Quality adjustment device, quality adjustment method, and program

Abstract

This quality adjusting device for adjusting the qualities of services provided on a network accommodating a plurality of terminals comprises: a communication unit that receives a target quality from a particular terminal; and a control unit that selects a terminal for which the quality is to be adjusted and then adjusts the quality of the communication with that terminal when resources for satisfying the target quality are insufficient on said network.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for adjusting the quality when a terminal uses a network service. [Background technology]

[0002] Streaming video distribution services have become widespread. Users of streaming video distribution services tend to prioritize low traffic volume over quality. However, existing bitrate selection methods used in video quality control have the problem of tending to increase traffic volume because they focus only on maximizing quality.

[0003] As an existing technology to solve this problem, a bit rate selection method that reduces the amount of traffic while maintaining QoE has been proposed (for example, Non-Patent Document 1, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In this proposed method, the device estimates the achieved QoE (Quality of Experience) from the communication quality (QoS) obtained from the device's media player, selects a bitrate that minimizes communication volume while satisfying the target QoE, and sends a request to the distribution server at the calculated optimal bitrate. In other words, the device autonomously adjusts the quality when using the service. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-098554 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-121847 [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] T. Kimura, T. Kimura, A. Matsumoto, J. Okamoto, "BANQUET: Balancing Quality of Experience and Traffic Volume in Adaptive Video Streaming," International Conference on Network and Service Management (CNSM), Halifax, pp.1-7, Oct. 2019. [Non-patent document 2] Kobayashi and Harada, "Multi-layer integrated control for video distribution," Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers General Conference, B-7-27, March 2021. [Non-patent document 3] Kobayashi and Harada, "Network Control Technology Based on Quality of Service Requirements," IEICE Technical Report, vol. 120, no. 314, CQ2020-64, pp. 22-26, January 2021. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Network operators want to be able to change control policies depending on the user, such as lowering the quality of experience (QoE) of users whose QoE is higher than the required QoE, or ensuring quality for users with higher pricing plans.

[0008] However, with existing technology, the terminal calculates the required bit rate, so when the network becomes congested, all users autonomously reduce their delivery rate, which has the problem of affecting the QoE of all users regardless of contract terms, etc.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a technology that enables quality control for individual users in a network service based on conditions associated with the users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to the disclosed technology, there is provided a quality adjustment device for adjusting the quality of a service provided on a network accommodating a plurality of terminals, comprising: From a terminal Expressed in QoE a communication unit that receives a target quality; a control unit that selects a terminal to be a target for quality adjustment and adjusts the quality of communication for the terminal when resources for satisfying the target quality are insufficient in the network; The control unit adjusts the quality of communication by converting the QoE received from the terminal into QoS in accordance with a QoE-based adjustment policy as a predetermined adjustment policy. A quality adjustment device is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The disclosed technology provides a technology that enables quality control for individual users in a network service based on conditions associated with the users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a quality adjustment system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic operation flow of a quality adjustment system. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a quality adjustment system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an adjustment target selection policy. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an adjustment policy. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of resource information. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of user terminal information. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network configuration according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining adjustment example 1 of embodiment 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an adjustment example 2 of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining Adjustment Example 3 of Example 1. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining Adjustment Example 4 of Example 1. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an image of control in units of macroflows. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a quality adjustment system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a policy for selecting a macroflow to be adjusted. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a policy for selecting a microflow to be adjusted. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a macroflow adjustment policy. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a microflow adjustment policy. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conversion table. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the overall flow of the second embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a flow adjustment process. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the second embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of flow information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of flow information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration according to a second embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an adjustment target selection policy. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing macro flows to be adjusted for each adjustment target selection policy. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjustment in units of macroflows. [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example 1 of adjustment in units of microflows. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example 2 of adjustment in units of microflows. [Figure 33] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (the present embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment. Furthermore, in the following description, "bandwidth" may be replaced with "bandwidth," "communication speed," or "bit rate," etc.

[0014] (Basic system configuration) In this embodiment, when congestion is likely to occur in a network over which services such as streaming video distribution services are provided to users (terminals) (for example, when network resources become insufficient due to the addition of service-using terminals), the available quality is adjusted based on the contractual conditions associated with the users who use the terminals. The adjusted quality information is notified to the terminals. This enables the network operator to control the quality of the terminals based on the user contractual conditions.

[0015] An example of the configuration of a quality adjustment system that realizes the above-mentioned adjustment is shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the quality adjustment system in this embodiment has a terminal 200 and a quality allocation function unit 100. The quality allocation function unit 100 may also be called a "quality allocation device" or a "quality adjustment device."

[0016] 1, the quality allocation function unit 100 has a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, an input unit 130, a communication unit 140, and an output unit 150. The control unit 110 has an allocation processing function unit 111 and an adjustment function unit 112. The storage unit 120 has an adjustment target selection policy storage unit 121, an adjustment policy storage unit 122, a user information storage unit 123, and a flow information storage unit 124.

[0017] Terminal 200 has control unit 210, and control unit 210 has quality request unit 211. Note that a terminal may also be called a "user terminal." Note that in this embodiment, "user" may also be interpreted as "terminal."

[0018] The functions of each unit in the terminal 200 and the quality allocation function unit 100 will be explained below.

[0019] <Quality allocation function unit 100> When allocation processing function unit 111 in control unit 110 receives a quality request message from quality request unit 211 of terminal 200, it determines whether there is a shortage of resources in the network that accommodates terminal 200. If there are sufficient network resources, it notifies terminal 200 of the requested quality. If there are shortages, it uses adjustment function unit 112 to adjust the quality and notifies terminal 200 of the adjustment result.

