JP2007265135A - Data management server and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system where data on a server is efficiently used with a communication terminal while maintaining the consistency of the data. <P>SOLUTION: When a user carrying an RF (radio frequency) tag sits down in front of the communication terminal 3A, the communication terminal 3A reads ID information from the RF tag (S101, S102), and makes an access request for user data to a data management server 2 (S104). The data management server 2 notifies the communication terminal 3A that the user data is used by a communication terminal 3B (S106). When the use of the communication terminal 3B is completed, the server notifies the communication terminal 3A that it is not used (S109). Thus, the communication terminal 3A downloads the user data (S115), and performs editing work. When the work is completed, user data is uploaded (S120), and the user data in a memory is eliminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for managing data used by a communication terminal by a server.

  There are various systems in which resources existing on a server are used by communication terminals connected via a network. For example, project design document data is stored on a server, and each member of the project accesses the server from his / her personal computer and uses the design document data.

  In addition, there is a thin client that does not have a storage unit such as a hard disk and incorporates only a minimum function such as an OS. In this communication terminal, various processes are executed by using programs and data existing on the server.

  In order to operate these systems, it is necessary to determine rules for ensuring data consistency. For example, assume that a plurality of persons access the same data at the same time and edit the same data. In this case, if each person uploads the edited data to the server, the data edited by any one of them may be lost.

  Therefore, in general, when data is referred to by a certain person, the other person is set so that the data can be referred to by read-only. Thereby, the problem that a plurality of persons edit the same data can be avoided.

  Also, authentication is often performed in a system that shares data on a server. For example, when the data on the server is confidential information, it is first necessary to restrict data access. Therefore, in order to access data on the server, password authentication or authentication technology using an ID tag or the like is used.

  Even if a user who has been properly authenticated uses data on the server, a security problem arises if the user leaves the terminal referring to the data. This is because there is a possibility that data may be used illegally by an unauthorized user. Therefore, in Patent Document 1 below, authentication processing is performed by attaching an RFID storing authentication information to a terminal. When the user leaves the terminal, he / she takes away the RFID storing the authentication information, thereby preventing others from illegally using the data.

JP 2005-215870 A

  As described above, when a plurality of persons access shared data, data consistency can be maintained by performing read-only settings. However, when many users share data, there is a problem that data use efficiency deteriorates if the timings at which the respective users use the data overlap. Such exclusive control is performed by an application program. For example, word processor software and spreadsheet software perform exclusive control on shared data so as to maintain data consistency. However, in these methods, the exclusive control depends on the application. In other words, since the application using data performs exclusive control, it is a function closed to the application to the end, and expandability and flexibility cannot be expected so much.

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is effective in protecting data, but is basically a management technique for data based on references such as WEB data. Therefore, since there is no problem that data is edited by a plurality of users, the data access permission is given to the plurality of users if the authentication is successful.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables data on a server to be efficiently used by a communication terminal while maintaining data consistency.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that when the user data transfer request is received from one communication terminal via a network, the user data is stored in another communication. If it is used in a terminal, it notifies the one communication terminal that the user data is in use, and if the user data is not used, establishes a download connection and Control means for transferring the user data to a communication terminal, and the control means can use the user data for the one communication terminal when use of the user data by the other communication terminal is completed. It is characterized by notifying that.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a communication system used by a communication terminal connected via a network to user data stored in a data management server, wherein the data management server is connected to the user from a single communication terminal. When the data transfer request is received, if the user data is being used by another communication terminal, the user data is notified to the one communication terminal and the user data is used. If not, a control means for establishing a download connection and transferring the user data to the one communication terminal, the control means when the use of the user data by the other communication terminal is completed The one communication terminal is notified that the user data is usable.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the second aspect, after the one communication terminal downloads the user data using the download connection, the user data is transmitted to the data management server. The exclusive information indicating that is in use is transmitted.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the second aspect, each communication terminal erases the user data when the use of the user data transferred from the data management server is completed. And

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the fourth aspect, each communication terminal establishes an upload connection and transfers the user data to the data management server before erasing the user data. It is characterized by.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the fifth aspect, after the one communication terminal uploads the user data using the upload connection, the user data is transmitted to the data management server. It is characterized by transmitting information indicating that the use of has been completed.

