JP2001109821A - Information processing method and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and securely decide whether or not an information processor which is accessing is correct. SOLUTION: Information providers 4-1 to 4-3 previously register the IP address, category ID, and password of a charging proxy 11 in themselves. The charging proxy 11 when requesting information providers 4-1 to 4-3 to transfer information to terminal devices 1-1 to 1-4 at requests from the terminal devices 1-1 to 1-4 sends the IP address and password of the charging proxy 11 to the information providers 4-1 to 4-3. The information providers 4-1 to 4-3 compare the previously registered IP addresses, etc., with the IP addresses, etc., sent again from the charging proxy 11 and decide whether or not the charging proxy 11 is already registered according to the comparison results.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing method and an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to a method for easily determining whether an information processing apparatus accessed from another information processing apparatus via the Internet is a predetermined apparatus. The present invention relates to an information processing method and an information processing apparatus capable of making a reliable determination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 19 shows a configuration example of a network system in a conventional information processing apparatus. The subscriber (user) has terminal devices 1-1 to 1-12, and has predetermined access providers (AP) 2-1 to 2 respectively.
-3, is connected to the Internet 3. Information providers (information providers: IP) 4-1 to 4-3 are also connected to the Internet 3. In the Internet 3, Transm
issue Control Protocol / I
Computers can communicate with each other in accordance with a protocol specified by the Internet Protocol (TCP / IP).

[0003] Also, on this Internet 3, Wo
An information search system called ld Wide Web (WWW) has been constructed. In this WWW,
Hyper Text Transfer Protc
ol (HTTP) makes it easy to search and display information. This W
Terminal-side application software for WW (W
As a WW browser, Netscape Navigator (trademark) of Netscape (trade name) or N
CSA's Mosaic (trademark) is Nes as an application software (WWW server) on the information provider side.
tscape Commercial Server (TM) is each known. Each user has this WW
Access the WWW server using the W browser,
Receive information and services. Further, each information provider can provide information and services to a WWW browser using the WWW server.

[0004] Recently, with the increase in the number of subscribers of the Internet 3, there has been an increasing movement to use the Internet 3 commercially. A first conventional method of using electric commerce is to display a menu screen transmitted from a WWW server (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a server) on a WWW browser (hereinafter, appropriately referred to simply as a browser), The user selects a predetermined product or service from the menu screen, receives the explanation, and applies for the purchase of the product or service by facsimile or telephone. That is, in the case of this example, the Internet 3 is used only for explaining a product or service.

In the second method, for example, a menu screen as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is provided and displayed from a server (information provider 4-j) to a browser (terminal apparatus 1-i). . In this example, a desired product and its quantity are entered in the list shown in the menu of FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, the user inputs a name, an address, a telephone number, a date of birth, a credit card number, a card expiration date, and the like. Upon receiving the input, the server performs a shipping procedure for the ordered product and performs a charging process for the input credit card.

[0006] Each information provider 4-j
Has a separate contract with a credit card company,
Upon receiving payment from the credit card company at a predetermined ratio to the billing amount, the credit card company bills the user for a usage fee (billing amount).

[0007] Since each user uses many types of credit cards, each information provider 4-j needs to sign contracts with a plurality of credit card companies in order to support various types of credit cards. Then, it is complicated for the information provider 4-j to check the credit status of each credit card by calling the credit card company each time. Therefore,
In such a case, for example, NTT Data Communication Co., Ltd. (trade name) Credit And FinanceInfo
In order to be able to use the operation system (CAFIS) 5, the information provider 4-k uses the application software Intercafis (trademark) of NTT Data Communication Co., Ltd.
Can be introduced. When this application is used, the information provider 4-k accesses the CAFIS 5 via a dedicated line and accesses a plurality of credit card companies (in this example, the credit card company A).
To C) to access the computer system 6-1 to 6-3, and introduce the credit status of the credit card of a predetermined number online.

[0008] As described above, in an electric commerce (service mark) by Netscape which supports commercial transactions using the Internet 3, when a credit card number and the address, name, telephone number, etc. of the owner are received, The information is packetized and transmitted from the terminal device 1-i to a predetermined (application destination) information provider 4-j via the Internet 3. When the information provider 4-j receives the data of the product purchase, it performs the delivery procedure.

By the way, since the Internet 3 has open communication addresses and communication paths and standardized communication protocols, data to be transmitted and received may be received by a third party and may be misused.

[0010] Therefore, when transmitting such data, software for a browser or a server that is encrypted has been developed. A communication method using RSA, which is a kind of public key method, is used for this encryption.
Ock Layer.

In this method, the browser transmits an encryption key to the server. The server encrypts the data using the received encryption key and transmits the data to the browser. The browser has in advance a decryption key for decrypting the transmitted encryption key, and keeps the decryption key from being notified to a third party. Then, the encrypted data transmitted from the server is decrypted using the decryption key.

[0012]

However, in the above-mentioned system, the procedure for recognizing a partner device to be transacted via the Internet 3 is complicated, which is one of the obstacles to the development of transactions conducted through the Internet 3. Had become.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is an object of the present invention to easily and reliably determine whether or not a partner device is a predetermined device.

