JP2021052240A - Program, communication device, and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately set port forwarding by UPnP to normally communicate with other computers.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer to perform: a step (S108) of setting, in a router, port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to a second port number different from a first port number used by the router by a predetermined number; a step (S110) of using the set port forwarding to transmit a STUN packet to a server; a step (S112) of receiving the STUN packet from the server; and a step (S122) of using port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number to perform P2P communication with another user terminal when receiving the STUN packet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to programs, communication devices, and communication methods.

Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a communication system or the like that appropriately processes an IP address and a port number used for communication when a terminal device performs P2P (Pear to Pear) communication with another communication partner via a router device. .. This technology easily executes P2P communication exceeding NAT (Network Address Translation) / NAPT (Network Address Port Translation) by a technology other than so-called UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) communication.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-266863

For P2P communication between different terminals, communication using port forwarding by UPnP is suitable. However, in recent years, since the ports assigned to routers have been restricted, there have been cases where port forwarding by UPnP cannot be appropriately set in routers by the conventional method using a fixed value port number. Furthermore, there have been cases where P2P communication premised on port forwarding by UPnP cannot be performed normally. This problem can occur in communications other than P2P communications.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a program, a communication device, and a communication method for appropriately setting port forwarding by UPnP and normally communicating with other computers.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention includes a step of transmitting a first signal to a server via a router having a NAPT function to a computer constituting a communication system, and a first with respect to the first signal. A step of receiving one reply from the server, a step of specifying a first port number used by the router at the time of transmitting the first signal based on the received first reply, and the first port number. A step of setting port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to a predetermined number of different second port numbers to the router, a step of transmitting a second signal to the server using the port forwarding, and a second with respect to the second signal. A step of receiving a reply from the server, and a step of communicating with another computer constituting the communication system by using port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number when the second reply is received. It is a program that executes.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is a communication device constituting a communication system, that is, a first transmission unit that transmits a first signal to a server via a router having a NAPT function, and a first transmission unit for the first signal. A first receiving unit that receives a response from the server, a specific unit that specifies a first port number used by the router when transmitting the first signal based on the received first response, and the first unit. A setting unit that sets port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to a second port number different from the port number by a predetermined number in the router, a second transmission unit that transmits a second signal to the server using the port forwarding, and a second transmission unit. When the second receiving unit that receives the second response to the second signal from the server and the second response are received, the communication system is used by using port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number. A communication device including a communication unit that communicates with other constituent communication devices.

Further, one aspect of the present invention is a communication method executed by a computer constituting a communication system, in which a step of transmitting a first signal to a server via a router having a NAPT function and a first with respect to the first signal. A step of receiving one reply from the server, a step of specifying a first port number used by the router at the time of transmitting the first signal based on the received first reply, and the first port number. A step of setting port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to a predetermined number of different second port numbers to the router, a step of transmitting a second signal to the server using the port forwarding, and a second with respect to the second signal. A step of receiving a reply from the server, and a step of communicating with another computer constituting the communication system by using port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number when the second reply is received. It is a communication method including.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the game system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the user terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the game server which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the functional structure of the user terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the functional structure of the game server which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the communication method executed by the user terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the processing procedure of the other communication method executed by the user terminal which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the game system A which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

[Embodiment 1]
(Configuration of game system 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the game system 1 according to the present embodiment. The game system 1 (communication system) includes a user terminal 10-1 (computer, communication device), a user terminal 10-2, a user terminal 10-3 (another computer, another communication device), a game server 30, and a router 50-. 1. A router 50-2 and a STUN server 70 (server) are provided. These devices are connected via a network NW including the Internet. Since the user terminal 10-1, the user terminal 10-2, and the user terminal 10-3 have the same configuration, the description of "-1", "-2", etc. is omitted unless otherwise specified. This will be described as the user terminal 10. Although three user terminals 10 are shown here, any number of user terminals 10 may be connected to the game server 30. Since the router 50-1 and the router 50-2 have the same configuration, unless otherwise specified, the description of "-1", "-2" and the like will be omitted and the router 50 will be described. Although two routers 50 are shown here, any number of routers 50 may be connected to the game server 30.

The user terminal 10 is a computer used by the user. Examples of the user terminal 10 include a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet PC, a mobile phone such as a smartphone and a feature phone, a mobile information terminal (PDA: Personal Digital Assistant), a stationary game machine, a portable game machine, and the like.

The game server 30 is a computer (device) having a server function for providing a game to the user terminal 10. The game server 30 provides the user terminal 10 with a game that progresses while communicating with the game server 30. The game may be a game pre-installed on the user terminal 10. Alternatively, the game may be a browser game that does not require the user terminal 10 to install a dedicated program for executing the game. A browser game is a game that can be played on a game screen displayed on a web browser by executing a web browser on the user terminal 10. The game server 30 executes various processes of the game based on the user's operation input to the user terminal 10, and causes the user terminal 10 to display the game screen according to the progress of the game.

The router 50 is a routing device that mediates communication between the user terminal 10 and the game server 30 and the STUN server. The router 50 is a router having a NAPT (Network Address Port Translation) function. In FIG. 1, routers 50-1 and routers 50-2 are installed at different users' homes. Further, the user terminals 10-1 and 10-2 are connected to the router 50-1, and the user terminals 10-3 are connected to the router 50-3.

The STUN server 70 is a computer (device) having a server function that supports the STUN (Session Traversal Utilities for NAT) protocol. The STUN server 70 stores the source address and source port number of the STUN packet received via the network NW based on the protocol. The STUN server 70 further returns a STUN packet including a stored source address and source port number to the source of the received STUN packet.

(Hardware configuration of user terminal 10)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. The user terminal 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a communication unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, and a storage unit 15, and is a game server 30 and other devices connected via a network NW. Communicate with the communication unit 12 via the communication unit 12. These components are communicably connected to each other via the bus 16. The CPU 11 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 15 and controls each unit of the user terminal 10.

The communication unit 12 includes, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) port, a digital input / output port such as USB, and wireless communication such as WiFi (registered trademark). The input unit 13 is configured integrally with the display as a touch panel, for example, and various instructions are input by the user's operation. Further, the input unit 13 may be another input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, or a microphone into which various instructions are input by voice.

The display unit 14 is a display for displaying information such as an image or text, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel.

The storage unit 15 includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. It stores various information and images processed by the user terminal 10, programs (including a game control program), and the like. The storage unit 15 is not limited to the one built in the user terminal 10, and may be an external storage device connected by a digital input / output port such as USB. Further, the user terminal 10 may be configured to include a hardware configuration such as a speaker (not shown), an audio output terminal, a camera, a gyro sensor, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving module.

(Hardware configuration of game server 30)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the game server 30 according to the present embodiment. The game server 30 includes, for example, a CPU 31, a communication unit 32, an input unit 33, and a storage unit 34, and communicates with a plurality of user terminals 10 and other devices connected via a network NW via the communication unit 32. To do. These components are communicably connected to each other via the bus 35. The CPU 31 executes a game control program stored in the storage unit 34 to provide a game that can be played by a plurality of user terminals 10.

The communication unit 32 includes, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) port, a digital input / output port such as USB, wireless communication such as WiFi (registered trademark), and the like, and is controlled by the CPU 31 via a network NW. Communicates with a plurality of user terminals 10 and other devices.

The input unit 33 is another input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, or a microphone into which various instructions are input by voice.

