Application software and data management method, management system, and thin client terminal, management server and remote computer used therefor

• US 20080183841A1
• Filed: 01/31/2008
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Isokawa, Hiromi, Tsunehiro, Takashi
• Granted Patent: US 8,041,787 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality

Abstract

A thin client terminal that can perform information processing in an off-line state is provided. A thin client terminal 101a sends a request for registration of data to be used off-line and designation of application software to be used off-line to a management server 107 through a remote computer 104. The management server 107 registers the data and application software according to the request. The thin client terminal 101 requests the management server 107 to acquire the requested data and application software, receives the data and application software, and stores the received data and application software into a storage medium 110.

Claims

1. An application software and data management method for using a thin client terminal for information processing in an off-line state, in a thin client system that performs information processing using the thin client terminal connected to a network, the application software and data management method using:

a remote computer that is connected to the network and is controlled remotely by the thin client terminal to perform information processing;

a management server that is connected to the network, and manages data and application software required for using the thin client terminal for information processing in the off-line state, management being performed using first management data that holds information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other; and

a storage medium that stores data and application software used by the thin client terminal in the off-line state and second management data for managing the data and application software;

wherein

when the management server receives a request for sending information for registration of data to be used in the off-line state and designation of application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal, then the management server sends, to the thin client terminal, input screen information for sending the information;

when the management server receives information indicating a request for registration of the data and designation of the application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal that has sent the previous request, then the management server acquires the data, whose registration has been requested, from the remote computer, and stores the acquired data into a storage device of the management server itself, and makes the first management data of the storage device hold information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other;

the management server receives the second management data stored in the storage medium connected to the thin client terminal that has sent the information specifying the application software, refers to the received second management data, and when the management server judges that data generated by the thin client terminal in the off-line state exists, then the management server acquires the data from the storage medium and stores the acquired data into the storage medium of the management server itself; and

the management server sends the data and the application software in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal.

2. An application software and data management method of claim 1, wherein:

the management server receives the information indicating a request for registration of the data and a request for designation of application software that performs processing of the data, and performs judgment processing on whether off-line execution concerning the data and the application software should be approved; and

in cases of approval, the management server sends the data and application software whose off-line use has been approved, to the thin client terminal in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal.

3. An application software and data management method of claim 2, wherein:

in the judgment processing on approval of the off-line execution, on receipt of the information indicating the requests, a request for approval of the off-line execution is sent to an address of a person who has authority to approve the off-line execution; and

when approval information is received from the person to whom the request for approval has been sent, a result of approval is sent to the thin client terminal that has requested the registration.

8. An application software and data management method of claim 1, wherein:

the first management data further includes information indicating license periods of the data and application software; and

the information indicating the license periods is sent to the thin client terminal together with the data and the application software.

9. An application software and data management method of claim 1, wherein:

the first management data further includes information indicating permitted operations concerning the data and the application software; and

the information indicating the permitted operations is sent to the thin client terminal together with the data and the application software.

4. An application software and data management method for using a thin client terminal for information processing in an off-line state, in a thin client system that performs information processing using the thin client terminal connected to a network, the application software and data management method using:

a remote computer that is connected to the network, and is controlled remotely by the thin client terminal to perform information processing, and manages data and application software required for using the thin client terminal for information processing in the off-line state, management being performed using first management data that holds information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other; and

a storage medium that stores data and application software used by the thin client terminal in the off-line state and second management data for managing the data and application software;

wherein

when the remote computer receives a request for sending information for registering data to be used in the off-line state and designating application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal, then the remote computer sends, to the thin client terminal, input screen information for sending the information;

when the remote computer receives information indicating a request for registration of the data and designation of the application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal that has sent the previous request, then the remote computer stores the data, whose registration has been requested, into a storage device of the remote computer itself, and makes the first management data of the storage device hold information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other;

the remote computer receives the second management data stored in the storage medium connected to the thin client terminal that has sent the information specifying the application software, refers to the received second management data, and when the remote computer judges that data generated by the thin client terminal in the off-line state exists, then the remote computer acquires the data from the storage medium and stores the acquired data into the storage medium of the remote computer itself; and

the remote computer sends the data and the application software in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal.

5. An application software and data management method of claim 4, wherein:

the remote computer receives the information indicating a request for registration of the data and a request for designation of application software that performs processing of the data, and performs judgment processing on whether off-line execution concerning the data and the application software should be approved; and

in cases of approval, the remote computer sends the data and application software whose off-line use has been approved, to the thin client terminal in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal.

