JP2012124758A - Relay device, communication system, communication information transfer method, and communication information transfer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a local device to communicate with an external server in a destination local network even when the local device moves to another local network.SOLUTION: A relay device 100 comprises: a device connection interface 101 which is a communication interface for communicating with a device on a local network; an external connection interface 102 which is a communication interface for communicating with a device on an external network; transfer determination means 103 which determines whether or not the received information is transferred to another relay device on the external network capable of performing relay processing for the information when receiving the information addressed to an external server from a local device being under the control; and communication information transfer means 103 which performs the relay processing for converting the received information into a processable form for another relay device in a destination and then transfers it to another relay device when the transfer determination means determines the transfer to another relay device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay apparatus, a communication system, a communication information transfer method, and a communication information transfer for realizing communication between a device (local device) such as a sensor device or an actuator device connected by a local network and an external server. Regarding the program.

  In recent years, sensor devices and actuator devices have attracted attention in fields such as smart grids and home networks. In smart grids and home networks, a large amount of information (eg, environmental information such as power information, temperature information, vibration information, and sound information) that changes every moment in each local area (eg, office, factory, home, car, etc.) In order to obtain the information, a sensor device or a specific environmental information measuring device is used.

  Information obtained from such sensor devices having a communication function is handled by an information processing apparatus such as a server connected to a local area to which the device is connected, as well as an Internet network or a 3G network (or a future network). It is assumed that processing is performed in an external server connected via a 4G network. For example, the power consumption information obtained in each home is stored and processed by an information processing device provided in each home, and is a server deployed in a company (power generation company, power transmission company, power distribution company) that supplies power And is processed by an application in the server.

  Similarly, the actuators installed in each local area (devices that change the environment) are also controlled in the servers connected to each local area, as well as externally connected via the Internet network. It can also be controlled from the server.

  When an external server obtains information acquired by a sensor device in the local area via the Internet network or controls an actuator in the local area from a server over the Internet network, the sensor device or actuator device and the external device Communication between servers is a problem. There are various forms of sensor devices and actuator devices. However, in the arrangement of these devices, there are many forms using wireless communication modules because of the advantage that communication wiring is unnecessary.

  For example, communication protocols such as Zigbee and Z-wave have been used for wireless communication of these devices. Zigbee or Z-wave is a standardized protocol targeting sensor devices and actuator devices. Also, from the viewpoint of simplicity of the protocol stack and energy saving of the power consumption, a unique protocol stack is used instead of adopting a publicly known TCP / IP stack as a protocol for realizing the Internet. For this reason, a device equipped with Zigbee or Z-wave communication protocol cannot directly communicate with many servers adopting a TCP / IP stack. Further, since the Internet network is also constructed by TCP / IP, it is not possible to support communication of a device equipped with Zigbee or Z-wave. Accordingly, the sensor device or actuator device cannot communicate directly with the external server over the Internet network.

  As a method of realizing communication between a communication device such as a sensor device or an actuator device that implements a communication protocol other than TCP / IP and an external server via the Internet network or the like, a relay device such as xGW is provided between them to communicate There is a method of relaying. The xGW installed in the local area is a device that supports a communication protocol implemented by a communication device such as Zigbee or Z-wave and that is equipped with a TCP / IP stack. In addition, as an embodiment of xGW, there are a router (particularly BBR: Broad Band Router), a server device, and the like. The xGW obtains information from the sensor device and transmits the obtained information to an external server by a TCP / IP communication method. When receiving an actuator control communication from an external server, the control information is transmitted to the control target actuator using a protocol (Zigbee, Z-wave, etc.) implemented by the actuator device.

  When xGW obtains communication information from a device (including sensor information and the like, the MAC address of the device and a unique identification code), relay processing such as header analysis and payload analysis of the communication information is performed. Then, the communication information (packet header, payload information, etc.) subjected to the relay processing is converted into a message format that can be processed by the external server, and then the message is transmitted to the external server on the external network. The communication from the external server to the device is performed in the reverse order as described above, converted to a message format that can be processed by the device, and then sent to the device on the local network. Done.

  As described above, the local device and the external server are relayed by relaying communication between the device connected to the xGW by the local network (hereinafter referred to as a local device) and the external server over the external network such as the Internet network. Communication with is realized.

  In the xGW that realizes communication between a local device and an external server, it is necessary to support application communication with the local device and support application communication with the external server. That is, xGW can handle information from a sensor device or information to an actuator device by performing application processing in a communication protocol such as Zigbee or Z-wave. On the other hand, information regarding sensors and actuators must be exchanged with an external server in application communication on TCP / IP handled by the external server.

  Each external server can handle its own application communication. Thus, in order to support communication between many external servers and local devices, the xGW particularly needs to support a variety of application communications with external servers.

  By the way, in communication between a local device realized by xGW and an external server, if the local device moves to another local network, there may be a problem that xGW relay processing does not operate normally.

  As described above, the local device requires a relay device such as xGW in order to communicate with the external server. When such a local device moves on a network, communication with an external server is realized only when relay processing by the xGW installed in the destination local area operates. However, the xGW installed in the destination local area may or may not perform relay processing for communication between these devices that have moved and the external server.

The following xGW operation policy can be considered as the reason why the xGW does not perform relay processing.
-Do not relay communication between all mobile devices and external servers.
-Do not relay communication between specific mobile devices and external servers.
-Do not relay communication between a mobile device that requires a specific external server communication application and the external server.

In addition to the problem of the xGW specification (hereinafter referred to as the “spec”), the reason why the xGW cannot perform the relay processing is considered to be the following xGW operation policy.
-Since it is a mobile device that requires a communication application of an external server that is not supported in operation, communication with the external server cannot be relayed.
-Since it is a mobile device that requires a communication application of an external server that cannot be supported due to specifications, communication with the external server cannot be relayed.

  In addition, even when a communication failure occurs in the communication path from the xGW to the external server, the xGW cannot perform the relay process.

  As described above, in the xGW that performs normal relay processing, the local device does not operate or may not perform relay processing for communication between the local device that has moved and the external server. When moving an area, there is a possibility that communication with an external server cannot be performed.

  For example, MIP (Mobile IP) shown in Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2 is widely known as a technology related to movement of communication terminals. However, MIP is intended for IP device movement support and does not consider movement support for non-IP devices such as sensor devices and actuator devices. In particular, the xGW as described above cannot support device movement on network communication that requires relay processing of communication at the application level.

  Patent Document 1 describes a message transmission method for enabling communication between a personal area network (PAN) such as a Zigbee network and an Internet protocol (IP) network. In the message transmission method described in Patent Document 1, a port on the IP interface is allocated to a PAN client in the PAN, and a routing table for associating with the port is stored in a memory. Based on the routing table Carry messages between the PAN client and the IP network. For example, a message originated in an IP network is carried to a corresponding client in the PAN based on which port the message was received on.

