JPH10326230A - Distributed network computing system and information exchanging device used for the same system and method therefor and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain service offer corresponding to the processing capability of a terminal or the capability of communication infrastructure without necessitating any large- scaled server computer at the time of providing information described with a structured document or the like as an applied service in a network environment in which each kind of terminal is present. SOLUTION: Each function as an information exchanging device is distributed to each server computer 1b-1e different from a server computer 1a having an applied service part 20. The server computer 1a retrieves the server having the function necessary for information exchange from among each server 1b-1e, and converts service information into a specific format by using the function, and transmits it. Thus, a high level information exchanging processing function can be realized by combining servers whose processing capability is not high, and service offer corresponding to the processing capability of a terminal or the communication capability of communication infrastructure can be attained. Moreover, service information managed in a structured document format can be analyzed by an applied service part 20, and the service information can be information-converted and transmitted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a distributed network computing system for connecting a plurality of terminal devices, and more particularly to a public network, a wired LAN (Local Area Network),
Multiple types of communication networks such as wireless LANs are mixed, and inventory management services and the like are provided for various terminal devices with different processing capabilities such as portable information terminals, personal computers (PCs), and portable PCs connected to these communication networks. The present invention relates to a distributed network computing system that provides application services of various application software, and an information exchange method, particularly an information exchange method such as a structured document format, and a storage medium that records an information exchange control program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, information processing by a computer is mainly performed by a centralized processing system using a plurality of terminals connected to one main computer. In contrast, a distributed processing system is configured so that multiple computers are connected via a network or the like, share the resources owned by each computer, and can perform efficient processing. An environment for distributed processing of various application software is referred to as a distributed computing environment.

In a network environment that realizes distributed computing, a user does not need to be conscious of where programs and data are specially located. Logically, the entire network appears as if it were a single computer, so that the user can use necessary information and functions from his own operation environment.

[0004]

By the way, in a network environment as described above, when considering a system for providing each terminal device with an application service such as an application software such as an inventory management service, a terminal device used by a user is considered. Each has a difference in processing capacity (this is called a terminal attribute and includes a CPU capability, a display screen size, a memory capacity, and the like). In order to absorb / adjust the difference, the terminal side or the Artificial information manipulation is required on the server side.

Further, each terminal device is connected to, for example, a public network or a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Net).
work), each uses a different communication network. Therefore, there is a relative difference in data transmission speed, transmission amount, quality, and the like as a communication infrastructure (communication infrastructure; communication environment equipment) for each communication network.

Generally, when the processing capability of a personal computer (PC) as a general-purpose device is set to an upper level, a portable information terminal is set to a middle level, and other terminal devices are set to a lower level. In addition, as a communication infrastructure, a wired or wireless LAN is at an upper level in terms of both transmission amount and quality.
The SDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is at the middle level, and the analog wired, analog or digital radio is at the lower level.

[0007] In a network environment, there is such a difference in processing capability of each terminal device and a difference in communication capability as a communication infrastructure. Therefore, in such an environment, there is a problem that it is extremely difficult to provide application services commonly to various terminal devices.

Further, in order to provide a service by absorbing such a difference in processing capability between terminal devices and a difference in communication capability as a communication infrastructure, complicated processing is required. There was a problem that a large server computer having a corresponding capacity was required.

[0009] Further, in business establishments such as companies and factories, it is necessary to install a switch for exchanging connection between extension telephones in the premises and between subscriber telephone lines (office lines) and extension telephones.

Generally, a private branch exchange or a private branch exchange equipment is referred to as P
It is called BX (Private Branch Exchange). In particular, a digital private branch exchange is called a digital PBX. The digital PBX converts an audio signal into a digital signal and processes the signal. Therefore, OA equipment such as a personal computer, a word processor, and a computer used in the premises are connected to the digital PBX, and these data and audio are converted into one.
Original and efficient processing is possible. Further, by adding various network functions to the digital PBX, a wide area network can be constructed from the intra-office communication network.

When constructing a LAN for the first time,
In many cases, several computer devices are connected to one Ethernet cable (coaxial cable).
However, as networking advances and the number of connected devices increases, the physical length of the cable is reached. Tools that extend the network physically and logically beyond this limitation include routers and the like.

The router can form a network having a closed loop, and determines only an optimal route and passes only necessary packets (routing). The router determines based on the network number in the Internet protocol (network layer), and then determines based on the node number to determine the final destination.

The Internet protocol in the network layer has a different definition method depending on the protocol such as TCP / IP and OSI, so that the router basically supports one type of protocol. In other words, it is possible to select only a network of a specific protocol from a backbone network in which a plurality of protocols coexist, and this is effective where a reduction in load factor due to speed is required from Ethernet to a line.

However, on a network connection device such as an exchange or a router, a service is provided by absorbing the difference in processing capability of each terminal device and the difference in communication capability as a communication infrastructure as described above. Such a system has not been proposed so far.

Furthermore, the attributes of terminal devices used in the system are generally determined at the time of system design, and application services are generally provided according to the attributes.

For this reason, there is a major problem that even if a terminal device having a new attribute is developed, it cannot be easily introduced into the system and used.

In a network computing environment, the original data of a server that manages the original data is often changed.

In such a case, the terminal device connected to the server cannot know the fact of the above change unless it is manually operated, and cannot easily cope with the change, which is extremely inconvenient. Was.

On the other hand, a mechanism for managing large-scale data is required. For this reason, WWW (world wide web), which is currently widely used on the Internet, uses HTM
A structured language (tag language) called L (hyper text markup language) is used. For structured languages other than HTML, CALS (Continuous Acquisi
and Lifecycle Support) with the spread of SGML
(Standard Generalized Markup Language) is expected to spread in the future.

In order to display a document created in these structured languages, a function (browser) for analyzing and displaying the structured language on the terminal side is required. In other words, information described in the structured language cannot be provided to a terminal device having no browser function.

Further, if the information described in the structured language is transmitted as it is on the network, a large amount of information flows on a line having a low transmission capability, which takes a long time.

Note that such a problem is the same in a component data format such as OLE (object linking and embedding), in addition to HTML.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a network environment where each terminal device exists, a large-scale server computer is not required and the processing capability of each terminal device can be adjusted. Application services can be provided, and even when multiple communication infrastructures are mixed, application services can be provided according to the communication capabilities of the communication infrastructures, and are described in component data format such as structured documents. An object of the present invention is to provide a distributed network computing system capable of providing information as an applied service, an information exchange method, and a storage medium storing the method.

Further, according to the present invention, in a network environment where each terminal device exists, a difference in processing capability between terminal devices and a difference in communication capability as a communication infrastructure on a network connection device such as an exchange or a router. A distributed network computing system capable of providing services by absorbing / adjusting data and providing information described in a part data format such as a structured document as an application service, an information exchange method, and a method for storing the information. It is intended to provide a storage medium.

[0025]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) The present invention provides an information processing apparatus that provides application services such as various application software, a terminal device that receives application services from the information processing apparatus, and a communication that connects the information processing apparatus to the terminal device. In a distributed network computing system including a network, an information exchange device is provided in the information processing device.

This information exchange device includes an analyzing means for analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format such as HTML, and a terminal for managing terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device. Attribute information management means and terminal attribute information of a terminal device as a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management means, and the service information analyzed by the analysis means is converted into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information. And a communication unit for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion unit via the communication network.

According to such a configuration, when a plurality of types of terminal devices exist on the network, service information provided by the information processing device is exchanged according to the processing capability of each terminal device. The information exchange in this case means that the processing capability of the terminal
To change the format of some information. For example, when transmitting image information (image), if the partner terminal device does not have image processing capability, the image information is converted into symbol information and transmitted.

As a result, the terminal device is excellent in portability, but relatively inferior in information processing capability (computation capability) and screen display / user interface providing capability as compared with other terminal devices (PC, etc.). (PDA (presonal digital a
ssistants)) can be used to construct a distributed network computing system, and the terminal can receive the same services as other terminal devices, even if the format changes.

Also, if the service information is in HTML or OLE
When described in data component format such as
By analyzing the service information and examining the type of each component constituting the document and its data size, it is possible to exchange information according to the terminal attribute for each component data.

In this case, even if the service information provided as an applied service is in a non-data component format (for example, binary data), the information can be exchanged in the same manner as described above by temporarily converting it to a data component format. .

(2) The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that provides application services such as various application software, a terminal device that receives application services from the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus and the terminal device. In a distributed network computing system including a communication network to be connected, an information exchange device is provided in the information processing device.

This information exchange apparatus comprises: an analyzing means for analyzing service information described in a structured document format such as HTML; a communication infrastructure information managing means for managing communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network. Acquiring communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which a communication partner terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management means, and converting the service information analyzed by the analysis means into a specific format based on the communication infrastructure information. And a communication unit for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion unit via the communication network.

According to such a configuration, when a plurality of types of communication networks are mixed on a network, service information provided by the information processing apparatus is exchanged in a format corresponding to the communication capability of each communication network. .

The information exchange in this case is to change the format of certain information in accordance with the communication capability of the communication network to which the terminal device as the communication partner is connected. For example, if the data transmission capacity of the communication network is high, the data is transmitted after being encrypted.If the data transmission capacity is low, binary data is converted to text data, format information such as centering is changed to blank characters, fonts are changed. Send after changing the transmission data size by ignoring the information. Note that when the data transmission capability is low, the data may be compressed and transmitted if the terminal has an appropriate operation capability.

Thus, even in a system in which various communication infrastructures are mixed, it is possible to absorb a relative difference in data transmission speed / amount / quality of the communication infrastructures. Can also receive services similar to those of other terminal devices.

Also, if the service information is in HTML or OLE
When described in data component format such as
By analyzing the service information and examining the type of each component constituting the document and its data size, it is possible to exchange information according to the terminal attribute for each component data.

In this case, even if the service information provided as an applied service is in a non-data component format (for example, binary data), the information can be exchanged in the same manner as described above by temporarily converting it to a data component format. .

(3) The present invention provides an information processing apparatus that provides application services such as various application software, a terminal device that receives application services from the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus and the terminal device. In a distributed network computing system including a communication network to be connected, an information exchange device is provided in the information processing device.

This information exchange apparatus comprises: an analyzing means for analyzing service information described in a structured document format such as HTML; a terminal attribute information managing means for managing terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device. A communication infrastructure information management unit that manages communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network, and acquires terminal attribute information of a terminal device that is a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management unit,
A conversion unit that obtains communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management unit, and converts the service information analyzed by the analysis unit into a specific format; Communication means for transmitting the converted service information via the communication network.

According to such a configuration, when a plurality of types of terminal devices and a plurality of types of communication networks are present on the network, the service information provided by the information processing apparatus uses the processing capability of each terminal device and each communication device. Information is exchanged in a format appropriate for the network. The information exchange in this case is to change the format of certain information according to the processing capability of a terminal device as a communication partner and the communication capability of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected. As a result, a terminal device (such as a PDA) that is excellent in portability, but relatively inferior in information processing capability (calculation capability) and screen display / user interface providing capability compared to other terminal devices (such as a PC). ) Can be used to construct a distributed network computing system, and the terminal can receive services similar to those of other terminal devices, even if the format changes.

Further, even in a system in which various types of communication infrastructures coexist, it is possible to absorb the relative differences in the data transmission speed / amount / quality of the communication infrastructures, and the terminal side can change the format. , It is possible to receive services similar to those of other terminal devices.

Also, if the service information is HTML or OLE
When described in data component format such as
By analyzing the service information and examining the type of each component constituting the document and its data size, it is possible to exchange information according to the terminal attribute for each component data.

In this case, even if the service information provided as an applied service is in a non-data component format (for example, binary data), the information can be exchanged in the same manner as described above by temporarily converting it to a data component format. .

(4) The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that provides application services such as various application software, a terminal device that receives application services from the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus and the terminal device. In a distributed network computing system including a communication network to be connected, an information exchange device is provided in network connection means for interconnecting networks.

This information exchange apparatus includes an analyzing means for analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format such as HTML, and a terminal for managing terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device. Attribute information management means and terminal attribute information of a terminal device as a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management means, and the service information analyzed by the analysis means is converted into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information. And a communication unit for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion unit via the communication network.

According to such a configuration, when a plurality of types of terminal devices exist on a network, service information provided by the information processing device is exchanged according to the processing capability of each terminal device. The information exchange in this case means that the processing capability of the terminal
To change the format of some information. For example, when transmitting image information (image), if the partner terminal device does not have image processing capability, the image information is converted into symbol information and transmitted.

As a result, the terminal device is excellent in portability, but relatively inferior in information processing capability (computation capability) and screen display / user interface providing capability as compared with other terminal devices (PC, etc.). Can be used to construct a distributed network computing system, and the terminal can receive services similar to those of other terminal devices, even if the format changes.

In particular, by performing such information exchange by means of network connection means (such as a circuit switch or a router), information can be exchanged in a final form near the terminal equipment of the user. That is, when a network is created from each subnetwork, information can be exchanged in a format suitable for the subnetwork.

Also, if the service information is HTML or OLE
When described in data component format such as
By analyzing the service information and examining the type of each component constituting the document and its data size, it is possible to exchange information according to the terminal attribute for each component data.

