JPH11306065A - System and method for electronic file distribution and machine readable recording medium for recording electronic distribution program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic file distribution system, its method and a machine readable recording medium which records an electronic file distribution program that can have processing capability of a server terminal improved for a distribution demand of an electronic file from plural client terminals. SOLUTION: A client terminal 71 directly accesses a client terminal 72 and receives distribution of an electronic file when it is known by retrieving its own electronic file management list that the electronic file is held by the client terminal 72. When there are no terminal data where the electronic file is held in its own electronic file management list, the client terminal 7 accesses a server 4. When the server 4 retrieves its own electronic file management list and the terminal where the electronic file is held is the client terminal 72, it has the client terminal 72 perform distribution of the electronic file.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic file delivery system and method used for delivering electronic files, and a machine-readable recording medium on which an electronic file delivery program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional electronic file delivery system. The electronic file delivery system described below is used for an electronic conference as an example. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1 denotes a host computer connected to the Internet 2, which holds a plurality of electronic files. The Internet 2 includes a plurality of networks connected to each other. 3 is a router connected to the Internet 2;
The destination of the electronic file to be delivered is routed. Reference numeral 4 denotes a server terminal composed of, for example, a notebook personal computer, which is connected to the Internet 2 via a router 3. This server terminal 4 has:
N client terminals 71 described later via wireless RW
~ 7n are accommodated.

[0005] The server terminal 4 uses the built-in Ethernet card adapter (not shown) to perform data communication with the host computer 1 via the router 3 and the Internet 2 according to the Internet protocol. Of electronic files to be delivered. Furthermore, the server terminal 4 is a high protocol layer HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).
col) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Also, the server terminal 4
Accesses the client terminals 71 to 7n via the wireless RW.

[0004] Reference numeral 5 denotes a server-side PHS (Personal Handyphone System) provided corresponding to the server terminal 4 and is used for data communication between child devices.
That is, the server-side PHS 5 performs data communication with the client PHSs 81 to 8n described later via the wireless RW. Further, a call number (for example, 0) used at the time of calling is assigned to the server-side PHS 5.

[0005] Reference numeral 6 denotes a card type PHS data communication adapter built in the server terminal 4, which is a server-side PHS data communication adapter.
5 and the server terminal 4. This PHS
The data communication adapter 6 provides an interface between the server-side PHS 5 and the server terminal 4.

The client terminals 71 to 7n are housed in the server terminal 4 via wireless RW, and are, for example, notebook personal computers. These client terminals 71 to 7n request the server terminal 4 to deliver a desired electronic file and receive the delivery of the electronic file from the server terminal 4. In addition, call numbers (for example, 1 to n) used at the time of calling are assigned to the client terminals 71 to 7n, respectively.

The client PHSs 81 to 8n are provided corresponding to the client terminals 71 to 7n, respectively, and perform data communication with the server-side PHS 5 via a wireless RW. Reference numerals 91 to 9n are incorporated in the client terminals 71 to 7n, respectively, and take interfaces between the client PHSs 81 to 8n and the client terminals 71 to 7n, respectively.

Next, the operation of the conventional electronic file delivery system will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, an operation when the client terminal 71 requests the server terminal 4 to transfer an electronic file will be described as an example. In FIG.
First, the client terminal 71 is set to a data communication mode for dial-up connection with the server terminal 4. Then, the PHS 81 for the client is transmitted from the client terminal 71 via the PHS data communication adapter 91.
When the data of the call number 0 of the server-side PHS 5 is output to the client PHS 81, the server-side PHS 5
Is called using the above call number 0. Now, assuming that no communication line is formed between the server-side PHS 5 and the other client terminals 72 to 7n, a wireless RHS is connected between the client-side PHS 81 and the server-side PHS 5.
A communication line is formed via W. That is, in this case, P is set between the client terminal 71 and the server terminal 4.
A communication line based on PP (Point to Point Protocol) is formed (FIG. 11: procedure Pa1).

Next, in a procedure Pa2 shown in FIG. 11, the client terminal 71 transmits the desired electronic file by radio R
A request is made to the server terminal 4 via W. Specifically, the client terminal 71 sends data indicating the address of the electronic file in the host computer 1 connected to the Internet 2 via the PHS 81 for the client.
Transmit to server side PHS5.

When the address data is input to the server terminal 4, the server terminal 4 searches for an electronic file stored in its own storage using the address as a key. That is, the server terminal 4 searches whether the electronic file requested by the client terminal 71 is stored in the storage unit. In this case, assuming that the requested electronic file is not stored in the storage unit, FIG.
In the procedure Pa3 shown in FIG. 7, the server terminal 4 transmits the TCP / IP (Transmission) via the router 3 and the Internet 2.
The host computer 1 is requested to deliver an electronic file by using Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Specifically, the server terminal 4 transmits data indicating the address transmitted from the client terminal 71 to the router 3. Thereby, the server terminal 4 is connected to the host computer 1 via the router 3 and the Internet 2.

In step Pa4, the host computer 1 sends the electronic file stored at the address to the server terminal 4 via the Internet 2 and the router 3.
Deliver to Thereby, the server terminal 4 stores the electronic file delivered from the host computer 1 and the address of the electronic file in its own storage unit. Next, in step Pa5, the server terminal 4 delivers the electronic file to the client terminal 71 via the server-side PHS 5 and the client PHS 81.

