JP2013197716A - Transmission control device, feedback information transmitter, cooperative transmission system, transmission control method and feedback information transmission system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide technology which cooperatively controls the transmission timing of feedback information from a plurality of devices and allows the reception timing for each of the feedback information to be appropriately shifted.SOLUTION: A transmission control device of the present invention includes transmission timing control means which, on the basis of transmission cycles of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmitters, the number of a plurality of feedback information transmitters, and the received time of day of feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitters, generates for each of the plurality of feedback information transmitters transmission timing control information which is the information needed for controlling the timing at which each of the plurality of feedback information transmitters transmit feedback information so that predetermined relationship will be had between the plurality of feedback information transmitters.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing transmission / reception of data and transmission / reception of feedback information acquired from the data.

  In recent years, with the speeding up of the Internet, network applications using the Internet have become widespread, and the number of users who stream and view multimedia contents such as video and audio with a large amount of data has increased rapidly. However, since the Internet is the best effort, when congestion occurs in the network, data loss or delay may occur, which may impair the quality of user experience. Therefore, the importance of the network application performing congestion control is increasing. When performing congestion control, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or DCCP (Datagram Congestion Control Protocol) having a congestion control function is used as a transport protocol of a network application, or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is unique to the congestion control function. A method such as implementing a control method is conceivable.

  Some congestion control methods use feedback information (information on network bandwidth, delay, packet loss, etc.). Feedback information is transmitted from a data receiving terminal such as a portable terminal to the data transmitting terminal, and the transmitting terminal performs congestion control using the feedback information.

  In the wireless communication system described in Patent Literature 1, a mobile station apparatus measures reception quality of a signal received from a base station apparatus, and transmits feedback information generated based on the reception quality to the base station apparatus.

  In the wireless communication system described in Patent Literature 1, the base station apparatus combines any of the feedback information and allocates the same resource to the combination.

  In the wireless communication system described in Patent Literature 1, the mobile station device transmits the allocated information with the transmission timing of each feedback information shifted.

  The wireless communication system described in Patent Document 1 sets the transmission frequency individually and flexibly according to the type of feedback information, thereby optimizing the transmission cycle according to the type of feedback information. As a result, the wireless communication system described in Patent Document 1 minimizes a decrease in system throughput due to the transmission cycle not matching the optimal one.

JP 2011-024230 A

  However, the wireless communication system described in Patent Literature 1 cannot perform cooperative control of the feedback information transmission timing when there are a plurality of devices that transmit feedback information.

  The reason is that the transmission method in the wireless communication system described in Patent Document 1 is a method for transmitting a plurality of types of feedback information from a single device, and a method for controlling the feedback information transmission timing of a plurality of devices. It is because it is not. That is, the wireless communication system described in Patent Document 1 transmits feedback information in consideration of the relationship between a plurality of devices, even if the transmission timing of a plurality of types of feedback information can be controlled within a single device. It is not possible to control the timing.

  As a result, when feedback information of a plurality of devices is received at short time intervals, the information processing load on the base station device increases.

  As described above, an object of the present invention is to coordinately control the transmission timing of feedback information of a plurality of devices and appropriately shift the reception timing of each feedback information, thereby reducing the load on the feedback information receiving device. Is to provide technology.

  To achieve the above object, a transmission control apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transmission period of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmission apparatuses, the number of apparatuses of the plurality of feedback information transmission apparatuses, and the plurality of the plurality of feedback information transmission apparatuses. Based on each reception time of feedback information transmitted from the feedback information transmitting device, the timing at which each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices transmits feedback information has a predetermined relationship between the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. Transmission timing control means for generating transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling in such a manner, for each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses.

  In order to achieve the above object, the feedback information transmitting apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention controls the timing of transmitting feedback information to the transmission control apparatus so as to have a predetermined relationship with other feedback information transmitting apparatuses. Transmission timing management means for changing the transmission timing of feedback information based on transmission timing control information, which is information for transmission, and transmission of feedback information to the transmission control apparatus at the transmission timing changed by the transmission timing management means Feedback information transmission means.

  In order to achieve the above object, a coordinated transmission system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transmission control device and a feedback information transmission device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a transmission control method according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transmission period of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, the number of apparatuses of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, Based on the reception times of the feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, the timing at which each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices transmits the feedback information has a predetermined relationship between the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. Transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the transmission information, is generated for each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses.

  In order to achieve the above object, a program according to an aspect of the present invention includes a transmission period of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmission devices, the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmission devices, and the plurality of the plurality of feedback information transmission devices. Based on each reception time of feedback information transmitted from the feedback information transmitting device, the timing at which each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices transmits feedback information has a predetermined relationship between the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. The computer is caused to execute processing for generating transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling in such a manner, for each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses.

  In order to achieve the above object, the feedback information transmission method according to one aspect of the present invention controls the timing for transmitting feedback information to the transmission control apparatus so as to have a predetermined relationship with another feedback information transmission apparatus. The transmission timing of feedback information is changed based on transmission timing control information that is information for transmission, and feedback information is transmitted to the transmission control device at the changed transmission timing.

  In order to achieve the above object, a program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program for controlling the timing at which feedback information is transmitted to a transmission control device so as to have a predetermined relationship with another feedback information transmission device. Based on the transmission timing control information that is information, the transmission timing of the feedback information is changed, and the computer is caused to execute a process of transmitting the feedback information to the transmission control device at the changed transmission timing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the load on the feedback information receiving apparatus by cooperatively controlling the transmission timing of feedback information of a plurality of apparatuses and appropriately shifting the reception timing of each feedback information.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole image of the cooperative transmission system 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating detailed configurations of a transmission device 10, a relay device 20, and a reception device 40 in FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the transmitter 10 in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation | movement when the relay apparatus 20 in 1st Embodiment of this invention receives data. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation | movement when the relay apparatus 20 in 1st Embodiment of this invention receives transmission timing control information. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline of the whole operation | movement of the cooperative transmission system 100 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram specifically showing an example of time required for transmission of feedback information in the configuration shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of transmission of feedback information in the reception device 40, the relay device 20, and the transmission device 10. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of transmission of feedback information in the reception device 50, the relay device 20, and the transmission device 10. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of transmission of feedback information in the reception device 60, the relay device 30, and the transmission device 10. It is the figure which put together the transmission time of the feedback information of each apparatus, and the reception time of the feedback information of the transmission apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of transmission timing control information. In FIG. 11, it is a figure which shows the state from which the transmission period of the feedback information of the receiver 50 was changed into 3 seconds. It is a figure for demonstrating (Formula 2) concretely. It is a figure which shows the content of the transmission timing control information which transmission timing control information transmits to each apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state after the transmission timing control information shown in FIG. 15 was transmitted to each apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating control of the feedback information transmission time by an offset value. It is a figure which shows the other example of the content of transmission timing control information. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the cooperative transmission system 200 which is the other structural example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the cooperative transmission system 300 which is the other structural example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the whole image of the cooperative transmission system 400 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the detailed structure of the transmitter 70 in FIG. FIG. 22 is a diagram specifically showing an example of time required for transmission of feedback information in the configuration shown in FIG. 21. It is the figure which put together the transmission time of the feedback information of each apparatus, and the reception time of the feedback information of the transmission apparatus. It is a figure which shows the state after transmission timing control information was transmitted to the relay apparatus 20. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the transmission control apparatus 80 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the transmission control apparatus 90 which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the transmitter 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a reception time of feedback information from apparatus A and a reception time of feedback information from apparatus B in a terminal that receives feedback information. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a reception time of feedback information from apparatus A and a reception time of feedback information from apparatus B in a terminal that receives feedback information.

