JP2000244601A - Method and device for selecting data line - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select a data line proper to a data length by means of application and by means of media kind by identifying the application kind and reading the data line based on the identified application kind. SOLUTION: An application identifying part 200 identifies the application kind based on signals 11a-14a outputted by a communication application. A line selecting part 201 refers to a line selecting table 203 based on the identified application kind, reads line kinds L1-L3 which are made to correspond to the application kind and reads a connection kind. A line selecting part 201 selects the read data line as the one corresponding to a received transmission request and outputs a transmission request signal including the connecting kind to line control parts 31-33 corresponding to the line kind. The parts 31-33 which receive the transmission request signal execute designated line connection. Then a transmission permission is reported to the applications 11a-14a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data line selection method and a data line selection device.
The present invention relates to a data line selection method and a data line selection device for selecting any one of two or more data lines when a communication application performs data communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a data communication apparatus capable of using two or more data lines, it is necessary to assign one of the data lines to a communication application. In particular, when two or more communication applications are operated, a specific communication application may monopolize a specific data line. For this reason, it is necessary to appropriately manage the data line as the line resource so as to effectively use the data line. In general, in a data communication device, a data line is allocated for each communication application or each data communication by a communication application designating a data line. For this reason, the communication application needs to manage the line resources of the data communication device in addition to the original processing work.

A data communication device proposed in view of such circumstances is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-260044. FIG. 26 shows ISDN (Integrat) described in this publication.
1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data communication device using an ed Services digital network (ed service digital network) line. 100 in the figure,
101 and 102 are communication applications (A
P) and 103 are line resource management units, 104 is an ISDN connection control unit, 105 is an ISDN line connection unit, and 106 is an ISDN line. Each of the communication applications 100 to 102 designates a communication channel and makes a line use request, and the line resource management unit 103 which holds the line state of the ISDN line 106 transmits a data line for each line use request based on the designation of the data line. Has been assigned. For this reason, since the communication applications 100 to 102 do not need to manage the line resources, the load on the communication application can be reduced, and the development thereof can be facilitated.

However, in this data communication device,
The communication application specifies the data line. For this reason, a communication application, which should be a general-purpose program that does not depend on an individual data communication device, recognizes a data line available in the data communication device, that is, a line type and a connection type, and manages line resources. Had to do.

On the other hand, as another example of a conventional communication device, a data communication device in which a communication application does not specify a data line is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 4-97628. This data communication device accesses a short data line when the number of packets of transmission data is equal to or less than a specific number in a satellite packet communication system, and accesses a long data line when the number exceeds the specific number. When this data communication device is used, there is no need for a communication application to specify a data line.

However, this data communication system can be applied only when both selectable data lines are packet communication systems. In addition, the data communication system is a simple alternative of a long data line and a short data line. This method can be applied only when a proper selection is made, and there is a problem that when various data lines having different connection types are mixed, an appropriate data line cannot be selected.

In particular, when different connection types can be selected for the same line type, for example, when different data transmission rates can be selected for the same line type, it is necessary to select the line type and connection type. there were.
Therefore, there is a problem that an appropriate data line cannot be selected.

In this data communication apparatus, since a data line is selected based only on the number of packets, an optimum data communication is requested according to an application type of a communication application requesting data transmission, a media type of transmission data, and the like. There was a problem that the data line or connection type could not be selected.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to enable selection of an appropriate data line based on the application type of a communication application requesting data communication.

Further, according to the present invention, when the most appropriate data line cannot be selected based on the line state, the next appropriate data line is selected to select the optimum data line corresponding to the line state. Aim.

Further, the present invention selects one of a method of selecting a data line based on the application type of a communication application requesting data communication and a method of selecting a data line based on a media type of transmission data. An object is to select an appropriate data line selection according to a media type.

Further, the present invention selects one of a method for selecting a data line based on the application type of a communication application requesting data communication and a method for selecting a data line based on the data length of transmission data. The purpose is to select an appropriate data line selection according to the data length.

Further, the present invention selects one of a line selection method based on an application type, a line selection method based on a media type, and a line selection method based on a data length, and selects an application type, a media type and a data length. The purpose is to select an appropriate data line selection according to the requirements.

[0014]

A data line selecting method according to the present invention comprises: an application identification step of identifying an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application; Based on
A line selecting step of reading out the data line from a line selection table that associates the application type with the data line. Therefore, an appropriate data line can be selected based on the application type of the communication application that requests data communication.

Further, the data line selecting method according to the present invention includes a data identification step for identifying a data type of transmission data based on an output from a communication application, and a data type corresponding to two or more data lines with priorities. A line selection step of reading the data line with the highest priority based on the identified data type from the line selection table to be added, and further reading the data line with the next highest priority based on the line state of the read data line. It is configured with. Therefore, it is possible to select an optimal data line according to the line state based on the data type of the transmission data.

Further, in the data line selecting method according to the present invention, the data type of the transmission data includes an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source,
The media type of the transmission data or the data length of the transmission data is used. Therefore, it is possible to select an optimum data line according to the line state based on the application type, the media type, or the data length.

The data line selecting method according to the present invention includes an application identification step of identifying an application type of a communication application that is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application.
A first line selection step of reading a data line or a second line selection table based on the identified application type from a first line selection table that associates an application type with a data line or a second line selection table; Based on the output from the communication application,
From the media identification step for identifying the media type of the transmission data and the second line selection table that associates the media type with the data line when the second line selection table is read in the first line selection step, A second line selecting step of reading out a data line based on the identified media type. Therefore,
It is possible to select an appropriate data line selection according to the application type and the media type.

The data line selecting method according to the present invention includes an application identification step of identifying an application type of a communication application that is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application.
A first line selection step of reading a data line or a second line selection table based on the identified application type from a first line selection table that associates an application type with a data line or a second line selection table; Based on the output from the communication application,
A data length identification step for identifying the data length of the transmission data; and a second line selection table for associating the data length with the data line when the second line selection table is read in the first line selection step. A second line selecting step of reading out a data line based on the identified data length. Therefore, it is possible to select an appropriate data line selection according to the application type and the data length.

The data line selecting method according to the present invention further comprises an application identification step of identifying an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application.
A first line selection step of reading a data line or other line selection table based on the identified application type from a first line selection table that associates an application type with a data line or another line selection table; Based on the output from the data length identification step for identifying the media type of the transmission data, and from the second line selection table that associates the media type with a data line or other line selection table, based on the identified media type, A second line selection step of reading a data line or other line selection table, a data length identification step of identifying a data length of transmission data based on an output from the communication application, and a data line or other line selection of data length. Third line selection table associated with the table Et al., Based on the identified data length,
And a third line selection step of reading out a data line or another line selection table. In the first to third line selection steps, when another line selection table is read out, another line selection table is read. Any one of the first to third line selection steps of reading a data line or another line selection table from the line selection table read as the line selection table is executed. Therefore,
It is possible to select an appropriate data line selection according to the application type, media type, and data length.

On the other hand, a data line selecting device according to the present invention provides, based on an output from a communication application, an application identification section for identifying an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source, and a rule for associating the application type with a data line. And a line selection unit that reads a data line from the line selection table based on the identified application type. Therefore, an appropriate data line can be selected based on the application type of the communication application that requests data communication.

Also, in the data line selection device according to the present invention, the line selection table includes a rule for associating the data type with two or more data lines with priority, , The data line with the highest priority is read out, and the data line with the next highest priority is further read out based on the line state of the read data line. Therefore, it is possible to select an optimal data line according to the line state based on the data type.

