JPH11331150A - Certifying/charging method for information user, method for distributing information for information restoration to information user, radio calling device and reproducing or receiving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure a communication means between a certifying/charging institution and a user through a simple method, in utilizing information. SOLUTION: For this certifying/charging method, an information user reports personal information, including identification information for identifying the information user and information required for charging and identification information previously applied for specifying information or the information contents to be defined as a utilization object through a telephone line to the certifying/ charging institution. After the substance or client of utilization is specified based on this information, the certifying/charging institution distributes information for information restoration for every information defined as the utilization object to the information user through a radio call to that user. The information user cancels the enciphering applied to the utilization information, through the use of the received information for information restoration.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for authenticating / charging information users and a method for distributing information for decrypting information (such as a decryption key) to information users.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In reproducing or receiving digitized audio information or video information, a conventional method requires the use of a dedicated information recording medium or device for authentication and charging of a user of a reproducing device or a receiving device. .

For example, in a digital satellite broadcast receiver,
A dedicated IC card is used to manage the user's personal information, use permission information, and use status information through a telephone line between the receiver and an authentication / billing institution (or center). In other words, the receiver has a modem (modulator / demodulator) as a communication means for performing communication between the user and the authentication / charging institution.
The user is notified of personal information and usage status information to the authentication / charging institution via the telephone line by modem connection, and the authentication / charging institution provides the user with information permission for use of the information. Notified.

[0004]

However, there are the following problems with the conventional communication means between the authentication / charging institution and the user.

(A) The communication equipment is large-scale. (B) The installation location of the device is limited. (C) It is difficult to apply the package media to the playback device. (D) It is difficult to identify the user as an individual. (E) It is difficult to reduce communication costs.

[0006] First, in the case of (a), the cost of the apparatus is increased, and connection work is required. For example, the above-mentioned digital satellite broadcast receiver requires a built-in modem in the device, and also requires construction for connecting the modem to a telephone line.

[0007] With regard to (b), for example, in a home where the location where the built-in modem of the receiver can be connected to the telephone line is limited, the location where the receiver is installed and the location where the received information is used are used. If they are far apart, the connection work of the equipment is troublesome.

As for (c), an optical disk (for example,
Compact disk (CD) and mini disk (MD)
etc. ), Etc., it is hardly permissible to require the user to connect the built-in modem to the playback device of the package media.

[0009] Regarding (d), it is often difficult to identify an individual who is a true user by a method of charging information provision based on a telephone number (for example, one member of the whole family). When sharing a phone, etc.).

[0010] Regarding (e), a mobile phone or a PHS (Personal H)
In an and phone system, the usage rate of individuals is high, and a method of using them is conceivable. However, the communication cost is high, so that it is not suitable for small billing.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to secure communication means between an authentication / charging institution and a user by using a simple method when using information.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides personal information including identification information for identifying an information user and information necessary for billing, and information to be used or A method in which the information user notifies the authentication / charging institution through a telephone line of identification information given in advance to specify the information content, whereby the authentication / charging institution specifies the subject of use and the object, A method in which an authentication / charging institution distributes information restoration information (decryption key and the like) to each information user by wireless call to the information user for each information to be used. .

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to connect an authentication / billing institution and an information user by a simple communication method of a telephone line and a wireless call.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the outline according to the present invention, and shows an authentication / charging method for an information user and a method of distributing information for information restoration to the user.

Note that the "information" includes all information such as audio information and video information, and information used in computer equipment, and does not matter whether digital information or analog information. Further, as far as the present invention is concerned, the form of transmission of information to the information user is not specified, and information is reproduced from an information recording medium such as an optical disk or through wired or wireless communication (computer network, satellite communication, etc.). It can be used for various information such as received information.

In FIG. 1, subjects are an information user and an authentication / charging institution.

The authentication / charging institution is an institution that charges a usage fee to the information user based on the registration information of the information user, and has an authentication / charging processing device 1.

A telephone line is used for the communication connection (uplink) from the information user to the authentication / billing institution, and the information user sends the following information to the telephone 2 before using the desired information. To notify the certification / billing institution.

(I) Personal information including identification information for identifying an information user and information necessary for charging (II) Information to be used or identification given in advance to specify the information content information.

First, the information (I) is necessary to identify an information user, and personal information includes a credit card number, a financial institution used, an account number, and the like in addition to a name, an address, a telephone number, and the like. Is included.

The information (II) is information necessary for the information user to specify information intended for use, such as an identification number assigned to an information recording medium, program information and program information. And a title ID.