  Also, in the message transmission method described in Patent Document 1, a Zigbee client using the Zigbee protocol is implemented on the IP network by mounting the Zigbee stack on the IP stack and encapsulating the Zigbee message on the IP network. Enables communication to.

Special table 410-503276

"IP Mobility Support for IPv4", IETF RFC 3344, August 2002 “Mobility Support in IPv6”, IETF RFC 3775, June 2004.

  However, although the method described in Patent Document 1 allows communication between the local device in the PAN managed by itself and the external server, the local device has moved. At this time, no consideration is given to the continuous communication with the external server in the destination network. For example, there is no disclosure about what relay device the encapsulated packet is transferred to.

  As described above, in a network that realizes communication between a local device and an external server over the Internet network by a relay device such as xGW performing communication relay processing, particularly application level relay processing, When moving to another local network, the xGW that performs relay processing in the destination local network communicates with the device that has moved to the external server due to problems with the operation policy or specifications of the xGW. If the relay process cannot be performed or is not performed, communication between the moved local device and the external server becomes impossible.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a network that realizes communication between a local device and an external server on an external network such as the Internet by a relay device, and even when the local device moves to another local network, the destination local It is an object to provide a relay device, a communication system, a communication information transfer method, and a communication information transfer program that enable communication with an external server in a network.

  A relay device according to the present invention is a relay device for realizing communication between a local device that is a device on a local network and an external server that is a server on an external network, and communicates with the device on the local network. Received when a device connection interface that is a communication interface for communication, an external connection interface that is a communication interface for communication with a device on an external network, and information destined for an external server from a local device under its control Transfer determination means for determining whether or not to transfer the information to another relay apparatus on an external network capable of relaying the information, and the transfer determination means determines to transfer to the other relay apparatus The received information is being converted into a form that can be processed by another forwarding device at the transfer destination. In terms of processing conducted, characterized in that a communication information transfer means for transferring to another relay device.

  A communication system according to the present invention is a communication system for realizing communication between a local device that is a device on a local network and an external server that is a server on an external network, the first relay device and And a second relay device, wherein the first relay device is a device connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with a device on the local network, and a communication interface for communicating with a device on the external network. Whether to forward the received information to another relay device on the external network that can relay the information when receiving the information addressed to the external server from the external connection interface and the local device under control Transfer determination means for determining the transfer, and at least the transfer determination means for transfer to another relay device Is determined, the received information is subjected to relay processing for conversion into a form that can be processed by the other relay device of the transfer destination, and then forward communication information transfer means for transferring to the other relay device; When the transfer information receiving means for receiving information transferred from another relay apparatus and the information addressed to the local device under the relay apparatus are received from the external server transferred from the other relay apparatus by the transfer information receiving means. And a device-side relay processing means for transmitting the received information to the local device after performing a predetermined relay processing corresponding to the local device that is the final destination. An external connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with a device on an external network, transfer information receiving means for receiving information transferred from another relay device, and transfer When information destined for an external server is received from a local device under the control of another relay device by the information receiving means, a predetermined relay process corresponding to the external server that is the final destination is performed on the received information. The external server side relay processing means for transmitting to the external server, and at least another relay device to which the local device of the final destination is connected when receiving information other than that addressed to the subordinate local device from the external server. After performing a predetermined relay process corresponding to the external server that is the transmission source for the received information as the transfer destination and converting the received information into a form that can be processed by another relay apparatus of the transfer destination, And downlink communication information transfer means for transferring to another relay device.

  A communication information transfer method according to the present invention is a communication information transfer method for realizing communication between a local device that is a device on a local network and an external server that is a server on an external network, A relay device having a device connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with an upper device and an external connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with a device on an external network is transmitted from a subordinate local device. When information addressed to an external server is received, it is determined whether or not the received information is to be transferred to another relay device on an external network capable of relaying the information, and transferred to the other relay device. Once determined, the received information is converted into a form that can be processed by another forwarding device at the transfer destination. After performing relay processing for, characterized by transferring to another relay device.

  A communication information transfer program according to the present invention is a communication information transfer program for realizing communication between a local device which is a device on a local network and an external server which is a server on an external network. A relay device computer having a device connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with an upper device and an external connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with a device on an external network is connected to a subordinate local computer. When receiving information destined for an external server from the device, a process for determining whether to forward the received information to another relay device on the external network capable of relaying the information, and to another relay device When it is decided to transfer, the received information is transferred. On to which the other relay device has performed the relay process of converting a processable form, characterized in that to execute the process of transferring to another relay device.

  According to the present invention, even when a local device moves to another local network in a network that realizes communication between the local device and an external server on an external network such as the Internet by a relay device, the destination local Communication with an external server can be performed in the network.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance of the network in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the device movement support transfer apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the device movement support acceptance apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a device movement support transfer apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a device movement support acceptance apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of communication between the apparatuses in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the device movement support apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1. FIG.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of a network in the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, as a network configuration in the present embodiment, a local network 41 that is a movement source network of a local device 52 (hereinafter simply referred to as a device 52) such as a sensor device or an actuator device, and a movement destination network. A local network 42 and the Internet 1 which is an external network are shown.

  Here, it is assumed that the device 52 is connected to the local network 41 before moving on the network. That is, it is assumed that the device 52 and the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 are connected to each other via the local network 41 so as to communicate with each other. In FIG. 1, the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 is shown as a relay apparatus for relaying communication between a local device deployed in the local network 41 and an external server. The accepting device 3 is not limited to such a condition as long as it is a device capable of relaying communication between the device 52 and the external server 51. For example, a relay device such as a public xGW in a public facility may be used.

  In addition, an external server 51, a device movement support receiving apparatus 3, a device movement support transfer apparatus 2, and an address management server 53 are connected to the Internet 1. The device movement support transfer device 2 is a relay device for relaying communication between the local device and an external server. Note that the local networks 41 and 42 may be wired or wireless. Also, the external network is not limited to the Internet 1 and may be wired or wireless.

  In the present embodiment, when it is determined that the mobile support transfer device 2 that is a relay device in the local network 42 of the movement destination cannot or does not relay the communication between the device 52 that has moved and the external server 51, The communication is transferred to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 that can perform the relay processing of the communication between the device 52 and the external server 51, and the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 receives from the device movement support receiving apparatus 2. In response to the transfer of communication, the relay processing of the communication between the device 52 and the external server 51 (especially the relay processing on the external server side) is performed instead. Allows communication between the device and an external server.

  More simply, in this embodiment, when the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 determines that the relay process of communication between the mobile device 52 and the external server 51 is not performed or cannot be performed, the mobile device 52 and the external server 51 The communication is transferred to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 capable of performing the communication relay process.

