JP2004054633A - Information synchronization method, information synchronization device and information terminal for using the same method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for eliminating inconvenience in appropriately using a plurality of terminals by one user. <P>SOLUTION: In a network system 10, each of terminals, such as a cellular phone 20, PDA 22, PC 24, automobile 26, and audio stereo set 28 is connected to an information synchronization server 14 through the Internet 16. When the terminal in use among these terminals is switched to in a nonuse state, data relating to content in operation and an environment is transmitted to the information synchronization server 14. The information synchronization server 14 transfers reproduced data to the other terminal, and operation can be continued at the other terminal on the basis of the data. Thereby, seamless transition of the terminal is achieved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information synchronization method and device. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for transmitting and receiving data necessary for performing continuous work by properly using a plurality of terminals.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Due to the development and spread of communication technology including the Internet, many people now use some kind of communication terminal. The most widespread terminals are mobile phones and personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as “PC”). It is not unusual for an individual to use multiple terminals. In the future, if IPv6, which is a next-generation communication protocol, becomes widespread, a vast address space that can cover all information devices and electric appliances will be provided. In that case, various devices around us can be used as network terminals, and it is expected that new ways of using them will be created one after another in the future.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, with regard to products, even if various improvements have been made, users are not easily satisfied, and they always seek something more convenient and easy to use. After a while, the functions that I find useful are forgotten. Conversely, if one becomes convenient, other parts that were not felt inconvenient until then may be felt inconvenient. Looking ahead and solving the problems that may arise when various information devices and appliances are converted to network terminals will be the key to popularizing such next-generation networks.
[0004]
The present inventor has made the present invention based on the above recognition, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for eliminating inconvenience in properly using a plurality of terminals. Another object is to provide a technology for realizing a continuous operation using a plurality of terminals regardless of time and place. Still another object is to provide a technique for ensuring security when using a plurality of terminals properly.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One embodiment of the present invention relates to an information synchronization method. In this method, a step of receiving each unique IP address fixedly assigned to a plurality of terminals which is assumed to be used by the same user, and storing the IP address and the user identification information in association with each other When the process and the terminal used by the user are switched to the non-use state, the reproduction data necessary for continuing the work performed by the user on one of the plurality of terminals is used. Receiving from the terminal placed in the above, extracting the IP address of a plurality of terminals as a destination, transmitting reproduction data to the extracted IP address and continuing the work at the terminal of the destination, Having.
[0006]
When it is desired to transfer a terminal used for work from one terminal to another terminal, conventionally, it has been necessary for the user to specify all of the data to be transferred, the source, and the destination. In the present embodiment, these series of procedures are automatically processed. That is, detection of migration, acquisition of data to be migrated, transfer of data to be migrated, and designation of a source and a destination are all automatically processed. The user can continue the interrupted work only by activating the self-registered terminal, without being conscious of which terminal to use next.
[0007]
Note that the data acquisition and transfer are performed after detecting the terminal migration or equivalent operation, so that the work contents and work environment are always recorded on the server like a workstation. This is essentially different from the configuration that can be used from the terminal.
[0008]
“Terminal” is not limited to its type. For example, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PC, a computer mounted on a car, an audio stereo, a television receiver, and the like correspond to at least communication for transmitting and receiving data to and from another device. Has functions. Either a fixed terminal or a mobile terminal may be used. However, in the case of a mobile terminal, it is assumed that the environment is such that a fixed IP address can be used regardless of location using a technology such as mobile IP.
[0009]
The "use state" and the "non-use state" may be distinguished depending on whether the user is performing any work on the terminal, or the two may be distinguished depending on whether the power is on or off. Good. If it is in a standby state even when the power is on, it may be treated as an “unused state”. In addition, the “execution state” and the “stop state” of the application program used for the work may be the “use state” and the “non-use state”, respectively. In this case, each terminal executes an application program of a common specification having a function of processing reproduction data.
[0010]
“Reproduction data” is data such as an application program used by the user on the terminal, data processed using the application program, and environment settings of the application program. Contains the various types of data needed to continue at the terminal. If the interrupted work is “music playback”, the playback data includes the title of the song, the point at which playback of the song was interrupted, the playback conditions of the song, and the like.
[0011]
Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an information synchronizer. This device includes a terminal management unit that holds a unique IP address fixedly assigned to a plurality of terminals that are assumed to be used by the same user and identification information of the user in association with each other, When a terminal that was in use switches to the non-use state, the reproduction data necessary to continue the work being performed by the user on one of the terminals was used. It has an acquisition processing unit for acquiring from a terminal, and a transfer processing unit for extracting IP addresses of a plurality of terminals from a terminal management unit and transmitting reproduction data to the IP address.
