JP2007122128A - Software installation device and software installation program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a software installation device and a software installation program for preventing the conflict of software. <P>SOLUTION: Information to specify software which has been installed in a client computer and software to be installed is collected by an information collecting means 10_11, and transmitted to a server computer by a transmitting means 10_12, and information to specify conflicting software conflicting with the software to be installed is received by a receiving means 10_13 from the server computer, and the conflicting software is uninstalled by an uninstallation means 10_14 from the client computer, and the software to be installed is installed by an installation means 10_15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a software installation apparatus that manages software installation on a client computer connected to a server computer that manages and provides information on competing software, and software that constructs software installation means. Regarding the installation program.

  When new software is installed on a personal computer connected to a server computer and acting as a client computer, there is a conflict between the newly installed software and the installed software that is already installed on the personal computer. May occur. When such a situation occurs, there arises a problem that either the newly installed software or the installed software, or both the newly installed software and the installed software do not operate normally. In the worst case, the operating system (OS) that is the basic software of the personal computer may become unstable and the OS may need to be restored.

  Therefore, when installing the printer driver, which is software that controls the printer, it is determined from the version information whether the installed printer driver is overwritten and becomes inconsistent, and it is determined not to be inconsistent. In such a case, a technology has been proposed to prevent problems that occur when installing a printer driver by correctly updating the module configuration of the installed printer driver when it is determined that the inconsistent state is installed. Patent Document 1).

In addition, when upgrading software in a client / server type system, a technology is proposed in which information on software already installed on each client computer is managed by a server computer, and version upgrades are performed between client computers based on that information. (See Patent Document 2).
JP 2003-84984 A JP 2004-318395 A

  However, the technologies proposed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above both prevent conflicts between the old version software and the new version software that occur when upgrading the software created by the same manufacturer. Therefore, it is difficult to prevent software conflicts between software created by different manufacturers. Therefore, there is a problem in that it lacks the point of preventing competition between software.

  In view of the circumstances described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a software installation apparatus and a software installation program that can prevent competition between software.

The software installation apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object is a software installation apparatus that is built in a client computer connected to a server computer that manages and provides information on competing software, and that manages software installation on the client computer. ,
Information collecting means for collecting information identifying software installed on the client computer and software to be installed;
Transmitting means for transmitting the information to the server computer;
Receiving means for receiving from the server computer information identifying conflicting software that conflicts with the software to be installed;
Uninstalling means for uninstalling the competing software from the client computer;
The client computer is provided with installation means for installing software to be installed.

  Due to the above configuration, the software installation apparatus of the present invention can uninstall the conflicting software from the client computer and install the software to be installed when receiving information specifying the conflicting software from the server computer. Therefore, even when a conflict occurs between softwares created by different manufacturers, it is possible to prevent a software conflict between the softwares.

Here, the receiving means in the software installation apparatus of the present invention receives from the server computer a correction module for correcting the installation target software for avoiding a conflict with the installation target software. ,
It is preferable that the installation means corrects the software to be installed using the correction module and installs the corrected software on the client computer.

  In this way, when the software to be installed is modified using the modification module received from the server computer and installed on the client computer, there is no need to uninstall the conflicting software, and the software conflict that occurs between the software is eliminated. Can be prevented.

  The software installation apparatus according to the present invention further comprises a notification means for notifying the server computer of information for identifying both conflicting softwares when the installed software conflicts with other installed software. It is also a preferred embodiment.

  If the server computer is notified of information specifying both competing softwares, the server computer can collect information on unknown competing software, and therefore the database on competing software can be updated efficiently.

The software installation program of the present invention that achieves the above object is executed on a client computer connected to a server computer that manages and provides information on competing software, and the software installation on the client computer is performed in the client computer. A software installation program for constructing software installation means for managing
In the above client computer,
Information collecting means for collecting information identifying software installed on the client computer and software to be installed;
Transmitting means for transmitting the information to the server computer;
Receiving means for receiving from the server computer information identifying conflicting software that conflicts with the software to be installed;
Uninstalling means for uninstalling the competing software from the client computer;
Software installation means comprising an installation means for installing software to be installed on the client computer is constructed.

