Device sharing system, device sharing method, and device sharing apparatus

Abstract

To enable secure device-control and device-sharing via a network from a service of a business system even under an environment where the respective devices of the business system are operated respectively in different domains.SOLUTION: In a device sharing system 10, upon receiving, from a device control client, registration of identification information of a device in connection to the device control client, a device connection relay server stores the registration onto a connection device management table of a storage device. A WEB / AP server is connected to a device control delay server at an account trading start time, and performs inquiry for the device relay server of a connection availability of a use device identified in a device state table. In the case where the inquired use device has been already registered on the connection device management table, the device connection relay server establishes a connection with the WEB / AP server and relays communication between the device control client and the WEB / AP server for the user device control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a device sharing system, a device sharing method, and a device sharing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] At financial institutions, functions are concentrated on the servers that make up the branch office systems, and there was an issue of not being able to directly control each device running at the branch office from the server. Therefore, the applicant proposed a configuration in which a device server is placed on a PC connected to a device at a bank branch, and communication is performed between the bank branch system server and the device server, thereby performing device control equivalent to that of a conventional BTS (Banking Teller Station).This configuration makes it possible to share devices between the terminals of each teller at a bank branch (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the conventional technology for remotely controlling devices over a network, the content for controlling devices used on external terminals such as mobile phones is managed by a server. However, since the control and monitoring items for facility devices are numerous and differ depending on the device and model, it is practically difficult to manage them centrally on a server. A technology has been proposed to address this problem (see Patent Document 2).

[0004] This technology relates to a device that is characterized by having a content storage unit that stores and manages content information for operating the device from a terminal, an ID storage unit that stores device ID information that is information unique to each device, a command execution unit that executes device control commands included in the content information to control and monitor the device, and a communication unit that communicates with a server regarding the content information, the device ID information, and the device control command information.

[0005] Additionally, a technology has been proposed that enables an installed information device to be operated and controlled in a simple manner using a mobile terminal without significantly modifying the structure of the device (see Patent Document 3).

[0006] This technology relates to an information device utilization system that enables an information device installed so as to be able to communicate with a server to be used by a mobile terminal that can communicate with the server, wherein the information device has a device light-emitting unit capable of emitting optical signals, a device light sensor communication control means that uses the device light-emitting unit to emit a device identifier that identifies the information device, a device network communication control means that receives information related to use by the mobile terminal from the server, and a service execution control means that uses the received information related to use to execute a service related to the mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal has a terminal light-receiving unit capable of receiving optical signals, a terminal light sensor communication control means that uses the terminal light-receiving unit to receive the device identifier, and a terminal network communication control means that sends the received device identifier to the server, and the server has information device management means that manages a table that associates the addresses of the information devices with device identifiers, and server network communication control means that sends information related to use by the mobile terminal that sent the device identifier to the address of the information device associated with the received device identifier.

[0007] Also, a technique has been proposed (see Patent Document 4) that allows device information of a local device to be acquired without installing special software in an information processing device connected to the local device.

[0008] This technology relates to an equipment management system comprising an information processing device connected locally to an equipment, and an equipment management device connected to the information processing device via a network, wherein the information processing device has a registration means for registering equipment information of the equipment, and the equipment management device has a search means for searching for the information processing device, a determination means for determining whether the equipment is accessible via the information processing device by performing remote operation on the information processing device searched by the search means, and a first equipment information acquisition means for acquiring equipment information of the equipment registered in the registration means of the information processing device when the determination means determines that the equipment is not accessible. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-26294 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-121390 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-65566 [Patent Document 4] JP 2013-232221 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, when tablet terminals and servers are distributed across multiple networks connected via routers, processing may not be successful even if the applicant's prior art described above is applied. For example, when communicating from a sales office system server to a device server, the terminals, i.e., devices, inside the router cannot be identified from outside the router, which means that separate measures such as port forwarding are required, which creates the issue of complicated management.

[0011] On the other hand, depending on the router specifications, it may not be possible to take measures such as port forwarding, which would make it impossible to control devices from the branch office system server in the first place.

[0012] For example, tablet devices, which are increasingly being introduced for counter operations, are operated in a wireless LAN environment to ensure portability. Therefore, suppose that such a wireless network is connected to the wired network of the sales office system via a router. However, in such an environment, if IP addresses are assigned using DHCP, there is a high possibility that device control will not be possible using conventional technology.

