JP2001109730A - Application sharing system and recording medium recorded with program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dynamically switch each application program a single mode to/from sharing mode in an application sharing system of a distributed control system. SOLUTION: A message transferring means E transfers a user input IN only to a message processing part C when the single mode is set in a mode setting part F, and transfers the input IN to the part C and an application program being the opposite sharing side via a communication channel CH when the sharing mode is set. When a shift request to the sharing mode comes in the middle of an operation in the single mode, a controlling means J sets the sharing mode in the part F, communicates with the application program being the opposite sharing side through the channel CH and makes their internal states coincide. When a shift request to the single mode comes in the middle of an operation in the sharing mode, a controlling means K sets the single mode in the part F and disconnects the connection by the channel CH.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an application sharing system that allows users of a plurality of terminals to share application processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a plurality of users perform a joint work such as a conference using a plurality of terminals connected via a network, it is necessary to share information among the users.
One of such information sharing is application processing sharing. Here, the sharing of the application processing is to reflect the processing result of the application executed on the user's terminal to each user's terminal in real time, and is also called application sharing.

[0003] A system for realizing application sharing is a centralized execution system in which an application program is executed on a specific terminal, the terminal receives an input from each terminal, executes an application process, and notifies each terminal of the result. And a distributed processing method in which each terminal executes the same application program, and each terminal receives an input from each terminal and executes an application process. In the centralized execution method, communication traffic increases to return a processing result. Therefore, when it is desired to suppress communication traffic, a distributed processing method having less such a problem is awarded. The present invention relates to an improvement in an application sharing system using the distributed processing method. Documents that describe an application sharing system based on a distributed processing method include, for example, JP-A-6-83785.
There is an official gazette.

[0004]

However, in the conventional application sharing system based on the distributed processing method, the application programs of each terminal are started at the same time, and communicate with the same application program of another terminal to share the application. It is based on a mode of realization, and no particular consideration is given to changing the operation state of the application program. For this reason, as described below, there has been a problem that it is not possible to flexibly cope with a dynamic change in the work environment, and it is not possible to carry out the work smoothly.

For example, depending on the working environment, one user may work alone using an application program, and at a certain point in time, another user may join and work together. In such a case, in the conventional application sharing system, the application program operating alone cannot be changed to the shared state, so that it is not possible to switch from the independent work to the joint work.

Further, when a plurality of users work together and one user continues working independently from a certain point in time, a conventional application sharing system uses an application program operating in a shared manner. Since the state cannot be changed to operate independently, it is not possible to switch from the joint work to the single work.

[0007] The present invention has been proposed in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to dynamically change the operation state of an application program and flexibly cope with a change in a work environment in which an application is used. To provide an application sharing system.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configurations (1), (2) and (3).

(1) In a system in which a plurality of terminals having the same type of application program are communicably connected to each other via a network including a plurality of communication channels, a user assigned to the own program is assigned to each application program. A main processing unit including a user input processing unit for outputting the contents of the input as a message and a message processing unit for performing a process according to the input message; and an operation mode of its own program in any of a single mode and a shared mode. A mode setting unit for holding information about a communication channel used for communication with another application program in the shared mode when the shared mode is set, and a user setting when the single mode is set in the mode setting unit. Processing the message output from the input processing unit to the message processing When the sharing mode is set, the message output from the user input processing unit is transferred to the message processing unit, and the message is transferred to the application program of the sharing partner using the communication channel, and the communication is performed. Message transfer means for transferring a message transferred from an application program of a sharing partner to the message processing unit through a channel, and a sharing mode and a communication channel provided to the mode setting unit by being given a sharing activation request specifying a communication channel. Setting information, communicates with another application program to be a sharing partner using the communication channel, and performs a process of matching the internal state of the program between the sharing partners. Make sure that the stand-alone mode is set. When a request to shift to the shared mode is given, information on the shared mode and the specified communication channel is set in the mode setting unit, and another application to be a sharing partner using the specified communication channel is set. A configuration that includes a sharing mode transition control unit that communicates with the program and performs processing for matching the internal state of the program between the sharing partners.

Here, the internal state of the program corresponds to the execution environment of the main processing unit. For example, when the application program is “painting software”, the main processing unit has the function of “painting software”, but information of all pictures currently drawn by the main processing unit, the position of the cursor, And all information such as the icon selection state on the screen. In other words, when a certain application program α is stopped at a certain time t, information indicating the state at that time is collected, and ported to another application program β of the same type, the application program β When the operation starts and the operation starts in the same state as the program α, the collected information is the internal state of the program.

The above-described processing for matching the internal state of a program between sharing partners is performed when an application program operating in a single mode on one terminal is activated in another mode in an application program of another terminal. Is a process of matching the internal state of another application program with the internal state of the application program operating in the single mode. When shifting the application programs operating in the single mode to the shared mode, for example, This is processing for matching the internal state of one application program. Of course, it is also possible to match them according to another certain rule.

In the application sharing system configured as described above, an application program in which the mode setting section is set to the single mode transmits the message output from the user input processing section to its own program. Since they are only transferred to the message processing unit, they operate independently irrespective of other similar application programs. Therefore, independent work using the application program can be performed.

On the other hand, in the application program in which the sharing mode is set in the mode setting unit, the message transfer unit transfers the message output from the user input processing unit to the message processing unit of the own program,
A plurality of terminals on which the plurality of application programs operate are sent to the application program of the sharing partner using the communication channel, and the message transfer means of the application program of the sharing partner transfers the message to the message processing unit of the own program. Application sharing can be performed on the above.

[0014] Then, at the time of a shared start request specifying a communication channel, the start-time control means of each application program sets information on the shared mode and the communication channel in the mode setting unit, and communicates with the sharing partner using the communication channel. Communicates with other application programs, and performs processing to match the internal state of the program between the sharing partners.
Further, the control unit at the time of switching to the shared mode, in a state where the single mode is set in the mode setting unit, when there is a request to switch to the shared mode, sets the information of the shared mode and the communication channel in the mode setting unit, Since communication is performed with another application program to be a sharing partner using the specified communication channel and the internal state of the program is made to match between the sharing partners, it is possible to switch from an independent operation to a joint operation.

That is, for example, when the application program is operated in the stand-alone mode on the terminal A to perform the stand-alone operation, a certain communication channel is designated for the application program of the terminal A to shift to the shared mode. When a request is made and another terminal B or C having the same type of application program is designated for the same communication channel and the shared start is performed, the control means at the time of transition to the shared mode of the application program on the terminal A and the terminal B or C The application program start-up control means sets the sharing mode and the communication channel information in the mode setting section of the own program to enter the sharing mode, and communicates with another application program to be shared with,
In order to match the internal state of the application programs of the terminals B and C with the internal state of the application program of the terminal A, data created by the application program of the terminal A is shared between the terminals A, B and C, and the cooperative work is continued. Can proceed.

Further, for example, when the same type of application program is operated independently in each of the terminals A and B in the independent mode and the individual work is performed, the same communication channel is designated for the application programs of the terminals A and B. Request to shift to the shared mode, the terminal A,
The control means at the time of transition to the shared mode of the application program on B sets the shared mode and the communication channel information in the mode setting section of the own program to enter the shared mode, and to make the internal states of each application program coincide with each other. For example, when matching the internal state of the application program of the terminal A,
The data created by the application program of terminal B can be shared between terminals A and B to continue the collaborative work. On the other hand, when the data is made to match the internal state of the application program of terminal B, the data is created by the application program of terminal B. Terminal A and B share the data
We can continue to work together.

