JP4682180B2 - Information system, program management server device, and computer-readable recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information system, a program management server apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium, and more particularly to an information system for using a production information database and a program management server apparatus used in the information system.

In production sites in the manufacturing industry, it is widespread to construct a database based on various information related to production activities. Such a production information database is used in each department related to the manufacturing department and the manufacturing department in order to efficiently perform various production activities. A system for using such a production information database is generally called a production information system.
The production information system described above includes a production information database server device that stores a production information database, a plurality of monitor terminals, and a production information terminal. The production information database server device and each of the monitor terminal and the production information terminal are connected to each other via a network so that data communication is possible. The monitor terminal is installed in each department that uses the production information database, and is used to extract various information from the production information database. The production information terminal is used to register information in the production information database.
Patent Document 1 discloses a production facility management system as one form of a production information system. In this production facility management system, a server device and a client device are connected via a network, and production facility information stored in the server device as a database can be searched and used via the client device. For example, the process diagram retrieved from the database of the server device is displayed on the display device of the client device. When the user designates the device shown in the process diagram using a mouse or the like, the client device acquires the corresponding title from the database of the server device based on the identification number of the designated device. The acquired title is displayed on the display device of the client device in a button format. When the user selects a desired title, the client device acquires corresponding production facility information from the database based on the title and the specified identification number.
Patent Document 2 discloses a general-purpose application system as one form of an information system. In this general-purpose application system, necessary program parts are activated and taken out from a storage unit storing program parts, and one completed application program can be created by combining these program parts.
JP-A-9-216148 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-94289

The production facility management system disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above is mainly intended to efficiently and easily extract database information. Therefore, the management method of the monitor program executed by the client device is not disclosed. However, in an actual production information system, the monitor program is frequently changed along with the database structure change. When changing or updating the program of the client device, it is necessary to perform it individually in each client device, and there is a problem that this work is complicated.
Moreover, in the general-purpose application system disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above, a method of extracting and using only necessary program parts is performed. However, when a worker often performs a routine work like a production information system, the method using a general-purpose program has a problem that the program becomes redundant and inefficient.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information system that can automatically determine the version of a program used in each client device and rewrite the latest version program. And

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the present invention, an information system including a server device storing a database and a client device connected to the server device via a network, which is incorporated in the client device. Program management server means for managing the monitored monitor program via a network, and the program management server means monitors the access from the client device to the database, and when the access is performed, The monitor program of the client is checked, the monitor program is changed on the basis of the check result, and the program management server means is connected to the server device when the client device accesses the server device. Sending information to be displayed Information system characterized by executing the monitor program embedded in the client device using a function of executing a program for accessing the client device is provided.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a program management server device connectable to a network of an information system including a server device and a client device, and when the client device accesses the program management server device, the program management server device A program management server device for executing a monitor program incorporated in a client device of the information system by using a function of transmitting information to be displayed on the client device and executing a program for accessing the client device Is provided.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium describing a program executed by the above-described program management server device, when the computer is accessed from the client device to the program management server device. A function for causing the program management server device to execute a function for sending information to be displayed on the client device and executing a program for accessing the client device, and the version of the monitor program incorporated in the client device is the latest version A function for determining whether the monitor program is the latest version, a function for updating the monitor program to the latest version when the version of the monitor program is not the latest version, and the updated monitor program for the client device. A computer-readable recording medium a program for implementing a function to be executed, is provided.

  According to the present invention, there is also provided a computer-readable recording medium in which a program executed by the program management server device described above is written, and when the computer is accessed from the client device to the program management server device. A function for transmitting information to be displayed on the client device and executing a function for executing a program for accessing the client device in the program management server device, and whether a communication operating environment is set in the client device. A program for realizing a function of determining, a function of setting an environment of the client device when a communication operating environment is not set in the client device, and a function of introducing an initial program into the client device Recorded computer readable records Medium is provided.

