JPH08204851A - Terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent information stored in a terminal equipment and a managing host device from being stolen. CONSTITUTION: When a hard disk memory 49 is detached from a commander 31, a switch 53 is turned on and the contents of a static RAM 51 are destructed. Thereby the contents of the RAM 51 are changed to contents different from an original ID number and do not coincide with an ID number stored in the memory 49. In other cases, whether a KARAOKE (orchestration without lyrics) equipment 10 is connected to the managing host device or not is judged, and when the equipment 10 is not connected, a CPU 42 judges the existence of illegal use of the equipment 10 or the existence of illegal use preparing action, erases all the contents of the memory 49 to erase the stored contents in the RAM 51.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal device connected to a management host device via a communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a terminal device which is always connected to a management host device called a center, a centralized management device, a host, or the like. Note that being always connected does not mean that communication is always performed, but at least the terminal device can access the management host device at any time. With this configuration, for example, it becomes possible to store only the minimum necessary information in the terminal device and use it by obtaining the information from the management host device at any time, and the capacity of the non-volatile memory in the terminal device. It is possible to reduce the size of the terminal device, such as saving
Further, by only updating the information stored in the management host device, all the terminal devices connected to this management host can use the latest information.

[0003]

However, if the operation program stored in the terminal device is analyzed, it cannot be said that it is impossible to illegally access the management host device, and it is stored in the management host device. There was a risk that the information contained in it would be illegally retrieved. In the conventional terminal device, there is room for improvement in measures against such fraud.

An object of the present invention is to prevent the information stored in the terminal device and the information stored in the management host device from being stolen.

[0005]

As means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the terminal device according to claim 1 operates with communication means for communicating with a management host device connected via a communication line. In a terminal device including a storage unit that stores a program and an execution unit that executes a predetermined process in accordance with the operation program stored in the storage device, an unauthorized use of the terminal device or an act of preparing for the unauthorized use is detected. There is provided fraud detection means and state transition means for bringing the terminal device into an inoperable state when the fraud detection means detects fraudulent use or an act of preparing for fraudulent use.

A terminal device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the terminal device according to the first aspect, wherein the fraud detecting means detects removal of the storage means as the fraudulent use or an act of preparing for fraudulent use. . The terminal device according to claim 3 is the terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fraud detecting means detects that communication with the management host device has been interrupted as the fraudulent use or an act of preparing for fraudulent use. It is characterized by doing.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the terminal device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the second aspect is capable of accessing a billing center via a billing communication network having a billing function.
Of the communication means and the processing executed by the execution means, or a charge requesting the charge center by the charge function of the charge communication network of the charge determined according to the information used by the execute means for the processing. A fraud detecting means is provided, and the fraud detecting means detects that the communication with the billing communication network is interrupted as the fraudulent use or an act of preparing for fraudulent use.

[0008]

In the terminal device having the above-mentioned structure, the fraud detecting means detects fraudulent use of the terminal device or an act of preparing for fraudulent use. The state transition means renders the terminal device inoperable when the fraud detection means detects fraudulent use or an act of preparing for fraudulent use.

[0009] Here, the unauthorized use includes, for example, using the terminal device in a state where the connection with the management host device is cut off = a state where the management is out of control, and executing an operation program of the terminal device. Examples of the preparatory act include disconnecting the connection with the management host, removing the storage means storing the operating program from the terminal device, and opening the case of the terminal device prior to these actions.

However, if there is a legitimate reason for these actions, it is natural that they are not illegal. For example, when the above-mentioned actions are executed for maintenance, a password is input in advance to change the state. It is possible to take measures such as stopping the operation of the means. In addition, the inoperable state means
A state in which the terminal device cannot be used for its original purpose, for example, it is impossible to turn on the power, or the operating program cannot be used for its original purpose by deleting it, or a specific flag has been set. An example is a method of not accepting any operation input when the flag is set. The point is that the terminal device is not required to operate normally, and is not limited to these examples.

In the terminal device according to the second aspect of the invention, the fraud detecting means detects the removal of the storage means as an illegal use or an act of preparing for illegal use, which is effective in preventing analysis of the operating program. In the terminal device according to claim 3, the fraud detecting means detects that the communication with the management host device has been interrupted as fraudulent use or an act of preparing for fraudulent use, so the connection with the management host device was cut off. State = effective for preventing use of the terminal device in a state beyond control.

In the terminal device according to claim 4, the second
The communication means can access the charging center via a charging communication network having a charging function, and the charging processing requesting means executes the processing executed by the executing means or the charge determined according to the information used by the executing means for the processing. Request the billing center to perform billing processing by the billing function of the billing communication network.

