JP5227474B2 - Device management system, device management method, and external device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a target device such as an image reading device, a device management system, a device management method, and an external device.

  Conventionally, there is a remote maintenance system for remotely monitoring target devices such as a plurality of types of terminal devices collectively (see Patent Document 1, etc.). In addition, there is a remote maintenance system that can write the latest program to the target device from a remote location (see Patent Document 2, etc.).

  On the other hand, companies that have technology to provide PC platforms have gathered for the security enhancement that each company has advanced individually, and one effort is to create new hardware / software with higher reliability and safety. As an industry group, there is a TCG (Trusted Computing Group). TCG creates a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) chip specification related to a security chip for a computing platform (see Patent Document 3, etc.).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-210729 JP 2000-267857 A JP-A-2005-317026

  However, in the conventional remote maintenance system shown in Patent Document 1 or 2 described above, there is a problem in that the identity and correctness of each unit constituting the target device cannot be guaranteed.

  In other words, in the prior art, when performing management such as using or maintaining the target device remotely, if any part of the unit that constitutes the target device is tampered with or replaced, the legitimacy or identity of the target device is confirmed. There was a problem that it could not be confirmed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. For example, a tamper-resistant chip such as a TPM chip is used to guarantee the identity and validity of each unit of the target device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a target device that enables maintenance management, use, download of the latest program, and the like.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a target device configured to include one or more units, and the unit includes at least a chip having tamper resistance. The chip includes device information storage means for storing device information unique to the unit and secret key storage means for storing a secret key.

  Here, “tamper resistance” refers to a function that resists physical attacks (intrusion and falsification of IC memory, etc.) against the chip, and prevents unauthorized access from outside by a physical mechanism. In addition to the above, in the case of disassembly and analysis, the chip itself is provided with a means for preventing forgery, alteration, tampering, etc., such that the chip itself is destroyed in a circuit.

  Further, “store device information” in the device information storage means includes the case of storing the device information itself and the storage location of the device information.

  Further, the present invention provides the above-described target device, wherein the device information includes unit information including at least the machine identification number of the unit, consumable component information regarding a consumable component, program version number information regarding a program version number, temperature, humidity, It includes information on at least one of measurement value information regarding the environment of the unit including at least altitude, setting information during operation of the unit, and operation result information regarding the operation result of the unit.

  Further, the present invention provides the above-described target device, wherein the unit includes the other unit device information storage unit that stores the device information of another unit, and the device information stored in the device information storage unit. An encryption means for encrypting using the secret key stored in the secret key storage means; an inter-unit transmission means for transmitting the device information encrypted by the encryption means to another unit; and Decryption means for decrypting the device information transmitted by the inter-unit transmission means using the secret key stored in the secret key storage means, and the device decrypted by the decryption means It further comprises inter-unit authentication means for authenticating whether the information matches the device information stored in the other unit device information storage means.

  According to the present invention, in the target device, the unit encrypts the device information stored in the device information storage unit using the secret key stored in the secret key storage unit. The apparatus further includes an encryption unit, and an external device transmission unit that transmits the device information encrypted by the encryption unit to an external device connected to the target device.

  Further, the present invention provides the above target device, wherein the external device receives the device information transmitted by the external device transmission unit, and the device information reception unit receives the device information. And an evaluation unit that decrypts the device information and evaluates whether the device information matches the device information stored in the database in advance.

  In the above target device, the present invention is characterized in that the external device further includes an evaluation result transmitting unit that transmits an evaluation result by the evaluation unit to the target device.

  Further, the present invention provides the above-described target device, wherein the external device transmits the operation information corresponding to each piece of information included in the device information, and the external device transmission unit transmits the operation information. Device information receiving means for receiving device information and an operation for decoding the device information received by the device information receiving means and extracting the operation information stored in the operation information storage means corresponding to the device information The apparatus further comprises extraction means and operation information transmission means for transmitting the operation information extracted by the operation extraction means to the target device or another external device.

  According to the present invention, in the above target device, the target device is an image reading device.

