JP6149406B2 - NETWORK COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, NETWORK COMMUNICATION DEVICE, NETWORK COMMUNICATION METHOD, AND ITS COMMUNICATION CONTROL PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a network communication system, and more particularly to a network communication system, a network communication apparatus, a network communication method, and a communication control program for allocating a communication band to a wireless information terminal that performs wireless data communication.

  Information terminals with data communication represented by smartphones are becoming increasingly popular. These information terminals are characterized in that the amount of information that can be acquired by the user is enormous compared to Garakei and other communication terminals, and the amount of network communication used in accordance with the amount of information is also increasing.

  In addition, mobile information terminals represented by smartphones and iPhones have the same processing capability as personal computers. For this reason, content that can be displayed on mobile information terminals has been enhanced.

  When rich content is transmitted to a mobile information terminal via a data communication network and displayed on the information terminal, the amount of data communication becomes enormous due to the richness of the content.

  By the way, the bandwidth allocated in the data communication network is limited. Congestion occurs in places and time zones where people (users) using the communication network concentrate.

  For this reason, in areas where many users are concentrated, such as in urban areas and terminal stations, and in situations where the use of information terminals by many users is concentrated at specific times (such as venues for fireworks displays), data communication There is a disadvantage that a situation occurs in which sufficient data communication cannot be performed due to the occurrence of convergence in the network.

As a related technology for this, a system is known in which communication resources are secured in response to a request from a user, a priority that is common to the entire network is set, and communication resources are allocated to an unspecified number of users. (Patent Document 1).
There is also known a system that averages the usage rate of communication resources while avoiding congestion and sets a communication fee according to the usage rate (Patent Document 2). Furthermore, there is known a charging system that allows a user to charge properly for using a communication line (Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent No. 3582979 JP 2010-098639 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-078523

  However, the related technique described in Patent Document 1 is a method of attempting to secure the bandwidth of the data communication network by using the data communication network, and no consideration is given to the situation in which congestion occurs in the data communication network. Not done. In addition, in the contents of Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, the contents relating to the setting of the communication charge according to the usage rate and the correct setting of the communication charge are disclosed, and the occurrence of the congestion state and the bandwidth reservation There is no disclosure regarding the relevance to the request transmission required for.

  For this reason, in these related technologies, there is a problem that it is impossible to notify the occurrence of a congestion state when transmitting a request necessary for securing a bandwidth, and no improvement is disclosed.

[Object of invention]
The present invention provides a network communication system and a network communication apparatus that improve the disadvantages of the related technology and enable a specific communication terminal to preferentially secure a communication band even in a situation where a data communication network is congested. It is an object of the present invention to provide a network communication method and a communication necessity control program thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, a network communication system according to the present invention includes an information terminal that performs wireless communication, and a data communication network and a telephone line in which one of the information terminals is switched and connected to the information terminal in response to a request from the information terminal. A network communication system having a network communication device provided with a network,
A traffic control unit for setting and controlling a communication band when the network communication device forms part of the data communication network and the information terminal uses the data communication network;
A line signal that operates when there is a bandwidth priority assignment request that constitutes a part of the telephone line network and is premised on payment of consideration from the information terminal, and commands the traffic control unit to assign a priority to a communication band It is configured to include a reception processing unit (SMS receiving unit).

The network communication device according to the present invention includes a device main body having a data communication network and a telephone line network that are switched and connected to the information terminal in response to a request from the information terminal that performs wireless communication.
And the apparatus main body part constitutes a part of the data communication network and a radio network control part for selectively connecting either the data communication network or the telephone line network according to a request from the information terminal, and the information terminal A traffic control unit for setting and controlling a communication band when using the data communication network, and a bandwidth priority assignment request that constitutes a part of the telephone line network and is premised on payment of consideration from the information terminal. And a line signal reception processing unit (SMS receiving unit) that commands the traffic control unit to preferentially assign a communication band.

The network communication method according to the present invention is a network communication system comprising an information terminal for performing wireless communication, and a network communication apparatus having a data communication network and a telephone line network that are switched and connected upon request from the information terminal. There,
A line signal reception processing unit that operates when there is a bandwidth priority assignment request on the premise of payment of a price from the information terminal and forms a part of the telephone line network receives the bandwidth priority assignment request,
Next, the line signal reception processing unit that has received the bandwidth priority allocation request generates a bandwidth priority allocation command based on the request and determines the priority allocation of the communication bandwidth by constituting a part of the data communication network. To the traffic control section
The traffic control unit functions in accordance with the bandwidth priority allocation command and preferentially allocates the communication bandwidth for the request during data communication of the information terminal.

A network communication control program according to the present invention includes a data communication network and a telephone line network that are switched and connected to the information terminal in response to a request from the information terminal performing wireless communication. There,
A wireless network switching control function for selectively connecting either the data communication network or the telephone line network in response to a request from the information terminal;
A communication band setting processing function for determining a communication band when the information terminal constitutes a part of the data communication network and uses the data communication network;
And when there is a bandwidth priority allocation request that constitutes a part of the telephone line network and is premised on payment of consideration from the information terminal, it operates to command the communication bandwidth setting processing function to set the priority of the communication bandwidth Bandwidth priority setting command function,
And adopting a configuration in which each of these functions is realized by a computer included in the apparatus main body.

Since the present invention is configured and functions as described above, according to this, since it is configured to request priority securing of the bandwidth of data communication using a part of the telephone network , the data communication network is congested. Provided an excellent network communication system, network communication apparatus, network communication method, and communication control program therefor that are not available in related technology that a specific communication terminal can preferentially secure a bandwidth capable of data communication even under certain circumstances can do.

