Patent Abstract:
Provided is a setting device and the like with which correct estimation of a communication band is possible. The setting device  101  has a transmission unit  102  that, on the basis of a first timing at which a first information processing device  401  transmits to a second information processing device  402  a first signal for measuring a communication band which pertains to a communication network  403 , transmits to the second information processing device  402  a setting signal for setting a communication unit  407  of the second information processing device  402  to a communication-enabled state.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a setting device and the like that set an information processing device to a communication-enabled state. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Examples of systems that are capable of estimating a communication bandwidth in a communication network include systems described in PTL 1 to PTL 6. 
         [0003]    PTL 1 discloses a network bandwidth measurement system that estimates a communication bandwidth based on a sequence of a plurality of packets with gradually increasing size or gradually decreasing size. For convenience of explanation, a sequence of a plurality of packets with gradually increasing size or gradually decreasing size will be hereinafter referred to as a “packet train”. 
         [0004]    The network bandwidth measurement system includes a packet generation unit, a packet transmission unit, a reception interval measuring unit and a bandwidth computing unit. The packet generation unit generates a sequence of a plurality of packets with gradually increasing size or gradually decreasing size. The packet transmission unit transmits the plurality of generated packets at predetermined transmission intervals. The reception interval measuring unit sequentially receives each packet and measures reception intervals each representing an interval between timings at which packets are received. The bandwidth computing unit estimates a communication bandwidth in a communication network on the base of the largest packet size among packets whose reception interval is equal to their transmission interval. 
         [0005]    PTL 2 discloses a usable bandwidth measurement system that estimates a communication bandwidth on the base of time needed to transmit and receive packets with increasing size by a fixed common difference. The usable bandwidth measurement system has the function of changing packet size on the base of the estimated communication bandwidth. 
         [0006]    PTL 3 discloses a flow rate prediction device that generates a stochastic process model for estimating communication throughput based on the communication throughput of a communication network, for example. The flow rate prediction device determines, based on communication throughput changing over time, whether the communication throughput is in a steady state or non-steady state. The flow rate prediction device then selects a stochastic process model for estimating the communication throughput based on the determination result and computes parameters of the selected stochastic process model. 
         [0007]    PTL 4 discloses a parameter estimating device that determines, based on communication throughputs acquired before a first time point, a probability density function for estimating a communication throughput at a second time point. 
         [0008]    PTL 5 discloses a degradation avoiding method that identifies, based on transmission/reception qualities of a plurality of media, a medium with degraded quality of transmission/reception processing and determines whether to reduce the rate of communication flow on the medium or not. The degradation avoiding method identifies a medium with degraded quality of transmission/reception processing in accordance with correlation between priorities of a plurality of media and the degradation degree of transmission/reception quality of the media and reduces the rate of communication flow on the media correlated to the identified medium. 
         [0009]    PTL 6 discloses a delay variation prediction device, relating to a packet, that identifies an ARCH type model on the base of a delay time difference that changes over time and estimates jitter on the base of the identified ARCH type model. ARCH type modeling is a well-known method for precisely modeling a transition of volatility in the fields of financial engineering and econometrics. The delay variation prediction device estimates changes in jitter as statistically estimated quantities concerning time series representing delay time differences in accordance with the ARCH model. The delay variation prediction device computes parameters of an ARCH type model on the base of delay time differences. ARCH is abbreviation of Autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0010]    PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-142622 
         [0011]    PTL 2: International Publication No. WO 2011/132783 
         [0012]    PTL 3: International Publication No. WO 2014/007166 
         [0013]    PTL 4: International Publication No. WO 2013/008387 
         [0014]    PTL 5: Japanese Patent No. 5239791 
         [0015]    PTL 6: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-135685 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0016]    Communication facility of an information processing device (terminal) can be, for example, in a first state representing a state with higher (better) throughput than a predetermined throughput or a second state representing a state with lower (poorer) throughput than the predetermined throughput. For example, the first state represents an active state in which processing relating to communication (communication processing) is enabled. The second state represents a sleep state in which communication processing is disabled, for example. When the communication facility is in the second state, communication information (communication data) destined to the communication facility is temporarily stored in a router, a wireless base station, or the like in a communication network. The information processing device, for example, checks whether or not communication information is stored in the wireless base station or the like at each predetermined timing. If the communication information is stored, the information processing device sets the communication facility to the first state. Then, the communication facility reads the communication information stored in the wireless base station or the like. The communication facility performs processing relating to the read communication information. 
         [0017]    The network bandwidth measurement system disclosed in PTL 1 cannot necessarily precisely estimate a communication bandwidth relating to the communication network as described above. This is because the communication facility collectively receives communication information stored while the communication facility is in the second state and therefore parameters (for example timing of reception) concerning the communication information differ from parameters concerning communication information in the first state. 
