JP5059048B2 - Information processing apparatus, system, method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, system, method, and program, and in particular, an information processing apparatus, system, method, and method used for developing and operating network applications including online games that exchange information via a communication line such as the Internet. Regarding the program.

  With the development of information communication infrastructure in recent years, it has become possible to exchange interactive information by participating in a network such as the Internet using a personal computer (PC) as an information terminal. A system that provides various services using the advantages of this network has attracted attention. This system includes a server-client type network system that establishes a relationship between a server computer and a client computer and transmits and receives data (upload, download, etc.). In recent years, a peer-to-peer (so-called P2P) type network system has been realized. In a peer-to-peer network system, a system is constructed so as to provide a function so that each of a plurality of computers connected to a network has a peer relationship as a peer, and a part of the computer is connected to any one computer. Build a system with a function unit that centralizes and manages functions.

  Various network applications have been developed to execute applications in the network system. As an example of this network application, an online game has attracted attention. In this online game, a plurality of computers owned by users who participate in the online game can access a plurality of computers by operating the target online game. Users can participate in online games. There is also an application in which an online bulletin board is provided on a computer and a user computer can write on the bulletin board. There is also known an application that operates a WWW (World Wide Web) server and can be accessed from a client by a so-called WWW browser via a network.

  In a network application system, in order to achieve operation in a common environment on its own computer (for example, a client computer or a peer computer) connected to another computer (for example, a server computer or a peer computer) It is required to introduce a common application according to a common specification of a network application system.

  For example, in an online game that is an example of a network application, various specifications are included in advance to provide the application in order to meet various user requirements. In many cases, it is assumed that access restrictions and usage restrictions are set in advance, assuming that a plurality of computers operate and operate.

  FIG. 12 conceptually shows the architecture of one computer in the network application system. The architecture of FIG. 12 is configured by computer hardware and software that operates the hardware. The computer 100 is constructed with a virtual machine 102 that controls the basic operation of the hardware without being influenced by the specific specifications and operating system (OS) for each hardware. In this virtual machine 102, a library 104 that operates the computer 100 using the virtual machine 102 can be added to the configuration, and an interface 106 for exchanging data between the virtual machine 102 and the library 104 is provided on both sides. .

  Further, the virtual machine 102 is provided with a container 110 that is a resource for operating an application on the computer 100. The container 110 includes a unit 112 for realizing a protocol (for example, HTTP) function for communicating with the outside, and is configured to be able to exchange data with an external device using the HTTP protocol. . In this container 110, a library 114 for expanding functions of the container 110 can be added to the configuration, and an interface 116 for exchanging data between the container 110 and the library 114 is provided on both sides. The library 114 allows access to data 118 inside the computer 100.

  Furthermore, components 120 and 130 can be arranged in the container 110. The component 120 has an application function for exchanging data with an external device via the unit 112. For this purpose, the component 120 includes both interfaces 122 for exchanging data between the container 110 and the component 120. The component 120 includes an interface 124 for exchanging data with the virtual machine 102. The component 130 includes file data 134 inside and is configured to cooperate with a library 136 unique to the component 130, and includes an interface 132 in the container 130 in order to use the internal file data 134 and the library 136.

  As described above, when adding a library for adding functions or using an application, the computer 100 requires a specific interface such as the component or library, and uses the component or library using the interface. become.

  However, in the first place, most of the information distributed on the network in the network application is only the data used by the application, and when adding value to the network application itself, functions are added on the server side in real time. Or changing it is difficult. For example, there are those that automatically download additional functions on the client side and automatically install the additional functions, but those that automatically complete service construction on the server side while using a network application Absent. In addition, changes such as function additions, specification changes, and function deletions that accompany service changes affect the network application itself, so changes in specifications and data structures are required on the server side. Had to be forced.

  Service providers that provide network applications determine the specifications and data structures and construct network application services. However, it is assumed that the specifications and data structures are uniquely defined and controlled by the service providers. It was difficult for third parties other than service providers to build related services. This is because building and operating related services of network applications depends on the network application itself and the execution environment, and it is difficult to develop and operate at least a part of the network application. It is.

  In addition, network applications are expected to be in a high load state due to access from a large number of computers, so it is necessary to assume measures for high loads in advance. It was difficult to predict.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention enables simple system operation, and can exchange information for facilitating the construction of related services without making the service provider feel bothered by synchronization or changes. It is an object to obtain an information processing apparatus, system, method and program that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus that exchanges information with another apparatus via a network, and is represented by a tree structure by a plurality of nodes. In addition, in the identification information for identifying itself in the network, the object position that continuously represents the name information indicating the name of each node according to the tree structure from the highest node in the tree structure to the own node. A storage unit storing a plurality of objects each having a unique address indicating its own position where information is linked and having a data writing area for the address; and another device via the network The object stored in the storage means that exchanges information expressed in an external language between them and that is designated with the address. A transfer means for sequentially processing at least one processing request for calling, writing, deleting, and partial modification to the server, and acquiring at least one object in the external language together with the processing request via the network, A first conversion means for converting the acquired object into information expressed in an internal language while retaining the tree structure of the acquired object; and interpreting the address of the requested object, Control means for performing the requested processing, second conversion means for converting the object stored in the storage means into the external language while maintaining the tree structure of the object, and engine means including: Contains.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the storage unit stores a plurality of objects represented by a plurality of nodes in a tree structure. This object is given a unique address indicating its own position by connecting the object position information to the identification information for identifying itself in the network. As the identification information, a protocol name and a domain name can be used. Further, the object position information can continuously represent name information indicating the names of the respective nodes in accordance with the tree structure from the highest node in the tree structure to its own node. For example, when an object is structured in a tree structure in the order of attributes represented by the types and properties of functions, items, etc., as an example of identification information, the protocol name and domain name functions are linked to the types and attributes in order. A unique address indicating its own position is given, and a data writing area is provided for the object at that address, and an object can be expressed by storing an attribute value in this data writing area.

