JPH08314819A - Data file transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] Regarding a data file transfer method for transferring a data file between a plurality of devices existing on the network, the process is continued without redoing the transfer process until the transfer process is completed, and the network Reduce resource waste and load. [Structure] Check if there is sufficient free space in the storage unit on the receiving side, and if there is not enough free space, delete it.
A data file operation such as compression is performed to secure a sufficient free space, and then the data file is transferred.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data file transfer system for transferring a data file between a plurality of devices existing on a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in data file transfer processing,
Assuming that there is sufficient data file write capacity in the storage unit of the receiving device, if the write capacity is insufficient, the session will be interrupted as an error without writing or the network session will be available until writing becomes possible. It was performing processing such as keeping waiting while holding.

[0003]

Among the above cases, in the case of the method of interrupting the processing due to an error, the data file transfer from the transmitting device becomes invalid and it is necessary to repeat the transfer processing from the beginning. Also, if the network session is kept waiting until it becomes writable, the resources of the network are wasted and the load of the network is increased.

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a data file transfer method in which the transfer process is continued until the transfer process is completed, and the resource waste and load of the network can be reduced. To do.

[0005]

A data file transfer system of the present invention which achieves the above object has at least a first storage section for storing a data file, and the data file stored in the first storage section. And a second device having a second storage unit for storing the data file and receiving the data file and storing the received data file in the second storage unit. In a system in which the first device and the second device are connected via a network, in a data file transfer method for transferring a data file from the first device to the second device via the network, (1) In response to a predetermined data transfer instruction for transferring a predetermined data file stored in the first storage unit to the second device, the predetermined storage unit stores the predetermined data in the second storage unit. Free space checking means for checking whether or not there is sufficient free space for storing the data file (2) Second storage unit when the free space checking means determines that there is not enough free space Data file operating means for operating the data file stored in the second storage unit to increase the free space of the second storage unit (3) Data for transferring the predetermined data file from the first storage unit to the second storage unit It is characterized by having a file transfer means.

In the data file transfer system of the present invention, the data file transfer means of the above (3) is confirmed by the free space check means that there is a sufficient free space in the second storage section, or The predetermined data file may be transferred from the first storage unit to the second storage unit after waiting for the data file operating means to secure a sufficient free space in the second storage unit. ,
Alternatively, the data file transfer means of the above (3) waits for a predetermined time and then stores the predetermined data file from the first storage unit when the free space check means determines that there is not enough free space. It may be transferred to the second storage unit.

Alternatively, the system has a third storage unit for storing a data file, in addition to the first device and the second device, and receives the data file. While storing in the storage unit,
The third device for transmitting the data file stored in the third storage unit is connected to the network, and the data file transfer means determines by the free space check means that there is not enough free space. If
A predetermined data file is transferred from the first storage unit to the third storage unit, and after waiting for sufficient free space to be secured in the second storage unit by the data file operating means, the predetermined data file is transferred. The data may be transferred from the third storage unit to the second storage unit.

Further, in the above-mentioned data file transfer system of the present invention, the data file operating means of (2) above is
The data file may be manipulated arbitrarily, but from the data files stored in the second storage unit, the data files stored in the second storage unit are stored in order from the oldest to the second storage unit. It is also possible to select a number of data files required to secure a sufficient free space and operate the selected data files.

The data file operating means is, for example,
The data file is deleted, the data file is moved, or the data file is compressed. Here, the data file may be moved to a storage device other than the second storage unit in the second device if the storage device is present, and may be moved to another device having a free space. (Transfer). The present invention may also be applied when moving (transferring) to another device. Regarding the compression of the data file, in the present invention, the compression method is not particularly limited, and various types of lossless compression and lossy compression can be adopted.

[0010]

The data file transfer method of the present invention checks whether or not the transfer destination has sufficient free space when transferring the data file, and secures sufficient free space when there is not sufficient free space. Therefore, since the data file already stored in the storage unit of the transfer destination is operated, after sufficient free space is secured in the transfer destination (when the notification of the securement is received, or Since the data file is transferred, the operator does not have to repeat the operation for transferring the data file many times, and a data file transfer method that consumes less network resources is realized. .

Here, when the data file transfer means determines that the free space check means does not have a sufficient free space, it waits until a sufficient free space is secured by the operation by the data file operation means In the case of data transfer, the data file is transferred after the data file can be surely transferred, so that wasteful exchange of data is prevented.