[0014]

According to a first information processing method of the present invention, a storage step of preliminarily storing unique information allocated to another information processing apparatus, and a network from the other information processing apparatus. When accessed via
An acquisition step of acquiring unique information assigned to another information processing apparatus, the unique information acquired in the processing of the acquisition step, and another information based on the unique information stored in the processing of the storage step. Determining whether the information processing apparatus is a predetermined apparatus registered in advance.

[0015] In the obtaining step, the unique information may be obtained via the Internet as a network.

In the obtaining step, the unique information includes
It is possible to obtain the IP address of another information processing device.

In the obtaining step, selection information for selecting a product or service to be provided may be further obtained.

If it is determined in the processing of the determining step that the information processing apparatus is a predetermined apparatus registered in advance, the information processing apparatus further includes a confirmation step of confirming a stock of goods or services corresponding to the selection information. be able to.

When the information processing apparatus is determined to be a predetermined apparatus registered in advance in the processing of the determining step, confirmation screen information of a product or service corresponding to the selection information is transmitted to another information processing apparatus. The method may further include a transmitting step.

If it is determined in the determination step that the information processing apparatus is a predetermined apparatus registered in advance, payment information necessary for providing a product or service corresponding to the selection information is further acquired. The method may further include a confirmation step of confirming the validity of the payment information.

When the information processing device is determined not to be a predetermined device registered in advance in the processing of the determining step, the information processing device may further include a transmitting step of transmitting screen information indicating that the information cannot be used to another information processing device. Can be

According to a second information processing apparatus of the present invention, a storage means for preliminarily storing unique information allocated to another information processing apparatus, and an access from another information processing apparatus via a network. An acquiring unit for acquiring the unique information allocated to the other information processing apparatus; the unique information acquired by the acquiring unit; and the other information processing based on the unique information stored by the storage unit. A determination unit configured to determine whether the device is a predetermined device registered in advance.

An information processing method according to the present invention includes the step of, when transmitting data to a server via a network, transmitting information unique to the server itself. Storing the unique information assigned to the information processing apparatus in advance, and acquiring the unique information assigned to the information processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus is accessed via the network Determining whether the information processing device is a predetermined device registered in advance based on the acquisition step, the unique information acquired in the process of the acquisition step, and the unique information stored in the process of the storage step; And a determining step.

In the first information processing method of the present invention,
Based on the acquired unique information and the stored unique information, it is determined whether or not another information processing device is a predetermined device registered in advance.

In the second information processing apparatus of the present invention,
The information processing device transmits the unique information to the server,
The server determines whether or not the information processing device is a predetermined device registered in advance, based on the unique information transmitted from the information processing device and the stored unique information.

[0026]

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a network system to which an information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied.
Parts corresponding to those in FIG. 19 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also in this system, a plurality of information providers (I
P) (information provider) 4-1 to 4-4 are connected. Each of the terminal devices 1-1 to 1-4 is connected to a charging proxy 11 via a normal telephone line, and the charging proxy 11 is further connected to the Internet 3.
The information provider 4-3 is further connected to an external inventory management system.

In this embodiment, the charging proxy 11 functions as an access provider (AP) and also has a function as an information provider. In addition, the charging proxy 11
Through AFIS5, computer systems (decision systems) 6-1 to 6-3 of a plurality of credit card companies
Is connected to Therefore, this billing proxy 11 also:
Application software that can be used in the WWW system (for example, Netscape Commander)
ce Server).

FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration example of the charging proxy 11. The CPU 21 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 22. The RAM 23 is configured to appropriately store programs, data, and the like necessary for the CPU 21 to execute various processes. A hard disk (HD) 25, a magneto-optical disk 26, a communication unit 27, an input unit 28, a display 29, and the like are connected to the interface 24.

The hard disk 25 appropriately stores data, programs, and the like that need to be accessed at a relatively high speed. The magneto-optical disk 26 appropriately stores data, programs, and the like that can be accessed even if the access speed is lower than that of the hard disk 25. The communication unit 27 performs communication with the Internet, a dedicated line, a public telephone line, or the like. The input unit 28 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and is operated when various commands are input. The display 29 is a CRT, LCD
The display device is configured to display predetermined characters, images, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the internal configuration of the terminal device 1-i. This terminal device 1-i has a CPU 41 to a display 49, and a CPU 21 to a display 2
It is basically configured in the same manner as the charging proxy 11 having the number 9. However, the billing proxy 11 has a larger capacity and a higher speed than the terminal device 1-i. Although not shown, the information provider 4-j has basically the same configuration as the charging proxy 11.

In this embodiment, each user (subscriber) sends a predetermined information provider (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a server) 4-j from its terminal device 1-i.
To receive goods and services from there, and pay the fee by automatic debit from a credit card, bank account, or the like. In this case, the user needs to perform an enrollment procedure for becoming a member of the predetermined charging proxy 11 in advance. It is possible to complete this procedure by filling in the prescribed items on the prescribed application form and mailing it.
It is also possible to access the charging proxy 11 from each terminal device 1-i via a telephone line or, if necessary, via the Internet 3, and to perform this enrollment procedure online. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show an online sign-up process in this case.

First, in step S1, the terminal device 1-i accesses the charging proxy 11 via a normal telephone line. At this time, the CPU of the charging proxy 11
In step S 2, the online service name, greeting, and a sentence that briefly describes the outline of this service (electric commerce service) are read from the magneto-optical disk 26 in step S 2, and the terminal unit 1-i is read from the communication unit 27.
To be transmitted. These names and greetings are received by the communication unit 47 of the terminal device 1-i via the telephone line and displayed on the display 49.

