JP2022168378A - Information processing device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To enhance convenience and operability.SOLUTION: An information processing device 1 comprises a control unit 1a and a storage unit 1b. When the information processing device 1 connects to a server device 2, communication between the devices is performed. An external medium m1 storing connection information to connect to the server device 2 is installed in the information processing device 1. The control unit 1a, upon powering up the information processing device 1, reads the connection information out the external medium m1, and stores the read connection information into the storage unit 1b. The control unit 1a reads the connection information from the storage unit 1b, and connects to the server device 2 based on the read connection information. The control unit 1a receives a setting file transmitted from the server device 2. The control unit 1a executes parameter settings of functions described in the setting file to the information processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and program.

The edge computing system processes data acquired from information processing equipment (wireless terminals, etc.) located in each field (schools, social infrastructure, etc.) with edge servers located at edge bases, and uses the processing results in the cloud or as a service. This is a system that is provided to the field, etc. on the side of the operator.

By processing data on the edge server, data transfer to the cloud via the network can be saved, so real-time data processing can be ensured, and costs can be reduced by reducing the amount of communication. On the other hand, when an information processing device wirelessly connects to an edge server and communicates with it, parameters for various functions are set for the information processing device based on a setting file.

As a related technology, for example, a technology has been proposed in which a configuration definition to be set in a network relay device is distributed between adjacent network relay devices to restore the network when a failure occurs.

JP 2007-104351 A

2. Description of the Related Art Parameter setting based on a setting file for a conventional information processing apparatus is performed manually by a user after the OS (Operating System) of the information processing apparatus is booted.

However, when a failure occurs in the information processing device and the device recovers afterward, there is a possibility that the parameters that were set before the failure will be lost. In this case, when connecting the recovered information processing device to the edge server and using it, the user will have to reset the parameters of the configuration file for the information processing device, resulting in a problem of low convenience and operability. be.

In one aspect, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program that automatically set parameters in a setting file to improve convenience and operability.

An information processing device is provided to solve the above problems. When a storage unit and an external medium storing connection information for connecting to a server device are installed in the information processing apparatus, the connection information is read from the external medium when the power is turned on, and the read connection information is stored in the storage unit. Connect to the server device based on the connection information that is saved and read from the storage unit, receive the setting file transmitted from the server device, and set the parameters of the functions described in the setting file to the own device. and a control unit.
Further, in order to solve the above problems, there is provided a program that causes a computer to perform control similar to that of the information processing apparatus.

According to one aspect, it is possible to improve convenience and operability.

It is a figure for demonstrating an example of an information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of an information processing system. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of an information processing terminal and an edge server; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of an information processing terminal. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the overall operation of the information processing terminal; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of an operation of an information processing terminal when reading out connection information; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of an operation when an information processing terminal executes a setting file; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of an information processing terminal when permitting connection to a specific information processing terminal; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the edge server when permitting connection to a specific information processing terminal;

Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of an information processing apparatus. The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 1a and a storage unit 1b. Communication is performed between the devices by connecting the information processing device 1 to the server device 2 .

The functions of the control unit 1a are realized by, for example, a processor (not shown) included in the information processing apparatus 1 executing a predetermined program. The storage unit 1b is used as a main storage device of the information processing device 1, and stores connection information and the like for connecting to the server device 2, for example.

[Step S 1 ] An external medium m 1 storing connection information for connecting to the server device 2 is installed in the information processing device 1 . The connection information includes at least an SSID (Service Set Identifier) for identifying the server device 2 and a password for connecting to the server device 2 . As the external medium m1, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash memory that can be inserted into and removed from the information processing apparatus 1 can be used.

[Step S2] When the information processing apparatus 1 is powered on, the control unit 1a reads the connection information from the external medium m1 and stores the read connection information in the storage unit 1b.
[Step S3] The control section 1a reads the connection information from the storage section 1b and connects to the server apparatus 2 based on the read connection information.

[Step S4] The control unit 1a receives the setting file transmitted from the server device 2. FIG.
[Step S5] The control unit 1a sets the parameters of the functions described in the setting file to its own device (information processing device 1).

