JP2000267997A - Device, method and system for processing information and providing medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To keep minors, for example, away from undesirable information by judging whether a service is to be provided on the basis of first information received from a server in which the information of a user is stored and second information inputted from the user. SOLUTION: When the provision of the service is requested, the server storing the first information of the user who requests the provision of the service is connected and on the basis of the first information received form the connected server and the second information inputted from the user, it is judged whether or not the service is to be provided. Concerning such a system, a home server 1 is connected through a network 11 to a personal computer(PC) 21 and a WWW server 22. When there is a request of the service from the PC 21 to the WWW server 22, the personal information of the home server 1 is provided, for example, and then personal information from the user is inputted and it is judged whether the service is to be provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method, an information processing system, and a providing medium, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus installed in a home, for example, which stores personal information of a family member, When browsing an undesired homepage or playing a DVD disc, read the personal information, compare the read personal information with the information input by the user, and determine whether the user is a minor, By allowing browsing and playback, minors,
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and method for preventing undesired information from being viewed, an information processing system, and a providing medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the Internet has become widespread, and various homepages have been flooded with the spread of the Internet. Some homepages are desirable given the effect on minors. Such a home page is provided with a page asking whether or not the user who has requested access is an adult so that a minor cannot access (browse). If it is determined that the page is not an adult, it will not proceed to pages subsequent to that page.

[0003] Some DVD (Digital Video Disk) players do not start playback until a set password is input in order to play a disc that is not desirable for a minor. If such a DVD player is used, for example, unless the parent informs the child of the password, the child cannot play an undesired disc.

[0004]

However, the page on the Internet asking whether or not a minor is being viewed when browsing an unfavorable homepage for a minor is a page that the minor is not liable to. By saying that he was an adult about, he could easily browse to the next page and beyond, so it was not practically meaningful.

[0005] In a DVD player which requires input of a password when reproducing a predetermined disc, discrimination of a user by a password is an effective means, but a DVD which does not have such a function is effective. Since the player starts playback without discriminating the user, for example, a minor can take a disc that cannot be played by a DVD player at home to a friend's house and play it there. Was.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. For example, a home server installed in a home stores personal information of a family member, and browses a homepage or plays a DVD disc. At the time of reading, by comparing the read personal information with the information input by the user, and determining whether or not the child is a minor,
Minors are kept away from undesirable information.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, when an information processing apparatus receives a request for providing a service, the server stores first information of a user who has requested the provision of the service. Connecting means for connecting, receiving means for receiving first information transmitted from the server connected by the connecting means, input means for inputting second information from the user, and first means for receiving the first information received by the receiving means Determining means for determining whether or not to provide a service based on the information and the second information input by the input means; and providing means for providing the service to the user when the determining means determines that the service is to be provided. And characterized in that:

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing method, when a request for providing a service is received, a connection step is performed to connect to a server in which first information of a user who has requested the service is stored. A receiving step of receiving first information transmitted from the server connected in the connecting step, an inputting step of inputting second information from the user, a first information received in the receiving step, A determining step of determining whether to provide the service based on the input second information; and a providing step of providing the service to the user when the determining step determines that the service is to be provided. And

[0009] The providing medium according to claim 6, when receiving a request for providing a service, a connecting step of connecting to a server storing first information of a user who has requested the providing of the service; Receiving the first information transmitted from the server connected in the step, inputting the second information from the user, inputting the first information received in the receiving step, and inputting in the input step The information processing includes a determining step of determining whether or not to provide a service based on the second information provided, and a providing step of providing the service to the user when the determining step determines that the service is to be provided. A computer-readable program to be executed by the device is provided.

