Wireless network system and control method for wireless network system

Abstract

To provide a wireless network system that can be used for a public wireless LAN service with a wide coverage area, which is easy to use, and has security ensured.SOLUTION: A wireless network system includes a plurality of wireless communication terminals 10 equipped with communication functions conforming to WiFi HaLow, a plurality of home gateways 20 equipped with access point functions conforming to WiFi HaLow, and a database device 30. The database device 30 receives, from each of the plurality of home gateways 20, its own location, MAC address, remaining transmission time, and number of connected devices and creates a home gateway database 32. Each wireless communication terminal 10 refers to the home gateway database 32 at the start of connection and before the end of connection, and selects and connects to an optimal home gateway 20 taking into consideration the location, the remaining transmission time, and the number of connected devices of each home gateway 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless network system using WiFi HaLow for use in public wireless LANs, and a method for controlling the wireless network system. [Background technology]

[0002] The following inventions have been disclosed regarding wireless network systems used in public wireless LANs. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2013-106234 A) discloses a network system in which a wireless router installed in a user's home operates stably as an access point for a public wireless LAN. The network system described in Patent Document 1 is a network system including a user terminal used by a user, a control server managed by a telecommunications carrier that forms the communication network, and a line termination device that is connected to the communication network and installed in the user's home, wherein the line termination device is equipped with a wireless function unit that controls communication between a wireless terminal located within the user's home or outside the user's home and the communication network by wirelessly communicating with the wireless terminal, and a startup control unit that starts the wireless function unit when it receives a startup request for the wireless function unit sent by the control server, and the control server is characterized in that it is equipped with an advance request unit that sends an advance request to the user terminal to request in advance that the wireless function unit be started, and a startup request unit that sends an startup request to the line termination device to start the wireless function unit when it receives a response from the user terminal in response to the advance request sent by the advance request unit indicating that the startup of the wireless function unit is approved.

[0003] Patent Document 2 (JP Patent Publication No. 2016-167238) discloses a wireless communication terminal authentication control system that enables a user to easily perform user authentication for a public wireless LAN infrastructure using a SIM card, even if the user has a contract for use of the public wireless LAN infrastructure with an operator (such as an MVNO) other than the operator (such as an MNO) indicated by the MCC / MNC registered on the SIM card. The wireless communication terminal authentication control system described in Patent Document 2 is an authentication control system that uses an authentication medium procured from a telecommunications carrier and provided by a virtual mobile communications carrier to control the authentication of a wireless communication terminal connecting to the network from an access point of the wireless communication network having a communication method different from that of the telecommunications carrier's network, and includes the access point, an authentication information management device that stores user identification information (SIM card information) of a wireless communication terminal permitted to connect to the network, and an authentication control device that judges whether or not user identification information included in the authentication medium mounted on the wireless communication terminal is stored in the authentication information management device, the access point includes storage means that stores terminal identification information of the wireless communication terminal permitted to connect to the network, and the authentication control device controls the wireless communication connection of the wireless communication terminal to the network. The method is characterized in that it determines whether or not terminal identification information (MAC address) included in the request is stored in a storage means, and when it is determined that the terminal identification information is not stored in the storage means, it acquires user identification information from the wireless communication terminal and transmits a connection authentication request including the user identification information to an authentication control device.When the authentication control device receives the connection authentication request, it determines whether or not the user identification information included in the received connection authentication request is stored in an authentication information management device, and transmits a connection feasibility determination result, which is a result of determining whether or not the wireless communication terminal can connect to the network, to an access point.When the access point receives connection permission as the connection permission determination result from the authentication control device, it stores the terminal identification information of the wireless communication terminal determined to be permitted to connect in the storage means, and connects the wireless communication terminal to the network.

[0004] Patent Document 3 (JP Patent Publication 2003-324449A) discloses a wireless communication terminal device that selects an optimal access point device for communication and distributes the processing load of the access point devices. The wireless communication terminal device described in Patent Document 3 is a wireless communication terminal device that communicates with other communication devices by connecting to any of the relay stations using wireless communication, and is characterized in having a communication means for transmitting a communication request signal to a relay station within its communication range when newly joining a network, requesting system load information regarding the load on the communication system, an acquisition means for acquiring system load information including the number of accommodated terminals and the number of real-time communication terminals from the relay station within its communication range and storing the information in an adjacent AP information table, and a selection means for selecting a relay station to connect to based on the system load information of each adjacent relay station stored in the adjacent AP information table acquired by the acquisition means.

[0005] Patent Document 4 (JP Patent Publication 2005-192187 A) discloses a channel link setting method for connecting a user terminal to a wireless LAN in an environment where a plurality of wireless LAN connection devices are installed. The channel connection setting method described in Patent Document 4 is a method for setting up a connection between a user terminal and one of the connection devices in an environment where a plurality of wireless LAN connection devices are installed, and is characterized by comprising the steps of: a step of the connection device broadcasting media access information through a beacon frame; a step of transmitting a survey message from the user terminal to the connection device; a step of the connection device receiving the survey message transmitting a survey response message to the user terminal; a step of the user terminal comparing “the number of terminals currently connected to the connection device and the amount of traffic currently being processed by the connection device” with “the maximum capacity of a neighboring connection device and the number of terminals connected to the neighboring connection device” based on the contents of the survey response message received from the connection device to select an optimal connection device, and a step of transmitting a request message for connection setting from the user terminal to the selected connection device; and a step of setting up a channel connection between the user terminal and the AP when the user terminal receives a response message for connection setting from the connection device that received the request message.