[0020] Based on a request from the allocation processing function unit 111, the adjustment function unit 112 adjusts the quality to be allocated to the user (terminal 200).

[0021] The adjustment target selection policy storage unit 121 stores an adjustment target selection policy for selecting an adjustment target when the adjustment function unit 112 adjusts resources.

[0022] The adjustment policy storage unit 122 stores an adjustment policy that is used when the adjustment function unit 112 adjusts resources.

[0023] The user information storage unit 123 stores user information used when the adjustment function unit 112 adjusts resources. The flow information storage unit 124 stores information on flows managed by the quality allocation function unit 100.

[0024] The input unit 130 is an interface that accepts input of network resource information from a maintenance person. The communication unit 140 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various information to and from other devices (e.g., terminal 200) connected via a network, etc. The output unit 150 is an interface that displays network resource information, allocation success or failure, etc. to a maintenance person.

[0025] <Terminal 200> The quality request unit 211 of the user terminal 200 requests the quality allocation function unit 100 for the quality to be allocated to the terminal itself.

[0026] (Operation flow) The basic operation flow of the quality adjustment system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0027] In S1, the allocation processing function unit 111 of the quality allocation function unit 100 receives a quality adjustment request from the terminal 200. If there are sufficient resources in the network to respond to the quality adjustment request (Yes in S2), the process proceeds to S3, and if there are not enough resources (No in S2), the process proceeds to S4.

[0028] In S3, the quality allocation function unit 100 notifies the available quality to the terminal 200. In S4, the allocation processing function unit 111 requests the adjustment function unit 112 to adjust the quality.

[0029] In S5, the adjustment function unit 112 selects a terminal to be adjusted in accordance with the policy. In S6, the adjustment function unit 112 lowers the quality of the terminal to be adjusted in accordance with the policy. The processes of S5 and S6 are repeated until the resource shortage is resolved, and after the resource shortage is resolved, the process proceeds to S3.

[0030] Example 1 Hereinafter, as a first embodiment of the quality adjustment system, an embodiment in which bandwidth adjustment is performed in a network will be described. In the first embodiment, the terminal 200 requests the bandwidth it wishes to use. Also, the description will be given assuming that the bandwidth available for use is determined in advance for each path, and that no dynamic control is performed on network resources. Note that this is just an example, and dynamic control on network resources may also be performed.

[0031] In the first embodiment, a bandwidth allocation functional unit 100 is provided as an example of the above-mentioned quality allocation functional unit 100. The bandwidth allocation functional unit 100 knows the maximum value of the bandwidth that can be allocated for each path that it manages, and when accommodating the bandwidth requested by the terminal 200 would exceed the maximum value, it changes the bandwidth to be allocated in accordance with the conditions associated with the terminal 200 and notifies the terminal 200 of the change.

[0032] <System Configuration of Example 1> 3 shows the configuration of the quality adjustment system in the first embodiment. Here, only the differences from the basic configuration (FIG. 1) will be explained.

[0033] In the first embodiment, the required quality is a bandwidth, so the quality allocation functional unit 100 is referred to as a bandwidth allocation functional unit 100. The bandwidth allocation functional unit 100 may also be called a "quality adjustment device." The bandwidth allocation functional unit 100 includes a user terminal information storage unit 125 and a resource information storage unit 126. The control unit 210 of the terminal 200 includes a bandwidth request unit 212 that requests the bandwidth of the terminal from the bandwidth allocation functional unit 100.

[0034] The user terminal information storage unit 125 stores user information for selecting a terminal (flow) to be adjusted when the adjustment function unit 112 adjusts resources. The resource information storage unit 126 stores information on resources managed by the bandwidth allocation function unit 100.

[0035] <Regarding the adjustment target selection policy and adjustment policy> In the first embodiment, there are two types of policies used during the adjustment process: an adjustment target selection policy that selects a target flow (terminal) and an adjustment policy that selects a bandwidth adjustment method, and the two are combined to form a reduction rule.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows an example of an adjustment target selection policy stored in the adjustment target selection policy storage unit 121, and FIG. 5 shows an example of an adjustment policy stored in the adjustment policy storage unit 122.

[0037] In the example shown in Figure 4, there are four types of policies for selecting targets for adjustment. The first policy is a policy for selecting users with high quality. This policy selects users with higher available quality as targets for bandwidth reduction. For example, if there are users with available bandwidths of 500 Mbps and 100 Mbps, the 500 Mbps user is selected as the target for adjustment.

[0038] The second policy is a policy for selecting users who cooperate with a reduction request. In this policy, users who agree to cooperate with a reduction request at the time of signing a contract are targeted for reduction.

[0039] The third policy is to select users according to their communication plans. In this policy, reduction targets are selected based on the contract conditions. For example, users with contracts with lower fees are selected as reduction targets.

[0040] The fourth policy is a policy that targets users whose available bandwidth is larger than the target bandwidth.

[0041] The adjustment policy shown in Figure 5 is a bandwidth-based adjustment policy. In this policy, adjustment is performed using a bandwidth that is reduced by a set amount from the bandwidth before adjustment. In addition, the bit rate after reduction must be 100Mbps or more, and is reduced in increments of 100Mbps. Note that this is just one example.

[0042] <Operation flow of Example 1> The overall flow of the first embodiment is the same as the flow shown in Fig. 2 (however, the quality allocation function 100 is replaced by the bandwidth allocation function unit 100). The sequence in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6.

