JP2002091772A - Software update device, software update system, update method thereof, and recording medium recording update program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a software management system capable of reducing the labor and time required for distributing software of a vendor. SOLUTION: A software database 4 transfers accumulated software to the software management server 1 in response to an access request from the software management server 1,
The software management server 1 can use the software from the network devices 3 on the registered network with reference to the type information of the device that can use the software, which is the additional information of the software transferred from the software database 4. By searching for the address of the device, reading the software from the software storage unit 8 that stores the software to be transferred, and transmitting the read software to the network device 3 at the searched address, the burden on the vendor for distributing the generated software Can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a software update device, a software update system, a software update method, and a recording medium on which a software update program is recorded, and in particular, transfers software generated by a vendor via a network to update the software. The present invention relates to a software update device, a software update system, a software update method, and a recording medium on which a software update program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when updating software for controlling network equipment provided by a vendor, the vendor records the generated software on a recording medium such as a compact disk and distributes the software. The customer buys a recording medium and a license to use the software recorded on the recording medium, and then downloads the software from the recording medium to his / her network device.

However, for a vendor, manufacturing and distributing a recording medium on which software is recorded increases costs for software development and release, and
It has significantly increased vendor effort in distributing software.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-91407 discloses a technique for automatically updating various software products in a multi-client computer system as a technique for preventing trouble and cost increase in updating software by such a vendor. "Has been proposed.

In this conventional example, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of client computers 70 are connected to a network so as to communicate with a computer 60 of a service provider. Also, computers 50 from many software vendors are also connected by a network so that they can communicate with a computer 60 at the service provider.

[0006] The user of the client computer 70 logs in to the computer 60 of the service provider by providing a user ID, a password and the like using a client application. The client application analyzes the client computer to determine a list of installed software products.

[0007] The service provider's computer 60 maintains a database containing a list of available software updates for many software products from various software vendors. Retrieving this list, the client application displays a list of software updates applicable to the user.

[0008] The user refers to the displayed list,
Select one or more software products to update. The client application executes a process for installing the selected software. The information about the selected software update is displayed, and the user is given an opportunity to confirm or cancel the installation. When the confirmation is confirmed, the client application executes the installation according to the installation information such as the installation program and files.
Download software updates. Using the URL stored on the service provider's computer 60 for the location of the software update on the network, download directly from the software vendor's computer to the application computer.

[0009]

However, in the conventional example described above, the software is downloaded to the client computer 70 directly from the computer system 50 of the software vendor. Therefore, the software vendor's computer 50 must perform software download and other processing every time there is access from a plurality of client computers 70. This does not save software vendors the hassle of releasing software.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a software management apparatus, a software management system, a software management method, and a software management method that can reduce the time and effort required for software distribution by a vendor and the cost of the software distribution. It is an object to provide a recording medium on which a software management program is recorded.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first storage means for storing software for controlling a device connected to a network, wherein the first storage means stores software for controlling the device on the network. A second storage unit that stores address information and type information of the device, a communication unit that communicates with another device via a network, and a device that can use the software, which is additional information of the software. From the type information, an address of a device that can use the software is searched for by referring to the second storage unit, and the software read from the first storage unit is transmitted to the device of the searched address via a network. Control means for controlling each means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the control means transfers the software stored in the first storage means to a specific device on the network, and the specific device using the software. If the operation test is normally completed, the above-mentioned units are controlled so that the software is transmitted to the device at the address retrieved from the second storage unit.

