JP2012070227A - Communication relay device, communication relay method, and communication relay program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent generation of failures and accidents caused by abnormal heat generation in a communication relay device.SOLUTION: A communication relay device 1 performing relay transmission of communication data, has: a heat sensor part 6 sensing a temperature at a housing outer face part of the communication relay device 1; a CPU part 3 storing an amount of communication data routed to respective communication terminals 11 and 12 connected to the communication relay device 1, and deriving a score value indicating a communication priority based on the amount of communication data; and a communication speed controller 7 deciding an upper limit of a communication data rate to the communication terminal based on the derived score value when the temperature reaches a constant value, and suppressing the communication data rate to the respective communication terminals based on the upper limit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication relay device that relays data communication, and to a communication relay device that controls the communication speed of communication data to be relayed.

In order to connect to the Internet via a high-speed line such as an optical fiber or FTTH, a router device such as a broadband router is generally used.
In addition, the amount of communication data exchanged through the router device is increased due to the increase in processing speed and processing capability in communication devices such as personal computers connected to the router device on the LAN (local area network) side. It is increasing.

  In addition, the router device in the home or the like is outside the guaranteed temperature range, such as when installed in a closed space around the router device or when the air hole of the router device housing is closed. When the router device is used in the above environment, there may be inconveniences such as a failure due to heat generation in the router device itself, or a case in which the router device case heats up and a user who touches the router device is burned.

  For this reason, the heat generated by the communication processing in the router device, the malfunction due to this heat generation, and countermeasures against thermal destruction are regarded as important. Furthermore, router devices tend to be downsized in recent years, and countermeasures against heat generation in the router devices are becoming more important.

Normally, installation instructions and precautions for installation are described in an instruction manual or the like included with the product, but this may be overlooked by the user.
In addition, when cooling directly using a fan to suppress the temperature rise in the router device, the user is forced to perform troublesome work for maintenance of a fan failure, and further downsizing. There is a disadvantage that it is difficult to mount a fan in the router apparatus.

  As a related technique for this, a technique for suppressing heat generation by estimating the temperature of the apparatus and changing the operation mode is disclosed (Patent Document 1).

Further, a technique for suppressing heat generation by switching the frequency of a system clock according to a change in the ambient temperature of the apparatus is disclosed (Patent Documents 2 and 3).
Furthermore, a wireless communication terminal that compares the temperature in the terminal with a threshold voltage and performs transmission mode switching control according to the comparison result is disclosed (Patent Document 4).
In addition, a power shut-off device is disclosed that interrupts the processing operation performed by the computer when the ambient temperature rises and shuts off the power (Patent Document 5).

JP-A-7-334263 JP-A-3-251912 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-171813 JP 2006-245862 JP-A-11-215698

However, in the above-mentioned patent document 1, since the transmission data rate is uniformly changed as the operation mode, there is an inconvenience that communication control according to the communication state of each communication terminal cannot be performed. In addition, there is a disadvantage that a temperature abnormality in the target device cannot be notified to the outside.
In Patent Documents 2 and 3, there is a problem that the operating state of the system becomes unstable due to clock down. In addition, it is necessary to perform tests such as operation verification and EMI at a variable clock frequency, and there is an inconvenience that maintenance work is troublesome.

  Furthermore, in the above Patent Documents 4 and 5, it is possible to suppress IC functional degradation, malfunction, and thermal destruction due to temperature abnormality in the device, but it is not possible to reduce the high temperature in the device exterior. When the temperature of the router device casing (exterior) becomes high, there may be a problem that a user who touches the device exterior will be burned.

[Object of invention]
The present invention provides a communication relay device, a communication relay method, and a communication relay program that can improve the disadvantages of the related technology and can effectively prevent the occurrence of failures and accidents due to abnormal heat generation in the communication relay device. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, a communication relay device according to the present invention is a communication relay device for transferring communication data to a communication terminal, and detects a temperature at an outer surface of a housing of the communication relay device. And a score derivation unit for storing a communication data amount routed to the communication terminal and deriving a score value indicating communication priority based on the communication data amount, and when the temperature reaches a certain value A communication suppression rate indicating an upper limit value of a communication data rate for each communication terminal is determined based on the derived score value, and a communication data rate for each communication terminal is suppressed based on the communication suppression rate during the communication routing. A configuration comprising a communication speed control unit that performs control, and a communication suppression degree notification unit that notifies the determined communication suppression degree to each communication terminal It is taking.

  A communication relay method according to the present invention is a communication relay method for controlling a communication data rate of communication data transfer to a communication terminal based on a temperature at a housing outer surface portion of the communication relay device, and is routed to the communication terminal. Storing a communication data amount and deriving a score value indicating a communication priority corresponding to the communication terminal based on the communication data amount, and based on the derived score value when the temperature reaches a certain value A communication suppression rate indicating an upper limit value of a communication data rate for a communication terminal is determined, and the communication data rate for each communication terminal is suppressed based on the communication suppression rate during the communication routing and the determination is made for each communication terminal. The communication router control apparatus is configured to notify each communication suppression degree. It is characterized in.