[0013] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide technology that enables accurate device control and device sharing via a network from a sales office system service, even in an environment where the sales office system server, device server, and devices are operated in different domains. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The device sharing system of the present invention that solves the above-mentioned problems is a system composed of a device connection relay server, a device control client, and a WEB / AP server connected via a router, wherein the device connection relay server receives registration of identification information of a device connected to the device control client from the device control client and stores the registration in a connected device management table of a storage device, the WEB / AP server holds information about each device of each branch in a device status table of the storage device in advance, connects to the device connection relay server when an account transaction begins, identifies identification information of the device to be used based on attribute information of the device to be used in the device status table, and queries the device relay server about whether or not it is possible to connect to the device to be used, and when the identification information of the device to be used presented by the WEB / AP server exists in a record of the connected device management table, the device connection relay server establishes a connection with the WEB / AP server and relays communication between the device control client and the WEB / AP server in order to control the device to be used. Furthermore, the device sharing method of the present invention is characterized in that, in a system consisting of a device connection relay server, a device control client, and a WEB / AP server connected via a router, the device connection relay server receives registration of identification information of a device connected to the device control client from the device control client and stores the registration in a connected device management table of a storage device, the WEB / AP server holds information about each device of each branch in a device status table of the storage device in advance, connects to the device connection relay server when an account transaction begins, specifies identification information of the device to be used based on attribute information of the device in the device status table, and queries the device relay server about whether or not it is possible to connect to the device to be used, and if the identification information of the device to be used presented by the WEB / AP server exists in a record of the connected device management table, the device connection relay server establishes a connection with the WEB / AP server and relays communication between the device control client and the WEB / AP server to control the device to be used.

[0015] Furthermore, the device sharing device of the present invention is a device connection relay server in a system consisting of a device connection relay server, a device control client, and a WEB / AP server connected via a router, and includes: a storage device that holds, in a connected device management table, identification information of a device connected to the device control client received from the device control client; and a computing device that connects to the WEB / AP server at the start of an account transaction, receives an inquiry about whether to connect to the device to be used, including identification information of the device to be used specified in the WEB / AP server, and, if the identification information of the device to be used exists in a record in the connected device management table, establishes a connection with the WEB / AP server and relays communication between the device control client and the WEB / AP server to control the device to be used. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, even in an environment in which the server, device server, and devices of the sales office system are operated in different domains, accurate device control and device sharing from the sales office system service via the network are possible. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration including a device sharing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a device connection relay server (device sharing apparatus) according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a WEB / AP server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a connected device management table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a device status table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a device sharing method according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a device sharing method according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a device sharing method according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in this embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in this embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] <Network configuration> An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a network configuration diagram including a device sharing system 10 according to this embodiment. The device sharing system 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a computer system that enables accurate device control and device sharing via a network from the service of the sales office system, even in an environment in which the server, device server, and devices of the sales office system are operated in different domains.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the network configuration in this embodiment includes a device connection relay server 100 (hereinafter referred to as the device connection relay server) which is a device sharing device, a device control client 200, a WEB / AP server 300, and an operator terminal 400, which are communicatively connected via a network 1.

[0020] Network 1 is made up of network 1A inside the router and network 1B outside the router, which can be connected via router 2. Router 2 converts private IP addresses (IP addresses in network 1A outside the router) into global IP addresses (IP addresses in network 1B outside the router) using NAT (Network Address Translation).

[0021] The network 1A inside the router described above is, for example, a network established for each branch of a financial institution, and includes a plurality of device control clients 200 and operator terminals 400.

[0022] The device control client 200 is a client for controlling the device 250 (for example, a stand-type image scanner such as Blink Scan) that each teller in the branch wants to use. Generally, the device 250 is shared by multiple tellers, so it is expected that the number of device control clients 200 will be less than the number of tellers, but of course this is not limited to this.

[0023] The operator terminal 400 is a terminal that is placed at a counter in a bank branch of a financial institution and is operated by the teller. Basically, an operator terminal 400 is placed at each counter, and it is common for there to be as many operator terminals as there are counters in a bank branch. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement.

[0024] Note that specific implementation forms of the device control client 200 and the operator terminal 400 may include various information processing devices such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a mobile phone, etc. Each of the device control client 200 and the operator terminal 400 is assigned a private IP address, and the IP address is managed by the router 2.

[0025] On the other hand, the network 1B outside the router includes a device connection relay server 100 and a WEB / AP server 300. The device connection relay server 100 and the WEB / AP server 300 are the devices that mainly constitute the device sharing system 10.