[0013] The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the invention described in the description, the control means notifies the device stored in the second storage means that the software has been updated, and inquires whether or not the software is to be updated. The above means are controlled so that the software is transferred only to the device receiving the response.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a software database which is installed in a network of a vendor and stores software generated by the vendor, obtains software from the software database, and stores the obtained software on a predetermined network. A software update system having a software update device for downloading to a device, wherein the software update device has first storage means for storing software for controlling a device connected to a network, and an address of the device on the network. Second storage means for storing information and type information of the device, communication means for communicating with other devices via a network, and type of device which can use the software, which is additional information of the software From the information, referring to the second storage means, Searches the address of the device that can use hardware, a control means for controlling said respective means to transmit over the network to the device address search software read from the first memory means, and
The software database is characterized in that the stored software is transferred to the software updating device in response to an access request from the software updating device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the control means transfers the software stored in the first storage means to a specific device on the network, and the specific device using the software. If the operation test is normally completed, the software is transmitted to the device at the address retrieved from the second storage means, and if an abnormality occurs in the operation test of the specific device using the software,
The above means are controlled so that the software is returned to the software database.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6.
In the invention described in the description, the control means notifies the device stored in the second storage means that the software has been updated, and inquires whether or not the software is to be updated. The above means are controlled so that the software is transferred only to the device receiving the response.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the software update system is a payment processing device for processing payment for provision of software from the software update device to the device. It is characterized by having.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fourth to seventh aspects, the software database performs authentication with the access source by access through a network and is registered. Only those sources that have been proven to be legitimate
It is characterized by transferring software.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the registered device on the network is referred to by referring to the type information of the device that can use the software, which is the additional information of the software to be transferred to the device on the network. A search step of searching for an address of a device that can use software from among the software, a reading step of reading the software from a storage unit storing the software to be transferred, and a search of the software read by the reading step. And a first transmitting step of transmitting to the device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the ninth aspect, a second transmission step of transferring the software stored in the storage means to a specific device, and an operation test of the specific device and the software are performed. And an operation test step, wherein when the test operation in the operation test step is completed normally, the software read in the read step is transmitted to the device at the address searched in the search step.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the ninth or tenth aspect, the device on the registered network is notified that the software has been updated, and whether the user wishes to update the software. It has a notification step of inquiring whether or not the software is to be updated, and transfers the software only to a device that has received a response indicating that the user wants to update the software.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a software database which is installed in a network of a vendor and stores software generated by the vendor, obtains software from the software database, and transfers the obtained software to a device on the network. A software update method in a software update system having a software update device to download, wherein the software database has a transfer step of transferring accumulated software to the software update device in response to an access request from the software update device. The update device refers to the type information of the device that can use the software, which is the additional information of the software transferred from the software database, and selects from among the devices on the registered network. A search step of searching for an address of a device that can use the software, a reading step of reading the software from a storage unit storing the software to be transferred, and transmitting the software read by the reading step to the device at the address searched by the search step. And a first transmitting step.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the software update device according to the twelfth aspect, a second transmitting step of transferring the software stored in the storage means to a specific device on a network, And an operation test step of performing an operation test of the software, and a third transmission step of returning the software to the software database when an abnormality is detected in the software in the operation test step. When the operation is normally completed, the software read in the reading step is transmitted to the device of the address searched in the search step.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, the software updating device comprises:
Notifying the registered network device that the software has been updated, and having a notification step of inquiring whether or not the software is desired to be updated, and receiving a reply indicating that the software is desired to be updated It is characterized in that software is transferred only to the device.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, the payment for providing the software from the software update device to the device is performed by a payment processing device connected to a network. It has a settlement processing step to be performed.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twelfth to fifteenth aspects, the software database performs authentication with an access source by accessing the software database through a network, and the software database is registered. And an authentication step of transferring software only to an access source that has been proven to be an authorized access source.

[0027] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the registered device on the network is referred to by referring to the type information of the device which can use the software, which is additional information of the software to be transferred to the device on the network. A search process for searching for an address of a device that can use software from among them, a read process for reading the software from a storage unit storing the software to be transferred, and a search for the software read by the read process. A program for executing a first transmission process for transmitting to the device and a program for executing the first transmission process are recorded.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the seventeenth aspect, a second transmission process for transferring the software stored in the storage means to a specific device and an operation test of the specific device and the software are performed. Operation test processing,
Is recorded, and when the test operation by the operation test process ends normally, the software read by the read process is transmitted to the device at the address searched by the search process.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventeenth aspect or the eighteenth aspect, a device on the registered network is notified that the software has been updated, and whether the user wants to update the software. It is characterized in that a program for executing a notification process for inquiring whether or not to record the software is recorded, and the software is transferred only to a device that has received a response to the request for updating the software.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a software database which is installed in a network of a vendor and stores software generated by the vendor, obtains software from the software database, and transfers the obtained software to a device on the network. A software update device to be downloaded, and a recording medium recording a software update program in a software update system having a software database, wherein in a software database, by an access request from the software update device,
A program for executing a transfer process of transferring the accumulated software to the software update device is recorded. In the software update device, additional information of the software transferred from the software database, the type information of a device that can use the software, , A search process for searching for an address of a device that can use software from devices on the registered network, a read process for reading the software from a storage unit that stores software to be transferred, and a read process. A program for executing a first transmission process of transmitting the read software to the device at the address searched by the search process is recorded.