<First Embodiment>
First, in order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the background of the present invention will be described.

  The wireless communication system described in Patent Literature 1 controls the timing at which feedback information is transmitted when a single device transmits three different types of feedback information. However, when there are a plurality of devices that transmit feedback information, the wireless communication system described in Patent Literature 1 cannot control the timing for transmitting feedback information between the plurality of devices.

  29 and 30 are diagrams for explaining the background of the present invention, and represent the reception time of feedback information from apparatus A and the reception time of feedback information from apparatus B at a terminal that receives feedback information. FIG.

  When the transmission timing of feedback information from a plurality of devices is not controlled, for example, as shown in FIG. 29, it is conceivable that feedback information arrives at a terminal at short time intervals. When the terminal that receives the feedback information performs a predetermined process (for example, if the transmission data is video data, the data rate is calculated or the video is encoded at the calculated data rate) when the feedback information arrives. If a plurality of feedback information is received at a short time interval, an excessive load may be generated on the terminal.

  According to the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 30, the transmission time of feedback information can be adjusted between a plurality of devices so that the reception times do not overlap, and an overload as described above can be avoided.

(Description of configuration)
The configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of the cooperative transmission system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the cooperative transmission system 100 of the present invention includes a transmission device 10, a relay device 20, a relay device 30, a reception device 40, a reception device 50, and a reception device 60. Each device is connected via a network. In the following description, device names without symbols such as “relay device” and “reception device” are generic names of a plurality of devices.

  The transmission device 10 is a server that provides a service to each reception device, for example. The transmission device 10 receives a request from each reception device via each relay device, transmits necessary data, and provides services. Here, the data may be, for example, moving image data or audio data, and is not limited thereto.

  The relay apparatuses 20 and 30 are, for example, base stations, and relay between the transmission apparatus 10 and each reception apparatus.

  The receiving devices 40, 50 and 60 are, for example, portable terminals or PCs (Personal Computers), and receive data from the transmitting device 10.

  When each receiving device and each relay device receive data, the receiving device and each relay device periodically transmit feedback information such as the amount of received data and a packet loss rate to the transmitting device 10. The arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the flow of feedback information. The transmission device 10 receives feedback from each device, performs processing such as calculation of an appropriate data rate, for example, and when there is a data transmission request from the reception device or the like, each relay device and each reception device at the calculated data rate Data is newly transmitted to.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating detailed configurations of the transmission device 10, the relay device 20, and the reception device 40 in FIG. Hereinafter, description will be given based on these drawings. The relay device 30 may have the same configuration as the relay device 20, and the receiving devices 50 and 60 may have the same configuration as the receiving device 40. In the following description, the relay device will be described only for the relay device 20 and the reception device only for the reception device 40, but the relay device 30 and the reception devices 50 and 60 operate in the same manner.

  The transmission apparatus 10 includes a network state estimation unit 11, a processing unit 12, a data transmission unit 13, a feedback information reception unit 14, and a transmission timing control unit 15.

  The relay device 20 includes a data transmission / reception unit 21, a feedback information acquisition unit 22, a feedback information transmission unit 23, and a transmission timing management unit 24.

  The reception device 40 includes a data reception unit 41, a feedback information acquisition unit 42, a feedback information transmission unit 43, and a transmission timing management unit 44.

  First, each configuration will be described along the flow from when the transmission device 10 transmits data to when feedback information is received.

  In the transmission device 10, the network state estimation unit 11 estimates a network state based on feedback information transmitted from each relay device or each reception device. The network state estimation unit 11 estimates, for example, the degree of network congestion and the cause of packet loss.

  The network state estimation unit 11 outputs the network state estimation result to the processing unit 12.

  The processing unit 12 performs predetermined processing based on the network state estimation result input from the network state estimation unit 11. Here, the predetermined process may be a calculation of a data rate or a change of an error correction method for each receiving apparatus to recover a packet loss that occurs on a communication path. The processing executed by the processing unit 12 is not limited to these and may be other processing. In the present embodiment, the processing unit 12 will be described as an example that calculates a data rate.

  The processing unit 12 outputs the processing result to the data transmission unit 13. For example, the processing unit 12 outputs the calculated data rate to the data transmission unit 13.

  The data transmission unit 13 changes data transmission conditions based on the processing result input from the processing unit 12. For example, the data transmission unit 13 changes the data rate at the time of current data transmission to the data rate given from the processing unit 12. When there is a data transmission request from the relay device 20 separately (or from the reception device 40 or the reception device 50 via the relay device 20), the data transmission unit 13 transmits the relay device 20 (data transmission / reception) at the changed data rate. Part 21).

  Next, in the relay device 20, the data transmission / reception unit 21 transmits the data received from the transmission device 10 to the reception device 40 (data reception unit 41). In addition, the data transmission / reception unit 21 outputs the data received from the transmission device 10 to the feedback information acquisition unit 22.

  The feedback information acquisition unit 22 analyzes the data input from the data transmission / reception unit 21, periodically calculates feedback information, and outputs the feedback information to the feedback information transmission unit 23. Here, the feedback information may be the amount of data received by the data transmitting / receiving unit 21 within a predetermined period. When the amount of data received within a predetermined period is zero, the feedback information acquisition unit 22 may acquire feedback information indicating that the amount of received data is zero. Alternatively, when data is sent in the form of a packet, the feedback information may be a packet loss rate. The feedback information is not limited to these, and any information may be used as long as the information can be fed back to the transmission device 10 for congestion control and other needs.

  The feedback information transmission unit 23 transmits the feedback information periodically input by the feedback information acquisition unit 22 to the transmission device 10. Here, the timing at which the feedback information is transmitted may be a fixed period, and is changed by the transmission timing management unit 24 described later.

  In the receiving device 40, the data receiving unit 41 receives data from the data transmitting / receiving unit 21 of the relay device 20. The data reception unit 41 outputs the received data to the feedback information acquisition unit 42. The feedback information acquisition unit 42 and the feedback information transmission unit 43 may have the same configuration as the feedback information acquisition unit 22 and the feedback information transmission unit 23.

  When feedback information is transmitted from the feedback information transmitting unit 23 and the feedback information 43, the feedback information receiving unit 14 in the transmitting device 10 receives the feedback information. Note that the feedback information transmission unit 43 in the reception device 40 may transmit the feedback information to the transmission device 10 via the relay device 20 or may directly transmit the feedback information without passing through the relay device 10. In FIG. 2, the example which passes through the feedback information transmission part 23 in the relay apparatus 20 is shown.

  The feedback information receiving unit 14 receives feedback information from each device.

  Next, each configuration will be described along the flow from when the transmission device 10 receives feedback information from each device to when the transmission information transmission timing of each device is controlled.