[0010] A first information processing system according to claim 7 is provided.
The information processing apparatus includes: a request unit that requests the second information processing apparatus to provide a service; an input unit that inputs second information from a user; and a second information that is input by the input unit. A first transmitting / receiving means for transmitting to the information processing apparatus and receiving the service transmitted from the second information processing apparatus, wherein the second information processing apparatus receives a service provision request from the requesting means. Connecting means for connecting to the third information processing apparatus, first receiving means for receiving first information transmitted from the third information processing apparatus connected by the connecting means, and first transmitting / receiving means. Service based on second receiving means for receiving the transmitted second information, first information received by the first receiving means, and second information received by the second receiving means; To determine whether or not to provide If, when it is determined to provide the service by determining means, and a providing means for providing a service to the first information processing apparatus, third information processing apparatus,
It is characterized by including storage means for storing first information, and second transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the second information processing device.

The information processing method according to claim 8, wherein the first information processing device requests the second information processing device to provide a service, and an input step of inputting second information from a user. And the second input in the input step
Transmitting and receiving the service transmitted from the second information processing apparatus to the second information processing apparatus, and the second information processing apparatus provides the service in the requesting step. When receiving the request, a connection step of connecting to the third information processing apparatus, a first reception step of receiving the first information transmitted from the third information processing apparatus connected in the connection step, A second receiving step of receiving the second information transmitted in the first transmitting / receiving step, a first information received in the first receiving step, and a second information received in the second receiving step. Based on the information
A determining step of determining whether to provide the service;
If the decision step decides to provide the service,
A providing step of providing a service to the first information processing apparatus, wherein the third information processing apparatus stores a first information, and a second step of transmitting / receiving data to / from the second information processing apparatus. The method includes a transmitting / receiving step.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a providing medium, comprising: a requesting step of requesting the first information processing apparatus to provide a service to the second information processing apparatus; Transmitting the second information input in the input step to the second information processing apparatus, and receiving a service transmitted from the second information processing apparatus. When a request for providing a service is received in the requesting step by the second information processing apparatus,
A connection step for connecting to the information processing apparatus of the third information processing apparatus, a first reception step of receiving the first information transmitted from the third information processing apparatus connected in the connection step, and a first transmission / reception step. Providing a service based on the second receiving step of receiving the second information, the first information received in the first receiving step, and the second information received in the second receiving step. And executing a process including a determining step of determining whether or not to perform the service and a providing step of providing the service to the first information processing apparatus when the determining step determines that the service is to be provided. And a computer-readable program for executing a process including a storage step of storing first information and a second transmission / reception step of transmitting / receiving data to / from the second information processing apparatus. It is characterized by that.

An information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
In the information processing method described in the above item, and the provision medium described in the claim 6, when receiving a request for providing a service, the information processing method is connected to a server storing first information of a user who has requested the provision of the service. It is determined whether or not to provide a service based on the first information received from the connected server and the second information input by the user. Provided to

[0014] In the information processing system according to claim 7, the information processing method according to claim 8, and the providing medium according to claim 9, the first information processing apparatus is connected to the second information processing apparatus. The service is provided, the second information is input from the user, the input second information is transmitted to the second information processing device, the service transmitted from the second information processing device is received, Upon receiving a service provision request, the second information processing device is connected to the third information processing device, and receives the first information transmitted from the connected third information processing device and the first information. It is determined whether or not to provide a service based on the second information transmitted from the information processing device of the first information processing device. If it is determined that the service is to be provided, the service is provided to the first information processing device and the third information is provided. The first information is recorded in the information processing device of Is, the second information processing apparatus and the data is transmitted and received.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an information processing system to which the present invention is applied. In the present specification, the term “system” means an entire device including a plurality of devices and units.

A home server 1 which is installed in a predetermined home and comprises a personal computer or the like is mutually connected to a television receiver 2 and a DVD player 3 via a bus 4. Also, the home server 1 communicates with a personal computer 21 via a network 11 through a WWW (Worn).
ld Wide Web) server 22. Here, the following description will be given assuming that the bus 4 is an IEEE1394 bus, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to other buses.

FIG. 2 shows a more detailed configuration example of the inside of the home server 1 and the DVD player 3 among them. The home server 1 is connected to the bus 4 via a 1394 interface (I / F) 30. CPU (Central Processin
g Unit) 31 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32. RA
In an M (Random Access Memory) 33, data and programs necessary for the CPU 31 to execute various processes are appropriately stored. A keyboard 35 and a mouse 36 are connected to the input / output I / F 34, and output signals input thereto from the CPU 31.

