JP3420968B2 - Mobile information terminals and media - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device and a medium, and more particularly to a technique for ensuring security in an information processing device such as a portable information terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Mobile computing is becoming widespread due to the widespread use of various mobile phones and the miniaturization of information processing devices. As one mode of such mobile computing, each mobile phone is connected to a PDA (Personal Data As
There is one that connects to the Internet, a personal computer communication host, an intranet, or the like by using a wireless telephone line by connecting to a portable information processing device called "sistance)" or the like.

[0003]

Incidentally, various communication connection destinations such as Internet connection providers and personal computer communication hosts often require input of IDs and passwords. However, since it is complicated to manually input these IDs and passwords at the time of communication connection, IDs and passwords for various connection destinations are stored in advance in a storage means such as a hard disk or a memory card provided in the information processing device. In general, it is widely practiced to automatically call and send them to the connection destination at the time of communication connection. However, if the information processing device having such a function is lost, there is a risk that the finder will illegally use it.

There is also a problem that it is difficult to ask for a password in the first place when using the automatic mail check or the content patrol function. Further, instead of requesting the ID and password at the time of communication connection, it is also widespread to request the password when starting the information processing apparatus. However, it is cumbersome to input the password every time when starting up, and in many cases, a very simple password is set or a password is not set in many cases.

Therefore, it is preferable that user authentication of the information processing apparatus can be performed by a simple means instead of inputting the password or ID or in addition to inputting the password or ID. These matters can be applied not only to the communication function but also to the schedule management function and the database function, and it is preferable that the risk of illegal use of these functions in the information processing apparatus can be reduced by simple means. is there.

In the security device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-143851, when a computer is used by using a public line from a terminal, the telephone number added by the central office is detected. , Compare the telephone number with the telephone number data registered in the computer in advance,
Checks whether you have permission to use the computer. The line is disconnected when there is no usage right.
However, this security device
That is, the function of the communication connection destination needs to be changed, and the user cannot voluntarily manage the security.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of reducing the risk of unauthorized use on the user equipment side by a simple method. is there.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the portable information terminal of the first invention is provided with an identification registered in advance.
By being connected to a mobile phone that has information,
Mobile information that can execute the predetermined functions provided in mobile information terminals
A mobile information terminal that executes a predetermined function of a mobile information terminal
Noh execution means and a part of the predetermined functions by the function execution means or
Function limit means that normally prohibits all execution, and user authorization
For proof, the identification information registering means for registering identification information of the mobile <br/> band phone user which is communicatively connected to the portable information terminal, mobile
From the communication-connected mobile phone identification information reading means for reading the identification information and band information terminal, the identification information registered by the identification information registration unit, and the identification information read from the identification information reading means, matches In case,
Characterized in that it comprises a a <br/> function restriction releasing means for releasing the execution prohibition of the constant function where Ru good in the function restriction unit.

In the portable information terminal of the second invention ,
Te, the identification information you being a telephone number.

In the portable information terminal of the third invention ,
Te, wherein the predetermined function you being a function of communicating with the communication connection destination.

Further, the portable information terminal of the fourth invention is the above-mentioned.
When the identification information registered by the identification information registration means and the identification information read out by the identification information reading means do not match, the mobile phone to which the identification information read out by the identification information reading means is communicatively connected is used. Te further comprising an identification information transmitting means for transmitting to a predetermined destination.

Further, the medium of the fifth invention is registered in advance.
Communication connection with the mobile phone having the specified identification information
Allows the mobile phone to execute the specified functions
A portable information terminal, a computer-readable medium, and a function executing means for executing a predetermined function,
Function limiting means for prohibiting execution of the predetermined function, user authentication
For this purpose, identification information registration means for registering the identification information of the mobile phone of the user who is communicatively connected to the mobile information terminal, identification information reading means for reading the identification information from the mobile phone communicatively connected to the computer, and the identification When the identification information registered by the information registration means and the identification information read by the identification information reading means match, the execution of the predetermined function by the function limiting means is prohibited. It is characterized in that a program for causing a computer to function as a function restriction releasing means for releasing is recorded.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a portable information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, a portable information terminal will be described as an aspect of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. The mobile information terminal 12 shown in the figure is configured to include a touch panel 14 including an LCD and a touch film, operation buttons 22 used for turning on and off power, and an operation pen 24. In addition, the mobile information terminal 12 is provided with a communication interface (not shown) so that the mobile information terminal 12 can be communicatively connected to the mobile phone 10 as a separate body using the cable 23. Further, the portable information terminal 12 has a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an EEPRO inside.
The entire apparatus including a storage medium such as M is controlled by a program stored in a ROM.

