JP6238209B2 - Wireless terminal connection control apparatus, connection control system including the same, and connection control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection control apparatus for a wireless terminal, a connection control system including the same, and a connection control method for switching an access point to which a wireless terminal is connected in a communication network having a plurality of access points.

  Conventionally, in a communication network, a plurality of access points that relay communication of a wireless terminal are arranged, so that a wireless terminal in communication moves while appropriately switching the access point to be connected to the roaming (or handover) Is possible. On the other hand, in this type of wireless communication, depending on the communication speed, radio wave intensity, and the type of information service used via wireless communication (for example, mail transmission / reception, file download, content viewing), etc. Therefore, it is desirable that an appropriate access point can be selected regardless of the user's operation.

  Therefore, for example, in a network connection system for selecting one of a plurality of access points connected to a network and connecting the communication terminal and the network via the selected access point, the communication terminal is: A device having a selection unit that selects an access point and a communication element connected to the communication terminal according to the detected communication condition is known (see Patent Document 1).

  Also, for example, in a handover control apparatus that selects a handover destination of a mobile station from a plurality of base stations, depending on the type of information service that the mobile station (user) uses via wireless communication, the uplink and downlink There is known a method of determining a priority link and selecting a base station determined to be optimal for the priority link as a handover destination (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2002-135824 A Japanese Patent No. 4992977

  By the way, it is desirable that selection of an access point suitable for the use situation of the wireless terminal as described above can be realized without requiring a dedicated function (software or the like) as much as possible in each wireless terminal. However, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1, it may be necessary for all communication terminals to include selection control software (selection means) that executes dedicated processing for selecting an optimal access point. There's a problem.

  In the prior art described in Patent Document 2, the handover control apparatus selects a base station determined to be optimal from a plurality of base stations as a handover destination, and then selects information on the selected handover destination (handover request). However, there is a problem that all mobile stations may need to have a function capable of executing handover in response to such a handover request. That is, depending on the specifications of the installed OS (Operating System), it may be difficult for some mobile stations to operate in response to such a handover request.

  The present invention has been devised in view of the problems of the prior art, and the wireless terminal does not have a dedicated function for switching the access point according to the type of information service used by the user. Even in such a case, it is a main object to provide a connection control device, a connection control system including the connection control device, and a connection control method that can easily connect the wireless terminal to an appropriate access point.

A connection control apparatus for a wireless terminal according to the present invention is a connection control apparatus for switching an access point that is a connection destination of a wireless terminal in a communication network, and when the user starts using a predetermined application in the wireless terminal , A service usage information acquisition unit that acquires the type of information service provided to the user from the access point connected to the wireless terminal, information on the access point under management, and an information service corresponding to each of these access points Corresponding to the type of information service provided to the user based on the storage unit that stores the type of information in advance, the type of information service provided to the user, and the type of information service stored in the storage unit Select at least one access point as the access point to be switched. When the access point to be switched and the access point to be switched are different from the access point being connected to the wireless terminal, the wireless terminal and the other access points located around the access point to be switched A connection prohibition command unit that transmits a connection prohibition command that prohibits connection of the wireless terminal, and a disconnection command unit that transmits a disconnection command of the wireless terminal to the connected access point after the connection prohibition command is transmitted. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, even when the wireless terminal does not have a dedicated function for switching access points according to the type of information service used by the user, the wireless terminal can be easily connected to an appropriate access point. It can be connected.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a connection control system according to a first embodiment. Functional block diagram of the connection control system according to the first embodiment Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the periphery access point information table which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the flow of the information collection process by the terminal management information acquisition part which concerns on 1st Embodiment The flowchart which shows the flow of the terminal guidance process by the terminal guidance process part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of arrangement | positioning of the access point by the connection control system 1 Sequence diagram of terminal guidance operation by connection control system shown in FIG. Overall configuration diagram of connection control system according to second embodiment Sequence diagram of terminal guidance operation by connection control system according to second embodiment

