JPH1023030A - Communication system and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the asynchronous transfer mode(ATM) communication system, whose operation is simple for providing convenience to the user. SOLUTION: ATM exchanges 3, 6 connect a database device and a terminal equipment 80a to supply audio/video data to the terminal equipment 80a of a room A. The user moves to a room B and uses a remote controller 82 to send an optical signal, including identifier of the remote controller 82 and data, instructing a TV monitor 130 to the ATM exchanges 3, 6 via a terminal equipment 80b. The ATM exchanges 3, 6 change the connection, having been set between the database device and the terminal equipment 80a into the connection between the database device and the terminal equipment 80b.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention specifies a communication node by an optical signal and a radio signal (radio signal), and exchanges the specified communication node with the communication node that has received the radio signal by an ATM method. The present invention relates to a communication system and a method for transmitting data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a communication method for accommodating a plurality of types of data, such as video data, audio data, and data for information processing, in a predetermined packet, and exchanging and transmitting the data collectively, an asynchronous method is used. Transfer mode (ATM; a
synchronous transfer mode). By connecting an ATM information network and information equipment placed in each room of a general home via an inexpensive ATM exchange (ATM exchange) to form a home network, the cooperative operation of information equipment is achieved. In addition, it is possible to provide advanced services to users.

[0003] For example, in a home network, if the first and second rooms are provided with audio / video terminal devices, the user can transfer the audio / video data reproduced by the database to the terminal. It can be viewed by the terminal device in any room. Thus, the ability to supply the same data to different rooms is one of the features of the home network. However, every time a user moves from one room to another and receives data, the user operates the ATM exchange via the terminal device in the destination room to connect the database with the terminal device in the destination room. It is necessary to perform call setup.

[0004] On the other hand, for example, in a conventional analog cable television (CATV) system, since the same plurality of channels of audio and video signals are supplied to the terminal device in each room, the user switches between rooms. However, it is not necessary to perform the call setting operation every time. In other words, the home network requires extra work for the user as compared with the conventional CATV system and the like, in that the user has to perform a call setting operation every time the user changes rooms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. In a home network in which a plurality of information devices placed in each room of a general home are connected via an ATM switch, It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system and a communication method that are simpler and more convenient for the user without having to perform a call setting operation on the ATM exchange via the terminal device of the destination every time the user changes the room. And

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a communication system according to the present invention comprises: an exchange for performing an exchange process according to a predetermined exchange system; a plurality of communication nodes connected to the exchange; A communication system having a signal transmission device, wherein the wireless signal transmission device has a first optical signal transmission unit that transmits an optical signal including an identifier of the wireless signal transmission device, and the plurality of communication nodes include: A terminal device having first optical signal receiving means for receiving the optical signal from the first optical signal transmitting means, and identifier signal transmitting means for transmitting the identifier contained in the received optical signal to the exchange; The exchange, based on the identifier received from the terminal device, the terminal device that transmitted the identifier, and the terminal device that immediately received the optical signal including the same identifier Setting up a call between the communication node of the communication partner.

[0007] Preferably, the exchange performs an exchange process by an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) method. Preferably, the terminal device further includes a second optical signal transmitting means for transmitting an optical signal including data transmitted from the exchange and the communication node of the communication partner or any one of them, and The signal transmission device further includes a second optical signal receiving unit that receives the optical signal from the second optical signal transmitting unit, and a data display unit that displays data included in the received optical signal.

Preferably, the radio signal transmission device has first radio signal transmission means for transmitting a radio signal including an identifier for requesting call setting to the exchange, and the plurality of communication nodes include: A radio base station apparatus having first radio signal receiving means for receiving the radio signal from the first radio signal transmitting means, and identifier transmitting means for transmitting the identifier contained in the received radio signal to the exchange; Including.

Preferably, the radio base station apparatus further includes a second radio signal transmitting means for transmitting a radio signal including data transmitted from the exchange, and the radio signal transmission apparatus includes: Second radio signal receiving means for receiving the radio signal from the second radio signal transmitting means, and data display means for displaying data included in the received radio signal.

The communication system according to the present invention is, for example, a so-called home network for transmitting data between a small ATM switch and information devices (terminal devices) placed in a plurality of rooms in a home. A remote control device (wireless signal transmission device) that transmits a signal by infrared rays is used, and data is transmitted to a terminal device in a room to which the user has moved, following the movement of the user between rooms. I do.

For example, the first terminal device in the first room is
Notifies the ATM of the identifier of the wireless signal transmission device to a predetermined communication node [other communication node (for example, database)]
If a call setup request has been made between the second terminal device in the second room and the second terminal device in the second room, the call setup request has been made between the other communication node and the first terminal device. It is assumed that a call setup request with a node is made.

[0012] The first optical signal transmitting means of the wireless signal transmission device transmits an optical signal including the identifier of the wireless signal transmission device to the second terminal device. The first optical signal receiving means of the second terminal device receives an optical signal from the first optical signal transmitting means of the wireless signal transmission device. The identifier signal transmitting means of the second terminal device transmits the identifier contained in the received optical signal to the exchange.

The exchange determines that the wireless signal transmission device (user) has moved closer to the second terminal device by transmitting the identifier from the wireless signal transmission device by the second terminal device. Further, the exchange includes a second terminal device and a terminal device to which the wireless signal transmission device (user) was previously close, that is, a terminal device (the first terminal) that received the optical signal including the same identifier immediately before (the first terminal device) A call setup is performed between the terminal device) and the partner communication node that has been transmitting data. In this way, the switch changes the call setting according to the identifier included in the optical signal, so that the user can move from one room to another.
Through the terminal device in the destination room, the same data as that received from the terminal device in the room before the movement can be received.

[0014] Further, the communication method according to the present invention transmits a first radio signal including an identifier to any one of a plurality of communication nodes and receives the first radio signal, Immediately before, a call is set up with the communication node of the communication partner of the radio signal including the same identifier, and data exchanged by the asynchronous transfer mode method is transmitted between the communication nodes having set up the call.

Preferably, the communication node that has received the first wireless signal transmits a second wireless signal including the transmitted predetermined data, and is included in the received second wireless signal. Receive and display data.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the home network 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the mobile station devices 18a and 18b shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a home network 2, a mobile station device 18a, 18b, and a mobile communication system 26 provided in a house of a general home. The mobile communication system 26 includes a public mobile communication network 22 and a public mobile communication base station 24. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Is comprised of a terminal unit (DSU) 10, an ATM switch 3, terminal devices 12a and 12b installed in each room in a house, a database device 14, and a wireless module 16. The terminal devices 12a and 12b include an ATM device 120, an MPEG2 encoder 122, an MPEG2 decoder 124, a control device 126 including a microprocessor and its peripheral circuits, and a video camera 128 connected to the MPEG2 encoder 122 and the MPEG2 decoder 124, respectively. And TV monitor device 13
It consists of 0.

The database device 14 comprises a storage device 140 and an ATM device 120. The wireless module 16 includes an ATM device 120, a wireless controller 160, a wireless transceiver 162, and an antenna 164.
Consists of As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile station device 18
a and 18b are a control device 180, a wireless transmitting and receiving unit 182,
Antenna 184, audio processing unit 186 having a pair of speakers (SP), GPS processing unit 188 having a GPS antenna, display control circuit 190, TV monitor device 192
And a storage unit 194. The storage unit 194 includes the memory circuit 196 and the CD drive 19
8, a magneto-optical disk drive device 200 and a hard disk drive (HDD) device 202.

The communication system 1 uses these components to transmit multimedia data supplied from the public mobile communication network 22 or stored in the database device 14 to the terminal devices 12a and 12b and the mobile station devices 18a and 1
8b share and provide to the user.

Hereinafter, each component of the communication system 1 will be described. The ATM exchange 3 exchanges data with each communication node by the ATM method and transmits the data. The ATM switch 3 is connected to the wireless module 16 and the home network 2.
It performs communication control with each internal communication node.

