JP2000181821A - Network computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network computer system by which the work environment of a network computer is automatically set in accordance with a user. SOLUTION: In this network computer system, the network computer 3 reads identifying data for identifying an individual from an individual authenticating card 14 owned by each user when it is started and transmits the read-out identifying data to a server computer 1. In the meantime, the server computer 1 refers to an individual environment setting file 11, obtains an application program which is previously made to correspond to the received identifying data and an environment setting parameter or the like and transmits them to the network computer 3. Then the network computer 3 automatically executes environment setting based on the starting of the application program and the environment setting parameter which are transmitted from the server computer 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of network computers connected to a LAN (Local Area N)
The present invention relates to a network computer system that operates by downloading an operating system and an application program from a server computer via a network or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various types of computers called desktops and notebooks have been developed. Also, recent advances in communication technology have been remarkable, and most of these computers have a data communication function of transmitting and receiving data to and from another computer via a network. Under such circumstances, a network computer system has been proposed as a new use form of the computer.

In this network computer system, a server computer and a plurality of network computers used by an end user are connected via a network such as a LAN. It is a system that downloads and operates programs, and this system makes it possible to provide network computer equipment at a low cost and to centrally manage software version upgrades. It is possible to greatly reduce the time and labor for such maintenance work.

[0004]

By the way, in this network computer system, for example, a plurality of users in the same group share a plurality of network computers. Therefore, each network computer is preliminarily independent of an individual. It is designed to be launched in a defined standard working environment. That is,
In a conventional network computer system,
There is no consideration of automatically setting a work environment suitable for the user, and there is a problem that the user has to set it each time after starting the network computer.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a network computer system capable of automatically setting a work environment of a network computer according to a user.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, at the time of starting a network computer, the network computer stores identification data from a personal authentication storage medium such as an ID card owned by each user. The read identification data is transmitted to a server computer, and the server computer determines an application program to be automatically transmitted from the received identification data.

According to the present invention, for example, when one user arbitrarily uses one of a plurality of network computers, or when one of a plurality of users uses a single network computer. In addition, since the application program corresponding to the user to be used is transmitted from the server computer to the network computer, the user does not need to download the application program.

Further, according to the present invention, in a server computer, customization information including a keyboard setting content previously associated with a received identification code is transmitted to a network computer, and the network computer performs a process based on the transmitted customization information. To execute keyboard settings.

According to the present invention, various environment settings of a network computer including a keyboard can be automatically performed according to a user who uses the network computer.

[0010] Further, according to the present invention, the application program to be transmitted, which is determined by the server computer in accordance with the identification code, is an application program for presenting work contents associated in advance with the identification data.

In the present invention, for example, when a plurality of employees start up a network computer when they go to work,
For example, it is possible to instruct the work content of the day for each employee.

Further, the present invention provides an I
The storage of a personal authentication storage medium such as a D card is a permission condition when power is supplied to the computer main body.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the network computer system according to this embodiment has a configuration in which a server computer 1 and a plurality of network computers 3 are connected via a network 2.
Operates at the time of its activation by acquiring an operating system and application programs from the server computer 1.

In the network computer system of this embodiment, the server computer 1 has a personal environment setting file 11 for automatically setting the work environment of the network computer 3 according to the user.
On the other hand, the network computer 3 includes a personal authentication card access device 31 for reading identification data from a personal authentication card 4 such as an IC card owned by the user.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the network computer 3 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the network computer 3 of this embodiment includes a personal authentication card access device 31 and a CP.
It has a U32 and a memory 33.

The CPU 32 controls the entire network computer 3 and executes and controls various programs stored in the memory 33. The memory 33 is a device serving as a main memory of the network computer 3,
It stores various programs and processing data that are executed and controlled by the CPU 32.

Only a boot program 101 executed by the CPU 32 when the power of the network computer 3 is turned on is fixedly stored in the memory 33. The boot program 101 communicates with the server computer 1 when activated. After performing the initialization in the network computer 3 including the communication device of FIG.
2 and a transfer request between the NC management program 103 and
The operating system 102 and the NC management program 103 transferred in response to this request are activated.
The operating system 102 is a basic program for controlling the entire network computer 3, while the NC management program 103 operates under the operating system 102 and, for example, a desired application program 104 for the server computer 1.
This is the top program for requesting a transfer.

At this time, the boot program 1
01 drives and controls the personal authentication card access device 31 to read the identification data from the personal authentication card 4, and transmits the read identification data to the server computer 1 together with the transfer request between the operating system 102 and the NC management program 103 described above. Send to

FIG. 12 shows an example of the personal environment file 11 provided in the server computer 1. In FIG. 12, the login name is the identification data of the user corresponding to the personal authentication card 4, and the password is transmitted to the user from a keyboard or the like in order to confirm that the user is a registrant of the personal authentication card 4. It is a password to be entered. The group name is the name of a group to which the user belongs in network management, and performs access restriction or the like on a group basis. The home directory is a directory name indicating a data area of the user, and the user name is an area where personal information of the user is recorded. The boot OS is
This shows an operating system to be transferred to the user's network computer 3. Hereinafter, the role of the area after the automatic start program setting area will be described.

