JP6411322B2 - Data processing system, data processing method, customized service management control apparatus, and customized service management control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention makes it possible to dynamically and flexibly add functions and finely customize applications and services that send and receive data over a network and services realized by sending and receiving data over a network. The present invention relates to a data processing system, a data processing method, a customized service management control device, and a customized service management control program.

  In recent years, with the advent of technologies such as SDN (Software Defined Network) (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1) and NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) (for example, see Non-Patent Document 2), the network movement by software control is increased. Network configuration by software and software is possible. Also, with the advent of Service Chaining technology (for example, see Non-Patent Document 3), it is possible to customize and provide network services dynamically and flexibly by transferring data to an appropriate network function in an appropriate order. It is becoming possible.

  On the other hand, various organizations release APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for incorporating specific data processing in applications that perform data transmission / reception via a network and services realized by data transmission / reception via a network. Has been done.

  For example, in a Web API that performs voice recognition, a character string or the like of a voice recognition result can be determined by API by transferring and inputting voice data to a server or the like existing on the Internet according to a format defined by the API. Can be obtained as output in different formats.

Open Networking Foundation White paper, “Software-Defined Networking: The New Norm for Networks”, https: // www. openworking. org / images / stories / downloads / sdn-resources / white-papers / wp-sdn-newnorm. pdf ETSI White paper, “Network Functions Virtualization”, https: // portal. etsi. org / Portals / 0 / TBpages / NFV / Docs / NFV_White_Paper3. pdf QOSMOS White paper, “Service Chaining in Carrier Networks”, http: //www.QOSMOS White paper, “Service Chaining in Carrier Networks”, http: // www. qosmos. com / wp-content / uploads / 2015/02 / Service-Chaining-in-Carrier-Networks_WP_Heavy-Reading_Qosmos_Feb2015. pdf

  In the network service field, compared to the service field for mass users, there are few service types required, and there is a property that a large number of users commonly use a service realized by a combination of a small number of functions. The types of network functions used in providing customized services, which are services customized for each user, are limited.

  For this reason, it is relatively easy to design, develop, and provide services that are consistent in format between each network function according to individual user requirements, for example, by unifying the vendors of each network function. is there.

  On the other hand, in the service field for mass users, there are a wide variety of service types requested by users, and combinations of functions requested by users vary from individual to individual, and there are innumerable combinations. Therefore, it is impossible for an application developer or a service developer to individually design, develop, and provide an application or service customized according to each user's request.

  Therefore, in order to satisfy the demands of more users, mass users themselves and customized service providers can dynamically combine existing applications and existing services with data processing functions provided through Web APIs, There are the following problems when considering adding functions flexibly and enabling detailed customization.

  Since many existing applications and existing services are not created on the assumption that data processing functions provided through Web API etc. are added and used, a server having a data processing function at the destination of application or service data Etc., and it is difficult to perform additional data processing. In addition, the format of data that can be handled by existing applications and services is fixed, and data cannot be directly transmitted / received between APIs having different formats from existing applications and services.

  That is, there is a problem that customization such as addition of functions and sophistication cannot be easily realized by combining additional data processing functions without modifying existing applications or existing services.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention links a network and a network control unit, which have been used only for the purpose of providing network services and simple data transfer, with a function control unit via a customization process determination unit. Thus, an object is to enable application developers to provide customization of applications and services to mass users without modifying the application itself.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention dynamically and flexibly combines data processing functions provided through a Web API or the like without modifying existing applications and existing services.

Specifically, the data processing system according to the present invention includes:
Sends and receives data over a network, manages and controls customized services including additional data processing performed for applications and services according to the data, and outputs instructions for the data processing, and manages and controls functions A customized service management control device;
A function placement device for performing the data processing according to the input instruction command, and placing the function acquired from the customized service management control device according to a processing result of the data processing;
And a network device for controlling the network and transferring data to the outside in accordance with the instruction command.

Specifically, the data processing method according to the present invention includes:
Sends and receives data over a network, manages and controls customized services including additional data processing performed for applications and services according to the data, and outputs instructions for the data processing, and manages and controls functions Customized service management control procedures;
A function placement procedure for performing the data processing according to the input instruction command and placing the function acquired in the customized service management control procedure according to the processing result of the data processing;
And a network control procedure for controlling the network and transferring data to the outside in accordance with the instruction command.

Specifically, the customized service management control device according to the present invention is:
A function management unit that manages information on functions used for customized services, information on whether connections between applications and functions, information on whether connections between functions are available, and
The request processing unit that acquires the information from the function management unit, receives the customized service provision request according to the information, and outputs the received content;
A customization process determining unit that determines a customization process according to the received content input from the request processing unit and outputs an instruction command for the customization process;
A location management unit that manages the location of users and functions on the network;
In accordance with the instruction command from the customization process determining unit, a function is placed on a function placement device connected via a network, the function placed on the function placement device is controlled, and the function placement is completed. A function control unit which registers the position of the function later in the position management unit;
A network control unit that updates a setting of a network device connected via a network in accordance with an instruction command from the customization processing determination unit and performs path control.

Specifically, the customized service management control program according to the present invention is:
Function management procedures for managing information on functions used for customized services, information on whether connections between applications and functions, information on whether connections between functions are available, and
Obtaining the information from the function management procedure, accepting a request for providing the customized service according to the information, and a request processing procedure for outputting accepted content;
A customization process determining procedure for determining a customization process according to the received content input from the request process procedure, and outputting an instruction command for the customization process;
A location management procedure for managing the location of users and functions on the network in the location management unit;
The function is placed on the function placement device connected via the network in accordance with the instruction command from the customization process determination procedure, the function placed on the function placement device is controlled, and the function placement is completed. Function control procedure for registering the position of the function in the position management unit later,
In response to an instruction command from the customization process determination procedure, the computer executes a network control procedure for updating the settings of the network devices connected via the network and performing path control.

  The above inventions can be combined as much as possible.

  According to the present invention, an application developer can be provided by linking a network and a network control unit that have been used only for the purpose of providing a network service and transferring simple data with a function control unit via a customization process determination unit. However, it is possible to provide customization of applications and services to mass users without modifying the application itself.

  In addition, according to the present invention, mass users themselves or customized service providers can dynamically and flexibly combine existing applications and existing services by combining data processing functions provided through Web API and the like and software modules that perform data processing. It is possible to add a function to and to perform detailed customization tailored to the user.

It is a figure showing an example of the lineblock diagram of the data processing system concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the flow of the data processing which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data flow of the normal telephone call application before service provision in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the outline | summary of the whole system at the time of providing the service in this embodiment, and a data flow. It is a figure which shows an example of the outline | summary of the whole system in case there exist two or more data transmission terminals in this embodiment, and a data flow. It is a figure which shows an example of the outline | summary of the whole system in case there exist two or more data receiving terminals in this embodiment, and a data flow.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment shown below. These embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention can be implemented in various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. In the present specification and drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same components.

(Embodiment 1)
The data processing system according to the present embodiment includes a customized service management control device, a function placement device, and a network device. The customized service management control device includes a function management DB that functions as a function management unit, a request processing unit, a customization processing determination unit, a location management DB that functions as a location management unit, a function control unit, and network control. A section.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data processing system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the data processing system performs data processing additionally performed on a terminal 22 on which an application or service that transmits / receives data via a network operates and an application or service that transmits / receives data via a network. A customized service management control device 11 for managing and controlling the entire customized service including the function, a function placement device 19 for placing a function for performing additional data processing, and network processing such as data transfer by configuring a network. Network device 21 to perform.

  These configurations are examples, and each device does not necessarily need to be physically independent, and processing performed on a certain device may be implemented by software and may operate on another device. For example, the function placement device 19 may be included in the network device 21, and the customized service management control device 11, the network device 21, and the function placement device 19 may be included in the terminal 22.

  The operation of each device will be described below. The terminal 22 transmits and receives data via the network. For example, in the case of a video viewing service, the transmission-side terminal 22 is a video distribution server, and the reception-side terminal 22 is a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like. For example, in the case of a call application, the terminal 22 is a mobile phone, a smartphone, or the like, and one terminal 22 performs both transmission and reception of data.

  The customized service management control device 11 performs management control of the entire processing necessary for providing the customized service. The customized service management control device 11 is, for example, a server. The customized service management control device 11 includes a request processing unit 12, a function management DB 13, a customization processing determination unit 14, a location management DB 15, a network control unit 16, and a function control unit 17 as functional units.

  The request processing unit 12 provides information necessary for designing the customized service to the user of the customized service or the customized service provider. The request processing unit 12 may directly provide a user interface for presenting information, or the information may be presented by the request processing unit 12 providing information to a user interface prepared outside.

  The request processing unit 12 stores information on functions that can be used in the customized service, information on whether or not to connect between applications and functions, information on whether or not to connect between functions and functions, and the like as information necessary for designing the customized service. Obtain and provide from.

  In addition, the request processing unit 12 receives a request for providing the designed customized service, and notifies the customization processing determining unit 14 of the received content. At this time, the location information of the terminal 22 on the network may be acquired together. The customization process determination unit 14 determines the entire process necessary for realizing the customized service based on the request. At this time, the customization process determination unit 14 may interpret the request and determine a process necessary for the realization, or may transmit a process content necessary at the time of the request.

  The position management DB 15 manages the positions of the terminals 22 and functions on the network and stores them on the DB. The position on the network may be an IP address, a MAC address, a combination thereof, or some unique ID as long as communication between the terminal 22 and the function is possible.

  The function management DB 13 manages, as information necessary for the design of the customized service, information on functions that can be used for the customized service, connection information between applications and functions, connection information between functions and functions, and the like on the DB. To remember.

  Here, for example, the function information that can be used includes the name of the function, an overview of the processing performed by the function, the time required for the function to perform processing, and the resource required for the function to perform processing. And the source code of the program for realizing the processing performed by the function.

  It is not necessary for all of these information to be provided through the user interface, and only a part of the information may be provided. The connection information between applications and functions and the connection information between functions and functions are processed and output by a function, whether the data output from an application is used as input for a function and can be processed. Whether the data is used as input for a function and can be processed.

  These connections may be realized indirectly by inserting a data conversion function between the application and the function. The information necessary for the design of the customized service is an example, and other information may be used.

  The function control unit 17 performs function-related control such as placing a function in the function placement device 19 and deleting a function placed in the function placement device 19 in accordance with an instruction from the customization processing determination unit 14. The function placement is, for example, copying a function implemented as software to the function placement device 19, and connecting the function implemented as hardware to a position reachable from the network device 21.

  Arrangement does not necessarily have to be executed after an instruction from the customization processing determination unit 14, and software may be arranged in advance in the function arrangement apparatus 19, or hardware can be reached from the network apparatus 21 by some means in advance. It may be connected to any position. The function control unit 17 registers the position of the function in the position management DB 15 after the arrangement of all the functions is completed, and notifies the customization process determination unit 14 of the completion of the control.

  The network control unit 16 updates the setting of the network device 21 according to the instruction from the customization process determination unit 14 and performs path control. If necessary, the setting for executing processing other than path control is updated. Processing other than route control includes, for example, packet copy for outputting data to a plurality of function applications, filtering and dropping of packets that meet specific conditions.

  For example, in a call application, when providing a customized service for adding data processing for translating speech exchanged between transmitting and receiving terminals, consider translating speech data transmitted from terminal #A to terminal #B.

  In the customized service management control device 11, an instruction to place a function having a speech translation function is issued to the function control unit 17, and the speech data between the terminals 22 passes through the server on which the speech translation function is placed to the network control unit 16. A command to perform path control is issued.

  The network control unit 16 performs path control setting for the network device 21 in accordance with a command from the customization process determination unit 14. The IP address of terminal #A is 192.168.1.1, the IP address of terminal #B is 192.168.2.1, and the speech translation data processing function is arranged on the translation server of 10.10.1.1 Suppose that

  At this time, the destination of the data transmitted from the terminal #A to the terminal #B is 192.168.2.1. In order to pass this data through the translation server, the network device 21 is set to rewrite the data destination from 192.168.2.1 to 10.10.1.1.

  When the translation server outputs the translated data to an appropriate destination set in advance, the destination of the data output from the translation server in the network device 21 to which the translation server is connected is the original destination 192. .168.2.1 and rewrite the transmission source to the original transmission source 192.168.1.1.

  At this time, the network control unit 16 may cooperate with the speech translation data function in the translation server and output the destination of the translated data output from the function as 192.168.2.1.

  However, even in that case, rewriting of the transmission source is necessary. Further, although only the IP address is described, the network device 21 also needs to rewrite other information necessary for the terminal 22 and the server to transmit and receive data, such as rewriting of the MAC address. Also set up.

  The function control unit 17 performs a function for performing data processing for translating speech, a function for decrypting encrypted data so that translation processing can be performed when the speech data is encrypted, It controls various types of functions, such as a function that re-encrypts the data.

  When considering a customized service in which a call is made between the call application A and the call application B, a function for converting the voice data in the format of the call application A into the format of the call application B is also conceivable.

  Further, the terminals 22 that transmit and receive data are not limited to one-to-one, and it is also conceivable that data is transmitted and received between a plurality of terminals 22. For example, in the case of a customized service in which video data from a plurality of terminals 22 is appropriately switched and sent to a receiving terminal, a function that receives a plurality of data as an input and transmits the data to a single destination or a plurality of destinations may be considered. Conversely, a function that sends a single input to multiple destinations is also conceivable.

  Among these processes, there is a process that can be realized by the network device 21. In this case, the network device 21 may realize the same process without transferring data to the function placement device 19. In this case, the customization processing determination unit 14 can be realized by issuing a command for performing the setting as described above to the network control unit 16.

  When the function is implemented by software, the function control unit 17 reads the software stored in the server or the like and places it on the function placement device 19. For example, the software function may store its entity or location in the function management DB 13, or may store the entity in an external server or the like.

  In the case where the type and number of functions are fixed, all functions may be arranged in advance in all the function arrangement devices 19. The function does not have to be software. For example, a hardware encoding device or decoding device may be prepared for video encoding or decoding. In this case, it can be considered that the function arrangement device 19 has been replaced with a hardware encoding device or decoding device.

  The function placement device 19 is a device on which software functions and hardware functions are placed as described above, and is, for example, a personal computer or a server. The network device 21 is a device that transfers data, rewrites the destination or source of data according to parameters set by the network control unit 16, and is a software switch mounted on a switch, router, or server, for example. Etc.

  The network device 21 also serves as a gateway to the network for the terminal 22. The gateway to the network is necessary for rewriting and restoring the data destination, but may be present in the terminal 22 as long as the terminal 22 can rewrite and restore the destination.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a general data processing flow. As an example, a flow in the case of providing a customized service for adding data processing for translating voice exchanged between transmitting and receiving terminals in a calling application is shown. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of the entire system at that time and a flow of data of a normal calling application before provision of a customized service. FIG. 4 is an overview of the entire system and data of the system when a customized service is provided. It is the figure which showed the flow.

<Flow according to this embodiment>
1. From the initial state (step S101), the user of the call application or the provider of the customized service uses the call application used at the transmission terminal and the destination terminal with respect to the request processing unit 12 of the customized service management control device 11. An application and a function used for translation are designated (step S102). When performing multiple data processing, the data processing order is also specified. This may be specified by GUI or the like, or may be specified by CLI or the like. In addition, the user or customized service provider does not explicitly specify a specific function or processing order, but assembles the customized service by interpreting the user's request using a software program etc. 12 may be instructed.
2. The user or the provider of the customized service instructs the request processing unit 12 to start providing the customized service (step S103). This may be explicitly instructed by pressing a process start button on the GUI, or may be started by detecting an event such as the timing when the calling application starts calling on the customized service management control device 11 side. Also good.
3. The customization process determination unit 14 instructs the function control unit 17 to arrange functions used for translation (step S104). At this time, the functions to be arranged are not limited to those specified in step 1, but are necessary for, for example, performing format conversion and decryption / encryption processing necessary for processing the speech data of a certain calling application. The customization processing determination unit 14 may select the processing function and the key / certificate placement, and instruct the placement. Further, not all functions need to be under the control of the function control unit 17, and for example, data processing provided through a Web API published on the Internet may be used as a function.
4). The function control unit 17 reads the translation function and copies the software to the function placement device 19 (step S105). Alternatively, when the function is software, the translation function may be arranged in advance in an appropriate function arrangement device 19 (steps S105 to 107).
5. The function control unit 17 registers the position of the function on the network in the position management DB 15 after completion of the arrangement (step S108). In the case of data processing provided through a Web API where functions are disclosed, the location of the Web API server is notified. Here, the location on the network may be an IP address as long as communication is possible, or some unique ID.
6). The customization process determination unit 14 acquires addresses of the transmission terminal and the reception terminal on the network. This may be acquired from the terminal 22 at the stage of step 1 or may be acquired by some kind of search or database inquiry. After acquiring the terminal 22 and function location (step S108), the network control unit 16 is notified of the location on the network of the transmission terminal / reception terminal / function placement device 19 to be used and the order to be passed (step S112).
7). The network control device determines necessary network control based on the notified information by some method and inputs the setting to the network device 21 (step S113). The network control includes rewriting the destination IP address, restoring the destination IP address, rewriting the source IP address, restoring the source IP address, and rewriting the port number in the network device 21. At this time, the destination of the output result data may be set to be the next function or the next network device 21 in cooperation with the setting of the function, or the function outputs the result data to an appropriate destination, The network device 21 that arrives first may be set to be rewritten to the next function or the destination of the next network device 21.
8). Through the steps as described above, it is possible to provide a customized service to which a speech translation function is added without modifying the call application running on the transmission / reception terminal (step S114). In addition, the user or the customized service provider can easily realize the customized service without considering the network control method and the existence of the function placement device 19.
9. When canceling the provision of the customized service, for example, when the request processing unit 12 is notified of the stop of the provision of the customized service, for example, by pressing a processing stop button, the network control unit 16 is notified of the network device 21. The audio data may be transmitted to the destination designated by the transmitting terminal as usual. If necessary, the function can be deleted from the function placement device 19 to save resources of the function placement device 19.

  Next, an example in which the terminals 22 that transmit and receive data are not one-to-one will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the entire system and data flow when there are a plurality of data transmission terminals. In the present embodiment, when there are a plurality of applications having a function of transmitting a video, a customized service that provides a composite video of the plurality of videos is transmitted from a plurality of terminals 22 according to the flow described above. Each video data is sent to the video synthesis function, and the synthesized video is sent to the receiving terminal.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overview of the entire system and a data flow when there are a plurality of data receiving terminals. In the present embodiment, a function for transmitting a single input to a plurality of destinations is realized on the network device 21, and a video transmitted from an application having a function of transmitting a video is transmitted by the network device 21. Copying.

  One of the data is sent to the video receiving terminal and provided as a non-customized service. The other data is sent to the video analysis function and is converted into congestion information data to be customized and provided as a congestion status display service. The customized service management control apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment can be realized by a computer and a program, and can be recorded on a recording medium or provided through a network.

  As described above, in the data processing system according to the present embodiment, the customized service management control device 11 determines the application / function to be used according to the request from the user and the order in which the data passes through the function. Do. Further, the function placement device 13 issues and places an instruction to actually place a necessary function. In the customized service management control device 11, since the position of the function has been determined, an instruction is given to make network settings so that data can be transmitted from the transmission source to the destination via the function in order, and is actually set. In the network device 21, data is actually transmitted from the transmission source, delivered to the function, processed, and delivered to the destination. The customized service management control apparatus 11 manages and controls both functions and networks.

  According to the data processing system of the present embodiment, the following operational effects are obtained. First, the request processing unit 12, the function management DB 13, the customization processing determination unit 14, the location management DB 15, the network control unit 16, and the function control unit 17 are provided. By doing so, it becomes possible to automatically arrange the functions necessary for providing the customized service and connect the functions 22 to the terminal 22 according to the request, and to manage the entire processing necessary for providing the customized service. Control can be performed.

  Second, it is possible to add data processing without modifying the terminal 22 or the application. As a result, it is possible to realize the addition and enhancement of new functions without modifying the transmission / reception terminals and existing application services.

  It is usually difficult for application users and service users to make changes to the input and output data formats of applications and services, but application developers and service extensions and formats differ without additional development. Cooperation between applications can be realized.

  Third, by performing data processing by network control or function, it is possible to copy data, change destinations, and switch received data. Thereby, it is possible to realize communication between the plurality of terminals 22 using an application that assumes one-to-one communication. Further, by performing different data processing on the copied data, one output data can be input to a plurality of different applications.

  For example, when transmitting video from a camera terminal that monitors road conditions, the video is split into two, and one video is sent to the receiving terminal as it is to use as a video distribution service to check the road conditions. Another image can be used as an input for a traffic route guidance application by outputting image recognition data processing as a crowded situation such as the number of people and cars.

  Fourth, the present invention is more effective when there are many related applications / services and functions such as services for mass users. However, the present invention is flexible in format conversion data processing in other service fields including network services. It has the same effect as enabling customization. Fifth, by performing data processing on the function placement device 19, it is possible to realize an application that requires processing that cannot be executed due to insufficient processing capability on a low-performance terminal such as a smartphone. Further, by performing load distribution such as distributing and transmitting data to a plurality of function placement devices 19 using network functions and network control, data processing with higher load can be realized.

  The present invention can be applied to the information communication industry.

11: Customized service management control device 12: Request processing unit 13: Function management DB
14: Customization processing determination unit 15: Location management DB
16: Network control unit 17: Function control unit 19: Function placement device 21: Network device 22: Terminal 23: Application

Claims (4)

Sends and receives data over a network, manages and controls customized services including additional data processing performed for applications and services according to the data, and outputs instructions for the data processing, and manages and controls functions A customized service management control device;
A function placement device for performing the data processing according to the input instruction command, and placing the function acquired from the customized service management control device according to a processing result of the data processing;
A network device for controlling the network and transferring data to the outside according to the instruction command;
A data processing system comprising: Sends and receives data over a network, manages and controls customized services including additional data processing performed for applications and services according to the data, and outputs instructions for the data processing, and manages and controls functions Customized service management control procedures;
A function placement procedure for performing the data processing according to the input instruction command and placing the function acquired in the customized service management control procedure according to the processing result of the data processing;
A network control procedure for controlling the network and transferring data to the outside in accordance with the instruction command;
The data processing method characterized by performing. A function management unit that manages information on functions used for customized services, information on whether connections between applications and functions, information on whether connections between functions are available, and
The request processing unit that acquires the information from the function management unit, receives the customized service provision request according to the information, and outputs the received content;
A customization process determining unit that determines a customization process according to the received content input from the request processing unit and outputs an instruction command for the customization process;
A location management unit that manages the location of users and functions on the network;
In accordance with the instruction command from the customization process determining unit, a function is placed on a function placement device connected via a network, the function placed on the function placement device is controlled, and the function placement is completed. A function control unit which registers the position of the function later in the position management unit;
A network control unit that updates a setting of a network device connected via a network in accordance with an instruction command from the customization processing determination unit and performs path control;
A customized service management control device comprising: Function management procedures for managing information on functions used for customized services, information on whether connections between applications and functions, information on whether connections between functions are available, and
Obtaining the information from the function management procedure, accepting a request for providing the customized service according to the information, and a request processing procedure for outputting accepted content;
A customization process determining procedure for determining a customization process according to the received content input from the request process procedure, and outputting an instruction command for the customization process;
A location management procedure for managing the location of users and functions on the network in the location management unit;
The function is placed on the function placement device connected via the network in accordance with the instruction command from the customization process determination procedure, the function placed on the function placement device is controlled, and the function placement is completed. Function control procedure for registering the position of the function in the position management unit later,
A network control procedure for performing path control by updating the setting of a network device connected via a network in accordance with an instruction command from the customization process determination procedure;
A customized service management control program characterized by causing a computer to execute.

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