JP5541160B2 - Program acquisition / execution client, program acquisition / execution method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a program acquisition / execution client, a program acquisition / execution method, and a recording medium.

  In particular, the present invention downloads a server-side program in a server used by using a client's Web (web) browser to the client side, and executes the server-side program. -It relates to an execution method and a program.

  A server / client system including a server and a client is known.

  Patent Document 1 describes a software rental system in which a server transmits a program used by a client alone to the client, the client stores the program in a virtual area of a virtual machine, and executes the program. Has been.

  In this system, a client independently executes a program in a virtual area of a virtual machine without using a Web browser, for example.

  Patent Document 2 describes a technique for managing a program. Specifically, Patent Document 2 describes a technique that allows a certain process to see only a certain directory or lower (the directory looks like a top directory).

  On the other hand, in response to a request from the client's Web browser, the server / client system executes the program body, sends the execution result to the client, and the client's Web browser displays the execution result. It is popular.

  Hereinafter, a program that is executed on the server in response to a request from the client Web browser and transmits the execution result to the client Web browser is referred to as a “Web application”.

  For example, a document, spreadsheet and presentation software using a Web browser described in Non-Patent Document 1, and a mail client described in Non-Patent Document 2 are listed as Web applications.

  However, Web applications have the following problems.

  First, the server operates the main body of the program. For this reason, if the client is not connected to the server via the network, the client cannot use the Web application.

  Further, when the network communication speed is low, the response of the program to the client input becomes slow.

  Furthermore, if many clients use the same Web application at the same time, the computation load and network load on the server will increase.

  Systems for solving the above problems are described in Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, Non-Patent Document 3, Non-Patent Document 4, Non-Patent Document 5, Non-Patent Document 6, and Non-Patent Document 7. .

  In the systems described in Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, Non-Patent Document 3, Non-Patent Document 4, Non-Patent Document 5, Non-Patent Document 6, and Non-Patent Document 7, the client has the same function as the server. . Therefore, even when the client is not connected to the server, the client can execute the Web application offline. Hereinafter, each system will be described.

  The system described in Patent Document 3 includes a client having a Web browser and a Web server, and a server having a Web server.

  When the client is connected to the server via the network, the client-side Web browser accesses the server-side Web server. As a result, the Web application is executed, and the client-side Web server exchanges data with the server-side Web server.

  On the other hand, when the client is not connected to the server via the network, the client-side Web browser accesses the client-side Web server. As a result, the Web application is executed offline.

  The system described in Patent Document 4 relates to a business system using a Web browser. In this system, offline business software is downloaded from a server to a client. When offline, the client uses offline business software. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform business offline.

  The system described in Non-Patent Document 3 uses a database as a plug-in for a Web browser. Information necessary for executing the Web application is stored in the database. In this system, the main body of the Web application program is described in JavaScript (registered trademark). The main body of the Web application program is executed in the Web browser.

  Thus, even when the client is not connected to the server via the network, the client can execute the Web application using the information in the database and the program described in JavaScript.

  The system described in Non-Patent Document 4 includes JavaVM as a Web browser plug-in, and executes a program written in Java (registered trademark) inside the Web browser.

  Non-Patent Documents 5 and 6 describe a system similar to the system described in Non-Patent Document 4. The technique described in Non-Patent Document 5 needs to use Flash (registered trademark) as a plug-in and ActionScript as a language. The technology described in Non-Patent Document 6 needs to use a subset of NET Framework as a plug-in and a language corresponding to NET Framework as a language.

  The system described in Non-Patent Document 7 downloads and executes a program transparently from a browser. By clicking the link on the Web browser, the necessary program is downloaded and executed.

Republished Patent WO2002 / 033543 JP 2008-165377 A JP 2000-276410 A JP 2004-94682 A

[Search July 16, 2008] Internet <URL: http: //www.google.com/google-d-s/intl/en/tour1.html> [Search July 16, 2008] Internet <URL: https://mail.google.com/mail/> [Search July 16, 2008] Internet <URL: http://gears.google.com/> [Search July 16, 2008] Internet <URL: http://java.sun.com/applets/> [Search July 16, 2008] Internet <URL: http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/about/> [Search July 16, 2008] Internet <URL: http://silverlight.net/> [Search July 16, 2008] Internet <URL: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa751972 (VS.85) .aspx>

  A technique in which a client receives and executes a program on the server side to execute a Web application offline, that is, Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, Non-Patent Document 3, Non-Patent Document 4, Non-Patent Document 5, The technologies described in Non-Patent Document 6 and Non-Patent Document 7 have the following problems.

  There was a problem that the system was destroyed when a computer virus was installed in the program accepted by the client. In addition, when a program received by the client has a defect, there is a problem that the defect of this program may adversely affect other programs or data in the client.

  In other words, the client has a problem that the security for the program received from the server is low.

  Even in the system described in Patent Document 1, for example, when a computer virus is incorporated in a program received by a client, the system is destroyed. That is, even in the system described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the client has low security for the program received from the server.

  Further, Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe a technology that is a premise for the occurrence of the above problem, specifically, a Web application by receiving and executing a program on the server side by a client. The technology to be executed offline is not described.

  For this reason, the techniques described in Patent Document 2 and Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2 naturally do not solve the above problem, that is, the problem that the client has low security for the program received from the server.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a program acquisition / execution client, a program acquisition / execution method, and a recording medium that solve the above-described problems.

  The program acquisition / execution client of the present invention obtains a program that can communicate with a server that executes a server-side program and transmits an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request to the client when a predetermined request is received from the client. An execution client, a virtual machine generation unit that generates a virtual machine having a storage unit for a server and other storage units, and obtains the server-side program from the server and transmits the server-side program to the server The server side program in the server storage unit is executed on the virtual machine while prohibiting writing to the management unit stored in the storage unit and the other storage unit, and the predetermined request is received. In this case, the specifying means for transmitting the execution result corresponding to the predetermined request to the transmission source of the predetermined request Including an execution operation means for generating upward and transmits the predetermined request to the specifying unit, an operation unit that receives and displays the execution result in accordance with the predetermined request from the specific means.

