JP2005102196A6 - Information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

It is difficult to access an external device via the Internet, such as a home electronic device, to which a global IP address (hereinafter referred to as “GIP”) is not allocated.
An information processing system including an electronic device and a server device, wherein information with GIP is transmitted from the electronic device to the server device, and the server device configures return information having GIP and returns the information having the GIP. Information is transmitted to the electronic device, and the electronic device receives and sets the GIP. As described above, the GIP setting of the electronic device can be automatically performed, and the electronic device can be easily accessed from an external device via the Internet.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device or the like whose IP address can be automatically set.

In recent years, the Internet has been developed and spread, and electronic devices such as computers are connected to the Internet, and it has become possible to access electronic devices from around the world from anywhere. In order to perform communication between electronic devices all over the world, a unique destination on the network called an IP address (global IP address) is given to each electronic device under an agreement called Internet Protocol (IP). Currently popular IP addresses are represented by 32-bit numbers. The IP using this 32-bit IP address is version 4 (IPv4). On the other hand, when a large number of electronic devices all over the world are connected to the Internet, 32-bit addresses are insufficient. Therefore, it is predicted that IP will be migrated from IPv4 to IP version 6 (IPv6) using a 128-bit IP address.
Regardless of the situation as described above, the IP address of an electronic device is usually set manually.

  Also, for example, there are devices such as routers as devices for connecting home electronic devices to the Internet. A global IP address is used on the Internet (hereinafter referred to as [WAN]), and a private IP address is used on a home network (hereinafter referred to as [LAN]). Since the private IP address is not a unique address, information cannot be communicated via the Internet as it is. In order to solve this, a device such as a router has a network address translation function (NAT). NAT is a technology for electronic information in a WAN to which a private IP address is assigned to perform information communication via the Internet. Specifically, the NAT obtains a value of a transmission source IP address (hereinafter referred to as [SA]) included in information (referred to as [packet]) transmitted by the electronic device from a private IP address of the electronic device. This is a function that enables information communication via the Internet by changing to the global IP address of the device. A global IP address of a device such as a router is normally dynamically allocated from a server device of an Internet service provider (ISP). There are PPPoE, PPPoA, DHCP, and the like as protocols for dynamically allocating global IP addresses.

  However, in the conventional technology, it is difficult to access an electronic device that is not assigned a global IP address, such as an electronic device in a home, from an external device via the Internet. This is because the global IP address of a device such as a router is dynamically changed. In addition, since the change rule depends on the implementation method of the server device of the ISP, it is difficult to predict the global IP address assigned to a device such as a router. In addition, in order for electronic devices in the home to know the global IP address, the user needs to manually acquire the global IP address of the device such as the router, but the global IP address of the device such as the router changes dynamically. Therefore, it is difficult to create a state in which home electronic devices always know the global IP address of a correct device such as a router.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is an information processing system including an electronic device and a server device, and the electronic device includes a server identifier storage unit that stores a server identifier for identifying the server device; A global IP address storage unit storing a global IP address, an information transmission unit transmitting information having the global IP address stored in the global IP address storage unit to the server device, and a global IP address from the server device An information receiving unit that receives return information, an IP address acquiring unit that acquires a global IP address from return information received by the information receiving unit, and an IP address setting unit that sets the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquiring unit The server device has a global IP address from the electronic device. An information receiving unit for receiving information, an information processing system comprising an information transmission unit that transmits to the electronic device the return information having a global IP address received by the information receiving unit.

  With such an information processing system, a global IP address can be automatically set in an electronic device, and an electronic device such as an electronic device to which a global IP address is not allocated can be accessed from an external device via the Internet. It becomes easy.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the global IP address of the electronic device can be automatically set, so that the user can save time and perform normal communication.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in this embodiment, components using the same reference numerals and steps in the flowcharts perform the same function, and thus description of what has been described once may be omitted.
(Embodiment 1)

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. The information processing system includes a first electronic device 11, a second electronic device 12, the Internet 13, and a server device 14. The first electronic device 11 cannot have a global IP address and is given a local IP address from the second electronic device 12 and is connected to the Internet 13. The first electronic device 11 is, for example, a computer, a microwave oven, a telephone, a printer, a facsimile machine, a refrigerator, a television, a set top box, or the like. The first electronic device 11 transmits information to the server device 14 via the second electronic device 12, obtains a global IP address from the server device 14 via the second electronic device 12, and automatically sets the global IP address. Note that the global IP address in this specification is an address (information) for an external device (such as an external device connected to the Internet) to communicate with a certain electronic device, and an address that realizes such a function. Any other information may be used. For example, when a plurality of LANs using private IP are connected using a router having a NAT function, the LAN address on the side where the router server is placed may be read as equivalent to the global IP address here. it can. In addition, since the IP address, global IP address, and local IP address in this specification are broad concepts as described above, not only the current so-called IP Ver4 address but also other version addresses such as IP Ver6 are included. Needless to say.

  Here, the second electronic device 12 has a function of connecting the first electronic device 11 and the Internet 13, and specifically has a path control, a network address translation (NAT) function, and the like. The second electronic device 12 is an electronic device called a router, for example. The second electronic device 12 holds a global IP address. That is, the second electronic device 12 has a function for connecting the first electronic device 11 that can only have a private IP address to the Internet.

