JP6567977B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

The demand for data communication services may increase depending on the time of day and location. For example, the demand for data communication services increases in trains during commuting hours, when events are held at event venues, during disasters, and in residential areas at night. When the demand for data communication services increases, congestion may occur and communication may be interrupted, communication data may be lost in the middle, or communication may be temporarily disabled.
The bandwidth reservation device described in Patent Literature 1 accepts a reservation for use of a communication band in a mobile communication system in advance according to reservation information transmitted from a communication terminal operated by a user, thereby responding to the reservation. Data communication services can be provided.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-156568

  However, the demand for communication services does not always occur when reservations are possible in advance. For example, it is difficult to predict in advance the demand that occurs during a disaster. Further, the demand for a service (hereinafter also referred to as priority communication) that preferentially communicates with a specific communication terminal as provided by the bandwidth reservation device described in Patent Document 1 is not necessarily the user who operates the communication terminal. It does not always arise from For example, there is a case where a provider that provides a communication service wants to preferentially communicate with a communication connection that satisfies a specific condition.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can flexibly perform priority communication in various situations.

(1) The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. As one aspect of the present invention, an acquisition unit that acquires communication data and a communication connection request indicated by the communication data are predetermined first. When the condition is satisfied, a priority determination unit that determines a priority for specifying the priority of allocation of communication bands based on the communication data, and generates priority control information based on a determination result by the priority determination unit A priority control information generating unit for transmitting, a transmission unit for transmitting device identification information for identifying a device that performs the communication to a communication device that relays communication, and the priority control information, and a communication status in the communication device. A detecting unit for detecting, and when the communication status satisfies a predetermined second condition, the transmitting unit performs priority change information indicating a change to a priority different from the priority, or cancels the priority connection. Show An information processing apparatus characterized by transmitting a previous release information to the communication device.

(2) Moreover, as 1 aspect of this invention, the said detection part detects the said communication condition in one or several said communication apparatuses, and the said transmission part transmits to one or several said communication apparatuses, The information processing apparatus according to (1), characterized in that:

(3) Moreover, as one aspect of the present invention, the predetermined second condition is that a use rate of a communication band in the communication device in which the communication is performed exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The information processing apparatus according to (1).

(4) As an aspect of the present invention, the communication data is characterized in that the predetermined second condition is that a number of simultaneous connections in the communication exceeds a predetermined threshold (1) It is an information processing apparatus as described in.

(5) As an aspect of the present invention, the predetermined second condition is that the communication is communication in a predetermined time zone, or a communication area by the communication device is a predetermined communication area. The information processing apparatus according to (1), which is characterized.

(6) As an aspect of the present invention, the predetermined second condition is that an average throughput of the device connected to the communication device with which the communication is performed is below a predetermined threshold. The information processing apparatus according to (1).

(7) According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method using a computer, in which an acquisition unit that acquires communication data and a priority determination step include communication connections indicated by the communication data When the request satisfies a predetermined first condition, a priority determination step for determining a priority for specifying a communication band allocation priority based on the communication data, and a priority control information generating unit includes the priority A priority control information generating step for generating priority control information based on a determination result in the determination step; and a device identification information for identifying a device that performs the communication with respect to a communication device that relays communication, and the priority A transmission step for transmitting control information; a detection step for detecting a communication status in the communication device; and a case where the communication status satisfies a predetermined second condition. And the step of transmitting, to the communication device, priority change information indicating a change to a priority different from the priority, or priority release information indicating release of a priority connection. Information processing method.

(8) Moreover, as one aspect of the present invention, when an acquisition step for acquiring communication data and a communication connection request indicated by the communication data satisfy a predetermined first condition, the computer performs communication based on the communication data. A priority determination step for determining a priority for specifying the priority of bandwidth allocation, a priority control information generation step for generating priority control information based on a determination result in the priority determination step, and relaying communication A transmission step of transmitting device identification information for identifying a device that performs the communication to the communication device and the priority control information; a detection step of detecting a communication status in the communication device; and the communication status is predetermined. When the second condition is satisfied, the priority change information indicating the change to the priority different from the priority or the priority release information indicating the release of the priority connection is displayed in advance. Is a program for executing the steps of transmitting to the communication device.

  According to the present invention, priority communication can be performed flexibly in various situations.

It is the schematic which shows an example of the network structure of the communication system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the communication control apparatus in the communication system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication system which concerns on this embodiment.

(Embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Configuration of communication system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment.
A communication system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system that controls communication performed between a CP (Contents Provider) server and a terminal. The communication system 1 is configured to include, for example, a radio access network for LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless communication whose specifications are defined by a standardization organization 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project).

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a communication control device 10 (information processing device), an EPC (Evolved Packet Core) 20, a CP server 30-1, a CP server 30-2, and a CP server 31. The closed network 40, the Internet 50, the wireless access network 60, the terminal 70, the terminal 71, the HSS (Home Subscriber Server) 80, and the charging server 90 are configured.

The communication control device 10 performs priority control of communication between the CP server and the terminal. Details of the functional configuration of the communication control apparatus 10 will be described later.
The EPC 20 performs authentication, mobility control, bearer management, charging, QoS (Quality of Service) control, and the like. The EPC 20 includes a P-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway) 200, an S-GW (Serving Gateway) 201, a PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) 202, an MME (Mobility Management Ent. The

The P-GW 200 is a connection point with an external network of the EPC 20, and is a gateway that performs IP (Internet Protocol) address assignment, packet transfer to the S-GW 201, and the like. The S-GW 201 is a gateway that accommodates the eNodeB 600 that is an LTE wireless communication base station and transmits user data.
The PCRF 202 (priority control unit) performs QoS control for communication, priority control, and control for charging. Further, the PCRF 202 may perform communication priority control based on information transmitted from the communication control device 10. The MME 203 accommodates the eNodeB 600 and performs terminal mobility management, terminal authentication (security control), and the like.