  The program acquisition / execution method of the present invention obtains a program that can communicate with a server that executes a server-side program and transmits an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request to the client when a predetermined request is received from the client. A program acquisition / execution method performed by an execution client, wherein a virtual machine having server storage means and other storage means is generated, the server side program is obtained from the server, and the server side program is downloaded When the predetermined request is received by executing a server-side program in the server storage unit on the virtual machine while storing in the server storage unit and prohibiting writing to the other storage unit Specific means for transmitting the execution result corresponding to the predetermined request to the transmission source of the predetermined request is generated on the virtual machine. Wherein said sending a predetermined request to a particular unit, to display from the specific unit receives the execution result in accordance with the predetermined request.

  The recording medium of the present invention can communicate with a server that executes a server-side program and transmits an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request to the client when a predetermined request is received from the client, and a Web browser A virtual machine generation procedure for generating a virtual machine having server storage means and other storage means in a computer on which the server is installed, and obtaining the server side program from the server The management procedure stored in the server storage means and the server side program in the server storage means are executed on the virtual machine while prohibiting writing to the other storage means, and the predetermined program is executed from the Web browser. Specific means for sending the execution result corresponding to the predetermined request to the Web browser when the request is received on the virtual machine. And executing operation instructions to be generated, a computer-readable recording medium which Purokuramu has been recorded to execute.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve security when a client receives and executes a program on the server side.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen transition of a web browser at the time of using a web application offline. It is a figure which shows the screen transition of a Web browser and a non-browser application when using a non-browser application. It is a figure which shows the screen of the browser at the time of a user managing a program directly. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an operation when a Web application is taken offline. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an operation when using an offline Web application. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement at the time of performing a non-browser application. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement at the time of executing a non-browser application offline. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Next, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
Referring to FIG. 1, the first embodiment of the present invention includes a server 100 and a client 110.

  When the server 100 receives a predetermined request from the client 110, the server 100 executes the server-side program and transmits an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request to the client 110.

  The server 100 includes a Web server 101 and a program distribution unit 102. The Web server 101 and the program distribution unit 102 may exist on different servers.

  The client 110 can generally be referred to as a program acquisition / execution client. The client 110 can communicate with the server 100.

  The client 110 includes a web browser execution unit 111, a virtual machine 112, a virtual machine generation unit 112a, and an input / output unit 120. The virtual machine 112 includes a management module 113 and a program execution unit 114. The management module 113 includes a program management unit 115, a request reception / response unit 116, and an execution management unit 117. The program execution unit 114 includes a storage unit 118 and an execution unit 119. Storage unit 118 includes server storage units 118a and 118b and an OS (operating system) storage unit 118c. The execution management unit 117 and the execution unit 119 are included in the execution operation unit 121. The program management unit 115 and the request reception / response unit 116 are included in the management unit 122. The web browser execution unit 111 and the input / output unit 120 are included in the operation unit 123.

  The virtual machine 112 is not generated when the virtual machine generation unit 112a executes software (for example, Java VM) that operates only a program in a specific language. In the virtual machine 112, for example, the virtual machine generation unit 112a executes software (for example, VMWare (registered trademark) or Xen (registered trademark)) capable of operating an independent operating system in the virtual machine. Is generated by

  The virtual machine generation unit 112a can be generally called virtual machine generation means. The virtual machine generation unit 112a generates a virtual machine 112 in the client 110 by executing software such as VMWare or Xen.

  Each of server storage units 118a and 118b can be generally referred to as server storage means. The number of server storage units is not limited to two but may be one or more.

  The OS storage unit 118c can be generally called an OS storage unit or other storage unit. The OS storage unit 118c stores, for example, an operating system used when executing the programs in the server storage units 118a and 118b, more specifically, an operating system used by the virtual machine 112. For example, the OS storage unit 118c stores the same type of operating system as the operating system of the server 100.

  The request receiving / replying unit 116 receives from the Web browser executing unit 111 an acquisition instruction for acquiring a server-side program (hereinafter simply referred to as “program”). Further, the request receiving / replying unit 116 receives from the Web browser execution unit 111 an execution instruction to execute the acquired program.

  When the request reception / response unit 116 receives an acquisition instruction, the program management unit 115 acquires a program from the server 100, stores the program in the server storage unit 118a or 118b, and stores the program in the storage unit 118. The area that can be accessed is set in association with the program.

  Management unit 122 can generally be referred to as management means. The management unit 122 obtains a program from the server 100 and stores the program in the server storage unit 118a or 118b.

  The execution operation unit 121 can be generally called execution operation means. The execution operation unit 121 reads the program in the server storage unit 118a or 118b, and executes the program on the virtual machine 112 while prohibiting access to the storage unit 118 other than the area associated with the program. As a result, a specific server (for example, the Web server shown in FIG. 1) corresponding to the server 100 is generated on the virtual machine 112.

  For example, the execution operation unit 121 reads a program in the server storage unit 118a or 118b and prohibits writing to a storage unit other than the storage unit that stores the program in the storage unit 118, while the virtual machine The program is executed on the virtual machine 112 to generate a specific server on the virtual machine 112.

  The specific server can be generally called a specific means.

  The specific server has a function of transmitting an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request to the client when a predetermined request is received from the client among the functions of the server 100.

  In the present embodiment, the execution operation unit 121 executes a program in the server storage unit 118a or 118b using an operating system in the OS storage unit 118c.

  Operation unit 123 can be generally referred to as operation means. The operation unit 123 transmits a predetermined request to a specific server in the virtual machine 112, receives an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request from the specific server, and displays the result.

  Web browser execution unit 111 can generally be referred to as operation means or communication means.