Thus, the client terminal 71 stores the delivered electronic file in its own storage unit,
A signal indicating that the communication line should be disconnected is output to the client PHS 81 via the HS data communication adapter 91. Thereby, in the procedure Pa6, the client terminal 71
The communication line formed between the (client PHS 81) and the server terminal 4 (server-side PHS 5) is disconnected. Here, in FIG. 11, a time T1 is a time during which a communication line formed between the client terminal 71 and the server terminal 4 is maintained. Also, the client terminal 7
While a communication line is formed between the client terminal 1 and the server terminal 4 (time T1), the other client terminals 72 to 7
n cannot communicate with the server terminal 4. This is because the electronic file delivery system is premised on circuit-switched communication.

Next, the operation when the electronic file and the data of the address of the electronic file are stored in the storage unit of the server terminal 4 will be described with reference to FIG. In the procedure Pb1 shown in FIG. 12, the call number 0 of the server-side PHS 5 is transmitted from the client terminal 71 to the client PHS 81 via the PHS data communication adapter 91.
Is output, a communication line is formed between the client PHS 81 and the server-side PHS 5 via the wireless RW in the same manner as the above-described operation.

Next, in a procedure Pb2 shown in FIG. 12, the client terminal 71 transmits data indicating the address of the desired electronic file to the server-side PHS 5 via the client PHS 81. When the data of the address is input to the server terminal 4, the server terminal 4 searches for an electronic file stored in its own storage unit using the address as a key. In this case, the server terminal 4 executes the procedure Pb3 without accessing the host computer 1 because the electronic file is stored in its own storage unit. That is, in the procedure Pb3, the server terminal 4 reads out the searched electronic file from its own storage unit, and then reads the server-side PHS 5 and the client PH
The electronic file is delivered to the client terminal 71 via S81.

Thus, the client terminal 71 stores the delivered electronic file in its own storage unit,
A signal indicating that the communication line should be disconnected is output to the client PHS 81 via the HS data communication adapter 91. Thereby, in the procedure Pb4, the client terminal 71
The communication line formed between the (client PHS 81) and the server terminal 4 (server-side PHS 5) is disconnected. Here, in FIG. 12, a time T2 is a time during which a communication line formed between the client terminal 71 and the server terminal 4 is maintained.

[0016]

In the conventional electronic file distribution system, the server terminal 4 responds to all electronic file distribution requests from the client terminals 71 to 7n. Further, in the conventional electronic file delivery system, since the communication line is occupied while the server terminal 4 is communicating with, for example, the client terminal 71, the other client terminals 72 to 7n are Cannot communicate with Therefore, in the conventional electronic file delivery system, the server terminal 4
The client terminal 7 that the server terminal 4 can receive per unit time due to the limitation of the number of physical communication lines
There is a drawback in that the processing capability of the server terminal 4 for electronic file delivery requests from 1 to 7n is suppressed lower than the actual processing capability. In other words, the conventional electronic file delivery system has a drawback that the limit value of the processing capability of the server terminal 4 for an electronic file delivery request is low. The present invention has been made under such a background, and an electronic file delivery system and method and an electronic file delivery program capable of improving the processing capability of a server terminal in response to an electronic file delivery request from a plurality of client terminals It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine-readable recording medium on which is recorded.