  The exchanging means exchanges information expressed in an external language described in an XML format language or the like with another device via a network. This exchange is generally done according to a protocol. At the same time, the sending / receiving means sequentially processes a request for at least one of calling, writing, deleting, and partially changing the object stored in the storage means to which the address is specified. As a result, processing requests to the object can be sequentially processed.

  Engine means is provided between the storage means and the transfer means. The engine means includes first conversion means, second conversion means, and control means. The first conversion means obtains the acquired object in the internal language while maintaining the tree structure of the acquired object by acquiring at least one object in the external language described in the XML format language or the like together with the processing request. To converted information. Therefore, even if an object is acquired from the outside, it can be used while maintaining the structure of the object. The second conversion unit converts the object stored in the storage unit into an external language while maintaining the tree structure of the object. Therefore, the structure of the object can be maintained even when the object is output to the outside. The control means interprets the address of the requested object and performs the requested processing on the object at the interpreted address. Thereby, the requested process can be performed on the object given by the unique address indicating its own position.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention can resolve an address of an object or can perform reversible conversion to information in an external language while maintaining a tree structure. As a result, the acquisition of the object, the value thereof, and the acquisition of the function to which it belongs are made by the interface by the engine means. Therefore, the engine means corresponds to functioning as a general-purpose interface that enables reversible conversion while maintaining the unique address resolution and tree structure for the object.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the address is represented by a URI. A URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) can be used for exchanging information by a protocol such as TCP / IP, and an object can be uniquely represented by using this as a label for address expression.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the engine means interprets an address of an object requested in the apparatus and externally stores an object at the interpreted address. Includes a determination means for converting the external language by the second conversion means and outputting the address to the sending / receiving means in the case of internal storage.

  By this determination means, for example, by determining the domain name, it is possible to determine whether the object is external storage or internal storage, and both the object in the external storage and the object in the internal storage are equivalent by the URI. Therefore, the object can be operated without being aware of the difference.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, in the engine unit, the first conversion unit acquires a request for processing including addition as a partial change. Then, the control means performs a process of adding or changing to the acquired object while maintaining the tree structure of the acquired object for the object stored in the storage means to which the address is specified. It is characterized by that.

  An object can be added to or used as a part of another object. Therefore, in the engine unit, the first conversion unit acquires a processing request including addition as a partial change, and the control unit acquires the object tree structure acquired for the object stored in the storage unit to which the address is specified. By applying the process of adding the acquired object while holding the object, it is possible to add or use the object to other objects.

  An information processing system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses according to any one of the first to fourth aspects connected to the network. By connecting a plurality of information processing apparatuses to the network, objects can be exchanged between the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

  The information processing apparatus has a function according to the following information processing method. Specifically, the invention of claim 6 is an information processing method for exchanging information with other devices via a network, and is represented by a plurality of nodes in a tree structure, The own position obtained by concatenating the position information from the highest node in the tree structure to its own node with the object position information that continuously represents the name information indicating the name of each node according to the tree structure, to the identification information for identification A plurality of objects having a data writing area corresponding to the address, and storing information expressed in an external language with other devices via the network. In addition to giving and receiving, calling, writing, deleting, and deleting the object stored in the storage means to which the address is specified Processing at least one processing request for change is sequentially processed, and at least one object in an external language is acquired together with the processing request via the network, and the acquired object is retained while maintaining a tree structure of the acquired object. The first conversion is performed on the information expressed in the internal language, the address of the requested object is interpreted, the requested processing is performed on the object at the interpreted address, and the information is stored in the storage unit. A second conversion of the object to the external language while retaining the tree structure of the object.

  The information processing method can be executed on a computer by the following information processing program. Specifically, the invention of claim 7 is an information processing program executed by a computer that exchanges information with other devices via a network, and is represented by a plurality of nodes in a tree structure, In the identification information for identifying itself in the network, object position information that continuously represents the name information indicating the name of each node according to the tree structure, the position from the highest node in the tree structure to the own node. It is an object given a unique address indicating its connected position, and a plurality of objects having a data writing area for the address are stored in an external language with another device via the network. For the object stored in the storage means to which the address is specified, A request for at least one processing of calling, writing, deleting, and partial modification is sequentially processed, and at least one object in an external language is acquired together with the processing request via the network, and a tree structure of the acquired object is obtained. The acquired object is first converted into information expressed in an internal language while being held, the address of the requested object is interpreted, and the requested processing is performed on the object at the interpreted address. And a second conversion of the object stored in the storage means into the external language while maintaining the tree structure of the object.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the present invention can be used without depending on the hardware of the computer and the operating system that operates the hardware, and without being aware of the difference regardless of whether the object is on the network. Therefore, there is an effect that the load of network application construction and operation can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the present invention, an object with a unique address can be resolved to an address or reversibly converted into information in an external language while maintaining the tree structure. There is no need to define or define objects, and objects can be used as needed.

