JP2004110290A - Data storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give a large amount of a storage area for a consumer use terminal device and improve the level of convenience in storing a data file of a user who uses the terminal device. <P>SOLUTION: A user terminal device 1 is connected with a data storage part 11 including a file management computer 12 and a file server 13 via a computer network NT, hierarchically treats an HDD (hard disk drive) in the terminal device 1 and a user area 14, and implements a control software for automatically performing transfer processing of a data file between the HDD and the user area 14. When the terminal device 1 and the storage part 11 are connected by implementing the control software, a membership user is specified and the data file is transferred to the user area 14 of the specified user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data storage system for storing data owned by a user in a data storage device on a network, and in particular, hierarchizes a recording area on the network and a recording area in a user terminal device to transfer data between them. The data storage system that automatically performs the data storage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, in a large-sized storage device, a hierarchical storage type large-capacity server device called an HSM (Hierarchical Storage Management) system has been used. In this HSM system, for example, a large-capacity storage using a hard disk and a large-capacity storage using a magnetic tape are hierarchized, and data is normally recorded / reproduced on the hard disk. However, the data exceeds a predetermined capacity threshold (watermark). In such a case, a data file recorded on a hard disk is automatically moved from the hard disk to a hierarchical magnetic tape.
[0003]
By the way, in terminal devices such as personal computers and portable terminals for consumer use, the capacity of a built-in storage area such as a built-in HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is smaller than that of the above-described storage devices. You need to be conscious at all times. If the capacity is insufficient, it is necessary to connect an additional disk or an external storage device, save and save the data files in them, and make free space in the internal HDD.
[0004]
In recent years, large-capacity storage areas are also required in the above-described terminal devices in order to store a large number of large-capacity moving image files, music files, and the like in the terminal device and to view them later. It has become.
[0005]
Therefore, if the above-described HSM system can be applied to such a terminal device for consumer use, the convenience of the user of the terminal device for consumer use at the time of storing a data file can be greatly improved.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional HSM system requires a large-scale server device, and it is difficult to apply the conventional HSM system to a consumer terminal device used by a general user.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a data storage system capable of providing a large-capacity storage area to a consumer terminal device used by a general user.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the data storage system according to the present invention that achieves the above object, a user stores a data file in his / her own terminal device in a data storage unit on a network provided by a service provider. File management means for managing information about each user and the data files stored by each user and controlling the transfer of data files; File storage means in which a predetermined user area is allocated to each user for a predetermined capacity, and the user's terminal device is connected to the data storage unit via a computer network. Of moving data files between the recording area and the user area by handling data hierarchically Software that will work. In the movement of the data file, when the terminal device of the user and the data storage unit are connected by the operation of the software, the user is specified on the data storage unit side and assigned to the specified user. The data file is moved to the designated user area, and a stub file having the same file name as the data file moved to the user area and instructing the data file to be taken out of the user area is created in the terminal device. And
[0009]
In the present invention described above, the user area of the data storage unit is handled hierarchically as if it exists as a storage area of the terminal device of the user himself, and under a predetermined condition, for example, the used area in the storage area of the terminal device is used. When the capacity exceeds a certain value, the movement of the data file between the storage area of the terminal device and the user area of the data storage unit is automatically performed by software running on the user's terminal device. The movement of the data file is performed when the user's terminal device is connected to the data storage unit and the user is specified. As described above, the user area of the user is hierarchically handled as the storage area of the user's terminal device. Done for Therefore, according to the present invention, the user is provided with a virtual large-capacity storage area that can be hierarchically handled with the storage area of his own terminal device. The data file can be stored without worrying about the capacity and consumption of the data file. According to the present invention, the movement of the data file between the storage area of the terminal device and the data area of the data storage unit is automatically performed by software running on the user's terminal device. It is possible to save a data file in the user area without being conscious of the movement of data. Further, according to the present invention, without preparing a large-scale server device close to the user's own terminal device, using a network environment to connect the terminal device and a large-capacity storage area, that is, a user area, A user is identified at the time of this connection, and a data storage system suitable for a terminal device for consumer use can be provided rather than moving a data file to a user area of the identified user.
