JP2012022517A - Terminal device, program, recording medium and server device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience while suppressing service provision to a terminal device or a user to which service provision is not permitted, for an application for which it is necessary to inquire whether service provision is permitted of a server device.SOLUTION: A terminal device stores therein permission information indicating whether service provision is permitted. The permission information is updated on the basis of an inquiry result acquired from a server device. When the use of an application is instructed, prior to starting service provision using the application, a control section of the terminal device refers to the permission information (a result of the last inquiry). In the case where the permission information indicates permission, the control section performs the inquiry of the server device and updates the permission information during or after the service provision.

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal device, a program, a recording medium, and a server device.

  Application programs and application software (hereinafter collectively referred to as applications) can provide various services to users of terminal devices. Among these applications, there is an application that inquires of the server device whether or not there is a use right and cannot receive a service without the use right. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a terminal device that inquires of a server device whether or not a member is a member before providing a service by an application, and permits the provision of the service if the member is a member. Patent Document 2 describes a terminal device that performs member authentication to an authentication server when starting to use an application or during the use of an application.

International Publication No. 2010/021302 Japanese Patent No. 4313425

  By the way, when the member authentication to the authentication server is performed before the use of the application is started, it is necessary to communicate with the authentication server before the use of the application is started. For this reason, the waiting time until the provision of the service is increased, and the convenience of the application is not good. On the other hand, when member authentication to the authentication server is performed while using the application, service provision is started once regardless of whether or not the user is a member, and if the member is not a member, the service provision is stopped halfway. . For this reason, even if it is not a member, it becomes possible to receive provision of service halfway.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and for an application that needs to inquire a server device about whether or not to provide a service, a service for a terminal device or a user who is not permitted to provide the service. The issue to be solved is to improve convenience while suppressing provision.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a terminal device according to the present invention includes a first storage unit that stores an application for providing a service to a user of the terminal device, and the application stored in the first storage unit. The identification information stored in the second storage unit by communicating with a providing unit that provides a service, a second storage unit that stores identification information for identifying the terminal device or the user, and an external server device An inquiry unit that inquires whether or not the provision of the service is permitted to the terminal device or the user identified by the third storage unit, and a third storage unit that stores permission / rejection information indicating permission / prohibition of the provision of the service; An update unit that updates the permission / rejection information stored in the third storage unit based on a query result by the query unit, and the providing unit, the query unit, and the update unit. And when the use of the application is instructed, the control unit displays the permission / rejection information stored in the third storage unit before the provision of the service by the providing unit is started. If the permission / refusal information indicates permission, the provision unit starts providing the service, and during or after provision of the service, the inquiry unit performs inquiry and the update unit updates. And

  According to the above configuration, when the use of the application is instructed, the control unit refers to the permission / rejection information stored in the third storage unit before starting to provide the service by the application, and the permission / rejection information is permitted. In this case, the inquiry to the server device and the update of the permission / refusal information are performed during the service provision or after the service provision.

  Here, the permission / refusal information is updated based on the inquiry result by the inquiry unit. The permission / refusal information is referred to after the use of the application is instructed and before the inquiry to the server device and the permission / refusal information are updated. Accordingly, the permission / refusal information is in accordance with the previous inquiry result, unless it has never been updated. That is, when the permission / refusal information indicates permission, the previous inquiry result permits the provision of the service. In addition, if the permission / rejection information (previous inquiry result) indicates permission, as long as the right to receive service has not been changed from “Yes” to “None” since the previous inquiry to the server device, Service provision is permitted. That is, the case where the permission / refusal information indicates permission is a case where there is a high possibility that the provision of the service is permitted. Therefore, in such a case, the processing related to the communication with the server device and the update of the permission information is performed before the service is provided by performing the inquiry to the server device and the update of the permission information during the service provision or after the service provision. Therefore, the waiting time until the service is started can be shortened, and the convenience of the application can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of the application by shortening the waiting time until the service provision is started while suppressing the provision of the service to the terminal device and the user who are not permitted to provide the service.

  The “application” may be, for example, music data and its playback software, video data and its viewer, in addition to application software and application programs such as game software, word processing software, image editing software, and anti-virus software. Good. Examples of services provided by the application include game play, document creation, image editing, computer virus detection and removal, music and video playback, and the like. In addition to the application provided to the terminal device via the network, the “application” is provided to the terminal device via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, or preinstalled in the terminal device. It may be. As described above, the “application” is a program, software, or the like for providing a service to the user of the terminal device, and is stored in the first storage unit of the terminal device before the user uses the service. Good.

  “Identification information” is an ID unique to each terminal device or user, for example. However, the “identification information” is not necessarily unique information for each terminal device or user, and may be a group ID unique to each of a plurality of terminal devices or a plurality of users, for example. As the “identification information”, a license number assigned to the application or a cookie generated by the server device and sent to the terminal device can be used.

  The “permission / rejection information” is, for example, a flag that is “1” when service provision is permitted and “0” when service provision is not permitted. For example, the update unit updates the “permission / rejection information” to “1” when the inquiry result from the server device permits the provision of the service, and the inquiry result from the server device does not permit the provision of the service. In this case, the “permission information” is updated to “0”. The process for updating the permission / rejection information (inquiry by the inquiry unit and update by the update unit) may be performed every time the service is provided, or once every predetermined number of times instead of every time. It may be broken. For example, in the embodiment to be described later, the application 11 configured by the main module 11A, the service main body module 11B, and the usage authority inquiry module 11C is illustrated. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. After each execution of the main module 11A, the service authority module 11C is executed each time the service body module 11B is executed in step S402 to start providing the service, and the value of the control flag 520 (permission information) ) Is updated (step S403). However, the number of executions of the service main body module 11B may be counted, and the use authority inquiry module 11C may be executed to update the value of the control flag 520 only when the count value is a multiple of 3, for example. Thus, the inquiry by the inquiry unit and the update by the update unit do not necessarily have to be performed every time during or after the service is provided.