  When the server device 14 is connected to the Internet 13 and receives information from the first electronic device 11 via the second electronic device 12, the server device 14 receives the information having the global IP address assigned by the second electronic device 12. Transmit to one electronic device 11.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. The first electronic device 11 includes a server identifier storage unit 1101, a first information transmission unit 1102, a first information reception unit 1103, an IP address acquisition unit 1104, and an IP address setting unit 1105. The second electronic device 12 includes a global IP address storage unit 1201, a second information reception unit 1202, a second information transmission unit 1203, a fourth information reception unit 1204, and a fourth information transmission unit 1205. The server device 14 includes a third information reception unit 1401, a return information configuration unit 1402, and a third information transmission unit 1403.
The server identifier storage unit 1101 stores a server identifier for identifying the server device 14. The server identifier storage unit 1101 can be realized by a non-volatile recording medium or a volatile recording medium.
The first information transmission unit 1102 transmits information via the second electronic device 12 to the server device 14 identified by the server identifier. The first information transmission unit 1102 can be realized by wireless or wired communication means.

  The first information receiving unit 1103 receives return information having a global IP address from the second electronic device 12. The first information receiving unit 1103 can be realized by wireless or wired communication means. Usually, the first information transmitting unit 1102 and the first information receiving unit 1103 are physically the same means.

  The IP address acquisition unit 1104 acquires a global IP address from the return information received by the first information reception unit 1103. The IP address acquisition unit 1104 can be normally realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

  The IP address setting unit 1105 sets the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 1104. The set global IP address is notified to other electronic devices such as a mobile phone. It is information necessary for other electronic devices to communicate with the first electronic device 11 via the Internet. The setting refers to a process of writing the global IP address to an appropriate location (the registry, property, or attribute may be called). The IP address setting unit 1105 can be usually realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

The global IP address storage unit 1201 stores a global IP address. The global IP address storage unit 1201 can be realized by a non-volatile recording medium or a volatile recording medium. Note that the global IP address in the global IP address storage unit 1201 is normally transmitted from an external device. In addition, the global IP address of the global IP address storage unit 1201 usually changes dynamically. The external device refers to an electronic device that is not the second electronic device 12, and generally refers to an electronic device that can be connected to the second electronic device 12 via a network such as the Internet. An external device in this specification is a broad concept as described above.
The second information receiving unit 1202 receives information from the first electronic device 11. The second information receiving unit 1202 can be realized by wireless or wired communication means.
The second information transmission unit 1203 transmits the information received by the second information reception unit 1202 and the global IP address to the server device 14. The second information transmission unit 1203 can be realized by a wireless or wired communication unit.
The fourth information receiving unit 1204 receives return information that is information having a global IP address from the server device 14. The fourth information receiving unit 1204 can be realized by a wireless or wired communication means.

The fourth information transmission unit 1205 transmits the return information received by the fourth information reception unit 1204 to the first electronic device 11. The fourth information transmission unit 1205 can be realized by a wireless or wired communication unit. The second information receiving unit 1202, the second information transmitting unit 1203, the fourth information receiving unit 1204, and the fourth information transmitting unit 1205 are usually realized by one physical means.
The third information receiving unit 1401 receives information and a global IP address from the second electronic device 12. The third information receiving unit 1401 can be realized by a wireless or wired communication unit.

  The return information configuration unit 1402 configures return information that is information having a global IP address based on the information received by the third information reception unit 1401 and the global IP address. The return information configuration unit 1402 can usually be realized by software, but may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

The third information transmission unit 1403 transmits the return information configured by the return information configuration unit 1402 to the second electronic device 12. The third information transmission unit 1403 can be realized by a wireless or wired communication unit. The third information receiving unit 1401 and the third information transmitting unit 1403 are usually realized by a single physical means.
Hereinafter, the operation of the information processing system will be described. First, operation | movement of the 1st electronic device 11 is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG.
(Step S301) The first information transmission unit 1102 determines whether or not a condition for transmitting information to the server device 14 is met in order to set a global address. There are various conditions, and details will be described below.
(Step S302) The first information transmission unit 1102 acquires a server identifier from the server identifier storage unit 1101.

(Step S303) The first information transmission unit 1102 configures information to be transmitted. This information has a destination field indicating the transmission destination of the information. If the destination field has a server identifier, the structure of the other information and the contents of the information may be anything. The main part of the information (excluding the destination field) may be empty information (dummy information).
(Step S304) The first information transmission unit 1102 transmits the information configured in step S303 to the second electronic device 12.
(Step S305) The first information receiver 1103 determines whether or not return information has been received. If the return information is received, the process goes to step S306. If the return information is not received, the process goes to step S305.
(Step S306) The IP address acquisition unit 1104 extracts a global IP address from the return information received in step S305.
(Step S307) The IP address setting unit 1105 sets the global IP address acquired in step S306.
In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the operation for setting the global IP address is started when a certain condition is met. However, the operation for setting the global IP address may be started by a user instruction.
Next, the operation of the second electronic device 12 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.
(Step S <b> 401) The second information receiving unit 1202 determines whether information is received from the first electronic device 11. If information is received, it will go to step S402, and if information is not received, it will return to step S401.
(Step S402) The second information transmission unit 1203 acquires a global IP address from the global IP address storage unit 1201.

