Communication control device, communication system, and communication control method

Abstract

To simply connect even in the case that a connection request from a communication part is different from a connection request from an authenticated communication part.SOLUTION: A communication control device includes: a control-side communication part configured to communicate with a first communication part and a second communication part of a terminal device; a connection information acquisition part configured to acquire first identification information and second identification information; a storage part configured to store the first identification information and the second identification information in association with each other as related identification information when a connection using the first identification information is permitted; a connection information determination part configured to, when a connection request using the second communication part is newly made, determine whether the second identification information of the terminal device that has made the connection request is stored in the storage part; and a connection control part that permits the connection of the terminal device when the first identification information associated with the second identification information is included in the related identification information. When permitting a new connection, the connection control part deletes the related identification information stored in the storage part and stores the related identification information related to the new connection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication control device, a communication system, and a communication control method. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known techniques for authenticating a communication device before starting communication. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique that allows authentication processing to be performed even on a terminal that does not have authentication information for a communication network. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-245934 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] PoC (Push to Talk over Cellular) systems are known that use mobile phone networks for wireless communication. In order for a PoC device to use the PoC function, it must first complete PoC account authentication with the PoC server. The PoC account authentication process is carried out after authentication with the carrier's core network using the subscriber identity module (SIM) of a mobile phone line such as LTE (Long Term Evolution). When a PoC device attempts to connect to a PoC server for the first time using a mobile phone network, even if it has previously connected to the PoC server from a line other than the mobile phone network and completed PoC account authentication, it must perform PoC account authentication again when connecting to the PoC server using the mobile phone network.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a communication control device, communication system, and communication control method that can easily connect when receiving a connection from a terminal that has multiple communication units and each communication unit communicates using a different communication method, even if a connection request is made from a communication unit other than the connection from an authenticated communication unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A communication control device according to the present disclosure includes a control-side communication unit that communicates with a first communication unit of a terminal device using a first communication method and communicates with a second communication unit of the terminal device using a second communication method different from the first communication method; a connection information acquisition unit that acquires first identification information and second identification information from connection information received by the control-side communication unit using the first communication method or the second communication method, the first identification information being used to identify the first communication unit of the terminal device and second identification information being used to identify the second communication unit of the terminal device; and a memory that, when a connection using the first identification information acquired by the connection information acquisition unit is permitted, associates the first identification information with the second identification information and stores the associated identification information. a connection information determination unit that, when a new connection request is made using the second communication unit, determines whether second identification information of the terminal device that made the connection request is stored in the storage unit; and a connection control unit that permits the connection of the terminal device when it is determined that first identification information associated with the second identification information is included in the associated identification information, wherein when the connection control unit permits a new connection based on the connection request using the second communication unit, the connection control unit deletes the associated identification information stored in the storage unit and associates the first identification information and second identification information of the currently connected terminal device and stores them in the storage unit as associated identification information for the new connection.

[0007] The communication system of the present disclosure includes a communication control device of the present disclosure and a terminal device that communicates with the communication control device, and the terminal device has a first communication unit that communicates with the communication control device using the first communication method and a second communication unit that communicates with the communication control device using the second communication method.

[0008] The communication control method disclosed herein is a communication control method for controlling a communication control device that communicates with a terminal device, and includes the steps of: a control communication unit of the communication control device communicating with a first communication unit of the terminal device using a first communication method and communicating with a second communication unit of the terminal device using a second communication method different from the first communication method; acquiring first identification information for identifying the first communication unit of the terminal device and second identification information for identifying the second communication unit of the terminal device, which are included in connection information received by the control communication unit of the communication control device using the first communication method or the second communication method; when a connection using the acquired first identification information is permitted, associating the acquired first identification information with the second identification information and storing them as related identification information; when a new connection request is made using the second communication unit, determining whether the second identification information of the terminal device that made the connection request is stored; and when it is determined that the first identification information associated with the second identification information is included in the related identification information, allowing the connection of the terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, when there are multiple communication units and each communication unit receives a connection from a terminal that communicates using a different communication method, connection can be easily established even if a connection request is made from a communication unit other than the connection from an authenticated communication unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a collation table according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a core network device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first connection process of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second connection process of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the third connection process of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the fourth connection process of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first connection process of the server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second connection process of the server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of authentication processing in the communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the account authentication determination process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of communication path determination processing in the communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first communication path switching process of the communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second communication path switching process of the communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of one terminal device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the other terminal device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and in the following embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] [First embodiment] (Communication Systems) An example of the configuration of a communication system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0013] 1, the communication system 1 includes a terminal device 10, a server device 12, a core network device 14, a first base station device 16, and a second base station device 18. The communication system 1 is a PoC system.

[0014] The terminal device 10, the server device 12, the core network device 14, and the first base station device 16 are communicably connected via a network N1. The network N1 is, for example, LTE.

[0015] The terminal device 10, the server device 12, and the second base station device 18 are communicatively connected via a network N2. The network N2 is, for example, the Internet. The terminal device 10 is connected to the Internet via, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) line.

[0016] The terminal device 10 is a PoC terminal that performs PoC communication. The terminal device 10 is realized, for example, by a commercial radio or a smartphone. The server device 12 is a PoC server.

[0017] The core network device 14 is a core network device of a telecommunications carrier. The core network includes EPC (Evolved Packet Core), 5GC (5G Core), and the like.

[0018] The first base station device 16 is a base station of a telecommunications carrier and includes a remote radio head (RRH), a base band unit (BBU), a radio unit (RU), a distributed unit (DU), and a centralized unit (CU).

[0019] The second base station device 18 is a non-3GPP (registered trademark) base station. The second base station device 18 is, for example, a Wi-Fi router.

[0020] When the terminal device 10 connects to the server device 12 via the network N1, the communication system 1 stores the unique information of the network N2. This makes it possible to shorten the authentication time when the terminal device 10 connects to the server device 12 via the network N2.

[0021] (Terminal Device) An example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment.

[0022] The terminal device 10 includes an input unit 20, a display unit 22, a microphone 24, a speaker 26, a first communication unit 28, a second communication unit 30, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 34.

[0023] The input unit 20 accepts various input operations for the terminal device 10. The input unit 20 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the accepted input operation to the control unit 34. The input unit 20 includes, for example, a touch panel, a button, a switch, a PTT (Push-to-Talk) button, etc. When a touch panel is used as the input unit 20, the input unit 20 is disposed on the display unit 22.

[0024] The display unit 22 displays various images. The display unit 22 is, for example, a display including a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like.

[0025] The microphone 24 is a microphone that detects sounds around the terminal device 10. The microphone 24 detects the voice of the user who uses the terminal device 10. The microphone 24 converts the detected voice into an audio signal.

[0026] The speaker 26 is a speaker that outputs various sounds, and outputs the voice of the user of the terminal device 10 that is the communication destination.

