JP2005354341A - Information consent and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems that the number of apparatuses to be used in a LAN is limited only to the number of IP addresses since the number of IP addresses is limited, and since a sub-net should be surely set in the case of using a private address for an IP address, the IP address can be simply set but the sub-net can not be set. <P>SOLUTION: When an information consent is provided with a setting means for allocating a numeric value to a sub-net mask, limited IP addresses can be used without exhausting them and the number of apparatuses allowed to be used in one sub-net can be increased. In addition, special knowledge is unnecessary, a sub-net mask can be easily set and it is unnecessary to set the sub-net mask in each apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information outlet and a communication system using the information outlet.

  In recent years, following the spread of infrastructure networks that access the Internet, devices using the Internet Protocol (hereinafter referred to as IP) have become widespread. In order to perform communication using IP, it is necessary to set an IP address and a subnet for a device (hereinafter referred to as a device) that is to perform communication. The IP address is represented by a 4-digit group (32 bits) such as (192.168.0.1), for example, and the 4-digit group is in the range of 0 to 255, respectively. There are two types of IP addresses: global addresses and private addresses. In Japan, the global address is managed by JPNIC and cannot be freely assigned and used by the user. It is assigned under the management of JPNIC. For example, communication in an open environment such as access to the Internet is performed. It is what is used in. The private address is 192.168 .. X. XX (X and XX are arbitrary values from 0 to 255), or 172.16.0.1 to 172.31.25255, or 10. X. XX. User can freely assign within the range of XXX (X, XX and XXX are arbitrary values from 0 to 255) and is used for communication in a closed environment such as in a home or office. Cannot be used in open environments such as access to In addition, in order to perform IP communication using a private address, it is necessary to set an IP address and a subnet mask in the device. The subnet mask is intended to use a finite IP address space more widely, and is represented by, for example, a 4-digit group (32 bits) such as (255.255.255.128). The range is 255.

  There are two types of means for setting the IP address and subnet mask in the device: automatic setting means and manual setting means. For automatic setting, a DHCP server or the like having a function of automatically setting an IP address is provided in the communication network. For example, when a user accesses the Internet with a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), the provider first accesses the provider by means such as dial-up, and when the PC is connected to the provider, the provider's DHCP server accesses the PC. The IP address and subnet are set automatically. When the IP address is set manually, for example, in the PC, the user operates the keyboard to set the communication environment and sets it. Therefore, as a means for simply setting the IP address, there is one using a rotary switch. (See Patent Document 1). The following shows an IP address setting method disclosed in the prior art and a communication system using the same.

  In FIG. 12, a wireless base station 1201 can wirelessly communicate with a plurality of mobile terminals 1207 to 1209, and a local LAN is constructed by Ethernet (R). A line controller 1204, an ISDN line terminal 1205, and a PSTN line terminal 1206 are connected to the Ethernet (R). An ISDN / public network 710 is connected to the ISDN line terminal 1205 and the PSTN line terminal 1206. Although only a single radio base station 1201 is shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that a plurality of radio base stations are connected to Ethernet (R) to construct a private LAN.

Next, a method for assigning IP addresses to terminal numbers 1 to 254 when each wireless base station does not have an address storage unit will be described using FIG. In FIG. 13, each wireless base station (represented by 1201) is provided with two rotary switches 1202 and 1203 as shown in FIG. These two rotary switches 1202 and 1203 are similarly provided in other terminals including the ISDN line terminal 1205 and the PSTN line terminal 1206. These two rotary switches will be referred to as rotary switches 1 and 2 hereinafter. For example, the user sets 30 for the rotary switch 1202 (S1301), sets 15 for example as the terminal number for the rotary switch 1203 (S1302), and turns on the terminal (S1303). The terminal reads the rotary switch 1 and sets the number of the third group of IP addresses to 30 (S1304). Next, the terminal reads the rotary switch 1203 and sets the terminal number as the number in the fourth group of the IP address (S1305). When the numbers of the first group and the second group are fixed to 192 and 168, respectively, the IP address is set to 192.168.30.15 (S1306).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-308779

  However, since the number of IP addresses is limited in the above configuration, there is a problem that the number of devices that can be used in the LAN is only the number of IP addresses.

  Further, when a private address is used as an IP address, a subnet must be set, but there is a problem that an IP address can be set easily but a subnet cannot be set.

