JP2009087241A - Device terminal, usb device, information processing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain access limitation according to a position at a state that a device terminal is connected to a host device. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU judges whether or not positional information is stored in a flash ROM for storing the positional information when the position is measured (a step S5). Since no piece of positional information is stored in the flash ROM for storing the positional information when a USB memory is shipped from a factory, in such a case that a user purchases the USB memory and first installs it in a personal computer, a judgment result in the step S5 becomes "No". In this case, the CPU reads the positional information stored in a RAM and writes it in the flash ROM for storing the positional information (a step S6). Thus, when the positional information is stored in the flash ROM for storing the positional information, after that, the user can use the USB memory only when the USB memory is within a range at a predetermined distance from a position expressed by the positional information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for restricting access to information stored in a device terminal.

  As an interface between a personal computer and its peripheral devices, the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard is widely used. By mounting a flash memory on a device terminal (referred to as a USB device) that implements such a USB standard, a lightweight and compact storage means can be realized. This type of USB device is called a USB memory and is already widely available on the market, but since everyone can use it easily, there is a demand for measures to prevent information leakage and unauthorized access. .

As a technique for restricting access to information, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a mechanism for permitting access to a file only at a date and time set in advance according to each file. Patent Document 2 proposes a mechanism in which a file is encrypted with a key determined in accordance with the position, and the file can be correctly decrypted only when the user is at that position.
JP 2000-163379 A JP 2007-4243 A

None of the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 is intended to limit access in a device terminal that is connected to a host device and used. In addition, with these techniques, procedures and processing become complicated due to the fact that a user operation is required when associating positions with each file, and positions must be associated with each file. There's a problem.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for restricting access from a host device to a storage unit of a device terminal according to a position when the device terminal is connected to the host device. It is to realize simply.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a device terminal that is connected to a host device and used, and stores supply information supplied from the host device connected to the terminal. Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information representing the position of the terminal itself, position information storage means for storing the position information, and the host apparatus when position information is not stored in the position information storage means Connected to the host device when the position information is stored in the position information storage means, and writing means for writing the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means in the position information storage means If the position information stored in the position information storage means matches the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means, the host device supplies the supply information. If access to the storage means is permitted and the position information stored in the position information storage means does not match the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means, the host device sends the information to the supply information storage means. There is provided a device terminal comprising permission means that does not permit access.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, when an instruction to delete the position information stored in the position information storage unit is received, the position information is deleted and the supply information stored in the supply information storage unit is deleted. When the position information is erased from the position information storage means by the erasure means, the writing means obtains the position information acquisition means when connected to the host device. The recorded position information may be newly written in the position information storage means.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a plurality of the position information storage means and a plurality of the supply information storage means corresponding to each of the position information storage means, and the permission means includes a plurality of the position information storage means. If any of the stored position information matches the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means, the position where the stored position information matches among the plurality of supply information storage means Access to the supply information storage means corresponding to the information storage means is permitted, and any of the position information stored in the plurality of position information storage means matches the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means If not, access to each of the supply information storage means may not be permitted.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the access from the host device to the supply information storage means includes an access for writing information to the supply information storage means, and a process of reading information from the supply information storage means The position information storage means stores a plurality of the position information, and the permission means stores a plurality of position information stored in the position information storage means. If any of the information and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means match, access for the process corresponding to the matched position information in the writing process or the reading process is permitted. Also good.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the access from the host device to the supply information storage means includes an access for writing information to the supply information storage means, and a process of reading information from the supply information storage means The permission means is acquired by the position information acquisition means and the position represented by the position information stored in the position information storage means in the writing process or the reading process. Access for processing according to the distance to the position represented by the position information may be permitted.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the position information stored in the position information storage means and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means are transmitted to the host device or an external device that communicates with the host device. Position information transmitting means, and collation result acquisition means for acquiring the collation result of the position information transmitted from the host device or the external device, and the permitting means includes the collation result acquisition means. Based on the obtained collation result, access from the host device to the supply information storage means may be permitted or not permitted.

  In addition, the present invention includes the device terminal and the host device or the external device that communicates with the host device, and the device terminal stores the position information stored in the position information storage unit, and the position Position information transmission means for transmitting the position information acquired by the information acquisition means to the host device or the external device communicating with the host device, and the host device or the external device communicating with the host device Is a map information storage means for storing map information in which the positions inside and outside the building are distinguished, the position information transmitted from the device terminal, stored in the position information storage means, and transmitted from the device terminal. Whether the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means is in a position inside the common building stored in the map information. The position information stored in the position information storage means and the position acquired by the acquisition means when the determination means determines that the position is inside the common building. When the collation result indicating that the information matches is transmitted to the device terminal and it is determined that the information is not located inside the common building, the position information stored in the position information storage means and the acquisition means There is provided an information processing system comprising: a collation result transmitting unit that transmits a collation result indicating that the position information acquired by the information does not match to the device terminal.

