JP4450746B2 - Terminal device management system, terminal device management method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and method for managing a terminal device.

  In recent years, terminal devices such as personal computers have become widespread in homes and are easily used. This is due to the improvement in the performance and operability of the terminal device, the increase in the communication speed of the network, the reduction in the price of the terminal device and the communication fee, and the like.

  The improved operability not only improves the usability of input devices such as a keyboard and mouse and makes the GUI (Graphical User Interface) intuitive to the user, but also sets the default settings for software or hardware. This also depends on the fact that it can be changed to a setting suitable for the user. For example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a user's favorite Web page is set as a bookmark, and a Web page frequently used by the user is set as a home page (Web that is displayed first when a WWW browser is started). Set the e-mail address of the person concerned in the address book, set the display order of Kanji conversion candidates according to the user's usage frequency (so-called learning function), or set the display resolution and brightness according to the user's preference Can be set.

In addition, terminal device sales companies provide terminal devices (preinstalled terminal devices) that incorporate the necessary software in advance, and set up various settings such as dial-up and e-mail accounts according to the user's environment. Improving the quality of service to customers, such as providing terminal devices, is one of the major factors that have made terminal devices popular in the home. According to such a terminal device, the user can start use immediately after purchase without reading a difficult manual written in technical terms.
International Publication WO / 007027

  However, according to the terminal device as described above, inconvenience occurs for the user when a malfunction such as a failure occurs. For example, data such as documents created so far may be lost. In particular, users who do not have specialized knowledge do not know how to back up data, so despite the failure of a part other than the hard disk, the terminal device must be repaired without being able to back up the data. I often lose. Even if the terminal device is repaired, it may be necessary to perform troublesome operations such as software installation and various settings. Moreover, these operations are difficult for users who do not have specialized knowledge.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to use a method as described in Patent Document 1. According to such literature, the client downloads software from the server as needed. As a result, the user can use the client even if it does not contain software from the beginning.

  However, with the conventional method described in Patent Document 1, even if the terminal device is repaired, the hardware or software setting of the terminal device cannot be returned to a state suitable for the user.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to easily return the hardware or software setting of a terminal device.

A terminal device management system according to an aspect of the present invention is a terminal device management system that manages a terminal device that downloads and acquires data necessary to perform its function as needed, and the terminal device Each of the terminal ID storage means for storing the terminal ID, which is unique identification information given to the terminal device, and the availability information indicating whether the user can use the terminal device for each terminal device Is stored in association with the terminal ID, the availability information storage means, the provision data storage means for storing the data, and input by the user when the terminal device is connected to the terminal device management system for the first time. A terminal ID receiving means for receiving the terminal ID of the terminal device received from the terminal device, and the received terminal ID is the terminal ID Corresponding to the terminal ID when it is determined that the received terminal ID is stored in the terminal ID storage means, and the terminal ID registration availability determination means that determines whether or not the information is stored in the storage means Updating the availability information to indicate that it can be used since it cannot be used, and the terminal device when the availability information of the terminal device indicates that it can be used. Provision data transmission means for transmitting the data stored in the provision data storage means to the terminal device based on a request from the provision data storage means .

A terminal device management system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a setting information storage unit that stores, for each terminal device, setting information related to settings of hardware configuring the terminal device or software used in the terminal device. The installer storage means for storing an installer for updating the software used in the terminal device to the latest version, and the setting of the hardware constituting the terminal device or the software used in the terminal device are changed. The setting change information receiving means for receiving the setting change information indicating the content of the change from the terminal device, and storing the setting change information in the setting information storage means based on the received setting change information of the terminal device. A setting information updating means for updating the setting information of the terminal device, and a request from the terminal device. The setting information transmitting means for transmitting the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage means to the terminal device, and the version of software currently installed in the terminal device is the installer storage means And an installer transmitting means for transmitting the installer to the terminal device when the software is older than the version related to the installer.

  According to the present invention, the hardware or software settings of the terminal device can be easily restored.

  1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the information providing system JTS, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the terminal management server 10, and FIG. 3 is an example of a functional configuration of the terminal management server 10. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the terminal device 2, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing system JTS according to the present invention includes a terminal management company system 1, one or a plurality of terminal devices 2, a communication line 3, and the like. Each terminal device 2 can perform data communication with each device provided in the terminal management provider system 1 by connecting to a predetermined access point via the communication line 3. As the communication line 3, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), an optical fiber network, a cable television network, a wireless communication network, or the like is used.

  The terminal management company system 1 is operated by a local government or an Internet provider. The user can use the terminal device 2 to perform operations such as browsing information on the Internet (so-called surfing the Internet), exchanging electronic mail, or creating a document. Hereinafter, a case where the terminal management company system 1 is operated by a local government X in a certain area and the terminal device 2 is distributed to each home in the area will be described as an example.

  The terminal management provider system 1 includes a terminal management server 10, a WWW server 17, a mail server 18, a DHCP server 19, and a router RT. In addition, a firewall and various communication devices are provided as necessary. The terminal management business operator system 1 is connected to the Internet. Thereby, the terminal device 2 can download data from other devices on the Internet or upload data to other devices.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal management server 10 includes a CPU 10a, a RAM 10b, a ROM 10c, a magnetic storage device 10d, various interfaces, and the like, and manages each terminal device 2 in an integrated manner. The ROM 10c and the magnetic storage device 10d include a terminal registration processing unit 101, a setting registration processing unit 102, a setting information transmission unit 103, a version number reply unit 104, a firmware distribution unit 105, a file storage processing unit 106, and a file transmission shown in FIG. Unit 107, data conversion request reception unit 121, data acquisition unit 122, data conversion unit 123, conversion data transmission unit 124, terminal information database 1B1, setting information database 1B2, firmware database 1B3, and file storage database 1B4. Programs and data to be realized are installed. These programs and data are loaded into the RAM 10b as necessary, and the programs are executed by the CPU 10a.

