JP4668098B2 - Communication route determination method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication route determination method for determining a communication route between communication devices in a communication system in which a plurality of communication devices are connected via a line. The present invention relates to a communication route determination method for determining a communication route to be connected at the time of one-to-N communication as a starting point.

  In a communication system in which a plurality of communication devices are connected via a line, for example, a technology related to Patent Literature 1 exists as a conventional technology for determining a communication route for determining a communication route between communication devices.

  In the technique related to Patent Document 1, the communication route is determined based on the priority information of each communication device and the line failure status.

JP-A-7-212461

  By the way, when 1-to-N communication is started from one communication device, the same information is transmitted from the one communication device to other communication devices (1-to-N communication). If the technology related to Patent Document 1 is adopted and the one-to-N communication is performed, an unnecessary line may be used depending on the state of the line failure occurring in the line and the content of the priority information. is there. In other words, when the technology according to Patent Document 1 is adopted and the one-to-N communication is performed, the line use efficiency may be reduced.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication route determination method capable of determining a communication route with good line use efficiency when performing one-to-N communication starting from one communication device.

  To achieve the above object, a communication route determination method according to claim 1 of the present invention connects adjacent communication devices in a communication system in which a plurality of communication devices are connected via a line. When one-to-N communication is performed by setting a plurality of unit communication routes using the line and starting from the starting communication device, one communication destination communication serving as a communication destination of the 1: N communication with the starting communication device In a communication route determination method for determining a connection route composed of a single or a plurality of unit communication routes connected to a device, (A) when connecting the unit communication routes constituting the connection route The connection source communication device that is the connection source of the unit communication route further includes a step of determining whether there is an already connected communication route that is already connected between the communication devices.

  In the communication route determination method according to claim 1 of the present invention, in a communication system in which a plurality of communication devices are connected via a line, a plurality of unit communication routes using the line connecting adjacent communication devices are set. When the one-to-N communication is performed with the origin communication device as a starting point, a simple connection is established between the origin communication device and one communication destination communication device that is the communication destination of the 1: N communication. In the communication route determination method for determining a connection route including one or a plurality of the unit communication routes, (A) when connecting the unit communication route constituting the connection route, the connection source of the unit communication route A connection source communication device includes a step of determining whether or not there is an already connected communication route that is already connected between the communication devices. Therefore, the already connected communication route can be used effectively. Therefore, it is possible to determine a communication route with good line use efficiency.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system is configured by connecting a plurality of communication apparatuses 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d via lines 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, and 2f. Here, in FIG. 1, only four communication apparatuses 1a to 1d are illustrated. However, in reality, a communication system is configured by more communication devices, and the communication devices are connected to each other by lines.

  In the communication system shown in FIG. 1, when one-to-N communication is performed with the origin communication device (any one of the communication devices 1a to 1d) as the origin, one of the communication destinations of the 1: N communication with the origin communication device A connection route to be connected to the communication destination communication device (any one of the communication devices 1a to 1d excluding the origin communication device) is determined. Furthermore, the same number of connection routes as “N” are determined.

  Here, 1-to-N communication refers to transmitting the same information to a plurality (N) of other communication devices (communication destination communication devices) starting from a certain communication device (origin communication device).

  For example, in FIG. 1, a case is assumed where 1: 2 communication (for example, communication device 1a and communication device 1b, and communication device 1a and communication device 1d) is started from communication device 1a. In this case, the origin communication device is the communication device 1a, and the communication destination communication devices are both the communication devices 1b and 1d. The connection route is a communication route determined and connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b, and a communication route determined and connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1d.

  The communication route determination method according to the present invention is implemented according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Here, the connection route is composed of a single or a plurality of unit communication routes (communication routes using a line connecting adjacent communication devices). In other words, the unit communication route constitutes at least a part of the connection route (the meaning can be understood by referring to the description of each embodiment). Also, the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 shows the flow of each step performed in the unit communication route determination / connection process.

  Therefore, in order to perform the connection route determination / connection process, it is necessary to perform a series of steps shown in FIG. 2 at least once.

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, in the communication route determination method according to the present invention, the communication device (which can be grasped as the connection source communication device) that is performing the connection processing of the unit communication route is between the communication devices 1 a to 1 d. 2 includes a step (step S1 in FIG. 2) for determining whether or not there is an already connected communication route.

  Furthermore, in the communication route determination method according to the present invention, when the connection source communication device determines that there is an already connected communication route and selects the already connected communication route as a predetermined communication route in step S1 of FIG. Alternatively, when a predetermined communication route is selected based on priority information and a line failure described later, the following steps are performed.

  That is, when the connection source communication device determines that the already connected communication route is `` present '', whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route when the connection route is connected using the already connected communication route, The connection source communication device determines (step S7 in FIG. 2). Here, the “loop state” means, for example, in FIG. 1, the communication device 1a, the communication device 1b, the connection route to be the communication device 1a, the communication device 1b, the communication device 1d, the connection route to be the communication device 1b, and the communication device 1a. The communication device 1b, the communication device 1d, the connection route to be the communication device 1a, and the like.

  In other words, it is assumed that the connection source communication apparatus temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route as a unit communication route. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route is the connection source in the connection processing of the unit communication route that was previously performed in the connection route connection processing. A step (step S7 in FIG. 2) is performed in which the connection source communication device determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device.

  Also, in the communication route determination method according to the present invention, when the connection source communication device determines that there is no already connected communication route in step S1 of FIG. 2, priority information (FIG. 4) possessed by the connection source communication device. In consideration of the failure status of the lines 2a to 2f, a step (steps S2, S3, and S4 in FIG. 2) in which the connection source communication device selects a unit communication route is performed.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. Here, the location where the line failure occurs is different between the embodiments. All the embodiments are based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a line failure has occurred in the line 2c.

  In the present embodiment, a connection route determination / connection method that is connected when performing one-to-N communication from the communication device 1a will be described. That is, the communication device 1a is the origin communication device.

  In the following description, the communication route determination method according to the present embodiment will be described only for the case of one-to-two communication for simplification of description. More specifically, the case where the same information is transmitted to the two communication devices 1b and 1c starting from the communication device 1a will be described. Accordingly, each of the communication devices 1b and 1c is a communication destination communication device.

(Connection route F1 determination / connection process)
First, a connection route F1 connected between the communication device (origin communication device) 1a and the communication device (one communication device) 1b is determined, and the connection process for the connection route F1 is performed. The flow will be described.

(Unit communication route F1S1 determination / connection process)
First, the determination / connection process of the unit communication route F1S1 constituting at least a part of the connection route F1 will be described.

