Information processing system, information processing method, and information processing device

Abstract

This information processing system comprises: a selection unit that selects a plurality of communication paths; a compression rate specification unit that specifies a compression rate for each of the plurality of communication paths; a processing time specification unit that specifies a processing time, which is a time required for compressing transmission data and a time required for decompressing the compressed transmission data, with reference to the compression rate; and a path selection unit that selects a communication path having the shortest processing time.

Description

Information processing system, information processing method, and information processing device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing device.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In communications for transmitting and receiving data, a technique for selecting a communication path to be used for communication from a plurality of communication paths is known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical space management device that controls transmission and reception of communication service data based on service requests for multiple lines and line measurement information for multiple lines. The optical space management device performs line control based on line path information and line parameters for transmitting and receiving communication service data.

[0004] International Publication No. 2022 / 202875

[0005] The optical space management device described in Patent Document 1 does not take into account the time required for processing data to be transmitted. As an example, compressed data may be transmitted in communications. In this case, the appropriate compression rate varies for each communication path. Different compression rates result in different times required for compressing data. However, the optical space management device described in Patent Document 1 does not take into account the time required for such compression. Therefore, the optical space management device described in Patent Document 1 may not select an appropriate communication path.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an exemplary purpose thereof is to provide a technique for selecting an appropriate communication path.

[0007] An information processing system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a selection means for selecting a plurality of communication paths for transmission data transmitted from a first device to a second device, a compression rate determination means for determining, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection means, a compression rate for reducing the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path, a processing time determination means for determining, by referring to the determined compression rate, a processing time which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data, and a path selection means for selecting, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path with the shortest processing time.

[0008] An information processing method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a selection process in which at least one processor selects a plurality of communication paths for transmission data transmitted from a first device to a second device; a compression rate determination process in which the at least one processor determines, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected in the selection process, a compression rate for reducing the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path; a processing time determination process in which the at least one processor refers to the determined compression rate and determines a processing time that is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data; and a route selection process in which the at least one processor selects, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path with the shortest processing time.

[0009] An information processing device according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a selection means for selecting a plurality of communication paths for transmission data transmitted from a first device to a second device, a compression rate determination means for determining, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection means, a compression rate for reducing the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path, a processing time determination means for determining, by referring to the determined compression rate, a processing time which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data, and a path selection means for selecting, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path with the shortest processing time.

[0010] According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an exemplary effect is achieved in that a technique for selecting an appropriate communication path can be provided.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing a flow of an information processing method according to the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an overview of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a flow of processing executed by an information processing device according to the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer functioning as an information processing device according to the present disclosure.

[0012] The following are examples of embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown below, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means employed in the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, embodiments obtained by appropriately omitting some of the technical means employed in the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the effects mentioned in the exemplary embodiments shown below are examples of effects expected in the exemplary embodiments, and do not define the scope of the present invention. In other words, embodiments that do not exhibit the effects mentioned in the exemplary embodiments shown below may also be included in the scope of the present invention.

[0013] [First Exemplary Embodiment] A first exemplary embodiment, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is a basic form for each of the exemplary embodiments described below. Note that the scope of application of each technical means employed in this exemplary embodiment is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. That is, each technical means employed in this exemplary embodiment can also be employed in other exemplary embodiments included in the present disclosure, to the extent that no particular technical obstacles arise. Furthermore, each technical means shown in the drawings referenced to explain this exemplary embodiment can also be employed in other exemplary embodiments included in the present disclosure, to the extent that no particular technical obstacles arise.

[0014] (Configuration of Information Processing System 1) The configuration of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a selection unit 11, a compression ratio specification unit 12, a processing time specification unit 13, and a path selection unit 14. In this exemplary embodiment, the selection unit 11, the compression ratio specification unit 12, the processing time specification unit 13, and the path selection unit 14 respectively realize a selection means, a compression ratio specification means, a processing time specification means, and a path selection means.

[0015] The selection unit 11, the compression ratio specification unit 12, the processing time specification unit 13, and the path selection unit 14 are each communicably connected to a network N. The selection unit 11, the compression ratio specification unit 12, the processing time specification unit 13, and the path selection unit 14 are capable of transmitting and receiving data via the network N.

[0016] The specific configuration of the network N does not limit this exemplary embodiment, but as an example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a public line network, a mobile data communication network, or a combination of these networks can be used.

[0017] Note that at least two of the selection unit 11, compression ratio specification unit 12, processing time specification unit 13, and path selection unit 14 may be configured to be communicably connected via the network N. In this case, a component that is not communicably connected via the network N may be communicably connected to a component that is communicably connected via the network N without going through the network N.

[0018] The selector 11 selects a plurality of communication paths for data transmitted from the first device to the second device, and supplies information indicating the selected plurality of communication paths to the compression ratio determiner 12.

[0019] The compression rate specifying unit 12 specifies a compression rate for compressing the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selecting unit 11. The compression rate specifying unit 12 supplies the specified compression rate to the processing time specifying unit 13.

[0020] The processing time specifying unit 13 specifies the processing time, which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data, for each of the multiple communication paths selected by the selection unit 11, by referring to the compression rate specified by the compression rate specifying unit 12. The processing time specifying unit 13 supplies the specified processing time to the path selection unit 14.

[0021] The route selection unit 14 selects a communication route with a short processing time from among a plurality of communication routes.

[0022] (Effects of Information Processing System 1) As described above, the information processing system 1 employs a configuration including a selection unit 11 that selects a plurality of communication paths for transmission data transmitted from a first device to a second device, a compression rate specification unit 12 that specifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection unit 11, a compression rate for adjusting the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path, a processing time specification unit 13 that refers to the compression rate specified by the compression rate specification unit 12 and specifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection unit 11, a processing time that is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data, and a path selection unit 14 that selects, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path with a short processing time.

[0023] For this reason, the information processing system 1 selects, from among multiple communication paths, a communication path that requires a short time to compress data to a size that corresponds to the line capacity and a short processing time to restore the data. In other words, the information processing system 1 does not select a communication path that takes a long time to compress and restore data, even if the communication path is short. Furthermore, the information processing system 1 does not select a communication path that takes a long time to compress and restore data, even if the transmission speed is fast. Therefore, the information processing system 1 has the effect of being able to select an appropriate communication path.