[0043] In S101, the bandwidth request unit 212 of the terminal 200 sends a bandwidth adjustment request message including user information, connection destination information, and target bandwidth to the allocation processing function unit 111, requesting adjustment processing of the available bandwidth.

[0044] In S102, the allocation processing function unit 112 determines, based on the flow information (resource information) stored in the storage unit 120, whether there is a shortage of resources when the terminal 200 that has made the bandwidth adjustment request is connected.

[0045] If it is determined that there is a shortage of network resources, in S103 the allocation processing function unit 111 requests adjustment from the adjustment function unit 112. In S104, the adjustment function unit 112 adjusts the bandwidth to be allocated in accordance with a predetermined policy.

[0046] In S105, the adjustment function unit 112 notifies the allocation processing function unit 111 of the adjusted allocation information by using a quality adjustment response message.

[0047] In S106, the allocation processing function unit 111 uses a bandwidth adjustment response message to notify the terminal 200 whose allocation has been changed of the details of the change.

[0048] <Preparation Example of Example 1> Next, a specific example of adjustment in the first embodiment will be described. In this adjustment example, for example, the resource information storage unit 126 stores the resource information shown in Fig. 7. Furthermore, for example, the user terminal information storage unit 125 stores the user terminal information shown in Fig. 8. Note that the routes in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 may be referred to as paths.

[0049] Figure 9 shows the configuration of the network (bandwidth, resources) corresponding to the information shown in Figures 7 and 8. As shown in Figure 9, in the first embodiment, it is assumed that terminals A to C are accommodated in the same route (path 1), and that terminal D, which uses this route, is newly connected. The network resource of route 1 is assumed to be 1500 Mbps.

[0050] Hereinafter, adjustment examples 1 to 4 will be described, in which the first to fourth policies are used as the above-mentioned adjustment target selection policy.

[0051] <Preparation Example 1 of Example 1> Adjustment example 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 10 and following the procedure of Fig. 2. Fig. 10 shows information stored in the storage unit 120. The adjustment target selection policy in adjustment example 1 is "users with high realized quality." Before adjustment, a resource shortage occurs in path 1.

[0052] In S5, the adjustment function unit 112 selects terminal A, which is the user with the highest realized quality, as the adjustment target. In S6, the adjustment function unit 112 reduces the bit rate of terminal A by 100 Mbps. As shown in "After the first adjustment" in Fig. 10, the total bit rate of all terminals on route 1 becomes larger than 1500 Mbps, and the resource shortage has not been resolved.

[0053] Therefore, a second adjustment is performed using the same procedure as above. The second adjustment targets terminals A, B, and D, and each bit rate is reduced by 100 Mbps. As a result, the total bit rate of all terminals on Route 1 becomes 1500 Mbps, and the resource shortage is resolved.

[0054] <Preparation Example 2 of Example 1> Adjustment example 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 11 and following the procedure of Fig. 2. Fig. 11 shows information stored in the storage unit 120. The adjustment target selection policy in adjustment example 2 is "users who cooperate with reduction requests." Before adjustment, a resource shortage occurs in path 1.

[0055] In S5, the adjustment function unit 112 selects terminals A, B, and D, which are users who cooperate with the reduction request, as adjustment targets. In S6, the adjustment function unit 112 reduces the bit rates of terminals A, B, and D by 100 Mbps. As shown in "After the first adjustment" in FIG. 11, the total bit rate of all terminals on route 1 becomes larger than 1500 Mbps, and the resource shortage has not been resolved.

[0056] Therefore, a second adjustment is performed using the same procedure as above. The second adjustment is also performed on terminals A, B, and D, and the bit rate of each is reduced by 100 Mbps. As a result, the total bit rate of all terminals on Route 1 becomes 1300 Mbps, and the resource shortage is resolved.

[0057] <Preparation Example 3 of Example 1> Adjustment example 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and following the procedure of Fig. 2. Fig. 12 shows information stored in storage unit 120. In particular, contract plans are shown here. The adjustment target selection policy for adjustment example 3 is "low-price plan subscribers." Before adjustment, a resource shortage occurs in path 1.

[0058] In S5, the adjustment function unit 112 selects terminals A and D, which are low-price plan subscribers, as adjustment targets. In S6, the adjustment function unit 112 reduces the bit rates of terminals A and D by 100 Mbps. As shown in "After the first adjustment" in FIG. 12, the total bit rate of all terminals on route 1 exceeds 1500 Mbps, and the resource shortage has not been resolved.

[0059] Therefore, a second adjustment is performed using the same procedure as above. The second adjustment also targets terminals A and D, and the bit rate of each is reduced by 100 Mbps. As a result, the total bit rate of all terminals on Route 1 becomes 1500 Mbps, and the resource shortage is resolved.

[0060] <Preparation Example 4 of Example 1> Adjustment Example 4 will be described in accordance with the procedure of FIG. 2 with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 shows information stored in the storage unit 120. The adjustment target selection policy of Adjustment Example 4 is "users with available bandwidth greater than the target bandwidth." Before adjustment, there is a resource shortage on Route 1. In Adjustment Example 4, the bit rate is reduced from terminals that can use a bandwidth exceeding the target bandwidth.

[0061] In S5, the adjustment function unit 112 searches for a user whose available bandwidth is greater than the target bandwidth as an adjustment target. However, in this example, such a user does not exist, so here, all connected terminals communicating at the target quality and newly connecting terminals are targeted for adjustment.

