WO2008003404A1

WO2008003404A1 - Method and communication system for controlling the flow of data over network nodes

Info

Publication number: WO2008003404A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/005481
Authority: WO
Inventors: Collin Rogowski; Helmut Hoffer Von Ankershoffen
Original assignee: Combots Product Gmbh
Priority date: 2006-07-03
Filing date: 2007-06-21
Publication date: 2008-01-10
Also published as: DE102006030613A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a system for controlling the flow of data over network nodes, in particular over network nodes of an internet-assisted communication system CB, in which also end devices perform network node functions. In order to control the data flow in the most intelligent way possible, for transferring data, for exchanging data and aligning data, the method comprises the following steps: the data that is to be transferred from one of the users (A) to one of the other users (B) is determined; - at least one criterion that determines whether the flow of data is to be controlled by direct connections (P2P) between the end user network nodes (EUNA; EUNB) or also by indirect connections (S&F) which comprise at least one of the user network nodes (UHNA; UHNB) is verified; and the data flow is controlled in accordance with at least one verified criterion. Due to said measures, the flow of data can be controlled in accordance with predefinable criteria in an intelligent manner. As criteria, various details can be consulted such that the control can be carried out in particular, in a decentralised manner when the network nodes (EUN...; UHN... ) involved in the flow of data know said criteria and can follow them.

Description

Method and communication system for controlling the data flow via network nodes

The invention relates to a method for controlling the data flow via network nodes, in particular via network nodes of an Internet-based communication system, in which terminals also execute network node functions. The invention further relates to a communication system for carrying out such a method and network units for controlling the data flow, in particular for decentralized control of the data flow.

Due to the increasing networking of terminals, in particular desktop computers, notebooks, personal digital assistant (PDA), mobile phones and the like, users of communication networks have many opportunities to communicate with each other or to exchange and / or reconcile data. For this purpose, usually one or more communication services or types of communication are used, in particular multimedia services, which may include all possibilities of providing and exchanging information. Possible services may be, for example: instant messaging services, Internet telephony services (Voice over IP or VoIP for short), data sharing services (FileSharing) or data access services (WindowSharing) or else data provisioning services, in particular for video, Audio, picture and program data. Other services include whiteboard services, where multiple users share a common area for concurrently editing and displaying a shared graph, and other services based on exchanging information between two or more terminals. The data can be sent via direct connections (so-called peer-to-peer) or via indirect Links with caching (so-called Store & Forward) are sent between the users. In addition, users can have several terminals, so that between the terminals of the same user or even different users, the data must be exchanged or synchronized (synchronized) must be.

It also happens that the terminals are not permanently, but only when needed and temporarily connected to the network. This may result in data being sent from one terminal but not being able to be received by the other terminal as it may be disconnected from the network. Both in communication services as well as data providing services for video, audio, image and other data, it is desirable that the data to be supplied are provided to the intended terminal or its user for retrieval, without it being necessary, the terminal to connect to the network. Among these data provided may continue to be priority or prioritized data to be made available to the user of the other terminal as quickly as possible and as directly as possible.

Internet-based, ie packet-based, communication networks are increasingly being used for communication. The conventional packet-based networks are formed by a large number of interconnected network units (routers, servers and other network nodes), which may only be in operation at certain times or may spontaneously fail. To connect terminals is such a network, it is important that the flow of data as possible, trouble-free, fast and inexpensive. But these are partly conflicting requirements, which can not always be satisfactorily fulfilled. That's why intelligent controllers for optimal data flow particularly desirable. For large networks, which have many network nodes that can fail, a purely central control of the data flow is a rather difficult or expensive solution. Targeting should probably be a decentralized solution, but the said problem is particularly important to note that namely the network nodes are not always or permanently connected to the network, but at least temporarily disconnected from the network.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a communication system in which, for the transmission of data, for data exchange or data synchronization, the data flow is controlled as intelligently as possible in order to solve the difficulties mentioned above.

This object is achieved by a method for controlling the data flow via network nodes of a communication system according to the features of claim 1 and by a communication system or a network unit according to the features of one of the independent claims.

Accordingly, a method or devices are proposed for controlling the data flow via network nodes that are assigned to users of a communication system, wherein the communication system comprises a core network with user logical network nodes, which the users access by means of terminals which are designed as end-user logical network nodes are, and the following steps are performed:

- determining that data is to be transferred from one of the users to another of the users;

Checking at least one criterion that determines whether the data flow of data is via direct connections between the End user network node or even to control indirect connections, which include at least one of the user network nodes; and

- controlling the data flow as a function of the at least one tested criterion.

These measures ensure that the data flow can be controlled intelligently, depending on predefinable criteria. Various information can be used as criteria, so that the control can also take place decentrally, in particular, if the network nodes involved in the data flow know and can observe these criteria.

Advantageously, the at least one criterion specifies a usage tariff that has been assigned to at least one of the users for the use of the communication system, in particular to the user who sends the data to the other user, and to the usage tariff in a user profile assigned to the user is stored, wherein the usage rate indicates whether the data flow of data via the direct connections (peer-to-peer) and / or via the indirect connections (store & forward) is controlled.

In this context, it is advantageous if the at least one criterion comprises a first usage tariff assigned to the user for the use of the communication system which sends the data to the other user, wherein the first usage tariff is stored in a user profile assigned to the user, and if the at least one criterion also includes a second usage rate assigned to the other user for use of the communication system receiving the data, the second one Usage rate is stored in a user profile assigned to the other user. In this case, it is then checked by means of both usage tariffs whether the data flow of the data is controlled via the direct connections (peer-to-peer) and / or via the indirect connections (store & forward).

Moreover, it is advantageous if the at least one criterion indicates a data volume for the data to be transmitted, the data volume being compared with a threshold value for checking the criterion. In this case, the data flow is preferably controlled via the direct connections if the data volume exceeds the threshold value.

Preferably, the at least one criterion may contain predefinable information about the data to be transmitted, in particular the data type, the data content, the transmission time and / or the sending network node. Also, the at least one criterion may contain pre-embarrassable information on the terminal provided for the transmission and / or reception of the data and / or on the sending and / or receiving user, in particular information stored in the user profile of the respective user. In this case, the at least one criterion from the network operator and / or service provider vorgebare information and / or by the user selectable information included.

In particular, for a decentralized control of the data flow, it is particularly advantageous if the data to be transmitted are transmitted in the form of a data block containing user data and control data, in particular strategy and / or synchronization data, wherein the control data, the at least one criterion for controlling the data flow contain. Thus, the strategy or synchronization data is not just the criteria for data flow control, but also a synchronization plan that determines the type of data exchange. In particular, it is determined whether a synchronization according to the Store & Forward principle or the PeerToPeer principle is controlled. The preferred criteria are fare, user data volume (volume of payload) or data type or format of the selected service.