[0024] (Configuration of Information Processing Device 2) The configuration of the information processing device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing device 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the information processing device 2 includes a selection unit 11, a compression ratio specification unit 12, a processing time specification unit 13, and a path selection unit 14. In this exemplary embodiment, the selection unit 11, the compression ratio specification unit 12, the processing time specification unit 13, and the path selection unit 14 respectively realize a selection means, a compression ratio specification means, a processing time specification means, and a path selection means.

[0025] The selector 11 selects a plurality of communication paths for data transmitted from the first device to the second device, and supplies information indicating the selected plurality of communication paths to the compression ratio determiner 12.

[0026] The compression rate specifying unit 12 specifies a compression rate for compressing the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selecting unit 11. The compression rate specifying unit 12 supplies the specified compression rate to the processing time specifying unit 13.

[0027] The processing time specifying unit 13 specifies the processing time, which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data, for each of the multiple communication paths selected by the selection unit 11, by referring to the compression rate specified by the compression rate specifying unit 12. The processing time specifying unit 13 supplies the specified processing time to the path selection unit 14.

[0028] The route selection unit 14 selects a communication route with a short processing time from among a plurality of communication routes.

[0029] (Effects of information processing device 2) As described above, the information processing device 2 employs a configuration including a selection unit 11 that selects a plurality of communication paths for transmission data transmitted from a first device to a second device, a compression rate specification unit 12 that specifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection unit 11, a compression rate for adjusting the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path, a processing time specification unit 13 that refers to the compression rate specified by the compression rate specification unit 12 and specifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection unit 11, a processing time that is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data, and a path selection unit 14 that selects, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path with a short processing time.

[0030] Therefore, the information processing device 2 can achieve the same effects as the information processing system 1 described above.

[0031] (Flow of Information Processing Method S1) The flow of information processing method S1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flow diagram showing the flow of information processing method S1. As shown in Fig. 3, information processing method S1 includes selection processing S11, compression ratio specification processing S12, processing time specification processing S13, and path selection processing S14. Each component that executes each process in Fig. 3 may be provided by one device or multiple devices.

[0032] (Selection Process S11) In the selection process S11, the selection unit 11 selects multiple communication paths for data transmitted from the first device to the second device. The selection unit 11 supplies information indicating the selected communication paths to the compression ratio specification unit 12.

[0033] (Compression Ratio Identification Process S12) In the compression ratio identification process S12, the compression ratio identification unit 12 identifies a compression ratio for adjusting the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of each of the multiple communication paths selected by the selection unit 11. The compression ratio identification unit 12 supplies the identified compression ratio to the processing time identification unit 13.

[0034] (Processing Time Identification Process S13) In the processing time identification process S13, the processing time identification unit 13 refers to the compression rates identified by the compression rate identification unit 12 and identifies the processing times, which are the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data, for each of the multiple communication paths selected by the selection unit 11. The processing time identification unit 13 supplies the identified processing times to the path selection unit 14.

[0035] (Route Selection Process S14) In the route selection process S14, the route selector 14 selects a communication route with a short processing time from among a plurality of communication routes.

[0036] (Effects of Information Processing Method S1) As described above, the information processing method S1 employs a configuration including a selection process S11 in which the selection unit 11 selects a plurality of communication paths for transmission data transmitted from a first device to a second device; a compression rate specification process S12 in which the compression rate specification unit 12 specifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection unit 11, a compression rate for adjusting the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path; a processing time specification process S13 in which the processing time specification unit 13 specifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection unit 11, the processing time being the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data; and a route selection process S14 in which the route selection unit 14 selects, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path with the shortest processing time.

[0037] Therefore, according to the information processing method S1, the same effects as those of the information processing system 1 described above can be obtained.

[0038] Second Exemplary Embodiment A second exemplary embodiment, which is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Components having the same functions as those described in the above exemplary embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted as appropriate. The scope of application of each technical means employed in this exemplary embodiment is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. That is, each technical means employed in this exemplary embodiment can also be employed in other exemplary embodiments included in the present disclosure, to the extent that no particular technical hindrance occurs. Furthermore, each technical means shown in each drawing referenced to describe this exemplary embodiment can also be employed in other exemplary embodiments included in the present disclosure, to the extent that no particular technical hindrance occurs.

[0039] (Outline of Information Processing System 1A) An outline of the information processing system 1A will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the information processing system 1A.

[0040] 4, the information processing system 1A includes an information processing device 2A, a terminal 110 (first device), and a server 120 (second device). The information processing device 2A, the terminal 110, and the server 120 are communicatively connected to one another via a network N. The network N is as described above. In the information processing system 1A, the information processing device 2A selects, from among the communication paths for transmission data sent from the terminal 110 to the server 120, a communication path that allows the transmission data to reach the server 120 earliest.

[0041] In the information processing system 1A, the terminal 110 and the server 120 are not particularly limited as long as they are devices capable of communicating via the network N. Examples of the terminal 110 include smartphones, tablets, stationary personal computers (PCs), notebook PCs, and home game consoles. An example of the server 120 is a stationary PC.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4 , at least one of the multiple communication paths from the terminal 110 to the server 120 may be a communication path via a non-terrestrial station (a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) 230 and a satellite-based non-terrestrial station 240). Also, as shown in FIG. 4 , at least one of the multiple communication paths from the terminal 110 to the server 120 may be a communication path via a terrestrial station (a mobile phone radio system 210 and a mobile phone radio system 220). The mobile phone radio system 210 may be a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) communication gateway 210 or a terrestrial communication gateway 210. Similarly, the mobile phone radio system 220 may be an NTN communication gateway 220 or a terrestrial communication gateway 220. Hereinafter, the terrestrial station and the non-terrestrial station will also be referred to as network stations.

[0043] 4, the communication path from the terminal 110 to the mobile phone wireless system 210 is designated as r1, the communication path from the terminal 110 to the satellite-based non-terrestrial station 240 is designated as r2, the communication paths between the network stations are designated as r3 to r8, and the communication path from the mobile phone wireless system 220 to the server 120 is designated as r9. In this case, the following six communication paths, designated as communication path 1 to communication path 6, can be given as examples of communication paths for transmission data sent from the terminal 110 to the server 120. Communication path 1: r1 → r3 → r9 Communication path 2: r1 → r4 → r8 → r9 Communication path 3: r1 → r5 → r6 → r8 → r9 Communication path 4: r1 → r5 → r7 → r9 Communication path 5: r2 → r6 → r8 → r9 Communication path 6: r2 → r7 → r9 The information processing device 2A selects, from the six communication paths, designated as communication path 1 to communication path 6, the communication path that allows the transmission data to reach the server 120 the earliest.

