Wireless base station, wireless communication terminal, and wireless communication system

• US 8,345,648 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2009
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Mukai, Tsutomu, Takai, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao, Kwang B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elpenord, Candal
• Application Number:
  US12/504,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20100027522A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/338, 370/412, 370/252, 370/312, 370/432, 370/401, 726 26- 28, 713/170, 713/176, 709/225
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/73 using meta-information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/18 for broadcast or conference , e.g. multicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1845 broadcast or multicast in a specific location, e.g. geocast protocols for adapting network applications to user terminal location H04L67/52; services specially adapted for wireless communication networks making use of the location of users or terminals H04W4/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/40 for selective distribution or broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A wireless communication system transmits information requested by a wireless communication terminal to the wireless communication terminal moving through a spot wireless area. In a wireless base station, an external information communication control section controls communication with a server. A contents memory stores at least a part of contents received from the server. A wireless communication section communicates with the communication terminal using a predetermined communication method. A control section establishes connection with the communication terminal using a first connection which does not require an authentication procedure, or using a second connection which requires the authentication procedure. An access control (restriction) section permits access from the communication terminal to the contents memory and prohibits access to the server when a type of connection is the first connection, and permits access from the communication terminal to the contents memory and to the server in the case of the second connection.

Claims

1. A wireless base station connected to a server that distributes contents and connected to at least one wireless communication terminal, the wireless base station comprising:

an external communication control section that controls communication with the server;

a contents memory section that stores at least a part of the contents received from the server;

an access restriction section that monitors a type of connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal, and for restricting access for connection from the at least one wireless communication terminal to the server or to the wireless base station;

a wireless communication section that communicates with the at least one wireless communication terminal in accordance with a predetermined communication method; and

a control section that controls the wireless communication section, wherein the control section controls the wireless communication section, and establishes connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal by using a first connection which does not require an authentication procedure for the connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal, or by using a second connection which requires the authentication procedure for connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal, the access restriction section permits access from the at least one wireless communication terminal to the contents memory section and prohibits access from the at least one wireless communication terminal to the server when the type of connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal is the first connection, and permits access from the at least one wireless communication terminal to both of the contents memory section and the server when the type of connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal is the second connection the contents memory section stores therein frequently requested contents data that is frequently requested from the at least one wireless communication terminal, and individually requested contents data that is less frequently requested as compared to the frequently requested contents data, an interval of the first connection includes a frequently requested contents data broadcasting interval and an individual contents data broadcasting interval, and the control section controls the wireless communication section, and collectively broadcasts, to the at least one wireless communication terminal, the frequently requested contents data in the frequently requested contents data broadcasting interval, and transmits the individually requested contents data, which is requested by the at least one wireless communication terminal, in the individual contents data broadcasting interval.

2. The wireless base station according to claim 1, wherein

the contents memory section further stores therein metadata relating to the frequently requested contents data and to the individually requested contents data, and

the control section controls the wireless communication section, transmits the metadata to the at least one wireless communication terminal before the first connection is established, and receives a contents data request packet from the at least one wireless communication terminal in the interval of the first connection.

3. The wireless base station according to claim 1, wherein the contents memory section interchanges the frequently requested contents data and the individually requested contents data with each other in accordance with frequency of requests from the at least one wireless communication terminal.

4. The wireless base station according to claim 1, wherein the control section omits the authentication procedure in the predetermined communication method when using the first connection for connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal, and executes the authentication procedure in the predetermined communication method when using the second connection for connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal.

5. The wireless base station according to claim 1, wherein the contents memory section stores therein contents that are not subjected to access restriction.

6. The wireless base station according to claim 1, wherein

the wireless communication section includes:

a first wireless communication section that communicates with the at least one wireless communication terminal in accordance with a first wireless communication method; and

a second wireless communication section that communicates with the at least one wireless communication terminal in accordance with a second wireless communication method, and

prior to the first wireless communication section starting communication with the at least one wireless communication terminal, the control section controls the second wireless communication section, and transmits, to the at least one wireless communication terminal, profile information that is necessary for the first wireless communication section to communicate with the at least one wireless communication terminal.

