JP4139789B2 - COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD, INFORMATION TERMINAL DEVICE, NETWORK CONNECTION DEVICE, RELAY DEVICE, CONTROL PROGRAM, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM CONTAINING THE SAME - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an environment for connecting to a communication network such as the Internet. More specifically, the present invention relates to a communication system, a control method, an information terminal device, a network connection device, a relay device, a control program, and a control program for realizing a ubiquitous network connection environment. The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded.

  There is a strong demand for a ubiquitous network connection environment in which a mobile computer such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) can be used anywhere connected to the Internet. In order to realize such a connection environment, an access point (so-called hot spot) using a wireless LAN is being prepared. Hotspots are not only in the home where individuals have set up to work in other places in the house, but also in businesses, coffee shops, hotels, airports, conference rooms where high-tech users gather. Has spread. Some local governments have hot spots in business parks and meetinghouses.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a communication system according to a conventional technique. When the PDA 510 communicates with a server 503 such as a mail or a homepage connected to the Internet 502, the PDA 510 connects to the Internet 502 via a provider 530 (IAP: Internet Access Provider) that has a contract for a connection service to the Internet 502. Can be connected. For this purpose, the PDA 510 may be connected to a public access point 520 connected to the provider 530.
ITmedia LifeStyle, “Do not allow free ride via wireless LAN”, [online], July 2002, [February 13, 2004 search], Internet, <URL: http://www.itmedia.co .jp / broadband / 0207/11 / wlan.html>

  However, in the conventional connection environment described above, the user of the PDA 510 needs to use the access point 520 that is connected to the provider 530 to which the contract is made and is made public. That is, even if connected to the contracted provider 530, an access point owned by a private person or an access point for a specific individual provided by the provider cannot be used. Also, even if the access points 521 and 522 that are open to the public are close, if the service for connecting to the Internet 502 is not concluded with the providers 531 and 532 to which the access points are connected, the access points 521 and 522 cannot be used.

  In order for the user of the PDA 510 to use the access points 521 and 522, a contract for a connection service to the Internet 502 may be made with the providers 531 and 532. However, when connecting to the Internet 502, it is necessary to set the PDA 510 for each of the providers 530, 531 and 532 to be used. That is, every time the providers 530, 531, and 532 change, it is necessary to change the settings of the PDA 510, and resetting may be necessary.

  There is also a problem of free riding via a wireless LAN. Specifically, the installer of the access point 525 (so-called “cool spot”) simply sets up a wireless LAN for the purpose of using it, but “leak” of access within the effective range of connection with a radius of about 100 meters. You can't control it, and as a result, you have someone else who doesn't have an account. As a result, even though there is only one user who pays the service fee to the provider, other people can access the Internet via the wireless LAN (access point 525) installed by that person. This is to use the bandwidth without permission, which becomes a problem particularly in the case of a connection service based on a flat rate system.

  In order to prevent free riding, it is possible to “lock” the wireless LAN by setting the access point so that a password is required at the time of connection. However, this forces the access point user to perform difficult installation tasks.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to realize a ubiquitous network connection environment by utilizing the existing infrastructure, and to charge and maintainers from users who use the infrastructure. Is to provide a communication system, a control method, an information terminal device, a network connection device, a relay device, a control program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the same.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication system according to the present invention includes a transmission-side terminal that transmits an encapsulated packet including an inclusion packet addressed to a reception-side terminal connected to a communication network to a first network connection device, and a transmission A first network connection device that receives the encapsulated packet transmitted by the side terminal and transmits the encapsulated packet to the second network connection device via the communication network; and the encapsulated packet from the first network connection device. A second network connection device for receiving, extracting the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet, and transmitting the encapsulated packet to the receiving side terminal via a communication network.

  A communication system control method according to the present invention is a communication system control method including a transmission side terminal, a first network connection device, and a second network connection device. The encapsulated packet including the encapsulated packet addressed to the receiving side terminal connected to the communication network is transmitted to the first network connecting apparatus, and the encapsulated packet transmitted from the transmitting side terminal is received by the first network connecting apparatus. The encapsulated packet is transmitted to the second network connection device via the communication network, and the second network connection device receives the encapsulated packet from the first network connection device, The inclusion packet is taken out, and the inclusion packet is transmitted to the receiving terminal via the communication network. There.

  With the above configuration, the transmitting terminal transmits an encapsulated packet that encapsulates the encapsulated packet including data to the receiving terminal to the first network connection device. Then, the first network connection device passes the encapsulated packet to the second network connection device. Thereafter, the second network connection device extracts the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet received via the communication network and transmits it to the receiving terminal via the same communication network.

  Therefore, the data from the transmission side terminal is transmitted to the second network connection device in the form of an encapsulated packet. After the inclusion packet is extracted from the encapsulated packet in the second network connection device, the data is sent in the form of an inclusion packet. It is transmitted to the receiving terminal.

  Therefore, according to the above communication system, transmission can be performed from the transmission side terminal via the first network connection device that is not contracted for the connection service with the communication network. In other words, it is possible to provide a packet transfer service for connecting to a communication network via a provider that has no connection service contract with the communication network.

  Here, in the inclusion packet, the transmission source is set to the transmission side terminal, and the reception destination is set to the reception side terminal. In addition, the encapsulated packet is set in the second network connection device with the transmission source being the transmission side terminal.

  Therefore, the contents of the encapsulated packet and the encapsulated packet are the same regardless of the first network connection device that passes through. Therefore, since it is not necessary to change the setting of the transmission side terminal, a ubiquitous network connection environment can be used simply by a transmission operation.

  Furthermore, in the communication system according to the present invention, when the first encapsulated packet satisfies a predetermined condition, the first network connection device extracts an encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet and transmits the encapsulated packet via the communication network. And transmitting to the receiving terminal.

  Here, the “predetermined condition” refers to, for example, a case where the transmission source is a transmission side terminal that has a connection service contract with the first network connection device and the communication network, or the transmission destination of the encapsulated packet Is the first network connection device.

  Therefore, in the above case, the first network connection device can extract the included packet from the encapsulated packet and transmit the included packet to the receiving terminal via the communication network.

  Therefore, the process at the time of transmission in the transmission side terminal can be made common between the case where the inclusion packet is addressed to the reception side device and transmitted from the first network connection device, and the case where the inclusion packet is transmitted from the second network connection device.

  Furthermore, the communication system according to the present invention is characterized in that the transmitting terminal generates an encapsulated packet including data to be transmitted to the receiving terminal, and encapsulates the encapsulated packet to generate an encapsulated packet.

  Therefore, the transmission side terminal transmits the data addressed to the reception side terminal to the second network connection device via the first network connection device in the form of an encapsulated packet and receives it from the second network connection device. An encapsulated packet and an encapsulated packet can be generated so as to be transmitted to the side terminal in the form of an encapsulated packet.

  Therefore, the transmitting terminal can generate a packet of data to be transmitted in its own device. Therefore, the transmitting terminal is suitable for the communication system.

  Note that when generating an encapsulated packet in the transmission side terminal, the encapsulated packet or information accompanying the packet may be encrypted so that it can be decrypted in a specific connection device or with a specific decryption key.

  Furthermore, the communication system according to the present invention is characterized in that the transmission side terminal generates an encapsulated packet addressed to a network connection device that extracts an encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet.

  Therefore, by setting the network connection device that extracts the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet to the second network connection device that has a connection service contract with the communication network with the transmitting side terminal, the communication network The packet can be transmitted to the communication network via the first network connection device for which no connection service contract is established. That is, it becomes possible to transmit a packet using the packet transfer service described above.

  Furthermore, the communication system according to the present invention is characterized in that the transmitting side terminal encapsulates terminal information that can identify the own terminal in the second network connection device together with the inclusion packet.

  Therefore, in the second network connection device, it is possible to specify the transmission side terminal that is the transmission source of the encapsulated packet from which the inclusion packet is extracted, and record the number of inclusion packets transmitted to the reception side terminal for each transmission side terminal. . Therefore, it is possible to appropriately charge the user connected to the communication network using the packet transfer service.

  Furthermore, in the communication system according to the present invention, the first network connection device encapsulates the connection device information that can identify the device itself in the second network connection device together with the encapsulated packet, to the second network connection device. It is characterized by transmitting.