  When the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 obtains information from the moved device 52, the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 determines whether or not to transfer communication to the device movement support reception apparatus 3, and performs transfer processing when it is determined to transfer the information.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the device movement support transfer apparatus 2. In addition, the direction of the arrow line in FIG. 2 has shown the detailed control and reference between each component for demonstrating the characteristic in this invention, and the flow of information. As shown in FIG. 2, the device movement support transfer device 2 of the present embodiment includes an external server application processing unit 21, a device application processing unit 22, an external connection interface 23, a device connection interface 24, and a communication transfer determination unit. 25, a transfer destination address resolution unit 26, and a communication transfer processing unit 27.

  The external connection interface 23 provides a communication interface between the device movement support transfer device 2 and other devices on the external network 1 (in this example, the device movement support receiving device 3, the external server 51, the address management server 53, etc.). To do.

  The device connection interface 24 provides a communication interface with a local device (a device 52 in this example) on the local network 42 to which the device movement support transfer device 2 performs a relay process with an external network.

  The external server application processing unit 21 basically relays the communication information from the external server 51 to the device 52 and the communication information from the device 52 to the external server 51 at the application level corresponding to the connected external server. Process. In the present embodiment, when the external server application processing unit 21 receives communication information from the external server 51 to the device 52 via the external connection interface 23, the external server application processing unit 21 uses the received communication information as a device application that is the next processing function. The data is converted into a format that can be handled (processed) by the processing unit 22 and passed to the device application processing unit 22. When the external server application processing unit 21 determines that the device movement support transfer device 2 directly transmits to the external server 51 the communication information to the external server 51 received by the communication transfer determination unit 25, the communication information Is subjected to relay processing such as packet header format and payload format conversion to convert the communication information into a format that can be processed by the external server 51 that is the final destination and can be transferred to the external server 51. To the external server 51.

  In this embodiment, the expression “communication information” is used generically for all pieces of information necessary for realizing communication. The communication information includes not only data actually required by the application (for example, sensor information from the sensor device and control information to the actuator device), but also packet header information (MAC address, network) for communicating those data. Address, unique identification code, and other various control information), information included in a control message necessary for establishing data communication, and information that can be acquired at the time of initialization may be included.

  The device application processing unit 22 basically relays the communication information from the device 52 to the external server 51 and the communication information from the external server 51 to the device 52 at the application level corresponding to the local device of the connection destination. Process. In the present embodiment, when the device application processing unit 22 receives communication information from the device 52 to the external server 51 via the device connection interface 24, the device application processing unit 22 once passes the received communication information to the communication transfer determination unit 25. If the communication transfer determination unit 25 determines that the device movement support transfer device 2 directly transmits to the external server 51, the external server application processing unit 21, which is the next processing function, can handle the received communication information. The data is converted into a format and passed to the external server application processing unit 21. In addition, when the device application processing unit 22 receives communication information from the external server application processing unit 21 or the information transfer processing unit 27 to the device 52, the device application processing unit 22 performs conversion of packet header format, payload format, and the like on the received communication information. Relay processing is performed to convert the communication information into a format that can be processed by the device 52 as the final destination and transferable to the device 52, and is transmitted to the device 52 via the device connection interface 24.

  When the communication transfer determining unit 25 receives the communication information from the device application processing unit 22 to the external server 51, the communication transfer determining unit 25 forwards the communication information to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 to be relayed to the external server 51. Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the device movement support transfer device 2 directly transmits to the external server 51. In addition, when transferring to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3, the relay processing corresponding to the external server 51 is performed by the device movement support receiving apparatus 3.

  The communication transfer determination unit 25 determines whether to transmit the received communication information to the external server 51 by the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 or directly based on the specifications and the operation policy of the device movement support transfer apparatus 2. To do. Note that the specifications include, for example, CPU processing capacity, memory capacity, the ability of the chip set constituting the device movement support transfer device 2, and the ability of software functions related to communication processing between the local device and the external server (software name, version) Etc. Below, an example of a judgment criterion is shown. In addition, the following judgment criteria may be provided with all or only a part. Also, the criteria can be easily extended.

(Criteria 1-1) Transfer communication between all mobile devices and the external server to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3.
(Criteria 1-2) Transfer the communication between the specific mobile device and the external server to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3.
(Judgment Criteria 1-3) Transfer the communication between a mobile device that requires a communication application of a specific external server and the external server to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3.
(Judgment criteria 1-4) Since the mobile device requires a communication application of an external server that is not supported in operation, the communication between the mobile device and the external server is transferred to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3.
(Judgment Criteria 1-5) Since the mobile device requires a communication application of an external server that cannot be supported due to specifications, the communication between the mobile device and the external server is transferred to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3.
(Criteria 1-6) Since communication with the external server cannot be performed due to some failure, the communication between the external server and the mobile device is transferred to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3.

  If the communication transfer determining unit 25 determines to transfer the received communication information to the external server 51 to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3, the communication transfer determining unit 25 receives the information to resolve the network address of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 that is the transfer destination. The transferred communication information is transferred to the transfer destination address resolution unit 26 and then transferred to the communication transfer processing unit 27 together with the resolved network address. On the other hand, when it is determined to transmit directly from the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 to the external server 51, the received communication information is passed to the external server application processing unit 21.

  The transfer destination address resolution unit 26 receives the MAC address of the local device (source) included in the received communication information when the communication transfer determination unit 25 is requested to resolve the network address of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3. The network address of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 as a transfer destination is resolved based on the identification code (address) unique to the device and the device. Specifically, the address management server 53 is inquired about the network address of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 via the external connection interface 23. As a result, a response from the address management server 53 is received via the external connection interface 23, and the network address of the transfer destination device movement support receiving apparatus 3 resolved by the received response is passed to the communication transfer determining unit 25.

  The communication transfer processing unit 27 performs relay processing (packet header format, conversion of payload format, etc.) for enabling transfer of communication information to the external server 51 received from the communication transfer determination unit 25 to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3. Do. Then, the communication transfer processing unit 27 transfers the converted communication information to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 via the external connection interface 23. In addition, the communication transfer processing unit 27 transmits the communication information transferred from the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 via the external connection interface 23 (transmitted from the external server 51 to the device 52 transferred by the device movement support receiving apparatus 3. Communication information) is received instead of the external server application processing unit 21, and the received communication information is passed to the device application processing unit 22 which is the next processing function. At this time, the communication transfer processing unit 27 may perform relay processing at an application level corresponding to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 that is the transfer source.

  Further, when receiving the communication information from the device movement support transfer apparatus 2, the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 determines whether or not it can be accepted and relays the communication information to the external server. .

