WO2017051666A1

WO2017051666A1 - Communications processing system, group message processing method, communications processing device, and control method and control program for same

Info

Publication number: WO2017051666A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/075075
Authority: WO
Inventors: 山田　徹; 恭二平田; 晃亀井; 穂高菅野; 芹沢　昌宏; 長谷川　聡; 政志下間; 祐美子奥山
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2015-09-24
Filing date: 2016-08-26
Publication date: 2017-03-30

Abstract

This system pertains to a communications processing system that sends and receives messages in batches between an application and a device, in line with the intention of the application and suppressing latency of messages. This communications processing system comprises: a message cue that cues messages sent from the application to the device and messages received by the application from the device; a transmission/reception timing setting unit that sets batch transmission/reception timing at which messages accumulated in the message cue are sent and received in batches; and a batch transmission unit that, once the set batch transmission/reception timing has been reached, sends in batches messages among the messages accumulated in the message cue that have batch transmission/reception set by the application.

Description

Communication processing system, group message processing method, communication processing apparatus, control method thereof, and control program

The present invention relates to a communication processing system, a group message processing method, a communication processing device, a control method thereof, and a control program.

In the IoT (Internet of Things) system, it is necessary to exchange data with a large number of MTC (Machine Type Communication) devices connected to the network. Therefore, it is required to reduce the number of data messages from a large number of MTC devices or control messages to a large number of MTC devices. For this reason, a method of collectively transmitting messages to MTC devices belonging to the same group in terms of area or property has been studied. For this reason, in Non-Patent Document 1 (TR 23.888), devices in the same area or devices having the same function are grouped and exchanged with the MTC device by sending a message collectively to the same group. It describes how to reduce the number of messages, avoid network congestion and save resources.

Further, Non-Patent Document 2 (TR 23.887) shows a group message transmission method as a method of transmitting messages collectively. The MTC-IWF (Machine Type Communication-Interworking Function) that receives the group message from the SCS (Service Capability Server) checks whether the SCS is permitted to transmit the group message. Specifically, a subscriber information request including an external group identifier (External Group ID) and an SCS ID (Identifier) is made to HSS / HLR (Home Subscriber Server / Home Home Location Register). This is because the SCS confirms whether transmission of a group message is permitted for a specific group and obtains subscription information for the specific group. The HSS / HLR returns a message delivery method such as CBS (Cell Broadband Service) or MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Service) to the MTC-IWF as a subscriber information response based on the subscription information and a preset policy. If the SCS is not allowed to send a group message, or if the subscription information is invalid, the MTC-IWF sends a group message confirmation response indicating the reason to the SCS, and then performs a group message sending procedure. Stop. In other cases proceed. The MTC-IWF selects a delivery method such as CBS, MBMS, or core network based on information received from the HSS / HLR and a predetermined policy.

Also,

Patent Documents

1 and 2 disclose a technique for performing scheduling in consideration of device and application timing in a network.

JP 2009-206912 A European Patent Publication EP 2 624 598

However, in the technology described in the above 3GPP specifications, the data message from the MTC device and the control message to the MTC device are generated asynchronously by the application, and when trying to send and receive the message in a batch, the message delay (latency ) Will increase and the impact on the application will increase. In the techniques described in

Patent Documents

1 and 2, there are cases where batch transmission of messages in accordance with the intention on the application side cannot be performed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for solving the above-described problems.

In order to achieve the above object, a communication processing apparatus according to the present invention provides:
A message queue for queuing messages sent from the application to the device and messages received by the application from the device;
Transmission timing setting means for setting a collective transmission timing for transmitting the messages accumulated in the message queue in a batch;
When the set batch transmission timing is reached, batch transmission means for collectively transmitting messages that are set for batch transmission by the application among the messages accumulated in the message queue;
Is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling a communication processing apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A transmission timing setting step for setting a batch transmission timing for batch transmission of the messages accumulated in a message queue for queuing a message transmitted from the application to the device and a message received by the application from the device;
When the set batch transmission timing is reached, a batch transmission step of collectively transmitting messages that are set to be batch transmission by the application among the messages accumulated in the message queue;
including.