[0062] In S6, the adjustment function unit 112 equally divides the bit rate shortage (400 Mbps) that occurs when new connection terminal D connects at the target quality among the terminals to be adjusted. In other words, the bit rate of each terminal is reduced by 100 Mbps. As a result, as shown in "After the first adjustment" in Figure 13, the total bit rate of all terminals on route 1 becomes 1500 Mbps, and the resource shortage is resolved.

[0063] <Options for Example 1> In the first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which communication above the target bandwidth is not permitted, but a quality above the target bandwidth may be allocated until the bandwidth becomes constrained. In this case, a requirement that the actual quality is higher than the target quality may be added to the policy for selecting a terminal to be adjusted.

[0064] For example, if 500Mbps is allocated regardless of the target quality until the network becomes congested, the realized quality (500Mbps) of terminal C will exceed the target quality of 300Mbps. When terminal D connects, terminal C, whose realized quality exceeds the target quality, will be selected as the target for adjustment.

[0065] Example 2 Next, a description will be given of Example 2. In Example 2, an example will be described in which the technology according to the present invention is applied to a network to which multi-layer integrated control (Non-Patent Document 2) in video distribution is applied.

[0066] Multi-layer integrated control in video distribution is a technology that shares the flow requirements obtained during terminal distribution rate control with route control to perform efficient network resource allocation that satisfies user requirements in route control. In the second embodiment, the technology according to the present invention is used to adjust quality, and the determined value (adjusted value) is fed back to the terminal.

[0067] In the second embodiment, the terminal presents a target QoE as a required condition to the bandwidth allocation function unit 100. The control unit 110 in the bandwidth allocation function unit 100 indicates the required bandwidth to the orchestrator 300 (described later) and requests optimal control, and the orchestrator 300 calculates a route that satisfies the requested bandwidth and sets it in the network. Existing technology is used for conversion between QoE and QoS (bandwidth).

[0068] In addition, in order to reduce the number of routing tables and improve the accuracy of traffic prediction, the control unit 110 and orchestrator 300 of the second embodiment can manage and control traffic not only on a flow basis but also on a macroflow basis, which bundles flows with similar access trends (Non-Patent Document 3).

[0069] The control unit 110 of the second embodiment is aware of the maximum bandwidth that can be allocated to each macroflow, and when accommodating the bandwidth requested by the terminal 200 would exceed the maximum bandwidth, changes the bandwidth to be allocated to the microflow in accordance with the conditions associated with the terminal 200.

[0070] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the calculated bandwidth is converted into a QoE index value, and the QoE index value is notified to the terminal 200 from the control unit 110.

[0071] An image of control on a macroflow basis is shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 shows an example of performing route control for each of three types of macroflows. Note that network layer control is not limited to route control, and for example, route control and bandwidth control may be combined.

[0072] <System configuration of Example 2> 15 shows the configuration of a quality adjustment system in the embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. 15, the quality adjustment system in the embodiment 2 includes a user terminal 200, a bandwidth allocation function unit 100, and an orchestrator 300.

[0073] The bandwidth allocation function unit 100 may be called a "quality adjustment device." The orchestrator 300 may be called a "resource allocation device." The bandwidth allocation function unit 100 and the orchestrator 300 may be a single device, and this single device may be called a "quality adjustment device."

[0074] 15 , the bandwidth allocation function unit 100 has a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, an input unit 130, a communication unit 140, and an output unit 150. The control unit 110 has an allocation processing function unit 111, a macroflow generation function unit 113, and an adjustment function unit 112. The storage unit 120 has an adjustment target selection policy storage unit 121, an adjustment policy storage unit 122, a user information storage unit 123, and a resource information storage unit 126.

[0075] The terminal 200 includes a control unit 210 , and the control unit 210 includes a bandwidth request unit 212 .

[0076] The orchestrator 300 includes a macroflow management function unit 310 , an optimum allocation processing function unit 320 , a resource control unit 330 , and a resource design function unit 340 .

[0077] The functions of each of the user terminal 200, the bandwidth allocation function unit 100, and the orchestrator 300 will be described below.

[0078] <Bandwidth allocation function unit 100> When the allocation processing function unit 111 of the control unit 110 receives a quality request message from the bandwidth request unit 212 of the terminal 200, it determines whether there is a shortage of resources in the network that accommodates the terminal 200. If there are sufficient network resources, it notifies the terminal 200 of the requested quality. If there are shortages, it uses the adjustment function unit 112 to adjust the quality and notifies the terminal 200 of the adjustment result.

[0079] When the macroflow generation function unit 113 receives a macroflow generation request message from the allocation processing function unit 111, it generates macroflow information according to the target QoE and connection information included in the message.

[0080] Based on a request from the allocation processing function unit 111, the adjustment function unit 112 adjusts the quality to be allocated to the user (terminal 200).

[0081] The adjustment target selection policy storage unit 121 stores an adjustment target selection policy for selecting an adjustment target when the adjustment function unit 112 adjusts resources.

[0082] The adjustment policy storage unit 122 stores an adjustment policy that is used when the adjustment function unit 112 adjusts resources.

[0083] The user information storage unit 123 stores user information for selecting users to be adjusted when the adjustment function unit 112 adjusts resources. The resource information storage unit 126 stores information on flows (resource information) managed by the bandwidth allocation function unit 100.

[0084] The input unit 130 is an interface that accepts input of network resource information from a maintenance person. The communication unit 140 is a communication interface that transmits and receives various information to and from other devices (e.g., terminal 200, orchestrator 300) connected via a network, etc. The output unit 150 is an interface that displays network resource information, allocation success / failure, etc. to a maintenance person.