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3. In addition, the direction of the arrow line in FIG. 3 has shown the detailed control and reference between each component for demonstrating the characteristic in this invention, and the flow of information. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 according to this embodiment includes an external server application processing unit 31, a communication transfer processing unit 32, a transfer reception determination unit 33, and an external connection interface 34. .

  The external connection interface 34 provides a communication interface between the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 and other apparatuses on the external network 1 (in this example, the device movement support transfer apparatus 2, the external server 51, the address management server 53, etc.). To do.

  The external server application processing unit 31 basically relays the communication information from the external server 51 to the device 52 and the communication information from the device 52 to the external server 51 at the application level corresponding to the connected external server. Process. In the present embodiment, when the external server application processing unit 31 is instructed to transmit communication information to the external server 51 from the communication transfer processing unit 32, the external server application processing unit 31 transmits the communication information (the local information transferred by the device movement support transfer device 2). Relay processing for converting the communication information from the device 52 under the network 42 to the external server 51) into a format that can be processed by the external server 51 as the final destination and transferred to the external server 51 is performed via the external connection interface 23. To the external server 51.

  When the external server application processing unit 31 receives communication information from the external server 51 to the device 52 via the external connection interface 23, the external server application processing unit 31 performs the next processing function (here, transfer) on the received communication information. A relay process is performed for conversion into a format that can be handled by the communication transfer processing unit 27 and the device application processing unit 22) of the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 that is the destination, and the communication information after the relay process is transferred to the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 Therefore, the data is transferred to the communication transfer processing unit 32.

  The communication transfer processing unit 32 transmits the communication information transferred by the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 via the external connection interface 34 (transmitted from the local device moved from the local network under the control, and the device movement support transfer apparatus 2), the received communication information is passed to the transfer acceptance determination unit 33 to inquire of the transfer acceptance determination unit 33 whether the transfer is acceptable. When the communication transfer processing unit 32 receives a response indicating acceptance permission from the transfer acceptance determination unit 33, the communication transfer processing unit 32 passes the received communication information to the external server application processing unit 31. At that time, the transmission of the communication information to an external server is instructed.

  The transfer acceptance determination unit 33 determines whether to accept the transferred communication information based on the communication information received from the communication transfer processing unit 32. As the determination criteria, for example, the following can be considered according to the specifications and operation policy of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3. The following criteria may be provided all or only a part. Also, the criteria can be easily extended.

(Criteria 2-1) Accept or reject all forwarded communication information.
(Judgment Criteria 2-2) Accept or reject communication information from an arbitrarily designated specific mobile device.
(Criteria 2-3) Accept or reject communication information for a communication application of a specific external server that is arbitrarily specified.
(Judgment Criteria 2-4) Reject communication information for communication applications of external servers that cannot be supported due to specifications.
(Judgment Criteria 2-5) Accept communication information transferred for the reason of failure.

  In these determination criteria, an arbitrary designation method of a specific device includes designation of an address unit or device-specific identification code unit, designation of a subnet unit, designation of a mobile device unit originally supported by the device movement support receiving apparatus 3, cooperation There is designation of a moving device unit that is inherently supported by the related device movement support transfer apparatus 2, and it can be flexibly expanded.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, the operation of the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the device movement support transfer apparatus 2. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, when the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 receives communication information from the device 52, the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 proceeds to step S <b> 101 to perform application processing corresponding to the device 52 that is the transmission source (Yes in step S <b> 100). . If not received, the process proceeds to step S107 to determine reception from the external server (No in step S100).

  In step S101, the device application processing unit 22 performs application processing (relay processing) corresponding to the device 52 that is the transmission source on the received communication information. As the relay processing here, the device application processing unit 22 uses, for example, an external server application processing unit (in this case, the device) that uses the binary data (both binary and text can be received) received from the device 52 as the next processing function. The external server application processing unit 21 or the external server application processing unit 31 of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 at the transfer destination performs processing for conversion into text data (both binary and text are possible). Also, for example, the next processing function can be understood by rearranging the arrangement of information or adding additional information such as address information, various control information, and data information included in device-specific data received from the device 52. It is also conceivable to perform processing for conversion to a possible data format.

  The communication transfer determination unit 25 that has received the communication information for which the application processing corresponding to the device 52 has been completed determines whether to transfer the received communication information to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 or directly to the external server 51. (Step S102).

  When transferring to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 (Yes in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103 in order to perform a transfer process to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3. On the other hand, when the communication information is directly transmitted from the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 to the external server (No in Step S102), the external server application processing unit 21 in the apparatus relays the external server corresponding to the transmission destination. Proceed to step S105 for processing.

  In step S103, based on the communication information to be transferred, the transfer destination address resolution unit 26 inquires of the address management server about the network address of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 that is the transfer destination apparatus, and performs address resolution of the transfer destination apparatus.

  Note that the information of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 serving as the transfer destination may be obtained, for example, from the moving device that has moved, the destination address (IP address or the like) of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 serving as the transfer destination. As another example, an address management server that manages the IP address information of the device movement support transfer device 2 and the device movement support reception device 3 is installed, and the unique identification information (for example, MAC address) of the mobile device and the mobile device It manages the database associated with the IP address of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 having the required transfer processing function, and the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 uses the unique identification information of the moved mobile device to manage the address. The destination address of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 may be obtained by making an inquiry to the server. It should be noted that management of IP addresses and association of information on mobile devices and transfer destination apparatuses can be performed in separate databases. Further, instead of associating the mobile device with the information of the transfer destination apparatus, the external server or its application as the transmission destination and the information of the transfer destination apparatus may be associated with each other and managed.

  When the address of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 is resolved, the communication transfer processing unit 27 transfers the communication information relayed for transfer to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 via the external connection interface 23 (step S104).

  On the other hand, in step S105, the external server application processing unit 21 that has received the communication information for which the application processing by the device application processing unit 22 has been completed performs application processing (relay processing) corresponding to the external server 51 that is the transmission destination. For example, the external server application processing unit 21 uses the binary data (both binary and text) relayed by the device application processing unit 22 as the next processing function. Is converted to text data (both binary and text can be understood). In addition, for example, the address information, various control information, and data information included in the data relayed by the device application processing unit 22 are rearranged in the information arrangement or added with additional information. It is also conceivable to perform processing for conversion to a data format that can be understood by the application function. Here, data conversion to a data format in accordance with an application protocol and a communication protocol handled by an external server (which can be either original or standardized) is included. Then, the relayed communication information is transmitted to the external server 51 via the external connection interface 23 (step S106).

  If the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 receives communication information from the external server 51 (Yes in step S107), the process proceeds to step S108 in order to perform application processing corresponding to the external server 51 that is the transmission source. If not received (No in step S107), the process proceeds to step S111 to determine reception from the device movement support receiving apparatus 3.