  The “first storage unit”, “second storage unit”, and “third storage unit” may be provided in the same memory, or may be distributed in two or more different memories. Examples of the memory provided with these storage units include a built-in memory provided in the terminal device, a card-type recording medium inserted into the terminal device, an external storage device connected to the terminal device, and the like. The “terminal device” is a computer having a communication function, and examples thereof include a mobile phone, a personal computer, and a video game machine. The “terminal device” may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

  In the terminal device described above, when the permission / refusal information indicates non-permission, the control unit performs the inquiry by the inquiry unit and the update by the update unit, and then the permission / denial information after the update permits the permission. The service may be provided by the providing unit when the information is indicated, and the service may not be provided by the providing unit when the permission information after the update indicates the non-permission.

  According to this configuration, when the use of the application is instructed, the control unit refers to the permission / rejection information stored in the third storage unit before starting to provide the service by the application, and the permission / rejection information is not permitted. After the inquiry to the server device and update of the permission information, the service is provided when the updated permission information indicates permission, and the service is provided when the updated permission information indicates disapproval. Will not be provided.

  As described above, the permission / rejection information is in accordance with the previous inquiry result. Therefore, when the permission / rejection information indicates disapproval, the previous inquiry result does not permit the provision of the service. Also, if the permission / refusal information (previous inquiry result) indicates disapproval, unless the right to receive service has been changed from “No” to “Yes” since the previous inquiry to the server device, However, the provision of services is not permitted. In other words, the case where the permission / refusal information indicates disapproval means that there is a high possibility that the provision of the service is not permitted. Therefore, in such a case, by making an inquiry to the server device and updating the permission information before providing the service, by determining whether to provide the service based on the latest permission information after the update, It is possible to prevent provision of services to terminal devices and users who are not permitted to provide services.

  The processing for updating the permission information (inquiry by the inquiry unit and update by the updating unit) may be performed every time when the permission information indicates non-permission as a result of referring to the permission information, It may be performed once every predetermined number of times instead of every time. For example, in the embodiment described later, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, each time the value of the control flag 520 (permission / rejection information) is determined to be “0” (non-permission) (step S401: NO), The usage authority inquiry module 11C is executed to update the value of the control flag 520 (step S404). However, the number of times that the determination result of step S401 is NO is counted, and the value of the control flag 520 may be updated by executing the usage authority inquiry module 11C only when the count value is a multiple of 3, for example. . As described above, the inquiry by the inquiry unit and the update by the update unit do not necessarily have to be performed every time when the reference result of the permission / refusal information is not permitted.

In the terminal device described above, information indicating the permission may be stored in the third storage unit as an initial value of the permission / rejection information.
In order to get the contents of the service provided by the application to be known to all the companies that provide the application, at least at the time of first use, it is provided to all persons regardless of whether or not the provision of the service is permitted. There are those who want to provide services. By accepting the initial value of permission / rejection information as information indicating permission, until the permission / rejection information is updated for the first time in response to such a request from the operator, the provision of the service is not permitted. It is possible to make a trial use of a so-called application that can be provided.
Note that if the use of the application is instructed, the trial use of the application is limited to the first time if the permission / refusal information is updated every time. For example, 3n (n = 1, 2, 3...) If the configuration is such that the permission / refusal information is updated only when there is an instruction to use for the first time, the trial use of the application can be performed for the first three times.

Further, in the terminal device described above, the third storage unit stores information indicating non-acquisition that the inquiry unit has not acquired the inquiry result as an initial value of the permission / rejection information, and the control unit When the permission / refusal information indicates the non-acquisition or the permission, the provision unit starts providing the service, and during or after the provision of the service, the inquiry by the inquiry unit and the update by the update unit are performed. You may do it.
In this case, the trial use of the application can be made possible.

In the terminal device described above, the update unit updates the permission / rejection information stored in the third storage unit to information indicating the disapproval when the inquiry unit cannot obtain the inquiry result. It may be.
For example, if the configuration is such that the permission information is not updated when the inquiry result cannot be acquired, in the case of wireless communication, the terminal device is moved to a place where radio waves do not reach and the application is used. In some cases, by using an application in situations where it is not possible to intentionally communicate with the server device, such as by disconnecting the communication cable from the terminal device, it is possible to provide services illegally even if service provision is not permitted. It may become possible to receive. When the inquiry result cannot be obtained, the unauthorized use of the application can be prevented by updating the permission / rejection information to information indicating non-permission.

The terminal device described above further includes a measurement unit that measures the service provision amount, and the update unit is stored in the third storage unit when a measurement result by the measurement unit is less than a predetermined amount. The permission / refusal information may be updated to information indicating the permission.
According to this configuration, when the service provision amount is less than the predetermined amount, the permission / rejection information is updated to information indicating permission regardless of the inquiry result by the inquiry unit, so that the trial use can be received next time. Become. Examples of the service provision amount include, for example, the service provision time, the number of service provisions, or the number of cleared game stages if the application is game software.
For example, when trial use is limited to the first time, if the user mistakenly terminates the application during trial use, the user will be entitled to receive the service. Unless it is officially obtained, the application cannot be used. On the other hand, when trial use is controlled based on the amount of service provided as described above, for example, until the service provision time (application use time) exceeds 2 hours, the trial use is performed regardless of the number of times of use. If the application can be used, or if the application is game software, the application can be used for trial use until the number of cleared game stages exceeds three, regardless of the number of use times or use time. Can be controlled more flexibly.

The present invention also provides a program for providing a service to a computer user, the computer storing the computer or identification information for identifying the user, a providing unit for providing the service by the program, an external An inquiry unit that communicates with a server device and inquires whether or not provision of the service is permitted to the computer or the user identified by the identification information, and permission / rejection information indicating permission / prohibition of provision of the service As a control unit that controls the update unit, the providing unit, the inquiry unit, and the update unit that update the permission / rejection information stored in the storage unit based on the inquiry result by the inquiry unit When the execution of the program is instructed, the control unit starts providing the service by the providing unit The permission information stored in the storage unit is referred to before the permission information indicates permission, and the providing unit starts providing the service, and during or after the service is provided, Inquiry by the inquiry unit and update by the update unit are performed.
According to this program, the computer can be provided with the function of the terminal device of the present invention.

The server device according to the present invention stores in the storage unit a storage unit that stores the program, a reception unit that receives a transmission request for the program, and a transmission source of the transmission request received by the reception unit. And a transmission unit for transmitting the program.
In a communication system including this server device and a computer having a communication function, the computer can function as the terminal device of the present invention by transmitting the above program from the server device to the computer.

