JPH1021081A - Client server system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lighten the load on server and network without causing any decrease in response at the time of application execution by eliminating the need to maintain application in the client. SOLUTION: Responding to a download start request made by an application start part 211, a download process part 213 accesses a server process part 11 of the server 1 to successively download an execution file of application stored in an application storage part 121 of a server storage part 12 in module units, and stores it in a file storage part 211 of a client storage part 22. An application execution part 212 sequentially executes the execution file of application which is downloaded from the server 1 and stored in the file storage part 211 according to specific order.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a client / server system comprising a server system and a client system connected via a network, and more particularly to an efficient maintenance of an application program to be executed on the client system. On client-server systems focusing on

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a client-server system, a client system (hereinafter simply referred to as "client") is connected to a network connected to a server system (hereinafter simply referred to as "server") as a host system. ) Are connected to a plurality of terminals.

[0003] An application program (hereinafter simply referred to as an "application") in a client-server system is usually arranged on a client terminal side. The server transfers necessary information and data to the client terminal in response to a request from the client terminal. For example, when a database search system is constructed in a client-server format, as shown in FIG. 8, a database DB is arranged on a server SS and an application AP for searching a database DB is used.
Is generally incorporated into the client terminal CS.
The client terminal CS is connected to the server SS via the network NW.

[0004]

As described above, in a conventional client-server system, generally,
The application is arranged on the client side, and the server transfers necessary information and data to the client terminal in response to a request from the client. When the application is incorporated in the client terminal as described above, the following problem occurs.

(1) In order to update an application on a client terminal for a version upgrade or a bug fix, it is necessary to perform an update operation individually for each client terminal. Therefore, when the number of client terminals increases, the updating work becomes very complicated.

(2) Since an application is incorporated into each client terminal, even when performing maintenance other than updating, the entire client-server system must maintain all applications on each client terminal.

(3) In recent years, the scale of applications has tended to increase, and client terminals require large-capacity disk devices or the like capable of storing large-scale applications.

(4) In order to avoid an increase in the capacity of a disk device or the like of a client, it is conceivable to arrange all applications on a server instead of arranging applications on a client terminal. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, in a client-server system in which the database DB and the application AP are all arranged on the server SS, the client terminal CS executes the application AP on the server SS via the network NW. As described above, when all the applications are arranged on the server and the processing is performed on the server, as the number of accesses increases, the load on the server and the network increases, and the response of the processing decreases.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and does not require maintenance of an application in a client, does not cause a decrease in response when executing the application, and can reduce loads on a server and a network. The purpose is to provide a client-server system.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a client-server system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a client having a server and a client coupled to the server via a network. A server system, wherein the server includes an application storage unit that stores an execution file of an application program, and the client executes the application program from the server when executing the application program; Download means for downloading the executable file, download file storage means for storing the executable file downloaded by the download means, execution means for executing the executable file stored in the download file storage means, Comprising.

[0011] The client may further include file deletion means for deleting the contents stored in the download file storage means after the execution means executes the execution file of the application program.

The client checks whether or not the same execution file as the execution file of the application program to be downloaded from the server by the download means is already stored in the download file storage means. If the file is already stored, the program may further include a file management unit that causes the execution unit to execute the execution file already stored in the download file storage unit without downloading the execution file.

In the client-server system having the above configuration, an execution file of an application is downloaded from the server to the client, and then executed by the client. Therefore, maintenance of the application on the client becomes unnecessary, the response at the time of executing the application does not decrease, and the load on the server and the network is reduced.

A client-server system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a client-server system including a server and a client coupled to the server via a network, wherein the server comprises: An application storing unit that stores an executable file of the application program by dividing the executable file into a plurality of modules; and, when executing the application program, the client stores the executable file stored in the application storing unit from the server for each module. Download means for sequentially downloading the downloaded files, download file storage means for storing the module of the executable file downloaded by the download means, and executable file stored in the download file storage means. Comprising an execution means for executing a le of module.