  A communication relay program according to the present invention is a communication relay program for controlling a communication data rate of communication data transfer to a communication terminal based on a temperature at an outer surface of a housing of the communication relay device. A communication priority derivation function for storing a routed communication data amount and deriving a score value indicating a communication priority corresponding to the communication terminal based on the communication data amount, and when the temperature reaches a certain value, A communication suppression degree determination function for determining a communication suppression degree indicating an upper limit value of a communication data rate for each communication terminal based on the derived score value, and communication data for each communication terminal based on the communication suppression degree during the communication routing A communication speed control function for controlling the rate, and the determined communication suppression for each communication terminal It is characterized in that to realize a communication suppression degree notification function to perform the process of notifying the computer of the communication router controller.

  Since the present invention is configured and functions as described above, according to this, the communication data rate for each communication terminal is determined based on the score value derived according to the amount of communication data relayed and transferred to the communication terminal, A communication relay device, a communication relay method, and a communication relay program that can effectively prevent a failure or an accident due to abnormal heat generation in a router device by suppressing the communication data rate for each communication terminal. Can be provided.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Embodiment in the communication relay apparatus by this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an internal structure in the communication relay apparatus disclosed in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the whole operation | movement process step in the communication relay apparatus disclosed in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the whole operation | movement process step in the communication relay apparatus disclosed in FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows one Embodiment containing the communication relay apparatus by this invention.

[Embodiment]
Next, the basic configuration content of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the broadband router (communication relay device) 1 according to the present embodiment is
A LAN port (1) 9 connected to a WAN port 8 connected to an external network (network) 100 such as the Internet, a terminal 11 such as a PC (Personal Computer), and a communication terminal (terminal 12) such as a wired communication device, A LAN port (2) 10, an Ethernet switch unit 7 (Ethernet is a registered trademark) that performs switching control of transfer communication operations for the WAN port and LAN ports 9 and 10, and an exterior part of the broadband router 1 are provided. When detecting the temperature detected by the thermal sensor unit 6 and the temperature detected by the thermal sensor unit 6 and when this temperature exceeds a certain temperature threshold, the LAN port (here, 9 , 10) to reduce the speed of communication (communication speed: communication data rate). The configuration includes a CPU unit 3 that performs a process of transmitting a message for control to the Ethernet switch unit 7.

  Further, the broadband router 1 includes a power supply circuit 4 that supplies power to the internal configuration of the broadband router 1 and a power switch that operates as a switch that sends power to or cuts off power sent from the external power supply 2. Part (switch) 5 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the power switch section 5 has a transistor 25 for power on / off (ON / OFF), and controls and controls the transistor 25 based on a message sent from the CPU 3. Thus, the power supply cutting operation for the power supply circuit 4 is controlled.

The thermal sensor unit 6 has a temperature notification function of sensing the temperature of a preset portion on the outer surface (apparatus exterior) of the broadband router 1 and transmitting it to the CPU unit 3 as a temperature signal.
As shown in FIG. 2, the thermal sensor unit 6 includes a thermistor 21 and notifies the CPU 3 of the temperature detected by the thermistor 21 as temperature information.

The CPU unit 3 includes an A / D converter 23 (FIG. 2) that converts temperature information (analog signal) notified from the heat sensor unit 6 into a digital signal (temperature signal), and a temperature at which this temperature signal is constantly monitored. Monitoring means and temperature threshold determination means for determining whether or not the temperature of the apparatus exterior notified from the thermal sensor unit 6 exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold set in advance.
Note that the temperature threshold determination means performs temperature monitoring using a resistance value change based on the notified temperature information.

  In addition, the CPU unit 3 includes a communication data amount storage means for storing the communication data amount transmitted / received by the Ethernet switch unit 7 via each LAN port in correspondence with each LAN port, and the stored communication data amount. Based on the above, score derivation means for deriving a score value indicating the communication priority for each of the LAN ports 9 and 10 is provided.

  The score derivation means (score derivation unit) of the CPU unit 3 stores the continuous time of communication performed with the Ethernet switch unit 7 via each LAN port in correspondence with each LAN port. Based on the length of the continuous communication time, the setting may be such that a score value that is a communication priority for each of the LAN ports 9 and 10 is derived.

For example, it is assumed that the CPU unit 3 assigns a lower communication priority (score value) to a LAN port having a larger communication data amount.
In this case, the communication priority of a LAN port with a large amount of communication data is set low, and therefore, communication with a LAN port with a low communication priority is suppressed when a temperature higher than a certain value is detected by the thermal sensor unit 6. The degree of being increased.
For this reason, it is possible to suppress large-capacity communication that raises the temperature of the device exterior, thereby effectively suppressing the temperature increase in the device exterior.

For example, the CPU unit 3 may be configured to assign a communication priority (score value) to a LAN port having the largest amount of communication data.
In this case, the communication priority of the LAN port with the largest amount of communication data to be transmitted / received is set high, so that when a temperature above a certain value is detected, By preferentially suppressing or blocking communication and limiting the LAN port through which communication is performed to the LAN port with the largest amount of communication data, the communication amount (total amount of communication data) of the entire LAN port is reduced, Thereby, the temperature rise in an apparatus exterior can be suppressed effectively.

