JP2003283567A - Data communication system and method, server device, client device, repeater, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform data communications among a plurality of client devices without applying an excessive load to the other devices and to easily perform communication setting for the data communications. <P>SOLUTION: Connection requests are sent from a transmitting side IM client 3-1 and a receiving side IM client 3-2 through a proxy server 2 to an IMS server 1. When it is recognized that connections are requested from the clients on the same LAN, the IMS server 1 transmits an intra-LAN connection notice through the proxy server 2 to each of the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2. On the basis of the intra-LAN connection notice, the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2 change setting of a connection destination which has been the proxy server 2 to the IM clients 3-2 and 3-1. Thus, the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2 can perform peer-to-peer data communications without intervention of the proxy server 2 or the IMS server 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication system and the like, and more particularly to a technique for performing data communication between a plurality of client devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a client-server system, an instant message service (hereinafter referred to as IMS) is known as a service for exchanging messages between a plurality of client devices. IMS
In this case, an application called an instant messenger (hereinafter referred to as IM) needs to be running on each client device, but a service provided by a server device is also indispensable for login management and managing the IP address of the client device. .

In recent years, an increasing number of IMSs have a client device equipped with a voice chat (Internet phone) function and a file transfer function. Further, in corporate LANs, more and more ones are connected to an external network such as the Internet via a proxy server, and IM is connected via the proxy server.
There are also systems that realize S.

[0004]

However, in the IMS using the proxy server, the same LA is used.
Rich functions such as a voice chat function and a file transfer function cannot be realized between the client devices existing on N. It is necessary for the voice chat function and the file transfer function to exchange a relatively large amount of data, and the number of packets sent and received becomes large, so it is necessary to use a proxy server (especially the firewall function that exists there). This is because it will put an excessive load.

A client device existing on the same LAN can realize a function such as voice chat by directly transmitting / receiving data without using a proxy server. Some existing IMs make this possible, but the setting of the connection destination must be changed manually. For this reason, it is quite difficult for a person who is not familiar with computer technology and network technology to directly connect client devices to realize rich functions. There was a problem that the change operation felt very complicated.

Data communication between mobile phones is performed by the same system configuration as the above instant message service. That is, the computer device of the base station exists between the mobile phone, which is a client for performing data communication, and the server device, which controls the mobile phone. Therefore, when the amount of data communication between mobile phones increases, the load is placed on the server device and the computer device of the base station.

By the way, the recently introduced third-generation mobile phone has a remarkably high data communication speed as compared with the conventional mobile phone and is capable of transmitting moving images, which is far better than that used in the conventional mobile phone. It is conceivable that many data communications will be used. Therefore, it is considered that the importance of reducing the load on the server device and the computer device of the base station when performing data communication between mobile phones is considered to increase.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and enables data communication between a plurality of client devices without imposing an excessive load on other devices. An object of the present invention is to provide a data communication system or the like that enables large-capacity data communication.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a data communication system or the like which can easily perform connection setting for data communication between a plurality of client devices.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a data communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention is capable of performing data communication with a server device under the control of the server device. A plurality of client devices each having a function of enabling data communication with each other by switching the setting of the connection destination without any other device, and a relay device for connecting each of the plurality of client devices to the server device. And the server device,
Transmission request receiving means for receiving a transmission request for data transmitted from any of the plurality of client devices via the relay device, and a client as a destination of data indicated by the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving means. The device
A direct communication determination unit that determines whether or not data can be received from the client device that is the source of the transmission request without any other device, and the direct communication determination unit is any other device. When it is determined that the data can be received without the intervention of the data, the client device of the transmission source and the transmission destination based on the transmission request is notified that the data communication without the other device is possible. Direct communication notification transmitting means for transmitting via the relay device together with partner information indicating the client device of the communication partner,
Each of the plurality of client devices, when transmitting data to another client device, transmits a transmission request to the server device via the relay device, and a transmission from the direct communication notification transmission unit. The direct communication notification receiving means for receiving the notified notification, and when the direct communication notification receiving means receives the notification, sets another client device indicated by the partner information sent together with the notification as the partner of the data communication. A communication partner setting means and a data communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from another client device set as a communication partner by the communication partner setting means without interposing any other device. And

In the above data communication system, if the client device of the transmission source and the client device of the transmission destination are in a data communicable state without going through any device, the client device of both the transmission source and the transmission destination receives the information from the server device. Notification will be given. Based on this notification, the client device of the transmission source and the client device of the transmission destination can change the setting of the partner of the data communication and can transmit / receive the data without going through the relay device and the server device. Therefore, the user of the client device does not perform a complicated operation, and the client device of the data communication partner directly communicates between the client devices without paying attention to whether or not the client device of the other party of the data communication is in a state in which communication is possible without involving another device. Data communication can be performed.

Further, the communication partner setting means changes the setting of the data communication partner between the transmission source client device and the transmission destination client device so that the client devices can directly communicate with each other without passing through the server device or the relay device. Will send and receive data. As a result, a large amount of data can be exchanged between the client devices that are in a state where they can directly communicate with each other, without imposing an extra load on the server device and the relay device.

In order to achieve the above object, a data communication system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication through other devices, and the plurality of client devices. A server device that controls data communication by a device; and at least one relay device for connecting each of the plurality of client devices to the server device, wherein the server device includes one of the plurality of client devices. The transmission request receiving unit that receives the transmission request of the data transmitted via the relay device, and the client device that is the destination of the data indicated by the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving unit are the sender that made the transmission request. Relay device that determines whether it is possible to connect to the same relay device as the relay device that connects another client device When the determination unit and the same relay device determination unit determine that the same relay device can be connected, the same relay device that can connect both the source and destination client devices based on the transmission request is the same. Same relay device notification means for transmitting a notification that communication is possible via the relay device, and the at least one relay device receives the same relay device notification for receiving the notification transmitted from the same relay device notification means. When the receiving unit and the same relay device notification receiving unit receive the notification, the client of the transmission destination indicated by the transmission request is transmitted without transferring the data from the client device that transmitted the transmission request to the server device. A communication control unit for transmitting the data to the device, and the plurality of client devices respectively include the intermediate device when transmitting data to another client device. Transmission request transmission means for transmitting a transmission request to the server device via any of the devices, data transmission means for transmitting data to be transmitted to another client device to the relay device, the server device or the relay device Data reception means for receiving data from another client device transmitted from the relay device under the control of 1.

In the above data communication system, if the transmission source client device and the transmission destination client device are connected to the server device via the same relay device, the relay device notifies the server device. Based on this notification, the relay device controls data transmission / reception between client devices. As a result, no extra load is applied to the server device. Even if the load applied to the server device is large, if the load applied to the relay device is small, there is no problem in the system even if a large amount of data is exchanged between the client devices.

Further, when the same relay device notifying means receives the notification from the server, the communication control means of the relay device can directly control the data communication between the client devices. Even in a system in which data communication between client devices is often performed via a server device, a transmission request from the client device may be made regarding whether or not both the source and destination client devices are connected. There is no need for the relay device to make a judgment every time a call is made.

In order to achieve the above object, a data communication method according to a third aspect of the present invention is capable of performing data communication with a server device under the control of the server device and switching setting of a connection destination. In accordance with a network system including a plurality of client devices having a function of enabling data communication with each other without any other device, and a relay device for connecting each of the plurality of client devices to the server device. A method to be executed, wherein a client device which is going to send data to another client device sends a transmission request to the server device via the relay device; Is received, and the client device that is the destination indicated by the received transmission request is A step of determining whether data is receivable from the client device which is the sender of the transmission request without intervention of any other device; In the case where data communication is possible without any of the above devices, a notification to that effect is sent from the server device via the relay device together with the partner information indicating the client device of the communication partner to the sender and destination clients. Sending to the device, and the source and destination client devices that have received the notification from the server device set another client device indicated by the partner information sent together with the notification as a data communication partner. Step, and the client device of the transmission source and the transmission destination which set each other as a communication partner, Characterized in that it comprises the step of transmitting and receiving data without Zaisa.

In order to achieve the above object, a data communication method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication through another device, and the plurality of clients. A method executed in a network system comprising a server device for controlling data communication by a device, and at least one relay device for connecting each of the plurality of client devices to the server device, the method comprising: A step in which a client device which is going to transmit data transmits a transmission request to the server device via the relay device; and the server device receives a transmission request from one of the client devices, and the received transmission request is The client device that is the transmission destination is the transmission source client that made the transmission request. A step of determining whether or not it is possible to connect to the same relay device as that of the storage device, and a message that the server device can communicate through the same relay device when it is determined that the server device can be connected to the same relay device. A step of transmitting a notification to the relay device, and a step of transmitting and receiving data between the source and destination client devices without passing through the server device under the control of the relay device that has received the notification from the server device It is characterized by including and.

