Abstract:
A small-sized base station for which the installation location can be restricted to an appropriate range and can be appropriately managed. A small-sized base station ( 100 ) is moveable. A utilities subscriber ID acquisition unit ( 102 ) acquires, from the outside, the subscriber ID of utilities in the installation location of the small-sized base station ( 100 ). A message generation unit ( 103 ) generates a request message containing the subscriber ID, inputted from the utilities subscriber ID acquisition unit ( 102 ), and identification information identifying the small-sized base station ( 100 ), then sends the generated request message to a monitoring device ( 200 ), and requests permission for the installation of the small-sized base station ( 100 ) in the installation location. A service management function unit ( 106 ) initiates service if the monitoring unit ( 200 ) has permitted installation, in response to the sent request message.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a small cell base station (hereinafter a small cell), a monitoring apparatus, and an installation location management method for small cells, and, more particularly, to a small cell, a monitoring apparatus, and an installation location management method for small cells that restrict installation locations of mobile small cells. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    In recent years, consideration has been given to installing small cells (HeNBs) in homes, offices, shopping malls, and/or the like, as a dead zone countermeasure, or for high-speed communications. The term “small cells” as used above refers to femtocells, Home eNode Bs, and/or the like. Standardization efforts regarding small cells are being made by 3GPP. 
         [0003]    Since such small cells are mobile and are installed by users, they could interfere with other communications. Accordingly, one practice in recent years has been to set restrictions regarding installation locations for small cells in order to prevent them from interfering with other communications (e.g., Non-Patent Literature 1) In addition, ways to coordinate a small cell with household facilities have been studied in recent years. 
         [0004]    As a conventional method of restricting installation locations of small cells, there is a known method that uses IP addresses of broadband devices. A conventional method that uses IP addresses of broadband devices is described below using  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a conventional registration process where restrictions are placed on installation locations for small cells.  FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a conventional authentication process where restrictions are placed on installation locations for small cells. In  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , as well as in the descriptions thereof, small cells are referred to as HeNBs. 
         [0006]    First, a registration process is described using  FIG. 1 . 
         [0007]    First, broadband device  10  assigns an IP address to HeNB  20  (step ST 1 ). 
         [0008]    Next, in order to request permission to provide service at its installation location, HeNB  20  sends to access point home register (AHR)  30  a request message including the assigned IP address (step ST 2 ). 
         [0009]    Next, AHR  30  sends to connectivity session location and repository function (CLF)  40  a request Message (a location information query) including the IP address included in the received request message (step ST 3 ). 
         [0010]    Next, CLF  40  sends to AHR  30  a response message (a location information query reply) including an identifier (an access line location identifier: X) indicating location information corresponding to the IP address included in the received request message (step ST 4 ). Next, AHR  30  stores the identifier included in the received response message. In addition, AHR  30  sends to HeNB  20  a response message that allows installation at the installation location (step ST 5 ). 
         [0011]    The registration process is thus concluded. 
         [0012]    Next, an authentication process is described using  FIG. 2 . An authentication process is performed after the above-described registration process. 
         [0013]    First, HeNB  20 , at its new location of installation, sends to AHR  30  an access request message including the IP address already assigned to itself (step ST 6 ). 
         [0014]    Next, AHR  30  sends to CLF  40  a request message (a location information query) including the IP address included in the access request message (step ST 7 ). 
         [0015]    CLF  40  sends to AHR  30  a response message (a location information query reply) including an identifier (an access line location identifier: X or Y) indicating location information corresponding to the IP address included in the received request message (step ST 8 ). 
         [0016]    Next, AHR  30  compares the identifier included in the received response message with the identifier stored during the registration process. 
         [0017]    If the comparison reveals that the identifier included in the received response message is a match with the identifier stored during the registration process (i.e., X=X), AHR  30  sends a response message that allows installation (step ST 9 ). 
         [0018]    On the other hand, if the comparison reveals that the identifier included in the received response message is not a match with the identifier stored during the registration process (i.e., X≠Y), AHR  30  sends a response message that does not allow installation (step ST 9 ). 