  (Step S403) The second information transmission unit 1203 configures information to be transmitted to the server device 14 based on the global IP address acquired in Step S402 and the information received in Step S401. The global IP address is set, for example, in a field ([SA] in the following specific example) that identifies the transmission source device in the information to be configured. The structure of information transmitted to the server device 14 may be anything.

(Step S404) The second information transmission unit 1203 transmits the information configured in Step S403 to the server device 14. In addition, since the server identifier is included in the information received in step S401, the information can be transmitted to the server device 14.
(Step S405) The fourth information receiving unit 1204 determines whether or not the return information is received from the server device 14. If the return information is received, the process goes to step S406. If the return information is not received, the process returns to step S405.

(Step S406) The fourth information transmission unit 1205 transmits the return information received in step S405 to the first electronic device 11. Note that the information received in step S405 and the information transmitted in step S406 are usually different. This is because information about the route through which the information has passed is written. However, the information received in step S405 and the information transmitted in step S406 may be the same. It suffices if the global IP address is transmitted to the first electronic device 11 and the first electronic device 11 can acquire the global IP address.
Next, operation | movement of the server apparatus 14 is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG.
(Step S <b> 501) The third information receiving unit 1401 determines whether information is received from the second electronic device 12. If information is received, it will go to step S502, and if information is not received, it will return to step S501.

  (Step S502) The return information configuration unit 1402 configures return information that is information to be returned based on the information received in step S501. Usually, the global IP address included in the header (in the route information) in the information is extracted, and the global IP address is written in the return information in a format that can be acquired by the first electronic device 11. However, the structure of the return information is not limited as long as the first electronic device 11 can acquire the global IP address. Therefore, the information received in step S501 and the return information may be the same.

(Step S503) The third information transmission unit 1403 transmits the return information configured in step S502 toward the first electronic device 11. When the return information is transmitted to the first electronic device 11, the return information is routed through the second electronic device 12.
Hereinafter, a specific operation of the information processing system in the present embodiment will be described.
(First example)

  In the first specific example, a state is set in which the second electronic device 12 always holds information related to a connection state with the Internet, that is, a communication state. Furthermore, it is assumed that the second electronic device 12 has become unable to communicate due to some accident. If the second electronic device 12 cannot communicate, the first electronic device 11 cannot communicate.

  When communication is enabled after the communication is disabled, the second electronic device 12 notifies the first electronic device 11 that communication has been disabled once. Next, the first electronic device 11 transmits dummy information to the server device 14. Next, the second electronic device 12 transmits its global IP address to the server device 14 together with the dummy information. The second electronic device 12 writes its own global IP address in the IP address field of the electronic device on the transmission path. In the dummy information, the main body of the information is empty, but the header containing information for identifying the transmission source and the transmission destination is not empty.

  Next, the server device 14 acquires the global IP address of the second electronic device 12 in the route information in the received information. Then, the global IP address is recorded in the main body of the return information, and the return information is transmitted to the first electronic device 11.

  Next, the second electronic device 12 receives the return information and transfers it to the first electronic device 11 as it is. Transferring as it is means transferring without rewriting the main body. Normally, header information is rewritten. Next, the first electronic device 11 receives the return information, and takes out the global IP address from it (main body part). And the 1st electronic device 11 writes in a setting location with an appropriate global IP address.

In the first specific example described above, the start timing of the operation for the first electronic device to set the global IP address is a case where a certain condition is met. Specifically, the certain condition is a communication state It is the condition regarding. More specifically, the certain condition is that the second electronic device, and thus the first electronic device, has become unable to communicate.
(Second specific example)
In the second specific example, the first electronic device 11 is set to start an operation of acquiring a global IP address when the power is turned on from OFF.

That is, the first electronic device 11 starts up when the power is turned on. Then, immediately after the first electronic device 11 is started up, the first electronic device 11 transmits dummy information to the server device 14. The subsequent processing is the same as the processing described in the first specific example.
As described above, in the second specific example, the case where the certain condition is that the power of the first electronic device is turned on has been described.

As described above, it is preferable that the timing at which the first information transmission unit of the first electronic device transmits information is a case where a certain condition is met, and there are various other conditions besides the above. There is a case. For example, the predetermined condition may be a preset date and time, or a certain set period. Further, as described above, the first electronic device may perform processing for automatically setting the global IP address based on the user instruction.
(Third example)

  The third specific example shows a specific structure of information transmitted and received between the first electronic device, the second electronic device, and the server device, and a specific example of information. FIG. 6 shows the structure of the information processing system and the information transmitted and received in the third specific example. Information transmitted and received is generally called a packet. The packet is a source IP address (hereinafter referred to as [SA]), a destination IP address (hereinafter referred to as [DA]), and a port of a device specified by the source IP address (hereinafter referred to as “DA”). [SP]), a device port (hereinafter referred to as [DP]) specified by the destination IP address, and data (hereinafter referred to as [Data]). Note that the data is a main part of information to be transmitted.