  The present invention can also be understood as a computer-readable recording medium on which the above program is recorded. Examples of the recording medium include a CD-ROM and a memory card. The present invention can also be understood as a transmission medium (for example, a network) for transmitting the above program. That is, the present invention can also be understood as a medium (data carrier) for recording or transmitting the above-described program in a computer-readable manner. Furthermore, the present invention can be understood as a program product that holds data that is loaded into a computer and becomes the above-described program.

  Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, for an application that needs to inquire a server device whether service provision is permitted or not, it is possible to improve convenience while suppressing provision of services to terminal devices and users who are not permitted to provide services. it can.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a communication system. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a mobile telephone. It is a figure which shows the module structure of an application. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a member database. It is a sequence chart in the case of downloading an application. It is a sequence chart in the case of performing member registration. It is a sequence chart in the case of inquiring the presence or absence of use authority. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an application.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<1. Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the communication system 1.
The communication system 1 includes a download server 10, an authentication server 20, the Internet 30, a mobile communication network 40, and a mobile phone 50. The mobile communication network 40 includes a gateway server 41 and a base station 42. Although only one base station 42 and one mobile phone 50 are shown in FIG. 1, there are actually a plurality of base stations 42 and mobile phones 50, respectively.

  The download server 10 includes a transmission unit, a reception unit, and a storage unit, and an application 11 to be provided to the mobile phone 50 is stored in the storage unit. The application 11 is a program or software executable by the mobile phone 50 and provides various services to the user of the mobile phone 50. For example, examples of the application 11 include game software, word processing software, image editing software, and anti-virus software. Examples of services provided by the application 11 include game play, document creation, image editing, computer virus detection and removal, and the like. The application 11 includes, for example, i-αppli (registered trademark) provided by NTT DoCoMo Inc., Tokyo, Japan, and KDDI Corporation, Tokyo. , Japan), an EZ application provided by SoftBank Mobile Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. It may be an application (S! Appli, registered trademark) or the like.

  Note that the application 11 in the present embodiment cannot obtain usage authority (right to receive service provision) unless it is a service member of a business provider that provides the application 11. In order to become a service member, it is necessary to access the authentication server 20 and perform member registration (user registration). The download server 10 may be configured to store a plurality of applications 11 and allow the user of the mobile phone 50 to arbitrarily select the application 11 to be downloaded.

  The authentication server 20 includes a transmission unit, a reception unit, and a storage unit, and a member database 21 is stored in the storage unit. In the member database 21, identification information and the like of the user who has registered as a member are registered. The gateway server 41 is a server that interconnects the Internet 30 and the mobile communication network 40, and converts a communication protocol in the Internet 30 and a communication protocol in the mobile communication network 40. Further, the base station 42 performs wireless communication with the mobile phone 50 located in the wireless area of the own station.

  The mobile phone 50 can perform packet communication with the download server 10 and the authentication server 20 via the mobile communication network 40 and the Internet 30. For example, the mobile phone 50 can download the application 11 from the download server 10. In addition, the mobile phone 50 can access the authentication server 20 to perform member registration, and can inquire of the authentication server 20 about whether or not the downloaded application 11 has a use authority. In addition, the mobile phone 50 provides the user with various services by executing the application 11.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the mobile phone 50.
The cellular phone 50 includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a wireless communication unit 504, an operation unit 505, a call processing unit 506, a display unit 507, and a nonvolatile memory 508. The CPU 501 controls each unit of the mobile phone 50 by executing various programs stored in the ROM 502 and the nonvolatile memory 508. The ROM 502 stores a program for performing basic control of each unit of the mobile phone 50. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The wireless communication unit 504 controls wireless communication with the base station 42 under the control of the CPU 501. The operation unit 505 has a plurality of operators such as keys and buttons, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation of the operator to the CPU 501. The call processing unit 506 includes a microphone, a speaker, a voice processing unit, and the like, and performs call processing under the control of the CPU 501. The display unit 507 includes a liquid crystal display panel and a drive circuit that performs display control thereof.

  The non-volatile memory 508 includes a storage area (second storage section) for storing the user ID 510 (identification information), a storage area (first storage section) for storing the application 11 downloaded from the download server 10, and a control flag. A storage area (third storage unit) for storing 520 (permission / rejection information) is provided. When a plurality of applications 11 downloaded from the download server 10 are stored in the nonvolatile memory 508, a control flag 520 is associated with each application 11 and stored.

  The user ID 510 is information for identifying the user of the mobile phone 50, and for example, the telephone number (caller ID), the e-mail address, or the name varies depending on the operator of the mobile communication network 40. For example, it is a contractor unique ID such as an IMUI (International Mobile User Identity), a terminal serial number, a subscriber ID, an individual identification information, and the like. As described above, the user ID 510 is a unique ID for each user or mobile phone 50. However, the user ID 510 does not necessarily have to be unique information for each user or the mobile phone 50, and may be a group ID unique to each of a plurality of users or the plurality of mobile phones 50, for example. As the user ID 510, a cookie generated by the download server 10 or the authentication server 20 and sent to the mobile phone 50 or a license number assigned to the application 11 can be used. Note that the user ID 510 may be stored in the ROM 502 instead of the nonvolatile memory 508.

  The control flag 520 is a flag that is referred to when the application 11 is executed. Although details will be described later, the value of the control flag 520 is updated based on the inquiry result received from the authentication server 20. The value of the control flag 520 takes, for example, a value indicating “NULL” and three values “0” and “1”. “NULL” indicates an empty state in which no value of the control flag 520 is set, but in actuality, as a value indicating “NULL”, for example, “−1” or the like other than “0” and “1”. Any value is used. When the value of the control flag 520 indicates “NULL”, it indicates a non-acquisition state in which an inquiry result has not been received from the authentication server 20. Further, when the value of the control flag 520 is “0”, it indicates that the inquiry result last received from the authentication server 20 is “no use authority”. Further, when the value of the control flag 520 is “1”, it indicates that the inquiry result received last from the authentication server 20 is “use authority”.

