JP3255140B2 - Data line selection method and data line selection device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data line selection method and a data line selection device.
The present invention relates to a data line selection method and a data line selection device for selecting a data line from two or more data lines when receiving a data communication request or communication data from another data communication device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a data communication apparatus capable of using two or more data lines, it is necessary to assign one of the data lines to a communication application. In general, in a data communication device, a data line is allocated for each communication application or each data communication start request by a communication application designating a data line. For this reason, the communication application needs to manage the line resources of the data communication device in addition to the original processing work.

A data communication device proposed in view of such circumstances is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-260044. FIG. 19 shows an ISDN (Integrat
1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a data communication device using an ed Services digital network (ed service digital network) line. 100 in the figure,
101 and 102 are communication applications (A
P) and 103 are line resource management units, 104 is an ISDN connection control unit, 105 is an ISDN line connection unit, and 106 is an ISDN line. Each of the communication applications 100 to 102 designates a communication channel to make a line use request, and the line resource management unit 103 holding state information of the ISDN line 106 transmits a data line for each line use request based on the designation of the data line. Has been assigned. For this reason, since the communication applications 100 to 102 do not need to manage the line resources, the load on the communication application can be reduced.

However, in this data communication device,
The communication application specifies the data line. Therefore, a communication application, which should be a general-purpose program that does not depend on an individual data communication device, needs to recognize the data lines available in the data communication device and the line specifications and manage the line resources. there were.

For the purpose of effectively utilizing the data line, not only the side requesting data communication (calling side) but also the side requesting data communication (calling side) use the data line. It is desirable to properly manage it as line resources.

However, the above data communication apparatus selects a data line based on the output of a communication application. For this reason, the data line can be selected only in the data communication device that requests data communication (calling side), and the data line cannot be selected in the data communication device on the requested side (calling side). There was a problem that it was not possible.

It is desirable that not only the transmitting side of the communication data but also the receiving side of the communication data properly manage the data line as the line resource. There is a problem that a line can be selected and a data line cannot be selected on the receiving side. In other words, there is a problem in that the data line cannot be selected on the communication data receiving side regardless of the requesting side or the requested side of the data communication.

On the other hand, as another example of a conventional communication device, a data communication device in which a communication application does not specify a data line is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-97628. This data communication device accesses a short data line when the number of packets of transmission data is equal to or less than a specific number in a satellite packet communication system, and accesses a long data line when the number exceeds the specific number. When this data communication device is used, there is no need for a communication application to specify a data line.

However, this data communication system is applicable only when both selectable data lines are packet communication systems, and is also a simple alternative of a long data line and a short data line. This method can be applied only when a proper selection is made, and there is a problem that when various data lines having different connection types are mixed, an appropriate data line cannot be selected.

[0010] Further, in this data communication apparatus, since a data line is selected based only on the number of packets, an optimum data line or connection type cannot be selected according to a media type of transmission data. was there.

Further, when performing data communication including various media such as Internet access, the amount of communication data may change rapidly due to a change in media information during the data communication. In such a case, when the data communication start request is made, the optimum data line cannot be selected, and the conventional data communication device cannot allocate the optimum data line. .

Also, in the case of the latter data communication device,
As with the former data communication apparatus, there is a problem that a data line cannot be selected on the requested side of data communication or on the receiving side of communication data.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and selects an appropriate data line in a data communication device on the signal receiving side based on an output signal from a partner data communication device. The purpose is to make it possible.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to select an appropriate data line in a data communication device on the communication data receiving side based on communication data from a partner data communication device.

Further, the present invention enables an appropriate data line to be selected in a data communication device on a data communication request side based on a data communication start signal from a partner data communication device on a data communication request side. The purpose is to do.

Further, the present invention provides a data communication device on the signal receiving side based on data length information or media information included in an output signal from a partner data communication device.
The purpose is to be able to select an appropriate data line.

[0017]

A data line selecting method according to the present invention includes a receiving step of receiving an output signal from a partner data communication device requesting data communication at a data communication device requesting data communication. Based on the received signal, a data identification step for identifying the data type of the communication data from the other party's data communication device, and, based on the identified data type, a data line from a line selection table in which the data type is associated with the data line. A line selecting step for reading , and
Setting a data line read out to receive communication data as a data line between the other party's data communication device and the data communication device requested to perform the data communication. With such a configuration, the data type of the communication data can be identified based on the output signal of the partner data communication device, and the data line can be selected using the line selection table. Therefore, an appropriate data line can be selected in the data communication device on the signal receiving side.

Further, in the data line selecting method according to the present invention, the data identification step includes the step of determining the data length of the communication data from the partner data communication device based on the data length information or the media information included in the output signal from the partner data communication device. Alternatively, the media type is identified. Therefore, in the data communication device on the signal receiving side, it is possible to select an appropriate data line according to the data length of the communication data or the media type.

In the data line selecting method according to the present invention, the receiving step receives communication data from the partner data communication device, and the data identifying step identifies a data type of the communication data based on the communication data. With such a configuration, an appropriate data line can be selected in the data communication device on the communication data receiving side. Further, it is possible to switch to an appropriate data line for each communication data during data communication.