As described above, in the information processing apparatus 1, when an external medium storing connection information for connecting to the server apparatus is installed, the connection information is read from the external medium, stored in the storage unit, and read from the storage unit. It connects to the server device based on the connection information. Then, it receives the setting file transmitted from the server device and sets the parameters of the functions described in the setting file to its own device.

This eliminates the need for the user to manually set parameters based on the setting file for the information processing apparatus 1 . Further, even if parameters that have already been set are lost due to, for example, a failure of the information processing device 1, the user can simply install an external medium storing connection information in the recovered information processing device 1. Automatic setting of parameters can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to improve convenience and operability.

[Second embodiment]
A second embodiment in which the functions of the present invention are applied to edge computing will now be described in detail.
<System configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system. The information processing system 1 - 1 includes information processing terminals 10 a and 10 b (collectively referred to as information processing terminals 10 ), an edge server 20 and a WSUS (Windows Server Update Services) server 30 .

The edge server 20 and the WSUS server 30 are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network). The information processing terminals 10a and 10b are connected to the edge server 20 via wireless.
The information processing terminals 10a and 10b have the functions of the information processing apparatus 1 in FIG. 1, and are, for example, tablet terminals equipped with browsers used in business. The edge server 20 is a server-type edge computer that has the functions of the server device 2 in FIG. 1 and performs system operation management. The information processing terminals 10a and 10b and the edge server 20 are wirelessly connected to perform communication between the devices.

The WSUS server 30 is a server that distributes update programs for Windows (registered trademark) OS (Operating System). The WSUS server 30 distributes update programs to the information processing terminals 10 a and 10 b via the edge server 20 .

<Functional block>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of an information processing terminal and an edge server. The information processing terminal 10 has a control unit 11 and a storage unit 12 , and the edge server 20 has a control unit 21 and a storage unit 22 . The control unit 11 implements the function of the control unit 1a shown in FIG. 1, and the storage unit 12 implements the function of the storage unit 1b shown in FIG.

In information processing terminal 10, control unit 11 includes connection information reading unit 11a, wireless connection unit 11b, and setting file execution unit 11c. The connection information reading unit 11a reads connection information (SSID/password) for wireless connection with the edge server 20 from the external medium m1 when the external medium m1 is installed in the information processing terminal 10, and stores the connection information in the storage unit 12. store in

The wireless connection unit 11 b performs connection control for wirelessly connecting to the edge server 20 . In this case, the wireless connection unit 11b reads the connection information from the storage unit 12 and wirelessly connects to the edge server 20 based on the read connection information. Further, when the storage unit 12 stores access authority information, which will be described later, the wireless connection unit 11 b generates a connection request packet including the access authority information and transmits the connection request packet to the edge server 20 .

When the edge server 20 permits the wireless connection, the setting file executing unit 11c receives the setting file transmitted from the edge server 20 and sets the parameters of the functions described in the setting file. The storage unit 12 stores connection information, access authority information, and setting files transmitted from the edge server 20 .

In the edge server 20 , the control unit 21 performs connection control for wirelessly connecting to the information processing terminal 10 . For example, when the connection request packet transmitted from the information processing terminal 10 contains the access authority information, the control unit 21 returns a connection permission packet to the information processing terminal 10 to establish a wireless connection with the information processing terminal 10. .

Further, when receiving an access for wireless connection from the information processing terminal 10 , the control unit 21 transmits the setting file to the information processing terminal 10 . The storage unit 22 stores setting files to be transmitted to the information processing terminal 10 .

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing terminal. The information processing terminal 10 is entirely controlled by a processor (computer) 100 . The processor 100 has the functions of the control unit 11 .

A memory 101 , an input/output interface 102 and a network interface 104 are connected to the processor 100 via a bus 103 .
Processor 100 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 100 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or PLD (Programmable Logic Device). is. Processor 100 may also be a combination of two or more of CPU, FPGA, MPU, DSP, ASIC, and PLD.

The memory 101 has the function of the storage unit 12 and is used as the main storage device of the information processing terminal 10 . The memory 101 temporarily stores at least part of an OS program and application programs to be executed by the processor 100 . Various data required for processing by the processor 100 are stored in the memory 101 .

