U.S. patent application number 13/595156 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for service providing apparatus and server providing method.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Osamu Aoki, Kazuhiro Gotoh, Toshiyuki Gotoh, Akinori Iida, Masayuki Kobuna, Tomihiko Nakajima, Motohiro Ohama, Haruhiko Sakaguchi, Tetsuo Sasaki, Shinichiro Taya, Yoshifumi Ueno.
Application Number | 20120324437 13/595156 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19192820 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120324437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sakaguchi; Haruhiko ; et
al. |
December 20, 2012 |
SERVICE PROVIDING APPARATUS AND SERVER PROVIDING METHOD
Abstract
In service providing apparatus and method, system identification
data for specifying a service target device and the user of the
device concerned are issued to the device concerned, and
authentication processing is carried out on the basis of the system
identification data to provide a service to the device
concerned.
Inventors: |
Sakaguchi; Haruhiko;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Nakajima; Tomihiko; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Ueno; Yoshifumi; (Kanagawa, JP) ;
Sasaki; Tetsuo; (Tokyo, JP) ; Aoki; Osamu;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Iida; Akinori; (Kanagawa, JP)
; Kobuna; Masayuki; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Taya;
Shinichiro; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Gotoh; Kazuhiro;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Gotoh; Toshiyuki; (Kanagawa, JP)
; Ohama; Motohiro; (Tokyo, JP) |
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
19192820 |
Appl. No.: |
13/595156 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10374680 |
Feb 25, 2003 |
8300819 |
|
|
13595156 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
717/170 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 2221/2129 20130101;
G06F 21/31 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
717/170 |
International
Class: |
G06F 9/445 20060101
G06F009/445 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 25, 2002 |
JP |
JP2002-048032 |
Claims
1. A terminal device, comprising: a communication unit, configured
to communicate with at least one service server to receive an
indication of at least one application available for installation
on the terminal device; a display unit, configured to display an
indication of the at least one application; an input unit,
configured to receive input defining a selection of a first
application from the at least one application, the selection being
a particular version of the first application; and a control unit,
configured to: install the particular version of the first
application on the terminal device; automatically check, via
communication with the at least one service server, whether a
version of the first application that is newer than the particular
version becomes available; and notify a user via the display unit
if a newer version of the first application becomes available.
2. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein: the communication unit
is configured to receive an indication of available versions of a
plurality of applications; the display unit is configured to
display an indication of the plurality of applications; the input
unit is configured to receive input defining a selection of one or
more available application versions for installation on the
terminal device; and the control unit is configured to install the
selected one or more application versions on the terminal
device.
3. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the display unit is
configured to, if the control unit notifies the user that a newer
version of the first application is available, display detailed
information about the newer version.
4. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the display unit is
configured to display an indication of one or more applications
installed on the terminal device.
5. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein: the communication unit
is configured to provide an ID and password to the at least one
service server to log on to the at least one service server, the ID
and the password being associated with credit card information
stored by the at least one service server; one or more of the at
least one application available for installation on the terminal
device is a paid application; and a charge to a credit card account
associated with the credit card information is initiated when a
paid application is selected for installation.
6. The terminal device of claim 5, wherein the display unit is
configured to display a price associated with each paid
application.
7. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is
configured to enable the terminal device to function as one or more
of a game apparatus, set-top box, mobile telephone, personal
digital assistant and media player.
8. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the communication unit
is configured to provide an indication to the at least one service
server that the particular version of the first application has
been installed on the terminal device.
