JP2004336183A - Internet connection service system, Internet connection service providing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to use an arbitrary telephone line nationwide as a fixed-rate access line.
In an Internet connection service system, when a connection between an Internet connection device installed at an access point (109, 112) of an Internet service provider (110) and personal computers (104a, 104b) as user terminal devices is controlled, a main center is used. In the device 101, the authentication server 102 performs user authentication by communicating with the personal computers 104a and 104b accessed by dial-up via arbitrary telephone lines 106 and 107, and in the sub-center devices 105a and 105b, the main center device 101 Charges the user's personal computers 104a and 104b to the Internet connection device of the Internet service provider 110 without being charged by the authentication server 102 To connect.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technology for providing an Internet connection service using a public line such as a telephone line or ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) as an access line at a fixed fee, and particularly to an Internet connection suitable for improving user convenience. It concerns service technology.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, due to the rapid spread of the Internet, the communication fee for Internet connection has been changed from a pay-as-you-go system, which charges in proportion to time, to a flat-rate system that allows only a single access line to be connected at all times if a fixed amount is paid. The number of users who use is increasing.
[0003]
However, when a user using the flat-rate system goes on a business trip or a trip, a telephone line at the destination is used as an access line to an access point (AP: Access Point) of an Internet service provider (ISP). In the case of dial-up access, there is a problem that it is difficult to sufficiently use the Internet because of the conventional time-based billing.
[0004]
It is also possible to connect to the ISP using a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone or a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), but the communication fee is expensive, it can be used only within the communicable area, and it can be used for a long time. In the case of connection, there is a problem that the battery of the terminal runs out.
[0005]
On the other hand, if a small business that does not have a large amount of communication data so as to always connect to the Internet has business establishments scattered throughout the country, the connection communication to the ISP is made for each business establishment (for each access line). There is a problem that it is necessary to pay a fee, and the effect is lower than the cost in consideration of the frequency of use.
[0006]
As a conventional technique for efficiently performing such an Internet connection service, for example, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1. According to this technology, a communication service provider that provides a line service collects communication charges for a predetermined user to an ISP access point and bills the ISP. The ISP obtains usage time of the Internet service for each user (account). A technique is disclosed in which when a use time exceeds a reference time, a communication fee and a connection service fee are charged to a customer according to the excess time, but when the use time does not exceed the reference time, no charge is made.
[0007]
According to this technology, the communication fee to the ISP access point is free to the user if the communication fee is used within the reference time.
[0008]
However, in this technology, a communication carrier simply charges a communication fee from a pre-registered user's telephone number to an access point's telephone number from a conventional user to an ISP, More specifically, a specific telephone number (specific user) and a called party (ISP access point) are registered in advance in the exchange, and the connection from the specific telephone number to the specific called party is determined by the connection. Is charged to the ISP that is the destination of the call.
[0009]
Therefore, this service can be received only by a specific telephone number registered in advance. For example, even if a specific user goes on a business trip or a trip, the ISP can use the telephone line at the destination as an access line. When connecting to an access point, the time-based billing is performed.
[0010]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-135467
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The problem to be solved is that, with the conventional technology, any public line nationwide cannot be used as a fixed-rate access line.
