JP2004297156A - Relay server apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To revise a function of a mobile communication apparatus in a communication stop state by remote control. <P>SOLUTION: Upon the receipt of execution approval or refusal information from a management server 600, a relay server 300 decides whether or not communication of a mobile unit 100 via a mobile communication network 200 is permitted, when no communication is permitted for the mobile unit 100, the relay server 300 temporarily permits the communication of the mobile unit 100 and transmits the execution approval or refusal information to the mobile unit 100. When the communication of the mobile unit 100 is permitted, the relay server 300 transmits the execution approval or refusal information to the mobile unit 100. Upon the receipt of the execution approval or refusal information, the mobile unit 100 places a limit on the execution of a program according to the execution approval or refusal information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technology for remotely controlling a communication device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A portable communication terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a mobile device) is liable to be lost or stolen due to its portability, in which case there is a risk of unauthorized use of the mobile device by a third party. For this reason, proposals have been made to promptly perform a communication stop process for a terminal when the terminal is lost or stolen (for example, Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, the term “communication suspension” refers to the suspension of a call and data communication between a mobile device and another communication device outside the mobile communication network via a mobile communication network, and refers to a mobile communication system such as a base station or an exchange. Communication is possible with devices in the network.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-78001
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, mobile devices provided with an environment capable of executing application programs have been put to practical use. As an example of the application program, there is a program that allows a mobile device to implement a credit function for performing payment of a payment. A mobile device equipped with this program is equipped with, for example, a short-range wireless communication device capable of performing communication using infrared rays, and is capable of communicating with a terminal in a store. The in-store terminal is connected to the server device of the credit company, and information regarding payment is transmitted and received between the server and the mobile device via the in-store terminal.
[0005]
By the way, if the user loses or stolen the mobile device, the user requests the mobile operator to use the mobile device in order to prevent unauthorized use of the mobile device by a third party who has found the mobile device. Communication can be stopped. Only communication using a communication service provided by a communication carrier is stopped by such communication stop work. That is, use of the short-range wireless communication and the credit function is not prohibited. Therefore, even when the mobile device is in the communication stop state, there is a possibility that the above-mentioned credit function may be illegally used by a third party who has found the mobile device. Such illegal use is a situation that should be avoided because it leads to financial damage and leakage of personal information.
[0006]
One way to avoid this situation is to prohibit the use of the short-range wireless communication and credit function of the mobile device by remote control using the communication service provided by the communication carrier, Is considered. However, considering that communication stoppage due to loss or theft is less effective if performed immediately, the above method, which often must be performed before the mobile station stops communication, is inappropriate. Again, it would be desirable if the functions of the mobile device in the communication-disabled state could be restricted by remote control.
[0007]
In addition, a case can be assumed in which the communication carrier suspends the mobile device used by the user because the user does not pay the communication fee. Even in this case, since the short-range wireless communication can be used, the user can continue to use, for example, a commuter pass application program. However, when the version of the commuter pass application program is upgraded, if the terminal is in a communication stopped state, the program cannot be downloaded via the network, and the user cannot use the commuter pass. In order to avoid such a problem, it suffices if the function of the mobile station in the communication stopped state can be changed by remote control.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide a technology capable of remotely changing a function of a mobile device in a communication suspended state.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an execution unit for executing a program, a reception unit for receiving information transferred from a communication network, and execution permission / non-permission information indicating permission / prohibition of execution of the program. Communication permission / rejection indicating permission / prohibition of communication via the communication network by the communication device, for each of the plurality of communication devices having a restriction means for restricting execution of the program by the execution means in accordance with the content of the execution permission / prohibition information. Storage means for storing information in association with a communication address assigned to the communication device; receiving means for receiving information transmitted from a management server device for transmitting the execution permission / prohibition information addressed to a specified communication address; The communication permission / prohibition information stored in association with the communication address of the destination of the information is that communication via the communication network by the communication device is not permitted; In the case of indicating, the communication by the communication device through the communication network is temporarily permitted and the information is transferred to the communication device. On the other hand, in the case of indicating that the communication is permitted, the information is transferred to the communication device. A relay server device comprising:
[0010]
The present invention also provides an execution means for executing a program, a reception means for receiving information transferred from a communication network, and an execution permission / non-permission information indicating whether or not execution of the program is permitted. For each of a plurality of communication devices comprising a restriction means for restricting the execution of a program by the execution means in accordance with the contents of the above, communication permission / prohibition information indicating permission / prohibition of communication via the communication network by the communication device is allocated to the communication device A storage step of storing the information in association with the specified communication address, a receiving step of receiving information transmitted from the management server apparatus transmitting the execution permission / prohibition information addressed to the specified communication address, and a communication address of a destination of the information If the communication permission / prohibition information stored in association with the communication device indicates that communication via the communication network by the communication device is not permitted, A step of temporarily permitting communication by the communication device via the communication network and transferring the information to the communication device, and transferring the information to the communication device when indicating that the communication device is permitted. A relay method is provided.
