WO2000041369A1

WO2000041369A1 - Method and apparatus for selecting data communication line

Info

Publication number: WO2000041369A1
Application number: PCT/JP1998/005980
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masaaki Nemoto; Yasushi Matsutaka; Keiko Maita; Hiroshi Matsuyama
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 1998-12-28
Filing date: 1998-12-28
Publication date: 2000-07-13

Abstract

A method of selecting communication lines, comprising the steps of identifying the type of media of transmitted data according to the output from a communication application, and retrieving a communication line corresponding to the type of media from a line selection table, whereby the most suitable communication line for the type of media of the transmitted data can be selected without the communication application's decision.

Description

Specification

Data communication line selection method and data communication line selection device

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a data communication line selection method and a data communication line selection device, and more particularly, to select a data communication line from two or more data communication lines when a communication application performs data communication, Alternatively, the present invention relates to a data communication line selection method for selecting a connection method from two or more connection methods and an improvement of a data communication line selection device. Background art

In a data communication device that can use two or more data communication lines, it is necessary to allocate one of the data communication lines to the communication abridgement. In particular, when two or more communication applications are operated, a specific communication application may monopolize a specific communication channel. For this reason, it is necessary to appropriately manage communication channels as line resources to effectively use communication lines.

In general, in a data communication device, a communication channel is assigned for each communication application or for each data communication by a communication application designating a communication channel. For this reason, the communication abridgement had to manage the line resources of the data communication equipment in addition to the original processing tasks.

A data communication device proposed in view of such circumstances is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-260444. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data communication device using an ISDN (Integrated Services digital network) line described in this publication. 100, 100, and 102 in the figure are Communication application (AP), 103 is a line resource management unit, 104 is an ISDN connection control unit, 105 is an ISDN line connection unit, and 106 is an ISDN line. Each communication application 100 to 102 specifies a communication channel and makes a line use request, and the line resource management unit 103, which holds the status information of the ISDN line 106, specifies the communication line. Communication lines are allocated for each line use request based on the request. For this reason, since the communication applications 100 to 102 do not need to manage the line resources, the load on the communication application can be reduced, and the development thereof can be facilitated.

However, in this data communication device, a communication line specifies a communication line. For this reason, a communication application, which is supposed to be a general-purpose program that does not depend on an individual data communication device, needs to recognize the communication lines available for the data communication device and the line specifications and manage the communication channels. Atsuta.

On the other hand, a conventional data communication apparatus in which a communication application does not specify a communication line is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-1979. This data communication device accesses a short data communication line when the number of transmitted data buckets is less than a specified number in a satellite bucket communication system, and connects a long data communication line when the number exceeds a specified number. It is to access. When this data communication device is used, there is no need for the communication application to specify the communication line.

However, this data communication method is applicable only when both selectable communication lines are bucket communication methods, and when a simple selection of a long data communication line and a short data communication line is performed. This method can only be applied to Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to select two or more communication lines of different line types, such as a communication line of a circuit switching system, a communication line of a bucket switching system, a communication line of a random access system and the like. Furthermore, when a different connection method can be selected for each communication line, for example, when a different data transmission rate can be selected, there is a problem that an appropriate communication line cannot be selected.

In addition, since the communication line is selected based only on the number of buckets, there is a problem that the most suitable communication line or connection method cannot be selected according to the media type of the transmission data, that is, the content of the transmission data. Atsushi.

In particular, when handling communication data composed of various media such as Internet access, the amount of communication data may change rapidly during data communication. In this case, when a transmission request is made by a communication application, an optimum communication channel cannot be selected, and there has been a problem that a conventional data communication device cannot allocate an optimum communication channel. Disclosure of the invention

The data communication line selection method according to the present invention is based on an output from a communication application, a media identification step for identifying a media type of transmission data, and a line selection table for associating the media type with a communication line. And a line selecting step of reading out a communication line based on the communication line. Therefore, an appropriate communication line can be selected based on the media type of the transmission data.

In the data communication line selecting method according to the present invention, the media identification step identifies the media type of the transmission data every time the communication application outputs the transmission data. Line can be selected.