[0012]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, improve the convenience of the Internet, and reduce the connection fee.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, for example, an access is made from a user's personal computer (personal computer) to an Internet service provider (ISP) operator that makes an Internet connection through an access line (telephone line, ISDN, etc.). The telecommunications carrier that provides the line installs a main center that performs various types of user information, such as the telephone number, user ID number, password, and number of lines that can be used simultaneously by each user, and performs user authentication processing. Under the control, a plurality of sub-centers for controlling the connection of the line are set up in the administrative district boundaries in units of regions or prefectures. The user pays a fixed amount of communication fee in advance and registers the user information in the main center, so that the Internet connection can be made to a fixed amount / unlimited use (flat-rate access) on any public line nationwide (flat-rate access). Right), and then make a dial-up connection to the sub center (free of charge for communication), and transmit the user ID number and password. The transmission means here may be a telephone push button signal (PB signal). At the sub-center, the received user information is transmitted to the main center using a communication line to be authenticated. If the authentication is OK, a dial-up connection is made to the access point of the ISP operator, and the user's personal computer and the ISP operator are connected. To mediate the connection with the Internet connection device. As a result, a user who has a fixed-rate access right can connect to the ISP without a new charge even from a public line other than his / her own contract, and realize a fixed-rate Internet that can be used nationwide.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network provided with an Internet connection service system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first processing operation example of the Internet connection service system in FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second processing operation example of the Internet connection service system in FIG. 1;
[0016]
In FIG. 1, 110 is the Internet, 103 is an Internet service provider (described as “ISP (NOC)” in the figure), 109 and 112 are access points (described as “AP” in the figure), and 111, 111a, and 111b are ordinary telephones. A network 100 is an Internet connection service system for performing Internet connection control and management according to the present invention, and 101, 105a and 105b are main center devices (described as "MAIN" in the figure) and sub-center devices (FIG. SUB), reference numeral 102 denotes an authentication server provided in the main center device 101 (referred to as "authentication S" in the figure), and reference numerals 108a and 108b connect the main center device 101 with the sub-center devices 105a and 105b. Communication lines, 106 and 107 are telephone lines 104a, 104b is (described in the drawing as "PC") personal computer as the user terminal, 113 is the boundary of the province field.
[0017]
The Internet service provider 103 is provided with a NOC (Network Operations Center) as a computer device directly connected to a large-capacity trunk line of the Internet 110, and is connected to the Internet connection devices provided at the access points 109 and 112 by a dedicated line. Have been.
[0018]
Conventionally, when users of the personal computers 104a and 104b use the connection service with the Internet 110 provided by the Internet service provider 103 through the access points 109 and 112, the access points 109 and 112 as dial-up access destinations. It was necessary to pay the line usage fee up to a time-based system.
[0019]
Each of the main center device 101, the sub-center devices 105a and 105b, and the personal computers 104a and 104b in FIG. 1 has the same CPU as the NOC provided in the Internet service provider 103 and the Internet connection device provided in the access points 109 and 112. (Central Processing Unit) and a computer configuration including a main memory, a display device, an input device, an external storage device, and the like. For example, programs and data recorded on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM via an optical disk drive or the like can be transferred. After being installed in the external storage device, the functions of the respective processing units are executed by reading the data from the external storage device into the main memory and processing the read data by the CPU.
[0020]
With such a configuration, the Internet connection service system 100 controls the connection between the Internet connection devices installed at the access points 109 and 112 of the Internet service provider 110 and the personal computers 104a and 104b as the user terminal devices. At this time, in the main center apparatus 101, the authentication server 102 performs user authentication by communicating with the personal computers 104a and 104b accessed by dial-up via an arbitrary public line (telephone lines 106 and 107). At 105a and 105b, the personal computers 104a and 104b of the user whose user has been authenticated by the authentication server 102 by the main center apparatus 101 are transferred to the Internet service provider 110 by the Internet service provider 110. To connect without charge to the Internet connection device. The communication fee to the main center device 101 and the sub center device 105a is free.
[0021]
In this example, in particular, in the sub-center apparatuses 105a and 105b, the personal computers 104a and 104b of the users whose users have been authenticated by the authentication server 102 by the main center apparatus 101 are connected to the Internet connection apparatus installed at the access point of the Internet service provider 110. Connect via phone line without billing.
[0022]
Also, in the sub-center devices 105a and 105b, the personal computers 104a and 104b of the user who has been authenticated by the main center device 101 are connected to an Internet connection device of an Internet service provider registered in advance with the user or a personal computer. It connects to the Internet connection device of the specified Internet service provider by communication with 104a and 104b.
