JP2005165631A - Information processing system, device and method for processing information, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make effective use of a product composed of a software program whose right of use is purchased. <P>SOLUTION: A user accesses a sales server 5 by operating a mobile phone 2, and obtains the right of use of the product, an ID, and a password. The user obtaining the right of use, for example, when making the product execute by operating a PC 4, requests the ID and password of the product obtained from the mobile phone 2, and obtains them through an infrared ray communication line. The user transmits the obtained ID and password to a management server 7 via a network 1 by operating the PC 4. The management server 7 executes authentication processing based on the ID and password, and transmits key information to the PC 4 on authentication. The user obtains the encoded product from a product server 8 by operating the PC 4, decodes the product by using the key information, and makes use of the product by installing it in the PC 4. This invention is applicable for sale of the software program. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus and method, and a program, and in particular, information that can be freely used without being conscious of an information processing apparatus used by a user who has purchased a right to use a software product. The present invention relates to a processing system, an information processing apparatus and method, and a program.

  Techniques for selling products such as software programs via a network represented by the Internet are becoming popular. In the following, the software program is simply referred to as software or software.

  Conventionally, when purchasing a product such as software, it is common to purchase a package at a store or download a package from a personal computer (hereinafter also simply referred to as a PC) connected to the network to be used. .

  In other words, when purchasing software and other products using a network, first access the sales site operated by the store or company that sells the software on the PC via the Internet, and specify the desired product. To do. At this time, when paying with the credit card the amount corresponding to the purchase price of the product, by entering the credit card number, the store or company that sells the software based on the credit card number Have received payment through a credit card company.

In addition, there has been proposed one that restricts the use of software based on identification information stored in an IC card (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-337820 A

  However, in the case described above, in an information processing device that is difficult to use a payment system (for example, an information processing device that requires characters to be entered using a numeric keypad keyboard such as a mobile phone) The operation object to input the information was troublesome.

  For example, you may be asked to enter a credit card number in order to use software of several hundred yen, and even for such small payments, you will be required to input information necessary for troublesome payments. As a result, there is a problem that the user's willingness to purchase is reduced.

  Also, when using the payment system as described above, whether or not the product is used by a user who has the right to use the product, even if the product has the right to use the product Since it is difficult to specify the product, there is a case where so-called embedded sales are performed in which the product is sold in a state of being pre-installed in the information processing apparatus. In such a case, the user who has purchased the information processing apparatus has purchased the right to use the above-mentioned software at the same time. For example, even if a user who purchased a product purchases another information processing device and wants to discard the information processing device in which the product is embedded, The right to use the product must be repurchased. In such a case, the right to use the purchased product cannot be used effectively, and the above-described troublesome input operation is required. There was a problem of further diminishing motivation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and in particular, a user who has purchased a right to use a product such as software can freely use the product with various information processing apparatuses. It is possible to effectively utilize the right to use the information and to suppress the number of troublesome input operations of information related to settlement.

  In the information processing system of the present invention, the first information processing apparatus sends the right to use the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the right to use to the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path. The requested usage right requesting means, and the usage right and the usage right of the predetermined product supplied from the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path in response to the request from the usage right requesting means Authentication is performed by a usage right acquisition unit that acquires corresponding authentication information, an authentication information request reception unit that receives a request for authentication information from the third information processing apparatus via the second communication path, and an authentication information request reception unit. Authentication information supply means for supplying authentication information acquired by the usage right acquisition means to the third information processing apparatus via the second communication path when a request for information is received; Authentication information corresponding to the right of use of the product by the processing device A request for use right is received by the use right receiving means for receiving the request for use right of the predetermined product from the authentication information generating means to be generated and the use right request means of the first information processing apparatus, and the use right receiving means. A right to use a predetermined product and a right to supply authentication information corresponding to the right to use to the first information processing apparatus via the first communication path, and a third information processing apparatus. Authentication means for executing an authentication process based on the authentication information from the computer, and key information transmission means for transmitting key information for using the product to the third information processing apparatus when authenticated by the authentication means. The third information processing device requests authentication information from the first information processing device via the second communication path, and the first information is requested in response to the request from the authentication information requesting device. Supplied from the processor via the second communication path Authentication information acquisition means for acquiring authentication information, authentication request means for requesting authentication to the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path based on the authentication information, and request for authentication request means If the authentication is performed based on the key information acquisition means for acquiring the key information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus, and the product is used based on the key information acquired by the key information acquisition means. And a product using means.

  The first information processing apparatus of the present invention uses the first other information processing apparatus for requesting the right to use a predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the right to use via the first communication path. Corresponds to the usage rights and usage rights of the specified product supplied from the first other information processing device via the first communication path according to the request of the rights requesting means and the usage rights requesting means Use right acquisition means for acquiring authentication information, authentication information request reception means for receiving a request for authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus via the second communication path, and authentication information request reception means. An authentication information supply unit configured to supply authentication information acquired by the usage right acquisition unit to the second other information processing apparatus via the second communication path when a request for authentication information is received; Features.

  The first communication path can be a communication path based on infrared communication, and the second communication path can be a communication path based on the Internet.

  The first information processing method of the present invention uses a request for a right to use a predetermined product and authentication information corresponding to the right to use to the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path. The right to use the predetermined product supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path in response to the request in the right request step and the use right request step, and the use A usage right acquisition step for acquiring authentication information corresponding to the right, an authentication information request reception step for receiving a request for authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus via the second communication path, and an authentication information request Authentication for supplying the authentication information acquired by the processing of the usage right acquisition step to the second other information processing apparatus via the second communication path when the request for the authentication information in the processing of the reception step is received Including information supply step It is characterized by that.

  The first program of the present invention requests a usage right request for requesting a usage right of a predetermined product and authentication information corresponding to the usage right to the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path. In response to the request in the step and the usage right request step, the usage right and usage right of the predetermined product supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path A usage right acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of corresponding authentication information, an authentication information request reception step for receiving a request for authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus via the second communication path, and authentication information When a request for authentication information in the process of the request reception step is received, the authentication information acquired by the process of the usage right acquisition step is supplied to the second other information processing apparatus via the second communication path. Authentication information supply system to be controlled It is characterized by causing a computer to execute processing including control steps.

  The second information processing apparatus according to the present invention uses authentication information generating means for generating authentication information corresponding to the right to use the product, and usage for receiving a request for the right to use a predetermined product from the first other information processing apparatus. When the usage right request is received by the right receiving unit and the usage right receiving unit, the usage right of the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the usage right are obtained via the first communication path. Based on authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus acquired from the first other information processing apparatus via the second communication path, and the usage right supply means for supplying the information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus. It is characterized by comprising authentication means for executing authentication processing and key information transmission means for transmitting key information for using the product to the second other information processing apparatus when authenticated by the authentication means.

  The first communication path can be a communication path based on infrared communication, and the second communication path can be a communication path based on the Internet.

  The second information processing method according to the present invention includes an authentication information generating step for generating authentication information corresponding to a product usage right, and a use for receiving a request for a predetermined product usage right from the first other information processing apparatus. When a request for a usage right is received by the processing of the right reception step and the usage right reception step, the usage right of the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the usage right are obtained via the first communication path. Based on authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus acquired via the second communication path from the first other information processing apparatus. And an authentication step for executing an authentication process, and a key information transmission step for transmitting key information for using the product to the second other information processing apparatus when authenticated in the process of the authentication step. Features and That.

  The second program of the present invention includes an authentication information generating step for generating authentication information corresponding to a product usage right, and a usage right reception for receiving a request for a usage right for a predetermined product from the first other information processing apparatus. When a request for a usage right is received by the processing of the step and the usage right receiving step, the first other of the usage right of the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the usage right via the first communication path Usage right supply control step for controlling the supply to the information processing apparatus, and authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus acquired from the first other information processing apparatus via the second communication path Based on the authentication step for executing the authentication process and the key information transmission control for controlling the transmission of the key information for using the product to the second other information processing apparatus when authenticated by the process of the authentication step Step Characterized in that to execute a process including bets on the computer.

  According to a third information processing apparatus of the present invention, an authentication information requesting unit that requests authentication information from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path, and a request from the authentication information requesting unit, Authentication information acquisition means for acquiring authentication information supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path, and second information via the second communication path based on the authentication information. Authentication request means for requesting authentication to other information processing apparatus, and key information for acquiring key information transmitted from the second other information processing apparatus when authentication is performed based on a request from the authentication request means An acquisition unit and a product use unit that uses a product based on the key information acquired by the key information acquisition unit are provided.

  The first communication path can be a communication path by infrared communication, and the second communication path can be a communication path by the Internet.

  According to a third information processing method of the present invention, an authentication information requesting step for requesting authentication information from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path, and a request in the processing of the authentication information requesting step. In response, an authentication information acquisition step for acquiring authentication information supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path, and a second communication path based on the authentication information. An authentication request step for requesting authentication from the second other information processing apparatus, and a key transmitted from the second other information processing apparatus when authentication is performed based on the request in the processing of the authentication request step The method includes a key information acquisition step for acquiring information, and a product use step for using a product based on the key information acquired by the processing of the key information acquisition step.

  According to a third program of the present invention, an authentication information requesting step for requesting authentication information from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path, and a request in the processing of the authentication information requesting step. An authentication information acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of authentication information supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path, and a second communication path based on the authentication information. When the authentication is performed based on the authentication request step for requesting the authentication to the second other information processing apparatus and the request in the processing of the authentication request step, the second other information processing apparatus transmits the information. Causing a computer to execute processing including a key information acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of key information, and a product use step for using a product based on the key information acquired by the processing of the key information acquisition control step. It is characterized in.

  In the information processing system of the present invention, the first information processing apparatus transmits the right to use the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the use right to the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path. And the right to use the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the right to be supplied supplied from the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path are acquired in response to the request, When a request for authentication information from the third information processing apparatus is accepted via the second communication path, and a request for authentication information is accepted, the third information processing apparatus via the second communication path, The acquired authentication information is supplied, and the second information processing apparatus generates authentication information corresponding to the right to use the product, and accepts a request for the right to use the predetermined product from the first information processing apparatus. If the request for usage rights is accepted, the first communication The right to use the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the right to use are supplied to the first information processing apparatus via the path, and the authentication process is executed based on the authentication information from the third information processing apparatus. If it is authenticated, key information for using the product is transmitted to the third information processing apparatus, and the third information processing apparatus transmits the key information to the first information processing apparatus via the second communication path. Authentication information is requested, authentication information supplied from the first information processing apparatus via the second communication path is acquired in response to the request, and the authentication information is acquired via the first communication path based on the authentication information. When the second information processing apparatus is requested to authenticate and authentication is performed based on the request of the authentication requesting means, the key information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus is acquired, and the acquired key information is acquired. Based on the product is used.