  In the mobile phone 50, a CPU 501, an operation unit 505, a display unit 507, a memory (ROM 502, RAM 503, and nonvolatile memory 508), and a sound source unit and a speaker (not shown) are provided as a providing unit. Function. Depending on the type of the application 11, the wireless communication unit 504 may be included in the providing unit. Further, the CPU 501 and the wireless communication unit 504 function as an inquiry unit, and the CPU 501 functions as an update unit and a control unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a module configuration of the application 11.
The application 11 is roughly divided into a main module 11A, a service main body module 11B, and a usage authority inquiry module 11C. The main module 11A is a part to which control is first transferred in the application 11, and controls calling of the service main body module 11B and the usage authority inquiry module 11C which are sub modules. The service main body module 11B controls the content of substantial services provided to the user. For example, if the application 11 is game software, the service main body module 11B performs various processes necessary for playing the game, such as displaying game images, outputting sound effects, and calculating scores. Further, the usage authority inquiry module 11C performs processing for inquiring the authentication server 20 about the presence of usage authority, and processing for updating the value of the control flag 520 based on the inquiry result received from the authentication server 20.

  In the present embodiment, the “use authority” is a right to receive service provided by the service main body module 11B, and even when there is no use authority, when the execution of the application 11 is instructed, the main module 11A and the use authority The inquiry module 11C is executed.

FIG. 4 shows the data structure of the member database 21. As shown in FIG.
Each record constituting the member database 21 includes an item for storing identification information (user ID 510) of a user who has registered as a member, an item for storing information on the date of registration when the member was registered, and member registration. It consists of items that store information on the withdrawal date when is canceled. In the figure, “NULL” indicates an empty state in which no item data for the withdrawal date is set. That is, when a value indicating “NULL” is stored in the item of withdrawal date, it indicates that the corresponding user has not yet withdrawn. For example, in FIG. 4, the user whose user ID 510 is “00047962” has already been withdrawn because the withdrawal date information has been registered, and is not a service member and has no authority to use the application 11. Become. On the other hand, the user whose user ID 510 is “00053211” is a service member and has the authority to use the application 11 because the withdrawal date item is “NULL”. For users who have not registered as members, the user ID 510 itself is not registered in the member database 21.

  In the member database 21, in addition to the user ID 510, registration date, and withdrawal date, for example, name, age, occupation, address, e-mail address, etc. may be registered as information about the user. In addition, when the download server 10 provides a plurality of applications 11 and wants to control the presence / absence of usage authority for each application 11, the identification information (application ID) of the application 11 is stored in the member database 21 shown in FIG. It is sufficient to further provide an item for storing. Alternatively, the member database 21 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sequence chart when the application 11 is downloaded.
When downloading the application 11 from the download server 10, the mobile phone 50 transmits a download request for the application 11 to the download server 10 (step S101). This download request is received by the receiving unit of the download server 10. When receiving the download request, the download server 10 reads the application 11 from the storage unit (step S102). Further, the transmission unit of the download server 10 transmits the read application 11 to the mobile phone 50 (step S103).

  When the download server 10 provides a plurality of applications 11, the mobile phone 50 transmits the identification information (application ID) of the application 11 to be downloaded together with the download request. In this case, the download server 10 reads the application 11 corresponding to the received application ID from the storage unit and transmits it to the mobile phone 50.

  When receiving the application 11, the mobile phone 50 installs the received application 11 in the nonvolatile memory 508 (step S104). Next, the CPU 501 of the mobile phone 50 secures a storage area for the control flag 520 in the nonvolatile memory 508 (step S105). Further, the CPU 501 sets a value indicating “NULL” (non-acquisition) as an initial value of the control flag 520 in the secured storage area (step S106). Thereafter, the CPU 501 displays a message indicating that it is necessary to register as a member in order to use the downloaded application 11 on the display unit 507 (step S107).

FIG. 6 is a sequence chart in the case of member registration.
When performing membership registration, the mobile phone 50 first reads the user ID 510 from the nonvolatile memory 508 (step S201). Next, the cellular phone 50 transmits the read user ID 510 to the authentication server 20 together with the membership request (step S202). Upon receiving the membership request and the user ID 510, the authentication server 20 adds a new record to the member database 21, and adds the received user ID 510, the current date (registration date), and “NULL” to the added record. Is stored (withdrawal date) (step S203). Further, after completing the registration in the member database 21, the authentication server 20 transmits a completion notification indicating that the member registration has been completed to the mobile phone 50 (step S204).

  In the case of canceling the membership registration, a withdrawal request and a user ID 510 are transmitted from the mobile phone 50. Upon receiving the withdrawal request and the user ID 510, the authentication server 20 stores the current date in the withdrawal date item corresponding to the received user ID 510 in the member database 21.

FIG. 7 is a sequence chart in the case of inquiring whether there is a use authority.
Note that the processing on the mobile phone 50 side in the figure is performed according to the above-described use authority inquiry module 11C. When the CPU 501 of the mobile phone 50 inquires of the authentication server 20 about whether or not the application 11 is authorized to use, first, the CPU 501 reads the user ID 510 from the nonvolatile memory 508 (step S301). Next, the CPU 501 transmits the read user ID 510 together with the inquiry request to the authentication server 20 via the wireless communication unit 504 (step S302). Upon receiving the inquiry request and the user ID 510, the authentication server 20 refers to the member database 21 (step S303) and determines whether or not there is a use authority (step S304).

  For example, when the authentication server 20 stores the member database 21 shown in FIG. 4 and receives the user ID 510 “00047962” together with the inquiry request from the mobile phone 50, the member database 21 (FIG. 4) contains a user. The ID 510 “00047962” is registered, but the withdrawal date information corresponding to the user ID 510 “00047962” is registered. In this case, since the user (or mobile phone 50) to be inquired has already been withdrawn and is not a service member, the authentication server 20 determines that there is no usage authority. The authentication server 20 also determines that there is no usage authority even when the user ID 510 received from the mobile phone 50 is not registered in the member database 21. On the other hand, when the authentication server 20 receives the user ID 510 “00053211” together with the inquiry request, the user ID 510 “00053211” is registered in the member database 21 (FIG. 4), and the user ID 510 “00053211” is registered. The item of withdrawal date corresponding to is “NULL”. In this case, since the user (or mobile phone 50) to be inquired is a service member, the authentication server 20 determines that there is a use authority.

