Abstract:
A searching method of a plurality of routes includes the steps of defining, as an X direction, one direction of a bidirectional transmission line connected to each of the plurality of nodes, and another direction as a Y direction; respecifying an initial node and a terminal node; searching a first shortest route extending from the specified initial node to the specified terminal node; searching a second shortest route for nodes connected to another transmission line in the X direction; searching a third shortest route extending from the specified initial node to the specified terminal node; searching a fourth shortest route for nodes connected to another transmission line in the Y direction; comparing the sum of the X group first route and second route with the sum of the Y group first route and second route; and determining the group having a smaller sum as an optimal route in the comparison.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to a route search method, and, more particularly, to a method of raising the probability of searching a plurality of routes not by way of the same node, and to a network system to which the method is applied. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   In the case where a data communication is carried on in a network containing a plurality of nodes, for example, in a broadcasting network which transmits a picture signal (containing a voice), a plurality of broadcasting stations are connected to a transmission line as each node, and are configured so as to transmit the picture signal from a certain key station to another key station by way of the plurality of nodes. 
   Herein, in order to increase the reliability in a broadcast, the same picture signal is normally transmitted as a picture signal transmission from a certain one station to a reception station through a plurality of routes. Thus, the reception station switches faults in the routes to be transmitted through the one route into the picture signal to be transmitted through another route for reception, whereby it is possible to receive the picture signal without generating a disorder of the picture. 
   In order to ensure such an aspect, it is necessary that the plurality of routes have previously been set in a network under prescribed conditions prior to a start of the operation and also after the start of the operation. For this reason, a technique for searching a route to be set from the plurality of routes in the network comes to be required. 
   As a conventional technique for acquiring a route at the shortest distance out of all the routes linking from a certain initial node to a terminal node in the network, the Dijkstra method is well known. This method is, for example, an algorithm which introduces the most advantageous one route in an element by a matrix calculation with an element (distance, cost, or the like) in all the routes linking between the nodes as a matrix. 
     FIG. 1  is a diagram for explaining a concept of such the Dijkstra method, and as a step of searching the plurality of routes, a first shortest route is searched (a first shortest route search a) and succeedingly n pieces of remaining routes are searched (an n route search b). 
   That is, the Dijkstra method, in  FIG. 1 , registers a section between adjoining two nodes as an element, and a distance in section unit as an attribute. And, this algorithm calculates the distance between the sections linking all the adjacent nodes from a certain initial node, and then further calculates the distance linking all the adjacent nodes from respective adjacent nodes, and determines the shortest route in the distance of the sections linked up to the terminal node by repeating the above. 
   In the case where such the algorithm is applied, it is possible to present the one shortest route. However, in the case where the plurality of routes are necessary, there is a possibility that the nodes or sections are overlapped each other.  FIG. 2  shows one example of the network, and in the case where a part of the nodes or sections is unusable, there is a possibility that the plurality of routes are unusable. 
   That is, in  FIG. 2 , a network configured by a node A to a node I is assumed. The initial node is designated as the node A and the terminal node is designated as the node I, and in the case where the first route to be searched by the Dijkstra method is A B E H I, a second route is bound to pass by way of the same node with the first route. Accordingly, in the case where the common node is unusable, either route is unusable. 
   Furthermore, when the first route is not treated as an object (is set so as not to pass the same node or same section) and the second route and forward are acquired, as the other than the shortest route has to be used, the second route and forward are a devious route, or are not found, and then there is a possibility that the use in the plurality of shortest routes is impossible. In this manner, in the case of the Dijkstra method, a difference in conditions between the first route and the second route is increased. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a route search method which raises the possibility of searching the plurality of routes as optimal as possible so as not to pass the same node; and a network system to which this method is adapted. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a route search method which avoids the danger incapable of using the network due to faults, etc. of the nodes or sections, and searches the plurality of routes with high reliability. 
