JP2000332820A - Network system and data transmission/reception method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To always stably transmit/receive data by moving a device itself playing a roll of relaying in a network so as to dynamically change the network. SOLUTION: A user enters a telephone number specifying a repeater 31 and a code denoting a device type such as 'video camera' to a monitor 11. The repeater 31 selects a video camera 33 corresponding to the device type code. The video camera 33 transmits the photographed video image to the repeater 31 and the monitor 11 via the repeater 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a network system for dynamically configuring a network to transmit and receive data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As the simplest method for connecting many electronic devices, simply connecting them by a communication line and performing communication by a common protocol has been realized. In this case, an identifier is generally assigned to each terminal in order to identify each connected terminal. In such a mode, the work of physically connecting the terminal to the network and setting the identifier, the communication procedure, and the like is troublesome, so that it is inconvenient to frequently move the terminal. Examples of such a form include a wired telephone line network and a TCP / IP-connected computer network.

On the other hand, in a conventional mobile phone network, movement of a terminal is considered. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a conventional mobile phone network 200 includes a base station 2 near a location where terminals 201 and 202 exist.
A network centered on 10, 220, and 230 is dynamically configured to enable communication between the terminals 201 and 202.

[0004]

However, in such a network configuration, the base stations 210, 220, 2
Since it is not possible to move 30, it is necessary to increase the number of base stations or increase the communication distance between the terminal and the base station in order to cover a larger area.

[0005] Considering that all the electronic devices in the world are connected by a network, providing each terminal with a communication function of a mobile phone is compared with providing a wireless function for communication over a shorter distance. If expensive. In addition, installing a base station corresponding to the number of terminals requires a great deal of cost. Furthermore, there is an operational problem that a telephone number must be assigned to each terminal.

[0006] The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and the apparatus itself that relays the network moves, and the network dynamically changes, so that stable data transmission and reception are always performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a network system capable of performing the above.

[0007]

A network system according to the present invention has a plurality of communication terminals capable of communicating with each other, and is capable of local communication with each communication terminal, and is capable of local communication among the plurality of communication terminals. A plurality of function terminals having a function of selecting a communication terminal to be a communication destination via a communication terminal, and the communication terminal selected by the first function terminal is connected to a second terminal which can be locally connected in the vicinity thereof. Select a functional device for
When communication between the communication terminal locally connected to the first communication terminal and the selected communication terminal is established, the first communication terminal transmits and receives data to and from the second communication terminal. The above-mentioned problem is solved.

[0008] A data transmission / reception method according to the present invention is a data transmission / reception method performed in a network including a plurality of communication terminals capable of communicating with each other and a plurality of functional terminals capable of local communication with each communication terminal. The first functional terminal selects a communication terminal to communicate with through a locally communicable communication terminal, and the communication terminal selected by the first functional terminal can be locally connected in the vicinity thereof The first function terminal selects the second function terminal, and when the communication between the communication terminal locally connected to the first function terminal and the selected communication terminal is established, the first function terminal The above-mentioned problem is solved by transmitting and receiving data to and from the terminal.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The specific contents of the present invention will be described below with reference to first to fourth embodiments. 1. First Embodiment The present invention can be applied as a first embodiment to, for example, a video camera network system 1 having a configuration shown in FIG.

The video camera network system 1 comprises:
A monitor 11 for displaying an image of a subject at a remote place, and a repeater 13 for performing wireless communication with the monitor 11 via a wireless communication network 12 are provided. And a server 22 that communicates with the repeaters 13 and 31 via the mobile phone network 21 and a video camera 33 that performs wireless communication with the repeater 31 via the wireless communication network 32.

Here, the user A carries not only the monitor 11 but also the repeater 13. The monitor 11 has a local wireless function. The monitor 11 receives a radio wave from the repeater 13 via the wireless communication network 12 to display an image of a subject or transmits a predetermined instruction to the repeater 13. Or

The repeater 13 has a local wireless function and a communication function for a mobile phone. The repeater 13 is connected to the server 22 via the mobile phone network 21 by the mobile phone communication function.
Communicates with

The subject (user B) is away from user A and carries a repeater 31. Repeater 13
And the repeater 31 can communicate with each other by using their mobile phone functions, and here it is assumed that they can always communicate with each other. Note that the case of moving out of the communication range is not considered here. In addition, the video camera 33
It is installed on the side of the user B and has a local wireless communication function like the monitor 11.

