JP2001326636A - Network connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network connection device by which a simple and flexible network system can be built up, which a user can simply utilize, and which protect the copyright of acquired information. SOLUTION: The network connection device is provided with a 1st interface section 5 in a physical layer for the connection to an external network, 2nd interface sections 6 in the physical layer for the connection to an internal network, a connection request information storage section 41 that stores connection request information from a client connected to the 2nd interface section, and an acquired information storage section 42 that stores information acquired from the external network. The network connection device acquires desired information via the access to the external network via the 1st interface section on the basis of the information stored in the connection request information storage section 41, so as to store the information to the acquired information storage section 42 as its control.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network connection device for connecting a plurality of network terminals existing in a home or small office to an external network such as the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the explosive spread of the Internet, there has been a rapid demand that a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as PCs) existing in homes and small offices be aggregated and connected to the Internet. Is growing.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional network system. In the figure, 101 is the Internet, 102 is a router as a network device used in a small office or the like, 103 is an Ethernet constituting a closed network in the office, 104a
Reference numerals 104c denote a plurality of PCs connected to the router 102 via the Ethernet 103.

In such a conventional network system, for example, when the PC 104a tries to send an e-mail to the outside, data corresponding to the e-mail from the PC 104a reaches the router 102 via the Ethernet 103, and Internet 10 from
1 is transmitted. At this time other P
If the C104b tries to access the external Internet at the same time, the transmission line Ethernet 1
If 03 is free, transmission can be performed. If the line is used and blocked by the PC 104a, transmission is waited until it becomes free, and access to the external Internet is started when it is confirmed that the line is free.

[0005] The client PC 104a, PC1
04b can access the external Internet at the same time, but the transmission speed is slower than when using only one device.

On the other hand, a plurality of A
V equipment or information equipment including telephones, facsimile machines and the like are originally used independently of each other, but it is desired that these are also networked.

[0007] As one mode of utilization of the Internet, entertainment information such as music and video is downloaded and played back at home or on a portable terminal.

[0008]

However, especially when a plurality of PCs in a home are to be aggregated and connected to an external network, it is difficult to extend Ethernet wiring in the home. There is no simple,
It is necessary to set up a flexible network system.

When entertainment information such as music and video is downloaded and used, since it is provided as digital data, illegal re-copying may be performed after downloading, and the rights of the copyright holder are protected. It was difficult.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a network connection device which can construct a simple and flexible network system and can be easily used. It is an object of the present invention to provide a network connection device that can prevent downloaded information from being illegally copied again.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a network connection device comprising: a first interface unit comprising at least one kind of physical layer for connecting to an external network; A second interface unit comprising a plurality of types of physical layers for connection, an acquired information storage unit modularized to store information obtained from an external network and having a copyright protection function, and the first interface unit; A control unit for controlling the second interface unit, wherein the control unit is configured to transmit information between the first interface unit and the second interface unit or between the second interface units. Performs transmission and reception, and accesses an external network via the first interface unit Te acquires desired information was and controls to store the acquired information storage unit.