  According to the present invention, the network of the client device program can be managed by the program management server means, and it is not necessary to individually manage the program installed in each client device. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and labor spent on the information system program management. In addition, when a program embedded in a client device is accessed from the client device to the server device, a function for sending information to be displayed on the client device and executing a program for accessing the client device is used. Therefore, the necessary program can be executed by executing the function, and the operation of the user of the client device can be simplified.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an information system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information system shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called production information system, and information related to production activities is registered and used in a database.

  The production information system shown in FIG. 1 includes a production information database server device 1, a production information terminal 2, a monitor terminal 3, and a program management server device 4. The production information database server device 1, the production information terminal 2, the monitor terminal 3, and the program management server device 4 are connected to each other via a network 5 so that data communication is possible.

  The production information database server device 1 is provided with a production information database 1a in which production information is stored. As the production information database apparatus 1, a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer or a workstation having a storage device such as a large-capacity hard disk is used. The production information terminal 2 is a terminal device used for registering production information in the production information database 1a. As the production information terminal 2, a personal computer having an input device and a display device is used. The monitor terminal 3 is a terminal device used to use the production information database.

  A user who uses the production information database 1a accesses the production information database server device 1 via the input device of the monitor terminal 3, and draws out desired production information from the production information database 1a for use. As the monitor terminal 3, a personal computer having an input device and a display device is used. The production information database server device 1, the production information terminal 2, and the monitor terminal 3 are connected via a network 5 so that data communication is possible. In the present embodiment, the Internet is used as the network 5.

  Although one production information terminal 2 and one monitor terminal 3 are shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of production information terminals 2 and monitor terminals 3 are generally connected to the network 5. Also, one personal computer may be provided with the functions of both the production information terminal 2 and the monitor terminal 3. Further, although one production information database server device 1 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of production information database server devices may be connected to the network 5.

In the production information system described above, the user can use the production information terminal 2 and the monitor terminal 3 by a conventional usage method. In the production information system according to this embodiment, a program management server device 4 is connected to a network 5. That is, the production information system shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which a program management server device 4 is added to a production information system including the production information database server device 1, the production information terminal 2, and the monitor terminal 3. The program management server device 4 is provided for automatically changing or updating a program incorporated in the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3. The program management server device 4 has a program management database 4a for storing information used to achieve the function.
Next, the function of each terminal of the production information system shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the function of each terminal in the production information system shown in FIG. As described above, the production information terminal 2 is connected to the production information database server device 1 via the network 5 so that data communication is possible. A management program is incorporated in the production information terminal 2, and production information is transmitted to the production information database server device via the network 5 in accordance with the management program. The production information database server device 1 registers the production information transmitted from the production information terminal 2 in the production information database 1a. The production information terminal 2 has a built-in monitor program, and the production information database 1a can be used in accordance with the monitor program. For example, the user can access the production information database 1a by operating the input device of the production information terminal 2, and can retrieve and retrieve necessary production information. The extracted production information is displayed on the display device of the production information terminal 2. In addition, the production information terminal 2 has version information indicating the versions of the management program and the monitor program currently in use.

  The monitor terminal 3 is connected to the production information database server device 1 via the network 5 so that data communication is possible. A monitor program is incorporated in the monitor terminal 3, and the production information database 1a can be used in accordance with the monitor program. For example, the user can access the production information database 1a by operating the input device of the monitor terminal 3, and can retrieve and retrieve necessary production information. The extracted production information is displayed on the display device of the monitor terminal 3. The monitor terminal 3 has version information indicating the version of the monitor program currently in use.

  Next, functions of the program management server device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The program management server device 4 has a browsing function (browser), and is installed in the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 via the network 5 (Internet) using this browsing function. The monitor program being installed can be changed or updated. The update of the monitor program or the management program is executed using a version check program, a version upgrade program, and a latest version program. That is, the latest version program is stored in the program management database 4 a, and the latest version program can be transferred to the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 via the network 5. This transfer is achieved by the browsing function of the program management server device 4. Thereby, the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 can rewrite the old version program incorporated in the own terminal into the latest version program.