It is a block diagram which shows the basic form structure in one Embodiment of the network communication system concerning this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the specific structure in one Embodiment of the network communication system concerning this invention. FIG. 3 is a chart showing information related to a user's control level according to the information terminal in the embodiment of FIG. 2, and FIG. 3 (A) is a chart showing an example of a control level management table (T01) for specifying a control level for each user; FIG. 3B is a chart showing an example of a bandwidth allocation management table (T02) that associates a control level with an actual allocated bandwidth. FIG. 4 is a chart showing a correspondence relationship between a bandwidth control level and a user when a bandwidth is preferentially allocated to a user in the embodiment of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4A is a bandwidth for managing a user ID and a telephone number. FIG. 4B is a chart showing an example of an allocation request management table (T03), and FIG. 4B is a chart showing an example of a packet unit price management table (T04) in which communication charges corresponding to each control level are specified. It is a sequence chart which shows the operation | movement process step in the network communication process part disclosed in FIG. 2 is a chart showing information relating to the charging processing unit disclosed in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6A is a chart showing an example of a control level change notification (S03) notified from the SMS receiving unit to the charging processing unit, FIG. B) is a chart showing an example of a request management table (T03) held by the charging processing unit disclosed in FIG. 7 is a chart showing information related to the user control level in FIG. 5, FIG. 7A is a chart showing an example of the content of the level change request (S05), and FIG. 7B is a case where the user ID is an IP address. FIG. 7C is a chart showing an example of the bandwidth allocation management table (T02) when the bandwidth control level is set in four stages. 5 is a chart showing information related to the control level change process, and FIG. 8A is a chart showing an example of the control management table (T01 / update) updated in the control level change process (S06). (B) is a chart showing an example of the control management table (T03 / update) updated in the control level update process (S08) in FIG. FIG. 9 is a chart showing information related to the billing processing unit disclosed in the embodiment of FIG. 2, FIG. 9A is a chart showing an example of a packet unit price management table (T04) held by the billing processing unit, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a chart showing an example of a request management table (T03) held by the accounting processing unit.

Next, an embodiment of a network communication system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the basic configuration content will be described, and then the specific content will be described in detail.

[Basic configuration]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the network communication system 1 includes an information terminal 1A that performs wireless communication, and data communication in which one of the information terminals 1A is switched and connected to the information terminal 1A in response to a request from the information terminal 1A. And a network communication apparatus 10 partially including a network 20 and a telephone line switching network (telephone line network) 30.

  The network communication apparatus 10 includes a traffic control unit 12 that configures a part of the data communication network 20 and controls the communication band when the information terminal 1A uses the data communication network 20, and the telephone line switching network. 30, which is operated when a bandwidth priority allocation request is made from the information terminal 1A on the premise of payment of the line signal and instructs the traffic control unit 12 to set the priority of the communication band. And a processing unit (SMS receiving unit) 13.

  The traffic control unit 12 functions when a bandwidth priority assignment command from the line signal reception processing unit 13 is received. When the information terminal 1A performs data communication, the traffic control unit 12 sends information to the information terminal 1A according to the bandwidth priority assignment command. On the other hand, a communication bandwidth priority assignment function 12A for preferentially assigning a communication bandwidth related to the request is provided.

  Furthermore, the network communication device 10 includes a radio network control unit 11 that selectively connects either the data communication network 20 or the telephone line switching network 30 in response to a request from the information terminal 1A.

Here, it is assumed that the bandwidth priority allocation request input from the information terminal 1A to the line signal reception processing unit 13 is an SMS (short message service) signal. The line signal reception processing unit (SMS receiving unit) 13 includes a telephone line information relay function 13A in this embodiment.
In FIG. 1, the wireless network control unit 11, the traffic control unit 12, and the line signal reception processing unit (SMS receiving unit) 13 constitute an apparatus body 10A.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, a bandwidth priority allocation request for preferentially allocating the bandwidth of data communication transmitted from the information terminal 1A is not transmitted through the data communication network 20, but is used for telephone lines using SMS. Since the transmission is made through the exchange network 30 and on the premise of payment of the price, the bandwidth of the data communication is given priority without being affected even when the data communication network 20 is congested. It is possible to send an allocation request.

In other words, since the user is premised on paying the price, it is possible to reasonably preferentially allocate a communication band to be used for data communication in a reasonable state.
As a result, the data communication network 20 can smoothly perform data communication regardless of congestion, which can contribute to improvement of user satisfaction.

[Specific configuration]
This will be described more specifically below.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration content assembled around the technical content disclosed in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the network communication system 1 includes an information terminal 1A actually used by one user and a network communication device (network communication facility) 10 owned by a communication carrier with whom the user has a contract. Then, a part of the network communication system 1, the Internet 21 on which the user performs data communication, and the telephone line 31 on which the user makes a call are set to constitute the data communication network 20 and the telephone line network 30, respectively. ing.

  Accordingly, the user connects to the Internet 21 via the network communication system 1 when performing data communication by using the information terminal 1A to be used.

  The network communication device 10 performs wireless communication with the information terminal 1A, determines the communication type, and distributes a communication route. The network communication device 10 performs data communication with the Internet 21 via the router 14. And a traffic control unit 12 for performing bandwidth control.

