FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)
“RECEPTION APPARATUS AND METHOD,
PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM”
SONY CORPORATION, of 1-7-1, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
108-0075, Japan
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed.
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DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention: RECEPTION DEVICE AND METHOD, PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM
Technical Field
[0001]
The present technology relates to a reception device
and method, a program, and an information processing system,
and more particularly, relates to a reception device and
method, a program, and an information processing system
which are adapted to equalize a burden of a usage fee for a
connection service to an external network.
Background Art
[0002]
In recent years, with the spread of wireless
communication such as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), a technology
regarding wireless communication such as a mesh network and
an ad hoc network has attracted attention.
[0003]
Here, the mesh network is a network shaped into a mesh
of a net by terminal devices having wireless communication
functions communicating with each other. Further, the ad
hoc network is a network configured of only terminal devices
capable of performing wireless communication without needing
an access point. In addition, the mesh network can be
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regarded as a kind of ad hoc network.
[0004]
Since there is a risk that an unauthorized terminal
device is interposed, a risk of eavesdropping, or the like
in the case of performing wireless communication by the
networks, it is necessary to establish secure wireless
communication between respective terminal devices
constituting the networks (see, for example, PTL 1).
[0005]
Further, since the terminal devices are connected to
the Internet through an access point provided by the
Internet service provider in the case where terminal devices
constituting the networks are connected to the Internet, a
billing according to a connection mode is performed. As a
billing method in the ad hoc network or the mesh network,
for example, PTL 2 is known. In PTL 2, a billing method is
described in which packet relaying information at the time
when a relay device constituting the ad hoc network performs
a relay process is recorded, and a billing of the user is
equalized based on the packet relaying information.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0006]
PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2006-246219
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PTL 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2006-245928
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0007]
In this manner, in a configuration in which a plurality
of terminal devices constituting a mesh network or an ad hoc
network are connected to the Internet, a fairness of burden
of usage fees for an internet connection service for users
using respective terminal devices is desired. Further, in
order to perform secure wireless communication between
respective terminal devices, it is necessary to securely
provide path information indicating a communication path
between respective terminal devices.
[0008]
However, at present, a technical method for realizing a
secure provision of path information for each device and the
fairness of burden of usage fees for a connection service of
the Internet has not been established.
[0009]
The present technology has been made in view of such a
situation, in a configuration in which a plurality of
terminal devices constituting an internal network such as a
mesh network are connected to an external network such as
the Internet, it is intended to securely provide path
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information capable of equalizing burdens of usage fees of a
connection service to the external network.
Solution to Problem
[0010]
A reception device according to a first aspect of the
present technology, each of a plurality of the reception
devices being connected by an internal network, includes a
reception unit that receives path information, which is
transmitted over a broadcast network, for selecting a path
of the internal network according to an amount of passing
packets by a packet communication process in an external
connection reception device which is connectable to an
external network among the plurality of reception devices; a
selection unit that selects the path at the time of
connection to the external network, based on the received
path information; and a communication unit that performs
communication by being connected to the external network
through an external connection reception device according to
the amount of passing packets, along the selected path.
[0011]
The selection unit selects the path passing through an
external connection reception device having the smallest
amount of passing packets, among the plurality of the
external connection reception devices, based on the received
path information.
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[0012]
The path information includes information of a total
amount of passing packets regarding the total amount of
passing packets for respective external connection reception
devices by the packet communication process.
[0013]
When the reception device is the external connection
reception device, the communication unit transmits the
information of the total amount of its own passing packets,
over the external network, to an information processing
device which manages the information of the total amount of
passing packets for respective external connection reception
devices.
[0014]
The reception unit receives the path information which
is transmitted over the broadcast network based on the
information of the total amount of passing packets which is
managed in the information processing device.
[0015]
When the reception device is not the external
connection reception device, the communication unit
transmits the information of the total amount of its own
passing packets to the information processing device over
the external connection reception device over the external
network at each predetermined period, and the information
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processing device determines a usage fee for the external
network for the reception device, based on the information
of the total amount of passing packets of the external
connection reception device and the reception device.
[0016]
The reception unit receives a first secret key, which
is transmitted over the broadcast network on a regular basis,
for encrypting communication performed between the plurality
of reception devices which are connected to the internal
network, and the communication unit encrypts communication
with another reception device connected to the internal
network, using the received first secret key.
[0017]
The first secret key is encrypted by a common key
encryption scheme, and the communication unit encrypts
communication with another reception device, using the first
secret key obtained through decryption by a second secret
key which is used in encryption of the first secret key.
[0018]
The reception unit receives AV content which is
transmitted over the broadcast network.
[0019]
The internal network is a mesh network or an ad hoc
network, and the external network is the Internet.
[0020]
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A network means a mechanism in which at least two
devices are connected, and information can be transmitted
from one device to another device. The devices which
perform communication over a network may be individual
devices or may be internal blocks constituting a single
device.
[0021]
Further, communication may be, of course, wireless
communication or wired communication, and may be
communication in which wireless communication and wired
communication are mixed, in other words, wireless
communication is performed in a certain interval and wired
communication is performed in other intervals. Further,
wired communication may be performed as communication from
one device to another device and wireless communication may
be performed as communication from another device to one
device.
[0022]
Further, the reception device may be an independent
device or may be internal blocks constituting a single
device.
[0023]
A reception method and a program according to the first
aspect of the present technology are a reception method and
a program corresponding to the reception device of the first
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aspect of the present technology, which is described above.
[0024]
In the reception device and method, and the program
according to the first aspect of the present technology,
path information, which is transmitted over a broadcast
network, for selecting a path of the internal network
according to an amount of passing packets by a packet
communication process in an external connection reception
device which is connectable to an external network among the
plurality of reception devices is received, the path at the
time of connection to the external network is selected based
on the received path information, and communication is
performed by being connected to the external network through
an external connection reception device according to the
amount of passing packets, along the selected path.
[0025]
An information processing system according to a second
aspect of the present technology includes a plurality of
reception devices connected by an internal network, an
external connection reception device which is connectable to
an external network among the plurality of reception devices,
and a broadcasting device which broadcasts AV content. In
the information processing system, each reception device
includes a reception unit that receives path information,
which is transmitted from the broadcasting device over a
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broadcast network, for selecting a path of the internal
network according to an amount of passing packets by a
packet communication process in the external connection
reception device; a selection unit that selects the path at
the time of connection to the external network, based on the
received path information; and a communication unit that
performs communication by being connected to the external
network through an external connection reception device
according to the amount of passing packets, along the
selected path.
[0026]
The information processing system further includes a
first information processing device which manages
information of a total amount of passing packets regarding
the total amount of passing packets for respective external
connection reception devices by the packet communication
process, and the external connection reception device
transmits the information of the total amount of passing
packets to the first information processing device over the
external network.
[0027]
The communication unit transmits information of the
total amount of its own passing packets to the first
information processing device through the external
connection reception device over the external network, at
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each predetermined period, and the first information
processing device determines a usage fee for the external
network for the reception device, based on the information
of the total amount of passing packets of the external
connection reception device and the reception device.
[0028]
The information processing system further includes a
second information processing device that generates a first
secret key for encrypting communication performed between
the plurality of reception devices connected to the internal
network, the reception unit receives a first secret key,
which is transmitted from the broadcasting device over the
broadcast network on a regular basis and is generated by the
second information processing device, and the communication
unit encrypts communication with another reception device
connected to the internal network, using the received first
secret key.
[0029]
In the information processing system according to the
second aspect of the present technology, by each reception
device, path information, which is transmitted from the
broadcasting device over a broadcast network, for selecting
a path of the internal network according to an amount of
passing packets by a packet communication process in the
external connection reception device is received, the path
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at the time of connection to the external network is
selected based on the received path information, and
communication is performed by being connected to the
external network through an external connection reception
device according to the amount of passing packets, along the
selected path.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0030]
According to the first aspect and the second aspect of
the present technology, it is possible to equalize a burden
of a usage fee for a connection service to an external
network.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0031]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of
an embodiment of an information processing system to which
the present technology is applied.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration
example of a broadcasting device.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration
example of a reception device.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed
configuration example of a control unit.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration
example of a key server.
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[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration
example of a monitoring server.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of an
infrastructure-connected mesh network service.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing a packet
transmission process between a plurality of reception
devices.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of
common secret key distribution.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a common
secret key distribution process using a broadcast.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an
outline of a session protection using a common secret key.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an
outline of a session protection using a common secret key.
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of a
reporting process of information of the total amount of
passing packets.
[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a flowchart of a path information
distribution process using a broadcast.
[Fig. 15] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of
path information.
[Fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a billing
process for the reception device.
[Fig. 17] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing another example
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of path information.
[Fig. 18] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a configuration
example of a computer.
Description of Embodiments
[0032]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology will
be described with reference of drawings.
[0033]
[Configuration Example of Information Processing System]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an
embodiment of an information processing system to which the
present technology is applied.
[0034]
The information processing system 1 is an
infrastructure-connected mesh network system in which a mesh
network 12 and an Internet 15 are connected, and devices
connected to the networks can communicate. As shown in Fig.
1, the information processing system 1 includes a
broadcasting device 11, reception devices 13-1 to 13-7
constituting the mesh network 12, access points 14-1 and 14-
2, Internet 15, a key server 16, a monitoring server 17, and
a web server 18.
[0035]
The broadcasting device 11 is provided, for example, by
a broadcaster which broadcasts digital television programs.
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The broadcasting device 11 is intended to broadcast
(transmit) digital television broadcast signals of AV
content such as digital television programs. In addition,
the detailed configuration of the broadcasting device 11
will be described later with reference to Fig. 2.