  In addition, the present invention is a USB device that is used by being connected to a USB host according to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, and stores supply information supplied from the USB host connected to the device. A memory, position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the device, a second memory for storing the position information, and the first memory in response to a request from the USB host When connected to the USB host when position information is not stored in the second memory and a USB controller that controls writing and reading of information, the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means is 2 is connected to the USB host when position information is stored in the second memory, and the second memo is stored in the second memory. When the position information stored in the memory and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means match, the USB controller is activated, and the position information stored in the second memory and the position information acquisition means Provided is a USB device comprising control means for not starting the USB controller when the acquired position information does not match.

  A computer connected to the host device for use, a supply information storage means for storing supply information supplied from the host device connected to the terminal, and position information acquisition for acquiring position information indicating the position of the terminal Acquired by the position information acquisition means when connected to the host device when position information is not stored in the position information storage means, and position information storage means for storing the position information. Writing means for writing position information in the position information storage means; position information connected to the host device when position information is stored in the position information storage means; and stored in the position information storage means; When the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means matches, the host device is allowed to access the supply information storage means, and the position information Provided is a program that functions as a permission unit that does not permit access from the host device to the supply information storage unit when the position information stored in the storage unit does not match the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit To do.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the state in which the device terminal was connected to the host apparatus, the mechanism which restrict | limits the access with respect to the memory | storage means of a device terminal from a host apparatus according to a position is easily realizable.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes a personal computer 10 (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer 10) that is a USB host that implements the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, and a USB that is a USB device that implements the USB standard. And a memory 20. The USB memory 20 operates as a mass storage defined by the USB standard for the personal computer 10. However, the operation of this USB memory is limited so as to allow access from the personal computer 10 only at a location registered in advance. The “pre-registered location” is a location that the user has determined to be appropriate as a location where the USB memory is used, such as an office or factory where the user operates.

The configuration of the information processing system 1 will be described in detail.
First, the personal computer 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a random access memory (RAM) 12, a read only memory (ROM) 13, a storage unit 14, a USB port 15, a USB controller 16, and an operation unit. 17 and a display unit 18. The ROM 13 is a read-only nonvolatile memory and stores a control program such as a boot program for starting up the personal computer 10. The storage unit 14 is, for example, a hard disk, and stores various software program groups including an OS for managing the entire personal computer 10 and a software program for performing communication according to the USB standard. The CPU 11 reads out programs stored in the ROM 13 or the storage unit 14 and executes various processes by using the RAM 12 as a work area.

  The USB port 15 is a connection port to which the USB connector 26 of the USB memory 20 is connected. The USB controller 16 communicates with the USB memory 20 via the USB port according to the USB standard under the control of the CPU 11. The operation unit 17 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, receives a user operation, and supplies a signal corresponding to the operation to the CPU 11. The display unit 18 is a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various images under the control of the CPU 11.

  Next, the USB memory 20 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a supply information storage flash ROM 24, a position information storage flash ROM 25, a USB connector 26, a USB controller 27, a positioning unit 28, and an LED 29. The reset switch 30 is provided. The ROM 23 is a read-only nonvolatile memory and stores a control program. The CPU 21 reads out the control program stored in the ROM 23 and executes these processes using the RAM 22 as a work area, thereby executing various processes.

  The USB connector 26 is a connection interface connected to the USB port 15 of the personal computer 10. The CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 and the CPU 11 of the personal computer 10 communicate with each other via the USB port 15 and the USB connector 26. The positioning unit 28 measures the position of the USB memory 20 and generates position information representing the position. The positioning method by the positioning unit 28 is not particularly limited as long as it performs positioning with the required accuracy, but here, for example, the transmission time of GPS signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites and The position is measured based on the difference in reception time.

