Communication system, femto-cell base station, and communication method

A femto-cell base station acquires an IP address of a CS-dedicated relay device from a first management device, connects to the CS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the CS-dedicated relay device, and establishes a first IPsec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the CS-dedicated relay device. The femto-cell base station also acquires an IP address of a PS-dedicated relay device from a second management device through the first IPsec Tunnel, connects to the PS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the PS-dedicated relay device, and establishes a second IPsec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the PS-dedicated relay device.

This application is the National Phase of PCT/JP2009/071396, filed Dec. 24, 2009, which claims the priority under Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-333673, filed Dec. 26, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to technologies for making communications through femto-cell base stations.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, a communication system which introduces femto-cell base stations has been developed more and more in order to improve the quality of communication area.

The femto-cell base station is a small radio base station which covers a narrow communication area defined by a radius of approximately several tens of meters, and is installed indoors within a home or an office with the intention to cover an indoor communication area. In this way, communication quality can be improved in communication areas which cannot be covered by existing micro-cell base stations. In addition, communication areas can be covered without incurring costs for the upgrading of infrastructure for micro-cell base stations.

In this regard, a communication system which introduces femto-cell base stations uses CS-dedicated PDG (Packet Data Gateway) which is a relay device for CS (Circuit Switching) services, and PS-dedicated PDG which is a relay device for PS (Packet Switching) services independently of each other.

FIG. 1is a diagram showing an exemplary communication system which introduces a femto-cell base station related to the present invention.

In the communication system which introduces the femto-cell base station, a method has been contemplated to classify IP addresses of relay devices (PDG) connectable to networks130a,130binto CS-dedicated PDG160for CS services and PS-dedicated PDG170for PS services, and separately register these IP addresses in femto-cell base station (Femto AP)120, as shown inFIG. 1. In the scenario shown inFIG. 1, “AAAA, BBBB” has been registered as the IP address of CS-dedicated PDG160, while “CCCC, DDDD” has been registered as the IP address of PS-dedicated PDG170.

Then, femto-cell base station (Femto AP)120connects to CS-dedicated PDG160based on the IP address “AAAA, BBBB” of CS-dedicated PDG160to provide CS services, or connects to PS-dedicated PDG170based on the IP address “CCCC, DDDD” of PS-dedicated PDG170to provide PS services.

However, in the communication system shown inFIG. 1, since the IP addresses of relay devices (PDG) must be registered in femto-cell base station (Femto AP)120, the system will bear a larger load for IP address registration processing since a larger number of femto-cell base stations (Femto AP)120are installed in the system. Also, in the communication system shown inFIG. 1, when the IP address of a relay device (PDG) is changed, the IP address registered in femto-cell base station (Femto AP)120must be changed as well.

Because of these inconveniences as mentioned above, a need exists for the development of a system which is capable of separately using IP addresses for CS-dedicated and PS-dedicated relay devices (PDG) in a simple way.

For reference, as a technical document which has been filed prior to the present application, there is a document which discloses a technology that enables a public mobile terminal to utilize both public mobile communication services and internal services, while protecting SIP messages with IPScc (JP2008-228250A (hereinafter called “Patent Document 1”)).

There is also a document which discloses a technology related to standardization of 3PPP (3GPP TS 33.234 V8.0.0 (2007-12) (hereinafter called “Non-Patent Document 1”)).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

Patent Document 1 discloses that a DNS server is provided to notify the IP address of In-CSCF1 in response to queries for a P-CSCF address from two terminals.

FIG. 2is a diagram showing an exemplary communication system, related to the present invention, which applies the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1.

When the technology of Patent Document 1 is applied, and external DNS Server240is provided in network230ato which femto-cell base station (Femto AP)220can be connected, a system can be constructed to notify the IP address of a pertinent relay device (PDG) in response to a query for the IP address from femto-cell base station (Femto AP)220. External DNS Server240is a management device for managing IP addresses.