  Therefore, in the second network connection device, the first network connection device that relays the encapsulated packet from which the included packet is extracted is specified, and the number of included packets transmitted to the receiving side terminal is determined as the first network connection device. Can be recorded for each. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately give compensation to the owner of the first network connection apparatus that has joined the packet transfer service and cooperated in transferring the encapsulated packet.

  The communication system according to the present invention further includes a relay device that relays the encapsulated packet on a communication path from the transmission side terminal to the first network connection device, and the transmission side terminal connects the relay device to the second network connection. The relay device information that can be specified in the device is encapsulated together with the encapsulated packet.

  Therefore, in the second network connection device, the relay device that relays the encapsulated packet from which the encapsulated packet is extracted can be specified, and the number of included packets transmitted to the receiving terminal can be recorded for each relay device. Therefore, it becomes possible to appropriately compensate the owner of the relay apparatus that has joined the packet transfer service and cooperated in transferring the encapsulated packet.

  Furthermore, the communication system according to the present invention allows the relay device to pass the packet when the transmission source of the received packet is the transmission side terminal and the transmission destination is the second network connection device. It is a feature.

  Therefore, when the encapsulated packet is transmitted from the transmission side terminal via the first network connection device that is not contracted with the communication network, the relay device performs filtering of the encapsulated packet. Can be done.

  Furthermore, in the communication system according to the present invention, when the second network connection device extracts the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet, the second network connection device extracts terminal information that can identify the transmitting terminal included in the encapsulated packet, The number of processed packets is recorded for each terminal.

  Therefore, in the second network connection device, it is possible to specify the transmission side terminal that is the transmission source of the encapsulated packet from which the inclusion packet is extracted, and record the number of inclusion packets transmitted to the reception side terminal for each transmission side terminal. . Therefore, it is possible to appropriately charge the user connected to the communication network using the packet transfer service.

  Furthermore, the communication system according to the present invention extracts connection device information that can identify the first network connection device included in the encapsulated packet when the second network connection device extracts the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet. Thus, the number of processed packets is recorded for each first network connection device.

  Therefore, in the second network connection device, the first network connection device that relays the encapsulated packet from which the included packet is extracted is specified, and the number of included packets transmitted to the receiving side terminal is determined as the first network connection device. Can be recorded for each. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately give compensation to the owner of the first network connection apparatus that has joined the packet transfer service and cooperated in transferring the encapsulated packet.

  Furthermore, the communication system according to the present invention is configured such that when the second network connection device takes out the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet, the communication path from the transmitting terminal included in the encapsulated packet to the first network connection device is included. The relay device information that can identify the relay device is extracted, and the number of processed packets is recorded for each relay device.

  Therefore, in the second network connection device, the relay device that relays the encapsulated packet from which the encapsulated packet is extracted can be specified, and the number of included packets transmitted to the receiving terminal can be recorded for each relay device. Therefore, it becomes possible to appropriately compensate the owner of the relay apparatus that has joined the packet transfer service and cooperated in transferring the encapsulated packet.

  The information terminal device according to the present invention constitutes the communication system as the transmitting terminal. Moreover, the control program of the information terminal device which concerns on this invention is for functioning a computer as said transmission side terminal which comprises the said communication system. A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention records a control program for the information terminal device.

  The network connection device according to the present invention constitutes the communication system as the first network connection device. The network connection device control program according to the present invention is for causing a computer to function as the first network connection device constituting the communication system. A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention records a control program for the network connection device.

  The network connection device according to the present invention constitutes the communication system as the second network connection device. The network connection device control program according to the present invention is for causing a computer to function as the second network connection device constituting the communication system. A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention records a control program for the network connection device.

  The relay device according to the present invention constitutes the communication system. The relay device control program according to the present invention is for causing a computer to function as the relay device constituting the communication system. A computer-readable recording medium according to the present invention records the control program for the relay device.

  As described above, in the communication system according to the present invention, the transmission side terminal that transmits the encapsulated packet including the inclusion packet addressed to the reception side terminal connected to the communication network to the first network connection device, and the transmission side terminal include A first network connection device that receives the transmitted encapsulated packet and transmits the encapsulated packet to the second network connection device via the communication network; receives the encapsulated packet from the first network connection device; And a second network connection device that extracts an encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet and transmits the encapsulated packet to a receiving terminal via a communication network.

  In the communication system control method according to the present invention, the transmission side terminal transmits an encapsulated packet including an inclusion packet addressed to the reception side terminal connected to the communication network to the first network connection device. The network connection device receives the encapsulated packet transmitted by the transmitting terminal, transmits the encapsulated packet to the second network connection device via the communication network, and the second network connection device In this method, an encapsulated packet is received from one network connection device, an encapsulated packet is extracted from the encapsulated packet, and the encapsulated packet is transmitted to a receiving terminal via a communication network.

  Therefore, the data from the transmission side terminal is transmitted to the second network connection device in the form of an encapsulated packet, and after the inclusion packet is extracted from the encapsulated packet in the second network connection device, the form of the inclusion packet Is transmitted to the receiving terminal.

  Therefore, according to the above communication system, there is an effect that transmission can be performed from the transmission side terminal via the first network connection device in which the connection service contract with the communication network is not concluded. In other words, it is possible to provide a packet transfer service for connecting to a communication network via a provider that has no connection service contract with the communication network.

  Up to now, the flow of packets from the sender to the receiver has been described, but the detailed description of the flow of communication packets in the network is omitted, but the flow of packets between communication units is always bidirectional. Communication is possible. Therefore, the bidirectionality of the packet itself carrying the inclusion packet is ensured. Therefore, the packet returning from the receiving destination to the transmitting source can be transmitted along the reverse route to that at the time of transmission including the packet contained therein.

  Here, in the inclusion packet, the transmission source is set to the transmission side terminal, and the reception destination is set to the reception side terminal. In addition, the encapsulated packet is set in the second network connection device with the transmission source being the transmission side terminal.

  Therefore, the contents of the encapsulated packet and the encapsulated packet are the same regardless of the first network connection device that passes through. Therefore, since it is not necessary to change the setting of the transmission side terminal, there is an effect that a ubiquitous network connection environment can be used simply by a transmission operation.

  One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the communication system 101 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication system 101 is connected to a WAN (wide area network) (communication network) 102 such as the Internet. A receiving terminal 103 is connected to the WAN 102. The communication system 101 transfers the packet transmitted from the transmission side terminal 10 to the reception side terminal 103 via the WAN 102.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the communication system 101 includes a transmission side terminal 10, an access point device (relay device) 20, a provider server (first network connection device) 30, and a cross link server (second network connection device) 40. It is configured with. The provider server 30 and the cross link server 40 are connected via the WAN 102.

  The transmission side terminal 10 transmits the packet to the reception side terminal 103 connected to the WAN 102. The transmitting terminal 10 is preferably a portable information terminal device such as a PDA that connects to the WAN 102 while switching a plurality of access point devices 20, but is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, a case where communication between the transmission side terminal 10 and the access point device 20 is performed wirelessly will be described, but it may be wired.

  The access point device 20 is a connection device for connecting to the provider server 30. In other words, the access point device 20 is set to transmit a packet received from the transmission side terminal 10 to the provider server 30 via a connection modem (adapter). The access point device 20 may be, for example, a personally owned wireless access point or a connection terminal using a wireless local area network (LAN) installed in a station, a hotel, a coffee shop, or the like. That is, it may be managed by the user of the transmission side terminal 10, may be installed by a provider of the provider server 30, or may be installed by another person.

  The provider server 30 and the cross link server 40 are so-called Internet access providers (IAPs) that provide connection services to the WAN 102.

  Here, it is assumed that the transmission side terminal 10 has a connection service contract with the WAN 102 with the cross link server 40 but not with the provider server 30. In addition, it is assumed that the cross link server 40 is contracted with the provider server 30 and / or the access point device 20 for a packet transfer service characterized by the present invention.

  The WAN 102 is a communication network such as the Internet that performs communication using TCP / IP (transmission control protocol / internet protocol). The protocol to be used is not limited to TCP / IP, and an arbitrary protocol can be selected.