The mobile communication system 26 (FIG. 1) is, for example, a PHS (Personal Handy Phone System), and the public mobile communication network 22 is a public mobile communication base station 2.
4 and the home network 2.
The public mobile communication base station 24 transmits data at a transmission rate (64 kbps) between the home network 2 and the mobile station device 18b by the PHS method.

In the home network 2, the terminating device 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) terminates the public mobile communication network 22 of the mobile communication system 26 and transmits data to and from the ATM switch 3. The ATM switch 3 uses the ATM method
Data is exchanged and transmitted between the terminal device 10, the terminal devices 12a and 12b, the database device 14, and the wireless module 16.

In each of the terminal devices 12a and 12b, a control device 126 (FIG. 2) controls the operation of the MPEG2 encoder 122 and the MPEG2 decoder 124. Further, the control device 126 controls the ATM device 120 to control the communication with the ATM exchange 3 according to the ATM system. The ATM device 120 is connected to the control device 12
6. The communication control of the ATM system is performed according to the control of 6.
G2 encoder 122 and MPEG2 decoder 124
And the ATM exchange 3 for data transmission by the ATM method. The video camera 128 transmits audio and video data (audio and video data) photographed by the user, audio and video data received from a broadcasting satellite, or audio and video data for a videophone to the MPEG2 encoder 122. Output.

The MPEG2 encoder 122 converts the audio / video data input from the video camera 128 into an MPE
The data is compression-encoded by the G2 method and output to the ATM device 120. The MPEG2 decoder 124 decompresses and decodes the audio / video data of the satellite broadcast and the audio / video data of the videophone supplied via the mobile communication system 26 or the database device 14 according to the MPEG2 system, and displays them on the TV monitor 130. I do.

In the database device 14, the ATM device 120 transmits multimedia data between the storage device 140 and the ATM exchange 3 by the ATM method, as in the terminal devices 12a and 12b, and transmits the multimedia data to the mobile station device 18a. , 18b are within the communicable range of the wireless module 16 (position confirmation)
I do. The storage device 140 is supplied from the mobile communication system 26, for example, the terminal devices 12a and 12b and the wireless module 16 (hereinafter, also collectively referred to as a communication node) via the ATM switch 3, and is supplied to the mobile station device 18a, 18b, which stores map data and compressed audio / video data for the navigation system, and multimedia data including game software and educational software to be supplied to the terminal devices 12a and 12b. The stored data is reproduced and supplied as required.

For example, between the ATM exchange 3 and the terminal devices 12a and 12b, the database device 14, and the wireless module 16, data is transferred via a wired communication medium such as UTP or multimode optical fiber.
The transmission is performed at a high transmission rate such as 5 Mbps, 52 Mbps, or 25.6 Mbps (actually, the transmission rate of the terminal device). On the other hand, data is transmitted at a low transmission rate (64 kbps) between the mobile station device 18a and the wireless module 16 and between the public mobile communication base station 24 and the mobile station device 18b. Therefore, when transmitting audio / video data or the like requiring a transmission rate higher than 64 kbps to the wireless module 16 and the mobile communication system 26, the database device 14 may intermittently set the average transmission rate to 64 kbps or less, for example. , And supplies the data to other communication nodes over a longer period of time to compensate for transmission rate differences.

In the wireless module 16, the ATM device 120 transmits multimedia data between the ATM switch 3 and the wireless control device 160 according to the ATM system, as in the terminal devices 12 a and 12 b and the database device 14. The wireless control device 160 uses an ATM
It buffers data transmitted between the device 120 and the wireless transmission / reception unit 162, and adjusts the timing of transmitting data. Further, the wireless control device 160 controls the wireless transmitting / receiving unit 162 to perform communication control with the mobile station device 18a. The wireless transmission / reception unit 162 performs communication control according to the control of the wireless control device 160, and
8a, data transmission of 64 kbps is performed by the same communication method (PHS method) as that of the public mobile communication base station 24.

The mobile station devices 18a and 18b (FIG. 3) are, for example, multimedia terminal devices mounted on an automobile or the like, and transmit data between the wireless module 16 and the public mobile communication base station 24. And a function of using the received data to provide a navigation system service and audio / video to the user. In each of the mobile station devices 18a and 18b, the wireless transmitting / receiving unit 182
Performs communication control according to the control of the control device 180, and performs 64 kbps data transmission between the wireless module 16 and the public mobile communication base station 24.

The control unit 180 transmits the data received by the wireless transmission / reception unit 182 to the storage unit 194 according to the content.
Memory circuit 196, CD drive 198, magneto-optical disk drive (MD drive) 200 and H
The storage unit 194 stores the data in the DD device 202,
Memory circuit 196, CD drive device 198, magneto-optical disk drive device 200, and HDD device 202
(Hereinafter, these are also collectively referred to as a mobile station-side storage device.)
2 to the wireless module 16 and the public mobile communication base station 24.

Further, the control device 180 controls the mobile station device 18.
a, 18b, and controls the mobile station devices 18a, 18b based on the map data stored in the HDD device 202 and the position data detected by the GPS processing unit 188.
The navigation system generates service data for a navigation system that displays the position of b on the map and displays the position on the TV monitor device 192, and stores the data in the HDD device 202. The control device 18
0 controls the display control circuit 190 and the audio processing unit 186 to generate the service data for the navigation system, the data supplied from the home network 2, and the audio / video data reproduced from the storage device on the mobile station side. , And audio data of music and the like are displayed to the user via the display control circuit 190 and the speaker.

The operation of the communication system 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a communication sequence diagram at the time of performing position confirmation between the home network 2 and the mobile station device 18a within a communicable range with the wireless module 16 (FIGS. 1 and 2). As shown in FIG. 4, the database device 14 transmits the wireless module 1 through the ATM switch 3.
6 periodically (for example, every 10 minutes) to confirm whether the mobile station device 18a is out of the communicable range of the wireless module 16 or not.

Radio controller 1 instructed to perform position confirmation processing
60 controls the wireless transmission / reception unit 162 and
A position confirmation signal for instructing a to return a position confirmation acceptance signal is transmitted to the device a through the line communication line. The mobile station device 18a that has received this signal returns a position confirmation reception signal to the wireless module 16. The wireless module 16
When a position confirmation reception signal is received from the mobile station device 18a,
The received position confirmation reception signal is transmitted to the database device 14 via the ATM exchange 3. Database device 1
4 receives the position confirmation reception signal within a predetermined time after issuing the position confirmation signal, determines that the mobile station device 18a is within a range in which the mobile station device 18a can communicate with the wireless module 16.

FIG. 5 is a communication sequence diagram when the home network 2 (FIGS. 1 and 2) transmits data to the mobile station device 18a within a communication range with the wireless module 16. When the mobile station device 18a is within a range that can communicate with the wireless module 16, the database device 14
From another communication node (commander) to the mobile station device 18.
When there is an instruction to transmit data to a, the database device 14 sends a transmission request signal to the mobile station device 18a via the ATM switch 3 and the wireless module 16, as shown in FIG.

The mobile station device 18a that has received the transmission request signal from the wireless module 16 sends a transmission permission signal to the database device 14 via the wireless module 16 and the ATM switch 3. The database device 14 having received the transmission permission signal transmits data such as map data of the navigation system to the mobile station device 18a via the ATM exchange 3 and the wireless module 16, and when the data transmission is completed, the ATM exchange 3 and the A data end signal is transmitted via the wireless module 16.

The mobile station device 18a that has received the data end signal from the wireless module 16 returns a data end acceptance signal to the database device 14 via the wireless module 16 and the ATM switch 3. The mobile station device 18a activates a navigation system program from the CD drive device 19 and provides a navigation system service to the user using the received map data.

FIG. 6 shows the location confirmation between the home network 2 and the mobile station device 18b which is out of the communication range with the radio module 16 and within the communication range with the public mobile communication base station 24. FIG. 7 is a communication sequence diagram when performing the operation. As shown in FIG. 6, the database device 14
The mobile station device 18b is connected to the wireless control device 160 of the wireless module 16 via the M exchange 3 by the wireless module 1
Then, a position confirmation process for detecting whether or not it is out of the communicable range of step 6 is performed.

