JP3961856B2 - Bandwidth and time reservation method for information transmission in bandwidth-guaranteed communication system, communication system and program therefor - Google Patents

Description

【００４５】
複数の組合せが存在する場合において、ユーザの要求がダウンロードの時間優先である場合は、時間（Ｒｔ）が最も小さくなるものを選択する。また、コスト優先である場合は、通信料金（Ｃ）が最も低額となる組合せを選択する。ただし、条件を満たす組合せが存在しない場合は予約失敗を意味する予納応答メッセージをＨＴＦ装置４に返送することになるが、以下では、組合せが存在（前記予納応答メッセージをＨＴＦ装置４に返送しない）したものとして説明する。
【００４６】
なお、前記（１−３）で指定されたコンテンツを、ＨＧＦ装置３が既に取り込んで格納（キャッシュ）済みの場合は、前記（１−１）コンテンツ一覧の取得要求の動作を行う（ステップＳ６）。
【００４７】
（１−５）前記（１−４）帯域要求メッセージを受信したＳＮＦ装置２のリソース管理部２ａは、ここに保有する情報から帯域予約の可否を判定し、その結果をＨＧＦ装置３に帯域応答メッセージとして発行する。以下、帯域予約がＳＮＦ装置２にて許可されたものとして説明する
【００４８】
（１−６）前記（１−５）帯域応答メッセージを受信したＨＧＦ装置３のリソース予約管理部３ａは（ステップＳ２）、ダウンロードの終了予定時刻（＝Ｒｔから判定）を含んだダウンロード応答メッセージを、ＨＴＦ装置４からの、前記（１−３）ダウンロード要求メッセージへの応答としてＨＴＦ装置４に発行する（ステップＳ７，Ｓ８）。
【００４９】
（１−７）ＨＧＦ装置３は、前記（１−６）ダウンロード応答メッセージを発行した後に、ＳＰＦ装置１に対しコンテンツ要求メッセージを発行し、前記（１−４）帯域要求メッセージに対応して、ユーザから指定されたコンテンツのダウンロードを開始する（ステップＳ９）。
【００５０】
（１−８）前記（１−７）コンテンツ要求メッセージを受信したＳＰＦ装置１は、指定されたコンテンツデータをＨＧＦ装置３に対し送信し、ＨＧＦ装置３は、そのデータを、内部の蓄積装置に保存（キャッシュ）する。
【００５１】
（１−９）ＨＴＦ装置４は、前記（１−６）ダウンロード応答メッセージにおいて通知されたダウンロード終了予定時刻後に、ＨＧＦ装置３に対して前記（１−３）と同じくダウンロード要求を発行する。
【００５２】
（１−１０）前記（１−９）ダウンロード要求を受信したＨＧＦ装置３は、ダウンロード済みのコンテンツデータを前記（１−９）ダウンロード要求の返答としてＨＴＦ装置４に送信し、ＨＴＦ装置４が、そのコンテンツを利用する。
【００５３】
第１実施形態の利点を以下に説明する。
（１）通信ネットワークのリソース状況とユーザの要求条件が合致すれば、ユーザは希望するコンテンツを希望する時刻及び通信料金以内で取得可能となる。
（２）条件が合致しない場合でもユーザにその旨が通知されるため無駄なダウンロードが発生しないようになる。
（３）ユーザは予約帯域幅と時間の算出及び通信ネットワークに対するリソース予約処理などの複雑な処理を直接行う必要はなく、単に要求条件のみを選択するのみで良くなる。
【００５４】
このように第１実施形態では、帯域保証通信サービスにおいて、帯域保証通信サービスにおける、ユーザが要望する時間とコストの複合条件に対応した最適な予約帯域幅と予約時間の算出が、動的かつ迅速、確実にできるようになる。これによって結果的に、より多くのトラフィック量を確保できるとともに、低コストの通信サービスの提供・利用が可能になる。
【００５５】
（第２実施形態）
近年通信ネットワーク事業者から提供される帯域保証通信サービスとして、最低帯域保証方式による通信サービスが実施されている。この通信サービスでは、専用線サービスのような上限を固定した帯域幅の提供ではなく、あらゆる混雑状況でも、ある一定帯域以下にスループットが低下しないこと（＝帯域の下限）を保証する。一般的に、この帯域保証方式の通信サービスでは、使用帯域幅の上限は設定されず、通信帯域に空きがあれば最低以上の帯域幅による通信が可能である。
【００５６】
以上のような帯域保証通信サービスを利用して、あるデータサイズのファイルをダウンロードしようとした場合、最も通信ネットワークが混んでいる状態におけるダウンロード終了時刻を事前に算出できるが、実際にはそれよりも短い時間でダウンロードが終了すると考えられる。すなわち、初めから必要十分な帯域幅を予約するのではなくダウンロード途中で、ダウンロード履歴情報から複数回、その予約帯域幅と予約時間を再設定することで無駄な予約を低減することができるようになる。
【００５７】
以下、このような考えに基づいたリソース予約とダウンロード方式による第２実施形態について説明する。
この第２実施形態の通信ネットワーク構成は、図１に示す第１実施形態と基本的に同じであり、その重複した説明は省略する。
図９は第２実施形態におけるＨＧＦ装置３Ａ内部のシステム構成を示すブロック図である。
図９において、ＨＧＦ装置３Ａ内部のシステム構成は、図２に示す第１実施形態のＨＧＦ装置３（リソース予約管理部３ａ、記憶装置３ｂ）に、蓄積管理部３Ａａが新たに追加された構成となっている。
【００５８】
なお、この他の第２実施形態におけるシステム構成は、第１実施形態と同様である。すなわち、図２に示すＳＰＦ装置１（コンテンツ管理部１ａ、コンテンツ１ｂ、プロファイル１ｃ）とともに、図３に示すＳＮＦ装置２（リソース管理部２ａ，課金管理部２ｂ）、及び図６に示すＨＴＦ装置４（アプリケーション部４ａ）を有している。
【００５９】
図９において、ＨＧＦ装置３Ａの蓄積管理部３Ａａは、内部の記憶装置３ｂに格納（キャッシュ）されているデータの蓄積履歴情報を管理しており、単位時間当たりの書き込み（＝どれだけの速度でダウンロードされているか）を観測している。ＨＧＦ装置３Ａのリソース予約管理部３ａは、蓄積管理部３Ａａに問い合わせることによって、ダウンロード中ファイルの蓄積量及びダウンロード速度といった履歴情報を取得し、ダウンロードを完了するのに必要な予約帯域幅の再度の算出を行う（請求項における「帯域予約量及び予約時間の再度の算出を、情報転送終了を予め認識するために、情報転送中の情報蓄積量及び転送速度を含む履歴情報を参照して行う」に対応）。
