JP2005321922A - Information sharing system and information sharing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information sharing system capable of efficiently using resources of a terminal device or a network. <P>SOLUTION: The terminal device 100 comprises a file management part 101 managing index information of shared information held in the terminal device 100; a file storage part 120 storing the subjects of files as shared information; an operation log 103 recording operation information of update of files or the like; a file synchronous management part 105 performing management of information sharing with other terminals 200 and 300; a member role storage part 110 describing role information for every member of a community; and a delivery policy storage part 120 storing a control method of delivery time for every role information. The file synchronous management part 104 performs information sharing control of files according to the delivery policy corresponding to a member role. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information sharing system and an information sharing program for realizing information sharing and information synchronization between terminal devices used by members in a community composed of a plurality of members.

  There is a system for sharing information among terminal devices of a plurality of members belonging to a certain community (group). As a community, for example, there is a group of members gathered to carry out a certain project in a company. In such a system, when a file update, addition / deletion, or the like is performed on a terminal device of a certain member, the work content needs to be reflected on the terminal device of another user.

  An example of a conventional information sharing system is described in Patent Document 1. In the information sharing system described in Patent Document 1, the work history in the terminal device 120 is held as the operation log 103 as shown in FIG. Then, the file synchronization management unit 104 stores it in the file storage unit 102 via the file management unit 101 based on the contents of the operation log 103 periodically or whenever a new output to the operation log 103 is recognized. The information sharing is realized by a mechanism that takes out the information that has been processed and notifies the other terminal devices 220 and 320 connected via the network 400 via the communication unit 105 of the work contents.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a signal for requesting transmission of device information from each terminal device to another terminal device connected via a network in order to realize information sharing in each terminal device. A system for broadcast transmission is described. The other terminal device that has requested the device information transmits the shared data information to the terminal device that has requested the device information. The terminal device that has received the shared data information from the other terminal device updates the information held by the terminal device based on the shared data information.

  In recent years, a technique called peer-to-peer has attracted attention. Groove of Groove Network, a representative example of a system using this technology, is a tool that supports collaborative work by a plurality of personal computers without using a server. Groove monitors files created in a specific directory on a collaborating personal computer, and a personal computer that has made any changes to a specific directory immediately sends the changes directly to another personal computer To share information.

  Those conventional techniques can perfectly match information shared among terminal devices of members belonging to a certain community. That is, it can be synchronized. On the other hand, how to share information cannot be changed for each member. For example, members of the same community have different ways of engaging with the community. Members who are actively active as the central members of the community want to keep all information shared in the community at hand. In many cases, it is sufficient to share only the index information so that members can keep only the minimum information at hand and request detailed information when it becomes necessary.

  However, since the above-described conventional technology completely keeps all information in synchronization with all members belonging to the community, even if only a minimum amount of information is to be kept at hand, unnecessary information can be obtained. There is a problem of sharing.

JP 2002-149465 (paragraph 0012-0013, FIG. 1) JP 2003-216471 A (paragraphs 0063-0068, FIG. 4)

  As described above, the first problem of the conventional technology is that unnecessary information is shared when information is shared in the community, and the resources of the terminal device and the network are wasted. . For example, the memory of the terminal device is wasted or the network traffic is increased. The reason is that when information sharing is performed, the information entity is completely synchronized, and detailed information sharing control is performed, such as holding only the index information and acquiring the information entity as necessary. This is because there is not.

  The second problem of the prior art is that if fine information sharing control is to be performed, it takes a lot of time to make settings related to information sharing control within the community. The reason is that the setting related to information sharing control can only be performed individually for each member. That is, since it is necessary to make settings related to information sharing control for each terminal device used by a member, it takes a lot of trouble to make settings related to information sharing control.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an information sharing system and an information sharing program that can efficiently use resources of a terminal device and a network. It is another object of the present invention to provide an information sharing system and an information sharing program that can easily perform settings related to information sharing control according to the roles of members in the community.

  An information sharing system according to the present invention is an information sharing system in which a plurality of terminal devices are connected via a communication network, and each terminal device shares information with each other. Each terminal device corresponds to each of a plurality of information request levels. The information synchronization control is performed based on the distribution control designation.

  The terminal device uses another index device based on the index information management means for managing the index information indicating the change operation of the shared information and the distribution control designation corresponding to each of the information request levels when the shared information is changed. And synchronization management means for managing information synchronization with each other.

  The terminal device includes a file storage unit that stores shared information as a file, a member role storage unit that stores an information request level for each terminal device in the system, and an information request level stored in the member role storage unit. A distribution policy storage unit that stores a distribution control designation; and a communication unit that transmits information for updating the contents of the shared information and the index information. The index information management unit is stored in a file stored in the file storage unit. The file management unit includes a file management unit that manages the corresponding index information, and the synchronization management unit transmits only information for updating the index information to other terminal devices in accordance with the distribution control designation stored in the distribution policy storage unit. The contents of the file after the change (information for updating the index information may also be sent ) May be configured to include a file synchronization management unit that determines whether to transmit the.

  Provided with an operation log that records operation information of file updates that occurred on the terminal device, and when the file synchronization management unit changes the operation log, the information request level and distribution stored in the member role storage unit Referring to the distribution control designation stored in the policy storage unit, the information for updating the index information or the content of the updated file is transmitted to another terminal device via the communication means. It may be.

  The file synchronization management unit updates the index information to another terminal device to which the information request level corresponding to the distribution control designation is assigned when the distribution control designation is a designation for transmitting simple information. If the distribution control designation is a designation to send detailed information, the updated file is sent to another terminal device to which the information request level corresponding to the information request level is assigned. The content may be configured to be transmitted.

  The terminal device may be configured to include a file synchronization policy management unit that stores a distribution control designation assigned to each file and folder.

  If the file synchronization management unit stores the delivery control specification for the file to be updated that caused the operation log to be changed when the operation log has changed, the file synchronization policy management unit According to the distribution control designation, the information for updating the index information or the contents of the updated file may be transmitted to another terminal device via the communication unit.

