JPH11154128A - Application connection point selection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an application connection point selection system with which an erroneous connection can be efficiently avoided. SOLUTION: Concerning the system for an operating system(OS) 20 to determine the connection point for each application 30, inside the OS 20, a link information table 23 for storing link information relating the application 30 with connection point information or the like, connection point table 22 storing the connection point information and menaging means for managing these link information table 23 and connection point information table 22 are provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an application connection destination selection system, and more particularly, to an application connection destination selection system in which an operating system provided on a terminal side manages connection destinations for each application.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, it has become possible to easily connect to the Internet even from ordinary households. For example, a system in which an order from a general household is sent to a store or the like by e-mail, and the store places an order for a product at a maker can be considered. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the ordering system. The order request from the general home personal computer 1 enters the public network 5 via the Internet 3 via the provider 2 and the other provider 4, and reaches the store terminal 6.
The store terminal 6 places an order with the center 7 of the manufacturer via the public network 5 according to the contents of the order. The center 7 constructs an in-house network system (LAN: also referred to as an intranet). When the order contents are received by the modem 7a, the order contents are confirmed by using the order server 7b and the mail server 7c, and the target product is selected. It is designed to be sent to the store terminal 6. In such an environment, using the Internet for data transfer of sales information or the like between a store and a maker can build a system that is less expensive than drawing in a dedicated line or building a communication system using a unique protocol.
However, it has been pointed out that the Internet is basically an open network, and therefore has a problem in security and poses a risk of information leakage and the like. On the other hand, in a company, a communication protocol similar to the Internet (for example, TCP / I) is used as a communication protocol.
Although P) is used, construction of an intranet independent of the external Internet is being promoted. As described above, in the terminal at the store, the connection destination may be different for each service, such as the order is connected to the Internet and the order is connected to the intranet, and it is necessary to connect to a plurality of connection destinations. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional operating system, which is provided in a store terminal. In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes an operating system (O
S), 21 is a communication control unit provided in the operating system 20, and 21a is a transmission processing unit provided in the communication control unit 21. Reference numeral 22 denotes a connection destination information table including connection destination information connected to the communication control unit 21.
The connection destination information table 22 includes a connection destination information table number 22a, a connection destination name 22b, a telephone number 22c, and a user name 2
2d, a password 22e, and the like. In the system configured in this manner, each application 30 manages its own connection destination table number, and when communication starts, it uses the operating system 2
Notify 0. The communication control unit 21 in the operating system 20 searches the connection destination information table 22 based on the connection destination table number notified from the application 30, recognizes the telephone number corresponding to the connection destination table number, and changes the line. I was connected. In this type of conventional system, each application 30 knows the state of the communication port, but does not know where it is connected. For this reason, the application which starts communication later while the plurality of applications 30 are communicating has to perform one of the following controls. (A) The connected line is not used. That is, the line is reconnected every communication. In this case, the connection destination is the same.
This is an inefficient process in terms of cost and time. In this case, the process is executed for the correct connection destination. (B) Use the connected line. Same connection destination. In this case, efficient processing can be performed without disconnecting the line. In this case, since the connection destination of the line is not known, the process is executed for the wrong connection destination. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sequence in a case where the connection is wasted because the connection is made to the same connection destination without using the connected line. In the drawing, reference numeral 30 denotes an application (hereinafter simply referred to as an application), and reference numeral 20 denotes an operating system (O
S) and 50 are hosts for each application. The figure shows a case where the application 1 and the application 2 connect to the same host 50. First, when the application 1 issues a connection request to the application 1 host (S1), the connection request is notified to the OS 20, and the OS 20 transmits the application 1 application 2 via the communication device 40.