  When the feedback information receiving unit 14 receives the feedback information from each device, the feedback information receiving unit 14 determines whether it is necessary to control the timing at which each device transmits the feedback information. The feedback information receiving unit 14 may record the reception time of feedback information from each device in a recording unit (not shown), and determine the necessity of transmission timing control based on the reception time log. For example, the feedback information receiving unit 14 receives feedback information from a plurality of devices at a time interval equal to or less than a predetermined interval, or receives feedback information from a new receiving device or relay device that has not been included so far. In addition, it may be determined that transmission timing control is necessary.

  When the feedback information receiving unit 14 determines that transmission timing control is not necessary, the feedback information receiving unit 14 outputs feedback information to the network state estimating unit 11. Thereafter, the network state estimation unit 11 estimates the network state based on the feedback information transmitted from each relay device and each reception device, the processing unit 12 processes the data according to the network state estimation result, and the data transmission unit 13 Each process of changing the data transmission condition is continued.

  When the feedback information receiving unit 14 determines that the transmission timing needs to be controlled, the feedback information receiving unit 14 outputs an execution instruction for the transmission timing control process to the transmission timing control unit 15.

  The transmission timing control unit 15 receives information for controlling the transmission timing of feedback information (hereinafter referred to as “transmission timing control information”) when the execution instruction of the transmission timing control process is input from the feedback information receiving unit 14. Generate.

  The transmission timing control unit 15 receives a transmission period of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmission devices, the number of relay devices and reception devices, and a plurality of feedback information received by the feedback information reception unit 14, respectively. Based on the time, transmission timing control information may be generated for each of a plurality of relay apparatuses or receiving apparatuses that have transmitted feedback information.

  Details of the generation method of the transmission timing control information will be described later.

  The transmission timing control unit 15 transmits the generated transmission timing control information to the relay device 20 and / or the reception device 40. The transmission timing control unit 15 may transmit the transmission timing control information to the transmission timing management unit 24 and / or the transmission timing management unit 44. The transmission timing control unit 15 in the transmission device 10 may transmit the transmission timing control information to the reception device 40 via the relay device 20, or may directly transmit the transmission timing control information without passing through the relay device 20. . FIG. 2 shows an example via the transmission timing management unit 24 in the relay device 20.

  In the relay device 20, the transmission timing management unit 24 changes the transmission timing of feedback information in the feedback information transmission unit 23 according to the transmission timing control information input from the transmission timing control unit 15.

  Thereafter, the feedback information transmission unit 23 transmits the feedback information at the transmission timing changed by the transmission timing management unit 24.

  In the receiving device 40, the transmission timing management unit 44 receives the transmission timing control information from the transmission timing control unit 15 of the transmitting device 10 (via the transmission timing management unit 24 of the relay device 20). The transmission timing management unit 44 may have the same configuration as the transmission timing management unit 24.

(Description of operation)
Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the transmission apparatus 10 in the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reception of feedback information is started.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the feedback information receiving unit 14 receives feedback information from a plurality of devices (step S1).

  The feedback information receiving unit 14 determines whether or not the transmission timing needs to be controlled based on the reception times of the plurality of feedback information (step S2).

  If it is determined that transmission timing control is not necessary (step S2-No), the network state estimation unit 11 estimates the network state based on the feedback information (step S3).

  Next, the processing unit 12 executes predetermined processing such as calculation of a bit rate, which is one of the data transmission conditions, according to the network state estimated by the network state estimation unit 11 (step S4).

  Next, the data transmission unit 13 changes data transmission conditions according to the processing result of the processing unit 12 (step S5).

  On the other hand, when the feedback information receiving unit 14 determines in step S2 that transmission timing control is necessary (step S2-Yes), the transmission timing control is performed in parallel with the network state estimating process in the network state estimating unit 11. The unit 15 generates transmission timing control information (step S6). The transmission timing control information includes information for changing the feedback information transmission timing (specifically, at least one of period control information and offset information described later).

  Next, the transmission timing control unit 15 transmits the generated transmission timing control information to the relay device 20 and / or the reception device 40 (step S7).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when the relay device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention receives data. Note that the receiving device 40 may perform the same operation as that shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the data transmitter / receiver 21 receives data from the data transmitter 13 of the transmitter 10 (step S8).

  Next, the feedback information acquisition unit 22 acquires feedback information based on the received data (step S9). In this case, as described above, the feedback information acquisition unit 22 analyzes the data input from the data transmission / reception unit 21, acquires feedback information, and periodically outputs the feedback information to the feedback information transmission unit 23.

  Next, the feedback information transmission unit 23 periodically transmits the acquired feedback information to the transmission device 10 (step S10).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the relay device 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention receives the transmission timing control information. Note that the receiving device 40 may also perform the same operation as that shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the transmission timing management unit 24 receives transmission timing control information from the transmission timing control unit 15 of the transmission device 10 (step S11).

  Next, the transmission timing management unit 24 changes the feedback information transmission timing of the feedback information transmission unit 23 based on the received transmission timing control information (step S12).

  Next, the feedback information transmission unit 23 transmits feedback information at the changed feedback information transmission timing (step S13).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the overall operation of the cooperative transmission system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows data transmission / reception among the transmission device 10, the relay device 20, and the reception device 40, and the vertical lines of the devices indicate the flow of time. A point on the line of the relay device 20 and the receiving device 40 is a point indicating a transmission cycle of feedback information of each device. That is, the relay device 20 and the reception device 40 transmit feedback information at the timing at the point position. In FIG. 6, the flow of feedback information transmitted when data is received from the transmission device 10 is representatively displayed.

  FIG. 6 shows an example in which the transmission period of feedback information (hereinafter also simply referred to as “transmission period”) between the relay apparatus 20 and the receiving apparatus 40 is different. The transmission cycle of the receiving device 40 in the period (A) in FIG. 6 is shorter than the transmission cycle of the relay device 20.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, first, the transmission device 10 transmits data (1) to the relay device 20 and the reception device 40.

  Next, the relay device 20 and the reception device 40 acquire the feedback information (2) and transmit it to the transmission device 10. The content of the feedback information (2) is different between the relay device 20 and the receiving device 40.

  Here, the transmission device 10 receives the feedback information of the relay device 20 and the reception device 40 at the same time (B). As a result, the feedback information receiving unit 14 of the transmission apparatus 10 must estimate the network state and the like in parallel with respect to the feedback information of each of the relay apparatus 20 and the reception apparatus 40, and a load is applied. Therefore, the feedback information receiving unit 14 determines that the feedback information transmission timing needs to be changed.

  In this case, first, the transmission timing control unit 15 of the transmission device 10 performs processing for making the transmission cycle of the reception device 40 coincide with the transmission cycle of the relay device 20.

  Specifically, the transmission timing control unit 15 transmits the transmission timing control information (3) including the cycle control information to the receiving device 40 in order to make the transmission cycle of the receiving device 40 coincide with the transmission cycle of the relay device 20.

  In this embodiment, the transmission cycle of one device is matched with the transmission cycle of the other device, but the method of unifying the cycle is not limited to this. For example, the transmission timing control unit 15 calculates the average transmission cycle of each device, generates cycle control information for matching the transmission cycle of each device from the calculated average, and includes the cycle control information in each device. Transmission timing control information may be transmitted, and the period may be unified by other methods.

  In the following description, the case where feedback information is received at the same time will be described as an example. However, the reception timing of feedback information for determining that the transmission timing needs to be changed is not limited to the same time. The transmission timing control unit 15 may determine that the transmission timing needs to be changed when the feedback information is received at a time interval equal to or less than a predetermined interval.

