JP2000224216A - Repeater, communication terminal and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a gateway where a channel whose frequency band is warranted is established over a plurality of links. SOLUTION: In a gateway that relays data received from an IEEE1394 bus to a radio LAN, a 1st FANP packet of a specific Ether type and including at least a destination IP address, a 1st synchronization channel number and band information is received from the 1394 bus, a communication path having a 2nd synchronization channel with the band between itself and a node on the radio LAN is established, and a 2nd FANP packet having the specific Ether type and including at least the destination IP address, the 2nd synchronization channel number and the band information is transmitted to the node on the radio LAN.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication terminal device that performs communication via a network such as a bus, a relay device that relays the communication, and a communication method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the so-called "digitization of home AV environment", such as the start of digital broadcasting and the release of digital AV equipment, has received great attention. Digital AV data can be compressed in various ways, can be processed as multimedia, and has excellent characteristics such as no deterioration even if played many times, and its use is expected to expand in the future. .

[0003] When the digitalization of the home AV environment becomes general, "networking of the home AV environment" inevitably progresses. By integrating with the Internet, which has become popular in recent years, computers are connected to each other via a network,
By exchanging digital data with each other, it is expected that the possibilities of digital AV equipment, such as video-on-demand from a public network and exchange of AV data between rooms / homes, will be greatly expanded.

The home network technology is, for example, IE
Although network technology such as EE1394 is said to be a mainstream candidate, there are various methods for constructing a home network such as wireless LAN, Ethernet, or a case where IEEE 1394 is connected by a router.

[0005]

However, a problem arises when heterogeneous networks (link layer networks) are interconnected by gateways.
The problem is how to establish a channel whose bandwidth is guaranteed over a plurality of links. For example, in the current band acquisition method using the IEEE 1394 synchronous resource manager, the band can be secured only on the 1394 link.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a relay device, a communication terminal device, and a communication method that can establish a channel whose bandwidth is guaranteed over a plurality of links. The purpose is to:

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides at least two
A relay device for connecting two physical networks (for example, an IEEE 1394 bus and a wireless LAN) has a predetermined Ethernet type from a first physical network and has at least an information data (for example, content data) destination or information data transmission destination. First control including original network layer address information (eg, IP address), first header or channel information (eg, synchronization channel number) depending on the first physical network, and communication resource amount (eg, band information) Receiving means for receiving a message (for example, a FANP packet); and, when receiving the first control message, a self-relay device and a next-stage node on a second physical network determined based on the first control message ( Next-stage node in transfer of first control message; information Data communication source device, a communication terminal device to which information data is transmitted, and another relay device). Control means for establishing a communication path having a second header or channel information dependent on the second physical network, and having the Ethernet type after establishing the communication path, and having at least the network layer address information and the second Transmitting means for transmitting a second control message including the header or channel information and the communication resource amount to a next node on the second physical network.

[0008] For the first physical network, for example, the preceding node that has transmitted the first control message to this relay device establishes a communication path in which a band is secured.

[0009] The relay apparatus recognizes that a message received from a certain physical network is a message for bandwidth reservation in order to make a bandwidth reservation across a plurality of networks, and can derive a message from an address included in the message. It is necessary to select a physical network in the next stage and retransmit a message for bandwidth reservation to the next communication node. According to the invention, this message is
Instead of network layer packets such as P packets,
It can be transmitted and received as control messages determined by the Ether type. If the control message is I
In the case of a P packet, the destination IP address is the IP address of the communication node that is the final destination of the control message, so that the relay device cannot refer to this packet and cannot set the bandwidth. . In contrast,
In the present invention, the destination of this control message is transmitted to the link layer resolution address of the network layer address of the communication node that is the final destination of the control message, and the relay device refers to the Ethernet type,
This can be received without difficulty.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to establish a channel whose bandwidth is guaranteed across the first physical network and the second physical network. Further, by transferring the control message, the corresponding node in each physical network establishes a communication path in which a band is secured, whereby a communication path in which a band is secured from a source of information data to a destination of information data. Can be established. This is true regardless of the number of relay devices between the source of the information data and the destination of the information data.

In the case where the communication terminal device which is the transmission source of the information data takes the initiative to transmit the control message and establish the communication path in which the bandwidth is secured (in this case, the transfer direction of the information data and the transfer direction of the control message are different). Becomes the same direction)
When the communication terminal device on the information data receiving side takes the initiative to transmit a control message and establish a communication path with a secured band (in this case, the information data transfer direction and the control message transfer direction are opposite to each other. And).

[0012] Preferably, the header or the header of one of the first or second physical networks, which is determined based on direction information indicating a transfer direction of information data, included in the first control message. Receiving information data from a communication path having channel information;
Means for subjecting the information data to network layer processing and transmitting the information data to a communication path having the header or channel information of the other physical network of the first or second physical network. It may be.

[0013] Preferably, a correspondence between the first header or channel information depending on the first physical network and the second header or channel information depending on the second physical network is stored. The correspondence storage means and one of the first or second physical networks determined based on direction information indicating the transfer direction of the information data included in the first control message, When the information data including the header or channel information depending on the network is received, without performing the processing of the network layer, the first or second information corresponding to the header or channel information depending on the one physical network is received. The header or the header depending on the other one of the physical networks The channel information is obtained from the correspondence stored in the storage means, and the obtained header or channel information dependent on the other physical network is added to the information data or the information data is transmitted through the channel to the second physical network. And a transfer unit for transmitting to the physical network.