[0022] The authentication / charging institution receives the information,
For example, the user and the object are specified by receiving a notification from the information user via a (voice) telephone line as a tone signal or text information by wireless calling.

Note that in order to prevent the occurrence of damage due to leakage of personal information and the like, requesting a password (encryption information such as a password or an encryption code) for confirming the identity of an information user requires security. It is desirable in raising.

That is, information (I) described above by an information user,
When the password is notified to the authentication / charging institution in addition to (II), the authentication / charging institution confirms the identity of the user by checking the password against a password preset for the information user.

The authentication / charging institution accumulates the charging information for the use of the information (II) based on the subscription information created from the information (I), and then requests the information user to pay the price. -Collect money. In the figure, the authentication / charging institution is a single institution for convenience of explanation, but it goes without saying that the authentication institution and the charging / collecting institution may be separated. In addition, it is a matter of course that the royalty is returned to the copyright holder from the collected amount.

In order to prevent unauthorized acquisition or duplication of information, the information to be used is subjected to encryption processing or scramble processing (processing for disturbing information to prevent eavesdropping on transmission information, etc.). It is effective to perform the above-mentioned operations, and for that purpose, it is preferable that only the information user officially recognized by the authentication / charging institution can receive the formal information providing service.

That is, an authentication / charging institution that charges a usage fee to an information user based on the subscription information,
Information restoration information (decryption key information and the like, which is indicated by a key figure in the figure) is distributed to the information user by wireless call to the information user for each piece of information to be used. I do.

For example, when the information user uses the wireless calling device 3
, And in a communication (downlink) from the authentication / charging organization to the information user, the pager machine is called and information for restoring information (this is referred to as “KY”). )). still,
At this time, it goes without saying that the identification information of the information to be used is also notified. For example, since the pager device has the display means 4 for displaying character and graphic information, the information (II) and the information for restoring the information can be authenticated.
When received from the billing institution, such information is displayed as character information.

The information user who has registered for registration properly inputs the information for restoring (KY) to the reproducing or receiving device 5 to cancel the confidential processing such as encryption applied to the information intended for use. Thus, meaningful information can be extracted. That is, in the information reproducing or receiving device 5, a restoration processing unit 6 for decoding the reproduction information or the received information is provided, and the restoration processing unit 6 includes the information restoration information ( KY) to restore the information (decryption, etc.)
Convert to a form that can be directly used by information users.

In order to prevent the information recovery information notified to the information user by wireless call from being leaked or stolen, the information recovery information is encrypted beforehand. When the information for restoration is input to the reproducing or receiving device 5, the encryption applied to the information is
Release using the key information set in advance,
It is desirable to perform a process of restoring the information to be used based on the information for information restoration after the cancellation.

That is, in this case, the following (i)
To (iii).

(I) The authentication / charging institution encrypts the information restoring information provided for each piece of information to be used, using key information passed between the authentication / charging institution and the information user. (Ii) The authentication / charging institution notifies the user of the information restoration information encrypted in (i) by wireless call to the information user. (Iii) Information restoration information notified in (ii) Is decrypted by the information user using the same key information as the key information in (i).

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the information for information restoration is key information "A", this is encrypted by key information "B" (in the figure, key information A is packed in a box. Later, this is conceptually shown in a diagram in which the lock L attached thereto is locked with the key information B.)

This operation is performed by the authentication / charging organization, and the concealed key information A is notified to the pager machine of the information user. For example, the encrypted key information A is displayed on the pager as character information.

The information user decrypts the key information A by using the key information B possessed in advance and takes it out (in the figure, a lock attached to the key information A packed in a box). L
Are conceptually shown in a diagram where key information B has been removed. ).

Using the key information A, the encryption applied to the information "HI" to be used is released (in the figure, the lock M attached to the boxed information HI is replaced with the key information A). Is conceptually shown in the figure in a state where it is removed with.). This enables the information user to use meaningful information. In this way, a double security measure can be taken by performing concealment processing on both the information to be used and the information for restoring the information.

As shown in FIG. 3, the radio paging device used in the present invention is preferably provided with a transmission means 7 for transmitting information for restoring information (KY) to the information reproducing or receiving device 5. That is, as a method of transmitting the information for information restoration to the reproducing or receiving device 5, there is a method of attaching an operation input unit to the reproducing or receiving device and manually inputting the information for information restoring by key operation input. By providing the transmitting means 7 in the wireless calling device 3 and the receiving means 8 in the reproducing or receiving device 5 for taking in the information for information restoration into the device, the trouble of key input can be saved. In the figure, the information restoring information (KY) received by the receiving unit 9 in the wireless calling device 3 is sent to the display means 4 for display, and the reproducing means from the transmitting means 7 or the receiving means 8 of the receiving device 5 The information for information restoration is transmitted to the restoration processing unit 6 via the information processing unit 6.