It is a functional block diagram when operating the computer of the network system which concerns on embodiment of this invention using a hardware resource and a software resource. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of a computer. It is a functional block diagram of a computer concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is an image figure which shows an example of the structure of content. It is an image figure which shows the partial content in content. It is an image figure which shows the example of a definition of the lamp | ramp as an example of the content which can be utilized within an application. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the runtime part in the server computer concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the content engine part in the server computer concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the unique address processing of the content in the path | pass resolution part which functions in the content engine part of the server computer concerning this Embodiment. It is an image figure which shows the information transfer between computers for demonstrating load distribution in the network system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram when operating the computer of the conventional network system using a hardware resource and a software resource. It is an image figure showing information exchange between computers for explaining construction of a related service in a network system concerning an embodiment of the invention.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as an example of a network application system, an online game is a network application, and information is exchanged on the network in a system including a user side that uses the online game and an operation side that operates the online game. In this case, the present invention is applied.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applicable. As shown in FIG. 2, in the network system 10, a plurality of computers 12 that can be operated by the same or different operators are respectively connected via connection devices 16 such as a modem, a router, and a terminal adapter (Terminal Adapter). It is configured to be connected to a network (for example, the Internet) 18. The plurality of computers 12 are configured to be able to exchange information by mutual communication via the network 18.

  In the following description, as shown in FIG. 2, at least one computer 12 out of a plurality of computers 12 provides various information for operating an online game (hereinafter referred to as “first server computer”). A configuration in which at least one computer 14 among the computers 12 functions as a computer (hereinafter referred to as “user computer”) 14 that uses an online game on the user side will be described as an example. It should be noted that at least one of the plurality of computers 12 executes or takes over a part of the functions of other server computers (details will be described later), and executes the function (hereinafter referred to as “the first computer”). 2 ”(referred to as“ 2 server computer ”).

  The first server computer 13, the user computer 14, and the second server computer 15 are described as one unit each, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of units may be used. In this embodiment, the case where information is exchanged between the server computer and the client computer will be described. However, the exchange of information is not limited between the server computer and the client computer. Including information exchange between computers and within computers.

  The network 18 corresponds to the network of the present invention. This network includes a network such as the Internet or an intranet, and may be configured so that a plurality of devices can be coupled wirelessly or by wire. For example, this includes a configuration in which a plurality of local area networks are connected by telephone lines or wireless communication lines. Further, a relay station for connection with a telephone line or a wireless communication line may be provided in the network, and a terminal connected to the telephone line or the wireless communication line via this relay station may participate in the network. The computer 12 can be a small mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA.

  In this embodiment, a case where the Internet is applied as a network will be described. In this embodiment, although details will be described later, not only data is exchanged in the original state but also information is exchanged by a protocol such as TCP / IP by specifying a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). . On the other hand, as is well known, there is an application that allows one computer to function as a WWW (World Wide Web) server and another computer to function as a WWW client. In this application, the server computer can be arbitrarily accessed via the network, and the access position (data constituted by the position of the server computer to be accessed and the position of information in the server computer) is a URI. Specify the to send and receive the data as it is.

  In the present embodiment, when there is an access request from the user computer 14, the first server computer 13 transmits the data etc. at the position specified by the label by the URI via the network 18 while maintaining the structure. To the access source user computer 14. For this transmission / reception, a protocol such as HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) can be used. For identification of the computer 12, an IP (Internet Protocol) address or a domain name can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the computer 12 has a configuration in which a CPU 12A, a ROM 12B, and a RAM 12C are connected so as to be able to exchange data and commands via an input / output interface 12E. A mass storage device 12F such as a next memory 12D and a hard disk drive is connected. Further, the computer 12 is provided with an input device 12G such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting instructions by the computer, and a display 12H is provided for displaying a processing result by the computer. Further, the computer 12 is connected to a network connection device 12J for connecting to the network 18 and a media device 12K for reading from and writing to a storage medium such as a flexible disk or an optical disk. Since the computer 12 has a general and general hardware configuration, detailed description thereof is omitted, and a general and general hardware configuration is also available for devices that can be built in the computer 12 and devices that can be connected. Therefore, the configuration and detailed description thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows a functional block diagram when the computer 12 configured as described above is operated using hardware resources and software resources. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of the first server computer 13. The architecture of the first server computer 13 includes a runtime unit 20, a content engine unit 30, and a content unit 40.

  The runtime unit 20 of the present embodiment corresponds to the transfer unit of the present invention, the content engine unit 30 corresponds to the engine unit of the present invention, and the content unit 40 corresponds to the storage unit of the present invention.