The CP server 30-1 and the CP server 30-2 are CP servers that publish a specific website or the like that is a target of priority communication, and between the CP server and a terminal (for example, the terminal 70 or the terminal 71). This communication may be preferentially performed by priority control by the communication control device 10. There is a CP server that is connected to the EPC 20 via the closed network 40, such as the CP server 30-1, and a CP server that is connected to the EPC 20 via the Internet 50, such as the CP server 30-2. is there.
The CP server 31 is a CP server that publishes a general website that is not subject to priority communication. As will be described later, communication between the CP server 31 and the terminal 71 is not preferentially performed.

Note that the CP server 30-1, the CP server 30-2, and the CP server 31 are not limited to websites, but other contents (for example, video data, audio data, and text data) and applications It may be.
Further, in order to simplify the description, in FIG. 1, only one CP server 30-1, CP server 30-2, and CP server 31 are illustrated, but there may be a plurality of each.

The closed network 40 is a “closed” network constructed as a service of its own by a communication carrier. Here, “closed” means that access is not received directly from the Internet 50.
The wireless access network 60 is a wireless network that relays communication between the EPC 20 and terminals (terminal 70 and terminal 71). The radio access network 60 is, for example, an E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network) that is an access network that implements radio communication in the LTE scheme. The radio access network 60 includes an eNodeB (evolved Node B) 600. The eNodeB 600 is a radio base station that supports radio communication using the LTE scheme.

The terminal 70 is a specific terminal subject to priority communication, and communication between the terminal and the CP server (for example, the CP server 30-1, the CP server 30-2, or the CP server 31) is a communication control. The priority control may be performed preferentially by the device 10.
The terminal 71 is a general terminal that is not subject to priority communication. Communication between the terminal 71 that is not the target of priority communication and the CP server 31 that is not the target of priority communication is not preferentially performed.

  In the above description, the communication performed by the CP server 30-1 and the CP server 30-2 may be preferentially performed, and the communication performed by the CP server 31 is not preferentially performed. It is assumed that whether or not communication is preferentially performed for each server is determined, but is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which it is determined whether or not communication is preferentially performed for each site included in each CP server. That is, for example, in the case of communication in which access to a specific site is performed, priority communication is performed, and in the case of communication in which access to a site other than a specific site is performed, priority communication is not performed. It may be a configuration.

The HSS 80 is a subscriber information database of subscribers (users) who receive communication services provided by the communication system 1, and manages authentication information and location information of terminals (terminal 70 and terminal 71).
The billing server 90 is a system for billing a CP server (CP server 30-1, CP server 30-2, and CP server 31) or a terminal (terminal 70 and terminal 71). The system includes an accounting system (OCS) or an offline accounting system (OFCS).

(Configuration of communication control device)
Next, the functional configuration of the communication control apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the communication control apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The communication control apparatus 10 includes an acquisition unit 100, a priority determination unit 101, a priority control information generation unit 102, a transmission unit 103, and a detection unit 104.

  The acquisition unit 100 acquires communication data from the EPC 20 (via the PCRF 202). The communication data here is data indicating accompanying information (metadata) related to each communication performed in the EPC 20. The communication data includes information used to determine the priority of communication when priority communication is performed, for example, device identification information for identifying a device that performs communication (for example, terminal identification that identifies a terminal that performs communication) Information, and CP server identification information for identifying the CP server that performs the communication). The communication data is, for example, data generated by the request source or request destination device (for example, the CP server 30-1, the CP server 30-2, or the terminal 70) and transmitted to the EPC 20. The communication data is, for example, data transmitted based on an operation input from a user in a request source or request destination device (for example, the CP server 30-1, the CP server 30-2, or the terminal 70) of the communication. It is.

The device identification information may include not only the terminal identification information and the CP server identification information, but also identification information for identifying the communication device. Alternatively, identification information that can specify a user, for example, an identification number of a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card may be used as the device identification information.
Other examples of information included in communication data will be described later.

  The priority determination unit 101 analyzes the communication data acquired by the acquisition unit 100, and when the communication connection request indicated by the communication data satisfies a predetermined condition (first condition), the priority of communication based on the communication data The priority for specifying (for example, communication band allocation priority or time slot allocation priority) is determined. The priority is represented by a class indicating a priority order, such as “class 1”, “class 2”,..., And “class 9”. For example, a communication determined as “class 1” has the highest priority, and a communication determined as “class 9” has the lowest priority.

Depending on the analysis result of the communication data, the priority determination unit 101 may not determine the priority for the communication corresponding to the communication data. In that case, the priority of communication for which the priority is not determined is, for example, the lowest priority.
For example, the communication data is data including the data portion (payload) of the IP packet, and the communication control device 10 is a device having a DPI (Deep Packet Injection) function for analyzing the payload in the priority determination unit 101. Also good.

The priority control information generation unit 102 generates priority control information based on the determination result by the priority determination unit 101. The priority control information includes information indicating priority contents in priority communication, for example, a communication band allocation amount corresponding to the priority determined by the priority determination unit 101, or a time slot allocation amount corresponding to the priority. included.
The transmission unit 103 transmits to the PCRF 202 identification information (for example, terminal identification information or CP server identification information) for identifying the priority control information and the communication subject to the priority control. Accordingly, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) performs priority communication according to the priority control information received from the communication control device 10 for the specific communication identified by the identification information received from the communication control device 10. The P-GW 200 (priority execution unit) can be controlled (for example, so as to allocate a communication band or time slot indicated by the priority control information).