[0012]
This device may be realized as a server provided on a network. Each terminal has its IP address managed by an information synchronizer as a server, and uploads or downloads reproduction data to and from the information synchronizer. If the terminal has an IP address managed in advance, the interrupted work can be continued from that state regardless of time or place. The terminal management unit may manage the state of each terminal based on a notification to that effect when each of the plurality of terminals is put into a use state, in which case, the reproduction data is stored only for the terminal in use. May be transmitted.
[0013]
Yet another embodiment of the present invention also relates to an information synchronization method. The method includes the steps of reading a unique IP address fixedly assigned in advance to an information terminal that is assumed to be used by a specific user; A step of transmitting an address to a predetermined server, and a step of generating reproduction data necessary for continuing the work previously performed on another terminal when the terminal is switched from a use state to a non-use state And transmitting the reproduction data to the server.
[0014]
This method mainly specifies processing to be performed in the process of switching an information terminal in use to a non-use state. When switching to the non-use state, the reproduction data recording the situation during the work is stored in the information synchronizer. As a result, the work can be continued at another terminal that has obtained the reproduction data, and continuous work can be performed regardless of time and place. Note that the terminal itself that has transmitted the reproduction data may acquire the reproduction data later and continue the operation. Also in this case, the situation during the work is automatically reproduced, so that the convenience is high.
[0015]
Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to an information terminal. This terminal is an information terminal that is intended to be used by a specific user, and includes an address holding unit that stores a unique IP address fixedly assigned in advance to the terminal, and an information terminal used by the terminal. A use notification unit that notifies a predetermined server of the fact and the IP address when the terminal is placed in a state, and the operation that has been performed up to that point when the terminal is switched from the use state to the non-use state. And a transmission processing unit for transmitting reproduction data necessary to continue the process to the server.
[0016]
This information terminal saves, in the above-mentioned information synchronizer, reproduction data in which a situation in the middle of work is recorded when the information terminal is not in use, and can resume an interrupted work when acquiring the reproduction data. Thereby, seamless work can be realized while switching a plurality of terminals.
[0017]
Yet another embodiment of the present invention also relates to an information synchronization method. The method includes the steps of receiving a unique IP address fixedly assigned to a plurality of terminals that are assumed to be used by the same user, storing the IP address, and determining whether a specific terminal is in use. Generating the reproduction data for continuing the work being performed by the user at any one of the plurality of terminals when switching from the to the non-use state, and the IP of the terminal that is the destination of the reproduction data The method includes a step of extracting an address, and a step of transmitting reproduction data to the extracted IP address and continuing work at a terminal at the destination.
[0018]
In this method, when the information terminal is switched to the non-use state, the status during the work is transmitted not to the server but to another terminal. Other terminals receiving this can continue the interrupted work. As a result, the user can perform continuous work regardless of time and place, as long as the user has his / her own terminal that is previously associated with each other by the IP address.
[0019]
Yet another embodiment of the present invention also relates to an information terminal. This terminal is an information terminal that is assumed to be used by a specific user, and has a unique IP address that is fixedly assigned to a plurality of other terminals that are assumed to be used by the user. A terminal management unit for storing the information and an IP address from the terminal management unit for continuing the work performed by the user at one of the plurality of terminals when the terminal is switched from the use state to the non-use state. A transfer processing unit for extracting an address and transmitting reproduction data necessary for continuation to the IP address.
[0020]
When the information terminal is switched to the non-use state, the work in progress is transmitted to another terminal, so that the user can perform continuous work at his / her own terminal regardless of time and place. The terminal management unit may manage the state of each terminal based on a notification to that effect when each of the plurality of terminals is put into a use state, in which case, the terminal management unit Only the reproduction data may be transmitted.
[0021]
Yet another embodiment of the present invention also relates to an information synchronization method. In this method, when the first terminal put in use by a specific user is switched to the non-use state, the work performed by the user at the first terminal is continued at the second terminal. Receiving the reproduction data required for the first terminal from the first terminal, determining the identity of the user of the second terminal and the specific user by biometric authentication, and reproducing on the condition that the identity has been authenticated. Transmitting the data to the second terminal.