         [0018]    For example, even when a first information processing device sequentially transmits signals (packets) to a second information processing device, the communication facility in the second information processing device collectively receives the signals at once after the communication device has been in the second state. Consequently, the communication facility of the second information processing device cannot precisely estimate a communication bandwidth when the communication facility estimates the communication bandwidth on the base of the timing at which a signal is received, for example. 
         [0019]    Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a setting device and the like that enable precise estimation of a communication bandwidth. 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0020]    In order to achieve the aforementioned object, as an aspect of the present invention, a setting device including: 
         [0021]    transmission means for transmitting, in accordance with a first timing at which a first information processing device transmits a first signal for measuring communication bandwidth of a communication network to a second information processing device, a setting signal for setting communication means of the second information processing device into a communication-enabled state to the second information processing device. 
         [0022]    In addition, as another aspect of the present invention, a setting method including: 
         [0023]    transmitting, in accordance with a first timing at which a first information processing device transmits a first signal for measuring communication bandwidth of a communication network to a second information processing device, a setting signal for setting communication means of the second information processing device into a communication-enabled state to the second information processing device. 
         [0024]    In addition, as another aspect of the present invention, a setting program making a computer achieve including: 
         [0025]    a transmission function for transmitting, in accordance with a first timing at which a first information processing device transmits a first signal for measuring communication bandwidth of a communication network to a second information processing device, a setting signal for setting communication means of the second information processing device into communication-enabled state to the second information processing device. 
         [0026]    Furthermore, the object is also realized by an associated setting program, and a computer-readable recording medium which records the program. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0027]    A setting device and the like according to the present invention enable precise estimation of a communication bandwidth. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a setting device according to a first example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a process flow in the setting device according to the first example embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a sequence diagram illustrating processing performed by the setting device, a first information processing device, and a second information processing device. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a diagram conceptually illustrating example states of a communication unit. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to the first example embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a client device according to the first example embodiment. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a server device according to the first example embodiment. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a process flow in the server device and a second information processing device according to the first example embodiment. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a setting device according to a second example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a process flow in the setting device according to the second example embodiment. 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  is a sequence diagram illustrating a process performed by the setting device, a first information processing device, and a second information processing device according to the second example embodiment. 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a setting device according to a third example embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating a process flow in the setting device according to the third example embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of a calculation processing apparatus capable of realizing the setting devices according to each example embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]    Next, example embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
       First Example Embodiment 
       [0043]    A configuration of a setting device  101  according to a first example embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a setting device  101  according to the first example embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0044]    The setting device  101  according to the first example embodiment includes a transmission unit  102 . 
         [0045]    The setting device  101 , a first information processing device  401  and a second information processing device  402  are capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from one another via a communication network  403 . The second information processing device  402  includes a communication control unit  406  and a communication unit  407 . The second information processing device  402  may include a bandwidth estimation device  404 . 
         [0046]    The bandwidth estimation device  404  may be a device separate from the second information processing device  402 . For convenience of explanation, it is assumed hereinafter that the second information processing device  402  includes the bandwidth estimation device  404 . 
         [0047]    When the first information processing device  401  (for example a server device) and the second information processing device  402  (for example a client device or terminal) start to communicate with each other, the first information processing device  401  and the second information processing device  402  negotiate with each other. The negotiation is a processing of determining parameters for communication, before establishing communication connection, by exchanging the parameters such as a transmission rate, a communication protocol and parameters for estimating a communication bandwidth 
         [0048]    Processing performed by the setting device  101 , the first information processing device  401  and the second information processing device  402  will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a sequence diagram illustrating the process performed by the setting device  101 , the first information processing device  401 , and the second information processing device  402 . 
         [0049]    The second information processing device  402  transmits, to the first information processing device  401 , a request for setting time intervals between transmission of a plurality of signals (hereinafter referred to as the “first signals”), such as a packet train shown in the Background Art, used for estimating a communication bandwidth (step S 202 ). 
         [0050]    The first information processing device  401  receives the request (step S 203 ). The first information processing device  401  then determines the timing (for example a K-th timing, which will be described later) of transmitting a K-th first signal (where K represents a natural number between 1, inclusive, and N, inclusive) on the base of time intervals (transmission intervals) included in the request (step S 204 ). The first information processing device  401  transmits information indicating the determined timing (timing information) to the setting device  101  (step S 205 ). The timing information may be information indicating a time interval between the K-th timing and the (K+1)-th timing or information representing the K-th timing, for example. 
         [0051]    Processing for determining the timing will be described by using an example in which the first signals, that is transmitted and received for estimating a communication bandwidth, are packets in a packet train. The packets in a packet train are, for example, sent out at transmission intervals determined during negotiation. The transmission intervals represent, for example, a time interval (period) between a timing for transmitting a J-th bit of a packet (where J represents a natural number) and a timing for transmitting the J-th bit of the next packet. The first signal is not limited to the example described above but may be any signal that the first information processing device  401  transmits to the second information processing device  402 . 
