JPH07262205A - Data base access substitution device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an external data base access substitution device receiving the access condition of an external data base from a user by a simple procedure, substituting the access of the external data base in accordance with the received condition in spite of the life time (job time) of the user and giving the notice of the result to the user. CONSTITUTION:The condition of access to the external data base 1 can be registered in an access substitution center 2 by permitting a terminal 3 to access to the access substitution center 2 through a communication network NW. The access substitution center 2 accesses to the external data base 1 in accordance with the registered access condition. Some data is obtained from the external data base 1. Whether the terminal 3 is operated or not does not become a problem at the time of access. Data which the access substitution center 2 obtains is distributed to a distribution destination registered in the access substitution center 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to a database (20
0) to an external database access proxy device that automatically accesses the database on behalf of the user of the database.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a so-called external database for providing various information providing services to a specific contracted user or general user. In order for a user to receive such an information providing service, a host computer (hereinafter referred to as “host”) of an external database is online via a telephone line network or various digital communication networks using a workstation or a personal computer as a terminal. .) To access the external database. Therefore, a user who wants to access an external database needs to purchase a computer as such a terminal, master its usage, set a communication line, and independently develop or purchase a communication program. . Therefore, in order to eliminate the inconvenience when using such a computer as a terminal, a telephone type in which the minimum necessary functions as a terminal such as a database access command issuing function, a display function, and a printout function are integrated into a telephone Simple terminals have been used, and anyone can easily access the external database.

As described above, the base of users of the external database is expanded, and the number of external databases is also increased accordingly, so that one user can access a plurality of external databases. Therefore, in such a social situation, it is desired to construct a system in which the user appropriately selects necessary data from the information flooding the world and receives the notification promptly.

[0004]

However, in the conventional system, the user had to operate the terminal himself to access the external database. Therefore,
Of course, it was impossible to access the external database even during sleeping hours when the user was absent. Even if the user can operate the terminal, the service time is limited due to the circumstances of the external database system (especially when accessing an overseas database, due to the time difference, access is only possible at night. In some cases, the access fee for daytime is set higher than the access fee for late night in order to reduce the load on the external database. As described above, there has been a problem that the life (business) time of a person does not match the effective use time of the external database.

It is possible that a user can obtain specific data from an external database at a specific time according to a certain condition when he / she is not present. For that purpose, a computer as a terminal is always powered on. , I had to go through a special procedure to set it up. Therefore, there is a problem that not only power is wasted, but also a user who cannot set certain conditions cannot access the external database.

Further, when accessing a plurality of external databases, there is a problem that the command format and the command input screen format are different for each external database.

[0007] Therefore, the technical problem of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, to accept a condition of external database access from a user by a simple procedure, regardless of the user's living time (working time). It is an object of the present invention to provide an external database access proxy device that can perform access proxy of an external database according to the received condition and notify the user of the result. An additional object of the present invention is to provide an external data access proxy device capable of setting access conditions in a unified format.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following means as shown in the principle diagram of the invention of FIG.

<Summary of the Invention> The database access proxy device according to the present invention can be connected to both the database (200) and a terminal (300) that accesses the database (200) and reads out information via a communication network. An access condition storage unit (101) for registering a condition of access to the database (200) in response to a request from the terminal (300) in the database access proxy device (100), and the access condition storage unit (100). Access means (102) for accessing the database (200) according to the access conditions stored in (101), and data receiving means (103) for receiving data obtained as a result of access by the access means (102). It is characterized by having and.

<Essential Requirements of the Present Invention> Next, the points of the essential components of the present invention will be summarized. [Database] The database (200) to be accessed in the present invention includes all databases such as a network database, a relational database, and a card type database. The point is that a plurality of pieces of data can be stored, and a part of the data with a condition can be read out from these pieces of data. The database (200) may be constructed by being divided into a host computer and a database as a file. In this case, one host computer may collectively manage a plurality of databases (200).

The database (200) referred to here
Indicates a person who grants access to the database (200) to a specific or unspecified third party other than the database owner. Among these, in the database (200) in which the user is limited to a specific person, there is a database (200) in which a password is given to the user and this password is used as an access condition. In the case of such a database (200), this password is also included in the “access condition”. This password is assigned to the subscriber number of the communication network, whether it is assigned in association with an ID code separately given to the user or assigned in association with the subscriber number. It may be provided correspondingly. Also, this password check, including the case where one host computer manages multiple databases (200),
It may be done on the host computer.

