Communication resource allocation device and communication resource allocation method

Abstract

To determine a communication resource allocation method that does not degrade the QoE of an entire service by taking into account the importance of data acquisition for each user.SOLUTION: Based on QoE characteristics for each service and the importance of data acquisition for each user, the allocation of communication resources for data acquisition is determined by prioritizing an increase in the QoE characteristics of users with high importance of data acquisition, within a range not exceeding communication resources of a communication device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication resource allocation device and a communication resource allocation method.

Background Art

[0002] As a technology for determining a method of allocating communication resources of a communication device, for example, there is Patent Document 1.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a scheduler is provided that accumulates received packets for each flow and determines resource allocation for each flow, manages a QoE function indicating the relationship between resource allocation and user QoE (Quality of Experience), and determines resource allocation. Here, QoE refers to the service quality and user experience quality felt by a user for a network service.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] There is a Cyber-Physical System (CPS) that collects various real-world data and feeds back information and value created in the cyber space to the real world.

[0006] In CPS, in order to feed back in real time to the field the results of analyzing a plurality of stream data collected from a vast area in the cyber space, it is necessary to allocate limited communication resources to important data that affects QoE due to cost and real-time requirements.

[0007] However, if communication resources for data acquisition are allocated based only on QoE, the QoE as a service may decline, such as the data of users with high importance for data acquisition, such as important customers, not being acquired sufficiently.

[0008] In Patent Document 1, since the importance of data acquisition for each user is not considered, it is impossible to determine which user to allocate limited communication resources to.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to determine a method for allocating communication resources that takes into account the importance of data acquisition for each user and does not reduce the QoE of the entire service.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] A communication resource allocation device according to an aspect of the present invention is a communication resource allocation device that determines a method for allocating communication resources of a communication device, including a data acquisition unit that acquires data from a plurality of users, a QoE characteristic that is information representing the level of QoE for each service, and a storage unit that stores the data acquisition importance that is information representing the importance of acquiring the data for each user, and a communication resource allocation determination unit that performs a priority allocation process for determining the allocation of the communication resources for data acquisition, giving priority to increasing the QoE characteristic of the user with a high data acquisition importance within a range not exceeding the communication resources of the communication device, based on the QoE characteristic for each service and the data acquisition importance for each user.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine a method for allocating communication resources that takes into account the importance of data acquisition for each user and does not reduce the QoE of the entire service.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 5

Figure 6

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Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment

[0014] First, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the communication resource allocation system will be described.

[0015] In the communication resource allocation system, a plurality of communication devices 5 and a communication resource allocation device are connected via a communication line.

[0016] The communication resource allocation device includes a data acquisition request unit 1 that requests to obtain data necessary for maintaining and improving the QoE of services from users, a data acquisition unit 2 that obtains data necessary for maintaining and improving the QoE of services from users, a communication resource allocation determination unit 3 that determines the communication resource allocation for data acquisition, and an interface unit 4 that displays various information regarding the QoE characteristics for each service and the importance of data acquisition for each user, as well as the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition.

[0017] Based on the QoE characteristics for each service and the importance of data acquisition for each user, the communication resource allocation determination unit 3 preferentially determines the communication resource allocation for data acquisition so that the QoE of users with high importance of data acquisition increases within the range not exceeding the resources of the communication device 5.

[0018] The data necessary for maintaining and improving the QoE of services may vary depending on the type of service. For example, in the case of a service that introduces appropriate recommended products according to the attributes and preferences of users, it is the face image, clothing image, response information of user questionnaires, etc. necessary for estimating the attributes and preferences of users. In the case of a service that returns an appropriate response according to the speech content of the user, it is the speech of the user, the image recognition result of the user's expression, etc.

[0019] The data acquisition unit 2 is composed of, for example, sensors such as a microphone for acquiring sound, a camera for acquiring images and videos, and a database for storing voices, images, videos, responses to questionnaires, etc.

[0020] The communication resource allocation determination unit 3 includes a processing unit 31 and a storage unit 32. The processing unit 31 stores the information received from the data acquisition request unit 1 in the storage unit 32. The information stored in the storage unit 32 includes, for example, the QoE characteristics 321 for each service, the importance of data acquisition and the communication resource allocation 322 for data acquisition for each user connected to the same communication device.

[0021] The information stored in the memory unit 32 is read, written, and rewritten by the interface unit 4. Note that this configuration is merely an example of a logical configuration and there are no restrictions on the physical configuration. For example, the communication resource allocation determination unit 3 may be implemented in the same device as the data acquisition request unit 1, the data acquisition unit 2, or the interface unit 4.

[0022] Figure 3 shows an example of the QoE characteristics 321 for each service in tabular form.

[0023] The service is the identification information of the service that requires data acquisition. QoE is the information representing the level of QoE for each service. The condition is the information representing the conditions for achieving each QoE. The communication resource allocation method using the QoE characteristics for each service will be described later.

[0024] Figure 4A shows an example of the data acquisition importance for each user connected to the same communication device and the communication resource allocation 322 for data acquisition in tabular form.

[0025] When there are multiple communication devices, the data acquisition importance for each user and the communication resource allocation for data acquisition may be set for each communication device. The user is the identification information of the user who is the target of data acquisition. The data acquisition importance is the information representing the level of importance of acquiring data for each user. The communication resources for data acquisition are the information representing the amount of communication resources allocated for each user and used for data acquisition. The communication resource allocation method using the data acquisition importance for each user will be described later.

[0026] Figure 4B shows an example of the determination of data acquisition importance based on user characteristics in tabular form.

[0027] The data acquisition importance is a parameter that represents the importance of data acquisition for each user in each service. The data acquisition importance is, for example, a parameter that indicates which user's data should be preferentially acquired in order to improve the profit and customer satisfaction of the service based on the characteristics and policies of the service.

[0028] The data acquisition importance is determined, for example, according to the characteristics of the user. The characteristics of the user are, for example, parameters that represent the characteristics of the user such as gender, age, body type, etc. Alternatively, the characteristics of the user are parameters that represent the usage pattern of the service such as the cumulative usage time of the service, the cumulative usage amount of the service, the evaluation of the service, etc.

[0029] Examples of methods for determining the data acquisition importance based on user characteristics are shown below.

[0030] If Service A is engaged in the sale of men's clothing targeting middle-aged men with a stocky build as its main customer base, for example, since the acquisition of data of the main customer base is important, the condition for setting the data acquisition importance of Service A to "high" is to satisfy the conditions of gender being "male", age being "30s to 50s", and body type being "stocky".

[0031] For example, when the characteristics of the user are represented as in Figure 4B, referring to the parameters of gender, age, and body type, the data acquisition importance of User X for Service A who satisfies the conditions of gender being "male", age being "30s to 50s", and body type being "stocky" is set to "high", and the data acquisition importance of User Y for Service A who does not satisfy the same conditions is set to "low".

[0032] Also, if Service B is operating a website that sells products and content that the user is interested in through mail order, and the operation policy gives priority to improving the sales of regular customers, for example, since the acquisition of data of regular customers is important, the condition for setting the data acquisition importance of Service B to "high" is to satisfy the conditions of the cumulative usage time of the service being "10 hours or more", the cumulative usage amount of the service being "100,000 yen or more", and the evaluation of the service being "high".

[0033] For example, when the characteristics of a user are represented as shown in Fig. 4B, referring to the parameters of the cumulative usage time of the service, the cumulative usage amount of the service, and the evaluation of the service, the data acquisition importance of Service B for User X who satisfies the conditions that the cumulative usage time of the service is "10 hours or more", the cumulative usage amount of the service is "100,000 yen or more", and the evaluation of the service is "high" is set to "high", and the data acquisition importance of Service B for User Y who does not satisfy the same conditions is set to "low".