In order to achieve the above object, a control program for a communication processing apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A transmission timing setting step for setting a batch transmission timing for batch transmission of the messages accumulated in a message queue for queuing a message transmitted from the application to the device and a message received by the application from the device;
When the set batch transmission timing is reached, a batch transmission step of collectively transmitting messages that are set to be batch transmission by the application among the messages accumulated in the message queue;
Is executed on the computer.

In order to achieve the above object, a communication processing system according to the present invention provides:
In MTC (Machine Type Communication), a transmission / reception timing setting means for setting a batch transmission / reception timing for transmitting / receiving a group message to / from a plurality of devices;
Sending or publishing the batch transmission / reception timing to an application, and acquiring and storing the message with the batch transmission / reception timing from the application; and
When the set batch transmission / reception timing is reached, batch transmission means for collectively sending messages set by the application among the messages stored in the message storage means to the plurality of devices;
Is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a group message processing method according to the present invention includes:
In MTC (Machine Type Communication), a transmission / reception timing setting step for setting a batch transmission / reception timing for transmitting / receiving a group message to / from a plurality of devices;
A message storage step of sending or publishing the batch transmission / reception timing to an application, acquiring the message with the batch transmission / reception timing from the application, and storing the message in a storage unit;
When the set batch transmission / reception timing is reached, a batch transmission step of collectively transmitting messages set to batch transmission / reception by the application among the messages stored in the storage unit, to the plurality of devices;
including.

According to the present invention, messages can be sent and received in a batch between the application and the device while suppressing the latency of the message while following the intention of the application.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication processing system containing MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication processing system containing MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the message queue which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the load information storage part which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the batch transmission / reception timing setting process based on the load information of MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication processing system containing MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the batch transmission / reception / sequential transmission / reception message which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the determination process of collective transmission / reception of MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention, and sequential transmission / reception. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication processing system containing MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the communication processing system containing MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the accounting information storage part which concerns on 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the charging control process of MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus concerning 5th Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the constituent elements described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention only to them. The queuing used in this specification, especially message queuing to the message queue (MQ: Message メッセージ Queuing), temporarily stores data to be transmitted when data is exchanged between application softwares and linked. In this method, the next process is performed without waiting for the other party to complete the process. Note that the configuration for realizing it is not limited.

[First Embodiment]
A communication processing apparatus 100 as a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The communication processing apparatus 100 is an apparatus that performs message transmission / reception processing between an application and a device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication processing apparatus 100 includes a message queue 101, a transmission timing setting unit 102, and a batch transmission unit 103. The message queue 101 queues a message 111 transmitted from the application 120 to the device 130 and a message 111 received by the application 120 from the device 130. The transmission timing setting unit 102 sets a collective transmission timing for sending the messages 111 accumulated in the message queue 101 in a batch. The batch transmission unit 103 collectively transmits the messages 113 in which the batch transmission 112 is set by the application 120 among the messages 111 stored in the message queue 101 at the set batch transmission timing.

According to the present embodiment, messages can be transmitted and received in a batch between the application and the device while suppressing the latency of the message while following the intention of the application.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a communication processing system including an MTC-IWF (Machine Type Communication-Interworking Function) as a communication processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The MTC-IWF corresponding to the communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment sets batch transmission / reception timing and sends or discloses the information to the application. The application refers to this and requests transmission / reception of a message. The MTC-IWF has a message queue for queuing message transmission / reception requests from applications. When MTC-IWF reaches the time of batch transmission / reception timing, it collects data messages from devices by sending in batch the messages set by the application from the messages stored in the message queue. To do. In the second to fifth embodiments, the batch transmission timing and batch reception timing set by the MTC-IWF are collectively described as batch transmission / reception timing, and batch transmission and batch reception set by the application are collectively referred to as batch transmission / reception. Put it together.

