JP2008225740A - Information processor and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor for efficiently deleting or updating unnecessary division file, in an information sharing system on a network in which one information file is divided into a plurality of division files, and those division files are stored in a distributed manner, and to provide an information processing method to be implemented by the information processor. <P>SOLUTION: Disclosed is an information processor which is configured to, in an information sharing system on a network in which one information file is divided into a plurality of division files, and those division files are stored in a distributed manner, decide whether or not the division files stored in a distributed manner are unnecessary, and to, when those division files are unnecessary, transmit the instruction of deleting the division files to efficiently delete those unnecessary division files, and an information processing method to be implemented by the information processor is also provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method, and in particular, an information processing apparatus that configures an information sharing system on a network that divides one information file into a plurality of divided files and holds them in a distributed manner, and the information The present invention relates to an information processing method executed by a processing device.

Recently, sharing of information via the Internet or LAN (Local Area Network) has been actively performed, and many proposals have been made regarding storage and updating of shared information files. In particular, as a security measure for a shared information file, distributed holding has been proposed in which one information file is divided into a plurality of divided files, and the divided files are distributed and held among a plurality of information processing apparatuses participating in the network ( For example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-275937 A

  When processing and updating the divided files distributed and held in a plurality of information processing devices in this way, the divided files that are distributed and held are collected in one place, the information file is restored, and the restored information file is processed, The updated information file is divided again and distributed and held in the original information processing apparatus. However, when distributed and held again, for example, the network is disconnected, or the information processing apparatus that was originally distributed and held is not participating in the network, and the divided file updated to the original information processing apparatus is It can happen that it cannot be distributed and held.

  If the file held by each information processing device is not a split file but a normal file, even if the file is not updated, it simply holds the old file. It can be used as a file. However, if the split file is distributed and held, the old split file that could not be updated cannot restore the original information file with that file alone. For the latest information file that has already been updated, Unnecessary split files that have no utility value.

  If such unnecessary divided files are not appropriately deleted or updated, new unnecessary divided files will continue to increase one after another, and the resources of the storage means of each information processing apparatus will be wasted. The problem is concerned.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in an information sharing system on a network for dividing one information file into a plurality of divided files and holding them in a distributed manner, unnecessary divided files are efficiently deleted. Alternatively, it is an object to provide an information processing apparatus that can be updated and an information processing method that is executed by the information processing apparatus.

  The object of the present invention can be achieved by the following constitution.

1. In an information processing apparatus that configures an information sharing system on a network to divide one information file into a plurality of divided files and hold them in a distributed manner,
A determination unit that determines whether or not the divided files that are distributed and held in a plurality of the information processing devices are unnecessary divided files based on information about the divided files;
A deletion command creation unit that creates a deletion command for the split file when the determination unit determines that the split file is an unnecessary split file;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a deletion command transmission unit that transmits the deletion command.

2. An overwrite instruction creating unit for creating an overwrite instruction for instructing the information processing apparatus to overwrite the divided file;
An overwrite command transmission unit that transmits the overwrite command to a plurality of the information processing devices that hold the divided file in a distributed manner,
The determination unit extracts the information processing apparatus for which the overwrite instruction has not been executed, and determines that the divided file that is not overwritten and is held by the extracted information processing apparatus is an unnecessary divided file 2. The information processing apparatus according to 1, wherein

3. Each of the divided files has a tag attached with information for identifying the divided file from the other divided files for each divided file.
The determination unit extracts a split file in which the information related to the update of the file described in the tag is inconsistent with the information related to the update of the file described in the tag of another split file, and the extracted consistency 2. The information processing apparatus according to 1, wherein a divided file that cannot be taken is determined as an unnecessary divided file.

4). A collection unit for collecting a plurality of the divided files from a plurality of the information processing devices;
A restoration unit that restores the original information file from the plurality of divided files collected by the collection unit;
The determination unit extracts the divided file that did not contribute to the restoration of the original information file by the restoration unit from the plurality of the divided files collected by the collection unit, and contributes to the restored restoration. 2. The information processing apparatus according to 1, wherein the divided file that has not been determined is an unnecessary divided file.

5. In an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus that configures an information sharing system on a network to divide one information file into a plurality of divided files and to hold the information in a distributed manner,
A determination step of determining whether or not the divided file distributed and held in the plurality of information processing apparatuses is an unnecessary divided file based on information on the divided file;
A deletion command creation step of creating a deletion command for the split file when the split file is determined to be an unnecessary split file in the determination step;
An information processing method comprising: a deletion command transmission step of transmitting the deletion command.