(2) In a system in which a plurality of terminals having the same type of application program are communicably connected to each other via a network including a plurality of communication channels, a user assigned to the application program is assigned to each application program. A main processing unit including a user input processing unit for outputting the contents of the input as a message and a message processing unit for performing a process according to the input message; and an operation mode of its own program in any of a single mode and a shared mode. A mode setting unit for holding information about a communication channel used for communication with another application program in the shared mode when the shared mode is set, and a user setting when the single mode is set in the mode setting unit. Processing the message output from the input processing unit to the message processing When the sharing mode is set, the message output from the user input processing unit is transferred to the message processing unit, and the message is transferred to the application program of the sharing partner using the communication channel, and the communication is performed. A message transfer unit for transferring a message transferred from an application program to be shared via a channel to the message processing unit, and a request to shift to the shared mode is given in a state where the single mode is set in the mode setting unit. By setting the sharing mode and the information of the designated communication channel in the mode setting unit, it communicates with another application program as a sharing partner using the designated communication channel, and shares the internal state of the program. Perform the matching process between the opponents, and In the state where the sharing mode is set in the mode setting unit, when communication is performed from another application program to be a new sharing partner using the communication channel, the internal state of the program is matched between the sharing partners. And a control unit at the time of transition to a shared mode for performing a process of causing the shared mode to shift.

Here, the above-described processing for matching the internal state of a program between sharing partners is, for example, processing for matching the internal state of one application program with the internal state of another application program.
Of course, it is also possible to match them according to another certain rule.

In the application sharing system configured as described above, similar to the above (1), it is possible to perform an independent operation using an application program in which a single mode is set in the mode setting section. Application sharing can be performed between application programs for which the sharing mode is set, thereby enabling collaborative work.

In the shared mode transition control means of each application program, when a transition request to the shared mode is given in a state where the single mode is set in the mode setting unit, the shared mode and the shared mode are transmitted to the mode setting unit. Setting information of a communication channel, communicating with another application program to be a sharing partner using the specified communication channel, performing a process of matching the internal state of the program between the sharing partners, and a mode setting unit. In the state where the sharing mode is set, when there is communication from another application program that is a new sharing partner using the communication channel, a process for matching the internal state of the program between the sharing partners is performed. Thus, switching from independent work to joint work becomes possible.

That is, for example, the terminal A performs the independent work by operating the application program in the single mode, and the terminal B and the terminal C perform the joint work by operating the same type of application program in the shared mode. When the terminal A requests the application program of the terminal A to switch to the shared mode by designating the communication channel used by the terminals B and C, the control means for the application program on the terminal A at the time of the switching to the shared mode Setting the information of the shared mode and the communication channel in the mode setting section of the own program to be the shared mode, and
In order to communicate with the application programs of the other terminals B and C as sharing partners and to match the internal state of the application programs of the terminals A, B and C, for example, the terminal A
In this case, the data created by the application program of the terminal A can be shared by the terminals A, B, and C, and the collaborative work can be continued. To match the internal state of the program,
The data created by the application programs of the terminals B and C can be shared by the terminals A, B and C, and the cooperative work can be continued.

(3) In a system in which a plurality of terminals having the same type of application program are communicably connected to each other via a network including a plurality of communication channels, a user assigned to the own program is assigned to each application program. A main processing unit including a user input processing unit for outputting the contents of the input as a message and a message processing unit for performing a process according to the input message; and an operation mode of its own program in any of a single mode and a shared mode. A mode setting unit for holding information about a communication channel used for communication with another application program in the shared mode when the shared mode is set, and a user setting when the single mode is set in the mode setting unit. Processing the message output from the input processing unit to the message processing When the sharing mode is set, the message output from the user input processing unit is transferred to the message processing unit, and the message is transferred to the application program of the sharing partner using the communication channel, and the communication is performed. A message transfer unit that transfers a message transferred from an application program to be shared via a channel to the message processing unit, and a request to shift to a single mode is given in a state in which the sharing mode is set in the mode setting unit. And a single mode transition control means for disconnecting the communication channel set in the mode setting unit and setting the single mode in the mode setting unit.

In the application sharing system configured as described above, as in the above (1), an independent operation can be performed using an application program in which the single mode is set in the mode setting section. Application sharing can be performed with an application program in which the sharing mode is set, and collaborative work is possible.

Then, the control means at the time of transition to the single mode of each application program is set in the mode setting section by receiving a request for transition to the single mode while the shared mode is set in the mode setting section. Since the connection by the communication channel is disconnected and the single mode is set in the mode setting unit, and the internal mode is maintained, the single mode is set, so that the switching from the joint work to the single work is possible.

That is, for example, when the same application program is operated in the shared mode on the terminals A, B, and C to perform the joint work, for example, when a request to shift to the single mode is given to the application program on the terminal A. , The control means at the time of transition to the single mode of the application program, disconnects the connection by the communication channel,
Since the single mode is set in the mode setting unit, and the single mode is set, the data created by the joint work of the terminals A, B, and C can be continuously used by the application program of the terminal A. At this time, the terminals B and C can continue the joint work.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an application program used in the application sharing system of the present invention.

The application program AP of this example
Includes a main processing unit A, a communication library D, a mode setting unit F, and an operation mode control unit G.

The main processing section A is a section that controls the entire processing of the application carried by the application program AP. For example, when the application program AP is “painting software”, it manages all processes necessary for the painting software. Similarly, when the application program AP is “chat software”, it manages all processes required for the chat software.

The main processing section A comprises a user input processing section B and a message processing section C. User input processing unit B
Is a user input I given by a user to the application program AP through a mouse, a keyboard, or the like.
The message processing unit C processes the user input IN and presents the processing result OUT to the user through a CRT or the like. In the case of a normal application program, the user input IN received by the user input processing unit B is transmitted to the message processing unit C and processed as it is. The input user input IN needs to be processed by all application programs. Therefore, the user input processing unit B receives the received user input IN.
Into a message and once sent to the communication library D,
The message processing unit C processes a user input IN given as a message from the communication library D.

The mode setting section F holds whether the operation mode of the application program AP is a single mode or a shared mode. ID of communication channel used for communication with application program
Is the part that holds.

The communication library D is a part that provides a function for the application program AP to communicate with other application programs. In particular, the message transfer means E provided therein controls the transfer of a message relating to the user input IN.

The message transfer means E includes a mode setting section F
Is set to the single mode, the message output from the user input processing unit B is transferred only to the message processing unit C. On the other hand, when the sharing mode is set in the mode setting unit F, the message output from the user input processing unit B is transferred to the message processing unit C, and the sharing partner on the other terminal is transmitted using the communication channel CH. Transfer to application program as well. Further, in the sharing mode, the message transferred from the application program of the sharing partner through the communication channel CH is transferred to the message processing unit C. The communication channel CH used in the shared mode is a communication channel specified by the communication channel ID set in the mode setting unit F.

The operation mode control section G is a section for controlling the operation state of the application program AP. In this embodiment, the start time control means H, the end time control means I, and the shared mode transition time control means J , And a single mode transition control means K.

The start time control means H responds to a start request by
This is a means for starting the application program AP in the single mode or the shared mode. FIG. 2 shows a processing example of the startup control means H.

