JP2002073383A - Information service method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] An information service proposed conventionally cannot select an appropriate storage device, location, communication means, and the like in accordance with the content of information to be stored. It is not possible to optimize the device attributes according to the information to be stored and efficiently store the information. According to the present invention, in order to solve these problems, an information storage system for storing information is composed of a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes as device attributes, and attempts to store information. A storage device having an optimum device attribute is selected as a storage device for storing information in accordance with a condition determined by a user performing the process, a data attribute indicating an attribute of information to be stored, and the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information service for storing information on behalf of an information owner.
In particular, the present invention relates to an information service in which a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes are used, or these are configured in a hierarchical manner to store information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, several information services for storing information on behalf of the owner of the information have been proposed.
While the amount of information owned by individuals is increasing, the increase in storage capacity of storage devices that can be owned by individuals is limited. In some cases, a plurality of storage devices for storing information are used to form a hierarchical structure. For example,
The invention described in claims 1 and 2 of JP-A-7-31772, the invention described in the claims of JP-A-1-126773, and the like are provided.

[0003]

In the information service proposed in the prior art, it is not possible to select an appropriate storage device, location, communication means, etc. according to the content of the information to be stored, so that efficient information storage is possible. Was difficult. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 7-31772 and 1-126773 describe information storage systems in which storage devices are hierarchically arranged. However, it is considered that device attributes of all storage devices are the same. As a result, it has not been possible to select an optimum device attribute according to the information to be stored and to efficiently store the information.

[0004]

According to the present invention, in order to solve these problems, an information storage system for storing information is constituted by a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes as device attributes. A storage device having an optimum device attribute is selected as a storage device for storing information in accordance with a condition determined by a user who intends to store information, a data attribute indicating an attribute of information to be stored, and the like.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Background of the Invention) In the age of bit distribution through the Internet, digital data possessed on an individual basis, such as music, videos and games, has exploded. There is a need for a service that safely and securely accompanies the digital data assets of the individual on behalf of the individual. On the other hand, the types of data owned by individuals are various, from text data consisting of characters to moving images having a high-definition format. It is inefficient to store such various data in one storage device in a centralized manner. This is because a storage device suitable for a moving image is expensive, and storing data such as text in the storage device increases costs. Therefore, in the present invention, the storage device of the information storage system that provides the information service is managed according to the device attribute, and data suitable for the device attribute is stored.

Assuming that a person who performs this information service is, for example, an information warehouse service center, the concept of the service is as shown in FIG. Individuals send information to the information warehousing service everywhere, such as mobile terminals, home servers at home, car navigation systems in cars, kiosk terminals on street corners, and store or retrieve their stored information. Use. The information warehouse service includes an information storage system including a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes. Further, not only information generated by the individual himself, but also information such as gourmet food, news, and books provided by the information provider are provided to the individual from various terminals via the information warehouse service. By providing the information, the information provider charges a person who has received the information and obtains a price for providing the information. further,
By opening the information stored not only by information providers but also by individuals to the information warehouse service to third parties, the information can be effectively used as personal assets. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 Embodiment 1 of the present invention has a processing flow shown in FIG. The first embodiment is a flow of processing for storing information in an information storage system including a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes. As shown in this figure, first, the process waits for an input for processing (step S0201), and when there is an input, obtains a user ID (step S0202), and further obtains a user ID condition associated with the user ID condition. (Step S0203), and a data attribute indicating the attribute of the information to be stored is obtained (step S02).
04) According to predetermined conditions, the user I
A device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored is determined from the D condition and the data attribute (step S0205),
A storage device having the device attribute is selected from the plurality of storage devices (step S0206), and the information is stored in the selected storage device in association with the user ID (step S0207).

[0008] The user ID is an identifier for specifying a user in the information service, and the user ID condition is a form of use determined in advance when the user having the user ID uses the information service. And so on. Specifically, it is as shown in FIG. 3, in which the storage device that can be used, the relationship between the type of information to be stored and the storage device to be used (for example, the third storage device is used for a moving image), the information Storage period, the relationship between the type of information to be stored and the storage period of the information (for memo information, the maximum storage period is 5 years, etc.), the stored information is disclosed to a third party or stored Authority to access information, available communication speed, available data access speed, available data transfer speed, available storage device bytes, available storage media type, portable storage media available or processable Information.

The data attribute indicating the attribute of the information to be stored is as exemplified in FIG. 4, and includes, for example, the type of data, the data compression method, the amount of data, Creator, data access conditions, data processing conditions, data redundancy, data storage period, minimum required transfer rate of data, data encryption method, data multiplexing method, and the like.

The device attributes of the storage device are, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, and are recorded on the type of medium, the installation location of the device, the access speed, the recording density, the recording speed, the useful life, the error rate, and the device. Communication speed, communication speed when reading from the device, data transfer speed, portability, recording method, and the like.

When the processing flow shown in the first embodiment is adopted, an optimum storage device can be selected according to the device attribute of the storage device that stores data. Optimal means that it is optimal for the data attribute indicating the attribute of the information to be stored. Further, the user who accumulates data can conveniently select the attribute of the storage device and the like, which is convenient. The user can select because the user ID condition is also taken into account when determining the device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored.

FIG. 6 schematically shows the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, information is stored in the information storage system from each terminal, and the information stored in the information storage system is provided to each terminal. Further, information from the information storage system can be transferred, received and stored, processed, and information can be transmitted to the information storage system for disclosure.

(Acquisition of User ID Condition from User ID) Regarding the invention described in this specification, a step of acquiring a user ID condition from a user ID will be described. The user ID condition is, as described above, a user ID that determines a storage device that can be used.
Is the condition associated with. FIG. 7 shows how this is represented by an identification number and the user ID condition is obtained from the user ID. The user ID can be obtained by a method of manually inputting information from a keyboard by a person who stores information, or a method of obtaining a device number assigned to a terminal that inputs information. For example, the user with the user ID 001 is assigned the user ID condition 01, and the user ID condition is acquired according to the association shown in FIG. The user ID 002 is 02 for the user ID 002. As described above, the association between the user ID and the user ID condition may be a table stored in the information storage system or the like, or may be changed from the user ID to the user ID by a certain calculation.
The condition may be acquired.

(Determination of Device Attribute) The step of determining the device attribute will be described. FIG. 8 shows the steps for determining the device attributes. The device attribute is determined from the user ID condition and the data attribute. For example, assume that the data attributes are three types: text, sound, and image. Also,
It is assumed that the user ID conditions are 01, 02, and 03.
It is also assumed that the device attributes to be determined are three types, A, B, and C. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a table is prepared such that when the user ID condition and the data attribute are determined, the device attribute is determined.
It is preferable that the device attributes are uniquely determined when the data attributes are determined. In the example of this figure, when the user ID condition is 01 and the data attribute is image, the device attribute is determined to be A. When the user ID condition is 01 and the data attribute is text, the device attribute is determined to be C.

(Selection of Storage Device) Selection of a storage device will be described. FIG. 9 shows a step of selecting a storage device. The storage device is determined after determining the device attribute of the storage device. When the device attribute is determined from the user ID condition and the data attribute according to the table shown in FIG. 8, a storage device having the determined device attribute is selected from a plurality of storage devices as shown in FIG. You. When there are a plurality of storage devices having the determined device attribute, the storage device having the largest available storage capacity is selected. For example, when the user ID condition is 01 and the data attribute is image, the device attribute is determined to be A, and the first storage device that is the storage device having the device attribute A is selected. If the user ID condition is 01 and the data attribute is text, the device attribute is C, and 6 out of the third, fifth, and sixth storage devices having the device attribute C.
The device of the number is selected.

(Process Flow Diagram) FIGS. 10 and 11 show the flow of the above process. FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a state until the storage device is determined in accordance with the processing flow of the first embodiment when the data attribute is an image with the user ID 001. First, the user ID 1003 is obtained. In this case, the user ID 1003 is 001. Then, a user ID condition 1004 is acquired from the user ID 1003. In this case, the user ID condition 1004 is 0
It is one. Further, a data attribute 1002 indicating the attribute of the information 1001 to be stored is acquired. In this case, the data attribute 1002 is an image. Then, a device attribute 1005 is determined from the acquired data attribute 1002 and the user ID condition 1004. The device attribute 1005 is determined to be A. Then, the storage device 1006 is selected from the determined device attributes 1005. The storage device 1006 is number one. Information is stored in the selected storage device 1007 in association with the user ID. This ends the process.

