JP4010815B2 - USB access key - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a USB access key, and more particularly to a USB access key that automatically launches a browser and displays a specific URL.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, the use of the Internet as an advertising medium has become popular, for example, creating a web page that describes the contents of business and product introduction, and publishing it using a web server installed on the Internet. Has been done. In such a system, a method of pasting a so-called banner advertisement on a third-party web page and inviting a clicked viewer to the own web page is common. However, browsing the web page is the customer's free will and does not always browse his / her own web page immediately. Rather, it can be said that the probability of a customer selecting from among an unspecified number is quite low. For this reason, even if new products and services are updated every day, there is a problem that they are not effective as advertisements. In other words, the issue is how to let customers browse their web pages.
In order to solve this problem, as a conventional example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-155075 discloses a web page address and an encryption key necessary for authentication stored in an IC card, and this IC card is connected to a personal computer terminal. A technique is disclosed in which a web page is automatically accessed and authenticated, and a predetermined web page is displayed on a personal computer terminal. In other words, if you use this system, you can launch your own advertising page and distribute IC cards to the purchasers in advance. You can view the latest advertisement automatically just by connecting.
Furthermore, if prepaid information (points) for settlement is stored in the IC card so that points can be subtracted when purchasing a product, this system can be used as it is for online shopping or the like. .
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the system according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-155075, a dedicated card reader 120 is required to use the IC card 110 as shown in FIG. In addition, there is an inconvenience that the prepaid information held in the EEPROM 102 of the IC card 110 cannot be confirmed from the outside.
In view of such problems, the present invention can automatically access and authenticate a web page and display a predetermined web page on a personal computer terminal simply by plugging into a general-purpose USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. An object is to provide a simple USB access key.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a USB access key connected to a computer having a peripheral device USB interface via the peripheral device USB interface, and is fitted to the peripheral device USB interface of the computer. A USB connector, identification data for identifying the user when connecting the computer to another computer via a communication line, an address of the other computer, key data required for an authentication request from the other computer, and Individual data storage means for storing prepaid information and a WWW browser for connection to a communication line are started up on the computer and the identification data, address, and predetermined data are transmitted from the computer to the other computer via the communication line. Sending process for sending And processing data storage for storing processing data necessary for performing processing for authentication with the other computer accessed via the communication line based on the key data Means, arithmetic processing means for performing the transmission processing and the arithmetic processing based on the processing data stored in the processing data storage means, a housing that covers the whole except for the USB connector, And at least one LED lamp arranged in a housing, and when the USB access key is connected to the computer, the arithmetic processing means starts the processing data to the USB access key and is installed in the computer. And launching the WWW browser and using the identification data and address to If another computer is accessed via a communication line, a web page provided by the other computer is displayed on the WWW browser, and authentication with the other computer is required, authentication is performed based on the key data. The calculation value is transmitted to the computer, and the LED lamp is selectively turned on or off according to the prepaid information recorded in the individual data storage means so as to be rewritable. In addition, the casing further includes sound source generating means, and a synthesized voice or a warning sound is generated from the sound source generating means according to the prepaid information recorded in the individual data storage means, and the casing further includes A selecting means, the selecting means selecting either one of the LED lamp or the sound source generating means and the It has a function of not selecting any of them.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the components, types, combinations, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like described in this embodiment are merely illustrative examples and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only unless otherwise specified. .
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a USB access key according to the present invention, (a) is a diagram showing an internal configuration, and (b) is a diagram showing a model of data recorded in an EEPROM. A USB access key 90 shown in (a) is connected to a USB interface of a computer in a communication system in which a predetermined number of computers are connected to a communication line such as the Internet. ) 2 is connected to the bus 6, the USB 6 is a USB interface, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3 is a processing data storage means, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) 4 is an individual data storage means, A RAM (Random Access Memory) 5 as a work area for processing is connected at least. Note that other components such as a power source necessary for incorporating the CPU are omitted.
The EEPROM 4 includes at least a URL (Uniform Resource Locators) 7 which is an address of a predetermined computer connected via the communication line and a computer having the USB interface as shown in (b). A customer ID (IDentification) 8 and a password 9 which are identification data for connection and a secret key 10 which is key data necessary for an authentication request from the computer desired to be connected are stored. For example, prepaid data for the number of accesses The rewritable point data 11 is stored. The ROM 3 has processing data for transmitting predetermined data such as the customer ID 8, password 9, URL 7, and operation value, and processing for authentication based on the secret key 10. A certain program (for example, OS, processing program) is stored. The CPU 2 performs the transmission process and the arithmetic process based on the program stored in the ROM 3, and connects the computer having the USB interface to the communication line based on the URL 7, customer ID 8, and password 9. For launching a web (world wide web) browser that is application software installed on the computer, and for authenticating with the computer having the URL content accessed via the communication line based on the secret key 10 Performs computation. At this time, if the operator starts up the browser on the computer in advance, the browser startup control from the USB access key 90 can be omitted. Needless to say, if authentication with the accessed computer is not required, authentication data and control can be omitted.