[0036]
The mesh network 12 is a network shaped into a mesh of
a net by reception devices 13-1 to 13-7 with communication
functions such as wireless communication communicating with
each other.
[0037]
The reception device 13-1 receives digital television
broadcast signals which are transmitted from the
broadcasting device 11 to obtain images and voices such as
digital television programs. The reception device 13-1
outputs the obtained images on a display (display 31 in Fig.
3 to be described later) and outputs voices to a speaker
(speaker 32 in Fig. 3 to be described later).
[0038]
Further, the reception device 13-1 has a communication
function such as wireless communication to communicate with
other reception devices in the mesh network 12, and as well
as is connected to the Internet 15 through an access point
14-1 to communicate with various types of servers such as
the key server 16 and the web server 18.
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[0039]
The access point 14-1 is provided by an internet
service provider. The access point 14-1 is connected to the
Internet 15 through a dedicated line, and connects the
reception device 13-1 which has been connected thereto to
the Internet 15. In other words, the internet service
provider provides a connection service to the Internet 15,
and thus collects a predetermined fee depending on the
contents of the service from the user using the reception
device 13-1.
[0040]
Hereinafter, a reception device functioning as an
Internet Gateway (IGW) is referred to also as an external
connection reception device. In other words, in the mesh
network 12, the reception devices 13-1 and 13-7 among the
reception devices 13-1 to 13-7 are configured as the
external connection reception devices. The reception device
13-7 is connected to the Internet 15 through the access
point 14-2.
[0041]
The reception device 13-1 or 13-7 functions as the
internet gateway, and thus causes the reception devices 13-2
to 13-6, other than the external connection reception
devices in the mesh network 12, to be connected to the
Internet 15 through the access point 14-1 or 14-2.
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[0042]
The reception devices 13-2 to 13-6 are configured
similar to the reception device 13-1 other than not having a
function of the internet gateway. Further, the reception
device 13-7 is configured similar to the reception device
13-1.
[0043]
Further, each of the reception devices 13-1 to 13-7
monitors an amount of passing packets by a packet
communication process in each reception device, and
accumulates information of a total amount of passing packets
regarding the total amount of the amounts of the passing
packets. The reception devices 13-1 and 13-7 transmit
information of the total amount of passing packets of the
reception device 13 to the monitoring server 17 over the
Internet 15.
[0044]
In addition, in the following description, when there
is no particular need to distinguish the reception devices
13-1 to 13-7, the reception devices are simply referred to
as a reception device 13. Further, the reception device 13
may be a separate body, or may be built in, for example, a
television receiver, a video recorder, or the like. Further,
the detailed configuration of the reception device 13 will
be described later with reference to Fig. 3.
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[0045]
The key server 16 is provided by, for example, a
network service provider providing an infrastructureconnected
mesh network service. The key server 16 provides
a common secret key which is used to encrypt communication
performed between reception devices 13 constituting the mesh
network 12. The key server 16 generates and encrypts a
common secret key so as to be transmitted to the
broadcasting device 11. The broadcasting device 11
broadcasts (transmits) as a digital television broadcast
signal, an encryption common secret key transmitted from the
key server 16. In addition, the encryption common secret
key is broadcasted and distributed by carousel transmission
or the like.
[0046]
The reception device 13 receives and decrypts the
encryption common secret key which is transmitted as a
digital television broadcast signal from the broadcasting
device 11, and encrypts communication with other reception
devices 13 that are connected to the mesh network 12, using
the decrypted common secret key.
[0047]
In addition, the detailed configuration of the key
server 16 will be described later with reference to Fig. 5.
[0048]
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The monitoring server 17 is provided by, for example, a
network service provider providing an infrastructureconnected
mesh network service. The monitoring server 17
constantly monitors an amount of passing packets by a packet
communication process in the reception device 13
constituting the mesh network 12, and generates path
information indicating a path of the mesh network 12 when
the reception device 13 is connected to the Internet 15,
based on the result of monitoring.
[0049]
Specifically, the monitoring server 17 receives
information of the total amount of passing packets of the
reception device 13 constituting the mesh network 12, which
are transmitted from the reception devices 13-1 and 13-7,
over the Internet 15. The monitoring server 17 generates
path information according to the amount of passing packets
by the packet communication process in the external
connection reception device, based on the information of the
total amount of passing packets from the reception devices
13-1 and 13-7. The monitoring server 17 encrypts the
generated path information so as to be transmitted to the
broadcasting device 11. The broadcasting device 11
broadcasts (transmits) as a digital television broadcast
signal, the encryption path information transmitted from the
monitoring server 17. In addition, the encryption path
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information is broadcasted and distributed by a carousel
transmission or the like.
[0050]
The reception device 13 receives and decrypts the
encryption path information that is transmitted as the
digital television broadcast signal from the broadcasting
device 11, and selects a path of the mesh network 12 at the
time of connection to the Internet 15, based on the
decrypted path information. Then, the reception device 13
is connected to the Internet 15 and performs communication,
along the selected path, through an external connection
reception device according to the amount of passing packets.
Thus, the reception device 13 is able to access, for example,
the web server 18 connected to the Internet 15.
[0051]
In addition, the detailed configuration of the
monitoring server 17 will be described later with reference
to Fig. 6.
[0052]
The web server 18 is a dedicated server providing a
predetermined website. The web server 18 provides a desired
web page to the reception device 13 which accesses thereto
over the Internet 15.
[0053]
The information processing system 1 is configured as
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described above.
[0054]
[Configuration Example of Broadcasting Device]
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of
the broadcasting device 11 in Fig. 1.
[0055]
The broadcasting device 11 includes a video encoder 21,
an audio encoder 22, a multiplexing unit 23, a transmission
unit 24, a communication unit 25, and a control unit 26.
[0056]
The video encoder 21 encodes video signals of AV
content such as a digital television program which is input
from a previous stage according to a predetermined encoding
scheme, and supplies the multiplexing unit 23 with a video
stream obtained as a result.
[0057]
The audio encoder 22 encodes an audio signal
corresponding to the video signal which is input to the
video encoder 21 according to a predetermined encoding
scheme, and supplies the multiplexing unit 23 with an audio
stream obtained as a result.
[0058]
The multiplexing unit 23 is supplied with the video
stream from the video encoder 21 and the audio stream from
the audio encoder 22. The multiplexing unit 23 multiplexes
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the video stream and the audio stream, and supplies the
transmission unit 24 with a multiplexed stream obtained as a
result. Specifically, for example, the video stream and the
audio stream are multiplexed into a transport stream
(hereinafter, referred to as TS).
[0059]
The transmission unit 24 broadcasts (transmits) as a
digital television broadcast signal, the multiplexed stream
which is supplied from the multiplexing unit 23.
[0060]
The communication unit 25 receives an encryption common
secret key transmitted from the key server 16, or encryption
path information transmitted from the monitoring server 17
so as to be supplied to the control unit 26. The control
unit 26 supplies the multiplexing unit 23 with the
encryption common secret key or the encryption path
information from the communication unit 25.
[0061]
When the encryption common secret key or the encryption
path information is input from the control unit 26, the
multiplexing unit 23 multiplexes the video stream and the
audio stream, multiplexes the encryption common secret key
or the encryption path information, and then supplies the
transmission unit 24 with the multiplexed stream obtained as
a result.
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[0062]
The transmission unit 24 transmits as a digital
television broadcast signal, the multiplexed stream obtained
by multiplexing the encryption common secret key or the
encryption path information which is supplied from the
multiplexing unit 23.
[0063]
In addition, in the description described above,
although it is assumed that the encryption common secret key
or the encryption path information is multiplexed into a
multiplexed stream, for example, it is possible to transmit
the encryption common secret key or the encryption path
information by another method such as embedding the
encryption common secret key or the encryption path
information into the video stream and audio stream.
[0064]
The broadcasting device 11 is configured as described
above.
[0065]
[Configuration Example of Reception Device]
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of
the reception device 13 of Fig. 1.
[0066]
As shown in Fig. 3, the reception device 13 includes a
tuner 41, a demultiplexing unit 42, a video decoder 43, a
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video output unit 44, an audio decoder 45, an audio output
unit 46, a control unit 47, a memory 48, an operation unit
49, and a communication unit 50.
[0067]
The tuner 41 receives the digital television broadcast
signal from the broadcasting device 11 through an antenna.
The tuner 41 demodulates the digital television broadcast
signal corresponding to the channel which is selected by the
user, and outputs the TS obtained as a result to the
demultiplexing unit 42.
[0068]
The demultiplexing unit 42 divides the TS which is
input from the tuner 41 into a video stream and an audio
stream, and respectively outputs the video stream and the
audio stream to the video decoder 43 and the audio decoder
45. Further, the demultiplexing unit 42 extracts an
encryption common secret key or encryption path information
from the TS so as to be supplied to the control unit 47.
[0069]
The video decoder 43 decodes the video stream which is
input from the demultiplexing unit 42, and outputs the video
signal obtained as a result to the video output unit 44.
The video output unit 44 outputs the video signal which is
input from the video decoder 43 to the display 31.
[0070]
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The audio decoder 45 decodes the audio stream which is
input from the demultiplexing unit 42, and outputs the audio
signal obtained as a result to the audio output unit 46.
The audio output unit 46 outputs the audio signal from the
audio decoder 45 to the speaker 32.
[0071]
Thus, the image of AV content is displayed on the
display 31 and the corresponding voice is output from the
speaker 32, so that a program of the selected channel is
viewable. In addition, although the example of Fig. 3 shows
an example in which the reception device 13, the display 31
and speaker 32 are configured separately, the display 31 and
the speaker 32 may be configured integrally with the
reception device 13.