  As the terminal management server 10, for example, a server machine called a Linux server or a PC server is used. The WWW server 17, the mail server 18, and the DHCP server 19 may be newly provided in the terminal management company system 1 or may use existing servers. Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which these four servers are realized by separate server machines, they may be realized by a single high-performance server machine. Alternatively, the function of each server may be distributed to a plurality of devices.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 2 includes a CPU 20a, a RAM 20b, a flash ROM 20c, a touch panel 20d, a speaker 20e, a communication interface 20f, an input interface 20g, and the like. In addition, an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a fingerprint input device, an IC card reader, a camera, or a microphone can be connected to the terminal device 2 via the input interface 20g. As described above, the terminal device 2 has a configuration in which a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk is removed from a conventional personal computer. Of course, a large-capacity storage device may be incorporated.

  The flash ROM 20c includes an installation completion notification unit 201, a setting registration request unit 202, a setting information acquisition unit 203, an update availability determination unit 204, an update processing unit 205, a file storage request unit 206, a file acquisition unit 207, and the like illustrated in FIG. A program and data for realizing functions such as the conversion data acquisition unit 208 are installed. Further, in addition to the operating system (OS), software (applications) such as a WWW browser, e-mail, and word processor are installed as firmware in the flash ROM 20c. These programs are executed by the CPU 20a. Note that some of these programs and data may be downloaded from the terminal management server 10 and stored in the RAM 20b or the flash ROM 20c as necessary.

  As a WWW browser, a widely distributed product (for example, Microsoft Internet Explorer) may be used, but a browser suitable for the specifications of the terminal device 2 or user attributes may be used. For example, when the capacity of the flash ROM 20c is small, a WWW browser with limited functions may be used. When the user is an elderly person, a child, or a handicapped person, a WWW browser having a function of displaying characters in a larger size may be used.

  Next, the processing contents of each part of the terminal management server 10 and the terminal device 2 are processed for initial setting of the terminal device 2, processing for setting the hardware and software of the terminal device 2, and firmware update. The processing will be roughly classified into processing, processing for managing the user's file of the terminal device 2, and processing for converting the WWW page.

[Processing for Initial Setting of Terminal Device 2]
6 is a diagram showing an example of the terminal information database 1B1, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of variable setting information ST1 stored in the setting information database 1B2, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of initial setting processing. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation screen HG1.

  In FIG. 3, the terminal information database 1B1 stores information about the terminal device 2 distributed to each home or the terminal device 2 scheduled to be distributed from now on as shown in FIG. “Terminal ID” is identification information uniquely given to each terminal device 2. In addition, information such as the name and address of a representative (for example, a householder) of a household to whom the terminal device 2 is distributed is stored in the terminal information database 1B1. A method of using the “installation completion flag” will be described later.

  These pieces of information are stored in the terminal information database 1B1 as follows, for example. A person who wants to subscribe to the service of the terminal management company system 1 applies to the local government X for a form in which necessary information such as his / her name and address is entered. The administrator of the terminal management server 10 issues a terminal ID using a management program or the like, and stores the information as one record in the terminal information database 1B1. The installation completion flag stores a value “not yet” indicating that the terminal device 2 has not been installed at the user's home. Alternatively, using a known online registration technique, the applicant may be able to automatically register such information simply by operating a mobile phone terminal or a personal computer.

  The administrator prepares the terminal device 2 to be distributed to the applicant's home. Specifically, an e-mail account for the applicant is created in the mail server 18 and the terminal device 2 is prepared. The terminal device 2 is set with a terminal ID, information for connection to the terminal management company system 1, an e-mail account, and a WWW browser home page (the first web page displayed when the WWW browser is activated). To do. The home page may be set to a web page that the applicant likes. Alternatively, for example, web pages for each neighborhood association, each circle, or each generation may be prepared in advance on the WWW server 17 and a home page may be set according to the applicant's attributes.

  The user of the terminal device 2 cannot arbitrarily change the terminal ID, the information for connection, and the information of the e-mail account. Hereinafter, the information that cannot be changed is referred to as “unique setting information ST0”. The unique setting information ST0 is stored in the flash ROM 20c of the terminal device 2. Thereby, the user can connect the terminal device 2 to the terminal management provider system 1 only by connecting to the predetermined line.

  On the other hand, the user of the terminal device 2 can change the home page. In addition, the information of the WWW browser bookmark and the e-mail address book can be changed. Hereinafter, such changeable information is referred to as “variable setting information ST1”. Of the variable setting information ST1, information related to the setting of the home page, bookmark, and address book is described as “home page setting information ST11”, “bookmark setting information ST12”, and “address book setting information ST13”, respectively. There is. The variable setting information ST1 is stored in the setting information database 1B2 (see FIG. 3) of the terminal management server 10 in association with the terminal ID of the terminal device 2 as shown in FIG. The setting information database 1B2 also stores variable setting information ST1 of another terminal device 2, and the contents are appropriately changed according to the user of the other terminal device 2.

  The terminal device 2 thus prepared is delivered to the applicant's home together with a postcard describing the terminal ID of the terminal device 2. The postcard may be packed together with the terminal device 2 or may be sent separately from the terminal device 2.