[0023]
At that time, the sub-center devices 105a and 105b specify the nearest access point of the Internet service provider, make dial-up access to the Internet connection device installed at this access point, and provide the personal computers 104a and 104b is connected.
[0024]
The authentication server 102 of the main center apparatus 101 has a function of storing user authentication information including at least user identification information in a storage device in advance, and a function of performing user authentication based on the stored user authentication information. When sub-center devices 105a and 105b receive dial-up access from personal computers 104a and 104b via arbitrary telephone lines (106 and 107), at least user identification information transmitted from personal computers 104a and 104b is transmitted. The personal computer 104a, 104b and the Internet connection device receive the user information including the function of sending the user information to the main center device 101 and requesting authentication of the user, and receiving the valid user authentication result from the main center device 101. Function to connect That.
[0025]
Further, in this example, the plurality of sub-center devices 105a and 105b are connected to one main center device 101 via communication lines 108a and 108b, and each of the plurality of sub-center devices 105a and 105b is divided at the boundary 113 of the administrative district boundary. Established in different administrative boundaries.
[0026]
Further, in this example, the sub-center devices 105a and 105b have a function of detecting disconnection between the personal computers 104a and 104b and the Internet connection device without charging and notifying the main center device 101 of the disconnection. Is a function for storing the ongoing user authentication until receiving a disconnection notification from the sub-center devices 105a and 105b, a function for counting the number of ongoing user authentications for the same user, When the number of user authentications reaches a predetermined number, a function of rejecting authentication for subsequent access is provided.
[0027]
As described above, in this example, the communication provider that provides a network that connects the Internet connection devices installed at the access points 109 and 112 of the Internet service provider 103 and the user terminal devices (personal computers 104a and 104b) By providing the Internet connection service system 100, identification information of a user who has paid a predetermined communication fee is registered in a storage device, and arbitrary information can be transmitted from a terminal device (personal computer 104a, 104b) of the user who has registered the identification information. In response to the dial-up access using the telephone lines 106 and 107, the terminal devices (personal computers 104a and 104b) are connected to the Internet connection devices installed at the access points 109 and 112 without charge.
[0028]
Note that the Internet connection service system of the present example having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 assumes a case where an individual mainly uses this service at a business trip destination or a travel destination.
[0029]
The processing operation of the Internet connection service system having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0030]
First, as shown in FIG. 2, a user connects to an authentication server 102 in a main center apparatus 101 using a personal computer 104a or the like to apply for a flat-rate access right for network connection without charging according to the present invention. (Step S201), the telephone number (charged telephone number) of the contracted line for paying the usage fee of this service, the user ID number (user identification information), the password, the name of the ISP 103 to be connected, and the simultaneously used line The user information such as the number is registered (step S202).
[0031]
In this example, since the user is an individual and does not use a plurality of lines at the same time, the number of simultaneously used lines is one. A fixed amount access right is granted to the user at the same time as the above registration is completed (step S203).
[0032]
After the completion of the registration, the user sets the telephone number of the sub-center device 105a, his / her user ID number, password and the like in the dial-up setting of his / her personal computer 104a (step S204). Note that the telephone number of the sub-center device 105a is toll free, and the communication fee is free.
[0033]
When the user is away from the telephone line 107 at home and intends to connect to the Internet service provider 103 using the telephone line 106 at the destination as an access line (step S205), the user operates the personal computer 104b to dial-up the sub-center device 105. (Step S206).
[0034]
It is assumed that the personal computer 104b operated here has the same settings as the personal computer 104a described above, or the personal computer 104a itself is brought in.
[0035]
After the connection, the personal computer 104b sends its own user ID number and password as a PB (push phone) signal (step S207). For this reason, the personal computer 104b is set to transmit a user ID number or the like after an interval of several seconds to ten and several seconds after dialing the sub-center device 105b.
[0036]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3, the sub-center device 105b that has received the user ID number and the password transmits the received user information to the main center device 101 via the communication line 108b (step S208). Then, the user is authenticated based on the information content registered in the authentication server 102 in advance (step S209).