When the data file is transferred after waiting for a sufficient free space to be secured by the operation of the data file operating means, the above-mentioned second device (receiving device)
Side sends to the first device (transmitting device) side information that a sufficient free space is secured, and the first device (transmitting device) receives the information and sends the data file to the second device. Alternatively, or when the second device (reception device) is the main constituent and a sufficient free space is secured, the second device (reception device) side moves to the first device (transmission device). You may go to the side to get the data file. Especially in the latter case,
The processing on the first device (transmitting device) side is simplified.

Further, when the data file operating means determines that the receiving side does not have sufficient free space, the data file operating means waits for a predetermined time and transfers the data file. This is effective in the case where the method to be performed is simplified and there is a high possibility that a sufficient free space can be secured in the second device (reception device) with time.

Further, a system to which the present invention is applied is
In addition to the first device and the second device, a third device capable of both transmitting and receiving a data file is connected to a network, and the data file transfer means is a free space check means. If it is determined that there is not enough free space, the predetermined data file is transferred from the first device to the third device, and the data file operating means secures sufficient free space in the second device. Waiting for the specified data file to be transferred from the third device to the second device, or if there is not enough free space on the second device (receiving device) side. However, it is not necessary to leave the data file to be transmitted to the first device (transmission device) side,
This is effective when the storage capacity of the second device (reception device) is small.

Regarding the data file operating means, the second
When the operator specifies which data file among the data files stored in the storage unit of the operation target, and operates to operate the specified data file, the data file that you do not want to operate is operated without permission. Although this is prevented, it is necessary for the operator to specify the data file to be operated one by one. On the other hand, the data file operating means secures sufficient free space in the second storage unit from the oldest data files stored in the second storage unit in the order of storage in the second storage unit. If you select the required number of data files and operate on the selected data files, the data files will be operated without the operator having to specify each one, and the importance of the information will decrease as it gets older. It is effective for clear data.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system to which the present invention is applied. Multiple devices, device 1, device 2 and device 3, are LANs
It is connected via a network 4 such as a (local area network).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the devices 1 to 3 shown in FIG. The devices 1 to 3 include CPUs 10, 20, and 30 for controlling the devices 1 to 3, display units 11, 21, and 31 such as a display device, and operation units 12, 22, and 32 including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. , A main storage unit 13, 23, 33 for storing a program for operating the device or a program describing the method of the present invention, network interfaces 14, 24, 34 for connecting the network 4 and the devices 1 to 3, and saving a data file Storage units 15, 25, and 35. It is possible to have a plurality of storage units in each of the devices 1 to 3, and here, each device 1
The storage units having a plurality in 3 to 3 are referred to as storage units 16, 26 and 36.

A plurality of data files 110 to 112; 210 to 21 are stored in the storage units 15, 25 and 35, respectively.
2; 310 to 312 are stored. In the following description, it is assumed that the device 1 is the transmitting device and the device 2 is the receiving device. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the data file transfer method of the present invention. For example, the operator operates the operation unit 1
When the data file 110 is specified by operating 2 to instruct to transfer the data file 110 from the device 1 to the device 2, first, the information indicating that the data file is transferred is transmitted from the device 1 to the network. 4 to the device 2. The information includes information on the size of the data file 110 to be transferred. Then, in the device 2, it is checked whether or not the free space in the storage unit 25 is sufficient to store the data file 110.

If the data file 110 is writable, the data file 110 is transferred from the storage unit 15 of the device 1 to the storage unit 25 of the device 2, and the process ends. However, if there is no writable free space in the storage unit 25,
The data file in the storage unit 25 of the device 2 is operated to increase the writable area. afterwards,
Alternatively, after a predetermined time, the data file 110 is transferred and the process ends. A specific example of which data file in the storage unit 25 is operated or what kind of operation is performed will be described later.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the data file transfer step shown in FIG. When the storage unit 25 of the device 2 has sufficient free space, or when sufficient free space is secured, the fact is notified to the device 1, which is the transmitting device. By doing so, the trigger for starting the data file transfer can be entrusted to the device 2 (reception device). Further, since the data file is transferred after a sufficient free space is secured on the device 2 side, useless exchange of data is prevented.

Upon receiving the notification, the device 1 executes the transmission of the data file, and the data file 110 is transferred to the device 2.
And the process ends. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the data file transfer step. If the storage unit 25 of the device 2 does not have enough free space to transfer the data file 110, the time is monitored for a certain period of time, then the data file 110 is transmitted, and the process ends. . If the data file cannot be transmitted even at that time, the process of FIG. 5 is repeated. This method is effective when there is a high possibility that sufficient free space will be secured in the device 2 (reception device) over time, and data file transfer is simpler than the method shown in FIG. Can be done.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing another example of the data file transfer step. If there is not enough free space in the storage unit 25 of the device 2 to transfer the data file 110, the process is passed to the device 2, which is the receiving device. In the device 2, the storage unit 25 is operated by the data file operation.
When a sufficient free space is secured in the data file 110, the data file acquisition program is executed to transfer the data file 110 to the device 1.
, And when the transfer is completed, the process ends. According to this method, the main body of data file transfer is the device 2
Since it is entrusted to the (reception device), the processing on the device 1 (transmission device) side is simplified.

