JP2002157038A - Usage control method of IC card reader / writer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] An IC card reader / provided by a provider
Allows the user to use the writer only for its intended purpose. SOLUTION: Reader / writer provider 13 to user 1
1 is provided with an IC card reader / writer 2 and driver software 5 for operating the reader / writer 2 based on execution of a specific process, and the application provider 12 is disclosed from the provider 13 in response to payment of a fee. The secret command for executing the specific process is incorporated in an application program, and the program 6a is provided to a user having a predetermined use purpose, and the use of the reader / writer 2 is enabled by executing the program 6a. As a result, the user can use the provided reader / writer 2 only for a predetermined purpose, and is prevented from using the reader / writer 2 for another purpose.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an IC card reader / writer use control system for controlling the use of an IC card reader / writer by a user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art This type of IC card reader / writer capable of reading and writing information from and to an IC card is connected to a personal computer or the like, operates according to a command from the personal computer, and records data from the personal computer on the IC card. , I
The data of the C card is read and output to the personal computer. The program interface of such an IC card reader / writer has been different for each manufacturer, but in recent years, the program interface based on standards such as PC / SC has been standardized and unified, and provided to users. . Therefore, if the user connects the provided IC card reader / writer having the standard interface to a device such as a personal computer used by himself / herself,
By operating the C card reader / writer, information can be recorded on the IC card and information can be reproduced from the IC card.

[0003]

When a provider of an IC card reader / writer provides an IC card reader / writer to a user for a predetermined purpose, the user is free to use the IC card reader / writer. The user can use the IC card reader /
There is a problem that the writer is used for another purpose. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to allow an IC card reader / writer provided by an IC card reader / writer provider to a user to use the IC card reader / writer only for its intended purpose.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve such a problem, the present invention executes a specific process only when a specific command is received, and receives a predetermined command for operating an IC card reader / writer. A usage control function unit and an application unit for transmitting a specific command to the usage control function unit are provided, and the usage control function unit is set to a state in which a predetermined command can be received based on execution of the application unit. Further, the usage control function unit is provided in driver software for operating the IC card reader / writer. Further, the usage control function unit is provided in the IC card reader / writer. Further, an application unit is provided to the user from a second provider different from the first provider that provides the IC card reader / writer and the use control function unit to the user,
The disclosure fee of a specific command is paid from the second provider to the first provider.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system to which the present invention is applied. This system comprises an IC card 1 and an IC card reader capable of recording information on the IC card 1 and reading information from the IC card 1. / Writer 2 and the IC card reader / writer 2,
Operate the IC card reader / writer 2 to operate the IC card 1
And a personal computer 3 for recording and reproducing information.

In the personal computer 3, an OS 4 such as Windows 95 or 98 is provided as a standard interface, and an IC card reader / writer driver software 5 having a use control function unit 5A is provided. This IC that operates the card reader / writer 2
The card reader / writer driver software 5 is configured to be connected to the IC card reader / writer 2 via the OS 4.

An application program 6a for realizing a service using the IC card reader / writer 2 is provided in the personal computer 3. The application program 6a stores a secret command and stores the secret command. It has a secret command section 6A capable of outputting a secret command, and is connected to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 via the OS 4.

Now, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described. When the user connects the IC card reader / writer 2 to his / her personal computer 3 and inserts the IC card 1 into the IC card reader / writer 2 to read data from the IC card 1, for example, the user Performs a predetermined read operation of the personal computer 3, the application program 6a is executed, and a secret command is output to the OS 4 at a time from the secret command section 6A incorporated in the application program 6a.

This secret command is output by the OS 4 to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5. Here, if the use control function is incorporated in the use control function unit 5A in the IC card reader / writer driver software 5, the secret command is accepted by the function of the use control function unit 5A, and as a result, the use control The function unit 5A sends an OK command indicating that the secret command has been received to the OS 4, and sets the IC card reader / writer 2 to a command receivable state. Here, the OK command output from the usage control function unit 5A is output from the OS 4 to the secret command unit 6A of the application program 6a at a point in time. When the secret command unit 6A inputs the command, the secret command transmitted by itself is accepted. The application program 6a is notified of the fact.

