JP4365289B2 - Information disclosure client, information disclosure system, and information disclosure method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and a system for guaranteeing fairness in time when communication is performed with the same reference time via a communication network.

The following method has been studied and used as a communication method for disclosing / displaying information from a server for a large number of clients connected in a distributed manner on a network.
1) A system in which a server delivers the same data to a client using unicast, multicast, or broadcast communication.
When a predetermined data delivery time is reached, the server transmits the same data to the client as a data delivery target using unicast, multicast, or broadcast. The client that has received the data from the server by the above cast communication discloses the data to the user. Usually, this communication method is used for broadcasting (moving image or audio distribution) using a network.
2) A system in which a server delivers data to individual clients when a data delivery request is issued from the client to the server by unicast communication.
Each client transmits a data delivery request to the server, and delivers data to each client from the server that received the request. Normally, this communication method is used in various application systems such as Web browsing (http).
Here, using these methods, we will consider the construction of online trading systems such as stocks. In the online transaction system constructed here, it is assumed that a general-purpose personal computer and general-purpose software such as a web browser operating on the general-purpose personal computer are used as clients connected for use in transactions. The network used for connection between each client and server is assumed to be a wide area network composed of an unspecified number of organizations such as the Internet (Internet service providers and other connected organizations). As a system, the same data such as price information delivered from the server is disclosed to the user at a timing that greatly reduces the error of the disclosure time (time), resulting in inequality in the information disclosure between users. Extreme care must be taken not to

First, when an online transaction system is to be constructed using the method 1), it is assumed that unicast communication is used between the server and the client. This is because, on a wide area network composed of an unspecified number of organizations, a transfer method for communication and a method for constructing a distribution tree have not been established, and it is considered impossible to apply multicast communication. In addition, the broadcast communication method cannot be applied due to the suppression of the amount of data flowing on the network and the suppression of the network load.
Therefore, unicast communication is premised, but in that case the number of clients connected to the server is very large, and it is unknown where each individual client connected exists in the network. Even if the same data is delivered to each client at the same time, it is unlikely that the data will arrive at each client at the same time due to the retention of the transfer data on the network. As a result, it is predicted that there will be an opening at the time of data disclosure between clients, and that inequality will occur for users.
Next, when trying to construct an online transaction system using the method of 2), since the server sends delivery data based on the data delivery request from each client used by the user, In order to maintain fairness, it is necessary to control the timing of issuing data delivery requests between clients. However, the general-purpose software currently used does not provide a method for controlling the timing of issuing a data delivery request between clients. At present, the issue timing of the next data delivery request is controlled by a general-purpose timer operating in each client. Therefore, when a user using a client adjusts the general-purpose timer, it is possible to issue a data delivery request and obtain data earlier than other clients. That is, it is expected that inequality may occur with respect to other users. Even if such a malicious user does not exist and the adjustment of the general-purpose timer operating in each client using the time synchronization mechanism between the clients, the network between the clients If a delay occurs in time-synchronized communication due to an increase in network distance or network load, an error occurs in the general-purpose timer operating in the client. As a result, the timing of issuing the data delivery request from each client is shifted, the timing of data delivery from the server is shifted, that is, the timing of data disclosure is shifted, and the occurrence of inequality is expected for the use user. .

In order to solve these problems, “Reception Protocol Device, Broadcast Message Transmitting Device and Transmission / Reception Protocol Device” in Patent Document 1 and “Disclosure Time Designation Type Communication System and Disclosure Time Designation Type Communication System” in Patent Literature 2. Has been proposed.
In this patent document 1, broadcast communication (multicast communication) is used to match broadcast message reception times with no difference in transmission delay on the network or probabilistic message delivery delay due to retransmission, and from the user's point of view. A reception protocol in which the message transmission time (the time when an application passes a message to the broadcast protocol device) is correctly reflected in the reception order in other reception devices, and fairness of message delivery time is obtained between the transmission and reception devices. It is an object to obtain a device, a broadcast message transmission device, and a transmission / reception protocol device.
The operation method (communication method) of the disclosed technique is as follows.
11) The data transmitting side terminal transmits data to the receiving terminal group by multicast. Thereafter, a timer is started inside the transmitting terminal.
12) When receiving data transmitted by multicast from the transmitting terminal, each receiving terminal returns an acknowledgment (ACK) to the transmitting terminal.

