JP2015177351A - Communication connection destination determination device, communication connection device, and communication connection destination determination method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a connection destination to be dynamically changed, if a state related to a communication connection is changed after a connection request from a communication terminal.SOLUTION: A communication connection destination determination device includes: connection destination storage means for storing connection destination information, which indicates a connection destination device, on the basis of each subscriber; and connection destination determination means for acquiring, from the connection destination storage means, the connection destination information of a subscriber having a communication terminal, when a connection request is received from a communication terminal or when a state related to the communication connection is changed, and for dynamically determining a connection destination according to the state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication connection destination determination device, a communication connection device, and a communication connection destination determination method for connecting a network within a communication carrier and an external packet data network.

  When data communication is performed by connecting a communication terminal to a mobile communication network, it is necessary to set a connection destination name (APN: Access Point Name) of a contracted communication carrier in the communication terminal.

  The connection destination name indicates the name of a device (access point) that connects the network of the communication carrier and an external packet data network such as the Internet. By specifying the connection destination name, it is possible to connect to an external packet data network via the network of the communication carrier and perform data communication.

  When a contract is made with a telecommunications carrier at the same time as the purchase of the communication terminal, the connection destination name is set in advance in the communication terminal. When a contract is made with a telecommunications carrier different from the purchase of the communication terminal, the subscriber himself / herself needs to set the connection destination name designated by the contracted telecommunications carrier in the communication terminal.

  However, there are cases where it is inconvenient to specify the connection destination name for the communication terminal. For example, when a telecommunications carrier wants to connect a subscriber to a new connection destination device (for example, when a new connection destination device is installed), it is necessary to notify the subscriber to change the connection name setting on the communication terminal. In addition, the subscriber takes time to change the setting.

  Further, when a communication carrier has a plurality of contract plans and sets different connection destinations for the respective contract plans, it is necessary to change the connection destination setting when the contract plan is changed. If you set the wrong connection name (for example, if you set a connection name for pay-per-use in spite of a flat-rate contract and perform a large amount of data communication), the communication charge is high. There is a possibility of becoming.

  As a method for making it unnecessary to change the setting of the connection destination name on the communication terminal, in Patent Document 1, when there is a connection request from the communication terminal to the external packet data network, a subscriber packet switch (SGSN) is provided. radio service Support Node) has been proposed to change the connection destination to a connection destination device that matches the subscriber's attributes.

JP 2006-146795 (page 13, Fig. 1)

  However, in the method of Patent Document 1, since the connection destination device is changed when there is a connection request from the communication terminal to the external packet data network, the situation regarding the communication connection changes after the connection request from the communication terminal. The connection destination device cannot be changed dynamically.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a communication connection destination determination device, a communication connection device, and a communication connection destination determination method that can dynamically change a connection destination device when a situation related to communication connection changes. is there.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the communication connection destination determination device according to the present invention receives connection destination storage means for storing connection destination information indicating a connection destination device in units of subscribers and a connection request from the communication terminal. And connection destination determining means for acquiring connection destination information of a subscriber who possesses the communication terminal from the connection destination storage means when the situation regarding the communication connection changes, and dynamically determining the connection destination according to the situation It is characterized by that.

  Further, the communication connection device of the present invention comprises a connection destination acquisition means for acquiring connection destination information of a subscriber who possesses the communication terminal when a connection request is received from the communication terminal or when a situation related to communication connection changes. And a connection means for connecting communication between the connection destination device indicated by the connection destination information acquired by the connection destination acquisition means and the communication terminal.

  Further, the communication connection destination determination method of the present invention stores connection destination information indicating a connection destination device in units of subscribers, and the communication is performed when a connection request is received from a communication terminal or when a situation related to a communication connection changes. The connection destination of the terminal is dynamically determined according to the situation.

