File distribution system, cloud device, and file distribution program

Abstract

To provide a file distribution system that can prevent redoing of reception of a file when a terminal device moves across different networks and allows file distribution to be quickly performed.SOLUTION: A system distributes a file of a cloud device to a terminal device (personal computer) in which: a distribution processing unit, when receiving a transmission request from a distribution target device, transmits a file in a storage unit to the distribution target device; a notification unit, when receiving an inquiry from the other distribution target device, selects a distribution completion device at a location to which another distribution target device belongs from the target storage unit and transmits access information to the distribution completion device to the other distribution target device; the notification unit, when receiving the inquiry again from the other distribution target device in a case where the other distribution target device is moved to a different location while receiving a file, selects the distribution completion device at a location being a transfer destination to which the other distribution target device belongs from the target storage unit, and transmits the access information to the distribution completion device to the other distribution target device; and the other distribution target device receives the remainder of the file from the distribution completion device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a file distribution system, and more particularly to a file distribution system for distributing files from a cloud to all terminal devices at multiple bases. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when distributing files from cloud storage via the Internet, if all of the terminal devices to which the files are distributed retrieved the files from the Internet, the distribution of the files could take a long time depending on the level of Internet congestion. To solve these problems, methods have already been proposed in which a file is distributed via the Internet to one terminal device within a network, such as within a company, and then the file is sent directly from this terminal device to other terminal devices within the network.

[0003] Incidentally, as described in Patent Document 1, when transmitting a large file, it is possible to shorten the overall time required for transmission to all terminal devices within a network by dividing the file and transmitting it. However, when a file is divided and transmitted, it often happens that a portion of the file cannot be received. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-47788 [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-53558 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2002-124945 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2018-55332 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Specifically, for example, while receiving a file from a network terminal device located in Tokyo to one's own terminal device, it may become necessary to travel to another prefecture or the like with one's own terminal device. In this case, the user is unable to properly use the file being received on his / her own terminal device during the business trip, and is forced to receive the file again after returning to Tokyo, which is a problem.

[0006] Therefore, the inventor conducted intensive research and discovered that it is possible to distribute files more efficiently by distributing a file via the Internet to a terminal device in another network located in another prefecture, etc., and then enabling a terminal device that has completed file distribution in that network to directly receive the remainder of the file from the terminal device that is currently receiving the file.

[0007] Here, Patent Document 2 discloses a distribution system that includes a plurality of clients that can communicate with each other and a server that distributes files in response to distribution requests from each client, and when the server receives a request for distribution of an arbitrary file from each client, it selects the client to which the arbitrary file has been distributed as a proxy server based on distribution history information including files that have already been distributed to the plurality of clients and route information of the plurality of clients to which the file is to be distributed, and transmits the route information of the proxy server to each client that has notified it of the distribution request, and each client transmits a distribution request for an arbitrary file held by the proxy server to the proxy server based on the route information transmitted from the server.

[0008] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a system device that selects one representative client machine capable of receiving a distribution file from among a plurality of client machines for each subnet group, and sequentially multiplexes and distributes the distribution file to all the selected representative client machines at a degree of data multiplicity not exceeding the maximum allowable data multiplicity in the server transmission path, while each representative client machine in each subnet group distributes the distribution file received from the delivery server to the remaining client machines in the subnet group.

[0009] However, the systems described in these documents are not capable of solving the above-mentioned problems that arise when a file is divided and part of it cannot be received when it is sent, and they do not make it possible to prevent the need to re-receive a file when a terminal device moves across different networks.

[0010] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 discloses a file distribution system having a function for dividing a file to be attached to a destination when a file in a table format is sent by operating a terminal device. However, this system also does not make it possible to prevent the re-reception of a file when a terminal device moves across different networks.

[0011] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a file distribution system developed by the present inventor, and as described above, proposes dividing a file in this system. However, this document does not disclose a configuration that can prevent the need to receive a file again when a terminal device moves across different networks.