Further, in the data line selecting method according to the present invention, the receiving step receives a data communication start signal from the other party data communication apparatus, and the data identification step executes the data communication start signal from the other party data communication apparatus based on the data communication start signal. The data type of the communication data is identified. Therefore, an appropriate data line can be selected even in the data communication device on the side required for data communication.

On the other hand, a data line selecting device according to the present invention comprises: a signal receiving unit provided in a data communication device on the side requested to perform data communication for receiving an output signal from a partner data communication device requesting data communication; A data identification unit for identifying a data type of communication data from the partner data communication device based on the received signal, a line selection table for associating the data type with a data line, an output of the data identification unit, and the line selection table a line selector for selecting data lines on the basis of the other party data communication instrumentation
A line control unit for setting a data line selected to receive communication data from the data communication device as a data line between the partner data communication device and the data communication device requested to perform the data communication. Is done. With such a configuration, the data type of the communication data can be identified based on the output signal of the partner data communication device, and the data line can be selected using the line selection table. Therefore, an appropriate data line can be selected in the data communication device on the signal receiving side.

Further, in the data line selecting apparatus according to the present invention, the data identification unit may determine the data length of the communication data from the partner data communication apparatus based on the data length information or the media information included in the output signal of the partner data communication apparatus. Identify media information. Therefore, in the data communication device on the signal receiving side, it is possible to select an appropriate data line according to the data length of the communication data or the media type.

Further, in the data line selecting device according to the present invention, the signal receiving unit receives communication data from the partner data communication device, and the data identifying unit identifies a data type of the communication data based on the communication data. . With such a configuration, an appropriate data line can be selected in the data communication device on the communication data receiving side. Further, it is possible to switch to an appropriate data line for each communication data during data communication.

Further, in the data line selecting apparatus according to the present invention, the signal receiving section receives a data communication start signal from the other party data communication apparatus, and the data identifying section receives the data communication start signal based on the data communication start signal. Identify the data type of the communication data from. Therefore, an appropriate data line can be selected even in the data communication device on the side required for data communication.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of an entire data communication network to which a data communication device according to the present invention is applied. DE in the figure
Reference numeral 1 denotes a data communication device according to the present invention, and DE2 denotes a remote-side data communication device that performs data communication with the data communication device DE1.

NW1 to NW3 are data communication devices DE1
Is a data communication network that provides a data line, and a data communication device DE1 is connected via one or more data lines La to Lc. Also, NW4
Is a data communication network that provides a data line to the remote data communication device DE2.

The data lines La to Lc are of a circuit switching system,
This is a data line such as a packet switching system and a random access system, and is defined by a line type and a connection type. For the data lines La to Lc, the line type is, for example, IS
Wired line such as DN basic line, ISDN primary line, ISDN packet line, packet dedicated line, dedicated line, and PDC
A wireless line such as a line, a PHS line, and an IMT-2000 line can be used.

GW1 to GW3 are gateway devices for relaying between data communication networks having different protocols and the like, and interconnect the data communication networks NW1 to NW3 and the data communication network NW4.

FIG. 2 shows a data communication device DE according to the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one configuration example. 11 to 11 in the figure
Reference numeral 14 denotes communication application software for performing data communication with the data communication device DE2 on the remote side.
These communication applications are based on the data communication device DE.
1, but may also operate on a personal computer or the like (not shown) connected to the data communication device DE1.

These communication applications 11 to 14
Is general-purpose software that does not depend on a data communication device, and may operate under an OS (operating system). Here, the communication applications 11 to 1
4 will be described as being a file transfer application, a still image transfer application, a TV phone application, and an Internet access application (browser or the like).

In the figure, reference numerals 31 to 33 denote data communication devices DE.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a line control unit provided for each of the line types L1 to L3 to be connected, and is configured by a circuit for performing line connection, line disconnection, data transmission / reception, and the like of the line types L1 to L3. Here, the line type L1 is an ISDN unrestricted digital line, and the line control unit 31 sets the line type L1 to 64 kbit / s.
Alternatively, the connection is controlled by a connection type of 128 kbit / s. Also,
The line type L2 is an ISDN packet line, and the line control unit 3
2 controls connection of the line type L2 according to the connection type of the Dch packet or the Bch packet. Furthermore, if the line type L3 is ATM
(Asynchronus Transfer Mode) line, and the line control unit 33 controls connection of the line type L3. Here, the connection type means different communication speeds or service items that can be used on the same data line. Line type L
The connection type of the data line, in which the communication speed and the service item are specified in advance and cannot be selected for each communication application or data communication as in 3, is referred to as a “fixed system”.

In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes communication applications 11 to
A line management unit 14 selects a data line when performing data communication, and a media identification unit 2 as a data identification unit.
00, a line selection table 201, and a line selection unit 202
Consists of

11a to 14a and 11b to 14b are transmission / reception signals between the communication applications 11 to 14 and the line manager 20, and 31a to 33a and 31b to 33b are signals between the line manager 20 and the line controllers 31 to 33. Is a transmission / reception signal. These signals can also be realized by event processing or the like in software.