[Terminal (300)] The terminal (30
Reference numeral 0) is a terminal (300) that is connected to the database (200) via a communication network (NW) and can access the database (200). Therefore, the terminal (300)
It may be a computer, a word processor, or a telephone type simple terminal (300).

[Communication network] A communication network means an analog telephone line network, a packet switching network, an ISDN, a LAN, etc.
Multiple terminals (300) connect to any terminal (300) /
Any communication network that can be switched may be used.

[Database Access Proxy Device] The database access proxy device (100) is a device that performs access to the database (200) normally performed by the terminal (300) on behalf of the terminal (300).

[Access Condition Storage Means] The access condition storage means (101) stores the access conditions transmitted from the terminal (300). As conditions for this access, in addition to the conditions (password, keyword, search range, etc.) specified when accessing the database (200) from the normal terminal (300), a condition as a trigger for accessing (for example, what time Access is made, or access is made when data is obtained after searching other related databases, etc.) is also applicable.

As this access condition, it is possible to store a password for accessing the database (200). In this case, the password may be encrypted and stored so that it can be decrypted at the time of access. This reduces the risk of someone stealing your password.

[Access Means] This access means (10
2) is for performing access according to the access conditions stored in the access condition storage means (101).
00) has the same function as accessing the database (200).

[Data Receiving Means (103)] The data receiving means (103) referred to here is a database (2
00) as long as the data transmitted from 00) can be taken into the database access proxy device (100). The means for notifying the subscriber of this data once the data has been captured is arbitrary. For example, it may be returned to the subscriber's terminal (300) immediately, data may be transferred to a terminal (300) that is always operating, such as a facsimile, or data may be transferred offline. The data may be stored in the memory and wait for the subscriber to come to see the data.

<Additional Constituent Elements> The present invention is composed of the above-mentioned essential constituents. However, in addition to these essential constituents, the following additional constituents may be added.

[Data File] A data file for temporarily holding the data received by the data receiving means (103) may be added. In this way, after receiving the data, the data can be transferred to the subscriber at an arbitrary timing. Therefore, the timing of data access and the timing of data reception can be set more freely.

[Data Transfer Means] A data transfer means for transferring the data received by the data receiving means (103) to any terminal may be added. This means that, from the subscriber's point of view, the timing at which the data can be obtained is free, and the degree of freedom of the place where the data is obtained is increased. Especially as an arbitrary terminal,
If you specify a fax machine, you can virtually receive data at all times without any special receiving operation.

[Transfer Condition Storage Means] Transfer condition storage means for registering the conditions for the transfer in response to a request from the terminal (300) may be added. By doing so, the transfer time and the like can be freely set. Therefore, the degree of freedom in data reception is further increased.

[Fault Record File] If a fault occurs during operation of the database access agent device (100), a fault record file may be added to record the fact. Ideally, the database access proxy device (100) is automatically operated, and therefore it is not realistic for the subscriber to monitor the access proxy operation or the like. Therefore, the subscriber can access the database access agent (10
It is not possible to confirm whether 0) is operating properly. However, if this fault record file is provided, the subscriber can confirm the presence or absence of a fault in the operation of the substitute device ex post facto.

[Fault Record Transfer Means] Fault record transfer means may be added to transfer the fault record recorded in the fault record file to an arbitrary terminal (300). By doing so, the subscriber can immediately know that a failure has occurred, that is, that the data access agent requested by the subscriber has not succeeded. Therefore, it is possible to easily take post-procedure measures.

<Database Access System According to the Present Invention> A database access system using the database access proxy device according to the present invention stores a database (200) in which various data are accumulated and accesses the database (200) to obtain information. A database access system including a terminal (300) for reading and a database access proxy device (100) connected to both the database (200) and the terminal (300) via a communication network (NW), the terminal comprising: (30
0) has a transmission means for transmitting the access condition for accessing the database to the database access proxy device (100), and the database access proxy device (100) sets the access condition for the database to the database access proxy device (100). An access condition storage means (101) received from the terminal (300) and registered, and an access means (102) for accessing the database (200) in accordance with the access conditions stored in the access condition storage means (101). , This access method (10
2) The data receiving means (103) for receiving the data obtained as a result of the access according to (2).