         [0052]    A communication bandwidth is estimated on the base of the timing at which the second information processing device  402  receives the first signal. 
         [0053]    The setting device  101  receives the timing information (step S 206 ). The transmission unit  102  transmits, to the second information processing device  402 , a setting signal for setting the communication unit  407  to a communication-enabled state (i.e. a first state, which will be described later), on the base of timing (or time intervals) included in the received timing information (step S 207 ). 
         [0054]    For example, the transmission unit  102  may transmit the setting signal at the time intervals based on the received timing information when the time interval between the K-th timing and the (K+1)-th timing is constant (or substantially constant). As described in the descriptions of example embodiments given later, the transmission unit  102  may transmit the setting signal when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, a predetermined interval may be the time that elapses between the timing of the last communication processing performed by the communication unit  407  in an active state in the second information processing device  402  and the timing at which the communication unit  407  is set into a sleep state. 
         [0055]    In each example embodiment of the present invention, the active state represents a first state representing a state of higher (better) throughput than a predetermined throughput. The sleep state represents a second state representing a state of lower (poorer) throughput than the predetermined throughput. In the process illustrated in step S 207 , the transmission unit  102  may read the K-th timing from the received timing information and may transmit the setting signal at a timing before the read K-th timing and close to the K-th timing. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in the processing relating to step S 207  ( FIG. 3 ) described above, the transmission unit  102  transmits the setting signal to the second information processing device  402  in accordance with the K-th timing (step S 110 ).  FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a process flow in the setting device  101  according to the first example embodiment. 
         [0057]    On the other hand, the first information processing device  401  transmits a first signal to the second information processing device  402  when the determined timing is reached after the establishment of a communication connection (step S 210 ). 
         [0058]    The communication control unit  406  in the second information processing device  402  receives the setting signal transmitted from the setting device  101  (step S 208 ) and sets the communication unit  407  in the second information processing device  402  to the first state (step S 209 ). Then, the communication unit  407  receives the first signal in response to the arrival of the first signal from the first information processing device  401  (step S 211 ). 
         [0059]    The communication unit  407  in the second information processing device  402  which receives a setting signal transmitted from the setting device  101  will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a diagram conceptually illustrating example states of the communication unit  407 . For example, the communication unit  407  can be in a first state or in a second state. The communication unit  407  can perform communication processing when the communication unit  407  is in the first state. The communication unit  407  in the first state is set to the second state in case that communication processing has not been performed for a certain long period of time. 
         [0060]    On the other hand, when the communication unit  407  is in the second state, communication information destined to the communication unit is temporarily stored in a router, a wireless base station, or the like in the communication network. The second information processing device  402  checks whether or not communication information is stored in the wireless base station or the like, for example, at a given timing. If the communication information is stored, the second information processing device  402  sets the communication unit  407  to the first state. 
         [0061]    The process performed when the communication unit  407  in the second information processing device  402  is in the second state will be described in further detail. When the communication unit  407  is in the second state, communication information (for example, information transmitted and received) relating to the second information processing device  402  is stored in a router, a wireless base station, or the like, for example, in the communication network  403 . During the second state in the communication unit  407 , the communication control unit  406  monitors signals transmitted from the wireless base station or the like at each predetermined interval, for example, to see whether or not there is communication information. When the communication control unit  406  determines that there is communication information in the wireless base station or the like, the communication control unit  406  sets the communication unit  407  to the first state. During the first state in the communication unit  407 , the communication unit  407  receives the communication information from the wireless base station or the like and performs communication processing relating to the received communication information. In this case, the communication unit  407  collectively receives the communication information stored in the wireless base station or the like at once. 
         [0062]    For example, in the case of LTE defined in 3GPP, the first state is the RRC Connected and Active state whereas the second state is the RRC Connected and Short DRX state, the Long DRX state, or the RRC Idle state. 
         [0063]    3GPP is an abbreviation of Third Generation Partnership Project. LTE is an abbreviation of Long Term Evolution. RRC is an abbreviation of Radio Resource Control. DRX is an abbreviation of discontinuous reception. 
         [0064]    Processing subsequent to step  211  will be described next with reference to  FIG. 3 . In response to the second information processing device  402  receiving the first signal, the bandwidth estimation device  404  estimates a communication bandwidth relating to the communication network  403  on the base of the first signal (step S 212 ). For example, the communication bandwidth may be estimated in accordance with a procedure disclosed in PTL 1. However, the present invention described using the present example embodiment as an example is not limited to the procedure disclosed in PTL 1. Any procedure with which a communication bandwidth can be estimated on the base of a signal transmitted and received may be used. 
         [0065]    The second information processing device  402  transmits the estimation result of the communication bandwidth to the first information processing device  401  (step S 213 ). 