  The network communication apparatus 10 includes a line signal reception processing unit (SMS receiving unit) 13 that receives a short message (SMS signal) sent from the information terminal 1A via the wireless network control unit 11, and a telephone line network 30. The exchange 15 is connected to the telephone line 31 so as to be communicable, and the charging processing unit 16 calculates the communication usage fee based on the data communication amount of the information terminal 1A performed via the traffic control unit 12. Yes.

  In the network communication device 10, when the information terminal 1 </ b> A performs data communication, it connects to the Internet 21 via the router 15. When making a call using the information terminal 1A, the telephone line 31 is connected via the wireless network control unit 11 and the exchange 15.

  The information terminal 1A transmits a request message (bandwidth priority allocation request / hereinafter referred to as “request”) for preferentially allocating a data communication band to the SMS receiver 13 using an SMS signal (communication band request message). Send function).

  The SMS receiving unit 13 transmits a command for allocating a communication band to the traffic control unit 12 in accordance with the content of the request sent from the information terminal 1A using the SMS signal (band allocation command transmission function).

  In addition, the SMS receiving unit 13 transmits the bandwidth allocation command to the traffic control unit 11 and simultaneously transmits the packet unit price information corresponding to the received request content to the charging processing unit 16 (unit price information transmission function).

  Here, in FIG. 2, the wireless network control unit 11, the traffic control unit 12, the line signal reception processing unit (SMS receiving unit) 13, and the accounting processing unit 16 are used to provide a device main unit 10A. Is configured.

  As described above, the information terminal 1 </ b> A does not transmit a request (data communication band allocation request message) for preferentially allocating a data communication band via the data communication network 20, but the SMS ( Using the short message service).

As a result, for example, even in a situation where congestion occurs in the data communication network 20, a data communication band allocation request message is sent to the charging processing unit 16 and the traffic control unit 12 without being affected by the influence. It becomes possible to notify reliably.
For this reason, when the user pays the consideration, the communication band used for the data communication corresponding to the consideration can be preferentially assigned to the information terminal 10.

  Thereby, for example, if the communication band to be used can be preferentially assigned to each information terminal according to the payment amount, the information terminal can perform smooth data communication according to the consideration. For this reason, it is possible to smoothly perform data communication in a specific information terminal even in a wireless communication situation, a communication environment, a time zone, etc. in which congestion occurs.

The wireless network control unit 11 distributes (routes) communication routes used by the information terminal 1A.
That is, when the information terminal 1A performs data communication, since the data communication network 20 is used, data is sent to the route of the data communication network 20, and the information terminal 1A performs line switching such as telephone (call) or SMS. Since the telephone line network 30 is used, routing is performed to send data to the route of the circuit switching network 30.

  The traffic control unit 12 controls the data flow rate flowing into the data communication network 20 including the Internet 21 and controls the bandwidth of data communication allocated to each information terminal. Note that a method for controlling the bandwidth in the traffic control unit 12 is arbitrary.

Further, the bandwidth can be controlled by receiving a control signal from the billing processing unit 16.
Further, the traffic control unit 12 holds a control level management table T01 (see FIG. 3A) for managing user control levels. Here, the control level management table T01 shows table information for managing the user ID and the priority of bandwidth allocation to the user.

  The user ID may be an identifier that can identify the user, such as a contractor number or the IP address of the information terminal 1A. Further, it is assumed that the traffic control unit 12 holds a bandwidth allocation management table T02 (see FIG. 3B) that associates a control level with a bandwidth that is actually allocated.

  The traffic control unit 12 identifies a user ID performing data communication using the information terminal, and determines the priority of band allocation using the control level management table T01. Then, the bandwidth allocation management table T02 is used to determine the bandwidth to be actually allocated based on the priority.

  The SMS receiver 13 receives a request as an SMS message transmitted from the information terminal 1A using the SMS signal in order to preferentially allocate a band to the specific information terminal 1A.

Further, the SMS receiving unit 13 transmits a command for allocating a communication band to the traffic control unit 12 according to the content of a request sent from the information terminal 1A using the SMS signal (band allocation command transmission function).
Further, the SMS receiving unit 13 transmits packet unit price information corresponding to the received request content to the billing processing unit 16 at the same time as transmitting the bandwidth allocation command (unit price information transmitting function).

Since the SMS signal is transmitted using a telephone number, it is possible to determine which user has received the request based on the transmission source telephone number.
Further, when the SMS receiving unit 13 receives a request for preferentially allocating a bandwidth from the user, the SMS receiving unit 13 notifies the accounting processing unit 16 of the bandwidth control level included in the request.

The billing processing unit (billing calculation unit) 16 calculates the usage fee when the user uses the information terminal 1A. It should be noted that a method for calculating the charge in the charging processing unit 16 is arbitrary.
In addition, the accounting processing unit 16 holds a bandwidth allocation request management table T03 (FIG. 4A) that manages the bandwidth control level set by the user with a bandwidth allocation request and the user ID and telephone number of the user. doing.

In the request management table T03, it is necessary to associate a user ID for identifying a user with the telephone number of the user.
Since a general billing processing unit uses these pieces of information to calculate the usage fee of the information terminal for the user, it is possible to hold a table in which the user ID and the telephone number are linked.

Furthermore, the billing processing unit 16 holds a packet unit price management table T04 (see FIG. 4B) used for calculating a communication fee according to the control level.
In FIG. 4A, the packet unit price corresponding to the bandwidth control level is described in the packet unit price management table T04. Since it is only necessary to set a charge according to the bandwidth control level, for example, a charge factor may be set.