The memory 101 is also used as an auxiliary storage device of the information processing terminal 10, and stores OS programs, application programs, and various data. The memory 101 may include, as an auxiliary storage device, a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory or an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a magnetic recording medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

Peripheral devices connected to the bus 103 include an input/output interface 102 and a network interface 104 . The input/output interface 102 can be connected to an information input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and transmits signals sent from the information input device to the processor 100 . A display and a speaker are connected to the input/output interface 102 to output image/audio information.

Furthermore, the input/output interface 102 also functions as a communication interface for connecting peripheral devices. For example, the input/output interface 102 can be connected to an optical drive device that reads data recorded on an optical disc using a laser beam or the like. Optical discs include Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD-R (Recordable)/RW (Rewritable), and the like.

Also, the input/output interface 102 can connect a memory device and a memory reader/writer. The memory device is a recording medium equipped with a communication function with the input/output interface 102 . A memory reader/writer is a device that writes data to a memory card or reads data from a memory card. A memory card is a card-type recording medium.

A network interface 104 is connected to a network and controls the network interface. The network interface 104 can also use, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) card, or the like. Data received by network interface 104 is output to memory 101 and processor 100 .

The processing functions of the information processing terminal 10 can be realized by the hardware configuration as described above. For example, the information processing terminal 10 can perform the processing of the present invention by having the processors 100 each execute a predetermined program.

The information processing terminal 10 implements the processing functions of the present invention, for example, by executing a program recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. A program describing the processing content to be executed by the information processing terminal 10 can be recorded in various recording media.

For example, a program to be executed by the information processing terminal 10 can be stored in the auxiliary storage device. The processor 100 loads at least part of the program in the auxiliary storage device into the main storage device and executes the program.

It can also be recorded in a portable recording medium such as an optical disc, memory device, or memory card. A program stored in a portable recording medium can be executed after being installed in an auxiliary storage device under the control of the processor 100, for example. Alternatively, the processor 100 can read and execute the program directly from the portable recording medium. Note that the edge server 20 also includes a computer and can be realized by the same hardware as shown in FIG.

<Overall operation of information processing terminal>
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the overall operation of the information processing terminal.
[Step S<b>11 ] An external medium m<b>1 storing connection information for connecting to the edge server 20 is installed in the information processing terminal 10 . The connection information includes at least an SSID for identifying the edge server 20 and a password for connecting to the edge server 20 . Moreover, the external medium m1 can use, for example, a USB flash memory that can be inserted into and removed from the information processing terminal 10 .

[Step S12] The power button of the information processing terminal 10 is pressed, and the information processing terminal 10 is activated.
[Step S13] The control unit 11 of the information processing terminal 10 reads the connection information (SSID/password) from the external medium m1, and reads the area (BIOS area) to write the connection information.

[Step S14] The control unit 11 sets up the OS (opening operation). At this time, confirmation of the license to use the information processing terminal 10, creation of an account, and the like are performed.
[Step S15] When the OS of the information processing terminal 10 is activated (when the information processing terminal 10 is ready for use), the control unit 11 selects a connection target based on the connection information (SSID/password) stored in the BIOS area. is wirelessly connected to the edge server 20 of .

[Step S16] The setting file is transmitted from the edge server 20 to the information processing terminal 10 (the setting file is downloaded to the information processing terminal 10). The control unit 11 sets each function based on the setting file obtained from the edge server 20 .

As described above, the storage unit 12 has a BIOS area in which the BIOS program is stored, and the control unit 11 saves the connection information read from the external medium m1 in the BIOS area. As a result, after the OS is started, the connection information is also read by the control unit 11 along with the start of the BIOS program. becomes possible.

In addition, since the connection information is saved in the BIOS area, even if a failure occurs in a data storage unit (storage, etc.) that stores data other than the BIOS program, the connection information can be read out and the edge server 20 can be accessed. becomes possible.

<Contents of the configuration file>
A configuration file transmitted from the edge server 20 to the information processing terminal 10 will be described. The setting file contains at least one setting item for each function as follows.