A hard disk (HDD) 37 is connected to the input / output I / F 34, in which data, programs, and the like can be recorded and reproduced. Input / output I /
A modem 38 is also connected to F34, and is used when data is exchanged with another device via the network 11. EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmab
The le ROM) 39 stores information that needs to be retained even after the power is turned off (in the case of this embodiment, personal information described later). For example, PCI (Peripheral Component Interconn
ect), an internal bus 40 composed of a local bus, etc.
Connects these parts to each other.

The DVD player 3 is connected to the bus 4 via the 1394 I / F 50. The CPU 51 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 52,
The RAM 53 appropriately stores data, programs, and the like necessary for the CPU 51 to execute various processes. The operation unit 54 includes buttons, switches, a remote controller, and the like, and when operated by a user, outputs a signal corresponding to the operation. The drive 55 drives a DVD (disc) (not shown) and reproduces data recorded thereon. The personal information input unit 56 is used when a user inputs personal information described later, and the CPU 51 determines whether or not to play a DVD disc according to the input personal information. The internal bus 57 interconnects these components.

Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 3, a case where the personal computer 21 browses a homepage stored in the WWW server 22 will be described. here,
The homepage stored in the WWW server 22 is not preferable for a minor, and is a page for which it is necessary to confirm whether or not the user is an adult.

In step S1, the user connects the personal computer 21 to the WWW via the network 11.
A connection is made with the server 22, and a request for browsing a home page stored in the WWW server 22 (a request for providing a service) is made. In step S2, the WWW server 22
Receives the service provision request transmitted from the personal computer 21, at step S3,
A request for personal authentication (a request for the address of the home server) is made from the WWW server 22 to the personal computer 21. The request for the home server address is made when it is necessary to determine whether or not the user is an adult, as described above.

In step S4, the personal computer 21 having received the data requesting the provision of the address of the home server displays a message notifying the user on a monitor (not shown). In response to the display, the user operates the keyboard 35 (FIG. 2) to input the address of the home server in which his / her personal information is recorded in step S5, and causes the WWW server 22 to transmit the address. Here, the home server of the user of the personal computer 21 is assumed to be the home server 1, and step S
The address input (designated) in 5 is the address of the home server 1.

In step S6, the WWW server 22 that has received the address of the home server 1 determines in step S7 the home server 1 based on the received address.
Is connected via the network 11 and a request is made to transmit the stored personal information. The personal information is stored in the EEPROM 39 of the home server 1, and includes, for example, a password, age, height, weight, date of birth, blood type, voice,
Any one of information such as fingerprint, retina, IC card, etc.
One piece of information or a combination of multiple pieces of information.

In addition, when the parent wants to restrict the child from browsing an undesired homepage or the like, the personal information is, for example, a password is not given to the child, and a voice is not registered to the child. And so on.
Alternatively, information indicating that the child is a minor (permission to browse a website judged to be undesirable by the parent's intention is not given) may be recorded as the child's personal information. By doing so, it becomes possible for the parent to restrict the child from browsing a homepage or the like that is not desirable for the child by the processing described later. It is possible for parents to add regulations, in other words, by setting regulation targets for each household, it is possible to reflect educational policies and the like in the home.

In step S8, the CPU 31 of the home server 1 that has received the request for providing personal information
In step 9, the personal information stored in the EEPROM 39 is read, and via the modem 38 and the network 11, the WWW is read.
Send it to server 22. In step S10, WWW
The server 22 receives the personal information transmitted from the home server 1 and temporarily stores it in a built-in ROM (not shown) or the like.
Remember. Then, the WWW server 22 proceeds to step S11
, The personal computer 21 is requested to input personal information.

In step S12, the personal computer 21 having received the request for input of personal information displays a message such as "Please input personal information" on the monitor. When the user inputs personal information in response to the message, the input personal information is transmitted (presented) to the WWW server 22 in step S13. When a voice, fingerprint, retina, IC card, or the like is used as personal information, it is assumed that a device for reading such information is connected to the personal computer 21.