<Operation sequence>
FIG. 2A is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the MTC-IWF 220 as the communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In step S201, the MTC-IWF 220 sets a timing for performing batch transmission / reception. In step S203, the MTC-IWF 220 sends or discloses the set batch transmission / reception timing to the application server 240 (hereinafter referred to as AS: Application server) via the SCS 230. In step S205, the AS 240 receives the collective transmission / reception timing disclosed by the MTC-IWF 220.

The AS 240 selects a timing at which data of the UE (User) Equipment) 210 is to be collected from among the batch transmission / reception timings sent or disclosed, and notifies the MTC-IWF 220 via the SCS 230 of a batch transmission / reception request. In step S209, the MTC-IWF 220 acquires a batch transmission message including the batch transmission / reception timing selected by each from the AS 240. In step S211, the MTC-IWF 220 stores the acquired batch transmission message in association with the selected batch transmission / reception timing.

When it is time to send or publish the collective transmission / reception timing, the MTC-IWF 220 collectively transmits control messages associated with the same collective transmission / reception timing to the UE 210 in step S213.

In step S214, the UE 210 receives the control message collectively transmitted from the MTC-IWF 220, and returns a data message in response to the control message. In this way, batch message transmission / reception processing between the AS 240 and the UE 210 is realized in step S215.

FIG. 2B is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication processing system including the MTC-IWF 220 as the communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a group message processing procedure based on MBMS defined in 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) TS 23.887 V12.0.0 (2013.12) and illustrated in Figure 8.3.2.1.1-2. A detailed description of .about.9 is omitted.

In this embodiment, before “1. Group messaging request”, the batch transmission / reception timing set in the MTC-IWF is sent or disclosed to the AS (application server) via the SCS. This is different in that a batch transmission / reception request is selected and a batch transmission / reception request is made to the MTC-IWF. Here, sending is a push-type transmission from the MTC-IWF to the AS via the SCS, and disclosure is a pull-type transmission in which the MTC-IWF responds to a request from the AS via the SCS. This is the group message processing method of the communication processing system which is the core network including the MTC-IWF 220.

"System configuration"
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication processing system including the MTC-IWF 220 as a communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows the architecture for MTC shown in Fig. 4.2.1 of 3GPP TS 23.682 V13.2.0 (2015.06), and detailed description of the components is omitted. In the present embodiment, it is processing of an MTC group message via the MTC-IWF, and related components are indicated by thick frames. In FIG. 3, CDF / CGF (Charging Data Function / Charging Gateway Function) handles accounting data records, and MTC-IWF can access CDF / CGF via the Rf / Ga interface and acquire accounting information. is there. Although not shown in FIG. 3, PCRF (Policy （and 課金 Charging Rules Function) manages a policy relating to charging, and the CDF / CGF generates a charging data record using information on the PCRF.

<< Functional structure of MTC-IWF >>
FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the MTC-IWF 220 as a communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The MTC-IWF 220 includes a communication control unit 401, a batch transmission / reception timing setting unit 402, a batch transmission / reception timing disclosure unit 403, a message queue 404 as a message storage unit, a batch transmission / reception request acquisition unit 405, and a batch transmission / reception timing determination unit. 406 and a message batch transmission / reception unit 407. The batch transmission / reception timing setting unit 402 corresponds to the transmission timing setting unit 102 in FIG. In the present embodiment, a configuration including the case of setting the batch reception timing of messages is shown. Actually, when it is time to collectively receive a message, first, a control message is transmitted from the MTC-IWF 220 to the device group.

The communication control unit 401 controls communication between the MTC-IWF 220 and the AS 210, HSS via the SCS 230, and the UE 210 via the MBMS GW or MME. The batch transmission / reception timing setting unit 402 sets batch transmission / reception timing between the AS 240 and the UE 210. The batch transmission / reception timing disclosure unit 403 sends or discloses the batch transmission / reception timing set by the batch transmission / reception timing setting unit 402 to the AS 240 via the SCS 230.

