JP2005165493A - Shared computer, control program therefor and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shared computer capable of restoring a user computer environment between different kinds of machines, and to provide a control program therefor. <P>SOLUTION: A difference environment is read by communicating with an external server 200, and stored in a temporarily storage area being a storage area different from a common area in which a shared computer environment is stored. At that time, reference data for constructing the difference environment are read from the server 200 by import, and set in the predetermined part of the temporary storage area corresponding to the type of a shared computer 100. The user computer environment is constructed based on the difference environment and the shared computer environment. The user generation information stored in the temporary storage area is stored in the server 200 in response to the end instruction of the use of the shared computer 100, and the user generation information is erased from the temporary storage region. Reference data are stored in the server 200 by export. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a shared computer used in a rental office, a remote office, and the like, and a control program therefor.

  Conventionally, a shared computer (also referred to as a shared computer; hereinafter referred to as a shared computer) used in a rental office, a remote office, or the like is realized by a user computer (hereinafter simply referred to as a “user computer”). In order to realize an environment (hereinafter simply referred to as “user computer environment”), an environment realized by a shared computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “shared computer environment”) includes a user computer environment and a shared computer environment. The difference environment (hereinafter simply referred to as “difference environment”) is downloaded (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Here, the computer environment refers to various programs installed in the computer, a part of hardware configuration such as network connection, setting of parameters necessary for the operation of the computer, and the like. Operating System), communication programs, mail software, Internet browser, dictionary, various application programs, and the like. However, not all OSs in the user computer environment are restored.

Here, it is assumed that the shared computers used in the shared computer system are the same model. By using the same model, it was guaranteed that the initial environment and the user computer environment realized earlier could be constructed on all shared computers. When the application program is installed, the information related to the setting is stored in the system registry in all shared computers when the same storage area in the database (for example, “Windows (registered trademark)” as the OS is taken as an example). The same program stored in the corresponding storage area) and linked with the application program (for example, “Windows (registered trademark)” as an example of the OS is DLL (Dynamic Link Library)). Was registered in the OS.
JP 2001-34580 A

  However, in such a conventional shared computer, it is assumed that the same type of shared computer is used. Therefore, if a different type of computer is used as a shared computer, the user computer environment may not be restored. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shared computer capable of restoring a user computer environment even when a different type of computer is used as a shared computer, and a control program therefor And providing a recording medium.

  The shared computer according to the present invention, which is constructed by a user computer environment and used by the user, is an environment lacking in the shared computer environment in order to communicate with an external server via a network and construct the user computer environment. Communication means for reading the differential environment from an external server, a common area where the shared computer environment is stored, and user-generated information generated by the user using the shared computer, including the differential environment A user computer environment is constructed based on the storage means having the temporary storage area, the shared computer environment stored in the common area and the differential environment stored in the temporary storage area, and responds to an instruction to end use of the shared computer. User-generated information stored in the temporary storage area Information processing control means for saving the user-generated information stored in the temporary storage area and then deleting the user-generated information stored in the temporary storage area, the information processing control means during reading of the differential environment, Import the reference data for building the differential environment via the communication means from an external server, set the reference data in the predetermined storage area of the storage means according to the model of the shared computer, and use the shared computer In response to the end instruction, the reference data is exported to an external server via the communication means.

  Since the reference data for building the differential environment was imported from an external server while reading the differential environment, and the reference data was exported to the external server when the use was terminated, a heterogeneous computer was used as a shared computer However, the user computer environment can be restored.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the information processing control means further registers the library program necessary for the operation of the program included in the differential environment in the OS of the shared computer during the construction of the user computer environment. Have.

  Since the library program necessary for the operation of the program included in the differential environment is registered in the OS of the shared computer during reading of the differential environment, the range of user computer environments that can be realized can be further expanded. .

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the shared computer is connected to a plurality of external servers via a network, and at the same time, an information reader / writer that reads and writes information on a portable storage medium that stores at least information for authenticating a user. The portable storage medium further stores the key for decrypting the information for constructing the differential environment read from the external server, and for encrypting the user-generated information stored in the temporary storage area, The shared computer reads the key from the portable storage medium via the information reader / writer, decrypts the information for building the differential environment read from the external server using the key, and generates the user stored in the temporary storage area The information is encrypted and stored in an external server.

