JP2010237752A - Remote starting apparatus, remote starting method, and remote starting program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce an access frequency of a remote staring apparatus when a mail server is under a heavy load so as to maintain an operational feeling for a user who uses e-mail software. <P>SOLUTION: A remote starting apparatus makes an inquiry about the presence/absence of starting request e-mail to an e-mail server at predetermined time intervals, and extends the predetermined time interval if a response time for an inquiry about the starting request e-mail to the e-mail server is a threshold or more. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for reducing the load on a mail server in a remote activation device that remotely activates using mail.

  A technology has been realized in which a user who is away from home uses a terminal such as a notebook personal computer to remotely start an information processing apparatus in a home via a public network such as the Internet.

  By the way, in order to accept a request for remote activation of a home information processing apparatus from a user's terminal outside the office, it is necessary to open a router port to the public network.

  However, if an arbitrary port is opened to the public network, the risk of receiving unauthorized access through the opened port increases.

  Therefore, without opening any port to the public network, let the home information processing device access the mail server at predetermined time intervals, and remotely start the information processing device from the mail stored in the mail server. When a requested control mail is searched, there is one that activates the information processing apparatus based on information included in the control mail.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 discloses a remote control for making a program recording reservation based on information included in an e-mail when the e-mail requesting the recording reservation is searched by accessing a mail server at a predetermined time interval. A reservation recording system is disclosed.

JP 2007-5962 A

  By the way, if the remote activation device repeatedly accesses the mail server at a predetermined time interval, the load on the mail server increases, and other mail servers are accessed via mail software for sending and receiving e-mail. The user may not be able to send and receive mail correctly.

This will be described more specifically. Ordinary mail software is generally set to access the mail server about once every five minutes. On the other hand, the remote activation device accesses the mail server at a frequency higher than that of the mail software, such as about once every 20 seconds, in order to accept a connection request to the information processing apparatus in the house in real time. Then, for example, access to the mail server increases during the time when there are many users who send and receive mail at home, such as at night on weekdays. However, due to frequent access requests to the mail server by remote activation devices, The load increases.
When the load on the mail server increases in this way, when a user using mail software tries to send or receive mail, the mail server's mail send / receive processing is delayed or cannot be processed. , The feeling of operation is very bad for users who use mail software. Further, there is a problem that the real-time property is impaired also for the remote activation processing, and the operation feeling is deteriorated for the user who makes the remote activation request.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the access frequency of the remote activation device when the load on the mail server is high, and to maintain the operational feeling of the user who uses the mail software and the remote activation processing.

  The first remote activation device of the present invention is a remote activation device that inquires of a mail server whether or not there is an activation request mail at a predetermined time interval. The remote activation device responds to an inquiry of an activation request mail to the mail server. When the response time is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the predetermined time interval is lengthened.

  The second remote activation device of the present invention further includes the predetermined time interval when the response time to the inquiry of the activation request mail to the mail server becomes less than a threshold value after extending the predetermined time interval. It is characterized by shortening.

  A third remote activation device according to the present invention is a remote activation device that inquires of a mail server whether or not there is an activation request mail at a predetermined time interval. The remote activation device responds to an inquiry about an activation request mail to the mail server. A measuring means for measuring response time; a determining means for determining whether the response time measured by the measuring means is greater than or equal to a threshold; and when the response time is greater than or equal to the threshold by the determining means, the predetermined time interval is increased. And a first access control means.

  The fourth remote activation device of the present invention further includes the predetermined time interval when the first access control means makes the predetermined time interval longer and then the response time becomes less than a threshold value. A second access control means for shortening is provided.

  A first remote activation method of the present invention is a remote activation method of a remote activation device that inquires of a mail server about activation request mails at predetermined time intervals, and the remote activation method includes an activation request to the mail server. A measurement step for measuring a response time to an email inquiry; a determination step for determining whether the response time measured in the measurement step is greater than or equal to a threshold; and the predetermined time when the response time is greater than or equal to the threshold by the determination means And a first access control step for increasing the interval.

  The second remote activation method of the present invention further includes the predetermined time interval when the response time becomes less than a threshold value after the predetermined time interval is lengthened by the first access control step. And a second access control step for shortening.

  A first remote activation program of the present invention is a remote activation program of a remote activation device that inquires of a mail server about activation request mails at predetermined time intervals, and the remote activation program is an activation request to the mail server. A measurement step for measuring a response time to an email inquiry; a determination step for determining whether the response time measured in the measurement step is greater than or equal to a threshold; and the predetermined time when the response time is greater than or equal to the threshold by the determination means And a first access control step for increasing the interval.

  The second remote activation program according to the present invention further includes the predetermined time interval when the response time becomes less than a threshold value after the predetermined time interval is lengthened by the first access control step. And a second access control step for shortening.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, when the load of a mail server is high, the remote start-up apparatus can be provided which reduces the access frequency of a remote start-up apparatus and maintains the operation feeling of the user who uses mail software, and a remote start-up process. .

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the information processing apparatus of embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the remote control system of embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the remote control system of embodiment of this invention.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a remote control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the remote control system includes a client terminal 10, a remote control device 20, a mail server 30, a router 40, a server device 50, and the Internet 1000.