[0034] Also, when Service C is operating a site that sells products or content that the user is interested in through telemarketing, and the operation policy gives priority to improving the sales of new customers, for example, since the acquisition of data of new customers is important, the data acquisition importance of Service C is set to "high" when the conditions that the cumulative usage time of the service is "less than 10 hours", the cumulative usage amount of the service is "less than 100,000 yen", and the evaluation of the service is "low" are satisfied.

[0035] For example, when the characteristics of a user are represented as shown in Fig. 4B, referring to the parameters of the cumulative usage time of the service, the cumulative usage amount of the service, and the evaluation of the service, the data acquisition importance of Service C for User Y who satisfies the conditions that the cumulative usage time of the service is "less than 10 hours", the cumulative usage amount of the service is "less than 100,000 yen", and the evaluation of the service is "low" is set to "high", and the data acquisition importance of Service C for User X who does not satisfy the same conditions is set to "low".

[0036] Fig. 5 is an example of the display of various information of the interface unit 4 and the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition.

[0037] The service is the identification information of the service that requires data acquisition. QoE is the information representing the level of QoE for each service. The condition is the information representing the conditions for achieving each QoE. The user is the identification information of the user targeted for data acquisition. The data acquisition importance is the information representing the level of importance of acquiring data for each user. The communication resources for data acquisition is the information representing the amount of communication resources allocated for each user and used for data acquisition. These pieces of information may be read, written, and rewritten by the interface unit 4.

[0038] Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 1, the processing procedure of communication resource allocation in the first embodiment will be described. Note that the operation of this flowchart is executed, for example, at a predetermined period determined in advance.

[0039] In step S101, the processing unit 31 receives a data acquisition request from the data acquisition request unit 1. The data acquisition request may include, for example, the data acquisition importance for each connected user of each communication device, the location information for each user, and the service name targeted for data acquisition. When receiving the data acquisition importance for each user, the processing unit 31 may store the received data acquisition importance for each user in the data acquisition importance for each user and the communication resource allocation of the storage unit 32. For example, when the data acquisition importance for each user and the communication resource allocation of the storage unit 32 are expressed as a table 322 shown in FIG. 4 for each communication device, the received data acquisition importance for each user may be set in the columns of each user and data acquisition priority in each row.

[0040] In step S102, the processing unit 31 calculates the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the highest data acquisition importance connected to a certain communication device becomes the highest based on the QoE characteristics for each service, and determines whether the total of the calculated required communication resources for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0041] If, as a result of the determination, the resources of the communication device are equal to or less than the following, after determining the calculated communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user, proceed to step S103. If the resources of the communication device are exceeded, after discarding the calculated communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user, proceed to step S104.

[0042] The QoE characteristics for each service may be set, for example, such that QoE is "high" when the data acquisition throughput is equal to or greater than a certain threshold, and QoE is "low" when the data acquisition throughput is less than a certain threshold. Similarly, the QoE level may be set in multiple stages from 1 to 10 using multiple thresholds.

[0043] The communication device may be, for example, a wireless access point or a wired switch. The resources of the communication device may be, for example, the upper limit value of the throughput determined by the characteristics of the device. The allocation of the communication resources for data acquisition may be, for example, the allocation of the communication bandwidth for each user's terminal. When allocating the communication resources for data acquisition, the required communication resources may be estimated, for example, based on the distance between the communication device and the user terminal.

[0044] For example, if the QoE characteristics for each service are expressed as in Table 321 shown in FIG. 3, and the importance of data acquisition for each user connected to the communication device is expressed as in Table 322 shown in FIG. 4, and the service name of the data acquisition target in the data acquisition request received in step S101 above is set to "A", allocate the communication resources for data acquisition so that the QoE of the user with the highest data acquisition importance is maximized.

[0045] Therefore, in Table 322, for user "X" whose data acquisition importance is set to the highest "high", while ensuring that the QoE of service "A" is at the highest "high" in Table 321, the communication resources required when allocating resources so that the data acquisition throughput of user "X" reaches "50 Mbps" while minimizing the communication resources for data acquisition may be calculated, and it may be determined whether the required communication resources are less than or equal to the resources of the communication device to which user "X" is connected.

[0046] At this time, when the data acquisition throughput of user "X" is determined to be "50 Mbps", "50 Mbps" may be recorded in the column of the data acquisition throughput of user "X" in Table 322. Hereinafter, in all embodiments, the column of the data acquisition throughput in Table 322 may be used for recording the determined data acquisition throughput.

[0047] In step S103, the processing unit 31 calculates the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that, for the same communication device as in step S102 above, while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the next highest data acquisition importance connected to the communication device is maximized, the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, and determines whether the sum of the required communication resources calculated in steps S102 and S103 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0048] If the result of the determination is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, step S103 is similarly repeated in descending order of data acquisition importance. If, in the process of step S103 for a user with a certain data acquisition importance connected to the communication device, the sum of the required communication resources calculated so far for the users connected to the communication device exceeds the resources of the communication device, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user with that data acquisition importance is discarded and then step S104 is entered.

[0049] As a result of step S103, if the total necessary communication resources calculated for all users connected to the communication device are equal to or less than the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for all users connected to the communication device calculated so far, proceed to step S105.

[0050] Also, as a result of the determination at the beginning of step S103, if it exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the users calculated in step S103, proceed to step S104.

[0051] For example, the QoE characteristics for each service are expressed as in table 321 shown in FIG. 3, the importance of data acquisition for each user connected to the communication device is expressed as in table 322 shown in FIG. 4. For the data acquisition request received in step S101 above, the service name of the data acquisition target is set to "A". In step S102, calculate the necessary communication resources when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the QoE of the user with the highest "high" data acquisition importance among the users connected to the communication device is maximized, and determine whether the total necessary communication resources calculated for each user connected to the communication device are equal to or less than the resources of the communication device.

[0052] As a result of the determination, if it is equal to or less than the resources of the communication device, allocate the communication resources for data acquisition so that the QoE of the user with the next highest data acquisition importance is maximized. For this reason, in table 322, for user "Y" who is set to "low" with the next highest data acquisition importance, while satisfying the condition that the QoE of service "A" is the highest "high" in table 321, calculate the necessary communication resources when allocating the resources so that the data acquisition throughput of user "Y" becomes "50 Mbps" so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized.

[0053] By comparing the sum of the communication resources of user "X" calculated in step S102, the sum of the communication resources of user "Y" calculated in step S103, and the communication resources of the communication device, it is determined whether the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated in steps S102 and S103 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0054] In step S104, the processing unit 31 calculates the necessary communication resources when the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so that they are minimized while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the importance of data acquisition for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S102 or step S103 is the next highest for the same communication device as in step S102. Then, it is determined whether the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated after step S102 for each user connected to the communication device, which were not discarded, is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0055] If the result of the determination is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, the processing after step S103 is executed for the user with the next highest importance of data acquisition.

[0056] If it exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user with the calculated importance of data acquisition, step S104 is repeated until the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated after step S102 for the user with the importance of data acquisition, which were not discarded, and arranged in descending order of QoE, is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0057] As a result of repeating step S104, even when the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so as to achieve the lowest QoE for the user with the lowest data acquisition importance, if the total sum of the necessary communication resources that were not discarded exceeds the resources of the communication device, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user with the lowest data acquisition importance is discarded. After determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition that connects to the communication device that has not been discarded and has been calculated so far, proceed to step S105.