6. An application software and data management method of claim 5, wherein:

in the judgment processing on approval of the off-line execution, the remote computer, on receipt of the information indicating the requests, the data and the first management data of the storage device of the remote computer itself and a request for approval of the off-line execution are sent to an address of a person who has authority to approve the off-line execution; and

when approval information is received from the person to whom the request for approval has been sent, a result of approval is sent to the thin client terminal that has requested the registration.

7. An application software and data management method of claim 4, wherein:

the application software and data management method further uses a management server that manages logs; and

the management server receives the first management data concerning the information indicating the request, and the data whose registration has been requested, from the remote computer, and stores the received first management data and the data into a storage device of the management server itself; and

the management server receives a log of the thin client terminal from the remote computer and stores the received log into the storage device of the management server itself.

10. A thin client terminal connected through a network to a remote computer and a management server, the thin client terminal remotely controlling the remote computer in a connected state to the network to perform information processing, the management server managing the data and application software at a time of off-line execution, and the thin client terminal itself being a component of a thin client system, wherein:

the thin client terminal comprises a display device and an input device, and is connected with a storage medium that stores data and application software to be used by the thin client terminal in the off-line state;

the thin client terminal further comprises;

a remote control means, which sends and receives information to and from the remote computer and remotely controls the remote computer, in an on-line state; and

an off-line execution means, which acquires the data and the application software to be used for information processing in the off-line state from the storage medium, and performs control for the off-line execution;

the remote control means sends a request for registration of data to be used in the off-line state and a request for designation of application software that performs processing on the data, to the management server through the remote computer, the requests being inputted through the input device;

the off-line execution means sends the data stored in the storage medium to the management server, in the on-line state, and receives the data and application software to be used in the off-line state, from the management server, and stores the received application software and data into the storage medium; and

when the off-line execution means receives an execution instruction through the input device, the off-line execution means performs transition to the off-line state, makes the stored application software operate to perform processing of the data, and stores a processing result into the storage medium.

11. A thin client terminal of claim 10, wherein:

the off-line execution means receives the data and the application software from the management server and stores the received data and application into the storage medium, and receives management data that include information indicating license periods of the data and the application software and information indicating permitted operations, and stores the management data into the storage medium;

when the off-line execution means receives an instruction of execution, through the input device, then the off-line execution means refers to the management data and judges whether the execution is a permitted operation concerning the data and the application software, and ends processing concerned if it is judged that the execution is not a permitted operation; and

when the off-line execution means receives an instruction of execution, through the input device, then the off-line execution means refers to the management data and judges whether the data and the application software are within respective license periods, and ends processing concerned if it is judged that at least one piece of data or application software outside the respective license periods exists.

12. A thin client terminal of claim 10, wherein:

the off-line execution means acquires present time from time hardware owned by the thin client terminal, compares the present time with the respective license periods of the data and application software, included in the management data, and erases application software or data whose license period has elapsed, if such application software or data exist.

13. A thin client terminal of claim 10, wherein:

the remote control means further sends a password, which is inputted through the input device and used for encrypting the data to be used in the off-line state, to the management server through the remote computer; and

the off-line execution means receives the data and application software encrypted by the password from the management server, and stores the encrypted data and the encrypted application software into the storage medium;

when the off-line execution means receives an execution instruction and the password through the input device, the off-line execution means performs transition to the off-line state, makes the stored application software operate to perform processing of the data decoded using the password, uses the password to encrypt a processing result and the processed data, and stores the encrypted data into the storage medium.

14. A management server in a thin client system that performs information processing using a thin client terminal connected to a network, a storage medium that is connected to the thin client terminal and stores data and application software to be used by the thin client terminal in an off-line state and management data for managing the data and the application software, and a remote computer, where the management server is connected to the network and manages the application and data for using the thin client terminal for information processing in the off-line state, wherein:

the management server comprises an application and data management means, which manages the data and application software required for using the thin client terminal for information processing in the off-line state, management being performed using first management data that holds information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other;

when the application and data management means receives a request for sending information for registration of data to be used in the off-line state and designation of application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal, then the application and data management means sends, to the thin client terminal, input screen information for sending the information;

when the application and data management means receives information indicating a request for registration of the data and designation of the application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal that has sent the previous request, then the application and data management means acquires the data, whose registration has been requested, from the remote computer, stores the acquired data into a storage device of the management server itself, and makes the first management data of the storage device hold information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other;

the application and data management means receives the second management data stored in the storage medium connected to the thin client terminal that has sent the information specifying the application software, refers to the received second management data, and when the application and data management means judges that data generated by the thin client terminal in the off-line state exists, then the application and data management means acquires the data from the storage medium and stores the acquired data into the storage medium of the management server itself; and

the application and data management means sends the data and the application software in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal.