9. A method, performed by a terminal device, comprising acts of:
communicating with at least one service server to receive an
indication of at least one application available for installation
on the terminal device; displaying an indication of the at least
one application; receiving input defining a selection of a first
application from the at least one application, the selection being
a particular version of the first application; installing the
particular version of the first application on the terminal device;
automatically checking, via communication with the at least one
service server, whether a version of the first application that is
newer than the particular version becomes available; and notifying
a user via the display unit if a newer version of the first
application becomes available.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein: the act of communicating
comprises receiving an indication of available versions of a
plurality of applications; the act of displaying comprises
displaying an indication of the plurality of applications; the act
of receiving input comprises receiving input defining a selection
of one or more available application versions for installation on
the terminal device; and the act of installing comprises installing
the selected one or more application versions on the terminal
device.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising an act of displaying,
if the control unit notifies the user that a newer version of the
first application is available, detailed information about the
newer version.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising an act of displaying
an indication of one or more applications installed on the terminal
device.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the act of communicating
comprises providing an ID and password to the at least one service
server to log on to the at least one service server, the ID and the
password being associated with credit card information stored by
the at least one service server, one or more of the at least one
application available for installation on the terminal device is a
paid application, and a charge to a credit card account associated
with the credit card information is initiated when a paid
application is selected for installation.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the act of displaying comprises
displaying a price associated with each paid application.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the terminal device comprises
one or more of a game apparatus, set-top box, mobile telephone,
personal digital assistant and media player.
16. The method of claim 9, further comprising an act of providing
an indication to the at least one service server that the
particular version of the first application has been installed on
the terminal device.
17. At least one computer-readable storage device, having
instructions recorded thereon which, when executed by a terminal
device, perform a method comprising acts of: communicating with at
least one service server to receive an indication of at least one
application available for installation on the terminal device;
displaying an indication of the at least one application; receiving
input defining a selection of a first application from the at least
one application, the selection being a particular version of the
first application; installing the particular version of the first
application on the terminal device; automatically checking, via
communication with the at least one service server, whether a
version of the first application that is newer than the particular
version becomes available; and notifying a user via the display
unit if a newer version of the first application becomes available.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/374,680, filed Feb. 25, 2003, titled
"Service Providing Apparatus And Server Providing Method," which
claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to Japanese Patent
Application Serial No. JP2002-048032, filed in the Japanese Patent
Office on Feb. 25, 2002. The entirety of each of the documents
listed above is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a service providing
apparatus and a service providing method, and it is applicable to a
service for downloading application programs, for example.
According to the present invention, system identification data for
specifying a service target device and the user of the device are
issued to the device concerned, and authentication processing is
carried out on the basis of the system identification data to
provide services, whereby a cumbersome work at the user side can be
effectively avoided and user's desired service and optimum service
can be provided through the Internet or the like.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Various kinds of application programs for personal use for
use in personal computers have been hitherto provided integrally
with the computers while being installed in the computers or
provided separately from the computers while recorded in recording
media such as CD-ROMs.
[0006] On the other hand, services of providing these kinds of
application programs through download using the Internet have been
recently developed. In this case, at the user side, users access
home pages managed by, for example, software firms to download
their desired application programs.
[0007] With respect to the provision of services through the
Internet as described above, various methods have been proposed as
disclosed in JP-A-11-6203, etc., for example, and these methods are
used for not only provision of application programs, but also sale
of goods, etc.
[0008] In the case of application programs which are provided
integrally with a computer, there may occur a case where they
contain some application programs which are not necessarily needed
by a user, however, such unnecessary application programs can be
excluded in the case of application programs which are provided
separately from a computer. Particularly in the case of application
programs which are provided by using the Internet, the connection
to the Internet is established and necessary application programs
can be downloaded at that time, so that the user's convenience,
etc. can be more enhanced as compared with the case where
application programs are separately provided by using CD-ROM or the
like.
[0009] With respect to application programs, there is such a case
where one person uses one application program for plural devices.
As a result, when application programs are provided by using the
Internet, it is necessary to specify the user and further specify
the user's device. Accordingly, it is required for the user side to
manage data for specifying the user and further specifying the
device, and the management of the data is remarkably cumbersome.
When one person uses plural devices, it is necessary to manage the
data for specifying the individual separately from the management
of the data for specifying each device in connection with each
device. On the other hand, when one person uses one device, it is
necessary to manage two kinds of identification data for one
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention has been implemented in view of the
foregoing situation, and has an object to provide a service
providing apparatus and a service providing method which can
effectively avoid a cumbersome work at the user side and provide a
user's desired service and an optimum service through the Internet
or the like.
[0011] In order to attain the above object, according to a first
aspect of the present invention, there is provided a service
providing apparatus for providing a service, which comprises:
identification data issuing means for issuing, to a service target
device, system identification data for specifying the service
target device and the user of the device concerned through data
communications with the service target device; and service
providing means for authenticating the device concerned and the
user of the device concerned on the basis of the system
identification data in response to a service request from the
device concerned and providing a service to the device
concerned.