  In step S <b> 108, the external server application processing unit 21 performs application processing (relay processing) corresponding to the transmission source external server 51 on the communication information received from the external server 51. As the relay processing here, the external server application processing unit 21 can understand, for example, the device application processing unit 22 serving as the next processing function for binary data (which can be either binary or text) received from the external server 51. A process of converting to text data (both binary and text are possible) is performed. Further, for example, by re-arranging the arrangement of information or adding additional information to the address information, various control information, data information, etc. included in the data of the external server received from the external server 51, the device movement support transfer device 2 may be processed to be converted into a data format understandable by other processing functions (device application processing unit 22 or the like).

  The device application processing unit 22 that has received the communication information for which the application processing by the external server application processing unit 21 has been completed performs application processing (relay processing) corresponding to the device 52 that is the transmission destination (step S109). As the relay process here, the device application processing unit 22 uses, for example, binary data (which can be either binary or text) relay-processed by the external server application processing unit 21 as an application of the device 52 serving as the next processing function. Is converted to text data (both binary and text can be understood). In addition, for example, the address information, various control information, and data information included in the data relayed by the external server application processing unit 21 are rearranged in the information arrangement or added with additional information. It is also conceivable to perform processing for conversion to a data format that can be understood by the application function. Here, data conversion to a data format in accordance with an application protocol and a communication protocol handled by the device 52 (which can be either original or standardized) is included. Then, the relayed communication information is transmitted to the device 52 via the device connection interface 24 (step S110).

  If the device movement support transfer device 2 receives communication information from the device movement support receiving device 3 (Yes in step S111), the device movement support transfer device 2 proceeds to step S112 in order to perform application processing corresponding to the device 52 that is the transmission destination. In the present embodiment, application processing (transfer processing) corresponding to the external server 51 that is the transmission source in the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 is already performed on the communication information transferred from the device movement support receiving apparatus 3. It is assumed that

  In step S112, the device application processing unit 22 performs application processing (relay processing) corresponding to the device 52 that is the transmission destination. The relay processing here is basically the same as the relay processing performed in step S109. That is, the device application processing unit 22 performs, for example, binary data (which can be either binary or text) relayed by the external server application processing unit 31 of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 as relay processing here. A process for converting the data into text data (both binary and text can be understood) that can be understood by the application of the device 52 serving as the processing function is performed. In addition, for example, the address information, various control information, and data information included in the data relayed by the external server application processing unit 21 are rearranged in the information arrangement or added with additional information. It is also conceivable to perform processing for conversion to a data format that can be understood by the application function. Here, data conversion to a data format in accordance with an application protocol and a communication protocol handled by the device 52 (which can be either original or standardized) is included. Then, the relayed communication information is transmitted to the device 52 via the device connection interface 24 (step S113).

  Relay processing from the external server application processing unit 21 completed within the device to the device application processing unit 22 and relay from the external server application processing unit 31 of the device movement support receiving device 3 across the devices to the device application processing unit 22 The processing may require different data. In such a case, in such a case, a different data format may be defined for each route, and conversion processing corresponding to the data format may be performed. Note that this difference can be absorbed by the communication transfer processing unit 32 and the communication transfer processing unit 27 after defining different data formats.

  Finally, if communication information has not been received from any of the subordinate device 52, the external server 51, and the device movement support receiving apparatus 3, the process is terminated to wait for the next reception (No in step S111). ). As described above, in the device movement support transfer device 2, the device movement support transfer device 2 performs relay processing according to each transmission source / transfer source as the previous processing function and each transmission destination / transfer destination as the next processing function. The necessary information is delivered to the external server 51 and the device 52, which are final destinations.

  Next, the operation of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, when the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 receives communication information from the device movement support transfer apparatus (Yes in step S <b> 200), the device movement support reception apparatus 3 determines whether to accept the transferred communication information. Proceed to step S201. If not received (No in step S200), the process proceeds to step S204 to determine reception from the external server.

  In step S201, the transfer acceptance determination unit 33 determines whether to accept the transferred communication information. If it is determined to be accepted (Yes in step S201), the process proceeds to step S202 to perform application processing corresponding to the external server 51. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that application processing corresponding to the device 52 that is the transmission source has already been performed in the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 for the communication information transferred from the device movement support transfer apparatus 2. It is said. On the other hand, if it is determined to be rejected (No in step S201), the process is terminated as it is.

  In step S202, the external server application processing unit 31 performs application processing (relay processing) corresponding to the external server 51 that is the transmission destination. The relay processing here is basically the same as the relay processing performed in step S105 in FIG. That is, the external server application processing unit 31 performs, for example, binary data (which can be either binary or text) relayed by the device application processing unit 22 of the device movement support transfer device 2 as the relay processing here. A process of converting to text data (both binary and text can be understood) that can be understood by the application of the external server 51 serving as a processing function is performed. In addition, for example, the address information, various control information, and data information included in the data relayed by the device application processing unit 22 are rearranged in the information arrangement or added with additional information. It is also conceivable to perform processing for conversion to a data format that can be understood by the application function. Here, data conversion to a data format in accordance with an application protocol and a communication protocol handled by an external server (which can be either original or standardized) is included. Then, the relayed communication information is transmitted to the external server 51 via the external connection interface 33 (step S203).

  In addition, the relay processing from the device application processing unit 22 to the external server application processing unit 21 that is completed in the apparatus, and the external server of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 from the device application processing unit 22 of the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 across the apparatus It is conceivable that the required data differs from the relay processing to the application processing unit 31. In such a case, a different data format may be defined for each path, and conversion processing corresponding thereto may be performed. Note that this difference can be absorbed by the communication transfer processing unit 32 and the communication transfer processing unit 27 after defining different data formats.

  If the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 receives communication information from the external server 51 (Yes in step S204), the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 proceeds to step S205 to perform application processing corresponding to the external server 51 that is the transmission source. If communication information has not been received from either the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 or the external server 51, the process ends to wait for the next reception (No in step S204).

  In step S <b> 205, the external server application processing unit 31 performs application processing (relay processing) corresponding to the transmission source external server 51 on the communication information received from the external server 51. The relay process here is basically the same as the relay process performed in step S108. That is, the external server application processing unit 31 performs, for example, binary data (which can be either binary or text) received from the external server 51 as the next processing function. The device application processing unit 22 performs processing for conversion into text data that can be understood (both binary and text are possible). Further, for example, by re-arranging the arrangement of information or adding additional information to the address information, various control information, data information, etc. included in the data of the external server received from the external server 51, the device movement support transfer device 2 may perform processing for conversion into a data format that can be understood by the processing functions (such as the communication transfer processing unit 27 and the device application processing unit 22). Then, the relayed communication information is transferred to the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 via the external connection interface 34 (step S206).

