JP4001968B2 - Communication information providing system, information providing terminal, billing center and information center - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication type information providing system in which provision information is distributed from a center side device to an information providing terminal, and a predetermined information providing service can be provided at the terminal, and in particular, prevention of illegal provision of provided information is prevented. For technology.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional communication type information providing system, encryption / decryption of the provision information distributed from the center side device to the information provision terminal is performed only on the network from the viewpoint of preventing theft of information flowing on the network. For example, the information providing terminal side decrypts the code of the providing information during or immediately after reception, and the terminal side stores it in a storage device or the like in a state where it can be used as it is.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above communication type information providing system, the providing information stored on the information providing terminal side is left in an unprotected state. That is, since the encryption is decrypted and it can be used normally as it is, the providing information is easily copied from the information providing terminal, and can be used, for example, by another terminal. In particular, in the case of a system that distributes providing information only to specific users for a fee, the system is in a so-called “free” state, which is a big problem for the system operation side and the information distribution side.
[0004]
Such security-related problems in information communication are very important issues in a multimedia society where exchange of information via a communication network is further enhanced. Accordingly, the present invention has an object to provide a communication type information providing system capable of preventing illegal leakage of providing information by data copying from the information providing terminal side, and an information providing terminal and a center side device constituting the system. To do.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
The invention made in order to solve the above-described object is capable of executing an information providing service to a user by using a center side device storing provisioning information and the providing information distributed from the center side device. The information providing terminal is a communication type information providing system, wherein the center side device encrypts the providing information and distributes the information to the information providing terminal, and the information providing terminal includes the center side device. The provision information distributed from is stored in an encrypted state, and when the information provision service is executed using the provision information, the provision information is decrypted every time the information is executed. Is configured to be temporarily usable.
[0006]
According to this communication type information providing system, when providing information to the information providing terminal from the center side device, the providing information is encrypted by the center side device and then distributed to the information providing terminal. Then, the information provision terminal stores the provision information distributed from the center side apparatus in an encrypted state, and when executing the information provision service using the provision information, the information provision terminal The information to be provided can be temporarily used by decrypting it.
[0007]
As described above, according to the communication type information providing system, the providing information received on the information providing terminal side is stored in an encrypted state. Therefore, even if the providing information is copied, Information that cannot be used properly on the terminal as it is. Therefore, unauthorized provisional information leakage can be prevented.
[0008]
As shown below, when there are a plurality of information providing terminals to be distributed, the center side apparatus can execute a plurality of types of encryption for the providing information and can handle the encryption. It is conceivable that the decryption information to be distributed can be distributed to each information providing terminal.
[0009]
This is because, when there are multiple information providing terminals to be distributed, for example, when providing providing information with the same encryption is distributed to any information providing terminal, if the decryption information is illegally leaked This considers that there is a high possibility that provision information will be illegally leaked from any information provision terminal. In other words, by providing multiple types of encryption to the provided information and distributing the decryption information corresponding to the encryption to each information providing terminal, the decryption information can be decrypted even if the decryption information is illegally leaked. Only the providing information encrypted corresponding to the information has a risk of illegal leakage, and the security of the providing information subjected to another type of encryption can be ensured. From this point of view, when distributing the providing information to n information providing terminals, it can be said that it is preferable in terms of security to perform n types of encryption so that the providing information is different from each other. However, for example, with respect to 10,000 information providing terminals, it seems that there is a sufficient security effect even when 1000 types of encryption are performed so that ten randomly selected information terminals are encrypted at the same time. This is because even when decryption information is obtained that has been illegally obtained, only one out of every 1000 devices can be searched for providing information that can be decrypted using the decryption information. Because.
[0010]
In addition, when assuming a system in which the providing information encrypted from the center side device and the decryption information corresponding to the encryption are distributed to the information providing terminal, as shown below, The encrypted providing information and the decryption information corresponding to the encryption may be distributed via different communication networks.
[0011]
This is because when both pieces of information are distributed through the same communication network, there is a high possibility that both pieces of information are illegally acquired together. In other words, even if the information provided for encryption is illegally acquired by illegally connecting to a certain communication network, it is necessary to connect to another communication network in order to acquire information for decrypting the encryption. Yes, for example, if the method of unauthorized connection to each communication network is different, it will take a lot of trouble as a person trying to obtain unauthorized acquisitions, and if each communication network has a check function for unauthorized persons, And the security effect is improved.
[0012]
And when using a different communication network in this way, for example, as shown below, the center-side device includes an information center for distributing provision information to the information providing terminal via the information communication network, and an information A charging center for connecting to an information providing terminal via a charging communication network, which is a communication network different from the communication network, and charging the information providing terminal by transmitting charging information corresponding to the price of the information The billing center may be configured to transmit the decryption information to the information providing terminal together with the billing information.
[0013]
This billing communication network is a communication network capable of billing a user such as a videotex system or dial queue two. In the billing communication network such as the current videotex system and dial queue two, the calling side (calling side) is charged, so the information providing terminal calls the billing center and connects to it. Become. However, as already implemented in public telephone lines, it is possible to change the configuration of the billing communication network so as to charge the called party (the side that received the call) using the collect call method. Therefore, as long as the connection is charged to the information providing terminal side, the connection here may be a call made by the terminal side or a call made by the charging center side.
