JP2006195926A - Program distribution device and method, program distribution program, and program distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a load of storage or management, in a program distribution device. <P>SOLUTION: A composite machine 12A of a narrow-area network 10A of a branch office transmits transmission requirement of a specific standard program to a proxy server 16. When the proxy server 16 receives the transmission requirement of the specific standard program, the proxy server 16 transmits a proxy server 16 of a narrow-area network 10B of a head office. The proxy server 16 of the head office transmits a common program to the proxy server 16 of the branch office. The proxy server 16 of the branch office changes a portion of the common program not common to the specific standard program into a corresponding portion of the specific standard program to generate the specific standard program, and transmits the generated specific standard program to the composite machine 12A of the branch office. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a program distribution apparatus and method, a program distribution program, and a program distribution system, and more specifically, a program distribution apparatus that distributes a specific standard program of a specific standard that is scheduled to be used in a specific area. And a method, a program distribution program, and a program distribution system.

  In recent years, with the advancement of network technology and the improvement of the network environment, a form in which a program is arranged on a server and a client receives the program from the server and executes it has spread. Conventionally, it has been common to store a program in a storage device such as a hard disk of a client and execute the program. However, in such a form, every time the program is revised, the program is stored for all clients. When there were many clients, it took time and effort to manage and update the revision status of the program. In order to improve such a situation, a form in which a program is stored in a program distribution server arranged in the center, and a client receives a program from the program distribution server and executes it as necessary has been proposed and spread.

  By the way, high-speed networks such as Ethernet (registered trademark) have been widespread in local area networks (LANs) so far, and a program execution form that is executed by receiving program distribution from a program distribution server can be used. Wide area networks (WANs) are mainly connected by low-speed lines, and it has not been considered to distribute programs between sites.

  Recently, however, an environment has been established that allows the use of high-speed networks that are comparable to LANs even in WANs that connect sites such as ADSL, FTTH, and wide area Ethernet (registered trademark). It has become feasible for clients at remote locations such as branch offices to receive and execute distributions. When a program distribution server is used on a LAN, the program execution environment is limited to a single location, office, etc., so there was almost no need to change the program execution contents for each client. That is, for program distribution on the LAN, it is sufficient to prepare one program distribution server and store the program to be distributed, and each client acquires and executes the program from the program distribution server.

  However, when a program distribution service is to be used at multiple locations, a situation has arisen in which it is not sufficient to distribute a single type of program using a single program distribution server as in the case of a LAN. In some cases, it may be sufficient to execute the program on the client and obtain the result, but for example, report to the printer that queries the data by connecting to an external database or other server In many cases, various services other than the program distribution server are used. In particular, a printer or the like is basically meaningless unless it is output near the client, and it is necessary to prepare a slightly different program for each site. In addition, each base such as a branch office or business office is divided according to its function, and it is necessary to distribute a program unique to the base.

  If this is to be realized with a conventional program distribution server, first, a program in which changes corresponding to each site are added to the program distribution server located at the central site, and a program that each site independently uses are prepared. A method may be considered in which a client selects and executes a program that can be used at his / her base when receiving distribution of the program.

  Second, a method may be considered in which a program distribution server is arranged at each site, the program created at the center site is changed for each site, and distributed to clients together with the program unique to the site.

  In the first method, centralized management of program revision is possible and the problem of revision management is solved. However, since the programs for other bases that cannot be used by each client can be seen at the same time, the troublesome selection becomes complicated. This is not practical.

  In the second method, since each site has a program distribution server, the problem of seeing programs for other sites can be solved. However, revision and update status management at the program distribution server at each site is possible. Need to do.

  In this way, it is difficult to realize a service to multiple bases simply by using a conventional program distribution service as it is.