In step S14, the WWW server 22 having received the personal information transmitted from the personal computer 21 determines in step S15 whether the user is a user who can provide services. That is, WWW
The server 22 determines whether or not the personal information transmitted from the personal computer 21 and the personal information transmitted from the home server 1 match. If the personal information matches, the server 22 determines that the user is capable of providing the service. If not, it is determined that the user cannot provide the service. Alternatively, it is determined whether the personal information transmitted from home server 1 corresponding to the personal information transmitted from personal computer 21 is information indicating a minor, and is not information indicating a minor. If it is determined that the user can provide the service, it is determined that the user cannot provide the service if the information indicates that the user is a minor.

The result determined by the WWW server 22 in step S15 is transmitted to the personal computer 21 in step S16, and in step S17, the personal computer 21 receives the result. That is, when it is determined that the user is capable of providing the service, the provision of the service is started, a home page is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 21, and the user is determined to be a user who cannot provide the service. If you do, your service will be denied
For example, a message such as "Service cannot be provided" is displayed.

In the above-described embodiment, when a service is requested from the personal computer 21 to the WWW server 22, the personal information of the home server 1 is provided, and then the personal information is input from the user and the service is provided. In the above description, it is determined whether or not to provide the service. However, the processing may be switched. That is, when a request for service is provided from the personal computer 21 to the WWW server 22, first, the user is requested to input personal information such as a password, and after obtaining personal information from the user, the home server 1 Personal information may be provided.

Further, the WWW server 22 receives an input from the user (transmitted from the personal computer 21).
Transfer personal information to home server 1
Compares the transferred personal information with the personal information stored in the EEPROM 39, and transmits data giving permission or disapproval that the service may be provided to the WWW server 22. You may do it. That is,
In step S15, the process performed by the WWW server 22 may be performed by the home server 1.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A case where a DVD disc is reproduced by the DVD player 3 will be described. In step S21, the user sets a DVD disc to be reproduced on the DVD player 3 and instructs the reproduction of the disc by operating the operation unit 54 (FIG. 2). Upon receiving the reproduction instruction, the DVD player 3 determines in step S22 whether or not the set disc needs to be confirmed by the user, in other words, is the disc which can be viewed only by authorized persons. Determine whether or not. If the disc requires user confirmation, data indicating that fact is recorded on the disc. By reading the data, the DVD player 3 determines whether or not confirmation by the user is necessary.

If the DVD player 3 determines that confirmation of the user is necessary, in step S23, a message requesting entry of personal information, for example, "Please enter personal information for confirming the user" Is displayed on the television receiver 2. If it is determined that the user's confirmation is not necessary, the processing after step S23 is omitted, and the reproduction of the set disc is started.

In step S23, the DVD player 3 requests the user to input personal information.
In step S24, the home server 1 is also requested to provide personal information. The home server 1 receives the request of the DVD player 3 in step S25, and performs a corresponding process in step S26 in the EEPROM 39.
Reads personal information stored in the 1394 I / F 30
To the DVD player 3 via the bus 4.

In step S27, home server 1
DVD player 3 receiving the personal information sent from
The received personal information is temporarily stored in the RAM 53.
The personal information input by the user is also stored in the RAM 53.

The input of personal information from the user stored in the RAM 53 is performed using the personal information input section 56 of the DVD player 3. The personal information input unit 56 is, for example, a numeric button for inputting the password when the personal information is a password, and for reading the information when a voice, fingerprint, retina, IC card, or the like is used. Device. In addition, these personal information input sections 56
The player 3 may be a built-in type or an external type. Further, it may be attached to the home server 1 so that the home server 1 can input personal information.