  The software installation program of the present invention is executed on a client computer connected to a server computer that manages and provides information on competing software, and software installation means for managing software installation on the client computer is built in the client computer Therefore, even if there is a conflict between softwares created by different manufacturers, it is possible to prevent software conflicts between the softwares.

Here, the receiving means in the software installation program of the present invention receives from the server computer a correction module for correcting the installation target software for avoiding a conflict with the installation target software. ,
It is preferable that the installation means corrects software to be installed using the correction module and installs the corrected software on the client computer.

  In this way, it is not necessary to uninstall the conflicting software, and it is possible to prevent software conflict that occurs between the software.

  Further, in the software installation program of the present invention, when the installed software conflicts with other installed software, the server computer is notified of information specifying both of the conflicting software in the client computer. It is also preferable to construct software installation means further comprising notification means.

  In this way, the server computer can collect information relating to unknown conflicting software, and therefore the database relating to conflicting software can be updated efficiently.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a software installation apparatus and a software installation program capable of preventing a conflict between software even when conflicts occur between softwares created by different manufacturers. it can.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a client / server type system including a client computer in which the first embodiment of the software installation apparatus of the present invention is constructed.

  A client / server type system 1000 shown in FIG. 1 includes a server computer 100 that manages and provides information on competing software, and client computers 10, 20, 30 connected to the server computer 100 via a communication line 300. Is provided. In the client computer 10, a later-described software installation device that manages software installation on the client computer 10 is built in the client computer 10. As these computers 10, 20, 30, and 100, computers generally called workstations or personal computers can be used. The communication line 300 may be any communication line such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). Here, the communication line 300 will be described as a LAN.

  Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of these computers will be described first.

  Each of these computers 10, 20, 30, 100 includes a main unit 11, 21, 31, 101 in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk, a communication board, etc. are built, 11, 21, 31, 101 used for display units 12, 22, 32, 102 for displaying images and character strings on display screens 12 a, 22 a, 32 a, 102 a, and computers 10, 20, 20, 100. By designating an arbitrary position on the keyboards 13, 23, 33, 103 and the display screens 12a, 22a, 32a, 102a for inputting the user's instructions, the icon or the like displayed at that position at the time of the designation There are provided mice 14, 24, 34, and 104 for inputting corresponding instructions.

  The main body parts 11, 21, 31, 101 further have flexible disk loading ports 11a, 21a, 31a, 101a and CD-ROM loading ports 11b, 21b, 31b in which a flexible disk and a CD-ROM (not shown) are loaded. 101b, and a flexible disk loaded from these loading ports 11a, 21a, 31a, 101a, 11b, 21b, 31b, and 101b and a flexible disk that is accessed by driving a CD-ROM. A drive and a CD-ROM drive are also incorporated.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the client computer having the appearance shown in FIG. Here, the client computer 10 will be described as a typical example, but the other client computers 20 and 30 and the server computer 100 have the same configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the client computer 10 includes a CPU 1 that executes various programs, a main memory 2 that is read for execution by the CPU 1 and programs stored in the hard disk device 3, and various programs. And a hard disk device 3 in which data and the like are stored, a flexible disk 4_1 is loaded, a flexible disk drive (FD drive) 4 that accesses the loaded flexible disk 4_1, a CD-ROM drive 5 that accesses the CD-ROM 5_1, and A communication interface 6 is built in, and these various elements and the image display device 12, keyboard 13, and mouse 14 shown in FIG. 1 are connected to each other via a bus 15.

  Here, the CD-ROM 5_1 stores a software installation program for operating the client computer 10 as the first embodiment of the software device of the present invention. The CD-ROM 5_1 is loaded in the CD-ROM drive 5. The software installation program stored in the CD-ROM 5_1 is uploaded to the client computer 10 and stored in the hard disk device 3. Thus, the first embodiment of the software installation apparatus of the present invention is constructed in the client computer 10.

  Here, a software installation program (corresponding to the first embodiment of the software installation program of the present invention) executed in the client computer 10 of FIG. 1 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a CD-ROM in which the first embodiment of the software installation program of the present invention is stored.