FIG. 11 shows a user ID 1103.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of processing when 001 is a data attribute 1102 and text. First, user I
D1103 and the data attribute 1102 are acquired. The user ID 1103 is the same as that shown in FIG. On the other hand, the data attribute 1102 is not an image but a text. From user ID 1103 to user ID condition 110
4 is obtained. The user ID condition 1104 is also 01, which is the same as the case of FIG. 10 described above. Then, the device attribute 1105 of the storage device 1106 is determined to be C from the user ID condition 1104 and the data attribute 1102, and the sixth storage device 1107 is selected from the storage devices 1106 that match the device attribute 1105, and Is user I
D is stored in association with D.

(Effect) By the above processing, it is possible to select an optimum storage device according to the attribute of the information when storing the information, so that the information can be stored efficiently and inexpensively. It becomes possible.

(Embodiment 2) Next, an embodiment in which a storage parameter is further used to determine a device attribute of a storage device in which information is to be stored will be described. The present invention performs the processing shown in FIG. That is, first,
Wait until there is an input for processing (step S120
1) When there is an input, the user ID of the information storage system
Is acquired (step S1202), and a user ID condition associated with the user ID, which is a condition relating to information storage, is acquired (step S120).
3) Further, a storage parameter indicating a condition at the time of storing the information is obtained (step S1204), and a data attribute indicating an attribute of information to be stored is obtained (step S120).
5) According to the predetermined conditions, the user ID
A device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored is determined from the condition, the data attribute, and the storage parameter (step S1206). Then, a storage device having the device attribute is selected from the plurality of storage devices (step S1).
207), and stores the information in the selected storage device in association with the user ID (step S120).
8), end the process.

(Storage parameters indicating conditions at the time of storage) The storage parameters indicating the storage conditions at the time of storage are, when information is first stored, recording of the information in a storage device,
Location, time, quality, with respect to reading from storage, etc.
Related to quantity, etc. 13 means, for example, the type of medium, the installation location of the device, the access speed, the recording density, the recording speed, the service life, the error rate, the communication speed of communication when recording on the device, and the reading from the device. Communication speed, data transfer speed, portability,
For example, a recording method and a compression ratio.

FIG. 1 shows how the device attributes are determined from the storage parameters, the user ID conditions, and the data attributes.
4. For example, as storage parameters, a storage device having a data transfer rate of 100 megabytes per second,
Suppose there are two, 0 megabytes per second. As a result, as shown in FIG.
The device attribute determined from the D condition and the data attribute is held in a table-like form. After all, the storage parameter, the user ID condition, and the data attribute are determined, and the device attribute of the storage device is determined. Is to be determined. The storage parameter may be determined by a user who wants to store information, or may be obtained from a storage device or a terminal that stores information in an information storage system according to predetermined conditions.

(Processing Flow) FIG. 15 schematically shows the processing flow of the second embodiment. First, user I
D1504, data attribute 1503, and storage parameter 1
502 is obtained, and a user ID condition 1505 is obtained from the user ID 1504. User ID 1504
Is ID001 and the user ID condition 1505 is 01
It is. The data attribute 1503 is an image, and the storage parameter 1502 is a data transfer speed of 200 megabytes per second. Then, A is determined as the device attribute 1506 from these three parties using the table shown in FIG. A storage device 1507 is selected based on the device attribute 1506, and information to be stored in the storage device 1508 is stored in association with the user ID.

(Embodiment 3) Next, the device attributes include:
Data access speed of storage device, installation location of device, recording density, recording speed, service life, error rate at reading and writing, communication speed to storage device when recording to device, data transfer speed, portability A description will be given of a case where any one of the presence or absence and the recording method is included as a device attribute value, and the plurality of storage devices have a hierarchical structure in ascending or descending order of the device attribute value. I do. The present invention is an embodiment based on the information service method described in the first or second embodiment.

Since the storage devices constituting the information storage system have a hierarchical structure in the ascending or descending order of the parameters indicating the device attributes, data can be efficiently moved between the storage devices. As shown in FIG. 16, in addition to the hierarchical structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, there is also included a branching and hierarchical structure.

The example shown in FIG. 16 shows an example in which the storage devices are hierarchically arranged in descending order with respect to the access speed which is the device attribute. The first storage device having the fastest access speed has an access speed of 0.1 millisecond, the storage device of the next tier is 0.5 millisecond, the next is 2 milliseconds, and so on. As you go down the hierarchy, the access speed slows down.

The storage device shown in FIG. 17 is an example in which the data transfer speed, which is a device attribute, has a hierarchy. The top layer has a data transfer speed of 200 megabytes per second. Numbers 3 and 4 are 100 megabytes per second, and two storage devices belong to this hierarchy. The next layer has a data transfer rate of 5
At 0 megabytes per second, two storage devices, number four and number five, are located below the number two storage device, and number six is located below the number three storage device. Also in this example, the storage devices are arranged in descending order of the data transfer speed.

(Embodiment 3) FIGS. 18 to 21 show functional blocks of this storage device. An information storage system 1800 illustrated in FIG. 18 includes a storage device group 1811 having a hierarchical structure in descending order of access speed, which is a device attribute of a storage device. In addition, a device attribute determination unit 1803, a device selection unit 1804, and a storage unit 1802
The storage unit 1802 includes an information acquisition unit 1805 and a user ID acquisition unit 1806. The device attribute determining unit 1803 acquires the user ID condition 1807 and the data attribute 1808 indicating the attribute of the information to be stored, and determines the device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored according to the data attribute 1808 and the like.

Then, which storage device has this device attribute is searched, and the determined device attribute is passed to the device selecting means 1804 to select a storage device.
The device selection unit 1804 selects a storage device that matches the acquired device attribute. Information acquisition means 1 of storage section 1802
805 obtains information 1810 to be stored, obtains a user ID 1809 to be associated, and stores information 1810 to be stored in the selected storage device as the user ID 1810.
09 and stored.

An information storage system 1900 shown in FIG.
Is an example in which the storage device 1911 has a hierarchical structure in the descending order of the data transfer speed, which is the device attribute, and does not form a hierarchical structure in series but branches to form a hierarchical structure. Other functional blocks of the information storage system 1900 include a control unit 1901 and a device attribute determining unit 1903, a device selecting unit 1904, and a storage unit 19 included therein.
02, and the information acquisition means 1905 is stored in the storage unit 1902.
And a user ID acquisition unit 1906. The device attribute determining unit 1903 acquires the user ID condition 1907 and the data attribute 1908 indicating the attribute of the information to be stored, and determines the device attribute of the storage device to store the information according to the data attribute 1908 and the like. Then, a search is made for which storage device has this device attribute, and the determined device attribute is passed to the device selection means 1904 in order to select a storage device. The device selection unit 1904 selects a storage device that matches the acquired device attribute. Storage unit 19
02 is the information 1910 to be stored.
And the user ID 1909 to be associated
And the information 191 to be stored in the selected storage device
0 is stored in association with the user ID 1909.

An information storage system 2000 shown in FIG.
Is an example in which the storage device 2012 has a hierarchical structure in descending order of the access speed which is the device attribute. This information storage system 2000 includes a storage device group 2012 having a hierarchical structure in descending order of access speed, which is a device attribute of a storage device. In addition, a control unit 2001 and device attribute determination means 2003 included therein, Means 2004, a storage unit 2002, and the storage unit 2002
5 and a user ID acquisition unit 2006. The device attribute determining unit 2003 acquires the storage parameter 2009 in addition to the user ID condition 2007 and the data attribute 2008 indicating the attribute of the information to be stored, and obtains the user ID condition 2007, the data attribute 2008, and the storage parameter 200.
According to No. 9, the device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored is determined. Then, a search is made for which storage device has this device attribute, and the determined device attribute is passed to the device selection means 2004 for selecting a storage device.
The device selection unit 2004 selects a storage device that matches the acquired device attribute. Information acquisition means 2 of storage unit 2002
005 acquires information 2011 to be stored, obtains a user ID 2010 to be associated, and stores information 2011 to be stored in the selected storage device as the user ID 2010.
10 and stored.

