Management device, management method, communication device, communication method, relay device, relay method, program, and communication system

A management method of a management device managing a relay device that relays a connection to a first network, the management method comprising:

• in the management device,
• generating a management table that stores location information showing present location of each relay device that relays a connection to the first network,
• receiving a location information showing a present location of a communication device from the communication device via a second network different from the first network, the communication device being connected to the first network via the relay device,
• generating a candidate list showing relay device candidates that relay a connection to the first network by communicating with the communication device with reference to the management table based on the location information of the communication device,
• transmitting the candidate list to the communication device via the second network,
• requesting the location information of the communication device to the communication device via the second network according to a change in communication situation of the relay device communicating with the communication device, and
• generating the candidate list newly with reference to the management table based on the location information of the communication device that is received according to the request from a request section.

A communication device comprising:

• a communication section that connects to and communicates with a first network,
• a receiving section that receives a candidate list showing candidates of relay devices that relay a connection to the first network by communicating with the communication section via a second network different from the first network,
• a list generation section that generates a communicable list showing the relay device that can communicate with the communication section,
• a connection destination list generation section that generates a connection destination list showing the relay device that can communicate with the communication section of the relay device candidates based on the candidate list and the communicable list, and
• a determination section that determines the relay device communicated with the communication section based on the connection destination list.

A communication method of a communication device having a communication section that connects to and communicates with a first network, the communication method comprising:

• according to the communication device,
• receiving a candidate list showing candidates of relay devices that relay a connection to the first network by communicating with the communication section via a second network different from the first network,
• generating a communicable list showing the relay device that can communicate with the communication section,
• generating a connection destination list showing the relay device that can communicate with the communication section of the relay device candidates based on the candidate list and the communicable list, and
• determining the relay device communicated with the communication section based on the connection destination list.

A relay device comprising:

• a relay section that relays a connection to a first network,
• an acquisition section that acquires location information showing a present location,
• a transmission section that transmits relay information including at least the location information to a management device managing the relay device via a second network different from the first network, and
• a setting section that:
• sets operation of the relay section according to operation of a user, and
• sets at least one of relay time in which relaying is possible by the relay section, relay availability, maximum possible relay time, possible relay time band, communication band that is used when relaying, protocol that is used when relaying, or a communication device that limits the relay according to the operation by the user.

A relay method of a relay device having relay section that relays a connection to a first network, the relay method comprising:

• acquiring location information showing a present location,
• transmitting relay information including at least the location information to a management device managing the relay device via a second network different from the first network,
• setting operation of the relay section according to operation of a user, and
• setting at least one of relay time in which relaying is possible by the relay section, relay availability, maximum possible relay time, possible relay time band, communication band that is used when relaying, protocol that is used when relaying, or a communication device that limits the relay according to the operation by the user.