JP2007066052A - File transfer method, file transfer system, receiving set and transmitting set - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a file transfer method which can shorten download time when the size of the downloaded file does not come up to one packet. <P>SOLUTION: When a user performs e-learning (electronic learning) using a mobile telephone 10, files of learning materials constituted of main materials and review materials are downloaded from a server device 60. First, the files of main materials are embedded to data area of a packet. When free space exists in the data area, files of review materials are embedded to the free space. The mobile telephone 10 receives a plurality of packets, and performs reconstruction of files which are embedded to data area of each packet and divided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a file transfer method, a file transfer system, a reception device, and a transmission device when an information processing device connected to a network downloads a file divided into packets.

Conventionally, when downloading an application to a mobile phone, downloading in units of packets has been performed (see Non-Patent Document 1).
By Asamori Rimori “I understand the latest TCP / IP” published by Technical Review Co., Ltd., published on August 14, 2000, first edition August 1, 2003, first edition, published eighth edition

  However, in the conventional file transfer method described above, even when the size of the downloaded application is less than the capacity (length) of one packet, it takes a download time of one packet.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a file transfer method, a file transfer system, a receiving apparatus, and a transmitting apparatus that can shorten the download time when the size of a file to be downloaded is less than one packet. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, a file transfer method according to the present invention is a file transfer method when an information processing apparatus connected to a network downloads a file divided in units of packets, and divides the first file. The first embedding step of embedding the divided first file in the data area of at least one packet, and the data empty area of the last packet in which the divided first file is embedded A second embedding step of embedding two files, a transmission step of transmitting a packet group including the last packet in which the second file is embedded to the network, and the packet group via the network. A receiving step, and a reconstructing step for reconstructing the first file using the received packet group. And having a flop.

  Thereby, when the size of the file to be downloaded is less than one packet, the download time can be shortened. In addition, it is possible to effectively use an empty area of the packet, and to reduce the total number of packets.

  A determination step for determining whether or not the size of the second file exceeds the data empty area; and if the size of the second file does not exceed the data empty area, the second embedding step includes: A second file is embedded in the area.

  As a result, the size of the second file can be taken into consideration, and appropriate processing can be performed.

  In the second embedding step, if there is still a data free area in the packet in which the second file is embedded, another file is embedded.

  As a result, the data empty area can be used more effectively.

  In the second embedding step, if the size of the second file exceeds the data free space, the second file is divided, and the divided second file is divided into the last packet and It is embedded in the data area of the subsequent packet, and the reconstructing step reconstructs the first and second files.

  As a result, the free data area of the packet can be used effectively regardless of the size of the second file.

  In addition, in the selection step of selecting the first and second files to be downloaded and the first embedding step in response to a request, the selected first file is divided into packet data areas. It is characterized by being embedded in.

  Thereby, a desired file can be downloaded.

  The file transfer system of the present invention includes a transmission device and a reception device connected to a network, and the reception device downloads a file divided in packet units from the transmission device, wherein the transmission device includes: , A first embedding unit that divides the first file and embeds the divided first file in a data area of at least one packet, and the last packet in which the divided first file is embedded A second embedding unit for embedding the second file in the data empty area, and a transmitting unit for transmitting the packet group including the last packet in which the second file is embedded to the network. The receiving apparatus receives the packet group via the network, and receives the received packet group. There are characterized by comprising a reconstructing means for reconstructing the first file.

  The receiving apparatus of the present invention is a receiving apparatus that is connected to a network and downloads a file divided in units of packets, and in a data empty area of the last packet in which the divided first file is embedded, Receiving means for receiving a packet group including a packet in which the file is embedded via the network, and reconstructing means for reconstructing the first file using the received packet group. And

  The transmission device of the present invention is a transmission device that is connected to a network and divides a file into units of packets and divides the first file, and divides the divided first file into at least one packet. A first embedding means for embedding in a data area; a second embedding means for embedding a second file in the data empty area of the last packet in which the divided first file is embedded; Transmission means for transmitting a packet group including the last packet in which the file is embedded to the network.

