DE10150847A1 - Client time zone calculator for diary management compares clocks - Google Patents

Abstract

A client (3a) time zone calculator has an Internet linked central computer (2) with time counter (10) set to a reference time zone and compared with the client or reference time zone with tolerance bands less than 15 minutes.

Description

The invention relates to a data communication system according to Preamble of claim 1 and a central computer for use in such a data communication system.

The invention further relates to a Data communication method according to the preamble of claim 18.

Data transmission over the Internet continues to increase Meaning too. Here communicates z. B. a central computer or central computer (server computer) with z. B. removed arranged client, e.g. B. a - stationary or portable - computers, mobile phones, etc.

Communication takes place using so-called Internet protocols, especially the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP), or TCP / IP for short.

For this purpose, e.g. B. on the client a (browser) software loaded that can understand and evaluate the TCP / IP protocol (Socket or TCP / IP stack).

The fastest growing service on the Internet is based on the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and becomes World Wide Web (WWW) called. Individuals can use the World Wide Web Documents, so-called websites or web pages, are transmitted.

http is a client-server protocol. Before making an internet connection between the client and the The server computer can be used by the client in certain applications, e.g. B. first with another web host assigned to it Internet service providers (ISP). On this one of the client software (i.e. the browser) is running on the Client corresponding server software.

Then the client will go to the desired website entered web address belonging to the server computer then from the ISP web host assigned to the client an internet connection is established.

The web address is in the form of a website assigned URL address (URL = Universal Resource Locator) specified. This is made up of several parts. The first Part denotes the Internet protocol (string "http: / /"). This is followed - optionally - by the string "www" as a name for the World Wide Web.

The next part of the URL address identifies the respective one Server computer on which the website is stored (so-called Domain name), and the following part - if available - the path to a local directory where the website is on the server computer is stored. The last part of the URL address can then indicate the exact file name of the website, the then from the server computer - with the ISP Web hosts - transmitted to the client over the Internet.

Instead of accessing simple files, you can use the Internet z. B. also in a corresponding directory (e.g. "cgi-bin") of the server computer's programs become. In such programs it can be, for. B. CGI Act programs (CGI = Common Gateway Interface). The last part of the URL then identifies the respective program File (e.g. "action.cgi").

With the help of a CGI program it is e.g. B. possible between the client and one on one assigned to the server computer Storage facility stored database information exchange (or generally any, e.g. on corresponding data carriers, e.g. B. a hard drive, stored Data).

After the start of the CGI program, this takes the connection the database and queries the relevant data. These can be in many different formats (e.g. Text, graphics, sound and video data, URLs, etc.).

The data is formatted accordingly by the CGI program, for example in HTML format or a DHTML format brought, or any other HTML derivatives (HTML = Hypertext markup language; DHTML = Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language), and then e.g. B. in the form of an HTML or DHTML Website transmitted to the client over the Internet.

The respective website is then displayed by the browser on the screen of the Clients displayed.

A variety of tools can be used to create CGI programs different programming languages are used, e.g. B. Perl, C, C ++, Visual Basic, Fortran, etc. With programming language such as B. C must the appropriate program code before it can be used, compiled with the help of a compiler become.

The compiler translates the program into machine code. Other Programming languages - so-called script languages - do not have to be compiled. They will be used during the term Executed. Usually, the creation of CGI Scripts uses the Perl programming language.

The invention has for its object a novel Data communication system, a new type of central computer Use in such a data communication system, as well as a innovative data communication method available put.

It achieves this and other goals through the objects of claims 1, 17 and 18.

Advantageous developments of the invention are in the Subclaims specified.

According to a basic idea of the invention, a Data communication system with at least one central computer and a computer time counter provided Provides computer time counting data, which is based on a reference Time zone, and with at least one client and a client time counter, which client time count data provides which on the reference time zone, or a further time zone are related, whereby to determine the Correctness of the client time count data the client time count data and the computer time count data are compared with one another.

This can, for. B. achieved that from the central computer corresponding user data (e.g. transmitted by the above-mentioned client) each with reference to the correct (or corrected if necessary) Time saved, processed or output.

This is particularly advantageous if the corresponding user data z. B. from one of several users of multiple clients from a shared time management system be used. The time management system can e.g. Legs Multi-user calendar or multi-user schedule function have, and z. B. centrally managed by the central computer become.

An embodiment in which the central computer and the client over the Internet communicate.

The difference is preferred in the time count data comparison between client time counter data and computer time counter data, or formed from data derived from it.

