JP2005346219A - Data backup equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute the efficient automatic backup processing of a file whose contents are frequently updated. <P>SOLUTION: When a file Fa developed on a memory 10 is stored in a hard disk 20 according to the operation of an operator, the storage processing is detected by a storage processing detecting means 51. Each time the storage processing of the file Fa is detected, a timekeeping reset means 52 executes timekeeping by resetting the timekeeping value of the file Fa in a timekeeping means 53 as 0. When the timekeeping value of the file Fa reaches a predetermined value T, the processing to backup the file Fa in the hard disk 20 to a backup server 40 is executed by a backup executing means 54, and the timekeeping of the file Fa is stopped. When the storage operation of the file Fa is detected again, the timekeeping from 0 is resumed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data backup device, and more particularly to a data backup device that automatically executes data backup processing for files whose contents are frequently updated.

  Data backup is a very important matter when using computers. In particular, when using a business computer, it is essential to regularly back up data. Various data recording media, such as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, and magnetic tapes, are used to store backup data. The basic principle of backup is to store the same information on multiple recording media. There is to be. Therefore, the essence of the backup work is nothing but a replication process in which data to be backed up is replicated from one storage location to another storage location.

  Usually, a copy command for copying a desired file is included in the OS program of the computer, and an operator can perform backup work on an arbitrary file at any time by executing this copy command. . Some application programs have a function of executing a backup operation with a single button.

However, it is not preferable in practice to leave important backup operations to the operator's instructions sequentially. For an operator, the work of confirming data to be backed up and performing a backup operation on the data is extremely complicated work, and there is often a possibility of forgetting. For this reason, data backup apparatuses that automatically execute backup work have become widespread. A general automatic data backup device is constructed by incorporating a dedicated backup application program in a computer, and automatically executes a backup process for predetermined data based on a predetermined schedule. It has a function. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below disclose an automatic data backup device having a scheduling function.
JP 2001-249851 A JP 2003-263354 A

  When an operator performs an operation on a data file using an application program, the file is generally stored several times during the operation. This is because it is safer to save the contents of the file at that time from the memory to a storage device such as a hard disk device when the work has progressed to some extent. Therefore, the contents of the file stored in the hard disk device or the like are updated every time the operator performs a storing operation. Depending on the application program, the saving process may be automatically executed every time a predetermined condition is satisfied without waiting for an operator's saving operation.

  As described above, when data backup is performed on a file whose contents are frequently updated, the timing of the backup processing becomes a problem. Considering safety first, it is preferable to perform backup every time the contents of a file are updated by an operator's save operation. However, if files that are frequently updated are backed up each time they are updated, it is necessary to secure a huge backup capacity. In addition, during the backup process, the CPU is burdened. Therefore, if the backup process is frequently executed, there arises a problem that the responsiveness of the computer deteriorates. In addition, if it becomes necessary to restore the data that was backed up, if a backup is performed for each update, there will be a huge number of restore points. It becomes very complicated to choose.

  In order to deal with such a problem, it is possible to adopt a method of automatically backing up at regular intervals, but backup is performed regardless of the file saving operation. It is not an efficient method.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a data backup device capable of executing efficient backup processing for files whose contents are frequently updated.

(1) The first aspect of the present invention is:
A storage process detecting means for detecting that a storage process for storing a file developed on a memory of a computer with a predetermined file name in a first storage location is performed;
For each individual file stored in the first storage location, time counting means for counting the elapsed time from the time when the storage process was performed,
Timekeeping reset means for resetting the timekeeping value for the specific file to 0 each time the saving process to the first storage location for the specific file is performed, and causing the timekeeping means to start counting from 0,
When the time value for a specific file reaches a predetermined value T, the specific file is backed up from the first storage location to the second storage location, and the time count value for the specific file is stopped. Execution means;
The data backup device is configured as described above.

(2) According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the data backup device according to the first aspect described above,
A function in which the backup execution means recognizes the time continuation file that is continuously counted by the time measurement means when the computer system ends, and backs up the time continuation file from the first storage location to the second storage location. It is made to have.

(3) The third aspect of the present invention is:
A storage process detecting means for detecting that a storage process for storing a file developed on a memory of a computer in a first storage location with a predetermined file name has been performed;
For each individual file stored in the first storage location, time measuring means for counting the elapsed time from a predetermined time as a time value,
Time-starting means for causing the time-counting means to start counting from 0 for the predetermined file when the saving process to the first storage location is first performed for the predetermined file after the computer system is started;
When the time value for a specific file reaches a predetermined value T, the time value is reset to 0, and the time measuring means continues counting, and at the time, the specific value stored in the first storage location is stored. Recognizing whether or not the backup of the file has been executed, and if not, the backup execution means for backing up the specific file to the second storage location;
The data backup device is configured as described above.

(4) According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the data backup device according to the third aspect described above,
The backup execution means recognizes an unbackup file that has not been backed up from among the files stored in the first storage location when the system of the computer is shut down, and stores the unbackup file from the first storage location to the second storage location. It has a function of backing up to the storage location.

(5) According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the data backup device according to the third or fourth aspect described above,
When the time measured value for a specific file reaches a predetermined value T, the backup execution unit recognizes the elapsed time from the last save time of the specific file to the current time, and this elapsed time is not the predetermined value T In this method, the time measurement value is set to a value corresponding to the recognized elapsed time instead of being reset to zero.

(6) According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the data backup device according to the first to fifth aspects described above,
The backup target data can be set in advance in volume units, folder units, or file units, and the time count is counted only for the backup target data.