  The receiving terminal 103 is a device to which a packet transmitted from the transmitting terminal 10 is addressed. For example, the receiving terminal 103 is a server that provides a mail server or a homepage using HTML (hypertext markup language).

  The solid and broken arrows in FIG. 2 indicate the flow of packets transmitted between devices. A solid line indicates a flow of encapsulated packets, and a broken line indicates a flow of unencapsulated packets.

  The transmission side terminal 10 generates a TCP / IP packet (referred to as “include packet”) including data to be transmitted to the reception side terminal 103. Further, the transmitting terminal 10 generates a packet (referred to as an “encapsulated packet”) that encapsulates the included packet in the TCP / IP format in order to transmit the included packet to the cross link server 40. Then, the transmission side terminal 10 transmits this encapsulated packet to the access point device 20.

  Here, the encapsulated packet has the same content as when it is transmitted via the access point device connected to the cross link server 40, that is, the transmission source is the transmission side terminal 10 and the reception destination is the reception side terminal 103. Is set. Further, the encapsulated packet is set in the cross link server 40 with the transmission source being the transmission side terminal 10. The provider server 30 is set to pass packets to the cross link server 40 based on a packet transfer service contract with the cross link server 40.

  Therefore, data from the transmission side terminal 10 is transmitted to the cross link server 40 in the form of an encapsulated packet, and after the inclusion packet is extracted from the encapsulation packet in the cross link server 40, the reception side terminal in the form of an inclusion packet. Up to 103.

  As described above, according to the communication system 101, transmission can be performed via the provider server 30 in which a connection service contract with the WAN 102 is not concluded. Moreover, regardless of the access point device 20 or the provider server 30 to be used, the encapsulated packet and the encapsulated packet have the same contents. Therefore, since it is not necessary to change the setting of the transmission side terminal 10, a ubiquitous network connection environment can be used simply by a transmission operation. Moreover, existing infrastructure can be used as it is.

  In this embodiment, the case where the cross-link server 40 transmits a packet transferred from the provider server 30 to the WAN 102 will be described. However, if both the provider server 30 and the cross-link server 40 have the functions of the other party. The provider server 30 can also transmit the packet transferred from the cross link server 40 to the WAN 102. This corresponds to a case where the provider server 30 and the cross link server 40 have a packet transfer service contract with each other. Therefore, a plurality of IAP servers having the function of the provider server 30 and the function of the cross-link server 40 participate in this packet transfer service, so that the access area in the wireless LAN is expanded and the ubiquitous network connection is enhanced. The environment can be realized.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an application example of the communication system 101. When the transmitting terminal 10 communicates with the receiving terminal 103 such as a mail or a homepage connected to the WAN 102 such as the Internet, the cross link server 40 (IAP) that has a contract for a connection service to the WAN 102 as in the past. ) Can be connected to the WAN 102. For this purpose, the transmission side terminal 10 may be connected to the public access point 20p connected to the cross link server 40. Of course, it is also possible to connect from an access point (including a cool point) that is connected to the same cross-link server 40 and is open to the public.

  In addition, in the communication system 101, the user of the transmission side terminal 10 can connect to the WAN 102 from the access point devices 20q and 20r connected to the provider servers 30q and 30r that do not have a connection service contract to the WAN 102. Specifically, the transmission side terminal 10 can: (1) a public access point device 20q connected to a provider server 30q that has a packet transfer service with the crosslink server 40, or (2) a crosslink. It connects to the access point device 20r that has a packet transfer service with the server 40.

  Then, the transmitting terminal 10 wraps a packet (encapsulated packet) addressed to the receiving terminal 103, which is the original transmission destination, in a packet addressed to the cross link server 40 (encapsulated packet), and sends it to the access point devices 20q and 20r. Send. Since the access point devices 20q and 20r and the provider servers 30q and 30r have a packet transfer service with the cross link server 40, the packets addressed to the cross link server 40 are allowed to pass therethrough. That is, a packet (encapsulated packet) transmitted by the transmission side terminal 10 reaches the cross link server 40 via the WAN 102 after passing through the access point devices 20q and 20r and the provider servers 30q and 30r. After that, the cross link server 40 extracts the encapsulated packet from the received encapsulated packet and transmits the packet (encapsulated packet) to the receiving terminal 103 that is the original transmission destination.

  Therefore, the user of the transmission side terminal 10 can use the same at any access point with one connection setting.

  Further, in the process of transmitting packets to the WAN 102, the cross link server 40 counts the amount of packet passing and bills / guarantees (cash back) both the network user and the infrastructure provider.

  Therefore, the provider and the access point can obtain appropriate security by connecting the packet transfer service with another provider. Therefore, because providers and access points have the advantage of being disclosed, users of other providers are not excluded, instead of eliminating users who are not contracted, such as requiring a password when connecting to prevent free riders. As a result, it is encouraged to publish to allow use by. Therefore, it is possible to promote the realization of a ubiquitous communication environment that can be connected anywhere.

  Thus, according to the communication system 101, a network user can use a ubiquitous network in one connection format. For the provider, the wireless LAN can be prevented from riding by monitoring the packets passing therethrough. In addition, an infrastructure owner such as an access point can receive cash back by publicizing the infrastructure.

  Hereinafter, details of the configuration of the communication system 101 will be described: (1) when the provider server 30 contracts the packet transfer service with the cross link server 40; and (2) when the access point device 20 performs the packet transfer service with the cross link server 40. When contracting, it explains. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a communication packet used in the communication system 101.

(1) When the provider server 30 contracts the packet transfer service with the cross link server 40 The configuration of the communication system 101 when the cross link server 40 contracts with the provider server 30 will be described with reference to FIG. In this configuration, the communication system 101A, the access point device 20A, and the provider server 30A are represented.

  The transmission side terminal 10 transmits the encapsulated packet p3 including the inclusion packet p1 addressed to the reception side terminal 103 connected to the WAN 102 to the provider server 30A. For this purpose, the transmission-side terminal 10 is configured to include at least a transmission / reception unit 11, a data creation unit 12, a packet generation unit 13, and an encapsulation unit 14.

  The data creation unit 12 creates data f2 to be transmitted to the receiving terminal 103 connected to the WAN 102, which is an application such as a mailer or a browser.

  The packet generator 13 generates an inclusion packet p1 including data f2 to be transmitted to the receiving terminal 103. Here, the format of the encapsulated packet p <b> 1 and the encapsulated packet p <b> 3 can be arbitrarily selected as long as it can be transmitted by the WAN 102. In the present embodiment, the case where the WAN 102 is the Internet is described as a TCP / IP packet.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the included packet p1 has a format in which data f2 is a TCP / IP body and a TCP / IP header f1 is added thereto. In particular, in the packet generation unit 13, the IP address of the transmission side terminal 10 indicating the transmission source and the IP address of the reception side terminal 103 indicating the transmission destination are described in the TCP / IP header f1. The included packet p1 may further include auxiliary information related to the connection.

  The encapsulating unit 14 encapsulates the encapsulated packet p1 generated by the packet generating unit 13 to generate an encapsulated packet p3. Specifically, the TCP / IP packet that is the included packet p1 is encapsulated according to the TCP / IP format.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the data f8 (p2) of the encapsulated packet p3 includes a packet ID f3, terminal information f4, and access point information (relay device information) f5 in addition to the included packet p1 (f6). The encapsulated packet p3 may further include auxiliary information related to connection.

  The packet ID f3 is identification information that can specify the included packet p1. Since the packet ID f3 also indicates the type of packet, it can be determined whether the provider 3 and the cross link server 40 need to expand the encapsulated packet p3 based on the packet ID f3.

  The terminal information f4 is information for the cross link server 40 to specify the transmission side terminal 10 that is the transmission source of the encapsulated packet p3. The terminal information f4 can be arbitrarily selected as long as the transmitting terminal 10 can be individually identified (for example, a MAC address). However, when the user of the sending terminal 10 has a packet transfer service contract with the cross link server 40, a user ID that can identify the user may be used as the terminal information f4, or the user ID may be used as the terminal information f4. It may be added to and encapsulated. As will be described later, if the transmitting terminal 10 can be specified by the terminal information f4, charging for each apparatus is possible, and if the user of the transmitting terminal 10 can be specified by the user ID, charging for each user is possible.