  If the file synchronization management unit does not store the distribution control specification for the file to be updated in the file synchronization policy management unit and the distribution control specification is assigned to a folder that is an upper layer of the file, the distribution control specification The information for updating the index information or the content of the updated file may be transmitted according to the designation.

  The terminal device may be configured to include a file attribute management unit that stores attributes assigned to files and folders and distribution control designations corresponding to the attributes.

  When the file synchronization management unit stores a change in the operation log and the attribute of the file to be updated that caused the operation log to be changed is stored in the file attribute management unit, it corresponds to that attribute. The information for updating the index information or the content of the updated file may be transmitted to another terminal device via the communication unit in accordance with the distribution control designation.

  If the file synchronization management unit does not store the attribute of the file to be updated in the file attribute management unit and the attribute is assigned to a folder that is an upper layer of the file, the distribution control designation corresponding to that attribute is specified. Accordingly, the information for updating the index information or the content of the updated file may be transmitted.

  When the distribution control designation corresponding to the attribute is a designation for transmitting simple information, the file synchronization management unit transmits only information for updating the index information to other terminal devices, and corresponds to the attribute When the distribution control specification is a specification for transmitting detailed information, the content of the updated file may be transmitted to another terminal device.

  An information sharing program according to the present invention is configured such that a plurality of terminal devices are connected via a communication network, store the shared information as a file, and specify the information request level for each terminal device in the system and the distribution control designation for each information request level. Information sharing system in which each terminal device performs information synchronization control based on a distribution control designation corresponding to each of a plurality of information request levels. A program that transmits only information for updating index information indicating a change operation of shared information to another terminal device according to distribution control designation, or transmits the contents of the changed file to the computer of the terminal device It is characterized in that a process for determining whether or not to execute is executed.

  The information sharing program refers to the information request level and the distribution control designation when the operation log is changed in the computer of the terminal device provided with the operation log that records the operation information for updating the file. You may be comprised so that the process which transmits the information for updating information or the content of the file after the update to another terminal device may be performed.

  The information sharing program uses the terminal device computer that can store the distribution control designation assigned to each file and folder to update the file that caused the operation log to change when the operation log is changed. Is configured to execute processing for transmitting information for updating the index information or the contents of the updated file to another terminal device in accordance with the distribution control designation. Also good.

  The information sharing program causes the operation log to be changed when the operation log is changed in the computer of the terminal device capable of storing the attribute assigned to the file and the folder and the distribution control designation corresponding to the attribute. When the attribute of the file to be updated is stored, information for updating the index information or the content of the updated file is transmitted to another terminal device according to the distribution control designation corresponding to the attribute. It may be configured to execute.

  The first effect is to specify the information request level such as the member role and the distribution control designation associated therewith, and use only the synchronization of the index information and the synchronization to the entity of the shared information when sharing the information. It is possible to do. As a result, it is possible to prevent the waste of the resources of the terminal device and the network due to the distribution of unnecessary information to all members. The reason is that for each member of the synchronization partner, the information request level assigned to the member is compared with the distribution control designation to determine whether to notify the entity of the shared information and then communicate to the partner terminal device. Is to do. In the prior art, any role (member role or position) is assigned to members belonging to the community, and access rights to files and folders are set for each role, and the entity (contents) of shared information is shared. It is difficult to easily set the information sharing method such as whether to share only index information or not for each role.

  The second effect is that the synchronization method can be properly used for each file or folder. The reason for this is to refer to the delivery control designation designated for each file or folder and determine whether to notify the entity for each file or folder before communicating with another terminal device.

  A third effect is that the synchronization method can be selectively used according to an arbitrary attribute assigned to a file or folder. The reason is that after referring to the arbitrary attribute assigned to the file or folder and the delivery control specification specified for each attribute and determining whether to notify the entity for each file or folder, This is for communication.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, terms used in each embodiment will be described. The plurality of information request levels correspond to role information in each embodiment. The distribution control designation corresponding to each of the plurality of information request levels corresponds to a distribution control method corresponding to each role ID. Information for updating the index information corresponds to update operation information. The case where the distribution control specification is a specification for transmitting simple information corresponds to the case where the distribution control method is “synchronize only index information”. The case where the delivery control designation is a designation for transmitting detailed information corresponds to the case where the delivery control method is “synchronize to substance”. However, the terminology used in each embodiment is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

  Also, the index information management means for managing the index information indicating the shared information changing operation is realized by the file management unit 101. The synchronization management means for managing information synchronization with other terminal devices based on the distribution control designation corresponding to each information request level when the shared information is changed is realized by the file synchronization management unit 104. .

Embodiment 1 FIG.
A first embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an information sharing system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the first embodiment, a terminal device 100 that shares information within a community is connected to other terminal devices 200 and 300 that share information via a network 400 such as the Internet. ing. The network 400 may be a closed communication network such as an intranet or a LAN instead of an open communication network such as the Internet.

  The terminal device 100 includes a file management unit 101 that manages index information of shared information held in the terminal device 100, a file storage unit 102 that stores the substance of a file as shared information, and a file generated in the terminal device 100. An operation log 103 that records operation information such as updates, a file synchronization management unit 104 that manages information sharing with other terminal devices 200 and 300, and role information (hereinafter referred to as member role) for each member are described. The member role storage unit 110 and a distribution policy storage unit 120 describing a control method at the time of distribution for each member role are provided. Note that managing the index information means, for example, keeping the index information in the latest state. The operation information recorded in the operation log 103 includes at least information corresponding to index information.

  In addition, the terminal device 100 includes a communication unit 105 for communicating with other terminal devices 200 and 300 via the network 400. The index information may be stored in the file management unit 101 or may be stored in the file storage unit 102. The network addresses of the terminal devices 100, 200, and 300 are stored in the file synchronization management unit 104 or the communication unit 105, for example.