13) The transmitting terminal waits for ACK from all terminals in the receiving terminal group, and if there is no ACK reply from all the receiving terminals before the timer started inside itself times out, it returns to the first 11) for reprocessing. To do. When ACK is received from all receiving terminals, the process proceeds to the next 14).
14) The transmitting terminal determines a data release time (disclosure time) of data transmitted to the receiving terminal group by multicast, transmits the data to the receiving terminal group by multicast, and then starts a timer internally.
15) Each receiving terminal that has received the disclosure time by multicast from the transmission terminal returns an ACK to the transmission terminal, and simultaneously sets the disclosure time specified as the timeout value and starts an internal timer.
16) The transmitting terminal knows the completion of the communication process when ACK is returned from all receiving terminals. If no ACK is returned from a certain terminal in the receiving terminal group, a new disclosure time is again transmitted to the receiving terminal group by multicast until the disclosure time determined in 14) above.
17) On the receiving terminal side, when the timer started in the above 15) times out, that is, when the data release time is reached, the data received in advance by each receiving terminal is decoded and the upper layer is notified. . If a new disclosure time is received from the sending terminal by multicast before the internal timer times out, the process returns to 15) and the process is repeated.
As described above, according to the disclosed technology, there is no influence of transfer delay caused by retention of transfer data, which may occur depending on where the receiving terminal exists in the network. The timing of data disclosure is the same.

Next, Patent Document 2 describes a disclosed time designation communication method and system when a sender wants to keep the contents of data confidential to a receiver until a specific time. In the disclosed technology, an asynchronous transfer network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or the Internet and a synchronous transfer network such as a dedicated line, ATM-CBR, ISDN, TV broadcasting terrestrial wave, PHS (registered trademark), or GPS are combined. Describes the method and system for specifying the data disclosure time. As its technology, pre-encrypted data is transmitted in advance from the sender to the receiver via the asynchronous transfer network, and then the composite key of the data encrypted by the synchronous transmission network is sent to the receiver at the time intended by the sender. Send. Thus, the sender designates the data disclosure time of the receiver.
JP 10-32573 A JP 2001-53740 A

According to the prior art and the device of Patent Document 1, it is shown that the same data is transmitted from the sender to the receiver group by multicast communication, and the data disclosure time is also transmitted to the receiver group by multicast. However, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, the use of multicast communication is mentioned, but the target is not specified for the target network for multicast communication. In the case of an intranet composed of a single organization, it is easy to determine and set multicast delivery settings and delivery tree determination methods for connected devices (such as routers) that make up the network. . However, in the case of a network such as the Internet that consists of multiple organizations, the settings for delivery and the method for determining the delivery tree differ between organizations, and there are also organizations that deny transfer of multicast communication data. To do. In the case of such a network, there is a problem that it is impossible to control the data disclosure timing between the receiver terminal groups according to the disclosed technique.
In recent online transaction system construction, extremely general-purpose type hardware and software connected to a network are used. In this case, when the disclosed technology is applied, there is a problem that a large-scale improvement is required particularly for the software (a protocol stack that controls communication processing and a communication application that actually performs communication in the user layer).