  The Web browser execution unit 111 transmits a predetermined request to a specific server in the virtual machine 112 by using the Web browser, receives an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request from the specific server, and displays the execution result To do.

  The Web browser execution unit 111 transmits a predetermined request to the server 100 by using the Web browser, and receives an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request from the server 100.

  Input / output unit 120 can generally be referred to as operating means. The input / output unit 120 transmits a predetermined request to a specific server in the virtual machine 112, receives an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request from the specific server in the virtual machine 112, and displays the execution result.

  These operate as follows.

  First, in a normal usage mode, when the Web browser execution unit 111 accesses the Web server 101, a program, that is, a Web application is executed on the Web server 101, and the execution result is provided to the Web browser execution unit 111. The execution result is displayed.

  Next, a case where the Web application is taken offline will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the screen transition of the web browser execution unit 111 when the web application is taken offline.

  First, the screen 201 is a screen displayed on the web browser execution unit 111 by the web server 101 when online.

  The Web server 101 prepares a link with a name such as “offline” in the screen 201. When the user clicks a link in the screen 201 using the web browser execution unit 111, the web browser execution unit 111 sends a request for offline to the request reception / reply unit 116 in the management module 113 in the virtual machine 112. I do. This off-line request can generally be referred to as an acquisition instruction.

  Here, http (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is most easily used for communication between the Web browser execution unit 111 and the request reception / reply unit 116.

  In this case, the request receiving / replying unit 116 operates the http server and sets the link as a hyperlink to the http server. For example, assuming that 192.168.0.10 is used as the IP address of the virtual machine 112, the link to the http server is http: //192.168.0.10 / ...

  In this case, the Web browser execution unit 111 can send a request for off-line to the request reception / reply unit 116 by clicking a link in the screen 201 in accordance with a user operation.

  Furthermore, by using the argument function provided by http, additionally necessary information can be sent to the request reception / reply section 116.

  In the present embodiment, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for specifying a necessary program, a command for starting / ending necessary for executing the program in the virtual machine 112 later, and the like, It is passed to the request reception / response unit 116.

  Further, the URL of the link source page (screen 201) is also passed to the request reception / reply section 116 in the form of a Referer.

  Communication between the Web browser execution unit 111 and the request reception / response unit 116 is not limited to the above.

  For example, the URL scheme (scheme) of the link in the screen 201 is set as a special protocol, and the Web browser execution unit 111 starts an external program serving as a protocol handler (or plug-in) by clicking the link in the screen 201. The Web browser execution unit 111 may communicate with the request reception / reply unit 116 using a unique protocol using the external program.

  Communication between the Web browser execution unit 111 and the request reception / reply unit 116 may be realized in a form in which the Web browser execution unit 111 includes the virtual machine 112.

  However, the communication between the Web browser execution unit 111 and the request reception / response unit 116 is modified as an arbitrary Web browser and virtual machine if it is realized as a link to an http server that operates in the request reception / response unit 116. This is preferable because this embodiment can be implemented without any problem.

  When a request to go offline is made by clicking a link in the screen 201, the request reception / reply section 116 specifies the program passed to the program management section 115 as an argument of the request to go offline. And request download of the program specified by the URL.

  When receiving the download request, the program management unit 115 downloads the requested program from the program distribution unit 102 of the server 100 using the URL.

  After downloading the program, the program management unit 115 causes the program execution unit 114 to install the downloaded program.

  Here, “installation” is an operation for making the downloaded program ready to be executed, and its specific content depends on the method of realizing the program execution unit 114.

  The following can be considered as a method for realizing the program execution unit 114 and an installation method corresponding to the method.

  Most simply, the program management unit 115 creates an independent directory (server storage units 118a and 118b) for each downloaded program in the server storage unit in the program execution unit 114, and the directory (server use). A separate program may be stored in each of the storage units 118a and 118a).

  However, if a computer virus or the like is incorporated in the downloaded program, other program storage areas (directories) and other storage areas in the virtual machine 112 (other server storage units and OS storage units) It can be destroyed.

  Therefore, the program management unit 115 needs to divide user accounts for each program and restrict directories (storage area, storage unit) that can be accessed when each program is executed.

  That is, the program management unit 115 newly generates a user account for each program requested to be downloaded, creates a directory in the server storage unit, and grants access permission to the directory to the generated user account. The downloaded program is copied (saved) to the directory without giving the access permission to the other directory to the generated user account.

  Alternatively, the system described in Patent Literature 2 may be used as a method for realizing the program execution unit 114 and an installation method corresponding to the method.

  That is, the program management unit 115 uses a mechanism described in Patent Document 2 that allows a certain process to see only a certain directory or lower (the directory looks like the top directory). Achieve isolation between programs.

  Further, the program management unit 115 may use a method of overlapping directories in a layer structure such as UnionFS.

  In this case, when installing a new version of the program, the program management unit 115 downloads only the difference between the new version and the old version, and superimposes the downloaded contents on the old version directory. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently download the program. Further, when installation of a program is designated, the program management unit 115 automatically downloads necessary differences including other programs depending on the program.

  Further, a virtual machine may be used as the program execution unit 114.

  In this case, the virtual machine is executed further inside the virtual machine 112. In this case, the downloaded program is an image of the virtual machine, and execution of the program is activation of the virtual machine.

  After the installation is completed, the request receiving / replying unit 116 sets the program in the program execution unit 114 so that the program can be started and terminated in response to the request.

  Specifically, the request receiving / replying unit 116 is configured to start and end the program corresponding to the URL when there is an access to a specific URL (which may include an argument). The program in 114 is set.

  The communication between the Web browser execution unit 111 and the virtual machine 112 is realized by a plug-in to the Web browser execution unit 111 or the virtual browser 112 is included inside the Web browser execution unit 111. If so, the request receiving / replying unit 116 sets the program in the program execution unit 114 so that the program can be started and terminated according to the request by using a unique protocol.