[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a service providing method for providing a service,
which comprises: an identification data issuing step for issuing,
to a service target device, system identification data for
specifying the service target device and the user of the device
concerned through data communications with the service target
device; and a service providing step for authenticating the device
concerned and the user of the device concerned on the basis of the
system identification data in response to a service request from
the device concerned and providing a service to the device
concerned.
[0013] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a service providing apparatus for providing a service,
which comprises: system identification data issuing means for
issuing, to a device communicating through a network, system
identification data for identifying the device concerned and the
user of the device concerned; authenticating means for
authenticating the device concerned and the user of the device
concerned on the basis of the system identification data in
response to a service request from the device concerned; and
service providing means for providing a service to the device
concerned when the device concerned and the user of the device
concerned are authenticated in the authenticating means.
[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a service providing apparatus for providing a service,
which comprises: system identification data issuing means for
issuing, to a device communicating through a network, system
identification data for identifying the device concerned and the
user of the device concerned; authenticating means for
authenticating the device concerned and the user of the device
concerned on the basis of the system identification data in
response to a download service request from the device concerned;
and download service providing means for providing a download
service to be provided to the device concerned on the basis of
system data indicating the system structure of the device concerned
when the device concerned and the user of the device concerned are
authenticated in the authenticating means.
[0015] According to the present invention, the user and the device
are authenticated on the basis of the system identification data
issued by the identification data issuing means, and the service is
provided to the device concerned on the basis of the
authentication. For example, when the service is a service of
providing a program by download, the user at the device side can
select a program for the device and download the program as
occasion demands by the management of the system identification
data of each device without executing any work of checking the
device and selecting a downloadable program every time and further
any processing for user authentication. Accordingly, the cumbersome
work at the user side can be effectively avoided, and a user's
desired service and an optimum service can be provided through the
Internet or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the processing flow at the
download time in a program providing system according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the program providing
system according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a table showing the data base structure in the
program providing system of FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing flow at the
user registration time in the program providing system of FIG. 1;
and
[0020] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing flow at the
update time in the program providing system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] A preferred embodiment according to the present invention
will be described hereunder with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
(1) Construction of Embodiment
[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a program providing system
according to an embodiment of the present invention. A program
providing system 1 provides various kinds of application programs,
etc. through the Internet 3 to a personal computer (PC) 2 which a
user owns. In this service, the program providing system 1 is
usable by making user registration in advance, and in response to a
service request from a user-registered personal computer 2, the
program providing system 1 allows the personal computer concerned
to download desired application programs or the like in various
using styles. In the program providing system 1, the exchange of
device identification data, etc. between the computer 2 and a web
server 5 is performed while encrypting the data, etc., whereby
these data can be prevented from being unjustly achieved by a third
party.
[0023] Here, the personal computer 2 is a computer operated by each
of various kinds of operating systems (OS) 2A, and it is sold by a
sales system using the same Internet 3. The personal computer 2 is
designed to be connected to the Internet 3. The personal computer 2
is also designed so that data necessary for the settlement
(hereinafter referred to as "settlement data") of a user who
purchased the personal computer 2 at the time of the sales using
the Internet 3 is achieved and this settlement data is recorded in
a data base server (DB server) 4 together with device
identification data DC1 inherent to the computer 2 and a log-in ID
and a password in the program providing system 1, etc. in
advance.
[0024] Here, the device identification data DC1 inherent to the
computer 2 is identification data with which the computer 2 can be
specified, and it comprises a serial number of the computer 2, for
example. The device identification data DC1 is recorded in specific
recording means of the personal computer 2 so that it cannot be
changed by the user. The settlement data is needed to withdraw the
amount of charged money from user's account such as a user's
account number. The password and the log-in ID are authentication
data needed for user registration, and are identification data
inherent to the user with which the user can be specified.
[0025] The computer 2 is provided while predetermined application
programs such as an operation system 2A, and a web browser are
pre-installed, and also a password and a log-in ID in the data base
server 4 are supplied to a user separately from the above
application programs. Furthermore, the computer 2 is designed so as
to display a short-cut icon for easily downloading a support
program necessary for user registration on an initial display
screen together with other icons on start-up of a power source of
the computer 2. As a result, in the personal computer 2, the user
registration is carried out by operating the icon and the support
program can be easily downloaded.