  The runtime unit 20 is a functional unit that mainly performs information exchange with other computers and various types of processing for the hardware resources of the first server computer 13. As seen from the content engine unit 30, a so-called OS and It is a layer for hiding communication functions, etc., and eliminating environment dependencies including machine dependencies. The runtime unit 20 includes a communication unit 22 for realizing a protocol (for example, HTTP) function for communicating with the outside, similarly to the unit 112 of the prior art, and the communication unit 22 with an external device. Data can be exchanged using the protocol specified by

  In the example of FIG. 1, a case where a SOAP unit 25 and an HTTP unit 26 are provided as the communication unit 22 included in the runtime unit 20 is illustrated. Note that the communication protocol is not limited to HTTP or SOAP. In addition, the content engine unit 30 exchanges serialized messages with the communication unit 22, but the difference in protocol used by the communication unit 22 is resolved by the runtime unit 20, and therefore depends on the difference. There is no. Although details will be described later, the content is grasped by the label described by the URI, but the protocol name is described in the URI and is absorbed by the URI.

  In the present embodiment, the content engine unit 30 is a functional unit that performs main control that makes it possible to uniquely define an object (content to be described later), and in detail depends on the nodes that constitute the object (content). The hierarchical structure management is performed. The content unit 40 is a storage unit that stores at least one content controlled by the content engine unit 30. In the example of FIG. 1, the content unit 40 includes a content 42 composed of one or a plurality of nodes constituting an application, and a file 44A. The content 44 functions as a library for accessing the database 50, and the content 48 functions as a library for accessing a file stored in the first server computer 13.

  Here, the object refers to a total including a data node, an application node that is an execution body, and a node group formed by a combination thereof, and is collectively referred to as content in the following description. Further, the content can have a hierarchical structure that can be expressed in a tree shape by nodes. That is, the content is a general term for a module including one or a plurality of nodes constituting an application, a library used by the application, a database, a file, resources such as text data (multimedia data), and the like.

  As an example of the content 44, a case where a lamp is used in an application will be described. First, FIG. 7 shows an example for defining a lamp in an application. The lamp has trading price (100), weight (50), and remaining fuel (30) in the application as initial values, and there are three types of state values: lighting, extinguishing, and execution at regular intervals. Is stipulated. The current status of the lamp is off, lighting is the application (lighting logic) used to turn on the lamp, and turning off is the application (lighting logic) used to turn off the lamp, at regular intervals Execution is the designation of an application (lighting / fuel reduction logic) that seeks fuel that decreases as the lamp lights. FIG. 7 shows an image (left side) for showing these definitions to the user and an image of the lamp itself (right side) displayed in the application.

  When a lamp is adopted as the content 44, a node for specifying the lamp is necessary. FIG. 5 shows a structural example for representing a lamp as content in the present embodiment. The content representing the ramp has a tree structure of nodes, and the base point is a storage position. The base point is given by a protocol name for sending and receiving content, and a domain name (and storage position) indicating a computer where the content is stored (arranged) and a position on the computer. In this embodiment, a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is used as a label to identify the content. For example, when the HTTP protocol is used as the communication protocol and the domain name indicating the server where the content is arranged is “game_A”, “http: // game_A” is obtained. Since it is set that the lamp content belongs to this, “/” is added to the base point. That is, when considering only the lamp content, the base point is represented by “/”. By giving the protocol name and domain name (storage location if necessary) before the base point “/”, the lamp content can be expressed by a unique address.

  That is, the content 42 based on the tree structure managed by the content engine unit 30 is expressed by the URI as a label, and the tree structure of the content 42 is subsequently expressed with “protocol name: // domain name” as a base point.

  In the example of FIG. 5, when there is lamp as an item used in the application, a node for classifying the definition part of the available item and the user-specified part as a category belongs to the lower node of the base point (“/”). . That is, the items and user nodes belong in parallel below the base point. The items node represents the parent node of the item belonging to the lower level, and the lamp node belongs to the lower level in the example of FIG. In this lamp node, as shown in FIG. 6, nodes representing various state values and logics belong to the lower level in parallel. The user node is a parent node for various data of the user who owns or can use the items node. In the example of FIG. 5, each node belongs to the lower order in the order of the taro node, the lamp node, and the fuel node. . Therefore, in the example of FIG. 5, the user “taro” has “lamp” as an item, and the remaining amount is “25”. This “lamp” has logic for lighting and extinguishing, and further has logic for gradually decreasing the fuel when it is lit.

  When enumerating each of these nodes while maintaining a tree structure, the nodes are set to be continuous with a predetermined symbol such as “/”. That is, a predetermined symbol such as “/” is for clearly indicating that the immediately preceding and immediately following nodes are in a parent-child relationship. In other words, all the nodes are uniquely addressed by the path expression from the base node. Each node has an area for storing the value if it has a value.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of the operation on the content unit 40 together with the main components of the runtime unit 20 and the content engine unit 30 will be described.

  The runtime unit 20 receives a message from a communication unit 22 that exchanges information from another computer 12 (in FIG. 4, the receiving side is described as a communication unit 22A, and the output side of information to the other computer 12 is described as a communication unit 22B). In addition, a message pool 24 that stores and sequentially outputs (requests) is provided. The content engine unit 30 includes a deserialization unit 32, a path resolution unit 34, a domain determination unit 36, and a serialization unit 38. The deserialization unit 32 receives content information (for example, structured data described in XML format) from the communication unit 22, converts various information that maintains the content structure as internal information, and converts the information into the message pool 24. It is a functional part that outputs. The path resolution unit 34 is a functional unit that receives a message from the message pool 24, grasps the address of the content that is the subject of the message, and processes the request for the content at that address. The serialization unit 38 is a functional unit that converts a message such as a request for content, which is internal information, into information (for example, structured data described in the XML format) while maintaining the content structure. The domain determination unit 36 is a functional unit that determines whether the request message from the content is for its own computer or an external computer. This determination can be achieved by determining whether the domain name of the URI is that of its own computer.