  The present invention also provides a target device configured by including one or more units each including at least a tamper-resistant chip, a management / use device that manages or uses the target device, and an authentication device. In a device management system connected to be communicable via a network, the management / use apparatus includes unit information confirmation request means for transmitting a unit information confirmation request to the target device, and the target device is Unit information confirmation request receiving means for receiving the unit information confirmation request, and for each unit, device information including unit information including at least the machine identification number of the unit stored in the chip is stored in the chip. Device information transmitting means for encrypting with the secret key thus transmitted and transmitting to the authentication device, the authentication device comprising: Device information receiving means for receiving device information, and decrypting the device information received by the device information receiving means, and evaluating whether the device information matches the device information stored in the database of the authentication device in advance. And an evaluation means for transmitting the evaluation result to the target device and the management / use apparatus.

  The present invention also provides a target device configured by including one or more units each including at least a tamper-resistant chip, a management / use device that manages or uses the target device, and an authentication device. In the device management system connected to be communicable via a network, the management / use apparatus includes unit / program confirmation request means for transmitting a unit / program confirmation request to the target device, and the target The device executes unit / program confirmation request receiving means for receiving the unit / program confirmation request, unit information including at least the unit identification number of the unit stored in the chip for each unit, and executed by the unit Device information including program version information on the version of the program to be Device information transmitting means for encrypting with the stored secret key and transmitting to the authentication device, the authentication device being received by the device information receiving means for receiving the device information and the device information receiving means. The device information is decoded, and the correspondence between the machine identification number included in the device information and the program version number information is stored in advance in the database of the authentication device. A program transmission unit that evaluates whether the correspondence with the version number information matches, and if not, obtains a program file corresponding to the correct program version number from the database and transmits the program file to the target device; It is characterized by.

  Further, the present invention provides one or two units each including at least a tamper-resistant chip including device information storage means for storing device information unique to the unit and secret key storage means for storing a secret key. In a device management system in which two or more target devices configured and an external device that manages or uses the target device are communicably connected via a network, the target device is stored in the device information storage unit. And encrypting the device information stored using the secret key stored in the secret key storage unit, and the device information encrypted by the encryption unit as the target device. An external device transmitting means for transmitting to the external device connected to the external device, wherein the external device receives the device information transmitted by the external device transmitting means. Decrypting the device information received by the device information receiving unit and evaluating whether the device information matches the device information stored in the database in advance, and the evaluation result by the evaluation unit as the target And an evaluation result transmitting means for transmitting to the device.

  In the device management system according to the present invention, the external device is received by an operation information storage unit that stores operation information corresponding to each piece of information included in the device information, and the device information reception unit. Decoding the device information and extracting the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit corresponding to the device information; and the operation information extracted by the operation extraction unit as the target device or It further comprises operation information transmitting means for transmitting to another external device.

  Further, the present invention provides one or two units each including at least a tamper-resistant chip including device information storage means for storing device information unique to the unit and secret key storage means for storing a secret key. In a device management method executed by using a device management system in which a target device configured to include at least two and an external device that manages or uses the target device are connected via a network, the target An encryption step for encrypting the device information stored in the device information storage means, which is executed in the device, using the secret key stored in the secret key storage means; and An external device transmission step of transmitting the encrypted device information to the external device connected to the target device, and executed in the external device The device information receiving step for receiving the device information transmitted in the external device transmitting step and the device information received in the device information receiving step are decoded, and the device information is stored in a database in advance. An evaluation step for evaluating whether the information matches the device information, and an evaluation result transmission step for transmitting an evaluation result in the evaluation step to the target device are included.

  In the device management method, the present invention includes an operation information storage step for storing operation information corresponding to each piece of information included in the device information, and a device information reception step, which are executed in the external device. The received device information is decrypted, and the motion information corresponding to the device information is extracted from the motion information stored in the motion information storage step, and the motion information extracted in the motion extraction step is And an operation information transmission step of transmitting to the target device or other external device.

  Further, the present invention provides one or two units each including at least a tamper-resistant chip including device information storage means for storing device information unique to the unit and secret key storage means for storing a secret key. In the external device that manages or uses the target device that is communicably connected to the target device configured to include one or more devices, the device information stored in the device information storage unit in the target device The device information receiving means for receiving the device information and the device information received by the device information receiving means when encrypted and transmitted using the secret key stored in the secret key storage means. An evaluation unit that decrypts and evaluates whether the device information matches the device information stored in the database in advance, and the evaluation result by the evaluation unit is sent to the target device. Characterized in that and a evaluation result transmitting means for transmitting to.

  Further, the present invention provides an operation information storage unit that stores operation information corresponding to each piece of information included in the device information, and the device information received by the device information reception unit in the external device. The operation extraction means for extracting the operation information stored in the operation information storage means corresponding to the device information, and the operation information extracted by the operation extraction means to the target device or other external device And an operation information transmitting means for transmitting.