The client can e.g. B. a computer, especially a portable one or be a stationary computer, or e.g. B. a telephone, especially a portable or stationary phone.

For the purpose of time count data comparison, the client Time counter data to the central computer or to another, transfer the computer performing the comparison, in particular over the internet.

The invention based on several Embodiments and the accompanying drawing explained. In the drawing shows:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a data communication system according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the time zones in which the server computer shown in FIG. 1 and the clients shown in FIG. 1 are located; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the difference between server and client time determined in the server computer. In Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a data communication system 1 is shown according to an embodiment of the invention.

The data communication system 1 has a central computer 2 (server computer) which is connected to the Internet (or alternatively to an intranet).

In an alternative embodiment, not shown here, instead of the single, central computer 2, several central and / or decentralized computers are used, which together have the same functionality as the central computer 2 .

A first client 3 a can be connected to the Internet via a computer 4 a of an ISP (ISP = Internet Service Provider) - or in an alternative embodiment directly via a dedicated line.

In a corresponding manner, a second client 3 b (and a large number of further clients) is connected to the Internet via a further ISP computer 4 b (or via further ISP computers, not shown), or alternatively directly.

In the case of clients 3 a, 3 b it can be, for. B. are - stationary or portable - computers (z. B. PCs, laptops or PDAs (PDA = Personal Digital Assistant)), or z. B. cell phones.

The central computer 2 has a storage device 5 , for. B. one or more hard drives on which one or more databases are stored.

Furthermore, the central computer 2 contains a time counter 10 , e.g. B. a clock.

As further shown in Fig. 1, each client 3 a, 3 b has an output device 6 a, 6 b, z. B. a screen or a display, and an input device 7 a, 7 b, for example a mouse and / or a keyboard.

Furthermore, a at each client 3, 3 8 b, one or more memory devices a, 8 b, z. B. a hard disk, a memory chip (z. B. a CMOS memory chip), etc. provided, as well as a time counter 9 a, 9 b, z. B. a clock.

As shown in FIG. 2, the central computer 2 and the clients 3 a, 3 b are each located at different locations on the globe 11 , which are each assigned to different time zones A, C, D. For example, is the central computer 2 in Munich (Germany), the first client 3 a in New York (USA), and the second client 3 b in Tokyo (Japan).

The time in time zone D (Tokyo) is opposite the time in a reference time zone B (here: GMT- Time (GMT = Greenwich Mean Time)) by +9 hours ahead, and the time in the time zone C (Munich) by +1 hour.

The time in time zone A (New York) is running compared to the time in GMT time zone B by -5 hours after.

For other time zones, not shown, the Difference between the time applicable there and that in the GMT Time zone B applicable time is also an integer multiple of 0.5 hours. For example, the one in the corresponding Time zone applies to the time in GMT time zone B run ahead or behind the applicable time by x, 5 hours.

The time counting devices 9 a, 9 b, 10 count the time that has elapsed since a predetermined reference time, e.g. B. the seconds since January 1, 1970.

Alternatively, e.g. B. the server time counter 10 does not count the time itself, but z. B. in the manner of a radio clock receive the corresponding time counting data from an external time counting device.

The time counter 9 a of the first client 3 a is - z. B. by a user of the client 3 a, or in advance - has been set so that the time valid in that time zone is counted, in which the first client 3 a is located (local client time), and / or alternatively that in the Reference time zone (here: the GMT time zone B) applicable time (client GMT).

In a corresponding manner, the time counter 9 b of the second client 3 b (based on a setting made by a user) counts the time that is valid in the time zone D (ie the time of the time zone in which the second client 3 b is located (local client time )), and / or alternatively the time valid in the reference time zone (here: the GMT time zone B) (client GMT).

The time counter 9 a, 9 b are often z. B. only inaccurate - e.g. B. Deviating by a few minutes (and / or inadvertently no or an incorrect time counter setting is made). In addition, the time counting of the time counting devices 9 a, 9 b may be inaccurate, so that the time counted by them - especially after a long period of operation - may deviate from the actual time.

Furthermore, an identifier (for example a time zone index) can be stored in the or one of the memory devices 8 a, 8 b (for example in a corresponding (CMOS) memory chip) of the respective client 3 a, 3 b be, which identifies the respective time zone A, B, C, D, in which the respective client 3 a, 3 b is located.

The time zone identifier is z. B. when commissioning the client 3 a, 3 b (z. B. in (CMOS) setup) with the help of the respective input device 7 a, 7 b entered in the client 3 a, 3 b, and then saved. Frequently, the time counter 9 a, 9 b is also set at the same time.