  When the temperature of the apparatus exterior detected by the thermal sensor unit 6 reaches a certain value, the CPU unit 3 determines the communication data rate for each LAN port 9 and 10 based on the derived score value (communication priority). Communication suppression degree determining means for determining (communication suppression rate) which is an upper limit value (for example, transmission data rate) is provided.

  Further, for example, when the temperature detected by the thermal sensor unit 6 rises above a certain value within a certain time after the speed change in the LAN, or the state where the temperature does not fall below the certain value continues. The CPU unit 3 transmits a message for shutting off the power to the power switch unit 5 and thereby controls to cut the power supply line (power supply control unit).

  Thereby, since the power supply from the external power supply 2 to the power supply circuit 4 is stopped, the heat rise in the apparatus exterior can be effectively suppressed.

  The Ethernet switch unit (communication speed control unit) 7 performs routing (communication routing) of communication data to each communication terminal connected to the LAN ports 9 to 10 (communication routing function), and transmits the communication data sent from each terminal. , A communication relay that forwards to the network 11 via the WAN port (1) 8 and forwards communication data (packets) sent from the external network (network 11) to a terminal (host) in its own network (LAN) Means.

  Further, the Ethernet switch unit 7 transmits the communication data to each communication terminal (LAN port) through each LAN port based on the communication suppression rate (communication suppression degree, communication speed upper limit value) determined by the CPU unit 3. Communication speed control means for performing control to suppress the data rate (transmission speed) to be transmitted.

Thereby, by suppressing the connection speed to the LAN port (communication speed of communication through the LAN port), it is possible to reduce the power consumption for communication with the LAN, whereby the CPU unit 3 and the Ethernet switch unit 7 Heat generation can be suppressed.
For this reason, it is possible to suppress heat generation in the device exterior, and even when the device (broadband router) is used in an unexpected environment, it can be operated within a temperature range that is safe for use. In addition, it is possible to effectively prevent the user from being burned.

In addition, the Ethernet switch unit 7 includes a communication suppression degree notifying unit that notifies a corresponding communication terminal connected to each LAN port of the communication suppression degree determined by the CPU unit 3.
Thereby, it can be notified to the user of a communication terminal (for example, terminal 12) that the communication suppression resulting from the temperature rise of an apparatus is performed.

  It should be noted that the temperature threshold value that serves as a trigger for starting the processing for suppressing the communication speed (connection speed) of communication performed via the LAN port is set to a temperature (value) that cannot be reached by normal use of the broadband router 1. It is assumed that

  In the first embodiment, the total communication data rate at the LAN ports (here, two) is limited to a constant value by performing processing for suppressing the connection speed (transmission data rate) at each LAN port. It may be set to.

[Description of Operation of Embodiment]
Next, an outline of the operation of this embodiment will be described.
First, the CPU unit 3 stores the amount of communication data routed to each communication terminal by the Ethernet switch unit 7, and the score value indicating the priority of communication performed via each LAN port based on the amount of communication data (Communication priority) is derived (communication priority deriving step).
When the thermal sensor 6 senses the temperature at the housing outer surface portion of the broadband router (communication relay device) 1 and this temperature reaches a certain value, the CPU unit 3 The communication suppression degree which shows the upper limit of the communication data rate with respect to each said communication terminal is determined (communication suppression degree determination process).
Next, the Ethernet switch unit 7 performs control for suppressing the communication data rate of communication with respect to each communication terminal based on the determined communication suppression degree at the time of communication routing (communication suppression control step), and for each communication terminal Then, the determined communication suppression degree is notified (suppression degree notification step).

  Here, the execution contents of the communication priority derivation step, the communication suppression degree determination step, the communication suppression degree control step, and the communication suppression degree notification step may be programmed and executed by a computer.

  Next, the operation of the broadband router 1 according to the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The broadband router 1 is equipped with two LAN ports (LAN ports 9 and 10), and communication terminals 12 and 13 are connected to the respective LAN ports via communication lines. .

  Here, the Ethernet switch unit 7 performs communication data routing (communication routing) to communication terminals connected to the LAN ports 9 and 10, respectively, thereby transmitting communication data (packets) sent from the external network (network 11). Is transferred to each communication terminal (communication routing). Further, it is assumed that the Ethernet switch unit 7 performs processing to transfer communication data sent from each communication terminal to the network 11 via the WAN port 8.

  First, it is assumed that the CPU unit 3 stores the amount of communication data transmitted / received via each LAN port in association with each LAN port.

Furthermore, the CPU unit 3 derives a score value indicating the communication priority for each of the LAN ports 9 and 10 based on the stored communication data amount.
Here, it is assumed that the CPU 3 derives a lower communication priority (score value) for a LAN port having a larger communication data amount.