  In the present invention, when the data management server receives a user data transfer request from one communication terminal, if the user data is used by another communication terminal, the user data is being used by the one communication terminal. When the use of user data by another communication terminal is terminated, the fact that the user data is available is notified to one communication terminal. Thereby, the problem that user data is simultaneously updated by a plurality of users can be avoided. In addition, since it is notified that the use by another user has been completed, the utilization efficiency of user data can be improved. In addition to the process of performing exclusive control on user data, a connection for download is established and user data is transferred. Therefore, it is possible to control exclusive control and download processing with different protocols. Data management technology.

  In addition, the communication terminal erases the user data when the use of the user data transferred from the data management server is finished, so that the downloaded user data is illegally used after the work by the authenticated user is finished. Never happen.

  Further, the communication terminal transfers the user data to the data management server before erasing the user data. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the latest data in the data management server while maintaining data security.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall view of a communication system according to the present embodiment. This communication system is installed, for example, in an office, and is used when employees working in the office share data existing on the network. As shown in the figure, this communication system includes a LAN 1 installed in an office, a data management server 2 connected to the LAN 1, and communication terminals 3, 3... Used by each employee. The

  The LAN 1 may be a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. In the present embodiment, the communication terminal 3 is a thin client that does not have a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk and incorporates a minimum function such as an OS (Operation System). Of course, a general personal computer equipped with a hard disk may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the data management server 2 and the communication terminal 3. The data management server 2 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, and a storage device 23. The control unit 21 is a processing unit that performs overall control of the data management server 2 and includes hardware resources such as a CPU and a memory, and executes various application programs. The communication unit 22 is an interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN, and transmits and receives data to and from the communication terminal 3. The storage device 23 is a hard disk device, and stores a plurality of user data 51, 51... And a user data management database 52.

  User data 51 is data used by employees. The employee operates the communication terminal 3 to download the user data 51 and refers to or edits the user data 51. That is, the communication terminal 3 does not hold data used by the user, and the data management server 2 centrally manages data used by a plurality of employees. Therefore, the storage device 23 stores a plurality of user data 51, 51.

  Table 1 shows the registration contents of the user data management database 52. The user data management database 52 includes five fields of “account ID”, “password”, “data”, “last update date / time”, and “use status”.

  The “account ID” is an ID for identifying each employee in the office, and the “password” is a login password set for each account ID. “Data” is a data name corresponding to each account ID, and a data name (file name) of the user data 51 stored in the storage device 23 is set. “Last update date / time” is the latest date / time when the user data 51 registered in the data field is updated, and “Usage status” is whether the user data 51 registered in the data field is currently in use. It is a flag that sets whether or not. Therefore, when a plurality of employees share one user data 51, the same user data 51 is set for account IDs corresponding to the plurality of employees.

  As shown in the figure, the communication terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a memory 33, a monitor 34, an operation unit 35, and a reader 36. The control unit 31 is a processing unit that performs overall control of the communication terminal 3, and includes hardware resources such as a CPU and a memory 33. As described above, the communication terminal 3 does not include a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk device. Therefore, various application programs and user data 51 stored in the data management server 2 are downloaded to the memory 33 and the process is executed. The communication unit 32 is an interface such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN, and transmits and receives data to and from the data management server 2.

  The reader 36 is a device that reads information from the RF tag 4 possessed by the employee. The RF tag is a non-contact type IC tag using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. The RF tag 4 stores information such as employee account IDs and passwords. By recording user information in the RF tag 4 in this way, the communication terminal 3 can acquire user information wirelessly. Therefore, the user holding the RF tag 4 can identify the user in a non-contact manner by sitting in front of the communication terminal 3. Note that the reader 36 may be constituted by a card reader, and employee ID information may be recorded on the IC card. In this case, the employee performs authentication by inserting the IC card into the card reader. Or the form which an employee operates the operation part 35 and inputs account ID and a password may be sufficient.