  Therefore, when the content 42 composed of a plurality of nodes constituting the application calls a node such as data or logic, the domain determination unit 36 first determines whether or not the request message is for the internal content. A message is output to the pool 24 and waits for its processing. On the other hand, when it is a request to the outside, the request message is described in the XML format by the serialization unit 38 and is output from the communication unit 22 toward a unique address indicating the function of the request. After this, content is received from the outside. In this case, a message in XML format is received by the communication unit 22, converted into internal information by the deserialization unit 32, and stored in the message pool 24. Then, the path by the unique address is resolved by the path resolution unit 34, and the content is stored.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, the content based on the unique address labeled with the URI can be resolved or reversibly converted to an XML document while maintaining the tree structure. The lossless conversion is serialization conversion by the serialization unit 38 and deserialization conversion by the deserialization unit 32. As a result, the acquisition of the content, the acquisition of the value, and the acquisition of the function to which it belongs are performed by the same interface by the content engine unit 30. Therefore, the content engine unit 30 functions as a general-purpose interface capable of resolving a unique address labeled with a URI or reversibly converting it into an XML document while maintaining the tree structure. It becomes.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the message pool 24 is provided and processing requests to the content can be sequentially processed, asynchronous messaging can be realized.

  Note that the serialization unit 38 of the present embodiment corresponds to the second conversion unit constituting the engine unit of the present invention, the deserialization unit 32 corresponds to the first conversion unit of the present invention, and the path resolution unit 34 This corresponds to the control means of the present invention. Further, the domain determination unit 36 of the present embodiment corresponds to the conversion means that constitutes the engine means of the present invention.

  Next, the processes of the runtime unit 20 and the content engine unit 30 will be described individually. FIG. 8 shows a process flow of the runtime unit 20, and FIG. 9 shows a process flow of the content engine unit 30.

  The runtime unit 20 acquires a label from the inside or the outside in Step 200 of FIG. This label is described by URI, and the request from the inside or outside can be discriminated from the protocol name and the domain name. In the next step 202, it is determined whether or not the request is from the inside. If the result in Step 202 is negative, an external message is acquired in Step 204. This acquisition corresponds to reception of the communication unit 22. In the next step 206, the acquired message is output to the deserialization unit 32. On the other hand, if the result in step 202 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 208, and a message is acquired from the content engine unit 30. This acquisition is reception from the deserialization unit 32 and the domain determination unit 36 or reception from the serialization unit 38. In the next step 210, it is determined whether or not the message is an output request to the outside. This determination is a determination as to whether it corresponds to an output from the serialization unit 38. When the result in step 210 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 214, and the message is output by the communication unit 22. On the other hand, when the result in Step 210 is negative, the message is stored in the message pool 24 and processed in Step 212. This process is a process of outputting in response to a request.

  In step 300 of FIG. 9, the content engine unit 30 reads the URI and determines whether the content is from the content. If the result in Step 300 is negative, a message from the runtime unit 20 is acquired in Step 302, and it is determined whether or not deserialization is requested in the next Step 304. If the result in step 304 is negative, the process proceeds to step 310 to execute unique address processing (for example, FIG. 10). On the other hand, if the result in step 304 is affirmative, a message in XML format or the like is deserialized and converted into internal information by the deserialization unit 32 in step 306, and is output to the message pool 24 in the next step 308.

  On the other hand, if the result in step 300 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 312 to obtain a message from the content. In the next step 314, it is determined from the domain name whether the address requested by the message is external or internal. If it is for the inside, the process proceeds to step 308 and is output to the message pool 24. On the other hand, when it is external, serialization conversion is performed by the serialization unit 38 in step 316, and conversion result information (XML format) is output to the communication unit 22 in the next step 318.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of processing for acquiring the content by interpreting the unique address of the content, that is, an example of processing by the path resolution unit 34.

  In step 320 of FIG. 10, an address is acquired, and in the next step 322, a node is acquired. This node is a process for acquiring a node based on the domain name and the storage position based on the above-mentioned URI. In the next step 324, it is determined whether or not the acquired address has a lower layer. As described above, this determination is achieved by determining whether or not identifiers delimited by “/” exist. If the result in step 324 is affirmative, lower layer nodes are acquired in the next step 326, and the process is repeated until all nodes are acquired (No in step 324). If the result in Step 324 is negative, the process proceeds to Step 328 to output the content.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the construction of a related service that can be achieved by using the content having the above configuration will be described. Here, as a related service, a case where an item used on an online game is traded using a bulletin board will be described. Here, an item refers to a character in the application game_A, equipment or tools in an online game that can be used by the character.