  According to the present invention, when the size of a file to be downloaded is less than one packet, the download time can be shortened. In addition, it is possible to effectively use an empty area of the packet, and to reduce the total number of packets.

  Embodiments of a file transfer method, a file transfer system, a receiving apparatus, and a transmitting apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The file transfer method of this embodiment is applied to a network system that provides e-learning using a mobile phone.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system. This network system includes a plurality of mobile phones 10, a wireless access point 20, a communication carrier network 30, a communication control device 40, an Internet network 50, and a server device 60. Each mobile phone 10 can be connected to the server device 60 via the Internet network 50 or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the mobile phone 10 and the internal hardware configuration thereof. As shown in FIG. 2A, the mobile phone 10 has a casing made up of an upper body 10a and a lower body 10b that can be opened and closed by a hinge portion 12.

  The upper body 10a is provided with an antenna 79, a display (LCD) panel 77, and a speaker 80. On the other hand, the lower main body 10b is provided with a microphone 81 and a key operation unit 78. The key operation unit 78 is provided with a cross key 78a for selecting a setting menu, a plurality of digit keys 78b, a call start key 78c, a call end key 78d, a confirmation key 78e, and the like.

  The user can make a dial connection to the call destination by pressing the digit key 78b key, and can start a call by pressing the call start key 78c. Further, the user can connect to a site that provides e-learning by pressing the cross key 78a.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, the mobile phone 10 includes a control unit 72, a wireless communication unit 73, an internal memory 74, an audio processing unit 75, and an image processing unit 76 therein. An antenna 79 is connected to the wireless communication unit 73. A speaker 80 and a microphone 81 are connected to the sound processing unit 75. A display unit 77 is connected to the image processing unit 76. The key operation unit 78 is connected to the control unit 72.

  The control unit 72 includes a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like connected via a bus. Data is transmitted between the internal memory 74 and the wireless communication unit 73 in accordance with execution of various control programs stored in the ROM. Send / receive and control each part. The internal memory 74 stores control programs and data executed by the control unit 72.

  The internal memory 74 stores content data such as images, music, programs, and the like downloaded from an information providing site (for example, a site providing e-learning). The wireless communication unit 73 is controlled by the control unit 72 and performs wireless communication with the wireless access point 20 via the antenna 79.

  The audio processing unit 75 encodes the audio signal input from the microphone 81 and sends it to the control unit 72, and decodes the audio signal received by the wireless communication unit 73 and outputs it from the speaker 80. The image processing unit 76 processes the image data received by the wireless communication unit 73 and the image data stored in the internal memory 74 and outputs the processed image data to the display unit 77. The key operation unit 78 has various keys, and performs scrolling and selection of information displayed on the display unit 77 in addition to outgoing and incoming calls.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration and a hardware configuration of the server device 60. As described above, the server device 60 is connected to the mobile phone 10 via the Internet network 50, the communication control device 40, the communication carrier network 30, and the wireless access point 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the server device 60 is composed of a general-purpose information processing device. The server device 60 is a well-known CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, network I / F controller (NIC) 109, storage memory 110, display I / F 104. The I / O interface 106 and the like are connected via a bus 108.

  A display 105 is connected to the display I / F 104, and an operation unit 107 is connected to the I / O interface 106. A network I / F controller (NIC) 109 controls connection with the Internet network 50. The storage memory 110 has a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk.

  The CPU 101 once loads various control programs stored in the storage memory 110 into the RAM 103, and then executes these various control programs.

  The server device 60 has a functional configuration including a control unit 61, a transmission / reception unit 62, and a file selection unit 63, as shown in FIG. The control unit 61 is provided with a number confirmation unit 64 and a data construction unit 65. Each of these units is realized by the CPU 101 executing a control program stored in the ROM 102.

