JP3586672B2 - Communication control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication control device for controlling communication such as data transmission, and more particularly to a communication control device for notifying a change in communication speed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, data communication and the like have been performed between communication devices such as a computer and a facsimile device via a communication path such as a communication line (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-41398 and 2000-324198). And JP-A-58-1356, JP-A-5-130088, and JP-A-7-143268.
[0003]
Meanwhile, in a communication control device such as an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) used for controlling communication by using an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), the communication speed is not constant, and the communication speed changes to an actually usable communication speed depending on the state of a communication path. May occur.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, once a line is connected at a low speed, it has not been possible to automatically change the communication speed even if the line condition improves.
For this reason, a user who communicates data or the like has connected to an ADSL modem device using a computer or the like using Telnet, WEB, or the like, and checked the line communication speed in order to know the line connection state.
[0005]
As another method for knowing the line connection state, the present communication speed is confirmed by a light emitting diode (LED) provided in a communication device such as a facsimile as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-41398. I had to.
On the other hand, if the line speed is low, the communication speed control device may detect that the communication control device has become able to communicate at a communication speed higher than a predetermined value and automatically reconnect.
[0006]
However, there may be a case where the user wants to perform communication immediately even if the user is somewhat slow. In this case, after the communication control device determines that the communication speed has become possible to communicate at a speed higher than a predetermined speed, the communication control device determines If the device automatically reconnects, there is a problem that the user must wait until communication starts.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily know the communication speed.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the interface means for changing the communication speed according to the status of the communication path, the address storage means for storing the address of the message transmission destination, the communication speed of the interface means are monitored, and the interface means Communication speed monitoring means for notifying communication speed information indicating the changed communication speed when the speed is changed; and a message indicating the changed communication speed in response to the communication speed information, the address being stored in the address storage means. And a message transmission processing means for transmitting a message to a communication path via the interface means.
[0009]
The interface changes the communication speed according to the status of the communication path. The communication speed monitoring means monitors the communication speed of the interface means, and notifies the communication speed information indicating the changed communication speed when the interface means changes the communication speed. The message transmission processing means receives the communication speed information and transmits a message indicating the changed communication speed to the address stored in the address storage means to the communication path via the interface means.
[0010]
Here, there is provided a message transmission condition storage means for storing a condition for transmitting the message, wherein the communication speed monitoring means, when the changed communication speed of the interface means satisfies the condition, May be configured to notify the message transmission means of communication speed information representing the communication speed of the message.
The interface means may include a LAN interface connected to the LAN and an ADSL interface connected to the line.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a basic configuration of the communication control device.
In FIG. 1, a communication control device 101 includes a computer provided between a plurality of communication devices that communicate with each other (for example, a computer provided in a LAN (Local Area Network)) and a computer that performs data communication with the computer via a communication line. Between the communication devices, and has a function of transmitting the changed communication speed to a pre-registered address by e-mail when the communication speed is changed. Have.
[0012]
The communication control device 101 has an interface unit 102 having an interface that changes the communication speed according to the line status, and monitors the interface unit 102, and indicates the changed communication speed when the interface unit 102 changes the communication speed. A communication speed monitoring unit 103 for notifying the communication speed information to the message transmission processing unit 104, and receiving the communication speed information from the communication speed monitoring unit 103, and transmitting a change in the communication speed as a message to the external interface 105 via the interface unit 102. And a message transmission processing unit 104 that transmits the message. As will be described later, the message transmission processing unit 104 has a memory in which an address of a message transmission destination is registered in advance, and the message transmission processing unit 104 transmits a message to the address registered in the memory by e-mail.
Here, the interface unit 102 constitutes an interface unit, the communication speed monitoring unit 103 constitutes a communication speed monitoring unit, and the message transmission processing unit 104 constitutes a message transmission processing unit.
[0013]
The interface unit 102 has a rate adaptation function that changes the communication speed according to communication path conditions such as the distance and the characteristics of the communication path. The interface unit 102 is connected to a communication line such as a communication line or a network transmission line via the external interface 105.
For example, the interface unit 102 communicates with a first communication device such as a computer provided in a LAN via an external interface 105 and a second communication device such as a computer which performs data communication with the first computer via a communication line. Communication device.
[0014]
In this case, the first communication device in the LAN communicates with the second communication device via the interface unit 102, the external interface unit 105, and the communication line at a communication speed determined by the communication control device 101, such as data communication. Perform communication.
The message transmission processing unit 104 has a memory that internally stores an address of a message transmission destination and forms an address storage unit, and transmits the message to an address registered in the memory in advance.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing of the communication control device 101.
[0015]
Hereinafter, the operation of the communication control apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The interface unit 102 determines whether a change has occurred in the line state via the external interface 105 (Step A1 in FIG. 2). If the interface unit 102 determines in step A1 that the line status is abnormal or has changed, it once disconnects the line and then automatically reconnects the line at a communication speed according to the line status (step A2). ).
[0016]
After the reconnection of the line is completed, the interface unit 102 activates the communication speed monitoring unit 103 and requests confirmation of the communication speed.
Upon receiving the confirmation request, the communication speed monitoring unit 103 determines whether the communication speed has changed (step A3). The communication speed monitoring unit 103 internally has a memory for storing the communication speed immediately before receiving the confirmation request, and compares the communication speed stored in the memory with the communication speed newly set by the interface unit 102. Thus, it is determined whether or not the communication speed has changed. The memory constitutes communication speed storage means.
[0017]
When determining that the communication speed has changed, the communication speed monitoring unit 103 activates the message transmission processing unit 104 and provides the information of the communication speed after the new connection to the message transmission processing unit 104 as a message. Request transmission of a message for communication speed notification (step A4).
The message transmission processing unit 104 receives the information on the communication speed from the communication speed monitoring unit 103, and transmits a message for notifying the information on the communication speed provided from the communication speed monitoring unit 103 via the external interface 105. An e-mail is transmitted to an address (for example, a user's computer) stored in the memory in advance (step A5).
[0018]
On the other hand, in step A3, when the communication speed monitoring unit 103 determines that there is no change in the communication speed, the process ends. In this case, the message transmitting unit 104 is not activated, and the message is not transmitted.
As described above, according to the communication control device according to the present embodiment, the user transmits the communication control device such as the ADSL modem device without directly monitoring the communication control device or the communication device. By checking the message, it is possible to know the change in the communication speed.
[0019]
Therefore, since the user can easily know the change in the communication speed, the user who confirms the change in the communication speed can promptly reconnect the line to change the communication speed at the user's discretion. Can be implemented.
If a general-purpose message confirmation means such as e-mail is used, the user is automatically notified of a change in the communication speed even while exchanging e-mail with another person. Therefore, it is not necessary to check the communication control device or the like just to know the change in the communication speed.
[0020]
It should be noted that if the condition of the speed change for transmitting the message can be set, the usage method of the user is expanded. For example, an example of a message transmission condition is as follows. (1) When the line speed changes, the user is notified by e-mail (the condition described in the present embodiment). (2) Notify the user by e-mail only when the line speed is lower than the previous time. (3) Notify the user by e-mail only when the line speed has increased from the previous time. (4) Notify the user by e-mail only when the line speed is lower than the speed specified by the user (predetermined speed). (5) The condition is a combination of any one of the above (1) to (4).
[0021]
In this case, the communication speed monitoring unit 103 is configured to have a memory for storing the message transmission conditions, and the message transmission conditions are stored in the memory in advance. The memory constitutes message transmission condition storage means.
The communication speed monitoring unit 103 receives the communication speed confirmation request from the interface unit 102, determines whether or not the new communication speed of the interface unit 102 satisfies the message transmission condition. The information on the communication speed after the new connection is provided to the message transmission processing unit 104 to request transmission of a message for communication speed notification.
[0022]
The message transmission processing unit 104 receives the information on the communication speed from the communication speed monitoring unit 103, and transmits a message for notifying the information on the communication speed provided from the communication speed monitoring unit 103 via the external interface 105. An e-mail is sent to an address (for example, a user's computer) stored in the address storage means in advance.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication control device according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem device 301.
The ADSL modem device 301 monitors an ADSL interface unit 302 having an interface for changing the communication speed according to the line status, and monitors the ADSL interface unit 302. When the ADSL interface unit 302 changes the communication speed, the communication after the change is performed. A communication speed monitoring unit 303 that notifies the mail transmission processing unit 305 of communication speed information indicating the speed, and a communication interface that receives the communication speed information from the communication speed monitoring unit 303 and changes the communication speed by e-mail as a message. A mail transmission processing unit 305 for transmitting the data to the LAN side via the unit 304 and the external interface 307, and to the line side via the ADSL interface unit 302 and the external interface 306.
Here, the ADSL interface unit 302 and the LAN interface unit 304 constitute an interface unit, the communication speed monitoring unit 303 constitutes a communication speed monitoring unit, and the mail transmission processing unit 305 constitutes a mail transmission processing unit. The mail transmission processing unit 305 constitutes a message transmission processing unit.
[0024]
In FIG. 3, the ADSL interface unit 302 has a rate adaptation function for adjusting a communication speed according to communication path conditions such as a distance and characteristics of a communication path.
The mail transmission processing unit 305 corresponds to the message transmission processing unit 104 in FIG. 1 and transmits an e-mail to an address registered in advance in a memory provided in the mail transmission unit 305 when the communication speed changes. have. The memory constitutes address storage means.
[0025]
A combination of the ADSL interface unit 302 and the LAN (Local Area Network) interface unit 304 corresponds to the interface unit 102 in FIG. 1, but in FIG. 3, the ADSL interface unit 302 is connected to a communication line via the external interface 306. Also, the LAN interface unit 304 is connected to the LAN via the external interface 307.
As a result, the ADSL modem device 301 is connected to the first communication device such as a computer in the LAN via the LAN interface unit 304, and is connected to the second communication device such as a computer via the ADSL interface unit 302 and the line. Connected to.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the same operation as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is performed.
That is, the ADSL interface unit 302 determines via the external interface 306 whether or not the line state has changed. When the ADSL interface unit 302 determines that an abnormality or change has occurred in the line state, the ADSL interface unit 302 automatically disconnects the line and then automatically reconnects the line at a communication speed according to the line condition.
[0027]
After the reconnection of the line is completed, the interface unit 302 activates the communication speed monitoring unit 303 and requests confirmation of the communication speed.
The communication speed monitoring unit 303 receives the confirmation request and determines whether the communication speed has changed. The communication speed monitoring unit 303 internally has a memory for storing the communication speed immediately before receiving the confirmation request, and compares the communication speed stored in the memory with the new communication speed to determine the communication speed. It is determined whether or not there has been a change. The memory constitutes communication speed storage means.
[0028]
If the communication speed monitoring unit 303 determines that the communication speed has changed, the communication speed monitoring unit 303 activates the mail transmission processing unit 305 and provides information on the communication speed after the new connection to the mail transmission processing unit 305, and Request to send a notification message e-mail.
The mail transmission processing unit 305 receives the communication speed information from the communication speed monitoring unit 303, and stores the electronic mail, which is a message for notifying the communication speed information provided from the communication speed monitoring unit 303, in the address storage. The data is transmitted to an address (for example, a first communication device on the LAN side or a second communication device on the communication line side) stored in the means in advance.
[0029]
The transmission of the e-mail from the mail transmission processing unit 305 to the LAN is performed via the LAN interface unit 304 and the external interface 307. Further, when the electronic mail is transmitted from the mail transmission processing unit 305 to the communication line side, the transmission is performed via the LAN interface unit 304, the ADSL interface unit 302, and the external interface 306.
On the other hand, the communication speed monitoring unit 303 checks whether or not the communication speed has changed based on the communication speed check request from the interface unit 302, and ends the process if it determines that there is no change in the communication speed. I do. In this case, the mail transmission processing unit 305 is not activated, and the electronic mail is not transmitted.
[0030]
In the ADSL modem device 301 according to the present embodiment, the user can change the communication speed by checking the e-mail message transmitted from the ADSL modem device 301 without directly monitoring the ADSL modem device 301. You can know. Therefore, by confirming the message addressed to the user, the user can know the change in the line connection speed of the ADSL modem device 301 designated by the user, and if the user determines that it is necessary, the ADSL modem device 301 can be reconnected.
As described above, if conditions can be set for a change in the speed of e-mail transmission, the method of use by the user will be widened as described above.
[0031]
As described above, according to the communication control device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the interface means for changing the communication speed according to the status of the communication path, the address storage means for storing the address of the message transmission destination, A communication speed monitoring unit that monitors a communication speed of the interface unit, and notifies the message transmission unit of communication speed information indicating the changed communication speed when the interface unit changes the communication speed; The message transmission processing means for transmitting a message representing the communication speed after the change to the address stored in the address storage means to the communication path via the interface means.
[0032]
The communication speed monitoring unit further includes a message transmission condition storage unit that stores a condition for transmitting the message, wherein the communication speed monitoring unit is configured to output the changed communication speed when the changed communication speed of the interface unit satisfies the condition. The communication device is configured to notify communication speed information indicating the communication speed to the message transmitting unit.
[0033]
Further, the interface means includes a LAN interface connected to the LAN and an ADSL interface connected to the line.
Further, the message is an electronic mail.
Therefore, the user can easily know the communication speed.
Further, it is possible to know the change in the communication speed only when the communication speed of the line satisfies a predetermined condition.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the user can easily know the communication speed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing of the communication control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a communication control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication control device 2 ... Interface part 3 which comprises an interface means, 303 ... Communication speed monitoring part 4 which comprises a communication speed monitoring means ... Message transmission processing part which comprises a message transmission processing means 5, 306, 307 external interface 301 ADSL modem device 302 as a communication control device ADSL interface unit 304 constituting interface means LAN interface unit 305 constituting interface means E-mail transmission processing unit that constitutes message transmission processing means

Claims (3)

Interface means for changing the communication speed according to the status of the communication path, address storage means for storing the address of the message transmission destination, monitoring the communication speed of the interface means, and when the interface means changes the communication speed Communication speed monitoring means for notifying communication speed information indicating the communication speed after change, and a message indicating the communication speed after change in response to the communication speed information, to the address stored in the address storage means, the interface means And a message transmission processing means for transmitting the message to a communication path through the communication control device. Message transmission condition storage means for storing a condition for transmitting the message, wherein the communication speed monitoring means, when the changed communication speed of the interface means satisfies the condition, the changed communication speed The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit notifies the message transmission unit of communication speed information indicating the communication speed. 3. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the interface unit includes a LAN interface connected to a LAN and an ADSL interface connected to a line.

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