Further, according to the apparatus of Patent Document 2, both an asynchronous transfer network and a synchronous transfer network are arranged between terminals on the transmission side and the reception side, data is sent in advance through the asynchronous transfer network, and data disclosure time is received in the synchronous transmission network. It is sent to the person. The disclosed technique does not particularly disclose a method for transmitting data in advance in an asynchronous transfer network. It is conceivable that unicast communication is used between the transmission side and the reception side. According to unicast communication, it is considered that the network between the transmission side and the reception side operates without problems even in a configuration of a plurality of organizations. In addition, since data is transmitted in advance using an asynchronous transfer network, the network load may be suppressed by adjusting transmission timing. However, it is necessary to use a synchronous transfer network in order to notify the time of data disclosure to the receiving side. If a transmission medium that performs one-to-one communication is used in the synchronous transfer network, the number of receiving terminals increases. There is a problem that it is necessary to increase the number of lines and connection devices. This is costly and troublesome for installation and management / maintenance.
In addition, when using one-to-many communication, it is necessary to install a dedicated receiving device on the receiving side, which requires costs for installation and management / maintenance. Also, if only one-way information transmission from the transmitting side to the receiving side, such as TV broadcast terrestrial waves or GPS, can be performed on the synchronous transfer network, even if the receiving side fails to receive the signal due to some trouble, Since there is no method for notifying the reception failure and there is no recovery measure on the receiving side alone, there is a problem that unfairness regarding data disclosure occurs between users, resulting in a problem as a system.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in a system in which many clients are distributedly connected on a network, general-purpose hardware and software (programs) and a network composed of a set of different organizations are provided. And a device and method that eliminates unfairness among users who use the client by disclosing data from the server to each client at the same time by minimizing the difference in disclosure timing between the clients. Furthermore, an apparatus and a system are obtained in which the server obtains client information with the initiative and the server can actively adjust the time between clients.

The information disclosure client according to the present invention has an additional software internal timer function unit serving as an operation reference therein, and is located between a browser having a user interface and a network, and the server and the first and second via the network. With an additional software execution unit that establishes a unicast connection
The additional software execution unit transmits a data delivery request from the browser to the server at a predetermined time, receives corresponding delivery data from the server via the first unicast connection, and temporarily stores the delivery data. The server time by the second unicast connection from the server and the time for disclosing the corresponding distribution data are set in the additional software internal timer function unit, and the disclosure set by the additional software internal timer function unit The corresponding distribution data is transmitted to the browser when the time is reached.

  As described above, the present invention establishes the first and second unicast connections, sets the time from the server in the additional software internal timer function unit, and discloses the data at that time. In addition, there is an effect that data can be disclosed based on the server time as a standard.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
A distribution server and system having time fairness for clients connected by a network of a plurality of organizations that are universally used instead of multicast communication with many restrictions will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information disclosure system including a client and a network according to the present embodiment. In this figure, a server 101 is connected to a client 102 (for information disclosure) via a wide area network 107 represented by the Internet constructed by a plurality of organizations. A plurality of clients are connected to the wide area network 107, but only one is shown in the figure for the sake of simplicity. In addition, since the data transfer method in the wide area network 107 is performed by a well-known technique, description of the subsequent data transmission is omitted.
As an internal configuration of the client 102, there is a processor (not shown) and a memory for storing the following additional software and browser, for example. First, the additional software execution unit 103 reads the contents of the additional software by this processor and executes the read operation. The additional software execution unit 103 is connected to the server 101 through the connection A 108 and the connection B 109 using the wide area network 107. In the additional software execution unit 103, there is an additional software internal timer function unit 104 that obtains a timer function by accumulating a reference time from a predetermined start time by the processor, and in the client 102 there is another start time. From there, there is a client internal timer 105 that accumulates the reference time. The additional software execution unit 103 and the browser 106 having a function of displaying various information to the user are connected by a connection C110. In the drawing, the additional software execution unit 103 is arranged to execute a virtual proxy that operates in the client 102, but may be arranged to execute a plug-in program incorporated in the browser 106 in advance. In this case, the operation and effect are the same as the execution of the virtual proxy in FIG. The connection A 108 and connection B 109 between the server 101 and the additional software execution unit 103 in the client 102 are established by unicast communication. A connection C110 between the additional software execution unit 103 in the client 102 and the browser 106 is also established by unicast.

The processing operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
(1) First, in processing 151, the additional software execution unit 103 on the client 102 establishes a connection C 110 with the server 101 in advance between the connection A 108 and the connection B 109 and the browser 106.
(2) Next, when the browser 106 transmits a data delivery request to the server 101 via the additional software execution unit 103, the additional software execution unit 103 temporarily sends the data delivery request from the browser 106 inside in step 152. accumulate. Then, for the contents of the request data, the consistency of necessary data such as the request destination server, the request source program, and the request contents is checked. Thereafter, a delivery request is transmitted to the server 101 via the connection A108.
(3) When the server 101 receives a data delivery request from the browser 106 via the additional software execution unit 103 via the connection A 108, the server 101 connects to the additional software execution unit 103 in processing 153 based on the data delivery request. The requested data is returned via A108. At the same time, the current server time and data disclosure time are transmitted to the additional software execution unit 103 of the client via the connection B109.