  When the terminal device 2 is delivered to the home, the user installs the terminal device 2 by connecting it to a predetermined line and turns on the power. Then, the terminal device 2 connects to the terminal management server 10 of the terminal management company system 1 based on the preset unique setting information ST0. Then, the installation completion notifying unit 201 of the terminal device 2 shown in FIG. 5 and the terminal registration processing unit 101 of the terminal management server 10 shown in FIG. 3 perform processing for enabling the user to use the terminal device 2, for example, as shown in FIG. This is executed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  The installation completion notifying unit 201 of the terminal device 2 displays a confirmation screen HG1 as shown in FIG. 9 on the touch panel 20d (# 201 in FIG. 8). Note that the screen information of the confirmation screen HG1 may be downloaded from the terminal management server 10, or may be stored in the flash ROM 20c in advance. Here, the user inputs the terminal ID described in the sent postcard into the text box TX11 by pressing the numeric button in the confirmation screen HG1, and presses the OK button (# 202).

  Then, the installation completion notification unit 201 compares the input terminal ID with the terminal ID set in the terminal device 2 itself, and if both match (Yes in # 203), the terminal device 2 Installation completion information 70 indicating that it is installed at the home (home) of the authorized user and the terminal ID of the terminal device 2 is transmitted to the terminal management server 10 (# 204).

  When the terminal registration processing unit 101 of the terminal management server 10 receives the installation completion information 70 (# 101), the terminal ID record indicated in the installation completion information 70 is registered in the terminal information database 1B1 (see FIG. 6). The terminal device 2 is authenticated by checking whether it exists (# 102). If registered, it is authenticated that the terminal device is a legitimate terminal device (Yes in # 103), and the value of the installation completion flag of the record is updated to “Done”, so that the terminal device 2 is correctly installed. It is registered in the database (# 104). Thus, the user can perform work such as surfing the Internet, exchanging mail with other users, or creating a document by using software such as a WWW browser, e-mail, or word processor of the terminal device 2. Become. The processing for the initial setting described above may be performed only once after the terminal device 2 is installed.

  On the other hand, if the terminal ID input by the user does not match the terminal ID set in the terminal device 2 (No in # 203), the terminal device 2 outputs a message indicating that the input should be performed again. Returning to # 201, the input of the terminal ID is accepted again. Unless the two match, the user cannot use the terminal device 2. In addition, even when the terminal ID input in the terminal device 2 is not registered in the terminal information database 1B1 (No in # 103), the user cannot use the terminal device 2.

  If the user is unfamiliar with the operation of the computer, the terminal ID may not be input successfully. Therefore, the user's procedure may be as simple as signing confirmation of receipt on the postcard and returning it to the local government X. In this case, the administrator substitutes the input of the terminal ID based on the returned postcard, and updates the installation completion flag to “completed”.

[Process for setting hardware and software of terminal device 2]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of setting information call processing, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of setting information update processing.

  The terminal device 2 shown in FIG. 5 requests and acquires the variable setting information ST1 of the terminal device 2 itself from the terminal management server 10 as necessary. For example, the terminal device 2 requests homepage setting information ST11 and bookmark setting information ST12 when starting a WWW browser. Alternatively, when the e-mail software is activated, the address book setting information ST13 is requested.

  For example, the setting information transmitting unit 103 of the terminal management server 10 shown in FIG. 3 and the setting information acquisition unit 203 of the terminal device 2 shown in FIG. The procedure is as follows.

  The setting information acquisition unit 203 transmits the setting request information 71 indicating the type of the necessary variable setting information ST1 (for example, “homepage” or “bookmark”) and the terminal ID of the terminal device 2 itself, so that the terminal management server 10 is requested for variable setting information ST1 (# 211 in FIG. 10). When receiving the setting request information 71 (# 111), the setting information transmitting unit 103 of the terminal management server 10 searches and extracts the variable setting information ST1 indicated therein from the setting information database 1B2 (see FIG. 7) (# 112). ) And transmitted to the requesting terminal device 2 (# 113). In this way, the setting information acquisition unit 203 acquires the variable setting information ST1 from the terminal management server 10 (# 212).

  The received variable setting information ST1 is applied for processing in the terminal device 2 (# 213). For example, when the homepage setting information ST11 is received, the WWW browser of the terminal device 2 displays the homepage based on it. When the bookmark setting information ST12 is received, a list of user favorite pages is displayed based on the bookmark setting information ST12. Alternatively, when the address book setting information ST13 is received, the e-mail software displays the user's address book based on it.

  In addition, the user changes the homepage of the WWW browser while using the terminal device 2, registers the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the favorite Web page in the bookmark, deletes the registered URL, or for e-mail You can edit your address book. When these operations are performed, the variable setting information ST1 of the terminal device 2 stored in the terminal management server 10 is updated. The variable setting information ST1 is updated by the setting registration processing unit 102 of the terminal management server 10 shown in FIG. 3 and the setting registration requesting unit 202 of the terminal device 2 shown in FIG. Done.

  When the user performs an operation such as changing a home page, a bookmark, or an address book, the setting registration request unit 202 of the terminal device 2 displays setting change information 72 indicating the changed content and the terminal ID of the terminal device 2 itself. 10 (# 221). For example, when the user performs an operation of changing the home page, setting change information 72 indicating the URL of the home page (Web page) after the change is transmitted.

  When receiving the setting change information 72 from the terminal device 2 (# 121), the setting registration processing unit 102 of the terminal management server 10 receives the terminal ID of the terminal device 2 and the change target from the setting information database 1B2 (see FIG. 7). The variable setting information ST1 corresponding to is searched (# 122). Then, according to the content of the setting change information 72, the content of the searched variable setting information ST1 is rewritten (# 123). For example, when the setting change information 72 related to the bookmark is received from the terminal device 2 whose terminal ID is “1001”, the homepage setting information ST11 associated with “1001” is retrieved, and the URL of the homepage setting information ST11 is set to the user. Is rewritten to a new URL designated by. In this way, the variable setting information ST1 of the terminal device 2 is updated.

