JP2008035509A - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, DEVICE, COMMUNICATION DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, COMMUNICATION DEVICE CONTROL PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device by which a user can simply set the transmission quality in a network and QoS control effectively functions. <P>SOLUTION: QoS type receiving sections 11, 21, 31, 41 are arranged in communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40 on the network, and the user is permitted to specify a QoS type to be requested to the communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40, by operating the QoS type receiving sections 11, 21, 31, 41. When the communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40 perform communication, the network is controlled so as to ensure the QoS corresponding to the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving sections 11, 21, 31, 41. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus that performs QoS setting in a communication network.

  Conventionally, in a computer network, packets are transmitted and received by a communication method called a packet communication method. In recent years, for example, in a home LAN (Local Area Network), there is an increasing demand for constructing a LAN using PLC (Power Line Communication).

  Compared with wired LAN, PLC LAN does not require a dedicated LAN cable, and can be constructed by simply connecting the power cable of the device to an outlet. Has the advantage of increasing.

  In such a PLC LAN or the like, when a plurality of slave stations are connected to a network in which the master station performs bandwidth management, one network medium is shared by a plurality of slave stations in a time division manner for packet transmission / reception. In such a system, the efficiency of bandwidth utilization varies greatly depending on the transmission right management method of each slave station.

<QoS technology>
By the way, in the transmission of non-real time data such as Web contents, mail, and FTP, even if a certain amount of transmission delay or jitter occurs, it does not cause a big problem for the user. On the other hand, in transmission of real-time data such as video and audio, transmission delay and jitter lead to disturbance of video and audio, and thus must be within a certain range.

  A technique for simultaneously and efficiently realizing a plurality of data transmissions while ensuring appropriate quality according to the type of data transmitted in this way is called a QoS (Quality of Service) technique. The QoS technology is roughly classified into prioritized QoS and parameterized QoS.

<Prioritized QoS>
In Prioritized QoS, a communication device that transmits data gives priority to the data packet according to the type of data and the nature of the communication device that transmits and receives data, and performs priority control on transmission according to the priority assigned to the packet. This is a method for realizing QoS.

  Generally, a field for storing priority is provided in the header portion of the packet, and the priority is stored as a numerical value therein.

  For example, since real-time data requires higher transmission quality than non-real-time data, the priority field of the header of real-time data is a numerical value indicating a higher priority than the priority field of the header of non-real-time data. Is stored, and is transmitted with the priority according to the numerical value, thereby realizing QoS.

<Parameterized QoS>
Parameterized QoS provides a master station that manages the bandwidth of the entire network, and the master station manages the bandwidth usage schedule in the entire network according to the QoS parameters requested from the slave stations, and the transmission count and transmission of all slave stations. This is a method for realizing QoS by centrally managing time.

  When performing transmission with guaranteed QoS, the slave station transmits a QoS transmission request signal to the parent station in advance. The request signal includes a QoS parameter, and the master station interprets the QoS parameter and determines whether QoS can be realized from the current network usage status. If feasible, QoS transmission is permitted, and if not feasible, it is rejected.

  For example, when another child station has already performed QoS transmission and a sufficient band does not remain, the parent station rejects QoS transmission.

  The master station always manages the bandwidth allocation schedule so that the QoS for each slave station is guaranteed, and transmits a transmission permission signal to each slave station according to the schedule. The slave station transmits data only during the period notified by the transmission permission signal.

  With such a mechanism, there is no access contention in the entire network, and QoS is realized.

  In Parameterized QoS, QoS is managed for each flow. A flow refers to a series of data that needs to be transmitted continuously, such as one video content or audio content, and a plurality of packets belong to this series of data.

  When transmitting a plurality of contents at the same time, it is necessary to perform different QoS control for each content. For example, when one communication apparatus transmits video content and audio content at the same time, QoS requirements required for each content are different.

  Since the master station needs to determine a bandwidth use schedule for each flow during data transmission, it is necessary to know the flow to which the packet belongs and the required QoS parameters when transmitting the packet. is there.

  In order to realize QoS for each flow, the slave station notifies the master station with the flow identification information when reporting the QoS parameter. The master station manages a bandwidth allocation schedule for each flow, and when transmitting a transmission permission signal, notifies the master station including the flow identification information in order to indicate which flow is permitted to be transmitted. The communication device that performs transmission can perform QoS control for each flow by transmitting only packets that match the notified flow identification information.

  As the flow identification information, the destination MAC address and source MAC address in the MAC header, the destination IP address and source IP address in the IP header, the destination port number and source port number in the TCP header (or UDP header), Some or all combinations of the Flow Label field in the IPv6 header and the VID (VLAN Identifier) field of the VLAN tag in the Ethernet (registered trademark) frame header correspond to this.

  Note that it is common to use the VID field of a VLAN tag for the purpose of identifying a flow, rather than for the purpose of virtually dividing the original LAN.

  For example, when separating IP phone data and normal data (Web or FTP), it is conceivable to separate from physical connection, but since this is practically difficult, it is virtually separated by VLAN ( It is common to use a physically connected cable that is treated as a separate network). For example, VID No. 1 is assigned for IP telephone data transmission, and VID No. 2 is assigned for normal data transmission.

<QoS setting method>
In general, QoS is realized in layer 2 or layer 3 in the OSI reference model. Hereinafter, a layer that realizes and controls QoS is referred to as a QoS control layer.

  In order to realize QoS in both prioritized QoS and parameterized QoS, the QoS control layer needs to know the transmission quality required for the data to be transmitted. However, in general, such information is managed in a layer higher than the QoS control layer.

  For example, bandwidth control in the PLC is realized in the MAC layer (sublayer of layer 2 in the OSI reference model), but what kind of data is actually transmitted depends on the application layer (layer in the OSI reference model). It can only be found in 7).

  For example, in layer 7, the program selects the content and prepares for transmission, and then passes the data to the lower layer. For the lower layer, the data passed from the upper layer is just data, You can't know the contents, and you can't know what program the data originates from.

  Therefore, originally, the QoS control layer before the start of transmission from the upper layer is added with information on what kind of program the data is generated and for what purpose, and QoS. Should be required. However, since the QoS mechanism is not yet widespread, the upper layer is not designed assuming QoS and the present situation is that the notification mechanism is not implemented in most systems.

<About QoS setting from the terminal connected to the bridge device>
Further, in order to use a device (referred to as an Ethernet terminal) equipped with an Ethernet interface connected to the PLC network, it is necessary to connect a bridge device to the Ethernet terminal and connect to the PLC network via the bridge device. . When the Ethernet terminal intends to perform data transmission in which the QoS is ensured in the PLC network section for the received flow, the Ethernet terminal sends some instruction to the bridge apparatus. Perform QoS settings for the PLC network. For example, the control is generally performed by transmitting an Ethernet packet indicating such an instruction from the Ethernet terminal to the bridge device.

<Regarding Patent Document 1>
Patent Document 1 describes a mechanism for a user to specify the priority of prioritized QoS in order to solve such a problem.

  In the home network connected to the CATV network, the user inputs the MAC address of the information communication device connected to the home network and the transmission priority for the information communication device to the cable modem device in advance. The MAC address is to be investigated by the user by referring to the instruction manual.

The cable modem device stores the input information as a control table, and when transmitting and receiving packets, the MAC address in the home network that is the destination and the transmission source, and the MAC address stored in the control table By comparing these, the priority of the packet is derived, and the order of processing is changed according to the priority to realize the prioritized QoS for each information communication device.
JP 2003-153221 A (published May 23, 2003)

  However, according to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user needs to input the MAC address and transmission priority of the information communication device to the cable modem device in advance, and the user can easily set the transmission quality. There is a problem that cannot be done.

  Specifically, the MAC address is a 48-bit address unique to the information communication device, but it takes much time for the user to manually input the MAC address. In addition, due to an input error or the like, there is a possibility that the priority setting is not performed as intended by the user. Furthermore, although it is necessary to check and input the MAC address of each device from the instruction manual etc., it is very difficult for general users to investigate the MAC address concept itself because it is difficult to understand. is there.

  In addition, when setting for Parameterized QoS, it is necessary to set many items of QoS parameters in addition to the MAC address, and there is a possibility that appropriate settings cannot be made due to a user input error or the like. Higher than

  When Parameterized QoS is set using conventional technology, the user must understand the meaning of each QoS parameter and input them one by one.

  Therefore, there is a high possibility that the transmission quality in the network is not properly set and the QoS control does not function effectively.

  In addition, when the Ethernet terminal tries to perform data transmission with QoS secured in the PLC network section for the received flow, it is necessary to send some instruction from the Ethernet terminal to the bridge device. If the Ethernet terminal that receives the message does not have a function for transmitting the instruction, the bridge device cannot receive the instruction and cannot execute the QoS setting process. Therefore, for such a flow received by such an Ethernet terminal, data transmission with QoS secured in the PLC network section cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily set transmission quality in a network and to perform QoS control effectively (to perform QoS control efficiently). It is possible to provide a communication device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present invention receives a QoS type accepting unit that accepts a QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data and a QoS type accepting unit in a communication device that receives data. QoS control information converting means for converting the received QoS type into QoS control information of the data, and QoS setting control means for performing QoS setting processing for the data based on the converted QoS control information. It is characterized by that.

  In this configuration, the communication device sets QoS for data transmission performed between other communication devices that communicate with the local station and controls the data transmission. When the communication apparatus sets the QoS, the QoS control in which the QoS control information conversion unit converts the QoS type received by the QoS type reception unit in order to determine how much transmission bandwidth is to be secured on the network. Use information.

  The QoS control information indicates a transmission priority in the case of prioritized QoS in the PLC, and indicates a QoS parameter in the case of parameterized QoS.

  The generated QoS setting request is transmitted to the transmission source of data transmission in the case of prioritized QoS, and is transmitted to the master station in the case of parameterized QoS.

  According to the above configuration, by simply specifying the QoS type, an appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed. That is, it is not necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address. There is an effect that it is possible to set.

  In order to solve the above problem, a communication device according to the present invention is a communication device that transmits data, and a QoS type request for acquiring a QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data from a communication device that receives the data. Means, QoS control information conversion means for converting the QoS type acquired by the QoS type request means to QoS control information of the data, and QoS setting processing for the data based on the converted QoS control information And a setting control means.

  In this configuration, the communication device sets QoS for data transmission performed between other communication devices that communicate with the local station and controls the data transmission. When the communication apparatus performs QoS setting, in order to determine how much transmission band to secure on the network, the QoS control information conversion means converts the QoS type acquired from the communication apparatus that receives the data. Use control information.

  The meaning of the QoS control information and the transmission destination of the generated QoS setting request are as described above.

  According to the above configuration, it is necessary to set an appropriate QoS and control QoS only by acquiring a QoS type from a communication device that receives data. That is, it is necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address. As a result, there is an effect that a simpler QoS setting is possible.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present invention receives a QoS type accepting unit that accepts a QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data and a QoS type accepting unit in a communication device that receives data. QoS type notification means for notifying the received QoS type to a communication device that transmits the data.

  In this configuration, another communication apparatus that communicates with the local station sets QoS for data transmission performed with the local station and controls the QoS. The QoS type notifying means determines the QoS type accepted by the QoS type accepting means to the communication device that transmits data in order to determine how much transmission band is secured on the network when performing QoS setting. Send.

  According to the above configuration, by simply specifying the QoS type, an appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed. That is, it is not necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address. There is an effect that it is possible to set.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication device according to the present invention is a communication device that transmits data. QoS control information requesting means for acquiring QoS control information of the data from a communication device that receives the data; QoS setting control means for performing a QoS setting process for the data based on the QoS control information acquired by the QoS control information requesting means.

  In this configuration, the communication device sets QoS for data transmission performed between other communication devices that communicate with the local station and controls the data transmission. When the QoS is set, the communication device uses the QoS control information acquired from the communication device that receives the data in order to determine how much transmission band to secure on the network.

  The meaning of the QoS control information and the transmission destination of the generated QoS setting request are as described above.

  According to the above configuration, by acquiring QoS control information from a communication device that receives data, appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed. That is, it is necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address. Therefore, there is an effect that a simpler QoS setting is possible.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present invention receives a QoS type accepting unit that accepts a QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data and a QoS type accepting unit in a communication device that receives data. QoS control information converting means for converting the received QoS type into QoS control information of the data, and QoS control for notifying the QoS control information converted by the QoS control information converting means to the communication device that transmits the data And an information notification means.

  In this configuration, another communication apparatus that communicates with the local station sets QoS for data transmission performed with the local station and controls the QoS. The QoS control information notifying unit converts the QoS type accepted by the QoS type accepting unit by the QoS control information converting unit in order to determine how much transmission bandwidth is secured on the network when QoS is set. The QoS control information thus transmitted is transmitted to a communication device that transmits data.

  According to the above configuration, by simply specifying the QoS type, an appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed. That is, it is not necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address. There is an effect that it is possible to set.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said QoS setting control means performs the process which transmits the QoS setting request | requirement including the said QoS control information with respect to the communication apparatus which transmits the said data as said QoS setting process.

  With the above configuration, the QoS control indicated by the QoS control information can be requested to the communication apparatus that transmits data. This configuration can be applied, for example, when a communication apparatus that transmits data performs priority control transmission, in other words, when prioritized QoS is used.

  The communication apparatus further includes a control unit that performs QoS control. The QoS setting control unit performs a process of outputting the QoS control information to the control unit as the QoS setting process. Preferably, QoS control is performed on the data based on the QoS control information.

  According to the above configuration, the QoS setting control means outputs QoS control information to the control means, and the control means performs QoS control on the data based on the QoS control information.

  Therefore, QoS control can be performed in a communication device that transmits data. This configuration can be applied, for example, when a communication apparatus that transmits data performs priority control transmission, in other words, when prioritized QoS is used.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said QoS setting control means performs the process which transmits the QoS setting request | requirement including the said QoS control information with respect to the communication apparatus which performs QoS control of a network as said QoS setting process.

  According to said structure, a QoS setting control means transmits the QoS setting request | requirement including QoS control information with respect to the communication apparatus which performs QoS control of a network.

  Therefore, QoS control can be requested to a communication apparatus that performs QoS control of the network. This configuration can be applied, for example, when a communication device that performs QoS control of a network manages bandwidth-guaranteed transmission, in other words, when Parameterized QoS is used.

  In addition, the communication device further includes a control unit that performs QoS control by transmitting a QoS control content notification for notifying the content of QoS control to another communication device, and the QoS setting control unit includes: As the QoS setting process, a process of outputting the QoS control information to the control unit is performed, and the control unit performs a QoS control on the data based on the QoS control information output by the QoS setting control unit. Is preferred.

  According to said structure, a control means performs QoS control by transmitting the QoS control content notification for notifying the content of QoS control with respect to another communication apparatus. The QoS setting control means outputs QoS control information to the control means, and the control means performs QoS control on the data based on the QoS control information output by the QoS setting control means.

  Therefore, QoS control can be performed in a communication device that transmits data. This configuration can be applied, for example, when a communication device that transmits data manages bandwidth-guaranteed transmission, in other words, when Parameterized QoS is used.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present invention receives a QoS type accepting unit that accepts a QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data and a QoS type accepting unit in a communication device that receives data. In the case where the designated QoS type indicates that QoS control is not required, QoS setting control means for performing QoS release processing on the data is provided.

  According to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit accepts a QoS type indicating the type of data QoS control. When the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving unit indicates that QoS control is not required, the QoS setting control unit performs a QoS release process on data received by the own device. The QoS release process is a process for transmitting a request for releasing QoS control to a communication apparatus that transmits data, for example.

  Therefore, when QoS control is unnecessary, it is possible to cancel the QoS control for the data received by the own apparatus, and the QoS control can be performed efficiently. In addition, since the receiving side communication device accepts a user instruction to cancel the QoS control, it is not necessary for the user to input complicated information such as a MAC address, and the QoS control can be canceled more easily. Can do.

  In order to solve the above problem, a communication device according to the present invention is a communication device that transmits data, and a QoS type request for acquiring a QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data from a communication device that receives the data. And QoS setting control means for performing QoS release processing on the data when the QoS type acquired by the QoS type requesting means indicates that QoS control is not required. It is said.

  According to said structure, a QoS classification request | requirement means acquires QoS classification which shows the classification of the QoS control of data from the communication apparatus which receives data. The QoS setting control means performs a QoS release process for data when the QoS type acquired by the QoS type requesting means indicates that QoS control is not required. This QoS release processing is, for example, when a communication device that transmits data performs priority control transmission for data destined for the communication device that receives data, from the target of the priority control transmission. This is processing for excluding communication devices.

  Therefore, when QoS control is not necessary, the QoS control for the data received by the communication apparatus that receives the data can be canceled, and the QoS control can be performed efficiently. Further, since an instruction for canceling QoS control is acquired from the communication device on the receiving side, it is not necessary for the user to input complicated information such as a MAC address, and QoS control can be canceled more easily. it can.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication device according to the present invention is a communication device that transmits data. QoS control information requesting means for acquiring QoS control information of the data from a communication device that receives the data; The QoS control information acquired by the QoS control information request means includes a QoS setting control means for performing a QoS release process for the data when the QoS control information indicates that the QoS control for the data is unnecessary. It is a feature.

  According to said structure, a QoS control information request | requirement means acquires the QoS control information of data from the communication apparatus which receives data. When the QoS control information acquired by the QoS control information request unit indicates that the QoS control for the data is unnecessary, the QoS setting control unit performs a QoS release process for the data. This QoS release processing is, for example, when a communication device that transmits data performs priority control transmission for data destined for the communication device that receives data, from the target of the priority control transmission. This is processing for excluding communication devices.

  Therefore, when QoS control is not necessary, the QoS control for the data received by the communication apparatus that receives the data can be canceled, and the QoS control can be performed efficiently. Further, since an instruction for canceling QoS control is acquired from the communication device on the receiving side, it is not necessary for the user to input complicated information such as a MAC address, and QoS control can be canceled more easily. it can.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present invention receives a QoS type accepting unit that accepts a QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data and a QoS type accepting unit in a communication device that receives data. When the received QoS type indicates that QoS control is not required for the data, QoS control information notification for notifying the communication device transmitting the data of the QoS control information including the information to that effect is provided. And a means.

  According to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit accepts a QoS type indicating the type of data QoS control. When the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving unit indicates that the QoS control for the data is not required, the QoS control information notifying unit transmits the QoS control information including the information to that effect. To the communication device.

  Therefore, when QoS control is not necessary, the QoS control for the data received by the communication apparatus that receives the data can be canceled, and the QoS control can be performed efficiently. In addition, since the communication device on the receiving side acquires an instruction to cancel the QoS control, it is not necessary for the user to input complicated information such as a MAC address, and the QoS control can be canceled more easily. it can.

  The QoS setting control means preferably performs a process of transmitting a QoS release request for requesting to release the QoS control to the communication apparatus transmitting the data as the QoS release process.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to request the communication device that transmits data to cancel the QoS control. This configuration can be applied, for example, when a communication apparatus that transmits data performs priority control transmission, in other words, when prioritized QoS is used.

  The communication apparatus further includes control means for performing QoS control, and the QoS setting control means is a process for notifying the control means that the QoS control for the data is stopped as the QoS release processing. It is preferable that the control unit stops the QoS control for the data upon receiving a notification from the QoS setting control unit.

  According to said structure, a QoS setting control means notifies a control means to stop the QoS control with respect to data. Upon receiving the notification, the control means stops the QoS control for the data.

  Therefore, the QoS control can be canceled in the communication device that transmits data. This configuration can be applied, for example, when a communication apparatus that transmits data performs priority control transmission, in other words, when prioritized QoS is used.

  Further, the QoS setting control means preferably performs a process of transmitting a QoS release request for requesting to release the QoS control to the communication apparatus that performs the QoS control of the network as the QoS release process.

  With the above configuration, it is possible to request the communication device that performs QoS control of the network to cancel the QoS control. This configuration can be applied, for example, when a communication device that performs QoS control of a network manages bandwidth-guaranteed transmission, in other words, when Parameterized QoS is used.

  The communication apparatus further includes control means for performing QoS control, and the QoS setting control means is a process for notifying the control means that the QoS control for the data is stopped as the QoS release processing. It is preferable that the control unit stops the QoS control for the data upon receiving a notification from the QoS setting control unit.

  According to said structure, a QoS setting control means notifies a control means to stop the QoS control with respect to data. Upon receiving this notification, the control means stops the QoS control for the data.

  Therefore, QoS control can be stopped in the communication device that transmits data. This configuration can be applied, for example, when a communication device that transmits data manages bandwidth-guaranteed transmission, in other words, when Parameterized QoS is used.

  The communication apparatus further includes trigger detection means for detecting a timing for performing the QoS setting process by analyzing a transmission history or a reception history regarding the data, and the QoS setting control means includes the trigger detection means. It is preferable to perform the QoS setting process at the detected timing.

  According to said structure, a trigger detection means detects the timing which performs a QoS setting process by analyzing the transmission log | history or reception log | history regarding data, and a QoS setting control means in the timing detected by the trigger detection means. Perform QoS setting processing.

  Therefore, since the QoS setting is performed after the communication that should actually perform the QoS control is started, it is possible to prevent the wasteful QoS control from being performed before the communication that should perform the QoS control is started.

  The communication apparatus further includes trigger detection means for detecting a timing for performing QoS release processing on the data by analyzing a transmission history or a reception history regarding the data, and the QoS setting control means includes the trigger detection It is preferable to perform the QoS release process at the timing detected by the means.

  According to the above configuration, the trigger detection unit detects the timing of performing the QoS release process by analyzing the transmission history or the reception history regarding the data, and the QoS setting control unit detects the timing at which the trigger detection unit detects the timing. Perform QoS release processing.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent waste that QoS control is still performed even though actual QoS transmission is completed.

  Further, it is preferable that the QoS setting control means performs the QoS setting process in accordance with the timing of performing the QoS setting process notified from a data communication partner station.

  According to said structure, the timing which performs a QoS setting process is notified from the other party of data communication.

  Therefore, since QoS is set at the timing at which QoS control should actually be performed, it is possible to prevent wasteful QoS control from being performed before communication to be performed is started.

  The QoS setting control means preferably performs the QoS release processing according to the timing of performing the QoS release processing notified from the data communication partner station.

  According to said structure, the timing which performs a QoS release process is notified from the other party of data communication.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent waste that QoS control continues to be performed even though QoS control is no longer necessary.

  Further, the communication device analyzes a transmission history or a reception history regarding the data, thereby detecting a timing for performing a QoS setting process for the data, and the timing detected by the trigger detection unit, It is preferable to further include trigger detection notification means for notifying a data communication partner station.

  According to said structure, a trigger detection means detects the timing which performs the QoS setting process with respect to data by analyzing the transmission log | history or reception log | history regarding data. The trigger detection notifying means notifies the timing detected by the trigger detecting means to the partner station of data communication.

  Therefore, since QoS is set at the timing at which QoS control should actually be performed, it is possible to prevent wasteful QoS control from being performed before communication to be performed is started.

  Further, the communication device analyzes a transmission history or a reception history related to the data to detect a timing for performing a QoS release process on the data, and to detect the timing detected by the trigger detection unit as data. It is preferable to further include trigger detection notification means for notifying a communication partner station.

  According to said structure, a trigger detection means detects the timing which performs the QoS release process with respect to data by analyzing the transmission log | history or reception log | history regarding data. The trigger detection notifying means notifies the timing detected by the trigger detecting means to the partner station of data communication.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent waste that QoS control continues to be performed even though QoS control is no longer necessary.

  Further, the trigger detection means detects flow identification information for identifying which flow the received data is included in from the received data, and the trigger detection notification means indicates the detected timing. It is preferable that the notification including the flow identification information detected by the trigger detection means is made when the data communication partner station is notified.

  According to the above configuration, the trigger detection notifying unit performs QoS setting processing or QoS release for the data together with flow identification information for identifying which flow (flow flowing in the network) the received data is included in. The processing timing is notified to the data communication partner station.

  Therefore, the partner station for data communication can accurately identify the data to be subjected to the QoS setting process or the QoS release process.

  In addition, the QoS type accepting unit has a predetermined time since the last QoS type was accepted, and a QoS type different from the QoS type designated when the QoS type was last accepted is designated. It is preferable to accept the QoS type only when it exists.

  According to the above configuration, for example, when the user designates an unintended QoS type due to an erroneous operation and cancels the operation immediately, the QoS type for the QoS setting (or QoS cancellation) is accepted. Absent.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the QoS setting (including QoS cancellation) from being changed due to an erroneous operation of the user, and thus it is possible to prevent the playback video and playback audio from being disturbed due to an unintended change in the QoS setting.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the communication apparatus according to the present invention further includes a state presentation unit that presents a QoS setting state derived from the results of the QoS setting process and the QoS release process to the user. .

  In this configuration, the status presentation means informs the user about the status, such as whether the QoS setting specified by the user has started, is being processed, succeeded or failed, and whether the QoS release processing has been performed. Present.

  According to the above configuration, the QoS setting state (QoS control state) is presented to the user as a result of the QoS setting process and the QoS release process, so the user can perform the QoS performed by the user. There is an effect that it is possible to correctly grasp the QoS setting state for the operation for designating the type and the QoS setting state for the operation for instructing the QoS release processing.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the communication device according to the present invention further includes a state presentation unit that presents a user with a QoS setting state derived from the results of the QoS setting process and the QoS release process, and the state presentation unit includes: The presentation is performed based on the status of the QoS setting process and the QoS release process in the partner station notified from the partner station of the data communication.

  In this configuration, the data communication partner station notifies the status such as whether QoS setting has been started at the data communication partner station, whether it is being processed, succeeded or failed, and whether the QoS release processing has been performed. Is done. The state presenting means presents the result of the notified QoS setting process and QoS release process to the user.

  According to the above configuration, the result of the QoS setting process and the QoS release process performed in the data communication partner station is presented to the user, so that the user correctly grasps the status of the QoS setting process and the QoS release process. There is an effect that can be.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the QoS setting control means notifies the partner station of data communication of the QoS setting state derived from the results of the QoS setting process and the QoS release process. It is characterized by.

  In this configuration, the status is notified to the other station of data communication, such as whether the QoS setting has been started, being processed, succeeded or failed, and whether the QoS release processing has been performed.

  According to the above configuration, the status of the QoS setting process and the QoS releasing process is notified to the partner station of the data communication, so that the partner station of the data communication can correctly grasp the state of the QoS setting process and the QoS releasing process. There is an effect.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit presents a QoS type to be read as QoS control information, and accepts a designation of the QoS type by a user as an input. To do.

  According to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit accepts the designation of the QoS type by the user in the form of presenting the QoS type replaced from the QoS control information as an option so that the user can easily understand. That is, the user can specify the QoS type required for the data transmitted by the communication device only by performing an operation of switching a switch installed in the communication device, for example, as the QoS type reception unit.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the QoS type accepting unit accepts, as an input, a designation of a QoS type from a device that receives data connected to the local station. To do.

  According to the above configuration, since the QoS type accepting unit accepts the specification of the QoS type from the device that receives data connected to the local station, the data connected to the local station is not specified by the user. The QoS type required for the data transmitted by the communication device is automatically set according to the designation from the device that receives the message.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit presents, as the QoS type, information indicating whether or not QoS control is performed in the data reception of the local station to the user. It is characterized by that.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit sets, as the QoS type, a priority of data reception of the own station to a station other than the own station under the same QoS control. It is characterized by presenting.

