JP3975648B2 - Information service providing method, controller, and information service providing system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information service providing method, a controller, and an information service providing system, and in particular, an information service providing method for providing a contractor with a predetermined information service that requires operation of a predetermined controller by communication, a controller, And an information service providing system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the spread of computers has progressed rapidly, and in general homes, a form in which computers are connected and used via a network, such as personal computer communication and Internet connection, has become common. In connection with this, it is attracting attention to provide various information services via a network.
[0003]
As described above, providing an information service by communication via a network enables a service provider to sell an information service without having a store. For a recipient, the information service is available at home. There is an advantage that the service can be used.
[0004]
In providing such information services, it is required to charge the user accurately and charge the fee, and the service provider verifies the identity with a credit card number, etc. It is necessary to permit only the contracting party to use the information service.
[0005]
For this reason, whether or not the user is a contractor by issuing an ID to the contractor at the time of the use contract and requesting the input of the ID when the user starts using the information service. It is common to determine whether or not.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the prior art, when the use of the information service is started, if the user is identified as a contractor, the lock is released and the subsequent check is not performed. For this reason, impersonation spoofing due to replacement could not be prevented.
[0007]
In particular, when providing limited information services to users, such as when it is necessary to prohibit the use of people under the age of 18, for example, the change of users during the use of information services cannot be detected. There was also a problem that the use of information services could not be restricted with certainty.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and when providing a predetermined information service by communication, an information service providing method, a controller, and a method capable of preventing the use of a person other than the contractor, and An object is to provide an information service providing system.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 The detection means configured to include a plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of light receiving elements provided at different positions of the controller performs non-interference control on the plurality of light emitting elements during provision of the information service, and The light receiving element measures the light received from each light emitting element, and based on the measurement result, the grip shape and grip shape when the information service recipient grips the controller. A physical feature that indicates at least one of the temporal changes is always detected, and the comparison means The contractor uses the controller Indicates at least one of the grip shape when gripping and the time change of the grip shape Physical features But Remember in advance The physical feature amount of the contractor stored in the stored storage means and the detected physical feature amount are constantly compared during the provision of the information service, and the determination means includes the Comparison result And a predetermined threshold On the basis of the, Using pattern recognition technology Whether the recipient is a contractor Always during the provision of the information service It is characterized by judging.
[0010]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in order to determine (identify) whether a recipient (user) of a predetermined information service provided by communication is a regular contractor of the information service. To receive the information service By the detection means configured to include a plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of light receiving elements provided at different positions of the controller operated by controller A physical feature amount indicating at least one of a grip shape when the hand is held and a temporal change in the grip shape is constantly detected, and is constantly compared with a physical feature amount stored in advance by a comparison unit. . As a result, whenever the information service is provided, the recipient can be identified to determine whether or not the recipient is a contractor. It is also possible to deal with the case where is replaced.
[0011]
In addition, as described in claim 2, when it is determined that the recipient is not a contractor, provision of the information service may be stopped.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a predetermined information service is provided by communication. of A controller operated by a recipient of the information service when receiving the provision; A plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of light receiving elements provided at different positions with respect to the controller main body, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are controlled in a non-interference manner during the provision of the information service, and the plurality of light receiving elements Measure the light received from each light emitting element, and based on the measurement result, the grip shape and the time variation of the grip shape when the information service recipient grips the controller. Always have at least one physical feature It has a detecting means for detecting.
[0013]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined information service is provided by communication, a physical feature amount generated when the controller operated by the recipient of the information service is operated. Detection means is provided for detecting. As a result, the controller can acquire the physical feature amount of the recipient who is provided with the information service by operating the controller at any time.
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the detection means includes a grip shape for the controller, a time change of the grip shape, a distribution shape of a pressing force for the controller, a time change of the distribution shape, a body temperature, a pulse It is preferable to detect at least one of a wave, a sweat secretion amount, and a blood flow.