Note that the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) not only receives priority control information received from the communication control apparatus 10 (information processing apparatus) but also communication apparatus failure information received from the P-GW 200 (for example, the EPC 20 or the radio access network). In combination with the failure information of the failure that occurred in 60, determination processing for determining whether to perform priority control may be performed.
For example, the failure information of the communication device is a state where another communication device adjacent to the communication device that accommodates the terminal is broken or a failure occurs in a communication device that constitutes a trunk transmission path through which the terminal passes. It is possible to perform determination processing such as not performing priority control because a failure has occurred beyond the communication device that accommodates the terminal.

  In the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, the communication control apparatus 10 includes the priority determination unit 101, and the EPC 20 includes the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) and the P-GW 200 (priority execution unit). It is not limited to this. For example, the communication system 1 may be configured to include the priority determination unit 101, the priority control unit, and the priority execution unit in different devices. Alternatively, for example, the communication system 1 may be configured to include a part or all of the priority determination unit 101, the priority control unit, and the priority execution unit in the same device.

The detection unit 104 acquires data (hereinafter also referred to as detection data) indicating a result (communication status) of detecting a communication state of communication in the EPC 20 from the EPC 20 (via the PCRF 202). The communication state here is data indicating a communication state (communication quality) indicated by communication traffic, for example, a communication band usage rate or throughput.
The priority determination unit 101 acquires detection data from the detection unit 104. The priority determination unit 101 determines whether to perform priority control based on the communication status indicated by the acquired detection data.

  That is, the priority determination unit 101 may not determine the priority so as not to perform a new priority communication depending on the communication status indicated by the acquired detection data. For example, the priority determination unit 101 determines that the communication traffic volume in the entire communication performed in the EPC 20 is larger than a predetermined amount (that is, when communication is congested), or the communication performed in the EPC 20 When the ratio of priority communication in the whole is higher than a predetermined ratio, the priority is not determined. Thereby, the priority determination unit 101 can control the EPC 20 not to perform new priority communication when it is difficult to secure a communication band for performing new priority communication. it can.

  Alternatively, for example, the priority determination unit 101 determines that the proportion of priority communication in the entire communication performed in the EPC 20 is predetermined when the communication traffic amount in the entire communication performed in the EPC 20 is smaller than a predetermined amount. When it is lower than the ratio, the priority is not determined. Thereby, the priority determination part 101 can control EPC20 not to perform new priority communication, when it is a communication state which can ensure sufficient communication speed, even if priority communication is not performed.

  Moreover, when the priority determination part 101 analyzes the communication condition which the acquired detection data shows, when the said communication condition satisfy | fills predetermined conditions (2nd condition), it changes to a different priority about specific communication. It may be determined whether or not priority connection is canceled. When the priority determination unit determines to change to a different priority or to cancel the priority connection, the priority control information generation unit 102 changes the priority to a different priority based on the determination result by the priority determination unit 101. Priority change information to be displayed or priority release information to indicate release of priority connection is generated. Then, the transmission unit 103 transmits the priority change information or the priority release information generated by the priority control information generation unit 102 to the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) of the EPC 20 (communication device).

  In the above, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that there is one communication device, but a plurality of communication devices may exist. In this case, for example, the detection unit 104 detects a communication status in one or more communication devices, and the transmission unit 103 sends priority control information, priority change information, or priority release information to one or more communication devices. Send.

  The detection unit 104 acquires route information indicating a communication route in addition to the detection data indicating the communication status from the EPC 20, and the priority determination unit 101 uses the priority control information and the priority based on the route information. You may make it select the communication apparatus which is a transmission destination of change information or priority cancellation information.

In addition, the predetermined condition (second condition) described above is, for example, that the usage rate of the communication band in the communication apparatus in which specific communication is performed exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Further, whether or not the predetermined threshold value has been exceeded may be determined based on, for example, whether or not the average value of the communication band usage ratio in the most recent arbitrary period exceeds the predetermined threshold value. Alternatively, whether or not the predetermined threshold is exceeded may be determined based on whether or not the communication band usage ratio exceeds the threshold at least once in the most recent arbitrary period, for example.

Or the predetermined condition (2nd condition) mentioned above is that the number of simultaneous connections of communication in the communication apparatus in which specific communication is performed exceeds a predetermined threshold value, for example.
Further, whether or not the predetermined threshold is exceeded may be determined based on, for example, whether or not the average value of the number of simultaneous connections in the most recent arbitrary period exceeds a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, whether or not the predetermined threshold value is exceeded may be determined based on whether or not the number of simultaneous communication connections exceeds the threshold value at least once in the most recent arbitrary period, for example.

Alternatively, the predetermined condition (second condition) described above is, for example, that the specific communication is communication in a predetermined time zone, or that the communication area by the communication device in which the communication is performed is the predetermined communication area. is there.
Note that data indicating a table in which device identification information of a communication device is associated with a communication area (communication range) by the communication device is a storage unit (not shown) included in the priority determination unit 101 of the communication control device 10. Is stored in advance, and the priority determination unit 101 sets the communication area (communication range) by the communication device to a predetermined communication area (communication range) based on the device identification information of the communication device included in the communication data and the data indicating the table. The communication range may be determined.

  Alternatively, the communication data includes a base station ID for identifying a base station (for example, eNodeB 600), and data indicating a table in which the base station ID and the communication area are associated is the priority determination of the communication control apparatus 10. The configuration may be such that the storage unit (not shown) included in the unit 101 stores in advance. Thereby, the priority determination part 101 determines that the communication area (communication range) by a communication apparatus is a predetermined communication area (communication range) based on the base station ID contained in communication data and the said table. be able to.