An information storage system 2100 shown in FIG.
The storage device group 2112 does not form a hierarchical structure in series, but branches and forms a hierarchical structure. Another functional block of the information storage system 2100 includes a control unit 2101 and a device attribute determining unit 210 included therein.
3, an apparatus selection unit 2104 and a storage unit 2102. The storage unit 2102 includes an information acquisition unit 2105 and a user ID.
Acquisition means 2106. Device attribute determining means 2103
Indicates a storage parameter 210 in addition to a user ID condition 2107 and a data attribute 2108 indicating an attribute of information to be stored.
9 is obtained, and the device attribute of the storage device in which information is to be stored is determined according to the data attribute 2108 and the like.

Then, it is searched which storage device has this device attribute, and the determined device attribute is passed to the device selecting means for selecting the storage device. The device selection unit 2104 selects a storage device that matches the acquired device attribute. The information acquisition unit 2105 of the storage unit 2102 acquires the information 2111 to be accumulated, acquires the user ID 2110 to be associated, and stores the information 2111 to be accumulated in the selected storage device in association with the user ID 2110.

The term "hierarchical structure" as used herein includes not only the case where the wiring between the storage devices is physically hierarchical, but also the case where the configuration between the storage devices is logically hierarchical. When the wiring is physically hierarchical, the exchange of information between the storage devices is always performed through the storage device of the adjacent hierarchy. In the case of a logically hierarchical structure, the information itself does not necessarily have to be exchanged through adjacent layers, but the storage device is searched in the order of the hierarchical structure. The search in the hierarchical structure order does not necessarily have to start from the highest or lowest hierarchy.

(Embodiment 4) Next, the step of selecting a storage device in which information is to be stored from the plurality of storage devices comprises:
A method of an information service, which includes a step of searching in a hierarchical order whether the storage device having the hierarchical structure has the determined device attribute, will be described. The present invention is an embodiment based on the third embodiment. The present invention has a processing flow as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. The processing flow shown in FIG.
First, the process waits for an input for starting the process (step S2201), and if there is an input, a user ID is obtained (step S2202), and a user ID condition is obtained using the user ID (step S2203). ,
Further, the data attribute of the information to be stored is obtained (step S2204). Then, the device attribute of the storage device in which information is to be stored is determined from the user ID condition and the data attribute (step S2205). Next, a storage device having the determined device attribute is searched and selected from the storage devices having a hierarchical structure in a hierarchical order (step S2206).
Finally, the information to be stored is stored in the selected storage device in association with the user ID (step S2207), and the process ends.

The processing flow shown in FIG. 23 first waits until an input for starting the processing is made (step S230).
1) When there is an input, a user ID is obtained (step S2302), a user ID condition is obtained using the user ID (step S2303), and a data attribute and a storage parameter of information to be stored are further obtained. (Steps S2304 and S2305). Then, the device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored is determined from the user ID condition, the data attribute, and the storage parameter (step S2306). Next, a storage device having the determined device attribute is searched and selected from the storage devices having a hierarchical structure in a hierarchical order (step S2307). Finally, the information to be stored is stored in the selected storage device in association with the user ID (step S2308), and the process ends.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are conceptual diagrams showing how a storage device is searched in hierarchical order and a device is selected. In the example shown in FIG. 24, a search is performed on the device attribute called access speed in hierarchical order. This hierarchy has a structure in which the access speed becomes slower as one goes down the hierarchy from the first storage device. Therefore, the search order advances in the order of No. 1, No. 2, No. 3,... No. 6. If a storage device with a matching device attribute is searched on the way, the search is stopped there and information to be stored is stored in the found storage device. Note that it is not always necessary to perform the search from the first, and the search is performed from the fourth to the sixth, and
It is also possible to return to number 3 and end the search with number 3.

In the example shown in FIG. 25, a search is performed in the order of layers with respect to a device attribute called a transfer speed. This hierarchy has a structure in which the transfer speed becomes slower as one goes down the hierarchy from the first storage device. The hierarchy below the first storage device is branched, and is the second and third storage devices. Further, the lower tier of the second storage device includes the fourth and fifth storage devices, and the lower tier of the third storage device is the sixth storage device. Therefore, the search order cannot be uniquely determined, but as a first step, the order is 1 → 2 → 4.
As the second stage, No. 1 → No. 2 → No. 5 As a third step,
A search order that proceeds in the order of 1 → 3 → 6 is conceivable. If a storage device with a matching device attribute is searched on the way, the search is stopped there and information to be stored is stored in the found storage device. Note that it is not always necessary to perform the search from the first position, and a search method may be employed in which the search is performed from the second position to the fourth position, and then returns to the first position and proceeds to the third position.

(Embodiment 4 Effect) The information to be stored is
In addition to being sent for the first time from the terminal side, there is a usage method in which information previously stored in the information storage system is once read out and then stored in the information storage system again. Therefore, the most efficient search method is to store the hierarchy in which the information is stored in advance, search first at the hierarchy, and then search the hierarchy adjacent to the hierarchy. This is because, generally, the change of the attribute of the information is generally small, and when the information is searched from the vicinity of the hierarchy to which the information belongs in advance, the storage having the determined device attribute is performed in the hierarchy nearby. This is because it is easy to find the device.

(Embodiment 5) When the data attribute of the information stored in the storage device is changed, the information is moved to a storage device having a device attribute different from that of the storage device according to predetermined conditions. An application embodiment (Embodiment 5) based on Embodiments 1 to 4, which further includes a copying step, will be described.

The change of the attribute of the data includes the example shown in FIG. For example, when the type of data is changed from data including only audio to data including audio and moving images, a change in the amount of data, a new update time is added to the history by updating the data, and conditions for permitting data access. Changes in data, changes in conditions that allow data processing, changes in the data storage period, changes in the minimum required transfer rate of data, changes in data encryption methods, changes in data multiplexing methods, etc. is there. In addition, the case where the data attribute is changed means immediately after the data attribute is changed or after the presence or absence of the change of the data attribute is checked at regular time intervals, and as a result, it is detected that the data attribute is changed. The purpose is to include both.

FIG. 27 shows a case where the attribute of the data is changed from only text to mixed data of text and moving image. The device attribute of the storage device determined from the user ID condition and the data attribute will be described with reference to FIG. First, initially, the data attribute is text and the user ID 2703 is ID001, so the user ID condition 2704 is 01, the device attribute is C, and therefore the storage device is No. 6.
However, since the data attribute is changed from text only to a moving image, the device attribute 2705 is changed to the user ID condition 01 and the data attribute is changed to an image. This device attribute 2705 is A. Accordingly, a storage device migration 2706 occurs, and the storage device 2707 is changed from the original number 6 to the number 1. That is, the information stored in No. 6 moves to No. 1.

FIG. 28 shows a state in which copying is performed when the attribute of data is changed from text only to mixed data of text and moving image. The device attribute of the storage device determined from the user ID condition and the data attribute will be described with reference to FIG. First, the data attribute is text at first, and the user ID 2803 is the ID
001, the user ID condition 2804 is “01”, the device attribute is C, and therefore the storage device is No. 6 (2801). However, the data attribute was changed from text only to video (280)
2) Therefore, the device attribute is changed to the user ID condition 01 and the data attribute is changed to an image (280).
2). This device attribute is A (see FIG. 9). Therefore,
The information stored in the storage device No. 6 is left as it is, but a copy occurs together with the information to which the image has been added, and the copy destination is the storage device No. 1 (2806). That is,
The information stored in No. 6 is stored as it is in No. 6 (2807), and the text as the information to which the moving image is newly added is copied to No. 1 (2808).