[0010]
Further, in the present invention, a stub file for instructing the user terminal device to extract the data file from the user area is created. Therefore, according to the present invention, by creating a stub file on the terminal device side in this way, it is as if the data exists in the terminal device as it is without making the user aware of the movement of the data file. Also, it is possible to easily retrieve the data file.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, specific embodiments of a data storage system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this system, a predetermined capacity is assigned to each user in a storage device of a data storage unit managed by a person who provides this system via a network (hereinafter, referred to as a service provider), By layering a capacity area and a storage area such as an HDD in a terminal device owned by the user, a virtual large-capacity storage area exceeding the capacity of the actual storage area is provided to the user terminal device. Data files are automatically stored and retrieved between these capacity areas on the network and the user's terminal devices.
[0012]
In such a system, first, a terminal device owned by a user (hereinafter, referred to as a user terminal device) will be described in a data storage device such as a server of the service provider in accordance with a contract between the user and the service provider. A storage area of a predetermined capacity (hereinafter, referred to as a user area) for storing the data file in the parentheses is secured (hereinafter, a user who contracts with a service provider and secures the user area is referred to as a member user). ). In this system, the member user is charged a usage fee corresponding to the capacity of such a user area.
[0013]
In this system, control software for the storage area in the user terminal is provided from the service provider via the computer network in accordance with the contract described above. This control software is downloaded and installed on the user terminal via the computer network. The control software constantly monitors the used capacity of the storage area of the user terminal, and automatically moves (saves) the data file in the user terminal to the user area via the computer network as necessary. And conversely, operate at the user terminal to perform a process of moving (extracting) from the user area to the user terminal. Note that the control software is not provided via the computer network as described above, but may be provided in a state recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.
[0014]
As described above, in the present system, the data file is moved by the control software. The movement of the data file, specifically, the movement for storage is performed by using the threshold of the used capacity and the data movement set by the member user. It is done according to the policy. The data migration policy includes the timing of data file migration, the priority of migration, and the like. The control software connects the user terminal to the data storage unit and moves the data file to the data storage unit when the data file needs to be moved in accordance with the threshold and the data transfer policy described above. Make a request.
[0015]
Movement for saving the data file is performed to the user area of the member user who owns the user terminal connected to the data storage unit.To move to the user area, at the time of connection, for example, The user terminal is specified on the data storage unit side by authentication of information that can specify the member user such as a user ID and a password. By specifying the member user, the data file can be moved from the user terminal of the member user to the contracted user area of the same member user. As a result, the member user in the storage area and the data storage unit of the user terminal can be moved. Of the user area can be hierarchized. As described above, in the present system, the user area can be used as if the storage area for the user area was provided in the user terminal.
[0016]
With the movement of the data file as described above, a stub file for instructing the data file to be taken out of the user area is created and remains on the user terminal side. This stub file is created with the same file name as the data file moved to the user area, and by accessing the stub file, the substance of the data can be extracted from the user area. In this way, in the present system, the data file can be easily taken out as if the data exists in the user terminal.
[0017]
In this system, the member user may be charged according to the storage capacity of the data file in the data area and the data traffic as described above.
[0018]
By using the above-described system, a user is provided with a virtual large-capacity storage area that can be handled like a storage area provided in his / her own terminal device via a network, and this large-capacity recording is provided. The data file can be easily moved to the area and the data file can be saved without worrying about the actual storage area capacity and the consumption of the terminal device. Convenience can be significantly improved.
[0019]
In addition, by using this system, the member user can automatically move the data file by the control software when saving the data, and move the data file by accessing the stub file remaining on the user terminal when retrieving the data. Therefore, the member user can easily save and retrieve the data file without being aware of the movement of the data file.
[0020]
Further, the present system connects a large-capacity storage area, that is, a user area, to the user terminal 1 using a network environment without preparing a large-scale server apparatus close to the member user's own terminal, A user can be specified at the time of this connection, and a data storage system suitable for a terminal device for consumer use can be provided, rather than moving a data file of a specific member user to a user area of the specific member user.