  The access point information f5 is information for the cross link server 40 to specify a device that is arranged on the communication path from the transmission side terminal 10 to the provider server 30A and relays the encapsulated packet p3. Specifically, the access point information f5 is information that can identify the access point device 20A connected to the provider server 30A.

  The encapsulation unit 14 acquires the MAC address from the access point device 20A when the transmission side terminal 10 establishes connection with the access point device 20A, and uses this as the access point information f5. However, when the user of the access point device 20A has a packet transfer service contract with the cross link server 40, the contract number or the like may be used as the access point information f5. Although compensation for the disclosure of the access point device 20A (cash back) is possible based on the access point information f5, the access point information f5 can be omitted in the case of a flat-rate cash back. In addition, the configuration for filtering the encapsulated packet p3 to be passed based on the terminal information f4 in the access point device 20A will be described in (2).

  Thus, the encapsulation unit 14 encapsulates the encapsulated packet p1 together with the packet ID f3, the terminal information f4, and the access point information f5. In view of the risk of eavesdropping on the communication path, it is desirable that the terminal information f4, the access point information f5, and the encapsulated packet p1 are encrypted prior to encapsulation. This encryption is decrypted when the included packet p1 is taken out by the provider server 30A or the cross link server 40.

  Furthermore, the encapsulating unit 14 has a format in which the above data f8 is a TCP / IP body and a TCP / IP header f7 is added thereto. In particular, in the encapsulation unit 14, the TCP / IP header f7 describes the IP address of the transmission-side terminal 10 indicating the transmission source and the IP address of the cross-link server 40 (or provider server 30A) indicating the transmission destination. Here, the transmission destination is a device that extracts the encapsulated packet p1 from the encapsulated packet p3 and transmits it to the WAN 102.

  The transmission / reception unit 11 transmits / receives data to / from the transmission / reception unit 21 of the access point apparatus 20A. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the connection is based on a wireless LAN according to the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.x protocol. The transmission / reception unit 11 transmits the encapsulated packet p3 including the inclusion packet p1 addressed to the receiving terminal 103 connected to the WAN 102 to the provider server 30A via the access point device 20A.

  The access point device 20A is a wireless LAN connection device connected to the provider server 30A. The access point device 20A establishes communication with the transmission side terminal 10 and relays the received encapsulated packet p3 to the provider server 30A. Therefore, the access point device 20A is configured to include at least the transmission / reception unit 21.

  In addition, when the transmission source of the received packet is the transmission side terminal 10 and the transmission destination is the cross link server 40, the access point device 20A may perform filtering so as to pass the packet. This configuration will be described in detail in (2). Of course, when the transmission destination of the received packet is the provider server 30A, the access point device 20A passes the packet.

  The provider server 30 </ b> A receives the encapsulated packet p <b> 3 transmitted from the transmission side terminal 10, and transmits the encapsulated packet p <b> 3 to the cross link server 40 via the WAN 102. For this purpose, the provider server 30A includes at least a transmission / reception unit 31, a packet extraction unit 32, an encapsulation unit 33, a contract management unit 34, and a contract information DB (database) 35.

  The transmission / reception unit 31 transmits / receives data to / from the transmission / reception unit 21 of the access point apparatus 20 </ b> A and the WAN 102.

  First, the contract information DB 35 holds identification information that can identify a user and / or a device that has a connection service contract with the WAN 102. This identification information may be the IP address of the transmission side terminal 10 or other information that can be acquired directly / indirectly based on the information indicating the transmission source included in the encapsulated packet p3. Good. Secondly, the contract information DB 35 holds the IP address of the cross-link server 40 that has a packet transfer service contract.

  The packet extraction unit 32 extracts the inclusion packet p1 from the received encapsulated packet p3 under the control of the contract management unit 34. At this time, if the terminal information f4, the access point information f5, and the inclusion packet p1 are encrypted, they are decrypted.

  The contract management unit 34 obtains the IP address of the transmission side terminal 10 from the TCP / IP header f7 of the received encapsulated packet p3, and refers to the contract information DB 35 based on this to make a connection service contract with the WAN 102. It is determined whether or not the packet is an encapsulated packet p3 from the user and / or the device. If the packet is an encapsulated packet p3 from a user and / or device that has a connection service contract, the packet extraction unit 32 extracts the included packet p1 and transmits the included packet p1 to the WAN 102.

  Note that the contract management unit 34 acquires the IP address of the transmission destination from the TCP / IP header f7 of the received encapsulated packet p3, and if it is that of its own device (provider server 30A), extracts the included packet p1. , It may be transmitted to the WAN 102.

  In addition, when the received encapsulated packet p3 is not from a user and / or a device that has a connection service contract with the WAN 102, the contract management unit 34 determines the destination IP address from the TCP / IP header f7. Based on this, the contract information DB 35 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not the packet is an encapsulated packet p3 to the cross-link server 40 that has a packet transfer service contract. If the packet is an encapsulated packet p3 to the cross-link server 40 that has a contract for the packet transfer service, the packet extraction unit 32 is made to extract the included packet p1. Thereafter, the encapsulating unit 33 encapsulates the encapsulated packet p 1 again, and transmits the obtained encapsulated packet p 4 to the WAN 102.

  Here, the encapsulation unit 33 adds the provider information (connection) to the packet ID f3, the terminal information f4, the access point information f5, and the included packet p1 (f6) obtained by the packet extraction unit 32 expanding the encapsulated packet p3. Device information) f10 is added and encapsulated according to the TCP / IP format. At this time, the provider information f10 may be encrypted. In the TCP / IP header f9, the IP address of the transmission side terminal 10 is described as the transmission source, and the IP address of the cross link server 40 is described as the reception destination.

  The provider information f10 is information for the cross link server 40 to specify the provider server 30A that has transferred the encapsulated packet p3. As the provider information f10, a contract ID (member provider ID) or the like of a packet transfer service contract made with the cross link server 40 can be used. However, although compensation (cash back) for the disclosure of the provider server 30A is possible based on the provider information f10, the provider information 10 can be omitted in the case of a flat-rate cash back.

  The cross link server 40 receives the encapsulated packet p4 from the provider server 30A, extracts the encapsulated packet p1 from the encapsulated packet p3, and transmits the encapsulated packet p1 to the receiving terminal 103 via the WAN 102. For this purpose, the cross link server 40 includes at least a transmission / reception unit 41, a packet extraction unit 42, a packet count unit 43, a contract management unit 44, a contract information DB 45A, and a billing settlement unit 46.

  The transmission / reception unit 41 transmits / receives data to / from the WAN 102.

  As will be described later, the contract information DB 45A includes a “connection contractor table” (FIG. 8A), an “access point public contractor table” (FIG. 8B), and a “provider public contractor table” (FIG. 8). (C)).

  The packet extraction unit 42 extracts the included packet p1 from the received encapsulated packet p4 according to the control of the contract management unit 44. At this time, if the provider information f10, the terminal information f4, the access point information f5, and the inclusion packet p1 are encrypted, they are decrypted.

  The contract management unit 44 refers to the “connection contractor table” in the contract information DB 45A based on the terminal information f4 included in the received encapsulated packet p43, and / or a user who has a connection service contract with the WAN 102 and / or It is determined whether or not the packet is an encapsulated packet p4 from the device. If the packet is an encapsulated packet p4 from a user and / or a device with a connection service contract, the packet extraction unit 42 extracts the included packet p1 and transmits the included packet p1 to the WAN 102.

  Each time the packet counting unit 43 extracts the encapsulated packet p1 and transmits it to the WAN 102, the “connection contractor table” corresponding to the terminal information f4, the access point information f5, and the provider information f10 included in the encapsulated packet p4 (see FIG. 8 (a)), the number of packets in each column of “access point public contractor table” (FIG. 8B) and “provider public contractor table” (FIG. 8C) is counted up and updated.

  The billing clearing unit 46 “connection contractor table” (FIG. 8A), “access point public contractor table” (FIG. 8B), “provider public contractor table” (FIG. 8) in the contract information DB 45A. Based on (c)), the charge to the user of the transmitting terminal 10 and the amount of compensation (cash back) to the access point device 20A and the provider server 30A are calculated.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, in the “connection contractor table”, “number of connection packets from personal management (home) (A1)”, “access within provider” is associated with “terminal-side user ID”. The number of used packets via point (A2) "and the" number of used packets via access point published by contract (A3) "are held.