Radio control apparatus 1 instructed to perform position confirmation processing
60 controls the wireless transmission / reception unit 162 and
A position confirmation signal instructing b to return a position confirmation accepting signal is transmitted via the line communication line. In this case, the mobile station device 18b is located away from the home network 2, cannot receive the position confirmation signal from the wireless module 16, and does not return the position confirmation reception signal. Therefore, the database device 14 cannot receive the position confirmation signal within a certain period of time, and determines that the mobile station device 18b is out of the communicable range with the wireless module 16.

Next, the database device 14 makes a call to the mobile station device 18b via the ATM exchange 3, the terminating device 10, and the mobile communication system 26. The mobile communication system 26 sets a communication path between the mobile station device 18b and the home network 2. Further, the database device 14 sends a position confirmation signal to the mobile station device 18b via the mobile communication system 26. The mobile station device 18b that has received the position confirmation signal from the public mobile communication base station 24,
And the database device 14 via the ATM switch 3.
Returns the position confirmation reception signal to

The database device 14, which has received the position confirmation reception signal from the mobile station device 18b,
Is a mobile communication system 26 (public mobile communication base station 2).
4) It is determined that it is within the communication range. When it is determined that the mobile station device 18b is out of the communication range with the wireless module 16 and is also in the communication range with the mobile communication system 26, the database device 14 transmits the data to the mobile station device 18b. In doing so, a call is made to the mobile station device 18b via the mobile communication system 26,
Data transmission is performed via the mobile communication system 26.

As described above, according to the communication system 1, as long as the mobile station devices 18a and 18b are within the communication range with the radio module 16 and the mobile communication system 26, the vehicle-mounted device and the home network 2 All of the internal communication nodes can be operated in coordination, and data can be shared between all the communication nodes and made accessible.

Further, according to the communication system 1, multimedia data such as map data of the navigation system is transferred between the mobile station devices 18a and 18b and the home network 2 via a recording medium such as a CD or a memory card. Instead, it can be transmitted in both directions. Further, in the house, the user prepares each data of the scheduled route, the checkpoint on the map, and the schedule to be used for the next day's drive trip by using the navigation program of the database device 14, and the mobile station device 18a , 18b
Can be downloaded to the HDD device 202 or the like and used.

In general, transmission of audio / video data requires real-time properties (real-time properties), and when the transmission rate is high, for example, when music compressed audio data is reproduced from a magneto-optical disk, the transmission rate is about It is about 300 kbps. On the other hand, the transmission rate between the wireless module 16 and the public mobile communication base station 24 and the mobile station devices 18a and 18b is considerably low, such as 64 kbps when the PHS is used as the mobile communication system 26. become. Therefore, it is currently impossible for the mobile station devices 18a and 18b to receive and output audio data from the home network 2 in real time.

However, as described above, this problem is solved by reproducing the data stored in the database device 14 so as to reduce the transmission speed and transmitting the data to the mobile station devices 18a and 18b. Can be.
To explain with a specific example, 300 kbps for one hour
Is reproduced from the database device 14 during the night of 5 to 6 hours when the user is sleeping, and the mobile station device 18 is reproduced.
a and 18b. Therefore,
In the morning when the user starts the activity, the mobile station devices 18a, 1
Since the download of the audio data to 8b has been completed, there is no practical problem. In addition, wireless microphones,
There is a transmission device using an FM radio wave and having a transmission rate of 10 kbps or less. Such an FM transmitting apparatus is connected to the mobile station apparatus 18.
When applied to data transmission between the terminal devices 12a and 12b and the terminal devices 12a and 12b, FM tuners provided in most automobiles can be used as receiving devices on the mobile station devices 18a and 18b, which is advantageous in cost. Becomes

In the communication system 1, when the mobile station devices 18 a and 18 b are in a range where the mobile station devices 18 a and 18 b can communicate with the wireless module 16, the mobile station devices 18 a and 18 b and the home Since data is transmitted to and from the network 2, the communication system 1 is more advantageous in terms of communication costs than a case where data is always transmitted via the mobile communication system 26.

As a communication system for transmitting data in the home network 2, in addition to the ATM system, for example,
Other schemes such as the EEE1394 scheme can be used. The mobile station devices 18a and 18b and the terminal device 1
The number of 2a and 12b is not limited to two each, and a single
More than one. In the first embodiment, the case where the home network 2 is used for the communication system 1 has been described. However, instead of using the home network 2, communication is performed using an in-house network or another network system for a common carrier. It goes without saying that the system 1 can be configured and the application of the communication system 1 is not limited to home use.

In addition to transmitting data from the database device 14 to the mobile station devices 18a and 18b, the mobile communication system 26 and the terminal devices 12a and 12b
b, database device 14 and mobile station device 18a, 1
It is needless to say that data can be transmitted in both directions between 8b.

As the mobile communication system 26, P
It is also possible to use a communication network other than the HS, for example, a communication network of a mobile phone system. Further, between the wireless module 16 and the mobile station device 18a, data can be transmitted using a wireless communication line using an infrared signal in addition to a wireless communication line using a radio signal. Also,
The communication system 1 may be configured so that the database device 14 does not perform the position confirmation processing, but another communication node or the ATM switch 3 performs the position confirmation processing.

Second Embodiment A detailed configuration and operation of the ATM switch 3 of the communication system 1 shown in FIG. 2 will be described below as a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ATM switch 3 (FIG. 2) according to the present invention in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the ATM switch 3 includes a switching unit 42 and an input / output port unit 44. The input / output port unit 44 includes input / output interfaces 440a to 440d.
And the input / output interfaces 440a-44
0d is a physical media device (PMD) 44
2 and a physical layer device 444. In addition,
In FIG. 7, the input / output interfaces 440b to 440b-4
Reference numerals of the physical media device 442 and the physical layer device 444 of 40d are omitted for simplification of illustration.

The exchange unit 42 includes an input control unit 42
0, header extraction / address conversion memory interface section 422, address translation memory section 424, output control section 426, congestion processing / priority processing section 428, signaling cell buffers 430 and 434, CPU interface 432, microprocessor (CPU), memory and The control unit 436 and the output buffer 438 are configured by these peripheral circuits. The ATM exchange 3 uses these components to exchange ATM cells among the terminating device 10, terminal devices 12a and 12b, database device 14, and wireless module 16 (communication node) connected to the input / output port unit 44. Do.

The components of the ATM switch 3 will be described below. Input / output interface 4 of input / output port unit 44
In each of the 40a to 440d, the physical media device 442 has, for example, a transmission rate of 25.6 Mbp.
s, 52 Mbps, 155 Mbps ATM communication node is an unshielded twisted pair cable (UTP; uns
They are connected via a predetermined communication medium such as a hielded twisted pair cable).

The physical media device 442 reproduces an ATM cell from a transmission signal input from a connected communication node and outputs the ATM cell to the physical layer device 444.
The physical media device 442 converts an ATM cell input from the physical layer device 444 into a transmission signal suitable for a communication medium, and transmits the signal.

The physical layer device 444 is an ATM input / output between the exchange unit 42 and the physical media device 442.
Performs input / output processing for cells. That is, the physical layer device 444 converts the ATM cell input from the physical media device 442 from serial format to data in units of cells (53 bytes), further multiplexes the data, and sends the data to the input control unit 420 of the input / output port unit 44. Output. Also, the physical layer device 444 converts the multiplexed data in cell units from the output buffer 438 into a serial AT.
The data is converted into M data and output to the physical media device 442.

In the switching section 42, the input control section 420 operates as a physical layer device 444 of the input / output port section 44.
Buffering the ATM cells input from the ATM cell, and inputting the input port identifier indicating which of the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d (input / output ports) the buffered ATM cells have been accepted, into the header error control information of the header of the ATM cells. (HEC; headder error contr
ol) and output to the header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422.