That is, since the charge corresponding to the use of the terminal device can be collected by using the billing communication network, it is possible to surely collect the charge for the information provided from the management host device and used by the terminal device. Moreover, it is not necessary to go to the installation place of the terminal device for the collection.

Further, since the fraud detecting means detects that the communication with the billing communication network has been interrupted as fraudulent use or an act of preparing for fraudulent use, it is effective in preventing an attempt to escape the charge collection by the billing communication network. Is.

[0015]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, which is a schematic configuration diagram of the karaoke piece information providing system of the present embodiment, in the present karaoke piece information providing system, an information center 1 and a plurality of karaoke devices 10 are connected via an information communication network 5. Further, each karaoke device 10 is connected to the charging center 3 via the charging communication network 7.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the information center 1 is equipped with a management host 13, a microcomputer 14, a keyboard 15, a CRT 16, a printer 17 (not shown in FIG. 2), and the like. Terminal device 11 for use. As shown in FIG. 3, a host computer 19, a storage device 20, and a communication control device 21 are built in the management host 13, and the storage device 20 and the communication control device 21 are connected to the host computer 19. Further, the communication control device 21 is connected to the karaoke device 10 via the information communication network 5. Specifically, the karaoke device 10 is connected to the management host 13 via the first modem 45 shown in FIG.
Can receive data from the device, and can send operating information of the karaoke device 10 to the management host 13.

The storage device 20 of the management host 13 is for storing various control programs for operating the host computer 19 and new song data. The information center 1 can send this new song data to the karaoke device 10. On the karaoke device 10 side, the new song data transmitted from the management host 13 can be stored in the hard disk memory 49 shown in FIG. The distribution record of the new song data and the operation information transmitted from each karaoke device 10 are also stored in the storage device 20.

The monitoring terminal device 11 includes a management host 13
Various commands can be input to the storage device 2
The operating information and distribution record of each karaoke device 10 stored in 0 are printed by the printer 17 or the CRT 16
Can be displayed on the screen.

As shown in FIG. 3, the billing center 3 has the same management host 22 and monitoring terminal device 2 as the information center 1.
3 is provided. A host computer 24, a storage device 25, and a communication control device 26 are built in the management host 22, and the storage device 25 and the communication control device 26 are connected to the host computer 24. Further, the communication control device 26 is connected to the karaoke device 10 via the charging communication network 7. The monitoring terminal device 23 includes a microcomputer 27, a keyboard 28, and a CRT.
29 and a printer 30. The charging center 3
The information center 1 and the information center 1 are mutually connected, and data can be transmitted and received between them.

Each karaoke device 10 is connected to the billing center 3 via a billing communication network 7, and communication can be performed between the billing center 3 and each karaoke device 10. Further, the charging center 3 can instruct the charging communication network 7 to execute the charging function. The charging communication network 7 has a function of charging for information charges, such as a videotex communication network or a dial queue to communication network. In Japan today, Videotex network and dial queue two network are known as the representative ones. The dial queue-to network is basically a time-based pay-as-you-go calculation, and the videotex network is capable of setting an arbitrary fee for each information content, and is used for so-called captain systems.

A videotex communication network will be described as an example of the charging function. Specifically, the videotex communication network is, for example, a public telephone line connected to each karaoke device 10 and a videotex communication processing device (VCP).
It consists of and. This VCP connects / exchanges to / from the billing center 3 of a public telephone line (currently, a public telephone line dialing a special number 166 and a 5-digit billing center number) trying to access the videotex communication network, and a user terminal. Management of a certain information processing device and subscriber management to the charging center 3, charging of communication charges and information usage charges collected by the telephone company, conversation control between the information processing device and the charging center 3, protocol conversion and code / Provides communication processing functions such as conversion processing such as pattern conversion.

Next, the structure of the karaoke apparatus 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the karaoke device 10
Is provided with a commander 31, a volume amplification amplifier 32, a CRT 33, a microphone 34, a speaker 35, and the like, which are the core of the karaoke apparatus 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the commander 31 is provided with a number button of 0 to 9, an alphabet button of A to F, a song selection button, a correction button play and a stop button, and a user requests a karaoke song. 7seg for displaying the push button 36 as an input means for inputting etc. and the contents etc. inputted through the push button 36
An LED 37 is provided. On the back surface of the commander 31, an audio output terminal 39 for connecting the volume amplifying amplifier 32, a modular terminal 40a connected to the information communication network 5, and a modular terminal 4 connected to the billing communication network 7.
0b, a video output terminal 41 for connecting the CRT 33, etc. are provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, the commander 31 has a C
A PU 42 is provided, and a charging control program 42a is stored in this CPU 42. CPU 42
Predetermined charging control processing can be executed according to this charging control program 42a. The execution of the predetermined charging control processing by the CPU 42 according to the charging control program 42a corresponds to the processing as the charging processing requesting means according to claim 4, and the CPU 42 is the executing means and the status of the present invention. The function also functions as a transfer unit and a fraud detecting unit according to claims 3 and 4, which will be described in detail later.