Further, the charging proxy 11 performs step S
In step 3, "Individual members cannot accept a credit card unless they have one." Or, "If you are under the age of 20, or join a company or group, we will send you a separate application form by mail. I am sorry, but please apply by mail. "

In step S4, the user determines whether or not the instruction displayed in step S3 is applicable. If it is determined that the instruction is applicable, the user operates the input unit 48, and
Enter that effect. The CPU 41 causes the communication unit 27 of the accounting proxy 11 to transmit this input via the communication unit 47. When the CPU 21 of the billing proxy 11 receives this input via the communication unit 27, the process proceeds to step S5, for example, "Request a membership application form by telephone or e-mail to the following counter. Immediately. Will be sent to the communication unit 47 of the terminal device 1-i via the communication unit 27, and displayed on the display 49 thereof. At this time, a time for reception, a telephone number, an e-mail address, and the like are further transmitted and displayed. The user performs the enrollment procedure by telephone or e-mail according to this message.

Then, the process proceeds to step S6, where the line is disconnected, and the online enrollment procedure is terminated.

Alternatively, in step S4, 2
If it is determined that the application is from a user under the age of 0, an application for a company organization, a group, etc., the process proceeds to step S7, where the name, address, postal code, telephone number, etc. When receiving this input, the CPU 21 of the billing proxy 11 transmits the reception date and the reception number to the terminal device 1-i, and causes the display 49 to display it.

Then, in step S9, the input of step S7 is registered in, for example, an inquiry-only database formed on the magneto-optical disk 26 of the charging proxy 11, and in step S10, the address and name input in step S7 are registered. To send the application form to the destination. When the user receives the mailing of this application form, he / she performs the enrollment procedure by describing the specified items and returning it.

In each of the processes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each user basically performs an input according to the procedure shown in FIG.

That is, "Please input **" is displayed on the display 49 of the terminal device 1-i.
Furthermore, when a list or input format exists,
These are also displayed. The user operates the input unit 48 in response to this display and performs a predetermined input. Billing proxy 1
The first CPU 21 checks the content of the input, and if it is wrong, makes the input again.

When a correct input is made, the input contents are displayed on the display 49, and a display for confirmation (1: OK 2: NG) is made, and the user makes an input for this display. . Then, when the input is performed, the process proceeds to the next item.

Returning to FIG. 4, in step S4, 2
If it is determined that there is no application from a user under the age of 0, or an application from a company organization or group, the process proceeds to step S11, and an online sign-up process is started. In step S12, a message "Do you want to see the clauses?" Is displayed on the display 49 of the terminal device 1-i. When the user inputs to view the agreement, the process proceeds to step S13, and the CPU 21 transmits the agreement to the terminal device 1-i and causes the display 49 to display the agreement.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S 14, wherein a message “Do you agree with the terms and conditions” is displayed on the display 49. When the user inputs that he or she does not agree with the terms and conditions, the process proceeds to step S15, and the user is further prompted to input whether or not it is true (that he does not agree with the terms and conditions). If the user is not sure, the process returns to step S14, and the message “Do you agree with the terms and conditions” is displayed again. If it is confirmed that you do not agree with the terms and conditions again,
The process proceeds from step S15 to step S16, for example, displaying a message such as "I am waiting for a new membership. Thank you." The process proceeds to step S6, disconnects the line, and ends the process.

In step S14, when the user inputs that he or she agrees with the terms and conditions, the process proceeds to step S17, in which the name, its furigana, gender, date of birth, occupation, current address (prefecture), and current address (address below the prefecture) are entered. ), Its furigana, postal code, telephone number, telephone type (public line or ISDN), fax number, used communication environment, and the like.

Next, the process proceeds to step S18, where the user is made to input the presence or absence of an emergency contact. If an emergency contact is present, the process proceeds to step S19, where the name and telephone number of the emergency contact are further input. When this input is performed, or when it is input in step S18 that there is no emergency contact, the processing shifts to the user ID input routine processing of FIG.

In the user ID input routine, first, in step S31, the user ID desired by the user
D is input. When this input is performed, the CPU 21 of the billing proxy 11 proceeds to step S32, and the member master (user I)
D database) and searches whether or not the user ID just entered is already used by another member. Further, in step S33, the temporary member master (the member master from the time of applying for membership until the completion of the membership examination) formed on the magneto-optical disk 26 is also accessed, and the user I that has just been entered is accessed.
A search is made to see if D has already been registered in the temporary member master.

In step S34, step S3
It is determined whether the user ID input in step 1 is duplicated with the user ID already registered in the member master or the temporary member master. If it is determined that the user ID is duplicated, the process returns to step S31 and a new user ID is set. A user ID is input.

If it is determined in step S34 that the input user ID is a user ID not registered in the member master or the temporary member master, the process proceeds to step S35, and the user is caused to input a password. In step S36, the password is again input. Then, in step S37, it is confirmed whether or not the two passwords input in steps S35 and S36 match. If the two passwords do not match, the process proceeds to step S38, and the message "The password is different." Is sent to the terminal device 1-i.
Is displayed on the display 49, and the process returns to step S35, where the password is again input.

