JPH1195989A - Program updating system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience for an internet or intranet user, by facilitating the version-up or set-up of a program or the download of a file. SOLUTION: An automatic update browser 9 is provided with a version information file 11. The browser 9 checks the version information file 11 every passage of a prescribed time by the operation of a timer function at starting time or in an idle state (the state of leaving the browser for several hours while driving it). Corresponding to the result of this check or the checked result of application version information, the browser 9 downloads the latest version information file from the arbitrary application server [including a world wide web(WWW) server], and sets this up. Thus, a helper application equipped with a function for complementing the web browser or other application is automatically registered to a client 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a program updating method for updating an application (AP) of a client with information from a server.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a general household or the like, setup (installation) and version upgrade of an AP of a personal computer (PC) have been performed by the following method. That is, the user himself / herself actively obtains version information from media such as magazines, newspapers, and the World Wide Web (WWW). Then, based on the information, an AP is purchased, or a file required for the user's PC is manually downloaded from the WWW server, and then the setup file is activated.

[0003]

In the case of the same user or a large-scale user such as a company, the server unifies the version of the AP through the internal network and automatically upgrades the version to all PCs on the internal network. A method of performing setup and version upgrade by distributing a set AP has already been implemented. However, it is impossible to perform such a method on a PC of a general user represented by a general household or the like. Moreover, the application distribution tool (AP distribution tool) used to carry out the above method resides in the memory of the PC and performs an operation of communicating with the server, for example, every 10 seconds. However, there is a problem that a load is imposed on the system and that the system may compete with another communication AP.

In recent years, with the rapid spread of the Internet, various functions have been required on PCs of ordinary users, including a function of reproducing moving images and sounds transmitted using the Internet. Is coming. For this reason, various helper APs and plug-in modules have emerged as having a function of complementing a Web browser. In order to use such various helper APs and plug-in modules to set a general user's PC in a comfortable environment, frequent version checking and installation are indispensable.

[0005] However, in a PC of a general home or the like that can be set up or upgraded only by the above-described method, frequent checking and installation of the version is not only troublesome, but also causes trouble when upgrading. There was also. For example, when an old version of the AP is used without knowing the AP version up, there is a problem in the compatibility of the AP or the AP may not operate normally. In addition, the method of version up and setup is complicated and different for each product (AP), so that there is a possibility that the user may be confused.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a general user P
C also aims to improve the convenience of Internet and intranet users by facilitating version upgrades, setups, and file downloads of programs.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program updating method for updating an application possessed by a client based on information from a server, which is activated at a predetermined timing to monitor the application. In addition, a means is provided for inquiring the server and automatically updating the application according to the information obtained as a result.

According to this configuration, the monitoring of the application in the client and the updating of the application are automatically performed.
This makes it easy to upgrade and set up programs and download files.

The above-mentioned automatic updating means includes, for example, an automatic updating browser of a client. The automatic update browser has a file of version information about the application. The automatic update browser monitors the application by checking the contents of the version information file. The above-mentioned opportunity is set, for example, when the automatic update browser itself is started. The above trigger is set periodically when the automatic update browser is in an idle state.

The automatic update browser determines whether or not the application needs to be updated by comparing the above-described version information file with the version information file relating to the application held by the server. If it is determined that an update is required, the latest version information file relating to the application is downloaded from the server and set up. When the automatic update browser determines that the application is the latest version, it displays a URL (uniform resource locator) corresponding to the application on the display unit of the client. Here, the URL is mainly used when specifying the position of the information of the WWW service, and is a description format for uniquely expressing the position of the information on the Internet.

A program updating method according to a second aspect of the present invention is for updating an application of a client with information from a server, and includes means for automatically updating the application. This application is a helper application for complementing the web browser, which is activated by starting the web browser, using the web browser in the client as a common platform.

As the above-mentioned automatic updating means, for example, there is an application distribution tool which is started by starting a helper application. The application distribution tool determines whether the helper application needs to be updated by comparing the version information file of the helper application in the client with the version information file of the helper application in the server. There are multiple helper applications.

