JP4664862B2 - Multicast communication system and communication apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multicast communication system for transmitting one packet to a plurality of specific computers at the same time, and a communication apparatus therefor.

Multicast communication is a technique for simultaneously transmitting one packet to a plurality of computers belonging to a specific group. In one-to-one unicast communication, even if the packets have the same content, if there are multiple destinations, it is necessary to transmit each partner. On the other hand, in multicast communication, only one packet needs to be transmitted, which saves labor and traffic.

  When performing multicast communication, a user or application of a communication terminal distinguishes a data destination by a distribution group or the like, and a communication network distinguishes by a multicast address corresponding to the distribution group. Therefore, in order to perform multicast communication, it is necessary to match multicast address recognition between the transmission side and the reception side. For this reason, conventionally, a multicast address is centrally managed in a server device provided on a communication network, and a communication terminal that performs multicast communication previously acquires the multicast address from the server device. In addition, when creating a new distribution group or changing a member of a distribution group, information such as the distribution group and multicast address managed by the server device had to be added / changed. Could not cope.

Therefore, a method has been proposed in which content is dynamically and flexibly distributed according to the user's preference or situation to reduce the processing load on the user or the server device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-354294 A

  As described above, conventionally, since the server device manages information such as a distribution group and a multicast address, the server device information is updated every time the distribution group is changed, and the distribution group of each communication terminal is set. There was a need to change. For this reason, management of the server apparatus becomes complicated, and it takes time for the change, and there is a problem that the setting of the distribution group cannot be changed when the communication terminal cannot communicate with the server apparatus.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to provide a simple configuration without requiring a large-scale configuration like a server device, and can be flexibly adapted to changes in distribution groups. Is to provide a multicast communication system and a communication apparatus thereof.

  In order to achieve the above object, a multicast communication system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of communication devices that perform at least one of data transmission and reception, and a communication line is provided to a group composed of specific communication devices. A multicast communication system for performing multicast communication via the group management unit for managing group information representing the group, and generating a multicast address based on the group information input by the group management unit If the communication device is on the transmission side, the generated multicast address is added to the data and sent to the communication line, and if the communication device is on the reception side, the generated address is generated. Data arrived via the communication line based on the multicast address It is determined whether the signal subject, when the data by the judgment is determined to be received object, characterized by comprising a communication interface for receiving the data.

  A communication apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of communication apparatuses that perform at least one of data transmission and reception, and performs multicast communication via a communication line for a group configured with specific communication apparatuses. A communication apparatus used in the system for transmitting data to the group, the group management means for managing group information representing the group, and a multicast address based on the group information input by the group management means And a communication interface for adding the generated multicast address to the data and sending it to the communication line.

  In addition, a communication apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of communication apparatuses that perform at least one of data transmission and reception, and performs multicast communication via a communication line to a group configured with specific communication apparatuses. A communication device used in a multicast communication system for receiving data transmitted to the group, group management means for managing group information representing the group, and group information input by the group management means Based on the address generating means for generating a multicast address, it is determined whether or not data arriving via the communication line is to be received based on the generated multicast address. Communication in which the data is received when it is determined that Characterized by comprising a face.

  The multicast communication system and the communication device having the above-described configuration are provided with group management means for managing group information, generate a multicast address based on the group information input by the group management means, and perform multicast communication using this multicast address. I do. This makes it possible to create a multicast group on the basis of the specified group information and eliminates the need for communication for matching the multicast address on the transmission side and reception side, thus reducing network traffic. be able to. In addition, since a server device or the like for managing the multicast address is not required, the system can be easily constructed at a low cost.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided a multicast communication system and its communication device capable of flexibly responding to changes in distribution groups with a simple configuration without requiring a large-scale configuration like a server device. Can be provided.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a multicast communication system according to the present invention.
In this system, three communication devices 100, 200, and 300 are connected to a network NW. The communication device 100 includes a multicast group management unit 11, a multicast address generation unit 12, and a network interface (network I / F) 13, and the communication devices 200 and 300 have the same configuration. Here, it is assumed that the communication device 100 operates as a transmission side, and the two communication devices 200 and 300 operate as a reception side. Hereinafter, an example in which data is multicast transmitted from the transmission side communication device 100 to the reception side communication device 200 will be described. Will be described.

  In the communication device 100 on the transmission side, when destination information specifying a group is input from a user or a host system, the multicast group management unit 11 extracts the corresponding group information based on the destination information and sends it to the multicast address generation unit 12. input. The multicast address generation unit 12 generates a multicast address according to a predetermined rule based on the input group information. The communication device 100 designates the generated multicast address as a destination, and transmits data through the network I / F 13.

  On the other hand, the communication device 200 on the receiving side inputs the group information of the own device held in the multicast group management unit 21 to the multicast address generation unit 12. The multicast address generation unit 12 generates a multicast address according to a predetermined rule based on the input group information. The network I / F 23 is set to receive the data addressed to the generated multicast address. When data arrives via the network NW, the network I / F 23 determines whether or not it is a reception target based on the multicast address that has been set to receive, and receives the data when it is determined that it is a reception target.