  With the above configuration, in the present embodiment, the data communication network is congested and data communication cannot be performed (or there is a delay, for example) according to the user's request. Since the bandwidth can be allocated, the user of the information terminal 1A can perform data communication according to the consideration.

For example, many people who operate information terminals are found in busy streets, urban stations, and trains where people are concentrated. Many of these people do not make calls using information terminals, but perform data communications such as browsing.
When a large number of users perform data communication at the same time, congestion occurs, resulting in a decrease in communication speed, and users are dissatisfied with the communication quality. However, even under such circumstances, the communication speed was maintained. Data communication can be performed in the state.

Further, even in a situation where the data communication network is already congested, it becomes possible to preferentially allocate a communication band to a specific information terminal.
This is because the SMS signal is used for the request for preferentially allocating the bandwidth, and the request is transmitted through the telephone line network 30 instead of the data communication network 20.

[Description of Operation of Embodiment]
First, the basic contents of the operation will be described, and then the specific operation contents will be described in detail.

  In FIG. 2, the network communication device 10 constituting the main part of the network communication system 1 operates when there is a bandwidth priority assignment request on the premise of payment of a price from the information terminal 1A. The line signal reception processing unit 13 constituting the unit receives the bandwidth priority allocation request.

The line signal reception processing unit 13 that has received this bandwidth priority allocation request generates a bandwidth priority allocation command based on the request, and constitutes a part of the data communication network 20 to determine the priority allocation of the communication bandwidth. Transmit to the traffic control unit 12.
The traffic control unit 12 functions according to the bandwidth priority assignment command, and preferentially assigns the communication bandwidth for the request to the information terminal 1A when the information terminal 1A performs data communication.

  In this case, when there is the bandwidth priority allocation request from the information terminal 1A, the pre-equipped radio network control unit 11 prior to the reception operation of the line signal reception processing unit (same as the SMS receiving unit) 13 Operates and selectively connects the telephone network 30 to the information terminal 1A.

  Further, the accounting processing unit 16 inputs a bandwidth priority allocation command output from the SMS receiving unit 13, and then the accounting processing unit 16 inputs information relating to the priority bandwidth allocated by the traffic control unit 12. In the subsequent data communication using the priority band by the information terminal 1A, the billing processing unit 16 calculates the communication fee when the priority band is used.

Hereinafter, this will be described more specifically based on the sequence chart of FIG.
First, the user transmits a bandwidth allocation request (request) from the information terminal 1A to the SMS receiver 13 using the SMS signal (FIG. 5: step S01).
The bandwidth allocation request transmitted in step S01 is a request message for requesting the information terminal 1A that is the transmission source to preferentially allocate a communication bandwidth.

Here, the bandwidth allocation request (S01) may be transmitted from a dedicated application rather than from a mail application installed in the information terminal 1A by manual input by the user. This is to avoid setting errors due to erroneous operations.
Further, the content of the bandwidth allocation request (S01) may be only the control level requested by the user, but in addition to this, the user ID and the information terminal 1A are used so that the SMS receiver 13 can confirm the correctness of the request content. Information may be added to the telephone number, time information, checksum, etc. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a dedicated application installed in the information terminal 1A encodes the request content using Base64 or the like, and the SMS receiving unit 13 decodes and acquires the control level requested by the user.

  When receiving the bandwidth allocation request, the SMS receiving unit 13 first checks the control content of the request included in the bandwidth allocation request (FIG. 5: step S02 / request content check process).

At this time, the SMS receiving unit 13 acquires the telephone number of the information terminal 1A and the control level requested by the user as a request content check process.
Further, it is assumed that the SMS receiver 13 performs a correctness check on the request content. Whether the request contents are correct or incorrect is determined by performing the above-described information and decoding.

  Here, since the SMS signal transmits and receives messages based on the telephone number, the acquisition of the telephone number is performed from the source of the SMS signal.

Next, the SMS receiver 13 extracts the telephone number included in the bandwidth allocation request and the control level requested by the user (request control level value) and notifies the accounting processor 16 (FIG. 5: Step S03 / Control level change notification).
Here, FIG. 6A shows an example of the control level change notification sent from the SMS receiver 13 to the billing processor 16.

  The billing processing unit 16 holds the bandwidth allocation request management table T03 in advance as described above. Further, when the user does not transmit a request for preferentially allocating a bandwidth (referred to as a normal state), the control level associated with the user ID of the user is set to “0”.

  FIG. 6B shows an example of the request management table T03 when the user ID is an IP address.

  Upon receiving the control level change notification sent from the SMS receiver 13, the billing processing unit 16 extracts the user's telephone number from the control level change notification, and further searches the request management table T03 based on this telephone number. Thus, the user ID corresponding to the telephone number is acquired (FIG. 5: step S04 / user ID acquisition process).

  For example, when the billing processing unit 16 receives the control level change notification in FIG. 6A and holds the request management table T03 in FIG. 6B in advance, the user acquired in the user ID acquisition process It is assumed that the ID is “10.100.100.100”.

  Next, the billing processing unit 16 controls the user ID acquired in the user ID acquisition process (FIG. 5: step S04) by combining the control level value included in the control level change notification S03 received from the SMS receiving unit. A level change request is generated, and the control level change request is notified to the traffic control unit 12 (FIG. 5: Step S05).

  Here, when the control level change notification (see FIG. 6A) is received, the control level change request in the case where the accounting processing unit 16 holds the request management table T03 (see FIG. 6B) in advance. An example of S05 is shown in FIG.