         [0019]    For the method described above, it is assumed that the IP addresses are regional. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Non-Patent Literature 
     NPL 1 
       [0000]    
       
         TR 33.820 v8.3.0 ch7.8 
       
     
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0021]    However, with conventional methods, IP addresses must be assigned in such a manner as to ensure appropriate correspondence between the ranges indicated by the IP addresses and the installation locations of small cells. Thus, there is a problem in that service may be suspended when the ranges indicated by the IP addresses are inappropriate. By way of example, if small cells are to be installed in individual homes to improve dead zones for cell phones, it is preferable that installation locations be managed individually at each home. However, conventional methods that use IP addresses have a problem in that installation locations cannot be managed individually at each home. In addition, with conventional methods, there is a problem in that while it is possible to detect the movement of a small cell, its installation location cannot be restricted. 
         [0022]    An object of the present invention is to provide a small cell, a monitoring apparatus, and an installation location management method for small cells that are capable of restricting installation locations of small cells within an appropriate range, and of appropriately managing installation locations of small cells. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0023]    A small cell base station of the present invention includes a mobile small cell base station including: an acquisition section that acquires, from outside, subscriber identification information for a utility at an installation location; a request section that requests permission for installation at the installation location by sending, to a communicating party, the subscriber identification information acquired by the acquisition section and small cell identification information that identifies the small cell base station; and a service management function section that starts service if the permission for installation is granted by the communicating party in response to the request. 
         [0024]    A monitoring apparatus of the present invention includes a monitoring apparatus that manages an installation location of a mobile small cell base station, the monitoring apparatus including: a reception section that receives, from the small cell base station, subscriber identification information for a utility at an installation location of the small cell base station, and small cell identification information for identifying the small cell base station; a storage section that prestores profile information mapping the subscriber identification information to the small cell identification information; a determination section that determines whether or not to grant permission to install the small cell base station at the installation location based on the profile information, and on the subscriber identification information and small cell identification information received by the reception section; and a notification section that notifies the small, cell base station of a result of the determination. 
         [0025]    A small cell installation location management method of the present invention includes a small cell installation location management method for a monitoring apparatus that manages an installation location of a mobile small cell base station, the small cell installation location management method including: receiving, from the small cell base station, subscriber identification information for a utility at an installation location of the small cell base station, and small cell identification information for identifying the small cell base station; prestoring profile information that maps the subscriber identification information to the small cell identification information; determining whether or not to grant permission to install the small cell base station at the installation location based on the profile information, and on the received subscriber identification information and small cell identification information; and notifying the small cell base station of a result of the determination. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0026]    With the present invention, installation locations of small cells can be restricted, and installation locations of small cells can be managed appropriately. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a conventional registration process where restrictions are placed on installation locations for small cells; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a conventional authentication process where restrictions are placed on installation locations for small cells; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a small cell according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a utilities measuring device with respect to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing operations of a small cell, a monitoring apparatus, and a utilities measuring device with respect to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing profile information with respect to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 
       Embodiment 
       [0035]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a configuration of small cell  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0036]    Small cell  100  generally includes HeNB hardware ID management section  101 , utilities subscriber ID acquisition section  102 , message generation section  103 , message reception section  104 , message analysis section  105 , and service management function section  106 . 
         [0037]    HeNB hardware ID management section  101  stores identification information for identifying small cell  100 . The identification information mentioned above may be a hardware ID of the small cell, for example. 
         [0038]    Utilities subscriber ID acquisition section  102  receives a reception signal from utilities measuring device  300 , which is described hereinbelow. Utilities subscriber ID acquisition section  102  acquires a utilities subscriber ID (subscriber identification information) by demodulating and decoding the reception signal. Utilities subscriber ID acquisition section  102  outputs the acquired subscriber ID to message generation section  103 . The utilities subscriber ID is discussed hereinbelow. 
         [0039]    Message generation section  103  acquires identification information from HeNB hardware ID management section. Message generation section  103  generates a request message including the subscriber ID and identification information received from utilities subscriber ID acquisition section  102 . Message generation section  103  sends the generated request message to monitoring apparatus  200  (described hereinbelow). 