  Further, in the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the QoS type accepting unit includes, as the QoS type, a flow received or relayed by the local station including a flow including both video and audio, and only audio. It is characterized by presenting to the user information indicating whether the flow is included flow or other flow.

  In the communication device according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the QoS type accepting unit includes, as the QoS type, a device connected to the local station that includes both a moving image and audio, Information indicating whether the flow is a reproduction device including a flow only or a reproduction device of another flow.

  In addition to the above configuration, the communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the QoS type accepting unit presents a bit rate of a flow received by the own station to the user as the QoS type.

  Further, in the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit classifies the flow received by or relayed by the own station as the QoS type according to the degree to which transmission delay is allowed. Is presented to the user.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit classifies the flow received by or relayed by the own station as the QoS type according to the degree to which the error rate is allowed. Is presented to the user.

  Further, in the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit may select a type classified as a QoS type according to a degree to which jitter is allowed for a flow received or relayed by the local station. Presented to the user.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit may allow a transmission delay of a flow received by the apparatus as the QoS type for the apparatus connected to the local station. The type classified according to the degree is presented to the user.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit accepts, as the QoS type, an error rate of a flow received by the apparatus for the apparatus connected to the local station. The type classified according to the degree is presented to the user.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the QoS type accepting unit accepts a jitter of a flow received by the apparatus as an apparatus connected to the local station as the QoS type. The type classified by is presented to the user.

  According to the above configuration, when specifying the transmission quality in the network, the user can select the QoS type that is easy to understand, so that the QoS type is appropriately set, so that the QoS control can function properly. There is an effect that can be done.

  In addition, since the user only needs to perform a simple operation of selecting one of the QoS types prepared in advance as the QoS type, there is an effect that the setting effort by the user can be reduced.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication device according to the present invention includes a QoS setting control unit that performs a QoS setting process on the data in the communication device that transmits data to the receiving communication device, and the receiving communication device. Bridge information acquisition means for acquiring bridge information including an address of a device to which the data is relayed from the receiving communication device, and flow identification information for identifying in which flow the received data is included. A flow identification information acquisition unit that acquires from the data, and the QoS setting control unit collates the bridge information acquired by the bridge information acquisition unit with the flow identification information acquired by the flow identification information acquisition unit. Based on the above, it is determined whether or not to perform the QoS setting process.

  In the configuration, the communication device collates the address of the device connected to the destination of the destination communication device to which the received data is transferred and the flow identification information indicating which flow is subjected to QoS control, If they match, QoS control is performed on the packet transferred to the device.

  According to the above configuration, since the correspondence between the address of the device ahead of the data transfer destination communication device and the packet to be subjected to the QoS control is known, the QoS control of the flow is performed for each device ahead of the packet transfer destination communication device. There is an effect that can be performed.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the communication device according to the present invention is a communication device that relays data transmission between a first network and a second network, and the communication device is connected to the first network by the first network. And a QoS setting control unit for setting a QoS in the second network for a flow received from a device connected to the communication device by the second network.

  According to the above configuration, in a communication device that relays data transmission between the first network and the second network, a device connected to the first network executes QoS setting for the communication device. Even when a function to instruct is not provided, the QoS setting control unit performs QoS setting for the flow.

  In this configuration, the QoS setting control unit performs the QoS setting in the second network on behalf of the device connected to the first network, so that the device connected to the first network requires QoS. Even when the device connected to the first network does not have a function of instructing the communication device to execute the QoS setting, the QoS setting in the second network is performed for the flow. There is an effect that data transmission in which QoS is secured can be performed for the flow.

  The apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus that receives data connected to a communication apparatus, and outputs the QoS type to the communication apparatus.

  Therefore, the QoS type designation from the user can be transmitted from the device to the communication device.

  On the other hand, the communication device control method according to the present invention provides a communication device control method for receiving data in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in which the QoS type reception means provided in the communication device includes a type of QoS control of the data. A QoS type receiving step for receiving a QoS type indicating QoS, a QoS control information converting step for converting the QoS type received in the QoS type receiving step into the QoS control information of the data, and QoS setting control means provided in the communication device Includes a QoS setting control step of performing a QoS setting process for the data based on the converted QoS control information.

  In this configuration, as with the communication device, in the communication device control method, QoS is set and controlled for data transmission performed between other communication devices that communicate with the local station. When the QoS is set, the communication device converts the QoS type received in the QoS type reception step in the QoS control information conversion step in order to determine how much transmission band to secure on the network. Use information.

  According to the above configuration, by simply specifying the QoS type, an appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed. That is, it is not necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address. There is an effect that it is possible to set.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication apparatus control method for controlling a communication apparatus for transmitting data, wherein the QoS type requesting means included in the communication apparatus includes a type of QoS control for the data. A QoS type requesting step for acquiring a QoS type from a communication device that receives the data, a QoS control information converting step for converting the QoS type acquired in the QoS type requesting step into the QoS control information of the data, and The QoS setting control means included in the communication device includes a QoS setting control step of performing a QoS setting process for the data based on the converted QoS control information.

  According to the above-described configuration, similar to the above-described communication device, an appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed simply by acquiring a QoS type from a communication device that receives data. Since it is not necessary to input simple information, there is an effect that QoS can be set more simply.

  In order to solve the above problems, the communication device control method according to the present invention is a communication device control method for receiving data, wherein the QoS type accepting means provided in the communication device includes a type of QoS control of the data. And a QoS type notification step of notifying the QoS type received in the QoS type reception step to the communication device that transmits the data.

  In this configuration, as with the communication device described above, in the communication device control method, other communication devices that communicate with the local station set QoS for data transmission performed between the local station and control the data transmission. I do. The QoS type notifying means determines the QoS type accepted by the QoS type accepting means to the communication device that transmits data in order to determine how much transmission band is secured on the network when performing QoS setting. Send.

  According to the above configuration, by simply specifying the QoS type, an appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed. That is, it is not necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address. There is an effect that it is possible to set.

  In order to solve the above problem, the communication device control method according to the present invention is a communication device control method for transmitting data, wherein the QoS control information requesting means provided in the communication device includes the QoS control information of the data. QoS type requesting step for acquiring from the communication device that receives the data, and QoS setting control means provided in the communication device, based on the QoS control information acquired by the QoS control information requesting means, QoS setting for the data And a QoS setting control step for performing processing.

  According to the above configuration, similar to the above communication device, by acquiring QoS control information from a communication device that receives data, appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed. Since it is not necessary to input complicated information, there is an effect that a simpler QoS setting is possible.

  In order to solve the above problems, the communication device control method according to the present invention is a communication device control method for receiving data, wherein the QoS type accepting means provided in the communication device includes a type of QoS control of the data. The QoS type receiving step for receiving the QoS type indicating the QoS type, the QoS control information converting step for converting the QoS type received in the QoS type receiving step into the QoS control information of the data, and the QoS control information converting means And a QoS type notification step of notifying the QoS control information to a communication device that transmits the data.

  According to the above configuration, as in the case of the communication device, it is necessary to set appropriate QoS and control QoS only by specifying the QoS type. That is, it is necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address. As a result, there is an effect that a simpler QoS setting is possible.

  By the way, the communication apparatus may be realized by hardware or may be realized by causing a computer to execute a program. Specifically, the program according to the present invention includes at least the above-described QoS control information conversion unit, QoS setting control unit, QoS type request unit, QoS type notification unit, QoS control information request unit, QoS control information notification unit, and bridge information. This is a control program for a communication device that causes a computer to operate as acquisition means, flow identification information acquisition means, trigger detection means, and trigger detection notification means, and the communication device control program is recorded in the recording medium according to the present invention.

  When this communication device control program is executed by a computer, the computer operates as the communication device. Therefore, as with the above communication device, simply specifying the QoS type sets an appropriate QoS and performs QoS control. That is, it is not necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address, so it is simpler. It is possible to set an appropriate QoS.

  Further, the QoS type accepting means indicates the priority of data reception of the own station and the bit rate of data received or relayed by the own station with respect to stations other than the own station under the same QoS control as the QoS type. It is preferable to selectively receive information.

  According to said structure, the command for selectively switching QoS control based on a priority and QoS control which guarantees a bit rate can be received. And if the said command is transmitted to the control apparatus which performs QoS control, QoS control based on priority and QoS control which guarantees a bit rate can be selectively switched.

  In addition, while the local station is excluded from the QoS control target, it uses at least a part of the remaining data transmission band other than the data transmission band allocated to the other communication device subject to the QoS control. It is preferable to transmit data.

  With the above configuration, normal transmission (best-effort transmission) can be performed on data transmitted to a communication device that is not subject to QoS control without performing priority control transmission and bandwidth-guaranteed transmission.

  In addition, the QoS control information conversion means informs the user that the QoS type information has been accepted via the notification means that is communicably connected to the own device when the QoS type acceptance means accepts the QoS type. It is preferable to notify.

  With the above configuration, when the QoS type accepting unit accepts the QoS type, the user can be informed via the notifying unit.

  Therefore, when the QoS type accepting unit accepts the QoS type, the user can know that fact. In particular, contrary to the user's intention, when the QoS type accepting unit accepts the QoS type, the user can know that fact.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present invention is a communication device as a reception-side communication device that receives data from a transmission-side communication device that transmits data, and receives data from the transmission-side communication device QoS type receiving means for receiving QoS type information indicating the priority of data reception with respect to other receiving side communication devices, QoS type information received by the QoS type receiving means and QoS including the address of the own device Communication means for transmitting a setting request to the transmission side communication device is provided.

  According to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit accepts QoS type information indicating the priority of data reception, and the communication unit performs QoS setting including the QoS type information accepted by the QoS type accepting unit and the address of the own device. The request is transmitted to the transmission side communication device.

  Therefore, it is possible to make the user perform QoS setting based on the priority more easily without causing the user to input complicated information such as a MAC address.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a communication device according to the present invention is a communication device as a transmission-side communication device that transmits data to a reception-side communication device, and a QoS setting request transmitted from the reception-side communication device. Yes, the receiving side transmitting the QoS setting request and the QoS type information indicating the priority of data reception to the other receiving side communication device when the receiving side communication device receives data from the transmitting side communication device The QoS setting request includes a receiving unit that receives a QoS setting request including the address of the communication device, and a transmission priority corresponding to the priority indicated by the QoS type information included in the QoS setting request received by the receiving unit. QoS control means to be given to data to be transmitted to the receiving side communication device indicated by the address to be sent, and data to which the transmission priority is given by the QoS control means, In accordance with the transmission priority, it is characterized in that a data transmission means for transmitting to said QoS setting request receiving communication apparatus indicated by the address included in the.

  According to the above configuration, the receiving means sends the QoS setting request including the QoS type information indicating the priority of data reception and the address of the receiving communication device that transmits the QoS setting request, and the data transmission request. A data transmission request packet including identification information for identifying data requested by the receiving communication apparatus to be transmitted is received. The QoS control means gives the transmission priority corresponding to the priority indicated by the QoS type information to the data indicated by the identification information. The data transmission means transmits the data given the transmission priority by the QoS control means to the receiving communication apparatus indicated by the address included in the QoS setting request according to the transmission priority.

  Therefore, it is possible to make the user perform QoS setting based on the priority more easily without causing the user to input complicated information such as a MAC address.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present invention includes a QoS type reception unit that receives QoS type information indicating the size of a transmission band when receiving data transmitted by a transmission side communication device, and the QoS type. A QoS type management unit that generates a QoS notification including information indicating the size of the transmission band indicated by the QoS type information received by the reception unit, and a QoS notification generated by the QoS type management unit is transmitted to the transmission-side communication device. And a communication means.

  According to the above configuration, the QoS type accepting unit accepts QoS type information indicating the size of the transmission band when receiving data transmitted by the transmitting communication device. The QoS type management unit generates a QoS notification including information indicating the size of the transmission band indicated by the QoS type information received by the QoS type reception unit. The communication unit transmits the QoS notification generated by the QoS type management unit to the transmission side communication device.

  Therefore, it is possible to allow the user to perform QoS setting that guarantees the size of the transmission band more easily without causing the user to input complicated information such as a MAC address.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present invention includes at least one transmission-side communication device that transmits data, at least one reception-side communication device that receives data from the transmission-side communication device, and QoS setting. A control device comprising a control means for performing QoS control of data transmitted from the transmission side communication device to the reception side communication device according to a request, the communication device as the transmission side communication device in a communication network, Receiving means for receiving a trigger detection notification for notifying start of QoS control for data received by one receiving communication apparatus; and when the receiving means receives the trigger detection notification, the receiving communication apparatus QoS type management means for transmitting to the control device a QoS setting request for requesting the start of QoS control for data received by It is characterized in that.

  According to said structure, a receiving means receives the trigger detection notification which notifies the start of the QoS control which makes object the data which one receiving side communication apparatus receives. When the receiving unit receives the trigger detection notification, the QoS type managing unit transmits a QoS setting request for requesting the start of QoS control for data received by the receiving-side communication device to the control device.

  Therefore, when a trigger detection notification is received, it is possible to request the control device to start QoS control for data received by a receiving communication device.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present invention includes at least one transmission-side communication device that transmits data and at least one reception-side communication device that receives data from the transmission-side communication device. A communication device as the transmission-side communication device in a communication network, the control means for performing QoS control, and the reception means for receiving a trigger detection notification for notifying the start of QoS control for data received by the reception-side communication device; The control means starts QoS control when the receiving means receives the trigger detection notification.

  According to said structure, a control means starts QoS control, when a receiving means receives the trigger detection notification which notifies the start of QoS control with respect to the data which a receiving side communication apparatus receives.

  Therefore, QoS control can be started when QoS control is required. In other words, since QoS control is not performed in data transmission that does not require QoS control, QoS control in data transmission that requires other QoS control can be performed efficiently.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication device according to the present invention includes at least one transmission-side communication device that transmits data and at least one reception-side communication device that receives data from the transmission-side communication device. A communication device as the receiving communication device in a communication network, comprising control means for performing QoS control, wherein the control means starts QoS control in response to receiving data from the transmitting communication device It is characterized by doing.

  According to said structure, the control means which performs QoS control starts a QoS setting process in response to receiving the data from a transmission side communication apparatus. This configuration is a configuration when the master station that performs QoS control receives data when Parameterized QoS is used.

  Therefore, when the master station that performs the QoS control receives data, the QoS control can be started when the QoS control is necessary, and the QoS control can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, as each means of the communication apparatus, a communication apparatus control program for causing a computer to function and a computer-readable recording medium recording the communication apparatus control program are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the communication device according to the present invention includes the QoS type receiving unit that receives the QoS type indicating the type of the QoS control of the data, and the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving unit as the QoS control of the data. QoS control information converting means for converting information, and QoS setting control means for performing QoS setting processing for the data based on the converted QoS control information.

  Therefore, by simply specifying the QoS type, an appropriate QoS is set, and QoS control is performed. That is, it is not necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address, so it is possible to set QoS more easily. The effect that it is.

  Further, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention acquires the QoS type indicating the type of QoS control of data by the QoS type requesting unit that acquires from the communication device that receives the data, and the QoS type requesting unit. QoS control information converting means for converting the QoS type into QoS control information of the data, and QoS setting control means for performing QoS setting processing for the data based on the converted QoS control information.

  Therefore, only by acquiring the QoS type from the communication device that receives the packet, an appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed, that is, it is not necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address. There is an effect that a simple QoS can be set.

  Further, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention converts the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving unit that receives the QoS type indicating the type of QoS control of the data, and the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving unit into the data. It is the structure provided with the QoS classification notification means to notify the communication apparatus to transmit.

  Therefore, by simply specifying the QoS type, appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed. In other words, it is not necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address, so it is possible to set QoS more easily. The effect that it is.

  In addition, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention includes the QoS control information request unit that acquires the QoS control information of the data from the communication device that receives the data, and the QoS control information acquired by the QoS control information request unit. It is a structure provided with the QoS setting control means which performs the QoS setting process with respect to the said data based on information.

  Therefore, only by acquiring QoS control information from a communication device that receives a packet, appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed, that is, it is not necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address. There is an effect that a simpler QoS setting is possible.

  Further, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention converts the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving unit that receives the QoS type indicating the type of the QoS control of the data, and the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving unit. QoS control information converting means for converting to QoS control information, and QoS control information notifying means for notifying the QoS control information converted by the QoS control information converting means to a communication apparatus that transmits the data. .

  Therefore, by simply specifying the QoS type, appropriate QoS is set and QoS control is performed. In other words, it is not necessary to input complicated information such as a MAC address, so it is possible to set QoS more easily. The effect that it is.

  The communication device according to the present invention is a communication device that relays data transmission between the first network and the second network as described above, and is connected to the communication device by the first network. The apparatus includes a QoS setting control unit configured to set a QoS in the second network for a flow received from the apparatus connected to the communication apparatus by the second network.

  Therefore, when a device connected to the first network receives a flow that requires QoS, the device connected to the first network has a function of instructing the communication device to execute QoS setting. Even if not, QoS setting in the second network is performed for the flow, and data transmission with QoS secured for the flow can be performed.

  In addition, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention does not require QoS control because the QoS type receiving unit that receives the QoS type indicating the type of QoS control of data and the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving unit are not necessary. If it indicates that the data is a QoS setting control means for performing a QoS release process for the data.

  Therefore, when QoS control is unnecessary, it is possible to cancel the QoS control for the data received by the own device, and the QoS control can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention acquires the QoS type indicating the type of data QoS control by the QoS type requesting unit that acquires from the communication device that receives the data, and the QoS type requesting unit. The QoS type control means for performing the QoS release processing on the data when the QoS type indicated indicates that the QoS control is not required.

  Therefore, when QoS control is unnecessary, it is possible to cancel the QoS control on the data received by the communication device that receives the data, and the QoS control can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention includes the QoS control information requesting unit that acquires the QoS control information of the data from the communication device that receives the data, and the QoS acquired by the QoS control information requesting unit. When the control information indicates that the QoS control for the data is not required, the control information includes a QoS setting control means for performing a QoS release process for the data.

  Therefore, when QoS control is unnecessary, it is possible to cancel the QoS control on the data received by the communication device that receives the data, and the QoS control can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention includes a QoS type accepting unit that accepts a QoS type indicating the type of data QoS control, and the QoS type accepted by the QoS type accepting unit is the QoS for the data. In the case of indicating that control is not required, QoS control information notifying means for notifying the communication device that transmits the data of QoS control information including information to that effect is provided.

  Therefore, when QoS control is unnecessary, it is possible to cancel the QoS control on the data received by the communication device that receives the data, and the QoS control can be performed efficiently.

  In addition, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention receives QoS type information indicating the priority of data reception with respect to another receiving side communication device when receiving data from the transmitting side communication device. And a communication unit for transmitting a QoS setting request including the QoS type information received by the QoS type receiving unit and the address of the own device to the transmitting side communication device.

  Further, the communication device according to the present invention is a QoS setting request transmitted from the reception side communication device as described above, and one reception side communication device among the plurality of reception side communication devices is transmitted from the transmission side communication device. Reception for receiving a QoS setting request including QoS type information indicating the priority of data reception with respect to another receiving side communication device when receiving data, and an address of the receiving side communication device that transmits the QoS setting request And a transmission priority corresponding to the priority indicated by the QoS type information included in the QoS setting request received by the receiving means is added to the data to be transmitted to the receiving communication device indicated by the address included in the QoS setting request. QoS control means that performs transmission of the data assigned with the transmission priority by the QoS control means according to the transmission priority. Scan is configured to include a data transmitting means for transmitting to the reception side communication apparatus indicated.

  Therefore, there is an effect that the user can more easily set QoS based on the priority without causing the user to input complicated information such as a MAC address.

  Further, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention includes the QoS type reception unit that receives the QoS type information indicating the size of the transmission band of the data transmitted from the transmission side communication device to the own station, and the QoS type reception. QoS type management means for generating a QoS notification including information indicating the size of the transmission band indicated by the QoS type information received by the means, and the QoS notification generated by the QoS type management means is transmitted to the transmitting side communication device. And a communication means.

  Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to allow the user to perform QoS setting that guarantees the size of the transmission band more easily without causing the user to input complicated information such as a MAC address.

  In addition, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a trigger detection notification that notifies the start of QoS control for data received by one receiving-side communication device, and the receiving unit includes: When receiving the trigger detection notification, the reception side communication device includes a QoS type management unit that transmits a QoS setting request for requesting the start of QoS control for data received by the receiving communication device to the control device.

  Therefore, when the trigger detection notification packet is received, there is an effect that it is possible to request the control device to start QoS control for data received by a certain receiving-side communication device.

  In addition, as described above, the communication device according to the present invention includes a control unit that performs QoS control, and a reception unit that receives a trigger detection notification that notifies the start of QoS control for data received by the reception-side communication device. The control means starts QoS control when the receiving means receives the trigger detection notification.

  Therefore, QoS control can be started when QoS control is required, in other words, data transmission that requires other QoS control because QoS control is not performed in data transmission that does not require QoS control. There is an effect that QoS control can be performed efficiently.

  Further, as described above, the communication apparatus according to the present invention includes the QoS setting control means for performing the QoS setting process, and the QoS setting control means is configured to receive the QoS from the transmission side communication apparatus. This is a configuration for starting the setting process.

  Therefore, the QoS control can be started when the QoS control is necessary, and the QoS control can be performed efficiently.

[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the user designates the reception priority for each communication device as the QoS type for the communication device on the content receiving side, and the entire network is QoS controlled by Prioritized QoS according to the designation. Will be described. The overall processing flow is shown in FIG.

<Network configuration>
In FIG. 2, the network block diagram in this embodiment is shown. In the present embodiment, data transmission from the communication device 10 to the communication device 20, data transmission from the communication device 10 to the communication device 30, and data transmission from the communication device 10 to the communication device 40 are performed. Each communication device has a function of performing data transmission with another communication device via a network. As a network, in addition to a wired LAN such as Ethernet, a network such as a PLC or a wireless LAN is assumed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that each communication device is connected by a PLC network.

  In the implementation of the present invention, an arbitrary device that transmits and receives data is assumed as a communication device. When data transmission is performed, a communication device is stored with contents such as text, music, still images, and moving images.

  For example, a home server, a personal computer (PC), a server computer, an HDD recorder, a DVD player, a portable music player, and the like are considered as communication devices.

  Further, it is conceivable that content transmitted from another communication device is relayed instead of directly transmitting data.

  For example, it is conceivable that a router, a modem, a home gateway, and the like that relay content transmitted from a server on the Internet are communication devices.

  An apparatus for receiving data corresponds to an apparatus for displaying / reproducing / recording content such as a document, video, music, and image.

  For example, a television receiver, an STB (Set Top Box) for receiving VoD (Video on Demand), a tuner, a PC, a PDA, a VoIP phone, a mobile phone, a portable music player, an HDD recorder, and the like can be considered.

  In addition, it is conceivable that content received by another communication device is relayed instead of directly receiving data.

  For example, it is conceivable that a router, a modem, a home gateway, and the like that relay content transmitted from a server on the Internet are communication devices.

  One communication apparatus may perform both data transmission and data reception.

  In the present embodiment, the communication device 10 is a home server, and is in MPEG format or H.264. It is assumed that video data such as H.264 format, audio data such as MP3 format and ATRAC3 format, and text data such as HTML format and XML format are stored. Further, a PLC network interface is built in, and these contents can be transmitted to other communication devices via the PLC network.

  The communication device 20 is a music player that incorporates a PLC network interface, and can reproduce audio data received via the PLC.

  The communication device 30 is a television receiver with a built-in PLC network interface, and can reproduce video data received via the PLC.

  The communication device 40 is a PC with a built-in PLC network interface, and can display text data received via the PLC.

  In the present embodiment, the communication device 20 receives audio data, the communication device 30 receives video data, and the communication device 40 receives text data. The user recognizes the type of received data of each communication device, and when receiving the data, the communication device 20, the communication device 30, and the communication device 40 are given priority in the order of reception. And Each communication device on the receiving side may be used by a different user, or a single user may be using a plurality of communication devices.

<Configuration of communication device>
In FIG. 1, the functional block diagram of communication apparatus 10,20,30,40 is shown. The communication devices 10, 20, 30, and 40 all have the same configuration, but there are functional blocks that are not used depending on the transmission / reception role of the communication device. When implementing with a limited role, it may be implemented by omitting unused functional blocks.

  The communication devices 10, 20, 30, and 40 include a QoS type reception unit 11, 21, 31, 41 (QoS type reception unit) and a QoS type management unit 12, 22, 32, 42 (QoS control information conversion unit, QoS setting). Control means, QoS type request means, QoS type notification means, QoS control information request means, QoS control information notification means), data transmission / reception units 13, 23, 33, 43, QoS control units 14, 24, 34, 44 ( QoS setting control means) and communication units 15, 25, 35, and 45.

  The QoS type accepting units 11, 21, 31, and 41 accept which QoS type is used for QoS data transmission from the user in the QoS type accepting process. The data transmission / reception units 13, 23, 33, and 43 perform transmission / reception of content data in the reception data determination process, and create and transmit a data transmission request packet in the data transmission request process. The QoS type management units 12, 22, 32, and 42 convert the QoS type information into the transmission priority in the PLC network in the QoS control information conversion process, and create and transmit the QoS setting request packet in the QoS setting process. , QoS control units 14, 24, 34 and 44 are set. The QoS control units 14, 24, 34, and 44 perform priority control of packets to be transmitted. The communication units 15, 25, 35, and 45 transmit and receive packets to and from the PLC network.

  In other words, the QoS type management unit (QoS setting control means) 12 and 22 performs the QoS setting process for the data received by the communication device 20 based on the transmission priority (QoS control information) converted in the QoS control information conversion process. I do.

<About QoS type acceptance processing>
The procedure until the communication device 20 performs QoS setting with the communication device 10 and performs data transmission of content, that is, QoS type reception processing, received data determination processing, QoS control information conversion processing, and QoS setting. The process and the data transmission request process will be described below.

  Regarding the communication device 20, the user intends to receive data with the highest priority among the communication devices 20, 30, and 40 on the content receiving side, so the QoS type reception unit 21 sets “high priority”. specify. Specifically, it is conceivable to set a slide-type changeover switch as shown in FIG. 3 to a position indicating “high priority”.

<Received data determination process>
After the QoS type is set, the data transmitter / receiver 23 of the communication device 20 determines the content data to be received at an arbitrary timing. When a plurality of contents are stored in the communication device 10 and there are a plurality of candidates as contents to be received, it is necessary to determine which contents are to be received. Since the content determination method is not related to the essence of the present invention, the method is arbitrary.

  For example, it is conceivable that the communication device 10 creates a list of stored contents, and the content reception-side communication device 20 receives and displays the list via the PLC. The user selects desired content from the displayed list. It is assumed that the data transmission / reception units 13 and 23 have a communication protocol and a user interface for performing such processing. The content data received by the user may be determined instead of the content data received by the user. Here, it is assumed that some music content is determined as the content to be received.