[0015]
Claim 4 The invention described in claim 1 To 3 An information service providing system that provides a contractor with a predetermined information service that requires the operation of the controller, wherein the contractor The grip shape when grasping and the time change of the grip shape are shown. Physical features But Remember in advance Was Storage means; Comparison means for constantly comparing the physical feature quantity of the contractor stored in the storage means and the physical feature quantity detected by the detection means during provision of the information service; Comparison result by the comparison means And a predetermined threshold On the basis of the, Using pattern recognition technology Whether the recipient is a contractor Always during the provision of the information service And determining means for determining.
[0016]
Claim 4 According to the invention described in (1), in order to determine (identify) whether or not the information service recipient is a contractor, the controller Shows at least one of the grip shape when the hand is gripped and the temporal change of the grip shape Physical features are used. As described above (see claim 3), the controller can acquire the physical feature amount of the recipient who is provided with the information service at any time, so if the information service is provided, It is possible to identify the recipient at any time to determine whether the recipient is a contractor, and it is possible to cope with the case where the recipient is changed during the process.
[0018]
Claims 5 As described above, when the determination unit determines that the provider is not a contractor, it may further include a stop unit that stops providing the information service to the provider.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an example of an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a network system 10 includes a plurality of servers 12 and a plurality of computers 14 connected to the Internet 18 via connection means 16 such as a modem, a router, and a TA (Terminal Adapter). Configured. The plurality of servers 12 and the plurality of computers 14 can communicate with each other via the Internet 18.
[0021]
In the present embodiment, as an example, the server 12 and the computer 14 function as a WWW (World Wide Web) server and a WWW client, respectively, through mutual communication.
[0022]
More specifically, each computer 14 is installed with a WWW browser, and the server 12 can be arbitrarily accessed via the Internet 18 by starting the WWW browser. At this time, the access position (data constituted by the position of the server 12 to be accessed and the position of the information in the server 12) is specified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
[0023]
When there is an access request from the computer 14, each server 12 transmits the data at the position specified by the URL to the access source computer 14 via the Internet 18. At this time, the data is generally transferred according to HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of servers 12 include a server 12A that provides a gaming service (hereinafter referred to as “game service server”) and a server that permits the provision of the gaming service (hereinafter referred to as “authentication server”). And 12B). Note that the game service server 12A corresponds to the stop means of the present invention, and the authentication server 12B corresponds to the storage means, comparison means, and determination means of the present invention.
[0025]
The gaming service server 12A transmits various information for using the gaming service provided by the gaming service server 12A only to the computers 14 permitted by the authentication server 12B among the accessed computers 14. Thereby, a game service is provided to the operator of the computer 14. In addition, when the game service server 12A starts providing the game service, it starts charging according to the use of the game service.
[0026]
The authentication server 12B is an individual user of a contractor who has signed a use contract for the game service with an authorized user of the game service provided by the game service server 12A, that is, a game service provider that provides the game service on the game service server 12A. Information is registered (stored in a memory or the like) and maintained.
[0027]
Further, the authentication server 12B identifies whether or not the operator of the computer 14 that has accessed the gaming service server 12A is a contractor, and only when the operator is a contractor, the gaming service server The provision of the gaming service to the computer 14 is permitted to 12A.
[0028]
On the other hand, the plurality of computers 14 includes a computer (hereinafter referred to as “user computer”) 14A that is operated by a contractor and receives a game service from the game service server 12A.
[0029]
Game software is installed in the user computer 14A in advance. The user computer 14A is connected to a controller 20 for starting and playing the game software. In the following, an example in which pachinko simulation software is installed as game software will be described.
[0030]
In the game software, the physical model of the game machine (pachinko machine) is built internally, and the parameters include the influence of the nail of the game machine and the effect of the change in the mass of the ball receiving part due to the amount of balls. By doing so, a service environment equivalent to that of an actual gaming machine is provided. That is, when the game software is activated on the user computer 14A, an operation equivalent to that of the game machine is reproduced on the display 26 provided in the user computer 14A.
[0031]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the controller 20 is formed in a columnar shape substantially equivalent to the handle of the gaming machine. The operator holds the controller 20 by making the palm face one end surface of the controller 20 and pressing the peripheral surface of the controller 20 with each finger (so-called heel gripping), and rotates the controller 20 around its axis direction as a rotation axis. Let Based on the amount of rotational displacement of the controller 20, the game software varies a parameter that determines the power of the ball that is flipped onto the gaming machine board surface, and reproduces the result on the display 26.
