KR20020041396A - A Jini Application for Dynamic Integration of Office Software Components Distributed over Network - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention searches for office automation and personal general software components (hereinafter, referred to as "office components") distributed on the Internet using Jini, which dynamically connects devices or software on a network using Java. It is related to the Genie application that composes the office application optimized for the user's purpose. More specifically, the office component needed by asynchronously searching the office components distributed on the Internet regardless of the function and format of the office and the developer and the company. This application relates to the Genie application for dynamic integration of network distributed office components that can be configured as an integrated application without a separate download and installation process.

According to the present invention, a component consumer is developed to meet the Java Genie technical specification and functions as an office automation program and a personal general software component (office component), which are Java Genie service objects that are registered and distributed on the Internet. Genie application for the dynamic integration of network distributed office components that automatically search for the necessary office components without any need for separate download and installation process. This is provided.

Description

A Jini Application for Dynamic Integration of Office Software Components Distributed over Network}

The present invention searches for office automation and personal general software components (hereinafter, referred to as "office components") distributed on the Internet using Jini, which dynamically connects devices or software on a network using Java. It is related to the Genie application that composes the office application optimized for the user's purpose. More specifically, the office component required by asynchronously searching the office components distributed on the Internet regardless of the function and format of the office and the developer and the company This application relates to the Genie application for dynamic integration of network distributed office components that can be configured as an integrated application without a separate download and installation process.

Computer software, which is increasingly important in the application and commercialization of information technology (IT), is characterized by a very short life cycle and renewal cycle as a result of rapidly changing new technology development or new demand. The average user is in fact difficult to adapt to the emergence, destruction and renewal of such computer software for economic, time and professional reasons.

This is never desirable from a user's point of view or from a computer software developer and distributor. Users who are not aware of the features already implemented in the latest software and rely only on the existing software will not expect the best work efficiency. The problem could be solved if all users were able to pinpoint the latest software industry trends and purchase the optimal software without price constraints, but this situation is practically impossible without a very special group of users. This, in turn, has undermined the economic and technical development of computer software developers.

In addition, the technology for automatically updating a very limited type of module by connecting to a designated server at regular intervals has already been adopted in various products. However, there is no technology that can be configured as an integrated application without a separate download and installation process by asynchronously searching for necessary office components without distinction between functions and formats of offices and developers and companies. .

The object of the present invention is to automatically identify the office automation and personal general software components (office components) distributed among the Internet among the computer software, to recognize the format, to download, and to integrate the components as applications. And it provides a Genie application for the dynamic integration of network distributed office components, including Genie technology and the implementation method that allows configuration in real time.

1 is a configuration diagram of an office application using JOffice

2 is a conceptual diagram of a procedure for developing, registering, and using office components;

3 is a Genie network model diagram of a J-office component

4 is a view showing the creation of the J Office application

The 'Genie application for dynamic integration of network distributed office components' of the present invention is an application that can automatically search for and download office computer software components that are publicly available for free or freely on a network, and integrate them into one software. Jini network model of jOffice components, user interface design (UIDesign) for office components, jOffice interface design, and business application model of jOffice Business Application Model) and jOffice object-oriented model.

Here, jOffice refers to a generic term for computer software concepts based on Java's Genie technology and consistent with the teachings of the present invention. You can call and run multiple office programs in jOffice, and in most cases, you don't need to save the office components on your computer. When you search for the office components you need, you can automatically configure the environment. can do. The concept of using the jOffice as described above is shown in FIG.

All figures in the present invention will be illustrated in accordance with Unified Modeling Language (UML), a standard methodology for developing computer software.