  Next, the transmission timing control unit 15 generates offset information for adjusting each transmission cycle in order to shift the transmission timing of feedback information of each device, and transmits the offset information to the relay device 20 and the reception device 40. To do.

  The transmission timing control information (3) shown in FIG. 6 includes offset information for shifting (delaying) the initial transmission timing in addition to the period control information. The offset information is information for adjusting the transmission timing of feedback information. A method for calculating the offset information will be described in an example described later.

  The first transmission time after transmission timing control is the time when the time given by adding the deviation given by the offset information to the period given by the cycle control information after the last transmission of feedback information before the transmission timing control. It is. That is, when the period (C) in FIG. 6 elapses, the receiving device 40 starts transmitting feedback information again. Further, as indicated by a period (D) in FIG. 6, the transmission cycle of the reception device 40 matches the transmission cycle of the relay device 20 according to the cycle control information.

  Thereafter, the transmission device 10 continues to transmit data (4) and (6) reflecting the latest feedback information to the relay device 20 and the reception device 40. The relay device 20 and the reception device 40 acquire feedback information (5) and (7) and transmit them to the transmission device 10.

  Here, as shown in the period (E) of FIG. 6, the transmission time of the feedback information of the relay device 20 and the reception device 40 is controlled so that the time when the transmission device 10 receives the feedback information does not overlap. By receiving feedback information at different times, the transmission apparatus 10 can alternately perform processing on each feedback information, and the load is reduced.

(Description of Examples)
Next, an example of the cooperative transmission system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram specifically showing an example of time required for transmission of feedback information in the configuration shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the time required for transmitting feedback information between the devices is shown in units of seconds.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the feedback information transmitted from the receiving device 40 arrives at the relay device 20 after 1 second. The feedback information transmitted from the receiving device 50 arrives at the relay device 20 after 3 seconds. The feedback information transmitted from the relay device 20 arrives at the transmission device 10 after 4 seconds. Similarly, the feedback information transmitted from the receiving device 60 arrives at the relay device 30 after 1 second, and the feedback information transmitted from the relay device 30 arrives at the transmitting device 10 after 5 seconds.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the relay device 30 has a transmission timing shifted (delayed) by 1 second compared to other devices. In addition, it is assumed that the transmission cycle of the receiving device 50 is 4 seconds and the transmission cycle of the other devices is 3 seconds.

  Based on the above conditions, an embodiment of the coordinated transmission system 100 will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a transmission state of feedback information in the reception device 40, the relay device 20, and the transmission device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the receiving device 40 and the relay device 20 each transmit feedback information at a timing of 0 seconds. The feedback information (solid arrow) transmitted by the relay device 20 arrives at the transmission device 10 after 4 seconds. The feedback information (broken arrows) transmitted by the receiving device 40 arrives at the transmitting device 10 after 4 seconds via the relay device 20 after 1 second. That is, the feedback information transmitted by the receiving device 40 arrives at the transmitting device 10 after 5 seconds. Since the transmission cycle of the receiving device 40 and the relay device 20 is 3 seconds, each device transmits feedback information again after 3 seconds. Thereafter, the feedback information is transmitted in the same cycle, and the transmitting device 10 sends the feedback information in a cycle of 4 seconds, 5 seconds, 7 seconds, 8 seconds, 10 seconds, 11 seconds, and so on. Receive.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a transmission state of feedback information in the reception device 50, the relay device 20, and the transmission device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the receiving device 50 and the relay device 20 each transmit feedback information at a timing of 0 seconds. The feedback information (broken line arrow) transmitted by the receiving device 50 arrives at the transmitting device 10 after 4 seconds via the relay device 20 after 3 seconds. That is, the feedback information transmitted by the receiving device 50 arrives at the transmitting device 10 after 7 seconds. Here, since the transmission cycle of the receiving device 50 is 4 seconds, the receiving device 50 transmits the feedback information again after 4 seconds. Thereafter, feedback information is transmitted in the same cycle. In FIG. 9, the transmission apparatus 10 receives two pieces of feedback information after 7 seconds.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a transmission state of feedback information in the reception device 60, the relay device 30, and the transmission device 10.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the receiving device 60 transmits feedback information at a timing of 0 seconds. The relay device 30 transmits feedback information after one second as compared with other devices. The feedback information (solid arrow) transmitted by the relay device 30 arrives at the transmission device 10 after 5 seconds from the transmission. That is, the transmission device 10 receives the feedback information of the relay device 30 after 6 seconds. The feedback information (broken arrows) transmitted by the receiving device 60 arrives at the transmitting device 10 after 5 seconds via the relay device 30 after 1 second. That is, the transmission device 10 receives the feedback information of the reception device 60 after 6 seconds. Each device transmits feedback information again after 3 seconds. Thereafter, the feedback information is transmitted in the same cycle, and the transmitting apparatus 10 receives two pieces of feedback information at the same time in a cycle of 6 seconds, 9 seconds, and so on.

  FIG. 11 is a table summarizing the transmission time of feedback information of each device and the reception time of feedback information of the transmission device 10. In FIG. 11, the transmission timing of feedback information is displayed for each reception device and relay device, and the timing at which the transmission device 10 receives feedback information for each device is displayed. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the transmission device 10 receives two pieces of feedback information in a cycle of 6 seconds, 9 seconds, 12 seconds, and so on. Further, since the transmission cycle of the receiving device 50 is different from that of other devices, two feedback information after 7 seconds and 11 seconds are received, and three feedback information are received after 15 seconds.

  In the transmission device 10, when the feedback information receiving unit 14 acquires a plurality of feedback information at the same time, it determines that the transmission timing needs to be controlled. In response to the execution instruction of the transmission timing control process, the transmission timing control unit 15 generates transmission timing control information. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the transmission timing control unit 15 generates the period control information for controlling the transmission period and the offset information for adjusting the deviation of the transmission timing separately at different timings. And

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content of transmission timing control information. As shown in FIG. 12, the transmission timing control information generated first by the transmission timing control unit 15 in this embodiment includes period control information indicating that “transmission period” is changed to “3 seconds”, and includes offset information. Is not included.

  The transmission timing control unit 15 transmits the transmission timing control information shown in FIG. 12 (via the relay device 30) to the reception device 50 (transmission timing management unit thereof). With the transmission timing control information, the transmission timing of the feedback information of the receiving device 50 is changed from 4 seconds to 3 seconds. As a result, the transmission cycle of the receiving device 50 matches the transmission cycle of other devices. The transmission cycle unified by all devices may be paraphrased as the reception cycle of feedback information from each device in the transmission device 10.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the transmission cycle of the feedback information of the receiving device 50 is changed to 3 seconds in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the transmitting apparatus 10 is configured to perform 2 cycles in a cycle of 6 seconds, 7 seconds, 9 seconds, 10 seconds, 12 seconds, 13 seconds, 15 seconds, 16 seconds, and so on. Receive one piece of feedback information.

  Next, the transmission timing control part 15 produces | generates the transmission timing control information containing offset information so that the time which receives each feedback information may not overlap.

  That is, the transmission timing control unit 15 includes a feedback information transmission cycle that is unified by all devices, the number of devices of a plurality of feedback information transmitting devices (relay devices and receiving devices), and a plurality of information received by the feedback information receiving unit 14. The transmission timing control information (offset information) for controlling the timing for transmitting the feedback information so as to have a predetermined relationship among the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses is generated based on the respective reception times of the feedback information.