<About QoS control information conversion processing>
When the data transmission / reception unit 23 of the communication device 20 determines the content data to be received, the data transmission / reception unit 23 instructs the QoS type management unit 22 to perform the QoS control information conversion process. The QoS type management unit 22 acquires the input QoS type information from the QoS type reception unit 21. Here, since information of “high priority” is obtained, this QoS type information is converted into transmission priority in the PLC network.

  For example, in Home Plug AV Specification 1.0.00 which is a PLC standard, a value called PLID (Priority Link ID) that can specify an integer of 0 to 3 is defined as a transmission priority of a packet.

  When the communication device 10 transmits a packet to the communication device 20, the transmission priority is determined with reference to this PLID. Therefore, the QoS type management unit 22 derives the PLID from the QoS type information, and the content What is necessary is just to notify PLID which the local station requests | requires with respect to the communication apparatus 10 of a transmission side.

  In this embodiment, if “high priority” is specified as the QoS type information, the PLID value is 3, and if “medium priority” is specified as the QoS type information, the PLID value is 2. It is assumed that all communication devices 10, 20, 30, and 40 implement a conversion method in which the PLID value is 1 if “low priority” is specified as the type information.

  Since “high priority” is designated in the communication device 20, 3 is derived as the PLID value.

  In the present embodiment, a PLC is assumed as the network. However, the present invention is not limited to the PLC, and can be implemented as long as the network has a similar prioritized QoS mechanism. For example, the present invention can also be implemented in an IEEE802.11e standard wireless LAN or Ethernet.

<About the QoS setting process>
The QoS type management unit 22 of the communication device 20 creates a QoS setting request packet including the PLID value, and transmits the created QoS setting request packet to the communication device 10 via the communication unit 25.

  That is, the QoS type management unit (QoS setting control means) 22 transmits a QoS setting request including QoS control information to a communication apparatus that transmits data.

  In Prioritized QoS, generally, the priority is determined by the communication device 10 on the content transmission side, and the priority is notified from the communication device 20 on the content reception side to the communication device 10 on the content transmission side. There is no way to do it. Therefore, in the QoS setting process, some new protocol is separately provided, and the communication device 20 notifies the communication device 10 of the QoS type information using the protocol.

  The communication unit 25 adds header information defined in the communication protocol of the PLC network to the QoS setting request packet and transmits it on the network. The header information includes the address of the local station and the address of the communication device 10 that is the destination.

  Since the PLC header of the QoS setting request packet includes the address of the communication device 10 as a destination, the communication unit 15 of the communication device 10 receives the QoS setting request packet. The communication unit 15 notifies the QoS type management unit 12 of the QoS setting request packet.

  The QoS type management unit 12 extracts the address of the communication device 20 and the PLID value 3 from the QoS setting request packet, and when the data addressed to the communication device 20 is actually transmitted, the designated PLID is given. As described above, the QoS control unit 14 is set.

  In other words, the QoS type management unit (QoS setting control means) 12 outputs the QoS control information to the QoS control unit 14, and the QoS control unit 14 performs processing for content data received by the communication device 20 based on the QoS control information. Perform QoS control.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the communication device 20 on the content receiving side performs conversion from the QoS type information to the PLID value and transmits the PLID value to the communication device 10 has been described. However, the communication device 20 may transmit the QoS type information as it is to the communication device 10 without performing conversion, and the communication device 10 may convert the value into a PLID value.

<About QoS setting notification packet>
When the communication device 20 transmits a QoS setting request packet to the communication device 10, the communication device 10 may refuse this QoS setting request. This is due to the limit of the capacity of the priority control buffer included in the communication device 10. The processing flow in this case will be described below.

  When the communication device 10 receives the QoS setting request packet, the QoS control unit 14 determines whether or not the QoS setting request indicated by the QoS setting request packet can be accepted.

  When the QoS control unit 14 determines that the QoS setting request is acceptable, the QoS control unit 14 transmits a QoS setting notification packet including information (Result Code) indicating the fact to the communication device 20 via the communication unit 15.

  When receiving the QoS setting notification packet indicating that the QoS setting request is acceptable, the communication device 20 transmits a data transmission request packet to the communication device 10.

  Even when the QoS setting request is acceptable, the communication device 10 sends a QoS setting notification packet to change the status presentation unit 26 of the receiving communication device 20 to a display indicating that the QoS request is satisfied. It is preferable to transmit.

  On the other hand, when the QoS control unit 14 determines that the QoS setting request is not acceptable, the QoS control unit 14 transmits a QoS setting notification packet including information (Result Code) indicating the fact to the communication device 20 via the communication unit 15. .

  Upon receiving the Result Code, the communication device 20 notifies the user that the request has not been accepted. As a notification method, an LED (light emitting diode) is installed as a state presentation unit 26 beside the switch of the QoS type reception unit 21, and the LED is blinked when the designated QoS request is not satisfied. Thus, it may be possible to present the result of the QoS request to the user.

<Data transmission request processing>
In the communication device 20, after the QoS setting request packet is transmitted, the data transmission / reception unit 23 executes a data transmission request process for the data transmission / reception unit 13 of the communication device 10.

  In the data transmission request process, a data transmission request packet is transmitted from the data transmission / reception unit 23 of the communication device 20 to the communication device 10 via the communication unit 25. Then, the communication unit 15 of the communication device 10 receives the data transmission request packet and passes the received data transmission request packet to the data transmission / reception unit 13.

  Since the data transmission request packet includes the previously determined information for identifying the content to be received, the data transmitting / receiving unit 13 of the communication device 10 knows the content to be transmitted to the communication device 20. I can do things.

  For example, when a list of music contents possessed by the communication device 10 is transmitted from the communication device 10 to the communication device 20 during the reception data determination process, the music content is uniquely identified along with text information for explaining the title and contents. IDs that can be identified are set for each content and notified. The communication device 20 may notify the communication device 10 of the ID of the music content selected from the list by the data transmission request packet.

  Note that the method for notifying the content to be transmitted to the communication device 10 has nothing to do with the essence of the present invention, and may be configured to notify the communication device 10 of a data transmission request by some other method.

  When receiving the data transmission request packet, the data transmitting / receiving unit 13 of the communication apparatus 10 starts transmitting the content notified by the data transmission request packet.

  Data of the content to be transmitted is packetized and sequentially transferred to the QoS control unit 14 together with the destination information. The QoS control unit 14 assigns the previously set PLID value to the packet according to the data destination. The packet is preferentially controlled according to the PLID value and transmitted.

  For example, if a transmission queue is provided for each PLID value and packets remain in the high-priority queue, the transmission is completed and the lower-priority queue is used until the queue is empty. Priority control is enabled by the process of not transmitting queue packets.

  Since the method of implementing transmission control based on priority is not related to the essence of the present invention, any method may be used as long as priority control according to the value of PLID is performed.

  Data packets addressed to the communication device 20 (including any other data packets other than the selected content, including the data packets) continue to be transmitted with a PLID value of 3 after the priority setting. .

  Since the QoS type is specified for all the received data of the communication device 20 on the content receiving side, unless the user changes the specification of the QoS type by the QoS type receiving unit 21 of the communication device 20, the content transmitting side The data packet is transmitted from the communication device 10 using the same PLID. That is, when the transmission of the selected content is completed and another content is transmitted next, the same PLID is used.

  In the present embodiment, the method for separately transmitting the QoS setting request packet and the data transmission request packet has been described. However, the communication device 20 has the notification function of these two packets, It is also conceivable to send only that one packet.

<About processing in communication device 30>
Similarly to the communication device 20, the other communication devices 30 and 40 execute the QoS type reception process, the received data determination process, the QoS control information conversion process, the QoS setting process, and the data transmission request process. .

A procedure until the video content is QoS-transmitted between the communication device 30 as a TV receiver and the communication device 10 as a home server will be described below.
In the communication device 30, the user intends to receive data with the second priority among the communication devices 20, 30, and 40 on the content receiving side, so that the “medium priority” in the QoS type reception unit 31. Is specified. Specifically, a slide type changeover switch as shown in FIG. 3 is set to a position indicating “medium priority”.

  At an arbitrary timing after the QoS type is set, the data transmitting / receiving unit 33 of the communication device 30 determines the content data to be received. Here, it is assumed that some video content is selected.

  When the data transmission / reception unit 33 of the communication device 30 determines the content data to be received, the data transmission / reception unit 33 instructs the QoS type management unit 32 to perform the QoS control information conversion process. Since “medium priority” is specified as the QoS type information, the QoS type management unit 32 derives 2 as the value of the PLID, creates a QoS setting request packet including the value of the PLID, and the communication unit 35. To the communication device 10.

  The QoS type management unit 12 of the communication device 10 extracts the address of the communication device 30 and the PLID value 2 from the QoS setting request packet, and is specified when the data addressed to the communication device 30 is actually transmitted. The QoS control unit 14 is set so that the PLID is assigned.

  In the communication device 30, after the QoS setting request packet is transmitted, the data transmission / reception unit 33 executes a data transmission request process for the data transmission / reception unit 13 of the communication device 10. Thereby, the data transmitting / receiving unit 13 of the communication device 10 can know the content to be transmitted to the communication device 30.

  When receiving the data transmission request packet, the data transmitting / receiving unit 13 of the communication apparatus 10 starts transmitting the content notified by the data transmission request packet.

  Data packets addressed to the communication device 30 (including data packets other than the selected content) continue to be transmitted with a PLID value of 2 after the priority setting.

  Since the QoS type is specified for all the received data of the communication device 30 on the content receiving side, unless the user changes the specification of the QoS type by the QoS type receiving unit 31 of the communication device 30, the content transmitting side The data packet is transmitted from the communication device 10 using the same PLID.

<About processing in communication device 40>
In the communication device 40, the user intends to receive data with the lowest priority among the communication devices 20, 30, and 40 on the content receiving side, so the QoS type reception unit 41 sets “low priority”. specify. Specifically, a slide type changeover switch as shown in FIG. 3 is set to a position indicating “low priority”.

  At an arbitrary timing after the QoS type is set, the data transmitting / receiving unit 43 of the communication device 40 determines the content data to be received.

  When the data transmission / reception unit 43 of the communication device 40 determines the content data to be received, the data transmission / reception unit 43 instructs the QoS type management unit 42 to perform the QoS control information conversion process. Since “low priority” is designated as the QoS type information, the QoS type management unit 42 derives 1 as the PLID value, creates a QoS setting request packet including the PLID value, and the communication unit 45. To the communication device 10.

  The QoS type management unit 12 of the communication device 10 extracts the address of the communication device 40 and the PLID value 1 from the QoS setting request packet, and is specified when the data addressed to the communication device 40 is actually transmitted. The QoS control unit 14 is set so that the PLID is assigned.

  In the communication device 40, after the QoS setting request packet is transmitted, the data transmission / reception unit 43 executes a data transmission request process for the data transmission / reception unit 13 of the communication device 10. Thereby, the data transmitting / receiving unit 13 of the communication device 10 can know the content to be transmitted to the communication device 40.

  When receiving the data transmission request packet, the data transmitting / receiving unit 13 of the communication apparatus 10 starts transmitting the content notified by the data transmission request packet.

  Data packets addressed to the communication device 40 continue to be transmitted with a PLID value of 1 after the priority setting.

  Since the QoS type is specified for all the received data of the communication device 40 on the content receiving side, unless the user changes the specification of the QoS type by the QoS type receiving unit 41 of the communication device 40, the content transmitting side The data packet is transmitted from the communication device 10 using the same PLID.

  The communication apparatus 10 determines that it is sufficient to perform data transmission using the lowest priority for a communication apparatus that does not request QoS setting, that is, does not transmit a QoS setting request packet, and always sets the PLID value to 1. If it is decided to transmit data as follows, the communication device 40 does not need to transmit a QoS setting request packet. Therefore, in the above process in the communication device 40, the transmission process of the QoS setting request packet may be omitted.

  The setting of the QoS type in the communication devices 20, 30 and 40 may be executed by the same user or may be executed by different users. However, when different users execute the setting, it is assumed that an agreement is obtained in advance between the users as to which communication device is given high priority.

<Subsequent data transmission in each communication device>
Although not shown in FIG. 4, finally, the communication apparatus 10 performs data transmission to each of the communication apparatuses 20, 30, and 40 in parallel.

  At this time, the PLID value of each packet is transmitted as 3 for a packet addressed to the communication device 20, 2 for a packet addressed to the communication device 30, and 1 for a packet addressed to the communication device 40.

  Therefore, the packet addressed to the communication device 20 for which “high priority” is designated by the QoS type acceptance unit 21 is transmitted using the highest priority, and the communication for which “medium priority” is designated by the QoS type acceptance unit 31. The packet addressed to the device 30 is transmitted using the second highest priority, and the packet addressed to the communication device 40 for which “low priority” is specified in the QoS type acceptance unit 41 is transmitted using the lowest priority. . Thereby, the QoS control of the network is performed with the setting as intended by the user.

<About QoS release processing>
The QoS release processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of QoS release processing in this embodiment. The QoS release process in the PLC network in which Prioritized QoS control is performed is a process for canceling the QoS setting for the receiving-side communication apparatus that is the target of the QoS setting.

The QoS release process is executed when the QoS type is changed by the user and it is specified that QoS setting is unnecessary. For example, the change-over switch shown in FIG. 3 has three levels of “high priority”, “medium priority”, and “low priority”, but an option for turning off the priority setting is added. For example, an option of “normal transmission” may be added.
When the QoS type management unit 22 receives information indicating that “normal transmission” has been selected from the QoS type reception unit 21, the communication unit 25 sends a QoS release request packet for requesting to release the QoS setting. To the communication device 10 on the transmission side. This QoS cancellation request packet includes the address of the communication device 20 that is the transmission source and the address of the communication device 10 that is the destination.

  That is, when the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving unit 21 indicates that the QoS control is not required, the QoS type managing unit (QoS setting control unit) 22 performs processing for the data received by the own device. Perform QoS release processing.

  When the QoS type management unit 12 of the communication device 10 receives the QoS cancellation request packet via the communication unit 15, the QoS type management unit 12 is set for the data received by the communication device 20 indicated by the address included in the QoS setting request packet. A command for canceling the previously set QoS is output to the QoS control unit 14. Furthermore, the QoS type management unit 12 transmits to the communication device 20 via the communication unit 15 a QoS release notification packet notifying that the QoS setting set for the data received by the communication device 20 has been canceled. .

  That is, the QoS type management unit (QoS setting control means, QoS type request means, QoS control information request means) 12 indicates that the QoS type or QoS control information acquired from the communication device 20 does not require QoS control. If it is, the QoS control unit 14 is notified that the QoS control for the data received by the communication device 20 is stopped, and the QoS control unit 14 stops the QoS control for the data upon receiving the notification.

  Upon receiving the QoS cancellation notification packet, the QoS type management unit 22 of the communication device 20 notifies the user that the QoS setting has been canceled via a status presentation unit (not shown) such as an LED.

  When the priority setting is turned off, the priority setting of the data is turned off with a transmission quality at a level that does not affect the QoS control of other communication devices subject to QoS control. It may be transmitted to the communication device. Packets are transmitted with the default priority ("0" as the PLID) for communication devices that have not performed QoS setting processing. Therefore, even if the priority setting is changed to off, the default priority is set. It is only necessary to return to the state of being transmitted at a time.

<When there are multiple communication devices on the content transmission side>
In the present embodiment, the case where only one communication device 10 exists on the content transmission side has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to the case where there are a plurality of communication devices on the content transmission side. In this case, if the communication device on the content receiving side transmits a QoS setting request packet or a data transmission request packet to all the communication devices on the content transmitting side, the communication device on the content transmitting side The PLID value for the communication device can be known, and QoS data control can be performed.

  In this case, when transmitting a QoS setting request packet and a data transmission request packet, a plurality of packets are not transmitted to each of a plurality of communication devices using unicast (addressed to a single communication device). It is also conceivable to transmit by one packet using multicast (addressed to a plurality of communication devices) or broadcast (addressed to all communication devices) and collectively notify. As a result, the number of packet transmissions can be reduced.

<When there is a communication apparatus that does not implement the present invention>
If a communication device that does not implement the present invention exists in the network and the communication device receives content data, it is possible to perform data transmission using the lowest priority for the communication device. .

  A communication device that does not implement the present invention does not transmit a QoS setting request packet, that is, does not notify the content transmission-side communication device 10 of the PLID value used during data transmission. Therefore, when the communication device 10 on the content transmission side transmits content data, the QoS control unit 14 determines that there is no clear request for QoS from the communication device, and uses the lowest priority to transmit the content data. Send it.

<About Parameterized QoS>
In the present embodiment, a method for realizing QoS by prioritized QoS has been described. However, QoS may be realized by using parameterized QoS.

  Specifically, when the QoS type accepting unit 11, 21, 31, 41 has a higher priority than a specific value, the transmission bandwidth is secured by the Parameterized QoS mechanism, If a lower priority is set, it is conceivable to transmit data on a best effort basis without securing a transmission band. It is also conceivable to change the size of the transmission band to be secured according to the set priority.

<Application of the present invention to other protocols>
In this embodiment, it is assumed that the network protocol to be used is PLC (specified by Home Plug AV Specification 1.0.00) which is a MAC layer protocol. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. It can also be implemented in network protocols that have a Parameterized QoS mechanism.

  For example, the present invention can also be implemented in an IEEE802.11e standard wireless LAN or Ethernet. The present invention can be easily used by changing the value corresponding to the PLID in the PLC to a value defined by each protocol. As a thing corresponding to PLID, this corresponds to a TID field in IEEE802.11e, and a user priority field in a VLAN tag in Ethernet. Further, although not a MAC layer protocol, it is also conceivable to use a ToS (Type of Service) field in the IPv4 header. Even when the network protocol is changed, the layer for performing priority control at the time of data transmission in the protocol stack is only changed, so that the invention can be carried out in the same manner and the effect is almost the same.

<Other configuration examples of the QoS type reception unit>
In the present embodiment, the three-stage slide type changeover switch has been described as the QoS type receiving unit 11, 21, 31, 41. However, the QoS type receiving unit 11, 21, 31, 41 may have other configurations.

  The number of stages that can be switched may be any number, but the number of stages that can be accepted by the QoS type accepting units 11, 21, 31, and 41 is larger than the number of stages of transmission priority supported in the network. ,meaningless.

  For example, PLID can only take values in four stages from 0 to 3, so it is meaningless to use a switching switch having more stages. Further, if the number of selectable stages is increased too much, there is a problem that it becomes difficult for the user to understand.

  Further, a display device may be provided separately from the switch, and the state of the switch may be displayed on the display device. For example, displaying the state of the switch on the liquid crystal screen can be considered. This display device may be shared with a display device for displaying other states in the communication device.

  Note that the switch selection state is preferably visually confirmed by the user, but this is not essential. For example, only one push switch may be provided, and the QoS type information may be switched cyclically each time the switch is pressed. For example, every time the push switch is pressed, the QoS type information may be switched in the order of “high priority”, “medium priority”, “low priority”, and “high priority”.

  If the QoS of the reserved transmission band is not sufficient with respect to the bit rate of the content to be transmitted, in the communication device on the content reception side, video and audio are disturbed as a result. In the present embodiment, since there is data transmitted with a priority higher than the priority set by the switch, it is considered that the data transmission is prioritized and a sufficient band is not obtained. Therefore, when disturbance occurs, the user may operate the switch, repeatedly try to change the priority setting, and end the switch operation when the content reproduction state is most improved.

  Further, an LED or the like may be installed near the switch, and the QoS type may be distinguished by turning on and off the LED. For example, a configuration in which “high priority” is indicated when the LED is turned on and “low priority” is indicated when the LED is turned off is conceivable.

<About other examples of QoS type information>
As the QoS type information, a category other than the categories of “high priority”, “medium priority”, and “low priority” described so far in the present embodiment is also conceivable.

  For example, it may be a classification indicating the type of received data, such as “video”, “sound”, “other”.

  Since audio is more prone to degradation due to transmission delays and errors than video, when transmitting audio, it is necessary to ensure QoS using higher priority than video transmission. For data transmission such as FTP and Web content, even if there is some transmission delay or error, the user's operation is not affected, so it may be a lower priority than other data. In other words, the priority can be determined according to the type of data to be received.

  In this case, for example, at the time of QoS control information conversion processing, PLID is set to 3 if “audio” is designated as the QoS type information, 2 is converted to “video”, and 1 is converted to “other”. It is done.

  Further, the QoS type information may be a category indicating the type of communication device, such as “TV”, “phone”, “others”, and the like. In this case, although the internal processing is the same as the case of designating “video”, “sound”, and “others”, it is easier to understand the designation method of what is connected from the user's point of view. If the communication device that receives the content has a plurality of functions (such as a TV having a built-in PC function), it is possible to use this classification.

  Further, the QoS type information may be a category indicating a display screen size when the communication apparatus is a TV receiver or the like, such as “20 inches”, “37 inches”, and “45 inches”. A communication device with a larger display screen size is more likely to request a video with a higher bit rate. Therefore, it is conceivable to increase the transmission priority in order to secure a larger transmission band.

  In addition, the QoS type information is information when the communication device is a TV receiver or the like, such as “1920 × 1080 (full-spec high-definition)”, “1366 × 768 (high-definition)”, “640 × 480 (non-high-definition)”, etc. A section indicating the display resolution may be used. A communication device with a higher display resolution is more likely to request a video with a higher bit rate, so it is conceivable to increase the transmission priority in order to secure a larger transmission band.

  Further, the QoS type information may be a classification indicating the bit rate of the received content, such as “6 Mbps”, “12 Mbps”, “24 Mbps”, or the like. The higher the bit rate, the higher the transmission priority.

  Further, the QoS type information may be a classification indicating whether the received content is paid, such as “paid content” or “free content”.

  In the VoD service, there are paid contents and free contents as contents to be viewed. For example, the latest movies are charged, but news programs and programs including commercials are free.

  In such a case, whether the content to be received from now is paid or free is specified by a switch provided in the communication device, and when “paid content” is specified, the transmission priority is set. It is possible to increase the transmission priority when “free content” is specified.

  When the usage fee varies depending on the bit rate of the content, not only whether the content is paid or free, but also according to the price of the content using the categories of “high price content”, “low price content”, and “free content” It may be possible to specify the priority.

  In addition, the switch is a two-step switching type, and “QoS is required” and “QoS is not required” are used as classifications of QoS type information so that the user can specify information on whether or not QoS is required in the communication device. Also good.

  If “QoS is necessary” is designated, the priority may be set high, and if “QoS is not required” is designated, the priority may be set low.

  When setting “QoS Required” and “QoS Not Required”, the user comprehensively determines the necessity of QoS in the communication device from the above conditions (the type of data to be received and the type of connected device, etc.). It can be set.

  In addition, you may use combining the classification of said QoS classification information. For example, it is conceivable to specify a combination of “video”, “sound”, “other” categories and “high priority”, “medium priority”, and “low priority” categories. In that case, when using a network that can specify 9 or more transmission priorities corresponding to PLID, if “voice” + “high priority” is specified, the priority is 9 (highest priority), “voice” ”+“ Medium priority ”is specified, the priority is 8, and“ audio ”+“ low priority ”is specified, 7,“ video ”+“ high priority ”is specified. More detailed priority setting is possible, such as 6 when “sound” + “medium priority” is specified, and so on.

  In this case, a plurality of switches may be provided so that a plurality of QoS types can be designated (two three-stage switches are provided), or all QoS types can be designated with one switch (one nine-stage switch is assigned). May be provided).

  Further, both a switch for designating whether QoS is necessary and a switch for designating a QoS type may be used in combination.

  For example, it is conceivable to combine a switch for switching between “QoS is required” and “QoS is not required” and a switch for switching the priority. In this case, the user basically operates only a switch for switching between “QoS required” and “QoS unnecessary”. It is possible to change the priority setting only when you want to make finer settings.

  With this configuration, it is not necessary to change the priority setting, so a light user who wants to use it easily is provided with a simple operation method in which only the necessity of QoS is specified, and finer settings are made. It is possible to provide detailed operation methods for heavy users.

  In addition, a switch for switching between “QoS is required” and “QoS is not required” may be installed, and priority setting when “QoS is required” is set by means other than the switch. For example, a PC may be connected to a communication device so that priority can be input from a setting screen of the PC.

  Also, if the QoS switch is installed on the front of the communication device and the priority switch is installed on the back, the priority setting will be changed unintentionally by the light user. It can prevent the situation that the environment that had been destroyed is destroyed.

  In the above description, the association between the classification of the QoS type information and the priority by the switch is an example, and another combination may be used. For example, in the above description, the audio content is set to have a higher transmission priority than the video content, but this correspondence may be reversed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, the user designates the type of content received by each PLC adapter as the QoS type for the PLC adapter on the content receiving side, and the entire network is controlled by the parameterized QoS according to the designation. The form to be performed will be described. The overall processing flow is shown in FIG.

<Network configuration>
In FIG. 6, the network block diagram in this Embodiment is shown. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a PLC adapter connected to and communicating with a PLC network is separated from an apparatus that actually transmits and receives content data.

  In this embodiment, Parameterized QoS is used. In Parameterized QoS, a single master station is installed in the network, and the master station needs to manage the QoS of the entire network. In the present embodiment, the PLC adapter 50 has the function of the master station, but is not limited to this, and other PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 may have the function of the master station instead.

  The PLC adapters 50, 60, 70, and 80 correspond to the communication functions of the communication devices 10, 20, 30, and 40 in the first embodiment, and are devices that perform data transmission with other PLC adapters through the PLC network. Packets input from the Ethernet side are converted to PLC packets and then output to the PLC network side. Conversely, packets input from the PLC network side are converted to Ethernet packets and output to the Ethernet side. . That is, the PLC adapters 50, 60, 70, and 80 are devices that perform relay between the PLC network and the Ethernet.

  The STB 90 and the STB 100 are VoD STBs and correspond to the data transmission / reception units 23 and 33 of the communication devices 20 and 30 on the content reception side in the first embodiment. This is an apparatus for decoding and displaying video content data. The STBs 90 and 100 are not configured assuming QoS data transmission, and cannot instruct the PLC adapters 60 and 70 to perform QoS setting in the PLC network.

  Although not shown, a display device such as a TV monitor is connected to each of the STBs 90 and 100, and the STBs 90 and 100 output the decoded video as a video signal to the TV monitor. The STB 90/100 may be built in the TV receiver. The video display method is omitted because it is not related to the essence of the present invention. The video data input to the STB 90/100 is presented to the user by some method.

  The PC 110 also corresponds to the data transmission / reception unit 43 of the communication device 40 on the content reception side in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the PC 110 displays Web content received from the Internet. The PC 110 is not configured assuming QoS data transmission, and cannot instruct the PLC adapter 80 to perform QoS setting in the PLC network.

  A combination of the router 120, the VoD server 130, and the Web server 140 corresponds to the data transmission / reception unit 13 of the communication device 10 on the content transmission side in the first embodiment.

  The VoD server 130 sends data of HD (High Definition) video content (16 Mbps video) and SD (Standard Definition) video content (6 Mbps video) to the router 120 via the Internet in response to a data transmission request from the STB 90/100. Send.

  In response to a data transmission request from the PC 110, the Web server 140 transmits Web content data to the router 120 via the Internet.

