JP2003218910A - Transmission method and transmission controller for data packet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a communication environment with high quality in response to requirements of users. <P>SOLUTION: A transmission controller provides a service as an Internet provider to terminals T1 to T14 via a subscriber line accommodation apparatus 10. A bypass line B1 is installed between routers R1 and R2, and a use right is set only to transmission between particular terminals on the basis of the contract with the user. For the transmission between the particular terminals to which the use of right is set, data packets are transmitted via the bypass line B1, and ordinary transmission is made via the Internet N for general transmission. In order to realize selective transmission as above, the transmission controller 20 applies rewrite processing of routing tables RT1, RT2 in the routers R1, R2 with respect to the transmission between the particular terminals to which the use of right is set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data packet transmission method and a transmission control device, and more particularly, to a routing technique using a bypass line when receiving various contents delivered via the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the widespread use of electronic devices such as computers, information transmission in the form of data packets has been performed in various fields. Information transmission via the Internet is a typical example of information transmission in the form of a data packet, and by specifying the IP address given to each electronic device as a terminal device, each data packet can be specified as a destination. Can be transmitted to other terminal devices. In general, a network used for transmitting data packets is configured by connecting a large number of lines through routers, and each data packet passes through a plurality of routers and becomes a destination terminal device of a destination. Will be transmitted to. Each router is connected with a plurality of lines, and each router receives a data packet transmitted via one line and predetermines the data packet based on the destination address of the data packet. Process to send to the adjacent router of. Normally, each router has its own routing table, and each router refers to the routing table based on the source address and destination address added to the received data packet and Determine the route to send. The routing table in each router is usually determined by a predetermined algorithm based on measured values such as the load status of each line and the number of hops to the terminal device that is the transmission destination.

[0003]

In a huge and complicated network such as the Internet, the state of the communication network is constantly and dynamically changed, and a specific telecommunications carrier can grasp and manage the whole state. It is impossible to do. For this reason, it is difficult for a telecommunications carrier that provides a communication service as a so-called Internet provider to promise a user to reliably provide a service of a certain quality. However, from the user's point of view, it is desirable to have a service that always ensures content distribution at a certain communication speed or higher. In particular, it is expected that the distribution of large-capacity contents such as videos for broadband will increase at content-providing sites on the Internet, etc., and reliable streaming playback of such large-capacity contents will be possible. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for a reliable communication environment that does not cause a delay in distribution.

Therefore, according to the present invention, according to the user's request,
An object of the present invention is to provide a data packet transmission method and a transmission control device capable of providing a high-quality communication environment.

[0005]

(1) A first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of terminal devices belonging to a first group connected to a packet switching network via a first router, and a second device. A data packet transmission method for transmitting a data packet between a plurality of terminal devices belonging to the second group connected to the packet switching network via the router of
A bypass line separate from the packet switching network is prepared between the first router and the second router, and a specific terminal device belonging to the first group and a second group belong to the second group, if desired. Set the usage right that permits the use of the bypass line for transmission between the specified terminal device and the terminal device that does not have the usage right set. The transmission is performed, and regarding the transmission between the terminal devices for which the usage right is set, the data packet is transmitted via the bypass line.

(2) According to a second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of terminal devices belonging to a first group connected to a packet switching network via a first router and a packet via a second router. In a data packet transmission method for transmitting a data packet between a plurality of terminal devices belonging to a second group connected to a switching network, the first to the first terminal devices belonging to the first group are used. Prepares a first routing table indicating a route for transmitting a data packet to another terminal device through the router and the packet switching network of the second group, from the individual terminal devices belonging to the second group to the second router A second routing table showing a route for transmitting a data packet to another terminal device via the packet switching network is prepared, and the first routing table and the second route table are prepared. By performing routing processing based on the routing table, data packets are transmitted from a source terminal device to a destination terminal device, and a packet switching network is provided between the first router and the second router. By providing a bypass line separate from the above, a specific terminal device belonging to the first group, and a second
Set a usage right to permit the use of the bypass line for transmission between a specific terminal device that belongs to the group and a packet switching network for transmission between the specific terminal devices for which the usage right is set. Instead, by rewriting the first routing table and the second routing table so that the data packet is transmitted through the bypass line, and performing the routing process based on the rewritten routing table, the terminal serving as the transmission source The data packet is transmitted from the device to the destination terminal device via the bypass line.

(3) A third aspect of the present invention relates to the above-mentioned first aspect.
Alternatively, in the data packet transmission method according to the second aspect, with respect to the transmission of the specific terminal device belonging to the first group, the transmission between the terminal device and all the terminal devices belonging to the second group is bypassed. It allows the setting of comprehensive usage rights that permit the use of lines.

(4) A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to the above-mentioned first aspect.
Alternatively, in the data packet transmission method according to the second aspect, a specific terminal device belonging to the first group is designated according to a request among the terminal device and a plurality of terminal devices belonging to the second group. Regarding the transmission to and from the designated terminal device, it is possible to set the designated terminal usage right that permits the use of the bypass line.

(5) A fifth aspect of the present invention is based on the above first aspect.
Alternatively, in the data packet transmission method according to the second aspect, an object is to receive distribution of specific content from a specific terminal device belonging to the second group with respect to a specific terminal device belonging to the first group. With regard to the transmission, the temporary usage right for temporarily permitting the use of the bypass line can be set.

(6) The sixth aspect of the present invention is the above-mentioned second aspect.
In the method of transmitting a data packet according to the aspect,
Regarding a specific terminal device belonging to the second group, a temporary use of temporarily permitting the use of the bypass line for the transmission for the purpose of receiving the distribution of the specific content from the specific terminal device belonging to the second group Permission is set, and when the temporary usage right is set, the first
The routing table and the second routing table are rewritten, and the routing process based on the rewritten routing table is performed so that the specific content is delivered via the bypass line, and the specific content is delivered. When finished, first
The above rewriting is performed to restore the contents of the routing table and the second routing table.

(7) A seventh aspect of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned sixth aspect.
In the data packet transmission method according to this aspect, after the first set time has elapsed from the start of using the bypass line, the data packet related to the specific content to be distributed is transmitted for the second set time. If not, it is determined that the delivery of the specific content has been completed, and rewriting is performed to restore the content of the routing table.

(8) An eighth aspect of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned second aspect.
In the data packet transmission method according to the seventh aspect, the Internet is used as a packet switching network, and a routing table regarding IP addresses is prepared for transmission between terminal devices to which unique IP addresses are assigned. Is.

(9) A ninth aspect of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned second aspect.
In a data packet transmission control device for performing the transmission method according to the above aspect, based on a usage right setting table for setting information on a usage right for transmission between specific terminal devices, and a setting content of the usage right setting table And a processing device that performs a rewriting process of the routing table.

(10) According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the data packet transmission control device according to the ninth aspect, a usage right is granted every time a unique address is given to a specific terminal device. The routing table is rewritten based on the setting contents of the terminal device in the setting table.

(11) According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the data packet transmission control apparatus according to the ninth aspect, when a specific content is distributed between specific terminal devices, a bypass line is used. If there is a temporary use request for the specific content, the routing table is rewritten so that the specific content is distributed via the bypass line, and when the distribution of the specific content is completed, The rewriting process for restoring the contents of the routing table is performed.

