JP2006018359A - Client/server system, client terminal, updated information providing server, update processing program and updated information providing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control update notification to a user according to the contents of updated information. <P>SOLUTION: The update of application software is automatically operated. In this case, the emergency of the upgrading can be set at a server side, and the notification operations of the upgrading in a client vary according to the emergency. Fine control is executed so that when a critical security hole is present, its connection to a network can be immediately stopped without obtaining user's consent, and that when slight upgrading is performed, the confirmation screen of upgrading can not be outputted during the viewing of a video or the like. For example, the version number of a module configuring application software is set with a version number available as a parameter, and the emergency of upgrading is expressed by using this. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a client server system, a client terminal, an update information providing server, an update processing program, and an update information providing program. More specifically, the present invention controls an emergency notification method by adding urgency information to update information. About what to do.

With the recent development of the Internet, content has been distributed via a network.
As such a service, for example, there is a service in which movie content is distributed to a client terminal and the user views it.

  Application software for using the content is incorporated in the client terminal, and the client terminal can execute the application software to download or play the content.

Application software, for example, may be updated to update modules or resolve defects, and the client terminal connects (polls) to the update server, for example, every hour to check whether there is update information. is doing.
When there is update information that can be updated, the client terminal notifies the user that there is update information that can be updated. When the user instructs update, the client terminal updates the application software using the update information.

  As described above, as a technique for automatically upgrading a program incorporated in a client terminal using a server device, there is the following “program update method via a network”.

JP 2002-259128 A

  In this technique, version information of a predetermined program is input to a server device, and the version information received from a client terminal is compared with this to transmit a program necessary for upgrading to a client.

Since the update function of the application software and the function of using the content are not linked, the user may be notified of update information while the user is using the content.
For this reason, for example, while the user is viewing the movie content, a message such as “Application has been upgraded. Do you want to update?” Pops up, which is bothersome for the user.
In addition, when an update is instructed in this display, the client terminal may be restarted after the update, and in this case, viewing of movie content is interrupted.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to control update notification to the user according to the content of the update information.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a client server system comprising a client terminal that stores a program, and a server that provides update information for updating the program to the client terminal, The server transmits confirmation information for confirming the presence or absence of update information for updating the program, and urgency information for determining the urgency of update by the update information to the client terminal, The client terminal confirms that there is update information based on the confirmation information, and uses the urgency information to notify that there is update information even while a predetermined program is being executed. A client-server system is provided that determines whether or not (first configuration).
Further, according to the present invention, the storage means for storing the program, the confirmation means for communicating with the server and confirming the presence / absence of the update information of the program stored in the storage means, and the confirmation means confirm that there is update information. A notification means for notifying the fact and an execution means for executing the program stored in the storage means, and the notification means, when the execution means is executing a predetermined program A client terminal is provided in which the execution means performs notification after the execution of the predetermined program is completed (second configuration).
In the second configuration, the update information is accompanied by update urgency information, and the notification means executes the predetermined program when the urgency information satisfies a predetermined condition. It is also possible to configure such that notification is made even during the operation (third configuration).
In the third configuration, the urgency level information is version designation information for designating a version number, and the notification unit is configured to determine the urgency level using the version number designated in the urgency level information. It is also possible (fourth configuration).
In the second configuration, after the notification by the notification means, an update instruction reception means for receiving an update instruction from a user, and an update instruction received by the update instruction reception means, the update information is used. It can also comprise so that it may comprise the program update means which updates the program used as update object (5th structure).
In the fifth configuration, transmission request means for requesting the server to transmit update information, update information receiving means for receiving the requested update information from the server, update information storage means for storing the received update information, And the program update means may be configured to perform update processing using the stored update information (sixth configuration).
In the present invention, the client terminal determines whether the client terminal storing the program has confirmation information for confirming whether or not there is update information for updating the program, and the urgency level of the update based on the update information. An update information providing server comprising a confirmation information transmitting unit for transmitting the emergency level information and a setting unit for setting the emergency level information is provided (seventh configuration).
In a seventh configuration, the apparatus includes: a request reception unit that receives a transmission request for update information from the client terminal; and an update information transmission unit that transmits the update information that has received the transmission request to the client terminal. It is also possible (eighth configuration).
Further, the present invention provides a computer including a storage unit that stores a program and an execution unit that executes the stored program, and communicates with a server to check whether there is update information of the program stored in the storage unit. A confirmation function for confirming and a notification function for notifying the fact when update information is confirmed by the confirmation function are realized by a computer, and the execution means executes a predetermined program. If so, an update processing program is provided in which the execution means performs notification after the execution of the predetermined program is completed (ninth configuration).
In the ninth configuration, the update information is accompanied by update urgency information, and the notification function executes the predetermined program when the urgency information satisfies a predetermined condition. It is also possible to configure so as to notify even during the operation (tenth configuration).
In the tenth configuration, the urgency information is version designation information for designating a version number, and the notification function is configured to determine the urgency level using a version number designated by the urgency information. (Eleventh configuration).
In the ninth configuration, after performing the notification by the notification function, the update information reception function that receives an update instruction from the user, and the update information when the update instruction is received by the update instruction reception function A program update function for updating a program to be updated can also be realized by a computer (a twelfth configuration).
In a twelfth configuration, a transmission request function for requesting a server to transmit update information, an update information reception function for receiving the requested update information from the server, an update information storage function for storing the received update information, And the program update function can be configured to perform update processing using the stored update information (a thirteenth configuration).
In the present invention, the client terminal determines whether the client terminal storing the program has confirmation information for confirming whether or not there is update information for updating the program, and the urgency level of the update based on the update information. An update information providing program that realizes a confirmation information transmission function for transmitting the emergency level information and a setting function for setting the emergency level information by a computer is provided (fourteenth configuration).
In the thirteenth configuration, a request receiving function for receiving an update information transmission request from the client terminal and an update information transmitting function for transmitting the update information having received the transmission request to the client terminal are realized by a computer. (15th structure).

