Integrated information communication system

• US 7,787,428 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2007
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• 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:
  US11/700,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20070133573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,308 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/352, 370/401, 370/409, 370/465, 709/220, 709/230, 709/238, 709/249, 379/88.17, 379/93.07
• US Class Current: 370/338
• 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 integrated information communications system (ICS) comprising a communication network, said communication network comprising:

a domain name server; and

a plurality of access control apparatuses respectively comprising a conversion table having a plurality of records and a plurality of logical terminals connected to logical communication lines, wherein

a first terminal outside of said communication network is connected to a first logical terminal of a first access control apparatus via a first logical communication line and a second terminal outside of said communication network is connected to a second logical terminal of a second access control apparatus via a second logical communication line,

(i) said first terminal is assigned a first user address, (ii) said second terminal is assigned a second user address, (iii) said first logical terminal of said first access control apparatus is assigned a first network address, and (iv) said second logical terminal of said second access control apparatus is assigned a second network address,

a record of a conversion table in said first access control apparatus comprises said first network address, as a transmitting network address, said second user address, as a receiver user address, and said second network address, as a receiving network address,

said first terminal sends a first user frame comprising both said first user address and said second user address, and said first user frame inputs to said first access control apparatus from said first logical terminal via said first logical communication line,

said first access control apparatus obtains said record comprising said first network address assigned to said first logical terminal and said second user address and then obtains said second network address included in said record,

said first access control apparatus converts said first user frame into a first network frame, said first network frame comprising said first user frame and said second network address, as a destination address,

said first access control apparatus sends said first network frame, and said first network frame is transferred in said communication network and reaches said second access control apparatus,

said second access control apparatus restores said first user frame from said first network frame, and said restored first user frame reaches said second terminal via said second logical terminal and said second logical communication line,

said first terminal sends out a second user frame including a telephone number of said second terminal to said communication network,

said communication network obtains said second user address determined by said telephone number with reference to said domain name server and sends a third user frame including said obtained second user address to said first terminal,

said first terminal sends a fourth user frame including digitized telephone voice, said fourth user frame including said digitized telephone voice is converted into a second network frame, comprising said fourth user frame, by said first access control apparatus, and said second network frame is transferred in said communication network and then reaches said second access control apparatus, and

said second access control apparatus restores said fourth user frame from said second network frame, and said restored fourth user frame reaches said second terminal via said second logical terminal and said second logical communication line.

2. An integrated information communications system (ICS) comprising a communication network, said communication network comprising:

a plurality of access control apparatuses respectively comprising a conversion table having a plurality of records and a plurality of logical terminals connected to logical communication lines, wherein

a first terminal outside of said communication network is connected to a first logical terminal of a first access control apparatus via a first logical communication line and a second terminal outside of said communication network is connected to a second logical terminal of a second access control apparatus via a second logical communication line,

(i) said first terminal is assigned a first user address, (ii) said second terminal is assigned a second user address, (iii) said first logical terminal of said first access control apparatus is assigned a first network address, and (iv) said second logical terminal of said second access control apparatus is assigned a second network address,

a record of a conversion table in said first access control apparatus comprises said first network address, as a transmitting network address, said second user address, as a receiver user address, and said second network address, as a receiving network address,

said first terminal sends a first user frame comprising both said first user address and said second user address, and said first user frame inputs to said first access control apparatus from said first logical terminal via said first logical communication line,

said first access control apparatus obtains said record comprising said first network address assigned to said first logical terminal and said second user address and then obtains said receiving second network address included in said record,

said first access control apparatus converts said first user frame into a first network frame, said first network frame comprising said first user frame and said second network address, as a destination address,

said first access control apparatus sends said first network frame, and said first network frame is transferred in said communication network and reaches said second access control apparatus,

said second access control apparatus restores said first user frame from said first network frame, and said restored first user frame reaches said second terminal via said second logical terminal and said second logical communication line,

said first terminal send out a second user frame including a telephone number of said second terminal to said communication network,

said communication network converts said telephone number into said second user address and sends a third user frame including said converted second user address to said first terminal,

said first terminal sends a fourth user frame including digitized telephone voice, said fourth user frame including said digitalized telephone voice is converted into a second network frame, comprising said second user frame, by said first access control apparatus, and said second network frame is transferred in said communication network and then reaches said second access control apparatus, and

said second access control apparatus restores said fourth user frame from said second network frame, and said restored fourth user frame reaches said second terminal via said second logical terminal and said second logical communication line.

3. An integrated information communications system according to claim 2, wherein

said communication network uses a domain name in place of said telephone number, so that said first terminal sends a second user frame including said domain name of said second terminal, and said communication network converts said domain name into said second user address and sends a third user frame including said converted second user address to said first terminal.