[0072]
The control unit 47 executes a control program which is
stored in advance in the memory 48 to control an operation
of each unit of the reception device 13. The control
program executed by the control unit 47 is stored in advance
in the memory 48. The control program can be updated based
on the digital television broadcast signal or the update
data which is acquired over the Internet 15. Further, the
memory 48 appropriately stores various types of data from
the control unit 47. The operation unit 49 receives various
types of operations from the user and notifies the control
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unit 47 of an operation signal corresponding thereto.
[0073]
Further, the control unit 47 controls the communication
unit 50 to communicate with the device which is connected to
the mesh network 12 or the Internet 15. Further, the
control unit 47 controls the communication unit 50 to
monitor an amount of passing packets by a packet
communication process, and stores information of a total
amount of passing packets regarding the total amount of the
amounts of the passing packets in the memory 48, using the
decrypted common secret key.
[0074]
The control unit 47 decrypts an encryption common
secret key from the demultiplexing unit 42 to control the
communication unit 50, and encrypts communication with
another reception device 13 which is connected to the mesh
network 12.
[0075]
Further, the control unit 47 decrypts the encryption
path information from the demultiplexing unit 42, and when
the reception device 13 of Fig. 3 is not an external
connection reception device, the control unit 47 selects the
path of the mesh network 12 at the time of connection to the
Internet 15, based on the decrypted path information. Then,
along the selected path, the reception device 13 controls
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the communication unit 50 to be connected to the Internet 15
through the external connection reception device according
to the amount of passing packets and to access various
servers. In contrast, when the reception device 13 of Fig.
3 is an external connection reception device, the control
unit 47 controls the communication unit 50 to be directly
connected to the Internet 15 through the access point 14 and
to access various servers.
[0076]
In addition, the detailed configuration of the control
unit 47 will be described later with reference to Fig. 4.
[0077]
The reception device 13 is configured as described
above.
[0078]
[Detailed Configuration Example of Control Unit]
Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration
example of the control unit 47 of Fig. 3.
[0079]
As shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 47 includes a
decryption unit 61, a path selection unit 62, a
communication control unit 63, and a packet monitoring unit
64.
[0080]
The decryption unit 61 decrypts an encryption common
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secret key or encryption path information, which is supplied
from the demultiplexing unit 42, using a common device key
stored in the memory 48. The common secret key or the path
information, which is decrypted by the decryption unit 61,
is stored in the memory 48. In addition, the common device
key is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 of
the reception device 13 at the time of manufacturing in a
factory.
[0081]
When the reception device 13 is not an external
connection reception device, if the reception device 13 is
connected to the Internet 15, the path selection unit 62
selects the path of the mesh network 12 based on the path
information which is stored in the memory 48. The path
selection unit 62 supplies the communication control unit 63
with the selection result of the path. In addition,
although the details will be described later, the path
information stored in the memory 48 is appropriately updated.
[0082]
The communication control unit 63 controls the
communication unit 50 to communicate with devices which are
connected to the mesh network 12 or the Internet 15. Then,
when the reception device 13 is not an external connection
reception device, in response to the selection result of the
path from the path selection unit 62, the communication
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control unit 63 controls the communication unit 50 to be
connected to the Internet 15 through the external connection
reception device according to the amount of passing packets
and to access various servers. Further, when the reception
device 13 is an external connection reception device, the
communication control unit 63 controls the communication
unit 50 to be directly connected to the Internet 15 through
the access point 14 and to access various servers.
[0083]
Further, the communication control unit 63 controls the
communication unit 50 to encrypt communication with other
reception devices 13 that are connected to the mesh network
12, using the common secret key which is stored in the
memory 48.
[0084]
The packet monitoring unit 64 controls the
communication unit 50 to respectively monitor an amount of
passing packets by a packet communication process, and
appropriately updates the information of the total amount of
passing packets regarding the amount of passing packets
which are stored in the memory 48, according to the
monitoring result. This information of the total amount of
passing packet may be appropriately read from the memory 48.
[0085]
The control unit 47 is configured as described above.
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[0086]
In addition, in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, since the reception
devices 13-1 to 13-7 of Fig. 1 have the same configuration,
they have been described collectively as the reception
device 13 and the control unit 47, but in the following
description, if blocks constituting the reception device 13
or the control unit 47 are needed to be distinguished, it is
assumed that description will made by denoting respective
blocks using reference numerals corresponding to the
reception devices 13. Specifically, for example, it is
assumed that the reception device 13-1 is configured by a
tuner 41-1 to a communication unit 50-1, and the control
unit 47-1 is configured by a decryption unit 61-1 to a
packet monitoring unit 64-1.
[0087]
Further, since each function block constituting the
control unit 47 is realized by executing the control program
which is stored in advance in the memory 48, it is assumed
that a program for realizing a function of encrypting a
common secret key by the decryption unit 61 will be
described as "Key Decryption Module" in the following
description of drawings. Further, it is assumed that a
program for realizing a function of encrypting communication
by the communication control unit 63 and a program for
realizing a function of protecting an encrypted session will
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be described as "Key Management Agent" and "Link Protection
Module", respectively. Further, it is assumed that a
program for realizing a monitoring function of amount of
passing packets in the packet monitoring unit 64 will be
described as "Monitoring Agent (MA)".
[0088]
[Configuration Example of Key Server]
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of
the key server 16 of Fig. 1.
[0089]
As shown in Fig. 5, the key server 16 includes a common
secret key generation unit 81, an encryption unit 82, a
common device key storage unit 83, and a communication unit
84.
[0090]
The common secret key generation unit 81 generates a
common secret key so as to be supplied to the encryption
unit 82 or the communication unit 84.
[0091]
The encryption unit 82 encrypts the common secret key
supplied from the common secret key generation unit 81 using
a common device key read from the common device key storage
unit 83 so as to be supplied to the communication unit 84.
In addition, common device key storage unit 83 stores in
advance a common device key corresponding to the common
- 31 -
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device key which has been stored in advance in the memory 48
of the reception device 13.
[0092]
The communication unit 84 transmits an encryption
common secret key supplied from the encryption unit 82 to
the broadcasting device 11. Further, when a common secret
key is supplied from the common secret key generation unit
81, the communication unit 84 transmits the common secret
key to the monitoring server 17.
[0093]
The key server 16 is configured as described above.
[0094]
[Configuration Example of Monitoring Server]
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of
a monitoring server 17 of Fig. 1.
[0095]
As shown in Fig. 6, the monitoring server 17 includes a
communication unit 101, a passing packet amount monitoring
unit 102, a passing packet amount database 103, an account
database 104, a path information generation unit 105, an
encryption unit 106, a communication unit 107, and a billing
processing unit 108.
[0096]
The communication unit 101 receives information of the
total amount of passing packets from the reception devices
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13-1 and 13-7 which are external connection reception
devices over the Internet 15 so as to be supplied to the
passing packet amount monitoring unit 102.
[0097]
The passing packet amount monitoring unit 102
accumulates the information of total amount of passing
packets supplied from the communication unit 101 in the
passing packet amount database 103. The passing packet
amount monitoring unit 102 constantly monitors the amount of
passing packets by the packet communication process in the
reception device 13 by appropriately referring to the
information of total amount of passing packets accumulated
in the passing packet amount database 103. When
distribution of path information is performed, the passing
packet amount monitoring unit 102 reads out the information
of total amount of passing packets accumulated in the
passing packet amount database 103 so as to be supplied to
the path information generation unit 105.
[0098]
In addition, user information regarding users who
subscribe to an internet service provider and a network
service provider is accumulated in the account database 104.
The user information of the account database 104 and the
information of total amount of passing packets at each
reception device 13 of the passing packet amount database
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103 are associated with each other.
[0099]
The path information generation unit 105 generates path
information based on the information of total amount of
passing packets supplied from the passing packet amount
monitoring unit 102 and supplies the generated path
information to the encryption unit 106. Further, the
communication unit 107 receives a common secret key
transmitted from the key server 16 so as to be supplied to
the encryption unit 106.
[0100]
The encryption unit 106 encrypts path information
supplied from the path information generation unit 105,
using the common secret key supplied from the communication
unit 107 so as to be supplied to the communication unit 107.
[0101]
The communication unit 107 transmits the encryption
path information supplied from the encryption unit 106 to
the broadcasting device 11.
[0102]
The billing processing unit 108 reads out the
information of total amount of passing packet of the
reception device 13 used by the user who subscribes to the
internet service provider and the network service provider,
from the passing packet amount database 103, based on the
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user information obtained by referring to the account
database 104. The billing processing unit 108 performs a
billing process for determining a usage fee for the Internet
15 of the user who uses a reception device 13 (for example,
reception device 13-3) other than the external connection
reception device, based on the information of total amount
of passing packets which is read from the passing packet
amount database 103. The billing processing unit 108
supplies the communication unit 101 with usage fee
information regarding the usage fee for the user, which is
determined by the billing process.
[0103]
In addition, the billing process is performed at each
predetermined period such as one month, when the user is
under a contract with, for example, monthly billing.
[0104]
The communication unit 101 transmits the usage fee
information supplied from the billing processing unit 108,
to the reception device 13-1 or 13-7 as the external
connection reception device, over the Internet 15.
[0105]
The monitoring server 17 is configured as described
above.
[0106]
[Infrastructure-connected Mesh Network Service]
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Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of the
infrastructure-connected mesh network service.