(7) According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the data backup device according to the first to sixth aspects described above,
When the backup execution unit executes a backup for a specific file, the backup execution unit stores only the difference data with respect to the contents at the time of the previous backup in the second storage location.

  (8) According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to function as the data backup device according to the first to seventh aspects described above, and the program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Can be distributed.

  According to the data backup device of the present invention, for each individual file to be backed up, the elapsed time from the save process is counted, and the backup process is executed at an appropriate timing according to the count value. Even for files whose contents are frequently updated, efficient backup processing can be executed.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.

<<< §1. Basic configuration of data backup device >>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a computer system incorporating a data backup device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The memory 10, the first storage location 20, and the process execution unit 30 shown in the figure are basic components that are typically provided in a general computer. That is, the memory 10 is normally configured by a RAM which is a volatile memory, and is used as an area for developing a program and data being executed. The first storage location 20 is constituted by a main storage device that stores programs and data, and in the case of the illustrated example, is composed of a built-in hard disk of a computer. The processing execution unit 30 is a component including a central processing unit (CPU), an input / output interface, and a ROM storing a basic program. The processing execution unit 30 performs various processing operations based on instructions and programs from the operator. In general, an input device such as a mouse / keyboard and an output device such as a display / printer are connected to a general computer. Here, components that are not directly involved in the operation of the present invention are described. The illustration is omitted.

  On the other hand, the second storage location 40 is a storage device for backing up the data stored in the first storage location 20, and in the case of the illustrated example, is configured by a backup server. The process execution unit 30 can exchange data with the backup server that configures the second storage location 40 via the network communication line, and can store a specific file stored in the first storage location 20. By storing the copy in the second storage location 40, the file can be backed up.

  The data backup device 50 is a device itself as an object of the present invention, and includes a storage processing detection means 51, a time reset means 52, a time measurement means 53, and a backup execution means 54 as shown in the figure. However, as will be described later, each of these means is a functional element that performs specific processing on a computer, and is actually realized by a combination of hardware and software of a computer. In other words, the data backup device 50 according to the present invention (and the data backup device 60 described as the second embodiment) is installed in the general-purpose computer by installing a dedicated backup program in the general-purpose computer. It is an apparatus embodied. Of course, such a backup program is a product having an economic value corresponding to that in the patent law, and can be distributed via a network, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. It is also possible to distribute in the state recorded in

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the part surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line is regarded as a component incorporated in the housing of one computer, and only the second storage location 40 is concerned. Although it is an external component of the computer, adopting such a configuration is not an essential problem in carrying out the present invention. For example, the first storage location 20 may be configured by a hard disk device connected to the outside of the computer casing by a USB cable or the like, and conversely, the second storage location 40 is incorporated in the computer casing. Two hard disk devices may be used. Of course, the first storage location 20 and the second storage location 40 are not necessarily configured by a hard disk device, but may be configured by an optical disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, a magnetic tape recording device, or the like.

  A large number of files are usually stored in the first storage location 20. In the illustrated example, only three files Fa, Fb, and Fc are shown in the first storage location 20 for the sake of convenience, but a larger number of files are actually stored. These files may be data files or program files. The process execution unit 30 reads a predetermined program file or data file from the first storage location 20 (or may be another storage location), expands it on the memory 10, and performs various processes. Execute. In the figure, a state where two files Fa and Fc are expanded on the memory 10 is shown.

  Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the files Fa, Fb, and Fc are all data files created by a predetermined word processor application program. In the example shown in the figure, the two files Fa and Fc for the word processor are expanded on the memory 10, but this is an instruction operation for opening the two files Fa and Fc using the word processor application program. Corresponding to the state. The process execution unit 30 performs a process of editing the contents of the files Fa and Fc on the memory 10 based on an operation input from the operator. If such editing processing is performed, the data of the files Fa and Fc expanded on the memory 10 are updated. At that time, the files stored in the first storage location 20 are updated. Fa and Fc remain unchanged.

  Therefore, the operator gives an instruction to save the files Fa and Fc to the word processor application program when a complete editing operation is completed. At this time, if an instruction to save with the same file name as the original is given, the old file Fa, Fc before update stored in the first storage location 20 is changed to the new file Fa, Fc after update in the memory 10. Replaced (so-called overwriting).

  Since the RAM constituting the memory 10 is a volatile memory, the information on the developed files Fa and Fc is lost when the computer is turned off. Therefore, when the editing work for each file Fa, Fc is completed, it is a natural procedure for the operator to complete the work after saving them in the first storage location 20. However, in practice, the operator frequently performs the save operation even in the middle of the editing operation for the files Fa and Fc. This is to reduce the risk when an application program or OS program malfunctions (so-called program runaway) in the middle of work. In other words, if the program malfunctions during the work, it is usually difficult to relieve the file developed on the memory 10, so that the operator can perform the operation at any time even during the middle of the editing work. In the event of an emergency, an operation is performed to save a file containing the updated content up to that point. Depending on the application program, the saving process may be automatically executed every time a predetermined condition is satisfied without waiting for an operator's saving operation.

  Thus, the information stored in the first storage location 20 is not lost as long as the device maintains a normal state, but 100% safety is not guaranteed. In fact, the hard disk device has a device-specific lifetime, and there is a risk that the stored information may suddenly become unreadable. In order to avoid such danger, data backup is performed. That is, by making a copy of each file stored in the first storage location 20 also in the second storage location 40, even if one file becomes unreadable, the other A safe measure that can be restored based on this file will be taken.

  As described above, the backup process by the data backup device according to the present invention is a process of transferring the data of the file stored in the first storage location 20 to the second storage location 40 and creating a copy thereof. There is nothing else. In the example shown in the figure, a state in which a copy of the files Fa, Fb, and Fc is stored in the second storage location 40 is shown.