When receiving the data communication start signal or the communication data from the remote data communication device DE2, the line controllers 31 to 33 output these signals to the line manager 20 as signals 31b to 33b. In addition, the line management unit 20 receives the line control unit 31 based on the data communication start signal.
, And outputs a line connection request and a line disconnection request as signals 31a to 33a. Further, the line controllers 31 to 33 which have received the line connection request return connection completion or connection failure as signals 31b to 33b.

The media identification unit 200 includes a line control unit 31
The media type of the communication data is identified based on the data communication start signals 31a to 33a output from the communication data. That is, the media type of the communication data is identified as the data type of the communication data. The media type of communication data means classification of content included in communication data by media.

For example, the media type is whether the content of the communication data is a still image, a text, a moving image, a high-speed moving image + audio (a combination of high-speed moving image and audio), or the like. Generally, the communication data of the file transfer application 11 is text data,
The communication data of the access application 14 is a still image, a text, a moving image, or a high-speed moving image + audio. Therefore, in this case, the data communication start signal to the file transfer application 11 includes “text” as the media type, and the data communication start signal to the Internet access application 14 includes “still image” as the media type. , “Text”, “moving image”, or “high-speed moving image + audio”.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data format (data structure) of the data communication start signal. This data communication start signal is output from the other party data communication device DE2 when a data communication request occurs in the other party data communication device DE2, and the data line La
Received by the data communication device DE1 through Lc. Generally, the data communication start signal includes various control data together with the data communication start signal identifier. Media information and data length information of communication data are also included in the data communication start signal as one of the control data.

The media identification unit 200 includes a line control unit 31
The media information is extracted from the received data communication start signals of # 33 to # 33 to identify the media type. The identified media type may be the extracted media information itself, or may be a further processed version of the extracted media information. For example, the extracted media information may be further grouped, or may be further subdivided using other information.

The line selection table 201 has a rule in which an optimum data line (that is, an optimum line type and an optimum connection type on the line type) is associated with each media type. Using this line selection table 201,
An optimal data line can be selected based on the media type. For example, between “still image” and “moving image”, the latter generally has a larger communication data amount. A high-speed data line can be associated with such a media type having a large communication data amount, while a lower-speed data line can be associated with a media type having a smaller communication data amount.
A packet line can be associated with a media type having a small communication data amount. Furthermore, a higher-speed data line can be associated with a media type that requires real-time properties.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 201. In this figure,
"Still image" is line type L1 (ISDN unrestricted digital line)
64kbit / s connection and "Text" is line type L
2 (ISDN packet line) Dch packet connection, "High-speed video + audio" corresponds to line type L3 (ATM line), "Video" corresponds to line type L1 (ISDN unrestricted digital line) 128 kbit / s It is configured to include each rule corresponding to the connection.

Here, the connection type corresponding to the high-speed moving image + audio is a fixed type, and the connection type is not specified unlike other media. The reason for this is that in this communication device, the line type L3 is always controlled to be connected by a specific connection type, so that there is no need to specify the connection type. In this way, the connection type can be fixed in the line selection table 201 for a part or all of the data lines for which the connection type is fixed.

The line selection table 201 includes a ROM,
Although it can be constituted by a storage means such as a RAM or an EEPROM, it is desirable that it be constituted by a writable storage means and each rule in the line selection table 201 can be easily changed. For example, it is desirable that it can be easily changed from a maintenance interface or the like (not shown) of the data communication device.

The line selection unit 202 reads the data line corresponding to the identified media type from the line selection table 201 and selects one of the line types L1 to L3. Then, it outputs a line connection request signal to the line controllers 31 to 33 corresponding to the selected line types L1 to L3.
This signal includes a connection type, and the line control units 31 to 33 that have received the line connection request signals 31a to 33a perform line connection according to the specified connection type.

When the line connection is completed, the line selection unit 202 outputs a line disconnection request signal to the line control units 31 to 33 corresponding to the currently connected line types L1 to L3,
The line controllers 31 to 33 receiving the line disconnection request signals 31a to 33a disconnect and release the connected data line.

As a result, the data communication device DE1 which is the data communication request side can switch the data line with the counterpart data communication device DE2 which is the data communication request side.

Media identification unit 200 or line selection unit 2
02 can be realized as hardware,
It can be realized as software running on a microprocessor. Further, the line management unit 20 including the table 201 can be realized by a microcomputer.

Steps S100 to S105 in FIG. 5 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 20, and show processing when a data communication start signal is received from the partner data communication device DE2.

The data communication start signal is output when a request for data communication to the data communication device DE1 occurs in the partner data communication device DE2. This data communication start signal is received by the data communication device DE1 via any one of the data lines (first data line). The selection of the first data line is normally performed by the partner data communication device DE2 as the data communication requesting side. The line controllers 31 to 33 of the data communication device DE1 output the received signals to the line manager 20 as signals 31b to 33b.

When the line management unit 20 receives the data communication start signal, the media identification unit 200 extracts the media information from the data communication start signal, and extracts the media information from the data communication start signal.
2 identifies the media type of the communication data transmitted thereafter (step S100).

The line selector 202 refers to the line selection table 201 based on the identified media type, and reads out the line type and connection type associated with this media type (step S101). The line selecting unit 202 selects the read data line as the data line (second data line) corresponding to the received data communication start signal, and tries to switch the line to this data line (steps S103 to S103). S105).