  As described above, the user can customize the environment of the terminal device 2 and use the terminal device 2 in that environment at any time.

[Process for firmware update]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of update processing.

  The firmware database 1B3 of the terminal management server 10 shown in FIG. 3 stores firmware programs and data used in the terminal device 2, an update installation program (hereinafter referred to as “installer PGI”), and the like. ing. These programs, data, and installer PGI are given version numbers, that is, versions. Each time the firmware is upgraded, an installer PGI for updating to the latest version is stored in the firmware database 1B3.

  The firmware stored in the flash ROM 20c of the terminal device 2 includes the version number answering unit 104, the firmware distributing unit 105 in FIG. 3, the update availability determining unit 204 in FIG. Update is performed by the update processing unit 205 according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  The update availability determination unit 204 of the terminal device 2 inquires of the terminal management server 10 about the latest version of each firmware (# 231 in FIG. 12). Upon receiving an inquiry from the terminal device 2 (# 131), the version number reply unit 104 of the terminal management server 10 checks the latest version of each firmware with reference to the firmware database 1B3 (# 132), and the check result To the terminal device 2 as answer information 741 (# 133).

  Upon receiving the reply information 741 from the terminal management server 10 (# 232), the update availability determination unit 204 determines whether each firmware stored in the flash ROM 20c is the latest version (# 233). ). As a result, when there is firmware that is not the latest version (No in # 233), the update processing unit 205 transmits the latest version request information 742 indicating the firmware to the terminal management server 10 to thereby install the latest version of the installer. The PGI is requested (# 234).

  When receiving the latest version request information 742 from the terminal device 2 (# 134), the update processing unit 205 calls the latest version installer PGI of the firmware of the terminal device 2 from the firmware database 1B3 (# 135). It transmits to the terminal device 2 (# 136). Then, when receiving the installer PGI from the terminal management server 10 (# 235), the update processing unit 205 uses this to update the firmware stored in the flash ROM 20c (# 236).

  The terminal device 2 automatically executes the update process when a predetermined date or time comes. Or you may perform, when the instruction | indication of an update is given from the user. Or you may make it perform automatically in the time slot | zone when the terminal device 2 is hardly used as follows, for example.

  When the terminal device 2 is not used, the power supply is not completely stopped, but the sleep mode (the operation of the hard disk, the display, etc. is temporarily stopped and the mouse or the keyboard is operated is operated. (This is sometimes called “energy saving mode”.) In addition, a history of a time zone in which the user uses the terminal device 2 (a time zone in the normal mode) is recorded. Then, based on a plurality of past histories, a time zone in which the user rarely uses the terminal device 2 is determined, and update processing is started when that time zone is reached. If the user is using it when trying to start processing, it may be postponed next time.

[Process for managing user files of terminal device 2]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of the file saving process, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of the file calling process.

  The user of the terminal device 2 can save data created using word processing software or the like in the terminal management server 10 as a file. Also, the user's own file stored in the terminal management server 10 can be called to the terminal device 2 and temporarily stored in the RAM 20b for use. As a result, the user can perform work as if the terminal device 2 has a built-in hard disk.

  The file saving process is performed by the file saving processing unit 106 of the terminal management server 10 shown in FIG. 3 and the file saving requesting unit 206 of the terminal device 2 shown in FIG.

  When the user wants to save the data such as the created document as a file, the user designates a file name and gives a save command to the terminal device 2. Then, the file save request unit 206 of the terminal device 2 generates the file FL by converting the data into a file (# 241 in FIG. 13). The file FL is changed to the designated file name and the terminal ID of the terminal device 2. Is transmitted to the terminal management server 10 together with the storage request information 73 indicating (# 242).

  When the file storage processing unit 106 of the terminal management server 10 receives the file FL and the storage request information 73 from the terminal device 2 (# 141), the file FL corresponds to the file name and the terminal ID indicated in the storage request information 73. In addition, it is stored in the file storage database 1B4 (# 142).

  The file calling process is performed by the file transmission unit 107 of the terminal management server 10 shown in FIG. 3 and the file acquisition unit 207 of the terminal device 2 shown in FIG.

  The user designates the file name of the file FL to be called to the terminal device 2. Then, the file acquisition unit 207 of the terminal device 2 transmits file request information 75 indicating the file name and the terminal ID of the terminal device 2 itself to the terminal management server 10 (# 251 in FIG. 14).

  Upon receiving the file request information 75 (# 151), the file transmission unit 107 of the terminal management server 10 searches the file storage database 1B4 for the file FL desired by the user based on the file request information 75 (# 152). The FL is transmitted to the requesting terminal device 2 (# 153). In this way, the file acquisition unit 207 acquires the file FL stored in the terminal management server 10 (# 252).

[Processing for WWW page conversion]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the flow of data conversion processing.

  When the function of the WWW browser of the terminal device 2 is limited, some Web pages may not be displayed well. For example, when a WWW browser that does not support PDF (Portable Document Format) data developed by Adobe Systems is installed in the terminal device 2, a Web page composed of PDF data cannot be displayed. .

  Therefore, the data conversion request reception unit 121, the data acquisition unit 122, the data conversion unit 123, the conversion data transmission unit 124, and the conversion data acquisition unit 208 illustrated in FIG. The process for displaying non-compatible data on the WWW browser is performed.