  However, when backing up a file whose contents are frequently updated, the timing of the backup process becomes a problem. Considering safety first, it is preferable to perform backup every time the contents of the file are updated by the save operation of the operator. In this case, however, various adverse effects occur as described above.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, if an operator who is editing the word processor data file Fa performs a save operation every 3 minutes, 20 update files are created in one hour. Therefore, when all of these are backed up to the second storage location 40, it becomes necessary to secure a huge backup capacity. In addition, since 20 kinds of restoration points are created only by this one hour work, it is very complicated to select an appropriate restoration point even if the restoration work is performed in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, while the process execution unit 30 is executing the backup process, the processing efficiency of other tasks decreases, and in the above example, the computer responsiveness decreases every three minutes. become.

  The present invention pays attention to such points, and presents a new technique for performing efficient backup processing for files whose contents are frequently updated.

<<< §2. First embodiment of the present invention >>>
A data backup device 50 shown in FIG. 1 is a device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and its basic principle will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. The center line of this time chart is a time axis indicating the flow of time from the top to the bottom of the figure, the operation timing of the operator is shown on the left side, and the data backup device 50 is on the right side. The timing of backup processing by is shown.

  Specifically, the operator first performs an operation of opening a file using a predetermined application program at time t1, and thereafter performs an editing operation on the file. In addition, the operator performs an operation of saving the file being edited at times t2, t3, t4, t6, and t7 in the middle of the editing work, and finally performs an operation of closing the file at time t8. ing.

  Here, for convenience, the files at each update stage are called update files F (0) to F (5), or simply files F (0) to F (5), respectively, and numbers 0 to 5 in parentheses are used. From the viewpoint of the operator, the update files F (0) to F (5) are all the same file identified by the file name “F”. It only shows the transition of the middle stage. That is, at time t1, the operator performs an operation for opening a file with the file name “F” stored in the first storage location 20 (an operation for expanding the file on the memory 10). The editing operation is performed above, and at each point in time t2, t3, t4, t6, and t7, the file name “F” is overwritten and saved, and at time t8, the file is closed and the operation is completed. In the end, the same file having the file name “F” is always stored in the first storage location 20, but the contents of the file are overwritten and updated at each time point. Become.

  Here, considering safety first, it is preferable to back up each update file sequentially. In the case of the example shown in the figure, the file F (0) is normally backed up last time, so the file F (1) saved at time t2 and the file F saved at time t3 are normal. (2) Backup processing is performed for each of the file F (3) saved at time t4, the file F (4) saved at time t6, and the file F (5) saved at time t7. The process of storing in the storage location 40 may be performed.

  However, in the present invention, in order to execute more efficient backup processing, instead of adopting a policy of performing backup for all of these update files F (1) to F (5), some selected ones are selected. Adopt a policy that only backup. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 2, only the file F (3) and the file F (5) are to be backed up, and the backup for the files F (1), F (2), and F (4). Is omitted.

  Among the five update files F (1) to F (5), only the two files F (3) and F (5) are selected as backup targets because the files are saved for a while. This is because the next update file is not saved. For example, the time interval between the times t2, t3, and t4 is relatively short, the file F (2) is saved immediately after the file F (1) is saved, and the file F (3) is saved immediately after that. ing. Similarly, the time interval between times t6 and t7 is also relatively short, and the file F (5) is saved immediately after the file F (4) is saved. On the other hand, the time interval between the times t4 and t6 is relatively long, and after the update file F (3) is saved, it takes a while before the next update file F (4) is saved. There is a gap. In addition, after the time t7, no save operation is performed in this example. Therefore, after the update file F (5) is saved, an infinite time is available before the next update file is saved. Will be.

  The point of focus of the first embodiment described here is that, after the “update file” is saved, when the next update file is not saved for a while, By adopting the policy of selecting “file” as the backup target, efficient backup is performed. Here, what time is set for “for a while” may be set as appropriate while observing a practical operation form. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is an example in which this “for a while” is set to a predetermined value T. That is, the update files F (1), F (2), and F (4) are between the times t2 and t3, between the times t3 and t4, and between the times t6 and t7, since they are all smaller than the predetermined value T. Is not selected as a backup target, but between time t4 and t6 and between time t7 and the next storage time, both are greater than the predetermined value T, so files F (3) and F (5) are backed up. Is selected as the target of

  Thus, when the time interval between the storage time of the first update file and the storage time of the second update file is relatively small, the first update file is not targeted for backup, and the time interval between the two is If it is relatively large, the handling of the first update file as a backup target is a reasonable handling for the following reason. First, when the save operation is repeatedly performed at relatively short intervals, the operator is continuously performing the input operation, and it is expected that a batch of editing work is in progress. On the other hand, when the save operation has not been performed for a while, it is expected that the batch of editing work is in a single paragraph. When restoring files in the unlikely event, it is convenient if the restore point is set to a state where a batch of editing work is completed. Secondly, during the backup process, the CPU in the process execution unit 30 is loaded, so that the operability for the operator may be reduced. Therefore, it is preferable that the execution timing of the backup processing is performed in a state where the operator's editing work is completed in one paragraph.

  The data backup device 50 shown in FIG. 1 fulfills the function of determining the backup timing according to the above-described policy. Hereinafter, the function of each component of the data backup device 50 will be described.

  First, the storage process detection unit 51 is a component that detects that a storage process for storing a file developed on the memory 10 of the computer in the first storage location 20 with a predetermined file name has been performed. Normally, the file saving process is a process provided as a standard function of the OS program of the computer, so that the saving process detecting means 51 can be realized by a program for monitoring the operation of the OS program. In the case of the time chart shown in FIG. 2, the storage process detection means 51 detects that the storage process has been performed at each time point (time points indicated by black circles on the time axis) at times t2, t3, t4, t6, and t7. It will be.

