JP2010072869A - Program download system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program download system capable of downloading a program of each task application by using a common mechanism by each of a plurality of task applications, achieving the efficiency of download processing, and improving convenience. <P>SOLUTION: In this program download system, a server 1 for download stores an instruction file to designate information necessary for download and a file for download in which a program to be downloaded is stored and a result file in which the download result is stored by each task application, and a client device 6 downloads the corresponding instruction file by using preset initial information by task application, and downloads the designated file for download on the basis of the instruction file, and stores a program, and performs switching processing, and uploads the download result to the designated result file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program download system that downloads a program from a server to a client. In particular, even if business applications are different, the program can be downloaded and processed efficiently using a common mechanism. The present invention relates to a program download system that can collectively manage programs.

[Description of Prior Art]
A server provided on the center side and a plurality of clients connected to the server are executed, application programs that realize various operations are executed by the clients, and various operations are realized by exchanging data with the server. There is a system to do.
In such a system, when updating an application on a client, a new program is downloaded from the server to the client, and the program is switched on the client.

As a conventional program update method, for example, there is the following method.
As a first method, when an application is upgraded, a program provided on the center side is divided into blocks using a business data transmission path and is repeatedly transmitted to the client. There was a way to store.
The server sends the program for a period of time sufficient for all clients to receive the program, and then repeatedly sends a switching instruction that instructs to switch to the new program. Switch.
Download and program switching results are confirmed on the client side.

  As a second method, the client download process means accesses the server to which the client business application is connected using a dedicated protocol (dedicated port), and acquires a predetermined file from a predetermined folder. There was a way to switch programs.

[Prior art documents]
Prior art documents relating to program download include JP-A-2004-118758 (Patent Document 1) and JP-A-2007-193574 (Patent Document 2).
In Patent Literature 1, when the download end time has elapsed, the server issues a restart notification to the client, forcibly disconnects the client, the client displays a restart message, and generates a restart process. A client program updating method is described in which downloading of a client program is terminated, the client is forcibly terminated, and the program is automatically activated by a restart process after a predetermined time.

  In Patent Document 2, user identification information, personal information, operation information, and system information obtained at the stage of operation by a specific user are temporarily stored in a memory of a client server, and a file according to a predetermined naming rule based on them. File name management is automatically generated, and a specific user as a result of searching for a file name is assigned to a file with desired information, and a file with the file name is downloaded to a specific user's client terminal device. The search method is described.

JP 2004-118758 A JP 2007-193574 A

  However, in the conventional first program update method, the download specification is fixed for both the center and the client and cannot be changed, and the program on the center side whether each client has successfully updated the program or has failed. There was a problem that it was inconvenient because the update status could not be grasped.

  In the second conventional program update method, the server for downloading the program is fixed for each business application. Therefore, every time a new business application is constructed, a download mechanism corresponding to the server is established on the center side and the client side. It is inconvenient and must be incorporated, and because the specifications related to downloading such as the file name and the number of retries are provided in the client download process, it is inconvenient that the center cannot make changes or settings. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. For example, it is possible to download a program for each business application using a common mechanism for a plurality of business applications. Programs that can arbitrarily perform various settings and changes, can collectively manage the update status of programs in the client device, can improve the efficiency of download processing, and improve convenience The purpose is to provide a download system.

  A first invention for solving the above-described problems is a plurality of client apparatuses that execute business applications, and a download server that is connected to the plurality of client apparatuses via a network and provides a business application program to the client apparatuses. The download server stores an instruction file for specifying a storage location of the program to be downloaded and a download file for storing the program to be downloaded. It stores initial information for accessing the instruction file, accesses the download server using the initial information, downloads the instruction file corresponding to the business application, and is specified based on the instruction file. It is characterized by storing the download and program the download file.

A second invention for solving the above problem is a plurality of client devices that execute business applications, and a download server that is connected to the plurality of client devices via a network and provides a program of business applications to the client devices. The download server includes an instruction file that specifies a storage location of a program to be downloaded and an upload location of a download result, a download file that stores the program to be downloaded, and each client device. And a result file for storing a download result in the client device, initial information for the client device to access the instruction file is stored, and the initial information is used to store the download file. Download the instruction file corresponding to the business application, download the specified download file based on the instruction file, store the program, and store the download result in the specified upload location on the download server It is characterized by uploading.
Further, the client device can store the downloaded program and then perform a program switching process.

