JP2002290624A - Communication service system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a communication service system capable of stably connecting a user terminal to a network. SOLUTION: An access point provider 1 receives access points 310,... From respective providers 3A, 3B.
(Load information) is collected and stored in the load information list 111. When the user terminal 2 is not connected to the Internet 4, the access point provider 1 selects an access point 310 with a load smaller than a predetermined threshold and transmits the telephone number to the user terminal 2. On the other hand, if the user terminal 2 is in connection with the Internet 4, select the smaller load access points than the connected access point, and supplies the telephone number.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to relates to a communication service system and method to connect the user terminal to the access point of the light load.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, connection to the Internet is often made through an access point of an Internet service provider (hereinafter, a provider).

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a conventional method for connecting to the Internet. Conventionally, a user who has made a contract with a provider dials up from the user terminal 52 to an access point 511 of the contracted provider's network (provider 51), and
Is connected to the Internet 4.

[0004] Such a connection method is a method particularly used by many ordinary users. In recent years, with the rapid increase of Internet users, many providers have deployed access points all over the country.

[0005]

As described above, many access points to the Internet are provided. However, depending on the time of day, the access points are congested and it is difficult to connect to the Internet. . In such a case, access must be repeated until the connection can be established. In some cases, it is necessary to connect to another access point.

[0006] On the other hand, when the connected access point becomes heavily loaded, data transfer may be delayed or stopped. Further the load on the access point is applied, connect themselves to the Internet will be forcibly closed, sometimes requiring reconnection occurs.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication service system and a method thereof capable of stably connecting a user terminal to a network. To provide.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, a communication service system according to a first aspect of the present invention, when receiving identification information of an access point to a network, performs an access corresponding to the identification information. A communication service system for a user terminal automatically connected to a point, wherein the communication load on a plurality of access points is collected and accumulated, and at least one access point corresponding to a communication load smaller than a predetermined threshold value in the collected and accumulated communication load is set to at least one. By selecting one and transmitting the identification information of the selected access point to the user terminal, the user terminal can automatically connect to the lightly loaded access point.

A communication service system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a communication service system for a user terminal which automatically dial-up-connects to an access point number when receiving the number of the access point to the Internet. The communication load is collected from one or more providers having at least one of the plurality of access points via a communication line, and an access point corresponding to a communication load smaller than a predetermined threshold in the collected communication load is collected. Select at least one,
The selected access point requests authentication information to be received at the time of connection from the user terminal to a provider having the access point, and the authentication information responding to the request and the number of the access point are transmitted to the user. By supplying the terminal to the terminal, the user terminal can automatically connect to a lightly loaded access point among the access points of the provider.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication service system according to the second aspect, the selection of the access point and the supply of information to the user terminal are performed when the user terminal is connected to the Internet. This is performed in any case of connection, and in the case of connection, an access point corresponding to a communication load smaller than the communication load of the connected access point is selected.

According to the present invention, even if the user terminal is not connected to the Internet or is already connected to the Internet, the user terminal can be connected to a lightly loaded access point. It is possible to connect to an access point with a lighter load than that of the other access point.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication service system according to the second or third aspect, when selecting the access point, an access point having a lightest communication load is selected. An optimal Internet communication environment can be provided to user terminals.

A communication service system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the communication service system according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein designation of an area where the selected access point is to be located is specified from a user terminal to the Internet. By accepting the connection at the time of connection and selecting an access point existing in the specified area, for example, if a user who frequently travels specifies a nearby area, the user exists in the nearby area. The user terminal is automatically connected to the access point, and as a result, the communication cost is kept low.

A communication service system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the communication service system according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the collection and accumulation of the communication load are sequentially performed, and the communication load is calculated based on the latest communication load. By selecting an access point, the user terminal can always connect to a lightly loaded access point even when the communication load of the access point fluctuates.

A communication service system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the communication service system according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, wherein the information supply to the user terminal is performed by:
By performing the processing via an access point connected to the user terminal, the inconvenience of directly supplying information to the user terminal is eliminated.