  The first server computer 13 includes an application game_A that is an online game, and includes item transaction content (item transaction module 40C) for trading items of the application game_A that is the online game. Further, the second server computer 15 includes a content (bulletin board module 40B) for executing a bulletin board application relating to item transactions, and the bulletin board application is operated. That is, in the following description, the application (content) for managing the operation of the bulletin board in the second server computer 15 is referred to as the management tool 40A, and the application (content) for executing the processing of the bulletin board is referred to as the bulletin board module 40B. An application (content) for executing item transaction processing on the first server computer 13 is referred to as an item transaction processing module 40C. In the following description, the content engine unit is omitted.

  In this description, it is assumed that a user who wants to sell an item operates a user computer as a player U, and a user who wants to purchase an item operates as a user V. The administrator who manages the operation of the bulletin board is a bulletin board operator. The item buying and selling process will be described as W. Note that an application (content) that is executed on the user computer 14 operated by the player U and that executes the item buying and selling process via the bulletin board is referred to as a player module 14A, and is operated on the user computer 14 operated by the player V. The application (content) that executes the item buying and selling process via the bulletin board is referred to as a player module 14B. Further, in the following description, a case where the bulletin board operator adds an item transaction service to the bulletin board using the item transaction content will be described.

  First, the bulletin board operator W accesses the item transaction processing module 40C from the management tool 40A in response to an instruction by an operation of the keyboard or the like (instruction input P10) for an item transaction method inquiry, and “acquires item transaction contents”. Message M20 is output. Since the access to the item transaction processing module 40C from the management tool 40A is made through the above-mentioned general-purpose interface (content engine unit 30), it does not depend on the specific language of each other. Next, the item transaction processing module 40C obtains the following three transaction information as information relating to the item transaction content (process R10) and returns it (message M21). The first transaction information is information describing a method for investigating the item being handled, the second transaction information is information describing a method for investigating the price of the item, and the third transaction information is information about the item This information describes the purchase method. Upon receiving this reply, the management tool 40A presents the inquiry result to the bulletin board operator W by display on the display or the like (instruction output P11). The bulletin board operator W outputs a message M22 of an instruction “add item transaction service” from the management tool 40A to the bulletin board module 40B according to an instruction by an operation of the keyboard or the like (instruction input P12) based on the inquiry result. To do. Thereby, the bulletin board module 40B executes the item transaction service addition process (process R11).

  Next, the player U sends a message M23 “desired item sale” that can be used in the application game_A from the player module 14A to the bulletin board module 40B of the second server computer 15 by operating the keyboard or the like (instruction input P13). . In other words, this transmission is a process of writing information on the desired sale of the item on the activated bulletin board. When the player V refers to this bulletin board and wishes to obtain it, the player V transmits a message M24 “Purchase item purchase” from the player module 14B to the bulletin board module 40B by an operation of the keyboard or the like (instruction input P14). In other words, this transmission is a process of writing information on the item purchase request on the bulletin board.

  In the bulletin board module 40B, the writing of both the buyer and the buyer is monitored, that is, the completion of the item transaction is monitored (process R12). Transmit to module 40C. This transmission information includes a message that the player U sells the item and the player V buys it. Moreover, you may add the sales amount.

  The item transaction processing module 40C transmits to the player module 14A a message M26 “increase the player U's money according to the sales amount and delete the item sold from the inventory list”. Further, the item transaction processing module 40C transmits a message M27 “reducing the player V's possession amount according to the purchase amount and adding an item to the belongings list” to the player module 14B. Here, when the item is managed by the item transaction processing module 40C, the item transaction processing module 40C increases the money of the player U according to the sales amount and deletes the item sold from the inventory list. Then, the money held by the player V is reduced according to the purchase amount, and the item is added to the belongings list (process R13). Further, when each player module is used, the player module 14A increases the player U's money according to the sales amount, deletes the item sold from the inventory list (process R14), and increases the player V's money. Decrease in accordance with the purchase amount and add items to the inventory list (process R15). In addition, what is necessary is just to transmit such information with respect to an apparatus, when performing item management with another apparatus.

  Thus, since a unique address is given to the content and the object can be easily reached, the service provider (the bulletin board in this embodiment) can freely use the content. That is, when the service provider adds the item transaction service to the bulletin board as described above, it is only necessary to acquire the address of the item transaction content in the online game application and register it with the server operating the bulletin board service. As a result, a related service can be easily constructed by using a general-purpose interface, which has conventionally been difficult to operate a related service only by a method defined by a network application builder.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the load distribution that can be achieved by using the content having the above configuration will be described. Here, in order to reduce the load on the first server computer 13 when the load on the first server computer 13 increases, the content running on the first server computer 13 is transferred to another computer 12 (first computer). A case where the program is moved to the two-server computer 15) and executed will be described.

  It is assumed that the first server computer 13 participates by operating game_A as an application on the network and accessing the application game_A from a client computer such as the user computer 14. Further, the first server computer 13 has an application for managing the operation of the application game_A as content, and can operate each content of the application game_A according to an instruction from the administrator ADM.