The header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422 includes a virtual path identifier (VPI) and a virtual channel identifier (VCI) included in the header of the ATM cell input from the input control unit 420. )
And an input port identifier are extracted and output to the address translation memory unit 424. The header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422 replaces the new virtual path identifier and virtual channel identifier (VPI '/ VCI') input from the address translation memory unit 424 with the original VPI / VCI, and furthermore, the ATM. Routing information indicating input / output interfaces 440a to 440d that output cells and identifiers such as congestion control / priority control are added, and output to the output control unit 426.

The address translation memory unit 424 performs a routing process for ATM cells. That is, the address translation memory unit 424 stores the VPI / VCI input from the header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422.
VPI / VCI and an input port identifier entered for each connection, and a table in which VPI '/ VCI' and routing information are associated with each other based on the input port identifier and VPI / VCI.
The VCI is translated, a new virtual path identifier, a new virtual channel identifier (VPI '/ VCI') and routing information are generated, and output to the header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422.

The address translation memory unit 424 generates an input port identifier which is input from the control unit 436 via the CPU interface 432 as needed and indicates an identifier used for priority control / congestion control for ATM cells. , To the header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422. Note that, when a signaling cell used for call setting processing is input from the input / output control unit 20, the address translation memory unit 424
The VPI '/ VCI' is generated so that the signaling cell is routed to the signaling cell buffer 430.

The output control unit 426 performs exchange processing by allocating ATM cells input from the header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422 to the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d based on the routing information. Further, the output control unit 426 performs priority control and congestion control based on the identifier added to the ATM cell, multiplexes the multiplexed data, and outputs the multiplexed data to the input control unit 3 of the input / output control unit 20 via the output buffer 438.
4 is output. When a signaling cell for call setting processing is input from the header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422, the output control unit 426 transmits the signaling cell to the control unit 436 via the signaling cell buffer 430 and the CPU interface 432. Output to

The control unit 436 adds, deletes, and deletes the storage contents (entries) of the address translation memory unit 424 based on the call setting information included in the signaling cell input via the signaling cell buffer 430 and the CPU interface 432. Perform an update. Further, control unit 436 generates a signaling cell for call setting as necessary, and outputs the generated signaling cell to output control unit 426 via CPU interface 432 and signaling cell buffer 434.

The operation of the ATM switch 3 will be described below.
Each time there is a call setting request, a termination request, and the like from a communication node connected to the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d of the input / output port unit 44 (FIG. 7), the control unit 436 of the switching unit 42 performs a call setting process. An entry in the address translation memory unit 424 is added or updated. Each of the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d receives an ATM cell from the communication node and outputs the ATM cell to the switching unit 42.

In the exchange section 42, the input control section 420 includes input / output interfaces 440a to 440d.
Buffering the ATM cells input from, and further adding an input port identifier. The header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422 extracts the VPI / VCI and the input port identifier of the ATM cell,
Output to the address translation memory unit 424.

The address translation memory unit 424 searches the table based on the VPI / VCI and the input port identifier input from the header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422, and furthermore, the VPI '/ VC
Generate I 'and routing information. The header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422 stores the VPI '/ VC generated by the address translation memory unit 424.
I ′ and VPI / VCI are exchanged, and routing information is added to the ATM cell.

The output control unit 426 assigns the ATM cells to the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d based on the routing information added to the ATM cells, and outputs the ATM cells to the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d via the output buffer 438. . The input / output interfaces 440a to 440d output the ATM cells input from the output control unit 426 to the communication nodes.

By configuring the ATM exchange 3 as described above, the capacity and the number of translation memories can be reduced. Therefore, the ATM switch 3 can be manufactured at low cost and is suitable as a small-capacity and home ATM switch. The ATM switch 3 can be configured such that the input port and the output port are separated.

Third Embodiment Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an M cell. As shown in FIG.
The M cell is composed of 53 bytes, the first 5 bytes are used as a header, the next 48 bytes are used as a payload, and the fifth byte of the header is a header error control (HEC; hea).
Used as data for der error control).

The HEC usually contains a 1-byte CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Code) and is used for error control of other header data and for specifying the position of the ATM cell in the data string. However, inside the ATM switch,
Within an LSI used in a TM exchange, the probability that an error will occur in header data can be virtually ignored. Further, the position of the ATM cell in the data string is also specified. Therefore, in practice, the HEC is not often used inside the ATM exchange.

ATM switch 3 shown in the second embodiment
When a translation memory is provided in common for each input port as in (FIG. 7), the VPI /
VCI and input port identifier, VPI '/ VCI'
In order to search a table in which ATM cells and routing information are associated, it is necessary to associate ATM cells with input port identifiers and input them to the translation memory.

In this case, the continuous AT shown in FIG.
When control data (input port identifier) is inserted between M cells, as indicated by a symbol a in FIG. 9B, the data length becomes longer and extra time is required for processing. Will be. Such a problem similarly occurs when an identifier for congestion control / priority control is inserted into a column of ATM cells. Hereinafter, in the third embodiment, the input port identifier, the identifier for congestion control / priority control, etc.
A modification of the operation of the ATM switch 3 which prevents the adverse effects that occur when data for control is inserted into a row of continuous ATM cells (FIG. 9 (B)) by being added to the HEC position of the M cell. An example will be described.

Each time there is a call setting request and a termination request from a communication node connected to the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d of the input / output port unit 44 (FIG. 7), the control unit 436 of the switching unit 42 executes the call setting process. To add / update entries in the address translation memory unit 424. The input / output interfaces 440a to 440d are respectively
The ATM cell is received from the communication node and output to the switching unit.

In the exchange section 42, as shown in FIG. 9 (A), the input control section 420 receives the A continuously input from the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d.
The TM cell is buffered, and an input port identifier is added to the ATM cell at the position of the HEC, as indicated by reference numeral c in FIG. 9C. The header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422 extracts the VPI / VCI from the ATM cell header and the input port identifier from the HEC position of the header, and outputs them to the address translation memory unit 424.

The address translation memory section 424 searches the table based on the VPI / VCI and the input port identifier input from the header extraction / address conversion memory interface section 422, and furthermore, VPI '/ VC
Generate I 'and routing information. The header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit 422 stores the VPI '/ VC generated by the address translation memory unit 424.
I ′ is replaced with the original VPI / VCI, and the routing information is inserted at the HEC position of the ATM cell.

The output control unit 426 converts the ATM cell into input / output interfaces 440a to 440a-4 based on the routing information added as HEC to the ATM cell.
40d, and output to the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d via the output buffer 438. Since the output buffer 438 buffers the ATM cells from the output control unit 426 according to the priority order of each input / output port, it is not necessary to add special control data to the HEC. The input / output interfaces 440a to 440d are connected to the continuous ATM input from the output control unit 426 as shown in FIG.
Output the cell to the communication node.

As described above, according to the modification of the operation of the ATM exchange 3 (FIG. 7) in the third embodiment,
In the ATM exchange, redundant communication processing time can be eliminated, and ATM cells can be exchanged at high speed.
In addition to input port identifiers and the like, arbitrary data of up to 1 byte can be added to the HEC.

Fourth Embodiment Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The home network described in the fourth embodiment is the home network 2 shown in the first to third embodiments.
The configuration of the ATM switch 3 (FIG. 7 and the like) in (FIGS. 1 and 2) is changed, and for example, homes such as an alarm clock, a temperature sensor, and a remote switch used to turn ON / OFF a lighting device or an air conditioner are used. A large number of devices can be connected to a bus.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the home network 4 according to the present invention in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ATM switch 6 and the protocol converter 600 shown in FIG. Note that FIG.
11, among the components of the home network 4, the same components as those of the communication system 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the like are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 10, the home network 4 includes a home network 2 having an ATM switch 6 obtained by modifying the ATM switch 3 (FIG. 2), a commercial power bus 5, and a protocol converter 600. Be composed.
The commercial power bus system 5 includes power plugs 52a to 52
f, a commercial power cable 54, a switchboard 56, a coffee pot 58, a clock 60 having an alarm function, a refrigerator 62, a lighting device 64, and household appliances connected to the commercial power cable 54 such as an air conditioner 66 by a bus. .