In order to achieve the above object, the server device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is capable of performing data communication under the control of another device, and is also capable of mutually communicating without any other device. A server device connected to a plurality of client devices having a function of enabling data communication via a relay device, and transmitting data transmitted from any one of the plurality of client devices via the relay device. The transmission request receiving unit that receives the request and the client device that is the destination of the data indicated by the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving unit are transmitted from the client device that is the source of the transmission request through any other device. Direct communication determining means for determining whether or not the data is receivable without the need for data communication When it is determined that the client device is in the receivable state, the client device of the communication partner is notified of the fact that the data communication can be performed to the client device of the transmission source and the client device of the transmission destination based on the transmission request without the other devices. And a direct communication notification transmitting unit for transmitting the data together with the indicated partner information via the relay device to directly perform data communication between the transmission source client device and the transmission destination client device.

The server device exists on an external network, and by connecting the external network and the local area network by the relay device, it is possible to control data communication between the plurality of client devices, and A reception request receiving unit that receives a reception request transmitted from each of the plurality of clients may be further included. In this case,
The direct communication determination unit is a local area where the client device of the data transmission source and the client device of the transmission destination are in the same local area according to the transmission request received by the transmission request reception unit and the reception request received by the reception request reception unit. It may be determined whether it is present on the network.

Here, the transmission request and the reception request from the plurality of client devices are transmitted via different relay devices, and include LAN identification information unique to each local area network. In this case, the direct communication determination means determines whether the client device of the data transmission source and the client device of the transmission destination exist on the same local area network according to the LAN identification information included in the connection request. It can be

On the other hand, when the transmission request and the reception request from the plurality of client devices are sent through the same relay device, the direct communication determination means relays the connection request. According to the identification information of the relay device, it is possible to determine whether the client device of the data transmission source and the client device of the transmission destination exist on the same local area network.

In the server device, when the relay device has a function of controlling data communication between the plurality of client devices, the direct communication determination means receives data without intervention of any other device. When it is determined that the transmission request is not possible, the client device that is the destination of the data indicated by the transmission request can connect to the same relay device as the relay device that connects the client device of the transmission request source. Both the same relay device determining means for determining whether or not there is a client device, which is a transmission source and a transmission destination based on the transmission request, when it is determined that the same relay device determining means can connect to the same relay device. To a relay device that can connect to the client device of the transmission source and the client device of the transmission destination. The data communication between the can be made, further comprising a notification means for controlling to the relay device.

The server device may include a communication load determining means for determining a data communication load (and a data communication load in each connected relay device) between the client devices that it controls. Good. In this case, according to the determination result of the communication load determination means, a notification may be given to cause the relay device to control the data communication between the transmission source client device and the transmission destination client device.

In order to achieve the above object, a server device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is connected to at least one relay device, and via any one of the relay devices,
A server device connected to a plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication through another device, wherein data transmitted from any one of the plurality of client devices via the relay device. The transmission request receiving unit that receives the transmission request and the client device that is the destination of the data indicated by the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving unit are the same as the relay device that connects the client device that is the source of the transmission request. The same relay device determining means for determining whether or not the relay device can be connected to the relay device, and when the same relay device determining means determines that the same relay device can be connected to the transmission device based on the transmission request. Notifying a relay device capable of connecting both client devices of the transmission destination that communication is possible via the same relay device, and the client device of the transmission source is notified. The data communication between said destination client device, comprising a notification means for controlling to the relay device.

In the above server device, when each of the plurality of client devices is a mobile phone,
The at least one relay device may be included in a base station of a mobile phone.

Here, when a mobile phone having a function capable of connecting to both a normal mobile phone network and a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) network is applied, the same relay device determination means causes the same client as the sender. A PHS connection determination means for determining whether or not there is a relay device capable of connecting both the device and the client device of the transmission destination included in the base station of the PHS network may be provided. In this case, the notification means
When the PHS connection determination means determines that there is one included in the base station of the PHS network, the PHS connection determination unit performs the notification to the relay device included in the base station of the PHS network, and the client device of the transmission source and the The data communication with the client device of the transmission destination can be controlled.

In order to achieve the above object, the client device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is connected to the server device via a relay device and is capable of performing data communication under the control of another device. , A client device having a function of enabling data communication with another client device without switching through any other device by switching the setting of the connection destination, in the case of transmitting data to another client device, Data communication according to a transmission request transmission unit that transmits a transmission request to the server device via a relay device, a transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission unit, or a transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission unit of another client device. Of the other client device, which is the other party, to the relay device to notify that the data communication is possible without any other device. Then, the direct communication notification receiving means for receiving from the server device, and when the direct communication notification receiving means receives the notification, the other client device indicated by the partner information sent together with the notification is set as the partner of the data communication. And a data communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the communication partner setting means to be set and the other client device set as the communication partner by the communication partner setting means without interposing any other device. Is characterized by.

The above-mentioned client device exists on the local area network and can perform data communication with other client devices existing on the same local area network without any other device. It may further include reception request transmission means for transmitting a reception request to the server device via the relay device to receive data from another client device. In this case, the communication partner setting means, when the direct communication notification receiving means receives the notification, establishes a local area network to which both the client device and another client device indicated by the partner information are connected. The other party of the data communication can be set so that the data communication is performed via the other party.

Here, when the transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission means and the reception request transmitted by the reception request transmission means include LAN identification information unique to each local area network, the direct communication is performed. The notification receiving unit may be configured to receive a notification from the server device when a transmission request and a reception request including the same LAN identification information are received by the server device.

The client device further comprises direct connection information management means for managing information about other client devices existing on the same local area network and directly connectable via the local area network. Good. In this case, the connection destination setting means can change the setting of the connection destination according to the information managed by the direct connection information management means.

Here, when the client device cannot directly connect to another client device according to the information managed by the direct connection information management means, the fact that the client device cannot directly connect to the other client device is notified to the server device via the relay device. It is also possible to further include a notification means for notifying the.

In order to achieve the above object, a relay device according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication through other devices, and the plurality of client devices. A relay device having a function of controlling data communication between the plurality of client devices without intervening the server device and intervening between the server device controlling data communication by The transmission request transfer means for transferring the received transmission request for the data to the server device, and the relay device for both the client device of the data transmission source and the transmission destination of the server device according to the transmission request transferred by the transmission request transfer means. The same relay device notification receiving means for receiving a notification to that effect from the server device when it is determined that the connection is possible, Communication in which, when the same relay device notification receiving unit receives a notification, the data from the client device that has transmitted the transmission request is transmitted to the client device of the transmission destination indicated by the transmission request without being transferred to the server device. And a control means.

When the plurality of client devices are mobile phones, the relay device can be included in a base station of the mobile phone.

In order to achieve the above object, the program according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is capable of performing data communication under the control of other devices, and data is exchanged with each other without any other device. A computer device connected to a plurality of client devices having a communication enabling function via a relay device, and receiving a transmission request for data transmitted from any of the plurality of client devices via the relay device. The transmission request receiving means, the client device that is the destination of the data indicated by the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving means receives the data from the client device that is the transmission source that made the transmission request without passing through any other device. Direct communication determining means for determining whether or not the device is in a receivable state, and the direct communication determining means does not use any other device for data communication. When it is determined that the data can be received, the client device of the communication partner sends a notification to the client device of the transmission source and the client device of the transmission destination based on the transmission request that the data communication can be performed without the other devices. Is transmitted via the relay device together with the partner information indicating the above, and is made to function as direct communication notification transmitting means for performing direct data communication between the client device of the transmission source and the transmission destination.

In order to achieve the above object, the tenth aspect of the present invention
The program according to the aspect of (1) is connected to at least one relay device, and is connected to a plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication via any of the relay devices via other devices. A request for transmitting data transmitted from any of the plurality of client devices via the relay device to the computer device, and the data indicated by the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving unit. The same relay device determining means for determining whether or not the client device to be the destination can connect to the same relay device as the relay device to which the client device of the transmission request source is connected, and the same relay device When the determination unit determines that the same relay device can be connected, the client of the transmission source and the client of the transmission destination based on the transmission request A relay device that can connect both devices is notified that communication is possible via the same relay device, and data communication between the transmission source client device and the transmission destination client device is notified to the relay device. It is characterized in that it functions as a notification means for controlling.