[0027] The first communication unit 28 is a communication interface that communicates with the server device 12 using a first communication method. The first communication method is a communication method that communicates with the server device 12 via the Internet network using, for example, Wi-Fi.

[0028] The second communication unit 30 is a communication interface that communicates with the server device 12 using a second communication method. The second communication method is, for example, a communication method that communicates with the server device 12 via a mobile phone line such as LTE.

[0029] The storage unit 32 stores various types of information. The storage unit 32 stores information related to the terminal device 10 that executes PoC communication. The storage unit 32 stores information such as the calculation contents of the control unit 34 and programs. The storage unit 32 includes at least one of, for example, a random access memory (RAM), a main storage device such as a read only memory (ROM), and an external storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0030] The control unit 34 controls each unit of the terminal device 10. The control unit 34 has, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The control unit 34 executes a program that controls the operation of the terminal device 10 according to the present invention. The control unit 34 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 34 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0031] The control unit 34 includes an identification information acquisition unit 40, a connection request unit 42, an authentication unit 44, and a communication control unit 46.

[0032] The identification information acquisition unit 40 acquires identification information for identifying the terminal device 10. The identification information acquisition unit 40 acquires, for example, the identification information of the first communication unit 28. The identification information of the first communication unit 28 is, for example, a Wi-Fi Media Access Control (MAC) address. The identification information of the first communication unit 28 is also referred to as first identification information. The identification information acquisition unit 40 acquires, for example, the identification information of the second communication unit 30. The identification information of the second communication unit 30 is, for example, an LTE MAC address. The identification information of the second communication unit 30 is also referred to as second identification information. The identification information acquisition unit 40 acquires, for example, an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number set in the terminal device 10. The IMEI number is a type of terminal identification number for the terminal device 10. The Wi-Fi MAC address, the LTE MAC address, and the IMEI number are stored in the storage unit 32. The Wi-Fi MAC address, the LTE MAC address, and the IMEI number are types of unique information of the terminal device 10.

[0033] The connection request unit 42 performs a connection request process for the server device 12. The connection request unit 42 performs the connection request process by transmitting a connection request signal to the server device 12 via, for example, the first communication unit 28. The connection request unit 42 transmits the connection request signal to the server device 12 via, for example, the second communication unit 30. The connection request signal includes identification information of the first communication unit 28 and identification information of the second communication unit. Specifically, the connection request signal includes an LTE MAC address and a Wi-Fi MAC address.

[0034] The authentication unit 44 controls the second communication unit 30 to perform authentication processing with the core network device 14 before communicating with the server device 12. The authentication unit 44 also controls the first communication unit 28 or the second communication unit 30 to perform PoC account authentication processing with the server device 12.

[0035] The communication control unit 46 controls the first communication unit 28 and the second communication unit 30. The communication control unit 46 controls the first communication unit 28 to communicate with the server device 12 over the Internet network. The communication control unit 46 controls the second communication unit 30 to communicate with the server device 12 over LTE.

[0036] (Server device) An example of the configuration of the server device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device according to the first embodiment.

[0037] 3, the server device 12 includes a communication unit 60, a storage unit 62, a management unit 64, and a control unit 66. The server device 12 is a type of communication control device.

[0038] The communication unit 60 is a communication interface that executes communication between the terminal device 10 and an external device. The communication unit 60 executes communication with the terminal device 10 using a first communication method and a second communication method. Specifically, the communication unit 60 executes communication between the server device 12 and the terminal device 10, for example, over an Internet network using the first communication method. The communication unit 60 executes communication between the server device 12 and the terminal device 10, for example, over a mobile phone network such as LTE using the second communication method. The communication unit 60 may include a communication unit 60A that executes communication between the server device 12 and the terminal device 10 via a line such as the Internet network using the first communication method, and a communication unit 60B that executes communication between the server device 12 and the terminal device 10 via a line including a mobile phone network such as LTE using the second communication method. Furthermore, the communication unit 60 is also referred to as a control-side communication unit 60 (control-side communication unit 60A, control-side communication unit 60B) to distinguish it from the first communication unit 28 and the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10. The communication unit 60 communicates with a communication partner via IP communication. When communicating with the first communication unit 28 of the terminal device 10, the communication unit 60 may identify and acquire identification information used in communication by the first communication unit 28 of the terminal device 10, which is the communication partner. The communication unit 60 functions as a third communication unit that communicates with the first communication unit 28 of the terminal device 10 using the first communication method, and functions as a fourth communication unit that communicates with the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 using the second communication method.

[0039] The storage unit 62 stores various types of information. The storage unit 62 stores the calculation contents of the control unit 66, various types of acquired information, a database that stores the acquired information in association with each other, and information such as programs. The storage unit 62 includes, for example, at least one of a RAM, a main storage device such as a ROM, and an external storage device such as an HDD.

[0040] The management unit 64 manages information unique to the terminal device 10. The management unit 64 manages information by controlling the storage and reference of various types of information in the storage unit 62. The management unit 64 may be configured to include at least one of, for example, a RAM, a main storage device such as a ROM, and an external storage device such as an HDD, and manages information by controlling the storage and reference of various types of information. The management unit 64 includes a PoC account management unit 70, a MAC address management unit 72, an IMEI management unit 74, and a database management unit 76.

[0041] The PoC account management unit 70 stores PoC account information for executing authentication processing of the PoC account of the terminal device 10 in the storage unit 62. The PoC account management unit 70 stores a plurality of pieces of PoC account information for each of a plurality of terminal devices 10 in the storage unit 62.

[0042] The MAC address management unit 72 stores in advance in the storage unit 62, as connection permission information, identification information which is a MAC address set in the terminal device 10 that is to be permitted to connect. The MAC address management unit 72 may store, as connection permission information, the identification information which is a MAC address set in the terminal device 10 that is permitted to connect, by including it in the connection permission information stored in advance in the storage unit 62. The MAC address management unit 72 may store, as connection permission information, multiple MAC addresses for each terminal device 10 in the storage unit 62. The MAC address management unit 72 stores, as connected information, identification information which is included in the connection permission information and which is set in the terminal device 10 that has completed connection authentication and is permitted to connect.

[0043] The IMEI management unit 74 stores IMEI number information of the terminal device 10 in the storage unit 62. The IMEI management unit 74 stores IMEI number information unique to each of the multiple terminal devices 10 in the storage unit 62.

[0044] The database management unit 76 stores a collation table in which unique information of the terminal device 10 is associated with each other in the database of the storage unit 62. The database management unit 76 associates the identification information of the first communication unit 28 of the terminal device 10 with the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 and stores the associated identification information in the database of the storage unit 62. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the collation table according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the collation table TB includes items such as "terminal identification information," "first communication line identification information," and "second communication line identification information." Here, for example, the "first communication line identification information" may correspond to the identification information (first identification information) of the first communication unit 28 of the terminal device 10, and the "second communication line identification information" may correspond to the identification information (second identification information) of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10.