【００６０】
次に、第２実施形態の動作について説明する。
図１０は第２実施形態の動作に対応したシーケンス図であり、図１１はＨＧＦ装置３Ａの処理手順を示すフローチャートである。また、図１０は第２実施形態におけるコンテンツを要求してから取得するまでの動作を表している。
【００６１】
（２−１）第１実施形態と同様にＨＴＦ装置４から前記（１−１）コンテンツ一覧の取得を要求する。
（２−２）第１実施形態と同様にＳＰＦ装置１は、前記（１−２）保有しているプロファイル一覧を返送する。
【００６２】
（２−３）第１実施形態と同様にＨＴＦ装置４は、ダウンロードに対する条件を含んだダウンロード要求メッセージをＨＧＦ装置３に発行するが、第２実施形態では、ダウンロード条件として取得希望時刻と取得制限時刻の二つを含めて発行する。この取得希望時刻は、ユーザがダウンロード完了を希望する時刻であり、ＨＧＦ装置３Ａは、可能な限りこの時刻までに完了するよう処理を行うが、必ずしも当該時刻までにダウンロードが完了する保証はない。取得制限時刻は第１実施形態と同様にダウンロードを完了すべき時刻であり、この時刻までにダウンロードが完了することが保証されるべき時刻である。
【００６３】
（２−４）第１実施形態と同様にＨＧＦ装置３Ａは、ＳＮＦ装置２に対して帯域要求メッセージを発行する。この動作は第１実施形態と同一であり、取得制限時刻（及び通信料金の上限）のみを用いて予約を行う。これによって、この要求がＳＮＦ装置２で受理されれば最悪でも取得制限時刻内にダウンロードが完了できることが保証される（ステップＳ１１〜Ｓ１６）。
【００６４】
（２−５）第１実施形態と同様に、リソース管理部２ａがＨＧＦ装置３に前記（１−５）帯域応答メッセージを発行する。
（２−６）第１実施形態と同様に、前記（１−６）ダウンロード応答メッセージを発行する（ステップＳ１７，Ｓ１８）。
【００６５】
（２−７）第１実施形態と同様に、前記（１−７）コンテンツ要求メッセージを発行する（ステップＳ１９）。
（２−８）第１実施形態と同様に、前記（１−８）指定されたコンテンツデータをＨＧＦ装置３Ａに対して送信し、ＨＧＦ装置３Ａが格納（キャッシュ）する。
【００６６】
（２−９）ＨＧＦ装置３Ａは、ここで保有するダウンロード履歴情報からダウンロード完了予想時刻（Ｔｆｉｎ）を算出する。取得希望時刻Ｔｅｘｐとするときに次の条件の場合は、何も処理しない。
ダウンロード完了予想時刻Ｔｆｉｎ≦取得希望時刻Ｔｅｘｐ
（＝ＴｆｉｎはＴｅｘｐより近い未来である）
【００６７】
この条件でない場合は、帯域予約量を追加すべく帯域要求メッセージをＳＮＦ装置２に発行する（ステップＳ２０）。追加する帯域幅及び時間の組合せ算定方法は、第１実施形態と同様であるが、αを０以上１以下の定数として次式（４）による計算を行う。
コンテンツサイズＳ＝残りコンテンツサイズ×α …（４）
取得制限時刻Ｔｄｌ＝Ｔｅｘｐ
なお、条件に整合した組合せがない場合、予約失敗を意味する予約応答メッセージをＨＴＦ装置４に返送しない。
【００６８】
（２−１０）第１実施形態と同様に、前記（１−５）帯域応答メッセージを発行する。
（２−１１）第１実施形態と同様に、前記（１−９）ダウンロード要求の発行と同様であるが、取得制限時刻より前にメッセージを発行しても良い。
【００６９】
（２−１２）第１実施形態と同様に、前記（１−１０）ダウンロード済みのコンテンツデータを送信し、ＨＴＦ装置４のユーザが、そのコンテンツを利用する。
【００７０】
このような第２実施形態では次の利点がある。
この第２実施形態では、第１実施形態に加えて、提供情報のダウンロード履歴情報から動的に予約帯域幅と予約時間の組合せを再度算出できるようになる。この結果、常に最適な組合せでの予約帯域幅と予約時間による、特に多大データ量の提供情報（コンテンツ）の提供・取得ができるようになる。この場合、結果的に、さらに多くのトラフィック量を確保できるとともに、低コストの通信サービスの提供・利用が可能になる。
【００７１】
なお、第１及び第２実施形態では、ＳＰＦ装置１，ＳＮＦ装置２，ＨＧＦ装置３及びＨＴＦ装置４それぞれの間は、図１に示すように、全て有線区間（有線通信回線接続）で示しているが、これに限定されない。この全ての有線区間が無線区間（無線通信回線接続）であっても良く、また、部分的に無線区間であっても良い。このような構成も当業者にとっては容易に創達できる設計的な事項であり、本発明に含まれる。
【００７２】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、この発明によれば、帯域保証通信サービスにおける、ユーザが要望する時間とコストの複合条件に対応した最適な予約帯域幅と予約時間の算出が、動的かつ迅速、確実にできるという効果がある。
【００７３】
さらに、本発明によれば、提供情報の転送履歴情報から、常に最適な予約帯域幅と予約時間の組合せを再度算出できるという効果がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の第１実施形態における通信ネットワーク構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２】図１におけるＳＰＦ装置の内部システム構成を示すブロック図である。
【図３】図１におけるＳＮＦ装置の内部システム構成を示すブロック図である。
【図４】図１におけるＨＧＦ装置のシステム構成を示すブロック図である。
【図５】図４に示すＨＧＦ装置の具体的な構成を示すブロック図である。
【図６】図１におけるＨＴＦ装置の内部システム構成を示すブロック図である。
【図７】第１実施形態の動作に対応したシーケンス図である。
【図８】第１実施形態におけるＨＧＦの処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図９】第２実施形態におけるＨＧＦ装置の内部システム構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１０】第２実施形態の動作に対応したシーケンス図である。
【図１１】第２実施形態におけるＨＧＦの処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１２】従来例にあって予約帯域幅と時間単価の関係を説明するための図である。