[0017]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network, a host computer connected to the network and holding a plurality of electronic files, and accessing the host computer via the network. A server terminal for acquiring the electronic file;
In an electronic file delivery system having a plurality of client terminals each accommodated in the server terminal via a communication line, the server terminal and the plurality of client terminals each have a unique terminal for calling the terminal via a communication line. Call numbers are respectively given, and the electronic file address book of the electronic file in the host computer, an electronic file management book consisting of the call number of the delivery source of the electronic file is held respectively, the client terminal,
When requesting delivery of an electronic file, the electronic file management book is searched using the address of the electronic file as a key, and when the address of the electronic file to be delivered is in its own electronic file management book, the electronic file The terminal corresponding to the call number of the management book is requested to deliver the electronic file via the communication line, and the terminal receiving the request for delivery of the electronic file transmits the electronic file via the communication line. The requested electronic file is delivered to the client terminal that has made the request. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic file delivery system according to the first aspect, the server terminal receives a request for delivery of an electronic file from the client terminal and has its own electronic file. When there is no address of the electronic file in the file management book, after obtaining the electronic file from the host computer via the network, the electronic file is transmitted to the client terminal which has requested the delivery of the electronic file via a communication line. While delivering the electronic file, while transmitting to the client terminal an electronic file management book in which the call number of the client terminal of the delivery destination is added to its own electronic file management book, while holding the electronic file management book itself, The client terminal that has received the delivered electronic file holds the delivered electronic file. With, and updates its own electronic files management list on the basis of the electronic file management book transmitted from the server terminal. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic file delivery system according to the first aspect, the server terminal receives a request for delivery of an electronic file from the client terminal, and further executes its own electronic file. When the address of the electronic file is present in the file management book, the call number of another client terminal holding the electronic file is sent to one client terminal that has requested the delivery of the electronic file via the communication line. Transmitting and holding the electronic file management book with the call number of the one client terminal added thereto, and the one client terminal transmits the other client terminal based on the call number transmitted from the server. Accessing the terminal and receiving delivery of the electronic file from the other client terminal via the communication line. To. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic file delivery system according to the third aspect, the one client terminal transmits the call number of the other client terminal transmitted from the server terminal to its own electronic file. Holding what is added to the management book, the one client terminal and the other client terminal,
After exchanging the electronic file management book held by each of the electronic file management books via the communication line, each of the electronic file management books is updated based on the electronic file management book held by the other party. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic file delivery system according to the first aspect, another client terminal receiving a request for an electronic file from one client terminal transmits the electronic file via the communication line. To the one of the client terminals, and retains the electronic file management book with the call number of the one of the client terminals of the delivery destination added thereto, wherein the one of the client terminals is the other of the client terminals. After holding the delivered electronic file, the one client terminal and the other client terminal exchange the electronic file management book held by each through the communication line, and then the other party holds the electronic file management book. It is characterized in that its own electronic file management book is updated based on the existing electronic file management book. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network, a host computer connected to the network and holding a plurality of electronic files, and accessing the host computer via the network to acquire the electronic file. In an electronic file delivery system having a server terminal and a plurality of client terminals each accommodated in the server terminal via a communication line, the server terminal and the plurality of client terminals call the terminal via a communication line. A unique call number for each is provided, and an electronic file management book including an address of the electronic file in the host computer and a call number of a delivery source of the electronic file is held, and the client terminal , When requesting the delivery of an electronic file, Searching its own electronic file management book using the address of the child file as a key, and when the address of the electronic file to be delivered is in its own electronic file management book, the terminal corresponding to the call number of the electronic file management book A first step of requesting delivery of an electronic file via the communication line, and a client requesting delivery of the electronic file via the communication line by the terminal having received the request for delivery of the electronic file. And a second step of delivering the electronic file requested to the terminal. The invention according to claim 7 includes a network,
A host computer that is connected to the network and holds a plurality of electronic files, a server terminal that accesses the host computer through the network to obtain the electronic file, and a server terminal that obtains the electronic file via a communication line. In the electronic file delivery system having a plurality of accommodated client terminals, the server terminal and the plurality of client terminals each have a unique call number for calling the terminal via a communication line, and An address of the electronic file in the host computer and an electronic file management book including a call number of a delivery source of the electronic file are held, and when requesting delivery of the electronic file, using the address of the electronic file as a key, Search and deliver your own electronic file management book When the address of the electronic file to be stored is in its own electronic file management book, the client terminal is requested to request delivery of the electronic file to the terminal corresponding to the call number of the electronic file management book via the communication line. An electronic file delivery program for executing, and receiving the electronic file delivery request to deliver the electronic file requested to the client terminal that has issued the electronic file delivery request via the communication line. This is a machine-readable recording medium that stores an electronic file delivery program to be executed by a terminal.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The basic configuration of the hardware of the electronic file delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention described below is the same as that shown in FIG. 10 described above, and therefore, the following description will be made with reference to FIG. I do. However, in the electronic file delivery system according to the embodiment, the functions and operations of the server terminal 4 and the client terminals 71 to 7n shown in FIG. 10 are different from those of the conventional electronic file delivery system, and will be described in detail below.

In the electronic file delivery system according to one embodiment, the electronic file management book shown in FIG. 1 is used. The file management book shown in this figure is composed of data of an address of an electronic file in the host computer 1 and a list of call numbers of client terminals in which the electronic file is stored (hereinafter referred to as a call number list). , Client terminals 71-7n
Are stored in the respective storage units (not shown). However, in the storage units of the server terminal 4 and the client terminals 71 to 7n,
The electronic file management book may not be stored, and the contents of each file management book stored in each storage unit may be different. The details will be described later.

The electronic file management book shown in FIG. 1 is composed of, for example, electronic file management book data F1 for one electronic file and electronic file management book data F2 for another electronic file. The electronic file and the other electronic files are both stored in the host computer 1. “Http” in the electronic file management book data F 1 is a protocol used when delivering the one electronic file from the host computer 1 via the Internet 2. AD1 is the address of one electronic file on the Internet 2 and the host computer 1. R
1 is a list of call numbers of client terminals 715, 720, and 734 holding the one electronic file (15:
20:34), and in the example shown in this figure, the one electronic file is stored in each storage unit of the client terminals 715, 720 and 734 corresponding to the call numbers 15, 20 and 34.

On the other hand, in the electronic file management book data F 2, “ftp (file transfer protocol)” is a protocol used when delivering another electronic file from the host computer 1 via the Internet 2. AD2 is the address of another electronic file on the Internet 2 and the host computer 1. R
2 is a list of call numbers of the client terminals 734 and 745 held by the other electronic files (34:45).
In the example shown in this figure, the other electronic files are stored in the respective storage units of the client terminals 734 and 745 corresponding to the call numbers 34 and 45.

Next, the operation of the electronic file delivery system according to the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when issuing a request for delivery of an electronic file in the client terminals 71 to 7n shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of FIG. FIG.
5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the server terminal 4.