[0015] The client further includes means for deleting a part of stored contents other than the module downloaded immediately before the download file storage means, before the execution means executes the executable file of each module of the application program. You may go out.

[0016] The application storing means of the server stores executable files of a plurality of application programs, and the client includes a selective activating means for selectively designating and activating the plurality of application programs to the download means. May be included.

[0017] The client may include means for instructing the download means to download another module based on execution of the execution file of each module of the application program by the execution means.

The client checks whether or not a module of an executable file identical to a module of an executable file of an application program to be downloaded from the server by the download means is already stored in the download file storage means. If the same module is already stored,
The program may further include a file management unit that causes the execution unit to execute the module of the execution file already stored in the download file storage unit without downloading the module.

The management means may include means for comparing a module version of an execution file of an application program to be downloaded from the server system with a version of a module already stored in the download file storage means.

[0020] The client may further include file deletion means for deleting all the contents stored in the download file storage means after the execution means completes execution of the application program.

According to the above configuration, the executable file of the application is divided into a plurality of modules. Therefore, even when the size of the application execution file is large, the client can download the execution file from the server in module units and execute it.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A client server system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a client server system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This client-server system includes a server 1 and a client 2 that are connected to each other by a network NW.

The server 1 includes a server processing unit 11 and a server storage unit 12. The server processing unit 11 has a CP
It includes a U (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, executes various system processes in the server 1, and achieves a server function. The server storage unit 12 includes a hard disk device or the like, and stores programs and data required for the server processing unit 11 to execute system processing.

The server storage unit 12 further has an application storage unit 121. Application storage unit 1
Reference numeral 21 stores the executable file of the application to be executed by the client 2 divided into a plurality of modules. Assuming that the size of the executable file of the application is, for example, 50 MB in total, this executable file is divided into modules of, for example, 100 KB. Each module is configured to be individually activated and holds information on modules that can be called from the module.

The client 2 is a client processing unit 2
1 and a client storage unit 22. The client processing unit 21 includes a CPU and a memory, executes various system processes in the client, and achieves a client function. The client storage unit 22 includes a memory LSI, a hard disk device, and the like, and stores programs and data necessary for the client processing unit 21 to execute system processing.

The client processing unit 21 further includes an application starting unit 211 and an application executing unit 21
2. It has a download processing unit 213 and a deletion processing unit 214. The client storage unit 22 further has a file storage unit 221. File storage unit 221
Secures a capacity capable of storing a plurality of modules, for example, and sequentially stores the modules of the execution file of the application downloaded from the server 1.

The application activating unit 211 generates a download start request for an application selectively designated by the operator using the executable application activation information stored in the client storage unit 22 or the like in advance. The activation information of the executable application is information for downloading an application executable by the client 2 from the server 1.

The download processing unit 213 accesses the server processing unit 11 of the server 1 in response to the download start request generated by the application
The execution files of the application stored in the application storage unit 121 of the server storage unit 12 are sequentially downloaded in module units, and stored in the file storage unit 221.

The application execution unit 212 sequentially executes the application execution files downloaded from the server 1 and stored in the file storage unit 221 in a predetermined order.

The deletion processing unit 214 deletes the storage contents of a part of the file storage unit 221 other than the storage area of the module before or after the execution of the module by the application execution unit 212. Further, when the execution of the selected application by the application execution unit 212 ends, all the storage contents of the file storage unit 221 are deleted.

For example, if the capacity of the file storage unit 221 is 3
Assuming that the size is 0 to 40 MB, about 20 MB including the latest module is left, and the rest is deleted. in this way,
The reason why the deletion processing unit 214 deletes the storage content of the file storage unit 221 is that the download processing unit 213 secures in advance a storage area sufficient for storing the module downloaded from the server 1 in advance, and downloads the downloaded module. This is so as not to lower the transfer efficiency.