However, if the read data line (second data line) matches the currently connected data line (first data line), there is no need to perform line switching. Therefore, first, the second data line is compared with the first data line (step S102). As a result, if the two match, the process is terminated. If the two do not match, an attempt is made to switch to the second data line (steps S103 to S105).

That is, the line management unit 20 sends the line control units 31 to 33 corresponding to the read data lines to the line control units 31 to 33.
A line connection request including the connection type is output (step S1
03). The line controllers 31 to 3 receiving the line connection request
3. If the data line can be connected,
The line connection of the second data line is performed, and a notification of the connection completion is returned to the line management unit 20. Upon receiving the connection completion notification, the line management unit 20 determines that the line connection has been completed (step S104), and outputs a line disconnection request to the line control units 31 to 33 corresponding to the first data line. The first data line is disconnected and released (step S1).
05).

On the other hand, if the data line cannot be connected, the line controllers 31 to 33 return a notification of connection failure to the line manager 20. For example, if the second data line is unavailable for a reason such as busy, the connection failure notification is returned to the line management unit 20. When the connection failure notification is received, the process is terminated without performing line switching (step S104).

For example, the other party's data communication device DE is connected via a 64 kbit / s connection (first data line) of the line type L1.
2 is received, and the media information extracted from the data communication start signal by the media identification unit 200 is “text”. The line selection unit 202
Based on the media information, the line selection table 201
A Dch packet connection (second data line) of the line type L2 is read from (FIG. 4), and a line connection request including the connection type is output to the line control unit 32.

At this time, if the second data line is usable, the line control unit 32 connects the second data line, and the line control unit 31 disconnects and opens the first data line. Therefore, the data communication device DE1 can thereafter receive the communication data from the partner data communication device DE2 via the second data line. On the other hand, if the second data line cannot be used, the other party's data communication device D via the first data line without performing line switching.
The communication data from E1 is received.

In this way, by selecting a data line based on the received data communication start signal, even the side requesting data communication can select the optimum line type and connection type. .

Further, by selecting a data line based on the type of media, it becomes possible to select data lines in consideration of required communication speed, communication quality, real-time property, and the like. In general, there is a correlation between the media type of transmission data and the data length. Therefore, by selecting an appropriate data line according to the media type of the transmission data, the data line can be used effectively and the throughput can be improved.

Further, the media type of the communication data is identified based on the data communication start signal, and the data line is selected, so that the communication application does not manage the line resources and designate the data line, so that the data line optimal for the medium can be selected. Can be selected.

In the present embodiment, the case where the data communication device DE1 is connected to three networks NW1 to 3 is described. However, the same effect can be obtained when the data communication device DE1 is connected to two or more networks. Can be

In this embodiment, the case where both the line type and the connection type are selected has been described. However, the present invention is also applied to a case where only the line type is selected or a case where only the connection type is selected. be able to.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the communication applications 11 to 14 are file transfer applications or the like has been described. However, any other general-purpose software may be used as the communication application.

In this embodiment, one media information identification unit 200 is used, and all line control units 31 to 3 are used.
Although the media identification based on the data communication start signal received at 3 is performed, a media identification unit may be provided for each of the line controllers 31 to 33.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing such a configuration example. The line management unit 20 'includes dedicated media identification units 2001 to 2003 corresponding to the line control units 31 to 33, respectively.
And each of the media identification units 2001 to 200
3 identifies the media type included in the data communication start signal received by the corresponding line control units 31 to 33, and outputs the identification result to the line selection unit 202.

Embodiment 2 In the first embodiment, the case where the media identification unit is used as the data identification unit has been described. In the present embodiment, the case where the data length identification unit is used as the data identification unit will be described.

FIG. 7 shows a data communication device DE according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration, which can be applied to the data communication network shown in FIG. 1. The line management unit 21 in the figure includes a data length identification unit 210 as a data identification unit, a line selection table 211, and a line selection unit 202. Note that components corresponding to the components described in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The data length identification unit 210
The data length of the communication data is identified based on the data communication start signals 31a to 33a output from the communication data. That is, the data length of the communication data is identified as the data type of the communication data. The data length of the communication data is the data length of all communication data output after the data communication start signal, and more specifically, the data amount of the content included in the communication data, or the data amount added thereto. Means things. That is, when the communication data has a data format (data structure) as described later, the data size is any of the data amount of the data body, the data amount of the data body and the control data, or the data amount of the data body, the control data and the identifier. You may.

Data length identification section 210 extracts data length information from the data communication start signal shown in FIG. 3 and identifies the data length of communication data. The data length to be identified may be the extracted data length information itself, or may be a further processed version of the extracted data length information. For example, a classification result in which the extracted data length information is classified into any of a plurality of data length ranges may be used.

Here, the data length identification unit 210 stores the extracted data length information and a predetermined threshold value of 1 kbyte,
A threshold comparing unit (not shown) for comparing 100 kbytes and 1 Mbyte is provided, and the extracted data length information is “1 kbyt
e, less than 1kbyte and less than 100kbyte, "100k
It is determined which of the four data length ranges “byte or more and less than 1 Mbyte” or “1 Mbyte or more” belongs, and the result of the determination is output.