  According to the present invention, update notification to the user can be controlled according to the content of the update information.

(Outline of the embodiment)
Update application software automatically. At this time, the urgency of the upgrade can be set on the server side, and the upgrade notification operation at the client is controlled according to the urgency.
If there is a serious security hole, the connection to the network is immediately stopped without obtaining the user's consent, or if the version is minor, the upgrade confirmation screen will not be displayed while watching movies. Perform fine control.

The application software is configured using modules, and a version number is set for each module. Then, the application software is updated by replacing the old version of the module with the latest version.
In the present embodiment, an available version number is set as a parameter for this version number, and the urgency level is expressed using this.

If the version number of this module used by the user's application software is greater than or equal to the available version number, while the user is executing a predetermined program (for example, when content is being played back by a movie content playback program) The notification is made after the user uses a predetermined function without notifying the upgrade.
On the other hand, when the version number of this module used by the application software is smaller than the available version number, the version upgrade notification is performed even while the user is using the predetermined function.

In this way, an available version number is set for the module, and the urgency of the latest version of the module is determined by comparing this value with the version number of the module used in the user's application software.
That is, if the version number of the module used by the user is greater than or equal to the available version number, the urgency of this latest version module is small, and conversely, the version number of the module used by the user is the available version. If it is less than the number, the urgency of the latest version of the module is high.

In the case of an urgent need to forcibly update all users' modules to the latest version for a certain module, the available version number may be set to the latest version. In this way, regardless of the version number of the module used by the user, the upgrade notification is made even while the user is using the predetermined program.
Thus, by using the available version number as the control information, the upgrade operation on the client terminal side can be controlled on the server side.

(Details of the embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a network configuration of the content use system according to the present embodiment.
The content use system 1 is composed of an update server 2, a client terminal 3, a content server 5, and a network 4 that mediates these communications.

The content server 5 is a server device that provides movie content to the client terminal 3.
The content server 5 provides a so-called push-type service, and when there is movie content available on the client terminal 3, transmits it to the client terminal 3. The movie content transmitted by the content server 5 is stored in the storage device at the client terminal 3.

Alternatively, the client terminal 3 can poll the content server 5 to inquire about the availability of movie content that can be used.
In this case, the client terminal 3 connects to the content server 5 and transmits a list of currently stored movie content to the content server 5. The content server 5 compares the list with the movie content available on the client terminal 3 to identify the movie content that is not stored in the client terminal 3 and transmits it to the client terminal 3.

  In the present embodiment, movie content is used by the client terminal 3 as an example, but various types of content such as music content and game content can be used.

The client terminal 3 is a terminal device configured by, for example, a personal computer that can be connected to the network 4.
The client terminal 3 is installed with an application 20 that is application software that downloads and reproduces movie content from the content server 5.

