JP2005085004A - Method and device for managing time-series metatdata repository group - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a common interface to applications regardless of whether time-series metadata are open or related to personal information and to enable only predetermined applications to be referred to in the case of time-series metadata related to personal information. <P>SOLUTION: When receiving a request from an application 8 to refer to either a global repository 4 or a local repository 6, a repository group management device 9 mounted on a home gateway 3 between an open network 1 and a private network 2 determines whether the request for reference is to the global repository 4 or to the local repository 6 from a URI in the process of requesting reference; if the request is to the local repository 4, after confirming whether or not the application 8 is permitted to refer to the local repository 4 the management device obtains, and provides a value of time-series metadata specified on the basis of XPath being requested for reference and time information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a time-series metadata repository group management method and apparatus for collecting and storing time-series metadata that is metadata of time-series data that changes with time-series data that changes from time to time.

  Individual users, such as recommendation technology that recommends products based on past purchase history of users (users) and recommends products, and services that provide information on nearby stores from user terminal location information There are technologies (applications) that provide specialized services, but all of these include time-series metadata, which is metadata of private time-series data related to personal privacy such as purchase history and location information of the terminal. A centrally managed server exists for each service (see Non-Patent Document 1 and Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Prior to the present invention, in the time-series metadata management system developed by the inventors, in addition to the time-series metadata related to the personal information described above, open time-series data such as weather information and traffic information that are not related to the privacy of the individual. The time series metadata, which is metadata, is managed on the same server, and for time series metadata related to personal information, access control is applied to each piece of information and the communication path is encrypted to protect privacy. It was.
"XSL Transformations (XSLT) Version 1.0", W3C Recommendation 16 November 1999, [searched on August 28, 2003], Internet <URL: http://www.w3.org/TR/xslt> Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-3256 JP 2001-75840 A JP 2003-122784 A

  However, as electronic commerce spreads, users are nervous about information leakage and privacy infringement regarding the handling of personal information.

  The technology for centrally managing time-series metadata related to personal information described above registers time-series metadata related to similar personal information for each service, so if there is even one service provider with poor personal information management, Personal information will be leaked.

  Prior to the present invention, in the system developed by the inventors, regarding time-series metadata relating to personal information, information that is highly important as privacy, such as where the user is now, is “currently progressive. The third party feels psychological resistance to managing this information and cannot receive useful services.

  It is an object of the present invention to determine whether time-series metadata is open time-series metadata or time-series metadata related to personal information for an application that provides services using time-series metadata. It is an object of the present invention to provide a time-series metadata management method and apparatus that can provide a common interface regardless of which time-series metadata related to personal information is not referred to by an application that does not permit reference.

  In the present invention, it is assumed that an application exists for each user environment, and open time-series metadata is generated by a global time-series metadata repository (hereinafter referred to as a global repository) existing on an open network, and when time is related to personal information. The series metadata is managed by a local time series metadata repository (hereinafter referred to as a local repository) existing on the user's private network.

  At that time, a reference request specifying three parameters, URI (Universal Resource Identifier), XPath, and time information (relative time or absolute time), for an application group that performs processing by referring to the information of the global repository and the local repository. The most important feature is that applications can seamlessly access such information without being aware of the existence of each repository group.

  In the reference solution, if a common symbol is specified for each local repository when interpreting the URI, a common operation is performed on the local repository existing in the user's private network for each user environment. It can be carried out.

  Further, since the authentication means also performs authentication processing in the local repository, the application producer need not be aware of the processing according to the user's environment, and may perform processing common to each local repository.

Compared to the traditional method of managing personal information for each service,
・ Personal information is managed for each user. ・ Applications that provide services using time-series metadata can refer to time-series metadata through a common interface without being aware of the information management unit and access method. Is different.