  A flow of processing in the communication system having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of the entire communication system including the communication terminal 3 and the data management server 2. Note that the processing executed by the data management server 2 in FIG. 3 is processing by a data management program (for example, stored in the storage device 23) executed by the control unit 21. Further, the processing executed by the communication terminal 3 is processing by a data access program executed in the control unit 31. Here, the data access program may be downloaded from the data management server 2 and executed, or may be incorporated in the control unit 31.

  FIG. 3 illustrates processing performed between the two communication terminals 3 (communication terminals 3A and 3B) and the data management server 2. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, in order to perform exclusive control and state management, information exchange using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is performed between the communication terminals 3A and 3B and the data management server 2. ing. First, the communication terminal 3A reads the RF tag 4 possessed by the user and detects the account ID (step S101). Subsequently, account information such as a password is read from the RF tag 4 (step S102), and further data management server information is read (step S103). The data management server information is information related to the data management server to be accessed. When a plurality of data management servers 2 are connected to the LAN 1, the data management server 2 to be accessed is specified based on this information.

  Next, the communication terminal 3A transmits an access request (SUBSCRIBE) to the data management server 2 (step S104). The data management server 2 responds to the access request (step S105).

  In parallel with the processing up to this point or before that, the data management server 2 communicates with another communication terminal 3B. First, a message indicating that the user data 51 is in use is notified from the communication terminal 3B to the data management server 2 (step S150). The data management server 2 sets a flag indicating that the user data 51 is in use in the usage status field of the user data management database 52, and responds to this message (step S151).

  Again, the process returns to the communication terminal 3A. The user data 51 requested to be accessed in step S104 is currently used by the communication terminal 3B. This is notified to the data management server 2 in step S150. That is, in this example, the communication terminal 3A is trying to access the same user data 51 that is used by the communication terminal 3B. Therefore, the data management server 2 notifies the communication terminal 3A that the designated user data 51 is being used (step S106). The communication terminal 3A responds to this notification (step S107), and displays a message indicating that user data is in use on the monitor 34 (step S108).

  Here, the user who operates the communication terminal 3A wants to edit the user data 51. Therefore, if the user data 51 is found to be in use, the user will wait until the data becomes available. However, the user data is inquired as to whether or not the user data 51 is used in a read-only manner, and the user data 51 may be transferred when the read-only method is acceptable.

  Thereafter, in the communication terminal 3B, the work using the user data 51 ends, and a notification indicating the end of use is transmitted from the communication terminal 3B to the data management server 2 (step S152). The data management server 2 sets a flag indicating that the user data 51 is unused in the usage status field of the user data management database 52, and responds to the communication terminal 3B (step S153). Further, it notifies the communication terminal 3A that the user data 51 designated at the time of the access request has become unused (step S109). The communication terminal 3A responds to this notification (step S110) and displays a message indicating that the user data 51 is available on the monitor 34 (step S111).

  The communication terminal 3A subsequently makes a connection request to the data management server 2 (step S112). This connection request includes information such as the account ID and password read from the RF tag 4. The data management server 2 authenticates the password with reference to the user data management database 52, and when the authentication is successful, responds to the communication terminal 3A (step S113). In other words, if the user is sitting in front of the communication terminal 3A with the RF tag 4, the communication terminal 3A immediately starts processing for using the user data 51 when the user data 51 becomes available. To do.