The line selection table 211 has a rule in which an optimum data line is associated with each data length. By using the line selection table 211, an optimum data line can be selected based on the data length information. For example, communication data having a long data length can be associated with a high-speed data line, while communication data having a shorter data length can be associated with a lower-speed data line.
A packet line can be associated with communication data having a short data length.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 211. L in the figure means the extracted data length. The data length of “less than 1 kbyte” is associated with the Dch packet connection of the ISDN packet line (line type L2), and the data length of “1 kbyte or more and less than 100 kbyte” is 64 for the ISDN unrestricted digital line (line type L1).
Kbit / s connection and set the data length of “100 kbytes or more and less than 1 Mbyte” to an ISDN unrestricted digital line (line type L
The data length of “1 Mbyte or more” is associated with the ATM line by associating with 128 kbit / s connection of 1).

Steps S200 to S205 in FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 21, and show processing when a data communication start signal is received from the partner data communication device DE2.

First, when the line management unit 20 receives the data communication start signal, the data length identification unit 210 extracts data length information from the data communication start signal, and further extracts the extracted data length into three thresholds of 1 kbyte, The data length range to which the extracted data length belongs is identified by comparing the data length with 100 kbytes and 1 Mbyte (step S200).

Next, the line selection unit 202 refers to the line selection table 211 based on the output of the data length identification unit 210, and reads out the line type and connection type associated with this data length range (step S201).

The subsequent operations (steps S202 to S2)
05) is the case of the first embodiment (step S10 in FIG. 5).
2 to S105). That is, if necessary, the line selecting unit 202 changes the line from the connected data line (first data line) that has received the data communication start signal to the read data line (second data line). Try switching.

For example, the other party's data communication device DE is connected via a 64 kbit / s connection (first data line) of line type L1.
2, the data length information extracted from the data communication start signal by the data length identification unit 210 is 500 bytes. At this time, the data length identification unit 2
10 outputs “less than 1 kbyte”.

The line selector 202 reads out the Dch packet connection (second data line) of the line type L2 from the line selection table 211 (FIG. 8) based on the data length information, and sends the connection type to the line controller 32. Output a line connection request containing At this time, if the second data line is available, the line is switched from the first data line to the second data line, while if the second data line cannot be used, the line is not switched. .

In this way, by selecting an appropriate data line according to the data length of the communication data, the data line can be used effectively and the throughput can be improved.

Embodiment 3 In Embodiments 1 and 2,
The case where the data type is identified based on the received data communication start signal has been described. In the third and fourth embodiments, the case where the data type is identified based on the received communication data will be described.

First, a case will be described in Embodiment 3 where a media identification unit is used as a data identification unit. One configuration example of the data communication device DE1 according to the third embodiment is the same as the block diagram illustrated in FIG. 2, and can be applied to the data communication network illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data format (data structure) of communication data output from the data communication device DE2. The data communication device DE2 on the data communication request side outputs communication data after outputting the data communication start signal. Generally, communication data includes a communication data identifier, various types of control data, and a data body, and media information and data length information are included in the communication data as one of the control data.

The media identification section 200 extracts the media information from the communication data and identifies the type of the media.
The identified media type may be the extracted media information itself, or may be a further processed version of the extracted media information. For example, the extracted media information may be further grouped or further subdivided.

Steps S300 to S307 in FIG. 11 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 20 shown in FIG. 2, and show processing when communication data is received from the partner data communication device DE2. . In the present embodiment, when the data communication start signal is received, the line management unit 2
0 does not require the identification of the media type and the reading of the line selection table. Thereafter, when the communication data is received, the line management unit 20 identifies the media type and reads the line selection table, and switches the data line as necessary.

After outputting the data communication start signal, the partner data communication device DE2 outputs the communication data or the data communication stop signal. Therefore, when receiving the signal from the partner data communication device DE2, the line management unit 20 of the data communication device DE1 determines whether or not the received signal is a data communication stop signal (step S30).
0).

If the received signal is a data communication stop signal, the line manager 20 outputs a line disconnection request to the line controllers 31 to 33 as signals 31a to 33a (step S307), and ends this process. .

On the other hand, when the received signal is communication data,
The media identification unit 200 extracts media information from the communication data and identifies the media type of the communication data (Step S301).

The line selection unit 202 stores the media information of the immediately preceding communication data. If two or more communication data are received after receiving the data communication start signal, the line selection unit 202
For the communication data after the first time, the media identification unit 20
A comparison is made between the extracted media information of 0 and the stored media information immediately before (step S302). As a result, if the media information matches, there is no need to switch the line, so this process ends.

In step S302, when the media information does not match, or when the communication data is received for the first time after receiving the data communication start signal, the line selection unit 202
Refers to the line selection table 201 based on the identified media type, and reads out the line type and connection type associated with this media type (step S303).

Subsequent operations (steps S304 to S3)
07) is the case of the first embodiment (step S10 in FIG. 5).
2 to S105). That is, if necessary, the line selection unit 202 reads out the second data read from the connected first data line that has received the data communication start signal.
Try switching the line to the data line.