  The clock reset means 52 and the clock means 53 are components for performing a clock process based on the detection result of the storage process detection means 51. That is, when the storage process detection unit 51 detects that the file storage process has been performed, the time reset unit 52 resets the time value of the time measurement unit 53 to 0 and starts counting from 0 at that time. Let In the case of the time chart shown in FIG. 2, the time measuring means 53 is reset at the time indicated by the black circle on the time axis, and the time value is counted starting at this time.

  The backup execution means 54 is a component that executes backup processing according to the time value counted by the time measurement means 53. In other words, when the time value reaches the predetermined value T, backup processing is executed and processing for stopping the time value counting by the time measuring means 53 is performed. In the case of the time chart shown in FIG. 2, counting from the time measurement value 0 starts at time t2, but is reset to 0 at time t3 before reaching the predetermined value T, and the count again before reaching the predetermined value T. Will be reset to 0 at time t4. Eventually, the time measured value first reaches the predetermined value T at time t5. Therefore, the backup processing by the backup execution means 54 is executed at the time t5. At this time, since the file stored in the first storage location 20 is the update file F (3), the backup of the file F (3) is executed at time t5 as shown in the figure. Become. Then, at the time t5, the counting of the time value by the time measuring means 53 is stopped.

  The white circles on the time axis in FIG. 2 indicate the time points when the backup process and the count stop process are executed. The counting by the time measuring means 53 is executed from time t2 to t5, but is temporarily interrupted at time t5. However, when the saving process of the update file F (4) is performed at the next time t6, the time measuring unit 53 starts counting from the time measured value 0 again in accordance with an instruction from the time measuring reset unit 52. This time-measured value is reset to 0 at time t7 before reaching the predetermined value T, but eventually reaches the predetermined value T when time t9 is reached. Therefore, at time t9, backup processing by the backup execution means 54 is executed, and the file F (5) stored in the first storage location 20 at that time is backed up to the second storage location 40. It will be. Further, at time t9, the counting of the time value by the time measuring means 53 is stopped.

  As described above, in the embodiment described here, counting from 0 by the time counting means 53 always starts when the file storage processing is performed, and the time measured value obtained by this counting is When the predetermined value T is reached, backup is executed and the count is stopped. In the example shown in the figure, the count stops at time t9, so that the backup process is not performed unless a new file save process is performed thereafter. Of course, when a new file saving process is performed, counting from 0 by the time counting means 53 is started again, so that the backup is executed when the time measured value reaches the predetermined value T.

  For convenience of explanation, FIG. 2 shows that the file opening process is executed at time t1 and the file closing process is executed at time t8. In the present embodiment, the file opening and closing process is executed. However, this does not affect the counting process of the time measuring means 53 and the backup process of the backup executing means 54. This is because the operation for opening and closing the file does not change the update state of the file stored in the first storage location 20 at all, and therefore the backup timing is considered. In addition, it is not necessary to consider the file opening / closing operation.

  Incidentally, the time chart shown in FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the backup timing for one file having the file name “F”. However, in practice, it is often the case that a plurality of files are simultaneously opened to proceed with the work. Thus, in order to handle a plurality of files simultaneously, each process executed by the data backup device 50 described above may be performed separately for each individual file.

  Specifically, first, the save process detecting means 51 is provided with a function for detecting which file the process is for when the save process is executed, and the clock reset means. The time value 52 for the specific file is reset to 0 each time a save process is performed on the specific file, and the time counting unit has a function of starting counting from 0.

  Of course, the time counting means 53 has a function of counting the elapsed time from the time when the storage process was performed, as a time measured value, independently for each individual file stored in the first storage location 20. Let it stand. FIG. 1 shows an example in which timekeeping values for each of the three files Fa, Fb, and Fc are separately recorded in the timekeeping means 53. Specifically, the time count for the file Fa is 25 minutes, the time count for the file Fc is 17 minutes, and the count for the file Fb is stopped.

  On the other hand, the backup execution unit 54 backs up the specific file from the first storage location 20 to the second storage location 40 when the measured value for the specific file reaches the predetermined value T, and What is necessary is just to have the function to stop the count of the time value about a file.

  FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of a specific operation procedure of the data backup device 50 shown in FIG. The first column is the time, the second column is the operator's processing operation (however, the contents in parentheses are the backup operation by the data backup device 50), and the third to fifth columns are for each file Fa, Fb, Fc. (The unit is minutes: S is a count stop state). In this example, T = 60 minutes is set as the predetermined value T shown in FIG.

  First, let's briefly explain the processing operations of the operator. First, the computer is turned on at 8:50 in the morning, the system is started, and a file Fa is opened using a predetermined application program at 8:55. From then on, while editing the file Fa until 9:50, the file Fa being edited is saved at 9:00 and 9:10, and the edited file Fa is saved at 9:50. And then close it. This is the morning operation of this operator.

  Subsequently, the operator opens the file Fa again at 13:03, opens another file Fb at 13:05, and simultaneously performs editing operations on the two files. The file Fb is saved at 13:30, the file Fa is saved at 13:35, the file Fa is saved and closed at 14:32, and the file Fb is saved and closed at 14:55. Yes. This completes the work on this day for the files Fa and Fb.

  Finally, the operator opens the file Fc at 15:05, and performs editing operations on the file Fc until the file Fc is saved and closed at 16:12. During this time, the file Fc being edited is saved at 15:38 and 15:52. At 16:31, the computer system was terminated and the power was turned off.

