JP2004236061A - Resource sales system and sales method, and program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To reduce contention of service users caused by deprivation of user viewing opportunities due to resource shortage, and to provide a content distribution service that makes the best use of resources. Resource sales system, a reception function 311 for receiving a NW resource request from a user information database 310 and a user, a response function 312 for responding to a resource request, and a notification to a resource reservation terminal. The resource sales unit 31 includes a notification function 312, a database 320 of NW state information, an NW monitoring function 321 that monitors an NW use state including resources, and a resource determination function 322 that determines a free resource. A resource determination unit 32.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a resource sales system and method for performing NW resource determination and notifying an available resource to a user terminal based on user information and NW (network) state information in a content distribution service, and more particularly, to a user information and NW state information. A resource sales system and a sales method capable of promoting efficient resource sales by performing resource determination / management not only at present but also in the future, and by notifying active free resources from the system side, And the program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when a user uses a service via an IP-NW, resources cannot be secured from the user, and the resource allocation amount to each user fluctuates greatly depending on the NW resource usage status of another user. Was. Therefore, when distributing content that requires real-time properties, such as streaming content, on the allocated resource, stream playback may stop on the user terminal screen in the middle due to transmission delay, packet loss, etc. There is a problem that the service quality is deteriorated such that the service is disturbed.
[0003]
On the other hand, in recent years, in order to maintain a constant service quality, a band securing technology based on a request from a user, such as a Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) (refer to URL http: /www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2205), has been developed. Solutions are being established and quality assurance services using them are being proposed. In this method, each user can make an arbitrary resource request to the NW.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in these methods, a resource request is made without grasping the user's NW resource usage, and there are cases where the amount of resources that can be provided by the NW exceeds the amount of resources that can be provided by the NW. To decrease. As a result, the quality degradation problem described above occurs for services requiring transmission quality.
As a solution to the above problem, a method is considered in which the resources on the NW are centrally managed, and when the available NW resource capacity is exceeded, resource reception control is performed. When the above solution is used, the user may be required to wait for service use until the resource capacity desired by the user can be secured. It is desirable to be as short as possible.
[0005]
As a method of reducing the standby time, there is a method in which an administrator intentionally adjusts the NW resource to generate a free resource. As a content distribution method and system related thereto, for example, “Content distribution method and content using the same” described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-240111 and drawings proposed by the present applicant (inventor, etc.) before filing the present application. Distribution system ”. In order to reduce the amount of traffic on the relay network, a plurality of unicast traffic of the same content is transmitted using the content distribution information of each user terminal and the viewed / unviewed information of the stream content obtained by each user terminal. It provides a method and system for converting to appropriate multicast traffic.
[0006]
(Purpose)
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems and to provide resources not only now but also in the future based on user information and NW state information, or to actively notify a free resource from the system side, It is an object of the present invention to provide a resource sales system and a sales method capable of quickly providing a service maintaining a certain quality and providing resources to more users, and a program therefor.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The resource sales system of the present invention is a database of user information for performing resource sales to each user terminal, a reception unit for receiving a resource request from the user terminal, a response unit for responding to the resource request, And a resource sales unit comprising notification means for notifying the resource reservation terminal, a database of NW status information for determining a free resource in the NW, and a NW monitoring means for monitoring an NW usage state including resources , And a resource determining unit including resource determining means for determining a free resource.
[0008]
Further, the resource sales unit of the resource sales system of the present invention includes a program for managing user information including a resource provision schedule, and in addition to an immediate resource request from a user terminal, accepts a resource reservation by undecided time / designation. It is characterized by.
Further, in the resource sales system of the present invention, the user information of the resource sales unit is characterized in that information is updated at the time of resource reservation or resource reservation.
Further, in the resource sales system of the present invention, the resource determination unit includes a program for managing NW state information for the present as well as the future, and updates the information at a predetermined time.
[0009]
Further, in the resource sales system according to the present invention, the NW state information of the resource determination unit is updated at the time of resource reservation or resource reservation.
