobile body is a bus having a predetermined operation route. A user terminal, a user communication unit capable of wireless communication with the user terminal within the mobile body, a mobile communication unit connected to the user communication unit within the mobile body and including a mobile authentication unit, and capable of wireless communication with the mobile communication unit E-mail using a fixed communication unit including a fixed authentication unit, a fixed communication network connected to the fixed communication unit and having a fixed data holding unit, and an individual authentication unit capable of wired communication with the fixed communication network An information communication method for receiving:
A user requesting step in which the user terminal establishes a communication line with the mobile communication unit via a wireless communication line with the user communication unit, and requests the mobile authentication unit to receive an e-mail;
A mobile unit requesting step in which the mobile communication unit establishes a wireless communication line with the fixed communication unit, and the mobile authentication unit makes an e-mail reception request to the fixed authentication unit;
A fixed part requesting step in which the fixed authentication part makes an e-mail reception request to the individual authentication part via the fixed data holding part;
The individual authentication unit transmits an e-mail to the fixed data holding unit, and the e-mail is sent until the fixed data holding unit falls within a first predetermined range in which the mobile communication unit and the fixed communication unit can communicate with each other. An email holding process for holding
The mobile communication unit and the fixed communication unit within the first predetermined range establish a wireless communication line with the mobile communication unit and transmit the electronic mail stored in the fixed data storage unit to the mobile authentication unit An acquisition process;
A user mail acquisition step in which the mobile authentication unit establishes a wireless communication line with the user terminal and transmits the received electronic mail to the user terminal;
An information communication method characterized by comprising: The user request process includes:
The user terminal establishing a wireless communication line with the user communication unit and authenticating with the mobile authentication unit via the user communication unit;
The user terminal transmits a DNS request including the host name of the POP function unit of the mobile authentication unit to the mobile authentication unit, and the mobile authentication unit searches for an IP address from the host name and transmits a DNS response including the IP address. A process of performing;
The user terminal transmits a POP mail reception request to the mobile authentication unit, performs user authentication, and the mobile authentication unit forms a mail reception request user list in response to the electronic mail reception request;
The information communication method according to claim 27, further comprising:   The user request step further includes a step in which the user terminal makes an acquisition request for the IP address of the user terminal to the mobile authentication unit, and the mobile authentication unit assigns an IP address in response to the acquisition request, The information communication method according to claim 28. The moving part request process includes:
When the mobile communication unit and the fixed communication unit are within a first predetermined range where communication is possible, the mobile communication unit establishes a wireless communication line with the fixed communication unit, and the fixed communication unit Sending the in-notification message, and the mobile authentication unit temporarily suspending the update of the mail reception request user list according to the message;
The mobile authentication unit transmits a DNS request including the host name of the POP function unit of the fixed authentication unit to the fixed authentication unit, and the fixed authentication unit retrieves an IP address from the host name and includes a DNS response including the IP address. Sending
The mobile authentication unit authenticates with the fixed authentication unit, and transmits to the fixed authentication unit a mail reception requesting user list and a mobile body ID of the mobile body provided with the mobile authentication unit;
The information communication method according to claim 27, further comprising:   The mobile unit requesting step further includes a step in which the mobile authentication unit requests the fixed authentication unit to acquire an IP address of the mobile authentication unit, and the fixed authentication unit allocates an IP address in response to the acquisition request. The information communication method according to claim 30. The fixing part requesting process includes:
The fixed authentication unit transmits a mail reception requesting user list to the fixed data holding unit and the mobile unit ID of the mobile unit provided with the movement authentication unit, and the fixed data holding unit performs “when” “with which fixed communication unit”. The process of storing “which mobile unit” and “from which user terminal” are received requests, and then transmitting the mail reception request user list and mobile unit ID to a fixed communication unit capable of communicating with the mobile communication unit When;
The fixed data holding unit establishes a communication line with the individual authentication unit, performs authentication, and transmits a mail transfer request message to the individual authentication unit;
The information communication method according to claim 27, further comprising: The email holding process includes:
A step in which the individual authentication unit transmits an e-mail requested to be received by the fixed data holding unit;
The fixed data holding unit synthesizes the electronic mail as one mail file for each mobile unit, and the mail file is stored in a first predetermined range where the mobile communication unit and the fixed communication unit can communicate with each other. Holding and then informing the fixed communication unit ready to communicate with the mobile communication unit that it is ready to send e-mail;