[0026] Of these, the WEB / AP server 300 is a server device that provides the functions of various business applications used in financial institutions on the network 1. Specifically, when a teller logs on from an operator terminal 400, a virtual PC constructed for the operator is started up and its screen is displayed on the WEB browser of the operator terminal 400.

[0027] For this reason, the WEB / AP server 300 has the function of starting a predetermined OS (Operating System) in an appropriate storage device, executing business applications under the management of that OS, and distributing the execution screen over the network. The WEB / AP server 300 also accesses appropriate core systems such as the accounting systems of financial institutions via network 1B outside the router, sends requests for business processing using the above-mentioned business applications, receives responses to those requests, and displays the contents of those responses in the WEB browser of the above-mentioned operator terminal 400.

[0028] When this series of controls, i.e., counter operations, are carried out, for example, to electronically capture various documents and ID cards presented by customers who visit the counter, or to print out customer copies as the processing results, the teller at the counter will use device 250 installed in the branch. In the following explanation, the above-mentioned configuration and implementation will be used as an example to show the operation and control content of each device. <Hardware configuration>

[0029] (About the device connection relay server) Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the device connection relay server 100, which is the main component of the device sharing system 10 of this embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] The device connection relay server 100 in this embodiment includes a storage device 101 , a memory 103 , a computing device 104 , and a communication device 105 .

[0031] Of these, the storage device 101 is configured with an appropriate nonvolatile storage element such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0032] The memory 103 is composed of a volatile storage element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0033] The arithmetic device 104 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that reads out the program 102 stored in the storage device 101 into the memory 103 and executes it to perform overall control of the device itself and to perform various determinations, calculations, and control processes.

[0034] The communication device 105 is assumed to be a network interface card or the like that is connected to the network 1 and handles communication processing with the device control client 200 and the WEB / AP server 300 .

[0035] The device connection relay server 100 may further include input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse for accepting key inputs and voice inputs from users such as an administrator, and an output device such as a display for displaying processed data.

[0036] In addition to the program 102 for implementing the functions required in this embodiment, at least a connected device management table 125 is stored in the storage device 101. However, details of this connected device management table 125 will be described later. (About the WEB / AP server) Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the WEB / AP server 300 that constitutes the device sharing system 10 of this embodiment together with the device connection relay server described above will be described with reference to FIG.

[0037] The WEB / AP server 300 in this embodiment includes a storage device 301 , a memory 303 , a processing device 304 , and a communication device 305 .

[0038] Of these, the storage device 301 is configured with an appropriate nonvolatile storage element such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0039] The memory 303 is composed of a volatile storage element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0040] The arithmetic device 304 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that reads out the program 302 stored in the storage device 301 into the memory 303 and executes it to perform overall control of the device itself and to perform various determinations, calculations, and control processes.

[0041] The communication device 305 is assumed to be a network interface card or the like that is connected to the network 1 and handles communication processing with the device connection relay server 100 and the like.

[0042] The WEB / AP server 300 may further include input devices such as a keyboard and mouse that accept key inputs and voice inputs from users such as an administrator, and an output device such as a display that displays processing data.

[0043] In addition to a program 302 for implementing the functions required in this embodiment, at least a device status table 325 is stored in the storage device 301. However, details of this device status table 325 will be described later. <Data structure example

[0044] (About the connected device management table) Next, a description will be given of various types of information used by the devices constituting the device sharing system 10 of this embodiment. Fig. 4 shows an example of the connected device management table 125 in this embodiment.

[0045] The connected device management table 125 in this embodiment is held and managed by the device connection relay server 100, and is a table that stores information on the devices 250 that have been registered by the device control clients 200.

[0046] The connected device management table 125 is a collection of records that link data such as the state of the device 250 and the business sequence connection destination, using a device ID that uniquely identifies the device 250 as a key.

[0047] Among these, the "status" value indicates the usage status of the device 250, and is "unused" immediately after registration from the device control client 200, and is updated to "in use" when the device connection relay server 100, which has received an inquiry from the WEB / AP server 300 about whether or not a connection is possible, establishes a connection (i.e., when the device control client 200 that connects the WEB / AP server 300 and the device 250 is connected).

[0048] Furthermore, when a device 250 is in the "in use" state as described above, the "connection destination" value is set to the identification information of the WEB / AP server 300 that has established a connection with the device control client 200. In other words, no value is entered in the "unused" state. (About the device status table) 5 shows an example of the configuration of the device status table 325 in this embodiment. The device status table 325 in this embodiment is a table that stores various information related to the attributes and usage status of the devices 250 installed in each branch of the financial institution.