In FIG. 10, it is assumed that the system setup has been completed, that is, the initial state. In this initial state, the electronic file management is stored in each storage unit of the server terminal 4 and the client terminals 71 to 7n. The book (see FIG. 1) is not stored. In this state,
When the client terminal 71 requests the delivery of the electronic file, the client terminal 71 executes the processing in step S shown in FIG.
The process proceeds to A1, using the address of the desired electronic file as a key to start searching the electronic file management book stored in its own storage unit, and then proceeds to step SA2. That is, in step SA1, the client terminal 71 searches its own electronic file management book for electronic file management book data (address) related to a desired electronic file.

In step SA2, the client terminal 7
Step 1 determines whether the search is successful, in other words, whether the electronic file management book contains electronic file management book data (address) for the desired electronic file. In this case, since the electronic file management book is not stored in the storage unit of the client terminal 71 in the first place, the determination result of step SA2 is “NO”, and
Proceed to A3.

In step SA3, the client terminal 7
1 outputs the call number 0 of the server-side PHS 5 to the client PHS 81 via the PHS data communication adapter 91 to make a call to the server terminal 4, and then proceeds to step SA4. Thus, a communication line is formed between the client terminal 71 and the server terminal 4 via the wireless RW (FIG. 5: procedure Pc1).

At step SA4, the client terminal 7
1 requests the server terminal 4 to deliver the desired electronic file via the wireless RW (FIG. 5: procedure Pc2). Specifically, the client terminal 71 transmits data indicating the address of the electronic file in the host computer 1 connected to the Internet 2 to the server-side PHS 5 via the client PHS 81.

When the address data is input to the server terminal 4, the server terminal 4 proceeds to step SC1 shown in FIG.
After setting a data communication line for delivery to 1, the process proceeds to step SC2. In step SC2, the server terminal 4
Starts searching the electronic file management book stored in its own storage unit using the address of the electronic file requested by the client terminal 71 as a key. That is, the server terminal 4 starts searching for whether or not the electronic file management book data (address) relating to the desired electronic file exists in the electronic file management book stored in its own storage unit, and then proceeds to step SC3. move on.

In step SC3, the server terminal 4 determines whether or not the search has been successful, in other words, whether or not the electronic file management book has electronic file management book data (address) for a desired electronic file. . In this case, since the electronic file management book is not stored in the storage unit of the server terminal 4 in the first place, the determination result of step SC3 is “NO” and the process proceeds to step SC4.

In step SC4, the server terminal 4 requests the host computer 1 to deliver a desired electronic file via the router 3 and the Internet 2 (FIG. 5: procedure Pc3). Specifically, the server terminal 4 transmits data indicating the address transmitted from the client terminal 71 to the router 3. Thus, the server terminal 4 is connected to the host computer 1 via the router 3 and the Internet 2.

Then, the host computer 1 delivers the electronic file stored at the address to the server terminal 4 via the Internet 2 and the router 3 (FIG. 5: procedure Pc4). Thus, in step SC5, the server terminal 4 transmits (distributes) the electronic file to the client terminal 71 via the server-side PHS 5 and the client PHS 81 (FIG. 5: procedure Pc5), and then proceeds to step SC6.

In step SC6, the server terminal 4 disconnects the communication line formed with the client terminal 71 (FIG. 5: procedure Pc6), and then proceeds to step SC7. In step SC7, the server terminal 4 executes step S7.
After creating the electronic file management book data relating to the delivered electronic file in C5, the electronic file management book data is stored in its own storage unit as an electronic file management book. In this case, the electronic file management book data is composed of the address of the electronic file delivered to the client terminal 71 and the call number 1 of the client terminal 71 as the delivery destination.

On the other hand, at step SA5 shown in FIG. 2, the client terminal 71 determines whether or not the call number list has been received from the server terminal 4. In this case, since the call number list has not been received, the determination result of step SA5 is “NO”, and the process proceeds to step SA6. Step SA
In step 6, after receiving the electronic file transmitted from the server terminal 4 in step SC5 (see FIG. 4), the client terminal 71 proceeds to step SA7 and disconnects the communication line formed with the server terminal 4. After that, the process proceeds to Step SA8. The disconnection of the communication line in step SA7 and the disconnection of the communication line in step SC6 (see FIG. 4) are performed simultaneously. Here, in FIG. 5, a time T3 is a time during which the communication line between the client terminal 71 and the server terminal 4 is held.

At Step SA8, the client terminal 7
Step 1 stores the electronic file management book data composed of the address of the electronic file received in step SA6 and its own call number 1 in its own storage unit as an electronic file management book, and then proceeds to step SA9. In step SA9, the client terminal 71 executes step SA
The electronic file received in step 6 is stored in its own storage unit. Here, the electronic file stored in the storage unit is used for delivery to other client terminals 72 to 7n.

The storage section of the server terminal 4 stores an electronic file management book relating to the electronic file delivered to the client terminal 71 described above. That is, the electronic file management book contains the address of the electronic file,
And the call number of the client terminal 71 holding the electronic file.

In this state, the client terminal 72
When the client terminal 72 requests the delivery of the electronic file held in the client terminal 71, the client terminal 72 proceeds to step SA1 shown in FIG. 2 and stores the electronic file stored in its own storage unit using the address of the desired electronic file as a key. After starting the search of the stored electronic file management book, step SA
Proceed to 2.