【符号の説明】
１ ＳＰＦ装置
１ａ コンテンツ管理部
１ｂ コンテンツ
１ｃ プロファイル
２ ＳＮＦ装置
２ａ リソース管理部
２ｂ 課金管理部
３，３Ａ ＨＧＦ装置
３ａ リソース予約管理部
３ｂ 記憶装置
３Ａａ 蓄積管理部
４ ＨＴＦ装置
４ａ アプリケーション部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bandwidth for information transmission in a bandwidth guaranteed communication service for downloading provided information (content, etc.) in a bandwidth guaranteed communication network that can be reserved (on-demand) for a time that requires the required bandwidth. The present invention relates to a time reservation method, a communication system thereof, and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, in communication networks (intranet, Internet, extranet) under TCI / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) environment, video information (for example, MPEG-2: Moving Picture Experts Group-2) and audio information (for example, A service for delivering a real-time stream such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol / ITU-T / H.323 protocol) is possible. In such real-time stream distribution, it is difficult to maintain a certain communication quality in a best-effort communication network sharing a communication band.
[0003]
Because of these difficulties, the importance of securing bandwidth in this type of communication network has been recognized. For this reason, a communication service using a dedicated line or bandwidth guarantee is provided. In general, bandwidth-guaranteed communication services such as leased lines do not share bandwidth, so a larger amount of traffic cannot be secured, resulting in a high-cost communication fee system, and the contract is also compared with units of months to years. There are many things over the long term. For this reason, it cannot respond to the cost reduction request by the user, and as a result, it cannot cope with the effective use of the band.
[0004]
For this reason, there is a demand for a communication service that provides a bandwidth required for general users who do not always need a fixed bandwidth for only a required time (on demand). As a result, this is a communication service that can reserve a larger amount of traffic and reserve a bandwidth and time that allow low-cost communication.
[0005]
In such a bandwidth-guaranteed communication service, when a bandwidth is reserved on demand, there is an optimum combination of the reserved bandwidth and time according to the user's request.
[0006]
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between reserved bandwidth and hourly unit price in on-demand.
12A and 12B, the two carriers A and B have a non-linear relationship set between the reserved bandwidth and its hourly unit price. In this case, a user request to download a file with a large amount of data such as moving image information is as follows.