(4) In process 154, the additional software execution unit 103 accumulates the data returned via the connection A 108 and stores the data returned therein using the connection time B109 and the data disclosure time. The additional software internal timer function unit 104 is set to operate the received server time.
(5) Thereafter, in process 155, when the time set in the additional software internal timer function unit 104 reaches the data disclosure time, the data stored up to that time is delivered to the browser 106 via the connection C110.
(6) In processing 156, based on the data received from the additional software execution unit 103 via the connection C110, the browser 106 displays the data. As a result, information is disclosed to the user.
With this operation, it becomes possible to control the time for the server 101 to disclose the information in response to the data delivery request from the browser 106 on the client 102.
The server 101 can perform the same processing on a client having the same function as the client 102 connected to the network system to guarantee the information disclosure simultaneity between the clients, and the server It is also possible to specify the time control finely and individually for each state.

In the present embodiment, an operation for confirming that the user is an authorized user will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of performing such regular user authentication. The configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but the server 101B has an authentication database 111 that stores a list of regular users. ing. Similarly to the client 102, the server 101 has a memory that stores a processor (not shown) and a program for executing a server function. Then, the following operation is performed with reference to the authentication database 111 as necessary. For example, the collation operation between the data stored in the database and the transmitted data is a normal operation.

In FIG. 3, the part which has a difference in operation | movement with FIG. 2 is mainly demonstrated.
The process 151 of (1) is the same as that in FIG.
(2) In process 251, the additional software execution unit 103b receives the data delivery request from the browser 106, temporarily accumulates it, and checks the consistency of the data of the request destination server, request source program, request content, etc. To do. Thereafter, a data transmission request is transmitted through the connection A 108, and user authentication information set in the client 102b in advance is transmitted through the connection B 109. Here, the authentication information refers to information uniquely managed in the system such as a user identifier (ID) and a password determined in advance in the system.
(3) In process 252, the server 101b matches the user authentication information sent from the additional software execution unit 103b with that in the regular user authentication database 111 in the server 101b, and the user has authority to use the system. It is determined whether or not the user is a regular user. If it is determined that the user is not an authorized user, the data delivery request sent from the additional software execution unit 103b is rejected and the subsequent processing is interrupted.
When it is confirmed that the user is an authorized user, the following processing 153, processing 154, processing 155, and processing 156 are executed. However, since this operation is the same as that in FIG.

With the configuration and operation described above, it is authenticated whether the user using the client 102b is registered as a regular user, so that the security of the system can be improved.
In the process 251, the additional software execution unit 103b of the client 102b transmits the data delivery request and the authentication information at the same time, but sends only the authentication information to the server 101b first through the connection B109, and after the authentication processing, After being determined as a user, a data transmission request may be sent via the connection A108.
In addition, as the authentication information, the user ID and password are set in the client 102b in advance. However, the user may individually input them during authentication. Further, an ID and a password may be assigned to the client 102b to be used instead of the user.

In the present embodiment, an operation for accurately adjusting the time of the client to the time of the server will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of setting the time, and the configuration is the same as the configuration shown in FIG.
In FIG. 4, operations different from those in FIG. 2 will be described.
The processing 151, processing 152, and processing 153 are the same as the processing in FIG.
(4) Next, in process 351, the additional software execution unit 103c sets the server time received from the server 101c in the client internal timer 105 in the client 102c. In this way, the time held by the client internal timer 105 is corrected.
The subsequent series of processing 154, processing 155, and processing 156 is the same as the processing in FIG.
With this operation, in addition to the basic operation, the client internal timer 105 in the client 102c can be set to the correct time held by the server 101c, and no additional software other than the software used in the present invention is required. Furthermore, other software on the client 102c operating based on the time held by the client internal timer 105 can be operated based on the server time.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The safety of the system according to this configuration will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining safety in the system having the configuration of FIG. The server 101d manages connection ports of connection A and connection B with the client 102 of the authorized user. An operation when an unauthorized user other than a regular user tries to connect to a member system via the connection X via the wide area network 107 by a terminal 401 other than a participating member will be described with reference to FIG.