  In this description, it is assumed that the user who operates the user computer 14 participates in the application game_A as the player OP. In the following description, character movement processing in the application game_A will be described as an example of load distribution. . In the following description, the application (content) for managing the operation of the application game_A belonging to the first server computer 13 will be referred to as the operation management tool 42A for the sake of convenience, and the application (content) for executing the character movement process will be referred to as the movement process. This is module 42B. Further, as will be described later, an application (content) for executing the movement process of the character moved to the second server computer 15 is referred to as a movement processing module 42C. In order to avoid confusion between the content engine unit 30 of the first server computer 13 and the second server computer 15, the first server computer 13 is the content engine unit 30B, and the second server computer 15 is the content engine unit. This is part 30C.

  First, in the user computer 14, a player module is operated as an application (content) on the client side, and the player OP is referred to as “player P moves” in the application game_A from the player module by an operation of the keyboard or the like (instruction input P01). A message M01 is transmitted to the first server computer 13. In this transmission, the address of the movement processing module (content) 42B is specified, and the unique address of the movement processing module 42B is transmitted to the first server computer 13. In the first server computer 13, the content engine unit 30B acquires a message, the movement processing module 42B (for example, the content 42 in FIG. 1) is called, and the position information of the player P managed by the movement processing module 42B is obtained. Change (process R01).

  At this time, if messages regarding player movement from other computers 12 concentrate on the first server computer 13, the load on the processing of the movement processing module 42B increases. The administrator ADM monitors this load status and determines whether to perform load distribution. Note that this determination may be performed by the administrator ADM to input an instruction, or the load status of the CPU may be digitized and automatically executed when the load exceeds a predetermined value. Here, a case where the administrator ADM inputs an instruction will be described.

  The administrator ADM instructs the load distribution of the movement processing module 42B by an operation of the keyboard or the like (instruction input P02), and the message “the message for the content to be moved is stored in the message pool is maintained for the movement processing module 42B. Is output to the content engine unit 30B. Next, in order to move the movement processing module 42B, the operation management tool 42A outputs a serialization request message M03 of the movement processing module 42B to the content engine unit 30B. In response to this, the content engine unit 30B serializes the movement processing module 42B. Next, the operation management tool 42A outputs a message M04 for transmitting the serialized movement processing module 42B to the second server computer 15 to the content engine unit 30B, and is transmitted from the runtime unit 20 to the second server computer 15. The

  The second server computer 15 obtains the serialized movement processing module 42B from the first server computer 13, deserializes it, and stores it. At this time, the content structure of the movement processing module 42B is maintained as it is, but a unique address of the content is given as the second server computer 15. Next, the operation management tool 42A outputs, to the content engine unit 30B, an instruction message M05 for deleting the movement processing module 42B moved from the first server computer 13. As a result, the content engine unit 30B deletes the movement processing module 42B. Note that “deletion” here is not immediate deletion but deletion when processing continuously performed in the movement processing module 42B is completed.

  Here, if the movement processing module 42B is deleted from the first server computer 13, when the access to the movement processing module 42B is requested from any computer 12 with a unique address, the content does not exist and the request is satisfied. I can't. Therefore, the operation management tool 42A outputs, to the content engine unit 30B, an instruction message M06 for providing a content 42Ba representing a reference after the deletion instruction message M05. This content 42Ba is content indicating that the movement processing module 42C is referred to at the position of the movement processing module 42B. Thereby, even if the movement processing module 42B is instructed, the movement processing module 42C can be easily called. Next, the operation management tool 42A outputs, to the content engine unit 30B, a message M07 that instructs the movement processing module 42B to “release the message stored in the message pool” to the content engine unit 30B. . As a result, the first server computer 13 sequentially extracts messages from the message pool 24 and resumes processing.

  Thereafter, when a message M10 “player P moves” is transmitted from the player module to the first server computer 13, the address of the movement processing module (content) 42B is specified in this transmission. Since there is a content 42Ba representing the reference in the address (M12), the content engine unit 30B transfers the message to the movement processing module 42C of the second server computer 15 that is the reference destination (M12). In the second server computer 15, the content engine unit 30C acquires a message, the movement processing module 42C is called, and the position information of the player P managed by the movement processing module 42C is changed (process R02).

  Thus, in this embodiment, a unique address is given to the content, and the object can be easily reached. Further, since the content is defined by a tree structure, input / output is possible while maintaining the structure of the content. Accordingly, the content can be used as it is without setting the input / output interface in advance, and information can be easily exchanged between the devices.

  Also, in the present embodiment, by using the content having the above-mentioned configuration given a unique address, the content can be moved between apparatuses, and load distribution can be performed without stopping during the operation of the application. it can. Therefore, it is not necessary to construct a system premised on load distribution in advance.

  In addition, since a unique address is given to the content and the object can be easily reached, for example, a service provider such as a bulletin board can freely use the content that can be used in the network application. This makes it easy for service providers to easily construct services that were previously difficult to operate only with the methods defined by the network application builder, as related services that are not assumed when building network applications. it can.

  Also, in the present embodiment, by using the content having the above-described configuration given a unique address, it is linked to the execution environment (operating environment) of the network application. And promote the division of labor.