  The authentication server 20 returns “OK” as a reference result when it is determined that the user has authority for use, and returns “NG” as a reference result when it is determined that there is no authority for use (step S305). . When receiving the inquiry result via the wireless communication unit 504, the CPU 501 of the mobile phone 50 updates the value of the control flag 520 stored in the nonvolatile memory 508 based on the received inquiry result (step S306). For example, the CPU 501 updates the value of the control flag 520 to “1” (permitted) when the inquiry result is “OK”, and sets the value of the control flag 520 to “0” (not valid) when the inquiry result is “NG”. Update to Permission.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the application 11 executed in the mobile phone 50. The process shown in the figure is performed when, for example, the user operates the operation unit 505 to instruct execution of the application 11 or when other applications (for example, a browser or a mailer) installed in the mobile phone 50 are used. It is started when execution is instructed. When the execution of the application 11 is instructed, the CPU 501 reads the application 11 from the nonvolatile memory 508, and first executes the main module 11A.

  When the processing shown in FIG. 8 is started, the CPU 501 first determines whether or not the value of the control flag 520 stored in the nonvolatile memory 508 is “0” (not permitted) (step S401). If the determination result of step S401 is YES, the process proceeds to step S404. If the determination result in step S401 is NO, that is, if the value of the control flag 520 is “NULL” (not acquired) or “1” (permitted), the process proceeds to step S402.

  The value of the control flag 520 is updated based on the inquiry result received from the authentication server 20. Further, as is apparent from the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the value of the control flag 520 is updated by executing the usage authority inquiry module 11C shown in step S403 or step S404 each time the application 11 is executed. . Therefore, the value of the control flag 520 in step S401 is not included in the previous inquiry result (the inquiry result received from the authentication server 20 during the previous execution of the application 11), except for a value indicating “NULL” (non-acquisition). It becomes a corresponding value.

  For example, when the value of the control flag 520 is “0” (non-permitted), the previous inquiry result is “NG” (no usage authority). Therefore, as long as no member registration has been performed since the time of the previous inquiry to the authentication server 20 (the previous execution time of the application 11), there is no use authority at this time. That is, when the value of the control flag 520 is “0”, it indicates that there is a high possibility that there is no use authority. On the other hand, when the value of the control flag 520 is “1” (permitted), since the previous inquiry result is “OK” (use authority), the member registration is performed after the previous inquiry to the authentication server 20. As long as is not released, there is still usage rights at this point. That is, when the value of the control flag 520 is “1”, it indicates that there is a high possibility of using authority.

  Further, when the value of the control flag 520 indicates “NULL” (non-acquisition), the inquiry result has not been received from the authentication server 20 even once. As described above, in the present embodiment, each time the application 11 is executed, the value of the control flag 520 is updated in step S403 or step S404. Therefore, the value of the control flag 520 becomes “NULL” in step S401 when the application 11 is executed first. In the present embodiment, at the first execution when the value of the control flag 520 indicates “NULL”, the service is provided even if there is no usage authority in order to know the contents of the service provided by the application 11. The so-called application 11 can be used for trial use.

  That is, the determination result in step S401 is YES (control flag 520 = "0") when there is a high possibility that there is no usage authority. In addition, the determination result in step S401 is NO (control flag 520 = “NULL” or “1”), in the case of trial use (NULL), or in the case where there is a high possibility of using authority (1). is there.

  When the determination result in step S401 is NO, the CPU 501 first executes the service main body module 11B to start providing a service (step S402). For example, if the application 11 is game software, the CPU 501 starts various processes necessary for playing the game, such as displaying a game image and outputting sound effects, by executing the service main body module 11B. Thereby, the game is started on the mobile phone 50.

  Further, after starting to provide the service, the CPU 501 executes the usage authority inquiry module 11C as background processing in parallel with the processing by the service main body module 11B (step S403). The processing by the usage authority inquiry module 11C is as described with reference to the sequence chart shown in FIG. Therefore, the CPU 501 performs a process of inquiring the authentication server 20 about the presence / absence of the use authority and a process of updating the value of the control flag 520 based on the inquiry result from the authentication server 20 as a background process while providing the service. Do. For example, if the application 11 is game software, while the user is playing the game, the control flag 520 is set based on the process of querying the authentication server 20 for the presence or absence of use authority and the query result from the authentication server 20. Processing to update the value is performed. In addition, when the processing by the service main body module 11B is finished, the CPU 501 finishes the processing shown in FIG.

  In the process by the usage authority inquiry module 11C (step S403), when the inquiry result cannot be received from the authentication server 20, the execution of the usage authority inquiry module 11C is retried at a predetermined time interval such as 5 minutes. . For example, if a failure occurs in a network such as the mobile communication network 40 or the Internet 30, a failure occurs in the authentication server 20, or a mobile phone 50 is located in a place where radio waves do not reach (out of service area), a communication error occurs. Occurs, the execution of the usage authority inquiry module 11C is retried, for example, when the inquiry result cannot be received correctly. In addition, the CPU 501 displays a message such as “The inquiry result could not be received. Do you want to retry?” On the display unit 507, and the user operates the operation unit 505 to instruct execution of the retry. Alternatively, the execution of the usage authority inquiry module 11C may be retried, or a message asking for confirmation of the retry may not be displayed, and the execution of the usage authority inquiry module 11C may be retried without user approval.

  Further, in the process by the use authority inquiry module 11C (step S403), when the control flag 520 is updated from “1” (permitted) to “0” (not permitted), the execution of the service main body module 11B is terminated. It may be. In the process by the usage authority inquiry module 11C (step S403), when the control flag 520 is updated from a value indicating “NULL” (not acquired) to “0” (not permitted), trial use is in progress. Therefore, the execution of the service main body module 11B is continued. Further, the use authority inquiry module 11C shown in step S403 is not executed by the service main body module 11B, but may be executed by a call from the main module 11A after the execution of the service main body module 11B is completed. Good.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S401 is YES, that is, if the value of the control flag 520 is “0” (non-permitted) and there is a high possibility that there is no usage authority, first, the usage authority inquiry module 11C Is executed (step S404). As a result, a process of inquiring the authentication server 20 about the presence or absence of the use authority and a process of updating the value of the control flag 520 based on the inquiry result from the authentication server 20 are performed. Therefore, the CPU 501 can obtain the latest information on the presence / absence of usage authority. As for the execution of the usage authority inquiry module 11C shown in step S404, as in the case of the usage authority inquiry module 11C shown in step S403, if the inquiry result cannot be received from the authentication server 20, a predetermined time interval is used. The execution of the usage authority inquiry module 11C is retried. The retry may be performed after obtaining the user's approval, or may be performed without the user's approval.

