JP2007094600A - Information management system, information management apparatus used by the same and information management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that a file updated recently cannot be backed up in emergency. <P>SOLUTION: An information management apparatus 100 backs up a file to a file server 14 at the timing decided beforehand. When a store instruction button 72 being displayed on a screen 70 is depressed, the information management apparatus 100 saves a file which is not backed up by the file server 14 in an external storage 52. Thereby, even if in an emergency, the file updated recently can be backed up. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system, apparatus, and method for managing information, and more particularly to a technology for backing up information.

There is a system that backs up a file stored in a terminal to a server connected to a network in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake, fire, or flood (Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-333929 A

In general, various devices that support information technology operate with power supplied from an outlet. In the event of a disaster, there is a high possibility that a power failure will occur, and there is a high possibility that these devices will become unavailable. An uninterruptible power supply is connected to the server and functions even in the event of a power failure, but it is also possible that devices on the network transmission path will not function due to a power failure, or that the transmission path will be broken. In addition, when a file is backed up to a file server in the event of a disaster, it is expected that access from a plurality of terminal devices will be concentrated and it will take time for the backup.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for backing up a file.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a method for managing information. In this method, when a file corresponding to a predetermined condition is stored in the first storage unit at a predetermined timing, a step of receiving a file storage instruction at an arbitrary timing, and a case where the storage instruction is received, Saving a file that is not saved in the first storage unit among files that satisfy the condition in a second storage unit different from the first storage unit. For example, the first storage unit may be a storage medium accessible via a network, and the second storage unit may be a non-volatile storage medium such as a USB memory or a memory card that can be accessed without a network. As a result, for example, files can be backed up to a file server on the network during normal times, and files that are not backed up to the file server can be backed up to a storage medium such as a USB memory in an emergency.

  The storage process for a storage medium such as a USB memory can be performed in a shorter time than when it is stored in a file server via a network, and there is no concentration of access or disconnection of a route. Therefore, backup can be performed reliably even in an emergency. Also, files stored in a storage medium such as a USB memory can be read without receiving external power supply by connecting to a battery-powered notebook computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “notebook personal computer”). Can do. As a result, if a file is backed up to a non-volatile storage medium such as a USB memory immediately before the power failure, the work can be performed using the notebook computer even during the power failure.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a system for managing information. The system includes a detection device that detects a change in environment and transmits a detection signal via a network, an information management device that performs file storage processing upon reception of the detection signal, and the information management via a network. And a file server accessible by the device. When the information management device receives the detection signal, a first storage processing unit that stores the file in the file server at a predetermined timing, a reception unit that receives the detection signal via the network, A second storage processing unit that stores a file that is not stored in the file server in a storage unit that is accessible without using a network.

  The detection device may detect that a natural phenomenon such as an earthquake, a fire, or a lightning has occurred, or may detect the state of the power line immediately before a power failure such as a voltage drop or overcurrent. The detection device may detect the occurrence of a factor that hinders normal operation of the system and transmits a detection signal. The storage unit may be a nonvolatile storage medium such as a USB memory. As a result, when a factor that hinders normal operation of the system occurs, a file that is not backed up by the file server can be quickly saved in a storage medium such as a USB memory.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for managing information. The apparatus stores a first storage processing unit for storing a file in a first storage unit accessible via a network at a predetermined timing, and information for specifying the file stored in the first storage unit. A management table to be held, a reception unit that receives a file storage instruction at an arbitrary timing, and a file that is not stored in the first storage unit with reference to the management table when the storage instruction is received, A second storage processing unit that stores the identified file in a second storage unit accessible without a network.

  The predetermined timing may be a periodic timing such as every hour or every two hours, for example, or a timing at which an event occurs in the device, such as when the OS (Operating System) of the device is shut down. Also good. In an emergency, it is preferable to save necessary files in a short time. By regularly backing up the first storage unit, the number of files to be stored in the second storage unit is reduced, and the files can be stored in the second storage unit in a short time.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, file backup can be performed appropriately according to the situation.