In order to solve such a problem, it is conceivable to apply the following program distribution method (see Patent Document 1). In other words, the program for each site is stored in the program distribution server placed in the center, and only the program for the site where the client is located is determined by using the lP address or the like to determine from which site the client has accessed. By distributing the program, it becomes possible to receive the program distribution from the client only by specifying the function of the program.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-167535

  However, even if the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is used, the trouble of creating and storing a program corresponding to a plurality of locations cannot be eliminated. That is, for example, if there are 10 sites that use the program, 10 types of variations must be created every time the program is revised, and the complexity of the program revision at the center site is not eliminated at all.

  In addition, a program that is used only at a single site must be managed at the central site, and complicated management is required from both the central site and the user site.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and an object thereof is to provide a program distribution apparatus and method, a program distribution program, and a program distribution system that can reduce the burden of storing and managing programs. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the program distribution apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a transmission request for a specific standard program of a specific standard scheduled to be used in a specific area, and a part of the specific standard program. A receiving unit that receives a common program having a common part, a transmission request for a common program, a transmission unit that transmits a specific standard program, and a transmission request for the specific standard program that is received by the receiving unit; When the transmission unit controls the transmission unit so that a program transmission request is transmitted, and the reception unit receives the common program, a portion of the received common program that is not common to the program of the specific standard is Generate a program of a specific standard by changing to the corresponding part of the program, Program is provided with a control means for controlling said transmitting means to be transmitted.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program distribution apparatus, a specific standard program transmission request receiving means for receiving a transmission request for a specific standard program scheduled to be used in a specific area, and a program and a part of the specific standard program A common program transmission request transmitting means for transmitting a transmission request for a common program having a common part; a common program receiving means for receiving the common program; and the specific standard program of the common program received by the common program receiving means; Specific standard program generation means for generating a specific standard program by changing a non-common part to a corresponding part of the specific standard program, and specific standard program transmission for transmitting the specific standard program generated by the specific standard program generation means Means.

  The specific standard program transmission request receiving unit and the common program receiving unit may be implemented as separate receiving units, or may be implemented as a common receiving unit. The common program transmission request transmission unit and the specific standard program transmission unit may be implemented as separate transmission units, or may be implemented as a common transmission unit. In this case, a publicly known network communication technique can be adopted regardless of whether it is used for mounting the receiving means or the transmitting means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program distribution method in which a receiving unit receives a transmission request for a specific standard program scheduled to be used in a specific area, and is partially shared with the specific standard program. A transmission request of a common program having a part is transmitted by a transmission unit, the common program is received by the reception unit, and a part of the common program received by the reception unit is not common to the program of the specific standard A program of a specific standard is generated by changing to a corresponding part of the program, and the generated program of the specific standard is transmitted by the transmission means.

  The invention according to claim 4 is a program distribution program that causes a computer to execute a program distribution process, and the program distribution process is a specific standard program that is scheduled to be used in a specific area. The transmission means receives the transmission request, transmits the transmission request of the common program having a part in common with the program of the specific standard by the transmission means, receives the common program by the reception means, and receives by the reception means A program of a specific standard is generated by changing a part of the received common program that is not common to the program of the specific standard to a corresponding part of the program of the specific standard, and the generated program of the specific standard is the transmitting means Send by.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first terminal that uses a specific standard program of a specific standard that is scheduled to be used in a specific area, and a common program that has a part in common with the specific standard program. A program distribution system comprising: a second terminal to store; and a proxy terminal that acts as a proxy for program distribution between the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the first terminal The proxy terminal transmits a transmission request for the specific standard program to the proxy terminal. When the proxy terminal receives the transmission request for the specific standard program from the first terminal, the proxy terminal transmits the transmission request for the common program to the second terminal. And when the second terminal receives the transmission request for the common program from the proxy terminal, the second terminal transmits the common program to the proxy terminal, and the proxy terminal is the second terminal. When the common program is received, a program of a specific standard is generated by changing a portion of the received common program that is not common with the program of the specific standard to a corresponding portion of the program of the specific standard, and the generated specific A standard program is transmitted to the first terminal.

  Since the invention described in claims 1 to 5 has the same operation and effect, the invention described in claim 5 will be described below as an example, and description of the operation and effect of other invention will be omitted.

