JP4487557B2 - Information processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, in particular, relates to a suitable information processing system is applied to realize a remote operation.

  A typical remote control device is a remote controller. For example, a remote controller of a television receiver can instruct the user to turn on / off the television receiver, switch channels, control the volume, etc. at a position away from the main body of the television receiver. It is configured as follows.

  Such remote control normally functions only for the corresponding device, and does not function for other devices. Further, the remote control usually has only a function as a remote controller. That is, for example, the remote control of a television receiver is dedicated to the television receiver, and has no function other than the function for operating the television receiver.

  However, in recent years, devices having both a function as a remote controller and a function different from the function are becoming widespread. For example, a mobile phone having a function as a remote controller of a television receiver in addition to the function of a telephone is also sold. (See Non-Patent Document 1)

  However, the remote controller issues an instruction to a device in front of the user (a device existing within a predetermined distance). An instruction cannot be issued to a certain device. Thus, several techniques for realizing remote operation that cannot be performed by such a remote controller have been proposed.

  For example, based on a technology that allows a user to browse a broadcast program guide even from a remote location and reserve a broadcast program (see Patent Document 1), a user's preference information and a database that stores user information are recorded. A technology for generating reserved program information and making a recording reservation in a recording device designated by the user (see Patent Document 2), and performing a recording reservation by controlling a recording device installed at home or the like while the user is out, Technology for determining whether or not to execute control reservation depending on whether or not the user has come home (see Patent Document 3), and technology related to a computer system that enables remote reservation absence recording by remote operation (Patent Document 4) And a technique (see Patent Document 5) for connecting to a device installed at a user's home from the outside.

JP 2003-18517 A JP 2002-369118 A JP 2002-247658 A JP 2003-37799 A JP 2003-51853 A NTT DoCoMo, “N504iS”, [online], [searched on September 12, 2003], Internet <URL: http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/p_s/products/>

  However, it is not performed that the user is away from home, and the device that is managed by another person that is present outside the home is operated by the device that the user carries around. In particular, a process is performed such as recording a television broadcast that the user is watching on the go on a recording device installed in the user's home or the like by operating the device that the user carries. However, it is a process that is required in consideration of improving the convenience of the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to record a desired program on a recording device such as a home in real time even when the user is away from home.

The information processing system according to the present invention is an information processing system including a first information processing device to a fourth information processing device , and the first information processing device is a first information managed by the fourth information processing device. Storage means for acquiring and storing channel information related to a channel of a television broadcast program being processed by a television receiver of the plurality of devices from the fourth information processing device , and recording of the program is instructed And transmitting means for transmitting the channel information stored in the storage means to the second information processing apparatus, wherein the second information processing apparatus transmits the channel information transmitted by the transmission means. is received, the provided from the third information processing apparatus, using the resource information including information about the second plurality of devices, capable of recording the program recording Detection means for detecting the location, to have been the recording apparatus detected by said detection means, and a instruction means for instructing recording of the program, the third information processing apparatus, the recording device connected A first management unit that acquires information of the second plurality of devices including the information and manages the information as the resource information; and when the provision of the resource information is requested from the second information processing device, the management unit First providing means for providing the managed resource information , wherein the fourth information processing apparatus acquires information of the first plurality of apparatuses, manages the information as the resource information, and the television set. A second management unit that also manages channel information of the John receiver, and a channel that is managed by the second management unit when the provision of the channel information is requested from the first information processing apparatus. And a second providing means for providing information to the first information processing apparatus.

An authentication process can be executed between the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus at a time before the process by the transmission unit is executed .

The second management means also manages a command group for operating the television receiver, and the first information processing apparatus is provided with the command group from the fourth information processing apparatus. A command group can be used to instruct the television receiver.

In the information processing system of the present invention, the first information processing apparatus is configured to store a television broadcast program that is processed by the television receiver of the first plurality of apparatuses managed by the fourth information processing apparatus. When channel information related to the channel is acquired from the fourth information processing apparatus and recording of the program is instructed, the channel information is transmitted to the second information processing apparatus. Further, when the second information processing apparatus receives channel information from the first information processing apparatus, resource information including information on the second plurality of apparatuses provided from the third information processing apparatus is used. A recording device capable of recording a program is detected, and the detected recording device is instructed to record the program. In addition, the third information processing apparatus acquires information on the second plurality of apparatuses including the connected recording apparatus, manages the information as resource information, and is requested to provide the resource information by the second information processing apparatus. If so, provide the managed resource information. Then, the fourth information processing apparatus acquires information of the first plurality of apparatuses, manages it as resource information, manages channel information of the television receiver, and provides channel information from the first information processing apparatus. Is requested, the managed channel information is provided to the first information processing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to remotely operate a predetermined device.

  According to the present invention, a predetermined apparatus can be remotely operated in real time and simply. For example, a television broadcast program being viewed can be recorded on a recording device at home while away from home. When performing such an operation, the user need only operate the button once (or simply perform a simple operation).

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing system to which the present invention is applied. In the home 10 as the home of the user A, a personal information management server 11 having a PDR (Personal DiRectory) function, a peripheral device management server 12 having an SDR (Space DiRectory) function, and a terminal device in a LAN (Local Area Network) 14 13 is connected. The LAN 14 is connected to the Internet 31 via the router 15. Further, the user A has a mobile terminal device 21 having an MDR (Mobile DiRectory) function. The PDR function, SDR function, and MDR function will be described later with reference to FIG. 5, FIG. 7, and FIG. 9, respectively.

  The home 40 of the user B who is a friend of the user A has basically the same configuration as the home 10. That is, for example, the home 40 is provided with a LAN 44 to which a personal information management server 41 having a PDR function, a peripheral device management server 42 having an SDR function, and a terminal device 43 are connected. The LAN 44 is connected to the Internet 31 via a router 45.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the detailed configuration of the devices inside the house 10. A recording device 62 and PCs (Personal Computers) 64 and 65 in FIG. 2 are specific devices corresponding to the terminal device 13 in FIG. In addition, access points (hereinafter abbreviated as AP (Access Point)) 61 and 63 are, for example, Bluetooth (Bluetooth (trademark)) for the mobile terminal device 21 to perform wireless communication as a device connected to the LAN 14. Etc.

  The personal information management server 11 having the PDR function stores the personal information of the user A encrypted as necessary. The personal information includes not only information for specifying the user A such as name and address but also preference information, authentication information, information received from other users, and various other information related to the user A. The personal information management server 11 includes an electronic certificate (described later with reference to FIG. 15) issued by a not-shown certificate authority (hereinafter abbreviated as CA (Certificate Authority)) and having a public key. Saved. Also, a secret key K11 and a public key K12, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 16, are stored.

  The personal information management server having the PDR function may be provided on a server managed by a service provider on the Internet 31.

  The peripheral device management server 12 having the SDR function includes information on various information processing devices (devices) such as a recording device 62 and PCs 64 and 65 connected to the LAN 14 of the home 10, and IDs (IDentification) of the information processing devices. In each information processing device, information on application data that can be used, setting information unique to the user A set by the user A, etc. (hereinafter, information related to these connected devices is collectively referred to as resource information) is recorded. Yes.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the devices inside the house 40 in more detail. A television receiver (hereinafter abbreviated as TV (TeleVision)) 82 and a PC 84 in FIG. 3 are specific devices corresponding to the terminal device 43 in FIG.

  The personal information management server 41 having the PDR function and the peripheral device management server 42 having the SDR function are devices similar to the personal information management server 11 and the peripheral device management server 12 of the house 10 described above. That is, the personal information management server 41 manages and controls the personal information of the user B whose home is the home 40, and the peripheral device management server 42 manages and controls the resource information of each device connected to the LAN 44.

  In this system, at each house, the person himself or herself is given an opportunity to use a predetermined device of the house via the portable terminal device. For this reason, APs are arranged at predetermined intervals at predetermined positions in each house.