<Method according to the present invention> In the database access proxy method according to the present invention, conditions for accessing the database (200) accumulating various data are received from the terminal (300), and the received access is received. The condition of is stored, and according to the stored access condition,
The database (200) is accessed, and as a result of this access, the data received from the database (200) is received.

[0027]

The access condition storage means (101) stores the conditions for database access requested by the terminal (300) via the communication network. Then, when the access condition stored in the access condition storage means (101) is satisfied, the access means (102) accesses the database (200) so as not to deviate from the access condition. This access result database (20
The data read from (0) is the data receiving means (10
3) is received.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. <System Configuration> First, FIG. 2 shows a system configuration diagram of a database search system to which a database access proxy device according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected.

In this database search system, each user directly operates a terminal 3, an access proxy center 2 as a database access proxy device connected to this terminal via a communication network NW, and this access proxy center 3 And a plurality of external databases 1 connected to each other via a communication network NW. In addition, in FIG.
The terminal 3 and the external database 1 can be accessed only through the access agency center 2,
Of course, the external database 1 can be directly accessed from the terminal 3 without going through the access proxy center 2. Hereinafter, a detailed description of each of these units will be given.

[Structure of External Database 1] The external database 1 stores the individual database 1b in which various data are classified and stored, and the required data is normally received from the database 1b by receiving the database access command from each terminal 3. It is composed of a host computer 1a for taking out and rewriting the contents of the individual database 1b. To start the host computer 1a and read the data stored in the individual database 1b, the ID registered in advance in the host computer 1a is used.
The code and the password corresponding to the ID code and similarly registered in the host computer 1a must be input to the host computer 1a online via the communication network NW. Some external databases 1 require a special code to be input when rewriting the contents of the individual database 1b. In the external database 1, a plurality of individual databases 1b may be incorporated under the control of one host computer 1a.

The access conditions between the host computer 1b and the terminal 3 differ depending on the type of the individual database 1a. Details of this access condition include communication speed, communication method (all / half), bit length, stop bit, MNP, procedure, data type, access command, and the like. This communication speed is the speed at which communication is performed, and the unit is [bps (bit per a
second)]. The communication method is a distinction between "full-duplex (data can be transmitted in both directions simultaneously)" or "half-duplex (when one transmits data, the other only receives data)". The bit length is an agreement on how many bits are sent as a unit when transmitting a character. A stop bit is an identification signal that signals the end of transmission data.

[Configuration of Terminal 3] The terminal 3 is a modem (modulator / demodulator) for the communication network NW.
tor) 3a is a personal computer connected thereto. This terminal 3 is a CPU (central processing) interconnected by a bus B.
unit) 3b, a reception buffer 3c, a communication program 3d as a transmission means, an ID information table 3e, a password change unit 3f, a main memory 3g, and a subscriber number storage unit 3h.

The CPU 3b is a main memory (MM).
It is a control device that performs various controls for the entire terminal 3 and executes an application program under the control of the operating system loaded in 3g.

The communication program 3d is an application program executed on the CPU 3b, and is a program for operating the modem 3a to perform communication via the communication network NW.

The reception buffer 3c is the external database 1
Alternatively, it is a buffer for receiving and temporarily storing data from the access proxy center 2. ID information table 3
e is a table in which the ID code and password for each user's external data table 1 are registered for each database.

The password update function program 3f
When the password registered in the D information table 3e is changed by the user, the access proxy center 2 is automatically operated.
Is a program to notify.

The subscriber number storage unit 3h is a memory for storing a subscriber number and a password for the subscriber number. This subscriber number is a user who has requested the access agency center 2 to perform an access agency (hereinafter referred to as "subscriber").
Is a number given to.

With the above configuration, the terminal 3 activates the modem 3a by executing the communication program 3d in the CPU, and the external database 1 is activated via the communication network NW.
Alternatively, the access proxy center 2 can be connected.
Also, the ID information table 3 for the external database 1
It is possible to access by sending the ID information and password registered in e. Further, it is possible to access the access proxy center 2 by transmitting the ID information and password registered in the subscriber number storage unit 3h. If data is transmitted from the external database 1 or the access proxy center 2 as a result of access, the reception buffer 3c
Temporarily store in. When the password for the external database 1 is changed, the password update 3f
Is activated to notify the access proxy center 2 of a password change.