   In order to solve the above problems, according to the aspect of the present invention there is provided A method of searching a plurality of routes linking from an initial node to a terminal node in a network linking a plurality of nodes, includes the steps of: defining, as an X direction, one direction of a bidirectional transmission line connected to each of the plurality of nodes, and defining another direction as a Y direction; specifying an initial node and a terminal node; searching a first shortest route extending from the specified initial node to the specified terminal node, connected by nodes connected to a transmission line in the X direction, with the first shortest route being set as an X group first route; searching a second shortest route for nodes connected to another transmission line in the X direction, excepting the nodes on the X-direction first route, with the second shortest route being set as an X group second route; searching a third shortest route extending from the specified initial node to the specified terminal node, connected by nodes connected to a transmission line in the Y direction, with the third shortest route being set as a Y group first route; searching a fourth shortest route for nodes connected to another transmission line in the Y direction, excepting the nodes on the Y direction first route, with the fourth shortest route being set as a Y group second route; comparing the sum of the X group first route and second route with the sum of the Y group first route and second route; and determining the group having a smaller sum as an optimal route in the comparison. 
   Preferably, respective searches of the X group first route, the X group second route, the Y group first route, and the Y group second route are carried out by means of the Dijkstra method. 
   Preferably, the search of the X group second route and the search of the Y group second route are repeatedly carried out by means of the Dijkstra method. 
   Preferably, the shortest route having a shortest distance is searched by means of the Dijkstra method. 
   The plural-routes search method may further comprise the steps of grouping all sections connected to any node; and again carrying out the respective searches of the X group first route, the X group second route, the Y group first route, and the Y group second route, excluding the sections contained in the group, to acquire a roundabout route for the sections contained in the group. 
   Preferably, with respect to a plurality of routes of the searched X group second route and Y group second route, the number of times of use or a use time is registered as an attribute, to judge whether the plurality of routes are to be selected. 
   The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram for explaining a concept of the Dijkstra method; 
       FIG. 2  is a view showing an example of a network; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram for explaining a program configuration which realizes a method for searching a route according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a view showing an embodiment in the case where the method according to the present invention is applied to a network operation system which controls and monitors a transmission line; 
       FIG. 5  is a configuration diagram of the operation system  40  according to the present invention in  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a representation showing a section information table; 
       FIG. 7  is a representation showing a node information table; 
       FIG. 8  is a representation showing a connection group table; 
       FIG. 9  is a representation showing a route information table after determined; 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing operations of a route search section; 
       FIG. 11  is a view for explaining information with respect to sections between nodes A and I; 
       FIG. 12  is a view for explaining an X group first route; 
       FIG. 13  is a view for explaining an X group second route; 
       FIG. 14  is a view for explaining a Y group first route; 
       FIG. 15  is a view for explaining a Y group second route; 
       FIG. 16  is a view for explaining the order of priority of the route; and 
       FIG. 17  is a view for explaining a roundabout connection of the route. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 3  is a diagram for explaining a system configuration which implements a method for searching a route according to the present invention. 
   This system has an X-directional route searching module  1 , a Y-directional route searching module  2 , and an optimal route searching module  3  as a plurality of route search sections. The respective modules are realizable by a software processing. 
   Hence, referencing a certain node, in the relation to a node adjacent to the certain node, it is defined that a section linking the adjacent node in a right-hand direction is an X direction, and a line linking in its inverse direction is a Y direction. And, assorting separately into the X and Y directions, the route is searched by the X-directional route searching module  1  and the Y-directional route searching module  2 , respectively. 
   Furthermore, each of the X-directional route searching module  1  and the Y-directional route searching module  2  performs first shortest route search processings  10 ,  20  subject to the conventional Dijkstra method shown in  FIG. 1 , and next performs n pieces of remaining route search processings  11 ,  21  except for the searched shortest route. Thus, it is possible to raise the probability of acquiring the plurality of optimal routes. 