[0006] Patent Document 5 (JP Patent Publication No. 2012-120021) discloses a search system that can instantly search for the location of an available public wireless LAN and grasp the radio wave reception status and the like in real time. The search system described in Patent Document 5 is a search system comprising a plurality of mobile terminals and a server, and is characterized in that when the server determines, based on information from at least one of the plurality of mobile terminals, that there is another wireless LAN service within a specified area that is more advantageous to the user of a certain mobile terminal than a certain wireless LAN service, the server assigns priority to the certain mobile terminal and displays it.

[0007] Patent document 6 (JP 2014-165750 A) discloses a wireless communication system that improves the efficiency of wireless communication while suppressing the effects of radio interference between base station devices, even when the transmission time of the base station device is limited. The wireless communication system described in Patent Document 6 includes, for each base station device, an acquisition unit that collects base station information from other base station devices, including frequencies, received power, and transmission timings of the other base station devices, and other system information including frequencies and received powers used by interference sources equipped in the other systems; a utilization frequency selection unit that selects a frequency to be used by the base station device based on the base station information and the other system information transmitted from the base station device; a transmission timing selection unit that selects a transmission timing for the base station device that is different from the transmission timings of the other base station devices using the selected frequency; and a setting unit that sets a frequency to be used for each base station device and a transmission timing for the base station device itself based on the selected frequency and transmission timing, and the utilization frequency selection unit generates a base station map based on the frequencies and received powers included in the base station information and the frequencies and received powers included in the other system information, and selects a frequency to be used by the base station device by referring to the base station map. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-106234 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-167238 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2003-324449 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2005-192187 A [Patent Document 5] JP 2012-120021 A [Patent Document 6] JP 2014-165750 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The amount of data traffic for network services, primarily the Internet, is steadily increasing with the development of video distribution services and rich smartphone games. Fixed-line networks have responded to this trend with the spread of optical fiber networks. On the other hand, mobile lines are often subject to restrictions on the amount and speed of data traffic, as there are limitations on the frequency range, and when there are no restrictions, users are required to pay huge communication fees. To combat this, smartphone communications are being diverted to access points (APs) installed in various locations via wireless LAN networks rather than mobile phone lines, thereby reducing the load on mobile lines and suppressing the fees charged to users.

[0010] In this case, while at home, one can connect to a fixed line via a home gateway at home, but when away from home, one must use a public wireless LAN service located, for example, in a restaurant, hotel, train station, airport, etc. However, the places where public wireless LAN services can be used are limited, and there may be security issues. Therefore, there is a need for a wireless network system that can be used for a public wireless LAN service that has a wide available area, is easy to use, and ensures security.

[0011] Current public wireless LAN services use 2.4GHz or 5GHz wireless LANs. However, these wireless LANs have a narrow transmission area due to their high frequencies, and there are many restrictions, such as the fact that outdoor transmission is prohibited in some 5GHz bands (W52 and W53 bands) and the use of DFS is mandatory for the W56 band, making it difficult to widely use these wireless LANs for public wireless LAN services. In addition, even the 6GHz wireless LAN (WiFi 6E), which will be permitted for use from September 2022, can only be used outdoors if it is a Very Low Power (VLP) with an EIRP of 25mW or less, so it is still not suitable for public wireless LAN that can be used outdoors.

[0012] On the other hand, 920 MHz band wireless LAN (WiFi HaLow (registered trademark)), which will also be permitted for use from September 2022, is capable of transmitting data at rates of 20 Mbps or more at a line-of-sight distance of 100 m and 150 kbps or more at a distance of 1 km, making it a potential candidate for public wireless LAN services outdoors. However, with regard to wireless transmissions in the 920 MHz band, there are regulations limiting the total transmission time of a single transmitter to 360 seconds per hour (10% per hour), and the frequencies that can be used with an EIRP of 250 mW are limited to 920.5 MHz or higher and 923.5 MHz or lower, making it difficult to provide public wireless LAN services to many wireless communication terminals using a single access point, or multiple access points located in one location.

[0013] The network system described in Patent Document 1 utilizes a wireless router installed in a user's home as an access point for a public wireless LAN. However, the wireless LAN used is in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band, and has a narrow transmission area. In addition, there are restrictions on outdoor use, so the available area is narrow when used for a public wireless LAN. Furthermore, if this network system were applied as is to WiFi HaLow (registered trademark), it would not be suitable for public wireless LAN services because there is a regulation that the total transmission time of a single transmitter must be less than 360 seconds per hour (10% per hour).

[0014] The wireless communication terminal authentication control system described in Patent Document 2 is effective in improving the efficiency of user authentication in public wireless LAN services. However, since the wireless LAN used is in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band, the transmission area is narrow, and there are restrictions on outdoor use, the available area is narrow when used with public wireless LAN.

[0015] The wireless communication terminal device described in Patent Document 3 is effective for selecting an access point device in a public wireless LAN service because it can select the most suitable access point device for communication and distribute the processing load of the access point devices. However, since the wireless LAN used is in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band, the transmission area is narrow, and there are restrictions on outdoor use, the available area is narrow when used for a public wireless LAN. Furthermore, if this wireless communication terminal device is applied directly to WiFi HaLow (registered trademark), it does not take into account the regulation that the total transmission time of one transmitter must be less than 360 seconds per hour (10% per hour), making it unsuitable for public wireless LAN services using WiFi HaLow (registered trademark).

[0016] The channel link setting method described in Patent Document 4 is a channel link setting method between a user terminal and a wireless LAN connection in an environment where multiple wireless LAN connection devices are installed, and is effective as a channel link setting method in public wireless LAN services. However, since the wireless LAN used is in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band, the transmission area is narrow, and there are restrictions on outdoor use, the available area is narrow when used for public wireless LAN. Furthermore, if this wireless communication terminal device is applied directly to WiFi HaLow (registered trademark), it does not take into account the regulation that the total transmission time of one transmitter must be less than 360 seconds per hour (10% per hour), making it unsuitable for public wireless LAN services using WiFi HaLow (registered trademark).