(12) According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the data packet transmission control apparatus according to the eleventh aspect described above, after the first set time has elapsed from the start of using the bypass line, the second When the data packet related to the specific content to be distributed has not been transmitted for the set time of, it is judged that the distribution of the specific content is completed, and the rewriting process to restore the contents of the routing table to the original. Is to do.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on illustrated embodiments. §1. Basic principle of data packet transmission method according to the present invention
Physical Figure 1 is a block diagram for explaining the basic principle of the method for transmitting data packets according to the present invention. The example shown is
A plurality of terminal devices T11 belonging to the first group G1 connected to the packet switching network N via the first router R1.
~ T14 and a method of transmitting data packets between the plurality of terminal devices T21 to T24 belonging to the second group G2 connected to the packet switching network N via the second router R2 will be described. There is. The packet switching network N is not limited to the Internet, but the embodiment in which the Internet is used as the packet switching network N is the most practical embodiment, and the present invention will be described below based on such an embodiment. Will be explained. In this embodiment, the terminal devices T11 to T14 and T21 to T24 are widely used as electronic devices having an environment connected to the Internet, such as personal computers and mobile phones used by general users, or server devices installed by various service providers. It includes. Here, the terminal device T belonging to the first group G1
11 to T14 are connected to the packet switching network N via the first router R1, whereas the terminal devices T21 to T24 belonging to the second group G2 perform packet switching via the second router R2. It is connected to the network N.

Actually, a larger number of terminal devices generally belong to the first group G1 and the second group G2, but here, for convenience of explanation, as shown in the figure, A simple example in which only four terminal devices belong to each group will be shown. In addition, in reality, not only the two routers R1 and R2 shown in the figure are connected to the Internet N, but also a very large number of routers are connected, but in FIG.
Only router R1 and second router R2 of FIG.

Now, in the conventional general transmission method, as shown in FIG.
In the case of transmitting a data packet having an arbitrary terminal device in the first group G1 as a transmission source and an arbitrary terminal device in the second group G2 as a transmission destination, the transmission is performed via the Internet N. It will be. For example, the first
A data packet to be transmitted from the terminal device T11 in the group G1 to the terminal device T23 in the second group G2 is first sent to the internet N via the first router R1 and then transmitted in the internet N. It is sent to the second router R2 via the router and finally delivered to the target terminal device T23. To this data packet, the IP address assigned to the terminal device T11 is added as the source address, and the terminal device T2 is assigned as the destination address.
The IP address assigned to No. 3 is added, and each of the router devices R1 and R2 and the many router devices existing in the Internet N are based on the information of the IP address added to this data packet. By referring to the predetermined routing table, the process of sending the data packet to the predetermined route is performed. Since the Internet N is a huge and complicated network that spreads on a global scale, it is difficult to predict and manage an accurate transmission route in the Internet N, but individual routers in the Internet N In general, the routing table created by a predetermined algorithm is prepared based on measured values such as the load status of each line and the number of hops to the destination address, so that the most efficient route can be selected. Then, each data packet is transmitted to the intended destination address.

However, the state of the communication network that constitutes the Internet is dynamically changing, and even if the data packet of the same source and destination is transmitted, it is not always transmitted via the same route. Not necessarily, and it does not always arrive in the same transmission time. Therefore, as a telecommunications carrier that provides a communication service as an internet provider, as long as data packets are transmitted via the Internet N,
It is difficult to guarantee that a certain quality of service will be provided. This is a major obstacle when delivering large-capacity contents such as moving images for broadband. For example, from a terminal device T11 used by a general user (such as a personal computer incorporating Web browser software), a terminal device T23 composed of a content server managed by a business operator who distributes moving images is accessed to display moving image contents such as movies. In the case of receiving streaming distribution, the data packet transmitted and received between the two flows bidirectionally through the route of the first router R1, the internet N, and the second router R2. Since the route within N and the transmission time are not fixed, a certain delay may occur in the transmission time depending on the data packet, and a situation may occur in which smooth streaming reproduction cannot be performed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication environment of constant quality regardless of the situation of the Internet N even in such a case. In order to achieve this object, in carrying out the present invention, first, the first router R1
A bypass line B (indicated by a broken line in the figure) separate from the Internet N is prepared between the second router R2 and the second router R2. Then, according to the user's request, the use of the bypass line B is permitted for the transmission between the specific terminal device belonging to the first group G1 and the specific terminal device belonging to the second group G2. For the transmission between the terminal devices to which the usage right is set, the data packet is transmitted through the Internet N as before, and the terminal device to which the usage right is set is set. With regard to the transmission between them, the data packet is transmitted via the bypass line B.

Here, for example, a business entity that provides services as an Internet provider newly installs a bypass line B in order to implement the present invention,
Consider the case of developing a business that provides additional services to users. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 1, a general user who accesses the Internet using the terminal device T11 frequently visits a site operated by using the terminal device T23 which is a moving image content server. If so, this provider can recommend the user to use the additional service according to the present invention. That is, this provider can provide the user with an additional service that grants the right to use the bypass line B only when exchanging information with the terminal device T23. Such additional services may be provided on condition that an additional fee is charged to the user, or as a free service to differentiate from other competitive providers. You may In any case, if an agreement is reached between the provider and the user to provide such an additional service, the bypass line B is set for the transmission between the terminal device T11 and the terminal device T23. The usage right to be used will be set.

As described above, when the usage right is set for the transmission between the terminal devices T11 and T23, a data packet having the terminal device T11 as the transmission source and the terminal device T23 as the transmission destination, and conversely, the terminal device. A data packet whose source is T23 and whose destination is the terminal device T11 is transmitted via the bypass line B, not via the Internet N. Of course, regarding the transmission between the terminal devices for which such a usage right is not set, the data packet is transmitted via the Internet N as before. Therefore, in the case of the above example, when the user using the terminal device T11 receives the delivery of the predetermined content from the terminal device T22 which is another content server, the data packet is transmitted via the Internet N as usual. Will be transmitted. When the user wants to use the bypass line B also for the data packet distributed from the terminal device T22, the usage right for transmission between the terminal devices T11 and T22 may be set.

The bypass line B is a line laid by this provider and is a dedicated line dedicated to the transmission of only data packets related to the transmission between the specific terminal devices for which the usage right is set. Therefore, the bypass line B can be placed under the control of this provider, and with respect to the transmission via the bypass line B, it becomes possible to sufficiently guarantee the quality including the transmission speed. this is,
From the provider's point of view, it means that the user can be assured that a predetermined quality is maintained, and from the user's side of the terminal device T11, the terminal device T
With respect to the moving image provided from No. 23, it means that smooth streaming reproduction is always possible. This is the basic principle of the data packet transmission method according to the present invention.

§2. Routing Table Rewriting Process In order to realize the above-described transmission method, the routing table rewriting process may be performed according to the set usage right. As described above, each router has its own routing table, and the routing route is determined by referring to this routing table based on the address information added to the received data packet. To be done. Therefore, the predetermined routing table is prepared for each of the first router R1 and the second router R2 in the example shown in FIG. That is, in the case of a conventional transmission system that is premised on transmitting data packets via the Internet N, the first router R1 is
Individual terminal devices T11 to T11 belonging to the first group G1
A first routing table indicating a route for transmitting a data packet from T14 to another terminal device via the Internet N and, conversely, a route for receiving a data packet is prepared. Router R2
Includes individual terminal devices T belonging to the second group G2.
A second route for transmitting a data packet from 21 to T24 to another terminal device via the Internet N and, conversely, a route for receiving a data packet
The routing table of is prepared. Then, the data packets sent out from the terminal devices T11 to T14 are subjected to the routing processing based on the first routing table in the first router R1, and are sent out to the Internet N according to the route shown in the drawing, and are transferred in the Internet N. While going around, it is transferred to a predetermined router (for example, the second router R2) and delivered to a predetermined terminal device. Similarly, the data packets sent from the terminal devices T21 to T24 are subjected to the routing process based on the second routing table in the second router R2, and the Internet N is followed according to the route shown in the figure.
Is sent to a predetermined router (for example, the first router R1) while traveling around the Internet N, and is delivered to a predetermined terminal device.