As shown in FIG. 11, the protocol converter 6
00 is a power supply 604, a transformer 60
6, filter 608, bus receiver 610, S
It comprises an S receiver (ss receiver) 612, an SS transmitter 614 and a bus driver 616.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the timepiece 60 shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, among the components of the clock 60, the protocol converter 600 shown in FIG.
The same components as those in the above are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 12, the clock 60 includes a protocol converter 600 and a control unit 620.
Reference numeral 20 denotes a control circuit 622 including a microprocessor and its peripheral circuits, an operation panel 624, a display panel 626, and a buzzer 628 for wake-up. That is, the clock 60 adopts a configuration in which the protocol converter 600 is added to a general multifunctional alarm clock. In addition,
Although only the configuration of the clock 60 is illustrated in FIG. 12, the coffee pot 58, the refrigerator 62, the lighting fixture 64, and the air conditioner 66 are also similar to the clock 60 to these general devices.
A configuration is adopted in which a protocol converter 600 is added and data can be transmitted to and from the ATM exchange 6 via the commercial power cable 54.

Hereinafter, each component of the home network 4 will be described. In the protocol converter 600, the power supply 604 supplies operating power to each component of the protocol converter 600, devices connected to the protocol converter 600, and the like. The bus receiver 610 receives an analog transmission signal of a spread spectrum (SS) system, which is input from the commercial power cable 54 via the power plug 52 and the transformer 606 and has an unnecessary frequency component removed by the filter 608, and 612.

The SS receiving section 612 demodulates the transmission signal input from the SS receiving section 612 in accordance with the SS system, and connects the home device to the ATM switch 6 via the commercial power cable 54.
, And outputs the data to the control unit 436 of the ATM exchange 6, the control circuit 622 of the clock 60, and the like. The SS transmission unit 614 is provided for the ATM switch 6
The data input from the control unit 436 or the control circuit 622 of the clock 60 is modulated by the SS method to generate a transmission signal and output to the bus driver 616. The bus driver 616 outputs the transmission signal input from the SS transmission unit 614 to the commercial power cable 54 via the filter 608, the transformer 606, and the power plug 52.

The SS receiving unit 612 and the SS transmitting unit 614 cooperate with each other to detect a collision of a transmission packet in the commercial power cable 54, and perform CSMA / CD (carrier detection) in the same manner as in Ethernet (ether net). Communication control such as retransmission of data is performed by a multiple access / collision detection) method.

FIGS. 13A to 13C show the ATM exchange 6
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing data transmitted between the home device and a home appliance via a commercial power cable 54. Commercial power cable 5
The data (user information) transmitted between the ATM switch 6 and the home device via the communication device 4 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
And contains the address of the device that sent the data (source address), the address of the device to which the data is sent (destination address), and the data body (transmission data) to be transmitted. The packet shown in FIG. 13A is assembled into the transmission format shown in FIG. 13B, and is further accommodated in the payload portion of the transmission packet shown in FIG.
Is transmitted via

As shown in FIG. 11, the ATM switch 6 adds a change to the control unit 436 of the ATM switch 3 (FIGS. 2 and 7) so that data can be transmitted to and received from the protocol converter 600. Configuration. ATM switch 6
Similarly to the TM exchange 3, data is exchanged between the terminal devices 12a, 12b and the like by the ATM method.
The user information from the home device input by the user is exchanged with another home device and the terminal devices 12a and 12b. The control unit 436 transmits data to and from home devices connected to the commercial power bus system 5 via the protocol converter 600, and controls these devices as necessary.

In the clock 60, the control circuit 622 measures the time, displays it on the display panel 626, and further realizes an alarm clock function such as sounding a buzzer 628 at the time set from the operation panel 624. The control circuit 622 is connected to another device connected to the home network 4 via the protocol converter 600, for example, the terminal 12
Data transmission is performed with the communication device a and the like, and based on the data received from the ATM exchange 6, control such as stopping the buzzer 628 and changing the wake-up time is performed.

Hereinafter, the operation of the home network 4 will be described. In accordance with operation data input to the ATM switch 6 by the user via the terminal 12a or the like, the control unit 436 of the ATM switch 6 transmits data to the clock 60 to the protocol converter 600 and the address of the clock 60. Is output. The SS transmission unit 614 of the protocol converter 600 includes:
The data and address input from the control unit 436 and the address of the ATM switch 6 are accommodated in the packet shown in FIG. 13A, and further assembled into the transmission format shown in FIG. The packet is accommodated in the transmission packet shown in FIG. 13C and a transmission signal is generated.

The transmission signal generated by SS transmitting section 614 is
The data is transmitted to the commercial power cable 54 via the filter 608 and the like by the bus driver 616. Note that the SS receiving unit 6
12, the transmission signal from the commercial power cable 54 (FIG. 13) is used when the SS transmission unit 614 attempts to transmit the transmission signal.
The user information is reproduced by demodulating (c)), the transmission source address thereof is checked, and it is detected whether or not the transmission signals of the ATM switch 6 and other home appliances are transmitted to the commercial power cable 54. . The SS transmission unit 614 transmits a transmission signal only during a period in which a transmission signal from the ATM switch 6 or another household device is not detected to be transmitted to the commercial power cable 54.

In the clock 60, the SS receiving section 612
The transmission signal received by the bus receiver 610 via the filter 608 or the like is demodulated by the SS method, the original user information (FIGS. 13A and 13B) is reproduced, and the clock 60 is added to the destination address of the user information. Is output to the control circuit 622 only when the address is included.
22 performs processing such as stopping the sound of the buzzer 628 based on the transmission data included in the user information input from the SS receiving unit 612.

Note that the above-described procedure is performed by
By performing the reverse operation with the TM exchange 6, data can be transmitted from the clock 60 to the terminal 12a or the like via the ATM exchange 6. In addition, data transmission between the home device (the coffee pot 58 and the like) other than the clock 60 and the ATM exchange 6 can be performed in the same manner according to the procedure described above. The transmission signal transmitted from the ATM exchange 6 to the clock 60 is also received by the protocol converter 600 of another household device (such as the coffee pot 58). However, since the SS receiving unit 612 checks the destination address of the user information and inputs it to the control device only when the destination address indicates the device, the data may malfunction in the home device other than the destination. It does not cause it.

If the ATM switch 6 and the SS transmitters 614 of a plurality of home appliances simultaneously transmit transmission signals to the commercial power cable 54, the data will be corrupted. However, the SS receiving section 612 of the transmission source apparatus receives the transmission signal transmitted by the SS transmission section 614 of the same apparatus at the same time as the transmission, and checks the frame check sequence included in the user information shown in FIG. (FCS) can be used to detect data errors. Therefore, the SS receiver 612
If a data error is detected, it can be determined that a collision of transmission signals has occurred, and the SS transmission unit 614 transmits the same transmission signal again after a certain period of time to reliably transmit data to the destination device. Can be transmitted.

As described above, the home network 4 according to the present invention requires a very small amount of generated data or data required for control, and requires real-time performance for data transmission as compared with AV equipment. It is possible to transmit data at a transmission rate of about 10 kbps between home appliances such as a clock 60 that does not need to be provided, and to provide a user with a detailed service. Specifically, for example, the clock 60 or the like is an ATM.
Since data can be transmitted to and from other home appliances via the exchange 6, a cooperative operation such as linking the control of the power supply of the coffee pot 58 and the air conditioner 66 to the wake-up time set in the clock 60 is realized. And the convenience of the user can be achieved.

Further, the household equipment connected to the commercial power cable 54 can receive the power supply together with the data from the commercial power cable 54, so that it is easy to add or delete the household equipment. In addition, the commercial power bus system 5
The data transmission by the SS method via the
As low as about 0 kbps, it is not suitable for transmission of data requiring high speed and real time such as audio / video data. However, the ATM switch 6 accommodates the terminal devices 12a, 12b and the like together with the commercial power bus system 5, and high-speed data transmission can be performed via the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d of the ATM switch 6.