[0045] The "terminal identification information" is, for example, an IMEI number. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the "terminal identification information" is conceptually shown as "A01" or the like, but in reality, a specific number is shown. The "first communication line identification information" is, for example, a Wi-Fi MAC address. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the "first communication line identification information" is conceptually shown as "B01" or the like, but in reality, a specific Wi-Fi MAC address is shown. The "second communication line identification information" is, for example, an LTE MAC address. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the "second communication line identification information" is conceptually shown as "C01" or the like, but in reality, a specific LTE MAC address is shown.

[0046] The control unit 66 controls each unit of the server device 12. The control unit 66 has, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU or an MPU. The control unit 66 may further have, for example, a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM, or may use the storage unit 62. The control unit 66 executes a program that controls the operation of the server device 12 according to the present invention. The control unit 66 may be realized by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The control unit 66 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0047] The control unit 66 includes a connection information acquisition unit 80 , a connection information determination unit 82 , a management control unit 84 , and a connection control unit 86 .

[0048] The connection information acquisition unit 80 acquires, from connection information received by the communication unit 60 (communication unit 60A) during communication using the first communication method between the communication unit 60 (communication unit 60A) and the first communication unit 28 of the terminal device 10, identification information (first identification information) to be used by the first communication unit 28 in communication using the first communication method and identification information (second identification information) to be used by the second communication unit 30 in communication using the second communication method, which are included in the received connection information. The connection information acquisition unit 80 acquires, from connection information received by the communication unit 60 (communication unit 60B) during communication using the second communication method between the communication unit 60 (communication unit 60B) and the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10, identification information (first identification information) to be used by the first communication unit 28 in communication using the first communication method and identification information (second identification information) to be used by the second communication unit 30 in communication using the second communication method, which are included in the received connection information. Specifically, when the connection information acquisition unit 80 acquires the connection information from the first communication unit 28 from the terminal device 10, it acquires the LTE MAC address and the Wi-Fi MAC address of the terminal device 10, which are identification information included in the connection information. When the connection information acquisition unit 80 acquires the connection information from the second communication unit 30 from the terminal device 10, it acquires the LTE MAC address and the Wi-Fi MAC address of the terminal device 10, which are identification information included in the connection information.

[0049] The connection information determination unit 82 determines whether the LTE MAC address, which is the identification information acquired by the connection information acquisition unit 80, matches the LTE MAC address stored in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72 as connection permission information. If they match, information indicating that there is a possibility that the connection of the terminal device that has made the connection request will be permitted is set as first determination information. This may be a first determination flag. For example, if they match, the first determination flag may be set to 1, and if they do not match, the first determination flag may be set to 0. This first determination information may be stored in the storage unit 62. The connection information determination unit 82 determines whether the Wi-Fi MAC address acquired by the connection information acquisition unit 80 matches the Wi-Fi MAC address stored in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72 as connection permission information. If they match, the connection information determination unit 82 sets information indicating that there is a possibility that the connection of the terminal device that has made the connection request will be permitted as first determination information. This may be a first determination flag. For example, if they match, the first determination flag may be set to 1, and if they do not match, the first determination flag may be set to 0. This first determination information may be stored in the storage unit 62. That is, the connection information determination unit 82 determines whether the second identification information of the terminal device that made the connection request is stored in the storage unit 62, and if the second identification information of the terminal device that made the connection request is stored in the storage unit 62, sets first determination information indicating that the connection of the terminal device that made the connection request may be permitted. Furthermore, the connection information determination unit 82 determines whether the LTE MAC address acquired by the connection information acquisition unit 80 through the database management unit 76 references the database in the storage unit 62 and whether it is associated with the Wi-Fi MAC address as related reference information. If it is associated, the connection information determination unit 82 sets information indicating the association as second determination information. This may be a second determination flag. For example, if it is associated, the second determination flag may be set to 1, and if it is not associated, the second determination flag may be set to 0. That is, the connection information determination unit 82 determines whether the second identification information of the terminal device that made the connection request is associated with the first identification information and included in the related identification information, and if it is included in the related identification information, sets second determination information indicating the association.

[0050] The management control unit 84 controls the management unit 64. The management control unit 84 controls the management unit 64 to manage the PoC account, the LTE MAC address, the Wi-Fi MAC address, and the IMEI number of the terminal device 10.

[0051] The connection control unit 86 controls the connection state between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12. When the connection between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12 is permitted, the connection control unit 86 connects the terminal device 10 to the server device 12. When the connection between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12 is not permitted, the connection control unit 86 does not connect the terminal device 10 to the server device 12. When the connection control unit 86 permits the connection between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12, the connection control unit 86 transmits a connection permit signal to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 60 indicating that the connection is permitted. When the connection control unit 86 does not permit the connection between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12, the connection control unit 86 transmits a connection rejection signal to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 60 indicating that the connection is not permitted. Furthermore, when the connection control unit 86 permits the connection between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12, the connection control unit 86 stores the first identification information and the second identification information acquired by the connection information acquisition unit 80 in the storage unit 62. When permitting a connection between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12, if the connection is between the first communication unit 28 of the terminal device 10 and the communication unit 60 (communication unit 60A) of the server device 12, the connection control unit 86 stores the first identification information as connection permission information in the storage unit 62. When permitting a connection between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12, if the connection is between the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 and the communication unit 60 (communication unit 60B) of the server device 12, the connection control unit 86 stores the second identification information as connection permission information in the storage unit 62. Here, when permitting a connection between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12, the connection control unit 86 may store the first identification information and the second identification information acquired by the connection information acquisition unit 80 in the storage unit 62 as connection permission information.

[0052] When it is determined that the identification information included in the connection information of the second communication unit 30 acquired by the connection information acquisition unit 80, here the Wi-Fi MAC address which is the acquired first identification information, matches the Wi-Fi MAC address included in the connection permission information stored in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72, the connection control unit 86 permits connection of the terminal device 10 to the first communication unit 28. When it is determined that the identification information included in the connection information of the first communication unit 28 acquired by the connection information acquisition unit 80, here the LTE MAC address which is the acquired second identification information, matches the LTE MAC address included in the connection permission information stored in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72, the connection control unit 86 permits connection of the terminal device 10. Furthermore, if the connection information determination unit 82 determines that first determination information indicating that the second identification information of the terminal device 10 that made the connection request is stored in the memory unit 62 has been set, and if the connection information determination unit 82 determines that second determination information indicating that the second identification information of the terminal device 10 that made the connection request is associated with the first identification information and included in the related identification information has been set, the connection control unit 86 allows the connection of the terminal device 10 that made the connection request.

[0053] (Core network equipment) An example of the configuration of a core network device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a core network device according to the first embodiment.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, core network device 14 includes a communication unit 100, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 104.

[0055] The communication unit 100 is a communication interface that executes communication between the terminal device 10 and an external device. The communication unit 100 executes communication between the core network device 14 and the terminal device 10. The communication unit 100 executes communication between the core network device 14 and the server device 12.