  On the other hand, while the program is being downloaded, installed, started, and terminated, the Web browser execution unit 111 has information such as “currently going offline” (for example, “currently going offline”). Is displayed (see screen 202).

  The display of the screen 202 by the Web browser execution unit 111 can be realized by the request reception / response unit 116 returning a file described in HTML to display the contents of the screen 202 to the Web browser execution unit 111. .

  When the download / installation is completed, that is, when the offline processing of the program in the program execution unit 114 is completed, the Web browser execution unit 111 displays information such as “offline has been completed”. Screen 203).

  When the Web browser execution unit 111 displays the screen 203, the request reception / response unit 116 specifies refresh with a meta tag so that the HTML file displayed on the screen 202 is automatically refreshed. This can be achieved.

  Furthermore, simultaneously with the display of the screen 203, the Web browser execution unit 111 displays a screen that prompts the user to bookmark the URL for starting the offline program (see screen 204).

  The Web browser execution unit 111 can display the screen 204 by using a JavaScript function.

  The communication between the Web browser execution unit 111 and the virtual machine 112 is realized by a plug-in to the Web browser execution unit 111 or the virtual browser 112 is included inside the Web browser execution unit 111. If it is, the Web browser execution unit 111 displays information such as “currently going offline” or “offline finished” according to the state of the program in the program execution unit 114. That's fine.

  You can also add a URL to a bookmark by adding a dedicated menu that automatically displays the URL without using the bookmark.

  When displaying information of content such as “offline has been completed”, the Web browser execution unit 111 adds a link to return to the original URL (URL corresponding to the screen 201) as necessary. . This can be realized by using the URL given as Referer.

  Next, the case where an offline Web application is used will be described.

  First, the user accesses the URL bookmarked using the screen 204 using the Web browser execution unit 111.

  When access to the URL is executed, the request reception / reply section 116 receives an execution instruction to execute the program specified by the URL. When receiving the execution instruction, the request reception / reply unit 116 requests the execution management unit 117 to start a program corresponding to the URL.

  When receiving the activation request, the execution management unit 117 gives an instruction to the execution unit 119 to start execution of the program requested to be activated.

  The specific process for starting execution depends on the implementation method of the program execution unit 114.

  When the program execution unit 114 is realized by dividing a directory and an account for each program, the execution management unit 117 is requested to start using the directory and account corresponding to the program requested to start. The execution unit 119 may activate the program.

  In this case, the execution unit 119 executes the program in the virtual server storage unit 118a or 118b while prohibiting access to at least the area of the storage unit 118 that is associated with the program.

  When the program execution unit 114 uses the system described in Patent Document 2, the execution management unit 117 can start the program requested to start by requesting the system to start.

  Also in this case, the program is executed while at least access to an area other than the area associated with the program in the storage unit 118 is prohibited.

  When the program execution unit 114 is realized by a virtual machine, the execution management unit 117 starts up the virtual machine set as the program execution unit 114.

  Also in this case, the program is executed while at least access to an area other than the area associated with the program in the storage unit 118 is prohibited.

  The execution management unit 117 stores information indicating a program that is currently being executed, and prepares for the end of the program later.

  Further, the execution management unit 117 notifies the request reception / reply unit 116 to the effect when the activation process is completed and the program becomes available.

  Here, the activated program is referred to as program A.

  Program A is a program on the server 100 side of the Web application. When the program A is activated, it operates as a Web server (specific server) corresponding to the server 100.

  Here, the port number in the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) protocol used by the Web server realized by the program A, the port number used by the request reception / response unit 116, and the port number used by other programs Need to be different from each other.

  Since the port number to be used is generally embedded in a program or its setting file, it is assumed that it is determined in advance so as not to overlap by some rule.

  At the same time, the Web browser execution unit 111 displays information such as “currently starting the program” until the program starts to be used and can be used (see screen 205).

  The display of the screen 205 by the Web browser execution unit 111 can be realized by the request reception / response unit 116 returning a file described in HTML for displaying the contents to the Web browser execution unit 111.

  Then, when the execution management unit 117 informs that the activation process is completed and the program is available, the request reception / reply unit 116 displays the screen displayed by the Web browser execution unit 111 as the program A. A response to redirect to the screen specified by the URL of the Web server provided by the server is returned to the Web browser execution unit 111.

  The request acceptance / response unit 116 provides a response indicating that the request is to be redirected to the Web browser execution unit 111. Similarly to the transition from the screen 202 to the screen 203, the request reception / response unit 116 specifies refresh with a meta tag. This can be achieved.

  The communication between the Web browser execution unit 111 and the virtual machine 112 is realized by a plug-in to the Web browser execution unit 111 or the virtual browser 112 is included inside the Web browser execution unit 111. In such a case, the web browser execution unit 111 may perform the screen transition as described above according to the state of the program requested to start.

  Thereby, the Web browser execution unit 111 displays the screen 206.

  The screen 206 is displayed when the program A operating in the virtual machine 112 operates as a Web server. As described above, the offline Web application can be executed.

  Depending on the type of Web application, it is necessary to synchronize the information held by the Web server 101 and the information held by the program A operating in the virtual machine 112.

  In this case, the program A has a function for synchronizing information, and the execution unit 119 that executes the program A communicates with the Web server 101 to synchronize information when the network connection is possible. Alternatively, the method described in Patent Document 2 may be used.

  In the technique described in Patent Document 2, a directory having a layer structure is used, and only files that have changed since a certain point are placed in another layer. At the time of synchronization, data synchronization is performed by sending the changed file from the server and client having the new version of the program to the one having the old version of the program. Is called.

  When the use of the offline web application ends (see screen 207), it is necessary to stop the local web server (program A).

  For this purpose, a link such as “Stop local server” is added to the screen 207.

  When the user clicks a link in the screen 207 using the Web browser execution unit 111, the request reception / reply unit 116 is requested to stop the program A that realizes the Web server.