6). An overwrite instruction creating step for creating an overwrite instruction for instructing the information processing apparatus to overwrite the divided file;
An overwrite command transmission step of transmitting the overwrite command to a plurality of the information processing devices holding the divided file in a distributed manner,
The determination step extracts the information processing apparatus for which the overwrite instruction has not been executed, and determines that the divided file that is not overwritten and held by the extracted information processing apparatus is an unnecessary divided file 6. The information processing method according to 5, which is a process.

7). Each of the divided files has a tag attached with information for identifying the divided file from the other divided files for each divided file.
The determination step extracts a split file in which the information related to the update of the file described in the tag is inconsistent with the information related to the update of the file described in the tag of another split file, and the extracted consistency 6. The information processing method according to 5, which is a step of determining that a divided file that cannot be taken is an unnecessary divided file.

8). A collecting step of collecting a plurality of the divided files from a plurality of the information processing devices;
A restoration step of restoring the original information file from a plurality of the divided files collected in the collection step,
In the determination step, the divided file that did not contribute to the restoration of the original information file in the restoration step is extracted from the plurality of division files collected in the collecting step, and the restored restoration is performed. 6. The information processing method according to 5, which is a step of determining that the divided file that has not contributed is an unnecessary divided file.

  According to the present invention, in an information sharing system on a network for dividing one information file into a plurality of divided files and holding them in a distributed manner, whether or not the divided and held divided files are unnecessary divided files. If it is an unnecessary divided file, an instruction to delete the divided file is transmitted, and therefore an information processing apparatus capable of efficiently deleting an unnecessary divided file and an information processing method executed by the information processing apparatus are provided. Can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  First, an information sharing system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information sharing system.

  In FIG. 1, an information sharing system 100 includes n computers 105 (hereinafter referred to as PCs) such as PC1 to PCn connected to a hub 101 via a network cable 103. Each PC (PC1 to PCn) can communicate with each other. In addition to the PC, a portable information terminal, a mobile phone, or the like can be connected to the information sharing system 100. In addition, the hub 101 may be connected to an instruction aggregation server 109 described later. A PC, a portable information terminal, a cellular phone, an instruction aggregation server, and the like function as the information processing apparatus in the present invention.

  The information sharing system 100 is connected to the Internet IN from the hub 101 through the router 107. In the Internet IN, for example, X. An authentication server AS or the like for issuing a public key certificate represented by a 509 certificate is connected.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus that configures the information sharing system 100. Here, a PC will be described as an example, but the other information processing apparatus described above may be used.

  In FIG. 2, the PC includes a data reception unit 205, a data analysis unit 207, a determination unit 209, a data operation unit 211, a data holding unit 213, a connection table management unit 215, a connection table holding unit 217, a network application unit 219, and an authentication unit. 221, a data creation unit 223, a data transmission unit 225, and the like.

  The data operation unit 211 has functions such as a data update function, a restoration function, a division function, an attachment function, a deletion function, and a search function. The connection table management unit 215 has functions such as a registration function, a change function, a deletion function, and a search function for the connection table 217a. The network application unit 219 has functions such as a network participation function and a withdrawal function. The authentication unit 221 has functions such as a connection permission function and a connection rejection function when another PC connects to the PC. In addition, each part which comprises PC is connected with memory | storage means etc. which are not shown CPU, memory, a hard disk, etc., and are used at any time.

  The flow of information processing in the PC will be briefly described. First, a data packet 203 flowing on the network 201 is received by the data receiving unit 205 of the PC. The data receiving unit 205 functions as a collecting unit in the present invention. Necessary data is extracted from the packet 203 by the data analysis unit 207, and is filtered whether it is necessary information for the PC. If the information is necessary information for the PC and the information is a processing command related to the PC, the information is processed by any of the determination unit 209, the data operation unit 211, the network application unit 219, and the authentication unit 221. It is held by the holding unit 213.

  The connection table holding unit 217 holds a connection table 217a. The connection table 217a is a table describing information about each PC in the information sharing system 100 to which the PC is connected. The connection table 217a is managed by the connection table management unit 215.

  When it is necessary to transmit data or commands from a PC to another PC, the PC has information related to the destination PC described in the connection table 217a (for example, information that can specify a destination such as an IP address). To determine the destination of the information. Data and commands are extracted from the data holding unit 213 or created by the data creation unit 223 and then shaped into a packet 227 that flows through the network 201 and transmitted to the destination described above by the data transmission unit 225. .

  Here, the data creation unit 223 functions as a deletion command creation unit and an overwrite command creation unit in the present invention, and the data transmission unit 225 functions as a deletion command transmission unit and an overwrite command transmission unit in the present invention.

  Next, a method for dividing and holding the information file in a distributed manner and restoring and using it will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for distributing and holding divided files.

  In FIG. 3, the information sharing system 100 includes seven PCs PC 1 to PC 7 connected to a network 201. Each of the PC1 to PC7 includes the functional blocks shown in FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the network 201 is composed of a plurality of PCs, but the other information processing apparatus described in FIG. 1 may be connected.