  The “connection contractor table” manages the number of packets transmitted from the transmission side terminal 10 by a user who has a contract for a connection service to the WAN 102 by the cross link server 40. The “terminal-side user ID” is user identification information and can be acquired directly or indirectly from the terminal information f4. The “number of connection packets from personal management (home) (A1)” is the number of packets transmitted via the home access point device 20. The “number of used packets via the provider access point (A2)” is the number of packets transmitted via the access point device 20 (20p in FIG. 3) connected to the cross link server 40. “The number of packets used via the access point disclosed by the contract (A3)” indicates that the access point device 20 (20q in FIG. 3) connected to the provider server 30 with which the cross link server 40 has a packet transfer service contract. , 20r), the number of packets transmitted. The received encapsulated packet p4 is “number of connection packets from personal management (home) (A1)”, “number of packets used via access point in provider (A2)”, “use via access point published by contract” It can be determined based on the access point information f5 included in the encapsulated packet p4 whether it corresponds to any of the number of packets (A3).

  As shown in FIG. 8B, in the “access point public contractor table”, “number of owner use packets (B1)” and “through the public access point” are associated with the “contract access point ID”. "Total number of packets (B2)" and "number of packets between the same providers (B3)" are held.

  The “access point public contractor table” manages the number of packets that have passed through the access point device 20 with which the cross link server 40 has a packet transfer service contract. The “contract access point ID” is identification information of the access point device 20, and can be acquired directly or indirectly from the access point information f5. The “number of owner use packets (B1)” is the number of packets transmitted by the owner of the access point device 20. The “total number of packets via the disclosed access point (B2)” is the number of packets transmitted by a user other than the owner of the access point device 20. The “number of packets between the same provider (B3)” is the number of packets transmitted in the case where the provider itself is a member of the packet transfer service and access is limited to the company network of the user of the company (provider) contract. Show.

  Here, the “number of packets between the same providers (B3)” may or may not be meaningful as a numerical value depending on the role played by each provider in the cross-link connection. Specifically, when the provider itself performs the packet transfer, the packet inside the company network can handle this “number of packets between the same provider (B3)” free of charge. Further, when the provider itself does not perform packet transfer, it does not make sense to count the “number of packets between the same provider (B3)” as a numerical value. However, by having a mechanism to count “the number of packets between the same provider (B3)” from the beginning in this way, it is possible to realize “ubiquitous networking” by joining the packet transfer service to the provider, and in-house It is effective for preventing loss of the provider's own profit-earning opportunities due to the individual release of individual access point users in the network, which is preferable for the three parties of the provider, the access point public contractor, and the terminal access point connection contractor. It produces the effect of realizing a “ubiquitous environment” where no riding occurs.

  Whether the received encapsulated packet p4 corresponds to one of “number of owner-used packets (B1)”, “total number of packets via public access point (B2)”, and “number of packets between same providers (B3)” Can be determined based on the terminal information f4, the access point information f5, and the provider information f10 included in the encapsulated packet p4.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, in the “provider public contractor table”, “number of affiliated provider internal use packets (C1)” and “access within the other provider of the contractor” are associated with the “member provider ID”. The “number of point use packets (C2)” and the “number of packets used by non-contract users (C3)” are held.

  The “provider public contractor table” manages the number of packets transferred by the provider server 30 with which the cross-link server 40 has a packet transfer service contract. The “member provider ID” is identification information of the provider server 30 and can be acquired directly or indirectly from the provider information f10. “Number of packets used by affiliated provider (C1)” is generated by the connection service subscriber of the provider, which is generated in the network of the provider participating in the packet transfer service, to the computer having the IP address in the network of the provider. Is the number of packets sent. The “number of access point use packets in other provider (C2) of the contractor” is generated by the connection service subscriber of the provider that is generated in the network of the provider that is a member of the packet transfer service. The number of packets sent to the computer at the address. “Number of packets used by non-contract user (C3)” is the number of packets generated by a packet transfer service contractor other than the connection service subscriber of the provider that occurs in the network of the provider that is a member of the packet transfer service. is there.

  The received encapsulated packet p4 is any one of “member provider internal use packet number (C1)”, “contractor other provider access point use packet number (C2)”, and “non-contract user use packet number (C3)”. It can be determined based on the terminal information f4 and the provider information f10 included in the encapsulated packet p4. When the provider takes out the internal user of the provider who is a member of the packet transfer service, the item C1 is not necessary as a table.

  Note that the amount of packet subject to billing / compensation is described as “transmitted packets” in the above description, but strictly speaking, “number of transmitted packets” and “packets responded to transmitted packets” The sum of the “number” is counted as one “outgoing packet” and can be treated as a billing target / compensation criterion.

  The billing clearing unit 46 “connection contractor table” (FIG. 8A), “access point public contractor table” (FIG. 8B), “provider public contractor table” (FIG. 8) in the contract information DB 45A. Based on (c)), the charge for the user of the transmission side terminal 10 and the amount of compensation (cash back) to the access point device 20A and the provider server 30A are calculated as follows.

Amount charged to the provider server C2 × [charging rate] −C3 × [refund rate] or a fixed amount • Amount charged to the user of the transmitting terminal 10 A1 × [normal charging rate] + A2 × [mobile charging rate]
-Amount of refund to access point device 20 When provider server 30 has a contract for packet transfer service
(B2-B3) x [Refund rate]
When the provider server 30 is not subscribed to the packet transfer service
B2 x [Refund rate]
Note that the following four methods are possible for the billing settlement method in the communication system 101.

(a) Volume charge / Usage rate cashback method (Figure 10)
The user of the transmitting terminal 10 is charged according to the usage fee. On the other hand, cash back is performed for the owner of the access point device 20 according to the packet usage of the external user.

(b) Volume charge / fixed amount cashback system (Figure 11)
The user of the transmitting terminal 10 is charged according to the usage fee. On the other hand, for the owner of the access point device 20, a fixed amount cash back is performed for the access point being disclosed.

(c) Flat-rate usage fee / Usage rate cashback method (Figure 12)
A fixed amount is charged to the user of the transmitting terminal 10. On the other hand, cash back is performed for the owner of the access point device 20 according to the packet usage of the external user.

(d) Flat-rate usage fee / Flat-cash back method (Figure 13)
A fixed amount is charged to the user of the transmitting terminal 10. On the other hand, for the owner of the access point device 20, a fixed amount cash back is performed for the access point being disclosed.

  Finally, the receiving terminal 103 is a device that receives the inclusion packet p1 from the WAN 102. For this purpose, the reception side terminal 103 is configured to include at least a transmission / reception unit 1031 that transmits / receives data to / from the WAN 102.

  With the above configuration, the communication system 101A operates as follows.

  Phase 1: A connection using the TCP / IP protocol based on IEEE 802.11x is established between the transmitting terminal 10 and the access point device 20A. At this time, the transmission side terminal 10 acquires access point information from the access point device 20A.

  Phase 2: The TCP / IP packet (encapsulated packet) generated by the packet generator 13 is encapsulated according to the TCP / IP format (encapsulated packet).

  Phase 3: The provider server 30A extracts terminal information from the encapsulated packet received from the access point device 20A. Further, it is determined from the header of the encapsulated packet whether the packet is addressed to the own device. If it is a packet addressed to the own apparatus, it is determined whether or not the packet is from the transmitting terminal 10 with a connection service contract to the WAN 102 based on the terminal information. If the packet is a packet from the transmitting terminal 10 that has a contract for a connection service to the WAN 102 (the packet of the in-house provider contractor), the capsule is unpacked and transmitted to the receiving terminal 103 designated by the transmitting terminal 10 and transmitted to the WAN 102. To do.

  On the other hand, if the packet is not addressed to the own device, it is determined whether the packet is for the provider server 30A that has a packet transfer service contract based on the terminal information. If the packet is sent to the provider server 30A that has a contract for the packet transfer service, the packet is sent to the WAN 102 as it is, without releasing the capsule, to the cross-link server 40 specified in the header of the encapsulated packet. Note that when performing a cashback based on the usage rate, packetization is performed with the ID of the provider server 30A attached to the header.

