JP2001331452A - Information service provision method, controller and information service provision system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent utilization by someone other than a contractor in the case of providing a prescribed information service by communication. SOLUTION: A sensor 22 for detecting the physical feature of an operator is provided on a controller 20 held by the operator at all times when receiving the provision of a game service by the communication. In a user computer 14A, while receiving the provision of the game service from a game service server 12A, the physical feature acquired by the sensor 22 is transmitted directly or through the game service server 12A to an authentication server 12B at every prescribed interval of time or at every prescribed timing. In the authentication server 12B, the transmitted physical feature of the operator are collated with registered individual information, whether or not the operator is the contractor is judged and the result is transmitted to the game service server 12A. In the case of judging that the operator is not the contractor, the game service server 12A immediately stops the provision of the game service.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information service providing method, a controller, and an information service providing system. More particularly, the present invention provides a predetermined information service requiring operation of a predetermined controller to a contractor by communication. The present invention relates to an information service providing method, a controller, and an information service providing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the spread of computers has rapidly progressed, and the form of connecting and using computers via a network, such as personal computer communication and the Internet connection, has become common even in ordinary households. Along with this, attention has been paid to providing various information services via a network.

[0005] As described above, providing an information service by communication via a network enables a service provider to sell the information service without having a store, and to provide a service provider with a home. However, there is a merit that the information service can be used.

[0004] In providing such information services, it is required to accurately charge users and to collect fees, and the service provider performs identity verification using a credit card number or the like to provide information services. It is necessary to permit only the contractor who has made the use contract to use the information service.

[0005] For this reason, at the time of use contract,
D is generally issued, and when the user starts using the information service, it is general to determine whether the user is a contractor by requesting the input of an ID.

[0006]

However, in the prior art, if the user is identified as a contractor at the start of use of the information service, the lock is released and no further check is performed. For this reason, it was not possible to prevent impersonation spoofing due to replacement.

[0007] In particular, when providing a limited information service to a user, for example, when it is necessary to prohibit the use of a user under the age of 18, for example, it is not possible to detect the change of the user during the use of the information service. Another problem is that the use of the information service cannot be reliably restricted.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and provides an information service providing method capable of preventing use of a person other than a contractor when providing a predetermined information service by communication. It is an object to provide a controller and an information service providing system.

[0009]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information service for providing a predetermined information service requiring operation of a predetermined controller to a contractor by communication. A providing method, wherein the physical features generated when the contractor operates a controller are stored in advance, and during the provision of the information service,
A physical feature generated when the provider of the information service operates the controller is compared with a physical feature of the contractor stored in advance, and based on the comparison result, the provider provided It is characterized by determining whether the person is a contractor.

[0010] According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is determined (identified) whether or not a recipient (user) of a predetermined information service provided by communication is a legitimate contractor of the information service. For this purpose, a physical feature amount generated when operating a controller for receiving provision of the information service is used. As a result, the provider can be identified at any time when the information service is provided, and it can be determined whether or not the provider is a contractor. It is possible to cope with a case in which is replaced.

[0011] As described in claim 2,
When it is determined that the provider is not a contractor, provision of the information service may be stopped.

The invention according to claim 3 is a controller operated by a provider of the information service when receiving a predetermined information service by communication, wherein the provider of the information service is the controller. And detecting means for detecting a physical characteristic amount generated when the user operates.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined information service is provided by communication, a controller operated by a recipient of the information service is provided with a body generated when the controller is operated. Detecting means for detecting a target feature amount is provided. This allows
The controller can operate the controller at any time to acquire the physical feature amount of the recipient who is receiving the information service.

As described in claim 4,
The detection means is a grip shape with respect to the controller,
It is preferable that at least one of a temporal change of the grip shape, a distribution shape of the pressing force applied to the controller, a temporal change of the distribution shape, a body temperature, a pulse wave, a sweat secretion amount, and a blood flow is detected.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information service providing system for providing a predetermined information service requiring operation of the controller according to the third or fourth aspect to a contractor. Storage means for storing physical characteristic quantities generated when the contractor operates the controller; physical characteristic quantities of the information service recipient detected by the detection means; and the contract stored in advance. Comparing means for comparing the physical feature amount of the recipient with the user, and determining means for determining whether or not the recipient is a contractor based on a comparison result by the comparing means. .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the physical feature quantity at the time of operating the controller is used to determine (identify) whether or not the information service provider is a contractor. . As described above (refer to claim 3), the controller can acquire the physical feature amount of the recipient who is receiving the information service at any time. At any time, the recipient can be identified to determine whether or not the recipient is a contractor, and it is possible to deal with a case where the recipient is replaced on the way.