  For this reason, the mobile terminal device 21 has wireless communication means such as Bluetooth (trademark), and periodically communicates with a predetermined device via the nearest AP. For example, in the case of the house 10, communication with the personal information management server 11 and the peripheral device management server 12 is performed, and in the case of the house 40, communication with the peripheral device management server 42 is performed. The mobile terminal device 21 is composed of a small portable computer, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), and the like, and in addition to a part of the personal information of the user A, resource information of peripheral devices (for example, information on devices in the house 40) ) Is memorized.

  For example, when the user A carries the mobile terminal device 21 and visits the house 40, the mobile terminal device 21 periodically transmits peripheral devices via the nearest one of the APs 81 and 83 connected to the LAN 44. Communication with the management server 42 is performed.

  For example, when Bluetooth is used, the mobile terminal device 21 forms a pico cell (communication areas 101 and 102) using itself as a master. The pico cell search process is executed as a process of searching for a communicable device of the mobile terminal device 21. The mobile terminal device 21 detects the peripheral device management server 42 by, for example, periodically communicating with the AP 81 in the communication area 101 and the AP 83 in the communication area 102 after moving, and performing multicast transmission. To do.

  Therefore, for example, even if the house 40 is on the third floor, the user A is on the first floor, and the peripheral management device server 42 is on the third floor, the mobile terminal device 21 is connected to the nearest AP (in the communication area 101). It is possible to communicate with the peripheral device management server 42 through the AP 44 and the LAN 44 to recognize its presence. The mobile terminal device 21 and the peripheral device management server 42 may directly communicate with each other by providing the peripheral device management server 42 with an AP function (for example, a wireless communication device such as Bluetooth).

  In addition, when a predetermined mobile terminal device (for example, the mobile terminal device 21) enters a space (house 40) managed by the peripheral device management server 42 having the SDR function, the mobile terminal device is a device in the home position. Provides a means to communicate with. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the mobile terminal device 21 of the user A enters the space of the house 40, the peripheral device management server 42 sets the home position of the mobile terminal device 21 (corresponding personal information management server 11 or Communication with the personal information management server 11 or the peripheral device management server 12 at the position where the peripheral device management server 12 is located is performed via the Internet 31.

  The mobile terminal device 21 having the MDR function communicates with and synchronizes with the device having the PDR function or the SDR function, so that a part of the personal information of the user A of the mobile terminal device 21 and the position of the mobile terminal device 21 can be obtained. Periodically update and manage resource information of peripheral devices.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the personal information management server 11. The main control unit 131 is provided with a main memory 133 including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 132, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The CPU 132 executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 136. The RAM also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 132 to execute various processes.

  The output unit 134 is provided with a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a sound output device such as a speaker, and the input unit 135 is provided with a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The storage unit 136 includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a nonvolatile memory, and the like. The communication unit 137 includes a wireless communication device such as Bluetooth in addition to a wired communication device such as a LAN card and a modem. .

  The drive 138 is mounted with a removable medium 139 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory as a recording medium on which the program of the present invention is recorded, and a computer program read therefrom. Are installed in the storage unit 136 as necessary.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the CPU 132 (that is, a configuration example of the PDR function). The personal information management unit 161 includes a right information management unit 171, a user information management unit 172, and a peripheral resource information management unit 173.

  The right information management unit 171 manages an access right and the like for accessing other devices, and causes the authentication unit 162 to execute authentication processing such as challenge response in order to confirm the validity of access from an external device. The storage control unit 163 stores the received access right in the storage unit 136.

  The user information management unit 172 searches the mobile terminal device 21 for a device storing the application data requested from the mobile terminal device 21 from the data list of application data stored in the storage unit 136. Application data is acquired from the searched devices (for example, PCs 64 and 65). The acquired application data and part of the personal information of the user A are transmitted from the communication control unit 164 to the mobile terminal device 21 via the communication unit 137.

  The peripheral resource information management unit 173 manages resource information related to devices connected to the LAN 14 of the house 10 and resource information supplied from the mobile terminal device 21 (for example, managed by the peripheral device management server 42 of the house 40). Resource information) and manage it. Also, the peripheral resource information management unit 173 uses the acquired resource information to search the mobile terminal device 21 for an application that can display (process) the requested application data from the devices in the house 40, and deal with it. If there is no application that can be displayed (displayed) in the home 40, the application installed in the device of the home 40 is searched for an application that can be displayed by format conversion, and the application is stored in the data format conversion unit 165. Let the data be converted to that format.

  The data format conversion unit 165 causes the peripheral device management server 12 in the house 10 to search for a device whose format can be converted in the case of a format that cannot be converted by the personal information management server 11 itself, receives the search result, and converts it. Have the device capable of converting the format of the application data.

  The storage control unit 163 controls the storage unit 136 in accordance with instructions from each unit, thereby storing or reading the commanded data. In the storage unit 136, a secret key issued from the CA and an electronic certificate are recorded.

  The communication control unit 164 transmits and receives the commanded data or signal via the LAN 14 by controlling the communication unit 137 in accordance with commands from each unit.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the peripheral device management server 42. The configuration is the same as the configuration of the personal information management server 11 shown in FIG. 4, and the main control unit 191 to the removable medium 199 in FIG. 6 correspond to the main control unit 131 to the removable medium 139 in FIG. . The function of each part is the same as in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the CPU 192 (that is, a configuration example of the SDR function). The spatial information management unit 221 includes a right information management unit 231, a device information management unit 232, and a network information management unit 233.

  The right information management unit 231 manages an access right (described later with reference to FIG. 18) for an external device to access itself (peripheral device management server 42) or a device managed by the right device. Further, when an external device accesses, the right information management unit 231 causes the authentication unit 222 to determine the result of the challenge response, the validity of the access right, and the like. The authentication unit 222 confirms the legitimacy of access by the external device that has accessed, and supplies the result to the right information management unit 231.

  The device information management unit 232 manages the resource information of the devices connected to the LAN 44 of the house 40 stored in the storage unit 196, and if necessary, sends the resource information to an external device such as the mobile terminal device 21. Output. Further, when a new device is connected to the LAN 44, the device information management unit 232 acquires resource information of the newly connected device and stores the resource information in the storage unit 196.

  The network information management unit 233 manages access from the mobile terminal device 21. Further, the network information management unit 233 is a wireless communication device such as Bluetooth provided in the APs 81 and 83 and the communication unit 197 when the mobile terminal device 21 accesses the personal information management server 11 of the house 10 via the Internet 31. Control the use of.

  The storage control unit 223 controls the storage unit 196 in accordance with instructions from each unit, thereby storing or reading the commanded data.

  The communication control unit 224 transmits / receives the commanded data or signal via the LAN 44 by controlling the communication unit 197 according to commands from each unit.

  Although illustration is omitted, the peripheral device management server 12 of the house 10 is configured similarly to the peripheral device management server 42 of the house 40, and the personal information management server 41 of the house 40 is also the personal information management server 11 of the house 10. It is configured in the same way.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the mobile terminal device 21. The main control unit 261 is provided with a CPU 262 and a main memory 263 composed of ROM and RAM. In addition, the CPU 262 executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 266. The RAM also stores data and the like necessary for the CPU 262 to execute various processes.

  The output unit 264 is provided with a display device such as an LCD, and an audio output device such as a speaker, and the input unit 265 is provided with a button, a pointing device, and the like. The storage unit 266 is configured by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a nonvolatile memory, or the like, and the communication unit 267 is provided with a wireless communication device such as Bluetooth.