[0085] <User terminal 200> The bandwidth requesting unit 211 of the user terminal 200 requests the bandwidth allocation function unit 100 for the quality to be allocated to the user terminal.

[0086] <Orchestrator 300> The macroflow management function unit 310 manages (registers, updates, deletes, etc.) information related to macroflows in response to a request from the macroflow generation function unit 113 of the bandwidth allocation function unit 100 .

[0087] The optimal allocation processing function unit 320 causes the resource design function unit 340 to design the required resources based on the target quality information (target bandwidth, etc.) and terminal connection information included in the quality assurance request message notified from the bandwidth allocation function unit 100. If the resource design function unit 340 is able to design resources, it responds to the bandwidth allocation function unit 100 that the allocation was successful and instructs the resource control unit 330 of the orchestrator 300 to make the necessary settings. If the resource design is not possible, it responds to the bandwidth allocation function unit 100 that the allocation was unsuccessful.

[0088] The resource design function unit 340 designs resources required to satisfy the quality required by the terminal 200. The resource control unit 330 controls resources required to provide network services.

[0089] <Policy for selecting macroflows to be adjusted and policy for selecting microflows to be adjusted> In the second embodiment, when there is a shortage of allocated network resources, a macroflow to be adjusted is first selected, and then the microflows included in the selected macroflow are adjusted according to the associated conditions.

[0090] An example of a policy for selecting a macroflow to be adjusted is shown in Fig. 16, and an example of a policy for selecting a microflow to be adjusted (user terminal selection policy) is shown in Fig. 17. Both policies are stored in the adjustment target selection policy storage unit 121.

[0091] 16 is a policy that selects a macro flow whose bandwidth has increased after updating compared to before updating. In this policy, a flow whose bandwidth has increased when accommodating a user terminal (i.e., a macro flow that accommodates a user terminal) is selected.

[0092] The second policy is a policy that selects all macro flows, which selects all flows that use the network as targets.

[0093] The third policy is a policy that selects macro flows with high quality per user. This policy selects the flow with the highest user quality among all flows as the target. For example, if there are flows with QoE indexes of 3 and 2, the flow of the user terminal with QoE index 3 will be selected as the target for adjustment.

[0094] The first policy shown in Fig. 17 is a policy for selecting users with high quality. In this policy, users with higher available quality are selected as targets for quality reduction. For example, if there are users with available bandwidths of 500 Mbps and 100 Mbps, the 500 Mbps user is selected as the target for adjustment.

[0095] The second policy is a policy for selecting users who cooperate with a reduction request. In this policy, users who agree to cooperate with a reduction request at the time of signing a contract are targeted for reduction.

[0096] The third policy is to select users according to their communication plans. In this policy, quality reduction targets are selected according to the contract conditions. For example, users with lower contract prices are targeted for reduction.

[0097] <Regarding the Adjustment Policy> In the second embodiment, when there is a shortage of allocated network resources, first select the macro flow to be adjusted, and then adjust the micro flows included in the target macro flow according to the associated conditions. The adjustment is performed according to an adjustment policy. When selecting the macro flow to be adjusted, adjustment at the macro flow unit may be performed on the macro flow, or adjustment at the micro flow unit may be performed on the micro flows accommodated in the macro flow without performing adjustment at the macro flow unit.

[0098] FIG. 18 shows an example of a macro flow adjustment policy, and FIG. 19 shows an example of a micro flow adjustment policy. Any of these policies is stored in the adjustment policy storage unit 122.

[0099] In the bandwidth-based adjustment policy shown in FIG. 18, the insufficient bandwidth is reduced from the target macro flow.

[0100] In the QoE-based adjustment policy shown in FIG. 19, adjustment is performed with the bandwidth calculated based on the QoE obtained by reducing the QoE set from the original QoE. In the bandwidth-based adjustment policy, adjustment is performed with the bandwidth reduced by the set bandwidth from the original bandwidth. In the hybrid adjustment policy, the bandwidth is calculated based on both the QoE-based and the bandwidth-based, and adjustment is performed with the larger of these bandwidths.

[0101] <Regarding the conversion between QoE and QoS> In the second embodiment, when the QoE-based is selected as the adjustment policy, it is necessary to convert QoE to QoS (bit rate) for processing. The conversion may be performed by any method, but in the description of the second embodiment, for simplicity of explanation, the conversion table shown in FIG. 20 is used.

[0102] There are various methods for constructing a conversion table, but the simplest method is to cooperate with a service provider and construct the table based on the information provided. Another method is to use a technology that models the relationship between throughput and QoE (Patent Document 2). This technology uses throughput as input and estimates QoE, and by using the correspondence relationship between throughput and QoE in this model, it is possible to derive the corresponding throughput from QoE and construct a conversion table.

[0103] <Overall flow of Example 2> The overall flow of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 21. In S21, the allocation processing function unit 111 receives a QoE adjustment request (quality adjustment request) from the terminal 200. In S22, the allocation processing function unit 111 executes flow adjustment processing (resource adjustment processing).

[0104] In S23, the allocation processing function unit 111 requests the orchestrator 300 to perform optimal control on the macroflow.

[0105] In S24, the optimal allocation processing function unit 320 of the orchestrator 300 performs resource design processing using the resource design function unit 340. If the design is possible (Yes in S25), the process proceeds to S26, and if the design is not possible (No in S25), the process proceeds to S29.

[0106] In S26, the orchestrator 300 performs resource configuration based on the design information. In S27, the orchestrator 300 notifies the allocation processing function unit 111 of the success of the allocation. In S28, the allocation processing function unit 111 notifies the terminal 200 of the QoE adjustment result. In S29, the orchestrator 300 notifies the allocation processing function unit 111 of the failure of the allocation. After S29, the process proceeds to S28.