[0056] The storage unit 102 stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 102 stores SIM information of the terminal device 10. The storage unit 102 stores information such as the contents of calculations performed by the control unit 104 and programs. The storage unit 102 includes, for example, at least one of a RAM, a main storage device such as a ROM, and an external storage device such as an HDD.

[0057] The control unit 104 controls each unit of the core network device 14. The control unit 104 has, for example, an information processing device such as a CPU or an MPU, and a storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The control unit 104 executes a program that controls the operation of the core network device 14 according to the present invention. The control unit 104 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The control unit 104 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0058] The control unit 104 includes an authentication unit 110. The authentication unit 110 executes authentication processing for connecting the terminal device 10 to the core network. The authentication unit 110 executes authentication processing for permitting the terminal device 10 to connect to the server device 12 via LTE using the second communication unit 30. When the SIM information of the terminal device 10 for which the authentication processing has been performed matches the SIM information stored in the storage unit 102, the authentication unit 110 permits the terminal device 10 to connect to the server device 12 via LTE.

[0059] [Processing between terminal device and server device] (First connection process of terminal device) The flow of the first connection process of the terminal device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first connection process of the terminal device according to the first embodiment.

[0060] The process shown in FIG. 6 is executed when the terminal device 10 connects to the server device 12 via the first communication unit .

[0061] The identification information acquisition unit 40 acquires the identification information of the second communication unit 30 (step S10). Specifically, the identification information acquisition unit 40 acquires the LTE MAC address. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0062] Connection request unit 42 controls first communication unit 28 to transmit connection information including identification information of first communication unit 28 and identification information of second communication unit 30 to server device 12 (step S12). Specifically, connection request unit 42 controls first communication unit 28 to transmit the LTE MAC address and the Wi-Fi MAC address to server device 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0063] The connection request unit 42 determines whether the connection is permitted (step S14). Specifically, the connection request unit 42 determines that the connection is permitted when it receives a signal from the server device 12 indicating that the connection is permitted. If it is determined that the connection is permitted (step S14; Yes), the process proceeds to step S16. If it is not determined that the connection is permitted (step S14; No), the process proceeds to step S18.

[0064] If the determination in step S14 is Yes, the communication control unit 46 controls the first communication unit 28 to start PoC communication by the first communication unit 28 (step S16), and then ends the processing in FIG.

[0065] If the determination in step S14 is No, the communication control unit 46 does not start PoC communication by the first communication unit 28 (step S18), and then ends the processing in FIG.

[0066] (Second connection process of terminal device) The flow of the second connection processing of the terminal device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second connection processing of the terminal device according to the first embodiment.

[0067] The process shown in FIG. 7 is executed when the terminal device 10 connects to the server device 12 via the second communication unit 30.

[0068] Authentication unit 44 executes authentication processing with core network device 14 (step S20). Here, it is assumed that authentication is successful through the authentication processing of authentication unit 44. Then, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0069] The identification information acquisition unit 40 acquires the identification information of the first communication unit 28 (step S22). Specifically, the identification information acquisition unit 40 acquires the Wi-Fi MAC address. Then, the process proceeds to step S24.

[0070] Connection request unit 42 controls second communication unit 30 to transmit connection information including the identification information of first communication unit 28 and the identification information of second communication unit 30 to server device 12 (step S24). Specifically, connection request unit 42 controls second communication unit 30 to transmit the LTE MAC address and the Wi-Fi MAC address to server device 12. Then, the process proceeds to step S26.

[0071] The connection request unit 42 determines whether the connection is permitted (step S26). If it is determined that the connection is permitted (step S26; Yes), the process proceeds to step S28. If it is determined that the connection is not permitted (step S26; No), the process proceeds to step S30.

[0072] If the determination in step S26 is Yes, the communication control unit 46 controls the second communication unit 30 to start PoC communication by the second communication unit 30 (step S28), and then ends the processing in FIG.

[0073] If the determination in step S26 is No, the communication control unit 46 does not start PoC communication by the second communication unit 30 (step S30), and then ends the processing in FIG.

[0074] (Third connection process of terminal device) The flow of the third connection processing of the terminal device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the third connection processing of the terminal device according to the first embodiment.

[0075] The process shown in FIG. 8 is executed when the terminal device 10 connects to the server device 12 via the second communication unit 30.

[0076] The processes from step S40 to step S48 are the same as the processes from step S22 to step S30 shown in FIG. 7, respectively, and therefore will not be described here.

[0077] The process in Fig. 8 differs from the process shown in Fig. 7 in that core network authentication processing is not required. In other words, the process in Fig. 8 is processing in the case where a telecommunications carrier does not perform core network authentication processing.

[0078] (Fourth connection process of terminal device) The flow of the fourth connection processing of the terminal device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the fourth connection processing of the terminal device according to the first embodiment.

[0079] The process shown in FIG. 9 is a process when the first communication unit 28 is already connected to the server device 12 and the second communication unit 30 is then connected to the server device 12.

[0080] The processes from step S50 to step S58 are the same as the processes from step S20 to step S28 shown in FIG. 7, respectively, and therefore will not be described here.

[0081] If the determination in step S56 is No, the connection request unit 42 determines whether or not the connection has been permitted as a new connection from the server device 12 (step S60). If the connection has been permitted as a new connection (step S60; Yes), the process proceeds to step S62. If the connection has not been permitted as a new connection from the server device 12 (step S60; No), the process proceeds to step S64.

[0082] If the determination in step S60 is Yes, the communication control unit 46 controls the second communication unit 30 to start PoC communication by the second communication unit 30 as a new connection (step S62), and then ends the processing in FIG.

[0083] If the determination in step S60 is No, the communication control unit 46 does not start PoC communication by the second communication unit 30 (step S64), and then ends the processing in FIG.

[0084] (First connection process of server device) The flow of the first connection process of the server device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first connection process of the server device according to the first embodiment.

[0085] The process shown in FIG. 10 is a process for determining whether or not to permit connection when the server device 12 is connected to the terminal device 10 via the first communication unit 28 for the first time.

[0086] The connection information acquisition unit 80 receives connection information including identification information of the first communication unit 28 and identification information of the second communication unit 30 through communication with the first communication unit 28 of the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 60 (step S70). Specifically, the connection information acquisition unit 80 acquires the LTE MAC address and the Wi-Fi MAC address included in the connection information transmitted by the first communication unit 28 of the terminal device 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S72.

[0087] The connection information determination unit 82 determines whether to permit the new connection (step S72). Specifically, the connection information determination unit 82 determines to permit the connection when, for example, the acquired MAC address of the first communication unit 28 matches the MAC address included in the connection permission information managed by the MAC address management unit 72 and stored in the storage unit 62. If it is determined to permit the new connection (step S72; Yes), the process proceeds to step S74. If it is not determined to permit the new connection (step S72; No), the process proceeds to step S78.

