JPH10340187A - Terminal communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and speedily supply the software of OS, a driver, etc., to be required for the operation of an application software for a user's terminal through a communication line. SOLUTION: At the time of installing a software on the market S5 such as the application software to a user's personal computer 2, the recognition part of a server 3 compares the product name and the version of installing information of the software S5 with the content and the version of the software of client information housed in a memory 2a to recognize the software of the computer 2, which is short at the time of installing, and a retrieving part retrieves a basic software and a driver to be required from the up grade of a housing part 4 to transmit to the computer 2 through the communication line L.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal communication system, and more particularly to a technique effective when applied to automatic supply of software required for terminals connected to a network via a communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of terminals such as personal computers to general users, O.
The sharing of S (Operating System) is progressing, and an environment in which various application software can be commonly used is being prepared.

Under the circumstances, according to the study by the present inventors, installation of application software and the like in these network-connected terminals is performed by an individual user operating the terminal with application software purchased at a store, for example. By doing that.

[0004] An example of this type of network-connected terminal is described in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-6 / 1994.
No. 1444 discloses a network configuration change in a network-connected workstation.

[0005]

However, it has been found by the present inventor that the following problems are encountered in the application software installation in the terminal as described above.

[0006] That is, there is a problem that the purchased application software cannot be used if the terminal does not incorporate an OS, a driver, etc., which are the basic software required for the application software, at the time of installation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal communication system capable of easily and quickly supplying software such as an OS and a driver required for the operation of distributed application software to a user terminal via a communication line. Is to do.

[0008]

A terminal communication system according to the present invention is connected to a network by a communication line, and transmits and receives information via the communication line, and a plurality of terminals input and output through the communication line. The information storage unit that stores the latest software information and server software information in the terminal, and the installation information of the input software to be installed from the predetermined terminal and the software information in the terminal stored in the information storage unit are compared. An information retrieval unit for retrieving server software information missing from the information storage unit from the information storage unit, and an information transmission unit for transmitting the server software information retrieved by the information retrieval unit to the terminal; And a host computer.

[0009] Thereby, server software information such as basic software and drivers required for installation of input software can be automatically and easily taken into a user terminal in a short time.

In the terminal communication system of the present invention, the host computer may include a memory comparing unit for comparing a remaining memory capacity of the terminal with a memory capacity required for input software; Is less than the input software,
An installation warning unit is provided to make the terminal recognize that the input software cannot be installed.

Thus, the user can easily recognize in advance whether or not the input software can be installed.

Further, in the terminal communication system of the present invention, the host computer deletes software designated by the terminal from software stored in the terminal based on a predetermined signal input by the terminal, or It is provided with a software operation unit for performing either one of storing in the information storage unit.

Thus, even if the remaining memory capacity is small, the input software can be easily installed in the terminal.

As described above, even if there is no server software information such as basic software and drivers necessary for installing the input software in a terminal such as a personal computer, the terminal can be easily and quickly installed irrespective of the version of the input software. It can be performed.

[0015]

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

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a terminal communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a storage unit provided in a server in the terminal communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram of a server in the terminal communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an information transition diagram of a personal computer and a server in the terminal communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a terminal communication system 1 includes a plurality of personal computers (terminals) 2 used by individual users, and computers such as the personal computers 2 which perform network management. A server (host computer) 3 and a communication line L such as a telephone line or a dedicated line for connecting the personal computer 2 and the server 3 to each other via a network.

The personal computer 2 includes, for example, a main body composed of a control unit and peripheral circuits, a display for displaying data, and a memory 2a for storing input data.

Next, the server 3 is connected to the personal computer 2 connected via the server 3 and the communication line L.
(Information storage unit) that stores various information necessary for
4 are provided.

Here, various information stored in the storage unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the storage unit 4 stores client information (software information) CJ such as the capacity of the memory 2a of each personal computer 2, the contents of software installed in the memory 2a, the version, and the remaining memory capacity. Have been.

Further, the storage unit 4 stores upgrade software (server software information) UG which is software for various upgrades such as an OS version upgrade driver, a voice driver and a communication driver.

Further, the storage unit 4 stores application information AJ such as communication software and game software and client file information F for saving information stored in the memory 2a of the personal computer 2.
J and the like are stored.

Next, the configuration of the server 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the server 3 compares the product name and version of the input software installed from the predetermined personal computer 2 with the client information CJ, and recognizes the upgrade information UG that is insufficient at the time of installation. (Information recognition unit) 5 is provided.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the server 3 searches the storage unit 4 for necessary upgrade information UG (FIG. 2) based on the result of the recognition unit 5 (information search unit) 6. Is provided.

The server 3 has a transmitting / receiving section (information transmitting section) for transmitting the upgrade information UG retrieved by the retrieval section 6 to the personal computer 2 installed and receiving a signal transmitted from the personal computer 2. 7 are provided.

The server 3 also has client information C
A comparison unit (memory comparison unit) 8 for comparing the remaining memory capacity of J (FIG. 2) with the memory capacity required for software installed in the personal computer 2 is provided.

Further, when the comparison result of the comparing section 8 indicates that the remaining memory capacity of the memory 2a of the personal computer 2 is smaller than the software to be installed, the server 3 makes the personal computer 2 recognize that the software cannot be installed. An installation warning unit 9 is provided.

Further, the server 3 deletes software designated by the user from among the software stored in the memory 2 a of the personal computer 2 based on a predetermined signal inputted by the personal computer 2 or deletes the software from the storage unit 4. Is provided with a software operation unit 10 for storing the information.

Further, the server 3 is provided with a CPU 11 for controlling all of the storage unit 4, the recognition unit 5, the search unit 6, the transmission / reception unit 7, the comparison unit 8, the installation warning unit 9, and the software operation unit 10. I have.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 showing information transition.