[0014]
When the information providing terminal and the charging center are thus connected, the charging center transmits charging information corresponding to the price of the information to the information providing terminal. As a result, charging to the information providing terminal via the charging communication network is executed. Then, the decryption information is transmitted to the information providing terminal together with the billing information. Generally, a billing communication network for performing “billing” is designed to have higher security than an information communication network that distributes providing information. Therefore, it is practically preferable to transmit the decryption information on this side.
[0015]
Further, if the information communication network and the billing communication network are different communication networks, the following effects can be obtained. That is, it is assumed that the providing information used for the information providing service in the information providing terminal has a considerably large amount of information such as new song data for karaoke performance or game software data. When such large information itself is distributed from an information center, using a communication network suitable for the distribution makes it faster than distributing such information using a charging communication network. This is because an optimum system configuration corresponding to the type of provision information to be received by the information provision terminal becomes possible.
[0016]
As can be seen from the above description, the charging center and the information center constituting the center side device may exist as separate independent centers, or both functions may be provided in one center. . In any case, when connected to an information providing terminal via an information communication network capable of distributing information, the information center function can be exhibited, and when connected via a charging communication network As long as the billing center functions as an information center, and the completion of billing by the portion having the billing center function is transmitted to the portion having the information center function by any means, the two centers are separate. It doesn't matter whether it's wax or integral. In other words, in the present invention, the information center and the billing center constituting the center side device are only expressed as concepts separately, and do not mean only when they are separated as objects.
[0017]
On the other hand, an information providing terminal used in such a system can be configured as follows. For example, the following information providing terminal receives distribution of encrypted providing information from the center side device, stores it in the information storage means, and uses the providing information stored in the information storage means. An information providing terminal capable of executing an information providing service for a user, wherein the providing information distributed from the center side device is stored in an encrypted state in the information storage means In addition, when the information providing service is executed using the providing information, the providing information is configured to be temporarily usable by performing decryption for each execution. To do.
[0018]
The information providing terminal further comprises information communication network connection means for connecting to the information center constituting the center side device via the information communication network, as shown below, and the information for provision distributed from the information center Is stored in the information storage means in an encrypted state, and is connected to a charging center constituting the center side device via a charging communication network, and the charging communication network connection It is also possible to provide decryption information storage means for storing the decryption information transmitted together with the billing information from the billing center, connected to the billing center via the means.
[0019]
Moreover, the center side apparatus used for such a system can be comprised as follows. For example, the center side apparatus shown below encrypts stored provisioning information and connects to the information center that distributes the information to the information providing terminal via the information communication network and the information providing terminal via the charging communication network. A center-side apparatus including a charging center for performing charging for a terminal by transmitting charging information corresponding to the price of the providing information to the information providing terminal, and providing information to be distributed When there are a plurality of terminals, the information center can execute a plurality of types of encryption for the providing information, and the charging center can also decrypt the decryption information corresponding to the encryption together with the charging information. It is configured to be able to transmit to an information providing terminal.
[0020]
Since the operations and effects as the information providing terminal and the center side device are described together in the description of the communication type information providing system described above, they will not be repeated here.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the communication type information providing system of one embodiment is applied to a system related to karaoke and a configuration of a karaoke terminal 10 as an “information providing terminal” which is a component of the system. .
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 1, the system of this embodiment is configured such that a charging center 1 mainly responsible for charging-related processing and a karaoke terminal 10 are connected via a charging communication network 5. The information center 3 and the karaoke terminal 10 in charge of the distribution related processing of karaoke song data as “information” are connected via the information communication network 7. The billing center 1 and the information center 3 are also connected. The charging center 1 and the information center 3 constitute a “center side device”.
[0023]
Note that the system shown in FIG. 1 is a minimum configuration example including one karaoke terminal 10, one charging center 1, and one information center 3. Actually, there may be a plurality of each of the above devices, and generally, a plurality of karaoke terminals 10 exist for each one charging center 1 and information center 3.
[0024]
The billing communication network 5 has a function of charging for information charges, such as a videotex communication network and a dial queue to communication network. In Japan today, the videotex network and the dial cue-to network are known as typical examples. The dial queue-to-network is basically time-based calculation, and the videotex network can set an arbitrary fee for each information content, and is used for a so-called captain system.
[0025]
As an example of the charging function, a videotex communication network will be described. Specifically, the videotex communication network includes, for example, a public telephone line connected to each karaoke terminal 10, a videotex communication processing device, and the videotex communication network. It consists of a dedicated line between the processing device and the billing center. The videotex communication processing apparatus connects / exchanges the public telephone line to access the videotex communication network to / from the charging center 1, manages the karaoke terminal 10 which is a user apparatus, and manages subscribers to the charging center 1. It provides communication processing functions such as communication charges and charging of information provision charges collected by the telephone company, communication control between the karaoke terminal 10 and the charging center 1, conversion processing such as protocol conversion and code / pattern conversion.