If it is determined in step S37 that the two passwords entered in step S35 and step S36 match, the process proceeds to step S39,
A message “Password confirmation OK” is displayed.

Next, proceeding to step S40, the charging proxy 11 causes the terminal device 1-i to display a list of use prices of the A member and the B member. For example, when becoming an A member, a predetermined basic fee is charged every month, but the purchase price of each product or service is lower than that of the B member. On the other hand, if you become a B member, you will not be charged a basic fee, but when you purchase individual products or services, the unit price will be higher than that of the A member. In addition, the types of members are classified according to the types of services that can be received.

At step S41, the user selects and inputs either A member or B member. Further, in step S42, the user operates the input unit 48 to input the type, number, and expiration date of the credit card for making a decision when purchasing a product or service.

In step S43, the CPU 21 of the billing proxy 11 displays, for example, a message "What did you know about this service?" , WW
Items such as W, in-store campaign, and others are displayed. The user selects one of the items and answers.

Next, in step S44, a message "Do you have an enrollment registration code?" Is displayed on the display 49. If the user already has an enrollment registration code, the process proceeds to step S45, and the user
Enter the membership registration code. The enrollment registration code is, for example, a campaign number or an introducer ID.

After the processing in step S45, or when an input indicating that the user does not have an enrollment registration code is made in step S44, the process proceeds to step S46, and "up to five items of interest at present ( Please write the message). Step S
Proceeding to 47, the user inputs his / her hobbies, such as golf, music, and movie viewing, if necessary.

When the input is made as described above, in step S48, for example, "Thank you for the enrollment procedure. * The result of the enrollment examination will be notified by mail within * days. If you have any questions, please contact the following window. "On the terminal device 1-i, and further display a telephone number, an e-mail address, and the like. Then, in step S49, a line disconnection process is performed, and in step S50, the items input by the above process are registered in the temporary member master formed on the magneto-optical disk 26.

Then, as a result of the admission examination, if the admission is approved, the user is notified by mail and the registration information is transferred from the temporary member master to the member master and stored. Also, as a result of the membership examination, if the admission cannot be permitted for any reason, the user is notified by mail and the registration in the temporary member master is deleted.

As described above, a user ID database as shown in FIG. 7, for example, is formed in the member master of the magneto-optical disk 26 of the accounting proxy 11. This user ID database includes the above-described FIG. 4 and FIG.
The information entered in each step of is the user ID
It is registered every time. It should be noted that, in addition to the above items, the user ID database has an assignment I assigned to each terminal device.
Access histories such as the P address, the server accessed by each terminal device, and the accessed file are also stored.

Here, the assigned IP address means an IP address assigned to each terminal device 1-i. That is, for one information processing apparatus connected to the Internet 3, Network Information
on Center (NIC) (In Japan, Japan
an Network Information Ce
Internet (JPNIC)) to one IP (Inter)
The charging proxy 11, which also functions as an access provider, is assigned to the terminal device 1-i of the member managed by itself. Receive the assignment. Since the charging proxy 11 does not always receive access from all members, the charging proxy 11 allows the user using the terminal device connected to the access point via the telephone line to input an ID and a password. Then, it is checked whether the user of the terminal device is a member or not, and when it is confirmed that the user is a member, a free IP address at that time is assigned to the terminal device.

For this reason, the CPU 21 of the charging proxy 11
Causes the RAM 23 to store the IP address assignment table at that time, for example, as shown in FIG. When an access is made from a predetermined terminal device, an unused IP address is searched from this allocation table and assigned to the terminal device.

Therefore, each terminal device is connected to the Internet 3
When accessing by dial-up connection to
The IP address will change each time. In this way, the user ID database also stores the assigned IP address assigned to each user as one of the access histories.

The assignment of the IP address is based on the ASE
A computer system having a modem that supports the PPT protocol, such as the ND (trademark) system, may be connected to the charging proxy 11 and executed by the charging proxy 11.

In this embodiment, the billing proxy 11 also functions as an access provider, so that a member who permits only an access service to the Internet 3 is similarly registered in advance. The access member is allowed to access a predetermined server via the Internet 3, but cannot receive an online shopping service (charging service). Members of the online shopping service automatically become access members.

Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9 to 11, the terminal device 1-i of the predetermined user accesses the predetermined information provider 4-j through the charging proxy 11 and online sells the product. The process for purchasing a. For the sake of convenience, in these figures, each of the operations performed by the terminal device 1-i (subscriber) (WWW browser), the billing proxy 11 (billing company) and the information provider 4-j (online shopping company) (WWW server) The processing is shown in different columns.

As described above, also in this system, each terminal device uses a WWW browser (for example, Netscape N) to use a WWW search system.
aviator), the information provider 4-j includes a WWW server, and the charging proxy 11
Applications operating on the WW (for example, Nets
capcommerce server).

First, in step S71, the terminal device (WWW browser) 1-i designates a menu screen (homepage) of an online shopping company (information provider 4-j). In the WWW system, a URL (Uniform Resource) is used.
A predetermined screen (file) on the Internet 3 is designated by a type of address called e Locator. In a URL, a WWW server is usually specified by a domain name. For example, URL
Is available at http: // www. sony. co. jp / s
When it is ondrive / index / html,
The domain name is www. sony. co. jp.
Since the actual access to the server is performed by the IP address, as a system for acquiring the IP address from this domain name, DNS (Domain Name) is used.
Server), and the WWW browser makes an inquiry there.