(1) A function for accessing a network (external network such as the Internet) via the edge server 20 . The setting of this function corresponds to, for example, a proxy setting for the information processing terminal 10 to access the Internet via the edge server 20 when the edge server 20 becomes a proxy server.
(2) A function for performing HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) communication on a network. The setting of this function corresponds to, for example, the setting of winhttp.

(3) Functions related to OS program update. The setting of this function corresponds to, for example, a setting for specifying the location of an update service on an intranet (internal network), a setting for not connecting to Windows updates on the Internet, and a setting for turning off distribution optimization. Note that the distribution optimization off setting is a setting that makes it impossible to download update programs from other terminals in the same network.

(4) A function for installing electronic certificates. This function setting is for receiving from the edge server 20 an electronic certificate certifying permission to communicate with the edge server 20 and installing it in the information processing terminal 10 .

The setting file includes parameters for setting at least one of the functions (1) to (4) above. Since such a setting file is automatically set by the information processing terminal 10, it becomes unnecessary for the user to manually set each function, and work efficiency can be improved.

<Operation when reading connection information>
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation when the information processing terminal reads the connection information.
[Step S21] The control unit 11 reads the connection information (SSID/password) from the external medium m1 and writes it to the BIOS area where the BIOS program is stored.

[Step S22] After starting the OS of the information processing terminal 10, the control unit 11 reads the data (BIOS program and connection information) stored in the BIOS area.
[Step S23] The control unit 11 determines whether or not the connection information exists in the BIOS area. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S24, and if it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S25.

[Step S24] The control unit 11 wirelessly connects to a predetermined edge server 20 based on the connection information.
[Step S25] The controller 11 displays an error.

<Behavior when executing the configuration file>
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation when the information processing terminal executes the setting file.
[Step S31] A setting file is downloaded from the edge server 20 to the information processing terminal 10 to a predetermined storage area (local disk (C:), etc.) of the information processing terminal 10 .

[Step S32] The control unit 11 periodically monitors whether or not a setting file exists in a predetermined storage area. The control unit 11 can perform periodic monitoring by, for example, registering a monitoring process for checking the existence of a setting file in the task scheduler function. If the setting file exists in the predetermined storage area, the process proceeds to step S33, and if not, the process of step S32 is repeated to continue monitoring.

[Step S33] The control unit 11 executes parameter setting for each function based on the setting file.
[Step S34] The control unit 11 determines whether or not the parameter setting for each function based on the setting file has been performed normally. If all have been executed normally, the process proceeds to step S35, and if it is in the middle of execution, the process returns to step S33.

[Step S35] The control section 11 deletes the setting file from the predetermined storage area.
[Step S36] The control unit 11 deletes the registration of the monitoring process for checking the existence of the setting file by the task scheduler function.

<Permission to connect to a specific information processing terminal>
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing terminal when permitting connection to a specific information processing terminal.
[Step S<b>41 ] After the OS of the information processing terminal 10 is activated, the control section 11 reads access authority information from the storage section 12 .

The access authority information is information indicating authority to access the edge server 20 and perform communication within the information processing system 1-1. Only information processing terminals with access authority can access the edge server 20 and perform communication.

If a terminal manufactured by Company A is allowed to be used as an information processing terminal, for example, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) information indicating that the terminal is manufactured by Company A can be used as access authority information. The access authority information is stored in the BIOS area in which the BIOS program in the storage unit 12 is stored.

[Step S42] The control unit 11 determines whether or not access authority information exists in the BIOS area. If the access authority information exists, the process proceeds to step S43. If the access right information does not exist, the process ends (even if the edge server 20 is accessed, the connection is refused).
[Step S<b>43 ] When wirelessly connecting to the edge server 20 , the control unit 11 transmits a connection request packet including access authority information to the edge server 20 .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the edge server when permitting connection to a specific information processing terminal. An information processing terminal 10-1 is an authorized information processing terminal with communication authorization, and an information processing terminal 10-2 is an unauthorized information processing terminal without communication authorization.
[Step S51] The control unit 21 of the edge server 20 receives connection request packets transmitted from the information processing terminals 10-1 and 10-2.