  In the slot 268, for example, a removable medium 269 such as a semiconductor memory is mounted as a recording medium on which the program of the present invention is recorded, and a computer program read from the removable medium is installed in the storage unit 266 as necessary. Is done.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the CPU 262 (that is, a configuration example of the MDR function). The user operation information acquisition unit 290 acquires operation information of the user A input by the user A using the input unit 265 and supplies the operation information to the personal information management unit 291. The personal information management unit 291 includes a right information management unit 301, a user information management unit 302, and a peripheral resource information management unit 303.

  The right information management unit 301 manages an access right for accessing an external device, and causes the authentication unit 292 to transmit a challenge response and an access right when accessing the external device. To check the legitimacy of access. Further, the authentication unit 292 encrypts the challenge code using a secret key that the storage control unit 293 reads from the storage unit 266 during authentication with the external device.

  The user information management unit 302 manages a part of the personal information of the user managed by the user information management unit 172 of FIG. 5, as well as application data requested by the user A supplied from the user operation information acquisition unit 290. Manage the acquisition process. Further, the user information management unit 302 reads out stored data as necessary, outputs the data to the display control unit 295, and causes the output unit 264 to display the data.

  The peripheral resource information management unit 303 detects, for example, the peripheral device management server 42 by periodically performing multicast transmission to each device via the nearest AP. The peripheral resource information management unit 303 manages resource information transmitted from the peripheral device management server 42.

  The storage control unit 293 controls the storage unit 266 in accordance with instructions from each unit, thereby storing or reading the commanded data. In the storage unit 266, an electronic certificate including a public key issued by the CA is recorded. This public key is a key that is paired with the secret key recorded in the storage unit 136 of FIG. Also, a secret key K1 and a public key K2 described later with reference to FIG. 16 are stored.

  The communication control unit 294 transmits / receives commanded data or signals by controlling the communication unit 267 in accordance with commands from each unit.

  The display control unit 295 controls the output unit 264 configured by an LCD or the like according to instructions from each unit, and displays data.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the recording device 62 installed in the house 10. The recording device 62 records a communication unit 311 for realizing a communication function, a recording control unit 312 for realizing a recording function, a reproduction control unit 313 for realizing a reproduction function, and recorded program data. The recording unit 314 is configured to include at least the recording unit 314.

  The communication unit 311 controls communication with other devices connected to the LAN 14 (FIG. 2) and communication with other devices via the router 15 and the Internet 31. The communication unit 311 is also connected to an antenna (not shown) for receiving a television broadcast (of course, a cable instead of the antenna may be used), and a television broadcast program received by the antenna. The input to the recording device 62 is also controlled. Further, the communication unit 311 also has a function of transmitting and receiving data using infrared rays and the like, and receives an instruction from a remote controller (not shown) for the recording device 62 (which can be substituted by the mobile terminal device 21).

  The recording control unit 312 performs processing for recording (recording) the received television broadcast program in the recording unit 314. In addition, a reserved recording process for receiving a reserved program and causing the recording unit 314 to record it is also performed. The playback control unit 313 controls playback of the program recorded in the recording unit 314. The recording unit 314 records a program. The configuration of the recording unit 314 includes a recording medium, but the recording medium may be detachable from the recording device 62 or may be built in. Further, the recording medium may be in any form, such as tape or disk.

  The recording device 62 may be a personal computer (PC) having a function capable of receiving and processing a television broadcast.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the PC 64. The CPU 331 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 332 or a program loaded from the storage unit 339 to the RAM 333. The RAM 333 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 331 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 331, the ROM 332, and the RAM 333 are connected to each other via the bus 334. An input / output interface 335 is also connected to the bus 334.

  The input / output interface 335 includes an input unit 336 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display including a CRT and an LCD, an output unit 337 including a speaker, a storage unit 339 including a hard disk, a modem, a terminal adapter, and the like. A communicator 338 is connected. The communication unit 338 performs communication processing with other devices via the LAN 14 or the Internet 31.

  A drive 340 is also connected to the input / output interface 335, and a removable medium 341 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory is appropriately mounted, and a computer program read therefrom is read as necessary. Installed in the storage unit 339.

  Since the PCs 65 and 84 have basically the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 11, the illustration is omitted, and the figure is also appropriately referred to as these configurations as necessary.

  FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the television receiver 82 installed in the house 40. The television receiver 82 includes a communication unit 371 for controlling the communication function, a tuner 372 having a function of extracting a program instructed by the user from the received television broadcast program group, and the television receiver 82. It is configured to include at least a control unit 373 that controls each unit and a display unit 374 that displays an image.

  The communication unit 371 controls communication with other devices connected to the LAN 44 (FIG. 3) and communication with other devices via the router 45 and the Internet 31. The communication unit 371 is also connected to an antenna (not shown) for receiving a television broadcast (of course, a cable instead of the antenna may be used), and a television broadcast program received by the antenna. The input to the tuner 372 is also controlled. Further, the communication unit 371 also has a function of transmitting and receiving data by infrared rays or the like, and can be replaced with a remote controller (not shown) for the television receiver 82 (the portable terminal device 21). The mobile terminal 21 receives an instruction from the mobile terminal 21 as a remote controller for the television receiver 82).

  The tuner 372 extracts data of a program instructed by the control unit 373 from the plurality of television broadcast programs received by the communication unit 371 and supplies the extracted data to the display unit 374. Of course, the data of the program supplied from the tuner 372 is converted into data that allows the display unit 374 to display the video of the program based on the data and processed.

  The control unit 373 controls the tuner 372 according to the instruction from the user (remote controller) received by the communication unit 371 so that the user can view the program instructed by the user.

  Although not shown in FIG. 12, the television receiver 82 is also provided with, for example, a speaker that is normally provided as a function of the television receiver 82. The television receiver 82 may be a personal computer (PC) having a function capable of receiving and processing a television broadcast.

  Next, the operation of this system will be described. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a case where the user A carries the mobile terminal device 21, visits the home 40 of the user B, and uses the device of the home 40 will be described as an example.

  In this case, first, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 is executed between the mobile terminal device 21 and the peripheral device management server 42. The process according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 is a process related to updating of peripheral device information (resource information) periodically performed by the mobile terminal device 21.

  In step S <b> 1, the peripheral resource management information unit 303 of the mobile terminal device 21 determines whether or not a predetermined time set in advance, for example, 5 minutes has elapsed. If it is determined that 5 minutes have elapsed, the peripheral resource information management unit 303 controls the communication control unit 294 to send an inquiry packet to the peripheral device management server 42 to AP81 and AP83 in step S2. Among them, multicast transmission is performed from the nearest AP via the LAN 44 to each device connected thereto. In the case of the configuration of FIG. 3, the inquiry is multicast to the TV 82, the personal information management server 41, the peripheral device management server 42, and the PC 84.

  This inquiry is received by each device, but devices other than the peripheral device management server 42 ignore the inquiry because it is not addressed to itself. In step S31, the peripheral device management server 42 obtains this inquiry because it is addressed to itself. Specifically, the communication control unit 224 determines whether or not the inquiry received by the communication unit 197 via the LAN 44 is addressed to the communication unit 197, acquires the inquiry because it is addressed to itself, and supplies the acquired information to the network information management unit 233. .

  In step S32, the network information management unit 233 controls the communication control unit 224, and from the communication unit 197, own address (Bluetooth device address) and synchronous communication between the mobile terminal device 21 and the peripheral device management server 42. FHS (Frequency Hopping Sequence) packets including clock information and the like for enabling the mobile terminal device 21 are transmitted. Note that the address described in the inquiry is used as the address of the mobile terminal device 21. In step S <b> 3, upon receiving this packet via the communication unit 267, the communication control unit 294 supplies the packet to the peripheral resource information management unit 303. The peripheral resource information management unit 303 extracts the Bluetooth device address and Bluetooth clock information of the peripheral device management server 42 from the received FHS packet.