Further, the data line selecting apparatus according to the present invention uses the application type of the communication application which is the data transmission request source, the media type of the transmission data, or the data length of the transmission data as the data type. Therefore, it is possible to select an optimum data line according to the line state based on the application type, media type or data length.

Also, the data line selecting device according to the present invention, based on the output from the communication application, identifies the application type of the communication application which is the data transmission request source, and sets the application type to the data line or the second communication line. A first line selection table that defines the correspondence with the line selection table, a data length identification unit that identifies the media type of the transmission data based on the output from the communication application, and a regulation that associates the media type with the data line. A data line or another line selection table is read from the first line selection table based on the second line selection table and the identified application type, and if the second line selection table is read, the identification is performed. The second line based on the media type Constructed and a line selection unit for reading data line from the-option table. Therefore, it is possible to select an appropriate data line selection according to the application type and the media type.

Further, the data line selection device according to the present invention, based on the output from the communication application, identifies the application type of the communication application which is the data transmission request source, and sets the application type to the data line or the second communication line. A first line selection table that defines the correspondence with the line selection table, a data length identification unit that identifies the data length of the transmission data based on the output from the communication application, and a definition that associates the data length with the data line. Based on the second line selection table and the identified application type, the data line or the second line selection table is read from the first line selection table, and when the second line selection table is read, A second line selection table based on the identified data length; Constructed and a line selection unit for reading data line from. Therefore, it is possible to select an appropriate data line selection according to the application type and the data length.

Further, the data line selecting device according to the present invention provides an application identification unit for identifying an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source, based on an output from the communication application, and a data line or another line for identifying the application type. A first line selection table comprising rules associated with the selection table;
A media identification unit for identifying a media type of transmission data based on an output from the communication application; a second line selection table including a rule for associating the media type with a data line or another line selection table; A third data length identifying unit for identifying the data length of the transmission data based on the output; and a third rule for associating the data length with a data line or another line selection table.
And a data line or another line selection table is read from one of the predetermined first to third line selection tables. If another line selection table is read, another line selection table is read. A line selection unit is further provided for reading a data line or another line selection table from the first to third line selection tables read as the line selection table. Therefore, it is possible to select an appropriate data line selection according to the application type, the media type, and the data length.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of an entire data communication network to which a data communication device according to the present invention is applied. DE in the figure
Reference numeral 1 denotes a data communication device according to the present invention, and DE2 denotes a remote-side data communication device that performs data communication with the data communication device DE1.

NW1 to NW3 are data communication devices DE1
Is a data communication network that provides a data line, and a data communication device DE1 is connected via one or more data lines La to Lc. Also, NW4
Is a data communication network that provides a data line to the remote data communication device DE2.

The data lines La to Lc are of a circuit switching type,
This is a data line such as a packet switching system and a random access system, and is defined by a line type and a connection type. For the data lines La to Lc, the line type is, for example, IS
Wired line such as DN basic line, ISDN primary line, ISDN packet line, packet dedicated line, dedicated line, and PDC
A wireless line such as a line, a PHS line, and an IMT-2000 line can be used.

GW1 to GW3 are gateway devices for relaying between data communication networks having different protocols and the like, and interconnect the data communication networks NW1 to NW3 and the data communication network NW4.

FIG. 2 shows a data communication device DE according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one configuration example. 11 to 11 in the figure
Reference numeral 14 denotes communication application software for performing data communication with the data communication device DE2 on the remote side.
These communication applications are based on the data communication device DE.
1, but may also operate on a personal computer or the like (not shown) connected to the data communication device DE1.

These communication applications 11 to 14
Is general-purpose software that does not depend on a data communication device, and may operate under an OS (operating system). Here, the communication applications 11 to 1
4 will be described as being a file transfer application, a still image transfer application, a TV phone application, and an Internet access application (browser or the like).

Reference numerals 31 to 33 in the figure denote data communication devices DE.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a line control unit provided for each of the line types L1 to L3 to be connected, and is configured by a circuit for performing line connection, line disconnection, data transmission / reception, and the like of the line types L1 to L3, respectively. Here, the line type L1 is an ISDN unrestricted digital line, and the line control unit 31 sets the line type L1 to 64 kbit / s.
Alternatively, the connection is controlled by a connection type of 128 kbit / s. Also,
The line type L2 is an ISDN packet line, and the line control unit 3
2 controls connection of the line type L2 according to the connection type of the Dch packet or the Bch packet. Furthermore, if the line type L3 is ATM
(Asynchronus Transfer Mode) line, and the line control unit 33 controls connection of the line type L3. Here, the connection type means different communication speeds or service items that can be used on the same line type L1 to L3. The communication speed and service item are specified in advance like the line type L3, and the connection type of the line type that cannot be selected for each communication application or data communication is "fixed method".
I will call it. In this case, the line type matches the data line.

In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes communication applications 11 to
A line management unit 14 selects a data line and a connection type when performing data communication. The line management unit 14 includes an application identification unit 200 as a data identification unit, a line selection unit 201, a timer unit 202, and a line selection table 203. .

11a to 14a and 11b to 14b are transmission / reception signals between the communication applications 11 to 14 and the line management unit 20, and 31a to 33a and 31b to 33b are signals between the line management unit 20 and the line control units 31 to 33. Is a transmission / reception signal. These signals can also be realized by event processing or the like in software.

The communication applications 11 to 14 output one or more transmission data as the signals 11a to 14a after outputting the transmission request signals as the signals 11a to 14a at the time of data transmission. Further, based on these signals, the line management unit 20 outputs a transmission request signal as the signals 31a to 34a, or outputs one or more transmission data.

The application identification section 200 identifies the application type based on the signals 11a to 14a output from the communication application. That is, the application type of the communication application that is the data transmission request source is identified. The application type means a classification according to the type of the communication application that requests the data communication by outputting the transmission request signal.

For example, a file transfer application,
Each of the still image transfer application, the TV phone application, and the Internet access application can be one application type.

The application identification section 200 can identify the application type by identifying the transmission request signals 11a to 14a (events in the case of software processing). When the transmission request signal includes information (application information) regarding the communication application of the request source, the application type may be identified by extracting the application information from the transmission request signal.

The line selection table 203 includes rules that associate an optimum data line for each application type, that is, a line type and an optimum connection type on the line type. Using this line selection table 203,
An optimal data line can be selected based on the application type.

For example, "still image transfer application"
In the “TV phone application”, since the former transmits a still image and the latter transmits a moving image, the latter generally has a larger communication data amount. A high-speed data line is associated with such an application type having a large amount of communication data, while a medium type having a smaller amount of communication data is associated with the application type.
A lower speed data line can be associated. A packet line can be associated with a media type having a small communication data amount. Furthermore, a higher-speed data line can be associated with a media type that requires real-time properties.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 203. In this figure,
The "still image transfer application" is associated with the 64 kbit / s connection of the ISDN unrestricted digital line (line type L1), the "file transfer application" is associated with the Dch packet connection of the line type L2 (ISDN packet line), and "TV The telephone application is associated with the line type L3 (ATM line), and the "Internet access application" is converted to the line type L1 (ISDN unrestricted digital line) 128k
It is configured to include each rule corresponding to bit / s connection.

Here, the connection type of the "TV phone application" is of a fixed type, and the connection type is not specified like other application types. The reason for this is that, in this communication device, since the connection of the ATM line is always controlled with a specific connection type, there is no need to specify the connection type. In this way, for some or all of the line types for which the connection type is fixed, the connection type can be fixed in the line selection table 203.