[0022]
"Biometric authentication" is a method of recognizing an individual based on the biological characteristics of a human. For example, authentication may be performed based on features of the appearance of the face, such as the outline of the face, eyes, nose, and mouth. In this case, face authentication may be performed using the camera function of the information terminal. In addition, authentication may be performed based on an iris, a fingerprint, or the like, or authentication may be performed based on a characteristic gesture or the like. This biometric authentication has higher security as personal authentication and higher recognition accuracy than authentication methods such as passwords. Therefore, it is possible to safely carry out work transfer between a plurality of terminals while ensuring the identity of the user.
[0023]
Yet another embodiment of the present invention also relates to an information synchronizer. This device is used to continue the work performed by the user on the first terminal at the second terminal when the first terminal put into use by the specific user is switched to the non-use state. An acquisition processing unit that acquires the reproduction data necessary for the first terminal from the first terminal, an authentication unit that determines the identity of the user of the second terminal and the specific user by biometric authentication, and that the identity has been authenticated. A transfer processing unit that transmits the reproduction data to the second terminal under the condition.
[0024]
This device may be realized as a server that processes biometric authentication and transfer of reproduction data. As a result, each terminal can safely deliver the work. The authentication unit may determine, from the first terminal and the second terminal, data indicating the biological characteristics of the user to be used for biometric authentication and collate the data to determine the identity of the user.
[0025]
It should be noted that any combination of the above-described components, and the components and expressions of the present invention that are mutually substituted among methods, apparatuses, computer programs, recording media storing computer programs, data structures, and the like, are also included in the present invention. This is effective as an aspect of the invention.
[0026]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, when the terminal used by the user is transferred from one terminal to another terminal, processing is performed so that the work contents and the work environment up to that point are also transferred at the same time. That is, the server detects that the use of the terminal has been interrupted, and at that time, the server receives data such as the contents of the work so far, and transfers this to the terminal to be used next. For example, when migrating an environment for watching an Internet streaming movie from a PC to a PDA, information on a distribution source of the movie, a position where the movie is being played back, and data specifying an application program necessary for playing the movie, etc., are transferred to the PC. To the server, which optimizes the data for the PDA and transfers it. A plurality of terminals used by the same user are each assigned a fixed and unique IP address. By managing these IP addresses, the server transmits data such as the interrupted work content to the terminal of the same user.
[0027]
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a network system in which a plurality of terminals are connected. The network system 10 includes an information synchronization server 14 and a mobile phone 20, a PDA 22, a PC 24, a car 26, and an audio stereo 28 connected thereto via the Internet 16. The information synchronization server 14 may function as an ASP (Application Service Provider). Other terminals may be connected to the network system 10.
[0028]
For example, when music is being played back on the audio stereo 28, this may be interrupted and the continuation may be played back on the road with the car audio system of the car 26. In this case, the storage location of the music data to continue the reproduction may be the information synchronization server 14 or the audio stereo 28.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information synchronization server. The information synchronization server 14 includes an acquisition processing unit 52, a terminal management unit 62, an authentication unit 66, a transfer processing unit 68, and a communication unit 74. Each unit transmits and receives data to and from a terminal on the Internet 16 via the communication unit 74. The communication unit 74 may have a router function or a server function in addition to the data transmission / reception function.
[0030]
The acquisition processing unit 52 includes an address acquisition unit 54, a state acquisition unit 56, a reproduction data acquisition unit 58, and a biometric data generation unit 60. The address acquisition unit 54 transmits, via the communication unit 74, a unique IP address fixedly assigned to a plurality of terminals that are assumed to be used by the same user, and a user ID and password that are identification information of the user. The data is received and stored in the terminal management unit 62.
[0031]
The status acquisition unit 56 acquires data indicating the status of each terminal. For example, when a certain terminal is placed in a use state or switched to a non-use state, data indicating that fact is obtained. The status of each terminal is recorded in the terminal management unit 62.
[0032]
The reproduction data acquisition unit 58 acquires reproduction data from the terminal that switches to the unused state, and stores the reproduction data in the terminal management unit 62. When the reproduction data acquisition unit 58 acquires the reproduction data, it may be determined that the state of the terminal that is the transmission source has been switched to the unused state. In that case, the reproduction data acquisition unit 58 records the switch to the unused state in the terminal management unit 62.
[0033]
The biometric data generation unit 60 acquires biometric data indicating a biometric feature of the terminal user in order to authenticate the user. When acquiring each IP address and user ID from each terminal, this biometric data may also be acquired and stored in the terminal management unit 62, or biometric data may be acquired and stored instead of the user ID. Is also good. When the biometric data generation unit 60 acquires the biometric data, the reception itself of the biometric data may be treated as a notification indicating that the terminal at the transmission source has been used.