[0012] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a file distribution system, a cloud device, and a file distribution program that can reduce the delivery of files to terminal devices via the Internet, prevent the need to re-receive files when a terminal device moves across different networks, and efficiently distribute files. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, a file distribution system of the present invention is a file distribution system that distributes a file in a cloud device to a plurality of terminal devices, the cloud device includes a file storage unit that stores files, a target storage unit that stores information on terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed, a distribution processing unit that performs file distribution processing, a notification unit that notifies access information to distribution-completed terminal devices, and an update unit that updates the information on the distribution-completed terminal devices in the target storage unit, the target storage unit stores access information to terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed belonging to each base, and distribution status information indicating whether distribution has been completed for each file for the terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed, and when the distribution processing unit receives a request to send a file from a terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, it transmits the file in the file storage unit to the terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, and the notification unit updates the information on the distribution-completed terminal devices in the target storage unit. When an inquiry about a distribution completed terminal device is received from a terminal device that is a distribution target, the distribution completed terminal device at the base to which the other terminal device that is a file distribution target belongs is selected from the target memory unit, and access information for the selected distribution completed terminal device is transmitted to the other terminal device that is a file distribution target. If the other terminal device that is a file distribution target is moved to a different base while receiving part of the file, when the notification unit receives an inquiry about a distribution completed terminal device again from the terminal device that is a file distribution target, the notification unit selects a distribution completed terminal device at the destination base to which the other terminal device that is a file distribution target belongs from the target memory unit, and transmits access information for the selected distribution completed terminal device to the other terminal device that is a file distribution target. The other terminal device that is a file distribution target receives the remainder of the file from the selected distribution completed terminal device at the destination base.

[0014] It is also preferable that the file distribution system of the present invention be configured so that the base and the destination base are networks in which terminal devices belonging to each base cannot communicate directly with terminal devices belonging to the other base without going through the Internet.

[0015] In addition, it is preferable that the file distribution system of the present invention is configured so that the distribution processing unit selects one terminal device to which the file is to be distributed for each base station from the target memory unit, sends a file acquisition request to the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, and upon receiving a file transmission request from the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, transmits the file in the file memory unit to the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed.

[0016] In addition, it is preferable that the file distribution system of the present invention is configured so that, when the update unit receives a distribution completion notification from the terminal device to which the other file is distributed, distribution status information indicating that distribution to the terminal device to which the other file is distributed has been completed is stored in the target memory unit.

[0017] Furthermore, it is also preferable that the file distribution system of the present invention is configured so that, when the notification unit receives an inquiry about a distribution-completed terminal device from a terminal device that is a further other file distribution target, the notification unit selects from the target memory unit the terminal device that is a file distribution target or the other file distribution target terminal device for which distribution status information indicating that distribution has been completed is stored in the target memory unit as a distribution-completed terminal device at the base to which the further other file distribution target terminal device belongs, and sends access information for the selected distribution-completed terminal device to the further other file distribution target terminal device, and when the update unit receives a distribution completion notification from the terminal device that is the further other file distribution target, it stores distribution status information indicating that distribution has been completed for the further other file distribution target terminal device in the target memory unit.

[0018] Further, a cloud device of the present invention is a cloud device that distributes files to a plurality of terminal devices, and includes a file storage unit that stores files, a target storage unit that stores information about terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed, a distribution processing unit that performs distribution processing of the file, a notification unit that notifies access information to terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed, and an update unit that updates the information about the terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed in the target storage unit, wherein the target storage unit stores access information to terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed belonging to each base, and distribution status information indicating whether distribution has been completed for each file for the terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed, and the distribution processing unit selects one terminal device to which the file is to be distributed from the target storage unit for each base, transmits a file acquisition request to the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, and upon receiving a file transmission request from the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, updates the information about the terminal device to which the file is to be distributed. The file in the file storage unit is sent to the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, and when the notification unit receives an inquiry about the distribution-completed terminal device from a terminal device to which another file is to be distributed, it selects from the target storage unit a distribution-completed terminal device at the base to which the other file is to be distributed belongs, and sends access information to the other file distribution target terminal device, and if the other file distribution target terminal device is moved to a different base while receiving part of the file, when the notification unit receives another inquiry about the distribution-completed terminal device from the terminal device to which the other file is to be distributed, it selects from the target storage unit a distribution-completed terminal device at the destination base to which the other file distribution target terminal device belongs, and sends access information to the other file distribution target terminal device.