[Configuration of Access Proxy Center 2] Next, the configuration of the access proxy center 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
The access surrogate center 2 includes a circuit I / O21 connected to the communication network NW and a C connected to the circuit I / O21.
The PU 20, the communication software 22 connected to the CPU 20 via the bus B, the password update acceptance function program 23, the encryption function program 26, the file 27 for each subscriber, and the database access information table 24 as access condition storage means. , And an access condition table 25 for each user as an access condition storage unit / transfer condition storage unit.

This CPU 20 is a main memory (MM)
The control device controls the entire access proxy center 2 under the control of the operating system loaded in 20a and executes an application program.

The line I / O 21 is an interface for connecting the internal components of the access proxy center 2 such as the CPU 20 to the communication network NW. The database access information table 24 is a table in which the access conditions of all external databases 1 accessible from the access agency center 2 are collectively registered.

The user-specific access condition table 25 is a table created for each subscriber, and registers the contents of the database access agency requested by each subscriber. The contents of the database access agency are the name of the database for which the access agency is requested, the ID code of the subscriber registered in the database, the password (PW) for the ID code, the time condition for access, the search keyword, and other conditions. Indicates the access conditions shown, the delivery destination (phone number, fax number, etc.) to deliver the access result, the media type (fax, voice, data, etc.) when delivering the access result, and the time condition for delivering the access result. It is a condition at the time of delivery. The ID number and password registered here are encrypted and then registered. Further, in this user-specific access condition table 25, a subscriber number for accessing the access surrogate center 2 itself from the terminal 3 and a password corresponding thereto are also registered.

The subscriber-specific file 27 is a file created for each subscriber, and comprises an emergency notification destination media type file 27a and a log file 27b as a data file / fault record file.

This emergency notification destination media file 27a
When a failure such as password mismatch occurs, record the telephone number or fax number of the notification destination to be notified of the failure and the type of media (voice, fax, etc.) used for the notification. It is a file to put. The reason for providing this file specially is as follows. That is, since it is unlikely that the terminal 3 has been activated when the access is performed by the database access agency center 2, even if the terminal 3 is notified, the subscriber is unlikely to receive the notification. Therefore, the notification destination that is likely to receive the notification is registered in advance.

The log file 27b is a file for temporarily storing an access result when the external database 1 is accessed and a log when an abnormal process occurs. The communication software 22 is an application program executed on the CPU 20, and is a program for communicating with each external database 1 and each terminal 3 via the communication network NW.

Password update acceptance function program 23
Is an application program executed on the CPU 20, receives the password update notification from the terminal 3, and changes the password for the target database registered in the user-by-user access condition table 25 for the subscriber. , The password of the subscriber registered in the host computer 1a of the external database 1 is changed.

The encryption function program 26 is executed by the CPU 20.
Is an application program that is executed above. That is, the program 26 has a function of encrypting the ID code or password received from the terminal 3 when registering or changing the ID code or password in the user-specific access condition table 25. Also, this program 2
When the ID code and the password are read from the access condition table 25 for each user, these I
It has the function of decrypting the D code and password. In addition,
The communication software 22, password update acceptance function program 23, and encryption function program 26 are stored in a ROM (read only memory) connected to the bus B.

The CPU 20 produces various functions by executing these programs. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the functions realized on the CPU 20 and other components.
In FIG. 5, the CPU 20 includes a communication unit 20a as a data receiving unit, an access proxy unit 20b as an access unit, an access condition setting changing unit 20c, and a distribution unit 2 as a data transfer unit, which are connected to the communication unit 20a.
0d, and a fault processing unit 20e as fault record transfer means.
It consists of and.

The communication section 20a is a section for communicating with the external database 1 and the terminal 3 according to the communication software 22. The access proxy unit 20b is a unit that executes proxy access to the external database 1 according to the registration contents registered in the DB access information table 24 and the user-specific access condition table 25. The access proxy unit 20b uses the access condition table 25 for each user.
When reading the ID code and password from the
Decode the D code and password. The access agency unit 20b has a software timer therein so that the access agency can perform the access agency at the time designated by the subscriber.

The access condition setting change unit 20c is a unit for changing / adding access conditions such as passwords registered in the user-specific access condition table 25 according to the password update acceptance function program 23. The access condition setting changing unit 20c performs encryption by referring to the encryption function program 26 when writing a new ID code and password in the user-specific access condition table 25 and when making a change.