A protocol is exchanged with the host 50, a path is established, and communication is established (S2). When the communication with the application 1 application 2 host 50 ends, the application 1 issues a disconnection request (S3) and disconnects the connection with the application 1 application 2 host 50. Next, the application 2 issues a connection request (S4). The corresponding host of the application 2 is the same as the host of the application 1, but since the connection has been cut off, the protocol is exchanged again and a path is established between the host of the application 1 and the host 2 of the application 2 to communicate (S5). . Then, when the communication of the application 2 ends, the application 2 issues a disconnection request (S6), and disconnects the connection with the application 1 application 2 host 50. In this example,
In order to connect to the same host 50, there is no use in disconnecting the path and re-establishing the path. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence when connecting to different hosts. First, when the application 1 issues a connection request to the application 1 host (S1), this connection request is notified to the OS 20, and the OS 20 exchanges a protocol with the application 1 application 2 host 50 via the communication device 40. A path is established and communication is in progress (S
2). When the communication with the application 1 application 2 host 50 ends, the application 1 issues a disconnection request (S3) and disconnects the connection with the application 1 application 2 host 50. Next, the application 3 issues a connection request (S4). Since the corresponding host of the application 3 is different from the host of the application 1, a protocol is exchanged, a path is established between the host and the application 3 host 50, and the application 3 is in communication (S5). Then, when the communication of the application 3 ends, the application 2 issues a disconnection request (S6), and the application 3 host 50
Disconnect from the connection. In this case, the process is executed for the correct connection destination. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a sequence when a plurality of applications are simultaneously communicated. First, when the application 1 issues a connection request to the application 1 host (S1), the connection request is notified to the OS 20, and the OS 20 transmits the application 1 application 2 via the communication device 40.
A protocol is exchanged with the host 50, a path is established, and communication is established (S2). Next, the application 2 issues a connection request to the application 2 host, but since the connection destination is the same, communication between the application 2 and the application 1 application 2 host 50 is performed without disconnecting the call (S3). When the communication is completed, the application 1 issues a disconnection request (S4), and disconnects the connection with the application 1 application 2 host 50. In this case,
Efficient processing can be performed without disconnecting the line. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a sequence in which an erroneous connection occurs. First, when the application 1 issues a connection request to the application 1 host (S
1), this connection request is notified to the OS 20, and the OS 20 exchanges a protocol with the application 1 application 2 host 50 via the communication device 40, establishes a path, and is in communication (S2). Next, communication with the application 3 host 50 is performed using the line to which the application 3 is connected, but since the connection destination of the line is not known, the application 1 application 2
It communicates with the host 50 (S3). S3 'is the original path.

As described above, in the conventional system, if an attempt is made to connect without using the connected line, a waste occurs when a connection request to the same connection destination is issued, and the connection is not established. When trying to connect using a line that is connected, there is a problem that the connection destination of the line is not known and the connection is made to the wrong connection destination. The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has as its object to provide an application connection destination selection system that is efficient and can avoid erroneous connection.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the figure, 2
0 is an operating system (OS), and 30 is an application that issues a communication start request to the operating system 20. In the operating system 20, a communication control unit 21 is connected to the application 30 and controls communication. In the communication control unit 21, reference numeral 21a denotes a transmission control unit for controlling transmission, and reference numeral 21b denotes a link management unit for managing links. Reference numeral 22 denotes a connection destination information table, which includes a connection destination table number 22a, a connection destination name 22b, a telephone number 22c, a user name 22d, a password 22e, and the like, as described above. 23
Is a link information table that stores link information that associates applications with connection destination information and the like, and is managed by the link management unit 21b. Link information table 23
Is composed of an application type 23a, connection presence / absence information 23b, connection information table name 23c, and the like. The link management unit 21b has a function of determining whether the connection destination of the selected application matches the current connection destination. According to the configuration of the present invention, the link management unit 21b determines whether the connection destination of the selected application matches the current connection destination, accesses the link information table 23 based on the determination result, and Since the connection destination is determined, it is possible to provide an application connection destination selection system that is efficient and can avoid erroneous connection. (2) In this case, when there is a communication start request from the application, the operating system connects the line based on the link information and the connection destination information. According to the configuration of the present invention, when there is a communication start request from an application, the operating system 20 searches for a connection destination (connection destination table number) corresponding to the application stored in the link information table 23. The connection destination information table 22 can be searched based on the connection destination table number, and a line can be connected to the stored connection destination. (3) Also, when the communication start request destination from the application is the same as the already connected connection destination, the operating system is automatically started without disconnecting the line. According to the configuration of the present invention, the link management unit 21b determines whether the communication start request is the same as the connection destination already connected, and if the request is the same, automatically starts without disconnecting the line. be able to. (4) Further, when the communication start request destination from the application is different from the already connected connection destination, the operating system regulates the activation of the application or the start of communication. According to the configuration of the present invention, when the connection destination is the same, the start of the application or the start of communication can be restricted by notifying the application to that effect. As described above, according to the present invention, each application can perform data communication without being conscious of the connection destination, and can prevent application processing from being performed on an incorrect connection destination. Can be.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sequence according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a sequence according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the operation when the line is not connected, and FIG. 3 shows the operation during the line connection. FIG. 1 is used as the system configuration. According to the present invention, when a communication start request is received from the application 30, the operating system 20 selects connection destination information corresponding to the application based on the link information and automatically connects the line. In FIG. 2, when a communication start request is received from the application 30 (S1), in the communication control unit 21, the link management unit 21b searches the link information table 23 to determine whether or not there is a connection corresponding to the application 30 and the connection destination information 23b. Check 23c. Then, the connection destination of the application is selected based on the link information (S