  According to the present invention, for an application that provides services using time-series metadata, regardless of whether the time-series metadata is open time-series metadata or time-series metadata related to personal information. A common interface can be provided, and time-series metadata related to personal information can be referred to only by a predesignated application.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the entire system including the time-series metadata repository group management apparatus of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an open network such as the Internet, 2 is a private network for each user (however, in FIG. These are connected via the home gateway 3.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a global time-series metadata repository (global repository) that exists on the open network 1, and also exists on the open network 1 and provides information that changes in time series such as weather forecasts and traffic information. Collect and store open time-series metadata from the provided site (a, b,...) 5. Note that this global repository 4 permits any application to refer to time-series metadata.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes a local time-series metadata repository (local repository) existing on the private network 2 for each user, and is connected to the private network 2 via the user terminal 7 connected to the private network 2 or the home gateway 3. The state of each application 8 (A, B,... Z) on the user terminal (not shown in FIG. 1), the state of the user terminal 7 on which each application 8 is executed, and connected to the user terminal 7 Collect and store private time-series metadata such as sensor information. Note that the local repository 6 permits only the application designated in advance to refer to the time-series metadata.

  Note that the time-series metadata described above is described in an XML document.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes a time-series metadata repository group management apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a repository group management apparatus) according to the present invention, which exists between the open network 1 and the private network 2 for each user (however, one in FIG. 1). Here, only the URI of the time series metadata for the global repository 4 or the local repository 6 from each application 8 and the XML data in the XML document are present on the home gateway 3 in software or hardware. A reference request in which three parameters of XPath that uniquely refers to the value of an arbitrary item and time information (relative time or absolute time) are specified is processed.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of an embodiment of the repository group management device 9, in which 11 is a reference destination solution means, 12 is a first connection establishment means, 13 is a second connection establishment means, and 14 is an authentication. Means 15 is a time-series metadata providing means.

  The reference destination solution unit 11 determines whether the request is a reference request from the URI in the reference request to the global repository 4 or a reference request to the local repository 6.

  The first connection establishment means 12 establishes a connection to the global repository 4 in the case of a reference request to the global repository 4. At this time, when there are a plurality of global repositories 4, the global repository is based on the conversion table describing the correspondence between the URI specified in the reference request and the URI of the global repository storing the time-series metadata related to the URI. By resolving the reference destination of 4 and then establishing a connection (first solution), or by inquiring each global repository 4 whether time-series metadata relating to the URI specified in the reference request is stored The connection is established after resolving the reference destination of the global repository 4 (second solution).

  The second connection establishment unit 13 establishes a connection to the local repository 6 in the case of a reference request to the local repository 6. Note that only one local repository 6 exists for each private network 2, that is, only one repository group management device 9 for each private network 2, so any application that operates on a user terminal of a completely different user. In this case, by specifying a common symbol as will be described later as the URI in the reference request, the second connection establishment means 13 resolves the (real) reference destination of the local repository 6 and establishes the connection. Is possible.

  The authentication unit 14 confirms by BASIC authentication whether or not the application 8 that has issued the reference request when the connection to the local repository 6 is permitted to refer to the local repository 6.

  The time-series metadata providing unit 15 obtains a value at an arbitrary time point of an arbitrary item of time-series metadata specified by the XPath and time information in the reference request after the connection is established, and issues the reference request. Provide to application 8.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow when the repository group management device 9 is realized by software. FIG. 4 shows another example of the flow of processing when the repository group management device 9 is realized by software. Here, an example is shown in which the above-described first solution is used when there are a plurality of global repositories 4. It is a flowchart. FIG. 5 shows still another example of the flow of processing when the repository group management device 9 is realized by software. Here, an example using the above-described second solution when a plurality of global repositories 4 exist. It is a flowchart to show.

  Hereinafter, an operation of processing a reference request for a global repository or a local repository from an application by the time-series metadata repository group management apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  Here, it is assumed that the application 8 (A) exists on the user terminal 7 that is a mobile phone, and the application 8 (B) exists on the user terminal 7 that is a personal computer. Further, in this example, each application 8 is executed / terminated when the power of each user terminal 7 is turned ON / OFF, and time series metadata representing the execution / end state as shown in FIG. 6 is stored in the local repository 6 at that timing. Shall be registered.