[0049] This device status table 325 is a collection of records that link data such as the branch number of the branch where the device 250 is located, the IP address assigned to the device 250, the device type, and usage status, using a device ID that uniquely identifies the device 250 as a key.

[0050] Of these, the "usage status" is updated from "unused" to "in use" depending on the situation in which the "usage status" in the connected device management table 125 described above becomes "in use." <Flow example: Device startup> The actual procedure of the device sharing method according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The various operations corresponding to the device sharing method described below are realized by a program that is read into memory or the like and executed by the device sharing apparatus 100. This program is made up of code for performing the various operations described below.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a device sharing method according to this embodiment, specifically, a sequence diagram showing an example of a device activation process.

[0052] In this case, for example, when an appropriate user such as a teller activates the device 250, the device control client 200 executes a connection establishment operation with the device connection relay server 100 (s1).

[0053] At this time, the device control client 200 accesses the network 1B outside the router after undergoing NAT conversion at the router 1 and being assigned a global IP address, and sequentially executes a connection establishment procedure with the device connection relay server 100.

[0054] Such connection establishment operations are sequentially performed in accordance with predefined procedures in accordance with the network protocol, and are performed appropriately based on existing technology.

[0055] Upon establishing a connection with the device control client 200, the device connection relay server 100 registers a record including information about the device 250 in the connected device management table 125 (s2), and then ends this sequence.

[0056] The record registered here includes the device ID of the device 250 and the value "unused." At this point, no updates or changes have been made to the device status table 225. This is because the values ​​of the information on each device 250, except for the "usage status," have already been registered in the device status table 225 by an appropriate person in the financial institution. <Flow example: WEB / AP server logon and operation> Next, an example of terminal operation on the WEB / AP server 200 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example sequence of a device sharing method in this embodiment, and specifically, a sequence diagram showing an example of terminal operation processing on the WEB / AP server 200.

[0057] In this case, it is assumed that a teller at a sales office operates the operator terminal 400 to start up a web browser and accesses the logon page of the web / ap server 300 using this web browser.

[0058] Here, the WEB / AP server 300 accepts a logon request from the operator terminal 400, and if the predetermined authentication process is successful, starts up a virtual PC for the teller (s5). In this case, the WEB / AP server 300 creates a virtual PC for the teller in a storage area of ​​a predetermined storage device (not limited to its own storage device 301, but also possible to use one on another device on the network), and responds with the desktop image to the operator terminal 400.

[0059] The WEB / AP server 300 also references the device status table 325 and performs a device search (s6) using the branch number of the sales branch included in the logon request from the operator terminal 400. For example, if the branch number is "111," a search in the device status table 325 already shown in FIG. 5 will return a hit for the device with device ID "11222333."

[0060] Next, the WEB / AP server 300 outputs a connection establishment request including the information of the device 250 obtained in the above search (s6), that is, the values ​​of the device ID and IP address, to the device connection relay server 100 (s7).

[0061] Upon receiving this connection establishment request, the device connection relay server 100 executes a connection establishment operation in accordance with the protocol of the network connecting with the WEB / AP server 300, and establishes a connection (see FIG. 9) (s8).

[0062] At this time, the device connection relay server 100 refers to the connected device management table 125 for the presence or absence of a record relating to the device 250 to be controlled and its usage status, using the device ID included in the connection establishment request as a key (s9).

[0063] If the result of the above reference shows that the record exists, i.e., that the device 250 is connected to the device connection relay server 100 and is “unused,” the device connection relay server 100 updates the “Status” column of the record in the connected device management table 125 to “In Use” and the “Business System Connection Destination” column to “WEB / AP Server” (s10).

[0064] On the other hand, if the result of the above reference shows that the record does not exist, that is, the device 250 is not connected to the device connection relay server 100, or the "status" is "in use," the device connection relay server 100 drops the connection with the WEB / AP server 300 (see FIG. 10) and ends this sequence.

[0065] Furthermore, after the above-mentioned s10, i.e., when the connection is established and the device 250 is reserved for use, the WEB / AP server 300 updates the "Usage Status" column in the record for the device 250 in the device status table 325 to "In Use" (s11).

[0066] Thereafter, the teller operates the above-mentioned web browser on the operator terminal 400 and requests the web / ap server 300 to perform a transaction involving the use of a specific device 250 (the connection and use of which is guaranteed in s10).