  The peripheral resource information management unit 303 stores picocell information based on the FHS packet received from the peripheral device management server 42. In other words, the Bluetooth device address of the peripheral device management server 42 as an identifier of the peripheral device management server 42, the frequency hopping information included in the clock information extracted from the FHS packet from the peripheral device management server 42, the power saving condition, etc. Information necessary for communication is stored as picocell information.

  In step S <b> 4, the peripheral resource information management unit 303 transmits an ID (IDentification) packet to the peripheral device management server 42. In this ID packet, information for identifying the mobile terminal device 21 is described. The network information management unit 233 receives this ID packet in step S33.

  In step S <b> 34, the network information management unit 233 transmits the identification information described in the ID packet to the mobile terminal device 21 as confirmation that the ID packet has been received. In step S5, the peripheral resource information management unit 303 receives the identification information as the reply. This confirms that communication is being performed correctly.

  In step S <b> 6, the peripheral resource information management unit 303 transmits an FHS packet to the peripheral device management server 42. The network information management unit 233 receives this in step S35.

  In step S36, the network information management unit 233 extracts the Bluetooth device address and the Bluetooth clock information included in the received FHS packet, and synchronizes its own clock with the Bluetooth clock of the mobile terminal device 21 to synchronize the FHS packet. The ID packet is transmitted again to the portable terminal device 21 as the reception confirmation of. The peripheral resource information management unit 303 receives this in step S7.

  Therefore, the portable terminal device 21 and the peripheral device management server 42 change the state to the communication phase by switching the frequency hopping pattern to the channel frequency hopping pattern.

  In step S8, the peripheral resource information management unit 303 requests the resource information together with the certificate of the portable terminal device 21 (this certificate is signed by the private key of the personal information management server 11 and the CA) and the peripheral device. It transmits to the management server 42. The network information management unit 233 receives this in step S37.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic certificate. As shown in FIG. 14, the electronic certificate includes an “electronic certificate version number”, “electronic certificate serial number”, “algorithm and parameter used for signature”, “certificate authority name”, “certificate” "Expiration date" and "public key". Of course, although not shown, an electronic book name (digital signature) created by a certificate authority is added to these.

  This electronic certificate is issued to the portable terminal device 21 by a certificate authority (CA) (not shown) (obtained from the CA via the personal information management server 11 and stored in the portable terminal device 21). )

  Returning to FIG. 13, in step S <b> 38, the authentication unit 222 transmits a challenge code (random number generated by the authentication unit 222) to the mobile terminal device 21. In step S <b> 9, the right information management unit 301 of the mobile terminal device 21 receives this and supplies it to the authentication unit 292. The authentication unit 292 encrypts the challenge code using the stored secret key and generates a response code. In step S <b> 10, the authentication unit 292 transmits the generated response code to the peripheral device management server 42. In step S 39, the right information management unit 231 receives this and supplies it to the authentication unit 222.

  In step S40, the authentication unit 222 decrypts the challenge code transmitted in step S38 using the public key added to the electronic certificate received in step S37. If the code obtained as a result of the decryption is the same as the challenge code (random number) transmitted in step S38, and if the signature of the response code is verified and the signature is confirmed to be correct, then the authentication unit 222 Then, the CA is accessed via the Internet 31, and it is checked whether or not the electronic certificate received in step S37 is posted on the CA electronic certificate revocation list. Here, the signature means that the response code is signed with the PKI private key held in the mobile terminal device 21.

  If the code obtained by decryption is different from the challenge code, or if the electronic certificate is posted on the revocation list, the authentication unit 222 notifies the portable terminal device 21 of an error in step S40. Is sent (rejected). The portable terminal device 21 receives this notification in step S11. At this time, the subsequent processing is stopped. That is, it is possible to prevent impersonation by determining whether or not the code obtained by decryption is the same as the challenge code. Also, by determining whether or not the electronic certificate is registered in the CA revocation list, even if the electronic certificate is within the expiration date, the electronic certificate has been revoked by the user for reasons such as theft or loss. Unauthorized use of digital certificates can be prevented.

  If the code obtained by decryption matches the challenge code and the electronic certificate does not exist in the revocation list, the authenticating unit 222 can confirm the legitimacy of access to the peripheral device management server 42 of the mobile terminal device 21. Determine (OK). At this time, in step S <b> 41, the device information management unit 232 transmits resource information to the mobile terminal device 21.

  When the peripheral resource information management unit 303 receives the resource information in step S12, the peripheral resource information management unit 303 stores it in step S13.

  Since the above processing is performed periodically (every 5 minutes), the mobile terminal device 21 can move to an arbitrary position and obtain resource information regarding a device that can be used at the destination.

  In addition, you may make it generate | occur | produce a response by holding | maintaining common secret data between the portable terminal device 21 and the peripheral device management server 42, and calculating by combining this data with a challenge.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of resource information transmitted from the peripheral device management server 42 to the mobile terminal device 21 in step S41 of FIG. This resource information is a device that the device information management unit 232 periodically detects and grasps as a device connected to the LAN 44, and is a device in the vicinity of the AP nearest to the position of the mobile terminal device 21 at that time This is information relating to (a device that can be used from the mobile terminal device 21 at that position).

  In this example, both the TV 82 and the PC 84 are usable. Even if it is in a position where it can be physically used, if the user B is installed as a device or function that cannot be used by another person, the device or function is excluded. Note that numbers 1 to 45 provided in FIG. 15 are row numbers, and are provided for convenience of explanation.

  The description "<? Xml version =" 1.0 "?>" On the first line in FIG. 15 indicates that the resource information is an XML document. The description “<device information>” on the second line, which is the root element, and the description “</ device information>” on the 45th line are the descriptions in the second to 44th lines. It represents that the device information managed by.

  The description “<PC84>” on the third line and the description “</ PC84>” on the twelfth line indicate that the descriptions on the fourth to eleventh lines indicate the information of the PC 84. Represents. The description “<OS> OperatingSystemA </ OS>” on the fourth line indicates that the OS (OperatingSystem) of the PC 84 is “OperatingSystemA”. In the description “<Playable format> .vsd </ Playable format>” on the fifth line, the extension “.vsd” is described in the element content, and the PC 84 plays the VISIO (trademark) file. It shows that it is possible to do.

  In addition, in the description “<reproducible format> .html </ reproducible format>” on the sixth line, the extension “.html” is described in the element contents, and it is used on the Internet homepage and is displayed on the browser. This indicates that a hypertext description file that can be displayed is reproducible. The description “<language> Japanese </ language>” on the seventh line indicates that the corresponding language is “Japanese”.

  The description “<network information>” on the eighth line and the description “</ network information>” on the tenth line indicate that the description on the ninth line indicates information on the network of the PC 84. Yes. Also, the description “<IP address> 43.XX.XX.XX </ IP address>” on the ninth line indicates that the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the PC 84 is “43.XX.XX.XX”. Show. Furthermore, the description “<deviceType> Personal Computer </ deviceType>” on the ninth line indicates that the device PC84 is a personal computer.

  The description “<TV82>” on the 13th line and the description “</ TV82>” on the 44th line indicate that the description on the 14th line to the 44th line describes the information on the TV 82. Yes.

  The description “<network information>” on the 14th line and the description “</ network information>” on the 16th line indicate that the description on the 15th line is information on the network of the TV 82. The description “<IP address> XX.XX.XX.XX </ IP address>” on the 15th line indicates that the IP address on the network of the TV 82 is “XX.XX.XX.XX”. ing. Furthermore, the description “<deviceType> TV tuner </ deviceType>” on the 17th line indicates that the TV 82 is a television receiver.

  The description “<service>” on the 18th line and the description “</ service>” on the 43rd line indicate that the description on the 19th line to the 42nd line indicates that the TV 82 is an external device (for example, a mobile terminal device). 21) shows the service contents to be provided. The description “<serviceType> tune channel </ serviceType>” on the 19th line indicates that the TV 82 provides channel operation to an external device.