Further, by providing a connection request information storage unit for storing connection request information from a client connected to the second interface unit, regardless of the connection of the client, via the first interface unit. It is characterized in that it is controlled to access an external network to obtain desired information and store it in the obtained information storage unit.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a first interface unit comprising at least one kind of physical layer for connecting to an external network, and a plurality of interfaces for connecting to an internal network. A second interface unit composed of different types of physical layers, an acquired information storage unit modularized to store information acquired from an external network and having a copyright protection function, the first interface unit and the second interface unit, And a control unit that controls information transmission and reception between the first interface unit and the second interface unit, or between the second interface unit, Accessing an external network via a first interface unit to obtain desired information and storing the obtained information A network connection device characterized in that it is controlled to be stored in a network system, which is capable of supporting an interface for connecting to an external network and a plurality of types of interfaces for an internal network, and is a simple and flexible network system. In addition, the acquired information can be stored, and the acquired information can be played back, browsed, confirmed, etc. later, and the acquired information storage unit having a copyright protection function can be used. Unauthorized re-copying can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the information stored in the acquired information storage unit is isochronous data, wherein the network-connected device according to the first aspect is provided with video, audio, and the like. Can be smoothly reproduced with respect to the isochronous information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when transmitting the information stored in the obtained information storage unit to the second interface unit, the information stored in the obtained information storage unit includes information for preventing re-copying. 2. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein when there is an instruction, information is sent to the second interface unit and the information stored in the obtained information storage unit is deleted. Thus, it is possible to prevent the stored information from being illegally copied.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the network connection device according to the first aspect, the acquired information storage unit is an SD card, and the illegal copy is performed by a copyright protection function of the SD card. Can be prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the network according to the first aspect, further comprising a display unit, wherein the display unit displays whether information has been acquired in the acquired information storage unit. It is possible to grasp at a glance whether or not there is information obtained by automatic download as a connected device.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the display means displays whether or not the information stored in the acquired information storage unit prohibits digital re-copying. With the network connection device described above, the user can grasp at a glance whether or not the acquired information prohibits re-copying.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a first interface unit comprising at least one type of physical layer for connecting to an external network and a first interface unit comprising a plurality of types of physical layers for connecting to an internal network are provided. 2, a connection request information storage unit that stores connection request information from a client connected to the second interface unit, and a module that stores information obtained from an external network, and has a copyright protection function. An acquisition information storage unit, and a control unit that controls the first interface unit and the second interface unit,
The control unit transmits and receives information between the first interface unit and the second interface unit or between the second interface units.
Based on the information stored in the connection request information storage unit, an external network is accessed via the first interface unit to obtain desired information, and control is performed to store the desired information in the obtained information storage unit. A network connection device that can support an interface for connecting to an external network and a plurality of types of interfaces for an internal network, enabling a simple and flexible network system to be constructed, and obtaining acquired information. Can be stored, and the acquired information can be reproduced, browsed, confirmed, etc. later.
Further, for example, data can be automatically acquired during a time period when the connection fee is low, or data can be received without starting up the computer itself.

The invention according to claim 8 is the network-connected device according to claim 7, wherein the information stored in the acquired information storage unit is isochronous data. Can be smoothly reproduced with respect to the isochronous information.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the acquired information storage section and the connection request information storage section are integrally formed as a module, and are detachable from the main body. The connection request information and the acquisition information can coexist on one memory card or the like.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the network connection device according to the seventh aspect, the acquired information storage unit is an SD card. Can be prevented.

The invention according to claim 11, further comprising a display means, wherein the display means displays on the display means whether information has been acquired in the acquired information storage unit. It is a device that allows the user to grasp at a glance whether there is information acquired by automatic download.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the display means displays whether or not the information stored in the obtained information storage unit prohibits digital re-copying. The user can grasp at a glance whether or not the acquired information prohibits re-copying.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network connection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a management unit, 2 is a control unit, 3 is a display unit, 4 is a storage unit, and 5-1 to 5-N is a WA comprising at least one or more physical layers for connecting to an external network.
N interface units 6-1 to 6-N are one or more LAN interface units including at least two or more types of physical layers for connecting to an internal network.

The display unit 3 includes a display device such as an LCD or an LED, and the storage unit 4 includes a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, a magneto-optical memory, and the like.

As a physical layer of the WAN interface unit, Ethernet, telephone line, optical fiber, power line,
The physical layer of the LAN interface unit is selected from Ethernet, a telephone line, an optical fiber, a power line, a coaxial cable, wireless, and the like. Radio waves include radio waves and infrared rays.

Each LAN interface unit 6
The data transmitted from the slaves connected to 1 to 6-N can go to the external network through the WAN interfaces 5-1 to 5-N, and conversely, to the WAN interfaces 5-1 to 5 -N, the data from the external network is transmitted to the LAN interface unit 6
The call is received from the slave unit connected to -1 to 6-N. At this time, the control unit 2 has a routing function and performs protocol conversion, address conversion, and the like.

Further, for example, the LAN interface unit 6
And the LAN interface unit 6-
Data can be exchanged with the slave unit connected to the N. In this case, the LAN interface units 6-1 and 6-N may be interface units having the same physical layer or interface units having different physical layers. In the case of the interface unit having the same physical layer, the control unit 2 may be a hub. In the case of an interface unit that functions and has a different physical layer, the control unit 2 also functions as a bridge.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a storage unit of the network connection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, the storage unit 4 is composed of two blocks, a connection request information storage unit 41 and an acquired information storage unit 42. The connection request information storage unit 41 includes LAN interface units 6-1 to 6-N of network connection devices.
The information (URL, address, etc.) of the connection request from the client connected to the external network to the external network is stored via the control unit 2. The acquisition information storage unit 42 stores information automatically downloaded by the network connection device based on the information stored in the connection request information storage unit 41.

