JP6445503B2 - Access point, user terminal, communication control method, and communication control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique in which a user terminal uses a wireless LAN service at an access point.

  With the spread of portable wireless communication terminals such as smartphones and the enlargement of contents on the Internet, the traffic volume in a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network) represented by LTE (Long Term Evolution) continues to increase. In order to suppress the traffic volume in the wireless WAN, it is desired to use a combination of a wireless local area network (LAN) and a wired WAN instead of the wireless WAN.

  Under such a background, public wireless LAN equipment that anyone or a pre-registered user can use at a store or the like has become widespread. However, although public wireless LAN facilities are becoming widespread, the number of users of public wireless LAN services has not increased much. One of the reasons why the number of users of the public wireless LAN service has not increased so much is the troublesome setting of the use of the public wireless LAN service by the user.

  A wireless LAN terminal (STA: Station) that is a user terminal such as a smartphone uses a wireless LAN service by wirelessly connecting to an access point (AP: Access Point) that provides a public wireless LAN service. An AP that has received a service use request (also referred to as “attribution request” or “connection request”) from the STA receives a BSS (Basic Service Set) according to the SSID (Service Set Identifier), passphrase, etc. included in the attribution request. STA is assigned to (the STA makes the wireless LAN service available). Information related to the access point AP (hereinafter referred to as “BSS information” or “service information”) including the SSID, passphrase, and the like is normally set by the user.

  The BSS information setting operation is an operation of inputting an SSID, a passphrase, and the like related to the connection destination AP. For users who are unfamiliar with information devices and wireless LANs, it is difficult to set BSS information. Also, BSS information such as SSID and passphrase for public wireless LANs often differs depending on the provider providing the public wireless LAN service. Therefore, in order to use a public wireless LAN service provided by a plurality of businesses, the BSS information of each business needs to be registered in the STA. Thus, there is a problem that it takes time for the user to set the BSS information in the STA to use the public wireless LAN service.

  An example of a technique for facilitating a user to set BSS information is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The wireless LAN system of Patent Document 1 includes a mobile communication terminal and an access point. The mobile communication terminal includes means for reading connection information for connection to an access point distributed by an information distribution medium for widely distributing information. As a result of the above configuration, in the wireless LAN system of Patent Document 1, setting work by the user when connecting to a wireless LAN spot is facilitated.

JP 2010-183631 A

  In the wireless LAN system of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to read connection information for connection to an access point from an information distribution medium for each access point. That is, although the setting work by the user at the time of connection to the wireless LAN spot becomes easy, there is a problem that the setting work by the user is required for each access point.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is to enable a user terminal to use a wireless LAN service at an access point corresponding to different service information only by holding one service information. And

  In one embodiment of the present invention, a communication system is a communication system including an access point that can provide a wireless LAN service to a user terminal, and an information providing server that can communicate with the access point. Temporary service information used for temporary wireless LAN service use by an access point is registered, and an extension identifier indicating that the own user terminal can be adapted to a specification extension with a communication protocol, and the own user terminal can be identified When the access point transmits a connection request including a terminal identifier, and the access point determines that the user terminal is a user terminal adapted to a certain specification extension based on the extension identifier included in the received connection request when the connection request is received. Includes a temporary wireless LAN service available to the user terminal, including the terminal identifier of the user terminal. Inquiry of the temporary service information regarding the information providing server including its own access point at the specified connection destination, and the information providing server sets the temporary service information and the temporary service information for each user terminal that can use the temporary wireless LAN service. , Having registration information associated with a terminal identifier capable of discriminating the user terminal, and referring to the registration information based on a terminal identifier received from an access point having a specified connection destination as its own information providing server Thus, the temporary service information associated with the terminal identifier corresponding to the received terminal identifier is specified, and the specified temporary service information is provided to the access point having the specified connection destination as its own information providing server. The access point whose connection destination is the information providing server responds to the specific temporary service information provided. It performs wireless LAN service.

  In one aspect of the present invention, when the access point receives a connection request including an extension identifier indicating that the user terminal is adaptable to a certain specification extension of the communication protocol and a terminal identifier capable of identifying the user terminal, When it is determined by the extension identifier included in the received connection request that the user terminal is a user terminal that adapts to a certain specification extension, a temporary wireless LAN that can be used by the user terminal including the terminal identifier of the user terminal A query for temporary service information related to a service is made to an information providing server including its own access point at a specified connection destination, and a specification used for temporary wireless LAN service use by a certain access point from the information providing server If you are provided with temporary service information for A communication control means for performing wireless LAN service.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a user terminal is adaptable to a storage means capable of registering temporary service information used for temporary wireless LAN service use by a certain access point, and a specification extension of the user user terminal having a communication protocol. A temporary wireless LAN by a certain access point according to a temporary service information in response to a notification from a certain access point. Communication control means for controlling the operation of the own user terminal so as to receive provision of service is provided.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a communication control method is a communication control method in a communication system including an access point capable of providing a wireless LAN service to a user terminal and an information providing server capable of communicating with the access point. The user terminal registers temporary service information to be used for temporary wireless LAN service use by a certain access point, and an extension identifier indicating that the user terminal is adaptable to a specification extension with a communication protocol; When a connection request including a terminal identifier capable of identifying a terminal is transmitted and the connection request is received by the access point, the user terminal adapts to a certain specification extension by the extension identifier included in the received connection request. If it is determined that there is a user terminal, including the terminal identifier of the user terminal A temporary wireless LAN service is inquired to an information providing server including its own access point at a specified connection destination, and the temporary wireless LAN service can be used by the information providing server. For each user terminal, registration information in which temporary service information and a terminal identifier that can identify the user terminal are registered is registered, and a terminal identifier received from an access point having a specified connection destination as its own information providing server The temporary service information associated with the terminal identifier corresponding to the received terminal identifier is identified by referring to the registration information on the basis of the information, and the specified temporary service information is designated as the local information providing server with the specified connection destination. Provided by the access point that uses the specified connection destination as the information providing server. Te performs wireless LAN service according to the specific temporary service information provided.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a communication control program or a recording medium storing the communication control program includes an extension identifier indicating that a user terminal can adapt to a specification extension having a communication protocol in a computer provided in an access point. When a connection request including a terminal identifier that can identify the user terminal is received, if the user terminal determines that the user terminal is a user terminal that adapts to a specification extension, based on the extension identifier included in the received connection request. Inquiries of temporary service information regarding a temporary wireless LAN service that can be used by the user terminal, including the terminal identifier of the user terminal, are made to the information providing server including the own access point at the specified connection destination, Temporary use of wireless LAN service by an access point from an information providing server When it is provided a certain temporary service information used is to execute the communication control processing for performing wireless LAN service according to the specific temporary service information provided.

  Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, there is an effect that a user terminal can use a wireless LAN service at an access point corresponding to different service information only by holding one service information.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the communication system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure in the specific example of the communication system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the record which the back end server of the specific example in the 1st Embodiment of this invention hold | maintains. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement in the specific example of the communication system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure in the modification of the communication system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the communication system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the communication system in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the communication system containing the some provider server in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the communication system in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions which can implement | achieve the access point in each embodiment of this invention, a user terminal, an information provision server, a provider server, or a back end server.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, equivalent components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
(First embodiment)
A configuration in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication system 100 of the present embodiment includes a back-end server (hereinafter also referred to as “DB”) 110, an operator server 120, an AP (access point) 130, and an STA (user terminal) 140.

  The DB 110 is a server that can search a database (not shown in FIG. 1, for example, a storage unit 846 included in an information providing server 840 described later). The DB 110 holds BSS information for the STA 140 in association with the unique identifier (terminal identifier) of the STA 140.

  Hereinafter, a wireless LAN service regularly provided by a specific AP is referred to as a “steady service”. Further, a wireless LAN service that is temporarily not provided in a specific AP and is temporarily provided is referred to as a “temporary service”.

  The BSS information is information necessary for using a specific wireless LAN service. The BSS information includes an SSID for identifying a specific wireless LAN service. The BSS information may include other information such as a passphrase necessary for user terminal authentication in a specific wireless LAN service. Hereinafter, the BSS information corresponding to the regular service is referred to as “steady BSS information”, and the BSS information corresponding to the temporary service is referred to as “temporary BSS information”. The BSS information is also referred to as “service information”, the steady BSS information is also referred to as “steady service information”, and the temporary BSS information is also referred to as “temporary service information”.

  The provider server 120 is a server that identifies whether the STA 140 is registered in a public wireless LAN service provided by a specific provider.

  The AP 130 is an AP that can provide a public wireless LAN service.

  The STA 140 is a wireless LAN terminal such as a smartphone used by the user.

  The operation in this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system in the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 and the following description are examples, and the processing order may be changed, the processing may be returned, or the processing may be repeated depending on the processing that is appropriately obtained.

  First, a terminal identifier unique to the STA 140, and BSS information (temporary BSS information) including an SSID for the STA 140, a passphrase, and the like are registered in advance in the DB 110 by, for example, a user of the STA 140, a store of the user terminal, or the like (step S206).

  Temporary BSS information is preset in the STA 140 by, for example, a user of the STA 140 or a store of the user terminal (step S207).

  The terminal identifier is registered in advance in the business operator server 120 (step S208).

  It is assumed that the above steps have been completed as advance preparation. Further, it is assumed that the STA 140 does not belong to any AP when the step S208 is completed. Hereinafter, “belongs to” means that the service is being used. For example, if the STA is in a state of using the wireless LAN service provided by the AP, “STA belongs to the wireless LAN service provided by the AP”, or if the service is self-explanatory, simply “STA is AP It belongs to ".

  Subsequently, the STA 140 periodically transmits a probe request (for example, Probe Request in the IEEE 802.11 standard) by broadcasting. A vendor-dependent part (for example, a Vendor Specific Information Element in the IEEE 802.11 standard) included in the probe request indicates that it can be applied to a protocol extension (hereinafter simply referred to as “protocol extension”) in each embodiment of the present invention. Information (referred to as “extended identifier” in the present embodiment) and a terminal identifier are included. When the AP 130 enters the communication area where the STA 140 and the AP 130 can communicate, the AP 130 receives the probe request transmitted from the STA 140 (step S209).

  Next, the AP 130 determines that the STA 140 is a user terminal that can adapt to protocol expansion based on information included in the vendor-dependent unit included in the received probe request. Then, the AP 130 inquires of the provider server 120 preset in the AP 130 about temporary BSS information associated with the terminal identifier included in the received probe request (step S210).

  Subsequently, the operator server 120 checks whether or not the terminal identifier included in the inquiry has been registered in the operator server 120. In this operation example, it is assumed that the terminal identifier is registered. The inquiry of the temporary BSS information is relayed to (step S211).