[0088] If the determination in step S72 is Yes, the management control unit 84 controls the MAC address management unit 72 to register the identification information of the first communication unit 28 as connected information in the storage unit 62, and controls the database management unit 76 to store the identification information of the first communication unit 28 and the identification information of the second communication unit 30 as associated identification information in the database of the storage unit 62 (step S74). Specifically, the management control unit 84 controls the MAC address management unit 72 to register the Wi-Fi MAC address as connected information in the storage unit 62, and controls the database management unit 76 to associate the Wi-Fi MAC address with the LTE MAC address and store them in the storage unit 62. Proceed to step S76.

[0089] The connection control unit 86 controls the communication unit 60 to transmit a connection permission signal to the terminal device 10 as a new connection (step S76). In this case, the terminal device 10 and the server device 12 are connected. Then, the processing in FIG. 10 ends.

[0090] If the determination in step S72 is No, the connection control unit 86 controls the communication unit 60 to transmit a connection refusal signal to the terminal device 10 (step S78). In this case, the terminal device 10 and the server device 12 are not connected. Then, the processing in FIG. 10 ends.

[0091] (Second connection process of server device) The flow of the second connection process of the server device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second connection process of the server device according to the first embodiment.

[0092] The process shown in FIG. 11 is a process for determining whether or not to permit connection when the server device 12 is connected to by the terminal device 10 via the second communication unit 30 for the first time.

[0093] The connection information acquisition unit 80 receives connection information including the identification information of the first communication unit 28 and the identification information of the second communication unit 30 through communication with the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 60 (step S80). Specifically, the connection information acquisition unit 80 acquires the LTE MAC address and the Wi-Fi MAC address included in the connection information transmitted by the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10. Then, the process proceeds to step S82.

[0094] The connection information determination unit 82 determines whether the identification information of the second communication unit 30 acquired by the connection information acquisition unit 80 is associated with the identification information of the first communication unit 28 in the storage unit 62 (step S82). Specifically, the connection information determination unit 82 determines whether the LTE MAC address acquired by the connection information acquisition unit 80 is associated with the Wi-Fi MAC address as related reference information by referring to the database in the storage unit 62 by the database management unit 76. If it is determined that the identification information of the second communication unit 30 is associated with the identification information of the first communication unit 28 (step S82; Yes), the process proceeds to step S84. If it is not determined that the identification information of the second communication unit 30 is associated with the identification information of the first communication unit 28 (step S82; No), the process proceeds to step S88.

[0095] If the determination in step S82 is Yes, the connection control unit 86 determines whether or not the connection from the first communication unit 28 has been permitted (step S84). Specifically, when the MAC address management unit 72 refers to the storage unit 62 and the Wi-Fi MAC address acquired by the connection information acquisition unit 80 is stored in the storage unit 62 as connected information, the connection control unit 86 determines that the connection from the first communication unit 28 has been permitted, assuming that the connection is the same communication that has already been permitted. If it is determined that the connection from the first communication unit 28 has been permitted (step S84; Yes), the process proceeds to step S86. If it is not determined that the connection from the first communication unit 28 has been permitted (step S84; No), the process proceeds to step S88.

[0096] If the determination in step S84 is Yes, the connection control unit 86 controls the communication unit 60 to transmit a connection permission signal to the terminal device 10 indicating that the connection has been permitted (step S86). The connection information acquisition unit 80 may also be controlled to include the identification information of the second communication unit 30 acquired in the connection permission information pre-stored in the storage unit 62 and store the information as connection permission information. If the connection permission information includes identification information associated with the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 that has made the connection request, or identification information associated with the identification information of the first communication unit 28 associated with the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 that has made the connection request, the connection control unit 86 may delete the identification information from the connection permission information, and store the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 that has made the connection request and the identification information of the first communication unit 28 associated with the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 that has made the connection request as new connection permission information in the storage unit 62. If the connection permission information does not include the identification information associated with the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 that has made the connection request, or the identification information associated with the identification information of the first communication unit 28 that is associated with the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 that has made the connection request, it is preferable to control the storage unit 62 to store, as connection permission information, the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 that has made the connection request and the identification information of the first communication unit 28 that is associated with the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 that has made the connection request. Then, the processing of FIG. 11 ends.

[0097] If the determination in step S82 is No or if the determination in step S84 is No, the connection information determination unit 82 determines whether or not to permit a new connection (step S88). If it is determined that a new connection is permitted (step S88; Yes), the process proceeds to step S90. If it is not determined that a new connection is permitted (step S88; No), the process proceeds to step S94.

[0098] If the determination in step S88 is Yes, the management control unit 84 controls the MAC address management unit 72 to register the identification information of the second communication unit 30 as connected in the storage unit 62, and the database management unit 76 deletes the associated identification information stored in the storage unit 62 and controls the database management unit 76 to store the associated identification information in the database of the storage unit 62, associating the identification information of the first communication unit 28 with the identification information of the second communication unit 30 (step S90). Specifically, the management control unit 84 controls the MAC address management unit 72 to register the LTE MAC address in the storage unit 62 as connected, and controls the database management unit 76 to store the Wi-Fi MAC address and the LTE MAC address as associated identification information in the database of the storage unit 62. The process proceeds to step S92.

[0099] The connection control unit 86 controls the communication unit 60 to transmit a connection permission signal to the terminal device 10 as a new connection (step S92). In this case, the terminal device 10 and the server device 12 are connected. Then, the processing in FIG. 11 ends.

[0100] If the determination in step S88 is No, the connection control unit 86 controls the communication unit 60 to transmit a connection refusal signal to the terminal device 10 (step S94). In this case, the terminal device 10 and the server device 12 are not connected. Then, the processing in FIG. 11 ends.

[0101] In the above-described description of the flow of the second connection processing of the server device according to the first embodiment using FIG. 11, a connection permission signal permitting connection is transmitted to the terminal device 10 in step S86 after processing such as steps S82 and S84. However, it is also possible to more simply determine whether to permit connection. For example, in the above-described description of the first connection processing of the server device using FIG. 10, when a connection request from the first communication unit 28 is permitted as a new connection, the identification information (first identification information) of the first communication unit 28 and the identification information (second identification information) of the second communication unit 30 are stored in the database of the storage unit 62 as associated identification information. The associated identification information is stored when the connection request from the first communication unit 28 is permitted as a new connection. Therefore, when a new connection request is made using the second communication unit 30, it is determined whether the second identification information of the terminal device 10 that made the connection request is stored in the storage unit 62. If the second identification information of the terminal device 10 that made the connection request is stored in the storage unit 62, the connection of the terminal device 10 that made the connection request is permitted. This makes it easier to determine whether to permit connection.

[0102] [Communication system processing] (Authentication process for communication systems) The flow of authentication processing in the communication system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of authentication processing in the communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0103] The processing shown in FIG. 12 is processing from when the terminal device 10 is started up until the authentication of LTE and Wi-Fi is completed.

[0104] The control unit 34 turns on the power supply of the terminal device 10 (step S100), and then proceeds to step S102 and step S116.

