KR19990016516A - Program update system by remote networking - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a program update system by remote networking, and comprises a program operating computer and a program providing server. The program operating computer is connected to a program providing server through a communication network, and transmits information of an application program installed in the program operating computer to the program providing server side. The program providing server selectively connects according to the identification information from the program operating computer, determines whether to update the program installed on the program operating computer according to the information provided from the program operating computer, updates the program installed on the program operating computer, In this case, a new program is transmitted to the program operating computer and updated.

Description

Program update system by remote networking

The present invention relates to an update of an application program installed in a computer, and more particularly, to a system capable of transmitting and receiving a program between remote sites and reinstalling it.

Computer manufacturers provide operating systems (OSs) or applications for use in their computers upon sale. Such software is called bundled software.

This bundled software includes drivers for driving various peripherals, depending on the model of the manufacturer's computer. Further, the bundled software provided includes, for example, a word processor program, an office management program, and the like. This kind of bundled software can range from a few to dozens.

However, the bundled program provided by the computer manufacturer is generally upgraded at any point in time as the performance of the computer or program is improved. Therefore, the purchaser of the computer needs to obtain a program newly provided by the manufacturer and reinstall it in the computer in order to receive the improved performance program.

However, in order to obtain such an updated program, it is necessary to visit a so-called service center or download and reinstall a program provided in a communication column of an information and communication service company. In addition, since the programs provided in this manner are diverse, it is difficult for a user to find out the updated programs.

Accordingly, the present invention has been proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can be connected to a remote site through a public communication network or a local area network, and a program operating computer transmits information of an installed program and receives an updated program from a program providing computer. The program providing server can provide a program update system by remote networking that can transmit a program that needs to be updated according to program information from a program operating computer to the program operating computer.

1 is a diagram showing a connection relationship between a program operating computer and a program providing server of a program update system by remote networking according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a program operating computer of a program update system by remote networking according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a program providing server of a program update system by remote networking according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a diagram showing in detail the configuration of the information storage unit in the program management computer shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a data transmission relationship between a program providing server and a program operating computer shown in FIG. 1;

6 is a flowchart specifically showing an operation of a program operating computer in a program update system by remote networking according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a flowchart specifically showing the operation of the program providing computer in the program update system by remote networking according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

100a to 100n: program operating computer 200: program providing server

111,211: central processing unit 112: bios

113: main memory 114: auxiliary memory

115,222: key input device 116,216: display device

117,217: video interface 118: information storage unit

119: update control source 120,218,219: communication interface

212: program providing control source 213: program information storage unit

214: provided program unit 215: registration information storage unit

According to a feature of the present invention proposed to achieve the above object, a program update system by remote networking is selectively connected to an authorized remote location, identification information, user information, the unique number of the installed application, A program operating computer for providing information on the last renewal date; It is selectively connected to the user computer according to the computer identification information from the plurality of user computers, and judges whether to update the application installed in the user computer according to the unique number of the application provided from the user computer and the last update date information. And, if you want to update the application program installed in the user computer includes a program providing server for transmitting a new application program to the user computer side and controls to be updated newly.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the application program is a bundled program provided with a program operating computer.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, a storage device for storing a plurality of application programs running on a computer; An information storage unit for storing a remote access number, identification information of a computer, user information of a computer, a unique number of an installed application program, and last update date information of the installed application program; A communication interface that interfaces data transmission and reception between a program operating computer and a program providing server; The program is connected to a remote program providing server through the communication interface, the information of the program operating computer stored in the information storage unit is transmitted to the program providing server side, and the application program stored in the storage device is provided from the program providing server. An update control source for storing a program to be controlled to be updated by means of; And a central processing unit which determines whether to update the application program according to the information stored in the information storage unit, and executes the update control source when the application program is to be updated.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the information storage section includes a system identification information storage section for storing identification information of a program operation computer; A plurality of program providing server access number storage units for storing access numbers of remote locations to be connected; A last update date storage unit for storing a last date of the update operation; A user information storage unit for storing user information such as a user's name, company name, residence code, etc .; And a program identification information and update information storage unit for storing identification information of a plurality of application programs installed in the program operation computer and date information on which the program update was last made.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the update control source processed by the central processing unit receives the user information and stores it in the user information storage unit when the date information is not entered in the last update date storage unit; If date information is entered in the last update date storage unit, it is determined whether the date information has passed a predetermined period; Inputting user information or inputting whether to update the program when the date information passes a predetermined period; When updating the program, access the program providing server according to the program providing server access number, and transmit system identification information and user information; Transmitting ID and update information of the program installed in the program operating computer to the program providing server side in turn; Receive programs in sequence from a program providing server; Replacing and updating the program stored in the storage device with the received program, correcting the update information of the program ID when the update is completed, and transmitting the update confirmation information to the program providing server side; The connection with the program providing server is terminated and the current date of the update operation is stored in the last update date storage unit.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the program providing server includes a providing program unit for storing a plurality of executable programs to be provided; A program information storage unit for storing a program ID and update information of an application program stored in the provided program unit; A plurality of communication interfaces for transmitting and receiving data between a remotely authorized program application computer and a program providing server; A registration information storage unit for storing system identification information and user information of the program application computer; The program interface is connected to a remote program operating computer through the communication interface, and a program ID and update information are received from the program operating computer to determine whether to update the program of the program operating computer. A program providing control source for storing a program for controlling the transfer to the operating computer side; And a central processing unit for executing the program providing control source when connected to an authorized program application computer.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect, the program providing control source processed by the central processing unit is an identification in which system identification information received from a remote program operation computer connected through a communication interface is registered in a program registration information storage unit. If matched with the information, store the user information received from the program operating computer in the registration information storage section; Receive a plurality of program IDs and update information from a remote program operation computer, and if the update information of the program ID of the program information storage unit is more recent than the received update information of each program ID, the program of the corresponding ID is provided from the program unit. It is read out and transmitted to the program management computer through the communication interface.