It is assumed that the traffic control unit 12 holds the control level management table T01 as described above.
Here, in a normal state where the user does not transmit a request for preferentially allocating a bandwidth, the control level associated with the user ID of the user is set to “0”.

FIG. 7B shows an example of the contents of the control level management table T01 when the user ID is an IP address.
The traffic control unit 12 also holds a bandwidth allocation management table T02.

  Here, in FIG. 7C, there are four levels of bandwidth control levels (no bandwidth is preferentially assigned, bandwidth is assigned with low priority, bandwidth is assigned within priority, and bandwidth is assigned with high priority). An example of the bandwidth allocation management table T02 in the case of having been performed.

Based on the control level change request sent from the charging processing unit 16, the traffic control unit 12 acquires the user ID and the control level.
Further, the accounting processing unit 16 searches the acquired control level from the band allocation management table T02 and confirms whether or not the band control according to the priority associated with the control level is possible.

Here, when the bandwidth control according to the priority is possible, the traffic control unit 12 starts the bandwidth control according to the priority for the data communication of the acquired user ID.
Further, the control level associated with the acquired user ID in the control level management table T01 is updated to the acquired control level (FIG. 5: step S06 / control level changing process).

  In FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the traffic control unit 12 can perform bandwidth control according to priority, and the control management table updated in the control level change process (FIG. 5: step S06). An example of T01 is shown in FIG.

  When the traffic control unit 12 determines whether or not bandwidth control is possible when checking whether or not bandwidth control according to the priority associated with the control level is possible, control level change processing (FIG. 5: FIG. 5). Step S06) is not performed, and the control management table T01 is not updated.

Next, the traffic control unit 12 notifies the charge processing unit 16 of a control level change response (FIG. 5: Step S07).
At this time, the bandwidth control according to the priority is started for the data communication of the information terminal corresponding to the user ID acquired by the traffic control unit 12.

  As a result, when the traffic control device 12 executes the control level change process S06 and communicates with the control management table T01, the traffic control apparatus 12 notifies the charge processing unit 16 of the content of the control level change response as OK (FIG. 5). : Step S07 / OK notification).

  On the other hand, if the traffic control unit 12 determines that the bandwidth control is impossible and the control level change process S06 is not performed and the control management table T01 is not updated, the content of the control level change response S07 is charged as NG. The processing unit 16 is notified (FIG. 5: Step S07 / NG notification).

Next, the billing processing unit 16 examines the content of the control level change response sent from the traffic control unit 12.
Here, when the content is an OK notification (notification that it is permitted), the traffic control unit 12 determines that the bandwidth control of the user has been started.

  The accounting processing unit 16 updates the content of the request management table T03 based on the content of the control level change request S05 transmitted to the traffic control unit 12 (FIG. 5: step S08 / control level update processing).

  The billing processing unit 16 holds the request management table T03 (see FIG. 6B) in advance, and transmits a control level change request S05 (see FIG. 7A) to the traffic control unit 12. Further, FIG. 8B shows an example of the request management table T03 when the content of the control level change response returned from the traffic control unit 12 is OK and updated in the control level change process in step S08.

  On the other hand, when the content of the control level change response received from the traffic control unit 12 is NG, the charging processing unit 16 does not perform the control level update process (FIG. 5: Step S08). That is, the request management table T03 is not updated.

Next, the accounting processor 16 notifies the SMS receiver 13 of a control level change response (FIG. 5: Step S09).
Here, when the control level change response content in step S07 is OK and the request management table T03 is updated in the control level update processing in step S08, the charging processing unit 16 changes the control level indicating OK as the response content. The response is notified to the SMS receiver 13 (FIG. 5: Step S09 / OK notification).

  On the other hand, when the content of the control level change response S07 is NG, the control level update process S08 is not performed, and the request management table T03 is not updated, the content of the control level change response S09 is set to NG as SMS. The receiving unit 13 is notified (FIG. 5: notification of step S09 / NG).

Next, when receiving the control level change response S09 from the billing processing unit 16, the SMS receiving unit 13 transmits a band allocation response to the information terminal 1A (FIG. 5: Step S10).
At this time, if the content of the received control level change response is OK, a bandwidth allocation response as an OK notification indicating that the bandwidth allocation is permitted is transmitted to the information terminal 1A.

On the other hand, when the content of the received control level change response S09 is not possible (NG), a bandwidth allocation response (NG notification) indicating that bandwidth allocation is not possible is transmitted to the information terminal 1A.
Next, the information terminal 1A displays a result (response content) for a request for preferentially allocating a band based on the band allocation response sent from the SMS receiver 13 (FIG. 5: Step S11 / band allocation result display process).

  At this time, when the content of the bandwidth allocation response S10 indicates communication bandwidth allocation OK, the information terminal 1A outputs the content indicating that the bandwidth has been secured preferentially as requested by the user on the display screen.

On the other hand, when the content of the bandwidth allocation response is the communication bandwidth allocation NG, the fact that the bandwidth has not been secured according to the user's request is displayed on the screen of the information terminal 1A.
The output display may be set by a dedicated application.

Here, communication bandwidth allocation by the traffic control unit 12 is performed on the information terminal 1A.
Thereafter, the user performs data communication with the Internet 21 through the information terminal 1A (FIG. 5: Step S12). The billing processing unit 16 calculates a charge according to the communication amount.