  The description "<controlUrl>" on the 20th line and the description "</ controlUrl>" on the 42nd line are the descriptions "URL for control" on the 21st line to the 21st line. As shown in FIG. 4, information for operating the channel of the TV 82 is recorded on a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

  The description “<actionList>” on the 22nd line and the description “</ actionList>” on the 41st line are the types of operation information for operating the channel of the TV 82 in the descriptions on the 23rd to 40th lines. Is described.

  The description "<action>" on the 23rd line and the description "</ action>" on the 28th line indicate that the operation information is indicated in the descriptions on the 24th to 27th lines. Yes. Also, the description “<name> Power ON / OFF </ name>” on the 24th line indicates that the operation type is related to the power ON / OFF of the TV 82. The description “<argumentList>” on the 25th line and the description “</ argumentList>” on the 27th line are actually turned on / off on the 26th line. For example, <argument> aaaaaaaa </ Indicates that commands such as argument> are listed and described. A command for turning ON / OFF the power of the TV 82 is described at “aaaaaaaa”. However, in FIG. 15, the description becomes long and is omitted, and “<argument />” is described as an empty element. .

  The description “<action>” on the 29th line and the description “</ action>” on the 34th line indicate that the description on the 30th line to the 33rd line indicates operation information. . In addition, the description “<name> change channel </ name>” on the 30th line indicates that the operation type relates to changing the channel of the TV 82. The description “<argumentList>” on the 31st line and the description “</ argumentList>” on the 33rd line are used to change the channel on the 32nd line, for example, <argument> bbbbbbbb </ argument Indicates that commands such as> are listed and described. A command for changing the channel of the TV 82 is described at “bbbbbbbb”. However, in FIG. 15, the description becomes long and is omitted, and “<argument />” is described as an empty element.

  The description “<action>” on the 35th line and the description “</ action>” on the 40th line indicate that the description on the 36th line to the 39th line indicates operation information. . Also, the description “<name> change volume </ name>” on the 36th line indicates that the operation type relates to operating the volume of the TV 82. The description "<argumentList>" on the 37th line and the description "</ argumentList>" on the 39th line are used to change the volume on the 38th line, for example, <argument> cccccccc </ argument Indicates that commands such as> are listed and described. A command for changing the volume of the TV 82 is described at “cccccccc”. However, in FIG. 15, the description becomes long and is omitted, and “<argument />” is described as an empty element.

After the resource information is obtained as described above, the user A needs to execute the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 16 in order to actually use the device existing in the home 40 of the user B. . With reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, the operation of the system will be described by taking as an example the case where user A uses the television receiver 82 .

  When the user A desires to watch a program broadcast as a television broadcast on the television receiver 82, the user A operates the portable terminal device 21. At this point, as shown in FIG. 3, the user A exists in the house 40 and is in a range where the television receiver 82 can be used. And the information (resource information) of the apparatus which exists in the house 40 is memorize | stored in the portable terminal device 21 by the process of the flowchart of FIG.

  When the user A operates the mobile terminal device 21 in such a state, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the output unit 261 (display). In the display example shown in FIG. 17, two items “TV receiver” and “PC” are displayed on the output unit 264. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, a television receiver 82 and a PC 84 are provided in the house 40, and information about the two devices is included in the resource information. In the original display, two items are displayed as shown in FIG.

  In such a state where the display is performed, the user selects the item “television receiver” in order to use the television receiver 82. When such a selection is made, the portable terminal device 21 determines in step S51 that a request for using a predetermined device has occurred, and starts processing for implementing the request.

  In step S52, the authentication unit 292 manages the IP address of the personal information management server 11, the message for the access request signed (encrypted) with the private key K1 for the personal information management server 11, and the public key K2 as peripheral device management. The request is transmitted to the server 42 and further transmitted to the personal information management server 11. Specifically, the authentication unit 292 generates a digest using a hash function from a message for an access request, and signs (encrypts) the digest with the secret key K1. Thereafter, the authentication unit 292 transmits the IP address of the personal information management server 11, a message for access request, the generated digest, and the public key K2 to the peripheral device management server 42 via the right information management unit 301, It requests the personal information management server 11 to further transmit it. In step S71, the network information management unit 233 receives this.

  In step S72, the network information management unit 233 transmits the access request message signed to the personal information management server 11 and the public key K2 to the IP address. In step S81, the authentication unit 162 sends a message (a plaintext message and an encrypted digest) signed from the mobile terminal device 21 via the communication unit 137 through the communication control unit 164 and the right information management unit 171, and The public key K2 is received.

  The personal information management server 11 and the mobile terminal device 21 perform communication processing via the peripheral device management server 42. The mobile terminal device 21 having only the Bluetooth function is the personal information management server 11 existing outside the communication area. This is because it is difficult to perform direct communication processing. In the above description, the peripheral device management server 42 also functions as a Bluetooth access point. However, a Bluetooth access point may be provided separately from the peripheral device management server 42.

  In step S82, the authentication unit 162 verifies the signature based on the received access request message and the public key K2. Specifically, a digest is generated from the received plaintext message using the same hash function as that possessed by the mobile terminal device 21, and the encrypted digest is decrypted using the public key K2, step S52. The digest generated by the authentication unit 292 is detected, and the generated digest and the decrypted (detected) digest are compared to determine whether or not they match. If it is determined that the generated digest and the decrypted (detected) digest do not match, the authentication unit 162 transmits an error notification to the peripheral device management server 42 (rejection) in step S82. The network information management unit 233 receives this in step S73. In step S <b> 74, the network information management unit 233 transmits the error notification received from the personal information management server 11 to the mobile terminal device 21. The authentication unit 292 receives this in step S53. At this time, the subsequent processing is stopped.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the digest generated in step S82 matches the decrypted (detected) digest, the authentication unit 162 indicates a message indicating access permission signed with the secret key K11 in step S83. , And the public key K12 are transmitted to the mobile terminal device 21.

  That is, the authentication unit 162 generates a digest using a hash function from a message indicating access permission, and signs (encrypts) the digest with the secret key K11. Thereafter, the authentication unit 162 transmits a message indicating access permission, the generated digest, and the public key K12 to the peripheral device management server 42 via the right information management unit 171. The network information management unit 233 receives this in step S75. In step S76, the network information management unit 233 transmits the signed message (a plaintext message and encrypted digest) received from the personal information management server 11 and the public key K12 to the mobile terminal device 21. In step S54, the authentication unit 292 receives this from the communication unit 267 via the communication control unit 294 and the right information management unit 301.

  In step S55, the authentication unit 292 verifies the signature based on the received message indicating access permission and the public key K12. That is, a digest is generated from the received plaintext message using a hash function, the encrypted digest is decrypted using the public key K12, and the digest generated by the authentication unit 162 is detected in step S83. The generated digest and the decrypted (detected) digest are compared to verify whether they match. By the authentication process as described above, it is possible to conceal data during communication between the mobile terminal device 21 and the personal information management server 11. In the above processing, the public key K2 and the public key K12 are transmitted together with the signed message so that the personal information management server 11 and the mobile terminal device 21 obtain the public key K2 and the public key K12, respectively. However, it may be acquired from an external server. Furthermore, in the above, the authentication process between the personal information management server 11 and the portable terminal device 21 is performed using the PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) method. However, as will be described later with reference to FIG. Authentication processing may be performed using a key method.

  Similarly, the communication processing between the portable terminal device 21 and the personal information management server 11 is performed via the peripheral device management server 42. For simplicity, FIG. 16 shows the peripheral device management server. The step through 42 is omitted, and the mobile terminal device 21 and the personal information management server 11 are described as performing direct communication.