  Read the key from the portable storage medium via the information reader / writer, decrypt the information for building the differential environment read from the external server using the key, and encrypt the user-generated information stored in the temporary storage area Therefore, security can be improved.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the portable storage medium stores server specifying information for specifying an external server storing the differential environment among a plurality of the external servers, and the shared computer is connected via an information reader / writer. The server specifying information is read from the portable storage medium and communicated with an external server specified based on the server specifying information.

  Since the server specifying information is read from the portable storage medium and communicated with an external server specified based on the server specifying information, the application can be expanded to a shared computer system having a plurality of servers.

  The shared computer control program for controlling a shared computer to be used by a user by constructing a user computer environment according to the present invention communicates with an external server via a network to construct the user computer environment. In order to do this, a differential environment reading step for reading a differential environment, which is an environment insufficient for the shared computer environment, from an external server, and a differential environment read in the differential environment reading step are stored differently from the common area in which the shared computer environment is stored. A storage step of storing in a temporary storage area that is an area, a user environment construction step of building the user computer environment based on the differential environment stored in the temporary storage area in the storage step and the shared computer environment; Shared computer A save step that saves the user-generated information saved in the temporary storage area in response to an instruction to end use of the data in an external server, and an erase that erases the user-generated information saved in the save step from the temporary save area The user-generated information stored in the external server includes information generated by the user using the shared computer, including the differential environment. Reference data for construction is read by importing from an external server, and in the storage step, the reference data read in the differential environment reading step is set in a predetermined portion in the temporary storage area of the storage means corresponding to the model of the shared computer In the save step, the reference data is saved to an external server by exporting. .

  Since the reference data for building the differential environment was imported from an external server while reading the differential environment, and the reference data was exported to the external server when the use was terminated, a heterogeneous computer was used as a shared computer However, the user computer environment can be restored.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the user environment construction step further has a configuration for registering a library program necessary for the operation of the program included in the differential environment in the OS of the shared computer.

  During construction of the user computer environment, the library program necessary for the operation of the program included in the differential environment is registered in the OS of the shared computer, so that the range of user computer environments that can be realized can be expanded. It becomes.

  The present invention acquires, stores, and registers information necessary for constructing a differential environment according to the model of the shared computer. Therefore, even if a different type of computer is used as the shared computer, the user computer environment can be reduced. It is possible to provide a shared computer and a shared computer control program that can be restored.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a shared computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a shared computer system 1000 includes a shared computer 100 and a server 200 that communicates with the shared computer 100 via a network 300.

  Here, the shared computer 100 reads or writes information (hereinafter simply referred to as “read / write”) to the operation unit 110 for operating the shared computer 100 and the portable storage medium 11 received by the user during registration at the rental office or the like. Information reader / writer (hereinafter referred to as “information R / W”) 120, an information processing control unit 130 that performs control and information processing of the information R / W 120, and a memory that stores predetermined information. The communication unit 150 is configured to communicate with an external device via the network 300 and transmit / receive predetermined data.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of the shared computer 100. 2, the operation unit 110 includes an input unit 111 such as a keyboard and a display unit 112 such as a liquid crystal display. The portable storage medium 11 is realized by an IC card, and the information R / W 120 is realized by an IC card R / W 121 that is a reader / writer of the IC card.

  The portable storage medium (IC card) 11 is issued for each user prior to the use of the shared computer 100, and the portable storage medium (IC card) 11 has a card ID (card) of the portable storage medium (IC card) 11. ID = i), key Xi, and card password unique to the portable storage medium (IC card) 11 are registered. Here, the card ID i and the subscript i of the key Xi have the same number.

  The card ID is an ID for identifying the user, and the key Xi encrypts information such as a file created by the user (hereinafter referred to as user-generated information) or decrypts information read from the server 200. The card password authenticates the legitimacy of the user having the portable storage medium (IC card) 11, and the password input via the operation unit 110 is the information R / The shared computer system 1000 can be accessed when the card password read out via the W120 is verified.