[0026] Here, the support program comprises a download program 2B,
an automatic cyclic program 2C, etc. The download program 2B is a
program for managing the user registration of the program providing
system 1 and download, update, etc. of various kinds of application
programs provided by the program providing system 1, and it
comprises a browser, plug-in software of the browser, etc. As
described later, the download program 2B transmits system data,
device identification data DC1 and system identification data DC2
to the web server (5) side through these processing. The
transmission of various data is performed on the basis of user's
acknowledgment.
[0027] Here, the system data indicates the construction of the
computer 2, and it comprises the hardware data of the computer 2
and the software data of the computer 2. The hardware data of the
computer 2 indicates the construction of various kinds of hardware
of the computer 2, and comprises, for example, data for specifying
the model number of a processor. The software data of the computer
2 indicates the construction of the software implemented in the
computer 2. It comprises data for specifying the operation system,
the application programs, drivers, etc., and contains the data of
the versions, editions and patches of these data, the date and hour
at which the data are installed into the computer 2, the name of
the maker, etc. Accordingly, when a user downloads application
programs or the like, the data of various application programs or
the like installed in the computer 2 can be checked on the basis of
the system data at the web server (5) side.
[0028] The system identification data DC2 is an identification code
for specifying the user of the personal computer 2 and the personal
computer 2 itself. The system identification data DC2 is issued by
a service server 7 so that it can be identified by not only the
same type of computers 2, but also different types of computers,
equipment other than the computers, for example, various kinds of
data equipment such as cellular phones, PDA (Personal Digital
Assistant), various kinds of video equipment such as set top boxes,
game machines, and various kinds of audio equipment. The system
identification data DC2 is recorded in specific recording means of
the personal computer 2 so that the user cannot easily detect these
data.
[0029] The automatic cyclic program 2C periodically circulates
among home pages provided by the web server 5 to achieve various
kinds of information, and provides users with the information
achieved in connection with these information. Accordingly, in this
embodiment, when a new application program or the like is prepared
in the service server 7 so that it can be downloaded, and
furthermore when a version-up program is prepared in the service
server 7 so that it can be newly updated, this is notified to the
user. Accordingly, the latest-version programs, etc. can be
implemented in the computers 2 at all times by executing the
download, update processing as described later on the basis of this
notification even when the user side does not know the update or
the like.
[0030] The detailed constructions of the download program and the
automatic cyclic program will be described together with the
description on the constructions of the web server 5 and the
service server 7 as described later.
[0031] The data base server 4 records the device identification
data DC1 inherent to the computer 2 as described aforementioned,
the settlement data, the password, the log-in ID, the system
identification data DC2, the system data, etc., every user to
construct a data base. Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing
the contents of the data base constructed by the data base server
4. The data base is created for the user owning the computer 2, and
data achieved from the data base in connection with purchase of the
personal computer and further data achieved from the personal
computer 2 through the processing of user registration or the like
are recorded in the data base.
[0032] The data base is constructed every user by a user ID set for
each user, user data on the address, name, telephone number and age
of the user concerned, the registration date (year, month, day) of
user registration, etc., settlement data, device data of each
device, etc.
[0033] Here, the device data is constructed by the data of each
device owned by the user. In this embodiment, the device data
contains various data on the personal computer 2, and the log-in ID
and the password which are allocated to the personal computer 2 and
correspond to identification codes inherent to the user are
contained in the device data. The device identification data DC1
and the system identification data DC2 are allocated in the device
data, and system data which were past notified at plural times from
the personal computer 2 are contained in the device data. The
device data further contains service content data indicating the
contents of services with respect to each application program
downloaded into the computer 2 in the program providing system
1.
[0034] The service content data contains a code for specifying an
application program downloaded by the user, a code for indicating
whether the download of the application program concerned is
purchased by the user or associated with a specific service, data
on an expiration date, etc. Here, the specific service is a service
for providing users with application programs at charge or at no
charge by monthly charging or as a so-called term-limited trial.