Next, the automatic download operation will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of automatic download of a network connection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In the figure, the management unit 1 first checks whether information is stored in the connection request information storage unit 41 (S1), and if there is setting information, connects to the WAN interface unit 5 at a predetermined timing. Automatic operation is performed so as to automatically obtain data from the external network, and information on the requested address and URL is obtained (S2). Next, it is checked whether or not there is information on the result of automatic driving, and if the information is not obtained due to some error or the like, the automatic driving is repeated again (S3). When the information has been acquired, the acquired data is stored in the storage unit 4 (S4), and has a function of displaying the presence or absence of the acquired data on the display unit 3 as necessary (S5). As a result, for example, data can be automatically acquired during a time period when the connection fee is low, or data can be received without starting up the computer itself.

Also, by temporarily storing isochronous data such as audio and video in the storage unit 4, the user can reproduce the data without being affected by data delay caused by communication. become able to.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a network connection device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 51 is a management unit, 52 is a control unit, 53 is a display unit, 54
Is a storage unit, 55 is an Ethernet interface unit,
Reference numeral 56 denotes an Ethernet interface unit, 57 denotes a telephone line interface unit, and 58 denotes a connection connector unit for connecting a wireless interface unit to be described later. The management unit 51, the control unit 52, the display unit 53, and the storage unit 54 are the same as in the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the connection interface can be freely selected, for example, a cable modem or an ADSL modem by using an Ethernet interface as the WAN interface unit. Further, wireless, Ethernet, and telephone lines are used as LAN interface units, and the data transfer speed of each LAN interface unit is the Ethernet transfer speed.
By having Mbps or more, data exchange between interfaces can be performed without delay of data, which is very effective for transmitting isochronous data such as moving image and audio data.

Reference numeral 59 denotes a connector of the wireless LAN unit, 60 denotes a controller of the module, 61 denotes a wireless interface, 62 denotes an antenna, and 63 denotes a wireless LAN unit.

In the present embodiment, a configuration is shown in which a part or all of the LAN interface unit is modularized to be detachable, and as an example, a configuration in which the wireless LAN unit 63 is detachable is shown. In this way, by making the LAN unit detachable, even if interfaces necessary for connecting various miscellaneous information devices arranged in the home are not prepared at the initial stage, they can be prepared later. It is possible to use it flexibly. In addition, a required LAN interface unit can be selected, and a wireless LAN unit 6 can be selected.
By providing an expensive interface as an option as in item 3, there is an effect of reducing the cost of the network connection device body. Further, for example, the connection connector unit 5
By making 8, 59 compliant with the PC card standard,
The modularized wireless LAN unit 63 can be used in a device having a PC card slot, for example, a notebook computer, and has an effect of increasing versatility.

Further, by providing the control unit 60 also on the wireless LAN unit 63 side as in this embodiment, the processing load can be dispersed, and the processing load on the control unit 52 of the network connection device main body can be reduced. Can be.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a network connection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 53 is a display unit, 55 is a WAN side Ethernet interface unit, 56 is a LAN side Ethernet interface unit, 57 is a telephone line interface unit, 58 is a connection connector unit of the main unit, and 59 is a connection of a wireless LAN unit. Connector section, 63 is a wireless LAN unit, 24 is a wireless LA
The eject button of the N unit, 25 is a cover for the cover of the wireless LAN unit, and 26 is a changeover switch, which switches a PC or a hub as a connection destination.
Normally, the user must use a straight cable or a cross cable depending on the device to be connected, but the same cable can be used by the changeover switch 26.

When the user wants to directly connect the terminal and the network connection device in a transmission-reception relationship, for example, the switch 26 is set to the "PC side". Further, when connecting a network connection device to a hub, setting the changeover switch 26 to the "hub side" eliminates the need to prepare two types of cables, a cross type and a straight type, which is convenient for the user.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a memory card which is modularized and is detachable from the main body. Reference numeral 28 denotes a memory card slot, into which the memory card 27 can be inserted. Reference numeral 29 denotes an eject button of the memory card 27. By pressing this button, the inserted memory card 27 can be separated.

The memory card 27 preferably has a copyright protection function. If "Reprohibit copying" is set as a flag in the stored information, or if data is copied from the memory card 27 to another device (not shown), the original information stored in the memory card 27 is automatically saved. Will be erased.