In this case, as described above, since the communication priority of the LAN port with a large amount of communication data is set low, when the temperature higher than a certain value is detected by the thermal sensor unit 6, the LAN port with the low communication priority. The degree to which communication with respect to is suppressed is increased.
Further, it is assumed that the CPU unit 3 constantly monitors the temperature input from the heat sensor unit 6 and determines whether or not this temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

  When the detected temperature information is equal to or higher than the set temperature threshold (step S1), the CPU 3 determines the communication data rate for each LAN port (9, 10) based on the derived score value (communication priority). A communication suppression rate that is an upper limit value (for example, transmission data rate) is determined (communication suppression degree determination step). Here, it is assumed that a communication speed upper limit value is set for the LAN port 9 with the lowest derived score value, and the communication data rate of communication performed via the LAN port 9 is suppressed.

  Next, the Ethernet switch unit 7 notifies the communication suppression rate determined by the CPU unit 3 as described above to the corresponding communication terminal (here, referred to as the terminal 11) connected to each LAN port. (Notify connection destination: step S2).

  Here, the Ethernet switch unit 7 controls to suppress the data rate (transmission rate) transmitted through each LAN port based on the communication suppression rate (communication suppression degree, communication speed upper limit value) determined by the CPU unit 3. (LAN connection speed suppression processing: step S3).

  Next, the CPU unit 3 and the Ethernet switch unit 7 are set in a standby state for a predetermined time after the LAN connection speed suppression process.

Next, when the temperature detected by the thermal sensor unit 6 exceeds a certain value (temperature threshold <1>) or when the temperature does not fall below the temperature threshold <1> continues for a certain period (Yes: Step S5). The CPU unit 3 sets a communication speed upper limit value for the LAN port having the second highest score value (LAN port 10) based on the derived score value (communication priority) (communication suppression degree determination step). .
Here, the Ethernet switch unit 7 notifies the communication terminal connected to the LAN port (LAN port 10) having the second highest score value of the communication upper limit value determined by the CPU unit 3 (communication suppression degree). Determination and notification to connection destination: Step S6).

  Next, the Ethernet switch unit 7 performs communication transfer via each of the LAN ports 9 and 10 while suppressing the transmission data rate (transmission speed) based on the communication suppression rate (communication suppression degree, communication speed upper limit value). (Suppression processing: step S7), the CPU unit 3 and the Ethernet switch unit 7 are set in a standby state for a predetermined time (step S8).

Here, when the temperature detected by the thermal sensor unit 6 exceeds a certain value (temperature threshold <2>) or when the temperature does not fall below the temperature threshold <2> continues for a certain period (yes: In step S9), the Ethernet switch unit 7 notifies the communication terminals connected to the LAN ports 9 and 10 that the communication is disconnected (step S10), and the CPU unit 3 A power-off message is transmitted to 5.
In response to this message, the power supply switch unit 5 performs control to cut off the power supply line to the power supply circuit 4 (switching off the power supply line: step S11), and power supply from the external power supply 2 to the broadband router 1 is stopped. (Step S12).

  As a result, the power supply from the external power supply 2 to the power supply circuit 4 is stopped, so that the heat rise in the exterior of the apparatus can be effectively suppressed, and the apparatus failure of the broadband router 1 due to heat generation, for example, the use of the broadband router 1 It is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of burns caused by a person touching the exterior of the apparatus.

  Here, regarding the other operation control method in the case where the detected temperature is suppressed to a certain value (temperature threshold value <1>) or less by performing communication speed suppression processing for the LAN port in step S5, This will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.

  When the detected temperature is suppressed to a predetermined value (temperature threshold <1>) or less in step S5 (No: step S5), the CPU 3 determines that the detected temperature is a preset temperature threshold <3. > Is determined (step S21).

Here, when the newly detected temperature is lower than the preset temperature threshold <3> (No: Step S21), the CPU unit 3 sets the LAN port 9 according to the detected temperature. The communication speed upper limit is increased, that is, the communication speed upper limit is relaxed and updated (LAN communication speed increasing process: step S22).
Further, the Ethernet switch unit 7 notifies the communication terminal connected to the LAN port 9 of the newly set communication speed upper limit value (step S23), and then the CPU unit 3 is newly detected again. It is determined whether or not the temperature exceeds the temperature threshold <1> (to step S1).

  Thereby, when a user receives notification of temperature abnormality and improves an installation method etc., the effect that it can return to normal operation automatically is acquired.

  When the newly detected temperature exceeds the preset temperature threshold value <3> (Yes: Step S21), the CPU 3 again determines that the newly detected temperature exceeds the temperature threshold value <1>. Is determined (to step S5).

  As described above, in the first embodiment, even when the device (broadband router) is used in an unexpected environment, the communication speed (or broadband router) from the broadband router to the communication terminal is determined according to the detected temperature. The communication speed from the communication terminal to the communication terminal) is suppressed to a certain value or less, so that the broadband router can be operated in a state where the temperature of the exterior portion of the broadband router is kept within a safe temperature range. It is possible to effectively prevent malfunctions and inconveniences such as the user being burned.

