Resource distribution system and program

Abstract

To improve the efficiency of resource distribution. [Solution] The resource distribution system 1 has terminal groups g-1, ..., gn and a server device 10, and the terminal groups g-1, ..., gn and the server device 10 are connected via a network N1. Terminal group g-1 includes terminals 2-1, ..., 2-m, and terminal group gn includes terminals 3-1, ..., 3-m. The server device 10 includes a storage unit 11a and a control unit 12. The storage unit 11a stores resources to be distributed to terminals 2-1, ..., 2-n, 3-1, ..., 3-n. The control unit 12 collects usage records for each function of the terminals and determines the terminal group priority of terminal groups g-1, ..., gn to which resources should be distributed based on the usage records.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a resource allocation system and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In a system for allocating resources such as programs and data to terminals connected by a network, terminals to be resource-allocated are specified by a user, and resources are allocated to the specified terminals.

[0003] As related technologies, for example, a technique for determining a firmware distribution destination from among combinations of image forming apparatuses capable of distributing all types of firmware and suppressing the number of distribution destinations has been proposed (Patent Document 1). Also, a technique for prioritizing non-idle clients and distributing data in order from clients with high priority when performing unicast distribution of distribution data has been proposed (Patent Document 2). Furthermore, a technique for restricting program distribution to mobile terminals present in a wireless LAN area based on the communication status has been proposed (Patent Document 3). Still further, a technique for detecting the execution order of component classifications from the execution results and classification results of software components, detecting software components based on the classification results and execution order, and outputting them to the source of use has been proposed (Patent Document 4).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, with conventional systems, when distributing urgent programs or data resources to terminals for bug fixes or other issues, users have to identify and specify which terminals should receive the resources preferentially, which presents a problem of time-consuming preparation.

[0006] Furthermore, if terminals with different versions are mixed within a group due to configuration or environmental conditions, managing tasks such as determining which version of the terminal to distribute resources to becomes complicated, leading to increased administrative support effort.

[0007] In one aspect, the present invention aims to provide a resource distribution system and program that improves the efficiency of resource distribution. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, a resource distribution system is provided. The resource distribution system comprises a server device which includes a group of terminals, a storage unit that stores resources to be distributed to terminals belonging to the terminal group, and a control unit that collects usage records for each function of the terminal and determines the priority of the terminal group to which resources should be distributed based on the usage records.

[0009] Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, a program is provided that causes a computer to perform the same control as the server device described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] From one perspective, it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of resource distribution. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a resource distribution system. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a situation where a group of terminals contains multiple terminals with different versions of a predetermined function. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a resource allocation system. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a server device. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of a resource allocation system. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart showing a first example of an operation for selecting a terminal that is a resource allocation candidate from among a plurality of terminals. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing a second example of an operation for selecting a terminal that is a resource allocation candidate from among a plurality of terminals. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a resource allocation system. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a table. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a group table. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device information table. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a function information table. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a function usage history table. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an allocated resource table. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an allocation result table. [Figure 16] It is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for collecting usage results in a server device. [Figure 17] It is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for collecting usage results in an ATM. [Figure 18] It is a flowchart showing an example of registering an allocated resource in a client device. [Figure 19] It is a flowchart showing an example of registering an allocated resource in a server device. [Figure 20] It is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for allocating resources to an ATM. [Figure 21]This flowchart shows an example of how resources are distributed to an ATM. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] This embodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings. Note that elements having substantially the same function in this specification and the drawings may be denoted by the same reference numerals, thus omitting redundant explanations.

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a resource distribution system, and Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which multiple terminals with different versions of predetermined functions are mixed together in a terminal group. Resource distribution system 1 has terminal groups g-1, ..., gn and server device 10, and terminal groups g-1, ..., gn and server device 10 are connected via network N1. Note that terminal groups g-1, ..., gn each correspond to a group or organization containing multiple terminals.

[0014] Terminal groups g-1, ..., and gn each contain multiple terminals. Terminal group g-1 contains terminals 2-1, ..., and 2-m, while terminal group gn contains terminals 3-1, ..., and 3-m. Furthermore, a terminal group may contain multiple terminals with different versions of predetermined functions.

[0015] In the example shown in Figure 2, terminals 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, which belong to terminal group g-1, have version 10 A functionality, while terminal 2-3 has version 11 A functionality. Furthermore, if terminals 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 belong to terminal group g-2, terminal 3-2 has version 10 A functionality, while terminals 3-1 and 3-3 have version 11 A functionality.