Description of terms used in FIG. 1 is as follows. ① JOffice: A client-side application or concept that can search, download, and integrate office components distributed in a network using Java Genie technology. ② Originator (Component originator): The present invention A person who develops, registers and publishes (or is used for) the office component software defined in the above. ③ A consumer (or consumer): A person who uses an office component using JOffice (or is used for the program). ), ④ Register Office S / W Component: Register office components developed to meet Java's Genie technical specification to Jini Lookup Service. Make it public for search by jOffice, and It means to register the information about the location of the web server where various resources are used. ①②③ above is a software basic component produced by the object-oriented methodology. Classes in which data and functions for processing the data are integrated into one, and ④ is a unit of work that needs to be processed in UML. Use-case

In addition, Genie is an application level networking protocol that extends the characteristics of Java to the entire environment and implements an environment that connects all elements on the network. In other words, Ginny extends the Java application environment across the network and has a mechanism to automatically detect what is on the network, making it a useful network system that can link all electronic devices, software and services, from home appliances to supercomputers. Will be realized. Because the structure uses object technology, the structure is an object-oriented architecture, and thus, all devices, software, and services on the network, from home appliances to supercomputers, can be freely interconnected. Jini's ultimate goal is to form an alliance (Impromptu Community) that can access anything and perform the necessary functions at the same time. It means that devices that adopt Jini, regardless of the hardware and software of a particular computer, can interact with each other on the network at any time and place, as long as they are connected to the network without any artificial manipulation or installation. It is to make a unity to do various things.

This dynamic alliance consists of devices (computers, peripherals, digital appliances, etc.) and services registered with the lookup service, which look like bulletin boards to indicate what services the Genie-equipped devices have. To do. When the device is connected to the network, the device goes through a discovery process to identify the location of the lookup service, and the lookup service is configured through a joining process to upload an appropriate service interface.

Each office component defined in the present invention should be registered and published on the Internet as a Genie service object of Java. The published service object is automatically retrieved and downloaded by a user program and a component consumer to form an integrated application. The procedure concept for this process is shown in FIG.

The terminology used in FIG. 2 is as follows. ① Register Service Object: Registering an office component developed to meet the Java Genie technical specification to the Genie Lookup Service. This allows the J office of the network to search for a given office component. At the same time, information about the location of the web server that stores various resources that are publicly available and auxiliary is also registered. ② Develop Component: This is a task to code using Java programming language to implement the function of office component. ③ Make Jini Service Object (Make Jini Service Object): It is a work that is processed by API which is developed so that developed office component meets Java Genie technical standard. ④ Search Service Object: This is a job to search for an office component designated by a certain condition from the Genie Lookup Service. ⑤ Download Service Object: Downloading Java class files (implementation classes) and resources for office components that meet the specified conditions from the web server. ⑥ Construct Application: As shown in FIG. 4, a process of creating an office application using the downloaded office component. All of the above 1 to 6 are use-classes.

First, the "Genie network model of jOffice components" will be described in detail as follows. Each office component constituting jOffice must be developed and distributed as a service object based on Java's Genie technology.

The Genie network model of the jOffice component is shown in FIG. 3 and the term 'Issue registrar' is used as a use-case, after the service object is registered by the originator. The process of delivering a registration file (Service Registrar) to a service object. The registration file contains the Service ID and the Genie Lookup Service information for the service object. This information is read by the consumer to identify, retrieve, and download the service object. To be possible.

Office components developed to meet the Java Genie specification (Service Object in the Jini specification) register with a machine or program named Lookup Service, and in this process, Service Object. The proxy of is passed to the lookup service.

In addition, an additional service register (Service Registrar) including a service ID for uniquely identifying a given service object may be created by the lookup service. Issued and returned to Originator.

The office component consumer requests a service object satisfying a predetermined condition through a lookup service, and as a result, downloads a proxy of a desired service object from a lookup service.

Through this service proxy, Java implementation class file that composes office component is downloaded from designated web server. Once you have all the class files of the office components you need, you integrate them into one application, jOffice.

The function of a lookup service may be implemented through a third party program that is provided as a standard, and thus is not included in the present invention.

Second, "User Interface Design (UIDesign: User Interface Design) for Office Components" will be described in detail as follows.

The user interface for each of the office components that make up jOffice is designed to satisfy the following:

① It complies with the Java programming grammar for the Genie Service object specified in the Jini Specification and satisfies all the functions of the Jini Service.