In the video camera network system 1 having such a configuration, it is assumed that the user A wants to display an image photographed by the video camera 33 near the user B on the monitor 11. At this time, a communication state between the devices based on the operation of the user A is shown in FIG.

First, the user A operates an operation unit (not shown) of the monitor 11 so as to display "video taken by a video camera near the user B". Specifically, the user inputs the telephone number of the repeater 31 of the user B to the image input source designation function of the monitor 11 (step S).
T1).

When the monitor 11 detects this input, it transmits a connection request and a code indicating a video image to the repeater 13 (step ST2). Upon receiving these, the repeater 13 transmits a connection permission signal to the monitor 11 (step ST3). When the monitor 11 receives the connection permission signal from the repeater 13, the monitor 11 informs the repeater 13 of the telephone number of the repeater 31 on the user B side and the video camera 33.
Is transmitted (step ST4).

The repeater 13 attempts to relay with the repeater 31 based on the information. Specifically, the repeater 13
A connection request is transmitted to the mobile phone server 22 (step ST5). Upon receiving this, the server 22 returns a connection permission signal to the repeater 13 (step ST6). The repeater 13 transmits the telephone number of the repeater 31 to the server 22 (Step ST7). The server 22
Based on this telephone number, the relay device 31 is specified, and a connection request is transmitted to the relay device 31 (step ST8).

The repeater 31 returns a connection permission signal in response to the connection request (step ST9). Server 2
When receiving the connection permission signal, 2 transmits a connection notification indicating that communication with the relay 31 has been established to the relay 13 (step ST10). This allows
Communication between the repeaters 13 and 31 is established. Thereafter, as long as one of the repeaters 13 and 31 transmits a disconnection request for disconnecting the communication, or the communication is not interrupted for some reason, the server 22 continues to operate the respective relays 1 and 31.
The communication from the third and third relays 31 and 13 is transferred to the other repeaters 31 and 13 as they are.

When communication with the repeater 31 is established, the repeater 13 sends a video camera 33 to the repeater 31.
Is transmitted to the repeater 31 via the server 22 (step ST11, step ST12).

When the repeater 31 receives this, it selects one of the available video cameras 33 around it and sends a connection request to this video camera 33 (step ST13). . Upon receiving this, the video camera 33 transmits a connection permission signal to the repeater 3.
1 is returned (step ST14). The repeater 31 transmits to the repeater 13 that the connection has been established via the server 22 (steps ST15 and ST16). The repeater 13 transmits the connection to the monitor 11 in the same manner (step ST17). Thus, communication between the monitor 11 and the video camera 33 has been established.

Then, the video camera 33 captures an image of the user B, which is a subject, and transmits the image to the monitor 11 as needed (steps ST18 to ST21). The monitor 11 displays an image of the user B.

As described above, the video camera network system 1 displays the image of the user B on the monitor 11 from the video camera 33 near the user B for the user A.

Here, in the video camera network system 1, the monitor 11 does not specify a video camera owned by the user B, but specifies a video camera near the user B. That is, even if the video camera is owned by another person, it can be used as the video camera 33 as described above as long as the video can be transmitted while being able to communicate with the repeater 31 of the user B. As a result, the user A can easily obtain an image of a distant place more than before, and many people can use the same video camera.

Here, the operation of the relay 31 for selecting and connecting the video camera 33 in the vicinity thereof will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIG. When the repeater 31 receives the terminal type code, that is, the connection request of the video camera corresponding to the predetermined model in step ST12 described above, it checks whether there is a connectable video camera by using the wireless communication function. A query signal is broadcast (step ST31). At this time, if there is a video camera that is in a state where it can receive wireless communication from the repeater 31 and can transmit video, the video camera sends a signal indicating that “connection is possible” to the relay 31. Send to Generally, these signals originate from zero or more video cameras.