  By configuring in this way, if the transmission side communication device 100 and the reception side communication device 200 generate and use the same multicast address according to a predetermined rule, group information and multicast Multicast communication can be performed without having to exchange addresses between devices or centrally managing them with a server device. In particular, even when the group that wants to share information changes dynamically, each communication device autonomously generates a multicast address, so that the group information can be efficiently managed, and the changed destination can be Multicast communication can be performed.

Next, an address generation method in the multicast communication system configured as described above will be described.
(1) Generation of multicast address from location information
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of generating a multicast address based on position information. Here, it is assumed that data is transmitted to a communication device existing at a position (area) designated by the user.

The communication device 200 on the receiving side further includes, for example, a GPS receiving unit 24 as a position acquisition unit, and acquires position information of the own device from a GPS satellite. The multicast group management unit 21 determines in advance the position of the lattice of the position group to be used and the size of the lattice (100 m in this example). Multicast group management unit 21 obtains a grid of coordinates including the position information acquired by the GPS receiver _{24 (E 1, N 1)} , position the group _(E 1 based on the coordinates _{(E 1, N} 1), N ₁ ). The multicast address generation unit 22 generates a multicast address in which (E ₁ , N ₁ ) is embedded according to a predetermined rule. Then, the communication device 200 sets the network I / F 23 to receive the data addressed to the generated multicast address.

On the other hand, the communication device 100 on the transmission side accepts a position (area) designated by the user as destination information. The multicast group management unit 11 calculates which lattice of the predetermined lattices the area specified by the user based on the destination information is included, and obtains the lattice coordinates (E ₁ , N ₁ ). , it generates the coordinates _{(E 1, N} 1) position based groups _{(E 1, N} 1). The multicast address generator 12 generates a multicast address in which (E ₁ , N ₁ ) is embedded according to a predetermined rule. Then, the communication device 100 transmits data to the generated multicast address via the network I / F 13.

For example, when the communication apparatus 200 moves, the position information changes, and when the lattice including the position information changes to (E ₂ , N ₂ ), a multicast address (E ₂ , N ₂ ) is generated. . Then, the group information can be easily updated by changing the reception setting of the network I / F 23 from the multicast address (E ₁ , N ₁ ) to the multicast address (E ₂ , N ₂ ).

  Further, in the communication device 100, for example, when obtaining the position information of the failed vehicle and transmitting data to the communication device in the vicinity thereof, the coordinates of the lattice are obtained from the position information of the failed vehicle, and from this coordinate By generating the multicast address, it is possible for the communication device 100 to automatically select a destination and transmit data to a communication device in the vicinity of the failed vehicle even if the user does not specify the destination.

(2) Generation of multicast address from organization information
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of generating a multicast address based on organization information.
The communication device 200 holds organization information to which the device belongs. A method for creating a group from the organization information is determined in advance. For example, a group is created for each unit. The multicast group management unit 21 generates organization groups (A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ ) based on the organization information of the own device. Furthermore, the multicast address generation unit 22 generates a multicast address in which (A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ ) is embedded according to a predetermined method. Then, the network I / F 23 is instructed to receive the data addressed to the generated multicast address.

On the other hand, the communication device 100 transmits data to the communication device of the organization (range) designated by the user. When the organization designated by the user is a section unit, the multicast group management unit 11 creates a group of units. When section B ₁ is designated as the destination information, the multicast group management unit 11 selects groups (A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ ) and (A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₂ ) based on the organization information. Generate. The multicast address generation unit 12 generates a multicast address in which (A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ ) is embedded and a multicast address in which (A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₂ ) are embedded in accordance with a predetermined rule. Then, the network I / F 13 transmits data to these two multicast addresses. In this case, since the communication device 200 on the receiving side belongs to the group (A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ ) to which the device belongs, only the data whose destination is the multicast address (A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ ) is received. Receive.

For example, when the organization to which the communication device 200 belongs is changed, the organization information is changed, and the organization group is changed from (A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ ) to (A ₂ , B ₂ , C ₂ ). In this case, the reception setting of the network I / F 23 is newly registered from the multicast address (A ₁ , B ₁ , C ₁ ) and the multicast address (A ₂ , B ₂ , C ₂ ) to the network. It is possible to update the group information to which.

(3) Generation of multicast address based on user identification information
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of generating a multicast address based on user identification information.
The communication device 200 holds a personal ID such as an employee number of a user who uses this device. The multicast group management unit 21 generates a personal group (D ₁ ) based on the personal ID by a predetermined method. Further, the multicast address generating unit 22 generates a multicast address with an embedded personal group (D ₁₎ in accordance with a predetermined rule. Then, the communication device 200 sets the network I / F 23 to receive the data addressed to the generated multicast address.