  Phase 4: The cross link server 40 extracts terminal information from the encapsulated packet received from the provider server 30A. Further, it is determined from the header of the encapsulated packet whether the packet is addressed to the own device. If it is a packet addressed to the own apparatus, it is determined whether or not the packet is from the transmitting terminal 10 with a connection service contract to the WAN 102 based on the terminal information. If the packet is a packet from the transmitting terminal 10 that has a contract for a connection service to the WAN 102 (the packet of the in-house provider contractor), the capsule is unpacked and transmitted to the receiving terminal 103 designated by the transmitting terminal 10 and transmitted to the WAN 102. To do.

  In addition, when the cross link server 40 extracts a packet from the encapsulated packet, the cross link server 40 counts the number of packets for each transmitting terminal 10, for each access point device 20 </ b> A, and for each provider server 30. Then, in accordance with the count number, a charge amount and a cash back amount corresponding to the number of transferred packets are calculated. Note that charging / compensation may be performed on a flat rate basis.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of the communication system 101A. In the figure, the flow of encapsulated packets is indicated by a solid line, and the flow of unencapsulated packets is indicated by a broken line.

  First, the transmission side terminal 10 performs a connection (802.x) process to the access point apparatus 20A (S11). On the other hand, the access point device 20A accepts a request using the 802.x protocol from the transmitting terminal 10 (S21), and permits access using the 802.x protocol (S22). If access is denied, the system waits until the next communication occurs (S23).

  After establishing the connection with the access point device 20A (YES in S12), the transmission side terminal 10 acquires access point information (for example, MAC (media access control) address) from the access point device 20A (S13). At this time, the access point device 20A returns a packet including the access point information in response to the request for the access point information from the transmission side terminal 10 (S24). Thereafter, the access point device 20A relays the packet from the transmission side terminal 10 to the provider server 30A.

  After acquiring the access point information from the access point device 20A (YES in S14), the transmission side terminal 10 adds the terminal information, the access point information, etc. as an access key to the original communication packet, and performs encapsulation. It transmits to the server 30A (S15).

  At this time, the provider server 30A extracts the access key from the encapsulated packet (S31), and determines whether the access key is valid (S32). If the access key is valid (YES in S32), it is determined whether the user of the transmitting terminal 10 has a contract for a connection service to the WAN 102 with the company (S33).

  When the user of the transmission side terminal 10 has a contract for a connection service to the WAN 102 in-house (YES in S33), the original TCP / IP packet is extracted from the encapsulated packet and transmitted to the WAN 102 (S34).

  On the other hand, when the user of the transmission side terminal 10 has not signed a contract for connection service to the WAN 102 (NO in S33), the packet is transmitted to the cross-link server 40 while being encapsulated (S34).

  The cross link server 40 extracts the provider information and the terminal information from the encapsulated packet received from the provider server 30A (S41), and the provider server 30A and the transmission side terminal 10 are authorized to have a packet transfer service contract. Determine if it is a connection. If it is a regular connection (YES in S42), a packet count process is performed for charging, and data is accumulated based on terminal information and provider information (S43). Further, the cross link server 40 extracts the original TCP / IP packet from the encapsulated packet and transmits it to the WAN 102.

  In addition, in the transmission side terminal 10, when a packet is not transmitted in the provider server 30A and the cross link server 40 (NO in S35, S37, and S45), a notification to that effect is received (NO in S16), and the connection is poor. Processing is performed (S17).

(2) When Access Point Device 20 Contracts Packet Transfer Service with Cross Link Server 40 The configuration of the communication system 101 when the access point device 20 contracts with the provider server 30 will be described with reference to FIG. . In this configuration, the communication system 101B, the access point device 20B, and the provider server 30B are represented.

  Compared with the communication system 101A (FIG. 1), the communication system 101B determines whether or not the encapsulated packet p3 is allowed to pass by the access point device 20B, and the provider server 30B transmits the received packet to the TCP / IP header d7. The only difference is that the data is transmitted to the WAN 102 as it is. Therefore, only the differences from the communication system 101A will be described below.

  The transmission side terminal 10 transmits the encapsulated packet p3 including the inclusion packet p1 addressed to the reception side terminal 103 connected to the WAN 102 to the provider server 30B. For this purpose, the transmission-side terminal 10 is configured to include at least a transmission / reception unit 11, a data creation unit 12, a packet generation unit 13, and an encapsulation unit 14.

  In particular, in the encapsulation unit 14, the TCP / IP header f7 describes the IP address of the transmission-side terminal 10 indicating the transmission source and the IP address of the cross-link server 40 indicating the transmission destination. Here, the transmission destination is a device that extracts the encapsulated packet p1 from the encapsulated packet p3 and transmits it to the WAN 102.

  The access point device 20B is a wireless LAN connection device connected to the provider server 30B. The access point device 20B establishes communication with the transmitting terminal 10 and relays the received encapsulated packet p3 to the provider server 30B. For this purpose, the access point device 20B includes at least a transmission / reception unit 21, a contract management unit 22, and a contract information DB 23.

  The contract information DB 23 holds the IP address of the cross-link server 40 that has a packet transfer service contract.

  The contract management unit 22 acquires the IP address of the transmission destination from the TCP / IP header f7, refers to the contract information DB 23 based on this, and encapsulates the packet to the cross-link server 40 that has a packet transfer service contract. It is determined whether or not p3. If the packet is the encapsulated packet p3 to the cross link server 40 that has a contract for the packet transfer service, the encapsulated packet p3 is transmitted to the WAN 102 as it is.

  The provider server 30 </ b> B receives the encapsulated packet p <b> 3 transmitted from the transmission side terminal 10 and transmits the encapsulated packet p <b> 3 to the cross link server 40 via the WAN 102. For this purpose, the provider server 30 </ b> B includes at least a transmission / reception unit 31. The transmission / reception unit 31 transmits the received encapsulated packet p3 to the WAN 102 as it is, according to the description of the TCP / IP header d7.

  The cross link server 40 receives the encapsulated packet p3 from the provider server 30B, extracts the encapsulated packet p1 from the encapsulated packet p3, and transmits the encapsulated packet p1 to the receiving terminal 103 via the WAN 102. For this purpose, the cross link server 40 includes at least a transmission / reception unit 41, a packet extraction unit 42, a packet count unit 43, a contract management unit 44, a contract information DB 45B, and a billing settlement unit 46.

  As will be described later, the contract information DB 45B includes a “connection contractor table” (FIG. 9A) and an “access point disclosure contractor table” (FIG. 9B).

  The contract management unit 44 refers to the “connection contractor table” in the contract information DB 45B based on the terminal information f4 included in the received encapsulated packet p3, and / or a user who has a connection service contract with the WAN 102 and / or It is determined whether or not the packet is an encapsulated packet p3 from the device. If the packet is an encapsulated packet p3 from a user and / or a device with a connection service contract, the packet extracting unit 42 extracts the included packet p1 and transmits the included packet p1 to the WAN 102.

  Each time the packet counting unit 43 extracts the included packet p1 and transmits it to the WAN 102, the “connection contractor table” corresponding to the terminal information f4 and the access point information f5 included in the encapsulated packet p3 (FIG. 9A). ), The number of packets in each column of the “access point public contractor table” (FIG. 9B) is counted up and updated.

  The billing clearing unit 46 notifies the user of the transmitting terminal 10 based on the “connection contractor table” (FIG. 9A) and the “access point public contractor table” (FIG. 9B) in the contract information DB 45B. And the amount of compensation (cash back) to the access point device 20B is calculated.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in the “connection contractor table”, “number of connection packets from personal management (home) (A1)”, “access within provider” is associated with “terminal-side user ID”. The number of used packets via point (A2) "is held. Since only the “number of packets used via access point (A3) published by contract” is omitted from the “connection contractor table” shown in FIG. 8A, detailed description is omitted. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the “access point public contractor table” is associated with “contract access point ID”, “owner use packet number (B1)”, “via the public access point”. The total number of packets (B2) ”is held. Note that only the “number of packets between the same providers (B3)” is omitted from the “access point public contractor table” shown in FIG.

