JPH11345114A - Method and device for managing client application program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for managing client application program(AP), capable of reducing the man-hour of management required for registering or updating a program. SOLUTION: A server 10 prepares program files 101A and 101B of AP of the latest edition and a definition file 102 for client related to each client 12 and registers them in the file storage device of this server 10. After the client 12 is connected to the server 10, the client downloads the definition file 102 for client, which is registered in the file storage device of the server 10 and related with the client name of the client 12, via a network 14 to the client 12 and executes the download and install or the like of the program file 101. A of the latest edition from the server 10 according to contents described in the definition file 102 for cleint.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for managing a client application program for registering and updating a client application program in a client server system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a network system composed of a server and a plurality of clients, application programs for processing predetermined tasks are registered in each client, and these application programs are executed to execute task processing. Is going. Conventionally, registration or update of an application program in each client has generally been performed by each user. As a result, problems such as incorrect settings at the time of registration or update of the application program, non-update of the application program, and inconsistency of the version of the application program between the clients that do not match the version of the application program cause malfunctions such as malfunction of the application program. There is a possibility that.

[0003] Therefore, it is difficult for the user of each client to repair a failure caused by such a problem, and assistance from a person with advanced knowledge or a network administrator is required. There is a possibility that the number of management steps for users and administrators may increase. In order to reliably update the application program in each client for the purpose of preventing such inconvenience, a technique for downloading an upgraded application program from a server to a client has been proposed as follows.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-131163 discloses a technique in which a host computer (corresponding to a server) is provided with a database for recording a version-up state of each terminal (corresponding to a client). In this technique, when each terminal accesses the host computer, the host computer notifies each terminal of the need for version upgrade based on the contents of the database, and the user of each terminal is made by each terminal. Select whether to upgrade the version before or after service execution. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to have specialized knowledge such as judging the necessity of version upgrade, and the user is burdened, and it may be necessary to assist the network administrator. However, there remains a problem that is not necessarily reduced.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 8-179951 and 9-292980 describe that a server system manages the latest version information of an application program (or information corresponding thereto) and a program file of the application program. Then, the client system accesses the server system, acquires the latest version information of the application program stored therein, and, when determining that the application program has been updated, accesses the server system, A technique for downloading a program file of an updated application program is disclosed. This technique has the disadvantage that while the load on the server system is reduced, it is difficult for the server system to manage the version upgrade status of each client system.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-249163 discloses that when software (corresponding to an application program) is upgraded on a server computer, version information on the latest version of software is transmitted to each client computer. A technique for performing this is disclosed. In this technique, the client computer compares the version information received from the server with the version information of the software stored therein to determine whether or not the version is required, and determines that the version is required. When it is done, it communicates with the server computer to download the latest version of the software to the client. Further, the client side performs version upgrade by restricting or prohibiting an access request to its own software to be upgraded based on its own operation status. Therefore, there is a problem in that the software operation on the client side is restricted during the version upgrade.

[0007]

Therefore, in each of the above-mentioned prior arts, it cannot be said that the reduction of the man-hours required for the user or the administrator when updating the application program in the client is not sufficient, and that each client is required to update the application program from the server. There are problems such as difficulty in managing the version-up state and limitation of the operation of the application program on the client. Further, each of the above-described prior arts is applied to update of an application program, and is difficult to apply when newly registering an application program in a client. The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a client application capable of reducing the number of management steps required by a user or an administrator when registering or updating an application program in a client. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for managing a program. Further, an object of the present invention is to enable the server side, that is, the administrator side, to reliably manage the upgrade state of each client, and furthermore, a method of managing a client application program in which the operation of the application program in the client is not restricted, and its It is to provide a device.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided a client-server system comprising a server and a plurality of clients connected to the server via a network. In a method for managing a client application program for registering or updating a program,
A file registration management step of registering and managing a program file of an application program and a client definition file associated with each client in the server, and when a predetermined operation is performed by the client, the server A definition file download step of accessing the client and downloading the client definition file corresponding to the client from the server to the client; and loading the program file on the server based on the client definition file downloaded by the definition file download step. A program download step for downloading to the client from the program, and the program downloaded in the program download step Characterized in that it comprises a program registration update step for registering or updating the application program of the client based on program files. Further, the present invention provides a client application program management apparatus for registering or updating an application program in a client in a client server system including a server and a plurality of clients connected to the server via a network. File registration management means for registering and managing a program file of an application program and a client definition file associated with each client in the server, and when a predetermined operation is performed by the client, the client A definition file download unit that accesses the server and downloads the client definition file corresponding to the client from the server to the client; Program download means for downloading the program file from the server to the client based on the client definition file downloaded by the download means, and registration of the client application program based on the program file downloaded by the program download means Alternatively, it includes a program registration and updating means for updating.