[0007]
(1) I want to finish downloading in the shortest time (time priority)
(2) I want to end the download with the lowest communication charge (cost priority)
Depending on which one, the bandwidth and time reserved from the communication carrier to be used will differ.
(3) In addition, I want to finish downloading within XX yen by xx time
[0008]
For such user requests, the bandwidth and time reserved for the communication network operated by the carrier used by the time priority and the cost priority are different, and the download ends within a certain amount (communication fee) and the specified time. This is a complex condition of time and cost. For this reason, in order to find the optimum combination under the combined conditions of time and cost, in addition to the communication fee system and the file size, in some cases, a complicated calculation considering the usage time zone is required.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above conventional example, in order to obtain the optimal combination of the reserved bandwidth and the reserved time in the combined condition of the user request time and cost, it is necessary to perform a troublesome calculation and cannot be performed quickly and reliably. There was a disadvantage that a large amount of traffic could not be secured and the communication service was expensive.
[0010]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points. In the bandwidth guarantee communication service, calculation of the optimum reserved bandwidth and reservation time corresponding to the combined condition of time and cost requested by the user is dynamic and An object of the present invention is to provide a bandwidth and time reservation method for information transmission in a bandwidth-guaranteed communication service, and a communication system and program thereof that can be quickly and reliably.
[0011]
Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for reserving bandwidth and time for information transmission in a bandwidth-guaranteed communication service, so that the optimum combination of reserved bandwidth and reservation time can always be recalculated from the transfer history information of provided information, and its An object is to provide a communication system and a program.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  When the user terminal has an upper limit of communication charges and acquisition restrictionsTimeWhen the content download request including the download condition information indicating is output, the gateway device determines the reserved bandwidth and the download time required for the download based on the download condition information, and the bandwidth request indicating the reserved bandwidth and the download time. When the gateway apparatus receives a response indicating permission from the transmission path providing apparatus, the predetermined content is downloaded from the content providing apparatus using the reserved bandwidth of the transmission path, and the content is downloaded. A reservation method for a bandwidth-guaranteed communication system to be transmitted to the user terminal, wherein the gateway device has a storage unit in which history information indicating a storage amount and a download speed of content is stored.GetWhen the desired time is received, an expected completion time of the content being downloaded is calculated based on the history information, and the expected completion time is calculated as described above.GetIf it is later than the desired time, a new reserved bandwidth calculated to reduce the expected completion time and a bandwidth request indicating the download time are output, and when a permission response is received from the transmission path providing device, the new reserved bandwidth is used. Then, the download of the content is continued.
[0015]
  In the above-described method of the invention, in the bandwidth guarantee communication service, particularly a large amount of data is required.contentWhen providing and acquiring (downloading), it is possible to dynamically, quickly and surely calculate the optimum reserved bandwidth and reserved time corresponding to the combined conditions of time and cost desired by the user.
[0018]
  In the method of the invention described above, the reserved bandwidth is dynamically determined from the transfer history of the provided information.downloadThe time combination can be calculated again. As a result, the reserved bandwidth is always the optimal combination anddownloadEspecially large amount of data by timecontentCan be provided and acquired. In this case, as a result, a larger amount of traffic can be secured, and a low-cost communication service can be provided and used.
[0019]
  The preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention isThe gateway device calculates a communication fee based on charging information from the reserved bandwidth and download time.
[0020]
  In the method of the invention described above, the optimum reserved bandwidth corresponding to the combined condition of time and cost (communication charge) requested by the userdownloadTime is determined.
[0021]
  The method of this inventionThe gateway device is characterized in that when a combination of a plurality of reserved bandwidths and download times is determined, the reserved bandwidth and download time of the combination having the smallest communication charge are determined.
[0022]
In the method of the invention described above, it is possible to transfer information by giving priority to the information transfer time or communication charge desired by the user.
[0023]
  In the bandwidth guarantee communication system according to the present invention, the user terminal has an upper limit of communication charges and an acquisition limit.TimeWhen the content download request including the download condition information indicating is output, the gateway device determines the reserved bandwidth and the download time required for the download based on the download condition information, and the bandwidth request indicating the reserved bandwidth and the download time. When the gateway apparatus receives a response indicating permission from the transmission path providing apparatus, the predetermined content is downloaded from the content providing apparatus using the reserved bandwidth of the transmission path, and the content is downloaded. A bandwidth-guaranteed communication system for transmitting to the user terminal, wherein the gateway device includes: a storage unit storing history information indicating a content accumulation amount and a download speed; and a user terminalGetA calculation unit that calculates an expected completion time of the content being downloaded based on the history information when receiving a desired time, and the expected completion time isGetA bandwidth request unit that outputs a bandwidth request indicating a new reserved bandwidth and download time calculated to reduce the expected completion time if the time is later than the desired time, and the new reservation when receiving a permission response from the transmission path providing device. And a control unit that continues to download content using the bandwidth.
[0026]
  The communication system of this invention isThe gateway device calculates a communication fee based on charging information from the reserved bandwidth and download time.
[0027]
  The communication system of the invention described above isWhen the gateway device determines a combination of a plurality of reserved bandwidths and download times, the gateway device determines the reserved bandwidth and download time of the combination having the smallest communication charge.
