JP2001358748A - Network system and communication controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network system, etc., in which the system can be made efficient by distributing the load of data transmission in the network system. SOLUTION: Communication controllers 5 receive a message including, e.g. data, the company codes of a company center 1 or a plurality of route company centers 3 being transmission sources or the company codes of the plurality of route company centers 3 being transmission destinations from the company center 1 or the plurality of route company center 3 of the transmission source. The controller 5 selects a transmission route for the message on the basis of the company code of the center 3 of the transmission destination in the message, transmits the message according to the selected transmission route and supplies the message to the centers 3 of the transmission destination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network system and the like for relaying data exchanged between centers at a relay center provided with a communication control device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a network system in which data exchanged between centers is relayed by a relay system including a communication control device and a host computer.

As one example of such a network system, CAFIS (Credit And Finance Information S)
ystem) as a relay system between the centers of each company.
2. Description of the Related Art There are known settlement systems for exchanging credit inquiry and messages related to sales.

[0004]

For example, the above-mentioned CAF
In the settlement system using IS, since the communication control device is associated with each company center, the connection route in the relay system for transmitting the message from the center is fixed for each center. I have. Therefore, for example, if the transaction volume in a certain company becomes excessive, a large amount of electronic messages are transmitted from the center of the company, and if the processing amount exceeds the allowable processing amount of the communication control device, the processing may not be possible.

[0005] In addition, in the message exchanged between the centers, the identification code (company code) of the transmission source and transmission destination company of the message is included.
Is given. Therefore, the center of each company stores and manages its own company code and the company code of the center of another company, and the company code of the center of a certain company A is added.
If it is changed, the company A will be
The company code of the center had to be changed, which was complicated.

[0006] Such a problem is not limited to the settlement system using CAFIS, and a similar problem has occurred in other network systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a network system and the like that can distribute the processing load of data transmission in a network system and increase the efficiency of the system. . It is another object of the present invention to provide a network system or the like that can easily change the identification code of each center.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a network system according to a first aspect of the present invention has a plurality of centers connected to a communication control device, and a plurality of data exchanged between the centers. A network system relayed at a relay center including the communication control device, wherein the communication control device is configured to transmit data, an identification code of a transmission source center, and an identification code of a transmission destination center from a data transmission center. Means for receiving a message including: a selecting means for selecting a transmission route of the message based on the identification code of the center of the transmission destination in the message; transmitting the message according to the selected transmission route; Means for supplying the telegram to the preceding center.

According to such a configuration, in exchanging a message between centers, the message is allocated to a plurality of routes based on the identification code of the destination center, so that the load relating to the transmission of the message can be distributed. The system can be used efficiently.

The communication control device may select the transmission route if the identification code of the transmission destination center in the message is an identification code of a center that can be used by a plurality of transmission routes. If the identification code of the transmission destination center in the message is an identification code of a center other than the centers that can be used by the plurality of transmission routes, the transmission route is not selected, and The message may be transmitted according to a predetermined transmission route. Thus, a center that can use a plurality of routes for transmitting a message and another center can be used in a mixed manner.

The selection means includes means for sequentially selecting transmission routes, means for randomly selecting transmission routes, means for selecting transmission routes based on line conditions,
May be included.

[0012] The communication control device may determine, for a message transmitted from the first center to the second center, an identification code of the first center in the message, and the second center may identify the identification code of the first center. The information may be converted into a predetermined code recognized as an identification code and supplied to the second center. Thus, the identification code of the center of the transmission source can be easily added or changed without affecting each center of the transmission destination of the message.

Further, the center may be connected to a plurality of the communication control devices. Thus, even if a certain communication control device becomes unusable due to a failure or the like, a message can be transmitted via another communication control device.

A communication control device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a network in which a plurality of centers are connected to the communication control device and data exchanged between the centers is relayed by a relay center including the plurality of communication control devices. The communication control device in the system, a means for receiving a message including data, an identification code of the center of the transmission source, and an identification code of the center of the transmission destination from the center of the data transmission source; Selecting means for selecting a transmission route of the message based on the identification code of the destination center; and means for transmitting the message according to the selected transmission route and supplying the message to the destination center. It is characterized by the following.