The programs include an OS (operating system) program and an application program that realizes a communication function (including a mail function) and a schedule function. The communication function is a function for connecting to the World Wide Web (WWW), the intranet, or a personal computer communication host, and is a function for sending and receiving mail on a network such as the Internet. Is a function for performing.

The mobile information terminal 12 also stores a security program for improving the security of the communication function. Specifically, by executing this security program, function limiting means for limiting the communication function, telephone number registration means for registering the telephone number of the mobile telephone, and telephone number reading for reading the telephone number from the mobile telephone 10. Means and the function restriction releasing means for releasing the restriction of the communication function by the function restricting means when the telephone number registered by the registration means and the telephone number read by the telephone number reading means do not match. In this case, a telephone number transmitting means for transmitting the telephone number read from the telephone number reading means to a predetermined party using the mobile phone 10 is realized.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional modules centering on the communication function of the portable information terminal 12. The portable information terminal 12 is executed by executing the above-mentioned programs.
Then, various functional modules including the communication function execution unit 40, the communication function control unit 42, the telephone number registration unit 38, the match determination unit 36, and the telephone number reading unit 34 operate. The communication function executing unit 40 transmits / receives data to / from various communication connection partners using the mobile phone 10 to realize the above-described various communication functions. The telephone number registration unit 38 also displays the connected mobile phone registration menu 54 shown in FIG. 3 on a part of the touch panel 14. Then, when the user inputs the telephone number using the touch panel 14 and the operation pen 24, the telephone number is written in the EEPROM.

The connected mobile phone registration menu 54 is a menu that is not displayed unless a preset master password is entered, and includes a phone number input field 56, a phone number confirmation field 58, an end button 60, and a next registration button 62. Is equipped with. Phone number input field 56 and phone number confirmation field 5
Reference numeral 8 is a field for the user to input a telephone number using the touch panel 14 and the operation pen 24. The input of the telephone number is realized by using a known technique, for example, by displaying a number sequence on the touch panel 14 and sequentially instructing each number with the operation pen 24, or by using a character recognition technique. be able to. When the user inputs a telephone number in the telephone number input field 56 and the telephone number confirmation field 58 and then touches the end button 60 with the operation pen 24, the telephone number input field 56.
The telephone number input to the telephone number and the telephone number input to the telephone number confirmation field 58 are compared. If they do not match, a warning is displayed and the user is prompted to enter the telephone number again. On the other hand, if both numbers match, the telephone number registration unit 38
The telephone number is stored in the PROM, and the telephone number registration process ends. Also, when the next registration button 62 is touched, similarly, if both the entered telephone numbers do not match, a warning is displayed, and if they match, the telephone number is EEPR.
The connection mobile phone registration menu 54 is displayed again so as to prompt the user to enter another phone number while storing it in the OM.

FIG. 4A is a diagram schematically showing a part of the information stored in the EEPROM. As shown in the figure, the EEPROM has a connection destination telephone number 44 and an ID 46.
The password 48 and the telephone numbers 50a to 50c are stored. The connection destination telephone number 44 is a telephone number of an internet connection provider or the like. The ID 46 is information transmitted to a communication partner connected by the connection destination telephone number 44. The password 48 is information to be transmitted to the communication partner together with the ID 46. Further, the telephone numbers 50a to 50c are telephone numbers input by the connected mobile telephone registration menu 54. The mobile information terminal 12 can be registered up to three. Even if the information shown in FIG. 9A is displayed on the touch panel 14, the password 48 and the telephone numbers 50a to 50c are, for example, “*****” in consideration of security. Is displayed and the contents cannot be known.