[0026]
Next, the internal configuration of the karaoke terminal 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The central control device 31 that controls the entire device always counts the multi-purpose input key 32 as input means for inputting various instructions, the hard disk 33 corresponding to “information storage means”, the current date and the current time. The first communication control corresponding to the “information communication network connection means” that can be connected to the calendar clock 34, the sound reproduction circuit 35, the screen display control device 26, and the information communication network 7 to be notified to the central control device 31. A second communication control device 27b that can be connected to the device 27a and the billing communication network 5 and corresponds to “billing communication network connection means” is connected. Further, a mixer amplifier 38 is connected to the audio reproduction circuit 35, and a television monitor 29 as a display means is connected to the screen display control device 26. Further, a speaker 41 and a microphone 43 are connected to the mixer amplifier 38.
[0027]
The central control device 31 accesses the information center 3 and the billing center 1 and executes a predetermined process. This process will be described in detail later, but this is different from the conventional method of using the billing communication network 5 and will be described. Conventionally, a user terminal receives information via the billing communication network 5 and executes a predetermined process using the information. The billing communication network 5 charges a predetermined fee (predetermined fee set for each information content) as the price of the information. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the hard disk 33 stores information used by the karaoke terminal 10 for karaoke performance processing. The karaoke terminal 10 is managed by a karaoke terminal installation company, and can receive supply of song data from a song data distribution company every time new song data is released. In the system of the present embodiment, the new music data is received from the information center 3 and can be stored in the hard disk 33 later by connecting to the information communication network 7 via the first communication control device 27a. Yes.
[0028]
The karaoke song data stored in the hard disk 33 is composed of song number information, which is identification information for identifying songs, and entity information. The entity information is composed of performance information of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) standard, which is information of accompaniment music, lyrics information, and background video information. The background video information is obtained by encoding video information corresponding to each song.
[0029]
Since this karaoke song data is stored in an encrypted state according to a predetermined encryption rule, it cannot be used as it is. In order to use it, it is necessary to use information for decryption according to a predetermined decryption rule. In order to obtain this decryption information, it is connected to the billing communication network 5 through the second communication control unit 27b. Then, when the central control device 31 executes a predetermined control program, predetermined charging processing using the charging function by the charging communication network 5 is performed, and decryption information is sent from the charging center 1 to the karaoke terminal 10. . If the karaoke song data is decrypted based on this, it can be used as usual.
[0030]
This decryption is executed at every opportunity to use the providing information for the information providing service. That is, in the case of this embodiment, the user selects a song to be sung by operating the multi-purpose input key 32, and the central control device 31 applies a predetermined karaoke performance program to the selected karaoke song data. Based on this, decryption is performed for the first time when karaoke performance processing is executed. The karaoke song data itself stored in the hard disk 33 is not decrypted, but the karaoke song data is stored in the hard disk 33 in an encrypted state and is read when used for performance. It simply decrypts the object.
[0031]
The karaoke performance process will be briefly described. The central control device 31 reads performance information, lyric information and background video information corresponding to the selected song from the hard disk 33, and the performance information is sent to the audio reproduction circuit 35 and the lyric information. The background video information is transferred to the screen display control device 26, respectively. The performance information output to the audio reproduction circuit 35 is converted into an analog performance signal, then sent to the mixer amplifier 38 to be electrically amplified, and the user's singing voice input through the microphone 43 and an appropriate level. Mixed at a rate. The mixed audio signal is output to the outside as a performance sound by the speaker 41. On the other hand, the lyric information output in synchronism with the performance information is combined (superimposed) with a background video signal to be described later and displayed on the television monitor 29 in the screen display control device 26. As a result, the TV monitor 29 is displayed with the lyrics telop combined with the background video.
[0032]
Next, the configuration of the charging center 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The charging center 1 controls the entire center, and includes a host computer 51 corresponding to “determination means” and “distribution mode control means”, a storage device 53, an input device 55, a communication control device 57, and a printer 59. , CRT61. The storage device 53 is for storing various control programs for the host computer 51 to operate, billing results for each karaoke terminal 10, and the like.
[0033]
Various commands can be input from the input device 55. For example, a charging result or the like can be created based on the charging information for each karaoke terminal 10 stored in the storage device 53, or can be generated by the printer 59. It can be printed or displayed on the CRT 61.
[0034]
Next, the configuration and function of the information center 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the information center 3 includes a communication control device 77 connected to the karaoke terminal 10 via the information communication network 7, and a storage device 73 that stores karaoke song data distributed to the karaoke terminal 10. Are controlled by a host computer 71 as a central control unit. Various devices such as an input device 75, a printer 79, and a CRT 81 are connected to the host computer 71. In addition to the karaoke song data, the storage device 73 stores various control programs for operating the host computer 71 and the like.
[0035]
The information center 3 configured as described above distributes the karaoke song data to each karaoke terminal 10 via the information communication network 7. This distribution is performed from the information center 3 side at a pace of every few days for the addition of new song data, but in this embodiment, the karaoke terminal 10 side periodically (for example, 1) In response to access performed once a day), the charging center 1 sends the decryption information to the karaoke terminal 10, and then the charging center 1 gives a predetermined notification to the information center 3. Is configured to perform distribution processing if there is a new song to be distributed. However, the karaoke song data to be distributed has been subjected to encryption corresponding to the decryption information transmitted from the billing center 1 to the karaoke terminal 10, and cannot be used as it is. . These will be described later.