[0037]
If the user authentication result in the authentication server 102 is incorrect (step S209a), the main center apparatus 101 returns an authentication NG to the sub center apparatus 105b (step S210), and the sub center apparatus 105b communicates with the user (personal computer 104b). The communication is disconnected (step S211).
[0038]
When the user authentication result in the authentication server 102 is correct (step S209a), the main center apparatus 101 recognizes that the user is the holder of the fixed-rate access right (step S212), and returns an authentication OK to the sub-center apparatus 105b (step S212). Step S213).
[0039]
The sub-center device 105b that has received the authentication OK specifies the nearest access point 112 of the Internet service provider 103 registered by the user and performs dial-up connection (step S214).
[0040]
As a result, communication between the user's personal computer 104b and the Internet service provider 103 becomes possible (step S215). After the Internet service provider 103 authenticates that the user is a customer of the company (step S216), the Internet 110 (Step S217).
[0041]
As described above, the user pays a certain amount of communication fee in advance and registers it in the main center apparatus 101, so that not only the home telephone line 107 but also the outgoing telephone line 106 as the access line is charged. Without this, the Internet 110 can be used at a fixed price.
[0042]
Next, a description will be given of a case where the present invention is applied to a case where a small company mainly uses the present service in branch offices, business offices, and the like distributed in various places, with reference to FIGS.
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of a network provided with the Internet connection service system according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first processing operation example of the Internet connection service system in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second processing operation example of the Internet connection service system in FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a third processing operation example of the Internet connection service system in FIG.
[0044]
In FIG. 4, 309 is the Internet, 303 is an Internet service provider (described as “ISP (NOC)” in the figure), 308 is an access point (described as “AP” in the figure), 310 is a general telephone network, and 300 is the present invention. An Internet connection service system for performing Internet connection control and management related to the present invention; 301 and 305, a main center device (described as “MAIN” in the figure) and a sub-center device (described as “SUB” in the diagram), which constitute the Internet connection service system, respectively; Reference numeral 302 denotes an authentication server provided in the main center device 301 (described as “authentication S” in the figure); 307, a communication line connecting the main center device 301 and the sub-center device 305; 306, a telephone line; A personal computer as a user terminal device (“ Described as C "), 311 is the boundary of the administrative district boundaries.
[0045]
4, the Internet 309, Internet service provider 303, access point 308, general telephone network 310, Internet connection service system 300, main center device 301, sub-center device 305, authentication server 302, communication line 307, telephone line 306, and personal computer 304 in FIG. , 304a, the boundaries 311 of the administrative boundaries, respectively, correspond to the Internet 110, the Internet service provider 103, the access points 109, 112, the general telephone networks 111, 111a, 111b, the Internet connection service system 100, and the main center device in FIG. 101, sub-center devices 105a and 105b, authentication server 102, communication lines 108a and 108b, telephone lines 106 and 107, personal computer 1 4a, 104b, is equivalent to the respective administrative district boundaries of the boundary 113.
[0046]
Hereinafter, the processing operation of the Internet connection service system having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0047]
First, as shown in FIG. 5, a company (head office) connects to the authentication server 302 in the main center device 301 using a personal computer 304a or the like to apply for a fixed-rate access right (step S401), and uses the service. The user information such as the telephone number of the contracted line for paying the fee, the user ID number, the password, the name of the Internet service provider 303, and the number of simultaneously used lines is registered (step S402).
[0048]
In this example, since the user is a company, the number of simultaneously used lines is determined in consideration of the frequency of Internet connection at each branch or the like. For example, if there are 10 branches nationwide, and if the frequency of use of the Internet at each branch is low, it is possible to establish a rate plan such that the fixed-rate access right is mutually shared with a contract of five lines in total.
[0049]
At the same time as the registration is completed, a fixed-rate access right is given to the company (step S403). After the registration is completed, the registered user ID number and password are applied from the head office to each branch or the like so that the purchased fixed-rate access right can be used. Notify (step S404).