[0105] The communication control unit 46 starts a connection to LTE using the second communication unit 30 (step S102), and then the process proceeds to step S104.

[0106] Authentication unit 44 performs core network authentication on core network device 14 (step S104), and then proceeds to step S106.

[0107] The authentication unit 110 of the core network device 14 refers to the SIM information of the terminal device 10 (step S106), and then the process proceeds to step S108.

[0108] The authentication unit 110 of the core network device 14 determines whether the SIM information of the terminal device 10 matches the SIM information stored in the storage unit 102 (step S108). If it is determined that the SIM information of the terminal device 10 matches the SIM information stored in the storage unit 102 (step S108; Yes), the process proceeds to step S110. If it is determined that the SIM information of the terminal device 10 does not match the SIM information stored in the storage unit 102 (step S108; No), the process proceeds to step S114.

[0109] If the determination in step S108 is Yes, authentication unit 110 of core network device 14 completes core network authentication (step S110), and then the process proceeds to step S112.

[0110] The communication control unit 46 connects to LTE using the second communication unit 30 (step S112). Then, the process of FIG. 12 ends.

[0111] If the determination in step S108 is No, the communication control unit 46 does not connect to LTE using the second communication unit 30 (step S114), and then ends the processing in FIG.

[0112] The communication control unit 46 starts a connection to Wi-Fi using the first communication unit 28 (step S116), and then the process proceeds to step S118.

[0113] The authentication unit 44 performs PoC account authentication on the server device 12 (step S118), and then the process proceeds to step S120.

[0114] The authentication unit 44 completes the PoC account authentication (step S120). This allows the terminal device 10 to connect to the server device 12 via the Internet. Then, the process of FIG. 12 ends.

[0115] The processing from step S102 to step S114 and the processing from step S116 to step S120 are executed in parallel.

[0116] (Account authentication judgment process) The flow of the account authentication determination process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the account authentication determination process according to the first embodiment.

[0117] The process shown in FIG. 13 is a process in which the server device 12 determines whether or not the authentication of the PoC account of the target terminal device 10 has been authenticated.

[0118] When the terminal device 10 is connected to the server device 12 via the first communication unit 28, the management control unit 84 determines whether or not the identification information of the first communication unit 28 of the terminal device 10 has been registered as connection permission information in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72. When the terminal device 10 is connected to the server device 12 via the second communication unit 30, the management control unit 84 determines whether or not the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 has been registered as connection permission information in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72. That is, depending on the connection path of the terminal device 10, the management control unit 84 determines whether or not the identification information of the first communication unit 28 or the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 has been registered as connection permission information in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72 (step S130). Specifically, the management control unit 84 determines whether or not the MAC address management unit 72 has registered the Wi-Fi MAC address of the terminal device 10 as connection permission information in the storage unit 62 when the terminal device 10 is connected to the server device 12 via the first communication unit 28 of the terminal device 10 through the connection path of the terminal device 10, or whether the MAC address management unit 72 has registered the LTE MAC address as connection permission information in the storage unit 62 when the terminal device 10 is connected to the server device 12 via the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10. If the MAC address management unit 72 determines that the identification information of the first communication unit 28 or the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 corresponding to the communication path used by the terminal device 10 to connect to the server device 12 is registered as connection permission information in the storage unit 62 (step S130; Yes), the management control unit 84 proceeds to step S132. If the MAC address management unit 72 does not determine that the identification information of the first communication unit 28 or the identification information of the second communication unit 30 of the terminal device 10 corresponding to the communication path is registered as connection permission information in the storage unit 62 (step S130; No), the management control unit 84 proceeds to step S138.

[0119] If the determination in step S130 is Yes, the management control unit 84 controls the database management unit 76 to create a matching table for matching identification information in the database of the storage unit 62 (step S132). Specifically, when the terminal device 10 connects to the server device 12 via the first communication unit 28 and the first identification information and the second identification information can be acquired, the management control unit 84 controls the database management unit 76 to create a matching table in the database of the storage unit 62 that associates the first identification information and the second identification information. By creating a matching table in which the first identification information and the second identification information are associated in this manner, even if the terminal device 10 has already been authenticated using one of the identification information and then connects to the server device 12 via a communication unit having the other identification information, the connection is permitted without performing a new authentication process, assuming that the authentication has already been completed. Furthermore, when the terminal device 10 connects to the server device 12 via the first communication unit 28 and the second identification information cannot be acquired, the database management unit 76 creates a matching table in the database of the storage unit 62 that associates only the first identification information. Similarly, when the terminal device 10 connects to the server device 12 via the second communication unit 30, if the first identification information and the second identification information can be acquired, the database management unit 76 creates a collation table associating the first and second identification information in the database of the storage unit 62. Furthermore, when the terminal device 10 connects to the server device 12 via the second communication unit 30, if the first identification information cannot be acquired, the database management unit 76 creates a collation table associating only the second identification information in the database of the storage unit 62. Then, the process proceeds to step S134.

[0120] The management control unit 84 controls the PoC account management unit 70 to associate the PoC account of the terminal device 10 with the verification table and store them in the storage unit 62 (step S134). Specifically, the management control unit 84 controls the PoC account management unit 70 to associate the PoC account of the terminal device 10 with the identification information included in the verification table and store them in the storage unit 62. Then, the process proceeds to step S136.

[0121] The connection information determination unit 82 determines that the terminal device 10 is a terminal device whose PoC account has been authenticated (step S136), and then ends the processing of FIG.

[0122] If the determination in step S130 is No, the connection information determination unit 82 determines that the terminal device 10 is a terminal device 10 for which PoC account authentication has not been completed (step S138), and then ends the processing in FIG.

[0123] (Communication path determination process) The flow of communication path determination processing in the communication system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of communication path determination processing in the communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0124] The process shown in FIG. 14 is a process that the terminal device 10 executes when the RAT (Radio Access Technology) is changed to LTE after PoC account authentication via Wi-Fi is completed.

[0125] The authentication unit 44 of the terminal device 10 completes the PoC account authentication (step S140). The authentication unit 44 of the terminal device 10 executes, for example, the process shown in Fig. 12 to complete the PoC account authentication process. Then, the process proceeds to step S142.

[0126] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 determines that the terminal device 10 is a PoC account authenticated terminal device (step S142). The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 executes, for example, the process shown in Fig. 13 to determine that the terminal device 10 is a PoC account authenticated terminal device. Then, the process proceeds to step S144.

[0127] The communication control unit 46 of the terminal device 10 controls the second communication unit 30 to notify the server device 12 of each piece of unique information of the terminal device 10 via LTE (step S144). Specifically, the communication control unit 46 of the terminal device 10 controls the server device 12 to notify the Wi-Fi MAC address, LTE MAC address, and IMEI number of the terminal device 10 via LTE. Then, the process proceeds to step S146.

[0128] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 refers to the notified LTE specific information of the terminal device 10 (step S146), and then proceeds to step S148.