In the home network 4,
Since the household equipment can be connected to the ATM exchange 6 via a bus via the commercial power cable 54, there is no need to install expensive ATM communication media such as expensive POF in the home. There is no need to provide a physical layer device for the ATM system for each device. Therefore, the home network 4 can be manufactured at low cost, and it is not necessary to allocate the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d of the ATM switch 6 for each home device, and the home network 4 can be manufactured with very little investment. Can be introduced in the home.

FIG. 14 shows a protocol converter 600 (FIG. 1).
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modified example (1). Further, as shown in FIG. 14, instead of the protocol converter 600, a protocol converter 70 obtained by adding an ATM physical layer 700 having the same function as the physical layer device 444 (FIG. 7) to the protocol converter 600 is used. The data input from the protocol converter 600 is accommodated in an ATM cell and the ATM switch 6
To the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d, and vice versa.
The data can be separated from the ATM cells supplied from the ATM converter and supplied to the protocol converter 600. The protocol converter 70 may be used in place of the protocol converter 600 in FIGS. 10 and 11 to connect the commercial power bus system 5 to the input / output interfaces 440a to 440d.

Each component of the home network 4 may be constituted by software or hardware as long as equivalent functions can be realized. Also, the coffee pot 58, the clock 60, the refrigerator 62, and the like shown in the commercial power cable 54, and the fourth
It is needless to say that these cooperative operations shown in the embodiment are only examples, and other home devices can be connected to realize the cooperative operation of other home devices.

Fifth Embodiment Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG.
It is a figure which illustrates the structure of the home network 8 in 5th Embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the home network 8 includes an ATM switch 3 or an ATM switch 6, a database device 14, a wireless module 16, and a TV monitor device 130, respectively. It comprises a set of terminal devices 80a to 80c and a remote controller 82.

For example, when the user enters the database device 14
While viewing the audio / video data supplied by the terminal device 80a via the terminal device 80a placed in the room A, the user moves to the room B and supplies the same audio / video data to the terminal device 8a.
0b. In such a case, the users of the home networks 2 and 4 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 10 operate the ATM exchange through the terminal device in the destination room to store the database and the terminal device in the destination room. It is necessary to execute a procedure for setting up a call between the server and the server.

On the other hand, for example, in a conventional analog cable television (CATV) system, since the same plurality of channels of audio and video signals are supplied to the terminal device in each room, the user switches between rooms. However, it is not necessary to perform the call setting operation every time. In other words, the home networks 2 and 4 require extra work for the user as compared with the conventional CATV system and the like, in that the call setting operation must be performed every time the user changes rooms.

The home network 8 shown in the fifth embodiment is similar to the home networks 2 and 4 (FIGS. 2 and 1).
In order to solve the problem of 0), even if the user moves from one room to another, the same data as in the room before the movement is obtained simply by starting up the terminal device using the remote controller in the destination room. , So that the user does not need to perform extra work such as call setting.

FIG. 16 shows the terminal device 80 shown in FIG.
3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating configurations of a remote controller and a remote controller. FIG. 16 shows the terminal devices 80a and 80
Although only the configuration of “b” is shown, the configuration of the terminal device 80c is the same. Also, in FIG.
terminal devices 12a and 12b out of the components of a and 80b
The same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 16, terminal devices 80a-8
0c respectively replaces the control device 126 of the terminal devices 12a and 12b (FIG. 2) with the control device 132, and further connects the control device 132 with the optical receiving unit 134 and the optical transmitting unit 136. In addition to the functions of the devices 12a and 12b, it has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the remote controller 82 using an optical signal such as infrared light.

The ATM exchange 62 comprises an optical receiver 820, a control device 822 including a microprocessor and its peripheral circuits, an operation panel 826 provided with a plurality of operation buttons, an LCD display, and the like. Display device
(MONITOR) 828, optical transmitting section 830, wireless transmitting / receiving section 83
2 and an antenna 834, a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the terminal devices 80a to 80c placed in each room by using an optical signal that does not reach beyond the room. Using radio signals that reach beyond
For example, it has a function of transmitting and receiving data to and from the wireless module 16 using the same communication method as the PHS.

In the terminal devices 80a to 80c, the control device 132 has an ATM, similar to the control device 126 (FIG. 2).
On the basis of data input from the exchanges 3 and 6 and data input directly by the user or using the remote controller 82, the terminal devices 80a to 80c
Of each component is controlled. In addition, the control device 132 transmits data (such as an identifier uniquely assigned to the remote controller 82) included in the optical signal received from the remote controller 82 via the optical receiving unit 134 to the terminal devices 80a to 80a.
80c together with the terminal identifier uniquely assigned to each of them, is output to the ATM exchanges 3 and 6 via the ATM device 120. Further, the control device 132 outputs to the remote controller 82 an optical signal including data transmitted from another communication node such as the ATM switches 3 and 6 and the database device 14 via the ATM device 120.

In the remote controller 82, the wireless transmission / reception unit 832 communicates with the wireless module 16 (FIG. 15) and the control
2 to transmit data. The control device 822 includes data input by the user via the operation panel 826,
In addition, each component of the remote controller 82 is controlled based on data input from the terminal devices 80a to 80c.

The control device 822 includes an optical receiving unit 820
Included in the optical signals received from the terminal devices 80a to 80c via the data (data indicating the title and elapsed time of the audio / video data supplied from the database device 14,
And terminal identifiers of the terminal devices 80a to 80c)
The information is displayed on the display device 828. Further, the control device 822 includes:
An optical signal including the operation data input to the operation panel 826 by the user and an identifier (remote controller identifier) unique to the remote controller 82 is transmitted to the terminal device 80a.
To 80c.

Further, the control device 822 controls
32 and the wireless module 16 via the antenna 834.
The data contained in the radio signal received from the
28. Further, the control device 822 outputs a radio signal including the operation data and the remote controller identifier input to the operation panel 826 by the user to the wireless module 16.

In the following, in room A, a user who has been supplied with audio / video data from database device 14 via terminal device 80a moves to room B and receives audio / video data supplied in room A. The operation of the home network 8 will be described, taking as an example a case where the subsequent supply of data is received via the terminal device 80b.

First, the operation when communication is performed between the remote controller 82 and the terminal device 80b using an optical signal such as infrared light will be described. The user outputs to the terminal device 80a, for example, data using the remote controller 82 to activate the TV monitor device 130 of the terminal device 80a and an optical signal including the remote controller identifier of the remote controller 82. . Further, the user transmits data indicating audio / video data to be requested to be supplied to the database device 14 and an optical signal including a control signal for requesting a connection between the database device 14 and the terminal device 80a. 80a.

In response to this optical signal, the terminal device 80a
In addition to activating the TV monitor device 130, data indicating audio / video data requested to be supplied to the database devices 14 from the ATM exchanges 3 and 6, and connection between the database devices 14 and the terminal device 80a Is output. Further, the terminal device 80a
Outputs an optical signal including confirmation data indicating that the optical signal has been received to the remote controller 82.
The remote controller 82 displays confirmation data included in the optical signal received from the terminal device 80a on the display device 828.

The ATM exchanges 3, 6 control the database device 14 in response to the control signal from the terminal device 80a, and reproduce the audio / video data requested by the terminal device 80a (remote controller 82). Furthermore, A
The TM exchanges 3, 6 connect the database device 14 and the terminal device 80a, and supply the data reproduced by the database device 14 to the terminal device 80a. The control units 436 of the ATM exchanges 3 and 6 include an address translation memory unit 424
(FIG. 7) stores the remote controller identifier of the remote controller 82 and the terminal identifier of the terminal device 80a in association with each other. The terminal device 80a is a TV monitor device 1
The audio / video data supplied to 30 is displayed.