  Here, the accounting processing unit 16 specifies the control level using each user ID based on the request management table T03 when calculating the communication fee in the information terminal 1A.

  Next, the billing processing unit 16 specifies the packet unit price from the packet unit price management table T04 based on the control level, and charges are calculated based on the packet unit price and the amount of packets used in data communication.

  For example, if the billing processing unit 16 holds T04 (see FIG. 9A) and T03 (see FIG. 9B), the IP address of the information terminal is “10.100.100.100”. Yes, when a user who is preferentially allocated a bandwidth performs data communication for 100 packets, the communication fee for the data communication is 31 yen.

Here, with regard to the explanation of each operation described above, those that can be programmed into the execution contents may be programmed and realized by a computer provided in the network communication apparatus 10.
In addition, the program may be recorded on a non-transitory storage medium such as a DVD, a CD, or a flash memory. In this case, the program is read from the storage medium by the computer and executed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a user pays a consideration and preferentially secures a network bandwidth, whereby a communication bandwidth corresponding to the consideration can be secured.
Thereby, in a place where many people concentrate, time zone, communication is congested and the communication level is not satisfactory for the user, the network bandwidth is secured preferentially for the user who paid the price, That is, it becomes possible to secure a communication band according to the consideration.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the request is transmitted through the circuit switching network, it is not affected by the congestion state of the data communication network, and is commensurate with the price paid to a specific information terminal and, for example, a user as a contractor. It is possible to provide a wireless communication environment with high communication quality.

[Modification]
An example of a modification of the above embodiment is shown below.
In this modification, the information terminal 1A acquires information indicating the usage status of the data communication network 20, and outputs and displays the information on a display screen provided in advance in the information terminal 1A.

Specifically, the information terminal 1 </ b> A is realized by installing an application in the information terminal 1 </ b> A for acquiring information indicating the usage status of the data communication network 20.
This application acquires data on the usage status of the data communication network 20 from the traffic control unit 12 and displays it on the information terminal 1A.

  In addition, since the traffic control unit 12 performs bandwidth control of the data communication network 20 (connection bandwidth control for the Internet 21), the traffic control unit 12 acquires data on the usage status of the data communication network 20 and transmits it to the information terminal 1A. To do.

Here, there is no need to separately introduce an application for displaying the data communication network usage status, and the same application as the application that transmits the SMS signal may be used.
The output display content of the data communication network usage status may be a specific numerical value, or may be an indicator such as high congestion level, medium congestion level, or low congestion level.
Other configurations and the effects thereof are the same as those of the above-described embodiment shown in FIGS.

As described above, in the above modification, by outputting and displaying the data communication network usage status on the information terminal 1A, it is possible to provide the user with more accurate determination materials for the information terminal user.
For this reason, the user can determine the congestion status of the data communication network without feeling. In this case, the user can determine whether or not to secure a bandwidth for data communication by paying the consideration.

Also in this modified example, as in the first and second embodiments, the bandwidth of the data communication network is preferentially allocated to each information terminal 1A used by the user according to the price when the user pays the price. You may do it.
For this reason, it is possible to effectively reduce the occurrence of a situation in which data communication cannot be performed even in a situation where congestion occurs in the data communication network.

  Also in the modification of this embodiment, a request (request message) for preferentially allocating a band is transmitted using an SMS signal. For this reason, since this request can be transmitted via a circuit switching network, a request for preferentially allocating a communication band to a specific user terminal set in advance regardless of the congestion status in the data communication network. Can be sent.

  For this reason, even if congestion has already occurred and data communication is difficult, priority is given to the available communication band according to the charging status for each specific information terminal (each user) according to the contents of the request request. It becomes possible to assign.

(Appendix)
Regarding the above-described embodiment, the main points of the new technical contents are summarized as follows. In addition, about the novel technical content put together here, this invention is not limited to this.

[Appendix 1] (Independent Item / System)
A network communication system having an information terminal for performing wireless communication, and a network communication apparatus including a data communication network and a telephone line network, one of which is switched and connected to the information terminal in response to a request from the information terminal,
The network communication device is
A traffic control unit that configures and controls a communication band when the information terminal uses the data communication network and forms a part of the data communication network;
A line signal that operates when there is a bandwidth priority assignment request that constitutes a part of the telephone line network and is premised on payment of consideration from the information terminal, and commands the traffic control unit to assign a priority to a communication band A reception processing unit (SMS receiving unit);
A network communication system comprising:

[Appendix 2]
In the network communication system according to attachment 1,
The traffic control unit functions when a bandwidth priority allocation command is received from the line signal reception processing unit, and takes the request to the information terminal according to the bandwidth priority allocation command during data communication of the information terminal A network communication system comprising a communication band priority assignment function for preferentially assigning communication bands.

[Appendix 3]
In the network communication system according to appendix 1 or 2,
The network communication apparatus includes a wireless network control unit that selectively connects either the data communication network or the telephone line network in response to a request from the information terminal.

[Appendix 4]
In the network communication system according to appendix 1 or 2,
The bandwidth priority assignment request on the premise of payment of the price inputted from the information terminal to the line signal reception processing unit is based on an SMS signal, and the line signal reception processing unit has a telephone line information relay function. A network communication system comprising an SMS receiver.

[Appendix 5]
In the network communication system according to attachment 2,
The line signal reception processing unit is provided with a charging processing unit that calculates a communication fee according to the communication amount used by the user via the information terminal,
This billing processor
Simultaneously input the command related to bandwidth priority setting output from the line signal reception processing unit to the traffic control unit, and also input information related to the priority band allocated by the traffic control unit to use the priority band A network communication system comprising a priority bandwidth communication charge calculation function for calculating a communication charge at the time.