[0044] Here, a communication path that allows transmission data to reach server 120 quickly refers to a communication path that takes a short time from when terminal 110 receives an operation from the user to transmit transmission data to server 120 until server 120 receives the transmission data (if the transmission data is compressed, not the compressed transmission data but the restored transmission data).

[0045] Therefore, the selection of the communication path also takes into consideration the time required for processing (e.g., the process of compressing the transmission data) from when the terminal 110 accepts an operation to transmit transmission data to the server 120 until the terminal 110 transmits the transmission data to the server 120. Furthermore, if the transmission data is compressed, the selection of the communication path also takes into consideration the time required for the server 120 to restore the compressed transmission data to its original state.

[0046] (Configuration of information processing device 2A) The configuration of information processing device 2A will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of information processing system 1A. As shown in Fig. 5, information processing device 2A includes a control unit 20, a storage unit 30, a communication unit 40, and an input / output unit 50.

[0047] The storage unit 30 stores data referenced by the control unit 20. Examples of the storage unit 30 include, but are not limited to, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination thereof.

[0048] Examples of data stored in the storage unit 30 include, but are not limited to, the location of each network station, the distance between each network station, the transmission speed between each network station, the line capacity between each network station, and data acquired by the later-described acquisition unit 25. Here, when the network stations are connected by optical fiber, the distance between the network stations does not refer to the linear distance between the network stations but to the length of the optical fiber between the network stations.

[0049] The communication unit 40 is an interface that transmits and receives data via the network N. Examples of the communication unit 40 include, but are not limited to, communication chips for various communication standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity, registered trademark), and wireless communication standards for mobile data communication networks (e.g., 4G (Generation), 5G, 6G, LTE (Long Term Evolution), etc.), and a USB-compliant connector.

[0050] For example, the communication unit 40 receives data from the terminal 110 and transmits data to the terminal 110 .

[0051] The input / output unit 50 is an interface that receives input of data and outputs data. Examples of the input / output unit 50 include, but are not limited to, a microphone, a camera, a gaze input device, a keyboard, a touchpad, a speaker, and a liquid crystal display.

[0052] As one example, the input / output unit 50 acquires input information indicating an input operated by a user. The input / output unit 50 supplies the acquired input information to the control unit 20. As another example, the input / output unit 50 displays an image indicated by an image signal supplied from the control unit 20.

[0053] (Control Unit 20) The control unit 20 controls each component included in the information processing device 2A. As shown in Fig. 5 , the control unit 20 includes a selection unit 21, a compression ratio determination unit 22, a processing time determination unit 23, a path selection unit 24, an acquisition unit 25, an output unit 26, and an application management unit 27. In this exemplary embodiment, the selection unit 21, the compression ratio determination unit 22, the processing time determination unit 23, the path selection unit 24, the acquisition unit 25, and the output unit 26 respectively realize a selection means, a compression ratio determination means, a processing time determination means, a path selection means, an acquisition means, and an output means.

[0054] The selection unit 21 selects a plurality of communication paths for transmission data sent from the terminal 110 to the server 120. For example, the selection unit 21 selects the above-mentioned communication paths 1 to 6. The selection unit 21 supplies information indicating the selected communication path to the compression ratio specification unit 22. An example of the processing executed by the selection unit 21 will be described later.

[0055] The compression rate specifying unit 22 specifies a compression rate for compressing the transmission data to a data size that corresponds to the line capacity of each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection unit 21. An example of the processing executed by the compression rate specifying unit 22 will be described later.

[0056] The processing time specifying unit 23 refers to the compression rate specified by the compression rate specifying unit 22 and specifies the processing time, which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data to its original state.

[0057] Furthermore, for each of the multiple communication paths, the processing time determination unit 23 determines the communication time required for the server 120 to receive the transmission data transmitted from the terminal 110, based on the distance of the communication path from the location of the terminal 110 to the location of the server 120 and the transmission speed of the communication path from the location of the terminal 110 to the location of the server 120. An example of the processing executed by the processing time determination unit 23 will be described later.

[0058] The path selection unit 24 refers to the processing time identified by the processing time identification unit 23 and selects a communication path with a short processing time from among the multiple communication paths. An example of a communication path selected by the path selection unit 24 is a communication path with a processing time shorter than a predetermined time. An example of a communication path selected by the path selection unit 24 is a communication path with the shortest processing time. As an example, a case where the path selection unit 24 selects the communication path with the shortest processing time will be described below.

[0059] Furthermore, the path selection unit 24 refers to the communication time identified by the processing time identification unit 23 and selects, from among the multiple communication paths, a communication path whose sum of the processing time and the communication time is short. An example of a communication path selected by the path selection unit 24 is a communication path whose sum of the processing time and the communication time is shorter than a predetermined time. Another example of a communication path selected by the path selection unit 24 is a communication path whose sum of the processing time and the communication time is shortest.

[0060] Furthermore, the path selection unit 24 refers to information related to the communication quality of the multiple communication paths acquired by the acquisition unit 25 described below, changes at least one of the processing time and communication time identified by the processing time identification unit 23, and selects from the multiple communication paths a communication path with a shortest sum of the changed processing time and communication time. Even in this configuration, the path selection unit 24 may select a communication path with a changed sum of the processing time and communication time that is shorter than a predetermined time, or may select a communication path with the shortest sum of the changed processing time and communication time. Examples of processing performed by the path selection unit 24 will be described later.

[0061] The acquisition unit 25 acquires data output from the communication unit 40 or the input / output unit 50. As one example, the acquisition unit 25 acquires location information indicating the location of the terminal 110 from the terminal 110. As another example, the acquisition unit 25 acquires information that identifies the server 120, which is included in transmission data transmitted from the terminal 110. An example of the information that identifies the server 120 is the IP address of the server 120.

[0062] The acquiring unit 25 also acquires information related to the communication quality of the multiple communication paths. As one example, the acquiring unit 25 acquires information related to the communication quality of the multiple communication paths from an external server. As another example, the acquiring unit 25 acquires information related to the communication quality of the multiple communication paths through a user input.

[0063] As one example, the acquisition unit 25 acquires information about weather for each of the plurality of communication paths from a server that provides information about weather as information related to the communication quality for the plurality of communication paths. As another example, the acquisition unit 25 acquires information about humidity for each of the plurality of communication paths from a server that provides information about humidity as information related to the communication quality for the plurality of communication paths. As yet another example, the acquisition unit 25 acquires information about geography for each of the plurality of communication paths from a server that provides information about geography as information related to the communication quality for the plurality of communication paths.