To achieve the above object, the eleventh aspect of the present invention
The program according to the aspect of (1) is connected to the server device via a relay device, and is capable of performing data communication under the control of another device, and by switching the setting of the connection destination, without going through any other device. When sending data to another client device by a computer device having a function of enabling data communication with another client device,
Data communication according to a transmission request transmission unit that transmits a transmission request to the server device via the relay device, a transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission unit, or a transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission unit of another client device. Direct communication notification receiving means for receiving from the server device via the relay device a notification indicating that data communication is possible without going through any other device that is the other client device When the communication notification receiving means receives the notification, the communication partner setting means for setting another client device indicated by the partner information sent together with the notification as a data communication partner, and the communication partner setting means Data communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from another client device set as a partner without any other device intervening; It characterized in that to function Te.

In order to achieve the above object, the 12th aspect of the present invention
The program according to the aspect is interposed between a plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication through another device and a server device that controls data communication by the plurality of client devices, and Transmission request transfer means for transferring a computer device having a function of controlling data communication between the plurality of client devices without going through the server device to a data transmission request received from any one of the client devices to the server device, In the case where the server device determines that the relay device is connectable to both the client device of the data transmission source and the client device of the data transmission destination according to the transmission request transferred by the transmission request transfer means,
The same relay device notification receiving means that receives a notification to that effect from the server device, and when the same relay device notification receiving means receives the notification, the data from the client device that transmitted the transmission request is transferred to the server. It is characterized in that it functions as communication control means for transmitting to the client device of the destination indicated by the transmission request without transferring to the device.

[0038]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network system applied to this embodiment. As shown, this network system
It includes an IMS server 1, a proxy server 2, and a plurality of IM clients 3. The proxy server 2 and the plurality of IM clients 3 are connected to each other via a LAN 4. The proxy server 2 is connected to the IMS server 1 existing outside the LAN 4 via the Internet 5. In addition to the LAN 4 shown in the figure, an LA connected to the IMS server 1 via the Internet 5
There may be N.

The IMS server 1 is composed of a general-purpose server computer. As shown in FIG. 2, the IMS server 1 includes a message storage unit 11 and an IP recognition unit 12
, The IP storage unit 13, and the same network estimation unit 14
And a communication control unit 15. These features
CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the IMS server 1
Is realized by executing a program as shown in the flowchart described later.

The message storage unit 11 is the IMS server 1
The data (packet message) exchanged between the IM clients 3 via the is temporarily stored. The IP recognition unit 12 recognizes the IP address (including the IP address of the corresponding proxy server 2) of the IM client 3 that has requested the connection to the IMS server 1. Specifically, the request source I included in the header of the message corresponding to the connection request
The IP address of the M client 3 is extracted. Among the IP addresses recognized by the IP recognition unit 12, the IP storage unit 13 temporarily stores the IP address of the IM client 3 that has made a connection request for data transmission.

The same network estimation unit 14 stores the same IP address as the IP address newly recognized by the IP recognition unit 12 (meaning that the IP address of the proxy server 2 is the same) in the IP storage unit 13. Find out if it is. When the same IP address is stored, it is determined that a plurality of IM clients 3 existing in the same LAN 4 have requested connection, and the communication control unit 15 sends the corresponding IM client 3 via the proxy server 2. To send an intra-LAN connection notification message. The communication control unit 15 controls data transmission / reception between the IM server 1 and the proxy server 2.

The proxy server 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a server computer for connecting the LAN 4 and the Internet 5 having different communication protocols to each other and controlling access from the IM client 3 to the IMS server 1, and has a firewall function. I have it. In this firewall function, a packet that can pass between the LAN 4 and the Internet 5 is selected. The proxy server 2 also sends a page to the other IM client 3 without connecting to the Internet 5 when the same page accessed by any IM client 3 is accessed by another IM client 3. It also has functions.

The IM client 3 is composed of a personal computer or the like on which instant messenger software operates. As shown in FIG. 3, the IM client 3 includes a message transfer unit 31, a buddy list management unit 32, a connection destination setting unit 33, and a communication control unit 34. These functions are realized by the CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the IM client 3 executing a program shown in a flowchart described later.

In the message transfer unit 31, the IM client 3 is connected to another computer (IMS server 1 or another I server).
The data (message) exchanged with the M client 3) is transferred between the application and the communication control unit 34. The message transfer unit 31 also has a function of generating various messages such as a connection request message to be described later as needed.

The buddy list management unit 32 uses the same LAN.
4 manages and manages a buddy list including information about other IM clients 3 existing in 4. Communication control unit 34
Is set according to the setting of the connection destination by the connection destination setting unit 33.
The M client 3 controls transmission / reception of data to / from another computer. The message transmitted by the communication control unit 34 is packetized.

The connection destination setting unit 33 is used by the IM client 3
Data communication by the proxy server 2 or direct communication with other IM clients 3 on the LAN 4 peer-to-peer is set. The connection destination setting unit 33 sets the connection destination for performing data communication via the proxy server 2 in a normal case. In addition, the peer-to-peer connection means that the IM clients 3 are connected to each other via the LAN without the proxy server 2.
This means that the data communication is performed only through 4, and the IM clients 3 do not necessarily need to be connected by a dedicated line.

The operation of this network system will be described below. First, IMS server 1 and IM
The processing executed by the client 3 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5. IM
The S server 1 and the IM client 3 perform various processes in parallel, but only the processes related to the present invention will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the IMS server 1. The IMS server 1 waits for reception of a connection request message sent from the IM client 3 as described later (step S10).
1). When the connection request message is received, it is further determined whether or not it is a connection request message for data transmission (step S102).

If it is a connection request message for data transmission, the IP recognition unit 12 extracts the IP address of the IM client 3 included in the connection request message,
The data is stored in the IP storage unit 13 (step S103). The message storage unit 11 also stores the connection request message (step S104). And step S
The process proceeds to step 105. On the other hand, if the message is not a connection request message for data transmission in step S102,
The process directly proceeds to step S105.

In step S105, the same network estimation unit 14 compares the IP address of the IM client 3 newly recognized by the IP recognition unit 12 with the IP address of the IM client 3 stored in the IP storage unit 13. As a result, it is determined whether or not there is a connection request message corresponding to the transmission / reception destination (step S105). If there is no connection request message corresponding to the destination, the process returns to step S101. If there is a connection request message corresponding to the destination, the same network estimation unit 14
Further according to the IP address of the proxy server 2 included as the IP address of the IM client 3,
It is determined whether the IM client 3 on the transmitting side and the IM client 3 on the receiving side are present on the same LAN 4 (step S106).

IM client 3 on the transmitting side and I on the receiving side
When it is determined that the M client 3 is on the same LAN 4, the same network estimation unit 14 notifies the intra-LAN connection to both the IM client 3 that is the transmitting side and the IM client 3 that is the receiving side. A message is transmitted from the communication control unit 15 (step S1
07). This intra-LAN connection notification message is sent to each IM client 3 via the proxy server 2. The IP storage unit 13 discards the IP address of the IM client 3 on the transmission side (step S108), and the message storage unit 11 discards the message sent from the IM client 3 on the transmission side (step S10).
9). Then, the process returns to step S101.

When it is determined in step S106 that the IM client 3 on the transmitting side and the IM client 3 on the receiving side do not exist on the same LAN 4, the corresponding message stored in the message storing unit 11 is sent to the receiving side. The communication control unit 1 with the IM client 3 as the destination
5 is transmitted (step S110). This message is sent to the receiving IM client 3 via the proxy server 2. Then, the process returns to step S101.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the IM client 3. The IM client 3 uses the IMS function shown in FIG. 5A to send data to another IM client 3 by using the IMS server 1.
For sending a connection request to the other IM shown in FIG. 5 (b)
A polling process for receiving data from the client 3 and a data communication process between the IM clients 3 are performed peer-to-peer as shown in FIG.

When trying to send data to another IM client 3 according to the processing by the application,
As shown in FIG. 5A, the message transfer unit 31 divides the data to be transmitted into packet sizes, and generates a connection request message for data transmission including each of the divided data (step S201). Next, the message transfer unit 31 passes each generated connection request message to the communication control unit 34, and the communication control unit 34 transmits each connection request message to the proxy server 2 via the LAN 4 (step S202). Then, each connection request message is sent from the proxy server 2 to the IMS server 1 via the Internet 5.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the message transfer section 31 determines whether or not it is time to transmit a connection request for data reception (step S221). This timing comes every predetermined period. When it is time to send a connection request for data reception, the message transfer unit 31
A connection request message for data reception from another IM client 3 is generated (step S222). Next, the message transfer unit 31 passes the generated connection request message to the communication control unit 34, and the communication control unit 34 transmits this connection request message to the proxy server 2 via the LAN 4 (step S223). This connection request message is sent from the proxy server 2 to the IMS server 1 via the Internet 5.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, the message transfer unit 31 waits for reception of the intra-LAN connection notification message transmitted from the IMS server 1 as described above (step S241). Next, the fact that the intra-LAN connection notification message has been received is notified to the buddy list management unit 32, and the buddy list management unit 32 refers to the buddy list for information regarding other IM clients 3 corresponding to the intra-LAN connection notification message. Yes (step S24
2). Then, the other IM client 3 and the LAN 4
It is determined whether or not direct connection is possible via (step S243). If you can't connect directly,
It returns to the process of step S241.