  It should be noted that the relay processing from the external server application processing unit 21 to the device application processing unit 22 that is completed within the device, and the device of the device movement support transfer device 2 from the external server application processing unit 31 of the device movement support receiving device 3 across the device. The necessary data may be different from the relay processing to the application processing unit 22. In such a case, a different data format may be defined for each path, and conversion processing corresponding thereto may be performed. Note that this difference can be absorbed by the communication transfer processing unit 32 and the communication transfer processing unit 27 after defining different data formats.

  In the present embodiment, a generic term for processing for converting communication information so that the processing function that receives the communication information can handle the next processing function is called “relay processing”. For example, the application processing in the external server application processing unit 21 and the packet conversion processing in the device application processing unit 12 are different in specific processing contents, but are all processing that converts them into a form that can be handled by the next processing function. Both are relay processes. The next processing function may physically be another device. For example, after the process of the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 or the device movement support 4 can be performed, the next process can be left to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 or the device movement support 4.

  Next, the flow of communication between apparatuses in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the network and the flow of communication according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, as in the case shown in FIG. 1, the device 52 supports the device movement from the local area managed by the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 (such as HGW) that originally supports itself. The case where it moved to the local area which the transfer apparatus 2 manages is shown. Arrow lines from reference numerals 61 to 68 indicate the flow of communication information and the inquiry and response of address information. In the transmission / reception of a series of communication information shown in FIG. 6, the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 and the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 perform communication information relay processing.

  That is, when the device 52 moved to the local network 42 transmits the communication information desired to be delivered to the external server 51 to the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 that is the current connection destination (step S61), the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 Then, it is determined whether the received communication information is directly transmitted to the external server 51 or transferred via the device movement support receiving apparatus 3. In this example, it is assumed that transfer to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 is determined according to the determination criteria such as the determination criteria 1-1 to 1-6 described above.

  Then, the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 inquires of the address management server 53 about the network address of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 (step S62), and receives a response from the address management server 53 (step S63). After the application processing corresponding to the device 52 is performed, the communication information is transferred to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 (step S64). At that time, the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 performs application processing corresponding to the device 52 that is the transmission source on the received communication information, and then transmits it to the device movement support reception apparatus 3 that is the transfer destination.

  The device movement support receiving apparatus 3 that has received the communication information from the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 determines whether or not to accept the transfer of the received communication information. (Step S65). At that time, the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 performs application processing corresponding to the external server 51 that is the transmission destination on the received communication information, completes relay processing to the external server 51, and then moves the device. Transfer to support receiving apparatus 3.

  The external server 51 processes the received communication information. At that time, if necessary, communication information including control information for the device 52 (including other local devices in the same local area) is transmitted to the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 (step S66).

  The device movement support receiving apparatus 3 that has received the communication information from the external server 51 recognizes that it is communication information addressed to the local device that supports device movement from the information of the device 52 that is the transmission destination. The data is transferred to the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 which is the current connection destination of the local network to which the device is connected (step S67). At that time, the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 performs application processing corresponding to the external server 51 that is the transmission source on the received communication information, and then transmits it to the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 that is the transfer destination. .

  The device movement support transfer apparatus 2 that has received the communication information from the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 transmits the received communication information to the subordinate device 52 (step S68). At that time, the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 performs application processing corresponding to the device 52 that is the transmission destination on the received communication information, completes the relay processing to the device 52, and then transmits to the device 52. To do.

  As described above, the device movement support transfer device 2 transfers the communication information from the device 52, which is a subordinate local device, to the device movement support reception device 3, and the device movement support reception device 3 transmits to the external server 51. Thus, for example, the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 that performs relay processing in the destination local network performs relay processing of communication between the device 52 and the external server 51 that has moved due to a problem in the operation policy or a problem in specifications. Even if it is not possible or not, the communication information from the device 52 is appropriately relayed in the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 and the device movement support reception apparatus 3 and transmitted to the external server 51 as the final destination. can do.

  In particular, since a device that supports application communication handled by an external server required by the moved local device can be used as a communication relay processing destination, even when the local device moves, Communication with the server becomes possible.

  Further, the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 transfers the communication information from the external server to the device movement support transfer apparatus 2, and the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 transmits the information to the device 52 that is a subordinate local device. In addition, the communication information from the external server 51 can be appropriately relayed in the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 and the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 and transmitted to the device 52 as the final destination. That is, even when the local device moves, the destination relay device (device transfer support transfer device 2 in this example) can transfer the communication information addressed to the external server from the local device. By transferring to another relay apparatus (in this example, the device movement support receiving apparatus 3), it becomes possible to solve the problem that communication between the moved local device and the external server becomes impossible.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 and the device movement support reception apparatus 3 are shown as apparatuses having different configurations depending on their functions, but the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 and the device movement support reception apparatus 3 Even if the relay apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a device movement support apparatus) having both functions is replaced, the same operation can be performed.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the device movement support apparatus according to the present embodiment. 7 includes an external server application processing unit 41, a device application processing unit 42, an external connection interface 43, a device connection interface 44, a communication transfer determination unit 45, and a transfer destination address resolution unit. 46, a communication transfer processing unit 47, and a transfer acceptance determination unit 48.

  One implementation example of the device movement support apparatus 4 is xGW. Therefore, even when the local device moves, the xGW that is the device movement support apparatus 4 that is the movement destination moves the local device to another xGW that can transfer the communication information (for example, the device movement support apparatus 4 that is the movement source). By transferring the communication information from the network, it becomes possible to solve the problem that communication between the moved local device and the external server becomes impossible.

  The device movement support apparatus 4 performs any operation of the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 and the device movement support reception apparatus 3. That is, by providing a plurality of device movement support apparatuses 4, the device movement support apparatus 4 can transfer and accept communication information of the mobile devices.

  The external server application processing unit 41 takes a form in which the function of the external server application processing unit 21 of the device movement support transfer device 2 and the function of the external server application processing unit 31 of the device movement support receiving device 3 are combined. That is, when the external server application processing unit 41 receives communication information from the external server 51 to the device 52 via the external connection interface 43, the device application processing unit 42, which is the next processing function, uses the received communication information. Is converted into a format that can be handled (processable) and passed to the device application processing unit 42. When the external server application processing unit 41 determines that the device movement support apparatus 4 directly transmits to the external server 51 the communication information from the device 52 received by the communication transfer determination unit 45 to the external server 51, Relay processing such as packet header format and payload format conversion is performed on the communication information, and the communication information is converted into a format that can be processed by the external server 51 as the final destination and can be transferred to the external server 51. The data is transmitted to the external server 51 through the interface 43.