  The information outlet of the first invention of the present application is an information outlet for connecting a device identified by an IP address and a subnet mask to a network, and the devices are connected to each other in a network or via a relay in the network. An inner interface that connects a device in the network to another device in the network, an outer interface that connects to a network different from the network, and a network that is connected to the inner interface And setting means for assigning a numerical value to a subnet mask for a network connected to the outside interface.

  In addition to the first invention of the present application, the information outlet of the second invention of the present application is a setting means for assigning a private address to the IP address for the outer interface, and a setting means for assigning the private address to the IP address for the inner interface The setting means is further provided on the inner interface side.

  Preferably, the setting means may be a manual type changeover switch or a detachable nonvolatile storage means.

  In the communication system of the first invention of the present application, one network is composed of the information outlet described in the first invention of the present application or the second invention of the present application and devices in the network. In communication between a plurality of networks, The networks are connected to each other via an external interface of the information outlet.

  By providing a setting means for assigning a numerical value to a subnet mask in an information outlet, it can be used in one network without depleting a finite IP address, and the number of devices that can be used increases.

  In addition, it can be easily set without requiring specialized knowledge, and it is not necessary to set a subnet mask for each device.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
The configuration of the communication system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, a description will be given assuming that one network is a room.

  In FIG. 1, an information outlet 102 is provided on a wall surface of a room 101, and a communication repeater 103 is connected to the information outlet 102. Further, the PC 104, PC 105, and PC 106 are connected to the communication repeater 103, and the PC 104, PC 105, and PC 106 can communicate via the communication repeater 103. At this time, the communication repeater 103 transmits the signal content transmitted from the PC 104 to the PC 105 as it is without changing the content of the signal transmitted from the PC 104, for example. The information outlet 108 in the room 107, the communication repeater 109, the PC 110, the PC 111, and the PC 112 are similarly connected. Further, the information outlet 114, the communication repeater 115, the PC 116, the PC 117, and the PC 118 in the room 113 are similarly connected. Further, the information outlet 102 and the information outlet 108 are connected, and the information outlet 108 and the information outlet 114 are respectively connected. For example, the PC 104 and the PC 110 communicate with each other via the communication relay 103, the information outlet 102, the information outlet 108, and the communication relay 108. Is possible. Note that all communication between devices in the room 101, the room 107, and the room 113 is performed using IP.

  Here, FIG. 2 shows an example of subnet mask setting. 201 is a subnet first group, 202 is a subnet second group, and the subnet is set by setting the subnet first group 201 and the subnet second group 202. And

  3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information outlet 102, 310 is a connector of the inner interface, 308 is a PHY / MAC that communicates with a device connected to the connector 310, 309 is a connector of the outer interface, 311 Is a PHY / MAC that communicates with a device connected to the connector 309, 307 is a CPU, 301 is an inner interface setting SW group for setting a subnet mask necessary for communication with the connector 310, and 302 is a subnet mask for the inner interface. Subnet first group setting SW 303 to set, subnet second group setting SW 303 to set the subnet mask of the inner interface, 304 inner interface setting SW group to set the subnet mask necessary for communication at the connector 309, and 305 to the outer side B The first group setting SW, 306 subnet to set the subnet mask of the interface is the subnet second group setting SW, 312 to set the subnet mask for the outer interface memory, 313 is a reset SW.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the inner interface of the information outlet 102. In FIG. 4, 401 is an inner interface. The inner interface setting SW group 301 and the outer interface setting SW group 304 are exposed to the indoor side by dip switches. A connector 309 and a reset SW are provided.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the operation of the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 3 and the information outlet 102 shown in FIG. First, the user sets the inner interface setting SW group 301 and the outer interface setting SW group 304 (S501). Next, the reset SW 313 is pressed (S502), and the CPU 307 reads values set in the inner interface setting SW group 301 and the outer interface setting SW group 304 in the initialization process (S503) and writes them in the memory 312. (S504). Thereafter, in communication via the information outlet 102, the CPU 307 can refer to the memory 312 and perform communication using IP.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to easily set the subnet mask and to prevent IP address exhaustion. In addition, the user can arbitrarily set the number of devices exchanged from one information outlet. In addition, the number of networks can be increased regardless of the number of hub ports by using crossover wiring.