  The terminal device 100 is realized by an information processing device such as a personal computer having a communication function. Therefore, the file storage unit 102, the operation log 103, the member role storage unit 110, and the distribution policy storage unit 120 are realized by, for example, a storage device included in the information processing apparatus. The file management unit 101 and the file synchronization management unit 104 are realized by a control unit (CPU) that executes control according to a program, for example. The communication unit 105 is realized by, for example, a LAN interface, a modem, and software for controlling them.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of member roles stored in the member role storage unit 110. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the member role is information in which a member ID uniquely assigned to each terminal device 100, 200, and 300 and a role ID assigned to each member device are paired.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a distribution policy stored in the distribution policy storage unit 120. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the distribution policy is information in which each role ID and a distribution control method assigned to each role ID are paired. Although two types of role IDs are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, there may be any number of types of role IDs. However, in general, the total number of role IDs is smaller than the total number of member IDs.

  Note that the internal configuration of the terminal devices 200 and 300 is the same as the internal configuration of the terminal device 100. Therefore, each terminal device 100, 200, 300 stores a member role and a distribution policy, respectively. 1 illustrates three terminal devices 100, 200, and 300, the number of terminal devices in the system is not limited.

  When any member terminal device belonging to the community generates a new file (shared information), the file is stored in a predetermined folder or a folder generated simultaneously with the file generation, and the network 400 The file entity is distributed to other terminal devices together with information indicating the folder. When the communication unit 105 in another terminal device receives a new file, the file management unit 101 stores the received file entity in the corresponding folder in the file storage unit 102. When a new file is generated, the terminal device registers the file in a management device (not shown in FIG. 1) such as a server via the network 400, and the management device registers with another terminal device. Distribution may be performed via the network 400. Further, as will be described later, there may be a terminal device to which the index information is distributed without receiving the distribution of the file entity.

  When a new member joins the community, the terminal device of the member requests the management device to issue a member ID via the network 400, for example. In addition, a role ID of the terminal device is selected from a predetermined role ID. The management device transmits the member ID and role ID of another terminal device and the distribution policy to the new member terminal device, and distributes the member ID and role ID of the new member to the other terminal device. In each terminal device, when the communication unit 105 receives the member ID and the role ID, the file synchronization management unit 104 causes the member role storage unit 110 to store the received member ID and role ID. When the communication means 105 of the new member terminal device receives the distribution policy, the file synchronization management unit 104 stores the received distribution policy in the distribution policy storage unit 120.

  The management device may be a device different from the terminal devices 100, 200, and 300, but is a management terminal device in which one of the terminal devices 100, 200, and 300 serves as the management device. It may be configured to be.

  Next, the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  First, with reference to FIG. 4, an operation when a change in the shared information is transmitted to another terminal device will be described in the terminal device in which some change is made. As will be described later, the change information is the substance (contents) or change operation information of the file in which the change has been made. The change operation information is information for the terminal device that has received the change operation information to create index information, and is information that substantially includes the index information.

  In the terminal device 100, when a member who is the owner of the terminal device performs a change operation such as addition, deletion, or update to a file as shared information stored in the file storage unit 102 (step S1), The file management unit 101 rewrites the held index information (step S2), and writes the operation information in the operation log 103 (may be a memory included in the file management unit 101) (step S3).

  The index information is information indicating which member has performed what operation (addition, deletion, update, etc.) for each file. For example, the file management unit 101 obtains time information from a clock built in the terminal device 100, and includes the member ID and time information of the terminal device 100 in the index information of the changed file. In addition, the index information may include other information such as how much the data amount related to the update is. In this embodiment, the latest information (information indicating when and which member performed the operation, etc.) is held as index information for each file, but past information is also included in the index information. It may be left.

  In addition, the file synchronization management unit 104 refers to the operation log 103 and creates change operation information in the own terminal device (step S4). Examples of the change operation information include “deletion of information” (deletion of the file itself or deletion of information in the file), “addition of information”, “change of information”, and the like. When the change operation information is “deletion of information”, the change operation information further includes information indicating the deleted location in the file.

  When the change operation information is “add information” or “change information”, the file entity is transmitted to another terminal device when distribution control “synchronize to entity” is performed. In addition, the entire file may be transmitted, or only information relating to addition or update may be transmitted. When only the information related to addition or update is transmitted, the change operation information includes information indicating the location related to addition or update in the file.

  Further, the change operation information includes information for specifying a file to be changed and time information indicating the time when the change operation was performed.

  Next, the file synchronization management unit 104 refers to the member role storage unit 110 and the distribution policy storage unit 120 to determine a distribution control method for other members in the community (step S5). In the example shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the distribution control of “synchronize to the substance” is performed for the terminal devices of member ID1 and member ID2, and the distribution control of “synchronization of only index information” is performed for the terminal device of member ID3. Will be decided.

  Next, the file synchronization management unit 104 determines what the distribution control method determined in step S5 is for each of the other terminal devices 200 and 300 in the community (step S6).

  When the distribution control method determined in step S5 is “synchronize only index information”, the change operation information created in step S4 is sent to the terminal devices 200 and 300 of other members together with the member ID of the own terminal device. The communication unit 105 is instructed to transmit (step S7).

  On the other hand, if the distribution control method determined in step S5 is “synchronize to the substance”, the change operation information created in step S4 is referred to. If the change operation information is “information deletion”, the process proceeds to step S7. The communication unit 105 is instructed to transmit the change operation information to the other terminal devices 200 and 300 together with the member ID of the own terminal device. If the change operation information created in step S4 is “add information” or “update information”, the file entity stored in the file storage unit 102 is read (step S9), and together with the member ID of the own terminal device. Then, the communication unit 105 is instructed to transmit the change operation information and the file entity to the other terminal devices 200 and 300 (steps S10 and S11).