[0107]
By the information processing system 1, a network
service provider providing the infrastructure-connected mesh
network service gives an account to the user who receives
the provision of the service. In the example of Fig. 7,
respective accounts are given to the user U1, the user U3,
the user U6, and the user U7, who respectively uses the
reception device 13-1, the reception device 13-3, the
reception device 13-6, and the reception device 13-7.
Further, the user U1 and the user U7 respectively subscribe
to a connection service provided by an internet service
provider. Accordingly, the reception devices 13-1 and 13-7
as the external connection reception device can be connected
to the Internet 15 through the access point 14.
[0108]
The users U3 and U6 do not subscribe to the connection
service of the internet service provider, but subscribe to
the infrastructure-connected mesh network service, so that
the reception devices 13-3 and 13-6 can be connected to the
Internet 15 through the external connection reception device
such as the reception device 13-1 or 13-7 within the mesh
network 12.
[0109]
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Although the users U1 and U7 pay the usage fee
according to the connection service at each predetermined
period to the internet service provider, the users U3 and U6
who do not subscribe to the connection service are not
obliged to pay the usage fee for the connection service
directly to the internet service provider. Thus, in an
infrastructure-connected mesh network service, even the
users U3 and U6 are demanded to have a burden of a usage fee
for a connection service, depending on a connection state by
the reception device 13-3 or 13-6 to the Internet 15 through
the reception device 13-1 or 13-7. Specifically, for
example, a usage fee for the connection service is to be
billed to the user U3 according to the amount of the passing
packets received from the reception device 13-3 and the
passing packets transmitted to the reception device 13-3
among the amount of the passing packets transmitted and
received by the reception device 13-1 in the packet
communication process. Then, for example, all or a portion
of the usage fee paid by the user U3 is to revert to the
user U1 who provides the external connection reception
device.
[0110]
Thus, when there is, for example, enough processing
capacity of the packet communication process of the external
connection reception device, the users U1 and U7 allow the
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reception devices 13 of other users to use a portion of the
processing capacity, and thus a portion of the usage fee
paid to the internet service provider is to revert according
to the frequency of use of the Internet 15 of other users.
In contrast, although the users U3 and U6 are charged to pay
the usage fee according to the frequency of use of the
Internet 15, it is possible to construct a connection
environment to the Internet 15 at a cheaper cost than the
usage fee that the users U3 and U6 should pay when they
subscribe to the connection service of the internet service
provider.
[0111]
Further, in the infrastructure-connected mesh network
service, communication performed between the reception
devices 13 constituting the mesh network 12 is encrypted
using a common secret key, so that secure communication is
realized. The common secret key is broadcasted over a
broadcast distribution network which is different from the
mesh network 12, in other words, the common secret key is
broadcasted from the broadcasting device 11, so that it is
possible to ensure safety of the common secret key.
[0112]
Further, in the infrastructure-connected mesh network
service, when a plurality of external connection reception
devices are present in the mesh network 12, path information
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indicating which path is to be selected is provided to the
reception device 13. For example, as shown in Fig. 7,
although the reception device 13-3 can select a path  for
selecting the reception device 13-1 as the external
connection reception device and a path  for selecting the
reception device 13-7 as the external connection reception
device, it is preferable that a path passing through an
external connection reception device having a small amount
of passing packets by the packet communication process be
selected. In other words, for example, if the path at the
time of connection of the reception device 13-3 to the
Internet 15 is fixed to the path , the amount of passing
packets of the reception device 13-1 is increased compared
to the amount of passing packets of the reception device 13-
7, and the usage fee of the user U3 to revert to the users
U1 and the user U7 is not distributed fairly. Further, even
when the path of the reception device 13-6 is fixed to the
path  for selecting the reception device 13-7 as the
external connection reception device, the usage fee of the
user U6 that reverts to the user U1 and the user U7 is not
distributed fairly.
[0113]
Therefore, in the infrastructure-connected mesh network
service, path information for selecting a path according to
the amount of passing packets of the external connection
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reception device is provided to the reception device 13, for
example, the path  or the path  is selected by the
reception device 13-3, so that a bias does not occur in the
amount of passing packets of the external connection
reception device. As a result, the usage fee to revert to
the user of the external connection reception device is
distributed fairly, so that it is possible to equalize a
burden of a usage fee of a connection service to the
external network. Further, the path information is
broadcasted over a broadcast distribution network which is
different from the mesh network 12, in other words, the path
information is broadcasted from the broadcasting device 11,
so that it is possible to ensure safety of path information.
[0114]
In addition, although there is a method of notifying
the reception devices 13 constituting the mesh network 12 of
the reception device 13 which is the external connection
reception device, it is possible to adopt, for example, a
method shown below. In other words, in the example of Fig.
7, the reception device 13-1 notifies the adjacent reception
device 13-2 of the fact that it is the external connection
reception device. The reception device 13-2 notifies the
reception device 13-3 of the fact that the connection to the
reception device 13-1 which is the external connection
reception device is possible through itself. In the same
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manner, the reception device 13-7 notifies of the adjacent
reception device 13-5 of the fact that it is the external
connection reception device. The reception device 13-5
notifies the reception devices 13-4 and 13-6 of the fact
that the connection to the reception device 13-7 which is
the external connection reception device is possible through
itself. The reception device 13-4 notifies the fact that
the connection to the reception device 13-7 which is the
external connection reception device is possible through
itself and the reception device 13-5. Thus, the reception
device 13-3 can recognize the path  or the path  as the
path for connection to the Internet 15.
[0115]
The services described above are provided in the
infrastructure-connected mesh network service. In the
following description, contents of more specific services
will be described.
[0116]
[Packet Transmission Process]
First, a packet transmission process performed among
the plurality of reception devices 13 constituting the mesh
network 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart
of Fig. 8. In addition, Fig. 8 describes as an example, a
case in which the reception device 13-3 is connected to the
Internet 15 from the reception device 13-1 which is the
- 41 -
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external connection reception device through the path  of
Fig. 7.
[0117]
When the user U1 operates the browser to instruct a
website browsing ("Yes" in S21), the communication control
unit 63-1 controls the communication unit 50-1, and the
reception device 13-1 is connected to the Internet 15
through the access point 14-1. Then, the communication
control unit 63-1 transmits a request to the web server 18
over the Internet 15, and receives a web page in response to
the request (S22). Thus, a desired web page according to
the operation of the user U1 is displayed on the browser on
the display 31-1.
[0118]
In step S23, the packet monitoring unit 64-1 updates
information of total amount of passing packet which is
stored in the memory 48-1, according to the amount of
passing packets which are transmitted and received in a
series of packet communication processes in the website
browsing by the user U1.
[0119]
As described above, the reception device 13-1 which is
an external connection reception device is directly
connected to the Internet 15 and is able to receive a
desired web page. In contrast, the reception device 13-3
- 42 -
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which is not the external connection reception device is
connected to the Internet 15 through the external connection
reception device.
[0120]
In step S1, the control unit 47-3 determines whether or
not a website browsing is instructed by the user U3
operating the browser, based on an operation signal from the
operation unit 49-3.
[0121]
In step S1, when it is determined that the website
browsing is instructed, the process proceeds to step S2. In
step S2, the communication control unit 63-3 controls the
communication unit 50-3 to transmit a request for the
desired web page to the reception device 13-2, according to
the path  which is selected from the path information
stored in the memory 48-3 (S3).
[0122]
In the reception device 13-2, if the request is
transmitted from the adjacent reception device 13-3 ("Yes"
in S11), the communication control unit 63-2 controls the
communication unit 50-2 to receive the request from the
adjacent reception device 13-3 (S12). The communication
control unit 63-2 controls the communication unit 50-2 to
transmit the received request to the reception device 13-1
(S13).
- 43 -
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[0123]
In the reception device 13-1, if the request is
transmitted from the adjacent reception device 13-2 ("Yes"
in S24), the communication control unit 63-1 controls the
communication unit 50-1 to receive the request from the
adjacent reception device 13-2 (S25). The communication
control unit 63-1 controls the communication unit 50-1 to be
connected to the Internet 15 through the access point 14-1.
Then, communication control unit 63-1 transmits the request
to the web server 18 over the Internet 15, and receives the
web page according to the request (S26).
[0124]
In step S27, the communication control unit 63-1
controls the communication unit 50-1 to transmit the
received web page to the reception device 13-2. Further, in
step S28, the packet monitoring unit 64-1 updates the
information of total amount of passing packet which is
stored in the memory 48-1, according to an amount of passing
packets which are transmitted and received in a series of
packet communication processes in the website browsing by
the user U3.
[0125]
In the reception device 13-2, if the web page is
transmitted from the reception device 13-1, the
communication control unit 63-2 controls the communication
- 44 -
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unit 50-2 to receive the web page (S14) and to transmit the
web page to the reception device 13-3 (S15). Further, in
step S16, the packet monitoring unit 64-2 updates the
information of total amount of passing packets, which is
stored in the memory 48-2, according to an amount of passing
packets which are transmitted and received in a series of
packet communication processes in the website browsing by
the user U3.
[0126]
In the reception device 13-3, if the web page is
transmitted from the reception device 13-2, the
communication control unit 63-2 controls the communication
unit 50-2 to receive the web page (S4). Thus, the desired
web page according to the operation of the user U3 is
displayed on the browser on the display 31-3. Further, in
step S5, the packet monitoring unit 64-3 updates the
information of total amount of passing packet which is
stored in the memory 48-3, according to an amount of passing
packets which are transmitted and received in a series of
packet communication processes in the website browsing by
the user U3.