[0028]
  Another invention is a user terminalInAt the upper limit of communication charges and when acquisition is restrictedTimeA download request for content containing download condition information indicatingAnd the procedure, Gateway equipmentInBased on the download condition information, the reserved bandwidth and the download time required for the download are determined, and a bandwidth request indicating the reserved bandwidth and the download time is output to the transmission line providing apparatus.And the procedureThe gateway deviceInWhen a response indicating permission is received from the transmission path providing apparatus, the predetermined content is downloaded from the content providing apparatus using the reserved bandwidth of the transmission path, and the content is transmitted to the user terminal.And the procedure toExecutionLetForBandwidth guaranteed communication systemA program for the gateway device,the aboveFrom user terminalGetWhen the desired time is received, the expected completion time of the content being downloaded is calculated based on the history information in the storage unit storing the history information indicating the accumulated amount and download speed of the content.Procedure andThe expected completion time isGetIf it is later than the desired time, a bandwidth request indicating a new reserved bandwidth and download time calculated to reduce the expected completion time is output.Procedure andWhen the permission response is received from the transmission path providing device, the download of the content is continued using the new reserved bandwidth.And execute the procedure.
[0029]
  The program of the present invention is the above gateway apparatus.InCalculate the communication fee based on the billing information from the reserved bandwidth and download timeThis procedure is further executed.
[0030]
  The program of the present invention is the above gateway apparatus.InWhen the combination of multiple reserved bandwidths and download times is determined, the reserved bandwidth and download time of the smallest combination of communication charges are determinedThis procedure is further executed.
[0031]
The above-described program of the invention makes it possible to provide the invention by downloading / installing it through an information recording medium, for example, package software or a communication network, thereby improving the versatility of the invention.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of a bandwidth and time reservation method for information transmission and a communication system and program thereof in the bandwidth-guaranteed communication service of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Configuration of First Embodiment and Operations of Each Part)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication network configuration in the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, this example is arranged in a communication network that provides a transmission path together with an SPF (Service Provider Function) device 1 (corresponding to information providing means in claims) that provides content (corresponding to provided information in claims). And an SGF (Service Network Function) device 2 (corresponding to the transmission path providing means in the claims), and an HGF (Home Gateway Function) device 3 (gate) on the user side (home communication network) And an HTF (Home Terminal Function) device 4 (corresponding to the user communication means in the claims) as a user terminal.
[0033]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal system configuration of the SPF apparatus 1 in FIG.
In FIG. 2, the SPF device 1 includes a content management unit 1a that controls content request reception and distribution and a storage device. In this storage device, a content 1b (corresponding to the provision information in the claims) and a profile 1c describing the attributes of the content 1b are stored, and one profile 1c is prepared for one content 1b. ing. The profile 1c includes information such as content data type, data size, and usable period.
[0034]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration inside the SNF apparatus 2 in FIG.
In FIG. 3, this SNF device 2 is arranged in a communication network, and together with a resource management unit 2a for managing communication quality control (QoS: Quality of Service) in bandwidth control and priority delivery, etc., charging for use of the communication network The charge management unit 2b for performing
[0035]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal system configuration of the HGF apparatus 3 in FIG.
In FIG. 4, this HGF device 3 has a storage device 3b for storing content downloaded from outside, profile data, and the like, together with a resource reservation management unit 3a for managing communication network resource reservation requests to the SNF device 2. ing. The HGF device 3 processes bandwidth reservation and download (corresponding to information transfer in claims).
[0036]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of the HGF apparatus 3.
5, this example includes an information processing device 5b and a database (D / B) device 5c together with a data transmission / reception device 5a that performs data communication with a communication network. The information processing device 5b performs resource reservation execution and reservation availability processing, and includes a CPU, a ROM storing a program (corresponding to a program in claims), and a working RAM. The database device 5c stores moving image information and management information and executes the processing.
[0037]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal system configuration of the HTF device 4 in FIG.
In FIG. 6, this HTF device 4 is a terminal used by a user, and has an application unit 4a that executes a program corresponding to the embodiment of the present invention and provides an interface with the user. The HTF device 4 communicates with the outside (SPF device 1, SNF device 2) through the HGF device 3.
[0038]
The specific configurations of the SPF device 1 shown in FIG. 2, the SNF device 2 shown in FIG. 3, and the HTF device 4 shown in FIG. 6 are substantially the same as the specific configuration of the HGF device 3 shown in FIG. The information processing units each composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM execute each process by a program (corresponding to a program in claims).
[0039]
(Overall operation of the first embodiment)
Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram corresponding to the operation of the first embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the HGF apparatus 3.
FIG. 7 shows an operation from when a user (HTF device 4) requests specific content until it is acquired.
[0040]
(1-1) The user issues a profile request from the HTF device 4 and requests acquisition of a list of contents stored in the SPF device 1.
(1-2) Upon receiving the (1-1) content list acquisition request, the SPF device 1 returns a profile list held therein.