Next, the client configured as described above
The operation of the server system will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the application A to be executed by the client 2
P is divided into a plurality of modules M and stored in the server 1. The client 2 sequentially downloads the application AP stored in the server 1 for each module M, and executes the downloaded module M.

Next, a specific operation of the client server system will be described with reference to the configuration of FIG. 1 and a flowchart shown in FIG. For example, the application is composed of a plurality of scenes, and displays a moving image and a still image and emits sound for each scene. in this case,
The application is divided into modules for each scene, and each can be started individually. The size of each module is several hundred KB, and the total size of the total application is about 50 MB.

First, the application starting unit 211 in the client processing unit 21 of the client 2 starts an application specified by the operation of the operator. When the application is started, first, the download processing unit 213 opens a session with the server 1 (step S11).

The application of the server 1 is called by the download processing unit 213, and the server storage unit 12
The module of the initial screen is downloaded from the application storage unit 121 of the client storage unit 22 and stored in the file storage unit 221 of the client storage unit 22 (step S1).
2). The module of the initial screen downloaded and stored in the file storage unit 221 is executed by the application execution unit 212 (step S13).

The application execution unit 212 determines whether or not the end of the application is instructed by the operation of the operator or the application being executed in the client 2 (step S14). The following operation is repeated until termination of the application is instructed based on the determination result of step S14.

The application execution unit 212 determines whether another module is called by executing the module (step S15). If the module is not called, the process returns to step S14 to determine whether the application is terminated. I do.

If it is determined in step S15 that another module has been called, the specified module is downloaded by the download processing unit 213 from the application storage unit 121 of the server 1 to the file storage unit 221 of the client 2 ( Step S16).

When the called module is downloaded from the server 1 to the client 2, the application execution unit 212 executes the most recently (last) downloaded by the deletion processing unit 214 prior to execution of the downloaded module. , And deletes the remaining modules from the file storage unit 221 while leaving a predetermined amount set in advance (step S17). The deletion of the file is performed in order to reduce a loss in the subsequent download, for example, to secure a margin in the file storage unit 221 to prevent the file storage unit 221 from becoming full. For example, the file storage unit 22
Assuming that the capacity of 1 is 30 to 40 MB, 20 MB including the module just downloaded is left.

When unnecessary modules are deleted from the file storage unit 221 in step S17, the application execution unit 212 executes the module downloaded immediately before (step S18). Step S18
When the execution of the module is ended, the process returns to step S14, and it is determined whether or not an instruction to end the application is given.

If it is determined in step S14 that the termination of the application has been instructed, the deletion processing unit 214 causes the file storage unit 221 of the client 2 to execute.
Is deleted (step S19). When the deletion of the application module in step S19 is completed, the download processing unit 213 closes the session with the server 1 (step S20), and ends the processing.

As described above, the application is divided into a plurality of modules, all of which are arranged in the server 1. When the application is started, the application is sequentially downloaded to the client 2 for each module and executed. Therefore, there are the following advantages. (1) The update of the application in the client 2 and other maintenance work become unnecessary. (2) The capacity required for storing the execution file of the application in the client storage unit 22 of the terminal of the client 2 is reduced, and the cost of the terminal is reduced.

(3) Since the terminal of the client 2 does not hold the application, illegal copying can be prevented. (4) Further, since the execution file of the application is divided into a plurality of modules, the application can be updated in units of modules, and only by replacing required modules in the server storage unit 12 of the server 1,
Applications can be easily updated.

In the client / server system according to the first embodiment, the file storage unit 22
The unnecessary module stored in No. 1 is deleted by the deletion processing unit 214 every time a new module is downloaded and executed. However, if the file storage unit itself stores only a predetermined amount from the latest download file, and otherwise overwrites with a new download module, the deletion processing unit 214 does not need to be provided. Hereinafter, a client-server system according to the second embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a client-server system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the client-server system shown in FIG. 4, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The server 1 includes a server processing unit 11 and a server storage unit 12 as in the case of FIG.
And the server storage unit 12 includes an application storage unit 121.