[0058] For example, the QoE characteristics for each service are expressed as shown in Table 321 of FIG. 3, the data acquisition importance for each user connected to the communication device is expressed as shown in Table 322 of FIG. 4A, and the service name for the data acquisition target in the data acquisition request received in step S101 is set to "A". In step S102, calculate the necessary communication resources when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the QoE of the user with the highest "high" data acquisition importance connected to the communication device is maximized.

[0059] As a result of determining whether the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for each user connected to the communication device is equal to or less than the resources of the communication device, if it exceeds the resources of the communication device, allocate the communication resources for data acquisition so that the QoE of the user with the next highest "low" data acquisition importance is achieved. For this reason, in Table 322, for user "X" whose data acquisition importance is set to "high", while satisfying the condition that the QoE of service "A" is the highest "low" in Table 321, calculate the necessary communication resources when allocating resources so that the data acquisition throughput of user "X" becomes "0 Mbps" so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized.

[0060] By comparing the communication resources of user "X" calculated in step S103 with the communication resources of the communication device, determine whether the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated after step S102 for each user connected to the communication device and not discarded is equal to or less than the resources of the communication device.

[0061] In step S105, when there is a communication device for which step S102 has not been executed, the processing unit 31 executes the processing after step S102 for the communication device for which step S102 has not been performed. When the processing after step S102 has been executed for all communication devices, if there is a user for whom resource allocation has not been determined in the processing of steps S102 to S104, it is determined not to allocate resources to that user.

[0062] Notify the data acquisition unit 2 of all the communication resource allocation results for data acquisition determined in the processing of steps S102 to S105. After the notification, reset the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for each communication device to 0.

[0063] In step S106, the data acquisition unit 2 acquires data based on the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition notified in step S105.

[0064] As described above, in the communication resource allocation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, based on the QoE characteristics for each service and the importance of data acquisition for each user, within the range not exceeding the communication resources of the communication device, the allocation of communication resources for data acquisition is determined with priority given to improving the QoE characteristics of users with high importance of data acquisition.

[0065] For example, when the communication resources for data acquisition are tight, or when it is desired to improve the real-time performance and analysis accuracy of acquired data utilization (such as AI analysis), it is desirable to limit the acquisition to only important data. However, if the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated based only on the importance of data acquisition, the QoE (satisfaction level) may decrease.

[0066] For example, assuming that based on the QoE characteristics of Service A, when the data acquisition throughput is 50 Mbps or more, the satisfaction is high, and when it is less than 50 Mbps, the satisfaction is low. For each user of Service A connected to a certain wireless spot, assume a case where the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated such that the throughput of users with a high data acquisition importance is twice that of users with a low data acquisition importance. In this case, for users with a high data acquisition importance, it becomes 40 Mbps, and for users with a low data acquisition importance, it becomes 20 Mbps, and all users will have a "low satisfaction".

[0067] Therefore, in Example 1 of the present invention, based on the QoE characteristics for each service, communication resources are allocated so that the QoE of users with a high data acquisition importance becomes high.

[0068] For example, when the QoE characteristics of Service A are such that the throughput is 50 Mbps or more and the satisfaction is high, and less than 50 Mbps and the satisfaction is low, for each user of Service A connected to a certain wireless spot, the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated such that it becomes 50 Mbps for users with a high data acquisition importance and 0 Mbps for users with a low data acquisition importance. As a result, for users with a high data acquisition importance, it becomes "high satisfaction". If it is less than 50 Mbps and the satisfaction is low, since 20 Mbps and 0 Mbps are the same from the QoE perspective, no communication resources are allocated to users with a low data acquisition importance.

[0069] In this way, in Example 1 of the present invention, for example, the communication resources for data acquisition are set to 50 Mbps for user X with a high data acquisition importance. On the other hand, for user Y with a low data acquisition importance, the communication resources for data acquisition are set to 0 Mbps (see Fig. 4A).

[0070] In Example 1 of the present invention, by focusing on obtaining only information that is important from the QoE perspective, it is possible to achieve a QoE suitable for the service policy even when communication resources are scarce. Also, by not obtaining data that is unnecessary from the QoE perspective, the real-time performance and analysis accuracy can be improved, and communication resources can be allocated to obtain data that could not be obtained conventionally, thus improving QoE.

Example

[0071] Example 2 is to change the resource allocation based on changes in QoE and data acquisition importance when QoE and data acquisition importance dynamically change in the communication resource allocation of Example 1.

[0072] For example, in a service with the characteristic that QoE decreases as the waiting time becomes longer, if the amount of QoE decrease varies for each user depending on the user's personality, etc., the data acquisition importance of users who are likely to have a decrease in QoE can be temporarily increased, and the resource allocation can be changed based on the changed data acquisition importance.

[0073] Also, for example, when changes such as an increase or decrease in the number of users connected to a certain communication device or a connection to another communication device occur along with the movement of the user or the ON / OFF of the terminal, etc., the resource allocation can be changed based on the changed data acquisition importance.

[0074] As a result, even for services where QoE and data acquisition importance change dynamically, resources can be allocated according to the changed QoE and data acquisition importance, so an effect of maintaining and improving QoE is expected.

[0075] In Embodiment 2, for example, in step S102 of the flowchart of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition such that the QoE of the user with the highest importance for data acquisition connected to a certain communication device is the highest and the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, it is different in that it is determined whether the total sum of the necessary communication resources is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device based on the changed QoE and the importance of data acquisition. Also, in the processes after step S103, it is different from Embodiment 1 in that the allocation of communication resources is similarly performed based on the changed QoE and the importance of data acquisition.

[0076] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the processing procedure for the communication resource allocation in Embodiment 2 will be described. Note that the operation of this flowchart is executed, for example, at a predetermined period determined in advance.

[0077] In step S201, the processing unit 31 receives a data acquisition request from the data acquisition request unit 1, similarly to the above step S101.

[0078] In step S202, the processing unit 31 calculates the necessary communication resources when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition such that, for a certain communication device, the condition that the QoE of the user with the highest importance for data acquisition connected to the communication device is the highest is satisfied while the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, based on the changed QoE and the importance of data acquisition.

[0079] It is determined whether the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated users, the process proceeds to step S203. If it exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated users, the process proceeds to step S204.

[0080] For example, the QoE characteristics for each service are expressed as shown in Table 321 of FIG. 3, and the importance of data acquisition for each user connected to the communication device changes from Table 322 shown in FIG. 4A, where the importance of data acquisition for user "X" is "low" and the importance of data acquisition for user "Y" is "high". When the service name of the data acquisition target is set to "A" in the data acquisition request received in step S201, the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so that the QoE of the user with the highest data acquisition importance is maximized.

[0081] Therefore, for user "Y", who is set to "high" with the highest data acquisition importance in Table 322, while satisfying the condition that the QoE of service "A" is "high", which is the highest, in Table 321, the communication resources required when allocating resources so that the data acquisition throughput of user "Y" becomes "50 Mbps" are calculated so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, and it is determined whether the required communication resources are less than or equal to the resources of the communication device to which user "Y" is connected.

[0082] In step S203, the processing unit 31 calculates the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the next highest data acquisition importance connected to the same communication device is maximized, based on the changed QoE and data acquisition importance.

[0083] It is determined whether the total of the communication resources required calculated in steps S202 and S203 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated users, step S203 is similarly repeated in descending order of data acquisition importance.

[0084] In the process of step S203 for a user with a certain data acquisition importance level connected to the communication device, if the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated so far for the user connected to the communication device exceeds the resources of the communication device, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user with the calculated data acquisition importance level is discarded, and then the process proceeds to step S204.