Preferably, the first physical network and the second physical network may belong to the same IP subnet.

The present invention also provides at least two physical networks (eg, an IEEE 1394 bus and a wireless LA
N), in the communication method of the relay device for connecting, the first physical network has a predetermined ether type and has at least network layer address information (for example, an IP address) of a data transmission destination or a data transmission source.
And a first control message including a first header or channel information (for example, a synchronization channel number) dependent on the first physical network and a communication resource amount (for example, band information), and receiving the first control message. , The next node on the second physical network (the next node in the transfer of the first control message; the communication of the source of the information data) determined based on the relay device and the first control message. A terminal device, a communication terminal device to which information data is transmitted, or another relay device).
A communication path having the communication resource amount and having a second header or channel information depending on the second physical network, and having the Ethernet type after establishing the communication path. Transmitting a second control message including at least the network layer address information, the second header or channel information, and the communication resource amount to a next node on the second physical network. .

Further, the present invention relates to a communication terminal device for transferring information data to / from a partner communication terminal device via one or more physical networks, wherein the transfer of information data to / from the partner communication terminal device is performed. (E.g., when requesting the other communication terminal device to receive information data or requesting the other communication terminal device to transmit information data), the network layer address information of the own communication terminal device and the other communication terminal device Control means for establishing a communication path having the communication resource amount and having a header or channel information depending on the physical network, with the next-stage node on the physical network determined based on After that, it has a predetermined Ethernet type, and at least the network of the other party's communication terminal device and its own communication terminal device. Characterized by comprising a means for transmitting a control message including a header or channel information and network layer address information depends on the physical network communication traffic resources and.

According to the present invention, this message can be transmitted not as a network layer packet such as an IP packet but as a control message determined by an Ethernet type. If the control message is an IP packet, the destination IP address is the IP address of the communication node that is the final destination of the control message. Therefore, when the next communication node is a relay device, this packet is referred to. Cannot be set, and the band cannot be set. On the other hand, in the present invention, the destination of this control message is transmitted to the network layer resolution address of the communication node that is the final destination of the control message, and the next-stage communication node refers to the Ethernet type. ,
This can be received without difficulty.

[0018] When the control message requests the partner communication terminal to receive information data, the information data is transmitted to a communication path having the header or channel information of the physical network, and the information is transmitted to the partner communication terminal. When requesting data transmission, the information data can be received from a communication path having the header or channel information of the physical network.

The present invention also relates to a communication method of a communication terminal device for transferring information data to and from a partner communication terminal device via one or a plurality of physical networks. Prior to the data transfer (for example, when requesting reception of information data to the partner communication terminal device or requesting transmission of information data to the partner communication terminal device), a network between the own communication terminal device and the partner communication terminal device Establish a communication path between the next-stage node on the physical network determined based on the layer address information and having the communication resource amount and having a header or channel information depending on the physical network, and establishing the communication path After that, it has a predetermined Ethernet type, and at least the network of the other party's communication terminal device and its own communication terminal device. And transmitting a control message including a header or channel information dependent the work layer address information to the physical network and the communication resource amount.

According to the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal device for transferring information data to / from another communication terminal device via one or more physical networks, wherein the communication terminal device has a predetermined Ethernet type from the physical network. A control including at least network layer address information of the other communication terminal apparatus and the own communication terminal apparatus, header or channel information depending on the physical network, a communication resource amount, and direction information indicating whether to request reception or transmission. Receiving means for receiving a message, when the direction information indicates a request for reception, when the information data is received from a communication path having the header or channel information of the physical network, and when the direction information indicates a request for transmission. The information data in the header or the channel of the physical network. Characterized by comprising a means for transmitting to the communication path with the channel information.

The present invention also relates to a communication method of a communication terminal device for transferring information data to / from a partner communication terminal device via one or a plurality of physical networks. Having a type, at least, the network layer address information of the partner communication terminal device and the own communication terminal device, header or channel information depending on the physical network, a communication resource amount, and direction information indicating whether a request for reception or transmission, If the direction information indicates a request for reception, the information data is received from a communication path having the header or channel information of the physical network, and the direction information indicates a request for transmission. The information data in the header or channel of the physical network. And transmits to the communication path with the Le information.

It should be noted that the present invention relating to the apparatus is also valid as an invention relating to a method, and the present invention relating to a method is also valid as an invention relating to an apparatus.

Further, the present invention according to an apparatus or a method is provided for causing a computer to execute a procedure corresponding to the present invention (or for causing a computer to function as means corresponding to the present invention, or a computer corresponding to the present invention). The present invention is also realized as a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for realizing the function of performing the above is recorded.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the entire configuration of a home network of a certain home.

This home network is an IEEE13
It comprises a 94 bus 201 and a wireless LAN 202, which are interconnected by a wireless gateway 102. The video transmitting apparatus 101 is connected to the IEEE 1394 bus 201 in addition to the wireless gateway 102. Similarly, the wireless LAN 202 includes the video receiver 10
3 are connected.

As will be described later, it is assumed that this wireless LAN has a communication band guarantee function. In the present embodiment, I
As in the case of EEE1394, by using a synchronous channel whose communication band is guaranteed, communication with a constant delivery delay and no data discard can be expected. However, as a method for guaranteeing a communication band in a wireless LAN,
The present invention is not limited to this method.
Various methods to which the present invention can be applied, such as a method in which an arbiter called a coordinator coordinates a packet transmission so as to guarantee a communication band, such as the 2.11 method, are conceivable.