The user moves to the room B and operates the operation panel 826 of the remote controller 82 to transmit an optical signal including a remote controller identifier of the remote controller 82 and data for instructing the TV monitor device 130 to start. This is transmitted to the terminal device 80b. The terminal device 80b outputs the remote controller identifier of the remote controller 82 and the terminal identifier of the terminal device 80b included in the received optical signal to the ATM switches 3 and 6.

The control units 436 of the ATM exchanges 3 and 6, which have received the remote controller identifier of the remote controller 82 from the terminal device 80a,
24 (FIG. 7), it is detected that the remote controller 82 (user) has moved from near the terminal device 80a (room A) to near the terminal device 80b, and the database device 14 and the terminal device 80a A call setting process is performed to change the connection set between the terminal device 8 and the connection between the database device 14 and the terminal device 80b.
The audio / video data from the database device 14 supplied to the terminal device 0a is supplied to the terminal device 80b.

The terminal device 80b transmits the audio / video data supplied from the ATM exchanges 3 and 6 to the TV monitor device 130.
To be displayed. Since the optical signal does not pass through the wall of the room, as described above, the ATM switches 3 and 6 only identify the terminal devices 80a to 80c that have received the optical signal instructing the activation of the TV monitor device 130, It is possible to specify which room the user has moved to and perform a connection change process.

Next, the operation in the case of performing communication using a radio signal between the remote controller 82 and the terminal device 80b will be described. The user uses, for example, the remote controller 82 to operate the TV monitor device 1 of the terminal device 80a.
30 is started, data indicating audio / video data requesting the database device 14 to be supplied, and a radio signal including a control signal requesting a connection between the database device 14 and the terminal device 80a. Output to the wireless module 16.

Radio module 16 receives a radio signal from remote controller 82 and outputs data included in the radio signal to ATM exchanges 3 and 6. Further, the wireless module 16 includes a remote controller 82
, A radio signal including confirmation data indicating that the radio signal has been received is output. Remote controller 82
Displays on the display device 828 confirmation data included in the radio signal received from the wireless module 16.

The ATM exchanges 3 and 6 include the wireless module 1
The terminal device 80a is controlled in accordance with the data input from 6 to activate the TV monitor device 130, and the database device 14 is controlled to reproduce the requested audio / video data. Further, the ATM switches 3, 6 connect the database device 14 and the terminal device 80a, and supply the data reproduced by the database device 14 to the terminal device 80a. The terminal device 80a displays the audio / video data supplied to the TV monitor device 130.

The user moves to the room B, operates the operation panel 826 of the remote controller 82, receives an optical signal including the terminal identifier of the terminal device 80b, and receives the terminal identifier of the received terminal device 80b, and TV monitor device 1
A radio signal including data instructing the activation of the wireless module 30 is transmitted to the wireless module 16. Wireless module 1
6 outputs the received data to the ATM exchanges 3 and 6.

The ATM exchanges 3 and 6, which have received the data from the wireless module 16, control the terminal device 80b and
The V monitor device 130 is activated, and the database device 14
A call setting process is performed to change the connection set between the terminal device 80a and the terminal device 80a to a connection between the database device 14 and the terminal device 80b. Is supplied to the terminal device 80b.

The terminal device 80b transmits the audio / video data supplied from the ATM exchanges 3 and 6 to the TV monitor device 130.
To be displayed. Since the radio signal passes through the wall of the room unlike the optical signal, the wireless module 16 can receive the radio signal transmitted from an arbitrary position in the home. Therefore, by outputting a radio signal from the remote controller 82, the user can access the AT from an arbitrary position in the home.
The connection between the M exchanges 3 and 6 can be changed.

Note that a connector is provided in each room instead of the terminal devices 80a to 80c, and the TV monitor device 13 of each room is provided.
The home network 8 may be configured by adding the functions of the terminal devices 80 a to 80 c to the home network 8. In addition, the voice from the database device 14 is transmitted using the remote controller 82.
The terminal devices 80a to 80c that supply the video data can be changed, and the terminal devices 80a to 80c that supply the audio / video data output from the video camera 128 to the database device 14 can be changed by the same processing. It goes without saying that it can be done. When communication is performed between the remote controller 82 and the wireless module 16 using a radio signal, for example, the user in the room A receives audio / video supplied from the database device 14 to the terminal device 80b in the room B. An operation such as performing an operation such as displaying data can be realized.

Sixth Embodiment Hereinafter, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2, FIG.
0, home networks 2, 4, 8 shown in FIG.
Includes, as a component, an ATM switch, a device that is not familiar to ordinary household users. However, it is not possible to expect users of ordinary households to have specialized knowledge of the ATM switch, and maintenance by a third party having specialized knowledge is required. Communication system 9 described in the sixth embodiment
From such a point of view, the configuration is made such that maintenance and upgrading of the ATM exchange can be performed by a specialized trader via the public network, and unauthorized access to the ATM exchange by a third party can be prevented.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 9 according to the present invention in the sixth embodiment. 17, the same components as those of the communication system 1 and the home network 4 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 10, etc. are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 17, the communication system 9 includes a home network 9.
2. It is composed of a public network 96 such as an ISDN network capable of data transmission, and a maintenance device 90 provided in, for example, an equipment maintenance company and having a maintenance function and a function of outputting data to the home network 92. Home Network 9
2 is a terminal device 10, terminal devices 12a and 12b, a database device 14, a wireless module 16, and an ATM
It comprises an ATM switch 94 in which a self-diagnosis function and a remote maintenance function are added to the switches 3, 6 (FIGS. 2, 7, and 10).

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG.
The remote maintenance process for the ATM switch 94 in the above will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a signal sequence in the remote maintenance processing of the communication system 9 shown in FIG. AT
The control unit 436 (FIG. 7) of the M exchange 94 activates a self-diagnosis program periodically or in response to an abnormal interrupt from the component in which the abnormality has occurred, thereby causing a failure (abnormality) in the component. ) Is automatically detected (S01). When a failure is detected, the ATM
The exchange 94 makes a call to the maintenance device 90 registered in the address translation memory unit 424 or the like in advance to the public network 96, and sends a failure report including data indicating the content of the abnormality via the public network 96. It is transmitted to the maintenance device 90 (S02).

The maintenance device 90 receives the failure report from the ATM switch 94 (S03). The maintenance device 90
For example, the history of the failure of the ATM switch 94 and the information from the user are stored in the database, and the maintenance device 90 receiving the failure report searches the database based on the failure report from the ATM switch 94 (S0).
4).

The maintenance device 90, for example, based on the search result of the database and the analysis result of the data included in the failure report from the ATM switch 94, for example, AT
If an error in the setting data for the components of the M exchange 94 is detected, and if the detected abnormality can be remotely maintained, data (maintenance data) for eliminating the abnormality of the ATM exchange 94 is generated (S05). ). When the generation of the maintenance data is completed, the maintenance device 90 transmits a remote maintenance permission application signal for requesting permission of access for remote maintenance to the ATM exchange 94 via the public network 96 (S06).

The ATM exchange 94 receives the remote maintenance permission application signal transmitted by the maintenance device 90 (S
07). The ATM switch 94 informs the terminal devices 12a and 12b of the reception of the remote maintenance permission application signal.
It is displayed on the V monitor device 130 (FIG. 2). If the user of the home network 92 who sees this display desires remote maintenance, the user sets a password used by the maintenance device 90 to access the ATM exchange 94 (S08).
The ATM exchange 94 transmits the input password to the ATM exchange 94 via the public network 96 (S0).
9).

The maintenance device 90 receives the password transmitted by the ATM switch 94 (S10). The maintenance device 90 that has received the password attaches the password to the remote maintenance data to the ATM switch 94 and transmits the data to the ATM switch 94 via the public network 96 (S1).
1). The ATM switch 94 receives the remote maintenance data from the maintenance device 90, and transmits additional information to the maintenance device 90 as necessary (S11 '). During this time, the ATM switch 94 performs maintenance processing such as setting remote maintenance data to a component having an abnormality.