In this case, even if the service information provided as an application service is in a non-data component format (for example, binary data), the information can be exchanged in the same manner as described above by temporarily converting it to a data component format. .

(5) The present invention provides an information processing apparatus that provides application services such as various application software, a terminal device that receives application services from the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus and the terminal device. In a distributed network computing system including a communication network to be connected, an information exchange device is provided in network connection means for interconnecting networks.

This information exchange apparatus comprises: an analyzing means for analyzing service information described in a structured document format such as HTML; and a communication infrastructure information managing means for managing communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network. Acquiring communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which a communication partner terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management means, and converting the service information analyzed by the analysis means into a specific format based on the communication infrastructure information. And a communication unit for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion unit via the communication network.

According to such a configuration, when a plurality of types of communication networks are mixed on a network, service information provided by the information processing apparatus is exchanged in a format corresponding to the communication capability of each communication network. .

The information exchange in this case is to change the format of certain information according to the communication capability of the communication network to which the terminal device as the communication partner is connected. For example, if the data transmission capacity of the communication network is high, the data is transmitted after being encrypted.If the data transmission capacity is low, binary data is converted to text data, format information such as centering is changed to blank characters, fonts are changed. Send after changing the transmission data size by ignoring the information. Note that when the data transmission capability is low, the data may be compressed and transmitted if the terminal has an appropriate operation capability.

As a result, even in a system in which various types of communication infrastructures are mixed, it is possible to absorb a relative difference in the data transmission speed / amount / quality of the communication infrastructures, and the format is changed on the terminal side. Can also receive services similar to those of other terminal devices.

In particular, by performing such information exchange by network connection means (such as a circuit switch or a router), information can be exchanged in a final form near the terminal equipment of the user. That is, when a network is created from each subnetwork, information can be exchanged in a format suitable for the subnetwork.

Also, if the service information is HTML or OLE
When described in data component format such as
By analyzing the service information and examining the type of each component constituting the document and its data size, it is possible to exchange information according to the terminal attribute for each component data.

In this case, even if the service information provided as an application service is in a non-data component format (for example, binary data), the information can be exchanged in the same manner as described above by temporarily converting it to a data component format. .

(6) The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for providing application services such as various application software, a terminal device for receiving application services from the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus and the terminal device. In a distributed network computing system comprising a communication network for connecting networks, an information exchange device is provided in network connection means for interconnecting networks.

This information exchange apparatus comprises: an analyzing means for analyzing service information described in a structured document format such as HTML; a terminal attribute information managing means for managing terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device. A communication infrastructure information management unit that manages communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network, and acquires terminal attribute information of a terminal device that is a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management unit,
Obtain communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management means, and specify the service information analyzed by the analysis means based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information. It comprises a conversion unit for converting the service information into a format, and a communication unit for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion unit via the communication network.

According to such a configuration, when a plurality of types of terminal devices and a plurality of types of communication networks are present on the network, the service information provided by the information processing apparatus is used for the processing capability of each terminal device and each communication device. Information is exchanged in a format appropriate for the network. The information exchange in this case is to change the format of certain information according to the processing capability of a terminal device as a communication partner and the communication capability of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected. As a result, a terminal device (such as a PDA) that is excellent in portability, but relatively inferior in information processing capability (calculation capability) and screen display / user interface providing capability compared to other terminal devices (such as a PC). ) Can be used to construct a distributed network computing system, and the terminal can receive services similar to those of other terminal devices, even if the format changes.

Further, even in a system in which various types of communication infrastructures are mixed, it is possible to absorb a relative difference in the data transmission speed / amount / quality of the communication infrastructures. , It is possible to receive services similar to those of other terminal devices.

In particular, by performing such information exchange by network connection means (such as a circuit switch or a router), information can be exchanged in a final format near the terminal equipment of the user. That is, when a network is formed from each subnetwork, information can be exchanged in a format suitable for the subnetwork.

Further, if the service information is HTML or OLE
When described in data component format such as
By analyzing the service information and examining the type of each component constituting the document and its data size, it is possible to exchange information according to the terminal attribute for each component data.

In this case, even if the service information provided as an applied service is in a non-data component format (for example, binary data), the information can be exchanged in the same manner as described above by temporarily converting it to a data component format. .

(7) The present invention provides a first information processing apparatus for providing an application service, a terminal device for receiving the application service from the first information processing apparatus, the first information processing apparatus and the first information processing apparatus. In a distributed network computing system comprising a communication network connecting a terminal device, a processing capability of the terminal device is provided to a second information processing device connected to the communication network separately from the first information processing device. The terminal attribute information management means for managing the terminal attribute information shown is provided.

The first information processing apparatus is, for example, an HTM
And a terminal attribute information managing means from among one or a plurality of second information processing apparatuses, the analyzing means for analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format such as L. Searching means for searching for an information processing apparatus, and for the second information processing apparatus searched by the searching means, acquiring terminal attribute information of a terminal device as a communication partner from the terminal attribute information managing means, Conversion means for converting service information provided as a service into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information; and communication means for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion means via the communication network. It is composed.

According to such a configuration, when a plurality of types of terminal devices are present on the network, the service information provided by the first information processing apparatus (the main server computer for performing the applied service) is transmitted to each terminal. Information is exchanged according to the processing capacity of the device. The information exchange in this case is to change the format of certain information in accordance with the processing capability of the terminal device as the communication partner. For example, when transmitting image information (image), if the partner terminal device does not have image processing capability, the image information is converted into symbol information and transmitted.

As a result, the terminal device is excellent in portability, but relatively inferior in information processing capability (computation capability) and screen display / user interface providing capability as compared with other terminal devices (PC, etc.). (PDA (personal digital a
ssistants)) can be used to construct a distributed network computing system, and the terminal can receive the same services as other terminal devices, even if the format changes.

Further, by distributing the function of managing terminal attribute information required for information exchange to the second information processing device (sub server computer), the processing load on the first information processing device can be reduced. And a system resistant to obstacles can be realized. Moreover, when a line error occurs in data transfer, the type of the error is determined,
Since the service information is retransmitted based on the error type, the reliability of data transfer can be improved.

Also, if the service information is HTML or OLE
When described in data component format such as
By analyzing the service information and examining the type of each component constituting the document and its data size, it is possible to exchange information according to the terminal attribute for each component data.

In this case, even if the service information provided as an applied service is in a non-data component format (for example, binary data), the information can be exchanged in the same manner as described above by temporarily converting it to a data component format. .

(8) The present invention provides a first information processing apparatus that provides an application service, a terminal device that receives the provision of the application service from the first information processing apparatus, the first information processing apparatus, In a distributed network computing system including a communication network connecting terminal devices, a communication capability of the communication network is provided to a second information processing device connected to the communication network separately from the first information processing device. Communication infrastructure information management means for managing the indicated communication infrastructure information.

The first information processing apparatus is, for example, an HTM
L for analyzing service information described in a structured document format, and one or a plurality of second information processing apparatuses for searching for a second information processing apparatus having the communication infrastructure information managing means. And a second information processing apparatus searched by the search means.
A conversion unit that obtains communication infrastructure information of a terminal device that is a communication partner from the communication infrastructure information management unit, and converts the service information analyzed by the analysis unit into a specific format based on the communication infrastructure information; Communication means for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion means via the communication network.

According to such a configuration, when a plurality of types of communication networks are mixed on the network, the service information provided by the first information processing apparatus (the main server computer that performs the application service) is transmitted to each communication network. Information is exchanged in a format corresponding to the communication capability of the network. The information exchange in this case is to change the format of certain information in accordance with the communication capability of the communication network to which the terminal device as the communication partner is connected. For example, if the data transmission capacity of the communication network is high, the data is sent after being compressed or encrypted.If the data transmission capacity is low, binary data is converted to text data, or format information such as centering is changed to blank characters. Change the transmission data size by, for example, ignoring font information, and then send. When the data transmission capacity is low, the data may be compressed and sent if the terminal has a suitable arithmetic capacity.

As a result, even in a system in which various types of communication infrastructures coexist, it is possible to absorb the relative differences in data transmission speed / amount / quality of the communication infrastructures. Can also receive services similar to those of other terminal devices.

Further, by distributing the management function of the communication infrastructure information required for information exchange in the second information processing device (sub server computer), the processing load on the first information processing device can be reduced. And a system resistant to obstacles can be realized.

Further, if the service information is HTML or OLE
When described in data component format such as
By analyzing the service information and examining the type of each component constituting the document and its data size, it is possible to exchange information according to the terminal attribute for each component data.

In this case, even if the service information provided as an application service is in a non-data component format (for example, binary data), the information can be exchanged in the same manner as described above by temporarily converting it to a data component format. .

(9) The present invention provides a first information processing apparatus for providing an application service, a terminal device for receiving the application service from the first information processing apparatus, the first information processing apparatus, In a distributed network computing system comprising a communication network connecting a terminal device, a processing capability of the terminal device is provided to a second information processing device connected to the communication network separately from the first information processing device. Terminal attribute information management means for managing terminal attribute information shown in FIG. 1 and communication infrastructure information management means for managing communication infrastructure information indicating communication capability of the communication network.

The first information processing apparatus is, for example, an HTM
L, an analyzing means for analyzing service information described in a structured document format such as L, and a terminal attribute information managing means and a communication infrastructure information managing means among one or a plurality of second information processing apparatuses. Search means for searching for the second information processing apparatus, and for the second information processing apparatus searched by the search means, obtains the terminal attribute information of the terminal device to be a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management means. Acquires communication infrastructure information of a terminal device that is a communication partner from the communication infrastructure information management unit, and converts the service information analyzed by the analysis unit into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information. Conversion means for converting, and communication means for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion means via the communication network. And configured.

According to such a configuration, when a plurality of types of terminal devices and a plurality of types of communication networks exist on a network, service information provided by an information processing apparatus (a main server computer for performing an applied service) is provided. Is exchanged in a format corresponding to the processing capacity of each terminal device and each communication network. The information exchange in this case is to change the format of certain information according to the processing capability of a terminal device as a communication partner and the communication capability of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected.

As a result, a terminal device which is excellent in portability, but is relatively inferior in information processing capability (computation capability) and screen display / user interface providing capability as compared with other terminal devices (PC, etc.). (PDA or the like) can be used to construct a distributed network computing system, and the terminal can receive the same services as other terminal devices, even if the format changes.

Further, even in a system in which various communication infrastructures coexist, the data transmission speed / amount /
Relative differences in quality and the like can be absorbed, and the terminal can receive the same service as other terminal devices even if the format changes.

Further, the function of managing terminal attribute information and the function of managing communication infrastructure information required for information exchange are distributed and provided to the second information processing apparatus (sub server computer). Can be reduced, and a system resistant to failure can be realized.

Further, if the service information is HTML or OLE
When described in data component format such as
By analyzing the service information and examining the type of each component constituting the document and its data size, it is possible to exchange information according to the terminal attribute for each component data.

In this case, even if the service information provided as an applied service is in a non-data component format (for example, binary data), the information can be exchanged in the same manner as described above by temporarily converting it to a data component format. .

[0088]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a distributed network computing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a server computer, which comprises a general-purpose computer having a high processing capability.

The server computer 1 is installed in an office, has an application service unit 20, and provides various application services (application software) such as an inventory management service to each terminal device. The service provided by the application service unit 20 can use an image reader 43 and a printer 42 described later as input / output devices.

The server computer 1 has a public network 30 and a wired L
AN (Local Area Network) 40,
Three types of communication networks having different communication capabilities such as a wireless LAN 50 (hereinafter referred to as communication infrastructure) are connected.

In the public network 30, a portable information terminal 31, a portable telephone 32, a pager (pager: pager) 3
3. A facsimile machine (FAX) 34 is connected. The public network 30 includes an analog communication network and a digital communication network. The analog communication network generally has a lower data transmission amount and reliability than a digital communication network.

The portable information terminal 31 is connected to the server computer 1 via a mobile communication network included in the public network 30. The mobile communication has not only low data transmission amount but also poor quality such as line disconnection due to movement characteristics and occurrence of errors during data transmission.

In this embodiment, the portable information terminal 3
Reference numeral 1 denotes an information device that emphasizes portability, has a low screen size / control function, and can use only text information. It is also assumed that the processing capability of the CPU is lower than that of a personal computer (PC), and the CPU does not hold an external storage device. Note that a configuration having a slot such as a flash memory or a PC card as an external storage,
And the like having an IO port to which an external storage can be connected.

A personal computer (PC) 41, a printer 42, and an image reader 43 are connected to the wired LAN 40.
Is connected. In general, the wired LAN 40 has a larger transmission data amount and a stable line quality as compared with wireless communication such as a mobile phone service. At present, distributed network application services for general offices are often designed for the wired LAN 40.

The printer 42 and the image reader 43 are installed as output devices / input devices in an office building. For example, in the inventory management service, the image reader 43
Reads the inventory slip and stores the data in the wired LAN 40
Is sent to the server computer 1 via the server 42, and the totalized result is output by the printer 42.

A portable PC 51 is connected to the wireless LAN 50. Although the communication capabilities of the wireless LAN 50 and the wired LAN 40 are comparable, the processing capability of the portable PC 51 connected to the wireless LAN 50 is inferior to the processing capability of the PC 41 connected to the wired LAN 40.

