JP2001156943A - Inter-center payback system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that an access terminal is connected to a certain specified service center and can receive only a service provided by that center from the viewpoint of a system user in a conventional payback system. SOLUTION: Concerning the payback system between plural centers for receiving network services provided by a main center and a tie-up center thereof from the access terminal with IC card of a user, this system is provided with the transmitting means of the main center for transmitting a machine identifier peculiar for the access terminal through the main center connected in a default state to the said tie-up center at the time of sign-up to the tie-up center written on an IC card, which is issued for each center, inserted into the access terminal and the payback means of the tie-up center for transmitting the prescribed amount of charge collection of the tie-up center to the main center as payback information together with the machine identifier of the said access terminal. Thus, proper payback from the tie-up center is enabled and the service of the tie-up center can be provided by the same access terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates particularly to a payback system from an Internet service partner for the sale of Internet access terminals (set top boxes: STBs).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the spread of network services has been remarkable. In particular, the Internet-based service business is currently expanding at a rapid pace.

On the other hand, in order for a user to enjoy these services, some kind of access terminal (client) to a center (server) that provides the service is essential.
This includes, for example, personal computers, portable terminals, televisions, etc. (including software).

[0004] In such a network service provider, it can be said that the key to the success or failure of a business is how to provide attractive information services to users and how many customers use the services. .

[0005] In order to further enhance the service contents and to spread the access terminals to the center, the service providers are developing efficient sales promotion activities by distributors (distributors).

[0006] In this case, in a business development in which a service provider and a distributor are tied up, for example, a part of the revenue is obtained according to the fee revenue that the user enjoyed the service using the dedicated access terminal sold by the distributor. Japanese Patent Application No. 11-42 proposes a payback system in which a distributor sells access terminals at a low price and promotes sales expansion activities (it is easy to sell at a low price) on the assumption that the service provider pays back to the distributor.
5.

FIG. 11 expresses these relations. In particular, Japanese Patent Application No. 11-425 describes in detail the method and mechanism of payback between a service provider and a distributor. .

[0008]

However, as shown in FIG. 11, when a system having such a mechanism is viewed from the viewpoint of a user, a dedicated access terminal is provided at a certain service center (hereinafter referred to as a main center). ), And only the services provided by this center can be received.

[0009] Therefore, it is convenient if there is a payback system which can be connected from a single user terminal to a plurality of service centers (a plurality of centers other than the main center are hereinafter referred to as affiliated centers) and can enjoy all the services supplied by them. The quality is further improved.

[0010] In view of the above, the present invention provides payback means between service centers that can enjoy services from a plurality of affiliated service centers using a set-top box mounted on a user terminal as an Internet access terminal. With the goal.

[0011]

The above-mentioned object is achieved by an inter-center payback system constructed as follows. That is, FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention, in which a network service is provided from a main center and its affiliated center to an access terminal with a removable recording medium for a user. In a center-to-center payback system that transmits payback information to a main center, when a sign-up is made to a partner center written on a removable recording medium issued for each center inserted in an access terminal, a main connection is established in a default state. Transmitting means 1 of the main center for transmitting a machine identifier unique to an access terminal to the affiliate center via the center; By providing the center payback means 2, Access main center the payback information from affiliated center managed by the machine identifier of the terminal it is possible to establish a mechanism to receive.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In an embodiment of the present invention, an access terminal of a service center is provided with an IC card as a recording medium (IC card, floppy disk, PCMCIA card, etc.) detachable from a general television having a high penetration rate. An Internet access terminal equipped with a set-top box (hereinafter abbreviated as STB) is assumed.
It is assumed that a payback is provided to the manufacturer B (tie-up business between the main center and the STB manufacturer). It means payback.

First, a purchaser of an access terminal STB must perform a registration procedure (sign-up) with a main center or an affiliated center in order to use the center service. By default, as shown in FIG. First, it is connected to the main center and sign-up is performed.

In FIG. 2, the main center is called from the STB by, for example, "TEL: 0100-XXX-XXXX" and connected.
Access terminal specific machine identifier (hereinafter referred to as MID)
When "MID: 0010" is automatically sent to the main center, an inquiry about necessary items at the time of sign-up is sent from the main center to the STB side.

On the STB side, a user identifier (hereinafter referred to as UID) numbered at the main center, “UID: ABC01”,
After transmitting the password (hereinafter referred to as P-WD) “P-WD: YYYY” to the main center, for example, “Name: XXXXXX”
X "," Credit number: XXXXXX "required for settlement
When the necessary information such as "X" is returned, the main center stores the information from the STB side in the file 1 and ends the sign-up.

The data stored in file 1 is "UID
, "P-WD", "MID" and other "name", "credit number", etc.