A program updating method according to a third aspect of the present invention is for updating an application of a client with information from a server. The application includes first means for automatically updating the application. There is provided a second means for updating the first means itself.

The application is a helper application for complementing the web browser, which is started by starting the web browser, using the web browser in the client as a common platform. The first means is started by starting the helper application. An application distribution tool.

On the other hand, the second means is a setup execution application in the client which is started after the operation of the application distribution tool is completed.

When the application distribution tool determines that the application distribution tool needs to be updated by comparing the version information file in the client with the version information file in the server, the application execution tool determines whether the application distribution tool needs to be updated. Update the distribution tool.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system to which a program updating method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

The above system includes a plurality of clients (client PCs) 1, an information server 3, a WWW server 5, and a network 7 such as the Internet. The WWW server 5 is communicably connected through a network 7.

Each client 1 checks version information by accessing the information server 3 through the network 7. Each client 1
Is an OS (operating system) and, for example, T
A network (Internet) protocol (not shown) typified by CP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Each client 1 also includes a plurality of APs (applications) (not shown) which are general programs such as Excel, for example, and an automatic update browser 9 described in detail in FIG.

The information server 3 is a type of an AP server (application server) and includes a version management file (not shown) having AP version information (application version information). The AP version information is accessed by the client 1 when checking the version information.

The WWW server 5 is also called an HTTP server (hypertext transfer protocol server), and is a server applied to WWW which is a hypertext type information search system capable of searching for multimedia information. And is one type of AP server. W
The WW server 5 has a function of performing information distribution and information sharing using hypertext including normal text, still image, moving image, audio multimedia information, and the like. WW
By following the hyperlink, the W server 5 can perform information search without being conscious of the location of the server.

Further, the above-mentioned system is an FTP server (file transfer protocol / file transfer protocol) suitable for distributing files such as programs and documents, in addition to the information server 3 and the WWW server 5 described above as AP servers.
Server) (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of software provided in each client 1 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic update browser (browser) 9 has a version information file 11. The browser 9 checks the version information file 11 at startup or every time a predetermined time elapses due to the operation of the timer function in an idle state (a state in which the browser 9 is driven and left for several hours or more). The browser 9 sends an arbitrary AP server (WWW server 5) according to the result of the above check or the result of the above AP version information check.
) And download the latest version information file and set it up. Thus, a helper A having a function to supplement a Web browser
P and other APs are automatically registered in the client 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the version information file 11 provided in the browser 9 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the version information file 11 has an application name area 13, an application execution file name area 15, a file size name area 17, and a time stamp area 19.

The application name area 13 contains the name of the application, the application executable file name area 15 contains the name of the executable file, the file size name area 17 contains the size of the executable file, and the time stamp area 19 contains the name of the executable file. Indicates the time stamp of the executable file.

Each area 13 to 19 of the above-described version information file 11 is checked by the browser 9 to determine whether or not a necessary AP has already been set up in the client 1 when the browser 9 is activated or idle. You.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow in the browser 9 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, at the time of activation (step S21) or every time a predetermined time elapses in the idle state (step S22), the browser 9 saves a file other than the HTML file (hyper text markup language file). Find the description of the hyperlink. Then, the respective areas 13 to 19 of the version information file 11 under the control of the own device are checked (step S2).
3).

As a result of this check, if it is found that the required AP has already been set up, the browser 9 accesses the version management file (not shown) of the information server 3 through the network 7 and reads out the AP version information. . Then, based on the AP version information, it is checked whether or not the set up AP is the latest version (step S24).
As a result of this check, if the browser 9 is found to be the latest version, the browser 9 specifies a URL (uniform resource locator) corresponding to the AP and displays the specified URL as image information on a display unit or the like of the client 1. (Step S25).