In response to this notification, the application program 6a outputs a read command for reading the data of the IC card 1 to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 at a time. Then, this command is similarly output to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 side by the OS 4, and further transmitted to the IC card reader / writer 2 via the OS 4 by the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 to be transmitted to the IC card reader / writer 2. Accepted by writer 2. In this case, the IC card reader / writer 2 reads data stored in a memory (not shown) of the IC card 1 and transmits the read data to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 via the OS 4 together with a response command. I do.

When the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 receives the response command and the data read from the IC card 1, it sends it to the application program 6a at a point in time via the OS 4. When the application program 6a detects this response command, the IC card 1 transmitted with the response command
And stores the received data in a memory (not shown) and displays the data on a display unit. In this manner, the data of the IC card 1 is read.

When writing data to the IC card 1 inserted in the IC card reader / writer 2, when a user performs a predetermined writing operation of the personal computer 3 and an input operation of data to be written to the IC card 1, The application program 6a is executed, and the secret command section 6A incorporated in the application program 6a
Similarly, a secret command is output at a point in time, and transmitted to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 via the OS 4. In this case, the secret command is similarly received by the function of the usage control function unit 5A in the IC card reader / writer driver software 5, and as a result, an OK command indicating that the secret command has been received from the usage control function unit 5A Is transmitted to the application program 6a via the OS 4. At this time, the IC card reader / writer 2 is controlled to be in a state where commands can be received.

When receiving the OK command, the application program 6a outputs a write command for writing data to the IC card 1 and write data to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 via the OS 4 at a time. Then, the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 receives the write command and the write data, and transmits the received command and data to the IC card reader / writer 2 via the OS 4. This write command is received by the IC card reader / writer 2, and in this case, the IC card reader / writer 2 writes the write data received with the write command to the memory of the IC card 1.
When the data writing is completed, a response command indicating the end of the writing is transmitted to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 via the OS 4, and the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 transmits the response command to the OS 4
At the point of time to the application program 6a. Thereby, the application program 6a
The side recognizes that data has been written to the IC card 1.

On the other hand, when the user performs a predetermined operation of the personal computer 3, data is written to the IC card 1 inserted in the IC card reader / writer 2 and the IC
In the case of reading data from the card 1, when the application program 6b in which the secret command section 6A is not installed is executed, the secret command is not sent and a normal write command or read command is sent to the IC via the OS 4 at the time. Output to the card reader / writer driver software 5 side.

In this case, the use control function unit 5A incorporated in the IC card reader / writer driver software 5
Firstly, upon receiving the secret command from the application program 6, the IC card reader / writer 2 is placed in a state of accepting a normal write command or read command. And ends the processing. Therefore, the secret command section 6A
Application program 6b that does not incorporate
Is executed, the IC card reader / writer 2 is not in a state of accepting the command from the program 6b, so that the IC card reader / writer 2 is used to write data to the IC card 1 or to read data from the IC card 1. Data cannot be read.

As described above, the user connects the IC card reader / writer 2 to the personal computer 3 and
When writing data to the IC card 1 or reading data from the IC card 2 using the writer 2, the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 is not activated until the secret command is incorporated into the application program 6 in the personal computer 3. The command is accepted, and the user can use the IC card reader / writer 2.

That is, an application program 6a incorporating a secret command and the secret command are received from the provider of the IC card reader / writer 2 to the user as the original purpose of use of the IC card reader / writer 2. Only when the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 incorporating the use control function is provided, the user can use the IC card reader / writer 2, and the provider provides the IC card reader / writer to the user. Even if the / writer 2 and the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 are provided, the user can operate the IC card reader / writer 2 unless the application program 6a incorporating the secret command is provided. Therefore, the IC card reader /
It is possible to prevent a user who uses the writer 2 from using the writer 2 for a purpose other than the intended use.