On the other hand, a data communication line selection device according to the present invention provides a medium for identifying a media type of transmission data based on an output from a communication application. An identification unit, a line selection table including a rule for associating a media type with a communication line, and a line selection unit for selecting a communication line based on the output of the media identification unit and the line selection table. Therefore, an appropriate communication line can be selected based on the media type of the transmission data.

In addition, the data communication line selecting device according to the present invention provides a data communication line selecting apparatus in which the media identification unit identifies the media type of the transmission data every time the communication application outputs the transmission data. It is possible to select an appropriate communication line. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data communication device using an ISDN line disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-260444.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of an entire data communication network to which the data communication device of the present invention is applied (Embodiment 1).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one configuration example of the data communication device DE 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of data constituting the transmission request signals 11a to 14a output from the communication applications 11 to 14 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 201 shown in FIG.

S100 to S107 in FIG. 6 are flow charts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 2 shown in FIG. 3, and a transmission request is sent from any of the communication applications 11 to 14. The process when a signal is received is shown.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of data constituting transmission data 11a to 14a output from communication applications 11 to 14 shown in FIG. 3 (Embodiment 2). S200 to S207 in FIG. 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 2 shown in FIG. 3, and receive transmission data from any of the communication applications 11 to 14. FIG.

S300 to S309 in FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 2 shown in FIG. 3, and are performed when transmission data from any of the communication applications 11 to 14 is received. Processing is shown (Embodiment 3).

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of the entire data communication network to which the data communication device of the present invention is applied (Embodiment 4).

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the data communication device DE 1 shown in FIG. 10 in further detail.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the data constituting the line selection table 201 in the adapter ADP.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the channel switching sequence of the data communication device DE 1 and the base station BS 1 shown in FIG. 11, in which the line management section 2 executes the flowchart of FIG. 9 (Embodiment 3). In the case where the mobile phone MS performs channel switching. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the entire data communication network to which the data communication device according to the present invention is applied. In the figure, DE 1 is a data communication device according to the present invention, and DE 2 is a remote-side data communication device that performs data communication with the data communication device DE 1.

NW1 to NW3 are data communication networks that provide a data communication line to the data communication device DE1, and the data communication device DE1 is connected via the data communication lines L1 to L3. NW4 is a remote This is a data communication network that provides a data communication line to the data communication device DE2 on the data side.

The data communication lines L1 to L3 are any of data communication lines such as a circuit switching system, a packet switching system, and a random access system. If the line type of at least one of the data communication lines L 1 to 3 is different from the line type of the other data communication lines, furthermore, all of the data communication lines 1 to 3 When the line types are different, the effect of the present invention becomes remarkable. Data communication lines L1 to L3 include, for example, ISDN basic lines, ISDN primary group lines, ISDN bucket lines, bucket dedicated lines, dedicated lines, and other wired lines, PDC lines, PHS lines, -A wireless line such as a 2000 line can be used.

GW1 to GW3 are gateway devices for relaying between different data communication networks such as protocols, and interconnect the data communication networks NW1 to NW3 and the data communication network NW4. Connected to

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the data communication device DE 1 according to the present invention. Reference numerals 11 to 14 in the figure denote communication applications for performing data communication with the remote-side data communication device DE2. These communication applications operate on the data communication device, but may also operate on a personal computer or the like (not shown) connected to the data communication device DE 1.

These communication applications 11 to 14 are general-purpose software that does not depend on the data communication device, and may operate under an OS (operating system). Here, the communication applications 11 to 14 are described as being respectively a file transfer application, a still image transfer application, a videophone application, and an Internet access application (a browser or the like). I do.