[0085] As a result of step S203, if the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for all users connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for all users connected to the communication device calculated so far is determined, and then the process proceeds to step S205.

[0086] Also, if as a result of the determination at the beginning of step S203, it exceeds the resources of the communication device, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user calculated in step S203 is discarded, and then the process proceeds to step S204.

[0087] In step S204, the processing unit 31 calculates the necessary communication resources when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the data acquisition importance level for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S202 or step S203 is the next highest for the same communication device as in step S202.

[0088] It is determined whether the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated after step S202 and not discarded for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, the processes after step S203 are executed for the user with the next highest data acquisition importance level.

[0089] When the resources of the communication device are exceeded, after discarding the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition for the user with the calculated data acquisition importance, in the order of decreasing QoE for the user with the data acquisition importance, the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated after step S202 and not discarded is repeated in step S204 until it is equal to or less than the resources of the communication device.

[0090] As a result of repeating step S204, even when the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so as to result in the lowest QoE for the user with the data acquisition importance, if the sum of the necessary communication resources not discarded exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition for the user with the data acquisition importance, after determining the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition connected to the communication device not discarded calculated so far, proceed to step S205.

[0091] In step S205, the processing unit 31, in the same manner as step S105 above, when there is a communication device for which step S202 has not been executed, executes the processing after step S202 for the communication device for which step S202 has not been performed. When the processing after step S202 has been executed for all communication devices, if there is a user for whom resource allocation has not been determined in the processing of steps S202 to S204, it is determined not to allocate resources to the user.

[0092] Notify the data acquisition unit 2 of all the communication resource allocation results of data acquisition determined in the processing of steps S202 to S205. After the notification, reset the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for each communication device to 0.

[0093] In step S206, the data acquisition unit 2 acquires data based on the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition notified in step S205, in the same manner as step S106 above.

Example

[0094] Example 3 modifies the resource allocation in the communication resource allocation of Example 1 based on the wireless communication environment for each user. For example, when the communication device is a wireless AP, even with the same communication resources, only one unit of resources can be allocated to a user far from the wireless AP, but two units of resources may be allocated to a user close to the wireless AP. Therefore, the resource allocation may be modified based on the distance from the wireless AP, the radio wave intensity, etc.

[0095] As a result, even for the same communication device, there is a possibility of allocating resources to more users, so an effect of maintaining and improving the QoE of the entire service is expected.

[0096] In Example 3, for example, in step S101 in the flowchart of Example 1 shown in FIG. 1, together with the request for data acquisition from the data acquisition request unit 1, information regarding the wireless communication environment for each user is received. Also, in step S104 in the flowchart of Example 1 shown in FIG. 1, before determining whether the total sum of the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the QoE of the user with the next highest importance for data acquisition, whose communication resource allocation result for data acquisition has been discarded, and the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, the resource allocation is modified based on the wireless communication environment for each user, which is different from Example 1.

[0097] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the processing procedure for communication resource allocation in Example 3 will be described. Note that the operation of this flowchart is executed, for example, at a predetermined period determined in advance.

[0098] In step S301, the processing unit 31 receives the request for data acquisition from the data acquisition request unit 1 and information regarding the wireless communication environment for each user. The wireless communication environment for each user may be, for example, the distance from the wireless AP or the radio wave intensity.

[0099] In step S302, similar to step S102, the processing unit 31 calculates the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition to a certain communication device such that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the highest data acquisition importance connected to the communication device is maximized. It is determined whether the sum of the required communication resources calculated for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0100] As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, the process proceeds to step S303. If it exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, the process proceeds to step S304.

[0101] In step S303, similar to step S103, the processing unit 31 calculates the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition to the same communication device as in step S302 such that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the next highest data acquisition importance connected to the communication device is maximized.

[0102] It is determined whether the sum of the required communication resources calculated in steps S302 and S303 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, step S303 is similarly repeated in descending order of data acquisition importance.

[0103] In the process of step S303 for a user with a certain data acquisition importance connected to the communication device, if the sum of the required communication resources calculated so far for the users connected to the communication device exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user with that data acquisition importance, the process proceeds to step S304.

[0104] As a result of step S303, if the total required communication resources calculated for all users connected to the communication device are less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for all users connected to the communication device calculated so far, proceed to step S305. Also, As a result of the initial determination in step S303, if it exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the users calculated in step S303, proceed to step S304.

[0105] In step S304, the processing unit 31 performs the same communication device as in step S302 for the users with the data acquisition importance level for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S302 or step S303. Based on the information regarding the wireless communication environment received in step S301, while satisfying the condition that the total required communication resources calculated after step S302 for each user connected to the communication device are less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, the number of users satisfying the condition of achieving the QoE for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S302 or step S303 of the users with the data acquisition importance level for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded is maximized. Allocate the communication resources for data acquisition and determine the allocation result.

[0106] Thereafter, while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the users with the data acquisition importance level for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S302 or step S303 is next highest, calculate the required communication resources when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized.

[0107] Determine whether the sum of the necessary communication resources that have not been discarded and calculated after step S302 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. If the result of the determination is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, next, execute the processing after step S303 for the user with a high data acquisition importance.

[0108] If it exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user with the calculated data acquisition importance, for the users with the data acquisition importance, in descending order of QoE, repeat step S304 until the sum of the necessary communication resources that have not been discarded and calculated after step S302 is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0109] As a result of repeating step S304, even if the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so as to have the lowest QoE for the users with the data acquisition importance, if the sum of the necessary communication resources that have not been discarded exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the users with the data acquisition importance, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the communication device that has been calculated and not discarded so far, proceed to step S305.

[0110] For example, the QoE characteristics for each service are expressed as in Table 321 shown in FIG. 3, and the data acquisition importance for each user connected to the communication device is in the state where the user "Z" with a high data acquisition importance is added to Table 322 shown in FIG. 4. In the information regarding the wireless communication environment received in step S301 above, the radio wave intensity of user "X" is set to "-40dBm" and the radio wave intensity of user "Z" is set to "-80dBm". When the QoE for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S302 above is "high", allocate the communication resources for data acquisition so that the number of people satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with a high data acquisition importance for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S302 above becomes "high" is maximized.

[0111] Therefore, in Table 322, among users "X" and "Z" whose data acquisition importance is set to the highest "High", for "X" with high radio wave intensity, while setting the condition for the QoE of service "A" to be the highest "High" in Table 321, the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, and based on the pre-set correspondence relationship between the radio wave intensity and throughput of the communication device, calculate the communication resources required when the data acquisition throughput of user "X" is set to "50 Mbps", and determine whether the required communication resources are less than or equal to the resources of the communication device to which user "X" is connected.

[0112] If the result of the determination is that the required communication resources are less than or equal to the resources of the communication device to which user "X" is connected, determine the communication resource allocation result for user "X"'s data acquisition, and a similar determination may be made for user "Z". If the required communication resources exceed the resources of the communication device to which user "X" is connected, make a similar determination for the condition where the QoE becomes the next highest "Low".

[0113] In step S305, the processing unit 31, in the same manner as in step S105 above, if there is a communication device for which step S302 has not been executed, executes the processing after step S302 for the communication device for which step S302 has not been performed.

[0114] When the processing after step S302 has been executed for all communication devices, if there is a user for whom resource allocation has not been determined in the processing of steps S302 to S304, determine not to allocate resources to the user.

[0115] Notify the data acquisition unit 2 of all the communication resource allocation results for data acquisition determined in the processing of steps S302 to S305. After the notification, reset the sum of the required communication resources calculated for each communication device to 0.

[0116] In step S306, the data acquisition unit 2 acquires data based on the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition notified in step S305, similar to step S106 above.