According to a communication service system according to claim 8 of the present invention, in the communication service system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, a revenue is obtained by charging information supply to the user terminal. I am trying to be.

A communication service method according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a communication service method for a user terminal that automatically dials up to the number when receiving a number of an access point to the Internet. The communication load is collected from one or more providers having at least one of the plurality of access points via a communication line, and an access point corresponding to a communication load smaller than a predetermined threshold in the collected communication load is collected. Selecting at least one of the access points, the selected access point requests authentication information to be received upon connection from the user terminal to a provider having the access point, and authentication information responded to the request and the access point To the user terminal User terminal, providing connections automatically communicate service method to the access point of the light load in the access point with the provider.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration and a use form according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a network of an organization that operates a business called an access point provider (hereinafter, referred to as an access point provider 1). Reference numeral 2 indicates that a user who has contracted with an access point provider connects to a computer (hereinafter referred to as an access point) used as an access point of the access point provider 1 or a commercial provider by dialing up through an analog line or a digital line. It is shown on behalf of a user terminal. 3A and 3B are representative of networks of commercial providers that connect the user terminal 2 to the Internet 4 via an access point (hereinafter abbreviated as providers 3A and 3B), and such networks are collectively referred to as providers 3. Note that the commercial provider that operates the provider 3 has a contract with the organization that operates the access point provider 1 for the processing according to the present embodiment.

The access point provider 1 has a user information list 110 and a load information list 111 in a file server or the like in a network. In addition, one or more computers (referred to as access points) 120 to be dial-up connected from the user terminal 2 are provided.

The provider 3 has base computers (referred to as access points) 310,... Which are dial-up connected by the user terminal 2 at various places in the network. Each of the access points 310,... Has at least one line. The access point provider 1 and the provider 3 may be operated and managed by the same organization or individual.

In this embodiment, the access point provider 1 provides provider connection information 31 for the user terminal 2 to identify each access point 310,... In the provider 3 and connect to any one of the access points 310. The access point 310 supplies a telephone number of the access point 310 (hereinafter, referred to as an access point number, such a number corresponds to the identification information of the present invention), a temporary account, and a temporary password (these are referred to as authentication information).

Prior to this, the access point provider 1 accepts the designation of the area where the access point 310 should exist when the user terminal 2 connects to the Internet 4, and receives this information and the access point provider 1.
Sets and stores data to be stored in the user information list 110, and obtains information on the load on the access point 310 (hereinafter referred to as load information) from each provider 3 via the Internet 4. The load information list 111 is appropriately set and updated.

Then, based on the user information list 110 and the load information list 111, the access point 3 with a lighter load than the access point 310 connected to the user terminal 2
10 is retrieved, the access point number or the like is supplied to the user terminal 2 as the provider connection information 31 for connection (switching) to the lightly loaded access point 310, and the access point 310 is switched.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the functions of the access point provider 1. The access point provider 1 executes a predetermined program in various parts of the network, thereby providing an access point provider connection information receiving unit 101, a provider connection information issuance request transmitting unit 102, a provider connection information issuance request response receiving unit 103, A provider connection information transmission unit 104, a load information reception unit 105, a user information list search unit 106,
A user information list updating unit 107, and to function comprising each block of the load information list search unit 108 and the load information list updating section 109. The access point provider connection information receiving unit 101 and the provider connection information transmitting unit 104 are configured in the access point 120.
Further, the access point provider 1 includes the above-described user information list 110 and load information list 111 in a file server or the like.

The access point provider connection information receiving unit 101 receives a connection request from the user terminal 2 and performs user authentication. The provider connection information issuance request transmission unit 102 sends the provider connection information 3
1 is transmitted (a provider connection information issuance request command). The provider connection information issuance request response receiving unit 103 receives the provider connection information 31 transmitted from the provider 3. The provider connection information transmitting unit 104 transmits the received provider connection information 31 to the user terminal 2. Note that the provider connection information 3
1 can be transmitted to the user terminal 2 via the access point 310 of another provider 3, but this will be described in a second embodiment.