When the direct connection is possible, the fact is notified to the connection destination setting unit 33, and the connection destination setting unit 33
When the communication control unit 34 transmits / receives data, the connection destination is changed to another IM client 3 indicated by the intra-LAN connection notification message (step S244). The setting change of the connection destination is performed on both the data transmitting side and the data receiving side, and the two IM clients 3 are peer-to-peer via the LAN 4 without using an external device such as the proxy server 2. It becomes possible to send and receive data.

The message transfer unit 31 includes a communication control unit 34.
When the connection destination is changed, the data to be transmitted / received between the two IM clients 3 is transmitted / received to / from the communication control unit 34 peer-to-peer via the LAN 4 (step S245). When this peer-to-peer data transmission / reception is completed, the setting of the connection destination by the connection destination setting unit 33 is restored (step S246), and the process returns to step S241.

Next, in this network system, a procedure in the entire system until data is transmitted and received between the IM clients 3 will be described with reference to an explanatory view of FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the IM client 3-1 on the transmission side transmits a connection request message to the IMS server 1 via the proxy server 2. IMS
In the server 1, the IP recognition unit 12 extracts the IP address included in the packet of the connection request message and stores it in the IP storage unit 13. Further, the IM client 3-2 on the receiving side transmits a connection request message to the IMS server 1 via the proxy server 2 at a predetermined timing. IM
The S server 1 extracts the IP address included in the packet of the connection request message.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the same network estimation unit 14 of the IMS server 1 makes the IP storage unit 1
The IP address stored in 3 is compared with the IP address extracted by the IP recognition unit 12 to determine that they are on the same LAN 4. Then, the same network estimation unit 14 sends an intra-LAN connection notification message from the IMS server 1 to the two IM clients 3-1 and 3-2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6 (c), the IM client 3 which has received the intra-LAN connection notification message 3-
In 1 and 3-2, the connection destination setting unit 33 changes the connection destination setting according to the buddy list managed by the buddy list management unit 32. As a result, the IM client 3-1
And 3-2 do not go through the proxy server 2 and LA
It is connected peer-to-peer via N4. Then, the data to be transmitted is transmitted from the IM client 3-1 to 3-2.

As described above, in the network system according to this embodiment, the same LAN 4 is used.
When the IMS server 1 receives each connection request message while trying to transmit / receive data between the IM clients 3 above, the IMS server 1 does not mediate the data transmission from the transmission side to the reception side, and the same LAN
4 transmits an intra-LAN connection notification message to the IM client 3 on 4. By this intra-LAN connection notification message, the IM clients 3 are connected peer-to-peer.

When the IM clients 3 on the same LAN 4 are connected peer-to-peer to send and receive data, when IM clients 3 send and receive data,
No excessive load is applied to the proxy server 2 or the IMS server 1. Therefore, it becomes possible to send and receive a large amount of data between the IM clients 3 existing on the same LAN 4.

In the IM client 3, I
When the intra-LAN connection notification message is sent from the MS server 1, the connection destination setting unit 33 automatically changes the connection destination so that it can be peer-to-peer connected to another IM client 3 on the same LAN 4. As described above, the setting of the connection destination can be changed even if the user of the IM client 3 does not perform a complicated operation and has no knowledge about a computer or a network. Then, the user of each IM client 3 instructs the data communication between the IM clients 3 by the same operation without being aware of whether or not the other IM clients 3 to which the data is transmitted are on the same LAN 4. Will be able to.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a network system applied to this embodiment. As shown, this network system
A server device 101 provided in a mobile phone station and a plurality of base station computers 102 (102-) provided in a base station.
1, 102-2) and a plurality of mobile phones 103 (103
-1, 103-2, 103-3). The server device 101 and the base station computer 102 are connected by, for example, a dedicated line 104 (104-1, 104-2). Mobile phone 103 and base station computer 1
A wireless connection is provided between the wireless communication terminal 02 and the wireless communication terminal 02.

The mobile phone 103 is normally the server device 1.
01 or the base station computer 102 intervenes to perform data communication with each other in the form of packet switching.
The mobile phone 103 is performing signal exchange with any one of the base station computers 102 depending on its position, and the base station computer 102 performing the signal exchange must intervene for data communication with another mobile phone 103. Becomes Further, depending on the positional relationship between the mobile phones 103, it is possible to directly exchange data using the infrared communication function. The positional relationship capable of directly exchanging data is a case where the two mobile phones 103 are within a range of several meters and there is no obstacle between them.

FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the mobile phone 103.
Here, only the functions related to the present invention are shown. As illustrated, the mobile phone 103 includes a packet communication unit 20.
1, an infrared communication unit 202, and a connection setting unit 203. The packet communication unit 201 transmits / receives packets to / from the base station computer 102. The packet communication unit 201 also has a function of dividing data to be transmitted into packets and a function of assembling received packets and outputting the data by a display device or the like. The infrared communication unit 202 performs data communication by infrared signals between the plurality of mobile phones 103 without using another device.

The connection destination setting unit 203 is the packet communication unit 2
The connection destination is set whether data communication is performed by the packet 01 or data communication is performed by the infrared signal of the infrared communication unit 202. In the normal state, the connection destination of the connection destination setting unit 203 is set to the packet communication unit 201, and an external signal (an input signal from an input key (not shown) or a synchronization from another mobile phone 103) is set. The setting of the connection destination is switched to the infrared communication unit 202 by inputting (signal).

The base station computer 102 has a function of accumulating packets received from the mobile phone 103 and a function of transferring the accumulated packets to the server device 101 via the dedicated line 104 or transmitting the packets to the mobile phone 103 according to the packet header. I have it. Which of the server device 101 and the mobile phone 103 the accumulated packet is sent to depends on the message notified from the server device 101. When the base station computer 102 receives the first packet sent from the mobile phone 103 in a divided manner, the base station computer 102 determines that the mobile phone 103 has requested the data transmission, and The second packet is transferred to the server device 101.

The server device 101 collects from the base station computer 102 information about which base station computer 102 the mobile phone 103 is exchanging signals with. The server device 101 is a base station computer 10
When the first packet transferred from 2 is received,
The base station computer 10 in which the source and destination mobile phones 103 indicated by the packet header exchange signals.
Check 2 and determine if they are the same.

If they are the same, the same base station message is sent to the base station computer 102 that sent the first packet, and if they are different, a different base station message is sent to the base station computer 102. To do. When a different base station message is transmitted, the packet stored in the base station computer 102 will be transferred. Therefore, the server device 101 notifies the mobile phone 103 of the transmission destination, which is indicated by the packet header, of the signal. It also has a data transfer control function of transferring to the base station computer 102 that is performing the exchange.

The operation of this network system will be described below. First, the processes executed by the server device 101, the base station computer 102, and the mobile phone 103 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 11. Here again, only the processes related to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the server device 101. The process of this flowchart may be simultaneously executed in parallel as a plurality of processes for each set of mobile phones 103 that perform data communication with each other. In addition to the processing of this flowchart, the server device 101 also performs processing for collecting information about the base station computers 102 with which the mobile phones 103 are exchanging signals from each base station computer 102.

The server device 101 performs step S described later.
At 403, it is determined whether the first packet transferred from any of the base station computers 102 is received (step S301). Until the packet is received, the process of step S301 is repeated.

When the first packet is received, the server device 101 determines that the base station computer 102, which is the source mobile phone 103 indicated by the packet header of the received packet, is exchanging signals with the destination mobile phone 103. The base station computer 102 that is exchanging signals,
Which one is checked based on the information collected from each base station computer 102 (step S30).
2). Then, it is determined whether or not the base station computer 102 with which the mobile phone 103 of the transmission source exchanges signals and the base station computer 102 with which the mobile phone 103 of the transmission destination exchanges signals are the same ( Step S303).

If the base station computers 102 are the same, the server apparatus 101 notifies the same base station message to the base station computer 102 which has sent the packet via the dedicated line 104 (step S304).
Then, the processing of this flowchart ends without the server apparatus 101 itself controlling data communication between the mobile phones 103.