Such a USB access key 90 transmits the URL 7, customer ID 8, and password 9 stored in the EEPROM 4 based on the program stored in the ROM 3 via the USB I / F 1. The calculation value is transmitted based on the USB I / F1. In addition, rewriting is performed on the rewriting request of the point 11 recorded in the EEPROM 4, and the secret key 10 is read in response to the request for decryption of the encrypted mail, and transmitted via the USB I / F1.
[0015]
FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of the USB access key according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, the entire USB access key 91 is covered with the cover 23, a plurality of LED lamps 24 are arranged on the surface, and the USB connector 22 is projected from the tip. When used, the USB connector 22 is inserted into the USB socket 21 of the PC main body 20 and used. Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Prepaid information is recorded in the memory EEPROM 4 of the USB access key. When shopping online, the amount and prepaid information (point balance) 11 can be displayed on the PC screen for confirmation. However, the LED lamp 24 is connected to the USB access key 91 to correspond to the point. Prepare it. For example, one LED may be 1 point or 10 points. Then, the balance may be set to zero when all are lit, or conversely, the balance may be lit and extinguished when used. As described above, if the light is turned on or off according to the prepaid information 11 in the EEPROM 4, even a person unfamiliar with the PC operation can easily check the balance point 11. In this embodiment, an LED lamp is used as a display method, but other display methods may be used.
[0016]
FIG. 2B is an external perspective view of the USB access key according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, the entire USB access key 92 is covered with a cover 31, a speaker 32 is disposed on the surface, and the USB connector 30 is protruded from the tip. When used, the USB connector 30 is inserted into the USB socket 21 of the PC main body 20 in FIG. FIG. 2B is different from FIG. 2A in that a speaker 32 is used instead of the LED lamp 24. Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As another method for confirming the point balance, there is a sound method. This is designed for visually handicapped people. A speaker 32 is provided on the cover 31 of the USB access key 92, and a point balance is announced based on a signal from an internal voice synthesis circuit, for example, "10 points remaining" announcement. It is to let you know. As another method, the balance may be notified simply by the number of warning sounds.
FIG. 2C is an external perspective view of a USB access key according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this configuration, the entire USB access key 93 is covered with a cover 34, a plurality of LED lamps 35 and a speaker 36 are arranged on the surface, a switch 37 for switching or ON / OFF these is provided on the side surface, and a USB connector 33 is provided at the tip. It is a structure that protrudes. When used, the USB connector 33 is inserted into the USB socket 21 of the PC main body 20 shown in FIG. 2C differs from FIG. 2A in that a speaker 36 is further added to the LED lamp 24. FIG. Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The operation of this embodiment is the operation described with reference to FIG. 2A when the switch 37 selects the LED lamp, and the operation described with reference to FIG. 2B when the switch 37 selects the speaker. Further, when the switch 37 is set to the OFF position, the LED lamp 35 and the speaker 36 do not operate. Thereby, a required function can be selected and power saving can be realized.
[0017]
FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram for checking the use limit date and time of the USB access key according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation. An IC card or magnetic card on which prepaid information or the like is recorded usually has an expiration date. The reason is to update the user's condition change as much as possible and to prevent unauthorized use. Of course, when the prepaid information is also recorded in the USB access key 40 of the present invention, it is desirable to store the use limit date and time in the memory. Then, in order to acquire the time information as the reference, an access is made to an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server 43 that provides accurate time information via the network 42, and the use limit is compared with the time information acquired from now on. Determine whether the date has passed.
[0018]
The operation will be described with reference to FIGS. For example, when the USB access key 40 stored with the use limit date and time (2002.20.20) is inserted into the PC 41 (S1), the software A in the USB access key 40 is activated (S2), and the PC 41 receives the NTP (Network Time Protocol) server 43 is accessed, and time information is obtained therefrom (S3). The acquired time information is compared with the use limit date and time (S4). For example, if the access date is 2002.10.19, it is within the expiration date (NO route), so the software B in the USB access key 40 is activated (S5), and the PC 41 is connected via the network 42 to the web. The server 44 is accessed to start the browser, and normal operation is started (S6). If the date and time accessed in step S4 is 2002.02.21 (YES route), the expiration date has been exceeded, so that information is displayed on the PC 41 (S7), and the update procedure screen is displayed. Is stopped (S8). Thereby, accurate time information can be obtained, and unauthorized use can be prevented.