[0016] On the other hand, the server device 10 includes a storage unit 11a and a control unit 12. The storage unit 11a includes a terminal group configuration DB (database) 11a1, a usage history DB 11a2, and a resource distribution DB 11a3.

[0017] The terminal group configuration DB 11a1 stores information about the configuration of terminal groups and the terminals belonging to those groups. The usage history DB 11a2 stores information about the functions that each terminal has and the usage history of those functions. The resource distribution DB 11a3 stores information about resources (programs, data, files, etc.) to be distributed. The functions of the control unit 12 can be realized, for example, by a processor (not shown) provided in the server device 10 executing a predetermined program.

[0018] [Step S1] The terminal group configuration DB11a1 stores configuration information for terminal groups g-1, ..., gn and terminals belonging to terminal groups g-1, ..., gn that distribute resources via network N1.

[0019] [Step S2] The resource distribution DB11a3 stores the resources to be distributed to terminals belonging to terminal group g-1, ..., gn. [Step S3] The control unit 12 collects usage data for each function of the terminal. For example, if terminal 2-1 in terminal group g-1 has functions A, B, and C, the control unit 12 collects usage data for each of functions A, B, and C. Usage data may include, for example, the date and time when a particular function was used, or the frequency of use of a particular function over a certain period.

[0020] [Step S4] The usage record DB11a2 stores the usage records for each function of the collected terminals. [Step S5] The control unit 12 determines the priority of the group of terminals to which resources corresponding to the predetermined function of the terminal will be distributed, based on the usage history. For example, if the predetermined function is function A, the priority of the group of terminals to which resources corresponding to function A will be distributed is determined.

[0021] [Step S6] The control unit 12 distributes resources to the corresponding terminal group based on the determined terminal group priority. In this way, the resource distribution system 1 determines the priority of the terminal group to which resources corresponding to the terminal's specified function should be distributed, based on the usage history of each terminal function. This eliminates the need for users to prepare distribution priorities in advance, and even when terminals of different versions are mixed within a terminal group, the priority is determined on a terminal group basis and resources are distributed accordingly, reducing the complexity of management support and improving the efficiency of resource distribution.

[0022] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of a resource distribution system. The resource distribution system 1 has a group of terminals g-1, ..., gn, a client device 40, and a server device 10, and the terminals g-1, ..., gn and the server device 10 are connected via a network N1. The client device 40 is connected to the server device 10 and provides a user interface for controlling the server device 10 through user operation. The client device 40 and the server device 10 may be connected via a wired or wireless network.

[0023] Figure 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a server device. The server device 10 is controlled as a whole by a processor 101 which has the functions of a control unit 12. The processor 101 is connected to memory 102 and several peripheral devices via bus 109. The processor 101 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 101 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). At least some of the functions that the processor 101 implements by executing a program may be implemented by electronic circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device).

[0024] Memory 102 is used as the main memory of the server device 10. Memory 102 temporarily stores at least a portion of the OS (Operating System) program and application programs that are to be executed by the processor 101. Memory 102 also stores various data used for processing by the processor 101. For memory 102, a volatile semiconductor memory device such as RAM (Random Access Memory) is used.

[0025] Peripheral devices connected to bus 109 include a storage device 103, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 104, an input interface 105, an optical drive device 106, a device connection interface 107, and a network interface 108.

[0026] The storage device 103 has the function of the memory unit 11a and performs electrical or magnetic writing and reading of data to and from its built-in recording medium. The storage device 103 is used as an auxiliary storage device for the server device 10. The storage device 103 stores the OS program, application programs, and various data. For example, the storage device 103 can be an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

[0027] The GPU104 is a processing unit that performs image processing and is also called a graphics controller. The display 201 is connected to the GPU104. The GPU104 displays images on the screen of the display 201 according to instructions from the processor 101.

[0028] The input interface 105 is connected to a keyboard 202 and a mouse 203. The input interface 105 transmits signals from the keyboard 202 and mouse 203 to the processor 101. Note that the mouse 203 is just one example of a pointing device; other pointing devices can also be used. Other pointing devices include touch panels, tablets, touchpads, and trackballs.