Here, the URL is mainly used when specifying the position of the information of the WWW service.
This is a description format for uniquely expressing the position of information on the Internet. The URL is defined by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) assigned a serial number 1738 as a document called RFC (Request for Comments). The URL includes a name indicating a protocol for accessing information, a name of a host (host computer) holding the information (for example, the WWW server 5 in FIG. 1 or another AP server (not illustrated)), and access to the information. Includes when port numbers and information locations on the machine.

Next, it is determined whether or not to terminate the processing operation of the browser 9. In this case, since the URL displayed in step S45 is specified corresponding to the latest version of the AP, it is not necessary to newly specify the URL, and the processing operation of the browser 9 should be terminated. (Step S26). Then, the processing operation of the browser 9 is terminated (step S2).
7).

On the other hand, as a result of checking the areas 13 to 19 of the version information file 11, it is found that the necessary AP has not been set up (step S2).
3) Download the latest file from an arbitrary AP server such as the information server 3, WWW server 5, or FTP server (not shown) (step S28). Even when it is determined that the required AP has been set up (step S23), if it is determined that the AP is not the latest version (step S24), the latest file is downloaded from any of the above-described AP servers. The process proceeds to the download operation of step S28.

After the download is completed, the setup file is started (step S29), and after the setup is completed, the version information file 11 is updated (step S30). Here, the setup file is
A program that automatically installs or upgrades a target program when it is executed. This setup file is, for example, the information server 3
It is assumed that the browser 9 is provided from setup information existing in a version upgrade information site such as a web server 5, a WWW server 5, or an FTP server (not shown).

Next, it is determined whether or not to terminate the processing operation of the browser 9 (step S26). In this case, the processing operation in step S25, that is, the specification of the URL corresponding to the AP determined to be the latest version in step S24 and the display thereof are not performed, so the URL is newly specified based on the version information file 11. Then (step S31), the process proceeds to step S23. Then, after confirming that the necessary AP has been set up (step S23), it is checked whether or not the AP is the latest version (step S24).

In this case, the latest file is downloaded in step S28, the setup file is started in step S29, and the version information file 11 is updated with the latest file in step S30. Should be determined to be the latest version. Next, the URL specified again in step S31 is displayed as the URL corresponding to the latest version (step S25). In step S26, it is determined that the processing operation of the browser 9 should be terminated, and the process proceeds to step S27. 9 is ended.

As described above, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the version information file 1
When the necessary AP setup is confirmed by the check in 1, the AP version information in the version management file of the information server 3 is checked to determine whether or not the AP is the latest version. When the setup is not confirmed or the AP is not the latest version, the latest file is downloaded from an arbitrary AP server, the version information file 11 is updated, and the updated file is updated to the latest version. Is determined again from the AP version information. Therefore, a desktop environment having the latest application can always be maintained. Also, because the application version is automatically updated,
Trouble caused by the difference in version hardly occurs. Further, since a difficult installation operation is simplified, even a beginner can easily upgrade the application.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system (a so-called integrated intranet system) to which a program updating method according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied.

The above system comprises a plurality of clients 41
And another client group 42 and a plurality of WWW servers 4
3, hubs 45 and 47, a SW hub (switching hub) 49, routers 51, 53, 55 and 57, and AP servers 59, 61 and 63. AP server 59 is A
The P registration disk 65 and the AP server 61 each have an AP registration disk 67.

Each client 41 and the AP server 59 are communicably connected through a LAN (local area network) 69 managed by the switching hub 49 so as not to cause contention (line contention). Each client 41 and each WWW server 43 are communicably connected to each other through a LAN 69, another network 71 connected to the LAN 69 by a router 53, and a hub 45 connected to the other network 71 by a router 51.

The AP servers 59 and 61 are communicably connected to each other through a router 55, a public telephone line 73, a router 57, and a hub 47. The AP server 59 is communicably connected to another client group 42 through the router 55.

Each client 41 is not an OS but a W
Each helper AP and other APs are mounted in an environment independent of the model of each client 41 using a WW browser (Web browser) as a common platform. Each helper AP is started by a Web browser, and has an AP distribution tool built therein.

