Communication connecting device adaptive to an IP network and communication rate control method therefor

A communication rate control method for a communication connecting device, which includes a function of a sending communication terminal directly connected to an IP network, for controlling a communication rate of data to send to a receiving communication terminal via said IP network, said method comprising the steps of:

• causing the communication connecting device to send, at a preparatory stage for data transmission, a first signal to the receiving communication terminal, receive an answer signal output from said receiving communication terminal in response to said first signal, determine a communication rate on the basis of a communication rate, which is included in said answer signal, and a communication rate defined by a protocol assigned to said receiving communication terminal, and send a second signal including said communication rate determined to said receiving communication terminal;
• providing packet size information for dividing data into packets having a preselected size each;
• reading out the data and then packetizing said data on the basis of the packet size information;
• and
• counting a preselected period of time after a start of transmission of the packets or a period of time up to a time when a preselected number of packets are fully sent, calculating a communication rate of the IP network by using said period of time, the preselected number of packets and the preselected packet size, and inhibiting, if said communication rate of said IP network is higher than the communication rate included in the second signal, the transmission of the packets or generating, if said communication rate of said IP network is lower than said communication rate included in said second signal, a packet send request while executing control for the transmission of the packets.

A communication rate control method for a communication connecting device, which includes a function of a sending communication terminal directly connected to an IP network, for controlling a communication rate of data to send to a receiving communication terminal via said IP network, said method comprising:

• a first step of causing the communication connecting device to send, at a preparatory stage for data transmission, a first signal to the receiving communication terminal, receive an answer signal output from said receiving communication terminal in response to said first signal, determine a communication rate on the basis of a communication rate, which is included in said answer signal, and a communication rate defined by a protocol assigned to said receiving communication terminal, and send a signal including said communication rate determined to said receiving communication terminal;
• a second step of providing packet size information for dividing data into packets having a reselected size each;
• a third step of reading out the data and then packetizing said data on the basis of the packet size information;
• and
• a fourth step of counting a preselected period of time after a start of transmission of the packets or a period of time up to a time when a preselected number of packets are fully sent, and calculating a communication rate of the IP network by using the preselected number of packets, the preselected packet size and a substantial period of time contained in said period of time and produced by subtracting intervals between consecutive packets from said period of time;
• and
• a fifth step of generating, if said communication rate of said IP network is lower than said communication rate included in said second signal, a packet send request and causing the packets to be sent.

A communication rate control method for a communication connecting device, which includes a function of a sending communication terminal directly connected to an IP network, for controlling a communication rate of data to send to a receiving communication terminal via said IP network, said method comprising:

• a first step of causing the communication connecting device to send, at a preparatory stage for data transmission, a first signal to the receiving communication terminal, receive an answer signal output from said receiving communication terminal in response to said first signal, determine a communication rate on the basis of a communication rate, which is included in said answer signal, and a communication rate defined by a protocol assigned to said receiving communication terminal, and send a second signal including said communication rate determined to said receiving communication terminal;
• a second step of providing packet size information for dividing data into packets having a preselected size each;
• a third step of reading out the data and then packetizing said data on the basis of the packet size information;
• a fourth step of counting a preselected period of time after a start of transmission of the packets or a period of time up to a time when a preselected number of packets are fully sent, and calculating a first communication rate of the IP network by using said period of time, the preselected number of packets and the preselected packet size;
• a fifth step of inhibiting transmission of the packets if the second communication rate is higher than the communication rate included in the second signal;
• a sixth step of calculating a second communication rate of the IP network by using a period of time produced by subtracting intervals between consecutive packets from the period of time counted;
• and
• a seventh step of generating, if either one of the first communication rate and the second communication rate is lower than the communication rate included in said second signal, a packet send request and causing the packets to be sent.