In this embodiment, the IEEE 1394 bus 2
01 has a synchronous resource manager (not shown), and the wireless LAN 202 has a bandwidth broker (not shown). Of course, the synchronization resource manager is used for the video receiving device 103 or the wireless gateway 102.
And the video receiving device 103 or the wireless gateway 102 may also serve as a band broker.

In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that a plurality of nodes and networks constitute one IP subnet. That is, the IEEE 1394 bus 201 and the wireless LA
It is assumed that one IP subnet is configured by combining two N202s. For explanation, it is assumed that the subnet address of this IP subnet is “A”. Further, the IP address of the video transmitting apparatus 101 is “A.1”, and 13
Assume that the 94 link address (node ID or EUI 64) is FW1. The IP address of the wireless gateway is “A.2”, and the wireless gateway IEEE 13
It is assumed that the 1394 link address on the 94 bus side is “FW2”, and the wireless link address on the wireless LAN side (or the MAC address of the wireless LAN) is “W1”. The IP address of the video receiving device 103 is “A.3”,
It is assumed that the wireless link address is “W2”.

The wireless gateway 102 is a RIP or OS
Although a so-called routing protocol such as PF is not running, it has an IP router function of performing IP routing with reference to a destination IP address of a received IP packet. The wireless gateway 102 has a function of a so-called proxy ARP (address resolution protocol). For example, an ARP request for an IP address “A.
In response to the ARP request of the P address “A.3”, the server returns “FW2” which is its own 1394 link address. I
When the IP address A. 3 receives the IP address,
202 (to the wireless link address W2).
In addition, about proxy ARP, "TCP /
Network Construction by IP Vol. 1 "(see p220). The basic operation of the gateway 102 is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-112730, which is an invention of the present inventors.

In the present embodiment, the video transmission device 10
It is assumed that digital AV data such as MPEG2 is transferred from 1 to the video receiving apparatus 103. Where AV
When data is transferred, as shown in FIG.
It is assumed that the synchronous channels 201 and 202 for guaranteeing the bandwidth are secured on the 94 bus 201 and the wireless LAN 202, respectively, and that the transfer in which the QoS (communication quality) is basically guaranteed at the end and end is considered. Below, such an end
The procedure for securing the end channel will be described.

FIG. 3 is an example of a processing sequence for securing an end-to-end channel according to the present embodiment. Here, a case will be described in which the video transmission apparatus 101 performs control under the initiative.

First, the video transmitting apparatus 101 and the video receiving apparatus 103 establish a transport connection for, for example, MPEG video transfer using, for example, RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) (S30).
1). By this negotiation, the transmission IP address is “A.1”, the transmission port address is “P1”, and the reception I
It is assumed that a transport connection in which the P address is “A.3” and the receiving port is “P2” is established. IP transferred by this transport connection
In the present embodiment, the flow is simply referred to as (the) IP flow hereinafter.

Here, the video transmitting apparatus 101 secures a synchronization channel on the IEEE 1394 bus for transferring the IP flow, and attempts to transfer the IP flow to the video receiving apparatus 103 using the synchronization channel. Try.

First, the video transmitting apparatus 101 is an IEEE13
For the synchronous resource manager of the 94 bus 201, M
A band (for example, 6 Mbps) for passing the PEG video and a synchronization channel number (#x) for passing the MPEG video are secured (S302). If you can secure it,
FANP (flow Attribute Notif)
The packet is transmitted (S303).

The FANP in this case is defined as (1) a channel on the link (IEEE1394 in the present embodiment).
(2) notification of the direction of distribution of the IP flow, (3) notification of band information secured by the channel, (4) This is a protocol for the purpose of securing end-to-end bandwidth. The details of the basic contents of FANP are described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-1127.
I am familiar with 30.

FIG. 4 shows a format example of a FANP packet according to the present embodiment. This packet is transferred in a 1394 frame.

The first line in the format example of FIG.
IP over 1394 standard (draft-ietf-ip1394-ipv4- of Internet draft)
12. txt) (in the case of no fragment). Here, the value of the ether type is 0x8861, and this value indicates that this packet is a FANP packet.

The second line is a common FANP header. This entire FANP packet (excluding the fragment header)
Length and the opcode. The opcode is A
dvertise, Solicitation, Ack
A code such as knowledg is entered. Advertis
e indicates that this FANP packet is used for the above-mentioned notifications (1) to (4). Solicitation
Is used to request the Advertise of a FANP packet. Acknowledgment code is A
This is a code used for an acknowledgment of “Advertise has been received” for the advertisement.

The third and subsequent lines are FANP flow identification descriptors, that is, information for notification of the above (1) to (4). The length field contains the value of the length of the FANP flow identification descriptor. When the value of the type field is 2, it indicates that this is used for the above-mentioned notifications (1) to (4). expiration
The field indicates the remaining time that is the expiration date of this descriptor. In the channel number field, the value of the channel number of the corresponding synchronization channel (#x in this example)
Enters. The speed field indicates the transmission bit speed of IEEE 1394 when transmitting this IP flow. In the direction field, a number (for example, 0) meaning "send" is required to have the node receiving this message send the IP flow to the channel. If you want to receive it, a number (for example, 1) that means "receive it"
Are described respectively. In the band field, the value of the band secured in the link layer (IEEE1394 in this embodiment) is described. Here, in the IEEE 1394, this value may be represented by using an expression method similar to the expression method of the bandwidth amount when a bandwidth is requested to the synchronous resource manager of the IEEE 1394. In the flow identifier field, information on the IP flow is described.
Here, a set of a transmission IP address, a transmission port, a reception IP address, and a reception port is described as a flow identifier.