② For integration into jOffice, the following standard requirements should be satisfied. In order not to infringe developer ingenuity, the GUI and functionality of office components are excluded from the content of this application.

i) All GUIs are based on Java's Jpanel / Panel / JFrame objects.

ii) Includes public information required to link and call the corresponding office component in jOffice. This includes at least the following information: Ⓐ String that represents the category of the office component: Example) WordProcessor, Presenter, Spreadsheet, ImageViewer, MediaPlayer, MediaBrowser, HTTPBrowser, FTPClient, MailClient, etc. Ⓑ The installation location and execution class name of the office component. Ⓒ Help file name and installation location of office component. Ⓓ General information about the developer, version, release date, and contact information of the office component. Ⓔ Evaluation information of the office component: information on the decision to adopt and use the component, such as the number of downloads, user evaluation points, and the price of the paid component. The method of using the information will be described in detail in the next third 'J office interface design'.

Third, the "jOffice interface design" will be described in detail as follows.

The user-side application jOffice (jOffice) of the present invention defines the integration target office components (category and evaluation information), lookup office components (Lookup) for the lookup service (Lookup), download and install Java implementation class files, The basic function is to read component information and refresh it to reflect it, and execute office component call by mouse or keyboard.

JOffice can present the evaluation information on the retrieved office components to the user (human) to select whether or not to proceed with the download, and the called office components can be executed in a separate window or inside JOffice. Should be allowed. A UML Statechart Diagram for creating a jOffice application (see FIG. 1) is shown in FIG. 4.

The terminology used in FIG. 4 is as follows. Prompt for new construction: The process of popping up a window asking the consumer whether to search for a new office component and integrate it into a given jOffice. ② ShowService Template Box (ShowServiceTemplateBox): This is the process of opening the window to edit the information of the ServiceTemplate. The class that stores the search condition information to find the desired service object in Java's Genie system is called ServiceTemplate. ③ Perform service lookup: This is the process of searching for the desired office components for the lookup service. ④ LoadComponents: Load Office components already stored in the user's computer in jOffice (or, precisely, in Java Virtual Machine (JVM) running JOffice). ⑤ Fix RemoteException: Various exceptions (e.g. server down, network interruption, power outage, etc.) that can occur while an office component is being transmitted in real time on the network are called remote exceptions. The proper response and corrective action are taken. ⑥ GetComponents: Downloading class files and resources that compose office components from web server. ⑦ InstallComponents: Install the downloaded office components. GetComponentInfo (GetComponentInfo): Gets an object that stores office component details (see the second section, "User Interface Design for Office Components"). Parser Component Info (ParseComponentInfo): Reads the detail information of the office component. J Update jOffice Environs: Rewrites the jOffice execution configuration file by reflecting the details of the read office components. Draw jOffice: Rendering a GUI of a composed application.

The interface design of the application jOffice shown in Figure 4 is as follows. ① The office component receives a new request from the user or automatically executes the process of FIG. ② jOffice must comply with Java programming grammar for Jini Service object defined in Gini Technical Specification and satisfy all functions of Jini Service. ③ jOffice should be manufactured based on Jpanel, Panel, JFrame. ④ It should be able to parse the information of office components and reflect the result as the environment information for running jOffice. ⑤ You can control GUI and function by referring to environment information file. ⑥ The categories of office components are arranged in the menu of jOffice by type, and the corresponding office components are executed by mouse or shortcut key. ⑦ You can choose whether to render the GUI of the running office component inside jOffice or in a separate application window. ⑧ You can specify the types of office components that can be loaded and used on the system, unload unnecessary office components from the system, and delete them from the computer memory. ⑨ You can search for a desired office component at a specified interval. ⑩ For paid office components, you can access and make electronic payments using a credit card payment system.

Fourth, the "Business Application Model of jOffice" will be described in detail as follows.

The jOffice of the present invention provides an innovative structure for the development, distribution, and sale of personal computer software to date. Instead of a large software package, only the software you need is available at low cost in real time. Accordingly, the industrial application model of the present invention is a service for the office components and jOffice developed, registered and published to meet the requirements of the present invention.

The "Genie application for dynamic integration of network distributed office components" of the present invention having the configuration as described above can call and execute all necessary applications from one interface, and do not need to install and store the necessary applications on a computer, Both components and jOffice are written in the Java programming language and can be executed regardless of the computer operating system, and the entire process of internet registration process and search, download, installation, and execution of the developed office components is automated. When registered with the above Jini Lookup Service, a permanently stable system is constructed and distributed through a transmission method through the Internet to ensure real-time search and execution, and a full object-oriented method to meet standard requirements. future May utilize any object-oriented software components in the second office (jOffice), enable the component per unit of transport and installation, so is possible to save the resources and the costs for installing and maintaining the unnecessary modules of a conventional large package software.