  The CD-ROM 5_1 shown in FIG. 3 stores a software installation program 5_10. The software installation program 5_10 includes an information collection routine unit 5_11, a transmission routine unit 5_12, a reception routine unit 5_13, an uninstallation routine unit 5_14, and It is composed of an installation routine section 5_15. Details of each part of the software installation program 5_10 will be described together with the operation of each part of the first embodiment of the software installation apparatus of the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the software installation apparatus of the present invention.

  The software installation apparatus 10_1 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes an information collection unit 10_11, a transmission unit 10_12, a reception unit 10_13, an uninstallation unit 10_14, and an installation unit 10_15.

  The information collecting means 10_11 operates under the action of the program of the information collecting routine unit 5_11 shown in FIG. 3, and collects information specifying the software already installed in the client computer 10 and the software to be installed.

  The transmission means 10_12 operates under the action of the program of the transmission routine unit 5_12 shown in FIG. 3 and transmits the information to the server computer 100.

  The receiving means 10_13 operates under the action of the program of the reception routine unit 5_13 shown in FIG. 3, and receives information for identifying competing software that competes with software to be installed from the server computer 100.

  The uninstall means 10_14 operates under the action of the program of the uninstall routine unit 5_14 shown in FIG. 3 and uninstalls competing software from the client computer 10.

  The installation unit 10_15 operates under the action of the program of the installation routine unit 5_15 shown in FIG. 3, and installs the software to be installed in the client computer 10.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a software installation program executed by the software installation apparatus shown in FIG.

  First, in step S1, information on installed software is collected. Next, in step S2, the installed software information and the installation target software information are transmitted to the server computer side.

  In step S3, the server computer side receives information about installed software and information about software to be installed. On the server computer side, software names and version numbers that conflict with the software to be installed are managed on the database, and these information are changed as needed by the administrator as soon as the conflicting software is found. Next, in step S4, referring to this database, it is searched whether there is software that conflicts with the software to be installed. If there is software that conflicts with the software to be installed, the software name is changed. In step S5, the competing software information is transmitted to the client computer.

  On the client computer side, in step S6, information on competing software is received. In step S7, it is determined whether there is competing software with reference to the received information. If it is determined that there is no competing software, the process proceeds to step S10 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is competing software, the message shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display screen of the client computer.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message displayed on the display screen of the client computer.

  If it is determined that there is competing software, as shown in FIG. 6, the text “The software that conflicts with this software has been found” and the name of the conflicting software “Image Viewer” are displayed on the display screen of the client computer. “Ver.1.0” and “Do you want to delete this software?” And “Yes” and “No” buttons are displayed. If the user selects the “Yes” button, the competing software is uninstalled in step S9 shown in FIG. Further, in step S10, the installation target software is installed, and this software installation program is terminated. On the other hand, if the user selects the “No” button, the process ends without executing the installation process.

  As described above, the software installation device 10_1 according to the first embodiment of the software installation device of the present invention uninstalls the conflicting software from the client computer 10 when receiving information specifying the conflicting software from the server computer 100. To install the target software. Therefore, even when a conflict occurs between softwares created by different manufacturers, it is possible to prevent a software conflict between the softwares.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a CD-ROM storing the second embodiment of the software installation program of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the software installation apparatus of the present invention.

  A software installation program 5_20 is stored in the CD-ROM 5_2 shown in FIG. The software installation program 5_20 is different from the software installation program 5_10 shown in FIG. 3 in the reception routine unit 5_23 and the installation routine unit 5_25. These will be described together with the operation of each part of the second embodiment of the software installation apparatus of the present invention.

  The software installation device 10_2 illustrated in FIG. 8 is different from the software installation device 10_1 illustrated in FIG. 4 in the receiving unit 10_23 and the installation unit 10_25.

  The receiving means 10_23 operates under the action of the program of the reception routine unit 5_23 shown in FIG. 7, and corrects the installation target software for avoiding the conflict with the installation target software from the server computer 100. Receive a correction module.

  Further, the installation unit 10_25 operates under the action of the program of the installation routine unit 5_25 shown in FIG. 7, and uses the correction module to correct the software to be installed and install the corrected software on the client computer 10. .