[0017] The search system described in Patent Document 5 is a search system that can instantly search for the locations of available public wireless LANs and can grasp radio wave reception conditions, etc. in real time, and is effective as a search system for the locations of public wireless LANs in public wireless LANs. However, since the wireless LAN used is in the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band, the transmission area is narrow, and there are restrictions on outdoor use, the available area is narrow when used for public wireless LAN. Furthermore, if this wireless communication terminal device is applied directly to WiFi HaLow (registered trademark), it does not take into account the regulation that the total transmission time of one transmitter must be less than 360 seconds per hour (10% per hour), making it unsuitable for public wireless LAN services using WiFi HaLow (registered trademark).

[0018] The wireless communication system described in Patent Document 6 is a wireless communication system that improves the efficiency of wireless communication while suppressing the effects of radio wave interference between base station devices, even when the transmission time of the base station device is limited, and is applicable to public wireless LANs using WiFi HaLow (registered trademark). However, the invention is aimed at configuring base station devices to improve the efficiency of wireless communication, and does not take into consideration the continuous use of Internet connections by users of public wireless LANs.

[0019] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a wireless network system that can be used for a public wireless LAN service that has a wide available area, is easy to use, and ensures security. Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless network system in which a wireless communication terminal can continuously download data by successively connecting to multiple home gateways in a wireless network with a transmission time limit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] (1) A wireless network system according to one aspect is a wireless network system used for public wireless LAN, and comprises a plurality of wireless communication terminals equipped with a communication function based on WiFi HaLow, a plurality of home gateways equipped with an access point function based on WiFi HaLow and provided to Internet line subscribers, and a database device, wherein the database device receives from each of the plurality of home gateways its own location, MAC address, remaining transmission time, and number of connected devices to create a home gateway database, and when starting a connection and before terminating a connection with a currently connected home gateway, the wireless communication terminal refers to the home gateway database, and selects and connects to the optimal home gateway taking into consideration the location, remaining transmission time, and number of connected devices of each home gateway.

[0021] The 920 MHz band wireless LAN (WiFi HaLow (registered trademark)), which will be permitted for use from September 2022, is capable of transmitting data at rates of 20 Mbps or more at a line-of-sight distance of 100 m and 150 kbps or more at a distance of 1 km, making it a potential candidate for public wireless LAN services outdoors. However, with regard to wireless transmissions in the 920 MHz band, there are regulations limiting the total transmission time of a single transmitter to 360 seconds per hour (10% per hour), and the frequencies that can be used with an EIRP of 250 mW are limited to 920.5 MHz or higher and 923.5 MHz or lower, making it difficult to provide public wireless LAN services to many wireless communication terminals using a single access point, or multiple access points located in one location.

[0022] Users of public wireless LANs often download data from the Internet, and downstream communications from a home gateway equipped with an access point to the user's wireless communication terminal take up a long period of time. In other words, the transmission time on the access point side is long, while the transmission time on the wireless communication terminal side is short. Therefore, if a plurality of access points are provided and the user's wireless communication terminal is allowed to sequentially select and connect to the plurality of access points, the restriction on transmission time can be alleviated. However, if WiFi HaLow public wireless LAN access points are placed in the same location as conventional public wireless LANs, the service area of ​​the public wireless LAN will be limited, even though WiFi HaLow has a long reach. Furthermore, if a large number of wireless communication terminals are concentrated in the limited service area, it will not be possible to relax the transmission time restrictions. In other words, to realize a public wireless LAN service that has a wide available area, is easy to use, and ensures security, a much larger number of access points that are more geographically dispersed than those required for conventional public wireless LAN services are required.

[0023] A wireless network system according to one aspect has the following two features. The first point is to add a WiFi HaLow access point function to the home gateway provided to Internet line subscribers and use this access point as an access point for public wireless LAN, thereby dramatically increasing the number of public wireless LAN access points and expanding the service area. The second point is to have a database device that acquires and registers the location of each access point, the remaining transmission time, and the number of connected devices, and each wireless communication terminal refers to the home gateway database when starting a connection and before terminating the connection with the currently connected home gateway, and takes into consideration the location, remaining transmission time, and number of connected devices of each home gateway, and selects and connects to the most suitable home gateway, thereby easing the restriction on transmission time. In addition, when a wireless communication terminal is currently connected to a home gateway, it is desirable for the terminal to begin searching for a new connection destination approximately one minute before communication with the currently connected home gateway is lost, and to prepare for switching in advance and reconnect to the next home gateway within a few seconds.

[0024] (2) In a wireless network system according to a second aspect of the present invention, a database device receives a transmission frequency and a transmission power from each of a plurality of home gateways and adds them to the home gateway database, and a wireless communication terminal may refer to the home gateway database at the start of a connection and before terminating a connection with a currently connected home gateway, measure the received radio wave strength from each home gateway, and select and connect to an optimal home gateway.

[0025] When a wireless communication terminal selects a home gateway, it is necessary to take into consideration the location of each home gateway, the remaining transmission time, and the number of connected devices. Among these, the location of the home gateway is important because it has a large effect on the received radio wave strength and data transmission speed of the wireless communication terminal. However, even if the distance between the wireless communication terminal and the home gateway is the same, the received radio wave strength also varies depending on whether there is an obstruction between them. In particular, in the case of the wireless network system of the present invention, since the home gateway is installed indoors, it is expected that the received radio wave strength of the wireless communication terminal will vary significantly depending on its installation location. In the wireless network system of the second invention, the wireless communication terminal measures the received radio wave strength from each home gateway in addition to obtaining information on the location, remaining transmission time, and number of connected home gateways from the home gateway database, and selects and connects to a home gateway with sufficient received radio wave strength.