7. The wireless base station according to claim 6, further comprising at least one antenna for the first wireless communication section and a plurality of antennas for the second wireless communication section, wherein

a wireless area covered by the at least one antenna for the first wireless communication section and wireless areas covered by the plurality of antennas for the second wireless communication section are arranged so as to be at least partially overlapped with one another.

8. The wireless base station according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of antennas for the first wireless communication section and at least one antenna for the second wireless communication section, wherein

wireless areas covered by the plurality of antennas for the first wireless communication section and a wireless area covered by the at least one antenna for the second wireless communication section are arranged so as to be at least partially overlapped with one another.

9. A wireless base station connected to a server that distributes contents and connected to at least one wireless communication terminal, the wireless base station comprising:

an external communication control section that controls communication with the server;

a contents memory section that stores at least a part of the contents received from the server;

an access restriction section that monitors a type of connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal, and for restricting access for connection from the at least one wireless communication terminal to the server or to the wireless base station;

a wireless communication section that communicates with the at least one wireless communication terminal in accordance with a predetermined communication method; and

a control section that controls the wireless communication section, wherein the control section controls the wireless communication section, and establishes connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal by using a first connection which does not require an authentication procedure for the connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal, or by using a second connection which requires the authentication procedure for connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal, the access restriction section permits access from the at least one wireless communication terminal to the contents memory section and prohibits access from the at least one wireless communication terminal to the server when the type of connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal is the first connection, and permits access from the at least one wireless communication terminal to both of the contents memory section and the server when the type of connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal is the second connection, the contents memory section stores therein frequently requested contents data that is frequently requested from the at least one wireless communication terminal, and individually requested contents data that is less frequently requested as compared to the frequently requested contents data, and the control section controls the wireless communication section, and collectively broadcasts, to the at least one wireless communication terminal, the frequently requested contents data before the first connection is established, and transmits the individually requested contents data, which is requested by the at least one wireless communication terminal, in4tae an interval of the first connection.

10. The wireless base station according to claim 9, wherein

the contents memory section further stores therein metadata relating to the frequently requested contents data and the individually requested contents data, and

the control section controls the wireless communication section, transmits the metadata to the at least one wireless communication terminal before collecting together and broadcasting, to the at least one wireless communication terminal, the frequently requested contents data, and receives a contents data request packet from the at least one wireless communication terminal in the interval of the first connection.

11. The wireless base station according to claim 9, wherein the contents memory section interchanges the frequently requested contents data and the individually requested contents data with each other in accordance with frequency of requests from the at least one wireless communication terminal.

12. A wireless base station connected to a server that distributes contents and connected to at least one wireless communication terminal, the wireless base station comprising:

an external communication control section that controls communication with the server;

a contents memory section that stores at least a part of the contents received from the server;

an access restriction section that monitors a type of connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal, and for restricting access for connection from the at least one wireless communication terminal to the server or to the wireless base station;

a wireless communications section that communicates with the at least one wireless communication terminal in accordance with a predetermined communication method;

a control section that controls the wireless communication section; and

a plurality of antennas, wherein the control section controls the wireless communication section, and establishes connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal by using a first connection which does not requires an authentication procedure for the connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal, or by using a second connection which requires the authentication procedure for connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal, the access restriction section permits access from the at least one wireless communication terminal to the contents memory section and prohibits access from the at least one wireless communication terminal to the server when the type of connection with the at least one wireless communication terminal is the first connection, and permits access from the at least one wireless communication terminal to both of the contents memory section and the server when the type of connection with the at least one communication terminal is the second connection, a plurality of antenna, wherein wireless areas of a plurality of wireless areas covered by the plurality of antennas are arranged so as to be at least partially overlapped with one another, the contents memory section stores therein frequently requested contents data that is frequently requested by the at least one wireless communication terminal, and individually

requested contents data that is less frequently requested as compared to the frequently requested contents data, and wherein contents are transmitted transmission to the at least one wireless communication terminal, the wireless communication section;

transmits the frequently requested contents data to the at least one wireless communication terminal from the plurality of antennas; and

transmits the individually requested contents data to the at least one wireless communication terminal via an antenna the plurality of antennas, the antenna having received a request from the at least one wireless communication terminal.