In the method and apparatus of the present invention, a program file of an application program and a client definition file associated with each client are registered and managed in the server. When a predetermined operation is performed by the client, the client accesses the server and downloads the client definition file corresponding to the client from the server to the client. The program file is downloaded from the server to the client based on the downloaded client definition file. The application program of the client is registered or updated based on the downloaded program file. Therefore, the server can collectively manage the registration and update of the program file of the application program registered in each client, so that a setting error at the time of registration or update of the application program, an unupdated version, or a version update. Problems caused by inconsistency can be avoided, and the work and management man-hours of users and network administrators can be reduced.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings together with an apparatus. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a server client system to which a method for managing a client application program of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an operation in an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a server 10 and a plurality of clients 12 are connected by a network 14 to constitute a server client system. Server 10
And each client 12 performs a network input / output function for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other via the network 14, a file storage device for storing files, and registering, deleting, and renaming files to and from the file storage device. And a file control function for performing file control.

The server 10 is constituted by a computer control terminal including a user-controlled input / output device for a network administrator to make settings for the server 10. As shown in FIG. 2, program files 101A and 101B of the latest version of the application program are registered in the file storage device of the server 10. Here, the file name of the program file 101A is “a”, and the file name of the program file 101B is “b”.

In the file storage device of the server 10, a client definition file corresponding to each client 12 is registered in addition to the program files 101A and 101B of the latest version of the application program. The client definition file includes a rename control file, a download control file, and a definition file deletion file. The rename control file describes control commands and parameters for renaming the file name of the old version of the program file. The download control file describes control commands and parameters for transferring the latest version of the program file from the server 10 to the client 12. The definition file deletion file describes control commands and parameters for deleting the client definition file stored in the server 10 from the server 10.

Each client 12 stores program files 121A and 121B of an application program in its file storage device, and is configured to execute predetermined processing by executing the application program. Here, the file name of the program file 121A is “a”, and the file name of the program file 121B is “b”. That is,
Application program program file 12
1A and 121B are the latest version of the program files 101A and 101 registered in the file storage device of the server 12.
B is an old program file to be updated by B.

The file storage device of the client 12 stores a download execution file and a download definition file in addition to a program file. The download execution file describes control commands and parameters for connecting to the server 10 and executing the content of the download definition file described below. The download definition file describes control commands and parameters executed by the client 12 to download the client definition file associated with the client 12.

Next, an update operation of the application program will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the client 10 is sent from the server 10 to the client 12.
A case will be described in which the latest versions of the two application programs included in the application program 2 are downloaded and the application programs are updated.

First, the server 10 stores the program files 101A and 10A of the latest version of the application program.
1B and a client definition file 102 associated with each client 12, and the server 1
No. 0 is registered in the file storage device ((1) creation).

The client 12 connects to the server 10 with the account assigned to the client 12 at the time of the connection operation to the server 10 immediately after the power is turned on or at the time of the login operation to the server 10 by the user of the client 12. The process is executed ((2) work start,
(3) Connection). In addition, the connection process to the server 10 is as follows.
You may make it perform by using a timer means as follows. That is, the client 12 is provided with timer means for performing a predetermined signal output operation every time a preset predetermined time elapses. Then, the connection processing to the server 10 may be performed every time the predetermined signal output operation is performed. The predetermined time set in the timer means may be, for example, several hours or one day (24 hours). Further, the predetermined times need not be the same time, and a plurality of different times may be set as the predetermined time. The configuration of the timer means is not limited, and may be realized by hardware or software.

After connecting to the server 10, the client 12 stores the client definition file 101 associated with the client name of the client 12 registered in the file storage device of the server 10 via the network 14. (4) Download the definition file to be transferred to the server.

If the client definition file 102 associated with the client name of the client 12 does not exist in the file storage device of the server 10, the processing of the client 12 ends ((5)).
End).