According to the present invention, as described above, the bypass line B is prepared between the first router R1 and the second router R2, and a specific terminal belonging to the first group G1 can be provided if desired. With respect to transmission between the device and a specific terminal device belonging to the second group G2, a usage right that allows use of the bypass line B is set. Then, regarding the transmission between the specific terminal devices to which the usage right is set, the first packet in the first router R1 is set so that the data packet is transmitted through the bypass line B instead of the Internet N. Routing table and second router R2
By rewriting the second routing table in the above and performing the routing processing based on the rewritten routing table, the data packet is transmitted from the terminal device as the transmission source to the terminal device as the transmission destination via the bypass line B. Be seen. For example, if the usage right is set for the transmission between the terminal devices T11 and T23,
In the first routing table in the first router R1, a portion showing a route having the terminal device T11 as a transmission source and the terminal device T23 as a transmission destination is rewritten from route to route, and the second router It suffices to perform a process of rewriting a part of the second routing table in R2, which indicates a route having the terminal device T23 as a transmission source and the terminal device T11 as a transmission destination, from route to route.

If such routing table rewriting processing is performed, among the data packets sent from the terminal devices T11 to T14, the data packets relating to the transmission between the terminal devices for which the usage right is not set,
Transmission is performed via the Internet N via the route as usual, but data packets related to transmission between terminal devices for which usage rights have been set are transmitted via the bypass line B via the new route. Will be seen. Similarly, of the data packets sent from the terminal devices T21 to T24, the data packet related to the transmission between the terminal devices for which the usage right is not set is transmitted via the Internet N via the route as in the conventional manner. However, the data packet related to the transmission between the terminal devices for which the usage right is set is transmitted via the bypass line B via the new route.

§3. Specific Setting Modes of Usage Rights Next, in carrying out the present invention, modes of usage rights that can be set for each user will be described by taking three types of specific modes as examples. Of course, the form of the usage right that can be set in carrying out the present invention is not limited to the following three types of usage rights, but in practice, the usage rights can be selected from among the three types of usage rights below. By setting the usage right, it is possible to smoothly carry out the business using the present invention.

(1) Comprehensive usage right This usage right relates to transmission between a specific terminal device belonging to the first group and the terminal device concerned and all terminal devices belonging to the second group. It is a usage right that comprehensively permits the use of bypass lines. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific example of the comprehensive usage right, and shows a state in which the comprehensive usage right is set for a user who uses the terminal device T11 belonging to the first group G1. There is.
According to the comprehensive usage right shown, the terminal device T11 and the second
All the terminal devices T21 to T belonging to the group G2 of
The use of the bypass line B is permitted with respect to the transmission between 24. By concluding this comprehensive usage right setting contract, the user can obtain a stable communication environment using the bypass line B when communicating with any of the terminal devices T21 to T24. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when a new terminal device T25 is to be added to the second group G2 in the future, the bypass line B should also be used for communication with the terminal device T25. Will be possible.

Regarding the problem of which terminal device actually belongs to the second group G2, for example, "a terminal device directly or indirectly connected to a specific port of the second router R2". You should make a definition like this. If such a definition is made, all new terminal devices that will be connected to this specific port will belong to the second group G2 in the future.

To give a concrete example of setting the comprehensive usage right, for example, a terminal device T21 in which a content server group of a business operator that provides a distribution service of a certain moving image content belongs to the second group G2. In the case where it is connected to the second router R2 as ~ T24, "When receiving distribution of content provided by the business operator,
If there is a request from a user who uses the terminal device T11 such as “I want to use all bypass lines B”, the comprehensive usage right may be set for the user. As shown in FIG. 3, the business operator uses the terminal device T25 as a new content server.
If the terminal device T25 is started up, the right to use the bypass line B is automatically set with respect to the terminal device T25. In short, this comprehensive usage right is a usage right that is comprehensively set for communication with a terminal device group that satisfies a predetermined condition.

(2) Terminal-specified usage right This usage right is specified for a specific terminal device belonging to the first group according to a request from the terminal device and a plurality of terminal devices belonging to the second group. It is a usage right that permits the use of the bypass line for transmission to and from the specified designated terminal device. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific example of this terminal-designated usage right. For a user who uses the terminal device T11 belonging to the first group G1, a terminal device T22 belonging to the second group G2 and It shows a state in which the usage right is set only for T23. Terminal devices T22 and T23 shown by solid line blocks in the figure are designated terminal devices, and terminal device T2 shown by broken line blocks.
1 and T24 are terminal devices not designated. In the case of the comprehensive usage right described above, the comprehensive usage right is set for all terminal devices belonging to one group.
The terminal-specified usage right described here means that the usage right is set only for the specified terminal device, and it can be said that the usage right is set for each terminal device.
According to the terminal designation use right shown in the figure, the terminal device T11 and the terminal device T22 or T22 belonging to the second group G2.
The use of the bypass line B is permitted only for transmission to and from 23.

As a specific example of setting the terminal-specified usage right, for example, a content server group of a business operator that provides a distribution service of a certain moving image content is the second.
When the terminal devices T21 to T24 belonging to the group G2 are connected to the second router R2,
"Of the contents provided by the business operator, the terminal device T
Since it is desired to perform stable streaming reproduction only for the content of the sports program distributed from No. 22 and the content of the Western picture distributed from the terminal device T23.
When a request such as "I want to use the bypass line B" is received from a user who uses the terminal device T11, the terminal-specified usage right as shown in FIG. 4 is set for the user. Good. This user can of course receive the content distribution from the terminal device T21 or the terminal device T24, but the transmission route of the data packet in this case is via the Internet N.

(3) Temporary usage right As for the comprehensive usage right and the terminal-specified usage right described above, a specific terminal device is registered in advance by a contract, and a special terminal device is registered with the registered terminal device. It was to permit the use of the bypass line only for the communication. On the other hand, the temporary usage right described here allows the distribution of any content from any terminal device as long as a pre-contract to "temporarily use the bypass line as necessary" is concluded. It is a usage right that enables the temporary use of the bypass line each time the user wishes to do so. That is, this temporary use right is a bypass line for a specific terminal device belonging to the first group for transmission for the purpose of receiving distribution of specific content from a specific terminal device belonging to the second group. It can be said that it is a usage right that temporarily permits the use of.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific example of this temporary usage right, and the terminal device T belonging to the first group G1.
An example is shown in which the use of the bypass line B is temporarily permitted only to the delivery of the specific content provided from the terminal device T23 belonging to the second group G2, to the user who uses 11. . With this temporary usage right,
A specific terminal device in the second group G2 is not designated in advance, and a temporary usage right is set each time an arbitrary content is delivered from an arbitrary terminal device. In other words, it can be said that the usage right is set for each content. In the example shown in the figure, since the temporary usage right is set by chance with respect to the distribution of the specific content provided from the terminal device T23, only with respect to the transmission of the specific content between the terminal device T11 and the terminal device T23, Although the use of the bypass line B is permitted, it is of course possible to set the same temporary usage right for the content distribution from another terminal device.

To give a concrete example of setting the temporary usage right, for example, the terminal devices T21 to T21 in which the content server group of the business operator providing the distribution service of a certain moving image content belongs to the second group G2. In the case where it is connected to the second router R2 as T24, “Only the content of a specific Western picture called“ Roman Holiday ”distributed from the terminal device T23 among the content provided by the operator is stable. If the user who uses the terminal device T11 makes a request such as "I want to use the bypass line B because the user wants to perform the streaming reproduction", the delivery is limited to the particular Western picture content for the user. , The temporary usage right will be set.

