JP2003248585A - Software distribution system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically retrieve, distribute and install update software necessary for a user terminal. <P>SOLUTION: A download means 11 gets access to a software distribution means 21, makes a request for download of a client tool, receives and stores a software distribution client program 221, a model number acquisition program 222 and a software name list database 223. A client tool execution means 12 executes the model number acquisition program 222 and the software distribution client program 221. The model number acquisition program 222 acquires model number information from a model number area 141. The software distribution client program 221 extracts a name of software for which distribution is requested based on OS management information and the model number information, makes a request of the software distribution means 21 for distribution, and installs the received software in a terminal library 13 to update. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a software distribution system and method for distributing software, and more particularly to a software distribution system and method for distributing and installing modified software and version upgrade (update) software.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, update processing of software installed in a user terminal is performed as follows.

First, the user terminal accesses the software distribution server and acquires the updated software list.

Next, the user terminal makes a list of software installed in the user terminal based on the files managed by the OS (operating system) and the files of the installed software and the registration information in the OS. To do.

Next, for the listed software, the acquired update software list is searched and the required update software is selected.

Next, the software distribution server is requested to distribute the selected update software.

Next, the software distribution server distributes the requested update software to the user terminal.

Next, the user terminal installs the distributed update software.

In this way, of the software installed in the user terminal, the part managed by the OS is updated.

As for the software installed in the user terminal and not managed by the OS, the user manually updates the software one by one.

[0011]

However, the above-mentioned conventional techniques have the following problems.

That is, only the driver of the OS managed device and the software managed by the OS are targeted, and the driver of the non-OS managed device and the software managed by the non-OS are not targeted.

Further, it means that each software is manually updated by the user, which requires manual work by the user.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a software distribution system and method for automatically retrieving and distributing required software to user terminals.

[0015]

A software distribution system according to the first invention of the present application is a software distribution system for distributing software, comprising a system ROM and based on model number information and OS management information stored in the system ROM. And a user terminal for requesting and installing software distribution, and a software distribution device for distributing requested software from the user terminal to the user terminal.

In the software distribution system of the second invention of the present application, in the first invention, the user terminal downloads a client tool from the software distribution device, and executes the client tool to store it in the system ROM. Client tool executing means for reading the generated model number information and determining the software for which distribution is requested.

In the software distribution system of the third invention of the present application, in the first or second invention, the model number information is
It is characterized by comprising identification characters for identifying installed software.

A software distribution system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect, the client tool has means for checking the model number information and determining whether to make a distribution request.

The software distribution method of the fifth invention of the present application is a software distribution method for distributing software from a software distribution device to a user terminal, wherein the user terminal is based on model number information and OS management information stored in a system ROM. The software to be distributed is determined and the software distribution device is requested to distribute the software, the software distribution device distributes the requested software from the user terminal to the user terminal, and the user terminal is distributed from the software distribution device. It is characterized by receiving and installing the installed software.

A software distribution method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the model number information includes an identification character for identifying the installed software.

The software distribution method of the seventh invention of the present application is a software distribution method for distributing software from a software distribution device to a user terminal, wherein the user terminal accesses the software distribution device and requests download of a client tool, The software distribution device transmits a software distribution client program, a model number acquisition program, and a software name list database as a client tool to the user terminal, and the user terminal stores the software distribution client program, the model number acquisition program, and a software name list database. The OS is received and stored, the model number acquisition program is executed to acquire the model number information stored in the system ROM, the software distribution client program is executed, and the OS is executed. The software name managed by the OS is acquired from the physical information, the identification characters are extracted from the model number information, and the software name list in the software name list database is searched and extracted based on the extracted identification characters. The software name corresponding to the identification character is acquired, the updated software name list in the software name list database is searched with the acquired software name, the matching software name is extracted, and the distribution of the extracted software is requested to the software distribution device. The software distribution device transmits the requested software to the user terminal, the user terminal receives the requested software, and installs and updates the received software.

The software distribution method according to the eighth invention of the present application is the software distribution client program according to the seventh invention, wherein the software distribution client program checks the model number information to determine whether or not to make a distribution request.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A software distribution system and method according to the present invention includes a system ROM (Read On
The software is automatically searched for software managed by the OS, software under non-OS management, or software specialized for the model of the user terminal by searching for software using the model number information stored in It is characterized by updating.

The configuration of the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of model number information.

Referring to FIG. 1, the embodiment of the present invention includes a user terminal 1, a software distribution device 2, and a network 3 connecting the user terminal 1 and the software distribution device 2.

The user terminal 1 is a computer that operates under the control of a program such as an OS, and download means 11
And client tool execution means 12 and terminal library 1
3 and a system ROM 14. Also, the OS
OS installed software (including application software and device drivers)
It is managed by management information.