[0029] The optical drive device 106 uses laser light or the like to read data recorded on the optical disc 204 or write data to the optical disc 204. The optical disc 204 is a portable recording medium on which data is recorded in a way that makes it readable by the reflection of light. Examples of optical discs 204 include DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), DVD-RAM, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), and CD-R (Recordable) / RW (Re-Writable).

[0030] The device connection interface 107 is a communication interface for connecting peripheral devices to the server device 10. For example, a memory device 205 and a memory reader / writer 206 can be connected to the device connection interface 107. The memory device 205 is a recording medium equipped with a communication function with the device connection interface 107. The memory reader / writer 206 is a device that writes data to or reads data from the memory card 207. The memory card 207 is a card-type recording medium.

[0031] The network interface 108 is connected to network N1. The network interface 108 transmits and receives data to and from other computers or communication terminals via network N1. The network interface 108 is a wired communication interface, connected by cable to a wired communication device such as a switch or router. Alternatively, the network interface 108 may be a wireless communication interface, connected by radio waves to a wireless communication device such as an access point.

[0032] The server device 10 can realize the processing functions of the present invention through the hardware described above. The server device 10 realizes the processing functions of the present invention by executing a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, for example. The program describing the processing content to be executed by the server device 10 can be recorded on various recording media.

[0033] For example, a program to be executed by the server device 10 can be stored in the storage device 103. The processor 101 loads at least a portion of the program in the storage device 103 into the memory 102 and executes the program. Alternatively, a program to be executed by the server device 10 can be recorded on a portable recording medium such as an optical disc 204, a memory device 205, or a memory card 207. A program stored on a portable recording medium can be installed in the storage device 103, for example, under control from the processor 101, and then become executable. The processor 101 can also directly read and execute a program from the portable recording medium.

[0034] Next, the operation of the resource distribution system in this embodiment will be explained in detail. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the resource distribution system. It is assumed that terminal groups g-1 and g-2 are connected to network N1 as terminal groups. Furthermore, terminals 2-1 and 2-2 belonging to terminal group g-1 each have function A, function B, and function C, and terminals 3-1 and 3-2 belonging to terminal group g-2 each have function A, function B, and function C. It is also assumed that configuration information for terminal groups g-1 and g-2 and terminals 2-1, 2-2, 3-1, and 3-2 is already stored in terminal group configuration DB 11a1.

[0035] [Step S11] The client device 40 registers the resources to be distributed to the server device 10 based on the user's operation. Information on which function of the terminal the resource is related to is also registered with the server device 10 along with the resources to be distributed.

[0036] [Step S12] The control unit 12 stores the resources transmitted from the client device 40 in the resource distribution DB 11a3 along with a function identifier c1 indicating that they are related to a predetermined function of the terminal. Here, the resources to be distributed are related to function A (therefore, function identifier c1 indicates that it is function A).

[0037] [Step S13] Since the function identifier c1 of the resource to be distributed is function A, the control unit 12 collects the usage record of function A from terminals 2-1, 2-2, 3-1, and 3-2. In this example, the usage record is the date and time when function A was used.

[0038] Here, the usage date and time for function A on terminal 2-1 is set to 2024 / 10 / 1, and the usage date and time for function A on terminal 2-2 is set to 2024 / 8 / 20. Similarly, the usage date and time for function A on terminal 3-1 is set to 2024 / 9 / 30, and the usage date and time for function A on terminal 3-2 is set to 2024 / 9 / 20. Therefore, the control unit 12 collects these usage dates and times as usage records.

[0039] [Step S14] The control unit 12 stores the collected usage data in the usage data DB 11a2. [Step S15] The control unit 12 determines the priority of the terminal group to which the resources will be distributed. Here, it is assumed that the more recent the date and time the predetermined function was used, the higher the usage record. In this example, since function A of terminal 2-1 was used most recently, terminal 2-1 has the highest usage record. Therefore, the control unit 12 determines that terminal group g-1 (the first terminal group), to which terminal 2-1, which has the highest usage record among terminal groups g-1 and g-2, belongs, is the highest priority destination for resource distribution.

[0040] [Step S16] The control unit 12 stores the destination of the terminal group g-1, which is the highest priority distribution destination, and the resources to be distributed in the resource distribution DB 11a3. [Step S17] The control unit 12 distributes resources to terminal group g-1.