The load information receiving unit 105 is provided for each provider 3
From A and 3B, the access point number, the number of free lines in the access point 310, and the load of the access point (access point load) are received as load information. The user information list search unit 106 sequentially refers to the user information list 110 and outputs an instruction to search the load information list 111 to the load information list search unit 108 at the timing desired by the user.

When there is a connection request from a user terminal 2 not connected to the Internet 4, the user information list updating unit 107 adds a new data string to the user information list 110 and provides the provider connection information 31 to the user terminal 2.
, The user information list 110 is updated. The load information list search unit 108 is a user information list search unit 1
06, the load information list 111 is referred to, and the access point 31 to which the user is currently connected is referred to.
The access point 310 having a light load is searched for. If the access point 310 has a light load, a request is issued to the provider connection information issuance request transmitting unit 102 to issue an issuance request command for the provider connection information 31. The load is transmitted to the provider 3 including the access point 310. The load information list updating unit 109 provides the provider 3
The load information list 111 is updated based on the load information transmitted from the.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing the structure of the user information list 110. The user information list 110 is a list including a data string associated with an account for identifying a user. Each data string includes a scheduled time (load) for searching the load information list 111 next in addition to the account. Information list search time), a time interval for searching the load information list 111 notified by the user terminal 2 at the time of the first connection (load information list search time interval),
Area code indicating the area where the access point 310 to be connected to the user terminal 2 should exist (referred to as connection permitted range),
The name of the provider to which the user is currently connected and the access point number are registered, and the user information list updating unit 10
7 as appropriate. Note that, in addition to the area code, a city name and an area name may be set as the designated area in the connection permission range.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing the configuration of the load information list 111. The load information list 111 is a list including a data string associated with an access point number. In each data string, in addition to the access point number, a provider name having the access point, an available space in the access point, The number of lines is registered and updated. Also, the data transfer amount (traffic) per unit time at the access point is registered and updated as appropriate. Hereinafter, this data transfer amount is referred to as an access point load. Note that the line usage rate can be used instead of the number of free lines. The access point load may be replaced by such load on the CPU of the access point 310.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the functions of the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2 is a computer that communicates with the Internet 4 using a TCP / IP protocol by an on-board web browser or an e-mail program. A dedicated line or channel for transmitting the connection information 31 is provided. Such communication means is realized by the D channel of the ISDN line. Further, this is also realized by providing a dedicated radio reception terminal on the user terminal 2 side and providing a radio transmission base station or the like on the access point provider 1 side.

The user terminal 2 executes a predetermined program, so that an access point provider connection information transmitting unit 201, a provider connection information receiving unit 202,
A provider disconnection processing unit 203 and a provider connection processing unit 204 are provided and function.

The access point provider connection information transmitting unit 201 searches the account and password for transmitting to the access point 120 of the access point provider 1 for authentication, the access point number of the access point 120, and the load information list 111. When data such as a time interval (referred to as a load information list search time interval) input by the user is input, dial-up is performed to the input access point number, and the access point 120 is input using the input account and password. And transmits the input load information list search time interval and the like to the access point 120.

The provider connection information receiving unit 202 transmits the provider connection information 31 from the access point provider 1.
To receive. When the received provider connection information 31 is for connecting to an access point 310 other than the connected access point 310, the provider disconnection processing unit 203 determines that the connected access point 310
Disconnect communication with. The provider connection processing unit 204
It dials up to the access point number as the provider connection information 31 and uses the temporary account and the temporary password as the provider connection information 31 as authentication information to perform connection processing with the access point 310.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the functions of the provider 3. The provider 3 is a network operated by a commercial provider affiliated with the operating organization of the access point provider 1. The provider 3 executes a predetermined program in various parts of the network to provide a provider connection information receiving unit 301, a provider connection information issue request receiving unit 302, a provider connection information generation unit 303, and a provider connection information issue request response unit. 30
4, the load information collecting unit 305 and the load information transmitting unit 30
6 are provided and function. It should be noted that the provider connection information receiving unit 301 includes an access point 310
Is configured within.