  Further, the communication control device 10 acquires the device identification information of the communication device constituting the communication area in which the specific device (for example, the terminal or the CP server) is accommodated from the table stored in the external device, The configuration may be such that priority control information, priority change information, or priority release information is transmitted to the communication device.

Whether or not the communication data includes position information indicating the position of the device (for example, terminal, CP server), and the communication area (communication range) by the communication device is a predetermined communication area (communication range). The determination may be made based on whether or not the position indicated by the position information is included in the communication area (communication range) by the communication apparatus.
In this case, for example, the position of a device (for example, a terminal or a CP server) is near the boundary of a plurality of communication areas by a plurality of communication devices, and there may be a plurality of communication devices to which the device can be connected. When the communication control apparatus 10 determines a communication apparatus that is the transmission destination of the priority control information, the apparatus may be connected to another communication apparatus (for example, by handover). This may cause a difference between the communication device that has received the priority control information from the communication control device 10 and the communication device to which the device (terminal, CP server, etc.) is connected. In order to solve this problem, the communication control device 10 transmits priority control information, priority change information, or priority release information to a plurality of communication devices located within a predetermined range from the position of the device. May be.

  Alternatively, the predetermined condition (second condition) described above is, for example, that an average throughput in a device (for example, a terminal or a CP server) connected to a communication device that performs specific communication is below a predetermined threshold.

  In addition, the duration of one priority connection is determined in advance, and the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) controls the P-GW 200 and the base station (for example, the eNodeB 600) based on the duration, thereby controlling communication priority. May be performed. As described above, communication priority control may be managed not only by the communication control apparatus 10 but also by the PCRF 202, a base station (for example, eNodeB 600), a repeater base station (not shown), and the like. By managing the priority control of communication by a plurality of devices, it is possible to reduce the load due to the unipolar centralized management in the communication control device 10.

Specifically, priority control is executed in the EPC 20 and the radio access network 60 as follows. The following description is the same in any of the priority control examples described later.
For example, the PCRF 202 outputs, to the P-GW 200, a PCC (Policy and Charging) rule indicating a rule based on information indicating communication acquired from the communication control device 10 and data indicating a communication bandwidth allocation amount. The P-GW 200 that has received the PCC rule requests the S-GW 201 to generate a priority bearer (Dedicated Bearer) and instructs the start of QoS (Quality of Service) control according to the PCC rule. . Note that the dedicated bearer is a bearer that is additionally set in units of QoS with respect to the default bearer.

When the S-GW 201 starts QoS control according to the PCC rule and the setting of the dedicated bearer between the P-GW 200 and the S-GW 201 is completed, the S-GW 201 sends the MME 203 the Request settings.
Then, the MME 203 requests the eNodeB 600 to set an E-RAB (E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Access Network) Radio Access Bearer).
In response to the request, the eNodeB 600 transmits an RRC (Radio Resource Control) reconfiguration request to the terminal (for example, the terminal 70 or the terminal 71). In response to receiving the RRC reconfiguration request, the terminal (for example, the terminal 70 or the terminal 71) establishes a communication connection with the eNodeB 600.
When a terminal (for example, the terminal 70 or the terminal 71) establishes a communication connection with the eNodeB 600, the terminal transmits a completion notification to the eNodeB 600. In response to receiving the completion notification, the eNodeB 600 transmits an E-RAB setup response (E-RAB Setup Response) to the MME 203.

In response to receiving the E-RAB setting response, the MME 203 transmits a response indicating that the dedicated bearer has been set to the S-GW 201.
In response to receiving the response indicating that the dedicated bearer has been set, the S-GW 201 transmits the response to the P-GW 200.
As described above, the communication connection by the priority communication is established by the generation of the dedicated bearer, and the information specifying the communication transmitted from the communication control device 10 is transmitted to the terminal (for example, the terminal 70 or the terminal 71). The provision of a service corresponding to the allocation of the communication band based on the indicated data and the data indicating the allocated amount of the communication band transmitted from the communication control device 10 is started.

  The more detailed contents of the procedure for generating a dedicated bearer are described in the following document, for example, and thus the description thereof is omitted. “3GPP TS 23.402 V13.4.0 (2015-12), 3rd Generation Partnership Project, Technical Specification Group services ss lensce Sense 13 86-90, “5.4 Dedicated Bearer Procedures for E-UTRAN Access with PMIP-based S5 / S8”.

(Operation of communication system)
Next, the operation of the communication system 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment.
This flowchart is started when the acquisition unit 100 of the communication control apparatus 10 receives communication data transmitted from the EPC 20 (via the PCRF 202). Note that the timing at which the EPC 20 transmits communication data to the communication control device 10 includes, for example, a timing at which a new communication connection request is generated, a timing at which a request to change from general communication that is not priority communication to priority communication, and priority. This is the timing when a request for changing the priority occurs in communication.

(Step S001) The acquisition unit 100 of the communication control apparatus 10 acquires communication data from the EPC 20 (via the PCRF 202). The acquisition unit 100 outputs the communication data acquired from the EPC 20 to the priority determination unit 101. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S002.

(Step S002) The priority determination unit 101 acquires communication data output from the acquisition unit 100. The priority determination unit 101 analyzes the acquired communication data, and includes identification information (eg, terminal identification information or CP server identification information) for identifying communication included in the communication data, and the identification information. The associated priority information is extracted. The priority determination unit 101 determines the priority based on the extracted priority information. The priority determination unit 101 outputs information indicating the priority determination result and identification information to the priority control information generation unit 102. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S003.