FIG. 2 shows an IC card reader / writer 2 for a user who uses the IC card reader / writer 2.
FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a state of provision of software for operating the. The operation of the main part of the present invention will be described according to this sequence. Here, in FIG.
A user 12 that writes and reads data to and from the IC card 1 using the C card reader / writer 2 is an application provider (second user) that provides the user 11 with the above-described application program 6 in the personal computer 3. 13 denotes a reader / writer provider (first provider) that provides the user 11 with the IC card reader / writer 2 and the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 in the personal computer 3. .

In step S11 of FIG.
The writer provider 13 sends an IC card reader /
It provides a writer 2 and IC card reader / writer driver software 5 incorporating a use control function, and collects the fee from the user. In this case, the application provider 12 determines in step S12 that the reader / writer provider 13
When the payment of the use fee of the application program is made, the reader / writer provider 13 executes the secret command accepted by the use control function incorporated in the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 provided to the user 11 in a step. In S13, the application provider 12
To be disclosed.

When the secret command is disclosed from the reader / writer provider 13, the application provider 12 incorporates the disclosed secret command into the secret command section 5A of the application program 6 in step S14 to form the application program 6a. Then, the application program 6a incorporating the secret command
Is provided to the user 11 in step S15, and the fee is collected from the user 11.

The user 11 is a reader / writer provider 13
The IC card reader / writer driver software 5 provided with the use control function provided by the application provider 12 and the application program 6a provided with the secret command provided by the application provider 12 are installed in the OS 4 in which the OS 4 is installed in advance. The IC card reader / writer 2 installed on the personal computer 3 and provided by the reader / writer provider 13 is connected to the personal computer 3, and the personal computer 3 is started up in step S16 to use the IC card reader / writer by using the application program 6a. 2 to write data to and read data from the IC card 1 via the IC card 1.

As described above, the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 incorporating the use control function provided by the reader / writer provider 13 and the application program incorporating the secret command provided by the application provider 12 6a allows the use of the IC card reader / writer 2 provided by the reader / writer provider 13.

That is, the reader / writer provider 13 that provides the IC card reader / writer 2 sends the IC card reader / writer 2 to the user 11 as an original purpose of use of the IC card reader / writer 2. IC card reader / writer driver software 5 that cannot operate IC card reader / writer 2 unless processing is performed
Is provided, and the application provider 12
From the application program 6 that causes the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 to perform the specific processing.
The use of the IC card reader / writer 2 by the user becomes possible only after the information a is provided. Therefore, even if the IC card reader / writer 2 and the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 are provided from the reader / writer provider 13 to the user 11, the application program 6a as described above is provided from the application provider 12. The user cannot operate the IC card reader / writer 2 unless provided.
The use of the C card reader / writer 2 for purposes other than the intended use of the user can be prevented.

In this case, the reader / writer provider 13 discloses the specific processing to a business operator who wants the user to use the IC card reader / writer 2 (ie, the application provider 12). In exchange, a usage fee can be collected from the business operator. Further, a command called a secret command is added to the application program 6 so as not to be inconsistent with the OS 4 which is a standard interface, and the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 performs the specific processing, and the IC card reader / writer 2 is operated. , The user is allowed to use the IC card reader / writer 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of the system. In the system shown in FIG. 1, a usage control function unit 5A is provided in the IC card reader / writer driver software 5, and the usage control function unit 5A receives a secret command from the application program 6a and performs a specific process. The IC card reader / writer can receive write and read commands from the IC card reader / writer. In the system shown in FIG. 3, the use control function unit 5A is provided in the IC card reader / writer 2 as the use control function unit 2A. .

In such a configuration, the user can read data from the IC card 1 or operate the IC card 1
When an operation of writing data to the application program 6a is performed, the application program 6a is similarly executed, and a secret command is output to the OS 4 at a time from the secret command unit 6A incorporated in the application program 6a.

This secret command is output to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 by the OS 4 and further transmitted from the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 to the OS 4
Through the IC card reader / writer 2. The secret command is received by the usage control function unit 2A in the IC card reader / writer 2. As a result, the usage control function unit 2A sends an OK command indicating that the secret command has been received, and outputs the IC command.
The card reader / writer 2 is set to a command receivable state. Here, the OK output from the usage control function unit 2A
The command is output to the secret command section 6A of the application program 6a at a point in time via the OS 4, the IC card reader / writer driver software 5, and the OS 4. When the command is input, the secret command transmitted by itself is transmitted to the secret command section 6A. The application program 6a is notified of the acceptance.