  According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to dynamically change a connection destination device even when a situation related to communication connection changes.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the communication connection destination determination apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the communication connection destination determination apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of cooperation with a policy charge rule function. It is a figure which shows the example of the connection destination information of cooperation with a policy charge rule function. It is a figure which shows the operation example of cooperation with a policy charge rule function. It is a figure which shows the example of the connecting point information in the case of changing a connecting point according to a time slot | zone. It is a figure which shows the operation example of congestion avoidance. It is a figure which shows the structural example of cooperation with MDM. It is a figure which shows the operation example of cooperation with MDM.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a communication connection destination determining apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication connection destination determination device 1 includes a connection destination storage unit 11 and a connection destination determination unit 12. The connection destination storage unit 11 is a unit that stores connection destination information indicating the connection destination device 4 in units of subscribers. The connection destination determination unit 12 acquires the connection destination information of the subscriber who owns the communication terminal 3 from the connection destination storage unit 11 when a connection request from the communication terminal 3 is received or when a situation related to communication connection changes. In other words, the connection destination is dynamically determined according to the situation.

  The communication connection device 2 includes a connection destination acquisition unit 21 and a connection unit 22. The connection destination acquisition unit 21 is a unit that acquires the connection destination information determined by the connection destination determination unit 12 when a connection request from the communication terminal 3 is received or when a situation related to communication connection changes. The connection unit 22 is a unit that connects communication between the connection destination device 4 indicated by the connection destination information acquired by the connection destination acquisition unit 21 and the communication terminal 3.

  The communication connection destination determination device 1 and the communication connection device 2 can dynamically change the connection destination device even when the situation related to the communication connection changes.

  In FIG. 1, the communication connection destination determination device 1 and the communication connection device 2 are described as different devices. However, a part or all of the communication connection device 2 is configured inside the communication connection destination determination device 1, or It is also possible to configure part or all of the communication connection destination determination device 1 inside the communication connection device 2.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation of the communication connection destination determining apparatus 1 in the configuration of FIG.

  First, the communication connection device 2 receives a connection request from the communication terminal 3 (S101), and requests connection destination information from the connection destination determination means 12 (S102). The connection destination determination unit 12 acquires the connection destination information of the subscriber who owns the communication terminal 3 from the connection destination storage unit 11, determines the connection destination according to the situation (S103), and transfers the connection destination to the communication connection device 2. Notification is made (S104). Then, the communication connection device 2 connects to the connection destination device 4 notified from the connection destination determination means 12 (S105).

  In addition, when the communication connection status changes in a state where the communication connection is established, the communication connection device 2 connects the connection destination according to the situation from the connection destination determination unit 12 in the same manner as when a connection request is received from the communication terminal 3. Information is acquired and connected to the connection destination device 4 (S102 to S105).

  An example of a configuration when this is applied to an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network is shown in FIG.

  There is a policy charging rules function (PCRF) in the configuration of charging control of the LTE network. This function is a function for managing and determining a communication policy such as a communication speed according to the contract plan. For example, management is performed such that a high-speed communication policy is applied up to a certain amount of communication, and a low-speed communication policy is applied when a certain amount of communication is exceeded.

  In the present embodiment, the connection destination information can be stored in association with the policy charging rule function, and the connection destination can be determined together with the communication policy determination. In the example of FIG. 3, the connection destination storage unit 11 and the connection destination determination unit 12 are provided in the policy charging rule function 13. With this configuration, it is possible to change the connection destination in accordance with the timing for changing the communication policy.

  The communication connection device 2 corresponds to an LTE network P-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway). The P-GW is a function for performing communication connection in accordance with the communication policy notified from the PCRF.

  An example of connection destination information linked to the policy charging rule is shown in FIG. Fig. 4 (a) shows a policy for a contract plan in which high-speed communication and flat-rate billing are used up to ○ MB, low-speed communication and pay-per-use billing from ○ MB to △ MB, and communication cut off when △ MB is exceeded It is a charging rule. FIG. 4B is an example of connection destination information linked with this policy charging rule. The connection destination is changed depending on the communication speed, and the connection is made to the free portal site of the communication carrier when the communication is disconnected.

  An example of the cooperative operation of the policy charging rule function and the connection destination determining means is shown in FIG.

  When a connection request is received from the communication terminal 3 (S201), the policy charging rule function 13 determines application of the communication policy according to the traffic according to the policy charging rule of FIG. 4 (S202). At the same time, the connection destination determination unit 12 determines a connection destination according to the traffic according to the connection destination information of FIG. 4 stored in the connection destination storage unit 11 (S203). For example, if the traffic is up to ○ MB, the high-speed communication policy is applied, and the connection destination is determined to be aaa1.aaa.ne.jp for flat-rate billing. The communication policy and the connection destination determined here are notified to the communication connection device 2, and the communication connection device 2 performs communication connection to the notified connection destination according to the notified communication policy (S204).