On the other hand, if the base station computer 102 is different in step S303, the server device 101
Notifies different base station messages to the base station computer 102 that has sent the packet via the leased line 104 (step S305). Based on this notification, all the packets accumulated in the base station computer 102 will be transferred (step S which will be described later).
407), the server device 101 transmits the transferred packets to the destination mobile phone 1 indicated by the packet header.
03 base station computer 102 performing signal exchange
(Step S306). After the transfer of all the packets is completed, the processing of this flowchart is completed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by each base station computer 102. The processing of this flowchart is performed by each base station computer 102.
Is always running in.

The base station computer 102 determines whether or not the packet transmitted from the mobile phone 103 is received in step S503 described later (step S4).
01). When the packet is received, the base station computer 102 temporarily stores all the received related packets inside (step S402). Further, the base station computer 102 determines that the first packet is received and the data transmission request is issued from the mobile phone 103, and the first packet is transmitted to the server device 10.
1 (step S403).

When the first packet is transferred, the base station computer 102 enters a waiting mode for a message from the server device 101, and the same base station message notified in step S304 or a different base station message notified in step S305. Is received (step S40
4). Then, it is determined whether the message notified from the server device 101 is the same base station message or a different base station message (step S405).

If the same base station message is received,
Each packet stored in step S402 is transferred to the destination mobile phone 103 indicated by the packet header (step S406). If the messages are different base station messages, each packet accumulated in step S402 is transferred to the server device 101 (step S40).
7). When the transfer of all the packets is completed in step S406 or S407, the process returns to step S401.

In step S401, the mobile telephone 10
If it is determined that the packet transmitted from the server 3 is not received, the base station computer 102 determines whether the packet transmitted from the server apparatus 101 is received in step S306 (step S40).
8). If the packet is not received from the server device 101 either, the process returns to step S401.

When the packet transferred from the server device 101 is received, the base station computer 102
Transfers the received packet to the destination mobile phone 103 indicated by the packet header (step S40).
9). Then, the process returns to step S401.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the mobile phone 103. The process of this flowchart is constantly executed in each mobile phone 103. Here, when transmitting data from the mobile phone 103 to another mobile phone 103, it is assumed that the data to be transmitted is already stored in the mobile phone 103 of the transmission source.

The mobile phone 103 determines whether or not another mobile phone 103 is instructed to transmit data by a user's key operation or the like (step S501). When data transmission is instructed, the packet communication unit 201
Generates a packet in which the data to be transmitted is divided into packet sizes, and a packet header including information indicating the source and destination mobile phones 103 is added to each (step S502). The packet communication unit 201 transmits all the packets generated in step S502 to the base station computer 102 with which the mobile phone 103 is performing signal exchange (step S503). Then, the process returns to step S501.

On the other hand, when the user has not instructed to transmit data, the packet communication unit 201 determines in step S406 or S409 that the base station computer 102
It is determined whether or not a packet sent from another mobile phone 103 has been received (step S50).
4). If the packet transferred from the base station computer 102 has not been received, the process returns to step S501.

When the packet transferred from the base station computer 102 is received, the packet communication unit 20
1 stores the received packet inside (step S5
05), it is determined whether a series of all packets have been received (step S506). If all the packets in a series have not been received, the process returns to step S501,
The packets are kept stored as they are until all the series of packets are received.

After receiving a series of all packets,
The packet communication unit 201 assembles the data divided into the accumulated packets (step S507), and outputs the data by displaying it on a display device, for example (step S5).
08). Then, the process returns to step S501.

Next, in this network system, what kind of procedure is adopted in the entire system according to the positional relationship between the two mobile phones 103 for data transfer will be described with reference to the explanatory view of FIG. To do. Here, the mobile phone 103-1 and the mobile phone 103-2 can be connected to the server device 101 via the same base station computer 102-1. However, the mobile phone 103-3 is Base station computer 102-1
Cannot be connected to the server device 101 via the base station computer 102-2.
Shall be connected to.

For example, when data is transmitted from the mobile phone 103-1 to the mobile phone 103-2, FIG.
As shown in (a), the mobile phone 103-1 on the transmission side.
Sends all packets relating to the data to be sent to the base station computer 102-1 (). Each packet is temporarily stored in the base station computer 102-1. The base station computer 102-1 transfers the first received packet to the server device 101 ().

In the server device 101, both the transmitting side mobile telephone 103-1 and the receiving side mobile telephone 103-2 are based on the packet header of the packet received from the base station computer 102-1 and the like.
It can be seen that signal exchange is being performed with 02-1. Therefore, the server device 101 notifies the same base station message to the base station computer 102-1 (). Based on this same base station message, the base station computer 10
2-1 displays all accumulated packets in the mobile phone 1
Transfer to 03-2 (). Thus, the mobile phone 10
The data to be transmitted from 3-1 is transmitted to the mobile phone 103-2.

Also, when data is transmitted from the mobile phone 103-1 to the mobile phone 103-3, FIG.
As shown in (b), the mobile phone 103-1 on the transmission side.
Sends all packets relating to the data to be sent to the base station computer 102-1 (). Each packet is temporarily stored in the base station computer 102-1. The base station computer 102-1 transfers the first received packet to the server device 101 ().

In the server device 101, the base station computer 102-1 in which the mobile phone 103-1 on the transmitting side is performing signal exchange based on the packet header of the packet received from the base station computer 102-1 It can be seen that the mobile phone 103-3 on the side is not the base station computer 102-2 that is exchanging signals. Therefore, the server device 101 notifies the base station computer 102-1 of a different base station message ().

The base station computer 102-1 transfers all the accumulated packets to the server device 101 by receiving different base station messages (). The server device 101 is a base station computer 10
Each packet transferred from 2-1 is transferred to the base station computer 102-2 where the mobile phone 103-3 on the receiving side is performing signal exchange based on the packet header and the like (). The base station computer 102-2 transfers all the packets transferred from the server device 101 to the mobile phone 103-3 (). Thus, the data to be transmitted from the mobile phone 103-1 is the mobile phone 1
It will be sent to 03-3.

As described above, in the network system according to this embodiment, the server device 101 is
Based on the first packet of data to be transmitted, it can be seen that the mobile phone 103 on the transmission side (transmission source) and the mobile phone 103 on the reception side (transmission destination) are exchanging signals with the same base station computer 102. , The same base station message is notified to the base station computer 102.
Based on the same base station message, the base station computer 102 transfers each packet sent from the mobile phone 103 on the transmitting side to the mobile phone 103 on the receiving side without passing through the server device 101. . Therefore, no extra load is applied to the server device 101.

Further, the server device 101, based on the first packet of the data to be transmitted, has the transmitting side (source) mobile telephone 103 and the receiving side (transmission destination) mobile telephone 10.
If it is found that 3 and 3 are not exchanging signals with the same base station computer 102, the base station computer 102 in which the transmitting side is exchanging different base station messages is different.
Have been notified. Based on this different base station message, the base station computer 102 concerned server device 10
1 transmits each packet sent from the mobile phone 103 on the transmission side, and each packet reaches the mobile phone 103 on the reception side from the server device 101 via the base station computer 102 on which the reception side performs signal exchange. I am trying. Therefore, data communication between the mobile phones 103 is not hindered.

The base station computer 102 transfers the first packet sent from the mobile phone 103 on the transmitting side to the server device 101, and based on this, the server device 101.
Has notified the same base station message or a different base station message. Since the destination of the packet from the mobile phone 103 on the transmitting side can be determined by the notified message, it is not necessary to perform complicated processing such as connection setting. In addition, the mobile phone 103 of each user does not need to be aware of which base station computer 102 is exchanging signals.

[Modification of Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment applicable to the present invention will be described.

In the above-described first embodiment, a plurality of IM clients 3 connecting to the IMS server 1 via the same proxy server 2 exist on the same LAN 4 and can make peer-to-peer connection. It was explained on the assumption that it is. However, a plurality of IM clients existing on different LANs may connect to the IMS server 1 via the same proxy server. A plurality of IM clients existing on the same LAN may connect to the IMS server 1 via different proxy servers.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a plurality of IM clients existing on different LANs connect to the IMS server 1 via the same proxy server. In this case, the connection request message on the transmission side and the connection request message on the reception side are sent via the same proxy server 2, so that in the same processing as in the above-described embodiment, the IMS server 1 connects the intra-LAN connection. The notification message will be sent to the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2.