As a result of various criteria and / or specifications, a dynamically controlled data flow takes place. In this case, various pages, in particular the service provider, the network operator and / or the users involved, can act on the data flow, thereby enabling a highly flexible strategy for the transmission and provision of data.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, but which may also constitute an independent invention, a method is provided for providing a number of services, in particular communication services, to a terminal connectable to a network having a number of interconnected network units , The method comprises the steps of providing a data packet or data block containing payload or user data and separate policy data in a network unit formed as a user node, and automatically establishing a connection with the terminal and transmitting the data packet from the network to the terminal depending on the strategy contained in the data packet or data block or Synchronization data. The strategy or

Synchronization data is logically linked to the payload data or assigned to it and are sent together in the data packet.

These measures, which can be carried out additionally or separately, allow the data packet to be automatically transmitted from the user node to the terminal when providing a data packet for a service to a terminal, if a corresponding priority is provided by the strategy or data contained in the data block. Synchronization data is displayed. It is thereby achieved that not a user application (for example a user program) executed in the terminal or even a central network node (eg synchronization node) decides which data packets are retrieved from the corresponding user node or between the nodes be matched. It is not (as usual in a real-time communication or a prioritized data provision service) the communication flow centrally controlled, but the respective user node decides depending on the synchronization data contained in each data packet, which data is automatically transmitted to the terminal and which (not) yet , In the terminal then the correspondingly transmitted data or even the entire data packets can be provided for an application, wherein the application can also be started by the reception of the data packet itself. According to the invention, a synchronization plan adheres to the payload data to be transmitted in packets. This plan is determined by the synchronization data and indicates parameters for the actual data transmission or data synchronization, such as airtime, prioritization, transmission path and the like. Accordingly, strategy objects (strategy data or synchronization data) are attached to data packets, in particular to user data, for controlling the communication flow or linked thereto. As a result, the communication via any node, in particular user nodes (also referred to here as EndUserNodes) and / or network nodes (also referred to here as UserHomeNodes), can be controlled or directed without effort for a data flow control. The strategy objects or data determine, inter alia, the type of synchronization and / or their priority, for example via a real-time flag, and thus ensure a better data flow.

This results in a preferably completely decentralized control, which is essentially (pre-) determined before the transmission of the respective data packet on the basis of the strategy objects and executed by the participating nodes. In addition, however, each receiving node, in particular the user node provided as the synchronization target, can filter the strategy by means of setting data, for example to ignore the priority specifications. The setting data is set at the respective node by the user there.

An idea of the invention is thus that synchronization data is added to user data in the data block, which indicate whether or not the data block is to be automatically provided by the corresponding user node for the terminal assigned to the user node. Whereas in conventional systems, a corresponding application (software) in the terminal retrieves data packets in accordance with a provision, it is provided according to the present invention that the user node assigned to the respective terminal decides on the basis of the synchronization data in the data block whether the data block is automatic or with Priority is sent to the appropriate terminal or not. The data block is then available in the corresponding terminal and is there provided to an application associated with the data in the data block, eg an application for a real-time communication service or a data service. In the specific case, this means that the corresponding application is selected and opened upon arrival of such a real-time data block and one or more corresponding functions are performed, depending on the user data contained in the data block.

In general, this means that a synchronization of a user node in a network with a correspondingly assigned terminal is performed depending on the synchronization data contained in the data block, independently of an application operated in the terminal and according to a rule blocks of data stored in the user node is selectively retrieved.

These and other preferred embodiments of the invention and the resulting advantages are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the drawings show the following schematic representations:

Fig. 1 shows schematically the structure of a

Communication system in a first embodiment of the invention, in which the method for controlling the data flow is performed.

2 shows an example of a representation for

Criteria used to control the flow of data. FIGS. 3a and 3b show, by way of example, representations of direct and indirect connections within the communication system, via which the data flow can be controlled.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of a

Communication system in a second embodiment of the invention, in which the method for controlling the data flow of data blocks is carried out containing payload data and strategy or synchronization data.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the structure of a

Communication system in a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the structure of the network nodes is shown in more detail.

FIG. 6 shows schematically the sequence of the method according to the invention for controlling the data flow.

First, the description of a first

Embodiment here reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3a and 3b taken. 1 shows the schematic structure of a communication system CB, which is designed as an Internet-based communication system. By way of example for a large number of users, two users A and B are shown who can communicate with one another via the communication system CB, in particular by exchanging data for multimedia communication by text, image, graphics, video and / or audio as well as data for user applications (Word processing, work tables, presentations, databases, etc.). The communication system CB includes a plurality of network nodes EUNA, ... EUNB, ... UHNA ... UHNB, via which the data is transmitted in the form of data packets or data blocks, with an intelligent control of the data flow. As a result, the data can be transmitted via different paths, ie via different connections between the network nodes. The intelligent control of the data flow will be described in detail later. First of all, the structure of the communication system CB, in particular its logical structure and the function of the network nodes EUN ... or UHN.

FIG. 1 essentially shows the logical structure of the communication system CB. Preferably, this is a decentralized structured architecture in which all (logical) network nodes can interact with substantially equal rights. This means that all network nodes can establish connections with one another, be it as a transmitting node, as a receiving node and / or as a relay node. The function is determined by the current request to the respective network node or to the data or data packets to be transmitted. In particular, direct connections and indirect connections can be established. Direct connections (peer-to-peer) are switched between equal network nodes, as shown in FIG. 1 by means of the peer-to-peer connection 101 between EUNA and EUNB. These direct connections are also indicated by way of example by the arrow P2P. On the other hand, indirect connections (store & forward) are connected between non-equivalent network nodes and / or via several intermediate nodes or relay nodes, with data buffering or data retention also taking place in individual network nodes can. These are so-called Store & Forward connections, such as the connections 102, 201 or 202 shown in FIG. 1. The arrow S & F also refers to such indirect connections.

The communication system illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a core network TSC with logical user network nodes UHNA, UHNB... (Also called user home node or user home node), which each user A or B can access by means of his terminals. The terminals in turn are designed as logical end-user network nodes EUNA, EUNB ... (also called end user node or EndUserNode) and are thus in an association with the corresponding user network node. Somt, each user, such as the user A, has access to an associated end-user network node (in this case EUNA) and to a user network node (here UHNA). The user network nodes UHNA, ... UHNB ... belong to the core network TSC and are set up on servers of the service provider or network operator. The end-user nodes are set up on the end devices of the users or users. Here, the user A has, for example, two terminals, namely a personal computer and a mobile communication terminal, so that the user A is assigned two corresponding end-user nodes, namely EUNA and EUNA '. The user B has here eg three terminals and thus three end user network nodes EUNB, EUNB 'and EUNB''. These network nodes EUNA... EUNB... Assigned to the users A and B communicating with one another are thus terminal nodes at which the users send and / or receive data. FIG. 1 also shows an end user network node EUNx which is assigned to a further user and which can optionally be used as a relay node in order to establish connections between the users A and B and to forward or temporarily store data. In doing so, the user of the EUNx receives no access to the data, which are exclusively intended for users A and B or are used for personal communication. This is ensured, inter alia, that an encryption of the data, such as a 128-bit encryption via SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is carried out, with only the users involved A and B or their nodes EUNA ... EUNB ... needed Have keys. On the terminal side, the end-user nodes EUN ... are essentially realized by a client software executed on the respective terminal, which interact or interact with the corresponding server-side user network node UHN.