  Now, the saving of the file in the processing operation of the operator shown in FIG. 3 is an operation of saving the update file at that time in the first storage location 20, and is an operation executed according to the will of the operator. . On the other hand, the data backup device 50 has a function of performing a process of backing up the update file stored in the first storage location 20 to the second storage location 40 at a predetermined timing. This backup process is automatically performed based on the algorithm described above, and is executed without the operator's knowledge.

  Here, first, let's see how the backup related to the file Fa is performed. As described above, the time value related to the file Fa is reset when the saving process for the file Fa is executed, and the time value is counted with the reset time as 0. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 3, the time measured value regarding the file Fa is reset at 9:00, 9:10, 9:50, 13:35, and 14:32. The arrows shown in the time value column indicate the transition of the time value that occurs at that time. For example, “S → 0” shown in the 9:00 column indicates a reset operation from the count stop state S to the time measured value 0, and “10 → 0” shown in the 9:10 column. "Indicates a reset operation from the time value 10 to the time value 0.

  As described above, in this example, since the setting of the predetermined value T = 60 minutes is performed, the backup of the file Fa is performed at 10:50 when the measured value for the file Fa reaches 60. It will be. At this time, since the file to be backed up is the update file Fa stored at 9:50, this update file is described as “file Fa <09:50>”. Eventually, the backup of “file Fa <09:50>” is executed at 10:50. By executing this backup, the count related to the file Fa is stopped. “60 → S” shown in the column of 10:50 indicates the count stop operation.

  In this way, the count related to the file Fa continues to be stopped for a while, but is reset when a new update file of the file Fa is saved at 13:35, and the count from the time count value 0 is resumed again. The This time-measured value reaches “57” at 14:32, but is reset again, and reaches “60” at 15:32. Therefore, the backup of “file Fa <14:32>” (backup of the update file saved as file Fa at 14:32) is executed at 15:32. By executing this backup, the count related to the file Fa is stopped again, and the backup of the file Fa is not performed any more on this day.

  Next, let's see how the backup related to the file Fb is performed. The time value related to the file Fb is reset when the storage process for the file Fb is executed, and the time value is counted with the reset time as 0. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 3, the time measured value regarding the file Fb is reset at 13:30 and 14:55. Then, the backup of the file Fb is performed at 14:30 and 15:55, at which the time value regarding the file Fb reaches 60. Specifically, the backup of “file Fb <13:30>” is performed at 14:30, and the backup of “file Fb <14:55>” is performed at 15:55.

  As described above, the files Fa and Fb are automatically backed up at appropriate timings. However, the file Fc that has been edited just before the system is terminated is not backed up as it is. That is, as shown in the table, the timekeeping value for the file Fc is reset at 15:38, 15:52, and 16:12, respectively. , There is no opportunity for the timed value to reach “60”, and the opportunity for backup processing is lost.

  In this way, in order to avoid a situation where the backup process is not performed due to the system termination, the backup execution unit 54 recognizes the time continuation file continuously counted by the time counting unit 53 when the computer system is terminated. However, it is only necessary to provide a function for backing up the time keeping file immediately before the system is terminated. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the count of the files Fa and Fb is stopped at the time of 16:31 at the end of the system, but the count of the file Fc is still continued. Therefore, when the system is terminated, the file Fc may be recognized as a time keeping file and a process for backing up the file Fc may be performed. In the example shown in the figure, the backup of “file Fc <16:12>” is performed immediately before the end of the system.

<<< §3. Second embodiment of the present invention >>>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a computer system incorporating a data backup device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the memory 10, the first storage location 20, the processing execution unit 30, and the second storage location 40 are exactly the same as those shown in the first embodiment of FIG. On the other hand, the data backup device 60 is a device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and includes a storage processing detection means 61, a time measurement start means 62, a time measurement means 63, and a backup execution means 64. Again, each of these means is a functional element that performs a specific process on the computer, and is actually realized by a combination of hardware and software of the computer.

  The role of the data backup device 60 according to the second embodiment is to determine an appropriate timing for backing up the update file in the first storage location 20 to the second storage location 40. The basic principle is slightly different from the first embodiment described above. First, the basic principle will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG. Similar to the time chart of FIG. 2, this time chart shows the operation timing of the operator on the left side of the time axis, and shows the timing of the backup processing by the data backup device 60 on the right side of the time axis.

  The operation performed by the operator is exactly the same as the time chart of FIG. In other words, a file is opened using a predetermined application program at time t1, and thereafter, the file being edited is saved at times t2, t3, t4, t6, and t7 in the middle of the editing operation on the file. Finally, at time t8, an operation to close the file is performed. In the time chart of FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the computer system is activated at time t0. Similarly to the time chart of FIG. 2, the files at each update stage are called update files F (0) to F (5) and are distinguished from each other. (0) to F (5) are all the same file specified by the file name “F”, and only show the transition in the middle of the editing work.

  Also in this embodiment, in order to execute a more efficient backup process, instead of adopting a policy of performing backup for all of these update files F (1) to F (5), some selected ones are selected. Adopt a policy that only backup. In the example of FIG. 5, as a result, as in the example of FIG. 2, only the file F (3) and the file F (5) are to be backed up, and the files F (1) and F (2) , F (4) is omitted. The significance of selecting only two files F (3) and F (5) as backup targets has already been described in section 2.

  The focus of the second embodiment described here is to back up the update file (the latest file at that time) for the file at regular intervals, starting from when the file was saved for the first time after system startup. Therefore, efficient backup is performed. Here, what time is set for the “certain time” may be set as appropriate while observing a practical operation form. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is an example in which this “certain time” is set to a predetermined value T.