On the other hand, the communication apparatus 100 receives the personal ID as destination information designated by the user, and the multicast group management unit 11 uses the personal group (D ₁ ) and (D ₂ ) based on the personal ID based on a predetermined method. ) Is generated. The multicast address generation unit 12 generates a multicast address in which (D ₁ ) is embedded and a multicast address in which (D ₂ ) is embedded according to a predetermined rule. Then, the communication device 100 transmits data to the generated multicast address via the network I / F 13. In this case, the communication device 200 on the receiving side receives only the data whose destination is the multicast address (D ₁ ) because the personal ID held by the receiving device is (D ₁ ).

For example, even when the user uses another communication device at the movement destination, the communication device detects a change in the personal ID of the user by a login ID, a USB token, etc., and cancels the receiving setting of the multicast address (D ₁ ). Then, by setting the newly generated multicast address (D ₂ ) as a reception setting, the group information to which the communication device 200 belongs can be updated.

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the communication device 100 creates group information by the multicast group management unit 11 based on destination information designated by the user. The multicast address generator 12 generates a multicast address based on this group information. When the communication apparatus 100 is the transmission side, the network I / F 13 adds the generated multicast address to the data and sends it to the network NW. In the case of the communication device 200 on the receiving side, the network I / F 23 is instructed to receive the data addressed to the generated multicast address.

  Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to create a multicast group on the basis of designated group information, and communication for matching multicast address recognition on the transmission side and the reception side is not necessary. Traffic can be reduced. In addition, since each communication device manages group information and generates a multicast address, a server device or the like for managing the multicast address is not necessary, and the system can be constructed inexpensively and easily.

  In particular, the present invention is more effective when a group sharing information is frequently changed depending on the situation and time. Conventionally, each time a group is changed, the system administrator sets the group information and the multicast address. However, in the present invention, since such an artificial operation can be eliminated, the group is changed. Even in such a case, the data can be accurately distributed to the destination group.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, when a multicast address is generated based on organization information, when multicast communication is performed in units of sections, a group (A ₁ , B ₁ ) is created in units of sections on the receiving side and the transmitting side. May be. If it does in this way, what is necessary is just to transmit data to one multicast address about the communication apparatus of a transmission side. In addition, the configuration and operation procedure of the communication device and the contents thereof can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the present invention.

  In short, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a multicast communication system according to the present invention. The figure which shows the example which produces | generates a multicast address based on position information. The figure which shows the example which produces | generates a multicast address based on organization information. The figure which shows the example which produces | generates a multicast address based on user information.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100,200,300 ... Communication apparatus, 11, 21, 31 ... Multicast group management part, 12, 22, 32 ... Multicast address generation part, 13, 23, 33 ... Network interface, NW ... Network.

Claims (5)

A multicast communication system comprising a plurality of communication devices that perform at least one of data transmission and reception, and performing multicast communication via a communication line for a group configured with specific communication devices,
If the communication device is on the sending side,
Group management means for creating group information based on destination information for designating the group of transmission destinations;
Address generating means for generating a multicast address according to a predetermined rule based on the group information;
A communication interface that designates the generated multicast address as a destination and sends the data to the communication line; and
When the communication device is a receiving side,
Group management means for holding group information representing a group to which the communication device belongs;
Address generating means for generating a multicast address according to the predetermined rule based on the group information;
A multicast interface configured to receive the data addressed to the generated multicast address and receiving the data when the data received via the communication line is a reception target; Communications system. The transmission-side group management means creates group information indicating lattice coordinates of a predetermined size based on destination information indicating a position designated as a transmission destination,
The multicast communication system according to claim 1, wherein the group management means on the receiving side creates group information indicating the lattice coordinates including position information of the communication device. The transmission-side group management means creates group information indicating a predetermined organizational unit based on destination information indicating an organization designated as a transmission destination,
The multicast communication system according to claim 1, wherein the group management means on the receiving side creates group information indicating the organizational unit including organizational information to which the communication device belongs. A plurality of communication devices that perform at least one of transmission and reception of data, and used in a multicast communication system that performs multicast communication via a communication line to a group configured with a specific communication device; A communication device that transmits data to a communication device that receives data addressed to a multicast address generated according to a predetermined rule based on group information representing a group to which
Group management means for creating group information based on destination information for designating the group of transmission destinations;
An address generating means for generating a multicast address according to the predetermined rule on the basis of the group information,
A communication apparatus comprising: a communication interface that designates the generated multicast address as a destination and transmits the data to the communication line. A plurality of communication devices that perform at least one of data transmission and reception are used in a multicast communication system that performs multicast communication via a communication line to a group configured with a specific communication device. A communication device for receiving data transmitted to
Group management means for holding group information representing a group to which the communication device belongs;
Address generating means for generating a multicast address according to the predetermined rule based on the group information;
A communication interface configured to receive the data addressed to the generated multicast address and receiving the data when the data arrived through the communication line is a reception target. apparatus.

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