(Effect of Embodiment 5) With this structure,
For example, in information stored only for personal use by individuals, the frequency of access to data is lower than that of published data, so even if device attributes such as access speed are relatively low. good. However, when it is made public, it is convenient in that the access speed can be changed to a storage device having a high device attribute. The trigger of the change at this time is that, among the data attributes, the access condition of the data is changed from a condition that permits access only to the owner to a condition that permits access to a third party. As an example of the relationship between the change of the data attribute and the device attribute, as for the change of the data type, as the data attribute changes to voice or moving image, information is acquired from the data transfer speed of the storage device and the storage device. When the communication speed must be faster. As the amount of data changes, as the amount of data gradually increases, it is better to change to a storage device with a larger storage capacity for better data storage efficiency. For example, when the data update history increases, it is better to use a storage device with a high access speed so that data rewriting per unit time may be large.

Embodiment 6 Embodiment 6 is an information storage system shown in FIG. This information storage system 290
0 indicates the control unit 2901, the storage unit 2902, and the storage device 2
911 to 2916. The control unit 2901 includes a device attribute determining unit 2903 and a device selecting unit 2904, and the storage unit 2902 includes an information acquiring unit 2905 and a user ID acquiring unit 2906. The storage devices are a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes (2911 to 291).
6). The device attribute determining means 2903 of the control unit 2901
Acquire a user ID condition and a data attribute. The user ID condition is uniquely determined from the user ID, for example. The device attribute is determined from predetermined conditions using the acquired user ID condition and data attribute, and the result is passed to the device selection unit 2904. The device selection unit 2904 of the control unit 2901 searches a plurality of storage devices (2911 to 2916) for a storage device that satisfies the condition according to the device attribute acquired from the device attribute determination unit 2903, and finds the corresponding storage device. Select as a storage device to store information. Information acquisition means 2905 of storage section 2902
Acquires information to be stored, and acquires user ID
06 is the user ID to be associated with the information to be stored
To get. Then, the user ID 2909 is associated with the information 2910, and the information is stored in the storage device selected by the device selection unit 2904 of the control unit 2901.

(Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 30 shows an information storage system according to the seventh embodiment. This information storage system 3
000 includes a control unit 3001, a storage unit 3002, and storage devices 3012 to 3017. The control unit 3001
The storage unit 3002 includes a device attribute determining unit 3003 and a device selecting unit 3004, and the storage unit 3002 includes an information acquiring unit 3005 and a user ID acquiring unit 3006. Storage device 3012
Reference numerals 3017 to 3017 denote a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes. The device attribute determining unit 3003 of the control unit 3001 acquires the storage parameter 3009 in addition to the user ID condition 3007 and the data attribute 3008. User ID condition 3
007 is uniquely determined from the user ID, for example. Acquired user ID condition 3007 and data attribute 3
A device attribute is determined from predetermined conditions using 008 and the storage parameter 3009, and the result is passed to the device selection means 3004. Device selection means 3 of control unit 3001
004, a storage device that satisfies the condition is searched among a plurality of storage devices (3012 to 3017) in accordance with the device attribute acquired from the device attribute determination unit 3003, and the storage device to store information is stored. Select as The information acquisition unit 3005 of the storage unit 3002 acquires information to be stored, and the user ID acquisition unit 3006 acquires a user ID 3010 to be associated with information to be stored. The user ID 3010 and the information are associated with each other, and the device selection unit 3004 of the control unit 3001 is connected.
Accumulates information in the selected storage device.

(Embodiment 8) The device attributes of Embodiments 6 and 7 include the data access speed of the storage device, the installation location of the device, the recording density, the recording speed, the useful life, and the error rate during reading and writing. Any one of communication speed, data transfer speed, portability, and recording method to a storage device when recording in the device is included as a device attribute value, and the plurality of storage devices are the device attributes. An information storage system having a hierarchical structure in ascending or descending order of values is also convenient.

(Embodiment 9) Further, the control unit of Embodiment 8 searches in order of hierarchy whether the storage device having the hierarchical structure has the determined device attribute and stores the information. It is convenient to provide an information storage system having a function of selecting a storage device to be used. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 31 to FIG.

An information storage system 3100 shown in FIG.
Comprises a control unit 3101, a storage unit 3102, and a storage device having a plurality of different device attributes. The control unit 3101 includes a device attribute determination unit 3103 and a device selection unit 3104, and the storage unit 3102 includes an information acquisition unit 3106 and a user ID acquisition unit 3107. The device attribute determining unit 3103 acquires the user ID condition 3108 and the data attribute 3109, and determines the device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored.

The information on the device attributes is passed to the device selecting means 3104, and the device selecting means 3104 selects a storage device in which the information is to be stored from a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes. This device selection means 3104
It has a hierarchical order search function 3105, and searches and selects storage devices having the determined device attribute in the storage device 3112 having a hierarchical structure in the hierarchical order. In this example, the storage device has a hierarchical structure 3 in descending order of access speed.
The search is performed in order from the first storage device. When a storage device having the device attribute determined by the search is found, the information acquisition unit 3106 of the storage unit 3102
The information 3111 to be stored in the storage device is stored in association with the information obtained by the user ID 3110 obtained by the user ID obtaining unit 3107 of the storage unit 3102.

Information storage system 3200 shown in FIG.
Comprises a control unit 3201, a storage unit 3202, and a storage device 3212 having a plurality of different device attributes. Control unit 3
201 is a device attribute determining means 3203 and a device selecting means 32
04, and the storage unit 3202 stores the information
6 and user ID acquisition means 3207. The device attribute determining unit 3203 acquires the user ID condition 3208 and the data attribute 3209, and determines the device attribute of the storage device 3212 in which information is to be stored. The information on the device attributes is passed to the device selection unit 3204, and the device selection unit 3204 outputs the plurality of storage devices 32 having different device attributes.
12, a storage device for storing information is selected.

This device selecting means 3204 has a hierarchical order search function 3205, and searches for and selects a storage device having the determined device attribute from the storage devices 3212 having a hierarchical structure in a hierarchical order. . In this example, the storage device 3212 has a hierarchical structure in which the transfer speed is branched in descending order, and the storage device 3212 searches in order from the first storage device.
When a storage device having the device attribute determined by the search is found, the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 3206 of the storage unit 3202 is associated with the user ID 3210 acquired by the user ID acquisition unit 3207 of the storage unit 3202, and the storage device The information to be stored is stored in the.

An information storage system 3300 shown in FIG.
Is similar to the information storage system of FIGS. 32 and 31,
It comprises a control unit 3301, a storage unit 3302, and a storage device 3313 having a plurality of different device attributes. Control unit 330
1 is a device attribute determining unit 3303 and a device selecting unit 3304
The storage unit 3302 includes an information acquisition unit 3306 and a user ID acquisition unit 3307. The device attribute determining unit 3303 acquires the user ID condition 3308, the data attribute 3309, and the storage parameter 3309, and determines the device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored. The information on the device attributes is passed to the device selection unit 3304, and the device selection unit 3304 selects a storage device to store information from among the plurality of storage devices 3313 having different device attributes.

The device selecting means 3304 has a hierarchical order search function 3305, and searches and selects storage devices having the determined device attribute in the storage device 3313 having a hierarchical structure in hierarchical order. . In this example, the storage device 3313 has a hierarchical structure of a branching structure with respect to the access speed in descending order, and searches in order from the first storage device. When a storage device having the device attribute determined by the search is found, the information acquisition unit 3306 of the storage unit 3302
Is associated with the user ID 3311 acquired by the user ID acquisition unit 3307 of the storage unit 3302, and the information 3312 to be accumulated in the storage device.

Information storage system 3400 shown in FIG.
Is similar to the information storage system of FIGS. 32 and 31,
The control unit 3401 includes a control unit 3401, a storage unit 3402, and a storage device 2413 having a plurality of different device attributes. Control unit 340
1 is a device attribute determining unit 3403 and a device selecting unit 3404
The storage unit 3402 includes an information acquisition unit 3406 and a user ID acquisition unit 3407. The device attribute determining unit 3403 acquires the user ID condition 3408, the data attribute 3409, and the storage parameter 3410, and determines the device attribute of the storage device in which information is to be stored.