         [0040]    Message reception section  104  receives from monitoring apparatus  200 , and outputs to message analysis section  105 , a response message to the request message sent from message generation section  103 . 
         [0041]    Message analysis section  105  analyzes the response message received from message reception section  104 , and outputs an analysis result to service management function section  106 . 
         [0042]    Based on the analysis result received from message analysis section  105 , service management function section  106  starts or suspends service by small cell  100 . Specifically, if an analysis result granting permission for installation is obtained, service management function section  106  starts service by small cell  100 . On the other hand, if an analysis result not granting permission for installation is obtained, service management function section  106  suspends service by small cell  100 . 
         [0043]    Next, a configuration of monitoring apparatus  200  is described using  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a configuration of monitoring apparatus  200 . Monitoring apparatus  200  may be, for example, an operation and maintenance center (OMC). 
         [0044]    Monitoring apparatus  200  generally includes message reception section  201 , message analysis section  202 , HeNB profile management section  203 , service continuation determination section  204 , and message generation section  205 . 
         [0045]    Message reception section  201  receives, and outputs to message analysis section  202 , the request message that has been sent from small cell  100 . 
         [0046]    Message analysis section  202  analyzes the request message received from message reception section  201  to obtain the utilities subscriber ID and the identification information of small cell  100 . Message analysis section  202  outputs the obtained subscriber ID and identification information to service continuation determination section  204 . 
         [0047]    HeNB profile management section  203  has profile information prestored, where the profile information maps utilities subscriber IDs to identification information of small cells  100 . The profile information is inputted to monitoring apparatus  200  from outside by an operator, for example. 
         [0048]    Based on the subscriber ID and identification information received from message analysis section  202  and the profile information stored in HeNB profile management section  203 , service continuation determination section  204  determines whether or not to grant permission to install small cell  100 . Specifically, service continuation determination section  204  makes a determination to grant permission for installation if there exists among the profile information the same combination (mapping) of subscriber ID and identification information as the combination (mapping) of subscriber ID and identification information received, from message analysis section  202 . On the other hand, service continuation determination section  204  makes a determination not to grant permission for installation if there does not exist among the profile information the same combination (mapping) of subscriber ID and identification information as the combination (mapping) of subscriber ID and identification information received from message analysis section  202 . Service continuation determination mapped to  204  outputs the determination result to message generation section  205 . 
         [0049]    Message generation section  205  generates a response message including the determination result received from service continuation determination section  204 . Specifically, if a determination result granting permission for installation is obtained, message generation section  205  generates a response message granting permission for installation. On the other hand, if a determination result not granting permission for installation is obtained, message generation section  205  generates a response message not granting permission for installation. Message generation section  205  sends the generated message to small cell  100 . 
         [0050]    Next, a configuration of utilities measuring device  300  is described using  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a configuration of utilities measuring device  300 . Utilities measuring device  300  is a measuring device (e.g., a meter) for utilities laid in an immobile building, such as a house, and/or the like. 
         [0051]    Utilities measuring device  300  generally includes utilities subscriber ID management section  301 , and communications function section  302 . 
         [0052]    Utilities subscriber ID management section  301  stores a subscriber ID for identifying the subscriber signed up for utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and/or the like. 
         [0053]    Communications function section  302  reads out the subscriber ID from utilities subscriber ID management section  301 , and generates a transmission signal by coding and modulating the subscriber ID that has been read out. Communications function section  302  wirelessly sends the generated transmission signal to small cell  100 . 
         [0054]    Next, operations of small cell  100 , monitoring apparatus  200 , and utilities measuring device  300  are described using  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a diagram showing operations of small cell  100 , monitoring apparatus  200 , and utilities measuring device  300 . With respect to  FIG. 6  and descriptions thereof, small cell  100  is referred to as HeNB, and it is assumed that an OMC is used as monitoring apparatus  200 . 