The information processing system in FIG. 6 includes a first electronic device 61, a second electronic device 62, the Internet 63, and a server device 64. The first electronic device 61 is, for example, a notebook personal computer, and is assigned a private IP address. The second electronic device 62 is, for example, a router and has a network address conversion function. The second electronic device 62 is assigned a global IP address.
The operation in the information processing system in FIG. 6 will be described below.

  First, the first electronic device 61 transmits the information of the packet 100 in FIG. 6 to the second electronic device 62. The SA of the packet 100 is the private IP address of the first electronic device 61. The DA of the packet 100 is the global IP address of the server device 64. That is, the first electronic device 61 transmits the packet 100 in FIG. 6 toward the server device 64. The SP of the packet 100 indicates a value [PP1] and DP indicates a value [GP2]. Data of the packet 100 is empty ([0]).

  Next, the second electronic device 62 receives the packet 100 and converts the SA of the packet 100 into a global IP address held by the second electronic device 62. That is, the SA of the packet 100 is converted to [4.5.6.7]. This process is called a so-called network address conversion process (NAT). The second electronic device 62 holds its own global IP address [4.5.6.7]. Then, the second electronic device 62 changes the SA and SP data of the packet 100. The modified packet 200 is configured to be transmitted to the server device 64, and the packet 200 is transmitted to the server device 64.

  Next, the server device 64 receives the packet 200. Then, the server device 64 acquires the SA of the packet 200 and writes the SA in Data. Then, a packet 300 in which SA and DA are exchanged is configured. SA [1.2.3.4] is stored in Data of the packet 300. Then, the server device 64 transmits the packet 300 to the second electronic device 62.

  Next, the second electronic device 62 receives the packet 300. Then, the second electronic device 62 configures the packet 400 by replacing the DA of the packet 300 from its own global IP address with the private IP address of the first electronic device 61. Packet 400 has a different DA and DP from packet 300. Then, the second electronic device 62 transmits the packet 400 to the first electronic device 61.

Next, the first electronic device 61 receives the packet 400. The first electronic device 61 acquires the global IP address [4.5.6.7] in the data of the packet 400. The first electronic device 61 sets the acquired global IP address [4.5.6.7]. Setting means recording a global IP address used by another device or the like to communicate with the first electronic device 61 in an appropriate location (registry, property, attribute, etc.).
As described above, it has been described that there are various examples of the operation for setting the global IP address in the first electronic device.
The use of the global IP address set for the first electronic device will be described below.

  For example, the first electronic device transmits the stored global IP address to an external device (for example, a portable terminal) that wants to access the first electronic device using e-mail or the like. The portable terminal receives and records the global IP address of the first electronic device. Thereafter, the mobile terminal can access the first electronic device using the recorded global IP address. By accessing the first electronic device from the mobile terminal, for example, the operation of the first electronic device can be set remotely. In addition, the state of the first electronic device can be known from a remote location.

Further, as described later in the second embodiment, the first electronic device 61 may periodically transmit information to the server device 64. In such a case, as in the third specific example, the first electronic device 61 acquires a global IP address. The first electronic device 61 may set a new global IP address when the acquired global IP address changes. Only when a new global IP address is acquired, the global IP address is transmitted to an external device such as a portable terminal. And a portable terminal etc. acquire and record the global IP address of the new 1st electronic device 61. FIG. Thereafter, the mobile terminal or the like accesses the first electronic device 61 using the new global IP address.
As described above, when the global IP address of the first electronic device 61 changes, it is preferable in terms of communication efficiency to notify the global IP address to an external device such as a portable terminal.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the first electronic device can automatically know the global IP address of the second electronic device, and the external device such as the portable terminal can automatically obtain the global IP address of the first electronic device. Can be notified. In addition, the first electronic device can be easily accessed from an external device via the Internet. Therefore, the user can save time and normal communication can be performed. The technique according to the first embodiment has a great effect particularly when the Internet protocol shifts to IPv6. In the case of IPv6, (1) the IP address is as long as 128 bits and it is difficult to set manually, and (2) the standard is that the electronic device automatically generates an IP address. Alternatively, there is a problem that there is no way of knowing the automatically generated valid IP address other than checking the setting of the device by the administrator. Therefore, operation is extremely difficult if there is no mechanism for teaching from the device side as in this embodiment.
In the first embodiment, the case where there is one first electronic device has been described. However, the first electronic device may be connected to a plurality of electronic devices having the same global IP address.

In the first embodiment, the server device configures and transmits the return information. However, the received information may be used as the return information without processing the received information. In such a case, for example, the second electronic device writes a global IP address in the main body in the information, the server device receives the information, and the server device transmits the received information as it is to the second electronic device as return information. . The second electronic device receives the return information and transmits it to the first electronic device. The first electronic device receives the return information, and acquires and sets a global IP address included in the main body. In such a case, the server device 14 does not have the return information configuration unit 1402. Accordingly, the server device 14 in this case receives the return information having the global IP address received by the third information receiving unit 1401 and the third information receiving unit 1401 that receives the information and the global IP address from the second electronic device 12. It is an apparatus including a third information transmission unit 1403 that transmits to an electronic device.
In the present embodiment, the information received by the second electronic device from the first electronic device and the information transmitted to the server device may be the same information or different information. Usually, the value of the field [SA] indicating the transmission source is different.