  Also, when the external server application processing unit 41 is instructed to transmit the communication information transferred from the other device movement support apparatus 4 to the external server 51 from the communication transfer processing unit 42, the external server application processing unit 41 sends the communication information to the final destination. Relay processing is performed to convert the external server 51 into a format that can be processed and transferred to the external server 51, and is transmitted to the external server 51 via the external connection interface 43. In addition, when the external server application processing unit 41 receives communication information from the external server 51 to the device 52 under the vice movement support device 4 via the external connection interface 43, the external server application processing unit 41 responds to the received communication information. Performs a relay process to convert to a format that can be handled by the next processing function (that is, the communication transfer processing unit 47 or the device application processing unit 42 of another device movement support apparatus 4 that is a transfer destination), and the communication information after the relay process is The data is transferred to the communication transfer processing unit 42 of this apparatus for transfer to the device movement support apparatus 4.

  The device application processing unit 42 is the same as the device application processing unit 22 of the device movement support transfer device 2. That is, when communication information from the device 52 to the external server 51 is received via the device connection interface 44, the received communication information is once transferred to the communication transfer determination unit 45. If the device transfer support device 4 determines that the device transfer support device 4 directly transmits to the external server 51 thereafter, the received communication information is the next processing function of the external server application processing unit 41 of the device. Is converted to a format that can be handled by the external server application processing unit 41. When the device application processing unit 42 receives communication information from the external server application processing unit 41 or the information transfer processing unit 47 to the device 52, the device application processing unit 42 converts the packet header format, payload format, etc. Relay processing is performed to convert the communication information into a format that can be processed by the device 52 as the final destination and transferable to the device 52, and is transmitted to the device 52 via the device connection interface 44.

  The external connection interface 43 takes a form in which the function of the external connection interface 23 of the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 and the function of the external connection interface 34 of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 are combined. That is, the external connection interface 43 is a communication interface between the device movement support device 4 and other devices on the external network (in this example, the other device movement support device 4, the external server 51, the address management server 53, etc.). provide.

  The device connection interface 44 is the same as the device connection interface 24 of the device movement support transfer apparatus 2. That is, the device movement support apparatus 4 provides a communication interface with a local device (device 52 in this example) on the local network, which is a target for relay processing with an external network.

  The communication transfer determination unit 45 is the same as the communication transfer determination unit 25 of the device movement support transfer device 2. That is, when communication information from the device application processing unit 42 to the external server 51 is received, the communication information is transferred to another device movement support apparatus 4 to be relayed to the external server 51 or the device movement is performed. It is determined whether to transmit directly from the support device 4 to the external server 51.

  The transfer destination address resolution unit 46 is the same as the transfer destination address resolution unit 26 of the device movement support transfer device 2. That is, when the communication transfer determining unit 45 requests the network address resolution of another device movement support apparatus 4 as a transfer destination, the MAC address of the local device (source) included in the received communication information, The network address of the transfer apparatus is resolved based on an identification code (address) unique to the device.

  The communication transfer processing unit 47 takes a form in which the function of the communication transfer processing unit 27 of the device movement support transfer device 2 and the function of the communication transfer processing unit 32 of the device movement support receiving device 3 are combined. That is, relay processing (packet header format, payload format conversion, etc.) for enabling communication information received from the communication transfer determining unit 45 to the external server 51 to be transferred to another device movement support apparatus 4 as a transfer destination. Do. Then, the data is transferred to another device movement support apparatus 4 that is a transfer destination via the external connection interface 43. Further, the communication transfer processing unit 47 transmits the communication information transferred from the other device movement support apparatus 4 via the external connection interface 43 (the device transmitted from the external server 51 and transferred by the other device movement support apparatus 4). 52) is received instead of the external server application processing unit 41, and the received communication information is passed to the device application processing unit 42 which is the next processing function. At this time, the communication transfer processing unit 47 may perform relay processing at the application level such as converting received communication information into a form that can be processed by the device application processing unit 42.

  Further, the communication transfer processing unit 47 transmits communication information (communication information from the local network under the other device movement support apparatus 4 to the external server 51) transferred by the other device movement support apparatus 4 via the external connection interface 44. ) Is received, the received communication information is once passed to the transfer acceptance determination unit 48, and the transfer acceptance determination unit 48 is inquired as to whether or not the transfer is acceptable. Further, when the communication transfer processing unit 47 receives a response indicating acceptance permission from the transfer acceptance determination unit 48, the communication transfer processing unit 47 passes the received communication information to the external server application processing unit 41. At that time, the transmission of the communication information to an external server is instructed. At this time, the communication transfer processing unit 47 may perform relay processing at an application level such as converting received communication information into a form that can be processed by the external server application processing unit 41.

  The transfer acceptance determination unit 48 is the same as the transfer acceptance determination unit 33 of the device movement support reception apparatus 3. That is, based on the communication information received from the communication transfer processing unit 47, it is determined whether to accept the transferred communication information according to the specifications and operation policy of the device movement support receiving apparatus 3.

  The operation of the present embodiment is the same as the device movement support transfer apparatus 2 and the device movement support receiving apparatus 3 of the first embodiment, respectively, the first device movement support apparatus 4 and the second device movement support reception. It is the same as that replaced with the device 4.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which a target for performing transfer control is a mobile device has been described, but a target for performing transfer control is not limited to a mobile device. For example, even if a device has been under the local network from the beginning when the relay device started to operate, an external server that does not support the relay device is used as the destination, or the version of the subordinate device is upgraded. When the original device becomes a device driven by software not supported by the relay device, communication between such a device and an external server can be subject to transfer control.

  Next, the outline of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an outline of the present invention. A relay apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 8 is a relay apparatus for realizing communication between a local device 200 that is a device on a local network and an external server 300 that is a server on an external network, and includes a device connection interface 101. An external connection interface 102, a transfer determination unit 103, and a communication information transfer unit 104.

  The device connection interface 101 (for example, the device connection interfaces 24 and 44) is a communication interface for communicating with an apparatus (for example, the local device 200) on the local network.

  The external connection interface 102 (for example, the external connection interfaces 23, 34, and 43) is a communication interface for performing communication with devices (for example, the external server 200 and other relay devices 400) on the external network.

  The transfer determination unit 103 (for example, the communication transfer determination unit 25, 45) receives the information addressed to the external server (for example, the external server 300) from the subordinate local device (for example, the local device 200). It is determined whether the transferred information is transferred to another relay apparatus on the external network capable of relaying the information.

  The communication information transfer unit 104 (for example, the communication transfer processing unit 27, 32, 47), when the transfer determination unit 103 determines that the transfer is to be performed to another relay device, The relay device (for example, the relay device 400) performs relay processing for conversion into a form that can be processed, and then transfers the data to the other relay device.

  For example, the transfer determination unit 104 determines whether or not to transfer the information received in the relay device based on the specification or the operation policy of the relay device 100 to the other relay device. It may be judged.