[0011]
Also, the present invention provides a computer apparatus, wherein an execution unit for executing a program, a reception unit for receiving information transferred from a communication network, and execution permission / non-permission information indicating permission / prohibition of execution of the program are received by the reception unit. For each of a plurality of communication devices having a restriction means for restricting execution of a program by the execution means according to the content of the execution permission / prohibition information, the communication permission / prohibition information indicating permission / prohibition of communication by the communication device via the communication network is provided. A storing step of storing the information in association with a communication address assigned to the communication device; a receiving step of receiving information transmitted from a management server device transmitting the execution permission / prohibition information addressed to a specified communication address; The communication permission / prohibition information stored in association with the destination communication address indicates that communication by the communication device through the communication network is not permitted. Indicates that the communication is temporarily permitted through the communication network by the communication device and transfers the information to the communication device, while indicating that the communication is permitted, the communication device transmits the information to the communication device. And a transfer step of transferring the data to a computer.
[0012]
Upon receiving the execution permission / prohibition information from the management server device, the relay server device determines whether or not the communication device is permitted to perform communication via the communication network. After the communication of the device is temporarily permitted, the execution permission / prohibition information is transmitted to the communication device. If the communication device is permitted to communicate, the communication device transmits the execution permission / prohibition information to the communication device. Upon receiving the execution permission / prohibition information, the communication device restricts the execution of the program according to the execution permission / prohibition information.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, controlling the mobile device by remote control is referred to as “remote control”.
[0014]
(1. Configuration)
(1-1. Overall system configuration)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the entire system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The mobile device (communication device) 100 can perform data communication through a mobile communication network 200 in addition to a normal mobile phone function. The mobile device 100 has a function of downloading an application program through the mobile communication network 200, and stores the downloaded application program in the storage unit 101. The storage unit 101 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. Further, the mobile device 100 includes a short-range wireless communication device 102. The short-range wireless communication device 102 is a communication device that can perform communication within a distance of about several meters using, for example, infrared rays or FM (Frequency Modulation) waves. Alternatively, a communication device that can perform communication according to a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used.
[0015]
The service storage device 400, the management server (management server device) 600, and the CP server 800 have the same configuration as a normal server device except for the following points.
The CP server 800 is managed by a content provider (hereinafter, referred to as a CP) that provides a content distribution service, has a storage unit 801, stores content in the storage unit 801, and stores the content stored in the storage unit 801. Is transmitted to the mobile device 100 via the mobile communication network 200. In the present embodiment, “content” refers to an application program that can be executed by the mobile device 100.
[0016]
The management server 600 is managed by a communication carrier, receives the content addressed to the mobile device 100 transmitted from the CP server 800, and transfers the content to the relay server 300. Further, the management server 600 has a function of relaying an electronic mail between the mobile device 100 and another mobile device.
[0017]
The management server 600 has a storage unit 601, and the storage unit 601 stores an execution permission / prohibition information table 602. The communication carrier writes the execution permission / prohibition information in the execution permission / prohibition information table 602 in advance according to the request from the CP. FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the execution permission / prohibition information. The figure shows a plurality of pieces of execution permission / prohibition information. The execution permission / prohibition information includes a telephone number of a mobile device to be remotely controlled, an identification number (hereinafter, referred to as an APID) of an application program to be processed by the mobile device, a process to be performed on the application program, and the application program. Of the CP (hereinafter, referred to as CPID). There are five types of processing to be performed by the mobile device by the remote control: “stop”, “device stop”, “update”, “resume”, and “device restart”. The CP can select any one of the above processing contents for one application program. “Stop” indicates that use of the application program is prohibited. “Device stop” means that use of the short-range wireless communication device is prohibited. “Update” indicates that the application program is updated. “Resume” indicates that the use of the application program whose use has been prohibited is permitted. “Device stop” indicates that the use of the short-range wireless communication device whose use has been prohibited is permitted.
[0018]
The service storage device 400 causes the storage unit 401 to store an area in which the mobile device 100 is located and an identifier indicating whether the mobile device 100 is in a communication stopped state.