In step S28, the DVD player 3 determines whether the personal information stored in the RAM 53 and transmitted from the home server 1 matches the personal information input by the user from the personal information input unit 56. By doing so, it is determined whether or not the user is capable of providing a service (reproduction may be started). As a result, step S29
In, a service is started or a service rejection is presented. That is, when the personal information from the home server 1 matches the personal information input by the user, it is determined that the user can provide the service, the reproduction of the set disc is started, and when the personal information does not match,
It is determined that the user cannot provide the service, and a message notifying the user is displayed on the television receiver 2.

As described above, the personal information is stored in the home server 1 and the stored personal information is used to determine whether or not the user is a user who can provide a service. Restrictions can be imposed on browsing unfavorable websites and the like.
Therefore, by managing the personal information stored in the home server 1 by the parent, it is possible to reflect differences in the home environment, educational policies, and the like. That is, in the above description, the browsing (reproduction) is restricted depending on whether or not the child is a minor. However, according to an education policy, it is determined that the parent may be permitted to browse even if the child is a minor. In such a case, the child can browse by notifying the password, permitting registration of voice or the like, and not including the information of minors in the personal information.

Also, by storing the information at the time of authentication in the home server 1, there is no need to set a password or the like for each device. It is possible to do by the same processing,
Thus, the authentication process can be easily performed.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which a child is not allowed to browse an undesired homepage. However, it is necessary when shopping on a network or connecting to a membership-based homepage. The present invention can be applied to processing such as authentication.

In the present specification, a providing medium for providing a user with a computer program for executing the above processing includes an information recording medium such as a magnetic disk and a CD-ROM, and a transmission medium via a network such as the Internet and a digital satellite. Is also included.

[0041]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the information processing method according to the fifth aspect, and the providing medium according to the sixth aspect, when a request for providing a service is received. Connecting to a server storing first information of a user who has requested the provision of the service, and providing a service based on the first information received from the connected server and the second information input by the user. Judgment as to whether or not to provide a service, and if it is determined that a service is to be provided, the service is provided to the user, so that it is possible to prevent minors from providing undesirable services It is.

According to the information processing system described in claim 7, the information processing method described in claim 8, and the providing medium described in claim 9, the first information processing apparatus performs the second information processing. Providing a service to the device, inputting the second information from the user, transmitting the input second information to the second information processing device, and receiving the service transmitted from the second information processing device. When the second information processing device receives a service provision request, the second information processing device connects to the third information processing device, and transmits the first information transmitted from the connected third information processing device to the first information processing device. It is determined whether or not to provide a service on the basis of the second information transmitted from the information processing device of the third information processing device. If it is determined that the service is to be provided, the service is provided to the first information processing device. Information processing device stores the first information and stores the second information Since the device and data so as to transmit and receive, with respect to such minors, it is possible so as not to provide undesirable service.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an information processing system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a home server 1 and a DVD player 3.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for browsing a homepage stored in a WWW server 22 using a personal computer 21.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a DVD disc is reproduced by a DVD player 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 home server, 2 television receiver, 3
DVD player, 4 buses, 11 networks, 2
1 personal computer, 22 WWW server,
31 CPU, modem, 39 EEPROM, 51 CPU,
53 RAM, 56 Personal information input section