The users thus have at least one end user network node (e.g., EUNA) implemented as a client and at least one user network node (e.g., UHNA) implemented as a server. As FIG. 1 shows, users can also have several end user network nodes (also called end user nodes) and / or several user network nodes (also user home nodes), wherein preferably only one user home node per user is installed, such that the network side controls and manages the data for the users by the respective UserHomeNodes can be carried out clearly.

In order to administer the users, in particular to authenticate the users, a central network unit is provided in the core network TSC, which is referred to here as an authentication unit CID. The services provided by the communication system CB are accessible only to the authenticated users. Thus, a log-on process, in which the user must log in, is carried out before the user has access to the system. For user management, in particular for the management of user profiles including assigned user rates, is in the core network TSC another network unit provided, which is also referred to here as subheading TRF. The tariffs include a criterion by means of which the control of the data flow is performed.

According to the invention, the method for controlling the data flow also comprises the following steps, reference being also made to FIG. 6 here:

In the method M100, first in a first step M101 it is determined whether data from a first user, e.g. the user A, to a second user, e.g. the user B are to be transferred. This is done by signaling the corresponding EndUserNode EUNA to the assigned HomeUserNode UHNA and / or by sending data to be transmitted to the User B to this node UHNA. In a next step M102, it is checked whether there is at least one criterion TRF which determines whether the data flow of the data is to be controlled via direct connections P2P or also via indirect connections S & F. This happens e.g. in the HomeUserNode UHNA, which accesses the subheading TRF and there on the basis of the user profile of the user A the corresponding criterion, in particular the booked usage rate TRF (A) (see also Fig. 2). Additionally or alternatively, in a further step M103, the data flow is then controlled as a function of the at least one tested criterion, that is, at least as a function of the usage tariff TRF (A).

The data are preferably sent as data packets (see DAT in FIG. 4), which in addition to the actual user data PL also contain the strategy data SYN for controlling the data flow. This is done at least in part by the UserHomeNode UHNA, which adds the strategy data SYN to the data packet to be transmitted, which is used for forwarding or for the routing of this data packet represent the control information. Thus, the next nodes can detect if this data packet is for peer-to-peer or store & forward and behave accordingly. The network thus preferably operates with a decentralized data flow control.

Many parameters or information could be used as criteria. In the example shown here with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3a and 3b, not only the usage tariffs TRF are checked as a criterion, but also the data volume VOL, which indicates the amount of data to be transmitted.

2 shows a table with the criteria to be tested and the resulting instructions or strategies for the control of the data flow. As utilization tariffs TRF (A) and TRF (B), for example, it is possible to choose between a test tariff TST and a base tariff BSC. The currently booked tariff will then be checked. The data volume VOL is checked on the basis of a comparison with a predefinable threshold TH. Every single criterion as well as any combination of the criteria can be used for the examination. In this example, the tariffs of both users TRF (A) and TRF (B) are checked and the data volume VOL of the data to be transmitted.

For example, the sending user A has entered and booked the test tariff TST in his user profile as usage tariff TRF (A). And also the receiving user B has booked this test tariff TST. If the data volume VOL is now smaller than the threshold value TH, which may amount to a few megabytes (here TH = 4 MB), then the data is routed via indirect connections S & F, ie the data flow is controlled according to the store & forward mode. Such compounds are in the Fig. 1 denoted by 201 or 202. However, if the data volume is greater than the threshold value TH, the data flow takes place according to the peer-to-peer mode, ie directly between the EndUserNodes and without intermediate storage. Such a direct connection P2P is designated 101 in FIG.

The various ways of data flow are also shown by way of example in FIGS. 3a and 3b, starting from terminals which can be connected via DSL connections (DSL: Digital Subscriber Line) to the HomeUserNodes of the Internet-based communication network. In FIG. 3a, the direct connections P2P between two EndUserNodes EUNA and EUNB are switched via the network cards NICA or NICB located in the terminals and via the DLS routers DSLR connected thereto. The direct connections P2P thus run over the routers and do not go over the UserHomeNodes of the core network. In the simplest case, both terminals are connected to the same router, so that the connection P2P runs directly through this one router. The indirect connections S & F run via the respective network card NICA or NICB and the associated DSL router DSLR to the corresponding HomeUserNode UHNA or UHNB. The indirect connections S & F always run via at least one UserHomeNode.

FIG. 3b differs from FIG. 3a only in that in FIG. 3b the direct connections P2P run directly over the two participating network cards NICA and NICB, ie that the terminals are connected directly, eg via a Bluetooth interface or via a transparent LAN connection exchange their data with each other. The network system or the core network (see TSC in Fig. 1) then has at most the task of managing or documenting data transmission via these connections. For example, this is documented within an entry in a history, which in turn is assigned to the users involved, so that users A and B can later see that this data has been transmitted via P2P connection.

With regard to the first exemplary embodiment, it can be summarized that an intelligent data flow control or steering system is carried out on the basis of the criteria, so that preferably a peer-to-peer connection is switched with larger amounts of data, but depending on the respective usage tariff Store & Forward connection can be switched. In particular, communication services can thus be efficiently provided and performed, such as instant messaging, IP telephony, video telephony, whiteboard services and the like. Also, data provision services, e.g. for audio, video, image and / or program data. These are in particular services for the private or commercial provision of MP3 data (music collection) or photos (photo album) or address data, etc.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4. This is in particular a preferred embodiment of the inventive concept described, but which can also be regarded as an independent solution.

Here it is now provided that preferably a number of services are provided between at least one first terminal 3 (compare EUNA in Fig.l) and a second terminal 4 (see EUNB in Fig.l), each with a network system with NW a number of interconnected network units 5 are connectable. It may further include the steps of selecting one of the services be provided on the first terminal 3 and steps of generating a data block DAT containing user data PL and synchronization data SYN, wherein the synchronization data SYN are provided depending on the service. In addition, steps of transmitting the data block DAT to a network unit (see UHNA in FIG. 1) of the network system NW configured as a first user node 9 for providing the data block DAT to the second terminal 4 may also be provided. In addition, steps of automatically transmitting the data block DAT from the network system NW may be provided depending on the synchronization data SYN contained in the data block DAT.

In this case, it is proposed that the data block DAT be provided in a network node (see UHNB in FIG. 1) formed in the second user node 10 in the network system NW, the data block DAT from the second user node 10 being dependent on the synchronization data contained in the data block DAT SYN is transmitted automatically. Preferably, the second terminal 4 is at least temporarily connectable to the second user node 10 of the network system NW.