According to such a configuration, in exchanging telegrams between centers, the telegrams are allocated to a plurality of routes based on the identification code of the destination center, so that the load relating to the transmission of telegrams can be distributed. The system can be used efficiently.

The communication control device may select the transmission route if the identification code of the destination center in the message is an identification code of a center that can be used by a plurality of transmission routes. If the identification code of the transmission destination center in the message is an identification code of a center other than the centers that can be used by the plurality of transmission routes, the transmission route is not selected, and The message may be transmitted according to a predetermined transmission route. As a result, the present apparatus can be used in a system in which a center that can use a plurality of routes to transmit a message and another center are mixed.

The selecting means includes means for sequentially selecting a transmission route, means for randomly selecting a transmission route, means for selecting a transmission route based on a line condition,
May be included.

[0018] The communication control device may determine, for a message transmitted from the first center to the second center, an identification code of the first center in the message, and that the second center may have the identification code of the first center. The information may be converted into a predetermined code recognized as an identification code and supplied to the second center. Thus, the identification code of the center of the transmission source can be easily added or changed without affecting each center of the transmission destination of the message.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, taking a payment system using CAFIS as an example. FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of a settlement system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the payment system includes a CAFIS (Credit And Finance Information Sys- tem) including a company center 1 and a multi-route company center 3, a communication control device 5 and a host computer 7.
tem). The number of communication control devices 5 and host computers 7 in CAFIS is arbitrary.

Company center 1 and multiple route company center 3
Is a computer that performs a transaction-related process at a trading company (card company, financial institution, member store, etc.) that makes a transaction using the present system. Each trading company has a company center 1 or a plurality of route company centers 3.

Each center (company center 1 and multiple route company centers 3) is given an identification code (company code) for identifying each center. The company code is, for example,
1 including 7-digit main code and 4-digit subcode
It consists of a one-digit code. Each center stores its own company code and at least the company codes of other centers that exchange messages with itself. The subcodes of the company codes of the other plural root company centers 3 stored in each center are set to “0000”.

Each of the centers (company center 1 and multiple route company centers 3) is the destination company center 1 if it is the destination side.
Alternatively, a request message relating to a transaction including the company code of the multiple root company center 3 and the company code of the destination company center 1 or the multiple route company center 3 is generated.

One communication control device 5 is set in each company center 1 as a connection destination. The company center 1 transmits the request message to the communication control device 5 corresponding to itself, and receives a report message from the communication control device 5.

A plurality of communication control devices 5 are set as connection destinations in the plurality of route company centers 3. The multiple route company center 3 transmits a request message to one communication control device 5 selected from the plurality of communication control devices 5 and receives a report message from the communication control device 5. The method of selecting the communication control device 5 of the transmission destination is arbitrary. For example, a plurality of company codes are set in the plurality of route company centers 3, and the communication control device 5 to be connected is determined for each company code, and the plurality of route company centers 3 determine the type of transaction (transaction type, transaction partner, etc.) May be used to select company codes to be used. Further, the communication control device 5 to be connected may be determined according to the use state of the line, or the communication control device 5 to be connected may be selected randomly or sequentially.

In the case of the receiving side, each center (company center 1 and multiple route company centers 3) performs processing (authentication processing, etc.) corresponding to the received request message, and generates a report message indicating the processing result. I do. This report message includes the destination / destination company code in the previously received request message. Then, each center transmits the generated message to the transmitting center.

The request message includes, for example, data related to shopping by credit card (credit inquiry, sales amount, etc.), data related to caching (credit inquiry, sales amount, etc.), and data related to shopping by cash card (credit inquiry, sales amount, etc.). And so on. Such a request message is sent from a center such as a member store (company center 1 or multiple route company center 3) via a CAFIS (communication control device 5 and host computer 7) to a card company /
Sent to a center such as a financial institution for approval or the like. Then, for example, a center such as a card company or a financial institution performs an authentication process or the like on the received request message, creates a report message indicating the result, and returns the report message to the center such as the member store of the transmission source via CAFIS.