However, the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2
Even if an intra-LAN connection notification message is sent, it can be seen from the buddy list managed by the buddy list management unit 32 that they are on different LANs 4-1 and 4-2 (). Therefore, each of the connection failure notification messages is transmitted to the IMS server 1 via the proxy server 2 (). By receiving this connection failure notification message, the data communication between the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2 is performed according to the connection request message sent by the IM client 3 on the receiving side every predetermined period by the polling method. .

When the IMS server 1, the proxy server 2 and the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2 are connected as shown in FIG.
Information about the proxy server 2 to which each IM client 3 is connected in the buddy list management unit 32, which has a function of controlling data communication between the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2 without using the function of the server 1. If it is also managed, the following modifications can be added.

The IM clients 3-1 and 3-2 use the IM
When the intra-LAN connection notification message is notified from the S server 1, the same LAN is notified based on this and the buddy list.
Are not connected to each other, but each is connected to L
It can be seen that AN 4-1 and 4-2 are connected to the same proxy server 2. IM even in the proxy server 2
According to the intra-LAN connection notification message transferred to the clients 3-1 and 3-2, the respective LANs 4-1 and 4
It can be seen that they are connected via -2 only.

In this case, the IM clients 3-1 and 3-
2 performs data communication with each other while setting the connection destination by the connection destination setting unit 33 via the proxy server 2. The proxy server 2 is the IM client 3
IM the data transmitted and received between -1 and 3-2
The transmission / reception process is controlled without transferring to the S server 1. As a result, the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2
There is no need to apply a heavy load to the IMS server 1 when performing data communication with the.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example in which a plurality of IM clients existing on the same LAN connect to the IMS server 1 via different proxy servers. Since the connection request message sent via the different proxy servers 2-1 and 2-2 has been subjected to the same processing as that in the above-mentioned embodiment, the IM clients 3-1 and 3-existing on another LAN 4 are present. It will be judged as from 2.

Therefore, the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2
Then, first, a unique group ID is input for each LAN 4. The group ID may be input only once during the initial setting (). Next, the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2
When sending a connection request message to the IMS server 1 from each of the above, the connection request notification message includes the group ID ().

The IMS server 1 does not judge whether or not they are the same LAN 4 based on the IP address, but rather the group I included in the connection request notification message.
It shall be based on D. If it is determined based on the group ID, it is understood that the IM clients 3-1 and 3-2 are on the same LAN 4, and the IM client 1 via the proxy servers 2-1, 2-2 An intra-LAN connection notification message is sent to each of 3-1 and 3-2 ().

In the IM clients 3-1, 3-2, I
Referring to the buddy list based on the intra-LAN connection notification message sent from the MS server 1, it can be seen that they are on the same LAN 4. Therefore, it becomes possible to directly change the connection destination setting and directly perform data communication peer-to-peer without going through the proxy servers 2-1, 2-2 and the IMS server 1. By using the group ID in this way, different proxy servers 2
The IM clients 3-1, 3-2 connecting to the IMS server 1 via -1, 2-2, respectively, can also perform peer-to-peer data communication similar to the above-described embodiment.

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the same LA is used.
When the IM clients 3 existing on the N4 cannot be connected peer-to-peer, data communication is performed via the proxy server 2 and the IMS server 1 according to the polling of the IM client 3 on the receiving side.
However, using this method
When the data is exchanged between the clients 3, an excessive load is applied to the IMS server 1 and the proxy server 2, and the system may go down. So IMS
When the number of connection request messages sent from the IM client 3 on the transmitting side exceeds a certain amount and the IM client 3 on the receiving side is not on the same LAN 4, the server 1
The data communication failure notification message may be transmitted to the IM client 3 on the transmitting side.

In the above-described second embodiment, the mobile phone 103 exchanges signals with any one of the base station computers 102. However, it is possible to exchange signals with a plurality of base station computers 102 at the same time. There are also mobile phone systems. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a modified example of such a system. Here, the mobile phone 103-1 on the transmission side exchanges signals with the base station computers 102-1 and 102-2. The mobile phone 103-2 on the receiving side exchanges signals with the base station computers 102-2 and 102-3.

The mobile phone 103-1 sends a packet relating to the data to be sent to the base station computers 102-1 and 102-2 with which it performs signal exchange (). At this point, the base station computer 102-1
And 102-2 both store packets sent from the mobile phone 103-1. In addition, the base station computers 102-1 and 102-2 both transfer the first packet to the server device 101 ().

When the server device 101 checks the packet header of the received packet and the like, the base station computer 1
It can be seen that 02-2 is also exchanging signals with the mobile phone 103-2 on the receiving side, but the base station computer 102-1 is not exchanging signals with the mobile phone 103-2 on the receiving side. Therefore, the server apparatus 101 notifies the base station computer 102-2 of the same base station message () and the base station computer 102-1 of the packet discard message ().

Upon receiving the packet discard message, the base station computer 102-1 discards all the packets from the mobile phone 103-1 that have been stored accordingly.
Base station computer 1 that received the same base station message
02-2 is the mobile phone 10 that has been accumulated accordingly.
All the packets from 3-1 are received by the mobile phone 10
Transfer to 3-2 (). Thus, the mobile phone 103
The data to be transmitted from -1 is transmitted to the mobile phone 103-2. In addition, the base station computer 102-3 to which the mobile phone 103-2 is also exchanging signals.
Then, there is no processing executed in this case.

In the system shown in FIG. 15, mobile phone 103-1 on the transmitting side and mobile phone 103-2 on the receiving side.
In some cases, signal exchange cannot be performed with the base station computer 102, which has the same configuration. For example, the mobile phone 103-2
Is only exchanging signals with the base station computer 102-3. In such a case, the server device 1
01 notifies the base station computer 102-2 of different base station messages, and the server device 101 controls data transfer from the mobile phone 103-1 to the mobile phone 103-2 as in the above-described embodiment. You can do it like this.

Further, there may be a plurality of base station computers 102 in which the transmitting side portable telephone 103-1 and the receiving side portable telephone 103-2 are commonly exchanging signals. For example, it is a case where the mobile phone 103-2 is also exchanging signals with the base computers 102-1 and 102-2. In such a case, the server apparatus 101 selects one of the base station computers 102-1 and 102-2, notifies the base station computer 102-1 of a packet discard message, and notifies the base station computer 10-10.
2-2 may be notified of the same base station message. The selection of the base station computer 102 to notify the same base station message is performed by, for example, each base station computer 1
This can be done based on the load on 02.

Furthermore, in addition to the ordinary mobile phone network, PHS
There are also mobile phones that can be connected to the network. Such a mobile phone includes a base station computer of a normal mobile phone and a P
It exchanges signals with both HS base station computers. For example, in FIG. 15, the base station computer 10
This is a case where 2-1 and 102-3 are installed in a base station of a normal mobile phone, and the base station computer 102-2 is installed in a base station of PHS.

Here, the mobile phones 103-1 and 103-
2 are both base station computers 102-1, 10
2-2 and 102-3, it is assumed that which base station computer 102-1 or 102
-2, 102-3, the same base station message may be sent. However, in general, PHS can perform higher-speed data communication than an ordinary mobile phone, and in such a case, the server device 101 uses P
It is preferable to notify the same base station message to the HS base station computer 102-2, and notify the packet discard message to the normal mobile phone base station computers 102-1 and 102-3.

In the above-described second embodiment, the mobile phone 103 has the infrared communication section 202 and has the function of performing data communication without using other devices such as the base station computer 102 and the server device 101. . Therefore, the server device 101 uses the two mobile phones 1 by some method.
If it is possible to know whether or not 03 is in a position where data communication can be performed without going through another device, the server device 101 directly sends to the source and destination mobile phones 103 as in the first embodiment. Send a notification that communication is possible. Based on this notification, the connection destination setting unit 203 of the two mobile phones 103 may switch the setting of the connection destination to the infrared communication unit 202 so that the infrared communication unit 202 can directly perform data communication without using another device. Good. Multiple mobile phones 1
In addition to direct data communication by infrared communication by the infrared communication unit 202, 03 may be direct data communication via a wireless LAN, or may be direct data communication by applying Bluetooth technology. .

In the above-mentioned second embodiment, there is one mobile telephone carrier, and the server device 101 of the telephone station is one.
I explained that it is only one. However, in reality, there are a plurality of mobile phone carriers, and data communication may be possible even between mobile phones of different carriers. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a modified example in such a case.

Here, the server device 101-1, the base station computer 102-1 and the portable telephone 103-1 are the first
, The server apparatus 101-2, the base station computer 102-2, and the mobile phone 103-2 belong to the second business operator. Server device 101-1
And 102-2 belong to different operators, but have a function of transferring packets to each other.