  In the first information processing apparatus and method and the first program of the present invention, the right to use the predetermined product and the right to use are given to the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path. Corresponding authentication information is requested, and it responds to the use right of the predetermined product and the use right supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path according to the request. When the authentication information is acquired and a request for authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus is accepted via the second communication path, and the request for authentication information is accepted, the authentication information is received via the second communication path. Thus, the acquired authentication information is supplied to the second other information processing apparatus.

  According to the second information processing apparatus and method and the second program of the present invention, authentication information corresponding to the right to use the product is generated, and a request for the right to use the predetermined product from the first other information processing apparatus is requested. Is received, and a usage right request is received, the usage right of the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the usage right are supplied to the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path. And when the authentication process is executed and authenticated based on the authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus acquired from the first other information processing apparatus via the second communication path, Key information for using the product is transmitted to the second other information processing apparatus.

  According to the third information processing apparatus and method and the third program of the present invention, the authentication information is requested from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path, and the first information processing apparatus receives the first information in response to the request. Authentication information supplied from the other information processing apparatus via the first communication path is acquired, and authentication is performed on the second other information processing apparatus via the second communication path based on the authentication information. And when the authentication is performed based on the request, the key information transmitted from the second other information processing apparatus is acquired, and the product using means for using the product based on the acquired key information It is characterized by providing.

  The information processing apparatus and the information processing system of the present invention may be independent devices or blocks that perform information processing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize effective utilization of the right to use a product and to suppress the number of troublesome input operations of information related to settlement.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The correspondence relationship between the invention described in this specification and the embodiments of the invention is exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the invention described in this specification are described in this specification. Therefore, although there is an embodiment which is described in the embodiment of the invention but is not described here as corresponding to the invention, it means that the embodiment is not It does not mean that it does not correspond to the invention. Conversely, even if an embodiment is described herein as corresponding to an invention, that means that the embodiment does not correspond to an invention other than the invention. Absent.

  Further, this description does not mean all the inventions described in this specification. In other words, this description is for the invention described in the present specification, which is not claimed in this application, that is, for the invention that will be applied for in the future or that will appear and be added by amendment. It does not deny existence.

  In other words, in the information processing system of the present invention, the first information processing apparatus sends the right to use the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the right to use to the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path. And a right-of-use request means (for example, the purchase management unit 251 in FIG. 10) and a second information processing apparatus supplied via the first communication path in response to a request of the right-of-use request means. A right to use a predetermined product and a right-of-use acquisition unit (for example, an ID password storage unit 252 in FIG. 10) for acquiring the right of use and authentication information corresponding to the right of use; When the authentication information request is received by the authentication information request receiving unit (for example, the ID password management unit 253 in FIG. 10) and the authentication information request receiving unit that receives a request for authentication information from the information processing apparatus, the second communication To the third information processing device via the route Authentication information supply means for supplying authentication information acquired by the usage right acquisition means (for example, the ID password management unit 253 in FIG. 10), and the second information processing apparatus has authentication information corresponding to the usage right of the product Authentication information generating means (for example, ID password generating unit 323 in FIG. 14) and a usage right receiving means for receiving a usage right request for a predetermined product from the usage right requesting means of the first information processing apparatus ( For example, when a usage right request is received by the management processing unit 321) and the usage right receiving unit in FIG. 14, the usage right of a predetermined product and authentication corresponding to the usage right are received via the first communication path. Usage right supply means (for example, the management processing unit 321 in FIG. 14) for supplying information to the first information processing apparatus, and authentication means for executing authentication processing based on authentication information from the third information processing apparatus (For example, figure 4 and a key information transmission unit (for example, a usage state management unit in FIG. 14) that transmits key information for using the product to the third information processing apparatus when authenticated by the authentication unit. 324), and the third information processing apparatus requests authentication information from the first information processing apparatus via the second communication path (for example, the ID password acquisition unit 261 in FIG. 11). ) And authentication information acquisition means for acquiring authentication information supplied from the first information processing apparatus via the second communication path in response to a request from the authentication information request means (for example, the ID password in FIG. 11). A storage unit 262), an authentication request unit (for example, a usage right information management unit 264 in FIG. 11) that requests authentication from the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path based on the authentication information, Authentication based on request means request If it is made, the key information acquisition means (for example, the usage right information management unit 264 in FIG. 11) for acquiring the key information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus and the key information acquired by the key information acquisition means Based on this, it is characterized by comprising product utilization means for utilizing the product (for example, software execution unit 263 in FIG. 11).

  The information processing method of the first information processing apparatus of the present invention requests the right to use a predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the right to use to the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path. To be supplied from the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path in response to a request in the usage right requesting step (for example, the process in step S6 in the flowchart of FIG. 16) and the processing in the usage right requesting step. A usage right acquisition step (for example, the process of step S7 in the flowchart of FIG. 16) for acquiring the usage right of the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the usage right, and the second communication path. The authentication information request is received in the authentication information request receiving step (for example, the process in step S121 in the flowchart of FIG. 20) and the authentication information request receiving step in which the request for authentication information from the third information processing apparatus is received. If the authentication information is supplied, the authentication information supply step (for example, the step of the flowchart of FIG. 20) supplies the third information processing apparatus with the authentication information acquired in the usage right acquisition step via the second communication path. The process of S123).

  The information processing method of the second information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an authentication information generation step (for example, the process of step S52 in the flowchart of FIG. 17) for generating authentication information corresponding to the right to use the product, and the first information A usage right receiving step (for example, the process of step S51 in the flowchart of FIG. 17) for receiving a request for the usage right of a predetermined product and a usage right in the processing of the usage right receiving step by the processing of the usage right requesting step of the processing device. When the request is received, a usage right supplying step (for example, supplying a usage right of a predetermined product and authentication information corresponding to the usage right to the first information processing apparatus via the first communication path (for example, Step S54 in the flowchart of FIG. 17 and an authentication step for executing authentication processing based on the authentication information from the third information processing apparatus (for example, the flowchart in FIG. 20). Key information transmission step for transmitting key information for using the product to the third information processing apparatus (for example, the step of the flowchart of FIG. 17) The process of S135).

  The information processing method of the third information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an authentication information requesting step for requesting authentication information from the first information processing apparatus via the second communication path (for example, step S78 in the flowchart of FIG. 19). And an authentication information acquisition step for acquiring authentication information supplied from the first information processing apparatus via the second communication path in response to a request in the authentication information request step (for example, Step S80 in the flowchart of FIG. 19) and an authentication requesting step for requesting authentication to the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path based on the authentication information (for example, step S81 in the flowchart of FIG. 19). And the key information acquisition step for acquiring the key information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus when the authentication is performed based on the request in the authentication request step. (For example, the process of step S82 of the flowchart of FIG. 19) and the product use step of using the product based on the key information acquired by the process of the key information acquisition step (for example, the process of step S83 of the flowchart of FIG. 19) ).

  The first to third information processing apparatuses and the program are the same as those of the information processing system and the first to third information processing methods, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a product sales system to which the present invention is applied.

  The product sales system includes a mobile phone 2, a PC 4, a sales server 5, a settlement server 6, a management server 7, and a product server 8 that are connected to the network 1 and can communicate with each other. In FIG. 1, the mobile phone 2, the PC 4, the sales server 5, the settlement server 6, the management server 7, and the product server 8 are each connected to the network 1 one by one. The above number may be connected.

  The mobile phone 2 is used when purchasing a right to use a product made of software (use right information) from the sales server 5 via the network 1 and is required for using the purchased product. Acquire and store the authentication information consisting of In addition, when the mobile phone 2 is requested by the infrared communication unit 35 (FIG. 2) from the infrared communication unit (IR 69a in FIG. 5) of the PC 4, the ID and password corresponding to the product for which the usage right has been acquired, the ID and password. Is supplied to the PC 4 via the infrared communication unit 35 or via the removable medium 3 (in the case of the removable medium 3, the ID and password information are written in the removable medium 3 and supplied to the PC 4 to be recorded. Read the ID and password).

  The PC 4 is a so-called personal computer, and executes a product corresponding to the usage right purchased by the user using the mobile phone 2, that is, software. More specifically, when the PC 4 executes a product (software) corresponding to the usage right purchased with the mobile phone 2 described above, the ID and password, which are authentication information acquired together with the usage right, are given to the mobile phone 2. The ID and password transmitted from the cellular phone 2 are acquired based on this request. Furthermore, the PC 4 downloads software that is a product for which a usage right has been acquired from the product server 8. This software is encrypted and cannot be installed and executed unless it is decrypted with the key information managed by the management server 7.

  Further, the PC 4 requests authentication to the management server 7 using the ID and password acquired from the mobile phone 2, and when authenticated (when the ID and password are recognized as authentic), the management server 7 7 obtains key information for decrypting the encrypted product described above. Then, the PC 4 decrypts the product encrypted using the acquired key information, installs it, and executes it.

  The sales server 5 is a server that is managed and operated by a store or a company that sells products, and requests payment processing from the payment server 6 for products that are requested to be purchased from the mobile phone 2. In addition, the sales server 5 requests the management server 7 to issue an ID and password corresponding to the product for which the settlement processing has been completed, and acquires the ID and password issued by the management server 7 based on this request. Then, it is supplied together with information on the right to use the product to the mobile phone 2 that has requested the purchase of the product.

  The payment server 6 is a server managed and operated by a credit card company, a bank, or the like, and executes a payment process related to product purchase in response to a request from the sales server 5. More specifically, based on the credit card number or account number input by the mobile phone 2, the amount related to the purchase of the product is withdrawn.

  The management server 7 issues authentication information consisting of an ID and a password corresponding to the right to use the product from the sales server 5, supplies the issued authentication information to the sales server 5, and associates it with a product number for identifying the product. And memorize the issued ID and password. When the management server 7 receives an authentication request from the PC 4, the authentication information is executed by the PC 4 based on the ID and password transmitted together with the request, and the key information corresponding to the product is authenticated. Is supplied to PC4.

  The product server 8 is a server that is managed and operated by a store or a company that sells products. The product server 8 stores software that is a product, and when there is a product download request from the PC 4, it is encrypted based on the request. Download the product in the state.