  Subsequently, the DB 110 searches the database for temporary BSS information associated with the terminal identifier included in the received inquiry. Then, the DB 110 returns temporary BSS information including an SSID for STA 140, a passphrase, and the like to the business server 120 as a result of the search (step S212).

  Subsequently, the business operator server 120 transfers the received answer to the AP 130 (step S213).

  Subsequently, the AP 130 temporarily constructs a BSS (temporary BSS) for the STA 140 based on the temporary BSS information including the SSID for the STA 140, the passphrase, and the like included in the answer (step S214). And AP130 starts the public wireless LAN service (temporary service) by constructed temporary BSS136.

  Subsequently, the STA 140 requests attribution to the temporary BSS using the temporary BSS information set in step S207 (step S215).

  Subsequently, the AP 130 permits the STA 140 to belong to the temporary BSS (step S216).

  Subsequently, the AP 130 transmits information (stationary BSS information) of the BSS (stationary BSS) of the public wireless LAN service (stationary service) that the AP 130 regularly provides to the STA 140 (step S217).

  Subsequently, when receiving the stationary BSS information, the STA 140 notifies the AP 130 that the stationary BSS information has been received (step S218).

  Subsequently, upon receiving the completion of reception of the regular BSS information, the AP 130 deletes the temporary BSS for the STA 140 (step S219).

  In parallel with step S219, the STA 140 sets steady BSS information based on the received steady BSS information (step S220).

  Subsequently, the STA 140 requests attribution to the stationary BSS using the stationary BSS information (step S211).

  Subsequently, the AP 130 permits the STA 140 to belong to the stationary BSS (step S222).

Thereafter, the STA 140 can use a public wireless LAN regular service provided by the access point 130.
(Concrete example)
A specific example of this embodiment will be described. In this specific example, an ICCID (IC Card IDentifier) of a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card included in the user terminal 140 is used as the terminal identifier. That is, the ICCID is a kind of terminal identifier of the user terminal 140.

  The configuration in this example will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration in a specific example of the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication system 100 of this specific example includes a DB 110, an operator server 120 (an operator server a), an operator server 121 (an operator server b), an AP 130 (APa), an AP 131 (APb), and an STA 140. including.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining records held by the back-end server server of the specific example according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The DB 110 holds records having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 with respect to a plurality of ICCIDs. That is, the record includes an ICCID that also functions as a terminal identifier, and an SSID and a passphrase that are associated with the ICCID.

  The operator server a is an operator server of company a that provides a public wireless LAN service. The operator server b is a server of company b that provides a public wireless LAN service.

  APa is an AP installed by company a. APb is an AP installed by company b.

  The STA 140 has a SIM (not shown) card.

  The operation in this example will be described.

  First, the BSS information (SSID and passphrase) for the STA 140 is generated at a store where the SIM card is purchased at the time of purchasing the SIM card. The BSS information is preferably not easily guessed by others. The BSS information is generated, for example, by calculating a hash value by a hash function using a password specified by the user and ICCID as seeds when purchasing a SIM card.

  The ICCID and the generated BSS information are registered in the DB 110. In consideration of the convenience of the user, this registration is preferably automated or performed by an employee such as a store where the SIM card is purchased.

  The generated BSS information is also set in the STA 140. This setting is also preferably automated or performed by an employee such as a store where the SIM card is purchased.

  Next, user registration relating to a public wireless LAN service provided by a specific provider is performed. In this specific example, it is assumed that the user uses the public wireless LAN service of company a. At the time of registration, the company ICC is notified of the ICCID of the SIM used in the public wireless LAN service of the company a and the address of the DB 110. Based on this notification, the ICCID of the STA 140 is registered in the operator server a. Further, the operator server a is set so that the inquiry about the temporary BSS information is transferred to the DB 110.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing operations in a specific example of the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. However, in FIG. 5, paying attention to the sequence between the STA and the AP, the provider server and the DB 110 are omitted. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 and the following description are merely examples, and the processing order and the like may be changed, the processing may be returned, or the processing may be repeated depending on the processing that is appropriately obtained.

  In FIG. 5, the stationary BSS 135 and the temporary BSS 136 are separately described in the APa, but actually, the stationary BSS 135 and the temporary BSS 136 may be realized by software or the like on the APa.

  First, when the STA 140 enters the communication range of the APa that can communicate with the APa, the stationary BSS 135 of the APa receives the probe request transmitted from the STA 140 (step S505).

  The probe request (Probe Request in the IEEE 802.11 standard) can include a field that can be freely used by each vendor called a vendor-dependent unit (Vendor Specific Information Element in the IEEE 802.11 standard). The probe request includes an extension identifier indicating that the vendor-dependent part of the probe request transmitted by the STA 140 can be applied to the protocol extension in this embodiment, and the ICCID of the SIM used by the STA 140. This probe request is a probe request that does not include an SSID. The APa's stationary BSS 135 can receive this probe request.

  Next, the APa determines that the STA 140 is a user terminal that can adapt to protocol expansion based on information included in the vendor-dependent unit included in the received probe request. And APa acquires ICCID which is a terminal identifier contained in the received probe request. The APa inquires the business server a for temporary BSS information (SSID, passphrase) associated with the acquired ICCID (step S506).

  APa receives an answer to the inquiry (step S501).

  The APa builds the temporary BSS 136 based on the temporary BSS information included in the received answer, and starts the operation of the built temporary BSS 136 (step S507).