[0050]
In each branch, for example, the Osaka branch, the telephone number of the sub-center device 305, the user ID number notified from the head office, and the password are set in the dial-up setting of the personal computer 304 (step S405). Note that the telephone number of the sub-center device 305 is toll-free, and the communication fee therefor is free.
[0051]
Then, in a branch of a company, for example, the Osaka branch, when the connection to the Internet service provider 303 is to be made by using its own telephone line 306 as an access line (step S406), the personal computer 304 in the branch connects to the sub-center device 305 by dial-up. (Step S407).
[0052]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6, the own user ID number and password are transmitted by a PB signal (step S408). For this processing, the personal computer 304 is set to transmit a user ID number or the like after an interval of several seconds to ten and several seconds after dialing the sub-center device 305.
[0053]
The sub-center 305 that has received the user ID number and the password from the personal computer 304 transmits the received user information to the main center device 301 via the communication line 307 (step S409), and the main center device 301 performs authentication in advance. These authentications are performed based on the contents registered in the server 302 (step S410).
[0054]
If the authentication result is incorrect (step S410a), as shown in FIG. 7, the main center apparatus 301 returns an authentication NG to the sub-center apparatus 305 (step S411), and the sub-center apparatus 305 communicates with the user (branch). The communication is disconnected (step S412).
[0055]
Also, if the authentication result is correct in the processing of step S410a, the main center apparatus 301 recognizes that the accessing user (Osaka branch) is a fixed-rate access right holder as shown in FIG. 6 (step S413). .
[0056]
Further, the main center apparatus 301 checks whether or not there is another connected branch using the same user ID number, and if so, the number (n) thereof (step S414), and determines a predetermined simultaneous usable line. It is determined whether the number does not exceed (step S415).
[0057]
If it exceeds, the main center device 301 performs the process of step S411 (return to the sub-center device 305) in FIG. 7 and the sub-center device 305 executes the process of step S412, assuming that the number of simultaneously used lines is exceeded. Disconnect the communication with the user (Osaka branch).
[0058]
If the user authentication in steps S410 and 410a and the check on the number of simultaneously used lines in step S415 are OK, the main center device 301 returns an authentication OK to the sub-center device 305 as shown in FIG. 6 ( Step S416).
[0059]
The sub-center apparatus 305 that has received this makes a dial-up connection to the nearest access point 308 of the Internet service provider 303 registered in advance by this branch as shown in FIG. 7 (step S417).
[0060]
As a result, communication between the personal computer 304 of the Osaka branch and the Internet service provider 303 becomes possible (step S418). (Step S419), the personal computer 304 is connected to the Internet 309 (Step S420).
[0061]
With the above processing, even if a different telephone line is used as an access line for each branch, there is no separate access fee, and the Internet is inexpensive by sharing a fixed amount access right according to the frequency of use can do.
[0062]
As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, in this example, the access lines (the Internet service providers (ISPs) 103 and 303 from the user's personal computers 104 a, 104 b, 304, and 304 a to the Internet service providers (ISPs) 103 and 303 that make Internet connections. If you pay a fixed amount of communication fee to a telecommunications carrier for connection using a telephone line, etc., you can get the right to use the Internet connection using any telephone line nationwide for a fixed amount and unlimited use (flat-rate access right). Configuration.
[0063]
In other words, when acquiring the fixed-rate access right, the user information such as the user's own telephone number (billing telephone number), user ID number, password, and Internet service provider name is stored in advance in the Internet connection service system 100 installed by the communication carrier. , 300 (the authentication servers 102, 302 of the main center apparatuses 101, 302).
[0064]
In addition, the user previously sets the telephone numbers (sub-center devices 105a, 105b, and 305) of the Internet connection service systems 100 and 300 that perform connection control for fixed-rate access on the dial-up setting screens of the personal computers 104a, 104b, 304, and 304a. Phone number), a user ID number, and a password.