  According to the first invention, even if a dedicated mechanism is not provided for each business application, a program corresponding to each business application can be downloaded using a common mechanism, and the instruction file is written on the center side. By changing this, it is possible to easily change the specifications and settings relating to the download, thereby improving the efficiency of the download process and improving the convenience.

  According to the second invention, even if a dedicated mechanism is not provided for each business application, a program corresponding to each business application can be downloaded using a common mechanism, and the instruction file is described on the center side. The download specifications and settings can be changed easily, and the download results can be monitored centrally for each business application, improving the efficiency of the download process and improving convenience. There is an effect that can be made.

[Summary of Invention]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The program download system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a download server provided on the center side and information necessary for uploading information necessary for download and program update results corresponding to the business application. For each application, the client first downloads the instruction file, downloads the program based on the information acquired from the instruction file, stores the program, performs the switching process, and performs the instruction file. The program update results are uploaded based on the information obtained from the system. By collecting the download specifications in the instruction file, the center side can easily set and change the settings. Even within the instruction file Can perform download processing by a common sequence by simply changing the, also, can be collectively managed for each business application update availability center side, thereby improving the efficiency of the download process.

[System configuration: Fig. 1]
A program download system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a program download system (this system) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, this system includes an application download server (hereinafter referred to as “download server”) 1, various business servers / gateways (GWs) 2, and a center side network 3 as a center side site. The client side site includes a router / TA (Terminal Adapter) 4, an L2 switch 5, and a plurality of client devices 6. The center site and the client site are connected by a connection line such as the Internet VPN (Virtual Private Network) or a dedicated line.

  The center-side site download server 1 is a characteristic part of this system, and includes a program to be downloaded for each business application of the client device 6 and performs processing for providing the client device 6 with the program. The configuration and processing of the download server 1 will be described in detail later.

The various business servers / gateways 2 are servers and processing means for realizing various businesses.
The center-side network 3 is a network that connects the download server 1, various business servers / gateways 2, and other components belonging to the center-side site, and connects to the client-side site via a dedicated line or the Internet VPN.

The router / TA4 at the client site is a line connection device that connects to a dedicated line or the Internet VPN.
The L2 switch is a distribution device that distributes the information transmitted from the router / TA4 to the plurality of client devices 6, and multiplexes the information transmitted from the plurality of client devices 6 and outputs the multiplexed information to the router / TA4.

The client device 6 is a terminal device that activates various application programs based on user operations, for example, and implements various business processes using business applications.
Each client device 6 is provided with one or a plurality of business applications. Here, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that each client device 6 includes one business application. An ID corresponding to the application is stored.
Encrypted communication is performed between the download server 1 at the center site and the client device 6 at the client site.

[Configuration of Download Server 1: FIG. 2]
Next, the configuration of the download server 1 at the center site will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of the download server 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the download server 1 is configured by a computer, and includes a control unit 11, a main memory 12, a storage unit 13, and an interface unit 17.

Each component will be described.
The control unit 11 is a processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and performs control related to downloading of a program by performing transmission / reception with the client device 6.
As a characteristic part of the present system, the control unit 11 includes an instruction file providing unit, a download file providing unit, and a download status obtaining unit. Each processing means in the control unit 11 is realized by the CPU reading and starting the processing program stored in the storage unit 13.

When there is a request for an instruction file from the client device 6, the instruction file providing unit specifies the corresponding instruction file based on the request and downloads it to the client device 6.
When there is a request for a download file related to a business application from the client device, the download file providing means identifies the corresponding program file based on the request and downloads it to the client device 6.
When the update status related to the business application program is uploaded from the client device 6, the download status acquisition means writes the update status in the corresponding result file.

The main memory 12 is a work memory of the control unit 11, and the program stored in the storage unit 13 is expanded by the control unit 11 or temporarily stores data being processed.
The interface unit 17 performs data conversion for connecting to a network.

The storage unit 13 is configured by a hard disk or the like, and stores a processing program corresponding to each processing unit of the control unit 11 and data necessary for download processing.
In particular, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 13 of the download server 1 has an instruction file area 14 for storing an instruction file in which information necessary for downloading is stored, and a download file in which a program to be downloaded is stored. Download file area 15 and a download status area 16 for storing a result file for storing the result of the download process.