The information on the device attributes is passed to the device selection means 3404, and the device selection means 3404 selects a storage device in which the information is to be stored from a plurality of storage devices 3413 having different device attributes. This device selecting means 34
The storage device 04 has a hierarchical order search function 3405, and searches the storage devices having the determined device attribute among the storage devices 3413 having a hierarchical structure by selecting them in the hierarchical order. In this example, the storage device 3413 has a hierarchical structure of a branched structure in the data transfer speed in descending order, and searches in order from the first storage device. When a storage device having the device attribute determined by the search is found, the information obtained by the information obtaining unit 3406 of the storage unit 3402 is added to the storage unit 340.
The information 3412 to be stored in the storage device is stored in association with the user ID 3411 obtained by the second user ID obtaining unit 3407.

(Embodiment 10) Next, when the data attribute of the information stored in the storage device according to any of Embodiments 6 to 9 is changed, the control unit stores the information in accordance with a predetermined condition. An information storage system having a structure further provided with a function of moving or copying to a storage device having a device attribute different from that of the storage device will be described. This embodiment is an information storage system having a structure shown in FIGS.

An information storage system 35 having the structure shown in FIG.
00 comprises a plurality of storage devices 3512 having different device attributes from the control unit 3501 and the storage unit 3502. The control unit 3501 of the information storage system 3500 includes a device attribute determining unit 3503 and a device selecting unit 3504.
The storage unit 3502 stores the information acquisition unit 3506 and the user ID
And acquisition means 3507. The device attribute determining unit 3503 of the control unit 3501 determines the device attribute of the storage device in which information is to be stored, according to the user ID 3508 and the data attribute 3509. Information 3511 to be stored is stored in association with the user ID 3510. The device selecting means 3504 of the control unit 3501 has a function of moving and copying information to a storage device having a different device attribute according to a predetermined condition when the data attribute is changed.

The device selecting means 3504 may have the hierarchical order search function described in the ninth embodiment. The plurality of storage devices 3512 have a hierarchical structure according to the access speed which is a device attribute, and are arranged in descending order from the device having the highest access speed. Then, when the data attribute of the information stored in the storage device 3512 changes (as shown in FIG. 26), the information is moved and copied according to a predetermined condition (3505). For example, a flow process as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 is employed. Here, "according to the predetermined condition" means that a new device attribute corresponding to a new data attribute is determined according to, for example, a table for determining a device attribute as shown in FIG.

An information storage system 36 having the structure shown in FIG.
00 comprises a control unit 3601 and a storage unit 3602 and a plurality of storage devices 3612 having different device attributes. The control unit 3601 of the information storage system 3600 includes a device attribute determining unit 3603 and a device selecting unit 3604.
The storage unit 3602 stores the information acquisition unit 3606 and the user ID
And acquisition means 3607. The device attribute determining unit 3603 of the control unit 3601 determines the device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored according to the user ID condition 3608 and the data attribute 3609. Information 3611 to be stored is stored in association with the user ID 3610. The device selection means 3604 of the control unit 3601 has a function 3605 for moving and copying information to a storage device having a different device attribute according to a predetermined condition when the data attribute is changed.

The device selecting means 3604 may have the hierarchical order search function described in the ninth embodiment. The plurality of storage devices 3612 have a hierarchical structure branched by a data transfer speed which is a device attribute, and are arranged in descending order from the device having the highest data transfer speed. Then, when the data attribute of the information stored in the storage device changes (as shown in FIG. 26), the information is moved and copied according to predetermined conditions. For example, a flow process as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 is employed. Here, "according to the predetermined condition" means that a new device attribute corresponding to a new data attribute is determined according to, for example, a table for determining a device attribute as shown in FIG.

An information storage system 37 having the structure shown in FIG.
00 includes a control unit 3701 and a storage unit 3702 and a plurality of storage devices 3713 having different device attributes. The control unit 3701 of the information storage system 3700 includes a device attribute determining unit 3703 and a device selecting unit 3704.
The storage unit 3702 stores the information acquisition unit 3706 and the user ID
And acquisition means 3707. The device attribute determining means 3703 of the control unit 3702 determines the device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored according to the user ID condition 3708, the data attribute 3709, and the storage parameter 3710.
Information 3712 to be stored is stored in association with the user ID 3711. The device selecting means 3704 of the control unit 3701 has a function 3705 for moving and copying information to a storage device having a different device attribute according to a predetermined condition when the data attribute is changed. Further, the device selecting means 3704 may have the hierarchical order search function described in the ninth embodiment.

The plurality of storage devices 3713 have a hierarchical structure according to the access speed which is a device attribute, and are arranged in descending order from the device having the fastest access speed. Then, when the data attribute of the information stored in the storage device changes (as shown in FIG. 26), the information is moved and copied according to predetermined conditions. For example, a flow process as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 is employed. Here, "according to the predetermined condition" means that a new device attribute corresponding to a new data attribute is determined according to, for example, a table for determining a device attribute as shown in FIG.

An information storage system 38 having the structure shown in FIG.
00 includes a control unit 3801 and a storage unit 3802 and a plurality of storage devices 3813 having different device attributes. The control unit 3801 of the information storage system 3800 includes a device attribute determining unit 3803 and a device selecting unit 3804.
The storage unit 3802 stores the information acquisition unit 3805 and the user ID
And acquisition means 3806. The device attribute determining unit 3803 of the control unit 3801 determines the device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored according to the user ID condition 3808, the data attribute 3809, and the storage parameter 3810.
Information 3812 to be stored is stored in association with the user ID 3811. The device selection means 3804 of the control unit 3801 has a function 3807 for moving and copying information to a storage device having a different device attribute according to a predetermined condition when the data attribute is changed. Further, the device selecting means 3804 may have the hierarchical order search function described in the ninth embodiment.

The plurality of storage devices 3813 have a hierarchical structure according to a transfer speed which is a device attribute, and are arranged in descending order from the device having the highest transfer speed. Then, when the data attribute of the information stored in the storage device changes (as shown in FIG. 26), the information is moved and copied according to predetermined conditions. For example, a flow process as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 is employed. Here, according to the default condition,
For example, this means that a new device attribute corresponding to a new data attribute is determined according to a device attribute determination table as shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 11) Next, in the information storage system according to any one of Embodiments 6 to 10, there is provided a reading section for reading stored information, a reading section for reading the stored information, and the reading section. An information storage system having a structure further including a processing unit for processing the information will be described.

FIG. 39 and FIG. 40 show an information storage system of this embodiment. The information storage system 3900 illustrated in FIG. 39 includes a control unit 3901, a plurality of storage devices 3902 having different device attributes, a storage unit 3903, and further includes a reading unit 3908. The control unit 3901 has a device attribute determining unit 3904 and a device selecting unit 3905. The device attribute determining unit 3904 obtains at least one of a user ID condition, a data attribute, and a storage parameter, and stores a device of a storage device in which information is to be stored. Determine attributes.

Device selecting means 3905 of control unit 3901
Has a function of selecting a storage device having the device attribute determined by the device attribute determination unit 3904, and in some cases, a storage device that matches the determined device attribute from among the storage devices having a hierarchical structure. A function of searching for devices in descending or ascending order and selecting a storage device may be provided.
Further, in some cases, when the data attribute indicating the promotion of the information stored in the storage device is changed, there is a function of moving and copying the information to a storage device having a different device attribute according to a predetermined condition. Is also good.

The storage unit 3903 obtains information to be stored by the information obtaining unit 3906, and stores the information to be stored in the user ID obtaining unit 3906.
The storage unit 39 selected by the control unit 3901 stores information to be stored in association with the user ID acquired by the control unit 907.
02. The reading unit 3908 has a function of reading stored information from the corresponding storage device 3902. When the user wants to read the information stored in the information storage system 3900 from a terminal or the like, the user is given a user ID and a read command to the read unit 3908, and is forced to read after judging whether the information is prohibited by a data attribute or the like. In such a case, the information is read out and can be read out from the terminal. If there is a prohibition due to a data attribute or the like, the reading is rejected.