[0064] The output unit 26 outputs data via the communication unit 40 or to the input / output unit 50. As an example, the output unit 26 outputs information indicating the compression ratio identified by the compression ratio identification unit 22 and the communication path selected by the path selection unit 24 to the terminal 110 via the communication unit 40. With this configuration, the information processing device 2A can notify the terminal 110 of the compression ratio and the shortest path.

[0065] The application management unit 27 detects an application (hereinafter also referred to as an "application") being used in the terminal 110. As an example, when the application management unit 27 acquires transmission data of an application, it detects that the application has been launched in the terminal 110. When the application management unit 27 detects that the application has been launched, the information processing device 2A selects the shortest route for the transmission data to be sent from the terminal 110 to the server 120.

[0066] As another example, the application management unit 27 may determine whether the detected application is a pre-registered application. In this case, if the application whose activation is detected by the application management unit 27 is a pre-registered application, the information processing device 2A starts executing a process to select the shortest route. In other words, the information processing device 2A selects the shortest route for transmission data transmitted from the terminal 110 to the server 120 by executing the pre-registered application. The process of pre-registering an application may be performed by the business operator that created the application.

[0067] In addition to or instead of the app, the app management unit 27 may detect whether the user of the terminal 110 is a pre-registered user. If the user of the terminal 110 detected by the app management unit 27 is a pre-registered user, the information processing device 2A may start executing a process. An example of a pre-registered user is a user who has paid a fee, but is not limited to this.

[0068] (Example of Processing Executed by Selector 21) An example of processing executed by selector 21 will be described.

[0069] As an example, the selection unit 21 refers to location information indicating the location of the terminal 110, which the acquisition unit 25 has acquired from the terminal 110, and specifies the location of the terminal 110. The selection unit 21 also refers to information that identifies the server 120, which is included in the transmission data that has been acquired by the acquisition unit 25 and transmitted from the terminal 110, and specifies the location of the server 120.

[0070] Next, the selection unit 21 selects a predetermined number of communication routes in order of shortest communication distance from the identified location of the terminal 110 to the identified location of the server 120 .

[0071] As another example, the selection unit 21 selects a predetermined number of communication paths from among communication paths via non-terrestrial stations in order of shortest communication distance from the location of the identified terminal 110 to the location of the identified server 120.

[0072] As yet another example, the selector 21 may be configured to use an index indicating throughput, availability, or communication stability (e.g., a jitter value) instead of the communication distance in the above example. As yet another example, the selector 21 may refer to multiple indexes and select a predetermined number of communication paths in order of shortest communication delay in communication from the terminal 110 to the server 120.

[0073] (Example 1 of Processing Executed by the Compression Ratio Specifying Unit 22 and the Processing Time Specifying Unit 23) An example of processing executed by the compression ratio specifying unit 22 and the processing time specifying unit 23 will be described.

[0074] The compression ratio specification unit 22 specifies the compression ratio so that the larger the line capacity (in other words, the wider the bandwidth, the larger the amount of data that can be communicated, or the thicker the line), the higher the compression ratio (the larger the data after compression).

[0075] Similarly, the compression ratio determination unit 22 determines the compression ratio so that the smaller the line capacity (in other words, the narrower the bandwidth, the smaller the amount of data that can be communicated, or the thinner the line), the lower the compression ratio (the smaller the data after compression).

[0076] As an example, the compression rate specifying unit 22 specifies the compression rate by referring to a table in which line capacities are associated with compression rates.

[0077] Here, when a communication path includes multiple network stations, the compression rate specification unit 22 specifies the compression rate by referring to the smallest line capacity among the line capacities between the network stations. For example, assume that the line capacity of r1 is 1 Gbps, the line capacity of r4 is 0.4 Gbps, the line capacity of r8 is 0.5 Gbps, and the line capacity of r9 is 1 Gbps in the above-mentioned communication path 2: r1 → r4 → r8 → r9. In this case, the compression rate specification unit 22 specifies the compression rate to make the data size corresponding to the smallest line capacity of 0.4 Gbps.

[0078] As an example, the processing time determination unit 23 determines the processing time by referring to a table that associates compression rates with processing times. In the table, the lower the compression rate, the longer the time required for compression processing, so the lower the compression rate, the longer the processing time. As an example, in the table, a compression rate of 25% is associated with a processing time of 100 ms, a compression rate of 50% is associated with a processing time of 80 ms, a compression rate of 80% is associated with a processing time of 50 ms, and a compression rate of 100% (no compression) is associated with a processing time of 0 ms.

[0079] (Example 2 of Processing Executed by Compression Ratio Specifying Unit 22 and Processing Time Specifying Unit 23) The following describes another example of processing executed by the compression ratio specifying unit 22 and processing time specifying unit 23. Note that the processing executed by the compression ratio specifying unit 22 is the same as the processing described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0080] In this example, the processing time identification unit 23 first identifies the location of the terminal 110 by referring to location information indicating the location of the terminal 110, which the acquisition unit 25 has acquired from the terminal 110. The processing time identification unit 23 also identifies the location of the server 120 by referring to information included in the transmission data transmitted from the terminal 110 and which the acquisition unit 25 has acquired, which identifies the server 120. Then, the processing time identification unit 23 identifies, for each communication path, the sum of the distance from the location of the terminal 110 to the network station, the distance between the network stations, and the distance from the network station to the location of the server 120, and identifies the identified sum as the distance of the communication path.

[0081] Furthermore, the processing time specifying unit 23 specifies the transmission speed of the communication path from the location of the terminal 110 to the location of the server 120. As an example, the transmission speed may be a fixed value based on the communication method. For example, the processing time specifying unit 23 may specify the transmission speed of the communication path by setting the transmission speed for optical fiber to 5 μs / km and the transmission speed for wireless to 3 μs / km. As another example, the processing time specifying unit 23 may be configured to sequentially acquire the transmission speed between each network station from a server that manages the transmission speed between each network station.

[0082] Furthermore, the processing time specifying unit 23 specifies the communication time required for the server 120 to receive the transmission data sent from the terminal 110 based on the specified distance and transmission speed.