The automatic start program setting area is an area for setting which application program 14 is automatically transferred for each identification data transmitted from the network computer 3 as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Then, the application program 104 set to be automatically transferred in the automatic start program setting area is automatically transferred to the network computer 3.

That is, in the network computer 3 of this embodiment, an appropriate application program 104 is automatically started based on the identification data stored in the personal authentication card 4 owned by the user.

The automatic transfer data setting area is an area for setting data to be automatically transferred, as shown in FIG. 4, for example. You can get it without any.

The environment setting file includes a keyboard setting area, a mouse setting area, and a previous work state.
It stores information for automatically setting the environment on the network computer 3 side. For example, if a keyboard setting area for storing parameters for automatically setting a keyboard is set as shown in FIG. 5, the server computer 1 stores the parameters stored in the keyboard setting area in a network computer. Send to 3. On the other hand, in the network computer 3, the started NC management program 103 executes the keyboard setting based on this parameter. Thereby, the keyboard setting according to the user is automatically performed.

The usable program is an area for setting which program can be transferred, so that when the network computer 3 is started, the user can only manage which program should be automatically transferred to the user. In addition, management such as preventing transfer of a specific program to a user other than the privileged user can be performed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, the work instruction setting area is an area for storing a program for displaying the work content of the user on that day and a program for displaying the work procedure and the like. By automatically activating them, it is possible to present them to the user.

Here, the operation procedure of the network computer 3 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the network computer 3 of this embodiment.

In the network computer 3 of this embodiment, when the power is turned on (step A1), first, a boot program 101 is started, and the boot program 101 executes an initialization process in the network computer 3 (step A1). Step A2).

Next, the boot program 101 drives and controls the personal authentication card access device 31 to read the identification data from the personal authentication card 4 (step A3),
The read identification data is transmitted to the server computer 1 together with a transfer request between the operating system 102 and the NC management program 103 (step A).
4).

Thereafter, the boot program 101
The operating system 102, the NC management program 103, the application program 104, the environment setting parameters, and the like transferred from the server computer 1 are received (step A5), and the received operating system 102, the NC management program 10
3 and the application program 104 are started (step A6).

Then, the started NC management program 1
03 executes various environment setting processes such as keyboard setting based on the environment setting parameters received by the boot program 101 (step A7).

Next, the operation principle of the server computer 1 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server computer 1 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the server computer 1 of this embodiment has a CPU 12, a memory 13, and a magnetic disk device 14.

The CPU 12 controls the entire server computer 1 and executes and controls various programs stored in the memory 13. The memory 13 stores the server computer 1
And stores various programs and processing data that are executed and controlled by the CPU 12. The magnetic disk device 14 is a device serving as an auxiliary storage of the server computer 1 and stores, for example, the personal environment setting file 11 and various programs including the operating system 102 and the NC management program 103 to be transferred to the network computer 3. I do.

In the server computer 1, the operating system 201 and the NC service program 20
2 is loaded into the memory 13 from the magnetic disk drive 14 and is executed and controlled by the CPU 12.
Basic program for controlling the whole, while N
The C service program 202 operates under the operating system 201 and, for example, sends an application program 1 corresponding to the user to the network computer 3.
04 and a utility program for transferring environment setting parameters.

Here, the operation procedure of the server computer 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
It is a flow chart for explaining the operation procedure of server computer 1 of this embodiment.

The server computer 1 of this embodiment comprises:
Upon receiving the identification data transmitted from the network computer 3 together with the transfer request between the operating system 102 and the NC management program 103 (step B)
1), the NC service program 202 searches the personal information setting file 11 using the received identification data as a search key (step B2).

Then, the NC service program 202
When the identification data is detected in the personal information setting file 11 (YES in step B3), in addition to the operating system 102 and the NC management program 103,
The application program 104 and the like set to be automatically transferred to the user specified by the identification data are transferred by the personal information setting file 11 (step B4). On the other hand, if the identification data cannot be detected in the personal information setting file 11 (N in step B3)
O), the NC service program 202 executes an error reply to the network computer 3 (step B5).

As described above, the network computer 3
Transmits identification data for identifying each user to the server computer 1, and the server computer 1 automatically transmits the application program 104 and environment setting parameters according to the identification data, thereby reducing the work environment of the network computer. Automatic setting can be performed according to the user.