  Subsequently, the STA 140 requests attribution to the temporary BSS 136 by using preset temporary BSS information (step S508).

  Subsequently, the AP 130 permits the STA 140 to belong to the temporary BSS (step S509). Note that the above-described operation related to attribution is a general operation in the IEEE 802.11 standard, and therefore will not be described in detail.

  Subsequently, the AP 130 transmits the stationary BSS information (SSID, passphrase) of the stationary BSS 135 that the APa regularly provides to the STA 140 (step S510).

  Subsequently, when receiving the steady BSS information, the STA 140 transmits a disconnection notification (Deauthentication in the IEEE 802.11 standard) to the temporary BSS 136 (step S511).

  Subsequently, upon receiving a disconnection notification for the temporary BSS 136, the APa deletes the temporary BSS (step S513).

  In parallel with step S513, the STA 140 sets steady BSS information based on the received steady BSS information (step S512).

  Subsequently, the STA 140 requests attribution to the stationary BSS based on the stationary BSS information (step S514).

  Subsequently, the AP 130 permits the STA 140 to belong to the stationary BSS (step S515). Note that the above-described operation related to attribution is a general operation in the IEEE 802.11 standard, and therefore will not be described in detail.

  Thereafter, the STA 140 can use a public wireless LAN steady service provided by the steady BSS 135.

  As a result of the movement of the STA 140, a case will be described in which the STA 140 can communicate with the APb and enters the communication area by the APb.

  When the STA 140 is also registered in the service of the company b, the same operation as described above is performed, and the STA 140 belongs to the stationary BSS of the APb. At this time, even if the user of the STA 140 does not perform any operation on the STA 140, the STA 140 can belong to the stationary BSS of the APb. Usually, the ASS stationary BSS and the APb stationary BSS have different BSS information. Even if the AP's BSS information is different, if the user registration is performed for the public wireless LAN service used by the user, the registered STA is automatically located only near the STA and the STA automatically Belongs to AP.

  On the other hand, when the STA 140 is not registered in the service of the company b, when the inquiry is made to the operator server b in step S210 (corresponding to step S506), the operator server b transfers the inquiry to the DB 110. Do not do. Therefore, the STA 140 that is not registered in the service of the b company does not belong to the AP b of the b company that is not registered.

  As described above, in the communication system 100 according to the present embodiment, each of the STA 140 and the DB 110 holds a terminal identifier and temporary service information associated with the terminal identifier in advance. When the AP 130 receives the probe request including the extended service identifier and the terminal identifier, the AP 130 temporarily provides a temporary service to the STA 140. Then, the AP 130 transmits the steady temporary service information to the STA 140 using the temporary service. Then, the STA 140 uses the steady service according to the steady temporary service information.

Therefore, the communication system 100 of this embodiment has an effect that the user terminal can use the wireless LAN service at an access point corresponding to different service information only by holding one service information.
(Modification)
A modification in the present embodiment will be described. In this modification, in the above-described specific example, one AP makes an inquiry to a plurality of company servers, or a plurality of company servers cooperate to process an inquiry.

  A configuration in this modification will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a modification of the communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication system 100 of the present modification includes a DB 110, an operator server 120 (an operator server a), an operator server 121 (an operator server b), an operator server 122 (an operator server c), and an operator A server 123 (operator server d), an AP 130 (APa), an AP 131 (APb), an AP 132 (APc), an AP 133 (APd), and an STA 140 are included.

  Here, APa is an AP that can provide both the service of company a and the service of company b. That is, when making an inquiry in step S210 (FIG. 1) described above in the first embodiment, APa makes an inquiry to the operator server a, and if temporary BSS information is obtained, the process proceeds to step S214. If temporary BSS information cannot be obtained, an inquiry is made to the operator server b. If the temporary BSS information is obtained from the provider server b, the APa proceeds to step S214, and if the temporary BSS information is not obtained from the provider server b, the APa does not perform the process of step S214. That is, a part of the communication system 100 in the present modification can be regarded as equivalent to the configuration of the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 3 with the inquiry route 151 added.

  When the business server c receives the inquiry from the APc, if the STA 140 does not subscribe to the public wireless LAN service of the company c, the business server c forwards the inquiry to the business server d. When the business server d receives the inquiry from the APd, if the STA 140 does not subscribe to the public wireless LAN service of the company d, the business server d forwards the inquiry to the business server c. That is, a part of the communication system 100 in the present modification can be regarded as equivalent to a configuration in which the bidirectional inquiry path 152 is added to the configuration of the communication system 100 shown in FIG.

  The effect in this modification is demonstrated.

  Normally, one BSS is constructed for one public wireless LAN service. Therefore, in order to construct an AP that can provide services of both the company a and the company b, it is necessary to construct a BSS for each business operator.

  However, in this modification, an inquiry from the APa to the provider server in step S210 is made to both the provider server a and the provider server b. That is, in the communication system 100 according to the present modification, the public wireless LAN service is provided to the STA 140 registered in the public wireless LAN service of company a or company b. Therefore, in the communication system 100 of the present embodiment, it is possible to construct an AP that is shared by a plurality of service providers without adding a new BSS simply by adding a provider server that is inquired from the AP. There is.

  In general, it is expensive for APs to build a new BSS (memory and CPU usage, etc.). However, in this modification, an AP shared by a plurality of service providers can be constructed only by adding an inquiry destination, so that the cost is low. Therefore, the communication system 100 of the present embodiment has an effect that an AP shared by a plurality of service providers can be constructed at a low cost.