For example, the client GMT can be calculated by the respective client 3 a, 3 b - after entering the time zone identifier and the local client time - and from now on the client 3 a, 3 b as "reference time" (see below) be used.

The time counter 10 of the central computer 2 is - for. B. by a computer user or - administrator, or in advance - set so that the time valid in the GMT reference time zone is counted (server GMT), or alternatively the time valid in any other reference time zone.

In the database of the central computer 2 , the respective data (for example, transmitted by the clients 3 a, 3 b, or calculated, for example, by the central computer 2 ) are - in each case - with reference to the data from the time counter 10 determined GMT time (server GMT), and / or the GMT time (client GMT) transmitted by the respective client 3 a, 3 b and / or the local client time, alternatively in each case additionally with reference to each of the Client 3 a, 3 b transmitted time zone identifier A, B, C, D.

A certain URL address is assigned to the central computer 2 , or to a program file stored in its storage device 5 . This is made up of several parts.

The first part describes the internet protocol (String "http: //"). This is followed, for. B. the string "www" as a name for the World Wide Web. The next part of the URL address identifies the central computer on which the Program file is saved (so-called domain name (e.g. "heptner.jp"), and the following part the path to one local directory in which the above Program file (as well optional additional program files) on the central computer is saved (e.g. "cgi-bin"). The last part of the URL address indicates the name of the respective program file (e.g. "Action.cgi").

The program file can e.g. B. contain a CGT program (CGI Common Gateway Interface). With the help of a CGI program it is e.g. B. possible to exchange data between the respective client 3 a, 3 b and the database stored on the storage device 5 of the central computer 2 .

To start the CGI program, e.g. B. the corresponding URL address can be entered on the input device 7 a, 7 b of the respective client 3 a, 3 b. In response to this, an Internet connection between the respective client 3 a, 3 b and the central computer 2 is established in a manner known per se with the interposition of the ISP computer 4 a, 4 b, if not already done in advance.

Thereupon the in the o. G. Program file saved CGI program started.

After the start of the CGI program, this takes the connection the database and queries the relevant data. These can be in many different formats (e.g. Text, graphics, sound and video data, etc.).

The data are formatted accordingly by the CGI program, for example in HTML format or a DHTML format, or some other HTML derivative format (HTML = Hypertext Markup Language; DHTML = Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language), and then e.g. B. in the form of an HTML or DHTML website via the Internet to the respective client 3 a, 3 b.

The corresponding HTM1 or DHTML page is then output under the control of a browser software program stored on or in one of the storage devices 8 a, 8 b of the respective client 3 a, 3 b on the respective client output device 6 a, 6 b or displayed.

Such an HTML or DHTML page can e.g. B. can also be a start or login page that has one or more input fields in which the respective user of the client 3 a, 3 b can enter certain data by correspondingly actuating the input device 7 a, 7 b (e.g. a user ID and / or a (user-specific) password). These data can e.g. B. be used to carry out a check with the central computer 2, whether the respective user of the client 3 a, 3 b for access to the central computer 2, in particular for reading or modifying in the memory means 5, z. B. the above-mentioned database stored data is authorized.

Furthermore, the HTML or DHTML page contains a program code (for example a Java script) which, when the page is called up, is transmitted from the central computer 2 to the respective client 3 a, 3 b via the Internet, and is then executed by the respective browser software program - advantageously only when the login mask is activated so that the time difference between the corresponding client and server times is as small as possible.

The (Java Script / Perl Script) program reads the time counter data supplied by the respective time counter 9 a, 9 b (for example the client GMT and / or the local client time), and alternatively also additionally the above-mentioned time zone identifier A, B, C, D (e.g. from one of the above-mentioned client storage devices 8 a, 8 b).

Thereupon - after appropriate input by the user - the (Java-Script- / Perl-Script-) program causes the corresponding data - together with the above-mentioned data entered by the user (e.g. the user ID) - to be entered the Internet are transferred to the central computer 2 .

The received data (or part of the received data, z. B. the client GMT and / or the local client time and / or the client time zone) are transferred to the CCI program.

Then, the CGI-program (e.g., the server GMT.) Read from the server time counting means counting data 10 supplied, and compares them - if necessary after previous conversion (see below) - with the client 3 a, 3 b received Time count data (e.g. the client GMT and / or the local client time). For this purpose, the corresponding time counter data (e.g. the server and client GMT or the local client time) are subtracted from one another.