  Next, an external configuration of the mobile phone 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cellular phone 2 is divided into a display unit 22 and a main body 23 with a central hinge unit 21 as a boundary, and is formed to be foldable via the hinge unit 21.

  A transmission / reception antenna 24 is attached to the display unit 22 at the upper left corner so that it can be pulled out and stowed, and radio waves can be transmitted to and received from a base station (not shown) via the antenna 24. ing.

  Further, the display unit 22 is provided with a camera unit 25 that is rotatable at an angle range of approximately 180 degrees at the center of the upper end so that a desired imaging object can be imaged by the CCD camera 26 of the camera unit 25. Has been made.

  Here, when the camera unit 25 is positioned by being rotated by approximately 180 degrees by the user, the display unit 22 has a speaker 27 provided at the center on the back side of the camera unit 25 as shown in FIG. As a result, a normal voice call state is switched.

  Further, the display unit 22 is provided with a liquid crystal display 28 on the front side thereof, and in addition to the reception state of the radio wave, the remaining battery level, the destination name and telephone number registered as the telephone directory, outgoing call history, etc., e-mail Contents, a simple homepage, and an image captured by the CCD camera 26 of the camera unit 25 can be displayed.

  On the other hand, the main body 23 is provided with operation keys 29 such as numeric keys “0” to “9”, a call key, a redial key, an end call and power key, a clear key, and an e-mail key on the surface. Various instructions can be input using the operation key 29.

  In addition, the main body 23 is provided with a memo button 30 and a microphone 31 below the operation keys 29. The memo button 30 can record the voice of the other party during the call, and the microphone 31 allows the user's voice during the call to be recorded. It is made to collect sound.

  Further, the main body 23 is provided with a rotatable jog dial 32 on the upper portion of the operation key 29 so as to slightly protrude from the surface of the main body 23, and the liquid crystal display 28 according to the rotation operation with respect to the jog dial 32. Various operations such as a scrolling operation of the phone book list and e-mail displayed on the screen, a page turning operation of a simple homepage, and an image sending operation are executed.

  For example, in the main body 23, a desired telephone number is selected from a plurality of telephone numbers in the telephone directory list displayed on the liquid crystal display 28 in response to a turning operation of the jog dial 32 by the user, and the jog dial 32 is connected to the inside of the main body 23. When pressed in the direction, the selected telephone number is confirmed and the calling process is automatically performed on the telephone number.

  The main body 23 has a battery pack (not shown) inserted on the back side, and when the end call and the power key are turned on, power is supplied from the battery pack to each circuit unit so that it can be operated. to start.

  By the way, the main body 23 is provided with a slot 34 for inserting the removable removable media 3 in the upper left side of the main body 23, and when the memo button 30 is pressed, the removable media 3 is busy. The voice of the other party can be recorded, and an image captured by an e-mail, a simple homepage, or the CCD camera 26 can be recorded in accordance with a user operation.

  Here, the removable medium 3 is a kind of flash memory card, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) which is a nonvolatile memory that can be electrically rewritten and erased in a small and thin plastic case. A type of flash memory element is stored, and various types of data such as images, sounds, and music can be written and read out via a 10-pin terminal.

  In addition, the removable media 3 adopts a unique serial protocol that can ensure compatibility with the equipment used even when the specifications of the built-in flash memory are changed due to, for example, an increase in capacity, and realizes high-speed performance. In addition, an erroneous erasure prevention switch is provided to ensure high reliability.

  Accordingly, since the mobile phone 2 is configured such that such a removable medium 3 can be inserted, it is possible to share data with other electronic devices via the removable medium 3. Has been made.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile phone 2 has a power supply circuit unit 42, an operation input for an infrared communication unit 35 and a main control unit 41 that are configured to control the respective units of the display unit 22 and the main body 23. A control unit 43, an image encoder 44, a camera interface unit 45, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) control unit 46, an image decoder 47, a demultiplexing unit 48, a recording / reproducing unit 49, a modulation / demodulation circuit unit 50, and an audio codec 51 are connected via a bus 52. Are connected to each other.

  When the end of call and the power key are turned on by a user operation, the power supply circuit unit 42 activates the mobile phone 2 by supplying power from the battery pack to each unit.

  The cellular phone 2 converts the audio signal collected by the microphone 31 in the voice call mode into digital audio data by the audio codec 51 based on the control of the main control unit 41 composed of CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and modulates / demodulates it. The circuit unit 50 performs spread spectrum processing, the transmission / reception circuit unit 53 performs digital analog conversion processing and frequency conversion processing, and then transmits the signal via the antenna 24.

  The cellular phone 2 amplifies the received signal received by the antenna 24 in the voice call mode, performs frequency conversion processing and analog-digital conversion processing, performs spectrum despreading processing by the modulation / demodulation circuit unit 50, and analog audio signals by the voice codec 51. This is output via the speaker 27.

  Further, when transmitting an e-mail in the data communication mode, the cellular phone 2 sends the text data of the e-mail input by operating the operation key 29 and the jog dial 32 to the main control unit 41 via the operation input control unit 43. .

  The main control unit 41 performs spread spectrum processing on the text data in the modulation / demodulation circuit unit 50, performs digital analog conversion processing and frequency conversion processing in the transmission / reception circuit unit 53, and then transmits the text data to a base station (not shown) via the antenna 24.

  On the other hand, when the mobile phone 2 receives an e-mail in the data communication mode, the modulation / demodulation circuit unit 50 performs a spectrum despreading process on the received signal received from the base station CS3 via the antenna 24, thereby converting the original text data. After the restoration, it is displayed as an e-mail on the liquid crystal display 28 via the LCD control unit 46.

  Thereafter, the cellular phone 2 can also record the received e-mail on the removable medium 3 via the recording / playback unit 49 in accordance with the user's operation.

  On the other hand, when transmitting the image data in the data communication mode, the cellular phone 2 supplies the image data captured by the CCD camera 26 to the image encoder 44 via the camera interface unit 45.

  Incidentally, when not transmitting image data, the mobile phone 2 can also directly display the image data captured by the CCD camera 26 on the liquid crystal display 28 via the camera interface unit 45 and the LCD control unit 46.

  The image encoder 44 converts the image data supplied from the CCD camera 26 into encoded image data by compressing and encoding the image data using a predetermined encoding method such as MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 or MPEG4. The data is sent to the demultiplexing unit 48.

  At the same time, the cellular phone 2 sends out the sound collected by the microphone 31 during imaging by the CCD camera 26 to the demultiplexing unit 48 through the audio codec 51 as digital audio data.

  The demultiplexing unit 48 multiplexes the encoded image data supplied from the image encoder 44 and the audio data supplied from the audio codec 51 by a predetermined method, and the modulation / demodulation circuit unit 50 converts the resulting multiplexed data into a spectrum. The signal is subjected to spreading processing, subjected to digital / analog conversion processing and frequency conversion processing by the transmission / reception circuit unit 53, and then transmitted through the antenna 24.

  On the other hand, when the mobile phone 2 receives data of a moving image file linked to, for example, a simple homepage in the data communication mode, the modulation / demodulation circuit unit receives a received signal received from a base station (not shown) via the antenna 24. The spectrum despreading process is performed at 50, and the multiplexed data obtained as a result is sent to the demultiplexing unit 48.

  The demultiplexing unit 48 separates the multiplexed data into encoded image data and audio data, supplies the encoded image data to the image decoder 47 via the bus 52, and supplies the audio data to the audio codec 51. To supply.

  The image decoder 47 generates reproduction moving image data by decoding the encoded image data by a decoding method corresponding to a predetermined encoding method such as MPEG2 or MPEG4, and generates the reproduced moving image data via the LCD control unit 46. Thus, for example, the moving image data included in the moving image file linked to the simplified home page is displayed.

  At the same time, the audio codec 51 converts the audio data into an analog audio signal and then supplies the analog audio signal to the speaker 27. Thus, for example, the audio data included in the moving image file linked to the simplified home page is reproduced. .

  Also in this case, as in the case of e-mail, the mobile phone 2 can record the data linked to the received simple homepage or the like on the removable medium 3 through the recording / playback unit 49 by the user's operation.

  The infrared communication unit 35 performs infrared communication with an external infrared communication device to exchange data.

  Next, the configuration of the PC 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 62 or a storage unit 68. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 63 appropriately stores programs executed by the CPU 61 and data. The CPU 61, the ROM 62, and the RAM 63 are connected to each other by a bus 64.

  An input / output interface 65 is connected to the CPU 61 via a bus 64. The input / output interface 65 is connected to an input unit 66 including a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone, and an output unit 67 including a display and a speaker. The CPU 61 executes various processes in response to commands input from the input unit 66.

  The storage unit 68 connected to the input / output interface 65 is composed of, for example, a hard disk, and stores programs executed by the CPU 61 and various data. The communication unit 69 is, for example, a modem, and exchanges various data with a device having a communication function via a network (not shown). In addition, the communication unit 69 includes an IR (infrared communication unit) 69a in addition to a function such as a modem, and communicates with, for example, the mobile phone 2 having the same function by infrared communication.

  The drive 70 connected to the input / output interface 65 drives the magnetic disk 81, the optical disk 82, the magneto-optical disk 83, or the semiconductor memory 84 when they are mounted, and programs and data recorded there. Get etc. The acquired program and data are transferred to and stored in the storage unit 68 as necessary.

  Next, the configuration of the sales server 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the sales server 5 is basically the same as that of the PC 4 of FIG. 5. The CPU 91, ROM 92, RAM 93, bus 94, input / output interface 95, input unit 96, output unit 97, storage unit 98, The communication unit 99, the drive 100, the magnetic disk 111, the optical disk 112, the magneto-optical disk 113, and the semiconductor memory 114 are the CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, bus 64, input / output interface 65, input unit 66, output unit 67, PC4. This corresponds to the storage unit 68, the communication unit 69, the drive 70, the magnetic disk 81, the optical disk 82, the magneto-optical disk 83, and the semiconductor memory 84.

  Further, since the settlement server 6, the management server 7, and the product server 8 have the same configuration as the sales server 5, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, functions realized by the mobile phone 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  When a purchase operation is performed based on a signal from the operation input control unit 43 by the operation of the operation key 29 or the jog dial 32 by the user, the purchase management unit 251 accesses the sales server 5 via the network 1 and performs purchase processing. To acquire the right to use the product, acquire the ID and password required for using the product, and store them in the ID password storage unit 252.