   The optimal route module  3  has a function  30  of comparing route information (distance, cost, etc.) as an essential element between the route searched by the X-directional route searching module  1  and the route searched by the Y-directional route searching module  2 .  FIG. 4  is a view showing an embodiment in the case where the method according to the present invention is applied to a network operation system which controls and monitors a transmission line. 
   In  FIG. 4 , the plurality of nodes A to I configuring the network are respectively connected to one or more transmission lines, and have a function of switching their transmission lines. Each of the nodes A to I is connected to an operation system  40  for controlling and monitoring the whole network, and each node sets and switches the transmission line according to an instruction of this operation system  40 . 
     FIG. 5  is a system configurational diagram of the operation system  40  according to the present invention in  FIG. 4 . 
   The operation system  40  has a plural-routes search operation system  400  as a main body system, and transmits and receives data between a recording apparatus  410  for storing various information tables shown in  FIGS. 6 to 9  and an external apparatus (GUI: Graphic User Interface)  420  having a GUI function. 
   The plural-routes search operation system  400  is further configured by the below function processing section. Each function section can be realized by software as described in  FIG. 3 . 
   (1) O&amp;M control section  401 : Mainly, an O&amp;M control section  401  receives an instruction from a system operator in a part which controls a processing request and network status display by the external apparatus (GUI)  420 . 
   (2) Route search processing section  402 : A route search processing section  402  receives a processing request of a route search from the external apparatus (GUI)  420  through the O&amp;M control section  401 , and has a function of searching an optimal route based on end station data (node attribute data), transmission line data, or the like stored in a storing apparatus  410 . 
   This route search processing section  402  is configured having the following sub-modules in the same manner as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   (a) An X-directional route searching module  1   
   (b) A Y-directional route searching module  2   
   (c) An optimal route selecting module  3   
   (3) Transmission line setting request processing section  403 : A transmission line setting request processing section  403  has a function of transmitting a setting request of the transmission line for realizing a route searched for each node configuring such route. 
   Next, a detailed operation of the operation system  400  according to the present invention will be further described based on a route search processing flow shown in  FIG. 10  by exemplifying the network shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   The system operator utilizes the external apparatus (GUI)  420  of the system and selects an initial point node A and a terminal point node I to input (processing step P 1 ). The O&amp;M processing section  401  requests processings to the route search processing section  402  in order to search optimal routes of the node A and node I selected by the system operator. 
   Accordingly, the route search processing section  402  obtains information table data [section information data ( FIG. 6 ), node information data ( FIG. 7 ), connection group data ( FIG. 8 ) and route information data ( FIG. 9 )] stored in the memory apparatus  410  exemplified in  FIGS. 6 to 9  (processing step P 2 ), and starts to search the optimal route. 
   Initially, the following processings will be performed by the X-directional route searching module  1  in the route search processing section  402 : 
   Here, for example, as information with respect to the section between the nodes A and I shown in  FIG. 11 , the following section information data have previously been registered in a section information table  411  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   It is defined that a direction linking to a right-hand direction in the adjacent two nodes is an X direction (as shown by a solid line arrow in  FIG. 11 ) and a direction linking to its inverse direction is a Y direction (as shown by a dotted line arrow in  FIG. 11 ) ( FIG. 6 , Item  4 ). 
   A distance as an attribute (or a delay time relevant to the distance, etc.) is registered in the section information data of separate directions ( FIG. 6 , Item  3 ). First, only the X-directional element and attribute are an object and the shortest route {circle around (1)} from the initial node A to the terminal node I is searched by the Dijkstra method or the similar algorithm thereto (processing step P 3 ). This route is called “an X group firs route” (refer to  FIG. 12 ). In  FIG. 12 , in the case where the first route is acquired with only the X direction (for example, A B) as an abject, as the first route, the route A B C F I (to be shown by a bold solid line) can be taken. 