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the software updating apparatus according to the twentieth aspect, a second transmission process for transferring the software stored in the storage means to a specific device on a network; A program for executing an operation test process for performing an operation test of the software and a third transmission process for returning the software to a software database when an abnormality is detected in the software by the operation test process. When the test operation by the operation test process ends normally, the software read by the read process is transmitted to the device at the address searched by the search process.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the software updating apparatus according to the twentieth or twenty-first aspect, the software updating device notifies a device on the registered network of the fact that the software has been updated. A program for executing a notification process for inquiring whether or not an update is desired is recorded, and the software is transferred only to a device that has received a response indicating that the software is to be updated.

According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twentieth to twenty-second aspects, the settlement for provision of software from the software update device to the device is performed by a settlement processing device connected to a network. A program for executing a settlement process to be performed is recorded.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twentieth to twenty-third aspects, the software database performs authentication with an access source by accessing the software database through a network, and is registered. A program for executing an authentication process for transferring software only to an access source that has been proved to be an authorized access source.

[0035]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a software updating apparatus, a software updating system, a software updating method, and a recording medium on which a software updating program is recorded according to the present invention. 1 to 11 show an embodiment of a software update device, a software update system, a software update method, and a recording medium on which a software update program is recorded according to the present invention.

In the first embodiment according to the present invention, as shown in FIG.
A, a network device group 3B provided by a vendor B, a software management server 1, and a settlement business device 2 are configured to be connectable to a network. This network is
Preferably it is the Internet or other similar wide area network.

The vendor is a company that manufactures the network device 3 and that provides software for controlling the network device 3. In the present embodiment, the description is given assuming that the vendor that manufactures the network device and the vendor that provides the software that controls the network device are the same, but the vendor that manufactures the network device and the vendor that provides the software are: It may be different.

The payment service device 2 is a device for performing payment when software is downloaded from the software management server 1 to the network device 3.

The software management server 1 uses NTT, K
DD, ISP (Internet Service Provider),
It is operated and managed by a communication carrier such as an ASP (application service provider).

The software management server 1 stores software generated and transferred by each vendor, and downloads the software to the network device 3 provided by the vendor.

As shown in FIG. 2, the software management server 1 is connected to a network, receives a signal from the network, and transmits a signal to the network. Software storage unit 6 for storing the transferred software
And a control unit 7 having the customer information management table 8 shown in FIG. 3 and controlling the entire software management server.

As shown in FIG. 3, the customer information management table includes a device identification number for identifying a network device, an IP address of the network device, a password for accessing the network device, and a network device. , The name of the administrator who manages the network devices, the mail address of the administrator, and the like. The control unit 7 downloads software to the corresponding network device with reference to the management table.

The present embodiment having the above configuration aims at reducing the time and effort for updating software generated by a vendor that is a provider of network equipment and reducing maintenance management costs.

In order to achieve this object, in the present embodiment, software generated by each vendor is collectively managed by the software management server 1. The software management server 1 is provided with a customer information management table as shown in FIG. The customer information management table manages the provider name of each network device, the mail address of the administrator of the network device, and the like.

When the software is updated by the vendor (the software is transferred to the software management server 1), the software management server 1 refers to the customer information management table 8 to detect a network device provided by the vendor. I do. The detection method detects network devices manufactured by the same vendor that provided the software to be transferred with reference to the customer information management table 8.

The updated software is downloaded to the network device 3 with reference to the detected IP address of the network device. Also, referring to the mail address of the manager of the network device, the manager is notified that the software has been updated.

At this time, the price of the downloaded software is paid to the corresponding account of the manager of the software management server 3 provided in the settlement operation device 2 via the network.

In the present embodiment, the case where the software providing vendor and the network device providing vendor are the same is described as an example, but these may be different. In this case, the customer information management table 8 contains
Register the type of network device. Then, the additional information of the software, the type information of the network device that can use the software is detected, and from the detected type information, the type information of the customer information management table is referred to.
Search for the IP address of the network device that can use the software.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the software generated by the vendor is centrally managed by the software management server of the communication carrier, so that the time and effort required for maintenance and management of the updated software can be reduced.

Further, the software management server and the network device are configured to be connectable to the Internet, and the software can be downloaded via the Internet, thereby reducing the maintenance and operation costs for updating the software created by the vendor. Can be done.

In addition, it becomes possible to deploy the latest software to network devices ahead of other vendors, and it is possible to quickly develop a new communication service business enabled by updating software.

Next, a series of processing operations according to the above embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

When the software generated by the vendor is downloaded (step S1 / YES), the software management server 1 refers to its own customer information management table and detects the network device 3 that uses the software of the vendor. (Step S2).