  A case where company c and company d integrate public wireless LAN services will be described. However, it is assumed that company c and company d have already installed APs independently. Usually, with the integration of public wireless LAN services, it is necessary to change the BSS setting in many APs of company c and / or d of company c. Moreover, the setting change in STA is also required with the setting change of BSS.

On the other hand, in this modification, for example, the STA 140 registered only in the public wireless LAN service of the company c can use the public wireless LAN service via the APd without changing the setting of the BSS information. Therefore, the communication system 100 according to the present embodiment has an effect that it is possible to easily cope with a change of a provider in a wireless LAN service having an AP shared by a plurality of service providers.
(Second Embodiment)
Next, the second embodiment of the present invention, which is the basis of the first embodiment of the present invention, will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The communication system 802 of this embodiment includes an access point 820 that can provide a wireless LAN service to the user terminal 810 and an information providing server 840 that can communicate with the access point 820.

  The user terminal 810 previously stores a terminal identifier (terminal identifier X) that can identify the user terminal 810 and temporary service information (temporary service information Pt). Here, the terminal identifier is an identifier that can identify the user terminal 810. The temporary service information is service information related to a temporary wireless LAN service that can be used by the user terminal 810. User terminal 810 includes a communication control unit 815.

  In the communication control unit 815, temporary service information used to use a temporary wireless LAN service by a certain access point is registered.

  The communication control unit 815 transmits a connection request including the extension identifier and the terminal identifier X. Here, the extension identifier is information indicating that the user terminal 810 can adapt to a specification extension having a communication protocol.

  The access point 820 receives the connection request from the user terminal 810 and makes an inquiry to the specified connection destination. In FIG. 7, the specified connection destination of the access point 820 is the information providing server 840. Access point 820 includes a communication control unit 825.

  When the communication control unit 825 receives the connection request, the communication control unit 825 determines whether or not the user terminal 810 is adapted to a certain specification extension, based on the extension identifier included in the received connection request. When the communication control unit 825 determines that the user terminal 810 is a user terminal adapted to a certain specification extension, the communication control unit 825 sends an inquiry for temporary service information to the information providing server including the access point 820 at the specified connection destination. To do. The inquiry includes the terminal identifier of the user terminal 810.

  When the communication control unit 825 of the access point 820 that uses the specified connection destination as the information providing server 840 is provided with specific temporary service information from the information providing unit 845, the communication control unit 825 wirelessly responds to the provided specific temporary service information. Perform LAN service.

  The information providing server includes a storage unit 846 and an information providing unit 845.

  The storage unit 846 includes, for each user terminal that can use a temporary wireless LAN service, temporary service information (including temporary service information Pt) and a terminal identifier (including terminal identifier X) that can identify the user terminal. Store the associated registration information.

  The information providing unit 845 refers to the registration information stored in the storage unit 846 based on the terminal identifier received from the access point having the specified connection destination as its own information providing server. Thereby, the information providing unit 845 specifies temporary service information associated with a terminal identifier corresponding to the received terminal identifier. Then, the information providing unit 845 provides the specified temporary service information to an access point that uses the specified connection destination as its own information providing server.

  As described above, in the communication system 802 of this embodiment, each of the user terminal 810 and the information providing server 840 holds the terminal identifier X and the temporary service information Pt associated with the terminal identifier X in advance. . When the access point 820 receives the connection request including the extended service identifier and the terminal identifier X, the access point 820 temporarily provides the user terminal 810 with a wireless LAN service corresponding to the temporary service information Pt. Then, the user terminal 810 uses a wireless LAN service corresponding to the temporary service information Pt by the temporary service information Pt.

  Therefore, the communication system 802 of the present embodiment has an effect that the user terminal can use the wireless LAN service at an access point corresponding to different service information only by holding one service information.

  In the communication system 802 of this embodiment, when the temporary service information Pt includes a passphrase, the information providing server 840 confirms whether the passphrase transmitted by the user terminal 810 is correct. Therefore, in the communication system 802 of this embodiment, when the temporary service information Pt includes a passphrase, there is an effect that security in the communication system 802 is improved.

In the communication system 802 of this embodiment, the access point 820 may provide a regular wireless LAN service. When the access point 820 provides a steady wireless LAN service, the access point 820 is registered with regular service information used to use the steady wireless LAN service by the access point 820. Then, after providing the wireless LAN service according to the temporary service information, the access point 820 uses the wireless LAN service to transmit the steady service information to the user terminal 810 that transmitted the connection request regarding the wireless LAN service. . The user terminal 810 that has transmitted the connection request for the wireless LAN service receives the steady service information and uses the steady service according to the steady service information. That is, in the communication system 802, when the access point 820 transmits the steady service information using the wireless LAN service corresponding to the temporary service information, the user terminal 810 can use the steady service. Therefore, in the communication system 802 of this embodiment, when the access point transmits the steady service information using the wireless LAN service according to the temporary service information, the access point performs the wireless LAN service according to the temporary service information. There is an effect that it can be completed in a short time.
(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention based on the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the communication system 803 of the present embodiment, the information providing server 840 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a provider server 830 that can communicate with the access point 820, and a back-end server 840 that can communicate with the provider server 830. including. Note that the user terminal 811 has the same configuration as the user terminal 810.