At step SA2, the client terminal 7
Step 2 determines whether or not the search is successful in the same manner as the above-described operation. In this case, since the electronic file management book is not stored in the storage unit of the client terminal 72 in the first place, the client terminal 72 sets the determination result of step SA2 to "NO" and proceeds to step SA3.

At step SA3, the client terminal 7
2 makes a call to the server terminal 4 by outputting the data of the call number 0 of the server-side PHS 5 to the client PHS 81 via the PHS data communication adapter 92, and then proceeds to step SA4. Thus, a communication line is formed between the client terminal 72 and the server terminal 4 via the wireless RW (FIG. 6: procedure Pd1).

At Step SA4, the client terminal 7
2 requests the server terminal 4 to deliver the desired electronic file via the wireless RW (FIG. 6: procedure Pd2). Specifically, the client terminal 72 transmits data indicating the address of the electronic file in the host computer 1 connected to the Internet 2 to the server-side PHS 5 via the client PHS 82.

When the address data is input to the server terminal 4, the server terminal 4 proceeds to step SC1 shown in FIG.
After setting the data communication line for delivery to 2, the process proceeds to step SC2. In step SC2, the server terminal 4
Starts the search of the electronic file management book stored in its own storage unit using the address of the electronic file requested by the client terminal 72 as a key, and then proceeds to step SC
Proceed to 3.

In step SC3, since the server terminal 4 has electronic file management book data (address) relating to the desired electronic file in its own file management book, the server terminal 4 sets the determination result in step SC3 to "YES", and proceeds to step SC3.
Proceed to 8. In step SC8, the server terminal 4 stores the list of the call number 1 (client terminal 71) in the electronic file management book data via the server-side PHS 5 and the client PHS 82 through the client terminal 72.
(FIG. 6: Procedure Pd3), and then proceeds to step SC6.

In step SC6, the server terminal 4 disconnects the communication line formed with the client terminal 72 (FIG. 6: procedure Pd4), and then proceeds to step SC7. In step SC7, the server terminal 4 updates the electronic file management book stored in its own storage unit. In the updated electronic file management book, the address of the electronic file to be delivered to the client terminal 72, the call number 1 of the already registered client terminal 71, and the call number 2 of the client terminal 72 as the delivery destination are obtained from It is configured.

Then, the call number 1 (the client terminal 7) transmitted from the server terminal 4 in step SC8
When the list of 1) is received by the client terminal 72 via the server-side PHS 5 and the client PHS 82, the client terminal 72 proceeds to step SA shown in FIG.
The result of determination in step 2 is "YES" and the flow advances to step SA10. At step SA10, the client terminal 72
Outputs the received data of the call number 1 to the client PHS 82 via the PHS data communication adapter 92, so that the client terminal 72 originates a call to the client terminal 71 and then proceeds to step SA11.

In step SA11, the client terminal 72 determines whether the line of the client PHS 81 is in use or not, in other words, the client PHS 81 communicates with a terminal other than the client PHS 82 based on the signal output from the client PHS 82. It is determined whether communication is in progress.

In this case, assuming that the line of the client PHS 81 is not in use, the client terminal 7
2 (PHS for client 82) and client terminal 71
Since a communication line is formed with the (client PHS 81) (FIG. 6: procedure Pd5), the determination result of step SA11 is “NO” and the process proceeds to step SA13. When a call is made from the client terminal 72, the client terminal 71 proceeds to step SB1 shown in FIG. 3, sets a communication line with the client terminal 72, and then proceeds to step SB2.

On the other hand, if the line of the client terminal 71 is in use in step SA11, the client terminal 72 sets another call number other than the call number 1 in the call number list received in step SA5 as the next call number. After the setting (step SA12), the process returns to step SA10, and the above-described operation is repeated.

Then, in step SA13, the client terminal 72 sends the desired electronic file to the wireless RW.
(Step Pd6 in FIG. 6). Specifically, the client terminal 72 sends the data indicating the address of the electronic file to the client PH.
The data is transmitted to the client PHS 81 via S82.

When the address data is input to the client terminal 71, the client terminal 71
Proceeding to step SB2 shown in FIG. 3, after reading the electronic file stored in its own storage unit, the electronic file is stored in the PHS 81 for the client and the P
Transmission (delivery) to client terminal 72 via HS82
After that (FIG. 6: procedure Pd7), the process proceeds to step SB3.

Then, in step SA14 shown in FIG. 2, the client terminal 72 sends the client PHS 82
After receiving the electronic file transmitted from the client terminal 71 via the client terminal 71, the process proceeds to step SA15. In step SA15, the client terminal 72 stores the file management list stored in its
The data is transmitted to the client terminal 71 via the HS 82 and the client PHS 81 (FIG. 6: procedure Pd8).

Then, the electronic file management book transmitted from the client terminal 72 is received by the client terminal 71 (FIG. 3: step SB3). This allows
After transmitting the electronic file management book stored in its own storage unit to the client PHS 82 via the client PHS 81 (FIG. 6: procedure Pd9, FIG. 2: step SB3), the client terminal 71 proceeds to step SB4. .

Then, the electronic file management book transmitted from the client terminal 71 is received by the client terminal 72 (FIG. 2: step SA15). Accordingly, the client terminal 72 proceeds to step SA16, disconnects the communication line formed with the client terminal 71 (FIG. 6: procedure Pd10), and then proceeds to step SA16.
Proceed to 17. In step SA17, the client terminal 72 updates its own electronic management book by adding the information of the electronic file management book transmitted from the client terminal 71 to the electronic file management book stored in its own storage unit. After that, the process proceeds to Step SA8.