A first invention made to solve the above problem is a connection control device for switching an access point to which a wireless terminal is connected in a communication network, and a user starts using a predetermined application in the wireless terminal Sometimes, the service usage information acquisition unit that acquires the type of information service provided to the user from the access point connected to the wireless terminal, the information of the managed access point, and each of these access points The information service provided to the user based on the storage unit storing the corresponding information service type in advance, the information service type provided to the user, and the information service type stored in the storage unit. at least one access point corresponding to the type as an access point switching target When the access point selection unit to be selected and the access point to be switched are different from the access point being connected to the wireless terminal, the wireless access point is connected to other access points located around the access point to be switched. A connection prohibition command unit that transmits a connection prohibition command that prohibits connection with a terminal; and a disconnection command unit that transmits a disconnection command of the wireless terminal to the connected access point after the connection prohibition command is transmitted. It is characterized by having.

  According to the connection control device for a wireless terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention, a wireless terminal that has been disconnected from a connected access point can access a switching target without requiring special processing on the terminal side. The wireless terminal has a dedicated function for switching the access point according to the type of information service used by the user because it can be connected only to the point (that is, the access point suitable for the information service to be used). Even if not, the wireless terminal can be easily connected to an appropriate access point.

  According to a second aspect, in the first aspect, the connection prohibition instruction includes a physical address of the wireless terminal whose connection should be prohibited at the other access point.

  According to the connection control apparatus for a wireless terminal according to the second invention, it is possible to prohibit connection of a wireless terminal at an access point other than the access point to be switched by a simple process.

  According to a third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the connection prohibition instruction unit is configured to transmit the connection prohibition instruction to the other access point after the wireless terminal is wirelessly connected to the access point to be switched. A release command for releasing is sent out.

  According to the connection control apparatus for a wireless terminal according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the roaming (or handover) of the wireless terminal after being connected to the switching target access point, other access points other than the switching target access point It is possible to prevent the new wireless connection from being hindered.

  According to a fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, one of the access point to be switched and the other access point executes communication with the wireless terminal by unicast communication. The other is characterized in that communication with the wireless terminal is executed by multicast communication.

  According to the connection control device for a wireless terminal according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even when the wireless terminal does not have a dedicated function for switching the access point according to the type of information service used by the user, A terminal can be easily connected to an access point suitable for unicast communication or multicast communication.

The fifth invention is a connection control device for switching an access point that is a connection destination of a wireless terminal in a communication network, and is provided to the user when the user starts using a predetermined application in the wireless terminal. Service usage information acquisition unit for acquiring the type of information service to be acquired from the access point connected to the wireless terminal, information on the access point under management, and the type of information service corresponding to each of these access points At least one corresponding to the type of information service provided to the user based on a storage unit stored in advance, a type of information service provided to the user, and a type of information service stored in the storage unit Access point that selects an access point as the access point to be switched And when the access point to be switched is different from the access point to which the wireless terminal is connected, the wireless connection to the connected access point is disconnected and the wireless terminal is And a terminal guidance processing unit for wirelessly connecting to the access point .

According to the connection control apparatus for a wireless terminal according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily connect the wireless terminal to an appropriate access point according to the type of information service used by the user.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided the connection control device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, and the plurality of access points connected to the connection control device via a wired line. It is characterized by that.

  According to the connection control system for a wireless terminal according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a wireless terminal that is disconnected from a connected access point can access a switching target without requiring special processing on the terminal side. It is possible to connect only to a point, so even if the wireless terminal does not have a dedicated function for switching the access point according to the type of information service used by the user, Can be easily connected to.

The seventh invention is a connection control method for switching an access point to which a wireless terminal is connected in a communication network, and is provided to the user when the user starts using a predetermined application in the wireless terminal . Service usage information acquisition step for acquiring the type of information service to be performed from the access point connected to the wireless terminal, information on the access point under management, and the type of information service corresponding to each of these access points At least one corresponding to the type of information service provided to the user based on the type of information service stored in the storage unit in advance and provided to the user and the type of information service stored in the storage unit An access point that selects an access point as an access point to be switched A selection step, the access point of the switching target is different from the connected access point of the wireless terminal, thereby disconnecting the wireless connection to the access point in the connection, the radio terminal, of the switching target And a terminal guiding step for wirelessly connecting to the access point .