  Here, when the user of the PC 1 designates the information file D1 as a shared file, the PC 1 uses the division function of the data operation unit 211 to convert the information file D1 into, for example, four divided files D1-1, D1-2, D1-. 3 and D1-4. As a division method, for example, a known method such as striping, a two-dimensional parity method, a Reed-Solomon method, or a threshold secret sharing method can be used.

  A tag TG for identifying each of the divided files D1-1, D1-2, D1-3, and D1-4 is attached by the attachment function of the data operation unit 211. In the tag TG, for example, identification information such as the file name and version of the original information file, the creation date and time, the file name and version of the divided file, the division number and the total number of divisions, and the division date and time are described.

  Next, the PC 1 uses the divided files D1-1, D1-2, D1-3 and D1-4 to which the tag TG is attached based on the information on the PC2 to PC7 held in the connection table 217a shown in FIG. Then, the data is transmitted to any one of PC2 to PC7 via the network 201. The PC that has received the divided file holds the received divided file.

  As a result, the divided files D1-1 to D1-4 of the information file D1 are distributed and held in a plurality of PCs. In this example, the divided file D1-1 is held in the PC2, the divided file D1-2 is held in the PC3, the divided file D1-3 is held in the PC5, and the divided file D1-4 is held in the PC6. The selection of the distributed holding destination may be performed randomly, or may be performed based on some weighting (for example, the order of the degree of security countermeasures of PC2 to PC7 in descending order). Thereafter, the PC 1 deletes the information file D1 without holding it for security measures.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method of restoring the division source information file D1 from the divisionally held division files D1-1 to D1-4.

  In FIG. 4, when the user of the PC 1 specifies that the information file D 1 is to be used, the PC 1 transmits a search command SC for searching for a divided file of the information file D 1 to the PC 2 to PC 7 via the network 201. The search command SC may be transmitted by multicast or broadcast using a protocol on the Internet such as UDP (User Datagram Protocol), or PC2 to PC7 held in the connection table 217a shown in FIG. You may do by unicast based on the information about.

  Among PC2 to PC7 that have received the search command SC, PC2, PC3, PC5, and PC6 holding the divided file of the information file D1 return a holding notification HN to PC1. The PC 1 that has received the holding notification HN transmits a divided file transfer request TR of the information file D1 to the transmission source of the holding notification HN. PC2, PC3, PC5, and PC6 that have received the transfer request TR transfer the divided files D1-1 to D1-4 held to PC1 (collection process).

  The PC 1 restores the information file D1 from the transferred divided files D1-1 to D1-4 using the restoration function of the data operation unit 211 shown in FIG. 2 (restoration step). The information file D1 restored in this way is held in the data holding unit 213 shown in FIG. 2 of the PC 1 and becomes available to the user of the PC 1. The restoration function of the data operation unit 211 functions as a restoration unit in the present invention.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method of dividing and holding again after using the restored information file D1.

  In FIG. 5, it is assumed that the information file D1 restored in FIG. 4 is modified by the user and overwritten on the shared information file D1 as the shared information file D2. In this case, the PC 1 divides the overwritten information file D2 into four divided files D2-1 to D2-4 similar to the case of FIG. A tag TG for identifying each of the divided files is attached. Subsequently, the PC 1 creates an overwrite command OC that commands overwriting of each divided file (overwrite command creation step). The overwrite command OC and the four divided files D2-1 to D2-4 to which the tag TG is attached, The old divided files D1-1 to D1-4 are distributed and transmitted to PC2, PC3, PC5, and PC6 that hold the old divided files D1-1 to D1-4 (overwrite command transmission step).

  The PC 2 receives the overwrite command OC and the division file D2-1, and overwrites and holds the division file D2-1 over the old division file D1-1 according to the overwrite command OC. Also for PC3, PC5, and PC6, the received divided files D2-2, D2-3, and D2-4 are overwritten and saved on the old divided files in accordance with the overwrite command OC. As a result, the latest information file D2 is distributed and held.

  If the restored information file D1 is modified by the user and is not overwritten but is filed as a new information file E1 different from the information file D1, the information file E1 is a new one different from the information file D1. Treated as a file. In this case, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the divided files E1-1 to E1-4 are created and distributedly held in any of the PC2 to PC7.

  Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Considering conditions such as the PC being disconnected from the network or the occurrence of a network communication failure, the divided files are not always overwritten and updated with the latest files as described with reference to FIG. . Here, a method for deleting or updating an unnecessary divided file that has not been updated to the latest file for some reason will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for deleting or updating unnecessary divided files.

