JP2000197086A - Data communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data communication system where unauthorized use of pay information can be prevented. SOLUTION: Upon the receipt of a scrambled message, a pager descrambles the message by using a key K1, that has been acquired in advance and allows a detection section to display a main text. When the pager has not acquired the key K1 used for descrambling, the pager pays a charge by a prescribed method and requests the key K1 to be used for descrambling to an enterprise. The enterprise transmits the key K1 and validity data to the pager, by scrambling them with a call address of the pager. In order that the pager acquires the key K1, a call address for scrambling be known, then in practical terms only the pager requesting the key K1 can substantially descramble scrambled messages.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a data communication system, for example, a radio paging (hereinafter referred to as paging).
The present invention relates to a data communication system using a system or the like, and more particularly, to a data communication system for preventing unauthorized reception or use of pay information or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, the paging system uses a paging system such as an NTT system, a POCSAG system, and an advanced paging system. The former two paging systems (NTT system and POCSAG system)
The service is provided mainly for pagers (alphanumeric pagers) that can display messages using numbers and kana characters (free words and fixed messages).

On the other hand, an advanced radio calling system (RCR)
STD-43 standard) is based on the above-mentioned NTT system or PO
Unlike the CSAG system, 1600 BPS (binary FSK) to 6400 according to the amount of data transmitted on the system side
The transmission rate can be switched within the range of BPS (four-valued FSK), and is suitable for exchange of large-capacity data such as messages and electronic mails using kanji. For this reason,
The advanced wireless paging method is used for a pager capable of receiving a large amount of data, for example, a service for a complex terminal having an electronic organizer function and a relatively expensive pager having a large screen display function. .

[0004]

The paging system provides a service for transmitting pay information such as news to a predetermined user. However, in conventional data communication systems such as pagers, even paid information is distributed as it is,
For example, there is a problem that it is not possible to prevent unauthorized use such as receiving paid information without paying the fee and obtaining paid information, or passing the information to another person.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a data communication system capable of preventing illegal use of pay information.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a data communication according to the present invention is provided in a data communication system in which various information is transmitted from a transmitting side to an unspecified number of receiving sides. A first encryption unit for encrypting at least information with a first encryption key, and a first transmission for transmitting the information encrypted by the first encryption unit to an unspecified number of recipients Means, second encryption means for encrypting at least the first encryption key with a second encryption key in response to a request from a specific receiving side, and encryption by the second encryption means. And a second transmitting means for transmitting the encrypted first encryption key to the receiving side that has made the request, wherein the receiving side requests the transmitting side for the first encryption key. Means for transmitting the first encryption key from the second transmitting means to the second encryption key. First decryption means for decrypting with the encryption key, storage means for storing the first encryption key decrypted by the decryption means, and information from the first transmission means to the storage means. And a second decryption means for decrypting with the first encryption key stored in the storage device.

In a preferred embodiment, the second encrypting means uses the requested receiving side identification information as a second encryption key, and the second encryption key. Then, at least the first encryption key may be encrypted, and the first decryption means may decrypt the first encryption key with its own identification information.

In a preferred aspect, the identification information of the receiving side may be a calling address of the receiving side.

In a preferred embodiment, the second transmitting means includes, together with the encrypted first encryption key, a valid period indicating a receivable period of the corresponding information. And the storage unit stores the validity period from the second transmission unit together with the first encryption key, and the second decryption unit stores information from the first transmission unit. May be decrypted using the first encryption key stored in the storage unit if the validity period is within the validity period stored in the storage unit.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the first encryption means changes the first encryption key used for encrypting information at a predetermined time. Good.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the receiving side includes a deletion unit that automatically deletes at least the first encryption key when the validity period has elapsed. You may make it.

In a preferred embodiment, the second transmitting means periodically transmits the first encryption key encrypted by the second encrypting means to the first encryption key. May be transmitted to the receiving side.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below as an example applied to a paging system with reference to the drawings.

A. Configuration of Embodiment A-1. Configuration of Paging System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a paging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 20 is
A pager 30 that specifies or unspecifies various information by wireless.
It is a business facility provided to Information can be free (provided at a basic fee) or paid (provided at a separate fee from the basic fee). The business facility 20 includes a first encryption unit 21 for encrypting the pay information with a predetermined encryption key K1, and the encryption key K1 in response to a user request of the pager 30 by calling a pager calling address ( A second encryption unit 22 for encrypting with the telephone number), and wirelessly transmitting information encrypted by the first encryption unit and an encryption key K1 encrypted by the second encryption unit. And a transmission unit 23 that performs the transmission.