  Also, a plurality of servers 200 are connected to the network 300 (only one is shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity), and the portable storage medium (IC card) 11 is necessary for constructing a user computer environment. The server specifying information for specifying the server storing the information is stored, and the shared computer 100 reads the server specifying information from the portable storage medium (IC card) 11 via the information R / W 120 and specifies the server specifying information based on the server specifying information. It is also possible to communicate with an external server.

  Further, it is preferable that the key Xi is automatically generated when registering the card ID and the card password. Here, it is assumed that the user stores his / her card password and card ID, but the key Xi is generated in the portable storage medium (IC card) 11 so that the user knows it. There is no need.

  In FIG. 2, the storage unit 140 is realized by a hard disk 141. As conceptually shown in FIG. 3, the storage unit 140 is a storage area different from the common area 141 b in which a shared computer environment such as an OS (Operating System) is stored, and the shared area 141 b. A temporary storage area 141a for temporarily storing user-generated information generated by use is provided.

  Here, in the common area 141b, information can be read but not written. On the other hand, the temporary storage area 141a can be read and written. Note that the term “temporary” includes a time period for one use time.

  When using the shared computer 100, information for realizing the user computer environment is read from the storage unit 240 of the server 200, stored in the temporary storage area 141a, and erased when the use ends. Here, “information for realizing the user computer environment” is information in which information for specifying the user computer environment is recorded at the first use, and is information generated in a file format or the like ( Hereinafter, this information is referred to as “user computer environment file”.) When used for the second time and thereafter, the difference environment created last time is used.

  This differential environment refers to an environment that is insufficient for the shared computer environment in order to construct a user computer environment in the shared computer 100. “Erase” may be performed by writing predetermined data such as “000... 0”, “111... 1” in all temporary storage areas 141a. That is, the user who uses later prevents the information regarding the use of the previous user from being obtained after the use of the previous user.

  Here, in the differential environment, there are programs that are installed on the user computer and are not installed on the shared computer 100 (hereinafter referred to as “missing programs”), and information that the missing programs refer to. included. Further, a library program necessary for the operation of the deficient program is also included in the differential environment, and the library program is registered in the OS when the differential environment is constructed. Here, the library program refers to DLL (Dynamic Link Library) or the like when the OS is “Windows (registered trademark)”.

  The deficient programs include communication programs, mail software, Internet browsers, dictionaries, various application programs, and the like. The information referred to by the deficient program includes, for example, application program reference data recorded in the system registry. However, although it is data related to the OS, data referred to for wallpaper setting, icon arrangement, etc. is also included in the information referred to by the deficient program. It is assumed that a driver program or the like that cannot be restored cannot be written or erased in the temporary storage area 141a once installed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing control unit 130 further controls the information R / W 120, and the information stored in the storage unit 140 is a state before using the shared computer 100 (hereinafter referred to as an initial state). ) To perform information processing and control such as generating a user computer environment when using the shared computer 100.

  The control information processing unit 130 further receives the above-described user computer environment file or differential environment from the server 200 and stores it in the temporary storage area 141a, sets mail, network, dictionary, Internet browser, etc. It is supposed to build. A user computer environment is constructed by a shared computer environment and a differential environment.

  In addition, when the user inputs an end instruction to the shared computer 100 in order to end the use of the shared computer 100, user-generated information, which is a file or other data created by the user in response to the end instruction, The data is transmitted to the server 200 via the communication unit 150 and stored in the storage unit 240 of the server 200. At that time, prior to transmission to the server 200, user-generated information may be encrypted using the key, and the encrypted user-generated information may be transmitted to the server 200. Needless to say, the user-generated information includes a differential environment.

  Further, after the user-generated information such as a file created by the user is backed up, the control information processing unit 130 erases the information stored in the temporary storage area 141a of the storage unit 140, and the storage unit 140 The initial environment in which the information stored in is stored only in the common area 141b is restored. Information erasure has been described above.