[0083] As an example, a case will be described in which the processing time determination unit 23 determines the communication time for the above-mentioned communication path 1. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the processing time determination unit 23 determines the communication time for the communication path assuming that the transmission speed for optical fiber is 5 μs / km and the transmission speed for wireless is 3 μs / km. It is also assumed that the communication path distances for communication path 1 are as follows: r1 distance: 100 km (wireless) r3 distance: 8000 km (optical fiber) r9 distance: 200 km (wireless) In this case, the processing time determination unit 23 determines the communication time for communication path 1 as follows: r1 communication time = 100 km × 3 μs / km + 8000 km × 5 μs / km + 200 km × 3 μs / km = 40900 μs = 40.9 ms As another example, it is assumed that the processing time determination unit 23 determines the communication time for the above-mentioned communication path 2. Assume that the communication path distances for communication path 2 are as follows: Distance of r1: 100 km (wireless) Distance of r4: 6000 km (wireless) Distance of r8: 7000 km (wireless) Distance of r9: 200 km (wireless) In this case, the processing time determination unit 23 determines the communication time for communication path 2 as follows: Communication time for communication path 2 = 100 km x 3 μs / km + 6000 km x 3 μs / km + 7000 km x 3 μs / km + 200 km x 3 μs / km = 39900 μs = 39.9 ms The processing time determination unit 23 performs similar processing for communication path 3 and communication path 4 to determine the communication time for each communication path.

[0084] (Example 1 of Processing Executed by Path Selector 24) A description will be given below of an example of processing executed by the path selector 24. The following describes, as an example, a case where the processing time specifying unit 23 specifies a processing time of 50 ms for communication path 1, a communication time of 40.9 ms for communication path 1, a processing time of 100 ms for communication path 2, and a communication time of 39.9 ms for communication path 2.

[0085] The route selection unit 24 selects the communication route with the shortest sum of the processing time and communication time identified by the processing time identification unit 23. For example, the sum of the processing time and communication time for communication route 1 and communication route 2 is identified as follows: Sum of processing time and communication time for communication route 1 = 50 ms + 40.9 ms = 90.9 ms Sum of processing time and communication time for communication route 2 = 100 ms + 39.9 ms = 139.9 ms In this case, since the sum of the processing time and communication time for communication route 1 is short, the route selection unit 24 selects communication route 1. In other words, if only the communication time is compared, communication route 2 (a communication route not via a ground station) is the shortest route, but if the sum of the processing time and communication time is compared, communication route 1 (a communication route not via a ground station) is the shortest route.

[0086] In this way, the path selection unit 24 selects a communication path with a short sum of the processing time and communication time identified by the processing time identification unit 23. Therefore, the information processing device 2A can select an appropriate communication path by taking into consideration the balance between the processing time and communication time of each of the multiple communication paths.

[0087] Furthermore, when a communication path includes a communication path that goes through a non-terrestrial station, the communication path via a non-terrestrial station often has a small line capacity, which often results in a long processing time for compression. Even when multiple communication paths include a communication path that goes through a non-terrestrial station, the path selection unit 24 selects the shortest path by considering the balance between processing time and communication time. Therefore, the information processing device 2A can select an appropriate communication path.

[0088] (Example 2 of Processing Executed by Route Selector 24) A description will be given of another example of processing executed by the route selector 24. In this example, a case will be described in which the acquisition unit 25 acquires information about the weather in each of a plurality of communication routes.

[0089] The route selection unit 24 refers to the weather information acquired by the acquisition unit 25. If the weather information acquired by the acquisition unit 25 indicates that it is raining on communication route r4, which is wireless communication, the route selection unit 24 changes the transmission rate on communication route r4. As an example, the route selection unit 24 changes the transmission rate on communication route r4 from 3 μs / km to 4 μs / km.

[0090] Next, the route selection unit 24 determines the communication time for the communication route 2 after changing the transmission rate for the communication route r4 as follows: Communication time for the communication route 2 after change = 100 km × 3 μs / km + 6000 km × 4 μs / km + 7000 km × 3 μs / km + 200 km × 3 μs / km = 45,900 μs = 45.9 ms Then, as in the example described above, the route selection unit 24 selects the communication route for which the sum of the processing time determined by the processing time determination unit 23 and the changed communication time is shortest.

[0091] In this example, the transmission speed of the communication path during rain is changed from 3 μs / km to 4 μs / km, but the transmission speed may be changed according to the amount of rainfall. For example, the transmission speed may be slowed by 10% when the amount of rainfall is 5 mm or more but less than 10 mm, and by 20% when the amount of rainfall is 10 mm or more but less than 20 mm.

[0092] In this way, the route selection unit 24 refers to information about the weather and changes the communication time, so the information processing device 2A can select the shortest route taking into consideration the effect of weather on communication time.

[0093] (Example 3 of Processing Executed by Path Selector 24) A description will be given of yet another example of processing executed by the path selector 24. In this example, a case will be described in which the acquisition unit 25 acquires information about humidity in each of a plurality of communication paths.

[0094] The path selection unit 24 refers to the information on humidity acquired by the acquisition unit 25. If the information on humidity acquired by the acquisition unit 25 indicates that the humidity is higher than a predetermined humidity (e.g., 50%) on the communication path r8, which is a wireless communication, the path selection unit 24 changes the processing time on the communication paths 2 and 3 via the communication path r8.

[0095] As an example, the route selection unit 24 takes into consideration the addition of error correction data to the transmission data for the communication routes 2 and 3 via the communication route r8 and lowers the compression rates for the communication routes 2 and 3. Then, the route selection unit 24 changes the processing times for the communication routes 2 and 3 to processing times according to the changed compression rates.

[0096] As another example, the route selection unit 24 takes into consideration that the transmission data will be retransmitted on the communication route 2 and the communication route 3 via the communication route r8, and adds the time required for the retransmission to the communication time on the communication route 2 and the communication route 3. The time to be added may be a predetermined time (for example, 10 μs) or may be a time according to the size of the transmission data.

[0097] Then, as in the example described above, the route selection unit 24 selects the communication route with the shortest sum of the processing time identified by the processing time determination unit 23 or the changed processing time and the communication time identified by the processing time determination unit 23 or the changed communication time.

[0098] In this example, when the humidity is higher than a predetermined humidity, at least one of the processing time and the communication time is changed, but at least one of the processing time and the communication time may be changed depending on the humidity. For example, when the humidity is higher than 70%, the time required for retransmission may be set to 1.5 times that required when the humidity is 50%.