The present invention relates to a program update system by remote networking, and comprises a program operating computer and an application program providing server. The program operating computer is connected to the program providing server through a communication network, and transmits the unique number and the last update information of the application program installed in the program operating computer to the program providing server. The program providing server is selectively connected according to the identification information from the program operating computer, and determines whether to update the program installed on the program operating computer according to the unique number of the program provided from the program operating computer and the last update date information. In the case of updating a program installed in the operating computer, a new program is transferred to the program operating computer and newly updated.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

Referring to Figure 1, the novel remote networking program update system of the present invention comprises a program providing server 200 and a plurality of program operating computers (100a to 100n) connected to a public or local area network, program operation Computers 100a to 100n may transmit information on installed programs and receive updated programs from a program providing computer. The program providing server 200 may select a program that needs to be updated according to program information from a program operating computer. Can be transferred to production computer.

Next, a program operating computer will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2. In the figure, reference numeral 111 denotes a central processing unit, 112 denotes a BIOS, 113 denotes a main memory device, 114 denotes an auxiliary memory device, 118 denotes an information storage unit, 119 denotes an update control source, and 120 denotes a communication interface. Each device is connected to each other by a system bus 121 composed of a so-called local bus, a PCI bus, and an ISA bus to transmit data, an address, and a control signal.

The central processing unit 111 here is, for example, a microprocessor of an IBM compatible computer. In addition, the auxiliary memory device 114 may be configured as a hard disk drive to store an operating system (OS), an application program, and data. Such applications include bundled software provided from vendors upon purchase of a computer.

The information storage unit 118 is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as, for example, EEPROM and FRESH memory. The information storage unit 118 records the unique system identification information of the computer, the ID of the installed program, the update information, and the like.

4 is a view illustrating in detail the configuration of the information storage unit 118 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the information storage unit 118 stores a storage unit 171 for storing identification information of a system, a storage unit 172 for storing a connection number of a program providing server, and a date information for which an update was finally made. And a storage unit 173 for storing user information, storage units 174 to 176 for storing user information, and storage units 177 and 178 for storing program identification information and update information. The system identification information storage unit 171 has 8 bytes, and the program providing server access number storage unit 172 has N 8 byte lengths. In addition, the last update date storage unit 173 has 6 bytes, and the user information storage units 174 to 176 have a user name area of 4 bytes, a company name area of 12 bytes, and a region code of 1 byte.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the communication interface 120 is configured as, for example, a modem to modulate data transmitted from a program operating computer or to demodulate data received from a program providing server.

The update control source 119 stores an execution program for a program update operation performed by the central processing unit 111.

6 is a flowchart specifically showing the update control source 119. As shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 211 reads a value stored in the last update date storage unit 173 of the information storage unit 118 to determine whether a date is input. At this time, if there is no recorded date value, the user information such as the user's name, company name, area code, etc. is input through the key input device 115 and stored in the corresponding storage area of the information storage unit 118. Memory (S120, S130).