  The router 120 outputs data received from the Internet to the Ethernet. The data output to the Ethernet is transmitted to the STB 90/100 and the PC 110 via the PLC network.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the STB 90, STB 100, which are Ethernet terminals that are not capable of giving a QoS setting instruction to the PLC adapter by the PLC adapter 60, 70, 80, which is a communication device that relays the PLC network and Ethernet. Instead of the PC 110, the QoS setting is performed for the flows received by the STB 90, the STB 100, and the PC 110.

  Normally, the STB 90/100 is directly connected to the router 120 using Ethernet, but in this embodiment, a PLC network is provided between the router 120 and the STB 90/100. This is because, for example, the router 120 is installed on the first floor of the house because of the place where optical fibers and telephone lines are drawn from outside the house, but the STB 90/100 is used in the living room on the second floor of the house. This is a network configuration created in some cases.

  In this embodiment, the STB 90 receives HD video content from the VoD server 130, the STB 100 receives SD video from the VoD server 130, and the PC 110 receives Web content from the Web server 140.

  The STB 90/100 and the PC 110 may be used by different users, or all devices may be used by one user.

<PLC adapter configuration>
In FIG. 7, the functional block diagram of PLC adapter 50 * 60 * 70 * 80 is shown. The PLC adapters 50, 60, 70, and 80 all have the same configuration, but there are function blocks that are not used depending on the transmission / reception roles of the PLC adapter. When implementing with a limited role, it may be implemented by omitting unused functional blocks.

  The PLC adapters 50, 60, 70, and 80 include QoS type reception units 51, 61, 71, and 81 (QoS type reception unit) and QoS type management units 52, 62, 72, and 82 (QoS control information conversion unit, QoS setting). Control means, QoS type request means, QoS type notification means, QoS control information request means, QoS control information notification means), QoS control sections 54, 64, 74, 84 (QoS setting control means), and PLC communication section 55a. 65a / 75a / 85a, Ethernet communication unit 55b / 65b / 75b / 85b, bridge unit 58/68/78/88 (QoS setting control unit, bridge information acquisition unit, flow identification information acquisition unit), trigger detection unit 59, 69, 79, 89 (trigger detection means, trigger detection notification means, QoS setting control means, flow identification information acquisition means), status Radical 113 configured 56, 66, 76, 86 comprise (status presentation means).

  The QoS type accepting units 51, 61, 71, and 81 accept which QoS type is used for QoS data transmission from a user or a device connected to the Ethernet side in the QoS type accepting process. The QoS type management units 52, 62, 72, and 82 create a QoS parameter based on the QoS type information in the QoS control information conversion process, create and transmit a QoS setting request packet in the QoS setting process, and perform QoS control. Set the sections 54, 64, 74, and 84. The QoS control units 54, 64, 74, and 84 perform bandwidth allocation scheduling based on the QoS parameters included in the QoS setting request packet. The PLC communication units 55a, 65a, 75a, and 85a transmit and receive packets to and from the PLC network. The Ethernet communication units 55b, 65b, 75b, and 85b perform packet transmission / reception with respect to the Ethernet. The bridge units 58, 68, 78, and 88 are used for bridging packets between the PLC communication units 55a, 65a, 75a, and 85a and the Ethernet communication units 55b, 65b, 75b, and 85b, and the PLC communication units 55a, 65a, and 75a. Notification of the packet received from 85a to the trigger detection units 59, 69, 79, and 89 is performed. The trigger detection units 59, 69, 79, and 89 instruct the packet analysis and start the QoS setting process to the QoS type management units 52, 62, 72, and 82. The status presentation units 56, 66, 76, and 86 present the QoS setting status and processing results to the user.

<About QoS type acceptance processing>
A procedure until the VoD server 130 performs QoS transmission of HD video content to the STB 90 via the PLC adapter 50 and the PLC adapter 60 will be described below.

  When receiving the HD video content in the STB 90, the user designates “HD video” as the QoS type information by the QoS type receiving unit 61 in the PLC adapter 60 to which the STB 90 is connected. Specifically, it is conceivable to set a slide-type changeover switch as shown in FIG. 8 to a position indicating “HD video”.

  The switch setting status is notified to the QoS type management unit 62. As a notification method, a numerical value that can uniquely identify the switch setting state is determined in advance (for example, “0” for “OFF”, “1” for “SD video”, “2” for “HD video”). It is conceivable that only the numerical value is notified from the QoS type accepting unit 61 to the QoS type managing unit 62. Since the notification method is not the essence of the present invention, any notification method may be used.

  Further, a device connected to the PLC adapter 60 via Ethernet may specify the QoS type. Details will be described later.

  Here, the state presentation unit 66 may present to the user that a series of processes for QoS setting has been started. Specifically, it is conceivable to install an LED near the QoS type reception unit 61 and blink the LED. Then, when a series of processing for QoS setting is finally completed, the LED is turned on.

  A series of processes for QoS setting may take time. In this case, even if the switch state is changed, QoS data transmission is not started immediately, and normal data transmission is performed. Since normal data transmission is performed, sound and video are disturbed during transmission of audio content and video content.

  In this case, the user determines that the sound and the video remain distorted even though the switch is changed due to the QoS setting.

  If the user is informed that the QoS setting has not yet been completed in order not to invite such an erroneous determination result, the user will not make an incorrect determination, and the state of the QoS setting will be easier to understand. Therefore, the PLC adapter can be used more comfortably.

  In addition, the LED emission color may be changed in stages, and the user may be shown how much time has passed before the QoS setting is completed. For example, it is conceivable to change in steps of red, yellow and green.

  In addition, when a liquid crystal screen or the like is used as the state presentation units 56, 66, 76, and 86, it is possible to display the time until the setting is completed on the screen by numbers. Similarly, a progress bar whose length changes according to the remaining time may be displayed.

  In addition, characters and icons indicating that the switch state of the QoS type accepting unit 61 has been changed are displayed on the STB 90 where the user is actually viewing the content, and the remaining time until the QoS setting is completed and a progress bar are displayed. Or may be displayed.

<About bridge information acquisition processing>
The PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side acquires bridge information from the PLC adapter 60 in advance in order to transfer the data packet received from the router 120 to the PLC adapter 60.

  The PLC adapter 50 transfers the data packet received from the router 120 connected by Ethernet to the other PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 at the time of data transmission. At that time, the packet is not the address on the PLC network of the PLC adapters 60, 70, 80 (hereinafter referred to as the PLC address), but on the Ethernet of the STB 90, STB 100, or PC 110 connected to the end of the PLC adapter by Ethernet. The address is indicated by an address (hereinafter referred to as an Ethernet address).

  Therefore, for each PLC adapter 60, 70, 80 in the PLC network, the packet received from the router 120 by the PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side knowing in advance the information of the Ethernet address of the STB 90, STB 100, or PC 110. Therefore, it is necessary to determine which PLC adapter the destination device is connected to, and transfer the packet via the PLC network using the PLC adapter as a transfer destination.

  Therefore, the PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side transmits a bridge information request packet to the PLC adapter 60 in order to obtain information on the Ethernet address of the STB 90. Specifically, the bridge unit 58 of the PLC adapter 50 creates a bridge information request packet and sends it to the PLC communication unit 55a. The PLC communication unit 55a adds a PLC header including the address of the PLC adapter 60 as a destination to the bridge information request packet, and transmits the packet to the PLC network.

  The PLC adapters 50, 60, 70, and 80 can know the addresses of other PLC adapters in advance by exchanging specific packets, but the details are not described here.

  As the PLC address, an identifier assigned to each PLC adapter at the time of network participation is used. However, since it is not related to the essence of the present invention, the details are omitted, and simply described as a PLC address.

  When receiving the bridge information request packet, the PLC communication unit 65a of the PLC adapter 60 notifies the bridge unit 68 of the reception. The bridge unit 68 creates a bridge information notification packet including the Ethernet address of the device connected via the Ethernet communication unit 65b of the local station.

  Here, it is assumed that the bridge unit 68 has acquired the Ethernet address of the connected STB 90 in advance, but this method of acquiring in advance is not related to the essence of the present invention, and may be any method. Description is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, since the STB 90 is connected to the PLC adapter 60, the bridge information notification packet includes the Ethernet address of the STB 90. When a plurality of devices are connected to one PLC adapter, all the Ethernet addresses are included in the bridge information notification packet.

  The bridge unit 68 sends the created bridge information notification packet to the PLC communication unit 65a. The PLC communication unit 65a adds a PLC header to the bridge information notification packet and transmits the packet to the PLC network.

  The PLC communication unit 55a of the PLC adapter 50 notifies the bridge unit 58 when receiving this packet. The bridge unit 58 stores the PLC address of the PLC adapter 60 and the Ethernet address of the STB 90 connected to the end of the PLC adapter 60 included in the bridge information notification packet as a set. Such information is called a bridge table.

  Note that the bridge information acquisition process described above may be executed at an arbitrary timing as long as the PLC adapter 50 does not start transmission of data packets.

  For example, it may be executed before the designation of the QoS type, or the bridge information acquisition process may be executed periodically after the PLC adapter 50 is turned on.

  In the present embodiment, since the PLC adapter 50 also transmits data to the PLC adapter 70 and the PLC adapter 80, bridge information acquisition processing is performed for all the PLC adapters 60, 70, 80 at the first time point. You may keep going. At that time, a bridge information request packet may be transmitted by multicast or broadcast, and each PLC adapter 60, 70, 80 may return a bridge information notification packet. In this case, the bandwidth utilization efficiency is better than when a plurality of bridge information request packets are transmitted to each PLC adapter 60, 70, 80 by unicast.

  Moreover, the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 on the content receiving side may independently transmit a bridge information notification packet to the PLC adapter 50 regardless of whether or not a bridge information request packet is received. This may be transmitted by multicast or broadcast.

<Received data determination process>
After the QoS type is set, the STB 90 determines content data to be received at an arbitrary timing. When a plurality of contents are stored in the VoD server 130 and there are a plurality of candidates as contents to be received, it is necessary to determine which contents are to be received. Since the content determination method is not related to the essence of the present invention, the method is arbitrary.

  In the present embodiment, a processing procedure in a general STB and VoD server will be described below.

  The VoD server 130 sets content identification information that can uniquely identify the content together with the stored content title and description text for each content, and notifies the STB 90 of the list. The STB 90 sends the list to the user. The user selects a desired content from the presented list by operating a remote control attached to the STB 90 or the like.

  In addition to determining the content data received by the user, the content received by the STB 90 itself may be automatically determined. Here, it is assumed that some HD video content is selected.

<Data transmission request processing>
In the first embodiment, since the data transmitting / receiving units 13, 23, 33, and 43 are built in the communication devices 10, 20, 30, and 40, the data transmitting / receiving units 13, 23, 33, and 43 receive the received content. After determining the data, it was possible to directly instruct the QoS type management units 12, 22, 32, and 42 to start the QoS control information conversion process.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the PLC adapter 60 and the STB 90 are separated, and even if the content data received by the STB 90 is determined, the QoS control information conversion process is started to the QoS type management unit 62. It cannot be directed directly.

  Therefore, the STB 90 performs a data transmission request process for the VoD server 130 immediately after determining the content data to be received.

  The data transmission request processing method is not related to the essence of the present invention, and the method is arbitrary. In the present embodiment, a processing procedure in a general STB and VoD server will be described below.

  First, the STB 90 creates a data transmission request packet. This packet includes content identification information for identifying the previously selected content. As the content identification information, a value that can be uniquely determined between the VoD server 130 and the STB 90 is determined in advance, and the STB 90 has received the content list in advance. Since the data transmission request packet needs to be finally transmitted to the VoD server 130 on the Internet, the IP address of the VoD server 130 is also included.

  Next, the STB 90 transmits the created packet to the PLC adapter 60 via Ethernet. Next, the PLC adapter 60 transmits the received packet to the PLC adapter 50 via the PLC network. Next, the PLC adapter 50 transmits the received packet to the router 120 via Ethernet. Next, the router 120 transmits the received packet to the VoD server 130 via the Internet.

  Here, the PLC adapter 60 has completed the bridge information acquisition processing in the same manner as the PLC adapter 50, and derives the PLC address of the PLC adapter 50 from the Ethernet address of the router 120 included as a destination in the packet received from the Ethernet. Suppose that the address is included in the PLC header for transmission. Note that the data transmission request packet may be notified to the PLC adapter 50 by another method.

<About trigger detection processing>
After receiving the data transmission request packet, the VoD server 130 starts transmitting the content specified by the packet. The stored content data is packetized and sequentially transmitted to the router 120 via the Internet together with the destination information. The router 120 sequentially transmits the received data packet to the PLC adapter 50 via Ethernet.

  Since this data packet is a packet of video content transmitted from the VoD server 130 to the STB 90, the IP address of the STB 90 is included as a destination.

  The router 120 retrieves an Ethernet address from the IP address by routing processing. Since this routing process is a general process and there is no point to be noted, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As a result of the routing process, when the data packet is transferred from the router 120 to the PLC adapter 50, the data packet includes the Ethernet address of the STB 90 as the destination address.

  The Ethernet communication unit 55 b of the PLC adapter 50 passes the received data packet to the bridge unit 58. Since the bridge table acquired in advance includes the PLC address of the PLC adapter 60 and the Ethernet address of the STB 90, the data packet can be obtained by comparing the bridge table with the destination Ethernet address of the data packet. It can be seen that the destination on the PLC network is the PLC adapter 60.

  Therefore, the bridge unit 58 adds a PLC header including the PLC address of the PLC adapter 60 as the destination address of the data packet to the data packet and passes it to the QoS control unit 54.

  At this time, since the QoS setting is not executed for the flow to which the data packet belongs, the QoS control unit 54 does not do anything with respect to the QoS control, and passes the data packet to the PLC communication unit 55a as a normal packet. The PLC communication unit 55a transmits the data packet to the PLC adapter 60.

  The PLC communication unit 65 a of the PLC adapter 60 passes the received data packet to the bridge unit 68. The bridge unit 68 passes the data packet to the Ethernet communication unit 65b to transfer the data packet to the Ethernet, and notifies the trigger detection unit 69 that the data packet has been received.

  By this notification, the trigger detection unit 69 knows that data transmission has started, recognizes that the QoS setting process is necessary, and instructs the QoS type management unit 62 to start the QoS setting process.

  That is, the trigger detection unit 69 detects the timing for performing the QoS setting process by analyzing the reception history regarding the data received by the own device. In other words, the trigger detection unit 69 determines whether or not to perform the QoS setting process by analyzing the reception history regarding the data received by the own device. The QoS type management unit 62 performs the QoS setting process at the timing detected by the trigger detection unit 69. In other words, the QoS type management unit 62 performs the QoS setting process when it is determined that the trigger detection unit 69 performs the QoS setting process.

  When the trigger detection process is performed by the PLC adapter on the transmission side, the trigger detection unit detects the timing for performing the QoS setting process by analyzing the transmission history regarding the data transmitted by the own apparatus. The reception history or transmission history may be stored in a storage unit (not shown) provided in the PLC adapter.

  Further, the QoS type management unit included in the PLC adapter on the transmission side or the reception side may perform the QoS setting process according to the timing notified from the partner station of data communication. Conversely, the QoS type management unit may notify the other station of data communication of the timing detected by the trigger detection unit via the PLC communication unit.

<About the case where one PLC adapter receives data packets from a plurality of PLC adapters>
A process when one receiving side PLC adapter receives data packets from a plurality of transmitting side PLC adapters will be described below.

  The receiving-side PLC adapter may distinguish the packet received when the trigger is detected for each transmitting-side PLC adapter, and may make a QoS setting request for each transmitting-side PLC adapter. With this configuration, QoS settings can be individually made for each PLC adapter on the transmission side.

  The data packet received by the PLC adapter on the receiving side includes the source Ethernet address (address of the router, etc.). Therefore, if the bridge information received from the PLC adapter on the transmission side is compared with the Ethernet address, the PLC address of the PLC adapter on the transmission side of the data packet can be known. Therefore, as described above, the received packet can be distinguished for each PLC adapter on the transmission side.

<Starting time of QoS setting process>
In the above description, the trigger detection unit 69 instructs the start of the QoS setting process when only one data packet is received, but the QoS setting process is started only when a specific condition is satisfied. May be instructed. Examples of the specific condition include a case where a predetermined number of packets are received and a case where packets are received at a specific frequency.

  In addition, when notifying that the data packet has been received, the bridge unit 68 may pass the contents of the data packet to the trigger detection unit 69 in addition to the reception notification. The trigger detection unit 69 may analyze the passed data packet and instruct the QoS type management unit 62 to start the QoS setting process only when a specific condition is satisfied. The specific condition here may be, for example, when a packet is received from a specific IP address, PLC address, or Ethernet address, or when a packet including a specific TCP port number or UDP port number is received. .

  If the QoS setting process is not started upon reception of the data packet as described above, the PLC adapter 60 performs the QoS setting process when the power is turned on or when the switch of the QoS type accepting unit 61 is operated. To start.

  In that case, a band for the transmission is secured even though the content data is not transmitted from the time when the QoS setting process is started until the reception data determination process is performed in the STB 90. Since the other PLC adapters 70 and 80 cannot use the reserved bandwidth, the use efficiency of the bandwidth of the entire network is lowered.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the QoS setting process is executed for the first time when data transmission is started, there is an advantage that the bandwidth utilization efficiency is good.

  In addition, when the PLC adapter 60 is simultaneously receiving data that does not require QoS, such as Web content, separately from data that requires QoS, such as moving image content, QoS setting processing is performed at the time of simply receiving a packet. In the configuration in which the QoS is set, the QoS setting process is executed even when data that does not require QoS is received.

  However, when only data that does not require QoS is received, it is desirable not to use the bandwidth without setting the QoS.

  For this purpose, it is conceivable that the received packet is analyzed, it is determined whether or not the packet is data that requires QoS, and QoS setting is performed only when it is determined that the data requires QoS.

  As a determination method for determining whether QoS is necessary, it is conceivable to analyze a packet header and determine which protocol is used by the packet.

  For example, as the transport layer protocol in the OSI reference model, TCP and UDP are generally used. Among these, UDP has a characteristic of low reliability but high transmission speed. Often used for transmission. Therefore, if QoS setting is executed when a packet using UDP is received, it is possible to perform control to secure a band only when there is a high possibility that QoS is required.

  In order to determine whether a packet is UDP, it is conceivable to refer to the Protocol field in the IP header. Since the value of this field indicates what is used as the upper protocol, it is possible to distinguish between UDP and TCP.

  Further, the same determination may be performed depending on whether another protocol is used. For example, RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) can be considered as a similar protocol. RTP is often used for data transmission in streaming.

  Further, it is conceivable to analyze the contents of the packet and execute QoS setting when the packet is voice or moving image. For example, the RTP header includes a field called a PT field, which indicates what codec data is included in the RTP packet. That is, by analyzing the PT field, it is possible to know whether the packet is video or audio. If a value indicating video or audio is included in the PT field, QoS setting may be started.

  As will be described later, when “video” or “audio” is specified as the QoS type, “video” is specified as the QoS type, and the PT field includes a value indicating video. It can be considered that only QoS setting is executed. When “Video” is specified as the QoS type but an audio packet is received, it can be determined that the user is not the target of securing the QoS. In such a case, the QoS setting is executed. It is desirable not to.

  In addition, since some kind of negotiation may be performed between the transmission side and the reception side before data transmission, it is conceivable that QoS setting is performed when a packet of the negotiation is detected. For example, when performing video transmission by streaming, RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) may be used.

  In RTSP, before starting transmission of data packets, several packets are exchanged for negotiation for communication between a transmitting station and a receiving station. It is conceivable to perform QoS setting when this packet is detected. Similarly, since the packet is exchanged when the transmission of the data packet is finished, it is considered that the QoS release process is executed when this packet is detected.

  Note that in the process of analyzing what protocol a packet belongs to, analyzing all packets results in a load on the CPU and pressure on CPU resources for other processes. It is possible to analyze this. For example, it is conceivable to analyze every 100 packets. It is also conceivable to make a time interval instead of the number. For example, it is conceivable to analyze only the last packet received at that time once every 100 ms.

  In addition, when transmitting real-time data such as moving image content, generally, the packets are often transmitted continuously and in bursts, rather than being transmitted one by one. Therefore, it is conceivable that the QoS setting is performed only when the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 receive a specified number of packets within a specified period, not at the time of receiving only one packet. For example, when 100 or more packets are received in a period of 100 ms, it is considered that real-time data is received and QoS setting is executed.

  It is also conceivable to count only when packets that are expected to be real-time data, such as the above-mentioned UDP packets, are continuously received. That is, it may be determined that QoS setting is executed when 100 or more UDP packets are received during a period of 100 ms.

  With these configurations, it is possible to reduce the possibility of securing a bandwidth for data transmission that does not require QoS setting.

  Note that while the receiving PLC adapter is excluded from the QoS control target, the transmitting PLC adapter has the remaining data other than the data transmission band assigned to the other PLC adapter that is the QoS control target. Data may be transmitted to the receiving PLC adapter using at least a part of the transmission band.

<About the packet field used for trigger detection>
Since the header of the IP packet or Ethernet packet may contain information indicating the transmission priority of the packet, it is conceivable to use these fields for trigger detection. This corresponds to the ToS (Type of Service) field in the IPv4 header, the user priority field in the VLAN tag in the Ethernet header, and the like.

  For example, in the case of transmitting real-time data from the VoD server 130 or the PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side and in the case of transmitting non-real-time data, the header of the packet of real-time data includes a value indicating high priority and is not real-time. A value indicating low priority is included in the header of the data packet. In this case, the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 on the content receiving side can determine whether the received packet is real-time data by analyzing these fields included in the received packet.

  It is conceivable that the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 on the content receiving side use this mechanism and perform QoS setting only when receiving real-time data.

  When a plurality of fields indicating transmission priorities are included in the received packet, which of these fields is used for trigger detection is set in advance by some method. This setting may be changed by the user, or may be implemented by determining which field is used in advance.

  For example, in the PLC, since the PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side adds the PLC MAC header to the packet received from the Ethernet side and transmits the packet as it is, the packet received by the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 on the content reception side. Includes both the User Priority field and the ToS field.

  In a network other than the PLC, the content transmission side may delete the Ethernet header and add a MAC header for transmission. In this case, since the packet received by the content receiving side includes only the ToS field, the ToS field may be used for trigger detection.

  Further, since the IP protocol or Ethernet header may contain information (flow identification information) for identifying the flow of the packet, it is conceivable to use these fields for trigger detection.

  The Flow Label field in the IPv6 header and the VID (VLAN Identifier) field of the VLAN tag in the Ethernet header correspond to this.

  For example, different values are set in these fields depending on whether real-time data is transmitted or non-real-time data is transmitted from the PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side. Then, an agreement as to which field value represents real-time data is notified to the PLC adapter 60, 70, 80 on the content receiving side in advance by some method. With this mechanism, the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 on the content receiving side can determine whether or not the received packet is real-time data.

  It is conceivable to perform QoS setting only when real-time data is received using this mechanism.

  That is, whether the QoS type management unit (QoS setting control means) 61, 71, 81 performs the QoS setting process based on the result of collating the bridge information acquired by the bridge units 68.78, 88 with the flow identification information. It may be determined whether or not.

  When a plurality of fields for identifying a flow are included in a received packet, which field is used for trigger detection is set in advance by some method. This setting may be changed by the user, or it may be implemented by determining which field is used in advance.

  Further, since the IP protocol or Ethernet header may contain information for defining the transmission quality of the packet, it is conceivable to use these fields for trigger detection. The ToS field or the like in the IPv4 header corresponds to this. The ToS field includes information such as delay, throughput, reliability, and monetary cost.

  For example, a different value is set in this field depending on whether real-time data is transmitted or non-real-time data is transmitted from the PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side. Then, an agreement as to which field value represents real-time data is notified to the PLC adapter 60, 70, 80 on the content receiving side in advance by some method. With this mechanism, the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 on the content receiving side can determine whether or not the received packet is real-time data.

  It is conceivable to perform QoS setting only when real-time data is received using this mechanism.

<About QoS control information conversion processing>
When the QoS type management unit 62 is instructed by the trigger detection unit 69 to start the QoS setting process, the QoS type management unit 62 first performs a QoS control information conversion process. Specifically, the QoS type management unit 62 determines a QoS parameter to be notified to the PLC adapter 50 serving as a master station based on the QoS type information specified by the QoS type reception unit 61.

  Since the QoS type information specified in the PLC adapter 60 is “HD video”, the QoS type management unit 62 creates a QoS parameter such that a QoS suitable for HD video transmission is secured.

  Specifically, for example, the QoS type management unit 62 may derive a QoS parameter by referring to a table in which QoS type information and values of QoS parameters are stored.

  The necessary QoS parameters vary depending on the protocol used in the network, and the specific QoS configuration parameters are not relevant to the essence of the present invention and are arbitrary.

  As an example of the QoS parameter, in the case of PLC, the bit rate necessary for data transmission, the allowable transmission delay, the fluctuation of the allowable transmission delay, the average value of the size of the transmitted packet, the minimum value, the maximum value, etc. A combination of a plurality of values is a QoS parameter.

  When transmitting HD video, the bit rate may be 16 Mbps or a value with a margin added thereto. For other parameters, it is conceivable to store in advance optimum values obtained by experiments.

<About the QoS setting process>
The PLC adapter 60 on the content receiving side first inquires of the communication partner PLC adapter 50 whether or not connection is possible, and then executes the QoS setting process for the master station.

  In the present embodiment, since the PLC adapter 50 is both a transmitting station and a parent station, the PLC adapter 60 performs both the inquiry about whether connection is possible and the QoS setting process to the PLC adapter 50.

  The QoS type management unit 62 creates a connection request packet including the previously determined QoS parameter and sends it to the PLC communication unit 65a. The PLC communication unit 65a transmits the connection request packet to the PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side.

  The PLC communication unit 55 a of the PLC adapter 50 receives this packet and sends it to the QoS type management unit 52. The QoS type management unit 52 determines whether or not data transmission is possible from information included in the connection request packet. Although this criterion varies depending on the implementation, for example, the acceptance may be rejected due to a limitation of a packet transmission buffer in the PLC adapter 50.

  The QoS type management unit 52 creates a connection notification packet including information (Result Code) indicating whether or not to accept a data transmission request, and sends the connection notification packet to the PLC communication unit 55a. The PLC communication unit 55a transmits a connection notification packet to the PLC adapter 60.

  The PLC communication unit 65 a of the PLC adapter 60 receives this packet and sends it to the QoS type management unit 62. The QoS type management unit 62 knows whether a data transmission request has been accepted from the Result Code included in the packet.

  At this time, if the Result Code is information indicating acceptance refusal, the QoS setting process is stopped, and the status presenting unit 66 presents to the user that the QoS request has not been satisfied, as will be described later.

  When the Result Code indicates that it can be accepted, the QoS type management unit 62 creates a QoS setting request packet including the same QoS parameters as those included in the connection request packet, and sends the QoS setting request packet to the PLC communication unit 65a. The PLC communication unit 65a transmits the QoS setting request packet to the PLC adapter 50 serving as a master station. The slave station in the PLC network can know the address of the master station in advance by exchanging specific packets, but a detailed description thereof is omitted. If another PLC adapter is the master station, the information is transmitted to that PLC adapter.