[0032]
That is, the operator can start a game software and rotate the controller 20 by looking at the handle of the gaming machine, so that a virtual experience as if actually operating the gaming machine can be performed. Note that the game software is the same as general game software that does not involve money transfer when the user computer 14A is used alone (stand-alone). Is connected to the game service server 12A of the game agent, the monetary exchange occurs as if he / she actually went to the game hall and operated the game machine.
[0033]
Further, a sensor 22 for detecting the physical feature amount of the operator is provided on the peripheral surface of the controller 20 as the detection means of the present invention. When in the online state, the game software regularly acquires the physical feature amount of the operator who is playing from the sensor 22 and transmits it to the authentication server 12B. This physical feature amount of the operator is used to identify the individual operator.
[0034]
The sensor 22 may detect at least one type of physical feature. For example, the movement when pressing an object to be pressed such as the controller 20 has different wrinkles (acquired features) for each individual, and the finger also has individual differences (congenital) such as size, shape, and softness. In view of the fact that there is a feature), as a physical feature amount for identifying the individual operator, the distribution of the pressing force when the operator grasps the controller 20 and the temporal change of the distribution shape of the pressing force are detected. May be.
[0035]
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, using the technology proposed in the invention filed by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 11-113215: filed on April 21, 1999). Furthermore, by using the piezoelectric sensor 22A or the pressure sensitive sensor 22B as the sensor 22, the change in the contact state of the finger pad surface with respect to the pressed surface (the peripheral surface of the controller 20) and the change in the pressing state such as the temporal displacement of the finger position. capture. As a result, it is possible to detect a temporal change in the distribution shape of the pressing force and the distribution shape of the pressing force when the operator holds the controller 20.
[0036]
Further, in order to identify the individual operator by paying attention to different wrinkles (acquired features) for each individual when grasping the controller 20 and individual differences (congenital features) such as the size and shape of palms and fingers. As the physical feature amount, a grip shape when the operator holds the controller 20 or a time change of the grip shape may be detected.
[0037]
Specifically, it is proposed in the invention filed by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-253568: filed on September 8, 1998, Japanese Patent Application No. 11-085918, filed on March 29, 1999). As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of light emitting elements 22 </ b> C and light receiving elements 22 </ b> D are used to perform non-interference control on a plurality of light emitting elements 22 </ b> C at different positions. It is measured from which light emitting element the light received by the light receiving element 22D arrives. From this measurement result, it is possible to detect a grip shape when the player holds the controller 20 and a temporal change of the grip shape.
[0038]
Ma Pressure distribution shape, time variation of pressure distribution shape, grip shape, time variation of grip shape Conversion Individuals may be identified by a combination of at least two of the physical features.
[0039]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0040]
When receiving a game service from the game service server 12A, the user obtains game software and the controller 20 in advance, and performs a predetermined setup of the computer 14 (installing the game software on the computer, connecting the controller 20, etc.) ) And personal information must be registered in the authentication server 12B. The computer 14 after completion of the predetermined setup becomes the user computer 14A, and the user whose personal information is registered becomes the contractor.
[0041]
The game software can be obtained by, for example, obtaining a storage medium such as a CD-ROM storing the game software from a game dealer or a software store (free distribution, mail order, store sales, etc.) Obtain by downloading from the website. The controller 20 is obtained from a game company or a software store (free distribution, mail order, store sales, etc.).
[0042]
When the controller 20 is obtained at a store, the identity is issued with a license or the like at the store and an ID is issued. In addition, when confirming identity, it is also confirmed that the person is 18 years of age or older.
[0043]
Further, the operator grasps and operates the controller 20, and the sensor 22 acquires the physical feature amount when the operator operates the controller 20. The personal information including the issued ID and the acquired physical feature amount is registered in the authentication server 12B directly or via the Internet, and a procedure related to the fee payment method is performed.
[0044]
When the controller 20 is obtained at a store other than a store such as a mail order, after performing a predetermined setup, the operator accesses the predetermined website from the user computer 14A and confirms the identity by inputting a credit card number or the like. Go and issue an ID. In addition, when confirming identity, it is also confirmed that the person is 18 years of age or older.