The storage unit 34 includes, for example, an HDD, EEPROM, RAM, etc., and stores a game control program, an application program, various setting information necessary for the game, history information, and the like. The storage unit 34 is not limited to the one built in the game server 30, and may be an external storage device connected by a digital input / output port such as USB. Further, the storage unit 34 may be an external storage device physically separated from the game server 30, or may be connected to the game server 30 via a communication network such as the Internet. Further, the game server 30 may be configured to include a hardware configuration such as a display unit (not shown), a speaker, and an audio output terminal.

(Functional configuration of user terminal 10)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the user terminal 10 has an input reception unit 110, a display control unit 120, and a game management unit as functional configurations realized by the CPU 11 executing a game control program stored in the storage unit 15. It includes 130 and a communication control unit 140 (communication unit, first receiving unit, second receiving unit, first transmitting unit, second transmitting unit). The communication control unit 140 includes a port number determination unit 141 (specific unit) and a port forwarding setting unit 142 (setting unit).

The input receiving unit 110 receives a user's operation on the input unit 13. For example, the input receiving unit 110 receives the operation of the user who plays the game screen displayed on the display unit 14 via the input unit 13. Further, the input receiving unit 110 transmits the operation information based on the operation of the received user to the game server 30 via the communication unit 12. The operation information includes the signal itself (for example, information indicating that a predetermined button has been pressed) output from the input unit 3 of the controller or the like. The operation information also includes information used in the game, which is processed according to the situation of the game from the signal itself output from the input unit 3. Examples of such information include information that defines that pressing a predetermined button causes the character to perform a predetermined operation.

The display control unit 120 causes the display unit 14 to display various game images generated by the game management unit 130.

The game management unit 130 manages processing related to the game executed on the user terminal 10.

The communication control unit 140 controls communication between the user terminal 10 and the game server 30. The communication control unit 140 transmits, for example, operation information based on the operation received by the input reception unit 110 to the game server 30 via the communication unit 12. The input reception unit 110 also transmits user information of the user who plays the game, information indicating the execution result of the game process, and the like to the game server 30 via the communication unit 12. Examples of the user information include identification information for identifying the user (for example, user ID), password, user name (name of the user in the game), and the like. Further, the communication control unit 140 acquires information about the game played on the user terminal 10 from the game server 30 via the communication unit 12. The communication control unit 140 further controls communication between the user terminal 10 and the STUN server 70.

The port number determination unit 141 determines the local port number of the user terminal 10 and the port number of the router 50, respectively. The port forwarding setting unit 142 sets the port forwarding based on NAPT in the router 50. Details of port forwarding will be described later.

(Functional configuration of game server 30)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game server 30 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the game server 30 has a game management unit 310, a matching unit 320, and a communication control unit as functional configurations realized by the CPU 31 executing a game control program stored in the storage unit 34. It is equipped with 330.

The game management unit 310 manages processing related to the game executed on the game server 30. The matching unit 320 matches two users who are opponents in a battle game from among a plurality of users. The communication control unit 330 controls communication between the game server 30 and the user terminal 10. The communication control unit 330 receives, for example, the operation information transmitted from the user terminal 10 via the communication unit 32. The communication control unit 330 further transmits the game status information indicating the result of the game processing based on the received operation information to the user terminal 10 via the communication unit 32. Examples of the situation information include, when the game is a soccer game, score information, player's current position information, and the like.

(Details of network connection form)
In the present embodiment, the game server 30, the router 50, and the STUN server 70 are each assigned a global IP address that is uniquely identified in the network NW. In the present embodiment, the game server 30 is assigned the IP address "11.11.1.1", and the STUN server 70 is assigned the IP address "11.11.1.2". The game server 30 provides each user terminal 10 with a game service executed as a process on the game server 30, for example, using the port number “1000”. The STUN server 70 provides each user terminal 10 with a STUN service that is executed as a process on the STUN server 70 using, for example, the port number “80”. In the present embodiment, the router 50-1 is further assigned the IP address "22.22.22.1", and the router 50-2 is further assigned the IP address "22.22.22.2".

The user terminal 10 can refer to these global IP addresses as needed. In the present embodiment, the user terminals 10-1 and 10-2 have already referred to the IP addresses of the game server 30, the router 50-1, and the STUN server 70 in advance. Further, the user terminals 10-3 have already referred to the IP addresses of the game server 30, the router 50-2, and the STUN server 70 in advance.

The user terminal 10 is assigned a private IP address that is uniquely identified in the private network to which the user terminal 10 is connected. In FIG. 1, the IP address “192.168.10.1” is assigned to the user terminal 10-1, and the IP address “192.168.10.2” is assigned to the user terminal 10-2. The IP address "192.168.10.1" is assigned to the user terminal 10-3. Since these IP addresses are valid only inside the private network, they cannot be referred to by the game server 30 and the STUN server 70 located outside the private network.

In the following, a line is performed between the user terminal 10-1 and the user terminal 10-3 when the user who operates the user terminal 10-1 and another user who operates the user terminal 10-3 compete in an online game. The P2P communication to be described will be described.

(Details of communication method)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a communication method executed by the user terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. Before the series of processes shown in FIG. 6 is started, the user of the user terminal 10-1 inputs an operation for playing the online match of the game to the user terminal 10-1. Upon receiving this input, the input receiving unit 110 instructs the communication control unit 140 to execute the preparatory process for P2P communication. Based on this instruction, the communication control unit 140 transmits a STUN packet (first signal) to the STUN server 70 via the router 50-1 (S101). At that time, the communication control unit 140 transmits the STUN packet using the port forwarding set by the router 50-1.

STUN packet transmission is realized as follows. First, the port number determination unit 141 determines the port number of the user terminal 10-1. This port number is a local port number used by the user terminal 10-1 to communicate with the router 50-1. In FIG. 6, the port number determination unit 141 determines a fixed port number “5000”. The communication control unit 140 transmits the STUN packet to the router 50-1 using the determined port number “5000”, so that the STUN packet is transmitted to the STUN server 70 via the router 50-1. Request -1.

When the router 50-1 receives the STUN packet from the user terminal 10-1, the router 50-1 sets the port forwarding based on the NAT to the router 50-1. Here, the router 50-1 automatically sets the port forwarding that is not set by UPnP to the router 50-1 as the first session. The term "automatically set" as used herein means that the router 50-1 sets port forwarding to the router 50-1 by itself without receiving an instruction from the user terminal 10-1. Specifically, the router 50-1 first determines the port number "2000" (first port number) of the router 50-1. This port number is a global port number used by the router 50-1 to communicate with an external device such as the STUN server 70 via the network NW. Here, the router 50-1 determines the port number "2000" among the free port numbers available to the router 50-1 as the port number for transmitting the STUN packet.

Next, the router 50-1 sets the source address and source port number of the STUN packet received from the user terminal 10-1 to the IP address "192.168.10.1" and the port number of the user terminal 10-1. It is set to translate from "5000" to the IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2000" of the router 50-1. The router 50-1 forwards the converted STUN packet to the packet transmission destination (STUN server 70).

The router 50-1 further sets the destination address and port number of the STUN packet that arrived at the port number "2000" of the router 50-1 to the IP address "22.22.22.1" of the router 50-1 and the port. The number "2000" is set to be converted to the IP address "192.168.10.1" and the port number "5000" of the user terminal 10-1. As a result, the router 50-1 forwards the converted STUN packet to the packet destination (user terminal 10-1).