  In order to realize this processing, this link is a link to the http server operating in the request receiving / replying unit 116.

  When receiving the link, the request receiving / replying unit 116 refers to the Referer of the requesting Web page.

  Since the referrer describes the port of the Web server, the request reception / reply section 116 can determine which program the stop request is by referring to this port.

  When receiving a stop request, the request reception / reply unit 116 requests the execution management unit 117 to stop the requested program. Based on the request, the execution management unit 117 stops the execution unit 119 from executing the requested program.

  The communication between the Web browser execution unit 111 and the virtual machine 112 is realized by a plug-in to the Web browser execution unit 111 or the virtual browser 112 is included inside the Web browser execution unit 111. If so, it is possible to know directly from which program the stop request is.

  The method for updating a program that has already been taken offline has not been described above, but the following method can be considered for updating a program that has already been taken offline.

  First, in the first method, when an offline link (or a link with a different name) is clicked on the screen 201, the program management unit 115 instructs the program distribution unit 102 of the current program. Ask for the version, and if the version of the current program is newer than the version of the program already downloaded and installed, download and install the current version of the program. Thereby, the program is updated.

  Another method is that when the program is to be executed offline on the screen 205, if the network connection is possible, the program management unit 115 starts before the execution management unit 117 starts executing the program. The program distribution unit 102 is asked for the version of the current program, and if the version is newer than the version of the program that has already been downloaded and installed, the current version of the program is downloaded and installed. Thereby, the program is updated, and the updated program is executed.

  As another method, a program update function may be built in the program.

  In this case, if the program being executed offline can connect to the network, it checks the existence of a new version by itself and updates itself.

  Next, a case where the restriction on the user interface of the Web browser execution unit 111 is removed will be described. Hereinafter, this application (program) is referred to as a “non-browser application”. In FIG. 1, the non-browser application is represented as program B.

  The operation in this case is similar to the case where the program A is made offline.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the screen transition of the Web browser execution unit 111 when the non-browser application is taken offline.

  First, the screen 301 is a screen of a web page displayed on the web browser execution unit 111 by the web server 101 when online.

  The Web server 101 prepares a plurality of links corresponding to each non-browser application in the screen 301. When the user clicks on any link in the screen 301 using the Web browser execution unit 111, the Web browser execution unit 111 receives and responds to the request, as in the case where the link is clicked on the screen 201 in FIG. The request is sent to the unit 116. This request also serves as an acquisition instruction and an execution instruction.

  When receiving the request, the request reception / reply unit 116 causes the program management unit 115 to download and install the program corresponding to the clicked link. The procedure for download / installation is the same as that for taking program A offline.

  During the download and installation, a screen like “Please wait” (see screen 302) is displayed on the Web browser execution unit 111. This procedure is the same as that when the program A is made offline.

  When the download / installation is completed, the request receiving / replying unit 116 requests the execution managing unit 117 to execute the program.

  When the execution management unit 117 receives the request, the execution management unit 117 causes the execution unit 119 to start executing the program, and generates a specific server on the virtual machine 112. At this time, the input / output unit 120 displays a screen 305.

  When the input / output unit 120 receives a predetermined request (for example, a request for calculation) from the user while the screen 305 is displayed, the input / output unit 120 sends the request to the execution unit 119, that is, the virtual machine 112. It transmits to the specific server, and then receives and displays the execution result according to the request from the specific server.

  Here, there are several methods by which the execution unit 119 executing the program B (non-browser application), that is, the specific server on the virtual machine 112 causes the input / output unit 120 to display the screen 305.

  In the first method, an input / output unit 120 in the client 110 operates an X Window System server (X server), and the X server communicates with the program B operating in the virtual machine 112 using the X protocol. In this method, a screen 305 is displayed on the input / output unit 120.

  As a similar method, a method using other screen control protocols such as VNC (Virtual Network Computing) (registered trademark) or Microsoft (registered trademark) Windows (registered trademark) Remote Desktop Protocol may be considered.

  In this case, an X server or another protocol equivalent to the X server (input / output unit 120) may be incorporated in the Web browser execution unit 111. In this case, the screen of the program to be started can be displayed in the window of the Web browser execution unit 111.

  Another possible method is to display the screen 305 in the screen provided by the virtual machine 112 itself.

  Here, the screen provided by the virtual machine 112 itself is a display that is displayed when the virtual machine 112 has virtual hardware related to graphics. Also in this case, it is conceivable to display the screen within the window of the Web browser execution unit 111.

  As described above, since the program B can directly perform screen drawing without using the web browser execution unit 111, the user interface restriction of the web browser execution unit 111 can be eliminated.

  When the program B starts to be started, the screen of the web browser execution unit 111 changes from the screen 302 to the screen 303. This realization method is the same as the transition from the screen 202 to the screen 203 when the program A is made offline.

  Further, a screen prompting the user to bookmark the URL for starting the program B is displayed on the Web browser execution unit 111 (see screen 304), as in the case of taking the program A offline.

  The program B is terminated using a screen (screen 305) provided by the program B itself, for example, a screen displayed by the input / output unit 120.

  When the program B ends, a notification indicating the end is sent from the program execution unit 114 (specifically, the execution unit 119) to the execution management unit 117. By this notification, the execution management unit 117 can grasp the execution state of the program B.

  The method by which the execution management unit 117 detects the end of the program depends on the implementation of the execution management unit 117, but the simplest is to periodically monitor the process status of the program being executed.

  Next, a case where a non-browser application is used offline will be described.

  Similarly to the case of using the offline program A, the user accesses the URL bookmarked on the screen 304 using the Web browser execution unit 111.

  By this operation, the request receiving / replying unit 116 requests the execution managing unit 117 to start the registered program B.

  The execution management unit 117 starts executing the program B.