  Each of the supply information storage flash ROM 24 and the position information storage flash ROM 25 is a nonvolatile memory composed of an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash memory. Information supplied from the personal computer 10 via the USB port 15 and the USB connector 26 (hereinafter referred to as supply information) is written into the supply information storage flash ROM 24 by the USB controller 27. The supply information stored in the supply information storage flash ROM 24 is read by the USB controller 27 in response to a request from the personal computer 10 and is output to the personal computer 10 via the USB connector 26 and the USB port 15. . This supply information includes information such as a computer program in addition to information representing a document, video or music. The position information generated by the positioning unit 28 is written into the position information storing flash ROM 25 by the CPU 21. As described above, writing and reading of information to and from the supply information storage flash ROM 24 are controlled by the USB controller 27, while writing and reading of position information to and from the position information storage flash ROM 25 are controlled by the CPU 21. The LED 29 is turned on or off according to the control of the CPU 21. The reset switch 30 is a switch for the user to erase the stored contents of the location information storing flash ROM 25 and reset the USB memory 20 to the factory default state.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[When using the USB memory 20 for the first time after factory shipment]
First, the operation when the user purchases the USB memory 20 and uses it for the first time will be described. When the user connects the USB connector 26 of the USB memory 20 to the USB port 15 of the personal computer 10, power is supplied from the personal computer 10 to each part of the USB memory 20 via the USB port 15 and the USB connector 26. In response to this power supply, the CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 performs a wake-up sequence according to the USB standard with the CPU 11 to the USB controller 16 of the personal computer 10, and then performs the main routine shown in FIGS. Start.

  First, the CPU 21 reads a control program from the ROM 23 and activates it (step S1). Next, the CPU 21 instructs the positioning unit 28 to measure the position and performs a positioning process (step S2). In response to this instruction, the positioning unit 28 searches for GPS satellites and receives GPS signals transmitted from these GPS satellites. Since these GPS signals include the transmission time from each GPS satellite, the positioning unit 28 calculates the position based on the difference between the transmission time and the reception time, and expresses the position by latitude and longitude. Generate location information. The CPU 21 receives the generated position information from the positioning unit 28 and writes it in the RAM 22.

  Next, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the position has been measured as a result of attempting the positioning process as described above (step S3). For example, if the position cannot be measured due to poor GPS signal reception environment or failure of the positioning unit (step S3; No), the CPU 21 causes the LED 29 to blink in a predetermined blinking pattern. The error process is performed (step S4), and the process ends. By performing such an error process, the CPU 21 can notify the user that the USB memory 20 cannot be used because positioning is impossible.

  On the other hand, when the position can be measured in step S2 (step S3; Yes), the CPU 21 determines whether or not the position information is stored in the position information storing flash ROM 25 (step S5). . When the USB memory 20 is shipped from the factory, since no position information is stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25, when the user first purchases the USB memory 20 and attaches it to the personal computer 10, The determination result in step S5 is “No”. In this case, the CPU 21 reads the position information stored in the RAM 22 and writes it in the position information storing flash ROM 25 (step S6). When the position information is registered in the position information storage flash ROM 25 in this way, the access to the supply information storage flash ROM 24 from the personal computer 10 thereafter is performed when the USB memory 20 exists at the position indicated by the position information. Only allowed.

  When the position information is stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25, the CPU 21 activates the USB controller 27 (step S9) and operates the USB memory 20 as a mass storage of the personal computer 10. That is, when the CPU 11 of the personal computer 10 accesses the supply information storage flash ROM 24 for writing supply information, the USB controller 27 uses the supply information supplied along with the access to supply information storage. Write to flash ROM 24. Further, when there is an access for reading supply information from the CPU 11 of the personal computer 10 to the supply information storage flash ROM 24, the USB controller 27 sends the supply information specified by the access from the supply information storage flash ROM 24. Read out and output to personal computer 10.

  Then, when the user operates the operation unit 17 of the personal computer 10 and performs an operation to end the use of the USB memory 20, an instruction to that effect is notified from the CPU 11 of the personal computer 10 to the CPU 21 of the USB memory 20. In accordance with this instruction, the CPU 21 determines that the process of the USB controller 27 is to be terminated (step S10; Yes).

  On the other hand, while the user does not perform the operation to end the use of the USB memory 20 (step S10; No), the CPU 21 determines whether or not a predetermined periodical positioning time has come (step S11). ). Here, for example, it is assumed that positioning is determined every 5 minutes. In this case, when 5 minutes have elapsed from the previous positioning process, the CPU 21 determines that the positioning time has come (step S11; Yes), and performs the positioning process similar to step S2 described above (step S13 in FIG. 3). ).