  In the present embodiment, the return information received by the second electronic device from the server device and the return information transmitted to the first electronic device may be the same information or different information. Usually, the value of the field [DA] indicating the transmission destination is different.

  Further, the operations of the first electronic device, the second electronic device, and the server device described in the present embodiment are realized by software, the software is placed on, for example, a server, and the software is distributed by software download. Also good. Furthermore, the software may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed. In other embodiments, the means for realizing various devices can be software or the like.

Hereinafter, an example of a program when the operation of the first electronic device is realized by software will be described. The program is a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps. (1) a first information transmission step for transmitting information via a second electronic device to a server device identified by a server identifier stored in advance; (2) receiving return information having a global IP address from the second electronic device. A first information receiving step, (3) an IP address acquiring step for acquiring a global IP address from the return information received in the first information receiving step, and (4) an IP address setting for setting the IP address acquired in the IP address acquiring step Step.
(Embodiment 2)

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. The information processing system includes a first electronic device 71, the Internet 13, and a server device 74. The first electronic device 71 may be a computer, a microwave oven, a telephone, a printer, a facsimile machine, a refrigerator, a television, or a set top box.

The first electronic device 71 includes a global IP address storage unit 1201, a server identifier storage unit 1101, a first information transmission unit 7102, a first information reception unit 7103, an IP address acquisition unit 1104, and an IP address setting unit 1105.
The server device 74 includes a third information reception unit 7401, a return information configuration unit 1402, and a third information transmission unit 7403.
The first information transmission unit 7102 transmits information to the server device 74 identified by the server identifier. The first information transmission unit 7102 can be realized by a wireless or wired communication unit.

The first information receiving unit 7103 receives return information having a global IP address from the server device 74. The first information receiving unit 7103 can be realized by a wireless or wired communication unit. Usually, the first information transmitting unit 7102 and the first information receiving unit 7103 are physically the same means.
The third information receiving unit 7401 receives information and a global IP address from the first electronic device 71. The third information receiving unit 7401 can be realized by wireless or wired communication means.

The third information transmission unit 7403 transmits the return information configured by the return information configuration unit 1402 to the first electronic device 71. The third information transmission unit 7403 can be realized by wireless or wired communication means. The third information receiving unit 7401 and the third information transmitting unit 7403 are usually realized by one means physically.
Hereinafter, the operation of the information processing system will be described. First, the operation of the first electronic device 71 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
(Step S801) The first information transmission unit 7102 determines whether or not a condition for transmitting information to the server device 74 is met in order to set a global address. There are various conditions, and details will be described below.
(Step S802) The first information transmission unit 7102 acquires a global IP address from the global IP address storage unit 1201.
(Step S803) The first information transmission unit 7102 acquires the server identifier from the server identifier storage unit 1101.

(Step S804) The first information transmission unit 7102 configures information having the global IP address acquired in step S802 and the server identifier acquired in step S803. This information is information transmitted to the server device 74. As an example of the structure of information to be transmitted, a global IP address is stored in a field for identifying a transmission source (for example, [SA] in the first embodiment), and a server identifier is a field for identifying a transmission destination (for example, the above-described implementation). In the form 1 [DA]). Also, the information body (for example, the [Data] field in the first embodiment) is empty information, for example. However, the structure of the information to be transmitted does not matter.
(Step S805) The first information transmission unit 7102 transmits the information configured in step S804 to the server device 74.
(Step S806) The first information receiver 7103 determines whether or not return information has been received. If the return information is received, the process goes to step S807. If the return information is not received, the process returns to step S806.
(Step S807) The IP address acquisition unit 1104 extracts a global IP address from the return information received in step S806.
(Step S808) The IP address setting unit 1105 sets the global IP address acquired in step S807.
Note that the global IP address set in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is normally used by software different from the software that implements FIG.
Next, the operation of the server device 74 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.
(Step S <b> 901) The third information receiving unit 7401 determines whether information has been received from the first electronic device 71. If information is received, it will go to step S902, and if information is not received, it will return to step S901.

(Step S902) The return information configuration unit 1402 configures return information that is information to be returned based on the information received in step S901. Usually, the global IP address contained in the header (in the route information) in the information is taken out and can be acquired by the first electronic device 71 (usually the main body of the return information. In the above example, [Data] The global IP address is written in the return information in the field corresponding to. However, the structure of the return information is not limited as long as the first electronic device 71 can acquire the global IP address. Accordingly, the information received in step S901 and the return information may be the same.
(Step S903) The third information transmitting unit 7403 transmits the return information configured in Step S902 to the first electronic device 71.
Hereinafter, a specific operation of the information processing system in the present embodiment will be described.
(Fourth example)

  The configuration of the information processing system of the fourth specific example and the structure of information to be transmitted and received are shown in FIG. The information processing system in FIG. 10 includes a first electronic device 101, the Internet 102, a server device 103, and a mobile terminal 104. The first electronic device 101 holds a first global IP address and a second global IP address. The first global IP address is the destination global IP address, and the second global IP address is the source global IP address. The first global IP address is a global IP address used when the first electronic device 101 communicates with an external device (such as the server device 103). The second global IP address is a global IP address used when the first electronic device 101 informs an external device (such as the portable terminal 104) of the global IP address of the first electronic device 101. The first global IP address and the second global IP address may not be consistent. That is, the first global IP address is dynamically assigned from an external device, for example. The second global IP address is acquired by the following procedure. Therefore, when a new first global IP address is dynamically assigned from an external device, the first global IP address may be different from the second global IP address.