[0036]
Next, the operation of this system having the above configuration will be described. First, the operation of the charging center 1 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The billing center 1 executes from step S100 after the power is turned on. In S100, initialization of the entire apparatus such as resetting of the communication control apparatus 57 is performed. After finishing the process of S100, it transfers to S101 and it is investigated whether there exists a connection request from the karaoke terminal 10. FIG. If there is a connection request, the process proceeds to S102, and if not, the process in S101 is repeated to enter a standby state.
[0037]
In S102, the karaoke terminal 10 is connected to the connection request from the karaoke terminal 10. After the connection is completed, the process proceeds to S103 to store the caller identification information notified by the function of the communication network, that is, the telephone number on the karaoke terminal 10 side that has requested connection in this case. And in S104, the terminal detailed information from the karaoke terminal 10 is received. The terminal detailed information is, for example, a number for identifying the karaoke terminal 10, and a manufacturing serial number is used as the identification number.
[0038]
In subsequent S105, it is determined whether or not the karaoke terminal 10 is registered as a valid terminal in the charging center 1 based on the terminal detailed information. A management table as shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the storage device 53 of the billing center 1. For the karaoke terminal 10 that is officially registered as a management target in the management table through a predetermined registration process. Thereafter, services such as new song distribution will be executed. As shown in FIG. 3, the management table records an ID number and a telephone number. The ID number is identification information set such that each of the plurality of karaoke terminals 10 connected to the system, that is, the plurality of karaoke terminals 10 belonging to the communication system, has a unique number. Etc. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the correspondence relationship between the telephone number stored in S103 and the identification number in the terminal detailed information received in S104 matches the correspondence relationship in the management table.
[0039]
And when it is judged that it is not a legitimate terminal (S105: NO), it transfers to S109, without performing the process of S106-S108, and the connection with the connected karaoke terminal 10 is cancelled | released. After the connection release is completed, the process returns to S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the terminal is a legitimate terminal (S105: YES), encrypted information is set in S106, and decryption information corresponding to the encrypted information is transmitted to the karaoke terminal 10 in subsequent S107. . The encryption information and decryption information will be described. For example, the center side device (specifically, the information center 3) has a plurality of programs for encrypting data in accordance with a predetermined encryption rule. Similarly, the karaoke terminal 10 is created to decrypt the encryption. When a plurality of programs for decrypting data according to a predetermined decryption rule are provided, the identification information of the program becomes encrypted information, which can be used as decryption information. That is, in S106, for example, based on data such as terminal identification information (terminal ID) and current date and time, one is selected from a plurality of encryption programs prepared in advance, and the identification information is encrypted information. Set as. In S107, the identification information is transmitted to the karaoke terminal 10.
[0040]
For encryption and decryption, it is conceivable to adopt a so-called “public key method” or “common key method”. The “common key method” is a method for performing encrypted communication by decrypting and encrypting encrypted data with a common encryption key known only to the sender and the receiver, and thus the above-described method can also be said to be a kind thereof. In the “public key method”, the receiver has a secret key, the public key is passed to the sender, and the text encrypted with the public key can be decrypted only with the secret key. In this way, even if the public key leaks to the outside, the data created with the public key can be decrypted only with the recipient's private key, so the confidentiality of the encrypted communication is not impaired. Of course, it is also possible to use them in combination, for example, using a public key method for delivery of the common key, assuming that encryption / decryption is performed using the common key method.
[0041]
As described above, various forms of encryption and decryption can be considered, but since the content of the encryption itself is not the main point, detailed description is omitted here, and the identification information of the program described above is encrypted. The following explanation will be made on the premise that the information is used as encrypted information and decryption information.
[0042]
Returning to the description of FIG. 4, when the decryption information is transmitted to the karaoke terminal 10 in S107, the billing information is also transmitted. This is information for charging an amount set according to the amount of data scheduled to be provided (for example, the number of songs) or a fixed amount. After this transmission, a predetermined notification is sent to the information center 3 in S108. This notification content includes the identification information of the karaoke terminal 10 to be accessed by the information center 3 and the encryption information set in S106.
[0043]
After this notification, the process proceeds to S109, and the connection with the connected karaoke terminal 10 is released. After the connection release is completed, the process returns to S101. The above is the operation of the host computer 51 of the billing center 1. The terminal detailed information is received from the karaoke terminal 10 and the predetermined decryption information is transmitted. The billing information is also transmitted together with the decryption information. In the fee collection agency system constituting the billing communication network 5, which karaoke terminal 10 has transmitted billing information from the billing center 1 via the billing communication network 5 is acquired as a billing record. The telephone company collects the information provision fee based on this billing record in the form of adding the information provision fee when charging the telephone fee to the installation company of the corresponding karaoke terminal 10 and sends it to the music information distribution company that is the information provider. I have a passing service. This itself is well-known as a videotex performed at NTT.