  The transmission / reception unit 62 transmits / receives data to / from the mobile phone 10 via the Internet network 50. The number confirmation unit 64 compares the access number obtained from the transmission / reception unit 62 with the number of the learning material (the learning material content) registered in the learning material table (see FIG. 4), and sends the matching learning material number to the file selection unit 63. To do.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a learning material table registered in advance in the number confirmation unit 64. In this learning material table, learning material numbers representing learning material contents corresponding to the access numbers are registered. Specifically, the learning material number “1-1” corresponds to the access number “0000 #”, and the learning material number “MN” corresponds to the access number “xxx #”.

  The file selection unit 63 selects a corresponding teaching material file from the received teaching material number and sends it to the data construction unit 65. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing selection of teaching material contents in the file selection unit 63.

  In the present embodiment, as learning material contents, one learning material includes a main learning material (main learning material) and a review material for reviewing the main learning material. Note that one learning material is not limited to two main materials and review materials, and may be composed of three or more materials.

  The data construction unit 65 embeds the teaching material file from the file selection unit 65 in the data area of the packet (frame). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a packet structure. A packet (IP packet) is composed of a header part and a data part (area).

  The aforementioned teaching material file is embedded in the data portion. On the other hand, the header portion includes “header length” indicating the length of the IP header, “packet length” indicating the length of the entire IP packet including the IP header, and “ Fields such as “flag”, “fragment offset” indicating the order in which the IP packets are divided, “source IP address”, “destination IP address”, and “option” are included.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the teaching material file is embedded in the data area of the packet in the data construction unit 65. Here, three packet data areas 91, 92, and 93 are used for the teaching material file 1-1.

  The main teaching material (main teaching material of Chapter 1 item 1) file in the teaching material file 1-1 is embedded to the data area 93a in the middle of the third packet, exceeding two packets. On the other hand, the review material (Chapter 1 Section 1 review material) file is embedded in the remaining data area 93b of the third packet.

  Here, the case where the size of the review material file matches the size of the remaining data area 93b of the third packet has been shown, but it is a matter of course that a free area may remain without matching. It is.

  In addition, when the size of the review material file exceeds the remaining data area 93b of the third packet, it may be embedded in the data area of the fourth packet.

  The download operation in the network system having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a download operation procedure between the mobile phone 10 and the server device 60. First, the user designates teaching materials to be downloaded via the key operation unit 78 in a state where the e-learning site is displayed on the display unit 77 of the mobile phone 10. When the designation of the learning material is accepted (T1), the access number of the designated learning material is transmitted to the server device 60 (T2).

  When the server device 60 receives the access number, the number confirmation unit 64 searches the teaching material table (see FIG. 4), and sends the number of the corresponding teaching material (the teaching material content) to the file selection unit 63 (T3). Then, the file selection unit 63 selects the corresponding file from the teaching material number and sends it to the data construction unit 65 (T4).

  The data constructing unit 65 constructs a frame by assigning (embedding) the main teaching material file to the data area of the frame (packet) and further assigning (embedding) the review teaching material file to the remaining free data area (T5). The constructed packet (frame) is sent to the transmission / reception unit 62.

  The mobile phone 10 receives the packets sequentially sent from the transmission / reception unit 62, and downloads the teaching material file (T6). When downloading of the teaching material file is completed, the file is reconstructed (T7). In this file reconstruction, the file is reconstructed for the divided main teaching material file.

  Generally, when a file is reconstructed, it is recognized that the file is divided by referring to a “flag” included in the header of the packet. Then, the divided files are concatenated according to the order stored in the “fragment offset” included in the header part. In the present embodiment, since the data area 93 of the last packet includes the divided main teaching material file and the review teaching material file, for example, the file is reconfigured in the following procedure.

  That is, at step T5 in the data construction unit 65, the “option” field in the header part of the last packet includes a review material file in addition to the divided main material file, Write information such as the size (octet) and the size of the review material file.