  The target device, device management system, device management method, and external device according to the present invention accurately grasp the current state of the device and safely check whether the device is being used correctly and set to the correct state. The effect of being able to judge reliably is produced.

  Embodiments of a target device, a device management system, a device management method, and an external device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In particular, in the following embodiment, an image reading apparatus will be described as an object device, and a TPM chip will be described as an example of a tamper-resistant chip. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Absent.

[Outline of the present invention]
Hereinafter, the outline of the present invention will be described, and then the configuration and processing of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram showing the basic principle of the present invention.

  The present invention generally has the following basic features. The system generally includes a target device (for example, the image reading apparatus 100) configured to include one or two or more units each including at least a tamper-resistant chip (for example, the TPM chip 10). A management / use apparatus 200 that manages or uses the target device 100 and an authentication apparatus 300 including an authentication database 350 are communicably connected via a network 400. Here, conceptually, the management / use device 200 and the authentication device 300 function as external devices connected to the target device via the network 400.

  The system configured as described above has tamper resistance for each unit in the target device 100 configured by one or a plurality of units (units A to C in FIG. 1). A chip (TPM chip 10) for collecting, storing, and signing device information is mounted. The TPM chip 10 may be configured so that it cannot be easily removed from the outside, and is attached to the housing of each unit. When the TPM chip 10 is removed, the unit cannot be operated.

  Here, “equipment information” is unit information including at least the unit identification number of the unit, consumable part information regarding consumable parts, program version information regarding the version number of the program, measurement regarding the environment of the unit including at least temperature, humidity, and altitude. It includes information relating to at least one of value information, setting information during operation of the unit, and operation result information relating to the operation result of the unit.

  In FIG. 1, the TPM chip 10 includes device information storage means for storing device information unique to the unit, and secret key storage means for storing a secret key.

  Further, in FIG. 1, each unit includes other unit device information storage means for storing device information of other units, and device information stored in the device information storage means. Encryption means for encrypting using a key, inter-unit transmission means for transmitting the device information encrypted by the encryption means to other units, and device information transmitted by the inter-unit transmission means The decryption means for decrypting using the secret key stored in the key storage means, and the device information decrypted by the decryption means match the device information stored in the other unit device information storage means. An inter-unit inspection unit that inspects the device, and an external device transmission unit that transmits the device information encrypted by the encryption unit to an external device connected to the target device.

  In FIG. 1, the external device (management / use device 200 or authentication device 300) is received by the device information receiving unit that receives the device information transmitted by the external device transmitting unit and the device information receiving unit. An evaluation unit that decrypts the device information and evaluates whether the device information matches the device information stored in the database in advance, and an evaluation result transmission unit that transmits an evaluation result by the evaluation unit to the target device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the present system configured as described above receives device information in response to a unit information confirmation request (step S-1) from a management / use device 200 that uses or manages the target device 100. After encryption using the secret key stored in the TPM chip 10, it is sent to the authentication device 300 (step S-2).

  Then, the authentication apparatus 300 refers to the registered contents of the database 350, and after decrypting the device information, determines from which target device 100 the device information has been sent, and the validity of the contents such as the unit information. Are evaluated (step S-3 and step S-4), and the evaluation result is sent to the target device 100 or the management / use apparatus 200 (step S-5).

  The external device (management / use device 200 or authentication device 300) includes an operation information storage unit that stores operation information corresponding to each piece of information included in the device information, and a device information reception unit that receives the transmitted device information. The device information received by the device information receiving unit, the operation extracting unit for extracting the operation information stored in the operation information storing unit corresponding to the device information, and extracted by the operation extracting unit Operation information transmitting means for transmitting operation information to the target device or other external device.

Here, an example of the contents of the operation information is shown below.
1) When it is determined that the device cannot be used based on the evaluation result, the target device 100 and the management / use device 200 disconnect the target device 100 from the network.
2) The target device 100 displays an alarm by itself.
3) The target device 100 itself turns off the power.
4) The management / use apparatus 200 stops starting the system.
5) The management / use device 200 notifies the other external devices of the system that the target device 100 is unusable.
6) A message for notifying the service unit of information on the unit to be exchanged is transmitted to the target device 100 or another external device.
7) A message for notifying the supplier of information on consumable parts to be replaced is transmitted to the target device 100 or another external device.
8) The target device 100 and the management / use apparatus 200 update the program.