  Assume that [4.5.6.7] is newly assigned as the first global IP address. The first electronic device 101 stores [202.224.132.126] as the second global IP address of the transmission source. This second global IP address is the previous global IP address of the first electronic device 101. The global IP address assigned to the server apparatus 103 is [1.2.3.4]. The first electronic device 101 also holds the global IP address of the server device 103. And the 1st electronic device 101 transmits the information of the packet 100 to the server apparatus 103 regularly, for example. The information of the packet 100 has the following contents. The source global IP address ([SA]) is [4.5.6.7], the destination global IP address ([DA]) is [1.2.3.4], and the source The port of the first device (first electronic device 101) is [GP3], and the port of the destination device (server device 103) is [GP2]. Data of the packet 100 is empty [0].

  Next, the server apparatus 103 receives the packet 100. And the server apparatus 103 comprises the packet 200 transmitted to the 1st electronic device 101. FIG. The server apparatus 103 acquires [4.5.6.7] as [SA] of the packet 100 and writes it in the [Data] field of the packet 200. Next, the server apparatus 103 sets [SA] of the packet 100 as [DA] of the packet 200 and sets [DA] of the packet 100 as [SA] of the packet 200. As described above, the server apparatus 103 configures the packet 200. Then, the server device transmits the packet 200 to the first electronic device 101.

  Next, the first electronic device 101 receives the packet 200. Then, the first electronic device 101 acquires a global IP address in [Data] of the packet 200. Next, the first electronic device 101 stores the stored second global IP address [202.224.132.126] and the global IP address [4.5.6.7] in [Data] of the packet 200. Compare If the first electronic device 101 is different, the first electronic device 101 rewrites the second global IP address. Now, the first electronic device 101 rewrites the second global IP address to [4.5.6.7].

  Next, when there is a change in the second global IP address, the first electronic device 101 notifies the predetermined second electronic device (mobile terminal) 104 of the new second global IP address. Any notification means may be used as long as it can be notified. This notification means notifies by e-mail, for example. In the fourth specific example, the first electronic device 101 notifies the mobile terminal 104 of the new second global IP address [4.5.6.7] by e-mail.

  Next, the mobile terminal 104 acquires and stores a new global IP address [4.5.6.7] of the first electronic device 101. Thereafter, when accessing the first electronic device 101 from the portable terminal 104, the new global IP address [4.5.6.7] is used.

  As described above, in the fourth specific example, the first electronic device 101 can always notify the new device (portable terminal) 104 of a new global IP address. The other device (mobile terminal) 104 can access the first electronic device 101 at any time. Note that the reason for accessing the first electronic device 101 from another device is, for example, that the first electronic device 101 is operated from another device while out, or the state of the first electronic device 101 from another device is out It is for getting.

In the fourth specific example, the start timing of the operation for the first electronic device to set the global IP address is periodically given. However, the start timing of the operation for the first electronic device to set the global IP address is not limited to the case where it is periodically performed. For example, the start timing of the operation for setting the global IP address by the first electronic device may be in accordance with a certain condition. The certain condition is the same as that described in the first embodiment. The case where the power of one electronic device 101 is turned on from OFF or the case where communication of the first electronic device 101 is disabled may be used.
In the fourth specific example, information is transmitted directly from the first electronic device to the server device, but there may be a second electronic device between the first electronic device and the server device.
(Fifth example)

  A configuration diagram of the information processing system of the fifth specific example and information transmitted and received will be described with reference to FIG. The information processing system includes a first electronic device 101, the Internet 102, a server device 103, a portable terminal 104, and a second electronic device 105. The second electronic device 105 is assigned a global IP address [4.5.6.7]. Then, the first electronic device 101 transmits the information of the packet 100 to the second electronic device 105. [SA] of the packet 100 is the global IP address of the first electronic device 101. [DA] of the packet 100 is a global IP address of the server apparatus 103. [Data] of the packet 100 is empty [0]. Next, the second electronic device 105 receives the packet 100. The second electronic device 105 constitutes a packet 200 in which [SA] of the packet 100 is rewritten to its own global IP address. Then, the second electronic device 105 transmits the packet 200 to the server device 103.