  Hereinafter, Windows (registered trademark) will be taken as an example of the OS, and the processing or operation performed by the information processing control unit 130 to enable the shared computer system 1000 to be configured by the shared computer 100 of a different model will be described with reference to FIG. To do.

  First, an operation of storing data to be referred to when setting an application program in the shared computer 100 (the reference data described above, hereinafter referred to as registry data) in the system registry will be described. When the application program is installed, registry data is stored under a predetermined fixed key in the system registry. Therefore, when the first use termination instruction is input, the registry data stored in the system registry (referred to as the storage area 142 of the hard disk 141 shown in FIG. 3) is exported to the server 200 as a file, for example, The data is stored in a predetermined folder in the home (S1 in FIG. 3). At that time, the fact that the application program corresponding to the exported registry data is installed is also exported as a file.

  More specifically, when the first use end instruction is input, the presence / absence of an application program stored in the temporary storage area 141a is confirmed. If an application program is stored in the temporary storage area 141a, it is searched whether there is registry data under the fixed key (in the system registry) corresponding to the application program (in the storage area 142). Search for.) When the registry data is retrieved, it is encrypted and the server 200 is exported as a file.

  Next, when this user tries to use the shared computer 100, when reading the differential environment from the server 200, the registry data exported to the server 200 in step S1 of FIG. The imported registry data is decrypted and stored in the corresponding storage area of the storage area 142 corresponding to the system registry shown in FIG. 3 (step S2 in FIG. 3). The above-mentioned “when reading the differential environment” may refer to after the file created by the user, the installed program, etc. have been stored in the temporary storage area 141a. Then, the registry data may be imported by referring to the corresponding application information.

  Some application programs need to be linked with a so-called library program to operate. When the OS is Windows (registered trademark), a library program called DLL (Dynamic Link Library) is required. Often happens. Therefore, when restoring the user computer environment, the DLL is registered with the OS using a predetermined program (or command) (for example, when the OS is the above “Windows me (trademark)”, using the regsvr32). (For example, it is stored in the storage area 143 shown in FIG. 3). Note that the registered DLL is not necessarily deleted when the use ends.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the information processing control unit 130 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 131 that performs information processing and control, a program for starting the CPU 131, other programs, control parameters, and the like. ROM (Read Only Memory) 132 for storing data, RAM (Random Access Memory) 133 for storing execution codes and data of the OS and application programs used by the CPU 131, and application programs and predetermined data can be rewritten in a nonvolatile manner. It is composed of an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) 134 to be stored.

  The communication unit 150 shown in FIG. 1 communicates with the server 200 and the like via the network 300, and the communication with the network 300 may be performed wirelessly or wired. The communication unit 150 reads the user computer environment file, the above-described differential environment and the like (including those encrypted) from the server 200, and stores the user-generated information (including the encrypted one) in the server 200. It is supposed to send. Therefore, import and export of the reference data (registry data) are also performed via the communication unit 150. The same applies to registration of library programs such as the above DLL.

  As described above, the operations of the shared computer 100 configuring the shared computer system 1000 including different types of computers are summarized as follows.

  In other words, a differential environment reading step for reading from the external server 200 a differential environment, which is an environment lacking in the shared computer environment in order to establish a user computer environment by communicating with the external server 200 via the network 300, and the differential environment A storage step for storing the difference environment read in the reading step in a temporary storage area 141a, which is a storage area different from the common area 141b in which the shared computer environment is stored, and a difference environment stored in the temporary storage area 141a in the storage step A user environment construction step for constructing a user computer environment based on the shared computer environment and the user-generated information stored in the temporary storage area 141a in response to an instruction to end use of the shared computer 100 as an external server Save to 200 And presence step is an operation for executing an erasing step of erasing the user-generated information is stored in storing step from the temporary storage area 141a. Here, the user generated information stored in the external server 200 includes information generated by the user using the shared computer 100 including the differential environment, and the differential environment is constructed in the differential environment reading step. Is read from the external server 200 by import, and the reference data read in the differential environment reading step is stored in the temporary storage area 141a of the storage unit 140 corresponding to the model of the shared computer 100 in the storage step. In the storage step, the reference data is stored in the external server 200 by exporting.