  The application 8 (B) acquires time-series metadata regarding the weather information from the global repository 4, and when the weather changes from “snow” to “snow”, the application 8 (A) is being activated (ie, If the mobile phone is active), a service for sending a message to alert the mobile phone by e-mail is provided.

  Now, when the time series metadata as shown in FIG. 7 is provided for the weather forecast information providing site 5 (a) (www.weather.com), the application 8 (B) has the following interface (reference request). ) To the repository group management device 9 to acquire the current weather and the previous weather from the global repository 4.

w now = GetMetadata (“www.weather.com”, “/ weathercom / weather /”, NOW);
w old = GetMetadata (“www.weather.com”, “/ weathercom / weather /”, -1);
The first argument of the above function is the URI of the time series metadata, the second argument is the XPath that refers to the item related to the weather in the time series metadata, and the third argument specifies the value at which the time series metadata is to be referenced It is an index to do.

  Since the repository group management device 9 is a reference to the global repository, it establishes a connection to the global repository 4 and acquires the value of the corresponding time series metadata from the parameters specified by the first to third arguments. Provide to application 8 (B).

  Further, the application 8 (B) transmits the same interface as described below to the repository group management device 9 and acquires the ON / OFF state of the application 8 (A) from the local repository 6.

celphone = GetMeradata (“localhost / appliA”, “/ appli / running /”, NOW);
The URI specifies localhost / appliA, which means that localhost refers to the local repository 6, and the repository group management device 9 performs authentication by BASIC authentication in order to obtain a value from the local repository 6. appliA means that time-series metadata relating to the application 8 (A) stored in the local repository 6 is referred to.

  The application 8 (A) relates to the time-series metadata in FIG. 7 and stores the value of XPath / appli / running / in the local repository 6 with the value of XPath / appli / running / set to Yes when it is started and set to No when finished. If the mobile phone is currently turned on, the value of the variable celphone in the above description example is Yes.

Using the acquired time-series metadata value, the application 8 (B) determines whether or not to perform mail transmission as follows. That is, the current weather w now is “snow” and the previous weather w When old is other than “snow”, the mail transmission process is performed when the activation state celphone of the mobile phone is “Yes”.

if (w now == “Snow” && w old! = “Snow”) {/ * If the weather changes to snow * /
if (celphone == “Yes”) {/ * If the phone is turned on * /
/ * Mail transmission process * /
}
}
As shown in the present embodiment, the creator of the application obtains an arbitrary item value at an arbitrary time point with a common interface for the global repository and the local repository. Even if the user changes, access to the local repository is specified by a common symbol called localhost, so there is no need to be aware of it.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the whole system by this invention Functional block diagram showing an example of an embodiment of a time-series metadata repository group management device of the present invention The flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a process at the time of implement | achieving a time series metadata repository group management apparatus by software The flowchart which shows the other example of the flow of a process at the time of implement | achieving a time series metadata repository group management apparatus with software. The flowchart which shows the further another example of the flow of a process at the time of implement | achieving a time series metadata repository group management apparatus with software. Explanatory drawing showing an example of time-series metadata in the local repository Explanatory drawing showing an example of time-series metadata in the global repository

Explanation of symbols

  1: open network, 2: private network, 3: home gateway, 4: global time series metadata repository (global repository), 5: information providing site (a, b,...), 6: local time series metadata repository ( (Local repository), 7: user terminal, 8: application (A, B,... Z), 9: time-series metadata repository group management device, 11: reference destination solution means, 12: first connection establishment means, 13: Second connection establishment means, 14: authentication means, 15: time-series metadata providing means.