  The provider server 830 has a terminal identifier (including the terminal identifier X) for a part of the user terminals 810 and 811 (here, the user terminal 810) that can use the temporary wireless LAN service. Yes. Here, it is assumed that the operator server 830 does not have a terminal identifier (terminal identifier Y) for the user terminal 811.

  When the business server 830 has a terminal identifier received from the access point 820 that uses the specified connection destination as the business server 830, the business server 830 sends an inquiry including the terminal identifier to the business server as the specified connection destination. Relay to backend server 840, which is server 830. Here, the inquiry is an inquiry about temporary service information related to a temporary wireless LAN service that can be used by the user terminal.

  The back-end server 840 previously includes registration information in which temporary service information and a terminal identifier that can identify the user terminal are associated with each user terminal that can use the temporary wireless LAN service.

  The back-end server 840 refers to the registration information based on the terminal identifier received from the business server 830 whose back-end server 840 is the specified connection destination. As a result, the back-end server 840 identifies temporary service information associated with a terminal identifier corresponding to the received terminal identifier. Then, the back-end server 840 provides the specified temporary service information to the operator server 830 having the specified connection destination as the back-end server 840.

  As described above, in the communication system 803 of this embodiment, the business operator server 830 holds the terminal identifier X in advance. Then, the provider server 830 provides temporary service information to the access point 820 when holding the terminal identifier included in the received inquiry. That is, the operator server 830 provides an authentication function for the user terminal that does not provide the wireless LAN service to the user terminal 811 that holds the terminal identifier Y in advance.

  Therefore, the communication system 803 of the present embodiment has an effect that security in the communication system 803 is improved as compared with the communication system 802.

  Note that the communication system 803 of the present embodiment may include a plurality of provider servers.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system including a plurality of provider servers in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  The access point 820 receives the connection request from the user terminal, and makes an inquiry to the provider server 830 and the provider server 831 that are the specified connection destinations.

  The operator server 831 relays the inquiry received from the access point 820 via the prescribed inquiry path 851 to the back-end server 840 via the prescribed inquiry path 852. The business server 831 has the same configuration as the business server 830.

  The operator server 830 holds the terminal identifier X in advance, but does not hold the terminal identifier Y. On the other hand, the provider server 831 holds the terminal identifier Y in advance, but does not hold the terminal identifier X.

  In response to the connection request received from the user terminal 810, the access point 820 acquires temporary service information Pt via the provider server 830. In response to the connection request received from the user terminal 810, the access point 820 cannot acquire temporary service information via the provider server 830.

  In response to the connection request received from the user terminal 811, the access point 820 cannot acquire temporary service information via the provider server 830. In response to the connection request received from the user terminal 811, the access point 820 acquires temporary service information Pt via the provider server 831.

Therefore, in the communication system 803 of this embodiment, when the communication system 803 includes a plurality of provider servers, the authentication function for the user terminal by the provider server can be distributed to a plurality of provider servers for each user terminal. There is an effect. This effect is that the user terminals 810 and 811 that can use the wireless LAN service while the access point 820 is shared by a plurality of providers (operators that have jurisdiction over the provider server 830 and the provider server 831) This is particularly useful when managing each person.
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention based on the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the communication system 804 of the present embodiment, the information providing server 840 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is a provider server 832, 831 that can communicate with the access point 820, and a back that can communicate with the provider server 832, 831. An end server 840. Note that the user terminal 811 has the same configuration as the user terminal 810.

  The service provider server 832 has a terminal identifier (including the terminal identifier X) for a part of the user terminals 810 and 811 that can use the temporary wireless LAN service (here, the user terminal 810). Yes. Here, it is assumed that the operator server 832 does not have a terminal identifier (terminal identifier Y) for the user terminal 811.

  When the business server 832 has a terminal identifier received from the access point 820 with the specified connection destination as the business server 832, the business server 832 sends an inquiry including the terminal identifier to the specified connection destination as its own business. Relay to the back-end server 840 serving as the administrator server. Here, the inquiry is an inquiry about temporary service information regarding a temporary wireless LAN service available to the user terminal, including a terminal identifier.

  If the business server 832 does not have a terminal identifier received from the access point 820 with the specified connection destination as the business server 832, the business server 832 sends an inquiry including the terminal identifier to the business server as the specified connection destination. Relay to the operator server 831 832.

  The service provider server 831 has a terminal identifier (including the terminal identifier Y) in advance for some of the user terminals that can use the temporary wireless LAN service (here, the user terminal 811).

  When the business server 831 has a terminal identifier received from an access point with the specified connection destination as the business server 831, the business server 831 sends an inquiry including the terminal identifier to the business server as the specified connection destination. Relay to the back-end server 840, which is 831.

  The back-end server 840 previously includes registration information in which temporary service information and a terminal identifier that can identify the user terminal are associated with each user terminal that can use the temporary wireless LAN service.

  The back-end server 840 refers to the registration information based on the terminal identifier received from the business server 832 or the business server 831 with the specified connection destination as the back-end server 840. As a result, the back-end server 840 identifies temporary service information associated with a terminal identifier corresponding to the received terminal identifier. Then, the back-end server 840 provides the specified temporary service information to the business server 832 or the business server 831 having the specified connection destination as the back-end server 840.