According to the wireless terminal connection control method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the wireless terminal can be easily connected to an appropriate access point according to the type of information service used by the user .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a connection control system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a LAN (Local Area Network) for interconnecting a plurality of communication devices is formed in the connection control system 1 via a wired line 2, and a plurality of access points AP1 arranged at the end of the LAN. -APn (hereinafter collectively referred to as access points AP) and a connection control server (connection control device) 3 for controlling the wireless connection of the wireless terminal STA to each of these access points AP1-APn. . Although not shown, any communication device (for example, video distribution server, file server, Web server, etc.) that can communicate with the wireless terminal STA via the access points AP1-APn is arranged in the LAN of the connection control system 1. Is possible. The wired line 2 can be connected to a line for a wide area network such as the Internet.

  The access point AP is a device for relaying wireless communication by a communication device, and here enables communication in an infrastructure mode such as a wireless terminal STA. The wireless terminal STA is composed of a known mobile phone (smart phone) having a wireless communication function. By wirelessly connecting to the access point AP, a desired information service can be used or another wireless terminal STA on the communication network can be used. It is possible to communicate with any communication device including the above. Note that the wireless terminal STA is not limited to a mobile phone, and may be another known communication device (for example, a tablet terminal, a notebook PC, a PDA, etc.) having a similar wireless communication function.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the connection control system 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a peripheral access point information table.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the access point AP is managed by the affiliated terminal management unit 11 that manages information related to a wireless terminal STA (hereinafter referred to as affiliated terminal) that is wirelessly connected to the access point AP. A terminal management information storage unit 12 for storing information related to the assigned terminal (hereinafter referred to as terminal management information), an access control unit 13 for controlling the wireless connection of the assigned terminal to the access point AP, and wireless communication with the assigned terminal And a wired communication unit 15 that executes wired communication with other devices (such as the connection control server 3) via the wired line 2.

  The belonging terminal management unit 11 appropriately acquires terminal management information based on communication with the belonging terminal and the like, and stores the information in the terminal management information storage unit 12. In addition to terminal identification information for identifying the belonging terminal, this terminal management information is used by the user of the belonging terminal through the access point AP by executing various software (for example, a video playback application) in the belonging terminal. Information on the type of information service (hereinafter referred to as service usage information) is included. As will be described in detail later, since the wireless terminal STA may need to switch the access point to be connected depending on the type of information service used by the user, the belonging terminal in each access point AP1-APn The contents of the terminal management information are appropriately updated accordingly.

  The access control unit 13 can disconnect the wireless connection of the designated wireless terminal STA based on a disconnection command from the connection control server 3 described in detail later. Further, the access control unit 13, based on a connection prohibition command from the connection control server 3, rejects connection of the designated wireless terminal STA (disconnection target terminal) (herein, also referred to as a MAC address filtering function). Can be performed.

  The wireless communication unit 14 transmits / receives communication data transmitted / received to / from the wireless terminal STA by a predetermined access control method (CSMA / CA method, etc.) based on a wireless communication method compliant with a known communication standard such as IEEE 802.11. Process. Further, the wired communication unit 15 performs transmission / reception processing of communication data transmitted / received to / from the connection control server 3 or the like based on a wired communication method compliant with a known communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

  Although not shown, the access point AP has a hardware configuration similar to that of a known access point. For example, in addition to an antenna for wireless communication and a communication module, communication can be performed based on a predetermined control program. CPU (Central Processing Unit) that centrally executes relay processing, volatile memory that functions as a work area of the CPU, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM of nonvolatile memory that stores control programs and data executed by the CPU (Read Only Memory) and the like, and an auxiliary storage device and the like. The functions of the above-described units of the access point AP are realized by their hardware and a control program executed by the CPU.