Although not shown, a server computer other than the server computer 1 is also connected to the network environment.

As described above, in the network environment, there is a difference in the processing capability of each terminal device and a difference in the communication capability of the communication infrastructure.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the server computer 1
Is provided with an information exchange device 10 to absorb / adjust attributes of various terminal devices and communication infrastructure (difference in information processing capability, difference in communication capability) existing on the network.

The information exchange apparatus 10 includes an information exchange processing unit 11, a terminal information management unit 12, an application service user interface information management unit 13, and a user information management unit 1.
4. It comprises a communication infrastructure information management unit 15.

Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit of the information exchange apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the information exchange processing unit 11. The information exchange processing unit 11
It is responsible for a series of processes for exchanging information as applied services into other information in accordance with the attributes of each terminal device and communication infrastructure.

The information exchange processing section 11 includes an information exchange apparatus internal communication interface section 111, a terminal type determination section 112, an information exchange execution section 113, a server user data information management section 114, a compression / encryption processing section 115, The switching device external communication interface unit 116 includes a retransmission management unit (not shown), a data change management unit, a data change management unit, a priority management unit, and a terminal monitoring unit.

The information exchange device internal communication interface unit 111 of the information exchange process unit 11
This is an interface for performing communication with other components in 0.

The terminal type determining unit 112 determines what type of terminal equipment of the user (for example, a large-screen desktop PC,
(Such as a portable small-screen subnotebook PC, a portable information terminal, etc.).

The information exchange execution unit 113 executes an actual information exchange process (decomposition, search, extraction, and reprocessing of information).
The server user data information management unit 114 manages user data information registered in the server computer 1.

When communication is performed from the inside of the information exchange apparatus 10 to the outside, the compression / encryption processing unit 115 performs compression and encryption processing of the communication data as necessary. The information exchange device external communication interface unit 116 is an interface for performing communication from the information exchange device 10 to the outside.

A retransmission management unit (not shown), together with a retransmission processing / line disconnection correspondence unit 153 described later, controls data retransmission when data transfer / transmission to the terminal fails. That is, the retransmission management unit controls the retransmission interval after a few minutes when the destination terminal is using the line (during communication),
In the case of retransmission processing due to packet loss due to packet communication, the information exchange execution unit 113 and the compression / encryption processing unit 11
5, the data size is reduced by information exchange (re-processing, etc.) / Data compression under the control of 5 to shorten the data transfer time. Further, when there is a change in the data managed and stored in the server computer 1, the data change management unit (not shown) notifies the terminal device related to the data that the data has been changed, and It is responsible for the function of taking corresponding measures. The data update management unit includes the information exchange device internal communication interface unit 1
11 and data updating information such as document data / user data and management data stored in the server computer 1 using a structured language, and replacement data of image data with symbol information, and the compression / encryption processing unit 115. Control processing is performed for data transfer to the outside. The priority management unit
A priority / urgency of communication data is determined, and a communication data transmission method is managed and controlled based on the determination result. In addition, the information exchange processing unit 11 is provided with a terminal monitoring unit having a function of coping with continuous provision of service even if a problem occurs on the terminal side by monitoring the state of the terminal. Have been.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the terminal information management unit 12.

The terminal information management unit 12 manages attribute information indicating processing capability such as CPU capability, display capability, and memory capacity for each terminal device connected to the server computer 1. The terminal information management unit 12 includes an information exchange device internal communication interface unit 121, a terminal attribute negotiation unit 122, and a terminal attribute information management execution unit 123.

Information exchange device internal communication interface unit 1
Reference numeral 21 denotes an interface for communicating with other components in the information exchange device 10. Terminal attribute negotiation unit 122
Is an interface when the terminal information management unit 12 performs various exchanges / negotiations on terminal attributes with terminal devices. The terminal attribute information management execution unit 123 is an interface that manages / operates a terminal attribute table in which terminal attribute information for each terminal device is registered.

FIG. 4 shows a user interface information management unit 1.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the third embodiment.

When the user uses the application service,
The operation method such as operating an icon, operating a button, or inputting a command on a terminal device differs for each terminal device.

The user interface information management section 13
It manages user interface information indicating an operation method unique to each terminal device when performing such an applied service. The user interface information management unit 13 includes an information exchange device internal communication interface unit 131 and an application service interface table management unit 132.

Information exchange device internal communication interface unit 1
Reference numeral 31 denotes an interface for communicating with other components in the information exchange device 10. The application service interface table management unit 132 manages information on a user interface for each application service.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the user information management unit 14.

For example, taking a screen display as an example, when a user uses an applied service, there are various preferences depending on the user, such as arbitrarily moving a display such as a graph on a terminal device to an easily viewable position.

The user information management unit 14 manages user information indicating an operation method unique to each user, including a screen display preference when using such an application service. The user information management unit 14 includes an information exchange device internal communication interface unit 141, a user information table management unit 142, and a user authentication unit 143.

Information exchange device internal communication interface unit 1
Reference numeral 41 denotes an interface for communicating with other components in the information exchange device 10. The user information table management unit 142 manages user names and related information such as users and terminal names / addresses / communications infrastructure types. The user authentication unit 143 operates when the information exchange device 10 requires user authentication.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the communication infrastructure information management unit 15.

The communication infrastructure information management unit 15 manages attribute information indicating the communication capability of each communication network, such as data transmission speed, transmission amount, and quality. The communication infrastructure information management unit 15 includes an information exchange device internal communication interface unit 15.
1, a communication infrastructure feature management unit 152 and a retransmission processing / line disconnection correspondence management unit 153.

Information exchange device internal communication interface unit 1
Reference numeral 51 denotes an interface for communicating with other components in the information exchange device 10. The communication infrastructure feature management unit 152 manages feature information such as transmission quality and transmission speed as a communication infrastructure. The retransmission processing / line disconnection correspondence management unit 153 implements retransmission processing and a processing function at the time of line disconnection according to the communication infrastructure used by the user.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

First, the processing operation of a general application service when the information exchange apparatus 10 is not used will be described with reference to an inventory management service as an example.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of a general application service.

The server computer 1 receives an input from the image reader 43 via the wired LAN 40, and transfers information such as a stock slip to the application service unit 20 (step A11).

In the server computer 1, the application service unit 20 extracts the required stock amount from the slip information read by the image reader 43, for example, the PC 41
The contents are displayed on the display screen of the PC 41 for the user who uses the PC (step A12).

With this display, the user can access the server computer 1
The information processing such as updating the stock amount to the latest information is performed using the PC 41 connected to the PC (step A13).

The application service unit 20, which has received the correction information from the user, outputs a new inventory slip reflecting the result to the printer 42 (step A14).

As a result, the user can obtain a new inventory slip from the output result of the printer 42.

In such a general application service, it is assumed that the user can use the PC 41, the printer 42, and the image reader 43 at hand. In the example of FIG.
The C41, the printer 42, and the image reader 43 are connected to the server computer 1 via a wired LAN 40 in the office.

Next, a case where an application service is provided to a user who uses the portable information terminal 31 or the portable PC 51 outside the office will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of an applied service when the information exchange apparatus 10 is used.
The information exchange device 10 is installed in the server computer 1 at an external interface of the application service unit 20.

First, the information exchange apparatus 10 receives information on a terminal device to be transmitted from the application service unit 20 (step B11).

In this case, if the terminal device of the transmission destination is the PC 41 in the office, the information exchange device 10 is not required (to “not use” in step B12), and the server computer 1 has been described with reference to FIG. Normal processing is executed (step B13).

On the other hand, when the transmission destination is the portable information terminal 31 or the portable PC 51 outside the office, the information exchange device 1
The routine enters the routine for executing the information exchange process using 0 (to "use" in step B12).

The information exchange device 10 acquires the terminal attribute information of the terminal device from the terminal information management unit 12 (step B).
14), information exchange (information exchange processing, terminal attribute absorption processing) of the information passed from the application service unit 20 based on the terminal attribute information (steps B15 and B16).

The information exchange in this case refers to absorbing / adjusting terminal attributes by changing the format of certain information in accordance with the processing capability of the terminal device.

For example, when sending image information (image),
If the terminal device of the other party has no image processing capability, the image information is converted into symbol information and transmitted.

As a result, the terminal can receive the same service as other terminal devices, even if the format changes.

When the information exchange according to the terminal attributes is performed in this way, the information exchange device 10 sends the converted information as service information to the terminal device (step B17).

Here, reading of the terminal attribute from the terminal attribute information management section 12 will be described. The terminal attributes include, for example, screen size, screen control information, types of data that can be displayed on the screen, and the like.

There are two methods for reading terminal attributes: (A) having a terminal attribute table in the terminal information management unit 12 and (B) obtaining terminal attribute information from a terminal device.

In the present embodiment, the former method (A) is used when the terminal device is the portable information terminal 31. The latter method (B) is used when the terminal device is the portable PC 51. The selection of (A) / (B) is performed by the user information management unit 14, the correspondence between the user name, the terminal address, and the communication infrastructure is obtained from the user information table management unit 142, and the terminal attribute management execution unit 123 determines. I do. Terminal side CP
If the U capability is sufficient and the quality of the communication line is high,
The latter (B) method of negotiating terminal attributes with the terminal side is adopted.

In the method (B), a protocol for determining terminal attributes is determined between the terminal and the server (information exchange device 10). FIG. 9 shows the concept of the protocol sequence.

As shown in this protocol sequence,
The terminal and server (the information exchange device 1) can control the terminal's control code system (line feed code, tab, etc.), bitmap, screen size, available font type (including supported languages), etc.
Confirm each other between 0).

Next, a method of information exchange will be described.

The information exchange is performed when the terminal has no display capability, when the information transmission capability of the communication infrastructure is poor, and when the server needs to perform quantitative / qualitative conversion of the information.

Specifically, the information exchange includes “conversion from binary data to text data”, “conversion from image information to symbol information”, “conversion from icon data to symbol information”, and “conversion from audio information”. Conversion to text information "and" Conversion from color image to monochrome image ".

The conversion of binary data into text data will be described. For example, in document creation application software used in a PC or the like, that is, word processing software, created document data is stored as binary data. Often. This is because it is necessary to save not only text data but also various attached information such as a document format and font.

However, generally, this binary data is
The data size is larger than simple text data.
Further, in order to display the binary data, the terminal side needs not only a text display capability but also various image display capabilities.

Further, since the screen size on the terminal side is often designed to be small with emphasis on portability, it is often necessary to display the document data after processing it on the server side. To deal with such a problem, information exchange is effective. That is, the binary data is converted to text data and sent to the terminal device. As a result, the terminal can perform processing according to its own processing capability.

FIG. 10 shows the information exchange processing operation at this time.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of information exchange according to a terminal attribute. If word processing software is taken as an example of an applied service, the information exchange apparatus 10 first searches the location of document data in the server user data information management unit 114, and the document data is stored in any format. Is checked (step C11). As a result, if the document data is binary data (Yes in step C12), the information exchange device 113 uses the information exchange execution unit 113 to develop the binary document data into parts for each element such as text, format, font, etc. (Step C13).

Then, necessary information is searched and extracted from each component element (steps C14 and C1).
5) Reprocess the information into an information format adapted to the terminal screen (step C16).

[0157] The reprocessed information, that is, service information of word processing software exchanged in accordance with the terminal, is provided to the terminal device by the information exchange device external communication interface unit 116.

The same applies to other information exchanges. For example, if the terminal has no image processing capability, the image part is converted into symbol text information or the icon is converted into symbol text information. Further, if the terminal does not have the voice processing capability, the voice information is converted into text information and transmitted, so that a service corresponding to each processing capability can be provided.

As described above, when a plurality of types of terminal devices are present on the network, service information provided as an applied service is exchanged and transmitted in a format that matches the processing capability of each terminal device. Use a terminal device (PDA, etc.) that has excellent portability, but is relatively inferior to other terminal devices (PCs, etc.) in information processing ability (computing ability) and screen display / user interface providing ability. Thus, a distributed network computing system can be constructed, and the terminal can receive services similar to those of other terminal devices, even if the format changes.

[0160] Such information exchange may be performed in accordance with the operation method of each terminal device, independently of the processing capability of the terminal device itself.

That is, when the user uses the application service, the operation method such as operating an icon, operating a button, or inputting a command on the terminal device differs for each terminal device.

Such an operation method for each terminal device is registered in advance in the user interface information management section 13 as user interface information, and information exchange is performed for each terminal device based on the user interface information. If this is the case, the service can always be provided by an operation method corresponding to each terminal device.

Information exchange may be performed according to the preference of the user who handles the terminal device.

That is, when the user uses the application service, the user prefers the display position depending on the user, such as moving the graph relation to the center on the terminal device or viewing the text at the same position. come.

Such screen display preferences (screen display preference information) are registered in advance in the user information management unit 14 as user information, and information exchange is performed for each user based on the user information. By doing so, the service can always be provided at the display position according to the user's preference.

Next, a case where information is exchanged according to the communication infrastructure will be described.

The information exchange device 10 includes a communication infrastructure feature management unit 152 in the communication infrastructure information management unit 15 and a user information table management unit 142 in the user information management unit 14.
As a result, information on the communication infrastructure used by terminal users is grasped. In addition, data retransmission control is performed based on the information.