[0129] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 determines whether the notified LTE MAC address of the terminal device 10 matches the LTE MAC address registered in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72 (step S148). If the notified LTE MAC address of the terminal device 10 is determined to match the LTE MAC address registered in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72 (step S148; Yes), the process proceeds to step S150. If the notified LTE MAC address of the terminal device 10 is not determined to match the LTE MAC address registered in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72 (step S148; No), the process proceeds to step S156.

[0130] If the determination in step S148 is Yes, the management control unit 84 of the server device 12 determines whether or not the notified Wi-Fi MAC address of the terminal device 10 matches the Wi-Fi MAC address registered in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72 (step S150). If the notified Wi-Fi MAC address of the terminal device 10 is determined to match the Wi-Fi MAC address registered in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72 (step S150; Yes), the process proceeds to step S152. If the notified Wi-Fi MAC address of the terminal device 10 is not determined to match the Wi-Fi MAC address registered in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72 (step S150; No), the process proceeds to step S156.

[0131] If the determination in step S150 is Yes, the connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 determines that the received information is information from a registered terminal device 10 (step S152), and then proceeds to step S154.

[0132] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 stores in the storage unit 62 that the communication path with the terminal device 10 is LTE (step S154). Then, the processing of FIG. 14 ends.

[0133] If the determination is No in step S148 or No in step S150, the connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 determines that the received information is information from a registered terminal device 10 (step S156), and then ends the processing in FIG.

[0134] (First communication path switching process of communication system) The flow of the first communication path switching process of the communication system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of the first communication path switching process of the communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0135] The process shown in FIG. 15 is a process that is executed when the communication path between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12 is switched from LTE to Wi-Fi.

[0136] The communication control unit 46 of the terminal device 10 controls the second communication unit 30 to start communication with the server device 12 in LTE (step S160), and then the process proceeds to step S162.

[0137] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 stores in the storage unit 62 that the communication path with the terminal device 10 is LTE (step S162), and then the process proceeds to step S164.

[0138] The communication control unit 46 of the terminal device 10 controls the first communication unit 28 and the second communication unit 30 to change the communication path with the server device 12 from LTE to Wi-Fi (step S164). Then, the process proceeds to step S166.

[0139] The communication control unit 46 of the terminal device 10 controls the first communication unit 28 to execute keep-alive between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12 (step S166). Then, the process proceeds to step S168.

[0140] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 refers to the notified Wi-Fi MAC address of the terminal device 10 (step S168), and then proceeds to step S170.

[0141] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 identifies the PoC account of the terminal device 10 based on the information registered in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72 (step S170). Then, the process proceeds to step S172.

[0142] The connection control unit 86 of the server device 12 permits communication via Wi-Fi (step S172), and then the process proceeds to step S174.

[0143] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 updates the communication path with the terminal device 10 to Wi-Fi (step S174), and then ends the processing of FIG.

[0144] (Second communication path switching process of communication system) The flow of the second communication path switching process of the communication system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the second communication path switching process of the communication system according to the first embodiment.

[0145] The process shown in FIG. 16 is a process that is executed when the communication path between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12 is switched from Wi-Fi to LTE.

[0146] The communication control unit 46 of the terminal device 10 controls the first communication unit 28 to start communication with the server device 12 via Wi-Fi (step S180), and then the process proceeds to step S182.

[0147] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 stores in the storage unit 62 that the communication path with the terminal device 10 is Wi-Fi (step S182). Then, the process proceeds to step S184.

[0148] The communication control unit 46 of the terminal device 10 controls the first communication unit 28 and the second communication unit 30 to change the communication path with the server device 12 from Wi-Fi to LTE (step S184). Then, the process proceeds to step S186.

[0149] The communication control unit 46 of the terminal device 10 controls the second communication unit 30 to execute keep-alive between the terminal device 10 and the server device 12 (step S186). Then, the process proceeds to step S188.

[0150] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 refers to the notified LTE MAC address of the terminal device 10 (step S188), and then proceeds to step S190.

[0151] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 identifies the PoC account of the terminal device 10 based on the information registered in the storage unit 62 by the MAC address management unit 72 (step S190). Then, the process proceeds to step S192.

[0152] The connection control unit 86 of the server device 12 permits communication via LTE (step S192), and then the process proceeds to step S194.

[0153] The connection information determination unit 82 of the server device 12 updates the communication path with the terminal device 10 to LTE (step S194), and then ends the processing of FIG.

[0154] As described above, in the first embodiment, the connection request signal transmitted by the terminal device when communicating with the server device via the first communication unit or the second communication unit includes identification information of the first communication unit and identification information of the second communication unit. As a result, in the first embodiment, the terminal device connects to the server device 12 via the first communication unit, and then connects to the server device via the second communication unit, making it easy to determine whether the terminal device is permitted to communicate, thereby shortening the time required to start communication.

[0155] [Modification of the first embodiment] A modification of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the connection request signal transmitted from the terminal device 10 to the server device 12 includes an LTE MAC address and a Wi-Fi MAC address, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The connection request signal may include the IMEI number of the terminal device 10.

[0156] In a modification of the first embodiment, for example, when the connection information acquisition unit 80 receives a connection request signal, it acquires a terminal identification number including the terminal identification number of the terminal device 10. In this case, the connection control unit 86 may permit connection of the terminal device 10 when the acquired MAC address matches the MAC address stored in the MAC address management unit 72 and the acquired IMEI number matches the IMEI number stored in the IMEI management unit 74.

[0157] In the modification of the first embodiment, the accuracy of determining whether or not a terminal device is permitted to communicate can be improved by taking into consideration the IMEI number of the terminal device.

[0158] [Second embodiment] (Communication Systems) An example of the configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 17, communication system 1A includes terminal device 10A, terminal device 10B, server device 12, core network device 14, first base station device 16, and second base station device 18. Communication system 1A differs from communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 in that communication system 1A includes two terminal devices, terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B. Terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B are communicatively connected via network N3. Communication system 1A performs connection processing with server device 12 using the two terminal devices, terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B.

[0160] (Terminal Device) An example of the configuration of one terminal device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of one terminal device according to the second embodiment.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 18, the terminal device 10A differs from the terminal device 10 shown in FIG. 2 in that it includes a fifth communication unit 36 ​​instead of the second communication unit 30.

[0162] The fifth communication unit 36 ​​is a communication module that performs short-range wireless communication and can be realized by, for example, a communication module such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0163] The communication control unit 46A controls the fifth communication unit 36 ​​to perform short-range wireless communication with other terminal devices. The communication control unit 46A controls the fifth communication unit 36 ​​to transmit the identification information of the first communication unit 28 to the other terminal devices. In this way, the identification information of the first communication unit 28 is shared with the other terminal devices as needed.

[0164] An example of the configuration of the other terminal device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the other terminal device according to the second embodiment.