  As a specific example, the transmission timing control unit 15 may generate transmission timing control information by the following method.

  The transmission timing control unit 15 is based on a value indicating the transmission period of the feedback information, a value indicating the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and an integer value given to each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. One value is calculated. Here, the first value is a value obtained by dividing the value indicating the transmission cycle of the feedback information by the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and is a continuous integer value that is given to each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. It may be a value obtained by multiplying the obtained integer value.

  Next, the transmission timing control unit 15 receives feedback information received from a predetermined feedback information transmitting apparatus among feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, and other than the predetermined feedback information transmitting apparatus. A second value that is a value indicating a difference from the reception time of the feedback information received from the feedback information transmitting apparatus is calculated.

  Based on the first value and the second value, the transmission timing control unit 15 has a different reception time of feedback information transmitted from each feedback information transmitting apparatus among a plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses. Transmission timing control information (offset information (a value indicating a shift in transmission timing)) is generated so as to have a relationship. Here, the transmission timing control unit 15 may generate the transmission timing control information so that the reception time of the feedback information has an equal interval.

Transmission timing control unit 15, for example, the first value of the first term of the right side, may be calculated offset value [Delta] T _i by the following equation (1) the second term as a second value.

  Here, S is the transmission period of feedback information, and n is the number of devices that transmit feedback information. Note that S (transmission cycle) needs to be unified in the feedback information of all devices. i is a continuous integer value given to each device that transmits feedback information. Further, j is the minimum value that i can take. In this embodiment, i is assumed to be i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 in the order of the relay device 20, the relay device 30, the reception device 40, the reception device 50, and the reception device 60. In this case, j = 1. Note that i may be a continuous integer value, and what number is assigned to any device is arbitrary. For example, when i starts from 3, j = 3.

ただし、min（Ｔ_{recv_i}−Ｔ_{recv_j}）は、

の元で最小のＴ_{recv_i}−Ｔ_{recv_j}である。 ΔT _{recv_i, j} is expressed by the following (formula 2), where T _{recv_i} is the reception time of feedback information from the device i in the transmission device 10.

However, min (T _{recv_i} −T _{recv_j} ) is

The minimum T _{recv_i} −T _{recv_j} under.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for specifically explaining (Formula 2). FIG. 14 enlarges and displays a range of 10 seconds or more and less than 13 seconds for the transmission time of the transmission apparatus 10 in FIG.

In FIG. 14, ΔT _recv — _3,1 = 1 second and ΔT _{recv —5,1} = 2 seconds are representatively displayed. The rest is ΔT _{recv_2,1} = 2 seconds, ΔT _{recv_4,1} = 0 seconds, and ΔT _{recv_1,1} is naturally 0 seconds.

Here, since the transmission cycle S is unified to 3 seconds and the number n of devices that transmit feedback information is 5, the offset value of each device is calculated as follows using (Equation 1).

  The transmission timing control unit 15 transmits transmission timing control information indicating the offset value calculated in (Equation 1) to each device.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the content of transmission timing control information transmitted by the transmission timing control information to each device. As shown in FIG. 15, the transmission timing control information includes offset information. The transmission timing control unit 15 transmits the transmission timing control information (i) in FIG. The transmission timing control unit 15 transmits the transmission timing control information (ii) in FIG. 15 to the reception device 40, the transmission timing control information (iii) to the reception device 50, and the transmission timing control information (iv) to the reception device 60. Send to.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a state after the transmission timing control information illustrated in FIG. 15 is transmitted to each device. As shown in FIG. 16, each device transmits feedback information with the time shifted by the offset value shown in FIG. The transmission apparatus 10 receives all feedback information at different times.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining control of feedback information transmission time based on an offset value. FIG. 17 shows a state in which the state of FIG. 13 is controlled from the state of FIG. 13 with respect to the reception time of the transmission device 10 in an enlarged range from 10 seconds to less than 13 seconds.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the reception time of feedback information transmitted by the relay device 30 (indicated by a black circle) is changed to 10.6 seconds by adding an offset value of −1.4 seconds from 12 seconds before control. ing. Similarly, the transmission time of feedback information of all devices is changed. As a result of the control for changing the transmission time, in this embodiment, the transmission device 10 receives the feedback information of each device at different times at equal intervals of every 0.6 seconds.

  In the present embodiment, the transmission timing control unit 15 has described the mode in which the cycle control information and the offset information are transmitted as two different transmission timing control information, but the control method is not limited to this mode. .

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating another example of the content of the transmission timing control information. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the transmission timing control unit 15 may transmit the transmission timing control information including both the period control information and the offset information to the receiving device 50 to control the period and the offset at a time.

  Further, in this embodiment, the example in which the reception timing is controlled to be equal intervals by (Equation 1) has been described, but the transmission timing control method is not limited to this example. If the reception timing of the transmission device 10 can be changed appropriately, the transmission timing control unit 15 may calculate the offset value using an expression other than (Expression 1), and the reception timing may not be equally spaced. .

  As described above, according to the coordinated transmission system 100 according to the first embodiment, feedback information reception is performed by cooperatively controlling the transmission timing of feedback information of a plurality of apparatuses and appropriately shifting the reception timing of each feedback information. The load on the apparatus can be reduced. The reason is that when the transmission timing needs to be controlled, the transmission timing control unit 15 in the transmission device 10 transmits the transmission timing control information to each device.

  In the first embodiment, the cooperative transmission system has been described as a combination of a serial structure and a parallel structure of a transmission device, a relay device, and a reception device, but the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same effect can be obtained by the same method as described above even in the cooperative transmission system 200 having the serial structure shown in FIG. 19 and the cooperative transmission system 300 having the parallel structure not including the relay apparatus shown in FIG. it can.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with respect to differences from the first embodiment with reference to the drawings. Note that in the second embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an overview of the cooperative transmission system 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 21, the cooperative transmission system 400 includes a transmission device 70, a relay device 20, a relay device 30, and a reception device 40, and is configured in series.

  FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of transmitting apparatus 70 in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 22, the transmission device 70 is different from the transmission device 10 in the first embodiment in that a transmission timing control unit 75 is included instead of the transmission timing control unit 15.

  The transmission timing control unit 75 determines the integer value of i of each device in (Equation 1) so that the number of devices in which the value (offset value) indicating the shift in transmission timing generated for each device becomes 0 increases. . The transmission timing control unit 75 calculates an offset value, which is transmission timing control information, by using (Equation 1) for all combinations of i and the device, and sets i of each device so that the number of devices having the offset value of 0 becomes the largest. You may decide.

  Hereinafter, an example of the cooperative transmission system 400 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram specifically showing an example of time required for transmission of feedback information in the configuration shown in FIG. In FIG. 23, the time required for transmitting feedback information between the devices is shown in seconds.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the feedback information transmitted from the receiving device 40 arrives at the relay device 30 after 5 seconds. The feedback information transmitted from the relay device 30 arrives at the relay device 20 after 4 seconds. The feedback information transmitted from the relay device 20 arrives at the transmission device 70 after 3 seconds.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the relay device 30 has a transmission timing shifted by 1 second as compared to other devices. Further, it is assumed that the transmission period of feedback information of each device is 3 seconds.