The repeater 31 waits for a certain period of time until these signals are transmitted (step ST32), and determines the result (step ST33). That is, the repeater 31
Determines whether there is a reply from one or more video cameras within a certain period of time. When one or more replies are received, one of them is selected (step ST34), and a communication connection is requested to the selected video camera (step ST3).
5), a connection permission signal is received from the video camera (step ST36). Thus, communication between the repeater 31 and the video camera 33 is established. Step S
The processing of T35 and step ST36 is the processing of step ST13 and step ST14 described above, respectively.

If it is determined in step ST33 that there is no video camera available, the repeater 31 returns a result to the repeater 13 indicating that there is no connectable video camera. (Step ST40).

When communication is established in step ST36, the video camera 33 transmits the image information to the
1 (step S37). After the communication is thus established, the image is transferred unless either the repeater 13 or the video camera 33 issues a request to disconnect the communication, or the communication is not interrupted for some reason. When ending, the communication with the video camera 33 is disconnected (step ST38), and then the communication with the server 22 is also disconnected (step ST39).

In this embodiment, the repeater 3
1 has described that the video camera 33 is selected, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example,
The repeater 31 is always connected to all electronic devices, for example, video cameras by wireless communication, and may have all necessary information on the types and functions of those devices. In this case, the repeater 31 does not need to recruit video camera candidates to be used in the wireless communication 32 in response to the request from the repeater 13 as in step ST31 described above. You just need to select the best one from among them.

Further, even when the video camera moves and goes out of the area of the wireless communication network 32, the video camera network system 1 uses another video camera as shown in FIG. Video can be transmitted. Note that the following description is based on step ST shown in FIG.
37 specifically shows the processing contents.

The repeater 31 determines whether there has been communication from the video camera 33 or the repeater 13 within a certain time (step ST41). Then, a process of transferring data to is performed (step ST42). That is, the video camera 33 transmits the image packet to the server 22, and returns to the process of step ST41.

However, when the video camera 33 moves out of the area of the wireless communication network 32, the repeater 31 is in a state where there is no communication from the video camera 33 even after a certain period of time. In this case, since "video camera near user B" was originally specified as a request from user A, repeater 31 determines whether an alternative video camera is nearby (step ST43). If there is a substitute video camera near user B, repeater 31 attempts to connect to the video camera (step ST44).
The repeater 31 determines whether or not a connection can be made to a substitute video camera (step ST45). If connection can be made, the process returns to step ST41. The process returns to step ST40 shown in FIG. 3 and transmits a signal indicating an error to the repeater 13.

As described above, in the video camera network system 1, the user A inputs the telephone number specifying the repeater 31 and the code indicating the device type “video camera” to the monitor 11. This, unlike traditional systems such as Mobile IP,
There is no need for the user A to know the presence of a specific video camera near the user B, and the user A has to specify the device-specific information (for example, the serial code of the video camera) indicating the video camera. Can be omitted. In the video camera network system 1 as well, a device to be connected may be specified and connected using information unique to each device, as in the related art.

Further, the connection destination may be specified using a method other than these. For example, suppose that the user A thinks that “I want to capture the image of the video camera in Shibuya on the monitor at hand.” In this case, step S in FIG.
At T1, the user A may input information (for example, the latitude and longitude of Shibuya) for specifying a place instead of inputting a telephone number. Further, in step ST7 described above, the repeater 1
3 transmits the input information instead of the telephone number to the server 22. The server 22 searches for a repeater 31 closest to the location from information owned by the server 22 and tries to connect to the repeater 31 ( Step ST8). Thus, for example, if the video camera network system 1 is applied to a road traffic information system, the user A can easily know the road traffic situation in the area where the user intends to pass in the future from the terminal at hand as the monitor 11.

When it is desired to specify a terminal near a specific place, information that can be input by the user A is not limited to latitude and longitude. For example, the user A inputs a place name “Shibuya” to the monitor 11, and the monitor 11 converts the place name into latitude and longitude using the information (table for converting the place name to latitude and longitude) owned by the monitor 11, and sends the information to the repeater 13. May be sent. Also, the conversion process is performed not by the monitor 11 but by the repeater 1.
3 or the server 22 or other electronic devices.