  The ID password management unit 253 reads the ID and password together with information on the right to use the product from the ID password storage unit 252, controls the infrared communication unit 35, and supplies it to the PC 4 by infrared communication. The ID password management unit 253 reads the ID and password together with information on the right to use the product from the ID password storage unit 252, writes the ID and password to the removable medium 3, and the ID and password are installed by the user on the PC 4. The authentication information may be supplied to the PC 4.

  Next, functions realized by the PC 4 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  The ID password acquisition unit 261 is controlled by the software execution unit 263, controls the IR 69a, acquires authentication information including the ID and password supplied from the mobile phone 2, and stores them in the ID password storage unit 262.

  When the input unit 66 is operated, the software execution unit 263 receives an instruction to start and execute any of the installed software programs 267a to 267c stored in the installation program storage unit 267. Corresponding software programs 267a to 267c are activated and executed.

  In addition, when the execution-instructed software program is not stored in the installation program storage unit 267, the software execution unit 263 controls the download management unit 265 to download and acquire the operation-instructed software program. To instruct. At the same time, the software execution unit 263 controls the usage right information management unit 264 to acquire key information for decrypting the software program downloaded in an encrypted state from the management server 7.

  The software execution unit 263 reads the encrypted software program downloaded from the download data storage unit 266, decrypts the software program based on the key information supplied from the usage right information management unit 264, and installs the program After installing in the storage unit 267, the software program is executed.

  The usage right information management unit 264 is controlled by the software execution unit 263, reads the ID and password corresponding to the product stored in the ID password storage unit 262, controls the communication unit 69, and sends this to the management server 7. Send and request an authentication process to use the right to use the product software. When the authentication is permitted, the usage right information management unit 264 acquires key information necessary for decrypting the product from the management server 7 via the communication unit 69 and supplies the key information to the software execution unit 263.

  The download management unit 265 is controlled by the software execution unit 263. If necessary, the download management unit 265 accesses the product server 8 to download the encrypted product supplied from the product server 8 by controlling the communication unit 69. The encrypted product is stored in the download data storage unit 266.

  Next, functions realized by the sales server 5 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  When the sales processing unit 281 is requested to purchase a software program as a product in response to a request from the mobile phone 2, the sales processing unit 281 is a list of products that can be sold based on the information on products that can be sold recorded in the product list 284. Is generated and supplied to the mobile phone 2. Furthermore, when the mobile phone 2 requests the purchase of any product in the list, the mobile phone 2 controls the payment processing unit 282 to make the payment server 6 request payment processing.

  When the settlement is completed, the sales processing unit 281 controls the ID password processing unit 283 to request the management server 7 to issue a right to use the product and to issue an ID and password corresponding to the right to use. Let

  Next, functions realized by the settlement server 6 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  When the payment processing unit 301 is requested by the sales server 5 for product payment processing, the customer management DB 302 is based on personal information of a user who wishes to purchase the product, that is, credit card number or bank account number information. A payment process is performed such that the amount corresponding to the price of the product is deducted from the payment information recorded in the item, and the payment result is transmitted to the sales server 5.

  Next, functions realized by the management server 7 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  The management processing unit 321 controls the ID password generation unit 323 to generate an ID and a password when the sales server 5 requests the use right information of the product and the issuing of the ID and password associated therewith. Is generated and registered in the ID password management DB 322 in association with the product and the usage right, and then the generated usage right, ID, and password are supplied to the sales server 5. .

  When the authentication process related to the use of the product is requested from the PC 4, the usage state management unit 324 is based on the information for identifying the product and the authentication information ID and password transmitted together with the request for the authentication process. , Refer to the ID password management DB 322, execute the authentication process, and when the authentication is permitted, the authentication is confirmed together with the key information used for decrypting the product downloaded in the encrypted state. The authentication result shown is transmitted to the PC 4.

  Next, functions realized by the product server 8 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

  When the download of the product is requested from the PC 4, the download management unit 341 refers to the product management DB 342, selects the requested product, and causes the PC 4 to start the download. The product management DB 342 stores software that is an encrypted product.

  Next, a process in which the user operates the mobile phone 2 to purchase a product desired by the user will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In addition, the product purchase process described here does not acquire a specific product, but acquires the right to use the product and the ID and password information required to actually use the product. It is processing.

  In step S1, the purchase management unit 251 of the mobile phone 2 determines whether or not the purchase of the product is instructed by operating the jog dial 32 or the operation key 29, and until it is determined that the purchase of the product is instructed. Repeat the process. For example, if it is determined in step S1 that the jog dial 32 or the operation key 29 has been operated to instruct the purchase of the product, the purchase management unit 251 controls the transmission / reception circuit unit 53 in step S2 to control the network 1. The sales server 5 is accessed via a request for a list of products that can be purchased.

  In step S21, the sales processing unit 281 of the sales server 5 controls the communication unit 99 to request a product list (a list of products that can be sold as viewed from the sales server 5) that can be purchased from the mobile phone 2. The process is repeated until it is determined that the product list is requested.

  For example, if a product list is requested from the mobile phone 2 by the process of step S2 described above, it is determined in step S21 that a product list is requested, and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S <b> 22, the sales processing unit 281 reads a product list that is a list of products that can be sold stored in the product list 284, controls the communication unit 99, and transmits the product list to the mobile phone 2 via the network 1. Send it.

  In step S3, the purchase management unit 251 of the mobile phone 2 determines whether or not a product list has been transmitted from the sales server 5, and repeats the processing until it is determined that the product list has been transmitted. For example, when the product list is transmitted by the process of step S22, it is determined in step S3 that the product list has been transmitted from the sales server 5, and the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S <b> 4, the purchase management unit 251 acquires the product list transmitted from the sales server 5, controls the LED control unit 46, and displays the product list on the liquid crystal display 28.

  In step S5, the purchase management unit 251 determines whether any of the products displayed in the product list has been selected as a product to be purchased by operating the jog dial 32 or the operation key 29 by the user. The process is repeated until it is determined that it has been selected.

  In step S5, for example, when the jog dial 32 or the operation key 29 is operated by the user and it is determined that a predetermined product is selected as a purchase target among the products displayed as the product list, the purchase is performed in step S6. The management unit 251 requests the sales server 5 to purchase the selected product via the network 1. More specifically, the purchase management unit 251 transmits a product number for identifying the selected product to the sales server 5 and requests purchase of a product corresponding to the product number.

  In step S23, the sales processing unit 281 determines whether or not the purchase of the product is requested, and repeats the process until the purchase of the product is requested. For example, if it is determined in step S6 that the purchase of the product is requested, in step S24, the sales processing unit 281 controls the payment processing unit 282 and relates to the purchase of the product with respect to the payment server 6. Request payment processing. More specifically, the sales processing unit 281 refers to the product list 284 based on the product number that identifies the product requested to purchase, and confirms the price of the product desired to be purchased. Further, the sales processing unit 281 controls the settlement processing unit 282 to identify the user based on the confirmed price and information for identifying the user requesting the purchase, for example, the telephone number of the mobile phone 2. Information to be transmitted to the settlement server 6 to request settlement processing.

  In step S41 (FIG. 14), the payment processing unit 301 of the payment server 6 determines whether or not payment processing is requested, and repeats the processing until payment processing is requested. For example, if it is determined in step S24 that payment processing has been requested, in step S42, the payment processing unit 301 checks the customer management DB 302 based on the personal information transmitted together with the payment processing request. Then, it is determined whether or not settlement processing is possible. More specifically, for example, the settlement processing unit 301 identifies a user who intends to purchase a product based on a telephone number, and the price of the product transmitted from the sales server 5 from a corresponding bank account or credit card. It is determined whether or not the withdrawal can be made.

  For example, in step S42, payment is possible, that is, the payment processing unit 301 has a user's credit card usage balance enough to deduct the price necessary for product purchase, or is in the user's bank account. If it is determined that there is a sufficient deposit balance for the amount necessary for product purchase and that payment can be made by reducing the price of the product by any method, payment processing is performed in step S43. The unit 301 actually executes a payment process (by executing a withdrawal from a credit card company for an amount necessary for purchasing a product or a withdrawal from a bank account), and notifies the sales server 5 of the completion of the settlement.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that payment is not possible, that is, it is determined that it is impossible to withdraw the amount necessary for product purchase from the credit card or the account balance, in step S44, payment is not possible. The sales server 5 is notified.

  In step S25 (FIG. 13), the sales processing unit 281 of the sales server 5 controls the settlement processing unit 282 to determine whether or not the settlement is completed, that is, the settlement completion notification from the settlement server 6 by the settlement completion notification. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined in step S25 that the payment completion notification has been received by the process in step S43, the sales processing unit 281 controls the ID password processing unit 283 in step S26 to make a payment to the management server 7. The product name and product number that identify the product that has been completed are sent and the ID and password are requested to be issued.

  In step S51 (FIG. 14), the management processing unit 321 of the management server 7 determines whether or not the ID and password issuance is requested, and the process is performed until it is determined that the ID and password issuance is requested. Repeated. For example, if it is determined in step S26 that ID and password issuance is requested, in step S52, the management processing unit 321 controls the ID password generation unit 323 to issue the ID and password.

  In step S53, when the issuance of ID and password is requested, the management processing unit 321 registers the product number notified at the same time and the issued ID and password in the ID password management DB 322 in association with each other. Here, the ID password management DB 322 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 15, for example. In FIG. 15, “product name”, “product number”, “ID”, and “password” are associated with each other from the left as shown in the uppermost row. In this case, “AAA” and “BBB” are shown as product names from the top in the figure. Further, the product numbers are indicated as “123” and “234”. In addition, ID and password are shown on the right side. In addition, in each case, the generated ID and the password are stored in association with each other. In this case, “A123” and “B244” are recorded as the ID, and the password is “AAAA”. And “BBBB”.

  Therefore, in this case, the product indicated by the product name AAA has the product number “123”, where the ID of the user who purchased the product is “A123” and the password is “AAAA”. It is shown. In addition, the product indicated by the product name BBB has the product number “234”, where the ID of the user who purchased the product is “A234” and the password is “BBBB”. Yes.

  In step S <b> 54, the management processing unit 321 controls the communication unit 159 to transmit the ID and password generated by the ID password generation unit 323 to the sales server 5.