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a software installation program executed by the software installation apparatus shown in FIG.

  First, in step S11, information about installed software is collected. Next, in step S12, the installed software information and the installation target software information are transmitted to the server computer side.

  Furthermore, in step S13, the server computer side receives information about installed software and information about software to be installed. On the server computer side, the software name and version number that conflict with the software to be installed are managed on the database, and if there is a correction module for the software to be installed for the conflicting software, Information of URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the location is also registered. This information is changed as needed by the administrator as soon as competing software is identified. Next, in step S14, referring to this database, it is searched whether there is software that conflicts with the installation target software. If there is software that conflicts with the installation target software, the software name is changed. In step S15, information on the competing software and information on the presence / absence of a correction module for the software are transmitted to the client computer.

  In step S16, the competing software information is received on the client computer side. In step S17, it is determined whether there is competing software. If it is determined that there is no competing software, the process proceeds to step S18, the installation target software is installed, and the software installation program is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is competing software, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, it is determined whether there is a correction module. If it is determined that there is a correction module, the correction module is downloaded in step S20. Next, in step S21, software to be installed is installed. In step S22, the software is updated by applying the correction module, and the software installation program is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no correction module, in step S23, the message shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display screen of the client computer. That is, the words “Software that conflicts with this software has been found”, the name of the conflicting software “Image Viewer Ver.1.0” and “Do you want to delete this software?” ”,“ No ”buttons are displayed. If the user selects the “Yes” button, the competing software is uninstalled in step S24, and the installation target software is installed in step S25, and the software installation program is terminated. On the other hand, if the user selects the “No” button, the process ends without executing the installation process.

  As described above, the software installation apparatus 10_2 that is the second embodiment of the software installation apparatus of the present invention uses the correction module received from the server computer 100 to correct the installation target software and install it on the client computer 10. Therefore, it is not necessary to uninstall the conflicting software, and the software conflict occurring between the software can be prevented.

  FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a CD-ROM storing the third embodiment of the software installation program of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the software installation apparatus of the present invention.

  A software installation program 5_30 is stored in the CD-ROM 5_3 shown in FIG. This software installation program 5_30 is different from the software installation program 5_10 shown in FIG. 3 in that a notification routine unit 5_31 is added. Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment of the software installation apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  The software installation apparatus 10_3 illustrated in FIG. 11 is different from the software installation apparatus 10_1 illustrated in FIG. 4 in that a notification unit 10_31 is added.

  The notification means 10_31 operates under the action of the program of the notification routine unit 5_31 shown in FIG. 10, and when the installed software conflicts with other installed software, information for specifying both the conflicting software is displayed. Notify the server computer. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a software installation program executed by the software installation apparatus shown in FIG.

  This software installation program has a monitoring program. This monitoring program is a program that resides in the task bar and continues to operate unless explicitly terminated by the user.

  First, in step S31, the operation of the target software is monitored. Next, in step S32, it is determined whether an error has occurred in the target software. This error occurs when the target software fails to start or terminates abnormally during execution. If it is determined that no error has occurred in the target software, the process returns to step S31. On the other hand, if it is determined that an error has occurred in the target software, the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, information on installed software is collected. Next, in step S34, the information on the installed software and the information on the target software in which an error has occurred are transmitted (notified) to the server computer side by the notification means 10_31 described above, and this monitoring program is terminated.

  On the server computer side, in step S35, information on installed software and information on target software in which an error has occurred are received. Next, in step S36, it is determined whether or not the competition candidate software has already been registered on the database. If it is determined that the software is not registered as competition candidate software, the process proceeds to step S37. In step S37, the software information is newly registered as a conflict candidate together with the error content, and the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the software is registered as the competition candidate software, the process proceeds to step S38. In step S38, the number of cases is incremented for the existing software information.

  Next, in step S39, it is determined whether or not there is any competing candidate software that has reached a specified number (specified value). If it is determined that the specified value has not been reached, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the specified value has been reached, the process proceeds to step S40. In step S40, a warning is displayed for the software and the process ends. The administrator who has received the warning analyzes the software that has reached the prescribed number, and if it is confirmed that there is a conflict, updates the information in the database of the conflicting software.