By the way, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the device 1 (transmitting device) takes the lead in transferring the file.
In the example shown in (2), the data file is transferred mainly by the device 2 (reception device), but the difference between the main components is the following difference in specific processing. That is,
For the data file transmission / acquisition operation, the following information is prepared on the side that is the main body of the transfer operation (the side that takes action).

A. File name for transfer (transfer source / transfer destination) b. Path name where data file to be transferred exists (storage position in storage unit) c. Device name (identification ID) of transfer partner Based on the above information, a session such as mount process / open process is established between the devices, and data contents are sent / received to perform a transfer operation.

The processes such as file opening and closing between devices associated with the transfer are triggered by the process on the side of the main body of the transfer operation. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing yet another example of the data file transfer step. Storage unit 2 of device 2
5 does not have enough free space to transfer the data file 110, the data file 110 is transferred to another device (device 3 in this example) other than the receiving device (device 2) and stored in the device 3. Data file 110 in part 35
Is written, and then the process is passed to the device 2, which is the original receiving device. In the device 2, when a sufficient free space is secured in the storage unit 25 by the data file operation, the data file acquisition program is executed, the device 3 goes to acquire the data file 110, and the process ends when the transfer is completed. .

As described above, when the original receiving device (device 2) does not have sufficient free space, once it is configured to transmit to another device (device 3), device 1 (transmitting device) It is not necessary to keep the data file that is going to be sent to the user forever. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the data file operation step of FIG.

When the process is started, first, the data files already stored in the device 2 are selected as necessary for operation in the order of oldest storage, and then the selected data files are targeted. , Data file operation is performed. Such a method of automatically selecting the data files to be operated in the order of oldness is effective for data (for example, news) where the older the data, the less important the information.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing another example of the data file operating step of FIG. First, the operator operates the operation unit 12 of the device 1 to select, from the data files stored in the storage unit 25 of the device 2, a desired number of arbitrary data files corresponding to the operation as an operation target. It

This selection can be performed from the device 2 or another device (for example, the device 3). In this way, if the operator specifies the data file selected as the operation target, it is possible to prevent the necessary data file from being operated (for example, erased) unintentionally.

Alternatively, instead of selection by the operator, automatic selection by a program may be performed. The data file operation is performed on the data file selected by the above operation. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the data file operation executed for the selected data file.

When the process is started, the operation target data file on the storage unit 25 is erased, and the process ends. This erasing operation method is the simplest process for increasing the free space. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing another example of the data file operation executed for the selected data file.

When the processing is started, the operation target data file on the storage unit 25 is stored in another storage unit (for example, the storage unit 2).
6) Moved up and end the process. This operation method of moving can secure the free space without losing the original data as long as the condition that there is a storage area where the data file can be moved exists somewhere.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the data file operation executed for the selected data file. When the processing is started, the storage unit 2
The operation target data file on 5 is compressed, and the process ends. This compression operation method requires a certain amount of time depending on the compression method, and in the case of lossy compression,
The original data is not completely restored and contributes less to free space compared to erasing or moving data, but is effective under the condition that data files cannot be erased and cannot be moved. Is a technique.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit 11 of the device 1 when the data file to be transmitted from the device 1 is designated. As shown in FIG. 13, the data files 110 to 112 in the storage unit 15 are displayed on the display unit 11 of the device 1 (transmitting device), and the data file to be transferred is designated by the operation unit 12.

As an instruction method in the operation unit 12, an instruction method by a pointing device such as a mouse, an instruction method by moving a cursor, an instruction method by inputting an item number of a data file, an instruction method by directly inputting a data file name, etc. can be considered. One or more of these methods can be used. By using these methods, it is possible to freely specify the data file to be transferred, and if a plurality of data files are specified at one time, the transfer direction only needs to be once.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit 11 of the device 1 when designating the receiving destination of the data file transmitted from the device 1. As shown in FIG.
A list of devices connected to the network 4 is displayed on the display unit 11 of (transmission device), and the operation unit 12 is instructed to select a device from which to receive.

