JPH1124781A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the protecting function for secrecy by using an external device and to prevent illegal use by providing the information processor with the external device as a different body. SOLUTION: A portable information processor 1 is equipped with an input device 4 for inputting data and indications, a display 5 which displays data, indication means, etc., a memory 7 which stores various data, programs, etc., a communication device 9a which can transmit or receive data to or from the external device 2 by radio, and a CPU which controls those devices. The external device is equipped with a communication device 9b which can transmit data to at least the portable information processor 1 by radio, an external storage 15 which stores data, and an external controller 14 which controls those devices, and the CPU 3 compares data stored in the external storage 15 with the recognized data stored in the memory 6 and allows all the functions or specific function of the portable information processor 1 to be used according to the comparison result.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which confidentiality (security) is taken into consideration, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus provided separately from the information processing apparatus and communicating with the information processing apparatus. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having a confidentiality protection function using a possible external device (such as an IC card).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic organizer and a PDA (Personal Di
gital Assistant), a function (secret function) for preventing documents such as address book data, telephone directory data, and reports registered in the portable information processing device from being read by others. I had it. In this function, a password is first set in the portable information processing device, so that documents with a secret function can be viewed only by entering the set password. It is.

In recent years, VICS (Vehicle Infomat)
A road traffic information communication system called ion Communication System has been developed, and navigation systems have become widespread, and electronic control of automobiles has been greatly advanced. Often have.

[0004]

However, even with the above-mentioned secret function, if the portable information processing device is lost, for example, the password is input or released by another person, and privacy is infringed. I could not deny the danger.

[0005] Further, with respect to VICS and car navigation systems used for this VICS, effective measures against security of these systems, for example, the problem of unauthorized use, are not taken so much, and studies are proceeding. It is not the fact.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a separate external device for an information processing device and use the external device to secure confidentiality. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of improving a holding function and preventing unauthorized use.

When an external device separated from the portable information processing device is used, there is a possibility that the power of the external device is not turned on. For example, if the power supply of the external device is a battery, if the battery capacity is exhausted, not only the external device but also the portable information processing device itself cannot be used.

Accordingly, a second object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus in which the information processing apparatus itself cannot be used due to a power failure of an external apparatus.

[0009]

In order to achieve the first object, the first means includes an input means for inputting data and an instruction, a display means for displaying data and an instruction menu, and various data and instructions. In an information processing apparatus having a storage unit for storing a program and the like, a communication unit for transmitting or receiving data wirelessly to and from an external device, and a control unit for controlling these units, the external device includes at least the information processing device. An external device communication unit that can wirelessly transmit recognition data to the device; an external device storage unit that stores the recognition data; and an external device control unit that controls each of these units. Comparing the recognized data stored in the external device storage means with the unique data stored in the storage means, and based on the comparison result, the information processing apparatus It is characterized in allowing to use all the features or a particular function.

In order to achieve the second object, the second means further comprises means for wirelessly supplying power to the external device in the first means from the information processing apparatus. And

In these means, the information processing device is constituted by a personal computer, a portable information processing device, a car navigation device used for a road traffic information communication system, or the like.

[0012]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a form information processing device (PDA) 1 as an information processing device and an external device 2. In this embodiment, a portable information processing device 1 and an external device 2 are shown. Constitute one information processing system.

The portable information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment
CPU 3 as control means for performing overall control, display 5 as display means for displaying character information and the like, programs for operating portable information processing apparatus 1, character patterns, edited document data, and portable information processing A memory 6 as storage means for storing unique recognition data and the like set for each device 1;
A display memory 8 for storing data to be displayed on the display memory 8, a display control unit 7 for controlling the writing and reading of data to and from the display memory 8, and controlling the conversion to display data on the display 5; An input device 4 for inputting an instruction of an editing function and transferring the input information to the CPU 3, and a communication device 9a for performing data conversion control for transmitting or receiving data with the external device 2. The CPU 3, the input control unit 4, the memory 6, the display control unit 7, and the communication device 9a are connected by a CPU bus 11, and the display 5 and the display memory 7 are connected by the display control unit 7 and the internal signal lines 10, 12. Each is connected.

The external device 2 includes an external control device 14 for performing overall control of the external device 2, the same recognition data as the unique recognition data stored in the memory 6, and an external control device that is set for each portable information processing device 1. An external storage device 15 storing a program for operating the device 2 and the like, and a portable information processing device 1
And a communication device 9 for performing data conversion control or the like for transmitting or receiving the data. These components are connected by an external bus 16.