First, an operation in which the server 101d recognizes the regular user client 102 will be described. The regular user client 102 is connected to the server 101d via the connection A 108 and the connection B 109 according to the procedure described in the first embodiment. When connecting to the server 101d via these connections A108 and B109, the connection is established in such a manner that the connection port number on the server 101d side is explicitly specified.
Here, when the port number for the connection of the connection A 108 and the connection B 109 by the server 101 d is information that only the additional software execution unit 103 in the server 101 d and the client 102 can know, it is not a participant who does not know the port number information. The connection X402 to be connected to the terminal 401 cannot be connected to the server 101d.

Further, consider a case in which only the port number relating to the connection for transmitting and receiving data transfer requests and data corresponding thereto is made public among the port numbers at which the server 101d accepts connection A108 and connection B109. In that case, the connection X402 to which the terminal 401 other than the member is trying to connect tries to connect to the public port number, but there is no connection to the other port number that has not been made public. The server 101d can recognize that the connection from the terminal 401 other than the member is not an access from a regular client. The connection X402 is rejected.
According to this configuration and operation, in addition to the above-described embodiments, either or both of the port numbers used for the connection A 108 and the connection B 109 connected between the client 102 and the server 101d are managed. By keeping secret, the connection X402 from the terminal 401 other than the regular member is rejected, and there is an effect of improving the security of the system. Furthermore, the port number used for the connection between the client 102 and the server 101d can be changed at regular intervals or at random intervals to further enhance the security of the system.

An operation that improves the safety of another system in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another operation in which the server 101e recognizes a regular user. Although the configuration is the same as in FIG. 1, the server 101e manages connection ports A and B of the regular user client 102. In FIG. 6, a case where a terminal 401 other than the participant has a browser 106 similar to that of the regular client 102 inside, and is directly connected from the browser 106 to the server 101e using only the connection A108.

First, consider normal operation. The client 102 connects to the server 101e through the connection A 108 and the connection B 109 according to the procedure described above. These connections are established in such a manner that the connection port number on the server 101e side is explicitly specified. Among these, the connection port number of the connection A 108 is kept public, but the recognition that the connection A 108 is a regular client is determined by the presence / absence of simultaneous connection to the connection B 109 known only by the regular user.
In such a configuration, in the operation illustrated in FIG. 6, the server 101 e permits the connection itself even if there is a connection using only the connection A 108 from the terminal 401 other than the participating member.
A data transfer request and data are transferred from the server 101e via the connection A108. On the other hand, other data (such as authentication information and disclosure time information) is transferred via the connection B109. If the server 101e determines that the connected terminal is the client 102 used by the official user based on the presence / absence of connection by the connection B 109, the price information is disclosed, the timing of the disclosure is controlled, and the online transaction according to the disclosed price information is performed. Execute.

However, if the connected terminal is a terminal 401 other than a participating member, for example, only price information is disclosed. Price information disclosure timing control gives priority to the control of the client 102 used by the official user, and the price information cannot be referred to by the terminal 401 other than the participating member before the timing of permitting the client 102 to disclose. The data transmission timing is controlled on the server side. Specifically, when there is undisclosed price information data in the client 102, the data is not sent to the terminals 401 other than the participating members. In response to the data transfer request from the terminal 401 other than the participating member, the price data already disclosed by the client 102 at that time is transmitted.
In this way, it is possible to perform an operation in which price data is disclosed to terminals 401 other than participating members used by general (non-member) users and price data not disclosed to the client 102 is not sent to terminals 401 other than participating members. It becomes.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
A system for reducing the heavy load caused by simultaneous requests from clients will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the network system and server and the operation of the system in the present embodiment. In the figure, the server 101f includes a data transfer request reception queue 601 therein. Since other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