On the other hand, if a client definition file 102 associated with the client name of the client 12 exists in the file storage device of the server 10 and the client definition file 102 is downloaded by the definition file download process, The client 12 executes the following processing according to the contents (rename control file, download control file, definition file deletion file) described in the downloaded client definition file 102 ((6) execution). The connection between the server 10 and the client 12 may be continued during the following processing, or each time a file or control command is transferred in the following processing, May be reconnected.

The client 12 is a program file (old program file) having the same file name as the latest program file to be downloaded, which is described in the download control file of the downloaded client definition file 102. Is present in the file storage device of the client 12, the file name is renamed based on the rename control file included in the downloaded client definition file 102 ((7) Rename). That is, the file name “a” of the program file 121A is renamed to the file name “a1”.

After renaming the file name of the old version of the program file 121A, the client 12 downloads the latest version of the program file 101A from the server 10 based on the description of the download control file in the downloaded client definition file 102. Execute ((8) Download). After downloading the latest version of the program file, the client 12 immediately executes the installation process. Client 1
2, the latest version of the program file installed is indicated by reference numeral 122A (file name “a”).

Here, the old-version program file 121
Since a has been renamed to the file name “a1”, even if the new version of the program file 122A (file name “a”) is installed, the old version of the program file 121
a (file name “a1”) is prevented from being overwritten and updated. That is, when the old version of the program file 121a is open, there is no possibility that the operation of the application program of the old version of the program file 121a will be affected.

After installing the new version of the program file 122A (file name "a"), the client 12 can delete the old version of the program file 121a (file name "a1") if the old version of the program file 122A (file name "a1") can be deleted. The file 121a (file name "a1") is deleted ((9) Delete). Deletion of the old-version program file is possible as long as the old-version program file is closed.

Next, since the program file 121B to be updated remains, the client 12 repeats the same processing ((7) rename, (8) download, delete (9)) according to the client definition file 102. That is, a new version of the program file 101B is downloaded from the server 10 corresponding to the program file 121B.
It is installed in the client 12 as the latest version of the program file 122B (file name “b”). In this case, the program file 121B (file name "b") is renamed to the file name "b1" at the time of the (7) rename processing shown in FIG.

After the update processing of the two program files is completed, the client 12 sends the client 12 stored in the file storage device of the server 10 based on the description of the definition file deletion file of the client definition file 102. A control command to delete the associated client definition file 102 is transmitted to the server 10. The server 10 deletes the client definition file 102 associated with the client 12 based on the control command ((1
0) Delete). Since the client definition file 102 is deleted in this manner, even if the client 12 attempts to download the client definition file associated with the client 12 by connecting to the server 10, the deleted client definition file is deleted. File 1
02 cannot be downloaded, and downloading of a new version of a program file that has already been downloaded is not repeatedly executed.

If the download of the new version of the program file is interrupted for some reason, the deletion process based on the definition file deletion file of the client definition file registered in the server is not executed, and the file is registered in the server. The client definition file remains.
Therefore, after that, when the power supply of the client 12 is turned on, the connection operation to the server 10 or the
When the user performs a login operation, the client 12 can connect to the server 10 and download the client definition file again.

Therefore, the server 10 checks and manages whether or not the program file is downloaded and updated to the client 12 associated with the client definition file 102 based on the presence or absence of the client definition file 102. ((11) confirmation).

In the above-described operation, only the updating of the client program file has been described. However, the same operation can be performed when a new program file is registered in the client. The difference between the new registration of the program file and the update is that the process of renaming the file name of the program file of the old version of the application program and the process of deleting the program file of the old version of the application program renamed by this renaming process become unnecessary. is there.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. The server managed by the network administrator manages the registration and update of the program files of the application programs registered in each client collectively, so that when setting or updating the application programs, errors in setting, unupdate,
Alternatively, it is possible to avoid a problem caused by inconsistency in the version of the application program between the clients. Therefore, the work and management man-hours of the user and the network administrator can be reduced.

Further, the registration and update status of each client can be reliably managed depending on the presence or absence of the client definition file stored in the server.