When the transmission of the remote maintenance data is completed, the maintenance device 90 transmits a work end message to the ATM exchange 94 via the public network 96 (S1).
2). The ATM switch 94 receives the work end message from the maintenance device 90 (S13), invalidates the set password, prohibits subsequent access for maintenance, and maintains security (S14).

When the user of the home network 92 feels, for example, that an abnormality has occurred, the maintenance device 90
The communication system 9 may be configured so that a setting to transmit a failure report to the ATM exchange 94 via the terminal devices 12a and 12b. Also, the maintenance device 9
0, a display device is added, a failure report is displayed to the maintenance person, and the maintenance person accesses the ATM exchange 94 using a password, and performs maintenance work while checking the state of the address translation memory unit 424 of the ATM exchange 94. The communication system 9 may be configured to perform the following.

When remote maintenance of the ATM switch 94 is not possible, a message instructing the user to bring the ATM switch 94 to a maintenance company or to receive a visit is sent to the TV monitors of the terminal devices 12a and 12b. Communication system 9 may be configured to display on device 130. Also, it is not necessary to attach a password to all data transmitted from the maintenance device 90 to the ATM exchange 94. For example, a password is attached only to the first data transmitted from the maintenance device 90 to the ATM exchange 94, and the ATM exchange 94
However, the communication system 9 may be configured so that the remote maintenance data until the work completion message is received from the maintenance device 90 is treated as valid.

It is needless to say that the signal sequence of the remote maintenance process of the communication system 9 shown in FIG. 18 can be applied to other processes such as upgrading the software of the ATM switch 94. Further, the cost of the remote maintenance is reduced by the maintenance device 90 and the ATM switch 94 via the public network 96.
It is also possible to configure the communication system 9 so as to make a decision by an electronic cash via a card company or the like connected to the system. The terminal devices 80a to 80a are connected to the ATM switch 94.
c (FIGS. 15 and 16) may be connected, and the communication system 9 may be configured to set a password or the like using the remote controller 82. Also, the components or functions of the communication system and the home network of each embodiment described above can be used in combination as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0130]

As described above, according to the communication system and method of the present invention, a home network in which a plurality of information devices placed in each room of a general home are connected via an ATM switch. Can be provided. In addition, the communication system and the method according to the present invention provide a communication system via a destination terminal device every time a user changes a room.
There is no need to perform a call setting operation on the TM exchange, and the operation is simpler and more convenient for the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to the present invention in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a home network shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile station device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a communication sequence diagram when a position is confirmed between a mobile station device and a home network within a communication range with a wireless module (FIGS. 1 and 2).

FIG. 5 is a communication sequence diagram when the home network (FIGS. 1 and 2) transmits data to a mobile station device within a range communicable with the wireless module.

FIG. 6 is out of the communication range with the wireless module,
It is a communication sequence diagram at the time of performing position confirmation between the home network and the mobile station apparatus within the range communicable with the public mobile communication base station.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ATM exchange according to the present invention in a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ATM cell.

FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating a continuous ATM cell and a method of adding control data to the ATM cell;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a home network according to the present invention in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of an ATM switch and a protocol converter shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of the timepiece shown in FIG.

FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing data transmitted between an ATM switch and home appliances via a commercial power cable.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification of the protocol converter (such as FIG. 11).

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a home network according to a fifth embodiment.

16 is a diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device and a remote controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to the present invention in a sixth embodiment.

18 is a diagram showing a signal sequence in a remote maintenance process of the communication system shown in FIG.

[Description of Signs] 1, 9: Communication system, 2, 4, 8, 92: Home network, 10: Terminating device, 12a, 12b, 80a-
80c: terminal device, ... terminal device, 120: ATM device, 122: MPEG2 encoder, 124: MPEG
2 decoder, 126, 132: control device, 128: video camera, 130: TV monitor device, 134: light receiving unit, 136: light transmitting unit, 14: database device, 14
0 ... storage device, 16 ... wireless module, 160 ...
Wireless control device, 162: wireless transmission / reception unit, 164: antenna, 18a, 18b: mobile station device, 180: control device,
182: wireless transmission / reception unit, 184: antenna, 186: audio processing unit, 188: GPS processing unit, 190: display control circuit, 192: TV monitor device, 194: storage unit
196: memory circuit, 198: CD drive device, 20
0: magneto-optical disk drive device, 202: HDD device, 3, 6, 94: ATM switch, 44: input / output port unit, 440a to 440d: input / output interface, 4
42: Physical media device, 444: Physical layer device, 42, 420: Input control unit, 422: Header extraction / address conversion memory interface unit, 4
24 ... Address translation memory unit, 426 ... Output control unit, 428 ... Congestion processing / priority processing unit, 430,434
... Signaling cell buffer, 432 ... CPU interface, 436 ... Control unit, 600, 70 ... Protocol converter, 604 ... Power supply device, 606 ... Transformer, 608
... Filter, 610 ... Bus receiver, 612 ... SS receiver, 614 ... SS transmitter, 616 ... Bus driver, 5 ...
Commercial power bus system, 52a to 52f ... power plug,
54 commercial power cable, 56 distribution board, 58 coffee pot, 60 clock, 620 control unit, 622 control circuit, 624 operation panel, 626 display panel, 62
8 buzzer, 62 refrigerator, 64 lighting equipment, 66 air conditioner, 700 ATM physical layer, 82 remote controller, 820 light receiving section, 822 control device, 826
... operation panel, 828 ... display device, 830 ... light transmission unit,
832: wireless transmission / reception unit, 834: antenna, 90: maintenance device, 96: public network.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Agency reference number FI Technical display location H04Q 3/00 H04N 7/13 Z 9/00 301

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A communication system having an exchange for performing an exchange process according to a predetermined exchange system, a plurality of communication nodes connected to the exchange, and a radio signal transmission device, wherein the radio signal transmission device comprises a radio signal First transmitting an optical signal including an identifier of a transmission device
A plurality of communication nodes, wherein the plurality of communication nodes include: first optical signal receiving means for receiving the optical signal from the first optical signal transmitting means; and the identifier included in the received optical signal. And a terminal device having an identifier signal transmitting means for transmitting to the exchange, the exchange, based on the identifier received from the terminal device, the terminal device that transmitted the identifier, the same identifier immediately before A communication system comprising: setting up a call with a communication node of a communication partner of the terminal device having received the optical signal. 2. The exchange according to claim 1, wherein said exchange is an asynchronous transfer mode (AT
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the exchange process is performed by an M) method. 3. The terminal device further comprises: a second optical signal transmitting means for transmitting an optical signal including data transmitted from the exchange and the communication node of the communication partner or any one of them. The wireless signal transmission device further includes: second optical signal receiving means for receiving the optical signal from the second optical signal transmitting means; and data display means for displaying data included in the received optical signal. The communication system according to claim 1. 4. The wireless signal transmitting apparatus further comprises: first radio signal transmitting means for transmitting a radio signal including an identifier for requesting call setting to the exchange. A first radio signal receiving means for receiving the radio signal from the first radio signal transmitting means; and a radio base station apparatus having an identifier transmitting means for transmitting the identifier contained in the received radio signal to the exchange. Item 2. The communication system according to Item 1. 5. The radio base station apparatus further includes a second radio signal transmitting unit that transmits a radio signal including data transmitted from the exchange, wherein the radio signal transmission apparatus includes: The communication system according to claim 4, further comprising: a second radio signal receiving unit that receives the radio signal from the radio signal transmitting unit; and a data display unit that displays data included in the received radio signal. 6. A communication apparatus comprising: transmitting a first radio signal including an identifier to any one of a plurality of communication nodes; and transmitting a radio signal including the same identifier immediately before the communication node receiving the first radio signal. A communication method in which a call is set up with the communication node as a communication partner of a signal, and data exchanged by the asynchronous transfer mode method is transmitted between the communication nodes having set the call. 7. The communication node receiving the first wireless signal transmits a second wireless signal including the transmitted predetermined data, and transmits the data included in the received second wireless signal. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein the communication method is received and displayed.