  If it is determined in step S55 that the generated digest and the decrypted (detected) digest do not match, the authentication unit 292 transmits an error notification to the personal information management server 11 (rejection). The authentication unit 162 receives this in step S84. At this time, the subsequent processing is stopped. On the other hand, when it is determined that the digests match, in step S56, the user information management unit 302 stores the resource information (FIG. 15) of the house 40 stored in the process of step S13 of FIG. Send.

  However, since the purpose here is to operate the television receiver 82, there is no need to transmit information on all devices installed in the house 40, and it is not always necessary to transmit resource information. Also good. Moreover, it is not necessary to transmit resource information at all.

  Since the authentication process has been performed normally, in step S88, the right information management unit 171 of the personal information management server 11 requests the peripheral device management server 42 for an access right to access the television receiver 82. A signal to be transmitted is transmitted to the mobile terminal device 21. The right information management unit 231 receives this in step S77.

  In step S78, the right information management unit 231 creates an access right. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the access right. In the example of FIG. 18, the access rights are “version number of access right”, “serial number of access right”, “name of management server (peripheral device management server 42)”, “scope of right”, and “expiration date”. It consists of In this case, information indicating the television receiver 82 as a device to be used is described in “Right Range”, and an identification number (right information management unit 231 identifies the mobile terminal device 21 as a use-permitted device). Is given).

  In step S79, the right information management unit 231 transmits the access right (FIG. 18) to the personal information management server 11. In step S87, the right information management unit 171 receives this.

  In step S88, the right information management unit 171 transmits the access right acquired in step S87 to the mobile terminal device 21. In step S57, the right information management unit 301 receives the access right and stores it in step S58.

  Note that access rights may also be encrypted.

  Since the access right is acquired by the above processing, the right to use the television receiver 82 installed in the house 40 is obtained. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 19, a process when the user A actually uses the television receiver 82 after the access right is obtained will be described.

  In step S <b> 161, the user A operates the input unit 265 to give some instruction to the television receiver 82. Some instruction is, for example, an instruction to turn on the power, change the channel, or change the volume. At this point in time, it is not yet determined whether or not the user A (mobile terminal device 21) has a legitimate right and uses the television receiver 82, and thus the use permission has not yet been obtained. State.

  Further, when an instruction is issued from the portable terminal device 21 to the television receiver 82, the portable terminal device 21 needs to transmit a command corresponding to the instruction. There are a plurality of commands corresponding to a plurality of instructions, but the mobile terminal device 21 acquires and stores such a command group together with the access right, for example, when the access right is acquired as described above. To do. Alternatively, in step S183, which will be described later, when the peripheral device management server 42 permits the mobile terminal device 21 to access the television receiver 82, a command group is provided together with the permission, The provided terminal group 21 may store the provided command group.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 19, the control request generated in step S <b> 161 is acquired by the user operation information acquisition unit 290. In step S162, the right information management unit 291 encrypts the access right (FIG. 18) with the common key and transmits it to the peripheral device management server 42. The authentication unit 222 receives this in step S181.

  In step S182, the authentication unit 222 decrypts the access right with the common key, and determines whether the access right is issued by itself (peripheral device management server 41) and whether the expiration date has expired. To confirm the validity of the received access right. If the authentication unit 222 determines that the access right is not valid, the authentication unit 222 transmits an error notification to the mobile terminal device 21. The authentication unit 292 receives this in step S163. At this time, it cannot be displayed.

  When the access right is valid, in step S183, the right information management unit 231 transmits a signal indicating that transmission of the command is permitted to the mobile terminal device 21. The authentication unit 292 receives this in step S164.

  In step S165, the user information management unit 302 transmits the command to the television receiver 82 via the nearest AP and LAN 44. It may be directly transmitted to the television receiver 82. In step S201, when receiving this from the communication unit 338 via the communication control unit 401, the display control unit 402 executes processing corresponding to the command, for example, processing such as changing a channel.

  In this manner, the user A can operate the television receiver 82 owned by another user with the mobile terminal device 21 owned by the user A.

  Next, processing when a button for instructing recording to the portable terminal device 21 that has obtained the right to access the television receiver 82 is operated will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the user of the portable terminal device 21 is watching a program received by the television receiver 82 and desires to record the program with the recording device 62 installed in the house 10, the portable terminal device 21 The device 21 is operated.

  In addition, even if the user A does not intend to perform recording on the recording device 62 installed in the home 10 of the user A, in other words, the user A performs recording on the recording device 62 installed in the home 10. Even if a complicated operation is not performed, the user A can start recording on the recording device 62 installed in the house 10 by performing the processing described later. Therefore, when the user A desires to perform recording, the user A simply operates the corresponding button. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to provide the user-friendly portable terminal device 21 that is convenient for the user.

In step S301, when the user operates the input unit 265 (FIG. 9) and it is determined that the operation requests recording, the process proceeds to step S302. In step S <b> 302, the mobile terminal device 21 generates data for requesting the peripheral device management server 42 for channel information related to the channel of the program currently provided by the television receiver 82. The generated data is transmitted to the peripheral device management server 42 in step S303.

In this case, since the user A is located at a place where the program displayed on the television receiver 82 can be viewed, the data transmitted from the mobile terminal device 21 is received by the AP 81 with reference to FIG. The Rukoto. Then, data from the mobile terminal device 21 is supplied to the peripheral device management server 42 via the AP 81. In step S <b> 321, the peripheral device management server 42 receives data from the mobile terminal device 21.

At this point, the peripheral device management server 42 indicates that the user A (mobile terminal device 21) has the right to access the television receiver 82 and the channel of the program received by the television receiver 82. It also has channel information about (managed). Therefore, in step S322, the peripheral device management server 42 reads out information related to the state of the television receiver 82 being managed, specifically, here, channel information, and transmits it to the mobile terminal device 21. .

The portable terminal device 21 receives the channel information from the peripheral device management server 42 in step S304.

Here, it is assumed that the peripheral device management server 42 manages the channel of the program that is being received and processed at that time in the television receiver 82 and manages channel information related to the channel. However, the mobile terminal device 21 itself may manage the channel information. For example, the channel information may be stored in the storage unit 266 of the mobile terminal device 21 and the channel information may be read out. In such a case, the mobile terminal device 21 and the peripheral device management server 42
There is no need to send or receive data.

  The portable terminal device 21 acquires channel information of a channel corresponding to a program displayed on the television receiver 82 when the user instructs recording by any method, and the channel information in step S305. Is transmitted to the personal information management server 11 managed by the user A installed in the house 10. Information regarding this transmission, for example, the acquisition of information such as the IP address of the personal information management server 11, and the processing until the actual connection and transmission of channel information based on the acquired information are shown in FIG. The description is omitted because it is performed in the same manner as described with reference to FIG.

  Although not shown in FIG. 20, since the mobile terminal device 21 is connected to the personal information management server 11 and exchanges data, the mobile terminal device 21 described with reference to FIG. An authentication process performed with the server 11 may be executed. Further, the channel information may be transmitted after the authentication process is normally completed.

When the personal information management server 11 receives the channel information from the portable terminal device 21 in step S341, the personal information management server 11 generates data (command) for acquiring information related to the recording device in step S342. When the personal information management server 11 receives the channel information, the personal information management server 11 determines that an instruction to record the program broadcast on the channel indicated by the channel information has been issued, and is set to execute processing related to recording. Yes. Alternatively, not only the channel information but also a command for instructing recording is transmitted from the mobile terminal device 21 , and when the personal information management server 11 receives such a command, the recording processing is performed. You may make it perform.

  In any case, when the personal information management server 11 receives the channel information in step S341, a command for acquiring the recording device information is generated in step S342. The generated command is transmitted to the peripheral device management server 12 in step S343. The command transmitted from the personal information management server 11 in this way is received by the peripheral device management server 12 in step S361. In this case, the command is transmitted / received via the LAN 14.