Next, the network device 3 is accessed using the detected IP address of the network device (step S3), authentication is performed using a password or the like (step S4), and a line with the network device is connected (step S4). Step S4), download the updated software to this network device (Step S5). This software download may be recorded on the hardware of the network device, or may be installed on the network device. It is preferable that the software be downloaded to the network device during a time period during which no communication failure occurs, such as at night.

When the download is completed normally (step S6 / YES), the software management server 1 refers to the name of the administrator of the network device 3 and the mail address of the administrator from the customer information management table, and The administrator is notified that the software has been downloaded, the account number of the software management server 1 on the settlement operation device 2 and the like, and the software is paid to the corresponding account (step S7).

The administrator of the network device 3A that has received the notification pays for the software using electronic money or the like for the account number of the designated settlement operation device 2.

In the above-described embodiment, the settlement business device 2 performs the settlement of the price generated by downloading the software from the software management server 1 to the network device, but the software management server 1 itself performs the settlement of the price. May be performed. Also, in this embodiment, the target for downloading software is a network device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is applicable to home appliances such as personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as PCs). For example, software management server 1
Register the name of the software that the customer wants to update in advance, and when this software is downloaded,
It is also possible to download software to the PC.

Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described. Note that the same devices as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the second embodiment according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, a network device group 3 A supplied by a vendor A, a software management server 1, and a settlement business device 2
Are configured to be connectable to the Internet. Also, a software database 4A for storing software generated by vendor A is provided in the intranet of vendor A, and a software database 4B for storing software generated by vendor B is provided in the intranet of vendor B. I have.

The software generated by the vendor is stored in the software database 4 arranged in the intranet of the vendor. In addition, the software database 4 performs authentication by accessing from another device via a network, and downloads the stored software to the device that has been authenticated as authorized access.

The present embodiment having the above-described configuration is used to maintain and manage a new release of software for controlling network equipment, between a software supplier and a communication carrier managing a software management server, and between a network equipment and a communication business. It is an object of the present invention to reduce maintenance management costs required for updating software by integrating and managing software management servers of different users using a common software download technology.

In order to achieve this object, the present embodiment registers software generated by a vendor in the software database 4. Further, the vendor notifies the communication carrier that operates the software management server or the software management server itself that new software has been generated.

Upon receiving this notification, the software management server 1 accesses the software database 4 of the vendor, issues a software acquisition request, and acquires updated software.

The software management server 1 having acquired the updated software refers to its own customer information management table 8 and detects the network device manufactured by the vendor. Then, the updated software is downloaded to the network device 3 with reference to the detected IP address of the network device. Further, by referring to the mail address of the manager of the network device 3, the manager is notified that the software has been updated.

At this time, the price of the downloaded software is paid to the corresponding account of the manager of the software management server 1 provided in the settlement operation device 2 via the network.

In the present embodiment, the case where the software providing vendor is the same as the network device providing vendor is described as an example, but these may be different. In this case, the type of the network device is registered in the customer information management table 8. Then, the type information of the network device that can use the software, which is additional information of the software, is detected, and from the detected type information, the type information of the customer information management table is referred to, and the IP of the network device that can use the software is detected. Search for an address.

As described above, also in the present embodiment, the software generated by the vendor is centrally managed by the software management server of the communication carrier, so that the software update to the network device and the maintenance management of the updated software can be performed. Such trouble can be reduced.

Also, by downloading software via the Internet between the software database of the vendor and the software management server managed by the communication carrier and between the software management server and the network device, the release of the software generated by the vendor is released. Costs can be reduced.

Further, since the software management server and the network device are configured to be connectable to the Internet and the software can be downloaded via the Internet, the maintenance and operation costs for updating the software created by the vendor can be reduced. Can be done.

In addition, it becomes possible to deploy the latest software to network equipment ahead of other vendors, and a new communication service business enabled by updating software can be quickly developed.

Further, for the vendor, only by registering the created software in the software database, the software can be downloaded to the network device by the software management server of the communication carrier. Costs can be reduced. In addition, since software management is performed in the software management server of the communication carrier, the vendor can reduce the cost of managing the generated software.

Next, a series of operations according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the description of the operation, a case where the software generated by the vendor A is downloaded to the network device 3A of the vendor A will be described as an example.

First, when the vendor A newly creates software for a network device provided by itself, the vendor A registers the created software in the software database 4A (step S10). In addition, the vendor A notifies the communication carrier that the software of the network device supplied by the vendor A has been newly updated (step S11). There is no particular limitation on the method of notification of software update from the vendor to the communication carrier. E-mail may be used, or a postcard stating that the software has been updated may be mailed to a communication carrier.