The client terminal 3 exhibits various functions necessary for using movie content by operating the application 20.
Examples of such functions include a movie content storage function, a movie content playback function, and an automatic update function.

The client terminal 3 receives the movie content transmitted from the content server 5 and accumulates it in a storage device configured with a hard disk or the like.
At this time, the client terminal 3 also performs security-related processing such as device authentication with respect to the content server 5.
Furthermore, the management of the already downloaded movie content and the storage device is performed, such as deleting the movie content whose storage period has expired from the storage device, acquiring the free capacity of the storage device, and notifying the content server 5.

The client terminal 3 reproduces the movie content stored in the storage device by the movie content function.
At this time, the client terminal 3 provides a user interface for playing movie content, and the user operates the content playback screen displayed on a display device such as a display to select, play, and rewind movie content. Various operations such as fast-forwarding and pausing can be performed.

When movie content is charged, the user can connect to a license server (not shown) and purchase a license for movie content to be played.
As a result, the client terminal 3 receives the license information from the license server and reproduces the movie content using the license information.
In the license information, reproduction conditions such as an expiration date and the number of reproductions can be set, and the client terminal 3 reproduces the movie content according to the reproduction conditions.

Furthermore, the client terminal 3 can receive the latest update information from the update server 2 by the automatic update function, and can update the application 20 using this.
Here, the update information is programs and data necessary for updating the application 20.

The client terminal 3 periodically accesses (updates) the update server 2 about once per hour, for example, and checks whether there is update information that can be updated.
The application 20 is configured using modules 24, 24,..., And the client terminal 3 updates the application 20 by replacing these modules 24 with the latest version. Here, the module 24 constitutes, for example, a plug-in.

The update server 2 is a server device that provides update information of the application 20 to the client terminal 3.
The update server 2 receives polling from the client terminal 3 and transmits a list of update information to the client terminal 3. Then, when the client terminal 3 makes a request for transmission of update information after checking the list, the requested update information is transmitted to the client terminal 3.

Next, the automatic update will be described in more detail.
As shown in FIG. 1, the update server 2 includes a latest module group 11 including update information 10 and latest versions of modules 12, 12,. Each module 12 is assigned an ID number and a version number.

Here, the same ID number (other identification information may be used instead of the ID number) is assigned to the module to be updated, and the version number of the module with the same ID number becomes larger as the module is newer. Is set.
Therefore, each module is specified by a combination of an ID number and a version number.

The update information 10 is a list that lists the latest version number and the available version number for each module 12, and an example thereof is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, the update information 10 is described using an XML (Extensible Markup Language) language as an example.

In the update information 10, the latest version and available version of each module are described in the area of <Plugin VersionInfo> to </ Plugin VersionInfo>.
In FIG. 2, information related to a module whose ID number is 1 is described in an area 31, and information related to a module whose ID number is 2 is described in an area 32.
As described above, information on each module is described in the area of <module (omitted)> to </ module>.

In the area 31, the module ID number, the latest version number, and the available version number are described in a row 33.
That is, it can be seen from the description of “id =“ 1 ”” that the information related to the module having the ID number 1 is described in the area 31, and the latest version number of this module is described from the description of “newestversion =“ 11 ””. 11, and “servicepossibleversion =“ 9 ”” indicates that the available version number of this module is 9 or more.

  The name of this module is described in <name> to </ name> on line 34. In line 34, “updater” is set as the module name. This module is a module that manages the automatic update function in the application 20.

The URL 35 (Uniform Resource Locators) of the download destination of this module is described in <url> to </ url> in line 35. Here, “http://www.abc.co.jp/roma/update.exe” is designated as the download destination.
In the present embodiment, the download destination is set in the latest module group 11, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be set in another server device.

  Similarly, in the area 32, the module with ID number 2 is described. The latest version number of this module is 20, and the available version number is 17 or more. The name of the module is “ROMA service”, and the download destination is “http://www.abc.co.jp/roma/roam_s.dll”.

  The update server 2 allows the operator to edit the update information 10 and updates the update information 10 every time a new module becomes available, and manages the update information 10 so that it is always up-to-date. ing. The operator can set the available version to a desired value, and can change the set available version number.

Returning to FIG. 1, the update server 2 transmits update information 10 to the client terminal 3 when the client terminal 3 has polled.
The latest module group 11 includes modules 12, and each module 12 corresponds to a download destination indicated by <url> to </ url> of the update information 10.
When the client terminal 3 accesses the update server 2 with reference to the download destination, the corresponding module 12 is transmitted to the client terminal 3.