  The PLC communication unit 55 a of the PLC adapter 50 receives this QoS setting request packet and sends it to the QoS control unit 54. The QoS control unit 54 determines whether or not the request can be accepted based on the QoS parameter included in the QoS setting request packet. If the number of flows requiring QoS increases, the bandwidth of the usable PLC network may be insufficient, and it may not be possible to satisfy the QoS requirements for all flows. In such a case, QoS is secured only for some flows according to some rules.

  For example, it is conceivable to perform control such that requests are accepted in the order in which QoS setting request packets are transmitted, and the requests are rejected when the bandwidth becomes insufficient. A specific determination method is implementation-dependent and is not related to the essence of the present invention, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  When it is determined that the QoS parameter included in the QoS setting request packet is acceptable, the QoS control unit 54 assigns an identifier called GLID (Global Link ID) for uniquely identifying the flow in the PLC network, and the QoS parameter Based on, scheduling of bandwidth allocation for the GLID is performed.

  Although a specific scheduling algorithm is not related to the essence of the present invention, it will be omitted. However, the QoS control unit 54 of the master station 50 is arranged so as to satisfy the QoS request notified from the slave station 60, the frequency of bandwidth allocation, Determine the duration and order.

  Thereafter, the QoS control unit 54 generates a QoS setting notification packet including information (Result Code) indicating whether or not the QoS request can be accepted and a GLID if the Result Code is a value indicating success, and sends the QoS setting notification packet to the PLC communication unit 55a. . The PLC communication unit 55a transmits a QoS setting notification packet to the PLC adapter 60. The PLC communication unit 65 a of the PLC adapter 60 receives this packet and sends it to the QoS type management unit 62.

  Note that only the QoS setting request may be made without performing the connection processing to the PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side. For example, in IEEE802.11e, what corresponds to the connection process for the communication device on the content transmission side is not defined, so only the QoS setting process for the master station is performed.

<Regarding Control Processing of State Presentation Unit 66>
The QoS type management unit 62 of the PLC adapter 60 knows that the QoS setting request has been accepted from the Result Code included in the QoS setting notification packet. The QoS type management unit 62 controls the state presentation unit 66 to indicate to the user that the request has been accepted.

  As a specific configuration of the status presentation unit 66, an LED is installed near the switch of the QoS type reception unit 61, and when the specified QoS request is satisfied, that is, the Result Code in the QoS setting notification packet is successful. If the QoS request is not satisfied, that is, if the Result Code is a value indicating failure, the LED is blinked to indicate the QoS request to the user. It is possible to present the results.

  Here, since it can be seen from the Result Code that the QoS request has been accepted, the LED is turned on to indicate to the user that the QoS setting has been successful.

  If the QoS setting request is not accepted here, the requested QoS is not secured even though the user sets the switch to “HD video” in the PLC adapter 60.

  If the request set by the switch is not satisfied, for example, when video transmission is performed, video disturbance may occur. At this time, if it is not shown to the user that the request set by the switch is not satisfied, the user must identify the cause of the video disturbance even though the QoS is set by the switch. Is difficult.

  However, if the user is informed that the request set by the switch is not satisfied, the user knows that the video is disturbed because QoS is not guaranteed and the bandwidth is insufficient. Therefore, it is possible to take measures for mediation of the entire network.

  For example, the bit rate of the content to be viewed can be changed to a lower bit rate and the switch of the PLC adapter 60 can be switched from “HD video” to “SD video”.

  For example, an LED is installed beside the QoS type reception unit 61, 71, 81, and when the specified request is satisfied, the LED is turned on. When the request is not satisfied, the LED is not turned on. Thus, it is possible to present processing result information to the user. Conversely, it may indicate that the request is not satisfied when the LED is lit, and may indicate that the request is satisfied when the LED is turned off.

  In addition, when the PLC adapter already includes some display device, it is possible to display the processing result information using the display device. For example, if the PLC adapter is provided with a liquid crystal screen, the success or failure of QoS setting may be displayed there.

  In addition to the success or failure of the QoS setting, some other state may be displayed. For example, it may be possible to display why the QoS setting has failed.

  For example, depending on the state of the PLC network, even if a QoS setting request packet or a QoS setting notification packet is transmitted from the PLC adapter 60 or the PLC adapter 50, the other station may fail to receive due to a communication error.

  In such a case, transmission / reception of the QoS setting request packet or QoS setting notification packet was successful, but the request was rejected by the master station due to insufficient bandwidth, or transmission of the QoS setting request packet or QoS setting notification packet itself was It can be considered to be configured so that it can be determined whether the failure has occurred. As a configuration for displaying these distinctions, it is conceivable to change the blinking pattern or emission color of the LED or display an error message on the liquid crystal screen.

  The above description is for the case where the PLC adapter 60 receives a QoS setting notification packet, but the same operation may be performed when a connection notification packet is received.

  When the QoS connection request or the QoS setting request is not accepted, the PLC adapter 60 transmits information indicating that to the STB 90 connected to the own station, and the STB 90 transmits the information to the own device. You may display on the display apparatus (for example, television monitor) connected to.

<About QoS data transmission>
After the data transmission request processing in the STB 90, data packets are sequentially transmitted from the VoD server 130 to the PLC adapter 50 via the router 120. As described above, the IP address of the STB 90 is included as the destination of the data packet. The router 120 retrieves the Ethernet address from the IP address by routing processing, and transmits it to the PLC adapter 50 via the Ethernet. The Ethernet communication unit 55 b of the PLC adapter 50 passes the received packet to the bridge unit 58. The bridge unit 58 collates the bridge table with the destination Ethernet address of the data packet, adds a PLC header including the PLC address of the PLC adapter 60 as the destination address of the data packet to the data packet, and passes it to the QoS control unit 54.

  By the way, when actually transmitting a data packet, the beacon packet transmitted from the master station includes the GLID determined during the QoS setting process, the transmission right grant start time, and the transmission right grant end time. Each slave station knows to which flow the transmission right is given by this beacon packet.

  Therefore, the PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side needs to determine which flow each data packet belongs to and know its GLID. Therefore, the QoS control unit 54 analyzes the contents of the packet and derives a GLID. In general, the GLID is derived by exchanging some packets between the PLC adapter 50 and the PLC adapter 60 in advance, understanding the correspondence between the flow identification information and the GLID, and deriving the GLID based on the mutual understanding.

  The protocol for exchanging flow identification information and GLID is not defined in the PLC standard, and is uniquely performed in a higher layer than the PLC. The upper layer knows which flow uses which MAC address, IP address, and port number, and can acquire the GLID value obtained as a result of the QoS setting process from the QoS control unit 54. Therefore, it is possible to know the correspondence between the MAC address, IP address, port number, and GLID.

  A rule for deriving a GLID from such flow identification information is called a classify rule. Analyzing the contents of the data packet, if the MAC address, IP address, and port number described in the classify rule are included in the packet, it can be determined that the packet is a GLID packet described in the classify rule is there.

  In this embodiment, instead of exchanging packets in the upper layer and acquiring flow identification information, bridge information is used. The bridge information is information necessary for another use as described above, but it is also used as flow identification information.

  As the bridge information, the Ethernet address of the STB 90 and the PLC address of the PLC adapter 60 are included. The QoS setting notification packet includes a GLID, a PLC address of the PLC adapter 50 as a flow source, and an address of the PLC adapter 60 as a flow destination.

  Therefore, the PLC adapter 50 on the flow transmission side can derive the PLC address of the PLC adapter 60 from the Ethernet address of the STB 90 and further derive the GLID from the PLC address of the PLC adapter 60. That is, when the Ethernet address of the STB 90 is included as a destination, a Classify rule for deriving the GLID notified by the QoS setting notification packet can be created.

  In the present embodiment, the bridge information obtained by the bridge information notification packet is configured to be also notified to the QoS type management unit 52, and the QoS type management unit 52 performs the above-described method when the QoS setting process is completed. The Classify rule is created by the above and set in the QoS control unit 54.

  When the PLC adapter 50 receives a data packet from the router 120 and the destination is the STB 90, the GLID of the flow to which the packet belongs is derived by the Classify rule.

  Since the master station 50 sets a transmission period for each flow, the flow cannot be transmitted except for a flow to which the transmission period is given. For packets that are not included in the flow for performing QoS data transmission, transmission opportunities are basically given evenly in a period in which the transmission right is not granted to any flow by the master station 50. Not guaranteed.

  The master station transmits a beacon packet including the GLID, the transmission right grant start time, and the transmission right grant end time according to the previously determined schedule. A transmission right is granted to a flow that matches the GLID described in the beacon packet during a period indicated by the transmission right grant start time and the transmission right grant end time. Since all PLC adapters receive the beacon packet, each PLC adapter can identify a flow to which a transmission right is currently assigned.

  The PLC adapter 50 derives the GLID of the data packet according to the previous Classify rule, and when receiving the beacon packet that matches the GLID, the PLC adapter 50 transmits the data packet during the period indicated by the transmission right grant start time and the transmission right grant end time. Send.

  Actually, the data packet received from the router 120 is buffered until the transmission right grant start time is reached in the QoS control unit 54 of the PLC adapter 50, but the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In this embodiment, since the master station and the PLC adapter that transmits the data packet are the same, the transmission right grant packet is not transmitted, and the PLC adapter 50 is granted the transmission right without receiving the beacon packet. The processing period can be known, but the process is the same.

  Note that the destination Ethernet address of the data packet needs to be verified both in the bridge process and in the Classify rule verification process, but these may be processed at a time.

<About QoS release processing>
The QoS release process in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of QoS release processing in this embodiment. The QoS release process in the PLC network that is subjected to QoS control by Parameterized QoS is a process for canceling the QoS setting of the receiving PLC adapter that is the target of the QoS setting.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the trigger detection unit 69 of the PLC adapter 60 on the receiving side detects that the QoS setting is no longer necessary, or the QoS type reception unit 61 has received an instruction to cancel the QoS setting. In this case, the QoS type management unit 62 receives the information and transmits a QoS cancellation request packet for requesting cancellation of the QoS setting to the PLC adapter 50 as the master station via the PLC communication unit 65a. This QoS cancellation request packet includes the address of the PLC adapter 60 that is the transmission source and the address of the PLC adapter 50 that is the transmission destination.

  That is, the trigger detection unit 69 detects the timing of performing QoS release processing on the data received by the own device (determines timing), and the QoS type management unit (QoS setting control means) 62 is detected by the trigger detection unit 69. QoS release processing is performed at the determined timing (timing determined by the trigger detection unit 69). In addition, when the acquired QoS type indicates that QoS control is not required, the QoS type management unit 62 performs a QoS release process on data received by the PLC adapter 60.

  In addition, the QoS type management unit provided in the PLC adapter on the transmission side or the reception side may perform the QoS release processing according to the timing notified from the data communication partner station. Conversely, the QoS type management unit may notify the other station of data communication of the timing detected by the trigger detection unit via the PLC communication unit.

  As a method for detecting that the QoS setting is no longer necessary, the trigger detection unit 69 may detect, for example, that the rate of receiving data packets in the PLC adapter 60 is equal to or less than a threshold value. Details will be described later.

  When the QoS type management unit 52 of the PLC adapter 50 receives the QoS cancellation request packet via the PLC communication unit 55a, the QoS type management unit 52 responds to the data transmitted to the PLC adapter 60 indicated by the address included in the QoS cancellation request packet. The command to cancel the QoS setting that has been set is output to the QoS control unit 54. Further, the QoS type management unit 52 transmits a QoS cancellation notification packet notifying that the QoS setting set for the data received by the PLC adapter 60 has been canceled to the PLC adapter 60 via the PLC communication unit 55a. To do.

  When the QoS cancellation notification packet is received, the QoS type management unit 62 of the PLC adapter 60 notifies the user that the QoS cancellation has been performed via the status presentation unit 66.

  When the QoS type management unit 62 receives information indicating that the QoS setting has been turned off from the QoS type reception unit 61 (in this embodiment, “OFF” is selected in the slide switch of FIG. 8). The QoS release process may be performed.

  In addition, when the data transmission is continued after the QoS setting is turned off (the device is excluded from the QoS control target), the QoS type management unit 62 sets the other QoS control target other Data transmission is performed using the remaining transmission band other than the transmission bands allocated to the PLC adapters (PLC adapters 70 and 80).

  As described above, when transmitting a data packet, each slave station knows to which flow the transmission right is given by the beacon packet transmitted from the master station. When the slave station is excluded from the QoS control target, the band assignment of the slave station is lost in the beacon packet. Therefore, the transmitting station transmits data to the slave station at a time other than the band assigned to the other slave station. Send.

<About processing in the PLC adapter 70>
A procedure until the SD video content is QoS-transmitted from the VoD server 130 to the STB 100 via the PLC adapter 50 and the PLC adapter 70 will be described below. In addition, the process similar to the PLC adapter 60 among the processes in the PLC adapter 70 is abbreviate | omitting description.

  The STB 100 is connected to the PLC adapter 70. Since the user intends to receive SD video content in the STB 100, the user designates “SD video” by the QoS type reception unit 71 of the PLC adapter 70. Specifically, a slide-type changeover switch as shown in FIG. 8 is set to a position indicating “SD video”. Here, the state presentation unit 76 may present to the user that a series of processes for QoS setting has been started. Specifically, the LED is blinked.

  The content transmission side PLC adapter 50 transmits a bridge information request packet to the PLC adapter 70 in order to obtain an Ethernet address of a device connected to the content reception side PLC adapter 70 via Ethernet.

  The PLC adapter 70 returns a bridge information notification packet including the Ethernet address of the device connected via the Ethernet communication unit 75b of the local station. Since the STB 100 is connected to the PLC adapter 70, the Ethernet address of the STB 100 is included in the bridge information notification packet.

  After the QoS type is set, the STB 100 determines content data to be received at an arbitrary timing. The VoD server 130 notifies the STB 100 of a list of contents it has, and the STB 100 presents the content list to the user, and the user supplies a desired content from the presented content list to a remote controller attached to the STB 100, etc. Select by the operation.

  After the content is selected, the STB 100 creates a data transmission request packet and transmits it to the VoD server 130. This packet includes information for identifying the previously selected content.

  After receiving the data transmission request packet, the VoD server 130 starts transmitting the content specified by the packet. The VoD server 130 packetizes the stored content data, transmits it to the STB 100, and the PLC adapter 70 on the path also receives the packet.

  The PLC communication unit 75 a of the PLC adapter 70 passes the received data packet to the bridge unit 78. The bridge unit 78 passes the data packet to the Ethernet communication unit 75b in order to transfer the data packet to the Ethernet, and notifies the trigger detection unit 79 that the data packet has been received. Thereby, the trigger detection unit 79 knows that the data transmission has started, recognizes that the QoS setting process is necessary, and instructs the QoS type management unit 72 to start the QoS setting process.

  When instructed to start the QoS setting process, the QoS type management unit 72 first performs the QoS control information conversion process. Since the QoS type information specified in the PLC adapter 70 is “SD video”, a QoS parameter that secures a QoS suitable for transmission of SD video content is created. Since SD video content is transmitted, it is conceivable to set a bit rate of 6 Mbps or a value with a margin added thereto. For other parameters, it is conceivable to store optimum values obtained by experiments.

  The QoS type management unit 72 creates a connection request packet including the QoS parameters determined in the QoS control information conversion process, and transmits the connection request packet to the PLC adapter 50. When the PLC adapter 50 accepts a request for data transmission, the PLC adapter 50 creates a connection notification packet including information indicating acceptance of the request, and returns it to the PLC adapter 70. Thereby, the QoS type management unit 72 of the PLC adapter 70 knows that the data transmission request has been accepted.

  Further, the QoS type management unit 72 creates a QoS setting request packet based on the same QoS parameters included in the connection request packet, and passes the QoS setting request packet to the PLC communication unit 75a. The PLC communication unit 75a transmits a QoS setting request packet to the PLC adapter 50.

  The PLC communication unit 55 a of the PLC adapter 50 receives this packet and passes it to the QoS control unit 54. The QoS control unit 54 determines whether or not the request can be accepted based on the QoS parameter included in the QoS setting request packet. Here, it is assumed that the request has been accepted, a GLID is allocated, the frequency, period, and order of bandwidth allocation for the GLID are determined, and the information is set in the QoS control unit 54. A value different from the flow received by the PLC adapter 60 is assigned as the GLID.

  Further, the QoS control unit 54 creates a QoS setting notification packet including information indicating that the QoS request has been accepted, and transmits the QoS setting notification packet to the PLC adapter 70. Thereby, the QoS type management unit 72 of the PLC adapter 70 knows that the QoS request has been accepted.

  The QoS type management unit 72 controls the state presentation unit 76 to indicate to the user that the request has been accepted. Specifically, the LED is turned on.

  After the data transmission request process in the STB 100, data packets are sequentially transmitted from the VoD server 130 to the PLC adapter 50 via the router 120. The Ethernet communication unit 55 b of the PLC adapter 50 passes the received packet to the bridge unit 58. The bridge unit 58 compares the Ethernet address of the STB 100 included in the data packet with the bridge table, and derives the PLC address of the PLC adapter 70 as a destination. The bridge unit 58 attaches a PLC header including the destination address to the packet and passes it to the QoS control unit 54.

  The QoS type management unit 52 creates a Classify rule for deriving the GLID notified by the QoS setting notification packet when the data packet includes the Ethernet address of the STB 100 as the destination, and the QoS control unit 54 in advance. Set to. When the PLC adapter 50 receives a data packet from the router 120 and the destination is the STB 100, the GLID of the flow to which the packet belongs is derived by the Classify rule.

  Thereafter, QoS data transmission is performed by transmitting a data packet to the PLC adapter 70 during a period in which a transmission right is granted to a flow that matches the GLID.

<About processing in the PLC adapter 80>
Similar processing to the PLC adapter 60 is performed in the PLC adapter 80. However, the PLC adapter 80 is different in that QoS setting is not performed.

  A PC 110 is connected to the PLC adapter 80. The user intends to receive Web content on the PC 110. That is, since the user intends not to use the QoS function for receiving video content, the user designates “OFF” by the QoS type reception unit 81 of the PLC adapter 80. Specifically, a slide type changeover switch as shown in FIG. 8 is set to a position indicating “OFF”. Here, the state presentation unit may present to the user that a series of processes for QoS setting has been started. Specifically, the LED is blinked.

  The PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side transmits a bridge information request packet to the PLC adapter 80 in order to obtain the Ethernet address of the device connected to the PLC adapter 80 on the content reception side via Ethernet.

  The PLC adapter 80 returns a bridge information notification packet including the Ethernet address of the device connected via the Ethernet communication unit 85b of the local station. Since the PC 110 is connected to the PLC adapter 80, the Ethernet address of the PC 110 is included in the bridge information notification packet.

  After the QoS type is set, the PC 110 determines Web content data to be received at an arbitrary timing. Specifically, it is conceivable that the user operates a PC browser software to access a specific URL.

  After the content is selected, the PC 110 creates a data transmission request packet and transmits it to the Web server 140. This packet includes information for identifying data to be received.

  After receiving the data transmission request packet, the Web server 140 starts transmitting the content specified by the packet. The Web server 140 packetizes the stored content data, transmits it to the PC 110, and the packet is received also by the PLC adapter 80 on the path.

  The PLC communication unit 85 a of the PLC adapter 80 passes the received data packet to the bridge unit 88. The bridge unit 88 passes the data packet to the Ethernet communication unit 85b to transfer the data packet to the Ethernet, and notifies the trigger detection unit 89 that the data packet has been received. Thereby, the trigger detection unit 89 knows that the data transmission has started, recognizes that the QoS setting process is necessary, and instructs the QoS type management unit 82 to start the QoS setting process.

  When instructed to start the QoS setting process, the QoS type management unit 82 first performs the QoS control information conversion process. Since the QoS type information specified in the PLC adapter 80 is “OFF”, it is understood that QoS setting is unnecessary. Therefore, no processing is performed in the QoS control information conversion processing.

  After the data transmission request processing in the PC 110, data packets are sequentially transmitted from the Web server 140 to the PLC adapter 50 via the router 120. The Ethernet communication unit 55 b of the PLC adapter 50 passes the received packet to the bridge unit 58. As described above, the bridge unit 58 compares the Ethernet address of the PC 110 included in the data packet with the bridge table, and derives the address of the PLC adapter 80 as a destination. The bridge unit 58 adds a PLC header including the destination PLC address to the packet and passes the packet to the QoS control unit 54.

  The QoS control unit 54 does not set a new Classify rule because QoS setting is not performed. Therefore, a data packet is transmitted and normal data transmission is performed in a period in which no transmission right is given to any PLC adapter.

  The setting of the QoS type in the PLC adapters 60, 70, 80 may be executed by the same user or may be executed by different users. However, when different users execute the setting, it is assumed that an agreement is obtained in advance between which PLC adapter is given high priority.

<Subsequent data transmission in each communication device>
Although not shown in FIG. 9, once the data transmission is started, the transmission of the data packet from the PLC adapter 50 to the PLC adapter 80 is performed by other packets (data transmission request packet, QoS setting request packet, other PLCs). This is performed intermittently between transmissions of data packets addressed to the adapters 60 and 70.

  Therefore, after data transmission to each of the PLC adapters 60, 70, 80 is started, the PLC adapter 50 performs data transmission to each of the PLC adapters 60, 70, 80 in parallel. The PLC adapter 50 determines a bandwidth allocation schedule for data transmission to the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80, and performs packet transmission according to the schedule.

  An example of a specific schedule is shown in FIG. In this example, the period for transmitting the HD video content to the PLC adapter 60, the period for transmitting the SD video content to the PLC adapter 70, and the period for other transmissions are set as one set schedule period. Allocation is performed by repeating.

  The schedule period and the transmission period given to each PLC adapter 60, 70, 80 are calculated and determined so as to satisfy the QoS parameters requested during the QoS setting process.

  The PLC adapter 60 and the PLC adapter 70 are provided with a dedicated transmission period, and during this period, other PLC adapters cannot perform transmission, so that the bandwidth of the size as planned can be exclusively used. . That is, QoS is guaranteed.

  On the other hand, since the QoS setting process is not performed for the PLC adapter 80, a transmission period is not provided, and transmission is performed in the “other transmission” period. During this period, since the PLC adapters 60 and 70 other than the PLC adapter 80 can also perform communication, QoS is not guaranteed.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the user designates the type of content received by each PLC adapter as the QoS type for the content-receiving PLC adapter, and the entire network is QoS controlled by Parameterized QoS accordingly. The flow will be described. The overall processing flow is shown in FIG.

<About network configuration>
FIG. 12 shows a network configuration of the present embodiment. The parameterized QoS master station 50 exists separately from the content data transmitting station 60 and the receiving stations 70 and 80, and the device connected to the PLC adapter 50 on the content transmitting side is not the router 120 but the hard disk. The difference is that it is a recorder 170.

  The basic flow of QoS control is the same as that of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the QoS setting request packet is transmitted by the PLC adapter 60 on the content receiving side. In the embodiment, the greatest difference is that the QoS setting request packet is transmitted by the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side.

  In this embodiment, Parameterized QoS is used. In Parameterized QoS, there is one master station in the network, and that station manages the QoS of the entire network.

  In the present embodiment, the PLC adapter 50 has a master station function, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 may have a master station function.

  In response to a request from the TV receivers 150 and 160, the hard disk recorder 170 outputs HD video content and SD video content data via Ethernet. The content to be output is assumed to be received and recorded in advance by radio wave broadcasting or Internet broadcasting. However, it is conceivable that the hard disk recorder 170 is connected to the Internet and streaming data received from the Internet is transferred.

  In either case, the content is encoded and output as digital data such as MPEG. The output data is transmitted to the TV receivers 150 and 160 via the content transmitting side and receiving side PLC adapters. The TV receivers 150 and 160 decode and display the digital data. The TV receivers 150 and 160 are not configured assuming QoS data transmission, and cannot instruct the PLC adapters 70 and 80 to perform QoS setting in the PLC network.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the TV adapter 150 which is an Ethernet terminal in which the PLC adapter 70 or 80 which is a communication device that relays between the PLC network and the Ethernet cannot issue a QoS setting instruction to the PLC adapter 70 or 80. In place of 160, the QoS setting is made for the flow received by the TV receiver 150/160.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the TV receiver 150 receives HD video content from the hard disk recorder 170 and the TV receiver 160 receives SD video from the hard disk recorder 170. The TV receivers 150 and 160 may be used by different users or may be used by one user.

  Hereinafter, a procedure until HD video content is QoS-transmitted from the hard disk recorder 170 to the TV receiver 150 will be described.

<PLC adapter configuration>
The configurations of the PLC adapters 50, 60, 70, and 80 are the same as those in the second embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

<About QoS type acceptance processing>
A TV receiver 150 is connected to the PLC adapter 70, and the user intends to receive HD video content at the TV receiver 150. Therefore, the user designates “HD video” in the QoS type reception unit 71 of the PLC adapter 70. The configuration of the QoS type reception unit 71 is the same as that of the second embodiment. Here, a slide-type changeover switch as shown in FIG. 8 is set to a position indicating “HD video”.

  Alternatively, the TV receiver 150 connected to the content-receiving PLC adapter 70 via Ethernet may be configured to specify the QoS type. Details will be described later.

  Here, as in the second embodiment, the state presentation unit 76 may present to the user that a series of QoS setting processes has been started.

<About bridge information acquisition processing>
The bridge information acquisition process is the same as the process in the second embodiment.

  The PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side transmits a bridge information request packet to the PLC adapter 70 in order to obtain the Ethernet address of the TV receiver 150 connected to the PLC adapter 70 on the content reception side via Ethernet.

  The PLC adapter 70 returns a bridge information notification packet including the Ethernet address of the TV receiver 150 connected via the Ethernet communication unit 75b of the local station. Since the TV receiver 150 is connected to the PLC adapter 70, the Ethernet address of the TV receiver 150 is included in the bridge information notification packet.

<Received data determination process>
The reception data determination process is the same as the process in the second embodiment.

  The data received by the TV receiver 150 is determined at an arbitrary timing after the QoS type is set. The hard disk recorder 170 notifies the TV receiver 150 of a list of contents that it has, and the TV receiver 150 presents the content list to the user, and the user receives the desired content from the displayed list. Select by operating the remote control attached to the.

<About QoS type notification processing>
The QoS type notification process is a process that is not performed in the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the QoS type is received from the user and the QoS setting process is performed by the PLC adapter 60, 70, 80 on the content reception side. There was no need to notify the PLC adapter 50 of the QoS type.

  However, in the present embodiment, the QoS type is received by the PLC adapter 70/80 on the content receiving side, and the QoS setting processing is performed by the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmitting side. It is necessary to notify the PLC adapter 60 of the QoS type designated by the user or the like.

  The QoS type management unit 62 of the PLC adapter 60 creates a QoS type request packet addressed to the PLC adapter 70 and sends it to the PLC communication unit 65a. The PLC communication unit 65 a transmits a QoS type request packet to the PLC adapter 70.

  Upon receiving this packet, the PLC communication unit 75a of the PLC adapter 70 sends the packet to the QoS type management unit 72. The QoS type management unit 72 acquires the QoS type received from the QoS type reception unit 71, creates a QoS type notification packet including the QoS type, and sends the QoS type notification packet to the PLC communication unit 75a.

  That is, the QoS type management unit (QoS type notification unit) 72 notifies the PLC adapter 60 of the QoS type received by the QoS type reception unit 71.