[0127]
As described above, while the reception device 13-1 of
the user U1 who subscribes to the connection service of an
internet service provider is directly connected to the
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Internet 15, the reception device 13-3 of the user U3 who
does not subscribe to the connection service of an internet
service provider is connected to the Internet 15 through the
reception device 13-1, and obtains a web page from the web
server 18. Further, at this time, in each reception device
13, the amount of passing packets which have been
transmitted and received in the packet communication process
is held as information of total amount of passing packets.
The information of total amount of passing packets, which is
held in each reception device 13, is used in the path
information distribution process and the billing process
which will be described later.
[0128]
[Common Secret Key Distribution]
Next, a common secret key distribution will be
described with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 12. Fig. 9 is a
diagram showing an outline of the common secret key
distribution.
[0129]
As described above, in the information processing
system 1, communication performed between the reception
devices 13 constituting the mesh network 12 is encrypted
using a secret key which is broadcasted from the
broadcasting device 11 to realize secure communication.
[0130]
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As shown in Fig. 9, in the key server 16, the
encryption unit 82 encrypts a common secret key using the
common device key, and the communication unit 84 transmits
the encryption common secret key to the broadcasting device
11. The broadcasting device 11 distributes the encryption
common secret key from the key server 16 over a broadcast.
A distribution time of the encryption common secret key is
set to, for example, a predetermined time interval such as
an interval of a few seconds, an interval of a few minutes,
an interval of a few hours, and an interval of a few days.
[0131]
The reception devices 13-1 to 13-3 respectively receive
encryption common secret keys from the broadcasting device
11. In the reception devices 13-1 to 13-3, the encryption
common secret key distributed from the broadcasting device
11 is decrypted by the decryption unit 61 using the common
device key. Thus, the reception devices 13-1 to 13-3
respectively obtain common secret keys. Then, if the
communication unit 50 establishes mutual wireless
communication with another reception device 13 according to
the control of the communication control unit 63, the
reception devices 13-1 to 13-3 perform an authentication by
the obtained common secret key and encrypt the wireless
communication.
[0132]
- 47 -
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In this manner, although the encrypted communication
using a common secret key is performed in the mesh network
12, the common secret key is distributed over a broadcast
distribution network which is different from the mesh
network 12 or the Internet 15, in other words, the common
secret key is distributed by a broadcast, so that it is
possible to ensure safety in the distribution of the common
secret key. Further, if the size of the group of the
reception devices 13 constituting the mesh network 12
becomes significantly large, the cost for sharing the secret
key is increased, but if the common secret key is
distributed by a broadcast, the common secret key can be
distributed regardless of the size of the group, so that it
is possible to reduce the cost for sharing the secret key.
[0133]
In addition, although the encrypted communication which
is performed in the reception devices 13-1 to 13-3 among the
reception devices 13-1 to 13-7 constituting the mesh network
12 is described as an example in the description of Fig. 9
in order to simplify the description, the same encrypted
communication is performed in the other reception devices 13.
[0134]
[Common Secret Key Distribution Process Using Broadcast]
Next, the common secret key distribution will be
described more specifically. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing
- 48 -
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a common secret key distribution process using a broadcast.
[0135]
The key server 16 transmits the generated common secret
key to the broadcasting device 11 by repeatedly performing
the process of steps S51 to S53 on a regular basis.
Specifically, in step S51, the common secret key generation
unit 81 generates a common secret key. In step S52, the
encryption unit 82 encrypts the common secret key generated
by the common secret key generation unit 81 using the common
device key which is read from the common device key storage
unit 83. In step S53, the communication unit 84 transmits
the encryption common secret key which is encrypted by the
encryption unit 82, to the broadcasting device 11.
[0136]
If the encryption common secret key is transmitted from
the key server 16, the broadcasting device 11 distributes
the encryption common secret key by a broadcast by
performing the process of step S61 to S63. Specifically, in
step S61, the communication unit 25 receives the encryption
common secret key from the key server 16. In step S62, the
multiplexing unit 23 multiplexes the encryption common
secret key received from the communication unit 25 into a
video stream and an audio stream according to the control of
the control unit 26. In step S63, the transmission unit 24
transmits the multiplexed stream from the multiplexing unit
- 49 -
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23, as a digital television broadcast signal.
[0137]
If the digital television broadcast signal is
transmitted from the broadcasting device 11, the reception
device 13 obtains the common secret key by performing the
process of step S71 to S73 and encrypts wireless
communication by performing an authentication by the common
secret key when wireless communication is established with
other reception devices 13 constituting the mesh network 12.
[0138]
Specifically, in step S71, the tuner 41 receives the
digital television broadcast signal from the broadcasting
device 11 through an antenna. In step S72, the decryption
unit 61 decrypts the encryption common secret key obtained
from the digital television broadcast signal, using the
common device key stored in the memory 48. In step S73, the
communication control unit 63 encrypts wireless
communication by performing an authentication by the common
secret key decrypted by the decryption unit 61, when
wireless communication is established with other reception
devices 13.
[0139]
Hitherto, the common secret key distribution process
has been described.
[0140]
- 50 -
SP314370
[Session Protection Using Common Secret Key]
Next, the encrypted communication performed between the
reception devices 13 will be described more specifically.
Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are sequence diagrams showing an outline
of a session protection using a common secret key.
[0141]
As shown in Fig. 11, when the reception device 13-1 as
an external connection reception device and the reception
device 13-2 perform an encrypted communication, if the
reception device 13-2 transmits a probe request, in response
thereto, the reception device 13-1 returns a probe response
(S101). Further, the reception device 13-1 and the
reception device 13-2 perform a challenge authentication
(S102), and when the authentication is successful, a session
key which is enabled in the session is generated and shared
(S103). Thus, from when an encryption session is started
until the session is ended, in the reception device 13-1 and
the reception device 13-2, a session key is used at the time
of exchanging messages (S104). Thus, the session is
protected. Further, as described above, the session key
used in the encryption session is updated on a regular basis
by the common secret key which is distributed on a regular
basis by the common secret key distribution process of Fig.
10.
[0142]
- 51 -
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Further, as shown in Fig. 12, it is assumed that a
plurality of external connection reception devices are
present among a plurality of reception devices 13
constituting the mesh network 12, and the external
connection reception devices behave as normal reception
devices 13 or external connection reception devices. In the
example of Fig. 12, the reception device 13-A operates as a
normal reception device 13 for the reception device 13-B.
Further, the reception device 13-B operates as an external
connection reception device for the reception device 13-A,
and operates as a normal reception device 13 for the
reception device 13-C. Further, the reception device 13-C
operates as the external connection reception device for the
reception device 13-B.
[0143]
In this case, in the reception device 13-A and the
reception device 13-B, similar to Fig. 11, a probe request
and a probe response are exchanged (S111), a challenge
authentication is performed (S112), and when the challenge
authentication is successful, a session key A which is valid
in the session of these reception devices is generated and
shared (S113). In contrast, even in the reception device
13-B and the reception device 13-C, similar to Fig. 11, a
probe request and a probe response are exchanged (S121), a
challenge authentication is performed (S122), and when the
- 52 -
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challenge authentication is successful, a session key B
which is enabled in the session of these reception devices
is generated and shared (S123). Thus, an encryption session
is started in each of a pair of the reception device 13-A
and the reception device 13-B, and a pair of the reception
device 13-B and the reception device 13-C, the session keys
are used at the time of exchanging messages, and thus each
session is protected (S114 and S124). Further, similar to
Fig. 11, the session key used in each encryption session is
updated on a regular basis by a common secret key which is
distributed by the common secret key distribution process of
Fig. 10 on a regular basis.
[0144]
As described above, the common secret key, which is
used in the encrypted communication performed between the
reception devices 13 constituting the mesh network 12, is
distributed over a broadcast, without passing through the
mesh network 12 or the Internet 15 in which there is a
concern of falsification of the common secret key, so that
it is possible to improve safety at the time of distribution
of the common secret key.
[0145]
[Path Information Distribution]
Next, the path information distribution will be
described with reference to Fig. 13 to Fig. 15.
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[0146]
As described above, in the information processing
system 1, path information for selecting a path according to
an amount of passing packets of the external connection
reception devices constituting the mesh network 12 is
provided to the reception device 13, so that the user fee
which reverts to the user who subscribes to the connection
service is fair. The path information is distributed over a
broadcast in order to secure safety, but it is generated
based on the information of total amount of passing packets
accumulated in each reception device 13. In other words,
each of the reception devices 13 constituting the mesh
network 12 reports the information of total amount of its
own passing packets to the monitoring server 17 through the
Internet 15, the monitoring server 17 can generate path
information or can perform a billing process for determining
usage fee for the Internet 15 for the reception device 13.
[0147]
Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of a reporting
process of information of total amount of passing packets.
[0148]
As shown in Fig. 13, the packet monitoring units 64-1
to 64-7 of the reception devices 13-1 to 13-7 are connected
to the Internet 15 through the external connection reception
devices, and transmit each piece of information of total
- 54 -
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amount of passing packets to the monitoring server 17.
Specifically, the reception device 13-3 transmits
information of total amount of passing packets to the
adjacent reception devices 13-2 and 13-4. The reception
device 13-2 transmits information of total amount of passing
packets of the reception device 13-3 in addition to the
information of total amount of its own passing packets, to
the reception device 13-1. The reception device 13-1
transmits information of total amount of passing packets of
the reception devices 13-2 and 13-3 in addition to the
information of total amount of its own passing packets, to
the monitoring server 17 over the Internet 15.
[0149]
Further, the reception device 13-4 transmits
information of total amount of passing packets of the
reception device 13-3 in addition to the information of
total amount of its own passing packets, to the reception
device 13-5. The reception device 13-5 transmits
information of total amount of passing packets of the
reception devices 13-3 and 13-4 in addition to the
information of total amount of its own passing packets, to
reception device 13-7. The reception device 13-7 transmits
information of total amount of passing packets of the
reception devices 13-3 to 13-5 in addition to information of
total amount of its own passing packets, to the monitoring
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server 17 over the Internet 15.
