FR2877459A1 - Digital file locating method for e.g. personal computer and application server, involves transmitting update file including file identifiers and operation types, to data processing device when event independent of device is detected - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves storing a file identifier associated to an operation type in a data processing device (SA), at each operation on a digital file. An update file including the identifiers and types is transmitted from the device (SA) to a data processing device (Dn), when the device (SA) detects an event independent of the device (Dn). Location information related to the identifier is updated in the device (Dn), based on the type. The event is a modification of a number of the digital files or a delay. Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) a computer system for locating digital files from a data processing device (B) a data processing device for locating a digital file in another data processing device (C) a computer program to be implemented in a data processing device for locating digital files from a data processing device.

Description

Localization of files in devices

  The present invention relates to a method and system for locating predetermined files stored in one or more devices. More specifically, the invention relates to the transmission of update data files between devices.

  In the state of the art, some file management or file synchronization systems make it possible to view two trees of a directory located in two data processing devices. In this case, for a user to note the presence of a file in both devices, he must visually search for the presence of this file in both trees.

  The French patent application 0412650 filed November 26, 2004, not yet published, presents a computer system for locating files among data processing devices from a first device. Update files are transmitted by devices at the request of the first device through a telecommunication network, so that the first device updates file location information. Or the first device is able to send update file transmission requests to a device whose set of files has not been changed since the last request which unnecessarily clutters the telecommunications network.

  The purpose of the invention is to transmit updating files only when the predetermined files have been sufficiently modified in number and / or for a predetermined period of time, and thus to reduce the communication traffic between the devices so as not to overload. traffic in the networks connecting the devices. The location of predetermined files according to the invention is then close to a location of predetermined files in real time.

  To achieve this objective, a method of locating predetermined files from a first data processing device, is characterized in that it comprises: - at each operation on a predetermined file, storing an identifier of the predetermined file associated with a type of the operation, in a second data processing device, - a transmission of an update file including at least one of the memorized identifiers of the predetermined files and the type of operation associated with the second device at the first device, when the second device detects a predetermined event independent of the first device, and - updating a location information corresponding to the identifier of each predetermined file included in the update file according to the type of operation associated with the identifier in the first device.

  Advantageously according to the invention, the location of predetermined files stored in several devices is accessible unified, that is to say from a single device.

  With each operation on a predetermined file, a date of the operation can be memorized in association with the stored identifier of the predetermined file, and the predetermined detected event can be the expiry of a delay initialized at the last date of memorized operation.

  For each predetermined file-stored identifier, the method may include storing an update status associated with the stored identifier indicating whether the identifier and the associated operation type have been transmitted in the update file. at the first device, and the predetermined detected event may be an exceeding of a predetermined number of identifiers by a number of predetermined file stored identifiers having respectively stored update states each indicating that the respective identifier and the respective associated operation types were not passed to the first device.

  The method may include storing a date of transmission of the update file to the first device. Advantageously, in order not to defer the transmission of the update file too long, the detected predetermined event can be either a predetermined number of operations exceeded by a number of operations on predetermined files. since the stored update file transmission date, ie the expiration of a second predetermined delay initialized on the date of the update update file transmission. The possibility of cumulating in particular the two predetermined events defined above makes it possible to approach a location of predetermined files in real time.

  The invention also relates to a computer system for locating predetermined files from a first data processing device. The system is characterized in that it comprises: - means for storing at each operation on a predetermined file an identifier of the predetermined file associated with a type of the operation in a second data processing device, - means for detecting in the second device a predetermined event independent of the first device, - means for transmitting an update file including at least one of the stored file identifiers predetermined and the type of operation associated from the second device to the first device, when the means for detecting detects the predetermined event, and - means for updating in the first device location information corresponding to the identifier of each predetermined file included in the update file according to the type of operation associated with each of the identifiers.

  The invention thus automatically adapts the operating characteristics of the file location method and system to the frequencies of use of the devices, the frequency of use of a device by a user being able to be determined for example in relation to the number of operations user on device files.

  The invention also relates to a data processing device for locating predetermined files from a first data processing device, which is characterized in that it comprises: - means for storing at each operation on a predetermined file a identifier of the predetermined file associated with a type of the operation, means for detecting a predetermined event independent of the first device, and - means for transmitting an update file including at least one of the stored identifiers of the predetermined files and the type of operation associated with the first device, when the means for detecting detects the predetermined event, in order to update a location information corresponding to the identifier of each predetermined file included in the update file according to the type operation associated with the identifier in the first device.

