JP2002183083A - Shared terminal setting system, terminal control server to be used for the same and computer-readable recording medium with setting task request program stored therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the burden on a company user providing the setting service of a terminal. SOLUTION: A terminal control server 1 is connected between the company consoles 10 of a plurality of company users and a plurality of end user terminals 20 through the Internet 8 so a to share the server 1 among the plurality of company users. Setting tasks requesting programs 21 are installed in the terminals 20. The server 1 receives setting task information from the consoles 10 to control each company user and transmits an unissued setting task in response to the requests from the terminals 20 by the programs 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a joint use terminal setting system which enables joint use by a corporate user who provides a terminal setting service, a terminal management server used for the same, and a computer which stores a setting task request program. It relates to a possible recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a company such as a manufacturer of personal computers and the like, a user support company, and an information provider make settings such as addition, change, and deletion of files and registries to user terminals (personal computers and the like). When providing a service, a server operated by each company makes a batch change of settings to a plurality of terminals via a network.

In order to make such a setting change, each company develops application software for a server and a terminal separately, constructs and operates a server system individually, and provides terminal software to a user. Had been distributed.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the invention] For this reason, each company
The costs and labor involved in the development of application software for the server and the terminal, and the construction and operation of the server, respectively, were borne by each.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shared-use terminal setting system capable of reducing the burden on a company that provides a terminal setting service via a network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer readable recording medium storing a terminal management server and a setting task request program.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a shared use terminal setting system according to the first invention of the present application comprises a plurality of terminal management servers for changing the settings of end user terminals via a network. Is a shared use terminal setting system in which the corporate users of the corporate console can be jointly used from the respective corporate consoles via the network, wherein the terminal management server sends, from the corporate user, setting task information indicating the content of the setting change for the target terminal. Receiving means for receiving, user managing means for managing user information including information specifying the terminal for each user, task managing means for managing setting task information received by the receiving means for each corporate user, and Is requested, based on the content managed by the user management means and the task management means. Task issuing means for extracting and issuing a setting task that has not been issued to a terminal of the terminal, wherein the terminal requests the setting task to a terminal management server during a network connection, and obtains the setting task by the requesting means. Execution means for executing a setting change based on the set task.

According to the present invention, a terminal management server that manages setting task information from a corporate user and issues a setting task to an end user terminal can be shared by a plurality of companies. It is designed to reduce the cost and operational burden on corporate users when providing terminal setting services.

[0008] The terminal management server according to the second invention of the present application,
A terminal management server that is shared by multiple corporate users from each corporate console via the network and that changes the settings of end-user terminals via the network. Receiving means for receiving information from a corporate user, user managing means for managing the terminal for each end user, task managing means for managing the setting task information received by the receiving means for each corporate user, and a request from the terminal And a task issuing unit that extracts and issues an unissued setting task to the terminal based on the content managed by the user management unit and the task management unit when there is a problem. .

[0009] Here, the reception means has an authentication means for authenticating the enterprise user when there is access from the enterprise user. Further, the reception unit includes a transmission unit that transmits only relevant company data to the company user authenticated by the authentication unit.

The computer-readable recording medium storing the setting task request program according to the third invention of the present application is a setting task request program installed on a terminal whose setting is to be changed via a network by a terminal management server. And a step of causing the terminal to request a terminal management server for a setting task during network connection, and a step of causing the terminal to change a setting based on the acquired setting task.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a shared use terminal setting system according to an embodiment. In FIG. 1, a terminal management server 1 includes a main body 2, a database 3,
A configuration having a privileged console 7 and a plurality of end user terminals 20a to 20
n, and the corporate consoles 10a to 10b of a plurality of corporate users via the Internet 8b.
Connected to. The Internet 8 is an example,
Another wide area communication network may be used.

The terminal management server 1 is a corporate console 1
This device changes the settings of the target terminal 20 at a designated date and time based on the contents of the setting task from 0, and is realized by a computer system. The terminal management server 1 is operated by a system operator, and can be used jointly by companies.