[0019] Further, a file distribution program of the present invention is a file distribution program for distributing a file to a plurality of terminal devices, and causes a computer to function as a file storage unit for storing a file, a target storage unit for storing information on terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed, a distribution processing unit for performing distribution processing of the file, a notification unit for notifying access information on distribution-completed terminal devices, and an update unit for updating the information on the distribution-completed terminal devices in the target storage unit, causes the target storage unit to store access information on terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed belonging to each base, and distribution status information indicating whether distribution has been completed for each file for the terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed, causes the distribution processing unit to select one terminal device to which the file is to be distributed for each base from the target storage unit, and transmits a file acquisition request to the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, and causes the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed to transmit a file transmission request to the terminal device to which the file is to be distributed. When a request for a distribution completion terminal device is received from a terminal device that is another file distribution target, the notification unit is caused to select a distribution completion terminal device at a base to which the terminal device that is another file distribution target belongs from the target storage unit, and transmits access information for the selected distribution completion terminal device to the terminal device that is another file distribution target. When the terminal device that is another file distribution target is moved to a different base while receiving part of the file and a request for a distribution completion terminal device is again sent from the terminal device that is another file distribution target, the notification unit is caused to select a distribution completion terminal device at a base to which the terminal device that is another file distribution target belongs from the target storage unit, and transmits access information for the selected distribution completion terminal device to the terminal device that is another file distribution target. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a file distribution system, a cloud device, and a file distribution program that can reduce the delivery of files to terminal devices via the Internet, prevent the need to re-receive files when a terminal device moves across different networks, and efficiently distribute files. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing file distribution to one terminal device per base in the file distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram of file reception by a terminal device at each base in a file distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram of file reception by a terminal device when the terminal device moves between bases in a file distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the proliferation of distribution-completed terminal devices in a file distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a file distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a file distribution processing procedure in the file distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the file distribution system, the cloud device, and the file distribution program of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific contents of the following embodiments.

[0023] First, an overview of the processing performed by a file distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the file distribution system of this embodiment includes a cloud device 10 and a plurality of personal computers (PCs, terminal devices) 20 (20(1) to 20(3), etc.). In FIG. 1, personal computers 20(1) and 20(3) exist within the network at site A, and personal computer 20(2) exists within the network at site B.

[0024] For example, base A is the network of an office in Tokyo, and base B is the network of an office in Osaka, and a firewall is installed in each network. As a result, computers in the network at site A and computers in the network at site B can no longer communicate directly with each other's IP addresses using TCP or UDP. In other words, in this embodiment, bases A and B refer to networks in which terminal devices belonging to each base cannot communicate directly with terminal devices belonging to the other base without going through the Internet, and a base unit refers to each of these networks.

[0025] The cloud device 10 includes a management server 11 and a storage 12, and the storage 12 stores files to be distributed. The management server 11 first requests one personal computer per base to acquire a file via the Internet.

[0026] 1, a file acquisition request is sent from management server 11 to computer 20(1) at site A and computer 20(2) at site B, and these computers acquire the file from storage 12 via the Internet. At this time, as an example, a case is shown in which each computer acquires the entire file by dividing it into three parts. Management server 11 stores information that file distribution to personal computer 20(1) and personal computer 20(2) is complete. Hereinafter, such a personal computer to which file distribution has been completed may be referred to as a distribution-completed personal computer (distribution-completed terminal device).

[0027] Next, as shown in FIG. 2, another personal computer 20(3) at site A starts receiving the file, and at this time queries the management server 11 about the existence of any personal computers within site A to which the personal computer 20(3) belongs that have completed distribution of the file. Management server 11 notifies personal computer 20(3) that file distribution to personal computer 20(1) has been completed.

[0028] Therefore, PC 20(3) attempts to receive the file directly from PC 20(1). Note that the file is divided into three parts, so PC 20(3) attempts to obtain each part from PC 20(1). First, assume that PC 20(3) successfully acquires file 1 / 3 from PC 20(1). If, for some reason, personal computer 20(3) is moved between locations in the middle of receiving the file, it will no longer be able to receive the file from personal computer 20(1).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, when PC 20(3) moves from location A to location B, PC 20(3) inquires of management server 11 about the existence of a PC at location B to which PC 20(3) belongs that has completed file distribution. Management server 11 notifies personal computer 20(3) that file distribution to personal computer 20(2) has been completed.

[0030] Therefore, personal computer 20(3) attempts to receive the file directly from personal computer 20(2). Here, since personal computer 20(3) has already obtained file 1 / 3 from personal computer 20(1), it obtains files 2 / 3 and 3 / 3 from personal computer 20(2).

[0031] In this way, even if personal computer 20(3) moves across different networks, it is possible to receive the file from where it is located without having to start over from receiving 1 / 3 of the file, and it is possible to avoid repeatedly obtaining the file unnecessarily. In other words, according to the file distribution system of this embodiment, even if a personal computer is moved between locations while a file is being received, the file can be received from where it left off, and the remaining file data can be received from a personal computer other than the one that was previously receiving the file.