The above video camera network system 1
In the case where a terminal to be connected is specified, there may be a plurality of connectable terminals except that the terminal is specified by information unique to the terminal. In the description so far, the repeater 31 selects and connects an arbitrary video camera from among a plurality of connectable terminals (video cameras) when there are a plurality of connectable terminals (video cameras). No need to do. That is, the repeater 31 may provide information on selectable terminals and their characteristics, and the user A may select an appropriate terminal from the information.

As described above, in the video camera network system 1, since the connected repeaters 13 and 31 are movable, the entire network can be dynamically configured.

Also, as described above, when the location is used as a key as a method of specifying a connection destination terminal, if the repeater 31 moves, the user A may deviate from a desired location. For example, the user A thinks “I want a video from a video camera near Shibuya.” And inputs information representing Shibuya (for example, a place name “Shibuya”) to the monitor 11, and a series of connection procedures is performed based on the information. We, video camera 3
When connection with 3 is completed and video is sent,
It is assumed that the user B having the repeater 31 moves and gets out of Shibuya. Even in such a case, it is necessary to continue to display the image of Shibuya on the monitor 11.

The above video camera network system 1
In, the server 22 keeps track of the position of each repeater on the network and stores the information in its own storage device (not shown). When the user A tries to move the repeater out of the service area from a desired place (notified to the server 22 in step ST7), the user selects the substitute repeater 31, and the repeater 31 and the video camera 3 are selected.
3 is connected. Thereafter, by using the repeater 31, the information of the video camera 33 can be continuously displayed on the monitor 11.

However, when the repeater 31 is selected, there may be a case where there is no repeater 31 that can communicate with the video camera 33. In this case, a repeater that can be connected to another video camera 33 in Shibuya is selected. Thus, the image on the monitor 11 can be automatically switched to the image from another video camera 33 in Shibuya.

In the above description, the connection destination terminal has been automatically selected by the repeater 31, but inconvenience may occur if these terminals are used without restriction. For example, some people do not want others to use their own video camera. It is also conceivable that a video camera that informs the user of the road condition should be used only for administrative purposes in an emergency such as a disaster.

Therefore, in the video camera network system 1, each terminal and each repeater store information indicating availability. For example, if the owner of the video camera does not want anyone to use the video camera, information for inhibiting the use is written in a storage device (not shown) provided in the video camera. Thereby, in the above-mentioned step ST31, the repeater 31
Can be prevented from responding when there is a request for a connectable device from.

2. Second Embodiment The present invention can be applied as a second embodiment to, for example, a communication network system 40 having the configuration shown in FIG.

The communication network system 40 includes communication terminals 50, 60, 70, function terminals 51, 52, 53, 54 for communicating with the communication terminal 50, and function terminals 61, 62, 63, for communicating with the communication terminal 60. 64.

The function terminals 51 to 54 and 61 to 64 have application functions themselves, such as a camera, a monitor, an air conditioner, a PDA, and a data storage, which are directly used by the user. Functional terminals 51-54, 61-
The data transmission / reception 64 is connected to the communication terminals 50 and 60 located nearby by local communication. Note that the functional terminal 64 has the same function as the functional terminal 62 and can be a substitute for the functional terminal 62.

The communication terminals 50, 60, 70 communicate with each other in addition to the communication with the function terminals. The communication terminals 50, 60, and 70 are connected by a global network, and can communicate even if they are far from each other.

Here, at time [T], the communication network system 40 is configured as shown in FIG. 5 described above. The communication terminals 50 are functional terminals 51, 52, 5
3, 54 constitute a local network. The communication terminal 60 forms a local network with the function terminals 61, 62, and 63. The function terminal 6
4 is not connected to the communication terminal 60 at time [T].

At the time [T], the function terminal 51
Establishes a connection with the functional terminal 62 via the communication terminals 50 and 60 and transmits / receives data to / from the functional terminal 62 when trying to use the functional terminal 62 located at a remote place. .