The client 2A includes a client processing section 21A and a client storage section 22A.
The client processing unit 21A has an application launching unit 211 and a download processing unit 213 common to the client processing unit 21 of FIG. 1, and further has an application execution unit 215 slightly different from the application execution unit 212 of FIG. I have. Client processing unit 21A
Does not include the deletion processing unit 214 or its equivalent.

The client storage unit 22A has a file storage unit 222 slightly different from the file storage unit 221 of FIG.
have. The file storage unit 222 secures, for example, a capacity capable of storing a plurality of modules, and stores an executable file of an application sequentially downloaded from the server 1 by using only the latest module corresponding to a part of the total capacity. Is stored and held. That is, the file storage unit 222 stores the latest predetermined amount of modules while leaving a sufficient capacity to always store a new module. At this time, unnecessary modules other than the latest predetermined amount of modules are ignored, and are overwritten by new modules. For example, if the capacity of the file storage unit 222 is 30 to 40 MB, only the latest module of about 20 MB is secured.
The rest are set to be overwritable, ignoring their existence.

The application execution unit 215 executes an application execution file downloaded from the server 1 by the download processing unit 213 and stored in the file storage unit 222. When the download of the next module is necessary, the application execution unit 215 requests the download processing unit 213 to download the next module. The download processing unit 213 causes the application storage unit 12 of the server 1 to
When the corresponding module from 1 is downloaded, it is overwritten and stored in the overwritable area of the file storage unit 222 of the client storage unit 22A.

Next, the specific operation of the client server system configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the application starting unit 211 of the client 2A starts the application specified by the operation of the operator.
When the application is started, first, the download processing unit 213 establishes a session with the server 1 (step S31).

Next, the download processing unit 213
The module of the initial screen is downloaded from the application storage unit 121 of the server 1 and stored in the file storage unit 222 of the client storage unit 22A (Step S32). Downloaded and file storage unit 222
Is executed by the application execution unit 215 (step S3).
3).

The application execution unit 215 determines whether or not the end of the application is instructed by the operation of the operator or the application being executed in the client 2A (step S34). The following operation is repeated until termination of the application is instructed based on the determination result of step S34.

The application execution unit 215 determines whether another module has been called by executing the module (step S35). If it is determined that the module has not been called, the process returns to step S34 to determine whether the application has been terminated.

If it is determined in step S35 that another module has been called, the specified module is downloaded from the application storage unit 121 to the file storage unit 222 by the download processing unit 213 (step S36). When the called module is downloaded from the server 1 to the client 2, the file storage unit 222 stores a new download module other than the most recently downloaded module other than a predetermined fixed amount. Stored in the area.

When a new module is downloaded to the file storage unit 222 in step S36, the application execution unit 215 executes the module just downloaded (step S37). Step S3
Upon completion of the execution of the module No. 7, the process returns to the step S34, and it is determined whether or not an instruction to end the application is given.

If it is determined in step S34 that the termination of the application has been instructed, the download processing unit 213 closes the session with the server 1 (step S38) and ends the processing. Therefore, when the application is started next time, the module of the initial screen downloaded from the server 1 stores the remaining modules in the file storage unit 222 other than the preset fixed amount from the last downloaded module. Is stored in the area.

In this way, the file storage unit 222
By providing a function for managing only the latest predetermined number of modules to be valid, it becomes unnecessary to delete unnecessary modules.

In the client-server systems according to the first and second embodiments described above, the client processing units 21 and 21A always execute a module to be executed after downloading the module before execution. However, if the application puts all modules in one
If the application is not an application that is executed sequentially and sequentially, the same module may be repeatedly executed. In such a case, if the same module is downloaded every time the execution is performed, the efficiency decreases, the time loss increases, and the load on the network increases. Therefore, when the same module as the module to be downloaded remains in the client, it is possible to execute the already downloaded module without newly downloading it. Hereinafter, a client-server system according to the third embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a client-server system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In addition,
In the client-server system shown in FIG. 6, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Server 1
As in the configuration of FIG. 1, the server includes a server processing unit 11 and a server storage unit 12, and the server storage unit 12 includes an application storage unit 121.