Also, as shown in the first embodiment, since it is possible to control the communication speed by program control in the CPU unit, it is realized by using a general-purpose thermistor or transistor equipped in the broadband router. Can do.
Therefore, it can be constructed as an inexpensive fail-safe function in a broadband router, and can be easily mounted even in a small device (broadband router) that is difficult to be equipped with a cooling fan.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a communication relay system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the second embodiment, the communication relay device according to the present invention (corresponding to the broadband router 1 in the first embodiment described above) is configured as the wireless LAN slave device 30.
This will be described in detail below.

  In the second embodiment, a wireless LAN base unit 45 connected to an external network such as the Internet is connected to the wireless LAN base unit 45 as a slave unit by wireless communication, and wirelessly received communication data is received. It has a configuration including a wireless LAN slave device (corresponding to a communication relay device) 30 that relays and transfers to a preset communication terminal 51 and TV 52.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the wireless LAN slave unit 30 establishes a wireless connection with the wireless unit 42 of the wireless LAN base unit 45, receives communication data (wireless communication data) from the wireless unit 42, and receives an Ethernet switch unit. 37, which is a port for mutual communication between each of the connected terminals and the wireless LAN slave unit 30. The wireless unit 31 is connected to a communication terminal (terminal) such as a TV and a PC via a wired communication line. Ports 9 and 10, Ethernet switch 7 that controls switching of communication operations in each of these LAN ports 9 and 10, and a thermal sensor unit 6 that is provided in the exterior part of the wireless LAN slave unit 30 and senses the temperature in this exterior part. The temperature sensed by the thermal sensor is acquired, and if this temperature exceeds a certain temperature threshold, it is performed via the LAN port (9, 10 here). And it has a configuration in which the CPU unit 3 for transmitting speed of the communication messages for suppressing (communications speed) to the Ethernet switch unit 7 to be.

  In addition, the wireless LAN slave unit 30 sends power to the power supply circuit 4 that supplies power to the internal configuration of the wireless LAN slave unit 30 and the power supplied from the external power source 2 to the power supply circuit 4 or supplies this power supply. A power switch unit (switch) 5 that performs control to shut off is provided.

As described above, the wireless LAN base unit 45 is a communication device that is connected to an external network such as the Internet, and as shown in FIG. 5, a warning sent as wireless data from the wireless LAN handset 30 It has a configuration including a wireless unit 32 that receives a message and a CPU unit 33 that performs processing for outputting a warning message received by the wireless unit 32 via a warning transmission unit 34.
The warning transmission unit 34 may be a display device that outputs and displays a warning message, a speaker device that outputs the warning message as sound, or the like.

  The wireless LAN base unit 45 is connected to an external network such as the Internet, wirelessly transfers communication data sent from the external network to the wireless LAN slave unit 30, and wirelessly transferred from the wireless LAN slave unit 30. A configuration having an external communication function for transmitting communication data to an external network may be used.

  The thermal sensor unit (thermal sensor) 36 has a temperature notification function of sensing the temperature of a preset portion on the outer surface (apparatus exterior) of the wireless LAN slave unit 30 and transmitting it to the CPU unit 33 as a temperature signal. .

The CPU unit 33 includes a temperature monitoring unit that constantly monitors the temperature notified from the thermal sensor unit 36, and a temperature threshold determination unit that determines whether or not the temperature of the apparatus exterior exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold. I have.
Note that the temperature threshold determination means performs temperature monitoring using a resistance value change based on the notified temperature information.

  In addition, the CPU unit 33 includes a communication data amount storage means for storing the communication data amount transmitted / received by the Ethernet switch unit 37 via each LAN port in correspondence with each LAN port, and the stored communication data amount. A score deriving unit for deriving a score value indicating the communication priority for each of the LAN ports 39 and 40 is provided.

  The score deriving means of the CPU unit 33 stores the continuous time of communication performed with the Ethernet switch unit 37 via each LAN port in correspondence with each LAN port, and the long communication continuous time. On the basis of this, a setting for deriving a score value that is a communication priority for each of the LAN ports 39 and 40 may be used.

For example, the CPU unit 33 assigns a lower communication priority (score value) to a LAN port having a larger communication data amount.
In this case, the communication priority of the LAN port with a large amount of communication data is set low, and therefore, communication with a LAN port with a low communication priority is suppressed when a temperature higher than a certain value is detected by the thermal sensor unit 36. The degree of being increased.

  For this reason, it is possible to suppress large-capacity communication that raises the temperature of the device exterior, thereby effectively suppressing the temperature increase in the device exterior.

For example, the CPU 33 may be configured to assign a communication priority (score value) to a LAN port having the largest amount of communication data.
In this case, the communication priority of the LAN port with the largest amount of communication data to be transmitted / received is set high, so that when a temperature above a certain value is detected, By preferentially suppressing or blocking communication and limiting the LAN port through which communication is performed to the LAN port with the largest amount of communication data, the communication amount (total amount of communication data) of the entire LAN port is reduced, Thereby, the temperature rise in an apparatus exterior can be suppressed effectively.