15. A management server of claim 14, wherein:

the application and data management means receives the information indicating a request for registration of the data and a request for designation of application software that performs processing of the data, and performs judgment processing on whether off-line execution concerning the data and the application software should be approved; and

in cases of approval, the application and data management means sends the data and application software whose off-line use has been approved, to the thin client terminal in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal; and

in the judgment processing concerning approval of the off-line execution;

on receipt of the information indicating the requests, a request for approval of the off-line execution is sent to an address of a person who has authority to approve the off-line execution; and

when approval information from the person to whom the request for approval has been sent is received, a result of approval is sent to the thin client terminal that has requested the registration.

16. A remote computer in a thin client system that performs information processing using a thin client terminal connected to a network, and using a storage medium that is connected to the thin client terminal and stores data and application software to be used by the thin client terminal in an off-line state and management data for managing the data and the application software, where the remote computer is connected to the network and performs information processing being remotely controlled by the thin client terminal, and manages the application and data for using the thin client terminal for information processing in the off-line state, wherein:

the remote computer comprises a registration acquisition management means, which manages the data and application software required for using the thin client terminal for information processing in the off-line state, management being performed using first management data that holds information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other;

when the registration acquisition management means receives a request for sending information for registration of data to be used in the off-line state and designation of application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal, then the registration acquisition management means sends, to the thin client terminal, input screen information for sending the information;

when the registration acquisition management means receives information indicating a request for registration of the data and a request for designation of the application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal that has sent the previous request, then the registration acquisition management means stores the data, whose registration has been requested, into a storage device of the remote computer itself, and makes the first management data of the storage device hold information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other;

the registration acquisition management means receives second management data stored in the storage medium connected to the thin client terminal that has sent the information specifying the application software, refers to the received second management data, and when the registration acquisition management means judges that data generated by the thin client terminal in the off-line state exists, then the registration acquisition management means acquires the data from the storage medium and stores the acquired data into the storage medium of the remote computer itself; and

the registration acquisition management means sends the data and the application software in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal.

17. A remote computer of claim 16, wherein:

the registration acquisition management means receives the information indicating a request for registration of the data and a request for designation of application software that performs processing of the data, and performs judgment processing on whether off-line execution concerning the data and the application software should be approved; and

in cases of approval, the registration acquisition management means sends the data and application software whose off-line use has been approved, to the thin client terminal in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal; and

in the judgment processing concerning approval of the off-line execution;

on receipt of the information indicating the requests, the data and the first management data of the storage device of the remote computer itself and a request for approval of the off-line execution are sent to an address of a person who has authority to approve the off-line execution; and

on receipt of approval information from the person to whom the request for approval has been sent, a result of approval is sent to the thin client terminal that has requested the registration.

18. An application and data management system for using a thin client terminal for information processing in an off-line state, in a thin client system that performs information processing using the thin client terminal connected to a network, wherein:

the application and data management system comprises;

a remote computer that is connected to the network and performs information processing, being controlled remotely by the thin client terminal;

a management server that is connected to the network, and manages data and application software required for using the thin client terminal for information processing in the off-line state, management being performed using first management data that holds information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other; and

a storage medium that stores data and application software used by the thin client terminal in the off-line state, and second management data used for managing the data and application software;

the thin client terminal comprises;

a display device and an input device, the thin client terminal being connected with the storage medium; and

the thin client terminal further comprises;

a remote control means, which sends and receives information to and from the remote computer and remotely controls the remote computer, in an on-line state; and

an off-line execution means, which acquires the data and the application software to be used for information processing in the off-line state from the storage medium, and performs control for the off-line execution;

the remote control means;

sends a request for registration of data to be used in the off-line state and a request for designation of application software that performs processing on the data, to the management server through the remote computer, the requests being inputted through the input device;

the off-line execution means;

sends the data stored in the storage medium to the management server, in the on-line state, and receives the data and application software to be used in the off-line state, from the management server, and stores the received application software and data into the storage medium; and

when the off-line execution means receives an execution instruction through the input device, the off-line execution means performs transition to the off-line state, makes the stored application software operate to perform processing of the data, and stores a processing result into the storage medium;

the management server comprises;

an application and data management means, which manages the data and application software required for using the thin client terminal for information processing in the off-line state, management being performed using first management data that holds information specifying the data, and information specifying the application software in association with each other; and

when the application and data management means receives a request for sending information for registration of data to be used in the off-line state and designation of application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal, then the application and data management means sends, to the thin client terminal, input screen information for sending the information;

when the application and data management means receives information indicating a request for registration of the data and designation of the application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal that has sent the previous request, then the application and data management means acquires the data, whose registration has been requested, from the remote computer, stores the acquired data into a storage device of the management server itself, and makes the first management data of the storage device hold information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other;

the application and data management means receives the second management data stored in the storage medium connected to the thin client terminal that has sent the information specifying the application software, refers to the received second management data, and when the application and data management means judges that data generated by the thin client terminal in the off-line state exists, then the application and data management means acquires the data from the storage medium and stores the acquired data into the storage medium of the management server itself; and

the application and data management means sends the data and the application software in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal.