Next, the sign-up for the affiliate center will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the IC card issued by the partner center is S
The STB is connected to the main center if it is inserted into the IC card input / output device connected to the TB and the name of the partner center of the issuer is written on the IC card as a [Login] session, for example, "XYZ". Then, the partner center name “XYZ” and “MID: 0010” are transmitted and notified to the main center.

The main center checks whether or not the notified center is an alliance center based on the contents of the file 3 registered in advance as an alliance center, and if not, returns a message to that effect to the STB side, If yes, a pre-registered signup number for each affiliated center, for example, "http: //sign.aol.ne.j
"p" connects to the sign-up server via the Internet, and notifies "MID" by using the "Cookie: MID = 0010" function.

At the main center, the MID “00” as in file 4 is simultaneously sent to the “MID” notification to the affiliate center.
10 ", the affiliated center name" XYZ ", and the registration date" 1999-7-1 "are recorded as payback management information.

On the other hand, on the partner center side, input items for user registration, that is, information such as a password “P-WD” for the user identifier “UID” numbered at the partner center and information such as name, address, credit number, etc. The input is made according to the center guide, and these are stored in file 2 (corresponding to file 1 of the main center).

At this time, the STB additionally writes data as shown in FIG. 4 on the IC card. That is, in the [Login] session, following the center name “Center: XYZ”, “Don
e: ", [TEL] XXXX1" or "TEL2: XXXX2" when calling the center for [Access] session, IP address domain name server "DNS: XXXXXXX", "UID: XXXX"
X "," P-WD: XXXX "and the initial homepage address" IniURL: XXXX ".

The above is the registration work at the main center, affiliate center, and STB performed at the time of sign-up.
After the sign-up is completed, the user can directly access the desired partner center without passing through the main center based on the information described in the [Access] session of the IC card.

FIG. 5 illustrates the use of the affiliate center after the sign-up is completed. The user inserts the registered IC card of the desired affiliate center into the IC card input / output device of the STB. The service provided by the partner center is received, and the service fee is paid to the partner center for a predetermined period of time, for example, one month, via a credit company. The use fee is calculated based on the “MID” of the access terminal STB. It is charged based on the usage and is recorded as a usage log file such as file 5 in FIG. 5 each time the STB is used.

After the usage fee for each "MID" for a predetermined period is accumulated and calculated from the usage log file, for example, a certain percentage of this usage fee (sales) is paid back from the affiliate center to the main center for each "MID". Or "MID"
The amount calculated by a predetermined method such as paying back a fixed amount every time is paid back to the main center.

FIG. 6 shows an example of payback information for each "MID" that is paid back from the partner center to the main center. When the main center receives this information from the partner center, the main center, for example, stores the file 4 shown in FIG. Based on the "MID", information necessary for payback management such as "payment date" and "payback amount" is recorded as shown in the file 4 information in FIG. 7 (payment date 1999-8-1 in this example).

The payback from the partner center to the main center is basically based on the "MID" managed by both centers as described above. The user later can access the affiliate center directly from the STB using the IC card.

Therefore, the main center cannot grasp the use status of the affiliated center by the STB, and means for preventing the STB from being used illegally or by mistake is required.

As one of the prevention means, an expiration date is set on the IC card at the time of previous sign-up [Expire].
A session is provided, and an expiration date is written as “Expire” 1999.8.5, for example, as in the IC card information in FIG.

FIG. 8 illustrates a check procedure in the STB or the main center using the expiration date.

The STB reads the contents of the IC card and checks whether or not the expiration date (1999.8.5 in this example) specified in the [Expire] session has passed (step 80). If not, [Acce
ss] Access the affiliate center described in the session as usual (step 85), and if it has passed, access the main center (step 81).

The main center checks the payment date (in this example, the normal case is represented by 1999-8-1) in the file 4 information shown in FIG. 7 (step 82), and pays back the payment from the partner center. Is normal, the STB is instructed to write a new expiration date in the [Expire] session of the IC card (step 83).

In the designated STB, after updating / writing to the IC card (step 84), access is made to the affiliate center described in the [Access] session as usual (step 85) and the expiration date is set. In addition, the check of the payback payment ends.

If the payment check in step 82 is not normal, a warning message to that effect is displayed from the main center on the STB side, and the use is restricted, for example, by stopping the connection to the partner center. It is something to do.

With these functions, it is possible to prevent the STB from being used improperly or incorrectly due to expiration of the validity period or unpaid payback.

Next, means for preventing unauthorized use by a third party due to unauthorized copying or theft of an IC card by using "MID" will be described.

First, at the time of the above-mentioned sign-up, "MID0010" is written in the [MID] session as shown in FIG.

When the IC card is inserted and used, for example, "MID0010" of the STB and [M
[ID] is determined to be normal if they match, and the access to the affiliate center described in the [Access] session is performed as usual. The judgment is made, a warning message to that effect is displayed, and the connection to the partner center is stopped.