         [0066]    A timing at which the second information processing device  402  performs process illustrated in step S 213  in response to a K-th first signal will be hereinafter referred to as the “K-th reply timing”. 
         [0067]    The first information processing device  401  receives the estimation result transmitted from the second information processing device  402  (step S 214 ). 
         [0068]    When the (K+1)-th first signal is transmitted, processing similar to the processing performed when the K-th first signal is transmitted is performed. In the following description, the process performed when the (K+1)-th first signal is transmitted will be described with reference to the step numbers used in the description of the process performed when the K-th first signal is transmitted. 
         [0069]    Based on the timing (or time intervals) included in timing information received by the setting device  101 , the transmission unit  102  transmits a setting signal for setting the communication unit  407  to a communication-enabled state to the communication control unit  406  (step S 207 ). 
         [0070]    In response to receiving the setting signal (step S 208 ), the communication control unit  406  in the second information processing device  402  sets the communication unit  407  in the second information processing device  402  to the first state (step S 209 ). 
         [0071]    In response to the arrival of the (K+1)-th timing, the first information processing device  401  transmits a first signal to the second information processing device  402  (step S 210 ). 
         [0072]    In response to the communication unit  407  receiving the first signal after having been set to the first state, the bandwidth estimation device  404  estimates a communication bandwidth relating to the communication network  403  (steps S 209 , S 211  and S 212 ). The second information processing device  402  transmits the estimation result of the communication bandwidth in the bandwidth estimation device  404  to the first information processing device  401  (step S 213 ). The first information processing device  401  receives the estimation result (step S 214 ). 
         [0073]    Advantageous effects of the setting device according to the first example embodiment of the present invention will be described next. 
         [0074]    The setting device  101  according to the present example embodiment can provide an environment that enables precise estimation of a communication bandwidth. This is because, in response to receiving a setting signal, the communication unit  407  in the second information processing device  402  is set to the first state and then receives a first signal. 
         [0075]    The reason that the advantageous effect described above is achieved will be described in detail. In response to arrival of a first signal during the first state in the communication unit  407 , the communication unit  407  in the second information processing device  402  receives the first signal. Accordingly, the timing of arrival of the first signal is precisely measured and therefore, in the setting device  101  according to the present example embodiment, for example, the bandwidth estimation device  404  can precisely estimate a communication bandwidth relating to the communication network  403 . 
         [0076]    Whereas, the first information processing device  401  can possibly transmit the first signal to the communication unit  407  in a period in which the second information processing device  402  is not set to the first state by the setting device  101  according to the present example embodiment and the communication unit  407  is in the second state. In this case, the wireless base station or the like temporarily stores the first signal in itself as described with reference to  FIG. 4 . If communication information is stored in the wireless base station or the like, for example, the second information processing device  402  changes the communication unit  407  from the second state to the first state. Then the communication unit  407  collectively receives the communication information including the first signal from the wireless base station or the like at once. Accordingly, the timing of arrival of the first signal is not precisely measured and therefore the bandwidth estimation device  404  cannot precisely estimate a communication bandwidth. 
         [0077]    Further, when the transmission unit  102  transmits a setting signal at a timing before the K-th timing and close to the K-th timing, the setting device  101  according to the present example embodiment has the following advantageous effect. The setting device  101  according to the present example embodiment has the advantageous effect of precisely estimating a communication bandwidth relating to the communication network  403  and, in addition, the advantageous effect of reducing the costs of estimating the communication bandwidth. The costs include power consumption in the communication unit  407 , for example. This is because the period of time between the timing at which the communication unit  407  in the second information processing device  402  is set into the first state and the K-th timing is short. Since the transmission unit  102  transmits the setting signal at the timing before the K-th timing and close to the K-th timing, the communication unit  407  can receive a signal transmitted from the first information processing device  401  around the time when the communication unit  407  has been set into the first state according to the setting signal. Consequently, the period of time between the timing at which the communication unit  407  in the second information processing device  402  is set into the first state and the K-th timing is short. 
         [0078]    The setting device  101  may be a part of a communication system  105 , for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the communication system  105  according to the first example embodiment. 
         [0079]    The communication system  105  includes the setting device  101 , a control unit  103 , a first information processing device  401 , an estimation unit  104 , a second information processing device  113 , and a communication network  403 . The setting device  101 , the control unit  103 , the first information processing device  401 , the estimation unit  104 , and the second information processing device  113  are capable of communicating with one another via the communication network  403 . 
         [0080]    The estimation unit  104  has functions similar to the bandwidth estimation device  404  described above. The second information processing device  113  has functions similar to the communication control unit  406  and the communication unit  407  in the second information processing device  402  described above. In other words, the second information processing device  113  includes a communication control unit  406  and a communication unit  407 . The control unit  103  controls communication performed via the communication network  403 . 