Data transfer between the portable information processing device 1 and the external device 2 is performed wirelessly by radio waves (electromagnetic waves) via the communication devices 9a and 9b. For example, transfers between devices at a frequency such as 10 MHz _Z longitudinal and 100KH _Z before and after.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration in the communication devices 9a and 9b (hereinafter, when they are common to both, they are simply indicated by reference numeral 9). In the figure, the communication device 9 includes a data conversion unit 17, a modulation / demodulation unit 18, and a transmission / reception unit 19, and the data conversion unit 17, the modulation / demodulation unit 18,
The modem 18 and the transmission / reception 19 are connected by internal signal lines 20 and 21, respectively. Data conversion unit 1
The control 7 converts parallel data input from the CPU bus 11 or the external bus 16 into serial data, and executes control to convert the input serial data into parallel data to the CPU bus 16 or the external bus 24 and output the parallel data. The modulation / demodulation unit 18 modulates the serial data output from the data conversion unit 17 or demodulates the received modulated radio wave and transmits it to the data conversion unit 17 as serial data. The transmission / reception unit 19 transmits or receives radio waves. Antenna.

In the portable information processing apparatus 1 configured as described above, when the power is turned on, the CPU 3 reads the program stored in the memory 6 and starts the operation from the execution start address of the program.

Here, an input device 4 such as a keyboard or a pen
An example of processing when a screen is displayed on the display 5 on the basis of the input information input to the above is shown below.

For example, when the designation of a report creation function among the functions for creating an edited document and the like is input to the input device 4 shown in FIG.
Sent to PU3. The CPU 3 executes a report creation function program stored in the memory 6 based on the transmitted information, and reads out a character pattern or the like to be displayed on the display 5 from the memory 6. Next, the read character pattern and the like are written to the display control unit 7. The display position on the display 5 is determined according to a program stored in the memory 6. The display data written in the display control unit 7 is temporarily stored in the display memory 8 via the internal signal line 12, and thereafter, the display data is sent out via the internal signal line 10 by the display control unit 7, and characters and the like are transmitted. Is displayed on the display 5. Note that the edited document here means that the CPU 3 adds or deletes a character, changes a character size, changes a font (Mincho, Gothic, etc.), formats, etc., according to the program stored in the memory 6 as described above. A document that has been changed (vertical writing, horizontal writing, paper size, etc.).

When data processing is performed using the external device 2 on the portable information processing apparatus 1 configured and functioning as described above, the processing is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart shows a processing procedure for determining whether to permit use of the portable information processing device 1 based on data stored in the portable information processing device 1 and the external device 2.

In this process, first, when the operator turns on the power of the portable information processing device 1 (step 101), the process immediately proceeds to the process of step 102, where the communication device 9a requests the external device 2 to transmit recognition data. I do. At this time, the display control unit 7 causes the display 5 to display a message indicating that “request for transmission of recognition data” is being made. In this example, the communicable distance between the portable information processing device 1 and the external device 2 is set within 1 m, so that the recognition data from the external device 2 cannot be transmitted to the portable information processing device 1 from a very distant place. Is set to That is, it is set so that this process is performed only when the operator actually uses his or her own portable information processing device. Note that this distance can be arbitrarily determined according to the setting of the transmission output of the external device 2.

The recognition data referred to here is data stored in the memory 6 of the portable information processing device 1 and the external storage device 15 of the external device 2. Only when it matches with device 2,
The function of the portable information processing device 1 can be used, in other words, operable, so that confidentiality of the portable information processing device 1 can be maintained.

When a request for transmission of recognition data is made in step 102, the portable information processing apparatus 1 waits for reception of recognition data from the external apparatus 2 (step 103). In step 103, if the recognition data cannot be received from the external device 2 even after a certain period of time has passed, the process returns to step 102, and a request for transmitting the recognition data to the external device 2 is made again. That is, the processing of steps 102 and 103 is repeated until the recognition data is received.

On the other hand, when the external device 2 receives a transmission request from the portable information device 1 via the communication device 9b of the external device 2, the external control device 14 transmits the recognition data stored in the external storage device 15 to the external device. The data is transferred to the device-side communication device 9b, and is transmitted to the portable information processing device 1 via the communication device 9a on the portable information processing device side.

When the portable information processing device 1 receives the recognition data in step 103, it checks whether or not the recognition data stored in its own memory 6 and the received recognition data are located (step 104). For example, the recognition data of the portable information processing device 1 is “10000011”
When the received data matches the recognition data “10000011” of the portable information processing device 1, a menu screen of the portable information processing device 1 is displayed, and the use of the function of the portable information processing device 1 is disabled. Authorized and available to the operator. On the other hand, if they do not match, it is determined that the operators are different, and the process returns to step 102 and issues a request for transmitting recognition data. As long as the recognition data does not match, use of the portable information device 1 is not permitted, so that confidentiality is maintained.