Further, even if the application program to be updated is running on the client, the program file of the application program is renamed, and then the latest version of the program file is downloaded and installed. Has no effect on

In the above-described embodiment, normal processing is performed if an operation is performed on the program file being downloaded during the download process of FIG. 2 (ie, during the download of the latest program file). May not be done. Such inconvenience
As described below, this can be avoided by temporarily renaming and downloading the file name of the program file to be downloaded.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram showing another example of the above embodiment. The processing from (1) creation to (6) execution shown in FIG. 2 is the same as that in the embodiment described above, so that the illustration is omitted. Further, the client definition file includes a download rename control file and a file name restoration file in addition to the above-described rename control file, download control file, and definition file deletion file. In the download rename control file, control commands and parameters for renaming the file name of the program file to be downloaded to the first temporary file name are described. In the file name restoration file, control commands and parameters for restoring the file name of the downloaded application program to the original file name after renaming it to the first temporary file name are described.

The client 12 is a program file (old program file) having the same file name as the latest program file to be downloaded, which is described in the download control file of the downloaded client definition file 102. Is stored in the file storage device of the client 12, the file name of the latest version of the program file to be downloaded, which is described in the download control file of the downloaded client definition file 102, is stored in the first temporary file. The file name is changed to a file name and downloaded ((8A) Download), and the file name of the program file of the old version application program updated by the application program is changed to a second name. Rename the file name (8B) renamed). The process of downloading and renaming is performed based on the download control file, the download rename control file, and the rename control file included in the client definition file 102.

That is, the file name “a” of the program file 101A is downloaded from the server 10 as the program file 122A having the first temporary file name “a10”, and the file name “a” of the program file 121A is stored in the second temporary file. Rename the file to "a20".

By performing the above processing, the file name of the program file to be downloaded is changed to the first temporary file name "a10", so that it is impossible to access the file having the file name "a". Becomes possible,
Execution of access to the program file 122A being downloaded is prevented, and there is no possibility that normal processing is prevented.

After downloading the latest version of the program file, a file name restoring process for renaming the first temporary file name "a10" and returning the file name of the downloaded application program to the original file name "a" is performed. ((8C) restoration).

Then, an installation process of the latest version of the program file 122A (file name "a") is executed by the client 12.

The old-version program file 121a
Has been renamed to the second file name "a20".
Even if the new version of the program file 122A (file name "a") is installed, the old version of the program file 121a (file name "a20") is prevented from being overwritten and updated. That is,
When the old version of the program file 121a is opened, there is no possibility that the operation of the application program of the old version of the program file 121a will be hindered, as in the above-described embodiment.

After installing the new version of the program file 122A (file name "a"), the client 12 can delete the old version of the program file 121a (file name "a20") if it can be deleted. File 121a (file name "a2
0 ”) is deleted ((9A) deletion). Deletion of the old-version program file is possible as long as the old-version program file is closed. The following processing ((10) deletion, (11) confirmation) is the same as that in the embodiment of FIG.

Next, another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example in which lower-level servers 1100, 1200,...
And the client 1300 are connected to the lower-level server 1100 via the network.
Are connected, and the lower-order server 120
0 via the network to the clients 1201, 12
.. Indicate a client-server system in a form in which 02,... Are connected. That is, the lower server 1100,
1200 functions as a client for the higher-level server 1000, and at the same time, each client 1101,
1102, ..., clients 1201, 1202,
…… plays the role of server. And
A subtree structure is formed by the lower order server 1100 and each of the clients 1101 and 1102 connected to the lower order server 1100. Similarly, the lower order server 1200
And each client 120 connected to the server 1200
1 and 1202 form a subtree structure.

In the file storage device of the upper server 1000, client definition files associated with the lower servers 1100 and 1200 and the client 1300 are registered and managed. Subordinate server 11
00 and 1200 generate a client definition file corresponding to each client connected to the lower server based on the client definition file downloaded from the upper server to the lower server, and register the generated client definition file in the lower server. It has become. Top server 1
000, lower-level servers 1100, 1200, and client 1300 are provided with a network input / output function for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other via a network, a file storage device for storing a file, and registration of a file in the file storage device. It has a file control function for performing file control including deletion, renaming, and the like.

The upper server 1000 and the lower servers 1100 and 1200 are operated by a computer control terminal including a user control input / output device for a network administrator to make settings for the servers 1000, 1100 and 1200. It is configured

Next, referring to FIG.
0, lower servers 1100, 1200, client 1
The update operation of the application program performed in 300 will be described. First, the upper server 100
The operation in which the download process is sequentially performed for each client by preparing the client definition file at 0 will be described. The administrator prepares a client definition file to be downloaded in the server 1000 for each client. In this case, the clients are the servers 1100 and 1200 and the client 1300
It is.