It is now provided that the data block DAT is transmitted to the second terminal 4 as a function of setting data provided in the second user node 10. This makes it possible for configuration settings of the respective user (A and / or B) to be stored locally in the network as setting data in the corresponding user node, with synchronization taking place in dependence on these setting data. In this case, the connection of the second terminal 4 to the second user node 10 of the network system NW can be performed by the second terminal 4. Furthermore, the connection of the second terminal 4 be performed automatically and / or manually at regular intervals with the second user node 10 of the network system NW.

Alternatively, the connection of the second terminal 4 to the second user node 10 of the network system NW may be performed by the second user node 10 depending on the synchronization data SYN of the data block DAT and / or on the setting data provided in the second user node 10 as soon as the data block DAT to be provided is available in the second user node 10.

It should preferably be further provided that depending on the synchronization data SYN in the data block DAT is attempted by the second user node 10 to establish a data connection between the second user node 10 and the second terminal 4. When the data connection has been established, the data block DAT is transmitted to the second terminal 4. If no data connection can be established between the second user node 10 and the second terminal 4, the data block DAT is transmitted from the second user node 10 to a further (third) user node, which can be connected to the second terminal 4. Depending on the synchronization data SYN in the data block DAT, the further second user node 10 attempts to establish a data connection between the further (third) user node and the second terminal 4 in order to transmit the data block DAT to the user B and to receive the data Delivery of the data block on the receiving side successfully complete.

Beforehand, the transmission of the data block DAT to the user A was preferably already on the transmission side first user node 9 depending on the synchronization data SYN performed. For the sending side, it is preferably proposed that the synchronization data SYN are also generated as a function of priority information provided by a user of the first terminal. Alternatively or additionally, the

Synchronization data SYN are also generated depending on an automatically provided by the first terminal 3 priority information.

As can be seen in FIG. 4, a communication system S implemented in this way is shown there. The system S comprises a network system NW or core network (see also TSC in Fig. 1), which is connectable to the one or more terminals 3 and the one or more second terminals 4, each a first user A or a second user B are assigned. Each of the terminals 3, 4 may comprise one or more conventional data input and output devices commonly used by a user, e.g. Desktop computer, PDA (personal digital assistant), notebook computer and others. exhibit. Each of the terminals 3 or 4 may establish or disconnect a connection to the core network NW independently of the other terminals 4 and 3, respectively, at the discretion of the user.

The data transmission in the communication system S and in particular in the core network NW is preferably, however, not necessarily packet-bound, so that data can be transmitted to a corresponding network unit using a destination address (usually with an IP address) and corresponding IP routers.

The respective terminal 3 or 4 can communicate with the core network NW via a permanent or a temporary data connection 7 be connected. The connection to the network NW can be established via a conventional dial-up procedure, a LAN connection, via a DSL or other data connection. The establishment of the connection can start from the terminal 3 or 4 or also from the network NW. In this case, the respective terminal 3 or 4 identifies to the network system, so that the user A or B of the respective terminal 3 or 4 is uniquely identified in the network system.

The network system NW comprises a number of network nodes 5, which typically include servers, routers and the like. The network nodes 5 are also referred to below as network units 5 and can be formed by a physical and logical unit that can pass through a data packet when transmitting in the network system 2.

The terminals 3 and 4 each include one

Communication unit, e.g. as software, as firmware and the like is formed. The communication unit makes it possible to provide data in the form of the abovementioned data blocks DAT via the network system NW to a further terminal 3 or 4. The communication services offered can essentially be divided into two groups of services, namely pure communication services and data services. While the communication services essentially involve real-time communication between two terminals, for example the first and the second terminal

3 and 4, the data services offer the possibility that one of the terminals 3 or 4 the other terminal

4 or 3, ie another user, provides data, regardless of whether the other terminal 4 or 3 is connected to the network NW. Examples of communication services are instant messaging, IP telephony, video telephony, Whiteboard services and the like. Examples of data providing services are e-mail services, an answering machine service, file providing services for audio, video, image, program data, other data, etc.

It is achieved by the invention that the data blocks DAT, which relate in particular to multimedia communication services, are provided as directly as possible to the corresponding terminal. The same applies to data services that involve the transmission of user data to the corresponding terminal, which have a corresponding high priority, and thus should be made available to the corresponding terminal immediately. This avoids that, especially for data with high priority, the time that elapses between the provision of the data and the reception of the data by the user of the respective terminal becomes too large.

The first and the second terminal 3 or 4, respectively, are connected to the network system NW via so-called access nodes 8 with a first or second user node 9 or 10 assigned correspondingly to the terminals. The user nodes 9 or 10 represent network units 5 associated with the first and second users A and B, respectively. Each of the user nodes 9 or 10 may comprise one or more network entities to provide sufficient redundancy in the event of failure of one of the user nodes. A data block DAT, which is provided by the first terminal 3 and is to be transmitted to the second terminal 4, is transmitted from the first terminal 3 via one of the access nodes 8 to the first (or to one of the first) user nodes 9. There, the data block DAT can also be provided with synchronization data SYN or it can there already existing synchronization data are modified to modify the priority of the data block.

From the first user node 9, the data block DAT is transmitted to the second user node 10, which is assigned to the second user B to whom the data block DAT is to be sent. There, the data block DAT is first stored. The first and second user nodes 9 and 10 are formed separately in the embodiment shown here in FIG. 4. The first and second user nodes 9 and 10 can also be set up in a network unit, in particular on a server.

The second user node 10 now analyzes the received data block DAT with respect to synchronization data SYN added to the data block DAT in the first user node 9 or in the first terminal 3. The synchronization data SYN thus form, so to speak, strategy data which are added in blocks to the actual user data PL and which have been selected as a function of a service assigned to the data block DAT. If as a service e.g. one

Data transfer service was selected for large amounts of data, then the data flow is preferably controlled via direct connections (peer-to-peer). If smaller amounts of data are to be transmitted, which can also be buffered with little effort in individual nodes or network units 5, then the data flow is controlled via indirect connections (store & forward). Also, the usage rates booked by the users are valid criteria for the intelligent control of the data flow.