The transmission form of information from the transmission means 7 to the reception means 8 may be a wired method or a wireless method (using electromagnetic waves such as infrared rays and weak radio waves, voice, ultrasonic waves, etc.). It is more convenient. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, in the case of a method of transferring the information by attaching the wireless calling device 3 to the reproducing or receiving device 5, terminal connection using an interface unit such as a card bus (wireless calling device 3) Is connected to the transmission-side terminal unit 7A provided in the reproduction / reception device 5 and the reception-side terminal unit 8A provided in the reproduction / reception device 5). Can be handled as follows.

[0039]

5 and 6 show an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a package medium reproducing system using an optical reading type information recording medium (for example, an optical disk such as a compact disk or a mini disk). is there. As far as the present invention is concerned, the form of the information recording medium does not matter, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be widely applied to various media such as a tape, a sheet, a card and the like as well as a disk. .

FIG. 5 shows an authentication / billing system and an optical disk reproducing apparatus. Information recorded on the optical disk 10 is encrypted by key information "A" (in the figure, the information is attached to the optical disk itself). This is conceptually shown in the figure in a state where the lock M is locked with the key information A.) Therefore,
The normal reproduction operation is not sufficient to take out the recorded contents of the optical disk, and the decryption is required.

The user (information user) who has obtained the optical disk 10 first makes a telephone call to the authentication / billing center.

In the authentication / charging center, for example, voice guidance is performed using a processing device in which an automatic response system is installed, and the user operates a push button according to the guidance voice, and a necessary tone signal is generated by a tone signal generated thereby. Notify the information to the authentication and billing center. The information required here is a pager number, a password, identification information (ID) unique to an optical disc or content (information content).
Number).

The authentication / charging center first determines whether or not the other party is a registered user based on the notified pager number and personal identification number. Then, when the registered user is confirmed, the user is requested to provide identification information unique to the optical disk or the content. The user inputs the requested identification information, and the authentication / charging center receives the key information (in this case, the key information A) corresponding to the identification information.
(The lock is determined in advance between the user and the authentication and charging center.) (See the lock L in FIG. 5), and then transmitted to the pager 11 owned by the user. Since the pager is a small and light personal portable terminal, it is particularly easy to apply to a portable reproducing device (use in combination with a reproducing device). It has the advantage of requiring less maintenance costs.

After the transmission of the encrypted key information A is completed, the authentication / charging center performs charging / collection processing according to the subscription information corresponding to the pager number. That is, charging at the time of issuance of the encrypted key information A is possible, thereby increasing the certainty of collecting the usage fee.

The key information A encrypted as described above is received by the pager 11 of the user. The method of inputting or transferring the information to the reproducing apparatus 12 includes, for example, the following (1) to ( The method shown in 4) is mentioned.

(1) A method in which a user looks at key information displayed in characters on a display section (a liquid crystal display or the like) of a pager and inputs the information to a reproducing apparatus by a key operation by a user (2) A card interface provided on the pager (3) A communication light emitting unit (e.g., a light emitting diode) attached to the pager emits infrared light, which is transmitted to a light receiving unit of the reproducing device. (4) Transmitting key information by receiving light with a photodiode, etc. (4) Transmitting key information by transmitting a weak radio wave by the transmitter attached to the pager and receiving it by the receiver of the playback device how to.

The key information A thus transmitted to the reproducing apparatus
Is decrypted using key information B prepared in the apparatus in advance (the lock L is removed). Then, with the decrypted key information A, the encryption applied to the recording information on the optical disk 10 is released (decrypted) (the lock M is removed), and the information can be reproduced.

FIG. 6 summarizes the above procedures in the order of time, as shown in the following (1) to (5).

(1) Notification of pager number and password (2) Request for content ID (identification information) (3) Notification of content ID (4) Transmission of key information A (5) Confirmation of reception of key information A The procedure indicated by the odd number is performed from the user to the authentication / charging center, and the procedure indicated by the even number is performed from the authentication / charging center to the user.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a user authentication / charging method and system in digital satellite broadcasting.

The broadcasting company and the authentication / charging center are connected by a dedicated line, and the broadcasting company transmits information to the receiving device 13 used by the user via the broadcasting satellite.