In the communication system shown inFIG. 2, IP addresses of relay devices (PDG) are classified into IP address “AAAA, BBBB” of CS-dedicated PDG260and IP address “CCCC, DDDD” of PS-dedicated PDG270, and registered in external DNS Server240. Then, femto-cell base station (Femto AP)220acquires IP address “AAAA, BBBB” of CS-dedicated PDG260from external DNS Server240, and connects it to CS-dedicated PDG260based on the acquired IP address “AAAA, BBBB” of CS-dedicated PDG260to provide CS services. Also, femto-cell bases station (Femto AP)220acquires IP address “CCCC, DDDD” of PS-dedicated PDG270from external DNS Server240, and connects it to PS-dedicated PDG270based on the acquired IP address “CCCC, DDDD” of PS-dedicated PDG270to provide PS services.

However, in the communication system shown inFIG. 2, since femto-cell base station (Femto AP)220acquires the IP address of a relay device (PDG) from external DNS Server240, the IP address of the relay device (PDG) cannot be acquired while the security is ensured. For this reason, a method is required for enabling the femto-cell base station to acquire the IP address of a relay device (PDG) while security is ensured, but it is difficult to construct the system so as to ensure security when the IP address of CS-dedicated PDG260is acquired. Accordingly, under the present circumstances, it is desired to construct the system such that security can be ensured only when the IP address of PS-dedicated PDG270is acquired.

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstance described above, and it is an object of the invention to provide a communication system, a femto-cell base station, and a communication method, which are capable of enabling a femto-cell base station to acquire an IP address of a PS-dedicated relay device while security is ensured.

Means for Solving the Problems

To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following features.

A communication system according to the present invention is a communication system comprising:

a femto-cell base station for defining a predetermined communication area, a relay device for receiving a message transmitted from the femto-cell base station, and a management device for managing an IP address of the relay device, wherein:

the relay device comprises a CS (Circuit Switching)-dedicated relay device used for CS services and a PS (Packet Switching)-dedicated relay device used for PS services,

the management device comprises a first management device for managing an IP address of the CS-dedicated relay device, and a second management device for managing an IP address of the PS-dedicated relay device, and

the femto-cell base station comprises:

first establishing means for acquiring the IP address of the CS-dedicated relay device from the first management device, connecting to the CS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the CS-dedicated relay device, and establishing a first IPsec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the CS-dedicated relay device; and

second establishing means for acquiring the IP address of the PS-dedicated relay device from the second management device, connecting to the PS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the PS-dedicated relay device, and establishing a second IPSec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the PS-dedicated relay device.

Also, a femto-cell base station according to the present invention is a femto-cell base station for defining a predetermined communication area, comprising:

first establishing means for acquiring an IP address of a CS (Circuit Switching) dedicated relay device used for CS services from a first management device, connecting to the CS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the CS-dedicated relay device, and establishing a first IPSec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the CS-dedicated relay device; and

second establishing means for acquiring an IP address of a PS (Packet Switching) dedicated relay device used for PS services from a second management device through the first IPsec Tunnel, connecting to the PS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the PS-dedicated relay device, and establishing a second IPSec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the PS-dedicated relay device.

Also, a communication method according to the present invention is performed in a communication system comprising a femto-cell base station for defining a predetermined communication area, a relay device for receiving a message transmitted from the femto-cell base station, and a management device for managing an IP address of the relay device, wherein the relay device comprises a CS (Circuit Switching)-dedicated relay device used for CS services and a PS (Packet Switching)-dedicated relay device used for PS services, and the management device comprises a first management device for managing an IP address of the CS-dedicated relay device, and a second management device for managing an IP address of the PS-dedicated relay device. The communication method comprises:

a first establishing step of the femto-cell base station acquiring the IP address of the CS-dedicated relay device from the first management device, connecting to the CS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the CS-dedicated relay device, and establishing a first IPsec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the CS-dedicated relay device; and

a second establishing step of the femto-cell base station acquiring the IP address of the PS-dedicated relay device from the second management device through the first IPsec Tunnel, connecting to the PS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the PS-dedicated relay device, and establishing a second IPSec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the PS-dedicated relay device.

