Network system transmitting data to mobile terminal, server used in the system, and method for transmitting data to mobile terminal used by the server

• US 20020133595A1
• Filed: 01/09/2001
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kimura, Shinya, Kobayashi, Yutaka
• Granted Patent: US 6,957,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/046 comprising network management agents or mobile agents therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/34 Signalling channels for network management communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/082 for traffic bypassing of mobility servers, e.g. location registers, home PLMNs or home agents
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices

Abstract

A system communicating data with a mobile node includes a server and a plurality of networks connected to the server. The mobile node moves between the plurality of networks. One of the networks is set as a home network of the mobile node. The server includes a storage circuit that stores, when it is detected that the mobile node has moved from its home network to another network, an IP address of the mobile node and information indicating the network to which the mobile node has moved, in a location management table. The server further includes a communication circuit that, upon receipt of data destined for the mobile node, forwards the received data to the network that is specified by the information stored in the location management table corresponding to the mobile node.

Claims

1. A system comprising a server and a plurality of networks connected to said server,

wherein each said network includes

a mobile terminal that receives data and outputs the received data,

a communication device that sends data received from said server to said mobile terminal wirelessly, and

a detection device that detects any said mobile terminal present within a range communicable with said communication device, said mobile terminal moving between said plurality of networks, and said mobile terminal having a primary assigned network set as its home network,

and wherein said server includes

a communication circuit that communicates with the communication device and the detection device included in each said network,

a storage circuit that is connected to said communication circuit and that stores a management table including, for each said mobile terminal, information specifying the network in which said mobile terminal is currently located that is determined based on information received from said detection device and information specifying said home network, and

a control circuit that is connected to said communication circuit and said storage circuit and that receives data and information indicating the mobile terminal as a destination of the data, and controls, based on the received information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data and the information stored in said management table, such that said communication circuit sends said received data to said mobile terminal as the destination thereof.

2. The network system according to claim 1,

wherein said detection device includes

a first transmission circuit that transmits inquiry information to said mobile terminal to inquire whether it is within the range communicable with said communication device,

a receiving circuit that receives in-zone information that is transmitted in response to said inquiry information by said mobile terminal that is present within the range communicable with said communication device, and

a second transmission circuit that is connected to said receiving circuit and that transmits to said server, first identification information specifying said mobile terminal that transmitted said in-zone information and second identification information specifying the network in which said detection device is included,

wherein said storage circuit includes a circuit that stores a management table including, for each mobile terminal identified by the first identification information, the second identification information received and the information specifying said home network,

wherein said information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data is represented by the first identification information,

and wherein said control circuit includes

a circuit that reads from said management table the second identification information corresponding to the first identification information received with said data,

a circuit that compares the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network, and

a circuit that controls, when the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network differs from each other, such that said communication circuit sends said received data to the communication device in the network identified by the read second identification information.

3. The network system according to claim 1, wherein said server further includes a connect circuit that connects to another network, and

said server receives said data and the information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data from a device connected to said another network.

4. The network system according to claim 3, wherein said another network is the Internet, and

said connect circuit includes a circuit that connects to said Internet via a public network.

5. A system comprising a server and a plurality of networks connected to said server,

wherein each said network includes

a mobile terminal that receives data and outputs the received data,

a communication device that sends data received from said server to said mobile terminal wirelessly, and

a detection device that detects any said mobile terminal present within a range communicable with said communication device, said mobile terminal moving between said plurality of networks, and said mobile terminal having a primary assigned network set as its home network,

and wherein said server includes

communication means for communicating with the communication device and the detection device included in each said network,

storage means, connected to said communication means, for storing a management table including, for each said mobile terminal, information specifying the network in which said mobile terminal is currently located that is determined based on information received from said detection device and information specifying said home network, and

control means, connected to said communication means and said storage means, for receiving data and information indicating the mobile terminal as a destination of the data, and controlling, based on the received information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data and the information stored in said management table, such that said communication means sends said received data to said mobile terminal as the destination thereof.