[0021]
(1) Overall configuration of data storage system
Next, an example of a system configuration for realizing the above-described data storage system will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a system configuration of a data storage system. In this system configuration, a user terminal 1 owned by a member user and a data management unit 11 of a service provider that stores data from the user are connected via a computer network NT such as the Internet.
[0022]
The user terminal 1 is a personal computer for consumer use, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes various arithmetic processes and controls each unit, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a work area of the CPU. ), A read-only ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing information including various programs executed by the CPU, and various programs such as an operating system (Operating System) and application programs executed by the CPU. HDD, which is a finite-capacity storage area for recording and reproducing various data files such as moving image files and music files, and a display for displaying various information Unit, a display interface for transmitting and receiving data between the display unit and the CPU, an operation unit for inputting various information and instruction operations by a user, and a communication unit between the operation unit and the CPU. And a network interface for exchanging data files with a service provider via a computer network.
[0023]
The user terminal 1 may be directly connected to the computer network NT, or may be connected through a telephone line network or an optical fiber network using an Internet service provider (ISP) or the like. You may. Further, the user terminal 1 may be wired or wireless as long as it can be connected to the computer network NT by the above method. The user terminal 1 is configured to be able to communicate with a file management computer of a data management unit 11 described later via a computer network NT.
[0024]
Further, control software downloaded from the data management unit 11 is installed in the user terminal 1. This control software is software that controls the movement of data files while monitoring the used capacity in the HDD of the user terminal 1, and connects the user terminal 1 and the data management unit 11 as necessary. Move data files between them. Then, the member user sets a threshold value serving as a trigger for data movement and a data movement policy serving as a condition for data movement in the control software.
[0025]
The threshold values set for the control software described above include, for example, two levels, specifically, a threshold value L, and a threshold value H that is larger than the threshold value L and smaller than the total capacity of the HDD of the user terminal 1. Is provided. By providing two types of thresholds in this way, there is still room in the capacity of the user terminal 1, and it is necessary to move the data file, but the urgency is low, that is, the used capacity S of the HDD is equal to the threshold L. When the capacity exceeds the threshold H but does not exceed the threshold H (threshold L <used capacity S <threshold H), it is urgent to move the data file because the capacity of the user terminal 1 is insufficient or is short. When the used capacity S of the user terminal 1 is higher than the high threshold H (threshold H <used capacity S), the data movement processing according to each case can be executed.
[0026]
As a data movement policy, an operation when each of the above-described thresholds is exceeded is set. For example, when the used capacity S exceeds the threshold L, the transfer processing is executed according to a predetermined schedule, or executed when the terminal is not used (after a certain time has passed since the user terminal 1 stopped using the terminal). When the used capacity S exceeds the threshold value H, the data transfer process is executed at a time selected by the member user. The start time of the data migration process, such as executing the migration process of the data file to the data management unit 11, is set as the data migration policy.
[0027]
Further, the priority of the data file to be moved to the data management unit 11 is not limited to the time of the data movement processing as described above, but also based on, for example, the file size, the file access date and time, the file creation date and time, or the data format. It may be set as a policy. For example, in the case of moving a data file in each of the above-described cases, a rule that the data size is smaller than or equal to N bytes and the last file access date and time is two months or more prior to the data file that is moved to the data management unit 11 preferentially. Can be set.
[0028]
As the data migration policy, a condition for executing the data file migration process can be set irrespective of the set threshold.
[0029]
The setting of the threshold value and the data movement policy as described above, and the data movement processing according to these, can use the known algorithm in the conventional HSM system as it is.
[0030]
In addition, the threshold value and the data movement policy set as described above are managed by control software in the user terminal 1.
[0031]
In the above description, a personal computer for consumer use is used for the user terminal 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, various types of PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) devices or communication functions are mounted. The present invention is widely applicable when an information processing device such as a mobile phone is used as the user terminal 1.