The software management server 1 of the communication carrier having received the notification from the vendor A accesses the software database 4A (step S12).

Upon receiving the connection request, the software database 4A of the vendor A requests the access source device for authentication (step S13).

Telecommunications carrier's software management server 1
Transmits the authentication information such as the password and ID assigned to itself to the software database 4A of the vendor (step S14).

The software database of vendor A is
The authentication information sent from the access source device is compared with the identification information of the access source registered in advance to determine whether the access is from the software management server 1 of the communication carrier (step S15).

If it is determined by authentication that the access is from the software management server 1 of the communication carrier (step S16 / YES), the software database 4A
Transfers the stored updated software to the software management server 1 of the communication carrier (step S18). If it is determined that the access is not from the software management server 1 of the communication carrier (step S16 / NO),
The line is disconnected (step S17).

Software management server 1 of telecommunications carrier
Stores the transferred software in its own software storage unit 6.

When the software generated by the vendor A is downloaded, the software management server 1
With reference to its own customer information management table 8, the network device 3A that can use the software of this vendor is detected (step S19).

Next, the network device is accessed using the detected IP address of the network device (step S20), authentication is performed using a password, and a line with the network device is connected (step S21).
Then, the updated software is downloaded to the corresponding network device 3A (step S22). This software download may be recorded on the hardware of the network device, or may be installed on the network device. It is preferable that the software be downloaded to the network device 3 using a time zone such as nighttime when a communication failure does not occur.

When the download is completed normally (step S23), the software management server 1 refers to the administrator name of the network device and the mail address of the administrator from the customer information management table 8 to perform the management. The user is notified of the download of the software, the account number of the communication business on the settlement business device 2 and the like, and is notified to pay the price of the software to the corresponding account (step S24).

The administrator of the network device 3A that has received the notification pays for the software using electronic money or the like to the designated account number of the settlement operation device 2.

In the above-described embodiment, the settlement business device 2 also performs settlement of the price caused by downloading the software from the software management server 1 to the network device 3, but the settlement of the price is performed by the software management server 1 itself. May be performed. In addition, the target for downloading software is network device 3
However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to home appliances such as personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as PCs).

Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

The third embodiment according to the present invention has the same configuration as the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, but the control operation of the software management server 1 is different from that of the second embodiment described above. different.

In the third embodiment according to the present invention, before the software management server 1 downloads software to a network device, a specific network device 3
(Hereinafter referred to as test equipment) to perform an operation test of the software to be transferred. Then, only the software that does not cause a problem in the operation test is downloaded to the network device 3 that can use the software.

The software management server 1 of the present embodiment
Acquires the software generated by the vendor from the software database 4, and transfers the software to the test equipment. The transferred software includes software for installing the software in the network device, and is automatically installed in the network device 3.

When the software is installed in the test equipment 3, the software management server 1 sends a test signal for testing the operation of the software to the test equipment 3.
Transfer to Then, it is detected whether or not a predetermined response signal to the test signal can be obtained from the test device 3.

If a predetermined response signal can be detected, it is determined that the transferred software operates normally, and this software is downloaded to another available network device.

If the predetermined response signal cannot be detected, it is determined that the downloaded software cannot operate normally, and the software is stored in the software database 4 managed by the vendor of the provider. I will send it back.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the software management server 1 detects whether the software generated by the vendor operates normally, and transfers only the software that normally operates to the network device 3. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a problem that software that does not operate normally is downloaded to the network device 3 and the network device malfunctions.

Next, a series of operations according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation up to the transfer of the software generated by the vendor and registered in the software database 4 to the software management server 1 is the same as the operation of the above-described second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The software management server 1 acquires the software generated by the vendor from the software database 4 and registers it in the software storage unit 6 (step S30 / YES). The software management server 1 refers to the customer information management table 8 and uses the software. The IP address of a possible specific network device (hereinafter, referred to as a test device) 3 is detected (step S31). This processing is performed by referring to the customer information management table 8 and detecting network equipment manufactured by the same vendor as the provider of the software, which is additional information of the software.

The software management server 1 that has detected the IP address of the test device reads out the software stored in the software storage unit 6 and transfers it to the test device (step S32).

The test equipment installs the software according to the installation program incorporated in the transferred software.

When the software is installed in the test device, the software management server 1 transmits a test signal to the test device to execute an operation test of the software (step S33). After transferring the test signal to the test device, the software management server 1 waits for a predetermined response signal from the test device (step S3).
3).