For example, after receiving a data communication start signal from the other party's data communication device DE2 via the line type L3 (first data line), the communication device further receives communication data, and the media identification unit 200 determines from this communication data It is assumed that the extracted media information is “still image”. Based on the extracted media information, the line selection unit 202 reads 64 KByte / L of the line type L1 from the line selection table 201 (FIG. 4).
s connection (second data line) is read out, and the line control unit 3
1 and outputs a line connection request including the connection type.

At this time, if the second data line is available, the line is switched from the first data line to the second data line. If the second data line cannot be used, the line is switched. Do not do.

Thereafter, it is assumed that the communication data is further received, and the media information extracted from the communication data by the media identification unit 200 is “text”. Since this medium does not match the “still image” which is the immediately preceding medium, the line selection unit 202 determines the line type L from the line selection table 201 (FIG. 4) based on the extracted media information.
The second Dch packet connection (third data line) is read, and a line connection request including the connection type is output to the line control unit 32.

At this time, if the third data line is available, the third data line is connected and the second data line is disconnected and released. Therefore, the data communication device DE
1 can thereafter receive communication data from the other party's data communication device DE2 via the third data line. On the other hand, if the third data line cannot be used,
No line switching is performed, and then the other party's data communication device DE
2 is received via the second data line.

In this way, by selecting a data line based on the media type included in the communication data from the partner data communication device, it is possible to select an appropriate data line according to the media type of the communication data. . Further, by selecting a data line for each communication data, it is possible to always select an appropriate data line for each communication data. For this reason, we use data lines effectively,
Throughput can be improved.

In the present embodiment, in step S302 of FIG. 11, it is determined whether the media information matches, and the line selection table 201 is referred to (step S30).
Although step 3) is performed as needed, step S302 is omitted and the line selection table 2 is used for all communication data.
01 can be configured.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described where, each time communication data is received, media information included in the communication data is identified and a line is selected. May be configured such that the media information is identified and the line is selected only for the communication data received in step S30.
2 is omitted.

Embodiment 4 In the fourth embodiment, a case where the data type is identified based on the received communication data, and a case where a data length identification unit is used as the data identification unit will be described. One configuration example of the data communication device DE1 in the fourth embodiment is the same as the block diagram shown in FIG. 7, and can be applied to the data communication network shown in FIG.

Data length identification section 210 extracts data length information from the communication data and identifies the data length of the communication data. Here, as in the case of Embodiment 2, the data length identification unit 210 determines that the extracted data length information is “less than 1 kbyte”, “1 kbyte or more and less than 100 kbyte”, “100 kbyt
It is determined which of the four data length ranges “e or more but less than 1 Mbyte” and “1 Mbyte or more” belongs, and the result of the determination is output.

S400 to S407 in FIG. 12 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 21 shown in FIG. 7, except that the media information is replaced with data length information in steps S401 to S403. This is exactly the same as the case of Embodiment 3 (the flowchart shown in FIG. 11). That is, in step S401,
The data length identification unit 210 extracts data length information from the communication data and identifies the data length of the communication data. Step S
In 402, the line selection unit 202 compares the identified data length with the stored data length immediately before for the second and subsequent communication data. Then, step S4
At 03, the line selection unit 202 refers to the line selection table 211 based on the identified data length, and reads out the line types L1 to L3 and the connection types associated with the data length.

For example, the other party's data communication device DE is connected via a 64 kbit / s connection (first data line) of line type L1.
It is assumed that after receiving the data communication start signal from No. 2, the communication data is further received, and the data length information extracted from the communication data by the data length identification unit 210 is 500 bytes.

Data length identification section 210 outputs "less than 1 kbyte". The line selection unit 202 reads out the Dch packet connection (second data line) of the line type L2 from the line selection table 211 (FIG. 8) based on the data length information, and sends a line including the connection type to the line control unit 32. Output a connection request. At this time, if the second data line is available, the line is switched from the first data line to the second data line, while if the second data line cannot be used, the line is not switched. .

In this way, by selecting a data line based on the data length information included in the communication data from the partner data communication device, it is possible to select an appropriate data line according to the data length of the communication data. it can. Also,
By selecting a data line for each communication data, an appropriate data line can always be selected for each communication data. For this reason, the data line can be effectively used, and the throughput can be improved.

In the present embodiment, in step S402 in FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not the data lengths match, and the line selection table 211 is referred to (step S40).
Although step 3) is performed as needed, step S402 is omitted and the line selection table 2 is used for all communication data.
11 can be configured.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described where every time communication data is received, the data length included in the communication data is identified and line selection is performed. , The data length may be identified only for the communication data received, and the line may be selected. In this case, step S402 is omitted.

Further, in the third and fourth embodiments, an example has been described in which the data communication device DE1 is the data communication requested side, but the present invention is not limited to such a case. That is, according to the present invention, a communication line can be selected in the data communication device on the receiving side based on the received communication data. For this reason, the data communication device DE
Regardless of whether the device 1 is the requesting side or the requested side of the data communication, the data communication device DE1 can select an appropriate communication line when it becomes the communication data receiving side.

As an example of the case where the data communication device on the data communication request side receives communication data, a case where the data communication device DE1 accesses the Internet is considered. First, the data communication device DE1 sends a message to the partner data communication device DE2 connected to the Web server.
Outputs a data communication request signal. Then, various data constituting the home page are sequentially output as communication data from the partner data communication device DE2. When receiving these communication data, the data communication device DE1 on the data communication request side can select an appropriate communication line for each communication data based on the media type or data length.