The CPU 42 is connected to the push buttons 36 and the 7seg LED 37 described above, and the voice output terminal 39 is connected via the music playing circuit 43 to the first modem 45 corresponding to the first communication means of the present invention. The modular terminal 40a is connected to the modular terminal 40a via the second modem 46 corresponding to the second communication means of the present invention, and the video output terminal 41 is connected to the video processing circuit 47. The modular terminal 40a is connected to the information communication network 5, and the modular terminal 40b is connected to the billing communication network 7. Further, the CPU 42 corresponds to the storage means of the present invention and stores the karaoke piece information, and the operation program of the CPU 42 and the information center 1 and the charging center 3 which will be described later.
A hard disk memory (HD) for storing a password for identifying each karaoke device 10 and an ID number for preventing unauthorized use of the karaoke device 10 when communicating with the karaoke device 10.
D) 49, a static RAM (SRAM) 51 in which the same ID number as the ID number stored in the hard disk memory (HDD) 49 is written is connected. Further, a switch 53 is interposed between the hard disk memory 49 and the static RAM 51.
The switch 53 is normally off, but is turned on when the hard disk memory 49 is removed from the commander 31, and the contents of the static RAM 51 are destroyed when the switch 53 is turned on. The static RAM 51 and the switch 53
And constitutes the fraud detecting means.

The functions and operations of the various parts involved in the karaoke performance will be described below in accordance with the karaoke performance procedure.
The hard disk memory 49 stores karaoke song information of about several thousand songs in advance, and this karaoke song information is updated every time new song data is received from the information center 1. 1
The karaoke piece information for a piece of music is composed of piece number information, which is identification information for identifying pieces of music, and entity information. The entity information in this is the MID that is the information of the accompaniment music.
It is composed of performance information of I (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard, lyrics information and background image information.
The background video information is encoded video information corresponding to each song.

Here, the information center 1 and the karaoke apparatus 10
Transmission and reception of new song data between and will be described with reference to the communication sequence diagram shown in FIG. First, karaoke device 10
Makes a call to the information center 1, waits for an incoming call to the information center 1, and transmits the password. The information center 1 receives this via the communication control device 21, and the host computer 19 verifies the terminal by using the telephone number, password, etc.,
If the karaoke device 10 is registered in the information center 1, the collation normality is returned. When the karaoke device 10 receives the verification result and the information center 1 becomes ready for reception, the karaoke device 10 inquires about the presence or absence of new song data.

The information center 1 accepts this inquiry and retrieves new song data by referring to the latest song data information from the karaoke device 10 or the song data sent table created for each karaoke device 10, An answer indicating whether or not there is new song data is transmitted to the karaoke device 10.

The karaoke device 10 judges whether or not there is new song data based on the answer result, and if there is new song data, requests the information center 1 to transmit the new song data, and in accordance with the request, the information is sent. New song data transmitted from the center 1 is received. The karaoke device 10 receives the new song data transmitted via the information communication network 5,
It is stored in the hard disk memory 49.

The karaoke device 10 receives the new song data.
When the storage is completed, the communication with the information center 1 ends.
Further, even when the above-mentioned inquiry about the presence or absence of new song data is answered that there is no new song data, the karaoke device 10
Ends the communication with the information center 1.

The timing of inquiring about the presence / absence of new song data can be variously considered, for example, when the power is turned on, once a week, once a month, or the like. Further, at the time of this inquiry, the latest song data information held in the karaoke device 10 may be added to make an inquiry.

In the case of new song data received from the information center 1, the karaoke song information is scrambled so that it cannot be used as it is. 2 modem 46
Through the CPU 42 and the CPU 42 controls the charging control program 42.
When a predetermined charging process using the charging function by the charging communication network 7 is performed by executing a, the above scramble is released and it can be used as normal karaoke piece information.

At this time, a predetermined charging control process is executed by the CPU 42 according to the charging control program 42a, and this charging control process corresponds to execution of a process as a charging process requesting means in the present invention. The CPU 42 also corresponds to a release control means. The process for requesting the charging process and the release control process will be described in detail later.