[0041]
(1-3) The HTF device 4 that has received the (1-2) profile list (corresponding to the provided information list in the claims) from the SPF device 1 displays a list of profiles for the user, Provides an interface (screen display and selection instruction) for selecting what download conditions (communication charge upper limit and acquisition time limit) the user wants to acquire. By this screen display and selection instruction, the application unit 4a of the HTF device 4 issues a download request based on the determined acquisition condition to the HGF device 3. This download request message includes profile information and download conditions of the content selected by the user.
[0042]
(1-4) The HGF device 3 receives the (1-3) download request message from the HTF device 4 (steps S1 and S2). The resource reservation management unit 3a of the HGF device 3 uses the profile included in the download request message and the download conditions, the content data size (S), the acquisition time limit (Tdl) to complete the download, and the communication charge upper limit (Cmax). Etc., and based on the billing information (utilization communication fee table) acquired in advance from the billing management unit 2b of the SNF device 2, a combination of bandwidth (Rbw) and time (Rt) to be reserved and its communication fee (C ).
[0043]
As a combination of the bandwidth (Rbw) and the time (Rt) to be reserved here, there are a plurality of combinations combining these together with “a short time in a wide band or a long time in a narrow band”. Those satisfying these three conditions are calculated by the following equations (1), (2), and (3). This calculated value is issued as a bandwidth request message from the HGF device 3 to the SNF device 2 (steps S3, S4, S5).
[0044]

[0045]
In the case where there are a plurality of combinations, if the user's request gives priority to download time, the one with the smallest time (Rt) is selected. If the cost is given priority, the combination with the lowest communication charge (C) is selected. However, when there is no combination that satisfies the condition, a prepaid response message indicating a reservation failure is returned to the HTF device 4, but in the following, there is a combination (the prepaid response message is not returned to the HTF device 4). It is explained as having been done.
[0046]
If the content specified in (1-3) has already been captured and stored (cached) by the HGF device 3, the operation of (1-1) content list acquisition request is performed (step S6). .
[0047]
(1-5) The resource management unit 2a of the SNF device 2 that has received the (1-4) bandwidth request message determines whether or not to reserve a bandwidth from the information held here, and sends the result to the HGF device 3 as a bandwidth response. Issue as a message. In the following description, it is assumed that bandwidth reservation is permitted by the SNF device 2.
[0048]
(1-6) The resource reservation management unit 3a of the HGF apparatus 3 that has received the (1-5) band response message (step S2) sends a download response message including the scheduled end time of download (determined from Rt). The HTF device 4 issues a response to the (1-3) download request message to the HTF device 4 (steps S7 and S8).
[0049]
(1-7) After issuing the (1-6) download response message, the HGF device 3 issues a content request message to the SPF device 1, and in response to the (1-4) bandwidth request message, Downloading of the content designated by the user is started (step S9).
[0050]
(1-8) The SPF device 1 that has received the (1-7) content request message transmits the designated content data to the HGF device 3, and the HGF device 3 sends the data to the internal storage device. Save (cache).
[0051]
(1-9) The HTF device 4 issues a download request to the HGF device 3 in the same manner as (1-3) after the scheduled download end time notified in the (1-6) download response message.
[0052]
(1-10) The HGF device 3 that has received the (1-9) download request transmits the downloaded content data to the HTF device 4 as a response to the (1-9) download request, and the HTF device 4 Use the content.
[0053]
The advantages of the first embodiment will be described below.
(1) If the resource status of the communication network matches the user's requirements, the user can acquire the desired content within the desired time and communication fee.
(2) Even if the conditions do not match, the user is notified of this, so that useless downloads do not occur.
(3) The user does not need to directly perform complicated processing such as calculation of the reserved bandwidth and time and resource reservation processing for the communication network, and only needs to select a request condition.
[0054]
As described above, in the first embodiment, in the bandwidth guarantee communication service, the calculation of the optimum reserved bandwidth and the reservation time corresponding to the combined condition of the time and cost requested by the user in the bandwidth guarantee communication service is dynamic and quick. , You can be sure. As a result, it is possible to secure a larger amount of traffic and to provide and use a low-cost communication service.
[0055]
(Second Embodiment)
In recent years, communication services based on a minimum bandwidth guarantee method have been implemented as bandwidth guarantee communication services provided by communication network operators. This communication service does not provide a bandwidth with a fixed upper limit as in the leased line service, but guarantees that the throughput does not decrease below a certain bandwidth (= the lower limit of the bandwidth) even in any congestion situation. In general, in the bandwidth guarantee communication service, the upper limit of the used bandwidth is not set, and if there is a free communication band, communication with a minimum bandwidth or more is possible.
[0056]
If you try to download a file of a certain data size using the bandwidth guarantee communication service as described above, you can calculate the download end time in the state where the communication network is most crowded in advance, but actually it is more than that The download will be completed in a short time. In other words, it is possible to reduce useless reservations by re-setting the reserved bandwidth and reservation time multiple times from the download history information during the download instead of reserving the necessary and sufficient bandwidth from the beginning. Become.
[0057]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment using a resource reservation and download method based on such an idea will be described.