The pager 30 is a terminal that receives the various types of information and displays the information on a display unit described later. The pager 30 includes a reception unit 31 that receives data transmitted from the business facility 20, a first decryption unit 32 that decrypts an encrypted encryption key K1, and a first decryption unit. Part 32
And a second decryption unit 33 that decrypts the encrypted information using the encryption key K1 decrypted by

A-2. Configuration of Pager FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the pager according to the present embodiment. In the figure, an antenna 1 receives one frame of data (including address data, vector data, and message data) wirelessly transmitted from a transmission base station (not shown) and supplies the data to an RF receiving unit 2. R
The F receiving unit 2 is driven based on a control signal from the decoder unit 3, demodulates the received data received by the antenna 1 into binary or quaternary digital data, and sends the data to the decoder unit 3.

The decoder unit 3 rearranges the binary or quaternary digital data input from the RF receiving unit 2 into 8-bit parallel data, sequentially supplies the 8-bit parallel data to the CPU 7, and
The received address data and ID-RO in U7
As a result of collation with the address data registered in M4, when a match detection signal is supplied, control is performed so that the RF receiver 2 continues the receiving operation. The RF receiver 2 and the decoder 3 correspond to the receiver 31 described above.

The ID-ROM 4 stores terminal information (which may include a telephone number of a pager and a terminal ID) such as an address code (call number) for identifying itself.
The ROM 5 stores various programs and various data for operating the CPU 7. Note that this ROM 5
It may be constituted by a rewritable memory. In RAM6,
Information such as news and a normal received message are stored. A rewritable ROM (EEPR) for this RAM 6
OM) or the like. In this case, memory backup is not required. The CPU 7 controls the operation of the entire pager according to a control program stored in the ROM 5. In particular, the CPU 7 controls the first decoding unit 3 described above.
This corresponds to the function of the second and second decoding units 33.

Speaker 8, vibrator 9, and LED
The (light emitting diode) 10 is a notifying unit for notifying an incoming call. For example, the speaker 8 notifies by a sound, the vibrator 9 notifies by vibration, and the LED 10 notifies by a lighting or blinking. Which means is used to notify the incoming call can be arbitrarily set by the user. The display unit 11 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel having a display capacity of about 20 columns × 2 rows and a driving circuit thereof.
Display the selected message data and confirm its contents. The key input unit 12 includes various keys for calling and displaying the received message on the display unit 11 and instructing the operation of the pager.

The storage unit 13 stores an encryption key K1 for descrambling the pay information and a validity period of the pay information. The encryption key K1 and the validity period are determined by scrambling the pager calling address when the user of the pager desires to receive paid information and pays the fee in a predetermined procedure (dial Q2, option setting at the time of contract, etc.). The data is transmitted from the business facility 20 as converted data. The pager descrambles the received data using its own calling address, obtains the encryption key K1 and the validity period,
The information is stored in the storage unit 13. The encryption key K1 and the validity period cannot be modified or falsified by a normal operation of the user. The storage unit 13 may use a partial area such as the RAM 6.

B. Next, an operation of the data communication system according to the above-described embodiment will be described. Here, FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the business (transmission of information). FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the pager. FIG. 5 shows the operation of the business (transmission of the key K1).
5 is a flowchart for explaining FIG.

When providing the pay information, the business facility 20 first scrambles (encrypts) a message (paid information to be transmitted) with a predetermined encryption key K1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a key), In step S12, the scrambled message is delivered to the pager 30. As shown in FIG. 6A, the information to be distributed is composed of a header indicating the type of information, data length, and the like, and a text, and scrambling is performed on at least the text. Therefore, the key K1 is required to descramble the text. Note that the encryption key may be changed or a plurality of encryption keys K1, K2, K3,... May be changed according to the type of information, distribution date, distribution destination, and the like. In this case, identification information indicating the type of the encryption key used for scrambling (not the key itself) is added to the header.