The line selection table 203 includes a ROM,
Although it can be constituted by a storage means such as a RAM or an EEPROM, it is desirable to constitute by a writable storage means and to easily change each rule in the line selection table 203. For example, it is desirable that it can be easily changed from a maintenance interface or the like (not shown) of the data communication device.

The line selection unit 201 reads out the line type and connection type corresponding to the identified application type from the line selection table 203 and selects a data line. Then, a transmission request signal is output to the line control units 31 to 33 corresponding to the selected line types L1 to L3. This signal includes the connection type, and the transmission request signal 31a
The line controllers 31 to 33 which have received .about.33a perform the specified line connection. Thereby, each communication application 1
1 to 14 can perform data communication with the data communication device DE2 on the remote side.

When the communication application outputs a transmission stop signal as the signals 11a to 14a, or when a timer unit 202 described later outputs a time-up signal, the line selection unit 201 transmits the signals as signals 31a to 33a. A stop signal is output, and the line controllers 31 to 33 disconnect the data line.

The timer unit 202 is a means for measuring the interruption time of data transmission. The timer unit 202 is reset by the line selection unit 201 and outputs a time-up signal to the line selection unit 201 when a predetermined interruption time has elapsed.

The application identification unit 200, the line selection unit 201, and the timer unit 202 can be realized not only as hardware (that is, a circuit) but also as software that operates on a microprocessor. Further, the line management unit 20 including the line selection table 203 can be realized by a microcomputer.

Steps S100 to S107 in FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 20, and show the processing when the output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14 are received. I have. The operation of the line management unit 20 differs depending on whether the reception data 11a to 14a is a transmission request signal or transmission data (step S100).

First, the case where the received signals 11a to 14a are transmission request signals will be described. The transmission request signal is
It is issued when a data transmission request occurs in the communication applications 11 to 14. When the line management unit 20 receives the transmission request signal, the application identification unit 200
Identifies the application type based on the transmission request signal (step S101).

The line selection unit 201 refers to the line selection table 203 based on the identified application type, and reads out the line types L1 to L3 and the connection types associated with the application type (step S10).
2). The line selecting unit 201 selects the read data line as the data line corresponding to the received transmission request, and outputs a transmission request signal including the connection type to the line control units 31 to 33 corresponding to the line type. (Step S10
3).

The line control unit 3 receiving the transmission request signal
1 to 33 perform the designated line connection. When the line connection is completed in this way, the completion of the line connection is notified to the line management unit 20 as signals 31b to 33b, and the line management unit 20 that has received the notification sends the transmission permission as signals 11b to 14b to the application 11a. To 14a.

After that, the line selection unit 201 outputs a reset signal to the timer unit 202 (step S10).
4). Based on this reset signal, the timer unit 202 starts measuring the interruption period and ends this process.

The timer unit 202 newly starts measuring the interruption period every time the reset signal is received, and outputs a time-up signal to the line selection unit 201 when the measured value reaches a predetermined interruption time. The line selection unit 201 disconnects the connected data line based on the time-up signal or the transmission stop signal from the communication application 11 to 14.

Next, a case will be described in which the received data 11a to 14a of the line management unit 20 is transmission data in step S100. The transmission data is issued by the communication applications 11 to 14 after the output of the transmission request signal. When the line management unit 20 receives the transmission data,
It is checked whether the data line selected in step S102 is being connected (step S105). For example, if the timer unit 202 determines whether or not the time is up, it is possible to check whether the data line is connected or disconnected. As a result, if the line is not currently connected, the process ends. At this time, the line management unit 20 notifies the communication applications 11 to 14 that the line is not connected.

On the other hand, if the line is being connected, the line selecting unit 2
01 is a line control unit 31 corresponding to the selected data line
The transmission data is sequentially output to the devices (step S10).
6). Then, the line controllers 31 to 33 transmit the received transmission data to the remote communication device DE2 via the line types L1 to L3. This step S106 is repeated until all data is transmitted (step S10
7).

When the data transmission is completed in this manner, the completion of the data transmission is notified to the line management unit 20 as signals 31b to 33b.
The transmission completion is notified to the applications 11a to 14a as signals 11b to 14b. After that, the line selection unit 201
Outputs a reset signal to the timer unit 202 (step S104), and the timer unit 202 starts measuring the interruption period and ends this process.

For example, file transfer application 1
If 1 transmits a text data transmission request signal, the application identification unit 200 identifies that the communication application that is the data transmission request source is a “file transfer application” based on the transmission request signal.

Next, the line selection unit 201 reads out the Dch packet connection of the line type L2 from the line selection table 203, outputs a transmission request signal including the connection type to the line control unit 32, and the line control unit 32 Make a connection. Thereafter, the transmission data output from the communication application 11 is transmitted to the line control unit 32 by the line selection unit 201.
And transmitted from the line control unit 32 to the data line.

Generally, the type of communication data content (media type, data length, etc.) tends to be different for each communication application. The communication speed, communication quality, and real-time property required for the data line differ depending on the type of communication application and the type of content. Therefore, by selecting the line type or the connection type based on the application type of the communication application, the selection can be made in consideration of the required communication speed, communication quality, real-time property, and the like.

Further, even in a data communication apparatus which can select two or more line types having different communication speeds and communication systems,
Alternatively, even with a data communication device that can select two or more connection types for at least some of the line types, the optimum line type and connection type can be selected.

Further, by identifying the application type based on the transmission request signal output from the communication application and selecting the data line, the optimum data line can be obtained without the communication application performing line resource management and data line designation. Can be selected. In other words, there is no need to use a dedicated communication application (including an application in which a part of a general-purpose communication application is processed or a predetermined parameter is set).

Therefore, the user can freely select a communication application from commercially available general-purpose communication applications, and can use the latest communication application at low cost. Further, the setting work for each data communication device is not required, and the installation work of the communication application becomes easy. .

In the present embodiment, the case where the data communication device DE1 is connected to three networks NW1 to 3 is described. However, the same effect can be obtained when the data communication device DE1 is connected to two or more networks. Can be

In this embodiment, a case has been described where both the line type and the connection type are selected as the data line selection. However, when only the line type is selected,
The present invention can be applied to a case where only the connection type is selected.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the communication applications 11 to 14 are file transfer applications or the like has been described. However, any other general-purpose software may be used as the communication applications.

Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, the case where the application type is identified based on the transmission request signal from the communication application has been described. In the present embodiment, FIG. 2 illustrates the case where the application type is identified based on the transmission data from the communication application. It will be described using FIG.

The application identification section 200 identifies the application type by identifying the transmission data 11a to 14a (event in the case of software processing) output after the communication application outputs the transmission request signal. When the transmission data includes information (application information) related to the requesting communication application, the application type may be identified by extracting the application information from the transmission data.

Steps S200 to S207 in FIG. 5 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 20 shown in FIG. 2, and perform processing when receiving transmission data from any of the communication applications 11 to 14. Is shown. In the present embodiment, when the line management unit 20 receives a transmission request signal, it does not output a transmission request to the line control units 31 to 33, and notifies the applications 11a to 14a of transmission permission as signals 11b to 14b. And the line management unit 2
When 0 receives transmission data from the communication applications 11 to 14 thereafter, it first outputs a transmission request to the line controllers 31 to 33, and further outputs transmission data.