  The communication device 1a (in the scene of determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F1S1 can be understood that the communication device 1a is the origin communication device and the connection source communication device) is already connected between the communication devices 1a to 1d. It is determined whether there is an already connected communication route (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  Here, at the stage of determining the unit communication route F1S1 connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b, there is no already connected communication route between the communication devices 1a to 1d. Therefore, the communication device 1a determines “None” in step S1, and the communication device 1a starts the process of step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1a selects a communication route according to the priority information possessed by the communication device 1a (step S2). Here, FIG. 4 shows the priority information that the communication device 1a has. Each of the communication devices 1a to 1d has the priority information illustrated in FIG. The way of viewing the priority information in FIG. 4 is as follows.

  For example, it is assumed that the communication device that is performing the work of determining the communication route connected to the communication device 1d is the communication device 1b. In this case, the connection source is the communication device 1b and the connection destination is the communication device 1d. Therefore, in FIG. 4, a table element in which the connection source is the communication device 1b and the connection destination is the communication device 1d is taken into consideration.

  Then, it turns out that the priority of the communication route directly connected between the communication device 1b and the communication device 1d is the highest (priority 1). It can also be seen that the priority of the communication route connected between the communication device 1b and the communication device 1a is the second highest (priority 2, that is, the communication route via the communication device 1a). It can also be seen that the priority of the communication route connected between the communication device 1b and the communication device 1c is the lowest (priority 3, that is, the communication route via the communication device 1c).

  In this case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1a. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1b. Accordingly, the communication device 1a executing the process of step S2 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1b having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, a communication route using the line 2a connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1a determines whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2a) (step S3).

  As shown in FIG. 3, only the line 2c has a line failure. Therefore, it becomes “no failure” in step S3, and the communication device 1a selects a communication route using the line 2a as a predetermined communication route (step S6).

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1a temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, a communication route using the line 2a) as the unit communication route F1S1. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F1S1 has previously become the connection source in the unit communication route connection processing in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F1. The connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1a performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F1, the unit communication route determination / connection processing has not been performed before. Accordingly, in the determination / connection process of the connection route F1, any communication device 1b to 1d is not the connection source of the unit communication route except for the communication device 1a (“No” in step S7).

  Therefore, the communication device 1a determines a communication route (that is, the unit communication route F1S1) using the line 2a as a part of the connection route F1 (step S8). Then, connection processing of the unit communication route F1S1 is performed between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b (step S8).

  Here, it can be understood that the connection route F1 determined and connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b includes only the unit communication route F1S1. As described above, the determination / connection process for the connection route F1 using the line 2a between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is also completed. Then, the communication route between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is established by the determination / connection process of the connection route F1.

  Here, if a line failure has occurred in the line 2a, “failed” is determined in step S3, and the communication device 1a again refers to the priority information held by itself and communicates with the next priority. It is confirmed whether a route (communication device) is registered (step S4).

  If the communication route with the next priority is registered, “registered” is set in step S4, and the process returns to step S2. On the other hand, if the next priority communication route is not registered, “no registration” is set in step S4, and the communication device 1a selects the communication route connected to the communication device 1b. Is determined to be impossible (step S5), and the communication route determination process between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is terminated (without selecting a communication route).

(Connection route F2 determination / connection process)
Returning now, next, the connection route F2 connected between the communication device 1a (origin communication device) and the communication device 1c (the other communication device) is determined, and the connection processing of the connection route F2 is performed. The flow until it is done will be described.

(Unit communication route F2S1 determination / connection process)
First, the determination / connection process of the unit communication route F2S1 constituting a part of the connection route F2 will be described.

  The communication device 1a (the communication device 1a can be grasped as the origin communication device and the connection source communication device in the scene of determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F2S1) is first connected between the communication devices 1a to 1d. It is determined whether there is an already connected communication route (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  Here, at the stage of determining the unit communication route F2S1 connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c, as can be seen from the above, an existing line 2a is used between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b. A connection communication route exists. Accordingly, the communication device 1a determines “Yes” in step S1, and selects the already-connected communication route using the line 2a as a predetermined communication route (step S6). And the communication apparatus 1a progresses to step S7.

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1a temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, the already-connected communication route using the line 2a) as the unit communication route F2S1. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F2S1 has previously become the connection source in the unit communication route connection processing in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F2. The connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1a performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, the communication device 1a selects a predetermined communication route using the line 2a which is an already connected communication route, and in the connection processing of the unit communication route F2S1 to be performed, the communication device 1a selects the predetermined communication route selected. It is assumed that the route is determined as the unit communication route F2S1. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F2S1 is the communication device 1b.

  Incidentally, this is the first unit communication route determination / connection process in the connection route F2 determination / connection process. Therefore, in the determination / connection process of the connection route F2, any communication device 1b to 1d is not the connection source of the unit communication route except for the communication device 1a ("No" in step S7).

  Therefore, the communication device 1a determines a communication route (that is, the unit communication route F2S1) using the line 2a as a part of the connection route F2 (step S8). Here, since the communication route using the line 2a has already been connected, the connection process is not performed again.

  The above is the determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F2S1.

(Unit communication route F2S2 determination / connection process)
Next, determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F2S2 constituting a part of the connection route F2 will be described.

  Here, in the unit communication route F2S2 determination / connection process, the communication device 1b becomes the connection source communication device. That is, the communication device that is the connection source in the unit communication route F2S2 determination / connection process is the communication device 1b. Note that the communication device that is the connection destination in the unit communication route F2S2 determination / connection process is the communication device 1c.

  The communication device 1b first determines whether or not there is an already connected communication route between the communication devices 1a to 1d (step S1 in FIG. 2). Here, at this stage, as can be seen from the above, a communication route using the line 2a is already connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b. Accordingly, the communication device 1b determines “Yes” in step S1, and selects the already-connected communication route using the line 2a as a predetermined communication route (step S6). Then, the communication device 1b proceeds to step S7.

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1b temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, a communication route using the line 2a) as the unit communication route F2S2. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F2S2 has previously become the connection source in the connection processing of the unit communication route in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F2. The connection source communication device 1b determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1b performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1b determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, the communication device 1b selects a predetermined communication route using the line 2a that has already been connected, and the communication device 1b temporarily selects the predetermined communication route selected in the connection processing of the unit communication route F2S2. Suppose you decide.

  In this case, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F2S2 is the communication device 1a. By the way, the communication device 1a is a connection source in the unit communication route F2S1 determination / connection process.

  Therefore, the communication device 1b determines that the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F2S2 is the connection source when the unit communication route is determined / connected before in the connection route F2 determination / connection processing. It is determined that the communication apparatus has been changed (“Yes” in step S7). Therefore, the communication device 1b returns to step S1.