In the above description, the description method of the IP flow has been described as being predetermined. However, there is a field indicating “flow identifier description method” at the beginning of the flow identifier so that an arbitrary description method can be selected. It may be. For example, one TCP or UDP flow may be specified as in the present embodiment, or all packets addressed to a specific IP address or IP multicast address may be specified. Alternatively, all the packets addressed to a specific IP subnet may be specified. Further, it may be possible to distinguish between IPv4 and IPv6 flows.

In this embodiment, this FANP packet is transferred as a 1394 asynchronous frame addressed to the wireless gateway 102 (ie, addressed to the 1394 link address = FW2). This FANP packet is a packet that should finally reach the video receiving device 103, but the ARP for the IP address “A.3” of the video receiving device 103
A response to the request is sent to the node of the link layer address "FW2". Thus, the destination of the FANP packet (the 1394 frame containing the) is:
Wireless gateway 102 (1394 link address FW
2)

The packet of the IP multicast is transferred to IEEE
If you want to pass through the 1394 sync channel, IE
This FANP packet must be sent to multiple nodes (preferably simultaneously) on the EE1394 bus. In such a case, as shown in FIG.
This will be transmitted in the form of an E1394 asynchronous stream frame. This asynchronous stream frame includes a GASP (Global Asynchronous).
s Stream Packet) format header (for GASP, Internet draft draft-johansson-ip1394-as
ynch-streams-00. txt).
However, when a FANP packet is sent on this asynchronous stream, the (multiple)
Since it is considered that the purpose is to transmit this to the receiver, the direction field generally has a value meaning “receive”. When sending a FANP packet to the sender of the IP multicast, set the direction field to a value meaning "send" and use an asynchronous stream frame instead of an asynchronous stream frame.
This can be sent in the form of an asynchronous frame.

The wireless gateway 102 that has received the FANP packet performs processing according to the procedure shown in FIG.

The wireless gateway 102 first refers to the Ethernet type of the received packet (S 601) and determines whether this packet is a FANP packet or another packet (for example, whether it is an IPv4 packet). (S602). In this embodiment, the wireless gateway 102 can recognize that the packet is a FANP packet only by referring to the Ethernet type of the received packet.

If the result of referring to the Ether type is
If the packet is an ANP packet, the value of the type field is checked by referring to the FANP header (S604). if,
When the type field is 2 as in the present embodiment (S605), this FANP packet is
It can be recognized that this is for notifying the correspondence between the channel number on the 94 bus, the IP flow, and the band information.
At this point, the channel number of the IEEE 1394 bus is #
x, and the transmission IP address is A.x on a synchronous channel having a bandwidth of 6 Mbps. 1, the transmission port number is P1, and the reception IP address is A. 3. It can be seen that the IP flow with the reception port number P2 flows.

Here, the wireless gateway 102 determines the destination node of the FANP packet by referring to the direction field and the flow identifier. FIG. 7 shows how to derive the destination node of the FANP packet from the direction field and the flow identifier.

In the case of this example, when the direction field is referred to, the message is “receive”, and when the received IP address of the flow identifier is referred to, not the own IP address “A.2” but the video receiver 103 on the wireless LAN 202. Since the IP address is “A.3”, it is recognized that the FANP packet should be forwarded to the video receiving device 103 on the wireless LAN 202 (S607).

Therefore, the wireless gateway 102 confirms that the video receiving apparatus 103 exists on the wireless LAN 202, and gives a necessary bandwidth (for example, 6 Mbps) and a synchronization channel number (#) to the bandwidth broker on the wireless LAN 202. y) is secured (S304, S608). If the reservation is successful (S609), the ARP resolution link address (the wireless link address W2 in the present example) of the destination node (the video receiving apparatus 103 in the present example) of the FANP packet that can be derived from the direction field and the flow identifier is: After inserting the ensured channel ID (#y in this example) into the channel number field, it sends out a FANP packet (S305, S611).

At this stage, the wireless gateway 10
2 is a synchronous channel #x of the IEEE 1394 bus 201
The IP flow that has flowed from
It may recognize that forward (cut-through transfer) should be performed on the synchronization channel #y of the AN 202 (in this case, the synchronization channel #y of the IEEE 1394 bus 201).
x and the synchronization channel #y of the wireless LAN 202 are stored). Further, the transfer may be performed after performing the IP processing. Alternatively, cut-through transfer or IP
Whether to perform processing may be settable for each IP flow. In any case, it is desirable to take care that the communication quality is not disturbed when performing the forward (transfer) in the wireless gateway 102.

The video receiving device 1 created in this way and transmitted from the wireless gateway 102 through the wireless LAN 202
FIG. 8 shows the format of the FANP packet transmitted to the H.03. In FIG. 8, the fragment header of the wireless LAN is described as being the same as the IEEE 1394 bus. However, in a wireless LAN (or a normal link layer network such as Ethernet), a method of accommodating an Ethernet type unique to the link is usually used. (For example, in Ethernet, there are two types, 802.3 scheme and traditional Ethernet scheme). Therefore, generally, the value of the Ethernet type is transferred in a frame format adapted to the link. Of course, the value of the ether type may be encapsulated in LLC / SNAP.