The specific contents of the temporary usage right (contents to be used) are not fixed by a prior contract, but are fixed each time according to a user's request, and are temporary. is there. Therefore, in practice, it is necessary to temporarily rewrite the routing table to bypass the bypass line B. Specifically, with respect to the transmission for the purpose of receiving the distribution of the specific content from the specific terminal device belonging to the second group, the use of the bypass line B for the specific terminal device belonging to the first group. When a temporary usage right for temporarily permitting access is set, the first routing table and the second routing table prepared in the first router R1 are set.
By rewriting the second routing table prepared in the router R2 of the device and performing the routing process based on the rewritten routing table, the distribution of the specific content is performed via the bypass line B. When the delivery of the specific content is completed, the rewriting for restoring the content of each routing table may be performed.

Here, as a method for determining whether or not the distribution of the specific content transmitted by temporarily using the bypass line B has been completed, a method of confirming the transmission state after a lapse of a predetermined set time is used. Can be taken. For example, when the data packet related to the specific content to be distributed is not transmitted for the second set time after the first set time has elapsed from the start of using the bypass line B, the specific content is It may be determined that the distribution has been completed, and the contents of the routing table are rewritten to restore them. As the first set time and the second set time, appropriate times may be set according to the content of the content to be distributed.
For example, in the case of a temporary usage right that is set for transmission with a content server that distributes Western-style content, the first set-up time is because the normal show-time for Western-style content is about 2 to 3 hours. As 3 hours, second
If a time setting such as 5 minutes is set, if the data packet is not transmitted continuously for 5 minutes after 3 hours have passed since the start of distribution, the Western movie content It can be determined that the distribution has been completed, and the process of restoring the routing table can be performed. With such a time setting, the distribution is not judged to have ended until at least 3 hours have passed since the distribution was started. There is no danger of being judged as finished. In addition, even if there is a Western-style movie content for which the show time exceeds 3 hours, after 3 hours, 5
Unless there is a special situation in which no data packet is transmitted for more than one minute, there is no possibility that it will be judged that the distribution has ended, so no major problem will occur.

§4. Transmission of data packets according to the present invention
Control Device The data packet transmission method according to the present invention has been described above based on some aspects. Here, the configuration and operation of a transmission control device that can be used to implement such a transmission method will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a packet transmission system incorporating the data packet transmission method according to the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 6 is a more specific version of the system shown in FIG.
That is, in this system, the plurality of terminal devices T11 to T14 belonging to the first group G1 connected to the packet switching network N (in this example, the Internet) via the first router R1 and the second router. Data packets are transmitted between the plurality of terminal devices T21 to T24 belonging to the second group G2 connected to the packet switching network N via R2. However, in the system shown in FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation of the routing table, another router R3 is interposed between the first router R1 and the Internet N, and between the second router R2 and the Internet N. Shows an example in which another router R4 intervenes. However, since the concept of the Internet N is extremely abstract, the routers R3, R
Up to 4 (or even routers R1 and R2) may be considered as routers forming part of the Internet N. Each router has a plurality of ports, and each port has a unique IP address. Here, for convenience of description, the IP address given to the router is shown by a variable starting with a lower case r, and the IP address given to the terminal device is shown by a variable starting with a lower case a.

In this embodiment, the terminal devices T11 to T1.
Reference numeral 4 is a personal computer used by each of the users U11 to U14, and these terminal devices are subscriber line accommodation devices 10
Is connected to the Internet N via. The subscriber line accommodation device 10 is actually a DSLAM (Digital Subscrib
er Line Access Multiplexer) and BAS (Broadban)
d Access Server) and other components, which are facilities provided by telecommunications carriers and Internet providers. The communication line between each of the terminal devices T11 to T14 and the subscriber line accommodation device 10 is a general telephone line or ISDN.
It is composed of a line, an ADSL line, an FTTH line, a dedicated line, and the like, and is either dial-up connected or always connected.

In the illustrated example, the terminal device T11 is provided with an IP address a02, the terminal device T14 is provided with an IP address a01, and the terminal devices T12 and T13 are provided with:
A state (empty) in which an IP address is not assigned is shown. Although there is a contract that an IP address is always assigned, in the case of general Internet providers, the operation of permanently assigning a unique IP address to each user is not done, and in the case of dial-up connection the connection is This is because the subscriber line accommodation device 10 assigns an arbitrary IP address to each terminal device each time a stable connection is secured in the case of a constant connection.

An address management table 11 is prepared in the subscriber line accommodation device 10 in order to perform such an IP address assignment process. FIG. 7 shows an example of specific contents of the address management table 11. In this example, the subscriber line accommodation device 10 is authorized to give four IP addresses a01 to a04, and the four IP addresses of the four terminal devices T11 to T14 are assigned. It is possible to perform a process of allocating any one of them so as not to overlap. As described above, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the IP address a01 is already assigned to the terminal device T14, and the IP address a02 is the terminal device T11.
Already assigned to the IP address a03,
The area a04 is empty, and the status of such assignment is recorded in the address management table 11 of FIG.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the terminal device T21
T24 is composed of a content server installed by a service provider that distributes various contents,
Fixed IP addresses a21 to a24 are respectively assigned and directly connected to the second router R2. Note that here, the terminal device T11 belonging to the first group G1
~ T14 is a personal computer used by general users,
The terminal devices T21 to T24 belonging to the group G2 of
An example in which the content server is a content server installed by a content provider is shown, but of course the present invention is not limited to such a form. However, in practice, the present invention is extremely effective when applied to a general user when receiving large-volume content data such as a moving image.

Among the constituent elements shown in FIG. 6, each constituent element described so far is a general constituent element in a conventional data packet transmission system, and a conventional one using these conventional constituent elements. When carrying out the transmission method of, the communication between the terminal devices in the first group G1 and the terminal devices in the second group G2 is performed by the routers R1, R3.
This is done via the Internet N, the router R4, and the router R2.

Actually, the transmission route of each data packet is obtained by referring to the routing table prepared in each router based on the source and destination IP addresses given to the data packet. It is determined. For example, in the system shown in FIG. 6, a routing table RT1 is prepared in the first router R1, and the destination of the data packet received by the router R1 is determined by referring to this routing table RT1. It will be.

FIG. 8 is a table showing a part of the contents of the routing table RT1. In this figure, the source IP
A portion of the table whose address is a02 is shown, which is a02 in the example shown in FIG.
The table shows the IP address of the router (hop destination) to be transmitted next when the data packet having the transmission source from the terminal device T11 to which the IP address is given reaches the router R1. In this example, with respect to the transmission source a02, the transmission destinations are a91 to a93 (these are IP addresses not shown in FIG. 6) and a21 to a2.
4 (these are the IP addresses of the terminal devices T21 to T24 belonging to the second group G2 in FIG. 6), but in each case, the IP address of r31 is designated as the hop destination. This IP address of r31 indicates one port of the router R3, and any data packet whose route is determined based on the portion of the routing table RT1 shown in FIG. 8 is transferred from the router R1 to the router R3. Will be transmitted. Of course, a similar routing table is prepared in the router R3, and the data packet transmitted from the router R1 will be transmitted to the Internet N. Conversely, the destination IP address is a01-
The data packet of a04 is transmitted from the Internet N to the router R3 based on a predetermined routing table, and is further transmitted via the router R1.
It is transmitted to the terminal devices T11 to T14.

Similarly, FIG. 9 shows the routing table R
It is a table which shows a part of content of T2. In this figure, a part of the table in which the IP address of the transmission source is a23 is shown. This is because the terminal device T2 to which the IP address of a23 is added in the example shown in FIG.
IP of the router (hop destination) to be transmitted next when a data packet whose source is 3 reaches the router R2
It is a table showing addresses. In this example, the transmission source a
23, the destinations are a91 to a93 (these are IP addresses not shown in FIG. 6) and a0.
1 to a04 (these are IP addresses given to any of the terminal devices T11 to T14 by the subscriber line accommodation device 10 in FIG. 6), but all are r41 as hop destinations. The following IP address is specified. The IP address of r41 indicates one port of the router R4, and any data packet whose route is determined based on the portion of the routing table RT2 shown in FIG. 9 is the router R2.
To the router R4. of course,
A similar routing table is prepared in the router R4, and the data packet transmitted from the router R2 is transmitted to the internet N.
On the other hand, the data packets whose destination IP addresses are a21 to a24 are transmitted from the Internet N to the router R4 based on a predetermined routing table, and are further transmitted via the router R2 to the terminal device T21.
~ T24.