[0045]
At the same time, the operator grasps and operates the controller 20, and the sensor 22 acquires a physical feature amount when the operator operates the controller 20. Personal information including the issued ID and the acquired physical feature amount is registered in the authentication server 12B via the Internet 18.
[0046]
Note that the above game software, the method of obtaining the controller 20, and the method of registering personal information are examples, and the present invention is not limited to this.
[0047]
On the other hand, the game company announces the form of the game service provided by the company on the Web site on the Internet by the game service server 12A.
[0048]
The user (operator) operates the user computer 14A to access the game service server 12A from the user computer 14A, and requests the game service server 12A to provide the game service from the user computer 14A (step 100). .
[0049]
Upon receiving this request, the gaming service server 12A displays a message on the display 26 of the user computer 14A, etc., and inputs the ID issued to the operator when registering the personal information and the desired gaming machine (virtual pachinko shop or The user is prompted to select the type of gaming machine (step 102).
[0050]
When the operator inputs an ID and selects a desired gaming machine, the input ID and selection result are transmitted to the gaming service server 12A (step 104). The gaming service server 12A receives the ID and the selection result from the user computer 14A, transmits the physical model and parameters of the selected gaming machine to the user computer 14A, and starts providing the gaming service (step 106).
[0051]
If the same gaming machine has been selected before and the physical model is stored in the storage device provided in the user computer 14A, it is not necessary to transmit the physical model, but only the parameters Always send. This is because, in an actual amusement hall (pachinko parlor), the state of the nail is generally changed every day, and even if the exact same gaming machine is selected, only the parameters are newly transmitted and updated, This is to provide an environment close to an actual amusement park.
[0052]
When the provision of the game service is started, the operator first buys a ball using electronic money, an electronic point card or the like (step 108). When a ball purchase instruction is input to the user computer 14A by the operator, the purchase request is transmitted to the game service server 12A, and the game service server 12A receives the ID input by the operator (see step 104 described above). Charging for is started (step 110).
[0053]
Thereafter, when the operator holds the controller 20 connected to the user computer 14A and rotates it clockwise, a ball is fired in the gaming machine reproduced on the display 26 of the user computer 14A, and the game is started. (Step 112). The operator virtually operates the gaming machine reproduced on the user computer 14 </ b> A by holding and operating the controller 20. At this time, the points raised by the operator are transmitted from the user computer 14A to the game service server 12A as needed. The game service server 12A accumulates and stores these points (step 114).
[0054]
At the same time as the provision of the game service is started, the user computer 14A transmits the physical feature amount of the operator acquired by the sensor 22 of the controller 20 connected to the user computer 14A to the authentication server 12B ( Directly or via gaming service server 12A). The transmission of the physical feature amount of the operator is always performed every predetermined time or every predetermined timing (regularly or irregularly) during the period when the user computer 14A receives the game service from the game service server 12A. To be implemented.
[0055]
The authentication server 12B checks whether the operator is a contractor by comparing the transmitted physical feature amount of the operator with the registered personal information (step 116).
[0056]
Specifically, a linear space based on at least one type of physical feature detected by the sensor 22 is formed, a feature vector space whose length is the physical feature detected from the player by the sensor 22, and the authentication server 12B. Is compared with a feature vector space whose length is the physical feature amount of the contractor registered in, and using pattern recognition, based on a predetermined threshold (hereinafter referred to as “identity determination threshold”), It is determined whether or not the player is a contractor.
[0057]
The determination result by the authentication server 12B is transmitted to the game service server 12A as needed. In the gaming service server 12A, when it is determined that the operator is a contractor (see step 116A), the gaming service is continued to be provided (step 118). When it is determined that the operator is not a contractor (see step 116B), the provision of the gaming service is immediately stopped (suspended or terminated) (step 120).
[0058]
Note that when the provision of the information service is stopped after it is first determined that the contractor is a legitimate contractor, the points and billing up to that point are continued next time.
[0059]
As described above, when receiving a game service by communication, the controller 20 that is always held by the operator is provided with the sensor 22 for detecting the physical feature of the operator, thereby providing the game service. In any case, the sensor 22 can detect the physical feature amount of the operator at any time, and the authentication server 12B can identify whether or not the operator is a contractor.