  Based on the “connection contractor table” (FIG. 9A) and the “access point public contractor table” (FIG. 9B) in the contract information DB 45B, the billing clearing unit 46 The amount of charge to the user of the terminal 10 and compensation (cash back) to the access point device 20B is calculated.

Amount charged to the user of the transmitting terminal 10 A1 × [normal charging rate] + A2 × [mobile charging rate]
・ Return amount to access point device 20 (B2-B1) x [Refund rate]
Thus, since the communication system 101B does not consider the provider server 30, it is possible to perform calculation more simply than the communication system 101A.

  With the above configuration, the communication system 101B operates as follows.

  Phase 1: A connection using the TCP / IP protocol based on IEEE 802.11x is established between the transmitting terminal 10 and the access point device 20B. At this time, the transmission side terminal 10 acquires access point information from the access point device 20B.

  Phase 2: The TCP / IP packet (encapsulated packet) generated by the packet generator 13 of the transmitting terminal 10 is encapsulated in accordance with the TCP / IP format (encapsulated packet).

  Phase 3: The access point device 20B extracts terminal information from the encapsulated packet received from the transmission side terminal 10. The access point device 20B then sends the encapsulated packet to the provider server when the destination specified in the header of the encapsulated packet is the provider server 30B to which the access point device 20B is directly connected. Transfer to 30B. Also, when the packet is addressed to the cross-link server 40 that has a packet transfer service contract, the encapsulated packet is transferred to the provider server 30B. Other packets are not transferred.

  The provider server 30B transmits the encapsulated packet received from the access point device 20B as it is to the cross link server 40 specified in the header of the encapsulated packet, to the WAN 102. That is, the provider server 30B transfers the encapsulated packet in the same manner as a normal packet.

  Phase 4: The cross link server 40 extracts terminal information and access point information from the encapsulated packet received from the provider server 30B. Then, the capsule is released and transmitted to the WAN 102 addressed to the receiving terminal 103 designated by the transmitting terminal 10.

  Further, when the cross link server 40 extracts a packet from the encapsulated packet, the cross link server 40 counts the number of packets for each transmitting terminal 10 and each access point device 20B. Then, in accordance with the count number, a charge amount and a cash back amount corresponding to the number of transferred packets are calculated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of the communication system 101B. In the figure, the flow of encapsulated packets is indicated by a solid line, and the flow of unencapsulated packets is indicated by a broken line.

  First, the transmitting terminal 10 performs a connection (802.x) process to the access point device 20B (S11). On the other hand, the access point device 20B accepts a request using the 802.x protocol from the transmitting terminal 10 (S21), and permits access using the 802.x protocol (S22). If access is denied, the system waits until the next communication occurs (S23).

  After establishing a connection with the access point device 20B (YES in S12), the transmission side terminal 10 acquires access point information (for example, a MAC (media access control) address) from the access point device 20B (S13). At this time, the access point device 20B returns a packet including the access point information in response to the request for the access point information from the transmission side terminal 10 (S24). Thereafter, the access point device 20B relays the packet from the transmission side terminal 10 to the provider server 30B.

  After acquiring the access point information from the access point device 20B (YES in S14), the transmission side terminal 10 adds the terminal information, the access point information, etc. as an access key to the original communication packet, performs encapsulation, and accesses The data is transmitted to the cross link server 40 via the point device 20B and the provider server 30B (S15). Thereafter, the provider server 30B transmits the packet received from the access point device 20B to the cross link server 40 and transmits it to the WAN 102 (S51).

  At this time, the cross link server 40 extracts the access key from the encapsulated packet (S61), and determines whether the access key is valid (S62). If the access key is valid (YES in S62), the terminal information is extracted from the encapsulated packet received from the provider server 30B (S63), and the user of the transmission side terminal 10 makes a contract for a connection service between the company and the WAN 102. It is determined whether they are tied (S64).

  When the user of the transmission side terminal 10 has a contract for a connection service to the WAN 102 with the company (YES in S64), the original TCP / IP packet is extracted from the encapsulated packet and transmitted to the WAN 102 (S66). At this time, a packet counting process is performed for charging, and data is accumulated based on the terminal information (S65).

  If the packet is not transmitted in the cross link server 40 (NO in S67), the transmitting terminal 10 receives a notification to that effect (NO in S16) and performs a connection failure process (S17).

  As described above, according to the communication system 101 according to the present embodiment, after establishing TCP / IP communication between the network connection device of the user and the network infrastructure, the actual communication packet is encapsulated for communication. In order to actually connect to the Internet, a TCP / IP packet that is transmitted to the Internet and returns from the Internet is encapsulated, so that a packet that is not correctly set does not connect to the Internet. Therefore, it is difficult to get on the communication.

  In order to realize the communication system 101, it is only necessary to improve the communication packet, specifically, to add a mechanism for sending the encapsulated packet below the protocol layer. Therefore, there is no significant increase in information with respect to the original TCP / IP protocol. Further, a conventional TCP / IP connection model can be used for basic network connection (hardware connection). Therefore, since existing infrastructure can be used, no new investment for connection is required.

  Further, when the transmission side terminal 10 encapsulates, the terminal information for specifying the transmission side terminal 10 is put on the encapsulated packet. Therefore, the transmission side terminal 10 can be identified in the cross link server 40. Further, in the transmission side terminal 10, when connecting, the access point information specifying the access point device 20 is acquired from the access point device 20, and the access point information is put on the encapsulated packet. Therefore, the access point device 20 can be identified in the cross link server 40.

  Further, when the provider server 30 encapsulates, the provider information specifying the provider server 30 is put on the encapsulated packet. Therefore, the provider server 30 can be identified in the cross link server 40.

  Therefore, the number of packets can be counted for each transmitting terminal 10, for each access point device 20, and for each provider server 30. Therefore, the actual usage of the packet transfer service can be accurately recorded. Therefore, the user connected to the WAN 102 using the packet transfer service is appropriately charged, and the access point device 20 and the provider server 30 that have transferred the packet by joining the packet transfer service are appropriately compensated. It becomes possible.

  As described above, according to the communication system according to the present invention, it is possible to omit individual contracts with a plurality of providers and connect to the WAN with a single provider contract. Since the wireless access point can be properly disclosed and free of charge can be prevented, the wireless access point owner can be prompted to disclose the infrastructure. In addition, the infrastructure of an individual user can be disclosed even if the individual has a contract with the cross-link server 40, even if the provider is in another provider connection contract state. Therefore, the access area in the wireless LAN is expanded. Therefore, a ubiquitous network connection environment can be realized.

  In the above description, even when transmitting directly from the transmission side terminal 10 to the provider server 30 that has a contract for the connection service to the WAN 102, it is encapsulated, but this connection form is the same as the conventional one. You may transmit without encapsulating. That is, a packet that is not encapsulated can reach the provider server 30. The connection from the provider server 30 to the WAN 102 depends on the setting of the provider server 30. Note that, as described above, the encapsulated packet goes to the cross link server 40, is returned to the original packet, and is transmitted to the WAN 102.

  For example, the transmission-side terminal 10 may determine the communication path according to the MAC address of the access point device 20 acquired at the time of establishing the connection, and switch whether or not to encapsulate as follows. (1) When using the access point device 20 connected to the provider server 30 with a connection service contract that is normally used (default), it is not encapsulated according to the acquired access point information when establishing the connection. Send. (2) On the other hand, when using the access point device 20 connected to the provider server 30 that does not have a connection service contract, it is encapsulated and transmitted.

  However, when the access point device 20 is frequently switched, the configuration of the transmission side terminal 10 can be simplified if the process is always unified.

  Further, the cross-link server 40 acquires and manages terminal information and access point information necessary for charging / cashback when taking out a packet from the encapsulated packet.

  Here, when the user of the transmission side terminal 10 is the same as the provider of the provider of the access point device 20, a cross-link connection by packet transfer is provided as a service of the provider that both of them subscribe to, In the case where the access point can be disclosed, the packet can be transmitted directly from the provider network to the WAN 102 by performing processing for extracting the encapsulated packet inside the provider with which both parties have contracted. As a result, the transmission of packets to the cross-link server from the network of the providers with whom both parties have contracted can be reduced.