Also, a communication method according to the present invention is performed by a femto-cell base station for defining a predetermined communication area. The communication method comprises:

a first establishing step of acquiring an IP address of a CS (Circuit Switching) dedicated relay device used for CS services from a first management device, connecting to the CS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the CS-dedicated relay device, and establishing a first IPSec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the CS-dedicated relay device; and

a second establishing step of acquiring an IP address of a PS (Packet Switching) dedicated relay device used for PS services from a second management device through the first IPsec Tunnel, connecting to the PS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the PS-dedicated relay device, and establishing a second IPSec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the PS-dedicated relay device.

Also, a communication program according to the present invention is provided for execution by a femto-cell base station for defining a predetermined communication area to execute, wherein:

the communication program causes the femto-cell base station to execute:

a first establishing procedure for acquiring an IP address of a CS (Circuit Switching) dedicated relay device used for CS services from a first management device, connecting to the CS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the CS-dedicated relay device, and establishing a first IPSec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the CS-dedicated relay device; and

a second establishing procedure for acquiring an IP address of a PS (Packet Switching) dedicated relay device used for PS services from a second management device through the first IPsec Tunnel, connecting to the PS-dedicated relay device based on the acquired IP address of the PS-dedicated relay device, and establishing a second IPSec Tunnel between the femto-cell base station and the PS-dedicated relay device.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, the femto-cell base station can acquire the IP address of the PS-dedicated relay device while security is ensured.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 3is a diagram showing an embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention.

<Outline of Communication System>

Referring first toFIG. 3, a description will be given of an outline of the embodiment of the communication system according to the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 3, the communication system in this embodiment comprises femto-cell base station (Femto AP)20for defining a predetermined communication area; CS-dedicated relay device (CS-dedicated PDG)60and PS-dedicated relay device (PS-dedicated PDG)70which serve as relay devices (PDG: Packet Data Gateway) for receiving messages transmitted from femto-cell base station (Femto AP)20; and external DNS Server40and internal DNS Server50which are management devices (DNS servers: Domain Name System servers) for managing IP addresses of these relay devices.

Specifically, CS-dedicated relay device (CS-dedicated PDG)60is used for CS (Circuit Switching) services, while PS-dedicated relay device (PS-dedicated PDG)70is used for PS (Packet Switching) services. External DNS Server40in turn serves as a first management device for managing the IP address of CS-dedicated relay device (CS-dedicated PDG)60, while internal DNS Server50serves as a second management device for managing the IP address of PS-dedicated relay device (PS-dedicated PDG)70. Then, femto-cell base station (Femto AP)20comprises CS-dedicated establishing unit21which is first establishing means for acquiring the IP address of CS-dedicated relay device (CS-dedicated PDG)60from external DNS Server40, and for connecting to CS-dedicated relay device (CS-dedicated PDG)60based on the acquired IP address of CS-dedicated relay device (CS-dedicated PDG)60to establish a first IPSec Tunnel between femto-cell base station20and CS-dedicated relay device (CS-dedicated PDG)60; and PS-dedicated establishing unit22which is second establishing means for retrieving the IP address of PS-dedicated relay device (PS-dedicated PDG)70from internal DNS Server50through the first IPSec Tunnel, and for connecting to PS-dedicated relay device (PS-dedicated PDG)70based on the acquired IP address of PS-dedicated relay device (PS-dedicated PDG)70to establish a second IPSec Tunnel between femto-cell base station20and PS-dedicated relay device (PS-dedicated PDG)70. In this way, femto-cell base station20can acquire the IP address of PS-dedicated relay device (PS-dedicated PDG)70while security is ensured. In the following, the communication system of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

<System Configuration of Communication System>

Referring first toFIG. 3, a description will be given of an exemplary system configuration of the communication system of this embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 3, the communication system of this embodiment comprises UE (user equipment)10; Femto AP20which serves as an access point for UE10; CS-dedicated PDG60; PS-dedicated PDG60; external DNS Server40; internal DNS Server50; WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) DNS Server80which is a third management device; and WWW Server90.