Embodiment 5 FIG. In the present embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a mobile communication system will be described.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of the entire data communication network to which the data communication device of the present invention is applied. This figure shows the data communication network N in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a case where W1 to NW3 correspond to a wireless communication network.

The data communication device DE1 is connected to the base station BS1,
The mobile communication device has one or more wireless communication channels (data lines) with the BS 2 and can select any one of the wireless communication channels, such as a cellular telephone capable of performing data communication. Here, the data communication device D
E1 can perform PDC packet communication or 8 kbit / s unrestricted digital communication with the base station BS1, and perform PHS 32 kbit / s or 64 kbit / s unrestricted digital communication with the base station BS2. Can do it.

However, the data communication device DE1 and the base station B
Communication with S1 and BS2 does not need to be limited to these communications, and may be, for example, GSM or satellite communications. The base stations BS1 and BS2 are connected via a gateway GW to a data communication network NW to which a data communication device DE2 on the remote side is connected.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the data communication device DE1 shown in FIG. 1 in the figure
Reference numerals 1 to 14 denote communication applications, and reference numeral 20 denotes a line management unit, which has the same configuration as that of FIG. Reference numerals 31 to 34 in the drawing denote line control units provided for each data line to which the data communication device DE1 is connected, and are configured by circuits for performing line connection, line disconnection, data transmission / reception, and the like.

Here, the line controller 31 controls connection of the PDC packet line. Also, the line control unit 32
Controls connection of C 8 kbit / s unlimited digital line. Further, the line control unit 33 controls the connection of the PHS 32 kbit / s unrestricted digital line. Also, the line control unit 33
64kbit / s unlimited digital line connection control.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 201. As shown in FIG. In this figure, "text" is associated with the PDC packet line, "video" is associated with the PDC 8 kbit / s unrestricted digital line, "still image" is associated with the PHS 32 kbit / s unrestricted digital line, "Movie + audio" is associated with another PHS 64kbit / s unrestricted digital line.

Steps S500 to S505 in FIG. 16 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 20 shown in FIG. 14, in which S505 is a channel switching request for requesting switching to the second data line. Embodiment 3 except for
(Steps S300 to S304 shown in FIG. 11)
Is exactly the same as

If the first and second data lines do not match in step S504, the line selection unit 202 outputs a channel switching request (step S505). This channel switching request is output to line control units 31 to 34 corresponding to the first and second data lines. And
These line control units execute a channel switching sequence with a device in the network (not shown).

As a result, if the channel switching is successful, then the data communication device DE2 is connected via the second data line.
Can be received, and when the channel switching is not successful, the communication data is continuously received via the first data line.

For example, if the communication application 14
When performing data communication of the media type “still image” via a DC 32 kbit / s unrestricted digital line (first data line), receiving new communication data from the partner data communication device DE2; The media information extracted by the media identification unit 200 from the communication data is “movie + audio”
Assume that

Since the media information “moving picture + sound” is different from the immediately preceding media information “still picture” stored in the link selecting section 202, the link selecting section 202 performs the processing based on the media information “moving picture + sound”. , Line selection table 201
A PHS 64 kbit / s unrestricted digital line (second data line) is read from (FIG. 15). Since this second data line is different from the first data line, the line selection unit 2
02 outputs a channel switching request to the line controllers 33 and 34.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of channel switching during communication in the wireless interface. When the line selection unit 202 outputs a channel switching request during data communication using the PHS 32 kbit / s unrestricted digital line, the line control unit 33 issues a communication channel switching request to a device (not shown) in the network. Output. This channel switching request is a switching request to a 64 kbit / s unrestricted digital line. Then, if a channel switching response during communication indicating that the channel switching has been successful is received from the device in the network, the line control unit 34 thereafter sets the PHS 64 kbit
/ s Perform data communication using an unrestricted digital line.

Step S505 in FIG. 16 may be a recalling-type handover request. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a recalling-type handover sequence in the wireless interface. During data communication using PHS 32kbit / s unrestricted digital line, line selection unit 2
When 02 outputs a recalling handover request, the line control unit 33 outputs a recalling type handover request to a device (not shown) in the network. This recall-type handover request is a request to switch to a 64 kbit / s unrestricted digital line. Then, if the re-call process is performed between the data communication device DE1 and the device in the network, and the re-call handover response indicating that the handover is successful is received, the line control unit 34 thereafter sets the PHS 64 kbit / s unrestricted digital Data communication is performed using a line.

In this way, channel switching in data communication device DE1, ie, switching of line type or connection type, can be performed using a normal channel switching procedure or a recalling handover procedure. Therefore,
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a mobile communication system, and even on a side where data communication is required in a mobile communication system, an optimum line type and connection type can be selected, and a data line can be effectively used. Utilization can improve throughput.

In this embodiment, media information is identified based on communication data and line switching is performed.
It can also be performed based on the data communication start signal,
It is also possible to identify the data length.

Further, the data lines in Embodiments 1 to 5 have different QoS (Qual
It may be a packet communication line in which an (class of service of service) class is set. In this case, the data line can be selected by selecting the QoS class.