2). When the connection destination is not connected according to the connection presence / absence information 23b (S3), the transmission processing unit 21a searches and detects the connection destination information table 22 based on the connection information table number notified from the link information table 23. The connection destination telephone number 22c is read, and connection is started (S4). And
Upon receiving the connection completion notification from the partner device (S5), the communication control unit 21 sends a connection start completion notification to the application 30 (S6). Thus, data communication with the other device is started (S7). According to this embodiment, when there is a communication start request from an application, the operating system 20 searches for a connection destination (connection destination table number) corresponding to the application stored in the link information table 23. And the connection destination information table 22 based on the connection destination table number.
And a line can be connected to the connection destination stored. In FIG. 3, data communication is being performed between the application 30 and the partner device (S1). here,
When there is a communication start request from the application 30 (S
2) In the communication control unit 21, the link management unit 21b searches the link information table 23 and
3a and connection destination information 23 corresponding to 3a
Check c. Then, a connection destination of the application is selected based on the link information (S3). Connection existence information 23
b, if the line is connected (S4), the link management unit 2
1b refers to the link information table 23 to check whether the connection destinations match, and performs processing according to the comparison result (S5). In this case, after confirming that the connection destination included in the communication start request matches the connection destination currently communicating, the communication control unit 21 sends a communication start completion notification to the application 30 (S6). Thus, the application can immediately perform data communication with the counterpart device. According to this embodiment, the link management unit 21b determines whether the communication start request is the same as the connection destination already connected, and if the communication start request is the same, automatically activates without disconnecting the line. can do. As described above, according to the present invention, each application 30 can perform data communication without considering the connection destination. In addition, application 30
Can avoid executing the process.
According to the present invention, an ordering system between a store and a center combining the Internet and an intranet can be realized (see FIG. 6). The following services can be considered as the services of the present invention. A customer sends an order for a product from a personal computer 1 to a store by e-mail using a personal computer at a general home. The shop terminal 6 receives the order sent by e-mail. The order data of the products compiled by the store terminal 6 is stored in the center 7
Send to At the store, the store terminal 6 receives an e-mail for the store terminal such as a notification from the center 7. The present invention can be applied to the store terminal shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example of a store terminal. 10
Reference numeral 0 denotes a store terminal, which comprises an application 30 and an operating system 20. The applications 30 include an order application, an order application, a notification application, and the like. The operating system 20 includes a communication control unit 21, a link information table 23, and a connection destination information table 22. The communication control unit 21 includes a link management unit 21b and a transmission processing unit 21a. The link management unit 21b manages the link information table 23, and the transmission processing unit 21a manages the connection destination information table 22. When a communication start request is received from the notification application 30 while the order application 30 is connecting the line, the operating system 20 transmits the link information from the link information table 23 and the connection destination information from the connection destination information table 22. It is determined whether or not communication is possible from In this example, the order application 30 and the notification application 30
Since the connection destinations are the same (see link information), simultaneous communication is possible, and notification information can be received during order processing. In addition, even if the order application 30 tries to make a call by mistake at this time, in the operating system 20, the order application 30 has different connection destination information (see link information). I do. Also,
Since the notification application 30 is set to be automatically activated, the operating system 20 automatically activates the notification application 30 when there is a call request from the notification application 30. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. First, upon receiving a communication start request from the application 30 (S1), the link management unit 21b refers to the link information table 23 based on the application name and searches for connection destination information from the link information (S2). In this case, the link management unit 21b checks whether the line is being connected (S3). When the line is not connected, the link management unit 21b notifies the transmission processing unit 21a of the connection destination information (S4). When receiving the connection destination information, the transmission processing unit 21a checks whether the link information includes the same application as the line connection destination (S5). If the link information includes the same application as the line connection destination, the transmission processing unit 21a
It is checked whether or not automatic start is specified in (S6). If specified, the application 30 is immediately started (S7). If not specified, it is checked whether or not the activation of all the corresponding applications 30 has been completed (S8). When the activation of all the applications 30 is completed, the process proceeds to step S10. If the activation of all applications 30 has not been completed, the process returns to step S6, and the presence or absence of automatic activation is checked. If the line is being connected in step S3, the link management unit 21b checks whether the connection information matches the line connection destination (S3).