Corresponding to the batch transmission / reception timing set by the batch transmission / reception timing setting unit 402, the message queue 404 stores the batch transmission / reception request to which the batch transmission / reception request is given by the batch transmission / reception request acquisition unit 405 from the AS 240 via the SCS 230. Queue messages. The batch transmission / reception request acquisition unit 405 acquires the batch transmission / reception request requested from the AS 240 via the SCS 230.

The collective transmission / reception timing determination unit 406 includes a timing unit (timer) 461 and determines whether or not the current time has reached the collective transmission / reception timing. When the collective transmission / reception timing determination unit 406 determines that the current time has reached the collective transmission / reception timing, the message collective transmission / reception unit 407 collects messages corresponding to the collective transmission / reception timing stored in the message queue 404 to the corresponding UE 210. Send. In response to this, a response message from the UE 210 included in the device group is received.

(Message queue)
FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a configuration of the message queue 404 according to the present embodiment. Note that the configuration of the message queue 404 is not limited to FIG. 4B.

The message queue 404 stores a message transmission destination UE 441, a message transmission source AS 442, a message content 443, and a batch transmission / reception timing (T) 444. Here, the batch transmission / reception timing (T) 444 is a batch transmission / reception timing requested and set by the AS 240 by the MTC-IWF 220. The message transmission destination UE 441 and the message transmission source AS 442 may be one-to-many or many-to-one instead of one-to-one.

<Processing procedure of MTC-IWF>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the MTC-IWF 220 as the communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This flowchart is executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the core network including the MTC-IWF 220 using a storage medium, and realizes the functional configuration unit of FIG. 4A.

In step S501, the MTC-IWF 220 sets a collective transmission / reception timing, and sends or discloses it to the AS 240 via the SCS 230. In step S503, the MTC-IWF 220 acquires a message transmission / reception request from the AS 240. This message transmission / reception request clearly indicates at which batch transmission / reception timing transmission is performed. In step S505, the MTC-IWF 220 accumulates messages in association with the collective transmission / reception timing specified in the message queue 404.

In step S507, the MTC-IWF 220 determines whether or not the batch transmission / reception timing has been reached. If the time of the batch transmission / reception timing has not been reached, the MTC-IWF 220 returns to step S503 and acquires the next message transmission / reception request. When the time of the collective transmission / reception timing has been reached, the MTC-IWF 220 collectively transmits the messages that match the arrived collective transmission / reception timing among the messages accumulated in the message queue in step S509.

In step S511, the MTC-IWF 220 determines whether there is a further message transmission / reception request. If there is a further message transmission / reception request, the MTC-IWF 220 returns to step S503 and acquires the next message transmission / reception request. If there is no further message transmission / reception request, the process ends.

According to the present embodiment, among the messages accumulated in the message queue, messages for which batch transmission / reception is set by the application are transmitted in a batch. Therefore, messages can be transmitted and received in a batch between the application and the device while suppressing the latency of the message while following the intention of the application.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a communication processing system including an MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The MTC-IWF according to the present embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that the batch transmission / reception timing is set in consideration of the load history due to transmission / reception. That is, the collective transmission / reception timing is dynamically changed, and a time zone in which the load is expected to be low is set as the simultaneous transmission timing based on the past network load information by time zone. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment, the same configurations and operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

<< Functional structure of MTC-IWF >>
FIG. 6A is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the MTC-IWF 620 as a communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 6A, the same functional components as those in FIG. 4A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

The load history accumulating unit 608 accumulates the history of the network load in the past message transmission / reception. The batch transmission / reception timing setting unit 602 sets the batch transmission / reception timing in consideration of the network load history accumulated by the load history accumulation unit 608 and publishes it from the batch transmission / reception timing disclosure unit 403 to the AS 240.

(Load information storage unit)
FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the load history accumulation unit 608 according to the present embodiment. Note that the configuration of the load history storage unit 608 is not limited to FIG. 6B.