  Next, the communication device 1b determines whether there is an already-connected communication route other than the communication route using the line 2a between the communication devices 1a to 1d (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  At this stage, there is no already connected communication route other than the communication route using the line 2a between the communication devices 1a to 1d. Accordingly, the communication device 1b determines “None” in step S1, and starts the process of step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1b selects a communication route according to the priority information (see FIG. 4) that the communication device 1b has (step S2).

  In the present case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1b. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1c. Therefore, the communication device 1b executing the process of step S2 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1c having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, a communication route using the line 2b connected between the communication device 1b and the communication device 1c is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1b determines whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2b) (step S3).

  As shown in FIG. 3, only the line 2c has a line failure. Therefore, it becomes “no failure” in step S3, and the communication device 1b selects a communication route using the line 2b as a predetermined communication route (step S6).

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1b temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, a communication route using the line 2b) as the unit communication route F2S2. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F2S2 has previously become the connection source in the connection processing of the unit communication route in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F2. The connection source communication device 1b determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1b performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1b determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, the communication device 1b selects the predetermined communication route using the line 2b, and in the connection processing of the unit communication route F2S2 to be performed, the communication device 1b temporarily selects the predetermined communication route as the unit communication route F2S2. Suppose that At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F2S2 is the communication device 1c.

  By the way, as can be seen from the description so far, in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F2, the communication device 1c is not yet the connection source of the unit communication route (“No” in step S7).

  Therefore, the communication device 1b determines a communication route (that is, the unit communication route F2S2) using the line 2b as a part of the connection route F2 (step S8). Then, connection processing of the unit communication route F2S2 is performed between the communication device 1b and the communication device 1c (step S8).

  Thus, the unit communication route F2S2 determination / connection process ends.

  Through the above-described steps, the connection route F2 determination / connection process is completed between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c. That is, the connection route F2 between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c is established. Here, the connection route F2 includes a unit communication route F2S1 and a unit communication route F2S2.

  After determining the connection routes F1 and F2 and completing the connection process, 1: 2 communication starting from the communication device 1a is started. That is, communication using the line 2a is performed between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b, and the line 2a and the line 2b are used between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c via the communication device 1b. Communication is performed.

  Here, in FIG. 3, a line indicated by a solid line is a line used as a communication route. A line indicated by a dotted line is a line that is not used as a communication route.

  Next, in order to explain the effect of the present invention, a case where a communication route is determined by the method according to Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to the communication system configuration diagram shown in FIG. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the configuration of the communication system is the same as FIG. Further, in FIG. 5, the line where the failure has occurred is only the line 2c as in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a communication route determination procedure according to Patent Document 1. Here, the flowchart of FIG. 6 shows a flow until a communication route connected between communication apparatuses is determined. As can be seen from FIG. 6, in the communication route determination method according to Patent Document 1, the communication devices 1a to 1d have different priority information (for example, FIG. 4) and the communication failure between the communication devices depending on the line failure status of the lines 2a to 2f. A communication route has been determined.

  In the following description, only one-to-two communication will be described in the same manner as the description of the present invention described above. More specifically, the case where the same information is transmitted to the two communication devices 1b and 1c starting from the communication device 1a will be described.

  First, a flow until a communication route connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is determined and connection processing of the communication route is performed will be described.

  The communication device 1a selects a communication route according to the priority information (FIG. 4) that the communication device 1a has (step S101).

  In this case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1a. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1b. Accordingly, the communication device 1a executing the process of step S101 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1b having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, a communication route using the line 2a connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is selected (step S101).

  Next, the communication device 1a confirms the failure status as to whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S101 (in this case, the line 2a) (step S102).

  As described above, the line failure occurs only in the line 2c. Accordingly, “no failure” is determined in step S102, and the communication device 1a determines a communication route using the line 2a and executes connection processing for the communication route (step S103).

  Thus, the connection process of the communication route using the line 2a is completed between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b.

  Next, a flow until a communication route to be connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c is determined and connection processing for the communication route is performed will be described.

  The communication device 1a selects a communication route according to the priority information (see FIG. 4) that the communication device 1a has (step S101).

  In this case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1a. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1c. Therefore, the communication device 1a executing the process of step S101 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1c having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, the communication route using the line 2c connected between the communication device 1b and the communication device 1c is selected (step S101).

  Next, the communication device 1a confirms the failure status as to whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S101 (in this case, the line 2c) (step S102).

  As described above, a line failure has occurred in the line 2c. Therefore, “failed” is determined in step S102, and the communication device 1a again refers to the priority information (for example, FIG. 4) that the communication device 1a has and confirms whether the communication route (communication device) of the next priority is registered. (Step S104).

  Here, since the communication route with the priority 2 is registered in FIG. 4 (“registered” in step S104), the process returns to step S101.

  The communication device 1a that executes the process of step S101 again selects a communication route to be connected to the communication device 1d having the priority level 2. That is, a communication route using the line 2d connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1d is selected (step S101).

  Next, the communication apparatus 1a confirms the line failure status as to whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S101 (in this case, the line 2d) (step S102).

  As described above, the line failure occurs only in the line 2c. Accordingly, “no failure” is determined in step S102, and the communication device 1a determines a communication route using the line 2d and executes connection processing for the communication route (step S103).

  Next, processing for determining a communication route connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c is continued. However, the communication device 1d performs subsequent communication route determination processing. Therefore, the connection source is changed to the communication device 1d which is a relay point.

  The communication device 1d selects a communication route according to the priority information (for example, FIG. 4) that the communication device 1d has (step S101).

  In this case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1d. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1c. Therefore, the communication device 1d executing the process of step S101 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1c having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, the communication route using the line 2f connected between the communication device 1d and the communication device 1c is selected (step S101).

  Next, the communication apparatus 1d confirms the line failure status as to whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S101 (in this case, the line 2f) (step S102).

  As described above, the line failure occurs only in the line 2c. Accordingly, “no failure” is determined in step S102, and the communication device 1d determines a communication route using the line 2f and executes connection processing for the communication route (step S103).

  Thus, the connection process for the communication route using the line 2d and the line 2f is completed between the communication apparatus 1a and the communication apparatus 1c.

  As can be seen from the description in the case of using the technique related to Patent Document 1 described above, the line shown by a solid line in FIG. 5 is a line used as a communication route. A line indicated by a dotted line is a line that is not used as a communication route.

  In the above discussion, when the method according to the first embodiment is adopted, the number of lines used for 1: 2 communication is “2”. On the other hand, when the method according to Patent Document 1 is adopted, the number of lines used for 1: 2 communication is “3”.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the communication route between communication devices is determined in consideration of the presence or absence of an already connected communication route between the communication devices 1a to 1d.

