Information terminal, setting information distribution server, right information distribution server, network connection setting program and method

An information terminal having a function of establishing a connection with a communication network, comprising:

• information acquisition means adapted to receive network right information from a right information distribution server which distributes said network right information, and to receive network connection setting information which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks from a setting information distribution server which distributes said network connection setting information, wherein said network right information specifies a communication network and a specific access point with which said information terminal only has a right to establish a connection;
• network connection means adapted to scan communication networks having an access point in the vicinity;
• network connection control means adapted to extract communication networks connectable with the information terminal on the basis of said network right information, said network connection setting information received by said information acquisition means, and a result of the scanning by said network connection means;
• and
• storage means storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a connection operation form predetermined for the information terminal itself, and connection operation policy setting information, which is information specifying the connection operation policy according to which said network connection control means and said network connection means are operated,
• wherein said network connection control means and said network connection means specify said connection operation policy setting information on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information and the result of the scanning by the network connection means, to operate on the basis of the connection operation policy in accordance with the specified connection operation policy setting information, and
• wherein the network right information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

An information terminal having a function of establishing a connection with a communication network, comprising:

• network connection means adapted to scan communication networks having an access point in the vicinity and to transmit a result of said scanning to a setting information distribution server which distributes network connection setting information which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks, the result of the scan indicating at least one communication network detected by the scan;
• information acquisition means adapted to receive network right information from a right information distribution server which distributes said network right information and to receive, from said setting information distribution server, the network connection setting information associated with the result of said scanning generated in said setting information distribution server, wherein said network right information specifies a communication network and a specific access point with which said information terminal only has a right to establish a connection;
• and
• network connection control means adapted to generate display information of communication networks connectable with said information terminal on the basis of said network right information and said network connection setting information that are received by said information acquisition means;
• and
• storage means storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a connection operation form predetermined for the information terminal itself, and connection operation policy setting information, which is information specifying the connection operation policy according to which said network connection control means and said network connection means are operated,
• wherein said network connection control means and said network connection means specify said connection operation policy setting information on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information and the result of the scanning by the network connection means, to operate on the basis of the connection operation policy in accordance with the specified connection operation policy setting information, and
• wherein the network connection setting information and the network right information are transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

An information terminal having a function of establishing a connection with a communication network, comprising:

• network connection means adapted to scan communication networks having an access point in the vicinity and to output a result of said scanning;
• user information storage means adapted to store user information identifying a user and containing information indicating a communication network associated with said user;
• information acquisition means adapted to transmit said user information and the result of the scanning by the network connection means to a setting information distribution server which distributes network connection setting information which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks, and to receive the network connection setting information associated with said user information generated by said setting information distribution server and the result of said scanning from said setting information distribution server;
• network connection control means adapted to generate display information of communication networks connectable with said information terminal on the basis of the network connection setting information received by said information acquisition means;
• and
• storage means storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a connection operation form predetermined for the information terminal itself, and connection operation policy setting information, which is information specifying the connection operation policy according to which said network connection control means and said network connection means are operated,
• wherein said network connection control means and said network connection means specify said connection operation policy setting information on the basis of one or more of network right information, said received network connection setting information and the result of the scanning by the network connection means, to operate on the basis of the connection operation policy in accordance with the specified connection operation policy setting information, and
• wherein the network connection setting information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A non-transitory recording medium which records a program that when executed controls an information terminal to perform a method comprising:

• scanning the communication network having an access point in the vicinity;
• transmitting a result of said scanning to a setting information distribution server which distributes network connection setting information, which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks;
• receiving the network connection setting information associated with the result of said scanning generated by said setting information distribution server from said setting information distribution server;
• generating display information of communication networks connectable with said information terminal on the basis of the network connection setting information received;
• and
• storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a connection operation form predetermined for an information terminal, and connection operation policy setting information, which is information specifying the connection operation policy according to which said network connection control process and said network connection process are executed,
• wherein in said scanning the communication network having an access point and said extracting communication networks connectable with an information terminal, said connection operation policy setting information is specified on the basis of one or more of network right information, said received network connection setting information, and the result of said scanning, and said scanning and said extracting are executed on the basis of the connection operation policy associated with said specified connection operation policy setting information, and
• wherein the network connection setting information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A non-transitory recording medium which records a program that when executed controls an information terminal to perform a method comprising:

• receiving network right information from a right information distribution server which distributes said network right information, wherein said network right information specifies a communication network and a specific access point with which said information terminal only has a right to establish a connection;
• receiving network connection setting information, which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks from a setting information distribution server which distributes said network connection setting information;
• scanning communication networks having an access point in the vicinity;
• extracting communication networks connectable with an information terminal on the basis of said network right information and said network connection setting information received in said information acquisition process and a result of the scanning of the communication networks;
• and
• storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a connection operation form predetermined for an information terminal, and connection operation policy setting information, which is information specifying the connection operation policy according to which said network connection control process and said network connection process are executed,
• wherein in said scanning the communication network having an access point and said extracting communication networks connectable with an information terminal, said connection operation policy setting information is specified on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information, and the result of said scanning, and said scanning and said extracting are executed on the basis of the connection operation policy associated with said specified connection operation policy setting information, and
• wherein the network right information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A non-transitory recording medium which records a program that when executed controls an information terminal to perform a method comprising:

• scanning communication networks having an access point in the vicinity, a result of the scanning indicating at least one communication network detected by the scanning;
• transmitting the result of said scanning to a setting information distribution server which distributes network distribution setting information, which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks;
• receiving network right information from the right information distribution server which distributes said network right information, and of receiving, from said setting information distribution server, the network connection setting information associated with the result of said scanning generated in said setting information distribution server, wherein said network right information specifies a communication network and a specific access point with which said information terminal only has a right to establish a connection;
• generating display information of communication networks connectable with said information terminal on the basis of said network right information and said network connection setting information received;
• and
• storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a connection operation form predetermined for an information terminal and connection operation policy setting information, which is information specifying the connection operation policy according to which said network connection control process and said network connection process are executed,
• wherein in said scanning the communication network having an access point and said extracting communication networks connectable with an information terminal, said connection operation policy setting information is specified on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information, and the result of said scanning, and said scanning and said extracting are executed on the basis of the connection operation policy associated with said specified connection operation policy setting information, and
• wherein the network connection setting information and the network right information are transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A non-transitory recording medium which records a program that when executed controls an information terminal to perform a method comprising:

• scanning communication networks having an access point in the vicinity;
• outputting a result of said scanning;
• storing user information specifying a user and containing information indicating a communication network associated with said user;
• transmitting the user information and the result of the scanning to a setting information distribution server which distributes network setting information which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks;
• receiving, from said setting information distribution server, the network connection setting information associated with said user information and the result of said scanning, which is generated in said setting information distribution server;
• generating display information of communication networks connectable with said information terminal on the basis of the network connection setting information received in said information acquisition process;
• and
• storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a connection operation form predetermined for an information terminal, and connection operation policy setting information, which is information specifying the connection operation policy according to which said network connection control process and said network connection process are executed,
• wherein in said scanning the communication network having an access point and said extracting communication networks connectable with an information terminal, said connection operation policy setting information is specified on the basis of one or more of network right information, said received network connection setting information, and the result of said scanning, and said scanning and said extracting are executed on the basis of the connection operation policy associated with said specified connection operation policy setting information, and
• wherein the network connection setting information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A network connection setting method for allowing an information terminal to be connected with a communication network, said method comprising:

• scanning communication networks having an access point in the vicinity;
• transmitting a result of said scanning to a setting information distribution server which distributes network connection setting information, which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks;
• receiving the network connection setting information associated with the result of said scanning and generated in said setting information distribution server from said setting information distribution server;
• generating display information of communication networks connectable with an information terminal on the basis of said received network connection setting information;
• storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a predetermined connection operation form, and information specifying the connection operation policy according to which said network connection control process and said network connection process are executed;
• and
• specifying said connection operation policy setting information on the basis of one or more of network right information, said received network connection setting information and the result of the scanning in said network connection process,
• wherein said network connection control process and said network connection process are performed on the basis of the connection operation policy associated with said specified connection operation policy setting information, and
• wherein the network connection setting information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A network connection setting method for allowing an information terminal to be connected with a communication network, said method comprising:

• receiving network right information from a right information distribution server which distributes said network right information, wherein said network right information specifies a communication network and a specific access point with which said information terminal only has a right to establish a connection;
• receiving network connection setting information, which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks from a setting information distribution server which distributes said network connection setting information;
• scanning communication networks having an access point in the vicinity;
• extracting communication networks connectable with said information terminal on the basis of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information, and a result of said scanning;
• storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a predetermined connection operation form, and information specifying the connection operation policy according to which said network connection control process and said network connection process are executed;
• and
• specifying said connection operation policy setting information on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information and the result of the scanning in said network connection process,
• wherein said network connection control process and said network connection process are performed on the basis of the connection operation policy associated with said specified connection operation policy setting information, and
• wherein the network right information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A network connection setting method for allowing an information terminal to be connected with a communication network, said method comprising:

• scanning communication networks having an access point in the vicinity, a result of the scanning indicating at least one communication network detected by the scanning;
• transmitting the result of said scanning to a setting information distribution server which distributes network connection setting information, which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks;
• receiving network right information from a right information distribution server which distributes said network right information, wherein said network right information specifies a communication network and a specific access point with which said information terminal only has a right to establish a connection;
• receiving the network connection setting information associated with the result of said scanning and generated in the setting information distribution server from said setting information distribution server;
• generating display information communication networks connectable with said information terminal on the basis of said received network right information and said received network connection setting information;
• storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a predetermined connection operation form, and information specifying the connection operation policy according to which said network connection control process and said network connection process are executed;
• and
• specifying said connection operation policy setting information on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information and the result of the scanning in said network connection process,
• wherein said network connection control process and said network connection process are performed on the basis of the connection operation policy associated with said specified connection operation policy setting information, and
• wherein the network connection setting information and the network right information are transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A network connection setting method for allowing an information terminal to be connected with a communication network, said method comprising:

• scanning communication networks having an access point in the vicinity;
• storing user information specifying a user and containing information specifying a communication network associated with the user;
• transmitting said stored user information and a result of the scanning to a setting information distribution server which distributes network connection setting information, which is setting information of establishing a connection with communication networks;
• receiving the network connection setting information associated with said user information and the result of the scanning and generated in said setting information distribution server from said setting information distribution server;
• generating display information communication networks connected with the information terminal on the basis of the received network connection setting information;
• storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a predetermined connection operation form, and information specifying the connection operation policy according to which said network connection control process and said network connection process are executed;
• and
• specifying said connection operation policy setting information on the basis of one or more of network right information, said received network connection setting information and the result of the scanning in said network connection process,
• wherein said network connection control process and said network connection process are performed on the basis of the connection operation policy associated with said specified connection operation policy setting information, and wherein the network connection setting information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A network system in which an information terminal is connected with a communication network via an access point, said network system comprising:

• a setting information distribution server adapted to store network connection setting information, which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks, so as to relate the network connection setting information with communication network information;
• an information terminal adapted to scan communication networks having an access point in the vicinity, to transmit the communication network information based on a result of the scanning to said setting information distribution server, to receive the network connection setting information associated with the communication network information associated based on the result of the scanning, and generated in said setting information distribution server from said setting information distribution server, and to generate information for a screen display of the connectable communication networks on the basis of said received network connection setting information;
• and
• a right information distribution server which distributes network right information containing information indicating a right of establishing a connection with a communication network,
• wherein said information terminal is adapted to receive said network right information from said right information distribution server, to scan communication networks having an access point in the vicinity, to transmit communication network information based on the result of the scanning to the setting information distribution server, to receive the network connection setting information associated with the communication network information based on the result of the scanning, and generated in said setting information distribution server from said setting information distribution server, and to extract connectable communication networks on the basis of said received network right information and said received network connection setting information,
• wherein said information terminal is adapted to store a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a predetermined connection operation form, and to operate in accordance with the connection operation policy specified on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information, and the result of the scanning by said information terminal, and
• wherein the network connection setting information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A network system in which an information terminal is connected with a communication network via an access point, said network system comprising:

• a setting information distribution server adapted to distribute network connection setting information which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks;
• and
• an information terminal adapted to receive the network connection setting information from said setting information distribution server, to scan communication networks having an access point in the vicinity, and to extract accessible communication networks on the basis of said received network connection setting information and a result of the scanning;
• and
• a right information distribution server which distributes network right information, wherein said network right information specifies a communication network and a specific access point with which said information terminal only has a right to establish a connection,
• wherein said information terminal is adapted to receive said network right information from said right information distribution server, to receive said network connection setting information from said setting information distribution server, to scan communication networks having an access point in the vicinity, and to extract connectable communication networks on the basis of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information and the result of the scanning,
• wherein said information terminal is adapted to store a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a predetermined connection operation form, and to operate in accordance with the connection operation policy specified on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information, and the result of the scanning by said information terminal, and
• wherein the network right information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

An information terminal having a function of establishing a connection with a communication network, comprising:

• information acquisition means adapted to receive network connection setting information which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks from a setting information distribution server which distributes network connection setting information;
• network connection means adapted to scan communication networks having an access point in a vicinity of said information terminal;
• network connection control means adapted to establish a connection with a desired communication network;
• control means adapted to instruct reception of said network connection setting information and to inform said network connection control means of said desired communication network selected out of said communication networks detected by the scanning;
• and
• a right information distribution server which distributes network right information containing information indicating a right of establishing a connection with a communication network,
• wherein said information terminal is adapted to receive said network right information from said right information distribution server, to scan communication networks having an access point in the vicinity, to transmit communication network information based on a result of the scanning to the setting information distribution server, to receive the network connection setting information associated with the communication network information based on the result of the scanning, and generated in said setting information distribution server from said setting information distribution server, and to extract connectable communication networks on the basis of said received network right information and said received network connection setting information,
• wherein said information terminal is adapted to store a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a predetermined connection operation form, and to operate in accordance with the connection operation policy specified on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information, and the result of the scanning by said information terminal,
• wherein, after the reception of said network connection setting information, said network connection control means establishes the connection with said desired communication network, based on said network connection setting information associated with said desired communication network, and
• wherein the network connection setting information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A non-transitory recording medium storing a program which when executed controls an information terminal to execute a method comprising:

• receiving network connection setting information which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks from a setting information distribution server which distributes network connection setting information;
• scanning communication networks having an access point in a vicinity of said information terminal;
• selecting a desired communication network from communication networks detected by said scanning;
• establishing a connection between said information terminal said desired communication network;
• receiving network right information containing information indicating a right of establishing a connection with a communication network from a right information distribution server;
• transmitting communication network information based on a result of the scanning to the setting information distribution server;
• receiving the network connection setting information associated with the communication network information based on the result of the scanning, and generated in said setting information distribution server from said setting information distribution server;
• extracting connectable communication networks on the basis of said received network right information and said received network connection setting information;
• storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a predetermined connection operation form;
• and
• operating in accordance with the connection operation policy specified on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information, and the result of the scanning by said information terminal,
• wherein the connection between said information terminal and said desired communication network is established based on said network connection setting information associated with said desired communication network, after said receiving said network connection setting information, and
• wherein the network connection setting information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A network connection setting method for allowing an information terminal to be connected with a communication network, said method comprising:

• receiving network connection setting information which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks from a setting information distribution server which distributes network connection setting information;
• scanning communication networks having an access point in a vicinity of said information terminal;
• selecting a desired communication network from communication networks detected by said scanning;
• establishing a connection between said information terminal said desired communication network;
• receiving network right information containing information indicating a right of establishing a connection with a communication network from a right information distribution server;
• transmitting communication network information based on a result of the scanning to the setting information distribution server;
• receiving the network connection setting information associated with the communication network information based on the result of the scanning, and generated in said setting information distribution server from said setting information distribution server;
• extracting connectable communication networks on the basis of said received network right information and said received network connection setting information;
• storing a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a predetermined connection operation form;
• and
• operating in accordance with the connection operation policy specified on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information, and the result of the scanning by said information terminal,
• wherein the connection between said information terminal and said desired communication network is established based on said network connection setting information associated with said desired communication network, after said receiving said network connection setting information, and
• wherein the network connection setting information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.

A network system in which an information terminal is connected with a communication network via an access point, said network system comprising:

• a setting information distribution server adapted to distribute network connection setting information which is information indicative of settings of connections with communication networks;
• an information terminal adapted to receive said network connection setting information from said setting information distribution server, to scan communication networks having an access point in a vicinity of said information terminal, to select a desired communication network from communication networks detected by the scanning, and to establish a connection between said information terminal said desired communication network;
• and
• a right information distribution server which distributes network right information containing information indicating a right of establishing a connection with a communication network,
• wherein said information terminal is adapted to receive said network right information from said right information distribution server, to scan communication networks having an access point in the vicinity, to transmit communication network information based on a result of the scanning to the setting information distribution server, to receive the network connection setting information associated with the communication network information based on the result of the scanning, and generated in said setting information distribution server from said setting information distribution server, and to extract connectable communication networks on the basis of said received network right information and said received network connection setting information,
• wherein said information terminal is adapted to store a plurality of connection operation policies, which are information indicating a predetermined connection operation form, and to operate in accordance with the connection operation policy specified on the basis of one or more of said received network right information, said received network connection setting information, and the result of the scanning by said information terminal,
• wherein the connection between said information terminal and said desired communication network is established based on said network connection setting information associated with said desired communication network, after said receiving said network connection setting information, and
• wherein the network connection setting information is transmitted to the information terminal by a communication device other than the access point.