  Hereinafter, as an example of the operation information, the case where the target device 100 and the management / use apparatus 200 of 8) update a program will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the target device 100, this system determines the unit identification number stored in the chip in response to a unit / program confirmation request (step S- 1) from the management / use device 200. The device information including at least the unit information and the program version number information related to the version number of the program executed in the unit is encrypted using the secret key stored in the TPM chip 10, and is then authenticated. (Step S-2).

  Then, the authentication apparatus 300 refers to the registered contents of the database 350, and after decrypting the device information, determines from which target device 100 the device information has been sent, and the machine identification number included in the device information. It is evaluated whether the correspondence relationship with the program version number information matches the correspondence relationship between the machine identification number and the program version number information stored in the database 350 of the authentication device 300 in advance (step S-3 and step S-4). If they do not match, a program corresponding to the correct program version number is acquired from the database 350, operation information for transmission to the target device 100 is extracted from the operation information storage means (for example, the database 350), and the operation information is extracted. Transmit (step S-6).

  In addition, this system may be configured such that the target device 100 or the management / use apparatus 200 includes a personal authentication device so that only a specified individual can perform processing.

[System configuration]
Next, the configuration of the present system will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image reading apparatus 100 to which the present invention is applied, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading apparatus 100 is generally configured to include at least a mechanism unit 110, an optical unit 130, and a control unit 120. For each of these units, a TPM chip 10 that is a tamper-resistant chip that collects information related to the unit and stores the information is mounted. The TPM chip 10 stores device information and a secret key necessary for signature / encryption, and may also be equipped with a personal authentication function such as a fingerprint. Further, the TPM chip 10 is attached in the housing of each unit in a form that cannot be easily removed from the outside, and the unit cannot operate when it is removed.

  Here, in the mechanism unit 110, an automatic paper feeding unit / flat bed unit including a motor, a sensor, and the like, and the TPM chip 10 are connected to each other via a unit interface unit.

  In addition, the control unit 120 includes an MPU, a memory device storing a control program, an image processing unit, a fingerprint acquisition unit, an external interface unit, a RAM, and a TPM chip 10 through a unit interface unit. It is connected.

  In the optical unit 130, an optical system device including a CCD, a light source and the like and the TPM chip 10 are connected to each other via a unit interface unit.

  In addition, each unit (110, 120, 130) may measure the environment (temperature, humidity, altitude, etc.) of the unit, or may be provided with various sensors.

  Here, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the TPM chip 10 to which the present invention is applied, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention in the configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the TPM chip 10 includes unit information including at least an MPU 11, a control program 12 for controlling the unit, a secret key file 13 for encrypting device information, and a unit identification number of the unit. Unit information file 14 for storing personal information, personal authentication information file 15 for storing fingerprint information for personal authentication, program version information regarding the version of the program executed in the unit, consumable part information regarding consumable parts, unit And a RAM 16 for storing measured values related to the environment (temperature, humidity, altitude, etc.), setting information during operation of the unit, log information including operation results, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management / use device 200 and the authentication device 300 to which the present invention is applied, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention in the configuration. .

  Here, the hardware configuration of the management / use apparatus 200 and the authentication apparatus 300 may be configured by an information processing apparatus such as a commercially available workstation or a personal computer and its associated apparatus. Each function of the management / use device 200 and the authentication device 300 includes a control device such as a CPU in a hardware configuration, a storage device such as a hard disk device and a memory device (RAM, ROM, etc.), an input device, and an output. It is realized by a device, an input / output control interface, a communication control interface, a program for controlling them, and the like.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the database 350 stored in the storage device of the authentication device 300, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the database 350 includes at least a device information database 351, a personal authentication information database 352, and a program database 353.

  Here, the device information database 351 includes, for each target device, unit information including a unit identification number of a unit constituting the target device, information regarding measurement values regarding the environment of the unit including at least temperature, humidity, and altitude, The setting information at the time of the operation and the log information including the operation result are stored in association with each other.

  The “unit information” may include the unit product name, the manufacturer name, the version number, etc., in addition to the unit body identification number.

  Also, the personal authentication information database 352 stores, for each target device, authentication information (for example, password, fingerprint information, etc.) relating to an individual who is permitted to operate the target device in association with each other.