[0122]

The data line selecting method and the data line selecting device according to the present invention identify the data type of communication data and select a data line based on the output signal of the partner data communication device. Therefore, the line type and the connection type can be selected on the signal receiving side, and the line type and the connection type suitable for the data type of the communication data can be selected.

Further, the data line selection method and the data line selection device according to the present invention identify the data length of communication data from the partner data communication device, and select a data line based on this data length. Therefore, a data line suitable for the data length can be selected.

Further, the data line selecting method and the data line selecting device according to the present invention identify the media type of the communication data from the partner data communication device, and select the data line based on the media type. Therefore, a data line suitable for the media type can be selected.

Further, the data line selecting method and the data line selecting device according to the present invention select a data line based on communication data output from the partner data communication device. Therefore, an appropriate data line can be selected on the communication data receiving side, and an optimum line type and connection type can be selected for each communication data.

The data line selecting method and the data line selecting device according to the present invention select a data line based on an output signal of a partner data communication device which is a data communication requesting side. Therefore, a data line can be selected on the side where data communication is requested, and a line type and a connection type suitable for the data type of communication data can be selected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of an entire data communication network to which a data communication device according to the present invention is applied (Embodiment 1).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a data communication device DE1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data format (data structure) of a data communication start signal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting a line selection table 201 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 20 shown in FIG.
The processing at the time of receiving the data communication start signal from E2 is shown.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the data communication device DE1 according to the present invention;
3 is provided with a media identification unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the data communication device DE1 according to the present invention (Embodiment 2).

8 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 211 shown in FIG.

9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the line management unit 21 illustrated in FIG.
The processing at the time of receiving the data communication start signal from E2 is shown.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data format (data structure) of communication data output from a data communication device DE2 (Embodiment 3).

11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the line management unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 2, illustrating a process when communication data is received from the partner data communication device DE2.

12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the line management unit 21 illustrated in FIG. 7, and illustrates a process when communication data is received from the partner data communication device DE2 (Embodiment 4).

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example of an entire data communication network to which the data communication device of the present invention is applied (Embodiment 5).

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a data communication device DE1 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 201 shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 20 shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of channel switching during communication in the wireless interface.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a recalling-type handover sequence in the wireless interface.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data communication device using a conventional ISDN line.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 to 14 communication application 200 media identification unit 210 data length identification unit 201, 211 line selection table 202 line selection unit 31 to 34 line control unit L1 to L3 data line DE1 data communication device DE2 partner data communication device

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-316248 (JP, A) JP-A-10-13434 (JP, A) JP-A-7-162459 (JP, A) JP-A-11-11 17701 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/02 H04L 12/56 H04L 12/66 H04L 29/04 H04M 11/00

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] A receiving step of receiving an output signal from a partner data communication apparatus requesting data communication in a data communication apparatus on a side requested to perform data communication; and receiving a signal from the partner data communication apparatus based on the received signal. a data identification identifying the data type of the communication data, based on the identified data type, a line selection step of reading data line from the line selection table that associates the data type to the data line, from the other party communication device
Using the data line read to receive the communication data as a data line between the counterpart data communication device and the data communication device requested to perform the data communication. Line selection method. 2. The data identification step is a data length identification step for identifying a data length of communication data from the counterpart data communication device based on data length information included in an output signal from the counterpart data communication device. 2. The data line selection method according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The data identification step is a media identification step of identifying a media type of communication data from the counterpart data communication device based on media information included in an output signal from the counterpart data communication device. The data line selection method according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving step receives communication data from a partner data communication device, and the data identifying step identifies a data type of the communication data based on the communication data. 4. The data line selection method according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. The receiving step receives a data communication start signal from a partner data communication device, and the data identification step determines a data type of communication data from the partner data communication device based on the data communication start signal. 4. The data line selection method according to claim 1, wherein the data line is identified. 6. A signal receiving section provided in a data communication device on a side requested to perform data communication for receiving an output signal from a data communication device on the other side requesting data communication; A data identification unit for identifying a data type of communication data from the communication device, a line selection table for associating the data type with a data line, and a line selection for selecting a data line based on the output of the data identification unit and the line selection table Department and the counterpart
A line control unit that sets a data line selected to receive communication data from the data communication device as a data line between the partner data communication device and the data communication device on the side requested to perform the data communication. A data line selecting device, comprising: 7. The data identification unit, based on data length information included in an output signal of the partner data communication device,
7. The data line selection device according to claim 6, wherein the data line selection device is a data length identification unit that identifies a data length of communication data from the partner data communication device. 8. The data identification unit, based on media information included in an output signal of the counterpart data communication device,
7. The data line selection device according to claim 6, wherein the data line selection device is a media identification unit that identifies a media type of communication data from the partner data communication device. 9. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the signal receiving unit receives communication data from a partner data communication device, and the data identification unit identifies a data type of the communication data based on the communication data. Item 9. The data line selecting device according to any one of Items 6 to 8. 10. The signal receiving unit receives a data communication start signal from a partner data communication device, and the data identification unit determines a data type of communication data from the partner data communication device based on the data communication start signal. 9. The data line selection device according to claim 6, wherein the data line selection device identifies the data line.