Embodiment

[0117] In Embodiment 4, in the communication resource allocation of Embodiment 1, the resource allocation is changed based on the data acquired in the past. For example, for a user with a large amount of data acquired in the past, if it is considered that the QoE is less likely to decrease because the existing data can be utilized even if the data acquisition amount is reduced, the resource allocation amount for the user may be reduced and allocated to other users.

[0118] On the other hand, since a user with a large amount of data acquired in the past may also be considered a regular user, the resource allocation amount for other users may be reduced and a large amount of resource allocation may be made for the user. Whether to reduce or increase the resource allocation amount for the user may be determined based on the policy of the service provider or the like.

[0119] As a result, even for the same communication device, there is a possibility that resources can be preferentially allocated to a user for whom data acquisition is considered more important based on the policy of the service provider, so that the effect of maintaining and improving the QoE of the entire service is expected.

[0120] In Embodiment 4, for example, in step S101 in the flowchart of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, information on the data acquired in the past is received together with the request for data acquisition from the data acquisition request unit 1. In step S104 in the flowchart of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1, before determining whether the sum of the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the QoE of the user with the data acquisition importance for which the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition is discarded is next highest and the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, the resource allocation is changed based on the data acquired in the past, which is different from Embodiment 1.

[0121] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the processing procedure of communication resource allocation in Embodiment 4 will be described. Note that the operation of this flowchart is executed, for example, at a predetermined period determined in advance.

[0122] In step S401, the processing unit 31 receives a data acquisition request from the data acquisition request unit 1 and information regarding data acquired in the past. The information regarding data acquired in the past may be, for example, information indicating the amount of data acquired by each user in the past.

[0123] In step S402, the processing unit 31, in the same manner as in step S102, calculates the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition to a certain communication device such that the QoE of the user with the highest data acquisition importance connected to the communication device is maximized while the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized. It is determined whether the sum of the required communication resources calculated for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0124] As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, the process proceeds to step S403. If it exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, the process proceeds to step S404.

[0125] In step S403, the processing unit 31, in the same manner as in step S103, calculates the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition to the same communication device as in step S402 such that the QoE of the user with the next highest data acquisition importance connected to the communication device is maximized while the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized.

[0126] Determine whether the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated in step S402 and step S403 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. If the result of the determination is that it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated users, repeat step S403 in the order of decreasing data acquisition importance.

[0127] In the process of step S403 for a user with a certain data acquisition importance connected to the communication device, if the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated so far for the users connected to the communication device exceeds the resources of the communication device, discard the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user with that data acquisition importance and then proceed to step S404.

[0128] As a result of step S403, if the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for all users connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for all users connected to the communication device calculated so far, proceed to step S405.

[0129] Also, if the result of the determination at the beginning of step S403 is that it exceeds the resources of the communication device, discard the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the users calculated in step S403 and then proceed to step S404.

[0130] In step S404, the processing unit 31 determines, for the same communication device as in step S402 above, among the users with the data acquisition importance for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S402 or step S403, the priority order of communication resource allocation for data acquisition while satisfying the condition that the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated after step S402 for each user connected to the communication device and not discarded is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, based on the information about the data acquired in the past received in step S401 above.

[0131] Allocate the communication resources for data acquisition in ascending order of the priority of the communication resource allocation for data acquisition so that the number of people satisfying the QoE condition of discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition in the above step S402 or step S403 is maximized, and determine the allocation result.

[0132] After that, while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the data acquisition importance of discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition in the above step S402 or step S403 is next highest, calculate the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, and determine whether the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated after step S402 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0133] If the result of the determination is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, execute the processes after step S403 for the user with the next highest data acquisition importance. If it exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user with the calculated data acquisition importance, repeat step S404 in descending order of QoE for the user with the data acquisition importance until the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated after step S402 and not discarded is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0134] If, as a result of repeating step S404, even when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the QoE for the user with the data acquisition importance is the lowest, the sum of the necessary communication resources not discarded exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user with the data acquisition importance, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the communication device that has been calculated and not discarded so far, proceed to step S405.

[0135] For example, the QoE characteristics for each service are expressed as shown in Table 321 of FIG. 3, and in Table 322 shown in FIG. 4 which represents the importance of data acquisition for each user connected to the communication device, with the user "Z" having a high importance of data acquisition added, in the information regarding the data acquired in the past received in step S401 above, the amount of data already acquired in the past by user "X" is set to "40GB", and the amount of data already acquired in the past by user "Z" is set to "80GB". A condition of "prioritize data acquisition for users with less data acquired in the past" is set in the service policy pre-set in the storage unit 32. When the QoE for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S402 above is "high", the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so that the number of users satisfying the condition that the QoE of users with a high importance of data acquisition for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S402 becomes "high" is maximized.

[0136] Therefore, in Table 322, for "X" among "X" and "Z", which are users set to have the highest importance of data acquisition of "high", with less data acquired in the past, while satisfying the condition that the QoE of service "A" in Table 321 becomes the highest "high", the communication resources required when allocating resources so that the data acquisition throughput of user "X" becomes "50Mbps" with the communication resources for data acquisition minimized may be calculated and it may be determined whether the required communication resources are less than or equal to the resources of the communication device to which user "X" is connected.

[0137] As a result of the determination, if the required communication resources are less than or equal to the resources of the communication device to which user "X" is connected, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition of user "X" may be determined, and a similar determination may be made for user "Z". If the required communication resources exceed the resources of the communication device to which user "X" is connected, a similar determination may be made for the condition where the QoE becomes the next highest "low".

[0138] In step S405, when there is a communication device for which step S402 has not been executed, the processing unit 31 executes the processing after step S402 for the communication device for which step S402 has not been performed, in the same manner as in step S105 above.

[0139] When the processing after step S402 has been executed for all communication devices, if there is a user for whom resource allocation has not been determined in the processing of steps S402 to S404, it is determined not to allocate resources to the user. Notify the data acquisition unit 2 of all the communication resource allocation results for data acquisition determined in the processing of steps S402 to S405. After the notification, reset the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for each communication device to 0.

[0140] In step S406, the data acquisition unit 2 acquires data based on the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition notified in step S405, in the same manner as in step S106 above.

Example

[0141] In Example 5, in the communication resource allocation of Example 1, the resource allocation is changed based on the real-time performance required for each service. For example, for a user of a service with high real-time performance where the QoE will decrease if an appropriate response is not returned immediately based on the user's speech content, compared to a user of another service with low real-time performance where the QoE will not decrease if a detailed analysis result is returned several minutes after receiving the user's request, the communication resources for data acquisition may be preferentially allocated.

[0142] As a result, even for the same communication device, there is a possibility that resources can be preferentially allocated to a user who is considered to need to acquire data earlier based on the real-time performance required for each service, so an effect of maintaining and improving the QoE for the entire service is expected.

[0143] In Example 5, for example, in step S101 in the flowchart of Example 1 shown in FIG. 1, together with a data acquisition request from the data acquisition request unit 1, information regarding the real-time nature required for each service is received.

[0144] In step S104 in the flowchart of Example 1 shown in FIG. 1, before determining whether the total sum of the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition such that the QoE of the user with the highest importance for data acquisition whose communication resource allocation result for data acquisition has been discarded to the same communication device as in step S102 is next highest and the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, it is different from Example 1 in that the resource allocation is changed based on the real-time nature required for each service.

[0145] With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the processing procedure for communication resource allocation in Example 5 will be described. Note that the operation of this flowchart is executed, for example, at a predetermined period determined in advance.