  Furthermore, when the temperature of the apparatus exterior detected by the thermal sensor unit 36 reaches a certain value, the CPU unit 33 communicates with each of the LAN ports 39 and 40 based on the derived score value (communication priority). Communication suppression degree determination means for determining (communication suppression rate) which is an upper limit value of a data rate (for example, transmission data rate).

  Furthermore, for example, when the temperature detected by the thermal sensor unit 36 rises above a certain value within a certain time after the communication speed change processing of communication via the LAN port, or when the state where the temperature does not fall below the certain value continues In addition, the CPU unit 33 transmits a power shut-off message to the power switch unit 35, thereby performing control for cutting off the power supply line.

  Thereby, since the power supply from the external power supply 2 to the power supply circuit 4 is stopped, the heat rise in the apparatus exterior can be effectively suppressed.

  The Ethernet switch unit 37 performs routing (communication routing) of communication data to each communication terminal (here, the terminal 51 and the TV 52) connected to the LAN ports 9 and 10 (communication routing function), and is sent from each terminal. The communication data is transferred (wirelessly transferred) to the external wireless device set outside the wireless LAN slave unit 30 via the wireless unit 31, and the communication data (packet) sent from the external wireless device is transferred to the own network ( Communication relay means for transferring to a terminal (host) in the LAN.

  Further, the Ethernet switch unit 37 transmits the communication data to each communication terminal (LAN port) through each LAN port based on the communication suppression rate (communication suppression rate, communication speed upper limit value) determined by the CPU unit 33. Communication speed control means for performing control to suppress the data rate (transmission speed) to be transmitted.

Thereby, the power consumption for communication (communication data transfer) to the communication terminal can be reduced by suppressing the connection speed (communication speed of communication via the LAN port) to each LAN port, and thus the CPU Heat generation in the unit 33 and the Ethernet switch unit 37 can be suppressed.
For this reason, it is possible to suppress heat generation in the device exterior, and even when the device (broadband router) is used in an unexpected environment, it can be operated within a temperature range that is safe for use. In addition, it is possible to effectively prevent the user from being burned.

In addition, the Ethernet switch unit 37 includes a communication suppression degree notification unit that notifies the corresponding communication terminal connected to each LAN port of the communication suppression degree determined by the CPU unit 33.
Furthermore, when the Ethernet switch unit 37 notifies the communication terminal connected to each LAN port of the communication suppression degree, a warning indicating the occurrence of a temperature abnormality is sent to the wireless LAN base unit 45 via the wireless unit 31. It has a warning wireless notification function for notifying the user.
Thereby, it can be notified to the user of a communication terminal (for example, terminal 51 or TV52) that the communication suppression resulting from the temperature rise of an apparatus is performed.

Next, the operation of the wireless LAN slave device 30 according to the second embodiment will be described.
Here, as described above, the wireless LAN slave unit 30 is equipped with two different LAN ports (LAN ports 39 and 40), and each LAN port has a communication terminal 51 and a TV 52 via a communication line. Are connected to each other.

  In addition, the Ethernet switch unit 37 performs communication data routing (communication routing) to communication terminals connected to the LAN ports 39 and 40, respectively, so that communication data (packets) sent from the external wireless device to the wireless unit 31 is transmitted. Is transferred to each communication terminal (communication routing). Further, it is assumed that the Ethernet switch unit 37 performs processing for transferring communication data sent from each communication terminal to the external wireless device via the wireless unit 31.

At this time, it is assumed that the CPU unit 33 stores the amount of communication data transmitted / received via each LAN port in association with each LAN port.
Further, the CPU unit 33 derives a score value indicating the communication priority for each of the LAN ports 39 and 40 based on the stored communication data amount.

Here, it is assumed that the CPU 33 derives a lower communication priority (score value) for a LAN port having a larger communication data amount.
In this case, as described above, since the communication priority of the LAN port with a large amount of communication data is set low, the LAN port with the low communication priority is detected when a temperature higher than a certain value is detected by the thermal sensor unit 36. The degree to which communication with respect to is suppressed is increased.

  Further, it is assumed that the CPU unit 33 constantly monitors the temperature input from the thermal sensor unit 36 and determines whether or not this temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value set in advance.

First, when the detected temperature information is equal to or higher than a set temperature threshold, the CPU unit 3 determines a communication data rate (for example, for each LAN port (39, 40)) based on the derived score value (communication priority). , A communication suppression rate that is an upper limit value of (transmission data rate) is determined (communication suppression degree determination step).
Here, it is assumed that a communication speed upper limit value is set for the LAN port 39 with the lowest derived score value, and the communication data rate of communication performed via the LAN port 39 is suppressed.

  Next, the Ethernet switch unit 37 sets the communication suppression rate determined by the CPU unit 33 to the corresponding communication terminal (here, the communication terminal 52) connected to each LAN port as described above. Notify (notify the connection destination).

  Here, the Ethernet switch unit 37 controls the data rate (transmission rate) to be transmitted through each LAN port based on the communication suppression rate (communication suppression degree, communication speed upper limit value) determined by the CPU unit 33. (LAN connection speed suppression processing).