  Finally, the invention relates to a computer program adapted to be implemented in a second data processing device for locating predetermined files from a first data processing device, said program comprising instructions which, when the program is loaded and executed in said second device, perform the steps of: storing at each operation on a predetermined file a predetermined file identifier associated with a type of the operation, and transmitting an update file including at least one one of the identifiers stored in the predetermined files and the type of operation associated with the first device, when the second device detects a predetermined event independent of the first device according to the method of the invention.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of several preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the corresponding appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a predetermined file location system according to the invention; and FIG. 2 is an algorithm of a predetermined file locating method according to the invention.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the file localization system according to the invention comprises software modules installed in at least one first data processing device and at least one second data processing device. The location system optionally includes a third processing device.

  In order not to overload FIG. 1, only a few examples of first data processing devices Dn and SA, second data processing devices D1 to DN with n N, and third data processing devices DS have been shown.

  The first, second, and third data processing devices each include at least one CPU and one MU user interface software module. The first and second data processing devices also include an MM update software module and at least one EM memory space.

  Each first device according to the invention communicates with the other devices to receive predetermined file location information. Each second device according to the invention is capable of supplying location information to a first device. Each third DS device does not have a MM update module and is merely a terminal for consulting the predetermined file location.

  A first or second or third device may be a personal computer DN, a laptop D1, a mobile terminal D2 in a cellular radio network, a fixed telecommunications terminal D3, a personal digital assistant PDA DN, a video game console, a smart TV receiver cooperating with a remote control display or alphanumeric keyboard also used as a mouse through an infrared link, a DN_l digital camera, a digital video camera, a HiFi system with storage, a DVD player with storage, a walkman digital hard disk drive, an Internet access tablet, an application server SA with memory spaces dedicated to users, or any electronic device or object for storing personal files to a user.

  Generally, a first device provides significant telecommunication link capabilities, such as a personal computer or a server. On the other hand, it is difficult for example for a digital camera to communicate with a server without resorting to a connection to a computer or a mobile cellular terminal, a digital camera constituting most often a second device according to the invention. In general, a second device has a lower processing capacity than the first device. The MM update module is difficult to support by a mobile cellular terminal. Therefore, a mobile cellular terminal is often a third device. A personal computer, a laptop and a personal digital assistant communicating may be indifferently first or second or third data processing devices according to the invention.

  An application server is a first or second data processing device according to the invention. When a first device is a personal computer, the application server is a second device and the server communicates with the personal computer through RA access networks and a telecommunications network RT.

  When a first device is the application server, a second device may be a personal computer, a laptop or a personal digital assistant. When a third device is a mobile cellular terminal, the first device is often an application server communicating under the control of the cellular terminal.

  A first device according to the invention favors local communications with one or second devices. For example, a first device is a personal computer Dn and second devices are respectively a mobile cellular terminal D2 and an application server SA. The link privileged by the personal computer with the cellular terminal is a local link LL shown in FIG. 1. When the local link between a first device and a second given device is not available, the first device can communicate with the second device. given device through another second device capable of establishing a connection with the second given device. The other second device simply acts as a communication medium between the second device and the first device. For example, the computer Dn establishes a remote link LD with the cellular terminal D2 via the application server SA.

  A remote telecommunication link LD uses an access network RA. For example, the access network RA comprises a radio communications network, for example of the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) type with a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) service, or of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) type. In another example, the link LD is a telephone line and the access network RA comprises the switched telephone network.

  According to other variants, the link LD is an xDSL line (Digital Subscriber Line) or an ISDN line (Integrated Services Digital Network) connected to the corresponding RA access network.

  An LL local link between a personal computer and a mobile cellular terminal may be a wired connection for example by serial cable, or 100baseT type Ethernet connection cable, or Universal Serial Bus (USB) bus. The local link LL can also be a wireless link, for example of the DECT type (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications), or infrared, or satisfying a 802.11x standard (Bluethooth, WiFi).

  The data processing devices, the links and the RA access networks are not limited to the above examples and may be constituted by other known data processing devices, links and access networks.

  A predetermined file according to the invention is a digital file conventionally containing personal data to a user, such as one or more images or photos, text, one or more musical pieces, or one or more video sequences.

  For example, the predetermined files are initially determined by the user of a first device that selects a set of files in the file tree of his device.

  An operation performed on a predetermined file is an addition of the predetermined file in a memory space or a deletion of the predetermined file of a memory space. A modification of a predetermined file in a memory space is considered according to the invention as an addition of the predetermined file in the memory space; in other words, a modified file in the memory space is considered as a file added to the memory space. A type of operation is either an addition or a deletion.

  A location file in a device according to the invention comprises one or more predetermined file identifiers each corresponding to at least one location information of the predetermined file. A file identifier is a symbol or string, such as the file name, that identifies a file. Location information of a predetermined file locates a predetermined file in a first device and / or at least a second device. For example, the location information D1, D2, D3, D7 corresponding to a predetermined file named "XXX" means that the predetermined file named "XXX" is stored in the first device identified by D1 and in the second devices respectively identified by D2. , D3 and D7.