[0034]
The terminal management unit 62 includes a storage unit 64. The terminal management unit 62 stores information such as the IP address of each terminal, a user ID, a password, the state of each terminal, and biometric data in the storage unit 64 in association with each user. Further, the terminal management unit 62 stores a history regarding transmission of the reproduction data to each terminal in the storage unit 64.
[0035]
The transfer processing unit 68 extracts the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals from the terminal management unit 62 and transmits the reproduction data to the IP addresses. The transfer processing unit 68 includes an optimization processing unit 70 that optimizes reproduction data according to the type and processing capacity of each terminal of a transmission destination before transmission, and a transmission unit 72 that processes transmission of reproduction data. .
[0036]
The optimization processing by the optimization processing unit 70 includes terminal adaptation such as an image size, a file size, and a file attribute. For example, optimization processing such as enlarging or reducing the screen content according to the screen resolution of the destination terminal may be performed, or the situation such as network traffic and communication environment may be determined, and the file size may be changed by data compression. To optimize the amount of information communication. The optimization processing unit 70 may perform a process of excluding data that cannot be reproduced at the destination terminal. Data specific to each terminal for identifying the type and processing capability of each terminal may be recorded in the terminal management unit 62 in advance.
[0037]
The transmission unit 72 extracts the IP address of the terminal currently in use from the terminal management unit 62 as the transmission destination IP address. The transmitting unit 72 also records in the terminal managing unit 62 which of the plurality of terminals has been transmitted, and when a notification indicating that the terminal has been used is obtained from a terminal that has not been transmitted, Send the reproduction data to the terminal. Further, the transmission unit 72 transmits the reproduction data to the terminal of which the user's identity has been authenticated among the plurality of terminals.
[0038]
The authentication unit 66 determines, by biometric authentication, the identity of the users of the plurality of terminals that intend to continue the interrupted work and the users of the terminals that have been used until the work is interrupted. The authentication unit 66 acquires the biometric data of the user from the terminal that intends to continue the operation, and checks the biometric data stored in the terminal management unit 62 in advance to determine the identity. The authentication unit 66 may enhance security by combining authentication using a user ID and a password with biometric authentication.
[0039]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the information terminal. The information terminal 80 corresponds to a terminal such as the mobile phone 20 or the PDA 22 in FIG. 1, and includes a communication unit 82, an address holding unit 84, a use notification unit 86, a biometric data generation unit 88, a data acquisition unit 94, a transmission processing unit 96, And a work execution unit 98. Each unit transmits and receives data to and from the information synchronization server 14 on the Internet 16 via the communication unit 82.
[0040]
The address holding unit 84 stores a unique IP address fixedly assigned to the information terminal 80 in advance. The address holding unit 84 may further store an IP address temporarily assigned by mobile IP described later with reference to FIG. The use notification unit 86 notifies the information synchronization server 14 of the fact and the IP address when the information terminal 80 is in the use state. The use notification unit 86 transmits the biometric data of the user of the information terminal 80 to the information synchronization server 14 when the information terminal 80 is in the use state. The biometric data is acquired by the biometric data generation unit 88. The biometric data generation unit 88 includes a CCD 92 that captures a face image of the operator, and an image processing unit 90 that converts the face image into a predetermined file format.
[0041]
When the information terminal 80 is switched from the unused state to the used state, the data acquisition unit 94 acquires, from the information synchronization server 14, reproduction data that the information terminal 80 has not acquired yet. The data acquisition unit 94 acquires reproduction data when the information synchronization server 14 authenticates the identity of a specific user who has stopped working at another terminal and the user of the information terminal 80.
[0042]
The work execution unit 98 reproduces an environment for continuing the work interrupted by the user based on the reproduction data acquired by the data acquisition unit 94. The work execution unit 98 includes a reproduction data generation unit 100, a reproduction processing unit 102, and a main execution unit 104. The reproduction processing unit 102 processes the reproduction of the work based on the reproduction data. For example, the reproduction processing unit 102 activates the file being worked on by the application program used for the work, and reproduces the work environment before the interruption according to the display position or the reproduction position at the time of the interruption. The main execution unit 104 is in charge of processing such as execution of an application program. When the information terminal 80 is switched from the use state to the non-use state, the reproduction data generation unit 100 generates reproduction data based on the working state. The transmission processing unit 96 transmits to the information synchronization server 14 reproduction data of the work that has been performed on the information terminal 80 until then.
[0043]
With the above configuration, transmission and reception of reproduction data over a plurality of terminals are performed, and work progress is synchronized. A seamless work environment can be provided to the user without being conscious of the passage of time, movement of places, and switching of terminals.