(Step S003) The priority control information generation unit 102 acquires information indicating the priority determination result and identification information output from the priority determination unit 101. The priority control information generation unit 102 determines the content of the priority communication according to the priority determination result indicated by the acquired information (for example, the communication band to be allocated to the priority communication according to the priority determination result, or the time slot Determine the quota). The priority determination result and the content of the priority communication (for example, a table in which the communication band assigned to the priority communication or the allocation amount of the time slot is associated) are stored in the priority control information generation unit 102 (see FIG. (Not shown). Note that the table may be stored in an external device, and the communication control device 10 acquires data indicating the communication bandwidth or time slot allocation amount to be assigned to priority communication from the table stored in the external device. Such a configuration may be adopted.
The priority control information generation unit 102 outputs identification information and data indicating a communication band to be allocated to priority communication or a time slot allocation amount to the transmission unit 103. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S004.

(Step S004) The transmission unit 103 acquires the identification information and the data indicating the communication band allocated to the priority communication or the allocation amount of the time slot, which is output from the priority control information generation unit 102. The transmission unit 103 transmits the identification information and data indicating the communication band to be allocated to the priority communication or the allocation amount of the time slot to the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) of the EPC 20. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S005.

(Step S005) The PCRF 202 (priority control unit) of the EPC 20 acquires the identification information and the data indicating the communication band allocated to the priority communication or the allocation amount of the time slot, which is output from the transmission unit 103 of the communication control apparatus 10. . The EPC 20 acquires the communication corresponding to the acquired identification information (for example, the communication performed by the terminal corresponding to the acquired terminal identification information or the communication performed by the CP server corresponding to the acquired CP server identification information). The P-GW 200 is controlled so as to allocate the communication band based on the processed data or the allocation amount of the time slot.

The P-GW 200 (priority execution unit) allocates the designated communication band or time slot to the designated communication in accordance with an instruction from the PCRF 202 (priority control unit). As described above, communication connection by priority communication is established.
Note that the P-GW 200 (priority execution unit) is not only between the terminal (for example, the terminal 70 or the terminal 71) and the P-GW 200 or the eNodeB 600, but also between the terminal and the CP server (CP server 30-1, CP server 30- 2 or a configuration in which priority control information is transmitted to all devices on the communication path with the CP server 31) for priority control.
Above, this flowchart is complete | finished.

The communication control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can perform communication priority control based on various types of communication data. Hereinafter, some examples of communication data will be described.
(Communication data example 1)
For example, as described above, the communication data includes priority information indicating communication priority or priority. For example, as described above, the priority information includes data indicating classes indicating priority, such as “class 1”, “class 2”, and “class 3”. In addition, the priority information may be data indicating the priority with a value from 1 to 100, for example, assuming that the priority of the communication with the highest priority is 100. In that case, for example, the priority determination unit 101 determines that “class 1” when the value is 80 or more, “class 2” when the value is 40 or more and less than 80, and the value is 40. If it is less, the class may be classified as “class 3” to determine the priority and determine the priority.

  In the above description, the priority information indicating the priority or priority of communication is included in the communication data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication data includes identification information such as terminal identification information or CP server identification information, and the priority determination unit 101 identifies identification information (for example, terminal identification information or CP server identification information). ) And priority information are stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown), and priority information associated with identification information included in communication data is acquired from the table. It may be. Alternatively, for example, the priority determination unit 101 may acquire priority information associated with identification information included in communication data from an external device (for example, HSS 80).

(Communication data example 2)
The communication data includes, for example, information indicating an operation input by a user at a terminal that performs communication. The information includes, for example, information indicating that priority connection is requested or information for specifying priority. That is, in this example, for example, the user operates the terminal to make a request for priority connection, and priority communication is performed based on the request. The communication data includes, for example, a user and a communication provider (for example, a provider that provides a communication service using the EPC 20 and a provider that provides a wireless communication service using the wireless access network 60). Contract content (a contract plan to which a user is subscribed) or, for example, a user and a content provider (for example, a provider that provides content using the CP server 30-1, the CP server 30-2, and the CP server 31) ) Includes information indicating the priority order according to the contract details.

The information indicating the operation input by the user may include the time when the user last operated the terminal that performs communication. In this case, for example, by acquiring the time when an operation event such as a physical key of the terminal or a touch screen occurs, it is possible to acquire the time when the user last operated the terminal.
Thus, for example, priority control is not performed for communication from a malicious program that continuously gives a threat (for example, DoS (Denial of Service) attack, etc.) to the communication network without requiring any user operation. It is also possible to do so.
When the elapsed time from the time when the user last operated the terminal exceeds a predetermined time, the priority determination unit 101 indicates priority change information indicating a change to a different priority or release of priority connection The priority release information may be transmitted to the communication device. For example, when the time exceeds a predetermined time, the priority determination unit 101 sends priority change information indicating a change to a different priority or priority release information indicating a priority connection release to the communication device. You may send it.

(Communication data example 3)
The communication data includes, for example, identification information for identifying an application, identification information for identifying a communication connection destination, a base station ID for identifying a base station (for example, eNodeB 600), and a URL (Uniform Resource) associated with the communication connection destination. Locator; unified resource location specifier) or information indicating the configuration of the IP address associated with the communication connection destination. The communication data includes, for example, time zone information indicating that the communication data is transmitted or received in a predetermined time zone, and communication from devices (for example, a terminal, a CP server, and a communication device) located at a predetermined location. Location information indicating that the data has been transmitted or communication type information indicating that the communication data is a predetermined type of communication data may be included.