  In the present embodiment, a download file and a result file are provided for each business application, and an instruction file is provided in common for all client apparatuses 6. When specifying a specification for downloading a program of a different business application, the contents of the instruction file are rewritten.

The instruction file stores data indicating the presence or absence of a program to be downloaded. For example, a flag indicating the presence or absence of a program to be downloaded is provided. Further, the instruction file describes the location of the download file and the location of the result file as information necessary for the download process.
The operation of the download server 1 will be described in detail later.

[Configuration of Client Device 6: FIG. 3]
Next, the configuration of the client device 6 of this system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of the client device 6.
As shown in FIG. 3, the client device 6 is configured by a computer similar to the download server 1, and includes a control unit 61, a main memory 62, a storage unit 63, a display unit 64, an input unit 65, an interface. Part 66.

  The control unit 61 is configured by a CPU or the like, and includes an instruction file acquisition unit, a download file acquisition unit, a program switching unit, and an update status upload unit as processing units. Each processing means is realized by the CPU reading and starting the processing program stored in the storage unit 63.

  The instruction file acquisition means refers to the instruction file of the download server 1 based on the information of the instruction file acquisition destination stored in the storage unit 63 at a preset timing (for example, at startup or at a fixed time). If there is a program to be downloaded, an instruction file corresponding to the program is acquired.

The download file acquisition means acquires the program file to be downloaded corresponding to the business application from the download server 1 according to the instruction file.
The program switching means switches to a new downloaded program based on the switching date specified in the instruction file.
The update status uploading unit uploads to the download server 1 that the download has been completed or the switching has been completed in accordance with the instruction file.
These operations will be described in detail later.

The main memory 62 is a work memory of the control unit 61.
The display unit 64 displays information according to instructions from the control unit 61.
In the input unit 65, the user inputs an instruction.
The interface unit 66 is connected to a network.

The storage unit 63 is configured by a hard disk or the like, stores processing programs corresponding to the respective processing means of the control unit 61, and further, as a feature of the present system, information (instructions for instruction file acquisition destination of the download server 1) File acquisition destination information) is stored.
The instruction file acquisition destination information is information for accessing the instruction file, and is stored in advance in the storage unit of the client device 6 as an initial setting. In this embodiment, all the client devices have the instruction file acquisition destination information. Common contents are provided. The instruction file acquisition destination information will be described in detail later.

[Download method in this system: Fig. 4]
Next, a download method in this system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the download method of the present system.
As described above, the instruction file acquisition destination information is stored in the storage unit 63 of the client device 6. As shown in FIG. 4, an initial IP address, an initial port, an initial folder, and an initial ID / password are stored as the access destination of the download server 1 as the instruction file acquisition destination information.

The initial IP address is the IP address of the download server 1. The initial IP address may be an IP address of a server other than the server storing the download file, but is basically common to all client devices 6.
The initial port is a port number used for accessing the download server 1.
The initial folder is a path from the logged-in home directory.
The initial ID / password is an ID / password for logging in to the download server, and may be common to each client.

In this embodiment, the instruction file acquisition destination setting information is common to all the client devices 6. That is, each client device 6 accesses the instruction file area 14 of the download server 1 using a common initial IP address, initial port, initial folder, and initial ID / password.
As a result, a new business application program having the same content can be easily downloaded to all client devices 6 performing the same business.

  When it is desired to run different business application programs at the same time in a plurality of client devices 6, the instruction file acquisition destination setting information and the instruction file of the download server 1 are stored for each client device 6 and each business application. You should set it separately.

  Then, the instruction file acquisition unit of the client device 6 periodically uses the initial IP address, the initial port, the initial folder, and the initial ID / password based on the instruction file acquisition destination information in the storage unit 63 to download the download server 1. (100).

  The instruction file providing means of the download server 1 refers to the instruction file area 14 of the storage unit 13 and identifies the instruction file corresponding to the client device 6.