To explain the functional configuration of FIG. 2 again,
The telephone number reading unit 34 has a function of reading the telephone number of the mobile phone 10 from the mobile phone 10 via the cable 23. That is, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the telephone number of the telephone 10 is stored in the memory (not shown) provided inside the mobile telephone 10, and the telephone number reading unit 34 reads the telephone number, for example. The telephone number is read by transmitting the command to the mobile phone 10.

The coincidence judging section 36 is the telephone number reading section 3
The telephone number 52 read by 4 is compared with the telephone numbers 50a-50c registered by the telephone number registration unit 38. The telephone number 52 is the telephone numbers 50a to 50c.
If any one of them matches, the communication function control unit 42
Send a match signal to. Also, if they do not match, a mismatch signal is sent out. When the mismatch signal is transmitted, the telephone number 52 read by the telephone number reading unit 34 is also transmitted to the communication function control unit 42.

The communication function control section 42 normally limits the execution of the communication function by the communication function execution section 40. This restriction is, for example, prohibition of execution of the communication function. When the coincidence signal is received from the coincidence determination unit 36, the function restriction is released so that the user can freely use the communication function. On the other hand, if a mismatch signal is received from the match determination unit 36, the telephone number 52 also transmitted is passed to the communication function execution unit 40, and the telephone number 52 is transferred using the mobile phone 10.
Is transmitted to a predetermined destination. This may be the other party indicated by the connection destination telephone number 44, or may be transmitted to other various servers on the network. This way
When an attempt is made to use the mobile information terminal 12 by using the mobile phone 10 which is not registered, a record can be left for the telephone number 52 of the mobile phone 10, which can be useful for identifying an unauthorized user. At this time, it is preferable that the transmission of the telephone number 52 is performed secretly so that an unauthorized user does not notice it, and it is desirable to perform processing such as displaying a dummy screen on the touch panel 12.

In this way, in the present portable information terminal 12, the communication function control unit 42 realizes a function limiting means for limiting the communication function provided in the portable information terminal 12, and the communication function control unit 42 and the coincidence determination unit 36. The function restriction releasing unit is realized, and the communication function executing unit 40, the communication function control unit 42, and the match determining unit 36 realize the identification information transmitting unit.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation when the communication function of the information terminal 12 of the present embodiment is used. As shown in the figure, when the user uses the operation pen 24 and the touch panel 14 to instruct to use the communication function (S10).
1), the telephone number reading unit 34 reads the telephone number 52 from the mobile phone 10 (S102). Then, in the coincidence determination unit 36, the telephone number 52 has already been stored in the telephone number registration unit 38.
It is checked whether any of the registered telephone numbers 50a to 50c matches with (S103). Then, when the telephone number 52 matches any of the telephone numbers 50a to 50c, the communication function control unit 42 releases the function restriction on the communication function execution unit 40, and the communication process is started (S1).
04). On the other hand, the telephone number 52 is the telephone numbers 50a to 50c.
If there is no match with any of the above, the match determining unit 36 determines that the telephone number 52 read by the telephone number reading unit 34
To the communication function control unit 42, and the communication function control unit 42 transmits the telephone number 52 to the communication partner connected by the connection destination telephone number 44 (S105). Then, when the transmission of the telephone number 52 is completed, the communication process is interrupted (S1).
06).

According to the portable information terminal 12, since the communication can be performed only by the portable telephone 10 having any one of the registered telephone numbers 50a to 50c, the security can be improved. Also,
In the case of unauthorized use, the telephone number 52 of the connected mobile phone 10 is transmitted to another place, which can be useful for identifying an unauthorized user.

The portable information terminal 12 can be modified in various ways. For example, although the portable information terminal 12 is used in the above description, the present invention is applicable even if it is not a portable information processing device. Further, although the cable 23 is used for the communication connection between the mobile phone 10 and the mobile information terminal 12, the communication connection may be performed wirelessly. Further, in the above description, the combination of the mobile phone 10 and the mobile information terminal 12 that can use the communication function is determined by the telephone number 52 of the mobile phone 10. However, in addition to this, identification information of the mobile phone 10 called PSID. May be used. Further, in the above description, the case where the communication function of the mobile information terminal 12 is restricted has been described. However, when the registered mobile phone 10 is not connected to the main body by communication, other functions such as a schedule function may be performed. Any part or all of the mobile information terminal 12 may be restricted, such as being restricted. Furthermore, the timing of reading the telephone number 52 from the mobile phone 10 is not limited to the timing described above,
For example, the reading may be performed at any timing when the mobile phone 10 and the main body are connected for communication.