[0150]
Thus, the monitoring server 17 can accumulate the
information of total amount of passing packets of the
reception devices 13 constituting the mesh network 12 in the
passing packet amount database 103. Then, the monitoring
server 17 generates path information based on the
information of total amount of passing packets accumulated
in the passing packet amount database 103.
[0151]
[Path Information Distribution Process Using Broadcast]
Next, the path information distribution process using a
broadcast will be described with reference to the flowchart
of Fig. 14.
[0152]
The packet monitoring unit 64 of the external
connection reception device such as the reception devices
13-1 and 13-7 controls the communication unit 50 to transmit
the information of total amount of passing packet stored in
the memory 48 to the monitoring server 17 over the Internet
15 (S151-1, S151-2, ). Further, the key server 16
transmits a common secret key generated by repeatedly
performing the process of step S161 and S162 on a regular
basis, to the monitoring server 17. In addition, the secret
key which is generated here is the same as the secret key
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which is generated in step S51 of Fig. 10.
[0153]
If information of total amount of passing packets is
transmitted from a plurality of external connection
reception devices, the monitoring server 17 transmits
encryption path information to the broadcasting device 11 by
performing the process of steps S171 to S175. Specifically,
in step S171, the communication unit 101 receives the
information of total amount of passing packets from the
plurality of external connection reception devices. The
received information of total amount of passing packets is
accumulated in the passing packet amount database 103 by the
passing packet amount monitoring unit 102. In step S172,
the path information generation unit 105 generates path
information based on the information of total amount of
passing packets, which is read from the passing packet
amount database 103 by the passing packet amount monitoring
unit 102.
[0154]
Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of path
information.
[0155]
As shown in Fig. 15, information of total amount of
passing packets of the external connection reception devices
such as the reception devices 13-1 and 13-7 is described in
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the path information. In the example of Fig. 15, as path
information, information AX, AY, and AZ of total amount of
passing packets of the external connection reception devices
such as the reception devices 13-X to 13-Z (not shown) is
described, in addition to information A1 and A7 of total
amount of passing packets of the reception devices 13-1 to
13-7.
[0156]
Returning to the flowchart of Fig. 14, in step S173,
the communication unit 107 receives the common secret key
from the key server 16. In step S174, the encryption unit
106 encrypts the path information generated by the path
information generation unit 105, using the common secret key
received by the communication unit 107. In step S175, the
communication unit 107 transmits the encryption path
information which is encrypted by the encryption unit 106,
to the broadcasting device 11.
[0157]
If the encryption path information is transmitted from
the key server 16, the broadcasting device 11 distributes
the encryption path information by a broadcast by performing
the process of steps S181 to S183. In steps S181 to S183,
similar to steps S61 to S63 of Fig. 10, the encryption path
information from the key server 16 is multiplexed into a
video stream and an audio stream, and transmitted as a
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digital television broadcast signal. In addition, although
the digital television broadcast signal is received by all
the reception devices 13 constituting the mesh network 12,
in the description of Fig. 14, the reception device 13-3
will be described as a representative in order to simplify
the description.
[0158]
If the digital television broadcast signal is
transmitted from the broadcasting device 11, the reception
device 13-3 obtains new path information by performing the
process of steps S191 to S198, but if connection to the
Internet 15 is made, a path is selected according to the
path information.
[0159]
Specifically, in steps S191 and S192, similar to steps
S71 and S72 of Fig. 10, a digital television broadcast
signal from the broadcasting device 11 is received by a
tuner 41-3, and the path information obtained from the
digital television broadcast signal is decrypted by the
decryption unit 61-3 using the common device key. In step
S193, the path selection unit 62-3 performs a filtering
process on the decrypted path information. In the filtering
process, only information about the external connection
reception device to which the reception device 13-3 is
reachable is extracted. For example, when the reception
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device 13-3 obtains path information of Fig. 15, the
external connection reception device to which the reception
device 13-3 is reachable is only the reception devices 13-1
and 13-7, so that the information AX to AZ of total amount of
passing packets of the other reception devices 13-X to 13-Z
is excluded from path information.
[0160]
In addition, although a determination is made as to
whether or not the reception device 13 is a reachable
external connection reception device, the path selection
unit 62-3 may determine that the external connection
reception device which is recognized in advance as a
connectable external connection reception device is
reachable, based on, for example, the notification from the
adjacent reception device 13, and may determine that the
other external connection reception devices are unreachable.
[0161]
If the filtering process is ended, the process proceeds
to step S194. In step S194, the path selection unit 62-3
stores the path information which is subjected to the
filtering process of step S193 in the memory 48-3 to update
the path information.
[0162]
In the reception device 13-3, when the user U3 operates
the browser to instruct a website browsing ("Yes" in S195),
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in step S196, the path selection unit 62-3 selects a path
passing through an external connection reception device
having a small amount of passing packets, based on the path
information stored in the memory 48-3. Specifically, when
the path information of Fig. 15 is stored in the memory 48-3,
the path selection unit 62-3 selects an external connection
reception device having a small amount of passing packets,
according to the information of total amount of passing
packets of the reception devices 13-1 and 13-7, which is
extracted by the filtering process of step S193. For
example, when the amount of passing packets of the reception
device 13-7 is smaller than the amount of passing packets of
the reception device 13-1, the communication control unit
63-3 controls the communication unit 50-3 to transmit a
request by a path  (Fig. 7) (S197). Then, as described in
Fig. 8, the request transmitted from the reception device
13-3 reaches the reception device 13-7 through the reception
devices 13-4 and 13-5.
[0163]
The reception device 13-7 is connected to the Internet
15 through the access point 14-2 and transmits the request
from the reception device 13-3 to a web server 18 over the
Internet 15 to receive a web page according to the request.
The reception device 13-7 transmits the web page received
from the web server 18 to the reception device 13-3 through
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the reception devices 13-5 and 13-4. Thus, the reception
device 13-3 receives the web page obtained by the reception
device 13-7 accessing the web server 18 over the Internet 15
(S198), and a desired web page is displayed on the browser
on the display 31-3 in response to the operation of the user
U3.
[0164]
As described above, since the path connected to the
Internet 15 from the external connection reception device
having a small amount of passing packets is selected as the
path of the reception device 13 constituting the mesh
network 12, averaging the amount of passing packets passing
through the external connection reception device enables a
fair distribution of the usage fees of other users which are
to revert to the user of the external connection reception
device. As a result, it is possible to maintain fairness of
a usage fee burden for a connection service of an internet
service provider with respect to the user who subscribes to
the infrastructure-connected mesh network service.
[0165]
Further, although the reception devices 13 constituting
the mesh network 12 perform communication along the path
based on path information, the path information is
distributed over a broadcast distribution network which is
different from the mesh network 12 or the Internet 15, in
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other words, the path information is distributed by a
broadcast, so that it is possible to ensure safety in the
distribution of the path information. In addition, when the
path information is distributed using the mesh network 12,
if the traffic of the mesh network 12 is increased,
congestion occurs to delay the update of path information,
and thus it is considered that the reliability of the
information of total amount of passing packets included in
the path information is reduced. In contrast, when the path
information is distributed over a broadcast, the update of
the path information is not delayed, so that it is possible
to maintain the reliability of the path information.
[0166]
[Billing Process for Reception Device]
Next, a billing process for determining a usage fee for
the Internet 15 for the reception device 13 will be
described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 16.
[0167]
In the reception device 13-3, the packet monitoring
unit 64-3 determines whether or not a predetermined period
such as one month of the case where the user U3 is under
contract with, for example, monthly billing has elapsed
(S201). The packet monitoring unit 64-3 waits for the
elapse of a predetermined period such as one month, and
reads and acquires the information of total amount of
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passing packets stored in the memory 48-3 (S202). In step
S203, the communication control unit 63-3 controls the
communication unit 50-3 to transmit the information of total
amount of passing packets, to the reception device 13-2
(S203).
[0168]
If the information of total amount of passing packets
is transmitted from the reception device 13-3, the reception
device 13-2 transmits the information of total amount of
passing packets from the reception device 13-3, to the
reception device 13-1 by performing the process of steps
S211 and S212. The process of steps S211 and S212 is the
same as the process of steps S12 and S13 of Fig. 8.
[0169]
If the information of total amount of passing packets
is transmitted from the reception device 13-2, the reception
device 13-1 transmits the information of total amount of
passing packets from the reception device 13-2 and
information of total amount of its own passing packets to
the monitoring server 17 over the Internet 15, by performing
the process of steps S221 to S223. The process of steps
S221 to S223 is the same as the process of steps S25 and S26
of Fig. 8.
[0170]
If the information of total amount of passing packets
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is transmitted from the reception device 13-1, the
monitoring server 17 determines a usage fee for the Internet
15 for the reception device 13-3 by performing the process
of steps S231 to S234. Specifically, in step S231, the
communication unit 101 receives the information of total
amount of passing packets from the reception device 13-1.
In step S232, the passing packet amount monitoring unit 102
accumulates information of total amount of passing packets
of the reception device 13-1 and the reception device 13-3,
which is received by the communication unit 101, in the
passing packet amount database 103.