When a start request is issued to the application program AP, the start-time control means H determines whether the operation mode specified by the start request is a single mode or a shared mode (S1). Then, the single mode is set in the mode setting unit F (S2), and the control is transferred to the main processing unit A. In the case of the shared mode, the mode setting unit F stores the shared mode and the ID of the communication channel specified by the main activation request.
Is set (S3), and connection and communication with the sharing partner are attempted using a communication channel using the communication library D (S3).
4). If communication with the sharing partner is not successful (S5
NO), application sharing is not possible, and sharing activation fails. If the communication is successful, a matching process for matching the internal state of the application program between the sharing partners is performed (S6), and a successful start of sharing is notified as a response (S7), and control is transferred to the main processing unit A.

The termination control means I responds to the termination request by
This is a means for terminating the operation of the application program AP. FIG. 3 shows a processing example of the termination control means I.

When a termination request is issued to the application program AP, the termination control means I determines the operation mode by referring to the mode setting section F (S11), and terminates the application program AP as it is in the single mode. . In the shared mode, the communication library D is disconnected from the communication channel (S12).
As a response, the end of the sharing mode is notified (S13), and the application program AP is ended.

The shared mode transition time control means J is means for switching the operation mode of the application program AP from the single mode to the shared mode in response to a request for transition to the shared mode. FIG. 4 shows a processing example of the sharing mode transition control means J.

When a request to shift to the shared mode is issued to the application program AP, the mode setting unit F
Only when the single mode has been set, the sharing mode transition control means J accepts the request. The shared mode transition control means J first sets the shared mode in the mode setting unit F instead of the single mode, and sets the ID of the specified communication channel in the mode setting unit F (S21). Next, an attempt is made to connect and communicate with the sharing partner using a communication channel using the communication library D (S22). If the communication with the sharing partner is not successful (NO in S23), since the application cannot be shared, the single mode is set in the mode setting unit F (S24), and the connection by the communication channel CH in the communication library D is disconnected. Then, control is transferred to the main processing unit A to continue the operation in the single mode (S25). If the communication is successful, a matching process for matching the internal state of the application program between the sharing partners is performed (S2).
6) As a response, the transition to the shared mode is notified (S2).
7) The control is transferred to the main processing unit A.

Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the sharing mode transition control means J operates when the sharing mode is set in the mode setting unit F, that is, when the application program AP operates in the sharing mode. During the communication, if there is communication from another application program that has newly joined the sharing partner via the communication channel CH, a process for matching the internal state of the application program between the sharing partners is performed.

The single mode transition control means K is a means for switching the operation mode of the application program AP from the shared mode to the single mode in accordance with a request for transition to the single mode. FIG. 5 shows a processing example of the control means J at the time of transition to the single mode.

When a request for shifting to the single mode is issued to the application program AP, the mode setting unit F
Only when the sharing mode is set, the single mode transition control means K accepts the request. The single mode transition control means K disconnects the connection by the communication channel CH in the communication library D (S31), and sets the mode setting unit F to the single mode instead of the shared mode (S3).
2). Then, a transition to the single mode is notified as a response (S33), and control is transferred to the main processing unit A.

FIG. 6 is a transition diagram of the operation state of the application program AP. In the stop state, the state shifts to the single mode state when there is a start request specifying the single mode, and shifts to the shared mode state when there is a start request specifying the shared mode. When in the single mode state, the state transitions to the stop state when there is a termination request, and the state transitions to the shared mode state when there is a request to shift to the shared mode. When in the shared mode state, the state transitions to the stop state when there is a termination request, and transitions to the single mode state when there is a transition request to the single mode.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the application sharing system of the present invention. In the application sharing system of this example, a plurality of terminals 1, 2, 3 are communicably connected via a network 4. Each of the terminals 1, 2, 3 has the same kind of application program 120, 220, 3 having the structure as described in FIG.
20 are provided, and application program starting units 100, 200, and 300 are provided. In FIG. 1, only one application program is provided for each of the terminals 1, 2, and 3. However, generally, a plurality of types of application programs are provided.

The terminals 1, 2, 3 are connected to an application program information management unit 10 and user input / output devices 130, 230, 330 including input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse and output devices such as a CRT. I have.

The recording medium M connected to each of the terminals 1, 2, 3 is a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory or another recording medium. The program in the recording medium M is stored in the terminals 1, 2, 3
And controls the operation of the computer, causes the computer to function as each unit of the application programs 120, 220, and 320 shown in FIG. 1, and functions as the application program starting units 100, 200, and 300. Let it.

The network 4 performs communication between terminals by electrical, electromagnetic, and physical means, and includes a network such as an Ethernet (registered trademark) (Ethernet (registered trademark)), an ATM network, an FDDI, and a wireless LAN. Various implementations are possible. This network 4 has a plurality of communication channels 40. The individual communication channels need only be logically distinguished. Therefore, in addition to those based on multiplexing methods such as time division and frequency division, identification numbers are assigned to individual communication channels 40, and identification is added or included in data to be transmitted. good.

Application programs 120, 220, 3 connected using one communication channel 40
20 exchanges information with each other and matches information held therein, thereby matching processing results, and enabling users of a plurality of terminals to share applications.

Application program starting unit 10
0,200,300 are user input / output devices 130,23
0, 330, and the application program 120, 220, 3 of its own terminal according to the instruction from the application program information management unit 10.
This is a means for starting up 20.

Application program information management unit 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a part for managing information of application programs related to application sharing, and an example of the configuration is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the application program information management unit 10 includes a request processing unit 11, an application program management table 12, a communication channel management unit 15, and a communication channel use table 16.

The request processing unit 11 accepts requests from the application programs 120, 220, 320 and the application program starting units 100, 200, 300, performs processing corresponding to the requests, notifies the request source of the result, and performs other processing. Application program starting unit 10
It is a part that issues new requests to 0, 200, and 300.

The communication channel management unit 15 includes the request processing unit 1
A new communication channel 4 for the application programs 120, 220, 320 according to the request from
This is a part for allocating 0 and releasing a communication channel.

The communication channel use table 16 is a table for holding a list of use states of individual communication channels included in the network 4.

Application program management table 12
Is a table that holds various types of information related to application sharing, and FIG. 9 shows a configuration example thereof. As shown in the figure, the application program management table 12 is composed of a plurality of tags. Each tag corresponds to one application share. Each tag is "application name",
It has items of “communication channel ID” and “operating terminal”,
In the item of application name, the type (name) of the operating application program is the communication channel ID.
Is set to the ID of the communication channel used for communication between the application programs, and the item of the operating terminal is set to the name of the terminal on which the application program is operating. For example, in the tag on the first line, an application program of the type “painting” is running on each of the terminals 1, 2, and 3, and the communication channel of ID = 1 is used for the communication. Is shown. When only one type of application program runs in one system, the item of the application name may be omitted.

When groups of terminals connected to the network 4 are grouped and applications are shared on a group basis, an application program information management unit 10 is provided for each group to manage application program information in the group. You may do it.

Hereinafter, the operation of this embodiment will be described in detail for each case.

(1) Shared Activation The operation when the same type of application program is simultaneously activated in the shared mode is performed by the application programs 120, 220, and 320.
An example in which two application programs are started simultaneously in the shared mode will be described.