  In FIG. 6, as in FIG. 5, when the restored information file D1 is modified by the user of the PC1 and overwritten on the information file D1 as the information file D2, the information file D1 is divided into four divided files D2-1 by the PC1. To D2-4. Subsequently, the PC 1 creates an overwrite command OC for overwriting each divided file (overwrite command creating step), and the overwrite command OC and the four divided files D2-1 to D2-4 are PC2, PC3, PC5, and It is distributed to the PC 6 and transmitted (overwrite command transmission step). Communication can be established for PC2, PC3, and PC5, and the old divided files D1-1 to D1-3 are overwritten and updated by the latest divided files D2-1 to D2-3.

  However, regarding the PC 6, it is assumed that communication cannot be established for some reason such as a communication failure and the latest divided file D2-4 cannot be transmitted. In this case, instead of the PC 6, the PC 1 transmits the latest divided file D2-4 to, for example, the PC 7 and holds it in a distributed manner. Of course, any of PC2 to PC5 may be used, but from the viewpoint of security, it is desirable to avoid PCs that hold divided files D2-1 to D2-3 in a distributed manner.

  Here, PC1 has two pieces of information: (1) PC6 holds the old divided file D1-4 in a distributed manner, and (2) PC7 holds the latest divided file D2-4 in a distributed manner. have. Then, from these two pieces of information, the judgment unit 209 of the PC 1 shown in FIG. 2 cannot use the old divided file D1-4 distributed and held by the PC 6 to restore the latest information file D2. It is determined that the file is a divided file (determination step). The two pieces of information described above correspond to information related to the divided file in the present invention.

  Based on this determination of the determination unit 209, the PC 1 generates a deletion command DC for deleting the unnecessary divided file D1-4 in the data generation unit 223 (deletion command generation process), and sends the data transmission unit 225 to the PC 6 (Delete command transmission step). However, since communication with the PC 6 cannot be established at this time, the PC 1 repeats transmission of the delete command DC toward the PC 6 at predetermined time intervals or at arbitrary timing. Thereafter, when communication with the PC 6 is restored, the PC 6 receives the delete command DC from the PC 1 and deletes the unnecessary divided files D1-4 according to the delete command DC.

  Further, when the transmission of the deletion command DC is repeated for a certain time or a certain number of times, the communication with the PC 6 does not return, or any timing such as when the power of the PC 1 is turned off or the PC 1 is disconnected from the network, for example. However, if communication with the PC 6 has not been restored, the PC 1 may cancel the transmission of the delete command DC. Thus, since the probability that the communication is not restored is very low, the probability that such a case occurs is very low, and even if the transmission of the delete command DC is canceled, there is no problem. Even if such a case occurs, the unnecessary divided file D1-4 remains in the PC 6, but no other problems occur, and the transmission of the delete command DC is canceled. There is no problem.

  Further, if the PC 1 cannot continue to send the delete command DC, such as when the power of the PC 1 is turned off or the PC 1 is disconnected from the network, the delete command DC is sent to another PC, such as the PC 4 or the like. You may ask. The PC that has been requested to transmit the deletion command DC repeats the transmission of the deletion command DC toward the PC 6 at predetermined time intervals or at any timing, as with the PC 1. Similarly to the PC 1 described above, the transmission of the deletion command DC may be canceled if the transmission of the deletion command DC does not return after repeated transmission for a certain time or a certain number of times.

  Also, instead of the delete command DC described above, an update command RC is transmitted to PC6 and PC7, and after communication with PC6 is restored, the latest divided file D2-4 is moved from PC7 to PC6, which is unnecessary. The divided file D1-4 may be overwritten and updated to the divided file D2-4.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, an unnecessary divided file deletion command or an instruction for deleting an unnecessary divided file that could not be overwritten and updated on the latest divided file is provided. Repeat sending update command. Thereby, unnecessary divided files can be efficiently deleted or updated, and an increase in unnecessary divided files can be prevented.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the first embodiment, an unnecessary divided file is determined at the time of overwriting with the latest divided file. In the second embodiment, an unnecessary divided file is restored when an information file is restored. Make a decision. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of deleting unnecessary divided files.

  In FIG. 7, PC2 to PC7 are divided into the divided file D2-1 for PC2, the divided file D2-2 for PC3, the divided file D2-3 for PC5, and the PC7 in the same manner as the overwrite update time of the latest divided file in FIG. The divided file D2-4 is distributed and held. The PC 6 holds an old divided file D1-4 that has not been overwritten. Here, it is assumed that communication with the PC 6 has been established.

  In order to restore the information file D2, the PC 1 transmits a divided file collection command CC of the information file D2 to the PCs 2 to 7 via the network 201. Of each PC that has received the collection command CC, the PC that holds the division file of the information file D2 transfers the division file of the information file D2 to the PC 1 (collection process).