[0099] In this way, the route selection unit 24 refers to the information about humidity and changes at least one of the processing time and the communication time, so the information processing device 2A can select the shortest route while taking into consideration the effect on communication of the high humidity of the communication route.

[0100] (Example 4 of Processing Executed by Route Selector 24) A description will be given of yet another example of processing executed by the route selector 24. In this example, a case will be described in which the acquisition unit 25 acquires information related to the geography of each of a plurality of communication routes.

[0101] The route selection unit 24 refers to the geographical information acquired by the acquisition unit 25. If the geographical information acquired by the acquisition unit 25 indicates that the terminal 110 is in a location surrounded by obstructions (for example, a location surrounded by trees or inside a building), the route selection unit 24 changes the transmission rates of the communication routes 5 and 6 via the communication route r2 from the terminal 110 to the satellite-based non-terrestrial station 240. As an example, the route selection unit 24 changes the transmission rate of the communication route r2 from 3 μs / km to 4 μs / km. As in the example described above, the route selection unit 24 changes the communication times of the communication routes 5 and 6 via the communication route r2.

[0102] Then, similarly to the example described above, the route selection unit 24 selects the communication route with the shortest sum of the processing time identified by the processing time identification unit 23 and the changed communication time.

[0103] In this example, when the terminal 110 is located in a place surrounded by obstructions, the transmission speed with the satellite-based non-terrestrial station 240 is changed from 3 μs / km to 4 μs / km, but the speed may be changed depending on the obstruction. For example, the transmission speed may be slowed by 10% when the terminal 110 is located in a place surrounded by trees, or 20% when inside a building.

[0104] In this way, the route selection unit 24 refers to the geographical information and changes the communication time, so that the information processing device 2A can select the shortest route while taking into consideration the influence on communication due to the geographical conditions of the communication route.

[0105] (Configuration of Terminal 110) The configuration of the terminal 110 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 again. As shown in Fig. 5, the terminal 110 includes a communication unit 111, an input / output unit 112, and a control unit 113.

[0106] The communication unit 111 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data via the network N. Examples of the communication unit 111 include, but are not limited to, communication chips for various communication standards such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and wireless communication standards for mobile data communication networks, and USB-compliant connectors.

[0107] For example, the communication unit 111 transmits data to the information processing device 2A or the server 120 and receives data from the information processing device 2A or the server 120 .

[0108] The input / output unit 112 is an interface that receives input of data and outputs data. Examples of the input / output unit 112 include, but are not limited to, a microphone, a camera, an eye-gaze input device, a keyboard, a touchpad, a speaker, and a liquid crystal display.

[0109] As one example, the input / output unit 112 acquires input information indicating an operation to launch an app. The input / output unit 112 supplies the acquired input information to the control unit 113. As another example, the input / output unit 112 displays an image indicated by an image signal supplied from the control unit 113.

[0110] The control unit 113 controls each component included in the terminal 110. As an example, when the control unit 113 receives input information indicating an operation to launch an app, the control unit 113 launches the app. Furthermore, when the control unit 113 receives input information indicating an operation to launch an app, the control unit 113 outputs transmission data to the information processing device 2A via the communication unit 111. As another example, when the control unit 113 receives information indicating a compression rate and a shortest route, the control unit 113 compresses the transmission data at the compression rate and transmits the transmission data compressed using the shortest route. As yet another example, the control unit 113 transmits location information indicating the location of the terminal 110 to the information processing device 2A via the communication unit 111. In this configuration, as an example, the control unit 113 receives a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal from a GPS signal receiving unit (not shown in FIG. 5 ) and transmits the GPS signal as location information indicating the location of the terminal 110.

[0111] (Configuration of Server 120) The configuration of the server will be described with reference to Fig. 5 again. As shown in Fig. 5, the server 120 includes a communication unit 121 and a control unit 123.

[0112] The communication unit 121 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data via the network N. Examples of the communication unit 121 include, but are not limited to, communication chips for various communication standards such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and wireless communication standards for mobile data communication networks, and a USB-compliant connector.

[0113] For example, the communication unit 121 receives data from the terminal 110 and transmits data to the terminal 110 .

[0114] The control unit 123 controls each component included in the server 120. As an example, when the control unit 123 receives transmission data from the terminal 110, the control unit 123 transmits data corresponding to the transmission data to the terminal 110.

[0115] (Processing Flow Executed by Information Processing Device 2A) The processing flow (information processing method S2A) executed by information processing device 2A will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing flow executed by information processing device 2A.

[0116] (Step S31) In step S31, the application management unit 27 detects the use of an application. When the application management unit 27 detects the use of an application, the information processing device 2A starts executing a process for selecting the shortest accounting time.

[0117] (Step S32) In step S32, the acquisition unit 25 acquires location information indicating the location of the terminal 110.

[0118] (Step S33) In step S33, the acquisition unit 25 acquires information for identifying the server 120 that is the destination of the transmission data transmitted from the terminal 110, and identifies the location of the server 120.

[0119] (Step S34) In step S34, the selection unit 21 refers to the location information acquired in step S32 and the location of the server 120 identified in step S33, and selects multiple communication paths for the transmission data to be sent from the terminal 110 to the server 120.

[0120] (Step S35) In step S35, the compression rate specification unit 22 specifies a compression rate for compressing the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection unit 21 in step S34.

[0121] (Step S36) In step S36, the processing time specifying unit 23 refers to the compression rate specified in step S35, and specifies the processing time, which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data to its original state.

[0122] (Step S37) In step S37, the processing time determination unit 23 determines, for each of the multiple communication paths, the communication time required for the server 120 to receive the transmission data sent from the terminal 110, based on the distance of the communication path from the position of the terminal 110 to the position of the server 120 and the transmission speed of the communication path from the position of the terminal 110 to the position of the server 120.

[0123] (Step S38) In step S38, the acquisition unit 25 acquires information related to communication quality.

[0124] (Step S39) In step S39, the route selection unit 24 refers to the information acquired in step S38, changes at least one of the processing time identified in step S36 and the communication time identified in step S37, and then selects, from among the multiple communication routes, a communication route having the shortest sum of the changed processing time and communication time.

[0125] (Step S40) In step S40, the output unit 26 outputs to the terminal 110 the communication path selected in step S39 and information indicating the compression rate of the communication path specified in step S35.