  Based on the above-described conditions, an embodiment of the cooperative transmission system 400 will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 24 is a table summarizing the transmission time of feedback information of each device and the reception time of feedback information of the transmission device 70. As illustrated in FIG. 24, the transmission device 70 receives two pieces of feedback information in a cycle of 12 seconds, 15 seconds, 18 seconds, and so on.

  In the transmission device 70, when the feedback information receiving unit 14 acquires a plurality of feedback information at the same time, it determines that the transmission timing needs to be controlled. In response to the execution instruction of the transmission timing control process, the transmission timing control unit 75 generates transmission timing control information including offset information so that the times for receiving the feedback information do not overlap.

The transmission timing control unit 75 may calculate the offset value ΔT _i by (Equation 1), for example. At that time, the transmission timing control unit 75 calculates the offset value ΔT _i for all combinations of i and the device, for example.

For example, the transmission timing control unit 75 first calculates the offset value ΔT _i in the order of the relay device 20, the relay device 30, and the reception device 40 with i = 1, 2, and 3 as follows.

Next, for example, the transmission timing control unit 75 calculates the offset value ΔT _i in the order of the relay device 20, the relay device 30, and the reception device 40 with i = 3, 1 and 2 as follows.

  In the order of the relay device 20, the relay device 30, and the reception device 40, when i = 1, 2, and 3, the offset value is 0 only for the relay device 20, whereas the relay device 20, the relay device When i = 3, 1 and 2 are calculated in the order of the device 30 and the receiving device 40, the offset values of the relay device 30 and the receiving device 40 are zero.

  The transmission timing control unit 75 does not need to transmit the transmission timing control information to a device having an offset value of 0. Therefore, the amount of information to be transmitted decreases as the number of devices having an offset value of 0 increases.

  The transmission timing control unit 75 may determine i by a combination in which the number of devices having an offset value of 0 increases after performing the above calculation for all combinations of i and devices. Alternatively, the transmission timing control unit 75 may determine i by the combination when the number of devices having an offset value of 0 exceeds an appropriate threshold.

  In this embodiment, when i = 3, 1, and 2 are calculated in the order of the relay device 20, the relay device 30, and the reception device 40, the offset value of two of the three devices becomes 0. The timing control unit 75 determines i by this combination.

  The transmission timing control unit 75 transmits transmission timing control information including offset information indicating that the offset value is 1 second only to the relay device 20.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a state after transmission timing control information is transmitted to the relay device 20. As shown in FIG. 25, the relay device 20 transmits feedback information with the time shifted by one second. Thereby, the transmission apparatus 70 receives all feedback information at different times.

  As described above, according to the coordinated transmission system 400 according to the second embodiment, the information amount of the transmission timing control information to be transmitted by the transmission device can be reduced. The reason is that the transmission timing control unit 75 determines i so that the number of devices with an offset value of 0 increases, and does not transmit the transmission timing control information to the device with an offset value of 0. .

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a transmission control apparatus 80 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a transmission control apparatus 80 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 26, the transmission control device 80 includes a transmission timing control unit 81.

  The transmission timing control unit 81 includes a transmission period of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. Transmission timing control information that is information for controlling the timing at which each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses transmits feedback information based on the reception time so as to have a predetermined relationship between the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses. Is generated for each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses.

  Here, the feedback information transmitting apparatus is an apparatus that transmits feedback information to the transmission control apparatus 80. For example, when the transmission control device 80 is the transmission device 10 in the first embodiment, the feedback information transmission device is the relay device 20, the reception device 40, or the like.

  The transmission timing control unit 81 transmits the generated transmission timing control information to each feedback information transmitting apparatus, and controls the transmission timing of feedback information of each apparatus.

  As described above, according to the transmission control device 80 according to the third embodiment, the feedback information transmission timing of a plurality of devices is cooperatively controlled, and the reception timing of each feedback information is appropriately shifted, so that the feedback information is changed. It is possible to reduce the load on the transmission control apparatus 80 that receives the data.

<Fourth embodiment>
Next, a feedback information transmitting apparatus 90 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a feedback information transmitting apparatus 90 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 27, the feedback information transmission device 90 includes a transmission timing management unit 91 and a feedback information transmission unit 92.

  The transmission timing management unit 91 receives the feedback information from the transmission control device based on the transmission timing control information that controls the timing of transmitting feedback information in relation to other devices. Change the timing. Here, the transmission control device is a device that is a target of transmission destination of feedback information in the feedback information transmission device 90. For example, if the feedback information transmission device 90 is the relay device 20 or the reception device 40 in the first embodiment, the transmission control device is the transmission device 10.

  The feedback information transmission unit 92 transmits feedback information at the transmission timing changed by the transmission timing management unit 91.

  As described above, according to the feedback information transmitting apparatus 90 according to the fourth embodiment, the transmission timing of feedback information is cooperatively controlled in relation to a plurality of apparatuses, and the transmission timing of each feedback information is appropriately shifted. The load on the transmission control device can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated with reference to each embodiment, this invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

  In addition, the block diagrams (FIGS. 2, 22, 26, and 27) used in the embodiments described so far show functional units, not hardware units. These functional blocks are realized by any combination of hardware and software. In addition, the means for realizing the components of the transmission device 10 is not particularly limited. That is, the transmission device 10 may be realized by one physically coupled device, or may be realized by a plurality of devices that are physically or physically connected by connecting two or more physically separated devices. good.

  Hereinafter, a hardware configuration of each device in each embodiment described so far will be described. Here, the transmission apparatus 10 in the first embodiment will be described as a representative, but other relay apparatuses 20 and reception apparatuses 40, and apparatuses in other embodiments may also be realized by a similar hardware configuration.

  FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the transmission device 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 28, each unit constituting the transmission apparatus 10 includes a CPU 1 (Central Processing Unit) 1, a network connection communication IF 2 (communication interface 2), a memory 3, and a hard disk or the like storing a program. It is realized by a computer device including the device 4. However, the configuration of the transmission apparatus 10 is not limited to the computer apparatus illustrated in FIG.

  The CPU 1 controls the entire transmission apparatus 10 by operating an operating system. Further, the CPU 1 reads a program and data from a recording medium mounted on, for example, a drive device to the memory 3 and executes various processes according to the program and data.

  For example, the network state estimation unit 11 and the processing unit 12 may be realized by programs stored in the CPU 1 and the memory 3.

  The communication IF 2 is an interface for connecting to an external network.

  For example, the data transmission unit 13, the feedback information reception unit 14, and the transmission timing control unit 15 may be realized by the CPU 1 and the communication IF 2. For example, the transmission apparatus 10 may generate the transmission timing control information by the CPU 1 configuring the transmission timing control unit 15. The transmission device 10 may be connected to a network via the communication IF 2 constituting the transmission timing control unit 15 and transmit the generated transmission control information to the relay device 20.

  The recording device 4 is, for example, an optical disk, a flexible disk, a magnetic optical disk, an external hard disk, a semiconductor memory, etc., and records a computer program so that it can be read by a computer. The computer program may be downloaded from an external computer (not shown) connected to the network via the communication IF 2.

  For example, the feedback information receiving unit 14 may record a log of the reception time of feedback information from each relay device or the like in the recording device 4.

  Although not particularly shown in FIG. 28, each device such as the transmission device 10 may include an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard and an output device such as a display.