[0060]
Thereby, for example, when the operator changes from the contractor to the non-contractor in the middle of providing the game service, the physical feature amount acquired by the sensor 22 changes, so the change of the operator can be detected immediately. Use of the game service by a non-contractor (for example, a person under the age of 18) can be prevented.
[0061]
In the present embodiment, the case where the controller 20 is provided with the sensor 22 for detecting the physical feature amount of the player has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, separately from the controller 20, a user (an operator of the user computer 14 </ b> A) may be provided with a sensor that detects a physical feature amount or an instrument provided with the sensor. However, in consideration of the player's burden, it is preferable to provide the sensor 22 in the controller 20 as in the present embodiment because the physical feature amount can be acquired without making the player aware of it.
[0062]
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the Internet 18 is used for providing an information service by communication has been shown as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, so long as bidirectional communication is possible. Any network may be used. For example, communication may be performed using a wired network such as a public line (such as a telephone line) or a cable TV network, or communication may be performed using a wireless network such as a mobile phone.
[0063]
In the present embodiment, the controller 20 used by being connected to a computer has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be used by connecting to a home game machine.
[0064]
Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied in the case of providing a gaming service by communication has been shown, but the present invention does not particularly limit the service content to be provided.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect that when a predetermined information service is provided by communication, use by a person other than the contractor can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a gripping form of a controller by a player.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a controller that detects a distribution shape of a pressing force or a temporal change in the distribution shape of a pressing force.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of a controller that detects a distribution shape of a pressing force or a temporal change in the distribution shape of a pressing force.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a controller that detects a grip shape or a temporal change in the grip shape.
FIG. 6 is a communication protocol diagram showing communication control processing performed between a user computer, a game service server, and an authentication server.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Network system
12 servers
12A game service server
12B authentication server
14 Computer
14A User computer
16 Connection means
18 Internet
20 controller
22 sensors

Claims (5)

An information service providing method for providing a contractor with a predetermined information service that requires operation of a predetermined controller by communication,
The detection means configured to include a plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of light receiving elements provided at different positions of the controller performs non-interference control on the plurality of light emitting elements during provision of the information service, and The light receiving element measures the light received from each light emitting element, and based on the measurement result, the grip shape and grip shape when the information service recipient grips the controller. Always detect physical features that show at least one of the time changes,
Comparing means, seize shape and seize time variation of the physical feature amount indicating at least one of said subscribers stored in the previously stored memory means physical characteristics of shape when the contractor holds the controller Constantly comparing the amount and the detected physical feature amount during the provision of the information service,
Based on the comparison result and a predetermined threshold , the determining means always determines whether the recipient is a contractor during the provision of the information service using a pattern recognition technique .
An information service providing method characterized by the above. Further, when the stop means determines that the recipient is not a contractor, the provision of the information service is stopped.
The information service providing method according to claim 1, wherein: A controller operated by a recipient of the information service when receiving a predetermined information service by communication;
A plurality of light emitting elements and a plurality of light receiving elements provided at different positions with respect to the controller main body, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are controlled in a non-interference manner during the provision of the information service, and the plurality of light receiving elements Measure the light received from each light emitting element, and based on the measurement result, the grip shape and the time variation of the grip shape when the information service recipient grips the controller. Having a detection means for constantly detecting a physical feature amount indicating at least one of
A controller characterized by that. An information service providing system for providing a predetermined information service requiring operation of the controller according to claim 3 to a contractor,
Storage means for physical feature quantity indicating a temporal change of grasp the shape and seize shape when the subscriber gripping the controller is stored in advance,
Comparison means for constantly comparing the physical feature quantity of the contractor stored in the storage means and the physical feature quantity detected by the detection means during provision of the information service;
Based on the comparison result by the comparison unit and a predetermined threshold value , a determination unit that constantly determines whether the recipient is a contractor using a pattern recognition technique while providing the information service ;
An information service providing system comprising: When the determination unit determines that the recipient is not a contractor, the determination unit further includes a stopping unit that stops providing the information service to the recipient.
The information service providing system according to claim 4 .

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