  If the position can be measured as a result of this positioning process (step S14; Yes), the CPU 21 receives the position information generated by the positioning unit 28 and the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25. Are checked (step S15), and it is determined whether or not they match (step S16). Here, the coincidence of position information includes not only the case where the latitude and longitude included in both pieces of position information completely coincide, but also the case where the position represented by each piece of position information is within a predetermined distance range. For example, when the position is measured by GPS, the position can be measured with an accuracy of about several tens of centimeters. Therefore, when the USB memory 20 can be used as a usable condition of the USB memory 20, it is stored in the USB memory 20. If the position slightly deviates from the position, the USB memory 20 cannot be used, and it becomes difficult for the user to use the USB memory 20. Therefore, if both positions are within a predetermined distance range of, for example, several meters, they are regarded as matching. In this case, the CPU 21 may calculate the distance between the positions represented by the respective position information, and determine whether the distance is within the range, or the CPU 21 may store the position information in the position information storing flash ROM 25. At the stage of storing information, a wide area included in a range of a predetermined distance centered on the position information may be stored as position information.

  If the positional information of the two coincides (step S16; Yes), the processing of the CPU 21 returns to step S10 of FIG. 2 and continues operating the USB memory 20 as mass storage of the personal computer 10. Thereafter, the USB memory 20 continues to operate as a mass storage of the personal computer 10 as long as the position information of the two coincides. On the other hand, if the two do not match (step S16; No), the USB memory 20 is located at a location other than the pre-registered location, so the CPU 21 forcibly terminates the USB controller 27 (step S17). ) And its own processing is also terminated.

[When registering location information in the USB memory 20 and using it again]
Next, an operation when the user uses the USB memory 20 again after registering the position information in the USB memory 20 will be described.
When the user connects the USB connector 26 of the USB memory 20 to the USB port 15 of the personal computer 10, power is supplied from the personal computer 10 to each part of the USB memory 20 via the USB port 15 and the USB connector 26. In response to this power supply, the CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 performs a wake-up sequence according to the USB standard with the CPU 11 to the USB controller 16 of the personal computer 10, and then performs the main routine shown in FIGS. Start. First, the CPU 21 reads a control program from the ROM 23 and activates it (step S1). Next, the CPU 21 instructs the positioning unit 28 to measure the position and causes the positioning process to be performed (step S2). The positioning unit 28 performs positioning according to this instruction and generates position information. The CPU 21 receives the generated position information from the positioning unit 28 and writes it in the RAM 22.

  Next, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the position has been measured as a result of attempting the positioning process as described above (step S3). If the position could not be measured (step S3; No), the CPU 21 performs error processing such as blinking the LED 29 with a predetermined blinking pattern (step S4), and ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the position can be measured (step S3; Yes), the CPU 21 determines whether or not the position information is stored in the position information storing flash ROM 25 (step S5). Here, since the position information is already stored in the position information storing flash ROM 25, the determination result in step S5 is “Yes”. In this case, the CPU 21 collates the position information generated by the positioning unit 28 with the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25 (step S7), and determines whether or not they match. (Step S8). The criteria for determining the match between the position information here are the same as those described when the USB memory 20 is used for the first time after factory shipment. Here, if the position information of both does not match (step S8; No), the USB memory 20 is used in a place other than the place registered in advance, so the CPU 21 is different from step S4. An error process such as blinking the LED 29 with a blinking pattern is performed (step S12), and the process is terminated. By this error processing, the CPU 21 can notify the user that the USB memory 20 cannot be used because the user is in a position where the use is not permitted.

  If the two match (step S8; Yes), the CPU 21 activates the USB controller 27 (step S9) and operates the USB memory 20 as a mass storage of the personal computer 10. The subsequent processing is the same as that described in the case of using the USB memory 20 for the first time after factory shipment. That is, when the USB memory 20 is in the registered position, the activation state of the USB controller 27 is maintained, so that the user can continue to use the USB memory 20. On the other hand, if the USB memory 20 is not in the registered position, the USB controller 27 is forcibly terminated, and the user cannot use the USB memory 20 as mass storage.

[When resetting the USB memory 20]
The CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 executes a subroutine shown in FIG. 4 while power is supplied from the personal computer 10. In FIG. 4, the CPU 21 periodically determines whether or not the user has operated the reset switch 30 (step S21). When the CPU 21 detects that the reset switch 30 has been operated (step S21; Yes), the CPU 21 accepts an instruction to erase the position information, erases the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25, and also removes the USB. The controller 27 is instructed to delete the supply information stored in the supply information storage flash ROM 24 (step S22). At this time, if the USB controller 27 is not activated, the CPU 21 activates the USB controller 27 temporarily, erases the supply information stored in the supply information storage flash ROM 24, and then changes the activation state of the USB controller 27. You can end it.