Furthermore, serve as further criteria for the data flow control or as a filter criterion in the first terminal 3 provided priority data, the in particular in the case of a data service and specify that a data block DAT assigned to a data service should be made available to the second user as quickly as possible or directly. The synchronization data SYN added to the data block DAT can thus indicate that the user data, user data or so-called payload PL of the relevant data block or data packet DAT is to be made available to the second terminal 4 as quickly as possible, ie the synchronization data SYN indicates a priority of the data ,

Each of the second user nodes 10 now checks with the aid of a priority unit 12 an incoming data packet DAT with respect to the synchronization data SYN contained therein. Contain the synchronization data SYN an indication that the relevant data packet DAT is to be forwarded directly to the second terminal 4, which can be indicated by an identifier, for example, by a corresponding real-time flag, a priority flag, etc., a data interface 11 tries to connect The second terminal 4 (see EUNB in Fig. 1) or to another of the second terminal (see EUNB 'in Fig. 1) to build automatically. This can be done accordingly by establishing a connection, such as a LAN connection or a dial-up connection and the like. If the data interface 11 succeeds in establishing a connection to the second terminal 4, the data block DAT is transmitted directly to the second terminal 4. If, however, the data interface 11 fails to establish a connection to the second terminal 4, the correspondingly identified data block DAT is transmitted to a further second user node 10, which now also attempts to connect to or via a correspondingly provided data interface 11. build one of the second terminals 4. The second user nodes 10 may be distributed locally, eg in different receiving areas, if the data interface 11 wants to set up a radio link to the second terminal 4, or in different countries. The data interface 11 of the further second user node 10 now also tries to establish a data connection with the terminal 4. If this succeeds, the corresponding data block DAT is transmitted to the second terminal 4. If this is not successful, the data block DAT remains stored in the network units of the second user node 10. As soon as the second terminal 4 connects to the user node 10, the corresponding data blocks DAT, which are identified accordingly, are preferably transmitted to the second terminal 4. It is preferably proposed that, in particular, the received terminals establish a connection with the corresponding user node at regular and / or predetermined time intervals in order to retrieve the corresponding data blocks which are provided with a corresponding real-time flag.

On the transmission side, the data block DAT is generated in the first terminal 3 and provided there with the corresponding synchronization data SYN. The synchronization data SYN contains the real-time flag, which indicates that the data block DAT should be transmitted to the second terminal 4 as quickly as possible. If there is no permanent connection between the first terminal 3 and the network NW, then the first terminal 3 can establish a connection to the first user node 9 of the network NW after the data block DAT has been generated with the corresponding set real-time flag Data block DAT as soon as possible via the first user node 9 to the second user node 10 to transmit. Is not possible to connect between make the first terminal 3 and the first user node 9, the first terminal 3 tries to establish a connection with another first user node 9, until the data block DAT could be transmitted to one of the first user node 9. Such data blocks in which the real-time flag has not been set do not automatically establish the connection to the first user node 9 in the first terminal 3. Therefore, such data blocks can also be used when setting up a manual connection or during an otherwise regularly established connection between the first Terminal 3 and the first user node 9 are transmitted in a conventional manner to the network NW.

Furthermore, it can be provided at the receiving end that the second user node 10 has a setting memory 13 in order to store setting data. The setting data may be predetermined by the user of the second terminal 4 and determine which type of data blocks identified with the real-time flag are automatically i. by automatically establishing the connection from the second user node 10 to the second terminal 4 to the second terminal 4 are transmitted and which not. Thus, data blocks that have indeed been provided by the first terminal 3 with the prioritizing real-time flag, that has been marked as important by the sending user A or by the selected service can be filtered again on the basis of the setting data. Thereby, it is possible for the receiving user B of the second terminal 4 to make presets, for example to reduce the frequency of connection setups, e.g. Save costs.

With regard to FIG. 4, it can be said that here according to a further aspect of the present invention Communication system S for providing a number of services, in particular communication services, to at least one terminal 3 and / or 4, which is connectable to a network NW with a number of interconnected network units 5 is provided. In this case, at least one network unit designed as user node 9 or 10 is provided in order to provide a data block DAT containing user data PL and

Synchronization data SYN contains. The user node is designed to automatically establish a connection with the terminal and to transmit the data block from the network to the terminal depending on the synchronization data SYN contained in the data block. Since the data block DAT contains user data PL and synchronization data SYN, the synchronization data SYN being provided as a function of a service selected in the first terminal 3, the advantage in particular of intelligent control of the data flow, in which the first terminal 3 is not merely a connection to the second terminal 4 prepares to transmit a data block DAT, but in the decentralized control of the participating user nodes 3, 4, 9 and / or 10 and possibly further network nodes 5 and / or 8, but in particular from the second terminal 4 associated user node 10, is performed.

A further exemplary embodiment will now be described with reference to FIG. 5, which also represents an independent solution on its own. In particular, this involves a method with steps for synchronizing with a data source via a directory service and network units or processing units operating thereafter. Specifically, it is about the additional or separately to be solved problem that multiple users on different processing units, such as personal computers, have access to the same data so that a simultaneous or timely processing of the data by each of the users is possible. In conventional systems, these data are stored in the form of files, in particular in the form of files in a table of contents on a hard disk of the processing unit of the respective user

TOCs are linked together on more than one of the processing units so that the files therein can be permanently synchronized so that each of the users is provided with the most recent version of the data or files. To support this, a so-called directory service is also gladly used (in English with "directory service" or "DS" for short), which stores information about objects, in particular files, in a network and this information to users and / or network administrators Provides.

Since synchronization between the processing units is virtually permanent in conventional networks and depends on the specifications of the mostly central directory service, it is usually not possible for a user himself to change the access of the other users to a recently created or updated file in corresponding, to restrict or prevent directories released for synchronization. Here, by means of the solution illustrated in FIG. 5, an improved method for synchronizing with a data source is provided, in which the synchronization of the data can be controlled. Furthermore, an improved processing unit is to be provided for carrying out the method for synchronization. According to the solution proposed here and described below with reference to FIG. 5, a special method for synchronizing with a data source via a directory service is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing a first amount of data in a first processing unit and providing a second one Amount of data in a second processing unit; In addition, the steps of synchronizing the first data set with respect to the second data set depending on synchronization data stored in a directory, which is associated with a user, in particular a user of the first processing unit.

In this way it is possible that the synchronization of the first amount of data is conditional, namely depending on provided synchronization data, so that the synchronization with the second data amount may not be complete, but only partially, determined by the synchronization data. Thus, a user of the first processing unit can restrict or prevent the availability of created or updated data of the first data set for other users. The data may be present as files, records and the like in a memory in the processing unit.

In particular, it is proposed here that the synchronization is performed by selecting a subset of the data from the first data set depending on the synchronization data, wherein the data of the selected subset is updated with the corresponding data from the second data set. Furthermore, the synchronization can be performed by a subset of the data in the second data set depending on the synchronization data wherein the data is added to the selected subset of the first data set and / or the corresponding data of the first data set is updated with the data of the selected subset. This makes it possible to restrict an updating or adding of data to the first data set assigned to the user, by the synchronization data determining which data from the second data set is to be used for the synchronization. This allows the user to protect a portion of the data of the first set of data (the unselected data of the first set of data) against synchronization so that changes made by the other users to the unselected portion of the set of data are not synchronized with the first set of data become.