As described above, both the portable information processing device 1 and the external device 2 separated from the portable information processing device 1 hold the recognition data, and use of the portable information processing device 1 is performed only when the two match. Therefore, a document or the like registered in the portable information processing apparatus 1 is not opened to a third party who does not have the same recognition data, and data such as a document stored in the portable information processing apparatus 1 Can be kept confidential.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which all functions of the portable information processing apparatus 1 cannot be used unless the recognition data stored in the portable information processing apparatus 1 and the recognition data stored in the external apparatus 2 match. However, when there is another specified input from the input device 4 to a specific function, a specific document, or the like, the above-described recognition data is compared, and the use of the specific function, the specific document, or the like is performed. It is also possible to decide whether or not to permit the setting so that confidentiality of only specific data can be maintained.

In any case, the portable information processing apparatus 1 having such functions cannot use all functions or predetermined functions unless it receives recognition data from the external device 2. However, when the external device 2 cannot transmit the recognition data, even the owner of the portable information processing device 1 cannot use it. On the other hand, it is natural that the electric device stops functioning when the supply of power is stopped, and this is the biggest cause of the transmission failure from the external device 2.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the power supply to the external device 2 is switched to the portable information processing device so that the power supply failure state, which is the largest cause among the conditions in which the recognition data cannot be transmitted, does not occur. You can do it from scratch. FIG. 4 shows an example of the external device 2.

FIG. 4 shows the voltage and current at which the external device 2 can operate based on the potential difference generated by the radio wave received by the transmitting / receiving section 19 of the communication device 9b of the external device 2 shown in FIG. A power supply unit 23 for supplying power is provided.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a connection between the power supply unit 23 and the transmission / reception unit 19.
With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a power supply device such as a battery in the external device 2, and necessary power is obtained by transmission from the portable information processing device 1 as long as the portable information processing device 1 is usable. It becomes possible. As a result, the battery capacity is depleted and communication with the portable information processing device 1 is not lost, communication is always possible, and usability is not impaired while ensuring confidentiality of the portable information processing device 1.

In this embodiment, the confidentiality of the portable information processing apparatus 1 is maintained. In addition, for example, a road traffic information communication system (VIC)
Since the navigation device used in S) functions not only as a route guide but also as a terminal for toll payment, the vehicle or a person other than the owner of the navigation device drives or removes the vehicle and uses it. The external device 2 having the same function is provided so that there is no
Unless the identity of the recognition data with the external device 2 can be confirmed, it can be set so that the payment of the fee cannot be performed. In that case, it is necessary to provide the navigation device with a configuration equivalent to that of the portable information processing device 1 shown in FIGS. However, in terms of hardware, since the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is provided in a normal navigation device, a program capable of executing the same functions as the above-described portable information processing 1 is stored in the memory 6 and the CPU 3 is used at the time of use. It should be set so that it can be deployed and executed on the above.

[0033]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, only when the recognition data stored in the external device matches the recognition data stored in the information processing device,
Since the use of all functions or specific functions of the information processing apparatus is permitted, required confidentiality can be reliably performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the information processing apparatus further includes means for wirelessly supplying power to the external device from the information processing apparatus, the function of the external device and the information The function of the processing device is not impaired.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, by applying the present invention to a personal computer or a portable information processing apparatus, confidential matters stored therein can be reliably held.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by applying the present invention to a car navigation device used in a road traffic information communication system, it is possible to prevent improper use such as toll payment using these devices. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of recognition data transmission / reception processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable information processing apparatus and an external device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication device according to another embodiment provided with a power generation unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 portable information processing device 2 external device 3 CPU 4 input device 5 display 6 memory 7 display control device 8 display memory 9a, 9b communication device 14 external control device 15 external storage device 17 data conversion unit 18 modulation / demodulation unit 19 transmission / reception unit 23 power supply unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI // G06F 15/00 330 G06F 1/00 334P

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Input means for inputting data and instructions, display means for displaying data and an instruction menu, etc.,
In an information processing apparatus having a storage unit for storing various data and programs, a communication unit for transmitting or receiving data wirelessly with an external device, and a control unit for controlling these units, the external device is at least An external device communication unit that can wirelessly transmit recognition data to the information processing device; an external device storage unit that stores the recognition data; and an external device control unit that controls each of these units. Compares the transmitted recognition data stored in the external device storage unit with the unique data stored in the storage unit, and determines whether to use all or specific functions of the information processing apparatus based on the comparison result. An information processing device characterized by permitting. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit configured to wirelessly supply power to the external apparatus from the information processing apparatus. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a personal computer. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a portable information processing apparatus. 5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is a car navigation device used in a road traffic information communication system.