Reference numerals 31 to 33 in the figure denote communication lines L to which the data communication device DE 1 is connected. These are line control units provided for each of 1 to 3 and are configured by circuits for performing line connection, line disconnection, data transmission / reception, etc. of the communication lines L 1 to L 3 respectively. Here, the communication line L1 is an ISDN unrestricted digital line, and the line control unit 31 controls connection of the communication line L1 according to a connection method of 64 kbit / s or 128 kbit / s. The communication line L2 is an ISDN packet line, and the line control unit 32 controls the communication line L2 using a Dch packet or Bch packet connection method. Further, the communication line L3 is an ATM (Asynchronus Transfer Mode) line, and the line control unit 33 controls the communication line L3. Here, the connection method means different communication speeds or service items that can be used on the same communication line. The communication speed and service items, such as the data communication line L3, are specified in advance, and the connection method of the communication line that cannot be selected for each communication application or data communication is called "fixed method". ι_ and.

Reference numeral 2 in the figure denotes a line management unit that selects a communication line and a connection method when the communication applications 11 to 14 perform data transmission, and includes a media identification unit 200, a line selection table 201, and a line selection unit. 202 and a timer unit 203.

11a to 14a and 11b to 14b are transmission / reception signals between the communication applications 11 to 14 and the line management unit 2, and 31a to 33a and 31b to 3 3b is a transmission / reception signal between the line management unit 2 and the line control units 31 to 33. These signals can also be realized by event processing or the like in software.

The communication applications 11 to 14 output one or more transmission data as signals 11 & to 14 & after outputting transmission request signals as signals 11 a to 14 a at the time of data transmission. Further, based on these signals, the line monitoring unit 2 outputs transmission request signals as the signals 31a to 34a, or outputs one or more transmission data. The media identification unit 2000 identifies the media type of the transmission data based on the signals 11a to 14a output from the communication application. The media type of the transmission data means the classification of the content included in the transmission data according to the media. For example, the media type is whether the content of the transmission data is a still image, a text, a moving image, or a high-speed moving image + audio (a combination of high-speed moving image and audio). Generally, the file transfer application 11 outputs text data as transmission data, and the Internet access application 14 transmits still image, text, video or high-speed video + audio as transmission data. Is output. Therefore, in this case, the transmission request signal output by the file transfer application always includes “text” as the media type, and the transmission request signal output by the internet ■ access ■ abbreviation 14 The media type includes “still image”, “text”, “moving image”, or “high-speed moving image + audio”.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data format (data structure) of the transmission request signals 11a to 14a. This transmission request signal is output from the communication applications 11 to 14 to the line management unit 2 at the start of data transmission. Generally, a transmission request signal includes various kinds of control data together with a transmission request signal identifier. The media information of the transmission data is also included in the transmission request signal as one of the control data.

The media identification unit 2000 extracts the media information from the transmission request signal and identifies the media type. The media type to be identified may be the extracted media information itself, or may be a further processed version of the extracted media information. For example, the extracted media information may be further grouped or further subdivided. The line selection table 201 includes rules for associating an optimum communication line for each media type and an optimum connection method on the communication line. This time By using the line selection table 201, it is possible to select an optimum communication line and connection method based on the type of media.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 201. In this figure, "still image" is associated with a 64 Kbit / s connection of an ISDN unrestricted digital line (communication line L1), and "text" is connected to a Dch bucket connection of an ISDN bucket line (communication line L2). The correspondence is as follows: "High-speed video + voice" is associated with the ATM line, and "Video" is associated with the 128Kbit / s connection of the ISDN unrestricted digital line (communication line 1).

Here, the connection method for high-speed video and audio is fixed, and the connection method is not specified as in other media. The reason for this is that in this communication device, it is not necessary to specify the connection method because the connection of the ATM line is always controlled by a specific connection method. As described above, the connection method is fixed—for a part or all communication lines, the connection method may be fixed in the line selection table 201.

The line selection table 201 can be constituted by storage means such as ROM, RAM, EEPROM, etc., but is constituted by writable storage means, and each rule in the line selection table 201 can be easily determined. Hopefully it can be changed. For example, it is desirable that it can be easily changed from the maintenance interface of the data communication device (not shown).