As described above, the update server 2 includes a request receiving unit that receives a request for update information from the client terminal 3 and an update information transmission unit that transmits the requested update information to the client terminal 3.
The update information 10 constitutes confirmation information (with urgency information attached) for confirming the presence / absence of a module to be updated from the client terminal 3, and the update server 2 includes the confirmation information and the urgency level. Confirmation information transmitting means for transmitting information to the client terminal 3 is provided.
Furthermore, the urgency level information (available version number) can be edited and set by the update server 2, and the update server 2 includes urgency level information setting means.

Next, the client terminal 3 will be described. The client terminal 3 includes an application 20 for playing back movie content.
The application 20 is configured by executing application software, which is a program for operating the application 20, on a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the client terminal 3, and includes updater 21, modules 24, 24,..., Client version information. 22 and the latest module storage unit 23.
As described above, the client terminal 3 includes storage means for storing the program (application software) and execution means (CPU) for executing the program.

The updater 21 is a module for automatically updating the application 20.
The updater 21 periodically polls the update server 2 and downloads the update information 10 from the update server 2. Then, this is compared with client version information 22 described later, and a module that can be updated to the latest version is specified.
As described above, the updater 21 communicates with the update server 2 and constitutes confirmation means for confirming the presence / absence of update information of the application 20. The updatable module constitutes update information used for update processing in the application 20.

The updater 21 accesses the download destination specified by the update information 10 to download the module 12 to be updated and temporarily stores it in the latest module storage unit 23.
Thus, the updater 21 stores transmission request means for requesting the update server 2 to transmit update information, update information receiving means for receiving the update information requested at this time from the update server 2, and storing the received update information. Update information storage means (latest module storage area 23).

  Further, the updater 21 notifies the user whether or not the downloaded module 12 is to be installed. When the user instructs installation, the old version of the module 24 is stored in the latest module storage unit 23. The module 12 is replaced.

  As described above, the updater 21 receives the update instruction by the notification means for notifying that there is a module related to the update, the update instruction reception means for receiving the installation instruction (update instruction) from the user, and the update instruction reception means. A program update means for updating the program to be updated using this update information.

  At this time, the updater 21 confirms whether or not the user interface of the application 20 is activated, whether or not the user is playing movie content, and the like, and the module to be replaced that is currently installed. It is confirmed whether the version number is an available version number set in the module 12, and the update operation of the application 20 is changed according to these confirmation results. This will be described in detail later using a flowchart.

  Each of the modules 24, 24,... Is a program unit that performs a predetermined function. For example, download processing of movie content, management of downloaded movie content, decryption processing of encrypted movie content, client terminal 3 Some have various functions such as device authentication, management of license information for playing movie content, and playback processing for playing movie content.

The client version information 22 is a list that lists the version numbers of the modules (updater 21, module 24,...) Incorporated in the application 20. The updater 21 compares the client version information 22 with the update information 10 downloaded from the update server 2 to compare each module currently installed in the application 20 to determine whether or not these are the latest. If it is not the latest version, it can be further specified whether or not it is an available version.
The updater 21 requests the update server 2 to download a module that has been determined that the latest version can be used as a result of the comparison.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the client version information 22.
The client version information 22 is described using an XML (Extensible Markup Language) language as an example.

In the client version information 22, the version number of each module currently incorporated in the application 20 is described in the area of <ModulemanagementInfo> to </ ModulemanagementInfo>.
In FIG. 3, information related to a module whose ID number is 1 is described in an area 41, and information related to a module whose ID number is 2 is described in an area 42.
As described above, information on each module is described in the area of <module (omitted)> to </ module>.

In the area 41, module ID numbers and version numbers are described in a row 43.
That is, it can be seen from the description of “id =“ 1 ”” that the information related to the module whose ID number is 1 is described in the area 41. From the description of “UIVersion =“ 10 ””, the currently installed module It can be seen that the version number of is 10.

  By matching the ID number written in the client version information 22 with the ID number written in the update information 10 shown in FIG. 2, the version number can be compared for each module.

For example, looking at the updater 21 identified by the ID number 1, the latest version number is 11 and the available version number is 9 in the update information 10 (FIG. 2).
On the other hand, according to the client version information 22, the version number of the updater 21 currently incorporated in the application 20 is 10.
Therefore, the updater 21 can be updated to version 11, and since the version number of the updater 21 currently incorporated is larger than 9, it can be seen that the updater 21 is an available version number.