  Next, the communication terminal 3A establishes a download connection with the data management server 2 (step S114), and downloads the user data 51 (step S115). The data management server 2 specifies the user data 51 to be transferred to the communication terminal 3A by referring to the user data management database 52. Thereby, the setup for editing the user data 51 in the communication terminal 3A is performed. As described above, regarding the exclusive control process and the state management process from step S101 to step S111, when the actual data is downloaded using the SIP protocol, another connection is established. is there. Therefore, for the download connection, it is possible to use a protocol other than SIP, such as FTP or HTTP.

  Next, the communication terminal 3A notifies the data management server 2 that the user data 51 is being used (step S116). As described above, the SIP PUBLISH method is used for the exclusive control process and the state management process. The data management server 2 sets a flag indicating that the user data 51 is in use in the usage status field of the user data management database 52, and responds to the communication terminal 3A (step S117). Through the above processing, the user using the communication terminal 3A can use the user data 51 corresponding to his / her account. Since the message is displayed when the corresponding user data 51 is used in another communication terminal 3B, it is possible to prevent a plurality of employees from editing the same data at the same time. Then, when the use of data in the other communication terminal 3B ends, the message is notified to the communication terminal 3A. Therefore, the user of the communication terminal 3A can start work immediately when the user data 51 becomes available. That is, it is possible to eliminate an inefficient state where the user data 51 can be used but the work cannot be started without knowing that.

  In this way, the work for editing the user data 51 is performed in the communication terminal 3A. Then, an end event occurs in the communication terminal 3A. For example, when the user leaves the communication terminal 3A and the reader 36 cannot access the RF tag 4, when the user gives an instruction to end the data access program, or when the shutdown process of the communication terminal 3A is started. is there. Note that the data access program operating in the communication terminal 3A periodically accesses the RF tag 4 and confirms the ID information. Then, it is determined that an end event has occurred when the ID information is no longer confirmed.

  When an end event occurs, the communication terminal 3A makes a connection request to the data management server 2 (step S118), and receives a response (step S119), and establishes an upload connection with the data management server 2 (step S120). ), The upload process of the user data 51 is executed (step S121). Thereby, the data management server 2 stores the received user data 51 in the storage device 23 and executes a data update process. Data update processing information is recorded in the user data management database 52. In this way, another connection is established for the upload process of the user data 51. Therefore, it is possible to use a protocol other than SIP, such as FTP and HTTP, for the upload connection. For downloading and uploading, a media session is generated separately. Therefore, not only when the communication terminal 3 is connected to the data management server 2 via the LAN as shown in FIG. It is also possible to access the data management server beyond.

  Subsequently, the communication terminal 3A notifies the data management server 2 that the use of the user data 51 has ended (step S122). As described above, the SIP PUBLISH method is used for the exclusive control process and the state management process. The data management server 2 sets a flag indicating that the user data 51 has become unused in the usage status field of the user data management database 52, and responds to the communication terminal 3A (step S123).

  Finally, the communication terminal 3A erases the user data 51 stored in the memory 33. Thereby, the data edited by the communication terminal 3A is erased, and the edited data is managed by the data management server 2. Therefore, data security is ensured.

  4 and 5 are process flowcharts focusing on the communication terminal 3. First, the communication terminal 3 determines whether or not ID information is detected (step S201). That is, it is determined whether the reader 36 has detected the RF tag 4 in which the account ID is recorded. When ID information is detected, account information such as a password is read from the RF tag 4 (step S202). Subsequently, the data management server registration information is read from the RF tag 4 (step S203).

  Next, the communication terminal 3 determines the data management server 2 to be accessed based on the data management server registration information, and transmits a status notification command to the data management server 2 (step S204). That is, an access request command for user data 51 is transmitted as shown in step S104 of FIG.

  In response to the access request command for the user data 51, the data management server 2 sends a message notifying the usage status of the user data 51. If the user data 51 to be accessed is not currently in use (NO in step S205), the process proceeds to step S208. If the user data 51 to be accessed is in use (YES in step S205), the user is notified that the user data 51 is in use (step S206). This corresponds to step S108 in FIG.