  The connection control server 3 is acquired by the terminal management information acquisition unit (service usage information acquisition unit) 21 that acquires terminal management information (including service usage information) from the access point AP, and the terminal management information acquisition unit 21. A terminal management information storage unit 22 for storing the terminal management information and a process for guiding the wireless terminal STA to the access point AP selected based on the service usage information for the wireless terminal STA (hereinafter referred to as a terminal guidance process). Wired between the terminal guidance processing unit (access point selection unit, connection prohibition command unit, disconnection command unit) 23 to be executed and another device (access point AP or the like) via the wired line 2 in the same manner as the wired communication unit 15 described above. A wired communication unit 24 that performs communication.

  The terminal management information acquisition unit 21 appropriately acquires terminal management information from the belonging terminal management unit 11 of the access point AP, and stores the information in the terminal management information storage unit 22. The terminal management information includes, as terminal identification information, MAC (Media Access Control) address, IP (Internet Protocol) address, wireless quality information (throughput, delay amount, etc.), traffic (number of packets), and communication of each belonging terminal (Wireless connection) Information such as time is included, and service usage information includes information related to the type of information service such as content distribution such as video and music, information search, document browsing, file download, and the like. Further, the terminal management information storage unit 22 provides information on the access points AP under the management of the connection control server 3 and corresponding to each of the access points AP (that is, provided via each of the access points AP). ) Information service type and other related information are stored in advance.

  Further, the terminal management information acquisition unit 21 appropriately acquires information about other access points located in the vicinity of each of the access points AP1 to APn (hereinafter referred to as peripheral AP information), and the information is as shown in FIG. And stored in the terminal management information storage unit 22 as a peripheral AP information table 32. The peripheral AP information table 32 includes BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier), SSID (Service Set Identifier), RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), and bandwidth usage of other access points located around the target access point. Such information is included. The other access points located in the vicinity are neighboring access points that can be a new wireless connection destination (switching target) of the wireless terminal that is the terminal guidance processing target.

  Based on the terminal management information (including service usage information) acquired by the terminal management information acquisition unit 21 and the peripheral AP information, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 determines whether or not the access point AP to which the wireless terminal is connected is appropriate. Determine. That is, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 selects a switching target access point to which the affiliated terminal is to be newly connected based on the peripheral AP information table related to the access point to which the wireless terminal STA is connected and the service usage information of the affiliated terminal. If the selected switching target access point is different from the access point that is the current connection destination of the belonging terminal, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 starts terminal guidance processing.

  By executing the terminal guidance process, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 uses an access point (hereinafter referred to as a switching target) suitable for an information service that is used by the user as a processing target belonging terminal (hereinafter referred to as a disconnection target terminal) at the access point. To the access point). More specifically, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 disconnects the wireless connection of the disconnection target terminal at the target access point to the access point as the terminal guidance process, and positions the disconnection target terminal around the access point. Wirelessly connect to the access point to be switched.

  As will be described later in detail, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 accesses other than the switching target access point in the peripheral access point (that is, the access point selected in consideration of the information service used in the disconnection target terminal). By executing access restriction processing (that is, processing for rejecting wireless connection of the terminal to be disconnected) on the point (including the access point to which the terminal to be disconnected is connected in some cases), the terminal to be disconnected Can be connected to a desired switching target access point. In addition, when there are a plurality of access points to be switched, the number of belonging terminals (for example, the access point having the smallest number of belonging terminals), the communication amount (for example, the access point having the smallest number of packets) in a predetermined time, and the access One switching target access point can be determined based on at least one of the received electric field levels at the point (for example, the access point having the highest radio wave intensity).