The AP server 61 is placed in a content creation and registration environment (AP registration environment) while being connected to the hub 47 together with the other AP servers 63. Here, the content refers to the entire content including the heading (heading) and the body (text) in MHS (message handling service).

The AP server 61 reads the latest AP information from the latest AP information file registered in the AP registration disk 67 in advance. Then, the latest AP information is stored in a VOD service (video on demand service).
Hub 47, router 5
7. Transmit to the AP server 59 through the public telephone line 73 and the router 55.

Upon receiving the latest AP information, the AP server 59 registers this in the AP registration disk 65. In this case, the latest AP information is registered in a driver different from the driver in which the content of the VOD service is registered. When checking the version information, the registered latest AP information is transmitted to each client 41 or another client group 42 through the router 55.
Accessed from

FIG. 6 shows one example of the above-described AP distribution tool.
It is a figure showing the processing flow at the time of automatic update of helper AP.

In the processing flow shown in FIG. 6, the timing at which the AP distribution tool automatically updates the helper AP is determined by the We
It is limited when the helper AP is started by the browser b, and the automatic update of the helper AP is always executed every time the helper AP is started.

That is, in each client 41, the We
When the helper AP is started by the browser b (step S81), the AP distribution tool in the helper AP starts, and the AP distribution tool accesses the AP registration disk 65. Then, the latest AP information regarding the helper AP (latest helper AP information) is obtained from the latest AP information file 74 in the disk 65 (step S82).

Next, the latest helper AP information and Web
The current helper AP information in the table on the browser side is compared (step S83), and it is checked whether the current helper AP information needs to be updated (step S84). As a result of this check, if it is determined that updating is necessary (step S84), the corresponding helper AP
Is downloaded from the setup file 76 in the disk 65 (step S8).
5).

By executing the setup file until the file of the latest helper AP information becomes “end of file”, the helper AP is executed.
(Step S86), the function of each helper AP is activated (step S87). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S84 that there is no need for updating, the function of each helper AP is immediately activated (step S88).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow when updating the above-described AP distribution tool itself. In the processing flow shown in FIG. 7, after ending the operation of the AP distribution tool, A
Update the P distribution tool. This is because the operating AP distribution tool cannot be overwritten and installed.

In FIG. 7, the AP distribution tool operates by starting a built-in helper AP (old helper AP) 78 to access the AP registration disk 65. Then, the helper A is read from the version information file regarding various APs including the helper AP in the disk 65.
The latest version information such as P is read and the client 41
Is compared with the above version information file (step S
91), it is checked whether or not the version information needs to be updated (step S92). Here, the version information file means that the AP distribution tool uses the helper AP.
Etc. is a file for confirming the latest version information. The version information file includes an AP name to be updated, version information (date or version number), and A to be updated stored in the disk 65.
Various information such as a setup file name of P, a setup execution command, and a path of an installation destination directory are stored.

As a result of the check in step S92, when it is determined that the update is necessary, the setup file such as the helper AP is downloaded from the setup file 76 in the AP registration disk 65 (step S93). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S92 that there is no need for updating, the function of each helper AP is immediately activated (step S97). Here, in the AP distribution tool, the setup file to be placed in the AP distribution tool must be created according to the following criteria since the setup file must be executed without the user's hand after downloading the setup file. I do. That is, when a plurality of files are required at the time of setup, they are combined into one file in a self-extracting format by a commercially available compression tool. The installation is executed by one command (SETUP.EXE).
ETUP. After execution of the EXE, the operation and the designation of the installation directory are omitted.

After downloading the setup file in step S93, if the AP determined to need updating in step S92 is the active AP distribution tool itself (step S96), the setup execution in the client 41 is executed. The AP 80 is activated (Step S97).