FIG. 11 shows the information exchange processing operation at this time.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of information exchange according to the communication infrastructure. For example, when the user uses the portable PC 51, it can be determined that the CPU capability as the terminal device is high (No in step D11).

At this time, if the data transmission capacity as the communication infrastructure is high (No in step D16), the information exchange process 11 of the information exchange apparatus 10 uses the compression / encryption processing unit 115 to compress the data as necessary. The data is transmitted after performing encryption and encryption (step D17). Also,
If the data transmission capacity as the communication infrastructure is low (Yes in step D16), for example, information exchange processing such as converting binary data to text data, changing format information such as centering to blank characters, and ignoring font information. (Step D18) to reduce the transmission data size before transmitting the data.

On the other hand, the portable information terminal 31 having a low CPU capability
Is used (Yes in step D11),
Regardless of the communication infrastructure, the information exchange processing is performed in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 10 (steps D12 to D1).
5).

As described above, first, the processing capability of the terminal device is checked, and if the processing capability is high, the communication capability of the communication infrastructure is next checked, and information exchange is performed according to the communication capability. On the other hand, when the processing capability of the terminal device is low, the information exchange is performed according to the processing capability of the terminal device because the terminal device cannot cope with the communication capability of the communication infrastructure, no matter how high the communication capability.

As a result, even in a system in which various types of communication infrastructures coexist, it is possible to absorb / adjust the relative differences in the data transmission speed / amount / quality of the communication infrastructures. Can also receive services similar to those of other terminal devices.

In this embodiment, the terminal device is P
Although the description assumes C, a portable PC, a portable information terminal, a pager, a FAX, a mobile phone, a printer, and the like, other server computers connected to a network may be used.
Further, in the above information exchange method, the program information in which the processing method is described may be stored in a storage medium operated by the server computer 1.

Next, a case where data is encrypted will be described.

When an application service is used outside the office, it is important to encrypt and transmit the data in order to secure the security of the application service. In this case, since the terminal needs to have the ability to decrypt the encrypted data, the encrypted data cannot be sent to all terminal devices. In addition, when data is encrypted, the amount of data usually increases, so that the data transmission capacity of the communication infrastructure must be high.

The processing operation at this time is shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when data is encrypted. Application Service Department 20
When providing the application service of the application software by the information exchange device 10, the information exchange device 10
The attribute information of the terminal device to be a communication partner is obtained from the device (step E11), and the processing capability of the terminal device is determined based on the attribute information (step E12).

As a result, it is found that the processing ability is high and the ability to decrypt the encrypted data is found (step E1).
2), the information exchange apparatus 10 next acquires communication infrastructure information to which the terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management unit 15 (step E13), and determines the communication capability based on the communication infrastructure information. (Step E1
4).

If the communication capability is high (step E
14), the information exchange apparatus 10 encrypts the information of the application service in the information exchange processing unit 11 (step E15), and then transmits the encrypted service information to the terminal device (step E15). E16).

As a result, the terminal uses the service after decrypting the encrypted data.

On the other hand, when the processing capability of the terminal device is low and the terminal device does not have the capability to decrypt the encrypted data (step E12).
No), the information exchange apparatus 10 transmits the information of the application service without encrypting the information (step E17) (step E16).

At this time, a message to the effect that encryption has not been performed may be notified to the user. Alternatively, if there is no ability to decrypt the encrypted data (No in step E12), the terminal device side user is asked to determine whether or not to transmit before transmitting the data as it is, as described above. Transmission processing may be performed according to the answer result.

Also, even if the terminal device has a processing capability, but the communication capability of the communication network to which the terminal device is connected is low (No in step E14), the information exchange apparatus 10 transmits the information of the application service. Is transmitted without encryption (step E17) (step E16).
Alternatively, when the communication capacity of the communication network is low (step E1).
No. 4), similar to the above, before the transmission as it is, the terminal device side user may be asked to determine whether or not the transmission may be performed, and the transmission processing may be performed based on the response result.

In the encryption process, even if the terminal device has a level of capability capable of coping with the encryption process,
The necessity of encryption may be selectable by the user.

Furthermore, there are various levels of data encryption, from simple scrambling to advanced encryption processing, and the load on terminal equipment and communication infrastructure also varies. Therefore, the encryption level can be appropriately changed according to the processing capability of the terminal device or the communication capability of the communication infrastructure.

As described above, by providing the data encryption function, security can be ensured even when an application service is received outside the office. In this case, it is determined from the terminal attributes and the attributes of the communication infrastructure what kind of encryption is possible and what amount of encrypted data can be transmitted by the used communication infrastructure, and the appropriate Encryption can be performed.

Next, a case where data compression is performed will be described.

Data compression is an effective means for transmitting information having a large data amount such as image data. In this case as well, similar to the data encryption described above, the terminal needs to have the ability to decompress and process the compressed data. As for the communication infrastructure, since the compressed data can be sent as long as it takes time, the communication capability of the communication infrastructure does not matter here.

FIG. 13 shows the processing operation at this time. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when data compression is performed.

When providing the application service by the application service unit 20, the information exchange apparatus 10 first obtains the attribute information of the terminal device as the communication partner from the terminal information management unit 12 (step F11), and based on the attribute information, To determine the processing capability of the terminal device (step F12).

As a result, it is found that the processing capacity is high and the capacity to decode the compressed data is found (step F1).
2), the information exchange apparatus 10 compresses the information of the application service in the information exchange processing unit 11 (step F13), and then transmits the compressed service information to the terminal device (step F13). F14). This allows
The terminal uses the service after decompressing the compressed data.

On the other hand, if the processing capability of the terminal device is low and there is no capability to expand the compressed data (step F12).
No), the information exchange apparatus 10 transmits the information of the application service without compression (step F15), as it is (step F14). At this time, a message to the effect that compression has not been performed may be notified to the user.

By providing the function of data compression as described above, data transmission can be performed efficiently.
In this case, it is possible to determine what kind of data compression is possible from the terminal attributes and perform appropriate compression.

In the example of FIG. 13, whether or not data compression is possible is determined only by the processing capability of the terminal device. However, the data compression is performed including the communication capability of the communication network to which the terminal device is connected. It may be determined whether or not is possible.

Further, the level of compression can be appropriately changed according to the processing capability of the terminal device and the communication capability of the communication infrastructure.

Next, a case where an application service is used using an input / output device will be described.

The input / output devices referred to here are devices other than a computer, and in the example of FIG. 1, are a mobile phone 32, a pager (pager) 33, a FAX 34, a printer 42, and an image reader 43.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when using an application service using an input / output device. Upon receiving a signal from the user indicating that the application service is to be used (step G11), the information exchange apparatus 10
After performing user authentication of the user through the user information management unit 14 (step G12), the type of device used by the user is determined (step G13).

Here, if the user uses the input / output device (Yes in step G13), the information exchange apparatus 10 performs an information exchange process according to the input / output device (step G14), and the information exchange is performed. The subsequent service information is transmitted (step G15).

More specifically, if the input / output device is the mobile phone 32, the information exchange device 10 uses a voice processing function,
For example, text data is converted to voice data, and a service is provided as a voice message.

In the case of the pager 33, the message data is converted into message data of a predetermined number of characters, and the message data is transmitted.
In the case of 34, the service is provided within a specific limited range corresponding to each input / output device, such as transmitting text data after converting it into image data.

On the other hand, if the user is not an input / output device but a terminal device having CPU processing capability (No in step G13), the information exchange apparatus 10 executes a normal application service (step G13). Step G16). That is, services are provided by exchanging information according to the processing capacity of each terminal device.

As described above, by exchanging information according to the input / output devices, even when the user uses a facsimile or the like, it is possible to provide an applied service according to the information.

It is also possible to exchange service information from the server by matching the attributes of the input / output devices and the attributes of the communication infrastructure.

Hereinafter, a case where service information provided as an applied service is described in a structured language such as HTML (hyper text markup language) or SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) will be described. Note that HTML is a structured language (tag language) used in the WWW (world wide web), which is currently widely used on the Internet. SGML is C
ALS (Continuous Acquisition and Lifecycle Suppo
rt) is a structured language that is expected to spread in the future along with the spread of rt).

In general, as one of the management of document data including multimedia data, a technique using a structured document is considered. In this case, each component (text data, image data, moving image data, program, etc.) constituting the document data is managed by a tag, and a browsing device (browser) displays the document data on a screen based on the tag. Will be displayed. Therefore, when providing the service information described in the structured document format, if the server analyzes the tag, it is possible to know what kind of component of the document data provided as the service information is. it can.

Therefore, before actually transferring the data, the structured document is analyzed based on the tag information, and the attribute information such as the data size and additional information of each component (information that cannot be displayed only with the tag information) is grasped. At the same time, an information exchange device for grasping the format corresponding to the attributes of the terminal device and the communication infrastructure is mounted on the server side. In this case, a tag for information exchange is inserted into the structured document generated from the information exchange device.

As described above, by performing data management in the structured document format, data management is facilitated.
Analysis of document parts becomes easy even in information exchange work. Also,
If an information exchange device is constructed based on a widely used structured language rule such as HTML, the widespread WW
Changes and effects on the W system can be minimized.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the entire system including application services when a structured document is assumed.

In the figure, reference numeral 61 denotes a structured document management unit which manages service information provided as application services such as various application software in a structured document format.
This structured document management unit 61 is a part of the application service unit 2 shown in FIG.
0 is provided. Although the application service unit 20 manages service information described in a structured document format in advance, the service information may be in an unstructured document format as described later. (See FIG. 20).

[0212] Reference numeral 62 denotes an information exchanging unit, which exchanges information according to terminal attributes, communication infrastructure attributes, and the like. This information exchange unit 62 corresponds to the information exchange device 10 in FIG. 63
Denotes a network unit, which indicates various communication networks connecting the server and the terminal. The network unit 63 corresponds to the public network 30, the wired LAN 40, and the wireless LAN 50 in FIG. 6
Reference numerals 4a to 64c denote terminal devices which receive services from the server, such as PCs (personal computers),
(Network computer), PDA (personal digital ass)
istants).

[0213] These terminal devices 64a to 64c have different communication infrastructures and different processing capacities. In FIG. 1, the portable information terminal 31, the PC 41, and the portable P
It corresponds to C51.

In such a configuration, application services such as various application software are managed by the structured document management unit 61 in a structured document format (for example, an HTML document). Here, an example of the structured document is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 16, a tag 66 indicates that text data comes after that. Tag 6
Reference numeral 7 denotes document format information, which defines centering (center alignment). A tag 68 indicates font information. Here, a font having a large size is defined. The tag 69 indicates image information.

The information exchange section 62 analyzes this structured document, and checks the type of each component constituting the document and its data size based on the tag information inserted in the document. When transmitting each component data, the processing capability of the terminal device and the communication capability of the communication infrastructure are checked, and information is exchanged according to the capability.

For example, when it is determined that the data transmission capacity of the communication infrastructure is low, the transmission data is reduced by information exchange (or data compression) for a document part having a large data amount.

If it is determined from the terminal attributes that the terminal device serving as the communication partner does not have a document display capability (in the case of a terminal not equipped with a browser), the information is displayed in a format that can be displayed on the terminal side. Exchange and send data.

Further, at the time of information exchange, data is changed so that the display style of the document is matched according to the user's preference (information exchange processing based on user information).

Next, a specific processing operation will be described.

Here, the operation in the case where the service information in the structured document format is managed by the application service unit 20 will be described. However, the service information in the unstructured document format is managed by the application service unit 20. Such a case will be described later with reference to FIG.

First, the processing according to the terminal attributes will be described.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing operation according to a terminal attribute when a structured document is used.

In FIG. 1, an application service section 20 in the server computer 1 manages service information described in a structured document format. When a certain terminal device issues a document request instruction (service request instruction) to the server computer 1, service information described in a structured document format is passed from the application service unit 20 to the information exchange device 10. Thereby, the information exchange apparatus 10 executes the following information exchange processing.

That is, the information exchange device 10 first analyzes the structured document constituting the service information (step H11).

In this case, in the structured document, each component is defined by a syntax defined including the tag information, and the information exchange apparatus 10 performs the following operations based on the tag information.
The type of each component constituting the document and its data size are checked (step H12). This is to find out, for example, where and how much image information is located and where and how much is the program.

A series of processes such as disassembly, retrieval, and extraction of parts by document analysis and information exchange described later are performed by the information exchange execution unit 113 (FIG. 2) in the information exchange processing unit 11.

After analyzing the structured document, the information exchange apparatus 10 acquires the attribute information of the terminal device as the communication partner from the terminal information management unit 12, and checks the processing capability (step H1).
3). As a result, if it is determined that the processing capacity of the terminal is low and the terminal does not have the ability to display the structured document, the information exchange apparatus 10 displays each component data of the structured document in a format that can be displayed by the terminal. (Step H14).

That is, in the case of a terminal device having a low screen control function (a terminal having no browser function), for example, when the information provided as service information is image information, particularly moving image information, the information is represented by symbol information (image information). To something that is simply shown in some form).

In the case of the format information of the document, the format information is changed to a blank character or a line feed and sent. In the case of the character type, the format is ignored because the terminal cannot handle it.