  The communication information transfer unit 104, for example, when receiving information other than addressed to the local device under the control from an external server, sets the other relay device connected to the final destination local device as the transfer destination, The received information is subjected to predetermined relay processing corresponding to the external server that is the transmission source and converted into a form that can be processed by the other relay device of the transfer destination, and then the other relay device You may forward to.

  Although not shown, the relay apparatus 100 inquires of a predetermined address management server that manages an address on the external network about the address on the external network of another apparatus that is a transfer destination, and transfers it. Address resolution means for resolving the destination address at the time may be provided.

  Further, the relay device 100 may include a transfer information receiving unit that receives information transferred from another relay device. In such a case, when the information addressed to the external server is received from the local device under the control of another relay device by the transfer information receiving means, the received information corresponds to the external server that is the final destination. You may provide the external server side relay process means which transmits to this external server after performing a predetermined relay process.

  In addition, a transfer acceptance determining unit may be provided that determines whether to accept the information received by the transfer information receiving unit based on the specification or the operation policy of the relay device.

  In addition, when the information addressed to the local device under the relay device is received from the external server transferred from another relay device by the transfer information receiving means, the received information is sent to the local device that is the final destination. Device-side relay processing means for transmitting to the local device after performing corresponding predetermined relay processing may be provided.

  The present invention can be suitably applied to an application for realizing communication between a local device such as a sensor device or an actuator device and a server that handles information of the local device.

1 Internet (external network)
2 Device movement support transfer device 3 Device movement support receiving device 4 Device movement support device 51 External server 52 Local device 53 Address management server 21, 31, 41 External server application processing unit 22, 42 Device application processing unit 23, 34, 43 External connection interface 24, 44 Device connection interface 25, 45 Communication transfer determination unit 26, 46 Transfer destination address resolution unit 27, 32, 47 Communication transfer processing unit 33, 48 Transfer acceptance determination unit 100 Relay device 101 Device connection interface 102 External connection Interface 103 Transfer determination means 104 Communication information transfer means 200 Local device 300 External server 400 Other relay apparatus

Claims (10)

A relay device for realizing communication between a local device that is a device on a local network and an external server that is a server on an external network,
A device connection interface which is a communication interface for communicating with a device on the local network;
An external connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with devices on the external network;
A transfer determination means for determining whether or not to transfer the received information to another relay device on an external network capable of relaying the information when the information addressed to the external server is received from a subordinate local device; ,
When it is determined by the transfer determination means to transfer to another relay device, the received information is subjected to a relay process for converting the received information into a form that can be processed by the other relay device of the transfer destination. A relay apparatus comprising: communication information transfer means for transferring to another relay apparatus. The transfer determination means determines whether to transfer to another relay device by determining whether the relay processing of the information received by the relay device is possible based on the specification or operation policy of the relay device. The relay device according to claim 1. An address resolution unit is provided that inquires a predetermined address management server that manages an address on the external network about an address on the external network of another device that is a transfer destination, and resolves the destination address at the time of transfer. The relay device according to claim 1 or 2. The communication information transfer means, when receiving information other than addressed to the subordinate local device from the external server, sets the other relay device connected to the final destination local device as the transfer destination, A predetermined relay process corresponding to the external server that is the transmission source, which is converted into a form that can be processed by the other relay apparatus that is the transfer destination, and then transferred to the other relay apparatus. The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Transfer information receiving means for receiving information transferred from another relay device;
When the information sent to the external server is received from the local device under the control of another relay device by the transfer information receiving means, a predetermined relay process corresponding to the external server that is the final destination is performed on the received information The relay apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: an external server side relay processing unit that transmits the external server to the external server. The relay apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a transfer acceptance determination unit that determines whether to accept the information received by the transfer information reception unit based on a specification or an operation policy of the relay apparatus. Transfer information receiving means for receiving information transferred from another relay device;
Corresponding to the local device that is the final destination for the received information when receiving information addressed to the local device under the relay device from an external server transferred from another relay device by the transfer information receiving means The relay apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising device-side relay processing means that performs the predetermined relay processing and transmits the local device to the local device. A communication system for realizing communication between a local device that is a device on a local network and an external server that is a server on an external network,
A first relay device and a second relay device;
The first relay device is
A device connection interface which is a communication interface for communicating with a device on the local network;
An external connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with devices on the external network;
A transfer determination means for determining whether or not to transfer the received information to another relay device on an external network capable of relaying the information when the information addressed to the external server is received from a subordinate local device; ,
When it is determined that at least the transfer determination means transfers to another relay device, the received information is subjected to a relay process that converts the received information into a form that can be processed by the other relay device of the transfer destination. Upstream communication information transfer means for transferring to the other relay device;
Transfer information receiving means for receiving information transferred from another relay device;
Corresponding to the local device that is the final destination for the received information when receiving information addressed to the local device under the relay device from an external server transferred from another relay device by the transfer information receiving means Device-side relay processing means for transmitting to the local device after performing the predetermined relay processing,
The second relay device is
An external connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with devices on the external network;
Transfer information receiving means for receiving information transferred from another relay device;
When the information to the external server is received from the local device under the control of another relay device by the transfer information receiving means, the predetermined relay processing corresponding to the external server that is the final destination is performed on the received information On the above, the external server side relay processing means for transmitting to the external server,
If at least information other than that addressed to the subordinate local device is received from an external server, the forwarding destination is the other relay device connected to the local device of the final destination, and it is the source for the received information Downlink communication information transfer means for performing a predetermined relay process corresponding to an external server and performing a relay process for converting the transfer destination into a form that can be processed by the other relay apparatus, and then transferring to the other relay apparatus The communication system characterized by including. A communication information transfer method for realizing communication between a local device that is a device on a local network and an external server that is a server on an external network,
A relay device having a device connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with a device on the local network and an external connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with a device on the external network When receiving information addressed to the external server from the local device, determine whether to forward the received information to another relay device on the external network capable of relaying the information,
When it is determined to transfer to another relay device, the received information is subjected to relay processing that converts the received information into a form that can be processed by the other relay device of the transfer destination, and then the other relay device A communication information transfer method characterized in that the communication information is transferred to. A communication information transfer program for realizing communication between a local device that is a device on a local network and an external server that is a server on an external network,
A computer of a relay device comprising a device connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with a device on the local network, and an external connection interface that is a communication interface for communicating with a device on the external network.
When receiving information addressed to an external server from a local device under its control, a process for determining whether to forward the received information to another relay device on an external network capable of relaying the information, and others When it is determined to transfer to the other relay device, the received information is transferred to the other relay device after performing a relay process for converting the received information into a form that can be processed by the other relay device of the transfer destination. Communication information transfer program to execute the processing to be performed.

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