The communication network configuration of the second embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and a duplicate description thereof is omitted.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a system configuration inside the HGF apparatus 3A in the second embodiment.
9, the internal system configuration of the HGF device 3A is the same as the configuration in which the storage management unit 3Aa is newly added to the HGF device 3 (resource reservation management unit 3a, storage device 3b) of the first embodiment shown in FIG. It has become.
[0058]
The system configuration in the other second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. That is, together with the SPF device 1 (content management unit 1a, content 1b, profile 1c) shown in FIG. 2, the SNF device 2 (resource management unit 2a, billing management unit 2b) shown in FIG. 3, and the HTF device 4 shown in FIG. (Application unit 4a).
[0059]
In FIG. 9, the accumulation management unit 3Aa of the HGF device 3A manages the accumulation history information of data stored (cached) in the internal storage device 3b, and writes per unit time (= how fast) Is being downloaded). The resource reservation management unit 3a of the HGF apparatus 3A makes an inquiry to the storage management unit 3Aa to acquire history information such as the storage amount and download speed of the file being downloaded, and re-reserves the reserved bandwidth necessary for completing the download. (Calculating bandwidth reservation amount and reservation time again with reference to history information including information storage amount and transfer speed during information transfer in order to recognize in advance the end of information transfer) Corresponding).
[0060]
Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram corresponding to the operation of the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the HGF apparatus 3A. FIG. 10 shows operations from requesting content to acquisition in the second embodiment.
[0061]
(2-1) Requests acquisition of the (1-1) content list from the HTF device 4 as in the first embodiment.
(2-2) As in the first embodiment, the SPF device 1 returns the profile list held in (1-2).
[0062]
(2-3) Similar to the first embodiment, the HTF device 4 issues a download request message including a condition for download to the HGF device 3, but in the second embodiment, the desired acquisition time and the acquisition limit as download conditions It is issued including two times. The desired acquisition time is a time at which the user desires to complete the download, and the HGF device 3A performs processing so that it is completed by this time as much as possible, but there is no guarantee that the download will be completed by that time. The acquisition limit time is a time at which downloading should be completed as in the first embodiment, and is a time at which downloading should be guaranteed by this time.
[0063]
(2-4) As in the first embodiment, the HGF device 3A issues a bandwidth request message to the SNF device 2. This operation is the same as in the first embodiment, and the reservation is made using only the acquisition time limit (and the upper limit of the communication fee). As a result, if this request is accepted by the SNF device 2, it is guaranteed that the download can be completed within the acquisition limit time at worst (steps S11 to S16).
[0064]
(2-5) As in the first embodiment, the resource management unit 2a issues the (1-5) band response message to the HGF device 3.
(2-6) Similar to the first embodiment, the (1-6) download response message is issued (steps S17 and S18).
[0065]
(2-7) Similar to the first embodiment, the (1-7) content request message is issued (step S19).
(2-8) Similar to the first embodiment, the (1-8) designated content data is transmitted to the HGF device 3A, and the HGF device 3A stores (caches) it.
[0066]
(2-9) The HGF device 3A calculates the expected download completion time (Tfin) from the download history information held here. When the desired acquisition time Texp is set, no processing is performed under the following conditions.
Expected download completion time Tfin ≤ desired acquisition time Texp
(= Tfin is the near future than Texp)
[0067]
If this condition is not satisfied, a bandwidth request message is issued to the SNF device 2 to add a bandwidth reservation amount (step S20). The method for calculating the combination of bandwidth and time to be added is the same as in the first embodiment.
Content size S = Remaining content size × α (4)
Acquisition time limit Tdl = Texp
If there is no combination that matches the conditions, a reservation response message indicating a reservation failure is not returned to the HTF device 4.
[0068]
(2-10) Similar to the first embodiment, the (1-5) band response message is issued.
(2-11) Similar to the first embodiment, it is the same as (1-9) Issuing a download request, but a message may be issued before the acquisition time limit.
[0069]
(2-12) Similar to the first embodiment, (1-10) downloaded content data is transmitted, and the user of the HTF device 4 uses the content.
[0070]
Such a second embodiment has the following advantages.
In the second embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, the combination of the reserved bandwidth and the reserved time can be dynamically calculated again from the download history information of the provided information. As a result, provision information (contents) with a particularly large amount of data can be provided / acquired with a reserved bandwidth and a reserved time always in an optimal combination. In this case, as a result, it is possible to secure a larger amount of traffic and to provide and use a low-cost communication service.
[0071]
In the first and second embodiments, the SPF device 1, the SNF device 2, the HGF device 3, and the HTF device 4 are all shown in a wired section (wired communication line connection) as shown in FIG. However, it is not limited to this. All the wired sections may be wireless sections (wireless communication line connection) or may be partially wireless sections. Such a configuration is also a design matter that can be easily created by those skilled in the art and is included in the present invention.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the calculation of the optimum reserved bandwidth and reservation time corresponding to the combined condition of time and cost desired by the user in the bandwidth guarantee communication service is dynamic and quick. There is an effect that can be surely done.