The database 3 has a user management table 3a, a task management table 3b, and a company management table 3c.
Is stored. The privilege console 7 is a terminal management server 1
This is a device used by the operator for additionally registering in each management table 2 and confirming registration information. The privilege console 7 may remotely control the terminal management server 1 via the Internet 8.

Here, the setting task is a job indicating the contents of the setting change of the terminal 20. The contents of the setting change include the distribution and change of the icons and the background (wallpaper) of the display, and the setting of the Internet button. , File distribution, browser settings (bookmark, homepage U
RL, proxy) and the like.

The company console 10 is a device for a company user to register a setting task in the database 3 of the terminal management server 1, and is realized by a computer system.

The terminal 20 is a device whose setting is to be changed, such as a personal computer or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
s) It corresponds to a household appliance having another communication function, and the setting task request program 21 is installed. .

The setting task request program 21
During the connection to or over the Internet 8a, the communication with the terminal management server 1 is performed at regular intervals, and it is checked whether there is a setting task addressed to the terminal. If there is a setting task, it is received and the setting is changed based on the received setting task. For connection to the Internet 8a, a dial-up connection is mainly used for a telephone line, and a constant connection is used for a LAN.

To install the setting task request program 21, the recording medium storing the setting task request program 21 is distributed to the end user, and the terminal 20 is provided to the end user.
Or the terminal management server 1 may transmit the setting task request program 21 to the terminal 20 via the Internet 8a and perform automatic installation. Further, the setting task request program 21 may be installed together with the software for providing various services distributed by the enterprise user when the software is installed in the terminal 20. Here, the recording medium refers to various recording media capable of recording a program, such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor memory.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the internal configuration of each of the terminal management server 1, the enterprise console 10, and the terminal 20. In addition, there are a plurality of enterprise consoles 1
As for the terminal 0 and the terminal 20, for example, the enterprise console 10a and the terminal 20a are used.

The terminal management server 1 has a main body 2 and a database 3. The main body 2 is configured to include a timer 4 for checking a schedule of a setting task, a communication interface unit 5 for communicating with the Internet 8a, 8b, and a controller 6 for controlling the functions of these units.

The main control functions of the controller 6 include:
It has a corporate user authentication function, a screen extracting function to be displayed on the corporate console 10, a setting task registration accepting function, a setting task issuing function, and the like.

The database 3 includes a terminal ID for specifying the terminal 20, a name of a company to which the user intends to receive the setting service (hereinafter, referred to as "affiliated company"), and a user including attribute data indicating a group to which the user belongs. A user management table 3a for managing information; a task management table 3b for managing setting task information including a setting task file name, setting task data, an ID of a setting target terminal, a schedule, etc. for each company; ID, password,
A company management table 3c for managing company information including a service menu level for each company is stored.

The company console 10a displays a service menu for each company, a registered setting task, and a GUI (Graphical User I) for registering the setting task.
nterface) a display / registration processing unit 11a, a communication interface unit 12a for communicating with the Internet 8b,
It has a controller 13a for controlling these units. Corporate console 10b, privileged console 7
Has a similar configuration.

The terminal 20a is resident at the terminal 20, accesses the terminal management server 1 at regular intervals, requests a setting task, interprets the received setting task, and executes a setting change request program 21a. A timer 22a for measuring polling timing when requesting a setting task from the terminal management server 1, and an Internet 8a
And a communication interface unit 23a for communicating with the communication interface. The other terminals 20b to 20m have the same configuration.

The functions of the respective components of the terminal management server 1, the enterprise console 20, the privileged console 7, and the terminal 20 may be realized by software or by hardware.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of processing by the shared terminal setting system. Here, a case where the corporate console 10a and the terminal 20a are used as an example from the plurality of corporate consoles 10 and the terminals 20 will be described. Before starting this process, the setting task request program 21a is installed in the terminal 20a to be set. Further, since a terminal ID for specifying the terminal is required, it is assumed that the terminal ID is registered in the user management table 3a in advance.