  Although not shown, the connection control server 3 has a hardware configuration similar to that of a known server device. For example, the connection control server 3 controls various information processing and peripheral device control based on a predetermined control program. CPU that is executed in a computer, RAM that functions as a work area of the CPU, ROM that stores control programs and data executed by the CPU, a communication module that is connected to a network and executes communication processing with other devices, a keyboard, a touch panel, and the like And an input controller that controls the input, an auxiliary storage device that stores various data used by the connection control server 3, an external storage device, and the like. The functions of the above-described units of the connection control server 3 are realized by those hardware and a control program executed by the CPU.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of information collection processing (terminal management information and peripheral AP information acquisition processing) by the terminal management information acquisition unit 21 of the connection control server 3. First, the terminal management information acquisition unit 21 selects one access point (target AP) as an information collection target from access points under management (ST101). Subsequently, the terminal management information acquisition unit 21 acquires terminal management information from the information collection target access point, and stores the information in the terminal management information storage unit 22 (ST102). Furthermore, terminal management information acquisition unit 21 acquires peripheral AP information from other access points located in the vicinity of the information collection target access point, and stores the information in terminal management information storage unit 22 (ST103). The terminal management information acquisition unit 21 sequentially executes ST101 to ST103 for each access point under management, and finally completes information collection for all access points under management (ST104: Yes). The information collection process is terminated.

  The terminal management information acquisition unit 21 can periodically execute such information collection processing at predetermined time intervals. However, in some cases, an access point (for example, a new wireless access point) that needs information collection is required. The process may be executed at an arbitrary timing only for the access point to which the terminal is connected. Further, the terminal management information acquisition unit 21 can omit one process of ST102 and ST103.

  Also, other access points located around the target access point in ST103 can be set in advance by the system administrator considering the arrangement of each access point. Alternatively, each access point is provided with a radio wave intensity measuring unit that measures the radio wave intensity of other access points located in the vicinity thereof (acquiring the received power RSSI signal), and is located in the vicinity based on the measurement result (radio wave intensity). Other access points may be extracted. In this case, the extracted access point information is appropriately sent to the connection control server 3. In the above case, other access points located in the vicinity from the access point are extracted and used as the peripheral AP information. However, other than those located in the vicinity of the terminal using the well-known technique IEEE802.11k. There is also a method of extracting the access points and using them as peripheral AP information. By using these together, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of other access points located in the vicinity.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of terminal guidance processing by the terminal guidance processing unit 23 of the connection control server 3. First, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 requires terminal guidance processing for a wireless terminal wirelessly connected to a managed access point AP (that is, a switching target access point suitable for an information service started to be used in the wireless terminal) (ST201: Yes), a connection prohibition command for the terminal to be disconnected is sent to peripheral access points (peripheral APs) other than the switching target access point (ST202). In the present embodiment, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 prohibits connection of the disconnection target terminal by using the MAC address filtering function in the peripheral access point. The connection prohibition command includes information on the MAC address (physical address) of the terminal to be disconnected, and the peripheral access point (access control unit 13) rejects the connection by MAC address filtering based on the MAC address information. A wireless terminal can be set.

  Further, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 sends a disconnection command for the disconnection target terminal to the access point (current connection destination) to which the disconnection target terminal is currently connected (ST203). Thereby, the access control unit 13 of the access point that has received the disconnection command disconnects the wireless communication with the disconnection target terminal.

  Subsequently, the disconnection target terminal disconnected from the currently connected access point tries to connect to any access point again, but the access point other than the switching target access point is designated with the MAC address of the wireless terminal. Since the connection prohibition command is received, the access point is necessarily connected to the switching target.

  After that, when the terminal guidance processing unit 23 confirms that the terminal to be disconnected has been newly connected to the switching target access point (ST204: Yes), a command for canceling the connection prohibition command to the peripheral access points (connection prohibition release) Command) is sent (ST205), and the terminal guidance process is terminated.

  Next, a specific example of a communication network to which the connection control system 1 is applied will be described. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of access point arrangement by the connection control system 1, and FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of a terminal guidance operation by the connection control system 1 shown in FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, an example in which the connection control system 1 is applied to an in-flight communication network of an aircraft 41 is shown, and the access points will be described as AP1-AP3. In addition, passengers who own the wireless terminal STA can use content distribution (viewing movies and TV programs, executing online games, etc.), Web browsing, and the like as in-flight services.