         [0055]    According to  FIG. 6 , HeNB  100  is connected to utilities measuring device  300  through a wireless connection. HeNB  100  is connected to OMC  200  through a wired connection. Since the area where the utilities subscriber uses the utilities is the same as the area where installation of HeNB  100  is permitted, namely area #650, it is possible to appropriately manage the installation location of HeNB  100 . The area where the utilities subscriber uses the utilities and the area where installation of HeNB  100  is permitted need not be completely identical, and need only partially overlap. In other words, so long as it is possible to manage within a desired range the area where installation of HeNB  100  is permitted, the present invention may be applied even if there is only a partial overlap as mentioned above. 
         [0056]    First, HeNB  100  acquires the utilities subscriber ID from utilities measuring device  300  (step ST 601 ). In so doing, it is preferable that, for the wireless connection established between HeNB  100  and utilities measuring device  300 , a security tunnel be set up through the use of IPsec, and/or the like, thereby preventing any tampering midcourse. 
         [0057]    HeNB  100  generates a request message including its own identification information and the acquired subscriber ID, and sends the generated request message to OMC  200  (step ST 602 ). 
         [0058]    Next, using the identification information and subscriber ID received from HeNB  100 , OMC  200  references prestored profile information. 
         [0059]    OMC  200  makes a determination to grant permission, for installation if there exists among the profile information the same combination of subscriber ID and identification information as the acquired combination (mapping) of subscriber ID and identification information. On the other hand, OMC  200  makes a determination not to grant permission for installation if there does not exist among the profile information the same combination of subscriber ID and identification information as the acquired combination of subscriber ID and identification information. 
         [0060]    OMC  200  generates a response message including the determination result, and sends the generated response message to HeNB  100  (step ST 603 ). 
         [0061]    Next, HeNB  100  receives the response message, and, depending on the determination result included in the received response message, either starts or suspends service. 
         [0062]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing profile information. 
         [0063]    According to  FIG. 7 , profile information #701-1 is information that maps, for each small cell  100 , identification information X of small cell  100  to utilities subscriber IDs A through C for, for example, electricity, gas, and water, respectively. In the case of  FIG. 7 , one item of identification information, is mapped to a plurality of subscriber IDs. 
         [0064]    Since profile information #701-2, as well as those that follow, are generally comparable to profile information #701-1, they are not shown in the drawing, and descriptions thereof are omitted. 
         [0065]    Thus, with the present embodiment, since the installation location of a small cell is managed using utilities subscriber IDs, it is possible to appropriately manage the installation location of the small With the present embodiment, since whether or not to grant permission for installation of a small cell is determined using profile information prestored on the monitoring apparatus, it is possible to restrict the installation location of the small cell. 
         [0066]    Since the present embodiment uses utilities subscriber IDs, it is possible to manage the installation location of a small cell so long as there are utilities facilities, and without having to be dependent on a network system. 
         [0067]    For the present embodiment, electricity, gas, and water have been cited as utilities. However, the present invention is by no means limited as such, and utilities other than electricity, gas, and water, may also be used as desired. 
         [0068]    Although the present embodiment involves the use of three types of utilities subscriber IDs, namely electricity, gas, and water, the present invention is by no means limited as such, and may instead use any one, or two, subscriber ID(s) chosen from electricity, gas, and water. It may also use four or more types of utilities subscriber IDs. 
         [0069]    Although the present embodiment involves the use of subscriber IDs, the present invention is by no means limited as such, and may instead use any given information besides subscriber ID so long as it enables identification of the subscriber that is signed up for a utilities. 
         [0070]    With respect to the present embodiment, small cells start service when installation is permitted. However, the present invention is by no means limited as such, and may be so arranged as to continue providing service, which it had been providing up to that point, if installation is permitted. 
         [0071]    The disclosure of the specification, drawings, and abstract included in Japanese Patent Application No, 2010-292739, filed on Dec. 28, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0072]    A small cell, a monitoring apparatus, and an installation location management method for small cells according to the present invention are suitable for restricting installation locations of mobile small cells, in particular. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           100  Small cell 
           101  HeNB hardware ID management section 
           102  Utilities subscriber ID acquisition section 
           103  Message generation section 
           104  Message reception section. 
           105  Message analysis section 
           106  Service management function section