In particular, the synchronization data may determine the corresponding subset of data based on at least one of the following parameters: an attribute associated with the particular data set, a user status, and / or a system parameter. In particular, the associated attribute may include time information indicating the time of creation and / or modification of the content of the data, data type information indicating the type of data, such as a file extension, processing information indicating the identity of one or more reviewers of the data Data, an access information indicating the access rights to the data, as well as a synchronization information indicating a time of synchronization and / or a source of synchronization and / or a destination of the synchronization include. Preferably, the synchronization data may be provided in the first processing unit. Alternatively, the synchronization data may be provided in the second storage device. Also, the first amount of data may be provided in a processing unit be provided on a hard disk, memory and the like., Where the synchronization data are provided before synchronizing the first processing unit, for example, from the hard disk, the memory, a user input or via an external data connection.

Preferably, a processing unit is provided for synchronizing with a data source. The processing unit comprises a first memory device for providing a first amount of data, a data interface for receiving and transmitting data of a second amount of data, and a synchronization unit for synchronizing the first amount of data with respect to the second amount of data, depending on provided synchronization data. The

Processing unit makes it possible to synchronize a first amount of data via a data interface with a second amount of data, wherein the synchronization is dependent on synchronization data that are provided to the processing unit. This allows a user to control the synchronization of his data, e.g. provide only part of the data for permanent synchronization.

In addition, the synchronization unit is preferably configured to perform the synchronization by selecting a subset of the data from the first data set depending on the synchronization data and by requesting and receiving data from the second data set via the data interface of the subset of the data and the data the selected subset are updated with the corresponding received data from the second data set. Furthermore, the

Synchronization unit be designed to perform the synchronization by a data interface via a Subset of the data of the second data set are selected and received in dependence on the synchronization data, and in that the data of the selected subsets of the first data set are added in the memory device and / or the corresponding data of the first data set is updated with the data of the selected subset.

It is proposed that the synchronization data determine the corresponding subsets of data based on at least one of the following parameters: an attribute associated with the data, a user status, and a system parameter. In this case, the synchronization data can be provided in the memory device. Furthermore, it can be provided that the synchronization data can be received via the data interface.

FIG. 5 now shows a network system S 'which has a first processing unit N1 and a second processing unit N2. The first

Processing unit N1 comprises a first storage device 11 for storing a first amount of data. The storage device 11 may comprise, for example, a hard disk, an electronic storage unit and the like in order to store the data in the form of data records or data groups, which are also referred to below as files. The storage means 11 for storing the first amount of data may be part of a larger memory such that e.g. the memory device 11 may be a directory or subdirectory for the corresponding first data set (first files) provided for synchronization with the second processing unit N2.

The first processing unit N1 further comprises a first data interface 12, via which the first Processing unit Nl with the second processing unit N2 is in communication. The data interface 12 is essentially designed to receive second files from the second processing unit N2 and to provide them to a first synchronization unit 13 in the first processing unit N1, so that the first files can be synchronized in a specific way.

The second processing unit N2 has a second memory device 21, a second data interface 22 and a second synchronization unit 23, which are formed in the same, similar or comparable manner as the first processing unit N1. The first and second processing units Nl and N2 communicate with each other via a network NW, the network NW e.g. a local area network such as a LAN, WAN and the like, or e.g. the internet or a telephone connection can be.

The sequence of a synchronization of the first files in the first memory device 11 can be carried out according to a first and a second method for synchronization and will be explained in more detail with reference to the first processing unit. The synchronization for example starts initiated by a user input on an input unit (not shown) of the first processing unit N1. The synchronization can also be started automatically (for example regularly) or at predetermined times and can also be carried out permanently, i. it is constantly checked in a query loop whether a

There is a need for synchronization, eg after changing one of the files. According to the method of synchronization proposed here, the first synchronization unit 13 receives synchronization data (see SYN in Fig. 4) from the first memory device 11 containing a synchronization rule. The synchronization data can be created automatically or by a user input. Due to the synchronization rule, a subset of the first files in the first memory device 11 can now be selected and this subset of the first files can be correspondingly provided with the corresponding files (eg the files of the same name or identical ID numbers, etc.) from the second files in the second Processing unit N2 are synchronized. For this purpose, a request is sent via the first data interface 12 to the second processing unit N2, so that either the corresponding files (eg files of the same name) of the subset are transferred from the second processing unit N2 to the first processing unit N1 or correspondingly only update information regarding each of the corresponding ones Transfer files of the selected subset to the first processing unit Nl. In this way, the selected files of the subset can be updated so that they are available in the latest version. The unselected files in the first storage device 11 are not synchronized. Also, no new (newly created) files in the set of second files are added to the first files in this first synchronization process.

According to a further method for synchronization, a subset of files from the second files in the second processing unit N2 is selected based on the provided synchronization data by the first processing unit Nl. This will be the synchronization data or from it derived request data, for example via the first data interface 12 to the second processing unit N2 sent and selected there from the subset of the second files stored in the second storage device 21. The selected subset of files from the second files will now be the second

Processing unit N2 sent to the first processing unit Nl, so that the corresponding files of the first files in the first processing unit Nl are updated or new files added to the set of the first files. If the request information sent to the second processing unit N2 also contains the corresponding information about the already existing files in the first files, then instead of the files from the second files, only a corresponding one can be used

Update information is transmitted to the first processing unit Nl, with which the corresponding file of the amount of the first files is updated. In this way, the amount of data to be transmitted can be reduced.

The two synchronization units 13, 23 of the processing units N1 and N2 can be configured to perform only one of the previously described methods for synchronization or alternatively to perform both methods for synchronization, in particular depending on the provided synchronization data.

The synchronization data (see SYN in Fig. 4) may be arranged to indicate a rule for synchronization. In particular, the synchronization data may include information about how to select a corresponding subset of files. The synchronization data may determine that the subset is an attribute associated with the files, a User status and / or a system parameter.

In particular, the attribute associated with the files may be time information indicating the time of creation and / or alteration of the contents of the files. In particular, the time information may also include a history of all changes. Furthermore, the attribute associated with the file may also be file type information indicating the data that the file has. For example, For example, the data type information may include an indication as to whether the file includes image information, video information, text information, sound information, program information and the like. The attribute assigned to the data can continue to be a

Include editing information indicating the identity of one or more editors of the file. For example, it can be provided that only files from specific agents or files with a certain number of agents are selected for synchronization. In addition, the attribute associated with the files may be access information indicating the access rights to the corresponding files. For example, only files that allow read-write access can be synchronized, whereas files that only allow read-only access will not be synchronized because they are essentially unchangeable. Furthermore, the attribute associated with the files may also be synchronization information, for example indicating the time of synchronization e.g. the last synchronization, a source of synchronization e.g. indicates a last synchronization or destination of a synchronization.

Further, the user status may indicate, for example, what access rights the user has to the corresponding user Processing unit has or what activities the user performs on the respective processing unit and a synchronization of the user-assigned files are performed according to the access rights of the user or depending on its job profile.