The expression method of the value of the band field is as follows.
The description method of the band field of the IEEE 1394 bus in the FANP packet for the IEEE 1394 bus may be followed, or if there is a description method of the band according to the attribute of the wireless LAN, the description method may be used. . That is, if the FANP packet is an IEEE13
When passing over a wireless LAN, a method for describing a band for IEEE 1394 is performed.
You may make it perform the description method of the band for AN.

Also, for IEEE1394 / wireless LAN
Do not think separately for the purpose, IETF IntSe
Tspec being discussed in the rv working group
A general-purpose band expression method that can be used irrespective of the link layer type as described above may be used. In this case, this bandwidth expression method may describe not a "expression method of a bandwidth of a flowing IP flow" but an "expression method of a communication band to be secured in a link layer".

In this way, if the band is secured end-to-end, even if the FANP acknowledge packet is transmitted from the video receiving apparatus 103 to the wireless gateway 102 and from the wireless gateway 102 to the video transmitting apparatus 101, Good (S306, S307).

Upon receiving this, the video transmitting apparatus 101 recognizes that a channel whose bandwidth has been secured at the end and end has been secured. Then, the IP flow is transmitted to the synchronization channel #x (S308). Upon receiving this, the wireless gateway 102 performs IP routing on the received IP packet, or performs an IEEE 139
The packet received from the 4-bus synchronization channel number #x is recognized to be transmitted to the wireless LAN synchronization channel number #y, and transmitted to the wireless LAN synchronization channel #y (S309). Thus, the IP flow passes through the synchronization channel #x of the IEEE 1394 bus and the synchronization channel #y of the wireless LAN, and
3 can be reached.

In the present embodiment, the video transmitting apparatus 101 takes the initiative and moves the FA in the direction of the video receiving apparatus 103.
Although the example in which the NP packet is transmitted has been described, on the contrary, the video receiving apparatus 103 takes the initiative and the video transmitting apparatus 1
The FANP packet may be transmitted in the direction of 01. FIG.
In this case, the video receiving device that has secured the IEEE 1394 band first
Send an ANP packet. In other words, the destination of the FANP packet (the 1394 frame storing the) is the wireless gateway. Further, the wireless gateway is a wireless L
The bandwidth is secured on the AN, and after that, the information of the secured channel number is entered, and then the FANP packet is further transmitted to the video transmitting apparatus. In this case, a value indicating “transmit” is entered in the direction field of the FANP packet. The IP flow flows on the established channel in the direction opposite to the FANP.

In this embodiment, the channel of the wireless LAN is assumed to be a synchronous channel as in the case of the IEEE 1394 bus. It is sufficient to create a FANP packet having the meaning "transfer this IP flow using a slot" (how to define the channel number field).

The operation code of the FANP packet according to the present embodiment is described in Advertise, Solicitat.
ion and Acknowledgment have been described, but Advertisese says "Adv for Ack
ertise "and" Advertis not seeking Ack "
e ".

In this embodiment, the transfer of data whose band is guaranteed in the wireless LAN is described as being performed using the synchronization channel. However, as described above, the IEEE is used.
In the case of an E802.11 LAN, there is no concept of a channel (specific header or specific time slot) for bandwidth guarantee transfer, and the data transmitting side transmits a packet from a band guarantee transfer coordinator (arbiter). It is also conceivable that the frame is transmitted according to the timing of the command, and the data receiving side only needs to receive only the frame addressed to itself.

In this case, the present embodiment is realized by the F
The value of the channel number of the ANP packet may be null, and the operation of the video receiving apparatus is represented by (1) recognizing that this packet is a FANP packet from the value of the ether type, and (2) by the flow identifier. The FANP packet is used for the purpose of recognizing that an IP flow is exchanged in a form in which a specific communication band is secured, and (3) recognizing the direction (transmission or reception) of the IP flow. Will be done. If it is necessary to further secure a communication band beyond the video receiving device, the band securing is continued by the method described in the above embodiments.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment,
An example has been shown in which, when a specific IP flow is transferred to a specific channel whose bandwidth is guaranteed, the relationship is notified using a FANP packet. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, an example in which, when an AV data flow according to the format of IEC61883 is transferred to a specific channel whose bandwidth is guaranteed, the relationship is notified using a FANP packet Is shown.

The following description focuses on the differences from the first embodiment.

An example of the overall configuration of the home network is the same as in FIG. As in the first embodiment, it is assumed that one IP subnet is configured in the entire home network, and each of the video transmitting device 101, the wireless gateway 102, and the video receiving device 103 is an IP node. Figure 1 shows examples of subnet addresses, IP addresses, and link addresses.
It is assumed that this is the same as It is assumed that channels to be reserved are the same as those in FIG.

A procedure for securing such an end-to-end channel will be described below.

FIG. 10 is an example of a processing sequence for securing an end-to-end channel according to the present embodiment. Here, a case will be described in which the video transmission apparatus 101 performs control under the initiative.

First, the video transmitting apparatus 101 and the video receiving apparatus 103 perform, for example, session control for MPEG video transfer using, for example, RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) (S1101). It is assumed that the transmission of the MPEG video is determined by the negotiation. The AV flow transferred in this session (the AV flow is transferred according to the transfer method of IEC61883 and is not transferred as an IP flow in the present embodiment) is hereinafter simply referred to as the (flow) flow in the present embodiment.