  In step S27, the sales processing unit 281 of the sales server 5 controls the ID password processing unit 283 to determine whether an ID and password are generated and transmitted from the management server 7, and the ID and password are transmitted. The process is repeated until it is determined that the process has been performed. For example, if it is determined in step S54 that the ID and password have been transmitted from the management server 7, the sales processing unit 281 controls the communication unit 99 together with the ID and password transmitted in step S28. The usage right information is transmitted to the mobile phone 2 via the network 1.

  In step S <b> 7, the purchase management unit 251 determines whether an ID and a password have been transmitted from the sales server 5 along with the right to use the product via the network 1. For example, if it is determined in step S28 that the ID and password have been transmitted together with the usage right, in step S8, the purchase management unit 251 corresponds the transmitted usage right, ID, and password to the product. At the same time, it is stored in the ID password storage unit 252. The usage right information, ID, and password stored in the ID password storage unit 252 are actually stored in the ID password storage unit 252 as a list similar to that described with reference to FIG.

  In step S9, the purchase management unit 251 controls the liquid crystal display 28 to display a screen indicating that the product purchase is completed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S42 that payment cannot be made, the payment processing unit 301 notifies the sales server 5 that payment is not possible in step S44. Accordingly, in step S25, the sales processing unit 281 determines that the payment is not completed, that is, the payment is not possible, based on the notification that the payment processing unit 282 notifies that the payment is not possible. The process proceeds to step S29. In step S29, the sales processing unit 281 notifies the mobile phone 2 that payment is not possible. Further, with this process, the ID and password are not transmitted together with the usage right information in step S7. Therefore, in step S10, the purchase management unit 251 controls the liquid crystal display 28 to make payment impossible. Yes, a screen indicating that the product could not be purchased is displayed.

  Through the above processing, when the cellular phone 2 desires the sales server 5 to purchase a desired product based on the user's operation via the network 1, the sales server 5 performs a settlement process on the settlement server 6. When the payment is completed, the management server 7 generates and registers an ID and password, and when the purchase of the product desired to be purchased is completed, the network 1 is used. The information on the right to use the product and the information on the ID and password are supplied to the mobile phone 2.

  Next, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 16 and 17, the user who has acquired the usage right by the above-described process operates the PC 4 and uses software that is a product having the usage right acquired by the mobile phone 2. The process (to execute the product) will be described.

  In step S71, the software execution unit 263 determines whether or not the input unit 66 is operated by the user to request display of the available product list, and the process is repeated until display of the available product list is requested. . For example, when the user operates the input unit 66 to request display of the available product list, the process proceeds to step S72.

  In step S72, the software execution unit 263 confirms a list of available products, and displays them as a list of available products. More specifically, the software execution unit 263 checks the software programs 267a to 267c stored in the installation program storage unit 267 and the download management unit 265 for products that can be downloaded at present (access). All the products that can be downloaded from the possible product server 8 are searched), and the products confirmed (searched) by all of them are displayed as a list of available products as usable products, for example, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 18, “available software” is displayed at the top, the product name “AAA” is displayed as the number 1 as the actually usable product, and “BBB” is displayed as the number 2. The product name is displayed. These can select a desired product from the displayed products by operating the input unit 69 by the user.

  In step S73, the software execution unit 263 determines whether any product is selected from the displayed list of available products, and repeats the process until it is selected. For example, if it is determined that the product (software) desired by the user has been selected by operating the input unit 69, the process proceeds to step S74.

  In step S74, the software execution unit 263 determines whether the selected product is installed in itself. More specifically, the software execution unit 263 accesses the installation program storage unit 267 and determines whether the selected product corresponds to any of the installed software programs 267a to 267c. .

  For example, if it is determined that the selected product is not one of the installed software programs 267a to 267c and the selected software is not installed, the software execution unit 263 performs download management in step S75. The unit 265 is controlled to request the product server 8 to download the selected product.

  In step S101, the download management unit 341 of the product server 8 determines whether or not a product download has been requested, and repeats the process until a download request is made. For example, the download of the product is performed by the process in step S75. If it is determined that there is a request, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the download management unit 341 accesses the product management DB 342, reads the requested product, and causes the PC 4 to download it.

  In step S76, the download management unit 265 of the PC 4 determines whether or not the download of the selected product is started, and repeats the process until the download is started. For example, when it is determined by the process in step S102 that the product download has started, in step S77, the download management unit 265 acquires the product downloaded from the product server 8, and download data storage unit 266. Remember me.

  In step S78, the software execution unit 263 causes the display of the output unit 67 to display a display screen requesting input of an ID and a password for using the product, and controls the ID password acquisition unit 261 to select the display. A product number for identifying the product is transmitted to the mobile phone 2 by infrared communication via the IR 69a, and an ID and a password for using the corresponding product are requested. More specifically, on the display screen, the mobile phone 2 and the PC 4 are required to be placed at a distance or position where near field communication such as infrared communication is possible, and if infrared communication is impossible If the user is at a short distance, it is necessary for the user to move to a predetermined communicable position based on this request. Here, however, assuming that the mobile phone 2 is always carried by the user, the PC 4 is When operating, it is assumed that the mobile phone 2 and the PC 4 exist at a distance where infrared communication is possible. The communication is not limited to infrared communication. For example, instead of infrared communication, the mobile phone 2 and the PC 4 may communicate with each other by short-range wireless communication represented by Bluetooth or the like. In this case, the distance and position restrictions between the mobile phone 2 and the PC 4 are smaller than those of infrared communication. In any case, here, the process will be described on the assumption that the PC 4 can communicate with the mobile phone 2 without particularly changing the position of the mobile phone 2 by the user.

  In step S121, the ID password management unit 253 determines whether an ID and password for using the product by infrared communication are requested via the infrared communication unit 35, and repeats the process until requested. For example, if it is determined in the process of step S78 that a product number specifying a product is transmitted and the ID and password of the corresponding product are requested, the ID password management unit 253 uses the requested product in step S122. It is determined whether or not the right, that is, the corresponding ID and password are stored in the ID password storage unit 252. For example, if an ID and password are requested for a product for which usage rights have been purchased by the above processing, it is determined that the ID and password exist, and the ID password management unit 253 determines in step S123 that the ID password The ID and password corresponding to the product number of the requested product stored in the storage unit 252 are read, and the infrared communication unit 35 is controlled and transmitted to the PC 4 by infrared communication. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S122 that the ID and password do not exist, in step S124, the ID password management unit 253 notifies that the usage right does not exist and the ID and password do not exist.

  In step S79, the ID password acquisition unit 261 of the PC 4 determines whether or not the ID and password of the requested product can be acquired via the IR 69a. For example, the product number corresponding to the requested product is obtained by the processing in step S123. If it is determined that the ID and password have been transmitted, the ID and password are obtained and stored in the ID password storage unit 262 in step S80.

  In step S81, the software execution unit 263 controls the usage right information management unit 264 to decrypt the product to be used on the management server 7 via the network 1 based on the ID and the password. Request key information for

  In step S131, the use state management unit 324 determines whether or not a product key is requested via the network 1, and repeats the process until the product key is requested. For example, if it is determined in the process of step S81 that a product key is requested together with ID and password information, the process proceeds to step S132.

  In step S132, the usage state management unit 324 accesses the ID password management DB 322 based on the transmitted ID and password, and the user who requests the key information is a legitimate user who purchased the product. Whether or not authentication processing is executed. For example, if the transmitted ID and password are included in the ID and password information corresponding to the product number corresponding to the product for which the key is requested, that is, the user who requested the key is authorized When it is determined that the user is the user and the authentication is determined to be OK, the process proceeds to step S133.

  In step S133, the usage state management unit 324 determines whether the requested key information (also simply referred to as a key) is available. That is, since this key information is used only when the user who purchased the usage right installs the product when using the product, the legitimate user who purchased the usage right has the information of one specific unit. Since it can only be used while using the product on the processing terminal (that is, PC 4 in this case), the key used during the installation is the state where the installed product is uninstalled. Until then, even regular users cannot use it. Therefore, when there is a request for a key, the usage state management unit 324 uses it for product installation, and then there is information indicating that the product has been uninstalled (information indicating that the key has been returned). The ID password management DB 322 records information indicating that the key is in use so that the key cannot be used even if the key is requested.

  Therefore, for example, if it is determined that the requested key is not used, the requested key is registered in the ID password management DB 322 as a used state in step S134. Further, in step S135, the usage state management unit 324 transmits key information for decrypting the encrypted product to the PC 4 via the network 1.

  In step S <b> 82, the usage right information management unit 264 determines whether the key transmitted from the management server 7 has been acquired. For example, if it is determined in step S135 that the key has been transmitted, in step S83, the software execution unit 263 uses the key acquired by the usage right information management unit 264 to download the data storage unit 266. The encrypted product stored in is decrypted and installed in the installation program storage unit 267 and activated.

  That is, when the processing up to step S83 is executed, the user can freely use the software that is the desired product.

  In step S84, the software execution unit 263 determines whether the user has operated the input unit 66 to end the use of the product, and repeats the process until the operation is ended. For example, when the input unit 66 is operated by the user and it is determined that the use of the product is finished, the process proceeds to step S85.

  In step S85, the software execution unit 263 uninstalls the product, controls the usage right information management unit 264, and notifies the management server 7 of the return of the key information.

  In step S136, the use state management unit 324 determines whether or not the product key has been returned, and repeats the process until the product key is returned. For example, when the key return is notified by the process of step S85, the usage information of the returned key information is recorded in the ID password management DB 322 as an unused state in step S137.

  In step S79, for example, when it is notified by the processing in step S124 that there is no usage right, in step S87, the software execution unit 263 displays that the product cannot be used.

  If authentication is not possible in step S132, or if the requested key information is recorded as being in use on the ID password management unit DB 322 in step S133, the usage state management unit in step S138. 324 notifies the PC 4 that the key cannot be transmitted.

  In this case, since it is determined in step S82 that the key has not been acquired, the process proceeds to step S86, and the usage right information management unit 264 determines whether the key cannot be acquired. That is, the processes in steps S82 and S86 are repeated until a notification that the key cannot be acquired is acquired. For example, if it is determined in step S138 that the key cannot be obtained, the process proceeds to step S87.

  Through the above processing, a user who purchases a usage right on the Internet using the mobile phone 2 supplies the ID and password acquired at the time of purchase to the electronic device (information processing apparatus) that he / she wants to use. Since the authentication process based on the ID and password is executed, and the authentication is approved, the key for decrypting the downloaded product that has been encrypted is obtained. It becomes possible to use products having the right to use the product in various electronic devices that the product desires. Furthermore, since the products that are no longer used cannot be used with other electronic devices until they are uninstalled, it is possible to protect the rights of the merchant that sells the products.