(2) Application program 12
When the terminals 0, 220, and 320 are simultaneously activated in the terminals 1, 2, and 3 in the shared mode, the user inputs a request for sharing activation specifying the name of the application program to be activated and the name of the terminal to be shared with the user. Output device 130, 2
One of the terminals 30 and 330 is input to the application program starting units 100, 200 and 300 in the terminal. In the following, it is assumed that a sharing activation request a1 has been input from the user input / output device 130 of the terminal 1, as shown in FIG.

Application program starting unit 100
When the shared activation request a1 is given, the request is transmitted to the application program information management unit 10 (a
2).

Referring to FIG. 8, this shared activation request a1
Is received by the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10, and the request processing unit 11 requests the communication channel management unit 15 to allocate a new communication channel. The communication channel management unit 15 includes a communication channel use table 16 that holds a list of communication channel use states.
, One communication channel that has not been allocated yet (hereinafter referred to as communication channel 40) is selected, the communication channel usage table 16 is rewritten, and the communication channel 40 is changed to “in use”. Is returned to the request processing unit 11. The request processing unit 11 adds a new tag to the application program management table 12, and stores therein the name of the application program indicated by the sharing activation request a1 and the I of the returned communication channel 40.
Record D. For example, the application program name is "picture writing" and the communication channel ID is "1".
Then, as shown in the first tag in FIG. 9, “pictorial” is added to the item of the application name, and the communication channel ID
Is set to “1”. Then, the request processing unit 11 requests the requesting application program starting unit 100 to start the application program 120 by designating the ID of the communication channel 40 (a3), and further executes another terminal involved in the sharing start. Two, three
Of the communication channel 40 and requests the application programs 220 and 320 to start the application programs 220 and 320 (a4, a5).

Each application program starting unit 10
0, 220, and 320 accordingly specify the ID of the communication channel 40 for each of the application programs 120, 220, and 320 and start up in the shared mode (a
6, a7, a8).

Referring to FIG. 1, when an application program 120, 220, 320 issues a start request in the shared mode in which the ID of the communication channel 40 is specified, each of the start-time control means H causes the mode setting unit F to The sharing mode and the ID of the communication channel 40 are set, connection and communication with the sharing partner are attempted using the communication library D by the communication channel, and the communication is successful. The application program information management unit 1 performs a matching process for matching, and determines that the sharing activation is successful with the ID of the communication channel.
0 (a9, a10, a11). Then, control is transferred to each main processing unit A. Here, the matching process of the internal state is performed for all application programs 120, 220,
Since all 320 are activated at the same time, substantially no matching processing is performed, and all of them start from the initial state.

Referring to FIG. 8, the success report of the shared activation is received by the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10, and the request processing unit 11 transmits the communication channel used by the application programs 120, 220, and 320. The application program management table 12 is searched using the ID of the application program 40 as a key, and the application program 120, 2
The names of the terminals 1, 2, 3 on which the terminals 20, 320 are operating are recorded.

(2) Sharing Operation After Sharing Start-up The operation when the same type of application program is operating in the sharing mode is described as the application programs 120, 220, and
A case will be described as an example where 320 operates in the shared mode.

For example, the user input / output device 130 of the terminal 1
From the user to the application program 120. Referring to FIG. 1, the user input IN is received by the user input processing unit B in the main processing unit A of the application program 120 and transmitted to the message transfer unit E as a message. Since the operation mode set in the mode setting unit F is the shared mode, the message transfer unit E transmits the transmitted message to the message processing unit C in the application program 120 and, for example, transmits the message on the communication channel 40 in the broadcast mode. Send out. The message processing unit C processes the input message.

On the other hand, terminal 2 operating in shared mode,
The message transfer means E in the third application program 220 or 320 receives the message transmitted in the broadcast mode on the communication channel 40 and transfers it to the message processing unit C of the application program 220 or 320. These message processing units C perform processing according to the message.

As described above, the processing relating to the user input given to the application program 120 is performed not only by the application program 120 but also by the application programs 220 and 320.
0, 320 are the same. Therefore, the user input / output devices 130, 230, 330 of the terminals 1, 2, 3
Output the same processing result.

User input / output device 23 of terminal 2 and terminal 3
0, 330 to application programs 220, 3
Even if there is any user input to 20, the message transfer is performed, and the same processing is performed in all the application programs 120, 220, and 320.

As a result, application sharing is realized.

(3) Simultaneous Termination The operation for simultaneously terminating a plurality of application programs operating in the shared mode is described in the case where the application programs 120, 220 and 320 operating in the shared mode are simultaneously terminated. An example is described.

Terminals 1, 2, 3 operating in shared mode
Application programs 120, 220, 320
Simultaneously, the user issues an end request specifying the ID of the communication channel 40 used in the shared mode from one of the user input / output devices 130, 230, 330 to the application program information management unit. Input for 10. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the end request d1 has been input from the user input / output device 130 of the terminal 1, as shown in FIG. Note that the end request d1 may be input through the application program 120 or the application program starting unit 100.

Referring to FIG. 8, the end request d1
Is received by the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10. The request processing unit 11 searches the application program management table 12 using the ID of the communication channel 40 specified by the end request d1 as a key,
For the application programs 120, 220, 320 of the terminals 1, 2, 3 described in the item of the operation terminal of the found tag and the item of the application name,
An end request is sent (d2, d3, d4).

Referring to FIG. 1, when an end request is generated, each of the application control programs 120, 220, and 320 determines that the operation mode is the shared mode by referring to the mode setting section F. And determine
The communication library D is disconnected from the communication channel, the end of the sharing mode is reported to the application program information management unit 10 (d8, d9, d10), and the own application program is ended.

Referring to FIG. 8, the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10 that has received the above-mentioned end report determines, from the item of the operating terminal of the previously searched tag, the application program that has issued the end report. Delete the operating terminal name. When all the application programs 120, 220, and 320 issue an end report and all the terminals are deleted from the operation terminal item of the tag, the operation terminal item becomes empty. I of the set communication channel 40
D to the communication channel management unit 15 to instruct release,
Also, the tag is deleted. Communication channel management unit 15
Updates the communication channel usage table 16 and updates the communication channel 4
Change 0 from used to unused.

(4) Single Termination The operation for individually terminating a plurality of application programs operating in the shared mode is defined as terminating the application program 120 among the application programs 120, 220, and 320 operating in the shared mode. An example of the case will be described.

Terminals 1, 2, 3 operating in shared mode
Application programs 120, 220, 320
When the application program 120 is to be terminated, the user input / output device 130 of the terminal 1 inputs a termination request e1 to the application program 120 as shown in FIG. The user input / output device 1
The termination request e1 may be issued from the application program information management unit 10 to all application programs on the terminal 1 when the user of the terminal 1 sends a leave request to the application program information management unit 10 from 30. .

Referring to FIG. 1, when an end request is generated, the application program 120 determines that the operation mode is the shared mode by referring to the mode setting unit F, and the communication control library I determines the operation mode. D disconnects the connection by the communication channel, reports the end of the sharing mode to the application program information management unit 10 (e2), and terminates its own application program.

Referring to FIG. 8, the above-mentioned end report is accepted by request processing section 11 of application program information management section 10. The request processing unit 11 searches the application program management table 12 using the name of the application program that has issued the end report as a key, and deletes the terminal name of the terminal 1 described in the item of the operation terminal of the found tag.