  Through the control as described above, the file entity and the change operation information are transmitted to the terminal devices 200 and 300 according to the set role ID. Specifically, the file entity and the change operation information are transmitted to the terminal device set with the role ID “synchronize to the entity”, but the role “synchronize only the index information” is transmitted. The file entity is not transmitted to the terminal device for which the ID is set, and only the change operation information is transmitted.

  Since the file synchronization management unit 104 is realized by a control unit (CPU) that executes control according to a program stored in the storage unit, the terminal devices 100, 200, and 300 are transferred to other terminal devices according to the distribution control method. Therefore, it has an information sharing program for executing a process for determining whether to transmit only the update operation information for updating the index information or to transmit the changed file entity. More specifically, when there is a change in the operation log 103, the information sharing program refers to the information request level and the distribution control designation and sends the changed operation information or the updated file contents to another terminal. It is comprised so that the process transmitted to an apparatus may be performed.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5, the operation when the terminal device 200, 300 that has received the change information reflects the change in the terminal device 200, 300 will be described.

  The change operation information received by the communication unit 105 via the network 400 is notified to the file synchronization management unit 104 (step S41). At this time, if the information transmission side terminal device 100 also transmits the file entity in step S11, the information receiving side terminal device 200, 300 changes the communication means 105 to the file synchronization management unit 104. The operation information is notified in the form including the file entity.

  The file synchronization management unit 104 corrects the index information held by the file management unit 101 based on the change operation information (step S42). That is, the file is identified from the change operation information, the time when the operation is performed is obtained from the time information included in the change operation information, and which member performs the operation from the member ID received together with the change operation information. Is obtained, and the information is set as index information. At this point, the synchronization with the other terminal devices regarding the index information is completed.

  Next, the file management unit 101 is notified in step S41 in order to determine whether to change the information stored in the file storage unit 102 based on the change operation information notified in step S41. It is determined whether the change operation information includes entity information, that is, a file entity (step S43).

  When the change operation information notified in step S41 is “deletion of information”, the file management unit 101 determines whether or not the index information of the file exists (step S44). If the index information of the file exists, the file information stored in the file storage unit 102 (the file itself or information indicated by the deletion location information included in the change operation information in the file) is deleted. (Step S45). If it does not exist, the process ends.

  If the change operation information notified in step S41 is “information update”, the file management unit 101 determines whether the file operation is included in the change operation notification (step S46). If a file entity is included, the file information stored in the file storage unit 102 is replaced with the file entity (step S47). If the file entity is not included, the process ends.

  When the terminal device 100 on the information transmission side transmits the entire updated file, the file management unit 101 converts the entire file stored in the file storage unit 102 into the received file in step S47. Replace with the entity. When the terminal device 100 on the information transmission side transmits only the update location in the file, the file management unit 101 stores the update location information in the file storage unit 102 based on the information indicated by the update location information included in the change operation information. Replace the corresponding part of the stored file with the received file entity.

  If the change operation information notified in step S41 is “add information”, it is determined whether or not the file operation is included in the change operation notification (step S48). If the file entity is included, information is added to the file stored in the file storage unit 102 (step S49). If the file entity is not included, the process ends.

  When the terminal device 100 on the information transmission side transmits the entire file after the addition operation, the file management unit 101 receives the entire file stored in the file storage unit 102 in step S49. Replace with the file entity. When the terminal device 100 on the information transmission side transmits only the additional information in the file, the file management unit 101 stores the additional information in the file storage unit 102 based on the information indicated by the additional location information included in the change operation information. The received file entity is added to the corresponding location of the stored file.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, since information sharing control is performed based on the member role and the distribution control method associated therewith, synchronization of only index information or file It becomes possible to use the synchronization to the entity properly. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the waste of the resources of the terminal device and the network due to the distribution of unnecessary information to all members. In addition, since the distribution control method is associated with the member role and the synchronization control is performed, the information sharing control setting corresponding to the role (role) in the member community is performed without setting the information sharing control for each individual member. This makes it possible to reduce the time and effort required for the settings related to information sharing control.

  In addition, if a member using a terminal device that has received information sharing control of “synchronize only index information” for a file wants to know the substance of the change of the file, for example, based on the index information, It is only necessary to know the member who performed the change operation and to receive the file entity from the terminal device of the member. This is the same in the following embodiments.

  In this embodiment, the change information is transmitted to the other terminal device as soon as the file is changed. However, the change information is transmitted to the other terminal device according to some trigger. You may do it. For example, whenever a certain time elapses, change information is transmitted to another terminal device, or when a terminal device disconnected from the system, that is, a terminal device disconnected from the network 400 returns to the system. The change information based on the change operation that occurred while being disconnected from the system may be transmitted to another terminal device. This is the same in the following embodiments.

  In this embodiment, two types of “synchronize to substance” and “synchronize only index information” are exemplified as the distribution control methods. However, the distribution control methods associated with the member roles are not limited to these, and various applications are possible. Is possible.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the distribution policy. In the example shown in FIG. 6 (A), “if the file size is less than 1 Mbyte, it is synchronized to the entity, if the file size is 1 Mbyte or more, only the index information is synchronized”, “if it is within 24 hours after the change, it is synchronized to the entity, and thereafter The distribution control method is “synchronized only with index information”, “synchronized to the entity within 24 hours after the change, and then synchronized only with the index information, but the index information is displayed in red”.

  When the distribution policy shown in FIG. 6A is used, the file synchronization management unit 104 uses a distribution control method of “synchronize to the entity if the file size is less than 1 Mbyte, and synchronize only index information if the file size is 1 Mbyte or more”. When it is determined, after confirming the size of the file, only the file entity and the change operation information or the change operation information are distributed. Further, when the distribution control method of “synchronize to the entity within 24 hours after the change, only synchronize the index information thereafter” is determined, the time information when the change operation is performed on the file is obtained from the operation log 103, The current time information is obtained from the clock built in the terminal device 100, and the time information is compared to determine whether it is within 24 hours after the change. In addition, when the distribution control method of “synchronize to the entity within 24 hours after the change, only synchronize the index information after that, but display the index information in red” is determined, the character color of the index information is set together with the change operation information. Distribute the information shown.