  In addition, the program database 353 correlates, for each target device, a unit body identification number, program version number information regarding the version number of a program executed in the unit, and a corresponding version program file. Store with attachments. Here, the program database 353 will be described as an example of the operation information database. However, other than this, for example, a consumable component database in which consumable components and the corresponding number of times of use and time are stored in association with each other may be used. Good.

System processing
Next, an example of the processing of the system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  First, unit information confirmation processing performed in this system will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of unit information confirmation processing of the system according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 6, the management / use apparatus 200 transmits a unit information confirmation request to the target device 100 (unit information confirmation request means: step SA-1). This request may be made from the target device 100.

  Then, the target device 100 receives the unit information confirmation request (unit information confirmation request means: step SA-2).

  Then, the target device 100 encrypts, for each unit, device information including unit information including at least the machine identification number of the unit stored in the TPM chip 10 with the secret key stored in the chip, and the authentication device 300 (Apparatus information transmission means: step SA-3).

  That is, the target device 100 receives the request, and for example, the TPM chip 10 of the control unit 120 collects unit information (such as an apparatus identification number) of the TPM chip 10 of each unit (110, 120, 130) and the like, and It is encrypted with the key and transmitted to the authentication device 300.

  And the authentication apparatus 300 receives apparatus information (apparatus information receiving means: step SA-4).

  The authentication apparatus 300 decrypts the received device information using a corresponding decryption key (such as a public key), and the device information registered in the database 350 (device information database 351) is stored in advance. It evaluates whether they match, and transmits the evaluation result to the target device 100 and the management / use apparatus 200 (evaluation means: step SA-5).

  That is, the authentication device 300 identifies the target device 100 that has transmitted the data by decrypting the transmitted device information with the public key, and then the target device 100 registered in the database 350 in advance. Get unit information (machine identification number, etc.) and compare it with the transmitted unit information. Then, a report indicating whether the device information is the same or where the device information is different is made as an evaluation result, and transmitted to the device that issued the request.

  Here, the evaluation result may be encrypted with a secret key. Thus, the device that has received the report of the evaluation result can confirm that it is the evaluation result sent from the secure authentication device by decrypting with the public key.

  In addition, the device information may include measured values related to the environment of the device such as temperature, humidity, altitude, and the operation value of each unit (light quantity, image processing value, operation value of the mechanism, sensor level, etc.) Log information such as unit operation results (error information) may also be included.

  This completes the unit information confirmation process.

  Next, unit / program confirmation processing performed in the present system will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the unit program checking process of the system according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, the management / use apparatus 200 transmits a unit program confirmation request to the target device 100 (unit program confirmation request means: step SB-1). This request may be made from the target device 100.

  Then, the target device 100 receives the unit / program confirmation request (unit / program confirmation request receiving means: step SB-2).

  The target device 100 includes, for each unit, a unit information including at least the unit identification number of the unit stored in the TPM chip 10 and program version number information regarding the version number of the program executed in the unit. The information is encrypted with the secret key stored in the TPM chip 10 and transmitted to the authentication device 300 (apparatus information transmitting means: step SB-3).

  That is, the target device 100 receives the request, and, for example, the TPM chip 10 of the control unit 120 includes device information (unit identification number, etc.) of each unit (110, 120, 130), program version number information, and the like. Are encrypted with a secret key and transmitted to the authentication device 300.

  And the authentication apparatus 300 receives apparatus information (apparatus information receiving means: step SB-4).

  The authentication device 300 decrypts the received device information, and the correspondence between the machine identification number and the program version number information included in the device information is stored in advance in the database 350 (program database 353) of the authentication device 300. It is evaluated whether the correspondence between the machine identification number of the unit and the program version information matches, and if not, the program file corresponding to the correct program version is acquired from the program database 353 and transmitted to the target device. (Program transmission means: Step SB-5).

  That is, the authentication device 300 acquires unit information (machine identification number) of the target device 100 registered in the program database 353 in advance and the corresponding program version number information, and compares it with the content of the transmitted device information. . If the unit information (machine identification number) and the program version number are different, the correct version program file is transmitted.

  Here, the program file may be encrypted with a secret key and transmitted to the target device 100. As a result, the target device 100 that has received the program can be confirmed to be a program that has been decrypted with a public key or the like and sent from the secure authentication device 300.

  In addition to the program used in the target device, the program includes a program (for example, driver software) necessary for using the target device.