Further, the company center 1 or the multi-root company center 3 requests the communication control device 5 corresponding to the company center 1 for counter information including the number of processes and the sales amount. The multi-route company center 3 summarizes the counter information received from the plurality of communication control devices 5 by summing up the sales amounts and the like.

The communication control device 5 is a device for connecting each center (company center 1 and a plurality of route company centers 3) to CAFIS, and has a function of receiving a message from each center and transmitting the message to the host computer 7; And a function of transmitting a message received from the center 7 to the center.

The communication control device 5 stores, for example, a multiple route company center table as shown in FIG. 2 and a host selection table as shown in FIG. The multiple route company table contains the main code of the multiple route company,
The subcode, information on the availability of each subcode, and the like are stored. Usability information (usability flag) is stored in units of subcodes, and the subcodes cannot be used when the service is not started or when a failure occurs in the in-house center, the line, or the communication control device 5. Is set.

The host selection table stores company codes and information (transmission route information) of hosts that perform processing for the company corresponding to each company code. For a plurality of route company centers, corresponding host information is registered for each subcode.

When transmitting / receiving a message to / from the center on the destination side (in the case of the destination side), the communication control unit 5 first receives a request message from the center on the destination side, and the destination center, which is the destination, receives the request message. Company center 1 and multiple route company center 3
Is determined. This determination is made by comparing the main code of the destination company code included in the message with the main code of the multiple route company center table (FIG. 2). When the destination center is the multiple root company center 3, a code conversion process for converting the subcode of the destination company code in the request message is performed.

In this code conversion process, the plurality of root company center tables (FIG. 2) are referred to based on the main code of the destination company code of the request message, and a plurality of subcodes corresponding to the corresponding main code are selected. Subcodes are sequentially selected by a round robin method.
Then, the subcode of the destination company code in the message is saved and converted into the subcode selected from the multiple route company center table.

For example, using the plural route company center table shown in FIG.
When performing code conversion on “1123400000”, the subcode “0000” is saved, and
Main code "111123" in multiple route company table
Subcodes “0001” and “000” corresponding to “4”
One subcode is sequentially selected from "2" and "0003". For example, when the sub-code “0001” is selected, the original sub-code “0000” is converted into the selected sub-code “0001”, and the company code in the message becomes “111122340001”.

When the destination center of the request message is the company center 1 (when the company code is not in the plural route company center table), the above code conversion process is not performed.

The communication control device 5 transmits a request message from the center on the destination side to the host computer 7 determined according to the destination center. When the destination center is the multi-root company center 3, the host computer 7 to be transmitted is selected based on the company code obtained by converting the subcode with reference to the host selection table.

When the communication control device 5 receives a report message corresponding to the request message from the host computer 7,
For the report message, it is determined from the destination company code included in the message whether the destination center of the transmission source is the company center 1 or the multiple route company center 3. If the destination company code in the report message is the multiple root company center 3, the subcode of the destination company code in the report message is returned to the subcode saved for the previous request message.

For example, if the sub-code "0000" of the destination company code "111123400000" is saved and the code is converted to the sub-code "0001" in the request message, the The subcode portion of the destination company code "111122340001" is returned to the original "0000".

The communication control device 5 includes a host computer 7
The report message received from the destination side center is transmitted to the destination center of the transmission destination.

When transmitting / receiving a message to / from the destination center (destination side), the communication control device 5 receives the request message from the host computer 7 and sends the request message to the destination side. It is determined whether the center is the company center 1 or the multiple route company center 3. If the destination center is the multiple root company center 3, the subcode of the destination company code of the request message is saved and "0000"
Convert to If the destination center of the request message is the company center 1, no code conversion is performed. Then, the communication control device 5 transmits the request message from the host computer 7 to the destination side center.

