Abstract:
The present invention provides a program sharer software that uses technology including storage systems on servers and data access redirection to enable frequently used software (such as document editing software, program development tools, drawing software, ERP software, CAD/CAM software mail software, and so on,) to be executed on client terminals, when, in fact, the software is installed on centralized management software servers. The data access redirection technology in the Windows OS is separated into file redirection, registry redirection, local facilities usage and font installation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     (a) Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a program sharer, that enables front-end computers to use and execute an operating environment of a host terminal without the need for installing any software on the front-end computers other than operation systems, and without placing a strain on hardware resources of the host terminal such as CPU, memory, and so on. Moreover, software of the host computer terminal are loaded into the front-end computers for execution and use thereon.  
         [0003]     (b) Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Conventional software design is primarily divided into two major portions: one portion is an algorithm  101 , and the other portion is data access  102 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 , wherein examples of the algorithm  101  include word processing, digital arithmetic, graphic processing, commercial logic, and so on. The data access  102  accesses data in a data storage system  104  through a kernel service system  103 . The kernel service system  103 , Is a service system such as Microsoft Windows Operation System (Windows OS). The data storage system  104  is provided with two large storage systems, wherein one is a file system  1041 , and the other is a registry system  1042 . The file system  1041  is responsible for accessing software execution code and data files needed by the software, such as graphics, sound, and so on. The registry system  1042  is responsible for accessing software related settings, such as file access paths, and so on.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in order to avoid repeat installation and maintain execution efficiency of software, the present invention includes a kernel service system  13  beneath a Windows OS data access  12  that enables software, which is actually installed on centralized management software servers, to be executed on a client terminal by means of network  14  data access redirection technology. The software servers, which include a storage system on server  115  and a storage system on server  216 , are internally configured with file systems  151 ,  161  and registry systems  152 ,  162  respectively.  
         [0006]     In order to achieve the aforementioned constructs in a Windows OS, the present invention separates the program sharer system into the following four portions: file redirection, registry redirection, local facilities usage and font installation, which enable users to run any software on client terminals through the program sharer of the present invention, thereby achieving considerable savings in time and cost of installation, maintenance, updating and uninstalling of software, as well as changing the concept that software must be installed in order to use. Desktop computer or notebook computer users can easily use the present invention to save valuable time, thereby greatly conveniencing and simplifying information lifestyle and improving efficiency. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0000]     1. File Redirection:  
         [0007]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , which shows a flow chart block diagram of a conventional application file access, wherein applications  201  use Win32 API Calls  2011  to enter a Win32 Subsystem  202 , API being an abbreviation for Applications Program Interface. The aforementioned procedure is part of an observable platform user mode, which then passes through a system service interface  2021  of an unobservable platform kernel mode and enters an I/O manager  203 . The procedure then enters file system drivers  204  and storage device drivers  205  through an IRP passed to driver dispatch routine  2031 , and finally enters a logical volume  206 , which, in the current market, generally includes a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drives, and so on.  
         [0008]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , which shows a flow chart block diagram of application file access according to the present invention, which, under the precondition that the source code is not modified, enables access to remote files by adopting a method whereby a related file access portion of the system service interface  2021  passes through the I/O manager  203  and the IRP driver dispatch routine  2031 , and is then redirected to remote file access by means of redirector file system drivers  24  and protocol drivers  25  to a network  26 .  
         [0000]     2. Registry Redirection:  
         [0009]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , which shows a flow chart block diagram of registry redirection according to the present invention, wherein the registry is distinct from the file system. The registry stores a large number of settings related to the hardware. Applications  31  use the Win32 API calls  311  to enter the Win32 subsystem  32 , and then redirection rules  33  enable selection of either a local registry  34  or a remote registry  36  through a network  35 . Hence, rule-based redirection of registry data enables unhindered use of local hardware (such as network cards, printers, and so on).  
         [0000]     3. Local Facilities Usage:  
         [0010]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , which shows a flow chart block diagram of local facilities usage access according to the present invention, wherein local facilities, such as network cards, printers, RS  232 , USB, and so on, use registry stored settings during the course of access. Hence, local facilities-related rules  43  are used to enable unhindered use of such local facilities.  
         [0000]     4. Font Installation:  
         [0011]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , which shows a flow chart block diagram of a conventional Windows Operation System font cache, wherein applications  501  use Win32 API Calls  5011  to enter a Win32 Subsystem  502 , and access local font files  504  by way of a font cache  503 .  
         [0012]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , which shows a flow chart block diagram of a Window OS font cache according to the present invention, wherein applications  51  use Win32 API Calls  511  to enter a Win32 Subsystem  52  and integrate with local font files  54  and remote font files  56  through a modified font cache  53  and a network  55  respectively.  
         [0013]     Advantages of the present invention: 
    1. Achieves considerable savings in time and cost of installation, maintenance, updating and uninstalling of software.    
 
         [0015]     (1) Centralized management of all programs, apart from the host computer, there is no need to further install any applications on any client computers apart from a basic operation system.  
         [0016]     (2) Unified updating of program versions, thereby eliminating the need to maintain computer software of all computers one by one.  
         [0017]     (3) Program operating screen or execution environment are identical to original single computer state, thereby eliminating additional cost of learning or setting up. 
    2. Integrates software/hardware resources within a business, thereby improving investment benefits.    
 
         [0019]     All computer users only need authorization, which can be invoked at anytime and transferred to any computer program, thereby providing the same convenience as local execution. Software/hardware of the entire business can be fully integrated and made use of, thereby improving software/hardware investment benefits.  
         [0020]     The present invention is characterized in having: 
    1. Centralized management of programs, dispersed execution, and combined advantages of Terminal and Client/Server structure.     2. Local peripheral hardware usage, including CPU, memory, printer, and so on.     3. No delay problem in mouse operation.     4. No graphic color restrictions, apart from that imposed by local support.     5. No graphic display delay problem.     6. Suitable for running drawing or multimedia player programs.    
 
         [0027]     Suitable Operation Systems of the Present Invention:  
         [0028]     If a Microsoft 2000/2003 system is installed on the host computer terminal, then the front-end operation system must also be Microsoft 2000/2003 in order to operate. If a Microsoft XP Professional system is installed on the host computer terminal, then the front-end operation system must also be Microsoft XP Professional in order to operate  
         [0029]     In conclusion, the present invention enables front-end computers, which have no application software installed, use and execute the operating environment of the host computer terminal. Moreover, the present invention will not place a strain on hardware resources of the host computer terminal, such as CPU, memory, and so on. The front-end computers need only have an operation system installed, without any further software installed, and software of the host computer terminal can be loaded into the front-end computers for execution and use thereon.  
         [0030]     It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a flow chart block diagram of a conventional software design.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a flow chart block diagram of a software design using data access redirection art according to the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  shows a flow chart block diagram of a conventional application file access.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a flow chart block diagram of application file access according to the present invention.  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows a flow chart block diagram of registry redirection according to the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 6  shows a flow chart block diagram of local facilities usage access according to the present invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  shows a flow chart block diagram of a conventional Window OS font cache.  
         [0038]      FIG. 8  shows a flow chart block diagram of a Window OS font cache according to the present invention.