The name of this module is described in <name> to </ name> on the line 44. In line 44, “updater” is set as the module name. In addition,
The storage location of this module file is described in <InstallPass> to </ InstallPass> on line 45, and is “update.exe” here.

  Similarly, in the area 42, the module of ID number 2 is described, the version number of this module is 20, and the name of the module is “ROMA service”. The module file storage location is “roma_s.exe”.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the latest module storage unit 23 is a memory space for temporarily storing the module 12 downloaded for update from the update server 2. The module 12 stored in the latest module storage unit 23 is installed in the application 20 after waiting for an instruction from the user (that is, the old version of the module 24 is replaced with the new version of the module 12).

As described above, by temporarily storing the module 12, the download time and the installation time of the module 12 can be individually set.
When installing the module 12, it may be necessary to restart the client terminal 3. If the installation time can be set in this way, the module 12 downloaded while the user is viewing the movie content. Even so, it is possible to install after viewing.

Next, the automatic update procedure of the application 20 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.
First, at the polling time, the updater 21 connects to the update server 2 and requests transmission of the update information 10 (step 5).
On the other hand, the update server 2 transmits the update information 10 to the client terminal 3, and the client terminal 3 receives this (Step 10).

Next, the updater 21 acquires the client version information 22 by reading it from the storage device (step 15).
The update server 2 compares the update information 10 and the client version information 22 for each module using the ID number, and determines whether there is a difference in version number (step 20).

If there is no difference in version number for any module, that is, if any module is the latest version (step 20; N), the line with the update server 2 is disconnected and the process is terminated (step 50). .
If there is a difference in version number among any modules, that is, if there is a module that is not the latest version (step 20; Y), the updater 21 determines whether or not this module has been downloaded to the latest module storage unit 23. Confirm (step 25). The updater 21 records a module that has already been downloaded, and can be determined by referring to this record.

If it has been downloaded to the latest module storage unit 23 (step 25; Y), the updater 21 proceeds to the installation process of step 45.
If it has not been downloaded (step 25; N), the updater 21 confirms the capacity of a storage device that stores a module such as a hard disk (step 30). When the capacity of the storage device is insufficient, processing such as notifying the user is performed. Here, it is assumed that a sufficient capacity has been confirmed.

Next, the updater 21 requests the update server 2 for a module that is not the latest version but has not been downloaded (step 35).
Then, the updater 21 stores the downloaded module in the latest module storage unit 23 and records that this module has been downloaded (step 40).

Next, the updater 21 installs the latest module by replacing the module stored in the latest module storage unit 23 with the module currently incorporated in the application 20 (step 45).
After the installation is completed, the updater 21 disconnects the line with the update server 2 (step 50) and ends the process.
Since the module to be installed is already stored in the latest module storage unit 23, the line with the update server 2 may be disconnected before installation.

Next, the installation process of step 45 (FIG. 4) will be described using the flowchart of FIG.
First, the updater 21 confirms whether the user interface of the application 20 is being activated.
If the user interface is not activated (step 60; N), the next time the user activates the user interface (step 105), a later-described upgrade screen is displayed (step 80).

If the user interface is being activated (step 60; Y), the updater 21 checks whether or not the current version of the module to be updated is an available version (step 65).
When the version of this module is an available version (step 65; Y), it is further confirmed whether or not the user is playing the movie content (step 70). That is, it is confirmed whether or not the CPU is executing a program for reproducing movie content.

When the user is playing the movie content (step 70; Y), it is monitored that the user finishes playing the movie content.
When the user is not playing the movie content, or when the user has finished playing the movie content (step 70; N), the updater 21 displays a version upgrade screen on the user interface, so that the latest version is displayed to the user. Notification is made that the update is possible (step 80), and an instruction to update is requested.

As described above, when the module to be updated is an available version (when the urgency is low), the notification is not displayed while the user is using the movie content, and is displayed after the use of the movie content is finished. be able to.
Here, the available version number constitutes urgent level information indicating the urgent level of installation of the module to be updated. When the urgent level information satisfies a predetermined condition, that is, the version number of the current module is the available version. If it is not a number, a version upgrade notice is given even while movie content is being played back (that is, while the playback program is being executed).