When the karaoke piece information becomes available, the user operates the push button 36 or a remote controller (not shown) to select the piece to be sung. Then, the CPU 42 executes a karaoke performance process according to a predetermined karaoke performance program. In brief,
The CPU 42 reads performance information, lyrics information and background video information corresponding to the selected song from the hard disk memory 49, transfers the performance information to the music performance circuit 43, and transfers the lyrics information and background video information to the video processing circuit 47, respectively. .

The performance information output to the music performance circuit 43 is converted into an analog performance signal, then sent to the volume amplifying amplifier 32 to be electrically amplified and input via the microphone 34. It is mixed with the singing voice of the person in an appropriate ratio. The mixed audio signal is
The speaker 35 outputs the performance sound to the outside.

On the other hand, the lyrics information which is output in synchronization with the performance information is sent to the video processing circuit 47 in a video source (not shown) such as a video disc player or the information center 1.
Is superimposed (superimposed) with the background image signal output from the karaoke apparatus 10 and displayed on the CRT 33.

Next, the charging process in the karaoke piece information providing system of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to the communication sequence of FIG. After the new song data transmitted from the information center 1 is received and stored in the hard disk memory (HDD) 49 as described above, the CPU 42 calls the billing center 3 via the second modem 46. Then, the CPU 42 waits for an incoming call to the billing center 3 and transmits the password.

In the billing center 3, when the password is received from the karaoke device 10, the host computer 24 collates the terminal with the telephone number, the password, etc., and if the karaoke device 10 registered in the billing center 3, the collation is normal. As a password confirmation signal.

When the password confirmation signal is received, the CPU
In accordance with the charging control program 42a, 42 sends to the charging center 3 a request for transmission of scramble release permission information (charging information) for new song data. That is, the CPU 42 requests the transmission of the billing information which is the scramble release permission command for the new song data, and at the same time the billing process.

When the billing center 3 receives the transmission request (billing processing request) for the scramble release permission information, the host computer 24 sends a preset scramble release permission command (billing information) via the communication control unit 26. Then, it is transmitted to the karaoke device 10 side. When a command is transmitted from the charging center 3, the charge set in advance for the transmission of the command is charged to the subscriber of the telephone line to which the karaoke device 10 is connected. This fee is collected by proxy together with the telephone line usage fee.

When the karaoke apparatus 10 receives the scramble release permission command, it sends a communication disconnection request to the charging center 3. When the billing center 3 receives this request, it ends the communication with the karaoke device 10. After the communication disconnection request is transmitted, the karaoke device 10 descrambles the new song data described above to make the karaoke performance possible.

Next, the illegal use protection process executed every time the karaoke apparatus 10 is turned on will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, when the karaoke apparatus 10 is powered on (S1), the CPU 42 causes the CPU 42 to store the ID number stored in the hard disk memory (HDD) 49 and the ID stored in the static RAM (SRAM) 51. It is determined whether the numbers match (S2).

If the ID numbers do not match (NO in S2), the CPU 42 proceeds to S3. In S3,
The CPU 42 instructs the hard disk memory (HDD) 49 to erase all the stored contents. Next, CP
U42 erases the stored contents of the static RAM (SRAM) 51 (S4).

The reason why the processes of S3 and S4 are executed will be described. As mentioned above, the hard disk memory (H
The DD) 49 and the static RAM (SRAM) 51 have originally stored the same ID number, but when the hard disk memory (HDD) 49 is removed from the commander 31, the switch 53 is turned on and the static R
The contents of the AM (SRAM) 51 are destroyed. Along with this, the content of the static RAM (SRAM) 51 becomes different from the original ID number, and thus does not match the ID number stored in the hard disk memory (HDD) 49.

That is, the fact that the ID numbers of the two do not match means that the hard disk memory (HDD) 49 is in the commander 3
Since it means that the karaoke machine 10 has been removed, the analysis of the operating program of the karaoke apparatus 10 was attempted = illegal use or preparatory actions thereof. Therefore, S
The commander 31 is disabled by the processing of 3 and S4.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S2 that the ID number stored in the hard disk memory (HDD) 49 and the ID number stored in the static RAM (SRAM) 51 match (YES in S2). , CP
The U42 proceeds to the processing of S5, and determines whether or not it is connected to the charging center 3. Specifically, the CPU 42 causes the charging center 3 to obtain the above-mentioned scramble release permission information.
Similar to the communication with, the charging center 3 is requested to access via the second modem 46. If normal access can be made here, it means that the charging center 3 is connected (YES in S5).
S), the CPU 42 ends the communication with the charging center 3,
Shift to normal startup processing. However, if the call to the billing center 3 cannot be made or the call does not arrive at the billing center 3 even after repeating the call operation for the set number of times, the CPU 42 determines that the connection with the billing center 3 is disconnected ( (NO in S5), the processes of S3 to S4 are performed as described above. This means that a preparatory act for using (illegal use) the karaoke device 10 in a state where the connection with the management host device is disconnected = a state beyond the control is performed, and thus S3 to Commander 3 by execution of S4
1 is inoperable.