  When the flag indicating that the download is necessary is stored in the instruction file, the instruction file providing unit causes the instruction file acquisition unit of the client device 6 to download the instruction file (110), and the client The device 6 stores the instruction file.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the instruction file stores an instruction IP address, an instruction port, an instruction folder, and a designated ID / password. Further, although not shown in the figure, the instruction file includes information on the number of retries in case of download failure, the switching date of the downloaded program, and update status upload destination information for reporting the result of download processing for each business application. Is stored in correspondence with. Information specified in the instruction file will be described in detail later.

  Then, the download file acquisition means of the client device 6 logs in to the download server 1 using the instruction IP address, instruction port, instruction folder, and designated ID / password based on the acquired instruction file (120).

  The download file providing means of the download server 1 identifies the download file corresponding to the information at the time of login (120), causes the download file acquisition means of the client device 6 to download (130), and download file acquisition means of the client device 6 Stores the file.

  In the client device 6, the program switching unit of the control unit 61 switches the process from the old program to the new program according to the switching date information specified in the instruction file.

Then, the update status uploading means of the client device 6 logs in to the download server 1 using the result IP address, result port, result folder, result ID, etc. based on the upload destination information specified in the instruction file ( 140), download completion, program switching completion, program version information, etc. are uploaded to the download server 1 (150).
The download completion information may be uploaded without waiting for the program switching process.

The download status acquisition means of the download server 1 identifies the result file according to the login (140) information, and stores the uploaded download completion, program switching completion, program version information, etc. in the result file.
In this way, the download method in the present system is performed.

[Processing flow for each business application: Fig. 5]
Next, the download flow for each business application will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the flow of download processing for each business application of this system.
FIG. 5 shows an example in which two types of business applications download. “Client (AP01 # 1)”, “Client (AP01 # 2)”, and “Client (AP01 # 3)” described in the upper part of the client side are client apparatuses # 1 and # 2 that download the business application program (AP01). , # 3, and "Client (AP02 # 1)", "Client (AP02 # 2)", and "Client (AP02 # 3)" described below download another business application program (AP02) Client devices # 1, # 2, and # 3 are shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the instruction file acquisition unit of the client device (AP01 # 1) periodically uses the initial setting value of the instruction file acquisition destination information stored in the storage unit 63 to download the server 1 for downloading. The instruction file is accessed to determine whether there is a program to be downloaded. If there is, the instruction file “instruction file AP01” corresponding to the business application is downloaded (200).

Then, the download file acquisition means of the client device (AP01 # 1) logs in to the download server 1 using the information specified in the instruction file AP01 and downloads the corresponding download file “AP01 new program”.
Then, the program switching unit of the client device (AP01 # 1) switches the program according to the instruction file AP01, and the update status uploading unit logs in to the download server 1 using the IP address or the like specified in the instruction file AP01. The update result is stored in the designated result file “state file AP01”.
In this way, the download process of the client device (AP01 # 1) is performed.

The client device (AP01 # 2) and the client device (AP01 # 3) also have the same instruction file “instruction file AP01”, download file “AP01 new program”, and result file “state file AP01” as the client device (AP01 # 1). ”. As a result, download processing of the same business application can be managed by a common file, and specifications can be easily changed or added from the center side.
In addition, the update status of the same business application can be collectively managed by a common file and monitored on the center side, and convenience can be improved.

The same applies to the download processing of the client device (AP02 # 1), that is, the processing to download the business application program (AP02) to the client device (AP02 # 1). It is rewritten as “AP02”.
Next, the instruction file acquisition means of the client device (AP02 # 1) accesses the instruction file of the download server 1 using the initial setting value of the instruction file acquisition destination information stored in the storage unit 63, and instructs The file “instruction file AP02” is monitored and downloaded if necessary. Based on the instruction file, the download file acquisition means downloads the download file “AP02 new program”, the switching means switches the program, The update status uploading unit uploads the update result to the result file “status file AP02” specified in the instruction file.
In this way, the program is downloaded for each business application.

[Instruction file acquisition destination information and instruction file: FIG. 6]
Next, an example of instruction file acquisition destination information stored in the client device 6 and an instruction file stored in the download server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of instruction file acquisition destination information stored in the client device 6 and an instruction file stored in the download server 1.
The instruction file acquisition destination information stored in the client device 6 is indicated as “initial (default)” in FIG. 6, but the initial IP address (XXX.XXX.XXX) is information common to all the client devices 6. .XXX), initial folder (/ initial, / common or / (no specification), etc.), initial port (20/21), initial ID / password (XXX / 111) are stored in the storage unit of the client device 6 ing.
As described above, even if access is made using common information, different download files are obtained for each business application by changing the contents of the instruction file.