  Next, the CPU unit 33 and the Ethernet switch unit 7 are set in a standby state for a predetermined time after the LAN connection speed suppression process.

Next, when the temperature detected by the thermal sensor unit 36 exceeds a certain value (temperature threshold value <1>) or when the temperature does not fall below the temperature threshold value <1> continues for a certain period, the CPU unit 33 A communication speed upper limit value is set for the LAN port having the second highest score value (LAN port 40) based on the derived score value (communication priority) (communication suppression degree determination step).
Here, the Ethernet switch unit 37 notifies the communication upper limit value determined by the CPU unit 33 to the communication terminal (TV 52) connected to the LAN port (LAN port 40) having the second highest score value ( Communication suppression degree determination and connection destination notification).

In addition, when the Ethernet switch unit 37 notifies the communication terminal connected to each LAN port of the communication suppression degree, a warning indicating the occurrence of a temperature abnormality is sent to the wireless LAN base unit 45 via the wireless unit 31. Notify them.
Thereby, it can be notified to the user of a communication terminal (for example, terminal 51 or TV52) that the communication suppression resulting from the temperature rise of an apparatus is performed.

  Next, the Ethernet switch unit 37 performs communication transfer via the LAN ports 39 and 40 in a state where the transmission data rate (transmission speed) is suppressed based on the communication suppression rate (communication suppression degree, communication speed upper limit value). (Communication suppression process), the CPU unit 33 and the Ethernet switch unit 37 are set in a standby state for a predetermined time.

Here, when the temperature detected by the thermal sensor unit 36 exceeds a certain value (temperature threshold value <2>) or when the temperature does not fall below the temperature threshold value <2> continues for a certain period of time, the Ethernet switch The unit 37 notifies the communication terminal 51 and the TV 52 connected to the LAN ports 39 and 40 that the communication is cut off, and the CPU unit 33 supplies the power switch unit 35 for power shutdown. Send a message.
In response to this message, the power switch unit 35 performs control to cut off the power supply line to the power circuit 34 (the power line switch is turned off), and the power supply from the external power source 32 to the broadband router 1 is stopped.

  Thereby, in this Embodiment 2, since the power supply from the external power supply 32 to the power supply circuit 34 is stopped, the heat rise in the device exterior can be effectively suppressed, and the device failure of the broadband router 1 due to heat generation, for example, Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the user of the broadband router 1 from being burned when touching the exterior of the apparatus.

As described above, in the second embodiment, when the Ethernet switch unit 37 notifies the communication terminal connected to each LAN port of the communication speed change due to heat generation, a warning indicating the occurrence of the temperature abnormality is displayed on the wireless LAN. Notify the master unit 45.
As a result, the wireless LAN base unit 45 that has received this signal can notify the user of a temperature abnormality in the wireless LAN handset 30 by using the alarm transmission unit 34 such as an alarm mounted in advance. .

  Thus, for example, even when a temperature abnormality occurs in the wireless LAN slave unit when a device (communication terminal) capable of notifying the temperature abnormality is not connected to the LAN port on the slave unit side, the occurrence of the temperature abnormality is detected. It is possible to notify a wireless device other than the communication terminal (here, the master unit).

Regarding the above-described embodiment, the main points of the new technical contents are summarized as follows.
In addition, although a part or all of said embodiment is put together as follows as a novel technique, this invention is not necessarily limited to this.

(Appendix 1)
A communication relay device for transferring communication data to a communication terminal,
A thermal sensor for sensing the temperature at the outer surface of the housing of the communication relay device;
A score derivation unit for storing a communication data amount routed to the communication terminal and deriving a score value indicating a communication priority based on the communication data amount;
When the temperature reaches a certain value, the communication suppression rate indicating the upper limit value of the communication data rate for each communication terminal is determined based on the derived score value, and based on the communication suppression rate during the communication routing A communication speed control unit that performs control to suppress the communication data rate for each communication terminal;
A communication relay apparatus, comprising: a communication suppression degree notification unit that notifies the communication terminals of the determined communication suppression degree.

(Appendix 2)
In the communication relay device of appendix 1,
The score derivation unit includes a communication time score assignment function for measuring a communication use time of the communication terminal and assigning a higher score value to the communication terminal having a long communication use time. Relay device.

(Appendix 3)
In the communication relay device according to attachment 1,
The communication speed control unit is provided with a speed upper limit relaxation control function for performing control for relaxing a communication data rate in which the communication speed upper limit is suppressed when the temperature of the outer surface of the housing is lower than a certain value. A communication relay device characterized by the above.

(Appendix 4)
In the communication relay device according to attachment 1,
A communication relay device comprising: a power supply control unit configured to cut off power supply to the temperature control communication router device when the sensed temperature rises above a predetermined value set in advance.

(Appendix 5)
In the communication relay device according to attachment 1,
In addition to a wireless communication terminal that outputs messages notified by wireless communication,
A temperature abnormality wireless notification unit is provided that notifies the wireless communication terminal of a message indicating the occurrence of a temperature abnormality by wireless communication when the sensed temperature rises above a predetermined value. Communication relay device.