The mobile telephone 103-1 on the transmitting side transmits a packet relating to the data to be transmitted to the base station computer 102-1 with which it performs signal exchange (). The base station computer 102-1 temporarily stores all the packets from the mobile phone 103-1 and transfers the first packet to the server device 101-1 ().

The server device 101-1 determines from the packet header of the received packet to the mobile phone 103-2 on the receiving side.
Belongs to the second operator, and the base station computer 102-1
It turns out that the signal exchange cannot be performed. Therefore, the server device 101-1 notifies the base station computer 102-1 of a different base station message (), and the base station computer 102-1 follows the different base station message to store all accumulated packets in the server device. Transfer to 101-1 ().

Since the server device 101-1 knows from the packet header of the packet thus received from the base station computer 102-1 that the mobile phone 103-2 on the receiving side belongs to the second operator, all of them are Transfer to the server device 101-2 belonging to the second business operator ().

The server device 101-2 is the server device 10
Examining the packet header and the like of the packet sent from 1-1 reveals that the mobile phone 103-2, which is the destination of the packet, is exchanging signals with the base station computer 102-2. Therefore, all of these are
02-2 (), and the base station computer 102-
2 to the mobile phone 103-2 (). That is, here, not only the base station computer 102-2 but also the server device 101-2 functions as a relay device for relaying data transfer. Thus, the data to be transmitted from the mobile phone 103-1 is the mobile phone 1
It will be sent to 03-2.

In the second embodiment, the server device 101 and the base station computer 102 transfer data between the portable telephones 103 by simply referring to the packet header. In this case, it is impossible to prevent the transmission of unsolicited emails, which has become a problem recently. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the transmission of unsolicited emails by registering a person to whom data may be transmitted for each user of the mobile phone 103 and performing the following processing.

The server device 101 sends the same base station message or a different base station message to the base station computer 102 only when the transmission source mobile phone 103 indicated by the packet header of the packet received in step S301 is the registered partner. Should be notified. When the transmission source mobile phone 103 indicated by the packet header of the packet received in step S301 is not the registered partner, the server apparatus 101 may notify the base station computer 102 of the packet discard message.

In the first embodiment, the programs shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 4 and 5 are I
It has been described as being executed by the MS server 1 and the IM client 3. In addition, in the second embodiment described above,
The programs shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 11 are the server device 101 and the base station computer 102, respectively.
And the mobile phone 103. These programs are stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM,
It may be distributed separately from the hardware. Further, all or part of these processing programs may be stored in a fixed disk device included in a Web server device on the Internet 5 and distributed from the Web server device via the Internet 5 in accordance with a request from each device. Good.

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the kind of data transmitted and received between the IM clients 3 is not particularly shown. As the data that can be effectively transmitted / received between the IM clients 3 as shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, the following data can be mentioned in particular. (1) Music data, television and video image data, as long as the copyright and other intellectual property laws allow it,
Video data and audio data sent from personal broadcasting stations, antivirus programs, etc. can be applied. (2) As personal information for the purpose of disclosure, homepage content, personal setting information for each application, image data and voice data (illustration, voice, etc.) of the publication schedule, various dictionary data, etc. can be applied. (3) Application software that performs peer-to-peer processing such as image data and voice data of Internet telephone (voice chat), image data of Internet conference, voice data, file and event notification as data to be communicated for a specific purpose. Various data to be handled can be applied. If there are a plurality of IM clients 3 used by the same user on the LAN 4, user-defined IME dictionary data, shared files, etc. can be applied.

In the second embodiment described above, it is assumed that the data communication between the plurality of portable telephones 103 is performed in the form of packet communication, and the base station computer 102.
Alternatively, the first packet received by the server device 101 is treated as indicating the request to send the data. On the other hand, data communication between the plurality of mobile phones 103 may be performed in the form of synchronous communication or the like without taking the form of packet communication. In this case, the mobile phone 103 on the transmitting side sends a data transmission request to the server device 101 via the base station computer 102 before actually transmitting the data to be transmitted to the base station computer 102.
It should be sent to. Based on this transmission request, the server device 101 can determine whether to perform data communication between the mobile phones 103 by controlling only the base station computer 102 or by itself.

[0132]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It becomes possible to perform data communication between the client devices without making complicated connection settings and applying unnecessary load to other devices.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network system applied to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of an IMS server of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the IM client of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the IMS server of FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a process executed by each IM client in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of data transfer between IM clients according to the first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a network system applied to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile phone of FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the server device of FIG.

10 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the base station computer of FIG.

11 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the mobile phone of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating data transfer between mobile phones according to the second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the first embodiment when a plurality of IM clients existing on different LANs connect to an IMS server via the same proxy server.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the first embodiment in which a plurality of IM clients existing on the same LAN connect to an IMS server via different proxy servers.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the second embodiment in the case where a mobile phone capable of signal exchange is applied simultaneously with a plurality of base stations.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the second embodiment when a plurality of mobile phones provided by different mobile phone carriers are applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 IMS server 2 Proxy server 3 IM client 4 LAN 5 Internet 11 Message storage 12 IP recognition unit 13 IP storage 14 Same network estimation unit 15 Communication control unit 31 Message exchange section 32 Buddy List Management Department 33 Connection destination setting section 34 Communication control unit 101 server device 102 base station computer 103 mobile phone 104 dedicated line 201 Packet communication unit 202 Infrared communication section 203 Connection setting section