First, the communication applications 11 to 14
Issue one or more transmission data as the signals 11a to 14a after the output of the transmission request signal. The line management unit 20 that has received the transmission data checks whether the transmission data is the first transmission data after receiving the transmission request signal (step S200).

When the line management unit 20 receives the first transmission data, the application identification unit 200 identifies the application type based on the transmission data (Step S202). The line selection unit 201 refers to the line selection table 203 based on the identified application type, and reads out a data line associated with the application type (Step S203).

The line selector 201 selects the read data line as the data line corresponding to the received transmission data, and sends a transmission request signal including the connection type to the line controllers 31 to 33 corresponding to the line type. Output (Step S2
04). The line control units 31 to 31 receiving this transmission request signal
33 makes a line connection, and notifies the line management unit 2 of the completion of the line connection.
Notify 0.

The line management unit 20 receiving this notification sequentially outputs the transmission data to the line control units 31 to 33 (step S205). Then, the line controllers 31 to 33 transmit the received transmission data to the remote communication device DE2 via the data line. This step S205 is repeated until all data is transmitted (step S20).
6).

When the data transmission is completed in this way, the completion of the data transmission is notified to the line management unit 20 as signals 31b to 33b.
The transmission completion is notified to the applications 11a to 14a as signals 11b to 14b. After that, the line selection unit 201
Outputs a reset signal to the timer unit 202 (step S207). Based on this reset signal, the timer unit 202 starts measuring the interruption period and ends this process.

On the other hand, if the transmission data received by line management section 20 is not the first transmission data in step S200, the data line should have been connected when the previous transmission data was received. However, the data line may be disconnected after a predetermined interruption period has elapsed. Therefore, the line management unit 20 determines in step S
It is checked whether the data line selected in 203 is connected (step S201).

If the line is being connected, the transmission data is output by the line selection unit 201 without performing the line connection (steps S205 to S207). If the line is disconnected, the line is connected again (step S205). S202 to S2
04).

For example, the still image transfer application 12
However, if still image data is output as the first transmission data, the application identification unit 200 identifies that the application type of the data transmission request source is a still image transfer application based on the transmission data 11a to 14a.

Next, the line selection unit 201 reads out the 64 Kbit / s packet connection of the line type L 1 from the line selection table 203, outputs a transmission request signal including the connection type to the line control unit 31, and Is 64Kb for line type L1
Connect with it / s. Then, the transmission data is continuously output to the line control unit 31 by the line selection unit 201 and transmitted from the line control unit 31 to the data line.

The still image transfer application 12
However, if the still image data is output as the second transmission data, the transmission data is output to the line control unit 31 without outputting the transmission request signal.

In this way, by identifying the application type of the communication application that is the data transmission request source based on the transmission data and selecting the data line,
The same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 3 In the first and second embodiments, the line selection unit 201 directly selects the data line read from the line selection table 203. In the second embodiment, however, the data selection is further performed in consideration of the line state of the data line. A case where a line is selected will be described.

FIG. 6 shows a data communication device DE according to the present invention.
1 is a block diagram showing one configuration example, and can be applied to the data communication network shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
The same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components shown in FIG.

In the figure, a line management unit 21 includes an application identification unit 200, a line selection unit 211, a timer unit 2
02, the line selection table 213, the line status writing unit 21
2 is different from the line management unit 20 in FIG. 2 in that the line selection unit 211 and the line selection table 213 are different, and a line state writing unit 214 is added.

The line selection table 213 includes a rule for associating two or more optimum data lines with one application type, and differs for each of two or more data lines associated with the same application type. Priorities are assigned. The line selection table 213 is composed of writable storage means such as a RAM and an EEPROM, and stores the use status of each data line.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 213. In this figure,
"Still image transfer application" 64kb of line type L1
It is associated with the it / s connection type, the fixed type of the line type L3, and the Bch packet connection type of the line type L2. Among them, the 64 kbit / s connection of the line type L1 has the highest priority “first priority”, and the line type L3 and the line type L2
In the order of priority. For other application types, three data lines are associated with priority numbers 1 to 3, respectively.

The line state writing unit 214 detects the line state of the data line and writes it in the line selection table 213.
Here, the line state is information for determining whether or not the data line can be used. For example, information indicating whether or not the data line is currently used (usage status), and information on the data line. It can be constituted by information indicating whether or not physical properties are good. Here, it is assumed that the line status writing unit 214 writes the usage status corresponding to each data line.

The use status of the data line is indicated by signals 31b to 3b.
3b is output from the line control units 31 to 33 to the line management unit 21. The line status writing unit 214 outputs the signal 31b
Based on .about.33b, the usage status is written to the line selection table 213. The usage status in the line selection table 213 shown in FIG. 6 is the usage status written by the line status writing unit 214. In this figure, the line type L1 is in use, and the line types L2 and L3 are empty (not in use).

The line selector 211 reads out the data line, connection type, and usage status corresponding to the identified application type from the line selection table 213. Further, one of the data lines is selected based on the read usage status. That is, the usage statuses are read out in order from the one with the highest priority, and if the read usage status is “in use”, the usage status of the next priority is read out. If the read usage status is “empty”, that is, usable, the data line is read and selected. The transmission request signal is output to the line control units 31 to 33 corresponding to the data line selected in this way.

Steps S300 to S309 in FIG. 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 21, and show the processing when the output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14 are received. I have. The operation (steps S306 to S309) when the reception data 11a to 14a is transmission data is the case of the first embodiment (FIG. 4).
Steps S104 to S107).

When the received signals 11a to 14a are transmission request signals (step S300), when the line management unit 21 receives the transmission request signal, the application identification unit 200
Identifies the application type based on the transmission request signal (step S301).

The line selection section 211 has a line selection table 20
3 and reads out the usage status of the first priority associated with the application type (step S30).
2). If the read usage status is “in use”, the usage status is sequentially read in the order of the second to third priorities (step S303). Then, when the usage status "empty" is read, the data line associated with the usage status is read out from the line selection table 213 and selected (step S304). Subsequent operation (step S30)
5, S306) are the same as those in the first embodiment (steps S103, S104 in FIG. 4).

For example, the still image transfer application 12
Output a transmission request signal, the line selection unit 2
Reference numeral 11 reads, from the line selection table 213 (FIG. 7), the line states associated with the application type “still image transfer application” in order of priority.

In FIG. 7, the data line of the first priority is 128 kbit / s of line type L1, and its use status is "in use". On the other hand, the data line with the second priority is a Dch packet of the line type L2, and the line state is “empty”.
It is. Accordingly, the line selection unit 211 reads the line type L2 and the connection type Dch packet from the line selection table 213, and outputs a transmission request signal to the line control unit 33.
The line controller 33 performs line connection.

The file transfer application 11
Output a transmission request signal, the status of the line with the highest priority is read from the line selection table 213 (FIG. 7), and it is "empty". Therefore, the line selection unit 211
Reads out and selects the line type L2 and the connection type Dch packet of the first priority from the line selection table 213.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to select an appropriate data line according to the application type while taking into account the line state of the data line. That is, even when the data line first read from the line selection table 213 cannot be used, an appropriate data line can be selected.

In this embodiment, the case where line state writing section 214 writes the line state in line selection table 213 has been described as an example, but line selection table 213 does not store the line state and line selection section 213 does not store the line state. After reading the data line from the line selection table 213, the 211 inquires the line control units 31 to 33 corresponding to the read data line about the line state, and reads the line selection table 213 again as necessary. It may be. In this case, the line selection table 213 may be configured by a non-writable storage unit such as a ROM.