[0171]
In step S233, the billing processing unit 108 performs
a billing process for a predetermined period, with reference
to the passing packet amount database 103 and the account
database 104. Specifically, the billing processing unit 108
reads out the information of total amount of passing packets
of the reception device 13-1 used by the user U1 and the
information of total amount of passing packets of the
reception device 13-3 used by the user U3, from the passing
packet amount database 103, based on the user information
obtained with reference to the account database 104. Then,
the billing processing unit 108 performs a billing process
for determining a usage fee of the user U3 for the Internet
15, based on the information of total amount of passing
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packets, which is read from the passing packet amount
database 103.
[0172]
Here, the user U1 subscribes to the connection service
of the internet service provider and the infrastructureconnected
mesh network service of network service provider,
and the user U3 subscribes only to the infrastructureconnected
mesh network service. For example, in the billing
process, a ratio of the amount of passing packets indicating
the information of total amount of passing packets of the
reception device 13-3 with respect to the amount of passing
packets indicating the information of total amount of
passing packets of the reception device 13-1 is obtained,
and the usage fee for the connection service of the internet
service provider according to the ratio is determined as the
usage fee for the user U3.
[0173]
In step S234, the communication unit 101 transmits the
usage fee information which is determined by the billing
process by the billing processing unit 108 to the reception
device 13-1 over the Internet 15.
[0174]
If the usage fee information is transmitted from the
monitoring server 17, the reception device 13-1 receives the
usage fee information from the monitoring server 17 by
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performing steps S224 and S225 so as to be transmitted to
the reception device 13-2. The process of steps S224 and
S225 is the same as the process of steps S26 and S27 of Fig.
8.
[0175]
If the usage fee information is transmitted from the
reception device 13-1, the reception device 13-2 receives
the usage fee information from the reception device 13-1 by
performing the process of steps S213 and S214 so as to be
transmitted to the reception device 13-3. The process of
steps S213 and S214 is the same as the process of steps S14
and S15 of Fig. 8.
[0176]
If the usage fee information is transmitted from the
reception device 13-2, the reception device 13-3 receives
the usage fee information from the reception device 13-2 in
step S204. Thus, the user U3 can confirm the usage fee to
be paid to the network service provider to which the user U3
subscribes.
[0177]
As described above, for example, a path for the
connection of the reception device 13-3 to the Internet 15
is not fixed and dynamically changed depending on the
amounts of passing packets of the reception device 13-1 and
the reception device 13-7 which are external connection
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reception devices, it is possible to avoid the connection
from the reception device 13-3 from biasing to one external
connection reception device. As a result, it is possible to
distribute a usage fee for user U3 which is to revert to the
user U1 and user U7. Further, although the user U3 pays the
usage fee according to the amount of passing packets of the
reception device 13-3 with respect to the amount of passing
packets of the external connection reception device, it is
possible to construct a connection environment to the
Internet 15 with a cheaper usage fee compared to a case
where the user himself or herself subscribes to the internet
service provider.
[0178]
In addition, although the path information distribution
using a broadcast is described in the description described
above, if a band within the mesh network 12 can be ensured
reliably, a path information distribution may be performed
using the mesh network 12. For example, since each of the
plurality of reception devices 13 constituting the mesh
network 12 transmits the information of total amount of
passing packets to the adjacent reception device 13, path
information can be distributed. Specifically, the reception
device 13-1 transmits the information of total amount of its
own passing packets to the adjacent reception device 13-2.
The reception device 13-2 transmits the information of total
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amount of passing packets of the reception device 13-1 in
addition to the information of total amount of its own
passing packets to the adjacent reception device 13-3. Thus,
as shown in Fig. 17, the reception device 13-3 can obtain
the information A1 and A2 of total amount of passing packets
of the reception devices 13-1 and 13-2. In addition, in a
similar manner, each of the reception devices 13-4, 13-5,
and 13-7 transmits the information of total amount of
passing packets to the adjacent reception device 13, so that
the reception device 13-3 can obtain the information A4, A5,
and A7 of total amount of passing packets of the reception
devices 13-4, 13-5, and 13-7. Then, the reception device
13-3 may select a path passing through an external
connection reception device having a small amount of passing
packets, using the obtained information of total amount of
passing packets.
[0179]
Further, although a case in which the information of
total amount of passing packets is distributed as path
information is described in the description above, it is
possible to distribute, for example, path information
adopting another policy, such as improving reliability of
the mesh network 12 by selecting preferentially the external
connection reception device which is energized constantly
and operated stably. In order to preferentially select the
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external connection reception device which is operated
stably, for example, the key server 16 may constantly
monitor a routing module which is mounted in the external
connection reception device and distribute path information
for selecting a path including an external connection
reception device having a routing module which is likely to
be constantly energized.
[0180]
Further, although the common key encryption scheme is
described as an encryption scheme in the description
described above, for example, other encryption schemes such
as a public key encryption scheme may be employed. However,
when the secret key is distributed using a broadcast, the
possibility is extremely small in which the secret key is
changed during distribution or information is stolen by
someone, the common key encryption scheme is employed, so
that it is possible to speed up the process executed by each
reception device 13, as compared to, for example, a public
key encryption scheme.
[0181]
[Description of Computer Adopting the Present Technology]
A series of processes described above may be executed
by hardware, or may be executed by software. When the
series of processes are executed by software, programs
constituting the software are installed in a computer.
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Herein, the computer includes a computer built in dedicated
hardware, for example, a general personal computer capable
of executing various types of functions by various types of
program being installed, or the like.
[0182]
Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration
example of hardware of a computer executing a series of
processes described above by a program.
[0183]
In the computer 200, a Central Processing Unit (CPU)
201, a Read Only Memory (ROM) 202, and a Random Access
Memory (RAM) 203 are mutually connected by a bus 204.
[0184]
An input and output interface 205 is connected to the
bus 204. An input unit 206, an output unit 207, a storage
unit 208, a communication unit 209, and a drive 210 are
connected to the input and output interface 205.
[0185]
The input unit 206 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a
microphone, and the like. The output unit 207 includes a
display, a speaker, and the like. The storage unit 208
includes a hard disk, a nonvolatile memory, and the like. A
communication unit 209 includes a network interface, and the
like. The drive 210 drives a removable medium 211 such as a
magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk.
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[0186]
In a computer 200 which is configured as described
above, the CPU201 loads onto a RAM 203 and performs, for
example, a program stored in a storage unit 208 through an
input and output interface 205 and a bus 204 so as to
perform a series of processes described above.
[0187]
The program executed by the computer 200 (CPU 201) may
be provided by being recorded in a removable medium 211, for
example, as a package media. Further, the program may be
provided through a wired or wireless transmission medium
such as a local area network, the Internet, and a digital
satellite broadcast.
[0188]
In the computer 200, the program may be installed in
the storage unit 208 through the input and output interface
205, by mounting the removable medium 211 in the drive 210.
Further, the program is received in the communication unit
209 through a wired or wireless transmission medium, and
installed in the storage unit 208. In addition, the program
may be installed in advance in the ROM 202 or the storage
unit 208.
[0189]
In addition, the program executed by the computer 200
may be a program in which process is executed in a temporal
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sequence along the order described in the present
specification, or a program in which process is executed in
parallel, or at a necessary timing such as a time when is
called.
[0190]
Here, in the present specification, process steps
describing a program for executing various processes in the
computer 200 are not necessarily needed to be processed in a
temporal sequence along the order described in the flowchart,
but include a process which is executed in parallel or
separately (for example, a parallel process or a process by
an object).
[0191]
Further, a program may be processed by a single
computer, or may be shared and processed by a plurality of
computers. Further, a program may be one that is
transmitted to and executed in a remote computer.
[0192]
Further, in the present specification, the system means
a set of a plurality of configuration components (devices,
modules (products), and the like), and it does not matter
whether all configuration components are in the same housing.
Accordingly, both a plurality of devices each of which is
housed in a separate housing and which are connected over a
network and a single device in which a plurality of modules
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are housed in a single housing are systems.
[0193]
In addition, the embodiments of the present technology
are not limited to the embodiments described above, but may
be modified in various ways without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present technology.
[0194]
For example, the present technology may adopt a
configuration of a cloud computing in which one function is
shared and is processed in a collaborative manner by a
plurality of devices over a network.
[0195]
Further, each step described in the above flowcharts
may be shared and performed by a plurality of devices, as
well as performed in a single device.
[0196]
Further, when the plurality of processes are included
in one step, the plurality of processes included in the one
step may be shared and performed by a plurality of devices,
as well as performed in a single device.
[0197]
In addition, the present technology may have the
following configurations.
[0198]
(1)
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A reception device, each of a plurality of the
reception devices being connected by an internal network,
the device including:
a reception unit that receives path information, which
is transmitted over a broadcast network, for selecting a
path of the internal network according to an amount of
passing packets by a packet communication process in an
external connection reception device which is connectable to
an external network among the plurality of reception
devices;
a selection unit that selects the path at the time of
connection to the external network, based on the received
path information; and
a communication unit that performs communication by
being connected to the external network through an external
connection reception device according to the amount of
passing packets, along the selected path.
(2)
The reception device according to (1),
in which the selection unit selects the path passing
through an external connection reception device having the
smallest amount of passing packets, among the plurality of
the external connection reception devices, based on the
received path information.
(3)
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The reception device according to (1) or (2),
in which the path information includes information of
total amount of passing packets regarding a total amount of
passing packets for respective external connection reception
devices by the packet communication process.
(4)
The reception device according to (3),
in which when the reception device is the external
connection reception device, the communication unit
transmits the information of total amount of its own passing
packets, over the external network, to an information
processing device which manages the information of total
amount of passing packets for respective external connection
reception devices.
(5)
The reception device according to (4),
in which the reception unit receives the path
information which is transmitted over the broadcast network
based on the information of total amount of passing packets
which is managed in the information processing device.