  The client terminal 10 transmits an email including information requesting connection to the remote control device 20 via the Internet 1000. The remote control device 20 repeats access to the mail server 30 in order to confirm whether or not there is a mail requesting connection to the remote control device 20 at a predetermined time interval (for example, once every 20 seconds).

  First, the outline of the remote control system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. This remote control system determines the time from when the remote control device 20 inquires of the mail to the mail server 30 until the response is returned. When the time taken for the response and the response is equal to or greater than the threshold, the access frequency is reduced by increasing the time interval for inquiring the mail server 30. Furthermore, the remote picture control system according to the embodiment of the present invention shortens the time interval for inquiring the mail server 30 when the response time is less than the threshold. Details will be described below.

  The client terminal 10 is a terminal with which a user accesses the server device 50 via the Internet 1000, and is normally operated outside the home.

  The client terminal 10 has a control unit 11. The control unit 11 logically includes the remote control unit 12 by executing a program stored in the recording medium. The remote control means 12 may be configured with dedicated hardware.

  The remote control device 20 includes a control unit 21 and a timer unit 24. The control unit 21 logically includes a mail server monitoring unit 22 and an access control unit 23 by executing a program stored in a recording medium. The mail server monitoring unit 22 and the access control unit 23 may be configured with dedicated hardware. The timer unit 24 is a mechanism for allowing the access control unit 23 to measure the time from when an inquiry is made to the mail server 30 until the response is received. The remote control device 20 is in a state where the power is always turned on.

  The mail server 30 is a server device provided with software for delivering electronic mail.

  The router 40 is a relay device for interconnecting the local area network in which the remote control device 20 exists and the external Internet 1000.

  The server device 50 is a server that is activated by the remote control device 20. When receiving the activation request from the client terminal 10, the remote control device 20 transmits a packet instructing activation, such as a magic packet, to the server device 50. Note that in order to activate the server device 50 with a magic packet, the server device 50 needs to include a network interface card, an operating system, and the like that are compatible with Wake on LAN (WOL) technology.

  The Internet 1000 is a computer network.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 2, first, the mail server monitoring unit 22 transmits a signal for inquiring whether a mail requesting activation of the remote control device 20 has arrived to the mail server 30 (step S101).

  When an inquiry is made in step S101, a POP (Post Office Protocol) server of the mail server 30 transmits a response signal to the remote control device 20 (step S102).

  When a response signal from the mail server is transmitted in step S102, the mail server monitoring means 22 receives the signal. Note that the timer unit 24 measures the time required from step S101 to step S102.

  Next, the mail server monitoring unit 22 determines whether or not the time required from step S101 to step S102 measured by the timer unit 24 is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S103).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the measurement time is equal to or greater than the threshold (step S103 / YES), it is determined that the load on the mail server 30 is high, and the access control unit 23 determines that the mail server 30 T, which is the time indicating the waiting time until the inquiry is made, is increased by n seconds (step S104).

  More specifically, if the value of T is 20 seconds in the initial setting, it is increased by 10 seconds and changed to 30 seconds. In addition, the value of T in the embodiment of the present invention is an example, and the value of T is not limited.

  If it is determined in step S103 that the measurement time is less than the threshold (step S103 / NO), the access control unit 23 does not change the value of T.

  When the value of T is changed in step S104, or when the measurement time is determined to be less than the threshold value and the value of T is not changed in step S103, in either case, the process of the next step S105 Proceed to

  In step S105, the timer unit 24 waits for the time indicated by the value of T and returns to the process of step S101 again (step S105).

  In the embodiment of the present invention, only one threshold is set, but a plurality of thresholds may be set. Specifically, when the measurement time is determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold, the value of T is changed to 30 seconds, and when the measurement time is determined to be equal to or greater than the second threshold, Change the value to 40 seconds.

  The measurement time may also take into account the network communication speed between the router 40 and the mail server 30. That is, by measuring the communication speed, it is determined whether the reason for delaying the time until the response from the mail server 30 is received is due to the load of the mail server 30 or the delay of the network communication speed.

  For example, in order to measure the communication speed after the process of step S103, the mail server monitoring unit 22 transmits a predetermined packet for determining the communication speed delay to the mail server 30 and sends a response. We will measure the time to receive. If the time until the packet is received is less than the threshold, the network communication speed is not delayed, and the measurement time is delayed due to the load on the mail server 30. Judging from this, the value of T may be changed longer.

  Further, if the response signal transmitted in step S102 does not reach the remote control device 20 even after a predetermined time (eg, timeout time T2), it is determined that the mail server 30 is down. Then, the process may return to step S101 again (retry may be performed).

  Next, referring to FIG. 3, when the value of T is changed in step S104 described above, the value of T is changed to an initial setting value (for example, the value of T changed to 30 seconds is changed). The operation of returning to the initial setting of 20 seconds) will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 3, first, the mail server monitoring unit 22 transmits a signal for inquiring whether a mail requesting activation of the remote control device 20 has arrived to the mail server 30 (step S201).