[0032] In addition, in the file distribution system of this embodiment, the computers at the base are on a network that can directly connect to each other, so files can be sent and received by packet communication using UDP. Because UDP is connectionless, it is possible to transfer files while reducing the load on the computers.

[0033] In this way, according to the file distribution system of this embodiment, only one personal computer at each base receives files from storage 12 via the Internet, and other personal computers at the base do not receive files from storage 12, but instead obtain the files from the computer at the base that has completed distribution, thereby reducing the burden on personal computers to receive files from storage 12 via the Internet. Furthermore, even if the personal computer moves across different networks while receiving a file, it can receive only the remainder of the file without having to redo the already received file, eliminating the need to repeatedly obtain the file unnecessarily.

[0034] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the proliferation of distribution-completed personal computers in the file distribution system of this embodiment will be described. When personal computer 20(3) has completed receiving the file, it transmits a notification of the completion of distribution to management server 11. Management server 11 records the completion of the distribution of the file to personal computer 20(3).

[0035] Next, when personal computer 20(4) at site B inquires of management server 11 about the existence of any personal computers at site B to which file distribution has been completed, to which the personal computer 20(4) belongs, management server 11 can notify personal computer 20(4) that file distribution has been completed to personal computer 20(3). Then, personal computer 20(4) receives the file from personal computer 20(3), and when the file reception is complete, it transmits a notification of the completion of distribution to management server 11. Management server 11 stores the fact that the distribution of the file to personal computer 20(4) is completed.

[0036] Similarly, when personal computer 20(5) at site B inquires of management server 11 about the existence of any personal computers at site B to which file distribution has been completed, to which management server 11 belongs, can notify personal computer 20(5) that file distribution has been completed to personal computer 20(2). Then, personal computer 20(5) receives the file from personal computer 20(2), and when the file reception is complete, it sends a notification of the completion of distribution to management server 11. Management server 11 stores the fact that the distribution of the file to personal computer 20(5) is completed.

[0037] In this way, in the file distribution system of this embodiment, by having the management server 11 record the newly distributed computers to which the file has been distributed, the number of distributed computers notified by the management server 11 to the computers 20 at each base can be increased exponentially, from one to two, four, eight, and so on. This makes it possible to prevent a specific personal computer at each location from making simultaneous file reception requests from many personal computers. Furthermore, in the file distribution system of this embodiment, by increasing the number of distribution-completed personal computers to which files can be transmitted, file distribution can be performed more efficiently.

[0038] Next, the configuration of the file distribution system of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The file distribution system of this embodiment is a file distribution system that distributes files in a cloud device to multiple terminal devices, and includes a cloud device 10, multiple personal computers 20 (20(1) to 20(3)), and a communication line 30 such as the Internet that connects them. The personal computers 20 are information processing devices such as personal computers and smartphones. Although three personal computers 20 are shown in FIG. 5, the number of personal computers 20 is not particularly limited.

[0039] The cloud device 10 includes a management server 11 and a storage 12 . The management server 11 comprises a target storage unit 111 for storing information on terminal devices to which a file is to be distributed, a distribution processing unit 112 for performing file distribution processing, a notification unit 113 for notifying access information on distribution-completed terminal devices, and an update unit 114 for updating the information on distribution-completed terminal devices in the target storage unit 111. The management server 11 also comprises a transmission / reception unit 115 for transmitting and receiving information to and from the personal computer 20 via the communication line 30. The storage 12 includes a file storage unit 121 for storing files.

[0040] The target storage unit 111 stores access information for the terminal devices to which the files are to be distributed, which belong to each base, and distribution status information indicating whether or not the distribution of each file to the terminal devices to which the files are to be distributed has been completed. For example, an IP address or a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) can be used as the access information. When the distribution processing unit 112 receives a request to send a file from a terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, the distribution processing unit 112 transmits the file in the file storage unit 121 to the terminal device to which the file is to be distributed.

[0041] Furthermore, prior to this process, the distribution processing unit 112 can select one terminal device to which the file is to be distributed for each base from the target storage unit 111, and transmit a request to acquire the file to the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed. Then, when the distribution processing unit 112 receives a file transmission request from the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, it can transmit the file in the file storage unit 121 to the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed.

[0042] When the notification unit 113 receives an inquiry about a distribution-completed terminal device from a terminal device that is another target of file distribution, it selects from the target memory unit 111 a distribution-completed terminal device at the base to which the other terminal device that is another target of file distribution belongs, and transmits access information for the selected distribution-completed terminal device to the other terminal device that is another target of file distribution.