[0126] (Effects of Information Processing System 1A) As described above, in the information processing system 1A, the information processing device 2A selects multiple communication paths, including at least one communication path via a non-terrestrial station, as the communication path for transmission data transmitted from the terminal 110 to the server 120. Furthermore, the information processing device 2A specifies, for each of the multiple communication paths, the processing time, which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data, as well as the communication time from the terminal 110 to the server 120. Furthermore, the information processing device 2A selects a communication path for which the sum of the processing time and communication time is short.

[0127] With this configuration, the information processing system 1A can select an appropriate communication path by considering not only the distance and communication time of the communication path but also the balance between the time it takes to compress transmission data on the communication path and the processing time it takes to restore the compressed transmission data. Furthermore, with this configuration, an appropriate communication path can be selected from multiple communication paths, including communication paths via non-terrestrial stations.

[0128] [Software Implementation Example] Some or all of the functions of the information processing devices 2 and 2A (hereinafter also referred to as "each of the above devices") may be implemented by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC chip), or by software.

[0129] In the latter case, each of the above devices is realized by, for example, a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. An example of such a computer (hereinafter referred to as computer C) is shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of computer C that functions as each of the above devices.

[0130] The computer C includes at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. The memory C2 stores a program P for causing the computer C to function as each of the above-mentioned devices. In the computer C, the processor C1 reads and executes the program P from the memory C2, thereby realizing the functions of each of the above-mentioned devices.

[0131] The processor C1 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a micro processing unit (MPU), a floating point number processing unit (FPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a quantum processor, a microcontroller, or a combination thereof. The memory C2 may be, for example, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination thereof.

[0132] The computer C may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program P during execution and for temporarily storing various data. The computer C may also include a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. The computer C may also include an input / output interface for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and a printer.

[0133] The program P can also be recorded on a non-transitory, tangible recording medium M that can be read by the computer C. Such a recording medium M can be, for example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. The computer C can acquire the program P via such a recording medium M. The program P can also be transmitted via a transmission medium. Such a transmission medium can be, for example, a communication network or broadcast waves. The computer C can also acquire the program P via such a transmission medium.

[0134] Furthermore, the functions of each of the devices may be realized by a single processor provided in a single computer, by multiple processors provided in a single computer working in cooperation, or by multiple processors provided in each of multiple computers working in cooperation. Furthermore, the programs for causing each of the devices to realize the functions may be stored in a single memory provided in a single computer, or may be distributed and stored in multiple memories provided in a single computer, or may be distributed and stored in multiple memories provided in each of multiple computers.

[0135] [Appendix A] This disclosure includes the techniques described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the techniques described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0136] (Appendix A1) An information processing system comprising: a selection means for selecting a plurality of communication paths for transmission data transmitted from a first device to a second device; a compression rate determination means for determining, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection means, a compression rate for reducing the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path; a processing time determination means for determining, by referring to the determined compression rate, a processing time which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data; and a path selection means for selecting, from the plurality of communication paths, the communication path with the shortest processing time.

[0137] (Supplementary Note A2) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note A1, wherein at least one of the plurality of communication paths is a communication path via a non-terrestrial station.

[0138] (Appendix A3) The information processing system described in Appendix A1 or A2, wherein the processing time determination means determines, for each of the plurality of communication paths, a communication time required for the second device to receive the transmission data sent from the first device based on: a distance of the communication path from the position of the first device to the position of the second device; and a transmission speed of the communication path from the position of the first device to the position of the second device; and the path selection means selects, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path having the shortest sum of the processing time and the communication time.

[0139] (Appendix A4) The information processing system described in Appendix A3, further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring information related to communication quality in the plurality of communication paths, wherein the path selection means refers to the information, changes at least one of the processing time and the communication time, and then selects, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path having the shortest sum of the changed processing time and the changed communication time.

[0140] (Supplementary Note A5) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note A4, wherein the acquisition means acquires, as the information, information relating to weather in each of the plurality of communication paths.

[0141] (Supplementary Note A6) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note A4, wherein the acquisition unit acquires, as the information, information relating to humidity in each of the plurality of communication paths.

[0142] (Supplementary Note A7) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note A4, wherein the acquisition means acquires, as the information, information relating to geography in each of the plurality of communication paths.

[0143] (Supplementary Note A8) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note A1 or A2, further comprising: an output unit configured to output, to the first device, information indicating the compression rate identified by the compression rate identification unit and the communication route selected by the route selection unit.

[0144] (Appendix A9) An information processing device comprising: a selection means for selecting a plurality of communication paths for transmission data transmitted from a first device to a second device; a compression rate specification means for specifying, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection means, a compression rate for reducing the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path; a processing time specification means for specifying, by referring to the specified compression rate, a processing time which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data; and a path selection means for selecting, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path with the shortest processing time.

[0145] [Appendix B] This disclosure includes the techniques described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the techniques described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0146] (Appendix B1) An information processing method including: a selection process in which at least one processor selects a plurality of communication paths for transmission data to be transmitted from a first device to a second device; a compression rate specification process in which the at least one processor specifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected in the selection process, a compression rate for reducing the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path; a processing time specification process in which, by referring to the specified compression rate, the processing time is specified, which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data; and a route selection process in which the at least one processor selects, from the plurality of communication paths, the communication path with the shortest processing time.

[0147] (Supplementary Note B2) The information processing method according to Supplementary Note B1, wherein at least one of the plurality of communication paths is a communication path via a non-terrestrial station.

[0148] (Appendix B3) The information processing method described in Appendix B1 or B2, wherein in the processing time determination process, the at least one processor determines, for each of the plurality of communication paths, a communication time required for the second device to receive the transmission data sent from the first device based on: the distance of the communication path from the position of the first device to the position of the second device; and the transmission speed of the communication path from the position of the first device to the position of the second device; and in the path selection process, the at least one processor selects, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path having the shortest sum of the processing time and the communication time.

[0149] (Appendix B4) An information processing method as described in Appendix B3, further comprising an acquisition process in which the at least one processor acquires information related to communication quality in the plurality of communication paths, and in the path selection process, the at least one processor refers to the information, changes at least one of the processing time and communication time, and then selects, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path having the shortest sum of the changed processing time and communication time.

[0150] (Supplementary Note B5) The information processing method according to Supplementary Note B4, wherein in the acquisition process, the at least one processor acquires, as the information, information about weather in each of the plurality of communication paths.

[0151] (Supplementary Note B6) The information processing method according to Supplementary Note B4, wherein in the acquisition process, the at least one processor acquires information about humidity in each of the plurality of communication paths as the information.