[0044]
The storage device 53 of the billing center 1 stores a table for storing the billing information transmission record (that is, the billing record) for each karaoke terminal 10 for each karaoke terminal 10. The decryption information and the billing information are transmitted in response to the request from, and the billing status for the corresponding month is set to billed.
[0045]
Next, the operation of the information center 3 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In the information center 3, after the power is turned on, the process is executed from step S150. In S150, initialization of the entire device such as resetting of the communication control device 77 is performed. Then, the process proceeds to S151 to check whether or not there is a notification from the charging center 1. This “notification from billing center 1” is the predetermined notification in S108 of FIG. 4 described above. If there is this notification (S151: YES), the process proceeds to S152. If not, the process of S151 is repeated to enter a standby state.
[0046]
In S152, based on the notification from the charging center 1, the providing information to be distributed is encrypted based on the encryption information set in S106 of FIG. As described above, the encryption is performed using one encryption program selected from a plurality of encryption programs based on the encryption karaoke information.
[0047]
Then, in S153, it is determined whether or not it is an access time to the karaoke terminal 10, and if it is the access time (S153: YES), the process proceeds to S154 to make a callback to the karaoke terminal 10. The callback target is the karaoke terminal 10 based on the notification from the charging center 1. Specifically, when the terminal ID is notified from the billing center 1, a telephone number corresponding to the notified terminal ID is searched from the management table (see FIG. 3), and a callback is made with the telephone number. Become. Of course, if the telephone number itself is notified, it may be used as it is.
[0048]
After the callback in S154, the terminal detailed information transmitted from the karaoke terminal 10 in response to the callback is received in S155, and in the subsequent S156, based on the terminal detailed information, the karaoke terminal 10 Is registered as a valid terminal in the information center 3. A management table as shown in FIG. 3 is also stored in the storage device 73 of the information center 3 as in the case of the charging center 1 described above. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the terminal is valid based on whether or not the correspondence between the identification number in the terminal detailed information received in S155 and the telephone number that has been called back matches the correspondence in the management table.
[0049]
If it is determined that the terminal is not a legitimate terminal (S156: NO), the process proceeds to S158 without performing the process of S157, and the connection with the connected karaoke terminal 10 is released. After the completion of disconnection, the process returns to S151. On the other hand, if it is determined that the terminal is a legitimate terminal (S156: YES), the process proceeds to S157, and the providing information encrypted in S152 is distributed to the connected karaoke terminal 10. After the distribution is completed, the process proceeds to S158 and the connection is released.
[0050]
The above is the operation of the host computer 71 of the information center 3. After confirming the validity of the distribution-destination karaoke terminal 10 that received the notification from the charging center 1, the provision information to be distributed to the karaoke terminal 10 A process of distributing (for example, new song data) is executed.
[0051]
Next, based on the flowchart of FIGS. 6-8, operation | movement of the karaoke terminal 10 is demonstrated first. When the power is turned on, the main routine of FIG. 6 is started. First, in the first step S200, the entire apparatus is initialized such as resetting the communication control apparatuses 27a and 27b. Next, in S201, it is determined whether it is a predetermined access time as the operation designation of the karaoke terminal 10. This is to periodically determine whether it is time to perform processing for accessing the billing center 1 to have distribution information such as new song data distributed. This is determined based on time information from the calendar clock 34 or the like. If it is a predetermined access time, the process proceeds to S202, and if not specified, the process proceeds to S203.
[0052]
In S202, the subroutine SUB1 is called to perform predetermined access related processing. This process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the first step S211 of the subroutine SUB1, a connection request is made to the charging center 1. In step S212, the terminal detailed information is transmitted to the connected charging center 1. Since this terminal detailed information has been described when explaining the processing on the charging center 1 side, it is omitted here.
[0053]
In subsequent S213, it is determined whether or not the charging center 1 side has released the connection. In the processing at the charging center 1 shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the terminal is a valid terminal in S105, and if it is not a valid terminal, the process proceeds to S109 and the connection with the karaoke terminal 10 is released. In this way, it is determined whether or not the connection is canceled on the charging center 1 side.
[0054]
If the connection is canceled on the charging center 1 side (S213: YES), the process proceeds to S224 without executing the processing of S214 to S223, and the connection with the charging center 1 is canceled on the karaoke terminal 10 side, This subroutine SUB1 is terminated. If the determination in S213 is negative, that is, if the connection is not canceled on the charging center 1, the process proceeds to S214, and the decryption information transmitted from the charging center 1 is received via the second communication control device 27b. Store in the hard disk 33. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S215, and the connection with the charging center 1 is released.
[0055]
After releasing the connection with the charging center 1 in S215, the process proceeds to S216 and waits for a connection request from the information center 3. If there is no connection request (S216: NO), the process proceeds to S222 to determine whether or not a timeout has occurred. If not (S202: NO), the determination process of S216 is repeated. If a time-out occurs while there is no connection request from the information center 3 (S222: YES), the process proceeds to S223 to execute a predetermined response process, and then this subroutine SUB1 is terminated.