In other words, the router 50-1 sends the STUN packet that the user terminal 10-1 tries to send to the STUN server 70 using the port number "5000", and the router 50-1 uses the port number "2000" to send the STUN server to the STUN server. It is set to be forwarded to the STUN server 70 as a STUN packet transmitted to the 70. Further, the STUN packet that arrives at the port number "2000" of the router 50-1 is set to be forwarded to the user terminal 10-1 that uses the port number "5000".

The router 50-1 forwards the STUN packet requested to be transmitted from the router 50-1 to the STUN server 70 by using the port forwarding set as the first session. As a result, the communication control unit 140 can transmit the STUN packet to the STUN server 70 via the router 50-1. Further, the STUN server 70 receives the STUN packet including the IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2000" as the source address from the router 50-1. The STUN server 70 stores the IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2000" included in the received STUN packet. The STUN server 70 further transmits a STUN packet (first reply) including the stored IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2000" to the port number "2000" of the router 50-1. To do.

The communication control unit 140 receives the STUN packet transmitted from the STUN server 70 (S102). Specifically, the STUN packet transmitted from the STUN server 70 arrives at the port number "2000" of the router 50-1. The router 50-1 forwards the STUN packet received from the STUN server 70 to the port number "5000" of the user terminal 10-1 by using the port forwarding set as the first session. As a result, the communication control unit 140 can receive the STUN packet from the STUN server 70 via the router 50-1.

The port number determination unit 141 identifies the port number “2000” of the router 50-1 included in the received STUN packet from the STUN packet (S104). As a result, the communication control unit 140 can grasp that the router 50-1 can use the port number "2000".

In parallel with the above processing, the user terminal 10-2 connected to the router 50-1 transmits a start request for starting the single play game to the game server 30. At that time, the user terminal 10-2 transmits the start request to the game server 30 via the router 50-1 by transmitting the start request to the router 50-1 using the fixed port number “6000”. Request router 50-1 to do so.

When the router 50-1 receives the start request from the user terminal 10-2, the router 50-1 sets the port forwarding based on the NAT to the router 50-1. Here, the router 50-1 automatically sets the port forwarding that is not set by UPnP to the router 50-1 as the second session. Specifically, the router 50-1 first determines the port number "2020" of the router 50-1. This port number is a global port number used by the router 50-1 to communicate with an external device such as the game server 30 via the network NW. Here, the router 50-1 determines the port number "2020" among the free port numbers available to the router 50-1 as the port number for transmitting the start request. In the second session, the router 50-1 automatically sets the router 50-1 independently of the first session.

Next, the router 50-1 sets the source address and source port number of the start request received from the user terminal 10-2 to the IP address "192.168.10.2" and the port number of the user terminal 10-2. It is set to translate from "6000" to the IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2020" of the router 50-1. The router 50-1 transfers the converted start request to the game server 30 which is the transmission destination of the start request.

Router 50-1 further sets the destination address and port number of the packet from the game server 30 that arrived at the port number "2020" of router 50-1 to the IP address "22.22.22.1" of router 50-1. And the port number "2020" are set to be converted into the IP address "192.168.10.2" and the port number "6000" of the user terminal 10-2. As a result, the router 50-1 forwards the converted packet to the user terminal 10-2, which is the transmission destination of the packet.

As described above, the router 50-1 sends the packet delivered to the router 50-1 to either the user terminal 10-1 or the user terminal 10-2 based on each session set in the router 50-1. Sort and transfer. That is, the packet arriving at the port number "2000" of the router 50-1 is forwarded to the user terminal 10-1 based on the first session corresponding to the port number "2000", and the port number "2000" of the router 50-1 ". The packet arriving at "2020" is forwarded to the user terminal 10-2 based on the second session corresponding to the port number "2020". In this way, the router 50-1 can forward the packet addressed to the user terminal 10-1 or the user terminal 10-2 to the correct destination.

User terminal 10-1 and user terminal 10-2 usually do not know that router 50-1 automatically sets up a session. If the user terminal 10-1 or the user terminal 10-2 requests the router 50-1 to send a packet, the router 50-1 responds to this transmission request by automatically setting a session. Further, since the first session and the second session automatically set in the router 50-1 have an expiration date, the first session and the second session disappear after a predetermined time has passed after the setting. As a result, each port number used when setting the first session and the second session is released. Therefore, since the router 50-1 can use the open port number for other communication, it is possible to effectively utilize the small port number.

In the present embodiment, the user terminal 10-1 sets the router 50-1 as the third session for P2P communication with the user terminal 10-3 after the first session and the second session are automatically set. .. First, the port number determination unit 141 determines a port number different from the port number "2000" specified from the STUN packet by a predetermined number. Here, the predetermined number is 1. Therefore, the port number determination unit 141 identifies the port number “2001” (second port number) of the router 50-1, which is one larger than the port number “2000” (S106).

The port forwarding setting unit 142 sets the port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the specified port number “2001” in the router 50-1 as the third session (S108). That is, the port forwarding setting unit 142 sets the port forwarding to the router 50-1 via the SOAP message according to the UPnP protocol. This setting is realized as follows. First, the port number determination unit 141 determines a new local port number of the router 50-1 corresponding to the port number "2001" of the router 50-1. Here, the port number "5001", which is one larger than "5000", is specified. As a result, the router 50-1 sets the port forwarding corresponding to the port number "5001" of the user terminal 10-1 and the port number "2001" of the router 50-1 to the router 50-1.

Specifically, the port forwarding setting unit 142 sets the source address and source port number of the STUN packet requested by the user terminal 10-1 to the router 50-1 using the port number "5001" to be set to the user terminal 10-. The router so as to translate from the IP address "192.168.10.1" and the port number "5001" of 1 to the IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2001" of the router 50-1. Set to 50-1. The port forwarding setting unit 142 further sets the destination address and port number of the STUN packet that arrived at the port number "2001" of the router 50-1 to the IP address "22.22.22.1" of the router 50-1. And the port number "2001" is set in the router 50-1 so as to be converted into the IP address "192.168.10.1" and the port number "5001" of the user terminal 10-1.

In other words, the port forwarding setting unit 142 sends the STUN packet that the user terminal 10-1 tries to send to the STUN server 70 using the port number "5001", and the router 50-1 uses the port number "2001" to send the STUN packet. The router 50-1 is set to be forwarded to the STUN server 70 as a STUN packet transmitted to the server 70. Further, the router 50-1 is set to forward the STUN packet delivered to the port number "2001" of the router 50-1 to the user terminal 10-1 using the port number "5001".

The communication control unit 140 transmits a STUN packet (second signal) to the STUN server 70 by using the port forwarding set in the router 50-1 as the third session (S110). Since the third session has already been set for the router 50-1, the router 50-1 sends the STUN packet requested to be transmitted from the user terminal 10-1 to the router 50-1 without setting a new session. It is transferred to the STUN server 70 as a STUN packet transmitted from the port number "2001". As a result, the communication control unit 140 can transmit the STUN packet to the STUN server 70 by using the port forwarding corresponding to the third session. Further, the STUN server 70 receives from the STUN packet including the IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2001" as the source address. The STUN server 70 stores the IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2001" included in the received STUN packet. The STUN server 70 further transmits a STUN packet (second reply) including the stored IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2001" to the port number "2001" of the router 50-1. To do.