  Until the program B is started, the Web browser execution unit 111 displays a screen such as “currently starting” like the screen 306, and when the startup is completed, the display screen is displayed as a screen 307. The screen transitions to a screen like “The program has started”.

  The above operation is the same as that when the offline program A is used.

  When the program B is activated by the execution unit 119 and the specific server is activated on the virtual machine 112, the input / output unit 120 displays a screen 308. Also in this case, when the execution of the program B ends, a notification indicating the end is sent from the execution unit 119 (a specific server on the virtual machine 112) to the execution management unit 117.

  Further, the update of the downloaded and installed program B is the same as in the case of the offline program A.

  Further, when some trouble occurs in the program running on the virtual machine 112, the user directly stops, restarts, starts, updates and deletes the program, and further restarts the virtual machine 112. It is possible to prepare an interface for this purpose.

  In this case, the Web browser execution unit 111 accesses a specific URL for management on the http server of the request reception / reply unit 116 in accordance with an instruction from the user.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when a specific URL for management on the http server of the request reception / response unit 116 is accessed.

  The communication between the Web browser execution unit 111 and the virtual machine 112 is realized by a plug-in to the Web browser execution unit 111 or the virtual browser 112 is included inside the Web browser execution unit 111. If so, the screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed from a specific menu built in the Web browser execution unit 111 itself.

  Through the screen shown in FIG. 4, the user directly checks the status of the program, stops, restarts, starts up, updates and deletes, and directly restarts the virtual machine.

  When a program stop / restart / start is requested, the request reception / response unit 116 makes a request to the execution management unit 117.

  When update and deletion of a program are requested, the request reception / reply unit 116 makes a request to the program management unit 115.

  When the restart of the virtual machine 112 is requested, the request reception / reply unit 116 restarts the virtual machine 112 by executing a command for restarting the virtual machine 112.

  Next, an outline of the operation will be described.

  When the web browser execution unit 111 displays a web page provided by the web server 101 and clicks a link on the page, the management module 113 operating on the virtual machine 112 is requested to obtain the program. Sent.

  When receiving a request to obtain a program, the management module 113 downloads the program from the program distribution unit 102 and installs it in the virtual machine 112.

  Then, when the Web browser execution unit 111 sends a request to the management module 113 to execute the program, the downloaded program is executed in the virtual machine 112.

  By using a program that provides the same function as the Web server program running on the server 100 as the program to be downloaded, the Web application can be executed offline.

  Further, by using a program that executes a process of directly interacting with a user without using the Web browser execution unit 111 as a program to be downloaded, it is possible to eliminate the restriction on the user interface of the Web browser.

  Next, the overall operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an operation when the Web application is taken offline. Hereinafter, the operation when the Web application is taken offline will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 501, the Web browser execution unit 111 uses the Web application by accessing the Web server 101 as in the case of a normal Web application.

  Next, by clicking a link with a name such as “offline” in the screen 201 of FIG. 2, the Web browser execution unit 111 requests the request reception / reply unit 116 to go offline (step 502). .

  When the request acceptance / reply section 116 accepts the request to go offline, the request acceptance / reply section 116 returns a response of “currently going offline” to the Web browser execution section 111 (step 503).

  Subsequently, the request receiving / replying unit 116 requests the program managing unit 115 to download / install the program requested to be offline (step 504).

  When receiving the download / installation request, the program management unit 115 makes a download request to the program distribution unit 102 of the server 100 and downloads the program requested to be offline (step 505).

  Subsequently, the program management unit 115 installs the downloaded program in the program execution unit 114 (step 506), and sends an end notification to the request reception / reply unit 116 (step 507).

  Upon receiving the end notification, the request reception / reply section 116 first sets an interface (such as a URL) for starting and ending the downloaded program (step 508).

  Next, the request reception / reply section 116 returns a reply with the content “offline has been completed” to the Web browser execution section 111. At the same time, the request reception / reply unit 116 directly accesses the interface set in step 508 from the web browser execution unit 111 and performs settings such as bookmarking the URL so that the program can be started (step 509).

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an operation when the offline Web application is used. Hereinafter, the operation when using the offline Web application will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 601, a program activation request is made from the previously set interface, for example, a URL is accessed from a bookmark.

  When a program activation request is made, an execution request is made to the request reception / reply section 116 (step 602).

  The request reception / reply section 116 returns a reply with a content such as “currently running” to the Web browser execution section 111 (step 603).

  Subsequently, the request reception / response unit 116 requests the execution management unit 117 to execute the program corresponding to the accessed URL (step 604).

  When the execution management unit 117 receives a request to execute a program, the program execution unit 114 executes the program (step 605).

  When the execution of the program starts, the execution management unit 117 returns a notification that the activation has ended to the request reception / reply unit 116 (step 606).

  When the request reception / reply unit 116 receives the notification that the activation has ended, the request reception / reply unit 116 returns a response that the activation has ended to the Web browser execution unit 111 (step 607).

  Upon receiving the response, the Web browser execution unit 111 accesses the Web server provided by the program that has been started (Step 608), and starts using the Web application offline (Step 609).

  For example, when the use of the web application is terminated by clicking on a link with content such as “stop local server” in the web application, a request for termination of the program is sent to the request reception / reply section 116. Sent (step 610).

  When the request acceptance / response unit 116 accepts the program termination request, it makes a stop request to the execution management unit 117 (step 611).

  When the execution management unit 117 receives the stop request, the program execution unit 114 stops the program requested to be terminated (step 612).

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation when a non-browser application is executed. Hereinafter, the operation when executing the non-browser application will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step 701, the web browser execution unit 111 displays a link for executing a non-browser application by accessing the web server 101.

  When the link is clicked, the Web browser execution unit 111 downloads and installs a program corresponding to the link (hereinafter referred to as “corresponding program”) to the request reception / reply unit 116, and further executes the execution. Is requested (step 702).

  When receiving the request, the request receiving / replying unit 116 returns a response of “processing in progress. Please wait” to the Web browser executing unit 111 (step 703).