UE10is a communication terminal device such as a portable telephone.

Femto AP20is a small radio base station which covers a narrow communication area having a radius in the order of several tens of meters.

PDG refers to a device for relaying a message, and the communication system of this embodiment comprises CS-dedicated PDG60and PS-dedicated PDG70. CS-dedicated PDG60is a relay device used for CS services, while PS-dedicated PDG70is a relay device used for PS services.

The DNS server is a device for managing domain names and IP addresses in a corresponding manner. The communication system of this embodiment comprises external DNS Server40for managing the IP address of CS-dedicated PDG60; internal DNS Server50for managing the IP address of PS-dedicated PDG70; and WAP DNS Server90for managing the IP address of WWW Server90.

WWW Server90is a device for providing a variety of services to users.

<Processing Operations of Communication System>

In the following, processing operations of the communication system in this embodiment will be described in detail.

FIG. 4is a diagram for describing a first embodiment of the processing operation of the communication system shown inFIG. 3.

First, Femto AP20performs initialization (step S1), and transmits a Request (CS-WAPN) to external DNS Server40for querying the IP address of CS-dedicated PDG60(step S2). For reference, WAPN stands for Wireless Access Point Name, which is information for identifying a link point of a network.

Upon receipt of the Request transmitted from Femto AP20, external DNS Server40acquires the IP address of CS-dedicated PDG60corresponding to the received CS-WAPN, and transmits an Answer including the IP address of CS-dedicated PDG60to Femto AP20(step S3).

Upon receipt of the Answer transmitted from external DNS Server40, Femto AP20transmits an IKE_SA-INIT Request, which stands for Internet Key Exchange-Security Authentication-INITialise to CS-dedicated PDG60, based on the IP address of CS-dedicated PDG included in the Answer in CS-dedicated establishing unit21(step S4).

Upon receipt of the IKE_SA-INIT Request transmitted from Femto AP20, CS-dedicated PDG60transmits an IKE_SA-INIT Response to Femto AP20(step S5).

Upon receipt of the IKE_SA-INIT Response transmitted from CS-dedicated PDG60, Femto AP20transmits an IKE_AUTH Request, which stands for Internet Key Exchange-AUTHentication, to CS-dedicated PDG in CS-dedicated establishing unit21(step S6).

Upon receipt of the IKE_AUTH Request transmitted from Femto AP20, CS-dedicated PDG60transmits an IKE_AUTH Response to Femto AP20(step S7). Specifically, this IKE_AUTH Response includes an inner IP address (Inner IP) which is an IP address for use on an application layer (SIP communication) assigned to Femto AP20, and the IP address of internal DNS Server50(internal DNS IP). Next, CS-dedicated PDG60establishes an IPSec Tunnel between CS-dedicated PDG60and Femto AP20(step S8). In this regard, the IPSec Tunnel is established by a method conforming to 3GPP. In this way, Femto AP20accesses CS-PDG60based on the IP address of CS-dedicated PDG60acquired from external DNS Server40, and establishes a first IPSec Tunnel between Femto AP20and CS-dedicated PDG60in CS-dedicated establishing unit21.

Next, UE10makes an RRC Connection (step S9), and transmits a GMM:Service Request to Femto AP20(step S10). In this, regard, RRC stands for Radio Resource Control which is a protocol for controlling a radio line between a mobile terminal and a radio access network. Also, GMM stands for GPRS Mobility Management which is a protocol for conducting mobility management such as location registration, authentication and the like in a packet exchange domain.

Subsequently, UE10transmits an SM:Activate PDP Context Request to Femto AP20(step S11). In this regard, SM stands for Session Management which is a protocol for controlling calls such as origination and termination in packet communications.

Upon receipt of the SM:Activate PDP Context Request transmitted from UE10, Femto AP20transmits a Request (PS-WAPN) to internal DNS Server50for querying the IP address of PS-dedicated PDG70in PS-dedicated establishing unit22(step S12). Specifically, Femto AP20transmits the Request (PS-WAPN) to internal DNS Server50through the IPSec Tunnel established at step S8. In this way, femto AP20can transmit concealed PS-WAPN to internal DNS Server50.