  In the above embodiment, an example of a network such as the Internet has been described, but this network may be either wired or wireless.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described in which content provided with an URI is exchanged using the HTTP protocol or the like, but the protocol is not limited. The information to be exchanged is not limited to information in a form described in the XML format, but may be information in a form described in a standard for a structured document that is not a markup language (for example, YAML). . In addition, a language format based on a common standard that can be distributed between networks may be adopted. In other words, any form that meets the following conditions may be used, and any form may be employed. The conditions are that the hierarchical structure of the content can be expressed, that the processing does not depend on the specific language, that it has compatibility with the protocol, and that various data formats can be expressed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where information is exchanged, for example, a message is exchanged between any of the runtime unit 20, the content engine unit 30, and the content unit 40, but information exchange is performed directly between the units. It is not limited to being executed. For example, a so-called cache function that includes a cache memory and temporarily stores information exchange and executes past information exchange for the same type of information exchange may be added.

  In addition, when information is exchanged on a network or in an apparatus, an access restriction function or a license control function for permitting or restricting acquisition or calling from the inside or outside of the content by adding an authentication mechanism may be added.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention does not depend on the computer hardware or the operating system that operates the hardware, and is aware of the difference regardless of whether the object is on the network. Therefore, the load of network application construction and operation can be reduced, and it is useful as an information processing apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... 1st server computer 14 ... User computer 15 ... 2nd server computer 18 ... Network 20 ... Runtime part 22 ... Communication unit 24 ... Message pool 30 ... Content engine part 32 ... Deserialization part 34 ... Path resolution part 36 ... Domain determination unit 38 ... Serialization unit 40 ... Content unit 42 ... Content 44 ... Content

Claims (8)

An information processing device that exchanges information with other devices via a network,
It is represented in a tree structure by a plurality of nodes, and in the identification information for identifying itself in the network, the position from the highest node in the tree structure to its own node is the name of each node according to the tree structure. An object given a unique address indicating its own position by concatenating object position information continuously representing name information to be indicated,
Storage means for storing a plurality of objects having a data writing area for the address;
Transfers information expressed in an external language to and from other devices via the network, and calls, writes, deletes, and partially changes the object stored in the storage unit to which the address is specified and transfer means for sequentially processing at least one request for processing,
Acquiring at least one object in an external language together with the processing request via the network, and converting the acquired object into information expressed in an internal language while maintaining a tree structure of the acquired object; A conversion means; a control means for interpreting the address of the requested object and performing the requested processing on the object at the interpreted address; and an object stored in the storage means is converted into a tree structure of the object. Second conversion means for converting to the external language while being held, and including engine means,
An information processing apparatus including
The engine means includes
Provided between the storage means and the sending and receiving means, and functions as a general-purpose interface ;
The processing request for the object is an information processing apparatus that is one of call, write, delete, or partial change . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the address is represented by a URI. The engine means includes
When the address of the object requested inside the apparatus is interpreted and the object of the interpreted address is externally stored, it is converted into the external language by the second conversion means, and to the sending / receiving means in the case of internal storage. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit (domain determination) that outputs the address. In the engine means,
The first conversion means acquires a processing request including addition as a partial change, and the control means retains the acquired object tree structure for the object stored in the storage means to which the address is specified. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a process for adding the acquired object or a process for changing the object is performed. An information processing system in which a plurality of information processing apparatuses according to claim 1 are connected to the network. The engine means includes
When one node of one hierarchy is specified by an address among objects having hierarchical nodes, all nodes below the node specified by the address in the hierarchy are acquired ,
The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein a process corresponding to the request for the process is performed on all the acquired nodes . An information processing method for exchanging information with other devices via a network,
It is represented in a tree structure by a plurality of nodes, and in the identification information for identifying itself in the network, the position from the highest node in the tree structure to its own node is the name of each node according to the tree structure. A plurality of objects each having a unique address indicating its own position and concatenating the object position information continuously representing the name information to be indicated, and having a data writing area for the address;
Transfers information expressed in an external language to and from other devices via the network, and calls, writes, deletes, and partially changes the object stored in the storage unit to which the address is specified Sequentially processing at least one processing request of
Acquire at least one of the objects in the external language together with the processing request via the network, and perform a first conversion of the acquired object into information expressed in the internal language while maintaining the tree structure of the acquired object. And interpreting the address of the requested object and applying the requested processing to the object of the interpreted address, and storing the object stored in the storage means while maintaining the tree structure of the object An information processing method including a step of performing a second conversion into a language,
The processing request for the object stored in the storage means is a request using a general-purpose interface, and is an information processing method that is one of call, write, delete, or partial change . An information processing program executed by a computer that exchanges information with another device via a network,
It is represented in a tree structure by a plurality of nodes, and in the identification information for identifying itself in the network, the position from the highest node in the tree structure to its own node is the name of each node according to the tree structure. The object is given a unique address indicating its own position concatenating the object position information continuously representing the name information shown, and a plurality of objects having a data writing area for the address are stored,
Transfers information expressed in an external language to and from other devices via the network, and calls, writes, deletes, and partially changes the object stored in the storage unit to which the address is specified Processing at least one processing request of
Acquire at least one of the objects in the external language together with the processing request via the network, and perform a first conversion of the acquired object into information expressed in the internal language while maintaining the tree structure of the acquired object. Interpreting the address of the requested object and performing the requested processing on the object at the interpreted address, and maintaining the object stored in the storage means while maintaining the tree structure of the object An information processing program including a step of causing a second conversion to an external language,
The request processing for the stored objects in the storage means, a request using the generic interface, call, write, information processing program is one of a deleted or changed in part.

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