  This completes the unit program confirmation process.

  Next, inter-unit authentication processing performed in this system will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of authentication processing between units of the system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the image reading apparatus 100 such as an image scanner includes a mechanism unit 110, a control unit 120, and an optical unit 130.

  The TPM chip 10 of each unit stores unique information such as the version number and program version number of the unit. Each unit also stores information on other units that can be used by the unit (device information file 150 of other units).

  When necessary, each unit encrypts (signs) the device information using a secret key stored in the TPM chip 10 having tamper resistance, and transmits it to other units. Here, the device information may be converted into a hash value and transmitted.

  Then, the received other unit decodes the device information, and thereby determines whether the information has been sent from the regular unit or from which unit. Further, it is determined from the contents of the device information whether the unit is usable.

  For example, when the B version and the C version of the mechanism unit 110 can be used for the A version of the control unit 120 and the A version cannot be used, this conformity determination is performed.

  After confirming that all the units are usable, the image reading apparatus 100 shifts to an operable state. When the image reading apparatus 100 cannot be used, the image reading apparatus 100 displays an alarm or transmits an error signal via the control unit 120.

  Next, consumable part management processing performed in this system will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a consumable part management process of the system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the image reading apparatus 100 such as an image scanner includes a mechanism unit 110, a control unit 120, and an optical unit 130. Here, the image reading apparatus 100 includes consumable parts such as rollers, pads, and lamps. A consumable part is a part whose characteristics deteriorate after a certain period of time or a certain operation, and needs to be replaced with a new part. For example, in a printer, it is a toner cartridge or a photosensitive drum.

  Here, the replacement time of the roller and the pad can be determined from the number of motor operations, and the replacement time of the lamp can be determined from the lighting time. These pieces of information are stored in the consumable part management file of the control unit 120.

  The TPM chip 10 of the control unit 120 collects consumable part information to create device information, attaches a signature to the device information (encrypts it with a secret key), and transmits it to the authentication device.

  The authentication apparatus 300 can identify the image reading apparatus 100 that transmitted the device information by decrypting the transmitted device information with the public key.

  Next, the authentication apparatus 300 obtains device information (consumable part information) of the image reading apparatus 100 registered in advance from the database 350 and compares (evaluates) it with the transmitted consumable part information. This evaluation result is notified to the scanner device and the management / use device.

  For example, in the case of a lamp, if 2000 hours is set as a reference value, an evaluation result such as an attention level is notified if 1800 hours are exceeded, and a warning level is notified if 2000 hours are exceeded.

[Other embodiments]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention can be applied to various different embodiments in addition to the above-described embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. May be implemented.

  For example, a personal authentication device is mounted on the target device 100 or the management / use device 200 in the above-described processing, so that only a specified individual (for example, a system administrator or maintenance staff) can perform these processing. You may comprise as follows.

  In addition, among the processes described in the embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all of the processes described as being performed manually are performed. Alternatively, a part can be automatically performed by a known method.

  In addition, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including parameters such as various registration data and search conditions, screen examples, and database configurations shown in the above documents and drawings, unless otherwise specified. It can be changed arbitrarily.

  Each illustrated component is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated.

  For example, all or any part of the processing functions of each part of the control device or each device can be realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a program interpreted and executed by the CPU, or It can also be realized as hardware by wired logic. The program is recorded on a recording medium to be described later, and is mechanically read by the control device as necessary.

  That is, in a storage device such as a ROM or an HD, computer programs for giving instructions to the CPU and performing various processes in cooperation with an OS (Operating System) are recorded. This computer program is executed by being loaded into a RAM or the like, and constitutes a control device in cooperation with the CPU. The computer program may be recorded in an application program server connected via an arbitrary network, and may be downloaded in whole or in part as necessary.

  The program according to the present invention can also be stored in a computer-readable recording medium. Here, the “recording medium” is an arbitrary “portable physical medium” such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is incorporated in various computer systems. Program in a short time, such as a communication line or carrier wave when transmitting a program via any “fixed physical medium” such as ROM, RAM, HD, or a network such as LAN, WAN, or the Internet The “communication medium” that holds

  The “program” is a data processing method described in an arbitrary language or description method, and may be in any format such as source code or binary code. The “program” is not necessarily limited to a single configuration, but is distributed in the form of a plurality of modules and libraries, or in cooperation with a separate program represented by an OS (Operating System). Including those that achieve the function. Note that a well-known configuration and procedure can be used for a specific configuration for reading a recording medium, a reading procedure, an installation procedure after reading, and the like in each device described in the embodiment.