  Further, in the user environment construction step described above, the library program necessary for the operation of the program included in the differential environment may be operated to be registered in the OS of the shared computer 100. As a result, the range of computers that can be used in the shared computer system 1000 can be expanded.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the server 200 includes an operation unit 210 for operating the apparatus, and information processing control that performs control and information processing according to an input performed via the operation unit 210 and other information input. A communication unit 230 that communicates with an external device via the network 300 to transmit and receive predetermined data, and a storage unit 240 that stores predetermined information.

  The specific configuration of the server 200 may be the same as that obtained by removing the information R / W 120 from the shared computer 100 illustrated in FIG. 2, for example. The server 200 can communicate with other devices (not shown) on the network 300 to receive and store information. Here, as other devices on the network 300, a computer having an environment to be restored by a user (hereinafter referred to as “user computer”), a user computer via a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like. Connected servers and the like. As a result, the server 200 can acquire information related to the user computer environment.

  As described above, the shared computer 100 according to the present embodiment imports the reference data for constructing the differential environment from the external server 200 during reading of the differential environment, and the reference data is transferred to the external server when the use ends. Therefore, even if a different type of computer is used as the shared computer 100, a shared computer that can restore the user computer environment can be realized. Further, since the library program necessary for the operation of the program included in the differential environment is registered in the OS of the shared computer 100 during reading of the differential environment, the range of user computer environments that can be realized can be further expanded. it can.

  Also, the user who reads the key from the portable storage medium 11 via the information reader / writer 120, decrypts the information for building the differential environment read from the external server 200 using the key, and stores the information in the temporary storage area Since the generated information is encrypted and stored in the external server 200, security can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the server specifying information is read from the portable storage medium 11 and communicated with an external server specified based on the server specifying information, the application can be expanded to a shared computer system having a plurality of servers. .

  A differential environment reading step for reading out from the external server 200 a differential environment, which is an environment that is insufficient in the shared computer environment in order to communicate with the external server 200 via the network 300 to the computer. The differential environment read in the differential environment read step is stored in the temporary storage area 141a that is a storage area different from the common area 141b in which the shared computer environment is stored, and is stored in the temporary storage area 141a in the storage step. A user environment construction step for constructing a user computer environment based on the difference environment and the shared computer environment, and user-generated information stored in the temporary storage area 141a in response to an instruction to end use of the shared computer 100. External server 200 The saving step for saving and the erasing step for erasing the user-generated information saved in the saving step from the temporary saving area 141a are executed, and the user-generated information saved in the external server 200 includes a differential environment. In the differential environment reading step, the reference data for building the differential environment is read out by import from the external server 200 and includes the information generated by the user using the shared computer 100. Shared data in which the reference data read in the environment reading step is set in a predetermined portion in the temporary storage area 141a of the storage unit 140 corresponding to the model of the shared computer 100, and the reference data is stored in the external server 200 by exporting in the storage step. Computer control program is installed Also to implement using Le, predetermined computer the same effect can be obtained.

  Further, the shared computer control program for controlling the shared computer 100 according to the present embodiment further registers the library program necessary for the operation of the program included in the differential environment in the OS of the shared computer 100 in the user environment construction step. The same effect can be obtained by carrying out using a predetermined computer in which the shared computer control program is installed.

  Note that the shared computer control program may be recorded on a recording medium readable by the shared computer 100, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read by the shared computer 100 and executed. The computer-readable recording medium refers to a recording medium such as a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk device built in the shared computer 100. Furthermore, a computer-readable recording medium is a server that dynamically holds a program (transmission medium or transmission wave) for a short period of time, as in the case of transmitting a program via the Internet, and a server in that case. Some of them hold a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer.

  The shared computer, the shared computer control program, and the recording medium thereof according to the present invention can restore the user computer environment even when a different type of computer is used as the shared computer, and the computer used in a rental office or the like and the computer It can also be used for applications such as programs installed on the computer.