6. The network system according to claim 5,

wherein said detection device includes

first transmission means for transmitting inquiry information to said mobile terminal to inquire whether it is within the range communicable with said communication device,

receiving means for receiving in-zone information that is transmitted in response to said inquiry information by said mobile terminal that is present within the range communicable with said communication device, and

second transmission means, connected to said receiving means, for transmitting to said server, first identification information specifying said mobile terminal that transmitted said in-zone information and second identification information specifying the network in which said detection device is included,

wherein said storage means includes means for storing a management table including, for each mobile terminal identified by the first identification information, the second identification information received and the information specifying said home network,

wherein said information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data is represented by the first identification information,

and wherein said control means includes

means for reading from said management table the second identification information corresponding to the first identification information received with said data,

means for comparing the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network, and

means for controlling, when the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network differs from each other, such that said communication means sends said received data to the communication device in the network identified by the read second identification information.

7. The network system according to claim 5, wherein said server further includes connect means for connecting to another network, and

said server receives said data and the information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data from a device connected to said another network.

8. The network system according to claim 7, wherein said another network is the Internet, and

said connect means includes means for connecting to said Internet via a public network.

9. A server for use in a system including the server and a plurality of networks connected to said server,

wherein each said network includes a mobile terminal that receives data and outputs the received data, a communication device that sends data received from said server to said mobile terminal wirelessly, and a detection device that detects any said mobile terminal present within a range communicable with said communication device, said mobile terminal moving between said plurality of networks, and said mobile terminal having a primary assigned network set as its home network,

said server comprising:

a communication circuit that communicates with the communication device and the detection device included in each said network;

a storage circuit that is connected to said communication circuit and that stores a management table including, for each said mobile terminal, information specifying the network in which said mobile terminal is currently located that is determined based on information received from said detection device and information specifying said home network; and

a control circuit that is connected to said communication circuit and said storage circuit and that receives data and information indicating the mobile terminal as a destination of the data, and controls, based on the received information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data and the information stored in said management table, such that said communication circuit sends said received data to said mobile terminal as the destination thereof.

10. The server according to claim 9,

wherein said detection device includes a first transmission circuit that transmits inquiry information to said mobile terminal to inquire whether it is within the range communicable with said communication device, a receiving circuit that receives in-zone information that is transmitted in response to said inquiry information by said mobile terminal that is present within the range communicable with said communication device, and a second transmission circuit that is connected to said receiving circuit and that transmits to said server, first identification information specifying said mobile terminal that transmitted said in-zone information and second identification information specifying the network in which said detection device is included,

wherein said storage circuit includes a circuit that stores a management table including, for each mobile terminal identified by the first identification information, the second identification information received and the information specifying said home network,

wherein said information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data is represented by the first identification information,

and wherein said control circuit includes

a circuit that reads from said management table the second identification information corresponding to the first identification information received with said data,

a circuit that compares the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network, and

a circuit that controls, when the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network differs from each other, such that said communication circuit sends said received data to the communication device in the network identified by the read second identification information.

11. The server according to claim 9, further comprising a connect circuit that connects to another network, wherein

said server receives said data and the information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data from a device connected to said another network.

12. The server according to claim 11, wherein said another network is the Internet, and

said connect circuit includes a circuit that connects to said Internet via a public network.

14. The server according to claim 13,

wherein said detection device includes first transmission means for transmitting inquiry information to said mobile terminal to inquire whether it is within the range communicable with said communication device, receiving means for receiving in-zone information that is transmitted in response to said inquiry information by said mobile terminal that is present within the range communicable with said communication device, and second transmission means, connected to said receiving means, for transmitting to said server, first identification information specifying said mobile terminal that transmitted said in-zone information and second identification information specifying the network in which said detection device is included,

wherein said storage means includes means for storing a management table including, for each mobile terminal identified by the first identification information, the second identification information received and the information specifying said home network,

wherein said information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data is represented by the first identification information,

and wherein said control means includes

means for reading from said management table the second identification information corresponding to the first identification information received with said data,

means for comparing the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network, and

means for controlling, when the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network differs from each other, such that said communication means sends said received data to the communication device in the network identified by the read second identification information.

15. The server according to claim 13, further comprising connect means for connecting to another network, and

said server receives said data and the information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data from a device connected to said another network.

16. The server according to claim 15, wherein said another network is the Internet, and

said connect means includes means for connecting to said Internet via a public network.