If there is a date value stored in the last update date storage unit 173, it is determined whether the date value has passed a predetermined update period (for example, three months) (S120, S140). Herein, the update period may be set to an arbitrary period.

When the user's information is input or the update date of the program has elapsed as described above, the CPU 111 displays a message for selecting whether to perform the update operation through the video interface 117 or the display apparatus 116. ) And receives it via the key input device 115 (S150).

If the update operation is not selected here, the central processing unit 111 ends the update operation (S220).

On the other hand, when the user selects an update operation, the program providing server is connected to the remote program providing server through the communication interface 120 according to the program providing server access number, and the system providing information and the user information from the information storage unit 118 are provided. Send to the side (S160).

Subsequently, the central processing unit 111 reads out the ID and update information 1 of the program 1 from the information storage unit 118 and transmits the ID and update information 1 to the program providing server side (S170).

When an updated program for the corresponding program (here, program 1) is received from the program providing server side, it is downloaded (S180). When all such program downloads are made, the central processing unit 111 newly installs the corresponding program in the auxiliary memory device 114, and then changes the program update information storage unit 178 of the information storage unit 118. Update confirmation information is transmitted to the program providing server (S190).

Subsequently, the central processing unit 111 repeatedly performs the update operation up to the N-th program stored in the program ID and the update information storage unit of the information storage unit 118 (S220).

When all the update operations of the program to be updated are made as described above, the central processing unit 111 terminates the connection with the program providing server and the current update date is stored in the last update date storage unit 173 of the information storage unit 118. Record the date (S210).

Next, a program providing server of a program update system by remote networking according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. In the drawing, reference numeral 211 denotes a central processing unit, 212 denotes a program providing control source, 213 denotes a program information storage unit, 214 denotes a providing program unit, 215 denotes a registration information storage unit, 216 denotes a display device, and 217 a video interface. 219 denotes a communication interface, and 222 denotes a key input device. Each device is connected to each other by a system service 221 composed of a so-called local bus, PCl bus, and ISA bus, and transmits data, an address, and a control signal.

The central processing unit 211 is, for example, a microprocessor of an IBM compatible computer. In addition, the providing program unit 214 is configured as, for example, a hard disk drive to store an operating system (OS), an application program to be provided, and data. The application program to be provided includes the latest version of the so-called bundled software provided with the sale of the computer.

The program information storage unit 213 records the ID and update information of the program for the software stored in the provision program unit 214.

In addition, the registration information storage unit 215 records system identification information and user registration information of a sold computer.

The communication interfaces 218 to 219 are composed of, for example, N modems to demodulate data received from a program operating computer or to modulate data transmitted from a program providing server.

The program providing control source 212 is a program performed by the central processing unit 211.

Remember the executable program for the program serving task.

7 is a flowchart specifically showing the program providing control source 212.

First, the central processing unit 211 is connected to an arbitrary program application computer via a plurality of modems (218 to 219), and receives system identification information from the program application computer and checks whether it is registered in the registration information storage unit (215). It is determined (S420).

Subsequently, the program ID and the update information are received from the program application computer, and it is determined whether to transmit the program by comparing with the update information of the corresponding program stored in the program information storage unit 213 (S430). That is, when the date of the stored update information is later than the date of the received update information, the corresponding program is transmitted to the program application computer (S440).

Subsequently, the central processing unit 211 sequentially receives the program ID and the update information from the program application computer, and transmits all the programs to be updated.

On the other hand, when all the program providing operation of the program application computer connected through any communication interface is completed, the program providing operation of the program application computer connected to the other communication interface is continued.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a data transmission relationship between a program providing server and a program operating computer as in the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the program providing operation is sequentially performed for a program application computer connected to an arbitrary interface, but may be performed by multitasking for a program application computer connected to a plurality of communication interfaces.

In the above embodiment, the communication interface of the program application computer and the program providing server is configured with a modem, but may be configured with an Ethernet card supporting LAN (Local Area Network), for example.

The present invention solves the problem of visiting a so-called service center or downloading and re-installing a program provided in a communication column of an information and communication service company in order to obtain an updated program of bundled software as in the prior art, a public communication network Alternatively, the local area network may be connected to a remote site, and the program operating computer may transmit information about the installed program and receive an updated program from the program providing computer, and the program providing server may update the program according to the program information from the program operating computer. The necessary program can be transferred to the computer running the program.