Alternatively, if a flag of "copy number limit" is set in the stored information, digital copying up to the number of times specified on the flag is permitted, and the count number on the flag is reduced every time copying is performed. It is also possible to control so that the original information is erased at the time when the count number becomes 0, similarly to the above.

At this time, in order to prevent unauthorized copying, a unique ID is assigned to the memory card 27, and information flagged as “re-copy prohibited” is encrypted using this unique ID. By doing so, copying of the original data can be prevented. In this case, the information copied without taking the formal means remains encrypted, and meaningless information is obtained.

The memory card 27 may have two blocks, the connection request information storage unit 41 and the acquired information storage unit 42 described in the first embodiment, or may have only the acquired information storage unit 42. It may be in a form.

In the case of the memory card 27 having two blocks of the connection request information storage unit 41 and the acquired information storage unit 42,
For example, first, the memory card 27 is inserted into a notebook PC or the like not connected to the network connection device of the present invention, and information to be connected is written in the connection request information storage unit 41, and this is ejected. The auto-pilot is executed by inserting it into the slot 28, the acquired information is stored in the acquired information storage unit 42, and the information is reproduced by inserting it again into a notebook PC or the like not connected to the network connection device. it can.

In the case of the memory card 27 having only the acquired information storage section 42, the information is reproduced by inserting the memory card 27 into another portable music player or portable video player according to the acquired information. be able to. in this case,
Since the connection request information storage unit 41 does not exist in the memory card 27, more information can be efficiently stored.

The memory card 27 may be a memory card conforming to the PC card standard, a compact flash (registered trademark) card, a smart media, an SD card, etc. may be used as appropriate. Although a removable hard disk drive and a magneto-optical disk can be used, an SD card having a copyright protection function is particularly preferable.

The display section 53 is configured to blink when each interface is operating. When the acquired information is stored in the memory card 27, the display unit 53 is turned on, so that it is possible to determine at a glance whether the desired information is stored in the memory card 27. It is possible.

Further, the display unit 53 also displays whether or not the obtained information has a flag of "recopy prohibited".

In addition, the obtained information includes a “copy number limit”.
Is set on the display unit 53, the number of times specified on the flag is displayed on the display unit 53, and the count number that is reduced for each copy is displayed on the display unit 53.

A display device such as an LCD can be used as the display device, and the display information can be increased accordingly.

As is apparent from the figure, each interface is a wireless LAN unit 6 prepared as an option.
All but the interface of No. 3 are arranged on one side of the network connection device main body. This is used in a home or small office, and the connection lines used for the network are easily bundled together so as not to disturb the connected network connection lines.

The cover 25 for the wireless LAN unit is provided to prevent an unexpected impact on the wireless LAN unit 63.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a wireless LAN unit mounted on a network connection device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, the modularized wireless LAN unit 63 has the connector section 59 of the wireless LAN unit conforming to the PC card standard, so that it can be used in a device having a PC card slot, for example, a notebook computer, and the versatility is increased. There is also an effect.

It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the wireless LAN unit 63 on the module side does not include a control unit.

Further, the present invention does not limit the LAN interface section to the present embodiment, and does not specify the type and number of physical layers of the interface.

Next, the automatic download operation will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of automatic download of a network connection device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

In the figure, the management unit 11 first checks whether or not the memory card 27 is inserted into the memory card slot 28 (S11). If inserted, the setting information is stored in the connection request information storage unit 41. (S12), and if there is information, automatic operation is executed so as to automatically acquire data from an external network connected to the WAN interface unit 15 at a predetermined timing, and a request is issued. Address or UR
L information is acquired (S13). Next, it is checked whether or not there is information obtained as a result of the automatic driving. If the information is not obtained due to some error or the like, the automatic driving is repeated again (S14). When the information is obtained, the obtained data is stored in the memory card 27 (S15), and the display unit 13 has a function of displaying the presence or absence of the obtained data (S16). As a result, for example, data can be automatically acquired during a time period when the connection fee is low, or data can be received without starting up the computer itself.

Further, by storing data in the removable memory card 27, it is possible to insert the downloaded information into a portable music player or a video player and to take out the information such that the information is played back. Will be able to

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, a first interface unit comprising at least one kind of physical layer for connecting to an external network and a plurality of kinds of physical layers for connecting to an internal network , A module for storing information acquired from an external network, and an acquired information storage unit having a copyright protection function, and control for controlling the first interface unit and the second interface unit. And the control unit transmits and receives information between the first interface unit and the second interface unit or between the second interface units, and controls the first interface Unit to access the external network to obtain desired information and store it in the obtained information storage unit. A network connection device characterized by such control, it is possible to support an interface for connecting to an external network and a plurality of types of interfaces for an internal network, thereby constructing a simple and flexible network system. And can save the acquired information,
The information once obtained can be reproduced, viewed, confirmed, etc. later.