[0041] In the above, the date and time of use of a specified function was used as the usage record, and the more recent the date and time of use, the higher the usage record. However, it is also possible to use the frequency of use of a specified function as the usage record, and the more frequently it is used, the higher the usage record. In this case, for example, if terminal 3-1 is the terminal with the highest frequency of use of function A among terminals 2-1, 2-2, 3-1, and 3-2, then terminal group g-2, to which terminal 3-1 belongs, will be determined as the highest priority recipient of resources.

[0042] Furthermore, the average frequency of use of a given function may be used as the usage record, and the higher the average frequency of use, the higher the usage record. In this case, for example, if the average frequency of use of function A for terminals 2-1 and 2-2 is higher than the average frequency of use of function A for terminals 3-1 and 3-2, then terminal group g-1, to which terminals 2-1 and 2-2 belong, will be determined as the highest priority recipient of resources.

[0043] Next, we will explain how to select terminals that will be candidates for resource distribution from among multiple terminals belonging to the group of terminals that have been determined to be the highest priority distribution destinations. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the first example of the operation for selecting terminals that will be candidates for resource distribution from among multiple terminals.

[0044] [Step S21] The control unit 12 determines the terminal group to which resources will be distributed with the highest priority (the terminal group with the highest terminal priority). The terminal group to which resources related to function A will be distributed with the highest priority is set as terminal group g-1, and terminal group g-1 includes terminals 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, which have different versions of function A. In addition, terminal group g-1 includes terminals 2-4 and 2-5, which have functions other than function A.

[0045] [Step S22] The control unit 12 checks the usage status of a predetermined function (function A) in terminal group g-1. [Step S23] The control unit 12 selects terminals that are candidates for resource distribution based on the usage status. For example, if the number of terminals that have used resources related to function A during a predetermined period is equal to or greater than a predetermined value of the number of terminals belonging to terminal group g-1, all terminals that have used resources related to function A are selected as candidates for resource distribution.

[0046] [Step S24] The control unit 12 distributes resources to terminals that are candidates for resource distribution. As a concrete example in Figure 6, let's set the predetermined period to the past week and the predetermined value to 50%. In this case, if three terminals, 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, used resources related to function A in the past week, this would mean that more than 50% of the total number of terminals (5 terminals) belonging to terminal group g-1 were used.

[0047] Therefore, the control unit 12 distributes resources to all terminals 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3, which belong to terminal group g-1, the terminal group with the highest terminal priority, and each has a different version of the A function. Also, if only terminal 2-1 used resources related to the A function in the past week, this does not exceed 50% of the total number of terminals (5 terminals) belonging to terminal group g-1, so in this case, resources are distributed only to terminal 2-1.

[0048] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a second example of the operation in which terminals are selected from among multiple terminals to be candidates for resource distribution. [Step S31] The control unit 12 determines the terminal group to be distributed to with the highest priority (the terminal group with the highest terminal priority). The terminal group to be distributed to with the highest priority is designated as terminal group g-1.

[0049] [Step S32] The control unit 12 checks the bandwidth of the resources related to the predetermined function to be distributed to terminal group g-1. [Step S33] The control unit 12 selects terminals to be candidates for resource distribution based on the calculated bandwidth. For example, from among the multiple terminals belonging to terminal group g-1, it selects a number of terminals that satisfy the remaining bandwidth obtained by subtracting the second bandwidth required for resource distribution from the first bandwidth reserved for communication with terminal group g-1 as terminals to be candidates for resource distribution.

[0050] [Step S34] The control unit 12 distributes resources to the terminals that are candidates for resource distribution. As a specific example in Figure 7, if we assume that the first bandwidth reserved for communication with terminal group g-1 is 10, and the second bandwidth for resources related to function A distributed to terminal group g-1 is 2, then the remaining bandwidth is 8. Furthermore, terminal group g-1 includes terminals 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4, each having a different version of function A, and each terminal has a communication bandwidth of 2.

[0051] In this case, the sum of the communication bandwidths of the four terminals 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4 satisfies the remaining bandwidth of 8, so all terminals 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, and 2-4, each possessing a different version of A functionality, become candidates for resource distribution.

[0052] Furthermore, if terminal group g-1 includes terminals 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, and 2-5, each possessing a different version of the A function, the remaining bandwidth will exceed 8. Therefore, four of the five terminals 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, and 2-5 will be selected as candidates for resource allocation.