When all the terminals are deleted from the operation terminal items of the tag as a result of the completion report from the other application programs 220 and 320, the request processing unit 11 leaves the operation terminal item empty. Therefore, the ID of the communication channel 40 set in the item of the communication channel ID
To the communication channel management unit 15 to request release, and delete the tag. The communication channel management unit 15
The communication channel utilization table 16 is updated, and the communication channel 40 is changed from being used to unused.

(5) Shift from shared state to single operation When a plurality of application programs are operating in the shared mode, the operation for switching any application program to the single mode is performed using the communication channel 40. An example in which the application program 120 among the application programs 120, 220, and 320 operating in the shared mode is switched to the single mode will be described.

When the application program 120 operating in the shared mode is switched to the single mode, the user operates the user input / output device 130 as shown in FIG.
Requests the application program 120 to shift to the single mode (f1).

Referring to FIG. 1, when a request to shift to the single mode occurs, the application program 120 disconnects the connection by the communication channel 40 in the communication library D by the single mode shift control means K (f2). Then, the single mode is set in the mode setting unit F instead of the shared mode, and the success of the transition to the single mode is reported to the application program information management unit 10 (f3).
Then, control is transferred to the main processing unit A. At the time of transition to the single mode, the internal state of the program is saved as it is.

Referring to FIG. 8, the above-mentioned notification of the shift to the single mode is transmitted to the application program information management unit 1.
The request processing unit 11 accepts the request. Request processing unit 11
Is the application program 12 that issued the migration notification.
The application program management table 12 is searched using the name of “0” as a key, and the terminal name of the terminal 1 on which the application program 120 was running, which is described in the item of the operating terminal of the found tag, is deleted.

When the remaining application programs 220 and 320 are also switched to the single mode and notified of the transition to the single mode, the request processing unit 11 deletes the terminal names from the operating terminal items of the tag. . When the item of the operation terminal becomes empty, the communication channel ID
The communication channel management unit 15 is notified of the ID of the communication channel 40 set in the item (1), requests the communication channel management unit 15 to open, and deletes the tag. The communication channel management unit 15 updates the communication channel usage table 16 and changes the communication channel 40 from being used to being unused.

(6) Single Operation The operation when the application program is operating in the single mode will be described using the application program 120 as an example.

Assume that there is some user input to the application program 120 from the user input / output device 130 of the terminal 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the user input IN is received by the user input processing unit B in the main processing unit A of the application program 120 and transmitted to the message transfer unit E as a message. Since the operation mode set in the mode setting unit F is the single mode, the message transfer unit E transmits the transmitted message only to the message processing unit C in the application program 120. The message processing unit C processes the input message. As described above, the processing relating to the user input given to the application program 120 is performed only by the application program 120, whereby a single operation is realized.

(7) Transition from the single operation state to the shared operation state The operation when switching the application program operating in the single mode to the shared mode is performed by the application program 120 operating in the single mode in the terminal 1. A case will be described as an example where the application programs 220 and 230 are activated in the sharing mode in 2 and 3 and the application programs 120, 220 and 320 share the application.

When the other terminal 2 or 3 participates in the application program operating in the single mode in the terminal 1, for example, as shown in FIG. , 3 is input to the application program 120. The application program 120 adds the application name to the request g1, and adds the application name to the request g1.
(G2).

Referring to FIG. 8, the above request is sent to the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10.
Accepted at The request processing unit 11 requests the communication channel management unit 15 to allocate a new communication channel. The communication channel management unit 15 refers to the communication channel usage table 16 that holds a list of the usage status of the communication channels, selects one communication channel that has not been allocated yet (referred to as the communication channel 40), and uses the communication channel. Table 1
6, the communication channel 40 is changed to “in use”, and the ID of the selected communication channel 40 is changed to the request processing unit 1.
Reply to 1. The request processing unit 11 adds a new tag to the application program management table 12, and records therein the application program name and the ID of the communication channel 40 to which the reply has been made. And the request processing unit 11
Requests the application program 120 of the requesting source to specify the ID of the communication channel 40 and shift to the sharing mode (g3), and at the same time, the application program starting unit 20 of the other terminals 2 and 3 to be the sharing partner.
The same communication channel 40 ID is designated to 0 and 300, and a request is made to activate the application programs 220 and 320 in the shared mode (g4 and g5).

Referring to FIG. 1, when a request to shift to the shared mode occurs, the application program 120 sets the shared mode shifting control means J to the mode setting unit F to set the shared mode instead of the single mode. At the same time, the ID of the designated communication channel 40 is set in the mode setting unit F. In addition, the communication library D is used to attempt connection and communication with the sharing partner via a communication channel, and when the communication is successful, a matching process for matching the internal state of the application program between the sharing partners is performed. At this time, application programs 220 and 320 to be shared
Has been started at that time, the control means J at the time of shifting to the shared mode sends the application program 22
0, 320 to the application program 1
A process for matching the internal state of the device 20 is performed. Then, the success of the shift to the sharing mode is reported to the application program information management unit 10 (g8), and the control is shifted to the main processing unit A.

On the other hand, in response to the start instruction in the shared mode, each of the application program starting units 220 and 320 issues a shared mode request to each of the application programs 220 and 320 by specifying the communication channel 40 (g6, g6). g7).

Referring to FIG. 1, when an application program 220 or 320 issues a start request in the shared mode in which the ID of the communication channel 40 is specified, each of the start-time control means H causes the mode setting unit F to send the shared mode to the shared mode. And the ID of the communication channel 40 are set, and connection and communication with the sharing partner are attempted using the communication library D via the communication channel. When the communication is successful, the internal state of the application program is matched between the sharing partners. Perform processing. At this time, the application program 22
Since 0 and 320 are immediately after the start, a process for matching the internal state of the application program 120 that is already running to the internal state of the application program 120 is performed. Then, the success of the sharing start is reported to the application program information management unit 10 (g9, g10), and the control is transferred to each main processing unit A.

Referring to FIG. 8, the success report of the transition to the sharing mode and the success report of the sharing activation issued from the application programs 120, 220, and 320 are received by the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10. The request processing unit 11 searches the application program management table 12 using the ID of the communication channel 40 used by the application programs 120, 220, 320 as a key, and stores the application programs 120, 220, 3
The names of the terminals 1, 2, and 3 in which 20 are operating are recorded.

(8) Monitor in Shared State The application program management table 12 in the application program information management unit 10 manages which terminals use which communication channels and which applications are shared. Therefore, by looking at the contents of the application program management table 12, the user can monitor the sharing status. Hereinafter, the operation will be described with an example in which the user of the terminal 1 monitors the shared state in the user input / output device 130.

When the user of the terminal 1 wants to monitor the sharing status, the user input / output device 130 sends a sharing status monitoring request to the application program information management unit 10. Referring to FIG. 8, the shared state monitor request is received by the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10, and the request processing unit 11 transmits the contents of the application program management table 12 to the user I / O device of the request source. 130. User input / output device 13
0 is the received application program management table 12
Is displayed and communicated to the user.

In the above operation example, the user input / output device 130 and the application program information management unit 10
Directly exchanged information, the application program starting unit 100 may be interposed therebetween.

(9) Participation of New Terminal in Shared State While a plurality of terminals are operating the same type of application program in the shared mode, the operation when another terminal participates is described by terminals 2 and 3. Application program 22
While terminal 0,320 is operating in shared mode,
Will be described as an example of a case where the user is newly joined.