In response to this notification, the application program 6a outputs a read command for reading data of the IC card 1 or a command for writing data to the IC card 1 to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 at a time. . Then, this command is similarly output by the OS 4 to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 side, and further, the IC card reader / writer
The data is transmitted from the writer driver software 5 to the IC card reader / writer 2 via the OS 4 and accepted by the IC card reader / writer 2, and the IC card reader / writer 2 is received.
Reads the data from the IC card 1 and writes the data into the IC card 1 in accordance with the command, and transmits a response command to the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 via the OS 4 when these operations are completed. IC
Upon receiving this response command, the card reader / writer driver software 5 sends the response command to the OS 4 and from the OS 4 to the application program 6a at the time.

On the other hand, when the user performs a predetermined operation on the personal computer 3, data is written to the IC card 1 inserted into the IC card reader / writer 2 or the IC
When reading data from the card 1, when an application program 6b in which the secret command section 6A is not installed is executed, a normal write command or read command is sent to the OS 4 at a point in time without sending a secret command. The data is output to the IC card reader / writer 2 via the OS 4, the IC card reader / writer driver software 5 and the OS 4.

In this case, the use control function unit 2A incorporated in the IC card reader / writer 2 receives the secret command from the application program 6 side, and then switches the IC card reader / writer 2 to a normal write command or a normal write command. A connection rejection command is sent to end the process to make it ready to accept the read command. This connection rejection command is sent to the application program 6b at the time via the OS 4, the IC card reader / writer driver software 5, and the OS 4. Therefore,
Even if the application program 6b in which the secret command section 6A is not installed is executed, the IC card reader / writer 2 is not in a state of receiving a command from the program 6b. 1 cannot be written to or read from the IC card 1.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, a specific process is executed only when a specific command is received,
A use control function unit that receives a predetermined command for operating the IC card reader / writer; and an application unit that transmits a specific command to the use control function unit. In the case where the user uses the IC card reader / writer, unless the application control unit provided by the application provided for the predetermined purpose is set to the state in which the predetermined command can be received, the user can use the IC card reader / writer. Since the IC card reader / writer cannot be set to the operable state, the use of the IC card reader / writer is limited to only a predetermined purpose, and therefore, the use for another purpose can be excluded. Also, a second provider different from the first provider that provides the IC card reader / writer and the use control function unit to the user provides the application unit to the user, and the disclosure fee of the specific command is charged by the second provider. Since the second provider pays to the first provider, the first provider can collect the disclosure fee in exchange for disclosure of the specific command for executing the specific process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of a main part of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. IC card, 2. IC card reader / writer, 3.
PC, 4 OS (standard interface), 5 IC
Card reader / writer driver software, 2A, 5A use control function unit, 6a, 6b application program, 6A secret command unit, 11 user, 12 application provider, 13 reader / writer provider.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Yusa 1-6-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo NTT Communications Corporation (72) Kenichi Suzuki Inventor Kenichi Sachiki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) in NTT Communications, Inc. 1-6-6 5B058 CA01 5B076 FB02 FC10

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A use control function unit that executes a specific process only when a specific command is received, and receives a predetermined command for operating an IC card reader / writer, and transmits the specific command to the use control function unit. A use control function unit, wherein the use control function unit is set to a state in which the predetermined command can be received based on the execution of the application unit. 2. The use control method for an IC card reader / writer according to claim 1, wherein the use control function unit is provided in driver software for operating the IC card reader / writer. 3. The use control method for an IC card reader / writer according to claim 1, wherein the use control function unit is provided in the IC card reader / writer. 4. The first application module according to claim 1, wherein the application unit provides a user with the IC card reader / writer and a use control function unit.
An IC card reader provided to a user from a second provider different from the provider of the above, wherein the disclosure fee of the specific command is paid from the second provider to the first provider. / Writer usage control method.