If a predetermined response signal can be received from the test device (step S34 / YES), it is determined that the transferred software operates normally and the download of the software to another network device 3 is started. (Step S36). If a predetermined response signal cannot be received from the test equipment (step S34 / NO, and step S35 / YE
S), assuming that the transferred software cannot operate normally, the software is returned to the software database 4 of the vendor of the provider (step S37).

Upon obtaining a test result indicating that the transfer target software operates normally, the software management server 1
With reference to the customer information management table 8 of itself, the network device 3 using the software of this vendor is detected (step S38).

Next, the IP address of the detected network device 3
The corresponding network device 3 is accessed using the address (step S39), authentication is performed using a password, a line is connected (step S40), and the updated software is downloaded to the corresponding network device 3 (step S41). This software download may be recorded on the hardware of the network device, or may be installed on the network device. In this case as well, the software is preferably downloaded to the network device during a time period during which no communication failure occurs, such as at night.

When the download is completed normally (step S42 / YES), the software management server 1 refers to the administrator name of the network device and the mail address of the administrator from the customer information management table 8, and The administrator is notified that the software has been downloaded, the account number of the telecommunications carrier on the settlement operation device 2 and the like, and the manager is notified of the payment of the software (step S43).

The administrator of the network device 3 receiving the notification pays for the software by using electronic money or the like to the designated account number of the settlement operation device 2.

Although the present embodiment has a configuration in which the software management server 1, the software database 4, and the network device 3 are connected to a network as shown in FIG. 5, the configuration shown in FIG. The present embodiment is naturally applicable to a configuration in which a software management server and a network device are connected to a network.

Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

In the fourth embodiment according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, a software database 4 for storing software provided by a vendor, a software management server 1, and a network connected to a network (in particular, the Internet) And an information terminal 10.

In the first and second embodiments, when the software is updated by a vendor, the software is automatically downloaded to a device that can use the software.

On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, when the software is updated by the vendor, the network terminal 10 that can use the software is notified that the software has been updated, and the software is updated. Inquire if you want to update.

In response to this inquiry, the software is downloaded to the network information terminal that has received the request to update the software, and a predetermined process such as a billing process is performed.

For this reason, the customer information management table of this embodiment is provided with an update management table for managing whether or not to perform software update, as shown in FIG.

Next, a series of processing operations according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation up to the transfer of the software generated by the vendor and stored in the software database 4 to the software management server 1 is the same as the operation of the above-described second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The software generated by the vendor is obtained from the software database 4 (step S5).
0 / YES) The software management server 1 refers to the customer information management table 8 and detects the mail address of the network information terminal 10 that can use this software (step S51).

Next, using the searched mail address,
In addition to notifying the administrator of the network information terminal 10 that the software has been updated, an inquiry is made as to whether the user wants to update the software (step S52).
The response to the software update from the administrator is managed in the customer information management table 8.

When a response to the request for software update is received (step S53 / YES, and step S53
54 / YES), the IP of the corresponding network information terminal 10
The address is detected from the customer information management table 8, and software is downloaded to the network information terminal 10 (step S55). In this process, it is determined whether answers can be obtained from all the other devices that have transmitted the e-mail (step S57 / YES), or a predetermined time has been measured since the e-mail was transmitted (step S56 / YES).
Executed until

When the download is completed normally, the software management server 1 refers to the manager name of the network information terminal 10 and the mail address of the manager from the customer information management table, and gives the software to the manager. Is notified, the account number of the communication business on the settlement operation device 2 and the like, and the software is notified to be paid to the account (step S58).

Network information terminal 1 receiving this notification
The administrator of 0 pays for the software using electronic money or the like to the designated account number of the settlement operation device 2.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the software of the network information terminal of the user who does not desire to update the software is automatically downloaded by downloading the update software only to the network information terminal of the user who wants to update the software. It is possible to prevent such a problem that the data is overwritten.

Although the fourth embodiment has a configuration in which the software management server, the software management device, and the devices are connected to a network, as shown in FIG. This embodiment is naturally applicable to a configuration in which the terminal 10 is connected to a network.

The above embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0119]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the software database transfers the stored software to the software updating device in response to an access request from the software updating device, and the software updating device transfers the software from the software database. Refers to the type information of the device that can use the software, which is the additional information of the registered software, searches for the address of the device that can use the software from the registered devices on the network, and stores the transfer target software The software is read from the storage means that has been read, and the read software is transmitted to the device at the searched address.

Therefore, for a software vendor, the software management server can download the software to a network device only by registering the created software in the software database.
The cost for distributing software to network devices can be reduced. In addition, since software management is performed by the software management server on the network, the vendor can reduce the labor and time required for managing the generated software.