In this case, the URL may be directly input on the screen, or the menu screen may be displayed in HTML (Hyp
When a screen linked by er Text Markup Language is displayed on the display 49 of the terminal device 1-i, the screen can be designated by clicking the screen with the mouse of the input unit 48 or the like.

When this designation is made, the terminal device 1-i outputs a corresponding request to the WWW server.
In practice, the charging proxy 11 preset in the terminal device is used.
This request is forwarded via the charging proxy 11
Is input to When this request is received, charging proxy 1
In step S72, a user ID and a password are input according to the HTTP authentication function, and it is determined whether or not the access is from a pre-registered access member. Reject. This determination is made based on the user ID and the password at the time of connection to the access point, so that the determination can also be made based on the IP address assigned to the terminal. When the access is from a registered access member, the billing proxy 11 transfers the request from the WWW browser to the WWW server via the Internet 3 as it is.

For example, by using a WWW browser, shopping and VOD are displayed on the display 49 as shown in FIG.
When the cursor 53 is moved and displayed on, for example, the shopping button 51 while the (Video On Demand) button is displayed, the display 49 is displayed.
Of the shopping button 5
The URL corresponding to 1 is displayed. Then, the user places a cursor 53 on the shopping button 51.
When the mouse is clicked in the state where
Access to URL displayed on L display unit 52 (access to online shopping server)
Is performed.

When the WWW server receives a request to transfer the menu screen (online shopping menu screen), in step S73, it outputs the corresponding menu screen data to the WWW browser. This data is transmitted to the charging proxy 11 via the Internet 3.
Is forwarded to Upon receiving the transfer of the menu screen data in step S74, the billing proxy 11
This is further transferred to a WWW browser.

As described above, in the WWW system, since the screen is composed of text format data called HTML, the WHT browser, the charging proxy 11, and the WWW server communicate with each other through the HTML.
ML sentences will be exchanged.

In step S74, charging proxy 1
The terminal device 1 further transfers the menu screen data transferred from the WWW server to the terminal device 1-i.
On the -i display 49, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, a menu screen for purchasing a predetermined product (products W to Z in FIG. 13) for online shopping is displayed.

In the WWW system, various processes are executed by using a series of processes (one response to one request) shown in steps S71 to S75 as a unit (session).

In step S75, while the menu screen for purchasing a product as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display 49 of the WWW browser, the user determines whether or not there is a product desired to be purchased. If there is no product that the user desires, for example, the end button in FIG. 13 is clicked with the mouse. Thus, the online shopping process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a product desired to be purchased on the menu screen, step S7
Go to step 6, and select the product you want to purchase from the menu screen. That is, in the example of FIG. 13, the user selects the product by moving the cursor 53 on a predetermined button among the buttons of the products W to Z and clicking the mouse.

When this selection is made, the WWW browser transfers a signal corresponding to the selection to the charging proxy 11. When receiving the selection data, the charging proxy 11 executes a process of transferring the selection data to the WWW server in step S77. Details of the processing in step S77 are shown in FIG.

In the process of FIG. 14, first, in step S12
In 1, the CPU 21 acquires an IP address assigned to the terminal device 1-i that has transmitted the data. As described with reference to FIG. 8, this IP address is assigned by the charging proxy 11 to the terminal device 1-i by itself, and thus can be known from the IP address assignment table shown in FIG. Next, step S122
To the member information (for example, credit card type,
Number, card validity period). The user ID corresponding to the IP address can also be obtained from the IP address assignment table shown in FIG. And this user I
The member information (card validity period, etc.) corresponding to D is shown in FIG.
Can be obtained from the user ID database shown in FIG.

When the data of the validity period of the credit card is obtained, not only the data is obtained from the user ID database but also the CAFIS 5 is accessed as necessary to determine whether there is any change. CAFIS5 is a computer system of the corresponding credit card company.
-1 to 6-3, and obtains the data of the validity period of the card at the present time. Then, this is transferred to the charging proxy 11.

As described above, the data of the validity period of the card is obtained not by the individual information providers but by the charging proxy 11. Therefore, the information provider does not need to conclude a contract with each credit card company, and the system configuration can be simplified accordingly.

Next, the process proceeds to step S123, where the CPU 2
1 sets a category ID and a password corresponding to the member information acquired in step S122. For example, if it is determined that the card is currently valid from the card validity period acquired in step S122, the category ID
Is set as valid, and as the password, ok
Set. If the card has expired, “expired” is set as the category ID, and “ok” is set as the password.

If the service of the WWW server is only for a specific member and the currently accessing member cannot receive the service, “denied” as the ID, “O” as the password,
K "is set. This determination is based on the fact that the URL requested by the WWW browser is the URL of the service registered in advance.
You can know if it is L.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S124, wherein the selection data input from the WWW browser is transferred to the WWW server according to the HTTP, and the IP address of the charging proxy 11 and the category I set in the step S123.
D and the password to the server.