  In step S <b> 362, the peripheral device management server 12 extracts information on a device having a recording function from information on managed peripheral devices, and transmits the information to the personal information management server 11. Here, it is assumed that the information about the device having the recording function is extracted from the information managed by the personal information management server 11, but the personal information management server 11 selects the device having the recording function as the process of step S362. It may be detected at the time of execution, and the detection result may be transmitted.

  Here, since the recording device 62 exists as a device having a recording function, information regarding the recording device 62 is transmitted to the personal information management server 11 as recording device information. FIG. 21 shows an example of recording device information transmitted in step S362.

In step S165, the user information management unit 302 transmits the command to the television receiver 82 via the nearest AP and LAN 44. It may be directly transmitted to the television receiver 82. In step S201, when the television receiver 82 receives this via the communication unit 371 , the television receiver 82 executes processing corresponding to the command, for example, processing such as changing a channel.

  The personal information management server 11 that has received such data in step S344 generates a recording command in step S345. The generated recording command is transmitted to the recording device 62 in step S346.

  Here, it is described that only the recording device 62 exists in the house 10 as a device having a recording function. However, if there are a plurality of devices having a recording function, for example, In some cases, the recording device 62 and the PC 64 have a recording function. In such a case, as the processing in step S362, the recording device information as shown in FIG. 21 transmitted from the peripheral device management server 12 includes information on the two devices of the recording device 62 and the PC 64. become.

  In step S345, the personal information management server 11 selects one recording device from a plurality of recording devices (in this case, the recording device 62 and the PC 64) and generates the recording command. Send a recording command to the recording device. When one recording device is selected from a plurality of recording devices, priorities are assigned to the recording devices in advance, or at that time, priorities are assigned based on some condition, and the priorities are selected. It is sufficient to select the recording device located at the first position.

  When priorities are assigned in advance, the priorities may be set by the user or the peripheral device management server 12 may set them. Even if priority is given in advance, or even if priority is given at that time, it is better to set in consideration of the following. .

  First, the recording device 62 is a device designed with the highest priority on the recording function. In the PC 64, the recording function is a device designed to be an additional function. In consideration of such a situation, a device designed with the highest priority on the recording function is set to the higher priority.

  At the time when recording is performed, it is preferable that a device that has not already performed other processing such as recording processing is set to a higher priority. This is also considered because, for example, when the recording device 62 is executing the recording process, it is usually impossible to perform other recordings (such as having only one recording tuner). Therefore, it is preferable to set the priority in consideration of whether or not other processing is being executed. Note that when generating a recording command, information on the state of each device (whether or not other processing is being executed, for example) is required, but such information is transmitted together with the recording device information, for example. You may do it.

  In any case, when the personal information management server 11 generates a recording command for a predetermined device having a recording function (in this case, the recording device 62) in step S345, the recording command generated in step S346 is generated. Is transmitted to the recording device 62. In step S381, the recording device 62 receives the recording command. This recording command includes at least information on the channel of the program to be recorded (channel information received by the personal information management server 11 in step S341).

  Recording of the program broadcast on the channel indicated by the received channel information is started by the recording device 62 in step S382. This recording is performed by the channel information received by the communication unit 311 (FIG. 10) being supplied to the recording control unit 312 and the recording control unit 312 controlling the recording based on the channel information.

  In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, the recording command is directly transmitted from the personal information management server 11 to the recording device 62. It may be transmitted once to the device management server 12 and then transmitted from the peripheral device management server 12 to the recording device 62. Further, when the recording command is transmitted via the peripheral device management server 12 as described above, and when a plurality of recording devices exist in the house 10, the peripheral device management server 12 receives the recording command. A device that transmits the recorded command may be selected and transmitted based on the selection.

  The peripheral device management server 12 manages the devices existing in the house 10, but also knows the status of each device. Therefore, the peripheral device management server 12 determines the status of each device described above, assigns a priority, Processing such as determining the transmission destination of the recording command can also be performed.

  In this way, the recording device 62 records the program that the user is viewing at another location (house 40). However, even if the recording is started in this way, if the recording end time is not instructed, the recording device 62 continues to record. Therefore, the recording end time needs to be instructed. The processing of the personal information management server 11 when the recording end time is also instructed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S401, the personal information management server 11 receives channel information. The process in step S401 is the same as the process in step S341 in FIG. When the personal information management server 11 receives the channel information in step S401, the personal information management server 11 determines that a recording instruction has been issued, and proceeds to step S402. In step S402, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) is acquired. The EPG includes information in which information such as a channel, a program broadcast on the channel, and a broadcast time of the program are associated with each other.

  Thus, in step S402, an EPG is acquired. Although all the data of the EPG may be acquired, in step S402, at least information on the end time indicating when the program broadcast at that time ends in the channel indicated by the channel information is acquired. For example, since the EPG is managed by a predetermined server connected to the Internet 31, the EPG is acquired by connecting to the server. Information such as the address of the server that manages the EPG is acquired and managed in advance by the personal information management server 11.

  In step S403, an end time at which recording should be ended is set based on the acquired EPG. In this way, the end time at which the recording is to be ended is set. Here, the EPG is acquired at the timing when the process of step S402 is executed, that is, when it is determined that the recording is instructed. For example, the EPG is periodically acquired at a predetermined date and time. It may be stored in the personal information management server 11. In such a case, the process in step S402 is a process for reading the stored EPG.

  When the recording end time is set in step S403, the recording device information is acquired in step S404. This processing is performed in the same manner as the processing in steps S342 to S344 in FIG. Further, this process may be performed at a time point before step S402, or may be performed in parallel with the process of step S402. When the recording device information is acquired in step S404, a recording command is generated and transmitted in step S405. This processing is the same as the processing in steps S345 and S346 in FIG.

  Through such processing, the recording end time is set.

  Incidentally, as described above, even when the user A is in the home 40 different from the home 10 of the user A, the recording can be performed on the recording device 62 managed by the user A installed in the home 10. When the recording device 62 is recording another program when the user A desires to record, the recording device 62 cannot record the program that the user A desires to record. Such a thing is not good for the user.

  The recording device 62 is not necessarily limited to being installed in the user A's house 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, there is a company 400 that provides a recording service, and a recording device 62 (recording devices 403-1 to 403-N in FIG. 23) is installed in the company 400. Also good.

  As described above, by providing a plurality of recording devices 403-1 to 403-N, it is possible to record programs broadcast on different channels at the same time and fail to record a program desired by the user. It becomes possible to prevent this. The company 400 itself can also make a profit.

  Even in this case, the process performed by the user A only needs to operate buttons related to recording, as in the case described above. Further, the processing related to the recording performed on the company 400 side may be performed by the personal information management server 401 or the peripheral device management server 402 as the processing performed by the personal information management server 11 or the peripheral device management server 12 described above. Therefore, the cost required for the company 400 to execute the process related to the recording is substantially equal to the cost required for the user A to manage the personal information management server 11 and the like, and is not so high. Therefore, it is considered that profits can be increased by providing such a service. Further, since maintenance and the like can be performed by the user A, it is considered that the company 400 does not waste much time on maintenance.

  Thus, by applying the present invention, not only the user A but also the service provider side such as the company 400 has an advantage.

  Note that a plurality of users (portable terminal devices 21) access the personal information management server 401 installed in the company 400 having the configuration as shown in FIG. Therefore, the personal information management server 401 manages information of a plurality of users. These users are users who have already performed member registration and the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, description has been made by taking an example of recording a program by television broadcasting. However, the present invention is not limited to recording a program. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where a radio broadcast program is recorded. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a possible form when the present invention is applied to recording a program by radio broadcasting.

  In the form shown in FIG. 24, personal information management server 11, peripheral device management server 12, and recording device 421 are connected to user A's house 10 via LAN 14, and router 15 is connected to LAN 14. ing. The router 15 is connected to a router 445 provided in the car 440 via the Internet 31.