(Appendix 6)
A communication relay method for controlling a communication data rate of communication data transfer to a communication terminal based on a temperature at a housing outer surface of a communication relay device,
Storing a communication data amount routed to the communication terminal and deriving a score value indicating a communication priority corresponding to the communication terminal based on the communication data amount;
Determining a communication suppression degree indicating an upper limit value of a communication data rate for the communication terminal based on the derived score value when the temperature reaches a certain value;
The communication data rate for each communication terminal is suppressed based on the communication suppression degree at the time of communication routing, and the determined communication suppression degree is notified to each communication terminal. A communication control method which is executed by a router control apparatus.

(Appendix 7)
A communication relay program for controlling the communication data rate of communication data transfer to a communication terminal based on the temperature at the outer surface of the housing of the communication relay device,
A score derivation function for storing a communication data amount routed to the communication terminal and deriving a score value indicating a communication priority corresponding to the communication terminal based on the communication data amount;
A communication suppression degree determination function for determining a communication suppression degree indicating an upper limit value of a communication data rate for each communication terminal based on the derived score value when the temperature reaches a certain value;
A communication speed control function for performing control to suppress a communication data rate for each communication terminal based on the communication suppression degree during the communication routing;
A communication control program for causing a computer of the communication router control device to realize a communication suppression degree notification function for performing processing for notifying each communication terminal of the determined communication suppression degree.

  The present invention can be applied to a network device monitoring system that monitors the temperature and operating state of each communication transfer device in a communication network configured via a plurality of different communication transfer devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Broadband router 2, 32 External power supply 3, 33 CPU part 4, 34 Power supply circuit part 5, 35 Power switch part 6, 36 Thermal sensor part 7, 37 Ethernet switch part 8 WAN port 9, 10, 39, 40 LAN port 30 Wireless LAN cordless handset 31, 32 Wireless unit 45 Wireless LAN base unit 42 Wireless unit 43 CPU unit 44 Warning sending unit 11, 12, 51 Communication terminal 52 TV (TV receiver terminal)

Claims (7)

A communication relay device for transferring communication data to a communication terminal,
A thermal sensor for sensing the temperature at the outer surface of the housing of the communication relay device;
A score derivation unit for storing a communication data amount routed to the communication terminal and deriving a score value indicating a communication priority based on the communication data amount;
When the temperature reaches a certain value, the communication suppression rate indicating the upper limit value of the communication data rate for each communication terminal is determined based on the derived score value, and based on the communication suppression rate during the communication routing A communication speed control unit that performs control to suppress the communication data rate for each communication terminal;
A communication relay apparatus, comprising: a communication suppression degree notification unit that notifies the communication terminals of the determined communication suppression degree. The communication relay device according to claim 1,
The score derivation unit includes a communication time score assignment function for measuring a communication use time of the communication terminal and assigning a higher score value to the communication terminal having a long communication use time. Relay device. The communication relay device according to claim 1,
The communication speed control unit is provided with a speed upper limit relaxation control function for performing control for relaxing a communication data rate in which the communication speed upper limit is suppressed when the temperature of the outer surface of the housing is lower than a certain value. A communication relay device characterized by the above. The communication relay device according to claim 1,
A communication relay device comprising: a power supply control unit configured to cut off power supply to the temperature control communication router device when the sensed temperature rises above a predetermined value set in advance. The communication relay device according to claim 1,
In addition to a wireless communication terminal that outputs messages notified by wireless communication,
A temperature abnormality wireless notification unit is provided that notifies the wireless communication terminal of a message indicating the occurrence of a temperature abnormality by wireless communication when the sensed temperature rises above a predetermined value. Communication relay device. A communication relay method for controlling a communication data rate of communication data transfer to a communication terminal based on a temperature at a housing outer surface of a communication relay device,
Storing a communication data amount routed to the communication terminal and deriving a score value indicating a communication priority corresponding to the communication terminal based on the communication data amount;
Determining a communication suppression degree indicating an upper limit value of a communication data rate for the communication terminal based on the derived score value when the temperature reaches a certain value;
The communication data rate for each communication terminal is suppressed based on the communication suppression degree at the time of communication routing, and the determined communication suppression degree is notified to each communication terminal. A communication control method which is executed by a router control apparatus. A communication relay program for controlling the communication data rate of communication data transfer to a communication terminal based on the temperature at the outer surface of the housing of the communication relay device,
A score derivation function for storing a communication data amount routed to the communication terminal and deriving a score value indicating a communication priority corresponding to the communication terminal based on the communication data amount;
A communication suppression degree determination function for determining a communication suppression degree indicating an upper limit value of a communication data rate for each communication terminal based on the derived score value when the temperature reaches a certain value;
A communication speed control function for performing control to suppress a communication data rate for each communication terminal based on the communication suppression degree during the communication routing;
A communication control program for causing a computer of the communication router control device to realize a communication suppression degree notification function for performing processing for notifying each communication terminal of the determined communication suppression degree.

Images