[0032]
The data management unit 11 stores a file management computer 12 that records and manages information about member users and data files stored by the member users, and stores data files moved from the user terminal 1 of each member user. And a file server 13 to be executed. As the file management computer 12 and the file server 13, a personal computer having the same configuration as the above-described user terminal 1 is used. However, the file management computer 12 and the file server 13 are specialized in processing a large amount of information at high speed. It has a higher information processing capacity and a larger storage area size as compared to the terminal 1. The file management computer 12 and the file server 13 are connected via a computer network NT, and are configured to be able to exchange various signals and files with each other. The file management computer 12 and the file server 13 are connected to each other by a network in the data management unit 11, and are similarly connected to an external computer via a communication interface such as a router connected to the network in the data management unit 11. You may make it connect to network NT.
[0033]
The file management computer 12 records the attribute information of the member users and the attribute information of the data files stored by each member user in a database format as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, for example. , Manages this information. In FIG. 7A, attribute information of the member user, specifically, the user ID, the total capacity of the user area, the used capacity of the user area, the remaining capacity of the user area, and the user area are secured. FIG. 2B is a member user database in which information on the recording area is recorded. FIG. 2B shows the file name, genre, file size of the data file stored by each member user (member user 001 in this figure) and its file. Is a member user file management database in which information regarding a recording area in which is recorded is stored.
[0034]
Here, the user ID included in the member user management database is an identifier such as a number, a symbol, or a character assigned to each member user so that each member user can be identified. Is done. Also, the file name included in the member user file management database is a name given to each data file, and the genre is a category to which the contents of each data file belong when the contents are sorted into preset categories. And the file size is the size of each data file.
[0035]
The file management computer 12 authenticates the member user when connecting to the user terminal 1 based on the information or the like recorded in the member user database as described above, and specifies the member user.
[0036]
In addition, when a request for saving, deleting, searching, moving, etc. of a data file is made by the control software of the user terminal 1 via the computer network NT, the file management computer 12 sends the user owned by the member user. It updates the information items of each database necessary for managing each member user and its data file, such as the used capacity of the area and the file list, and instructs the file server 13 to store the actual data.
[0037]
In the file server 13, a predetermined capacity based on the contract content for each member user is allocated and secured as a user area 14 as a recording area for storing data files in accordance with a contract between the member user and the service provider. . The user area 14 can change the contract period, the total capacity, and the like by changing the contents of the contract with the service provider.
[0038]
Then, the user area 14 secured in the file server 13 is hierarchized with the HDD of the user terminal 1 by the control software installed in the user terminal 1, and is treated as a virtual storage area of the user terminal 1. Is The user area 14 stores a data file transferred from the user terminal 1. For this reason, the file server 13 has a large-capacity storage device capable of storing data files sent from each member user.
[0039]
As described above, in this example, as described above, the file management computer 12 and the file server 13 are consumer-use personal computers that exclusively process their respective functions, and are connected via the computer network NT or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. In addition to the above-described configuration, for example, the data management unit 11 is executed by a single information processing device by executing an application program for realizing the functions of the file management computer 12 and the file server 13 on a single information processing device. It may be realized.
[0040]
(2) System operation in data storage system
Next, a system operation in the present system will be described with reference to FIG.
In this example, the file management computer 12 previously stores the member users in the member user database and the member user file management database shown in FIGS. It is assumed that the information on the data file is recorded and managed. Further, it is assumed that the threshold L and the threshold H as described above are set by the member user.
[0041]
First, in the user terminal 1, when the control software detects that the used capacity S has become larger than the threshold L or H set by the user, the control software starts communication with the file management computer 12 (step S1). . In this communication, the user terminal 1 requests the data management unit 11 to move a data file based on a data movement policy set by the user, that is, a data file having a high priority of movement.
[0042]
Upon receiving the request from the control software of the user terminal 1 in step S1, the file management computer 12 specifies the member user by using information about the member user included in the request, such as a user ID and a password, and specifies the member user. The remaining capacity of the user area 14 of the set member user is confirmed. The identification of the user and the confirmation of the remaining capacity of the user area 14 are performed based on the member user database recorded in the file management computer 12. If the data file requested to be moved from the user terminal 1 can be stored, that is, if the remaining capacity of the user area 14 is equal to or larger than the data size, a response to that effect is sent to the control software of the user terminal 1 (step S2). .