[0017] As described in claim 6,
It is preferable that the comparing means and the judging means repeatedly execute the comparison judgment regularly, regularly or irregularly.

Further, as described in claim 7,
It is preferable that the information processing apparatus further includes a stop unit that stops providing the information service to the provided person when the providing unit determines that the provided person is not a contractor.

[0019]

Next, an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a network system 10 includes a plurality of servers 12 and a plurality of computers 14, each of which includes a connection unit 1 such as a modem, a router, and a TA (Terminal Adapter).
6 and connected to the Internet 18. Multiple servers 12 and multiple computers 14
Can communicate with each other via the Internet 18.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the server 12 and the computer 14 function as a WWW (World Wide Web) server and a WWW client, respectively, through mutual communication.

More specifically, each computer 14 has a WWW browser installed therein.
By starting the WW browser, the Internet 1
8 allows the server 12 to be accessed arbitrarily. At this time, the access position (the data including the position of the server 12 to be accessed and the position of the information in the server 12) is specified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

When each server 12 receives an access request from the computer 14, the server 12 transmits the data at the position specified by the URL to the access source computer 14 via the Internet 18. At this time, the data
Generally, data is transferred according to HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).

As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of servers 12 include a server 12A for providing a game service (hereinafter, referred to as a "game service server") and a server 12 for permitting the provision of a game service (hereinafter, referred to as "game service server"). "Authentication server")
12B. In addition, the game service server 1
2A corresponds to the stopping unit of the present invention, and the authentication server 12B corresponds to the storage unit, the comparing unit, and the determining unit of the present invention.

The game service server 12A transmits various information for using the game service provided by the game service server 12A only to the computer 14 permitted by the authentication server 12B among the computers 14 accessed. I do. Thereby, a game service is provided to the operator of the computer 14. Further, when the provision of the game service is started, the game service server 12A starts charging according to the use of the game service.

The authentication server 12B is a contract between the authorized user of the game service provided by the game service server 12A, that is, the game service provider providing the game service on the game service server 12A and a contract for using the game service. Register (store in memory, etc.) personal information of the person and perform maintenance.

The authentication server 12B identifies whether or not the operator of the computer 14 accessing the game service server 12A is a contractor, and only when the operator is a contractor, Game service server 12
A is permitted to provide the gaming service to the computer 14.

On the other hand, the plurality of computers 14 include a computer (hereinafter, referred to as a "user computer") 14A operated by a contractor and provided with a game service from the game service server 12A.

Game software is installed in the user computer 14A in advance. Further, a controller 20 for starting the game software and playing a game is connected to the user computer 14A. In the following, a case where the pachinko simulation software is installed as game software will be described as an example.

In the game software, a game machine (pachinko machine)
The physical model of the game machine is built internally, and the parameters such as the effect of the nail of the game machine and the effect of the change in the mass of the ball receiving part due to the number of balls coming out are used as parameters, and by changing this parameter, the service equivalent to the actual game machine Environment. That is, when this game software is activated on the user computer 14A, an operation equivalent to that of the gaming machine is reproduced on the display 26 provided in the user computer 14A.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the controller 20 is formed in a column shape substantially equivalent to a handle of a gaming machine. The operator grips the controller 20 by pressing the palm of the hand to one end surface of the controller 20 and presses the peripheral surface of the controller 20 with each finger (so-called grabbing), and rotates the controller 20 with its axis direction as a rotation axis. Let it. The game software changes a parameter that determines the power of the ball to be flipped out on the game machine board based on the amount of rotational displacement of the controller 20, and reproduces the result on the display 26.