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a version upgrade screen. As shown in the figure, the version upgrade screen notifies the user that the application 20 can be updated, such as “the application has been upgraded”.
Furthermore, the user's intention is inquired such as “Do you want to update automatically?”, And the user's intention is acquired by causing the user to select the “Update” button and the “Do not update” button.

  Returning to FIG. 5, when the user agrees to upgrade (step 85; Y), the updater 21 replaces the module incorporated in the application 20 with the latest module stored in the latest module storage unit 23, and updates the application. 20 version upgrade is performed (step 90).

The module stored in the latest module storage unit 23 is deleted after replacement.
Then, the client version information 22 is updated by rewriting the version number of this module recorded in the client version information 22 to the latest version number (step 95).

If the user does not agree with the version (step 85; N), the updater 21 terminates the application 20 (step 100).
In the present embodiment, when the user does not agree to the upgrade, the application 20 is terminated. However, various processing methods such as displaying the upgrade screen again later are possible.

In step 65, if the module currently incorporated in the application 20 is not an available version (step 65; N), the polling service is used regardless of whether or not the user is playing the movie content. Is stopped (step 75), and an upgrade screen is displayed (step 80).
In this way, when the module to be updated is not an available version (when the degree of urgency is high), it is notified that version upgrade is necessary regardless of whether the user is using movie content.

The polling services to be stopped here include all polling services such as polling for the update server 2 and polling for the content server 5.
This is to ensure security.

  In this embodiment, the module is downloaded from the update server 2 and temporarily stored, and is installed after confirming the user's intention. However, the present invention is not limited to this. After confirming the intention, the module can be downloaded and installed.

As described above, by attaching “available version” as a parameter to the module to be updated, the upgrade process (notification process) at the client terminal 3 can be controlled.
In other words, for modules with low urgency, notification and installation can be postponed until the user finishes using the movie content. If the urgency is high, notification and installation are performed even during movie content playback. Can be controlled.

Here, when it is desired to forcibly update a module for all the client terminals 3 to the latest one, the latest version number and the available version number may be made the same in the update server 2.
When the usable version is set in this way, the application 20 using the old version module cannot be used unless the module is updated to the latest version.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an update information creation screen used for creating the update information 10 in the update server 2.
As shown in the figure, the update information creation screen includes an ID number input field for inputting a module ID number, a name input field for inputting a module name, a URL input field for inputting a download destination URL, and the latest version number. It consists of a latest version input field for input, an available version setting field for setting an available version, and the like.

In addition, the update information creation screen includes a cancel button and a registration button. When these buttons are selected by clicking, for example, the input contents can be canceled and registered, respectively.
If the ID number of a module for which update information already exists is entered in the ID number entry field, the currently registered contents are automatically displayed in each field, and these values can be edited using this. . This allows the current available version to be changed.
As described above, the administrator of the update server 2 can create update information by inputting and changing values in these fields.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of the client terminal 3.
In the client terminal 3, a CPU 51, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53, a register 54, and an input / output interface 63 are connected via a bus line 61.
The client terminal 3 can be configured by, for example, a personal computer, but can also be configured as a dedicated machine that uses movie content.

The CPU 51 is a central processing unit that executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM 52, the RAM 53, the storage device 58, and the like.
The CPU 51 forms the application 20 by executing the application software, and downloads and stores movie content from the content server 5, reproduces it, or accesses the update server 2 to access the version of the application 20. Or go up.

The ROM 52 is a read-only memory that stores basic programs and parameters necessary for causing the client terminal 3 to function.
The RAM 53 is a random access memory capable of writing and erasing data, and provides a working memory when the CPU 51 downloads and generates movie content and updates the application 20.
The register 54 is a memory that temporarily stores data so that the CPU 51 and the like perform information processing at high speed.

The input / output interface 63 is an interface that mediates input / output with peripheral devices such as the input device 56, the output device 57, the storage device 58, and the network control device 59.
The input device 56 includes input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a joystick, for example, and the user can select and play movie content by operating these devices. When the version upgrade screen is displayed, it is possible to select whether or not to install by clicking the button displayed on this screen with a mouse.

The output device 57 includes output devices such as a display, a speaker, and a printer, and the user can view movie content by recognizing information output from these devices.
In addition to movie content, for example, when reproducing book content, still image content, and the like, characters and still images are displayed on the display and can be output from a printer. When playing music content, music is output from the speaker.