  Even in the event of a disaster such as an earthquake or typhoon, companies are required to continue their business. Computer-created files are indispensable for doing business. The importance of files is recognized, and many companies back up files. Such backups are mainly in preparation for equipment failures, and little consideration has been given from the perspective of business recovery after a disaster. The present inventor has created a technique for performing appropriate backup from the viewpoint of business recovery after a disaster.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information management system 10 according to an embodiment. The first terminal device 50a is a computer including devices such as a CPU, a memory, and a hard disk, for example, and implements various functions by executing programs. By executing a predetermined program, the information management device 100 is formed inside the first terminal device 50a. The first terminal device 50 a executes an application 60 such as a word processor or a spreadsheet, and holds the generated file in the internal storage device 62.

  The information management device 100 stores the file held in the internal storage device 62 in the file server 14 connected to the network 12 at a predetermined timing. The first terminal device 50a manages the file in association with the update date and time, and the information management device 100 stores the file updated after the date and time when the file was last stored in the file server 14 in the file server 14. This process is referred to as “normal storage process” in the following description. The normal storage process may be performed periodically, for example, every hour or every three hours, or may be performed when an event such as shutdown or sleep mode occurs.

  The information management device 100 always displays the storage instruction button 72 on a part of the screen 70 of the display unit connected to the first terminal device 50a. When the user clicks the storage instruction button 72 using an input device such as a mouse at an arbitrary timing, the information management apparatus 100 can access a file that is not stored in the file server 14 without going through the network 12. Save in the external storage device 52a. That is, the information management apparatus 100 stores the file updated after the previous normal storage process in the first external storage device 52a. The first external storage device 52a is a detachable nonvolatile storage medium such as a USB memory that can be directly connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal or a memory card, for example. In another example, the first external storage device 52a may be a removable hard disk. The saving process performed at an arbitrary timing is referred to as “emergency saving process” in the following description.

  By performing two types of storage processing in this way, it is possible to back up a file assuming that the business will continue after a disaster. When considering the continuation of a business after a disaster, it is preferable to recover from a business with high priority among a plurality of businesses in a company. There are various methods for selecting high-priority work, and one of them is based on the work deadline. For example, the priority of a task with less remaining days until the deadline is increased.

  In general, it is estimated that a file being edited is nearly ready for use. For example, when editing a presentation material, the material being edited is likely to be used in the near future. That is, when the priority is determined based on the business deadline, it is highly likely that the file being edited is a file necessary for performing a business with a high priority. Considering quick business recovery after the disaster, it is preferable to save the file being edited so that it can be used even after the disaster.

  On the other hand, there is a battery-powered notebook personal computer as a means of performing business during a power failure. A typical notebook personal computer has input devices such as a USB terminal and a PC card slot. For this reason, the business can be continued even in the event of a power failure by storing the file in a storage device that can be directly accessed via the input device of the notebook personal computer and can be operated by power supply from the notebook personal computer. Therefore, in this embodiment, a non-volatile storage medium such as a USB memory or a memory card is employed as an emergency storage destination.

  The emergency storage process is preferably performed not only on the terminal instructed by the user but also on the peripheral terminals at the same time. Therefore, when the user is instructed to perform an emergency storage process, the information management apparatus 100 sends a signal (hereinafter referred to as an “emergency storage signal”) instructing the emergency storage process to other information management apparatuses 100 on the network 12. Send. Then, the information management apparatus 100 that has received the emergency storage signal starts an emergency storage process.