That is, the operation of the AP distribution tool to be updated is monitored at regular time intervals to confirm that the operation has been completed (steps S96 and S9).
8, S102), and execute the setup file downloaded in step S93. As a result, the above-described AP distribution tool is updated (step S99).
When the update of the AP distribution tool is completed by the end of the execution of the setup file, the updated AP is updated.
After activating the distribution tool and actually confirming the activation (step S100), the operation of the setup execution AP 80 is terminated (step S101). The AP distribution tool 84 updated in step S100 forms a new helper AP 82 together with each helper AP function 86.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow when a plurality of new helper APs are installed by the AP distribution tool.

In the above-described integrated intranet system, when a new service is additionally provided from the AP server 59 to each client 41, it is necessary to install a helper AP used for the new service in each client 41 as well. Therefore, in the processing flow shown in FIG. 8, installation of a plurality of new helper APs is executed by the AP distribution tool in each client 41.

That is, in each client 41, the We
When the AP distribution tool is started by the browser b (step S111), the AP distribution tool accesses the AP registration disk 65.

Then, the latest information of each helper AP used for various new services to be added (for example, helper A)
The latest information of P1, the latest information of helper AP2,..., The latest information of helper APn) are obtained from the latest AP information file 88 in the disk 65 (step S112). Next, the latest information of the helper AP1 is compared with the table contents on the Web browser side (step S113), and the Web
It is checked whether the table contents on the browser side need to be updated (step S114). This check is performed to determine whether information relating to the helper AP1 is written in the table on the Web browser side, or whether the helper AP1 is used.
Is written by confirming whether the information is the latest information of the helper AP1.

As a result of this check, if it is determined that updating is necessary (step S114), a setup file corresponding to the latest information of the helper AP1 is downloaded from the setup file 90 in the disk 65 (step S115). Then, the setup of the helper AP1 is executed by executing the setup file (step S116). As a result, if no information on the helper AP1 is written in the table, the latest information of the helper AP1 is added. When the information on the helper AP1 written in the table is different from the latest information of the helper AP1, the written information is replaced with the helper AP1.
Rewritten with the latest information of 1.

Updating of the helper AP1 is completed through the above processing operations.
The P information file 88 contains the latest information on the helper AP2,
... Since the latest information of the helper APn remains (step S117), the process returns to step S113. next,
Helper A mentioned above for the latest information on Helper AP2
The same processing as in the latest information of P1 is executed (steps S113 to S117). Then, it is confirmed that the processing relating to the latest information of the helper APn has been completed and the updating of the table contents has been completed (step S114), and that the latest AP information file 88 has been changed to the “end of file”. At the time (step S117), the function of each helper AP is activated (step S118).

The latest information of each helper AP (1 to n) read out in step S112 is created in advance and added to the latest AP information file 88, and each setup downloaded in step S115. The file is created in advance similarly to the latest information, and is written in the setup file 90.

Note that the above processing flow is for installing a plurality of new helper APs, but the above processing flow can be applied regardless of whether there is one or more new helper APs.

In the processing flow shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 described above, when an error occurs during reading of the version information file (latest AP information file) or downloading of the setup file, the display section of the client 41 ( (Not shown), an error occurrence message is displayed, and the operation of the AP distribution tool is forcibly terminated. If an error occurs during the execution of the setup, the operation of the AP distribution tool is forcibly terminated without displaying an error occurrence message.

In the processing flows shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the time interval from when it is determined that there is no need to update the AP distribution rules or the helper APs to when each helper AP is activated is several seconds ( For example, about 3 seconds). This is because if the time interval exceeds several seconds, the user may stop receiving the service from the AP server 59. The operation time of the AP distribution tool is set to the same time zone as the service received by the so-called integrated intranet system (integrated intranet service), and the latest AP information of the latest information of each helper AP (1 to n) to be updated It is desirable that writing to the file 88 be performed outside the above-mentioned operation time.