At this time, the entire information of the IC card is
Write to the IC card by known encryption (for example, by an algorithm such as DES) using "MID" as a key,
Conversely, by performing decryption using “MID” as a key at the time of reading, unauthorized use by reading IC card information by a third party or reading “MID” of STB can be prevented.

However, when "MID" is written in the IC card as described above in order to improve the security of the IC card, it is impossible for a normal user to receive the center service using the third party STB. Becomes

To avoid this, "MID" of STB
Even if the “MID” written in the [MID] session of the IC card and the “MID” session do not match, a password for personal identification is input, and if they match, it is determined that the device is used normally. FIG. 10 shows the processing procedure of the STB in this case.

First, the IC card is read, the "MID" described in the [MID] session is compared with the "MID" of the STB (step 10), and if they are equal, the access center described in the [Access] session is accessed as usual. (Step 13) is performed. If the passwords do not match, the user is required to input the password of the partner center (Step 11), and the input password is compared with the password described in the [Access] session (Step 12). If they match, access is made to the partner center described in the [Access] session as usual (step 13). If they do not match, a warning message to that effect is displayed and the connection to the partner center is stopped. (Step 14).

The computer processing in the present invention is as follows.
The computer program is executed on the main storage device of the computer. The computer program is provided in the form of an auxiliary storage device connected to the computer, a portable storage device such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM, or a network. It is provided by being stored in a recording medium such as a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device of another connected computer, and is loaded and executed on the main storage device of the computer when executing this computer program. Things.

[0044]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, payback payment is made from each affiliated center to the main center via the machine identifier of the access terminal, and profit return to the main center is appropriate. In addition to this, the user can enjoy the desired service not only from the main center but also from the center affiliated with the main center, which has a remarkable industrial effect that leads to an improvement in the service to the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.

Fig. 2 Example of sign-up to main center

[Fig. 3] An example of signing up for a partner center

Fig. 4 Example of IC card information after sign-up of affiliated center

Fig. 5 Example of access to affiliated center after sign-up

FIG. 6: Payback information example from partner center to main center

FIG. 7: Setting example of expiration date for IC card

FIG. 8 is an example of an STB or main center check procedure when setting an expiration date.

FIG. 9: Example of MID writing to an IC card

FIG. 10: Procedure for using the partner center using a password

FIG. 11 shows a conventional payback system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 sending means 2 payback means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B049 AA01 AA02 AA05 CC05 CC36 EE28 FF07 GG07 GG10 5B085 AA01 AC04 AC05 AE03 AE04 AE29 5K025 AA08 BB10 CC05 CC09 EE25

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A system for providing a network service from a main center and its affiliate center to an access terminal with a removable recording medium for a user, wherein a predetermined fee of usage fee income of the affiliate center is transmitted to the main center as payback information. In the inter-center payback system, when signing up to a partner center written on a removable recording medium issued for each center inserted in the access terminal, accessing the partner center via the main center connected in the default state A transmission unit of the main center for transmitting a machine identifier unique to the terminal; and a payback unit of the affiliate center for transmitting a predetermined fee of usage fee income of the affiliate center to the main center as payback information together with the machine identifier of the access terminal. A payback system between centers. 2. An expiration date is provided in the removable recording medium, and when the expiration date has passed when the removable recording medium is used, the main center is accessed and a payback from the affiliate center is not paid. 2. The inter-center payback system according to claim 1, wherein use restriction of the access terminal is performed. 3. A method in which machine identifier information is held in the removable recording medium, and when the removable recording medium is used, the machine identifier information in the card is compared with a machine identifier obtained from the access terminal. 2. The inter-center payback system according to claim 1, wherein in the case, the use of the access terminal is restricted. 4. The center-to-center payback system according to claim 3, wherein information in said removable recording medium is encrypted by a machine identifier and stored. 5. When a removable recording medium is used, the machine identifier information in the removable recording medium is compared with a machine identifier obtained from the access terminal, and if they are different, a password set for each user is input. 4. The center-to-center payback system according to claim 3, wherein use of the access terminal is permitted only when the input password matches a password stored in a removable recording medium. 6. A system for providing a network service from a main center and its affiliated center to an access terminal with a removable recording medium for a user, wherein a predetermined fee of the fee for use of the affiliated center is paid to the computer as payback information to the main center. On the recording medium recording the program to be transmitted, when signing up to the affiliate center written on the detachable recording medium issued for each center inserted in the access terminal, the sign-up is performed via the main center connected in the default state. Transmitting means of the main center for transmitting a machine identifier unique to the access terminal to the affiliate center, and payback means of the affiliate center for transmitting a predetermined fee of usage fee revenue of the affiliate center to the main center as payback information together with the machine identifier of the access terminal. Write a program characterized by realizing Computer readable recording medium.