[Appendix 6]
In the network communication system according to attachment 5,
The traffic control unit
A control level management table (T01) for managing the control level of each user related to the information terminal and the allocation priority corresponding thereto, and a bandwidth allocation management table for associating the control level of each user with a band to be actually allocated ( T02)
A network communication system comprising a priority bandwidth determination function for determining the priority bandwidth according to the control level of each user associated with the information terminal based on the two management tables.

[Appendix 7]
In the network communication system according to attachment 6,
The billing processing unit
The allocation request management table (T03) for managing the relationship between the bandwidth control level set in the bandwidth priority allocation request output by each user via the information terminal and the user ID, and according to the control level of each user A packet unit price management table (T04) specified for communication charge calculation,
A network communication system comprising a charge setting processing function for setting a charge according to a bandwidth control level of each user for the information terminal based on the two management tables.

[Appendix 8] (Independent item / device)
A network communication device having a device main body with a data communication network and a telephone line network that are switched and connected to the information terminal in response to a request from an information terminal that performs wireless communication,
The apparatus main body is
A radio network controller that selectively connects either the data communication network or the telephone line network in response to a request from the information terminal;
A traffic control unit that configures and controls a communication band when the information terminal uses the data communication network and forms a part of the data communication network;
A line signal that operates when there is a bandwidth priority assignment request that constitutes a part of the telephone line network and is premised on payment of consideration from the information terminal, and commands the traffic control unit to assign a priority to a communication band A reception processing unit (SMS receiving unit);
A network communication apparatus comprising:

[Supplementary Note 9] (Invention of Method / Corresponding to Supplementary Note 1)
In a network communication system comprising an information terminal for performing wireless communication, and a network communication apparatus having a data communication network and a telephone line network that are switched and connected in response to a request from the information terminal,
A line signal reception processing unit that operates when there is a bandwidth priority assignment request on the premise of payment of a price from the information terminal and forms a part of the telephone line network receives the bandwidth priority assignment request,
Next, the line signal reception processing unit that has received the bandwidth priority allocation request generates a bandwidth priority allocation command based on the request and determines the priority allocation of the communication bandwidth by constituting a part of the data communication network. To the traffic control section
A network communication method, wherein the traffic control unit functions according to the bandwidth priority assignment command and preferentially assigns a communication bandwidth for the request at the time of data communication of the information terminal.

[Appendix 10] (Appendix 2)
In the network communication method according to attachment 9,
When there is a bandwidth priority allocation request from the information terminal, a pre-equipped radio network control unit operates prior to the reception operation of the line signal reception processing unit, and the telephone line network is selectively connected to the information terminal. A network communication method characterized by:

[Appendix 11] (Appendix 5)
In the network communication method according to attachment 9,
The bandwidth priority allocation command output from the line signal reception processing unit is input by a billing processing unit equipped in advance,
Next, the charging processing unit inputs information relating to the priority band allocated by the traffic control unit,
A network communication method characterized in that, when data communication using the priority band is subsequently performed by the information terminal, the charging processing unit calculates a communication fee when the priority band is used.

[Appendix 12] (Appendix 6)
In the network communication method according to attachment 9,
Upon bandwidth priority allocation to the information terminal,
The traffic control unit first confirms the control level of the user related to the information terminal based on a control level management table (T01) prepared in advance, and specifies an allocation priority corresponding to the control level,
Next, based on a band allocation management table (T02) provided in advance, a communication band for priority allocation to the information terminal is specified based on an allocated band preset corresponding to the control level of the user. A featured network communication method.

[Appendix 13] (Appendix 7)
In the network communication method according to attachment 12,
When calculating the communication fee when using the priority band by the information terminal,
First, based on an allocation request management table (T03) prepared in advance, the bandwidth control level of the user related to the information terminal is specified,
Then, the network communication method characterized by determining the communication charge according to this specified control level based on the packet unit price management table (T04) provided previously.

[Appendix 14] (Program invention / Appendix 8)
In a network communication device having a data communication network and a telephone line network that are switched and connected to the information terminal in response to a request from an information terminal that performs wireless communication,
A wireless network switching control function (wireless network control unit) for selectively connecting either the data communication network or the telephone line network in response to a request from the information terminal;
A communication band setting processing function (traffic control unit) that determines part of the data communication network and determines a communication band when the information terminal uses the data communication network;
And when there is a bandwidth priority allocation request that constitutes a part of the telephone line network and is premised on payment of consideration from the information terminal, it operates to command the communication bandwidth setting processing function to set the priority of the communication bandwidth Bandwidth priority setting command function (line signal reception processing unit),
And a network communication control program characterized in that each of these functions is realized by a computer provided in the apparatus main body.

[Appendix 15] (Appendix 12)
In the network communication control program according to attachment 14,
In the communication band setting processing function,
A corresponding priority identifying function for confirming a user's control level for the information terminal and identifying an allocation priority corresponding to the control level based on a control level management table (T01) provided in advance;
A priority allocation band specifying function for specifying a communication band for priority allocation to the information terminal based on a band allocation management table (T02) provided in advance with an allocation band set in advance corresponding to the control level of the user;
And a network communication control program characterized in that the computer realizes them.