The provider connection information receiving unit 301 performs an authentication process (login authentication) when connecting the user terminal 2 to the Internet 4 using the temporary account and the temporary password received from the user terminal 2.
Upon receiving the provider connection information issuance request command from the access point provider 1, the provider connection information issuance request receiving unit 302
3 to generate the provider connection information 31. The provider connection information generation unit 303 generates the provider connection information 31 in response to a request from the provider connection information issuance request reception unit 302, and requests the provider connection information issuance request response unit 304 to transmit.

The provider connection information issue request response unit 304
Transmits the requested provider connection information 31 to the access point provider 1. Load information collection unit 30
5 sequentially (for example, periodically) collects the number of free lines and the access point load from each access point 310,
The access point number is supplied to the load information transmitting unit 306 in association with the access point number. The load information transmitting unit 306 transmits the supplied access point number, number of free lines, and access point load to the access point provider 1.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence in the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in the user terminal 2. 9 to 11 show the access point provider 1
It is a figure which shows the flow of a process in. 12 and 13
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in the provider 3.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the provider 3, the load information collecting unit 305 sequentially collects the number of vacant lines of the access point 310 and the access point load possessed by the provider 3, and together with the access point number, the load information transmitting unit 306. Output to the load information transmitting unit 3
06 transmits the information corresponding to the number of the access points 310 to the access point provider 1. Note that the load information collecting unit 305 and the load information transmitting unit 306 perform such processing sequentially and continuously.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the access point provider 1, the load information receiving unit 105
The access point number, the number of vacant lines, and the access point load transmitted from the provider 3 are received, and output to the load information list update unit 109 to output the load information list 11.
Set to 1. Note that the load information receiving unit 105 and the load information list updating unit 109 continuously perform such processing, and update the contents of the load information list 111 to the latest one.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the user terminal 2 not connected to the Internet 4 executes step S1.
To connect to the access point provider 1.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the access point provider connection information transmitting section 20 of the user terminal 2
1. When an access point number, an account, a password, a load information list search time interval and a connection permitted range are input by a user operation, dial-up is performed to the input access point number and the input account and password are used. Access point 1
20 and transmits the input load information list search time interval and connection permitted range to the access point 120.

Next, in step S3 of FIG. 6, the access point provider 1 registers information from the user terminal 2 in the user information list 110.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the access point provider connection information receiving unit 101 of the access point provider 1 sets the account, password, load information list search time interval and connection permitted range from the user terminal 2. Receive. Then, the user is authenticated with the account and the password. If the user is authenticated, the account, the load information list search time interval, and the connection permitted range are output to the user information list updating unit 107.

The user information list updating section 107 adds a new data string to the user information list 110 and adds the new data string to the access point provider connection information receiving section 1.
Set the data from 01. Since the load information list search time, the provider name, and the access point number in this data string are set after the transmission of the provider connection information 31 to the user terminal 2, they are left blank at this time.

On the other hand, the access point provider connection information receiving section 101 outputs the received connection permitted range to the load information list search section 108.

Then, in step S5 of FIG. 6, the access point provider 1 searches for an access point 310 in the designated area. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
When the user terminal 2 and the Internet 4 are not connected, the load information list search unit 108 determines whether or not the access point 310 is in the designated area set in the connection permitted range and has one or more free lines. An access point 310 whose access point load is smaller than a predetermined threshold is selected based on the setting contents of the load information list 111.

When there are a plurality of access points satisfying the above conditions, the access point with the lightest load is selected. Therefore, the user terminal 2 can communicate with the Internet 4 at higher speed.

An access point 31 satisfying the above conditions
If 0 is selected, the access point provider 1 selects the selected access point 31 in step S7 in FIG.
Request issuance of provider connection information to the provider 3 having 0 (for example, the provider 3A).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the load information list search unit 108 loads the provider name including the access point and the access point number into the load information list 1.
11 and output it to the provider connection information issue request transmission unit 102. On the other hand, when there is no satisfying access point 310, the user information list updating section 10
7, the load information list search time of the user information list 110 is updated to a time obtained by adding the load information list search time interval. Therefore, this time is detected by the user information list search unit 106, and the next search of the load information list 111 is performed.