  Therefore, the already connected communication route can be used effectively. Therefore, depending on the status of the failure occurring on the line and the priority information, the method according to the present embodiment can determine a communication route with higher line use efficiency than the method according to Patent Document 1. Become. Note that no matter how the failure status and priority information on the line changes, the method according to the present embodiment is a communication route having a lower line use efficiency than the method according to Patent Document 1. There is no decision.

  In addition, the connection source communication device that performs the determination / connection processing of the unit communication route as the connection source of the unit communication route has the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route previously set as the unit communication route. It is determined whether or not the communication apparatus has been the connection source in the connection process.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent a loop from being formed by at least one unit communication route.

  In addition, after the determination of the presence / absence of the already connected communication route is completed, the connection source communication device that is the connection source of the unit communication route indicates the priority information (for example, FIG. 4) and the lines 2a to 2b that the connection source communication device has. A process for selecting a unit communication route is performed in consideration of the line failure situation of 2f.

  Therefore, for example, even when there is no existing connection communication route or when the existing connection communication route cannot be adopted as the unit communication route, the unit communication route can be determined and connected as in the prior art.

<Embodiment 2>
In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a method for determining a communication route that is connected when one-to-N communication is performed starting from the communication device 1a will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication system. As can be seen from a comparison between FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, the two systems are the same except for the location of the line where the line failure has occurred. In the communication system described in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, a line failure has occurred in the line 2b and the line 2e.

  Also in this embodiment, it is assumed that the priority information possessed by each of the communication devices 1a to 1d is as shown in FIG. Also in the present embodiment, the communication route determination method is implemented according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the following description, as in the first embodiment, the communication route determination method according to the present embodiment will be described only for the case of one-to-two communication for the sake of simplicity. More specifically, the case where the same information is transmitted to the two communication devices 1b and 1c starting from the communication device 1a will be described. Therefore, the origin communication device is the communication device 1a, and the communication destination communication devices are the communication device 1b and the communication device 1c.

(Connection route F11 determination / connection process)
First, a connection route F11 to be connected between the communication device 1a (origin communication device) and the communication device 1b (one communication destination communication device) is determined, and connection processing for the connection route F11 is performed. The flow will be described.

(Determination / connection processing of unit communication route F11S1)
First, the determination / connection process of the unit communication route F11S1 constituting at least a part of the connection route F11 will be described.

  The communication device 1a (in the scene of determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F11S1 can be grasped that the communication device 1a is both the origin communication device and the connection source communication device) is already connected between the communication devices 1a to 1d. It is determined whether there is an already connected communication route (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  Here, at the stage of determining the unit communication route F11S1, no already connected communication route exists between the communication devices 1a to 1d. Therefore, the communication device 1a determines “None” in step S1, and the communication device 1a starts the process of step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1a selects a communication route according to the priority information (FIG. 4) possessed by the communication device 1a (step S2).

  In this case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1a. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1b. Accordingly, the communication device 1a executing the process of step S2 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1b having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, a communication route using the line 2a connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1a determines whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2a) (step S3).

  As described above, it is the lines 2b and 2e that have a line fault. Therefore, it becomes “no failure” in step S3, and the communication device 1a selects a communication route using the line 2a as a predetermined communication route (step S6).

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1a temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, a communication route using the line 2a) as the unit communication route F11S1. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F11S1 has previously become the connection source in the connection processing of the unit communication route in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F11. The connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1a performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F11, the unit communication route determination / connection processing has not been performed before. Therefore, in the determination / connection process of the connection route F11, no communication device 1b to 1d is the connection source of the unit communication route except for the communication device 1a ("No" in step S7).

  Therefore, the communication device 1a determines a communication route (that is, the unit communication route F11S1) using the line 2a as a part of the connection route F11 (step S8). Then, connection processing of the unit communication route F11S1 is performed between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b (step S8).

  Thus, the unit communication route F11S1 determination / connection process ends between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b.

  Here, it can be understood that the connection route F11 determined and connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b includes only the unit communication route F11S1. As described above, the determination / connection process of the connection route F11 using the line 2a is simultaneously ended between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b. Then, the communication route between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is established by the determination / connection processing of the connection route F11.

(Connection route F12 determination / connection process)
Returning now, the connection route F12 to be connected between the communication device 1a (origin communication device) and the communication device 1c (the other communication device) is determined, and the connection process for the connection route F12 is performed. The flow until it is done will be described.

(Determination / connection processing of unit communication route F12S1)
First, the determination / connection process of the unit communication route F12S1 constituting a part of the connection route F12 will be described.

  The communication device 1a (the communication device 1a can be grasped as the origin communication device and the connection source communication device in the scene of determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F12S1) is already connected between the communication devices 1a to 1d. It is determined whether there is an already connected communication route (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  Here, at the stage of determining the unit communication route F12S1, as can be seen from the above, the communication route using the line 2a is already connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b. Accordingly, the communication device 1a determines “Yes” in step S1, and selects the already-connected communication route using the line 2a as a predetermined communication route (step S6). And the communication apparatus 1a progresses to step S7.

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1a temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, the already connected communication route using the line 2a) as the unit communication route F12S1. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F12S1 has previously become the connection source in the unit communication route connection processing in the connection route F12 determination / connection processing. The communication device 1a determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1a performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, the communication device 1a selects a predetermined communication route using the line 2a which is an already connected communication route, and in the connection processing of the unit communication route F12S1 to be performed, the communication device 1a selects the predetermined communication route selected. Assume that the route is determined as the unit communication route F12S1. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F12S1 is the communication device 1b.

  Incidentally, this is the first unit communication route determination / connection process in the connection route F12 determination / connection process. Therefore, in the determination / connection process of the connection route F12, no communication device 1b to 1d is the connection source of the unit communication route except for the communication device 1a ("No" in step S7).

  Therefore, the communication device 1a determines the already connected communication route (that is, the unit communication route F12S1) using the line 2a as a part of the connection route F12 (step S8). Here, since the communication route using the line 2a has already been connected, the connection process is not performed again.

  The above is the determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F12S1.

(Processing until the unit communication route F12S1 is canceled when determining / connecting the unit communication route F12S2)
Next, determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F12S2 that may constitute a part of the connection route F12 will be described.

  Here, in the determination / connection process of the unit communication route F12S2, the communication device 1b becomes the connection source communication device. That is, the communication device that is the connection source in the unit communication route F12S2 determination / connection process is the communication device 1b. Note that the communication device that is the connection destination in the unit communication route F12S2 determination / connection process is the communication device 1c.

  The communication device 1b first determines whether or not there is an already connected communication route between the communication devices 1a to 1d (step S1 in FIG. 2). Here, at this stage, as can be seen from the above, a communication route using the line 2a is already connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b.

  Accordingly, the communication device 1b determines “Yes” in step S1, and selects the already-connected communication route using the line 2a as a predetermined communication route (step S6). Then, the process proceeds to step S7.