When the server 1100 or 1200 and the client 1300 are connected to the host server 1000 (when the client is connected to the host server 1000 when the power is turned on or when the client user logs in), the files of the server 1000 Attempt to download a client definition file associated with the client name stored in the storage device. This client definition file includes a rename control file, a download control file, and a definition file deletion file, as described in the above embodiment.

The client definition file is the server 10
00 to servers 1100 and 1200 and client 1
When downloaded to the client 300, processing such as downloading the program file of the target application program from the server 1000, renaming the program file, and deleting the client definition file is executed in accordance with the client definition file. The operation is the same as the procedure described with reference to FIG.

Next, the server 1100 communicates with the client 1
, 1011, 1102,...
At 100, a process of creating a client definition file associated with the clients 1101, 1102,... Similarly, the server 1200 communicates with the client 120
1, 1202..., The server 120
0, a process of creating a client definition file associated with the clients 1201, 1202,... These client definition files include a rename control file, a download control file, and a definition file deletion file.

Each client 1101, 1102 ...
Is connected to the server 1100 (at the time of connection operation to the server 1100 when the power of the client is turned on or at the time of login operation by the user of the client).
Attempt to download the client definition file associated with the client name stored in the file storage device No. 00. Each client 1101, 1102
... Means that the client definition file is the server 1100
When the file is downloaded from the server, processing such as downloading the program file of the application program from the server 1100, renaming the program file, and deleting the client definition file is performed according to the client definition file. This is the same as the procedure described in FIG.

Each client 1201, 1202
... Indicates a connection to the server 1200 (during a connection operation to the server 1200 when the client is turned on or a login operation by the user of the client).
Attempt to download the client definition file associated with the client name stored in the 200 file storage device. Each client 1201, 120
2... Indicates that the client definition file is the server 120
0, the program file of the application program is downloaded from the server 1200 in accordance with the definition file for the client,
Processing such as program file renaming and deletion of the client definition file is performed.
This is the same as the procedure described in FIG.

According to the above-described operation, by creating and registering a client definition file associated with each of the lower servers 1100 and 1200 in the highest server 1000, the application programs of the lower servers 1100 and 1200 are updated. Processing can be performed. That is, the top server 1000 is the lower server 110
0, 1200 or only the client definition file of the lower client 1300 may be set, and the program file of the lower server or the application program of the client can be sequentially updated in a tree-structured management configuration. Becomes Also,
The top server 1000 does not need to manage all the clients, that is, the clients of the lower servers 1100 and 1200.

Next, management in units of subtrees will be described.
In FIG. 4, the client 11 managed by the server 1100
When there is a program file to be updated only in 01, 1102,..., The update processing can be performed in the following procedure. That is, the administrator stores the clients 1101, 1102,.
Create a client definition file associated with. When each of the clients 1101, 1102,.
Attempt to download the client definition file from 0.

Next, each client 1101, 110
.. Execute processing such as downloading a program file of an application program from the server 1100, renaming the program file, and deleting the client definition file. That is, the client definition file may be created and registered only in the server 1100 of the subtree that includes the client having the program file of the application program to be updated.

Similarly, when there is a program file to be updated only in the clients 1201, 1202,... Managed by the server 1200, the update processing can be performed in the following procedure. In other words, the administrator sends the server 1201 the clients 1201, 1
202. A client definition file associated with 202 is created. Then, each client 1201, 12
02... Tries to download the client definition file from the server 1200 when connecting to the server 1200 (when connecting to the server 1200 when the client is turned on or when logging in by the user of the client).

Next, each client 1201, 120
2 execute processing such as downloading a program file of an application program from the server 1200, renaming the program file, and deleting the client definition file. That is, the client definition file may be created and registered only in the server 1200 of the subtree including the client having the program file of the application program to be updated.

Therefore, clients 1101, 1102,... In different subtrees and client 1
.. 201, 1202,... Can create and register a client definition file in the server of each subtree, thereby enabling file management with different file configurations.

That is, if a client definition file is created and registered in the highest server 1000, the program files of all clients as viewed from the highest server 1000 can be updated, and a client definition file is created in the server of each subtree. If registered, the program files of all clients viewed from the server can be updated.

