Data management system

• US 5,790,801 A
• Filed: 02/27/1996
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Funato, Nobuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Rinehart, Mark H.
• Application Number:
  US08/607,590
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 395/610, 395/200.33, 395/200.41, 395/200.43, 395/200.47, 395/200.48, 395/200.49, 395/200.56, 395/200.57, 395/200.58, 395/200.59 , 395/200.65, 395/200.69, 395/200.71, 370/235, 370/238
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0813 with a network or matrix configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

An information processing terminal is connected to data storage means through one or more communication means each of which is not always available. The information processing terminal includes small-capacity storage unit, local data management section and first communication management section. The data storage means includes large-capacity storage unit, master data management section and second communication management section. The first and second communication management sections select communication means and communication time to decrease the communication cost in an operation period with a certain width when reading or writing data from or in data storage means through communication means from an information processing terminal.

Claims

1. A data management system comprising:

information terminal means including first storage means for storing local data, local data management means for managing said local data, and first communication management means; and

data storage means remote from said information terminal means for storing necessary data for said information terminal, said data storage means being provided with second storage means for storing master data, master data management means for managing said master data, and second communication management means;

wherein said first communication management means selects at least one of a plurality of communication means operatively connecting said information terminal to said data storage means, and communication time when communication from said information terminal means to said data storage means is necessary, and said second communication management means selects at least one of said communication means and communication time when communication from said data storage means to said information terminal means is necessary, said first and second communication means each further comprising available-link discrimination means and communication-time decision means for selecting said communication time.

2. A data management system according to claim 1, wherein the communication-time decision means selects communication time in accordance with information on a communication means attribute table including information of communication cost attribute and information of next available time attribute.

3. A data management system according to claim 1, wherein said local data management means and said master data management means are respectively provided with data attribute access means for accessing the attribute of the data to be managed.

4. A data management system according to claim 2, wherein said local data management means and said master data management means are respectively provided with data attribute access means for accessing the attribute of the data to be managed.

5. A data management system, comprising:

a first information processing terminal to be utilized by a first user, comprising;

a first storage unit for storing local data;

first data management means for managing data stored in said first storage unit; and

first communication management means for controlling communication of said first information processing terminal;

data storage means separate from said first information processing terminal, said data storage means comprising;

a second storage unit for storing master data of said first information processing terminal;

second data management means for managing data stored in said second storage unit; and

second communication management means for controlling communication of said data storage means;

a computer separate from said first information processing terminal and said data storage means, and being accessible to a first and second user, said computer comprising;

a second information processing terminal to be used by said second user;

a third storage unit for storing master data of said first information processing terminal and master data of said second information processing terminal;

third data management means for managing data stored in said third storage unit;

third communication means for controlling communication of said computer; and

a bus connecting said second information processing terminal to said computer; and

a plurality of communication means for connecting said first information processing terminal, said data storage means and said computer together, wherein said first, second and third communication management means are provided with available-link discrimination means and communication-time decision means, and selects one of said communication means and communication time in accordance with information from said available-link discrimination means and said communication-time decision means when communications are necessary.

6. A data management system, comprising:

an information terminal comprising a local data storage unit, a local data manager and a first communication manager;

a remote data storage unit operatively coupled to said information terminal, said remote data storage unit storing necessary data for said information terminal and including a master data storage unit, a master data manager and a second communication manager, wherein said first communication manager selects one of a plurality of available communication means for providing communication between said information terminal and said remote data storage unit, and a communication time when communication from said information terminal to said remote data storage unit is necessary, and said second communication manager selects one of said plurality of available communication means and a communication time when communication from said remote data storage unit to said information terminal is necessary, said first and second communication manager each comprising an available-link discriminator and a communication-time selector for selecting a communication time.

7. The data management system of claim 6, wherein said communication-time selector selects communication time based on information in a communication means attribute table, said table including a communication cost attribute and a next available time attribute.

8. The data management system of claim 6, wherein said local data manager and said master data manager each include data attribute access means for accessing an attribute of the data to be managed.

9. The data management system of claim 7, wherein said local data manager and said master data manager each include data attribute access means for accessing an attribute of the data to be managed.