When the communication control device 5 receives a report message corresponding to the request message from the center on the destination side, the destination center on the destination side of the report message receives the company center 1 and the multi-root company center 3. Is determined. When the destination center is the multiple route company center 3, the subcode "0000" of the destination company code of the report message is returned to the subcode saved for the previous request message. Then, the communication control device 5 transmits the report message from the center on the destination side to the host computer 7 according to the route from which the request message was transmitted. In response to a request from the company center 1 or the multi-route company center 3, the communication control device 5 transmits counter information including the number of processes and the sales amount to the request source.

The host computer 7 performs a predetermined editing process for relaying a message exchanged between centers through a CAFIS network. The host computer 7
For example, a transmission destination table as shown in FIG. 4 is stored.
When receiving the request message, the host computer 7 determines the communication control device 5 to be transmitted from the destination company code in the message. When receiving the report message, the communication control device 5 to be transmitted is determined from the destination company code in the message.

Next, regarding a message communication process for sending and receiving a message between centers (company center 1 or a plurality of route company centers 3), a case where a member store A exchanges a message for credit verification with a card company B will be described. This will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In this example, both the center of the member store A and the center of the card company B are the plural route company centers 3, and the respective company codes are “98765432109” for the member store A and the card company B for the card company B. It is assumed that it is “11112345671”.

First, the multiple route company center 3 of the member store A
Is a request message for credit verification (message + destination (Member A)
Company code "98765432109" + destination (card company B) company code "1111234000"
0 ") and transmits it to the destination-side communication control device 5A corresponding to the multi-root company center 3 of the member store A (step S1).

Upon receiving the request message from the plural-route company center 3 of the member store A, the communication control device 5A determines whether the destination company code in the message is the code of the plural-route company center 3 by checking the plural-route company center table. (Step S2). Specifically, it is checked whether or not the main code “1111234” of the destination company code exists in the multiple root company center table.

In this example, since the destination company code is the multiple root company center 3, the sub-code "0000"
With reference to the multi-root company center table and the main code "111" of the destination company code.
A subcode (for example, “5671”) is selected from the subcodes corresponding to “1234” according to the round robin method, and the subcode of the destination company code is converted (step S3).

Next, the communication control device 5A transmits the request message to a predetermined host computer 7 (step S).
4). In this example, since the destination is the multiple route company center 3, the predetermined host computer 7 is controlled according to the transmission route information (host information) set for the converted subcode “5671” in the host selection table. Request message to the other party.

In the discrimination in step S2, for example, if the destination company code is not the code of the multi-root company center 3 (the case of the company code of the company center 1), the communication control device 5A performs the subcode conversion. Without doing
The request message is transmitted to the host computer 7 corresponding to the company code.

Next, the host computer 7 performs a predetermined editing process on the received request message, and transmits the edited request message to the destination-side communication control device 5B with reference to the transmission destination selection table (step). S5).

Upon receiving the request message, the destination communication control device 5B determines whether the destination company code in the message is a code of the multiple root company center 3 with reference to the multiple route company center table (see FIG. 4). Step S6). Specifically, the main code of the destination company code "987654"
It is checked whether or not "3" exists in the plurality of root company center tables.

In this example, since the destination company code is the multiple root company center 3, the subcode of the destination company code of the request message is saved and converted to "0000" (step S7), and the request message is received. The data is transmitted to the multiple route company center 3B of the destination card company B (step S8).

In the discrimination in step S6, for example, when the destination company code is not the code of the multiple root company center 3 (the case of the company code of the company center 1),
The communication control device 5B transmits the request message to the multiple root company centers 3B of the destination card company B without performing the subcode conversion.

Card company B multiple route company center 3B
Performs a predetermined process on the received request message (step S9). In this example, since the content of the request message is a request for a credit inquiry, the multiple route company center 3B performs, for example, an authentication process based on the received message.