[0067] In this case, the WEB / AP server 300 refers to the device status table 325, identifies the device 250 to be used, and issues a device control instruction (including the device ID) to the device connection relay server 100 via the already established connection (s12).

[0068] The device connection relay server 100 receives this device control instruction, identifies the target device in the connected device management table 125 using the device ID contained therein as a key, and issues a control instruction to the device 250 (s13).

[0069] In this way, it becomes possible to execute device control via the WEB / AP server 300 in the external network from within the network of the branch where the teller is located, on the device 250 located in the branch. <Flow example: WEB / AP server logoff process> Next, an example of logoff processing in the WEB / AP server 200 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example sequence of a device sharing method in this embodiment, specifically, a sequence diagram showing an example of logoff processing in the WEB / AP server 200.

[0070] In this case, it is assumed that the teller operates the web browser on the operator terminal 400 and outputs a logoff request to the WEB / AP server 300. In this case, the WEB / AP server 300 receives this logoff request and executes the logoff process (see FIG. 11) for the virtual PC for the teller (s20).

[0071] The WEB / AP server 300 also refers to the device status table 325 and updates the "usage status" field in the record of the device 250 that no longer requires exclusive use due to the above-mentioned logoff to be blank (s21). The WEB / AP server 300 also disconnects the previously established connection with the device connection relay server 100 (s22).

[0072] Next, in response to the above-mentioned disconnection, the device connection relay server 100 updates the "status" column in the record for the target device in the connected device management table 125 to "unused" (s23), and ends this sequence.

[0073] When the series of processes related to a predetermined task has been completed, or when the teller has completed work for the day, it is assumed that the teller performs a shutdown operation on the device 250. In this case, the device control client 200 outputs a connection disconnection request to the device connection relay server 100. Upon receiving this connection disconnection request, the device connection relay server 100 refers to the connected device management table 125 and deletes the record of the device 250.

[0074] The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been specifically described above, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0075] According to this embodiment, even in an environment where the branch office system server, device server, and devices are operated in different domains, accurate device control and device sharing via the network from the branch office system service is possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Network 1A Router internal network 1B Network outside the router 2. Router 10. Device Sharing System 100 Device connection relay server 101 Storage device 102 Programs 103 memory 104 Arithmetic equipment 105 Communication equipment 125 Connected Device Management Table 200 Device Control Client 250 devices 300 WEB / AP server 325 Device Status Table 400 Operator-used terminals

Claims

1. A system comprising a device connection relay server, a device control client, and a WEB / AP server connected via a router, The device connection relay server receiving, from the device control client, registration of identification information of a device currently connected to the device control client, and storing the information in a connected device management table of the storage device; The WEB / AP server information on each device of each branch office is stored in advance in a device status table of a storage device, and when an accounting transaction is started, the device connection relay server is connected, and identification information of the device to be used is specified based on attribute information of the device to be used in the device status table, and an inquiry is made to the device relay server as to whether or not connection to the device to be used is possible; The device connection relay server If the identification information of the device to be used presented by the WEB / AP server exists in a record of the connected device management table, a connection is established with the WEB / AP server, and communication between the device control client and the WEB / AP server is relayed to control the device to be used. A device sharing system comprising:

2. In a system consisting of a device connection relay server, a device control client, and a WEB / AP server connected via a router, The device connection relay server receiving, from the device control client, registration of identification information of a device currently connected to the device control client, and storing the information in a connected device management table of the storage device; The WEB / AP server information on each device of each branch office is stored in advance in a device status table of a storage device, and when an accounting transaction is started, the device connection relay server is connected, and identification information of the device to be used is specified based on attribute information of the device to be used in the device status table, and an inquiry is made to the device relay server as to whether or not connection to the device to be used is possible; The device connection relay server If the identification information of the device to be used presented by the WEB / AP server exists in a record of the connected device management table, a connection is established with the WEB / AP server, and communication between the device control client and the WEB / AP server is relayed to control the device to be used. A device sharing method comprising:

3. A device connection relay server in a system including a device connection relay server, a device control client, and a WEB / AP server connected via a router, a storage device that stores, in a connected device management table, identification information of devices connected to the device control client received from the device control client; a computing device that connects to the WEB / AP server at the start of an account transaction, receives an inquiry about whether or not a connection can be made to the device to be used, including identification information of the device to be used specified in the WEB / AP server, and, if the identification information of the device to be used exists in a record of the connected device management table, establishes a connection with the WEB / AP server and relays communication between the device control client and the WEB / AP server to control the device to be used; A device sharing apparatus comprising:

Images