  As described above, the invention of claim 5 includes a first terminal that uses a specific standard program of a specific standard scheduled to be used in a specific area, and a part that is partially in common with the specific standard program. A program distribution system comprising a second terminal that stores a common program and a proxy terminal that acts as a proxy for program distribution between the first terminal and the second terminal.

  The first terminal transmits a transmission request for the specific standard program to the proxy terminal.

  When the proxy terminal receives the transmission request for the specific standard program from the first terminal, the proxy terminal transmits the transmission request for the common program to the second terminal.

  When the second terminal receives a transmission request for the common program from the proxy terminal, the second terminal transmits the common program to the proxy terminal.

  When the proxy terminal receives the common program from the second terminal, the proxy terminal changes a part of the received common program that is not common to the program of the specific standard to a corresponding part of the program of the specific standard. And the generated program of the specific standard is transmitted to the first terminal.

  As described above, when there is a transmission request for the specific standard program, a transmission request for the common program is made, and when the common program is received, a portion of the received common program that is not common with the program of the specific standard is specified. A program of a specific standard is generated by changing to a corresponding part of the program, and the program of the specific standard is transmitted, so that it is possible to eliminate storing and managing each specific standard program in each of a plurality of specific areas. The burden of program storage and management can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate storing and managing each specific standard program in each of a plurality of specific areas, and to reduce the burden of storing and managing the program. is there.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1, the program distribution system is configured by connecting a plurality of narrow-area networks 10A to 10D (not limited to four) to each other via a wide-area network.

  Here, the narrow area networks 10A to 10D are, for example, networks in a plurality of branch offices and head offices. For example, the narrow area network 10A is the Osaka branch office, the narrow area network 10B is the Tokyo head office, and the narrow area network 10C is the Kanagawa branch office. The regional network 10D can assume an American branch office or the like.

  Since each of the narrow area networks 10A to 10D has substantially the same configuration, the explanation will be given by taking the narrow area network 10A of the Osaka branch office as an example. A narrow area network 10A of the Osaka branch office is a plurality of multi-function peripherals as first terminals that use a specific standard program (details will be described later) that are planned to be used in a specific area (Osaka branch office). (Clients) 12A to 12C (not limited to three), a distribution server 14 that distributes the specific standard program used in the specific area (Osaka branch office), and a proxy server 16 as a proxy terminal It has.

  Here, the proxy server 16 of the narrow area network 10B of the Tokyo head office has the same configuration as the proxy server 16 of the narrow area network 10A of the Osaka branch office, but a part of each specific standard program in each branch office is partially shared. The common program which has is memorized.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the proxy server 16 of the Tokyo head office or each branch office is connected to a CPU 22 as a control means, a ROM 24, a RAM 26, a storage device 28, and a wide area network storing a program distribution program to be described later, and a transmission means. And the communication apparatus 30 which comprises a receiving means is provided. Note that the communication device can also be configured by a transmission device and a reception device.

  Further, as will be described in detail later, the receiving device that receives a transmission request for a program of a specific standard and the device that receives a common program may be implemented as separate receiving devices, or as a common receiving device. May be. Further, the transmission device for the transmission request for the common program and the transmission device for the program of the specific standard may be implemented as separate transmission devices, or may be implemented as a common transmission device.

  In addition, what is used for mounting a receiving device or a transmitting device can employ a known network communication technique regardless of wired or wireless.

  The distribution server 14 has the same configuration as the proxy server 16. The multifunction machines 12A to 12C include not only the above-described components of the distribution server 14, but also a plurality of execution units that execute a plurality of functions such as a scan unit and a printing unit (not shown).

  Next, the specific standard program (instruction description) and the common program (instruction description) will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the common program includes, for example, a SCAN element 201, a PRINT element 202, and a STORE element 203. The SCAN element 201 instructs the scanning with the multifunction machine 12A, the PRINT element 202 instructs the printing of the scanned document, and the STORE element 203 instructs the storage of the scanned document.