[0044]
FIG. 4 shows the information of each terminal that the terminal management unit 62 holds in the storage unit 64 in the form of their correspondence tables. The management data table 110 includes a user ID column 112, a password column 114, a terminal type column 116, an IP address column 118, a state description column 120, and a transmission history column 122. The user ID column 112 stores a user ID, and the password column 114 stores a password corresponding to the user ID. For example, a character string of the user ID “abcde” is stored in the user ID column 112, and a character string of the password “hn0s25” corresponding to the user ID is stored.
[0045]
The terminal type column 116 stores data indicating the type of each terminal. For example, data indicating a terminal type such as “mobile phone” or “PC” is stored. The IP address column 118 stores the IP address of each terminal. For example, an address such as “202.238.85.XXX” is stored as the IP address of the mobile phone. The status description column 120 stores data indicating the status of each terminal. For example, "ON" is described as the state of the mobile phone and the PC, indicating that they are in use. The transmission history column 122 stores the transmission history of the reproduction data to each terminal. For example, it is recorded that “reproduction data 0001” has already been “transmitted” to the mobile phone and the PC.
[0046]
FIG. 5 shows the configuration and operation when the information terminal uses mobile IP. The mobile phone 20 is a mobile terminal that is an example of the information terminal 80. The mobile phone 20 can communicate using a fixed IP address by mobile IP, regardless of which network it belongs to. In addition to the fixed IP address (hereinafter, referred to as “home address”), a temporary IP address (hereinafter, referred to as “care-of address”) in each network is assigned to the mobile phone 20 by DHCP or PPP. . In the network to which the home address of the mobile phone 20 originally belongs, a home agent 38 for managing the IP address is provided. The mobile phone 20 notifies the home agent 38 when a care-of address is assigned in each network. The home agent 38 stores the correspondence between the home address of each terminal and the care-of address.
[0047]
When the mobile phone 20 belongs to the wireless network 30, the home agent 38 stores the home address “202.238.85.XXX” and the care-of address “210.25.98.YYY” as a set. When the mobile phone 20 moves to the wireless network 32, the home agent 38 updates the care-of address to “210.250.101.ZZZ”. The information synchronization server 14 stores the home address as the IP address of the mobile phone 20. When the information synchronization server 14 sends the reproduction data to the home address of the mobile phone 20, the reproduction data is sent to the home agent 38 once. The home agent 38 transfers the reproduction data to the care-of address via the router 34 or the router 36.
[0048]
With the above configuration, communication using the fixed IP address is always maintained while the terminal moves. In the present embodiment, the home agent 38 and the information synchronization server 14 are configured as separate servers, but these may be realized as one server.
[0049]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed by the information synchronization server 14 and the information terminal 80. The information synchronization server 14 acquires and records in advance IP addresses, user IDs, passwords, biometric data, and the like of a plurality of terminals used by a specific user (S10). When the information terminal 80 which is one of the plurality of terminals shifts to the use state (S12), the user of the information terminal 80 is authenticated. If the user has passed the authentication (S14Y), the information synchronization server 14 updates the record regarding the state of the authenticated information terminal 80 to "ON" (S16). Thereafter, when the information terminal 80 shifts to the non-use state (S18), the reproduction data is acquired from the information terminal 80 (S20), and the terminal management unit 62 holds this.
[0050]
The other terminal shifts to the use state (S22Y), and when the user of the terminal passes the authentication (S24Y), the reproduction data is transmitted to the terminal (S26). The terminal that has received the reproduction data continues the suspended operation based on the data (S28). Through the above process, a seamless transition of the working environment is realized.
[0051]
(2nd Embodiment)
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the transmission and reception of the reproduction data between the terminals are processed without passing through the information synchronization server 14. In this embodiment, each terminal manages the IP address of the other terminal and the state of the other terminal. When a certain terminal is switched from the use state to the non-use state, the reproduction data is transmitted to the other terminals that are currently in the use state. Thereby, seamless work can be performed between a plurality of terminals regardless of time and place.
[0052]
FIG. 7 shows an overall configuration of a network system in which a plurality of terminals are connected in the second embodiment. In the network system 10, terminals of the mobile phone 20, PDA 22, PC 24, automobile 26, and audio stereo 28 transmit and receive data to and from each other via the Internet 16. These terminals process so-called peer-to-peer (Peer To Peer) communications.