[0146] In step S501, the processing unit 31 receives a data acquisition request from the data acquisition request unit 1 and information regarding the real-time nature required for each service. The information regarding the real-time nature required for each service may be, for example, the upper limit value of the delay allowed for each service.

[0147] In step S502, the processing unit 31, in the same manner as in step S102, calculates the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition such that the QoE of the user with the highest importance for data acquisition connected to the communication device is maximized while satisfying the condition that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, and determines whether the total sum of the calculated required communication resources for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0148] If, as a result of the determination, the resources of the communication device are insufficient, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user is determined, and then the process proceeds to step S503. If the resources of the communication device are exceeded, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user is discarded, and then the process proceeds to step S504.

[0149] In step S503, the processing unit 31, in the same manner as in step S103, calculates the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the next highest importance for data acquisition connected to the same communication device as in step S502 is maximized, and determines whether the sum of the required communication resources calculated in steps S502 and S503 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0150] If, as a result of the determination, the resources of the communication device are insufficient, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user is determined, and then step S503 is repeated in the order of decreasing data acquisition importance. If, in the process of step S503 for a user with a certain data acquisition importance connected to the communication device, the sum of the required communication resources calculated so far for the users connected to the communication device exceeds the resources of the communication device, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user with that data acquisition importance is discarded, and then the process proceeds to step S504.

[0151] As a result of step S503, if the sum of the required communication resources calculated for all users connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for all users connected to the communication device calculated so far is determined, and then the process proceeds to step S505.

[0152] Also, if, as a result of the determination at the beginning of step S503, the resources of the communication device are exceeded, the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user calculated in step S503 is discarded, and then the process proceeds to step S504.

[0153] In step S504, the processing unit 31, for the same communication device as in step S502, for the user with the data acquisition importance level for whom the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition was discarded in step S502 or step S503, while satisfying the condition that the total sum of the necessary communication resources that were not discarded and calculated after step S502 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, based on the information regarding the real-time performance required for each service received in step S501, determines the priority order of the communication resource allocation for data acquisition among the users with the data acquisition importance level for whom the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition was discarded.

[0154] The communication resources for data acquisition are allocated in order from the lowest priority order of the communication resource allocation for data acquisition so that the number of people satisfying the condition for an increase in QoE for whom the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition was discarded in step S502 or step S503 becomes the maximum, and the allocation result is determined.

[0155] After that, while satisfying the condition for the next highest QoE of the user with the data acquisition importance level for whom the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition was discarded in step S502 or step S503, the necessary communication resources are calculated when the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, and it is determined whether the total sum of the necessary communication resources that were not discarded and calculated after step S502 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0156] As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, the processing after step S503 is executed for the user with the next higher data acquisition importance level.

[0157] When the resources of the communication device are exceeded, after discarding the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition for the user with the calculated data acquisition importance, in order of decreasing QoE for the user with the data acquisition importance, step S504 is repeated until the total sum of the necessary communication resources that have not been discarded and calculated after step S502 is equal to or less than the resources of the communication device.

[0158] As a result of repeating step S504, even when the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so as to result in the lowest QoE for the user with the data acquisition importance, if the total sum of the necessary communication resources that have not been discarded exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition for the user with the data acquisition importance, after determining the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition connected to the communication device that has not been discarded and calculated so far, proceed to step S505.

[0159] For example, in a state where the QoE characteristics for each service are added to Table 321 shown in FIG. 3, with the condition for the QoE of service name "B" to be "high" being "data acquisition throughput of 20 Mbps or more" and the condition for the QoE to be "low" being "data acquisition throughput less than 20 Mbps", and in a state where user "Z" with a high data acquisition importance is added to Table 322 shown in FIG. 4 for each user's data acquisition importance connected to the communication device, in the user list for each service set in the storage unit 32, the service that user X is connected to is set to "A" and the service that user Z is connected to is set to "B".

[0160] Regarding the information on the real-time performance required for each service received in step S501 above, the upper limit value of the delay allowed for service "A" is set to "50 ms", and the upper limit value of the delay allowed for service "A" is set to "100 ms", and the condition "prioritize data acquisition of services with a smaller upper limit value of the delay allowed for the service" is set in the policy of the service preset in the storage unit 32.

[0161] When the QoE for which the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition was discarded in step S502 is "high", allocate the communication resources for data acquisition so that the number of users satisfying the condition for the QoE of the user with "high" data acquisition importance for which the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition was discarded in step S502 becomes the maximum.

[0162] For this reason, in Table 322, among "X" and "Z" which are users set to "high" with the highest data acquisition importance, for "X" connected to service "A" with a small upper limit value of delay allowed by the service, in Table 321, while satisfying the condition for the QoE of service "A" to be "high" which is the highest, calculate the communication resources required when allocating resources so that the data acquisition throughput of user "X" becomes "50 Mbps" so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, and determine whether the required communication resources are less than or equal to the resources of the communication device to which user "X" is connected.

[0163] As a result of the determination, when the required communication resources are less than or equal to the resources of the communication device to which user "X" is connected, determine the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition of user "X", and perform the same determination for user "Z". When the required communication resources exceed the resources of the communication device to which user "X" is connected, perform the same determination for the condition where the QoE becomes "low" which is the next highest.

[0164] In step S505, the processing unit 31, in the same manner as in step S105, when there is a communication device for which step S502 has not been executed, executes the processing after step S502 for the communication device for which step S502 has not been performed.

[0165] When the processing after step S502 has been executed for all communication devices, if there is a user for whom resource allocation was not determined in the processing of steps S502 to S504, determine not to allocate resources to the user.

[0166] Notify the data acquisition unit 2 of the communication resource allocation results of all data acquisitions determined in the processes of steps S502 to S505. After the notification, reset the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for each communication device to 0.

[0167] In step S506, the data acquisition unit 2 acquires data based on the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition notified in step S505, in the same manner as in step S106.

Example

[0168] In Example 6, in the communication resource allocation of Example 1, the resource allocation is changed using a score based on the data acquisition importance.

[0169] For example, if there is a user with a poor communication environment among users with a high data acquisition importance, when trying to allocate resources to just one such user, sufficient resources cannot be allocated to multiple users with a low data acquisition importance, and depending on the service policy, the overall QoE may decrease.

[0170] Here, if the resource allocation method is changed so that users with a high data acquisition importance are given a score of "3 points per person" and users with a low data acquisition importance are given a score of "2 points per person", and resources are allocated so that the total score of all users targeted for data acquisition is maximized, if by not allocating resources to just one user with a high data acquisition importance but a poor communication environment, resources can be allocated to two users with a low data acquisition importance, then for the score of "3 points" for one user with a high data acquisition importance, the score of "4 points" for two users with a low data acquisition importance is higher, so it can be determined that it is better to allocate resources to the two users with a low data acquisition importance.

[0171] As a result, it is possible to reflect, as a score based on the policy of the service, how desirable it is to allocate resources to each user with respect to the importance of data acquisition, and thus an effect of maintaining and improving the QoE of the entire service is expected.

[0172] In the sixth embodiment, for example, in step S101 in the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, together with a request for data acquisition from the data acquisition request unit 1, information regarding a score based on the importance of data acquisition is received.

[0173] In step S104 in the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, before determining whether the total communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition such that the QoE of the user with the importance of data acquisition for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition has been discarded is next highest and the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, the resource allocation is changed using the score based on the importance of data acquisition, which is different from the first embodiment.

[0174] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 10, the processing procedure for communication resource allocation in the sixth embodiment will be described. Note that the operation of this flowchart is executed, for example, at a predetermined period determined in advance.