The storage device 58 is a large-capacity storage device composed of, for example, a hard disk drive, and the CPU 51 can read and write data.
The storage device 58 is composed of, for example, a large-capacity hard disk. In addition, other storage media such as a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk, and a semiconductor storage device, and a storage medium driving device that drives the storage medium are provided. It can also be configured.

The storage device 58 is downloaded from, for example, an OS (Operating System) for realizing basic functions such as application software for configuring the application 20 and file input / output processing in the client terminal 3, and the content server 5. The movie content and license information used for reproducing the movie content are stored.
The latest module storage unit 23 (FIG. 1) is also formed in the storage device 58.

  The network control device 59 is composed of, for example, a communication control device composed of a modem or the like, and connects the client terminal 3 and the network 4 to control communication via the network 4. The client terminal 3 can communicate with the update server 2, the content server 5, the license server, and the like via the network control device 59.

Further, although not shown, the bus line 61 is connected to a storage medium driving device to which a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a magneto-optical disk, or a magnetic disk can be attached and detached, and the CPU 51 is connected to the storage medium via the storage medium driving apparatus. Can read and write data.
It is also possible to read movie content and license information into the client terminal 3 via these storage media.

Although the configuration of the client terminal 3 has been described above, the hardware configuration of the update server 2 is basically the same as that of the client terminal 3.
In the update server 2, the operator edits the update information 10, or deletes old ones of the modules 12 registered in the latest module group 11 and replaces them with the latest version of the modules 12. Can do.
Although not shown, the update server 2 includes a support tool for managing the update information 10 and the latest module group 11.

Next, a modified example of the update information 10 will be described.
In the embodiment described above, by setting an available version to a module, it is possible to distinguish between a module with a high urgency for updating (a module that does not correspond to a usable version) and a module with a low urgency. It was.
In this modification, an update flag is provided in the update information 10 so that the updater 21 can confirm the urgency level.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the update information 10 according to this modification.
As shown in the figure, an emergency flag 71 is set in the update information 10.
That is, the module of “id =“ 1 ”” is set to be urgent by “emergency_flag =“ true ””.
If no emergency is required, the emergency flag 71 is set to “emergency_flag =“ false ””.

If the urgent flag is set to require urgent, the updater 21 displays a version upgrade screen even if movie content is being played back.
If it is set not to be urgent, the upgrade screen is displayed after the movie content has been played back.

In this way, when the emergency flag is used, if the module incorporated in the application 20 is not the latest version, the upgrade screen is displayed even when all the movie content is being played back. This is the same as the case where the available version number is matched with the latest version number in the form.
Therefore, unlike the previous embodiment, detailed control such as determining the urgency based on the combination of the available version number set in the update information 10 and the version number of the module incorporated in the application 20 is not performed.

The following effects can be obtained by the present embodiment described above.
(1) The application 20 can be managed in the latest state by automatic update.
(2) Even when the automatic update is activated, the update notification and the installation process are not performed while the user is playing the movie content, so that the convenience of the user can be improved.

(3) By setting an available version number for the latest module, the updater 21 can determine the urgency of upgrading the module.
(4) When the urgency level of version upgrade is large, the updater 21 can perform update notification and installation processing even during movie content playback. In other words, it is possible to set the priority of playback and installation of movie content.

(5) Since the application 20 is stopped when the user does not update the module, the version of the application 20 can be surely upgraded.
(6) The update server 2 can set an available version for each module.
(7) By making the available version the latest version, the update server 2 can immediately update all the client terminals 3 that are using modules that are not the latest version to the latest version.

  In the present embodiment described above, when the application 20 is automatically updated while the movie content is being played back by the application 20, the notification method is changed according to the urgency of the update information. However, this function can be linked with other application software.

  For example, in addition to the application 20, music playback application software and other application software are installed in the client terminal 3, and when these application software are automatically updated, the notification timing is set as the movie content playback status. It can be configured to be linked and set.

  In this case, the urgency is determined based on the urgency information attached to the update information of the other application software. When the movie content is being played back and the urgency level is low, the update notification is made after the movie content playback ends. When the movie content level is high, the update notification is sent even when the movie content is being played back .