  Here, as information to be included in the QoS type notification packet, a numerical value that can uniquely identify the setting state of the switch that is the QoS type reception unit 71 is determined in advance (for example, “0” for “OFF”, “SD” It is conceivable to include this numerical value in the packet if it is “1” for “video”, “2” for “HD video”, etc.

  The PLC communication unit 75 a transmits a packet to the PLC adapter 60. When receiving the QoS type notification packet, the PLC communication unit 65a of the PLC adapter 60 sends the QoS type notification packet to the QoS type management unit 62.

  The QoS type notification packet may include QoS type set information indicating what information is used as the QoS type. For example, if the QoS type is a category of “OFF”, “SD video”, and “HD video”, the QoS type set information is set to a value of “0”, and if the QoS type is a category of “video”, “audio”, and “other”, It is conceivable to set the QoS type set information to a value “1”.

  When all communication devices know the correspondence between the value of the QoS type set information and its meaning in advance, for example, the QoS type set information is set to “0”, the QoS type is set to “1”, and included in the QoS type notification packet. In this case, the communication apparatus that has received the QoS type notification packet can know that the QoS type is set to “SD video” in the communication apparatus that has transmitted the QoS type notification packet. Therefore, communication devices using different QoS types can be mixed in one network.

  Note that the timing at which the content transmission side PLC adapter 60 transmits the QoS type request packet to the content reception side PLC adapter 70 may be after the data transmission destination is determined, that is, after the data transmission request packet is received.

  Further, the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side may transmit the QoS type request packet to all the PLC adapters existing in the PLC network. In this case, for example, it is conceivable that the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side transmits a QoS type request packet to all the PLC adapters when it detects participation of another PLC adapter in the PLC network.

  Further, when the content-receiving PLC adapters 70 and 80 participate in the PLC network, the QoS type notification packet may be voluntarily transmitted to other PLC adapters. In this case, it is also possible to transmit the data to a plurality of PLC adapters collectively using multicast or broadcast instead of individually transmitting by unicast.

<About QoS control information conversion processing>
The QoS control information conversion process is different from the process in the second embodiment.

  The QoS type management unit 62 determines a QoS parameter to be notified to the PLC adapter 50 serving as a master station based on the QoS type notified from the PLC adapter 70 in the QoS type notification packet.

  In the present embodiment, since the “HD video” is notified as the QoS type by the QoS type notification packet from the PLC adapter 70, the QoS type management unit 62 seems to ensure the QoS suitable for HD video transmission. Create QoS parameters.

  As a specific QoS parameter creation method, a bridge table may be used as in the second embodiment. The QoS parameters created here are used later in the QoS setting process.

  Note that the QoS control information conversion process may be performed in the PLC adapter 70 on the content receiving side. In this case, the QoS type management unit 72 of the PLC adapter 70 that has received the QoS control information request packet from the PLC adapter 60 creates a QoS parameter from the QoS type obtained from the QoS type reception unit 71, and uses the QoS parameter itself as the QoS control information. It is included in the notification packet and notified to the PLC adapter 50. The QoS type management unit 52 of the PLC adapter 50 only needs to store the notified QoS parameters, and does not need to perform QoS control information conversion processing.

  That is, the QoS type management unit (QoS control information notification unit) 72 may notify the PLC adapter 60 of the QoS control information.

<Data transmission request processing>
The data transmission request process is the same as the process in the second embodiment.

  The TV receiver 150 creates a data transmission request packet and transmits it to the hard disk recorder 170. This data transmission request packet includes information for identifying the previously selected content.

  In the above description, the method for selecting content between the hard disk recorder 170 and the TV receiver 150 is not related to the essence of the present invention and will not be described, but is defined by the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance). It is conceivable to use one that complies with the guidelines.

<About trigger detection processing>
The trigger detection process is the same as the process in the second embodiment.

  When the hard disk recorder 170 receives the data transmission request packet, the hard disk recorder 170 starts transmitting the content designated there. The stored content data is packetized, destination address information is added, and the data is sequentially transmitted to the PLC adapter 60 via Ethernet.

  The Ethernet communication unit 65 b of the PLC adapter 60 passes the received data packet to the bridge unit 68. Since this data packet is a packet for transmitting video content transmitted from the hard disk recorder 170 to the TV receiver 150, the destination includes the Ethernet address of the TV receiver 150. The bridge unit 68 compares the Ethernet address of the TV receiver 150 included in the data packet with the bridge table for the received data packet, derives the address of the PLC adapter 70 as the destination, and includes the destination address in the data packet. After adding the PLC header, it is sent to the QoS control unit 64.

  At this time, since the QoS setting has not been completed for this data packet, the QoS control unit 64 does nothing and passes it to the PLC communication unit 65a as a normal data packet. The PLC communication unit 65 a transmits the data packet to the PLC adapter 70.

<Starting time of QoS setting process>
The data packet received by the PLC communication unit 75 a of the PLC adapter 70 is sent to the trigger detection unit 79 via the bridge unit 78. Thereby, the trigger detection unit 79 determines that the QoS setting process is necessary because the data transmission is started. Various determination methods may be used as in the second embodiment.

<About trigger detection notification processing>
The trigger detection notification process is a process that is not performed in the second embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the QoS setting process is started by the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side, and the trigger detection is performed by the PLC adapter 70 on the content reception side. To the PLC adapter 60.

  In the trigger detection process, when the trigger detection unit 79 determines that the QoS setting process is necessary, the trigger detection unit 79 creates a trigger detection notification packet and transmits it to the PLC adapter 60. The trigger detection notification packet includes its own PLC address.

  Note that transmission of the QoS type notification packet may be omitted and the trigger detection notification packet including the QoS type may be transmitted. Since the QoS type is required in the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side when the QoS setting request packet is transmitted, there is no problem even if notification is made when the trigger detection process is completed.

  In addition, when the QoS type management unit 70 transmits the trigger detection notification packet created by the trigger detection unit 79 to the partner station for data communication, the flow identification detected by the trigger detection unit 79 in the trigger detection notification packet is transmitted. Information may be included.

<About the QoS setting process>
Unlike the second embodiment, in this embodiment, a QoS setting request packet is transmitted from the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side.

  When the QoS type management unit 62 of the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side receives the trigger detection notification packet and finds that QoS setting is necessary, it first asks the communication partner PLC adapter 70 whether or not connection is possible. Above, the QoS setting process for the master station 50 is executed. In this embodiment, a connection request packet is transmitted to the PLC adapter 70 on the content receiving side, and a QoS setting request packet is transmitted to the PLC adapter 50 which is a master station.

  The QoS type management unit 62 of the PLC adapter 60 creates a connection request packet including the QoS parameters stored during the QoS control information conversion process, and transmits the connection request packet to the PLC adapter 70 on the content receiving side.

  The QoS type management unit 72 of the PLC adapter 70 determines whether data transmission is possible from information included in the connection request packet. If the data cannot be received due to the limitation of the reception buffer in the PLC adapter 70, the request may not be accepted.

  The QoS type management unit 72 creates a connection notification packet including information (Result Code) indicating whether or not a data transmission request can be accepted, and transmits the packet to the PLC adapter 60. The QoS type management unit 62 of the PLC adapter 60 knows whether the data transmission request has been accepted from the Result Code included in the packet.

  At this time, if the Result Code is information indicating acceptance rejection, the QoS setting process is stopped, and the status presenting unit 66 presents to the user that the QoS request has not been satisfied, as will be described later.

  When the Result Code indicates that it can be accepted, the QoS type management unit 62 creates a QoS setting request packet including the same QoS parameter as that included in the connection request packet, and transmits the QoS setting request packet to the PLC adapter 50.

  That is, the QoS type management unit (QoS setting control means) 62 transmits a QoS setting request including QoS control information to the PLC adapter 50 which is a communication device that performs QoS control of the network.

  The QoS control unit 54 of the PLC adapter 50 determines whether the request can be accepted based on the QoS parameter included in the QoS setting request packet. A specific determination method is the same as in the second embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the bandwidth allocation request is accepted.

  Further, the QoS control unit 54 assigns a GLID for uniquely identifying the flow within the PLC network, and performs scheduling of bandwidth allocation for the GLID based on the QoS parameter. The specific method is the same as in the second embodiment. The QoS control unit 54 creates a QoS setting notification packet including information (Result Code) indicating whether or not the QoS request can be accepted and a GLID, and sends it to both the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side and the PLC adapter 70 on the content reception side. Send.

  That is, the QoS control unit (control unit) 54 performs QoS control by transmitting a QoS control content notification for notifying the content of QoS control to another communication apparatus. The QoS type management unit (QoS setting control unit) 51 outputs the QoS control information to the QoS control unit 54, and the QoS control unit 54 performs QoS control on the content data based on the QoS control information.

  Note that the QoS setting request may be made without performing the connection process to the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side.

  The trigger detection process may be executed not by the content receiving side PLC adapter 70 but by the content transmitting side PLC adapter 60. In this case, there is no need to transmit a trigger detection notification packet, and when the PLC adapter 60 detects a trigger, the PLC adapter 60 creates a QoS setting request packet based on a previously stored QoS parameter and transmits it to the PLC adapter 50. The PLC adapter 50 transmits the QoS setting notification packet to the PLC adapter 60 and the PLC adapter 70 in this case as well.

<About the case where one PLC adapter receives data packets from a plurality of PLC adapters>
Processing when one receiving side PLC adapter (receiving station) receives data packets from a plurality of transmitting side PLC adapters (transmitting stations) will be described below.

  In this case, all the sending PLC adapters need to know the QoS type in the receiving PLC adapter.

  When each transmitting station transmits a QoS type request packet to the receiving station, if the receiving station is configured to return a QoS type notification packet to the transmitting station, each PLC adapter is connected to another network existing in the network. A QoS type request packet is transmitted to all the PLC adapters. The PLC adapter that has received this returns the QoS type information, so that the PLC adapter on the transmission side can know the QoS type in the PLC adapter on the reception side.

  When the receiving station is configured to voluntarily send the QoS type notification packet to the transmitting station, each PLC adapter transmits the QoS type notification packet to all other PLC adapters existing in the network. This QoS type notification packet may be transmitted periodically, or may be transmitted whenever the designation of the QoS type is changed. At this time, the QoS type notification packet may be transmitted to each transmitting station by broadcast. Thereby, the QoS type can be notified to a plurality of PLC adapters by one transmission.

  The transmitting-side PLC adapter may perform the same QoS setting as when the transmitting station and the receiving station have a one-to-one relationship based on the received QoS type.

<Regarding the control process of the state presentation unit>
In the present embodiment, it is the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side that makes the QoS setting request. The result of the QoS setting is also notified to the receiving side PLC adapter 70 by the QoS setting notification packet. The result notified at this time is set based on the QoS type specified in the PLC adapter 70. The PLC adapter 70 cannot determine whether or not.

  For example, when the PLC adapter 70 on the receiving side spontaneously performs QoS setting with the PLC adapter 60 by some other mechanism, the PLC adapter 70 receives a plurality of QoS setting notification packets. Therefore, the PLC adapter 70 cannot determine which QoS setting notification packet indicates the GLID set based on the QoS type designation in the PLC adapter 70.

  Therefore, the PLC adapter 60 controls the state presentation unit 76 of the PLC adapter 70 using the state presentation unit control packet.

  In the flow chart shown in FIG. 13, the QoS setting notification packet is transmitted from the master station 50 to the PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side and the PLC adapter 70 on the content reception side. However, when the QoS setting is not accepted in the PLC adapter 50 and the process fails, the QoS setting notification packet is not transmitted to the PLC adapter 70.

  Therefore, also in this case, the PLC adapter 60 needs to transmit the status presentation unit control packet in order to present the QoS setting failure to the user in the PLC adapter 70 on the content receiving side.

  The QoS type management unit 62 of the PLC adapter 60 knows whether or not a QoS setting request has been accepted from the QoS setting notification packet. The QoS type management unit 62 generates control information for controlling the state presentation unit 66 corresponding to the Result Code included in the QoS setting notification packet, generates a state presentation unit control packet including the control information, The data is sent to the PLC communication unit 65a. The PLC communication unit 65 a transmits this packet to the PLC adapter 70.

  When the PLC communication unit 75a of the PLC adapter 70 receives the packet, it notifies the QoS type management unit 72 of the packet. The QoS type management unit 72 controls the state presentation unit 76 to indicate to the user that the request has been accepted. The specific control method is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the control information defines values for turning on the LED, blinking the LED, and turning off the LED, respectively. It is conceivable that the value is included in the state presentation unit control packet and transmitted.

  When the PLC adapter 60 on the transmission side transmits the state presentation unit control packet to turn on the LED and then the power to the PLC adapter 60 is turned off without turning off the LED, the reception side Although the PLC adapter 70 does not perform QoS data transmission, the LED remains on.

  In order to prevent such a situation, the PLC adapter 60 preferably includes information indicating the timeout time in the state presentation unit control packet. The time-out time is a time indicating the limit of the time during which the receiving side PLC adapter 70 continues to wait for the reception of the state presentation unit control packet.

  If the timeout time is, for example, 10 seconds, the QoS type management unit 62 of the PLC adapter 60 transmits a state presentation unit control packet to the PLC adapter 70 at intervals shorter than 10 seconds. If the QoS type management unit 72 of the PLC adapter 70 does not perform the QoS control for the data received by the own device when 10 seconds or more have elapsed since the last reception of the state presentation unit control packet. It determines, and LED as the state presentation part 76 is made into a light extinction state (state which shows that the QoS setting for the own apparatus is not made). Such processing can solve the above problem. When realizing the above configuration, it is preferable that the PLC adapter 60 includes a timer unit for measuring the timeout time.

<Reception of a state presentation unit control packet when one PLC adapter receives data packets from a plurality of PLC adapters>
When the receiving-side PLC adapter 70 receives QoS transmission data in accordance with the QoS type designation from a plurality of transmitting-side PLC adapters, it receives a plurality of state presentation unit control packets. In this case, the state is managed for each PLC adapter of each transmission source, and the LED is turned on only when all the transmission side PLC adapters are instructed to turn on the LED, and the LED is blinked. If there is at least one PLC adapter on the transmission side, the LED may blink, and the LED may be turned off only when all the transmitting stations are instructed to turn off the LED.

<About QoS data transmission>
Thereafter, data packets are sequentially transmitted from the hard disk recorder 170 to the PLC adapter 60 via the Ethernet. The method by which the bridge unit 68 of the PLC adapter 60 relays Ethernet-PLC communication is the same as in the second embodiment.

  That is, the bridge unit 68 of the PLC adapter 60 collates the bridge table with the destination Ethernet address of the data packet, derives the PLC address of the PLC adapter 70 as the destination address of the packet, attaches a PLC header, and gives the QoS control unit 64. To pass.

  The bridge information is used in the same manner as in the second embodiment instead of acquiring the flow identification information by exchanging packets in the upper layer. That is, the Ethernet address of the TV receiver 150 is compared with the bridge table, the PLC address of the PLC adapter 70 is derived, and the GLID notified by the QoS setting notification packet is derived from the PLC address of the PLC adapter 70.

  As a result, when the Ethernet address of the TV receiver 150 is included in the data packet as a destination, a Classify rule for deriving the GLID notified by the QoS setting notification packet can be created. Classify rules are set in the QoS control unit 64 in advance.

  When the PLC adapter 60 finally receives a data packet from the hard disk recorder 170 and the destination is the TV receiver 150, the GLID of the flow to which the packet belongs is derived according to the Classify rule.

  In the second embodiment, since the master station and the PLC adapter that transmits data are the same, the PLC adapter 50 on the content transmission side does not need to refer to the beacon packet, but in this embodiment, Unlike this, since the master station 50 and the PLC adapter 60 that transmits data are different, the PLC adapter 60 refers to the beacon packet transmitted by the master station 50 and transmits the data packet.

  The PLC adapter 60 derives the GLID of the data packet according to the previous Classify rule, and when receiving the beacon packet that matches the GLID, the PLC adapter 60 transmits the data packet in the period indicated by the transmission right grant start time and the transmission right grant end time. Send. Actually, the data packet is buffered in the QoS controller 64 of the PLC adapter 60 until the transmission right grant start time is reached.

<About QoS release processing>
The QoS release process in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of QoS release processing in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the trigger detection unit 79 of the PLC adapter 70 on the receiving side detects that the QoS setting is no longer necessary, the QoS type management unit 72 receives the detection result and cancels the QoS setting. A QoS cancellation request packet for requesting to be transmitted is transmitted to the PLC adapter 50 serving as a master station via the PLC communication unit 75a. This QoS cancellation request packet includes the address of the PLC adapter 70 that is the transmission source and the address of the PLC adapter 50 that is the transmission destination.

  That is, the trigger detection unit 79 detects the timing for performing the QoS release process on the received data by analyzing the reception history regarding the received data. The QoS type management unit (QoS setting control unit) 72 performs QoS release processing at the timing detected by the trigger detection unit 79.

  Note that when the QoS type input to the PLC adapter 70 indicates that the QoS control is to be turned off, the QoS release process may be performed. That is, when the QoS type acquired by the QoS type accepting unit 71 indicates that QoS control is not required, the QoS type management unit 72 sends the information to the PLC adapter 50 that is a communication device that performs QoS control of the network. On the other hand, a QoS release request for releasing the QoS control is transmitted.

  As a method for detecting that the QoS setting is no longer necessary, the trigger detection unit 79 may detect, for example, that the rate of receiving data packets in the PLC adapter 70 is equal to or less than a threshold value. Details will be described later.

  When receiving the QoS cancellation request packet via the PLC communication unit 55a, the QoS type management unit 52 of the PLC adapter 50 sets the data received by the PLC adapter 70 indicated by the address included in the QoS cancellation request packet. A command to cancel the QoS setting that has been made is output to the QoS control unit 54. Further, the QoS type management unit 52 sends a QoS cancellation notification packet for notifying that the QoS setting set for the data received by the PLC adapter 70 has been canceled, to the PLC adapter 70 and the data via the PLC communication unit 55a. Transmit to the PLC adapter 60 on the transmission side.

  The QoS type management unit 62 of the PLC adapter 60 on the transmission side knows whether or not the QoS setting request has been accepted from the QoS setting notification packet. As in the case of generating a state presentation unit control packet including control information for controlling the state presentation unit 66 corresponding to the Result Code included in the QoS setting notification packet, the QoS type management unit 62 performs QoS cancellation notification. A state presentation unit control packet including control information for controlling the state presentation unit 66 corresponding to the Result Code included in the packet is generated. Then, the QoS type management unit 62 includes the information indicating the timeout time in the status presentation unit control packet, and transmits the status presentation unit control packet to the PLC adapter 70 at an interval shorter than the timeout time.

  Further, when the receiving PLC adapter 70 receives the QoS cancellation notification packet, the QoS type management unit 72 of the PLC adapter 70 notifies the user via the status presentation unit 76 that the QoS has been canceled. Good.

  Note that the PLC adapter 70 may transmit a trigger detection notification packet to the PLC adapter 60, and the PLC adapter 60 may transmit a QoS release request packet to the PLC adapter 50. When the QoS control information conversion process is performed in the PLC adapter 70 on the content receiving side, the QoS type management unit (QoS control information requesting means) 62 receives the QoS control information acquired from the PLC adapter 70 by the PLC adapter 70. If it is indicated that the QoS control for the data to be performed is unnecessary, the QoS release processing for the data is performed. In addition, when the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving unit 71 indicates that the QoS control for the data received by the PLC adapter 70 is unnecessary, the QoS type managing unit (QoS control information notifying unit) 72. Notifies the PLC adapter 60 of the QoS control information including the information to that effect.

  Further, the QoS release process may be performed in the PLC adapter 50 which is the master station. That is, the PLC adapter 50 has a QoS control unit (control means) 54 that performs QoS control, and the QoS type management unit 52 stops the QoS control for data to be transmitted to the PLC adapter on the receiving side. When the QoS control unit 54 receives the notification, the QoS control unit 54 stops the QoS control for the data.

<About processing in the PLC adapter 80>
In the PLC adapter 80, the same processing as that of the PLC adapter 70 is executed.

  The difference from the PLC adapter 70 is that “SD video” is designated in the QoS type reception unit 81, and a QoS parameter is created so that QoS suitable for transmission of SD video is ensured in the QoS control information conversion processing. Since only the differences are described, a detailed description is omitted.

  The QoS type setting in the PLC adapter 70 and the PLC adapter 80 may be executed by the same user or may be executed by different users. When another user executes, it is assumed that there is an agreement between users regarding what kind of QoS setting is performed in each PLC adapter.

<Supplementary explanation common to each embodiment>
Supplementary explanation common to the embodiments will be described below.

<About QoS release timing>
In order to effectively use the transmission band of the network, it is desirable to release the band by performing a QoS release process after data transmission requiring QoS is completed. As a result of this release processing, the allocated bandwidth is unused while QoS data transmission is not performed, so that the bandwidth can be used for other flows, and the bandwidth utilization efficiency of the entire network is improved.

  For the determination of the timing for performing the QoS release process, a determination method opposite to that in the QoS setting process may be used. That is, it is conceivable to perform the QoS release process when the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 no longer receive data.

  For example, it is conceivable to perform the QoS release processing when a certain time has elapsed after the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 no longer receive data packets. However, depending on the bandwidth allocation schedule in the above-mentioned PLC network, the packet transmission interval may be changed even during the content data transmission so that the QoS release process is not mistakenly performed when determining the elapse of a certain time. It is necessary to consider the case of opening.

  Therefore, for example, it is desirable to determine using a relatively long time such as about 1 minute.

  As in the case of QoS setting, it is also possible to perform QoS release processing when a state in which a packet that is highly likely to be real-time data is not received, such as a UDP packet, continues for a certain period.

<When QoS type is changed during data transmission>
If the QoS type is changed while the QoS setting process is completed and QoS data transmission is being executed, the same process as that performed when the QoS setting was performed first may be repeated.

  In this case, when the QoS setting process is performed for the master station, in the case of the flow in which the QoS setting has already been performed, the band already acquired is not changed by the QoS setting process, but the band already acquired is changed. Therefore, the master station changes the originally reserved bandwidth according to the newly requested QoS parameter.

  At this time, if the request after the change requires a larger bandwidth than before the change, that is, if it is a request for expanding the bandwidth, the bandwidth has already been allocated for other flows. May not be enlarged.

  In such a case, the status presenting units 56, 66, 76, and 86 indicate to the user that the QoS request is not satisfied, so that the user can restore the QoS type.

  In such a case, if the original bandwidth is released, the bandwidth that was originally secured may be acquired for transmission of another flow. In this case, the user may change the QoS type. Even if it is restored, the acquired bandwidth will not be restored. In order to prevent such a situation, it is desirable not to release the originally reserved bandwidth even if a bandwidth change request is made.

  Also, assuming that the user has accidentally operated the switch, it is conceivable that the QoS setting process is performed after a certain time has elapsed after the switch is switched. If the user accidentally changes the switch, the user can immediately return the switch to its original state.

  When QoS setting processing is performed, depending on the implementation of the master station, the bandwidth may be temporarily released, or internal processing may be delayed and data transmission may be delayed. In such a case, video and audio are disturbed. Will occur. Therefore, it is desirable that the QoS setting process is not performed wastefully.

  Do not perform the QoS setting process if the QoS setting process is performed after a certain period of time has elapsed since the switch was switched, and if the switch is changed and then returned to the original setting. In this case, when the user mistakenly switches the switch and immediately restores it, the QoS setting process is not performed, and it is possible to avoid the data transmission from being delayed.

  That is, the QoS type accepting unit has a predetermined time since the last QoS type was accepted, and a QoS type different from the QoS type designated when the QoS type was last accepted is designated. Only in this case, the QoS type may be accepted.

  Also, until the switch setting is changed and the QoS setting is started, the state presenting units 56, 66, 76, and 86 may be set to a different state from that during normal QoS data transmission. Specifically, it is possible to change the emission color of the LED. As a result, if the switch is changed unintentionally by the user, the LED emits light in a color different from the normal color, so that it is easy to recognize that the switch setting has been changed. A user who recognizes that the switch setting has been changed unintentionally is likely to perform an operation of immediately returning the switch to the original state, and thus the above problem can be avoided.

  Similarly to the time when a series of processes are being performed for QoS setting, it may be displayed by the LED emission color, numbers, or progress bar how long the process will start.

  The above-described configuration for performing QoS setting processing after a certain time has elapsed after switch switching may be applied when the bandwidth is changed, or may be applied when the bandwidth is released. The present invention may be applied to one embodiment (that is, when priority control is performed). When this configuration is applied to the first embodiment, an effect that generation of unnecessary traffic can be suppressed is obtained.

  The fixed time after switching the switch is generally a time required for the user to notice an error and restore the switch, and is, for example, 2 to 5 seconds. The fixed time is not particularly limited and may be set as appropriate.

  It is also preferable to notify the user that the switch has been switched. For example, when the QoS type accepting unit 61 accepts the QoS type, the QoS type managing unit 62 may notify the user of the accepted QoS type or the accepted QoS type via the status presenting unit 66. . Alternatively, the QoS type management unit 62 transmits reception information indicating that the QoS type reception unit 61 has received the QoS type or the received QoS type to the STB 90 via the Ethernet communication unit 65b, and the STB 90 receives the reception information. Alternatively, the QoS type may be displayed on a display device connected to the own device.

  That is, the QoS type management unit 62 is communicably connected to its own device such as a status display unit 66, a display device (not shown) or a speaker (not shown) provided in the PLC adapter 60, and a TV monitor connected to the STB 90. The user is notified through the notification device (notification means) that the QoS type has been accepted.

  Such notification of the QoS type may be performed every time the QoS type receiving unit 61 receives the QoS type, or the QoS type (second QoS type) received by the QoS type receiving unit 61 was received last time. It may be performed only when different from the QoS type (first QoS type).

  As described above, when the QoS type accepting unit 61 accepts the QoS type, the QoS type managing unit 62 informs the user that the QoS type has been accepted via the notification device connected to be communicable with the own device. Inform.

<Example of changing Ethernet device connected to PLC adapter>
The Ethernet device connected to the PLC adapter that is a slave station may be a telephone, a recording device, an image playback device, or a device (for example, STB) that receives a paid service. In addition, the names of these Ethernet devices are displayed as switch options for selecting the QoS type, and when these QoS types are selected, the priority and QoS parameters suitable for the data received by the Ethernet device are set as QoS. It may be used in the setting process. By providing such a display, a QoS type preferable for the Ethernet device used by the user can be easily set.

<When there are multiple PLCs on the content transmission side>
In the second and third embodiments, the case where only one PLC adapter 50 exists on the content transmission side has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case where there are a plurality of PLC adapters on the content transmission side. is there. The PLC adapter 50 serving as a master station manages the bandwidth of the entire PLC network, and also manages the bandwidth of flows that are not transmitted from the PLC adapter 50. When the master station allocates a bandwidth to a PLC adapter other than its own station, the master station transmits a beacon packet to all the slave stations. Since the GLID is included in the beacon packet, it is possible to know the flow to which the current bandwidth is assigned. Therefore, even when a plurality of PLC adapters transmit content, there is no need to perform special processing.

<When the content receiving PLC adapter receives a plurality of flows>
In the second and third embodiments, it is assumed that only one device is connected to the Ethernet side of the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 on the content receiving side, and only one flow is transmitted. .