[0043] If a terminal device to which another file is to be distributed is moved to a different base while receiving (downloading) part of the file, the notification unit 113, upon receiving another inquiry about the distribution-completed terminal device from the terminal device to which the other file is to be distributed, selects from the target memory unit 111 a distribution-completed terminal device at the destination base to which the other terminal device to which the file is to be distributed belongs, and transmits access information for the selected distribution-completed terminal device to the other terminal device to which the file is to be distributed. The other terminal devices to which the file is to be distributed then receive the remaining part of the file from the selected distribution-completed terminal device at the destination base.

[0044] In addition, when the update unit 114 receives a distribution completion notification from another terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, the update unit 114 stores in the target memory unit 111 distribution status information indicating that distribution to the other terminal device to which the file is to be distributed has been completed. This makes it possible for the notification unit 113, when receiving an inquiry about a distribution-completed terminal device, to select a terminal device that is a target of other file distribution as a distribution-completed terminal device.

[0045] Furthermore, when the notification unit 113 receives an inquiry about a distribution-completed terminal device from a further other terminal device to which the file is distributed, it can select from the target memory unit 111 a terminal device to which the file is distributed and for which distribution status information indicating that distribution has been completed is stored in the target memory unit 111 or another terminal device to which the file is distributed as a distribution-completed terminal device at the base to which the further other terminal device to which the file is distributed belongs, and transmit access information for the selected distribution-completed terminal device to the further other terminal device to which the file is distributed.

[0046] Then, when the update unit 114 receives a distribution completion notification from a terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, the update unit 114 stores in the target memory unit 111 distribution status information indicating that distribution to the terminal device to which the file is to be distributed has been completed. In this way, according to the file distribution system of this embodiment, the number of distribution-completed terminal devices that can be selected by the notification unit 113 can be increased, making it possible to distribute files efficiently.

[0047] Next, a file distribution process procedure in the file distribution system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, the cloud device 10 transmits a file acquisition request to the personal computer 20(1) at the site A, which is selected as a terminal device to which one file is to be distributed for each site (step 10).

[0048] Personal computer 20(1) receives (downloads) the file from cloud device 10 (step 11), and upon completion of the file reception, notifies cloud device 10 that the distribution of the file to personal computer 20(1) is complete (step 12). The cloud device 10 updates the distribution status information in the object storage unit 111 to indicate that the distribution of the file to the personal computer 20(1) has been completed (step 13).

[0049] Similarly, the cloud device 10 transmits a file acquisition request to the personal computer 20(2) at site B, which has been selected as a terminal device to which one file is to be distributed for each site (step 14).

[0050] Personal computer 20(2) receives the file from cloud device 10 (step 15), and upon completion of the file reception, notifies cloud device 10 that distribution of the file to personal computer 20(2) is complete (step 16). The cloud device 10 updates the distribution status information in the object storage unit 111 to indicate that the distribution of the file to the personal computer 20(2) has been completed (step 17).

[0051] Next, the personal computer 20(3) at the site A transmits an inquiry about the distribution completion terminal device at the site A to the cloud device 10 (step 18). Cloud device 10 selects PC 20(1) as the distribution completion terminal device at site A to which PC 20(3) belongs, and notifies PC 20(3) of this (step 19). Personal computer 20(3) attempts to receive the file from personal computer 20(1) and successfully receives part of the file (step 20).

[0052] Next, while the personal computer 20(3) is receiving the file, for some reason it is moved from location A to location B (step 21). The personal computer 20(3) transmits an inquiry about the distribution completion terminal device at site B to the cloud device 10 (step 22). Cloud device 10 selects PC 20(2) as the distribution completion terminal device at site B to which PC 20(3) belongs, and notifies PC 20(3) of this (step 23).

[0053] Personal computer 20(3) attempts to receive the file from personal computer 20(2) and receives the remainder of the file (step 24). When personal computer 20(3) has completed receiving the file, it notifies cloud device 10 that distribution of the file to personal computer 20(3) has been completed (step 25). The cloud device 10 updates the distribution status information in the object storage unit 111 to indicate that the distribution of the file to the personal computer 20(3) has been completed (step 26).

[0054] The cloud device 10 in the above embodiment can be realized by using a computer controlled by a program. The CPU of the computer sends commands to each component of the computer based on the program, and causes the components to perform predetermined processes required for the operation of the cloud device 10, such as sending a file acquisition request, updating distribution status information, and notifying a terminal device of the completion of distribution. In this way, each process and operation in the cloud device 10 of the present invention can be realized by a specific means in which the program and the computer work together.