A large number of routers are included in the Internet N, and a predetermined routing table is prepared for each. The routing table in each of these routers is usually based on measured values such as the load status of each line and the number of hops to the destination terminal device.
It is determined by a predetermined algorithm. Thus, I
The method itself for determining the contents of the routing table for the router forming the packet switching network based on the P address is a known method, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

An object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality communication environment in response to a user's request by adding a bypass line B1 and a transmission control device 20 to such a conventional existing system. It is a thing. Below, FIG.
In this system, the terminal devices T11 to T14 (that is, the users U11 to U1) belonging to the first group G1.
The present invention will be described by exemplifying a case where a business operator that provides a service as an Internet provider to a terminal device used by No. 4 performs an additional service that provides a high-quality communication environment based on a user's request. To do. An internet provider that provides such additional services, as equipment for providing these additional services,
A bypass line B1 (which may be a wired communication line such as an optical fiber or a wireless communication line such as satellite communication) may be laid between the first router R1 and the second router R2. The transmission control device 20 is installed. As shown in the figure, the transmission control device 20
Processor 21 and various tables BT, ST, UT, CT
(Actually, a storage device that stores data of various tables).

The bypass management table BT is a table having information for identifying the routers located at both ends of the installed bypass line and the terminal devices that can enjoy the benefits of the bypass line. FIG. 10 shows an example of specific contents of the bypass management table BT. In the illustrated example, the routers located at both ends of the bypass line B1 are the routers R1 and R2, and the router R1 has an I
The terminal devices to which the P addresses a01 to a04 are assigned are connected, and the router R2 is connected to the IP addresses a21 to a21.
Information that the terminal device assigned with 24 is connected is prepared as the bypass management table BT. In the system shown in FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, the router R
Although only the example in which the bypass line B1 is laid between 1 and R2 is shown, in practice, dedicated bypass lines B2, B3, ... Are laid between a larger number of routers, respectively. The bypass management table BT as shown in FIG. 10 is prepared for each individual bypass line.

This bypass management table BT can be used when concluding a contract for setting a usage right with a user. For example, IP addresses a01 to a
Terminal devices T11 to T14 to which 04 may be added
For the users U11 to U14, the terminal devices T21 to T2 to which the IP addresses a21 to a24 are assigned by referring to the bypass management table BT shown in FIG.
When receiving the distribution of the content provided from 4 above, guidance is given that an additional service that uses transmission via the bypass line B1 can be received, and the various forms of usage rights described in §3 are granted. It is possible to conclude a pre-set contract.

In this way, the information on the usage right set by the advance contract with each user, that is, the information on the usage right for transmission between specific terminal devices is recorded in the usage right setting table ST. FIG. 11 shows an example of specific contents of the usage right setting table ST. In this example, the contents of the usage right set for the four users U11 to U14 are shown. That is, for the user U11, the terminal designation use right (see §3 (2)) in which the terminal device T23 (IP address a23) is the designated terminal is set, and for the user U12, the terminal devices T22 and T23 (IP The terminal-specified usage right (see §3 (2)) with the specified terminals at the addresses a22 and a23) is set, and the comprehensive usage right of the group G2 (see §3 (1)) is set for the user U13. And user U14
For, the right to use the temporary usage right (see §3 (3)) is set. The “right to use the temporary usage right” set here means “the right to always use the temporary usage right for a specific content as needed”. Setting such a right has the meaning of pre-registering the temporary usage right in §3 (3). As will be described later, the processing device 21 performs the rewriting process of the routing tables RT1 and RT2 based on the setting contents of the usage right setting table ST.

The user management table UT is for each user U1.
It is a table for managing various information about 1 to U14. FIG. 12 shows an example of specific contents of the user management table UT. In this example, four users U1
For each of 1 to U14, the contents of the password, the IP address currently assigned, the connection start time, and the connection end time are shown. Specifically, in the illustrated example, the user U11 is 13:55 on January 15, 2002.
Access to the Internet N from the terminal U and the terminal device T11 used by the user U11 has an IP address a.
02 is assigned, and the user U14 is 2001 January 1
The terminal device T14 used by the user U14 has been accessing the internet N from 06:23 on February 8th.
The fact that the IP address a01 is assigned to is recorded in the table.

The processing device 21 in the transmission control device 20 refers to the information recorded in these various tables and, if necessary, the routing tables RT1, RT.
2 has a function of performing a rewriting process. Each time the processing device 21 is given a unique address to a specific terminal device, the processing device 21 rewrites the routing table based on the setting content of the terminal device in the usage right setting table ST. For example, according to the recorded contents of the user management table UT shown in FIG.
The user U11 has started accessing the Internet N at 13:55 on January 15, 2002. Therefore, at this time, the subscriber line accommodation device 10 has given the IP address a02 to the terminal device T11. Therefore, the procedure of the rewriting process performed at this point will be specifically described below.

First, the transmission control device 20 receives from the subscriber line accommodation device 10 the terminal device T11 used by the user U11.
In response to the report that the new IP address a02 has been assigned, such fact is recorded in the user management table UT shown in FIG.
User U1 by referring to the usage right setting table ST shown in FIG.
Confirm the usage right set for 1. In the case of the illustrated example, for the user U11, “IP address a
It can be confirmed that the “terminal-specified usage right with 23 as the specified terminal” is set. That is, IP address a02-
It can be confirmed that the bypass line should be used for transmission during a23. Further, referring to the bypass management table BT of FIG. 10, the IP address a02-a
Since it can be recognized that the bypass line between the routers 23 is the bypass line B1 laid between the routers R1 and R2, the routing table RT1 in the router R1 and the router R
It can be seen that the rewriting process may be performed on the routing table RT2 in the No. 2 routing table. The target of the rewriting process in this case is the information regarding the routing between the IP addresses a02 and a23, and the part where the hop destination from the router R1 has been r31 so far is rewritten to r26 (the hop destination address via the bypass line B1). Along with r13
It may be rewritten to (hop destination address via the bypass line B1).

After all, the routing table R shown in FIG.
The T1 is rewritten as shown in FIG. 13, and the routing table RT2 shown in FIG. 9 is rewritten as shown in FIG. When the routing table RT1 is rewritten as shown in FIG. 13, the source address is a02 (terminal device T11) and the destination address is a23 (terminal device T2).
For data packets such as 3), router R
1 to the router R2 via the bypass line B1. Similarly, the routing table R
When T2 is rewritten as shown in FIG. 14, for the data packet having the source address a23 (terminal device T23) and the destination address a02 (terminal device T11), the bypass line B1 is routed from the router R2. Then, the transmission to the router R1 is performed. Thus, according to the set usage right, the terminal devices T11-T23
The bypass line B1 is used only for transmission between the two.

If the usage right set for the user U11 is "a terminal-specified usage right in which both IP addresses a22 and a23 are designated terminals",
The routing table RT1 is rewritten as shown in FIG. Further, if the usage right set for the user U11 is the “comprehensive usage right of the group G2”, the routing table RT1 is rewritten as shown in FIG. become.