[0056]
On the other hand, if there is a connection request before the timeout occurs (S216: YES), the process proceeds to S217 to connect to the information center 3 and transmit terminal detailed information. As described above, the information center 3 determines whether or not the terminal is a valid terminal based on the transmitted terminal detailed information. If the terminal is a valid terminal, the providing information is distributed. The connection is released without distributing the business information (see S155 to S158 in FIG. 5). Therefore, in S219 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the information center 3 side has released the connection. When the connection is released on the information center 3 side (S219: YES), the process proceeds to S221 without executing the process of S220, and the connection with the information center 3 is released on the karaoke terminal 10 side. This subroutine SUB1 is terminated.
[0057]
On the other hand, if the connection is not released on the information center 3 side (S219: NO), the encrypted providing information distributed from the information center 3 is sent via the first communication control device 27a in S220. Are received and stored in the hard disk 33. In this case, it is stored so as to be compatible with the decryption information received and stored in S214. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a table indicating the relationship between the providing information ID and the corresponding decryption information ID is created on the hard disk 33. In the case shown in FIG. 9, the decryption information ID corresponding to the provision information ID 001 to 100 is “1”, and the decryption information ID corresponding to the provision information ID 101 to 200 is “5”. Yes, the decryption information ID corresponding to the providing information ID 201 to 300 is “2”.
[0058]
After the process in S220, the process proceeds to S221, the connection with the information center 3 is released, and this subroutine SUB1 is terminated. After the end of this routine, the process proceeds to S203 in FIG. In S203 of FIG. 6, it is checked whether or not the karaoke performance mode is designated as the operation designation of the karaoke terminal 10. If the karaoke terminal installation company designates the karaoke performance mode, the process proceeds to S204, and if not designated, the process returns to S201.
[0059]
In S204, the subroutine SUB2 is called to perform karaoke performance processing. This karaoke performance process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the first step S231 of the karaoke performance processing of the subroutine SUB2, the key input from the multi-purpose input key 32 is waited. If there is a key input (S231: YES), it is determined whether or not it is a request number input in S232. To do. If the request number is input, the process proceeds to S233 to perform a decryption process for the song. This is because the requested karaoke song data is read out from the encrypted providing information (karaoke song data) received from the information center 3 and stored in the hard disk 33 in S220 of FIG. 7, the decryption information corresponding to the requested karaoke song data is read out from the decryption information received from the charging center 1 in S214 and stored in the hard disk 33, and the decryption process is executed. In other words, the karaoke song data is stored in an encrypted state on the hard disk 33, and is decrypted every time a performance is performed. The decryption information corresponding to the karaoke song data can be seen from the correspondence table shown in FIG.
[0060]
When the decryption is completed in S233, the process proceeds to S234, and the performance of the song having the requested number is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in S232 that the request number is not input, the process proceeds to S235 after executing processing corresponding to other key inputs in S236. In S235, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to end the karaoke mode. If there is no end instruction, the process returns to S231. If there is an end instruction, the karaoke performance processing routine is ended, and S201 in the flowchart of FIG. Migrate to
[0061]
The above is the operation of the central control device 31 of the karaoke terminal 10 and performs various processes such as communication processing with the charging center 1 and the information center 3 and karaoke performance processing. According to the system of the present embodiment described above, when the providing information such as karaoke song data is distributed from the center side device including the charging center 1 and the information center 3 to the karaoke terminal 10, the center side device provides the information. The information is encrypted and distributed to the karaoke terminal 10. The karaoke terminal 10 stores the providing information distributed from the center side device in the encrypted state in the hard disk 33, and when executing the information providing service using the providing information, The information for provision is temporarily made usable by performing decryption every execution.
[0062]
Thus, since the provision information received on the karaoke terminal 10 side is stored in an encrypted state, even if the provision information is copied, information that cannot be properly used as it is in other terminals Become. Therefore, unauthorized provisional information leakage can be prevented.
[0063]
In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in S106 of FIG. 4, when the encryption information is set in the charging center 1, it is set based on the terminal ID, the date, and the like. In other words, when there are a plurality of karaoke terminals 10 to be distributed, it is possible to prevent the karaoke terminals 10 from having the same encrypted information as much as possible. can do. This is because, when there are a plurality of karaoke terminals 10 to be distributed, for example, when the provisioning information subjected to the same encryption is distributed to any karaoke terminal 10, the decryption information is illegally leaked. Considering that there is a high possibility that information for provision will be illegally leaked from any karaoke terminal 10, the effect of preventing it will be enhanced. That is, by providing a plurality of types of encryption to the providing information and distributing the decryption information corresponding to the encryption to the karaoke terminal 10, even if the decryption information is illegally leaked, the decryption information Only the provision information encrypted corresponding to the above has a risk of illegal leakage, and the security of the provision information provided with another kind of encryption can be ensured. From this point of view, when distributing the providing information to n karaoke terminals 10, it can be said that it is preferable in terms of security to apply n types of encryption so that the providing information is different from each other. However, for example, with respect to 10,000 karaoke terminals 10, it seems that there is a sufficient security effect even when 1000 types of encryption are performed so that 10 randomly selected 10 units have the same encryption. This is because even when decryption information is obtained that has been illegally obtained, only one out of every 1000 devices can be searched for providing information that can be decrypted using the decryption information. Because.