Further, “Java” and “Active”
A program such as X "which operates on the client (terminal) side is ignored because the terminal cannot handle it, and a message indicating that the program cannot be handled is notified at that time.

When information exchange according to the processing capability of the terminal device is performed as described above, the information exchange device 10 transmits the service information after the information exchange via the communication network to which the terminal device is connected. (Step H15). As a result, for example, even when a terminal device having no ability to display a structured document is used, the service information can be provided in a format suitable for the terminal.

Next, processing according to the attribute of the communication infrastructure will be described.

In information exchange based on the attribute of the communication infrastructure, only the data size of each component is important.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing operation according to the attribute of the communication infrastructure when a structured document is used.

In FIG. 1, the application service section 20 in the server computer 1 manages service information described in a structured document format. When a certain terminal device issues a document request instruction (service request instruction) to the server computer 1, service information described in a structured document format is passed from the application service unit 20 to the information exchange device 10. Thereby, the information exchange apparatus 10 executes the following information exchange processing.

That is, the information exchange device 10 first analyzes the structured document constituting the service information (step I11). In this case, in the structured document, each component is defined by a syntax prescribed including the tag information. Based on the tag information, the information exchange device 10 determines the type of each component constituting the document and its data. The size is checked (step I12). This is to find out, for example, where and how much image information is located and where and how much is the program.

A series of processes such as disassembly, search, extraction, and information exchange to be described later are performed by the information exchange execution unit 113 (FIG. 2) in the information exchange processing unit 11.

After the analysis of the structured document, the information exchange apparatus 10 acquires from the communication infrastructure information management unit 15 the attribute information of the communication infrastructure to which the terminal device as the communication partner is connected,
The communication capability is checked (step I13). as a result,
If it is determined that the data transmission capability of the communication infrastructure is low, the information exchange device 10 converts each component data of the structured document into a format that matches the data transmission capability of the communication infrastructure (step H14).

That is, for example, PHS (personal handyphon)
e system) In the case of a communication infrastructure with a low data transmission capacity such as a data communication network, for example, when the information provided as service information is image information, particularly moving image information, the amount of information is reduced by dropping frames. Send in reduced form.

When information exchange according to the data transmission capacity of the communication infrastructure is performed in this manner, the information exchange device 1
No. 0 transmits the service information after the information exchange via the communication network to which the terminal device is connected (step I15).

Thus, for example, even when a communication infrastructure having a low data transmission capability is used, service information can be provided in a format suitable for the communication infrastructure.

Next, processing according to the terminal attribute and the attribute of the communication infrastructure will be described.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a processing operation according to a terminal attribute and a communication infrastructure attribute when a structured document is used.

In FIG. 1, service information described in a structured document format is managed in an application service unit 20 in the server computer 1. When a certain terminal device issues a document request instruction (service request instruction) to the server computer 1, service information described in a structured document format is passed from the application service unit 20 to the information exchange device 10. Thereby, the information exchange apparatus 10 executes the following information exchange processing.

That is, the information exchange apparatus 10 first analyzes the structured document constituting the service information (step J11).

In this case, in the structured document, each component is defined by a syntax prescribed including tag information, and the information exchange device 10
The type of each component constituting the document and its data size are checked (step J12). This is to find out, for example, where and how much image information is located and where and how much is the program.

A series of processes such as disassembly, retrieval, and extraction of parts by document analysis and information exchange described later are performed by the information exchange execution unit 113 (FIG. 2) in the information exchange processing unit 11.

After analyzing the structured document, the information exchange apparatus 10 acquires the attribute information of the terminal device as the communication partner from the terminal information management unit 12 and checks the processing capability (step J1).
3). As a result, when it is determined that the processing capability of the terminal side is low and there is no capability to display the structured document (Yes in step J14), the information exchange apparatus 10 transmits each component data of the structured document to the terminal. Is converted into a format that can be displayed (step J14), and the service information after the information exchange is transmitted via the communication network to which the terminal device is connected (step J16).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the processing capability of the terminal side is high and the terminal has the capability of displaying the structured document (No in step J14), the information exchange device 10 Of the communication infrastructure to which the terminal device to be connected is connected (step J1).
7).

Then, the information exchange apparatus 10 performs information exchange according to the communication capability of the communication infrastructure based on the attribute information (step J18), and transmits the service information after the information exchange to the communication network to which the terminal device is connected. (Step J16).

As described above, even when providing service information described in a structured document format, by exchanging information according to the terminal attributes and the attributes of the communication infrastructure, the processing capability of the terminal device and the communication infrastructure It is possible to provide a service that matches the communication ability.

It is to be noted that not only the terminal attribute and the communication infrastructure attribute but also the user interface information management unit 13 shown in FIG. By exchanging information or using the user information management unit 14, it is also possible to exchange information based on user information indicating an operation method unique to each user.

[0254] Further, in a structured document format, for example, data is encrypted, data is compressed, and when an input / output device such as a facsimile is used, information exchange according to the input / output device is performed. In providing the described service information,
All the methods described above can be applied.

Further, in the above example, a case has been described where service information described in advance in a structured document format is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a format different from the structured document format ( The present method can be applied even to service information described in (binary data). FIG. 20 shows the processing operation at this time.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing operation when service information other than the structured document format is targeted.

[0257] Here, the case of exchanging information according to terminal attributes will be described.
The same applies to the case of exchanging information based on user interface information, user information, and the like.

The difference from the processing in FIG. 17 is that the structured document conversion processing shown in steps K11 and K12 is added. This is a process for converting, for example, information in a binary format into a structured document format such as HTML.

This structured document conversion process is also performed by the information exchange execution unit 113 (FIG. 2) in the information exchange processing unit 11. In this case, in FIG. 1, service information described in an unstructured document format is managed in an application service unit 20 in the server computer 1, and the service information is converted into a structured document format by the information exchange device 10. become.

When there is a document request instruction (service request instruction) from a certain terminal device to the server computer 1, service information described in a format different from the structured document format is transmitted from the application service unit 20 to the information exchange device 10. Passed. Thereby, the information exchange apparatus 10 executes the following information exchange processing.

That is, the information exchange apparatus 10 first cuts out the components making up the service information (step K1).
1).

In this case, for example, in the document information of binary data, for example, the main information, font,
Formats and other attributes (date, author name, etc.) are managed. Therefore, each part can be cut out by examining the token. When each component is cut out, the information exchange apparatus 10 creates a structured document expressing these components in a structured language such as HTML (step K1).
2).

After the structured document is created in this way, the processing described with reference to FIG. 17 is performed on the structured document.

That is, the information exchange apparatus 10 analyzes the structured document (step K13), and checks the type of each component constituting the document and its data size (step K13).
14). The information exchange device 10 is a terminal information management unit 1
The attribute information of the terminal device that is the communication partner is acquired from the communication device 2 (step K15), and information of each component is exchanged based on the attribute information (step K16). Information exchange device 10
Transmits the service information after the information exchange via the communication network to which the terminal device is connected (step K17).

As described above, even when the service information described in the unstructured document format is targeted, the same effect as described above can be obtained by adding the process of converting the service information to the structured document format. It is.

In the above description, a structured document such as HAML is taken as an example. However, for example, OLE (object linking and embed) is used.
For example, the present invention can be applied to any document formed by each component data, such as edding).

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the first embodiment, the case where the information exchange device is provided in the server computer that provides the service has been described. In the second embodiment, the functions (processes) required for the information exchange are different. A case in which the information is distributed to server computers will be described.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distributed network computing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here.

FIG. 21 differs from FIG. 1 in that a plurality of server computers 1a to 1e exist on the network. Here, the server computers 1a to 1e are interconnected via a wired LAN 2 in the office.

The server computer 1a is a main server computer for providing services, and has an application service unit 20. The server computer 1a is equipped with an information exchange processing unit 11 and operates as an information exchange control server that controls the entire information exchange.

The other server computers 1b to 1e are sub server computers. The server computer 1b has a terminal information management unit 12 for managing terminal attribute information.
And operates as a terminal information management server under the control of the server computer 1a. The server computer 1c is provided with a user interface information management unit 13 for managing user interface information, and operates as a user interface information management server under the control of the server computer 1a.

The server computer 1d has a user information management unit 1
4 operates as a user information management server under the control of the server computer 1a. Server computer 1e
Is equipped with a communication infrastructure information management unit 15 and operates as a communication infrastructure information management server under the control of the server computer 1a.

These server computers 1a to 1e are connected to various communication networks (public network 30, wired LAN 40, wireless LAN 5).
0) through various terminal devices (portable information terminal 31, PC
41, portable PC 51, etc.).

That is, in the second embodiment, the terminal information management unit 12, the user interface information management unit 13, the user information management unit 14, and the communication infrastructure information management unit 15 are mounted on different server computers 1b to 1e, respectively. A distributed processing system is constructed in such a manner that the server computer 1a in which the information exchange processing unit 11 is mounted controls various processes to realize a unified information exchange processing function as a whole.

In this case, the information exchange device internal communication interface 111 shown in FIG. 2 controls communication between the servers, and the information exchange device external communication interface unit 116
Manages application services and communication processing with other terminal devices.

In the example shown in FIG. 21, each of the functions required for information exchange is distributed to each of the server computers 1b to 1e, but two or more functions are assigned to one server. A computer may have the same function, or a plurality of server computers may have the same function.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the service providing processing operation by the distributed processing in the second embodiment.

When providing an application service to a certain terminal device, the server computer 1a first checks a function required for information exchange (step X11). The functions required for information exchange in this case are a function of managing terminal attribute information and communication infrastructure information, and a function of managing user interface information and user information.

Here, for example, in the case of exchanging information according to the terminal attributes, a function of managing the terminal attribute information is necessary, and the server computer 1a accesses each of the other server computers 1b to 1e, and A server computer having a management function is checked (step X12).

At this time, since a plurality of server computers may have the same function, the server computer 1a checks each of the corresponding server computers, and checks the server computers that can use the function. (Step X1)
3, X14).

In the example of FIG. 21, the server computer 1b corresponds to the server computer 1b. In this case, since only one of the server computers 1b has the function of managing the terminal attribute information, the server computer 1a communicates with the server computer 1b, and the server computer 1b communicates with the server computer 1b.
Wait for permission from b.

When the use is permitted from the server computer 1b (Yes in step X14), the server computer 1a obtains the terminal attribute information of the terminal device as the communication partner from the terminal information management unit 12 of the server computer 1b by ,
The service providing process by information exchange as described in the first embodiment is executed (step X15).

That is, the server computer 1a converts the service information provided as an applied service into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information in the information exchange processing section 11, and converts the converted service information to the terminal. Transmission is performed via a communication network to which the device is connected. The information exchange in this case is to change the format of certain information in accordance with the processing capability of the terminal device as the communication partner.

[0286] The above is an example of the case where information exchange is performed according to the terminal attribute. However, as in the case described above, for example, when information exchange is performed according to the attribute of the communication infrastructure, the server computer 1b
To 1e to check for a server computer having a function of managing communication infrastructure information. As a result, by obtaining the communication infrastructure information of the terminal device as the communication partner from the communication infrastructure information management unit 15 of the corresponding server computer 1e, the service providing process by information exchange as described in the first embodiment is performed. Execute The information exchange in this case is to change the format of certain information in accordance with the communication capability of the communication network to which the terminal device as the communication partner is connected.

Further, when exchanging information according to the attributes of the user interface, the server computers 1b to 1e
Are accessed, and a server computer having a user interface information management function is checked. as a result,
By obtaining the user interface information corresponding to the communication partner terminal device from the user interface information management unit 13 of the corresponding server computer 1c, the service providing process by information exchange as described in the first embodiment is performed. Execute The information exchange in this case is to change the format of certain information in accordance with the operation method of the terminal device as the communication partner (the operation method when receiving an applied service such as an icon, a button, or a command).

When information is exchanged in accordance with the attributes of the user, each of the server computers 1b to 1e is accessed to check for a server computer having a user information management function. As a result, by acquiring the user information corresponding to the terminal device as the communication partner from the user information management unit 14 of the corresponding server computer 1d, the information exchange as described in the first embodiment is performed. Execute service provision processing. The information exchange in this case is to change the format of certain information in accordance with the operation method of the user who uses the terminal device as the communication partner (the operation method of the user's preference such as screen display preference).

As described above, even if the functions of the information exchange device are decentralized, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. Further, by decentralizing each function, it is possible to realize an advanced information exchange processing function by combining a plurality of servers having relatively low processing capabilities. In this case, the distributed processing reduces the processing load of the server that provides the service (the server computer 1a in FIG. 21), so that a small-sized computer can be used. Further, since the system is realized by combining a plurality of servers, it is possible to flexibly deal with a system failure in comparison with a centralized system, and to improve reliability.

In the second embodiment, the decentralization is performed for a plurality of servers commonly connected to the wired L @ N2 in the office. However, for example, connection is made to various communication networks such as the public network 30. It is also possible to perform decentralization for a plurality of servers that have been set.

Further, in the case of finding a server having a desired function, in the second embodiment, communication / communication is established with each of the servers, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a corresponding server may be found by referring to a table indicating what function each server has.

