Communication system using home gateway and access server for preventing attacks to home network

Abstract

In a communication system using a home gateway device and an access server device, the security function for the home network side is provided by the access server device on the service provider side, so that it becomes possible to prevent attacks from the malicious users with respect to the home network, without implementing excessive security functions in the home gateway device on the home network side and without requiring professional skills for setting and management to the user of the home gateway device.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A home gateway device to be provided at a home network, comprising: 
 an interface unit configured to relay communications between the home network and a prescribed access network;    a registration unit configured to register an access server device in charge of access control for the home gateway device, with which communications are possible through the prescribed access network; and    a control unit configured to handle accesses from outside the home network by permitting only those accesses which are made from the access server device which is registered by the registration unit in advance.    
   
   
       16 . The home gateway device of  claim 15 , further comprising a processing unit configured to transfer a prescribed message received from the access server device when an access made from the access server device is permitted, to a destination communication device on the home network after applying a protocol conversion according to a protocol of the home network.  
   
   
       17 . The home gateway device of  claim 16 , wherein the interface unit relays AV data of a prescribed format received from the destination communication device after transferring the prescribed message to the destination communication device, to the access server device; and 
 the processing unit applies a prescribed conversion processing to the AV data to be relayed by the interface unit.    
   
   
       18 . The home gateway device of  claim 15 , further comprising a unit configured to return a home page containing contents regarding devices connected to the home network in response to a prescribed message received from the access server device when an access made from the access server device is permitted.  
   
   
       19 . The home gateway device of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 an automatic configuration recognition unit configured to carry out an automatic configuration recognition with respect to the home network, transmitting an inquiry message regarding an unknown device or service when the unknown device or service that is not registered in advance is detected on the home network as a result of the automatic configuration recognition, and receiving a response message containing data regarding the unknown device or service inquired by the inquiry message from the access server device.    
   
   
       20 . The home gateway device of  claim 15 , further comprising a unit configured to apply encryption processing or digital signature processing to communications with the access server device.