  The divided files transferred here are originally divided files D2-1 to D2-4 of the information file D2. However, since the information file D2 is originally an overwrite file of the old information file D1, the information files D1 and D2 have the same file name. Therefore, the divided file D1-4 distributed and held in the PC 6 is also transferred to the PC 1.

  The determination unit 209 of the PC 1 receives information such as the file name and version of the original information file described in the transferred divided files D2-1 to D2-4 and the tag TG attached to the divided file D1-4. Is analyzed. Thereby, the PC 1 can know that the divided files D2-1 to D2-4 are the divided files of the information file D2, and the divided file D1-4 is the divided file of the old information file D1.

  From this result, the determination unit 209 of the PC 1 determines that the divided file D1-4 is an unnecessary divided file that does not contribute to the restoration of the information file D2 (determination step). The information such as the file name and version of the original information file described in the tag TG described above corresponds to information related to the divided file in the present invention. Based on this determination, the PC 1 restores the information file D2 from the divided files D2-1 to D2-4 using the restoration function of the data operation unit 211 (restoration process).

  Alternatively, the PC 1 actually restores the information file D2 from the transferred divided files D2-1 to D2-4 and D1-4 using the restoration function of the data operation unit 211. (Restoration process). At this time, a divided file that has not contributed to the restoration, that is, an unnecessary divided file D1-4 is found. Therefore, the determination unit 209 of the PC 1 determines that the divided file D1-4 distributed and held by the PC 6 is an unnecessary divided file (determination step). The information related to the divided file that did not contribute to the restoration described above corresponds to the information related to the divided file in the present invention.

  Based on the above-described determination, the PC 1 creates a delete command DC for deleting the unnecessary divided file D1-4 in the data creation unit 223 (deletion command creation step), and transmits it from the data transmission unit 225 to the PC 6. (Deletion command transmission step). The PC 6 receives the delete command DC from the PC 1, and deletes unnecessary divided files D1-4 according to the delete command DC.

  If communication with the PC 6 is interrupted as in the first embodiment, the PC 1 is directed to the PC 6 at predetermined time intervals or at arbitrary timing, as in the first embodiment. The transmission of the delete command DC is repeated. Further, if the transmission of the deletion command DC is repeated for a certain time or a certain number of times, or if the communication with the PC 6 is not restored at any timing, the PC 1 may cancel the transmission of the deletion command DC. Further, if the PC 1 cannot continue to send the delete command DC, such as when the power of the PC 1 is turned off or the PC 1 is disconnected from the network, the delete command DC is sent to another PC, such as the PC 4 or the like. You may ask.

  Also, instead of the delete command DC described above, an update command RC is transmitted to PC6 and PC7, the latest divided file D2-4 is moved from PC7 to PC6, and an unnecessary divided file D1-4 is overwritten. It may be updated to the divided file D2-4. Furthermore, you may use 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment together.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, unnecessary information that does not contribute to the restoration of the original information file discovered when the information file is restored from the divided files collected from each PC. An unnecessary split file deletion command or update command is transmitted to the PC holding the split file. Thereby, unnecessary divided files can be efficiently deleted or updated, and an increase in unnecessary divided files can be prevented.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a description will be given of a method in which the delete command DC or update command RC transmitted by each PC is collected and handled by the command aggregation server 109 shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining the third embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of consolidating the delete command DC or the update command RC into the command aggregation server 109.

  In FIG. 8, it is assumed that the divided files D1-4 unnecessary for the PC 6 are distributed and held as in the first and second embodiments. Similarly to the first and second embodiments, the PC 1 transmits the deletion command DC or the update command RC to the PC 6 (deletion command transmission step), but communication with the PC 6 is interrupted, and the deletion command DC Alternatively, the update command RC cannot be delivered.

  As described above, when the PC 1 cannot continue to transmit the delete command DC or the update command RC, the PC 1 may request another PC to transmit the delete command DC or the update command RC. As described in the embodiment, the request destination is not an arbitrary PC but a specific PC, preferably an instruction aggregation server 109 that can be operated at all times. Of course, it may be an instruction aggregation PC similar to other PCs.

  The instruction aggregation server 109 repeats transmission of the deletion instruction DC or the update instruction RC requested from the PC 1 at predetermined time intervals or at arbitrary timing (deletion instruction transmission step). Thereafter, when communication with the PC 6 is restored, the PC 6 receives the delete command DC from the command aggregation server 109 and deletes the unnecessary divided files D1-4 according to the delete command DC.

  Further, when the communication with the PC 6 does not return even if the transmission of the delete command DC or the update command RC is repeated for a certain time or a certain number of times, or the power of the PC 1 is turned off or the PC 1 is disconnected from the network, for example. If the communication with the PC 6 has not been restored at any timing such as, the PC 1 may cancel the transmission of the delete command DC.