[0027]

As described above, according to the first or fifth aspect of the invention, the function limiting means limits the predetermined functions such as the communication function, the schedule management function, and the database function. When the identification information for identifying the mobile phone is read from the mobile phone by the reading means and the identification information matches the registered identification information,
That restriction is lifted. Therefore, the limitation of the predetermined function can be released only in combination with the mobile phone that holds certain identification information, and the risk of unauthorized use on the user device side can be reduced by a simple method. it can.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the widely known information such as the telephone number of the mobile phone is used as the identification information, the identification information can be easily registered by the identification information registration means. .

According to the third invention, the limitation of the communication function can be released only in combination with the mobile phone which holds certain identification information. Therefore, the finder or the like of the information processing apparatus can use another mobile phone. It is possible to reduce the risk of illegally using the communication function.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the identification information read from the mobile phone and the registered identification information do not match, the read identification information is transmitted to a predetermined partner. Can be used to identify, for example, an unauthorized user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a device configuration of a mobile information terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile information terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection mobile phone registration menu.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing information held in a mobile information terminal or a mobile phone.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when using the communication function of the portable information terminal according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 mobile phone, 12 mobile information terminal, 14 touch panel, 22 operation button, 23 cable, 24 operation pen, 34 telephone number reading unit, 36 match determination unit, 38 telephone number registration unit, 40 communication function execution unit, 4
2 Communication function control unit, 44 Connection destination telephone number, 46 I
D, 48 password, 50, 52 telephone number, 54
Connected mobile phone registration menu, 56 phone number input field,
58 Phone number confirmation field, 60 Finish button, 62 Next registration button.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-10-336345 (JP, A) JP-A-10-322445 (JP, A) JP-A-9-18557 (JP, A) JP-A-3- 91356 (JP, A) JP 8-116351 (JP, A) JP 9-275433 (JP, A) JP 10-243436 (JP, A) JP 9-215057 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 1/00 G06F 13/00 354 G06F 15/00 330 H04M 11/00 302 H04Q 7/38

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A mobile phone having pre-registered identification information.
Prepared for personal digital assistants by connecting to the handset
A portable information terminal capable of executing the specified function, the function executing means for executing the specified function of the portable information terminal, and the execution of a part or all of the specified function by the function executing means.
Function restriction means that is normally prohibited, and a user that is connected to a personal digital assistant for communication for user authentication.
Identification information registering means for registering identification information of the mobile phone over The, from the communication-connected mobile phone identification information reading means for reading the identification information and the portable information terminal, the identification information registered by the identification information registration means And identification information read from the identification information reading means,
In the case but there is a match, the place of constant function Ru good to the function restriction means
A portable information terminal , comprising: a function restriction releasing unit for releasing execution prohibition . 2. The portable information terminal according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is a telephone number. 3. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined function is a communication function with a communication connection partner.
Information terminal . 4. When the identification information registered by the identification information registration means and the identification information read out from the identification information reading means do not match, the identification information read out from the identification information reading means is communicatively connected. Before
Portable information terminal according to claim 1, further comprising an identification information transmitting means for transmitting to a predetermined destination using a serial mobile phone. 5. A mobile phone having pre-registered identification information.
Prepared for personal digital assistants by connecting to the handset
A computer readable medium that is a portable information terminal capable of executing the specified function, a function executing means for executing the specified function, a function limiting means for prohibiting the execution of the specified function , a mobile phone for user authentication. A user who is connected to an information terminal
Identification information registering means for registering identification information of the mobile phone of the user, identification information reading means for reading identification information from the mobile phone communicatively connected to the computer, and identification information registered by the identification information registering means, A medium for recording a program for causing a computer to function as function restriction releasing means for releasing prohibition of execution of the predetermined function by the function restricting means when the identification information read from the identification information reading means matches.