If the user of the terminal 1 knows that the application programs 220 and 320 are sharing the application with the terminals 2 and 3 on the sharing status monitor described in (8), for example, and wants to participate in it, As shown in FIG. 15, a request j1 for sharing activation specifying an ID of a communication channel (referred to as a communication channel 40) used by the application programs 220 and 320 of the terminals 2 and 3 is sent from the user input / output device 130. It is sent to the application program starting unit 100.

Application program starting unit 100
Issues a request to inquire about the application name and the terminal name using the communication channel 40 of the ID included in the request to the application program information management unit 10 (j2).

Referring to FIG. 8, the request j2 is sent to the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10.
Accepted at The request processing unit 11 communicates with the communication channel 4
The application program management table 12 is searched using the ID of 0 as a key, and the found application name and terminal name are returned to the application program starting unit 100 (j3).

Application program starting unit 100
Starts the application program 120 corresponding to the application name in the shared mode by specifying the ID of the communication channel 40 (j4).

Referring to FIG. 1, when the application program 120 issues a start request in the shared mode in which the ID of the communication channel 40 is specified, the start-time control means H sends the shared mode and the communication channel 40 to the mode setting unit F. And attempts to connect and communicate with the sharing partner using the communication channel 40 using the communication library D,
When the communication is successful, a matching process for matching the internal state of the application program between the sharing partners is performed. The application program 22 to be shared with
The sharing mode transition control means J of 0,320 performs processing for matching the internal state of the application program between the sharing partners when communication is received from the application program 120 newly joining the sharing partner via the communication channel 40. Do. And in this case, since the application program 120 is the one at the time of starting,
Processing for matching the internal state of the application program 120 with the internal state of the application programs 220 and 320 is performed. Thereafter, the startup control unit H of the application program 120 reports the success of the shared startup to the application program information management unit 10,
Control is transferred to the main processing unit A.

Referring to FIG. 8, when there is a success report of the shared activation from the application program 120, the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10 determines the ID of the communication channel 40 used by the application program 120. The application program management table 12 is searched as a key, and the name of the terminal 1 on which the application program 120 is operating is recorded in the item of the operating terminal of the found tag.

(10) Fusion of shared state and single state When a same type of application program is operating in a shared mode on a plurality of terminals and a similar type of application program is operating in a single mode on another terminal, The operation when all of them are operated in the shared mode is performed by the terminals 2, 3
The following describes an example in which the application programs 220 and 320 operating in the shared mode and the application 120 operating in the single mode on the terminal 1 are switched to the shared mode.

When the user of the terminal 1 knows that the application programs 220 and 320 are sharing the application with the terminals 2 and 3 on the sharing status monitor of the above (8) and wants to participate, for example, As shown in FIG. 16, a request k1 for shifting to a shared mode in which an ID of a communication channel (referred to as a communication channel 40) used by the application programs 220 and 320 of the terminals 2 and 3 is being operated in the single mode. To the application program 120.

Referring to FIG. 1, when a request to shift to the shared mode occurs, the application program 120 sets the shared mode shifting control means J to the mode setting unit F to set the shared mode instead of the single mode. At the same time, the ID of the designated communication channel 40 is set in the mode setting unit F. In addition, the communication library D is used to attempt connection and communication with the sharing partner via a communication channel, and when the communication is successful, a matching process for matching the internal state of the application program between the sharing partners is performed. In addition, the sharing mode transition control means J of the application programs 220 and 320 as sharing partners, when communication is performed from the application program 120 newly joining the sharing partner via the communication channel 40, changes the internal state of the application programs. Perform the matching process between the sharing partners.
Thereafter, the control unit J for transition to the shared mode of the application program 120 reports the transition to the shared mode with the ID of the communication channel 40 to the application program information management unit 10 (k2), and shifts the control to the main processing unit A. .

Referring to FIG. 8, when a transition from the application program 120 to the shared mode is reported, the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10 sends the ID of the communication channel 40 used by the application program 120 to the request mode. Is used as a key to search the application program management table 12, and the application program 1
Record the name of the terminal 1 in which 20 is operating.

Here, the application program 12
If the information held by each of the application programs 220 and 320 does not match at the time of connection between the application programs 220 and 320, whether the information held by all the application programs matches the information of the application program 120 or
It is conceivable to match the information of the application programs 220 and 320. Which is to be matched is determined by a method instructed during the request to shift to the shared mode, or by the application programs 120, 220,
A method may be adopted in which the user 320 inquires the user input / output terminals 130, 230, and 330 to which the user 320 matches.
Of course, in addition to the method of matching one of them, the matching may be performed by another predetermined rule.

Although the operation example of the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described operation mode, and various other modifications are possible. Hereinafter, some modified examples will be described.

(1 ′) Shared Start In the above (1), the application program information management unit 10 issues a start request to the application program start unit of the other terminal for the sharing partner other than the terminal to which the share start request was input. I did it. On the other hand, in the present operation example, the application program starting unit of the terminal to which the request for the shared starting has been input requests the starting of the other application program starting units. Hereinafter, similarly to the above (1), a case where three application programs of the application programs 120, 220, and 320 are started simultaneously in the shared mode will be described as an example.

Application programs 120 and 22
When the terminals 0, 320 are simultaneously activated in the terminals 1, 2, 3 in the shared mode, the user issues a sharing activation instruction specifying the name of the application program to be activated and the name of the terminal to be shared with the user input / output device. 130, 230, 3
30 to one of the application program starting units 100, 200, and 300 in the terminal. In the following, as shown in FIG. 17, it is assumed that a sharing activation request b1 has been input from the user input / output device 130 of the terminal 1.

Application program starting unit 100
Transmits the shared activation request b1 to the application program information management unit 10 (b)
2).

Referring to FIG. 8, this shared activation request b1
Is received by the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10, and the request processing unit 11 requests the communication channel management unit 15 to allocate a new communication channel. The communication channel management unit 15 includes a communication channel use table 16 that holds a list of communication channel use states.
, One communication channel that has not been allocated yet (hereinafter referred to as communication channel 40) is selected, the communication channel usage table 16 is rewritten, and the communication channel 40 is changed to “in use”. Is returned to the request processing unit 11. The request processing unit 11 adds a new tag to the application program management table 12, and records therein the application program name related to the current sharing activation and the ID of the communication channel 40 returned. Then, the request processing unit 11 notifies the request source application program starting unit 100 of the ID of the communication channel 40 (b3).

Application program starting unit 100
Upon receiving the notification of the ID of the communication channel 40, the
(B4). At the same time, it instructs the application program starting units 200 and 300 of the other terminals 2 and 3 involved in the shared start to start the application programs 220 and 320 by specifying the ID of the same communication channel 40 (b5).
b6). The communication path at this time may be the network 4 or another path. In response to this, the application program starting units 200 and 300 start the application programs 220 and 320 in the shared mode by specifying the ID of the communication channel 40 (b7,
b8).

The following operation is the same as the above (1).

(7 ') Transition from the single operation state to the shared operation state In the above (7), the application program information management unit 10 issues a start instruction to the application program start unit of the terminal newly participating in the shared mode. I made it. In this operation example, the application program itself that has switched to the shared mode issues a start request to another application program start unit. This function may be provided, for example, by the sharing mode transition control means J. Hereinafter, the operation is performed by the terminal 1 in the same manner as in the above (7).
The following describes an example in which the application programs 120 and 230 stopped in the terminals 2 and 3 participate in the application program 120 operating in the single mode and the applications are shared by the application programs 120, 220 and 320.