The system parameter that the synchronization data may contain may be, for example, information about the processor load, the network load, the remaining storage capacity of the storage device, and other information about available resources of the processing unit and other information about the processing unit affecting the duration of the synchronization can, or can specify the load of the entire system by the synchronization, so that the method of synchronization takes into account the corresponding load on the entire system. That is, depending on how heavy the load on the network connection and the processing units is on other tasks, a larger or less extensive synchronization of the files can be made.

The communication system S 'shown here in FIG. 5 is not limited to the two processing units N1 and N2, but more than two processing units may be provided with respective storage means 11, 21 which synchronize data with each other. The synchronization data provided to a processing unit may then also differentiate with respect to each of the processing units so that synchronization rules for each of the remaining processing units may be provided independently. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

CB communication system (first

Exemplary embodiment)

A; B user or communication partner

TSC core network (Trusted System Core)

EUNA ... UHNA Network nodes that can be connected to each other via direct and / or indirect connections

EUNA, EUNA 'End User Network Node (EndUserNodes) for

• • User A

EUNB ... or for users B UHNA; User network node (HomeUserNode) for UHNB, user A or user B

101 Direct connections (peer-to-peer) P2P symbolic representation of direct

links

102; 201, Indirect connections with data storage

202 (Store & Forward)

S & F symbolic representation of indirect

links

CID Authentication unit TRF file or database with criteria, in particular the usage tariffs

CRT management of network resources with possibly integrated ones

(Partial) control of the data flow

TRF (A); Usage rate of the user A or B TRF (B) VOL Data volume or data volume of the data to be transmitted

TST Test Usage Tariff "Test" BSC Basic Usage Tariff "Basic" TH threshold or comparative value

NICA; NICB network card of user A or B

DSLR DSL router

Communication system (second

Exemplary embodiment)

NW core network or network system 3; 4 end user node (EndUserNode) of the second

embodiment

Network units, in particular

Network nodes

7 connection

8 access nodes

9; 10 user nodes

11 respective storage device

12 respective data interface

13 respective synchronization unit

DAT data block or data packet

PL user data

SYN control data or synchronization data

Communication system (third

Exemplary embodiment)

NW 'core network or network system Nl first processing unit (node EUNl or

UHNl)

N2 second processing unit (node EUN2 or

UHN2)

11; 21 first and second storage means 12, respectively; 22 first and second data interface 13; 23 first and second synchronization unit

Claims

claims

1. Method (M100) for controlling the data flow via network nodes (EUNA, EUNA '... EUNB ...; UHNA, UHNB) associated with users (A, B) of a communication system (CB), the communication system (CB ) comprises a core network (TSC) with user logical network nodes (UHNA, UHNB ...) accessed by the users (A, B) by means of terminals designed as end user network nodes (EUNA, EUNB ...) , with the following steps:

- determining (MlOl) that data is to be transmitted from one of the users (A) to another of the users (B);

- checking (M102) at least one criterion (TRF) which determines whether the data flow of the data is to be controlled via direct connections (P2P) between the end-user network nodes (EUNA, EUNB ...) or also via indirect connections (S & F) comprising at least one of the user network nodes (UHNA, UHNB ...) (M102);

- Controlling (M103) the data flow as a function of the at least one tested criterion (TRF, TRF-A, TRF-B, VOL).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one criterion indicates a usage rate (TRF-A) that has been assigned to at least one of the users (A, B) for the use of the communication system (CB), in particular that user (A), which allocates the data to the other user (B), and in which the usage rate (TRF) is stored in a user profile associated with the user (A), the usage rate indicating whether the data flow is via the direct connections (B). P2P) and / or the indirect compounds (S & F) is controlled.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one criterion comprises a first usage rate (TRF-A), which the user (A) for the use of the

Communication system (CB) has been assigned, which sends the data to the other user (B), wherein the first usage rate (TRF) is stored in a user profile associated with the user (A), and wherein the at least one criterion also a second usage rate ( TRF-A) assigned to the other user (B) for the use of the communication system (CB) receiving the data, the second utilization rate (TRF) being stored in a user profile associated with the other user (B), and in which it is checked by means of both usage tariffs (TRF-A, TRF-B) whether the data flow of the data is controlled via the direct connections (P2P) and / or via the indirect connections (S & F).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one criterion indicates a data volume (VOL) for the data to be transmitted, wherein the data volume (VOL) is compared with a threshold value (TH) for testing the criterion.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the data flow is preferably controlled via the direct connections (P2P) when the data volume (VOL) exceeds the threshold value (TH).

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one criterion vorgebare information about the data to be transmitted, in particular to the data type, for Data content, at the time of transmission and / or the sending network node (EUNA).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one criterion vorgebare information on the intended for sending and / or receiving the data terminal and / or to the sending and / or receiving user (A, B), in particular, information stored in the user profile of the respective user (A, B).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one criterion from the network operator and / or service provider vorgebare information and / or user-selectable information.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data to be transmitted in the form of a data packet (DAT) or data block (DAT) are transmitted, the user data (PL) and control data (SYN), in particular strategy and / or synchronization data included , wherein the control data (SYN) contain the at least one criterion (TRF) for controlling the data flow.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein for providing a number of services, in particular of communication services, to a terminal (4) which is connectable to a network with a number of interconnected network units (5), the following steps to be executed:

- Providing a data block (DAT) or data packet containing user data (PL) and strategy data (SYN), in particular synchronization data, formed in one as a user node (10) Network unit;

- Automatically establishing a connection with the terminal (4) and transmitting the data block (DAT) from the network (2) to the terminal (4) depending on the strategy data (SYN) contained in the data block (DAT), in particular synchronization data.

The method of claim 10, wherein a number of services are provided between at least a first and a second terminal (3,4), each connectable to a network (2) having a number of interconnected network units (5) , with the following steps:

- selecting one of the services at the first terminal (3);

- generating a data block (DAT) containing user data (PL) and synchronization data (SYN), the synchronization data (SYN) being provided in dependence on the service;

- transmitting the data block (DAT) to a network unit of the network formed as a first user node (9) for providing the data block (DAT) to the second terminal (4);

- Automatic transmission of the data block (DAT) from the network (2) depending on the synchronization data (SYN) contained in the data block (DAT).

The method of claim 11, wherein the data block (DAT) is provided in a network node configured as a second user node (10) in the network (2), and wherein the data block (DAT) is dependent on the second user node (10) in accordance with synchronization data (SYN) contained in the data block (DAT), the data block (DAT) being provided as a function of the second user node (10) Setting data is transmitted to the second terminal (4).

The method of claim 12, wherein connecting the second terminal (4) to the second user node (10) of the network by the second user node (10) depends on the synchronization data (SYN) of the data block (DAT) and / or the setting data of the network second user node (10) is performed as soon as the data block (DAT) to be provided is available in the second user node (10).