Here, as in the first embodiment, the video transmitting apparatus 101 transmits the IEEE 139 to transfer the flow.
A synchronization channel is secured on four buses, and an attempt is made to transfer the flow to the video receiving device 103 using this channel.

First, the video transmitting apparatus 101 is connected to the IEEE 13
For the synchronous resource manager of the 94 bus, MPEG
Securing a band (for example, 6 Mbps) for passing images,
The synchronization channel number (#
x) is secured (S1102). If you can secure it, F
ANP (flow Attribute Notify)
(S 1103).

The FANP in this case is defined as (1) a channel on the link (IEEE1394 in this embodiment)
(2) notification of the flow direction of the flow, (3) notification of the bandwidth information secured by the channel,
(4) End-to-end bandwidth reservation, (5) The flow is I
This is a protocol for five purposes, that is, notification that data is transferred in a format determined by EC61883. That is, the meaning of (5) is added to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows a format example of the FANP packet according to the present embodiment. This packet is 1394
It is transferred in a frame.

The difference between the format example of the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that the type field is 3, and that the flow identifier has only a transmission IP address and a reception IP address. When the value of the type field is 3, the channel notified by the FANP packet includes I
It is defined that data in a format defined by EC61883 is to be transferred.

Also in this embodiment, this FANP packet is transferred as a 1394 asynchronous frame addressed to the wireless gateway 102 (ie, addressed to the 1394 link address = FW2). This FANP packet is a packet that should finally reach the video receiving device 103, but the ARP for the IP address “A.3” of the video receiving device 103
A response to the request is sent to the node of the link layer address "FW2". Thus, the destination of the FANP packet (the 1394 frame containing the) is:
Wireless gateway 102 (1394 link address FW
2)

The packet of the IP multicast is transferred to IEEE
When trying to pass through the 1394 synchronization channel, the first
This is transmitted in the form of an IEEE 1394 asynchronous stream frame, as in the first embodiment.

The wireless gateway 102 that has received the FANP packet performs processing according to the procedure shown in FIG.

The wireless gateway 102 first refers to the Ethernet type of the received packet (S1301),
It is determined whether this packet is a FANP packet or another packet (for example, whether it is an IPv4 packet) (S1302). In this embodiment, the wireless gateway 102 can recognize that the packet is a FANP packet only by referring to the Ethernet type of the received packet.

The result of referring to the Ether type is, if
If it is an ANP packet, the type field is checked by referring to the FANP header (S1304). If the type field is 3 as in the present embodiment (S1305), this FANP packet is
It is possible to recognize that the flow is for notifying the correspondence between the channel number on the 94 bus, the flow and the band information, and that the flow is transferred in the IEC61883 format (S1307). At this point, the IEEE
Channel number of 1394 bus is #x and bandwidth is 6Mbps
The transmission IP address is A1 and the reception IP
If the address is A. It turns out that the flow of 3 flows.

Here, the wireless gateway 102 is connected to the first
In the same manner as in the embodiment, the destination node of the FANP packet is obtained with reference to the direction field and the flow identifier. The method of deriving the destination node of the FANP packet from the direction field and the flow identifier is the same as in FIG.

In the case of this example, when the direction field is referred to, “receive” is indicated. When the received IP address of the flow identifier is referred to, not the own IP address “A.2” but the image receiving apparatus 103 on the wireless LAN 202 Since the IP address is “A.3”, it is recognized that this FANP packet should be forwarded to the video receiving device 103 on the wireless LAN 202 (S130).
8).

Then, the wireless gateway 102 confirms that the video receiving apparatus 103 exists on the wireless LAN 202, and sends a required bandwidth (for example, 6 Mbps) and a synchronization channel number (##) to the bandwidth broker on the wireless LAN 202. y) is secured (S1104, S1309).
If the reservation is successful (S1310), the ARP resolution link address (the wireless link address W2 in the present example) of the destination node (the video receiving apparatus 103 in the present example) of the FANP packet that can be derived from the direction field and the flow identifier.
Then, after inserting the secured channel ID (#y in this example) into the channel number field, it sends out a FANP packet (S1105, S1312).

At this stage, the wireless gateway 10
2 is a synchronous channel #x of the IEEE 1394 bus 201
Flow from the wireless LAN without IP processing
It is recognized that forward (cut-through transfer) should be performed on the synchronization channel #y of the 202 (in this case, the synchronization channel #x of the IEEE 1394 bus 201).
And the correspondence with the synchronization channel #y of the wireless LAN 202).

The video receiving apparatus 1 created in this way and transmitted from the wireless gateway 102 through the wireless LAN 202
FIG. 13 shows the format of the FANP packet transmitted to the H.03.

As in the first embodiment, if a band can be secured from end to end, the video receiving apparatus 103 sends the information to the wireless gateway 102 and then to the wireless gateway 10.
2 may transmit a FANP acknowledgment packet to the video transmitting apparatus 101 (S1106, S110)
7).