Further, as in the case of the second embodiment, the application identifying unit 200 may be configured to identify the application type based on the transmission data.

Embodiment 4 In the third embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the selection of the data line in consideration of the line state is performed based on the application type of the transmission request source. A case where a line is selected will be described.

FIG. 9 shows a data communication device DE according to the present invention.
1 is a block diagram showing one configuration example, and can be applied to the data communication network shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
The same reference numerals are given to the components corresponding to the components shown in FIG.

The line management unit 22 in the figure includes a media identification unit 220, a line selection unit 211, a timer unit 202,
It is composed of a line selection table 223 and a line status writing unit 214. The media identification unit 220 and the line selection table 223 are different from the line management unit 21 in FIG.

The media identification section 220 identifies the media type of the transmission data based on the transmission request signals 11a to 14a output from the communication application. That is, the media type of the transmission data is identified as the data type of the transmission data. The media type of the transmission data means a classification of the content included in the transmission data by the media.

For example, the media type is whether the content of the transmission data is a still image, a text, a moving image, or a high-speed moving image + sound (a combination of high-speed moving image and sound). Generally, the file transfer application 11 outputs text data as transmission data, and the Internet access application 14 outputs a still image, text, moving image, or high-speed moving image + audio as transmission data.

Therefore, in this case, the transmission request signal output from the file transfer application always includes “text” as the media type, and the transmission request signal output from the Internet access application 14 includes “media” as the media type. Still image "," text ",
“Moving image” or “high-speed moving image + audio” will be included.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data format (data structure) of the transmission request signals 11a to 14a. This transmission request signal is transmitted from the communication applications 11 to 14 to the line management
2 is output. Generally, a transmission request signal includes various kinds of control data together with a transmission request signal identifier. The media information and the data length of the transmission data are included in the transmission request signal as one of the control data.

The media identification unit 220 extracts this media information from the transmission request signal and identifies the type of media. The identified media type may be the extracted media information itself, or may be a further processed version of the extracted media information. For example, the extracted media information may be further grouped or further subdivided.

The line selection table 223 includes rules for associating an optimum data line with each media type. For example, in the case of media types “moving image” and “still image”, the former can be associated with a high-speed data line, while the latter can be associated with a low-speed data line. Further, a packet line can be associated with a media type having a small communication data amount such as “text”. Furthermore, a higher-speed data line can be associated with a media type that requires real-time properties.

The line selection table 223 includes rules for associating two or more data lines with one media type, as in the third embodiment. Have different priorities. Also, this line selection table 223
Is composed of writable storage means such as a RAM and an EEPROM, and the use status is stored for each data line.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 223. In this figure,
The "still image" is associated with a connection type of 64 kbit / s of the line type L1, a fixed system of the line type L3, and a connection type Bch packet of the line type L2. Among them, the connection type 64 kbit / s of the line type L1 has the highest priority “priority number 1”.
, And the priority order decreases in the order of the line type L3 and the line type L2. For other media types, three data lines are associated with priority numbers 1 to 3, respectively.

S400 to S409 in FIG. 12 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 22, and show the processing when the output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14 are received. I have.

If the signals 11a to 14a are transmission request signals (step S400), when the line management unit 22 receives the transmission request signal, the media identification unit 220 extracts media information from the transmission request signal, and Is identified (step S401).

The line selection section 211 has a line selection table 22
With reference to No. 3, the use status of the first priority associated with the media type is read (step S402). Other operations (steps S403 to S409) are the same as those of the third embodiment (steps S303 to S309 in FIG. 8).

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to select an appropriate data line according to the type of media while considering the line state of the data line. That is, even when the data line first read from the line selection table 223 cannot be used, an appropriate data line can be selected.

As in the case of the third embodiment, the line selector 211 may inquire of the line controllers 31 to 33 about the line status. In this case, the line selection table 223 includes a ROM or the like. Can be configured by a non-writable storage means.

Further, similarly to the case of the second embodiment, the media identification unit 220 may be configured to identify the media type based on the transmission data. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a data format (data structure) of transmission data output from the communication applications 11 to 14. Generally, the transmission data includes a transmission data identifier, various control data, and a data body, and media information of the data body is included in the transmission data as one of the control data. The media identification unit 220 can also extract the media information from the first transmission data after the transmission request signal and identify the media type.

Embodiment 5 FIG. In the third and fourth embodiments, the description has been given of the case where the data line is selected based on the application type and the media type in consideration of the line state. In the fifth embodiment, the line state is considered based on the data length of the transmission data. A case where a data line is selected will be described.

FIG. 14 shows a data communication device D according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of E1, which can be applied to the data communication network illustrated in FIG. The components corresponding to the components shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, the line management unit 23 includes a data length identification unit 230, a line selection unit 211, a timer unit 202,
It is composed of a line selection table 233 and a line status writing unit 214. The data length identification unit 230 and the line selection table 233 are different from those of the line management unit 21 in FIG.

The data length identification section 230 identifies the data length type of the transmission data based on the transmission request signals 11a to 14a output from the communication application. That is, the data length of the transmission data is identified as the data type of the transmission data. The data length of the transmission data is the data length of all communication data output after the transmission request signal, and more specifically, the data amount of the content included in the transmission data or the data amount added thereto. Means

For example, when the transmission data has the data format shown in FIG. 13, it may be any of the data amount of the data body, the data amount of the data body and the control data, or the data amount of the data body, the control data and the identifier. You may.

Data length identification section 230 extracts data length information from the transmission request signal shown in FIG. 10, and identifies the data length of the transmission data. The data length to be identified may be the extracted data length information itself, or may be a further processed version of the extracted data length information. For example, a classification result in which the extracted data length information is classified into any of a plurality of data length ranges may be used.

Here, the data length identification unit 230 stores the extracted data length information and a predetermined threshold value of 1 kbyte,
A threshold comparing unit (not shown) for comparing 100 kbytes and 1 Mbyte is provided, and the extracted data length information is “1 kbyt
e, less than 1kbyte and less than 100kbyte, "100k
It is determined which of the four data length ranges “byte or more and less than 1 Mbyte” or “1 Mbyte or more” belongs, and the result of the determination is output.

The line selection table 233 has a definition in which an optimum data line is associated with each data length. For example, communication data having a long data length can be associated with a high-speed data line, while communication data having a shorter data length can be associated with a lower-speed data line.
A packet line can be associated with communication data having a short data length.

This line selection table 233 includes a rule in which two or more data lines are associated with one data length, as in the third embodiment. Each data line associated with the same data length has Have different priorities. The line selection table 233 stores RA
It is composed of writable storage means such as M, EEPROM and the like, and the use status is stored for each data line.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 233. As shown in FIG. In this figure,
"Less than 1 kbyte" is the connection type Dch packet of the line type L2, the connection type of 64 kbit / s of the line type L1 and the line type L
3 is fixed. Of these, line type L
The connection type Dch packet having the second highest priority is “first priority” with the highest priority, and the priority order is lowered in the order of the line type L1 and the line type L3. The other data lengths are assigned priority numbers 1 to 3 and correspond to three data lines.

Steps S500 to S509 in FIG. 16 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line manager 23, and show the processing when the output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14 are received. I have.

When the received signals 11a to 14a are transmission request signals (step S500), when the line management unit 23 receives the transmission request signal, the data length identification unit 230 extracts data length information from the transmission request signal. Then, the data length of the transmission data is identified (step S501).