The load history accumulation unit 608 accumulates the load history information 684 in association with the date 681 when the message transmission / reception is performed, the day of the week 682, and the time 683. The load history information 684 includes a network load, an entity load, and the like. The collective transmission / reception timing setting unit 602 analyzes these pieces of information, sets days and days of the week with relatively low loads, and their time zones as collective transmission / reception timings, and publishes them to the AS 240.

(Batch transmission / reception timing setting process)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of batch transmission / reception timing setting processing based on load information of the MTC-IWF 620 as the communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This flowchart is an alternative to the batch transmission / reception timing setting in step S901 of FIG.

The MTC-IWF 620 acquires a load history from the load history storage unit 608 in step S701. Next, in step S703, the MTC-IWF 620 predicts the network load in each time zone based on the load history. In step S705, the MTC-IWF 620 sets batch transmission / reception timing in a time zone with a low network load.

According to the present embodiment, the batch transmission / reception timing is set in a time zone when the load becomes low with reference to the load history. Accordingly, messages can be transmitted and received in a batch between the application and the device in accordance with the intention of the application, while leveling the load and suppressing the latency of the message.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a communication processing system including an MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Compared with the second and third embodiments, the MTC-IWF according to the present embodiment performs batch transmission / reception and sequential transmission / reception according to the setting from the application (not transmitting all at once, but individually according to the request. ) And is mixed. For example, an application that requires real-time performance uses sequential transmission and reception without using batch transmission and reception. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the same configurations and operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

<Operation sequence>
FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the communication processing system including the MTC-IWF 820 as the communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same steps as those in FIG. 2A are denoted by the same step numbers, and redundant description is omitted.

From one of the AS 240, in step S801, a sequential transmission / reception request is made to the MTC-IWF 820. In step S803, the MTC-IWF 820 immediately transmits the acquired sequential message to the UE 210. The corresponding UE 210 receives the message in step S805, and in step S807, sequential message transmission / reception processing between the AS 240 and the UE 210 is realized.

Also, in steps S207 to S215, the batch message transmission / reception process similar to FIG. 2A is realized. Further, in other AS 240 and other UE 210, the same sequential message transmission / reception processing as in steps S801 to S807 is realized in steps S811 to S817.

<< Functional structure of MTC-IWF >>
FIG. 9A is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the MTC-IWF 820 as the communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 9A, the same functional components as those in FIG. 4A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

The sequential transmission / reception request acquisition unit 909 acquires a sequential transmission / reception request message from the AS 240 via the SCS 230. The message sequential transmission / reception unit 910 transmits the sequential transmission / reception request message acquired by the sequential transmission / reception request acquisition unit 909 to the UE 210 without delay, and receives the message from the UE 210.

(Batch transmission / reception / sequential transmission / reception storage)
FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a configuration of a collective transmission / reception / sequential transmission / reception message according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the batch transmission / reception / sequential transmission / reception message is not limited to FIG. 9B.

The batch transmission / reception message 920 includes a transmission destination (MTC-IWF) and a transmission source (SCS / AS), a batch transmission / reception flag 921, a batch transmission / reception timing 922, message contents, and an error check CRC.

The batch transmission / reception message 930 includes a transmission destination (MTC-IWF) and transmission source (SCS / AS), a sequential transmission / reception flag 931, message contents, and an error check CRC.

(Judgment processing between batch transmission and sequential transmission)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of determination processing between batch transmission / reception and sequential transmission / reception of the MTC-IWF 820 as the communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This flowchart is a substitute for step S503 in FIG.

In step S1001, the MTC-IWF 820 acquires a message transmission / reception request from the AS 240 via the SCS 230. In step S1003, the MTC-IWF 820 determines whether the message transmission / reception request is a batch transmission / reception request or a sequential transmission / reception request.

If it is a collective transmission / reception request, the MTC-IWF 820 accumulates in the message queue 404 in step S1005. On the other hand, if it is a sequential transmission / reception request, a message is transmitted to the UE 210 without delay.