  The second terminal device 50b has the same configuration as the first terminal device 50a, and an information management device 100 (not shown) is formed therein. The information management apparatus 100 of the first terminal device 50a broadcasts an emergency storage signal toward the network 12 when performing emergency storage processing. The information management device 100 (not shown) of the second terminal device 50b starts the emergency storage process when receiving the emergency storage signal. Thereby, for example, even when the user of the second terminal device 50b is temporarily away from the terminal, the emergency storage process in the second terminal device 50b is possible. In general, an earthquake reaches the S wave after the arrival of the P wave, but there are users who notice the P wave and users who do not notice it. Even in this case, the user who has noticed the P wave performs the emergency storage process, so that the emergency storage process is also performed on the terminal of the user who has not noticed the P wave. As described above, the emergency storage process in the single information management apparatus 100 triggers the emergency storage process in the other information management apparatus 100 connected to the network 12, so that the backup of the file in the organization is appropriately performed according to the situation. Can be done.

  The detection device 16 is a device that detects the surrounding conditions of the first terminal device 50a and the second terminal device 50b (hereinafter simply referred to as “terminal device 50”) such as an earthquake, a fire, a thunder, a typhoon, and a power failure. The detection result is broadcast to the network 12. In the present embodiment, the detection device 16 detects an earthquake and broadcasts an emergency storage signal to the network 12 when an earthquake occurs. When the emergency storage signal is received, the information management apparatus 100 starts an emergency storage process. Thereby, even if it is a situation which a user does not notice, an emergency preservation | save process can be performed.

  FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the information management apparatus 100 of FIG. The setting unit 116 stores information specifying a file to be backed up (hereinafter referred to as “backup target condition”) and the timing for performing the normal storage process from the user in the reception condition storage unit 110. The backup target condition may be, for example, a folder or file path to be backed up, or may be a character string included in the file type or file name.

  The normal storage process may be performed at regular time intervals, for example, every hour or every two hours, or may be performed at a designated time. Moreover, it may be performed when a predetermined event occurs in the terminal device 50, such as immediately before the OS is shut down or when the application is terminated. The setting unit 116 stores information (hereinafter, referred to as “timing information”) for specifying the timing for performing such storage processing from the user in the reception condition storage unit 110. The instruction unit 108 instructs the first storage processing unit 102 to start the normal storage process based on the timing information held in the condition storage unit 110.

  The first storage processing unit 102 performs normal storage processing in response to an instruction from the instruction unit 108. The first storage processing unit 102 reads the backup target condition held in the condition storage unit 110, reads the file corresponding to the condition from the internal storage device 62 in FIG. 1, and stores it in the file server 14 in FIG. Then, the first storage processing unit 102 writes information for specifying the file stored in the file server 14 in the management table 106. In the present embodiment, the file path of the file stored in the file server 14 and the backup date and time are associated and written to the management table 106. As a result, it is possible to specify the file to be saved when the emergency saving process is performed.

  The first storage processing unit 102 may transmit the file to be backed up to the file server 14 after encrypting the backup target file, or may transmit the file to the file server 14 without encryption. By storing the encrypted file in the file server 14, information leakage can be prevented.

  Generally, a computer manages files using a file system that is a function of an OS. The file system manages at least the path indicating the storage location of the file and the update date and time in association with each other. For example, when an application is executed and a file is edited, the update date and time of the file is changed. The monitoring unit 118 monitors whether or not the backup target file has been updated through the file system, and detects a file that has been updated after the normal storage process. Then, the monitoring unit 118 registers the detected file in the management table 106 as a storage target during the emergency storage process. When the OS issues an event indicating file update, the monitoring unit 118 may perform update file monitoring processing, or may perform monitoring processing at a cycle shorter than the time interval at which normal storage processing is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the management table 106 of FIG. The path column 150 holds a path of a file that satisfies the backup target condition held in the condition storage unit 110 of FIG. The first storage processing unit 102 or the monitoring unit 118 in FIG. 2 writes the path of the backup target file in the path column 150. The backup date / time column 152 holds the date / time backed up by the normal storage process. When the normal storage process is performed, the first storage processing unit 102 writes the backup date / time in the backup date / time field 152.