The line selection section 211 has the line selection table 23
3 and the priority 1 associated with this data length
The usage status of the number is read (step S502). Other operations (steps S503 to S509) are the same as those of the third embodiment (steps S303 to S309 in FIG. 8).

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to select an appropriate data line according to the data length of transmission data while taking into account the line state of the data line. That is, even when the data line first read from the line selection table 233 cannot be used, an appropriate data line can be selected.

As in the case of the third embodiment, the line selection unit 211 may be configured to inquire of the line control units 31 to 33 about the line state. In this case, the line selection table 223 includes a ROM or the like. Can be configured by a non-writable storage means.

As in the case of the fourth embodiment, the data length identifying section 230 extracts data length information from the control data of the first transmission data after the transmission request signal, and identifies the data type. You can also.

Embodiment 6 FIG. In Embodiments 1 to 5,
The case where one line selection table based on a specific data type is provided has been described. In the sixth to eighth embodiments, a case where two or more line selection tables based on different data types are provided will be described.

First, the sixth embodiment describes a case where a line selection table (first line selection table) based on the application type and a line selection table (second line selection table) based on the media type are provided. .

FIG. 17 shows a data communication device D according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of E1, which can be applied to the data communication network illustrated in FIG. The components corresponding to the components shown in FIGS. 2 and 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The line management unit 24 in the figure has an application identification unit 200 and a media identification unit 220 as a data identification unit, and has a first line selection table 243 and a second line selection table 244 as a line selection table. Be composed.

The first line selection table 243 has a rule in which an optimum data line or a second line selection table 244 is associated with each application type. That is, the line selection table 243 specifies a reference to another line selection table in the line selection table 203 (FIGS. 2 and 3), instead of associating a data line with some application types. Things.

As described above, in some cases, an optimal data line can be selected according to the application type, but for a specific application type, selecting a data line according to the media type makes it possible to select a more appropriate data line. May be selectable. In particular, for a communication application that transmits communication data having different media types, it is desirable to select a line based on the media type.

For example, in the case of the Internet access application 14, the transmission data includes "still image", "text", "moving image", or "high speed moving image + audio".
Is included. Therefore, it is more preferable to select a data line based on a media type than to select a data line based on an application type.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 243. In this figure,
“Internet access application” is associated with the second line selection table 244 instead of the data line.

[0138] The second line selection table 244 is provided with rules for associating an optimum data line with each media type. That is, the line selection table 244 includes only the data of the first priority in the line selection table 223 (FIGS. 9 and 11), and is configured excluding the usage status. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting such a line selection table 244.

[0139] The line selection unit 211 reads data from the line selection table 243 based on the application type identified by the application identification unit 200. If the read data is any data line, this data line is selected. On the other hand, if the read data is a reference code to the second line selection table 244, the data line is read from the line selection table 244 based on the media type identified by the media identification unit 220, and the line type L1 To L3.

Steps S600 to S609 in FIG. 20 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 24, and show processing when the output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14 are received. I have.

When the received signals 11a to 14a are transmission request signals (step S600), when the line management unit 23 receives the transmission request signal, the application identification unit 200
Identifies the application type of the communication application, and the media identification unit 220 identifies the media type of the transmission data (step S601).

The line selector 211 first reads out data associated with the identified application type from the first line selection table 243. (Step S60
2). Then, it is checked whether the read data is a reference code for the second line selection table (step S603). If the reference code has been read, the data line and connection type associated with the identified media type are read from the second line selection table 244 (step S604).

If a data line has been read in step S602 or S604, the line selection unit 211
Outputs a transmission request signal to the line controllers 31 to 33 (step S605). Other operations (Step S6)
06 to S609) are the same as those in the first embodiment (steps S104 to S107 in FIG. 4).

For example, if the TV phone application 13 outputs a transmission request signal of “high-speed moving picture + voice”, the fixed method of the line type L3 is obtained from the first line selection table 243 (FIG. 18) based on the application type. Is read.

If the Internet access application 14 outputs a “high-speed moving image + audio” transmission request signal, the data read from the first line selection table 243 (FIG. 18) based on the application type is Reference numeral. Therefore, the line selection unit 2
Numeral 11 reads the fixed type of the line type L3 from the second line selection table 244 based on the media type.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to select an appropriate data line appropriate for two different data types. That is, according to the application type,
By performing line selection based on the application type or line selection based on the media type, an appropriate data line can be selected in consideration of both the application type and the media type.

As in the case of the third embodiment, the second
The communication selection table 244 defines the data line to which the priority is assigned, or the first communication selection table 243
May define a data line or other line selection table to which the priority is assigned, and the line management unit 24 may select the line based on the line state.

As in the case of the fourth embodiment, the application identifying unit 200 or the media identifying unit 220
It may be configured to identify the application type or the media type based on the first transmission data after the transmission request signal.

Embodiment 7 FIG. In the seventh embodiment, a case will be described in which a line selection table based on an application type (first line selection table) and a line selection table based on data length (second line selection table) are provided.

FIG. 21 shows a data communication device D according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of E1, which can be applied to the data communication network illustrated in FIG. Components corresponding to the components shown in FIGS. 14 and 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The line management unit 25 in the figure has an application identification unit 200 and a data length identification unit 230 as a data identification unit, and has a first line selection table 243 and a second line selection table 254 as a line selection table. It is composed. As compared with the line management unit 24 of FIG. 17, the data length identification unit 230 and the line selection table 254 are different.

The second line selection table 254 has a rule in which an optimum data line is associated with each data length.
That is, the line selection table 254 includes only the data of the first priority in the line selection table 233 (FIGS. 14 and 15) and is configured excluding the usage status. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting such a line selection table 254.

As described above, while there are cases where the most suitable data line can be selected according to the application type, it is more appropriate to select the data line according to the data length of the transmission data for a specific application type. You may be able to select a data line. In particular, for a communication application that transmits communication data having greatly different data lengths, it is desirable to select a line based on the data length.

For example, in the case of the Internet access application 14, there are transmission data having a data length of several hundred bytes or less, and transmission data having a data length of several Mbytes or more.
Therefore, it is more preferable to select the data line based on the data length of the transmission data than to select the data line based on the application type.

Therefore, as in the sixth embodiment, if the data read from the line selection table 243 is a reference code to the second line selection table 254, the line selection unit 211 The data type and the connection type are read from the line selection table 254 based on the data type identified by the unit 230, and the line types L1 to L
Select one of 3

The operation of the line manager 25 is the same as in the case of the sixth embodiment (S600 to S609 in FIG. 20). That is, when the reception signals 11a to 14a are transmission request signals (step S600), when the line management unit 25 receives the transmission request signal, the application identification unit 200
In addition to identifying the application type of the communication application, the data length identifying unit 230 identifies the data length of the transmission data (Step S601).

The line selection unit 211 first reads out data associated with the identified application type from the first line selection table 243. (Step S60
2). Then, it is checked whether the read data is a reference code to the second line selection table (step S603). If the reference code has been read, the data line and connection type associated with the identified data length are read from the second line selection table 254 (step S604).

For example, the TV phone application 13
However, if a transmission request signal is output for transmission data having a data length of 2 Mbytes, the line type L is obtained from the line selection table 243 (FIG. 18) based on the application type.
3 is read out, and the line control unit 33 controls connection of the line type L3.