The communication control unit 140 receives the STUN packet transmitted from the STUN server 70 (S112). Specifically, the STUN packet transmitted from the STUN server 70 arrives at the port number "2001" of the router 50-1. The router 50-1 forwards the STUN packet addressed to the port number "2001" received from the STUN server 70 to the port number "5001" of the user terminal 10-1 by using the port forwarding set as the third session. .. As a result, the communication control unit 140 can receive the STUN packet from the STUN server 70 via the router 50-1.

The port number determination unit 141 determines whether or not the received STUN packet includes the port number “2001” of the router 50-1 (S114). If the determination result is false, the process shown in FIG. 6 ends. In this case, the communication control unit 140 confirms that the third session has not been set correctly. On the other hand, when the determination result is true, the communication control unit 140 identifies that the STUN packet, which is a response to the STUN packet transmitted using the third session, has been successfully received (S116). As a result, the communication control unit 140 confirms that the third session is correctly set in the router 50-1, that is, the router 50-1 can use the port number "2001". In other words, when the communication control unit 140 receives the STUN packet including the port number "2001" from the server 70 after transmitting the STUN packet to the server 70 using the third session, the communication control unit 140 corresponds to the port number "2001". Confirm that port forwarding by UPnP is correctly set in router 50-1.

After that, the communication control unit 140 notifies the game management unit 130 that the preparation process for P2P communication is completed. Based on this notification, the game management unit 130 instructs the communication control unit 140 to transmit a matching request for the competitive game to the STUN server 70. Based on this instruction, the communication control unit 140 transmits a matching request for the competitive game to the game server 30 using port forwarding corresponding to the port number "2001" (S118). Since the third session has no expiration date, it remains permanently set to router 50-1 unless router 50-1 or user terminal 10-1 explicitly releases the third session. Therefore, the communication control unit 140 transmits the matching request by using the port forwarding set in the game server 30 as the third session. As a result, the router 50-1 sets the source address and source of the matching request received from the user terminal 10-1 to the IP address "192.168.10.1" and the port number "5001" of the user terminal 10-1. Is converted to the IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2001" of the router 50-1. As a result, the router 50-1 forwards the matching request including the IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2001" of the router 50-1 as the source address and the port number to the game server 30. .. In this way, the communication control unit 140 can transmit the matching request to the game server 30 via the router 50-1.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user terminal 10-3 completes the preparatory process for P2P communication according to the same procedure as the above-mentioned procedure. At that time, the user terminal 10-3 sets the port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the port number "4001" of the router 50-2 to the router 50-2. The user terminal 10-3 further transmits a matching request to the game server 30 via the router 50-2 by using port forwarding by UPnP. As a result, the router 50-2 forwards the matching request including the IP address "22.22.22.2" and the port number "4001" of the router 50-2 as the source address and the port number to the game server 30.

In the game server 30, the communication control unit 330 receives the matching request transmitted from the user terminal 10-1 and the matching request transmitted from the user terminal 10-3, respectively. The communication control unit 140 notifies the matching unit 320 of each received matching request. The matching unit 320 executes the matching process of the battle game at a predetermined timing after receiving the notification. Here, it is assumed that the user of the user terminal 10-1 and the user of the user terminal 10-3 are matched as opponents in the battle game.

The communication control unit 330 transmits the IP address "22.22.22.2" and the port number "4001" included in the matching request received from the user terminal 10-3 to the user terminal 10-3. Specify as the destination address and destination port number. Then, the communication control unit 330 transmits a packet including the IP address "22.22.22.2" and the port number "4001" to the port number "2001" of the router 50-1. Similarly, the communication control unit 330 transmits the IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2001" included in the matching request received from the user terminal 10-1 to the user terminal 10-1. Specify as the destination address and destination port number of the data. Then, the communication control unit 140 transmits a packet including the IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2001" to the port number "4001" of the router 50-2.

The router 50-1 uses port forwarding corresponding to the port number "2001" for the packet that arrives from the STUN server 70 to the port number "2001" of the router 50-1, so that the port number of the user terminal 10-1 is used. Transfer to "5001". As a result, the communication control unit 140 of the user terminal 10-1 receives the packet including the destination address and the destination port number of the data transmitted to the user terminal 10-3, which is the matching partner, from the game server 30 ( S120). At the same time, the router 50-1 uses port forwarding corresponding to the port number "4001" to deliver the packet delivered from the STUN server 70 to the port number "4001" of the router 50-1, so that the user terminal 10- Transfer to the port number "5001" of 3. As a result, the communication control unit 140 of the user terminal 10-3 receives the packet including the destination address and the destination port number of the data transmitted to the user terminal 10-1 which is the matching partner from the game server 30.

The communication control unit 140 notifies the game management unit 130 of the received packet. As a result, the game management unit 130 starts an online battle game with the user of the user terminal 10-2 as an opponent. The game management unit 130 outputs various game data related to the battle game to the communication control unit 140 at any time during the execution of the battle game. The communication control unit 140 performs P2P communication with the user terminal 10-3 by using port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the port number "2001" (S122). At this time, the communication control unit 140 transmits the game data of the battle game to the port number “4001” of the router 50-2 via the router 50-1. The router 50-2 transfers the game data addressed to the port number "4001" to the port number "6001" of the user terminal 10-3 by port forwarding corresponding to "4001". As a result, the user terminal 10-3 can correctly receive the game data related to the battle game from the user terminal 10-1 by P2P communication. As a result, the game management unit 130 of the user terminal 10-3 can normally advance the battle game on the user terminal 10-3 based on the received game data.

At the same time, the game management unit 130 of the user terminal 10-3 outputs various game data related to the battle game to the communication control unit 140 of the user terminal 10-3 at any time during the execution of the battle game. The communication control unit 140 of the user terminal 10-3 performs P2P communication with the user terminal 10-1 by using port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the port number "4001". At this time, the communication control unit 140 of the user terminal 10-3 transmits the game data of the battle game to the port number "2001" of the router 50-1 via the router 50-2. The router 50-1 transfers the game data delivered to the port number "2001" to the port number "5001" of the user terminal 10-1 by port forwarding corresponding to "2001". As a result, the user terminal 10-1 can correctly receive the game data related to the battle game from the user terminal 10-3 by P2P communication. As a result, the game management unit 130 of the user terminal 10-1 can normally advance the battle game on the user terminal 10-1 based on the received game data.

(Main effects)
The user terminal 10-1 according to the present embodiment specifies a port number that is a predetermined number away from the port number used by the router 50-1 when transmitting a STUN packet, and performs port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the specified port number. Set to 50-1. Since the port number group assigned to the router 50-1 is a constant continuous number group, such number identification increases the possibility that the router can actually specify the available port number. Further, since the router 50-1 does not have to set the port forwarding corresponding to the same port number as the used port number "2000", the port forwarding can be appropriately set in the router 50-1. In addition, it was confirmed that after sending the STUN packet using the set port forwarding, when the STUN packet that is the response to the STUN packet is received, that is, the router 50-1 can normally use the port number "2001". In this case, P2P communication is executed for the first time. Therefore, the router can normally perform P2P communication with other user terminals 10-3 by using port forwarding corresponding to the actually available port number "2001".