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A function that enables data communication with a server device under control of the server device and also enables data communication with each other by switching setting of connection destination without any other device. A plurality of client devices provided and a relay device for connecting the plurality of client devices to the server device, respectively, wherein the server device transmits from any of the plurality of client devices via the relay device. A transmission request receiving unit that receives a transmission request for the transmitted data, and a client device that is the transmission destination of the data indicated by the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving unit is Direct communication determination means for determining whether or not data can be received without any device, and the direct communication determination hand When it is determined that the stage is in a state in which data can be received without going through any other device, the client device of the transmission source and the transmission destination based on the transmission request,
Each of the plurality of client devices includes a direct communication notification transmitting unit that transmits a notification indicating that data communication is possible without passing through another device together with partner information indicating a client device of a communication partner via the relay device. , Respectively, when transmitting data to another client device, a transmission request transmitting unit for transmitting a transmission request to the server device via the relay device, and a notification transmitted from the direct communication notification transmitting unit. Direct communication notification receiving means, and when the direct communication notification receiving means receives a notification, a communication partner setting means for setting another client device indicated by the partner information sent together with the notification as a partner of data communication, Any other device intervenes with another client device set as a communication partner by the communication partner setting means. Data communication system characterized by comprising a data communication means for transmitting and receiving data to. 2. A plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication through another device, a server device for controlling data communication by the plurality of client devices, and the plurality of client devices, respectively. At least one relay device for connecting to the server device, wherein the server device receives a transmission request for data transmitted from any of the plurality of client devices via the relay device. And whether the client device that is the destination of the data indicated by the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving unit can be connected to the same relay device as the relay device that connects the transmission source client device that has made the transmission request. The same relay device determination means for determining whether or not the same relay device determination means can be connected to the same relay device When it is determined that the same relay device notifying unit transmits a notification that communication is possible via the same relay device to a relay device that can connect both the source and destination client devices based on the transmission request. Wherein the at least one relay device receives the same relay device notification receiving unit that receives the notification transmitted from the same relay device notification unit, and the same relay device notification receiving unit, when the same relay device notification receiving unit receives the notification, Data from the client device that has transmitted the transmission request, without transferring to the server device, a communication control means for transmitting to the client device of the destination indicated by the transmission request, the plurality of client devices, respectively, A transmission request for transmitting a transmission request to the server device via any of the relay devices when transmitting data to another client device Communication means, data transmission means for transmitting data to be transmitted to another client device to the relay device, and from another client device transmitted from the relay device under the control of the server device or the relay device. A data communication system comprising: a data receiving means for receiving data. 3. A function that enables data communication with a server device under control of the server device and also enables data communication with each other by switching setting of connection destination without intervention of any other device. A method executed in a network system, comprising: a plurality of client devices provided; and a relay device for connecting each of the plurality of client devices to the server device, wherein data is transmitted to another client device. A step in which the client device transmits a transmission request to the server device via the relay device; and a client which is a transmission destination indicated by the received transmission request, in which the server device receives a transmission request from one of the client devices. The device does not use any other device from the client device that is the sender of the transmission request. A step of determining whether or not the data is receivable, and when the source and destination client devices based on the transmission request can perform data communication without any other device, Sending a notification of the notification from the server device to the source and destination client devices via the relay device together with partner information indicating the client device of the communication partner, and the sender receiving the notification from the server device. And a destination client device sets another client device indicated by the partner information sent together with the notification as a data communication partner, and the source and destination clients that have set each other as a communication partner. Devices transmitting and receiving data without intervening any other device. Communication method. 4. A plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication through another device, a server device for controlling data communication by the plurality of client devices, and the plurality of client devices, respectively. A method executed in a network system comprising at least one relay device for connecting to a server device, wherein a client device which intends to transmit data to another client device is transferred to said server device via said relay device. A step of transmitting a transmission request, wherein the server device receives a transmission request from any one of the client devices, and the client device that is the destination indicated by the received transmission request is the client device that is the transmission source of the transmission request. And a step of determining whether it is possible to connect to the same relay device, When the server device determines that the server device can connect to the same relay device, a step of transmitting a notification that communication is possible via the same relay device to the relay device, and receiving a notification from the server device According to the control of the relay device, the data communication method comprising the step of transmitting and receiving data between the client device of the transmission source and the client device of the transmission destination without passing through the server device. 5. A relay device is provided to a plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication under the control of other devices and having a function of enabling data communication with each other without intervention of any other device. A server device connected via the relay device, and a transmission request receiving unit that receives a transmission request for data transmitted from any of the plurality of client devices via the relay device; Direct communication determination that determines whether the client device that is the destination of the data indicated by the transmission request can receive the data from the client device that is the source of the transmission request without intervention of any other device Means for transmitting data based on the transmission request when the direct communication determination means determines that the data can be received without any other device. Based on the destination of the client device,
A notification that data communication is possible without each other device is transmitted together with the partner information indicating the client device of the communication partner via the relay device, and directly between the source and destination client devices. A server device comprising: a direct communication notification transmitting means for performing data communication. 6. The server device exists on an external network, and by connecting the external network and a local area network by the relay device, it is possible to control data communication between the plurality of client devices. Along with the reception request receiving means for receiving the reception request transmitted from each of the plurality of clients, the direct communication determining means receives the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving means and the reception request receiving means. 6. The server device according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether the client device of the data transmission source and the client device of the transmission destination exist on the same local area network according to the received request. 7. The transmission request and the reception request from the plurality of client devices are sent via different relay devices, and include unique LAN identification information for each local area network, The direct communication determining unit is configured to include the LA included in the connection request.
7. The server device according to claim 6, wherein it is determined whether the client device that is the source of the data and the client device that is the destination of the data exist on the same local area network according to the N identification information. 8. The relay device has a function of controlling data communication between the plurality of client devices, and the direct communication determination means must be in a state of being able to receive data without intervention of any other device. When the determination is made, it is determined whether the client device that is the destination of the data indicated by the transmission request can be connected to the same relay device as the relay device that connects the client device of the transmission request source. When the same relay device determination means and the same relay device determination means determine that they can connect to the same relay device, a relay device that can connect both the source and destination client devices based on the transmission request To notify that communication is possible via the same relay device,
8. The notification device according to claim 5, further comprising a notification unit that causes the relay device to control data communication between the transmission source client device and the transmission destination client device. Server device. 9. Connected to at least one relay device, and to a plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication via any of the relay devices with other devices interposed. A server device, a transmission request receiving unit that receives a transmission request for data transmitted from any of the plurality of client devices via the relay device; and data indicated by the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving unit. A same relay device determining unit that determines whether or not the client device that is the destination of the transmission can connect to the same relay device as the relay device that connects the client device that is the sender of the transmission request; When the determination means determines that the same relay device can be connected, both the source and destination client devices based on the transmission request are connected. The ability relay apparatus, and notifies capable of communicating via the same relay device,
A server device comprising: a notification device that causes the relay device to control data communication between the transmission source client device and the transmission destination client device. 10. A server device is connected via a relay device to enable data communication under the control of another device, and by switching the setting of the connection destination, another device can be used without going through any other device. A client device having a function of enabling data communication with a client device, wherein when transmitting data to another client device, a transmission request transmission means for transmitting a transmission request to the server device via the relay device. According to the transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission unit or the transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission unit of another client device, without going through another client device to be a data communication partner and any other device. Direct communication notification receiving means for receiving a notification indicating that data communication is possible from the server device via the relay device; When the notification receiving means receives the notification, the communication partner setting means for setting another client device indicated by the partner information sent together with the notification as a data communication partner, and as a communication partner by the communication partner setting means. A client device, comprising: a data communication unit for transmitting / receiving data to / from another set client device without interposing any other device. 11. The client device exists on a local area network and can perform data communication with another client device existing on the same local area network without any other device. In addition, it further comprises reception request transmission means for transmitting a reception request to the server device via the relay device to receive data from another client device, and the communication partner setting means is the direct communication notification reception means. When the notification is received, the other party of the data communication is set to perform the data communication through the local area network to which both the client apparatus and the other client apparatus indicated by the other party information are connected. The client device according to claim 10, wherein the client device is a client device. 12. A server which intervenes between a plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication through another device and a server device which controls data communication by the plurality of client devices, and the server. A relay device having a function of controlling data communication between the plurality of client devices without going through a device, and a transmission request transfer means for transferring a data transmission request received from any one of the client devices to the server device. When the server device determines that the relay device is connectable to both the client device of the data transmission source and the client device of the data transmission destination according to the transmission request transferred by the transmission request transfer means, the server notifies the server of the fact. The same relay device notification receiving means for receiving from the device and the transmission when the same relay device notification receiving means receives the notification The data from the client device that sent the calculated, said without transferring to the server device, the relay device characterized by comprising a communication control means for transmitting to the client apparatus of the transmission destination to which the transmission request shown. 13. A relay device is provided for a plurality of client devices, which are capable of performing data communication under the control of other devices and have a function of enabling data communication with each other without intervention of any other device. A computer device connected via the transmission request receiving means for receiving a transmission request for data transmitted from any one of the plurality of client devices via the relay device, and a transmission request received by the transmission request receiving means. Direct communication determination means for determining whether or not the client device that is the transmission destination of the indicated data is in a state in which data can be received from the transmission source client device that has made the transmission request without intervention of any other device, and When the direct communication determination unit determines that the data can be received without any other device, the direct communication determination unit is based on the transmission request. A notification indicating that data communication is possible without passing through another device to each of the transmission source and the transmission destination client devices is transmitted via the relay device together with partner information indicating the client device of the communication partner, and the transmission source and A program for functioning as a direct communication notification transmitting unit for performing direct data communication with a client device of a transmission destination. 14. Connected to at least one relay device, and to a plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication via any of the relay devices and interposing other devices. A computer device, a transmission request receiving means for receiving a transmission request for data transmitted from any of the plurality of client devices via the relay device, and a transmission destination of data indicated by the transmission request received by the transmission request receiving means. The same relay device determining means for determining whether or not the client device to be connected can be connected to the same relay device as the relay device connecting the client device of the transmission request source, and the same relay device determining means When it is determined that the client device can connect to the same relay device, both the client device of the transmission source and the client device of the transmission destination based on the transmission request are set. Notifying means for notifying a connectable relay device that communication is possible via the same relay device, and for causing the relay device to control data communication between the source client device and the destination client device. Program to function as. 15. A server device is connected via a relay device, and data communication can be performed under the control of another device, and by switching the setting of the connection destination, another device can be used without going through any other device. A transmission request transmitting means for transmitting a transmission request to the server device via the relay device when transmitting data to another client device by a computer device having a function of enabling data communication with the client device; According to the transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission unit or the transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission unit of the other client device, data communication can be performed without going through any other device with another client device that is a data communication partner. Direct communication notification receiving means for receiving, from the server device via the relay device, a notification indicating that the direct communication notification is received, When the dan receives the notification, the other client device indicated by the other party information sent together with the notification is set as a communication partner setting means, and the communication partner setting means sets it as a communication partner. Program for functioning as a data communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from another client device that has been created without interposing any other device. 16. A server device, which is interposed between a plurality of client devices capable of performing data communication through another device and a server device which controls data communication by the plurality of client devices. Transmission request transfer means for transferring a transmission request of data received from any one of the client devices to the server device, the computer device having a function of controlling data communication between the plurality of client devices without passing through the device; When the server device determines that the relay device is connectable to both the client device of the data transmission source and the client device of the data transmission destination according to the transmission request transferred by the request transfer means, a notification to that effect is received from the server device. Same relay device notification receiving means, and when the same relay device notification receiving means receives a notification, The data from the client device that sent the signal request, said without transferring to the server device, a program to function as a communication control means for transmitting to the client apparatus of the transmission destination to which the transmission request shown.