[0073]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the optimum combination of reserved bandwidth and reserved time can always be calculated again from the transfer history information of provided information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication network configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing an internal system configuration of the SPF device in FIG. 1; FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing an internal system configuration of the SNF apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the HGF apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of the HGF apparatus shown in FIG. 4;
6 is a block diagram showing an internal system configuration of the HTF device in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram corresponding to the operation of the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of HGF in the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal system configuration of the HGF apparatus in the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram corresponding to the operation of the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of HGF in the second embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between reserved bandwidth and hourly unit price in a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 SPF equipment
1a Content Management Department
1b content
1c profile
2 SNF equipment
2a Resource Management Department
2b Charge Management Department
3,3A HGF device
3a Resource Reservation Management Department
3b storage device
3Aa Storage Management Department
4 HTF equipment
4a Application section

Claims (9)

When the user terminal outputs a download request of content including download condition information indicating the upper limit and the acquisition time limit time of the communication fee, the gateway device determines the download time required for bandwidth and download reservation based on the download condition information The bandwidth request indicating the reserved bandwidth and the download time is output to the transmission path providing apparatus, and when the gateway apparatus receives a response indicating permission from the transmission path providing apparatus, content is provided using the reserved bandwidth of the transmission path. A bandwidth guarantee communication system reservation method for downloading predetermined content from a device and transmitting the content to the user terminal,
The gateway device has a storage unit for storing history information indicating a content accumulation amount and a download speed, and when receiving a desired acquisition time from the user terminal, the content being downloaded is completed based on the history information. Calculate the expected time,
When the expected completion time is later than the desired acquisition time, a bandwidth request indicating a new reserved bandwidth and download time calculated to reduce the expected completion time is output,
When receiving a permission response from the transmission line providing device, the download of the content is continued using the new reserved bandwidth,
A method for reserving a bandwidth guaranteed communication system.   2. The bandwidth guarantee communication system reservation method according to claim 1, wherein the gateway device calculates a communication fee based on billing information from the reserved bandwidth and a download time.   The bandwidth guarantee communication system according to claim 1, wherein the gateway device determines a reserved bandwidth and a download time of a combination having the smallest communication fee when determining a combination of a plurality of reserved bandwidths and a download time. Reservation method. When the user terminal outputs a download request of content including download condition information indicating the upper limit and the acquisition time limit time of the communication fee, the gateway device determines the download time required for bandwidth and download reservation based on the download condition information The bandwidth request indicating the reserved bandwidth and the download time is output to the transmission path providing apparatus, and when the gateway apparatus receives a response indicating permission from the transmission path providing apparatus, content is provided using the reserved bandwidth of the transmission path. A bandwidth-guaranteed communication system that downloads predetermined content from a device and transmits the content to the user terminal,
The gateway device is
A storage unit storing history information indicating the accumulated amount of content and download speed;
A calculation unit that calculates an expected completion time of the content being downloaded based on the history information when receiving the desired acquisition time from the user terminal;
A bandwidth request unit that outputs a bandwidth request indicating a new reserved bandwidth and download time calculated to reduce the expected completion time when the expected completion time is later than the desired acquisition time;
A control unit that continues to download content using the new reserved bandwidth when receiving a permission response from the transmission path providing device;
A bandwidth-guaranteed communication system comprising:   5. The bandwidth-guaranteed communication system according to claim 4, wherein the gateway device calculates a communication fee based on billing information from the reserved bandwidth and download time.   5. The bandwidth-guaranteed communication system according to claim 4, wherein the gateway apparatus determines a reserved bandwidth and a download time of a combination having the smallest communication fee when determining a combination of a plurality of reserved bandwidths and a download time. . And instructions for outputting a download request of content including download condition information indicating the upper limit and the acquisition time limit time of the communication fee to the user terminal, the download time required bandwidth and download reservation based on the download condition information to the gateway device determined, utilizing the procedure of outputting a bandwidth request indicating the reserved bandwidth and download time on the transmission path providing device, the reserved bandwidth of the transmission path and receives a response indicating permission from the transmission path providing device to the gateway device to download certain content from the content providing device, a bandwidth guaranteed communication system program. Used to perform the steps of transmitting the content to the user terminal,
In the gateway device,
Procedure Ru is calculated completion expected time of the content being downloaded based on the previous SL the history information storage unit when the user terminal has received the desirably acquired time history information indicating the accumulated amount and the download rate of content is stored And
A step of the complete predicted time Ru to output a bandwidth request indicating a new reserved bandwidth and download time calculated in order to reduce the slow and the complete predicted time from the acquisition desired time,
A procedure for continuing to download the content using the new reserved bandwidth when receiving a permission response from the transmission path providing device;
A bandwidth guarantee communication system program for executing 8. The bandwidth guarantee communication system program according to claim 7 , further causing the gateway device to execute a procedure for calculating a communication fee based on charging information from the reserved bandwidth and download time. 8. The bandwidth-guaranteed communication system according to claim 7 , further comprising a step of causing the gateway device to determine a reserved bandwidth and a download time of a combination having the smallest communication fee when determining a combination of a plurality of reserved bandwidths and a download time. Program.

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