Communication between the user and the authentication / billing center is performed in the same manner as described above by telephone line and wireless call. That is, in the above description,
The "recording information on the optical disk" is changed to "information intended for reception (program information etc.)", and the "encryption" of the information by the key information A is changed to "encryption or scramble processing". Good. In short, in this case, after the authentication of the user and the notification of the identification information of the content are made to the authentication / charging center via the telephone line, the information (scrambling) for permitting the user to use the content from the center is provided. Information for canceling the process (descrambling) or information obtained by encrypting the information with the key information B is notified to the pager 11 owned by the user.

In a conventional system using a digital satellite, it is necessary to provide a communication device such as a modem in the receiving device and connect the receiving device and the processing device of the authentication / charging center via a telephone line. In the present invention, there is no need to provide such a communication means in the receiving device, so that the installation location of the receiving device is not limited.

Further, in the conventional system, it is necessary to mount a dedicated card (IC card) for storing the user's personal information, permission information, use status information, and the like in the receiving device.
As mentioned above, the pager, a personal mobile device,
By using the card as a personal authentication / charging card, communication means with the authentication / charging center can be easily secured. Moreover, the pager can be used relatively inexpensively and has a high penetration rate, which is advantageous for use in a small-charge system, and can be used even when a usage fee is collected. Since the pager is a mobile terminal that has a higher usage ratio of individuals than other mobile terminals and cannot be used without a contract, it is easy to identify individuals.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a system for distributing music information to computer devices using the Internet.

The user first enters a computer (PC)
Then, the user accesses the member database of the information providing organization via the Internet using communication means such as a modem, and inputs his / her ID (identification) number and password.

After the user has been authenticated, the user can go to the WW
Using an W (World Wide Web) browser (browsing software), request an information provider to distribute music software intended by the user.

In response to this, the information provider searches and retrieves the music software requested by the user from the music software stored in the content database using the distribution server, and encrypts and digitally watermarks the music software. (Conceptually shown in the figure in which music software indicated by musical notation symbols is packed in a box and the lock M is locked with key information "A") via the Internet. The download is completed by transmitting the data to the computer (PC). The “digital watermark” is a method of embedding and embedding information in audio information so as to be inaudible to the ear (using spread spectrum or the like). In this example, the electronic watermark is used for content (in this case, music information). Used for identification information.

Since the downloaded information cannot be used as it is, the user reproduces the identification information of the content from the digital watermark applied to the music software and knows it, and calls the information providing organization for authentication / authentication. The information required for charging and the identification information of the content are notified.

The information provider provides the pager 11 of the user with information obtained by encrypting the key information A with another key information "B" (in the figure, the key information A is packed in a box, and This is conceptually shown in a diagram in a state where the key is locked with key information B.)
Is notified, the user inputs the information into a computer (PC). Thus, the key information A is decrypted using the key information B prepared in advance.

In this way, the original key information A is obtained.
This can be used to decrypt music software.

The key information A and the music software are decrypted by a dedicated player (software for music reproduction) realized by software processing on a computer (PC). The music software is treated as a file encrypted with the key information A, and when the user inputs the key information A encrypted with the key information B, the decryption of the key information A and the subsequent decryption of the music software are performed. After that, music software can be reproduced. In addition, security can be improved by separating the path for receiving the music software from the path for receiving the encrypted key information.

Thus, according to the present invention, the present invention can be widely applied to a billing system for user authentication / content regardless of the information distribution form.

Even for the same content, security can be enhanced by changing the encryption key for each ID (identification information) of the content, and the key can be changed for each subscriber or device used. A higher security can be maintained by changing the information B or updating the information B over time.

[0065]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the necessary information is notified to the authentication / charging institution through the telephone line so that the authentication / charging institution can use the information. Since it is possible to specify the object and the object, the communication equipment does not become large and the installation place of the used device is not limited. In addition, it is easy to apply the package media to a playback device, to identify a user, and the like.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the information user sends a password to the authentication / charging institution through the telephone line, and the information user is confirmed by the authentication / charging institution. Can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the authentication / charging institution can specify the individual user by wireless call to the information user and distribute the information restoring information, and can reduce the communication cost. The reduction and simplification of communication equipment can be achieved, and restrictions on the use place of the device can be eliminated.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by encrypting the information for information restoration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of damage due to leakage at the time of distribution of the information.

According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, authentication /
By displaying the identification information and the information for information restoration received from the billing institution as character information, the information user can immediately recognize and use the information.