In this embodiment, only the update of the program files of the client and the lower-level server has been described. However, the same operation is performed when a new program file is registered in the client and the lower-level server. Can be. The difference between the new registration of the program file and the update is that the process of renaming the file name of the program file of the old version of the application program and the process of deleting the program file of the old version of the application program renamed by this renaming process become unnecessary. is there.

In the present invention, the client
The present invention is not limited to the computer control terminal. The electronic device may have a file control function for performing file control including deletion, renaming, and the like. In this case, the application program stored in the file storage device may constitute firmware. Further, the file storage device can be constituted by a rewritable storage medium such as a flash memory. Examples of the electronic device include a router and a terminal adapter connected to a network, or a television device.

[0061]

As is clear from the above description, the present invention
In a client application program management method for registering or updating an application program for a client in a client server system including a server and a plurality of clients connected to the server via a network, A file registration management step of registering and managing a file and a client definition file associated with each client with the server, and when a predetermined operation is performed by the client, the client accesses the server and A definition file download step of downloading the client definition file corresponding to the client from the server to the client; A program download step of downloading to said client said program file from the server based on the definition file for the client downloaded by Dosuteppu,
A program registration updating step of registering or updating the application program of the client based on the program file downloaded in the program downloading step. Further, the present invention provides a client application program management apparatus for registering or updating an application program in a client in a client server system including a server and a plurality of clients connected to the server via a network File registration management means for registering and managing a program file of an application program and a client definition file associated with each client in the server, and when a predetermined operation is performed by the client, the client A definition file download unit that accesses the server and downloads the client definition file corresponding to the client from the server to the client;
Program download means for downloading the program file from the server to the client based on the client definition file downloaded by the definition file download means, and an application for the client based on the program file downloaded by the program download means And a program registration / update means for registering or updating a program.

Therefore, according to the method and apparatus of the present invention, the program file of the application program and the client definition file associated with each client are registered and managed in the server, and when a predetermined operation is executed by the client. Then, the client accesses the server and downloads the client definition file corresponding to the client from the server to the client. Then, the program file is downloaded from the server to the client based on the downloaded client definition file. The application program of the client is registered or updated based on the downloaded program file. Accordingly, the server collectively manages the registration and update of the program file of the application program registered in each client, thereby setting errors, not updating, or inconsistent versions when registering or updating the application program. It is possible to avoid the trouble caused by the above and reduce the work and management man-hours of the user and the network administrator.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a server client system to which a client application program management method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the embodiment of the method for managing a client application program according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram showing another example in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... server, 12 ... client, 14 ... network, 102 ... client definition file, 1
01A, 101B ... latest program file, 1
21A, 121B... Old program file, 12
2A, 122B ... updated program file, 1
000: upper server, 1100, 1200 ... lower server: 1101, 1102, 1201, 1202,
1300 Client.

Claims (28)