[0055] The program is stored in advance on a recording medium such as ROM or RAM, and is executed by having the computer read the program from the recording medium installed in the computer; however, the program can also be read into the computer via a communication line, for example. Furthermore, the recording medium for storing the program can be configured by any recording means readable by any computer, such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or the like.

[0056] As described above, according to the file distribution system, cloud device, and file distribution program of this embodiment, even if a terminal device moves across different networks while receiving a file, it is possible to receive the remaining file data from a PC other than the PC that was previously receiving the file, thereby eliminating the need to repeatedly and unnecessarily obtain the file.

[0057] In addition, only one computer at each location receives the files via the Internet, and other computers at the location can obtain the files from the computer on which the files have been distributed, thereby reducing the burden on computers to receive files via the Internet. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent a specific PC at each location from making simultaneous file reception requests from many PCs, and by increasing the number of PCs that have completed distribution and are able to send files, it is possible to distribute files more efficiently.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the embodiment, the case where there are two bases is described, but the present invention can be applied to the case where there are more bases. Also, the number of terminal devices and the number of files at each base of the file distribution system can be changed as appropriate. [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] The present invention can be suitably used in cases where it is necessary to distribute a large file in a work environment in which work is carried out using terminal devices in various locations across different networks. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10 Cloud Devices 11 Management Server 111 Target Memory Unit 112 Distribution Processing Unit 113 Notification Department 114 Update Department 115 Transmitter / Receiver 12. Storage 121 File storage section 20(1)~20(5) Personal computer (terminal device, PC)

Claims

1. A file distribution system that distributes files in a cloud device to a plurality of terminal devices, the cloud device comprises a file storage unit for storing a file, a target storage unit for storing information on a terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, a distribution processing unit for performing a process of distributing the file, a notification unit for notifying access information on a distribution-completed terminal device, and an update unit for updating the information on the distribution-completed terminal device in the target storage unit; the target storage unit stores access information for a terminal device that is a target of file distribution belonging to each base, and distribution status information indicating whether or not distribution of each file to the terminal device that is a target of file distribution has been completed; when the distribution processing unit receives a file transmission request from a terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, the distribution processing unit transmits the file in the file storage unit to the terminal device to which the file is to be distributed; When the notification unit receives an inquiry about a distribution completion terminal device from a terminal device to which the other file is to be distributed, the notification unit selects a distribution completion terminal device at a base to which the other file is to be distributed from the target storage unit, and transmits access information for the selected distribution completion terminal device to the other file distribution target terminal device; when the terminal device to which the other file is to be distributed is moved to a different base while receiving a part of the file, when the notification unit receives an inquiry about a distribution completion terminal device from the terminal device to which the other file is to be distributed again, the notification unit selects a distribution completion terminal device at the destination base to which the terminal device to which the other file is to be distributed belongs from the target storage unit, and transmits access information for the selected distribution completion terminal device to the terminal device to which the other file is to be distributed; the other terminal device to which the file is to be distributed receives the remainder of the file from the selected distribution-completed terminal device at the destination base; the distribution processing unit selects one terminal device to which the file is to be distributed for each base from the target storage unit, and transmits a file acquisition request to the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed; When a file transmission request is received from the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, the file in the file storage unit is transmitted to the selected terminal device to which the file is to be distributed. A file distribution system comprising:

2. The base and the destination base are networks in which terminal devices belonging to each base cannot directly communicate with terminal devices belonging to the other base without going through the Internet.

2. The file distribution system according to claim 1.

3. When the update unit receives a distribution completion notification from the terminal device to which the file is distributed, the update unit stores in the target storage unit distribution status information indicating that distribution to the terminal device to which the file is distributed has been completed.

3. The file distribution system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the notification unit receives an inquiry about a distribution-completed terminal device from a terminal device to which the further other file is to be distributed, the notification unit selects from the target storage unit a terminal device to which the file is to be distributed and for which distribution status information indicating that distribution has been completed is stored in the target storage unit or a terminal device to which the further other file is to be distributed, as a distribution-completed terminal device at a base to which the terminal device to which the further other file is to be distributed belongs, and transmits access information for the selected distribution-completed terminal device to the terminal device to which the further other file is to be distributed; When the update unit receives a distribution completion notification from the terminal device to which the file is to be distributed, the update unit stores in the target storage unit distribution status information indicating that distribution to the terminal device to which the file is to be distributed has been completed.

3. The file distribution system according to claim 1 or 2.

Images