  When the execution of the usage authority inquiry module 11C is finished, the CPU 501 determines whether or not the value of the latest control flag 520 after the update is “0” (not permitted) (step S405). If the determination result in step S405 is NO, that is, if the value of the control flag 520 is “1” (permitted), member registration is performed after the previous inquiry to the authentication server 20, and the usage authority is “no”. In this case, the CPU 501 proceeds to step S402 to execute the service main body module 11B. If the determination result in step S405 is NO and the process proceeds to step S402, the use authority inquiry module 11C has already been executed in step S404, and therefore the use authority inquiry module 11C shown in step S403 is not executed. It is preferable to reduce the processing load of the CPU 501 when the service main body module 11B is executed.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S405 is YES, the CPU 501 does not have the usage authority even though the authentication server 20 is inquired for the latest information on the presence or absence of the usage authority. Do not execute. In this case, the CPU 501 displays a message on the display unit 507 indicating that the service cannot be provided because the user has no authority to use, or that member registration is required to receive the service (step S406). ), The process shown in FIG.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the execution of the application 11 is instructed, the CPU 501 refers to the value of the control flag 520 before starting the service provision by the service main body module 11B. When the value of the control flag 520 is “NULL” (non-acquisition) or “1” (permitted), the CPU 501 starts providing the service by executing the service body module 11B and then providing the service. Alternatively, after the service is provided, the usage authority inquiry module 11C is executed to perform processing for inquiring the authentication server 20 about the presence or absence of usage authority and processing for updating the value of the control flag 520 based on the inquiry result from the authentication server 20. Therefore, in the case of trial use or when there is a high possibility that there is a use authority, it is not necessary to perform processing related to communication with the authentication server 20 or update of the control flag 520 before providing the service. The waiting time until the start is shortened, and the convenience of the application 11 can be improved.
In addition, when the value of the control flag 520 is “0” (not permitted), that is, when there is a high possibility that there is no usage authority, the CPU 501 executes the usage authority inquiry module 11C and determines whether or not the usage authority exists. And the process of updating the value of the control flag 520 based on the inquiry result from the authentication server 20, and then providing the service by the service body module 11B based on the updated value of the control flag 520 Decide whether or not to perform. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the provision of services to users (or the mobile phone 50) who do not have usage authority.
Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of the application 11 by reducing the waiting time until the service provision is started while suppressing the provision of the service to the user (or the mobile phone 50) who does not have the use authority as much as possible. In addition, after the application 11 is downloaded, the service can be provided even without the use authority for the first time, so that the application 11 can be used on a trial basis.

<2. Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, the following modifications are possible. Also, two or more of the following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[Modification 1]
When the inquiry result is not received from the authentication server 20, the cellular phone 50 is configured to update the value of the control flag 520 to “0” (non-permitted) in step S306 of the sequence chart shown in FIG. Also good. For example, if the configuration is such that the value of the control flag 520 is not updated when the inquiry result cannot be received, the mobile phone 50 is moved to a place where the radio wave does not reach (out of the service area) and the application 11 is executed intentionally. If the application 11 is executed in a situation where communication with the authentication server 20 is not possible, it may be possible to receive a service illegally without the use authority. If the inquiry result cannot be received, the value of the control flag 520 is updated to “0” (non-permitted), so that such illegal use of the application 11 can be prevented.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment, each time the application 11 is executed, the use authority inquiry module 11C is executed to update the value of the control flag 520. However, every time the application 11 is executed a predetermined number of times (for example, three times), 1 is used. The usage authority inquiry module 11C may be executed at a rate of times. Further, even if the application 11 is executed a plurality of times a day, the use authority inquiry module 11C may be executed only once per day. For example, if the usage authority query module 11C is executed only when the application 11 is executed 3n (n = 1, 2, 3,...), The trial use of the application 11 can be performed for the first three times. .

[Modification 3]
In step S106 of the sequence chart shown in FIG. 5, “1” (permitted) may be set as the initial value of the control flag 520 instead of the value indicating “NULL” (not acquired). In this case as well, the trial use of the application 11 can be made possible as in the case where the value indicating “NULL” is set as the initial value. When the initial value of the control flag 520 is set to “1”, the control configuration can be simplified because the control flag 520 needs only two values “0” and “1”.

[Modification 4]
The CPU 501 measures the execution time of the service body module 11B and stores the accumulated execution time in the nonvolatile memory 508. If the accumulated execution time is less than a threshold value (for example, 2 hours), the CPU 501 In step S306, the value of the control flag 520 may be updated to “1” (permitted) regardless of the received inquiry result. In addition, the CPU 501 counts the number of executions of the service main body module 11B and stores the cumulative number of executions in the nonvolatile memory 508. If the cumulative number of executions is less than a threshold value (for example, five times), the CPU 501 receives it in step S306. The configuration may be such that the value of the control flag 520 is updated to “1” regardless of the inquiry result. According to the above configuration, when the service provision amount is less than a predetermined threshold, such as when the service provision time is less than 2 hours or the service provision count is less than five, the authentication server 20 Regardless of the received inquiry result, the value of the control flag 520 is updated to “1” (permitted), so that it is possible to receive a trial use next time. Note that the CPU 501 and the nonvolatile memory 508 function as a measurement unit that measures the amount of service provided. Further, as the service provision amount, in addition to the service provision time and the number of service provisions, for example, when the application 11 is game software, the number of cleared game stages can be exemplified.