  Therefore, when the configuration of the production information database 1a is changed, the latest version program corresponding to the changed production information database 1a is registered in the program management database 4a of the program management server 4 so that the production information terminal 2 or The program installed in the monitor terminal 3 can be updated to the latest version program.

  Note that the browsing function of the program management server device 4 can be achieved by groupware or a general browser. The management program and the monitor program are preferably written in a general-purpose language such as basic or C language. The program update in the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 described above is automatically performed when the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 is operated to access the production information method database 1a. That is, the program management server device 4 monitors access to the production information database server device 1 of the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3. When such access is performed, the program management server device 4 acquires the version information of the program from the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 that is performing the access. The acquisition of version information is performed by the browsing function of the program management server device 4.

  When the version information is acquired, the program management server device 4 checks whether the program that the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 is to execute is the latest version program based on the acquired version information. This check is performed using a version check program. If it is not the latest version program, the program management server device 4 transfers the latest version program registered in the program management database to the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 via the network 5. This transfer is performed using a version upgrade program. Receiving the latest version program, the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 rewrites the program to be executed with the latest version program and then accesses the production information database 1a based on the latest version program.

As described above, the program management server device 4 can check the version of the program incorporated in the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 and automatically rewrite it to the latest version program. Therefore, when the configuration of the production information database 1a is changed, it is not necessary to separately update the programs incorporated in the production information terminal 2 and the monitor terminal 3 with respect to each of the production information terminal 2 and the monitor terminal 3. The time and effort spent on updating is reduced. Even if the information is not familiar with the production information system or the computer, the program can be easily upgraded.
The program management server device 4 has a function of automatically setting the communication operating environment of the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3. Here, the setting of the communication operating environment means setting the environment in which the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 can communicate with the production information database server device 1. When a production information system is newly constructed or when a production information terminal 2 or a monitor terminal 3 is added to the production information system, the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 can communicate with the production information database server apparatus 1 It must be set to be an environment. When the communication operation environment of the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 is not set, the program management server device 4 transmits information necessary for setting the communication operation environment via the network 5 to the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3. Forward to. Thereby, the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 can set the communication operation environment adapted to the production information database server device 1 in its own terminal. The information necessary for setting the communication operating environment field includes, for example, an IP address and a server name that are information indicating the production information database. The information necessary for setting the communication operating environment field also includes a program for setting a driver for establishing communication with the production information database server.
Therefore, when a production information system is newly constructed, it is not necessary to individually set the environment for each of the production information terminal 2 and the monitor terminal 3. This simplifies the construction of the production information system and can reduce the time and labor spent for the construction. Further, even when the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 is added to the production information system, the environment setting of the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 can be automatically executed by the program management server device 4 and is spent for the addition. Time and labor can be reduced. In addition, the operating environment can be easily set even if the person is not familiar with the production information system and the computer environment setting.

The program management server device 4 also has an automatic installation function of an initial program incorporated in the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3. That is, the program management server device 4 stores the initial program registered in the program management database 4a via the network 5 when the program is not incorporated in the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3. Transfer to terminal 3. The production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 can access the production information database 1a by incorporating and executing the transferred initial program. Thus, when a production information system is newly constructed, or when the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 is added to the production information system, the initial program is stored in the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 via the network 5. Can be automatically incorporated.
Therefore, it is not necessary to individually incorporate an initial program for each of the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3. This simplifies the construction of the production information system, and can reduce the time and labor spent on building the production information system. Further, it becomes easy to add the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 to the production information system, and the time and labor spent for the extension can be reduced.
The program management server device 4 also has a mail transfer function for transferring information such as messages to the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 via electronic mail. For example, when the program is automatically upgraded as described above, information on the latest version program is transmitted to the corresponding production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 via electronic mail. The production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 that has received the mail displays the information sent by mail on the display device of its own terminal. Thereby, the user can determine whether or not to update to the latest version program. Further, while the program of the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3 is being updated, a message such as “program update in progress” can be displayed on the display device of the production information terminal 2 or the monitor terminal 3.