The server apparatus 103 receives the packet 200. Then, the server apparatus 103 switches [SA] and [DA] of the packet 200, and records the global IP address [4.5.6.7] of the second electronic device 105 in the [Data] field. As described above, the server apparatus 103 configures the packet 300. The server device 103 transmits the packet 300 to the second electronic device 105. The second electronic device 105 receives the packet 300. The second electronic device 105 rewrites [DA] of the packet 300 with the global IP address of the first electronic device 101 to form the packet 400. The second electronic device 105 transmits the packet 400 to the first electronic device 101. The first electronic device 101 receives the packet 400. The first electronic device 101 acquires a global IP address [4.5.6.7] from [Data] of the packet 400. Then, the first electronic device 101 records the global IP address [4.5.6.7] in an appropriate location (registry or the like). As described above, the first electronic device 101 sets the global IP address [4.5.6.7]. The case where the second electronic device is between the first electronic device and the server device has been described above.
(Sixth example)

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration diagram of an information processing system according to a sixth specific example. The configuration diagram is the same as FIG. 11, but the information (packets) transmitted and received is different. The second electronic device 125 of the information processing system of FIG. That is, the packet 100 and the packet 200 are the same. Packet 300 and packet 400 are the same. In the information processing system in the sixth specific example, the first electronic device can record its own global IP address in an appropriate location (referred to as a registry, property, attribute boot, etc.).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the first electronic device can automatically know its own global IP address, and can automatically notify the external device such as a mobile terminal of the global IP address of the electronic device. In addition, the first electronic device can be easily accessed from an external device via the Internet. Therefore, the user can save time and normal communication can be performed. The technique according to the second embodiment has a great effect particularly when the Internet protocol shifts to IPv6. This is because the IP address is as long as 128 bits, so it is difficult to set manually.

  In the second embodiment, the first electronic device 101 acquires the second global IP address by transmitting information to the server device 103 even though the first electronic device 101 holds the first global IP address therein. did. The reason will be described below. That is, certain first software existing in the first electronic device 101 may not know the location where the first global IP address is stored. In addition, the location where the first global IP address is stored differs depending on the type of electronic device and the like, and may not be standardized. The first software is, for example, downloaded software and software that needs to know the global IP address. In such a case, the first electronic device acquires and sets the second global IP address by the process as described above, so that the software downloaded from the outside can use the global IP address of the first electronic device. Is possible. The second software that acquires and sets the second global IP address by the first electronic device knows the storage location of the first global IP address.

  In the second embodiment, the server apparatus configures and transmits the return information. However, the received information may be used as the return information without processing the received information. The first electronic device that receives the return information only needs to know the storage location of the global IP address in the return information. In such a case, the server device does not have a return information configuration unit. Therefore, the server device in such a case sends the third information receiving unit that receives the information and the global IP address from the first electronic device, and the return information having the global IP address received by the third information receiving unit to the first electronic device. It is an apparatus provided with the 3rd information transmission part which transmits.

  Further, the operations of the first electronic device, the second electronic device, and the server device described in the present embodiment are realized by software, the software is placed on, for example, a server, and the software is distributed by software download. Also good. Furthermore, the software may be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed.

  According to the present invention, since the global IP address of the electronic device can be automatically set, the user can save time and perform normal communication.

Conceptual diagram of information processing system in Embodiment 1 Block diagram of an information processing system according to Embodiment 1 Flowchart explaining the operation of the first electronic device in the first embodiment Flowchart explaining the operation of the second electronic device in the first embodiment Flowchart for explaining the operation of the server device in the first embodiment Configuration diagram of a specific information processing system in the first embodiment Block diagram of an information processing system in the second embodiment Flowchart explaining the operation of the first electronic device in the second embodiment Flowchart for explaining the operation of the server device in the second embodiment Configuration diagram of a specific information processing system in the second embodiment Configuration diagram of a specific information processing system in the second embodiment Configuration diagram of a specific information processing system in the second embodiment

Explanation of symbols

11, 61, 71, 101 First electronic device 12, 62, 105, 125 Second electronic device 13, 63, 102 Internet 14, 64, 74, 103 Server device 104 Portable terminal 1101 Server identifier storage unit 1102, 7102 First Information transmission units 1103 and 7103 First information reception unit 1104 Address acquisition unit 1105 Address setting unit 1201 Address storage unit 1202 Second information reception unit 1203 Second information transmission unit 1204 Fourth information reception unit 1205 Fourth information transmission unit 1401 and 7401 Third information reception unit 1402 Return information configuration unit 1403, 7403 Third information transmission unit

Claims (16)