Provider connection information issuance request transmission unit 102
When the provider name and the access point number are input from the load information list search unit 108, the provider 3
The connection information issuance request command is transmitted to
As shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 10, an access point number is output to the provider connection information issue request response receiving unit 103 to notify the selected access point 310.

Hereinafter, a description will be given assuming that an access point satisfying the conditions has been selected. As shown in FIG. 12, upon receiving the connection information issuance request command from the access point provider 1, the provider connection information issuance request receiving unit 302 requests the provider connection information generation unit 303 to provide a temporary account and a provider account as the provider connection information 31. Generate a temporary password.

The provider 3 permits the use of the temporary account and the temporary password only once. Furthermore, by invalidating a predetermined time after the issuance, it is prevented from being used repeatedly or later.

The provider connection information generation unit 303 transmits the generated information to the provider connection information issue request response unit 3
04, the provider connection information issuance request response unit 30
4 transmits (issues) to the access point provider 1.

[0054] That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the provider 3
A sends the provider connection information 31 as a response to the issuance request in step S9.

[0055] The access point provider 1 in step S11, the provider connection information 31 the user terminal 2
Send to

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the provider connection information issuance request response receiving unit 103 receives a temporary account and a temporary password from the selected provider 3. The provider connection information issue request response receiving unit 103 outputs the access point number, the temporary account, and the temporary password to the provider connection information transmitting unit 104.

[0057] The provider connection information transmitting unit 104 transmits the access point number, the temporary account, and the temporary password to the user terminal 2.

Next, as shown in FIG.
Then, the access point provider 1 updates the user information list 110. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
The provider connection information transmitting unit 104 outputs the account, the provider name, and the access point number to the user information list updating unit 107, and the user information list updating unit 107
Selects a data string including this account and writes the entered provider name and access point number into the selected data string. Therefore, at the next time, the access point number to which the user terminal 2 is connected can be read.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, step S15
In the access point provider 1, the load information list 1
Update 11 Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the provider connection information transmitting unit 104 outputs the provider name and the access point number to the load information list updating unit 109, and the load information list updating unit 109
11 is subtracted from the number of vacant lines of this access point number. Therefore, even before the load information list 111 is updated with the load information from the provider 3, the number of empty lines can be recognized, and the user terminal 2 can be notified to an access point having no empty lines. The inconvenience of requesting a connection can be prevented.

In step S17 in FIG. 6, the user terminal 2
The connection with the access point provider 1 is disconnected.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the provider connection information receiving section 202 of the user terminal 2 receives the access point number, the temporary account, and the temporary password from the access point provider 1, any one of the access points is accessed. It is determined whether it is currently connected to the point 310 or the access point 120 of the access point provider 1. When it is determined that the connection is being established, the provider disconnection processing unit 203 transmits a disconnection signal to the currently connected provider 3 or the access point of the access point provider 1 to disconnect the communication.
When it is determined that the connection is not being established, such unnecessary disconnection processing is not performed.

Thereafter, in step S19 of FIG. 6, the user terminal 2 connects to the access point 310 of the provider 3A based on the transmitted provider connection information 31. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the provider cutting unit 20
Reference numeral 3 denotes an access point number, a temporary account, and a temporary password,
Output to 4. The provider connection processing unit 204 makes a dial-up connection to the access point 310 of the provider 3 and transmits the temporary account and the temporary password.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the provider connection information receiving unit 301 of the provider 3
When the temporary account and the temporary password are received from the user, the user authentication is performed. If the user is authenticated as a user, the user terminal 2 is connected to the Internet 4.

In this manner, the access point provider 1 can connect the unconnected user terminal 2 to the Internet 4 via the lightly loaded access point 310.

Next, the processing when the user terminal 2 is connected to the Internet 4 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the user terminal 2 is connected to the provider 3A, in step S21, the access point provider 1 performs access with a lighter load than the access point 310 to which the user terminal 2 is connected. Search for point 310. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the load information list search time set in the user information list 110 comes, the user information list search unit 106 outputs a search command to the load information list search unit 108. Reference numeral 108 refers to the load information list 111 and selects an access point having a load smaller than the load of the access point to which the user terminal 2 is connected.