The client 2B includes a client processing section 21B and a client storage section 22. The client processing unit 21B includes an application starting unit 211, an application execution unit 212, a download processing unit 213, and a deletion processing unit 214 that are common to the client processing unit 21 of FIG.
have.

The client storage unit 2 of the client 2B
2 has a file storage unit 221. The file management unit 216 provided in the client processing unit 21B
The module stored in the file storage unit 221 is constantly monitored. When the download processing unit 213 attempts to download a new module, the file management unit 216 checks whether a module that matches the module is stored in the file storage unit 221. When the corresponding module is stored in the file storage unit 221, the file management unit 216 notifies the download processing unit 213 of the fact and does not download the module from the server.
The corresponding module stored in No. 1 is executed.

At this time, if there is a version difference between the module stored in the application storage unit 121 of the server storage unit 12 and the module stored in the file storage unit 221 of the client storage unit 22, it is necessary to retry. Must be downloaded.
Therefore, the download processing unit 213 sends the application storage unit 121 of the server storage unit 12 before downloading.
The file management unit 216 checks the identification information such as the version number or the time stamp of the module stored in the file storage unit 221 and manages the storage module of the file storage unit 221 with the same identification information. Further, when the deletion processing unit 214 deletes the module in the file storage unit 221, the latest execution module is preferentially left according to the execution order of the module, not simply the download order.

Next, the client having the above configuration
The specific operation of the server system will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the application starting unit 211 of the client 2B starts the application specified by the operation of the operator. When the application is started, first, the download processing unit 213 opens a session with the server 1 (step S41).

Next, the download processing unit 213
The application of the server 1 is called, the module of the initial screen is downloaded from the application storage unit 121 of the server storage unit 12, and the file storage unit 22 is downloaded.
1 (step S42). File storage unit 2
21 is executed by the application execution unit 212 (step S4).
3).

The application execution unit 212 is operated by an operator or an application being executed.
It is determined whether termination of the application has been instructed (step S44). The following operation is repeated until termination of the application is instructed based on the determination result of step S44.

The application execution unit 212 determines whether another module has been called by executing the module (step S45). If it is determined that the module has not been called, the process returns to step S44 to determine whether the application has been terminated.

If it is determined in step S45 that another module has been called, the file management unit 216
It is determined whether or not there is a module corresponding to the module specified as a module already downloaded and stored (remaining) in the file storage unit 221 (step S46).

If it is determined in step S46 that the matching module is not stored, the download processing section 213 downloads the module from the application storage section 121 of the server 1 to the file storage section 221 of the client 2B (step S46). S47).

When the called module is downloaded from the server 1 to the client 2B, the application execution unit 212 sets a preset value from the most recently executed module by the deletion processing unit 214 prior to execution of the downloaded module. The remaining modules are deleted from the file storage unit 221 except for a certain amount (step S48).

When unnecessary modules in the file storage unit 221 are deleted in step S48, the application execution unit 212 executes the specified module (step S49).

If it is determined in step S46 that the matching module is already stored in the file storage unit 221, steps S47 and S48 are skipped, and the process jumps to step S49, where the application execution unit 212 Executes the specified module.

When the execution of the module in step S49 is completed, the flow returns to step S44, and it is determined whether or not termination of the application is instructed. Step S4
In step S4, when it is determined that the termination of the application is instructed, the deletion processing unit 214 deletes all the modules downloaded to the file storage unit 221 of the client 2B (step S5).
0). When the deletion of the application module in step S50 is completed, the download processing unit 213
Closes the session with the server 1 (step S5
1), end the process.