[0019]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation of pasting an imprint according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the external view of the PC and the USB access key, (b) is a diagram in which an imprint is displayed on the display unit of the PC, and (c) is a diagram in which the imprint is copied to the contract. It is a figure. In Japan, personal identification is often verified by a seal. Therefore, if you can store the imprint image data in a personally owned USB access key and paste the imprint image data into a document that requires a seal such as a contract, you can bother with a remote contract. So you do n’t have to waste time. For example, the contract 51 is displayed on the display unit 50 of the PC 56 in FIG. 5A, and the USB access key 53 storing the imprint data of the party is inserted into the USB socket 52 of the PC 56. Then, as described above, as shown in FIG. 5B, the internal software is activated and an imprint 54 appears in the vicinity of the cursor 55. When the cursor 55 is moved as shown in FIG. 5C, the imprint 54 is also moved together. Therefore, the imprint 54 is moved to a desired position in the contract 51 and the mouse (not shown) is double-clicked. To be copied. As a result, it is not necessary to go to the site for a contract between distant parties, and time can be saved. Here, the seals of important documents are generally registered seals. Therefore, when using it as a real seal, it is necessary to register the imprint image data in the authentication server 63 in advance as shown in FIG. Then, the imprint image data stored in the USB access key 60 and the imprint image data registered in the authentication server 63 are compared and pasted on the document only when they match, thereby preventing improper use of the imprint. can do.
[0020]
FIG. 7 is an example of a configuration diagram illustrating a music distribution service according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. This configuration includes a copyright association server 70 of an association that manages copyright, an authentication server 71 that is connected to the Internet and manages authentication of each client, and a music database, and distributes music in response to a request from the authentication server. The music server 72, the Internet 77 connecting each client and the server, the client A81, the client B82, the client C83 connected to the Internet 77, and the USB access keys A84, B85, C86 connected to the respective clients. ing. Here, the copyright association server 70 and the authentication server 71 are connected by a line 73, and the authentication server 71 and the music server 72 are connected by a line 74. The authentication server 71 and the Internet 77 are connected by a line 76. The Internet 77 and each client are connected by VPN (Virtual Private Network) 78, 79, 80. In this configuration, the copyright association server 70 and the authentication server 71 are connected by the line 73, but may be connected via the Internet 77. Moreover, although the authentication server 71 and the music server 72 are connected by the line 74, they may be operated by the same server. In addition, paid authenticators are stored in the memories of the USB access keys A84, B85, and C86. For example, the memory 87 of the USB access key A84 stores all of a to f, and the memories 88, B85 and C86 of the USB access key A84. 89 is stored in ac. Reference numeral 90 denotes a case where the charged authenticator in the memory 87 is subtracted and reduced to a to d.
[0021]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the music distribution service of FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the client A 81 will be described. First, the USB access key A84 is inserted into the USB socket of the client A81 (S10). Then, the internal software is activated, accesses the authentication server 71 via the Internet 77 through the VPN (Virtual Private Network) 78, and displays the web page of the music server 72 on the browser (S11). Next, a desired music is selected from the display screen and the mouse is clicked (S12). Then, the information is transmitted to the authentication server 71 via the Internet 77, and the authentication server 71 accesses the music server 72 through the line 74. The music server 72 searches the music DB 75 for the music and sends the music data to the authentication server 71. Then, the music is downloaded to the client A 81 via the Internet 77 (S13). The client A81 monitors whether or not the download is completed (S14). When the download is completed, the subtraction cannot be performed if the charged authenticator is insufficient. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the charged authenticator is insufficient (S15). In the case of (YES route), an insufficient paid authenticator is purchased from the authentication server 71 (S17), and the process proceeds to step S16. If there is no shortage in step S15 (NO route), the charged authenticator 87 in the USB access key A84 is subtracted (S16), and it is determined whether or not to select the next music (S18). When selecting continuously (NO route), the process returns to step S12 to select the next music piece. If no music is selected in step S18 (YES route), the subtraction result is notified to the authentication server 71 (S19). Then, the authentication server 71 notifies the copyright association server 70 that the music has been sold and pays the copyright fee accordingly (S20). As a result, the subtraction result is 90.