[0065]
Then, when connecting to the Internet service providers 103 and 303 by a fixed-rate access, the user first connects to the Internet connection service systems 100 and 300 (sub-center devices 105a, 105b, and 305) by dial-up, and then notifies user information.
[0066]
The Internet connection service systems 100 and 300 (the authentication servers 102 and 302 of the main center apparatuses 101 and 301) check the information registered in advance against the user information notified by the user, Authenticates whether or not is the owner of the fixed-rate access right.
[0067]
Here, the telephone numbers of the nearest access points 109, 112 and 308 of the Internet service providers 103 and 303 specified by the user information are registered in advance, and if the user authentication is OK, the access points 109 , 112, 308 and mediates communication between the user's personal computers 104a, 104b, 304, 304a and the Internet service providers 103, 303.
[0068]
Also, the Internet connection service systems 100 and 300 have authentication servers 102 and 302, and one or more main center devices 101 and 301 are installed nationwide, and sub-center devices are installed separately in each region or prefecture. ., And the main center devices 101 and 301 and the sub-center devices 105a, 105b, 305,... Can mutually communicate user information and the like.
[0069]
Also, the fixed access right can be shared by a plurality of personal computers nationwide. The fixed-rate access right can be used by a plurality of users at the same time, and the number of simultaneously used lines can be set. It is also possible to specify a different Internet service provider for each user.
[0070]
With this configuration, in this example, it is possible to use any telephone line nationwide that could not be used as a fixed-rate access line in the past, and for corporate users, a flat-rate system according to demand Since the rate plan can be realized, the convenience of the Internet can be improved and the connection fee can be reduced.
[0071]
In the above example, the function (authentication server 103, 302) for performing user authentication is provided only in the main center devices 102, 302. However, the authentication server is provided in the sub-center devices 105a, 105b, 305 that perform connection control. A configuration may be provided in which a function for proxying the user authentication processing of 103 and 302 is provided.
[0072]
In this configuration, if an unregistered user accesses sub-center apparatuses 105a, 105b, and 305, sub-center apparatuses 105a, 105b, and 305 inquire of main center apparatuses 102 and 302 about the presence or absence of registration. Copy the contents and perform user authentication. This eliminates the need for inquiries to the main center devices 102 and 302 at the time of subsequent access from the user, thereby improving the processing efficiency.
[0073]
The main center devices 102 and 302 record the log of the copy destination of each user, and when the registration of the user is deleted or updated, the log information is referred to and the sub center device 105a of the copy destination is referred to. , 105b, and 305, and updates the registered contents in the sub-center devices 105a, 105b, and 305.
[0074]
Similarly, the present invention is not limited to the examples described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, in this example, a telephone line is used as an access line. However, in the present invention, a public line such as ISDN may be used as the access line.
[0075]
Further, the computer configuration in this example may be a computer configuration without a keyboard or a drive device for an optical disk. In addition, an FD (Flexible Disk) or the like may be used as the recording medium. As for the installation of the program, the program may be downloaded and installed via a network via a communication device.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to use any telephone line nationwide as a fixed-rate access line, and in the case of a corporate user, it is possible to realize a flat-rate billing plan according to demand. And connection fees can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network provided with an Internet connection service system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first processing operation example of the Internet connection service system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a second processing operation example of the Internet connection service system in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of a network provided with the Internet connection service system according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a first processing operation example of the Internet connection service system in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a second processing operation example of the Internet connection service system in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a third processing operation example of the Internet connection service system in FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
100: Internet connection service system, 101: Main center device ("MAIN"), 102: Authentication server ("Authentication S"), 103: Internet service provider ("ISP (NOC)"), 104a, 104b: Personal computer ( "PC"), 105a, 105b: sub-center device ("SUB"), 106: telephone line (outgoing), 107: telephone line (home), 108a, 108b: communication line, 109, 112: access point ("AP") ), 110: Internet, 111, 111a, 111b: General telephone network, 113: Border of administrative district, 300: Internet connection service system, 301: Main center device ("MAIN"), 302: Authentication server ("Authentication S") ), 303: Internet Service Provider ("ISP (NOC)"), 304, 304a: personal computer ("PC"), 305: sub-center device ("SUB"), 306: telephone line (destination), 307: communication line, 308: access point (" AP "), 309: Internet, 310: Public telephone network, 311: Border of administrative district.