[0175] In step S601, the processing unit 31 receives a request for data acquisition from the data acquisition request unit 1 and information regarding a score based on the importance of data acquisition. The score based on the importance of data acquisition may be, for example, the score per user for each importance of data acquisition.

[0176] In step S602, the processing unit 31 calculates, in the same manner as in step S102, the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition such that the QoE of the user with the highest importance of data acquisition connected to the communication device is maximized while minimizing the communication resources for data acquisition for a certain communication device.

[0177] Determine whether the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, proceed to step S603. If it exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, proceed to step S604.

[0178] In step S603, the processing unit 31, in the same manner as in step S103, calculates the necessary communication resources when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the next highest data acquisition importance among the users connected to the same communication device as in step S602 is maximized.

[0179] Determine whether the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for each user connected to the communication device in steps S602 and S603 is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, repeat step S603 in the order of decreasing data acquisition importance.

[0180] In the process of step S603 for a user with a certain data acquisition importance among the users connected to the communication device, if the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated so far for the users connected to the communication device exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user with that data acquisition importance, proceed to step S604.

[0181] As a result of step S603, if the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for all users connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for all users connected to the communication device calculated so far, proceed to step S605.

[0182] Also, if the result of the determination at the beginning of step S603 exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user calculated in step S603, the process proceeds to step S604.

[0183] In step S604, the processing unit 31, for the same communication device as in step S602, for the user with the data acquisition importance for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S602 or step S603, while satisfying the condition that the total of the necessary communication resources that were not discarded and calculated after step S602 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, and while satisfying the condition that the QoE becomes the QoE for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S602 or step S603 using the score based on the data acquisition importance received in step S601, the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so that the total of the scores based on the data acquisition importance for users having a data acquisition importance lower than the data acquisition importance for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded is maximized, and the allocation result is determined.

[0184] Thereafter, while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the data acquisition importance for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S602 or step S603 becomes the next highest, the necessary communication resources are calculated when the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized.

[0185] It is determined whether the total of the necessary communication resources that were not discarded and calculated after step S602 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, the processing after step S603 is executed for the user with the next highest data acquisition importance.

[0186] When the resources of the communication device are exceeded, after discarding the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition for the user with the calculated data acquisition importance, in descending order of QoE for the user with the data acquisition importance, step S604 is repeated until the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated after step S602 and not discarded is equal to or less than the resources of the communication device.

[0187] As a result of repeating step S604, even when the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so as to achieve the lowest QoE for the user with the data acquisition importance, if the total sum of the necessary communication resources not discarded exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition for the user with the data acquisition importance, after determining the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition connected to the communication device that has not been discarded and calculated so far, proceed to step S605.

[0188] For example, the QoE characteristics for each service are expressed as in Table 321 shown in FIG. 3, the data acquisition importance for each user connected to the communication device is expressed as in Table 322 shown in FIG. 4, and in the information regarding the score based on the data acquisition importance received in step S601 above, it is set to "3 points per person" for users with "high" data acquisition importance and "2 points per person" for users with "low" data acquisition importance.

[0189] When the QoE for which the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition was discarded in step S602 above is "high", among all combinations of allocations that satisfy the condition that the total sum of the necessary communication resources is equal to or less than the resources of the communication device while satisfying the condition that the QoE for which the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition was discarded in step S602 above is "high", allocate the communication resources for data acquisition so that the total score based on the data acquisition importance is maximized.

[0190] For example, if all the combinations of allocations that satisfy the above conditions are three cases: "allocated only to X", "allocated only to Y", and "not allocated to either X or Y", and the total score of "allocated only to X" is "3 points", the total score of "allocated only to Y" is "2 points", and the total score of "not allocated to either X or Y" is "0 points", then the combination of "allocated only to X" with the maximum total score may be selected.

[0191] In step S605, the processing unit 31, in the same manner as in step S105 above, when there is a communication device for which step S602 has not been executed, executes the processing after step S602 for the communication device for which step S602 has not been performed. When the processing after step S602 has been executed for all communication devices, if there is a user for whom resource allocation has not been determined in the processing of steps S602 to S604, it is determined not to allocate resources to the user.

[0192] Notify the data acquisition unit 2 of all the communication resource allocation results of data acquisition determined in the processing of steps S602 to S605. After the notification, reset the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for each communication device to 0.

[0193] In step S606, the data acquisition unit 2, in the same manner as in step S106 above, acquires data based on the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition notified in step S605.

Example

[0194] Example 7 modifies the resource allocation based on the parameters that affect QoE in the communication resource allocation of Example 1.

[0195] For example, when the image quality of a camera, which is an image sensor for data acquisition, is a parameter that affects QoE, and a certain camera is set to acquire images in a low image quality mode based on a policy such as service congestion countermeasures, the characteristics of QoE change, and even if more resources are allocated, QoE will not increase. Therefore, reducing the resource allocation for the user using that camera and preferentially allocating resources to other users may improve the overall QoE.

[0196] As a result, even when the parameters affecting QoE change, based on the characteristics of QoE after the change, resources can be allocated so that QoE increases for users with each data acquisition importance level. Therefore, an effect of maintaining and improving QoE for the entire service is expected.

[0197] In the seventh embodiment, for example, in step S101 in the flowchart of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, information regarding parameters that affect QoE is received from the data acquisition request unit 1 together with a data acquisition request. In step S102, when allocating communication resources for data acquisition so that the QoE of the user with the highest data acquisition importance connected to a certain communication device is the highest and the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, it is determined whether the total sum of the necessary communication resources is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device based on the QoE characteristics for each service after the change due to the parameters that affect QoE. This is different from the first embodiment.

[0198] Also, in the processing after step S103, the allocation of communication resources is performed based on the QoE characteristics for each service after the change due to the parameters that affect QoE in the same way, which is different from the first embodiment.

[0199] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 11, the processing procedure for communication resource allocation in the seventh embodiment will be described. Note that the operation of this flowchart is executed, for example, at a predetermined period determined in advance.

[0200] In step S701, the processing unit 31 receives a data acquisition request from the data acquisition request unit 1 and information regarding parameters that affect QoE. The parameters that affect QoE may be, for example, the image quality of a camera which is an image sensor for data acquisition, or the audio quality of a microphone which is an audio sensor for data acquisition. The information regarding parameters that affect QoE may be, for example, the QoE characteristics for each service after changes due to the parameters that affect QoE.

[0201] In step S702, based on the QoE characteristics for each service after changes due to the parameters that affect QoE, the processing unit 31 calculates the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition such that, for a certain communication device, the QoE of the user with the highest data acquisition importance connected to the communication device is maximized while the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized, while satisfying the conditions.

[0202] It is determined whether the sum of the required communication resources calculated for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated users, the process proceeds to step S703. If it exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated users, the process proceeds to step S704.

[0203] For example, the QoE characteristics for each service are expressed as shown in Table 321 of FIG. 3, and the importance of data acquisition and the communication resource allocation for data acquisition for each user connected to the communication device change from the data acquisition importance of user "X" being "low" and the data acquisition importance of user "Y" being "high" in Table 322 shown in FIG. 4A. For the QoE characteristics for each service after the change due to the parameters affecting the QoE received in step S701, as the QoE characteristics for each service after the change where the service name for data acquisition is "A", when the condition for QoE to be "high" is set as "data acquisition throughput of 20 Mbps or more" and the condition for QoE to be "low" is set as "data acquisition throughput less than 20 Mbps", the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so that the QoE of the user with the highest data acquisition importance becomes the highest.