[0152] (Supplementary Note B7) The information processing method according to Supplementary Note B4, wherein in the acquisition process, the at least one processor acquires, as the information, information relating to geography in each of the plurality of communication paths.

[0153] (Supplementary Note B8) The information processing method according to Supplementary Note B1 or B2, further comprising an output process in which the at least one processor outputs, to the first device, information indicating the compression ratio identified in the compression ratio identification process and the communication path selected in the path selection process.

[0154] [Appendix C] This disclosure includes the techniques described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the techniques described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0155] (Appendix C1) An information processing system comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor executing: a selection process for selecting a plurality of communication paths for transmission data transmitted from a first device to a second device; a compression rate specification process for specifying, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected in the selection process, a compression rate for adjusting the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path; a processing time specification process for specifying, by referring to the specified compression rate, a processing time which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data; and a route selection process for selecting, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path with the shortest processing time.

[0156] The information processing system may further include a memory, and the memory may store a program for causing the at least one processor to execute each of the processes.

[0157] (Supplementary Note C2) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note C1, wherein at least one of the plurality of communication paths is a communication path via a non-terrestrial station.

[0158] (Appendix C3) An information processing system described in Appendix C1 or C2, wherein in the processing time determination process, the at least one processor determines, for each of the plurality of communication paths, a communication time required for the second device to receive the transmission data sent from the first device based on: the distance of the communication path from the position of the first device to the position of the second device; and the transmission speed of the communication path from the position of the first device to the position of the second device; and in the path selection process, the at least one processor selects, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path having the shortest sum of the processing time and the communication time.

[0159] (Appendix C4) An information processing system as described in Appendix C3, wherein the at least one processor further executes an acquisition process to acquire information related to communication quality in the plurality of communication paths, and in the path selection process, the at least one processor refers to the information, changes at least one of the processing time and communication time, and then selects, from the plurality of communication paths, a communication path having the shortest sum of the changed processing time and communication time.

[0160] (Supplementary Note C5) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note C4, wherein in the acquisition process, the at least one processor acquires, as the information, information about weather in each of the plurality of communication paths.

[0161] (Supplementary Note C6) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note C4, wherein in the acquisition process, the at least one processor acquires information about humidity in each of the plurality of communication paths as the information.

[0162] (Supplementary Note C7) The information processing system according to Supplementary Note C4, wherein in the acquisition process, the at least one processor acquires, as the information, information relating to geography in each of the plurality of communication paths.

[0163] (Supplementary Note C8) The information processing system described in Supplementary Note C1 or C2, wherein the at least one processor further executes an output process of outputting, to the first device, information indicating the compression ratio identified in the compression ratio identification process and the communication route selected in the route selection process.

[0164] [Appendix E] This disclosure includes the techniques described in the following appendices. However, the present invention is not limited to the techniques described in the following appendices, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0165] (Appendix E1) A non-transient recording medium having recorded thereon a program that causes a computer to function as an information processing system, the program causing the computer to execute: a selection process that selects multiple communication paths for transmission data to be sent from a first device to a second device; a compression rate specification process that specifies, for each of the multiple communication paths selected in the selection process, a compression rate for adjusting the transmission data to a data size that corresponds to the line capacity of the communication path; a processing time specification process that refers to the specified compression rate and specifies the processing time that is the time to compress the transmission data and the time to restore the compressed transmission data; and a route selection process that selects, from the multiple communication paths, the communication path with the shortest processing time.

[0166] 1, 1A Information processing system 2, 2A Information processing device 11, 21 Selection unit 12, 22 Compression ratio specification unit 13, 23 Processing time specification unit 14, 24 Route selection unit 25 Acquisition unit 26 Output unit 27 Application management unit 110 Terminal 120 Server 210 Mobile phone radio system, NTN communication gateway, land communication gateway 220 Mobile phone core system, NTN communication gateway, land communication gateway 230 HAPS 240 Satellite-based non-terrestrial station

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising: a selection means for selecting a plurality of communication paths for transmission data transmitted from a first device to a second device; a compression rate determination means for determining, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by said selection means, a compression rate for reducing the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of said communication path; a processing time determination means for determining, by reference to the determined compression rate, the processing time required to compress the transmission data and to restore the compressed transmission data to its original state; and a path selection means for selecting, from said plurality of communication paths, the communication path with the shortest processing time.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of communication paths is a communication path that goes through a non-terrestrial station.

3. The information processing system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing time determination means determines, for each of the plurality of communication paths, the communication time required for the second device to receive the transmission data sent from the first device based on the distance of the communication path from the position of the first device to the position of the second device, and the transmission speed of the communication path from the position of the first device to the position of the second device; and the path selection means selects, from the plurality of communication paths, the communication path having the shortest sum of the processing time and the communication time.

4. An information processing system as described in claim 3, further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring information related to communication quality in the plurality of communication paths, wherein the path selection means refers to the information, changes at least one of the processing time and communication time, and then selects from the plurality of communication paths a communication path having the shortest sum of the changed processing time and communication time.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein said acquisition means acquires, as said information, information relating to the weather on each of said plurality of communication paths.

6. The information processing system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the acquiring means acquires, as the information, information relating to humidity in each of the plurality of communication paths.

7. The information processing system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the acquisition means acquires, as the information, information relating to the geography of each of the plurality of communication paths.

8. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an output means for outputting to the first device information indicating the compression ratio identified by the compression ratio identification means and the communication route selected by the route selection means.

9. An information processing method including: a selection process in which at least one processor selects multiple communication paths for transmission data to be sent from a first device to a second device; a compression rate specification process in which the at least one processor specifies, for each of the multiple communication paths selected in the selection process, a compression rate for reducing the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path; a processing time specification process in which, by referring to the specified compression rate, the processing time is specified, which is the time required to compress the transmission data and the time required to restore the compressed transmission data; and a route selection process in which the at least one processor selects, from the multiple communication paths, the communication path with the shortest processing time.

10. An information processing device comprising: a selection means for selecting a plurality of communication paths for transmission data transmitted from a first device to a second device; a compression rate determination means for determining, for each of the plurality of communication paths selected by the selection means, a compression rate for reducing the size of the transmission data to a data size corresponding to the line capacity of the communication path; a processing time determination means for determining, by referring to the determined compression rate, the processing time required to compress the transmission data and to restore the compressed transmission data to its original state; and a route selection means for selecting, from the plurality of communication paths, the communication path with the shortest processing time.

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