In this case, the capacity of the file storage unit 221 is effectively used, and the module remaining in the file storage unit 221 need not be downloaded, so that the efficiency of the system is further improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the application module is divided into a plurality of parts and stored on the server side, and the module is downloaded in units of modules. However, there are many applications having relatively small executable files. In the case where the applications cooperate with each other, the applications may be handled in units of applications without being divided. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible.

[0075]

As described above, in the client-server system according to the present invention, when an application is executed, an execution file of the application is downloaded from the server to the client and then executed by the client. Therefore, maintenance of the application on the client becomes unnecessary, the response at the time of executing the application does not decrease, and the load on the server and the network can be reduced.

Further, when the size of the executable file of the application is large, the executable file is divided into a plurality of modules and stored in the server, and the client downloads and executes the executable file from the server in module units. Therefore, it is possible to provide a client-server system that does not cause a decrease in response at the time of executing the application and can reduce the load on the server and the network.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a client-server system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of the client-server system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation in the client server system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a client server system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the client server system of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a client-server system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the client server system of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a conventional client-server system.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of a conventional client-server system.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 server system (server) 2, 2A, 2B client system (client) 11 server processing unit 12 server storage unit 21, 21A, 21B client processing unit 22, 22A client storage unit 121 application storage unit 211 application activation unit 212, 215 application Executing unit 213 Download processing unit 214 Deletion processing unit 216 File management unit 221, 222 File storage unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A client-server system comprising: a server system; and a client system coupled to the server system via a network, wherein the server system stores an execution file of an application program. And a download unit that downloads an execution file stored in the application storage unit from the server system when executing an application program, and a download that stores the execution file downloaded by the download unit. A client / server system comprising: file storage means; and execution means for executing an execution file stored in the download file storage means. Temu. 2. The client system according to claim 1, wherein the client system further includes a file deletion unit for deleting the contents stored in the download file storage unit after the execution unit executes the execution file of the application program. Client-server system. 3. The client system checks whether or not the same execution file as an execution file of an application program to be downloaded from the server system by the download unit is already stored in the download file storage unit. If the same execution file is already stored, the program further includes a file management unit that causes the execution unit to execute the execution file already stored in the download file storage unit without downloading the execution file. The client-server system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. A client-server system comprising a server system and a client system coupled to the server system via a network, wherein the server system divides an execution file of an application program into a plurality of modules. A download unit that sequentially downloads an execution file stored in the application storage unit from the server system for each module when executing an application program; and Download file storage means for storing the module of the executable file downloaded by the download means; module of the executable file stored in the download file storage means Comprising a execution means for executing a client-server system, characterized in that. 5. The client system according to claim 1, wherein before executing the execution file of each module of the application program by the execution unit, the client system deletes a part of the storage contents other than the module downloaded immediately before the download file storage unit. The client-server system according to claim 4, further comprising: 6. The server system, wherein the application storage means stores executable files of a plurality of application programs, and the client system selectively designates the plurality of application programs to the download means, and The client-server system according to claim 4, further comprising a selection activating unit that activates a download unit. 7. The client system further includes means for instructing the download means to download another module based on execution of an executable file of each module of the application program by the execution means. 7. The client / server system according to any one of 4 to 6. 8. The client system according to claim 1, wherein the module of the executable file identical to the module of the executable file of the application program to be downloaded from the server system by the download unit is already stored in the download file storage unit. And if the same module is already stored, the file management is performed so that the module of the executable file already stored in the download file storage unit is executed by the execution unit without downloading the module. The client / server system according to claim 4, further comprising a unit. 9. The file management means includes means for comparing a module version of an execution file of an application program to be downloaded from the server system with a module version already stored in the download file storage means. 9. The client / server system according to claim 8, wherein: 10. The client system according to claim 4, wherein said client system further comprises a file deleting means for deleting all the contents stored in said download file storing means after the execution means completes execution of said application program. A client / server system according to any one of the preceding claims.