  Furthermore, the communication data may include, for example, an ID (Identifier) indicating a model number of a specific communication module (for example, LTE communication module). As a result, the communication system 1 is unique in IoT (Internet of Things), which is a mechanism in which uniquely identifiable “things” are connected to the Internet or the cloud and are mutually controlled by exchanging information. Communication priority control can be performed on any identifiable “thing”.

  The priority determination unit 101 is information indicating the identification information, URL, IP address, or IP address configuration (for example, the length of the character string of the IP address, the version of the IP address (for example, IPv4 or IPv6), etc.) Priority is determined according to time zone information, location information, communication type information, and the like. That is, for example, priority communication is performed when an application corresponding to specific identification information (identification information installed in the terminal) performs communication on the terminal side. Further, for example, a communication connection destination (for example, a specific CP server or a specific site) corresponding to specific identification information or a communication connection destination (for example, a CP server) corresponding to a specific IP address performs communication. In this case, priority communication is performed.

  Note that the priority determination unit 101 may change (update) the priority of specific priority communication by redoing priority determination according to the communication state indicated by the acquired detection data. The priority change may change the priority of the priority communication to a higher priority or a lower priority. For example, the priority determination unit 101 determines that the ratio of the communication band used in the EPC 20 (communication device) is a predetermined ratio when the number of terminals performing priority communication with a certain priority exceeds a predetermined number. If it exceeds, one of a plurality of the devices (for example, the CP server 30-1, the CP server 30-2, or the terminal 70) that meets the predetermined condition and is connected to the communication device performs. The communication priority is changed (updated) to a higher priority or a lower priority.

  Note that the priority determination unit 101 starts priority determination based on communication data indicating a priority communication start request. In that case, the priority determination unit 101 may change the priority of another priority communication that is already being executed (for example, change to a lower priority). Moreover, the priority determination part 101 complete | finishes determination of a priority based on the communication data which show the completion | finish request | requirement of priority communication. In that case, the priority determination unit 101 may change the priority of another priority communication being executed (for example, change to a higher priority).

Note that, for example, the requesting device of the priority communication or the application of the requesting device may periodically acquire the status of the application of the requesting device or the requesting device.
In this case, for example, an error occurring in the request source device of the priority communication or the application of the request source device is detected by the request source device or the application of the request source device, and the error is a predetermined error. If it is, the apparatus that has requested the priority communication transmits communication data indicating a priority communication end request. Then, the priority determination unit 101 may end the priority determination based on the acquired communication data.
The requesting device or the application of the requesting device can detect an error of the requesting device based on information received from the requesting device of the priority communication. If the detected error is a predetermined error, the apparatus that has requested the priority communication may transmit communication data indicating the priority communication end request.

  In addition, for example, when priority communication is performed in response to use of a predetermined application of a device that has requested priority communication, that another application has been used (for example, that another application has been started). Based on the information), the priority communication may be terminated. Also, for example, when priority communication is performed in response to use of a predetermined application requesting priority communication, priority is given based on the fact that the time when the application is not used exceeds a predetermined time. Communication may be terminated. In addition, for example, when priority communication is performed in response to use of a predetermined application requesting priority communication, the state of the application transitions to a predetermined state (for example, a state that operates in the background). Based on the above, priority communication may be terminated.

  The communication system 1 in the present embodiment can perform various priority controls. Next, priority control performed by the communication control device 10 and the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) will be described with some examples.

(Priority control example 1)
The PCRF 202 (priority control unit) includes information for requesting priority connection (for example, a request to start priority connection, a request to end priority connection, or the priority of priority connection included in the communication data acquired from the communication control apparatus 10. P-GW 200 (priority execution unit) is controlled based on the request to change the
Further, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) is included in the communication data and identification information (for example, terminal identification information or CP server identification information) included in the communication data acquired from the communication control device 10 and the communication data. The P-GW 200 (priority execution unit) is controlled so as to allocate the communication band or time slot for the communication based on the priority information indicating the priority or priority of the communication band or time slot allocation.
As a result, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit), based on the terminal identification information that identifies the terminal that performs communication, or the CP server identification information that identifies the CP server that performs communication, determines the communication band or time slot for each communication. Priority control can be performed by giving a difference to the allocation amount.

  Note that the priority information may be information indicating a priority order or a priority for a communication connection source in the communication or a communication connection destination in the communication. That is, the priority information may be information indicating a priority level or a priority level associated in advance with information (for example, terminal identification information or CP server identification information) identifying a device that performs the communication.

(Priority control example 2)
The detection unit 104 of the communication control apparatus 10 acquires detection data from the EPC 20 (via the PCRF 202). In this example, the detection data includes data indicating the number of communication connections that are connected in communication in the EPC 20 (that is, the number of simultaneous connections). The detection unit 104 outputs the acquired detection data to the priority determination unit 101. The priority determination unit 101 does not determine communication priority when the number of simultaneous connections indicated by the acquired detection data exceeds a predetermined number. That is, even when the priority determination unit 101 acquires communication data indicating that a new priority communication is requested from the EPC 20, the number of simultaneous connections indicated by the detection data (for example, the communication indicated by the communication data). When the number of simultaneous connections in the eNodeB 600 to which the terminal to be connected is connected exceeds a predetermined number, the priority for the request is not determined. Thereby, the communication control apparatus 10 can perform priority control so that new priority communication is not started when the number of simultaneous connections of communication in the EPC 20 exceeds a predetermined number.

  The above is priority control that prevents new priority communication from being started when the number of simultaneous connections exceeds a predetermined number. For example, priority control may be performed as follows. When the number of simultaneous connections exceeds the predetermined number, the priority communication ends or is prioritized in order from the communication performed by the terminal with the lower priority or the communication performed by the terminal with the longer duration of the priority communication. The priority control may be such that the degree is changed.