  As a result, when the main educational material file is reconstructed in step 7, it is recognized which region of the data included in the data portion is used as the divided main educational material file.

  Of course, the method for causing the mobile phone 10 to recognize that the review material file is embedded in the data area of the last packet in which the divided main material file is embedded is not limited to the above method. .

  For example, when it is known in advance that the review material file is included in addition to the main teaching material file in the last packet of the downloaded teaching material file, the main teaching material file and the review material file are sorted from the last packet. At this time, it can be distinguished by including data such as specific symbols at the boundary between the main teaching material file and the review teaching material file.

  Further, when the amount of the main teaching material file included in the last packet is calculated in advance, the amount may be distributed on the boundary.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a file reception processing procedure in the mobile phone 10. This processing program is stored in the ROM in the control unit 72 and is executed by the CPU. First, in accordance with an operation from the key operation unit 78 by the user, a site for providing e-learning is displayed on the display unit 77 to prompt the user to specify learning materials (step S1).

  It waits for a specific teaching material to be designated from a plurality of teaching material contents (see FIG. 5) (step S2). When a specific learning material (for example, learning material 1-1) is designated, the access number of the designated learning material is transmitted to the server device 60 (step S3). For example, the access number corresponding to the transmitted teaching material 1-1 is “0000 #” (see FIG. 4).

  Thereafter, it waits for a packet group of the learning material file designated from the server device 60 to arrive (step S4). When the packet group of the learning material file arrives, the main teaching material file and the review material file included in the learning material file are reconstructed (step S5).

  Then, the reconstructed main teaching material file and the review teaching material file are reflected on the screen of the display unit 77 (step S6), and this processing is terminated.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a file transmission processing procedure in the server device 60. This processing program is stored in the ROM in the control unit 72 and is executed by the CPU.

  First, it is determined whether or not the learning material access number has been received from the mobile phone 10 (step S11). If it has not been received, this process is terminated. On the other hand, when the access number is received, the learning material table (the number of the learning material) is searched using the learning material table (see FIG. 4) in the number confirmation unit 64 (step S12).

  It is determined whether or not there is a corresponding teaching material content (step S13). If there is no corresponding teaching material content, the process is terminated. On the other hand, if there is a corresponding teaching material content, the file selection unit 63 selects a corresponding teaching material content file (main teaching material file, review teaching material file) (step S14).

  Then, the data construction unit 65 divides the main teaching material file and embeds it in the data areas of a plurality of packets (step S15). Further, it is determined whether or not the data empty area of the last packet is equal to or larger than the size of the review material file (step S16).

  If there is a data empty area larger than the size of the review material file, the review material file is embedded in the data empty area of the last packet (step S17). On the other hand, if there is no empty data area larger than the review material file size, the review material file is embedded in a new packet (step S18).

  A plurality of packets in which the main teaching material file and the review teaching material file are embedded are transmitted to the mobile phone 10 (step S19). Then, this process is complete | finished.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another state in which the teaching material file is embedded in the data area of the packet in the data construction unit 65. As shown in FIG. 5A, if there are a plurality of review material files and one review material file (review material file 1) is embedded in the data portion of the last packet, two files are still available. Of course, the review material file after the first (review material file 2) may be embedded.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the review material file size is larger than the free space in the data portion of the last packet, the review material file is divided into the above-mentioned last packet and subsequent packets. It may be embedded.

  In this case, the value indicating the order stored in the “fragment offset” of each header portion is a consecutive number from the main teaching material file to the review teaching material file. Also, if the review material file size is larger than the free space in the data portion of the last packet, the free space in the data portion of the last packet is not used and the review is started from the beginning in the data portion of a new packet as before. You may make it embed a teaching material file.

  As described above, according to the file transfer method of the present embodiment, when the learning material is downloaded, the download time can be shortened compared to the conventional case. In addition, since the packet free area is used effectively, the total number of packets can be reduced, and for mobile phone users who do not use the high-maintenance packet flat-rate system, the packet usage fee is kept low. Can do.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to e-learning using a mobile phone has been described. However, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to general file download in general. Also, the device to be downloaded is not limited to a mobile phone, and can be applied to various information communication terminals such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a notebook PC, and is not particularly limited.