[0064]
In this embodiment, the encrypted provision information is distributed from the information center 3 via the information communication network 7, and the decryption information corresponding to the encryption is transmitted from the charging center 1 via the charging communication network 5. It is configured to transmit via different communication networks such as transmitting. This is because when both pieces of information are distributed through the same communication network, there is a high possibility that both pieces of information are illegally acquired together. That is, even if the provided information encrypted by illegally connecting to the information communication network 7 is illegally acquired, the billing communication which is another communication network is required to acquire the information for decrypting the encrypted information. If it is necessary to connect to the network 5, for example, if the method of unauthorized connection to each communication network is different, a person who intends to obtain unauthorized acquisition takes a considerable amount of time. The security effect will be improved if it has the function.
[0065]
The present invention is not limited to such embodiments as described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the billing center 1 transmits decryption information in response to a request from the karaoke terminal 10, and the information center 3 that receives the notification from the billing center 1 calls back to the karaoke terminal 10. It had been. In other words, the initial request is made by the karaoke terminal 10 side, but a form in which the center side device (charging center 1 and information center 3) takes the initiative may be adopted.
[0066]
When the center side apparatus takes the initiative, the charging center 1 may periodically connect to the karaoke terminal 10 to inquire whether there is a request. In the above embodiment, the encrypted provision information is transmitted using the information communication network 7, but may be transmitted using the billing communication network 5. However, as in the above embodiment, when the information communication network 7 is a communication network different from the billing communication network 5 and karaoke song data as providing information is transmitted by the information communication network 7, the following points are used. It has particularly excellent actions and effects. In other words, the karaoke song data is assumed to have a considerably large amount of information, but when such large information itself is distributed, it is preferable to use a communication network suitable for the distribution. This is because it is quicker than the distribution of the karaoke song data itself using the billing communication network 5, and an optimum system configuration corresponding to the type of information to be received by the karaoke terminal 10 becomes possible. It is.
[0067]
Needless to say, the application target of the present invention is not limited to the communication karaoke system, but may be applied as a game software distribution network or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when a communication type information providing system of an embodiment is applied to a system related to karaoke and a configuration of a karaoke terminal that is a component of the system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a charging center and an information center that are a center side device of the system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a management table stored in a storage device of a charging center and an information center according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing main processing in the billing center of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing main processing in the information center of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing main processing in the karaoke terminal of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a subroutine SUB1 process in the karaoke terminal of the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a subroutine SUB2 process in the karaoke terminal according to the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a correspondence table stored in the hard disk of the karaoke terminal according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Billing center, 3 ... Information center, 5 ... Billing communication network, 7 ... Information communication network, 10 ... Karaoke terminal, 26 ... Screen display control device, 27a ... 1st communication control device, 27b ... 2nd communication control device, 29 ... TV monitor, 31 ... Central control device, 32 ... Multi-purpose input key, 33 ... Hard disk, 34 ... Calendar clock, 35 ... Audio reproduction circuit, 38 ... Mixer amplifier, 41 ... Speaker, 43 ... Microphone, 51, 71 ... Host computer 53, 73 ... Storage device, 55, 75 ... Input device, 57, 77 ... Communication control device, 59, 79 ... Printer, 61, 81 ... CRT

Claims (5)

Communication-type information provision comprising an information provision terminal that executes an information provision service based on provision information, an information center having a storage unit that stores the provision information, and a billing center that performs billing for the information provision terminal A system,
The information providing terminal is
Terminal-side connection means for periodically connecting to the charging center via the first information communication network;
After the connection by the terminal side connection means is made, the charging information corresponding to the price of the providing information and the type of encryption made to the providing information are sent via the first information communication network. And receiving the provisioning information encrypted in a predetermined type from the information center via a second information communication network different from the first information communication network. Information storage means for storing the information received in this manner in the storage unit in a state of being associated with each other;
When executing the information providing service using the providing information stored in the storage unit by the information storage unit, the decryption information stored in the storage unit is associated with the providing information. Decryption means for decrypting based on
Service execution means for executing an information providing service based on the provision information decrypted by the decryption means;
With
The billing center is
The type of encryption to be performed on the information for provision based on the information provision terminal and the date and time of connection when the information provision terminal is connected via the first information communication network Information setting means for setting encryption information indicating
The billing information corresponding to the price of the providing information and the decryption information corresponding to the encrypted information set by the information setting means are connected via the first information communication network. A first billing side transmitting means for transmitting to the information providing terminal;
For identifying the encrypted information set by the information setting means and the information providing terminal to which the connection has been made via a third information communication network different from the first and second information communication networks A second charging side transmitting means for transmitting the identification information to the information center;
With
The information center
An encryption means for encrypting the providing information according to the type indicated by the encrypted information when the encrypted information and the identification information are received from the billing center via the third information communication network;
Connection via the second information communication network with the information providing terminal identified by the identification information when the encrypted information and the identification information are received from the billing center via the third information communication network Information side connection means for realizing
Information-side transmission means for transmitting the information for provision encrypted by the encryption means to the information provision terminal connected via the second information communication network by the information-side connection means;
A communication type information providing system characterized by comprising: In the information center,