Claims (6)

Of the time-series metadata that is described in the XML document of the time-series data that changes with time-series data that changes from time to time, open time-series metadata is collected and stored, and Time series that is metadata described in an XML document of the time series data that changes along with the time series data that changes with time, as well as the global time series metadata repository that allows any application to reference the series metadata Among the metadata, it collects and stores private time-series metadata for each user, and is connected via a network to a local time-series metadata repository that allows only pre-designated applications to refer to the time-series metadata. On a user terminal that is also connected via the network The time series metadata URI for the global time series metadata repository or local time series metadata repository from the application, the XPath that uniquely refers to the value of any item in the XML document, and the time information A method for processing a reference request with parameters,
Determine whether the request is a reference request to the global time series metadata repository or a reference request to the local time series metadata repository from the URI in the reference request.
In the case of a reference request to the global time-series metadata repository, a connection to the global time-series metadata repository is established, and an arbitrary time point of an arbitrary item of time-series metadata specified by the XPath and time information Get the value of and provide it to the application,
In the case of a reference request to a local time series metadata repository, a connection is established to the local time series metadata repository and whether or not the application is permitted to reference the local time series metadata repository. If it is permitted, a value at an arbitrary point in an arbitrary item of time-series metadata specified by the XPath and time information in the reference request is acquired and provided to the application. Data repository group management method. In the time series metadata repository group management method according to claim 1,
If you have multiple global time series metadata repositories,
Based on the conversion table describing the correspondence between the URI specified in the reference request and the URI of the global time series metadata repository storing the time series metadata related to the URI, the reference destination of the global time series metadata repository is determined. A time series metadata repository group management method characterized by establishing a connection after solving the problem. In the time series metadata repository group management method according to claim 1,
If you have multiple global time series metadata repositories,
Establish a connection after resolving the reference destination of the global time series metadata repository by inquiring to each global time series metadata repository whether the time series metadata related to the URI specified in the reference request is stored. A time series metadata repository group management method characterized by the above. Of the time-series metadata that is described in the XML document of the time-series data that changes with time-series data that changes from time to time, open time-series metadata is collected and stored, and Time series that is metadata described in an XML document of the time series data that changes along with the time series data that changes with time, as well as the global time series metadata repository that allows any application to reference the series metadata Among the metadata, it collects and stores private time-series metadata for each user, and is connected via a network to a local time-series metadata repository that allows only pre-designated applications to refer to the time-series metadata. , Apps on user terminals that are also connected via the network The time series metadata URI for the global time series metadata repository or local time series metadata repository from the application, the XPath that uniquely references the value of any item in the XML document, and the time information A device for processing a reference request with parameters specified,
A reference destination solution means for determining whether a reference request from the URI in the reference request to the global time series metadata repository or a reference request to the local time series metadata repository;
A first connection establishment means for establishing a connection to the global time-series metadata repository in the case of a reference request to the global time-series metadata repository;
A second connection establishing means for establishing a connection to the local time series metadata repository in the case of a reference request to the local time series metadata repository;
An authentication means for confirming whether the application is permitted to refer to the local time series metadata repository when establishing a connection to the local time series metadata repository;
A time-series metadata providing unit that obtains a value at an arbitrary time point of an arbitrary item of time-series metadata specified by the XPath and time information in the reference request after establishing the connection and provides the value to the application; A time-series metadata repository group management apparatus characterized by the above. In the time-series metadata repository group management device according to claim 4,
If you have multiple global time series metadata repositories,
Based on the conversion table describing the correspondence between the URI specified in the reference request and the URI of the global time series metadata repository storing the time series metadata related to the URI, the reference destination of the global time series metadata repository is determined. A time-series metadata repository group management apparatus comprising first connection establishment means for establishing a connection after solving the problem. In the time-series metadata repository group management device according to claim 4,
If you have multiple global time series metadata repositories,
Establish a connection after resolving the reference destination of the global time series metadata repository by inquiring to each global time series metadata repository whether the time series metadata related to the URI specified in the reference request is stored. A time-series metadata repository group management device comprising a first connection establishment means.

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