  Thereafter, the communication connection device 2 monitors the communication volume of the communication terminal 3 held by the subscriber according to the notified communication policy (S205). Then, the policy charging rule function 13 is notified that the communication connection status has changed (S201). The policy charging rule function 13 determines application of the communication policy according to the policy charging rule (S202), and at the same time, the connection destination determination means 12 determines the connection destination according to the connection destination information (S203). The communication connection device 2 performs communication connection according to these decisions (S204).

  For example, when the amount of communication reaches ○ MB, the application of the low-speed communication policy and the connection to aaa2.aaa.ne.jp for pay-per-use are determined, and the communication connection device 2 performs the communication connection according to these determinations. .

  Similarly, when the communication amount reaches ΔMB, the policy charging rule function 13 determines disconnection according to the policy charging rule. At the same time, the connection destination determination means 12 determines connection to a free portal site in the communication carrier network indicated by aaa3.aaa.ne.jp. The communication connection device 2 disconnects the connection to the external packet data network and connects to the portal site according to these decisions.

  The policy charging rule and the connection destination information in FIG. 4 can be set to combine time zones as shown in FIG. It is also possible to set the connection destination to be changed under conditions different from the policy charging rule changing conditions.

  According to the above method, in the present embodiment, it is possible to dynamically change the connection destination device even when the status related to the communication connection changes. Since it is possible to change the connection destination device according to the communication usage status and time zone, it becomes possible for the communication carrier to set a contract plan according to the communication usage status and time zone. In addition, it is possible to connect to the portal site in the carrier network when disconnecting due to policy charging rules, so it is possible to indicate the cause of communication failure to the subscriber, and the conditions and cancellation for canceling communication disconnection It is possible to present means.

  In addition, there are two types of telecommunications carriers: a mobile network operator (MNO) that owns a mobile communication network and provides communication services in-house, and a mobile communication network that is borrowed from another operator for communication. There is a form of a virtual mobile network operator (MVNO) that provides services. In the case of an MVNO operator, if the policy charging rule function is configured to exist in the MVNO operator network, the connection destination can be changed even by the MVNO operator, so the contract changes the charging method depending on the communication usage status, time zone, etc. Plans can be implemented independently by MVNO operators.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  This embodiment can also be used for congestion avoidance. Assume that a situation occurs in which many communication terminals are connected to the same connection destination in a short time. At this time, if the state as it is is continued, congestion occurs, resulting in a reduction in communication speed or a situation where communication is not possible. An operation example for avoiding this is shown in FIG.

  First, the communication connection device 2 monitors the communication amount of each connection destination device 4, and when a connection destination device 4 exceeding the preset communication amount occurs, the connection destination determination means 12 indicates that the communication amount is exceeded. Notification is made (S301). Upon receiving the notification, the connection destination determination unit 12 acquires information on the connection destination having the same service content as the connection destination device 4 whose communication volume has exceeded from the connection destination storage unit 11. Then, it decides to change the connection destination of the partial communication terminal 3 to another connection destination of the same service content (S302), and notifies the communication connection device 2 of it. The communication connection device 2 changes the connection destination device 4 of the partial communication terminal 3 notified from the connection destination determination means 12 (S303).

  By doing so, it becomes possible to dynamically change the connection destination even when the situation related to the communication connection changes, and since communication connections concentrated on the connection destination device can be distributed to other connection destination devices, Congestion can be avoided.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  This embodiment can also be linked to a mobile device management system (MDM: Mobile Device Management).

  The MDM is a system that remotely manages a plurality of communication terminals in a centralized manner, and is a system that performs information leakage countermeasures in case of loss or theft, prevention of unauthorized use, and efficient collection and management of communication terminal information. For example, it is possible to perform management such as locking the communication terminal or erasing data when the communication terminal is lost, or remotely applying security policy settings.