Then, in step S23 of FIG. 7, the access point provider 1 selects the provider 3 including the selected access point 310 (for example, the provider 3B).
Request for issuance of provider connection information. Provider 3
In step S25, the access point provider 1 transmits the provider connection information 31 to the user terminal 2 in step S27. In step S27, the access point provider 1 transmits the provider connection information 31 to the user terminal 2. In S31, the user information list 110 and the load information list 111 are updated in the same manner as in steps S13 and S15 described above.

Meanwhile, the user terminal 2 in step S33,
The communication with the access point 310 of the connected provider 3A is cut off, and thereafter, in step S35, the connection with the access point 310 of the provider 3B is made using the transmitted provider connection information 31.

Since the processing of FIG. 7 is performed successively and continuously,
The connection between the user terminal 2 and the Internet 4 is always made via the lightly loaded access point 310, and the user of the user terminal 2 can enjoy comfortable communication.

Therefore, according to the communication service system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the communication load on the plurality of access points is reduced by the communication line from one or more providers having at least one of the plurality of access points. And at least one access point corresponding to a communication load smaller than a predetermined threshold value in the collected and accumulated communication load is selected, and the selected access point should be received at the time of connection from the user terminal. The authentication information is requested from the provider having the access point, and the authentication information responding to the request and the number of the access point are supplied to the user terminal. Automatically connect to lightly loaded access points.

Therefore, the inconvenience of being unable to connect to the Internet 4 due to the congestion of the access point 310 is eliminated. Also, during connection, data transfer is less likely to be delayed or stopped, and comfortable communication can be performed. On the other hand, the load on the access point is also reduced, so that the reliability of the communication service can be improved.

Further, the access point provider 1
The selection of an access point and the supply of information to the user terminal are performed both during connection to the Internet from the user terminal and during connection.In the case of connection, the communication load of the connected access point is reduced. Since the access point corresponding to the small communication load is selected, even if the user terminal is not connected to the Internet or is already connected to the Internet, it can connect to the access point with a light load,
Further, when a connection is being made, it becomes possible to connect to an access point with a lighter load than the connected access point.

Further, the access point provider 1
When selecting an access point, the access point with the lightest communication load is selected.
An optimal communication environment to the Internet can be provided.

Further, the access point provider 1
The designation of the area where the access point should exist is accepted when connecting to the Internet from the user terminal, and the access point existing in the designated area is selected. If a nearby area is specified from a portable computer, a mobile phone, or the like as the terminal 2, the user terminal can automatically connect to an access point existing in the nearby area, and as a result, communication costs can be reduced. .

Further, the access point provider 1
From each provider 3, the communication load is collected and accumulated sequentially,
Since the access point is selected based on the latest communication load updated in the load information list 111, the user terminal always connects to the access point with a light load even if the communication load of the access point fluctuates. become able to.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the access point provider 1 transmits the provider connection information 31 to the user terminal 2. However, in the second embodiment, , Through an access point connected to the user terminal.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a network configuration and a use form according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
Transmits the provider connection information 31 to the provider 3 (the provider 3C in FIG. 14) having the access point 310 to which the user terminal 2 is connected. Then, the access point 310 of the provider 3C stores the transmitted provider connection information 31
To the user terminal 2. Note that such transmission is performed on a line between the user terminal 2 and the provider, for example, ISDN.
This is performed by multiplexing a line, a wireless line, an analog line, a line using a cable television, and the like. Also,
The access point provider 1A collects the load information from each provider 3 and stores it in the load information list 111 in the same manner as the access point provider 1 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of the functions of the provider 3C shown in FIG. Provider 3C
Similarly to the provider 3 (3A, 3B) of the first embodiment, a provider connection information receiving unit 301, a provider connection information issuance request receiving unit 302, a provider connection information generating unit 303, a provider connection information issuance request response unit 304, It includes a load information collection unit 305, a load information transmission unit 306, and an access point 310, and further includes a provider connection information transfer unit 307 that transfers the provider connection information 31 transmitted from the access point provider 1A to the user terminal 2. Function.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a sequence according to the second embodiment.