[0026] (3) In a wireless network system according to a third aspect of the present invention, when a home gateway receives an authentication request from a wireless communication terminal, the home gateway checks whether the terminal identification information of the wireless communication terminal is registered in a terminal identification information database of a database device, and if so, checks the authentication date and time; if the terminal identification information of the wireless communication terminal is registered as an authorized terminal and the difference between the authentication date and time and the current date and time is less than a predetermined time, the home gateway connects the wireless communication terminal to the Internet; if the terminal identification information of the wireless communication terminal is not registered, if it is registered but the difference between the authentication date and time and the current date and time exceeds a predetermined time, or if it is registered as an unauthorized terminal, the home gateway obtains IMSI data of the SIM card from the wireless communication terminal and requests EAP-SIM authentication from an authentication server of a telecommunications carrier (MNO) of the wireless communication terminal; and if a report of successful EAP-SIM authentication is received from the authentication server, the home gateway registers the authentication result and the authentication date and time in the terminal identification information database and connects the wireless communication terminal to the Internet.

[0027] Conventionally, the method of inputting an ID and password has been widely used to secure public wireless LANs. In this case, the ID and password must be input every time a connection is made to a home gateway, so this method cannot be used when a wireless communication terminal frequently switches home gateways, as in the present invention. On the other hand, in a method called EAP-SIM authentication, the IMSI data from the SIM card is sent to the authentication server of the wireless communication terminal's telecommunications carrier (MNO) to request authentication, and authentication is performed automatically, which can shorten the time required for authentication. However, in the wireless network system of the present invention, in which a wireless communication terminal connects to the Internet by switching between multiple home gateways, the wireless communication terminal must be authenticated each time the home gateway is switched. Therefore, even with EAP-SIM authentication, which can perform authentication in a relatively short time, the waiting time until authentication is completed becomes a major issue.

[0028] On the other hand, as described in Patent Document 2, a method is also conceivable in which it is confirmed whether the terminal identification information (MAC address) is registered in the terminal identification information database, and only when the terminal identification information is not registered in the terminal identification information database, the IMSI data of the SIM card is acquired from the wireless communication terminal, and an EAP-SIM authentication is requested from an authentication server of the communication carrier (MNO) of the wireless communication terminal. With this method, if the terminal identification information is registered in the terminal identification information database, authentication of the wireless communication terminal can be performed in a shorter time. However, since MAC addresses are easily spoofed, this method has a problem in terms of security. Therefore, in the wireless network system according to the third aspect of the present invention, if the terminal identification information (MAC address) of the wireless communication terminal is registered as permitted in the terminal identification information database of the database device and the difference between the authentication date and time and the current date and time is less than a predetermined time, the connection is immediately permitted, and EAP-SIM authentication is performed only in other cases, and further, if the connection is permitted by EAP-SIM authentication, the authentication result and the authentication date and time are registered in the terminal identification information database of the database device. The predetermined time is, for example, one hour. According to this method, the wireless communication terminal requires EAP-SIM authentication only when connecting to the first home gateway, but when switching the connection destination to another home gateway within a specified time, the connection is permitted simply by referring to the terminal identification information database in the database device. Therefore, even if the wireless communication terminal is authenticated every time the home gateway is switched, the waiting time for Internet connection can be shortened. In addition, EAP-SIM authentication is always performed when connecting to a home gateway for the first time, so it is safe and secure in terms of security. However, if greater emphasis is placed on security, EAP-SIM authentication may also be performed when switching home gateways.

[0029] (4) In a wireless network system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the home gateway may block direct communication between an Internet line subscriber and a public wireless LAN user, and direct communication between public wireless LAN users.

[0030] When a public wireless LAN is configured using a home gateway provided to an Internet line subscriber, there are security issues since public wireless LAN users may be able to connect to the Internet line subscriber's PC, etc., and public wireless LAN users may be able to connect to each other. In the wireless network system according to the fourth invention, different SSIDs are set for the network on the public wireless LAN side of the home gateway and the network on the Internet line subscriber side. An STA separator that prohibits communication between devices connected to the same SSID is set for the network on the public wireless LAN side of the home gateway, and an SSID separator that prohibits communication between devices connected to different SSIDs is set between the public wireless side of the home gateway and the Internet line subscriber side, thereby blocking direct communication between the Internet line subscriber and the public wireless LAN user, and direct communication between public wireless LAN users.

[0031] (5) In the wireless network system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, communication between the wireless communication terminal and the database device may be performed via a home gateway or via a mobile phone base station.

[0032] If the wireless communication terminal is a communication terminal such as a smartphone that can connect to a mobile phone base station, the wireless communication terminal can connect to the database device via the mobile phone base station. In this case, if there is no home gateway nearby, the terminal can move to a location where public wireless LAN is available and use it, if necessary. On the other hand, if there is a home gateway nearby, it is usually preferable to go through the home gateway since this provides a shorter response time from the server. In the wireless network system of the fifth invention, communication between the wireless communication terminal and the database device can be carried out via the home gateway or via a mobile wireless communication network, depending on the received radio wave strength from the home gateway or the response time from the server.

[0033] (6) A control method for a wireless network system according to another aspect is a control method for a wireless network system used for a public wireless LAN, the wireless network system comprising a plurality of wireless communication terminals equipped with a communication function based on WiFiHaLow (registered trademark), a plurality of home gateways equipped with an access point function based on WiFiHaLow (registered trademark) and provided to Internet line subscribers, and a database device, the database device comprising: a database creation process in which the database device receives from each of the plurality of home gateways the location, MAC address, remaining transmission time, number of connected terminals, transmission frequency, and transmission power of the own terminal to create a home gateway database; and a home gateway selection process in which the wireless communication terminal refers to the home gateway database at the start of connection and before the end of connection with the currently connected home gateway, measures the received radio wave strength from each of the home gateways, and selects and connects to the optimal home gateway.