Returning to FIG. 9, when the charging proxy 11 transfers the selected data in step S77, the WWW server receives the data transferred from the charging proxy 11 in step S78, and starts accessing the data from the data. However, it is determined whether or not the member who performs the online shopping is registered in the WWW server in advance. The details of this determination are shown in FIG.

In FIG. 15, first, at step S14
1, the data from the charging proxy 11, the IP address,
Acquire the category ID and password. The billing contractor not only makes a contract with many users and makes this a member of his / her own online shopping, but also contracts with many online shopping providers (WWW servers). Become an online shopping member. WWW server,
It has the same configuration as the charging proxy 11 (FIG. 2),
The member information is registered in a built-in magneto-optical disk or hard disk in advance. Then, it is determined in step S142 whether or not the IP address of the billing company acquired in step S141 is an IP address registered in advance as a member.

If it is determined in step S141 that the acquired IP address is different from the IP address registered in advance, the flow advances to step S143 to determine that this access is an access from a non-member.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S142 that the IP address acquired in step S141 is equal to the IP address of the pre-registered billing company, the flow advances to step S144 to proceed to step S144.
It is determined whether the category ID acquired in step 1 is registered as an accessible ID.

When the WWW server makes a contract with the charging proxy 11, the access is made from a user whose card is valid, the category ID is valid, and the access is made from a user whose card has expired. Is determined in advance so that each item of expired is transmitted as a category ID. And
When the WWW server determines that the category ID is valid, the process proceeds to step S145, determines that the access is from an online shopping member, and when the category ID is determined to be expired, proceeds to step S143. , Is determined to be an access from a non-member.

Returning to FIG. 9, in step S78,
When it is determined that the access is not from the member, the process proceeds to step S79, and the WWW server reads out the unusable screen and transfers it to the accounting proxy 11. Billing proxy 1
In step S80, when the data of the unusable screen is transferred, the data 1 is further transferred to the WWW browser. When the WWW browser receives the transfer of the unusable screen from the charging proxy 11 in step S81, it gives up the purchase of the product by online shopping.

Although the member access is restricted in step S78 in FIG. 9, it is determined in step S77 that the screen in which the charging proxy 11 cannot be used is directly transferred in step S80 based on the member information. Is also possible. In this case, the burden of access restriction on the WWW server is reduced.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S78 that the access is from a member, the process proceeds to step S82, and the WWW server determines whether the product is in stock. For this inventory check processing, the WWW server establishes the Common Gateway Interface
Using the mechanism of e (CGI), the system accesses the inventory management system 12 as an external program and inquires about the presence or absence of inventory in real time. If it is determined in step S76 that the designated product is not in stock, the process proceeds to step S83, and data on a screen indicating that there is no stock is transferred to the charging proxy 11. The billing proxy 11
When the data of the screen with no stock is supplied, the data is transferred to the WWW browser in step S80. In step S81, when the WWW browser receives the data of the out-of-stock screen, it displays this, and gives up the purchase of the product from this display.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S82 that the product is in stock, the process proceeds to step S84, in which the WWW server generates data of a confirmation screen displaying the product designated as the product to be purchased and the amount thereof. Then, this is transferred to the accounting proxy 11. This processing can also be executed by an external program using CGI as necessary. When receiving the screen data in step S85, the charging proxy 11 temporarily stores the product and the amount thereof, for example, in the hard disk 25. In this way, screen data for confirmation,
Before actually transferring the data to the user, the data is temporarily stored in the charging proxy 11 in advance so that the data can be stored in the terminal device 1.
-Prevent being altered there after being forwarded to i.

Then, in step S86, charging proxy 1
1 transfers the confirmation screen data to the WWW browser.
In step S87, the WWW browser receives the screen data, outputs it to the display 49, and displays it. Thereby, for example, a product purchase confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the display 49.

In this display example, a product W of 1200 yen and a product Y of 3500 yen are ordered, and the total amount is 4
It is displayed that the price is 700 yen. Also, at the lower right of the screen, buttons are displayed on which characters of YES and NO are displayed for inputting whether or not to agree to purchase the product.

As described above, in the data of the confirmation screen, the total amount of the purchased merchandise, the detailed amount, and the like are described as HTML comments or as display data. Which display format to use is determined in advance between the accounting proxy 11 and the WWW server. When describing in HTML, for example, SUM = 4700 UNIT = YENY
ES = “shoppig / ok” NO = “shopp
ing / no ”, keywords (SUM, UNI
T) and a value (4700, YEN, etc.). “Shoppig / ok” and “shop
“ping / no” is a URL of a screen to be displayed next when consent for confirmation is obtained and when consent for confirmation is not obtained.

The billing proxy 11 analyzes the data on the confirmation screen, calculates a billing amount, and stores it. Further, since such information is stored together with the IP address and the member information obtained from the WWW browser, the billing proxy 11 is stored.
, A plurality of WWW browsers can be charged.

In step S88, the user selects FIG.
By looking at the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the user agrees to purchase the product. If the user does not wish to purchase a product, the process proceeds to step S89, and the user selects a reject button (a button in which the character number is displayed in FIG. 16). When this operation is performed, the terminal device 1-i outputs a signal requesting transfer of a URL screen (designated screen) corresponding to the operated button to the WWW server via the charging proxy 11.