  As described above, the software installation apparatus 10_3, which is the third embodiment of the software installation apparatus of the present invention, can collect information on unknown competing software in the server computer 100. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently update the database related to competing software.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a client / server system including a client computer in which a first embodiment of a software installation apparatus of the present invention is constructed. It is a hardware block diagram of the client computer which has the external appearance shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows CD-ROM in which 1st Embodiment of the software installation program of this invention was memorize | stored. It is a figure which shows the structure of 1st Embodiment of the software installation apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart of the software installation program performed with the software installation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the message displayed on the display screen of a client computer. It is a conceptual diagram which shows CD-ROM with which 2nd Embodiment of the software installation program of this invention was memorize | stored. It is a figure which shows the structure of 2nd Embodiment of the software installation apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart of the software installation program performed with the software installation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows CD-ROM with which 3rd Embodiment of the software installation program of this invention was memorize | stored. It is a figure which shows the structure of 3rd Embodiment of the software installation apparatus of this invention. 12 is a flowchart of a software installation program executed by the software installation apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 Main memory 3 Hard disk device 4 Flexible disk drive 4_1 Flexible disk 5 CD-ROM drive 5_1, 5_2, 5_3 CD-ROM
5_10, 5_20, 5_30 Software installation program 5_11 Information collection routine section 5_12 Transmission routine section 5_13, 5_23 Reception routine section 5_14 Uninstall routine section 5_15, 5_25 Installation routine section 5_31 Notification routine section 6 Communication interface 10, 20, 30 Client computer 10_1 , 10_2, 10_3 Software installation apparatus 10_11 Information collection means 10_12 Transmission means 10_13, 10_23 Reception means 10_14 Uninstallation means 10_15, 10_25 Installation means 10_31 Notification means 11, 21, 31, 101a Main unit 11a, 21a, 31a, 101a Flexible disk loading Mouth 11b, 21b, 31b, 101b CD- ROM loading port 12, 22, 32, 102 Image display device 12a, 22a, 32a, 102a Display screen 13, 23, 33, 103 Keyboard 14, 24, 34, 104 Mouse 15 Bus 100 Server computer 300 Communication line 1000 Client / server Mold system

Claims (6)

In a software installation apparatus for managing software installation on a client computer, which is constructed in a client computer connected to a server computer that manages and provides information on competing software,
Information collecting means for collecting information identifying software installed on the client computer and software to be installed;
Transmitting means for transmitting the information to the server computer;
Receiving means for receiving from the server computer information identifying conflicting software that conflicts with the software to be installed;
Uninstalling means for uninstalling the competing software from the client computer;
A software installation apparatus comprising: installation means for installing software to be installed on the client computer. The receiving means receives from the server computer a correction module for correcting the installation target software for avoiding a conflict with the installation target software;
The software installation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the installation unit corrects software to be installed using the correction module and installs the corrected software on the client computer.   2. The software installation according to claim 1, further comprising notifying means for notifying the server computer of information for identifying both conflicting softwares when the installed software conflicts with other installed software. apparatus. A software installation program that is executed on a client computer connected to a server computer that manages and provides information on competing software, and that constructs software installation means for managing software installation on the client computer in the client computer,
In the client computer,
Information collecting means for collecting information identifying software installed on the client computer and software to be installed;
Transmitting means for transmitting the information to the server computer;
Receiving means for receiving from the server computer information identifying conflicting software that conflicts with the software to be installed;
Uninstalling means for uninstalling the competing software from the client computer;
A software installation program for constructing software installation means comprising installation means for installing software to be installed on the client computer. The receiving means receives from the server computer a correction module for correcting the installation target software for avoiding a conflict with the installation target software;
5. The software installation program according to claim 4, wherein the installation means corrects software to be installed using the correction module and installs the corrected software on the client computer.   Software installation means further comprising notification means for notifying the server computer of information for identifying both conflicting software in the client computer when the installed software conflicts with other installed software 5. The software installation program according to claim 4, wherein the software installation program is constructed.

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