  Furthermore, a plurality of instruction aggregation servers 109 may exist on the network. For example, when the power of a certain instruction aggregation server is turned off, another instruction aggregation server may be requested to transmit a deletion instruction DC or an update instruction RC.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the delete command DC or the update command RC transmitted by each PC is aggregated and assigned to the command aggregation server 109 shown in FIG. Thereby, unnecessary divided files can be efficiently deleted or updated, and an increase in unnecessary divided files can be prevented.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a method of requesting other PCs to divide the information file D2, to distribute and hold the divided files to each PC, and to perform operations such as detection and deletion of unnecessary divided files or an update command, etc. will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for requesting another PC to perform operations such as division of the information file D2.

  In FIG. 9, it is assumed that the information file D1 is modified by the user of the PC 8 and overwritten on the information file D1 as the information file D2. The PC 8 attaches the information file D2 and transmits an overwrite request OR to the PC 1. The PC 1 that has received the overwrite request OR first divides the attached information file D2 into divided files D2-1 to D2-4. A tag TG for identifying each is attached to each divided file.

  Subsequently, the PC 1 creates an overwrite instruction OC (overwrite instruction creation step), holds the created overwrite instruction OC and the four divided files D2-1 to D2-4, and retains the old divided files D1-1 to D1-4. Are distributed to the PC 2, PC3, PC5, and PC6 that are being transmitted (overwrite order transmission step). Communication can be established for PC2, PC3, and PC5, and the old divided files D1-1 to D1-3 are overwritten and updated by the latest divided files D2-1 to D2-3.

  However, regarding the PC 6, it is assumed that communication cannot be established for some reason such as communication failure and the latest divided file D2-4 cannot be transmitted. In this case, the PC 1 transmits the latest divided file D2-4 to, for example, the PC 7 instead of the PC 6, and distributes and holds it. FIG. 9 shows this state. Subsequent operations performed by the PC 1, such as detection and deletion of unnecessary divided files, or an update command, are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  However, the PC 1 transmits the deletion command DC or the update command RC not only to the PC 6 but also to the PC 8 (deletion command transmission step). As a result, the PC 8 has generated an unnecessary divided file in the current distribution of the information file D2, the fact that the unnecessary divided file is the divided file D1-4 held by the PC 6, and the unnecessary division for the PC 6. It can be known that the deletion command DC or the update command RC of the file D1-4 is issued. Of course, not the deletion command DC or the update command RC may be transmitted to the PC 8, but a failure report may be transmitted from the PC 1 to the PC 8.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a PC using an information file can divide the used information file, distribute and hold the divided files on each PC, and unnecessary divided files. Request other PCs to detect and delete or update instructions. As a result, even a low-performance PC that cannot perform work requiring high performance such as file division can overwrite and use the information file used. Furthermore, unnecessary divided files can be efficiently deleted or updated, and an increase in unnecessary divided files can be prevented.

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a description will be given of a method for requesting other PCs to perform operations such as restoration of an information file and detection and deletion of unnecessary divided files or an update command. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for requesting another PC to perform an operation such as restoration of an information file.

  In FIG. 10, the PC2 to PC7 are divided into the divided file D2-1 for PC2, the divided file D2-2 for PC3, the divided file D2-3 for PC5, and the PC7 in the same way as the overwrite update time of the latest divided file in FIG. The divided file D2-4 is distributed and held. The PC 6 holds an old divided file D1-4 that has not been overwritten. Here, it is assumed that communication with the PC 6 has been established.

  When the user of the PC 8 requests the use of the information file D2, the PC 8 transmits a restoration request RR for the information file D2 to the PC 1. In order to restore the information file D2, the PC 1 transmits a divided file collection command CC of the information file D2 to the PCs 2 to 7 via the network 201. Of each PC that has received the collection command CC, the PC that holds the division file of the information file D2 transfers the division file of the information file D2 to the PC 1 (collection process).

  The divided files transferred here are originally divided files D2-1 to D2-4 of the information file D2. However, since the information file D2 is originally an overwrite file of the old information file D1, the information files D1 and D2 have the same file name. Therefore, the divided file D1-4 distributed and held in the PC 6 is also transferred to the PC 1.

  The PC 1 analyzes information such as the file name and version of the original information file described in the tags TG attached to the divided files D2-1 to D2-4 and the divided file D1-4 transferred. Thereby, the PC 1 can know that the divided files D2-1 to D2-4 are the divided files of the information file D2, and the divided file D1-4 is the divided file of the old information file D1.

  From this result, the determination unit 209 of the PC 1 determines that the divided file D1-4 is an unnecessary divided file that does not contribute to the restoration of the information file D2 (determination step). Based on this determination, the PC 1 restores the information file D2 from the divided files D2-1 to D2-4 using the restoration function of the data operation unit 211 (restoration process).