[0107] <Flow adjustment process flow> The flow of the flow adjustment process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0108] In S22-1, the allocation processing function unit 111 receives the QoE allocation request and notifies the macroflow generation function unit 113 of the macroflow generation request.

[0109] In S22-2, the macroflow generation function unit 113 converts the QoE presented by the terminal 200 into a bandwidth, and then generates macroflow information.

[0110] In S22-3, the macroflow generation function unit 113 determines whether the requested bandwidth of the macroflow is within the resource (determines whether there is a resource shortage). If there are sufficient resources (Yes in S22-4), the process proceeds to S22-5, and if there is a resource shortage (No in S22-4), the process proceeds to S22-7.

[0111] In S22-5, the macroflow generation function unit 113 registers the generated macroflow information in the orchestrator 300.

[0112] In S22-6, the macroflow generation function unit 113 notifies the adjustment function unit 112 of the completion of macroflow generation.

[0113] In S22-7, which is reached when S22-4 is No, the macroflow generation function unit 113 requests the adjustment function unit 112 to adjust resources.

[0114] In S22-8, the adjustment function unit 112 acquires the adjustment target macroflow selection policy and the macroflow adjustment policy from the adjustment target selection policy storage unit 121 and the adjustment policy storage unit 122.

[0115] In S22-9, the adjustment function unit 112 applies the adjustment target macro flow selection policy to the flow information (resource information) stored in the resource information storage unit 126, and selects a macro flow to be adjusted.

[0116] In S22-10, the adjustment function unit 112 applies the macroflow adjustment policy and adjusts the allocated bandwidth of the macroflow to be adjusted. Note that the process may proceed to S22-11 without executing S22-10. Alternatively, the adjustment on a macroflow basis in S22-10 may be executed, without executing the following adjustment on a microflow basis.

[0117] In S22-11, the adjustment function unit 112 acquires the adjustment target microflow selection policy and the microflow adjustment policy from the adjustment target selection policy storage unit 121 and the adjustment policy storage unit 122.

[0118] In S22-12, the adjustment function unit 112 selects a microflow to be adjusted and adjusts the requested bandwidth by applying the adjustment policy. In S22-13, the adjustment function unit 112 notifies the macroflow generation function unit 113 of the macroflow information after adjustment.

[0119] <Overall flow> Next, the overall flow will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

[0120] In S201, the bandwidth request unit 212 of the terminal 200 transmits to the allocation processing function unit 111 a QoE adjustment request message including user information, connection destination information, and target quality.

[0121] In S202, the allocation processing function unit 111 notifies the macroflow generation function unit 113 of the target quality and connection information contained in the QoE adjustment request message by including them in a macroflow generation request message.

[0122] In S203, the macroflow generation function unit 113 determines whether the generated macroflow is within the allocatable bandwidth, and if it exceeds the bandwidth, the adjustment function unit 112 is used to adjust the quality of the macroflow and microflow.

[0123] In S204, the macroflow generation function unit 113 includes the generated macroflow information in a macroflow registration request message and notifies the macroflow management function unit 310 of the message.

[0124] In S205, the macroflow management function unit 310 that performed the registration notifies the macroflow generation function unit 113 that the macroflow has been registered by sending a macroflow registration completion message.

[0125] In S206, the macroflow generation function unit 113 uses a macroflow generation completion message to notify the allocation processing function unit 111 that the macroflow information has been generated.

[0126] In S207, the allocation processing function unit 111 calculates the required bandwidth for the generated macroflow, and notifies the optimal allocation processing function unit 320 of the calculated bandwidth as the target bandwidth, including it together with the macroflow information in an optimal control execution request message.

[0127] In S208, the optimal allocation processing function unit 320 notifies the resource design function unit 340 of a route calculation request message including the macroflow information and the target bandwidth included in the optimal control execution request message. The resource design function unit 340 calculates a route that allows the macroflow to satisfy the target bandwidth. Calculating a route that allows the macroflow to satisfy the target bandwidth is an example of resource allocation.

[0128] In S209, the resource design function unit 340 returns the connection information included in the route calculation request message and the result of designing a route that satisfies the target bandwidth (route information, etc.) in a route calculation result message to the optimal allocation processing function unit 320. In the example of Fig. 23, since the design has been completed, the resource design function unit 340 returns the design OK in the route calculation result message.

[0129] In S210, the optimum allocation processing function unit 320 includes route information in a resource control request message and notifies the resource control unit 330, requesting necessary settings. The resource control unit 330 executes the settings.

[0130] The optimum allocation processing function unit 320, which has received the OK design in S209, replies to the allocation processing function unit 111 in S211 with an optimum control execution result (OK) message indicating that the network resources have been secured.

[0131] In S212, the allocation processing function unit 111 notifies the bandwidth request unit 212 of the terminal 200 of the bit rate available to the terminal 200 (or the adjusted QoE) by means of a QoE adjustment result message.

[0132] <Preparation Example of Example 2> Next, a specific example of adjustment in Example 2 will be described. In this example of adjustment, it is assumed that a situation occurs in which allocated network resources are insufficient and it is necessary to reduce the bandwidth, and the adjustment function unit 112 performs adjustment processing in accordance with a predetermined policy.

[0133] In this adjustment example, information stored in the storage unit 120 is shown in Fig. 24 to Fig. 26. The network configuration corresponding to the information shown in Fig. 24 to Fig. 26 is shown in Fig. 27.