         [0081]    For example, the communication system  105  may include a decision device (not depicted) that decides to add or remove a control unit  103  that controls communication via the communication network  403  in the communication system  105  in accordance with a estimation result relating to a communication bandwidth. In this case, when the estimated communication bandwidth is smaller (narrower) than a predetermined first value, the decision device decides to add the control unit  103 . On the other hand, when the estimated communication bandwidth is greater (broader) than a predetermined second value, the decision device decides to remove the control unit  103 . 
         [0082]    In another example, a client device  106  may include a setting device  101  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the client device  106  according to the first example embodiment. 
         [0083]    The client device  106  includes a setting device  101 , an estimation unit  104 , and the second information processing device  402 . The client device  106  is capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from a first information processing device  401  via a communication network  403 . 
         [0084]    The client device  106  ( FIG. 6 ) according to the first example embodiment has the advantageous effect of precisely estimating a communication bandwidth relating to the communication network  403  and, in addition, the advantageous effect of providing an environment that enables a communication bandwidth to be precisely estimated with a small amount of communication traffic. This is because a setting signal does not pass through the communication network  403 . Specifically, since the client device  106  has the configuration described above, the process by the setting device  101  for transmitting the setting signal to the second information processing device  402  is performed within the client device  106 . Accordingly, the setting signal arrives at the second information processing device  402  without passing through the communication network  403 . Consequently, in accordance with the configuration of the client device  106  including the setting device  101  and the second information processing device  402 , the amount of communication traffic on the communication network  403  is reduced. 
         [0085]    As an alternative to the processing mode illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a configuration of a server device  107  that includes a setting device  101  and processing performed by the server device  107  will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the server device  107  according to the first example embodiment.  FIG. 8  is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of processing in the server device  107  and the second information processing device  402  according to the first example embodiment. 
         [0086]    The server device  107  may include the setting device  101 , a first information processing device  401  and an estimation unit  104 . 
         [0087]    The server device  107  is capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the second information processing device  402  via a communication network  403 . 
         [0088]    As in the process illustrated in step S 202  in  FIG. 3 , the first information processing device  401  transmits to the first information processing device  401  a request for setting time intervals at which a first signal is to be transmitted (step S 303 ). Then, the server device  107  receives the request (step S 304 ). 
         [0089]    Then, the first information processing device  401  determines a timing at which a K-th first signal is to be transmitted (where K represents a natural number between 1, inclusive, and N, inclusive) on the base of the time intervals (transmission intervals) included in the request (step S 305 ). 
         [0090]    A transmission unit  102  transmits a setting signal for setting a communication unit  407  to the first state, that is a communication-enabled state, to the second information processing device  402  on the base of the timing (or time intervals) determined by the first information processing device  401  (step S 306 ). In response to receiving the setting signal (step S 307 ), a communication control unit  406  in the second information processing device  402  sets a communication unit (for example a communication unit  407  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) included in the second information processing device  402  to the first state (step S 308 ). 
         [0091]    In response to the arrival of the determined timing, the first information processing device  401  transmits a first signal to the second information processing device  402  via the communication network  403  (step S 309 ). The second information processing device  402  receives the first signal (step S 310 ) and transmits a second signal responding to the first signal to the first information processing device  401  (step S 311 ). 
         [0092]    The second signal may be for example an acknowledgement (ack) signal indicating that the first signal has been received or may be a signal including information about the timing at which the second information processing device  402  received the first signal. 
         [0093]    The first information processing device  401  receives the second signal transmitted from the second information processing device  402  (step S 312 ). In response to the first information processing device  401  receiving the second signal, the estimation unit  104  estimates a communication bandwidth relating to the communication network  403  on the base of the timing information included in the second signal, for example (step S 313 ). 
         [0094]    Processing similar to the processing performed when the K-th first signal is transmitted is performed when subsequently the (K+1)-th first signal is transmitted. In the following description, the processing performed when the (K+1)-th first signal is transmitted will be described with reference to the step numbers used in the description of the processing performed when the K-th first signal is transmitted. 
         [0095]    The setting device  101  transmits a setting signal to the second information processing device  402  (step S 306 ). 
         [0096]    In response to receiving the setting signal (step S 307 ), the second information processing device  402  sets a communication unit (for example a communication unit  407  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) in the second information processing device  402  to the first state (step S 308 ). 
         [0097]    The first information processing device  401  transmits a first signal to the communication unit in the second information processing device  402  (step S 309 ). The second information processing device  402  receives the first signal (step S 310 ) and transmits a second signal responding to the first signal to the first information processing device  401  (step S 311 ). 
         [0098]    The first information processing device  401  receives the second signal transmitted from the second information processing device  402  (step S 312 ). In response to the first information processing device  401  receiving the second signal, the estimation unit  104  estimates a communication bandwidth relating to the communication network  403  on the base of timing information included in the second signal, for example (step S 313 ). 