Information storage system 4000 shown in FIG.
Includes a control unit 4001, a plurality of storage devices 4002 having different device attributes, and a storage unit 4003, and further includes a reading unit 4009 and a processing unit 4008. Control unit 400
1 is a device attribute determining unit 4004 and a device selecting unit 4005
And the device attribute determining unit 4004 acquires one or more of the user ID condition, the data attribute, and the storage parameter,
The device attribute of the storage device in which information is to be stored is determined. The device selection unit 4005 of the control unit 4001 has a function of selecting a storage device having the device attribute determined by the device attribute determination unit 4004, and in some cases, determines a storage device having a hierarchical structure. The storage device may have a function of searching for storage devices that match the specified device attribute in descending or ascending order and selecting a storage device. Also, in some cases,
When the data attribute indicating the promotion of the information stored in the storage device is changed, a function of moving and copying the information to a storage device having a different device attribute according to a predetermined condition may be provided.

The storage unit 4003 obtains information to be stored by the information obtaining unit 4006, and stores the information in the storage device selected by the control unit 4001 in association with the user ID obtained by the user ID obtaining unit 4007. The reading unit 4009 stores the stored information in the corresponding storage device 4.
002. When the user wants to read the information stored in the information storage system 4000 from a terminal or the like, the user is given a user ID and a read command to the read unit 4009, and is forced to read after judging whether the information is prohibited by a data attribute or the like. In such a case, the information is read out and can be read out from the terminal. If there is a prohibition due to a data attribute or the like, the reading is rejected.

Further, the processing section 4008 can process the read information. The processing is intended to include the case where the information storage system itself changes and adds information, in addition to the case where the user changes and adds information. For example, when information of the same content is to be stored from each terminal, it is useless to store the information in the storage device twice, so that only one is left and only the other data attribute is left. Perform processing to add to the information. Further, it is necessary to change the data structure of the information according to the type of the terminal from which the information is to be read, and in such a case, the processing unit 4008 performs the processing on the information. The processing of information refers to deleting a part of the information, adding new information to the information, or correcting an error in the information. For example, a specific image of a specific person is extracted from a photograph in which a plurality of people are shown, or a background image of a town landscape is combined with a human image without a background.

(Embodiment 12) In this embodiment, a program for operating an information processing apparatus with a storage device capable of inputting and outputting information is recorded in an information storage system including a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes. Related to a recorded medium.

As shown in FIG. 41, the information storage system 4
The information processing device with storage device 4100 is the entrance to the storage device 101 for storing information to be stored. Specifically, it is a digital TV, a digital TV set-top box, a server used at home, a personal computer, a mobile phone, a car navigation terminal, a kiosk terminal, and the like. When information is input to the information processing device 4100 with a storage device, there are roughly two locations where the information is stored. One is an information storage system 4101, and the other is a storage device 4102 of an information processing device with storage device 4100.

An amount of data that is inappropriate to be stored at home or in a portable terminal is sent to the information storage system 4101 and stored. However, such small data or information that is accessed frequently and is always referred to. Should be stored in a storage device under the terminal. According to the present invention, information is stored in the storage device 4102 of the information processing device 4100 with the storage device.
No. 01 storage device.

For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 42, the user ID, the user ID condition 4203, the data attribute 420
4. The resource information 4205 is used. From these pieces of information, the storage device 4200 which is a place where the information input to the information terminal with storage device 4201 should be stored or the storage device 4202 of the information processing device with storage device is determined. A recording medium 4206 in which a program for executing this processing is readablely recorded in an information processing device (computer) with a storage device is used.

More specifically, it is a program for executing the processing flow shown in FIG. First, the process waits until there is an input for processing (step S4301). When there is an input, the user ID condition associated with the user ID of the information storage system is stored (step S4302).
A user ID and the user ID condition are obtained (step S4303), a data attribute indicating an attribute of information to be stored is obtained (step S4304), and resource information indicating a state of a resource of the information processing apparatus with a storage device is obtained. (Step S4305) According to a predetermined condition, any one of the information of the user ID, the user ID condition, or the resource information is stored in any storage device of the information storage system or the information processing device with a storage device. It is determined whether the information should be stored (step S4).
306), and the process ends.

This embodiment is a recording medium on which a program for causing an information processing apparatus with a storage device to execute the program is recorded. In this way, a terminal such as a personal computer, a set-top box, or a home server at home can execute this program only by reading the recording medium. Note that the resource information is a register of the CPU of the information processing device with a storage device,
Computer-usable resources such as cache memory, main memory, and external memory.

(Thirteenth Embodiment) Next, a computer-readable recording medium having a structure further including a step of transmitting information determined to be stored by the program of the twelfth embodiment to the information storage system will be described.
This embodiment has a processing flow shown in FIG. First, the process waits until there is an input for processing (step S4401), and when there is an input, the user ID condition is stored (step S4402). And user ID
And the user ID condition (step S440)
3) Acquire a data attribute indicating the attribute of the information to be stored (step S4404). Thereafter, resource information indicating the state of the resource of the information processing device with storage device is obtained (step S4405), and the information system or the information processing device with storage device is obtained from at least one of the user ID condition, the data attribute, and the resource information. Is determined in which storage device the information is to be stored (step S440).
6) If it is determined that information should be stored in the information storage system, the information is transmitted to the information storage system (step S4407).

When it is determined that the information should be stored in the storage device of the information processing device with a storage device, the information is stored in the storage device. For transmission, a communication line such as an Internet line or a telephone line to which the information processing device with a storage device is connected may be used. Further, when a plurality of communication means are available, it is convenient if an optimum communication means can be selected from a user ID, a user ID condition, a data attribute, and the like.

(Embodiment 14) Next, a case in which information is transmitted from an information processing apparatus with a storage device to an information processing system by designating a storage condition and a storage device in which information is to be stored based on the storage condition is selected. explain. The present invention is shown in FIG.
The information storage system 4502 is composed of a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes.
Information processing device with storage device 45 capable of inputting and outputting information
01, the user ID of the information storage system 4502,
The data attribute and the storage condition are transmitted in association with the information to be stored (4504), and the information storage system 4502 selects the storage device 4503 for storing this information. Recording medium 4505 in which this processing is programmed
Is read by the information processing device 4501 with a storage device.

FIG. 53 shows an example of an input screen appearing on the display of the terminal when this recording medium is read into an information processing apparatus with a storage device and executed. The file name, type, size, creation date, creator, update date, updater, and the like are automatically read by the information processing apparatus with a storage device from the data attributes of this information. However, if you move the cursor over that part, you can make corrections as much as possible. A storage destination, a storage expiration date, a reading speed, security, compression, a reading terminal, and the like can be input and selected as storage conditions.

In the specification of the storage destination, automatic setting and arbitrary setting are possible. When selecting the storage destination, a pull-down menu (not shown) appears, and the storage device can be freely selected. . The storage period can be selected from one week, one month, one year and indefinite. The read speed is determined by the access speed of the storage device, the data transfer speed, and the communication speed with the storage device, and can be selected from standard, high speed, and low speed. When the security is clicked, the degree of security can be selected, whereby the degree of encryption (redundancy) can be selected.

The compression is performed when transmitting data, or
Indicates the compression ratio when storing data in the storage device.
You can select by clicking. The reading terminal field is a part for inputting at which terminal the stored data can be read, and selects a place where the same type of terminal is installed, or selects a different type of terminal. Different types of terminals include personal computers, set-top boxes, digital TVs, home servers, car navigation terminals, mobile phones, PDs
A, kiosk terminals, etc.

The column of access right is a part for selecting whether or not a third party is permitted to access this information. In addition, when a third party is permitted to access, the type of third party to which the access is permitted can be selected from a pull-down menu for selecting a permitted person. If you want to make this available for a fee, you can enter the fee in the access fee field. Finally, when the user clicks the box for the warehouse, the information storage system or the storage device of the information terminal with storage device is selected according to the entered contents, and the file as information is transmitted.

FIG. 54 shows an example of a screen for managing files as information stored in the information storage system on the information terminal with storage device. File name and its type, size of file size, creation date, date of storage in the information storage system, name of storage device stored,
The renewal date, the last access date, the number of times of access by a third party, and the access fee which is the amount charged for the access are recorded. And, it is a sign indicating that the storage device storing the information has been changed, which is described in italics in the location column.