The distribution unit 20d uses the data temporarily stored in the log file 27b as a result of the access substitution,
According to the data registered in the user-specific access condition table 25, the data is delivered to the delivery destination designated by the subscriber. The distribution unit 20d has a data conversion function for enabling distribution on the media designated by the subscriber. The data conversion function is to convert the data stored as the code information in the log file 27b into image information for fax, or to convert into a voice signal for driving a sound source (not shown) to generate a voice. is there. The distribution unit 20d has a software timer therein so that distribution can be performed at a time designated by the subscriber.

The failure processing unit 20e is the external database 1
When a failure occurs when the access is performed for the, the details of the failure are classified and recorded in the file 27 for each subscriber as the log file 27b. The failure content is classified into no response from the external database 1, communication line abnormality, password error, and the like. At the same time, the failure processing unit 20e causes the emergency communication destination media type file 2
The emergency notification destination and the media type of the subscriber recorded in 7a are searched, and the notification destination is notified. At this time, the contents of the log file are converted into a format suitable for the relevant medium.

Further, the failure processing unit 20e, when a failure occurs at the time of distribution between the terminal (including the fax registered as the distribution destination in the user-specific access condition table 25) and the access proxy center 2, The details of the failure are classified and recorded in the file 27 for each subscriber as a log file 27b. This failure content is classified into no response from the terminal, abnormal terminal response, password error, and the like. At the same time, the failure processing unit 20e searches the emergency notification destination and the media type of the subscriber recorded in the emergency communication destination media type file 27a, and notifies the relevant notification destination. At this time, the contents of the log file are converted into a format suitable for the relevant medium.

<Processing Flow in System> Next, a processing flow in the database search system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[Setting of external database access condition]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing for setting the access conditions for the external database 1 from the terminal 3 to the access proxy center 2.

This process is performed in step S101.
The terminal 3 starts by activating the communication program 3d. Then, first, the terminal 3 logs in to the access proxy center 2. At the time of this login, the subscriber number and the password for the subscriber number are transmitted from the terminal 3 to the access proxy center 2.

Subsequently, the access proxy center 2 determines whether the entered password matches the password registered in advance in the user-specific access condition table 25 as corresponding to the simultaneously entered subscriber number. (Step S102). If they do not match, the access proxy center 2 rejects the communication and disconnects the line (step S109).

On the other hand, if the passwords match, the terminal 3 designates the host (computer) 1a name of the external database 1 for the access proxy center (step S103).

Subsequently, the terminal 3 accesses the access conditions (line speed, full / half duplex, bit length, etc.) of each individual database 1b under the control of the host computer 1a designated in step S103. Database access information table 2 of proxy center 2
4 is registered (step S104). However, if already registered, this registration will not be performed.

Subsequently, the terminal 3 designates an individual database name for which an access proxy is requested from among the individual databases 1b under the control of the host computer 1a designated in step S103 (step S105).

Subsequently, the terminal 3 designates the access content regarding the individual database designated in step S105 (step S106). What is this access content?
Each condition listed in the user-specific access condition table 25. Therefore, the ID code and password registered in advance by the subscriber in the host computer 1a for the specified individual database 1b are also specified here. In addition, the time condition for the time when the database access is performed and the time when the data is delivered is also defined in this step (S step 106).
In. Further, the terminal 3 also specifies the data type (step S107).

Next, the access proxy center 2 accesses the user-specific access condition table 25 for the subscriber based on the subscriber number input in step S101. Then, the access content is written in the user-specific access condition table 25 according to the content specified in steps S105 to S107. In this way, the database access information table 25 is created (step S108).

After the above processing is completed, the terminal 3 logs out and ends the processing. [Access Agency of External Database] Next, the access agency processing for the external database 1 executed by the access agency center 2 according to the access contents registered as described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of processing when the access proxy center 2 makes an access proxy for the external database 1 according to a time condition.

As a premise for executing this processing, the access proxy center 2 refers to the software timer in the access proxy unit 20b, and sets the access conditions registered in the user-specific access condition table 25 at regular time intervals. Search for. Then, if there is a table satisfying the access condition, the processing of the access agency is started.

It is now assumed that the access proxy contents having the temporal condition as the search condition are registered and the temporal condition is satisfied. Then, a task for executing the access agency is activated (step S201).

Subsequently, the access proxy center 2 searches the user-specific access condition table 25 to find a search content item (row of the user-specific access condition table in FIG. 3) satisfying the search condition. Then, the name of the database to be accessed, the ID code registered in advance for the database, and the password for the ID code in the search content item thus found are read out (step S202). At this time, the encryption function program 26 is activated,
Decode the encrypted ID code and password.