  The priority control may be such that priority communication is terminated when the number of simultaneous connections falls below a predetermined number. That is, since the number of simultaneous connections is small, for example, a larger communication band can be secured for each communication during communication connection, so that control that gives priority only to specific communication may not be performed.

  In the above description, the priority determination unit 101 determines whether the number of simultaneous connections exceeds a predetermined number, but is not limited thereto. For example, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) monitors the number of simultaneous connections, and if the number of simultaneous connections has reached a predetermined number, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) does not transmit communication data to the communication control device 10. You may do it. Accordingly, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) can perform priority control by limiting the number of simultaneous connections in the EPC 20.

(Priority control example 3)
The detection unit 104 of the communication control apparatus 10 acquires detection data from the EPC 20 (via the PCRF 202) periodically (for example, every 10 seconds). In this example, the detection data includes identification information for identifying each priority communication and information indicating the time at which each priority communication was started for all priority communications that are in communication connection in the EPC 20. The detection unit 104 outputs the acquired detection data to the priority determination unit 101. In this example, the priority determination unit 101 includes a storage unit (not shown) that temporarily stores the detection data. The detection data stored in the storage unit is overwritten and updated each time the detection unit 104 acquires new detection data.

The priority determination unit 101 is connected based on information included in the detection data stored in the storage unit (that is, identification information for identifying priority communication and information indicating a time at which each priority communication is started). A determination is made to increase the priority of the communication that has started the priority communication earlier than the priority communication. Thereby, the communication control apparatus 10 performs priority control so that more communication bands or time slots are allocated to the communication that has started the priority communication earlier than the priority communication that is in communication connection in the EPC 20. Can do.
In this example, the priority determination unit 101 determines that the priority is higher for the communication that has started the priority communication earlier than the priority communication being connected. May be determined to be low.

  In the above description, the priority determination unit 101 performs priority control based on information indicating the time at which each priority communication is started, but is not limited thereto. For example, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) manages the start time of each priority communication, and the communication band or time slot allocation amount is set for communication with earlier priority communication start time among the priority communication being connected. The P-GW 200 may be controlled so as to increase (or decrease) the number. As a result, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) performs priority control to increase or decrease the allocation amount of the communication band or time slot for the priority communication connected earlier than the priority communication connected later. It can be carried out.

  Note that the priority determination unit 101 or the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) manages the connection time of each priority communication for each of various types of identification information (for example, terminal identification information and CP server identification information), and starts from a predetermined start time. In the period up to the end time of the communication, the communication bandwidth or time slot allocation is controlled to be reduced for communications in which the continuous communication packet amount or the accumulated communication packet amount is higher than a predetermined value by priority communication. It may be a configuration. (In this case, for example, the priority determination unit 101 or the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) reduces the time slot allocation amount for the terminal that has already disconnected from the next connection. The priority control unit may be controlled.) Further, for example, the packet in each priority communication in which the predetermined value is managed for each terminal identification information from a predetermined start time to a predetermined end time. By setting the average value of the flow rates, the communication system 1 can perform priority control of a terminal or the like performing priority communication exceeding the overall average of the packet flow rates in each priority communication.

(Priority control example 4)
Similar to the above-described priority control example 3, the detection unit 104 of the communication control apparatus 10 acquires detection data from the EPC 20 (via the PCRF 202) periodically (for example, every 10 seconds). In this example, the detection data includes identification information for identifying each priority communication and the elapsed time (priority connection time) since the start of each priority communication for all priority communications that are in communication connection in the EPC 20. Is included. The detection unit 104 outputs the acquired detection data to the priority determination unit 101. In this example, the priority determination unit 101 includes a storage unit (not shown) that temporarily stores the detection data. The detection data stored in the storage unit is overwritten and updated each time the detection unit 104 acquires new detection data.

  The priority determination unit 101 is based on information included in the detection data stored in the storage unit (that is, identification information for identifying priority communication, and information indicating an elapsed time since the start of each priority communication). Of the priority communication being connected, a communication whose time since the start of the priority communication has exceeded a predetermined time is determined to be excluded from the priority determination target (that is, the priority communication is terminated). As a result, the communication control device 10 excludes the priority communication that is in the communication connection in the EPC 20 from the priority communication for a communication that has exceeded the predetermined time since the priority communication was started. Priority control can be performed.

  Note that the communication control apparatus 10 sends data indicating that communication performed by the terminal is priority communication to the terminals (for example, the terminal 70 and the terminal 71) that perform communication, and the remaining until the end of the priority communication. Data indicating time or the like may be transmitted. Then, the terminal may display information based on the data on a display screen (for example, a liquid crystal display) of the terminal.

  In the above description, the priority determination unit 101 performs priority control based on information indicating an elapsed time from the start of each priority communication, but is not limited thereto. For example, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) monitors the elapsed time since the start of each priority communication, and the elapsed time since the start of the priority communication among the priority communication being connected has exceeded a predetermined time. For communication, the P-GW 200 may be controlled so as to end priority communication. Thereby, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) can perform priority control based on the elapsed time from the start of each priority communication. For example, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) monitors the elapsed time of each priority communication in the EPC 20, and when the elapsed time of specific priority communication is longer than the elapsed time of other priority communication, the specific priority communication is performed. By excluding priority connection (priority communication is terminated), priority control can be performed to increase the communication band or time slot allocation amount for the other priority communication.

(Priority control example 5)
In this example, the priority determination unit 101 of the communication control apparatus 10 is excluded from priority determination as in the specific communication described in the priority control example 4 (that is, the priority communication is terminated). ) A storage unit (not shown) for storing non-target communication identification information for identifying communication for a certain period (for example, one hour after being excluded from priority determination). The information may be identification information associated with the communication itself, terminal identification information for identifying a terminal that performs the communication, or CP server identification information for identifying a CP server that performs the communication. May be.