         [0099]    The server device  107  according to the first example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7  has the advantageous effect of precisely estimating a communication bandwidth relating to the communication network  403 . Further, the server device  107  according to the first example embodiment can provide an environment that enables a communication bandwidth to be precisely estimated even when time measured by the system clock of the server device  107  differs from time measured by the system clock of the second information processing device  402 . The system clock within each device may measure time independently of system clocks of the other devices, for example. This is because the K-th timing and the timing at which the setting signal is transmitted are measured by the system clock of the server device  107 . 
         [0100]    As the server device  107  includes the first information processing device  401  and the setting device  101 , the first information processing device  401 , and the setting device  101  operate on the base of the system clock of the server device  107 . Accordingly, the K-th timing and the timing at which the setting signal is transmitted are measured by the system clock of the server device  107 . Consequently, the setting device  101  can transmit the setting signal properly even when there is a difference between time measured by the system clock of the second information processing device  402  and time measured by the system clock of the first information processing device  401 . Accordingly, the communication facility in the second information processing device  402  receives a signal from the first information processing device  401  within a period in which the communication facility is in the first state. Consequently, the server device  107  according to the present example embodiment can precisely estimate a communication bandwidth even when time measured by the system clock of the first information processing device  401  differs from time measured by the system clock of the second information processing device  402 . 
       Second Example Embodiment 
       [0101]    Next, a second example embodiment of the present invention based on the above-described first example embodiment will be described. 
         [0102]    Hereinafter, description will be made focusing on characteristic features of the present example embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the above-described first example embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted. 
         [0103]    A configuration of a setting device  108  according to a second example embodiment and processing performed by the setting device  108  will be describe with reference to  FIGS. 9 to 11 .  FIG. 9  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the setting device  108  according to the second example embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a process flow in the setting device  108  according to the second example embodiment.  FIG. 11  is a sequence diagram illustrating a process performed by the setting device  108 , a first information processing device  401 , and a second information processing device  402  according to the second example embodiment. 
         [0104]    The setting device  108  according to the second example embodiment includes a determination unit  109  and a transmission unit  110 . 
         [0105]    As seen from  FIG. 11 , processing similar to the process illustrated in step S 210  to step S 213  of  FIG. 3  is performed. Then, the first information processing device  401  receives an estimation result transmitted from the second information processing device  402  (step S 214 ). 
         [0106]    Then the second information processing device  402  transmits timing information to the setting device  108  via a communication network  403  (step S 215 ). The timing information in this case includes information representing the K-th timing described above and the time while a communication unit  407  is in a first state before transition to a second state (hereinafter referred to as the “first period”). Alternatively, the timing information may further include information representing a second period from the K-th timing to the (K+1)-th timing. 
         [0107]    The first period may be the time between the K-th reply timing at which a signal responding to the K-th first signal is transmitted and the timing at which the communication unit  407  is set into the second state. When the second information processing device  402  performs some processing (hereinafter referred to as the “second processing”) after the K-th reply timing, the second information processing device  402  may set the period between the timing at which the second processing ends and the timing at which the communication unit  407  is set into the second state as the first period. In this case, the second information processing device  402  transmits timing information to the setting device  108  in response to the end of the second processing. 
         [0108]    Then, the setting device  108  performs the process illustrated in step S 216 . The process illustrated in step S 216  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 10 . The setting device  108  receives timing information. In response to the setting device  108  receiving the timing information, the determination unit  109  determines whether or not the first period is shorter than the second period (step S 102 ). 
         [0109]    When the determination unit  109  determines that the first period is shorter than the second period (YES at step S 102 ), the determination unit  109  transmits a setting signal to the second information processing device  402  in the second period (step S 110 , i.e. step S 216  of  FIG. 11 ). When the determination unit  109  determines that the first period is longer than the second period or the length of the first period is equal to the length of the second period (NO at step S 102 ), the determination unit  109  does not perform the process illustrated in step S 110 . 
         [0110]    Processing subsequent to step S 216  will be described with reference to  FIG. 11 . In response to receiving the setting signal (step S 217 ), the communication control unit  406  sets the communication unit  407  in the second information processing device  402  to a first state (step S 218 ). 
         [0111]    In response to the arrival of a determined timing, the first information processing device  401  transmits a first signal to the second information processing device  402  (step S 219 ). 
         [0112]    Then, in response to the arrival of the first signal from the first information processing device  401 , the communication unit  407  receives the first signal (step S 220 ). In response to the communication unit  407  in the second information processing device  402  receiving the first signal, a bandwidth estimation device  404  estimates a communication bandwidth relating to the communication network  403  (step S 221 ). The second information processing device  402  transmits the estimation result relating to the estimated communication bandwidth to the first information processing device  401  (step S 222 ). 
         [0113]    The first information processing device  401  receives the estimation result (step S 223 ). 