If the router 50-1 cannot use the port number "2001", the port forwarding setting unit 142 fails to set the port forwarding. However, in most cases, the router 50-1 having a NAT function does not notify the user terminal 10-1 of any error even if the port forwarding setting fails. Therefore, the user terminal 10-1 cannot directly grasp whether or not the router 50-1 can actually use the port number "2001" based on the behavior of the router 50-1. Therefore, as described above, it is effective to test whether or not the port forwarding corresponding to the port number "2001" actually functions.

In the present embodiment, since the predetermined number described above is 1, the user terminal 10-1 specifies the port number “2001” next to the port number “2000” actually used by the router. Since the port number group assigned to the router 50-1 is a constant continuous number group, if the port number "2000" can be used, the port number "2001" next to the port number "2001" can be used as well. Highly sexual. Therefore, the user terminal 10-1 can maximize the possibility that the router 50-1 can specify the port number that can actually be used.

In the present embodiment, the user terminal 10-1 continues to use the port forwarding set in the router 50-1 to perform P2P communication with the user terminal 10-3. As a result, it is not necessary to set new port forwarding for P2P communication, so that the processing load can be reduced and the communication lag before the start of P2P communication can be reduced.

[Modification example]
This embodiment can be modified as follows. These modifications are equally applied to the second embodiment described later.

(Other examples of communication)
The communication control unit 140 may communicate with various servers (other computers) constituting the communication system 1 by using port forwarding corresponding to the port number "2001" of the router 50-1. For example, the communication control unit 140 may communicate with the game server 30 (another computer) by using the port number “2001” port forwarding. In this case, communication for single play of the game can be stably executed. Alternatively, the communication control unit 140 may communicate with a web server (another computer, not shown) that provides various web service services by using port forwarding corresponding to the port number "2001". As described above, the communication using port forwarding corresponding to the port number "2001" is not limited to P2P communication, and may be any form of communication.

When the user terminal 10-1 executes communication according to TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), it is premised that a connection between the user terminal 10-1 and the communication partner is established at the time of communication. Therefore, when the user terminal 10-1 transmits a packet to the communication partner, there is always a response from the communication partner to the user terminal 10-1 regardless of whether or not the transmission is successful. On the other hand, since P2P communication is communication based on UDP (User Datagram Protocol), the connection between the user terminal 10-1 and the communication partner is not established at the time of communication. Therefore, when the user terminal 10-1 transmits a packet to the communication partner, there is not always a response from the communication partner to the user terminal 10-1, and there is a risk that stable continuation of P2P communication cannot be expected. There is. However, if port forwarding is set according to the method of the present embodiment, stable P2P communication can be performed by using the port forwarding, so that P2P communication can be normally performed without considering the presence or absence of a response from the communication partner. You can continue. As described above, setting port forwarding by the method of the present embodiment is particularly effective for P2P communication.

(Predetermined number of other examples)
The predetermined number described above is not limited to 1, and may be any number. For example, it may be any number from 2 to 10. Even if the predetermined number is a number other than 1, the user terminal 10-1 can specify a port number (for example, 2005) close to the port number "2000" actually used by the router 50-1. Therefore, it is still possible to increase the possibility that the router can identify the number that is actually available as the port number.

Further, the user terminal 10-1 may specify a port number (for example, 1999 or 1995) that is a predetermined number smaller than the port number "2000" actually used by the router. Even in this case, the user terminal 10-1 can specify a port number close to the port number "2000" actually used by the router 50-1, and therefore, as the port number, a number actually available to the router can be used. It is still possible to increase the possibility of being identified.

(Random determination of local port number)
The port number determination unit 141 may randomly determine a local port number for setting the third session. In the present embodiment, the port number determination unit 141 can use any free number from 102 to 65536 as the local port number. For example, it is assumed that the port number determination unit 141 randomly determines the port number "10425". In this case, the port number determination unit 141 sets the port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the port number "2001" of the router 50-1 and the port number "10425" of the user terminal 10-1 to the router 50-1. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the port number of the user terminal 10-1 conflicts with the port number of another device connected to the router 50-1.

For example, in addition to the user terminal 10-1 and the user terminal 10-2, it is assumed that another electronic device having a communication function is connected to the router 50-1. Further, it is assumed that the other electronic device is a device having a specification using a fixed port number "5001". In this case, if the port number determining unit 141 determines the fixed port number "5001" described above as the port number for the third session, it conflicts with the fixed port number "5001" used by other electronic devices. If the port number determination unit 141 randomly determines the port number of the user terminal 10-1, the probability that the port number is determined as "5001" is 1 / (65536-1025), which is the same as other electronic devices. The possibility that the port number "5001" will be determined will be greatly reduced.

(Another example of determining the local port number)
In the example of randomly determining the local port number as described above, there is a possibility that the same port number as the user terminal 10-2 is determined with a probability of 1 / (65536-1025). Therefore, there is a small possibility of port number conflicts. Therefore, the port number determination unit 141 may determine the port number "2001" of the router 50-1, and then determine the same local port number "2001". In this case, the port forwarding setting unit 142 sets the port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the port number "2001" of the router 50-1 and the port number "2001" of the user terminal 10-1 to the router 50-1.

For example, it is assumed that both the user terminal 10-1 and the user terminal 10-2 set port forwarding by UPnP on the router 50-1. At this time, the user terminal 10-1 shall specify the port number "2001" of the router 50-1, and the user terminal 10-2 shall specify the port number "2021" of the router 50-1. Since these port numbers are specified as different numbers by a predetermined number from the different port numbers "2000" and "2020" actually used by the router 50-1, they are guaranteed to be different from each other.

In this example, the user terminal 10-1 determines the same local port number "2001" as the port number "2001" of the router 50-1, and the user terminal 10-2 determines the port number "2021" of the router 50-1. The same local port "2021" as "" is determined. In this way, since the user terminal 10-1 and the user terminal 10-2 specify different port numbers of the router 50-1, the user terminal 10-1 and the user terminal 10-2 are different from each other in the local area. It is guaranteed that the port number will be determined. As a result, the port number used by the user terminal 10-1 to set the port forwarding by UPnP is the port used by the user terminal 10-2 connected to the same router 50-1 to set the port forwarding by UPnP. Conflicts with numbers can be avoided. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to execute a process (for example, randomly determined) based on a predetermined algorithm for determining the local port number, it is possible to reduce the program capacity and speed up the communication process. ..

(Other examples of communication methods)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of another communication method executed by the user terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. The user terminal 10 according to the present embodiment can also execute a series of processes shown in FIG. 7. Since each process from S1100 to S1104 in FIG. 7 is the same as each process from S100 to S104 in FIG. 6, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the example of FIG. 7, the user terminal 10-1 sets the first session and the second session automatically, and then the router 50 sets the third session and the fourth session for P2P communication with the user terminal 10-3. Set to -1. First, the port number determination unit 141 determines a port number that is a predetermined number larger than the port number "2000" specified from the STUN packet and a port number that is a predetermined number smaller, respectively. Here, the predetermined number is 1. Therefore, the port number determination unit 141 has a port number "2001" of the router 50-1 which is one larger than the port number "2000" and a port number "1999" (third port) which is one smaller than the port number "2000". (Number) and (S1106).