Further, in the resource sales system of the present invention, the resource determination unit of the resource determination unit includes a program for performing an operation based on the user information managed by the resource sales unit and the NW state information managed by the resource determination unit. This program is characterized in that free resources are determined by this program.
Further, in the resource sales system of the present invention, when the resource determination unit determines a free resource, when performing a resource determination for a resource reservation requesting terminal, the resource determination unit refers to the resource provision schedule information managed by the resource sales unit, And determining a free resource while also taking into account the required resource amount.
[0010]
Further, in the resource sales system of the present invention, the notification means of the resource sales unit notifies the resource reservation terminal of the time designation to the method specified by the resource reservation terminal in advance as necessary as soon as the resource determination unit determines the available resources. It is characterized in that a free resource notification is performed based on the notification.
Also, in the resource sales system of the present invention, the notification means of the resource sales unit is configured such that the notification unit of the resource sales unit specifies the resource reservation terminal in advance as soon as the resource determination unit determines a free resource for the resource reservation terminal whose time is not determined. The method is characterized in that a free resource notification is performed based on the above method.
Further, in the resource sales system of the present invention, when the resource determination unit of the resource determination unit makes a determination that the time request / undetermined resource request from the user terminal cannot be completely satisfied, the amount of resources that can be provided as an alternative, Alternatively, it is characterized in that the time zone in which the resource can be provided is determined, and the resource terminal notifies the user terminal via the answer means of the resource sales department.
[0011]
In the resource sales system of the present invention, when the user terminal acknowledges the notification via the answer means of the resource sales unit and makes a time reservation, the resource sales unit performs resource time reservation acceptance. It is characterized by.
Further, in the resource sales system of the present invention, when the resource determination unit of the resource determination unit determines that the resource request from the user terminal cannot be completely satisfied, the resource determination unit transmits the resource request to the user terminal via the reception unit of the resource sales unit. The resource determining unit makes a resource reservation request, and the notification unit of the resource sales unit notifies a free resource based on a method specified in advance by the user as soon as the resource determining unit determines a free resource.
Further, in the resource sales system of the present invention, when the user terminal acknowledges the free resource notification notified from the notification unit of the resource sales unit, and when the user terminal makes a time reservation, the resource sales unit Performs resource time reservation reception.
[0012]
Further, in the resource sales system of the present invention, when the resource reservation for the time designation and the resource determination means of the resource determination unit determine that the resource request from the user terminal cannot be completely satisfied, the resource determination notification to the user terminal And the response unit of the resource sales unit notifies the user terminal of a free resource as soon as the resource determination unit makes a free resource determination.
Further, in the resource sales system of the present invention, when the resource reservation of the time specification and the resource determination unit of the resource determination unit determine that the resource request from the user terminal cannot be completely satisfied, the reception unit determines the time from the user terminal. If re-input of information is permitted, and the resource judgment unit determines that there is a free resource required by the user terminal before the resource judgment based on the re-input information from the user terminal, the resource judgment unit determines the free resource. And notifies the user terminal of a free resource via the answering means.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of a resource sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, a resource sales system of the present invention and a plurality of user terminals 10 are interconnected via a network 20. The resource sales system includes a resource sales unit 31 and a resource determination unit 32. The user terminal 10, the resource sales unit 31, and the resource determination unit 32 can transmit and receive data via the network 20.
[0014]
The resource sales unit 31 includes a database 310 of information on a user including a resource provision schedule, a reception function 311 for receiving a resource request from the user terminal 10, and an answer function 312 for giving a specific answer to the resource request. And a notification function 313 for notifying the resource reservation person (terminal) 10 at a designated time.
The resource determination unit 32 includes a database 320 of NW state information, an NW monitoring function 321 for monitoring the NW usage state including resources, and a resource determination function 322 for determining a free resource.
[0015]
(motion)
FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the resource sales system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
(Immediate request type)
First, a case where the user terminal makes a resource request immediately will be described.
The user terminal 10 makes a resource request (user resource amount, user terminal ID, user terminal IP address information, etc.) including user information to the reception function 311 of the resource sales unit via the network 20 (steps 100 and 101).
The resource accepting function 311 provides the resource determining function 322 with NW status information (topology information, user location information) managed by the database 320 in addition to the user information (the amount of used resources, the user terminal ID, and the user terminal IP address). , Including the distribution rate information for each flow, the route information, etc.) (step 102).
[0016]
As a result of the resource determination, if the resource requested by the user terminal 10 can be secured, the free resource is notified to the user terminal via the answer function 312 (step 103).
On the other hand, when the resource cannot be secured for the resource requested by the user terminal 10 according to the resource determination, the response to the user terminal 10 includes: 1) presentation of an alternative from the system, 2) re-input of the user terminal, 3) There are three types of methods: resource reservation registration and standby of the user terminal.
[0017]
(Alternative presentation)
In the case of 1) (step 105), the resource determination function 322 determines the amount of resources that can be provided at that time, and the answer function 312 determines the amount of resources that can be provided to the user terminal 10 via the network 20. Notification is made (step 109).
If the user terminal 10 approves the resource amount notified from the answer function 312 (step 113), the resource sales system secures the resource of the user terminal 10 and updates the information in the databases 310 and 320. Update (step 120).
[0018]
As a different form of 1), the resource determination function 322 determines a time zone in which the resource amount requested by the user terminal 10 can be provided in consideration of the resource provision schedule information managed by the database 310. Thereafter, the answer function 312 notifies the user terminal 10 of a time zone in which resources can be provided via the network 20 (Step 108). The subsequent operation procedure is the same as the case where the user terminal 10 makes a resource time reservation, and will be described later.
[0019]
(Re-enter)
In the case of 2) (step 106), the accepting function 311 accepts the resource request from the user terminal 10 again and accepts it (step 111). In this case, there is a case where the user terminal 10 makes a resource time reservation in addition to the resource amount. This case will be described later (step 110) (see the broken arrow in FIG. 2).
If a free resource is generated before the resource determination function 322 makes a resource determination based on the re-resource amount information from the user terminal 10, the resource determination function 322 performs a free resource determination for the re-resource request of the user terminal 10. Then, the answer function 312 notifies the user terminal 10 of a free resource via the network 20 (step 118). Thereafter, the resource sales system secures resources of the user terminal 10 and updates information of the databases 310 and 320 (Step 120).
[0020]
(Resource reservation registration and standby)
In the case of 3), the reception function 311 of the resource sales unit 31 registers the user information (the amount of used resources, the user terminal ID, the user terminal IP address information, etc.) of the user terminal 10 requesting the resource (step 107). After that, before the timer for waiting becomes out (Step 115), if a free resource equal to or more than the resource amount requested by the user terminal 10 is generated, the resource determination function 322 performs a free resource determination (Step 117). ). Then, the notification function 313 notifies the user terminal 10 of available resources via the network 20 (step 118), and the resource sales system secures resources of the user and updates information in the databases 310 and 320. (Step 120).
[0021]
(Time reservation type)
Next, a case where the user terminal makes a resource reservation will be described.
The user terminal 10 makes a resource request (user resource amount, user terminal ID, user terminal IP address information, etc.) including user information to the reception function 311 of the resource sales unit 31 via the network 20 (step 121).
The resource accepting function 311 transmits user information (resource usage amount, user terminal ID, user terminal IP address information, etc.) including the resource provision schedule to the resource determining function 322.
[0022]
The resource determination function 322 includes NW state information (topology information, user location information) managed by the database 320, in addition to the user information (amount of used resources, user terminal ID, user terminal IP address information, etc.) from the resource reception function 311. , Including the distribution rate information for each flow, the route information, etc.) (step 122).
If it is determined by the resource determination that the resource requested by the user terminal 10 can be secured, the answer function 312 notifies the user terminal 10 of a free resource via the network 20 (step 135). The user terminal 10 makes a resource time reservation (step 136).
[0023]
In this case, the notification function 311 may perform a resource reservation re-notification to the user terminal 10 via the network 20 before or after the resource provision start time, thereby prompting the user to reconfirm.
According to the resource determination, when resources cannot be secured for the resources requested by the user terminal 10 (step 123), the following measures are taken for the user terminal 10: 4) presenting an alternative from the system; There are four methods, namely, input, 6) resource reservation registration and standby of the user terminal, and 7) standby of the user terminal.
[0024]
(Alternative presentation)
In the case of 4), the resource determination function 322 determines the amount of resources that can be provided and the time zone in the time zone requested by the user terminal 10. Thereafter, the answer function 312 notifies the user terminal 10 of the determined result via the network 20 (Step 124). If the user terminal 10 approves the result notified from the answer function 312 (step 128), the resource sales system secures the resource of the user terminal 10, and the user terminal 10 reserves the resource time. Is performed (step 136). Then, the information of the databases 310 and 320 is updated. Before and after the resource provision start time, the notification function 311 may notify the user terminal 10 of resource reservation re-notification via the network 20 to prompt the user terminal 10 to re-confirm.
[0025]
(Re-enter)
In the case of 5), the accepting function 311 accepts another resource request from the user terminal 10 (the amount of used resources, the user terminal ID, the user terminal IP address information, the use time, etc.) and accepts the request (step 125). Before the resource determination function 322 makes a resource determination based on the re-resource request information from the user terminal 10, if a free resource for the re-resource request occurs due to cancellation of resource time reservation of another user terminal, the resource determination function 322 Performs a free resource determination for the re-resource request of the user terminal 10 (step 129). Then, the answer function 312 notifies the user terminal 10 of a free resource via the network 20 (step 135). Thereafter, the resource sales system secures resources of the user terminal 10, and the user terminal 10 makes a resource time reservation (step 136). Then, the information of the databases 310 and 320 is updated. Also in this case, as in the case of 4), the notification function 311 performs the resource reservation re-notification to the user terminal 10 via the network 20 before and after the resource provision start time. You may be prompted to confirm again.
[0026]
(Reservation and waiting)
In the case of 6), the reception function 311 of the resource sales unit 31 registers the user information (the amount of used resources, the user terminal ID, the user terminal IP address information, the use time, etc.) of the user terminal 10 requesting the resource (step). 126). Thereafter, if a necessary free resource is generated in the NW resource in the time zone requested by the user terminal 10 due to a resource time reservation cancellation of another user terminal or the like, the resource determination function 322 performs a free resource determination (step 133). Then, the notification function 313 notifies the user terminal 10 of the available resource via the network 20 (step 135), and the resource sales system secures the resource of the user terminal 10, and the user terminal 10 receives the resource time. A reservation is made (step 136). Then, the information is updated to the databases 310 and 320. In this case as well, as in the above cases 4) and 5), the notification function 313 performs a resource reservation re-notification to the user terminal 10 via the network 20 around the resource provision start time. Alternatively, the user may be prompted to reconfirm.
[0027]
(Standby)
In the case of 7) (step 127), the answer function 312 suspends the resource determination notification to the user terminal 10 and cancels the resource time reservation of the other user terminal 10 or the like, and the NW in the time zone requested by the user terminal 10 When a necessary free resource is generated in the resource, the resource determining function 322 performs a free resource determination (step 134). Then, the reply function 312 notifies the user terminal 10 of available resources via the network 20 (step 135), the resource sales system secures resources of the user terminal 10, and the user terminal 10 reserves resource time. Is performed (step 136). Then, the information of the databases 310 and 320 is updated. Also in this case, the notification function 313 sends the resource reservation re-notification to the user terminal 10 via the network 20 before and after the resource provision start time, as in the cases of 4), 5), and 6) described above. , The user may be prompted to reconfirm.
[0028]
In addition, as a method of notifying a resource reservation to a free resource, or a method of re-notifying a resource reservation before and after a resource provision start time, a method realized by creating on the APL, a method using a SIP session protocol, and the like are considered.
In FIG. 2, when the result of the system re-resource determination is NO (steps 114 and 129), when user approval is not obtained (steps 112, 113 and 128), and when the user terminal releases the resource reservation registration If the user terminal has finished waiting (steps 116 and 132) (step 131), the communication between the system and the user terminal ends (steps 119 and 137).
[0029]
If a program is configured by coding the steps of the flow of FIG. 2 and stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, it is convenient for sale to the market and the like. By installing a recording medium in a computer and installing and executing the program, the resource selling method of the present invention can be easily realized.
[0030]
According to the present invention, a) there is an effect that a certain quality assurance service can be provided. The reason is that the resource sales unit 31 and the resource determination unit 32 collectively collect the user information and the NW state information, and the resource determination function 322 performs a free resource determination based on the information. Is appropriately controlled.
b) An effective NW resource can be provided by the resource sales system actively notifying the available resource information or providing the resource with undetermined / specified time. The reason for this is that the NW sales unit 31 has various sales functions, and performs appropriate resource securing determination using the NW resource provision schedule information.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a certain quality assurance service, and to actively notify free resource information, or to provide resources at undetermined or designated times. Thus, it is possible to provide more efficient NW resources.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a resource sales system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of a resource selling method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 user terminal, 20 network (NW), 31 resource sales department,
310 ... database (user information), 311 ... reception function,
312: answer function, 313: notification function, 32: resource determination unit
320 ... database (NW status information), 321 ... NW monitoring function
322: Resource determination function.

Claims (19)

A resource sales system connected to a network together with a plurality of user terminals,
A database of user information for selling resources to each user terminal, a reception unit for receiving a resource request from the user terminal, a response unit for responding to the resource request, and a notification to the resource reservation terminal A resource sales department comprising notification means for performing
It has a database of network status information for determining a free resource in the network, a network monitoring means for monitoring a network usage state including resources, and a resource determining unit including a resource determining means for determining a free resource. A resource sales system characterized by the following. In the resource sales system according to claim 1,
The resource sales system includes a program for managing user information including a resource provision schedule, and also accepts a resource reservation at an undetermined or designated time in addition to an immediate resource request from a user terminal. In the resource sales system according to claim 2,
A resource sales system, wherein the user information of the resource sales unit is updated at the time of resource reservation or resource reservation. In the resource sales system according to claim 1,
The resource selling system according to claim 1, wherein the resource determining unit includes a program for managing network status information for the present as well as the future, and updates information in a database at a predetermined time. In the resource sales system according to claim 4,
A resource sales system wherein the network status information of the resource determination unit is updated at the time of resource reservation or resource reservation. In the resource sales system according to claim 1,
The resource determination unit of the resource determination unit includes a program that performs an operation based on user information managed by the resource sales unit and network state information managed by the resource determination unit, and performs a free resource determination by the program. A resource sales system characterized by performing: In the resource sales system according to claim 6,
The free resource determination of the resource determination unit refers to the resource provision schedule information managed by the resource sales unit when performing the resource determination for the resource reservation desired terminal, while also considering the resource amount required for the resource reserved terminal. A resource sales system characterized by performing free resource determination. In the resource sales system according to claim 1 or 6,
The notification unit of the resource sales unit, for the resource reservation terminal of the time designation, as soon as the resource determination unit determines the available resources, the resource reservation terminal, if necessary, to notify the free resources based on the method specified in advance Characterized resource sales system. In the resource sales system according to claim 1 or 6,
The notification means of the resource sales unit notifies the resource reservation terminal of undetermined time, as soon as the resource determination unit determines a free resource, the notification unit of the resource sales unit notifies the free resource based on the method specified by the resource reservation terminal in advance. A resource sales system characterized by performing: In the resource sales system according to claim 1 or 6,
The resource determination unit of the resource determination unit determines the amount of resources that can be provided as an alternative, or the time period in which resources can be provided, when a time specification from a user terminal or a determination that an undetermined resource request cannot be completely satisfied is made. A resource sales system for notifying a user terminal via a response unit of a resource sales unit. In the resource sales system according to claim 10,
When the user terminal acknowledges the notification via the answer means of the resource sales unit and makes a time reservation, the resource sales unit accepts a resource time reservation. The resource sales system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 6,
When the resource determination unit of the resource determination unit determines that the resource request from the user terminal cannot be completely satisfied, the resource determination unit performs resource reservation reception for the user terminal via the reception unit of the resource sales unit. A resource sales system characterized in that, as soon as the resource determination means makes a free resource determination, the notification means of the resource sales unit gives a free resource notification based on a method specified in advance by the user. In the resource sales system according to claim 12,
When the user terminal acknowledges the free resource notification notified from the notification unit of the resource sales unit, and when the user terminal makes a time reservation, the resource sales unit performs resource time reservation acceptance. A resource sales system characterized by: The resource sales system according to claim 1, 2, or 6,
When the resource reservation specified by the time and the resource determination unit of the resource determination unit determines that the resource request from the user terminal cannot be completely satisfied, the resource determination notification to the user terminal is suspended, and the resource determination is performed. A resource sales system characterized in that as soon as the means makes a free resource determination, the answer means of the resource sales unit notifies the user terminal of a free resource. The resource sales system according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 6,
The time-specified resource reservation, and when the resource determination unit of the resource determination unit determines that the resource request from the user terminal cannot be completely satisfied, the reception unit permits re-input of time information from the user terminal. If the resource determination means has a vacant resource requested by the user terminal before the resource determination based on the re-input information from the user terminal, the resource determination means makes a vacancy resource determination, Resource notification system for notifying the user terminal of a free resource via the Internet. A program for promptly responding to a resource request from a user terminal from the system to the user terminal,
If the requested resource cannot be secured as a result of the resource determination in the resource sales system computer, when presenting an alternative, a procedure for determining a time zone in which the user terminal can provide the requested resource amount, When the user terminal re-enters the procedure of notifying the user terminal of the available time zone and the procedure of re-notifying before and after the resource available time if the user terminal approves, The procedure for allowing and re-accepting the resource request again, the procedure for reserving the resource amount or the time for the resource and the resource, the procedure for determining the free resource for the re-resource request, and the procedure for notifying the user terminal of the free resource are resource reservation. When performing registration and standby, a procedure for registering user information of a user terminal requesting a resource, the user terminal When a free resource equal to or more than the requested resource amount occurs, a procedure for determining a free resource, a procedure for notifying the user terminal of the free resource via the network, a procedure for securing resources of the user and updating information , A resource-responsive resource sales program to execute each. A program for presenting a response to a resource request from a user terminal from the system side to the user terminal with a time reservation,
If the requested resource cannot be secured as a result of the resource determination in the resource sales system computer, when presenting an alternative, a procedure for determining the available time zone in the time zone requested by the user terminal, through the network A procedure for notifying the user terminal of the result of the determination, and when the user terminal approves the notified result, the resource of the user terminal is secured, and the user terminal makes a resource time reservation. A procedure for performing resource reservation re-notification to the user terminal via the network before and after the resource provision start time,
When a re-input is performed, the user terminal is allowed to accept another resource request, and a procedure for accepting the resource request is performed. If a free resource for the re-resource request is generated due to cancellation of resource time reservation of another user terminal, the user terminal is re-entered. A procedure for determining a free resource for a re-resource request, a procedure for notifying a free resource to the user terminal via a network, a procedure for securing resources of the user terminal,
When the reservation and standby are performed, a procedure for registering the user information of the user terminal requesting the resource, a resource time reservation cancellation of another user terminal, or the like, when a free resource occurs in a time slot requested by the user terminal. Includes a procedure for determining a free resource, a procedure for notifying the user terminal of a free resource,
At the time of standby, the resource determination notification to the user terminal is suspended, and if a free resource in a time zone requested by the user terminal occurs due to cancellation of resource time reservation of another user terminal, the free resource determination is performed. And a procedure for notifying the user terminal of a free resource to the user terminal. A program for realizing the resource sales system according to any one of claims 1 to 15 by computer control,
A resource sales system computer, a receiving unit for receiving a resource request from a user terminal, a responding unit for responding to a resource request, a notifying unit for notifying a resource reservation terminal, and monitoring a network use state including resources. And a resource sales program for functioning as a network monitoring unit that performs the determination and a resource determination unit that determines the available resources. A computer-readable recording medium recording the resource sales program according to any one of claims 16 to 18.

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