[0053]
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information terminal according to the second embodiment. The information terminal 81 corresponds to a terminal such as the mobile phone 20 or the PDA 22 in FIG. 1, and includes a communication unit 82, an acquisition processing unit 130, an authentication unit 136, a terminal management unit 138, a biometric data generation unit 88, a transfer processing unit 142, a reception unit It has a processing unit 148 and a work execution unit 98. Each unit transmits and receives data to and from another terminal on the Internet 16 via the communication unit 82.
[0054]
The acquisition processing unit 130 includes an address acquisition unit 132 that acquires respective unique IP addresses fixedly assigned to other terminals used by the same user, and a state that acquires data indicating the state of each terminal. And an acquisition unit 134. The IP address of each terminal and the state of each terminal acquired by the acquisition processing unit 130 are passed to the terminal management unit 138. In the terminal management unit 138, the IP address of each terminal and the state of each terminal are stored in the storage unit 140. The storage unit 140 further stores the ID of the user of the information terminal 81, the password, the biometric data, the transmission history of the reproduction data, and the like. The task execution unit 98 has the same function as the task execution unit 98 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
[0055]
The reproduction data generated by the reproduction data generation unit 100 of the work execution unit 98 is transmitted by the transfer processing unit 142 to another terminal. The transfer processing unit 142 has the same function as the transfer processing unit 68 of the first embodiment in FIG. The transfer processing unit 142 transmits the reproduction data on condition that the identity of the user has been authenticated by the authentication unit 136. The transmission unit 146 extracts, from the storage unit 140, the IP address of the terminal currently in use as the destination of the reproduction data, and transmits the reproduction data to the IP address.
[0056]
The biometric data generator 88 has the same function as the biometric data generator 88 of the first embodiment in FIG. The authentication unit 136 authenticates the user identity of the source and destination of the reproduction data based on the biometric data. The authentication unit 136 may authenticate the user identity when the information terminal 81 acquires the reproduction data, or may authenticate the user identity of the partner terminal when the information terminal 81 transmits the reproduction data. . The reception processing unit 148 acquires reproduction data from another terminal and sends the data to the reproduction processing unit 102.
[0057]
With the above configuration, the peer-to-peer reproduction data transmission / reception is performed without the intervention of the server, and a seamless transition of the work environment is realized.
[0058]
FIG. 9 shows the configuration and operation when the information terminal 81 of the second embodiment uses mobile IP. A set of the home address and the care-of address of the mobile phone 20 is managed by the home agent 38 as in the mobile IP of the first embodiment in FIG. The mobile phone 20 stores, in addition to its own home address and care-of address, the IP addresses of other terminals used by the same user. For example, the mobile phone 20 stores the IP addresses of the PC 24, the automobile 26, and the PDA 22 as terminals of the same user. This IP address is the home address of each terminal.
[0059]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information terminal 81. After the information terminal 81 shifts to the use state (S40Y), when the reception processing unit 148 receives reproduction data from another terminal (S42Y), the information terminal 81 reproduces the work environment based on the reproduction data (S44). . When the information terminal 81 shifts to the non-use state (S46Y), the IP address of another terminal currently in use state is extracted from the storage unit 140 (S48). The reproduction data generation unit 100 generates reproduction data (S50), and transmits it to the extracted IP address (S52).
[0060]
(Third embodiment)
This embodiment transmits and receives reproduction data between terminals through a peer-to-peer connection like the second embodiment, but differs from the second embodiment in that the state of other terminals can be remotely controlled. That is, the information terminal in the present embodiment remotely controls the terminal to be in a state where it can receive the reproduction data when another terminal is in an unused state, and transmits the reproduction data to the controlled terminal. can do.
[0061]
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information terminal according to the third embodiment. The information terminal 83 has almost the same functions as the information terminal 81 in the second embodiment in FIG. 8 except that the information terminal 83 includes a remote control unit 150 in the transfer processing unit 142 and a control reception unit 152.
[0062]
Prior to transmission of the reproduction data, the remote control unit 150 remotely controls the state of the unused terminal so that the destination terminal can receive the reproduction data. For example, a special packet for returning another terminal from the standby state to the receivable state may be transmitted, and a control technique such as Wake On Modem, Wake On Lan, Wake On Ring or the like is used for the control. May be used.
[0063]
When receiving a packet for remote control from another terminal, the control reception unit 152 performs processing for shifting to a state in which reproduction data can be received. With this processing, the reception processing unit 148 shifts to a state in which reproduction data can be received, and thereafter receives and holds the reproduction data. The reception processing unit 148 may return to the standby state again after receiving the reproduction data. The reproduction processing unit 102 reproduces, based on the reproduction data, an environment for the user to continue the work whose execution has been suspended, when the user actually puts the system in use.