According to the present embodiment, batch transmission / reception and sequential transmission / reception are controlled in accordance with settings from the application. Accordingly, messages can be sent and received in a batch between the application and the device in accordance with the intention of the application while collecting data in real time and suppressing message latency.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a communication processing system including an MTC-IWF as a communication processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The MTC-IWF according to the present embodiment is different from the second to fourth embodiments in that it charges differently for batch transmission and sequential transmission / reception. That is, in a configuration in which batch transmission / reception and sequential transmission / reception coexist, control is performed such that the network usage fee differs between an application that uses batch transmission / reception and an application that uses sequential transmission / reception. Specifically, when using batch transmission / reception, control is performed so that the usage fee is reduced. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the second to fourth embodiments, the same configurations and operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

<Operation sequence>
FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are sequence diagrams showing the operation of the communication processing system including the MTC-IWF 1120 as the communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, the same step number is attached | subjected to the step similar to FIG. 2A or FIG. 8, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 11A shows a charging sequence in the case of a batch transmission / reception request. In step S1101, the MTC-IWF 1120 notifies the PCRF 1150 that batch transmission / reception is being performed. In step S1103, the CDF / CGF 1160 starts charging processing according to the policy for batch transmission / reception by the PCRF 1150.

When the batch transmission / reception process is completed, the CDF / CGF 1160 transmits charging data to the MTC-IWF 1120 in step S1105, and the MTC-IWF 1120 acquires the charging data in step S1107. In step S1109, the MTC-IWF 1120 notifies the accounting data to the AS 240 via the SCS 230. The AS 240 notifies the accounting data in step S1111. Alternatively, AS 240 makes automatic payments.

FIG. 11B shows a charging sequence in the case of sequential transmission / reception requests. In step S1121, the MTC-IWF 1120 notifies the PCRF 1150 that transmission / reception is sequentially performed. In step S1123, the CDF / CGF 1160 starts the charging process according to the policy in the case of sequential transmission / reception by the PCRF 1150.

When the sequential transmission / reception process ends, the CDF / CGF 1160 transmits charging data to the MTC-IWF 1120 in step S1125, and the MTC-IWF 1120 acquires the charging data in step S1127. In step S1129, the MTC-IWF 1120 notifies the accounting data to the AS 240 via the SCS 230, and the AS 240 notifies the accounting data in step S1131. Alternatively, AS 240 makes automatic payments.

<< Functional structure of MTC-IWF >>
FIG. 12A is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the MTC-IWF 1120 as the communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 12A, the same functional components as those in FIG. 9A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

The batch / sequential information transmission unit 1211 notifies the PCRF 1150 (or CDF / CGF 1160) whether the transmission / reception request from the AS 240 is batch or sequential. When the transmission / reception of the message is completed, the charging information acquisition / transmission unit 1212 acquires the charging data from the CDF / CGF 1160 and transmits it to the AS 240.

(Billing information storage unit)
FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a configuration of the billing information storage unit 1220 according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the billing information storage unit 1220 is not limited to FIG. 12B.

The billing information storage unit 1220 stores a use date 1222, a batch transmission / sequential transmission / reception flag 1223, and billing data 1224 in association with a user (AS) 1221 who is a network user. The billing data 1224 includes a network usage fee and an entity usage fee. In this embodiment, the collective transmission / reception is set at a lower charge than the sequential transmission / reception.

(Billing control process)
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a charging control processing procedure of the MTC-IWF 1120 as the communication processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. This flowchart is executed in parallel with the flowchart of FIG.

In step S1301, the MTC-IWF 1120 acquires a message transmission / reception request from the AS 240. Next, in step S1303, the MTC-IWF 1120 determines whether it is a batch transmission / reception request or a sequential transmission / reception request, and notifies the PCRF 1150 to instruct different charges.

In step S1305, the MTC-IWF 1120 waits for completion of message transmission / reception. When the message transmission / reception is completed, the MTC-IWF 1120 acquires charging information of the corresponding transmission / reception service from the CDF / CGF 1160 in step S1307. In step S 1309, the MTC-IWF 1120 notifies the acquired accounting information to the AS 240 of the transmission source.