Upon receipt of the Request transmitted from Femto AP20, internal DNS Server50acquires the IP address of PS-dedicated. PDG70corresponding to that PS-WAPN, and transmits an Answer including the IP address of PS-dedicated PDG70to Femto AP20(step S13). Specifically, internal DNS Server50transmits the Answer to Femto AP20through the IPSec Tunnel established at step S8. In this way, internal DNS Server50can transmit the concealed IP address of PS-dedicated PDG70to Femto AP20.

Upon receipt of the Answer transmitted from internal DNS Server50, Femto AP20transmits an IKE_SA-INIT Request to PS-dedicated PDG70based on the IP address of the PS-dedicated PDG included in the Answer (step S14).

Upon receipt of the IKE_SA Request transmitted from Femto AP20, PS-dedicated PDG70transmits an IKE_SA-INIT Response to Femto AP20(step S15).

Upon receipt of the IKE_SA-INIT Response from PS-dedicated PDG70, Femto AP20transmits an IKE_AUTH Request to PS-dedicated PDG70in PS-dedicated establishing unit22(step16).

Upon receipt of the IKE_AUTH Request transmitted from Femto AP20, PS-dedicated PDG70transmits an IKE_AUTH Response to Femto AP20(step S17), where the IKE_AUTH Response includes an Inner IP address (Inner IP) which is an IP address used on an application layer (SIP communication) assigned to Femto AP20, and the IP address of WAP DNS Server80(WAP DNS IP).

Next, PS-dedicated PDG70establishes an IPSec Tunnel between PS-dedicated PDG70and Femto AP20(step S18), and transmits SM:Activate PDP Context Accept to UE10(step S19). In this way, Femto AP20acquires the IP address of PS-dedicated PDG70from internal DNS Server50through the IPSec Tunnel established at step S8, accesses PS-dedicated PDG70based on the acquired IP address of PS-dedicated PDG70, and establishes a second IPSec Tunnel between Femto AP20and PS-dedicated PDG70.

Upon receipt of the SM:Activate PDP Context Accept transmitted from PS-dedicated PDG70, UE10transmits a Request (URL) to WAP DNS Server80for querying the IP address of WWW Server90(step S20). Specifically, the Request (URL) is transmitted to WAP DNS Server80through the IPSec Tunnel established at step S18. In this way, UE10can transmit the concealed URL to WAP DNS Server80.

Upon receipt of the Request transmitted from UE10, WAP DNS Server80acquires the IP address of WWW Server90corresponding to the received URL, and transmits an Answer including the IP address of WWW Server90to UE10(step S21). Notably, since the IP address of WWW Server90is transmitted to UE10through the IPSec Tunnel established at step S18, WAP DNS Server80can transmit the concealed IP address of WWW Server90to the UE.

Upon receipt of the Answer transmitted from WAP DNS Server80, UE10accesses WWW Server90based on the IP address of WWW Server90included in the Answer, and links to WWW Server90(step S22) to utilize a variety of services provided by WWW Server90.

<Actions/Advantages of Communication System of this Embodiment>

As described above, in the communication system of this embodiment, Femto AP20acquires the IP address of CS-dedicated PDG60from external DNS Server40, connects to CS-dedicated PDG60based on the acquired IP address of CS-dedicated PDG60, and establishes the first IPSec Tunnel between Femto AP20and CS-dedicated PDG60. Femto AP20also acquires the IP address of PS-dedicated PDG70from internal DNS Server50through the first IPSec Tunnel, connects to PS-dedicated PDG70based on the acquired IP address of PS-dedicated PDG70, and establishes the second IPSec Tunnel between Femto AP20and PS-dedicated PDG70. In this way, Femto AP20can establish the first IPSec Tunnel and acquire the IP address of PS-dedicated PDG70while security is ensured.