In the above description, the case of playing movie content has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to various types of application software.
For example, when the user is using word processing software, notification of an update with low urgency is performed after the document being created is stored, and notification of update with high urgency is performed even during document creation.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the application 20 is configured from the module 24. However, this does not limit the configuration of the application 20, and the application 20 can be applied regardless of the configuration of the application 20. Anything that controls notifications regarding 20 updates may be used.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the network structure of the content utilization system of this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of update information. It is the figure which showed an example of client version information. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the automatic update procedure of an application. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure of an installation process. It is the figure which showed an example of the upgrade screen. It is the figure which showed an example of the update information creation screen. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the hardware structure of a client terminal. It is the figure which showed an example of the update information which concerns on this modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Content utilization system 2 Update server 3 Client terminal 4 Network 5 Content server 10 Update information 11 Latest module group 12 Module 20 Application 21 Updater 22 Client version information 23 Latest module storage part 24 Module

Claims (15)

A client server system comprising: a client terminal that stores a program; and a server that provides update information for updating the program to the client terminal,
The server transmits confirmation information for confirming the presence or absence of update information for updating the program, and urgency information for determining the urgency of update by the update information to the client terminal,
The client terminal confirms that there is update information based on the confirmation information, and uses the urgency information to notify that there is update information even while a predetermined program is being executed. A client-server system characterized by determining whether or not. Storage means for storing the program;
Confirmation means for communicating with a server and confirming the presence or absence of program update information stored in the storage means;
When it is confirmed by the confirmation means that there is update information, a notification means for notifying that effect;
Execution means for executing a program stored in the storage means;
Comprising
The notification means, when the execution means is executing a predetermined program, performs notification after the execution means finishes executing the predetermined program. The update information is accompanied by update urgency information,
3. The notification unit according to claim 2, wherein, when the urgency information satisfies a predetermined condition, the notification unit performs notification even when the execution unit is executing the predetermined program. Client terminal. The urgency information is version designation information for designating a version number,
The client terminal according to claim 3, wherein the notification unit determines an urgency level using a version number specified by the urgency level information. An update instruction accepting means for accepting an update instruction from the user after making the notice in the notice means;
A program update unit that updates a program to be updated using the update information when an update instruction is received by the update instruction reception unit;
The client terminal according to claim 2, further comprising: Transmission request means for requesting the server to transmit update information;
Update information receiving means for receiving the requested update information from a server;
Update information storage means for storing the received update information;
Comprising
The client terminal according to claim 5, wherein the program update unit performs an update process using the stored update information. Confirmation information for confirming the presence or absence of update information for updating the program in the client terminal storing the program, Urgency information for the client terminal to determine the urgent degree of update by the update information, Confirmation information transmitting means for transmitting
Setting means for setting the urgency level information;
An update information providing server characterized by comprising: Request accepting means for accepting a transmission request for update information from the client terminal;
Update information transmitting means for transmitting the update information that has received the transmission request to the client terminal;
The update information providing server according to claim 7, further comprising: In a computer comprising storage means for storing a program and execution means for executing the stored program,
A confirmation function for communicating with a server and confirming the presence or absence of program update information stored in the storage means;
When it is confirmed by the confirmation function that there is update information, a notification function for notifying that effect;
With a computer
An update processing program, wherein, when the execution unit is executing a predetermined program, the notification function performs notification after the execution unit finishes executing the predetermined program. The update information is accompanied by update urgency information,
10. The notification function according to claim 9, wherein, when the urgency information satisfies a predetermined condition, the notification function performs the notification even when the execution unit is executing the predetermined program. Update processing program. The urgency information is version designation information for designating a version number,
The update processing program according to claim 10, wherein the notification function determines an urgency level using a version number specified in the urgency level information. An update instruction accepting function for accepting an update instruction from the user after making a notice with the notice function,
A program update function for updating a program to be updated using the update information when an update instruction is received by the update instruction reception function;
The update processing program according to claim 9, which is realized by a computer. A transmission request function for requesting the server to transmit update information;
An update information receiving function for receiving the requested update information from the server;
An update information storage function for storing the received update information;
Realized,
The update processing program according to claim 12, wherein the program update function performs update processing using the stored update information. Confirmation information for confirming the presence or absence of update information for updating the program in the client terminal storing the program, Urgency information for the client terminal to determine the urgent degree of update by the update information, Confirmation information transmission function to send
A setting function for setting the urgency information;
An update information provision program that implements A request reception function for receiving a transmission request for update information from the client terminal;
An update information transmission function for transmitting the update information that has received the transmission request to the client terminal;
15. The update information providing program according to claim 14, which is realized by a computer.

Images