At step SA8, the client terminal 7
Step 2 stores the electronic file management book data composed of the address of the electronic file received in step SA14 and its own call number 2 in its own storage unit as an electronic file management book, and then proceeds to step SA9. . In step SA9, the client terminal 72 stores the electronic file received in step SA14 in its own storage unit. Here, the electronic file stored in the storage unit is used for delivery to other client terminals 71, 73 to 7n.

On the other hand, when the file management book transmitted from the client terminal 72 is received by the client terminal 71, the client terminal 71 proceeds to step SB shown in FIG.
The process proceeds to step SB4, where the communication line formed with the client terminal 72 is disconnected (FIG. 6: procedure Pd10), and then the process proceeds to step SB5. In step SB5, the client terminal 71 updates the electronic file management book by adding the received electronic file management book data to the electronic file management book stored in its own storage unit, and then proceeds to step SB6. . That is, the client terminal 71 and the client terminal 72 update each electronic file management book by exchanging the electronic file management book held by each.

In step SB6, the client terminal 7
1 is a call number in the electronic file management book data relating to the electronic file transmitted in step SB2,
The call number 2 of the client terminal 72 is added. Here, in FIG. 6, a time T4 is a time during which the communication line between the client terminal 72 and the server terminal 4 is held, and at times other than the time T4, the server terminal 4 transmits the electronic file. It is ready to receive delivery requests.

Now, it is assumed that the storage unit of the client terminal 71 stores an electronic file management book including the address of a certain electronic file and the call number 1 of the client terminal 71. Further, the client terminal 7
In the storage unit 2, the address of the above-mentioned electronic file and
It is assumed that an electronic file management book including the call number 1 of the client terminal 71 is stored.

In this state, the client terminal 72
When the client terminal 72 requests the delivery of the electronic file held in the client terminal 71, the client terminal 72 proceeds to step SA1 shown in FIG. 2 and stores the electronic file stored in its own storage unit using the address of the desired electronic file as a key. After starting the search of the stored electronic file management book, step SA
Proceed to 2.

At step SA2, the client terminal 7
Step 2 determines whether or not the search is successful in the same manner as the above-described operation. In this case, the client terminal 72 is
Since the electronic file management book data relating to the desired file is stored in the own electronic file management book, the determination result of step SA2 is set to "YES" and the step SA1 is performed.
Go to 0. That is, the call number 1 of the client terminal 71 holding the desired electronic file is obtained from the electronic file management book data.

At step SA10, the client terminal 72 outputs the received call number 1 data to the client PHS 82 via the PHS data communication adapter 92, so that the client terminal 72 issues a call to the client terminal 71. After calling, the process proceeds to Step SA11.

At step SA11, the client terminal 72 determines whether or not the line of the client PHS 81 is in use. In this case, if it is determined that the line is not in use, the process proceeds to step SA13. Thus, a communication line is formed between the client terminal 72 (client PHS 82) and the client terminal 71 (client PHS 81). When the client terminal 71 is called from the client terminal 72, the process proceeds to step SB1 shown in FIG. After setting a communication line with the client terminal 72, the process proceeds to step SB2.

Then, in step SA13, the client terminal 72 sends the desired electronic file to the wireless RW.
(Step Pe1 in FIG. 7). Specifically, the client terminal 72 sends the data indicating the address of the electronic file to the client PH.
The data is transmitted to the client PHS 81 via S82.

When the address data is input to the client terminal 71, the client terminal 71
Proceeding to step SB2 shown in FIG. 3, after reading the electronic file stored in its own storage unit, the electronic file is stored in the PHS 81 for the client and the P
Transmission (delivery) to client terminal 72 via HS82
After that (FIG. 7: procedure Pe2), the process proceeds to step SB3.

Then, the electronic file management book transmitted from the client terminal 72 is received by the client terminal 71 (FIG. 3: step SB3). This allows
After transmitting the electronic file management book stored in its own storage unit to the client PHS 82 via the client PHS 81 (FIG. 7: Procedure Pe3, FIG. 2: Step SB3), the client terminal 71 proceeds to step SB4. .

Then, in step SA14 shown in FIG. 2, the client terminal 72 sends the client PHS 82
After receiving the electronic file transmitted from the client terminal 71 via the client terminal 71, the process proceeds to step SA15. In step SA15, the client terminal 72 stores the file management list stored in its
The data is transmitted to the client terminal 71 via the HS 82 and the client PHS 81 (FIG. 7: procedure Pe4).

The electronic file management book transmitted from the client terminal 71 is received by the client terminal 72 (FIG. 2: step SA15). Accordingly, the client terminal 72 proceeds to step SA16, disconnects the communication line formed with the client terminal 71, and then proceeds to step SA17. In step SA17, the client terminal 72 updates the electronic file management book stored in its own storage unit, and then proceeds to step SA8.

At step SA8, the client terminal 7
Step 2 stores the electronic file management book data composed of the address of the electronic file received in step SA14 and its own call number 2 in its own storage unit as an electronic file management book, and then proceeds to step SA9. . In step SA9, the client terminal 72 stores the electronic file received in step SA14 in its own storage unit.