  Alternatively, the PC 1 actually restores the information file D2 from the transferred divided files D2-1 to D2-4 and D1-4 using the restoration function of the data operation unit 211. (Restoration process). At this time, a divided file that does not contribute to restoration, that is, an unnecessary divided file D1-4 is found. Therefore, the determination unit 209 of the PC 1 determines that the divided file D1-4 distributed and held by the PC 6 is an unnecessary divided file (determination step).

  The information file D2 restored by the PC1 is sent to the PC8. As a result, the user of the PC 8 can use the information file D2. Subsequent operations performed by the PC 1, such as detection and deletion of unnecessary divided files, are the same as those in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  However, the PC 1 transmits the delete command DC or the update command RC not only to the PC 6 but also to the PC 8. As a result, the PC 8 has found that an unnecessary divided file has been found in the current restoration of the information file D2, that the unnecessary divided file is the divided file D1-4 held by the PC 6, and an unnecessary division for the PC 6. It can be known that the deletion command DC or the update command RC of the file D1-4 is issued. Of course, not the deletion command DC or the update command RC may be transmitted to the PC 8, but a failure report may be transmitted from the PC 1 to the PC 8. Furthermore, you may use 4th Embodiment and 5th Embodiment together.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a PC desiring to use an information file can restore an information file to be used and detect and delete or update an unnecessary divided file. Request another PC for work. As a result, even a low-performance PC that cannot perform work that requires high performance such as file restoration can restore and use the information file that it wants to use. Furthermore, unnecessary divided files can be efficiently deleted or updated, and an increase in unnecessary divided files can be prevented.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a method will be described in which a PC that holds a divided file in a distributed manner determines whether or not the divided file that it holds is an unnecessary divided file. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the sixth embodiment of the present invention, in which a PC that holds divided files in a distributed manner determines whether or not a divided file held by itself is an unnecessary divided file. It is a schematic diagram explaining the method to judge.

  In FIG. 11, the PC1 to PC7 include the divided file D2-1 for PC2, the divided file D2-2 for PC3, the divided file D2-3 for PC5, and the PC7 in the same way as when the latest divided file was overwritten and updated in FIG. The divided file D2-4 is distributed and held. The PC 6 holds an old divided file D1-4 that has not been overwritten.

  The PC 6 holding the divided file D1-4 sends the information file D1 to each PC via the network 201 in order to determine whether the divided file D1-4 held by the PC 6 is an unnecessary divided file. A divided file collection command CC is transmitted. Of each PC that has received the collection command CC, the PC that holds the division file of the information file D1 transfers the division file of the information file D1 to the PC 6 (collection step).

  The divided files transferred here are originally the divided files D1-1 to D1-3 of the old information file D1. However, since the information file D2 is originally an overwrite file of the old information file D1, the information files D1 and D2 have the same file name. Therefore, the divided files D2-1 to D2-4 of the information file D2 distributed and held in each PC are transferred to the PC 6.

  The determination unit 209 of the PC 6 displays the file name of the original information file described in the tag TG attached to the transferred divided files D2-1 to D2-4 and the divided file D1-4 held by itself. Analyze version information. Thereby, the PC 6 can know that the divided files D2-1 to D2-4 are the divided files of the information file D2, and the divided file D1-4 held by itself is a divided file of the old information file D1. . From this result, the determination unit 209 of the PC 6 determines that the divided file D1-4 held by the PC 6 is an unnecessary divided file that does not contribute to the restoration of the information file D2 (determination step). The information such as the file name and version of the original information file described in the tag TG described above corresponds to information related to the divided file in the present invention.

  Alternatively, the PC 6 uses the restoration function of the data operation unit 211 to actually receive information from the five divided files of the divided files D2-1 to D2-4 transferred and the divided file D1-4 held by itself. It is also possible to restore the file D2 (restoration process). At this time, a divided file that does not contribute to restoration, that is, an unnecessary divided file D1-4 is found. Therefore, the determination unit 209 of the PC 6 determines that the divided file D1-4 distributed and held by itself is an unnecessary divided file (determination step). The information related to the divided file that has not contributed to the restoration corresponds to the information related to the divided file in the present invention.

  Based on this determination of the determination unit 209, the PC 6 generates a delete command DC for deleting the unnecessary divided file D1-4 in the data generation unit 223 (delete command generation process), and is unnecessary according to its own delete command DC. The divided file D1-4 is deleted.

  Further, instead of the delete command DC described above, the PC 6 transmits an update command RC to the PC 7, moves the latest divided file D2-4 from the PC 7 to the PC 6, and overwrites the unnecessary divided file D1-4. It may be updated to the divided file D2-4.