Next, the processing operation according to this configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
In the timely data transfer, there is a high possibility that data transfer requests generated simultaneously from the respective clients 102 arrive at the server 101f at the same time.
In processing 651, the server 101f temporarily accumulates in the data transfer request reception queue 601 the data transfer requests that have simultaneously arrived at the server 101f from each client 102.
Thereafter, in processing 652, a plurality of data transfer requests stored in the data transfer request reception queue 601 are sequentially processed, and the requested data is transmitted to each client 102. It should be noted that the processing operation from the client 102 to the server 101f to the data transfer request transmission through the connection A and the connection B and the data requested by the server 101f to each client 102 are matched with the disclosure time. The processing operation to be transmitted is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

  With this configuration, for the data transfer requests that simultaneously arrive from the clients 102 to the server 101f, the server 101f performs internal processing after temporarily accumulating these data transfer requests, thereby reducing the processing load on the server 101f, In addition, the communication load on the network with each client 102 can be reduced. In the description of the present embodiment, the data transfer request arrives at the server 101f simultaneously from each client 102. However, the arrival of data transfer requests from a plurality of clients 102 at the server 101f may be random. In addition, data transfer requests from a large number of clients 102 may arrive at the same time or at different timings. It is clear that both can reduce the server processing load and the network processing load.

The configuration and operation of other load processing reduction will be described. That is, this is a configuration and operation in which the time of data transfer from the client is designated in advance from the server.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation in the present embodiment. The configuration is the same as that in the first embodiment, but the distribution information to the client of the server 101g is different.

Next, this processing operation will be described with reference to FIG. The processing 151 and the processing 152 are the same as those in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted here.
(3) Next, in process 751, the server 101g delivers the data for the data delivery request received from the client 102 via the connection A108, and at the same time, the current server time, data disclosure time, and next data via the connection B109. Send the delivery request transmission specified time.
(4) In process 752, the additional software execution unit 103g accumulates the data returned via the connection A108 and adds the data based on the server time and the data disclosure time transmitted via the connection B109. The server time is set in the software internal timer function unit 104 to operate. At the same time, the next data delivery request transmission designated time transmitted via the connection B 109 is recorded internally.
Thereafter, processing 155 and processing 156 are performed, but since the processing contents are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

When a data delivery request is generated in the browser 106 next time, the data delivery request from the browser 106 is temporarily stored in the additional software execution unit 103g in processing 152, and then transmitted to the server via the connection A108. At this time, the additional software execution unit 103g suspends transmission of the data delivery request from the browser 106 until the next data delivery request transmission designated time stored in the additional software execution unit 103g in advance.
As a result, the data delivery request transmission timing from each client 102g can be controlled by the next data delivery request transmission designated time determined and transmitted by the server 101g to each client 102g in the previous process. Therefore, concentration of data delivery requests to the server 101g can be prevented to reduce the processing load, and the network communication load between the server and each client can be reduced.

A system that monitors client operations in addition to server and network load reduction will be described.
Hereinafter, a system for monitoring the operation of the client will be described with reference to FIG. 9 illustrating the operation. The configuration is the same as in FIG. 1, but the server 101 h periodically transmits a diagnostic message via the connection B 109. Correspondingly, the client reports.

Next, this processing operation will be described with reference to FIG. Note that a series of processing relating to a data transfer request from the client 102h to the server 101h and a series of processing relating to transmission of the requested data from the server 101h to the client 102h are the same as the operation procedure in the first embodiment. The description is omitted.
In processing step 851, the server 101h sends a diagnostic message periodically to the client 102h via the connection B109 simultaneously with these series of processes. The additional software execution unit 103h in the client 102h returns the internal state of the client 102h in response to the diagnostic message transmitted via the connection B109.
In this way, the server 101h grasps the current operation status of the client 102h, does nothing in the case of normal operation, and performs appropriate processing in the case of abnormal operation, thereby recovering from the abnormal operation to normal operation To do.