On the other hand, when the file management book transmitted from the client terminal 72 is received by the client terminal 71, the client terminal 71 proceeds to step SB shown in FIG.
Proceed to 4 to disconnect the communication line formed with the client terminal 72, and then proceed to step SB5. In step SB5, the client terminal 71 updates the electronic file management book by adding the received electronic file management book data to the electronic file management book stored in its own storage unit, and then proceeds to step SB6.

In step SB6, the client terminal 7
1 is a call number in the electronic file management book data relating to the electronic file transmitted in step SB2,
The call number 2 of the client terminal 72 is added. Here, in FIG. 7, since the client terminal 72 does not access the server terminal 4, the client terminal 72
The time during which the communication line between the server and the server terminal 4 is maintained is zero. Therefore, while the client terminal 72 is accessing the client terminal 71, the server terminal 4
Can receive requests for electronic files from the client terminals 73 to 7n.

As described above, according to the electronic file delivery system according to the above-described embodiment, by searching the electronic file management book, the location (the client terminals 71 to 7n, Since the host computer 1) is specified and configured to access the specified place, the time for which the communication line of the server terminal 4 is occupied can be reduced. Therefore, according to the electronic file according to the above-described embodiment, the processing capability of the server terminal 4 for requesting the electronic file from the plurality of client terminals 71 to 7n can be improved.

FIG. 8 shows the connection time indicating the average time during which the client terminals 71 to 7n are connected to the line of the server terminal 4 with respect to the hit rate when the server terminal 4 searches the electronic file management book held by itself. It is a time characteristic diagram. In this figure, A1 is a characteristic line showing connection time characteristics in a conventional electronic file delivery system, and B1 is
5 is a characteristic line showing connection time characteristics in the electronic file delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from the characteristic line A1, in the conventional electronic file delivery system, the average connection time is 18 seconds. On the other hand, in one embodiment, the connection time for no hit (hit rate = 0%) is 18 seconds, while the connection time for hit (hit rate = 100%) is only 7 seconds. And has been greatly shortened.

For example, in FIG. 8, when the hit rate is 20%, the server terminal 4 and the client terminal (for example, 7
The line connection time between 1) is reduced by an average of 12.2% compared to the case where the hit rate is 0%. Therefore, according to the electronic file delivery system according to the embodiment, the delivery process of the server terminal 4 is reduced by the reduced line connection time, so that the utilization efficiency of the connection line between the server terminal 4 and the client terminal is reduced. Improved, and thus server terminal 4
The processing ability for the delivery request is improved.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an access line to the server terminal 4 with respect to the hit ratio when the client terminal (for example, 71) searches the electronic file management book held by itself. In this figure, A2 is a characteristic line showing characteristics in the conventional electronic file delivery system, and B2 is a characteristic line showing characteristics of the electronic file delivery system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Also, in FIG. 9, it is assumed that there are 100 accesses when the hit rate is 0%. As can be seen from the figure, in the electronic file delivery system according to one embodiment, when the hit rate is 10%, the number of accesses to the server terminal 4 is reduced by 10% as compared with the conventional electronic file delivery system. Therefore, according to the electronic file delivery system according to the embodiment, the number of line connections between the client terminal (for example, 71) and the server terminal 4 with respect to the number of delivery requests is reduced by the reduced number of accesses. The concentration of line connection with the server terminal 4 caused by a delivery request can be reduced, and the entire system can respond to a delivery request for many electronic files.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and even if there is a design change or the like within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention. Included in the invention. For example, in the electronic file delivery system according to the above-described embodiment, an electronic file delivery program that realizes the above-described functions (delivery of an electronic file) includes a flexible disk, a CD-R,
The information may be recorded on a machine (computer) readable recording medium such as an OM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, and a DVD-ROM, and may be operated as needed. In the electronic file delivery system according to the above-described embodiment, the server terminal 4 and the client terminals 71 to
Although an example in which 7n are connected to each other via a wireless RW has been described, a connection may be made via a wire such as a communication cable instead of the wireless RW.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When requesting the delivery of an electronic file, the client terminal searches its own electronic file management book using the address of the electronic file as a key, and when the address of the electronic file to be delivered is in its own electronic file management book. ,
A request for delivery of an electronic file is made to the terminal corresponding to the call number in the electronic file management book via the communication line.
Therefore, when the terminal is another client terminal, the client terminal that has requested the delivery directly receives the electronic file without accessing the server terminal and receives the electronic file. Therefore, according to the present invention, even when a client terminal makes a delivery request, the server terminal can receive a delivery request from another client terminal. This has the effect of improving the processing capability of the server terminal for a file delivery request.