  In the PRlNT element 202, local is specified as the apply attribute. This specification indicates that the PRINT element 202 should be changed according to the site, and global is specified as the apply attribute in the STORE element 203, and this element does not allow changes at the site. It is a description.

  When the common program shown in FIG. 4A is executed as it is on the multifunction machine 12A in each branch office other than the head office, the multifunction machine 12A scans the document and is identified by printerl.honsha.foo.com in the head office. Print output to the printer and storage in the proxy server 16 identified by server1.honsha.foo.com are executed.

  Therefore, the common program shown in FIG. 4A cannot be executed by the multifunction machine 12A or the like in each branch office other than the head office.

  On the other hand, FIG. 4B shows a specific standard program scheduled to be used in the narrow area network 10A of the Osaka branch office, for example. When this specific standard program (FIG. 4B) and the common program (FIG. 4A) are compared, the common program (FIG. 4A) is identical to the specific standard program (FIG. 4B). It can be understood that they have parts in common. That is, in the common program (FIG. 4A), the part 60A of the PRINT element 202 is different except for the corresponding part 60B of the program of the specific standard (FIG. 4B). It is common. In other words, the corresponding part 60B (the part of the PRINT element 402) of the program of the specific standard (the part of the PRINT element 402) is instructed to print out to the printer identified by printerl.osakashisha.foo.com in the branch office. Yes.

  Such specific standard programs are different for each branch office, but some are common to common programs.

  By the way, when it becomes necessary to change a part of the program of the specific standard of each branch office, it is also possible to change in each branch office.

  However, changing each branch office is too labor intensive. In addition, there is a case where a part of a program of a specific standard is changed not only once, but also a plurality of times regularly or irregularly. If it is necessary to change each time, the labor is excessive. .

  On the other hand, for example, the proxy server 16 of the head office stores the programs of each specific standard of each branch office, and it may be changed at the head office whenever there is a change. However, the labor is excessive and each branch office is also changed. The storage and management of each specific standard program is also a burden.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the programs of each specific standard of each branch office are not completely the same and some of them are different, but in view of the fact that many of them are common, the proxy server 16 at the head office stores the above common program. In the branch office, a part of the common program is changed and a program of a specific standard is generated and used.

  Hereinafter, a program distribution program for executing this will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  For example, when a predetermined process is executed according to a program of a specific standard in the multifunction machine 12A in the Osaka branch office, first, the IDs of the programs of a plurality of specific standards are displayed on a display panel (not shown) of the multifunction machine 12A. There are a plurality of programs of specific standards according to a plurality of different processing modes. Each proxy server 16 requests the distribution server 14 of each narrow area network 10A to 10D to transmit a program ID of a specific standard at a predetermined time. The ID of the received program of a specific standard is stored and displayed as described above.

  The user instructs execution of a program of a desired specific standard by selecting a desired ID from among the displayed IDs of a plurality of programs of the specific standard.

  The MFP 12A instructed to execute the program of the specific standard transmits a transmission request for the program of the specific standard to the proxy server 16 together with the ID of the program of the specific standard.

  In this manner, the proxy server 16 that has received the transmission request for the program of the specific standard together with the ID of the program of the specific standard from the multifunction machine 12A starts the program distribution program shown in FIG. A program of a specific standard is determined from the obtained ID, and a transmission request for the common program is transmitted to the proxy server 16 at the head office in step 54.

  The proxy server 16 at the head office transmits the common program (see FIG. 4A) to the proxy server 16 at the Osaka branch office that transmitted the transmission request for the common program. Thereby, the proxy server 16 in the Osaka branch office receives the common program (Yes in Step 56), and replaces a part of the common program in Step 58. That is, the program of the specific standard is changed by changing the portion 60A not common with the program of the specific standard (FIG. 4B) of the received common program (FIG. 4A) to the corresponding portion 60B of the program of the specific standard. Generate.