[0053] Next, we will describe the configuration and operation of the resource distribution system of this embodiment when applied to a system where automated teller machines (ATMs), such as those widely used in financial institutions, are deployed.

[0054] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of a resource distribution system. The resource distribution system 1-1 has branch A and branch B, which correspond to terminal groups, a client device 40, and a server device 10b, and branch A and branch B and server device 10b are connected via network N1.

[0055] The server device 10b comprises a storage unit 11b and a control unit 12. The storage unit 11b includes a group DB 11b1, an equipment information DB 11b2, a function information DB 11b3, a function usage history DB 11b4, a distributed resource DB 11b5, and a distributed result DB 11b6.

[0056] Furthermore, the group DB11b1 and device information DB11b2 correspond to the terminal group configuration DB11a1 shown in Figure 1, the function information DB11b3 and function usage history DB11b4 correspond to the usage record DB11a2 shown in Figure 1, and the distributed resource DB11b5 and distribution result DB11b6 correspond to the resource distribution DB11a3 shown in Figure 1.

[0057] On the other hand, Branch A is equipped with ATMs (ATM-A01), ATM (ATM-A02), ... which are equivalent to terminals. Branch B is equipped with ATMs (ATM-B01), ATM (ATM-B02), ... which are equivalent to terminals. In addition, each ATM has a set of business functions, which include withdrawal, deposit, and balance inquiry functions.

[0058] Figure 9 shows an example of a table data structure. The group table T1 is stored in the group DB11b1, and the equipment information table T2 is stored in the equipment information DB11b2. The function information table T3 is stored in the function information DB11b3, and the function usage history table T4 is stored in the function usage history DB11b4. In addition, the distributed resource table T5 is stored in the distributed resource DB11b5, and the distribution result table T6 is stored in the distribution result DB11b6.

[0059] Meanwhile, detailed attribute information from group table T1 is registered in device information table T2. Additionally, detailed attribute information from device information table T2 and function information table T3 is registered in function usage history table T4 and distributed resource table T5.

[0060] Figure 10 shows an example of the structure of a group table. Group table T1 is a table that manages the locations where the equipment subject to resource distribution is installed. Group table T1 has attributes such as group ID and group name. As an example of the registered content, for group ID=1, the group name is Branch A. In other words, it is registered that the group with group ID=1 is Branch A.

[0061] Figure 11 shows an example of the configuration of the device information table. The device information table T2 is a table that manages the devices to which resources are distributed. The device information table T2 has attributes such as device ID, group ID, and device name. As an example of the registered contents, for device ID=1, the group ID is 1 and the device name is ATM-A01. In other words, it is registered that the name of the device with device ID=1 belonging to group ID=1 is ATM-A01.

[0062] Figure 12 shows an example of the structure of a function information table. Function information table T3 is a table that manages functions used in business operations. Function information table T3 has attributes such as function ID and function name. As an example of registered content, for function ID=1, the function name is "withdrawal". In other words, it is registered that the function for function ID=1 is a withdrawal operation.

[0063] Figure 13 shows an example of the structure of a function usage history table. Function usage history table T4 is a table that manages the function usage status of equipment to which resources are distributed. Function usage history table T4 has attributes such as ID, affiliated group ID, equipment ID, function ID, and usage date and time.

[0064] As an example of registration details, for ID=1, the following information is recorded: Group ID=1, Device ID=1, Function ID=1, and Usage Date and Time=2024 / 11 / 5 10:10. In other words, the function with Function ID=1 on the device with Device ID=1, which belongs to Group ID=1, is registered to have been used on 2024 / 11 / 5 10:10.

[0065] Figure 14 shows an example of the configuration of a distribution resource table. Distribution resource table T5 is a table that manages distribution resources. Distribution resource table T5 has attributes such as ID, distribution resource, version, function ID, and distribution method.

[0066] As an example of the registration details, for ID=1, the distribution resource is file00, version is V01L10, function ID is 1, and distribution method is individual. In other words, it is registered that the resource file00 (version: V01L10) corresponding to function ID=1 will be distributed individually to each device.

[0067] Figure 15 shows an example of the structure of the distribution results table. The distribution results table T6 is a table that manages the distribution date and time and distribution status of resources. The distribution results table T6 has attributes such as ID, group ID, device ID, distributed resource, version, distribution date and time, distribution status, and application date.