The line selection unit 202 reads the communication line and connection method corresponding to the identified media type from the line selection table 201 and selects one of the communication lines L1 to L3. Then, a transmission request signal is output to the line control units 31 to 33 corresponding to the selected communication lines L1 to L3. This signal includes the connection method, and the line control units 31 to 33 that have received the transmission request signals 31a to 33a connect the line by the specified connection method. Thus, each of the communication applications 11 to 14 can perform data communication with the remote data communication device DE2. In addition, the line selection unit 202, when the communication application outputs a transmission stop signal as signals 11a to 14a, or when a timer part 203 described later outputs a time-up signal, A transmission stop signal is output as a signal 31a to 33a, and the line controllers 31 to 33 disconnect the communication line.

The timer unit 203 is a means for measuring the interruption time of data transmission. The timer unit 203 is reset by the line selection unit 202, and when a predetermined interruption time has elapsed, a time-up signal is sent to the line selection unit 202. Is output. If the timer unit 203 measures the interruption time for each communication line or communication application, and the line selection unit 202 outputs a reset signal for each communication line or communication application, the communication line or communication The interruption time can be measured for each application.

The media identification unit 200, the line selection unit 202, and the timer part 203 can be realized not only as hardware (that is, a circuit) but also as software that operates on a microphone processor. it can. Further, the line management unit 2 including the table 201 can be realized by a microcomputer.

S 100 to S 107 in FIG. 6 are front-end diagrams showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 2, and output signals 11 from any of the communication applications 11 to 14 are shown. It shows the processing when receiving a to 14a. The operation of the line manager 2 differs depending on whether the received data 11a to 14a is a transmission request signal or a transmission data (step S100).

First, a case where the received signals 11a to 14a are transmission request signals will be described. The transmission request signal is issued when a data transmission request occurs in the communication applications 11 to 14. When the line management unit 2 receives the transmission request signal, the media identification unit 2000 extracts the media information from the transmission request signal and identifies the media type of the transmission data (step S101).

The line selection unit 202 refers to the line selection table 201 based on the identified media type, and reads out the communication lines L1 to L3 and the connection format associated with this media type (step S1). 0 2). The line selection unit 202 selects the read communication line as a communication line corresponding to the received transmission request, and includes a connection method to the line control units 31 to 33 corresponding to the communication line. A transmission request signal is output (step S103). The line control units 31 to 33 receiving this transmission request signal perform line connection according to the specified connection method. When the line connection is completed in this manner, the completion of the line connection is notified to the line management unit 2 as signals 31b to 33b, and the line management unit 2 receiving this notification transmits the signals 11b to The transmission permission is notified to the applications 11a to 14a as 14b.

After that, the line selection unit 202 outputs a reset signal to the timer unit 203 (step S104). Based on the reset signal, the timer part 203 starts measuring the interruption period and ends the process.

The timer part 203 starts a new measurement of the interruption period every time a reset signal is received, and sends a time-up signal to the line selection unit 202 when the measured value reaches the predetermined interruption time. Output. The line selection unit 202 disconnects the connected communication line based on the time-up signal or the transmission stop signal from the communication application 11 to 14.

Next, a case will be described in which the received data 11a to 14a of the line management unit 2 is transmission data in step S100. The transmission data is issued by the communication applications 11 to 14 after the transmission request signal is output. When the line management unit 2 receives the transmission data, it checks whether the communication line selected in step S102 is being connected (step S105). For example, by judging whether or not the timer part 203 has expired, it is possible to check whether the communication line is connected or disconnected. As a result, if the line is not connected, this process is terminated. At this time, the line management unit 2 notifies the communication applications 11 to 14 that the line has not been connected.

On the other hand, if the line is being connected, the line selection unit 202 sequentially outputs the transmission data to the line control units 31 to 33 corresponding to the selected communication line (step S106). Then, the line controllers 31 to 33 transmit the received transmission data to the remote-side communication device DE 2 via the data lines L 1 to L 3. This step S106 is repeated until all data is transmitted (step S107). When the data transmission is completed in this way, the completion of the data transmission is notified to the line management unit 2 as signals 31b to 33b, and the line management unit 2 receiving this notification sends the signals 11b to The transmission completion is notified to the applications 11a to 14a as 14b.

After that, the line selection unit 202 outputs a reset signal to the timer unit 203 (step S104), and the timer part 203 starts measuring the interruption period and ends this process. I do.