The information-side connection means is configured to identify the information providing terminal identified by the identification information received from the charging center based on a data table indicating a correspondence relationship between the identification information and the information providing terminal corresponding to the identification information. The communication type information providing system according to claim 1, characterized in that a connection is established with the specified information providing terminal via the second information communication network. Communication-type information provision comprising an information provision terminal that executes an information provision service based on provision information, an information center having a storage unit that stores the provision information, and a billing center that performs billing for the information provision terminal An information providing terminal constituting the system,
Terminal-side connection means for periodically connecting to the charging center via the first information communication network;
After the connection by the terminal side connection means is made, the charging information corresponding to the price of the providing information and the type of encryption made to the providing information are sent via the first information communication network. And receiving the provisioning information encrypted in a predetermined type from the information center via a second information communication network different from the first information communication network. Information storage means for storing the information received in this manner in the storage unit in a state of being associated with each other;
When executing the information providing service using the providing information stored in the storage unit by the information storage unit, the decryption information stored in the storage unit is associated with the providing information. Decryption means for decrypting based on
An information providing terminal comprising: a service execution unit that executes an information providing service based on the provision information decrypted by the decryption unit. An information providing terminal to perform an information providing service based on providing information, the information center having a storage unit for storing the provided information, the charging center to perform charging for the information providing terminal, Ri Tona,
The information providing terminal is
Terminal side connection means for periodically connecting to the charging center via the first information communication network;
After the connection by the terminal side connection means is made, the charging information corresponding to the price of the providing information and the type of encryption made to the providing information are sent via the first information communication network. And receiving the provisioning information encrypted in a predetermined type from the information center via a second information communication network different from the first information communication network. Information storage means for storing the information received in this manner in the storage unit in a state of being associated with each other;
When executing the information providing service using the providing information stored in the storage unit by the information storage unit, the decryption information stored in the storage unit is associated with the providing information. Decryption means for decrypting based on
Service execution means for executing an information provision service based on the provision information decrypted by the decryption means,
The information center is
Encryption information indicating the type of encryption to be executed on the provision information from the charging center via a third information communication network different from the first and second information communication networks, and the information provision An encryption means for encrypting the providing information according to the type indicated by the encryption information when receiving the identification information for identifying the terminal;
Connection via the second information communication network with the information providing terminal identified by the identification information when the encrypted information and the identification information are received from the billing center via the third information communication network Information side connection means for realizing
Communication provided with information side transmitting means for transmitting the information for provision encrypted by the encryption means to the information providing terminal connected via the second information communication network by the information side connecting means A billing center that constitutes an expression information providing system,
When through the first information communication network connection with the information providing terminal has been performed, the information setting means for setting a pre-Symbol encrypted information based on the information providing terminal and connected date thereof,
The billing information corresponding to the price of the providing information and the decryption information corresponding to the encrypted information set by the information setting means are connected via the first information communication network. A first billing side transmitting means for transmitting to the information providing terminal;
Through the front Symbol third information communication network, the information encrypted information set by the setting means, and the identification information for identifying said information providing terminal in which the connection is made, and transmits to the information center And a second billing side transmission means. An information providing terminal to perform an information providing service based on providing information, the information center having a storage unit for storing the provided information, the charging center to perform charging for the information providing terminal, Ri Tona,
The information providing terminal is
Terminal side connection means for periodically connecting to the charging center via the first information communication network;
After the connection by the terminal side connection means is made, the charging information corresponding to the price of the providing information and the type of encryption made to the providing information are sent via the first information communication network. And receiving the provisioning information encrypted in a predetermined type from the information center via a second information communication network different from the first information communication network. Information storage means for storing the information received in this manner in the storage unit in a state of being associated with each other;
When executing the information providing service using the providing information stored in the storage unit by the information storage unit, the decryption information stored in the storage unit is associated with the providing information. Decryption means for decrypting based on
Service execution means for executing an information provision service based on the provision information decrypted by the decryption means,
The billing center is
The type of encryption to be performed on the information for provision based on the information provision terminal and the date and time of connection when the information provision terminal is connected via the first information communication network Information setting means for setting encryption information indicating
The billing information corresponding to the price of the providing information and the decryption information corresponding to the encrypted information set by the information setting means are connected via the first information communication network. A first billing side transmitting means for transmitting to the information providing terminal;
For identifying the encrypted information set by the information setting means and the information providing terminal to which the connection has been made via a third information communication network different from the first and second information communication networks An information center constituting a communication type information providing system comprising: a second billing side transmitting means for transmitting identification information to the information center ;
An encryption means for encrypting the providing information according to the type indicated by the encrypted information when the encrypted information and the identification information are received from the billing center via the third information communication network;
Connection via the second information communication network with the information providing terminal identified by the identification information when the encrypted information and the identification information are received from the billing center via the third information communication network Information side connection means for realizing
Information-side transmission means for transmitting the information for provision encrypted by the encryption means to the information provision terminal connected via the second information communication network by the information-side connection means;
An information center characterized by

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