19. An application and data management system of claim 18, wherein:

the application and data management means receives the information indicating a request for registration of the data and a request for designation of application software that performs processing of the data, and performs judgment processing on whether off-line execution concerning the data and the application software should be approved;

in cases of approval, the application and data management means sends the data and application software whose off-line use has been approved, to the thin client terminal in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal;

in the judgment processing concerning approval of the off-line execution;

the application and data management means, which has received the information indicating the requests, sends a request for approval of the off-line execution to an address of a person who has authority to approve the off-line execution; and

when the application and data management means receives approval information from the person to whom the request for approval has been sent, the application and data management means sends a result of approval to the thin client terminal that has requested the registration.

20. An application and data management system for using a thin client terminal for information processing in an off-line state, in a thin client system that performs information processing using the thin client terminal connected to a network, wherein:

the application and data management system comprises;

a remote computer that is connected to the network and performs information processing being controlled remotely by the thin client terminal, and manages data and application software required for using the thin client terminal for information processing in the off-line state, management being performed using first management data that holds information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other; and

a storage medium that stores data and application software used by the thin client terminal in the off-line state and second management data used for managing the data and application software;

the thin client terminal comprises;

a display device and an input device;

the thin client terminal being connected with the storage medium; and

the thin client terminal further comprises;

a remote control means, which sends and receives information to and from the remote computer and remotely controls the remote computer, in an on-line state; and

an off-line execution means, which acquires the data and the application software to be used for information processing in the off-line state from the storage medium, and performs control for the off-line execution;

the remote control means;

sends a request for registration of data to be used in the off-line state and a request for designation of application software that performs processing on the data, to the management server through the remote computer, the requests being inputted through the input device;

the off-line execution means;

sends the data stored in the storage medium to the management server, in the on-line state, and receives the data and application software to be used in the off-line state, from the management server, and stores the received application software and data into the storage medium; and

when the off-line execution means receives an execution instruction through the input device, the off-line execution means performs transition to the off-line state, makes the stored application software operate to perform processing of the data, and stores a processing result into the storage medium;

the remote computer comprises;

a registration acquisition management means, which manages the data and application software required for using the thin client terminal for information processing in the off-line state, management being performed using first management data that holds information specifying the data, and information specifying the application software in association with each other; and

when the registration acquisition management means receives a request for sending information for registration of data to be used in the off-line state and designation of application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal, then the registration acquisition management means sends, to the thin client terminal, input screen information for sending the information;

when the registration acquisition management means receives information indicating a request for registration of the data and designation of the application software for performing processing on the data, from the thin client terminal that has sent the previous request, then the registration acquisition management means stores the data, whose registration has been requested, into a storage device of the remote computer itself, and makes the first management data of the storage device hold information specifying the data and information specifying the application software in association with each other;

the registration acquisition management means receives the second management data stored in the storage medium connected to the thin client terminal that has sent the information specifying the application software, refers to the received second management data, and when the registration acquisition management means judges that data generated by the thin client terminal in the off-line state exists, then the registration acquisition management means acquires the data from the storage medium and stores the acquired data into the storage medium of the remote computer itself; and

the registration acquisition management means sends the data and the application software in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal.

21. An application and data management system of claim 20, wherein:

the registration acquisition management means receives information indicating a request for registration of the data and a request for designation of application software that performs processing of the data, and performs judgment processing on whether off-line execution concerning the data and the application software should be approved; and

in cases of approval, the registration acquisition management means sends the data and application software whose off-line use has been approved, to the thin client terminal in reply to a send request from the thin client terminal; and

in the judgment processing on approval of the off-line execution, the registration acquisition management means, which has received the information indicating the requests, sends the data and the first management data of the storage device of the remote computer itself and a request for approval of the off-line execution to an address of a person who has authority to approve the off-line execution; and

when approval information from the person to whom the request for approval has been sent is received, a result of approval is sent to the thin client terminal that has requested the registration.

22. An application and data management system of claim 20, wherein:

the application and data management system further comprises a management server that manages logs;

the management server comprises a log management means that receives the first management data concerning the information indicating the request, and the data whose registration has been requested, from the remote computer, and stores the received first management data and the data into a storage device of the management server itself; and

the log management means receives a log of the thin client terminal from the remote computer and stores the received log into the storage device of the management server itself.