  However, when one device connected to the Ethernet side receives a plurality of flows simultaneously, or when a plurality of devices are connected to the Ethernet side and each device receives a different flow, the PLC adapter 60. A plurality of flows are received at 70 and 80.

  In the second and third embodiments, the flow is identified by the Classify rule created from the bridge information. When a plurality of devices are connected to the content receiving side PLC adapter via Ethernet, the Ethernet addresses of all the devices are included in the bridge information.

  Therefore, as a final Classify rule, packets addressed to the Ethernet addresses of all devices connected to the PLC adapter on the content receiving side are distributed to the same GLID. That is, one flow is assigned to all devices connected to the PLC adapter on the content receiving side. Therefore, only one QoS type reception unit is sufficient.

  Unlike the second and third embodiments, when the flow identification information is exchanged in the upper layer, it can be identified from the IP address and port number information. Even when flows are received, they can be distinguished. That is, it is possible to distinguish a flow for each device connected to the PLC adapter and execute QoS setting for each of the devices. If the trigger detection unit 69, 79, 89 makes a determination to start QoS setting for a flow that has not been set with QoS among the identified flows, the flow is received. QoS settings for all flows can be performed.

  In this case, it is conceivable that only one QoS type accepting unit 61, 71, 81 is provided for the PLC adapter, and the QoS parameter corresponding to the QoS type designated there is applied to all the flows.

  It is also conceivable to provide a plurality of QoS type accepting units 61, 71, 81 and perform QoS setting using different QoS parameters. In such a case, it is necessary to select a target to which the QoS type designated by the QoS type accepting units 61, 71, 81 is applied.

  For example, when three QoS type reception units 61, 71, 81 are provided in one PLC adapter and four flows are received, it is necessary to select any three flows. In such a case, it is possible to select the target flow in the order in which reception started, or to configure the PLC adapter so that the user can select which flow to apply, and only the selected flow. It is conceivable to target only a flow designated by a device connected to the Ethernet side of the PLC adapter, or only a flow having predetermined flow identification information.

  In addition, a plurality of Ethernet connection terminals are provided in the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 so that a user can distinguish between a QoS communication terminal and a normal communication terminal, and a device connected to the QoS communication terminal is connected. It is conceivable to perform QoS setting only for the flow.

  However, if multiple devices are connected to the QoS communication terminal via an Ethernet hub, it will be the same as when multiple devices are connected, so only one device is connected to the QoS communication terminal. It may be possible to inform the user of the connection by describing it in a manual or the like.

<About the case where there is a PLC adapter not implementing the present invention>
If a PLC adapter that does not implement the present invention exists in the network and the PLC adapter transmits and receives content data, a QoS setting request packet is not transmitted for the flow transmitted and received by such a PLC adapter, The QoS setting is not performed in the PLC adapter 50 which is the master station.

  Therefore, the data packet transmitted from the content-side PLC adapter to the PLC adapter that does not implement the present invention does not match the Classify rule, and therefore, the GLID is not assigned and is transmitted as normal data.

  Note that, as described above, the packet may include information indicating the transmission priority, such as a ToS (Type of Service) field in the IPv4 header and a user priority field in the VLAN tag in the Ethernet header. is there. In that case, priority control is performed in the PLC adapter on the content transmission side according to the information indicating the priority for the PLC adapter not implementing the present invention or the PLC adapter in which “OFF” is specified as the QoS type. You can do it.

  However, transmission of packets including these transmission priorities can be performed only in the remaining band other than the band secured by the QoS setting process. Therefore, the amount of packets that can be transmitted varies depending on the amount of bandwidth secured by the QoS setting process. The transmission priority here is a relative transmission priority in the remaining band other than the QoS guaranteed band.

<About another method of Parameterized QoS>
In the second and third embodiments, as a parameterized QoS method, a method in which a master station grants a transmission right (referred to as an HCCA method in IEEE802.11e, which is a wireless LAN standard) has been described. May be used.

  For example, IEEE802.11e defines a method called EDCA with admission control. In this system, each slave station transmits a QoS parameter to the master station when QoS data transmission is desired. The master station accepts the request if it determines that the requested QoS can be secured, and rejects the request if it determines that the requested QoS cannot be secured.

  When the request is accepted, the slave station that has requested QoS is notified of the time (Medium Time) during which transmission is permitted. Each slave station is equally granted the right to transmit, but each time a slave station sends a packet, it subtracts the time used to transmit the packet from the Medium Time, and the slave station can transmit when the Medium Time reaches zero. Disappear. As a result, a slave station given a lot of Medium Time can allocate more bandwidth.

  Even when this method is used, since the QoS setting request packet itself transmitted to the master station is the same, the present invention can be implemented as it is.

<Prioritized QoS>
In the second and third embodiments, the method for realizing QoS by Parameterized QoS has been described. However, QoS may be realized by using Prioritized QoS.

  Specifically, it is conceivable to change the transmission priority of a packet in accordance with the QoS type designated by the QoS type accepting units 61, 71, 81.

  For example, the QoS type and flow identification information set in the content-receiving PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 are notified to the content transmitting-side PLC adapter 50 using the QoS setting request packet. The QoS type information notified by the setting request packet is converted into the transmission priority of the packet. For conversion, a conversion table created in advance may be stored, and conversion may be performed based on the table at the time of conversion.

  When the content transmission side PLC adapter 50 receives the data packet from the router 120, the flow identification information obtained by analyzing the data packet and the flow identification information notified from the content reception side PLC adapter 60, 70, 80. And match. When the flow identification information matches, the data packet is transmitted according to the transmission priority notified from the PLC adapter 60, 70, 80 on the content receiving side.

  By such a method, it is possible to change the transmission priority of the packet according to the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving units 61, 71, 81.

<Other configuration examples of the QoS type reception unit>
In the second and third embodiments, the three-stage slide type changeover switch has been described as the QoS type receiving units 61, 71, 81. However, the QoS type receiving units 61, 71, 81 may have other configurations.

  The number of steps that can be switched may be any number, but if the number of selectable steps is increased too much, there is a problem that it becomes difficult for the user to understand.

  Note that the selection state of the switch is desirable if it can be visually confirmed by the user because the setting state is easier for the user to understand, but this is not essential. For example, only one push switch may be provided, and the QoS type information may be switched cyclically each time the switch is pressed. For example, every time the push switch is pressed, the QoS type information may be switched in the order of “HD video”, “SD video”, “OFF”, “HD video”.

  If the QoS of the reserved transmission band is not sufficient with respect to the bit rate of the content to be transmitted, the content receiving side PLC adapter results in video disturbance. Therefore, when disturbance occurs, the user may operate the switch, repeatedly try to change the priority setting, and end the switch operation when the content reproduction state is most improved.

  Further, a display device may be provided separately from the switch, and the state of the switch may be displayed on the display device. For example, it is conceivable to display the state of the switch on the liquid crystal screen. It is conceivable that this display device is shared with another device for displaying other states in the PLC adapter. For example, it is conceivable to switch the display of the QoS type on the display device each time the above push switch is pressed.

<Other examples of QoS types>
Categories other than those described above can be considered as the QoS type. For example, it may be a classification indicating the type of received data, such as “video”, “sound”, “other”.

  If the type of data such as video and audio is determined, the QoS parameters can be predicted to some extent. Therefore, parameters such as bandwidth allocation frequency, period, order, etc. may be held as a table or the like in the PLC adapter 60, 70, 80 on the content receiving side and specified by the QoS setting request packet. It is conceivable that the optimum value is calculated in advance by experiments or the like.

  Further, the classification of the QoS type may be a classification indicating the type of device connected to the Ethernet side of the PLC adapter 60/70/80, such as “TV”, “telephone”, “others”, and the like. In this category, the internal processing is the same as when “Video”, “Audio”, and “Other” are specified, but from the viewpoint of the setting user, the specification method of what to connect is easier to understand. .

  Further, the display screen size of a device (TV or the like) connected to the Ethernet side of the PLC adapter 60/70/80, such as “20 inch”, “37 inch”, “45 inch”, or the like may be used. A device with a larger display screen size is more likely to transmit a video with a larger bit rate, so it is conceivable to secure a larger bandwidth.

  In addition, devices connected to the Ethernet side of the PLC adapters 60, 70, 80, such as “1920 × 1080 (full-spec high-definition)”, “1366 × 768 (high-definition)”, “640 × 480 (non-high-definition)”, etc. (TV etc.) may be a category indicating the display resolution. A device with a higher display resolution is more likely to transmit a video with a larger bit rate, and thus it is conceivable to secure a larger band.

  Further, it may be a classification indicating the bit rate of content received via the PLC adapter 60/70/80, such as “6 Mbps”, “12 Mbps”, “24 Mbps”, or the like. Of the QoS parameters, the most important value is the bit rate, and other parameters often do not affect the transmission quality even if there is a mismatch with the characteristics of the actually transmitted data. Therefore, it is possible to secure a certain level of QoS even by a method in which values other than the bit rate are fixed values and only the bit rate is switched by a switch.

  Also, it may indicate whether the content received via the PLC adapter 60/70/80 is charged, such as “paid content” or “free content”.

  In the VoD service, there are paid contents and free contents as contents to be viewed. For example, the latest movies are charged, but news programs and programs including commercials are free.

  In such a case, when the user is to specify whether the content to be received from now is charged or free by the switch provided in the PLC adapter 60/70/80, and “paid content” is specified When QoS is secured and high quality transmission is performed and “free content” is designated, it is conceivable to perform normal transmission without securing QoS.

  When the usage fee varies depending on the bit rate of the content, not only whether the content is paid or free, but also according to the price of the content using the categories of “high price content”, “low price content”, and “free content” It may be possible to specify the QoS.

  In addition, the switch may be switched in two steps, and the user may be able to specify information on whether or not QoS is required in the PLC adapter by using “QoS required” and “QoS unnecessary” as the QoS type classification. .

  It is conceivable that QoS is secured when “QoS is required” is designated, and QoS is not secured when “QoS is not required” is designated.

  When setting “QoS Required” and “QoS Not Required”, the user determines whether or not the QoS is required when receiving data in the device connected to the PLC adapter according to the above conditions (the type of data to be received and the device to be connected). It is conceivable to set and judge comprehensively from the type).

  In addition, you may use combining the classification of said QoS classification. For example, a combination of “video” and “24 Mbps” or a combination of “audio” and “6 Mbps” can be considered.

  In this case, a plurality of switches may be provided so that a plurality of QoS types can be designated (two three-stage switches are provided), or a more complicated QoS type can be designated with one switch (a nine-stage switch is provided). One may be provided).

  Further, both a switch for designating whether QoS is necessary and a switch for designating a QoS type may be used in combination.

  For example, it is conceivable to combine a switch for switching between “QoS required” and “QoS unnecessary” and a switch for switching between “SD video” and “HD video”. In this case, the user basically operates only a switch for switching between “QoS required” and “QoS unnecessary”. It is conceivable to change the QoS type setting only when a finer setting is desired.

  For the light user who wants to use "SD video" and "HD video" settings simply because they do not need to be changed, it provides a simple operation to specify only the necessity of QoS, and more detailed settings. It is possible to provide a detailed operation method to a heavy user who wants to perform the operation.

  Also, if the QoS necessity switch is installed on the front of the PLC adapter and the QoS type switch is installed on the back, the light user will unintentionally change the QoS type setting and operate without problems. It can prevent the situation that the environment that had been destroyed is destroyed.

  Further, it may be a category indicating how much delay is allowed for the content received via the PLC adapters 60, 70, 80, such as “low allowable delay”, “during allowable delay”, and “high allowable delay”. . It is conceivable that the QoS setting is performed using the QoS parameter that allows the transmission right to be given more frequently as the allowable delay is smaller.

  Further, it may be a classification indicating how much error is allowed for the content received via the PLC adapter 60/70/80, such as “low allowable error”, “during allowable error”, and “high allowable error”. . For content with a low allowable error rate, it is conceivable to perform QoS setting by specifying a QoS parameter that reduces the error rate by giving many retransmission opportunities.

  Further, it may be a category indicating how much jitter is allowed for the content received via the PLC adapter 60, 70, 80, such as “low allowable jitter”, “medium allowable jitter”, “high allowable jitter”. . Jitter is a fluctuation in transmission delay. For content with a low allowable jitter, it is conceivable to perform QoS setting by specifying a QoS parameter such that the time intervals at which retransmission opportunities are given are as equal as possible.

<Another method of specifying the QoS type>
The above-described classification of the QoS type may be specified by a device connected to the Ethernet side of the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 in addition to being directly specified by the user.

  At present, devices connected to the Ethernet side are often not implemented assuming QoS data transmission. However, it is considered that these devices will become more sophisticated in the future, and the QoS type can be determined according to the type of data received by the local station. In this case, instead of the user specifying the QoS type by the switch, it is conceivable that these devices specify the QoS type by giving some instruction to the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80.

  For example, it is conceivable that a device connected to the PLC adapter 60/70/80 issues an instruction using Ethernet communication. Assuming such a case, the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 can both accept the designation of the QoS type by the switch and accept the designation of the QoS type by a device connected to the Ethernet side. May be implemented.

  Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which only one of the reception of the designation of the QoS type from the apparatus connected to the Ethernet side or the reception of the designation of the QoS type by the user is performed. In this case, the user may be allowed to select which setting is to be valid, or a reception method to be valid may be determined in advance.

  A configuration in which a device connected to the Ethernet side performs control that can invalidate a QoS type designated by a user may be employed.

<Configuration when multiple devices are connected to the PLC adapter via a hub>
A plurality of Ethernet devices (for example, STB, PC, etc.) may be connected to the PLC adapters 70 and 80 on the content receiving side via an Ethernet hub. The contents of processing in such a connection form will be described below. Below, as shown in FIG. 15, the case where the TV receiver 150 and PC110 are connected to the PLC adapter 70 via the hub 77 is demonstrated. The connection form may be applied to the second embodiment.

  The PLC adapter 60 on the content transmission side transmits a bridge information request packet to the PLC adapter 70 in order to obtain the Ethernet address of the TV receiver 150PC110 connected to the PLC adapter 70 on the content reception side by Ethernet.

  The bridge unit 78 of the PLC adapter 70 creates a bridge information notification packet including the addresses of all Ethernet devices connected to the local station (that is, the addresses of the TV receiver 150 and the PC 110), and passes through the PLC communication unit 65a. To the PLC adapter 60.

  The bridge unit 68 of the PLC adapter 60 associates the address of the PLC adapter 70 with the addresses of the TV receiver 150 and the PC 110 and stores them in a bridge table stored in a storage unit (not shown) that can be used by itself. .

  When receiving the data packet, the trigger detection unit 79 of the PLC adapter 70 determines the number of data packets or the frequency of receiving the data packets for each address of the Ethernet device connected to the local station as a trigger detection process. Is stored in an available storage unit (not shown).

  When the trigger detection unit 79 detects that the number or frequency is equal to or greater than the threshold, the trigger detection unit 79 instructs the QoS type management unit 72 to start the QoS setting process. The QoS type management unit 72 generates a connection request packet and transmits it to the PLC adapter 60 via the PLC communication unit 75a.

  The QoS type management unit 62 of the PLC adapter 60 creates a QoS setting request packet including the same QoS parameters as those included in the connection request packet, and transmits the QoS setting request packet to the PLC adapter 50.

  When the QoS setting request packet is received, the QoS control unit 54 of the PLC adapter 50 assigns a GLID to the flow, and performs bandwidth assignment scheduling for the GLID based on the QoS parameter. The QoS control unit 54 generates a QoS setting notification packet including information (Result Code) indicating whether or not the QoS request can be accepted and the GLID, and sends it to both the PLC adapter 60 (transmitting station) and the PLC adapter 70 (receiving station). Send. The QoS setting notification packet also includes the address of the PLC adapter 70.

  Upon receiving the QoS setting notification packet, the bridge unit 68 of the PLC adapter 60 searches the bridge table for the address of the PLC adapter 70 included in the QoS setting notification packet, and searches for all the Ethernet devices connected to the PLC adapter 70. Get the address. The bridge unit 68 outputs the acquired address to the QoS type management unit 62.

  The QoS type management unit 62 creates a Classify rule (correspondence table) by associating these addresses with the GLID included in the QoS setting notification packet, and outputs the created Classify rule to the QoS control unit 64.

  When the PLC adapter 60 receives a data packet from the hard disk recorder 170, when the QoS control unit 64 detects in the Classify rule that a plurality of Ethernet addresses are registered for the PLC adapter 70, all registered addresses are registered. Is determined whether it matches the destination address of the received data packet. When the addresses match, the QoS control unit 64 determines that the GLID registered in the Classify rule is the GLID of the data packet.

  The PLC adapter 50 transmits a beacon packet including the GLID, the transmission right grant start time, and the transmission right grant end time to the PLC adapters 60, 70, and 80 in accordance with the bandwidth allocation schedule.

  The QoS controller 64 of the PLC adapter 60 derives the GLID of the data packet based on the previous Classify rule, receives the beacon packet, and transmits the transmission right grant start time and the transmission right grant end time corresponding to the corresponding GLID. The data packet is transmitted to the PLC adapter 70 via the PLC communication unit 65a during the period indicated by.

<When trigger detection is performed by the PLC adapter on the transmission side>
The trigger detection may be performed by a PLC adapter on the transmission side. That is, the PLC adapter 50 may perform trigger detection in the second embodiment, and the PLC adapter 60 may perform trigger detection in the third embodiment.

  When the bridge unit of the PLC adapter on the transmission side receives a packet from the Ethernet side (router 120 or hard disk recorder 170), it refers to the bridge table to identify the address of the destination PLC adapter regardless of whether a trigger is detected. To do. At this time, the trigger detection unit can detect the trigger for each destination PLC adapter by storing the number of packets or the frequency of packet reception in the storage unit. The trigger detection method is the same as that performed by the receiving PLC adapter.

<About change examples of the status presentation unit>
The status presentation units 56, 66, 76, and 86 that present the QoS status may be shared with the presentation unit for presenting other information. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of LEDs and the like mounted as the state presentation unit. The other information is, for example, information on a power supply state, a link state or communication speed between communication terminals, and whether the PLC adapter is a master station or a slave station.

  In addition, the state presentation units 56, 66, 76, and 86 may present the user with the QoS setting state derived from the results of the QoS setting process and the QoS release process. For example, the QoS type management unit may control the state presentation unit so that the LED as the state presentation unit is turned on when QoS is set, and the LED is turned off when QoS is released. When the status of the QoS setting process is notified from the data communication partner station, the QoS type management unit presents the status based on the status of the QoS setting process in the partner station notified from the data communication partner station. Control part. In other words, the state presenting unit presents based on the state of the QoS setting process in the partner station notified from the partner station of data communication. On the other hand, the QoS type management unit of the PLC adapter that notifies the partner station of the data communication of the state of the QoS setting process sends the QoS setting state derived from the results of the QoS setting process and the QoS release process to the partner station of the data communication. Is notified via the PLC communication unit.

<Example of QoS type change>
A classification corresponding to the resolution of the TV 150 may be provided as the QoS type. For example, a QoS type corresponding to the number of scanning lines (1080, 750, 525) may be provided, a QoS type corresponding to an interlace method or a progressive method may be provided, or a combination thereof may be provided. . Note that as the number of scanning lines increases, the preferred QoS level increases, and the preferred QoS level is higher in the progressive method than in the interlace method.

<How to show the QoS setting completion time>
When the LED emission color is changed step by step and the user is informed of how much time has passed to complete the QoS setting, it may be changed step by step in the order of red, yellow, and green. You may shorten the blinking interval of LED gradually.

  Further, the time until the QoS setting is completed may be displayed on a television monitor connected to the STB. In this case, the remaining time may be displayed, or a progress bar or the like may be displayed.

  In order to realize such a configuration, the Ethernet communication unit 75b of the PLC adapter 70 outputs time information indicating the time until the QoS setting is completed to the STB 100, and the STB 100 superimposes the time information on the video. Then, it may be transmitted to the television connected to the own device.

<Configuration example of QoS type reception unit>
When the QoS type accepting unit is a push switch, a multicolor light emitting LED may be provided in the vicinity of the QoS type accepting unit, and the setting state of the QoS type may be indicated by the emission color. For example, “high priority” in the first embodiment may be indicated in green, “medium priority” in orange, and “low priority” in red. Further, in the second and third embodiments, “HD” video may be indicated in green, “SD video” may be indicated in orange, and “OFF” may be indicated in red. Further, the push switch itself may emit light.

  The input QoS type may be changed by changing the time for which the push switch is pressed. For example, the longer the time for which the push switch is pressed, the higher the priority or the more bandwidth may be secured. For example, if the pressing time is within 1 second, a low priority may be input, and if it is 5 seconds or more and less than 10 seconds, a medium priority may be input, and if it is 10 seconds or more, a high priority may be input.

  Moreover, you may use the push switch as a QoS classification reception part as a switch for inputting another operation command. For example, if the push switch is pressed for less than 1 second, a command for “pairing operation” is input, and if it is 1 second or longer, a command for specifying the QoS type is input. You may do it. The “pairing operation” is an initial setting for causing the PLC adapters to be recognized as one network.

  Further, the QoS type setting state may be displayed on the television monitor with the same configuration as the case where the time until the QoS setting is completed is displayed on the television monitor connected to the STB.

<About changes related to trigger detection processing>
The trigger detection unit may be configured to allow the user to change the condition for detecting the trigger. For example, the configuration may be such that the user can change the number of received packets, the reception frequency, the bit rate threshold, the packet analysis frequency, or the protocol for detecting the trigger. In order to change the above conditions, a computer can be connected to the PLC adapter and settings can be changed directly using dedicated utility software, or the HTTP server function is built into the PLC adapter and the setting screen provided by the HTTP server The setting of the PLC adapter can be changed with (description in HTML etc.), and the condition can be changed by accessing the above setting screen with a Web browser from the PLC adapter connected to the PLC adapter. In addition, an input unit for changing the above condition may be provided.

<About the QoS switch>
A device connected to the Ethernet side (an Ethernet device connected to the PLC adapter, that is, an STB or a PC in the second embodiment, a TV in the third embodiment, etc.) is provided with a QoS switch. It is good also as a structure which transmits a setting state to a PLC adapter and performs subsequent QoS setting process.

<Specifying QoS type at the time of transmission in each embodiment>
In the first to third embodiments, the method of specifying the QoS type when the communication device (PLC adapter) receives data has been described. However, when the communication device (PLC adapter) transmits data, The QoS type may be designated.

  When one communication device (PLC adapter) performs both transmission and reception, a QoS type reception unit for transmission and a QoS type reception unit for reception may be provided, and transmission and reception are performed by one QoS type reception unit. Both QoS types may be accepted.

  In addition, when the QoS type is specified on both the transmission side and the reception side, the QoS setting may be performed assuming that the QoS type obtained by averaging the QoS types is specified. Alternatively, it is also possible to refer to only one QoS type on the receiving side and ignore the setting of the other QoS type.

  If such a policy is not known to the user, it is considered that the operation will be hindered, so it may be possible to write the policy in a manual.

  In the second and third embodiments, the QoS type accepting units 51, 61, 71, and 81 may not be provided, and the QoS setting may be performed using a predetermined QoS type and QoS parameters. In this case, the PLC adapters 50, 60, 70, and 80 automatically perform QoS setting without inputting information, so that the QoS setting instructions of the STB 90/100, PC 110, TV receiver 150/160, etc. With respect to the flow received by the Ethernet terminal that cannot be transmitted, it is possible to perform data transmission in which QoS is ensured.

  In addition, in the QoS switch as the QoS type accepting unit, it is possible to select a setting for guaranteeing the transmission band (Parameterized QoS), a setting for performing priority control (Prioritized QoS), and a setting for not performing the QoS setting. Good. That is, the QoS type accepting unit, as the QoS type, the priority of data reception of the own device and the bit rate (transmission band) of data transmitted to the own station with respect to the PLC adapter other than the PLC adapter under the same QoS control. May be selectively received. With respect to processing when such a configuration is realized, an example in which the receiving PLC adapter transmits a QoS setting request packet and a QoS cancellation request packet (corresponding to the second embodiment) will be described below. Since the same is true when the sending PLC adapter transmits the QoS setting request packet and the QoS cancellation request packet (corresponding to the third embodiment), the description thereof is omitted.

<Change from bandwidth guarantee to priority control>
When the QoS switch is changed from the bandwidth guarantee to the priority control, the QoS type management unit of the PLC adapter on the receiving side transmits a QoS setting request packet requesting the change to the priority control to the PLC adapter on the transmitting side. However, since there is a possibility that the change to the priority control may fail, immediately, the QoS cancellation request packet requesting to release the transmission band that has been secured is not transmitted to the PLC adapter that is the master station. By receiving the QoS setting notification packet as a response to the QoS setting request packet, it can be determined whether or not the change to the priority control has succeeded.

  When the change to the priority control is successful, the QoS type management unit of the PLC adapter on the receiving side transmits the QoS cancellation request packet to the PLC adapter that is the master station. As a result, the reserved bandwidth is released.

  In addition, the QoS type management unit of the PLC adapter on the receiving side notifies the user that the QoS setting has been successful via the state presentation unit.

  On the other hand, when the change to the priority control fails, the QoS type management unit of the receiving PLC adapter does not transmit the QoS cancellation request packet to the master station PLC adapter (that is, without releasing the data transmission band). ) And continue receiving bandwidth-guaranteed data. In this case, the QoS type management unit of the PLC adapter on the receiving side notifies the user that the QoS setting has failed via the state presentation unit. Further, although the QoS type is set to the priority control, the user may be notified that the data is in a state where the bandwidth is guaranteed.

<Change from priority control to bandwidth guarantee>
When the QoS switch is changed from the priority control to the bandwidth guarantee, the QoS type management unit of the PLC adapter on the receiving side transmits a QoS setting request packet for requesting the change to the bandwidth guarantee to the PLC adapter which is the master station. By receiving the QoS setting notification packet as a response to the QoS setting request packet, it can be determined whether or not the change to the bandwidth guarantee has succeeded.

  When the change to the bandwidth guarantee is successful, the QoS type management unit of the receiving PLC adapter transmits the QoS cancellation request packet to the transmitting PLC adapter. As a result, the priority given to the data packet returns to the default value.

  In addition, the QoS type management unit of the PLC adapter on the receiving side notifies the user that the QoS setting has been successful via the state presentation unit.

  On the other hand, when the change to the priority control fails, the QoS type management unit of the receiving PLC adapter does not transmit the QoS cancellation request packet to the transmitting PLC adapter (that is, does not turn off the priority setting). And) continue to receive priority controlled data. In this case, the QoS type management unit of the PLC adapter on the receiving side notifies the user that the QoS setting has failed via the state presentation unit. Further, although the QoS type is set to the bandwidth guarantee, the user may be notified that the data is in the state of priority control transmission.

<About another expression of the present invention>
The present invention can also be expressed as follows.

  That is, the communication device of the present invention is a communication device as a reception-side communication device that receives data from a transmission-side communication device that transmits data, and the transmission-side communication when receiving data from the transmission-side communication device Includes QoS type reception unit that receives QoS type information indicating the priority of data reception for other receiving side communication devices that receive data from the device, QoS type information received by the QoS type reception unit, and the address of the own device A PLC communication unit that transmits the QoS setting request packet to the transmission side communication device.