  In the present invention, the case where the device using the product is the PC 4 has been described. However, other electronic devices such as PDA (Personal Digital (Data) Assistants) may be used, and a cellular phone or the like may be used. The product that can be executed on the mobile phone may be a mobile phone.

  In the above, the user of the product can protect the right to the product of the trader who sells the product by uninstalling the product every time the use of the product is terminated. Since the product will be uninstalled while the work is in progress, for example, the setting information of the product will be lost, so when performing the same work again, execute the same setting process before the work. It becomes necessary to do.

  Therefore, usage information such as work contents and setting information are managed by the management server 7 in the same manner as key information, and the usage information and setting information up to that point when uninstalling are stored in the same manner as key information. Then, during installation, it may be possible to install including usage information and setting information up to that point.

  FIG. 19 illustrates functions implemented by the PC 4 that manages work contents and setting information together with key information. In FIG. 19, the same components as those realized by the PC 4 in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  8 is different from the PC 4 in that a software execution unit 401 and a usage right information management unit 402 are provided instead of the software execution unit 263 and the usage right information management unit 264. The software execution unit 401 and the usage right information management unit 402 basically have the same functions as the software execution unit 263 and the usage right information management unit 264, but the software execution unit 401 uses the usage right information management unit 402. When the key information is obtained to control and decrypt the encrypted download data when installing the product, the usage information and setting information that is the work contents that the user has executed by using the product are displayed. Based on the acquired key information, the product stored in the download data storage unit 266 is decrypted and installed in the installation program storage unit 267, and the operation contents and setting information so far are added and activated. Let

  Further, when the work of the product is finished, the software execution unit 401 acquires the usage information and setting information so far, uninstalls the product, controls the usage right information management unit 402, and Attaching usage information and setting information to notify the key return.

  Next, functions realized by the management server 7 that manages usage information and setting information together with key information will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 20, the same components as those realized by the management server 7 of FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  20 is different from the management server 7 of FIG. 11 in that an ID password management DB 421 and a usage state management unit 422 are provided in place of the ID password management DB 322 and the usage state management unit 324.

  The ID password management DB 421 and the usage state management unit 422 basically have the same functions as the ID password management DB 322 and the usage state management unit 324. Further, the usage state management unit 422, when the key is returned, The usage information and setting information of the user are stored in the ID password management DB 421 together with the usage status of the key information corresponding to the ID and password, and when the key information is supplied, the usage information and the setting information are read out and supplied to the PC 4 together. To do. Note that the cellular phone 2, the sales server 5, the settlement server 6, and the product server 8 are the same as described above, and thus description thereof is omitted. Further, in the following, devices not shown in other configurations are the same as described above unless otherwise specified.

  Next, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 21 and 22, in the product sales system including the management server 7 of FIG. 20, the user operates the PC 4 of FIG. A process of using software that is a product to execute (executes a product) will be described. The operation for acquiring the right is the same as the operation described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Also, the processing of steps S151 to S160, S162, S164, S166, S167, steps S181, S182, steps S201 to S204, and steps S221 to S224, S227, and S229 in the flowcharts of FIGS. The processes in steps S71 to S80, S82, S84, S86, S87, steps S101, S102, steps S121 to S124, and steps S131 to S134, S137, and S138 in the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S161, the software execution unit 401 controls the usage right information management unit 402 to decrypt the product to be used on the management server 7 via the network 1 based on the ID and password. Key information, usage information and setting information are requested.

  In step S225 (FIG. 22), the usage state management unit 324 transmits key information for decrypting the encrypted product, usage information, and setting information to the PC 4 via the network 1.

  In step S163 (FIG. 21), the software execution unit 401 decrypts the encrypted product stored in the download data storage unit 266 using the key acquired by the usage right information management unit 402, Further, it is installed in the installation program storage unit 267 and is activated in a state corresponding to the transmitted usage information and setting information. More specifically, for example, the file being worked on is activated, and further, activated with the contents (for example, font and font size) set by the previous work.

  In step S <b> 165, the software execution unit 401 supplies the usage information (information related to the work content) and setting information of the product to the usage right information management unit 402, uninstalls the product, and installs the management server 7. Notify the return of key information and send usage information and setting information.

  In step S226 (FIG. 22), the usage state management unit 422 determines whether the product key has been returned and usage information and setting information have been transmitted, the key is returned, and usage information and setting information are transmitted. The process is repeated until it is received. Then, for example, when the return of the key is notified and the usage information and the setting information are transmitted by the process of step S165, the process proceeds to step S227.

  In step S228, the usage state management unit 422 records the transmitted usage information and setting information in the ID password management DB 421 in association with the ID and password.

  Through the above process, the usage information that is the work history actually performed by the user when using the product and the setting information performed by the user on the product are updated each time the product is uninstalled. Since the usage information and setting information can be restored, the user who purchased the usage rights can use the products for which the user has the usage rights on various electronic devices for which the product is desired, Products that are no longer used cannot be used with other electronic devices until they are uninstalled, which enables protection of the rights of products sold by the merchant that sells the products. Thus, it is possible to continue the work so far, and it is possible to maintain the work efficiency because the setting information is stored.

  In the above, an example has been described in which when purchasing a product, an ID and a password are acquired as part of usage right information, and an electronic device using the product makes an inquiry to the management server 7 to acquire a key. However, when purchasing a product, the key itself may be acquired as part of the usage right information instead of the ID and password.

  FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram illustrating functions of the mobile phone 2 that can acquire key information instead of an ID and a password when purchasing a product.

  The purchase management unit 451 basically has the same function as the purchase management unit 251 in FIG. 7, but acquires key information instead of the ID and password from the sales server 5 when executing purchase processing. The data is supplied to the key storage unit 452. The key management unit 453 reads from the key storage unit 452 and supplies the key information required when using the product from the PC 4 that intends to use the product. At this time, the key management unit 453 stores information indicating that the key is being used in the key storage unit 452, and when the key is being used, it does not accept requests for other keys. When the key is returned from the PC 4 that has finished using the product, the key usage state in the key storage unit 452 is set to an unused state.

  Next, with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. 24, functions realized by the PC 4 that can directly acquire key information instead of an ID and a password and execute a product will be described. In FIG. 24, the same components as those realized by the PC 4 in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  8 differs from the PC 4 in FIG. 8 in that a software execution unit 471 and a usage right information management unit 472 are provided instead of the software execution unit 263 and the usage right information management unit 264, and an ID password acquisition unit 261 and an ID password storage unit are provided. The point is that 262 is deleted.

  The software execution unit 471 and the usage right information management unit 472 basically have the same functions as the software execution unit 263 and the usage right information management unit 264. However, the software execution unit 471 is used when executing a product. The right information management unit 472 is controlled to obtain key information from the mobile phone 2 via the IR 69a in order to decrypt the encrypted download data when installing the product, and download based on the obtained key information. The product stored in the data storage unit 266 is decrypted and installed in the installation program storage unit 267.

  Next, the function of the sales server 5 that uses key information instead of ID and password will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 25, the same components as those realized by the sales server 5 of FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  25 differs from the sales server 5 in FIG. 9 in that a sales processing unit 481 and a key processing unit 482 are provided in place of the sales processing unit 281 and the ID password processing unit 283.

  The sales processing unit 481 basically has the same function as the sales processing unit 281, but supplies key information instead of supplying the ID and password to the mobile phone 2 in the sales processing. To do. The key processing unit 482 requests key information from the management server 7 (in FIG. 26) in accordance with an instruction from the sales processing unit 481, and passes the acquired key information to the sales processing unit 481.

  Next, the function of the management server 7 that uses key information instead of ID and password will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 26, the same configuration as the function realized by the management server 7 of FIG. 11 is assigned the same number, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  26 differs from the management server 7 of FIG. 11 in that a management processing unit 491 and a key management unit 492 are provided instead of the management processing unit 321 and the ID password management DB 322, and an ID password generation unit 323 and a usage state are provided. The management unit 324 is deleted.

  When the key information is requested from the sales server 5, the management processing unit 491 causes the key management unit 492 to generate the key information and supplies the generated key information to the sales server 5.

  Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 27 and 28, a product purchase process by the mobile phone 2 and the sales server 5 that can directly acquire key information instead of an ID and a password and execute the product will be described. Note that steps S251 to S256, S259, and S260, steps S281 to S285, and S289 and steps S301 to S304 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 27 and 28 are steps S1 to S6, S9, and S10 in the flowcharts of FIGS. , Steps S21 to S25, S29, and steps S41 to S44 are the same as those of step S41 and step S44, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S286, the sales processing unit 481 controls the key processing unit 482 to send the product name and product number for identifying the product for which settlement has been completed to the management server 7 and request the key information to be issued. To do.

  In step S321 (FIG. 28), the management processing unit 491 of the management server 7 determines whether or not key information issuance is requested, and the process is repeated until it is determined that key information issuance is requested. . For example, if it is determined in step S286 that key information issuance has been requested, in step S322, the management processing unit 491 controls the key management unit 492 to issue key information.

  In step S323, the management processing unit 491 controls the communication unit 159 to transmit the key information generated by the key management unit 492 to the sales server 5.

  In step S287, the sales processing unit 481 of the sales server 5 controls the key processing unit 482 to determine whether or not key information has been transmitted from the management server 7, and it is determined that the key information has been transmitted. Repeat the process until. For example, if it is determined by the processing in step S323 that the key information has been transmitted from the management server 7, in step S288, the sales processing unit 281 uses the key information transmitted by controlling the communication unit 99. The right information is transmitted to the mobile phone 2 via the network 1.

  In step S287, the purchase management unit 451 determines whether or not key information has been transmitted along with the right to use the product from the sales server 5 via the network 1. For example, if it is determined in the process of step S288 that the key information has been transmitted together with the usage right, in step S258, the purchase management unit 451 associates the transmitted usage right and key information with the product. The data is stored in the key storage unit 452.

  With the above processing, when the user of the mobile phone 2 performs a product purchase operation and the product purchase processing is completed, the mobile phone 2 decrypts the product use right information and the encrypted product. Key information is obtained.

  Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 29 and 30, the product execution process using the usage right acquired by the user using the mobile phone 2 by the process described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 27 and 28 will be described. To do. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 29 and 30, steps S351 to S358, S360 to S365, and steps S371 and S372 are performed in steps S71 to S77, S82 to S87, and S101 and S102 in the flowchart of FIG. Since it is the same as the processing, its description is omitted.