18. The communication method according to claim 17,

wherein said detection device includes a first transmission circuit that transmits inquiry information to said mobile terminal to inquire whether it is within the range communicable with said communication device, a receiving circuit that receives in-zone information that is transmitted in response to said inquiry information by said mobile terminal that is present within the range communicable with said communication device, and a second transmission circuit that is connected to said receiving circuit and that transmits to said server, first identification information specifying said mobile terminal that transmitted said in-zone information and second identification information specifying the network in which said detection device is included,

wherein said step of storing the management table includes the step of storing a management table including, for each mobile terminal identified by the first identification information, the second identification information received and the information specifying said home network,

wherein said information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data is represented by the first identification information,

and wherein said step of sending said received data to said mobile terminal as the destination thereof includes the steps of

reading from said management table the second identification information corresponding to the first identification information received with said data,

comparing the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network, and

when the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network differs from each other, sending said received data to the communication device in the network identified by the read second identification information.

19. The communication method according to claim 17, wherein said server is connected to another network, and

said server receives said data and the information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data from a device connected to said another network.

20. The communication method according to claim 19, wherein said another network is the Internet, and

said server is connected to said Internet via a public network.

13. A server for use in a system including the server and a plurality of networks connected to said server,

wherein each said network includes a mobile terminal that receives data and outputs the received data, a communication device that sends data received from said server to said mobile terminal wirelessly, and a detection device that detects any said mobile terminal present within a range communicable with said communication device, said mobile terminal moving between said plurality of networks, and said mobile terminal having a primary assigned network set as its home network,

said server comprising:

communication means for communicating with the communication device and the detection device included in each said network;

storage means, connected to said communication means, for storing a management table including, for each said mobile terminal, information specifying the network in which said mobile terminal is currently located that is determined based on information received from said detection device and information specifying said home network; and

control means, connected to said communication means and said storage means, for receiving data and information indicating the mobile terminal as a destination of the data, and controlling, based on the received information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data and the information stored in said management table, such that said communication means sends said received data to said mobile terminal as the destination thereof.

17. A communication method of a server in a system including the server and a plurality of networks connected to said server,

wherein each said network includes a mobile terminal that receives data and outputs the received data, a communication device that sends data received from said server to said mobile terminal wirelessly, and a detection device that detects any said mobile terminal present within a range communicable with said communication device, said mobile terminal moving between said plurality of networks, and said mobile terminal having a primary assigned network set as its home network,

said communication method comprising the steps of:

storing a management table including, for each said mobile terminal, information specifying the network in which said mobile terminal is currently located that is determined based on information received from said detection device and information specifying said home network; and

receiving data and information indicating the mobile terminal as a destination of the data, and, based on the received information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data and the information stored in said management table, sending said received data to said mobile terminal as the destination thereof.

21. A computer readable recording medium for use in recording a program for implementing a communication method of a server in a system including the server and a plurality of networks connected to said server,

wherein each said network includes a mobile terminal that receives data and outputs the received data, a communication device that sends data received from said server to said mobile terminal wirelessly, and a detection device that detects any said mobile terminal present within a range communicable with said communication device, said mobile terminal moving between said plurality of networks, and said mobile terminal having a primary assigned network set as its home network,

wherein said communication method comprises the steps of:

storing a management table including, for each said mobile terminal, information specifying the network in which said mobile terminal is currently located that is determined based on information received from said detection device and information specifying said home network; and

receiving data and information indicating the mobile terminal as a destination of the data, and, based on the received information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data and the information stored in said management table, sending said received data to said mobile terminal as the destination thereof.

22. The recording medium according to claim 21,

wherein said detection device includes a first transmission circuit that transmits inquiry information to said mobile terminal to inquire whether it is within the range communicable with said communication device, a receiving circuit that receives in-zone information that is transmitted in response to said inquiry information by said mobile terminal that is present within the range communicable with said communication device, and a second transmission circuit that is connected to said receiving circuit and that transmits to said server, first identification information specifying said mobile terminal that transmitted said in-zone information and second identification information specifying the network in which said detection device is included,

wherein said step of storing the management table includes the step of storing a management table including, for each mobile terminal identified by the first identification information, the second identification information received and the information specifying said home network,

wherein said information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data is represented by the first identification information,

and wherein said step of sending said received data to said mobile terminal as the destination thereof includes the steps of

reading from said management table the second identification information corresponding to the first identification information received with said data,

comparing the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network, and

when the read second identification information and the information specifying said home network differs from each other, sending said received data to the communication device in the network identified by the read second identification information.

23. The recording medium according to claim 21, wherein said server is connected to another network, and

said server receives said data and the information indicating the mobile terminal as the destination of the data from a device connected to said another network.

24. The recording medium according to claim 23, wherein said another network is the Internet, and

said server is connected to said Internet via a public network.