  For example, when trial use is limited to the first time as described in the embodiment, if the user mistakenly instructs the application 11 to end during the trial use, The application 11 cannot be used unless the member registration and the right to receive the service are formally obtained. On the other hand, when trial use is controlled based on the amount of service provided as described above, for example, until the service provision time (application use time) exceeds 2 hours, the trial use is performed regardless of the number of times of use. Since use becomes possible, it becomes possible to control trial use of the application 11 more flexibly.

[Modification 5]
The part corresponding to the service body module 11B is an application, and the parts corresponding to the main module 11A and the usage authority inquiry module 11C are separated from the application as control software for controlling the execution of the application. A pair may be provided from the download server 10. Further, the control software may be provided separately from the download server 10 by preinstalling the control software in the mobile phone 50 and providing only the application from the download server 10.

[Modification 6]
In the above-described embodiment, use authority is given to a service member, but it is used on condition that the use fee of the application 11 is continuously paid for every predetermined period such as one month or one year. Authority may be given.

[Modification 7]
The download server 10 and the authentication server 20 may be provided in the mobile communication network 40. Further, the download server 10 and the authentication server 20 may be configured by a single server. The terminal device is not limited to the mobile phone 50, and may be, for example, a wireless LAN terminal, a personal computer, a video game machine having a communication function, or the like. Further, the terminal device may be a device that communicates wirelessly or a device that performs wired communication. When the terminal device is a personal computer or the like, the MAC address stored in the network card can be used as the user ID. The network interposed between the terminal device and the server device is not limited to the mobile communication network 40 or the Internet 30, but may be a LAN, a WAN, or the like.

[Modification 8]
An application is not limited to what is provided to a terminal device via a network. For example, it may be provided to the terminal device via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, or may be preinstalled in the terminal device. Further, the application may be, for example, music data and its reproduction software, video data and its viewer, and the like. In this case, the service provided by the application is music reproduction based on music data and video reproduction based on video data.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system, 10 ... Download server, 11 ... Application, 11A ... Main module, 11B ... Service main body module, 11C ... Usage authority inquiry module, 20 ... Authentication server, 21 ... Member database, 30 ... Internet, 40 ... Mobile Communication network, 41 ... Gateway server, 42 ... Base station, 50 ... Cell phone, 501 ... CPU, 502 ... ROM, 503 ... RAM, 504 ... Wireless communication unit, 505 ... Operation unit, 506 ... Call processing unit, 507 ... Display 508: Non-volatile memory 510: User ID 520: Control flag

In order to solve the above-described problem, a terminal device according to the present invention includes a first storage unit that stores an application for providing a service to a user of the terminal device, and the application stored in the first storage unit. The identification information stored in the second storage unit by communicating with a providing unit that provides a service, a second storage unit that stores identification information for identifying the terminal device or the user, and an external server device An inquiry unit that inquires whether or not the provision of the service is permitted to the terminal device or the user identified by the third storage unit, and a third storage unit that stores permission / rejection information indicating permission / prohibition of the provision of the service; An update unit that updates the permission / rejection information stored in the third storage unit based on a query result by the query unit, and the providing unit, the query unit, and the update unit. And a Gosuru controller, wherein the third storage unit, as an initial value of the permission information, the information indicating the non acquisition the reference unit is also not obtained once the query results are stored, wherein the control unit When the use of the application is instructed, the permission information stored in the third storage unit is referred to before the provision of the service by the providing unit is started, and the permission information is not acquired or permitted. , The provision of the service by the providing unit is started, and the inquiry by the inquiry unit and the update by the updating unit are performed during or after provision of the service.

According to the above configuration, when the use of the application is instructed, the control unit refers to the permission / rejection information stored in the third storage unit before starting to provide the service by the application, and the permission / rejection information is invalid. When acquisition or permission is indicated, the server apparatus is inquired and the permission / refusal information is updated during service provision or after service provision.

Here, the permission / refusal information is updated based on the inquiry result by the inquiry unit. The permission / refusal information is referred to after the use of the application is instructed and before the inquiry to the server device and the permission / refusal information are updated. Therefore, the permission / refusal information is in accordance with the previous inquiry result, except in the case of non-acquisition that has never been updated. That is, when the permission / refusal information indicates permission, the previous inquiry result permits the provision of the service. In addition, if the permission / rejection information (previous inquiry result) indicates permission, as long as the right to receive service has not been changed from “Yes” to “None” since the previous inquiry to the server device, Service provision is permitted. That is, the case where the permission / refusal information indicates permission is a case where there is a high possibility that the provision of the service is permitted. Therefore, in such a case, the processing related to the communication with the server device and the update of the permission information is performed before the service is provided by performing the inquiry to the server device and the update of the permission information during the service provision or after the service provision. Therefore, the waiting time until the service is started can be shortened, and the convenience of the application can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to improve the convenience of the application by shortening the waiting time until the service provision is started while suppressing the provision of the service to the terminal device and the user who are not permitted to provide the service.
In addition, in order to get the contents of the service provided by the application to be known, all of the companies that provide the application, regardless of whether or not the service is permitted, at least at the first use. There are those who want to provide services to. The initial value of the permission / rejection information is set as information indicating non-acquisition, and even when the permission / rejection information is not acquired, the server device is inquired and updated for permission / rejection information during service provision or after service provision. It is possible to make a trial use of a so-called application that responds to a request from a business operator and can receive service provision until permission information is first updated.

The “permission / rejection information” is, for example, “NULL” when the inquiry result has never been acquired , “1” when the service provision is permitted, and “0” when the service provision is not permitted. Flag. For example, the update unit updates the “permission / rejection information” to “1” when the inquiry result from the server device permits the provision of the service, and the inquiry result from the server device does not permit the provision of the service. In this case, the “permission information” is updated to “0”. The process for updating the permission / rejection information (inquiry by the inquiry unit and update by the update unit) may be performed every time the service is provided, or once every predetermined number of times instead of every time. It may be broken. For example, in the embodiment to be described later, the application 11 configured by the main module 11A, the service main body module 11B, and the usage authority inquiry module 11C is illustrated. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. After each execution of the main module 11A, the service authority module 11C is executed each time the service body module 11B is executed in step S402 to start providing the service, and the value of the control flag 520 (permission information) ) Is updated (step S403). However, the number of executions of the service main body module 11B may be counted, and the use authority inquiry module 11C may be executed to update the value of the control flag 520 only when the count value is a multiple of 3, for example. Thus, the inquiry by the inquiry unit and the update by the update unit do not necessarily have to be performed every time during or after the service is provided.
Further, if the use of the application is instructed, the trial use of the application is limited to the first time if the permission information is updated every time. For example, 3n (n = 1, 2, 3...) If the configuration is such that the permission / refusal information is updated only when there is an instruction to use for the first time, the trial use of the application can be performed for the first three times.