[Step S52] The controller 21 determines whether or not the connection request packet contains access authority information. If the access authority information is not included, the process proceeds to step S53, and if the access authority information is included, the process proceeds to step S54.

[Step S53] The control unit 21 rejects the connection of the information processing terminal 10-2 that has transmitted the connection request packet that does not contain the access authority information.
[Step S54] The control unit 21 returns a connection permission packet to the information processing terminal 10-1 that transmitted the connection request packet containing the access authority information, and permits the wireless connection of the information processing terminal 10-1.

In this manner, the storage unit 12 stores access authority information for obtaining connection permission to the edge server 20 . Then, when connecting to the edge server 20 based on the connection information, the control unit 11 generates a connection request packet including the access authority information and transmits it to the edge server 20, and the edge server 20 returns a connection permission packet. In this case, the edge server 20 is wirelessly connected. As a result, even if an unauthorized information processing terminal is connected to the information processing system 1-1, the connection to the edge server 20 can be refused.

The access authority information is stored in the BIOS area in the storage unit 12 where the BIOS program is stored. As a result, after the OS is activated, the access authority information is also read by the control unit 11 along with the activation of the BIOS program. A wireless connection can be automatically initiated to the server 20 .

In addition, since the access authority information is saved in the BIOS area, even if a failure occurs in the data storage unit (storage, etc.) that stores data other than the BIOS program, the access authority information is read and a connection request packet is generated. Then, the edge server 20 can be accessed.

The processing functions of the information processing apparatus 1 and the information processing terminal 10 of the present invention described above can be realized by a computer. In this case, a program describing the processing contents of the functions that the information processing apparatus 1 and the information processing terminal 10 should have is provided. By executing the program on a computer, the above processing functions are realized on the computer.

A program describing the processing content can be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include a magnetic storage unit, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The magnetic storage unit includes a hard disk device (HDD), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, and the like. Optical disks include CD-ROM/RW and the like. Magneto-optical recording media include MO (Magneto Optical disk) and the like.

When distributing a program, for example, portable recording media such as CD-ROMs on which the program is recorded are sold. It is also possible to store the program in the storage unit of the server computer and transfer the program from the server computer to another computer via the network.

A computer that executes a program stores, for example, a program recorded on a portable recording medium or a program transferred from a server computer in its own storage unit. Then, the computer reads the program from its own storage unit and executes processing according to the program. The computer can also read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program.

In addition, the computer can also execute processing according to the received program every time the program is transferred from a server computer connected via a network. At least part of the processing functions described above can also be realized by electronic circuits such as DSPs, ASICs, and PLDs.

Although the embodiment has been exemplified above, the configuration of each part shown in the embodiment can be replaced with another one having the same function. Also, any other components or steps may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) of the above-described embodiments may be combined.

1 information processing device 1a control unit 1b storage unit 2 server device m1 external medium

Claims (6)

a storage unit;
When an external medium storing connection information for connecting to a server device is installed, the connection information is read from the external medium when power is turned on, the read connection information is saved in the storage unit, and the storage unit stores the connection information. It connects to the server device based on the connection information read from the unit, receives a setting file transmitted from the server device, and executes parameter setting for the function described in the setting file for the own device. a control unit;
Information processing device having 2. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit has a BIOS area in which a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program is stored, and the control unit stores the connection information read from the external medium in the BIOS area. information processing equipment. The configuration file relates to functions for accessing a network via the server device, functions for performing HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) communication on the network, and updating OS (Operating System) programs. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the parameter for setting at least one of the function and the function for installing an electronic certificate. The storage unit stores access authority information for receiving connection permission from the server device,
When connecting to the server device based on the connection information, the control unit generates a connection request packet including the access authority information, transmits the connection request packet to the server device, and connects from the server device. connecting to the server device when a permission packet is returned;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the storage unit has a BIOS area in which a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program is stored, and the access authority information is stored in the BIOS area. to the computer,
When an external medium storing connection information for connecting to the server device is installed,
reading the connection information from the external medium when power is turned on;
storing the read connection information in a memory;
connecting to the server device based on the connection information read from the memory;
receiving a setting file transmitted from the server device, and setting parameters for the functions described in the setting file to the own device;
A program that causes an action to take place.

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