  When the priority determination unit 101 acquires communication data from the EPC 20 via the acquisition unit 100, the priority determination unit 101 collates identification information for identifying communication included in the communication data with non-target communication identification information stored in the storage unit. . When the identification information that matches the identification information for identifying the communication included in the communication data is present in the non-target communication identification information, the priority determination unit 101 sets the communication indicated by the communication data to be excluded from the priority determination target. (That is, prevent priority communication from being performed). Thereby, the communication control apparatus 10 can perform priority control so that communication changed from priority communication to non-priority communication is not changed again to priority communication for a predetermined period.

  In this example, the priority determination unit 101 performs determination for priority control so that communication changed from priority communication to non-priority communication is not changed to priority communication again for a predetermined period. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) sets non-target communication identification information for identifying a communication that has been changed from priority communication to non-priority communication (excluded from priority determination target) for a certain period (for example, priority determination It may be configured to include a storage unit (not shown) for storing for 1 hour after being excluded. Accordingly, the PCRF 202 (priority control unit) can perform priority control so that the communication changed to the communication without priority connection is not changed again to the communication with priority connection for a predetermined period.

  As described above, the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment can flexibly perform priority communication in various situations.

  The communication system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system that controls a communication network including wireless communication via the wireless access network 60, but is not limited thereto. The communication system 1 according to the present embodiment may be a system that controls a communication network via a wired access network, for example.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention and its deformation | transformation were demonstrated, these embodiment and its deformation | transformation were shown as an example and are not intending limiting the range of invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and at the same time, are included in the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

  Each of the above devices has a computer inside. The process of each device described above is stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the above-described processing is performed by the computer reading and executing the program. Here, the computer-readable recording medium means a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or the like. Alternatively, the computer program may be distributed to the computer via a communication line, and the computer that has received the distribution may execute the program.

The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above.
Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system, 10 ... Communication control apparatus (information processing apparatus), 20 ... EPC, 30-1 ... CP server (priority), 30-2 ... CP server (priority), 31 ... CP server (general), 40 ... closed network, 50 ... Internet, 60 ... radio access network, 70 ... terminal (priority), 71 ... terminal (general), 80 ... HSS, 90 ... billing server, 100 ... acquisition unit, 101 ... priority determination unit, 102 ... priority control information generation unit, 103 ... transmission unit, 104 ... detection 200 ... P-GW, 201 ... S-GW, 202 ... PCRF (priority control unit), 203 ... MME, 600 ... eNodeB

Claims (8)

An acquisition unit for acquiring communication data including application identification information for identifying an application;
When a communication connection request indicated by the communication data satisfies a predetermined first condition, a priority determination unit that determines a priority for specifying a priority of allocation of communication bands based on the communication data;
A priority control information generation unit that generates priority control information based on a determination result by the priority determination unit;
A transmission unit that transmits device identification information for identifying a device that performs the communication to a communication device that relays communication, the application identification information, and the priority control information;
A detection unit for detecting a communication status in the communication device;
With
When the communication status satisfies a predetermined second condition, the transmission unit performs priority change information indicating a change to a priority different from the priority in communication by an application corresponding to the application identification information, or priority connection An information processing apparatus , wherein priority cancellation information indicating cancellation of the communication is transmitted to the communication apparatus that performs priority control of the communication based on at least the application identification information . The detection unit detects the communication status in one or more of the communication devices,
The transmission unit transmits to one or a plurality of the communication devices.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The predetermined second condition is that a communication band usage ratio in the communication device in which the communication is performed exceeds a predetermined threshold.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined second condition is that a number of simultaneous connections in the communication exceeds a predetermined threshold. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined second condition is that the communication is communication in a predetermined time zone, or a communication area by the communication apparatus is a predetermined communication area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined second condition is that an average throughput of the apparatus connected to the communication apparatus in which the communication is performed is below a predetermined threshold. An information processing method using a computer,
An acquisition step in which the acquisition unit acquires communication data including application identification information for identifying an application;
A priority determination step for determining a priority for specifying a priority of allocation of communication bands based on the communication data when a communication connection request indicated by the communication data satisfies a predetermined first condition; Steps,
A priority control information generating unit that generates priority control information based on a determination result in the priority determination step;
A transmitting step in which a transmitting unit transmits device identification information for identifying a device that performs the communication to a communication device that relays communication, the application identification information, and the priority control information;
A detecting step for detecting a communication status in the communication device;
When the communication status satisfies a predetermined second condition, the transmission unit prioritizes change information indicating a change to a priority different from the priority in communication by an application corresponding to the application identification information, or priority connection Transmitting priority release information indicating release of the communication to the communication device that performs priority control of the communication based on at least the application identification information ;
An information processing method characterized by comprising: On the computer,
An acquisition step of acquiring communication data including application identification information for identifying an application;
A priority determination step of determining a priority for specifying a priority of allocation of communication bands based on the communication data when a communication connection request indicated by the communication data satisfies a predetermined first condition;
A priority control information generation step for generating priority control information based on a determination result in the priority determination step;
A transmission step of transmitting device identification information for identifying the device that performs the communication to the communication device that relays communication, the application identification information, and the priority control information;
A detection step of detecting a communication status in the communication device;
When the communication status satisfies a predetermined second condition, priority change information indicating a change to a priority different from the priority in communication by an application corresponding to the application identification information, or priority indicating release of priority connection Transmitting release information to the communication device that performs priority control of the communication based on at least the application identification information ;
A program for running

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