  That is, in the example shown in the figure, the time when the file F is stored for the first time after the system is started is the time t2. Therefore, the backup is executed every time interval corresponding to the predetermined value T, starting from the time t2. . Specifically, timings t5, t9, and t10 are backup timings. At time t5, the latest update file F (3) is backed up at that time, and at time t9, the latest update file F (5) is backed up at that time. However, at time t10, the latest update file at that time is still F (5), and since the backup has already been completed at time t5, the backup is not performed again.

  The time chart shown in FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the backup timing for one file with the file name “F”. Actually, however, it is possible to cope with the case where a plurality of files are opened simultaneously and the work is advanced. Each process shown in FIG. 5 may be performed separately for each individual file. The data backup device 60 shown in FIG. 4 fulfills the function of determining the backup timing according to such a policy. Hereinafter, the function of each component of the data backup device 60 will be described.

  First, the storage process detection means 61 is a component that detects that a storage process for storing a file developed on the memory 10 of the computer in the first storage location 20 with a predetermined file name has been performed, This is a component having the same function as the storage processing detection means 51 shown in FIG. In the case of the time chart shown in FIG. 5, the storage process detection unit 61 detects that the storage process has been performed at each of the times t2, t3, t4, t6, and t7. Of course, the detection of the storage process is performed independently for each individual file, and therefore, at each time point, it is recognized which file has been stored.

  The clocking start unit 62 and the clocking unit 63 are components for performing the clocking process based on the detection result of the storage process detection unit 61. The clocking start unit 62 causes the clocking unit 63 to start counting from 0 for the predetermined file when the saving process to the first storage location 20 for the first time is performed for the predetermined file after the computer system is started. It has a function. The time measuring means 63 counts the elapsed time from a predetermined time as a time measured value for each individual file stored in the first storage location 20 in accordance with the start instruction given from the time measuring start means 62.

  On the other hand, when the time value for a specific file reaches a predetermined value T, the backup execution means 64 resets the time value to 0, causes the time measuring means 63 to continue counting, and at that time the first storage is performed. Whether or not the backup has been executed for the specific file stored in the location 20 is recognized. If the specific file has not been executed, a process for backing up the specific file to the second storage location 40 is performed. .

  In the case of the time chart shown in FIG. 5, the counting by the time measuring means 63 starts from time t2, but every time the time measured value reaches the predetermined value T, the time measured value is reset to 0. The timing value is reset at the timing indicated by the black circle, and counting from 0 is started. Moreover, at each timing indicated by the black circles, the backup execution unit 64 determines whether or not the backup of the file (the latest update file at that time) has been executed. If not, the backup is executed. The

  In the example of FIG. 5, since the latest update file F (3) is not yet backed up at the time t5, the backup of the update file F (3) is executed at this time. Further, in the determination at time t9, since the backup of the latest update file F (5) has not yet been executed at that time, the backup of the update file F (5) is executed at this time. However, in the determination at time t10, since the backup of the latest update file F (5) has already been executed at that time, the backup of the update file F (5) is not executed again.

  Note that it is possible to easily determine whether or not a backup has been executed for a specific update file by leaving some record when the backup is executed. For example, for a specific file F, if backup is executed, the flag “1” is set, and if a new update file is saved, the flag is set to “0”. If the flag is “1”, it can be confirmed that the latest update file has been backed up.

  In the second embodiment, when counting is started for a certain file, the counting does not stop thereafter until the system is terminated. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the time count continues to be counted after time t10, and the time count is reset to 0 every predetermined value T. However, since the backup for the update file F (5) has already been executed at time t9, the same update file F (5) is not backed up again.

  However, when editing of the file F is resumed and a new update file is created and saved, the new update file becomes a backup target. FIG. 6 shows a time chart in this case. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 6, at time t9.1, the operator opens file F (5) and resumes editing for file F. At time t9.2, the updated new file F The operation of saving (6) is performed. In this case, in the determination at time t10, the latest update file at that time is the file F (6), and the backup is not executed. Therefore, in this case, the backup of the file F (6) is executed at time t10.

  Thus, in the case of the embodiment described here, the count by the time measuring means 63 is always reset to 0 when the predetermined value T is reached, and the latest update file at that time has not yet been backed up. In that case, a backup will be performed. Thus, also in the second embodiment, efficient backup processing can be executed for files whose contents are frequently updated.

  FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of a specific operation procedure of the data backup device 60 shown in FIG. As in the table shown in FIG. 3, the first column is the time, the second column is the operator's processing operation (however, the parenthesized content is the backup operation by the data backup device 60), the third to fifth columns. Indicates time values (in minutes: S is a count stop state) for each file Fa, Fb, Fc. In this example, T = 60 minutes is set as the predetermined value T shown in FIG.

  The time and operator processing operations in the table of FIG. 7 are exactly the same as those of the table shown in FIG. However, the counting operation and the backup operation of the time values for the files Fa, Fb, and Fc are executed based on the algorithm described above. Hereinafter, this point will be described.

  First, let's look at how the backup related to the file Fa is performed. As described above, the counting of the time value related to the file Fa starts from the time when the storage process for the file Fa is first executed after the system is started. Therefore, in the illustrated example, the count of the time value related to the file Fa starts from 0 at 9:00. “S → 0” shown in the 9:00 column indicates a reset operation from the count stop state S to the time measurement value 0, and indicates that the count starts from this point.

  In the case of the embodiment described here, the time value of the file Fa is reset to 0 every time the predetermined value T = 60 is reached. Therefore, in the case of the illustrated example, the time measured value of the file Fa is 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, It is reset at the so-called every hour. “60 → 0” shown in each hour column indicates that the time value is reset from 60 to 0.