  As described above, in the communication system 804 of the present embodiment, the operator server 832 holds the terminal identifier X in advance, but does not hold the terminal identifier Y. On the other hand, the provider server 831 holds the terminal identifier Y in advance, but does not hold the terminal identifier X. In response to the connection request received from the user terminal 810, the business server 832 acquires temporary service information Pt from the back-end server 840. On the other hand, the provider server 831 acquires temporary service information Pt from the back-end server 840 in response to the connection request received from the user terminal 811.

  Therefore, the communication system 804 of the present embodiment has an effect that the authentication function for the user terminal by the provider server can be distributed to a plurality of provider servers for each user terminal.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing an access point, a user terminal, an information providing server, a provider server, or a back-end server in each embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the hardware configuration in the access point will be described as an example, but the same applies to the user terminal, the information providing server, the provider server, or the back-end server.

  The access point 907 includes a storage device 902, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 903, a keyboard 904, a monitor 905, and an I / O (Input / Output) 908, which are connected via an internal bus 906. . The storage device 902 stores an operation program for the CPU 903 such as the communication control unit 825. The CPU 903 controls the access point 907 as a whole, executes an operation program stored in the storage device 902, and executes a program such as the communication control unit 825 and transmits / receives data via the I / O 908. The internal configuration of the access point 907 is an example. The access point 907 may have a device configuration that connects a keyboard 904 and a monitor 905 as necessary.

  The access point, user terminal, information providing server, provider server, or back-end server in each embodiment of the present invention described above may be realized by a dedicated device, but the I / O 908 performs communication with the outside. Other than the hardware operation, it can also be realized by a computer (information processing apparatus). In this case, the computer reads the software program stored in the storage device 902 to the CPU 903 and executes the read software program in the CPU 903. In the case of each of the above-described embodiments, the software program is described so as to realize the function of each unit such as the access point 820, the user terminal 810, or the information providing server 840 shown in FIG. It only has to be. However, it is assumed that these units include hardware as appropriate. In such a case, the software program (computer program) can be regarded as constituting the present invention. Furthermore, a computer-readable storage medium storing such a software program can also be understood as constituting the present invention.

  The present invention has been exemplarily described with the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to such embodiments. In such a case, new embodiments to which such changes or improvements are added can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention. This is apparent from the matters described in the claims.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in a user terminal that uses a wireless LAN service for the purpose of facilitating setting of service information of the user terminal.

100 communication system 110 back-end server 120, 121, 122, 123 carrier server 130, 131, 132, 133 access point 135 stationary BSS
136 Temporary BSS
140 User terminal 151, 152 Route 802, 803, 804 Communication system 810, 811 User terminal 815 Communication control unit 820 Access point 825 Communication control unit 830, 831 Provider server 835, 837 Terminal confirmation unit 836 Storage unit 840 Backend server 845 Information providing unit 846 storage unit 851, 852, 853 path 902 storage device 903 CPU
904 Keyboard 905 Monitor 906 Internal bus 907 Access point 908 I / O

Claims (10)