  Furthermore, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in an arbitrary unit according to various loads. Can be configured. For example, each database may be independently configured as an independent database device, and a part of the processing may be realized by using CGI (Common Gateway Interface).

  As described above, the target device, the device management system, the device management method, and the external device according to the present invention can be widely implemented in many industrial fields, particularly information processing, image processing industries, and the like. Very useful for readers.

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram showing the basic principle of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image reading apparatus 100 to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the TPM chip 10 to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management / use apparatus 200 and the authentication apparatus 300 to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the database 350 stored in the storage device of the authentication device 300. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of unit information confirmation processing of the system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the unit program checking process of the system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of authentication processing between units of the system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a consumable part management process of the system according to the present embodiment.

10 Tamper resistant chip (TPM chip)
11 MPU
12 Control Program 13 Private Key File 14 Unit Information File 15 Personal Authentication Information File 16 RAM
100 Target device (image reading device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Mechanism unit 130 Optical unit 120 Control unit 150 Device information file 200 of other units Management / use device 300 Authentication device 350 Database 351 Device information database 352 Personal authentication information database 353 Program database 400 Network

Claims (3)

One or two or more units each including at least a tamper-resistant chip having device information storage means for storing device information unique to the unit and secret key storage means for storing a secret key are configured. In a device management system in which a target device and an external device that manages or uses the target device are connected to be communicable via a network,
The above target devices are
An encryption unit for encrypting the device information stored in the device information storage unit using the secret key stored in the secret key storage unit;
An external device transmitting means for transmitting the device information encrypted by the encryption means to the external device connected to the target device;
With
The external device is
Device information receiving means for receiving the device information transmitted by the external device transmitting means;
An evaluation unit that decrypts the device information received by the device information receiving unit and evaluates whether the device information matches the device information stored in the database in advance;
Evaluation result transmission means for transmitting the evaluation result by the evaluation means to the target device;
Operation information storage means for storing operation information corresponding to each information included in the device information;
Operation extraction means for decoding the device information received by the device information receiving means and extracting the operation information stored in the operation information storage means corresponding to the device information;
Action information transmitting means for transmitting the action information extracted by the action extracting means to the target device or another external device;
A device management system comprising: One or two or more units each including at least a tamper-resistant chip having device information storage means for storing device information unique to the unit and secret key storage means for storing a secret key are configured. In a device management method executed using a device management system in which a target device and an external device that manages or uses the target device are communicably connected via a network,
Executed in the target device,
An encryption step of encrypting the device information stored in the device information storage means using the secret key stored in the secret key storage means;
An external device transmission step of transmitting the device information encrypted in the encryption step to the external device connected to the target device;
Including
Executed in the external device,
A device information receiving step for receiving the device information transmitted in the external device transmitting step;
An evaluation step of decoding the device information received in the device information receiving step and evaluating whether the device information matches the device information stored in the database in advance;
An evaluation result transmission step of transmitting the evaluation result of the evaluation step to the target device;
An operation information storage step for storing operation information corresponding to each piece of information included in the device information;
An operation extracting step of decoding the device information received in the device information receiving step and extracting the operation information stored in the operation information storage step corresponding to the device information;
An operation information transmission step for transmitting the operation information extracted in the operation extraction step to the target device or another external device;
A device management method comprising: One or two or more units each including at least a tamper-resistant chip having device information storage means for storing device information unique to the unit and secret key storage means for storing a secret key are configured. In an external device that manages or uses the target device that is communicably connected to the target device via a network,
Device information for receiving the device information when the device information stored in the device information storage unit is encrypted using the secret key stored in the secret key storage unit and transmitted in the target device. Receiving means;
An evaluation unit that decrypts the device information received by the device information receiving unit and evaluates whether the device information matches the device information stored in the database in advance;
Evaluation result transmission means for transmitting the evaluation result by the evaluation means to the target device;
Operation information storage means for storing operation information corresponding to each information included in the device information;
Operation extraction means for decoding the device information received by the device information receiving means and extracting the operation information stored in the operation information storage means corresponding to the device information;
Action information transmitting means for transmitting the action information extracted by the action extracting means to the target device or another external device;
An external device comprising:

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