  FIG. 6 shows a case where a passenger carrying a wireless terminal STA boarded from the in-flight entrance 42 and moved to his / her seat through a predetermined passage arranged between the seats as indicated by an arrow A. Yes. Here, the wireless terminal STA is automatically wirelessly connected to the access point AP1 disposed at the nearest position. Here, the access points AP1 and AP2 are access points for browsing the Internet, and can perform unicast communication with the wireless terminal STA. On the other hand, the access point AP3 is a movie viewing access point provided as an in-flight service, and can perform multicast communication with the wireless terminal STA.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the wireless terminal STA in FIG. 6 is wirelessly connected to the access point AP1 (S1001), and is in a connected state (S1002). Here, the user of the wireless terminal STA can browse a Web page through the access point AP1 using a Web browser installed in the wireless terminal STA. On the other hand, when the user of the wireless terminal STA desires to watch a movie, the user activates a movie viewing application installed in the wireless terminal STA, and executes a viewing start operation. At this time, the access point AP1 (attributing terminal management unit 11) acquires service usage information (in this case, viewing start operation information) from the movie viewing application from the wireless terminal STA and controls connection as terminal management information. It transmits to the server 3 (S1003).

  In S1003, the access point AP1 receives information on the type of application from the wireless terminal STA when the user performs an operation to start using the information service in a predetermined application at the wireless terminal STA. It can also be transferred to the connection control server 3 as service usage information. Further, the terminal management information transmitted from the access point AP1 to the connection control server 3 may be part of the above-described terminal identification information and service usage information.

  Thereafter, in the connection control server 3, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 executes terminal guidance processing (S1004). At this time, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 refers to the peripheral AP information table (FIG. 3) acquired in advance based on the service usage information acquired from the access point AP1 (here, information related to movie viewing). One access point (here, access point AP3) suitable for the service usage information is selected from AP2 and AP3 as an access point to be switched. In this case, it is assumed that the access point AP3 is stored in the terminal management information storage unit 22 in association with movie viewing service usage information (type of information service).

  Subsequently, the connection control server 3 sends a connection prohibition instruction (connection by MAC address filtering) of the wireless terminal STA to an access point (in this case, the access point AP2) other than the access point AP3 that is a new connection destination of the wireless terminal STA. Refusal command) is sent out (S1005), whereby the access point AP2 is in a state of refusing the connection of the wireless terminal STA. Further, the connection control server 3 sends a wireless terminal STA connection prohibition command together with the wireless terminal STA disconnection command to the access point AP1 to which the wireless terminal STA is connected (S1006). As a result, in the access point AP1, the access control unit 13 disconnects the wireless connection of the wireless terminal STA (S1007) and refuses the subsequent reconnection of the wireless terminal STA. In S1006, it is not necessary to send the disconnection command and the connection prohibition command at the same time. A configuration in which the connection prohibition command is transmitted after the disconnection command is transmitted first is also possible.

  Thereafter, the wireless terminal STA that has been disconnected from the wireless connection with the access point AP1 tries to connect to the peripheral access points AP1-AP3 (S1008-1010), but is connectable among the peripheral access points (that is, the connection is established). Since AP3 is the only access point that has not been rejected, it is newly connected to access point AP3 (S1011). As a result, the user of the wireless terminal STA can view the movie (video data) received via the access point AP3 by the above-described movie viewing application.

  In addition, in a state where the wireless terminal STA is connected to the access point AP3 (S1011), the connection control server 3 acquires the terminal management information of the belonging terminal from the managed access point (in particular, the access point AP3 here). Then, when it is confirmed that the switching of the wireless connection of the wireless terminal STA has been completed, a connection prohibition release command for the wireless terminal STA is sent to the access points AP1 and AP2 (S1013 and S1014). As a result, the connection refusal of the wireless terminal STA at the access points AP1 and AP2 is released, and the wireless terminal STA becomes connectable to the access points AP1 and AP2 again.

  As described above, according to the connection control system 1 and the connection control server 3, the wireless terminal STA whose wireless connection with the connection destination access point AP1 is disconnected can be switched without requiring special processing on the terminal side. Can be connected only to the access point AP3 (that is, an access point suitable for the information service to be used). Therefore, a dedicated function for switching the access point AP according to the type of information service used by the user is provided. Even when the wireless terminal STA is not provided, it is possible to easily connect the wireless terminal STA to the appropriate access point AP3 under the initiative of the network side (connection control server 3).