[0022]
Here, the value of music varies depending on the name of the singer, its length, song name, composer, composition date, and the like. Therefore, since the charge cannot be uniformly determined for the music, the charge naturally varies depending on the music. In other words, in the case of a high-priced music, the subtraction number of the paying authenticator increases, and in the cheap music, the subtraction number decreases. By doing so, it is possible to set an optimal fee for the music. Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, since the download is performed via the communication line, the download may not be completed normally due to disturbances such as the quality of the communication line or surrounding noise. Naturally, since the data is received while checking for errors at the time of reception, the received data basically has a low probability of error. However, downloading may not be completed normally due to disconnection of the communication line in the middle or failure of the receiver or the PC. In such a case, the paying authenticator is subtracted after confirming that the music downloaded by the downloading means has been downloaded correctly. Thereby, the fairness of the fee can be maintained.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, there is a limit to the CPU capacity and memory capacity that can be incorporated in the USB access key. Therefore, part of the function is shared by the CPU and memory of the computer. Also, the present invention includes a device that realizes a predetermined function in cooperation with the USB access key.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above , according to the present invention, since it is integrally formed by the connection means that fits into the USB interface for the peripheral device of the computer and the housing that covers the entire USB access key, it is convenient for carrying and operation. Since the prepaid information related to the USB access key is recorded in the individual data storage means and the prepaid information can be rewritten, the operability is improved and the USB access key is used. We can plan improvement. In addition, at least one LED lamp is provided in a predetermined part of the housing, and the LED lamp is selectively turned on or off according to the prepaid information recorded in the individual data storage means. Even a person unfamiliar with the PC operation can easily check the balance, and a sound source generating means is provided in a predetermined portion of the casing, and a synthesized voice or a warning sound according to prepaid information recorded in the individual data storage means By generating the sound source from the sound source generating means, the visually impaired person can check the point balance. Furthermore, the LED lamp, the sound source generation means, and the selection means are provided in a predetermined part of the casing, and the selection means selects either the LED lamp or the sound source generation means or none of them. Since it has a function, a necessary function can be selected and power saving can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a USB access key according to the present invention, where (a) shows an internal configuration, and (b) shows a model of data recorded in an EEPROM.
2A is an external perspective view of the USB access key according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2B is an external perspective view of the USB access key according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. ) Is an external perspective view of a USB access key according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a system configuration diagram for checking a use limit date and time of a USB access key according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of checking a use limit date and time of a USB access key according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an operation of pasting an imprint according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an external view of a PC and a positional relationship between USB access keys, and FIG. The figure in which the seal impression was displayed on the display part, (c) is the figure in which the seal impression was copied to the contract.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation for storing the seal image data of the present invention in an authentication server.
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram illustrating a music distribution service according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the music distribution service of the present invention.
9A is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a conventional IC card, and FIG. 9B is a system configuration diagram using the IC card.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 USB interface, 2 CPU, 3 ROM, 4 EEPROM, 5 RAM

Claims (3)

A USB access key connected to a computer having a peripheral device USB interface via the peripheral device USB interface,
A USB connector that mates with a USB interface for a peripheral device of the computer;
Stores identification data for identifying a person when connecting the computer to another computer via a communication line, an address of the other computer, key data required for an authentication request from the other computer, and prepaid information. Individual data storage means for,
A WWW browser for connecting to a communication line is started up on the computer and a transmission process for transmitting the identification data, address, and predetermined data from the computer to the other computer via the communication line; and Processing data storage means for storing processing data necessary for performing calculation processing for performing authentication for authentication with the other computer accessed via the key data, and
Arithmetic processing means for performing the transmission processing and the arithmetic processing based on the processing data stored in the processing data storage means;
A housing that covers the whole except for the USB connector;
And at least one LED lamp disposed in the housing,
When the USB access key is connected to the computer, the arithmetic processing means starts up the processing data with the USB access key, starts up the WWW browser installed in the computer, and executes the identification data, the address, When the computer is accessed via the communication line using the communication line, the web page provided by the other computer is displayed on the WWW browser, and authentication with the other computer is required, While performing an operation for authentication based on the key data and transmitting the calculated value to the computer,
A USB access key characterized in that the LED lamp is selectively turned on or off in accordance with the prepaid information recorded in the individual data storage means in a rewritable manner . 2. The USB according to claim 1, further comprising a sound source generating unit provided in the housing, wherein a synthesized voice or a warning sound is generated from the sound source generating unit according to prepaid information recorded in the individual data storage unit. access key. The selection unit according to claim 2, further comprising a selection unit provided in the casing, wherein the selection unit has a function of selecting any one of the LED lamps or a sound source generation unit and a function of not selecting any of the unit. USB access key.

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