  For example, the receiving device 40 may receive a data transmission request from a user from an input device, and output data received from the transmitting device 10 or the relay device 20 to an output device.

<Other expressions of the embodiment>
In each of the above-described embodiments, characteristic configurations of a transmission control device, a feedback information transmission device, a cooperative transmission system, a transmission control method, a feedback information transmission method, and a program as described below are shown (as described below) Not limited to). In addition, the program of this invention should just be a program which makes a computer perform each operation | movement demonstrated in each said embodiment.
(Appendix 1)
Based on a transmission period of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and a reception time of feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. The transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing at which each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses transmits the feedback information so as to have a predetermined relationship between the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, A transmission timing control means for generating each of the feedback information transmitting devices;
Including a transmission control device.
(Appendix 2)
The transmission timing control means includes
A first value obtained based on a value indicating a transmission period of the feedback information, a value indicating the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and an integer value given to each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. Value and
Among feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, a reception time of feedback information received from a predetermined feedback information transmitting apparatus, and feedback information received from a feedback information transmitting apparatus other than the predetermined feedback information transmitting apparatus A second value that is a value indicating a difference from the reception time of
The transmission timing for controlling the transmission timing so that the reception times of the feedback information transmitted from the respective feedback information transmission devices have different times among the plurality of feedback information transmission devices based on Generating transmission timing control information that is a value indicating a deviation of
The transmission control device according to attachment 1.
(Appendix 3)
The first value is
A value obtained by multiplying a value indicating the transmission cycle of the feedback information by the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and the integer value that is a continuous integer value,
In the transmission timing control means,
The relationship in which the reception times are different is a relationship in which the reception times are equally spaced.
The transmission control device according to attachment 2.
(Appendix 4)
In the transmission timing control means,
The integer value is an integer value determined so as to increase the number of feedback information transmitting devices in which the value indicating the transmission timing shift is 0.
The transmission control apparatus according to appendix 2 or 3.
(Appendix 5)
The transmission timing control means includes
When the transmission period of the feedback information is different for each of the plurality of feedback information transmission devices, the transmission timing control information including period control information for unifying the period is generated.
The transmission control device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4.
(Appendix 6)
Feedback information receiving means for receiving feedback information from the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices and determining whether it is necessary to control timing for transmitting feedback information; and
The transmission control apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, further including:
(Appendix 7)
The feedback information receiving means includes
When feedback information is received from a plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses at time intervals equal to or less than a predetermined interval, or when feedback information is received from a newly added feedback information transmitting apparatus, it is necessary to control transmission timing judge,
The transmission control apparatus according to attachment 6.
(Appendix 8)
A feedback information transmitting device,
The transmission timing of feedback information is changed based on transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing of transmitting feedback information to the transmission control device so as to have a predetermined relationship with other feedback information transmission devices. Transmission timing management means for
Feedback information transmission means for transmitting feedback information to the transmission control device at the transmission timing changed by the transmission timing management means;
A feedback information transmitting apparatus including:
(Appendix 9)
The transmission timing control information is
A first value obtained based on a value indicating the transmission cycle of feedback information, a value indicating the number of devices of a plurality of feedback information transmitting devices including its own device, and an integer value given to each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices When,
Of the plurality of feedback information received by the transmission control device, the reception time of the feedback information received from the predetermined feedback information transmitting device and the reception of the feedback information received from the feedback information transmitting device other than the predetermined feedback information transmitting device A second value, which is a value indicating a difference from time,
The transmission timing is controlled so that the reception times of the feedback information transmitted from the feedback information transmitting apparatuses are different from each other among the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses generated based on Is a value indicating a shift in transmission timing for
The feedback information transmitting apparatus according to appendix 8.
(Appendix 10)
The first value is
A value obtained by multiplying a value indicating the transmission cycle of the feedback information by the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and the integer value that is a continuous integer value,
The relationship in which the reception times are different is a relationship in which the reception times are equally spaced.
The feedback information transmitting apparatus according to appendix 9.
(Appendix 11)
The transmission control device according to any one of appendices 1 to 7,
The feedback information transmitting apparatus according to any one of appendices 8 to 10, and
Coordinated transmission system including
(Appendix 12)
Based on a transmission period of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and a reception time of feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. The transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing at which each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses transmits the feedback information so as to have a predetermined relationship between the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, Generated for each of the feedback information transmitting devices,
Transmission control method.
(Appendix 13)
The transmission timing control information is
A first value obtained based on a value indicating a transmission period of the feedback information, a value indicating the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and an integer value given to each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. Value and
Among feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, a reception time of feedback information received from a predetermined feedback information transmitting apparatus, and feedback information received from a feedback information transmitting apparatus other than the predetermined feedback information transmitting apparatus A second value that is a value indicating a difference from the reception time of
The transmission timing for controlling the transmission timing so that the reception times of the feedback information transmitted from the respective feedback information transmission devices have different times among the plurality of feedback information transmission devices based on Generated as a value indicating the deviation of
The transmission control method according to attachment 12.
(Appendix 14)
The first value is
A value obtained by multiplying the value indicating the transmission period of the feedback information by the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices multiplied by the integer value that is a continuous integer value;
The transmission timing control information, which is a value indicating the deviation of the transmission timing, is generated as a relationship in which the reception times are different from each other, and the reception times are equally spaced.
The transmission control method according to attachment 13.
(Appendix 15)
The integer value is determined so that there are more feedback information transmitting apparatuses in which the value indicating the transmission timing shift is 0.
The transmission control method according to attachment 13 or 14.
(Appendix 16)
When the transmission period of the feedback information is different for each of the plurality of feedback information transmission devices, the transmission timing control information including period control information for unifying the period is generated.
The transmission control method according to any one of appendices 12 to 15.
(Appendix 17)
Receiving feedback information from the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices and determining whether it is necessary to control the timing of transmitting feedback information;
The transmission control method according to any one of appendices 12 to 16.
(Appendix 18)
When feedback information is received from a plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses at time intervals equal to or less than a predetermined interval, or when feedback information is received from a newly added feedback information transmitting apparatus, it is necessary to control transmission timing judge,
The transmission control method according to appendix 17.
(Appendix 19)
The transmission timing of feedback information is changed based on transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing of transmitting feedback information to the transmission control device so as to have a predetermined relationship with other feedback information transmission devices. And
Sending feedback information to the transmission control device at the changed transmission timing;
Feedback information transmission method.
(Appendix 20)
The transmission timing control information is
A first value obtained based on a value indicating the transmission cycle of feedback information, a value indicating the number of devices of a plurality of feedback information transmitting devices including its own device, and an integer value given to each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices When,
Of the plurality of feedback information received by the transmission control device, the reception time of the feedback information received from the predetermined feedback information transmitting device and the reception of the feedback information received from the feedback information transmitting device other than the predetermined feedback information transmitting device A second value, which is a value indicating a difference from time,
The transmission timing is controlled so that the reception times of the feedback information transmitted from the feedback information transmitting apparatuses are different from each other among the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses generated based on Is a value indicating a shift in transmission timing for
The feedback information transmission method according to attachment 19.
(Appendix 21)
The first value is
A value obtained by multiplying a value indicating the transmission cycle of the feedback information by the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and the integer value that is a continuous integer value,
The relationship in which the reception times are different is a relationship in which the reception times are equally spaced.
The feedback information transmission method according to attachment 20.
(Appendix 22)
The transmission control method according to any one of appendices 12 to 18, and
The feedback information transmission method according to any one of appendices 19 to 21;
A cooperative transmission method including:
(Appendix 23)
Based on a transmission period of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and a reception time of feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. The transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing at which each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses transmits the feedback information so as to have a predetermined relationship between the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, Generated for each of the feedback information transmitting devices,
A program that causes a computer to execute processing.
(Appendix 24)
The transmission timing control information is
A first value obtained based on a value indicating a transmission period of the feedback information, a value indicating the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and an integer value given to each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. Value and
Among feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, a reception time of feedback information received from a predetermined feedback information transmitting apparatus, and feedback information received from a feedback information transmitting apparatus other than the predetermined feedback information transmitting apparatus A second value that is a value indicating a difference from the reception time of
The transmission timing for controlling the transmission timing so that the reception times of the feedback information transmitted from the respective feedback information transmission devices have different times among the plurality of feedback information transmission devices based on Generated as a value indicating the deviation of
The program according to appendix 23, which causes a computer to execute processing.
(Appendix 25)
The first value is
A value obtained by multiplying the value indicating the transmission period of the feedback information by the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices multiplied by the integer value that is a continuous integer value;
The transmission timing control information, which is a value indicating the deviation of the transmission timing, is generated as a relationship in which the reception times are different from each other, and the reception times are equally spaced.
The program according to appendix 24, which causes a computer to execute processing.
(Appendix 26)
The integer value is determined so that there are more feedback information transmitting apparatuses in which the value indicating the transmission timing shift is 0.
The program according to appendix 24 or 25, which causes a computer to execute processing.
(Appendix 27)
When the transmission period of the feedback information is different for each of the plurality of feedback information transmission devices, the transmission timing control information including period control information for unifying the period is generated.
The program according to any one of appendices 23 to 26, which causes a computer to execute processing.
(Appendix 28)
Receiving feedback information from the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices and determining whether it is necessary to control the timing of transmitting feedback information;
The program according to any one of appendices 23 to 27, which causes a computer to execute processing.
(Appendix 29)
When feedback information is received from a plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses at time intervals equal to or less than a predetermined interval, or when feedback information is received from a newly added feedback information transmitting apparatus, it is necessary to control transmission timing judge,
The program according to appendix 28, which causes a computer to execute processing.
(Appendix 30)
The transmission timing of feedback information is changed based on transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing of transmitting feedback information to the transmission control device so as to have a predetermined relationship with other feedback information transmission devices. And
Sending feedback information to the transmission control device at the changed transmission timing;
A program that causes a computer to execute processing.
(Appendix 31)
The transmission timing control information is
A first value obtained based on a value indicating the transmission cycle of feedback information, a value indicating the number of devices of a plurality of feedback information transmitting devices including its own device, and an integer value given to each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices When,
Of the plurality of feedback information received by the transmission control device, the reception time of the feedback information received from the predetermined feedback information transmitting device and the reception of the feedback information received from the feedback information transmitting device other than the predetermined feedback information transmitting device A second value, which is a value indicating a difference from time,
The transmission timing is controlled so that the reception times of the feedback information transmitted from the feedback information transmitting apparatuses are different from each other among the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses generated based on Is a value indicating a shift in transmission timing for
The program according to attachment 30.
(Appendix 32)
The first value is
A value obtained by dividing the value indicating the transmission cycle of the feedback information by the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices is multiplied by an integer value that is a continuous integer value and is given to each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. Value obtained by
The transmission timing control information is
The transmission is performed such that the reception times of the feedback information generated from the first value and the second value and transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmission devices are equally spaced. It is a value indicating a shift in transmission timing for controlling timing.
The program according to appendix 31.