[0034] In this case, the wireless communication terminal can refer to a home gateway database that lists the location, MAC address, remaining transmission time, number of connections, transmission frequency, and transmission power of each home gateway to obtain information on the location and frequency channel of a home gateway with a large remaining transmission time and a small number of connections, and can further determine whether the received radio wave strength from each home gateway is sufficient by measuring the received radio wave strength from each home gateway.As a result, an appropriate home gateway can be selected in a short period of time, and the wait time for Internet connection can be shortened. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a wireless network system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a home gateway in the wireless network system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit of a home gateway according to the first embodiment; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a database device in the wireless network system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of a wireless communication terminal in a wireless network system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a table illustrating an example of a home gateway database in the database device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a table illustrating an example of a terminal identification information database of the database device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 5 is a schematic flowchart showing a flow of home gateway selection and connection of the wireless communication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 5 is a schematic flowchart showing a flow of connection authentication of the wireless communication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic flowchart showing a flow of home gateway selection and connection of a wireless communication terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a table illustrating an example of a home gateway database of a database device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a table showing an example of home gateway selection data of a wireless communication terminal according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, when the reference numerals are the same, their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

[0037] [First embodiment] (Wireless network system 100) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless network system 100 of the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a home gateway 20, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit 25 of the home gateway 20, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a database device 30, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication terminal 10.

[0038] In FIG. 1, a wireless network system 100 includes a plurality of wireless communication terminals 10, a plurality of home gateways 20 (20a to 20d), a database device 30, and a broadband line 40 and a communication network 50 that connect these. The communication network 50 is connected via the Internet 60 to various servers (not shown), a base station 70 of the communication carrier (MNO) of the wireless communication terminal 10, and an authentication server 80. The wireless communication terminal 10 has a WiFi Halow wireless communication function and can communicate with a home gateway 20 via WiFi Halow radio waves, and can also communicate with a mobile phone base station 70 via mobile phone radio waves. Each home gateway 20 is connected to a database device 30 via a broadband line 40 and a communication network 50, and is further connected to a mobile phone base station 70 and an authentication server 80 via the Internet 60. Each home gateway 20 is equipped with at least a 2.4 GHz band and a 5 GHz band wireless LAN (WiFi) access point function, and a WiFi Halow access point function.

[0039] (Home Gateway 20) 2, the home gateway 20 includes a line termination unit 21, a wired communication unit 22, a wireless communication unit 23, wireless communication antennas 24a and 24b, and a control unit 25. The line termination unit 21 includes functions such as an optical line termination device (ONU: Optical Network Unit) and a router, and has an interface function between the broadband line 40 and the wired communication unit 22 and wireless communication unit 23. The wired communication unit 22 is in charge of wired communication with a wired communication terminal in the home, such as a personal computer. The wireless communication unit 23 can communicate with a wireless communication terminal 10a in an Internet line subscriber's house via an antenna 24a, and can communicate with a wireless communication terminal 10 of a public wireless LAN user via an antenna 24b. Typically, the antenna 24a is an antenna for the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band, and / or the 6 GHz band, and the antenna 24b is an antenna for the 920 MHz band (WiFi HaLow). In addition, the SSID of the access point is different between the network via the antenna 24a and the network via the antenna 24b. The configuration of the control unit 25 is shown in FIG.

[0040] In FIG. 3, the control unit 25 of the home gateway 20 includes, in addition to a normal wireless control means 25a, a DB reporting means 25b, a terminal authentication means 25c, and a communication cutoff means 25d. The DB reporting means 25b transmits data of its own identifier, MAC address, address, remaining transmission time, and number of connected devices to the database device 30 at predetermined time intervals via the broadband line 40 and the communication network 50. The predetermined time in this case is, for example, 10 minutes. When the terminal authentication means 25c receives a connection authentication request from the wireless communication terminal 10, it first acquires the terminal identification information (MAC address) of the wireless communication terminal 10, checks whether the terminal identification information is registered as an authorized terminal in the terminal identification information database 33 of the database device 30, and if registered, checks whether the difference between the authentication date and time and the current date and time is within a predetermined time, and if authorized and the difference between the authentication date and time and the current date and time is within the predetermined time, it considers the connection authentication OK and connects the wireless communication terminal 10 to the Internet 60. Note that the predetermined time in this case is, for example, one hour. On the other hand, if the terminal identification information of the wireless communication terminal 10 is not registered in the terminal identification information database 33 as an authorized terminal, if it is registered but the difference between the authentication date and time and the current date and time exceeds a predetermined time, or if it is registered as an unauthorized terminal, if the wireless communication terminal 10 is a mobile phone (smartphone), SIM card information (IMSI data) of the wireless communication terminal 10 is obtained and EAP-SIM authentication is performed between the authentication server 80 of the telecommunications carrier (MNO) of the wireless communication terminal 10. Then, if the SIM card information is authenticated by EAP-SIM authentication, the terminal identification information (MAC address) and the authentication result are sent to the database device 30 and registered in the terminal identification information database 33 of the database device 30, and a successful authentication is sent to the wireless communication terminal 10, and the wireless communication terminal 10 is connected to the Internet 60. Note that if the wireless communication terminal 10 is not registered as an authorized terminal in the terminal identification information database 33 and is not a mobile phone (smartphone), connection is not permitted. In this case, however, it is also possible to configure the wireless terminal user to register an ID and password in the database device 30, have the user input the ID and password into the wireless communication terminal 10, and if the ID and password match, to register the terminal in the terminal identification information database 33 as successful authentication and connect the wireless communication terminal 10 to the Internet 60.