When the other terminal 2 or 3 participates in the application program operating in the single mode on the terminal 1, for example, as shown in FIG. , 3 is input to the application program 120. The sharing mode transition control means J of the application program 120 transmits the request h1 to the application program information management unit 10.
(H2).

Referring to FIG. 8, this request is accepted by request processing unit 11 of application program information management unit 10. The request processing unit 11 requests the communication channel management unit 15 to allocate a new communication channel. The communication channel management unit 15 refers to the communication channel usage table 16 that holds a list of the usage status of the communication channels, selects one communication channel that has not been allocated yet (referred to as the communication channel 40), and uses the communication channel. Table 1
6, the communication channel 40 is changed to “in use”, and the ID of the selected communication channel 40 is changed to the request processing unit 1.
Reply to 1. The request processing unit 11 adds a new tag to the application program management table 12, and records therein the application program name and the ID of the communication channel 40 to which the reply has been made. And the request processing unit 11
Requests the application program 120 of the request source to specify the ID of the communication channel 40 and shift to the shared mode (h3).

The shared mode transition control means J of the application program 120 designates the notified communication channel 40 and activates the application programs 220 and 320 to the application program activation sections 200 and 300 of the terminals 2 and 3. Request (h
4, h5). This communication path may be the network 4 or another path. Then, switching to the sharing mode is performed.

Referring to FIG. 1, the control means J at the time of shifting to the shared mode of the application program 120 sets the shared mode in the mode setting unit F instead of the single mode, and sets the shared mode of the communication channel 40 specified by the request h3. The ID is set in the mode setting unit F. In addition, the communication library D is used to attempt connection and communication with the sharing partner via a communication channel, and when the communication is successful, a matching process for matching the internal state of the application program between the sharing partners is performed.
At this time, since the application programs 220 and 320 as sharing partners have been started at that time, the sharing mode transition control means J changes the internal state of the application programs 220 and 320 to the internal state of the application program 120. Perform the matching process. Then, the success of the transition to the sharing mode is reported to the application program information management unit 10 (h8), and the control is transferred to the main processing unit A.

On the other hand, in response to the start instruction in the shared mode, each of the application program starting units 220 and 320 starts the shared mode by specifying the communication channel 40 for each of the application programs 220 and 320 (h6, h3). h7).

Referring to FIG. 1, when an application program 220 or 320 issues a start request in the shared mode in which the ID of the communication channel 40 is specified, each of the start-time control means H causes the mode setting unit F to transmit the shared mode. And the ID of the communication channel 40 are set, and connection and communication with the sharing partner are attempted using the communication library D via the communication channel. When the communication is successful, the internal state of the application program is matched between the sharing partners. Perform processing. At this time, the application program 22
Since 0 and 320 are immediately after startup, a process of matching the internal state of the application program 120 that is already running with the internal state of the application program 120 is performed. Then, the success of the shared activation is determined by the application program information management unit 1.
0 (h9, h10) and control is passed to each main processing unit A
Transfer to

Referring to FIG. 8, the success report of the transition to the sharing mode and the success report of the sharing activation issued from the application programs 120, 220 and 320 are received by the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10. The request processing unit 11 searches the application program management table 12 using the ID of the communication channel 40 used by the application programs 120, 220, 320 as a key, and stores the application programs 120, 220, 3
The names of the terminals 1, 2, and 3 in which 20 are operating are recorded.

(10 ') Fusion of shared state and single state In the above (10), an application program operating in the single mode is caused to participate in a plurality of application programs operating in the shared mode in the shared mode. In this case, it is necessary to separately check the ID of the communication channel used by a plurality of application programs operating in the shared mode, for example, by using the shared state monitor described in (8). In this embodiment, the operation of the shared state monitor can be performed through the application program operating in the single mode, and the mode can be shifted to the shared mode when the user desires. Hereinafter, similarly to the above (10),
A case will be described as an example in which the application 120 operating in the single mode on the terminal 1 joins the application programs 220 and 320 operating in the shared mode on the terminals 2 and 3.

When the user of the terminal 1 using the application program 120 in the stand-alone mode wants to monitor the sharing status, for example, as shown in FIG. Input to program 120. The application program 120 sends this shared state monitor m1 to the application program information management unit 10 (m2).

Referring to FIG. 8, this shared state monitor request is accepted by request processing section 11 of application program information management section 10, and request processing section 11 transmits the contents of application program management table 12 to the requesting application program. 120. The application program 120 transmits the contents of the received application program management table 12 to the user input / output device 13.
0 (m3) and inform the user.

[0128] The user of the terminal 1 looks at the shared state monitor, and uses the application programs 22 on the terminals 2 and 3.
When the user knows that application sharing by 0,320 is performed and wants to participate in it, the application program 120 is notified to that effect (m4).

The application program 120 determines that this notification is a request to shift to the shared mode, and
Of communication channel (communication channel 40) used by application programs 220 and 320
Use to switch to shared mode.

Referring to FIG. 1, shared mode transition control means J of application program 120 sets shared mode instead of single mode in mode setting section F, and sets the ID of communication channel 40 to mode setting section F. Set to. In addition, the communication library D is used to attempt connection and communication with the sharing partner via a communication channel, and when the communication is successful, a matching process for matching the internal state of the application program between the sharing partners is performed. In addition, the control means J at the time of transition to the sharing mode of the application programs 220 and 320 to be shared with each other, via the communication channel 40, the application program 12 newly joining the shared partner.
If there is communication from 0, a process is performed to match the internal state of the application program between the sharing partners. Thereafter, the control unit J for transition to the shared mode of the application program 120 reports the transition to the shared mode to the application program information management unit 10 (m5), and shifts the control to the main processing unit A.

Referring to FIG. 8, when there is a report from the application program 120 to shift to the shared mode, the request processing unit 11 of the application program information management unit 10 transmits the ID of the communication channel 40 used by the application program 120. Is used as a key to search the application program management table 12, and the application program 1
Record the name of the terminal 1 in which 20 is operating.

[0132]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operating state of an application program can be dynamically changed from a single mode to a shared mode, or vice versa. In addition, it is possible to shift from a joint work to a single work, and it is possible to flexibly cope with a change in a work environment where an application is used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an application program used in an application sharing system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of a startup control unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of an end control unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of a sharing mode transition control unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of a single mode transition control unit.

FIG. 6 is a transition diagram of an operation state of an application program.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an application sharing system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an application program information management unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an application program management table.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram when the same type of application program is simultaneously started in the shared mode.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram when a plurality of application programs operating in the sharing mode are simultaneously terminated.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram when a plurality of application programs operating in the shared mode are individually terminated.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation when any one of the application programs is switched to the single mode when a plurality of application programs are operating in the shared mode.

FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory diagram when an application program operating in the single mode is switched to the shared mode.

FIG. 15 is an operation explanatory diagram when another terminal participates while the same type of application program is operating in a shared mode on a plurality of terminals.

FIG. 16 illustrates a case where the same type of application program is operating in a shared mode on a plurality of terminals and the same type of application program is operating in a single mode on another terminal. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of another operation example when the same type of application program is started simultaneously in the shared mode.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of another operation for switching an application program operating in the single mode to the shared mode.