[0134] In this adjustment example, for simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that macroflows I and II are realized by common physical resources (CPU and memory). The bandwidth allocated to macroflow I is 1.5 Gbps, and the bandwidth allocated to macroflow II is 500 Mbps. In this adjustment example, when user terminal C connects, a bandwidth shortage occurs in macroflow I, so adjustment processing is performed when user terminal C requests a connection.

[0135] Fig. 28 shows an example of an adjustment target selection policy stored in the adjustment target selection policy storage unit 121 in the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 28, three types of policies are stored. Fig. 29 shows the macroflows to be adjusted for each adjustment target selection policy in this adjustment example.

[0136] As an example of adjustment of Example 2, an example of adjustment under the following conditions will be described.

[0137] - Macro flow selection policy for adjustment: Macro flows that have increased bandwidth after the update compared to before the update Macro flow adjustment policy: Bandwidth-based ·Policy for selecting microflows to be adjusted: High quality users Microflow adjustment policy: QoE-based (microflow adjustment example 1), bandwidth-based (microflow adjustment example 2) The following will be explained with reference to Figures 30 to 32, following the procedure shown in Figure 22. Figures 30 to 32 show information stored in the storage unit 120 at each point in time related to adjustment. In the following, it is assumed that the adjustment target macro flow selection policy and macro flow adjustment policy have been acquired as the policies described above. Also, in Figures 30 to 32, flows / users other than the target flow / user are shown shaded.

[0138] An example of adjustment in units of a macroflow, an example 1 of adjustment in units of a QoE-based microflow, and an example 2 of adjustment in units of a bandwidth-based microflow will be described below.

[0139] <Example of adjustment per macro flow> As shown in FIG. 30, the total bit rate of the microflows before adjustment (2400 Mbps) exceeds the amount of physical resources (2000 Mbps), so adjustment is performed.

[0140] In S22-9, the adjustment function unit 112 applies the adjustment target macro flow selection policy to the flow information stored in the storage unit 120, and selects the macro flow I as the adjustment target macro flow.

[0141] In S22-10, the adjustment function unit 112 applies the macroflow adjustment policy (bandwidth-based) and reduces the bandwidth of the macroflow I to be adjusted by 400 Mbps so that the total bit rate becomes 2000 Mbps. As a result, the adjusted state shown in FIG. 30 is obtained.

[0142] In this case, for example, the bit rate of each microflow included in macroflow I is then reduced by 100 Mbps.

[0143] <Microflow adjustment example 1: QoE-based> In S22-9, the adjustment function unit 112 applies the adjustment target macro flow selection policy to the flow information stored in the storage unit 120, and selects macro flow I as the adjustment target macro flow. The target quality per user (per micro flow) at this time is shown as "before adjustment" in FIG.

[0144] In S22-12, the adjustment function unit 112 selects the microflow of terminal A as the microflow to be adjusted from among the macroflows I to be adjusted in accordance with the adjustment target microflow selection policy (user with high quality), and reduces the QoE from 5 to 4. As shown in "1st time" in Fig. 31, the adjusted bit rate of terminal A becomes 500 Mbps.

[0145] Since the resource shortage has not been resolved even after the first adjustment, a second and third adjustment are performed as shown in FIG.

[0146] After three adjustments, the bit rate of macroflow I becomes 1200 Mbps, which is less than the allocatable resource for macroflow I (1500 Mbps), and user terminals A, B, and D are notified of the change in target QoE.

[0147] <Microflow adjustment example 2: Bandwidth-based> In S22-9, the adjustment function unit 112 applies the adjustment target macro flow selection policy to the flow information stored in the storage unit 120, and selects macro flow I as the adjustment target macro flow. The target quality and realized quality per user (per micro flow) at this time are shown as "before adjustment" in Fig. 32.

[0148] In S22-12, the adjustment function unit 112 selects the microflow of terminal A as the microflow to be adjusted from among the macroflows I to be adjusted in accordance with the adjustment target microflow selection policy (user with high quality), and reduces its bit rate from 600 Mbps by 200 Mbps. As shown in "1st time" in Figure 32, the adjusted bit rate of terminal A becomes 400 Mbps.

[0149] Since the resource shortage has not been resolved even after the first adjustment, a second adjustment is performed as shown in FIG.

[0150] After two adjustments, the bit rate of macroflow I becomes 1300 Mbps, which is less than the allocatable resource for macroflow I (1500 Mbps), and user terminals A, B, and D are notified of the change in target QoE.

[0151] <Options for Example 2> In the explanation of the second embodiment, it is assumed that the terminal explicitly requests QoE allocation (irregularly), but the terminal may periodically notify the QoE allocation request while the streaming distribution service is being used.

[0152] Furthermore, as the adjustment target microflow selection policy of the second embodiment, a policy may be used that sets the flow with the largest difference between the realized bandwidth and the target bandwidth among the flows whose realized bandwidth exceeds the target bandwidth.

[0153] (Example of hardware configuration) The terminal 200, the quality allocation function unit 100, the bandwidth allocation function unit 100, the quality adjustment device, and the orchestrator 300 can all be realized, for example, by having a computer execute a program. This computer may be a physical computer or a virtual machine on the cloud. When a virtual machine on the cloud is used, the configuration described below is a virtual configuration. Hereinafter, the terminal 200, the quality allocation function unit 100, the bandwidth allocation function unit 100, the quality adjustment device, and the orchestrator 300 will be collectively referred to as "devices."

[0154] That is, the device can be realized by executing a program corresponding to the processing performed by the device using hardware resources such as a CPU and memory built into a computer. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (such as a portable memory) and stored or distributed. The program can also be provided via a network such as the Internet or email.