Next, a power management function of the network computer 3 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the power management unit when permitting power supply to the computer while the personal authentication card 4 is stored.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the power management section in this case, the main power supply line a and the power supply line b are derived from the power supply circuit 304, and the power supply circuit 304 constantly supplies power to the power supply line b. are doing. When the personal authentication card 4 is stored, the switch 301 is turned on and the resistor 302 is turned on.
Voltage below 0 V indicates 0V. The switch monitoring device 303 monitors this voltage, and when detecting 0 V, outputs a signal to the power supply circuit 304 to permit power supply to the main power supply line a via the signal line c. This prevents wasteful power consumption caused by a third party who does not have the personal authentication card 4 inadvertently turning on the power.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the power management unit when permitting power supply to the computer after the personal authentication card 4 is stored.

The power management unit shown in FIG. 11 is provided with a switch ON storage device 305 for storing that the switch 301 is turned on inside the switch monitoring device 303 of the power management unit shown in FIG. . That is, when the power management unit is applied, once the personal authentication card 4 is stored and the network computer 3 is started, the network computer 3 continues to operate even if the personal authentication card 4 is removed. Therefore, the user can store his / her personal authentication card 4 separately after activating the network computer 3. For example, the user can store the personal authentication card 4 stored in the network computer 3 while the user is away from the desk. Prevent theft, etc.

[0046]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when the network computer is started, the network computer reads the identification data from the personal authentication storage medium such as an ID card owned by each user, and reads the identification data. The transmitted identification data is transmitted to the server computer, and the server computer determines the application program to be transmitted based on the received identification data. As a result, it becomes unnecessary to download the application program by the user.

Further, the server computer transmits to the network computer customization information including the keyboard setting content previously associated with the received identification code, and the network computer sets the keyboard setting based on the transmitted customization information. Is performed, it is possible to automatically perform various environment settings of the network computer including the keyboard in accordance with the user who uses the network computer.

Further, storage of a personal authentication storage medium such as an ID card owned by each user is set as a permission condition when power is supplied to the computer main body, so that unnecessary power consumption is prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view showing a configuration of a network computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing a schematic configuration of the network computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing an automatic startup program setting area of a personal environment setting file according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing an automatic transfer data setting area of the personal environment setting file according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary view showing a keyboard setting area of the personal environment setting file according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view showing a work instruction setting area of the personal environment setting file according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the network computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view showing a schematic configuration of a server computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the server computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram showing a configuration of a power management unit in the network computer according to the embodiment when permitting power supply to the computer main body while the personal authentication card is stored.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary view showing a configuration of a power supply management unit in a case where power supply to the computer body is permitted after the personal authentication card is stored in the network computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary view showing an example of a personal environment file included in the server computer of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server computer 2 ... Network 3 ... Network computer 4 ... Personal authentication card 11 ... Personal environment setting file 31 ... Personal authentication card access device 101 ... Boot program 102 ... Operating system 103 ... NC management program 104 ... Application program 201 ... Operating system 202: NC service program

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H03M 11/22 G06F 15/00 310 F term (Reference) 5B011 DA01 DB13 EA02 LL06 MA12 5B020 BB10 CC01 FF11 5B085 AA08 AE01 AE06 AE12 AE23 BG07 5B089 GA11 GA21 GB03 HA06 JA00 JB07 JB22 KA01 KA04 KB04 KB06 KB09 KC15 KC59 KH03 LB10 MB05

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A network computer system comprising: a first computer; and a second computer that operates by acquiring an operating system and an application program from the first computer via a network, wherein the second computer is Identification data reading means for reading the identification data from a personal authentication storage medium storing identification data for identifying an individual; and identification for transmitting the identification data read by the identification data reading means to the first computer. Data transmission means, wherein the first computer receives the identification data transmitted from the second computer, and receives the identification data received by the identification data reception means. Automatically send to computer A network computer system comprising: a transmission program determining unit that determines an application program. 2. The personal computer according to claim 1, wherein the first computer transmits to the second computer customization information including a keyboard setting content previously associated with the identification data received by the identification data receiving means. The second computer further includes: a customization information receiving unit that receives the customization information transmitted from the first computer; and a keyboard setting based on the customization information received by the customization information receiving unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising keyboard setting means.
The network computer system as described. 3. The network computer system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission program determination unit targets an application program for presenting a work content associated with the identification data in advance. 4. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein the second computer is configured to store the personal authentication storage medium in a detachable manner; a detection unit configured to detect whether the storage medium for personal authentication is stored in the storage unit; 4. The network computer according to claim 1, further comprising a power management means for permitting power supply to a computer main body while the means detects storage of the personal authentication storage medium. system. 5. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein the second computer includes a storage unit configured to removably store the personal authentication storage medium, a detection unit configured to detect that the personal authentication storage medium is stored in the storage unit, 4. The network computer according to claim 1, further comprising a power management means for permitting power supply to the computer after the detection means detects the storage of the personal authentication storage medium. system.