[Appendix 16] (Appendix 13)
In the network communication control program according to attachment 15,
When calculating the communication fee when using the priority band by the information terminal, the bandwidth control level of the user related to the information terminal is specified based on the allocation request management table (T03) prepared in advance and the specified control is performed. A network communication control program characterized in that a unit price of a communication charge according to a level is determined based on a packet unit price management table (T04) provided in advance.

  The present invention relates to a communication band allocation control system for controlling a data communication band used in a mobile terminal based on an information format request sent via a circuit switching network such as voice information, fax data, and a short message. It can be usefully applied.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network communication system 1A Information terminal 10 Network communication apparatus 10A Apparatus main body part 11 Wireless network control part (network route distribution part)
12 traffic control unit 12A communication band priority allocation function 13 line signal reception processing unit (SMS receiving unit)
13A Telephone line information relay function 16 Billing processing unit (billing calculation unit)
16A Priority bandwidth communication charge calculation function 20 Data communication network 21 Internet 30 Telephone line network 31 Telephone line

Claims (10)

A network communication system having an information terminal for performing wireless communication, and a network communication apparatus including a data communication network and a telephone line network, one of which is switched and connected to the information terminal in response to a request from the information terminal,
The network communication device is
A traffic control unit that configures and controls a communication band when the information terminal uses the data communication network and forms a part of the data communication network;
A line signal that operates when there is a bandwidth priority assignment request that constitutes a part of the telephone line network and is premised on payment of consideration from the information terminal, and commands the traffic control unit to assign a priority to a communication band A reception processing unit (SMS receiving unit);
A network communication system comprising: The network communication system according to claim 1, wherein
The traffic control unit functions when a communication band priority assignment command is received from the line signal reception processing unit, and the data terminal communicates with the information terminal according to the priority assignment command of the band during data communication of the information terminal. A network communication system comprising a communication band priority allocation function that preferentially allocates a communication band related to a request. The network communication system according to claim 1 or 2,
The network communication apparatus includes a wireless network control unit that selectively connects either the data communication network or the telephone line network in response to a request from the information terminal. The network communication system according to claim 1 or 2,
The bandwidth priority assignment request on the premise of payment of the price inputted from the information terminal to the line signal reception processing unit is based on an SMS signal, and the line signal reception processing unit has a telephone line information relay function. A network communication system comprising an SMS receiver. The network communication system according to claim 2,
The line signal reception processing unit is provided with a charging processing unit that calculates a communication fee according to the communication amount used by the user via the information terminal,
This billing processor
Simultaneously inputs a bandwidth priority assignment command output from the line signal reception processing unit to the traffic control unit, and inputs information related to the priority band assigned by the traffic control unit to communicate when the priority band is used. A network communication system comprising a priority bandwidth communication charge calculation function for calculating a charge. The network communication system according to claim 5, wherein
The traffic control unit
A control level management table (T01) for managing the control level of each user related to the information terminal and the allocation priority corresponding thereto, and a bandwidth allocation management table for associating the control level of each user with a band to be actually allocated ( T02)
A network communication system comprising a priority bandwidth determination function for determining the priority bandwidth according to the control level of each user associated with the information terminal based on the two management tables. The network communication system according to claim 6, wherein
The billing processing unit
The allocation request management table (T03) for managing the relationship between the bandwidth control level set in the bandwidth priority allocation request output by each user via the information terminal and the user ID, and according to the control level of each user A packet unit price management table (T04) specified for communication charge calculation,
A network communication system comprising a charge setting processing function for setting a charge according to a bandwidth control level of each user for the information terminal based on the two management tables. A network communication device having a device main body with a data communication network and a telephone line network that are switched and connected to the information terminal in response to a request from an information terminal that performs wireless communication,
The apparatus main body is
A radio network controller that selectively connects either the data communication network or the telephone line network in response to a request from the information terminal;
A traffic control unit that configures and controls a communication band when the information terminal uses the data communication network and forms a part of the data communication network;
A line signal that operates when there is a bandwidth priority assignment request that constitutes a part of the telephone line network and is premised on payment of consideration from the information terminal, and commands the traffic control unit to assign a priority to a communication band A reception processing unit (SMS receiving unit);
A network communication apparatus comprising: In a network communication system comprising an information terminal for performing wireless communication, and a network communication apparatus having a data communication network and a telephone line network that are switched and connected in response to a request from the information terminal,
A line signal reception processing unit that operates when there is a bandwidth priority assignment request on the premise of payment of a price from the information terminal and forms a part of the telephone line network receives the bandwidth priority assignment request,
Next, the line signal reception processing unit that has received the bandwidth priority allocation request generates a bandwidth priority allocation command based on the request and determines the priority allocation of the communication bandwidth by constituting a part of the data communication network. To the traffic control section
A network communication method, wherein the traffic control unit functions according to the bandwidth priority assignment command and preferentially assigns a communication bandwidth for the request at the time of data communication of the information terminal. In a network communication device having a data communication network and a telephone line network that are switched and connected to the information terminal in response to a request from an information terminal that performs wireless communication,
A wireless network switching control function for selectively connecting either the data communication network or the telephone line network in response to a request from the information terminal;
A communication band setting processing function for determining a communication band when the information terminal constitutes a part of the data communication network and uses the data communication network;
And when there is a bandwidth priority allocation request that constitutes a part of the telephone line network and is premised on payment of consideration from the information terminal, it operates to command the communication bandwidth setting processing function to set the priority of the communication bandwidth Bandwidth priority setting command function,
And a network communication control program characterized in that each of these functions is realized by a computer provided in the apparatus main body.

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