[0155] Fig. 33 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer. The computer in Fig. 33 includes a drive device 1000, an auxiliary storage device 1002, a memory device 1003, a CPU 1004, an interface device 1005, a display device 1006, an input device 1007, an output device 1008, and the like, all of which are interconnected by a bus BS.

[0156] A program for realizing processing on the computer is provided by a recording medium 1001 such as a CD-ROM or a memory card. When the recording medium 1001 storing the program is set in the drive device 1000, the program is installed from the recording medium 1001 to the auxiliary storage device 1002 via the drive device 1000. However, the program does not necessarily have to be installed from the recording medium 1001, but may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 1002 stores the installed program as well as necessary files, data, etc.

[0157] The memory device 1003 reads and stores a program from the auxiliary storage device 1002 when an instruction to start the program is received. The CPU 1004 realizes the functions related to the device in accordance with the program stored in the memory device 1003. The interface device 1005 is used as an interface for connecting to a network, etc. The display device 1006 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like according to the program. The input device 1007 is composed of a keyboard, mouse, buttons, a touch panel, etc., and is used to input various operation instructions. The output device 1008 outputs the results of calculations.

[0158] (Effects of the embodiment) The technology according to this embodiment makes it possible to change quality control rules, such as the selection of adjustment targets, depending on conditions (e.g., contract plan, QoE, etc.) linked to a user (flow). This makes it possible to differentiate quality control (reduced quality, etc.) for each user based on the user's contract plan, QoE, etc.

[0159] (Addendum) The following additional clauses are disclosed in relation to the above-described embodiment. (Additional note 1) A quality adjustment device for adjusting the quality of a service provided on a network accommodating a plurality of terminals, comprising: Memory and at least one processor coupled to said memory; Including, The processor: receiving a target quality from a terminal; When the network lacks resources to satisfy the target quality, a terminal is selected as a target for quality adjustment, and the quality of communication for the selected terminal is adjusted. Quality control equipment. (Additional note 2) The processor adjusts the quality of the communication in accordance with a predetermined adjustment policy. Item 1. The quality adjustment device according to item 1. (Additional note 3) The processor selects one or more terminals from the plurality of terminals as targets of the quality adjustment in accordance with a predetermined adjustment target selection policy. Item 1. The quality adjustment device according to item 1. (Additional note 4) The processor uses a condition associated with the terminal as the adjustment target selection policy. Item 3. A quality adjustment device according to item 3. (Additional note 5) The condition is selected from a plurality of conditions including at least whether to cooperate with the quality adjustment request, the contracted communication plan, and the quality of communication. Item 4. A quality adjustment device according to item 4. (Additional note 6) 1. A quality adjustment method executed by a computer used as a quality adjustment device for adjusting the quality of a service provided on a network accommodating a plurality of terminals, comprising: receiving a target quality from a terminal; When the network lacks resources to satisfy the target quality, a terminal is selected as a target for quality adjustment, and the quality of communication for the selected terminal is adjusted. Quality adjustment method. (Additional note 7) A non-transitory storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each unit in the quality adjustment device described in any one of appendixes 1 to 5.

[0160] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 100 Quality allocation function unit, bandwidth allocation function unit 110 control section 111 Allocation processing function unit 112 Adjustment function section 113 Macroflow generation function unit 120 Storage section 121 Adjustment target selection policy memory unit 122 Adjustment policy storage unit 123 User information storage unit 124 Flow information storage unit 125 User terminal information storage unit 126 Resource information storage unit 130 Input section 140 Communications Department 150 Output section 200 devices 210 Control Unit 211 Quality Requirement Department 212 Bandwidth request section 300 Orchestrator 310 Macroflow management function unit 320 Optimal Allocation Processing Function Unit 330 Resource Control Section 340 Resource Design Function Department 1000 Drive Device 1001 Recording media 1002 Auxiliary storage 1003 Memory device 1004 CPU 1005 Interface device 1006 Display device 1007 Input Device 1008 Output Device

Claims

1. A quality adjustment device for adjusting the quality of a service provided on a network accommodating a plurality of terminals, comprising: a communication unit that receives a target quality expressed in QoE from a certain terminal; a control unit that selects a terminal to be a target for quality adjustment and adjusts the quality of communication for the terminal when resources for satisfying the target quality are insufficient in the network; The control unit adjusts the quality of communication by converting the QoE received from the terminal into QoS in accordance with a QoE-based adjustment policy as a predetermined adjustment policy. Quality control equipment.

2. The control unit selects one or more terminals from the plurality of terminals as targets of the quality adjustment in accordance with a predetermined adjustment target selection policy. The quality adjustment device according to claim 1 .

3. The control unit uses a condition associated with the terminal as the adjustment target selection policy. The quality adjustment device according to claim 2 .

4. The condition is selected from a plurality of conditions including at least whether to cooperate with the quality adjustment request, the contracted communication plan, and the quality of communication. The quality adjustment device according to claim 3 .

5. 1. A quality adjustment method executed by a computer used as a quality adjustment device for adjusting the quality of a service provided on a network accommodating a plurality of terminals, comprising: receiving a target quality expressed in QoE from a terminal; a quality adjustment method for selecting a terminal to be a target of quality adjustment and adjusting the quality of communication for the terminal when resources for satisfying the target quality are insufficient in the network, The computer adjusts the quality of communication by converting the QoE received from the terminal into QoS in accordance with a predetermined adjustment policy based on QoE. Quality adjustment method.

6. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit in the quality adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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