  A configuration example of the present embodiment in the case of cooperating with this MDM is shown in FIG. The administrator terminal 52 is a terminal that gives an instruction to the MDM 51, and the MDM 51 controls the communication terminal 3 according to the instruction. In this embodiment, the connection destination information can be notified from the MDM 51 to the connection destination determination means 12.

  An example of the operation in the configuration of FIG. 8 is shown in FIG.

  First, the administrator changes the network connection setting from the administrator terminal 52, such as when the subscriber loses the communication terminal 3 (S401). For example, a setting is made to disable connection to an external packet data network. Receiving this notification, the MDM 51 requests the connection destination determination means 12 to change the connection destination to the designated connection destination (S402). Upon receiving the request, the connection destination determination unit 12 updates the connection destination information in the connection destination storage unit 11 after saving the original information (S403). When there is a connection request from the communication terminal 3 or when the communication connection status changes (FIG. 2: S101), the MDM 51 determines to connect to the specified connection destination and notifies the communication connection device 2 ( FIG. 2: S102 to S104). Then, the communication connection device 2 connects to the connection destination device 4 designated by the MDM 51 (FIG. 2: S105). When there is a connection destination change request from the MDM 51, the connection destination determination unit 12 may notify the communication connection device 2 of the change of the connection destination.

  In this way, the connection destination can be dynamically changed in cooperation with the MDM even when the status regarding the communication connection changes.

  Here, it is conceivable to designate a portal site or the like as a connection destination designated from the MDM. For example, by connecting to a portal site indicating that connection is not possible by designation from the MDM, the reason for connection failure can be presented to the user. In addition, by connecting to a portal site that displays an authentication screen, authentication is performed, and when the authentication is successful, it is possible to cancel the connection failure and connect to the original connection destination.

  Each of the above-described embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The LTE network has been described above as an example, but mobile communication networks other than the LTE network can of course be applied to networks other than the mobile body.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication connection destination determination apparatus 11 Connection destination memory | storage means 12 Connection destination determination means 13 Policy charge rule function 2 Communication connection apparatus 21 Connection destination acquisition means 22 Connection means 3 Communication terminal 4 Connection destination apparatus 51 Mobile device monitoring system (MDM)
52 Administrator terminal

Claims (7)

Connection destination storage means for storing connection destination information indicating a connection destination device in units of subscribers;
When the connection request is received from the communication terminal or when the situation regarding the communication connection changes, the connection destination information of the subscriber who owns the communication terminal is acquired from the connection destination storage means, and dynamically according to the situation A communication destination determination device comprising: a destination determination means for determining a destination. The connection destination storage means further stores the connection destination information in association with a policy charging rule function,
The communication connection destination determination apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection destination determination unit further determines the connection destination together with policy determination based on the communication policy charging rule. The connection destination storage means further stores the connection destination information so as to be changed according to a subscriber's contract content according to a time zone, a communication usage status of the communication terminal, or according to a communication usage status of the connection destination device. ,
The connection destination determination unit further determines the connection destination according to a time zone, a communication usage status of the communication terminal, or a communication usage status of the connection destination device. The communication connection destination determination device according to claim 1. The connection destination storage means further stores the connection destination information notified from the mobile device management system, such as a portal site that displays a connection failure or an authentication screen,
The communication connection destination determination apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connection destination determination unit further determines the connection destination based on the connection destination information notified from the mobile device management system. The connection destination storage means; the connection destination determination means;
Furthermore, when a connection request is received from a communication terminal or when a situation related to communication connection changes, a connection destination acquisition unit that acquires connection destination information of a subscriber who possesses the communication terminal from the connection destination determination unit;
The communication connection according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: a connection unit that connects communication between the connection destination device indicated by the connection destination information acquired by the connection destination acquisition unit and the communication terminal. Predetermined device. When receiving a connection request from a communication terminal or when a situation related to communication connection changes, connection destination acquisition means for acquiring connection destination information of a subscriber possessing the communication terminal;
A communication connection device comprising: a connection destination device indicated by the connection destination information acquired by the connection destination acquisition unit; and a connection unit that connects communication between the communication terminal. Stores connection destination information indicating a connection destination device for each subscriber,
A communication connection destination determination method, wherein a connection destination of the communication terminal is dynamically determined according to the situation when a connection request is received from the communication terminal or a situation related to the communication connection changes.

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