  As described above, the backup is executed when necessary (when the latest update file has not yet been backed up) at the timing when the timekeeping value is reset to 0. In the case of the file Fa, the latest update file at the time of reset at 10:00 is “file Fa <09:50>” stored at 9:50, and the backup for the file has not been executed yet. Therefore, at 10:00, a backup of the “file Fa <09:50>” is executed. However, at each reset of 11:00, 12:00, and 13:00, the latest update file at that time is still “File Fa <09:50>” saved at 9:50. Since backup has already been executed, backup at these points is not performed.

  On the other hand, the latest update file at the time of the next reset at 14:00 is “file Fa <13:35>” saved at 13:35, and the backup for the file has not been executed yet. Therefore, at 14:00, a backup of the “file Fa <13:35>” is executed. Similarly, the latest update file at the time of the next reset at 15:00 is “file Fa <14:32>” saved at 14:32, and the backup for the file has not been executed yet. Therefore, at 15:00, a backup of the “file Fa <14:32>” is executed. At the time of the last reset at 16:00, the latest update file at that time is still “File Fa <14:32>” saved at 14:32 and has already been backed up. Will not be backed up.

  Next, let's see how the backup related to the file Fb is performed. The counting of the time value related to the file Fb starts from the time when the storage process for the file Fb is first executed after the system is started. Therefore, in the illustrated example, the count of the time value related to the file Fb starts from 0 at 13:30. “S → 0” shown in the 13:30 column indicates a reset operation from the count stop state S to the time measurement value 0, and indicates that the count starts from this point.

  In the case of the embodiment described here, the time value of the file Fb is reset to 0 every time the predetermined value T = 60 is reached. Therefore, in the case of the illustrated example, the time measured value of the file Fb is reset at every so-called half hour at 14:30, 15:30, and 16:30. “60 → 0” shown in each half hour column indicates that the time value is reset from 60 to 0.

  Then, backup is executed when necessary at the timing when the timekeeping value is reset to zero. In the case of the file Fb, the latest update file at the time of resetting at 14:30 is “file Fb <13:30>” saved at 13:30, and the backup for the file has not been executed yet. Therefore, at 14:30, the backup of the “file Fb <13:30>” is executed. Similarly, the latest update file at the time of resetting at 15:30 is “file Fb <14:55>” stored at 14:55, and the backup for the file has not been executed yet. Therefore, at 15:30, the backup of the “file Fb <14:55>” is executed. However, at the time of the last 16:30 reset, the latest update file at that time is still “file Fb <14:55>” stored at 14:55, and the backup has already been executed. Backup at this point is not performed.

  As described above, the files Fa and Fb are automatically backed up at appropriate timings. However, the file Fc that has been edited just before the system is terminated is not backed up as it is. That is, as shown in the table, the time measured value for the file Fc is “53” at the time of 16:31 at the time of system termination, and has not yet reached the predetermined value “60”. The chance of processing is lost.

  As described above, in order to avoid a situation in which the backup process is not performed due to the end of the system, the backup execution means 64 is informed at the time of the end of the computer system in the same manner as the method described in the first embodiment of §2. It is only necessary to recognize a non-backup file that has not been backed up among the files stored in the storage location 20 and to have a function of backing up the non-backup file immediately before the system ends. For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, at the time of 16:31 at the end of the system, the latest update file of the file Fa is “file Fa <14:32>” and the latest update file of the file Fb. Although backup has been executed for a certain “file Fb <14:55>”, backup for “file Fc <16:12>”, which is the latest update file of the file Fc, has not been executed. Therefore, when the system is terminated, the “file Fc <16:12>” may be recognized as an unbackup file and a process for backing up the file may be performed.

<<< §4. Some variations >>>
So far, two embodiments of the data backup device according to the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various other modes. Here, some modified examples will be described.

(1) Modified example of the second embodiment In the embodiment described in §3 described above, a method of resetting this value to 0 when the measured value for each file reaches a predetermined value T is employed. As shown in the time chart of FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, it is always determined whether to perform backup at a time interval of a predetermined value T.

  On the other hand, when the time value for a specific file reaches a predetermined value T, the elapsed time from the last save time of the specific file to the current time is recognized, and this elapsed time is not the predetermined value T In this case, instead of resetting the time measurement value to 0, it is possible to set the time value to a value corresponding to the elapsed time.

  If such an operation is performed for the example shown in FIG. 5, the backup timing is as follows. First, as shown in the figure, the measured value for the file F reaches a predetermined value T at time t5. Therefore, the point that the file F (3) is backed up at the time t5 is exactly the same as the embodiment described in §3. However, instead of resetting the time measurement value to 0 at this time, the time value is set to a value corresponding to the elapsed time from the last save time of the file F (the save time of the update file F (3)) to the current time. . Specifically, in the case of the illustrated example, the new time measurement value at time t5 is set to a value corresponding to the time between times t4 and t5.

  The purpose of setting such a time measurement value is to change the starting point of the count up to the predetermined value T not at time t5 but at time t4. If a value corresponding to the time between time t4 and t5 is set as a new time measurement value at time t5, the time measurement value reaches the predetermined value T next time, not at time t9 shown in the drawing, and earlier. In other words, it is a time point (a time point earlier by the time between time t4 and t5). In other words, it is a time point when the count up to the predetermined value T is performed from time t4.