First, the memory capacity of the memory 2a of the personal computer 2 used by the user is 100 Mbytes, and the version of the software S1 as the OS is "1".
And The software S1 has a memory capacity of 1
It is assumed to be 0 MB.

Further, the personal computer 2 has
Software S2 to S4 are incorporated, and their memory capacities are 30 Mbytes, 30 Mbytes, respectively.
It is assumed to be 10 Mbytes.

Here, it is assumed that a user purchases and installs commercially available software S5 such as application software having an OS of version 2 or more, a memory capacity of 30 Mbytes, and requiring an audio driver.

First, in FIG. 4, the personal computer 2 has installation information S including a product name, a memory capacity and a version of software to be installed.
J is input to the server 3 via the communication line L.

The comparing unit 8 of the server 3 compares the memory capacity of the software S5 with the remaining memory capacity of the personal computer 2 based on the installation information SJ and the client information CJ stored in the storage unit 4.

Next, if the memory capacity of the software S5 exceeds the remaining memory capacity of the personal computer 2, the comparison unit 8 outputs the result to the installation warning unit 9, and the personal computer 2 is notified that the software S5 has run out of memory. Display that installation is not possible.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous erasure of the software S2 to S5 stored in the memory 2a of the personal computer 2.

Then, the user makes an input with the personal computer 2 as to whether or not to continue the installation, and when the input to continue the installation is made,
The installation warning unit 9 causes the personal computer 2 to display that one of the software S2 to S5 of the personal computer 2 must be deleted or saved in the storage unit 4.

The user deletes or saves predetermined software by inputting a predetermined command based on the display. When a command to save software is input, the selected software is stored in the server 3.
And the software operation unit 10 stores it in the storage unit 4 as client file information FJ. Also,
If a command to erase software is entered,
The software transmitted to the server 3 is deleted by the software operation unit 10.

Next, the recognizing unit 5 of the server 3 determines the product name and version of the installation information SJ and the client information C
Compare the contents and version of J software,
The software of the personal computer 2 which is insufficient for installing the software S5 is recognized.

Based on the result, the search unit 6 stores
The required basic software and drivers are searched from the upgrade software UG of the above, and transmitted to the personal computer 2.

The software S to be installed
5 requires a version 2 OS and a voice driver, so the version of software S1 is changed from '1' to '1'.
A tool to be uploaded to 2 ′ and a voice driver not incorporated in the personal computer 2 are transmitted from the server 3.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the server 3 recognizes application software to be installed, searches for software and drivers required for installation, and automatically searches for the personal computer 2.
, Commercial application software or the like can be installed irrespective of the content and version of the software installed in the personal computer 2 in advance.

Further, when the memory capacity of the personal computer 2 is insufficient, other software can be stored in the storage section 4, so that it is not necessary to increase the memory of the personal computer 2.

Further, in the above embodiment, the storage unit 4 of the server 3 stores a screen saver, information on obtaining the latest software, and display data such as program messages for emergency communication and planning and advertising from the server 3, and the personal computer 2 During the standby state, the display data may be transmitted from the server 3 to each personal computer 2 and displayed on the personal computer 2.

The display data is transmitted through a volatile memory or the like of the personal computer 2, and the display data is deleted when the power of the personal computer 2 is turned off.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0050]

【The invention's effect】

(1) According to the present invention, server software information such as basic software and drivers necessary for installation of input software is automatically and easily taken into a user terminal from a host computer connected via a communication line. be able to.

(2) Further, according to the present invention, since the user can easily recognize in advance whether or not the input software can be installed, erroneous erasure of necessary software stored in the terminal can be prevented.

(3) Further, according to the present invention, even when the remaining memory capacity is small, the input software can be easily installed in the terminal without increasing the memory of the terminal.

(4) According to the present invention, (1)
According to (3), installation can be easily performed in a short time irrespective of the version of the input software, and only necessary software can be input to the terminal through the communication line, so that the terminal can be inexpensive.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a terminal communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a storage unit provided in a server in the terminal communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a server in the terminal communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an information transition diagram of a personal computer and a server in the terminal communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Terminal communication system, 2 ... Personal computer (terminal), 2a ... Memory, 3 ... Server (host computer), 4 ... Storage part (information storage part), 5 ... Recognition part (information recognition part), 6 ... Retrieval part (Information search unit), 7 ... Transmission / reception unit (information transmission unit), 8 ... Comparison unit (memory comparison unit), 9 ... Installation warning unit, 10 ... Software operation unit, CPU
.. 11, L: communication line, CJ: client information (software information), UG: upgrade software (server software information) UG, AJ: application information, FJ: client file information.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Fusako Nakamura 9-5 Noguchimae, Shiratori-cho, Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Chubu High-Tech Service Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A network connection by a communication line,
A plurality of terminals for transmitting and receiving information via the communication line; an information storage unit for storing the latest software information and server software information of the plurality of terminals input via the communication line; An information search for comparing installation information of input software to be installed from the terminal and software information in the terminal stored in the information storage unit, and searching server information that is insufficient in the terminal at the time of installation from the information storage unit And a host computer connected to the communication line via a network, comprising: a communication unit for transmitting the server software information retrieved by the information retrieval unit to the terminal. 2. The terminal communication system according to claim 1, wherein the host computer compares a remaining memory capacity of the terminal with a memory capacity required for the input software, and a comparison of the memory comparing section. As a result, when the remaining memory capacity of the terminal is smaller than the input software, an installation warning unit for causing the terminal to recognize that the input software cannot be installed is provided. 3. The terminal communication system according to claim 1, wherein the host computer specifies software specified by the terminal from software stored in the terminal based on a predetermined signal input by the terminal. A terminal operating system for erasing software stored in the information storage unit.