  The user of the terminal device 2 accesses a desired Web page by designating a URL on the WWW browser or touching and selecting a hyperlink. When the Web page data is in a format compatible with the WWW browser, the Web page can be displayed as usual. However, if the format is incompatible, the conversion data acquisition unit 208 of the terminal device 2 transmits conversion request information 76 indicating the URL of the Web page to the terminal management server 10 (# 261).

  In the terminal management server 10, when the data conversion request accepting unit 121 receives the conversion request information 76 (# 161), the data acquisition unit 122 receives a Web from a WWW server on the Internet based on the URL indicated in the conversion request information 76. The page data is downloaded and acquired (# 162). The data conversion unit 123 generates the converted data CDT by converting the data into a format corresponding to the WWW browser of the terminal device 2. For example, when the Web page data is a PDF file, an image object and a text object are extracted from the PDF file. Convert the image object into an image file compatible with the WWW browser (for example, data such as GIF or JPEG), so that the text object and the image object are almost the same as the arrangement of the original Web page, HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) or JavaScript A hypertext file is generated using (registered trademark) or the like. In this way, data conversion is performed. Alternatively, the conversion may be performed by a known conversion method.

  The conversion data transmission unit 124 transmits the conversion data CDT (in the example described above, a hypertext file and an image file) to the requesting terminal device 2 (# 164). In this way, the conversion data acquisition unit 208 acquires data corresponding to the WWW browser of the terminal device 2 (# 262), and displays the Web page desired by the user (# 263).

  Note that whether or not the Web page is compatible with the WWW browser may be determined based on the identifier of the file name included in the URL. For example, a file name such as “˜.pdf” or “˜.doc” is determined to be non-corresponding. Alternatively, the data of the Web page may be downloaded, and the determination may be made based on the header information of the data.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the information providing system JTS, and FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the Web page screen HG2.

  Next, the overall processing flow of the terminal device 2 and the terminal management server 10 from when the power to the terminal device 2 is turned on until it is turned off will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the terminal device 2 is powered on (# 1 in FIG. 16), if this is the first time the power is turned on (Yes in # 2), initial settings such as authentication that the terminal device 2 has been correctly installed (# 3). The processing procedure is as described above with reference to FIG. If the process related to the initial setting has already been performed (No in # 2), the process of step # 3 is skipped, and instead, the terminal management server 10 indicates that the installation completion flag of the terminal device 2 is “completed”. Make sure that there is. If it is not “Done”, the connection of the terminal device 2 is rejected.

  The terminal device 2 calls the unique setting information ST0 from the flash ROM 20c and applies it to the terminal device 2 (# 4). When any software (application) is activated in the terminal device 2 (# 5), the terminal device 2 calls the necessary variable setting information ST1 from the terminal management server 10 (# 6). Here, it is assumed that the WWW browser is set as the first software to be activated after the power is turned on. In this case, the terminal device 2 calls the home page setting information ST11 and the bookmark setting information ST12 as the variable setting information ST1, downloads the Web page based on the URL of the home page indicated in the home page setting information ST11, as shown in FIG. The web page screen HG2 is displayed. Note that the procedure for calling the variable setting information ST1 in step # 6 is as described above with reference to FIG.

  Here, the user can perform a desired operation by touching a button in the Web page screen HG2. The terminal device 2 and the terminal management server 10 appropriately execute any one of steps # 7 to # 18 according to a user operation or the like.

  For example, when browsing information on the Internet (so-called net surfing), one of the buttons BN21 to BN25 is touched. Then, as in the conventional case, the terminal device 2 downloads and displays the Web page based on the hyperlink associated with the button. Thereby, the user can browse a desired Web page. Alternatively, when the user wants to move to a desired Web page while referring to the bookmark, the user touches the button BN26. Then, the terminal device 2 displays a list screen of Web pages registered in the bookmark based on the bookmark setting information ST12.

  If there is a non-supported Web page in the WWW browser of the terminal device 2 (Yes in # 7), the terminal management server 10 performs data conversion so that the Web page can be displayed on the WWW browser ( # 8). The procedure of the data conversion process is as described above with reference to FIG.

  The user touches button BN27 when he / she wants to use e-mail, and touches button BN28 when he / she wants to use a word processor. Then (Yes in # 9), the terminal device 2 terminates the currently operating software and activates the e-mail or word processor software (# 10). At this time, if there is variable setting information ST1 necessary for the activated software (Yes in # 11), the terminal device 2 calls it from the terminal management server 10 (# 12). For example, when e-mail software is activated, the address book setting information ST13 is called. The procedure of the calling process is as described above with reference to FIG.

  The user may want to save the created data during work or at the end of work. In this case (Yes in # 13), the data is stored in the terminal management server 10 as a file FL (# 14). The procedure of the storage process is as described above with reference to FIG. Alternatively, when the user wants to call a previously created file FL, the user designates the file name of the file FL. Then (Yes in # 15), the terminal device 2 downloads the file FL from the terminal management server 10 (# 16). The procedure of such processing is as described above with reference to FIG.

  If the contents of the home page, bookmark, address book, etc. are changed during the operation by the terminal device 2 (Yes in # 17), the variable setting information ST1 managed by the terminal management server 10 is updated accordingly. (# 18). For example, when a new e-mail address is added to the address book, the address book setting information ST13 is updated. The procedure of the update process is as described above with reference to FIG.

  When the predetermined time comes (Yes in # 19), the software (firmware) update process of the terminal device 2 is executed (# 20). The processing procedure is as described above with reference to FIG.

  Steps # 7 to # 20 are executed as needed until the terminal device 2 is turned off (No in # 21).