         [0114]    Advantageous effects of the setting device  108  according to the second example embodiment will be described next. 
         [0115]    The setting device  108  according to the present example embodiment has the advantageous effect of enabling precise estimation of a communication bandwidth. Further, the setting device  108  according to the present example embodiment has the advantageous effect of reducing the amount of communication traffic and the frequency of communications. This is because of reasons 1 and 2: 
         [0116]    (Reason 1) The configuration of the setting device  108  according to the second example embodiment includes a configuration similar to the setting device  101  according to the first example embodiment, and 
         [0117]    (Reason 2) When it is determined that the first period is longer than the second period, the transmission unit  110  does not transmit a setting signal to the second information processing device  402 . 
         [0118]    When the first period is longer than the second period, the communication unit  407  is set to the second state after a third timing. In this case, the communication unit  407  is in the first state at the third timing without having to receiving a setting signal. Therefore, when the first period is longer than the second period, the setting device  108  does not need to transmit a setting signal to the second information processing device  402 . Thus, the setting device  108  according to the present example embodiment has the advantageous effect of reducing the amount of communication traffic and the frequency of communications. 
       Third Example Embodiment 
       [0119]    Next, a third example embodiment of the present invention based on the above-described first example embodiment will be described. 
         [0120]    Hereinafter, description will be made focusing on characteristic features of the present example embodiment. The same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the above-described first example embodiment, and redundant explanations will be omitted. 
         [0121]    A configuration of a setting device  112  according to a third example embodiment and processing performed by the setting device  112  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 12 and 13 .  FIG. 12  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the setting device  112  according to the third example embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the setting device  112  according to the third example embodiment. 
         [0122]    The setting device  112  according to the third example embodiment includes an estimation unit  111 , a determination unit  109  and a transmission unit  110 . 
         [0123]    First, the estimation unit  111  estimates a first period on the base of history information  405  in which a K-th timing (where K represents an integer greater than or equal to 1), the (K+1)-th timing and a state (for example a first state or a second state) of the communication unit  407  at the (K+1)-th timing are associated with one another (step S 104 ). 
         [0124]    The history information  405  may not include information about the state of the communication unit  407 , for example. The history information  405  may be information about a state in which a communication facility in a third information processing device is placed when the third information processing device is used to estimate a communication bandwidth. 
         [0125]    For example, the estimation unit  111  computes the difference between the (K+1)-th timing associated with a first state and the K-th timing associated with the first state on the base of the history information  405 . For convenience of explanation, the difference is referred to as a “first transmission interval”. In other words, the first transmission interval represents the length of the period while the communication unit  407  is estimated to be in the first state between the K-th timing and the (K+1)-th timing. Similarly, the estimation unit  111  computes the difference between the (K+1)-th timing associated with the second state and the K-th timing associated with the first state on the base of the history information  405 . For the convenience of explanation, the difference is referred to as a “second transmission interval”. In other words, the second transmission interval represents the length of the period from the K-th timing to the (K+1)-th timing and the period while the communication unit  407  changes from the first state to the second state. For example, the estimation unit  111  estimates the first period by computing the average of the maximum value among first transmission intervals and the minimum value among second transmission intervals. 
         [0126]    The procedure with which the estimation unit  111  estimates the first period is not limited to the method described above; for example, the procedure may estimate the average over the averaged first transmission intervals and the averaged second transmission intervals as the first period. The procedure may estimate the average over the minimum value of first transmission intervals and the maximum value of second transmission intervals as the first period. The procedure may estimate the maximum value of second transmission intervals as the first period. 
         [0127]    Then, the determination unit  109  determines whether or not the first period is shorter than the second period (step S 105 ). Here, the first period is an estimated time between the end of processing and the timing at which the communication unit  407  is set to the second state after executing some processing. 
         [0128]    When the determination unit  109  determines that the estimated first period is shorter than the second period (YES at step S 105 ), the determination unit  109  transmits a setting signal to the second information processing device  402  in the second period (step S 110 ). When the determination unit  109  determines that the estimated first period is longer than or equal to the second period (NO at step S 105 ), the determination unit  109  does not perform the process illustrated in step S 110 . 
         [0129]    In the history information  405 , at least one of the type of hardware relating to the second information processing device  402  and the type of software relating to the second information processing device  402  may also be associated with information described above. 
         [0130]    For example, in this case, the estimation unit  111  refers to at least one of the type of hardware relating to an information processing device used for estimation of a communication bandwidth (referred to as the “third information processing device” for convenience of explanation) and the type of software relating to the third information processing device. For example, the estimation unit  111  reads information associated with a type of hardware that is the same as (or similar to) the type of hardware relating to the third information processing device from the history information  405  and estimates the first period on the base of the read information in accordance with the procedure as described above. 