  As the program management server device 4, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer can be used. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the program management server device 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the program management server device 4 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a hard disk storage device 44, an input device 45, and a display device 46. The CPU 41 executes a system program and the like stored in the ROM 42 and the hard disk storage device 44 to read or write information to the RAM 43 or the hard disk storage device 44. In addition, the CPU 41 executes data communication with other terminals connected to the network 5 via a communication interface (I / F) 45.

The hard disk storage device 44 stores a program management database 4a. Accordingly, the version check program, the upgrade program, the latest version program, and the like are stored in the hard disk storage device 44, and are read out and executed by the CPU 41 when necessary, or transmitted to the network 5 via the communication I / F. Is done.

  The ROM 42 stores system programs, and the RAM 43 temporarily stores data used for information processing by the CPU 41. The input device 46 includes a keyboard for inputting characters and a coordinate input device such as a mouse and a trackball for specifying a display screen position. The display device 47 receives character information and position information input from the input device 46 via the CPU 41 and displays them on a screen such as a monitor.

  Further, the program management server device 4 of this embodiment has a CD-ROM drive 48. The CD-ROM drive 48 reads a CD-ROM as a recording medium on which a program executed by the program management server device 4 is recorded. The program read by the CD-ROM drive 48 is executed by the CPU 41.

  Next, an example of the operation executed by the production information system including the program management server device 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example of the operation of the production information system shown in FIGS. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 shows the operation when the monitor terminal 3 accesses the production information database server device 1.

The program management server device 4 monitors the access of the monitor terminal 3 to the production information database server device 1, and when detecting that the monitor terminal 3 has accessed the production information database server device 1, in step S1, the program management server device 4 to start. If the monitor operating terminal 3 is not set up in a PC operating environment in which the monitor terminal 3 can communicate with the production information database server apparatus 1 due to the addition of the monitor terminal 3 or the like, a browser is started on the program management server apparatus 4 side. Then, the monitor terminal 3 is accessed. And the program management server apparatus 4 acquires the information regarding the PC operating environment of the monitor terminal 3 from the monitor terminal 3 via the network 5 using a browser.
Next, in step S <b> 3, the program management server device 4 determines whether or not the PC operating environment of the monitor terminal 3 is set to a communication operating environment that enables communication with the production information database server device 1. If the PC operating environment of the monitor terminal 3 is not set to a communication operating environment that enables communication with the production information database server device 1, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S <b> 5, the program management server device 4 sends the PC operating environment setting information to the monitor terminal 3 via the network 5. The monitor terminal 3 receives the PC operating environment setting information and sets the communication operating environment of the own terminal.

  Next, in step S <b> 7, the program management server device 4 extracts the initial monitor program for the monitor terminal 3 from the program management database 4 a and transmits it to the monitor terminal 3 via the network 5. The monitor terminal 3 incorporates the received initial monitor program into its own terminal. This initial monitor program is a program for the monitor terminal 3 to use the production information database 1a of the production information database server device 1. When the introduction of the initial monitor program is completed, the process returns to step S3.

  Here, since the PC environment of the monitor terminal 3 has already been set in step S5, in this time step S3, the PC operation environment of the monitor terminal 3 becomes a communication operation environment that enables communication with the production information database server device 1. It is determined that it is set. In this case, the process proceeds to step S9. Note that the processes in steps S5 and S7 described above are executed only in the initial state such as when the monitor terminal 3 is added. Once the PC operating environment has been set, steps from step S1 to step S1 are performed thereafter. The process proceeds to S3 and Step S9.