It is a figure which shows the block configuration of the shared computer system containing the shared computer by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a specific structure of the shared computer in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the notional structure of the memory | storage means which comprises the shared computer in FIG. 1, and the input-output of information.

Explanation of symbols

11 Portable storage media (IC card)
100 Shared Computer 110 Operation Unit 111 Input Unit 112 Display Unit 120 Information Reader / Writer (Information R / W)
121 IC card reader / writer (IC card R / W)
130 Information Processing Control Unit 131 CPU
132 ROM
133 RAM
134 EEPROM
140 storage unit 141 hard disk 141a temporary storage area 141b common area 142, 143 storage area 150 communication unit 200 server 210 operation unit 220 information processing control unit 230 communication unit 240 storage unit 300 network 1000 shared computer system S1 to S3 steps

Claims (7)

A shared computer that builds a user computer environment and allows users to use it.
A communication unit that communicates with an external server via a network, and reads a differential environment, which is an environment lacking in a shared computer environment in order to construct the user computer environment, from the external server;
A storage unit having a temporary storage area for storing user-generated information generated by the user using the shared computer, including a common area in which the shared computer environment is stored, and the differential environment;
The user computer environment is constructed based on the shared computer environment stored in the common area and the differential environment stored in the temporary storage area, and the temporary computer is used in response to an instruction to end use of the shared computer. User-generated information stored in a storage area is stored in the external server via the communication unit, and thereafter information processing control means for deleting the user-generated information stored in the temporary storage area is provided. And
The information processing control means imports reference data for constructing the differential environment from the external server via the communication means during reading of the differential environment, and the reference data is used as a model of the shared computer. In response, a shared computer that sets a predetermined portion in the temporary storage area of the storage unit and exports the reference data to the external server via the communication unit in response to an instruction to end use of the shared computer.   The shared information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing control means further registers a library program necessary for the operation of the program included in the differential environment in an OS of the shared computer during the construction of the user computer environment. Computer.   The shared computer is connected to a plurality of external servers via a network, and has an information reader / writer that reads and writes information in a portable storage medium that stores at least information for authenticating a user. Further decrypts the information for building the differential environment read from the external server, stores a key for encrypting the user-generated information stored in the temporary storage area, the shared computer is The key is read from the portable storage medium via the information reader / writer, and the information for building the differential environment read from the external server using the key is decrypted and stored in the temporary storage area. The shared compilation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the generated user-generated information is encrypted and stored in the external server. Over data.   The portable storage medium stores server specifying information for specifying an external server that stores the differential environment among a plurality of the external servers, and the shared computer is stored in the portable storage medium via the information reader / writer. The shared computer according to claim 3, wherein the server specifying information is read and communicated with an external server specified based on the server specifying information. A shared computer control program for building a user computer environment and controlling a shared computer to be used by a user.
On the computer,
A differential environment reading step of communicating with an external server via a network and reading a differential environment from the external server, which is an environment lacking in a shared computer environment in order to construct the user computer environment;
Storing the differential environment read in the differential environment reading step in a temporary storage area that is a storage area different from the common area in which the shared computer environment is stored;
A user environment construction step of constructing the user computer environment based on the difference environment stored in the temporary storage area in the storage step and the shared computer environment;
A storage step of storing, in the external server, user-generated information stored in the temporary storage area in response to an instruction to end use of the shared computer;
Deleting the user-generated information stored in the storage step from the temporary storage area; and
The user-generated information stored in the external server includes the information generated by the user using the shared computer, including the differential environment,
In the differential environment reading step, reference data for constructing the differential environment is read by import from the external server,
In the storing step, the reference data read in the differential environment reading step is set in a predetermined part in a temporary storage area of the storage unit according to the model of the shared computer,
A shared computer control program for causing the reference data to be saved in the external server by exporting in the saving step.   6. The shared computer control program according to claim 5, wherein the user environment construction step further registers a library program necessary for the operation of the program included in the differential environment in an OS of the shared computer. A computer-readable recording medium on which the shared computer control program according to claim 5 is recorded.

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