  Although the dip switch is used as the setting means in the first embodiment, a manual switching type switch such as a rotary switch may be used. In addition, when a detachable nonvolatile memory means such as a memory card or a memory stick is used as the setting means, the switch portion may be replaced with an insertion port of the detachable nonvolatile memory means.

  In the first embodiment, one network is set as a room. However, in a room partitioned by a partition, a space partitioned by a line, a space partitioned by building or building, etc. Good.

  In the first embodiment, a PC is used as a device, but an electric product that can be used on a network such as a television, a microwave oven, or a car navigation system may be used.

  In addition, when setting a private address for the IP address, a setting unit similar to the above subnet mask setting may be provided on the inner interface of the information outlet. The IP address may be set by a device or a communication repeater. The IP address setting means in the device or communication repeater may be the same setting means as the subnet mask setting described above.

(Embodiment 2)
The configuration of the communication system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the same description is omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 6, an information outlet 102 is provided on the wall surface of a room 101, and a wireless communication relay 601 is connected to the information outlet 102. The room 101 includes a wireless device built-in PC 602, a wireless device built-in PC 603, and a wireless device built-in PC 604, and PCs in the same room can communicate with each other. In addition, the information outlet 102 and the information outlet 108 are connected, and the information outlet 108 and the information outlet 114 are respectively connected. For example, the PCs 602 and 110 with a built-in wireless device are the wireless communication relay 601 and the information outlet 102, the information outlet 108, and the communication relay. Communication is possible via 108. Note that all communication between devices in the room 101, the room 107, and the room 113 is performed using IP.

  Further, the operation and configuration of the information outlet are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to easily set the subnet mask and to prevent IP address exhaustion. In addition, the user can arbitrarily set the number of devices exchanged from one information outlet. In addition, the number of networks can be increased regardless of the number of hub ports by using crossover wiring.

  Although the dip switch is used as the setting means in the second embodiment, a manual switching type switch such as a rotary switch may be used. In addition, when a detachable nonvolatile memory means such as a memory card or a memory stick is used as the setting means, the switch portion may be replaced with an insertion port of the detachable nonvolatile memory means.

  In the second embodiment, a PC with a built-in wireless device is used, but a PC with a wireless device attached may be used. In the second embodiment, one network is defined as a room, but it may be a space partitioned by partitions or lines in the room, a space partitioned by buildings or buildings, and the like.

  In the second embodiment, a PC is used as a device, but an electric product that can be used on a network such as a television, a microwave oven, or a car navigation system may be used.

  In addition, when setting a private address for the IP address, a setting unit similar to the above subnet mask setting may be provided on the inner interface of the information outlet. The IP address may be set by a device or a communication repeater. The IP address setting means in the device or communication repeater may be the same setting means as the subnet mask setting described above.

(Embodiment 3)
The configuration of the communication system according to the third embodiment is shown using FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the same description is omitted, and the repeated description is appropriately omitted.

  In FIG. 7, an information outlet 102 is provided on the wall surface of a room 101, and a communication relay 103 is connected to the information outlet 701. In addition, the information outlet 701 and the information outlet 108 are connected, and the information outlet 108 and the information outlet 114 are respectively connected. For example, the PC 104 and the PC 110 communicate with each other via the communication relay 103, the information outlet 701, the information outlet 108, and the communication relay 108. Is possible. Note that all communication between devices in the room 101, the room 107, and the room 113 is performed using IP.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of IP address setting. 801 is the IP address first group, 802 is the IP address second group, and the IP address setting is the IP address first group 801 and the IP address second group 802. It will be set.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information outlet 701, in which 901 is an IP address first group setting SW for setting the IP address of the indoor interface, and 902 is an IP address for setting the IP address of the indoor interface. The second group setting SW 903 is an IP address first group setting SW for setting the IP address of the inner wall interface, and the 904 is an IP address second group setting SW for setting the IP address of the inner wall interface.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the configuration of the inner interface of the information outlet 1001. In FIG. 9, 401 is an inner interface. The inner interface setting SW group 905 and the outer interface setting SW group 906 are exposed to the indoor side by dip switches. A connector 309 and a reset SW are provided.