  An update file according to the invention managed by a second device contains at least one predetermined file identifier associated with a type of operation.

  Preferably, in correspondence with the identifier of each predetermined file, the location file and / or the update file also contain other information such as a title, a description and / or an author's name of the file. predetermined file.

  For example, update and localization files are written in the eXtensible Markup Language (XML).

  The predetermined file locating method according to the invention can be implemented in a service for managing a photo album or musical pieces or video sequences between different devices.

  The implementation of the localization method according to the invention is described below between a first device Dn and a second device SA.

  The predetermined file locating method comprises four steps E1 to E4, as shown in Figure 2.

  At each operation on a predetermined file, the central unit UC of the second device SA stores an identifier of the predetermined file associated with the type of the operation, in the memory space EM of the second device, in step E1. described below, other data may be stored in association with or in correspondence with the predetermined file identifier and the type of the operation, such as a date of the operation.

  The purpose of this step is to store a history of the operations performed on the predetermined files in the second device. Step E1 can be performed by operation storage systems on files natively included in device operating systems.

  Initially, for example after the installation of a location software in the second device, when the memory space of the second device already includes predetermined files previously stored, the predetermined files are considered to have been added.

  The memory space EM of the second device SA comprises a data table including at least fields "predetermined file identifier" and "type of operation". For example, when adding a predetermined file identified by "14526" in the memory space of the second device, the central processing unit UC stores in the table the line "14526, A", where A identifies the type of device. operation corresponding to the addition.

  In step E2, the update module MM of the second device SA constitutes an update file by extracting data from the data table of the memory space EM of the second device, such as predetermined file identifiers. associated with a type of operation.

  In step E3, the update module MM of the second device SA transmits to the first device Dn the update file consisting of at least one of the identifiers stored in the predetermined files and the type of operation associated with the device. identifier when the CPU of the second SA device detects a predetermined event independent of the first device Dn.

  The predetermined event triggers both the step E2 of constitution of the update file and the step E3 of transmission of the update file constituted. Although the central processing unit UC of the second device can constitute an event detection means, this detection means can also take the form of a software application called "DAEMON" whose role is to continuously detect whether a predetermined event occurs. sets off.

  A predetermined detected event, independent of the first device Dn, is an event that occurs without solicitation of the first device unlike the transmission of the update file described in the French patent application 0412650. The transmission of the update file is performed in "PUSH" mode, that is to say the second SA device itself decides to transmit the update file. The second device is then said to be "active" as opposed to the first device that is said to be "passive".

  The protocol for transferring data between second and first devices is, for example, the HTTP protocol (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

  In a preferred embodiment, at each operation on a predetermined file, a date of the operation is stored by the central processing unit UC of the second device SA in association with the identifier of the predetermined stored file and the type of operation, at the same time. El step. The detected predetermined event is then the expiration of a delay of 20 minutes, for example, initialized on the last memorized operation date.

  In a first variant, for each predetermined stored file identifier, the central processing unit UC of the second SA device stores an update status in association with the predetermined stored file identifier and the associated operation type. The update status associated with a predetermined file identifier and a type of operation indicates whether this predetermined file identifier and this type of operation were transmitted in the update file to the first device Dn. The predetermined event detected is then an exceeding of a predetermined number of identifiers by a number of predetermined file memorized identifiers respectively having stored update states each indicating that the respective identifier and the type of associated operation. respective ones have not been transmitted to the first device Dn.

  In other words, the number of predetermined file stored identifiers respectively having stored update states each indicating that the respective identifier and the respective associated operation type have not been transmitted to the first device, corresponds to the number of operations that were not communicated to the first device. For example, the predetermined number of identifiers is 10 and the transmission of the update file takes place when the number of operations not communicated exceeds 10.

  The update state previously stored in the second device relates only to the first device Dn. However, the locating system according to the invention is likely to comprise several first devices or several second devices considered as first devices for the second device. The central processing unit UC of the second device SA thus stores an update status relating to each of the first devices or to each of the second devices considered as first devices.

  In a third variant, the central processing unit UC of the second device SA stores a date of transmission of the update file to the first device, and the predetermined detected event is an overshoot of a predetermined number of operations by a number operations on predetermined files since the last date of transmission of stored update file. For example, the predetermined number of operations is 20.

  In a variant of the third variant, the detected predetermined event is the expiry of a second delay initialized on the last date of the update update file transmission. The second predetermined period is for example of the order of 24 hours.

  The three variants combined together constitute the most advantageous implementation of the invention.