  Here, as information for the server 101h to grasp the operating status of the client 102h, for example, the operating status of the client 102h alone such as the CPU usage rate, memory usage rate, disk usage rate, etc. of the client 102h may be used. It may be the operational status of the client 102h such as the number of applications that have been started and the history of application activation and termination, or the operational status of the network such as the number of packets transmitted to the network and the number of packets received from the network. Information relating to a transaction system such as a transaction history up to now may be used, and which information is collected may be selected at the time of system design after sufficiently considering the nature of the transaction system actually operated. Further, when the abnormal operation of the client 102h is found as a result of the diagnostic communication, the client 102h is disconnected from the system to ensure the soundness of the operation of the entire system, or the failure of the client 102h is notified to the operator who manages the server 101h. It is possible to leave the recovery process to the operator and notify the user who uses the client 102h and other users who use the system that there is a failure in the system, and cooperate with the recovery process. A wide range of operations is possible, such as encouraging them to receive. In other words, it is possible to detect the abnormal operation early by grasping the operation status of the client, and it is possible to operate in a form that minimizes the influence on the system.

Predetermined operation can be confirmed by a message from the client instead of a diagnostic message from the server.
Hereinafter, another predetermined operation monitoring system in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining such another monitoring processing operation, and the configuration is the same as FIG. 1 of the first embodiment. As a new function, the additional software execution unit 103i periodically transmits an operation information message to the server 101i.

Next, this processing operation will be described with reference to FIG.
A series of processing relating to a data transfer request from the client 102i to the server 101i and a series of processing relating to data transmission from the server 101i to the client 102i are performed according to the operation procedure described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. To do.
Simultaneously with these series of processes, in processing step 951, the additional software execution unit 103i in the client 102i periodically transmits an operation information message of the client 102i to the server 101i via the connection B109.
The server 101i receives the operation information message periodically transmitted from the additional software execution unit 103i in the client 102i, and grasps the current operation status of the client 102i and normal participation in the online transaction. If the client 102i is operating normally and is participating in the online transaction normally, nothing is done. Appropriate processing is performed when the client 102i is operating abnormally or cannot normally participate in online transactions. As information for grasping the operating status of the client 102i, for example, the usage rate of various elements such as the CPU in the client described above, the number of applications operating simultaneously, the operating status of the client, the operating status of the network, the transaction There is information about the system. Which information is to be notified from the client is selected when designing the system after considering the transaction system to be operated. Also, separating the client from the system during abnormal operation to ensure the soundness of the system operation and other notifications can be done in the same way as other operations described above to suppress the impact on the system. Can do.

A system for distributing data from a server in accordance with a client situation will be described.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of another system in the present embodiment. The configuration is the same as in FIG. 1, but the server is inquired of the delivery time and the data is delivered at the obtained time. A function is added. Other functions and operations are the same as those in the previous embodiments.

In FIG. 11, a series of processing relating to a data transfer request from the client to the server and a series of processing relating to transmission of the requested data from the server to the client are performed according to the procedure described with reference to FIG. Therefore, explanation here is omitted.
Simultaneously with these series of processes, in processing step 1051, the server 101j transmits a message inquiring about the previous delivery data arrival time and the time from the arrival time to the disclosure time to the client 102j via the connection B109.
On the other hand, the additional software execution unit 103j in the client 102j receives the inquiry message transmitted from the server through the connection B 109, and the previous delivery data arrival time and arrival time recorded in the additional software execution unit 103j. The time from to the disclosure time is calculated and returned to the server 101j.