An information processing system having a server device and one or more electronic devices, wherein the electronic devices are:
A server identifier storage unit storing a server identifier for identifying the server device;
A global IP address storage unit storing global IP addresses;
A first information transmission unit that transmits information having the global IP address stored in the global IP address storage unit to the server device identified by the server identifier;
A first information receiving unit for receiving return information having a global IP address from the server device;
An IP address obtaining unit for obtaining the global IP address from the return information received by the first information receiving unit;
An IP address setting unit for setting the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit;
The server device
A third information receiving unit for receiving the information having the global IP address from the electronic device;
A third information transmitting unit configured to transmit the return information having the global IP address received by the third information receiving unit to the electronic device; The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a first electronic device and a second electronic device,
The first electronic device is
The server identifier storage unit;
The first information transmission unit for transmitting the information via the second electronic device to the server device identified by the server identifier;
The first information receiving unit for receiving the return information having the global IP address from the second electronic device;
The IP address acquisition unit;
Comprising the IP address setting unit;
The second electronic device is
The global IP address storage unit storing a global IP address;
A second information receiving unit for receiving the information from the first electronic device;
A second information transmitting unit that transmits the information received by the second information receiving unit and the global IP address to the server device;
A fourth information receiving unit for receiving the return information having a global IP address from the server device;
A fourth information transmission unit configured to transmit the return information received by the fourth information reception unit to the first electronic device;
The server device
The third information receiving unit for receiving the information and the global IP address from the second electronic device;
A third information transmitting unit configured to transmit the return information having the global IP address received by the third information receiving unit to the second electronic device; The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a second global IP address storage unit storing a second global IP address, and the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit. When the second global IP address is different, it further comprises a global IP address notifying unit for notifying a predetermined external device of the global IP address, and the first information transmitting unit periodically transmits the information. The IP address setting unit transmits the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit when the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit is different from the second global IP address. Record in the global IP address storage. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the first electronic device includes a second global IP address storage unit that stores the second global IP address, and the global address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit. When the IP address is different from the second global IP address, the device further comprises a global IP address notifying unit for notifying a predetermined external device of the global IP address, and the first information transmitting unit periodically The information is transmitted, and when the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit is different from the second global IP address, the IP address setting unit determines the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit. Record in the second global IP address storage. 3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first information transmission unit transmits the information when a certain condition is met. 6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the certain condition is a condition related to a communication state. 7. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the condition relating to the communication state is that the first electronic device is in a communication disabled state. 6. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the certain condition is that the first electronic device is powered on. The electronic device used in an information processing system having a server device and one or more electronic devices and automatically setting a global IP address of the electronic device,
A server identifier storage unit storing a server identifier for identifying the server device;
A global IP address storage unit storing the global IP address;
A first information transmission unit for transmitting information having the global IP address stored in the global IP address storage unit to a server device identified by the server identifier;
A first information receiving unit for receiving return information having the global IP address from the server device;
An IP address obtaining unit for obtaining the global IP address from the return information received by the first information receiving unit;
An IP address setting unit configured to set the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit; 10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the electronic device has a second global IP address storage unit storing a second global IP address, the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit, and the When the second global IP address is different, it further comprises a global IP address notification unit for notifying a predetermined external device of the global IP address, and the first information transmission unit periodically transmits the information And when the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit is different from the second global IP address, the IP address setting unit sets the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit to the second global IP address. Record in the address storage. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the electronic device includes a first electronic device and a second electronic device,
The server identifier storage unit;
A first information transmission unit that transmits the information to the server device identified by the server identifier via the second electronic device;
A first information receiving unit for receiving return information having the global IP address from the second electronic device;
The IP address acquisition unit;
An IP address setting unit;
The second electronic device has a global IP address storage unit storing the global IP address;
A second information receiving unit for receiving the information from the first electronic device;
A second information transmitting unit that transmits the information received by the second information receiving unit and the global IP address to the server device;
A fourth information receiving unit for receiving the return information having the global IP address from the server device;
A fourth information transmitting unit configured to transmit the return information received by the fourth information receiving unit to the first electronic device; 12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the first electronic device has a second global IP address storage unit storing a second global IP address and the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit. And a global IP address notifying unit for notifying a predetermined external device of the global IP address when the second global IP address is different from the second global IP address, and the first information transmitting unit periodically transmits the information When the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit is different from the second global IP address, the IP address setting unit sets the global IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit to the second Record in the global IP address storage. A server device used in an information processing system having a server device and one or more electronic devices, and automatically setting a global IP address of the electronic device,
The server device
An information receiving unit for receiving information having the global IP address from the electronic device;
An information transmission unit configured to transmit the return information having the global IP address received by the information reception unit to the electronic device; A program for causing a computer to execute in an information processing system that includes a server device and one or more electronic devices and automatically sets an IP address of the electronic device,
A first information transmission step of transmitting information having the global IP address stored in advance in the electronic device to the server device identified by a server identifier stored in advance;
A first information receiving step for receiving return information having the global IP address from the server device;
An IP address obtaining step for obtaining the global IP address from the return information received in the first information receiving step; and an IP address setting step for setting the global IP address obtained in the IP address obtaining step. In an information processing system having a first electronic device, a second electronic device, and a server device, and capable of automatically setting a global IP address of the first electronic device, a program for causing a computer to execute the program,
A first information transmission step of transmitting information via a second electronic device to a server device identified by a server identifier stored in advance;
A first information receiving step of receiving return information having the global IP address from the second electronic device;
An IP address acquisition step of acquiring the global IP address from the return information received in the first information reception step;
An IP address setting step of setting the global IP address acquired in the IP address acquisition step; 16. The program according to claim 14 or 15, wherein when the global IP address acquired in the IP address acquisition step is different from a second global IP address stored in advance, a predetermined external A global IP address notification step of notifying the device of the global IP address, wherein the information is periodically transmitted in the first information transmission step, and acquired in the IP address acquisition step in the IP address setting step; If the global IP address is different from the second global IP address, the global IP address acquired in the IP address acquisition step is recorded as a second global IP address.

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