  Therefore, the instruction file stored in the download server 1 includes, for each business application, information for acquiring a download file such as a corresponding client ID, IP address, folder, port, ID / password, program name, program Information of the program to be downloaded such as the number of files and the name of the combined file, information specifying the transmission interval (“interval” in the figure), and the folder name and location of the result folder for uploading the download result are stored. FIG. 6 shows instruction files corresponding to two types of business applications, client (01-TYPE) and client (02-TYPE).

Here, the program name is the name of the program to be downloaded, and the number of program files is the number of program files (.exe files) included in the program. The combined file name is described as “AAA / BBB: AAA.exe” in the client (01-TYPE), which means “AAA and BBB are combined into AAA.exe”. In the example of the client (02-TYPE), the combined file name is not described, indicating that there is no connection.
The transmission interval of 3600 means that one file is transmitted in 3600 seconds (1 hour).

  As a result, the system downloads a new program according to the contents of the instruction file by accessing the instruction file in which the IP address and port are designated using the initial setting value of the instruction file acquisition destination information from the client device 6. Or uploading update results.

  In particular, since a mechanism dedicated to each business application is not required, even when a new business application is introduced, if the instruction file corresponding to the new business application is described and a download file is prepared, the contents of the server on the center side can be changed. Since the download process can be performed in the same way as the business application up to now without changing the client side only by changing, the efficiency of the download process can be improved.

[Effect of the embodiment]
According to the program download system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the download server 1 provided on the center side includes the presence / absence of the program to be downloaded, the location of the download file storing the program to be downloaded, and the program The client device 6 stores the instruction file acquisition information for accessing the instruction file as an initial setting, and based on the instruction file acquisition information If there is a program to be downloaded by referring to the instruction file corresponding to the application, the instruction file is downloaded, the corresponding download file is downloaded according to the instruction file, the program is stored, switching processing is performed, and the instruction file is downloaded. The program update results are uploaded to a location corresponding to the business application according to the file, and the specifications related to downloading can be easily set or changed on the center side by describing the specifications related to the download in the instruction file for each business application. Even if the application is different, download processing can be performed in a common sequence just by changing the contents of the instruction file, and the update status can be collectively managed for each business application on the center side. There is an effect that efficiency and convenience can be improved.

  Furthermore, even when a new business application is introduced, if an instruction file and a download file are created on the center side, the same download server 1 can be used for downloading with the same mechanism without changing the client side. Therefore, there is an effect that a special program or the like is not required and download processing can be realized at low cost.

  Further, in this system, a flag indicating whether or not there is a program to be downloaded is stored in the instruction file, and the client device 6 can download the instruction file only when there is a program to be downloaded. There is an effect that can be avoided.

  The present invention is suitable for a program download system in which programs can be downloaded and processed efficiently by a common mechanism even if business applications are different, and the download status can be collectively managed on the server side.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a program download system (this system) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a download server 1. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a client device 6. FIG. It is a model explanatory drawing which shows the download method of this system. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the download process for every business application of this system. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example of instruction file acquisition destination information stored in the client device 6 and an instruction file stored in the download server 1.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Application download server, 2 ... Various business servers / gateways, 3 ... Center side network, 4 ... Router and TA, 5 ... L2 switch, client apparatus, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Main memory, 13 ... Storage part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Instruction file area, 15 ... Download file area, 16 ... Download status area, 17 ... Interface part, 61 ... Control part, 62 ... Main memory, 63 ... Memory | storage part, 64 ... Display part, 65 ... Input part, 66 ... Interface part

Claims (1)

A program download system comprising: a plurality of client devices that execute business applications; and a download server that is connected to the plurality of client devices via a network and provides a program for business applications to the client devices,
The download server stores an instruction file for specifying a storage location of a program to be downloaded, and a download file for storing a program to be downloaded;
The client device stores initial information for accessing the instruction file, uses the initial information to access the download server, downloads an instruction file corresponding to the business application, and A program download system which stores a program by downloading a designated download file based on an instruction file.

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