Further, by centrally managing software generated by a vendor by a software management server on a network, maintenance management of updated software can be facilitated.

Further, the software database, the software management server, and the devices are configured to be connectable to the Internet, and the software can be downloaded via the Internet, so that the software generated by the vendor can be quickly transferred to the devices on the network. And new services realized by the software can be quickly deployed. Also,
Since the software can be distributed via the network, it is possible to reduce the maintenance and operation cost for updating the software created by the vendor.

Further, in the software updating apparatus, when the software stored in the storage means is transferred to a specific device on the network, an operation test of the specific device and the software is performed, and an abnormality is detected in the software by the operation test. The software is returned to the software database, and if the test operation is completed successfully, the software that does not operate normally is distributed to the devices on the network by sending the read software to the device at the searched address. This can prevent such a trouble as to occur.

Further, the software updating apparatus notifies the registered devices on the network that the software has been updated, and inquires whether or not the software is to be updated. By transferring the software only to the device that has received the response, the problem of transferring the software to a device that does not want to update the software can be prevented.

Further, by performing payment for provision of software from the software updating device to the device in the payment processing device connected to the network, the burden on the software updating device in distributing software can be reduced. .

Also, by performing access through the network, authentication with the access source is performed, and software is transferred only to the access source that has been proved to be a registered authorized access source. A problem in which software is diverted without permission can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a software management server.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a customer information management table.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a customer information management table.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a conventional software update method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Software management server 2 Settlement business device 3 Network equipment 4 Software database 5 Signal transmission / reception part 6 Software storage part 7 Control part 8 Customer information management table