At time [T + U] at which time U has elapsed, it is assumed that communication terminal 60 has moved as shown in FIG. At this time, the communication terminal 60 is connected to the peripheral function terminals 61,
Reconfigure the local network with 62, 63,
A network including the functional terminals 63 and 64 is newly configured. Therefore, the connection between the communication terminal 60 and the function terminal 62 is disconnected, and data transmission and reception between the function terminal 51 and the function terminal 62 become impossible. Therefore, the communication terminal 60 connects to the function terminal 64 as an alternative to the function terminal 62. Thereby, the function terminal 51 and the function terminal 64 can transmit and receive data.

On the other hand, even if the communication terminal 60 moves, as shown in FIG.
In some cases, it can be connected to 0. At this time, the communication terminal 50
Switches the connection destination from the communication terminal 60 to the communication terminal 70. Thus, the functional terminal 51 can transmit and receive data to and from the functional terminal 62 via the communication terminals 50 and 70.

3. Third Embodiment The present invention can be applied as a third embodiment to, for example, a camera system 80 having a configuration shown in FIG.

The camera system 80 is used in, for example, an amusement park, and is a system in which a user A who is at a remote place can view an image taken by a mobile camera of a user B who can freely act.

The camera system 80 includes a management center communication terminal 90, a monitoring communication terminal 100, a first repeater 110, and a second repeater 120. These are composed of a global network, and can communicate even if they are far apart from each other.

The management center communication terminal 90 controls each mobile camera described later. The management center communication terminal 90 is provided in the amusement park management center, and forms a local network with the monitor 91.

The monitor communication terminal 100 forms a local network with the monitor 101 for monitoring each mobile camera. The user A uses the monitor communication terminal 10
It is assumed that the user moves within the amusement park while holding the monitor 101 and the monitor 101.

The first repeater 110 is a mobile camera 11
1, 112 and 114 constitute a local network. Note that the mobile camera 113 is not included in this network.

The second repeater 120 is connected to the mobile camera 12
1, 122 and 124 constitute a local network. Note that the mobile cameras 123 and 125 are not included in this network.

The moving cameras 111 to 114, 121
Reference numerals 125 are, for example, items brought in by a customer or lent out at a management center or the like, and are carried by various customers and move in the park.

In the camera system 80 having such a configuration, even if the user A does not have a moving camera,
Using the communication in the park, the desired image can be viewed on the monitor 101 at hand through another person's mobile camera. That is, the video around the first repeater 110 can be confirmed from a place far away.

The user A operates the monitor 101 to
A command “I want to see an image around the first repeater 110” is input. The monitor 101 transmits the command to the monitor communication terminal 100.

The monitor communication terminal 100 confirms whether use is permitted, and accepts the command. If the use is not permitted, the subsequent processing does not proceed.
The monitoring communication terminal 100 establishes communication with the first repeater 110, and requests transmission of images from cameras in the vicinity thereof.

Upon receiving the transmission request, the first repeater 110 searches for a mobile camera constituting a local network. The first repeater 110 is a mobile camera 111, 112, 1 constituting the network.
With respect to all of the fourteen, it is checked whether or not the transmission of the video shot by these to the management center communication terminal 90 is permitted. In addition, all the mobile cameras 111 and 11
If 2,114 does not permit, no further processing is performed. Here, the first repeater 110 replies to the monitoring communication terminal 100 that the images of all the mobile cameras 111, 112, and 114 can be transmitted.

The monitor communication terminal 100 transmits this information to the monitor 101. The user A operates the monitor 101 to select a moving camera, for example, the moving camera 114 for a video to be viewed. The monitor 101 transmits the selection result of the user A to the monitor communication terminal 100.

The monitor communication terminal 100 requests the first repeater 110 to transmit the image of the mobile camera 114. The first repeater 110 starts receiving an image from the mobile camera 114 and transmits the image to the monitor communication terminal 1.
Transfer to 00.

The monitor communication terminal 100 transmits the video from the first repeater 110 to the monitor 101. As a result, the image captured by the mobile camera 114 is displayed on the monitor 101, and the user A can see this image.