Then, the multi-root company center 3B of the card company sends a report message (telegram + destination (card company B) company code "11" for reporting the processing result to the member store A.
"112345671" + the company code of the destination (member store A) "987655430000") is transmitted to the communication control device 5B corresponding to itself (step S10). The transmission route of the report message is the same as the request message. The destination communication control device 5 remembers the host computer 7 that has received the request message, and when receiving the report message from the destination company center, transmits the report message to the host computer 7 that has received the request message.

The communication control device 5B, which has received the report message,
It is determined whether the destination company code in the message is the code of the multiple root company center 3 with reference to the multiple root company center table (step S11). Specifically, it is checked whether or not the main code “9876543” of the destination company code exists in the multiple route company center table.

In this example, since the destination company code is the multiple root company center 3, the subcode of the destination company code of the request message is replaced with the subcode "21" which was saved earlier.
09 ”(step S12) and transmitted to the host computer 7 (step S13).

In the determination in step S11, for example, if the destination company code is not the code of the multi-root company center 3, the communication control unit 5B does not convert the subcode, and sends the report message as it is to the host computer 7.
Send to

Next, the host computer 7 performs a predetermined editing process on the received report message, refers to the transmission destination table, and transmits the edited request message to the communication control device 5A on the destination side (step S14).

The destination communication control unit 5A, which has received the report message, determines whether the destination company code in the message is a code of the multiple root company center 3 with reference to the multiple route company center table (see FIG. 4). Step S15). Specifically, the main code “11112” of the destination company code
It is checked whether or not "34" exists in the plurality of root company center tables.

In this example, since the destination company code is the multiple root company center 3, the subcode of the destination company code in the report message is converted into "0000" which was saved when the request message was transmitted. (Step S16), the report message is transmitted to the multiple route company center 3A of the destination member store A (Step S17).

In the discrimination in step S16, for example, if the destination company code is not the code of the multiple root company center 3, the communication control device 5A does not convert the subcode, and the destination member store A The report message is transmitted to the multiple route company center 3A.

As described above, when exchanging telegrams between centers, if the destination center to which the request telegram is to be transmitted is the multiple root company center 3, the request telegram is transmitted using a plurality of subcodes. By allocating to multiple routes, it is possible to distribute the load related to message transmission,
The system can be used efficiently. In addition, each center is provided with a predetermined company code as a company code of the other plural route company centers 3 (in this embodiment, the subcode is “0”).
000 "is stored, and the company code of the plurality of root company centers 3 included in the request message from the plurality of root company centers 3 is transferred to the relay system (CAFI).
In S), the company code is converted into a predetermined company code held by each of the other centers, so that the company codes of the plural route company centers 3 can be easily added / changed without affecting each center to which the message is transmitted. . Further, since the plurality of route company centers 3 are connected to the plurality of communication control devices 5, even if a certain communication control device 5 becomes unusable due to a failure or the like, a message is transmitted via another communication control device 5. can do.

In the above description, the destination communication control device 5 converts the subcode of the company code of the message transmission source into "0000", but this is an example.
The conversion may be performed so that the center of the transmission destination matches the code recognized as the company code of the multiple route company center 3 of the transmission source. For example, with respect to the company code of a certain plural route company center 3, another center changes the subcode to “55”.
If it is recognized as “55”, the subcode of the transmission source company code in the message from the multiple route company center 3 may be converted to “5555”.

The method by which the communication control device 5 selects a subcode from the center table of a plurality of route companies is not limited to the selection by the round robin method, and may be arbitrary. Selection may be made according to the above.

Further, in the above embodiment, the center has a system configuration in which the company center 1 and the plurality of root company centers 3 coexist, but the center may be constituted by only the plurality of root company centers 3.

The components of the relay system are not limited to the communication control device 5 and the host computer 7, but may be composed of other components.

It should be noted that the present invention is directed to the CA according to the above embodiment.
The present invention is not limited to the payment system using FIS, and can be applied to various network systems that exchange messages between centers via a relay system (relay center) including a plurality of communication control devices and computers (host computers, servers, etc.). It is.