FIG. 46 shows a procedure executed by this recording medium. First, the process waits for an input for processing (step S4601). When an input is made, a user ID is obtained (step S4602), and information to be stored is specified (step S4603). Acquire a data attribute indicating the attribute of the information (step S
4604), the user is prompted to enter storage conditions indicating conditions for storage (step S4605), and the process ends by associating the user ID, storage conditions, and data attributes with information to be stored (step S4606). Thereafter, the information is sent to the information storage system together with the storage conditions and the like associated with the information storage system. In the information storage system, a device attribute in which the information is to be stored is determined based on the information. The optimum storage device is selected from the devices, and the information is stored in the storage device.

(Fifteenth Embodiment) It is convenient if the program further includes a step of transmitting information associated with the user ID and the storage condition to the information storage system on the recording medium. This embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, first, it waits until there is an input for processing (step S4).
701), when there is an input, a user ID is obtained (step S4702), information to be stored is specified (step S4703), and a data attribute indicating the attribute of the specified information is obtained (step S4704). Prompts the user to input storage conditions indicating conditions for storage (step S
4705), the user ID, the storage condition, and the data attribute are associated with the information to be stored (step S4706), the associated information is transmitted to the information storage system (step S4707), and the process ends.

The conditions for storage include the storage device to be used, the storage period, the information disclosure condition, the processing condition of the information by a third party, the data transfer speed of the storage device to be used, and the storage device to be used. The communication speed, the maximum value of the storage capacity used for the information, the use of a portable storage medium, or the data access speed of the storage device used.

(Embodiment 16) Next, a method of charging when information is stored in the information storage system will be described. FIG. 48 shows an example of the flow of the billing process. As shown in this figure, the charge is calculated in accordance with a predetermined charge condition using at least one of a user ID condition, a data attribute, and a device attribute. Here, the calculation of the charging fee is a calculation of the charging amount, and the charging amount may be in yen, dollar, or other currency units. Alternatively, points that can be converted into yen, dollars, and the like may be used. A 100 point charge is equivalent to 10,000 yen. The flow of the process relates to a charge calculation method for calculating a charge for a customer using the service in an information service that stores information in an information storage system including a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes. (Step S4801), the customer's user ID
(Step S4802), and a user ID condition associated with the user ID, which is a condition relating to information storage, is obtained (step S4803), and information corresponding to the user ID stored in the information storage system is obtained. The data attribute indicating the attribute of is acquired (step S4
804) Thereafter, the device attribute of the storage device of the information storage system in which the information is stored is acquired (step S4805), and the charging condition predetermined from the user ID condition, the data attribute, and the device attribute is obtained. Is calculated according to the above (Step S480)
6). When the accounting is calculated, the calculation result is sent to an accounting center or the like, where the fee is actually automatically deducted from a customer's deposit account or the like, or payment is made by electronic payment or the like.

The predetermined charging conditions include, for example, a monthly fee and a basic monthly fee determined according to the maximum available capacity of the storage device with respect to the user ID and the user ID condition, as well as the storage device capacity. Is a pay-as-you-go rule that charges according to the actual use of the data. The condition predetermined by the data attribute is 100 yen per 100 MB per month when the data is text, and 200 yen per month when the data is voice. When the data is a video, the condition is 300 yen, and when the information is not disclosed to a third party, the condition is 50 yen when the information is disclosed even at 100 yen per 100 megabytes per month.

(Embodiment 17) In the above accounting calculation, a storage parameter which is a parameter at the time of storing information may be further considered. The present invention is shown in FIG. The processing flow first waits for an input for processing (step S4901), acquires a user ID of the customer (step S4902), and acquires a user ID condition associated with the user ID (step S4903). Then, a data attribute indicating the attribute of the information corresponding to the user ID condition stored in the information storage system is obtained (step S490).
4) Acquire a storage parameter indicating a condition at the time of storing the information (step S4905), and determine a device attribute of a storage device in which information is to be stored from the user ID condition, the data attribute, and the storage parameter according to a predetermined condition. It is determined (step S4906), and the user ID, data attribute,
A charge is calculated from the storage device attributes according to a predetermined charge condition (step S4907). After the charge calculation is performed, the calculation result is sent to a charge center or the like, and the charge is actually automatically deducted from a customer's deposit account or the like, and payment is made by electronic payment or the like.

In this charging calculation method, the charging fee can be calculated according to the storage conditions, so that more flexible calculation is possible. Note that the storage conditions are like the storage parameters shown in FIG.

(Embodiment 18) Next, a description will be given of a mechanism for giving a difference in fee when information is disclosed to a third party as compared to when information is not disclosed. A third party is anyone other than the owner of the information. FIG. 50 is a conceptual diagram thereof. First, the storage parameter 5 is associated with the information.
002, a data attribute 5003, and a user ID 5004 are obtained. The storage parameter 5002 includes an access parameter. The access parameter is the information 50
When 01 is stored in the information storage system, access conditions are determined. Do not disclose to third parties at all,
The access parameter determines whether the accumulated information is disclosed to a certain third party or the accumulated information is disclosed to all third parties. In the example of this figure, it is recorded that the content can be made public. Therefore, this information 5001 can be viewed not only by the owner but also by a third party. The data attribute 5003 indicates the attribute of the data and is an image. The user ID condition 5005 is acquired from the user ID 5004.

Then, these accumulation parameters 5002,
A device attribute 5006 is determined from the data attribute 5003 and the user ID condition 5005, and a storage device 5007 to store information is selected from a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes. In this case, the selected storage device 5007 is numbered one. First storage device 500
Since the information stored in 8 is disclosed, it is accessed by a third party. The access history is recorded as an access history (5009), and the price is calculated (501).
0). The price for access is a profit obtained by the information owner by viewing the information by a third party. For example, it is conceivable to calculate a fee lower as the number of accesses is larger than a fee paid by the owner of the information for the information storage service that should be originally paid. Further, when the person who has accumulated the information is an information provider, it is conceivable to calculate the charge for the provider according to the number of times of access on a pay-per-use basis. This is because the provider also has a profit depending on the number of accesses.

FIG. 51 shows the flow of this processing.
First, it waits for an input for processing (step S
5101), when there is an input, a user ID is acquired (step S5102), a user ID condition is acquired (step S5103), an accumulation parameter is acquired (step S5104), and a data attribute of information to be accumulated is acquired (step S5104). (Step S5105), the device attribute of the storage device in which the information is to be stored is determined from the user ID condition and the data attribute (Step S5106), and the storage device having the determined device attribute is selected from the plurality of storage devices (Step S51).
07) The information to be stored is stored in the selected storage device in association with the user ID (step S5108), the access history is recorded (step S5109), and the price for access to the information is calculated from the access parameter and the access history. Then (step S5110), the process ends.

The access history includes the date and time when the information was accessed, the length of time, and the I
D, information such as processing added to the information by the access, and whether or not the file was downloaded by the access. The information to be stored is stored in association with the user ID in order to specify the information.

(Embodiment 19) Further, according to the method of calculating the price of the embodiment 18, the access history to the information stored in association with the user ID or the calculated price is specified by the user ID. It is convenient to further include a step of notifying the user. This is because knowing the access history by the user who has accumulated the information helps to further change or add the information, or to publish another information.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 52, first, it waits until an input for processing is made (step S520).
1) When there is an input, a user ID is acquired (step S5202), and a user ID condition is acquired (step S520).
5203), and acquire the accumulation parameter (step S52).
04), acquire the data attribute of the information to be stored (step S5205), determine the device attribute of the storage device to store the information from the user ID condition and the data attribute (step S5206), and have the determined device attribute. The storage device is selected from the plurality of storage devices (step S5207), the information to be stored is stored in the selected storage device in association with the user ID (step S5208), the access history is recorded (step S5209), and the access parameter is stored. Then, a price for accessing the information is calculated from the access history (step S5210), the calculated price or the access history is notified to the user specified by the user ID (step S5211), and the process ends.