Next, based on the database name thus read, the database access information table 24
Is read, and the access condition for the database that is the access agent is read (step S203).

After the above, access to the database is performed according to the read access conditions. That is, the host computer 1a corresponding to the read database name
To the access agency center 2 (step S204). At this time, the read ID code and password are input to the host computer 1a. When the input combination of the ID code and the password does not match the combination of the passwords of the ID codes registered in the host computer 1a in advance, the host computer 1a rejects the login. Even if they match, there may be no reply from the host computer 1a. In addition, there may be other communication line anomalies.

In the next step S205, it is determined whether or not such a failure has occurred. When no failure has occurred, subsequently, the access proxy center 2 inputs the database name of the individual database 1b to be accessed to the host computer 1a to access this individual database. At this time, the access condition table 2 for each user
5. Input the access conditions registered in 5 (for example, keywords for keyword search, the fact that the latest information is retrieved, the fact that a follow-up survey is performed, etc.) to the host computer 1a,
The corresponding data is obtained (step S206).

Subsequently, the access proxy center 2 saves (stores) the data read in step S206 in the log file 27b of the file 27 for each subscriber. After that, the host computer 1a is logged out and the communication line is disconnected (step S208). After the above processing is executed, this processing flow ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S205 that a failure has occurred, the process proceeds to step S20.
Proceed to 9 to collect fault records. That is, the access proxy center 2 classifies the failure content and records it in the log file of the file 27 for each subscriber.

Subsequently, the access proxy center 2 searches the emergency communication destination media type file 27a and reads the emergency notification destination of the subscriber recorded therein (step S210). Then, the terminal of the emergency notification destination is accessed based on the read emergency notification destination (step S211). Then, the content of the failure record stored in the log file 27b is notified to this terminal by the medium specified in the emergency communication destination medium type file 27a (step S212). After the above processing is executed, this processing flow ends.

[Distribution from Access Agency Center to Terminal]
Next, a process of delivering the data recorded in the log file 27b as described above to the terminal will be described. Figure 7
According to the time condition, the access agency center 2 to the terminal 3
9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing when an access proxy result is distributed to a client.

As a premise for executing this processing, the access surrogate center 2 refers to the software timer in the distribution unit 20d and sets each distribution condition registered in the user-specific access condition table 25 at a fixed time interval. Search the search. If there is a table that satisfies the distribution condition, the data distribution process is started.

If there is a table that satisfies the distribution condition, the access proxy center 2 activates a task for executing the distribution (step S301). Subsequently, the access proxy center 2 uses the access condition table 2 for each user.
5 is searched for a search content item (row of the user-specific access condition table in FIG. 3) that satisfies the distribution condition. Then, the access target database name, the delivery destination, and the media type in the search content items thus found are read out (step S30).
2).

Next, the log file 27b is accessed based on the database name and subscriber number thus read out, and the data to be distributed is read out from the data stored therein (step S303).

After the above, according to the information of the delivery destination read in step S302, a call is made to the corresponding delivery destination. Then, the data read in step S303 is distributed according to the media type read in step S303. For example, a call is made by fax (step S304).

In the next step S305, it is determined whether or not a failure such as a communication error has occurred. When no failure has occurred, this processing flow ends. On the other hand, step S
If it is determined in 305 that a failure has occurred, the process proceeds to step S306, and failure records are collected. That is, the access proxy center 2 classifies the failure content and records it in the log file of the file 27 for each subscriber. Subsequently, the access proxy center 2 searches the emergency communication destination media type file 27a and reads the emergency notification destination of the subscriber recorded therein (step S307). Then, the terminal of the emergency notification destination is accessed based on the read emergency notification destination (step S308). Then, this terminal is notified of the content of the failure record stored in the log file 27b by the medium designated in the emergency communication destination medium type file 27a (step S309). After the above processing is executed, this processing flow ends.

[Password Update at Access Agency Center] FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of processing for updating the password for the external database 1 from the terminal 3 to the access agency center 2.

This processing is performed in step S401.
The password for any one of the external databases 1 stored in the ID information table 3e of the terminal 3 is changed by the subscriber to start (step S401). Therefore, at this point, the subscriber can leave the terminal 3.

Next, the terminal 3 activates the password update function program 3f (step 402). Then,
The password update function program 3f further activates the communication program 3d. As a result of this activation, terminal 3
Logs in to the access proxy center 2 (step S
403).