According to the seventh to tenth aspects of the present invention, by transmitting information for restoring information to a device that reproduces or receives information by the transmission means, it is possible to easily input information to the device. It can be carried out.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, meaningful information can be used only with an apparatus having an information restoration information input function and an information restoration function. Can be eliminated.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, double security measures can be taken by encrypting the use target information and the information restoring information.

According to the thirteenth and fourteenth aspects, the information for information restoration can be easily taken in from the wireless calling device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an outline according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of encryption / decryption of information for information restoration and restoration of secret information by the information for information restoration.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a communication mode from a wireless calling device to a reproducing or receiving device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a communication mode by terminal connection between a wireless calling device and a reproducing or receiving device.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a package medium reproducing system using an optically readable information recording medium, together with FIG. 6, and shows an authentication / billing system and an optical disk reproducing apparatus. FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing procedure over time.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a user authentication / charging method and system in digital satellite broadcasting.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a system for distributing music information to computer devices using the Internet.

[Explanation of symbols]

3: Wireless paging device, 5: Reproducing or receiving device, 7, 7
A: transmitting means, 8, 8A: receiving means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04Q 7/20 H04Q 7/04 D

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An authentication / charging institution that charges a usage fee based on information user's subscription information to manage authentication and charging of the information user for managing personal information and usage status information of the information user. In the method, personal information including identification information for identifying an information user and information necessary for billing, and information to be used or identification information given in advance for specifying the information content, An authentication / charging method for an information user, characterized in that the information user notifies the authentication / charging institution via a telephone line, so that the authentication / charging institution specifies a subject and an object. 2. The authentication / charging method for an information user according to claim 1, wherein the information user sends a password to an authentication / charging institution via a telephone line, and the authentication / charging institution transmits the password to the authentication / charging institution.
An authentication / charging method for an information user, wherein the user is confirmed by checking the information user against a preset password. 3. An authentication / charging institution that charges a usage fee to an information user based on the subscription information, the information to be used by the information user by wireless call to the information user. A method of distributing information for information restoration to information users, characterized in that information for information restoration is distributed every time. 4. A method for distributing information for information restoration to information users according to claim 3, wherein: (a) information restoration information provided for each information to be used is exchanged with an authentication / charging institution; After the authentication / charging institution encrypts the information using the key information that can be exchanged with the information user, (b) the information restoration information encrypted in (b) is used for authentication / charging.
The billing institution notifies the information user by wireless call to the information user, and the information user encrypts the information restoration information notified in (c) and (b) with the key information in (a). A method for distributing information for information recovery to information users, characterized in that the information is released using the same key information as in (1). 5. A wireless paging apparatus used in the method according to claim 3, wherein the information is information to be used or identification information given in advance to specify the information content and the information is to be used. A wireless paging apparatus characterized by receiving information for restoring information from an authentication / charging institution and displaying the information as character information. 6. A wireless paging device used in the method according to claim 4, wherein the identification information and the encrypted information are added in advance to specify information to be used or the content of the information. A wireless paging apparatus which receives restoration information from an authentication / billing institution and displays the information as character information. 7. A transmitting device for transmitting information for restoring information to a device for reproducing or receiving information to be used, which is a wireless paging device used in the method according to claim 3. A wireless paging device comprising: 8. A wireless paging apparatus used in the method according to claim 4, further comprising a transmission unit for transmitting information for information restoration to an apparatus for reproducing or receiving information to be used. Wireless paging device characterized by the following. 9. The wireless paging apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a transmission unit for transmitting information for restoring information to an apparatus for reproducing or receiving information to be used. A wireless paging device characterized by the following. 10. The wireless paging apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a transmission unit for transmitting information for information restoration to an apparatus for reproducing or receiving information to be used. A wireless paging device characterized by the following. 11. A reproducing or receiving apparatus used in the method according to claim 3, wherein when information for restoring information to be used is input, the information is set to be used based on the information. A reproducing or receiving apparatus for performing a process of restoring information. 12. A reproducing or receiving apparatus for use in the method according to claim 4, wherein when encrypted information for restoring information is input, encryption applied to the information is set in advance. A reproducing or receiving apparatus which releases the key using the key information and performs a restoring process of the information to be used based on the key information. 13. The reproducing or receiving apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: receiving means for taking in information restoring information received by the wireless calling apparatus for information to be used, into the apparatus. A reproducing or receiving device. 14. The reproducing or receiving apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a receiving means for taking in information restoring information received by the wireless calling apparatus for information to be used, into the apparatus. A reproducing or receiving device.