On the other hand, if the usage right set for the user U11 is the "right to use the temporary usage right", the terminal device T11 used by the user U11.
On the other hand, when the new IP address a02 is assigned, the routing table rewriting process is not yet executed. Therefore, at this point, the contents of the routing tables RT1 and RT2 are still in the states shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and the transmission between the terminal device T11 and any terminal device in the second group G2 is All will be done via the Internet N. Actually, the rewriting process of the routing table by the transmission control device 20 is executed because the user U11 makes a temporary use request of the bypass line when the specific content is delivered to the terminal device T11. If so, it means. For example, when the user U11 issues a request for temporary use of the bypass line with regard to distribution of specific content provided from the terminal device T23,
At that time, the temporary usage right regarding the transmission between the terminal devices T11 and T23 is set, and the distribution of the specific content is performed via the bypass line B1.
The contents of the routing tables RT1 and RT2 are shown in FIG.
Rewriting processing is performed as shown in FIG. Moreover, when the delivery of the specific content is completed, a rewriting process for restoring the contents of the routing table is executed, and the contents of the routing tables RT1 and RT2 are restored as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Will be done.

The transmission control device 20 uses the terminal device T1.
Since the contents of the data packet distributed to No. 1 are not checked, some end code indicating that the data packet is the final packet is written in the final data packet of the content distributed from the terminal device T23. Transmission control device 20
Cannot recognize this end code. Therefore, as described in §3 (3), the transmission control device 20
After the first set time (for example, 3 hours) has elapsed from the start of using the bypass line B1, the transmission of the data packet relating to the specific content to be distributed is performed for the second set time (for example, 5 minutes). If it has not been performed, it is determined that the delivery of the specific content has been completed, and rewriting processing for returning the content of the routing table to the original content may be performed.

The content table CT in the transmission control device 20 is a table that stores information about the content provided by the individual content servers T21 to T24 belonging to the second group G2. Transmission control device 2
The administrator of 0 automatically or manually collects information about the content provided by the content servers T21 to T24 and stores it in the content table CT, if necessary. Information regarding the content stored in the content table CT can be provided to the user. By providing such information, the user may
It can be recognized that the bypass line B1 can be used.
Alternatively, when the specific content is delivered temporarily, the delivery end time of the content can be predicted to some extent based on the information in the content table CT, and the delivery end time can be predicted. It can also be used as a criterion.

§5. Transmission of data packets according to the present invention
Method Processing Procedure Finally, the processing procedure of the data packet transmission method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the diagrams of FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 shows a processing procedure when the comprehensive usage right or the terminal designated usage right described in §3 (1) and (2) is set, and FIG. 18 shows the temporary processing described in §3 (3). The processing procedure when the right to use the usage right is set is shown. Here, a specific processing procedure in the case where the user U11 uses the terminal device T11 configured by a personal computer to access the terminal device T23 configured by the content server and receives the distribution of the moving image content will be described. The six vertical lines shown in these diagrams are the user terminal device T11, the subscriber line accommodation device 10, the transmission control device 20, the first router R1, and the second router, respectively.
Router R2 of the content server T23 of
Horizontal arrows indicate the flow of data between them. Also, the black circles shown on the vertical lines indicate the predetermined processing performed by the device.

First, the diagram of FIG. 17 will be described.
First, the user turns on the power of the terminal device T11,
When the access start routine to the Internet N is activated (step S1), the terminal device T11 issues an access request (step S2) to the subscriber line accommodation device 10. Subsequently, the terminal device T11 and the subscriber line accommodation device 1
A predetermined authentication process is executed with 0 (step S).
3). When the authentication is successful, the IP address assigned to the terminal device T11 is determined. That is, the subscriber line accommodation device 10 refers to the address management table 11,
A process of assigning one of the IP addresses (any one of a01 to a04) available at that time to the terminal device T11 is performed. Here, it is assumed that the IP address a02 is assigned to the terminal device T11, as in the above example (step S4). At this point, a02 is I
The P address is only determined inside the subscriber line accommodating device 10, and the terminal device T11 is not notified yet. In this way, the IP address a is sent to the terminal device T11.
The fact that 02 is added is reported from the subscriber line accommodation device 10 to the transmission control device 20 (step S5).

Based on this report, the transmission control device 20 (actually, the processing device 21 in the transmission control device 20), the corresponding column of the user management table UT shown in FIG. 12 (column of the user U11 in this example). ) Is recorded, and the usage right setting table ST shown in FIG. 11 is referred to,
The usage right set for the user U11 is confirmed (step S6). In the case of the example shown in FIG. 11, the user U
In 11, a terminal designated use right is set in which the IP address a23 (terminal device T23) is the designated terminal device. Therefore, the processing device 21 performs a necessary routing table rewriting process so that the transmission between the IP addresses a02 and a23 is performed via the bypass line B1. That is, referring to the bypass management table BT of FIG. 10, the bypass line between the IP addresses a02 and a23 is the bypass line B laid between the routers R1 and R2.
1 can be recognized, the transmission control device 20 sends the routing table RT to the first router R1.
A rewriting instruction of 1 is issued (step S7), and a rewriting instruction of the routing table RT2 is issued from the transmission control device 20 to the second router R2 (step S8). Specifically, as described in §4, for the first router R1, the routing table R shown in FIG.
An instruction for rewriting T1 as shown in FIG. 13 is issued (step S7), and an instruction for rewriting the routing table RT2 shown in FIG. 9 as shown in FIG. 14 is issued to the second router R2. (Step S
8). The rewrite instruction to the second router R2 is preferably transmitted via the bypass line B1 in practice, but may be transmitted via the Internet N.

When the necessary rewriting process for the routing table is completed in this way, the transmission control device 20 issues a preparation completion notice to the subscriber line accommodation device 10 (step S9). After receiving the preparation completion notification, the subscriber line accommodation device 10 notifies the terminal device T11 of the IP address (step S10). That is, when the use preparation of the bypass line B1 is completed, the terminal device T
11 will be notified that the IP address a02 has been assigned. The terminal device T11 that has received the notification of the assignment of the IP address a02 means that the access environment to the Internet N has been prepared, and based on the instruction of the user U11, to access the predetermined terminal device via the Internet N. become. In this case, if the access is to a general terminal device, the route for accessing the Internet N via the routers R1 and R3 is selected, but if the access is to the content server T23 that is the designated terminal (that is, IP In the case of access between the addresses a02 and a23), the access is performed via the bypass line B1. That is, when there is a content access request (step S11) from the terminal device T11 to the content server T23, the data packet sent to the content server T23 in association with the request is transmitted between the first router R1 and the second router R2. The data packet transmitted through the bypass line B1 between them (indicated by a thick line in the figure), and in response thereto, the data packet related to the content provision from the content server T23 to the terminal device T11 (step S12) is transmitted to the second router R2. It is transmitted to and from the first router R1 through the bypass line B1 (shown by a thick line in the figure).

After all, the data packet transmission between the terminal device T11 and the specific terminal device is performed only when the specific terminal device is the terminal device T23 (content server T23) which is the designated terminal, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 17, the route is the route via the bypass line B1. In the case of other terminal devices, the route shown in FIG. If the usage right set for the user U11 is the comprehensive usage right, the designated terminal device belongs to the group G2 and the terminal devices T21 to T24.
The basic processing procedure is shown in FIG.
The procedure is almost the same as that shown in the diagram.

On the other hand, when the usage right set for the user U11 is the right to use the temporary usage right, steps S1 to S5 in the diagram of FIG. 17 are performed.
The procedure up to is the same, but step S6
The subsequent procedure will be slightly different. The diagram of FIG. 18 shows the procedure after step S6 in this case.