  In S1003, the access point AP1 transmits service usage information to the connection control server 3 at the start of using a movie viewing application. However, the connection control server 3 uses the information shown in FIG. It is also possible to use service usage information (the same applies to terminal identification information and neighboring AP information) acquired by the collection process.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram of the connection control system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of a terminal guidance operation by the connection control system 1. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the component similar to the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment. In the second embodiment, matters not particularly mentioned below are the same as those in the above-described first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the connection control system 1 according to the second embodiment includes two access points AP1 and AP2 connected to a wired line 2, and the wireless terminal STA wirelessly connected to the access points AP1 and AP2. A connection control server 3 for controlling connection and two network cameras (surveillance cameras) CAM1 and CAM2 are provided.

  Each of the network cameras CAM1 and CAM2 has a publicly known configuration, and can take a different monitoring area as a subject to be photographed and distribute the photographed video to the wireless terminal STA or the like by multicast communication. Here, the network camera CAM1 distributes the video of the first monitoring area to the wireless terminal STA via the access point AP1, and the network camera CAM2 transmits the video of the second monitoring area to the wireless terminal STA via the access point AP2. It is set to deliver. The network cameras CAM1 and CAM2 have a known human sensor function, and send an alarm notification to the connection control server 3 when detecting the movement of a person in the monitoring area.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the wireless terminal STA is wirelessly connected to the access point AP1 (S2001), and is in a connected state (S2002). Here, the user of the wireless terminal STA can display an image of the first monitoring area through the access point AP1 using an application for a monitoring camera installed in the wireless terminal STA. Thereafter, when a person enters the second monitoring area, the network camera CAM2 that has detected the person transmits an alarm notification to the connection control server 3 (S2003). In the connection control server 3 that has received this alarm notification, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 executes terminal guidance processing (S2004). At this time, the terminal guidance processing unit 23 selects the access point associated with the network camera CAM2 that has received the alarm notification as the access point to be switched (here, the access point AP2).

  Subsequently, the connection control server 3 sends a connection prohibition command for the wireless terminal STA together with a disconnection command for the wireless terminal STA to the access point AP1 to which the wireless terminal STA is connected (S2005). As a result, in the access point AP1, the access control unit 13 disconnects the wireless connection of the wireless terminal STA (S2006) and refuses the subsequent reconnection of the wireless terminal STA.

  Thereafter, the wireless terminal STA that has been disconnected from the wireless connection with the access point AP1 tries to connect to the peripheral access points AP1-AP2 (S2007, S2008), but can be connected in the peripheral access points (that is, the connection is established). Since AP2 is the only access point that is not rejected, a new connection is made to access point AP2 (S2009). Thereby, the user of the wireless terminal STA displays the video of the second monitoring area received via the access point AP2 (the alarm video for notifying the user of the intrusion of the user) by the above-described monitoring camera application. Can do.

  Further, in a state where the wireless terminal STA is connected to the access point AP2 (S2009), the connection control server 3 acquires the terminal management information of the belonging terminal from the access point AP2 (S2010), and thereby the wireless terminal STA's When the completion of the wireless connection switching is confirmed, a connection prohibition release command for the wireless terminal STA is sent to the access point AP1 (S2011). As a result, the connection refusal of the wireless terminal STA at the access point AP1 is canceled, and the wireless terminal STA becomes connectable to the access point AP1 again.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on specific embodiment, these embodiment is an illustration to the last, Comprising: This invention is not limited by these embodiment. In the above-described embodiment, the connection destination of the wireless terminal is switched by actually providing a plurality of access points. However, these access points may be virtual. For example, it is also possible to have a configuration in which a plurality of access points are provided substantially by setting a plurality of SSIDs and MAC address filtering for each SSID in one access point. In that case, a plurality of SSIDs are associated with different information services, and the connection control server 3 sends a disconnection command, a connection prohibition command, and the like regarding the target SSID to the same access point. In addition, the number and arrangement of access points, wireless terminals, and other communication devices in the connection control system can be changed as appropriate. Note that the components of the wireless terminal connection control device, the connection control system including the wireless terminal connection control method, and the connection control method according to the present invention described in the above embodiments are not necessarily essential, and at least depart from the scope of the present invention. As long as it is not, selection can be made as appropriate.