         [0131]    For example, the estimation unit  111  reads information associated with a type of software that is the same as (or similar to) the type of software relating to the third information processing device from the history information  405  and estimates the first period on the base of the read information in accordance with the procedure as described above. Alternatively, the estimation unit  111  reads information associated with types that are the same as (or similar to) the above-mentioned two types relating to the third information processing device from the history information  405  and estimates the first period on the base of the read information in accordance with the procedure as described above. 
         [0132]    Advantageous effects of the setting device  112  according to the third example embodiment will be described next. 
         [0133]    The setting device  112  according to the present example embodiment enables precise estimation of a communication bandwidth. Further, the setting device  112  according to the present example embodiment enables a communication bandwidth to be precisely estimated even when the first period is unknown. 
         [0134]    This is because of reasons 1 and 2: 
         [0135]    (Reason 1) The configuration of the setting device  112  according to the third example embodiment includes a configuration similar to the setting device  101  according to the first example embodiment, and 
         [0136]    (Reason 2) The estimation unit  111  estimates the first period on the base of the history information  405  even when the first period is unknown. 
         [0137]    Further, if the history information  405  includes at least one of the type of hardware and the type of software, the setting device  112  according to the third example embodiment can provide an environment that enables a communication bandwidth to be more precisely estimated. This is because the second period often depends on at least one of the type of hardware and the type of software. 
         [0138]    The estimation unit  111  estimates the first period on the base of the history information  405  associated with at least one of the type of hardware and the type of software. Since the first period often depends on at least one of the type of hardware and the type of software, the estimation unit  111  can estimate the first period more precisely. Consequently, the transmission unit  110  can transmit a setting signal at an appropriate timing and thus the setting device  112  according to this example embodiment can provide an environment that enables a communication bandwidth to be more precisely estimated. 
         [0139]    (Hardware Configuration Example) 
         [0140]    A configuration example of hardware resources that realize setting devices in the above-described example embodiments of the present invention using a single calculation processing apparatus (an information processing apparatus or a computer) will be described. However, the setting devices may be realized using physically or functionally at least two calculation processing apparatuses. Further, the setting devices may be realized as a dedicated apparatus. 
         [0141]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of a calculation processing apparatus capable of realizing the setting devices according to first to third example embodiments. A calculation processing apparatus  20  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  21 , a memory  22 , a disc  23 , and a non-transitory recording medium  24 . A calculation processing apparatus  20  further includes an input apparatus  25 , an output apparatus  26 , a communication interface (hereinafter, expressed as a “communication I/F”)  27  and a display  28 . The calculation processing apparatus  20  can execute transmission/reception of information to/from another calculation processing apparatus and a communication apparatus via the communication I/F  27 . 
         [0142]    The non-volatile recording medium  24  is, for example, a computer-readable Compact Disc, Digital Versatile Disc. The non-volatile recording medium  24  may be Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, Solid State Drive or the like. The non-transitory recording medium  24  allows a related program to be holdable and portable without power supply. The non-transitory recording medium  24  is not limited to the above-described media. Further, a related program can be carried via a communication network by way of the communication I/F  27  instead of the non-transitory medium  24 . 
         [0143]    In other words, the CPU  21  copies, on the memory  22 , a software program (a computer program: hereinafter, referred to simply as a “program”) stored by the disc  23  when executing the program and executes arithmetic processing. The CPU  21  reads data necessary for program execution from the memory  22 . When display is needed, the CPU  21  displays an output result on the display  28 . When a program is input from the outside, the CPU  21  reads the program from the input apparatus  25 . The CPU  21  interprets and executes an setting program ( FIG. 2 , “setting device” in  FIG. 3 , “server device” in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 10 , “setting device” in  FIG. 11  or  FIG. 13 ) present on the memory  22  corresponding to a function (processing) indicated by each unit illustrated in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 9 , or  FIG. 12  described above. The CPU  21  sequentially executes the processing described in each example embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0144]    In other words, in such a case, it is conceivable that the present invention can also be made using the setting program. Further, it is conceivable that the present invention can also be made using a computer-readable, non-transitory recording medium storing the setting program. 
         [0145]    The present invention has been described using the above-described example embodiments as example cases. 
         [0146]    However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example embodiments. In other words, the present invention is applicable with various aspects that can be understood by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0147]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese patent application No. 2014-233883, filed on Nov. 18, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           101  Setting device 
           102  Transmission unit 
           401  First information processing device 
           402  Second information processing device 
           403  Communication network 
           404  Bandwidth estimation device 
           406  Communication control unit 
           407  Communication unit 
           103  Control unit 
           104  Estimation unit 
           105  Communication system 
           113  Second information processing device 
           106  Client device 
           107  Server device 
           108  Setting device 
           109  Determination unit 
           110  Transmission unit 
           111  Estimation unit 
           112  Setting device 
           405  History information

Technology Classification (CPC): 7