  The car 440 is a car managed by the user A, and a mobile terminal device 441, a peripheral device management server 442, and a radio receiver 443 are connected to the car 440 via a LAN 444. The portable terminal device 441 may be carried by the user A, but is assumed to be provided in the car 440 in the configuration shown in FIG. As described above, the mobile terminal device 441 does not necessarily have to be configured to be carried by the user A, and is directly provided in a device such as the car 440 in which the user is limited to some extent. It may be configured.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 24, when the user A is listening to a radio broadcast program received by the radio receiver 443 while driving the car 440, the user A desires to record the program. Operates a predetermined button of the portable terminal device 441. When such an operation is performed, finally, a radio broadcast program that the user A desires to record is recorded on the recording device 421 installed in the house 10.

  A series of processes for realizing such a thing is basically the same as the case of the recording shown in FIG.

  Thus, the present invention can be applied not only to recording but also to recording.

  In FIG. 24, the radio receiver 443 is connected to the LAN 14 in the car 440, but other devices such as a car navigation system may be connected. When a car navigation system or the like is also connected, information (for example, position information) from the car navigation system or the like is stored in a predetermined device (for example, the PC 64) in the house 10. You may do it.

  Next, another example of the authentication process between the mobile terminal device 21 and the personal information management server 11 in FIG. 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

In this example, an authentication process using a common secret key method is performed between the mobile terminal device 21 and the personal information management server 11. The mobile terminal device 21 is previously stored in the storage unit 266 to the common secret key K _a. The personal information management server 11 stores the common secret key _Kb in the storage unit 136 in advance. Common secret key K _a and the common secret key K _b are the same.

  In step S601, the mobile terminal device 21 determines that a request for use of a predetermined device has occurred, and starts processing for implementing the request. In step S602, the authentication unit 292 transmits an appropriate random number to the peripheral device management server 42 via the right information management unit 301 in order to access the IP address of the personal information management server 11 and the personal information management server 11. , It requests the personal information management server 11 to further transmit it. In step S631, the network information management unit 233 receives this.

  In step S632, the network information management unit 233 transmits the random number received in step S631 to the personal information management server 11. In step S <b> 651, the authentication unit 162 receives a random number from the mobile terminal device 21 from the communication unit 137 via the communication control unit 164 and the right information management unit 171.

In step S652, the authentication unit 162 encrypts the received random number using the common secret key _Kb and transmits the encrypted random number to the mobile terminal device 21. The network information management unit 233 receives this in step S633. In step S <b> 634, the network information management unit 233 transmits the encrypted random number received from the personal information management server 11 to the mobile terminal device 21. In step S603, the authentication unit 292 receives the encrypted random number via the right information management unit 301.

  Similarly, the communication processing between the mobile terminal device 21 and the personal information management server 11 is performed via the peripheral device management server 42. For simplicity, FIG. 25 shows peripheral device management. The step through the server 42 is omitted, and the mobile terminal device 21 and the personal information management server 11 are described as performing direct communication.

In step S604, the or authentication unit 292, the random number transmitted by the processing in step S602, encrypted using the common secret key K _a of its own, the random number being encrypted and the received encrypted random number matches Determine whether or not. When it is determined that the two do not match, the authentication unit 292 transmits an error notification to the personal information management server 11 (rejection). The authentication unit 162 receives this in step S653. At this time, the subsequent processing is stopped. On the other hand, if it is determined that the two match, the partner can confirm that the other party has the same common secret key, and therefore a code indicating that the authentication is successful is transmitted to the personal information management server 11 (OK). . The authentication unit 162 receives this in step S654.

In step S655, the authentication unit 162 transmits a predetermined random number. In step S606, the authentication unit 292 receives this. In step S607, the authentication unit 292, the random number received encrypted with the common secret key K _a, and transmits the encrypted random number as a random number. The authentication unit 162 receives this in step S656.

In step S657, the authentication unit 162, the random number transmitted by the processing in step S653 is encrypted by using the common secret key K _b, compares the random number encrypted, a random number that is encrypted received in step S656, It is determined whether or not both match. When it is determined that the two do not match, the authentication unit 162 transmits an error notification to the mobile terminal device 21 (rejection). The authentication unit 292 receives this in step S608. At this time, the subsequent processing is stopped. On the other hand, if it is determined that the two match, it is confirmed that the other party has the same common secret key. In step S658, the peripheral resource information management unit 173 transmits a signal indicating a request for resource information. . The peripheral resource information management unit 303 receives this in step S609, and transmits resource information in step S610.

  The subsequent processing is the same as the processing described above with reference to FIG.

  In this way, by applying the present invention, a user can issue an instruction for recording, recording, etc. in real time to a device installed at a desired place such as a home even in a remote place.

  In this specification, the steps for describing the program provided by the medium are performed in parallel or individually in accordance with the described order, as well as the processing performed in time series, not necessarily in time series. The process to be executed is also included.

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

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the information processing system to which this invention is applied. It is a block diagram for demonstrating in more detail the structure inside the house of FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating in more detail the structure inside the house of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a personal information management server. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structural example of CPU of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a peripheral device management server. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structural example of CPU of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a portable terminal device. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structural example of CPU of FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of a video recording apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of PC. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function of a television receiver. It is a flowchart explaining the process in which a portable terminal device collects resource information from a peripheral device management server. It is a figure which shows the example of an electronic certificate. It is a figure which shows the structural example of resource information. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in connection with acquisition of an access right. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on an output part. It is a figure which shows the example of an access right. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in connection with operation of a television receiver. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in connection with video recording. It is a figure for demonstrating the data transmitted as recording equipment information. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of a personal information management server. It is a figure which shows the structure of other embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the structure of other embodiment to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the authentication process of a common secret key.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Personal information management server, 12 Peripheral device management server, 13 Terminal device, 21 Portable terminal device, 41 Personal information management server, 42 Peripheral device management server, 43 Terminal device, 161 Personal information management part, 162 Authentication part, 165 Data format Conversion unit, 171 Rights information management unit, 172 User information management unit, 173 Peripheral resource information management unit, 222 Authentication unit, 221 Personal information management unit, 231 Rights information management unit, 232 Device information management unit, 233 Network information management unit, 291 Personal Information Management Unit, 292 Authentication Unit, 301 Rights Information Management Unit, 302 User Information Management Unit, 303 Peripheral Resource Information Management Unit

Claims (3)

In an information processing system including a first information processing device to a fourth information processing device,
The first information processing apparatus includes:
Channel information relating to a channel of a television broadcast program being processed by a television receiver of the first plurality of devices managed by the fourth information processing device is acquired from the fourth information processing device. Storage means for storing;
A transmission means for transmitting channel information stored in the storage means to the second information processing apparatus when recording of the program is instructed;
The second information processing apparatus
When the channel information transmitted by the transmitting means is received, the program can be recorded using resource information including information on the second plurality of devices provided from the third information processing device. Detection means for detecting the recording device;
Instructing the recording apparatus detected by the detection means to record the program, and
The third information processing apparatus
First management means for acquiring information of the second plurality of devices including the connected recording device and managing the information as the resource information;
A first providing means for providing the resource information managed by the managing means when requested to provide the resource information from the second information processing apparatus;
The fourth information processing apparatus
Second management means for acquiring information of the first plurality of devices, managing the information as the resource information, and managing channel information of the television receiver;
Second provision means for providing channel information managed by the second management means to the first information processing apparatus when the provision of the channel information is requested from the first information processing apparatus; Information processing system provided. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein an authentication process is executed between the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus at a time point before the process by the transmission unit is executed. The second management means also manages a command group for operating the television receiver,
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first information processing apparatus receives the command group from the fourth information processing apparatus and instructs the television receiver using the command group.

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