According to the present embodiment, different charges are made depending on batch transmission / reception and sequential transmission / reception according to the setting from the application. Therefore, messages can be transmitted and received in a batch between the application and the device in accordance with the intention of the application while ensuring urgent data collection and suppressing message latency.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. In addition, a system or an apparatus in which different features included in each embodiment are combined in any way is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to a single device. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a control program that realizes the functions of the embodiments is supplied directly or remotely to a system or apparatus. Therefore, in order to realize the functions of the present invention on a computer, a program installed on the computer, a medium storing the program, and a WWW (World Wide Web) server that downloads the program are also included in the scope of the present invention. . In particular, at least a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the processing steps included in the above-described embodiments is included in the scope of the present invention.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-186305 filed on September 24, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

Claims

A message queue for queuing messages sent from the application to the device and messages received by the application from the device;
Transmission timing setting means for setting a collective transmission timing for transmitting the messages accumulated in the message queue in a batch;
When the set batch transmission timing is reached, batch transmission means for collectively transmitting messages that are set for batch transmission by the application among the messages accumulated in the message queue;
A communication processing apparatus comprising:
The communication processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the batch transmission timing includes batch reception timing when the application collectively receives messages from the device, and the batch transmission set by the application includes batch reception.
3. The communication processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a transmission / reception timing disclosure unit that transmits or discloses the batch transmission timing or the batch reception timing set by the transmission timing setting unit to the application.
4. The communication processing device according to claim 2, wherein the message queued in the message queue is associated with the batch transmission timing or the batch reception timing.
5. The communication processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission timing setting means sets the batch transmission timing or the batch reception timing with reference to a network load history.
6. The communication processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a sequential transmission / reception unit that sequentially transmits / receives messages for which the batch transmission or the batch reception is not set by the application.
Charging means is charged differently for processing a message for which batch transmission or batch reception is set by the application and for processing a message for which batch transmission or batch reception is not set by the application. The communication processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising instruction means for instructing.
The communication processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the communication processing apparatus is an apparatus corresponding to MTC-IWF (Machine Type Communication-Interworking Function) defined by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project). apparatus.
A transmission timing setting step for setting a batch transmission timing for batch transmission of the messages accumulated in a message queue for queuing a message transmitted from the application to the device and a message received by the application from the device;
When the set batch transmission timing is reached, a batch transmission step of collectively transmitting messages that are set to be batch transmission by the application among the messages accumulated in the message queue;
A method for controlling a communication processing apparatus including:
A transmission timing setting step for setting a batch transmission timing for batch transmission of the messages accumulated in a message queue for queuing a message transmitted from the application to the device and a message received by the application from the device;
When the set batch transmission timing is reached, a batch transmission step of collectively transmitting messages that are set to be batch transmission by the application among the messages accumulated in the message queue;
A control program for a communication processing apparatus for causing a computer to execute the above.
In MTC (Machine Type Communication), a transmission / reception timing setting means for setting a batch transmission / reception timing for transmitting / receiving a group message to / from a plurality of devices;
Sending or publishing the batch transmission / reception timing to an application, and acquiring and storing the message with the batch transmission / reception timing from the application; and
When the set batch transmission / reception timing is reached, batch transmission means for collectively sending messages set by the application among the messages stored in the message storage means to the plurality of devices;
A communication processing system comprising:
In MTC (Machine Type Communication), a transmission / reception timing setting step for setting a batch transmission / reception timing for transmitting / receiving a group message to / from a plurality of devices;
A message storage step of sending or publishing the batch transmission / reception timing to an application, acquiring the message with the batch transmission / reception timing from the application and storing the message in a storage unit;
When the set batch transmission / reception timing is reached, a batch transmission step of collectively transmitting messages set to batch transmission / reception by the application among the messages stored in the storage unit, to the plurality of devices;
Group message processing method.