  Next, the CPU 21 determines whether or not both the position information and the supply information have been deleted (step S23). The case where both of these pieces of information cannot be erased is, for example, a case where the supply information stored in the supply information storing flash ROM 24 is protected by the user not to permit erasure. In addition, there is a case in which the user who operates the reset switch 30 does not have the administrator authority on the assumption that special administrator authority is required when deleting the position information. For this reason, when both the position information and the supply information cannot be erased (step S23; No), the CPU 21 causes the blinking pattern to be different from that of steps S4 and S12 in FIGS. Error processing is performed (step S24), and the processing is terminated. The CPU 21 can notify the user that the USB memory 20 could not be reset by this error processing.

  On the other hand, when both the position information and the supply information can be deleted (step S23; Yes), the processing of the CPU 21 ends. Through such processing, the USB memory 20 returns to the same state as at the time of shipment from the factory, so that new position information can be stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25. Therefore, the user may go to a new registration location, attach the USB memory 20 to the personal computer 10 and register the location in the USB memory 20.

  According to the embodiment described above, when the USB memory 20 is connected to the personal computer 10 when the position information is not stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25, the CPU 21 detects the position information generated by the positioning unit 28. Is written in the position information storing flash ROM 25. Therefore, the operation of registering the location where the use of the USB memory 20 is permitted in the USB memory 20 is relatively simple and can be done in a short time.

  In addition, the USB memory 20 is connected to the personal computer 10 when the position information is stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25, and the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25 and the position information are acquired by positioning. If the position information matches, the CPU 21 permits the personal computer 10 to access the supply information storage flash ROM 24. Then, the USB controller 27 is activated to read / write information from / to the position information storage flash ROM 25. On the other hand, if the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25 does not match the position information acquired by positioning, the CPU 21 does not permit the personal computer 10 to access the supply information storage flash ROM 24. In this case, the CPU 21 does not activate the USB controller 27 or terminates the USB controller 27 that was activated at that time. Thereby, the use of the USB memory 20 can be restricted only at the location registered in the USB memory 20.

  In response to the operation of the reset switch 30, the CPU 21 receives an instruction to delete the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25 and deletes the supply information in addition to the position information. For example, if the supply information is not deleted even if the position information is deleted, if the USB memory 20 exists at the position indicated by the position information after the position information is newly written, the supply stored in the past is stored. Information is read and output by the USB controller 27. On the other hand, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, not only the position information but also the supply information is deleted, so there is no risk of information leakage such that the supply information is browsed at a newly registered location.

[Modification]
The above is the description of the embodiment, but the contents of this embodiment can be modified as follows. Moreover, you may combine the following each aspect suitably.
(1) Modification 1
In the embodiment, the configuration in which the USB memory 20 includes one position information storage flash ROM 25 and one supply information storage flash ROM 24 has been described, but the USB memory 20 may include a plurality of these. In this case, the position information storage flash ROM 25 and the supply information storage flash ROM 24 are each one, but the storage area may be divided into partitions so as to have a configuration equivalent to a plurality of storage means. Further, a plurality of flash ROMs constituting the position information storage flash ROM 25 may be provided, and a plurality of flash ROMs constituting the supply information storage flash ROM 24 may be provided.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the location information storage flash ROM 25 and the supply information storage flash ROM 24 when the former storage area is partitioned by partitions. As shown in the figure, the location information storage flash ROM 25 and the supply information storage flash ROM 24 are each a single flash ROM, but a plurality of storage areas are configured by partitioning each storage area by a partition. Has been. A unique area number is assigned to each storage area. At this time, an area number assigned to each storage area of the location information storage flash ROM 25 (hereinafter referred to as a location information storage area) and each storage area in the supply information storage flash ROM 24 corresponding to each location information storage area The area number assigned to (hereinafter referred to as the supply information storage area) is the same. As a result, each position information storage area and each supply information storage area are associated with each other. The position information stored in each position information storage area is used to restrict access to the supply information stored in the corresponding supply information storage area. For example, the position information stored in the storage area of area number 1 of the flash ROM 25 for storing position information is for restricting access to the supply information stored in the storage area of area No. 1 of the flash ROM 24 for storing supply information. Used.