That is, the operator starts the game software, turns the controller 20 on the handle of the game machine, and rotates the controller 20 to provide a virtual experience as if the player were actually operating the game machine. . When the user computer 14A is used alone (stand-alone), the game software is the same as general game software that does not involve the transfer of money, but once the user computer 14A is connected via the Internet 18. When the player is connected to the game service server 12A of the game company, a monetary exchange occurs as if the player actually went to the game hall and operated the gaming machine to play the game.

On the peripheral surface of the controller 20, a sensor 22 for detecting an operator's physical characteristic amount is provided as detection means of the present invention. The game software is
When online, this sensor 2
2 to obtain the physical characteristics of the operator during the game and transmit it to the authentication server 12B. The physical characteristic amount of the operator is used for identifying the individual operator.

The sensor 22 may detect at least one type of physical feature. For example, the movement when the object to be pressed such as the controller 20 is pressed has different habits (acquired characteristics) for each individual, and the fingers also have individual differences (innate, inferior, such as size, shape, and softness). Noting that there is a characteristic), a distribution shape of the pressing force when the operator grips the controller 20 and a temporal change of the distribution shape of the pressing force are detected as physical characteristic amounts for identifying the individual operator. You may.

Specifically, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are shown by using the technology proposed in the invention filed by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 11-113215: filed on April 21, 1999). As described above, a piezoelectric sensor 22A or a pressure-sensitive sensor 22B is used as the sensor 22, and a pressed surface (controller 2) is used.
A change in the contact state of the finger pad surface with respect to the peripheral surface (0) and a change in the pressed state such as the time displacement of the finger position are captured. This makes it possible to detect the distribution shape of the pressing force when the operator grips the controller 20 and the temporal change in the distribution shape of the pressing force.

When the controller 20 is grasped, the individual has different habits (acquired characteristics), the size of the palm and fingers,
By paying attention to individual differences (innate features) such as shapes, a hand-holding shape when the operator holds the controller 20 and a time change of the hand-holding shape are detected as physical features for identifying the individual operator. You may.

Specifically, the invention filed by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-253568: filed on September 8, 1998,
As shown in FIG. 5, a sensor 22 including a plurality of light-emitting elements 22C and light-receiving elements 22D is used by using the technology proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-085918 (filed on Mar. 29, 1999). Is used, non-interference control is performed on the plurality of light emitting elements 22C at different positions, and it is measured from which of the light emitting elements the light received by the plurality of light receiving elements 22D has arrived. From this measurement result, it is possible to detect the shape of the grip when the player grips the controller 20 and the time change of the grip shape.

In addition to the distribution shape of the pressing force, the temporal change of the distribution shape of the pressing force, the grip shape, and the temporal change of the grip shape, other physical characteristics for identifying an individual operator include:
The operator's body temperature, pulse wave, sweat secretion amount, blood flow, and the like can also be used. In addition, at least of the distribution shape of the pressing force, the time change of the distribution shape of the pressing force, the hand shape, the time change of the hand shape, the body temperature of the operator, the pulse wave, the amount of sweat secretion, the physical characteristic amount such as blood flow, at least. An individual may be identified by a combination of the two.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

When the game service is provided by the game service server 12A, the user obtains the game software and the controller 20 in advance, and performs a predetermined setup of the computer 14 (the controller 20 for installing the game software on the computer). Connection, etc.), and personal information must be registered in the authentication server 12B. The computer 14 after the completion of the predetermined setup becomes the user computer 14A, and the user whose personal information is registered becomes the contractor.

As the game software, for example, a storage medium such as a CD-ROM in which the game software is stored can be obtained at a game company or a software store (free distribution, mail order, store sales, etc.), or on the Internet. It can be obtained by downloading from the specified website. The controller 20
Obtain from game players and software retailers (free distribution, mail order, over-the-counter sales, etc.).

When the controller 20 is obtained at a store, an ID is issued after confirming the identity of the controller 20 with a license or the like. In addition, when confirming the identity, it is also confirmed that the person is 18 years of age or older.

Further, the operator has the controller 20 hold and operate the controller 20, and the sensor 22 acquires a physical characteristic amount when the operator operates the controller 20. The personal information including the issued ID and the acquired physical characteristic amount is registered in the authentication server 12B directly or via the Internet, and a procedure related to a fee payment method is performed.