  Subsequently, the request reception / reply section 116 requests the program management section 115 to download and install the corresponding program (step 704).

  Upon receiving the request, the program management unit 115 makes a download request to the program distribution unit 102 of the server 100 and downloads the corresponding program (step 705).

  Subsequently, the program management unit 115 installs the downloaded corresponding program (step 706), and sends an end notification to the request reception / reply unit 116 (step 707).

  Next, when accepting the end notification, the request accepting / replying unit 116 makes an execution request for the corresponding program to the execution managing unit 117 (step 708).

  When the execution management unit 117 receives an execution request for the corresponding program, the program execution unit 114 executes the corresponding program (step 709).

  When the execution is started, the program execution unit 114 that executes the corresponding program displays a screen managed by the corresponding program itself (step 710).

  Subsequently, the execution management unit 117 returns a notification that activation has ended to the request reception / reply unit 116 (step 711).

  Upon receiving the notification that the activation has been completed, the request reception / response unit 116 first sets an interface (such as a URL) for activating / terminating the downloaded program (step 712).

  Next, the request reception / reply section 116 returns a reply with a content such as “Program started” to the Web browser execution section 111. At the same time, the request receiving / replying unit 116 performs setting such as bookmarking the URL so that the Web browser execution unit 111 can directly access the interface set in Step 712 and start the program (Step 713).

  When the use of the program ends and the user performs the end process (step 714), the program execution unit 114 detects this and notifies the execution management unit 117 of the end of the program (step 715).

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation when a non-browser application is executed offline. Hereinafter, the operation when the non-browser application is executed offline will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 801, a program activation request is generated from the previously set interface, such as accessing a URL from a bookmark.

  When a program activation request is generated, an execution request is transmitted to the request reception / reply section 116 (step 802).

  When receiving the execution request, the request receiving / replying unit 116 returns a response of “currently activated” to the Web browser executing unit 111 (step 803).

  Subsequently, the request reception / reply section 116 requests the execution management section 117 to execute a program requested to be activated (hereinafter referred to as “request program”) (step 804).

  In response to the request, the execution management unit 117 executes the requested program in the program execution unit 114 (step 805).

  When the execution of the requested program is started, the requested program displays a screen managed by itself (step 806).

  When the execution of the request program is started, the execution management unit 117 returns a notification that the activation has been completed to the request reception / reply unit 116 (step 807).

  When receiving the notification, the request reception / response unit 116 returns a response indicating that the activation has been completed to the Web browser execution unit 111 (step 808).

  When the use of the program ends and the user performs the end process (step 809), the program execution unit 114 detects this and notifies the execution management unit 117 of the end of the program (step 810).

  Next, the effect of this embodiment will be described.

  The first effect is that a program that runs on the server side of the Web application is downloaded to the client, and when the client is offline, the client accesses the Web server that runs on the client according to the program, thereby executing the Web application offline. It can be done.

  Here, when downloading a program that runs on the server side, the user's work corresponding to installation can be made unnecessary, there is no restriction due to the type of client operating system, there is no security risk, and No need to drastically modify existing web applications.

  This is because the virtual machine is operated on the client side and the downloaded program is executed on the virtual machine.

  Thereby, the execution environment in the virtual machine can be set so that the downloaded program is automatically installed.

  In addition, since the downloaded program operates on the virtual machine, even if a computer virus is incorporated in the downloaded program, it is possible to prevent the influence on the client body side.

  Further, since the operating system operating on the virtual machine does not depend on the client operating system, the program downloaded from the server may not correspond to the client operating system.

  Furthermore, by making the operating system on the server side of the existing web application the same as the operating system that runs on the virtual machine, the program that runs on the server side of the existing web application is almost unchanged, It can be run on the client's virtual machine.

  The second effect is that the restriction of the user interface of the Web browser, which is limited to a range that can be described by HTML and its extension (JavaScript, etc.), can be eliminated.

  Here, the application can use any programming language instead of a specific language such as Java.

  This is because the virtual machine is operated on the client side and the downloaded program is executed on the virtual machine. As a result, any program that runs on the virtual machine can be run in any language.

  According to the present embodiment, the execution operation unit 121 in the client 110 prohibits writing to a storage area in which a program to be executed is not stored, while in the server storage unit 118a or 118b on the virtual machine 112. The specific server corresponding to the server 100 is generated on the virtual machine 112 by executing the above program.

  The specific server receives a predetermined request (for example, a calculation request) from the operation unit 123 in the client 110 and transmits an execution result of the predetermined request to the operation unit 123.

  For this reason, for example, a Web application can be executed offline while limiting the area in which a specific server can write (access), thereby speeding up a response to a user input, and reducing the calculation load and network load of the server 100. A system that can be mitigated can be realized while reducing security risks.

  Therefore, for example, even if a computer virus is incorporated in the downloaded program, it is possible to prevent the influence on the client body side. Therefore, the security for the program received from the server can be improved at the client.

  In the present embodiment, the management unit 122 and the execution operation unit 121 are included in the virtual machine 112.

  In this case, components that realize functions corresponding to the server 100 can be collected in the virtual machine 112.

  In this embodiment, access from the specific server to the OS storage unit 118c is restricted. In this case, even if a computer virus is incorporated in the downloaded program, it is possible to prevent the computer virus from affecting the operating system of the virtual machine 112.

  In the present embodiment, the OS storage unit 118c stores the same type of operating system as the operating system stored in the server 100. In this case, the program in the server 100 can be stored in the server storage unit 118a or 118b without changing.

  In this embodiment, the Web browser execution unit 111 transmits a predetermined request to the server 100 by using the Web browser, and receives and displays an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request from the server 100. Further, by using a Web browser, a predetermined request is transmitted to the specific server, and an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request is received from the specific server and displayed.