As an instruction method by the operation unit 12, an instruction method by a pointing device such as a mouse, an instruction method by moving a cursor, an instruction method by inputting an item number of a receiving apparatus, an instruction method by directly inputting a receiving apparatus name, etc. can be considered. One or more of these methods can be used. By adopting such an instruction method of the data file transfer destination device, the selection of the data file transfer destination device can be freely changed without being fixed to the device at the time of initial setting. Also, by selecting a plurality of transfer destination devices, it is possible to transfer to a plurality of locations with one time effort.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a network including a part of the ISDN network. In the above-described embodiments, the network 4 is assumed to be a general LAN, that is, a relatively high-speed and inexpensive network such as Ethernet. However, unlike the present invention, an unnecessary load is not applied to the network and resources are saved. In a system that does not waste
Even if a network, such as the DN network 41, which has a slightly low speed and a relatively high usage charge is used, it can be put to practical use. In this example, since the ISDN network 41 is used, file transfer not only to the inside of a building but also to a remote place can be easily realized.

The ISDN communication system is a dedicated line,
Either a general line or a packet line may be used. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a network partially including an analog public line. In the method such as the present invention which does not add an excessive load to the network and consumes less resources and waste, it is possible to use the network at a low speed and a high usage fee such as the analog public line 42. When the analog public line 42 is used, data files can be transferred to a remote place as in the case where the ISDN network 41 is used, and the analog public line 42 is wider than the ISDN network 41 as a general public line. Since it is widely used, a system that spreads over a wider range can be easily constructed.

In the above examples, various examples of each element of the present invention have been shown, but it goes without saying that a plurality of them may be arbitrarily combined.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if the operator does not repeatedly give a transfer instruction, the transfer of the data file to be transferred is completed until it is surely completed, which largely contributes to resource consumption and load reduction of the network.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration example of devices 1 to 3 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a data file transfer system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a data file transfer step.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another example of the data file transfer step.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of a data file transfer step.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing yet another example of a data file transfer step.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a data file operation step.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the data file operating step.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing an example of a data file operation executed for a selected data file.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of a data file operation executed for a selected data file.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of a data file operation executed for a selected data file.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit 11 of the device 1 when a data file to be transmitted from the device 1 is designated.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example on the display unit 11 of the device 1 when designating a recipient of a data file transmitted from the device 1.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a network partially including an ISDN network.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a network partially including an analog public line.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 3 device 4 network 41 ISDN network 42 analog public line 10, 20, 30 CPU 11, 21, 31 display unit 12, 22, 32 operation unit 13, 23, 33 main storage unit 14, 24, 34 network interface 15, 16, 25, 26, 35, 36 Storage unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A first device having at least a first storage unit for storing a data file and transmitting the data file stored in the first storage unit, and a second storage unit for storing the data file. A second storage unit that receives a data file and stores the received data file in the second storage unit.
In a system in which the first device and the second device are connected to each other via a network, the first device to the second device via the network.
In the data file transfer method of transferring a data file to the device, the predetermined data file stored in the first storage unit is transferred to the second device in response to a predetermined data transfer instruction. A free space check unit for checking whether or not there is a sufficient free space for storing the predetermined data file in the second storage unit, and the sufficient free space exists by the free space checking unit. Data file operating means for increasing the free space of the second storage unit by operating the data file stored in the second storage unit when it is determined that the predetermined data file is stored in the second storage unit. And a data file transfer means for transferring data from one storage unit to the second storage unit. 2. The data file transfer means confirms the existence of the sufficient free space in the second storage section by the free space check means, or the second storage section by the data file operation means. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined data file is transferred from the first storage unit to the second storage unit after waiting for the sufficient free space to be secured in the first storage unit. Data file transfer method. 3. The data file transfer means, when the free space check means determines that the sufficient free space does not exist, waits for a predetermined time to store the predetermined data file in the first storage unit. The data file transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the data file is transferred from the storage device to the second storage unit. 4. The system has a third storage unit for storing a data file in addition to the first device and the second device, and receives the data file, and receives the received data file as the third data file. Stored in the storage unit of the
If a third device for transmitting the data file stored in the storage unit is connected to the network, and the data file transfer means does not have the sufficient free space by the free space check means. When determined, the predetermined data file is transferred from the first storage unit to the third storage unit, and the data file operating means secures a sufficient free space in the second storage unit. Wait for the specified data file to
2. The data file transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the data file is transferred from the storage unit to the second storage unit. 5. The data file operating means selects the second data file from the data files stored in the second storage section.
Selecting the number of data files required to secure the sufficient free space in the second storage unit in the old order stored in the storage unit and operating the selected data file. The data file transfer system according to claim 1, wherein 6. The data file operating means erases the data file or moves the data file,
Alternatively, the data file transfer method according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the data file is compressed.