Subsequently, the access proxy center 2 activates the password update acceptance function program 23 (step S404). Subsequently, the terminal 3 automatically inputs the ID code for the external database and the password registered before the update in step S401 to the access proxy center 2 (step S40).
5). At this time, the subscriber number is also transmitted at the same time.

Subsequently, in the access proxy center 2, the ID code and password input from the terminal 3 in step S405 match the ID code and password registered in the user-specific access condition table 25 for the external database 1. It is determined whether or not (step S406).

If they do not match, the access proxy center 2 carries out an abnormality process (step S411). That is, in this case, since the terminal 3 and the access proxy center 2 are actually connected, the access proxy center 2 notifies the terminal 3 of the mismatch of the passwords.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S406 that they match with each other, the terminal 3 newly makes an ID code for the external database and step S406.
The password updated in 401 is automatically input to the access proxy center 2 (step S40).
7). Then, the access proxy center 2 outputs an update notification to the terminal 3 (step S408). When the above processing is completed, the terminal 3 logs off to the access proxy center 2 (step S409).

Thereafter, the access proxy center 2 accesses the user-specific access condition table 25 for the subscriber based on the subscriber number entered in step S405. Then, the password on the user-specific access condition table 25 is updated according to the content input in step S407. At this time, the encryption function program is activated to encrypt the password (step S4).
10). After the above processing is completed, this processing flow ends.

[Update of Password on Host Computer] Next, the process of updating the password registered in the host computer 1a based on the password updated on the access proxy center 2 as described above will be described. . FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing this processing.

This processing is executed subsequent to the processing shown in FIG. Then, first, the communication software 22 is activated (step S501). Subsequently, the access proxy center 2 uses the database access information table 24 based on the database name for which the password is updated in the process of FIG.
To search. Then, the communication conditions regarding the host computer 1a of the corresponding external database 1 are read. After the above, according to the read access condition, the host computer 1a corresponding to the read database name
To the access agent center 2 (step S503). At the time of this login, the ID code and password are read from the user-specific access condition table 25 and are input to the host computer 1a.
However, the password used for this login is the password before update. When the combination of the ID code and the password thus input does not match the combination of the passwords of the ID codes registered in the host computer 1a in advance, the host computer 1a rejects the login. Even if they match, there may be no reply from the host computer 1a. In addition, there may be other communication line anomalies.

In the next step S503, it is determined whether or not such a failure has occurred. When no failure has occurred, the access proxy center 2 refers to the user-specific access condition table 25 again to read the updated password. Then, the password registered on the host computer 1a is updated based on the read password (step S504). After that, the access proxy center 2 logs out from the host computer 1a and disconnects the communication line (step S208). After the above processing is executed, this processing flow ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that a failure has occurred, the process proceeds to step S50.
Proceed to 6 and collect fault records. That is, the access proxy center 2 classifies the failure content and records it in the log file of the file 27 for each subscriber. Next, the access agency center 2 sends the emergency communication destination media type file 27
A is searched, and the emergency notification destination for the subscriber recorded therein is read (step S507). Then, the terminal of the emergency notification destination is accessed based on the read emergency notification destination (step S508). And
Emergency communication destination media type file 2 for this terminal
The content of the fault record stored in the log file 27b is notified by the medium designated in 7a (step S509). After the above processing is executed, this processing flow ends.

<Specific Example of Processing> Next, the actual flow of the above-described processing will be described using a specific example. In this specific example, it is assumed that the stock information of the external database (probably “A”) 1 is accessed every day at 17:00, and the terminal (telephone type simple terminal) 3 that has registered the result is notified. .

First, according to the flowchart of FIG.
The contents of the above access must be notified to the access proxy center 2. Therefore, the subscriber activates the communication program 3d of the terminal 3 to access the access proxy center 2 from the terminal 3 (step S101).

Then, the line information (access information) required to access the external database A is registered in the database access information table 24 (step S1).
04).

Next, the access condition table for each user 25
, And use the encryption function program 26 together,
Register access conditions. In this specific example, "A" is registered in the "external database name" and the "ID code" is registered.
The subscriber's ID is registered in, the corresponding password is registered in "password", "access every day at 17:00" is registered in "access condition", and the phone number of terminal 3 is registered in "destination". Register "Media type" with "Dext data" and "Distribution condition" with "Distribute immediately after database access". At this time, the password field cannot be seen from the terminal 3. Finally, the line is disconnected and the database name "A", the ID code, and the password are registered in the ID information table 3e of the terminal 3.