  The example shown in FIG. 6B shows a distribution control method of “synchronize to the entity if the changer is XX” and “synchronize only the index information if the changer is not XX”. When the distribution policy shown in FIG. 6B is used, the file synchronization management unit 104 determines whether or not “changer is XX” based on the member ID of the own terminal device. The change operation information and the change operation information are transmitted, and if not applicable, only the change operation information is distributed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6C, a distribution control method of “send synchronization / index information to mobile terminal” is added to the example shown in FIG. When the distribution policy shown in FIG. 6C is used, the address of the portable terminal is stored together with the address of the terminal apparatus for the member ID corresponding to the role 3 in each terminal apparatus. Then, when the file synchronization management unit 104 determines the distribution control method “send synchronization / index information to the mobile terminal”, the file synchronization management unit 104 transmits the change operation information to the address of the stored mobile terminal. Such an example is useful when a member using a certain terminal device (such as a stand-alone personal computer) also uses a mobile terminal and cannot store the actual file in the mobile terminal.

  Furthermore, a plurality of distribution policies may be used in combination. For example, when the distribution policy shown in FIG. 6 (A) and the distribution policy shown in FIG. 6 (B) are used together, the file synchronization management unit 104 sends “ If it is confirmed that the file size is less than 1 Mbyte and the condition that “changer is XX” is satisfied, the file is transmitted to the entity of the file. Alternatively, when it is confirmed that either the condition “file size is less than 1 Mbyte” or the condition “changer is XX” is satisfied, the file may be transmitted to the entity.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the information sharing system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, in the second embodiment of the present invention, a file synchronization policy management unit 130 is added to the configuration of the terminal device 100 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Yes.

  The file synchronization policy management unit 130 holds a synchronization policy for files and folders shared within the community. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a synchronization policy set for a folder or file. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of files and folders shared in the community. As shown in FIG. 8, the synchronization policy is information in which each file / folder ID is paired with a distribution control method assigned to each file / folder ID. The file / folder ID may be a file name or a folder name.

  In this embodiment, when any member terminal device belonging to the community generates a new folder or file (shared information), the file is stored in a predetermined folder or the generated folder. Set synchronization policy for new folders or files. Referring to the examples shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for example, when a file whose file folder ID is 2B2 (hereinafter referred to as file 2B2) is generated, file 2B2 and a distribution control method (FIG. 8) are generated. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a synchronization policy is set in which “Role 2 is synchronized to the entity”). Then, the generated file entity and synchronization policy are distributed to other terminal devices via the network 400. There may be a terminal device to which the index information is distributed without receiving the distribution of the file entity. When the communication unit 105 in another terminal device receives a new file, the file management unit 101 stores the received file entity in the corresponding folder in the file storage unit 102. Further, when the communication unit 105 in another terminal apparatus receives a new synchronization policy, the file synchronization policy management unit 130 holds the received synchronization policy.

  When a new file or folder and a synchronization policy are generated, the terminal device registers the file or folder and the synchronization policy in a management device (not shown in FIG. 7) via the network 400, The management device may be distributed to other terminal devices via the network 400. Further, the synchronization policy may be configured not to be attached to the terminal device that generated the file or folder, but to be attached to the management device or any terminal device in the system as the management terminal device. .

  Next, the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when notifying other terminal devices of the change information in the terminal device in which some change has been made to the shared information in the second embodiment.

  The operations shown in steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 10 are the same as the operations in the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, in the terminal device 100, when a change operation such as addition, deletion, or update is performed on a file as shared information stored in the file storage unit 102 (step S1), the file management unit 101 holds it. The index information is rewritten (step S2), and the operation information is written in the operation log 103 (may be a memory included in the file management unit 101) (step S3). In addition, the file synchronization management unit 104 refers to the operation log 103 and creates change operation information in the own terminal device (step S4).

  In the first embodiment, a common distribution control method is set for all shared information according to the role of the member. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, after step S4, the file synchronization management unit 104 refers to the synchronization policy held by the file synchronization policy management unit 130, and for the file that has been changed, A distribution control method corresponding to the folder ID is determined (step S20). If the delivery control method corresponding to the file / folder ID is not specified for the file, that is, if the synchronization policy is not set for the file, specify the file hierarchy structure in the upper hierarchy. Apply the distributed delivery control method.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the inheritance range when the synchronization policy assigned to the file or folder is inherited according to the hierarchical structure of the file. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the policy set for the folder 2A is also inherited by the file 2A1, which is a lower hierarchy of the folder 2A. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the policy set for the folder 2B is inherited by the file 2B1, which is a lower hierarchy of the folder 2B. However, since the unique synchronization policy is set for the file 2B2, which is the lower hierarchy of the folder 2B, as shown in FIG. 8, the policy for the folder 2B is not inherited.

  In step S21, it is determined whether or not the distribution control method according to the role of the member in the file can be determined in step S20. If not determined, that is, the distribution control method for the file cannot be found by the above method. If so, the process proceeds to step S5. If determined, the process proceeds to step S6.

  Subsequent operations (steps S5 to S11) are the same as the operations in the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, in step S5, the file synchronization management unit 104 refers to the member role storage unit 110 and the distribution policy storage unit 120 to determine a distribution control method for other members in the community. In step S6, the file synchronization management unit 104 determines what the delivery control method determined in step S5 is for each of the other terminal devices 200 and 300 in the community, or in step S20. Judge what the determined delivery control method is.