  In step S9, it is determined whether or not the monitor program of the monitor terminal 3 is the latest version program. If it is determined that the monitor program of the monitor terminal 3 is the latest version program, the process proceeds to step S17. In step S <b> 17, desired processing is performed based on the monitor program currently installed in the monitor terminal 3. That is, the user of the monitor terminal 3 can access the production information database server device 1 based on the currently installed monitor program and use the information registered in the production information database 1a.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9 that the monitor program of the monitor terminal 3 is not the latest version program, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S <b> 11, the program management server device 4 transmits the version information of the monitor program incorporated in the monitor terminal 3 to the monitor terminal 3 using electronic mail. Since the electronic mail function is used, a message can be sent selectively to the user of the monitor terminal 3. For example, it is possible to confirm the password before sending the version information, and send the version information only to the user who entered the password.

  Next, in step S13, whether or not to upgrade the monitor program currently installed in the monitor terminal 3 is displayed on the display device of the monitor terminal 3, and the judgment of the user of the monitor terminal 3 is requested. If the user of the monitor terminal 3 determines that there is no need for version upgrade, the process proceeds to step S17, and the process is performed based on the currently installed monitor program.

On the other hand, when the user of the monitor terminal 3 determines in step S13 that the version should be upgraded, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S 15, the latest version program is sent from the program management server device 4 to the monitor terminal 3. Then, the monitor terminal 3 rewrites the current monitor program with the latest version program. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S17, and the user of the monitor terminal 3 accesses the production information database 1a based on the latest version program.
As described above, the production information system according to the present embodiment has the program management server device that manages the program of each terminal, and can automatically introduce the initial program or upgrade the program. Therefore, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary for the user to individually install or upgrade a program in each terminal. Therefore, program version management of each terminal can be collectively managed by the program management server device, and the time and labor spent for program management can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the program management server device 4 is connected to the network 5 as a single unit. However, the functions of the program management server device 4 are the same as those of the production information database server device 1, the production information terminal 2, or the monitor terminal 3. It is good also as incorporating in either.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the production information system by one Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the function of each terminal in the production information system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a program management server apparatus. It is a flowchart of an example of operation | movement of the production information system shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Production information database server device
1a Production information database
2 Production information terminal
3 Monitor terminal
4 Program management server device
4a Program management database
5 network
41 CPU
42 ROM
43 RAM
44 Hard disk storage device
45 Communication interface
46 Input device
47 Display device
48 CD-ROM drive

Claims (11)

An information system including a server device storing a database and a client device connected to the server device via a network,
Program management server means for managing a monitor program incorporated in the client device for accessing the database via a network;
The program management server means monitors access to the database from the client device, checks the monitor program of the client via the network when the access is performed, and stores the database in the database based on a check result. Change the monitor program to access , and
The program management server means has an environment setting function for setting an operating environment of the client device.   2. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the program management server means includes a version check program, a version upgrade program, and a latest version program for updating the monitor program incorporated in the client device. An information system characterized by   3. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the database is a database relating to production information.   4. The information system according to claim 1, wherein the program management server means has an initial program introduction function for incorporating an initial program into the client device. Via the server apparatus and network for storing a database connected to a network information system including a client device connected to the server device is incorporated in the client device, a monitor program to access the database A management server device for managing
The access from the client device to the database is monitored, and when the access is performed, a monitor program for accessing the database of the client via the network is checked, and the monitor program is checked based on a check result. Change and
A program management server device having an environment setting function for setting an operating environment of the client device.   6. The program management server device according to claim 5, comprising a version check program, a version upgrade program, and a latest version program for updating a monitor program incorporated in the client device. apparatus.   7. The program management server device according to claim 5, further comprising an initial program introduction function for incorporating an initial program into the client device.   8. The program management server apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a mail transmission function for transmitting a mail for transferring information to the client apparatus. apparatus.   The program management server device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the information system is a production information system for using a production information database. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program executed by the program management server device according to claim 5 is recorded,
When the client device accesses the program management server device, the network determines whether the version of the monitor program incorporated in the client device and for accessing the database is the latest version. A function for determining via the network, a function for updating the monitor program to the latest version when the version of the monitor program is not the latest version,
A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for realizing an environment setting function for setting an operating environment of the client device; A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 10 is recorded,
A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for realizing an initial program introduction function for incorporating an initial program into the client device is recorded in a computer.

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