Further, by providing a connection request information storage unit for storing connection request information from a client connected to the second interface unit, regardless of the connection of the client, via the first interface unit. By accessing an external network to obtain desired information, for example, data can be automatically obtained during a time when the connection fee is low, or data can be received without starting up the computer itself.

Further, it is possible to smoothly reproduce isochronous information such as video and audio.

Further, by storing the downloaded information on the memory card, the information can be reproduced by inserting it into a portable music player or a portable video player according to the acquired information.

Further, the information downloaded to the memory card is protected by a copyright protection function, and it is possible to prevent unlimited digital copying. Therefore, the rights of the copyright holder can be protected, and the system for music / video distribution can be used. A highly reliable system can be constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network connection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a storage unit of the network connection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of automatic download of a network connection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a network connection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a network connection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an external view of a wireless LAN unit mounted on a network connection device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of automatic download of a network connection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a conventional network system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 management unit 2 control unit 3 display unit 4 storage unit 5 WAN interface unit 6 LAN interface unit 24 button for ejecting wireless LAN unit 25 cover for covering wireless LAN unit 26 changeover switch 27 memory card 28 memory card slot 29 memory card Eject button 41 Connection request information storage unit 42 Acquisition information storage unit 58 Connection connector unit of main body 59 Connection connector unit of wireless LAN unit 60 Control unit of module 61 Wireless interface unit 62 Antenna 63 Wireless LAN unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideyuki Furukawa 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shoichiro Kikuchi 1006 Odaka Kadoma Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Terms (reference) 5B035 AA13 BB09 BC00 CA00 5K030 GA15 HD01 KA06 LD20

Claims (12)

[Claims] A first interface unit comprising at least one type of physical layer for connecting to an external network; a second interface unit comprising plural types of physical layers for connecting to an internal network; It is a module that stores information obtained from the network,
An acquisition information storage unit having a copyright protection function; and a control unit that controls the first interface unit and the second interface unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the first interface unit and the second interface unit. Transmitting and receiving information to and from an interface unit or via a second interface unit, and accessing an external network via the first interface unit to obtain desired information; A network connection device characterized in that it is controlled so as to be stored in a network. 2. The information stored in the acquired information storage unit is isochronous data.
Network connection device according to the item. 3. When sending the information stored in the obtained information storage unit to the second interface unit, if the information stored in the obtained information storage unit includes an instruction to prevent re-copying, 2. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the network connection device is controlled to send information to the second interface unit and delete information stored in the acquired information storage unit. 4. The network connection device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition information storage unit is an SD card. 5. The network connection device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit, wherein the display unit displays whether information has been acquired in the acquired information storage unit. 6. The network connection device according to claim 5, wherein the display means displays whether or not the information stored in the acquired information storage unit prohibits digital re-copying. 7. A first interface unit comprising at least one type of physical layer for connecting to an external network, a second interface unit comprising plural types of physical layers for connecting to an internal network, and A connection request information storage unit that stores connection request information from a client connected to the second interface unit, an acquisition information storage unit that is modularized to store information obtained from an external network and has a copyright protection function, A control unit that controls the first interface unit and the second interface unit, wherein the control unit includes the first interface unit and the second interface unit.
Transmitting and receiving information between the interface unit and the second interface unit or between the second interface units, and the first interface unit based on information stored in the connection request information storage unit. A network connection device for controlling to access an external network via the PC to obtain desired information and store the obtained information in the obtained information storage unit. 8. The information stored in the acquired information storage unit is isochronous data.
Network connection device according to the item. 9. The network connection device according to claim 7, wherein the acquisition information storage unit and the connection request information storage unit are integrally formed as a module, and are detachable from a main body. 10. The network connection device according to claim 7, wherein the acquisition information storage unit is an SD card. 11. The network connection device according to claim 7, further comprising a display unit, wherein the display unit displays whether or not information has been acquired in the acquired information storage unit. 12. The network connection device according to claim 11, wherein the display means displays whether or not the information stored in the obtained information storage unit prohibits digital re-copying.