It is also possible to distribute data encryption and data compression functions to other servers in a distributed manner. In this case, if the data is encrypted,
The server having the function determines whether data encryption is possible based on terminal attribute information and communication infrastructure information,
If data encryption is possible, service information provided as an applied service is encrypted. The server that performs the application service receives the encrypted service information and sends it to the terminal device that is the communication partner.

Similarly, in the case of data compression, the server having the function determines whether or not data compression is possible based on terminal attribute information and communication infrastructure information. If possible, compress service information provided as an applied service. The server that performs the application service receives the compressed service information and sends it to the terminal device that is the communication partner.

Further, FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment in detail
It is needless to say that the functions shown in FIGS. 5 to 20 can be similarly applied to the present embodiment. For example, the data retransmission control function described in detail in the first embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the third embodiment, a case where the information exchange apparatus is realized on an exchange will be described.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an integrated server 70 when the information exchange device according to the third embodiment is realized on an exchange.

Here, a device in which the circuit switch and the server computer are integrated is referred to as an integrated server.

As shown in FIG. 23, this integrated server 70
Is provided with an information exchange device 71. The information exchange device 71 exchanges information according to the attributes of the terminal device and the communication infrastructure and the like. The specific configuration is the same as that of the information exchange device 10 in FIG. Shall be.

The integrated server 70 is provided with an office application service unit 72a as a server computer. The application service unit 72a performs various office-based application services (application software) such as an inventory management service. At present, the application service unit 72a cannot be directly mounted on a real-time operating system (hereinafter, referred to as a real-time OS) 77 without any change.
4 is interposed.

The real-time OS 77 is an OS for real-time processing, and is a general OS (for example, UNIX or MS-DO).
Unlike S), the response speed is emphasized.

The office application service unit 72b that can be started on the real-time OS 77 can be directly mounted on the real-time OS 77 without going through the virtual computer 74. The virtual computer 74 is a computer created virtually, and is functionally equivalent to one actual computer (real computer), and can operate one OS on one virtual computer. it can. In the present embodiment, the virtual computer 74 is incorporated in the circuit switch 73.

The circuit switch 73 comprises a virtual computer 74, a real-time application service unit 75, and a switch function unit.

[0304] The real-time application service unit 75 performs general telephone-based services such as alternate reception (answering machine) and message transfer (pager).

The exchange function unit 76 has functions as an exchange such as line connection and telephone number management, and FIG. 24 shows its configuration.

As shown in FIG. 24, the exchange function unit 76
Is composed of a terminal control unit 761, a service control unit 762, and a maintenance operation unit 763.

[0307] The terminal control section 761 performs control such as receiving a signal from a terminal device and passing it to the next place.
The service control unit 762 determines what kind of service to provide according to the signal. The maintenance operation unit 763 includes telephone number information and the like in addition to line error information.

The hardware 68 is, for example, a CP
U indicates a physical circuit portion such as a line circuit.

With such a configuration, it is possible to realize an apparatus having both a circuit switch and an information exchange device existing on the telephone communication network. In this case, by implementing the integrated server, information can be exchanged in a final format near the terminal device of the user. That is, when a network is formed from each subnetwork, information can be exchanged in a format suitable for the subnetwork.

Also, by storing data in the terminal integrated server, the integrated server is ultimately used as a cache, and only the simplified data transmission to the communication partner terminal device, that is, the cache is stored in the cache. Notifies that data has been registered. As a result, loss of data amount can be minimized, and characteristics of each sub-network can be compensated.

Furthermore, if an exchange is arranged, it can be used as an office server. In this case, since a large number of exchanges are often arranged on the network, the distributed processing described in the second embodiment is effective.

In the example of FIG. 23, a configuration is shown in which an information exchange device is incorporated in an integrated server in which a server computer and an exchange are integrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The application service provided from the integrated server may be converted into a predetermined format by an information exchange device and sent, provided separately from the server (server computer + exchange). Further, each function as an information exchange device may be provided in a distributed manner in a plurality of exchanges. In short, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.

The case where an information exchange device is provided in the exchange will be described below.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distributed network computing system according to the third embodiment.

Now, in the office 81, PC 82, PC 8
3, and an integrated server 85 connected to these PCs 82 and 83 via a wired LAN 84. The integrated server 85 includes a server computer and a PB
X (private branch exchange) integrated with the computer, which operates as an exchange and provides application services as a server computer. Meanwhile, office 91
It is assumed that a PC 92 and an integrated server 94 connected to the PC 92 via a wired LAN 84 are provided therein. The integrated server 94 is a computer in which a server computer and a PBX (private branch exchange) are integrated like the integrated server 85.

Note that reference numeral 100 denotes a public network, and 101 denotes a private branch exchange existing on the public network. Reference numeral 102 denotes a mobile terminal device provided with a service. This portable terminal device 1
02 is connected to the integrated server 94 by the private radio 95 in the office 91.

In such a configuration, the application services provided from the integrated server 85 in the office 81 are the terminal devices (PC 82, PC 83) installed in the same office.
The terminal device (PC 92, portable terminal device 102) installed in another office 91 can also be used.

Here, when the PBX 85a of the integrated server 85 is provided with an information exchange function, as shown in FIG.
The BX 85 a is sent to the integrated server 94 via the public network 100.

[0319] At this time, if the user uses the portable terminal device 102, service information is provided from the integrated server 94 via the local wireless network 95. However,
When the mobile terminal device 102 cannot receive the service information due to an excessive amount of information or the like, it is necessary to exchange information with the PBX 85a of the integrated server 85 and then have the service information retransmitted.

On the other hand, the PBX 85a of the integrated server 85 and the PBX 94a of the integrated server 94 can be provided with an information exchange function in a distributed manner. In this case, as shown in FIG. 26B, the PBX 85a can determine only what terminal device the user is using and send the service information to the terminal integrated server 94 as it is. . The service information at this time is sent to the integrated server 94 via the PBX 85a and the public network 100. PB of integrated server 94
In X94a, the communication infrastructure of the terminal device used by the user is determined, and the service information is exchanged and transmitted according to the data transmission capability of the communication infrastructure.

At that time, if the amount of the service information is large and the user is using the portable terminal device 102, only the service provision notification is made to the portable terminal device 102 and the service information is left as it is. PC9 in the form of
2, the service information can be re-transmitted from the integrated server 85 without the user retransmitting the service information.
2 or directly connect the portable terminal device 102 to the wired LAN.
By connecting to the service 93, the service can be provided. That is, the terminal integrated server to which the terminal device receiving the service is connected can be used as a cache, and as a result, unnecessary time can be saved and the line usage fee can be reduced.

As described above, by providing an information exchange function to a circuit switch, information can be exchanged in a final form near a user's terminal device. That is, when a network is formed from each subnetwork, information can be exchanged in a format suitable for the subnetwork.

Note that the encryption / decryption described in the first embodiment
The compression function and the functions shown in FIGS.
Similarly, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to the present embodiment.

Although the third embodiment has been described with respect to a circuit switch, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a rule for interconnecting LANs can be used.
Even in the evening. In short, as long as a network connection device interconnects a network (a public network in a circuit switch and a LAN in a router), the same effect as described above can be obtained by mounting an information exchange device in the network connection device. .

In each of the above embodiments, the terminal device receiving the application service may operate as a server computer.

The method described in the above-described embodiment can be executed by a computer as a program such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD- ROM, DVD, etc.), a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory, or a storage device of a device such as a PC card can be written and applied to various devices, or transmitted to a communication medium and applied to various devices. The computer (server computer 1) that realizes the present apparatus reads the program recorded on the recording medium, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the program.

[0327]

As described above, according to the present invention, by dispersing each function as an information exchange apparatus, a plurality of servers having relatively high processing capabilities are combined to provide an advanced information exchange processing function. Can be realized. As a result, in a network environment where various terminal devices are present, it is possible to provide application services according to the processing capacity of each terminal device without requiring a large server computer, and when a plurality of communication infrastructures are mixed But
It is possible to provide application services according to the communication capability of the communication infrastructure.

In addition, according to the present invention, as in the conventional case, a server goes down due to the local concentration of functions, or the entire system becomes unavailable if the communication network is unavailable. It is possible to provide application services that are resistant to obstacles.

Further, according to the present invention, when a plurality of types of terminal devices are present on a network, service information provided as an applied service is exchanged and transmitted in a format corresponding to the processing capability of each terminal device. Therefore, although it is excellent in portability, information processing ability (calculation ability) and screen display /
It is possible to construct a distributed network computing system using a terminal device (such as a PDA) whose user interface providing capability is relatively inferior to other terminal devices (such as a PC). Even if it changes, you will be able to receive the same services as other terminal devices.

Further, when a plurality of types of communication networks coexist, the service information provided as an applied service is exchanged in a format corresponding to the communication capability of each communication network and is transmitted, so that the data transmission speed of the communication infrastructure can be improved. It is possible to absorb relative differences such as / amount / quality, and the terminal can receive the same service as other terminal devices, even if the format is changed.

In particular, by providing such an information exchange function in a circuit switch or a router, information can be exchanged in a final form near the terminal equipment of the user. That is, when a network is formed from each subnetwork, information can be exchanged in a format suitable for the subnetwork.

Further, the data can be used as a cache. For example, only a simplified data transmission to a terminal device as a communication partner, that is, a notification that data has been registered in the cache is notified, so that a loss of data amount is reduced. Can be minimized, and the characteristics of each sub-network can be compensated.

Further, by distributing the information exchange function for each exchange / router, individual loads can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, in a network environment where various terminal devices exist, structured documents and the like can be used.
When providing service information described in component data format, it is possible to provide application services according to the processing capacity of each terminal device, and even if multiple communication infrastructures are mixed, the communication capacity of the communication infrastructure It is possible to provide application services according to the requirements. In this case, by managing the data in the structured language format, the management of the data is facilitated, and the analysis of each part is also facilitated in the information exchange work. Furthermore, if an information processing device is created based on a widely used structured language rule such as HAML, the WW
Effects such as a change or influence on the W system can be minimized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distributed network computing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an information exchange processing unit in the information exchange device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a terminal information management unit in the information exchange device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a user interface information management unit in the information exchange device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a user information management unit in the information exchange device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a communication infrastructure information management unit in the information exchange device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a general application service.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of an applied service when the information exchange device is used.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a protocol sequence for determining a terminal attribute.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of information exchange according to a terminal attribute.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an information exchange processing operation according to the communication infrastructure.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation when encrypting data.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when data compression is performed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when an application service is used using an input / output device.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the entire system including an application service when a structured document is assumed.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a structured document.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing operation according to a terminal attribute when a structured document is used.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation according to an attribute of a communication infrastructure when a structured document is used.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a processing operation according to a terminal attribute and a communication infrastructure attribute when a structured document is used.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when service information other than the structured document format is targeted.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distributed network computing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a service providing processing operation by distributed processing according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an integrated server when the information exchange device according to the third embodiment is realized on an exchange.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a switching function unit of the circuit switch according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a distributed network computing system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining a processing operation when an information exchange function is mounted on the PBX according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server computer 10 ... Information exchange apparatus 11 ... Information exchange process part 12 ... Terminal information management part 13 ... User interface information management part 14 ... User information management part 15 ... Communication infrastructure information management part 20 ... Application service part 30 ... Public Network 31 Portable information terminal 32 Mobile phone 33 Pager 34 FAX 40 Wired LAN 41 PC 42 Printer 43 Image reader 50 Wireless LAN 51 Portable PC 1a Server computer (information exchange control server) 1b: Server computer (terminal information management server) 1c: Server computer (user interface information management server) 1d: Server computer (user information management server) 1e: Server computer (communication infrastructure information management server) 2: Wired LAN 70: Integration Server 71: Information exchange device, 72a, 72b: Office System application service section 73 ... circuit switch 74 ... virtual machine 75 ... application service section 76 ... switch function unit 77 ... real time OS 78 ... Hardware