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. Upon receiving a service provision request, a connection means for connecting to a server storing first information of a user who has requested the service provision, and the server connected by the connection means Receiving means for receiving the first information transmitted from the user; input means for inputting second information from the user; inputting the first information received by the receiving means; Determining means for determining whether to provide the service, based on the second information, and providing means for providing the service to the user when the determining means determines that the service is to be provided. An information processing apparatus characterized by including. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and second information include a password,
2. The information according to claim 1, wherein the information is one of information of age, height, weight, date of birth, blood type, voice, fingerprint, retina, and IC card, or information based on a combination of two or more. Information processing device. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines whether the first information includes information that matches the second information, or determines whether the first information corresponds to the second information. The information according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the service is provided by determining whether or not the information indicates that the user is authorized to provide the service. Processing equipment. 4. When receiving a request for providing the service, the service further includes a research unit for checking whether or not the service is permitted only to a specific user, and the service is specified by the search unit. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the provision is permitted to only the user, the connection to the server by the connection unit is started. 5. When a request for providing a service is received, a connection step for connecting to a server storing first information of a user who has requested the provision of the service, and the server connected in the connection step Receiving the first information transmitted from the user, inputting the second information from the user, inputting the first information received in the receiving step, and inputting in the input step A determining step of determining whether to provide the service based on the second information, and a providing step of providing the service to the user when it is determined that the service is provided in the determining step. An information processing method comprising: 6. When a request for providing a service is received, a connection step for connecting to a server storing first information of a user who has requested the provision of the service, and the server connected in the connection step Receiving the first information transmitted from the user, inputting the second information from the user, inputting the first information received in the receiving step, and inputting in the input step A determining step of determining whether to provide the service based on the second information, and a providing step of providing the service to the user when it is determined that the service is provided in the determining step. A providing medium for providing a computer-readable program for causing an information processing apparatus to execute a process including the above. 7. An information processing system comprising a first information processing device for requesting a service, a second information processing device for providing a service, and a third information processing device for storing the first information, The first information processing device includes: a request unit that requests the second information processing device to provide the service; an input unit that inputs second information from a user; and the second unit that is input by the input unit. And a first transmitting / receiving means for transmitting the second information to the second information processing apparatus and receiving the service transmitted from the second information processing apparatus, wherein the second information processing apparatus comprises: A connection unit for connecting to the third information processing device when a service provision request is received by the request unit; and the first information transmitted from the third information processing device connected by the connection unit. First receiving means for receiving the information, second receiving means for receiving the second information transmitted by the first transmitting / receiving means, and first receiving means for receiving the first information received by the first receiving means. Based on the information and the second information received by the second receiving means, determining means for determining whether or not to provide the service; and when the determining means determines that the service is to be provided, Providing means for providing the service to the first information processing apparatus, wherein the third information processing apparatus stores: the first information; a storage means for storing the first information; An information processing system, comprising: a second transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving. 8. Information of an information processing system including a first information processing apparatus for requesting a service, a second information processing apparatus for providing a service, and a third information processing apparatus for storing the first information. In the processing method, the information processing method of the first information processing apparatus includes: a requesting step of requesting the second information processing apparatus to provide the service; an inputting step of inputting second information from a user; A first transmitting / receiving step of transmitting the second information input in the input step to the second information processing device and receiving the service transmitted from the second information processing device, An information processing method of the second information processing apparatus, wherein, when a request for providing a service is received in the requesting step, a connection step for connecting to the third information processing apparatus; A first receiving step of receiving the first information transmitted from the connected third information processing apparatus, and a second receiving step of receiving the second information transmitted in the first transmitting / receiving step Receiving step; determining whether to provide the service based on the first information received in the first receiving step and the second information received in the second receiving step And a providing step of providing the service to the first information processing apparatus when it is determined that the service is provided in the determining step. The information processing method of the third information processing apparatus includes: An information processing method, comprising: a storage step of storing the first information; and a second transmission / reception step of transmitting / receiving data to / from the second information processing device. 9. An information processing system comprising a first information processing apparatus for requesting a service, a second information processing apparatus for providing a service, and a third information processing apparatus for storing first information. A requesting step of requesting the first information processing apparatus to provide the service to the second information processing apparatus; an inputting step of inputting second information from a user; Transmitting the second information to the second information processing device, and performing a process including a first transmission / reception step of receiving the service transmitted from the second information processing device; A connection step for connecting to the third information processing apparatus when the information processing apparatus receives a service provision request in the requesting step; and a third information processing apparatus connected in the connection step. A first receiving step of receiving the first information transmitted from the device, a second receiving step of receiving the second information transmitted in the first transmitting / receiving step, and a first receiving A determining step of determining whether to provide the service based on the first information received in the step and the second information received in the second receiving step; And providing the service to the first information processing device, when the determination is made that the service is to be provided, causing the third information processing device to store the first information. And providing a computer readable program for executing a process including a second transmitting / receiving step of transmitting / receiving data to / from the second information processing apparatus. Distribution media.