[0099]

According to the present invention, information can be stored in an optimum storage device according to the type and capacity of data, so that an efficient and inexpensive service for storing information can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the information service of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a user ID condition according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data attribute according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device attribute according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of determining a user ID condition in the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of device attribute determination according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of storage device selection in the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a processing flow according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a storage parameter indicating a storage condition according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a flow of processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a processing flow according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a hierarchical structure of a storage device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a hierarchical structure of a storage device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing functional blocks according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing functional blocks according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing functional blocks according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a processing flow according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a search order according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a search order according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in a data attribute according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing functional blocks according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the embodiment 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the embodiment 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the embodiment 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the embodiment 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing functional blocks according to Embodiment 11 of the present invention;

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing functional blocks according to Embodiment 11 of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a conceptual diagram of Embodiment 12 of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a conceptual diagram of Embodiment 12 of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a view showing a processing flow in the twelfth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a view showing a processing flow in the embodiment 13 of the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a conceptual diagram of Embodiment 14 of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the embodiment 14 of the present invention;

FIG. 47 is a view showing a processing flow of the embodiment 15 of the present invention;

FIG. 48 is a view showing a processing flow of the embodiment 16 of the present invention;

FIG. 49 is a diagram showing the flow of processing in Embodiment 17 of the present invention.

FIG. 50 is a view showing a processing flow of the embodiment 18 of the present invention;

FIG. 51 is a view showing a processing flow of the embodiment 18 of the present invention;

FIG. 52 is a view showing a processing flow of the embodiment 19 of the present invention;

FIG. 53 is a screen example of the information processing apparatus with a storage device according to the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a screen example of the information processing apparatus with a storage device according to the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

S0201 Step of waiting until there is input S0202 Step of acquiring user ID S0203 Step of acquiring user ID condition S0204 Step of acquiring data attribute of information to be stored S0205 Step of determining device attribute of storage device from user ID condition S0206 Step of selecting storage device S0207 Step of storing information in storage device

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Kazuo Reinventor 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture F-term in Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 5B049 AA02 BB00 CC08 CC27 CC36 DD01 DD05 EE01 EE05 EE07 FF03 FF04 FF09 GG03 GG04 GG06 GG07 5B065 BA10 CA14 CC03 CC07 CC08 EA33 ZA08 ZA15 5B082 CA01 EA07

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. An information service method for storing information in an information storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes, comprising: obtaining a user ID of the information storage system; User I associated with the user ID, which is a condition for storage
A step of obtaining a D condition; a step of obtaining a data attribute indicating an attribute of information to be stored; and a device of a storage device to store the information from the user ID condition and the data attribute according to a predetermined condition. An information service including: determining an attribute; selecting a storage device having the device attribute from the plurality of storage devices; and storing the information in the selected storage device in association with the user ID. the method of. 2. An information service method for storing information in an information storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes, comprising: obtaining a user ID of the information storage system; User I associated with the user ID, which is a condition relating to storage
Obtaining a D condition, obtaining a data attribute indicating an attribute of information to be stored, obtaining a storage parameter indicating a condition at the time of storing the information, and setting the user ID condition according to a predetermined condition. Determining a device attribute of a storage device in which the information is to be stored from the data attribute and the storage parameter; selecting a storage device having the device attribute from the plurality of storage devices; Storing the information in a storage device in association with the user ID. 3. The device attributes include a data access speed of the storage device, an installation location of the device, a recording density, a recording speed, a service life, an error rate at the time of reading and writing, and a storage device at the time of recording in the device. Communication speed, data transfer speed,
Either the presence or absence of portability and the recording method are included as device attribute values which are device attribute values, and the plurality of storage devices have a hierarchical structure in ascending or descending order of the device attribute values. The information service method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The step of selecting a storage device in which information is to be stored from the plurality of storage devices, searches in a hierarchical order whether the storage device having the hierarchical structure has the determined device attribute. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of: 5. A step of, when said data attribute of information stored in said storage device is changed, moving or copying said information to a storage device having a device attribute different from said storage device according to a predetermined condition. The information service method according to claim 1, further comprising: 6. A storage device in which information is to be stored is stored by selecting a storage device in which information is to be stored from a user ID condition associated with a user ID and a data attribute indicating an attribute of the information to be stored. A plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes, and the user ID according to a predetermined condition.
A control unit that determines a device attribute of a storage device in which the information is to be stored based on a condition and the data attribute, and selects a storage device having the device attribute from the plurality of storage devices; And a storage unit for storing the information in association with the user ID. 7. A storage device in which information is to be stored is stored by selecting a storage device in which information is to be stored based on a user ID condition associated with a user ID, which is a condition relating to storage of information, and a data attribute indicating an attribute of information to be stored. A plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes, and the user ID according to a predetermined condition.
A control for determining a device attribute of a storage device in which the information is to be stored from a condition, the data attribute, and a storage parameter indicating a condition at the time of storing the information, and selecting a storage device having the device attribute from the plurality of storage devices. An information storage system comprising: a storage unit for storing the information in the selected storage device in association with the user ID. 8. The device attributes include a data access speed of the storage device, an installation location of the device, a recording density, a recording speed, a service life, an error rate at the time of reading and writing, and a storage device at the time of recording in the device. Communication speed, data transfer speed,
One of the portability and recording method is included as a device attribute value, and the plurality of storage devices have a hierarchical structure in ascending or descending order of the device attribute value. Item 6. The information storage system according to item 6 or 7. 9. The control unit has a function of searching in a hierarchical order whether the storage device having the hierarchical structure has the determined device attribute, and selecting a storage device in which the information is to be stored. 9. The information storage system according to claim 8, further comprising: 10. The control unit, when the data attribute of information stored in the storage device is changed, transfers the information to a storage device having a device attribute different from that of the storage device according to a predetermined condition. 10. The information storage system according to claim 6, further comprising a function of moving or copying. 11. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a reading unit for reading out the stored information, a reading unit for reading out the stored information, and a processing unit for processing the read out information. Information storage system described in. 12. An information storage device having a storage device capable of inputting / outputting information to / from an information storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes is associated with a user ID of the information storage system. Storing a user ID condition; obtaining the user ID and the user ID condition; obtaining a data attribute indicating an attribute of information to be stored; and a resource state of the information processing apparatus with a storage device. Obtaining resource information indicating any one of the information storage system or the information processing device with a storage device from at least one of the data attribute, the user ID condition, and the resource information according to a predetermined condition. Deciding whether to store the information in a storage device. A computer-readable recording medium. 13. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 12, further comprising a step of transmitting, to said information storage system, information determined to be stored in said information storage system by said program. 14. An information storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes is read into an information processing device with a storage device capable of inputting and outputting information, and a user ID of the information storage system is acquired. A step of receiving designation of information to be stored, a step of obtaining a data attribute indicating an attribute of the specified information, and a step of prompting input of a storage condition indicating a condition when storing the information, Associating the information with the user ID and the storage condition with the information to be stored. 15. The program according to claim 15, wherein
The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 14, further comprising a step of transmitting D and information associated with the storage condition to the information storage system. 16. A billing calculation method for calculating a bill to a customer who uses an information service for storing information in an information storage system including a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes, Obtaining the user ID of the customer; obtaining a user ID condition associated with the user ID, which is a condition relating to storage of information; and information corresponding to the user ID stored in the information storage system. Acquiring a data attribute indicating the attribute of the information storage device, acquiring a device attribute of a storage device of the information storage system in which the information is stored, and previously acquiring from the user ID condition, the data attribute, and the device attribute. Calculating a charging fee to said customer according to a predetermined charging condition. 17. A billing calculation method for calculating a billing fee to a customer who uses a service in an information service for storing information in an information storage system comprising a plurality of storage devices having different device attributes indicating device attributes. Obtaining the user ID of the customer, obtaining a condition relating to storage of information and a user ID condition associated with the user ID, and data indicating an attribute of information to be stored in the information storage system. Acquiring an attribute, acquiring an accumulation parameter indicating a condition at the time of accumulating the information, and accumulating the information from the user ID condition, the data attribute, and the accumulation parameter according to a predetermined condition. Determining a device attribute of the storage device, the user ID, the data attribute, Charging calculation method comprising the steps of charging determined in accordance with predetermined charging conditions from the device attributes. 18. The method according to claim 18, wherein the storage parameter is the user ID.
Having access parameters for a third party that allows access to information stored in association with D, and recording a history of access to said information by said third party;
Calculating a price for accessing the information from the access parameter and the access history according to a predetermined condition. 19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of notifying the user specified by the user ID of the access history or the calculated price for the information stored in association with the user ID. 18
Information service method described.