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1b temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, the already-connected communication route using the line 2a) as the unit communication route F12S2. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F12S2 has previously become the connection source in the connection processing of the unit communication route in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F12. The connection source communication device 1b determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1b performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1b determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, the communication device 1b selects a predetermined communication route using the line 2a that has already been connected, and the communication device 1b temporarily selects the predetermined communication route selected in the connection processing of the unit communication route F12S2. Suppose you decide.

  In this case, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F12S2 is the communication device 1a. By the way, in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F12 (more specifically, determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F12S1), the communication device 1a has previously been a connection source.

  Accordingly, the communication device 1b is a communication device in which the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F12S2 has become the connection source when the previous unit communication route is determined and connected. Judgment is made (“Yes” in step S7). Therefore, the communication device 1b returns to step S1.

  Next, the communication device 1b determines whether there is an already-connected communication route other than the communication route using the line 2a between the communication devices 1a to 1d (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  At this stage, there is no already connected communication route other than the communication route using the line 2a between the communication devices 1a to 1d. Accordingly, the communication device 1b determines “None” in step S1, and starts the process of step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1b selects a communication route according to the priority information (see FIG. 4) that the communication device 1b has (step S2).

  In the present case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1b. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1c. Therefore, the communication device 1b executing the process of step S2 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1c having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, a communication route using the line 2b connected between the communication device 1b and the communication device 1c is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1b checks whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2b) (step S3).

  Here, as described above, a line failure has occurred in the line 2b (see FIG. 7). Therefore, “failed” is determined in step S3, and the communication device 1b again refers to the priority information (FIG. 4) that the communication device 1b has, and confirms whether the communication route (communication device) of the next priority is registered ( Step S4).

  Since the communication route (communication device) of priority 2 is registered, “Registered” is set in Step S4, and the process returns to Step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1b selects a communication route according to the priority information (see FIG. 4) that the communication device 1b has (step S2).

  Here, the communication route (communication device) registered with the priority 2 that is the next higher priority than the priority 1 is selected. That is, a communication route using the line 2e connected between the communication device 1b and the communication device 1d is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1b checks whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2e) (step S3).

  Here, as described above, a line failure has occurred in the line 2e (see FIG. 7). Therefore, “failed” is determined in step S3, and the communication device 1b again refers to the priority information (FIG. 4) that the communication device 1b has, and confirms whether the communication route (communication device) of the next priority is registered ( Step S4).

  Although a communication route with priority 3 is registered in the priority information, the communication route is excluded because it is a communication route rejected in step S7. Therefore, the communication route with the next priority is not registered ("No registration" in step S4), and the communication device 1b performs the determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F12S2 with the communication device 1b as the connection destination. finish.

  As described above, the communication device 1a that is notified that the communication device 1b has failed to determine and connect to the unit communication route F12S2 that is the connection destination employs the unit communication route F12S1 as part of the connection route F12. Is solved.

  Here, the connection route F11 is fixed. Therefore, the connection route F11 (unit communication route F11S1) between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is assumed to be effective and the connection relationship is maintained.

  The above is the processing until the unit communication route F12S1 is canceled when determining and connecting the unit communication route F12S2.

(Unit communication route F12S1 redetermination / connection processing)
The communication device 1a that has executed the communication route cancellation processing of the unit communication route F12S1 again determines and connects the unit communication route F12S1 that forms part of the connection route F12, with the communication device 1a serving as the communication source. To do.

  Here, in the re-determination / connection process of the unit communication route F12S1, it can be understood that the communication device 1a is not only the origin communication device but also the connection source communication device.

  The communication device 1a again determines whether there is an already connected communication route other than the communication route using the line 2a between the communication devices 1a to 1d (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  Here, there is no already-connected communication route between the communication devices 1a to 1d other than the communication route using the line 2a. Therefore, the communication device 1a determines “None” in step S1, and starts the process of step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1a selects a communication route according to the priority information (FIG. 4) possessed by the communication device 1a (step S2).

  In this case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1a. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1c. Therefore, the communication device 1a executing the process of step S2 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1c having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, a communication route using the line 2a connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1a checks whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2c) (step S3).

  As described above, it is the lines 2b and 2e that have a line fault. Therefore, it becomes “no failure” in step S3, and the communication device 1a selects a communication route using the line 2c as a predetermined communication route (step S6).

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1a temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, a communication route using the line 2c) as the unit communication route F12S1. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F12S1 has previously become the connection source in the unit communication route connection processing in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F12. The connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1a performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  From the above description, it is apparent that the communication device 1c is not the connection source of the unit communication route in the connection route F12 determination / connection process ("No" in step S7).

  Therefore, the communication device 1a determines a communication route (that is, the unit communication route F12S1) using the line 2c as a part of the connection route F12 (step S8). Then, connection processing of the unit communication route F12S1 is performed between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c (step S8).

  Here, it can be understood that the connection route F12 determined and connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c includes only the reconnected unit communication route F12S1. As described above, the determination / connection process of the connection route F12 using the line 2c is simultaneously ended between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c. And the communication route between the communication apparatus 1a and the communication apparatus 1c is established by the determination / connection process of the connection route F12.

  After the connection processing of the connection routes F11 and F12 is completed, the 1: 2 communication starting from the communication device 1a is started. That is, communication using the line 2a is performed between the communication apparatus 1a and the communication apparatus 1b, and communication using the line 2c is performed between the communication apparatus 1a and the communication apparatus 1c.

  Here, in FIG. 7, a line indicated by a solid line is a line used as a communication route. A line indicated by a dotted line is a line that is not used as a communication route.

  The above is the description of the present embodiment (that is, the case where the invention according to the present invention is adopted in a communication system in which a line failure has occurred at a location different from the first embodiment).

<Embodiment 3>
In the present embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, a method for determining a communication route that is connected when 1-to-N communication is performed starting from the communication device 1a will be described with reference to FIGS. .

  Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication system. As can be seen from the comparison between FIG. 3 and FIG. 8 and the comparison between FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the communication systems are the same except for the location of the line where the line failure has occurred. In the communication system described in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a line failure has occurred in the line 2b and the line 2f.

  Also in this embodiment, it is assumed that the priority information possessed by each of the communication devices 1a to 1d is as shown in FIG. Also in the present embodiment, the communication route determination method is implemented according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the following description, as in the first and second embodiments, the communication route determination method according to the present embodiment will be described only for the case of one-to-two communication for the sake of simplicity. More specifically, the case where the same information is transmitted to the two communication devices 1b and 1c starting from the communication device 1a will be described. Therefore, the origin communication device is the communication device 1a, and the communication destination communication devices are the communication device 1b and the communication device 1c.