That is, when the CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 is connected to the personal computer 10, if any of the position information stored in the plurality of position information storage areas matches the position information generated by the positioning unit 28. The access to the supply information storage area to which the same area number as the area number of the position information storage area in which the matched position information is stored is permitted. On the other hand, when none of the position information stored in the plurality of position information areas matches the position information generated by the positioning unit 28, access to each supply information storage area is not permitted.
In the case where a plurality of flash ROMs constituting the position information storage flash ROM 25 are provided and a plurality of flash ROMs constituting the supply information storage flash ROM 24 are provided, the CPU 21 associates them with each other as described above. The same restriction may be performed.

(2) Modification 2
In the embodiment, one piece of position information is stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of pieces of position information may be stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25. Furthermore, the processing that can be performed by the USB controller 27 in accordance with the access from the personal computer 10 varies depending on which of the plurality of position information is the position information that matches the position information generated by the positioning unit 28. It may be. For example, the access from the personal computer 10 to the supply information storage flash ROM 24 of the USB memory 20 includes an access for writing supply information and an access for reading supply information. Accordingly, the position information storage flash ROM 25 stores two types of position information, ie, first position information and second position information, and the first position information is generated by the positioning unit 28. If the second position information matches the position information generated by the positioning unit 28, the access for reading the supply information is permitted. In addition to access, access for writing supply information is also permitted.

By adopting such a configuration, for example, the following usage is possible.
When a user conducts business, the business is performed in the office where the user works, the business area in charge, and the user's own home. An example of these positional relationships is shown in FIG. In this example, the user's office is included in the sales area and has an inclusion relationship, but the office and the sales area and the home are not in an inclusion relationship. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the contents of the management table stored in the location information storage flash ROM 25. In this management table, the type of processing permitted and the position information are stored in association with each other. For example, the position information indicating the position of the office where the user is working is associated with the type of processing “reading and writing supply information”. This means that when the positioning position of the USB memory 20 matches the office position, reading and writing of supply information is permitted. The supply information here is information about the customer such as the name and address of the customer of the business partner or a transaction history. Therefore, while the user is in the office, the customer-related information can be taken out from the USB memory 20 and displayed on the personal computer 10, or the contents can be changed and stored in the USB memory 20 again.

  In addition, the position information indicating the position of the business area is associated with a processing type of “reading supply information”. This means that only reading of supply information is permitted when the positioning position of the USB memory 20 matches the position of the business area. Therefore, as long as the user is in the business area, the user can take out information about the customer from the USB memory 20 and display it on the personal computer 10 or print it out. Also, the position information indicating the position of the user's home is associated with the type of processing “writing supply information”. This means that when the position of the USB memory 20 matches the position of the home, only “writing of supply information” is permitted. Thus, when the user is at home, the customer cannot take out information about the customer from the USB memory 20 and display it on the personal computer 10. Can be stored. If the position of the USB memory 20 does not match any of the above, neither “read supply information” nor “write supply information” is permitted. As described above, when any of the plurality of position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25 matches the position information generated by the positioning unit 28, the CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 matches the management table. According to the contents, access for processing corresponding to the matched position information in the writing processing or the reading processing can be permitted.

(3) Modification 3
In the second modification, the position information itself is stored. However, the same operation as in the second modification may be realized by changing the form of the storage. That is, as shown in the management table of FIG. 8, only one piece of position information is stored, and the permitted processing varies depending on the distance from the position represented by the position information. When the CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 determines from the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25 that the position information generated by the positioning unit 28 is included within the distance range described in the management table, Are matched, and processing according to the distance between the two is permitted. In the example of FIG. 8, if the distance between the position information generated by the positioning unit 28 and the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25 is within 10 m, the “supply information” "Reading and writing" is permitted, and if the distance between the two is within 1 km, only "reading of supply information" is permitted. If the distance between the two is more than that, Neither “read” nor “write supply information” is allowed.

(4) Modification 4
In the embodiment, the USB memory 20 includes the positioning unit 28. However, the positioning unit may be provided on the personal computer 10 side which is a USB host. Since the USB memory 20 is used only when connected to the personal computer 10, the CPU 21 acquires the positional information generated by the positioning unit of the personal computer 10 as its own positional information when connected to the personal computer 10. Based on the acquired position information and the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25, it may be determined whether or not the personal computer 10 can access the supply information storage flash ROM 24. In short, the USB memory 20 only needs to have acquisition means for acquiring position information that can be used as position information representing its own position.