[0068] As an example of registration details, for ID=1, the following information is recorded: Group ID=1, Device ID=1, Distributed Resource=file00, Version=V01L10, Distribution Date and Time=2024 / 11 / 18 10:10, Distribution Status=Completed, Application Date=2024 / 11 / 18 10:12. In other words, resource file00 (version: V01L10) was distributed to the device with Device ID=1 belonging to Group ID=1 on 2024 / 11 / 18 10:10, the distribution status is completed, and it is registered that the resource was applied on 2024 / 11 / 18 10:12.

[0069] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation for collecting usage data on a server device. [Step S41] When the control unit 12 of the server device 10b receives a usage notification from the ATM, it stores the usage information in the function usage history table T4. The control unit 12 repeats the process in step S41 while waiting for a request from the client device 40.

[0070] Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process for collecting usage data at an ATM. [Step S51] When the ATM receives a usage notification from the business function group, it notifies the server device 10b of the usage information received from the business function group. The ATM then repeats the process in step S51 while waiting for requests from the business function group.

[0071] Figure 18 is a flowchart showing an example of resource registration in a client device. [Step S61] When a user registers a distribution resource, the client device 40 registers information about the distribution resource with the server device 10b. This information includes, for example, the resource to be distributed, the version of the resource, as well as a function identifier and a method for distributing the resource.

[0072] Figure 19 is a flowchart showing an example of resource registration in a server device. [Step S71] When the control unit 12 of the server device 10b receives a request for distribution resource registration from the client device 40, it registers the information about the distribution resource received from the client device 40 in the distribution resource table T5. The control unit 12 repeats the process in step S71 while waiting for a request from the client device 40.

[0073] Figures 20 and 21 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the resource distribution process to an ATM. [Step S81] The control unit 12 recognizes the distribution method for the resources to be distributed. If the resource distribution method is to be individual distribution, the process proceeds to step S82; if the resource distribution method is to be group distribution, the process proceeds to step S86.

[0074] [Step S82] The control unit 12 determines whether the resource distribution method of the target ATMs registered in the device information table T2 is group distribution. If the resource distribution method of the target ATM is group distribution, the control unit 12 makes the same determination for other ATMs registered in the device information table T2. If the resource distribution method of the target ATM is not group distribution (i.e., it is individual distribution), the control unit 12 proceeds to the process in step S83.

[0075] [Step S83] The control unit 12 obtains the number of times the target function related to the resource to be distributed has been used among the functions that the target ATM has, based on the function usage history table T4. Note that the processing from step S82 to step S83 is performed for each ATM registered in the device information table T2.

[0076] [Step S84] The control unit 12 sorts the ATMs in descending order of the number of times the target function related to the resource to be distributed is used. That is, ATMs that have been used more frequently are given a higher priority and are sorted in descending order of priority.

[0077] [Step S85] The control unit 12 registers the ATMs in the distribution result table T6 in the sorted order of the ATM machine IDs. [Step S86] The control unit 12 extracts the number of ATMs belonging to the resource distribution target group based on the device information table T2.

[0078] [Step S87] The control unit 12 obtains the number of ATMs that meet predetermined conditions from the extracted number of ATMs based on the function usage history table T4. The conditions are met when an ATM is registered in the group to which resources are distributed and the number of times the function corresponding to the distributed resource is used is equal to or greater than a standard value.

[0079] Furthermore, the phrase "the number of uses of a function corresponding to a distributed resource exceeds the standard value" refers to the number of uses within a specified period that exceeds the base value. For example, if the number of uses of a function corresponding to a distributed resource is 10 or more within a week, that number of uses will be considered to be above the standard value.

[0080] [Step S88] The control unit 12 determines whether the number of ATMs that meet the conditions within the group exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 50%). If it exceeds the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S89. If it does not exceed the predetermined value, the same determination is made for the other groups registered in the group table T1.

[0081] [Step S89] The control unit 12 registers all ATMs registered in the target group in the distribution result table T6. Note that the processes from steps S86 to S89 are performed for each group registered in the group table T1. Once the processes from steps S86 to S89 are completed, the process proceeds to step S82.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in steps S83 and S84, the control unit 12 has a function to further determine the priority (corresponding to terminal priority) of the ATMs to which resources should be allocated based on the usage history of each ATM. Then, as shown in the process from step S89 to step S82, the control unit 12 determines the group with the highest priority, and then determines the priority of which ATMs should receive resources from among the multiple ATMs belonging to that group.