The user B carrying the mobile camera 124 can use the second repeater 120 to monitor the user 10 who is far away, even if he does not have a communication terminal.
1 can be transmitted. In this case, communication costs for the use of the second repeater 120 are required.

Specifically, the user B operates, for example, the mobile camera 124 and inputs a transmission command for transmitting the video being shot to the user A. The mobile camera 124 transmits the command to the second repeater 120 forming the local network.

The second repeater 120 is a mobile camera 124
It is checked whether the use of is permitted. If the use is permitted, the command is accepted. In the case of non-permission, no further processing is performed. Second repeater 120
Transmits to mobile camera 124 that transmission of the image is expensive, and requests a user ID for charging.

User B operates mobile camera 124 and inputs a user ID. If you refuse to charge,
Subsequent processing is not performed. The mobile camera 124 transmits the user ID of the user B to the second repeater 120.

The second repeater 120 transmits a command to the user A's monitoring communication terminal 100 to transmit a video.

The communication terminal for monitoring 100 searches for the monitor 101 constituting the local network. The monitor communication terminal 100 determines that the monitor 10
Check if 1 permits. In the case of non-permission, no further processing is performed. The monitoring communication terminal 100 transmits to the second repeater 120 that the video can be received.

The second repeater 120 is a mobile camera 124
, And receives the video transmitted to the monitor communication terminal 100. Monitor communication terminal 100
Transmits the received video to the monitor 101. As a result, an image captured by the moving camera 124 is displayed on the monitor 101, and the user A can see this image.

The second repeater 120 is a mobile camera 124
When receiving the video from the monitor communication terminal 100,
The communication connection with is disconnected, and the user B (user ID) is charged according to the amount of data transmitted during the connection, the connection time, and the like.

Next, control of the mobile camera by the management center will be described. The management center communication terminal 90 in the management center preferentially handles the rented video of the mobile camera when there is too much video from each mobile camera and there is no communication capacity. In other words, the priority of using the management center communication terminal 90 for the mobile camera brought by the customer is lowered. In addition, mobile cameras that have been shooting for a long time in the park are also controlled to lower the priority.

Specifically, the administrator operates the monitor 91 and inputs a command “I want to know information such as the owner of the mobile camera using the first repeater 110 and the photographing time”. I do. The monitor 91 transmits the command to the management center communication terminal 90.

The management center communication terminal 90 is connected to the monitor 9.
After confirming whether the use of No. 1 is permitted, the command is accepted. In the case of non-permission, the following processing is not performed. The management center communication terminal 90 establishes a communication connection with the first repeater 110, and
10, a command indicating “I want to know the mobile camera that is using the first repeater 110.”

The first repeater 110 transmits a command “I want to know information such as owner and photographing time” to each of the mobile cameras 111, 112 and 114 during data transmission.

The mobile cameras 111, 112, 114 transmit the information to the first repeater 110 after confirming permission to notify various information. In the case of non-permission, the following processing is not performed. First repeater 110
Transfers the information notified from the mobile cameras 111, 112, 114 to the management center communication terminal 90.

The management center communication terminal 90 transmits the received information to the monitor 91. As a result, information is collected in the management center. The contents of these pieces of information are displayed on the monitor 91. Then, for example, the administrator may request that the mobile camera 111 be brought in by a customer, the mobile cameras 112 and 114 be lent out at a management center, the mobile camera 114 being used for a long time, and the mobile cameras 111 and 112 still being used. You can check if it is just starting to use.

The management center communication terminal 90 determines the order of priority in the order of the mobile cameras 112, 114 and 111, and transmits a command indicating the priority of data transmission and reception to the first repeater 110.

The first repeater 110 allocates the communication capacity in the order of the mobile cameras 112, 114, and 111 in accordance with the priority order.

Next, a case where it is desired to prohibit shooting around the second repeater 120 will be described.

At the management center, the administrator operates the monitor 91 and inputs a command to “prohibit the moving cameras around the second repeater 120 from photographing.” The monitor 91 sends the command to the management center communication terminal 9.
Send to 0.