First, the transmission control device 20 determines that the user U11
Is checked (step S6), and it is confirmed that the "right to use the temporary usage right" is set. In this case, it is not necessary to perform the rewriting process of the routing table until the user U11 makes a request for the "temporary usage right" designating the specific content. Therefore,
At this point, the transmission line control device 20 to the subscriber line accommodation device 1
0 is notified of the completion of preparation (step S
9). After receiving the preparation completion notification, the subscriber line accommodation device 10 notifies the terminal device T11 of the IP address (step S10). That is, the terminal device T11 is notified that the IP address a02 is assigned. The terminal device T11 that has received the notification of the assignment of the IP address a02 means that the access environment to the Internet N has been prepared, and based on the instruction of the user U11, to access the predetermined terminal device via the Internet N. become. In this case, all routers R1,
A route for accessing the Internet N via R3 is selected.

Here, for example, it is assumed that the user U11 makes an access request (step S11) for a predetermined content to the content server T23.
Here, more specifically, the content server T23
Suppose that the user U11 is a site that provides a service for delivering a specific Western picture content desired by the user, and the user U11 makes a request for streaming reproduction of a Western picture of "Roman Holiday". Of course, at this point,
Since the temporary right to use the bypass line B1 for the user U11 is not set, such a content access request (step S11) is made by the normal transmission route via the Internet N. In the embodiment described here, in response to the content access request from the user U11, the content server T23 to the terminal device T
The bypass usage guidance is transmitted to the terminal 11 (step S12). This bypass usage guide is
For example, a message such as "Do you want to distribute the Western movie you requested via the bypass line? (Yes / No)",
It is composed of a program (for example, a small program that can be executed on Web browser software written in JAVA (registered trademark)) for processing an answer to this. In order to transmit such bypass usage guidance from the content server T23, an Internet provider that provides a transmission service using the bypass line B1 and the content server T2.
There is a content access request from a terminal device (that is, a terminal device having IP addresses a01 to a04) that belongs to the first group G1 in advance by forming a tie-up with a content distributor operating 3). In such a case, it may be arranged such that a message for the bypass usage guide is transmitted. Of course, this bypass usage guide is also transmitted by the normal transmission route via the Internet N.

On the screen of the terminal device T11, a message "Do you want to distribute the Western movie requested via the bypass line? (Yes / No)" is displayed based on the above-mentioned bypass usage guide. It will be. So user U1
1 determines whether or not to set the temporary use right of the bypass line in order to stream the Western movie of "Roman Holiday", and answers either Yes or No (actually, mouse click Etc., enter one of the answer instructions). If the user U11 responds No, the temporary right to use the bypass line is not set for the distribution of the Western-style movie content of "Roman Holiday", and the normal use is made via the Internet N. Content distribution is performed by the transmission route. However, if the user U11 answers Yes,
With regard to the distribution of this Western movie content of "Roman Holiday", the temporary use right of the bypass line will be set. The processing procedure in this case will be described below.

When the user U11 inputs a Yes answer, the terminal device T11 issues a bypass use request (temporary use request) to the transmission control device 20 (step S13). The processing for making such a bypass use request may be executed by the program transmitted to the terminal device T11 together with the bypass use guide, for example. This bypass usage request includes information on the user ID and the content ID. In the case of the above example, the user ID for specifying the user “U11” and the “terminal device T having the IP address a23”
"Rome Holiday" content delivered from 23 ”
Will be transmitted to the transmission control device 20 together with the bypass utilization request.

The processing device 21 in the transmission control device 20 determines the IP address a02-a2 based on the information of the user ID and the content ID included in the received bypass utilization request.
With respect to the third route, necessary routing table rewriting processing is performed so that the transmission via the bypass line B1 is temporarily performed. That is, referring to the bypass management table BT of FIG. 10, it can be recognized that the bypass line between the IP addresses a02 and a23 is the bypass line B1 laid between the routers R1 and R2. An instruction to rewrite the routing table RT1 is issued to the first router R1 (step S14), and an instruction to rewrite the routing table RT2 is issued from the transmission control device 20 to the second router R2 (step S15). ). Specifically, as described in §4, the first router R1 is instructed to rewrite the routing table RT1 shown in FIG. 8 as shown in FIG. 13 (step S14), and the second router R1 is rewritten. Router R
2 for the routing table RT2 shown in FIG.
Is issued as shown in FIG. 14 (step S15). In practice, the rewrite instruction to the second router R2 is preferably sent via the bypass line B1, but it may be sent via the Internet N.

When the necessary rewriting process for the routing table is completed in this way, the transmission control device 20 issues a bypass preparation completion notice to the terminal device T11 (step S16). After receiving the bypass preparation completion notification, the terminal device T11 makes a content access request again to the content server T23 (step S17). However, the content access request this time is transmitted through the bypass line B1 because the rewriting of the routing table has already been completed (indicated by a thick line in the figure). The content server T23
In response to the second content access request, the Western picture content of "Roman holiday" is provided (step S18). The content is also provided by the bypass line B1.
Is performed through (indicated by a thick line in the figure).

On the other hand, in the transmission control device 20, after the rewriting process for the routing table is completed, the measurement of the elapsed time is started, and the second setting is performed after the first set time (for example, 3 hours) has elapsed. If the data packet transmission between the IP addresses a23 and a02 is not performed over the time (for example, 5 minutes), it is assumed that the distribution of the Western-style movie content of "Roman Holiday" for which the temporary usage right is set is completed. It is determined (step S19). Then, when it is determined that the distribution is finished, a rewriting process for returning the routing table to the original state is executed. That is, an instruction is issued to the first router R1 to rewrite the routing table RT1 shown in FIG. 13 as shown in FIG. 8 (step S20), and to the second router R2, FIG. An instruction is issued to rewrite the routing table RT2 shown in FIG. 9 as shown in FIG. 9 (step S21). In practice, the rewrite instruction to the second router R2 is preferably sent via the bypass line B1, but it may be sent via the Internet N.

Although the present invention has been described above based on several illustrated embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be implemented in various other forms. . In particular, in the embodiments described so far, only the transmission method using the bypass line laid between the router R1 and the router R2 has been described, but in practice,
It is common to lay a large number of bypass lines between a large number of routers, and it is possible to provide various transmission services by utilizing these large number of bypass lines. Further, it is possible to set finer and more detailed usage rights for the user. Further, the bypass line used in the present invention is not necessarily limited to a single dedicated line, and may be a virtual dedicated network (Virtual Private Network) in which a predetermined quality is maintained.

In the above embodiment, the user U1
Fixed IP addresses are not set for the terminal devices T11 to T14 used by 1 to U14, and DHCP (Dynami
Although a form of dynamically allocating an IP address has been described using a technology such as c Host Configuration Protocol), the application of the present invention is not limited to such a dynamic form of allocating an IP address. The present invention can be applied to a terminal device to which a fixed IP address is assigned. For example, the terminal devices T11 to T11 shown in FIG.
When a predetermined fixed IP address is assigned to each T14, these terminal devices T11 to T14
The fixed IP address is always used to access the Internet. In this case, the fixed IP address assigned to each of the terminal devices T11 to T14 is recorded in the subscriber line accommodation device 10, and the IP address is assigned to each terminal device as in the above embodiment. a
The process of dynamically assigning 01 to a04 is no longer necessary.
Therefore, in the user management table UT shown in FIG. 12, the IP address corresponding to each of the user IDs U11 to U14 is a fixed IP address assigned to each terminal device and is always constant and does not change.
Further, in the diagrams shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the processes related to IP address assignment in steps S1 to S5 and the processes related to IP address notification in steps S9 and S10 are unnecessary. In this case, the usage right confirmation and the routing table rewriting processing in steps S6 to S8 in the diagram shown in FIG. 17 may be performed before the user terminal device becomes communicable.

[0077]

As described above, by using the data packet transmission method and the transmission control device according to the present invention, it becomes possible to provide a high quality communication environment in response to a user's request.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a basic principle of a data packet transmission method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific example of a comprehensive usage right set in the data packet transmission method according to the present invention, for a user who uses the terminal device T11 belonging to the first group G1. The state where the comprehensive usage right is set is shown.