[0083] As described above, this embodiment is configured to determine the priority of terminal groups to which resources corresponding to a predetermined function of a terminal should be distributed, based on the usage history of each terminal function. This makes it possible to distribute resources to each group or organization, even if the group or organization has terminals of different versions, thereby reducing the effort required for management and support. Furthermore, because the priority of terminals to which resources should be distributed is determined, even when distributing resources that require urgent attention, such as for bug fixes, it eliminates the need for workers to keep track of individual terminals that are priority recipients, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0084] The processing functions of the server device described above can be implemented by a computer. In this case, a program describing the processing content of the functions that the server device should have is provided. By executing this program on a computer, the above processing functions are realized on the computer.

[0085] A program describing the processing steps can be stored on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include magnetic storage devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, and semiconductor memory. Magnetic storage devices include hard disk drives (HDDs), flexible disks (FDs), and magnetic tapes. Optical disks include CD-ROMs / RWs. Magneto-optical recording media include MOs (Magneto Optical disks).

[0086] When distributing a program, for example, portable recording media such as CD-ROMs containing the program are sold. Alternatively, the program can be stored in the memory of a server computer and transferred from the server computer to other computers via a network.

[0087] A computer executing a program stores the program, for example, on a portable storage medium or transferred from a server computer, in its own memory. The computer then reads the program from its memory and executes the processing according to the program. Alternatively, the computer can directly read the program from the portable storage medium and execute the processing according to that program.

[0088] Furthermore, a computer can sequentially execute processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred from a server computer connected via a network. Also, at least some of the above processing functions can be implemented using electronic circuits such as DSPs, ASICs, and PLDs.

[0089] Although embodiments have been illustrated above, the configurations of each part shown in the embodiments can be replaced with others having similar functions. Furthermore, other arbitrary components or processes may be added. Moreover, any two or more configurations (features) from the embodiments described above may be combined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1. Resource Distribution System 10 Server devices 11a Storage section 11a1 Terminal Group Configuration Database 11a2 Usage History Database 11a3 Resource Distribution DB 12 Control Unit g-1, ..., gn terminal group 2-1, ..., 2-m, 3-1, ..., 3-m terminal N1 Network

Claims

1. Multiple terminals and A server device comprising: a storage unit for storing resources to be distributed to terminals belonging to the aforementioned group of terminals; and a control unit that collects usage records for each function of the terminals and determines the terminal group priority for the distribution of resources to the aforementioned group of terminals based on the usage records; A resource distribution system having [a certain feature].

2. The resource distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the group of terminals includes a mixture of multiple terminals having different versions of predetermined functions.

3. The resource distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the storage unit stores the resource along with a function identifier indicating that the resource is related to the predetermined function of the terminal.

4. The resource distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines the first group of terminals with the highest usage record among the plurality of terminal groups as the highest priority destination for the resources.

5. The resource distribution system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit determines the first terminal group with the highest usage record to be any of the following: the terminal group that includes the terminal that was used most recently, the terminal group that includes the terminal with the highest usage frequency, or the terminal group with the highest average usage frequency of multiple terminals belonging to the terminal group.

6. The resource distribution system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit distributes the resources to all of the multiple first terminals having different versions of the predetermined function when the first terminal group contains a mixture of multiple first terminals having different versions of the predetermined function, if the proportion of the number of first terminals used is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

7. The resource distribution system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit distributes the resources to a number of first terminals belonging to the first terminal group that satisfies the remaining bandwidth obtained by subtracting the second bandwidth required for resource distribution from the first bandwidth reserved for communication with the first terminal group.

8. The resource distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further determines the terminal priority of the terminal to which the resources are to be distributed based on the usage record of each terminal.

9. The resource distribution system according to claim 8, wherein the control unit detects the first terminal group with the highest terminal group priority and determines the terminal priority for the terminals belonging to the first terminal group.

10. On the computer, The resources to be distributed to terminals belonging to multiple terminal groups are stored in the memory unit. The usage data for each function of the aforementioned terminal is collected, and the priority of the terminal group for the distribution of the aforementioned resources is determined based on the usage data. A program that executes a process.

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