[0041] The communication cut-off means 25d has the function of a so-called privacy separator, and when the SSID on the wireless communication terminal 10a side in the Internet line subscriber's house is SSID1 and the SSID on the wireless communication terminal 10 side of the public wireless LAN user is SSID2, it cuts off communication between the wireless communication terminal 10 connected to SSID2 and the wireless communication terminal 10a and wired communication terminals connected to SSID1, and also cuts off communication between wireless communication terminals 10 connected to the same SSID2 (communication between public wireless LAN users).

[0042] (Database device 30) In FIG. 4, the database device 30 includes a line termination unit 31, a home gateway database 32, a terminal identification information database 33, and a control unit . The function of the line termination unit 31 is the same as that of the line termination unit 21 of the home gateway 20 . The home gateway database 32 is a database that registers information about each home gateway 20. An example of the home gateway database 32 is shown in FIG. 6, the home gateway database 32 registers the identifier of each home gateway 20 (the SSID of the wireless communication terminal 10 of the public wireless LAN user), the MAC address, the address, the remaining transmission time, and the number of connections. The addresses indicate where each home gateway 20 is located. The remaining transmission time indicates how much transmission time is remaining, relative to the regulation that the total transmission time of one transmitter is limited to 360 seconds per hour. For example, it is registered that AABBDD home gateway 20 has 5 minutes and 20 seconds left to transmit, and CCUUWW has 1 minute and 10 seconds left to transmit. The number of connections indicates how many wireless communication terminals 10 are connected to the home gateway 20 at that point in time. Therefore, the wireless communication terminal 10 can refer to the home gateway database 32, search for a nearby home gateway 20 by address, select a home gateway 20 with a large amount of remaining transmission time and a small number of transmission time devices, and connect using the identifier (SSID) of that home gateway 20. In the case of FIG. 6, if the current location of the wireless communication terminal 10 is near xx1-chome, Osaka city, it will connect to the home gateway 20 with the identifier AABBDD.

[0043] In the terminal identification information database 33, the MAC address, authentication date and time, and authentication result of the wireless communication terminal 10 that has made a connection authentication request to any of the home gateways 20 are registered. 7 shows an example of the terminal identification information database 33. The authentication date and time column lists the most recent authentication date and time by EAP-SIM authentication. In the permission column, a terminal that has been successfully authenticated and permitted to connect is marked with a 1, and a terminal that has not been permitted to connect is marked with a 0.

[0044] The control unit 34 registers data on the device's own identifier, MAC address, address, remaining transmission time, and number of connected devices, which are transmitted from each home gateway 20 at predetermined time intervals, in the home gateway database 32, and also registers terminal identification information, authentication date and time, and authentication result transmitted from the home gateway 20. In addition, when the terminal identification information of the wireless communication terminal 10 is received from the home gateway 20, the terminal identification information database 33 returns a reply to the home gateway 20 indicating whether the terminal identification information is listed in the terminal identification information database 33, and if so, the authentication date and time of the terminal, and whether the authentication result is approval or disapproval. When there is a request from the wireless communication terminal 10 to refer to the home gateway database 32, it is desirable to provide the wireless communication terminal 10 with information on the related home gateway 20 (having a nearby address).

[0045] (wireless communication terminal 10) 5, the wireless communication terminal 10 includes a wireless communication unit 11, antennas 12a and 12b, and a control unit 13. The wireless communication terminal 10 can be configured by installing an application program for a public wireless LAN using this wireless network system in a normal mobile phone (smartphone). The wireless communication unit 11 includes an antenna 12a for WiFi HaLow and an antenna 12b for mobile phones, and can communicate with the home gateway 20 via the antenna 12a and with the mobile phone base station 70 via the antenna 12b. In addition to the functions of a normal mobile phone, the control unit 13 includes a database reference means 13a, an authentication application means 13b, and a home gateway selection means 13c. The database reference means 13a connects to the database device 30 via the home gateway 20 or via the mobile phone base station 70, and acquires data from the home gateway database 32. In this case, it is desirable to transmit the position of the wireless communication terminal 10 acquired by a position measurement means such as GPS to the database device 30, and to refer to only the data of the home gateway 20 close to the position of the wireless communication terminal 10. When authenticating a connection to a public wireless LAN, the authentication request means 13b first transmits the MAC address of its own device to the home gateway 20 to request authentication. If authentication using the MAC address fails, the authentication request means 13b transmits the subscriber identification number (IMSI data) of the SIM card of its own device to the home gateway 20 to request EAP-SIM authentication. The home gateway selection means 13c selects the identifier of a home gateway 20 that is close in location, has a large remaining transmission time, and has a small number of connected devices, based on the data of the identifier, MAC address, address, remaining transmission time, and number of connected devices of each home gateway 20 acquired from the database device 30. Then, the wireless communication terminal 10 requests connection authentication from the home gateway 20 with the selected identifier by the authentication request means 13b.