  The present invention is useful as a data distribution technique for moving image data, audio data, and the like.

1 CPU
2 Communication IF
Reference Signs List 3 Memory 4 Recording device 10, 70 Transmitting device 11 Network state estimation unit 12 Processing unit 13 Data transmission unit 14 Feedback information receiving unit 15, 75, 81 Transmission timing control unit 20, 30 Relay device 21 Data transmission / reception unit 22, 42 Feedback information Acquisition unit 23, 43, 92 Feedback information transmission unit 24, 44, 91 Transmission timing management unit 40, 50, 60 Receiving device 41 Data receiving unit 80 Transmission control device 90 Feedback information transmitting device 100, 200, 300, 400 Cooperative transmission system

Claims (10)

Based on a transmission period of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and a reception time of feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. The transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing at which each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses transmits the feedback information so as to have a predetermined relationship between the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, A transmission timing control means for generating each of the feedback information transmitting devices;
Including a transmission control device. The transmission timing control means includes
A first value obtained based on a value indicating a transmission period of the feedback information, a value indicating the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and an integer value given to each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. Value and
Among feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, a reception time of feedback information received from a predetermined feedback information transmitting apparatus, and feedback information received from a feedback information transmitting apparatus other than the predetermined feedback information transmitting apparatus A second value that is a value indicating a difference from the reception time of
The transmission timing for controlling the transmission timing so that the reception times of the feedback information transmitted from the respective feedback information transmission devices have different times among the plurality of feedback information transmission devices based on Generating the transmission timing control information which is a value indicating a deviation of
The transmission control apparatus according to claim 1. In the transmission timing control means,
The integer value is an integer value determined so as to increase the number of feedback information transmitting devices in which the value indicating the transmission timing shift is 0.
The transmission control apparatus according to claim 2. The transmission timing control means includes
When the transmission period of the feedback information is different for each of the plurality of feedback information transmission devices, the transmission timing control information including period control information for unifying the period is generated.
The transmission control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A feedback information transmitting device,
The transmission timing of feedback information is changed based on transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing of transmitting feedback information to the transmission control device so as to have a predetermined relationship with other feedback information transmission devices. Transmission timing management means for
Feedback information transmission means for transmitting feedback information to the transmission control device at the transmission timing changed by the transmission timing management means;
A feedback information transmitting apparatus including: The transmission control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A feedback information transmitting apparatus according to claim 5;
Coordinated transmission system including Based on a transmission period of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and a reception time of feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. The transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing at which each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses transmits the feedback information so as to have a predetermined relationship between the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, Generated for each of the feedback information transmitting devices,
Transmission control method. Based on a transmission period of feedback information transmitted from a plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, the number of devices of the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices, and a reception time of feedback information transmitted from the plurality of feedback information transmitting devices. The transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing at which each of the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses transmits the feedback information so as to have a predetermined relationship between the plurality of feedback information transmitting apparatuses, Generated for each of the feedback information transmitting devices,
A program that causes a computer to execute processing. The transmission timing of feedback information is changed based on transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing of transmitting feedback information to the transmission control device so as to have a predetermined relationship with other feedback information transmission devices. And
Sending feedback information to the transmission control device at the changed transmission timing;
Feedback information transmission method. The transmission timing of feedback information is changed based on transmission timing control information, which is information for controlling the timing of transmitting feedback information to the transmission control device so as to have a predetermined relationship with other feedback information transmission devices. And
Sending feedback information to the transmission control device at the changed transmission timing;
A program that causes a computer to execute processing.

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