The controller 20 may be used in a place other than a store such as a mail order.
In order to obtain the ID, after performing a predetermined setup, the operator accesses a predetermined Web site from the user computer 14A, performs identity verification by inputting a credit card number or the like, and issues an ID. In addition, when confirming the identity, it is also confirmed that the person is 18 years of age or older.

At the same time, the controller 20
Is grasped and operated, and the sensor 22 acquires a physical feature amount when the operator operates the controller 20. The personal information including the issued ID and the acquired physical feature is registered in the authentication server 12B via the Internet 18.

Note that the above-described game software, the method of obtaining the controller 20, and the method of registering personal information are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, the game company has a game service server 1
The form of the game service provided by the company is announced on a 2A Web site on the Internet.

The user (operator) operates the user computer 14A, accesses the game service server 12A from the user computer 14A, and requests the game service server 12A to provide the game service from the user computer 14A ( Step 100).

Upon receiving this request, the game service server 12A displays a message on the display 26 of the user computer 14A or the like to input the ID issued at the time of personal information registration to the operator and to enter a desired game machine (virtual machine). The user is prompted to select a pachinko parlor or a type of gaming machine (step 102).

The ID is input by the operator,
When a desired gaming machine is selected, the input ID and the selection result are transmitted to the gaming service server 12A (step 104). The gaming service server 12A receives the ID and the selection result from the user computer 14A, transmits the physical model and parameters of the selected gaming machine to the user computer 14A, and starts providing a gaming service (step 106).

In the case where the same gaming machine has been selected before and the physical model is stored in the storage device provided in the user computer 14A, it is not necessary to transmit the physical model. Only parameters must be sent. This is the actual playground (pachinko parlor)
In general, the state of the nail is changed every day, and even if the exact same gaming machine is selected, only the parameters are newly transmitted and updated, thereby providing an environment close to the actual gaming room. .

When the provision of the game service is started, the operator first buys a ball using electronic money or an electronic point card (step 108). When an instruction to purchase a ball is input to the user computer 14A by the operator,
The purchase request is transmitted to the game service server 12A,
The game service server 12A starts charging for the ID (see step 104 described above) input by the operator (step 110).

Thereafter, the operator operates the user computer 14
When the controller 20 connected to A is gripped and rotated clockwise, a ball is fired in the gaming machine reproduced on the display 26 of the user computer 14A, and the game is started (step 112). The operator virtually operates the gaming machine reproduced on the user computer 14A by holding and operating the controller 20. At this time, the points given by the operator are transmitted from the user computer 14A to the game service server 12A as needed. The game service server 12A accumulates and stores the points (step 114).

At the same time as the provision of the game service is started, the user computer 14A sends to the authentication server 12B of the physical characteristic amount of the operator acquired by the sensor 22 of the controller 20 connected to the user computer 14A. Transmission (direct or game service server 1)
2A) is started. The transmission of the physical characteristics of the operator is always performed at predetermined time intervals or at predetermined timings (regularly or irregularly) during a period in which the user computer 14A receives the provision of the game service from the game service server 12A. Will be implemented.

The authentication server 12B determines whether the operator is a contractor by comparing the transmitted physical characteristics of the operator with the registered personal information (step 116). .

More specifically, a feature vector space which forms a linear space based on at least one type of physical feature detected by the sensor 22 and has a length based on the physical feature detected from the player by the sensor 22; Authentication server 1
2B is compared with a feature vector space having the length of the physical feature of the contractor, and using pattern recognition, based on a predetermined threshold (hereinafter referred to as “identity determination threshold”) Then, it is determined whether or not the player is a contractor.

The result of the judgment by the authentication server 12B is transmitted to the game service server 12A as needed. When it is determined that the operator is a contractor (see step 116A), the game service server 12A continues to provide the game service (step 118). When it is determined that the operator is not a contractor (see step 116B), the provision of the game service is immediately stopped (temporarily suspended or terminated) (step 120).

If the provision of the information service is stopped after it is determined that the user is a legitimate contractor, points and billing up to that point are continued next time.