The server 101j that has received the information related to the previous delivery data arrival time or the time from the arrival time to the disclosure time from the additional software execution unit 103j of the client, based on the information, designates the next data delivery request transmission to the client 102j. Determine the time and the order of data delivery with other clients participating in the same trading system, and the timing of data delivery with respect to the data disclosure time (how long before the data disclosure time It is used as information for determining whether data delivery needs to be completed.
Using this information, it is possible to clarify the network transfer delay time between client and server and the time required for client internal processing, etc., and control the timing of data delivery comprehensively using that information. You can also
In this way, the timing for transmitting data from the server to the client can be determined in accordance with the operation status of the transaction system, and data can be delivered to the client with a margin for the data disclosure time. As a result, the operation load of the entire trading system can be suppressed and the system can be stably operated.
In the above, the server inquires the client about the past data arrival time and the time until disclosure, but the client notifies the client of the next desired delivery time, and based on this, the server decides the next delivery. Good.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the system for information disclosure by the client and network in Embodiment 1 of this invention. 6 is a diagram for explaining a processing operation in Embodiment 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a regular user authentication operation in the first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation of setting the client time to the server time in the first embodiment. It is a figure explaining the safety | security of the network system in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the safety | security of the other network system in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure explaining the server load reduction system in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the other server load reduction system in Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation monitoring operation of a client in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another predetermined operation monitoring operation in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of another distribution system in the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  101, 101b, 101c, 101d, 101e, 101f, 101g, 101h, 101i, 101j Server, 102, 102b, 102c, 102g, 102h, 102i, 102j Client, 103, 103b, 103c, 103g, 103h, 103i, 103j Software execution unit, 104 Additional software internal timer function unit, 105 Client internal timer, 106 Browser, 107 Wide area network, 111 Regular user authentication database, 601 Data transfer request reception queue.

Claims (6)

Additional software that has an internal timer function unit as an operation reference and is located between a browser having a user interface and a network, and establishes first and second unicast connections with the server via the network With an execution part,
The additional software execution unit transmits a user identifier through the second unicast connection to request the server to authenticate as a regular user,
The additional software execution unit transmits a data delivery request from the browser to the server at a predetermined time, receives corresponding delivery data from the server via the first unicast connection, and temporarily stores the delivery data. Disclosure in which the server time by the second unicast connection from the server and the time to disclose the corresponding distribution data are set in the additional software internal timer function unit, and the additional software internal timer function unit is set in the above The information disclosure client is characterized in that the corresponding distribution data is transmitted to the browser when it is time to execute. The disclosure for the client is e Bei clients internal timer, additional software execution unit, for disclosures of claim 1, wherein the server time from the server and to set in the client internal timer client. Adding software execution unit receives and stores the data delivery request upon time to the next server from the server, at the data delivery request upon time to the next server of the designated transmit the data delivery request from the browser The information disclosure client according to claim 1, wherein the client is disclosed. Additional software that has an internal timer function unit as an operation reference and is located between a browser having a user interface and a network, and establishes first and second unicast connections with the server via the network The additional software execution unit transmits a data delivery request from the browser to the server at a predetermined time and receives the corresponding distribution data from the server through the first unicast connection. The server time by the second unicast connection from the server and the time to disclose the corresponding distribution data are set in the additional software internal timer function unit, and the additional software internal timer function unit Becomes the corresponding disclosed time when And a plurality of clients to be sent to the browser the data,
After establishing the first and second unicast connections, it recognizes whether each client is a legitimate user based on whether or not each client is connected to the second connection, and receives a data delivery request from each client. The server transmits the distribution data corresponding to each of the clients through the first unicast connection, and transmits the server time and the time at which the corresponding distribution data is disclosed through the second unicast connection. , And an information disclosure system. Establishing a first and second unicast connection with the server over the network, respectively;
Sending a user identifier over the second unicast connection to ask the server to authenticate as a legitimate user;
Transmitting a data delivery request from a browser having a user interface to the server at a predetermined time;
Receiving corresponding delivery data from the server over the first unicast connection and temporarily storing it;
Setting the server time by the second unicast connection from the server and the time for disclosing the corresponding distribution data in the additional software internal timer function unit;
And a step of transmitting the corresponding distribution data to the browser when the disclosed time set in the additional software internal timer function unit is reached. Establishing a first and second unicast connection with the server over the network, respectively;
Recognizing whether or not the client is connected to the second connection in order to recognize whether or not the user is an authorized user;
Transmitting a data delivery request from a browser having a user interface to the server at a predetermined time;
Receiving corresponding delivery data from the server over the first unicast connection and temporarily storing it;
Setting the server time by the second unicast connection from the server and the time for disclosing the corresponding distribution data in the additional software internal timer function unit;
And a step of transmitting the corresponding distribution data to the browser when the disclosed time set in the additional software internal timer function unit is reached.

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