  After clearly indicating to the user that the user data 51 is in use, the communication terminal 3 waits until receiving a notification indicating that the user data 51 has become unused (step S207). When a notification indicating that the user data 51 has become unused is received from the data management server 2, a download connection is established with the data management server 2 (step S208), and the user data 51 is downloaded (step S209). . Then, a setup process for editing the user data 51 is performed (step S210). When the setup is completed, a notification indicating that the user data 51 is being used is sent to the data management server 2 (step S211).

  In such a state, the user performs work using the user data 51 in the communication terminal 3. Turning to the flowchart of FIG. The communication terminal 3 monitors the occurrence of the end event while executing the data access program and enabling the user to edit the user data 51 (step S212). When an end event occurs (as described above, when the program end processing is performed or when ID information is no longer detected), it is determined whether or not the user data 51 is to be uploaded (step S213). .

  If it is not necessary to upload, the process proceeds to step S216. The case where there is no need to upload is a case where the user data 51 has not been updated, or a case where the user has performed an operation not to save. When it is necessary to upload, that is, when the user data 51 is updated by the user, the communication terminal 3 establishes an upload connection with the data management server 2 (step S214). Then, the user data 51 is uploaded (step S215).

  Thereafter, the communication terminal 3 notifies the data management server 2 that the use of the user data 51 has ended (step S216), and deletes the user data 51 stored in the memory 33 (step S217).

  As described above, by using the communication system according to the present embodiment, the user can share and use the user data 51 stored in the data management server 2. When the user data 51 that the user wants to access is being used by another user, this is notified to the user who has requested access, and the user who has accessed afterwards cannot edit the user data 51. Inaccessible. Therefore, the user data 51 is not edited simultaneously by a plurality of persons. Further, when the editing work by another user is completed, a message to that effect is notified to the waiting user. When the ID information is detected, the user data 51 is immediately downloaded. Thereby, the utilization efficiency of the user data 51 can be improved.

  In addition, when the user data 51 is edited, the communication terminal 3 uploads the user data 51 to the data management server 2 and deletes the user data 51 from the memory. Thereby, the latest user data 51 updated by each user is always reflected in the data management server 2. Further, since the user data 51 does not remain in the communication terminal 3, it is possible to prevent the user data 51 from being illegally used after the user finishes the editing work by leaving the communication terminal 3 or the like.

1 is an overall view of a communication system according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram of a communication terminal and a data management server. It is a process flowchart of the whole communication system. It is a process flowchart of the communication terminal in connection with a download process. It is a process flowchart of the communication terminal in connection with an upload process.

Explanation of symbols

1 LAN
2 Data management server 3 Communication terminal 4 RF tag 51 User data 52 User data management database

Claims (6)

Means for storing user data;
When the user data transfer request is received from one communication terminal via a network and the user data is being used by another communication terminal, the user data is being used by the one communication terminal. And a control means for establishing a download connection and transferring the user data to the one communication terminal when the user data is not used,
With
The data management server according to claim 1, wherein when the use of the user data by the other communication terminal is finished, the control means notifies the one communication terminal that the user data is available. A communication system used by a communication terminal connected via a network with user data stored in a data management server,
The data management server
When the user data transfer request is received from one communication terminal, if the user data is being used by another communication terminal, the one communication terminal is notified that the user data is being used. And when the user data is not used, a control means for establishing a download connection and transferring the user data to the one communication terminal,
With
The control means, when the use of the user data by the other communication terminal is finished, notifies the one communication terminal that the user data is available. The communication system according to claim 2,
The one communication terminal, after downloading the user data using the download connection, transmits exclusive information indicating that the user data is in use to the data management server. system. The communication system according to claim 2,
Each communication terminal deletes the user data when use of the user data transferred from the data management server is finished. The communication system according to claim 4,
Each communication terminal establishes an upload connection and transfers the user data to the data management server before erasing the user data. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein
The one communication terminal, after uploading the user data using the upload connection, transmits information indicating that the use of the user data is ended to the data management server. system.

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