The port forwarding setting unit 142 parallels the first port forwarding corresponding to the specified port number "2001" and the second port forwarding corresponding to the specified port number "1999" to the router 50-1, respectively. Set (S108). Here, the first port forwarding is set as the third session, and the second port forwarding is set as the fourth session. Since the setting of the first port forwarding is the same as the setting of the port forwarding in FIG. 6, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The setting of the second port forwarding is realized as follows. First, the port number determination unit 141 determines a new local port number of the router 50-1 corresponding to the port number "1999" of the router 50-1. Here, the port number "4999", which is one smaller than "5000", is specified. As a result, the router 50-1 sets the second port forwarding corresponding to the port number "4999" of the user terminal 10-1 and the port number "1999" of the router 50-1 to the router 50-1.

Specifically, the port forwarding setting unit 142 sets the source address and source port number of the STUN packet requested by the user terminal 10-1 to the router 50-1 using the port number "4999" to be set to the user terminal 10-. Set to translate from the IP address "192.168.10.1" and port number "4999" of 1 to the IP address "22.22.22.1" and port number "1999" of router 50-1. .. The port number determination unit 141 further sets the destination address and port number of the STUN packet that arrived at the port number "1999" of the router 50-1 to the IP address "22.22.22.1" of the router 50-1. And the port number "1999" is set to be converted to the IP address "192.168.10.1" and the port number "4999" of the user terminal 10-1.

In other words, the port forwarding setting unit 142 sends a STUN packet that the user terminal 10-1 tries to send to the STUN server 70 using the port number "4999", and the router 50-1 uses the port number "1999" to STUN. The router 50-1 is set to be forwarded to the STUN server 70 as a STUN packet transmitted to the server 70. Further, the router 50-1 is set to forward the STUN packet delivered to the port number "1999" of the router 50-1 to the user terminal 10-1 using the port number "4999".

The communication control unit 140 transmits each STUN packet to the STUN server 70 using each set port forwarding (S1110). Specifically, the STUN packet (second signal) was transmitted to the STUN server 70 using the first port forwarding set in the router 50-1 as the third session, and was set in the router 50-1 as the fourth session. Using the second port forwarding, another STUN packet (third signal) is transmitted to the STUN server 70.

Since the third session and the fourth session have already been set in the router 50-1, the router 50-1 sends each STUN packet requested to be transmitted from the user terminal 10-1 without setting a new session. It is transferred to the STUN server 70 as a STUN packet transmitted from the port number "2001" of the router 50-1 and a STUN packet transmitted from the port number "1999". As a result, the communication control unit 140 transmits the STUN packet to the STUN server 70 using the first port forwarding corresponding to the third session, and STUN the STUN packet using the second port forwarding corresponding to the fourth session. It can be sent to the server 70.

The STUN server 70 includes a STUN packet containing an IP address "22.22.22.1" and a port number "2001" as a source address, and an IP address "22.22.22.1" and a port number as a source address. A STUN packet containing "1999" is received from the router 50-1. The STUN server 70 has an IP address "22.22.22.1" and a port number "2001" included in one of the received STUN packets, and an IP address "22.22.22.1" included in the other STUN packet. "And the port number" 1999 "are stored respectively. The STUN server 70 further transmits a STUN packet (second reply) including the stored IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "2001" to the port number "2001" of the router 50-1. To do. The STUN server 70 further sends another STUN packet (third reply) including the stored IP address "22.22.22.1" and the port number "1999" to the port number "1999" of the router 50-1. Send to.

The communication control unit 140 receives each STUN packet transmitted from the STUN server 70 (S1112). Specifically, one STUN packet transmitted from the STUN server 70 arrives at the port number "2001" of router 50-1. The router 50-1 forwards the STUN packet addressed to the port number "2001" received from the STUN server 70 to the port number "5001" of the user terminal 10-1 by using the port forwarding set as the third session. .. Further, the other STUN packet transmitted from the STUN server 70 arrives at the port number "1999" of the router 50-1.

The router 50-1 forwards the STUN packet addressed to the port number "2001" received from the STUN server 70 to the port number "5001" of the user terminal 10-1 by using the port forwarding set as the third session. .. The router 50-1 further uses the port forwarding set as the fourth session to send the STUN packet addressed to the port number "1999" received from the STUN server 70 to the port number "4999" of the user terminal 10-1. Forward. As a result, the communication control unit 140 can receive each STUN packet from the STUN server 70 via the router 50-1.

The communication control unit 140 may receive at least one of the STUN packet addressed to the port number "2001" of the router 50-1 and the STUN packet addressed to the port number "1999" of the router 50-1.

The port number determination unit 141 determines whether or not the received STUN packet includes the port number “2001” of the router 50-1 (S1114). When the determination result is true, the communication control unit 140 identifies that the STUN packet, which is a response to the STUN packet transmitted using the third session, has been successfully received (S1116). As a result, the communication control unit 140 confirms that the third session is correctly set in the router 50-1, that is, the router 50-1 can use the port number "2001". In other words, when the communication control unit 140 receives the STUN packet including the port number "2001" from the server 70 after transmitting the STUN packet to the server 70 using the third session, the communication control unit 140 corresponds to the port number "2001". Confirm that port forwarding by UPnP is correctly set in router 50-1.

Since the processes S1118 to S1122 executed thereafter are the same as the processes S118 to S122 in FIG. 6, detailed description thereof will be omitted. As described above, when the communication control unit 140 receives the STUN packet including the port number "2001", the communication control unit 140 performs P2P communication with the user terminal 10-3 using the first port forwarding corresponding to the port number "2001". be able to.

On the other hand, when the determination result of S1114 is false, the communication control unit 140 confirms that the third session has not been set correctly. Therefore, the port number determination unit 141 determines whether or not the other received STUN packet includes the port number “1999” of the router 50-1 (S1124). If the determination result is false, the process shown in FIG. 7 ends. In this case, the communication control unit 140 confirms that the fourth session has not been set correctly. On the other hand, when the determination result is true, the communication control unit 140 identifies that the STUN packet, which is a response to the STUN packet transmitted using the fourth session, has been successfully received (S1126). As a result, the communication control unit 140 confirms that the fourth session is correctly set in the router 50-1, that is, the router 50-1 can use the port number "1999". In other words, when the communication control unit 140 receives the STUN packet including the port number "1999" from the server 70 after transmitting the STUN packet to the server 70 using the fourth session, the communication control unit 140 corresponds to the port number "1999". Confirm that port forwarding by UPnP is correctly set in router 50-1.

In the processing from S1128 to S1132 executed thereafter, the communication control unit 140 is the second port corresponding to the port number "1999" for communication with the game server 30 and P2P communication with the user terminal 10-3. Except for the point that forwarding is used, it is essentially the same as the processes from S1118 to S1122, so detailed description thereof will be omitted. As described above, when the communication control unit 140 receives the STUN packet including the port number "1999", the communication control unit 140 performs P2P communication with the user terminal 10-3 by using the second port forwarding corresponding to the port number "1999". be able to.

In the example of FIG. 7, the user terminal 10-1 identifies a port number “2001” that is larger than the port number “2000” of the router and a port number “1999” that is smaller than the port number “2000”, respectively. It is possible to increase the possibility that the router can identify the port number that can actually be used. For example, if the port number "2000" is the largest number in the available number group for the route, the port number "2001" is a number that cannot be used by the router, but the port number "1999" may be usable. .. At this time, if a number larger than the port number "2001" (for example, 2002) is specified as a port number other than "2001", the port number "2002" cannot be used unless the port number "2001" can be used. It is inefficient because it causes a specific redo of the port number of the router used for port forwarding. In this example, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of such a problem.