After S5, similarly, it is determined whether or not the connection with the information center 1 is secured, and if this connection is not established, the processes of S3 to S4 are executed as described above. May be In this way, it is possible to prevent the karaoke device 10 from being used even when the information center 1 does not manage it.

The present invention has been described above according to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. As is apparent from the above description, in this embodiment, the information center 3 corresponds to the management host device of the present invention, and the information communication network 5 corresponds to the communication line of the present invention. Further, the karaoke device 10 corresponds to the terminal device of the present invention, the modular terminal 40a and the first modem 45 function as communication means, the modular terminal 40b and the second modem 46 function as second communication means, and the CPU 42 is It functions as execution means, state transition means, fraud detection means, and billing processing request means. In particular,
The execution of the charging control program 42a by the CPU 42 corresponds to the execution of the charging processing requesting means. Further, the hard disk memory 49 corresponds to a storage means, and the static RAM 51 and the switch 53 constitute a fraud detecting means.

[0049]

As described above, according to the terminal device of the first aspect, when the illegal use or the preparatory action for the illegal use of the terminal device is detected, the terminal device becomes inoperable. It is an effective measure against actions.

According to the terminal device of the second aspect, removal of the storage means is detected as an illegal use or an act of preparing for illegal use, and the terminal device becomes inoperable, which is effective in preventing analysis of the operating program. . According to the terminal device of claim 3, the interruption of communication with the management host device is detected as an unauthorized use or an act of preparing for unauthorized use, and the terminal device becomes inoperable. This is effective in preventing the use of the terminal device in the state where the connection is disconnected = the state beyond the control.

According to the terminal device of the fourth aspect, since it is possible to collect the charge according to the use of the terminal device by using the charging communication network, it is provided from the management host device and used by the terminal device. You can certainly collect the price for information. Moreover, it is not necessary to go to the installation place of the terminal device for the collection.

Further, since the fraud detecting means detects that the communication with the billing communication network is interrupted as fraudulent use or an act of preparing for fraudulent use, it is effective in preventing an attempt to escape the charge collection by the billing communication network. Is.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a karaoke information providing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a device configuration of an information center in the karaoke information providing system of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing configurations of an information center and a billing center in the karaoke information providing system of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a device configuration of a karaoke device in the karaoke information providing system of the embodiment.

5 is an enlarged view of the commander shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a karaoke device in the karaoke information providing system of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of communication performed between the karaoke device and the information center in the karaoke information providing system of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of communication performed between a karaoke device and a billing center in the karaoke information providing system of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an unauthorized use protection process executed by the karaoke device in the karaoke information providing system of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Information center (host device for management), 3 ... Billing center, 5 ... Information communication network (communication line), 7 ...
Billing communication network, 10 ... Karaoke device (terminal device), 1
9: host computer (host device for management), 4
0a ... Modular terminal (communication means), 40b ...
Modular terminal (second communication means), 42 ... CPU
(Execution means, status transition means, fraud detection means, billing processing request means), 42a ... Billing control program (billing processing request means), 45 ... First modem (communication means), 46
... second modem (second communication means), 49 ... hard disk memory (storage means), 51 ... static RAM (fraud detection means), 53 ... switch (fraud detection means).

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Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A communication means for communicating with a management host device connected via a communication line, a storage means for storing an operation program, and a predetermined process according to the operation program stored in the storage device. And a fraud detecting means for detecting fraudulent use of the terminal equipment or an act of preparing for fraudulent use of the terminal device, and the fraud detecting means detecting the fraudulent use or the act of preparing for fraudulent use. In this case, the terminal device is provided with a state transition means for making the terminal device inoperable. 2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the fraud detecting means detects removal of the storage means as the fraudulent use or an act of preparing for fraudulent use. 3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the fraud detecting means detects that communication with the management host device is interrupted as the fraudulent use or an act of preparing for fraudulent use. . 4. A second communication means capable of accessing a charging center via a charging communication network having a charging function, and the processing executed by the executing means or the information used by the executing means for the processing. A billing process requesting unit for requesting the billing center to perform a billing process by the billing function of the billing communication network for the determined fee is provided, and the fraud detecting unit is configured to report that communication with the billing communication network has been interrupted. 4. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is detected as an unauthorized use or an act of preparing for an unauthorized use.