In addition, all the software to be developed for the present invention having such a function must be written in the Java language, and jOffice and each office component can use the object-oriented technology to quickly reflect future technology developments. JOffice and each office component must meet the Java Genie technical specification, jOffice and each office component must reflect the design contents of the four configurations described above. JOffice and each office component should be ready for use in wired and wireless communication networks by supporting EJB (Java technology for producing software components), and major system-level services such as Jini Lookup Service. They must meet Sun Microsystems' technical specifications.

Thus, the present invention automates the process of identifying, downloading, and integrating components as office automation and personal general software components (office components) distributed on the Internet, and integrating them as applications. By enabling configuration, it is possible to provide new perspectives and cultures on the development, distribution, and use of software in the sense that it can quickly purchase or freely use only the desired components instead of the entire package. It has the effect of providing a practical technology that allows the implementation to be based on software components, by enabling the use of multiple software using a single application and eliminating the need to install on that computer. The effect of computer devices and increasing the efficiency of resource use, and to define the standard technical requirements for network software components has an effect capable of integrating all the technology of the future with the current software.

Claims (4)

The component consumer is developed to meet the Java Genie technical specification, and is registered and distributed on the Internet. Genie application for dynamic integration of network distributed office components, characterized by asynchronous search and retrieval of necessary office components only when necessary without company identification. The method of claim 1, wherein the environment configuration process includes registering an office component (called a Service Object in the Jini technical specification) developed to satisfy the Java Genie technical specification in a machine or a program named a lookup service. In this process, a proxy of a service object is delivered to a lookup service, and includes a service ID for uniquely identifying a given service object. A separate service registrar is issued and returned to the originator by the lookup service, and the office component consumer looks up a service object that satisfies a certain condition. (Lookup Service) makes a search request and consequently a lookup service for the proxy of the desired service object. It is downloaded from (Lookup Service), Java implementation class file (implementation class) constituting office component is downloaded from designated web server through this service proxy, and all necessary office component class files are downloaded. Genie application for the dynamic integration of network distributed office components, characterized in that the user is implemented as a "genie network model of jOffice components" integrating this into a single application, jOffice. 2. The interface of a component consumer according to claim 1, wherein the interface of the component consumer is defined in the Genie Specification. The Java programming grammar for the Genie Service object is observed and the Jini Service is transmitted. Functions are satisfied, ② i) All GUIs are based on Java's Jpanel / Panel / JFrame objects for integration into jOffice, and ii) JOffice (jOffice) ⓐ A string indicating the category of office component needed to link and call the corresponding office component. , General information such as date of publication, contact information, ⓔ office component evaluation information (download count, user evaluation point, If the price of fuel components, such as the adoption of the corresponding component and use decision-making information) such information genie for the dynamic integration of distributed office network component that features meets the standard requirements include a minimum applications. According to claim 2, jOffice (jOffice) interface to define the integration target office components (category and evaluation information), Lookup (Lookup) for the lookup service (Lookup), Download and install the Java implementation class file The basic function is to read the installed component information and to reflect it, and to execute the office component call by mouse or keyboard. And JOffice shall comply with the Java programming grammar for the Genie Service object specified in the Genie Technical Specification and meet all the functions of the Geni Service. ③ JOffice should be manufactured based on Jpanel, Panel, JFrame And ④ be able to parse the information of the office components, and reflect the results as environmental information for the execution of jOffice, and ⑤ refer to the environmental information file for GUI and Function can be controlled, ⑥ The category of office components are sorted in the menu of jOffice by type, the corresponding office components are executed by mouse or shortcut key, and ⑦ The GUI of the executed office components is saved. You can choose whether to render inside jOffice or in a separate application window, ⑧ You can specify the type of office components that can be loaded and used in the system at runtime, and unload unnecessary office components from the system. It can also be deleted from the computer's memory. Genie application for the dynamic integration of network distributed office components, which can be connected to the payment system using a credit card, and electronic payment for the paid office components.