  In step S359, the software execution unit 471 controls the usage right information management unit 472 to request key information for decrypting the product to be used from the mobile phone 2 via infrared communication using the IR 69a. Let

  In step S391, the key management unit 501 determines whether a product key is requested via the infrared communication unit 35, and repeats the process until a product key is requested. For example, if it is determined in step S359 that a product key has been requested, the process proceeds to step S392.

  In step S392, the key management unit 501 determines whether the requested key information is available. For example, when it is determined that the requested key is in an unused state, in step S393, the requested key is registered in the key storage unit 452 as a used state. In step S394, the key management unit 501 controls the infrared communication unit 35 to transmit key information for decrypting the encrypted product to the PC 4 via the infrared communication.

  In step S395, the key management unit 501 determines whether the product key has been returned, and repeats the process until the product key is returned. For example, when a key return is notified by the process of step S362, in step S396, information on the usage state of the returned key information is recorded in the key storage unit 452 as an unused state.

  According to the above processing, when purchasing a product by the mobile phone 2, the mobile phone 2 can acquire key information for decrypting the encrypted product, so that the user possesses the mobile phone 2, In addition, if the electronic device used by the user can download the product, the product purchased by the user can be used.

  In the above description, the example in which the key information is acquired when purchasing the product in the encrypted state when purchasing the product with the mobile phone 2 has been described. However, the key information is acquired with the mobile phone 2. In this case, the mobile phone 2 manages the usage information and setting information described above, so that the process once performed with the product purchased by itself is continuously performed regardless of the location and the electronic device to be used. Also, it can be realized in the same environment based on the setting information.

  Next, functions of the mobile phone 2 that acquire key information and manage usage information and setting information when purchasing a product using the mobile phone 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 31, the same components as those realized by the mobile phone 2 of FIG. 23 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  The mobile phone 2 in FIG. 31 differs from the mobile phone 2 in FIG. 23 in that a key storage unit 502 and a key management unit 501 are provided instead of the key storage unit 452 and the key management unit 453. The key management unit 501 stores product usage information and setting information in the key storage unit 502 in addition to the key usage status information in the key storage unit 502. When a key is requested, the key management unit 501 stores the usage information along with the key information. The setting information is read from the key storage unit 502 and supplied to the PC 4 by infrared communication via the infrared communication unit 35. In addition, when the key is returned, the key management unit 501 acquires the usage information and setting information of the product and stores them in the key storage unit 502.

  Next, functions realized by the PC 4 when key information, usage information, and setting information are managed by the mobile phone 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 32, the same components as those realized by the PC 4 in FIG. 24 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  32 differs from the PC 4 in FIG. 24 in that a software execution unit 511 and a usage right information management unit 512 are provided instead of the software execution unit 471 and the usage right information management unit 472.

  The software execution unit 511 has the same basic functions as the software execution unit 471, but further controls the usage right information management unit 512 to transmit the usage information and setting information together with the key to the mobile phone 2 via the IR 69a. When requested and acquired, when installing the product, it is installed in the installation program storage unit 267 in a state corresponding to the usage information and the setting information, and when the use is completed, the usage information and the setting information until then are used. The information management unit 512 is controlled and output to the mobile phone 2 via the IR 69a.

  Next, a product execution process when keys, usage information, and setting information are managed by the mobile phone 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Note that the processing in steps S411 to S417, S423, S424, and steps S431 and S432 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 33 and 34 is the same as the processing in steps S71 to S77, S86, S87, and step S101 in FIG. The explanation is omitted.

  In step S418, the software execution unit 511 controls the usage right information management unit 512, and the key information for decrypting the product to be used for the cellular phone 2 by infrared communication from the IR 69a, and the usage information. And request configuration information.

  In step S451, the key management unit 501 determines whether a product key is requested via the infrared communication unit 35, and repeats the process until a product key is requested. For example, if it is determined in the process of step S418 that usage information and setting information are requested together with the product key, the process proceeds to step S452.

  In step S452, the key management unit 501 refers to the key storage unit 502 to determine whether the requested key information is available.

  Therefore, for example, if it is determined that the requested key is in an unused state, the key management unit 501 causes the key storage unit 502 to register the requested key as a usage state in step S453. In step S454, the key management unit 501 transmits key information for decrypting the encrypted product to the PC 4 via the infrared communication unit 35.

  In step S419, the usage right information management unit 512 determines whether or not the key transmitted from the mobile phone 2 via the infrared communication line has been acquired. For example, if it is determined in step S454 that the key has been transmitted, in step S420, the software execution unit 511 uses the key acquired by the usage right information management unit 512 to download the data storage unit 266. The encrypted product stored in is decrypted, installed in the installation program storage unit 267, and activated with the usage information and the setting information reflected.

  That is, when the processing up to step S420 is executed, the user can freely use the software that is the desired product.

  In step S421, the software execution unit 511 determines whether the user has operated the input unit 66 to end use of the product, and repeats the processing until the operation is ended. For example, when the input unit 66 is operated by the user and it is determined that the use of the product is finished, the process proceeds to step S422.

  In step S422, the software execution unit 511 acquires the usage information and setting information of the product, supplies the usage information and setting information to the usage right information management unit 512, and causes the mobile phone 2 to transmit the key information together with the return information. Uninstall the product.

  In step S455, the key management unit 501 determines whether the product key, the usage information, and the setting information have been returned, and repeats the process until the key is returned. For example, when the return of usage information and setting information is notified together with the key by the process of step S422, the usage status information of the returned key information is recorded in the key storage unit 502 as an unused status in step S456. In step S457, the usage information and the setting information transmitted together are stored.

  Through the above processing, the mobile phone 2 manages the usage information and the setting information together with the key information of each product described above, so that the product purchased by itself can be used once regardless of the location and the electronic device to be used. The performed processing can be continuously used as the usage information, and it is possible to work in the same environment based on the setting information.

  In the above, the case where the mobile phone 2 is made to manage key information, usage information, and setting information has been described, but the mobile phone 2 has a limit in the capacity that can be stored. Therefore, relatively large information such as usage information and setting information may be managed by another server such as the management server 7.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 35, functions realized by the PC 4 when the usage information and the setting information are managed by the management server 7 are shown. In FIG. 35, the same components as those realized by the PC 4 in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  35 differs from the PC 4 in FIG. 8 in that a software execution unit 541 and a usage right information management unit 542 are provided in place of the software execution unit 263 and the usage right information management unit 264. The software execution unit 541 and the usage right information management unit 542 have basically the same functions as the software execution unit 263 and the usage right information management unit 264, but the software execution unit 541 uses the usage right information management unit 542. In order to control and decrypt the download data encrypted when installing the product, the key information is obtained from the mobile phone 2 by infrared communication by controlling the IR 69a. Also, the software execution unit 541 controls the usage right information management unit 542, controls the communication unit 69, and executes it by the user using the product from the management server 7 via the Internet 1. Use information and setting information, which are the work contents, and the product stored in the download data storage unit 266 is decrypted based on the acquired key information and installed in the installation program storage unit 267. Add the work contents and setting information to start.

  Further, when the work of the product is finished, the software execution unit 541 acquires the usage information and setting information so far, uninstalls the product, and controls the usage right information management unit 402 to obtain key information. Is returned to the mobile phone 2 via the IR 69a, and the usage information and the setting information are transmitted to the management server 7.

  The functions realized by the mobile phone 2 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.

  Next, functions realized by the management server 7 that manages usage information and setting information will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 36, the same configuration as the function realized by the management server 7 of FIG. 11 is assigned the same number, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  Here, functions different from the management server 7 of FIG. 11 are basically the same as the usage state management unit 324 of the usage state management unit 552, but when the PC 4 starts the product, When usage information such as the contents of work performed by the user by that product and setting information are called from the key management unit 551 and supplied to the PC 4 in response to the request, and the processing of the product is finished by the PC 4, Usage information and setting information at that time are acquired and stored in the key management unit 551.

  Next, with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 37 and 38, the product execution process in the case where the key information and the mobile phone 2 are managed and the usage information and the setting information are managed by the management server 7 will be described. The processing of steps S471 to S479, S483, S484, S486, S487, steps S501 and S502, and steps S521 to S526 in the flowcharts of FIGS. 37 and 38 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Since this is the same as the processing of steps S351 to S360, S362 to S365, steps S371, S372, and steps S391 to S397, the description thereof is omitted.

  In step S480, the software execution unit 541 controls the usage right information management unit 542 to request usage information and setting information necessary for using the product from the management server 7 via the network 1. Let

  In step S541, the usage state management unit 522 determines whether product usage information and setting information have been requested from the PC 4 via the network 1, and repeats the processing until it is determined that the request has been made. For example, if it is determined in the process of step S479 that product usage information and setting information have been requested from the PC 4 via the network 1, the process proceeds to step S542.

  In step S 542, the usage state management unit 552 reads the usage information and setting information stored in the key management unit 551 and transmits them to the PC 4 via the Internet 1.

  In step S481, the software execution unit 541 makes an inquiry to the usage right information management unit 542 to determine whether usage information and setting information have been transmitted from the management server 7, and the processing is performed until it is determined that they have been transmitted. repeat. For example, if it is determined in the process of step S542 that the usage information and the setting information have been transmitted from the management server 7, the software execution unit 541 in step S482 transmits the network 1 from the management server 7 that has been transmitted. Acquire the usage information and setting information of the sent product.

  In step S483, the software execution unit 541 uses the key acquired from the mobile phone 2 from the infrared communication line to decrypt the encrypted product stored in the download data storage unit 266. Is installed in the installation program storage unit 267 and activated in a state corresponding to the transmitted usage information and setting information.

  In step S486, the software execution unit 541 transmits (returns) usage information and setting information to the management server 7 via the network 1.

  In step S543, the usage status management unit 552 determines whether product usage information and setting information have been transmitted, and repeats the processing until usage information and setting information are transmitted. For example, when usage information and setting information are transmitted by the process of step S485, the process proceeds to step S544.

  In step S544, the usage state management unit 552 causes the key management unit 551 to record the transmitted usage information and setting information.