  In this case, it is possible to communicate with both the server 100 and the specific server in the virtual machine 112 by using the Web browser execution unit 111. Therefore, the user can use the server 100 and the specific server in the virtual machine 112 in the same way by using the Web browser execution unit 111.

  In the present embodiment, the Web browser execution unit 111 transmits a predetermined request to the server 100 by using the Web browser, and receives and displays an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request from the server 100. . The input / output unit 120 transmits a predetermined request to a specific server in the virtual machine 112, and receives and displays an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request from the specific server.

  In this case, the specific server in the virtual machine 112 communicates with the input / output unit 120 instead of the web browser execution unit 111. Therefore, the execution result from the specific server in the virtual machine 112 can be described in a format that cannot be displayed on the interface of the Web browser execution unit 111.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the second embodiment of the present invention includes a server computer 900 that operates under program control and a client computer 910 that operates under program control.

  The server computer 900 includes a web server program 901 and a program distribution program 902.

  For example, the server computer 900 includes a computer-readable recording medium such as a bird disk in which a Web server program 901 and a program distribution program 902 are described.

  The server computer 900 functions as the Web server 101 shown in FIG. 1 by reading and executing the Web server program 901 from the recording medium. The server computer 900 functions as the program distribution unit 102 shown in FIG. 1 by reading and executing the program distribution program 902 from the recording medium.

  The client computer 910 includes a web browser program 911 and a virtual machine program 912.

  For example, the client computer 910 includes a computer-readable recording medium such as a bird disk in which a Web browser program 911 and a virtual machine program 912 are described.

  The client computer 910 functions as the Web browser execution unit 111 (more specifically, the operation unit 113) illustrated in FIG. 1 by reading and executing the Web browser program 911 from the recording medium. The client computer 910 functions as the virtual machine 112 and the virtual machine generation unit 112a illustrated in FIG. 1 by reading and executing the virtual machine program 912 from the recording medium.

  Each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to fields where Web applications have been used, that is, document editing, spreadsheets, presentation software, mail clients, e-commerce, blogs, SNS (Social Networking Service), and games. Each of the above embodiments can also be applied to business application use in a company.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to each embodiment, the present invention is not limited to each of the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

  This application claims the priority on the basis of Japanese application Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-241372 for which it applied on September 19, 2008, and takes in those the indications of all here.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Server 101 Web server 102 Program delivery part 110 Client 111 Web browser execution part 112 Virtual machine 112a Virtual machine production | generation part 113 Management module 114 Program execution part 115 Program management part 116 Request reception / reply part 117 Execution management part 118 Storage part 118a, 118b server storage unit 118c OS storage unit 119 execution unit 120 input / output unit 121 execution operation unit 122 management unit 123 operation unit 900 server computer 910 client computer

Claims (12)

A program acquisition / execution client capable of communicating with a server that executes a server-side program when a predetermined request is received from a client and transmits an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request to the client;
Virtual machine generation means for generating a virtual machine having server storage means and other storage means;
Management means for obtaining the server-side program from the server and storing the server-side program in the server storage means;
Executing a server-side program in the server storage unit on the virtual machine while prohibiting writing to the other storage unit, and executing the predetermined request when the predetermined request is received An execution operation means for generating on the virtual machine a specific means for transmitting the result to the transmission source of the predetermined request;
An operation means for transmitting the predetermined request to the specifying means, and receiving and displaying an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request from the specifying means;   The program acquisition / execution client according to claim 1, wherein the management unit and the execution operation unit are included in the virtual machine. The other storage means includes OS storage means for storing an operating system for the virtual machine,
The program acquisition / execution client according to claim 1, wherein the virtual machine operates with an operating system in the OS storage unit.   4. The program acquisition / execution client according to claim 3, wherein the OS storage means stores the same type of operating system as the operating system stored in the server.   The operation means transmits the predetermined request to the server by using a Web browser, receives and displays an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request from the server, and uses the Web browser. 5. The program acquisition / transmission according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined request is transmitted to the specifying unit, and an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request is received and displayed from the specifying unit. Execution client.   5. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication unit that transmits the predetermined request to the server by using a Web browser and receives an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request from the server. The program acquisition / execution client. A program acquisition / execution method performed by a server that executes a server-side program and transmits an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request to the client when a predetermined request is received from the client, and a program acquisition / execution client capable of communication Because
Creating a virtual machine having server storage means and other storage means;
Obtaining the server-side program from the server and storing the server-side program in the server storage means;
Executing a server-side program in the server storage unit on the virtual machine while prohibiting writing to the other storage unit, and executing the predetermined request when the predetermined request is received A specific means for transmitting the result to the transmission source of the predetermined request is generated on the virtual machine,
A program acquisition / execution method for transmitting the predetermined request to the specifying unit and receiving and displaying an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request from the specifying unit. The other storage means includes OS storage means for storing an operating system for the virtual machine,
8. The program acquisition / execution method according to claim 7, wherein the virtual machine operates on an operating system in the OS storage unit.   9. The program acquisition / execution method according to claim 8, wherein the OS storage means stores the same type of operating system as the operating system stored in the server. A computer capable of communicating with a server that executes a server-side program and transmits an execution result corresponding to the predetermined request to the client when a predetermined request is received from the client, and that is equipped with a Web browser. ,
A virtual machine generation procedure for generating a virtual machine having server storage means and other storage means;
A management procedure for obtaining the server-side program from the server and storing the server-side program in the server storage means;
Executing a server-side program in the server storage unit on the virtual machine while prohibiting writing to the other storage unit, and receiving the predetermined request from the Web browser, the predetermined request program for a specific means for the execution result to send to the Web browser to execute an execution operation instructions generated on the virtual machine in accordance with the. The other storage means includes OS storage means for storing an operating system for the virtual machine,
The program according to claim 10, wherein the virtual machine operates on an operating system in the OS storage unit. The program according to claim 11, wherein the OS storage unit stores an operating system of the same type as an operating system stored in the server.

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