  The last update date / time column 154 holds the last update date / time. The target flag column 156 holds a flag indicating whether or not it is a storage target at the time of emergency storage processing. In this example, “1” indicates that it is a storage target during the emergency storage process, and “0” indicates that it is not a storage target during the emergency storage process. The file to be saved at the time of the emergency saving process is hereinafter referred to as “emergency saving target file”. When a file update is detected, the monitoring unit 118 writes data in the last update date / time column 154 and the target flag column 156. In this example, since the file path “C: \ Files \ file3.txt” has been updated after the normal saving process, it is set as an emergency saving target file. Thus, by specifying the emergency save target file in advance, the emergency save process can be completed in a short time.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the second storage processing unit 104 performs an emergency storage process in response to an instruction from the instruction unit 108. When the emergency storage process is started, the second storage processing unit 104 refers to the management table 106 and identifies the emergency storage target file. Then, the second storage processing unit 104 reads the corresponding file from the internal storage device 62 and stores it in the external storage device 52. In this example, the second storage processing unit 104 reads a file in which “1” is set in the target flag field 156 of FIG. 3 from the internal storage device 62 and stores it in the external storage device 52. The second storage processing unit 104 may store the urgent storage target file in the external storage device 52 after encryption, or may store it in the external storage device 52 without encryption.

  The instruction unit 108 instructs the first storage processing unit 102 to start the normal storage process based on the timing information held in the condition storage unit 110. For example, when the normal storage process is set to be performed every hour as the timing information, the instruction unit 108 starts from the time when the terminal device 50 in FIG. Is instructed to execute normal save processing.

  The receiving unit 114 always displays the storage instruction button 72 on the screen 70 in FIG. 1 and receives a storage instruction from the user. When the storage instruction is received, the reception unit 114 notifies the instruction unit 108 and the transmission unit 130 that the storage instruction has been received. In response to this notification, the instruction unit 108 instructs the second storage processing unit 104 to execute the emergency storage process. In addition, the transmission unit 130 broadcasts an emergency storage signal toward the network 12.

  The receiving unit 132 receives an emergency storage signal transmitted from another information management apparatus 100 connected to the network 12. Then, the reception unit 132 notifies the instruction unit 108 that the emergency storage signal has been received. The instruction unit 108 instructs the second storage processing unit 104 to execute the emergency storage process in response to the notification.

  When the notification from the reception unit 114 and the reception unit 132 is received at the same time, the instruction unit 108 ignores the notification received later. For example, when the notification is received from the other one within a predetermined time from the time when the notification is received from one of the reception unit 114 and the reception unit 132, the instruction unit 108 ignores the notification received later. Thereby, it is possible to prevent redundant emergency storage processing from being performed.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there. Examples of such modifications are as follows.

  As a first modification, the detection device 16 of FIG. 1 may be mounted on an uninterruptible power supply. When the uninterruptible power supply starts to supply power from the battery at the time of a power failure, the detection device 16 mounted on the uninterruptible power supply may broadcast an emergency storage signal to the network 12. The detection device 16 mounted on the uninterruptible power supply may calculate a time during which power can be supplied (hereinafter referred to as “suppliable time”) based on the remaining battery level and broadcast it together with an emergency storage signal. . Then, the second storage processing unit 104 in FIG. 2 saves the data in the external storage device 52 in FIG. 2 after encryption based on the data size of the urgent storage target file and the supply available time, or externally encrypts the file. It may be determined whether to save in the storage device 52.

  In general, encryption processing takes time, and the processing time varies depending on the file size. In order to prevent the leakage of information, it is preferable to perform encryption. However, it is conceivable that the file cannot be backed up due to the encryption. Therefore, it is possible to perform appropriate backup according to the situation by determining the presence or absence of the encryption process according to the supply available time.

  The second storage processing unit 104 holds in advance a table in which file sizes are associated with encryption times. Then, the second storage processing unit 104 refers to the table and specifies the time required for encryption (hereinafter referred to as “reference encryption time”) from the size of the emergency save target file. If the identified reference encryption time is shorter than the supplyable time, the second storage processing unit 104 stores the urgent storage target file in the external storage device 52 after encryption. When the reference encryption time is longer than the supplyable time, the second storage processing unit 104 stores the urgent storage target file in the external storage device 52 without encryption.