For example, if the file transfer application 11 outputs a text data transmission request signal, the media identification unit 200 extracts the media information “text” of the transmission request signal and transmits it. Identifies that the media type of the data is text. Next, the line selector 202 reads out the Dch bucket connection of the communication line L2 from the line selection table 201, and outputs a transmission request signal including the connection method to the line controller 32. Based on this signal, the line controller 32 connects to the communication line and connects 2 with a Dch bucket. Thereafter, the transmission data output from the communication case 11 is output to the line control unit 32 by the line selection unit 202, and is transmitted from the line control unit 32 to the communication line L2.

In general, the media type of the transmission data has some correlation with the data length. If a line and a connection method are selected, a communication line and a connection method can be selected in consideration of the data length of the transmission data. Furthermore, by selecting the communication line or connection type based on the media type, it is possible to make a selection in consideration of the required communication speed, communication quality, and the like.

Moreover, even if the data communication device can select communication lines of two or more different line types, or the data communication device can select two or more connection methods for at least some communication lines, Communication line and connection method can be selected.

Also, by identifying the media type of the transmission data based on the transmission request signal output from the communication application and selecting the communication line and connection method, the communication application does not have to manage the line resources and designate the communication line. Even so, it is possible to select the communication line and connection method that are optimal for the media. In other words, there is no need to use a dedicated communication application (including processing of a part of a general-purpose communication application or setting of predetermined parameters).

Therefore, the user can freely select a communication application from commercially available general-purpose communication applications, and the latest communication application can be used at low cost. Further, the setting work for each data communication device is not required, and the installation work of the communication application becomes easy. In the present embodiment, the case where the data communication device DE 1 is connected to three networks NW 1 to 3 has been described. However, the case where the data communication device DE 1 is connected to two or more networks is described. Has the same effect.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case where both the data line and the connection method are selected has been described. However, the present invention is applicable to a case where only the data line is selected and a case where only the connection method is selected. Can be.

Also, in the present embodiment, a case has been described where the communication applications 11 to 14 are files, transfer applications, and the like. If it is air, communication applications other than these may be used. Further, although a case has been described with the present embodiment where four communication applications are running, a case where one or more communication applications are running may be used. Embodiment 2

Embodiment 1 has described the case where the media type is identified based on the transmission request signal from the communication application. However, in the present embodiment, the case where the media type is identified based on the transmission data from the communication application is described. explain.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data format (data structure) of transmission data output from the communication applications 11 to 14. Generally, transmission data includes a transmission data identifier, various types of control data, and a data body, and media information of the data body is included in the transmission data as one of the control data.

The media identification unit 2000 extracts this media information from the transmission data and identifies the media type. The identified media type may be the extracted media information itself, or may be a further processed version of the extracted media information. For example, the extracted media information may be further grouped or further subdivided. S200 to S207 in FIG. 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 2 shown in FIG. 3, and are transmitted from any of the communication applications 11 to 14. The process when data is received is shown. In the present embodiment, when the line management unit 2 receives a transmission request signal, it does not output a transmission request to the line control units 31 to 33, and the transmission permission is applied as a signal 11b to 14b to the application Notify 11a to 14a. Then, when the line management unit 2 receives the transmission data thereafter, the line control units 3 1 to 3 3 First, a transmission request is output, and further transmission data is output.

First, the communication applications 11 to 14 issue one or more transmission data as the signals 11a to 14a after outputting the transmission request signal. Upon receiving the transmission data, the line management unit 2 checks whether the transmission data is the first transmission data after receiving the transmission request signal (step S20).

0) o

When the line management unit 2 receives the first transmission data, the media identification unit 200 extracts the media information from the transmission data and identifies the media type of the transmission data (step S202).

The line selection unit 202 refers to the line selection table 201 based on the identified media type, and reads out the communication lines L1 to L3 and the connection type associated with this media type (step S). 2 0 3). The line selection unit 202 selects the read communication line as a communication line corresponding to the received transmission request, and includes a connection method to the line control units 31 to 33 corresponding to the communication line. A transmission request signal is output (step S204). The line control units 31 to 33 receiving this transmission request signal perform line connection according to the specified connection method, and notify the line management unit 2 of the completion of the line connection.