(5) Modification 5
In the embodiment, the USB memory 20 collates the position information generated by the positioning unit 28 with the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25. When this verification process is complicated and requires a considerable amount of time, the external device of the USB memory 20 performs the verification process, and the CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 supplies it from the personal computer 10 based on the verification result acquired from the external device. Whether to access the information storage flash ROM 24 may be determined. In this case, the external device that performs the collation processing may be the personal computer 10 that is the USB host, or may be another external computer device that communicates with the personal computer 10. When the external device that performs the collation processing is the personal computer 10, the CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 stores the position information generated by the positioning unit 28 and the position information storage flash ROM 25 in step S5 of FIG. The current position information is transmitted to the personal computer 10 and a collation process is requested. The CPU 11 of the personal computer 10 collates both and sends the collation result to the USB memory 20. The CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 acquires the collation result transmitted from the personal computer 10. When the external device that performs the collation processing is an external computer device that communicates with the personal computer 10, the CPU 21 requests the external computer device for collation processing via the personal computer 10, and the personal computer 10 What is necessary is just to acquire the collation result transmitted via.

(6) Modification 6
The above modified example 5 is modified as follows, and the two pieces of positional information transmitted from the USB memory 20 are collated depending on whether or not the two pieces of positional information are both inside the common building. Also good.
For example, when the personal computer 10 performs this collation processing, the storage unit 14 stores map information in which the positions inside and outside the building are distinguished for a number of buildings. For example, the map information may be such that the boundary line inside and outside the building is expressed by latitude and longitude. The CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 transmits the position information generated by the positioning unit 28 and the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25 to the personal computer 10 in step S5 of FIG. To do. The CPU 11 of the personal computer 10 determines whether or not the two pieces of position information transmitted from the USB memory 20 are both inside the common building stored in the map information. When the CPU 11 determines that the position is inside the common building, the CPU 11 transmits a collation result indicating that both pieces of the position information match to the USB memory 20, and determines that the position is not inside the common building. In this case, a collation result indicating that the positional information of the two does not match is transmitted to the USB memory 20. The CPU 21 acquires the collation result and determines whether or not the personal computer 10 can access the supply information storage flash ROM 24.
When the external device that performs the collation processing is an external computer device that communicates with the personal computer 10, the CPU 21 requests the external computer device for collation processing via the personal computer 10, and the personal computer 10 What is necessary is just to acquire the collation result transmitted via.

(7) Modification 7
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the personal computer 10 is a USB host and the USB memory 20 is a USB device has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The USB device may be any device connected to a USB host and used, for example, a portable music player, a digital camera, or a display device called electronic paper. The USB host is not limited to a personal computer, and may be, for example, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) or a mobile phone.

(8) Modification 8
In the above-described embodiment, the USB memory 20 that is a device terminal and the personal computer 10 that is a host device are connected by the USB standard. It may be connected by communication according to other standards. In this case, the device terminal USB is provided with an interface compliant with IEEE1394 that can be attached to and detached from the host device, and a controller that communicates with the host device according to IEEE1394. On the other hand, the host device is provided with a connection port to which the interface of the device terminal is connected and a controller that communicates with the device terminal in accordance with IEEE1394. Even in this configuration, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

(9) Modification 9
In the embodiment, the CPU 21 activates the USB controller 27 after confirming that the position information generated by the positioning unit 28 matches the position information stored in the position information storage flash ROM 25. The activation timing of the USB controller 27 is not limited to this, and the CPU 21 activates the USB controller 27 whenever it can restrict reading and writing of information to the supply information storage flash ROM 24 by the USB controller 27. May be.

(10) Modification 10
In the embodiment described above, the program executed by the CPU 11 of the personal computer 10 and the CPU 21 of the USB memory 20 is recorded in a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a RAM. Can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of an information processing system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of CPU of USB memory. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of CPU of USB memory. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of CPU of USB memory. It is a figure which illustrates the memory content of the flash ROM for position information storage in the modification, and the flash ROM for supply information storage. It is a figure explaining the inclusion relation of the position memorized by flash ROM for position information storage in a modification. It is a figure explaining the content memorize | stored in the flash ROM for position information storage in a modification. It is a figure explaining the content memorize | stored in the flash ROM for position information storage in a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing system, 10 ... Personal computer, 20 ... USB memory, 11, 21 ... CPU, 24 ... Supply information storage flash ROM, 25 ... Position information storage flash ROM, 28 ... Positioning part, 26 ... USB connector, 16, 27 ... USB controller, 15 ... USB port.