  Through the above processing, large information such as usage information and setting information is executed by a server on the network 1 (in the above example, it is the management server 7 but may be other servers), and the amount of data Since only the small key information is managed by the mobile phone 2, the user has the mobile phone 2 regardless of the location and the electronic device to be used while suppressing the load on the mobile phone 2. If this is the case, it is possible to continuously use processing once performed with a product purchased by itself as usage information, and to work in a similar environment based on setting information.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When a series of processes is executed by software, a program constituting the software may execute various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, the recording medium on which the program is recorded is distributed to provide the program to the user separately from the computer, the removable medium 3 on which the program is recorded, and the magnetic disk 81. , 111, 141, 171, 201 (including flexible disks), optical disks 82, 112, 142, 172, 202 (including CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), magneto-optical It is not only composed of a disk 83, 113, 143, 173, 203 (including MD (Mini-Disc)) or a package medium consisting of semiconductor memories 84, 114, 144, 174, 204, etc., but is also pre-installed in a computer ROM 62, 92, 122, 152, 1 in which a program is provided which is provided to the user in the recorded state 82, a hard disk included in the storage units 68, 98, 128, 158, and 188.

  In this specification, the step of describing the program recorded on the recording medium is not limited to the processing performed in time series in the order described, but of course, it is not necessarily performed in time series. Or the process performed separately is included.

  Further, in this specification, the system represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

It is a figure which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the product sales system to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a mobile telephone. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a mobile telephone. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mobile telephone of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of PC of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sales server of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function implement | achieved by the mobile telephone of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function implement | achieved by PC of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function implement | achieved by the sales server of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function implement | achieved by the payment server of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function implement | achieved by the management server of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function implement | achieved by the product server of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining a product purchase process. It is a flowchart explaining a product purchase process. It is a figure explaining the structure of ID password management DB of a management server. It is a flowchart explaining a product execution process. It is a flowchart explaining a product execution process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display screen. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other function implement | achieved by PC of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other function implement | achieved by the management server of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the other product execution processing. It is a flowchart explaining the other product execution processing. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other function implement | achieved by the mobile telephone of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other function implement | achieved by PC of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other function implement | achieved by the sales server of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other function implement | achieved by the management server of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the other product purchase processing. It is a flowchart explaining the other product purchase processing. It is a flowchart explaining the other product execution processing. It is a flowchart explaining the other product execution processing. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other function implement | achieved by the mobile telephone of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other function implement | achieved by PC of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the other product execution processing. It is a flowchart explaining the other product execution processing. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other function implement | achieved by PC of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other function implement | achieved by the management server of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the other product execution processing. It is a flowchart explaining the other product execution processing.

Explanation of symbols

1 Internet, 2 Mobile phone, 3 Removable media, 4 PC, 5 Sales server, 6 Payment server, 7 Management server, 8 Product server, 251 Purchase management unit, 252 ID password storage unit, 253 ID password management unit, 261 ID password Acquisition unit, 262 ID password storage unit, 263 software execution unit, 264 usage right information management unit, 265 download management unit, 266 download data storage unit, 281 sales processing unit, 282 settlement processing unit, 283 ID password processing unit, 301 settlement Processing unit, 302 Customer management DB, 321 Management processing unit, 322 ID password management DB, 323 ID password generation unit, 324 Usage state management unit, Download management unit, 342 Product management DB, 401 Software execution unit, 402 Usage right information management 421 ID Word management DB, 422 Usage state management unit, 451 Purchase management unit, 452 ID password storage unit, 453 ID password management unit, 471 Software execution unit, 472 Usage right information management unit, 481 Sales processing unit, 482 Key processing unit, 491 Management processing unit, 492 ID password management DB, 501 ID password management unit, 502 ID password storage unit, 511 software execution unit, 512 usage right information management unit, 541 software execution unit, 542 usage right information management unit, 551 key management unit 552 Usage Rights Information Management Department

Claims (13)

In the information processing system including the first information processing apparatus to the third information processing apparatus,
The first information processing apparatus
Usage right requesting means for requesting a usage right of a predetermined product and authentication information corresponding to the usage right to the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path;
The right to use the predetermined product and the authentication corresponding to the right to be supplied supplied from the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path in response to a request from the right to use means. Usage right acquisition means for acquiring information;
Authentication information request accepting means for accepting a request for authentication information from the third information processing apparatus via a second communication path;
Authentication for supplying authentication information acquired by the usage right acquisition unit to the third information processing apparatus via the second communication path when a request for authentication information is received by the authentication information request reception unit. An information supply means,
The second information processing apparatus
Authentication information generating means for generating authentication information corresponding to the right to use the product;
Usage right accepting means for accepting a request for the right to use the predetermined product from the usage right requesting means of the first information processing apparatus;
When the usage right request is received by the usage right receiving means, the usage right of the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the usage right are obtained via the first communication path. Usage right supply means for supplying to the processing device;
Authentication means for executing an authentication process based on the authentication information from the third information processing apparatus;
Key information transmission means for transmitting key information for using the product to the third information processing apparatus when authenticated by the authentication means;
The third information processing apparatus
Authentication information requesting means for requesting the authentication information to the first information processing apparatus via the second communication path;
Authentication information acquisition means for acquiring the authentication information supplied from the first information processing apparatus via the second communication path in response to a request from the authentication information request means;
Authentication request means for requesting authentication from the second information processing apparatus via the first communication path based on the authentication information;
A key information acquisition unit that acquires the key information transmitted from the second information processing apparatus when authentication is performed based on the request of the authentication request unit;
An information processing system comprising: a product using unit that uses the product based on the key information acquired by the key information acquiring unit. A right-of-use requesting means for requesting a right to use a predetermined product and authentication information corresponding to the right of use to the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path;
Corresponding to the usage right of the predetermined product and the usage right supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path in response to the request of the usage right requesting unit Usage right acquisition means for acquiring authentication information to be
Authentication information request accepting means for accepting a request for authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus via the second communication path;
When a request for authentication information is received by the authentication information request receiving unit, the authentication information acquired by the usage right acquiring unit is supplied to the second other information processing apparatus via the second communication path. An information processing apparatus comprising: an authentication information supply means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first communication path is a communication path based on infrared communication, and the second communication path is a communication path based on the Internet. A use right requesting step for requesting the use right of a predetermined product and authentication information corresponding to the use right to the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path;
The use right of the predetermined product supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path in response to the request in the processing of the use right request step, and the use A usage right acquisition step for acquiring authentication information corresponding to the right;
An authentication information request accepting step for accepting a request for authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus via the second communication path;
When a request for authentication information in the processing of the authentication information request reception step is received, the authentication information request is acquired by the second other information processing apparatus through the processing of the usage right acquisition step via the second communication path. An authentication information supply step for supplying the authentication information. A use right requesting step for requesting the use right of a predetermined product and authentication information corresponding to the use right to the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path;
The use right of the predetermined product supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path in response to the request in the processing of the use right request step, and the use A usage right acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of authentication information corresponding to the right;
An authentication information request accepting step for accepting a request for authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus via the second communication path;
When a request for authentication information in the processing of the authentication information request reception step is received, the authentication information request is acquired by the second other information processing apparatus through the processing of the usage right acquisition step via the second communication path. An authentication information supply control step for controlling the supply of authentication information to be executed by a computer. Authentication information generating means for generating authentication information corresponding to the right to use the product;
Usage right receiving means for receiving a request for the usage right of a predetermined product from the first other information processing apparatus;
When the usage right request is received by the usage right receiving means, the usage right of the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the usage right are sent via the first communication path. Usage right supply means for supplying to the information processing device;
Authentication means for executing authentication processing based on the authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus acquired from the first other information processing apparatus via the second communication path;
An information processing apparatus comprising: key information transmission means for transmitting key information for using the product to the second other information processing apparatus when authenticated by the authentication means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first communication path is a communication path based on infrared communication, and the second communication path is a communication path based on the Internet. An authentication information generation step for generating authentication information corresponding to the right to use the product;
A use right receiving step for receiving a request for use right of a predetermined product from the first other information processing apparatus;
When a usage right request is received by the processing of the usage right receiving step, the usage right of the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the usage right are obtained via the first communication path. A usage right supply step for supplying to other information processing devices;
An authentication step of executing an authentication process based on the authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus acquired from the first other information processing apparatus via the second communication path;
An information processing method comprising: a key information transmission step of transmitting key information for using the product to the second other information processing apparatus when authenticated in the processing of the authentication step. An authentication information generation step for generating authentication information corresponding to the right to use the product;
A use right receiving step for receiving a request for use right of a predetermined product from the first other information processing apparatus;
When a request for a usage right is received by the processing of the usage right receiving step, the usage right of the predetermined product and the authentication information corresponding to the usage right are sent via the first communication path. A usage right supply control step for controlling supply to other information processing apparatuses;
An authentication step of executing an authentication process based on the authentication information from the second other information processing apparatus acquired from the first other information processing apparatus via the second communication path;
When authenticated in the process of the authentication step, the computer executes a process including a key information transmission control step for controlling transmission of key information for using the product to the second other information processing apparatus. A program characterized by that. Authentication information requesting means for requesting the authentication information to the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path;
Authentication information acquisition means for acquiring the authentication information supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path in response to a request from the authentication information request means;
Authentication request means for requesting authentication from the second other information processing apparatus via a second communication path based on the authentication information;
Key information acquisition means for acquiring the key information transmitted from the second other information processing apparatus when authentication is performed based on the request of the authentication request means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a product using unit that uses the product based on the key information acquired by the key information acquiring unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first communication path is a communication path based on infrared communication, and the second communication path is a communication path based on the Internet. An authentication information requesting step for requesting the authentication information to the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path;
An authentication information acquisition step for acquiring the authentication information supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path in response to a request in the processing of the authentication information request step;
An authentication requesting step for requesting authentication to the second other information processing apparatus via a second communication path based on the authentication information;
A key information acquisition step of acquiring the key information transmitted from the second other information processing apparatus when authentication is performed based on a request in the processing of the authentication request step;
A product using step of using the product based on the key information acquired by the processing of the key information acquiring step. An authentication information requesting step for requesting the authentication information to the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path;
Authentication information acquisition control for controlling acquisition of the authentication information supplied from the first other information processing apparatus via the first communication path in response to a request in the processing of the authentication information requesting step Steps,
An authentication requesting step for requesting authentication to the second other information processing apparatus via a second communication path based on the authentication information;
A key information acquisition control step for controlling acquisition of the key information transmitted from the second other information processing apparatus when authentication is performed based on a request in the processing of the authentication request step;
A program causing a computer to execute a process including a product using step of using the product based on the key information acquired by the process of the key information acquisition control step.

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