  There is an earthquake as a similar form. Generally, damage caused by earthquakes is caused by S waves. For this reason, it is preferable to complete the backup before the S wave arrives. The time from the occurrence of the earthquake to the arrival of the S wave at a certain point (hereinafter referred to as “S wave arrival time”) can be predicted. 2 receives the S wave arrival time together with the emergency storage signal. The second storage processing unit 104 in FIG. 2 may determine the presence or absence of the encryption process based on the S wave arrival time.

  In general, when a fire breaks out, it is preferable to evacuate immediately from the spot. Under such circumstances, waiting for the emergency save target file to be written to the USB memory and leaving the USB memory after removing the USB memory from the terminal device 50 may be life-threatening. Therefore, the second modification is a form in which the second storage processing unit 104 in FIG. 2 changes the storage destination of the emergency storage target file according to the state of the environment detected by the detection device 16 in FIG.

  The detection device 16 in FIG. 1 broadcasts an emergency storage signal to the network 12 in FIG. 1 together with information (hereinafter referred to as “status code”) for specifying a detected state such as an earthquake, a power failure, or a fire. The receiving unit 132 in FIG. 2 notifies the instruction unit 108 that the emergency storage signal has been received and the status code. The instruction unit 108 instructs execution of the emergency storage process and outputs a status code to the second storage processing unit 104. The second storage processing unit 104 holds a table in which the status code and information for specifying the storage destination are associated with each other, and stores the urgent storage target file in the storage destination associated with the state code. For example, when a fire occurs, the second storage processing unit 104 may store the emergency storage target file in a file server that is geographically located elsewhere. As a result, appropriate backup can be performed according to the surrounding situation.

1 is a configuration diagram of an information management system according to an embodiment. It is an internal block diagram of the information management apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the management table of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 information management system, 12 network, 14 file server, 16 detection device, 50 terminal device, 52 external storage device, 60 application, 62 internal storage device, 70 screen, 72 storage instruction button, 100 information management device, 102 first storage Processing unit 104 Second storage processing unit 106 Management table 108 Instruction unit 110 Condition storage unit 114 Reception unit 116 Setting unit 118 Monitoring unit 130 Transmission unit 132 Reception unit

Claims (7)

A step of storing a file corresponding to a predetermined condition in the first storage unit at a predetermined timing;
Receiving a file storage instruction at an arbitrary timing;
A step of saving a file that is not stored in the first storage unit in a second storage unit different from the first storage unit among the files that satisfy the condition when the storage instruction is received;
An information management method characterized by comprising: A detection device that detects environmental changes and transmits a detection signal via a network;
An information management device that performs file storage processing triggered by reception of the detection signal;
A file server accessible by the information management device via a network;
An information management system comprising:
The information management device includes:
A first storage processing unit for storing a file in the file server at a predetermined timing;
A reception unit that receives the detection signal via the network;
When receiving the detection signal, a second storage processing unit that stores a file that is not stored in the file server in a storage unit accessible without a network;
An information management system comprising: A first storage processing unit for storing a file in a first storage unit accessible via a network at a predetermined timing;
A management table holding information for specifying the file stored in the first storage unit;
A reception unit for receiving a file storage instruction at an arbitrary timing;
When the storage instruction is received, a file that is not stored in the first storage unit is specified with reference to the management table, and the specified file is stored in a second storage unit that can be accessed without using a network A second storage processing unit;
An information management device comprising: 4. The information management apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reception unit always displays an interface for receiving a storage instruction on a display unit of the apparatus. The information management apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the storage instruction to the network when the storage instruction is received through the interface. 6. The information management apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a receiving unit that receives a storage instruction transmitted from a device different from the device via a network. The information management apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first storage processing unit stores the encrypted file in the first storage unit.

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