  According to the present embodiment, the terminal management server 10 manages the variable setting information ST1 of the terminal device 2. Therefore, even if a trouble such as a failure occurs in the terminal device 2, it can be easily restored to the original setting after recovery from the trouble. In addition, since the terminal device 2 and the terminal management server 10 automatically perform the process related to the variable setting information ST1, the user can work on the terminal device 2 without worrying about the variable setting information ST1.

  Even when the terminal device 2 is replaced, the same setting as that of the original terminal device 2 can be easily performed. In this case, however, it is desirable to perform the following processing, for example.

  An alternative device for the failed terminal device 2 is prepared, and the same terminal ID as that of the failed terminal device 2 is registered in the alternative device. In order to protect security, the installation completion flag of the terminal ID is rewritten to “not yet” (see FIG. 6). The alternative machine is delivered to the user's home together with a postcard describing the terminal ID. Then, the alternative device and the terminal management server 10 execute the initial setting process described above with reference to FIG.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the variable setting information ST1 and the file are centrally managed by the terminal management server 10, it is not necessary to provide a hard disk in the terminal device 2. Therefore, the user can work in an environment suitable for him anytime and anywhere. Moreover, since there is almost no fear of information leaking from the terminal device 2, the safety is high and the user can work with peace of mind.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the flow of update processing, and FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the operation history database 1B5.

  In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 12, the terminal device 2 itself determines whether firmware update is necessary, but the terminal management server 10 may determine it. At that time, for example, the installer PGI may be distributed according to the operation status of the terminal device 2 by performing processing in a procedure as shown in FIG.

  Each time the terminal device 2 is turned on, off, or goes into a sleep mode (energy saving mode), the terminal device 2 itself manages the terminal ID of the terminal device 2 and operating status information 77 indicating the content and time of the change in the operating status. This is transmitted to the server 10 (# 271 in FIG. 18).

  When receiving the operation status information 77 (# 171), the terminal management server 10 stores the contents in the operation history database 1B5 shown in FIG. 19 (# 172). The operation history database 1B5 is prepared for each terminal device 2.

  By analyzing the information accumulated in the operation history database 1B5 of the terminal device 2 in a time zone in which the terminal device 2 is often in the sleep mode regularly or every time the operation status information 77 is received, Determine. Then, the time zone is set as a time zone suitable for distributing the installer PGI (# 173).

  When that time zone comes (Yes in # 174), the terminal device 2 is inquired about the version of the currently installed firmware (# 174). Upon receiving the inquiry, the terminal device 2 checks the firmware currently installed in the flash ROM 20c, and replies to the terminal management server 10 (# 272, # 273). When receiving the answer from the terminal device 2 (# 175), the terminal management server 10 checks whether or not the version indicated in the answer is the latest version (# 176). If it is not the latest version (No in # 177), the installer PGI for updating to the latest version is distributed to the terminal device 2 for distribution (# 178).

  The process in FIG. 18 is executed for each terminal device 2. Thus, by feeding back the operating status, the firmware can be updated while avoiding the time zone often used by the user. Note that the terminal management server 10 may be configured to perform version management of the firmware of the terminal device 2, and the processing of steps # 174, # 175, # 272, and # 273 may be omitted.

  When the number of terminal devices 2 is large, the transmission processing of the installer PGI is concentrated at one time, and the terminal management server 10 may be loaded or traffic on the communication line 3 may increase. Therefore, the time zone for transmitting the installer PGI may be shifted (provided with an interval) for each one or a plurality of terminal devices 2.

  Alternatively, when the processing load of the terminal management server 10 increases or the communication speed with the terminal device 2 decreases, the terminal management server 10 notifies the terminal device 2 of the IP address of the other terminal management server 10 or the like. The installer PGI may be instructed to be downloaded from the other terminal management server 10.

  In the present embodiment, settings related to the home page, bookmarks, and address book are performed for each terminal device 2 and managed by the variable setting information ST1, but other types of settings can also be managed by the variable setting information ST1. For example, setting of the level of sound output from the speaker 20e (see FIG. 4), setting of the screen view (resolution or brightness value, etc.) of the touch panel 20d, setting of fonts for displaying text, or display of candidates for kanji conversion Can be managed by the variable setting information ST1.

  When one terminal apparatus 2 is shared by a plurality of users, the variable setting information ST1 may be provided for each user. In this case, the variable setting information ST1 is stored in the terminal management server 10 in association with the user identification information. The user inputs his / her identification information before using the terminal device 2. And the terminal device 2 acquires the required variable setting information ST1 from the terminal management server 10 by notifying the identification information.

  The user can input the identification information on the touch panel 20d, but may use a keyboard or a mouse. Alternatively, when fingerprints or voiceprints are used as identification information, input is performed using a fingerprint input device or a microphone. An IC card in which identification information is recorded for each user may be distributed in advance, and the identification information may be input by an IC card reader.

  Further, when using the terminal device 2 at another home, the user can apply his / her variable setting information ST1 to the terminal device 2 using his / her identification information. Thereby, similarly to the case of the terminal device 2 at home, the work can be performed in an environment suitable for the user.

  When the terminal device 2 downloads the information from the WWW server and outputs the information by voice, the terminal device 2 may increase the volume level as the urgency of the information increases. The degree of urgency may be determined based on a keyword included in the information. Alternatively, a value indicating the degree of urgency may be included in the information in advance.

  In this embodiment, the case where a device such as a personal computer is used as the terminal device 2 has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to manage a device such as a printer or a scanner.

  In addition, the information providing system JTS, the terminal management company system 1, the terminal management server 10, the entire terminal device 2 or the configuration of each part, processing contents, processing order, database contents, hardware or software setting items, etc. It can change suitably according to the meaning of invention.