(Connection route F21 determination / connection process)
First, a connection route F21 to be connected between the communication device 1a (origin communication device) and the communication device 1b (one communication destination communication device) is determined, and connection processing for the connection route F21 is performed. The flow will be described.

(Determination / connection processing of unit communication route F21S1)
First, the determination / connection process of the unit communication route F21S1 constituting at least a part of the connection route F21 will be described.

  The communication device 1a (the communication device 1a can be grasped as the origin communication device as well as the connection source communication device in the determination / connection process of the unit communication route F21S1) is already connected between the communication devices 1a to 1d. It is determined whether there is an already connected communication route (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  Here, at the stage of determining the unit communication route F21S1, no already connected communication route exists between the communication devices 1a to 1d. Therefore, the communication device 1a determines “None” in step S1, and the communication device 1a starts the process of step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1a selects a communication route according to the priority information (FIG. 4) possessed by the communication device 1a (step S2).

  In this case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1a. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1b. Accordingly, the communication device 1a executing the process of step S2 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1b having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, a communication route using the line 2a connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1a determines whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2a) (step S3).

  As described above, it is the lines 2b and 2f that have a line failure. Therefore, it becomes “no failure” in step S3, and the communication device 1a selects a communication route using the line 2a as a predetermined communication route (step S6).

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1a temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, a communication route using the line 2a) as the unit communication route F21S1. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F21S1 has previously become the connection source in the connection processing of the unit communication route in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F21. The connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1a performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F21, the unit communication route determination / connection processing has not been performed before. Therefore, in the determination / connection process of the connection route F21, no communication device 1b to 1d is the connection source of the unit communication route except for the communication device 1a ("No" in step S7).

  Therefore, the communication device 1a determines a communication route (that is, the unit communication route F21S1) using the line 2a as a part of the connection route F21 (step S8). Then, connection processing of the unit communication route F21S1 is performed between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b (step S8).

  Here, it can be understood that the connection route F21 determined and connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b includes only the unit communication route F21S1. As described above, the determination / connection process of the connection route F21 using the line 2a is simultaneously ended between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b. Then, the communication route between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is established by the determination / connection processing of the connection route F21.

(Connection route F22 determination / connection process)
Next, until the connection route F22 to be connected between the communication device 1a (origin communication device) and the communication device 1c (the other communication device) is determined, and the connection processing of the connection route F22 is performed. The flow will be described.

(Determination / connection processing of unit communication route F22S1)
First, the determination / connection process of the unit communication route F22S1 constituting a part of the connection route F22 will be described.

  The communication device 1a (in the scene of determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F22S1 can be understood that the communication device 1a is the origin communication device and the connection source communication device) is already connected between the communication devices 1a to 1d. It is determined whether there is an already connected communication route (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  Here, at the stage of determining the unit communication route F22S1, as can be seen from the above, the communication route using the line 2a is already connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b. Accordingly, the communication device 1a determines “Yes” in step S1, and selects the already-connected communication route using the line 2a as a predetermined communication route (step S6). And the communication apparatus 1a progresses to step S7.

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1a temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, the already-connected communication route using the line 2a) as the unit communication route F22S1. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F22S1 has previously become the connection source in the unit communication route connection processing in the connection route F22 determination / connection processing. The communication device 1a determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1a performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, the communication device 1a selects a predetermined communication route using the line 2a which is an already connected communication route, and in the connection processing of the unit communication route F22S1 to be performed, the communication device 1a selects the predetermined communication route selected. It is assumed that the route is determined as the unit communication route F22S1. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F22S1 is the communication device 1b.

  By the way, in the determination / connection process of the connection route F22, this is the first unit communication route determination / connection process. Therefore, in the determination / connection process of the connection route F22, no communication device 1b to 1d is the connection source of the unit communication route except for the communication device 1a ("No" in step S7).

  Therefore, the communication device 1a determines the communication route using the line 2a as the unit communication route F22S1 as a part of the connection route F22 (step S8). Since the communication route using the line 2a has already been connected, the connection process is not performed again.

  The above is the determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F22S1.

(Determination / connection processing of unit communication route F22S2)
Next, determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F22S2 constituting a part of the connection route F22 will be described.

  Here, in the determination / connection process of the unit communication route F22S2, the communication device 1b becomes the connection source communication device. That is, the communication device that is the connection source in the unit communication route F22S2 determination / connection process is the communication device 1b. Note that the communication device that is the connection destination in the unit communication route F22S2 determination / connection process is the communication device 1b.

  The communication device 1b first determines whether or not there is an already connected communication route between the communication devices 1a to 1d (step S1 in FIG. 2). Here, at this stage, as can be seen from the above, a communication route using the line 2a is already connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b. Accordingly, the communication device 1b determines “Yes” in step S1, and selects the already-connected communication route using the line 2a as a predetermined communication route (step S6). Then, the communication device 1b proceeds to step S7.

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1b temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, the already-connected communication route using the line 2a) as the unit communication route F22S2. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F22S2 has previously become the connection source in the unit communication route connection processing in the connection route F22 determination / connection processing. The connection source communication device 1b determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1b performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1b determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, the communication device 1b selects a predetermined communication route using the line 2a that has already been connected, and the communication device 1b temporarily selects the predetermined communication route selected in the connection processing of the unit communication route F22S2. Assume that the unit communication route F22S2 is determined.

  In this case, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F22S2 is the communication device 1a. By the way, in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F22 (more specifically, determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F22S1), the communication device 1a has previously been a connection source.

  Therefore, the communication device 1b is a communication device in which the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F22S2 has become the connection source when the previous unit communication route is determined and connected. Judgment is made (“Yes” in step S7). Therefore, the communication device 1b returns to step S1.

  Next, the communication device 1b determines whether there is an already-connected communication route other than the communication route using the line 2a between the communication devices 1a to 1d (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  At this stage, any already connected communication route other than the communication route using the line 2a is not connected between the communication devices 1a to 1d. Accordingly, the communication device 1b determines “None” in step S1, and starts the process of step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1b selects a communication route according to the priority information (see FIG. 4) that the communication device 1b has (step S2).

  In the present case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1b. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1c. Therefore, the communication device 1b executing the process of step S2 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1c having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, a communication route using the line 2b connected between the communication device 1b and the communication device 1c is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1b determines whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2b) (step S3).

  Here, as described above, a line failure has occurred in the line 2b (see FIG. 8). Therefore, “failed” is determined in step S3, and the communication device 1b again refers to the priority information (FIG. 4) that the communication device 1b has, and confirms whether the communication route (communication device) of the next priority is registered ( Step S4).