  The communication apparatus of the present invention is a communication apparatus as a transmission side communication apparatus that transmits data to the reception side communication apparatus, and is a QoS setting request transmitted from the reception side communication apparatus, and is transmitted by the reception side communication apparatus. When receiving data from the side communication device, a QoS setting request including QoS type information indicating the priority of data reception with respect to another receiving side communication device and the address of the receiving side communication device that transmits the QoS setting request is received. The PLC communication unit to be received and the transmission priority corresponding to the priority indicated by the QoS type information included in the QoS setting request received by the PLC communication unit are transmitted to the receiving side communication device indicated by the address included in the QoS setting request. The QoS control unit to be assigned to the data to be transmitted and the data to which the transmission priority is assigned by the QoS control unit are included in the QoS setting request according to the transmission priority. And a PLC communication unit that transmits to the reception side communication apparatus indicated by the address.

  The communication device of the present invention includes a QoS type reception unit that receives QoS type information indicating the size of a transmission band when receiving data transmitted by the transmission side communication device, and QoS type information received by the QoS type reception unit. Includes a QoS type management unit that generates a QoS notification packet including information indicating the size of the transmission band indicated by, and a PLC communication unit that transmits the QoS notification packet generated by the QoS type management unit to the transmission side communication device. .

  Further, the communication device of the present invention includes at least one transmission side communication device that transmits data, at least one reception side communication device that receives data from the transmission side communication device, and a transmission side communication device according to a QoS setting request. A communication apparatus as a transmission side communication apparatus in a communication network including a control unit (master station) including a control unit that performs QoS control of data transmitted to the reception side communication apparatus, and a single reception side communication apparatus The PLC communication unit that receives the trigger detection notification for notifying the start of QoS control for the data received by the receiver, and the data received by the receiving communication device when the PLC communication unit receives the trigger detection notification And a QoS type management unit that transmits a QoS setting request for requesting the start of QoS control to the control device.

  In addition, the communication device of the present invention is a transmission-side communication device in a communication network including at least one transmission-side communication device that transmits data and at least one reception-side communication device that receives data from the transmission-side communication device. The communication device includes a QoS control unit that performs QoS control, and a PLC communication unit that receives a trigger detection notification that notifies the start of QoS control for data received by the reception-side communication device. When receiving the trigger detection notification, the QoS control unit starts QoS control (priority control).

  Moreover, the PLC adapter on the receiving side may have a function as a master station. In this case, the communication apparatus of the present invention is a communication on the receiving side in a communication network including at least one transmitting side communication apparatus that transmits data and at least one receiving side communication apparatus that receives data from the transmitting side communication apparatus. It is a communication device (master station) as a device, and includes a QoS control unit that performs QoS control. The QoS control unit receives data from the transmission side communication device (a condition for trigger detection is satisfied). In the case), QoS control is started.

  The communication device of the present invention is a PLC adapter (communication device) that relays data transmission between Ethernet (first network) and a PLC network (second network). The device on the receiving side connected to the PLC adapter sets the QoS in the PLC network for the flow received from the device on the transmitting side connected to the PLC adapter (via the PLC network) by the PLC network. A QoS type management unit (QoS setting control unit) is provided.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention, the trigger detection for detecting the timing for starting the QoS setting process and the QoS releasing process for generating the QoS releasing request by analyzing the transmission history or the receiving history of one or more packets. The QoS setting control means performs the QoS setting process at the timing at which the detected QoS setting process is started, and performs the QoS release process at the timing at which the detected QoS release process is started. Features.

  In this configuration, the trigger detection unit determines the start of the QoS setting process for performing the QoS control based on the packet transmission / reception history that the data transmission packet communication is started. Further, the trigger detection means determines the start of processing for releasing the transmission band reserved for QoS transmission based on the packet transmission / reception history that data transmission packet communication is no longer performed.

  The generated QoS release request is transmitted to the packet transmission source in the case of prioritized QoS, and is transmitted to the master station in the case of parameterized QoS.

  According to the above configuration, since the QoS setting is performed after the communication that should actually secure the QoS transmission band is started, the network of the network is uselessly before the communication that should still secure the QoS band is started. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent waste of securing the bandwidth. In addition, there is also an effect that it is possible to prevent waste that the QoS transmission band remains secured even though the actual QoS transmission is completed.

  Further, in the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the QoS setting control means starts the QoS setting process in accordance with the timing for starting the QoS setting process notified from the counterpart station of the packet communication, The QoS release process is started in accordance with the timing of starting the QoS release process for generating the QoS release request notified from the communication partner station.

  In this configuration, when the QoS setting control unit receives a packet indicating the timing for starting the QoS setting process from the partner station for packet communication, the QoS setting control unit starts the QoS setting process and starts the QoS release process from the partner station for packet communication. Is received, a QoS release process is started.

  According to the above configuration, the QoS setting is performed at the timing notified from the partner station of the packet communication. Therefore, before the timing for starting the QoS setting processing is notified, the network bandwidth is secured unnecessarily. This has the effect of preventing waste. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent waste that the QoS transmission band remains secured even after the timing for starting the QoS release process is notified.

  In addition to the above configuration, the communication device according to the present invention generates a QoS setting request and a QoS release request by generating a QoS setting request by analyzing a transmission history or a reception history of one or more packets. Trigger detection means for detecting the timing for starting the QoS release processing to be performed, and trigger detection notification means for notifying the other end of the packet communication of the detected timing.

  In this configuration, the trigger detection means determines the start of the QoS setting process for performing QoS control based on the packet transmission / reception history that the packet communication of the data transmission has been started, and starts the QoS setting process. Notify the communication partner station. The trigger detection means determines the start of processing for releasing the transmission band reserved for QoS transmission based on the packet transmission / reception history indicating that data transmission packet communication is no longer performed, and performs QoS release processing. Is notified to the other station of the packet communication.

  According to the above configuration, since the QoS setting is performed after the communication that should actually secure the QoS transmission band is started, the network of the network is uselessly before the communication that should still secure the QoS band is started. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent waste of securing the bandwidth. In addition, there is also an effect that it is possible to prevent waste that the QoS transmission band remains secured even though the actual QoS transmission is completed.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the QoS setting control means may be configured such that a predetermined time has elapsed since the QoS setting process was last successful, and the QoS setting process is not performed. Only when QoS control information different from the QoS control information used at the last success is specified, the QoS setting process is newly executed.

  In this configuration, for example, if the user designates an unintended QoS type by an incorrect operation and cancels the operation immediately, the state of the last successful QoS setting process is not changed.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the QoS setting from being changed due to a user's erroneous operation or the like, so that it is possible to prevent the playback video and playback audio from being disturbed due to an unintended change in the QoS setting.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the communication device according to the present invention further includes a storage unit that stores the first QoS type and the notification time immediately notified to the communication device that is transmitting a packet to the local station. The QoS type notification means includes a first time that has passed a predetermined time from the notification time, and a second QoS type newly received by the QoS type reception means. Only when they are different, the second QoS type is notified to the communication apparatus.

  In this configuration, for example, when the user designates an unintended QoS type due to an erroneous operation and cancels the operation immediately, the second QoS type is used for the communication device that is transmitting a packet to the local station. Not notified.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the QoS setting from being changed due to a user's erroneous operation or the like, so that it is possible to prevent the playback video and playback audio from being disturbed due to an unintended change in the QoS setting.

  Further, in the communication apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, storage means for storing the first QoS control information notified immediately before to the communication apparatus transmitting the packet to the own station and the notification time thereof The QoS control information notifying means includes a first QoS control information and a second QoS newly accepted by the QoS type accepting means and a predetermined time has elapsed from the notice time. The second QoS control information is notified to the communication device only when the second QoS control information converted from the type by the QoS control information converting means is different.

  In this configuration, for example, when the user designates an unintended QoS type due to an erroneous operation and immediately cancels the operation, the second QoS control information is sent to the communication device that is transmitting the packet to the local station. Not notified.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the QoS setting from being changed due to a user's erroneous operation or the like, so that it is possible to prevent the playback video and playback audio from being disturbed due to an unintended change in the QoS setting.

  In addition to the above configuration, the communication apparatus according to the present invention is further characterized by further comprising a state presentation unit that presents the state of the QoS setting process to the user.

  In this configuration, the status presenting means presents the status to the user, such as whether the QoS setting designated by the user has been started, being processed, succeeded, or failed.

  According to the above configuration, since the state of the QoS setting process is presented to the user, there is an effect that the user can correctly grasp the state of the QoS setting process for the operation for specifying the QoS type performed by the user. .

  In addition to the above-described configuration, the communication apparatus according to the present invention further includes a state presentation unit that presents the state of the QoS setting process to the user, and the QoS type reception unit is notified from a partner station of data communication communication. Further, the state of the QoS setting process in the partner station is passed to the state presenting means.

  In this configuration, the data communication partner station is notified of whether the QoS setting has been started at the data communication partner station, whether it is being processed, whether it has succeeded, or has failed. The status presentation means presents the notified status of the QoS setting process to the user.

  According to the above configuration, since the state of the QoS setting process being performed at the data communication partner station is presented to the user, there is an effect that the user can correctly grasp the state of the QoS setting process. .

  In addition to the above configuration, the communication apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the QoS setting control means notifies the status of the QoS setting process to a partner station for data communication.

  In this configuration, the status is notified to the partner station of data communication, such as whether the QoS setting has been started, is being processed, has succeeded, or has failed.

  According to the above configuration, since the status of the QoS setting process is notified to the partner station of the data communication, there is an effect that the partner station of the data communication can correctly grasp the status of the QoS setting process.

<Other supplementary matters>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  Finally, each block of the communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40 and the PLC adapters 50, 60, 70, 80, especially the QoS type management units 12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82 and the QoS control unit 14, 24, 34, 44, 54, 64, 74, and 84 may be configured by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, the communication devices 10, 20, 30, and 40 and the PLC adapters 50, 60, 70, and 80 include a CPU (central processing unit) that executes a command of a control program that realizes each function, and a ROM (read that stores the program) only memory), a RAM (random access memory) for expanding the program, and a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is to provide program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program) of control programs for the communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40 and the PLC adapters 50, 60, 70, 80, which are software for realizing the functions described above. , A source program) recorded on a computer-readable recording medium is supplied to the communication device 10, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) reads and executes the program code recorded on the recording medium. Achievable.

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, the communication devices 10, 20, 30, 40 and the PLC adapters 50, 60, 70, 80 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The communication apparatus according to the present invention can easily set transmission quality in a network by a user and can effectively make QoS control function. Therefore, the communication apparatus can be applied to all network devices that require QoS setting by a user.

It is a functional block diagram of the communication apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a network block diagram in 1st Embodiment. It is an external view of the QoS classification reception part in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows communication between each communication apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the QoS releasing process in 1st Embodiment. It is a network block diagram in 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the PLC adapter in 2nd Embodiment. It is an external view of the QoS type reception part in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows communication between each apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the QoS releasing process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the bandwidth allocation schedule of QoS in 2nd Embodiment. It is a network block diagram in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows communication between each apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the QoS releasing process in 3rd Embodiment. It is a network block diagram which shows the structure by which the some apparatus was connected to the PLC adapter via the hub.

Explanation of symbols

10, 20, 30, 40 Communication device 11, 21, 31, 41 QoS type accepting unit (QoS type accepting means)
12, 22, 32, 42 QoS type management unit (QoS control information conversion means, QoS setting control means, QoS type request means, QoS type notification means, QoS control information request means, QoS control information notification means, QoS type management means)
14, 24, 34, 44 QoS control unit (QoS setting control means, QoS control means)
15, 25, 35, 45 Communication unit (reception means, data transmission means, communication means)
50, 60, 70, 80 PLC adapter 51, 61, 71, 81 QoS type reception unit (QoS type reception unit)
52, 62, 72, 82 QoS type management unit (QoS control information conversion means, QoS setting control means, QoS type request means, QoS type notification means, QoS control information request means, QoS control information notification means, QoS type management means)
54, 64, 74, 84 QoS control unit (QoS setting control means, QoS control means)
55a, 65a, 75a, 85a PLC communication unit (reception means, data transmission means, communication means)
56, 66, 76, 86 Status presentation unit (status presentation means)
58, 68, 78, 88 Bridge unit (QoS setting control means, bridge information acquisition means, flow identification information acquisition means)
59, 69, 79, 89 Trigger detection unit (trigger detection means, trigger detection notification means, QoS setting control means, flow identification information acquisition means)
150, 160 TV (notification means)

Claims (60)

In a communication device that receives data,
QoS type accepting means for accepting a QoS type indicating the type of QoS control of the data;
QoS control information converting means for converting the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving means to QoS control information of the data;
Based on the converted QoS control information,
A communication apparatus comprising: QoS setting control means for performing a QoS setting process for the data. In a communication device that transmits data,
A QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data,
QoS type requesting means for obtaining from the communication device that receives the data;
QoS control information converting means for converting the QoS type acquired by the QoS type requesting means into QoS control information of the data;
Based on the converted QoS control information,
A communication apparatus comprising: QoS setting control means for performing a QoS setting process for the data. In a communication device that receives data,
QoS type accepting means for accepting a QoS type indicating the type of QoS control of the data;
The QoS type received by the QoS type receiving means is
A communication apparatus comprising: a QoS type notification means for notifying a communication apparatus that transmits the data. In a communication device that transmits data,
The QoS control information of the data is
QoS control information requesting means for acquiring from the communication device that receives the data;
Based on the QoS control information acquired by the QoS control information request means,
A communication apparatus comprising: QoS setting control means for performing a QoS setting process for the data. In a communication device that receives data,
QoS type accepting means for accepting a QoS type indicating the type of QoS control of the data;
QoS control information converting means for converting the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving means to QoS control information of the data;
The QoS control information converted by the QoS control information conversion means is
A communication apparatus comprising: QoS control information notification means for notifying a communication apparatus that transmits the data.   2. The QoS setting control unit according to claim 1, wherein the QoS setting control means performs a process of transmitting a QoS setting request including the QoS control information to a communication apparatus that transmits the data as the QoS setting process. Communication equipment. A control means for performing QoS control;
The QoS setting control means performs a process of outputting the QoS control information to the control means as the QoS setting process,
The communication apparatus according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the control unit performs QoS control on the data based on the QoS control information.   The QoS setting control means, as the QoS setting process, performs a process of transmitting a QoS setting request including the QoS control information to a communication apparatus that performs QoS control of a network. The communication device according to any one of 2 and 4. A control means for performing QoS control by transmitting a QoS control content notification for notifying the content of QoS control to another communication device;
The QoS setting control means performs a process of outputting the QoS control information to the control means as the QoS setting process,
5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs QoS control on the data based on QoS control information output from the QoS setting control unit. In a communication device that receives data,
QoS type accepting means for accepting a QoS type indicating the type of QoS control of the data;
The QoS type received by the QoS type receiving means is:
If it indicates that QoS control is not required,
A communication apparatus comprising: QoS setting control means for performing QoS release processing on the data. In a communication device that transmits data,
A QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data,
QoS type requesting means for acquiring from the communication device that receives the data;
The QoS type acquired by the QoS type request means is:
If it indicates that QoS control is not required,
A communication apparatus comprising: QoS setting control means for performing QoS release processing on the data. In a communication device that transmits data,
The QoS control information of the data is
QoS control information requesting means for acquiring from the communication device that receives the data;
The QoS control information acquired by the QoS control information request means is
If it indicates that QoS control is not required for the data,
A communication apparatus comprising: QoS setting control means for performing QoS release processing on the data. In a communication device that receives data,
QoS type accepting means for accepting a QoS type indicating the type of QoS control of the data;
When the QoS type received by the QoS type receiving means indicates that QoS control is not required for the data, a communication device that transmits the data with QoS control information including information to that effect A communication apparatus comprising: QoS control information notifying means for notifying a user.   11. The QoS setting control means, as the QoS release process, performs a process of transmitting a QoS release request for requesting to release QoS control to a communication apparatus that transmits the data. The communication apparatus as described in. A control means for performing QoS control;
The QoS setting control means performs a process of notifying the control means to stop QoS control for the data as the QoS release process,
13. The communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the control unit stops QoS control for the data upon receiving a notification from the QoS setting control unit.   The QoS setting control means, as the QoS release process, performs a process of transmitting a QoS release request for requesting to release the QoS control to a communication apparatus that performs QoS control of the network. The communication device according to any one of 10, 11, and 12. A control means for performing QoS control;
The QoS setting control means performs a process of notifying the control means to stop QoS control for the data as the QoS release process,
13. The communication apparatus according to claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the control unit stops QoS control for the data upon receiving a notification from the QoS setting control unit. By analyzing the transmission history or reception history regarding the data,
Trigger detection means for detecting timing for performing the QoS setting process;
The QoS setting control means includes:
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the QoS setting process is performed at a timing detected by the trigger detection unit. By analyzing the transmission history or reception history regarding the data,
Trigger detection means for detecting timing for performing QoS release processing on the data;
The QoS setting control means includes:
The communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the QoS release process is performed at a timing detected by the trigger detection unit. The QoS setting control means includes:
According to the timing of performing the QoS setting process notified from the data communication partner station,
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the QoS setting process is performed. The QoS setting control means includes:
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the QoS release process is performed in accordance with a timing of performing the QoS release process notified from a partner station of data communication. By analyzing the transmission history or reception history regarding the data,
Trigger detection means for detecting timing for performing QoS setting processing on the data;
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising trigger detection notification means for notifying the other station of data communication of the timing detected by the trigger detection means. By analyzing the transmission history or reception history regarding the data,
Trigger detection means for detecting timing for performing QoS release processing on the data;
14. The communication according to claim 3, further comprising: a trigger detection notifying unit that notifies the timing detected by the trigger detecting unit to a partner station of data communication. apparatus. The trigger detection means detects flow identification information for identifying which flow the received data is included in from the received data,
The trigger detection notification means includes
The communication apparatus according to claim 22 or 23, wherein when the detected timing is notified to a partner station of data communication, notification is made including the flow identification information detected by the trigger detection means. The QoS type accepting means is:
A predetermined time has passed since the last QoS type was accepted, and
25. The QoS type is received only when a QoS type different from the QoS type specified when the QoS type was received last is specified. The communication device according to any one of the above.   The state presenting means for presenting a QoS setting state derived from the results of the QoS setting process and the QoS release process to the user is further provided. The communication apparatus as described in any one. A state presenting means for presenting a QoS setting state derived from the results of the QoS setting process and the QoS release process to the user;
The status presentation means performs the presentation based on the status of QoS setting processing and QoS release processing in the partner station notified from the partner station of data communication. 26. The communication device according to any one of 23, 25, and 25. The QoS setting control means includes:
25. The QoS setting state derived from the result of the QoS setting process and the QoS releasing process is notified to the partner station of data communication, 25, 24, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 24 The communication device according to any one of the above. The QoS type accepting means is:
28. The QoS type to be read in the QoS control information is presented, and the designation of the QoS type by the user is accepted as an input. 28. Communication equipment. The QoS type accepting means is:
30. The specification of a QoS type from a device that receives data and is connected to the local station is accepted as an input, 30. The method according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5 to 10, 13 to 27, or 29. Communication equipment. The QoS type accepting means is:
The information indicating whether or not to perform QoS control in receiving data of the local station is presented to the user as the QoS type. The communication apparatus as described in any one. The QoS type accepting means is:
30. The priority of data reception of the local station with respect to a station other than the local station under the same QoS control is presented to the user as the QoS type. Or the communication apparatus as described in any one of 30. The QoS type accepting means is:
As the QoS type, the flow received or relayed by the local station is:
Information indicating whether the flow includes both a moving image and audio, a flow including only audio, or another flow is presented to the user. The communication device according to any one of 27, 29, and 30. The QoS type accepting means is:
As the QoS type, a device connected to the own station is:
2. The information as to which of a playback apparatus for a flow including both moving images and audio, a playback apparatus for a flow including only audio, or a playback apparatus for other flows is presented to the user. The communication device according to any one of 3, 5, 10 to 13, 13 to 27, 29, and 30. The QoS type accepting means is:
The bit rate of a flow received or relayed by the own station is presented to the user as the QoS type, according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5 to 10, 13 to 27, 29, or 30. Communication equipment. The QoS type accepting means is:
As the QoS type, the flow received or relayed by the local station
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5 to 10, 13 to 27, 29, or 30, wherein a type classified according to a degree to which transmission delay is allowed is presented to a user. The QoS type accepting means is:
As the QoS type, the flow received or relayed by the local station
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5 to 10, 13 to 27, 29, or 30, wherein a type classified according to an allowable error rate is presented to a user. The QoS type accepting means is:
As the QoS type, the flow received or relayed by the local station
The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5 to 10, 13 to 27, 29, or 30, wherein a type classified according to a degree to which jitter is allowed is presented to a user. The QoS type accepting means is:
For the device connected to the local station as the QoS type,
The type classified according to the degree to which the transmission delay of the flow received by the device is allowed is presented to the user. 31. The method according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5 to 10, 13 to 27, 29, or 30. The communication device according to item. The QoS type accepting means is:
For the device connected to the local station as the QoS type,
31. The type classified according to the degree to which the error rate of the flow received by the device is allowed is presented to the user. 31. The method according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, or 30. The communication device according to claim 1. The QoS type accepting means is:
For the device connected to the local station as the QoS type,
The type classified according to the degree to which the jitter of the flow received by the device is allowed is presented to the user. 31. The method according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, and 30 The communication device according to one item. In a communication device that transmits data to a receiving communication device,
QoS setting control means for performing QoS setting processing for the data;
Bridge information acquisition means for acquiring, from the reception side communication device, bridge information including an address of a device to which the data is relayed by the reception side communication device;
Flow identification information acquisition means for acquiring flow identification information for identifying which flow the received data is included in from the data;
The QoS setting control means includes:
Bridge information acquired by the bridge information acquisition means;
Based on the result of collating with the flow identification information acquired by the flow identification information acquisition means,
A communication apparatus for determining whether or not to perform QoS setting processing. A communication device that relays data transmission between a first network and a second network,
Regarding a flow received by a device connected to the communication device via the first network from a device connected to the communication device via the second network,
A communication apparatus comprising a QoS setting control unit configured to set QoS in a second network. An apparatus for receiving data connected to the communication apparatus according to claim 17,
An apparatus for outputting the QoS type to the communication apparatus. In a control method of a communication device that receives data,
A QoS type accepting step in which the QoS type accepting means included in the communication device accepts a QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data;
A QoS control information conversion step of converting the QoS type received in the QoS type reception step into the QoS control information of the data;
A communication apparatus control method, characterized in that the QoS setting control means included in the communication apparatus includes a QoS setting control step of performing a QoS setting process for the data based on the converted QoS control information. In a control method of a communication device that transmits data,
A QoS type requesting means provided in the communication device for obtaining a QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data from a communication device that receives the data;
A QoS control information conversion step of converting the QoS type acquired in the QoS type request step into the QoS control information of the data;
A communication apparatus control method, characterized in that the QoS setting control means included in the communication apparatus includes a QoS setting control step of performing a QoS setting process for the data based on the converted QoS control information. In a control method of a communication device that receives data,
A QoS type accepting step in which the QoS type accepting means included in the communication device accepts a QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data;
A communication device control method, comprising: a QoS type notification step of notifying a QoS type received in the QoS type reception step to a communication device that transmits the data. In a control method of a communication device that transmits data,
QoS control information requesting means provided in the communication device obtains QoS control information of the data from a communication device that receives the data;
The QoS setting control means included in the communication apparatus includes a QoS setting control step for performing a QoS setting process for the data based on the QoS control information acquired by the QoS control information requesting means. Control method. In a control method of a communication device that receives data,
A QoS type accepting step in which the QoS type accepting means included in the communication device accepts a QoS type indicating a type of QoS control of the data;
A QoS control information conversion step of converting the QoS type received in the QoS type reception step into the QoS control information of the data;
A communication device control method comprising: a QoS type notification step of notifying the QoS control information converted by the QoS control information conversion means to a communication device that transmits the data.   The QoS type accepting means includes, as the QoS type, information indicating a priority of data reception of the local station with respect to a station other than the local station under the same QoS control and a bit rate of data received or relayed by the local station. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3, 5 to 10, 13 to 27, 29, or 30, which is selectively received.   While the local station is excluded from the QoS control target, the data is transmitted using at least a part of the remaining data transmission band other than the data transmission band assigned to the other communication device subject to the QoS control. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication apparatus transmits.   The QoS control information conversion means notifies the user that the QoS type has been accepted via the notifying means connected to be communicable with the own apparatus when the QoS type acceptance means accepts the QoS type. The communication apparatus according to claim 30. A communication device as a reception side communication device that receives data from a transmission side communication device that transmits data,
QoS type reception means for receiving QoS type information indicating the priority of data reception with respect to other reception side communication devices when receiving data from the transmission side communication device;
A communication apparatus comprising: a communication unit configured to transmit a QoS setting request including the QoS type information received by the QoS type reception unit and the address of the own device to the transmission side communication device. A communication device as a transmission-side communication device that transmits data to a reception-side communication device,
A QoS setting request transmitted from the receiving communication device, and indicating the priority of data reception with respect to other receiving communication devices when the receiving communication device receives data from the transmitting communication device Receiving means for receiving a QoS setting request including type information and an address of a receiving-side communication device that transmits the QoS setting request;
QoS control for giving transmission priority corresponding to the priority indicated by the QoS type information included in the QoS setting request received by the receiving means to data to be transmitted to the receiving communication device indicated by the address included in the QoS setting request. Means,
Data transmission means for transmitting the data given the transmission priority by the QoS control means to the receiving side communication device indicated by the address included in the QoS setting request according to the transmission priority. Communication device. QoS type accepting means for accepting QoS type information indicating the size of the transmission band of data transmitted from the transmission side communication device to the own station;
A QoS type management unit that generates a QoS notification including information indicating the size of the transmission band indicated by the QoS type information received by the QoS type receiving unit;
A communication device comprising: a communication unit that transmits the QoS notification generated by the QoS type management unit to the transmission side communication device. At least one transmitting communication device that transmits data, at least one receiving communication device that receives data from the transmitting communication device, and transmitted from the transmitting communication device to the receiving communication device according to a QoS setting request. A communication device as the transmission-side communication device in a communication network including a control device including a control means for performing QoS control of data,
Receiving means for receiving a trigger detection notification for notifying the start of QoS control for data received by one receiving-side communication device;
QoS type management means for transmitting, to the control device, a QoS setting request for requesting the start of QoS control for data received by the receiving communication device when the receiving means receives the trigger detection notification. A communication device comprising: A communication device as the transmission-side communication device in a communication network including at least one transmission-side communication device that transmits data and at least one reception-side communication device that receives data from the transmission-side communication device,
Control means for performing QoS control;
Receiving means for receiving a trigger detection notification for notifying the start of QoS control for data received by the receiving-side communication device;
The communication apparatus, wherein the control means starts QoS control when the receiving means receives the trigger detection notification. A communication device as the reception-side communication device in a communication network including at least one transmission-side communication device that transmits data and at least one reception-side communication device that receives data from the transmission-side communication device,
Comprising control means for performing QoS control;
The said control means starts QoS control in response to receiving the data from the said transmission side communication apparatus, The communication apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.   59. A communication device control program for causing a computer to function as each means of the communication device according to any one of claims 1-44 or 50-58.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the communication apparatus control program of Claim 59.

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