  Further, the control in the information communication terminal may be realized only by a hardware circuit, or may be realized by an internal computer executing a predetermined program. For delivery of the program executed by the computer, a recording medium such as a ROM card may be used, or a communication network such as a computer network may be used.

  When downloading a file to a mobile phone or the like, the data free area in one packet can be used effectively, and the total number of packets can be reduced.

The figure which shows the structure of a network system. The figure which shows the external appearance of the mobile telephone 10, and the hardware constitutions inside it. The figure which shows the functional structure and hardware constitutions of the server apparatus 60. The figure which shows the teaching material table previously registered into the number confirmation part 64. FIG. The figure which shows selection of the teaching material content in the file selection part 63. FIG. The figure which shows the structure of a bucket. The figure which shows the state by which the teaching material file was embedded in the data area of the packet in the data construction part. The figure which shows the download operation | movement procedure between the mobile telephone 10 and the server apparatus 60. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a file reception processing procedure in the mobile phone 10; 5 is a flowchart showing a file transmission processing procedure in the server device 60. The figure which shows the other state by which the teaching material file was embedded in the data area of the packet in the data construction part.

Explanation of symbols

10 Cellular phone 60 Server device 63 File selection unit 64 Number confirmation unit 65 Data construction unit 91, 92, 93 packets

Claims (9)

A file transfer method when an information processing device connected to a network downloads a file divided into packets,
A first embedding step of dividing a first file and embedding the divided first file in a data area of at least one packet;
A second embedding step of embedding a second file in a data empty area of the last packet in which the divided first file is embedded;
Transmitting a packet group including the last packet in which the second file is embedded toward the network;
Receiving the packet group via the network;
A reconfiguration step of reconfiguring the first file using the received packets;
A file transfer method comprising: The file transfer method according to claim 1,
A determination step of determining whether or not the size of the second file exceeds the data free space;
If the data free area is not exceeded, the second embedding step embeds a second file in the data free area. The file transfer method according to claim 1,
In the second embedding step, if a data empty area still exists in the packet in which the second file is embedded, another file is embedded. The file transfer method according to claim 1,
In the second embedding step, when the size of the second file exceeds the data empty area, the second file is divided, and the divided second file is followed by the last packet and the subsequent file. Embedded in the data area of the packet,
In the reconstructing step, the first and second files are reconstructed. The file transfer method according to claim 1,
A selection step of selecting the first and second files to be downloaded upon request;
In the first embedding step, the selected first file is divided and embedded in a data area of a packet. A file transfer system comprising a transmission device and a reception device connected to a network, wherein the reception device downloads a file divided in packet units from the transmission device,
The transmitter is
First embedding means for dividing a first file and embedding the divided first file in a data area of at least one packet;
Second embedding means for embedding a second file in a data empty area of the last packet in which the divided first file is embedded;
Transmitting means for transmitting a packet group including the last packet in which the second file is embedded to the network;
The receiving device is:
Receiving means for receiving the packet group via the network;
A file transfer system comprising: reconstruction means for reconstructing the first file using the received packet group. A receiving device connected to a network and downloading a file divided into packets,
Receiving means for receiving, via the network, a packet group including a packet in which the second file is embedded in a data empty area of the last packet in which the divided first file is embedded;
Receiving apparatus, comprising: reconstructing means for reconstructing the first file using the received packet group. A transmission device that is connected to a network and transmits a file divided into packets,
First embedding means for dividing a first file and embedding the divided first file in a data area of at least one packet;
Second embedding means for embedding a second file in a data empty area of the last packet in which the divided first file is embedded;
A transmission apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit a packet group including the last packet in which the second file is embedded to the network.   A program for causing a computer to execute each step according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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