  Since the communication route (communication device) with the priority 2 is registered, “registered” is set in step S5, and the process returns to step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1b selects a communication route according to the priority information (see FIG. 4) that the communication device 1b has (step S2).

  Here, the communication route (communication device) registered with the priority 2 that is the next higher priority than the priority 1 is selected. That is, a communication route using the line 2e connected between the communication device 1b and the communication device 1d is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1b determines whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2e) (step S3).

  Here, as described above, the line failure occurs in the line 2b and the line 2f (see FIG. 8). Therefore, it becomes “no failure” in step S3, and the communication device 1b selects a communication route using the line 2e as a predetermined communication route (step S6).

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1b temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, a communication route using the line 2e) as the unit communication route F22S2. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F22S2 has previously become the connection source in the unit communication route connection processing in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F22. The connection source communication device 1b determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1b performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1b determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, when the predetermined communication route is temporarily determined as the unit communication route F22S2, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route is the communication device 1d. By the way, it is clear from the above description that the communication device 1d is not yet the connection source of the unit communication route in the determination / connection process of the connection route F22 (“No” in step S7).

  Therefore, the communication device 1b determines the communication route using the line 2e as a part of the connection route F22 as the unit communication route F22S2 (step S8). Then, connection processing of the unit communication route F22S2 is performed between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b (step S8).

  The above is the determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F22S2.

(Processing until the unit communication routes F22S1 and F22S2 are canceled when the unit communication route F22S3 is determined and connected)
Next, determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F22S3 that may constitute a part of the connection route F22 will be described.

  Here, in the determination / connection process of the unit communication route F22S3, the communication device 1d becomes the connection source communication device. That is, the communication device that is the connection source in the unit communication route F22S3 determination / connection process is the communication device 1d. Note that the communication device that is the connection destination in the unit communication route F22S3 determination / connection process is the communication device 1c.

  The communication device 1d first determines whether there is an already connected communication route between the communication devices 1a to 1d (step S1 in FIG. 2). Here, at this stage, as can be seen from the above, a communication route using the line 2a is already connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b. However, the communication device 1d cannot select the already-connected communication route using the line 2a as a predetermined communication route. This is because the communication device 1d cannot be a connection source of a communication route using the line 2a.

  Therefore, the communication device 1d determines whether there is an already connected communication route other than the communication route using the line 2a between the communication devices 1a to 1d (step S1 in FIG. 2). Here, at this stage, as can be seen from the above, a communication route using the line 2e is already connected between the communication device 1b and the communication device 1d.

  Therefore, the communication device 1d determines “Yes” in step S1, and selects the already-connected communication route using the line 2e as a predetermined communication route (step S6). Then, the communication device 1d proceeds to step S7.

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1d temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, the already connected communication route using the line 2e) as the unit communication route F22S3. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F22S3 has previously become the connection source in the unit communication route connection processing in the connection route F22 determination / connection processing. The connection source communication device 1d determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1d performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1d determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, the communication device 1d selects a predetermined communication route using the line 2e that has already been connected, and the communication device 1d temporarily selects the predetermined communication route selected in the connection processing of the unit communication route F22S3. Is determined as the unit communication route F22S3.

  In this case, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F22S3 is the communication device 1b. By the way, in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F22 (more specifically, the determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F22S2), the communication device 1b has previously been a connection source.

  Accordingly, the communication device 1d is a communication device in which the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F22S3 has become the connection source when the previous unit communication route is determined and connected. Judgment is made (“Yes” in step S7). Therefore, the communication device 1d returns to step S1.

  Next, the communication device 1d determines whether there is an already-connected communication route other than the already-connected communication route using the line 2a and the already-connected communication route using the line 2e between the communication devices 1a to 1d. (Step S1 in FIG. 2). However, there is no already connected communication route other than the already connected communication route using the lines 2a and 2e. Accordingly, the communication device 1d determines “None” in step S1, and starts the process of step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1d selects a communication route according to the priority information (see FIG. 4) that the communication device 1d has (step S2).

  In this case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1d. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1c. Therefore, the communication device 1d executing the process of step S2 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1c having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, a communication route using the line 2f connected between the communication device 1d and the communication device 1c is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1d determines whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2f) (step S3).

  Here, as described above, a line failure has occurred in the line 2f (see FIG. 8). Therefore, “failed” is determined in step S 3, and the communication device 1 d again refers to the priority information (FIG. 4) that the communication device 1 d has and confirms whether the communication route (communication device) of the next priority is registered ( Step S4).

  Since the communication route (communication device) of priority 2 is registered, “Registered” is set in Step S4, and the process returns to Step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1d selects a communication route according to the priority information (see FIG. 4) that the communication device 1d has (step S2).

  Here, the communication route (communication device) registered with the priority 2 that is the next higher priority than the priority 1 is selected. That is, a communication route using the line 2d connected between the communication device 1d and the communication device 1a is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1d determines whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2d) (step S3).

  Here, as described above, no line failure has occurred in the line 2d (see FIG. 8). Accordingly, “no failure” is determined in step S3, and the communication device 1d selects a communication route using the line 2d as a predetermined communication route (step S6).

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1d temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, a communication route using the line 2d) as the unit communication route F22S3. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F22S3 has previously become the connection source in the connection processing of the unit communication route in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F22. The connection source communication device 1d determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1d performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1d determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, the communication device 1d selects a predetermined communication route using the line 2d, and in the connection processing of the unit communication route F22S3, the communication device 1d temporarily determines the selected communication route as the unit communication route F22S3. And

  In this case, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F22S3 is the communication device 1a. However, in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F22, the communication device 1a is the connection source in the determination / connection processing of the unit communication route F22S1.

  Therefore, “Yes” is set in step S7, and the communication device 1d resumes the process of step S1.

  Next, the communication device 1d determines whether there is an already connected communication route other than the communication route using the lines 2a and 2e between the communication devices 1a to 1d (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  At this stage, no already connected communication route is connected between the communication devices 1a to 1d other than the communication route using the lines 2a and 2e. Accordingly, the communication device 1d determines “None” in step S1, and restarts the process in step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1d selects the communication route again according to the priority information (see FIG. 4) that the communication device 1d has (step S2).

  Here, the communication device 1d has already selected a communication device (communication route) corresponding to priority 2. Accordingly, the communication device 1d selects the priority 3 (Step S2). Here, although the communication route with the priority 3 is registered in the priority information, the communication route is excluded because it is the communication route rejected in step S7.

  Therefore, without passing through step S3, “no registration” is obtained in step S4, and the communication device 1d determines that it is impossible to select a communication route with the communication device 1c as a connection destination (step S5). Then, the communication device 1d ends the communication route determination / connection process with the communication device 1c as a connection destination.