9). If they match, it immediately starts up and returns a successful communication start to the application 30 (S10). In step S5, the same applies when the link information includes the same application 30 as the line connection destination. Step S
In step 9, if the connection information does not match the line connection destination, the link management unit 21b returns a communication start error to the application 30 (S11). As described above, according to the present invention, when the communication start request destination from the application is different from the already connected connection destination, the operating system regulates the application start or the communication start so that the connection destination is the same. In this case, it is possible to notify the application to that effect and restrict the activation of the application or the start of communication.

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, (1) in a system in which an operating system determines a connection destination for each application, an application is associated with connection destination information and the like in the operating system. By providing a link information table that stores link information, a connection destination information table that stores connection destination information, and a management unit that manages the link information table and the connection destination information table, the link management unit can be selected. It is determined whether or not the connection destination of the selected application matches the current connection destination, and the link information table 23 is accessed based on the determination result to determine the connection destination of the path. And an application connection destination selection system that can avoid incorrect connection. Wear. (2) In this case, if there is a communication start request from the application, the operating system connects the line based on the link information and the connection destination information. The system searches for a connection destination (connection destination table number) corresponding to the application stored in the link information table, searches the connection destination information table 22 based on the connection destination table number, and stores the connection destination stored therein. Can be connected to the line. (3) When the communication start request destination from the application is the same as the already connected connection destination, the operating system automatically starts up without disconnecting the line, and the link management unit issues the communication start request. Determines whether is the same as the already connected destination,
If they are the same, automatic startup can be performed without disconnecting the line. (4) Further, if the communication start request destination from the application is different from the already connected connection destination, the operating system regulates the application start or communication start, and if the connection destination is the same, By notifying the application to that effect, the activation of the application or the start of communication can be restricted. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an application connection destination selection system that is efficient and can avoid erroneous connection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a sequence according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a sequence according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a store terminal.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of an ordering system.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional operating system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sequence when a waste occurs in connection.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence when connecting to different hosts.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence in a case where a plurality of applications communicate simultaneously.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a sequence when an erroneous communication occurs.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 operating system 21 communication control unit 21a transmission processing unit 21b link management unit 22 connection destination information table 23 link information table 30 application

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A system in which an operating system determines a connection destination for each application. In the operating system, a link information table storing link information in which an application is associated with connection destination information and the like, and connection destination information are stored. An application connection destination selection system, comprising: a connection destination information table; and management means for managing the link information table and the connection destination information table. 2. The application connection destination selection system according to claim 1, wherein, when a communication start request is received from an application, the operating system connects a line based on the link information and the connection destination information. 3. The operating system according to claim 2, wherein when the communication start request destination from the application is the same as the already connected connection destination, the operating system automatically starts without disconnecting the line. Application connection destination selection system. 4. The application according to claim 2, wherein when the communication start request destination from the application is different from the already connected connection destination, the operating system regulates the activation of the application or the start of the communication. Connection destination selection system.