In step S90, billing proxy 11, which has received the request for the designated screen transfer, transmits this request to W
Transfer to WW server. The WWW server determines in step S9
In step 1, when a request for transfer of the designated screen is received, the rejection acceptance screen is read out in response to the request, and the data is transferred to the accounting proxy 11. Billing proxy 11
In step S92, when the data of the rejection acceptance screen is supplied, the data is further transferred to the WWW browser. When the WWW browser receives the supply of the data of the rejection acceptance screen in step S93, it outputs this to the display 49 and displays it. The user can confirm that the refusal to purchase the product has been accepted by looking at the display.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S88 that the user agrees to the purchase of the product, the process proceeds to step S94 and selects the agreement button (the button in which the character YES is displayed in FIG. 16). At this time, the WWW browser requests transfer of the URL screen corresponding to the selection of the consent button. When the charging proxy 11 receives a signal for requesting the transfer of the designation screen for selecting the consent button from the WWW browser in step S95, the charging proxy 11 stores the user information corresponding to the user ID, such as the name, address, and telephone number, in the user ID database. Get more. Then, step S9
The process proceeds to step S6, and the transfer request signal for the designated screen received from the WWW browser is transferred to the WWW server together with the user information acquired in step S95.

When the WWW server receives a request to transfer the designated screen by selecting the consent button from the charging proxy 11, it generates a consent acceptance screen in step S97 and transfers this to the charging proxy 11. In addition, the billing proxy 11
The product delivery procedure is executed in accordance with the user information transmitted from.

If the shipping destination of the product is different from the registered address of the user, the user inputs the address of the shipping destination in step S94.

[0099] The online shopping business is
We use the information obtained by the server to perform product delivery, accounting processing, etc.If these processes are troublesome, we may ask the billing company to also create an order slip. It is possible. The order slip can be dispatched by mail, e-mail, or the like. However, by connecting the system of the charging proxy 11 and the system of the online shopping company online, the dispatch process of the order slip is automated. It is also possible.

Next, in step S98, the charging proxy 11 acquires the credit card number corresponding to the user ID from the user ID database. Then, in step S99, calculated in step S85,
The stored amount is charged to the credit card company acquired in step S98. However, actually, based on a contract between the credit card company and the charging company having the charging proxy 11, the charging company charges the credit card company for a predetermined amount lower than the purchase price of the product. Then, the credit card company charges the user for the amount of the product purchase.

The billing proxy 11 further proceeds to step S1
At 00, the data of the consent acceptance screen supplied from the WWW server is transferred to the WWW browser. In step S101, the WWW browser receives this screen data and displays it on the display 49. As a result, a screen for accepting consent is displayed as shown in FIG. 17, for example.
The user can confirm that the purchase has been completed from this display screen.

In the case of HTTP, a request from a WWW browser and a corresponding request from a WWW server correspond to one request.
One session, and connection and disconnection of the line are performed for each of these sessions. Therefore, the charging proxy 11 can monitor the user's IP address and process requests from a plurality of WWW browsers. If the above processing is stopped for some reason, the above-described step S9
It is determined that the input of the selection signal of the consent button in 4 has not been obtained, and the shopping process is terminated.

In the above embodiment, step S
At 76, when the purchase of the product is selected by the WWW browser, the billing proxy 11 is selected at step S77.
Is transferred from the WWW server to the WWW server, and the WWW server determines whether or not the access is from a member. If the access is from a non-member, at step S79 an unusable screen is sent from the WWW server to the charging proxy 11 in step S79. Although the transfer is performed, the processing of steps S78 and S79 may be performed by the charging proxy 11.

In step S82, if the inventory check is not automated so as to be performed in real time, the out-of-stock items are not displayed on the menu screen, or the inventory check process is performed later. You can also In this case, as a result of the inventory check, if it is determined that there is no inventory, the server issues an order acceptance cancellation slip to the billing company, and also sends the user an e-mail, letter, telephone, etc. , And tell them the purpose of order acceptance cancellation.

In the above embodiment, it is also possible to encrypt the processing of shopping and the processing of registering a credit card number and the like.

Further, as a settlement account for setting a fee,
It is also possible to use a bank account or the like in addition to a credit card.

The charge was made by detecting a value transferred on the Internet. However, an online shopping company registers in advance the charge for the accessed URL and the transferred keyword with the charging proxy. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the fee data from being transferred and falsified via the Internet, and to charge more securely. In this case, billing proxy 1
1 calculates (reads out) the fee from the registration list
Will be.

In the above embodiment, the charging proxy 1
1 is also made to function as an access provider and an information provider. In this case, the data supplied from the information providers 4-1 to 4-3 is sent to the charging proxy 11 to the terminal devices 1-1 to 1-4. A caching function may be performed to supply. At this time, the data supplied by the terminal device in the past is stored in the charging proxy 11. Thereby, when a predetermined terminal device receives the same data supply, instead of actually accessing the corresponding information provider 4-j, the data stored in the charging proxy 11 can be transferred. Information can be provided more quickly.

Of course, the charging proxy 11 may not be provided with the function as an access provider or an information provider.

Further, the member information database function of the charging proxy 11 may be provided with a dedicated member information server and loaded on the member server.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, only one charging proxy 11 is provided for the Internet 3. However, as shown in FIG. -3, and each charging proxy 11-1 through 11-3 is connected to a dedicated line 8.
1 may be connected to each other.