  When the distribution control method determined in step S20 or step S5 is “synchronize only index information”, the change operation information created in step S4 is used together with the member ID of the own terminal device and the terminal device 200 of another member. , 300 is instructed to transmit to the communication means 105 (step S7). If the distribution control method determined in step S20 or step S5 is “synchronize to substance”, the change operation information created in step S4 is referred to. If the change operation information is “information deletion”, the process proceeds to step S7. The communication unit 105 is instructed to transmit the change operation information to the other terminal devices 200 and 300 together with the member ID of the terminal device. If the change operation information created in step S4 is “add information” or “update information”, the file entity stored in the file storage unit 102 is read (step S9), and together with the member ID of the own terminal device. Then, the communication unit 105 is instructed to transmit the change operation information and the file entity to the other terminal devices 200 and 300 (steps S10 and S11).

  The operation when the terminal device that has received the change information reflects the change indicated by the change information on the terminal device is the same as the operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, not only the distribution control setting is commonly specified for the entire shared information on a member basis, but also the distribution control method according to the member role for each shared file or folder. Can be assigned. Therefore, it becomes possible to specify the setting related to the synchronization control in the community in more detail, and the terminal device and network resources can be used more effectively.

  Since the file synchronization management unit 104 is realized by a control unit (CPU) that executes control according to a program stored in the storage unit, the terminal device 100, 200, 300 has a change in the operation log 103. In this case, when the distribution control method for the file to be updated that causes the operation log 103 to be changed is stored, the index information or the content of the updated file is transmitted to other terminal devices according to the distribution control method. An information sharing program for executing the transmission process is provided.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the information sharing system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, in the third embodiment of the present invention, a file attribute management unit 140 is added to the configuration of the terminal device 100 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. . The file attribute management unit 140 holds arbitrary attributes for files and folders shared in the community as file attributes.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of file attributes. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the file attribute is information in which each file / folder ID is paired with an attribute assigned to each file / folder ID. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a distribution policy based on file attributes. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the distribution policy based on the file attribute is information in which an attribute and a distribution control method assigned to each attribute are paired.

  In this embodiment, when any member terminal device belonging to the community generates a new folder or file (shared information), the file is stored in a predetermined folder or the generated folder. Set file attributes for a new folder or file. Referring to the example shown in FIG. 12, for example, when a folder whose file folder ID is 2A (hereinafter referred to as folder 2A) is generated, the file attribute (shown in FIG. 12) is assigned to the folder 2A. In the example, “Important”) is set. Then, the generated file entity and file attribute are distributed to other terminal devices via the network 400. In some cases, the index information is distributed without distributing the file entity (when the file attribute is not “important”). When the communication unit 105 in another terminal apparatus receives a new file attribute, the file attribute management unit 140 holds the received file attribute. Note that the distribution policy based on the file attribute as illustrated in FIG. 13 is distributed from, for example, the management apparatus when the terminal device participates in the community, and stored in the distribution policy storage unit 120.

  When a new file attribute is generated, the terminal device registers the file attribute in the management device (not shown in FIG. 7) via the network 400, and the management device network to the other terminal device. You may make it deliver via 400. FIG. Further, the file attribute is not attached to the terminal device that generated the file or folder, but may be configured to be attached to the management device or any terminal device in the system as the management terminal device. .

  The operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when notifying other terminal devices of the change information in the terminal device in which some change has been made to the shared information in the third embodiment.

  The operations shown in steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 14 are the same as the operations in the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, in the terminal device 100, when a change operation such as addition, deletion, or update is performed on a file as shared information stored in the file storage unit 102 (step S1), the file management unit 101 holds it. The index information is rewritten (step S2), and the operation information is written in the operation log 103 (may be a memory included in the file management unit 101) (step S3). In addition, the file synchronization management unit 104 refers to the operation log 103 and creates change operation information in the own terminal device (step S4).

  In the present embodiment, after step S4, the file attribute management unit 140 refers to the file attribute for the file that has been changed, and acquires the attribute assigned to the file. Then, with reference to the distribution policy storage unit 120, the distribution control method assigned to each attribute as illustrated in FIG. 13 is obtained, and the distribution control method based on the attribute of the file is determined by comparing the two. (Step S30). When the file attribute is not specified for the file, the file attribute specified in the upper hierarchy is applied by going back the hierarchical structure of the file, as in the case of inheritance in the second embodiment.

  For example, the file attribute set in the folder 2A is inherited by the files in the lower hierarchy of the folder 2A. If no file attribute is specified for a file that has undergone a change operation, and the file attribute is set for a folder that is higher in the hierarchy, that file attribute is the file attribute for the file that has undergone the change operation. It is said.

  In step S31, it is determined whether or not the delivery control method based on the file attribute can be determined in step S30. If it cannot be determined, the process proceeds to step S5. If determined, the process proceeds to step S6.

  Subsequent operations (steps S5 to S11) are the same as the operations in the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, in step S5, the file synchronization management unit 104 refers to the member role storage unit 110 and the distribution policy storage unit 120 to determine a distribution control method for other members in the community. In step S6, the file synchronization management unit 104 determines what the distribution control method determined in step S5 is for each of the other terminal devices 200 and 300 in the community, or in step S30. Judge what the determined delivery control method is.

  If the distribution control method determined in step S30 or S5 is “synchronize only index information”, the change operation information created in step S4 is used together with the member ID of the own terminal device and the terminal device 200 of another member. , 300 is instructed to transmit to the communication means 105 (step S7). If the distribution control method determined in step S30 or S5 is “synchronize to substance”, the change operation information created in step S4 is referred to. If the change operation information is “information deletion”, the process proceeds to step S7. The communication unit 105 is instructed to transmit the change operation information to the other terminal devices 200 and 300 together with the member ID of the terminal device. If the change operation information created in step S4 is “add information” or “update information”, the file entity stored in the file storage unit 102 is read (step S9), and together with the member ID of the own terminal device. Then, the communication unit 105 is instructed to transmit the change operation information and the file entity to the other terminal devices 200 and 300 (steps S10 and S11).