It should be noted that the system of the present invention can be realized using an ordinary computer system without using a dedicated system. For example, by installing the program from a medium (floppy (registered trademark) disk, CD-ROM, or the like) storing a program for executing the above-described operation in a computer, the company center 1 that executes the above-described processing, The route company center 3, the communication control device 5, and the like can be configured. In the case where the above-described functions are realized by the OS sharing or the OS and the application being jointly used, only the part other than the OS may be stored in the medium.

It is also possible to superimpose a program on a carrier wave and distribute it via a communication network. For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS) of a communication network and distributed via the network. Then, by starting this program and executing it in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS, the above-described processing can be executed.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In exchanging telegrams between centers, the telegrams are allocated to a plurality of routes based on the identification code of the destination center, so that the load related to telegram transmission can be dispersed and the system can be used efficiently. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a settlement system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a multiple route company center table;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a host selection table.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a transmission destination table.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a message communication process in the settlement system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a message communication process in the settlement system of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Company center 3 Multiple route company centers 5 Communication control device 7 Host computer

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shinobu Ichikawa 3-3-3 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo F-term in NTT Data Corporation (reference) 5K030 GA03 GA13 GA17 HA07 HB08 HC13 HD10 JA07 JL07 JT02 KA01 KA04 5K034 AA07 AA10 AA17 BB06 CC06 DD03 EE10 FF01 FF02 FF11 GG02 HH06 HH13 MM05 MM15

Claims (9)

[Claims] A plurality of centers connected to a communication control device;
A network system for relaying data exchanged between the centers at a relay center including a plurality of the communication control devices, wherein the communication control device identifies data and a transmission source center from a data transmission center. Means for receiving a telegram including a code and an identification code of a transmission destination center; and, based on the identification code of the transmission destination center in the telegram,
Selecting means for selecting a transmission route of the message; transmitting the message according to the selected transmission route;
Means for supplying the telegram to a transmission destination center. 2. The communication control device according to claim 2, wherein the identification code of the transmission destination center in the message is an identification code of a center that can be used by a plurality of transmission routes. If the identification code of the center of the transmission destination in the message is an identification code of a center other than the centers that can be used by the plurality of transmission routes, the transmission route is not selected, but is determined in advance. 2. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the message is transmitted in accordance with the obtained transmission route. 3. The means for sequentially selecting a transmission route, means for randomly selecting a transmission route, means for selecting a transmission route based on a line condition,
The network system according to claim 1, comprising at least one of the following. 4. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein, for a message transmitted from the first center to the second center, the identification code of the first center in the message is transmitted to the second center. 4. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the network is converted into a predetermined code recognized as a center identification code and supplied to the second center. 5. 5. The network system according to claim 1, wherein said center is connected to a plurality of said communication control devices. 6. A plurality of centers are connected to a communication control device,
The communication control device in a network system that relays data exchanged between the centers at a relay center including a plurality of the communication control devices, wherein: from a data transmission center, data; and an identification code of the transmission center. Means for receiving a message including an identification code of a destination center, and an identification code of the center of the transmission destination in the message.
Selecting means for selecting a transmission route of the message; transmitting the message according to the selected transmission route;
Means for supplying the telegram to a transmission destination center. 7. The communication control device, when the identification code of the transmission destination center in the message is an identification code of a center that can be used by a plurality of transmission routes, selects the transmission route. If the identification code of the center of the transmission destination in the message is an identification code of a center other than the centers that can be used by the plurality of transmission routes, the transmission route is not selected, but is determined in advance. 7. The communication control device according to claim 6, wherein a message is transmitted according to the transmission route. 8. The selecting means includes means for sequentially selecting a transmission route, means for randomly selecting a transmission route, means for selecting a transmission route based on a line condition,
The communication control device according to claim 6, comprising at least one of the following. 9. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein, for a message transmitted from the first center to the second center, the identification code of the first center in the message is transmitted to the second center by the second center. The communication control device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the communication control device is converted into a predetermined code recognized as a center identification code and supplied to the second center.