13. A wireless communication terminal connected, via a wireless base station, to a server that distributes contents, the wireless communication terminal comprising:

a wireless communication section that communicates with the wireless base station in accordance with a predetermined communication method;

a control section that controls the wireless communication section; and

a terminal control section that controls transmission of information regarding a contents request to the wireless base station, wherein the control section controls the wireless communication section, and establishes connection with the wireless base station by using a first connection which does not require an authentication procedure for the connection with the wireless base station, or by using a second connection which requires the authentication procedure for connection with the wireless base station, and after receiving from the wireless base station, from among contents data stored in a contents memory section of the wireless base station, metadata relating to frequently requested contents data that is frequently requested and individually requested contents data that is less frequently requested as compared to the frequently requested contents data, (i) contents data of which reception is desired is determined from the received metadata, and (ii) information regarding a contents request specifying the determined contents data by means of a tag is transmitted to the wireless base station.

14. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 13, wherein

an interval of the first connection with the wireless base station includes a frequently requested contents data broadcasting interval and an individual contents data broadcasting interval, and

when the contents data of which reception is desired is to be received in the frequently requested contents data broadcasting interval, an identification flag for identifying the contents data of which reception is desired is set for the information regarding the contents request.

15. The wireless communication terminal according to claim 13, wherein

an interval of the first connection with the wireless base station includes a frequently requested contents data broadcasting interval and an individual contents data broadcasting interval, and

in the individual contents data broadcasting interval, information regarding a contents request for requesting contents data that is not broadcasted in the frequently requested contents data broadcasting interval is transmitted to the wireless base station and the requested contents data is received.

16. A method implemented by a wireless base station connected to a server that distributes contents and connected to a wireless communication terminal, the wireless base station comprising a contents memory section that stores therein at least a part of the contents received from the server, the method comprising:

an external communication controlling step of controlling communication with the server;

an access restricting step of monitoring a type of connection with the wireless communication terminal, and of restricting access for connection from the wireless communication terminal to the server or to the wireless base station; and

a wireless communication controlling step of controlling communication with the wireless communication terminal, wherein the wireless communication controlling step establishes connection with the wireless communication terminal by using a first connection which does not require an authentication procedure for the connection with the wireless communication terminal, or by using a second connection which requires the authentication procedure for connection with the wireless communication terminal, the access restricting step permits access from the wireless communication terminal to the contents memory section and prohibits access from the wireless communication terminal to the server when the type of connection with the wireless communication terminal is the first connection, and permits access from the wireless communication terminal to both of the contents memory section and the server when the type of connection with the wireless communication terminal is the second connection the contents memory section of the wireless base station stores therein frequently requested contents data that is frequently requested by the wireless communication terminal, and individually requested contents data that is less frequently requested as compared to the frequently requested contents data, and

a step of collectively broadcasting the frequently requested contents data to the wireless communication terminal, and a step of transmitting the individually requested contents data, which is requested by the wireless communication terminal, are performed in an interval of the first connection.

17. A method implemented by a wireless communication terminal connected to a server distributing contents via a wireless base station, the method comprising:

a wireless communication step of performing communication with the wireless base station in accordance with a predetermined communication method; and

a terminal control step of controlling transmission of information regarding contents request to the wireless base station, wherein the wireless communication step establishes connection with the wireless base station by using a first connection which does not require an authentication procedure for the connection with the wireless base station or by using a second connection which requires the authentication procedure for connection with the wireless base station and after receiving from the wireless base station, from among contents data stored in a contents memory section of the wireless base station, metadata relating to frequently requested contents data that is frequently requested by wireless communication terminals communicating with the wireless base station and individually requested contents data that is less frequently requested as compared to the frequently requested contents data, (i) contents data of which reception is desired is determined from the received metadata and (ii) information regarding a contents request specifying the determined contents data by means of a tag is transmitted to the wireless base station, as the terminal control step.