Claims (9)

A device terminal connected to a host device and used.
Supply information storage means for storing supply information supplied from the host device connected to the terminal;
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information representing the position of the terminal;
Position information storage means for storing the position information;
A writing means for writing the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means to the position information storage means when connected to the host device when the position information is not stored in the position information storage means;
When the position information is stored in the position information storage means, the position information is connected to the host device, and the position information stored in the position information storage means matches the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means. If the host device permits access to the supply information storage unit and the position information stored in the position information storage unit does not match the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit, the host device A device terminal comprising: permission means for not permitting access to the supply information storage means. When receiving an instruction to erase the position information stored in the position information storage means, the position information is erased, and an erasing means for erasing the supply information stored in the supply information storage means is provided.
When the writing means is connected to the host device when the position information is erased from the position information storage means by the erasing means, the writing means obtains the position information obtained by the position information obtaining means. The device terminal according to claim 1, wherein the device information is newly written in the position information storage unit. A plurality of the position information storage means;
A plurality of the supply information storage means corresponding to each of the position information storage means,
The permission means includes
If any of the position information stored in the plurality of position information storage means matches the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means, the storage information is stored among the plurality of supply information storage means. Permit access to the supply information storage means corresponding to the position information storage means with which the position information is matched,
If none of the position information stored in the plurality of position information storage means matches the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means, access to each of the supply information storage means is not permitted. The device terminal according to claim 1. The access from the host device to the supply information storage means includes an access for writing information to the supply information storage means and an access for reading information from the supply information storage means. And
In the position information storage means, a plurality of the position information is stored,
The permission means includes
If any one of the plurality of pieces of position information stored in the position information storage unit matches the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit, the position that matches between the writing process and the reading process The device terminal according to claim 1, wherein access for processing according to information is permitted. Access from the host device to the supply information storage means includes access for writing information to the supply information storage means and access for reading information from the supply information storage means. And
The permission means includes
Of the writing process or the reading process, a process according to the distance between the position represented by the position information stored in the position information storage unit and the position represented by the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit The device terminal according to claim 1, wherein access for the device is permitted. Position information transmission means for transmitting the position information stored in the position information storage means and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means to the host device or an external device communicating with the host device;
A verification result acquisition means for acquiring a verification result of the position information of both sent from the host device or the external device;
The device according to claim 1, wherein the permission unit permits or does not permit access from the host device to the supply information storage unit based on the collation result acquired by the collation result acquisition unit. Terminal. A USB device connected to a USB host according to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard,
A first memory for storing supply information supplied from the USB host connected to the device;
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the own device;
A second memory for storing the position information;
A USB controller that controls writing and reading of information to and from the first memory in response to a request from the USB host;
When the location information is not stored in the second memory, when connected to the USB host, the location information acquired by the location information acquisition means is written into the second memory, and the second memory is stored. Connected to the USB host when position information is stored, and activates the USB controller when the position information stored in the second memory matches the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means And a control unit that does not activate the USB controller if the position information stored in the second memory does not match the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. . A device terminal according to claim 6;
The host device or the external device communicating with the host device,
The device terminal is
Position information transmission means for transmitting the position information stored in the position information storage means and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means to the host device or the external device communicating with the host device; Prepared,
The host device or the external device that communicates with the host device is:
Map information storage means for storing map information in which positions inside and outside the building are distinguished;
The position information stored in the position information storage means transmitted from the device terminal and the position information acquired from the position information acquisition means transmitted from the device terminal are included in the map information. A judging means for judging whether or not it is in a position inside the stored common building;
When the determination means determines that the position is inside the common building, the position information stored in the position information storage means matches the position information acquired by the acquisition means. When the collation result is transmitted to the device terminal and it is determined that the position is not inside the common building, the position information stored in the position information storage means and the position information acquired by the acquisition means An information processing system comprising: a matching result transmitting means for transmitting a matching result indicating that the two do not match to the device terminal. A computer connected to the host device
Supply information storage means for storing supply information supplied from the host device connected to the terminal;
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information representing the position of the terminal;
Position information storage means for storing the position information;
A writing means for writing the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means to the position information storage means when connected to the host device when the position information is not stored in the position information storage means;
When the position information is stored in the position information storage means, the position information is connected to the host device, and the position information stored in the position information storage means matches the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means. If the host device permits access to the supply information storage unit and the position information stored in the position information storage unit does not match the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit, the host device A program that functions as permission means that does not permit access to the supply information storage means.

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