The line management unit 2 receiving this notification sequentially outputs the transmission data to the line control units 31 to 33 (step S205). Then, the line controllers 31 to 33 transmit the received transmission data to the remote-side communication device DE2 via the data lines L1 to L3. This step S205 is repeated until all data has been transmitted (step S205). When the data transmission is completed in this way, the completion of the data transmission is notified to the line management unit 2 as signals 31b to 33b, and the line management unit 2 receiving this notification transmits the signal 11 The transmission completion is notified to the applications 11a to 14a as b to 14b ₍ then, the line selection unit 202 outputs a reset signal to the timer unit 203 (step S 207) Based on this reset signal, the timer Part 203 starts the measurement of the suspension period and ends the process.

On the other hand, in step S200, if the transmission data received by line management section 2 is not the first transmission data, the data line should have been connected when the previous transmission data was received. However, the data line may be disconnected after a predetermined interruption period has elapsed. Therefore, the line management unit 2 checks whether the communication line selected in step S203 is being connected (step S201).

If the line is connected, the line selection unit 2

The transmission data is output according to O2 (steps S205 to S207), and after the line is disconnected, the line is connected again (steps S202 to S200).

Four ).

For example, if the still image transfer application 12 outputs still image data as the first transmission data, the media identification unit 200 extracts the media information “still image” from the control data of the transmission data. Then, the media type of the transmission data is identified as a still image. Next, the line selection unit 202 reads out the 64 Kbit / s packet connection of the data line L1 from the line selection table 201, and sends a transmission request signal including the connection method to the line control unit 31. Output. Based on this signal, the line controller 31 connects the communication line L 1 at 64 Kbit / s. Then, the transmission data is continuously output to the line control unit 31 by the line selection unit 202, and transmitted to the data line L1 from the line control unit 31. If the still image transfer application 12 outputs still image data as the second transmission data, the transmission data is output to the line controller 31 without outputting the transmission request signal.

In this way, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained by identifying the media type based on the transmission data output from the communication application and selecting the communication line and the connection method. Embodiment 3.

In Embodiment 2, when the data line is connected, the media type is identified, and the optimum data line and connection method are selected.After that, other transmission data are also connected unless the line is disconnected. Transmitted to data line. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a media type is identified each time transmission data is received, and an optimal data line and connection method are selected and transmitted for each transmission data.

S300 to S309 in FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the line management unit 2 shown in FIG. This flowchart shows a data transmission process when any of the communication applications 11 to 14 performs data transmission.

First, the communication applications 11 to 14 issue one or more transmission data after issuing the transmission request signal. Every time the line management unit 2 receives the transmission data, the media identification unit 200 extracts the media information from the transmission data and identifies the media type of the transmission data (step S300). The line selection unit 202 stores the media type and checks whether the transmission data is the first transmission data after receiving the transmission request signal (step S301).

If it is the first transmission data, the line selection unit 202 refers to the line selection table 201 based on the identified media type (step S304), and the line control units 31 to 33 Then, a transmission request signal is output (step S305).

On the other hand, in step S301, the transmission data received by the line management unit 2 is not the first transmission data, and the media type identified in step S300 and stored in the line management unit 2 The media type of the previous transmission data is compared with that of the previous transmission data (step S302).

As a result, if the media types do not match, the line selection unit 202 A transmission end request is output as signals 31a to 33a to the line controllers 31 to 33 during line connection (step S303). The line control units 31 to 33 receiving the transmission end notification notify the line management unit 2 of a disconnection completion notification after disconnecting the line. Thereafter, the line selector 202 connects the data line according to the media type (steps S304, S305) o

If the media types match in step S302, it is checked whether or not the data line from which the previous transmission data was transmitted is being connected (step S309). If the line has been disconnected due to the elapse of the suspension period, the line selection unit 202 connects the data line according to the media type (steps S304, S305).