As described above, when the game service is provided by communication, the controller 22 which is always held by the operator is provided with the sensor 22 for detecting the physical characteristic amount of the operator. At any time during the provision of the game service, the sensor 22 detects the physical characteristic amount of the operator, and the authentication server 12B can identify whether or not the operator is a contractor.

Thus, for example, if the operator changes from a contractor to a non-contractor during the provision of a game service, the sensor 2
Since the physical characteristic amount acquired in step 2 changes, the change of the operator can be immediately detected, and the non-contractor (for example, 1)
(Under eight years old) can be prevented from using the game service.

In this embodiment, the controller 2
A sensor 22 for detecting the physical feature of the player at 0
Has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, separately from the controller 20, a sensor for detecting a physical characteristic amount, or an instrument provided with the sensor may be used by a user (user computer 14A).
May be worn by the operator). However, in consideration of the burden on the player, it is preferable to provide the sensor 22 in the controller 20 as in the present embodiment, since the physical feature can be acquired without making the player aware.

Further, in this embodiment, the case where the Internet 18 is used for providing the information service by communication has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two-way communication is possible. Then, any network may be used. For example, public line (telephone line etc.)
Communication may be performed using a wired network such as a TV or a cable television network, or communication may be performed using a wireless network such as a mobile phone.

In the present embodiment, the controller 20 used by connecting to a computer has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be used by connecting to a home game machine.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a case where a game service is provided by communication, but the present invention does not particularly limit the contents of the provided service.

[0065]

As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect that, when a predetermined information service is provided by communication, the use of a person other than the contractor can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a gripping mode of a controller by a player.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a controller that detects a distribution shape of a pressing force or a temporal change in a distribution shape of a pressing force.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of a controller that detects a distribution shape of a pressing force or a temporal change in a distribution shape of a pressing force.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a controller that detects a grip shape or a temporal change in the grip shape.

FIG. 6 shows a user computer, a game service server,
FIG. 9 is a communication protocol diagram illustrating communication control processing performed between authentication servers.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 network system 12 server 12A game service server 12B authentication server 14 computer 14A user computer 16 connection means 18 Internet 20 controller 22 sensor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kensuke Ito 430 Green Tech Nakai, Nakai-cho, Ashigara-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. F term in reference (reference) 4C038 VA07 VB12 VB40 VC20 5B085 AE25

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An information service providing method for providing a predetermined information service requiring operation of a predetermined controller to a contractor by communication, comprising: a physical characteristic amount generated when the contractor operates the controller. Is stored in advance, and during the provision of the information service, a physical feature amount generated when a recipient of the information service operates the controller, and a pre-stored physical feature amount of the contractor And determining whether or not the recipient is a contractor based on the comparison result. 2. The information service providing method according to claim 1, wherein the provision of the information service is stopped when it is determined that the provided person is not a contractor. 3. A controller operated by a provider of the information service when receiving a predetermined information service by communication, the body being generated when the provider of the information service operates the controller. A controller comprising a detecting means for detecting an objective characteristic amount. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means comprises: a grip shape with respect to the controller, a temporal change of the grip shape, a distribution shape of a pressing force with respect to the controller, a temporal change of the distribution shape, a body temperature, a pulse wave, a sweat secretion amount, and a blood flow. At least one of
4. The controller according to claim 3, wherein the controller detects one of them. 5. An information service providing system for providing a predetermined information service requiring an operation of the controller according to claim 3 or 4 to a contractor, wherein the contractor operates the controller. Storage means for storing a physical characteristic amount generated when performing, the physical characteristic amount of the recipient of the information service detected by the detection means, and the physical characteristic amount of the contractor stored in advance An information service providing system, comprising: a comparing unit that compares the two; and a determining unit that determines whether the recipient is a contractor based on a comparison result by the comparing unit. 6. The information service providing system according to claim 5, wherein said comparing means and said judging means repeatedly execute the comparison judgment regularly, regularly or irregularly. 7. A stopping means for stopping the provision of the information service to the provided party when the determining means determines that the provided person is not a contractor. The information service providing system according to claim 5 or 6.