  FIG. 11 shows an operation example of the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 9 and the information outlet 701 shown in FIG. First, the user sets the indoor-side interface setting SW group 905 and the wall-inside interface setting SW group 906, respectively (S1001). Next, the reset SW 313 is pressed (S1002), and the CPU 307 reads values set in the indoor interface setting SW group 905 and the wall inner interface setting SW group 906 in the initialization process (S1003), and the memory 312. (S1004). Thereafter, in communication via the information outlet 701, the CPU 313 refers to the memory 312 and communication using the IP becomes possible.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to easily set the subnet mask and the IP address, and to prevent the IP address from being exhausted. In addition, the number of devices exchanged from one information outlet can be arbitrarily set by the user, and IP addresses can be easily managed. In addition, the number of networks can be increased regardless of the number of hub ports by using crossover wiring.

  Although the dip switch is used as the setting means in the third embodiment, a manual switching type switch such as a rotary switch may be used. In addition, when a detachable nonvolatile memory means such as a memory card or a memory stick is used as the setting means, the switch portion may be replaced with an insertion port of the detachable nonvolatile memory means.

  In the third embodiment, the wireless device built-in PC is used. However, a wireless device attached to the PC may be used. In Embodiment 3, one network is defined as a room. However, a partition partitioned by a line or the like in a room, a space partitioned by a building or a building, or the like may be used.

  In addition, although a PC is used as a device in Embodiment 3, an electric product that can be used on a network such as a television, a microwave oven, or a car navigation system may be used.

  The information outlet of the present invention is useful for construction of an in-house LAN, an indoor LAN, a home LAN, or a regional LAN.

Diagram of the communication system in the first embodiment of the present invention Illustration of subnet mask example Hardware configuration diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention FIG. 3 is an external view of the inner interface according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Flowchart of subnet mask setting method in the first embodiment of the present invention The figure of the communication system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention The figure of the communication system in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention Illustration of IP address example Hardware configuration diagram according to the third embodiment of the present invention External view of the inner interface in the third embodiment of the present invention Flowchart of subnet mask setting method in the third embodiment of the present invention Diagram of conventional communication system A flowchart of a conventional IP address setting method

Explanation of symbols

101 Room 102 Information outlet 103 Communication repeater 104 PC
105 PC
106 PC
107 Room 108 Information outlet 109 Communication repeater 110 PC
111 PC
112 PC
113 Room 114 Information outlet 115 Communication repeater 116 PC
117 PC
118 PC
201 Subnet first group 202 Subnet second group 301 Inner interface setting SW group 302 Subnet first group setting SW
303 Subnet second group setting SW
304 Outside interface setting SW group 305 Subnet first group setting SW
306 Subnet second group setting SW
307 CPU
308 PHY MAC
309 Connector 310 Connector 311 PHY / MAC
312 Memory 313 Reset SW
401 Internal interface 601 Wireless communication repeater 602 Wireless device built-in PC
603 PC with built-in wireless device
604 PC with built-in wireless device
701 Information outlet 801 IP address first group 802 IP address second group 901 IP address first group setting SW
902 IP address second group setting SW
903 IP address first group setting SW
904 IP address second group setting SW
905 Inner interface setting SW group 906 Outer interface setting SW group 1001 Inner interface 1201 Wireless base station 1202 Rotary switch 1203 Rotary switch 1204 Line controller 1205 ISDN line terminal 1206 PSTN line terminal 1207 Mobile terminal 1208 Mobile terminal 1209 Mobile terminal 1210 ISDN / Public network

Claims (5)

An information outlet for connecting a device identified by an IP address and a subnet mask to a network, between devices in the network or via a relay device in the network and in the network and the devices in the network An inner interface for connecting another device, an outer interface connected to a network different from the network, and setting means for assigning a numerical value to a subnet mask of the network connected to the inner interface; An information outlet comprising setting means for assigning a numerical value to a subnet mask for a network connected to the outer interface. Setting means for assigning a private address to the IP address for the outside interface;
The information outlet according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for assigning a private address to an IP address for an inner interface, wherein the setting means is further provided on a surface on the inner interface side. The information outlet according to claim 1, wherein the setting means is a manual type changeover switch. The information outlet according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit is a detachable nonvolatile storage unit. One network is composed of the information outlet according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and devices in the network, and in communication between a plurality of networks,
A communication system, wherein networks are connected by a wiring between outer interfaces of the information outlets.

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