The download means 11 accesses the software distribution device 2 and downloads the software distribution client program 221, the model number acquisition program 222, and the updated software name list database 223 stored in the client tool library 22 of the software distribution device 2. To do.

The client tool execution means 12 executes the downloaded software distribution client program 221 and model number acquisition program 222.

The terminal library 13 stores software used by the user terminal 1.

The system ROM 14 includes a model number area 141 for storing model number information of the user terminal 1. The user terminal manufacturer sends the model number information to the system ROM 1 of the user terminal 1.
4, and the user terminal 1 is shipped. In the model number information, a character string (identification character) that is defined by the system manufacturer (user terminal manufacturer) and indicates the difference between connected hardware and preinstalled application software is embedded (added Exist).
The model number information manages software under non-OS management, software specialized for model models, and the like. An example of model number information is shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an example of model number information when the user terminal 1 is a personal computer, and the identification character added to the eighth character of the model number information represents the model of the personal computer. For example,
If the identification character is "A", it is "normal size liquid crystal model", if the identification character is "B", it is "wide liquid crystal model", if the identification character is "C", it is "14 inch CRT model", and the identification character is "D". In the case of, it indicates that it is "18 inch CRT model".

The software distribution device 2 is a computer which operates under program control and includes a software distribution means 21, a client tool library 22 and a software library 23.

The software distribution means 21 communicates with the user terminal 1 via the network 3 and transmits the software requested by the user terminal 1 to the user terminal 1.
The software distribution means 21 is composed of, for example, a software distribution server program.

The client tool library 22 stores the client tools that the software distribution device 2 sends to the user terminal 1. The client tool includes a software distribution client program 221, a model number acquisition program 222, and a software name list database 223.

The software distribution client program 221 is downloaded to the user terminal 1 and executed. Software distribution client program 221
Lists the software names installed in the user terminal 1 based on the OS management information and the model number information passed from the model number acquisition program 222, and updates the software name list in the software name list database 223 with the listed software names. To extract the matching software name, request the distribution of the extracted software to the software distribution device 2, and send the software distributed from the software distribution device 2 to the terminal library 1
3 has the function of installing and updating.

The model number acquisition program 222 is downloaded to the user terminal 1 and executed. The model number acquisition program 222 has a function of reading the model number information from the model number area 141 of the system ROM 14 and passing it to the software distribution client program 221.

Software name list database 223
Includes a list of updated software names and a list of software names classified by identification characters. The updated software name list is a list of names of software that has been upgraded (updated software). The software name list by identification character is a list of software names identified by the identification character for each identification character. Software identified by identification characters is specialized for software under non-OS management and model (specialized for each identification character).
There is software etc.

The software library 23 stores software applied to the user terminal 1.
Also included is an updated program (updated program) applied to the user terminal 1.

FIG. 1 shows the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.
A detailed description will be given with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4
It is a figure which shows the flow of operation | movement of embodiment of this invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, (step 1) the download means 11 of the user terminal 1 accesses the software distribution means 21 of the software distribution device 2 and requests the download of the client tool. (Step 2) The software distribution means 21 of the software distribution device 2 transmits the software distribution client program 221, the model number acquisition program 222, and the software name list database 223 stored in the client tool library 22 to the download means 11 of the user terminal 1. To do. (Step 3) The download means 11 of the user terminal 1 receives and stores the software distribution client program 221, the model number acquisition program 222, and the software name list database 223 which are client tools, and the client tool execution means 12 of the user terminal 1.
First executes the model number acquisition program 222. The model number acquisition program 222 acquires the model number information stored in the model number area 141 of the system ROM 14. (Step 4) Next, the client tool execution means 12 of the user terminal 1 executes the software distribution client program 221. The software distribution client program 221 uses the OS management information and the model number information acquired by the model number acquisition program 222 to determine the user terminal 1
List the software names installed in and extract the software name for which distribution is requested. More specifically, the software name managed by the OS is acquired from the OS management information, the identification character is extracted from the model number information acquired by the model number acquisition program 222, and the software name list database 223 is identified based on the extracted identification character. The software name corresponding to the extracted identification character is obtained by searching the software name list by character, and the updated software name list of the software name list database 223 is searched by the software name listed above and by extracting the matching software name. To do. (Step 5) The software distribution client program 221 requests the software distribution means 21 of the software distribution device 2 to distribute the extracted software. (Step 6) The software distribution means 21 of the software distribution device 2 reads out the requested software from the software library 23 and sends it to the software distribution client program 221 of the user terminal 1. (Step 7) The software distribution client program 221 of the user terminal 1 receives the requested software, installs the received software in the terminal library 13, and updates it.