  The operation when the terminal device that has received the change information reflects the change indicated by the change information on the terminal device is the same as the operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to assign an attribute to each shared file and folder and assign a distribution control method according to the attribute. Therefore, it becomes possible to specify the setting related to the synchronization control in the community in more detail, and the resources of the terminal device and the network can be used more effectively. In addition, even for members whose index information only is to be synchronized by the distribution control setting for each member, it is possible to control such that important information is synchronized to the file entity. Further, if the attributes of the files and folders are the same, it is possible to apply a common distribution control setting, so that it is possible to reduce time and effort when performing the distribution control setting.

  Since the file synchronization management unit 104 is realized by a control unit (CPU) that executes control according to a program stored in the storage unit, the terminal device 100, 200, 300 has a change in the operation log 103. In this case, when the attribute of the file to be updated that caused the operation log 103 to be changed is stored, the index information or the content of the updated file is transferred to another terminal according to the distribution control method corresponding to the attribute. An information sharing program for executing processing to be transmitted to the apparatus is provided.

  In this embodiment, two types of “important” and “normal” are exemplified as attributes assigned to each file / folder. However, the attributes are not limited to these, and various applications are possible.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a distribution policy based on file attributes. In the example shown in FIG. 15A, attributes are classified into five levels of importance, and a distribution control method is assigned corresponding to each level of importance. Specifically, the distribution control method “synchronize to the entity” is assigned when the importance is the highest, and the distribution control method “synchronize only the index information” is assigned when the importance is the lowest.

  In the example shown in FIG. 15B, an attribute is assigned to each customer case. In the example shown in FIG. 15C, an attribute is assigned for each activity content.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the information sharing system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 16, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the file synchronization policy management unit 130 and the file attribute management are compared with the configuration of the terminal device 100 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. A section 140 is added. The file synchronization policy management unit 130 is the same as that provided in the second embodiment, and the file attribute management unit 140 is the same as that provided in the third embodiment. .

  The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when notifying other terminal devices of the change information in the terminal device in which some change has been made to the shared information in the fourth embodiment. The operations shown in steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 17 are the same as the operations in the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, in the terminal device 100, when a change operation such as addition, deletion, or update is performed on a file as shared information stored in the file storage unit 102 (step S1), the file management unit 101 holds it. The index information is rewritten (step S2), and the operation information is written in the operation log 103 (may be a memory included in the file management unit 101) (step S3). In addition, the file synchronization management unit 104 refers to the operation log 103 and creates change operation information in the own terminal device (step S4).

  The operations in steps S30 and S31 are the same as those in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 14, and the operations in steps S20 and S21 are the same as those in the second embodiment shown in FIG. Same as operation.

  That is, in this embodiment, after step S4, first, the file attribute management unit 140 refers to the file attribute for the file that has been changed, and acquires the attribute assigned to the file. Then, referring to the distribution policy storage unit 120, the distribution control method assigned for each attribute as illustrated in FIG. 13 is acquired, and the operations based on the attributes of the file (distribution control method) are performed by comparing the two. ) Is determined (step S30). If the file attribute is not specified for the file, the file attribute specified in the upper hierarchy is applied by going back the hierarchical structure of the file. If the delivery control method based on the file attribute can be determined, the process proceeds to step S6.

  If the distribution control method based on the file attribute cannot be determined (step S31), the file synchronization policy management unit 130 refers to the synchronization policy, and the distribution control according to the role of the member is performed for the file that has been changed. A method is determined (step S20). If the delivery control method according to the role of the member is not specified for the file, that is, if the synchronization policy is not set for the file, the file hierarchy structure is specified retroactively. Apply the delivery control method.

  If the distribution control method corresponding to the role of the member for the file is not determined, the process proceeds to step S5. If determined, the process proceeds to step S6. Subsequent operations (steps S5 to S11) are the same as the operations in the first embodiment shown in FIG. That is, in step S5, the file synchronization management unit 104 refers to the member role storage unit 110 and the distribution policy storage unit 120 to determine a distribution control method for other members in the community. In step S6, the file synchronization management unit 104 determines whether the distribution control method determined in step S5 is determined for each of the other terminal devices 200 and 300 in the community, or in step S30 or It is determined what the distribution control method determined in step S20 is.

  If the distribution control method determined in step S30, step S20 or step S5 is “synchronize only index information”, the change operation information created in step S4 is stored together with the member ID of the own terminal device and the other member's member ID. The communication unit 105 is instructed to transmit to the terminal devices 200 and 300 (step S7). If the distribution control method determined in step S30, step S20 or step S5 is “synchronize to substance”, the change operation information created in step S4 is referred to. If the change operation information is “information deletion”, step S7 is performed. The communication unit 105 is instructed to transmit the change operation information to the other terminal devices 200 and 300 together with the member ID of the own terminal device. If the change operation information created in step S4 is “add information” or “update information”, the file entity stored in the file storage unit 102 is read (step S9), and together with the member ID of the own terminal device. Then, the communication unit 105 is instructed to transmit the change operation information and the file entity to the other terminal devices 200 and 300 (steps S10 and S11).

  The operation when the terminal device that has received the change information reflects the change indicated by the change information on the terminal device is the same as the operation in the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, not only the distribution control setting is commonly specified for the entire shared information on a member basis, but the file or folder to be shared is the same as in the second embodiment. Each can be assigned a distribution control method according to the member role. Similarly to the case of the third embodiment, it is possible to assign an attribute to each shared file and folder and assign a distribution control method according to the attribute. Therefore, it is possible to further specify the settings related to the synchronization control within the community, and the terminal device and network resources can be used more effectively.

  In the fourth embodiment, the processes in steps S30 and S31 are performed with priority over the processes in steps S20 and S21. However, the processes in steps S20 and S21 have priority over the processes in steps S30 and S31. It may be configured to be executed.