   Sequently, in the second search, the X-directional and Y-directional element and attribute are an object and further the element containing the passing node through “the X group first route” is not treated as an object. The shortest route from the same initial node A to the same terminal node I with the first search is searched by the Dijkstra method or the similar algorithm thereto (processing step P 4 ). This route is called “an X group second route” (refer to  FIG. 13 ). 
   The second route which does not pass the same node with the first route (shown by a solid line) of  FIG. 12  is searched with either A D E H I (shown by a dotted line) or A D G H I (shown by a single-point chain line) in  FIG. 13  being searched as “the X group second route.” 
   Next, the following processing is performed by the Y-directional route search module  2  in the route search processing section  402 . 
   At the first time, only the element and attribute of the Y direction are an object and the shortest route {circle around (3)} from the same initial node A to the same terminal node I is searched by the Dijkstra method or the similar algorithm thereto (processing step P 5 ). 
   This route is called “a Y group first route” (refer to  FIG. 14 ). In the case where the first route is acquired with only the Y direction (for example, B A) as an object, the first route is A D G H I (shown by a bold solid line). 
   At the second time, the elements and attributes of the X direction and Y direction are treated as an object and further the element containing the node by way of “the Y group first route” is not treated as an object. The shortest route from the same initial node A to the same terminal node I is searched by the Dijkstra method or the similar algorithm thereto (processing step P 6 ). This route is called “a Y group second route” (refer to  FIG. 15 ). 
   The second route which does not pass the same node as in the first route (shown by a bold solid line) of  FIG. 14  is searched with either A B E F I (shown by a dotted line) or A B C F I (shown by a single-point chain line) as “the Y group second route”. 
   Here, further, when a different shortest route can be searched by the Dijkstra method or the similar algorithm thereto in the processing steps P 4 , P 6  with the element containing the node by way of “the first route” and “the second route” being not treated as an object, by the X-directional route searching module  1  or the Y-directional route searching module  2  in the route search processing section  402 , it is possible to call this route “a third route,” and search the shorter route by repeating these processings ( FIGS. 13 and 15  show two routes as a route searched in “the second route” and forward). 
   Furthermore, the following processings will be performed by the optimal route selecting module  3  in the route search processing section  402 . 
   The total x of distances of “the X group first route” ( FIG. 12 ) and “the X group second route” ( FIG. 13 ) is compared with the total y of distances of “the Y group first route” ( FIG. 14 ) and “the Y group second route” ( FIG. 15 ) (processing step P 7 ). A group in which the total distance is shorter is selected to determine (processing step P 8 ). 
   Furthermore, in the system to which the route search method of the present invention is applied, after “the X group” or “the Y group” is selected, the order of priority is affixed to a plurality of routes included in such group to provide the route in the order of priority. For example, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the order of priority of 1 to 3 is given to the three routes reaching from the node A to the node B. 
   Here, the order of priority is designated to distance, the number of time of use, use time, use amount, user name, user group name as the aforementioned attributes, or the arbitrary order of priority can be designated to the route. A route list is prepared in accordance with the order of priority with respect to the plurality of optimal routes (processing step P 9 ). 
   Subsequently, the optimal route searched by the route search processing section  402  is registered as information after determined in a route information table  414  shown in  FIG. 9 . And, in the transmission line setting request processing section  403 , the optimal route is transmitted to each of the nodes A to I in the network shown in  FIG. 4 , and such route connection or roundabout connection is conducted to set the transmission line (processing step P 10 ). Here, the roundabout connection can be explained in  FIG. 17 . In  FIG. 17 , in the case where a fault is present in the course of the route between the node A and the node B, a route between a node a and a node b is separated. 
   The aforementioned processing step can lead to a system which arranges a function of searching the plurality of routes which do not pass the same node in each group and can obtain a distance as short as possible. By such the method, it is possible to search and determine the plurality of routes which do not pass the same node from a certain initial node to a terminal node and can obtain a distance as short as possible. 