After the above work is completed, the access proxy center 3 performs the access proxy according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. That is, the access proxy center 3 automatically accesses the external database 1 at 17:00 every day (step S206). Then, the access result is automatically transferred in the form of text data to the terminal of the telephone number registered in the user-specific access condition table 25 (step S304). At this time, if the terminal is a telephone-type simple terminal, the presence or absence of the subscriber does not matter. If the media type registered in the user-specific access condition table 25 is "FAX", the result of the access agency can be received by fax.

Further, when the subscriber wants to change the password of the external database 1 online, it is necessary to perform the update procedure according to FIG. That is, when the terminal 3 recognizes that the ID information table 3e has been updated after the registration shown in FIG. 5, the terminal 3 automatically accesses the access proxy center 2. Then, the password update acceptance function program 23 and the encryption function program 26 are activated to update the “password” column stored in the user-specific access condition table 25.

When the subscriber directly changes the password of the external database 1 online, after changing the password stored in the host computer of the external database 1, the ID information table 3e of the terminal 3 is changed. Change the password. Then, the password on the side of the access proxy center 2 is automatically updated and reflected in accordance with the processing order of the flow of FIG.

[0098]

Since the external database access proxy device according to the present invention is provided with the above-mentioned essential components, the external database access condition from the user is accepted by a simple procedure, and the user's living time (working time) Regardless of the above, it is possible to notify the user of the result by performing access on behalf of the external database according to the received conditions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a database search system including an external database access proxy device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an access proxy device in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the CPU in FIG. 3 in detail.

5 is a flowchart for setting an external database access condition in the system of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an external database access agency in the system of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of distribution from the access proxy center to the terminals in the system of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of password update for the access proxy center in the system of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of password update for the host computer in the system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 External Database 2 Access Agency Center 3 Terminal 20 CPU 24 Database Access Information Table 25 User-Specific Access Condition Table 27 Subscriber File

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A database (200) and a terminal (30) for accessing the database (200) and reading out information.
0) is a database access proxy device (100) connected to both of them via a communication network (NW), and registers conditions of access to the database (200) in response to a request from the terminal (300). Access condition storage means (101) for performing, access means (102) for accessing the database (200) according to the access condition stored in the access condition storage means (101), and access by the access means (102) Data receiving means (103) for receiving the data obtained as a result of
A database access agent device (100) comprising: 2. The database access agent device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the access condition includes a condition as to when the access is performed.
0). 3. The database access agent device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a data file for storing the data received by said data receiving means (103). 4. The database access agent according to claim 1, further comprising data transfer means for transferring the data received by said data receiving means (103) to an arbitrary terminal (300). Device (100). 5. The conditions for the transfer are set to the terminal (30
0), the transfer condition storage means for registering in response to the request from
The database access agent device (100) according to claim 5, further comprising: 6. A database access agent device (10)
The database access agent device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a failure recording file for recording a failure occurring during operation of (0). 7. The database access agent device according to claim 6, further comprising fault record transfer means for forwarding the fault record recorded in the fault record file to an arbitrary terminal (300). 100). 8. The database access proxy device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the access condition includes a password for accessing the database (200). 9. When registering the password in the access condition storing means (101) in response to a request from the terminal (300), the password is encrypted and
9. The database access proxy device (100) according to claim 8, further comprising encryption means for decrypting the encrypted password when the access means (102) makes an access. 10. A database (2) that stores various data.
00), a terminal (300) for accessing the database (200) to read information, and a database access proxy device (both connected to the database (200) and the terminal (300) through a communication network ( 10
0), wherein the terminal (300) has a transmission means for transmitting an access condition for accessing the database (200) to the database access proxy device (100), The database access proxy device (100) receives an access condition for the database (200) from the terminal (300) and registers the access condition storage means (101) and the access condition storage means (10).
Access means (102) for accessing the database (200) according to the access conditions stored in 1), and data receiving means (103) for receiving data obtained as a result of access by the access means (102). A database access system comprising: 11. A terminal (30) sets conditions for accessing a database (200) that stores various data.
0), stores the received access conditions, accesses the database (200) according to the stored access conditions, and accesses the database (200) as a result of the access.
A method for accessing a database, characterized by receiving data received from a server.