In Fig. 3, the difference d between the corresponding server and client time determined by the CGI program is shown schematically (here: in minutes). If the local client time is used for the calculation instead of the client GMT, the modulo-60 value of the resulting difference d or the local client time can be formed - if minutes are used as the time unit - as before is converted into the corresponding client GMT beforehand (e.g. using the above-mentioned time zone identifier or time zone index A, B, C, D).

If the difference d (or its modulo 60 value) is in a first range Q (applies e.g. -5 minutes ≤ d ≤ +5 minutes (or modulo d ≤ 5 minutes), or e.g. - 10 minutes ≤ d ≤ +10 minutes (or modulo d ≤ 10 minutes), etc.), it is assumed that the time counter data transmitted by the respective client 3 a, 3 b, ie the corresponding client time, and / or the transmitted time zone identifier A, B, C, D is correct.

The tolerance permitted in each case (± 5 minutes, or ± 10 minutes) takes into account the differences between the respective client and server times used for the evaluation, as well as a small, still acceptable, imprecise setting of the respective client time counter 9 a , 9 b.

If the difference d in the above mentioned first region Q, is caused by the CGI program, that a first of a plurality of further HTML or DHTML pages over the Internet to the respective client 3 a transmitted b 3, and under control of the respective Browser software program is output or displayed on the respective client output device 6 a, 6 b.

This contains a data field with which the respective user is informed by the central computer 2 of the time count data (determined as correct) (e.g. the client GMT and / or the local client time) and / or the time zone identifier, and / or with the help of which the correctness of the time counting data and / or the time zone identifier A, B, C, D is displayed or confirmed to the user, and / or with the help of which the respective user is informed that server and client GMT are identical or essentially identical.

If the difference d (or its modulo 60 value) is in a further range R (applies, for example, d <-5 minutes or d> +5 minutes (or, for example, modulo d> 5 minutes), or e.g. d <-10 minutes or d> +10 minutes (or e.g. modulo d> 10 minutes), etc.), it is assumed that the time counter data transmitted by the respective client 3 a, 3 b, ie the corresponding client time and / or the transmitted time zone identifier are incorrect (eg the client time counter 9 a, 9 b is set too imprecisely).

The CGI program then causes a second of the several further HTML or DHTML pages to be transmitted via the Internet to the respective client 3 a, 3 b, and under the control of the respective browser software program at the respective client output device 6 a, 6 b is output or displayed.

This contains a data field with which the respective user is informed by the central computer 2 of the time counting data (determined as incorrect) (e.g. the client GMT and / or the local client time) and / or the time zone identifier, and / or with the help of which the user is shown that the client time and / or the time zone identifier are incorrect, and / or with which the respective user is informed that the server and client GMT are not identical (or are not essentially identical), and / or with the help of which the user is asked to check the client time and / or the time zone identifier.

The user can then correct them, if necessary, by making appropriate entries on the input device 7 a, 7 b of his client. The (corrected) time counting data and, alternatively, also the (corrected) time zone identifier are then retransmitted to the central computer 2 , as shown above, and checked there.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a third case can additionally be distinguished: If the difference d (or its modulo 60 value) lies in a third range S (applies, for example, -27 minutes d d 33 -33 minutes, or z. B. 27 minutes ≤ d 33 minutes (or 27 minutes <modulo d <33 minutes)), it is assumed that the time counter data transmitted by the respective client 3 a, 3 b, ie the corresponding client time, and / or the transmitted time zone identifier are correct, in particular that the client 3 a, 3 b is in a time zone in which a time applies that is x, 5 hours ahead or behind the time in GMT time zone B.

The tolerance allowed in each case (here: ± 3 minutes, alternatively e.g. ± 5 minutes) takes into account the differences between the client and server time used for the evaluation, as well as a small, still acceptable, imprecise setting of the due to the Internet transport time respective client time counter 9 a, 9 b. The tolerance is smaller than the tolerance used above for the first case (e.g. ± 5 or e.g. ± 10 minutes).

If the difference d lies in the above-mentioned third area S., the CGI program causes a third of the above-mentioned several further HTML or DHTML pages to be transmitted via the Internet to the respective client 3 a, 3 b, and under the control of the respective browser software program is output or displayed on the respective client output device 6 a, 6 b.

This contains a data field with which the respective user is informed by the central computer 2 of the time count data (determined as correct) (e.g. the client GMT and / or the local client time) and / or the time zone identifier, and / or with the help of which the correctness of the time counting data and / or the time zone identifier A, B, C, D is displayed or confirmed to the user, and / or with the help of which the respective user is informed that server and client GMT are identical or essentially identical.