The AP distribution tool described above is created using Microsoft Visual Basic and is provided in the form of a function or a Microsoft Windows DLL. Therefore, the AP developer must obtain the AP distribution tool in advance and incorporate it into the helper AP.
In the process flow shown in FIG. 7, when a setup file is created, the setup execution file name (setup execution AP name) is always specified as “SE”.
TUP. EXE ”.

In the content creation / registration environment (AP registration environment) shown in FIG. 5, the procedure for registering the helper AP to be updated in the AP server 59 by the AP registrant is performed as follows.

When the setup file of the helper AP to be registered is received, A
The helper AP information is added to the latest AP information file in the P registration disk 67. Next, similarly to the content registration of the VOD service, the setup file and the latest AP information file are transferred from the AP server 61 to the AP registration disk 65 through the communication path including the public telephone line 73 and the AP server. sign up. When the registration is completed, it is confirmed whether or not the setup file and the latest AP information file have been normally transferred from the AP registration disk 67 to the AP registration disk 65.

Next, how the present embodiment is proposed will be described.

In the network system as shown in FIG.
Since the helper AP in each client must be version-controlled by the user and set up by the user himself, the versions of the helper AP in each client are likely to vary. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user cannot receive a normal service from the AP server. Therefore, a program (file update program) for automatically updating the helper AP in each client has been developed.

However, this file update program has the following problems with regard to the start time.

First, when the start time of this file update program is set when the OS is started for the first time after the power of the client is turned on, the power is turned off every time the user temporarily stops using the client. The file update program will not start unless the OS is restarted by executing an operation of turning on the power every time the use is resumed.
For example, if the client is used continuously for 24 hours without restarting the OS, the file update program does not start. In addition, since there are quite a few helper APs on the market that automatically restart the client when setting up the helper APs, when these helper APs are used, the file update There is a high possibility that a conflict will occur with the program and an operation failure will occur.

Next, the activation of the file update program is
If the operation is left to the user's mouse operation or keyboard operation, the start time of the file update program is left to the user, so that the helper AP in the client does not always have the latest version. Moreover,
In order to keep the latest version of the helper AP in the client, it is necessary for the user to frequently perform an operation for starting the file update program with awareness.

Further, if the start time of the file update program is set to a fixed time (for example, 22:00 every night), there is a drawback that it is not possible to cope with a case where the helper AP needs to be updated before the fixed time.

As described above, the above-mentioned file update program has various problems regarding the start timing.

On the other hand, separately from the file update program, a method such as Microsoft's ActiveX or JAVA is used in which each client downloads the helper AP from the server side and uses the latest helper A.
There are things that do P. However, these can be applied only to the helper APs corresponding to the ActiveX and JAVA, and are not applied to the existing helper APs that are widely available in the world.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, that is, the number of user operations is small so that all service users can always use the latest helper AP using the desktop management tool, and the user can update himself. Helper A
The present inventors have proposed a method using an AP distribution tool which has a function of automatically updating P and which is started by starting a Web browser.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the execution timing of the helper AP update is triggered by the activation of the Web browser, so that the user does not need to pay special attention unlike executing another dedicated program. Good. Also, the latest AP information file is stored in the AP server 5 only when it is desired to use it.
Since it is downloaded to each client 41 from 9, there is no waste, and the helper AP is updated immediately before use, so that the latest environment (a state in which the latest version of the helper AP is always installed in the client) can be provided. Further, since the AP distribution tool is not a resident program dedicated to file replacement, the existing communication A
It has good consistency with P, does not generate competition in communication devices, and operates stably. Furthermore, Microsoft's A
Existing files (programs) other than specific programs such as ActiveX and JAVA can also be updated, and can cope with existing helper APs that are widely available in the world.