Further, in the example of FIG. 7, since the user terminal 10-1 sets the first port forwarding and the second port forwarding in parallel with the router 50-1, whether or not each port forwarding is effective is checked in parallel. Can be confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to more quickly identify which of the port number "2001" and the port number "1999" can be used by the router.

The port forwarding setting unit 142 may set the first port forwarding and the second port forwarding to the router 50-1 individually and in order. In this case, the communication control unit 140 first sets only the first port forwarding corresponding to the port number "2001" in the router 50-1, and then succeeds in receiving the STUN packet including the port number "2001". Is determined. If successful, that is, if a STUN packet including the port number "2001" is received, P2P communication is performed with the user terminal 10-3 using the first port forwarding. Therefore, since it is not necessary to set the second port forwarding to the router 50-1, the processing load can be reduced. When the communication control unit 140 fails to send and receive STUN packets using the first port forwarding, it then sets the second port forwarding corresponding to the port number "1999" to the router 50-1, and then sets the port number "1999". It is determined whether or not the transmission / reception of the STUN packet including "is successful". If successful, that is, if a STUN packet including the port number "1999" is received, P2P communication is performed with the user terminal 10-3 using the second port forwarding.

In the example of FIG. 7, when the communication control unit 140 receives both the reception of the STUN packet including the port number "2001" and the reception of the STUN packet including the port number "1999", the first port forwarding and the first port forwarding P2P communication with the user terminal 10-3 may be performed using any of the two port forwardings desired.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the game system 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The game system 1A includes a user terminal 10-1, a user terminal 10-2, a user terminal 10-3, a game server 30, a router 50-1, a router 50-2, a STUN server 70, a relay router 90-1, and a relay router. It is equipped with 90-2. These devices are connected via the network NW. Since the relay router 90-1 and the relay router 90-2 have the same configuration, the relay router 90 will be described by omitting the description of "-1", "-2" and the like unless otherwise specified.

The relay router 90 is a router installed in the equipment of a telecommunications carrier and having an IPv4-IPv6 conversion function. In FIG. 8, the relay router 90-1 is installed in the equipment of the telecommunications carrier contracted by the user of the user terminal 10-1, and the relay router 90-2 is the telecommunications carrier contracted by the user of the user terminal 10-3. It is installed in the equipment of. The router 50-1 is connected to the network NW via the relay router 90-1, and the router 50-2 is connected to the network NW via the relay router 90-2.

In FIG. 8, communication between the user terminal 10 and the router 50 is performed using IPv4, communication between the router 50 and the relay router 90 is performed using IPv6, and the relay router 90 and other devices via the network NW are used. Communication with the device (STUN server 70 or the like) is performed using IPv4. The router 50 further has an IPv4-IPv6 conversion function in addition to the NAPT function. Therefore, it is not the relay router 90 but the router 50 having the NAPT function that the port forwarding corresponding to UPnP is set.

Examples of the IPv4-IPv6 conversion function described above include MAP-E (Mapping of Address and Port Encapsulation). In this example, the router 50 converts the IPv4 packet received from the user terminal 10 into an IPv6 packet that can pass through the IPv6 network by encapsulating the IPv4 packet with the IPv6 packet. The router 50 forwards the converted IPv6 packet to the relay router 90. The relay router 90 decapsulates the IPv6 packet received from the router 50 to convert it into an IPv4 packet that can pass through the network NW. As a result, the relay router 90 can correctly forward the converted IPv4 packet to a destination such as the STUN server 70.

Further, the relay router 90 converts the IPv4 packet received from the source such as the STUN server 70 into an IPv6 packet that can pass through the IPv6 network by encapsulating the IPv4 packet with the IPv6 packet. The relay router 90 forwards the converted IPv6 packet to the router 50. By decapsulating the IPv6 packet received from the relay router 90, the router 50 converts it into an IPv4 packet that can pass through the distribution private network connected to the user terminal 10-1. As a result, the router 50-1 can correctly forward the converted IPv4 packet to the user terminal 10.

In the communication system 1 in which IPv4 and IPv6 coexist as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of routers 50 are connected to one relay router 90. Further, the same global IP address is assigned to each router 50, and a fixed number of port numbers are assigned to each router 50. Therefore, the port numbers that can be used by the router 50 are limited. In other words, the number of port numbers that can be used by the router 50 is significantly smaller than that of the first embodiment. Further, in the coexistence of IPv4 and IPv6, a fixed number of consecutive and a set number of port numbers are assigned to each router 50.

In the present embodiment, the communication method executed by the user terminal 10-1 is basically the same as the communication method in the first embodiment. Therefore, the user terminal 10-1 identifies a port number different from the port number of the router 50 included in the received STUN packet by a predetermined number even when the port number that can be used by the router 50 is limited. , It is possible to increase the possibility that the router 50 can specify the port number that can be actually used. Thereby, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to increase the possibility that the port forwarding by UPnP can be correctly set in the router 50. Further, as in the first embodiment, the router uses port forwarding corresponding to the port number actually available to communicate with the game server 30 or normally perform P2P communication with other user terminals 10-3. be able to.

The IPv4-IPv6 conversion function is not limited to MAP-E, and may be MAP-T (Mapping of Address and Port Translation).

[Summary]
From the above-exemplified form, for example, the following configuration can be grasped. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect, reference numerals of the drawings are added in parentheses below for convenience, but the present invention is not intended to be limited to the illustrated aspects.

The program according to one aspect of the present invention transmits the first signal to the computer (10-1) constituting the communication system (1) via the router (50-1) having the NAPT function to the server (70). Based on the step (S100), the step (S102) of receiving the first response to the first signal from the server (70), and the first response received, the router at the time of transmitting the first signal. The router (50-1) performs the step (S104) of specifying the first port number used by (50-1) and the port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number different from the first port number by a predetermined number. A step (S108) of setting to (S108), a step (S110) of transmitting a second signal to the server (70) using the port forwarding, and a second response to the second signal from the server (70). When the receiving step (S112) and the second response are received, another computer (10-3) constituting the communication system (1) is used by port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number. The step (S122) of communicating with is executed.

According to the above configuration, the computer identifies a second port number that is a predetermined number away from the first port number used by the router when transmitting the first signal, and performs port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number. Set to. Since the port number group assigned to the router is a constant continuous number group, it is possible to increase the possibility that the router can actually specify the number that can be actually used as the second port number by such a specific method. Further, since it is not necessary to set the port forwarding corresponding to the same port number as the first port number, the port forwarding can be appropriately set in the router. Also, after transmitting the second signal using the set port forwarding, communication is performed for the first time when the second response to it is received, that is, when it is confirmed that the router can use the second port number normally. To execute. Therefore, the router can successfully communicate with other computers using port forwarding corresponding to the actual available second port number.

In the step (S1108) of setting the port forwarding in the above-described program, the first port forwarding corresponding to the second port number, which is a predetermined number larger than the first port number, and the first port forwarding than the first port number. In the step (S1110) of setting the second port forwarding corresponding to the third port number smaller than a predetermined number in the router (50-1) and transmitting the second signal, the first port forwarding is used. In the step (S1112) of transmitting the second signal, transmitting the third signal using the second port forwarding, and receiving the second response, the second response and the third response to the third signal are received. In the step (S1122, S1132) of receiving at least one of the above and communicating, when the second reply is received, the other computer (50-) using the port forwarding corresponding to the second port number. When communicating with 3) and receiving the third reply, it is preferable to communicate with the other computer (50-3) using port forwarding corresponding to the third port number.