In the terminal device described above, the updating unit updates the permission / rejection information stored in the third storage unit to information indicating non- permission when the inquiry unit fails to obtain the inquiry result. May be.
For example, if the configuration is such that the permission information is not updated when the inquiry result cannot be acquired, in the case of wireless communication, the terminal device is moved to a place where radio waves do not reach and the application is used. In some cases, by using an application in situations where it is not possible to intentionally communicate with the server device, such as by disconnecting the communication cable from the terminal device, it is possible to provide services illegally even if service provision is not permitted. It may become possible to receive. When the inquiry result cannot be obtained, the unauthorized use of the application can be prevented by updating the permission / rejection information to information indicating non-permission.

The terminal device described above further includes a measurement unit that measures the service provision amount, and the update unit is stored in the third storage unit when a measurement result by the measurement unit is less than a predetermined amount. it may be updated on the information indicating the permission of the permission information.
According to this configuration, when the service provision amount is less than the predetermined amount, the permission / rejection information is updated to information indicating permission regardless of the inquiry result by the inquiry unit, so that the trial use can be received next time. Become. Examples of the service provision amount include, for example, the service provision time, the number of service provisions, or the number of cleared game stages if the application is game software.
For example, when trial use is limited to the first time, if the user mistakenly terminates the application during trial use, the user will be entitled to receive the service. Unless it is officially obtained, the application cannot be used. On the other hand, when trial use is controlled based on the amount of service provided as described above, for example, until the service provision time (application use time) exceeds 2 hours, the trial use is performed regardless of the number of times of use. If the application can be used, or if the application is game software, the application can be used for trial use until the number of cleared game stages exceeds three, regardless of the number of use times or use time. Can be controlled more flexibly.

The present invention also provides a program for providing a service to a computer user, the computer storing the computer or identification information for identifying the user, a providing unit for providing the service by the program, an external An inquiry unit that communicates with a server device and inquires whether or not provision of the service is permitted to the computer or the user identified by the identification information, and permission / rejection information indicating permission / prohibition of provision of the service As a control unit that controls the update unit, the providing unit, the inquiry unit, and the update unit that update the permission / rejection information stored in the storage unit based on the inquiry result by the inquiry unit to function, in the storage unit as an initial value of the permission information, the inquiry section is not be acquired once query results suddenly Information indicating is stored, wherein, when the execution of the program is instructed, by referring to the permission information stored in the storage unit prior to start providing the service by the provider, When the permission / refusal information indicates the non-acquisition or permission, the provision unit starts providing the service, and during or after the provision of the service, the inquiry unit performs an inquiry and the update unit updates. Features.
According to this program, the computer can be provided with the function of the terminal device of the present invention.

Claims (9)

A first storage unit for storing an application for providing a service to a user of the terminal device;
A providing unit for providing a service by the application stored in the first storage unit;
A second storage unit for storing identification information for identifying the terminal device or the user;
An inquiry that communicates with an external server device and inquires whether or not provision of the service is permitted to the terminal device or the user identified by the identification information stored in the second storage unit And
A third storage unit for storing permission / rejection information indicating permission / prohibition of provision of the service;
An update unit that updates the permission / rejection information stored in the third storage unit, based on a query result by the query unit;
A control unit that controls the providing unit, the inquiry unit, and the updating unit;
The controller is
When the use of the application is instructed, refer to the permission information stored in the third storage unit before starting the provision of the service by the providing unit,
When the permission / refusal information indicates permission, the provision unit starts providing the service, and during or after provision of the service, the inquiry unit performs inquiry and the update unit updates. apparatus. The controller is
When the permission / refusal information indicates disapproval, after the inquiry by the inquiry unit and the update by the updating unit, the service is provided by the providing unit when the updated permission / refusal information indicates the permission. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein when the updated permission / denial information indicates the non-permission, the providing unit does not provide the service. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein information indicating the permission is stored in the third storage unit as an initial value of the permission / rejection information. The third storage unit stores, as an initial value of the permission / refusal information, information indicating non-acquisition that the inquiry unit has not acquired a query result,
The controller is
When the permission / refusal information indicates the non-acquisition or the permission, the provision of the service is started by the providing unit, and the inquiry by the inquiry unit and the update by the updating unit are performed during or after the provision of the service. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: The update unit updates the permission / rejection information stored in the third storage unit to information indicating the non-permission when the inquiry unit fails to obtain an inquiry result. 4. The terminal device according to claim 1. A measuring unit for measuring the amount of service provided;
The update unit updates the permission / rejection information stored in the third storage unit to information indicating the permission when a measurement result by the measurement unit is less than a predetermined amount. The terminal device according to any one of the above. A program for providing a service to a computer user,
A computer or a computer storing identification information for identifying the user;
A providing unit for providing a service by the program;
An inquiry unit that communicates with an external server device and inquires whether the provision of the service is permitted to the computer or the user identified by the identification information;
A storage unit for storing permission / rejection information indicating permission / prohibition of provision of the service;
An update unit that updates the permission / rejection information stored in the storage unit based on a query result by the query unit;
Function as a control unit for controlling the providing unit, the inquiry unit and the updating unit,
The controller is
When execution of the program is instructed, referring to the permission / rejection information stored in the storage unit before starting the provision of the service by the providing unit,
When the permission / refusal information indicates permission, the provision unit starts providing the service, and during or after the provision of the service, the inquiry is performed by the inquiry unit and the update unit is updated. .   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded. A storage unit for storing the program according to claim 7;
A receiving unit for receiving a transmission request for the program;
A server device comprising: a transmission unit that transmits the program stored in the storage unit to a transmission source of the transmission request received by the reception unit.

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