  As described above, the communication devices 1a and 1b that have been notified that the communication device 1d has failed to determine and connect to the unit communication route F22S3 that is the connection destination are unit communication routes F22S1 and F22S2 as part of the connection route F22. To eliminate the adoption of

  Here, the connection route F21 is determined. Therefore, the connection route F21 between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1b is assumed to be effective and the connection relationship is maintained.

  The above is the processing until the unit communication routes F22S1 and F22S2 are canceled when the unit communication route F22S3 is determined and connected.

(Unit communication route F22S1 redetermination / connection processing)
The communication device 1a that has executed the communication route cancellation processing of the unit communication route F22S1 again determines and connects the unit communication route F22S1 that forms part of the connection route F22 with the communication device 1a serving as the communication source. To do. In the redetermination / connection process of the unit communication route F22S1, the connection destination is the communication device 1c.

  Here, in the redetermination / connection process of the unit communication route F22S1, it can be understood that the communication device 1a is the origin communication device and the connection source communication device.

  The communication device 1a again determines whether there is an already connected communication route other than the communication route using the line 2a between the communication devices 1a to 1d (step S1 in FIG. 2).

  Here, there is no already-connected communication route between the communication devices 1a to 1d other than the communication route using the line 2a. Therefore, the communication device 1a determines “None” in step S1, and starts the process of step S2.

  Next, the communication device 1a selects a communication route according to the priority information (FIG. 4) possessed by the communication device 1a (step S2).

  In this case, the communication device that is the connection source is the communication device 1a. The communication device that is the connection destination is the communication device 1c. Therefore, the communication device 1a executing the process of step S2 first selects a communication route connected to the communication device 1c having the highest priority (priority 1). That is, a communication route using the line 2a connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c is selected (step S2).

  Next, the communication device 1a determines whether or not a line failure has occurred in the communication route selected in step S2 (in this case, the line 2c) (step S3).

  As described above, it is the lines 2b and 2e that have a line fault. Therefore, it becomes “no failure” in step S3, and the communication device 1a selects a communication route using the line 2c as a predetermined communication route (step S6).

  Next, it is assumed that the communication device 1a temporarily determines the selected predetermined communication route (in this case, a communication route using the line 2c) as the unit communication route F22S1. At this time, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route tentatively determined as the unit communication route F22S1 has previously become the connection source in the unit communication route connection processing in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F22. The connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not the communication device is a certain communication device (step S7).

  That is, when the connection source communication device 1a performs the connection process using the already connected communication route, the connection source communication device 1a determines whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route (step S7).

  Here, the connection destination of the predetermined communication route temporarily determined as the unit communication route F22S1 is the communication device 1c. However, from the above description, it is clear that the communication device 1c is not the connection source of the unit communication route in the determination / connection processing of the connection route F22 ("No" in step S7).

  Therefore, the communication device 1a determines the communication route using the line 2c as a part of the connection route F22 as the unit communication route F22S1 (step S8). Then, connection processing of the unit communication route F22S1 is performed between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c (step S8).

  Here, it can be understood that the connection route F22 determined and connected between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c includes only the reconnected unit communication route F22S1. As described above, the determination / connection process for the connection route F22 using the line 2c between the communication device 1a and the communication device 1c is also completed. And the communication route between the communication apparatus 1a and the communication apparatus 1c is established by the determination / connection process of the connection route F22.

  After the connection processing of the connection routes F21 and F22 is completed, the 1: 2 communication starting from the communication device 1a is started. That is, communication using the line 2a is performed between the communication apparatus 1a and the communication apparatus 1b, and communication using the line 2c is performed between the communication apparatus 1a and the communication apparatus 1c.

  Here, in FIG. 7, a line indicated by a solid line is a line used as a communication route. A line indicated by a dotted line is a line that is not used as a communication route.

  The above is the description of the present embodiment (that is, the case where the invention according to the present invention is adopted in a communication system in which a line failure has occurred at a location different from the first and second embodiments). .

  In the above embodiments, the following can be explained in common.

  In the current unit communication route connection process, based on the following connection communication route information transmitted at the time of the previous unit communication route connection process, the communication device (connection) that is the connection source of the current unit communication route determination process However, the determination in step S7 may be made.

  In other words, the connection source communication device further includes a step of transmitting connection route information, which is information related to the connection route that is currently executing connection processing, to the connection destination communication device, and the determination in step S7 is performed. The connection destination communication device may be determined to be the connection source communication device based on the connection route information.

  Here, when the connection processing of the previous unit communication route is performed, the connection communication route information is the communication device (the second communication device and the second communication device) that is the connection source in the connection processing of the previous unit communication route. Is the information transmitted to the communication device that was the connection destination in the connection processing of the previous unit communication route (can be recognized as the connection source communication device in the connection processing of the current unit communication route). .

  The connection communication route information is communication from the origin communication device which is the origin of 1: N communication to the communication device which can be grasped as the connection source of the connection processing of the current unit communication route (can be grasped as the connection source communication device). Information about the route.

  Thus, since the connection source communication device that is the connection source in the current unit communication route connection process has the connection communication route information, the connection source communication device that is the connection source can easily perform step S7. Judgment can be made.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a communication system. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the communication route determination method concerning this invention. 1 is a communication system configuration diagram for explaining a communication route determination method according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows priority information. It is a communication system block diagram for demonstrating the communication route determination method concerning a prior art. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the communication route determination method concerning a prior art. 6 is a communication system configuration diagram for explaining a communication route determination method according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 9 is a communication system configuration diagram for explaining a communication route determination method according to a third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Communication device, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f Line.

Claims (2)

In a communication system in which a plurality of communication apparatuses are connected via a line, a plurality of unit communication routes using the line connecting adjacent communication apparatuses are set, and one-to-N communication using the originating communication apparatus as a starting point Determining a connection route comprising a single or a plurality of unit communication routes connected between the originating communication device and one communication destination communication device that is a communication destination of the 1: N communication. In the communication route determination method to be performed,
(A) At the time of connection processing of the unit communication route constituting the connection route, a connection source communication device that is a connection source of the unit communication route is an already connected communication route that is already connected between the communication devices. and determining the presence or absence,
(B) a step of determining whether or not a loop state occurs in the connection route when the connection processing is performed using the already-connected communication route when the determination in the step (A) is “present”; ,
(C) The connection source communication device includes a step of transmitting connection route information that is information regarding the connection route that is currently executing connection processing to the connection destination communication device,
The step (B)
Based on the connection route information, the step of determining that the connection destination communication device is a connection source communication device,
A method for determining a communication route. In the step (A), when the connection source communication device determines that there is no already connected communication route,
(D) The connection source communication device further includes a step of selecting the unit communication route in consideration of priority information of the connection source communication device and a failure state of the line.
The communication route determination method according to claim 1, wherein:

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