According to the above configuration, the computer identifies the second port number, which is larger than the first port number, and the third port number, which is smaller than the first port number, so that the router can actually use the port number. You can increase the possibility of being able to do it. For example, if the first port number is the largest number in the group of numbers available for the route, the second port number will be a number that cannot be used by the router, but the third port number may be usable. At this time, if a number larger than the 2nd port number is specified as the 3rd port number, the 3rd port number cannot be used unless the 2nd port number can be used, so that the specific port number must be redone. It becomes inefficient. Since such a problem does not occur in this configuration, the port number can be efficiently specified.

In the above-mentioned program, in the step (S108) of setting the port forwarding, it is preferable to set the first port forwarding and the second port forwarding in parallel.

According to the above configuration, the computer can more quickly identify which of the second port number and the third port number is available to the router.

In the above-mentioned program, in the communication step (S122), it is preferable to continue to use the port forwarding set in the router to communicate with the other computer (50-3).

According to the above configuration, since the computer does not need to set new port forwarding for communication with other computers, it is possible to reduce the processing load and the communication lag before the start of communication. Furthermore, it can communicate with other computers for which a private IP address is set.

In the program described above, the program causes the computer (50-1) to further perform a step of randomly determining a local port number, and in a step of setting the port forwarding, the local port number and the second port. It is preferable to set the port forwarding corresponding to the number.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the local port number used by the computer when transmitting the second signal to the router conflicts with the local port number used by other devices connected to the same router. ..

In the program described above, the program causes the computer to further perform a step of determining a local port number that is the same as the second port number, and in a step of setting the port forwarding, the local port number and the second port number. It is preferable to set port forwarding corresponding to the port number.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to avoid conflicting local port numbers used by each computer.

The communication device according to one aspect of the present invention is a communication device (10-1) constituting the communication system (1), and sends a first signal to a server (50-1) via a router (50-1) having a NAPT function. Based on the first transmitting unit (140) transmitting to the 70), the first receiving unit (140) receiving the first response to the first signal from the server (70), and the first response received. , A specific unit (141) that specifies the first port number used by the router (50-1) when transmitting the first signal, and UPnP corresponding to a second port number that is a predetermined number different from the first port number. A setting unit (142) that sets port forwarding to the router (50-1), a second transmission unit (140) that transmits a second signal to the server (70) using the port forwarding, and the above. When the second response to the second signal is received from the second receiver (140) received from the server (70), and when the second response is received, port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number is used. A communication unit (140) that communicates with other communication devices (10-3) constituting the communication system (1) is provided.

According to the above configuration, the same operation and effect as the above-mentioned program is obtained.

Further, the communication method according to one aspect of the present invention is a communication method executed by a computer (10-1) constituting the communication system (1), via a router (30-1) having a NAPT function. Based on the step (S100) of transmitting the first signal to the server (70), the step (S102) of receiving the first response to the first signal from the server (70), and the received first response. , The step (S104) of specifying the first port number used by the router (70) at the time of transmitting the first signal, and port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number different from the first port number by a predetermined number. A step (S108) of setting the router (70), a step (S110) of transmitting a second signal to the server (70) using the port forwarding, and a second response to the second signal. Others that configure the communication system (1) by using the step (S112) received from the server (70) and the port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number when the second response is received. Includes a step of communicating with the computer (10-3).

According to the above configuration, the same operation and effect as the above-mentioned program is obtained.

[Example of implementation by software or hardware]
In the above-described embodiment and each modification, an example in which the functional configuration of the user terminal 10 is realized by software has been described. That is, a program executed by the user terminal 10 in order to achieve the object of the present invention is stored in the storage unit 15 of the user terminal 10 shown in FIG. 2, and the CPU 11 of the user terminal 10 reads and executes the program. Thereby, the functional configuration of the user terminal 10 is realized.

In this case, the storage unit 15 for storing the program includes a "non-temporary tangible medium" such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like. Can be used.

Further, the program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (communication network, broadcast wave, etc.) capable of transmitting the program. Further, one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

The functional configuration of the user terminal 10 is not limited to the realization by software, but may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

1,1A Game system 10, 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 User terminal 11, 31 CPU
12, 32 Communication unit 13, 33 Input unit 14 Display unit 15, 34 Storage unit 30 Game server 50, 50-1, 50-2, 50-3 Router 70 STUN server 90, 90-1, 90-2 Relay router 110 Input reception unit 120 Display control unit 130 Game management unit 140, 330 Communication control unit 141 Port number determination unit 142 Port forwarding setting unit 320 Matching unit

Claims (8)

For the computers that make up the communication system
A step of transmitting the first signal to the server via a router having a NAT function,
A step of receiving the first response to the first signal from the server, and
A step of specifying the first port number used by the router when transmitting the first signal based on the received first response, and
A step of setting port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to a second port number different from the first port number by a predetermined number in the router, and
A step of transmitting a second signal to the server using the port forwarding, and
A step of receiving a second response to the second signal from the server, and
When the second reply is received, a program that executes a step of communicating with another computer constituting the communication system by using port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number. In the step of setting the port forwarding, the first port forwarding corresponding to the second port number, which is a predetermined number larger than the first port number, and the third port number, which is a predetermined number smaller than the first port number, are set. The corresponding second port forwarding is set in the router, and
In the step of transmitting the second signal, the second signal is transmitted using the first port forwarding, and the third signal is transmitted using the second port forwarding.
In the step of receiving the second reply, at least one of the second reply and the third reply to the third signal is received.
In the communication step,
When the second reply is received, it communicates with the other computer by using the port forwarding corresponding to the second port number.
The program according to claim 1, wherein when the third reply is received, it communicates with the other computer by using port forwarding corresponding to the third port number. The program according to claim 2, wherein in the step of setting the port forwarding, the first port forwarding and the second port forwarding are set in parallel. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the step of communicating, the port forwarding set in the router is continuously used to communicate with the other computer. The program causes the computer to further perform a step of randomly determining a local port number.
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the step of setting the port forwarding, the port forwarding corresponding to the local port number and the second port number is set. The program causes the computer to further perform a step of determining a local port number that is the same as the second port number.
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the step of setting the port forwarding, the port forwarding corresponding to the local port number and the second port number is set. A communication device that constitutes a communication system
The first signal is sent to the server via the router having the NAT function, and the first transmitter and
The first receiving unit that receives the first response to the first signal from the server, and
Based on the received first response, a specific unit that identifies the first port number used by the router when transmitting the first signal, and
A setting unit that sets port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to a second port number different from the first port number by a predetermined number in the router, and
A second transmitter that transmits a second signal to the server using the port forwarding, and
A second receiving unit that receives a second response to the second signal from the server, and
A communication device including a communication unit that communicates with other communication devices constituting the communication system by using port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number when the second reply is received. A communication method executed by the computers that make up the communication system.
A step of transmitting the first signal to the server via a router having a NAT function,
A step of receiving the first response to the first signal from the server, and
A step of specifying the first port number used by the router when transmitting the first signal based on the received first response, and
A step of setting port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to a second port number different from the first port number by a predetermined number in the router, and
A step of transmitting a second signal to the server using the port forwarding, and
A step of receiving a second response to the second signal from the server, and
A communication method including a step of communicating with another computer constituting the communication system by using port forwarding by UPnP corresponding to the second port number when the second reply is received.

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