[0204] Therefore, in Table 322, for user "Y" who is set to "high" with the highest data acquisition importance, while satisfying the condition for the QoE of service "A" to be "high" which is the highest in Table 321, the communication resources required when allocating resources so that the data acquisition throughput of user "Y" becomes "20 Mbps" to minimize the communication resources for data acquisition are calculated, and it is determined whether the required communication resources are less than or equal to the resources of the communication device to which user "Y" is connected.

[0205] In step S703, based on the QoE characteristics for each service after the change due to the parameters affecting the QoE, for the same communication device as in step S702, the communication resources required when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the QoE of the user with the next highest data acquisition importance among the users connected to the communication device becomes the highest while satisfying the condition are calculated.

[0206] Determine whether the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated in steps S702 and S703 for each user connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated users, repeat step S703 in the order of decreasing data acquisition importance.

[0207] In the process of step S703 for a user with a certain data acquisition importance connected to the communication device, if the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated so far for the users connected to the communication device exceeds the resources of the communication device, discard the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user with the data acquisition importance and proceed to step S704.

[0208] As a result of step S703, if the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for all users connected to the communication device is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for all users connected to the communication device calculated so far, proceed to step S705.

[0209] Also, as a result of the determination at the beginning of step S703, if it exceeds the resources of the communication device, discard the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the users calculated in step S703 and proceed to step S704.

[0210] In step S704, based on the QoE characteristics for each service after the change according to the parameters that affect QoE, for the same communication device as in step S702 above, while satisfying the condition that the QoE of the user with the data acquisition importance for which the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition was discarded in step S702 or step S703 becomes the next highest, calculate the necessary communication resources when allocating the communication resources for data acquisition so that the communication resources for data acquisition are minimized.

[0211] For each user connected to the communication device, it is determined whether the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated after step S702 that have not been discarded is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device. As a result of the determination, if it is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the calculated user, next, for users with a high data acquisition importance, the processing after step S703 is executed.

[0212] If it exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user with the calculated data acquisition importance, for users with the data acquisition importance, in descending order of QoE, step S704 is repeated until the total sum of the necessary communication resources calculated after step S702 that have not been discarded is less than or equal to the resources of the communication device.

[0213] As a result of repeating step S704, even if the communication resources for data acquisition are allocated so as to result in the lowest QoE for the user with the data acquisition importance, if the total sum of the necessary communication resources that have not been discarded exceeds the resources of the communication device, after discarding the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the user with the data acquisition importance, after determining the communication resource allocation result for data acquisition for the users connected to the communication device that have not been discarded and calculated so far, the process proceeds to step S705.

[0214] In step S705, the processing unit 31, in the same manner as in step S105 above, if there is a communication device for which step S702 has not been executed, executes the processing after step S702 for the communication device for which step S702 has not been performed. When the processing after step S702 has been executed for all communication devices, if there is a user for whom the resource allocation has not been determined in the processing of steps S702 to S704, it is determined not to allocate resources to the user.

[0215] Notify the data acquisition unit 2 of the communication resource allocation results for all data acquisitions determined in the processes of steps S702 to S705. After the notification, reset the sum of the necessary communication resources calculated for each communication device to 0.

[0216] In step S706, the data acquisition unit 2 acquires data based on the communication resource allocation result of data acquisition notified in step S705, in the same manner as in step S106.

[0217] According to the above embodiment, communication resources can be allocated so that the QoE does not decrease while considering the importance of data acquisition. Also, by not acquiring data with low importance, the real-time performance and analysis accuracy can be improved, or resources can be allocated to acquire data that could not be acquired conventionally, so an effect of improving the QoE is expected.

Explanation of Signs

[0218] 1 Data acquisition request unit 2 Data acquisition unit 3 Communication resource allocation determination unit 4 Interface unit 5 Communication device 4 Interface unit 31 Processing unit 32 Storage unit

Claims

1. A communication resource allocation device that determines a method for allocating communication resources of a communication device, comprising: a data acquisition unit that acquires data from a plurality of users; a storage unit that stores a QoE characteristic, which is information representing the level of QoE for each service, and the data acquisition importance, which is information representing the importance of acquiring the data for each user; a communication resource allocation determination unit that performs a priority allocation process for determining the allocation of the communication resources for data acquisition, giving priority to increasing the QoE characteristic of the user with a high data acquisition importance within a range not exceeding the communication resources of the communication device, based on the QoE characteristic for each service and the data acquisition importance for each user; A communication resource allocation device, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The communication resource allocation determination unit performs the priority allocation process such that the QoE characteristic of the user with a low data acquisition importance is reduced. The communication resource allocation device according to claim 1.

3. The communication resource allocation determination unit calculates the communication resources for each user connected to the communication device, and repeatedly performs the priority allocation process in descending order of the data acquisition importance and the QoE characteristic until the total of the calculated communication resources for each user becomes equal to or less than the communication resources of the communication device. The communication resource allocation device according to claim 1.

4. The communication resource allocation determination unit performs the priority allocation process such that the communication resources for each user are minimized. The communication resource allocation device according to claim 3.

5. The level of QoE of the QoE characteristic is set using a throughput threshold for the data acquisition. The communication resource allocation device according to claim 1.

6. The communication resource allocation device according to claim 1, further comprising an interface unit that displays the QoE characteristic for each service, the data acquisition importance for each user, and the allocation result of the communication resources for each user.

7. The communication resource allocation determination unit changes the allocation of the communication resources based on a change in the QoE characteristic or the data acquisition importance. The communication resource allocation device according to claim 1.

8. The communication resource allocation determination unit changes the allocation of the communication resources based on the wireless communication environment for each user. The communication resource allocation device according to claim 1.

9. The communication resource allocation determination unit changes the allocation of the communication resources based on data acquired by the user in the past. The communication resource allocation device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

10. The communication resource allocation determination unit changes the allocation of the communication resources based on the real-time performance required for each service. The communication resource allocation device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

11. The communication resource allocation determination unit changes the allocation of the communication resources using a score based on the importance of data acquisition. The communication resource allocation device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

12. The communication resource allocation determination unit changes the allocation of the communication resources based on parameters that affect the QoE characteristics. The communication resource allocation device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

13. A communication resource allocation system in which at least one communication device and a communication resource allocation device are connected via a communication line, The communication resource allocation system a data acquisition unit that acquires data from a plurality of users; a storage unit that stores QoE characteristics, which are information indicating the level of QoE for each service, and the data acquisition importance, which is information indicating the level of importance of acquiring the data for each user; Based on the QoE characteristics for each service and the data acquisition importance for each user, within a range not exceeding the communication resources of the communication device, a communication resource allocation determination unit that performs a priority allocation process of determining the allocation of the communication resources for data acquisition, giving priority to increasing the QoE characteristics of the user with a high data acquisition importance; A communication resource allocation system, characterized by comprising.

14. A plurality of the communication devices are connected via the communication line, The communication resource allocation determination unit determines the allocation of the communication resources for each communication device. The communication resource allocation system according to claim 13, characterized in that.

15. A communication resource allocation method for determining a method of allocating communication resources of a communication device, a data acquisition step of acquiring data from a plurality of users by a data acquisition unit; a storage step of storing, in a storage unit, QoE characteristics, which are information indicating the level of QoE for each service, and the data acquisition importance, which is information indicating the importance of acquiring the data for each user; Based on the QoE characteristics for each service and the importance of data acquisition for each user, within the range not exceeding the communication resources of the communication device, a priority allocation process is performed to determine the allocation of the communication resources for data acquisition, prioritizing the improvement of the QoE characteristics of the users with high importance of data acquisition. This is the communication resource allocation determination step. A communication resource allocation method characterized by having the above.

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