A communication system comprising an access point capable of providing a wireless LAN service to a user terminal and an information providing server capable of communicating with the access point,
The user terminal is
Temporary service information used for temporary wireless LAN service use by a certain access point is registered,
A connection request including an extension identifier indicating that the own user terminal is adaptable to a certain specification extension of a communication protocol and a terminal identifier capable of identifying the own user terminal;
The access point is
When receiving the connection request, if it is determined by the extension identifier included in the received connection request that the user terminal is a user terminal adapted to the certain specification extension, the terminal identifier of the user terminal is Including an inquiry about temporary service information related to a temporary wireless LAN service that can be used by the user terminal, to the information providing server including a local access point at a specified connection destination,
The information providing server includes:
For each user terminal that can use a temporary wireless LAN service, the temporary service information has registration information associated with a terminal identifier that can identify the user terminal,
The temporary identifier associated with the terminal identifier corresponding to the received terminal identifier by referring to the registration information based on the terminal identifier received from the access point with the specified connection destination as the self information providing server Identifying service information, providing the identified temporary service information to the access point with the specified connection destination as its own information providing server,
The access point having the specified connection destination as the information providing server is:
A communication system that performs the wireless LAN service according to the provided temporary service information. The access point is
Regular service information used for regular wireless LAN service use by the access point is registered,
After providing the wireless LAN service according to the temporary service information, using the wireless LAN service, transmit the steady service information to the user terminal that has transmitted the connection request regarding the wireless LAN service;
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the user terminal that has transmitted the connection request related to the wireless LAN service receives the steady service information and uses the steady service according to the steady service information. The information providing server includes a business server that can communicate with the access point, and a back-end server that can communicate with the business server.
The provider server is
For some of the user terminals that can use a temporary wireless LAN service, the terminal identifier is included,
Temporary wireless LAN service that can be used by the user terminal, including the terminal identifier, when the terminal identifier is received from the access point that has the specified connection destination as its own business server. Relay service information inquiries to the back-end server with the specified connection destination as its own business server,
The backend server is
For each user terminal that can use a temporary wireless LAN service, the temporary service information has registration information associated with a terminal identifier that can identify the user terminal,
The terminal identifier corresponding to the received terminal identifier is associated by referring to the registration information based on the terminal identifier received from the provider server having the specified connection destination as its own backend server The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein temporary service information is specified, and the specified temporary service information is provided to the provider server having a specified connection destination as its own back-end server. The information providing server includes a first business server that can communicate with the access point, a second business server that can communicate with the access point, and the first business server or the second business server. A back-end server that can communicate with the server,
The first operator server is
For some of the user terminals that can use a temporary wireless LAN service, the terminal identifier is included,
Temporary wireless LAN service that can be used by the user terminal, including the terminal identifier, when the terminal identifier is received from the access point that has the specified connection destination as its own business server. Relay service information inquiries to the back-end server with the specified connection destination as its own business server,
If it does not have the terminal identifier received from the access point with the specified connection destination as its own business server, it includes the terminal identifier and a temporary service related to a temporary wireless LAN service that can be used by the user terminal Relay the inquiry of information to the second operator server having the specified connection destination as the own operator server,
The second operator server is
For some of the user terminals that can use a temporary wireless LAN service, the terminal identifier is included,
If the terminal identifier received from the access point with the specified connection destination as its own business server is included, the temporary service related to the temporary wireless LAN service that can be used by the user terminal, including the terminal identifier Relay the information inquiry to the back-end server with the specified connection destination as its own business server,
The backend server is
For each user terminal that can use a temporary wireless LAN service, the temporary service information has registration information associated with a terminal identifier that can identify the user terminal,
The terminal received by referring to the registration information based on the terminal identifier received from the first provider server or the second provider server, wherein the specified connection destination is its own backend server The temporary service information associated with the terminal identifier corresponding to the identifier is specified, and the specified temporary service information is defined as the first back-end server as the specified connection destination, or the first provider server or the first The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, which is provided to two business operator servers. The extension identifier included in the received connection request when receiving a connection request including an extension identifier indicating that the user terminal is adaptable to a specification extension of a communication protocol and a terminal identifier capable of identifying the user terminal If it is determined that the user terminal is a user terminal adapted to the certain specification extension, the temporary service information regarding the temporary wireless LAN service available to the user terminal, including the terminal identifier of the user terminal To the information providing server including its own access point at the specified connection destination, and from the information providing server, specific temporary service information used for temporary wireless LAN service use by a certain access point is obtained. If provided, the wireless LAN according to the specific temporary service information provided The access point comprises a communication control means for performing-bis. Storage means capable of registering temporary service information used for temporary wireless LAN service use by a certain access point;
A connection request including an extension identifier representing that the own user terminal is adaptable to a certain specification extension of a communication protocol and a terminal identifier capable of identifying the own user terminal;
Communication control means for controlling the operation of the user terminal so as to receive provision of a temporary wireless LAN service from the certain access point according to the temporary service information in response to a notification from the certain access point;
A user terminal comprising: An information providing server capable of communicating with an access point capable of providing a wireless LAN service to a user terminal,
For each user terminal that can use the temporary wireless LAN service, there is registration information in which temporary service information used to use the temporary wireless LAN service by a certain access point and a terminal identifier that can identify the user terminal are associated with each other. Stored storage means;
When receiving a terminal identifier that can identify a user terminal from the access point with the specified connection destination as its own information providing server, the received information is obtained by referring to the registration information based on the terminal identifier. Communication control means for identifying the temporary service information associated with a terminal identifier corresponding to a terminal identifier and providing the identified temporary service information to the access point having a specified connection destination as a self-information providing server; An information providing server comprising: A communication control method in a communication system comprising an access point capable of providing a wireless LAN service to a user terminal and an information providing server capable of communicating with the access point,
By the user terminal,
Register temporary service information used for temporary wireless LAN service use by a certain access point,
A connection request including an extension identifier indicating that the own user terminal is adaptable to a certain specification extension of a communication protocol and a terminal identifier capable of identifying the own user terminal;
By the access point,
When receiving the connection request, if it is determined by the extension identifier included in the received connection request that the user terminal is a user terminal adapted to the certain specification extension, the terminal identifier of the user terminal is Including an inquiry about temporary service information related to a temporary wireless LAN service that can be used by the user terminal, to the information providing server including a local access point at a specified connection destination,
By the information providing server,
For each user terminal that can use the temporary wireless LAN service, registration information in which the temporary service information and a terminal identifier that can identify the user terminal are associated is registered,
The temporary identifier associated with the terminal identifier corresponding to the received terminal identifier by referring to the registration information based on the terminal identifier received from the access point with the specified connection destination as the self information providing server Identifying service information, providing the identified temporary service information to the access point with the specified connection destination as its own information providing server,
By the access point having the specified connection destination as the information providing server,
A control method of a communication system that performs the wireless LAN service according to the provided temporary service information. To the computer equipped with the access point,
The extension identifier included in the received connection request when receiving a connection request including an extension identifier indicating that the user terminal is adaptable to a specification extension of a communication protocol and a terminal identifier capable of identifying the user terminal If it is determined that the user terminal is a user terminal adapted to the certain specification extension, the temporary service information regarding the temporary wireless LAN service available to the user terminal, including the terminal identifier of the user terminal To the information providing server including its own access point at the specified connection destination, and from the information providing server, specific temporary service information used for temporary wireless LAN service use by a certain access point is obtained. If provided, the wireless LAN according to the specific temporary service information provided Access point communication control program for executing communication control processing for-bis. In a computer provided in a user terminal including storage means capable of registering temporary service information used for temporary wireless LAN service use by a certain access point,
A connection request including an extension identifier representing that the own user terminal is adaptable to a certain specification extension of a communication protocol and a terminal identifier capable of identifying the own user terminal;
In response to a notification from the certain access point, a user terminal that executes communication control processing for controlling the operation of the own user terminal to receive provision of a temporary wireless LAN service by the certain access point according to the temporary service information. Communication control program.

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