In the registration operation for registering the user information in STEP 1 in the user management table 3a, the system operator connects the privilege console 7 to the terminal management server 1 via a network (d1). This procedure is unnecessary when the connection is always made via a LAN or the like. And a privilege ID,
The user inputs a password and logs in to the terminal management server 1 (d2). At this time, the controller 6 of the terminal management server 1 searches the company management table 3c and authenticates the privilege ID and password of the system operator. If the authentication is confirmed, the privilege data (all company data) is read from the task management table 3b and transmitted to the privilege console 7 via the communication interface unit 5 (d
3).

The privilege console 7 receives the privilege data via the communication interface unit, interprets the content by the controller, and displays it on the screen. The system operator inputs the user information including the terminal ID and the like according to this screen, and registers or adds it to the user management table 3a (d4).

In the above-mentioned registration work, the manual registration of the user information has been described. However, the terminal ID may be automatically registered. For example, when the terminal 20a accesses the terminal management server 1, the terminal ID is issued from the terminal management server 1 to the terminal 20a and registered in the terminal 20a, and the terminal ID is also registered in the user management table 3a. . User information other than the terminal ID is registered by a system operator.

In the process of registering the setting task information in STEP 2 in the task management table 3b, the company user connects the company console 10a to the terminal management server 1 via a network (d5). This procedure is unnecessary if the connection is always on. Then, the user enters his / her company ID and password and logs in to the terminal management server 1 (d6).

The controller 6 of the terminal management server 1 searches the company management table 3c and searches for the company ID of the company user.
And authenticate the password. If the authentication is confirmed, the level of the company user is extracted from the company management table 3c, and the data for the company is extracted from the task management table 3b. Is transmitted to the enterprise console 20a via the communication interface unit 5 (d7).

The enterprise console 20a receives data such as setting task information and service menu via the communication interface unit 12a, and sends the data to the controller 13a.
Interprets the contents, and the GUI display / registration processing unit 11a displays the contents on the screen. The corporate user inputs new setting task information and confirms the issuance status of the setting task based on this screen. When inputting the setting task information, select a service menu, specify a setting task for each service, specify a target terminal, specify a group, enter a schedule (effective period), and the like. It is registered in the task management table 3b (d8).

The setting task of STEP 3 is issued and the terminal 2
In the process of performing the setting change of 0a, the terminal 20a is connected to the network (after PPP is established in the case of dial-up connection, at regular intervals in the case of LAN, etc.), and the communication interface unit 23a is set by the setting task request program 21a. To the terminal management server 1 via the terminal I
Requests a setting task addressed to its own terminal after specifying D (d
9, d10).

In the terminal management server 1, the controller 6
Receives the setting task request via the communication interface unit 5, searches the user management table 3a based on the terminal ID to confirm that the terminal 20a is registered, and then searches the task management table 3b. To check for configuration tasks. In this confirmation, a check of the terminal ID in the task management table 3b and a check of the schedule are performed. If there is a setting task that has not been issued to the terminal 20a, the setting task is transmitted to the terminal 20a via the communication interface unit 5 (d11).

Setting task request program 2 of terminal 20a
1a receives this setting task via the communication interface unit 23a, interprets the contents, and changes the settings of the file and the registry based on the contents. The setting task request program 21a periodically inquires of the terminal management server 1 based on the notification from the timer 22a while the network connection is continued thereafter, and repeats the same processing.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the terminal management server 1 that manages the setting task information from the corporate user and issues the setting task to the terminal of the end user can be shared by a plurality of corporate users. By doing
In providing the terminal setting service, the burden on the cost and operation of the corporate user can be reduced.

As a result, the company's promotion activities, information provision services for members, and user support (software version upgrade, IS based on traffic conditions)
P (Internet Service Provider) access point change, etc.).

In addition to regular use, the present system can be used temporarily, for example, to disseminate events for a limited time or to perform initial setting immediately after shipment of a personal computer by a personal computer manufacturer.

According to the present embodiment, since a corporate user can register setting task information in the terminal management server 1 from a remote place via the Internet 8, as a system operator of the terminal management server 1, There is no need to set the contents of the setting task information itself, and the corporate user only needs to register the setting task information when the setting needs to be changed. The burden can be reduced.