In this way, by referring to the OS management information and model number information, the software such as the OS, device driver and application program installed at the time of manufacturing the user terminal is managed regardless of the OS management and the non-OS management. With regard to the above, by connecting to the software distribution device when there is a failure correction or a function addition, it is possible to distribute appropriate software according to the model of the user terminal. By referring to the model number information stored in the system ROM, manual input of the device model number and user selection of the software to be installed are not required, and distribution can be performed automatically. It is possible to eliminate problems caused by incorrect input of.

Next, regarding another embodiment of the present invention,
explain.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a delivery guard function is added to the above-mentioned embodiment.

The configuration of another embodiment of the present invention is based on the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and differs in the following points.
That is, the software distribution client program stored in the client tool library has a function of checking model number information in addition to the function of the software distribution client program in the above-described embodiment.

Regarding the operation of another embodiment of the present invention,
explain. (Step 1 to Step 3) The same as Step 1 to Step 3 in the above-described embodiment. (Step 4) Next, the client tool execution means 12 of the user terminal 1 executes the software distribution client program 221. The software distribution client program 221 checks the model number information acquired by the model number acquisition program 222, and terminates the operation if the model number information is not applicable to the software distribution system.
If the model number information acquired by the model number acquisition program 222 is the model number information to which this software distribution system is applied,
The operation of step 4 in the above-described embodiment is performed. (Step 5 to Step 7) This is the same as Step 5 to Step 7 in the above-described embodiment.

In this way, since the distribution request is rejected for the distribution request from the model which is not the target, it is possible to guard the unauthorized use of the software other than the model concerned.

As another embodiment of the present invention, the software distribution means of the software distribution device is HTML.
By creating based on (hypertext markup language), software distribution device can be used for WWW (World Wide Web)
It may be a server.

Further, as another embodiment of the present invention, the function of the software distribution device may be included in the user terminal. In this case, the software distribution server program, the software distribution client program, the model number acquisition program, and the software name list database are stored on the CD-
The present invention may be configured by storing it in a ROM medium or the like, distributing it to a user terminal, and installing it.

[0048]

The effect of the present invention is that software can be updated automatically with less user intervention.

The reason is that the means for automatically searching and delivering the software required for the user terminal based on the model number information and the OS management information of the user terminal is provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of model number information.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of operations according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 user terminal 2 Software distribution device 3 network 11 Downloading means 12 Client Tool Execution Means 13 Terminal library 14 System ROM 21 Software distribution means 22 Client Tool Library 23 Software Library 141 Model number area 221 Software Distribution Client Program 222 Model number acquisition program 223 Software name list database

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A software distribution system for distributing software, comprising a system ROM, and a user terminal for requesting and installing software based on model number information and OS management information stored in the system ROM, and A software distribution system, comprising: a software distribution device that distributes requested software from a user terminal to the user terminal. 2. The user terminal includes a download unit for downloading a client tool from the software distribution device, and a client for executing the client tool to read model number information stored in the system ROM and determine software for distribution request. The software distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a tool executing unit. 3. The software distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the model number information includes an identification character for identifying installed software. 4. The software distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the client tool has means for checking the model number information and determining whether to make a distribution request. 5. A software distribution method for distributing software from a software distribution device to a user terminal, wherein the user terminal determines software to be requested for distribution based on model number information and OS management information stored in a system ROM. Requesting a distribution device to distribute software, the software distribution device distributes the requested software from the user terminal to the user terminal, and the user terminal receives and installs the software distributed from the software distribution device; A software distribution method characterized by the above. 6. The software distribution method according to claim 5, wherein the model number information includes an identification character for identifying installed software. 7. A software distribution method for distributing software from a software distribution device to a user terminal, wherein the user terminal accesses the software distribution device and requests download of a client tool, and the software distribution device uses the software as a client tool. The distribution client program, the model number acquisition program, and the software name list database are transmitted to the user terminal, and the user terminal receives and stores the software distribution client program, the model number acquisition program, and the software name list database, and the model number acquisition The program is executed to obtain the model number information stored in the system ROM, the software distribution client program is executed, and the software managed by the OS is managed from the OS management information. A) a name is acquired, the identification character is extracted from the model number information, the software name list in the software name list database is searched based on the extracted identification character, and the software name corresponding to the extracted identification character is acquired. Then, the updated software name list of the software name list database is searched with the acquired software name, the matching software name is extracted, and the distribution of the extracted software is requested to the software distribution device,
The software distribution method, wherein the software distribution device transmits the requested software to the user terminal, the user terminal receives the requested software, and installs and updates the received software. 8. The software distribution method according to claim 7, wherein the software distribution client program checks the model number information and determines whether to make a distribution request.