The information communication method according to claim 27, further comprising: The mobile unit mail acquisition step includes:
When the fixed communication unit and the mobile communication unit are within a first predetermined range where communication is possible, the fixed communication unit establishes a wireless communication line with the mobile communication unit, performs authentication, and the mobile communication unit performs fixed communication. The mail reception request message and the mobile unit ID are transmitted to the unit, the fixed communication unit transmits the mail reception request message to the fixed data holding unit, and the fixed data holding unit transmits the mail file to the fixed authentication unit. Transmitting a mail file to the movement authentication unit;
The mobile authentication unit converting the received mail file into an e-mail;
The information communication method according to claim 27, further comprising: A user terminal, a user communication unit capable of wireless communication with the user terminal within the mobile body, a mobile communication unit connected to the user communication unit within the mobile body and including a mobile authentication unit and a mobile data holding unit, and the mobile communication unit A fixed communication unit including a fixed authentication unit capable of wireless communication, a fixed communication network connected to the fixed communication unit and having a fixed data holding unit, and an individual authentication unit capable of wired communication with the fixed communication network An information communication method that uses e-mail to send:
The user terminal establishes a communication line with the mobile communication unit via a wireless communication line with the user communication unit, sends an e-mail to the mobile authentication unit, and the mobile authentication unit sends an e-mail to the mobile data holding unit And a user transmission step of holding the e-mail until the mobile data holding unit is within a first predetermined range in which the mobile communication unit and the fixed communication unit can communicate with each other;
When the mobile communication unit is within a first predetermined range with the fixed communication unit, the mobile communication unit establishes a wireless communication line with the fixed communication unit, and the mobile authentication unit fixes the e-mail held in the mobile data holding unit A mobile unit transmission step for transmitting to the authentication unit;
A fixed part transmission step in which the fixed authentication part transmits an e-mail to the individual authentication part via a fixed data holding part;
An information communication method characterized by comprising: The user transmission step includes:
The user terminal establishing a wireless communication line with the user communication unit and authenticating with the mobile authentication unit via the user communication unit;
Encrypting and / or encapsulating an email created at the user terminal;
The user terminal transmits a DNS request including the host name of the POP function unit of the mobile authentication unit to the mobile authentication unit, and the mobile authentication unit searches for an IP address from the host name and transmits a DNS response including the IP address. A process of performing;
The user terminal transmits an e-mail to the mobile authentication unit, the mobile authentication unit transmits a mail transmission completion notification message to the user terminal, converts the format of the e-mail into a mail file, Transmitting and holding the mail file until the mobile data holding unit is within a first predetermined range in which the mobile communication unit and the fixed communication unit can communicate with each other;
36. The information communication method according to claim 35, comprising:   The user transmission step further includes a step in which the user terminal makes an acquisition request for the IP address of the user terminal to the mobile authentication unit, and the mobile authentication unit assigns an IP address in response to the acquisition request, The information communication method according to claim 36. The moving part transmission step includes:
When the mobile communication unit and the fixed communication unit are within a first predetermined range where communication is possible, the mobile communication unit establishes a wireless communication line with the fixed communication unit, and the fixed communication unit Sends an in-notification message, the move authentication unit requests to receive the mail file held in the move data holding unit, the move data hold unit temporarily stops updating the hold mail file, and moves the mail file Transmitting to the authentication unit;
The mobile authentication unit transmits a DNS request including the host name of the POP function unit of the fixed authentication unit to the fixed authentication unit, and the fixed authentication unit. Retrieving an IP address from the host name and transmitting a DNS response including the IP address;
The mobile authentication unit authenticates with a fixed authentication unit, transmits the mail file to the fixed authentication unit, and converts the format of the mail file into an e-mail;
36. The information communication method according to claim 35, comprising:   The mobile unit transmitting step further includes a step in which the mobile authentication unit requests the fixed authentication unit to acquire an IP address of the mobile authentication unit, and the fixed authentication unit allocates an IP address in response to the acquisition request. 39. The information communication method according to claim 38. In the fixed part sending step, the fixed authentication part sends an e-mail to the fixed data holding part, the fixed data holding part authenticates with the individual authentication part, and sends the e-mail to the individual authentication part. 36. The information communication method according to claim 35, wherein, when encrypted and / or encapsulated, the individual authentication unit is a step of combining the electronic mail text.

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