FIG. 3 shows a new terminal device T25 in the second group G2 in the state where the comprehensive usage right shown in FIG. 2 is set.
FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing how the usage right is automatically set for the terminal device T25 when is added.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific example of a terminal-specified usage right set in the data packet transmission method according to the present invention, and for a user who uses the terminal device T11 belonging to the first group G1, The state in which the usage right is set only for the terminal devices T22 and T23 belonging to the second group G2 is shown.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific example of a temporary usage right set in the data packet transmission method according to the present invention;
The use of the bypass line B is temporarily applied only to the distribution of the specific content provided from the terminal device T23 belonging to the second group G2 to the user who uses the terminal device T11 belonging to the first group G1. An example in which is allowed is shown.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a packet transmission system incorporating a data packet transmission method according to the present invention.

7 is a diagram showing an example of contents of an address management table prepared in the subscriber line accommodation device 10 shown in FIG.

8 is a diagram showing a specific example of a part of a routing table RT1 prepared in the first router R1 shown in FIG.

9 is a diagram showing a specific example of a part of a routing table RT2 prepared in the second router R2 shown in FIG.

10 is a diagram showing an example of specific contents of a bypass management table BT prepared in the transmission control device 20 shown in FIG.

11 is a diagram showing an example of specific contents of a usage right setting table ST prepared in the transmission control device 20 shown in FIG.

12 is a diagram showing an example of specific contents of a user management table UT prepared in the transmission control device 20 shown in FIG.

13 is a diagram showing an example of rewriting the routing table RT1 shown in FIG.

14 is a diagram showing an example of rewriting the routing table RT2 shown in FIG.

15 is a diagram showing another example of rewriting the routing table RT1 shown in FIG.

16 is a diagram showing another example of rewriting the routing table RT1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a processing procedure when a comprehensive usage right or a terminal-specified usage right is set for the user.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a processing procedure when the right to use the temporary usage right is set for the user.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Subscriber line accommodation device 11 ... Address management table 20 ... Transmission control device 21 ... Processing devices a01 to a93 ... IP addresses B, B1 ... Bypass line BT ... Bypass management table CT ... Content table G1 ... Plural terminals A first group G2 to which the device belongs ... A second group N to which a plurality of terminal devices belong ... Packet switching networks (Internet) R1 to R4 ... Routers RT1 and RT2 ... Routing tables r11 to r42 ... IP addresses of router ports ST ... Usage right setting tables T11 to T14 ... Terminal devices belonging to the first group G1 (personal computers used by users) T21 to T25 ... Terminal devices belonging to second group G2 (content servers etc.) U11 to U14 ... User / user ID UT ... User management table

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takashi Noguchi             4-7-1, Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Japan             Telecom Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toru Kimura             4-7-1, Hatchobori, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Japan             Telecom Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5K030 GA01 HA08 HC01 HD03 HD05                       JL07 LB06

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of terminal devices belonging to a first group connected to a packet switching network via a first router, and a second terminal device connected to the packet switching network via a second router. A method for transmitting a data packet between a plurality of terminal devices belonging to a group, the bypass line being separate from the packet switching network between the first router and the second router. And a specific terminal device belonging to the first group, and a specific terminal device belonging to the second group according to a request,
A right to use the bypass line is set for transmission between terminals, and a data packet is transmitted via the packet switching network for transmission between terminal devices for which the right is not set. In the data packet transmission method, the data packet is transmitted via the bypass line for transmission between the terminal devices to which the usage right is set. 2. A plurality of terminal devices belonging to a first group connected to a packet switching network via a first router and a second terminal device connected to the packet switching network via a second router. A method of transmitting a data packet between a plurality of terminal devices belonging to a group, wherein each terminal device belonging to the first group passes through the first router and the packet switching network. Prepares a first routing table indicating a route for transmitting a data packet to another terminal device, and allows each terminal device belonging to the second group to pass through the second router and the packet switching network. A second routing table indicating a route for transmitting a data packet to another terminal device, and the first routing table and the second routine are provided. A routing process based on a routing table is performed to perform a work of transmitting a data packet from a source terminal device to a destination terminal device, and between the first router and the second router, A bypass line separate from the packet switching network is prepared, and if desired, a specific terminal device belonging to the first group and a specific terminal device belonging to the second group,
For the transmission between the terminals, set a usage right that permits the use of the bypass line, and for the transmission between the specific terminal devices for which the usage right is set, via the bypass line instead of the packet switching network. The first routing table and the second routing table are rewritten so that the data packet is transmitted, and the routing processing based on the rewritten routing table is performed, so that the terminal device as the transmission source changes the destination to the transmission destination. A method of transmitting a data packet, comprising: transmitting a data packet to another terminal device via the bypass line. 3. The transmission method according to claim 1, wherein a specific terminal device belonging to the first group is transmitted between the terminal device and all terminal devices belonging to the second group. Regarding, regarding the above, a method of transmitting a data packet, characterized in that a comprehensive usage right for allowing the use of the bypass line can be set. 4. The transmission method according to claim 1, wherein the specific terminal device belonging to the first group is selected from the terminal device and a plurality of terminal devices belonging to the second group according to a request. A method of transmitting a data packet, characterized in that a terminal-specified usage right that permits the use of a bypass line can be set for transmission with a specified terminal device specified by the above. 5. The transmission method according to claim 1, wherein the specific terminal device belonging to the first group receives distribution of specific content from the specific terminal device belonging to the second group. For the transmission intended for
A data packet transmission method characterized in that a temporary use right for temporarily permitting use of a bypass line can be set. 6. The transmission method according to claim 2, wherein a specific terminal device belonging to the first group receives distribution of specific content from a specific terminal device belonging to the second group. Regarding the transmission to
A temporary usage right for temporarily permitting the use of the bypass line can be set, and when the temporary usage right is set, the first routing table and the second routing table are rewritten, and after the rewriting. By performing the routing process based on the routing table, the distribution of the specific content is performed via the bypass line, and when the distribution of the specific content is completed, the first routing table and the second routing table A data packet transmission method characterized in that rewriting is performed to restore the contents of the routing table of the above. 7. The transmission method according to claim 6, wherein after the first set time elapses from the start of using the bypass line, the data packet relating to the specific content to be distributed over the second set time is transmitted. A method of transmitting a data packet, comprising determining that the delivery of the specific content has been completed when the transmission is not performed, and performing rewriting to restore the content of the routing table. 8. The transmission method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the Internet is used as a packet switching network, and a routing table regarding an IP address is provided for transmission between terminal devices to which unique IP addresses are assigned. A method of transmitting a data packet, characterized by being prepared. 9. A transmission control device for performing the transmission method according to claim 2, wherein a usage right setting table for setting information on a usage right for transmission between specific terminal devices, and this usage right setting A data packet transmission control device comprising: a processing device that performs a rewriting process of a routing table based on the setting contents of the table. 10. The transmission control device according to claim 9, wherein each time a specific address is given to a specific terminal device, routing is performed based on the setting content related to the terminal device in the usage right setting table. A data packet transmission control device characterized by performing a table rewriting process. 11. The transmission control device according to claim 9, wherein, when a specific content is distributed between specific terminal devices, there is a temporary use request of a bypass line, The routing table is rewritten so that the content is distributed via the bypass line, and when the distribution of the specific content is finished, the rewriting processing for restoring the content of the routing table is performed. A data packet transmission control device characterized by the above. 12. The transmission control device according to claim 11, wherein a data packet relating to specific content to be distributed over a second set time after a first set time has elapsed from the start of using the bypass line. When the transmission of the specific content is not performed, it is determined that the distribution of the specific content is completed, and a rewriting process for restoring the content of the routing table is performed, and a data packet transmission control device.