If the line connection is completed in step S305, or if it is determined in step S309 that the line is being connected, the line selector 202 selects the line controller 31 The transmission data is sequentially output to 333 (steps S306, S307), and a reset signal is output to the timer part 203 (step S308).

For example, if the application 14 outputs the still image data as the first transmission data after the issuance of the transmission request signal, the application 14 may output the still image data in the line selection table 201 based on the identified media type. Based on the reference result, the line controller 31 connects the communication line L 1 at 64 Kbit / s. Then, the transmission data is sent from the line controller 31 to the data line L1. Next, when the application 14 outputs the still image data as the second transmission data, the transmission data is transmitted from the line controller 31 because the identified media type matches the first transmission data. Sent to data line L1.

On the other hand, when application 14 outputs text data as the second transmission data, the identified media type does not match the first transmission data. Therefore, according to the reference result of the line selection table 201, The line control unit 32 connects the communication line L2 with a Dch packet. Then, the transmission data is transmitted from the line control unit 32 to the data line L2.

In this way, each time the transmission data is output from the communication application, the type of the media is identified, and by selecting the optimum communication line and connection method, the data communication composed of various media is performed. In addition, the most suitable communication line and connection method can always be selected. For example, when transmitting transmission data composed of various media after outputting one transmission request signal, an optimal communication line or connection method corresponding to the medium can be selected for each transmission data.

In particular, the present invention is effective when the amount of communication data changes rapidly during data communication, such as in the case of Internet access. In such a case, the optimum channel cannot be selected at the time of the transmission request made by the communication application. However, according to the present invention, the media type is identified for each transmission data and the communication line or Because the connection method is selected, even if the amount of communication data changes rapidly during data communication, the optimal communication line and connection method can always be selected, thus making more efficient use of line resources. can do.

In the flowchart of FIG. 9, the line manager 2 outputs the transmission request by referring to the line selection table 201 after outputting the transmission end request (S303 to S300). 305), a channel switching request indicating a transmission request and a transmission end request may be output. In addition, a transmission request is output, and a termination request is output after confirming the completion notification of the line connection from the line control units 31 to 33.On the other hand, if the completion notification cannot be confirmed, the line is not switched. It can also be.

Embodiment 4.

In this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a mobile communication system will be described. Will be explained. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of the entire data communication network to which the data communication device of the present invention is applied. This figure is

Fig. 3 shows a case where the data communication network NW 1 to NW 3 in Fig. 3 is configured by a wireless communication network, and the data communication device DE 1 includes a data terminal DT, an adapter ADP, and a mobile phone MS. It is. The mobile phone MS is a communication terminal that has a radio communication channel with each of the base stations BS 1 to BS 3 and can select any one of the radio communication channels, and is preferably a mobile communication terminal such as a cellular phone. It is. Here, the mobile phone MS can perform PDC bucket communication with the base station BS1, and can perform PHS unrestricted digital communication with the base stations BS2 and BS3. Shall be. However, the communication between the mobile phone MS and the base stations BS1 to BS3 need not be limited to these communications, and may be, for example, the GSM scheme or satellite communications.

The base stations BS1 to BS3 are connected via a gateway GW to a data communication network NW to which a remote-side data communication device DE2 is connected.

The data terminal DT is, for example, a personal computer, which is electrically connected to the mobile phone MS via the adapter ADP. This electrical connection can be made detachable via, for example, a cable or a connector. The data terminal DT can operate one or more communication application software that performs data communication with the remote data communication device DE2. These communication applications are general-purpose software that does not depend on data communication devices.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the data communication device DE 1 shown in FIG. 10 in further detail. Adapter ADP is a data terminal DT Based on these outputs, the wireless communication line of the mobile phone MS is selected. That is, the adapter ADP is configured to include a line management unit 2 similar to that shown in FIG. 3, and this line management unit 2 operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 8, or FIG. Further, the mobile phone MS is configured to include line control units 31 to 33.

The connection between the data terminal DT and the adapter ADP corresponds to 11a to 14a and 11b to 14b in Fig. 3, and the connection between the adapter ADP and the mobile phone MS is shown in Fig. 3 These correspond to 1 a to 33 a and 31 b to 33 b.