Next, on the pager side, step S20
When the scrambled message is received, the received message is stored in the RAM 6, and in step S22, whether the key K1 has already been obtained (in the storage unit 1).
3) is determined. When a plurality of encryption keys are used, information on the encryption key is obtained from the header, and a key Ki (i = 1, 2, 3, 3) matching the information is obtained.
…)) Is determined. If the key used for scrambling (in this case, K1) has not been obtained, the scrambling cannot be canceled. In other words, it means that the fee for the pay information has not been paid. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S24, and the key K1 used for scrambling is requested to the business facility 20 by a predetermined method. As a billing method, for example, a telephone call is made by dial Q2 (service by NTT) to charge and charge the key K1. In addition,
When the scrambled pay information is not required, the processing of steps S24 to S30 is skipped.

The business facility 20 determines whether or not the key K1 has been requested in step 40 shown in FIG.
When the charging and the request for the key K1 are performed by a predetermined method, in step S42, as shown in FIG. 6B, the key K1 (the key requested by the user) and the validity period data of the information corresponding to Scrambling (encrypting) with a call address (pager telephone number, terminal ID, etc.), and step S4
At 4, the data is transmitted to a predetermined pager. Therefore, the key K1
In order to obtain the key K1, the calling address at the time of scrambling must be known, and can be practically released only by the pager that has requested the key K1.

When the pager receives the data (key K1 + valid period data) from the business facility 20 in step S26, it descrambles the data received at its own calling address in step S28. Then, in step S30, the key K1 and the validity period are stored in the storage unit 13. Next, the process proceeds to step S36,
The descramble of the message (the body of the message) received by the key K1 and stored in the RAM 6 is released, and the process proceeds to step S38.
Then, the text is displayed on the display unit 11.

On the other hand, if the key K1 exists in step S22, that is, if the key K1 and the validity period have already been obtained by the above processing, it is determined in step S32 whether the key K1 is within the validity period. If the validity period is not within the validity period, the process proceeds to step S34, and the fact that the validity period is invalid is displayed on the display unit 11. In this case, the above-described steps S24 to S30 may be performed to extend the validity period and descramble the message.

If the key K1 has been obtained and the expiration date has not yet passed, in step S36, the key K1
The scramble of the message (text) stored in the AM 6 is released, and the text is displayed on the display unit 11 in step S38.

According to the above-described embodiment, even if the pager user transmits the data including the key K1 once received to himself / herself, the validity period data is the same, so that the period can be illegally extended. Can not. Further, even if the data including the key K1 is transmitted to the third party, the scrambling of the data cannot be released because the calling number is different, and illegal use can be prevented.

In the above-described processing, step S32
Although the validity period is checked, the key K1 and the validity period may be automatically deleted when the validity period has elapsed. In this case, it is only necessary to check the presence or absence of the key K1. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the billing is performed using the dial Q2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the monthly usage fee may be automatically added to the regular contract with an additional option of the regular contract. Accordingly, the extension period may be extended. in this case,
When the user issues an extension release request, the usage fee is added and the extension of the period is stopped.

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the key Ki (i = 1, 2, 3,...) For the message is fixed. Since the user who does not pay for the message cannot automatically descramble the message, the process of checking the validity period and deleting the message can be omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the scrambled key K1 is transmitted in response to a request from the user. However, a new key is transmitted to the pager every month (unit of accounting) from the business operator. Then, when the usage fee is no longer paid, transmission of the key may be stopped.

In the above-described embodiment, in order to obtain the key K1, its own calling address (telephone number)
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the business operator may search a database that manages user information and acquire a call address.

Further, in the above embodiment, the distribution information is encrypted with respect to the pay information. However, the encryption may be performed with respect to the personal communication information. Further, in the above embodiment, the pager system is applied to a system for transmitting a message wirelessly. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a digital wireless telephone system (digital mobile phone / car phone system), a teleterminal system, and the like. Of course, it can be applied to other systems.