The video transmitting apparatus 101 that has received this recognizes that the channel whose bandwidth has been secured at the end and end has been secured. Then, the MPEG video is converted to IEC61
According to the format defined in 883, the packet is transmitted to the synchronization channel #x (S1108). Upon receiving this, the wireless gateway 102 determines that the flow received from the IEEE 1394 synchronization channel #x is IEC6188.
Since it has already been recognized that the data is in the 3 format and that it should be forwarded to the synchronization channel #y of the wireless LAN, it is already recognized as the synchronization channel #y of the wireless LAN. Forwarding is performed (S1109). At this time, CIP of IEC61883
The value of the header time stamp or the like may be rewritten to an appropriate value. In this manner, the flow includes the synchronization channel #x of the IEEE 1394 bus and the synchronization channel # of the wireless LAN.
It can reach the video receiving device 103 through y.

In the present embodiment, the video transmitting apparatus 101 takes the initiative and moves the FA in the direction of the video receiving apparatus 103.
Although the example in which the NP packet is transmitted has been described, the FANP packet may be transmitted in the direction of the video transmitting apparatus 101 by the video receiving apparatus 103 as in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the transfer of the data whose band is guaranteed in the wireless LAN is described as being performed using the synchronization channel.
In the case of the 02.11 LAN, there is no concept of a channel (specific header or specific time slot) for bandwidth guaranteed transfer, and the data transmission side transmits a packet from a band guaranteed transfer coordinator (arbiter). It is also conceivable that the frame is transmitted in accordance with the timing of the command, and the data receiving side may simply receive only the frame addressed to itself.

In such a case, as in the present embodiment, “the packet arriving via this synchronization channel is
IEC61883 format identified by the P header. "
Can not be recognized in advance. Therefore, “This packet is IEC618 identified by the CIP header.
It is also possible to define an Ethernet type for indicating that the packet is in the form of "83 format", and to arrange it at the head of this packet as a multiplex identifier for demultiplexing. By referring to the Ethernet type, the video receiving apparatus recognizes that the packet contains the data of the IEC61883 format, and can pass it to the processing unit.

In such a wireless LAN, if cut-through transfer is performed, for example, in the case of FIG. 1, a value corresponding to a channel number is negotiated and determined between the wireless gateway and the video receiving apparatus. The value (#y) may be the value of the channel number of the FANP packet in FIG. The wireless gateway is an IEEE1
The correspondence between the synchronization channel #x of the 394 bus and the value #y corresponding to the channel number of the wireless LAN is stored, and the frame received from the synchronization channel #x is converted into a wireless LAN frame and the predetermined field is converted. In this case, a value #y corresponding to the channel number is described (in accordance with the timing of a packet transmission command from the coordinator (arbiter) of the bandwidth guarantee transfer), and the frame may be transmitted to the video receiving apparatus. FIG. 14 shows an example of the frame format in this case.

On the contrary, for example, in FIG. 1, the connection between the video transmitting apparatus and the wireless gateway is IEEE.
In a wireless LAN such as 802.11, when an IEEE 1394 bus is provided between a wireless gateway and a video receiving device, a value corresponding to a channel number is negotiated between the video transmitting device and the wireless gateway. This value (referred to as #x) may be used as the value of the channel number of the FANP packet in FIG. The wireless gateway has a value # corresponding to the channel number of the wireless LAN.
x, and the correspondence between the synchronization channel #y of the IEEE 1394 bus and the video transmitting apparatus describes the value #x corresponding to the channel number in a predetermined field of the wireless LAN frame (for the bandwidth guaranteed transfer). (According to the timing of the packet transmission instruction from the coordinator (arbiter))
To the wireless gateway, and the wireless gateway #x
May be cut-through transferred to the synchronization channel #y of the IEEE 1394 bus.

The cut-through transfer in such a case can be used also in the first embodiment.

In the above embodiments, the case where the video transmitting apparatus and the video receiving apparatus are connected via one wireless gateway has been described as an example, but the video transmitting apparatus and the video receiving apparatus are connected via a plurality of wireless gateways. The present invention is also applicable to the case where the apparatus is connected (for example, when it is connected to a video transmitting apparatus, a first IEEE 1394 bus, a wireless LAN, a second IEEE 1394 bus, and a video receiving apparatus). Is the same as that described above (there may be a case where the preceding or succeeding stage of a certain wireless gateway becomes another wireless gateway. In such a case, the operation of the wireless gateway is the same as that described above. is there).

Further, in the present embodiment, the home network is taken as an example, but of course, the present invention is not limited to this, and offices, schools, stores, other buildings,
The present invention is also applicable to networks provided in facilities and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the video data is transferred has been described as an example. However, the present invention is of course applicable to the case where other forms of data are transferred.

Each of the above functions can be realized as software.

Further, the present embodiment is a computer in which a program for causing a computer to execute predetermined means (or for causing a computer to function as predetermined means, or for causing a computer to realize predetermined functions) is recorded. It can also be implemented as a readable recording medium.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented with various modifications within the technical scope.