[0046] (Overall flow chart) FIG. 8 shows a schematic flowchart of the wireless communication terminal 10 selecting the home gateway 20 and connecting to the Internet. The following is an explanation following the steps of the flow chart. (Step S01) At the start of connection, the wireless communication terminal 10 connects to the database device 30 via a connectable home gateway 20 or via a mobile phone base station 70, and refers to the home gateway database 32. (Step S02) The wireless communication terminal 10 selects a home gateway 20 that is close in location, has a large amount of remaining transmission time, and has a small number of connected devices, based on the data of the identifier, MAC address, address, remaining transmission time, and number of connected devices of each home gateway 20 acquired from the database device 30. Note that HGW described in step S02 is an abbreviation for home gateway 20. (Step S03) The wireless communication terminal 10 requests the selected home gateway 20 for connection authentication. (Steps S04, S05) If the connection authentication is successful, a connection is made to the Internet 60, and if it is unsuccessful, the process ends. Details of the connection authentication will be described in detail with reference to FIG. (Step S06) When the necessary communication is completed during the Internet connection, the connection is released and the process ends. (Step S07) If the predetermined time is reached before the necessary communication is completed, the process repeats from step S01, starting with referring to the database (i.e., steps S01 to S07 are repeated). The predetermined time is, for example, one minute before communication with the currently connected home gateway 20 is cut off (i.e., one minute before the connection ends), and when the predetermined time is reached, the process starts searching for the next home gateway 20 to connect to, prepares for switching in advance, and reconnects to the next home gateway 20 within a few seconds.

[0047] (Connection authentication flow chart) FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart showing a flow of connection authentication of the wireless communication terminal 10. As shown in FIG. The following is an explanation following the steps of the flow chart. (Step S11) The wireless communication terminal 10 requests the selected home gateway 20 for connection authentication using the MAC address. (Step S12) The home gateway 20 refers to the terminal identification information database 33 of the database device 30. (Step S13) If the terminal identification information (MAC address) of the wireless communication terminal 10 that made the request is registered in the terminal identification information database 33 as an authorized terminal and the difference between the authentication date and time and the current date and time is less than a predetermined time, the authentication is deemed successful, and the wireless communication terminal 10 is connected to the Internet 60 as is. On the other hand, if the terminal identification information (MAC address) of the wireless communication terminal 10 that made the request is not registered in the terminal identification information database 33 as an authorized terminal, if it is registered but the difference between the authentication date and time and the current date and time exceeds a predetermined time, or if it is registered as an unauthorized terminal, an authentication failure is reported to the wireless communication terminal 10. Note that the predetermined time in this case is, for example, one hour. However, if greater importance is attached to security, EAP-SIM authentication may also be performed when switching the home gateway 20. (Step S14) The wireless communication terminal 10 attaches the IMSI data of its own SIM card and requests the home gateway 20 for EAP-SIM authentication. (Step S15) The home gateway 20 attaches the IMSI data of the wireless communication terminal 10 and requests the authentication server 80 of the communication service provider (MNO) of the wireless communication terminal 10 to perform EAP-SIM authentication. (Step S16) The authentication server 80 checks whether the attached IMSI data of the wireless communication terminal 10 matches the IMSI data issued by the communication carrier (MNO), and returns the result to the home gateway 20. (Steps S17 and S18) Home gateway 20 transmits the MAC address of wireless communication terminal 10 and the result of EAP-SIM authentication to database device 30, and database device 30 registers the transmitted MAC address, authentication date and time of EAP-SIM authentication, and the authentication result in terminal identification information database 33. (Step S05) If the terminal identification information authentication is successful (step S13) or the EAP-SIM authentication is successful (step S16), the home gateway 20 connects the wireless communication terminal 10 to the Internet 60. Note that step S05 in FIG. 9 is the same as step S05 in FIG.

[0048] [Second embodiment] The wireless network system 100 of the second embodiment is the same as the wireless network system 100 of the first embodiment except for the data that the wireless communication terminal 10 refers to when selecting the home gateway 20 to which it is to connect. Specifically, in the wireless network system 100 of the first embodiment, the wireless communication terminal 10 refers to the home gateway database 32, which contains the location, MAC address, remaining transmission time, and number of connected devices of the wireless communication terminal 10, and selects a home gateway 20 that is close in location, has a large remaining transmission time, and has a small number of connected devices. On the other hand, in the wireless network system 100 of the second embodiment, the wireless communication terminal 10 refers to the home gateway database 32 which contains the location, MAC address, remaining transmission time, number of connected devices, transmission frequency, and transmission power of the wireless communication terminal 10, measures the received radio wave strength from each home gateway 20, and selects a home gateway 20 which is close in location, has a large remaining transmission time, has a small number of connected devices, and has a large received radio wave strength. This is because even if the distance between the wireless communication terminal 10 and the home gateway 20 is the same, the received radio wave strength changes depending on whether there is an obstruction between them. In particular, in the case of the wireless network system 100 of the present invention, since the home gateway 20 is installed indoors, the received radio wave strength of the wireless communication terminal 10 changes significantly depending on the installation location. Therefore, the wireless network system 100 of the second embodiment can stably communicate with the home gateway 20 by selecting a home gateway 20 with a stronger received radio wave strength, regardless of the installation location of the home gateway 20. Note that the configuration of the wireless network system 100 in FIG. 1, the configuration of the home gateway 20 in FIG. 2, the configuration of the control unit 25 of the home gateway 20 in FIG. 3, the configuration of the database device 30 in FIG. 4, the configuration of the wireless communication terminal 10 in FIG. 5, the terminal identification information database 33 in FIG. 7, and the connection authentication flow of the wireless communication terminal 10 in FIG. 9 are the same in the second embodiment, so their explanations are omitted. The following will list the differences between the wireless network system 100 of the second embodiment and the wireless network system 100 of the first embodiment.

[0049] (Flowchart for home gateway selection) FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart showing a flow of home gateway selection and connection of the wireless communication terminal 10 according to the second embodiment. 10 differs from FIG. 8 showing the flow of home gateway selection and connection by the wireless communication terminal 10 of the first embodiment in that measurement of received radio wave strength in step S08 is inserted between DB reference in step S01 and selection of a destination HGW in step S02. That is, the wireless communication terminal 10 of the second embodiment selects a home gateway 20 to connect to by referring to the data of the home gateway database 32 of the database device 30 as well as the radio wave strength of each home gateway 20 measured by itself.