  The reduction in the transmission of packets to the cross-link server has the effect of preventing the increase of the traffic of the WAN 102 and the following beneficial effects for the WAN, the cross-link server, the provider, and the user. That is, the load of the count process (packet count unit 43) in the cross link server 40 is reduced. In addition, the number of packets to the cross-link server, which is the basis for billing, can be reduced for providers who are members of the packet transfer service. Further, both the user of the transmission side terminal 10 and the provider of the access point device 20 can improve the response speed for the transmitted packet and omit the accounting process by deviating from the measurement of the number of packets in the cross link server. It becomes.

  In the case of a company or the like, there is a network configuration in which the access point device 20 is directly connected to the WAN 102 without using the external provider server 30. In this case, the packet transfer service according to the present embodiment can be realized when the cross-link server 40 makes a contract with the access point device 20. That is, it can be understood that the steps of the provider server 30B in FIG. 6 and the provider server 30B in FIG. 7 are omitted.

  Finally, the transmission side terminal 10, the access point device 20, the provider server 30, and the cross link server 40 constituting the communication system 101 can be configured based on a general-purpose computer (including a personal computer). In other words, each of the above devices executes a command of a program that realizes each function (a control program of the transmitting terminal 10, a control program of the access point device 20, a control program of the provider server 30, a control program of the cross link server 40). CPU (central processing unit), ROM (read only memory) that stores boot logic, RAM (random access memory) that expands the program, storage devices such as nonvolatile memory and hard disks that store the program and various databases ( Recording medium), input devices such as keys, button boards and mice, output devices such as monitors and speakers, and network connection devices connected to an external network are connected by an internal bus.

  The function according to the present invention of each device constituting the communication system 101 is a recording medium in which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program for realizing the function is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can be realized by supplying to each device and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the CPU. Specifically, each functional block shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 is realized by a CPU or the like executing a predetermined program stored in a memory (not shown) of the device. Note that part or all of the functional blocks may be configured by hardware logic.

  The recording medium for supplying the program code can be configured to be separable from the system or apparatus. The recording medium may be a medium that is fixedly supported so that the program code can be supplied. Even if the recording medium is attached to the system or apparatus so that the recorded program code can be directly read by the computer, the recording medium can be connected via the program reading apparatus connected to the system or apparatus as an external storage device. It may be mounted so that it can be read.

  For example, as the recording medium, a disk including a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  The program code may be recorded so that the computer can read out from the recording medium and directly execute it, or after being transferred from the recording medium to the program storage area of the main memory, the computer can read out from the main memory and execute it. It may be recorded as follows.

  Furthermore, the system or apparatus may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. Specifically, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication A network, a satellite communication network, etc. can be used. In addition, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited, and specifically, it is an infrared ray such as IrDA or a remote control even in a wired manner such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line or the like. , Bluetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a carrier wave or a data signal sequence in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  Furthermore, the function described above is obtained by writing the program code read from the recording medium into a memory provided in a function expansion board attached to the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then the program code. Based on this instruction, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit can also be realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

  This embodiment does not limit the scope of the present invention, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to an environment for connecting to a communication network such as the Internet, and is particularly suitable for network connection of a portable information terminal device using a wireless LAN.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing details of one configuration of the communication system shown in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the communication system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating an application example of the communication system illustrated in FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of the communication packet used with the communication system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the communication system shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing details of another configuration of the communication system shown in FIG. 2. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the communication system shown in FIG. (A)-(c) is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the table managed with the crosslink server of the communication system shown in FIG. 1, (a) is a connection contractor table, (b) is accelerator point release. A contractor table, (c) shows a provider public contractor table. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the table managed by the cross-link server of the communication system shown in FIG. 6, (a) is a connection contractor table, (b) is an accelerator point release contract. The person table is shown. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a billing settlement method (quantity charge / usage rate cashback method) in the communication system shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a billing settlement method (quantity charge / fixed amount cashback method) in the communication system shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a billing settlement method (fixed-rate usage fee / usage rate cashback method) in the communication system shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a billing settlement method (fixed fee system / fixed cash back method) in the communication system shown in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the communication system which concerns on a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

10 Transmission side terminal 20 (20A, 20B) Access point device (relay device)
30 (30A, 30B) Provider server (first network connection device)
40 Cross link server (second network connection device)
101 (101A, 101B) Communication system 102 WAN (communication network)
103 Receiving side terminal f2 Data f4 Terminal information f5 Access point information (relay device information)
f10 Provider information (connection device information)
p1, f6 included packet p3 encapsulated packet

Claims (23)

A transmission side terminal that transmits an encapsulated packet including an inclusion packet addressed to a reception side terminal connected to a communication network to the first network connection device;
A first network connection device that receives the encapsulated packet transmitted by the transmitting terminal and transmits the encapsulated packet to a second network connection device via the communication network;
A second network connection that receives the encapsulated packet from the first network connection device, extracts the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet, and transmits the encapsulated packet to the receiving terminal via the communication network; Equipment ,
A relay device that relays the encapsulated packet on a communication path from the transmitting terminal to the first network connection device;
A communication system, wherein the transmission side terminal encapsulates relay device information capable of specifying the relay device in the second network connection device together with the inclusion packet .   When the received first encapsulated packet satisfies a predetermined condition, the first network connection device extracts the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet and sends the encapsulated packet to the receiving terminal via the communication network. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication system is a transmitter.   2. The transmitting terminal generates the encapsulated packet including data to be transmitted to the receiving terminal, and encapsulates the encapsulated packet to generate the encapsulated packet. 2. The communication system according to 2.   The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the transmitting terminal generates the encapsulated packet addressed to a network connection device that extracts the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet.   5. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the transmitting terminal encapsulates terminal information that can identify the own terminal in the second network connection device together with the inclusion packet. 6. The first network connection device extracts the encapsulated packet from the received encapsulated packet, re- encapsulates connection device information that can identify the device in the second network connection device together with the encapsulated packet, The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication system transmits the data to the second network connection device. The relay device is configured to pass the packet when the transmission source of the received packet is the transmission-side terminal and the transmission destination is the second network connection device. Item 7. The communication system according to any one of Items 1 to 6 . When the second network connection device extracts the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet, the second network connection device extracts terminal information that can identify the transmitting terminal included in the encapsulated packet, and performs processing for each transmitting terminal. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the number of packets received is recorded. When the second network connection device extracts the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet, the second network connection device extracts connection device information that can identify the first network connection device included in the encapsulated packet. 9. The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the number of processed packets is recorded for each network connection device. When the second network connection device extracts the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet, the relay device on the communication path from the transmitting terminal to the first network connection device included in the encapsulated packet is specified. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein possible relay device information is extracted and the number of processed packets is recorded for each relay device. A control method for a communication system comprising a transmission side terminal, a first network connection device, a second network connection device, and a relay device ,
The transmitting terminal transmits an encapsulated packet including an inclusion packet addressed to a receiving terminal connected to a communication network to the first network connection device,
The first network connection device receives the encapsulated packet transmitted by the transmitting terminal, transmits the encapsulated packet to the second network connection device via the communication network,
The second network connection device receives the encapsulated packet from the first network connection device, extracts the encapsulated packet from the encapsulated packet, and receives the encapsulated packet via the communication network. To the terminal ,
The relay device relays the encapsulated packet on a communication path from the transmitting terminal to the first network connection device,
A control method for a communication system, characterized in that, at the transmission side terminal, the relay device information capable of specifying the relay device in the second network connection device is encapsulated together with the inclusion packet . 11. An information terminal device that is a transmission side terminal constituting the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . The control program of the information terminal device for functioning a computer as a transmission side terminal which comprises the communication system of any one of Claim 1 to 10 . A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program for the information terminal device according to claim 13 is recorded. 11. A network connection device that is a first network connection device that constitutes the communication system according to claim 1. The control program of the network connection apparatus for functioning a computer as a 1st network connection apparatus which comprises the communication system of any one of Claim 1 to 10 . The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the control program of the network connection apparatus of Claim 16 . A network connection device, which is the second network connection device constituting the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . A control program for a network connection apparatus for causing a computer to function as the second network connection apparatus constituting the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program for the network connection device according to claim 19 is recorded. The relay apparatus which comprises the communication system of any one of Claim 1 to 10 . A relay device control program for causing a computer to function as the relay device constituting the communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program for the relay device according to claim 22 is recorded.

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