FIG. 19 illustrates a case where the same type of application program is operating in a shared mode on a plurality of terminals and the same type of application program is operating in a single mode on another terminal. It is explanatory drawing of another operation | movement.

[Description of Signs] AP: Application program A: Main processing unit B: User input processing unit C: Message processing unit D: Communication library E: Message transfer unit F: Mode setting unit G: Operation mode control unit H: Start-up control Means I ... End time control means J ... Shared mode shift time control means K ... Single mode shift time control means M ... Recording medium 1, 2, 3 ... Terminal 4 ... Network 10 ... Application program information management unit 40 ... Communication channel 100, 200, 300 ... application program starting unit 120, 220, 320 ... application program 130, 230, 330 ... user input / output device

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A system in which a plurality of terminals having the same kind of application program are communicably connected to each other via a network including a plurality of communication channels, wherein each terminal operates in a state where the application is not activated. An application program starting unit that starts an application program and outputs a start request specifying a communication channel when a shared start request that specifies a communication channel is given.Each application program receives a user input given to its own program. The main processing unit includes a user input processing unit that outputs the contents of the message as a message and a message processing unit that performs processing in accordance with the input message, and the operation mode of its own program is any of a single mode and a shared mode. And share mode. A mode setting unit for holding information of a communication channel used for communication with another application program when the mode is set, and a mode output from the user input processing unit when the single mode is set in the mode setting unit. A message is transferred to the message processing unit. When a sharing mode is set, a message output from the user input processing unit is transferred to the message processing unit and an application program of a sharing partner is used using the communication channel. Message transfer means for transferring the message transferred from the application program of the sharing partner through the communication channel to the message processing unit; and receiving the activation request to provide the shared mode and communication to the mode setting unit. Set the channel information and set the communication A start-up control unit that communicates with another application program to be a sharing partner by using a channel and performs processing for matching the internal state of the program between the sharing partners; and a state in which a single mode is set in the mode setting unit. In the above, when a request to shift to the shared mode is given, information on the shared mode and the designated communication channel is set in the mode setting unit, and another application to be shared with the other application using the designated communication channel An application sharing system, comprising: a sharing mode transition control unit that communicates with a program and performs processing for matching the internal state of the program between sharing partners. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: managing a use state of each communication channel included in the network, allocating a communication channel necessary for operating in a shared mode to an application program, and determining which terminal uses which communication channel. 2. An application program information management unit for managing which application program is shared by the application programs.
The application sharing system according to 1. 3. A process for matching the internal state of a program between sharing partners is performed when an application program operating in the single mode is activated in the shared mode when another application program is started in the shared mode. 3. The application sharing system according to claim 1, wherein the process is a process of matching an internal state of another application program with an internal state of the application program. 4. A process for matching the internal state of a program between sharing partners is to match the internal state of any one application program when the application programs operating in the single mode are shifted to the sharing mode. The application sharing system according to claim 1, wherein the processing is processing. 5. A system in which a plurality of terminals having the same type of application program are communicably connected to each other via a network including a plurality of communication channels, wherein each terminal operates in a state where the application is not activated. An application program starting unit that starts an application program and outputs a start request specifying a communication channel when a shared start request that specifies a communication channel is given.Each application program receives a user input given to its own program. The main processing unit includes a user input processing unit that outputs the contents of the message as a message and a message processing unit that performs processing in accordance with the input message, and the operation mode of its own program is any of a single mode and a shared mode. And share mode. A mode setting unit for holding information of a communication channel used for communication with another application program when the mode is set, and a mode output from the user input processing unit when the single mode is set in the mode setting unit. A message is transferred to the message processing unit. When a sharing mode is set, a message output from the user input processing unit is transferred to the message processing unit and an application program of a sharing partner is used using the communication channel. Message transfer means for transferring the message transferred from the application program of the sharing partner through the communication channel to the message processing unit; and receiving the activation request to provide the shared mode and communication to the mode setting unit. Set the channel information and set the communication A start-up control unit that communicates with another application program to be a sharing partner by using a channel and performs processing for matching the internal state of the program between the sharing partners; and a state in which a single mode is set in the mode setting unit. In the above, when a request to shift to the shared mode is given, information on the shared mode and the designated communication channel is set in the mode setting unit, and another application to be shared with the other application using the designated communication channel Communicates with the program, performs processing for matching the internal state of the program between the sharing partners, and becomes a new sharing partner using the communication channel in a state where the sharing mode is set in the mode setting unit. When communication from another application program, the internal state of the program is matched between sharing partners Application sharing system, which comprises a time control means shared mode transition for performing processing for. 6. A communication channel necessary for operating a shared mode by managing a use state of each communication channel included in a network is allocated to an application program, and which terminal uses which communication channel is used. The application sharing system according to claim 5, further comprising: an application program information management unit that manages which application program is shared by which application program. 7. The process for matching the internal state of a program between sharing partners is a process for matching the internal state of one application program to the internal state of another application program.
Or the application sharing system according to 6. 8. In a system in which a plurality of terminals having the same kind of application programs are communicably connected to each other via a network including a plurality of communication channels, a user input given to the own program is given to each application program. The main processing unit includes a user input processing unit that outputs the contents of the message as a message and a message processing unit that performs processing in accordance with the input message, and the operation mode of its own program is any of a single mode and a shared mode. A mode setting unit for holding information on a communication channel used for communication with another application program in the shared mode, and a user input when the single mode is set in the mode setting unit. The message output from the processing unit is sent to the message processing unit. Forwarding, when the sharing mode is set, forwarding the message output from the user input processing unit to the message processing unit and forwarding to the application program of the sharing partner using the communication channel; A message transfer unit for transferring a message transferred from an application program of a sharing partner to the message processing unit through a sharing mode in a state where the mode setting unit is set to a shared mode. And a disconnection mode control unit for disconnecting the communication channel set in the mode setting unit and setting a single mode in the mode setting unit. 9. A recording medium recording an application program executed for sharing an application in a system in which a plurality of terminals are communicably connected to each other via a network including a plurality of communication channels. When a shared start request specifying a communication channel is given in a state where the application is not running, an application program starting unit that starts an application program and outputs a start request specifying a communication channel, is given to its own program. A main processing unit including a user input processing unit that outputs the contents of the user input as a message and a message processing unit that performs a process according to the input message; Hold Both are a mode setting unit for holding information of a communication channel used for communication with another application program when in the shared mode, and output from the user input processing unit when the single mode is set in the mode setting unit. Transfer the message to the message processing unit, and when the sharing mode is set, transfer the message output from the user input processing unit to the message processing unit and use the communication channel to share the application of the sharing partner. A message transfer unit for transferring a message transferred from the application program of the sharing partner through the communication channel to the message processing unit; and a sharing mode and communication being provided to the mode setting unit by receiving the activation request. Set the channel information, A startup mode control unit that communicates with another application program to be a sharing partner by using the communication channel and performs processing for matching the internal state of the program between the sharing partners; a single mode is set in the mode setting unit; In the state, a request to shift to the shared mode in which the communication channel is specified is given, thereby setting the sharing mode in the mode setting unit, and using the specified communication channel with another application program to be a sharing partner. A machine-readable recording medium on which is recorded a program functioning as a sharing mode transition control means for communicating and making the internal state of the program coincide between the sharing partners.