The management center communication terminal 90 is connected to the monitor 9
The command is accepted after confirming the permission of the use by No. 1. Here, in the case of non-permission, the following processing is not performed. The management center communication terminal 90 is connected to the second repeater 1
20 and establishes communication with the second repeater 120, and transmits a command to the effect that “imaging of mobile cameras around the second repeater 120 is prohibited.”

The second repeater 120 searches for mobile cameras constituting the local network, and sends a command to the mobile cameras 121, 122 and 124 to “prohibit shooting”.

Each mobile camera 121, 122, 124
Confirm permission to be controlled from the second repeater 120. Here, in the case of non-permission, the following processing is not performed. If any of the mobile cameras 121, 122, and 124 is shooting, the shooting mode is turned off. Accordingly, it is possible to prohibit photographing around the second repeater 120.

[0086] 4. Fourth Embodiment The present invention can be applied to a home network 130 having a configuration shown in FIG. 8 as a fourth embodiment.

The home network 130 automatically builds a local network around the functional terminal 140 in the home. That is, the function terminal 140 can communicate with the communication terminal 150, and further, the video tape recorder 141, the television receiver 142,
The washing machine 143, the air conditioner 144, and the refrigerator 145 are connected. Thereby, the operation and automation of the electric device can be performed. In addition, the communication terminal 15
By controlling the home appliance in the home network 130, the home appliance can be operated.

Further, for example, the video tape recorder 14
Regarding 1, when the start time of a program to be recorded is delayed because the end time of the baseball broadcast is delayed, a program different from the program for which the scheduled recording is set is recorded. Therefore, when the television receiver 142 obtains information indicating that the X channel is currently being broadcast with a delay of Y minutes, the television receiver 142 transmits the information to the video tape recorder 141 to set the recording reservation time of the video tape recorder 141. It can be shifted to an appropriate value.

For example, with respect to the washing machine 143, when the user is in the local area network, the status of the washing machine such as how much laundry is accumulated can be obtained via the functional terminal 140. When the user is outside the local area network, the user can obtain information in the local area via the communication terminal 150 and the global network. As described above, by using the local area network and the global area network, the operation and automation of the electric device can be realized.

For example, for the refrigerator 145,
If the contents of the refrigerator 145 (eg, vegetables, meat, fish, drinks) and the contents of the storage shelf (eg, seasonings, rice, dry matter) can be detected by a sensor or the like,
Via the home network 130, an order can be automatically placed in a supermarket or the like when the goods are exhausted.

5. Fifth Embodiment As a fifth embodiment, the present invention can be applied to, for example, a traffic network 160 having a configuration shown in FIG. The traffic network 160 includes a communication terminal 170
, JR function terminal 171 and Toei bus function terminal 172
And subway function terminal 173 and Keio Line function terminal 17
4, Odakyu Line function terminal 175 and taxi function terminal 1
76. The JR function terminal 171 receives transfer information and congestion information from the Yamanote Line, Chuo Line, Sobu Line, and Saikyo Line, and transmits the information to the communication terminal 170. Such a transportation network 160 is used in the following cases.

When a train is frequently delayed due to a commuting rush or an accident, passengers rely on announcements in the station premises to obtain information on the accident or transfer. At this time, the user can select the most efficient means if the communication terminal 170 can receive the information of the accident and other route conditions, timetables, taxis, and bus conditions.

The JR function terminal 171 forms a local network for each route. By constructing a network with functional terminals on other routes, these functional terminals can share information with each other and provide users with transfer information, congestion status, etc., thereby preventing users from congestion can do.

Similarly, information such as the opening time and closing time of department stores and amusement parks can be received.

The above embodiments may be as follows. For example, the global network may be configured by a cable such as a cable or a cradle, or may be configured by a radio such as an IrDA or a radio receiver. As a local network, for example, a cellular system or an IMT2
000. For these objects, a predetermined device type name can be used, or a unique name (nickname) can be given.