The following additional notes are disclosed with respect to the embodiment described above.
(Supplementary note 1) A setting information storage unit that stores setting information related to settings of hardware constituting the terminal device or software used in the terminal device for each terminal device;
A setting change information receiving means for receiving setting change information indicating the content of the change from the terminal device when there is a change in the setting of hardware constituting the terminal device or software used in the terminal device; ,
Setting information updating means for updating the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage means based on the received setting change information of the terminal device;
Based on a request from the terminal device, setting information transmission means for transmitting the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage means to the terminal device;
A terminal device management system comprising:
(Appendix 2) Installer storage means for storing an installer for updating software used in the terminal device to the latest version;
Installer transmission means for transmitting the installer to the terminal device when the version of software currently installed in the terminal device is older than the version of the software stored in the installer storage means; Having
The terminal device management system according to appendix 1.
(Supplementary Note 3) Usage status information receiving means for receiving usage status information, which is information related to the usage status of the terminal device, from the terminal device;
Discriminating means for discriminating a time zone in which the terminal device is often in a sleep mode based on the usage status information of the terminal device;
The installer transmitting means transmits the installer to the terminal device during the time zone of the terminal device.
The terminal device management system according to attachment 2.
(Supplementary Note 4) A file storage means for storing a file transmitted from the terminal device and stored by the user of the terminal device in association with the terminal device;
Based on a request from the terminal device, a file transmission unit for transmitting the file corresponding to the terminal device stored in the file storage unit to the terminal device,
The terminal device management system according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 3.
(Supplementary note 5) Use for each terminal device, storing usage information indicating whether or not the user may use the terminal device in association with the terminal device ID given to the terminal device Availability information storage means;
Installation notification receiving means for receiving the terminal device ID of the terminal device when the terminal device is connected to the terminal device management system;
Updating the availability information corresponding to the received terminal device ID so as to indicate that the user may use the availability information;
Have
The usability information indicates that it cannot be used as an initial value.
When the availability information of the terminal device indicates that it cannot be used,
The setting information transmission means refuses to transmit the setting information of the terminal device, the setting information update means refuses to update the setting information of the terminal device, and the latest software transmission means The file storage means refuses to store the file of the terminal apparatus, or the file transmission means refuses to send the file to the terminal apparatus. ,
The terminal device management system according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 4.
(Appendix 6)
URL acquisition means for acquiring a URL indicating a data storage location from the terminal device;
Data conversion means for converting data downloaded from the URL into a format corresponding to the terminal device;
Conversion data transmission means for transmitting the converted data to the terminal device,
The terminal device management system according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 5.
(Appendix 7) A terminal device management method for managing terminal devices,
A server having a large-capacity storage device is provided with a setting information storage means for storing setting information related to settings of hardware constituting the terminal device or software used in the terminal device, for each terminal device,
When there is a change in the settings of the hardware constituting the terminal device or the software used in the terminal device,
Setting change information indicating the content of the change is transmitted from the terminal device to the server,
Causing the server to execute a process of updating the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage unit based on the received setting change information;
When the setting information is required in the terminal device,
A request for transmitting the setting information is given from the terminal device to the server,
Based on the request, the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage unit is transmitted from the server to the terminal device.
The terminal device management method characterized by the above-mentioned.
(Appendix 8) A computer program used in a computer that manages one or more terminal devices,
Processing for storing setting information regarding setting of hardware constituting the terminal device or software used in the terminal device in a setting information storage unit;
When there is a change in the setting of the hardware constituting the terminal device or the software used in the terminal device, a process of receiving setting change information indicating the content of the change from the terminal device;
Based on the received setting change information of the terminal device, a process of updating the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage unit;
A process of transmitting the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage unit to the terminal device based on a request from the terminal device;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute.

  The present invention is suitably used for a terminal device for a person who is not familiar with a personal computer or who does not have specialized knowledge. Further, it is also suitably used for a terminal device that does not have a mass storage device.

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole structure of an information provision system. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a terminal management server. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a terminal management server. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a terminal information database. It is a figure which shows the example of the variable setting information memorize | stored in a setting information database. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an initial setting process. It is a figure which shows the example of a confirmation screen. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a setting information call process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a setting information update process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of an update process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a file preservation | save process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a file call process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of a data conversion process. It is a flowchart explaining the example of the flow of the whole process of an information provision system. It is a figure which shows the example of a web page screen. It is a flowchart explaining the modification of the flow of an update process. It is a figure which shows the example of an operation history database.

Explanation of symbols

10 Terminal management server (terminal device management)
102 Setting registration processing unit (setting change information receiving means, setting information updating means)
103 Setting information transmitting unit (setting information transmitting means)
105 Firmware distribution unit (installer transmission means)
107 File Transmission Unit 1B2 Setting Information Database (Setting Information Storage Unit)
1B3 Firmware database (installer storage means)
1B4 File storage database 10d Magnetic storage device (mass storage device)
2 Terminal equipment 72 Setting change information FL file (file transmission means)
ST1 Variable setting information (setting information)

Claims (8)