Claims (12)

A system for controlling connection between an Internet connection device installed at an access point of an Internet service provider and a terminal device of a user,
Authentication means for performing user authentication by communication with a terminal device accessed by dial-up via any public line,
Connection means for connecting the terminal device of the user authenticated by the authentication means to the Internet connection apparatus of the Internet service provider without charge. A system for controlling connection between an Internet connection device installed at an access point of an Internet service provider and a terminal device of a user,
Authentication means for performing user authentication by communication with a terminal device accessed by dial-up via any public line,
Connecting means for connecting the terminal device of the user authenticated by the authentication means to the Internet connection device installed at the access point of the Internet service provider via the public line without charge. Service system. The internet connection service system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:
The connection means,
An internet connection service system, comprising: means for connecting the terminal device, which has been authenticated by the user with the authentication means, to an internet connection device of an internet service provider registered in advance in association with the user. The internet connection service system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:
The connection means,
An internet connection service system, comprising: means for connecting the terminal device authenticated by the user with the authentication means to an internet connection device of an internet service provider specified by communication with the terminal device. A system for controlling connection between an Internet connection device installed at an access point of an Internet service provider and a terminal device of a user,
Authentication means for performing user authentication by communication with a terminal device accessed by dial-up via any public line,
Identify the nearest access point of the Internet service provider registered in advance in association with the user authenticated by the authentication means, dial-up access the Internet connection device installed at the access point, and And a connection means for connecting the terminal device authenticated by the user without charge. A system for controlling connection between an Internet connection device installed at an access point of an Internet service provider and a terminal device of a user,
Authentication means for performing user authentication by communication with a terminal device accessed by dial-up via any public line,
The nearest access point of the specified Internet service provider is specified from the terminal device of the user authenticated by the authentication means, dial-up access is made to the Internet connection device installed at the access point, and the Internet connection device A connection means for connecting the terminal device authenticated by the user without charge. The Internet connection service system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
The authentication means includes means for storing in advance a user authentication information including at least user identification information in a storage device, and means for performing user authentication based on the stored user authentication information.
The connection means, upon receiving dial-up access from the terminal device via an arbitrary public line, sends user information including at least the user identification information sent from the terminal device to the authentication means. Means for requesting authentication of said user by means of said means, and means for connecting said terminal device and said Internet connection device in response to a result of validity user authentication from said authentication means. Service system. The internet connection service system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:
Connecting the plurality of connection means to one authentication means via a communication line;
An internet connection service system, wherein each of the plurality of connection means is provided in a different administrative district boundary. The Internet connection service system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein:
The connection means has means for detecting disconnection between the terminal device and the Internet connection device without charging and notifying the authentication means,
The authentication means is means for storing the ongoing user authentication until receiving the disconnection notification from the connection means, means for counting the number of ongoing user authentications for the same user, Means for rejecting authentication for subsequent access when the number of user authentications in the medium reaches a predetermined number. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit in the Internet connection service system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. An internet connection service providing method of a communication carrier system for providing a network connecting an internet connection device installed at an access point of an internet service provider and a terminal device of a user,
Registering in the storage device identification information of the user who paid the predetermined communication fee,
Connecting the terminal device to the Internet connection device of the access point without charge in response to dial-up access using an arbitrary public line from the terminal device of the user who registered the identification information. Internet connection service providing method. The Internet connection service providing method according to claim 11, wherein
A method of providing an Internet connection service, wherein dial-up access using an arbitrary public line from the user terminal device is free.

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