14. The method according to claim 13, comprising the following steps:

depending on the synchronization data (SYN) in the data block (DAT), attempts by the second user node (10) to establish a data connection between the second user node (10) and the second terminal (4);

- when data connection has been established, transmitting the data block (DAT) to the second terminal (4);

if no data connection can be established between the second user node and the second terminal, transmitting the data block from the second user node to another second user node that is connected to the second terminal ) is connectable; depending on the synchronization data (SYN) in the data block (DAT), attempting the further second user node (10) to establish a data connection between the further second user node and the second terminal (4) to transmit the data block (DAT).

15. The method according to claim 10 to 14, wherein the synchronization data (SYN) further depends on a Priority information is generated, which are provided by a user of the first terminal (3) and / or are provided automatically by the first terminal (3).

16. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein for synchronizing with a data source, the following steps are performed:

- Providing a first amount of data in a first processing unit (1);

- Providing a second amount of data in a second processing unit (2);

- Synchronizing the first data set with respect to the second data set depending on synchronization data stored in a directory, in particular stored in a directory provided by a directory service, which is assigned to a user, in particular a user of the first processing unit (1).

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the synchronizing is performed by a subset of the data from the first data set depending on the

Synchronization data is selected and wherein the data of the selected subset are updated with the corresponding data from the second data set.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the synchronizing is performed by selecting a subset of the data of the second data set dependent on the synchronization data and adding the data to the selected subset of the first data set and / or the corresponding data of the first data set with the data of the selected Subset to be updated.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the synchronization data determines the corresponding subset of data based on at least one of the following parameters: an attribute associated with the data, a user status, and a system parameter.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the attribute associated with the data is one of the following attributes for data:

Time information indicating the time of creation and / or modification of the content of the data;

- data type information indicating the type of data;

- processing information indicating the identity of one or more processors of the data;

- access information indicating the access rights to the data;

Synchronization information indicating at least one of the following information: a time of the last synchronization, a source of synchronization, and a destination of a synchronization.

21. A communication system (CB) with controlling network units for carrying out the methods according to the preceding claims for controlling the data flow, wherein the communication system contains the controlling network units in the form of network nodes (EUN, UHN), which control the decentralized data flow and / or in the form of a central control (CRT), which centrally controls the data flow at least in conjunction with the network nodes (EUN, UHN).

22. The communication system (CB) according to claim 21, which transmits the data to be transmitted in the form of a data block (DAT) or data packet containing user data (PL) and synchronization data (SYN) indicating the at least one criterion (TRF), the controlling network units depending on the synchronization data (SYN) control the data flow.

Communication system according to one of claims 21 or 22, wherein for providing a number of services, in particular communication services, to a terminal (4) connectable to a network (2) having a number of interconnected network units (5) a network unit formed as a user node (10) is provided to provide a data block (DAT) containing user data (PL) and synchronization data (SYN), the user node (10) being arranged to communicate with the terminal (4 ) and to transmit the data block (DAT) from the network (2) to the terminal (4) depending on the synchronization data (SYN) contained in the data block (DAT).

A communication system according to claim 23, wherein a first one of the network entities is formed as a first user node (9) via which a first terminal (3) is connectable to the network (2) for forwarding a data block to the first user node (3) send; the synchronization data (SYN) of the data block (DAT) being provided in dependence on a service selected in the first terminal (3); and wherein the network units (5) are configured to transmit a data block (DAT) from the first user node to a second user node (10), wherein the second user node (10) automatically transmits the data block (DAT) to the second terminal (4) in response to the synchronization data (SYN) contained in the data block (DAT).

25. The communication system of claim 24, wherein the second terminal (4) is temporarily connectable to the second user node (10) of the network, and wherein the second user node (10) has an adjustment memory (13) to provide adjustment data, the second user node (10). 10) is designed to establish a connection to the second terminal (4) depending on the synchronization data (SYN) of the data block (DAT) and depending on the setting data.

The communication system according to one of claims 24 or 25, wherein the second user node (10) further comprises:

a data interface (11) for attempting to establish a data connection between the second user node (10) and the second terminal (4) in dependence on the synchronization data (SYN) in the data block (DAT) and the data block (DAT) transmitting the second terminal (4) when a data connection has been established;

a data forwarding unit for, if no data connection can be established between the second user node (10) and the second terminal (4), transmitting the data block (DAT) from the second user node to another second user node of the network (2) the second terminal (4) is connectable; and to attempt, in dependence on the synchronization data (SYN) in the data block (DAT), a data connection between the further second user node (10) and the second terminal (4) to transmit the data block (DAT).

The network unit for a communication system (CB) according to claim 21, wherein the network unit is in the form of a network node (EUN, UHN) which decentrally controls the data flow.

A network unit for a communication system (CB) according to claim 21, wherein the network unit is in the form of a central controller (CRT) which centrally controls the data flow at least in connection with network nodes (EUN, UHN) of the communication system (CB).

29. Network unit according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the communication system (CB) transmits the data to be transmitted in the form of a data block (DAT) or data packet containing user data (PL) and synchronization data (SYN) containing the at least one criterion (TRF). and the network unit controls the data flow depending on the synchronization data (SYN).

A network device (10) according to claim 27, for operating in a network (2) according to claim and for establishing a data connection with a terminal (4), comprising:

a receiving unit to receive a data block in the network (2),

- a priority unit (12) for determining synchronization data contained in the data block;

- A data interface to build depending on the synchronization data a data connection to a terminal (4) to transmit the data block to the terminal.

A network unit according to claim 30, wherein a setting memory (13) is provided to store setting data, the data interface being arranged to establish a data connection to a terminal (4) depending on the setting data and the synchronization data (SYN) Data block (DAT) to the terminal to transmit.

32. Network unit according to claim 27, in particular as a processing unit (Nl) for synchronization with a data source formed network unit, comprising the following elements:

a first memory device (11) for providing a first amount of data;

a data interface (12) for receiving and transmitting data from a second set of data;

- A synchronization unit (13) for synchronizing the first data amount with respect to the second data amount depending on synchronization data.

33. Network unit, in particular processing unit (N1), according to claim 32, wherein the synchronization unit (13) is designed to perform the synchronization by a subset of the data from the first data set is selected depending on the synchronization data and by the data interface (12 ) are requested and received from the second data set and by updating the data of the selected subset with the corresponding received data from the second data set.

34. Network unit, in particular processing unit (Nl), according to claim 32 or 33, wherein the synchronization unit (13) is designed to the Synchronizing by selecting and receiving, via the data interface (12), a subset of the data of the second data set dependent on the synchronization data (SYN); and wherein in the memory means (11) the data is added to the selected subset of the first data set and / or corresponding data of the first data set to be updated with the data of the selected subset.

35. The network unit, in particular the processing unit (N1) according to claim 33 or 34, wherein the synchronization data (SYN) determines the corresponding subset of data based on at least one of the following parameters: an attribute associated with the data, a user status and a system parameter, and wherein the Data associated attribute of one of the following attributes for data is:

- data type information indicating the type of data;

- access information indicating the access rights to the data;