  In another variant, the detected predetermined event results from a voluntary action of a user in the second device SA. For example, the user clicks on a command button to force the constitution and transmission of the update file by the second device.

  In step E4, the update module MM of the first device Dn updates the location information contained in the location file in the first device Dn and which correspond to the predetermined file identifiers included in the file. updated, depending on the types of operation associated with the identifiers respectively. Location information relates to the location of a predetermined file in the second SA device.

  In a variant, the user of a device according to the invention selects a mode of transmission of the update file either for all the devices, or for each of the devices. A transmission mode corresponds to a predetermined event or a combination of predetermined events. The transmission of the update file at the request of the first device, as described in the French patent application 0412650, may correspond to a particular transmission mode.

  The invention described herein relates to a method and a file localization system. According to a preferred implementation, the storage step E1, the update file creation step E2 and the transmission step E3 of the method of the invention are determined by the instructions of an embedded computer program. in a second device. The program comprises program instructions which, when said program is loaded and executed in the second device whose operation is then controlled by the execution of the program, perform the steps E1 E2 and E3 according to the invention. The updating step E4 of the method of the invention is determined by the instructions of a computer program incorporated in a first device. The program incorporated in the first device comprises program instructions which, when said program is loaded and executed in the first device whose operation is then controlled by the execution of the program, perform the step E4 of the invention.

  Accordingly, the invention also applies to computer programs, including computer programs on or in information carriers, adapted to implement the invention. These programs may use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other form desirable to implement the method according to the invention.

  The information carriers can be any entities or devices capable of storing programs. For example, each medium may comprise storage means or recording medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a diskette (floppy disc ) or a hard disk.

  On the other hand, each information medium may be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. The programs according to the invention may in particular be downloaded on an Internet-type network.

  Alternatively, each information carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method according to the invention.

Claims (1)

19 CLAIMS   1 - Method for locating predetermined files from a first data processing device (D), characterized in that it comprises: - at each operation on a predetermined file, a storage (El) of an identifier of the associated predetermined file to a type of the operation, in a second data processing device (SA), - a transmission (E3) of an update file including at least one of the identifiers stored in the predetermined files and the type of associated operation from the second device to the first device, when the second device detects a predetermined event independent of the first device, and - an update (E4) of a location information corresponding to the identifier of each predetermined file included in the update file according to the type of operation associated with the identifier, in the first device.   2 - Process according to claim 1, wherein at each operation on a predetermined file, a date of the operation is stored in association with the stored identifier of the predetermined file, and the predetermined event detected is the expiration of a delay initialized on the last memorized operation date.   The method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising for each predetermined stored file identifier, storing an update status associated with the stored identifier indicating whether the identifier and the type of associated operation have been transmitted in the update file to the first device, and the detected predetermined event is an exceeding of a predetermined number of identifiers by a number of predetermined file stored identifiers respectively having stored update states indicating each that the respective identifier and the respective associated operation type have not been transmitted to the first device.   4 - Process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a storage of a date of the transmission of the update file to the first device.   The method according to claim 4, wherein the detected predetermined event is an exceedance of a predetermined number of operations by a number of operations on predetermined files since the date of update update file transmission.   The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the predetermined detected event is the expiration of a second predetermined delay initialized on the date of the stored update file transmission.   7 - Process according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detected predetermined event results from a voluntary action in the second device.   8 - computer system for locating predetermined files from a first data processing device (De), characterized in that it comprises: - means for storing (UC) each operation on a predetermined file an identifier of the associated predetermined file to a type of the operation in a second data processing device (SA), - means for detecting (UC) in the second device a predetermined event independent of the first device, - means for transmitting (MM) a file of update including at least one of the stored file predetermined identifiers and the type of operation associated from the second device to the first device, when the means for detecting (UC) detects the predetermined event, and means for setting day (MM) in the first device a location information corresponding to the identifier of each predetermined file included in the update file according to the type of operation associated with each of the identifiers.   9 - Device for processing data for locating predetermined files from a first data processing device, characterized in that it comprises: - means for storing (UC) each operation on a predetermined file an identifier of the associated predetermined file to a type of operation, - means for detecting (UC) a predetermined event independent of the first device, and - means for transmitting (MM) an update file including at least one of the stored file identifiers predetermined and the type of operation associated with the first device, when the means for detecting (UC) detects the predetermined event.   Computer program adapted to be implemented in a second data processing device for locating predetermined files from a first data processing device, said program comprising instructions which, when the program is loaded and executed in said program; second device, perform the steps of: storing (El) each operation on a predetermined file a predetermined file identifier associated with a type of the operation, and transmitting (E3) an update file including at least one stored identifiers of the predetermined files and the type of operation associated with the first device, when the second device detects a predetermined event independent of the first device.