Claims (84)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus that provides various application services such as application software, a terminal device that receives application services from the information processing device, and a communication network that connects the information processing device and the terminal device. In a distributed network computing system comprising: an information exchange device is provided in the information processing device, and the information exchange device has analysis means for analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format; Terminal attribute information management means for managing terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device; and obtaining terminal attribute information of a terminal device to be a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management means, and analyzing the attribute information by the analysis unit. Converting means for converting the service information into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information; Distributed network computing system, characterized in that the converted the service information obtained by and a communication means for transmitting through the communication network. 2. An information processing device for providing various application services such as application software, a terminal device for receiving application services from the information processing device, and a communication network connecting the information processing device and the terminal device. In a distributed network computing system comprising: an information exchange device is provided in the information processing device, and the information exchange device has analysis means for analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format; Communication infrastructure information management means for managing communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network; and acquiring communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which a terminal device as a communication partner is connected from the communication infrastructure information management means, The service information analyzed by the analyzing means is converted into a specific format based on the communication infrastructure information. Conversion means for converting, distributed network computing system, characterized in that the service information converted by the converting means is formed by including a communication means for transmitting through the communication network. 3. An information processing device for providing various application services such as application software, a terminal device for receiving application services from the information processing device, and a communication network connecting the information processing device and the terminal device. In a distributed network computing system comprising: an information exchange device is provided in the information processing device, and the information exchange device has analysis means for analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format; Terminal attribute information management means for managing terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device; communication infrastructure information management means for managing communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network; and communication from the terminal attribute information management means Acquires the terminal attribute information of the partner terminal device and sends the same from the communication infrastructure information management unit. Conversion means for acquiring communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which the device is connected, and converting the service information analyzed by the analysis means into a specific format; and converting the service information converted by the conversion means A distributed network computing system, comprising: communication means for transmitting data via a communication network. 4. The terminal device and the communication network,
4. The distributed network computing system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality exists on a network. 5. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of the terminal devices exist on a network.
A distributed network computing system as described. 6. The distributed network computing system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of communication networks exist on the network. 7. The information exchange apparatus has component data conversion means for converting service information described in a non-component data format into a component data format, and the analysis means uses the component data conversion means to convert the component information. 4. The distributed network computing system according to claim 1, wherein service information described in a data format is analyzed. 8. The information exchange apparatus has a user interface information management means for managing user interface information indicating an operation method unique to each terminal device, and the conversion means communicates from the user interface information management means. 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein user interface information corresponding to a terminal device of the other party is obtained, and the service information analyzed by the analysis unit is converted into a specific format based on the user interface information. Or the distributed network computing system according to 3. 9. The information exchange apparatus has user information management means for managing user information indicating an operation method unique to each user, and the conversion means includes a communication partner from the user information management means. The user information corresponding to a terminal device to be obtained is obtained, and the service information analyzed by the analysis means is converted into a specific format based on the user information. Or the distributed network computing system according to 3. 10. The information exchange device includes: an encryption determining unit that determines whether data can be encrypted based on the terminal attribute information; and the data can be encrypted by the encryption determining unit. 2. The distributed network computing system according to claim 1, further comprising an encryption unit that encrypts the service information when it is determined that the service information has been transmitted. 11. The distributed network computing system according to claim 10, wherein said encryption means changes an encryption level according to a processing capability of said terminal device. 12. The information exchange apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information exchange device determines whether or not data encryption is possible based on said communication infrastructure information, and said encryption determination means can encrypt data. 3. The distributed network computing system according to claim 2, further comprising an encryption unit that encrypts the service information when it is determined that the service information has been transmitted. 13. The distributed network computing system according to claim 12, wherein said encryption means changes an encryption level according to a communication capability of said communication network. 14. An information exchange apparatus comprising: an encryption judging unit for judging whether or not data encryption is possible based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information; 4. The distributed network computing system according to claim 3, further comprising encryption means for encrypting the service information when it is determined that encryption is possible. 15. The distributed network computing system according to claim 14, wherein said encryption means changes an encryption level according to a processing capability of said terminal device and a communication capability of said communication network. 16. The information exchange apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information exchange apparatus determines whether or not data can be compressed based on said terminal attribute information, and said data can be compressed by said compression determination means. 2. The distributed network computing system according to claim 1, further comprising compression means for compressing the service information when it is determined that the service information has been transmitted. 17. The distributed network computing system according to claim 16, wherein said compression means changes a compression level according to a processing capability of said terminal device. 18. The information exchange device according to claim 1, wherein said information exchange apparatus determines whether or not data can be compressed based on said communication infrastructure information, and said data can be compressed by said compression determination means. 3. The distributed network computing system according to claim 2, further comprising compression means for compressing said service information when it is determined that said service information has been transmitted. 19. The distributed network computing system according to claim 18, wherein said compression means changes a compression level according to a communication capability of said communication network. 20. A compression judging means for judging whether or not data can be compressed based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information, and a data compression device for compressing data by the compression judging means. 4. The distributed network computing system according to claim 3, further comprising: compression means for compressing the service information when it is determined that the service information can be converted. 21. The distributed network computing system according to claim 20, wherein said compression means changes a compression level according to a processing capability of said terminal device and a communication capability of said communication network. 22. An information exchange apparatus provided in an information processing apparatus for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein service information described in a part data format such as a structured document format is provided. Analyzing means for analyzing; terminal attribute information managing means for managing terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device; acquiring terminal attribute information of a terminal device to be a communication partner from the terminal attribute information managing device; Conversion means for converting the service information analyzed by the means into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information; and communication means for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion means via the communication network. An information exchange device, comprising: 23. An information exchange device provided in an information processing device for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format is provided. Analysis means for analyzing; communication infrastructure information management means for managing communication infrastructure information indicating communication capability of the communication network; and communication infrastructure of a communication network to which a terminal device as a communication partner is connected from the communication infrastructure information management means. Converting means for acquiring information and converting the service information analyzed by the analyzing means into a specific format based on the communication infrastructure information; and converting the service information converted by the converting means via the communication network. An information exchange apparatus comprising: a communication unit for transmitting. 24. An information exchange apparatus provided in an information processing apparatus for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein service information described in a part data format such as a structured document format is provided. Analysis means for analyzing; terminal attribute information management means for managing terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device; communication infrastructure information management means for managing communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network; Acquires terminal attribute information of a terminal device as a communication partner from the attribute information management means, acquires communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management means, and analyzes the information by the analysis means. Converting means for converting the obtained service information into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information; Information exchange system, wherein the service information converted by means becoming comprises a communication means for transmitting through the communication network. 25. The information exchange apparatus has component data conversion means for converting service information described in a non-component data format into a component data format. 25. The information exchange apparatus according to claim 22, wherein service information described in a data format is analyzed. 26. An information exchange method provided in an information processing apparatus for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device is managed by the terminal attribute information management. The service information described in the component data format such as the structured document format is analyzed, the terminal attribute information of the communication partner terminal device is obtained from the terminal attribute information management unit, An information exchange method comprising: converting the service information into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information; and transmitting the converted service information via the communication network. 27. An information exchange method provided in an information processing apparatus for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network is managed by the communication infrastructure information management. The service information described in the component data format such as the structured document format is analyzed in the communication unit, and the communication infrastructure information of the communication network to which the terminal device as the communication partner is connected from the communication infrastructure information management unit. And converting the analyzed service information into a specific format based on the communication infrastructure information, and transmitting the converted service information via the communication network. Method. 28. An information exchange method provided in an information processing apparatus for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device is managed by the terminal attribute information management. The communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network is registered in the communication infrastructure information management unit, and the service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format is analyzed. Acquires terminal attribute information of a terminal device as a communication partner from the information management unit, acquires communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management unit, and acquires the analyzed service information. Is converted into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information, and the converted service information is transmitted via the communication network. Information exchange method characterized by the. 29. A method of converting service information described in a non-component data format into a component data format, and analyzing the service information described in the component data format to exchange information. Claim 26 or 27,
Or the information exchange method described in 28. 30. Analyze service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format, check the processing capability of a terminal device, and if the processing capability of the terminal device is high, analyze the analyzed service information. Information is exchanged into a predetermined format according to the communication capability of the communication infrastructure, and if the processing capability of the terminal device is low, the analyzed service information is exchanged into a predetermined format according to the processing capability of the terminal device. An information exchange method characterized in that: 31. After converting service information described in a non-component data format into a component data format, the service information described in the component data format is analyzed, and the processing capability of the terminal device is checked. If the processing capability is high, the analyzed service information is exchanged into a predetermined format according to the communication capability of the communication infrastructure, and if the processing capability of the terminal device is low, the analyzed service information is exchanged for the terminal device. An information exchange method characterized in that information is exchanged in a predetermined format according to processing capacity. 32. An information processing apparatus for providing various application services such as application software, various terminal devices for receiving application services from the information processing apparatus, and communication for connecting the information processing apparatus and the terminal devices. In a distributed network computing system comprising a network, a network connection means for interconnecting networks, and an information exchange device provided in the network connection means, wherein the information exchange device has a structured document format Analysis means for analyzing the service information described in the component data format such as, for example, terminal attribute information management means for managing terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device, and a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management means The terminal attribute information of the terminal device is acquired, and the service analyzed by the analysis unit is obtained. Conversion means for converting information into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information; and communication means for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion means via the communication network. Distributed network computing system. 33. An information processing device for providing various application services such as application software, a terminal device for receiving application services from the information processing device, and a communication network connecting the information processing device and the terminal device. A network connection means for interconnecting networks, and an information exchange device provided in the network connection means, wherein the information exchange device has a structured document format or the like. Analysis means for analyzing service information described in a component data format; communication infrastructure information management means for managing communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network; and a terminal device serving as a communication partner from the communication infrastructure information management means Obtains the communication infrastructure information of the communication network to which the Converting means for converting the service information analyzed by the converting means into a specific format based on the communication infrastructure information; and communicating means for transmitting the service information converted by the converting means via the communication network. A distributed network computing system, characterized in that: 34. An information processing device for providing various application services such as application software, a terminal device for receiving application services from the information processing device, and a communication network connecting the information processing device and the terminal device. A network connection means for interconnecting networks, and an information exchange device provided in the network connection means, wherein the information exchange device has a structured document format or the like. Analysis means for analyzing service information described in a component data format; terminal attribute information management means for managing terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device; and communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network. Communication infrastructure information managing means to communicate with the terminal attribute information managing means Terminal attribute information of the terminal device, and communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected is obtained from the communication infrastructure information management means, and the service information analyzed by the analysis means is transmitted to the terminal. A conversion unit for converting the service information into a specific format based on the attribute information and the communication infrastructure information; and a communication unit for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion unit via the communication network. Distributed network computing system. 35. A first information processing apparatus for providing various application services such as application software, various terminal devices receiving application services from the first information processing apparatus, and the first information processing apparatus And a communication network for connecting the terminal device to the second information processing device connected to the communication network separately from the first information processing device. Terminal attribute information management means for managing terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the server; analyzing means for analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format in the first information processing apparatus; A search means for searching for a second information processing apparatus having the terminal attribute information management means, and a second information processing apparatus searched for by the search means. As conversion means for acquiring terminal attribute information of a terminal device to be a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management means, and converting the service information analyzed by the analysis means into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information; And a communication unit for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion unit via the communication network. 36. A first information processing device that provides various application services such as application software, a terminal device that receives provision of an application service from the first information processing device, the first information processing device, In a distributed network computing system including a communication network connecting terminal devices, a second information processing device connected to the communication network separately from the first information processing device performs processing of the communication network. Communication infrastructure information management means for managing communication infrastructure information indicating capabilities; analysis means for analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format in the first information processing apparatus; Search means for searching for a second information processing apparatus having infrastructure information management means; and the second information processing apparatus searched for by the search means Conversion means for acquiring communication infrastructure information of a terminal device as a communication partner from the communication infrastructure information management means as a target and converting the service information analyzed by the analysis means into a specific format based on the communication infrastructure information And a communication means for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion means via the communication network. 37. A first information processing apparatus for providing various application services such as application software, a terminal device receiving application services from the first information processing apparatus, the first information processing apparatus, What is claimed is: 1. A distributed network computing system comprising: a communication network connecting a terminal device; and a second information processing device connected to the communication network separately from the first information processing device. Terminal attribute information management means for managing terminal attribute information indicating the capability; and communication infrastructure information management means for managing communication infrastructure information indicating the processing capability of the communication network, wherein the first information processing apparatus has a structured document format. Analysis means for analyzing service information described in a component data format, such as the terminal attribute information management means and the communication infrastructure information Searching means for searching for a second information processing apparatus having processing means; and a terminal of a terminal device serving as a communication partner from the terminal attribute information managing means for the second information processing apparatus searched by the searching means. Acquiring attribute information, acquiring communication infrastructure information of a terminal device that is a communication partner from the communication infrastructure information management means, and analyzing the service information analyzed by the analysis means based on the terminal attribute information and communication infrastructure information. A distributed network computing system comprising: a conversion unit for converting the service information into a specific format; and a communication unit for transmitting the service information converted by the conversion unit via the communication network. 38. The terminal device according to claim 32, wherein at least one of the terminal device and the communication network exists in plurality on the network.
38. The distributed network computing system according to 4, 35, 36, or 37. 39. The terminal device according to claim 32, wherein a plurality of types of the terminal devices exist on a network.
Or 34, or 35, or 36, or 37. 40. The distributed network computing system according to claim 32, wherein a plurality of types of said communication network exist on the network. 41. The terminal device according to claim 32, wherein the terminal device functions as a server computer.