Although there are a plurality of mobile devices and CP servers, only one mobile device 100 and one CP server 800 are shown for simplicity.
[0019]
(1-2. Configuration of Relay Server)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the relay server (relay server device) 300. A relay program is stored in the ROM 302, and the CPU 304 executes the relay program using the RAM 303 as a work area. The relay program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy disk. The storage unit 305 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk drive. The storage unit 305 stores model information indicating a model of a mobile device that can be remotely controlled. Communication between the relay server 300 and the outside is performed via a communication interface (hereinafter, communication IF) 306.
[0020]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing performed by relay server 300 while CPU 304 is executing the relay program. First, relay server 300 receives an incoming call notification addressed to mobile device 100 from management server 600 (step F01). It is determined whether the incoming call notification is related to remote control (step F02). In the present embodiment, when performing communication relating to remote control, the management server 600 adds a remote control identifier indicating a signal for remote control to the signal and transmits the signal. If the incoming call notification includes the remote control identifier, information indicating that the mobile device 100 is to be remotely controlled is stored in the storage unit 305 (step F03).
[0021]
Next, relay server 300 inquires of service storage device 400 about the area in which mobile device 100 is located and whether mobile device 100 is in a communication stopped state (step F04). Relay server 300 receives the response to this inquiry, and determines whether mobile device 100 is in the communication stopped state (step F05). If the mobile device 100 is in the communication stopped state, it is determined whether or not the incoming call is related to remote control (step F06). If the incoming call is for remote control, the process is continued. Is transmitted to the management server 600 (step F07). If the mobile device 100 is not in the communication stopped state, it is determined whether or not the incoming call is related to remote control (step F08). If it is remote control, the process is continued. A communication process is performed (step F09).
[0022]
Next, relay server 300 transmits an incoming call notification to mobile device 100 (step F10). It is determined whether or not there is a response from the mobile device 100 (step F11). If there is no response from the mobile device 100 due to out of the communication area or power off, the location registration of the mobile device 100 is newly performed by returning to the communication area or turning on the power. When it is confirmed that has been performed, the process returns to step F10 (step F12). The response from the mobile device 100 includes model information indicating the model of the mobile device 100. Upon receiving the response from the mobile device 100, the device type information included in the response is compared with the device type information stored in the storage unit 305 to determine whether or not the mobile device 100 is a model that can be remotely controlled ( Step F13). If the mobile device 100 cannot be remotely controlled, the process ends. If the mobile device 100 is capable of remote control, the mobile device 100 transmits a connection notification to the management server 600, and transmits a remote control notification indicating that remote control is to be performed to the mobile device 100 (step F14).
[0023]
Note that the relay server 300 and the management server 600 may be integrated.
[0024]
(2. Operation example)
(2-1. Notification of remote control)
The operation of the present embodiment will be described. It is assumed that execution permission / prohibition information is input to the execution permission / prohibition information table 602 as shown in FIG. 2 according to a request from the CP. Here, it is assumed that the telephone number of mobile device 100 is xxx-yyy-zzzzz. The first record of the execution permission / prohibition information table 602 contains data indicating that the use of a program with an APID of A01 and a CPID of C11 mounted on a mobile device having a telephone number of xxx-yyyy-zzz is prohibited. In the next record, data indicating that the program mounted on the same mobile device has the APID A02 and the CPID C25 and prohibits the use of the short-range wireless communication device 102 is written in the next record. Stores data indicating that a program with an APID of A05 and a CPID of C12 installed in the same mobile device is updated.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the entire system according to the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the mobile device 100 is in a communication stopped state. Further, it is assumed that the mobile device 100 is a model that can be remotely controlled. When a CP or a user applies for remote control of the mobile device 100 to a communication carrier, the communication carrier notifies the mobile device 100 whose telephone number is xxx-yyyy-zzz that remote control is to be performed. Is transmitted from the management server 600 to the relay server 300 (step S01). Upon receiving the remote control notification from management server 600, relay server 300 causes storage unit 305 to store information that the incoming call is a remote control notification to mobile device 100. Next, the relay server 300 inquires the service storage device 400 about the service area of the mobile device 100 and whether or not the mobile device 100 is in a communication stopped state (step S02). Upon receiving this inquiry, the service storage device 400 returns to the relay server 300 information indicating that the mobile device 100 is in a service area and that the mobile device 100 is in a communication stopped state (step S03).