The access point provider 1A performs the same processing as in the first embodiment up to the point where the access point provider 1A receives the provider connection information 31 as a response to the request for issuing the provider connection information, for example, from the provider 3B. The user terminal 2 transmits the provider connection information 31 to the provider 3C having the access point 310 currently connected (S51).

Then, the provider 3C sets the user terminal 2
Requests the currently connected access point 310 to transmit the provider connection information 31 to the user terminal 2 (S53). Upon receiving the provider connection information 31, the user terminal 2 performs disconnection processing and connection processing as in the first embodiment.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, when the access point number, the temporary account and the temporary password are output from the provider connection information issuance request response receiving unit 103, the user information list searching unit 106 It is determined whether or not it is the first connection from the terminal 2 to the Internet 4. At this point, since the provider name and the access point number are not set in the user information list 110, in such a state, it is determined that it is the first time. On the other hand, when the provider name and the access point number are set, the user information list search unit 106 reads the account and the provider name from the user information list 110.

When it is determined that it is the first time, the user information list search unit 106 outputs the access point number, the temporary account, and the temporary password to the provider connection information transmitting unit 104. On the other hand, when the reading is performed, the account and the provider name are also output to the provider connection information transmitting unit 104.

When the provider name is input, the provider connection information transmitting section 104 sends the access point number, the temporary account and the temporary password
The data is transmitted to the provider 3. On the other hand, when the provider name is not input, the data is transmitted to the user terminal 2.

On the other hand, the processing performed by the user terminal 2 is as follows:
The description is omitted because it is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The provider connection information transmitting section 104 outputs the account, the provider name, and the access point number to the user information list updating section 107, and updates the user information list 110 as in the first embodiment. In addition, the provider name and the access point number are output to the load information list updating unit 109, and the load information list 111 is output.
To update.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
In C, when the provider connection information transfer unit 307 receives a new access point number, a temporary account, and a temporary password from the access point provider 1, it transmits these to the user terminal 2.

Therefore, according to the communication service system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, information is supplied to the user terminal via the access point connected to the user terminal. The inconvenience that the access point 120 of the provider 1 is occupied by the user terminal 2 can be prevented.

In the above embodiment, the access point 310 with the lightest load is selected. However, the user terminal 2 can select from a plurality of received access point numbers and connect to the access point 310. When configured, the access point provider 1 may be configured to select the access point 310 from each of a plurality of regions and notify the access point load along with the access point number and the like. By doing so, the degree of freedom of the user's selection is improved. Therefore, for example, even if it is slightly congested, it is possible to select a nearby access point 310 with a low communication cost.

Further, in the above embodiment, the access point 310 is operated by a provider, and the access point provider 1 is operated by an organization different from the provider. It can also be operated within the same company where it is located. When the employee's computer as the user terminal 2 is constantly connected to the access point, an IP address or the like is transmitted from the access point provider 1 to the user terminal 2 as information for identifying the access point.
It may be possible to connect to the Internet 4 without dialing up.

The organization that operates the access point provider 1 has the user terminal 2 along with the communication service.
It is also possible to charge a user or an Internet service provider that operates the provider 3. As a billing method, for example, every time an access point number or the like is transmitted to the user terminal 2, a fixed fee may be charged to the user or the provider of the user terminal 2. Further, a discount may be provided when the number of transmissions exceeds a predetermined number. As a result, the organization that operates the access point provider can obtain the revenue required to provide the service.

[0093] Advertisement information may be presented to the user terminal 2 together with the notification of the access point number. With the above convenience, the organization that operates the access point provider 1 can expect a great reward for the presentation of the advertisement information.