As an alternative or in addition, the data field can also contain a (warning) notice with which the user is informed, for example, As will be informed that determines the client that 3 a, 3 b in a time zone is, applicable in a time ahead or against the force in the GMT time zone B time to x 5 hours chases ( and / or with which - especially if this should not be the case - the user is asked to check the client time and / or the time zone identifier).

Alternatively, in all cases a confirmation / if necessary. Correction of the calculated time zone of the client 3 a, 3 b is carried out.

With the above method z. B. be ensured that on the central computer 2, the respective (e.g., from the clients 3 a, 3 b transmitted, or, for example from the central computer 2 calculated..) Data in each case with reference to korrekte- or corrected - Time count data and / or time zone identifiers are stored or output.

This is particularly advantageous if the corresponding data e.g. B. from one of several users from several clients 3 a, 3 b from shared, z. B. from the central computer 2 managed time management system (z. B. a time management system with multi-user calendar or multi-user schedule function). REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 data communication system
2 central computers
3 a client
3 b client
4 a ISP calculator
4 b ISP calculator
5 storage device
6 a dispenser
6 b output device
7 a input device
7 b input device
8 a storage device
8 b storage device
9 a time counter
9 b Time counter
10 time counter
11 globe

Claims (18)

1. Data communication system ( 1 ) with at least one central computer ( 2 ) and a computer time counter device ( 10 ), which provides computer time counter data that are related to a reference time zone (B), and with at least one client ( 3 a) and a client time counting device ( 9 a), which provides client time counting data which are related to the reference time zone (B) or a further time zone (A), characterized in that for determining the correctness of the client time counting data and / or client time zone data, the client time counter data and the computer time counter data are compared with one another. 2. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the central computer ( 2 ) and the client ( 3 a) communicate over the Internet. 3. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the difference between client time data and computer time data, or from data derived therefrom is formed in the time count data comparison. 4. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which a modulo operation is carried out with the client time count data and / or the computer time count data, or data derived therefrom in the time count data comparison. 5. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 3 or 4, in which the client time counting data is then determined to be correct if the amount of the difference lies in a first, predetermined range (Q), in particular less than 15, 10 or 5 Minutes is. 6. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 3 to 5, in which the client time counting data is then determined to be incorrect if the amount of the difference lies in a second area (R) different from the first area (Q), in particular is greater than 15, 10 or 5 minutes. 7. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 3 to 6, in which the client time-counting data is additionally determined to be correct if the amount of the difference in a third area (Q, R) different from the first and second area (Q, R) ) is, in particular greater than 25 or 27 minutes, but less than 35 or 33 minutes. 8. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 7, in which, when the amount of the difference is in the first predetermined range (Q), an output device ( 6 a) of the client ( 3 a) a first of several different data records, in particular a first of several different Internet pages is output. 9. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 8, in which, when the amount of the difference lies in the second, predetermined range (R), a second, on the output device ( 6 a) of the client ( 3 a), different data record is output from the first data record, in particular a second internet page different from the first internet page. 10. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 5 to 9, in which, when the amount of the difference lies in the third, predetermined range, a third, from the first and. On the output device ( 6 a) of the client ( 3 a) second data record different data record is output, in particular a data record containing a warning. 11. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the client time-counting data is transmitted to the central computer ( 2 ) or to another computer which carries out the comparison for time-counting data comparison. 12. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which for the time counting data the computer time counting data are transmitted to the client ( 3 a), or to a further computer performing the comparison. 13. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the further time zone (A) is the time zone in which the client ( 3 a) is arranged. 14. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the reference time zone (A) is the time zone in which the central computer ( 2 ) is arranged, or the GMT time zone. 15. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the client ( 3 a) is a computer, in particular a portable or stationary computer. 16. Data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the client ( 3 a) is a telephone, in particular a portable or stationary telephone. 17. Central computer ( 2 ), which is designed and set up in such a way that it can be used as a central computer ( 2 ) in a data communication system ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 16, and the clients to determine the correctness of the client time counting data -Time count data and the computer time count data compared. 18. Data communication method, in which at least one central computer ( 2 ) and a computer time counter device ( 10 ) are used, which provide computer time counter data which relate to a reference time zone (B), and in which at least one client ( 3 a) and a client time counting device ( 9 a) are used, which provides client time counting data which relate to the reference time zone (B) or a further time zone (A), characterized in that the method comprises the step: - Determine the correctness of the client time data by comparing the client time data and the computer time data.