However, the data terminal DT and the adapter ADP, or the adapter ADP and the mobile phone MS can be configured as an integrated device, and used detachably connected to the remaining devices. Further, the data terminal DT, the adapter ADP and the mobile phone MS can be configured as an integrated data communication device DE1.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of data constituting the line selection table 201 in the adapter ADP. In this figure, "Text" corresponds to 9.6Kbit / s connection of PDC bucket line (communication line L1), and "Movie" corresponds to 64Kbit / s connection of PDC bucket line (communication line L1). In addition, "still image" is compatible with 32Kbit / s connection of PHS unrestricted digital line (communication line L2), and "high-speed video + audio" is 64Kbit of other PHS unrestricted digital line (communication line L3). Corresponds to / s connection.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a channel switching sequence of the data communication device DE 1 and the base station BS 1 shown in FIG. 11, in which the line management unit 2 executes the flow chart of FIG. 3), and shows an operation when the mobile phone MS performs channel switching.

First, it is assumed that the mobile phone MS and the base station BS1 have already been connected by a communication line L1 and a bucket exchange with a connection method of 9.6 Kbi't / s. This At this time, if new transmission data is generated in the communication applications 11 to 14 of the data terminal DT, this transmission data is output to the adapter AD #. The adapter ADP identifies the media type of the transmission data based on the transmission request signal, and selects a new communication line and connection method based on the media type.

As a result, if the newly selected communication line and connection method are the same as those during communication, there is no need to switch channels. For this reason, transmission data output from the data terminal DT after that is transmitted from the mobile phone MS to the base station BS1 via the adapter ADP.

On the other hand, if the selected communication line or connection method is different from the one under communication, channel switching is required. Here, it is assumed that the newly selected communication line is L 1 and the connection method is 64 Kbit / s. In this case, the adapter ADP outputs a channel switching request to the mobile phone MS.

After checking whether the requested communication line and connection method are available with the base station BS1, the mobile phone MS transmits a communication channel switching request to the base station BS1. The channel switching request to the base station BS1 is performed using a normal channel switching procedure used when the communication quality is degraded or a re-calling handover procedure.

After receiving the channel switching instruction from the base station BS1, the mobile phone MS outputs a channel switching response to the adapter ADP to notify that the channel switching has been completed. Thereafter, adapter ADP outputs the transmission data to mobile phone MS.

In this way, channel switching in mobile phone MS, that is, switching of a communication line or a connection method, can be performed using a normal channel switching procedure or a recalling hand communication procedure.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. Based on the output from the communication application, a media identification step for identifying the media type of the transmission data, and, based on the identified media type, a communication line from a line selection table that associates the media type with the communication line. A line selecting step for reading out data.

2. The data communication line according to claim 1, wherein the media identification step identifies a media type of the transmission data based on media information included in transmission data output by a communication application. Selection method.

3. The data communication line selection method according to claim 2, wherein the media identification step identifies a media type of the transmission data every time the communication application outputs the transmission data.

4. A line control step of making a line connection of the read data communication line is provided, wherein the line selection step reads out the connection method together with the communication line, and the line control step performs a line connection by the read connection method. 2. The method for selecting a data communication line according to claim 1, wherein:

5. A media identification unit that identifies the media type of the transmission data based on the output from the communication application, a line selection table that includes rules for associating the media type with the communication line, and the output and line of the media identification unit A data communication line selection device, comprising: a line selection unit that selects a communication line based on a selection table.

6. The data communication line selection device according to claim 5, wherein the media identification unit identifies the media type of the transmission data based on the transmission information output by the communication application and the media information included in the evening. .

7. The media identification unit outputs the transmission data by the communication application. 6. The data communication line selection device according to claim 5, wherein a media type of transmission data is identified each time the data is input.

8. A line control unit that performs a line connection of the communication line selected by the line selection unit, wherein the line selection table includes a rule in which a connection method is associated with at least a part of media types, and the line selection The data line selection unit according to claim 5, wherein the unit selects a connection method together with the communication line, and the line control unit performs line connection according to the selected connection method.