   For example, in  FIG. 11 , it is considered that the distance between the respective nodes has the following relation:
         A-B: 1   B-C: 1   A-D: 1.5   B-E: 1   C-F: 1.5   D-E: 1.5   E-F: 1.5   D-G: 2.5   E-H: 2   F-I: 2.5   G-H: 2   H-I: 2       

   At this time, the distance of “the X group first route” ( FIG. 12 ) is (1+1+1.5+2.5)=6. Furthermore, the distance of “the X group second route” ( FIG. 13 ) is that a dotted line distance is equal to (1.5+1.5+2+2)=7 and a single-point chain line distance is equal to (1.5+2.5+2+2)=8. Accordingly, the total x of these distances is x=(6+7+8)=21. 
   On the other hand, the distance of “the Y group first route” ( FIG. 14 ) is (1.5+2.5+2+2)=8. Furthermore, the distance of “the Y group second route” ( FIG. 15 ) is that a dotted line distance is equal to (1+1.2+1.5+2.5)=6.2 and a single-point chain line distance is equal to (1+1+1.5+2.5)=6. Accordingly, the total y of these distances is x=(8+6.2+6)=20.2. 
   Thus, as the distance of the Y group is shorter, in the exemplified distance, the required route is selected in accordance with the order of priority from the plurality of routes (the three routes in the example of  FIG. 15 ) of the group shown in  FIG. 15 . 
   Here, as an extension of the present invention, it is possible to provide various aspects as described below. 
   That is, in processing step P 10  in an operational flow of  FIG. 10 , it is possible to beforehand designate whether to acquire how many kinds of route from the external apparatus (GUI)  420 . In the case of not designating from the external apparatus (GUI)  420 , in processing steps P 4  and P 6 , a function capable of making a choice that routes as many as possible are searched is arranged, preferably. 
   In the case of being capable of searching only a string of route, in processing step P 8 , a function of notifying a warning to the external apparatus (GUI)  420  or the memory apparatus  410 , and of recording it to provide a string of route is arranged. In the case of being entirely incapable of searching the route, a function of notifying the disable to search to the external apparatus (GUI)  420  or the memory apparatus  410  and of recording it is arranged. 
   In a comparison processing in processing step P 7 , it is possible to use the attribute registered separately in place of the aforementioned distance with respect to the element as the section of each direction. As the static attributes except for the distance, the examples contain an object/non-object identifier ( FIG. 6 , Item  5 ), a usable time band ( FIG. 6 , Item  6 ), a user name ( FIG. 6 , Item  7 ), and a user group name ( FIG. 6 , Item  8 ). These static attributes are an object that the use in a construction, etc. is generally regulated, and are displayed, changed and recorded by the external apparatus (GUI)  420 . 
   The dynamic attributes except for the distance contain the number of times of use ( FIG. 6 , Item  9 ), a use time ( FIG. 6 , Item  10 ), a use amount (band capacity) ( FIG. 6 , Item  11 ), and fault information ( FIG. 6 , Item No.  12 ). 
   Such the dynamic attributes are an object that the use in a fault, etc. is regulated, to automatically update, record, and display by the external apparatus (GUI)  420 . Furthermore, a function of changing to the section information table  411  shown in  FIG. 6  and recording is arranged in the O&amp;M control section  401 . 
   For example, in processings of processing steps P 3  to P 6 , with respect to the element of a line of each direction in X and Y directions, a function of being simultaneously capable of registering a plurality of kinds of attribute is arranged. Thus, in processing steps P 3  to P 6 , it is possible to search the route by comparing according to the plurality of kinds of attribute. 
   Furthermore, the attributes are registered in the section information table  411  with respect to the elements as the nodes (refer to  FIG. 6 ). For example, the number of times of use is registered as the attribute with respect to the element as the node ( FIG. 6 , Item  9 ), and the number of times of use is updated and recorded in the node included in the route selected finally. Furthermore, it is possible to arrange also a function of registering a certain attribute in place of the number of times of use. 