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A first storage unit storing software for controlling a device connected to a network, and a second storage unit storing address information of the device on the network and type information of the device. And communication means for communicating with another device via the network; and referring to the second storage means from type information of a device that can use the software, which is additional information of the software, Control means for retrieving an address of a device that can use software, and controlling the above-mentioned units so that the software read from the first storage unit is transmitted to the device of the retrieved address via the network. A software updating device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The control unit transfers the software stored in the first storage unit to a specific device on the network, and the operation test of the specific device using the software ends normally. 2. The software updating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the respective units so as to transmit the software to a device having an address retrieved from the second storage unit. 3. The control unit notifies the device stored in the second storage unit that the software has been updated, and inquires whether or not the user wants to update the software. 3. The software updating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the means is controlled so that the software is transferred only to a device that has received a reply requesting an update. 4. A software database installed in a network of a vendor and storing software generated by the vendor, software for obtaining the software from the software database, and downloading the obtained software to a predetermined device on the network. An updating device, the software updating device comprising: first storage means storing software for controlling a device connected to a network; address information of the device on the network; And second storage means for storing type information of the device; communication means for communicating with other devices via the network; and type of device which can use the software, which is additional information of the software. From the information, refer to the second storage means. Control means for retrieving an address of a device which can use the software, and controlling the above means so as to transmit the software read from the first storage means to the device having the retrieved address via the network. ,
A software update system, wherein the software database transfers accumulated software to the software update device in response to an access request from the software update device. 5. The control unit transfers the software stored in the first storage unit to a specific device on the network, and the operation test of the specific device using the software is normally completed. Transmitting the software to the device at the address retrieved from the second storage means, and if an error occurs in an operation test of the specific device using the software, the software database contains the software. 5. The software updating system according to claim 4, wherein each of the means is controlled so as to return the software. 6. The control unit notifies the device stored in the second storage unit that the software has been updated, and inquires whether the user wants to update the software. The software updating system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the means is controlled so that the software is transferred only to a device that has received a reply requesting an update. 7. The software update system according to claim 4, wherein the software update system includes a payment processing device that processes payment for provision of the software from the software update device to the device. Software update system as described. 8. The software database performs an authentication with the access source by accessing through the network, and performs the authentication only for the access source that has been proved to be a registered authorized access source. The software is transferred, wherein the software is transferred.
The software update system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 9. Using the software from the registered devices on the network by referring to the type information of the device that can use the software, which is the additional information of the software to be transferred to the devices on the network. A search step of searching for an address of a possible device; a reading step of reading the software from storage means storing the software to be transferred; and a device having an address searched by the search step for the software read in the reading step. And a first transmitting step of transmitting to the software. 10. The operation test, comprising: a second transmission step of transferring software stored in the storage unit to a specific device; and an operation test step of performing an operation test of the specific device and the software. 10. The software updating method according to claim 9, wherein when the test operation in the step is completed normally, the software read in the reading step is transmitted to a device having an address searched in the search step. 11. A notifying step of notifying a device on the registered network that the software has been updated and inquiring whether or not the user wants to update the software, 11. The software updating method according to claim 9, wherein the software is transferred only to a device that has received a reply to the request. 12. Installed in a vendor network,
A software update method in a software update system, comprising: a software database storing software generated by the vendor; and a software update device that acquires the software from the software database and downloads the acquired software to a device on a network. The software database further includes a transfer step of transferring the stored software to the software update device in response to an access request from the software update device, wherein the software update device adds the software transferred from the software database. Information, refer to the type information of the device that can use the software, and among the devices on the registered network, the address of the device that can use the software A search step of searching; a reading step of reading the software from the storage unit storing the transfer target software; and a first transmission of transmitting the software read in the reading step to a device at an address searched in the search step. A software update method, comprising: 13. The software update device, wherein: a second transmission step of transferring the software stored in the storage unit to a specific device on the network; and an operation of performing an operation test of the specific device and the software. A test step; and a third transmission step of returning the software to the software database when an abnormality is detected in the software in the operation test step. The test operation in the operation test step ends normally. 13. The software updating method according to claim 12, wherein in the case where the software is read, the software read in the reading step is transmitted to a device having an address searched in the search step. 14. The software update device has a notification step of notifying a device on the registered network that the software has been updated and inquiring whether or not the user wants to update the software. 14. The software updating method according to claim 12, wherein the software is transferred only to a device that has received a response indicating that the user wants to update the software. 15. A payment processing step in which payment for provision of the software from the software update device to the device is performed in a payment processing device connected to a network. The software update method according to one of the above items. 16. In the software database, by performing access through the network, authentication with the access source is performed, and only the access source that has been proved to be a registered authorized access source is set in the software database. 16. The software update method according to claim 12, further comprising an authentication step of transferring software. 17. Using the software from the registered devices on the network by referring to the type information of the device that can use the software, which is additional information of the software to be transferred to the devices on the network. A search process for searching for an address of a possible device; a read process for reading the software from the storage unit storing the software to be transferred; and a device having an address searched for the software read by the read process by the search process. A recording medium on which a software update program is recorded, wherein a program for executing a first transmission process to be transmitted to the computer is executed. 18. A program for executing a second transmission process of transferring software stored in the storage unit to a specific device, and an operation test process of performing an operation test of the specific device and the software. 18. When the test operation by the operation test process is completed normally, the software read by the read process is transmitted to the device at the address searched by the search process. A recording medium on which a software update program is recorded. 19. A program for notifying a device on the registered network that the software has been updated and executing a notification process for inquiring whether or not the software is desired to be updated is recorded. 19. The recording medium according to claim 17, wherein the software is transferred only to a device that has received a response indicating that the user wants to update the software. 20. Installed in a vendor network,
Recording a software update program in a software update system comprising: a software database storing software generated by the vendor; and a software update device that obtains the software from the software database and downloads the obtained software to a device on a network. In the software database, a program for executing a transfer process of transferring accumulated software to the software updating device in response to an access request from the software updating device is recorded, and in the software updating device, The registered network is referred to by referring to the type information of the device that can use the software, which is the additional information of the software transferred from the software database. A search process for searching for an address of a device that can use the software from devices on the network, a read process of reading the software from a storage unit storing the software to be transferred, and the software read by the read process. And a first transmission process for transmitting to the device at the address searched by the search process, and a software update program recorded thereon. 21. In the software updating device, a second transmission process of transferring software stored in the storage unit to a specific device on the network, and an operation of performing an operation test of the specific device and the software A program for executing a test process and a third transmission process of returning the software to the software database when an abnormality is detected in the software by the operation test process is recorded. 21. The recording medium according to claim 20, wherein, when the test operation is completed normally, the software read by the read process is transmitted to a device at an address searched by the search process. 22. The software update device executes notification processing for notifying the registered device on the network that the software has been updated and inquiring whether or not the user wants to update the software. 22. A recording medium storing a software update program according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the software update program is transferred only to a device that has received a response indicating that the user desires to update the software. . 23. A program for executing a payment process in which a payment for providing the software from the software update device to the device is performed in a payment processing device connected to a network. 23. A recording medium on which the software update program according to any one of 20 to 22 is recorded. 24. The software database, wherein access to the access source via the network is performed to authenticate the access source, and only the access source verified to be a registered authorized access source is sent to the software database. 24. A recording medium recording a software update program according to claim 20, wherein a program for executing an authentication process for transferring software is recorded.