  In step 60, the proxy server 16 in the Osaka branch office transmits the generated program of the specific standard to the multifunction machine 12A that has transmitted the transmission request for the program of the specific standard.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when there is a request for transmission of a specific standard program, the proxy server makes a transmission request for the common program, and when receiving the common program, the specific standard of the received common program. A program of a specific standard is generated by changing a part not common to the program to a corresponding part of the program of the specific standard, and the program of the specific standard is transmitted. Storage and management can be eliminated, and the burden of program storage and management can be reduced.

  And when changing a program, since the said common program is changed, the change of a program becomes unnecessary in each branch office, and labor is reduced.

  That is, the centralized management of the program and the application to the branch can be easily performed, and the efficiency of the program management can be improved.

It is a block diagram of a program distribution system. It is a block diagram of a proxy server. It is the flowchart which showed the program delivery program. It is explanatory drawing explaining the change to the program of the specific standard of a common program.

Explanation of symbols

10A-10D Narrow area network (specific area)
12A-12C MFP (first terminal)
16 Proxy server (proxy terminal)
16 A proxy server (second terminal) for the narrow area network 10B of the Tokyo head office
22 CPU (control means)
30 Communication device (transmission means, reception means)

Claims (5)

A receiving means for receiving a transmission request for a specific standard program of a specific standard scheduled to be used in a specific area, and a common program having a part in common with the specific standard program;
A transmission means for transmitting a common program transmission request and a specific standard program;
When the transmission unit receives the transmission request for the specific standard program, the transmission unit controls the transmission unit so that the transmission request for the common program is transmitted, and the reception unit receives the common program when the reception unit receives the common program. A program of a specific standard is generated by changing a portion of the common program that is not common with the program of the specific standard to a corresponding portion of the program of the specific standard, and the transmission is performed so that the program of the specific standard is transmitted Control means for controlling the means;
A program distribution apparatus comprising: Specific standard program transmission request receiving means for receiving a transmission request for a specific standard program that is scheduled to be used in a specific area;
A common program transmission request transmitting means for transmitting a transmission request of a common program having a part in common with the program of the specific standard;
Common program receiving means for receiving the common program;
Specific standard program generating means for generating a specific standard program by changing a part not common to the specific standard program of the common program received by the common program receiving means to a corresponding part of the specific standard program;
Specific standard program transmitting means for transmitting the specific standard program generated by the specific standard program generating means;
A program distribution apparatus comprising: A transmission means receives a transmission request of a specific standard program that is scheduled to be used in a specific area,
A transmission request for a common program having a part in common with the program of the specific standard is transmitted by transmission means
Receiving the common program by the receiving means;
Generating a program of a specific standard by changing a part of the common program received by the receiving unit that is not common with the program of the specific standard to a corresponding part of the program of the specific standard,
The generated specific standard program is transmitted by the transmission means.
Program delivery method. A program distribution program for causing a computer to execute a program distribution process,
The program distribution process is:
A transmission means receives a transmission request of a specific standard program that is scheduled to be used in a specific area,
A transmission request for a common program having a part in common with the program of the specific standard is transmitted by transmission means
Receiving the common program by the receiving means;
Generating a program of a specific standard by changing a part of the common program received by the receiving unit that is not common with the program of the specific standard to a corresponding part of the program of the specific standard,
The generated specific standard program is transmitted by the transmission means.
Program distribution program. A first terminal that uses a specific standard program of a specific standard that is scheduled to be used in a specific area; and a second terminal that stores a common program that has a part in common with the program of the specific standard A program distribution system comprising: a proxy terminal acting as a proxy for program distribution between the first terminal and the second terminal,
The first terminal transmits a transmission request for the specific standard program to the proxy terminal,
When the proxy terminal receives the transmission request for the specific standard program from the first terminal, the proxy terminal transmits the transmission request for the common program to the second terminal,
When the second terminal receives the transmission request for the common program from the proxy terminal, the second terminal transmits the common program to the proxy terminal,
When the proxy terminal receives the common program from the second terminal, the proxy terminal changes a part of the received common program that is not common to the program of the specific standard to a corresponding part of the program of the specific standard. And the generated program of the specific standard is transmitted to the first terminal.
Program distribution system.

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