Note that the above-described content relates to each embodiment of the present invention, and does not mean that the present invention is limited to only the above-described content.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to improve the convenience of Internet and intranet users by facilitating version upgrade, setup, and file download of the program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system to which a program update method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a software configuration diagram of each client PC shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a version information file included in the automatic update browser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a processing flow in the automatic update browser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system to which a program update method according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a processing flow when the helper AP is automatically updated by the AP distribution tool.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a processing flow when updating the AP distribution tool itself.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow when a plurality of helper APs are installed by an AP distribution tool.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 21 Client PC (Client) 3 Information Server 5, 23 WWW (World Wide Web) Server 7 Network (Internet) 9 Automatic Update Browser (Browser) 11 Version Information File 13 Application Name Area 15 Application Execution File Name Area 17 File size name area 19 Time stamp area 45, 47 Hub 49 Switching hub 51, 53, 55, 57 Router 59, 61 AP server 63 Other AP servers 65, 67 AP (application) registration disk 69 LAN (local area / Network) 71 other network 73 public telephone line 74 latest AP (application) information file 76 setup file 78 old helper AP 80 setup execution A 82 new helper AP 84 updated AP distribution tools 86 each helper AP function

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A program updating method for updating an application possessed by a client with information from a server. In a program updating method, the application is activated at a predetermined timing to monitor the application, and inquires of the server. A program updating method comprising means for automatically updating the application in response to the request. 2. The program updating method according to claim 1, wherein said automatic updating means is an automatic updating browser of said client. 3. The program updating method according to claim 1, wherein the automatic update browser includes a file of version information regarding the application. 4. The program updating method according to claim 1, wherein the automatic update browser monitors the application by checking the contents of the version information file. Program update method. 5. The program updating method according to claim 1, wherein the trigger is set when the automatic update browser itself is started. 6. The program updating method according to claim 1, wherein said trigger is set periodically in an idle state of said automatic update browser. . 7. The program update method according to claim 1, wherein the automatic update browser compares the version information file with a version information file relating to an application of the server. A program update method for determining whether or not the application needs to be updated. 8. The program updating method according to claim 7, wherein the automatic update browser downloads the latest version information file related to the application from the server and sets up the file when the automatic update browser determines that the application needs to be updated. A program updating method characterized by the following. 9. The program updating method according to claim 1, wherein when the automatic update browser determines that the application is the latest version, the display unit of the client displays A program updating method for displaying a URL corresponding to the application. 10. A program updating method for updating an application of a client with information from a server, wherein the application includes means for automatically updating the application. 11. The program updating method according to claim 10, wherein the application is a helper application for complementing the web browser, which is started by starting the web browser using the web browser in the client as a common platform. Program update method characterized by the following. 12. The program updating method according to claim 10, wherein said automatic updating means is an application distribution tool which is activated by activating said helper application. 13. The program updating method according to claim 12, wherein the application distribution tool compares a file of version information on the helper application in the client with a file of version information on the helper application held by the server. A program update method for determining whether or not the helper application needs to be updated. 14. The program updating method according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of said helper applications are present. 15. A program updating method for updating an application of a client with information from a server, wherein the application includes first means for automatically updating the application, and updates the first means itself. A program updating method comprising a second means for performing the program. 16. The program updating method according to claim 15, wherein the application is a helper application for complementing the web browser, which is started by starting the web browser using the web browser in the client as a common platform. Program update method characterized by the following. 17. The program updating method according to claim 15, wherein the first means is an application distribution tool that is activated by activating the helper application. 18. The program updating method according to claim 15, wherein the second means is a setup execution application in the client, which is started after the operation of the application distribution tool ends. A program updating method characterized by the following. 19. The program update method according to claim 15, wherein the setup execution application is such that the application distribution tool has the version information file in the client and the server. When it is determined that the application distribution tool needs to be updated by comparing the file with the version information file,
A program updating method for updating the application distribution tool. 20. A program updating method for updating an application possessed by a client with information from a server, comprising the steps of: starting up at a predetermined timing to monitor the application; querying the server; A computer-readable program medium carrying a computer program for causing a computer to operate as the server or the client in the program update method, comprising means for automatically updating the application in response. 21. A program update method for updating an application held by a client with information from a server, wherein the application includes means for automatically updating the application. A computer-readable program medium carrying a computer program for operating a computer as a client.