On the other hand, UE10acquires the IP address of WWW Server90from WAP DNS Server80through the second IPSec Tunnel, and connects to WWW Server90based on the acquired IP address of WWW Server90to utilize services provided by WWW Server90. In this way, Femto AP20can establish the second IPSec Tunnel, and allow UE10to utilize services of WWW Server90while the security is kept ensured.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5is a diagram for describing a second embodiment of the processing operations of the communication system shown inFIG. 3.

In the first embodiment, external DNS Server40, upon receipt of a Request transmitted from Femto AP20, acquires the IP address of CS-dedicated PDG60corresponding to CS-WAPN, and transmits an Answer including the IP address of CS-dedicated PDG60to Femto AP20, as shown inFIG. 4.

On the other hand, internal DNS Server50, upon receipt of a Request transmitted from Femto AP20, acquires the IP address of PS-dedicated PDG70corresponding to PS-WAPN, and transmits an Answer including the IP address of PS-dedicated PDG70to Femto AP20.

WAP DNS Server80in turn acquires the IP address of WWW Server90corresponding to the URL, and transmits an Answer including the IP address of this WWW Server90to UE10.

The second embodiment comprises a plurality of CS-dedicated PDGs60, PS-dedicated PDGs70, and WWW Servers90.

Then, external DNS Server40acquires IP addresses (list) of a plurality of CS-dedicated PDGs60corresponding to CS-WAPN transmitted from Femto AP20, making use of a round robin function of the DNS server, as shown inFIG. 5, and transmits an Answer including the IP addresses (list) of the plurality of CS-dedicated PDGs60to Femto AP20(step S3′).

Internal DNS Server50in turn acquires IP addresses (list) of a plurality of PS-dedicated PDGs70corresponding to PS-WAPN transmitted from Femto AP20, making use of the round robin function of the DNS server, and transmits an Answer including the IP addresses (list) of the plurality of PS-dedicated PDGs70to Femto AP10(step S13′).

WAP DNS Server80in turn acquires IP addresses (list) of a plurality of WWW Servers90corresponding to the URL transmitted from UE10, making use of the round robin function of the DNS server, and transmits an Answer including the IP addresses (list) of the plurality of WWW Servers90to UE10(step S21′).

In this way, Femto AP20can connect to CS-dedicated PDGs60or connect to PS-dedicated PDGs70in a round robin fashion based on the plurality of IP addresses (list) acquired from external DNS Server40and internal DNS Server50. Also, UE10can connect to WWW Servers90in a round robin fashion based on the plurality of IP addresses (list) acquired from WAP DNS Server80. As a result, the communication system of this embodiment can accomplish a load distribution.

It should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and a variety of modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 presented in this specification is an example, and the communication system in the embodiment can be practiced without depending on the version of 3GPP described in Non-Patent Document 1.

Also, the control operations in each device which forms part of the communication system in the embodiment described above can be implemented in hardware or software, or using a composite configuration of both.

When processing is executed using software, a program which records a processing sequence can be installed into a memory within and executed by a computer which is incorporated in dedicated hardware. Alternatively, the program may be installed in and executed by a general-purpose computer which is capable of executing a variety of processing. For example, a program can be previously recorded in a hard disk or ROM (Read Only Memory) as a recording medium. Alternatively, a program can be temporarily or permanently stored (recorded) on a removable recording medium. Such a removable recording medium can be provided as so-called package software. For reference, removable recording media include floppy (registered trade mark) disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), MO (Magneto-optical) disk, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), magnetic disk, semiconductor memory, and the like.

Notably, a program is installed from a removable recording medium as mentioned above into a computer. Alternatively, a program is transferred over the air from a download site to a computer. Further alternatively, a program is transferred to a computer through a network in a wired manner.

Also, the communication system in the embodiment can be constructed not only to execute processing in a time series manner in accordance with the processing operations described in the aforementioned embodiments, but also to parallelly or individually execute processing in accordance with the processing capabilities of devices which execute the processing, or when such processing is required.

The present invention can be applied to services which employ femto-cell base stations.

While the present invention has been described with reference to several embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The present invention can be modified in configuration and details in various manners which can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.