According to the present embodiment, even when the end user receives the terminal setting service from a plurality of company users, each company user can use the same setting task request program, and the setting task request program is Since only one device needs to be installed on the terminal 20, it is not necessary for each company user to develop and distribute terminal software separately, and as an end user, the terminal setting service provided by each company can be easily used. be able to.

[0042]

As described above, according to the joint use type terminal setting system and the terminal management server according to the present invention, the setting task information from the enterprise user is managed, and the setting task is transmitted to the end user terminal. By enabling the terminal management server to be shared by multiple corporate users,
In providing the terminal setting service, the burden on the cost and operation of the corporate user can be reduced.

Further, since the enterprise user can register the setting task information in the terminal management server from a remote place via the network, it is necessary for the system operator of the terminal management server to set the contents of the setting task information itself. There is no need to register setting task information when a setting change needs to be performed as a corporate user, so that both parties can reduce the cost and operation burden.

Furthermore, when a corporate user accesses the system, the corporate user is authenticated, and only the relevant corporate data is transmitted to the authenticated corporate user. Security problems such as data leakage can be avoided, and safe operation can be realized.

According to the computer-readable recording medium storing the setting task request program according to the present invention, when an end user receives a terminal setting service from a plurality of corporate users, the same setting task request program is used. Since each company user does not need to separately distribute terminal software, end users can easily use the terminal setting service provided by each company.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a shared use terminal setting system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an internal configuration of each of a terminal management server 1, a company console 10, and a terminal 20.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of processing by the shared use terminal setting system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal management server 2 Main body 3 Database 3a User management table 3b Task management table 3c Company management table 4 Timer 5 Communication interface unit 6 Controller 7 Privileged console 8a, 8b Internet 10a, 10b, 10c Enterprise console 11a GUI display / registration processing unit 12a Communication interface unit 12 13a Controller 20a, 20b, ..., 20m Terminal 21a, 21b, ..., 21m Setting task request program 22a, 22b, ..., 22m Timer 23a, 23b, ..., 23m Communication interface unit

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Yamashita F-term (reference) 5B085 AC03 BG07 CA04 in NTT Communications Co., Ltd. 1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A shared-use terminal setting system in which a plurality of corporate users can share a terminal management server for changing the settings of end-user terminals via a network from respective corporate consoles via a network. The terminal management server, receiving means for receiving from a corporate user setting task information indicating the content of the setting change for the target terminal, user management means for managing user information including information specifying the terminal for each user, A task management unit that manages the setting task information received by the reception unit for each company user, and when a request is received from the terminal, based on the content managed by the user management unit and the task management unit. Task issuing means for extracting and issuing a setting task that has not been issued to the terminal, Requesting means for requesting a setting task to the terminal management server during network connection; and executing means for executing a setting change based on the setting task acquired by the requesting means. Setting system. 2. A system in which a plurality of company users jointly use the respective company consoles via a network,
A terminal management server that performs setting change of an end user terminal via a network, a receiving unit that receives setting task information indicating the contents of the setting change for a target terminal from a corporate user, and manages the terminal for each end user. A task management means for managing the setting task information received by the reception means for each corporate user; and a user management means for managing the setting task information received by the terminal when requested by the terminal. And a task issuing means for extracting and issuing a setting task that has not been issued to the terminal based on the content of the terminal management server. 3. The terminal management server according to claim 2, wherein said accepting means has an authentication means for authenticating the enterprise user when the enterprise user accesses the terminal management server. 4. The terminal management server according to claim 3, wherein said receiving means has a transmitting means for transmitting only relevant corporate data to the corporate user authenticated by said authenticating means. 5. A setting task request program installed in a terminal whose setting is to be changed via a network by a terminal management server, wherein the setting task is requested to the terminal management server while the network is connected to the terminal. And a step of causing the terminal to change a setting based on the obtained setting task. A computer-readable recording medium storing a setting task request program.