  As described above, according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the PC that distributes and holds the divided file determines whether the divided file that it holds is an unnecessary divided file, and is unnecessary. If it is determined that the file is a split file, unnecessary split files are deleted or updated. Thereby, unnecessary divided files can be efficiently deleted or updated, and an increase in unnecessary divided files can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the information sharing system on the network for dividing one information file into a plurality of divided files and holding them in a distributed manner, the divided and held divided files are unnecessary. It is determined whether or not the file is a divided file, and if it is an unnecessary divided file, an instruction to delete the divided file is transmitted. Therefore, an information processing apparatus capable of efficiently deleting an unnecessary divided file and the information processing apparatus An information processing method to be executed can be provided.

  It should be noted that the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component constituting the information processing apparatus and the information processing method according to the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of an information sharing system. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the functional block with which each PC which comprises an information sharing system is provided. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the method of carrying out dispersion | distribution holding of the division | segmentation file. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the method of decompress | restoring the original information file from the division | segmentation file hold | maintained dispersion | distributed. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the method of dividing | segmenting and hold | maintaining again after using the decompressed | restored information file. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the 6th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Information Sharing System 101 Hub 103 Network Cable 105 Computer (PC)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 107 Router 109 Instruction aggregation server 201 Network 203 Packet 205 Data receiving part 207 Data analysis part 209 Judgment part 211 Data operation part 213 Data holding part 215 Connection table management part 217 Connection table holding part 217a Connection table 219 Network application part 221 Authentication part 223 Data creation unit 225 Data transmission unit 227 Packet IN Internet AS authentication server TG tag SC search command HN retention notification TR transfer request OC overwrite command DC delete command RC update command CC collect command OR overwrite request RR restore request

Claims (8)

In an information processing apparatus that configures an information sharing system on a network to divide a single information file into a plurality of divided files and hold them in a distributed manner.
A determination unit that determines whether or not the divided file that is distributed and held in a plurality of the information processing apparatuses is an unnecessary divided file, based on information about the divided file;
A deletion command creation unit that creates a delete command for the split file when the determination unit determines that the split file is an unnecessary split file;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a deletion command transmission unit that transmits the deletion command. An overwrite instruction creating unit for creating an overwrite instruction for instructing the information processing apparatus to overwrite the divided file;
An overwrite command transmission unit that transmits the overwrite command to a plurality of the information processing devices that hold the divided file in a distributed manner,
The determination unit extracts the information processing apparatus for which the overwrite instruction has not been executed, and determines that the divided file that has not been overwritten and is held by the extracted information processing apparatus is an unnecessary divided file The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Each of the divided files is attached with a tag that describes information for identifying the file from other divided files for each divided file.
The determination unit extracts a split file in which the information related to the update of the file described in the tag is inconsistent with the information related to the update of the file described in the tag of another split file, and the extracted consistency The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a divided file that cannot be taken is determined as an unnecessary divided file. A collection unit for collecting a plurality of the divided files from a plurality of the information processing devices;
A restoration unit that restores the original information file from the plurality of divided files collected by the collection unit;
The determination unit extracts the divided file that did not contribute to the restoration of the original information file by the restoration unit from the plurality of the divided files collected by the collection unit, and contributes to the restored restoration. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the divided file that has not been determined is an unnecessary divided file. In an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus that configures an information sharing system on a network to divide one information file into a plurality of divided files and to hold the information in a distributed manner,
A determination step of determining whether or not the divided file distributed and held in the plurality of information processing apparatuses is an unnecessary divided file based on information on the divided file;
A deletion command creation step of creating a deletion command for the split file when the split file is determined to be an unnecessary split file in the determination step;
An information processing method comprising: a deletion command transmission step of transmitting the deletion command. An overwrite instruction creating step for creating an overwrite instruction for instructing the information processing apparatus to overwrite the divided file;
An overwrite command transmission step of transmitting the overwrite command to a plurality of the information processing devices holding the divided file in a distributed manner,
The determination step extracts the information processing apparatus for which the overwrite instruction has not been executed, and determines that the divided file that is not overwritten and held by the extracted information processing apparatus is an unnecessary divided file The information processing method according to claim 5, wherein the information processing method is a process. Each of the divided files has a tag attached with information for identifying the divided file from the other divided files for each divided file.
The determination step extracts a split file in which the information related to the update of the file described in the tag is inconsistent with the information related to the update of the file described in the tag of another split file, and the extracted consistency 6. The information processing method according to claim 5, which is a step of determining that a divided file that cannot be taken is an unnecessary divided file. A collecting step of collecting a plurality of the divided files from a plurality of the information processing devices;
A restoration step of restoring the original information file from a plurality of the divided files collected in the collection step,
In the determination step, the divided file that did not contribute to the restoration of the original information file in the restoration step is extracted from the plurality of division files collected in the collecting step. 6. The information processing method according to claim 5, wherein the division file that has not contributed is a step of determining that the division file is an unnecessary division file.

Images