  When an inquiry is made in step S201, a POP (Post Office Protocol) server of the mail server 30 transmits a response signal to the remote control device 20 (step S202).

  When a response signal from the mail server is transmitted in step S202, the mail server monitoring means 22 receives the signal. Note that the timer unit 24 measures the time required from step S201 to step S202.

  Next, the mail server monitoring unit 22 determines whether or not the time required from step S201 to step S202 measured by the timer unit 24 is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S203).

  If it is determined in step S203 that the measurement time is less than the threshold (step S203 / YES), it is determined that the high load state of the mail server 30 has decreased to the normal load state, and access control is performed. The means 23 shortens T, which is the time indicating the waiting time interval until the next inquiry is made, by n seconds (step S204).

  More specifically, if the value of T is 30 seconds, the value is shortened by 10 seconds and changed to 20 seconds. In addition, the value of T in the embodiment of the present invention is an example, and the value of T is not limited.

  If it is determined in step S203 that the measurement time is equal to or greater than the threshold (step S203 / NO), the access control unit 23 does not change the value of T.

  When the value of T is changed in step S204, or when the measurement time is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value and the value of T is not changed in step S203, the process of the next step S205 is performed in any case. Proceed to

  In step S205, the timer unit 24 waits for the time indicated by the value of T and returns to the process of step S201 again (step S205).

  In the embodiment of the present invention, only one threshold is set, but a plurality of thresholds may be set. Specifically, when the measurement time is determined to be equal to or greater than the first threshold, the value of T is changed to 30 seconds, and when the measurement time is determined to be equal to or greater than the second threshold, Change the value to 40 seconds.

  Note that if the response signal transmitted in step S202 does not reach the remote control device 20 even after a predetermined time (for example, the timeout time T2), it is determined that the mail server 30 is down. And you may make it return to the process of step S201 again.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the remote control device 20 has been described as an independent device. However, the microcomputer incorporated in the information processing device (more specifically, the router 40, the server device 50, etc.) is incorporated. It may be hardware such as a device.

  Further, although not described in detail in the embodiment of the present invention, the remote control means 12 makes an activation request to the remote control device 20 by transmitting an activation request mail.

  The remote control device 20 inquires of the mail server 30 about the presence or absence of the activation request mail at a predetermined time interval. If the activation request mail exists, the remote control device 20 determines a predetermined information processing device (server) based on the activation request mail. The apparatus 50) is activated using, for example, WOL (Wake-On-LAN).

  With the above processing, when the load on the mail server is high, it is possible to reduce the frequency of inquiries about the activation request mail from the remote control device, and not to deteriorate the operational feeling for other users who use the mail software. In addition, the operational feeling is not deteriorated in the remote activation process.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Client terminal 11 Control part 12 Remote control means 20 Remote control apparatus 21 Control part 22 Mail server monitoring means 23 Access control means 24 Timer part 30 Mail server 40 Router 50 Server apparatus 51 Control part 1000 Internet

Claims (8)

A remote activation device that inquires of a mail server about activation request mails at predetermined time intervals,
The remote activation device is characterized in that the predetermined time interval is lengthened when a response time to an inquiry of an activation request mail to the mail server is a threshold value or more.   The said predetermined time interval is shortened when the response time with respect to the inquiry of the start request | requirement mail to the said mail server becomes less than a threshold value after lengthening the said predetermined time interval. Remote activation device. A remote activation device that inquires of a mail server about activation request mails at predetermined time intervals,
The remote activation device, measuring means for measuring a response time to an inquiry of an activation request mail to the mail server;
Determining means for determining whether the response time measured by the measuring means is greater than or equal to a threshold;
A remote activation device comprising: a first access control unit configured to increase the predetermined time interval when the response time is equal to or greater than a threshold by the determination unit.   The remote activation device further reduces the predetermined time interval when the response time becomes less than a threshold value after the first access control means increases the predetermined time interval. 4. The remote activation device according to claim 3, further comprising access control means. A remote activation method for a remote activation device that inquires of a mail server whether or not there is an activation request mail at a predetermined time interval,
The remote activation method includes a measurement step for measuring a response time to an inquiry about an activation request mail to the mail server;
A determination step for determining whether the response time measured in the measurement step is equal to or greater than a threshold;
And a first access control step of increasing the predetermined time interval when the response time is equal to or greater than a threshold by the determination means.   The remote activation method further includes a second step of shortening the predetermined time interval when the response time becomes less than a threshold after the predetermined time interval is lengthened by the first access control step. 6. The remote activation method according to claim 5, further comprising: an access control step. A remote activation program for a remote activation device that inquires of a mail server whether or not there is an activation request mail at predetermined time intervals,
The remote activation program is a measurement step for measuring a response time to an inquiry about an activation request mail to the mail server;
A determination step for determining whether the response time measured in the measurement step is equal to or greater than a threshold;
A remote activation program comprising: a first access control step for extending the predetermined time interval when the response time is greater than or equal to a threshold by the determination means.   The remote activation program further reduces the predetermined time interval when the response time becomes less than a threshold after the predetermined time interval is lengthened by the first access control step. 8. The remote start program according to claim 7, further comprising: an access control step.

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