38. The distributed network computing system of 3, or 34, 35, 36, or 37. 42. The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein a plurality of said network connection means exist on a network, and each function as said information exchange device is provided in said network connection means in a decentralized manner. Or the distributed network computing system of 34. 43. The distributed network computer according to claim 32, wherein said network connection means is provided integrally with said information processing apparatus and forms an integrated server together with said information processing apparatus. System. 44. The distributed network computing according to claim 32, wherein said information exchange device is provided on a network independently of said information processing device and said network connection means. system. 45. The information exchange apparatus has user interface information management means for managing user interface information indicating an operation method unique to each terminal device, and the conversion means communicates from the user interface information management means. The user interface information corresponding to a partner terminal device is obtained, and service information provided as an applied service is converted into a specific format based on the user interface information, or 35. The distributed network computing system according to claim 34. 46. The information exchange device has user information management means for managing user information indicating an operation method unique to each user, and the conversion means includes a communication partner from the user information management means. 35. A system according to claim 32, wherein user information corresponding to a terminal device to be obtained is obtained, and service information provided as an applied service is converted into a specific format based on the user information. A distributed network computing system as described. 47. The information exchange device, wherein encryption determining means for determining whether data encryption is possible based on the terminal attribute information, and data encryption is possible by the encryption determining means. 33. The distributed network computing system according to claim 32, further comprising: an encryption unit that encrypts service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that the application service is provided. 48. The second information processing apparatus includes a user interface information management unit that manages user interface information indicating an operation method unique to each terminal device, and the search unit includes the user interface information management. Means for searching for a second information processing apparatus having means, the conversion means for the second information processing apparatus searched for by the search means as a target from the user interface information management means to a terminal device serving as a communication partner. 38. The distributed network computing system according to claim 35, wherein corresponding user interface information is acquired, and service information provided as an applied service is converted into a specific format based on the user interface information. System. 49. The second information processing apparatus includes user information management means for managing user information indicating an operation method unique to each user, and the search means includes: the user information management means. The conversion means searches the second information processing apparatus searched by the search means for the second information processing apparatus from the user information management means to the communication target terminal device. 38. The distributed network computer according to claim 35, wherein corresponding user information is obtained, and service information provided as an applied service is converted into a specific format based on the user information. System. 50. The second information processing apparatus, comprising: encryption determination means for determining whether data encryption is possible based on the terminal attribute information; and data encryption by the encryption determination means. 36. The distributed network computing system according to claim 35, further comprising: encryption means for encrypting service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that the service is available. 51. The distributed network computing system according to claim 47, wherein said encryption means changes an encryption level in accordance with a processing capability of said terminal device. 52. The information exchange apparatus, wherein: encryption determining means for determining whether data encryption is possible based on the communication infrastructure information; and data encryption is possible by the encryption determining means. 34. The distributed network computing system according to claim 33, further comprising: an encryption unit configured to encrypt service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that the application service is provided. 53. The second information processing device, comprising: encryption determination means for determining whether data encryption is possible based on the communication infrastructure information; and data encryption by the encryption determination means. 37. The distributed network computing system according to claim 36, further comprising: an encryption unit that encrypts service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that the service is available. 54. The distributed network computing system according to claim 52, wherein said encryption means changes an encryption level according to a communication capability of said communication network. 55. An information exchange apparatus comprising: an encryption determining unit configured to determine whether data encryption is possible based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information; 35. The distributed network computing system according to claim 34, further comprising an encryption unit that encrypts service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that encryption is possible. 56. The second information processing apparatus comprising: an encryption determining unit that determines whether data encryption is possible based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information; 36. The distributed network computing system according to claim 35, further comprising: encryption means for encrypting service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that data encryption is possible. 57. The encryption device according to claim 55, wherein the encryption unit changes an encryption level according to a processing capability of the terminal device and a communication capability of the communication network.
A distributed network computing system as described. 58. The information exchange apparatus, wherein: compression determining means for determining whether data compression is possible based on the terminal attribute information; and data compression is possible by the compression determining means. 33. The distributed network computing system according to claim 32, further comprising: a compression unit configured to compress service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that the service is an application service. 59. The second information processing device, comprising: compression determination means for determining whether data compression is possible based on the terminal attribute information; and data compression by the compression determination means. 36. The distributed network computing system according to claim 35, further comprising: compression means for compressing service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that the service information can be provided. 60. The distributed network computing system according to claim 58, wherein said compression means changes a compression level in accordance with a processing capability of said terminal device. 61. An information exchange apparatus comprising: compression determination means for determining whether data compression is possible based on the communication infrastructure information; and data compression by the compression determination means. 34. The distributed network computing system according to claim 33, further comprising: a compression unit configured to compress service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that the application service is applied. 62. A second information processing apparatus, comprising: compression determination means for determining whether data compression is possible based on the communication infrastructure information; and data compression by the compression determination means. 37. The distributed network computing system according to claim 36, further comprising: compression means for compressing service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that the service information can be provided. 63. The distributed network computing system according to claim 61, wherein said compression means changes a compression level according to a communication capability of said communication network. 64. An information exchange apparatus comprising: compression determination means for determining whether data compression is possible based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information; and data compression by the compression determination means. 35. The distributed network computing system according to claim 34, further comprising: compression means for compressing service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that the application is possible. 65. A second information processing apparatus comprising: a compression determining unit configured to determine whether data can be compressed based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information; 38. The distributed network computing system according to claim 37, further comprising compression means for compressing service information provided as an applied service when it is determined that data compression is possible. 66. The compression means according to claim 64, wherein said compression means changes a compression level in accordance with a processing capability of said terminal device and a communication capability of said communication network.
A distributed network computing system as described. 67. An information exchange function is provided in a network connection device for interconnecting networks, and when transmitting service information provided as an applied service from an information processing device to a terminal device, a component such as a structured document format is used. The service information described in the data format is analyzed, the processing capability of the terminal device is determined on the network connection device side, and the service information is converted into a specific format according to the processing capability. An information exchange method, characterized in that the service information is transmitted via a communication network. 68. A network connection device for interconnecting networks is provided with an information exchange function, and when transmitting service information provided as an applied service from an information processing device to a terminal device, a component such as a structured document format is used. The service information described in the data format is analyzed, the network connection device determines the communication capability of the communication network to which the terminal device is connected, and converts the service information into a specific format according to the communication capability. An information exchange method, wherein the converted service information is transmitted via the communication network. 69. An information exchange function is provided in a network connection device for interconnecting networks, and when transmitting service information provided as an applied service from an information processing device to a terminal device, a component such as a structured document format is used. The service information described in the data format is analyzed, and the processing capability of the terminal device and the communication capability of the communication network to which the terminal device is connected are determined on the network connection device side, and according to the processing capability and the communication capability. An information exchange method, wherein the service information is converted into a specific format, and the converted service information is transmitted via the communication network. 70. An information exchange method provided in a first information processing apparatus for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the information exchange method is provided separately from the first information processing apparatus. A terminal attribute information management unit is provided in a second information processing device connected to the first information processing device, and terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device is registered in the terminal attribute information management unit; Analyzes service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format, searches for a second information processing device having the terminal attribute information management unit, and targets the second information processing device. The terminal attribute information of the terminal device as a communication partner is obtained from the terminal attribute information management unit, and the service information provided as an applied service is converted into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information. Information exchange method characterized by bis information is to be sent via the communication network. 71. An information exchange method provided in a first information processing device for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the communication network is provided separately from the first information processing device. A communication infrastructure information management unit is provided in a second information processing apparatus connected to the first information processing apparatus, and communication infrastructure information indicating a communication capability of the communication network is registered in the communication infrastructure information management unit. Analyzes service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format, searches for a second information processing device having the communication infrastructure information management unit, and targets the second information processing device. The communication infrastructure information of the communication network to which the terminal device as the communication partner is connected is obtained from the communication infrastructure information management unit, and the service information provided as an applied service is obtained from the communication infrastructure information. And transmitting the converted service information via the communication network. 72. An information exchange method provided in a first information processing apparatus for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the communication network is provided separately from the first information processing apparatus. A terminal information management unit and a communication infrastructure information management unit are provided in the second information processing device connected to the terminal information device, and terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device is registered in the terminal attribute information management unit;
Communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network is registered in the communication infrastructure information management unit, and the first information processing apparatus analyzes service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format. A second information processing device having the terminal attribute information management unit and the communication infrastructure information management unit; and a terminal device serving as a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management unit with respect to the second information processing device. And obtains communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management unit, and transmits service information provided as an applied service to the terminal attribute information and the communication. The service information is converted into a specific format based on infrastructure information, and the converted service information is transmitted via the communication network. Information exchange how to. 73. A recording medium used in an information processing apparatus for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device is stored in a terminal attribute information management unit. A function of analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format, a function of acquiring terminal attribute information of a communication partner terminal device from the terminal attribute information management unit, An information exchange control program for realizing a function of converting the analyzed service information into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information and a function of transmitting the converted service information via the communication network. A computer-readable recording medium that has been recorded. 74. A recording medium used for an information processing apparatus for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network is stored in a communication infrastructure information management unit. And the function of analyzing and printing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format, and the communication infrastructure of the communication network to which the communication partner terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management unit. A function of acquiring information, a function of converting the analyzed service information into a specific format based on the communication infrastructure information, and a function of transmitting the converted service information via the communication network are realized. Readable recording medium on which an information exchange control program for recording is recorded. 75. A recording medium used in an information processing apparatus for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device is stored in a terminal attribute information management unit. A function of registering communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network in the communication infrastructure information management unit, a function of analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format, A function of acquiring terminal attribute information of a terminal device serving as a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management unit, and acquiring communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management unit; A function of converting the analyzed service information into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information; and Computer readable recording medium for information exchange control program recorded in order to achieve a function of transmitting via the serial communication network. 76. A recording medium used in a computer for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, the function of analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format. When the processing capability of the terminal device is checked, if the processing capability of the terminal device is high, the analyzed service information is exchanged into a predetermined format according to the communication capability of the communication infrastructure, and the processing capability of the terminal device is reduced. If it is low, a computer-readable recording medium that stores an information exchange control program for realizing a function of exchanging the analyzed service information in a predetermined format according to the processing capability of the terminal device. 77. A recording medium used for a computer for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein service information described in a non-component data format is converted into a component data format. The function of analyzing the service information described in the component data format and the processing capability of the terminal device are checked. If the processing capability of the terminal device is high, the analyzed service information is determined according to the communication capability of the communication infrastructure. Information exchange control for realizing a function of exchanging information into a predetermined format according to the processing capability of the terminal device, if the processing capability of the terminal device is low, A computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded. 78. A recording medium applied to a network connection device for interconnecting a network for providing an application service to a terminal device, wherein service information provided as an application service from the information processing device is transmitted to the terminal device. A function for analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format; a function for determining the processing capability of the terminal device on the network connection device side; A computer-readable recording medium storing an information exchange control program for realizing a function of converting service information into a specific format and a function of transmitting the converted service information. 79. A recording medium applied to a network connection device for interconnecting a network for providing an application service to a terminal device, wherein service information provided as an application service from the information processing device is transmitted to the terminal device. A function of analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format, and a function of determining the communication capability of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected on the network connection device side. A computer-readable recording medium recording an information exchange control program for realizing a function of converting the service information into a specific format according to a communication capability and a function of transmitting the converted service information. 80. A recording medium applied to a network connection device for interconnecting a network for providing an application service to a terminal device, wherein service information provided as an application service from the information processing device is transmitted to the terminal device. A function of analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format, a processing capability of the terminal device on the network connection device side, and a communication capability of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected. Recording an information exchange control program for realizing a function of determining the service information, a function of converting the service information into a specific format according to its processing capability and communication capability, and a function of transmitting the converted service information. Computer readable recording medium. 81. A recording medium applied to a first information processing apparatus for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the communication network is separate from the first information processing apparatus. A terminal attribute information management unit is provided in a second information processing device connected to the first information processing device, and terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device is registered in the terminal attribute information management unit; A function of analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format; a function of searching for a second information processing device having the terminal attribute information management unit; A function to acquire terminal attribute information of a terminal device that is a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management unit, and to convert service information provided as an applied service into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information And a function of transmitting the converted service information via the communication network. A computer-readable recording medium storing an information exchange control program. 82. A recording medium applied to a first information processing device for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the communication network is separate from the first information processing device. A communication infrastructure information management unit is provided in a second information processing apparatus connected to the first information processing apparatus, and communication infrastructure information indicating a communication capability of the communication network is registered in the communication infrastructure information management unit. A function of analyzing service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format; a function of searching for a second information processing device having the communication infrastructure information management unit; A function of acquiring communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which a communication partner terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management unit, and service information provided as an applied service. A computer-readable recording medium for recording an information exchange control program for realizing a function of converting the service information into a specific format based on the communication infrastructure information and a function of transmitting the converted service information via the communication network Recording medium. 83. A recording medium applied to a first information processing device for providing an application service to a terminal device connected via a communication network, wherein the communication network is separate from the first information processing device. A terminal information management unit and a communication infrastructure information management unit are provided in the second information processing device connected to the terminal information device, and terminal attribute information indicating the processing capability of the terminal device is registered in the terminal attribute information management unit;
Communication infrastructure information indicating the communication capability of the communication network is registered in the communication infrastructure information management unit, and the first information processing apparatus analyzes service information described in a component data format such as a structured document format. A function of searching for a second information processing device having the terminal attribute information management unit and the communication infrastructure information management unit; and a communication partner from the terminal attribute information management unit for the second information processing device. A function of acquiring terminal attribute information of a terminal device to be used, and a function of acquiring communication infrastructure information of a communication network to which the terminal device is connected from the communication infrastructure information management unit, and a service information provided as an applied service. A function of converting the service information into a specific format based on the terminal attribute information and the communication infrastructure information; Computer readable recording medium for information exchange control program was recorded for realizing the function of transmitting to. 84. An information exchange for realizing a function of converting service information described in a non-parts data format into a parts data format, and analyzing and exchanging service information described in the parts data format. 78. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 75, wherein the control program is also recorded.