[0050] (Home Gateway Database 32) FIG. 11 shows an example of data in the home gateway database 32 of the database device 30 according to the second embodiment. 11 differs from FIG. 6 showing an example of data in the home gateway database 32 of the first embodiment in that columns for the transmission frequency and transmission power of each home gateway 20 are added. Although the transmission frequency and transmission power of each home gateway 20 may be acquired by analyzing the beacon of each home gateway 20, the database device 30 acquires the data directly from each home gateway 20 and registers it in the database, so that the data of each home gateway 20 can be grasped more efficiently and reliably.

[0051] (Home Gateway 20 selection data) FIG. 12 shows an example of the home gateway 20 selection data in the wireless communication terminal 10 of the second embodiment. In the wireless communication terminal 10 of the second embodiment, as shown in Fig. 12, the home gateway 20 to be connected is selected taking into consideration the transmission frequency and received radio wave strength in addition to the remaining transmission time and the number of connections of each home gateway 20. For example, a home gateway 20 with a stronger received radio wave strength, or a home gateway 20 without a home gateway 20 with a stronger received radio wave strength at the same frequency, etc. In the example of Fig. 12, AABBDD should be selected from the viewpoint of the remaining transmission time, but if interference by CCUUWW becomes a problem, PPOOJJ may be selected even though the remaining transmission time is somewhat short. As described above, the wireless network system 100 of the second embodiment realizes stable wireless communication between the wireless communication terminal 10 and the home gateway 20 by taking into consideration the radio wave strength and frequency of each home gateway 20 at the wireless communication terminal 10.

[0052] In the present invention, wireless network system 100 corresponds to a "wireless network system", wireless communication terminals 10, 10a correspond to "wireless communication terminals", home gateways 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d correspond to "home gateways", database device 30 corresponds to a "database device", home gateway database 32 corresponds to a "home gateway database", terminal identification information database 33 corresponds to a "terminal identification information database", Internet 60 corresponds to the "Internet", mobile telephone operator (MNO) authentication server 80 corresponds to an "authentication server", and mobile telephone operator (MNO) base station 70 corresponds to a "mobile telephone base station".

[0053] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention is as described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that various other embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, although the actions and effects of the configuration of the present invention are described in this embodiment, these actions and effects are merely examples and do not limit the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10, 10a Wireless communication terminal 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d Home Gateway 30 Database Equipment 32 Home Gateway Database 33 Terminal Identification Information Database 60 Internet 70 Mobile Network Operator (MNO) base stations 80 Mobile phone operator (MNO) authentication server 100 Wireless Network System

Claims

1. A wireless network system for use in a public wireless LAN, comprising: A plurality of wireless communication terminals each having a communication function based on WiFi HaLow (registered trademark); A plurality of home gateways each having an access point function based on WiFi HaLow (registered trademark) provided to an Internet line subscriber; A database device, the database device acquires the location, MAC address, remaining transmission time, and number of connected devices from each of the home gateways to create a home gateway database; The wireless communication terminal refers to the home gateway database when starting a connection and before terminating a connection with the home gateway that is currently connected, and selects and connects to the most suitable home gateway taking into consideration the location, remaining transmission time, and number of connections of each of the home gateways.

2. the database device further receives a transmission frequency and a transmission power of the home gateway from each of the plurality of home gateways and adds the received transmission frequency and transmission power to the home gateway database; 2. The wireless network system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication terminal refers to the home gateway database when starting a connection and before terminating a connection with the home gateway that is currently connected, measures the strength of a radio wave received from each of the home gateways, and selects and connects to the optimal home gateway.

3. When the home gateway receives an authentication request from the wireless communication terminal, the home gateway checks whether the terminal identification information of the wireless communication terminal is registered in the terminal identification information database of the database device, and if so, checks the authentication date and time; If the terminal identification information of the wireless communication terminal is registered as an authorized terminal and the difference between the authentication date and time and the current date and time is less than a predetermined time, the home gateway connects the wireless communication terminal to the Internet, When the terminal identification information of the wireless communication terminal is not registered, when the terminal identification information is registered but the difference between the authentication date and time and the current date and time exceeds a predetermined time, or when the terminal is registered as an unauthorized terminal, the home gateway: Acquire IMSI data of a SIM card from the wireless communication terminal and request EAP-SIM authentication from an authentication server of a communications carrier (MNO) of the wireless communication terminal; 2. The wireless network system according to claim 1, wherein, when a report of success of the EAP-SIM authentication is received from the authentication server, the authentication result and authentication date and time are registered in the terminal identification information database and the wireless communication terminal is connected to the Internet.

4. 2. The wireless network system according to claim 1, wherein the home gateway blocks communications between the Internet subscriber and a public wireless LAN user, and between users of the public wireless LAN.

5. 2. The wireless network system according to claim 1, wherein communication between said wireless communication terminal and said database device is performed via said home gateway or via a mobile phone base station.

6. A control method for a wireless network system used in a public wireless LAN, comprising: The wireless network system includes: A plurality of wireless communication terminals each having a communication function based on WiFi HaLow (registered trademark); A plurality of home gateways each having an access point function based on WiFi HaLow (registered trademark) provided to an Internet line subscriber; A database device, a database creation step in which the database device receives the location, MAC address, remaining transmission time, number of connected devices, transmission frequency, and transmission power from each of the plurality of home gateways to create a home gateway database; a home gateway selection process in which the wireless communication terminal refers to the home gateway database when starting a connection and before terminating a connection with the home gateway that is currently connected, measures the received radio wave strength from each of the home gateways, and selects and connects to the most suitable home gateway.

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