Claims (7)

A system for exchanging information by connecting to a remote site through a public communication network or a local area network, the system comprising: selectively connected to an authorized remote site through the public communication network or a local area network, identification information, user information, a unique number of an installed program, and an installed program Program operating computers 100a to 100n for providing information on the last update date of the; Selectively access the program operation computer that provides authorized computer identification information through the public or local area network, and update the program installed in the program operation computer according to the unique number and the last update date information of the program provided from the program operation computer. If it is determined whether or not to update the program installed in the program operating computer, a program providing server 200 for transmitting a new program to the program operating computer side and control to be newly updated, characterized in that configured by the remote networking Program update system. The system of claim 1, wherein the program is bundled software provided with a computer for operating a program. The computer program according to claim 1, further comprising: a memory device (114) for storing a plurality of application programs operated on a computer; An information storage unit 118 for storing a remote access number, identification information of a computer, user information of a computer, a unique number of an installed application program, and last update date information of the installed application program; A communication interface 120 that interfaces data transmission and reception between a program operating computer and a program providing server; An application stored in the storage device 114 is connected to a remote program providing server through the communication interface 120, and transmits information of a program operating computer stored in the information storage unit 118 to a program providing server side. An update control source (119) for storing a program for controlling a program to be updated by an operating program provided from a program providing server; And a central processing unit 111 for determining whether to update the application program according to the information stored in the information storage unit 118 and for executing the update control source 119. A program update system by remote networking. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the information storage unit (118) includes: a system identification information storage unit (171) for storing identification information of a program operation computer; A plurality of program providing server connection number storage units 172 for storing a connection number of a remote site to be connected; A last update date storage unit 173 for storing a last date of the update operation; A user information storage unit (174 to 176) for storing user information such as a user's name, company name, residence code, etc .; A program by remote networking, comprising program identification information and update information storage units 177 and 178 for storing identification information of a plurality of application programs installed on a program operation computer and date information on which a program update is finally made. Update system. The update control source 119 processed by the central processing unit 111 receives user information when the date information is not input to the last update date storage unit 173. Stored in the storage units 174 to 176 (S120 and S130); When date information is input to the last update date storage unit 173, it is determined whether the date information has passed a predetermined period (S140); Receiving user information or inputting whether to update a program when the date information passes a predetermined period (S150); When the program is updated, the program connection server is connected to the program providing server according to the program providing server access number, and the system identification information and the user information are transmitted (S160); Transmitting ID and update information of the program installed in the program operating computer in order to the program providing server side (S170); Receiving programs in sequence from a program providing server (S180); Replacing and updating the program stored in the storage device 114 with the received program, correcting the update information of the program ID when the update is completed, and transmitting update confirmation information to the program providing server side (S190); The program update system by remote networking, characterized in that the connection with the program providing server is terminated and the current date of performing the update operation is stored in the last update date storage unit 173 (S210). The program providing server of claim 1, further comprising: a providing program unit (214) for storing a plurality of executable programs to be provided; A program information storage unit 213 for storing a program ID and update information of an application program stored in the provided program unit 214; A plurality of communication interfaces 218 to 219 for interfacing data transmission and reception between a remotely authorized program application computer and a program providing server; A registration information storage unit 215 for storing system identification information and user information of the program application computer; In the case where the program management computer is connected to a remote program operating computer through the communication interface 218 to 219 and receives a program ID and update information from the program operating computer, it is determined whether or not to update the program of the program operating computer. A program providing control source 212 for storing a program for controlling the transfer of the corresponding program to the program operation computer side; And a central processing unit (211) for executing the program providing control source (212) when connected to an authorized program application computer. The system of claim 6, wherein the program providing control source 212 processed by the central processing unit 221 includes system identification information received from a remote program operating computer connected through a communication interface 218 to 219. If it is matched with the identification information registered in the information storage unit 215, the user information received from the program operating computer is stored in the registration information storage unit 215 (S420); Receive a plurality of program IDs and update information from a remote program operation computer, and if the update information of the program ID of the program information storage unit 213 is newer than the received update information of each program ID, the program of the corresponding ID is executed. Read out from the providing program unit (214) and transmits to the program operating computer side in turn via the communication interface (S430 ~ S450) characterized in that the program update system by remote networking.