[0034]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, on the transmitting side, at least information is encrypted with the first encryption key by the first encryption means, and the encryption is performed by the first transmission means. The encrypted information is transmitted to an unspecified number of recipients, and when there is an initial request from a specific receiving side, at least the first encryption key is converted into a second encryption key by a second encryption means. And encrypts the encrypted first encryption key with a second
The transmitting means transmits to the receiving side which has made the request, and the receiving side transmits the encrypted first data transmitted from the second transmitting means on the transmitting side in response to the request from the requesting means.
Is decrypted by the first decryption means using the second encryption key, and is stored in the storage means.
The information from the first transmission means is decrypted by the first encryption key stored in the storage means, so that the information is protected by double encryption. Therefore, there is an advantage that illegal use of pay information can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the second encryption means uses, as the identification information of the requesting receiving side, the second encryption key used for encryption, The first encryption key is encrypted, and the first decryption means decrypts the first encryption key with its own identification information. , The first encryption key can be known, so that an advantage that illegal use of pay information can be prevented can be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the identification information of the receiving side is the calling address of the receiving side, encryption and decryption can be performed easily, and illegal payment information can be obtained. The advantage is that use can be more easily prevented.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, on the transmitting side, the encrypted first data is transmitted by the second transmitting means.
The validity period indicating the receivable period of the corresponding information is transmitted together with the encryption key, and the receiving side stores the validity period from the second transmission unit in the storage unit together with the first encryption key. In addition, when the information from the first transmission unit is received, if the information is within the validity period stored in the storage unit, the information is stored in the storage unit by the second decoding unit. Since the decryption is performed using the first encryption key, there is an advantage that illegal use of the pay information can be more easily prevented.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first encrypting means includes a first encrypting means for encrypting information.
Since the encryption key is changed at a predetermined time, there is an advantage that the encryption key can be changed.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the receiving side automatically deletes at least the first encryption key by the deleting means when the validity period has elapsed. Therefore, there is obtained an advantage that illegal use of pay information can be more easily prevented.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the second transmitting means periodically transmits the first encryption key encrypted by the second encrypting means to a predetermined receiving side. Since the information is transmitted to the user, there is an advantage that illegal use of the pay information can be more easily prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a paging system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a pager.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the business operator.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the pager.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the business operator.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining scrambling of a message and a key.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 antenna 2 RF receiving unit 3 decoder unit 4 ID-ROM 5 ROM 6 RAM 7 CPU (requesting unit, first decoding unit, second decoding unit, deleting unit) 8 speaker 9 vibrator 10 light emitting diode 11 display unit Reference Signs List 12 key input unit 13 storage unit (storage unit) 20 business facility 21 first encryption unit (first encryption unit) 22 second encryption unit (second encryption unit) 23 transmission unit 23 ( (First transmitting means, second transmitting means) 30 pager 31 receiving section 32 first decoding section (first decoding section) 33 second decoding section (second decoding section)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A data communication system for transmitting various information from a transmitting side to an unspecified number of receiving sides, wherein the transmitting side encrypts at least information with a first encryption key. A first transmitting unit for transmitting information encrypted by the first encrypting unit to an unspecified number of recipients;
A second encryption means for encrypting the encryption key of the above with a second encryption key, and a first encryption key encrypted by the second encryption means, And a second transmitting means for transmitting to the receiving side, the receiving side requesting the first encrypting key from the transmitting side, and a first encrypting key from the second transmitting means. First decryption means for decrypting with the second encryption key, storage means for storing the first encryption key decrypted by the decryption means, information from the first transmission means And a second decryption means for decrypting the data with a first encryption key stored in the storage means. 2. The second encryption means uses the requested receiving side identification information as a second encryption key, encrypts at least the first encryption key with the second encryption key, 2. The data communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first decryption unit decrypts the first encryption key using its own identification information. 3. The data communication system according to claim 2, wherein the identification information of the receiving side is a calling address of the receiving side. 4. The second transmitting unit transmits a valid period indicating a receivable period of the corresponding information together with the encrypted first encryption key, and the storage unit transmits the first encryption key. A validity period from the second transmission unit is stored together with the encryption key, and the second decryption unit stores the information in the storage unit when receiving information from the first transmission unit. 4. The data communication system according to claim 1, wherein when the validity period is not exceeded, the data is decrypted using the first encryption key stored in the storage unit. 5. The data according to claim 1, wherein the first encryption unit changes a first encryption key used for encrypting information at a predetermined time. Communications system. 6. The data communication according to claim 5, wherein the receiving side includes a deletion unit that automatically deletes at least the first encryption key when the validity period has elapsed. system. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second transmitting unit periodically transmits the first encryption key encrypted by the second encrypting unit to a predetermined receiving side. 2. The data communication system according to 1.