   The static attributes except for the number of times of use contain an object/non-object identifier ( FIG. 7 , Item  4 ), a usable time band ( FIG. 7 , Item  5 ), a user name ( FIG. 7 , Item  6 ), and a user group name ( FIG. 7 , Item  7 ). The static attributes are controlled in displaying, changing and recording by the external apparatus (GUI)  420 . 
   The dynamic attributes except for the number of times of use contain a use time ( FIG. 7 , Item  8 ), a use amount ( FIG. 7 , Item  9 ), and fault information ( FIG. 7 , Item  10 ). The dynamic attributes are controlled in displaying, changing and recording by a function of automatically updating and recording and the external apparatus (GUI)  420 . 
   Furthermore, in processing steps P 3  to P 6 , a function of judging the static attributes registered with respect to the element such as the section or the node and not treating the elements as an object of the route search is provided. That is, in the case where they cannot be used by a construction, etc., they are not treated as the route search. 
   Furthermore, a function of registering a warning value is arranged for the dynamic attributes with a fault, etc. as an object which are registered with respect to the element such as the section or the node. When the warning value is exceeded, a function of warning that the warning value is exceeded to record it is provided. 
   A function of registering a regulation value (a reference that the element is not treated as the route search) is arranged in the dynamic attribute registered with respect to the element such as the section or the node ( FIG. 6 , Item  26 ). And, in processing steps P 3  to P 6 , a function of notifying and recording that the regulation value is exceeded after the regulation value is exceeded and of not treating the element as an object of the route search is arranged. 
   The roundabout connection processing in the aforementioned processing step P 10  is a function of, when the route cannot be used, selecting whether to substitute automatically the route. Alternatively, after the route has already been provided and when a certain node or section cannot be used, the route is detoured. 
   In this case, as one example, in the case where the roundabout route with respect to nodes a-b in the course of the route between A and B is searched as shown in  FIG. 17 , it is possible to search the roundabout route as the initial node a and the terminal node b in accordance with the flow of  FIG. 10  explained above. At this time, in processing steps P 3  to P 6 , the unusable node or section (a dotted line route section linking the node a with the node b in  FIG. 17 ) is not treated as an object of the search. Subsequently, the starting node a and the ending node b of an unusable part in the course of the route are designated as an initial node and a terminal node, to search the roundabout route for realization. 
   At this time, in the case where the roundabout route cannot be searched, a node prior to an unusable part (a node between the node A and the node a in  FIG. 17 ) is set as an initial node, and a node after the unusable part (a node between the node b and the node B in  FIG. 17 ) is set as a terminal node, and the roundabout route is again searched. As the results of the search, the roundabout route is displayed and recorded in the external apparatus (GUI)  420 . 
   Furthermore, in processing step P 10 , it is possible to select whether or not the unusable part is changed into the roundabout route. Alternatively, it is possible to select whether or not the roundabout route is returned to an original route. 
   Furthermore, a function of registering a certain node and a line linking to the node as “a connection group” is arranged (refer to the connection group table  413  shown in  FIG. 8 ). For example, as the connection group, a group, etc. like the Kanto area in Japan are present. In this case, in the case where it is desired that the node as the element in the connection group is not treated as an object, all the sections included in “the connection group” are not treated as an object of the route search. The node is designated from the external apparatus (GUI)  420 , whereby it is possible to select whether or not “the connection group” is treated as an object of the route search. And, in the case where “the connection group” is not treated as an object, it is possible to search the roundabout route with respect to such “the connection group” which is not treated as an object. 
   As set forth hereinabove in the embodiment of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings, it is possible to provide the route search method which raises the probability of searching the plurality of routes as optimal as possible without passing the same node, and the network apparatus to which the same is applied.