[0094]

As described above, according to the communication service system or method according to the present invention, when a telephone number of an access point to a network is received, a light load is imposed on a user terminal which automatically connects to the access point. Is selected and its telephone number or the like is supplied, so that the user terminal can be stably connected to the network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration and a use form according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of functions of an access point provider 1.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a user information list 110; FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the load information list.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a function of the user terminal 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a function of a provider 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sequence according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a sequence according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in the user terminal 2.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in the access point provider 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in the access point provider 1.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in the access point provider 1.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in a provider 3.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in a provider 3.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a network configuration and a use form according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a function of a provider 3C.

FIG. 16 illustrates a sequence according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a processing flow in the access point provider 1A.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a flow of processing in a provider 3C.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a conventional connection method to the Internet.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A Access point provider network 2 User terminal 2 3 (3A, 3B, 3C) Provider network 4 Internet (network) 31 Provider connection information 101 Access point provider connection information receiving unit 102 Provider connection information issue request transmitting unit 103 Provider Connection information issuance request response reception unit 104 Provider connection information transmission unit 105 Load information reception unit 106 User information list search unit 107 User information list update unit 108 Load information list search unit 109 Load information list update unit 110 User information list 111 Load information list 120 Access point of access point provider 1 201 Access point provider connection information transmitting unit 202 Provider connection information receiving unit 203 Provider disconnection processing 204 Provider connection processing unit 301 Provider connection information receiving unit 302 Provider connection information issue request receiving unit 303 Provider connection information generation unit 304 Provider connection information issue request response unit 305 Load information collection unit 306 Load information transmission unit 307 Provider connection information transfer unit 310 Provider 3 access point

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yuki Osawa F-term (reference) in NTT Comware Co., Ltd. 1-9-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 5K030 GA17 HA01 HA08 HC01 HC02 HD05 JL08 LB02 LC06 MA05 MB09 5K101 KK02 LL01 MM07 NN21 QQ11 RR12 SS07

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A communication service system for a user terminal which automatically connects to an access point corresponding to the identification information when the identification information of the access point to the network is received, wherein the communication service system collects and accumulates communication loads applied to a plurality of access points. A communication service system comprising: selecting at least one access point corresponding to a communication load smaller than a predetermined threshold in the collected and accumulated communication load; and transmitting identification information of the selected access point to the user terminal. . 2. A communication service system for a user terminal which automatically dials up to a number of an access point to the Internet when receiving the number of the access point, wherein a communication load applied to the plurality of access points is reduced. Collecting and accumulating from at least one provider having at least one via a communication line, selecting at least one access point corresponding to a communication load smaller than a predetermined threshold in the collected and accumulated communication load, and selecting the selected access point Requesting authentication information to be received at the time of connection from the user terminal to the provider having the access point, and supplying the authentication information responding to the request and the number of the access point to the user terminal. communication service system according to claim. 3. The selection of the access point and the supply of information to the user terminal are performed both when the user terminal is connected to the Internet and during the connection, and when the connection is being performed, the access during the connection is performed. 3. The communication service system according to claim 2, wherein an access point corresponding to a communication load smaller than the communication load of the point is selected. 4. The communication service system according to claim 2, wherein an access point having a lightest communication load is selected when selecting said access point. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a designation of an area where the selected access point should exist is accepted when a user terminal connects to the Internet, and an access point existing in the designated area is selected. The communication service system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: 6. The communication service system according to claim 2, wherein the communication load is sequentially collected and accumulated, and the access point is selected based on the latest communication load. 7. The communication service system according to claim 2, wherein the information is supplied to the user terminal via an access point connected to the user terminal. 8. The communication service system according to claim 2, wherein billing is performed for information supply to said user terminal. 9. A communication service method for a user terminal that automatically dials up to a number of an access point to the Internet when receiving the number of the access point, the communication load on the plurality of access points being reduced by the plurality of access points. Collecting and accumulating from at least one provider having at least one via a communication line, selecting at least one access point corresponding to a communication load smaller than a predetermined threshold in the collected and accumulated communication load, and selecting the selected access point Requesting authentication information to be received at the time of connection from the user terminal to the provider having the access point, and supplying the authentication information responding to the request and the number of the access point to the user terminal. A communication service method comprising: