Integrated information communication system

• US 7,266,115 B2
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Distribution Systems Research Institute (GS1 AISBL)
• Original Assignee: The Distribution Systems Research Institute (GS1 AISBL), Miyaguchi Research Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Furukawa, Hisao, Miyaguchi, Shoji
• Primary Examiner(s): HSU, ALPUS
• Application Number:
  US10/392,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20030179758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,628 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 370/356, 370/401, 370/409, 379/88.17, 379/93.07, 709/203, 709/230, 709/249
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18582 Arrangements for data linking, i.e. for data framing, for error recovery, for multiple access
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4608 LAN interconnection over ATM networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4633 Interconnection of networks using encapsulation techniques, e.g. tunneling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5617 Virtual LANs; Emulation of LANs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5618 Bridges, gateways [GW] or interworking units [IWU]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/562 Routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5621 Virtual private network [VPN]; Private-network - network-interface (P-NNI)
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5642 Multicast/broadcast/point-multipoint, e.g. VOD
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5643 Concast/multipoint-to-point
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5652 Cell construction, e.g. including header, packetisation, depacketisation, assembly, reassembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5667 IP over ATM
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5685 Addressing issues
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/30 Types of network names
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/604 Address structures or formats
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/65 Telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2212/00 : Encapsulation of packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 : Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/742 : Route cache; Operation thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/2408 : for supporting different services, e.g. a differentiated services [DiffServ] type of service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/309 : Header conversion, routing tables or routing tags
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/10 : of different types
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/106 : across networks, e.g. mapping telephone numbers to data network addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2514 : between local and global IP addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2532 : Clique of NAT servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2535 : Multiple local networks, e.g. resolving potential IP address conflicts
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2571 : for identification, e.g. for authentication or billing charging arrangements H04L12/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 : using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4535 : using an address exchange platform which sets up a session between two nodes, e.g. rendezvous servers, session initiation protocols [SIP] registrars or H.323 gatekeepers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 : Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 : Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5084 : Providing for device mobility network addressing or numbering for mobility support in wireless networks H04W8/26; mobile IP H04W80/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 : Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 : received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 : Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 : Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/085 : specially adapted for interworking of IP-based networks with other networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 : Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/161 : Implementation details of TCP/IP or UDP/IP stack architecture; Specification of modified or new header fields
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 : Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 : Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/40 : for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity, e.g. service redundancy protocols, protocol state redundancy or protocol service redirection management of faults, events, alarms or notifications in data switching networks H04L41/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 : Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 : Provisions for broadband connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/086 : using security domains
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/10 : Integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 : Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 : Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 : Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 : Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185

Abstract

To provide an integrated information communication system without using dedicated lines or the Internet, ensuring communication speed, communication quality, communication trouble countermeasures in a unified manner, wherein security and reliability in communication is ensured. The system is comprised of an access control apparatus for connecting a plurality of computer communication networks or information communication equipment to each, and a relay device for networking the aforementioned access control apparatus, the system having functions for performing routing by transferring information by a unified address system, and is configured such that the aforementioned plurality of computer communication networks or information communication equipment can perform communications in an interactive manner.

Claims

1. An access control apparatus including:

a conversion table; and

two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS user frame, said ICS logical terminals being connected to an internal communication line, wherein;

said conversion table includes information to form ICS logical terminal discriminating information and information to define a transmitting priority degree; and

said access control apparatus, as a sending side access control apparatus, is operable to

form an internal ICS network frame including receiving side ICS logical terminal discriminating information based on an inputted external ICS user frame and said conversion table,

determine a transmitting order to transmit the inputted internal ICS network frame to the communication line based on the information to define a transmitting priority degree included in said conversion table, and

control a transmitting order of the internal ICS network frame by transmitting the ICS network frame to the internal communication line according to the determined transmitting order.

2. An access control apparatus including:

a conversion table; and

two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS user frame, said ICS logical terminals being connected to an internal communication line, wherein;

at least one of said ICS logical terminals is connected to an external communication line and operates as a receiving side ICS logic terminal;

said conversion table includes a procedure to restore an ICS user frame included in an ICS network frame based on an inputted internal ICS network frame and information to define a terminating priority degree; and

said access control apparatus, as a receiving side access control apparatus, is operable to

determine a receiving side ICS logical terminal based an an internal ICS network frame inputted from the communication line and said conversion table,

restore the ICS user frame,

determine an order to transmit the restored ICS user frame to said receiving side ICS logical terminal based on the information to define the terminating priority degree included in said conversion table, and

transmit the restored ICS user frame to the external communication line according to the determined transmitting order, so as to control a transmitting order of the ICS user frame.

3. An access control apparatus including:

a conversion table; and

two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS user frame, said ICS logic terminals being connected to an internal communication line, wherein;

said conversion table includes information to form ICS logical terminal discriminating information and information to define a transmitting priority degree; and

said access control apparatus, as a sending side access control apparatus, is operable to

form an internal ICS network frame including receiving side ICS logical terminal discriminating information based on a port number and said conversion table when an address relation information of an external ICS user frame and a superior protocol are TCP to UDP;

determine an order to transmit the ICS network frame to the internal communication line; and

transmit the ICS network frame to the internal communication line according to the determined transmitting order, so as to control a transmitting order of the ICS network frame.

4. An access control apparatus including

a conversion table;

and

two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS user frame, said ICS logical terminals being connected to an external communication line and an internal communication line, and at least one of said ICS logical terminals below a receiving side ICS logical terminal, wherein;

said conversion table includes a procedure to restore an ICS user frame included in the ICS network frame based on an inputted internal ICS network frame and information to define a terminating priority degree; and

said access control apparatus, as a receiving side access control apparatus, is operable to

determine a receiving side ICS logical terminal based on an ICS network frame inputted from the internal communication line and said conversion table,

restore the ICS user frame,

determine an order to transmit the restored ICS user frame to said receiving side ICS logical terminal based on a port number and the information to define the terminating priority degree included in said conversion table when address relation information of the restored ICS user frame and a superior protocol are TCP to UDP, and

transmit the restored ICS user frame to the external communication line via said receiving side ICS logical terminal according to the determined transmitting order, so as to control a transmitting order of the ICS user frame.

5. An access control apparatus including information to define a transmitting priority degree, and having two or more logical terminals connected to a communication line for inputting an internet protocol (IP) packet and logical terminals connected to an outside communication line for outputting an IP packet, wherein said access control apparatus is operable to:

determine a transmitting order of the inputted IP packet to the outside communication line based on an IP packet inputted from an input side logical terminal via the input side communication line and the information to define a transmiting priority degree; and

transmit the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line according to the determined transmitting order, so as to control a transmitting order of the inputted IP packet.

6. An access control apparatus including information to define a transmitting priority degree, and having two or more logical terminals connected to a communication line for inputting an internet protocol (IP) packet and logical terminals connected to an outside communication line for outputting an IP packet, wherein said access control apparatus is operable to:

determine a transmitting order of the inputted IP packet to the outside communication line based on a port number and the information to define a transmitting priority degree when address relation information in an IP packet inputted from an input side logical terminal via the input side communication line and a superior protocol are TCP to UDP; and

transmit the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line according to the determined transmitting order, so as to control a transmitting order of the inputted IP packet.

7. A control method for a sending side access control apparatus, the sending side access control apparatus including a conversion table and two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS user frame, the ICS logical terminals being connected to an internal communication line, and the conversion table including information to form ICS logical terminal discriminating information and information to define a transmitting priority degree, said control method comprising:

forming an internal ICS network frame including receiving side ICS logical terminal discriminating information based on an inputted external ICS user frame and the conversion table;

determining a transmitting order of the formed internal ICS network frame to the internal communication line based on the information to define the transmitting priority degree included in the conversion table and

transmitting the ICS network frame to the internal communication line according to the determined transmitting order.

8. A control method for a sending side access control apparatus, the sending side access control apparatus including a conversion table and two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS user frame, the ICS logical terminals being connected to an internal communication line, and the conversion table including information to form ICS logical terminal discriminating information and information to define a transmitting priority degree, said control method comprising:

forming an internal ICS network frame including receiving side ICS logical terminal discriminating information based on a port number and the information to define a transmitting priority degree when address relation information in an inputted external ICS user frame and a superior protocol are TCP to UDP;

determining a transmitting order of transmitting the formed internal ICS network frame to the internal communication line;

transmitting the ICS network frame to the internal communication line according to the determined transmitting order.

9. A control method for a receiving side access control apparatus, the receiving side access control apparatus including a conversion table, two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS user frame, the ICS logical terminals being connected to an internal communication line, and an ICS logical terminal being connected to an external communication line, the conversion table including a procedure to restore an ICS user frame included in the ICS network frame based on an inputted internal ICS network frame and information to define a transmitting priority degree, said control method comprising;

determine a receiving side ICS logical terminal based on an ICS network frame inputted from the internal communication line and the conversion table;

restoring an ICS user frame;

determining an order for transmitting the restored ICS user frame to the receiving side ICS logical terminal based on the information to define the transmitting priority degree included in the conversion table; and

transmitting the restored ICS user frame to the external communication line according to the determined transmitting order via the receiving side ICS logical terminal.

10. A control method for a receiving side access control apparatus, the receiving side access control apparatus including a conversion table, two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS network frame, the ICS logical terminals being connected to an internal communication line, and an ICS logical terminal being connected to an external communication line, and the conversion table including a procedure to restore an ICS user frame included in the ICS network frame based on an inputted internal ICS network frame and information to define a transmitting priority degree, said control method comprising:

determining a receiving side ICS logical terminal based on an ICS network frame inputted from the internal communication line and the conversion table;

restoring an ICS user frame;

determining a transmitting order of transmitting the restored ICS user frame to the receiving side ICS logical terminal based on a port number and the information to define a transmitting priority degree included in the conversion table when an address relation information in an ICS user frame included in the restored ICS user frame and a superior protocol are TCP to UDP; and

transmitting the restored ICS user frame to the external communication line according to the determined transmitting order via the receiving side ICS logical terminal.

11. A control method for an access control apparatus, the access control apparatus including information to define a transmitting priority degree, and the access control apparatus having two or more logical terminals being connected to an input side communication line for inputting an internet protocol (IP) packet, and a logical terminal being connected to an output side communication line for outputting an IP packet, said control method comprising:

determining a transmitting order of transmitting an inputted IP packet to the output side communication line based on an IP packet inputted from an input side logical terminal via the input side communication line and the information to define a transmitting priority degree; and

transmitting the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line according to the determined transmitting order.

12. A control method for an access control apparatus, the access control apparatus including information to define a transmitting priority degree, and having two or more logical terminals being connected to an input side commutation line for inputting an internet protocol (IP) packet, and a logical terminal being connected to an output side communication line for outputting an IP packet, said control method comprising:

determining a transmitting order of transmitting an inputted IP packet to the output side communication line based on a port number and the information to define a transmitting priority degree when an address relation information in an IP packet inputted from an input side logical terminal via the input side communication line and a superior protocol are TCP to UDP; and

transmitting the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line according to the determined transmitting order.

13. An internet protocol (IP) communication network, said IP communication network including:

two or more access control apparatuses, at least one of said access control apparatuses being a sending side access control apparatus which includes a conversion table;

two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS user frame; and

an internal communication line for sending/receiving an internal ICS user frame, wherein;

said conversion table includes information to form ICS logical terminal discriminating information and information to define a transmitting priority degree, and said sending side access control apparatus is operable to

form an internal ICS network frame including receiving side ICS logical terminal discriminating information based on an inputted external ICS user frame and said conversion table,

determine a transmitting order to said internal communication line based on the information to define a transmitting priority degree included in said conversion table, and

transmit the ICS network frame to said internal communication line according to the determined transmitting order.

14. An internet protocol (IP) communication network, said IP communication network including:

two or more access control apparatuses, at least one of said access control apparatuses being a sending side access control apparatus which includes a conversion table;

two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS user frame; and

an internal communication line for sending/receiving an internal ICS user frame, wherein;

said conversion table includes information to form ICS logical terminal discriminating information and information to define a transmitting priority degree, and

said sending side access control apparatus is operable to

form an internal ICS network frame including receiving side ICS logical terminal discriminating information based on a port number and said conversion table when address relation information in an inputted external ICS user frame and a superior protocol are TCP to UDP,

determine a transmitting order to said internal communication line, and

transmit the ICS network frame to said internal communication line according to the determined transmitting order.

15. An internet protocol (IP) communication network, said IP communication network including:

two or more access control apparatuses, at least one of said access control apparatuses being a receiving side access control apparatus which includes a conversion table;

two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS user frame; and

an internal communication line for sending/receiving an internal ICS user frame, wherein;

at least one of said ICS logical terminals is connected to an external communication line;

said conversion table includes a procedure to restore an ICS user frame included in the ICS network frame based on an inputted internal ICS network frame and information to define a transmitting priority degree; and

said receiving side access control apparatus is operable to

determine a receiving side ICS logical terminal based on an ICS network frame inputted from said internal communication line and said conversion table,

restore the ICS user frame,

determine a transmitting order for transmitting the restored ICS user frame to the receiving side ICS logical terminal based on the information to define a terminating priority degree included in said conversion table, and

transmit the restored ICS user frame to the external communication line via the receiving side ICS logical terminal according to the determined transmitting order.

16. An internet protocol (IP) communication network, said IP communication network including:

two or more access control apparatuses, at least one of said access control apparatuses being a receiving side access control apparatus which includes a conversion table;

two or more information communication system (ICS) logical terminals for inputting/outputting an external ICS user frame; and

an internal communication line for sending/receiving an internal ICS user frame, wherein;

at least one of said ICS logical terminals is connected to an external communication line,

said conversion table includes a procedure to restore an ICS user frame included in the ICS network frame based on an inputted internal ICS network frame and information to define a transmitting priority degree; and

said receiving side access control apparatus is operable to

determine a receiving side ICS logical terminal based on an ICS network frame inputted from said internal communication line and said conversion table,

restores the ICS user frame,

determine a transmitting order for transmitting the restored ICS user frame to the receiving side ICS logical terminal based on a port number and the information to define a terminating priority degree included in said conversion table when address relation information in an inputted external ICS user frame and a superior protocol are TCP to UDP, and

transmit the restored ICS user frame to said external communication line via the receiving side ICS logical terminal according to the determined transmitting order.

17. An internet protocol (IP) communication network, said IP communication network includes:

two or more access control apparatuses, said access control apparatuses including information to define a transmitting priority degree,

two or more logical terminals connected to an input side communication line for inputting an IP packet; and

a logical terminal connected to an output side communication line for outputting an IP packet,

wherein said access control apparatuses are operable to;

determine a transmitting order of the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line based on an IP packet inputted from an input side logical terminal via the input side communication line and the information to define a transmitting priority degree; and

transmit the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line according to the determine transmitting order.

18. An internet protocol (IP) communication network, said IP communication network includes

two or more access control apparatuses, said access control apparatuses including information to define a transmitting priority degree,

two or more logical terminals connected to an input side communication line for inputting an IP packet;

and

a logical terminal connected to an output side communication line for outputting an IP packet,

wherein said access control apparatuses are operable to;

determine a transmitting order of the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line based on a port number and the information to define a transmitting priority degree when an address relation information in an IP packet inputted from an input side logical terminal via the input side communication line and a superior protocol are TCP to UDP; and

transmit the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line according to the determined transmitting order.

19. An access control apparatus, said access control apparatus including information to define a terminating priority degree, and having two or more logical terminals connected to an input side communication line for inputting an internet protocol (IP) packet, and a logical terminal connected to an output side communication line for outputting an IP packet,

wherein said access control apparatus is operable to:

determine a transmitting order of the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line based on an IP packet inputted from an input side logical terminal via the input side communication line and the information to define a terminating priority degree, and

transmit the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line according to the determined transmitting order, thereby so as to control the transmitting order of the IP packet.

20. An access control apparatus, said access control apparatus including information to define a terminating priority degree, and having two or more logical terminals connected to an input side communication line for inputting an internet protocol (IP) packet, and a logical terminal connected to an output side communication line for outputting an IP packet,

wherein said access control apparatus is operable to:

determine a transmitting order of the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line based on a port number and the information to define a terminating priority degree when address relation information in an IP packet inputted from an input side logical terminal via the input side communication line are TCP to UDP; and

transmit the inputted IP packet to the output side communication line according to the determined transmitting order, so as to control the transmitting order of the IP packet.