[0026]
Next, relay server 300 transmits an incoming call notification to mobile device 100 via the base station that covers the area where mobile device 100 is located (step S04). Upon receiving the incoming call notification from relay server 300, mobile device 100 returns model information representing the model of mobile device 100 to relay server 300 (step S05). Relay server 300 compares the received model information with the model information stored in storage unit 305, and determines whether mobile device 100 is a model that can be remotely controlled. Since the mobile device 100 is a model that can be remotely controlled, it transmits a connection notification to the management server 600 (step S06), and further transmits a remote control notification to the mobile device 100 (step S07).
[0027]
Upon receiving the remote control notification, the mobile device 100 transmits a transfer request indicating a request to transfer the execution permission / prohibition information to the management server 600 via the relay server 300 (step S08). Upon receiving the transfer request, the management server 600 transmits the execution permission / prohibition information corresponding to the mobile device 100 to the mobile device 100 via the relay server 300 (Step S09). The mobile device 100 causes the storage unit 101 to store the received execution permission / prohibition information.
[0028]
(2-1-1. Stop of application program)
After the execution permission / prohibition information is stored in the storage unit 101, if an operation to start an application program is performed on the mobile device 100, the CPU 103 refers to the execution permission / prohibition information stored in the storage unit 101, and If the processing content of the program is "stop", the start is stopped. According to the execution permission / refusal information table 602 shown in FIG. 2, since the program whose APID is A01 is to be stopped, when an operation to start the application program is performed on the mobile device 100, the CPU 103 Cancel the start of the program.
[0029]
(2-1-2. Stop of short-range wireless communication device)
After the execution permission / non-permission information is stored in the storage unit 101, the CPU 103 activates the application program whose processing content is “device stop” (here, the program whose APID is A02). The application program is a program that transmits and receives data used by the application by communication using the short-range wireless communication device 102. After activating the application program, the CPU 103 performs a stop process for the control program that controls the short-range wireless communication device 102, and ends the application program.
[0030]
(2-1-3. Update of application program)
After the execution permission / non-permission information is stored in the storage unit 101, for the application program whose processing content is “update” (here, the program whose APID is A05), the CPU 103 sends a download request of a new version of the program to the CP server 800. To send. Upon receiving the download request, CP server 800 transmits a new version of the program to mobile device 100.
[0031]
(2-1-4. Restart of application program)
When the mobile device 100 whose communication has been stopped due to loss or theft has returned to the user, the user requests a communication carrier to permit communication of the mobile device 100. At this time, the user can request the CP or the communication carrier to permit the use of the application program whose use is prohibited. To permit the use of the application program whose use is prohibited, the execution permission / prohibition information whose processing content is “resume” is transmitted from the management server 600 to the mobile device 100. FIG. 6 shows an example of the execution permission / prohibition information. After the execution permission / non-permission information is stored in the storage unit 101, when an operation of activating the program is performed on the mobile device 100, the CPU 103 refers to the execution permission / prohibition information stored in the storage unit 101 and executes the program. If the APID is A01, the activation of the program is permitted.
[0032]
(2-1-5. Restart of short-range wireless communication device)
As described above, the user can request the CP or the communication carrier to permit use of the short-range wireless communication device whose use is prohibited. To permit the use of the short-range wireless communication device whose use is prohibited, the execution permission / prohibition information whose processing content is “restart device” is transmitted from the management server 600 to the mobile device 100. When the execution permission / prohibition information illustrated in FIG. 6 is transmitted, when the execution permission / prohibition information is stored in the storage unit 101, the CPU 103 starts the application program whose APID is A02 and then controls the short-range wireless communication apparatus 102. The stop processing for the control program to be executed is released, and the application program is terminated.
[0033]
According to the above operation, after the mobile device stops communication, it becomes possible to prohibit the use of the application program mounted on the mobile device by remote control. Since the application programs remain in the storage unit of the mobile device, when the use of these programs is to be resumed, the programs need not be installed again.
[0034]
Further, after the communication of the mobile device is stopped, the use of the short-range wireless communication device mounted on the mobile device can be promptly prohibited by remote control. Accordingly, when a plurality of application programs for performing communication using the short-range wireless communication device are installed, it is possible to prohibit the use of these programs altogether.
[0035]
Further, after the communication of the mobile device is stopped, it is possible to remotely update the application program installed in the mobile device. Thus, when the user has a mobile device in a communication stopped state, the application program such as a commuter pass mounted on the mobile device can be upgraded and used.