[0096]

According to the present invention, a channel whose bandwidth is guaranteed can be established over a plurality of links.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a home network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an end-to-end channel;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence for securing an end-to-end channel;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the format of a FANP packet transmitted from a video transmitting device to a wireless gateway via an IEEE 1394 bus;

FIG. 5 shows an example of an IP multicast packet transmitted to IEEE13
9 is a diagram showing an example of the format of a FANP packet transmitted from a video transmitting apparatus to a wireless gateway via an IEEE 1394 bus when an attempt is made to pass through a 94 synchronization channel.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a wireless gateway that has received a FANP packet;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for obtaining a destination node of a FANP packet from a direction field and a flow identifier.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the format of a FANP packet transmitted from a wireless gateway to a video receiving device via a wireless LAN.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of a processing sequence for securing an end-to-end channel;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing still another example of a processing sequence for securing an end-to-end channel;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the format of the FANP packet transmitted from the video transmission device to the wireless gateway via the IEEE1394 bus.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing procedure in the wireless gateway receiving the FANP packet;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the format of the FANP packet transmitted from the wireless gateway to the video receiving device via the wireless LAN.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the format of an AV stream frame distributed on an 802.11 LAN.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Video transmission apparatus 102 ... Wireless gateway 103 ... Video receiving apparatus 201 ... IEEE1394 bus 202 ... Wireless LAN

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Mikio Hashimoto 1-term, Komukai Toshiba-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa F-term in the Toshiba R & D Center (reference) 5K030 GA08 HB00 HB06 HC14 HD03 HD07 JL01 LC09 5K033 AA09 BA01 CB08 DA05 DA17 DB19 9A001 BB04 CC06 CC07 JJ12 JJ18 JJ25 KK56

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A relay device for connecting at least two physical networks, wherein the relay device has a predetermined Ethernet type from the first physical network and has at least network layer address information of an information data transmission destination or information data transmission source. Receiving means for receiving a first control message including a first header or channel information dependent on the first physical network and a communication resource amount; and a relay device for receiving the first control message when the first control message is received. And the second node on the second physical network determined based on the first control message, having the communication resource amount and depending on the second physical network.
Control means for establishing a communication path having header or channel information, and having the ether type after establishing the communication path, at least the network layer address information, the second header or channel information, and the communication resource Transmitting means for transmitting a second control message including the amount to the next node on the second physical network. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first control message is determined based on direction information indicating a transfer direction of the information data included in the first control message.
Receiving information data from a communication path having the header or channel information of one of the first or second physical networks, performing a network layer process on the information data, and The relay device according to claim 1, further comprising: a unit that transmits the header or the channel information of the other one of the first and second physical networks to a communication path having the header or the channel information. 3. A correspondence storage for storing a correspondence between the first header or channel information dependent on the first physical network and the second header or channel information dependent on the second physical network. Means, depending on one of the first or second physical networks, which is determined based on direction information indicating a transfer direction of information data included in the first control message, When receiving the information data including the header or channel information to
Without performing the processing of the network layer, the header or the channel information depending on the other physical network of the first or second physical network, corresponding to the header or the channel information depending on the one physical network, From the correspondence stored in the storage means, a header or channel information depending on the determined other physical network is added to the information data or the information data is transferred to the second physical network through the channel. 2. The relay device according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit that transmits the data. 4. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the first physical network and the second physical network belong to the same IP subnet. 5. A communication method of a relay device for connecting at least two physical networks, comprising: a network layer address information of a data transmission destination or a data transmission source having a predetermined Ethernet type from a first physical network. And a first control message including a first header or channel information dependent on the first physical network and a communication resource amount. When the first control message is received, the own relay device and the A second physical network that has the communication resource amount with a next-stage node on a second physical network determined based on the first control message and that depends on the second physical network;
After establishing the communication path having the header or channel information of the above, after establishing the communication path, having the Ethernet type, at least the network layer address information, the second header or channel information and the communication resource amount Transmitting a second control message including the second control message to a next node on the second physical network. 6. A communication terminal device for transferring information data to / from a partner communication terminal device via one or a plurality of physical networks, comprising: Between the communication terminal device and the next node on the physical network determined based on the network layer address information of the partner communication terminal device, having the communication resource amount and having a header or channel information depending on the physical network; Control means for establishing a communication path, after establishing the communication path, having a predetermined ether type, at least depending on network layer address information of the partner communication terminal apparatus and the own communication terminal apparatus and the physical network Transmission of control message including header or channel information and communication resource amount Communication terminal apparatus characterized by comprising a that means. 7. A communication method of a communication terminal device for transferring information data to and from a partner communication terminal device via one or more physical networks, the method comprising: Previously, a header or channel having the communication resource amount between the own communication terminal device and a next-stage node on the physical network determined based on the network layer address information of the other communication terminal device, depending on the physical network Establishing a communication path having information, after establishing the communication path, has a predetermined Ethernet type, and depends on at least the network layer address information of the partner communication terminal device and the own communication terminal device and the physical network. Transmit a control message including header or channel information and communication resource amount Communication method characterized by. 8. A communication terminal device for transferring information data between a communication terminal device and a communication terminal device via one or more physical networks, the communication terminal device having a predetermined Ethernet type from the physical network, Receives a control message including network layer address information of the other communication terminal device and the own communication terminal device, header or channel information depending on the physical network, a communication resource amount, and direction information indicating whether reception or transmission is requested. Receiving means for receiving the information data from the communication path having the header or channel information of the physical network if the direction information indicates a request for reception, and the information data if the direction information indicates a request for transmission; Has the header or channel information of the physical network. Communication terminal apparatus characterized by comprising a means for transmitting to the communication path that. 9. A communication method of a communication terminal device for transferring information data to and from a communication terminal device of a communication partner via one or more physical networks, the communication method comprising: A control message including at least network layer address information of the partner communication terminal device and the own communication terminal device, header or channel information depending on the physical network, a communication resource amount, and direction information indicating either a request for reception or transmission. Receiving the information data from the communication path having the header or channel information of the physical network if the direction information indicates a request for reception, and the information data if the direction information indicates a request for transmission. Having the header or channel information of the physical network Communication method and transmits to the communication path.