[Claims] 1. A client application program management method for registering or updating an application program in a client in a client server system including a server and a plurality of clients connected to the server via a network. A file registration management step of registering and managing, in the server, a program file of an application program and a client definition file associated with each client, and when a predetermined operation is performed by the client, A definition file download step of accessing a server and downloading the client definition file corresponding to the client from the server to the client; A program download step of downloading the program file from the server to the client based on the client definition file downloaded by the file download step; and an application program of the client based on the program file downloaded in the program download step. A method for managing a client application program, comprising: a program registration updating step of performing registration or update. 2. The client application program according to claim 1, further comprising a definition file deleting step of deleting, from the server, the client definition file corresponding to the client for which the execution of the download of the application program has been completed. Management method. 3. The server according to claim 2, wherein the step of deleting the definition file is executed by the server when the client sends a control command for file deletion described in the definition file for the client to the server. The method for managing a client application program according to claim 2. 4. A file renaming step for renaming a file name of a program file of an old version of the application program updated by the application program before downloading the program file by the program downloading step. 4. The method for managing a client application program according to 1, 2, or 3. 5. The program updating step includes an old version deleting step of deleting a program file of the old application program when the program file of the old application program renamed by the file renaming step is closed. The method for managing a client application program according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The program download step renames a file name of a program file to be downloaded to a first temporary file name and downloads the file name, and also includes a file name of a program file of an old version application program updated by the application program. Is renamed to a second temporary file name, and the file name of the application program downloaded and renamed to the first temporary file name in the program download step is restored to an original file name. 4. The method of managing a client application program according to claim 1, further comprising: 7. The program updating step is performed when the program file of the old version of the application program renamed to the second temporary file name by the program downloading step is closed. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of deleting an old version. 8. The client application program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation of the client is an operation of connecting to the server when the power of the client is turned on. Management method. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation of the client is an operation of logging in to the server by a user of the client. 10. The client includes timer means for performing a predetermined operation each time a preset predetermined time elapses, and the predetermined operation of the client is the predetermined operation by the timer means. The method for managing a client application program according to claim 1. 11. The client comprises a lower server to which a plurality of clients are connected via a network, and the server comprises an upper server which is connected to the lower server via a network. Generating a definition file for a client associated with each client connected to the lower server based on a definition file for the client downloaded from the upper server to the lower server, and registering the definition file in the lower server The method for managing a client application program according to claim 1, further comprising a registration step. 12. The client includes a network input / output function for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other via the network, a file storage device for storing files, and registering, deleting, and renaming files to and from the file storage device. 12. The client application program management method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus has a file control function for performing a file control including a file control function. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the electronic device is a router or a terminal adapter connected to the network. 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the electronic device is a television device connected to the network. 15. A client application program management device for registering or updating an application program in a client in a client server system including a server and a plurality of clients connected to the server via a network. File registration management means for registering and managing a program file of an application program and a client definition file associated with each client in the server, and when a predetermined operation is performed by the client, A definition file download unit that accesses a server and downloads the client definition file corresponding to the client from the server to the client; A program download unit for downloading the program file from the server to the client based on the client definition file downloaded by the file download unit; and an application program of the client based on the program file downloaded by the program download unit. A program registration / update unit for performing registration or update; and a client application program management device. 16. The client application program according to claim 15, further comprising a definition file deleting unit for deleting the client definition file corresponding to the client for which the execution of the application program has been completely downloaded from the server. Management device. 17. The server according to claim 17, wherein the definition file deleting unit is configured to execute the server by transmitting a file deletion control command described in the client definition file to the server. The management apparatus for a client application program according to claim 16, wherein: 18. Before downloading a program file by the program download step,
18. The client application program management device according to claim 15, further comprising a file renaming unit for renaming a file name of a program file of an old version of the application program updated by the application program. 19. The program registration / update means includes an old version deletion means for deleting a program file of the old application program when the program file of the old application program renamed by the file renaming means is closed. 19. The management apparatus for a client application program according to claim 18, further comprising: 20. The program download means,
Renaming the file name of the program file to be downloaded to a first temporary file name and downloading, and renaming the file name of the program file of the old application program updated by the application program to a second temporary file name 16. The system according to claim 15, further comprising: a file name restoring unit that returns the file name of the application program downloaded and renamed to the first temporary file name by the program download unit to an original file name. 18. The management device for a client application program according to 16 or 17. 21. The program update means, wherein when the program file of the old version application program renamed to the second temporary file name by the program download step is closed, the program file of the old version application program is closed. 21. The client application program management device according to claim 20, further comprising an old version deletion unit that deletes the client application program. 22. The client according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined operation of the client is an operation of connecting to the server when the power of the client is turned on.
A management device for a client application program according to any one of the above. 23. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined operation of the client is an operation of logging in to the server by a user of the client. 24. The client, comprising: timer means for performing a predetermined operation each time a preset predetermined time elapses, wherein the predetermined operation of the client is the predetermined operation by the timer means. Claim 15
22. The management device for a client application program according to any one of claims 21 to 21. 25. The client comprises a lower server to which a plurality of clients are connected via a network, and the server comprises an upper server which is connected to the lower server via a network. Generating a definition file for a client associated with each client connected to the lower server based on a definition file for the client downloaded from the upper server to the lower server, and registering the definition file in the lower server 25. The client application program management device according to claim 15, further comprising a registration unit. 26. The client, comprising: a network input / output function for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other via the network; a file storage device for storing files; and registration, deletion, and renaming of files in the file storage device. 26. The client application program management device according to claim 15, wherein the device is an electronic device having a file control function for performing file control including the following. 27. The management apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the electronic device is a router or a terminal adapter connected to the network. 28. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the electronic device is a television device connected to the network.