If the Internet access application 14 outputs a transmission request signal for transmission data having a data length of 2 Mbytes, the data read from the first line selection table 243 (FIG. 18) based on the application type. Is a reference sign. For this reason, the line selection unit 211 determines that the identified data length is “1 Mb
Based on “yte or more”, the fixed type of the line type L3 is read from the second line selection table 254, and the line control unit 33 controls the connection of the line type L3.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to select an appropriate data line appropriate for two different data types. That is, according to the application type,
By performing line selection based on the application type or line selection based on the data length, it is possible to select an appropriate data line in consideration of both the application type and the data length.

Note that, as in the case of the third embodiment, the second
The communication selection table 254 defines the data line to which the priority is assigned, or the first communication selection table 253
May define a data line or other line selection table to which the priority is assigned, and the line management unit 25 may select the line based on the line state.

As in the case of the fourth embodiment, the application identifying unit 200 or the data length identifying unit 230
The configuration may be such that the application type or the data length is identified based on the first transmission data after the transmission request signal.

Embodiment 8 FIG. Embodiment 8 describes a case where three line selection tables are provided. That is, a line selection table based on the application type (first line selection table), a line selection table based on the media type (second line selection table), and a line selection table based on the data length (third line selection table) ) Will be described.

FIG. 23 shows a data communication device D according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of E1, which can be applied to the data communication network illustrated in FIG. Components corresponding to the components shown in FIGS. 17 and 21 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The line management unit 26 in the figure includes an application identification unit 200, a media type identification unit 220, and a data length identification unit 230 as data identification units, a first line selection table 243, and a second line selection table as line selection tables. Line selection table 264 and third line selection table 26
5 is provided. As compared with the line management unit 24 in FIG. 17, the second line selection table 264 is different, and the difference is that a data length identification unit 230 and a third line selection table 265 are added.

The second line selection table 264 is provided with a rule corresponding to the optimum data line or the third line selection table 265 for each media type. That is, the line selection table 264 is stored in the line selection table 244 (FIG. 1).
7, FIG. 19), a reference to a third line selection table is defined instead of associating a data line with some media types.

As described above, in some cases, an optimal data line can be selected according to the media type, but for a specific media type, selecting a data line according to the data length makes a more appropriate data line available. May be selectable. In particular, for media types whose data lengths may differ greatly, it is desirable to select a line based on the data length.

For example, when the media type of the communication data is “still image”, the data length of the communication data varies greatly depending on the resolution and the image size. Therefore, it is more desirable to select the data line based on the data length than to select the data line based on the media type.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 264. In this figure,
The media type “still image” is associated with the third line selection table 265 instead of the data line.

Note that the first line selection table 243 is
The application type is defined by associating it with the data line and the connection type or the second line selection table 264, and the first line selection table 24 shown in FIG.
Same as 3. Also, the third line selection table 265
Consists of rules that associate data lengths with data lines,
This is the same as the second line selection table 254 shown in FIG.

Steps S700 to S711 in FIG. 25 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 26, and show processing when the output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14 are received. I have.

When the reception signals 11a to 14a are transmission request signals (step S700), when the line management unit 23 receives the transmission request signal, the application identification unit 20
0, the media identification unit 220 and the data length identification unit 230 each identify a data type (step S70).
1).

The line selection unit 211 first reads out data associated with the identified application type from the first line selection table 243. (Step S70
2). Then, it is checked whether the read data is a reference code for the second line selection table (step S703).

When the reference code has been read, the data line associated with the identified media type is read from the second line selection table 264 (step S70).
4). Then, it is checked whether the read data is a reference code for the third line selection table (step S705).

If the reference code has been read, the data line associated with the identified data length is further read from the third line selection table 265 (step S706).

Step S702, S704 or S706
When the data line is read out in step (1), the line selection unit 211 outputs a transmission request signal to the line control units 31 to 33 (step S707). Other operations (steps S708 to S711) are the same as those in the first embodiment (steps S104 to S107 in FIG. 4).

For example, if the Internet access application 14 outputs a “high-speed moving image + audio” transmission request signal, the data read from the first line selection table 243 (FIG. 18) based on the application type is Reference numeral for the second line selection table. Therefore, the line selection unit 211 reads out the fixed system of the line type L3 from the second line selection table 264 (FIG. 24) based on the media type.

If the Internet access application 14 outputs a transmission request signal for “still image” data having a data length of 2 Mbytes, the first line selection table 24 based on the application type is used.
3 (FIG. 18) is a reference to the second line selection table. Therefore, the line selection unit 2
11 reads out the data of the second line selection table 264 (FIG. 24) based on the identified media type.

At this time, the read data is a reference code for the third line selection table. For this reason, the line selection unit 211 reads the fixed system of the line type L3 from the third line selection table 264 (FIG. 22) based on the identified data length “1 Mbyte or more”, and the line control unit 33 determines the line type L3. Perform connection control.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to select an appropriate data line appropriate for three different data types. That is, based on the application type,
By selecting either line selection based on application type or line selection based on other data types, and further selecting either line selection based on media type or line selection based on data length based on media type, application type Therefore, an appropriate data line can be selected in consideration of all of the media type and the data length.

It should be noted that, as in the case of the third embodiment, the third
The communication selection table 265 defines the data line to which the priority is assigned, or the first or second communication selection table 243, 264 defines the data line to which the priority is assigned or another line selection table, The management unit 25 may be configured to select a line based on the line state.

As in the case of the fourth embodiment, the application identifying unit 200, the media identifying unit 220 or the data length identifying unit 230 identifies the application type or the media type based on the first transmission data after the transmission request signal. It can also be configured to perform

In the seventh embodiment, a case where line selection is performed based on two specific data types is described. In the eighth embodiment, a case where line selection is performed based on three specific data types is described. Combination of data types,
The order of referring to the line selection table is not limited to these cases. Also, a line can be selected by combining four or more data types.

The data lines in Embodiments 1 to 8 have different QoS (Qual
It may be a packet communication line in which an (class of service of service) class is set. In this case, the data line can be selected by selecting the QoS class.

[0185]

The data line selection method and the data line selection device according to the present invention select a data line based on the application type of the communication application, so that an appropriate data line can be selected according to the application type.

Further, the data line selection method and data line selection device according to the present invention provide a data type by associating a data type such as an application type, a media type, and a data length with two or more data lines with priorities. It is possible to select an appropriate data line according to the data type while considering the line state of the line.

The data line selection method and data line selection device according to the present invention can select an appropriate data line corresponding to two or more different data types. That is, it is possible to select an appropriate data line in consideration of both the application type and the media type, both the application type and the data length, and the application type, the media type, and the data length.

[0188]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of an entire data communication network to which a data communication device according to the present invention is applied (Embodiment 1).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a data communication device DE1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting a line selection table 203 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the line management unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 2, illustrating a process when selecting a line based on a transmission request signal from any of the communication applications 11 to 14. .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the line management unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 2, illustrating a process when receiving output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14 ( Embodiment 2).

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the data communication device DE1 according to the present invention (Embodiment 3).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of data constituting a line selection table 213 illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the line management unit 21 illustrated in FIG. 6, illustrating a process when receiving output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the data communication device DE1 according to the present invention (Embodiment 4).

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data format (data structure) of transmission request signals 11a to 14a output from communication applications 11 to 14.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting a line selection table 223 shown in FIG.

12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the line management unit 22 illustrated in FIG. 9, and illustrates a process performed when output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14 are received.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data format (data structure) of transmission data 11a to 14a output from communication applications 11 to 14.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the data communication device DE1 according to the present invention (Embodiment 5).