[0036]
In addition, the use of an application program or a short-range wireless communication device mounted on the mobile device can be permitted by remote control. Thus, for example, when the lost mobile device returns to the user, the use of the application program and the short-range wireless communication device can be resumed.
[0037]
In addition, by prohibiting communications other than communications intended for remote control with respect to a mobile device that has resumed communications for remote control, unauthorized use of the mobile device during remote control, such as content acquisition and mail transmission / reception, is prohibited. Can be prevented.
Further, since the control content is not transmitted to the mobile device that cannot be remotely controlled, unnecessary load is not applied to the communication network.
[0038]
(3. Modified example)
The invention can be implemented in various ways. For example, there are the following modifications.
[0039]
(3-1. Modification 1)
The processing performed by the remote control may be updating of data used by the application program.
[0040]
(3-2. Modification 2)
When the use of the application program installed in the mobile device is prohibited, the application program may be deleted from the storage unit of the mobile device by remote control.
[0041]
(3-3. Modification 3)
Information on whether the mobile device can be remotely controlled may be stored in the service storage device, and the relay server may inquire the service storage device whether the mobile device can be remotely controlled.
[0042]
(3-4. Modification 4)
The control content may be transmitted without determining whether the mobile device is capable of remote control.
[0043]
(3-5. Modification 5)
If there is no response from the mobile device due to out of communication range or power off, the relay server sends a remote control notification to the mobile device when the mobile device first makes a call request after returning to the communication range or turning on the power. It may be.
[0044]
(3-6. Modification 6)
The operation after activating the application program mounted on the mobile device in the communication stopped state is not limited to the stop of the short-range wireless communication device, and various operations may be performed using information received from the management server. .
[0045]
(3-7. Modification 7)
The communication device may be a communication device having a fixed installation location. For example, even if you forgot to pay the communication fee for a communication device to be installed and used indoors and communication was stopped by the judgment of the communication carrier, upgrade the program installed in the communication device and use it. Can be.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to promptly prohibit the use of an application program installed in a mobile device by remote control after the mobile device stops communication. Thus, when the mobile device is lost or stolen, not only the communication function of the mobile device but also unauthorized use of the application program by a third party can be reliably prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an entire system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information written in an execution permission / prohibition information table according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a relay server according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process performed by the relay server executing the relay program according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing an operation of the entire system according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of information written in an execution permission / prohibition information table according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100: mobile device, 200: mobile communication network, 300: relay server, 400: service storage device, 600: management server, 800: CP server.

Claims (6)

Executing means for executing the program, receiving means for receiving information transferred from the communication network, and when the execution permission information indicating permission or prohibition of execution of the program is received by the receiving means, the execution means in accordance with the contents of the execution permission / prohibition information For each of the plurality of communication devices provided with a restricting means for restricting the execution of the program by the communication device, communication permission / prohibition information indicating permission / prohibition of communication via the communication network by the communication device corresponds to a communication address assigned to the communication device. Storage means for attaching and storing;
Receiving means for receiving information transmitted from a management server device transmitting the execution permission / prohibition information addressed to a designated communication address;
When the communication permission / prohibition information stored in association with the communication address of the destination of the information indicates that communication by the communication device via the communication network is not permitted, communication by the communication device via the communication network. A transfer server for temporarily permitting and transferring the information to the communication device, while transferring the information to the communication device when the permission is indicated. When the information transmitted from the management server device is received, and the communication permission / prohibition information stored in association with the destination communication address of the information indicates that communication via the communication network by the communication device is not permitted. And if the information is control information indicating that the execution of the program is restricted, temporarily permitting the communication device to communicate via the communication network and transferring the control information to the communication device. 2. The relay server device according to claim 1, wherein communication is not permitted if the information is not control information. When communication via the communication network by the communication device is not permitted despite being permitted, communication of the control information to the communication device is performed as soon as communication via the communication network by the communication device becomes possible. The relay server device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer is performed. If the communication by the communication device via the communication network is permitted but communication is not possible, the communication by the communication device via the communication network becomes possible, and the first communication from the communication device is performed. The relay server device according to claim 1, wherein the control information is transferred to the communication device as soon as the communication is performed. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the communication device can perform an operation in accordance with the control information, and the control information is transmitted to the communication device only when it is determined that the communication device can perform the operation. 2. The relay server device according to 1. 6. The execution permission information according to claim 1, wherein the execution permission / prohibition information is information indicating that execution of a program essential for use of the short-range wireless communication device mounted on the communication device is prohibited. A relay server device according to claim 1.

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