[0064]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information terminal 83. The information terminal 83 keeps the standby state when not in use, and shifts to the data receivable state and receives the reproduced data when receiving the remote control (S60Y) (S62). The information terminal 83 actually shifts to the use state (S64Y), and when the reception of the reproduction data is confirmed (S66Y), the suspended working environment is reproduced using the reproduction data (S68).
[0065]
When the information terminal 83 shifts to the non-use state (S70Y), another terminal is remotely controlled to shift to the data receivable state (S72). After generating the reproduction data (S74), the information terminal 81 transmits the reproduction data to the remote-controlled terminal (S76).
[0066]
With the above configuration and process, reproduction data can be transmitted / received to / from a terminal that is in an unused state without going through a server, and a seamless transition of a work environment can be realized more easily.
[0067]
The present invention has been described based on some embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. Hereinafter, modified examples will be described.
[0068]
In the modification, information relating to data formats such as a moving image, a still image, and a sound that can be reproduced for each terminal may be registered in the terminal management unit 62 in advance, and the optimization processing unit shown in FIG. 70 may convert the reproduction data for each destination terminal.
[0069]
The information synchronization server 14 may have a function of recording a broadcast program or a movie shown by Internet streaming broadcasting. In this case, it is possible to interrupt the viewing by recording the program or movie being watched at a certain terminal to the information synchronization server 14 in the middle, and to continue the playback at another terminal later.
[0070]
In order to securely transmit and receive the reproduction data, it may be encrypted. In this case, each terminal may hold a public key and a secret key, and encryption may be performed using these keys. Alternatively, encryption may be performed using a common key unique to the user.
[0071]
Each terminal may be provided with an interface for installing a common specification application program to be operated on each terminal from a medium such as a CD-ROM.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, convenience in using a plurality of terminals can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a network system according to a first embodiment in which a plurality of terminals are connected.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information synchronization server according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the information terminal according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing information of each terminal held in a storage unit by a terminal management unit of the first embodiment in the form of a correspondence table thereof.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration and operation when the information terminal of the first embodiment uses mobile IP.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed by the information synchronization server and the information terminal according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a network system according to a second embodiment in which a plurality of terminals are connected.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information terminal according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration and an operation when the information terminal of the second embodiment uses mobile IP.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information terminal according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information terminal according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information terminal according to the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
14 information synchronization server, 52 acquisition processing section, 62 terminal management section, 66 authentication section, 68 transfer processing section, 84 address holding section, 86 use notification section, 88 biometric data generation section, 94 data acquisition section, 96 transmission processing section, 102 reproduction processing unit, 130 acquisition processing unit, 136 authentication unit, 138 terminal management unit, 142 transfer processing unit, 148 reception processing unit.

Claims (19)

Receiving respective unique IP addresses fixedly assigned to a plurality of terminals that are assumed to be used by the same user;
Storing the IP address and the user identification information in association with each other;
When the terminal placed in the use state by the user is switched to the non-use state, reproduction data necessary for continuing the work performed by the user at any of the plurality of terminals is transmitted to the use state. Receiving from the terminal placed in the
Extracting the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals as destinations;
Transmitting the reproduction data to the extracted IP address and continuing the operation at the terminal at the destination;
An information synchronization method comprising: A terminal management unit that holds a unique IP address fixedly assigned to a plurality of terminals that are assumed to be used by the same user and identification information of the user in association with each other;
When the terminal placed in the use state by the user is switched to the non-use state, reproduction data necessary for continuing the work performed by the user at any of the plurality of terminals is transmitted to the use state. An acquisition processing unit for acquiring from a terminal placed in
A transfer processing unit that extracts the IP addresses of the plurality of terminals from the terminal management unit and transmits the reproduction data to the IP addresses;
An information synchronization device, comprising: The terminal management unit manages the state of each terminal based on a notification to that effect when each of the plurality of terminals is put into use,
The information according to claim 2, wherein the transfer processing unit extracts an IP address of a terminal currently in use from the terminal management unit, and transmits the reproduction data to the IP address. Synchronous device. The terminal management unit further manages a transmission destination and a transmission history of the reproduction data,
The transfer processing unit transmits the reproduction data to a terminal to which the reproduction data has not been transmitted, when the notification that the terminal has been used is acquired from the terminal to which the reproduction data has not been transmitted. The information synchronizer according to claim 3. Further comprising an authentication unit for determining the identity of the user of the plurality of terminals and the user of the terminal in the use state by biometric authentication,