[0096]

As described above in detail, according to the network system and the data transmission / reception method according to the present invention, the first functional terminal becomes a communication destination via a communication terminal capable of local communication. The communication terminal selected by the first functional terminal selects a communication terminal which is locally connectable in the vicinity thereof, and the first functional terminal locally selects the second functional terminal. When communication between the connected communication terminal and the selected communication terminal is established, two networks are connected by transmitting and receiving data to and from the second functional terminal, and these networks are dynamically connected. Can be configured. Thereby, even if the user or the function terminal moves, stable data transmission / reception can always be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a camera network system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a communication state of the camera network system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a repeater in the camera network system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation content when transferring image information from a mobile camera which is a terminal device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication network system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration when one communication terminal moves in the communication network system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a camera system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a home network to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a traffic network to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional mobile phone network.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 camera network system, 11 monitors, 1
3,31 repeater, 22 server, 33 camera, 40
Communication network system, 50, 60, 70 communication terminals, 51, 52, 53, 54, 61, 62, 63, 64
Functional terminal

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Satoko Ikezawa 6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Masato Shimakawa 6-35-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo F term in Sony Corporation (reference) 5K024 AA76 BB04 CC11 DD06 GG03 GG06 GG10 5K030 GA14 HA08 HC09 HD01 JL01 JT02 JT09 KA05 LE17 5K067 AA21 AA41 BB21 DD52 EE02 EE06 EE16 HH11 5K101 KK20 NN12 NN06 PP NN06 NN06 PP

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of communication terminals capable of communicating with each other, and a communication terminal capable of local communication with each communication terminal and serving as a communication destination via a communication terminal capable of local communication among the plurality of communication terminals And a plurality of function terminals having a function of selecting the first function terminal. The communication terminal selected by the first function terminal selects a second function terminal that can be locally connected in the vicinity thereof, and the first function terminal A network system, wherein the terminal transmits and receives data to and from the second functional terminal when communication between the communication terminal locally connected to the terminal and the selected communication terminal is established. 2. The communication terminal selected by the first function terminal ends communication with the second function terminal that has moved out of the communication range, and has a third function that can be locally connected to the communication terminal. The network system according to claim 1, wherein a terminal is selected, and the first functional terminal transmits and receives data to and from the third functional terminal. 3. A server for storing information for specifying a place for each communication terminal, wherein the first functional terminal is stored in the server in response to input of information for specifying the place. 2. The network system according to claim 1, wherein a communication terminal corresponding to the information specifying the place is selected based on the information specifying the place. 4. Each function terminal stores usage information indicating whether or not to prohibit its use, and the communication terminal selected by the first function terminal has a function locally connectable in the vicinity thereof. 2. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the second function terminal is selected except for a function terminal in which use prohibition information indicating that use of the terminal is prohibited is stored. 5. A data transmitting / receiving method performed on a network including a plurality of communication terminals capable of communicating with each other and a plurality of functional terminals capable of locally communicating with each communication terminal, wherein the first functional terminal includes: A communication terminal to be a communication destination is selected via a communication terminal capable of local communication, and the communication terminal selected by the first functional terminal is a second functional terminal locally connectable in the vicinity thereof. When the first function terminal establishes communication between the communication terminal locally connected to the first function terminal and the selected communication terminal, the first function terminal transmits and receives data to and from the second function terminal. A data transmission / reception method characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. The communication terminal selected by the first function terminal ends communication with the second function terminal that has moved out of the communication range, and a third function that can be locally connected to the communication terminal. 6. The data transmitting / receiving method according to claim 5, wherein a terminal is selected, and the first functional terminal transmits and receives data to and from the third functional terminal. 7. For each communication terminal, information for specifying the location is stored in a server, and the first functional terminal stores the information stored in the server in response to input of the information for specifying the location. 6. The data transmission / reception method according to claim 5, wherein a communication terminal corresponding to the information specifying the location is selected based on the information specifying the location. 8. Each of the functional terminals stores usage information indicating whether or not to prohibit its use, and the communication terminal selected by the first functional terminal is connected to each of the locally connectable terminals in the vicinity thereof. 6. The data transmission / reception method according to claim 5, wherein the second function terminal is selected except for the function terminals storing use prohibition information indicating that use of the function terminals is prohibited.