According to the present invention, when the terminal is a server terminal, the server terminal transmits a call number of the client terminal holding the electronic file, and the server corresponds to the call number. Since the client terminal performs the delivery of the electronic file, the time during which the server terminal is connected to the client terminal is reduced as compared with the conventional electronic file delivery system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic file management book used in an electronic file delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the client terminals 71 to 7n in the electronic file delivery system according to the embodiment of the present invention when issuing an electronic file delivery request.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the client terminals 71 to 7n in the electronic file delivery system according to the same embodiment when receiving an electronic file delivery request.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the server terminal 4 in the electronic file delivery system according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of electronic file delivery in the electronic file delivery system according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of electronic file delivery in the electronic file delivery system according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of electronic file delivery in the electronic file delivery system according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the effect of the electronic file delivery system according to the same embodiment in comparison with a conventional example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an effect of the electronic file delivery system according to the same embodiment as compared with a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional electronic file delivery system.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a communication procedure in the electronic file delivery system.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a communication procedure in the electronic file delivery system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 host computer 2 Internet 3 router 4 server terminal 5 server side PHS 6 PHS data communication adapter 71-7n client terminal 81-8n client PHS 91-9n PHS data communication adapter

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A network, a host computer connected to the network and holding a plurality of electronic files, a server terminal accessing the host computer via the network to obtain the electronic files, and the server In an electronic file delivery system having a plurality of client terminals each accommodated in a terminal via a communication line, the server terminal and the plurality of client terminals each have a unique call number for calling the terminal via a communication line. Respectively, and an electronic file management book including an address of the electronic file in the host computer and a call number of a delivery source of the electronic file is held, and the client terminal performs delivery of the electronic file. When requesting, the address of the electronic file Is used as a key to search its own electronic file management book, and when the address of the electronic file to be delivered is in its own electronic file management book, the communication line is sent to the terminal corresponding to the call number of the electronic file management book. The terminal receiving the request for delivery of the electronic file via the communication line transmits the requested electronic file to the client terminal that has requested delivery of the electronic file via the communication line. An electronic file delivery system characterized by delivering. 2. When the server terminal receives a request for delivery of an electronic file from the client terminal and does not have the address of the electronic file in its own electronic file management book, the server terminal transmits the electronic file via the network. After obtaining the electronic file from the host computer, the electronic file is delivered via the communication line to the client terminal that has requested the delivery of the electronic file, and the delivery destination client is stored in its own electronic file management book. While transmitting the electronic file management book to which the call number of the terminal is added to the client terminal, the electronic file management book is held by itself, and the client terminal that has received the delivery of the electronic file,
2. The electronic file delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the distributed electronic file is held, and the own electronic file management book is updated based on the electronic file management book transmitted from the server terminal. 3. 3. When the server terminal receives a request for delivery of an electronic file from the client terminal and has an address of the electronic file in its own electronic file management book, the server terminal The call number of the other client terminal holding the electronic file is transmitted to the one client terminal that has made the delivery request via the communication line, and the call of the one client terminal is stored in its own electronic file management book. Holding the number added, the one client terminal accesses the other client terminal based on the call number transmitted from the server, from the other client terminal via the communication line The electronic file delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic file delivery is received. 4. The one client terminal holds a call number of the other client terminal transmitted from the server terminal added to its own electronic file management book, and stores the one client terminal and the other After exchanging the electronic file management books held by each of the client terminals via the communication line, each client terminal updates its own electronic file management book based on the electronic file management book held by the other party. The electronic file delivery system according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The other client terminal which has received a request for an electronic file from one client terminal delivers the electronic file to the one client terminal via the communication line, and has its own electronic file management book. Holding the electronic file delivered from the other client terminal, wherein the one client terminal holds the electronic file delivered from the other client terminal; and With other client terminals, after exchanging the electronic file management book held by each of them via the communication line, each of the client terminals updates its own electronic file management book based on the electronic file management book held by the other party. The electronic file delivery system according to claim 1, wherein 6. A network, a host computer connected to the network and holding a plurality of electronic files, a server terminal accessing the host computer via the network to obtain the electronic files, and the server In an electronic file delivery system having a plurality of client terminals each accommodated in a terminal via a communication line, the server terminal and the plurality of client terminals each have a unique call number for calling the terminal via a communication line. And an electronic file management book including an address of the electronic file in the host computer and a call number of a delivery source of the electronic file is held, and the delivery of the electronic file is performed by the client terminal. When requesting, the electronic file The less as a key,
Searches its own electronic file management book, and when the address of the electronic file to be delivered is in its own electronic file management book, electronically via the communication line to the terminal corresponding to the call number of the electronic file management book. A first step of requesting the delivery of the file, and the electronic file requested by the terminal that has received the request for delivery of the electronic file to the client terminal that has requested the delivery of the electronic file via the communication line. And a second step of delivering the electronic file. 7. A network, a host computer connected to the network and holding a plurality of electronic files, a server terminal accessing the host computer via the network to obtain the electronic files, and the server In an electronic file delivery system having a plurality of client terminals each accommodated in a terminal via a communication line, the server terminal and the plurality of client terminals each have a unique call number for calling the terminal via a communication line. Respectively, and an electronic file management book including an address of the electronic file in the host computer and a call number of a delivery source of the electronic file is held, and when requesting delivery of the electronic file, Using the address of the electronic file as a key, Searching the file management book, and when the address of the electronic file to be delivered is in its own electronic file management book, delivery of the electronic file to the terminal corresponding to the call number of the electronic file management book via the communication line. An electronic file delivery program for causing the client terminal to execute the request for the electronic file, and distributing the requested electronic file to the client terminal that has requested the delivery of the electronic file via the communication line. A machine-readable recording medium that stores an electronic file delivery program to be executed by the terminal that has received the file delivery request