  The present invention is applicable to uses such as a groupware system that supports desk work by sharing information among a plurality of members. Further, it can be applied to a use such as a project management system when a plurality of users jointly execute a project.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a member roll. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a delivery policy. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of notifying the change information in the terminal device in 1st Embodiment to another terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement when the terminal device which received the change information in 1st Embodiment reflects the change on an own terminal device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of a delivery policy. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a synchronization policy. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the hierarchical structure of the file and folder shared within a community. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of notifying the change information in the terminal device in 2nd Embodiment to another terminal device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a file attribute. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the delivery policy based on a file attribute. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of notifying the change information in the terminal device in 3rd Embodiment to another terminal device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the delivery policy based on a file attribute. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of notifying the change information in the terminal device in 4th Embodiment to another terminal device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

100, 200, 300 Terminal device 101 File management unit 102 File storage unit 103 Operation log 104 File synchronization management unit 105 Communication means 110 Member role storage unit 120 Distribution policy storage unit 130 File synchronization policy management unit 140 File attribute management unit 400 Network

Claims (16)

In an information sharing system in which a plurality of terminal devices are connected via a communication network and each terminal device shares information with each other,
Each of the terminal devices performs information synchronization control based on a distribution control designation corresponding to each of a plurality of information request levels. The terminal device
Index information management means for managing index information indicating a change operation of shared information;
The information sharing system according to claim 1, further comprising synchronization management means for managing information synchronization with other terminal apparatuses based on distribution control designation corresponding to each of the information request levels when the shared information is changed. . The terminal device
A file storage unit for storing shared information as a file;
A member role storage unit for storing an information request level for each terminal device in the system;
A distribution policy storage unit that stores a distribution control designation for each information request level stored in the member role storage unit;
Communication means for transmitting the content of the shared information and information for updating the index information,
The index information management means includes a file management unit that manages index information corresponding to a file stored in the file storage unit,
Whether the synchronization management means transmits only the information for updating the index information or the contents of the changed file to other terminal devices in accordance with the distribution control designation stored in the distribution policy storage unit. The information sharing system according to claim 2, further comprising a file synchronization management unit for determining the file. It has an operation log that records operation information of file updates that occurred on the terminal device,
When there is a change in the operation log, the file synchronization management unit refers to the information request level stored in the member role storage unit and the distribution control designation stored in the distribution policy storage unit, The information sharing system according to claim 3, wherein the information for updating the index information or the content of the updated file is transmitted to another terminal device via the communication means. The file sync manager
If the distribution control designation is a designation for transmitting simple information, only information for updating the index information is transmitted to other terminal devices to which the information request level corresponding to the distribution control designation is assigned. ,
4. If the distribution control specification is a specification for transmitting detailed information, the content of the updated file is transmitted to another terminal device to which the information request level corresponding to the information request level is assigned. The information sharing system according to claim 4. The information sharing system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the terminal device includes a file synchronization policy management unit that stores a distribution control designation assigned to each file and folder. When the operation log is changed, the file synchronization management unit, if the file synchronization policy management unit stores the delivery control specification for the update target file that caused the operation log to be changed. The information sharing system according to claim 6, wherein information for updating the index information or the content of the updated file is transmitted to another terminal device via the communication unit in accordance with the distribution control designation. When the distribution control specification for the file to be updated is not stored in the file synchronization policy management unit and the distribution control specification is assigned to a folder that is an upper layer of the file, the file synchronization management unit The information sharing system according to claim 7, wherein information for updating the index information or the contents of the updated file is transmitted according to the control designation. The information sharing system according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the terminal device includes a file attribute management unit that stores an attribute assigned to the file and the folder and a delivery control designation corresponding to the attribute. . When the operation log is changed, the file synchronization management unit responds to the attribute of the file to be updated that caused the change of the operation log if the attribute is stored in the file attribute management unit. The information sharing system according to claim 9, wherein information for updating the index information or the content of the updated file is transmitted to another terminal device via the communication unit in accordance with the distribution control designation. If the attribute of the file to be updated is not stored in the file attribute management unit and the attribute is assigned to a folder that is an upper layer of the file, the file synchronization management unit performs distribution control corresponding to the attribute. The information sharing system according to claim 7, wherein information for updating index information or content of an updated file is transmitted according to designation. The file sync manager
If the distribution control designation corresponding to the attribute is a designation for sending simple information, only the information for updating the index information to other terminal devices is sent,
The information sharing system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein when the distribution control designation corresponding to the attribute is a designation for transmitting detailed information, the content of the updated file is transmitted to another terminal device. A plurality of terminal devices are connected via a communication network, store the shared information as a file, and store the information request level for each terminal device in the system and the distribution control designation for each information request level. In the information sharing system for performing information sharing, each of the terminal devices is an information sharing program for performing synchronization control of information based on distribution control designation corresponding to each of a plurality of information request levels,
Whether to transmit only the information for updating the index information indicating the change operation of the shared information to the other terminal device or to transmit the content of the file after the change to the other terminal device in accordance with the distribution control designation. An information sharing program for executing a process to be determined. In the computer of the terminal device equipped with an operation log that records operation information of file update,
When there is a change in the operation log, the information request level and the distribution control designation are referred to, and processing for transmitting the information for updating the index information or the content of the updated file to another terminal device is executed. 14. The information sharing program according to claim 13, wherein In the computer of the terminal device capable of storing the distribution control designation assigned to each file and folder,
If there is a change in the operation log and the distribution control designation for the file to be updated that caused the change in the operation log is stored, the information for updating the index information according to the distribution control designation or 15. The information sharing program according to claim 14, for executing a process of transmitting the content of the updated file to another terminal device. In the computer of the terminal device capable of storing the attribute assigned to the file and folder and the distribution control designation corresponding to the attribute,
When there is a change in the operation log and the attribute for the file to be updated that caused the change in the operation log is stored, the index information is updated according to the distribution control specification corresponding to that attribute. 16. The information sharing program according to claim 14 or 15, for executing a process of transmitting information or the contents of an updated file to another terminal device.

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