[0165] 19, the terminal device 10B differs from the terminal device 10 shown in FIG. 2 in that it includes a sixth communication unit 38 instead of the first communication unit 28. The sixth communication unit 38 is a communication module that performs short-range wireless communication, similar to the fifth communication unit 36. The sixth communication unit 38 can be realized by, for example, a communication module such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0166] The communication control unit 46B controls the sixth communication unit 38 to perform short-range wireless communication with other terminal devices. The communication control unit 46B controls the sixth communication unit 38 to transmit the identification information of the second communication unit 30 to the other terminal devices. In this way, the identification information of the second communication unit 30 is shared with the other terminal devices as needed.

[0167] 17, terminal device 10A controls fifth communication unit 36 ​​to transmit identification information of first communication unit 28 to terminal device 10B. Terminal device 10B controls sixth communication unit 38 to transmit identification information of second communication unit 30 to terminal device 10A. Terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B share information as needed, and are thereby able to transmit a connection request signal including the latest identification information of first communication unit 28 and the latest identification information of second communication unit 30 to server device 12. The latest identification information of first communication unit 28 and the latest identification information of second communication unit 30 may be included in the connection request signal as connection information and transmitted to server device 12.

[0168] For example, first, terminal device 10A uses first communication unit 28 to transmit a connection request signal including identification information of first communication unit 28 and identification information of second communication unit 30 to server device 12 via communication unit 60A of server device 12. As a result, server device 12 stores the identification information of first communication unit 28 and the identification information of second communication unit 30. Next, terminal device 10B uses second communication unit 30 to transmit a connection request signal including the identification information of first communication unit 28 and the identification information of second communication unit 30 to server device 12 via communication unit 60B of server device 12. At this time, because server device 12 stores the identification information of first communication unit 28 and the identification information of second communication unit 30, it is possible to easily determine whether terminal device 10B is permitted to communicate, thereby reducing the time required to start communication.

[0169] The terminal device 10A may control the fifth communication unit 36 ​​to transmit the IMEI number of the terminal device 10A to the terminal device 10B. The terminal device 10B may control the sixth communication unit 38 to transmit the IMEI number of the terminal device 10B. That is, the terminal device 10A and the terminal device 10B may share each other's IMEI numbers as needed.

[0170] 17 has been described assuming that terminal device 10A includes first communication unit 28 and fifth communication unit 36, and terminal device 10B includes second communication unit 30 and sixth communication unit 38, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In the present disclosure, terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B may each include first communication unit 28 and fifth communication unit 36, or may each include second communication unit 30 and sixth communication unit 38. In this case, terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B may share identification information of each other's first communication unit 28 or identification information of each other's second communication unit 30 as needed through communication between fifth communication unit 36 ​​and sixth communication unit 38. This allows terminal device 10A and terminal device 10B to include each other's latest identification information of first communication unit 28 or each other's latest identification information of second communication unit 30 in the connection request signal transmitted to server device 12.

[0171] In Figure 17, communication system 1A is the same as communication system 1 shown in Figure 1, except that processing related to the first communication unit 28 is performed between terminal device 10A and server device 12, and processing related to the second communication unit 30 is performed between terminal device 10B and server device 12, so explanation will be omitted.

[0172] As described above, in the second embodiment, when two terminal devices communicate with a server device via the first communication unit or the second communication unit, a connection request signal transmitted includes identification information of the first communication unit of the terminal device and the other device or identification information of the second communication unit of the terminal device and the other device. As a result, in the second embodiment, after one terminal device connects to server device 12, the other terminal device connects to the server device, making it easy to determine whether the terminal devices are permitted to communicate, thereby shortening the time required to start communication.

[0173] The components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads and usage conditions. This distribution and integration configuration may also be performed dynamically.

[0174] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the contents of these embodiments. Furthermore, the above-described components include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the above-described components can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0175] 1. Communication Systems 10 Terminal Equipment 12 Server equipment 14 Core Network Equipment 16 First base station device 18 Second base station device 20 Input section 22 Display section 24. Mike 26 Speaker 28 First Communications Department 30 Second Communications Department 32,62,102 Storage section 34,66,104 Control section 40 Identification information acquisition unit 42 Connection request section 44,110 Authentication Department 46, 46A, 46B Communication control section 60,100 Communications Department 64 Management Department 70 PoC Account Management Department 72 MAC Address Management Unit 74 IMEI Management Department 76 Database Management Department 80 Connection information acquisition unit 82 Connection information determination unit 84 Management and Control Unit 86 Connection control section

Claims

1. a control-side communication unit that communicates with a first communication unit of a terminal device using a first communication method and communicates with a second communication unit of the terminal device using a second communication method different from the first communication method; a connection information acquisition unit that acquires first identification information for identifying the first communication unit of the terminal device and second identification information for identifying the second communication unit of the terminal device from connection information received by the control side communication unit in the first communication method or the second communication method, the first identification information including the first identification information for identifying the first communication unit of the terminal device and the second identification information for identifying the second communication unit of the terminal device; a storage unit that stores the first identification information and the second identification information as associated identification information when a connection using the first identification information acquired by the connection information acquisition unit is permitted, in association with each other; a connection information determination unit that, when a new connection request is made using the second communication unit, determines whether second identification information of the terminal device that has made the connection request is stored in the storage unit; and a connection control unit that allows connection of the terminal device when it is determined that first identification information associated with the second identification information is included in the associated identification information; Equipped with When the connection control unit permits a new connection based on a connection request using the second communication unit, the connection control unit deletes the associated identification information stored in the storage unit, and stores the first identification information and the second identification information of the currently connected terminal device in association with each other as associated identification information related to the new connection in the storage unit. Communications control device.

2. the storage unit pre-stores first identification information and second identification information related to a terminal device to be permitted to connect as connection permission information; The connection control unit determines whether to permit connection of the terminal device based on the connection permission information when a connection request using new first identification information or a connection request using new second identification information is received. The communication control device according to claim 1 .

3. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2; a terminal device that communicates with the communication control device; Including, The terminal device a first communication unit that communicates with the communication control device using the first communication method; a second communication unit that communicates with the communication control device using the second communication method; Communication system.

4. A communication control method for controlling a communication control device that communicates with a terminal device, comprising: a control communication unit of the communication control device communicating with a first communication unit of the terminal device using a first communication method and communicating with a second communication unit of the terminal device using a second communication method different from the first communication method; acquiring first identification information for identifying the first communication unit of the terminal device and second identification information for identifying the second communication unit of the terminal device, the first identification information being included in connection information received by the control communication unit of the communication control device in the first communication method or the second communication method; a step of associating the acquired first identification information with the acquired second identification information and storing the associated first identification information when a connection using the acquired first identification information is permitted; a step of determining, when a new connection request is made using the second communication unit, whether or not second identification information of the terminal device that has made the connection request is stored; permitting connection of the terminal device when it is determined that the first identification information associated with the second identification information is included in the associated identification information; A communication control method comprising:

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