  As described above, in the embodiment described in §3, the determination timing of whether or not to back up always comes at a fixed period T, but according to the modification described here, it depends on the last save time of the file. Thus, the timing for determining whether or not to back up is set a little ahead of schedule. This is a consideration for ensuring that the period from the last save time of the backed up file to the next determination timing is always a constant period T. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5, after the update file F (3) is backed up at time t5, the next backup determination timing is time t9, and from the last save time of the backed up file, The period until the next determination timing is a period between times t4 and t9, which is considerably longer than the predetermined value T. According to this modification, the period from the last save time of the backed up file to the next determination timing is always a constant period T.

  If the elapsed time from the last save time of the file to the current time is a predetermined value T, it is inconvenient to reset the time measurement value to T, so it may be reset to 0 as usual. Of course, when the embodiment described in §3 is compared with the modification described here, it is impossible to conclude generally which one is better. The goal of can be achieved.

(2) Setting of backup target Although not particularly mentioned in the above embodiments, in implementing the present invention, it is not always necessary to set all files stored in the first storage location 20 as backup targets. Absent. Specifically, it is preferable that the backup target data can be set in advance in units of volumes, folders, or files. In this case, it is sufficient to count the time value only for the backup target data.

  Further, when backup is performed for a specific file in the first storage location 20, it is not necessary to copy all the data in the file to the second storage location 40, only the difference data with respect to the contents at the time of the previous backup. Can be stored in the second storage location 40.

(3) Setting of Predetermined Value T Usability of the data backup device according to the present invention greatly depends on what value the predetermined value T to be compared with the time measurement value is set to. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which T = 60 minutes has been described, but this value can be appropriately changed according to the type of application program used in the actual computer system and the work contents of the operator. It is preferable to keep it. Of course, the value of the predetermined value T may be set to be different for each target file. For example, T = 20 minutes for a file created by a word processor application program, and T = 10 minutes for a file created by a spreadsheet application program. Is also possible. Alternatively, a mode in which the value of the predetermined value T is automatically and sequentially changed according to this frequency while monitoring the frequency of the storage operation by the operator is also possible.

(4) Regarding system activation / termination In practicing the present invention, the wording system activation or termination does not necessarily mean power on / off of the computer. The system activation state in the present invention means a state in which the data backup devices 50 and 60 can operate normally, and the system end state means that the data backup devices 50 and 60 cannot operate normally. Means state. Therefore, an embodiment in which the transition to the sleep state / standby state for power saving is handled as the system termination according to the present invention is possible, and the recovery from these states is treated as the system activation according to the present invention. Forms are also possible.

1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a computer system incorporating a data backup device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a time chart which shows the basic principle of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows an example of the specific operation | movement procedure of the data backup apparatus 50 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the computer system incorporating the data backup apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the basic principle of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is another time chart which shows the basic principle of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a table showing an example of a specific operation procedure of the data backup device 60 shown in FIG. 4.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Memory (RAM)
20: First storage location (internal hard disk)
30 ... Processing execution unit 40 ... Second storage location (backup server)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Data backup apparatus 51 ... Saving process detection means 52 ... Timing reset means 53 ... Timing means 54 ... Backup execution means 60 ... Data backup apparatus 61 ... Storage process detection means 62 ... Timing start means 63 ... Timing means 64 ... Backup execution means Fa, Fb, Fc... Backup target files F (0) to F (6)... Updated file T at each point in time of file F... Values t1 to t10 to be compared with timekeeping values.

Claims (8)

A storage process detecting means for detecting that a storage process for storing a file developed on a memory of a computer in a first storage location with a predetermined file name has been performed;
For each individual file stored in the first storage location, time counting means for counting the elapsed time from the time when the storage process was performed,
Timekeeping reset means for resetting the timekeeping value for the specific file to 0 each time the saving process to the first storage location is performed for the specific file, and causing the timekeeping means to start counting from 0,
When the time value for a specific file reaches a predetermined value T, the specific file is backed up from the first storage location to the second storage location, and counting of the time value for the specific file is stopped. Backup execution means,
A data backup device comprising: In the data backup device according to claim 1,
A function in which the backup execution means recognizes the time continuation file that is continuously counted by the time measurement means when the computer system ends, and backs up the time continuation file from the first storage location to the second storage location. A data backup device comprising: A storage process detecting means for detecting that a storage process for storing a file developed on a memory of a computer in a first storage location with a predetermined file name has been performed;
Time counting means for counting each elapsed time from a predetermined time as a time value for each file stored in the first storage location;
A time-starting means for causing the time-counting means to start counting from 0 for the predetermined file when the storage process of the predetermined file in the first storage location is performed for the first time after the computer system is started;
When the time value for a specific file reaches a predetermined value T, the time value is reset to 0 and the time measuring means continues counting, and at that time, the time value stored in the first storage location Recognizing whether or not the backup for the specific file has been executed, and if not, the backup execution means for backing up the specific file to the second storage location;
A data backup device comprising: In the data backup device according to claim 3,
The backup execution means recognizes an unbackup file that has not been backed up from among the files stored in the first storage location when the system of the computer is shut down, and stores the unbackup file from the first storage location to the second storage location. A data backup device characterized by having a function of backing up to a storage location. The data backup device according to claim 3 or 4,
When the backup execution means recognizes the elapsed time from the last save time of the specific file to the current time when the measured value for the specific file reaches the predetermined value T, and the elapsed time is not the predetermined value T The data backup device is characterized in that the time value is set to a value corresponding to the elapsed time instead of being reset to zero. In the data backup device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A data backup device characterized in that backup target data can be set in advance in units of volumes, folders, or files, and the time count is counted only for the backup target data. In the data backup device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A data backup device characterized in that when the backup execution means executes backup for a specific file, only the difference data with respect to the content at the time of the previous backup is stored in the second storage location.   A program for causing a computer to function as the data backup device according to claim 1, or a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.