(6)
The reception device according to (4) or (5),
in which when the reception device is not the external
connection reception device, the communication unit
transmits the information of total amount of its own passing
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packets to the information processing device through the
external connection reception device over the external
network at each predetermined period, and
in which the information processing device determines a
usage fee for the external network for the reception device,
based on the information of total amount of passing packets
of the external connection reception device and the
reception device.
(7)
The reception device according to any one of (1) to (6),
in which the reception unit receives a first secret key,
which is transmitted over the broadcast network on a regular
basis, for encrypting communication performed between the
plurality of reception devices which are connected to the
internal network, and
in which the communication unit encrypts communication
with another reception device connected to the internal
network, using the received first secret key.
(8)
The reception device according to (7),
in which the first secret key is encrypted by a common
key encryption scheme, and
in which the communication unit encrypts communication
with another reception device, using the first secret key
obtained through decoding by a second secret key which is
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used in encryption of the first secret key.
(9)
The reception device according to any one of (1) to (8),
in which the reception unit receives AV content which
is transmitted over the broadcast network.
(10)
The reception device according to any one of (1) to (9),
in which the internal network is a mesh network or an
ad hoc network, and
in which the external network is the Internet.
(11)
A reception method of each of a plurality of reception
devices being connected by an internal network, the
reception method causing each reception device to perform
steps of:
receiving path information, which is transmitted over a
broadcast network, for selecting a path of the internal
network according to an amount of passing packets by a
packet communication process in an external connection
reception device which is connectable to an external network
among the plurality of reception devices;
selecting the path at the time of connection to the
external network, based on the received path information;
and
performing communication by being connected to the
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external network through an external connection reception
device according to the amount of passing packets, along the
selected path.
(12)
A program causing a computer to function as:
a reception unit that receives path information, which
is transmitted over a broadcast network, for selecting a
path of the internal network according to an amount of
passing packets by a packet communication process in an
external connection reception device which is connectable to
an external network among the plurality of reception devices
being connected by an internal network;
a selection unit that selects the path at the time of
connection to the external network, based on the received
path information; and
a communication unit that performs communication by
being connected to the external network through an external
connection reception device according to the amount of
passing packets, along the selected path.
(13)
An information processing system comprising a plurality
of reception devices connected by an internal network, an
external connection reception device which is connectable to
an external network among the plurality of reception devices,
and a broadcasting device which broadcasts AV content,
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in which each reception device includes:
receiving path information, which is transmitted from
the broadcasting device over a broadcast network, for
selecting a path of the internal network according to an
amount of passing packets by a packet communication process
in the external connection reception device;
a selection unit that selects the path at the time of
connection to the external network, based on the received
path information; and
a communication unit that performs communication by
being connected to the external network through an external
connection reception device according to the amount of
passing packets, along the selected path.
(14)
The information processing system according to (13),
further comprising:
a first information processing device which manages
information of total amount of passing packets regarding a
total amount of passing packets for respective external
connection reception devices by the packet communication
process,
in which the external connection reception device
transmits the information of total amount of passing packets
to the first information processing device over the external
network.
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(15)
The information processing system according to (14),
in which the communication unit transmits information
of total amount of its own passing packets to the first
information processing device through the external
connection reception device over the external network, at
each predetermined period, and
in which the first information processing device
determines a usage fee for the external network for the
reception device, based on the information of total amount
of passing packets of the external connection reception
device and the reception device.
(16)
The information processing system according to any one
of (13) to (15), further comprising:
a second information processing device that generates a
first secret key for encrypting communication performed
between the plurality of reception devices connected to the
internal network,
in which the reception unit receives a first secret key,
which is transmitted from the broadcasting device over the
broadcast network on a regular basis and is generated by the
second information processing device, and
in which the communication unit encrypts communication
with another reception device connected to the internal
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network, using the received first secret key.
Reference Signs List
[0199]
1 INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM
11 BROADCASTING DEVICE
12 MESH NETWORK
13-1 TO 13-7, 13 RECEPTION DEVICE
15 INTERNET
16 KEY SERVER
17 MONITORING SERVER
18 WEB SERVER
41 TUNER
47 CONTROL UNIT
48 MEMORY
50 COMMUNICATION UNIT
61 DECRYPTION UNIT
62 PATH SELECTION UNIT
63 COMMUNICATION CONTROL UNIT
64 PACKET MONITORING UNIT
200 COMPUTER
201 CPU
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CLAIMS
[Claim 1]
A reception device, each of a plurality of the
reception devices being connected by an internal network,
the device comprising:
a reception unit that receives path information, which
is transmitted over a broadcast network, for selecting a
path of the internal network according to an amount of
passing packets by a packet communication process in an
external connection reception device which is connectable to
an external network among the plurality of reception
devices;
a selection unit that selects the path at the time of
connection to the external network, based on the received
path information; and
a communication unit that performs communication by
being connected to the external network through an external
connection reception device according to the amount of
passing packets, along the selected path.
[Claim 2]
The reception device according to Claim 1,
wherein the selection unit selects the path passing
through an external connection reception device having the
smallest amount of passing packets, among the plurality of
the external connection reception devices, based on the
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received path information.
[Claim 3]
The reception device according to Claim 2,
wherein the path information includes information of
total amount of passing packets regarding a total amount of
passing packets for respective external connection reception
devices by the packet communication process.
[Claim 4]
The reception device according to Claim 3,
wherein when the reception device is the external
connection reception device, the communication unit
transmits the information of total amount of its own passing
packets, over the external network, to an information
processing device which manages the information of total
amount of passing packets for respective external connection
reception devices.
[Claim 5]
The reception device according to Claim 4,
wherein the reception unit receives the path
information which is transmitted over the broadcast network
based on the information of total amount of passing packets
which is managed in the information processing device.
[Claim 6]
The reception device according to Claim 4,
wherein when the reception device is not the external
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connection reception device, the communication unit
transmits the information of total amount of its own passing
packets to the information processing device through the
external connection reception device over the external
network at each predetermined period, and
wherein the information processing device determines a
usage fee for the external network for the reception device,
based on the information of total amount of passing packets
of the external connection reception device and the
reception device.
[Claim 7]
The reception device according to Claim 1,
wherein the reception unit receives a first secret key,
which is transmitted over the broadcast network on a regular
basis, for encrypting communication performed between the
plurality of reception devices which are connected to the
internal network, and
wherein the communication unit encrypts communication
with another reception device connected to the internal
network, using the received first secret key.
[Claim 8]
The reception device according to Claim 7,
wherein the first secret key is encrypted by a common
key encryption scheme, and
wherein the communication unit encrypts communication
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with another reception device, using the first secret key
obtained through decryption by a second secret key which is
used in encryption of the first secret key.
[Claim 9]
The reception device according to Claim 1,
wherein the reception unit receives AV content which is
transmitted over the broadcast network.
[Claim 10]
The reception device according to Claim 1,
wherein the internal network is a mesh network or an ad
hoc network, and
wherein the external network is Internet.
[Claim 11]
A reception method of each of a plurality of reception
devices being connected by an internal network, the
reception method causing each reception device to perform
steps of:
receiving path information, which is transmitted over a
broadcast network, for selecting a path of the internal
network according to an amount of passing packets by a
packet communication process in an external connection
reception device which is connectable to an external network
among the plurality of reception devices;
selecting the path at the time of connection to the
external network, based on the received path information;
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and
performing communication by being connected to the
external network through an external connection reception
device according to the amount of passing packets, along the
selected path.
[Claim 12]
A program causing a computer to function as:
a reception unit that receives path information, which
is transmitted over a broadcast network, for selecting a
path of the internal network according to an amount of
passing packets by a packet communication process in an
external connection reception device which is connectable to
an external network among the plurality of reception devices
being connected by an internal network;
a selection unit that selects the path at the time of
connection to the external network, based on the received
path information; and
a communication unit that performs communication by
being connected to the external network through an external
connection reception device according to the amount of
passing packets, along the selected path.
[Claim 13]
An information processing system comprising a plurality
of reception devices connected by an internal network, an
external connection reception device which is connectable to
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an external network among the plurality of reception devices,
and a broadcasting device which broadcasts AV content,
wherein each reception device includes:
a reception unit that receives path information, which
is transmitted from the broadcasting device over a broadcast
network, for selecting a path of the internal network
according to an amount of passing packets by a packet
communication process in the external connection reception
device;
a selection unit that selects the path at the time of
connection to the external network, based on the received
path information; and
a communication unit that performs communication by
being connected to the external network through an external
connection reception device according to the amount of
passing packets, along the selected path.
[Claim 14]
The information processing system according to Claim 13,
further comprising:
a first information processing device which manages
information of total amount of passing packets regarding a
total amount of passing packets for respective external
connection reception devices by the packet communication
process,
wherein the external connection reception device
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transmits the information of total amount of passing packets
to the first information processing device over the external
network.
[Claim 15]
The information processing system according to Claim 14,
wherein the communication unit transmits information of
total amount of its own passing packets to the first
information processing device through the external
connection reception device over the external network, at
each predetermined period, and
wherein the first information processing device
determines a usage fee for the external network for the
reception device, based on the information of total amount
of passing packets of the external connection reception
device and the reception device.
[Claim 16]
The information processing system according to Claim 13,
further comprising:
a second information processing device that generates a
first secret key for encrypting communication performed
between the plurality of reception devices connected to the
internal network,
wherein the reception unit receives a first secret key,
which is transmitted from the broadcasting device over the
broadcast network on a regular basis and is generated by the
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second information processing device, and
wherein the communication unit encrypts communication
with another reception device connected to the internal
network, using the received first secret key.