  The wireless terminal connection control device, the connection control system including the wireless terminal connection control method, and the connection control method according to the present invention, even when the wireless terminal does not have a dedicated function for automatically switching the access point to which the wireless terminal is connected. A connection control device for a wireless terminal that enables the wireless terminal to be easily connected to an appropriate access point and switches an access point that is a connection destination of the wireless terminal in a communication network having a plurality of access points And a connection control system including the same, a connection control method, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connection control system 3 Connection control server 11 Attributed terminal management part 12 Terminal management information storage part 13 Access control part 21 Terminal management information acquisition part (service utilization information acquisition part)
22 terminal management information storage unit 23 terminal guidance processing unit (access point selection unit, connection prohibition command unit, disconnection command unit)
32 Peripheral AP information table AP Access point STA Wireless terminal

Claims (7)

A connection control device for switching an access point as a connection destination of a wireless terminal in a communication network,
When a user starts using a predetermined application in a wireless terminal, a service usage information acquisition unit that acquires a type of information service provided to the user from an access point connected to the wireless terminal ;
A storage unit for preliminarily storing information on access points under management and types of information services corresponding to each of these access points;
Based on the type of information service provided to the user and the type of information service stored in the storage unit, at least one access point corresponding to the type of information service provided to the user is switched to be accessed. An access point selector to select as a point;
A connection that prohibits connection to the wireless terminal from other access points located around the access point to be switched when the access point to be switched is different from the access point to which the wireless terminal is connected A connection prohibition command section for sending a prohibition command;
A connection control apparatus for a wireless terminal, comprising: a disconnection instruction unit that transmits a disconnection instruction for the wireless terminal to the connected access point after the connection prohibition instruction is transmitted.   The wireless terminal connection control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection prohibition command includes a physical address of the wireless terminal whose connection is to be prohibited at the other access point.   The connection prohibition command unit sends a release command for canceling the connection prohibition command to the other access point after the wireless terminal is wirelessly connected to the access point to be switched. Or the connection control apparatus of the radio | wireless terminal of Claim 2.   One of the access point to be switched and the other access point executes communication with the wireless terminal by unicast communication, and the other executes communication with the wireless terminal by multicast communication. The wireless terminal connection control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A connection control device for switching an access point as a connection destination of a wireless terminal in a communication network,
When a user starts using a predetermined application in a wireless terminal, a service usage information acquisition unit that acquires a type of information service provided to the user from an access point connected to the wireless terminal;
A storage unit for preliminarily storing information on access points under management and types of information services corresponding to each of these access points;
Based on the type of information service provided to the user and the type of information service stored in the storage unit, at least one access point corresponding to the type of information service provided to the user is switched to be accessed. An access point selector to select as a point;
When the access point to be switched is different from the access point being connected to the wireless terminal, the wireless connection to the connected access point is disconnected and the wireless terminal is wirelessly connected to the access point to be switched. With the terminal guidance processing unit to be connected
A connection control device for a wireless terminal, comprising:   6. A wireless terminal comprising: the connection control device according to claim 1; and the plurality of access points connected to the connection control device via a wired line. Connection control system. A connection control method for switching an access point as a connection destination of a wireless terminal in a communication network,
Service usage information acquisition step of acquiring the type of information service provided to the user when the user starts using a predetermined application in the wireless terminal from an access point connected to the wireless terminal ;
Information on access points under management and information service types corresponding to each of these access points are stored in advance in the storage unit, and information service types provided to the user and information services stored in the storage unit An access point selection step of selecting at least one access point corresponding to the type of information service provided to the user as an access point to be switched based on the type of information service ;
When the access point to be switched is different from the access point being connected to the wireless terminal, the wireless connection to the connected access point is disconnected and the wireless terminal is wirelessly connected to the access point to be switched. A connection control method for a wireless terminal, comprising: a terminal guidance step for connection.

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