The information synchronization apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transfer processing unit transmits the reproduction data to a terminal whose identity has been authenticated among the plurality of terminals. Reading a unique IP address fixedly assigned in advance to an information terminal that is assumed to be used by a specific user;
When the terminal is put in use, transmitting the fact and the IP address to a predetermined server;
When the terminal is switched from the use state to the non-use state, a step of generating reproduction data necessary to continue the work that has been performed by another terminal,
Transmitting the reproduction data to the server;
An information synchronization method comprising: An information terminal that is assumed to be used by a specific user,
An address holding unit for storing a unique IP address fixedly assigned to the terminal in advance;
A use notifying unit that notifies a predetermined server of the fact and the IP address when the terminal is in use,
When the terminal is switched from the use state to the non-use state, a transmission processing unit that transmits to the server reproduction data necessary to continue the work that has been performed by another terminal,
An information terminal, comprising: When the terminal is switched from the non-use state to the use state, a data acquisition unit that acquires the reproduction data that the terminal has not acquired from the server,
A reproduction processing unit that reproduces an environment for continuing the work interrupted by the user based on the reproduction data;
The information terminal according to claim 7, further comprising: The use notification unit transmits data indicating a biological characteristic of a user of the terminal to the server when the terminal is in a use state,
The information terminal according to claim 8, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires the reproduction data when the identity of the specific user and the user of the terminal is authenticated by the server. Receiving respective unique IP addresses fixedly assigned to a plurality of terminals that are assumed to be used by the same user;
Storing the IP address;
When a specific terminal is switched from the use state to the non-use state, a step of generating reproduction data for continuing the work performed by the user at any one of the plurality of terminals,
Extracting an IP address of a terminal serving as a destination of the reproduction data;
Transmitting the reproduction data to the extracted IP address and continuing the operation at the destination terminal;
An information synchronization method comprising: An information terminal that is assumed to be used by a specific user,
A terminal management unit that stores a unique IP address that is fixedly assigned to another plurality of terminals that are assumed to be used by the user;
When the terminal is switched from the use state to the non-use state, the IP address is extracted from the terminal management unit in order to continue the work performed by the user at any one of the plurality of terminals. A transfer processing unit for transmitting reproduction data necessary for the continuation to the IP address,
An information terminal, comprising: A reception processing unit that receives the reproduction data,
A reproduction processing unit that reproduces an environment for continuing the work interrupted by the user based on the reproduction data;
The information terminal according to claim 11, further comprising: The terminal management unit manages the state of each terminal based on a notification to that effect when each of the plurality of terminals is put into use,
The information terminal according to claim 11, wherein the transfer processing unit transmits the reproduction data to a terminal that is currently in use among the plurality of terminals. The transmission processing unit according to claim 11, wherein prior to transmission of the reproduction data, a state of a terminal in an unused state is remotely controlled so that the terminal of the non-use state can receive the reproduction data. Information terminal. A control reception unit that performs processing to shift to a state in which the reproduction data can be received when receiving the remote control,
A reception processing unit that receives the reproduction data after the transition to the receivable state; and, after the reception, when the user is actually put into a use state, the user suspends the operation in which the execution is interrupted. A reproduction processing unit that reproduces an environment for reproduction based on the reproduction data,
The information terminal according to claim 14, further comprising: An authentication unit that determines the identity of the user of the terminal and the user of the destination terminal of the reproduction data by biometric authentication,
The information terminal according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the transfer processing unit transmits the reproduction data on condition that the identity is authenticated. When the first terminal put in use by a specific user is switched to the non-use state, it is necessary to continue the work performed by the user at the first terminal at the second terminal. Receiving reproduction data from the first terminal;
Determining the identity of the user of the first terminal and the user of the second terminal by biometric authentication;
Transmitting the reproduction data to the second terminal on condition that the identity has been authenticated;
An information synchronization method comprising: When the first terminal put in use by a specific user is switched to the non-use state, it is necessary to continue the work performed by the user at the first terminal at the second terminal. An acquisition processing unit for acquiring reproduction data from the first terminal;
An authentication unit that determines the identity of the user of the first terminal and the user of the second terminal by biometric authentication;
A transfer processing unit that transmits the reproduction data to the second terminal on condition that the identity has been authenticated;
An information synchronization device, comprising: The authentication unit obtains data indicating the biological characteristics of the user used for the biometric authentication from the first terminal and the second terminal, and determines the identity of the user by collating them. The information synchronizer according to claim 18, wherein

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