In this way, each user can select the nearest charging proxy and access a desired information provider from the nearest charging proxy.

In this case, the charging proxy used is WW
Causes the W browser to set the domain name of the charging proxy.
Therefore, a DN that converts this domain name into an IP address
In S, corresponding to the IP address of the terminal device of the WWW browser, the IP of the billing proxy having an advantageous access efficiency
By notifying the address to the WWW browser, the billing proxy can be designated by the same domain name. Therefore, virtually, it can be seen as one billing proxy. Further, according to this method, access from the majority of WWW browsers can be distributed by a plurality of charging proxies.

Further, in the above embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking as an example the case where a predetermined product is purchased. However, the present invention provides a method of receiving a pay broadcast, a computer program, documents, images, audio data, and the like. The present invention can be applied to the case where other services are provided, such as downloading.

Note that the access history stored in the charging proxy 11 is statistically processed, and the popularity ranking of products and services, the configuration of users who have purchased predetermined products and services, and the like are analyzed and used as marketing information. Can also.

In the above embodiment, the information such as the type and number of the credit card, the address and the name of the owner of the credit card is registered in the charging proxy 11 by the terminal device 1-i.
Is transmitted first over the telephone line (or the Internet 3), and is not transmitted during the subsequent purchase stage of the actual goods or services. Therefore, there is less possibility that such information is leaked to another person and abused.

Further, since the charging proxy 11 grasps the credit status of cards of a plurality of credit card companies, the information provider 4-j does not need to individually contract with the credit card companies.
The system becomes simple, and it becomes easy for companies and individuals with relatively small business scales to become information providers.

[0118]

As described above, according to the present invention, based on the acquired unique information and the stored unique information, it is determined whether or not the information processing device is a predetermined device registered in advance. Since the determination is made, it is possible to easily and reliably determine whether the access is from a valid device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network system to which an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a charging proxy 11 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal device 1-i of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an online sign-up process in a charging proxy 11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart following FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating basic text-based input in the network system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a user ID database.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an IP address assignment table.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart following FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart following FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example in step S71 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example in step S75 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the details of the selected data transfer process in step S77 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of processing for judging access from a member in step S78 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of step S87 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example of step S101 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of a network system to which the information processing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional network system.

FIG. 20 is a photograph of a halftone image displayed on a display showing a display example of conventional online shopping.

FIG. 21 is a photograph of a halftone image displayed on a display showing another display example of conventional online shopping.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1 to 1-12 terminal device, 2-1 to 2-3
Access provider, 3 Internet, 4-1 to 4-5 Information provider, 5 CAF
IS, 6-1 to 6-3 computer system,
11, 11-1 to 11-3 charging proxy, 81
Dedicated line

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An information processing method for an information processing device connected to another information processing device via a network, comprising: a storage step of storing unique information assigned to the other information processing device in advance; An obtaining step of obtaining the unique information assigned to the other information processing apparatus when the access from the other information processing apparatus via the network is obtained by the processing of the obtaining step Said unique information;
A determining step of determining whether the other information processing apparatus is a predetermined apparatus registered in advance based on the unique information stored in the processing of the storing step. Information processing method. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the obtaining step, the unique information is obtained via the Internet as the network. 3. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the obtaining step, an IP address of the another information processing apparatus is obtained as the unique information. 4. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining step further obtains selection information for selecting a product or a service to be provided. 5. When the information processing apparatus is determined to be a predetermined apparatus registered in advance in the processing of the determining step, a confirmation step of confirming inventory of the product or service corresponding to the selection information is performed. The information processing method according to claim 4, further comprising: 6. When the information processing device is determined to be a predetermined device registered in advance in the processing of the determining step, confirmation screen information of the product or service corresponding to the selection information is displayed on the other information processing device. The information processing method according to claim 4, further comprising a transmission step of transmitting the information to an information processing apparatus. 7. When the information processing device is determined to be a predetermined device registered in advance in the processing of the determining step, a payment required to provide the product or service corresponding to the selection information. 5. The information processing method according to claim 4, further comprising a confirmation step of further acquiring information and confirming validity of the payment information. 8. A transmitting step of transmitting screen information indicating that the information processing apparatus cannot be used to the other information processing apparatus when it is determined in the processing of the determining step that the information processing apparatus is not a predetermined registered apparatus. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: 9. An information processing apparatus connected to another information processing apparatus via a network, wherein: a storage unit for storing in advance unique information assigned to the other information processing apparatus; Acquiring means for acquiring the unique information assigned to the other information processing apparatus when access is received from the processing device via the network; andthe unique information acquired by the acquiring means; Based on the unique information stored by the storage means,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit configured to determine whether the other information processing apparatus is a predetermined apparatus registered in advance. 10. An information processing method for a network system including a server and an information processing device connected via a network, wherein the information processing method for the information processing device transmits data to the server via the network. Transmitting the unique information of the server itself, the information processing method of the server, a storage step of previously storing the unique information assigned to the information processing device, and a network from the information processing device to the network. An acquisition step of acquiring the unique information assigned to the information processing apparatus when the access is received via the information processing apparatus; and the unique information acquired in the processing of the acquisition step.
A determining step of determining whether or not the information processing apparatus is a predetermined apparatus registered in advance based on the unique information stored in the processing of the storing step. Method.