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting a line selection table 233 shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the line management unit 23 illustrated in FIG. 14, and illustrates output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14;
Shows the processing performed when the information is received.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the data communication device DE1 according to the present invention (Embodiment 6).

FIG. 18 shows a first line selection table 2 shown in FIG.
It is a figure showing an example of data which constitutes 43.

FIG. 19 shows a second line selection table 2 shown in FIG.
It is a figure showing an example of data which constitutes 44.

20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the line management unit 24 illustrated in FIG. 17, and illustrates output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14;
Shows the processing performed when the information is received.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the data communication device DE1 according to the present invention (Embodiment 7).

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 254 shown in FIG.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the data communication device DE1 according to the present invention (Embodiment 8).

FIG. 24 is a second line selection table 2 shown in FIG. 23;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting 64.

25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the line management unit 26 illustrated in FIG. 23, and includes output signals 11a to 14a from any of the communication applications 11 to 14.
Shows the processing performed when the information is received.

FIG. 26 shows a conventional ISDN (Integrated Services digita).
1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data communication device using a network.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 to 14 Communication application 200 Application identification unit 220 Media identification unit 230 Data length identification unit 203, 213, 223 Line selection table 243 First line selection table 244, 254, 264 Second line selection table 265 Third line selection Table 201, 211 Line selection unit 31-34 Line control unit L1-L3 Data line DE1 Data communication device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Keiko Yoneda, 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsui Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Koji Matsuyama 2-3-2, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F term (reference) in Ryo Denki Co., Ltd.

Claims (18)

[Claims] An application identification step for identifying an application type of a communication application that is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application, and a line selection for associating the application type with a data line based on the identified application type. A line selection step of reading a data line from a table. 2. The data line selecting method according to claim 1, wherein said application identifying step identifies an application type based on application information included in a transmission start request signal output from a communication application. 3. The line selecting step reads out a data line with the highest priority based on the identified application type from a line selection table that associates application types with two or more data lines with priorities. , Based on the line state of the read data line,
2. The data line selecting method according to claim 1, further comprising reading out the data line having the next highest priority. 4. A data identification step for identifying a data type of transmission data based on an output from a communication application, and a line selection table for associating the data type with two or more data lines assigned a priority. The data type having the highest priority, based on the read data line, and a line selection step of further reading the next highest priority data line based on the line state of the read data line. Data line selection method. 5. The data identifying step is a media identifying step of identifying a media type of transmission data, and the line selecting step is a line selecting step of associating the media type with two or more data lines with priorities. 5. The data line selection method according to claim 4, wherein a data line is read from the table based on the identified media type. 6. The data identification step is a data length identification step of identifying a data length of transmission data, and the line selection step is a step of associating a data length with two or more data lines with priorities. The data line selection method according to claim 4, wherein the data line is read from the selection table based on the identified data length. 7. An application identification step for identifying an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application, and a first association of the application type with a data line or a second line selection table. A first line selection step of reading a data line or another line selection table from the line selection table based on the identified application type; and a media identification step of identifying a media type of transmission data based on an output from the communication application. When the second line selection table is read in the first line selection step, the data line is set based on the identified media type from the second line selection table that associates the media type with the data line. Second line to read Data line selecting method is characterized in that a-option steps. 8. An application identification step for identifying an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application, and a first association of the application type with a data line or a second line selection table. A first line selection step of reading a data line or another line selection table from the line selection table based on the identified application type; and a data length identification for identifying a data length of transmission data based on an output from the communication application. And when the second line selection table is read in the first line selection step, the data line is determined based on the identified data length from the second line selection table that associates the data length with the data line. Second line selecting step for reading out Data line selecting method characterized by comprising a. 9. An application identification step for identifying an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application, and a first line for associating the application type with a data line or another line selection table. A first line selection step of reading a data line or another line selection table from the selection table based on the identified application type; and a data length identification step of identifying a media type of the transmission data based on an output from the communication application. Reading a data line or other line selection table based on the identified media type from a second line selection table that associates the media type with the data line or other line selection table; Communication appliqué A data length identification step for identifying the data length of the transmission data based on the output from the transmission line, and a third line selection table for associating the data length with a data line or another line selection table based on the identified data length. And a third line selection step of reading out a data line or another line selection table. In any one of the first to third line selection steps,
When another line selection table is read, a first data line or another line selection table is read from the line selection table read as another line selection table.
A data line selecting method, wherein any one of the third to third line selecting steps is executed. 10. An application identification unit for identifying an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application, and a line selection table including rules for associating the application type with a data line. A line selection unit for reading a data line from a line selection table based on the application type. 11. The data line selection device according to claim 10, wherein said application identification unit identifies an application type based on application information included in a transmission start request signal output from a communication application. 12. The line selection table includes a rule for associating an application type with two or more data lines to which a priority is assigned. The line selection unit determines the highest priority based on the identified application type. 11. The data line selection device according to claim 10, wherein the data line with the highest priority is read out based on the line state of the read data line, and the data line with the next highest priority is further read out. 13. A data selection unit for identifying a data type of transmission data based on an output from a communication application, and a line selection table including a rule for associating the data type with two or more data lines with priorities. A line selecting unit that reads the highest priority data line from the line selection table based on the identified data type, and further reads the next highest priority data line based on the line state of the read data line; A data line selection device comprising: 14. The data identification unit is a media identification unit for identifying a media type of transmission data, and the line selection table defines a rule for associating a media type with two or more data lines assigned a priority. 14. The data line selection device according to claim 13, wherein the line selection unit reads a data line from a line selection table based on the identified data type. 15. A data length identification unit for identifying a data length of transmission data, wherein the line selection table defines a correspondence between a data length and two or more data lines assigned a priority. 14. The data line selection device according to claim 13, wherein the line selection unit reads a data line from a line selection table based on the identified data length. 16. An application identification unit for identifying an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application, and a rule for associating the application type with a data line or a second line selection table. A first line selection table, a media identification unit for identifying a media type of transmission data based on an output from the communication application, and a second line selection table including a rule for associating the media type with a data line. The data line or the second line selection table is read from the first line selection table based on the application type, and if the second line selection table is read, the second line selection table is read based on the identified media type. Read data line from line selection table A data line selecting device, comprising: 17. An application identification unit for identifying an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application, and a rule for associating the application type with a data line or a second line selection table. A first line selection table, a data length identification unit for identifying a data length of transmission data based on an output from the communication application, a second line selection table including a rule for associating the data length with a data line, The data line or the second line selection table is read out from the first line selection table based on the application type thus obtained, and if the second line selection table is read out, the data line or the second line selection table is read out based on the identified data length. Line selection unit that reads out data lines from the line selection table 2 Data line selecting device characterized by comprising a. 18. An application identification unit for identifying an application type of a communication application which is a data transmission request source based on an output from the communication application, and a rule for associating the application type with a data line or another line selection table. A line selection table for identifying a media type of transmission data based on an output from a communication application, and a second line selection comprising a rule for associating the media type with a data line or another line selection table. A table, a data length identification unit for identifying a data length of transmission data based on an output from the communication application, and a third line selection table including a rule for associating the data length with a data line or another line selection table. First to third predetermined times A data line or another line selection table is read from any of the selection tables, and if another line selection table is read, the first to third line selection tables read as other line selection tables And a line selection unit for reading a data line or another line selection table.