[0043]
When receiving a response from the file management computer 12 that the data file can be stored, the control software moves the data to the data management unit 11 (step S3).
[0044]
When the data is moved in step S3, the file management computer 12 that has received the data file issues an instruction to store the actual data to the file server 13 and also transmits the user area assigned to the member user of the file server 13 to the user area. The data is moved to 14 (step S4). Further, the file management computer 12 updates necessary items of the member user database and the member user file management database, such as the used capacity of the user area 14 of the member user, the file attribute of newly stored data, and the like.
[0045]
When the data file is moved in steps S3 and S4 described above, the entity instructs the control software to extract the entity file from the user area 14 with the same file name as the data file moved to the data management unit 11. The remaining stub file remains on the user terminal 1 side. If the member user wishes to retrieve (reproduce, refer to, etc.) the data file stored in the data management unit 11, the control software is accessed by accessing the stub file remaining in the user terminal 1 as described above. Communication with the file management computer 12 is started (step S5). In this communication, a request for taking out a data file from the user area 14 is made.
[0046]
The file management computer 12 that has received the data retrieval request in step S6 instructs the file server 13 to retrieve data (step S6). Is transferred to the file management computer 12 (step S7). Then, the file management computer 12 transmits the data transferred from the file server 13 to the user terminal 1 (Step S8). By the above operation, the data in the user terminal 1 can be stored in the data storage unit 11 via the computer network NT, and can be retrieved and used again.
[0047]
As described above, in the present system, the user area 14 that can be hierarchically handled as the storage area of the user terminal 1 under the moving conditions set by the user, that is, the thresholds L and H and the data moving policy. Automatic transfer of data files to the data file can be performed by the control software, so that a large amount of data files can be stored and retrieved.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a virtual large-capacity storage area that can be hierarchically handled with the storage area of its own terminal device is provided to the user. Data files can be saved without worrying about the actual storage capacity of the device and its consumption.
[0049]
Further, according to the present invention, the movement of the data file between the storage area of the terminal device and the data area of the data storage unit is automatically performed by software running on the user's terminal device, and after the data file is moved. Creates a stub file that instructs the user terminal device to retrieve the data file from the user area, so that the user can save the data file to the user area and save the data from the user area without making the user aware of the movement of the data file. Can retrieve files.
[0050]
Further, according to the present invention, without preparing a large-scale server device close to the user's own terminal device, using a network environment to connect the terminal device and a large-capacity storage area, that is, a user area, It is possible to provide a data storage system more suitable for a terminal device for consumer use, rather than specifying a user at the time of this connection and moving a data file to a user area of the specified user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a data storage system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a member user database, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of a member user file management database.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a system operation in the data storage system.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 user terminal, 11 data management unit, 12 file management computer, 13 file server, 14 user area

Claims (5)

In a data storage system in which a user stores a data file in his / her own terminal device in a data storage unit on a network provided by a service provider,
The data storage unit manages information on each user and data files stored by each user and controls file data transfer, and stores data files of each user and uses the data files according to the capacity. File storage means in which a user area to be charged is allocated a predetermined capacity for each user,
The terminal device of the user is connected to the data storage unit via a computer network, and hierarchically handles the recording area and the user area of the terminal device and operates between the recording area and the user area. Software that performs automatic data file movement processing operates,
In the movement of the data file, when the terminal device of the user and the data storage unit are connected by the operation of the software, the user is specified on the data storage unit side, and the specified user is The data file is moved to the user area assigned to the user area, and a stub file having the same file name as the data file moved to the user area and instructing the data file to be taken out of the user area is stored in the terminal device of the user. A data storage system characterized by being created. 2. The data storage system according to claim 1, wherein a data file is moved according to a threshold of a used capacity in a storage area of the terminal device set by a user and a data movement policy. 3. The data storage system according to claim 2, wherein two types of the threshold are set. 4. The data storage system according to claim 3, wherein a movement operation when the used capacity in the storage area exceeds each of the thresholds is set. 3. The data storage system according to claim 2, wherein the data migration policy sets a priority order of data files to be migrated.

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