A terminal device management system that manages a terminal device that downloads and acquires data necessary for exercising its functions as needed,
A terminal ID storage means for storing a terminal ID, which is unique identification information given to the terminal device, for each terminal device;
A usability information storage unit that stores, for each terminal device, usability information indicating whether or not the user can use the terminal device in association with the terminal ID;
Providing data storage means for storing the data;
A terminal ID receiving means for receiving, from the terminal device, the terminal ID of the terminal device input by a user when the terminal device is connected to the terminal device management system for the first time;
A terminal ID registration enable / disable determining means for determining whether or not the received terminal ID is stored in the terminal ID storage means;
When it is determined that the received terminal ID is stored in the terminal ID storage unit, the availability information corresponding to the terminal ID is updated to indicate that the terminal ID is unavailable or usable. , Availability update means,
Providing the data stored in the provision data storage means to the terminal device based on a request from the terminal device when the availability information of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device is usable Data transmission means;
A terminal device management system comprising: The data is setting information related to settings of hardware constituting itself and software used by itself, and the software.
As the provided data storage means,
A setting information storage means for storing the setting information in association with the terminal ID for each terminal device;
Software storage means for storing the software;
Have
As the provided data transmission means,
When the availability information of the terminal device indicates that it can be used, based on a request from the terminal device, the setting information corresponding to the terminal device stored in the setting information storage unit is Setting information transmitting means for transmitting to the terminal device;
Software transmission for transmitting the software stored in the software storage means to the terminal device based on a request from the terminal device when the usability information of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device is usable Means,
Having
The terminal device management system according to claim 1. For each terminal device, setting information storage means for storing setting information related to settings of hardware constituting the terminal device or software used in the terminal device;
Installer storage means for storing an installer for updating software used in the terminal device to the latest version;
A setting change information receiving means for receiving setting change information indicating the content of the change from the terminal device when there is a change in the setting of hardware constituting the terminal device or software used in the terminal device; ,
Setting information updating means for updating the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage means based on the received setting change information of the terminal device;
Based on a request from the terminal device, setting information transmission means for transmitting the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage means to the terminal device;
Installer transmission means for transmitting the installer to the terminal device when the version of software currently installed in the terminal device is older than the version of the software stored in the installer storage means; ,
A terminal device management system comprising: Usage status information receiving means for receiving usage status information, which is information related to the usage status of the terminal device, from the terminal device;
Discriminating means for discriminating a time zone in which the terminal device is often in a sleep mode based on the usage status information of the terminal device;
The installer transmitting means transmits the installer to the terminal device during the time zone of the terminal device.
The terminal device management system according to claim 3 . A terminal device management method for managing a terminal device that downloads and acquires data necessary for demonstrating its own functions as needed by a terminal device management system,
In the terminal device management system,
A terminal ID storage means for storing a terminal ID, which is unique identification information given to the terminal device, for each terminal device;
A usability information storage unit that stores, for each terminal device, usability information indicating whether or not the user can use the terminal device in association with the terminal ID;
Providing data storage means for storing the data;
Set up
When the terminal device is connected to the terminal device management system for the first time, a process of receiving the terminal ID for the terminal device input by the user from the terminal device;
Processing for determining whether or not the received terminal ID is stored in the terminal ID storage means;
When it is determined that the received terminal ID is stored in the terminal ID storage unit, the availability information corresponding to the terminal ID is updated to indicate that the terminal ID is unavailable or usable. Processing,
A process of transmitting the data stored in the provided data storage means to the terminal device based on a request from the terminal device when the availability information of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device is usable; ,
The terminal device management method characterized by performing. A computer program used in a terminal device management system that manages a terminal device that downloads and acquires data necessary for exercising its functions as needed,
In the terminal device management system,
For each terminal device, a process of storing a terminal ID, which is unique identification information given to the terminal device, in a terminal ID storage means;
A process for storing, in each terminal device, availability information indicating whether or not the user can use the terminal device in association with the terminal ID in the availability information storage unit;
A process of storing the data in provided data storage means;
When the terminal device is connected to the terminal device management system for the first time, a process of receiving the terminal ID for the terminal device input by the user from the terminal device;
Processing for determining whether or not the received terminal ID is stored in the terminal ID storage means;
When it is determined that the received terminal ID is stored in the terminal ID storage unit, the availability information corresponding to the terminal ID is updated to indicate that the terminal ID is unavailable or usable. Processing,
A process of transmitting the data stored in the provided data storage means to the terminal device based on a request from the terminal device when the availability information of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device is usable; ,
A computer program for executing A terminal device management method for managing terminal devices,
A setting information storage unit that stores setting information related to settings of hardware constituting the terminal device or software used in the terminal device for each terminal device in a server having a large-capacity storage device;
Installer storage means for storing an installer for updating software used in the terminal device to the latest version;
Set up
When there is a change in the settings of the hardware constituting the terminal device or the software used in the terminal device,
Setting change information indicating the content of the change is transmitted from the terminal device to the server,
Causing the server to execute a process of updating the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage unit based on the received setting change information;
When the setting information is required in the terminal device,
A request for transmitting the setting information is given from the terminal device to the server,
Based on the request, the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage unit is transmitted from the server to the terminal device,
When the version of software currently installed in the terminal device is older than the version related to the installer of the software stored in the installer storage means,
Sending the installer from the server to the terminal device;
The terminal device management method characterized by the above-mentioned. A computer program used in a computer that manages one or more terminal devices,
Processing for storing setting information regarding setting of hardware constituting the terminal device or software used in the terminal device in a setting information storage unit;
Processing for storing an installer for updating the software used in the terminal device to the latest version in the installer storage means;
When there is a change in the setting of the hardware constituting the terminal device or the software used in the terminal device, a process of receiving setting change information indicating the content of the change from the terminal device;
Based on the received setting change information of the terminal device, a process of updating the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage unit;
A process of transmitting the setting information of the terminal device stored in the setting information storage unit to the terminal device based on a request from the terminal device;
When the version of software currently installed in the terminal device is older than the version related to the installer of the software stored in the installer storage means, a process of transmitting the installer to the terminal device;
A computer program for causing a computer to execute.