The service content data is recorded every application program
downloaded in the personal computer 2.
[0035] The web server 5 is a server for opening home pages for
users in the program providing system 1, and the service server 7
processes various kinds of information achieved from the personal
computer 2 through the web server 5 to execute a series of
processing associated with the program providing system in
cooperation with the web server 5. The service server 7 is designed
to construct data bases of application programs, drivers, patches,
etc. provided in the program providing system 1.
[0036] That is, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a
series of processing associated with the user registration. When a
short-cut for user registration in the computer 2 is operated by
the user to make an access of the computer 2 through URL set on the
short-cut, the web server 5 goes from step SP1 to step SP2 to
display a display screen for requesting the description on the user
registration method, etc. and user's agreement.
[0037] Here, in order to receive the services from the program
providing system 1, it is necessary to download the support program
in advance, and thus a message indicating necessity of the
registration processing using the support program is displayed on
the display screen for user registration together with a series of
working procedures, the functions of the support program, the
service contents implemented by the support program, a download
menu for the support program, etc., and a message for requesting
user's agreement thereto. When the user agrees with the display
content, the download menu for the support program is selected by
the user in the personal computer 2. Furthermore, when an access is
executed while tracing a link set on the menu, the web server 5
goes from step SP2 to SP3 to notify download of the support program
to the service server 7. On the basis of this notification, the
service server 7 transmits the support program through the web
server 5 to the personal computer 2, whereby the support program
can be achieved in the personal computer 2.
[0038] Here, after downloaded thus, the support program is started
and implemented into the personal computer. Furthermore, when the
user starts the support program, a series of initial processing for
user registration is executed. The support program is designed to
display an input display screen for the password and the log-in ID
on a display screen of the personal computer 2 though the initial
processing. When the password and the log-in ID are input and the
user operates a transmission menu, the support program transmits
the password and the log-in ID to the web server 5. At the same
time, the device identification data DC1 and the system data are
achieved by the automatic cyclic program in the support program,
and transmitted to the web server 5.
[0039] Whereby the service server 7 achieves the password, the
log-in ID, the device identification data DC1 and the system data
through the web server 5 in the step SP4. Furthermore, the
processing for authentication is executed in the subsequent step
SP5 by accessing the data base server 4 on the basis of the
password, the log-in ID, the device identification data DC1 and the
system data.
[0040] Here, in the authentication processing, with respect to the
user specified on the basis of the log-in ID and the password, it
is checked whether the device identification data DC1 of the
corresponding device data recorded in the data base and the device
identification data DC1 achieved by the personal computer 2 are
coincident with each other. With respect to the device data for
which the device identification data DC1 is coincident, it is
checked whether the system identification data DC2 has not yet been
issued and thus the user registration has not yet been performed.
Furthermore, with respect to the system data of the device data
specified thus, it is checked from the comparison with the system
data recorded at the selling time whether the personal computer 2
associated with the access is the device associated with the
password, the log-in ID and the device identification data DC1.
When at least one of the above checks is negative through the
authentication processing described above, in the service server 7,
in the processing associated with this user registration, it is
judged that an access or the like is made by a user who unjustly
achieves the log-in ID, the password or the like. Therefore,
failure of the authentication processing is notified to the web
server 5. Accordingly, the web server 5 provides the personal
computer 2 with a display screen indicating that it is difficult to
perform the user registration, and then finishes this
processing.
[0041] On the other hand, when all the checks are rightly performed
through the authentication processing, the user associated with the
access is a normal user, and the personal computer 2 is a normally
shipped product. Therefore, in the service server 7, in the
subsequent step SP6 the system identification data DC2 is created,
and the system identification data DC2 is recorded in the
corresponding area of the data base by the data base server 4.
Furthermore, the system identification data DC2 is notified to the
download program 2B of the personal computer 2. The download
program 2B records and holds the system identification data DC2
behind the curtain in such a manner as to make it difficult to
alter the system identification data DC2 dishonestly. The service
server 7 creates the system identification data DC2 by
predetermined mathematical processing so that the system
identification data DC2 is irrelevant to the user registration, the
services and the other information and it is impossible to
analogize the system thereof.
[0042] In the subsequent step SP7, the web server 5 and the service
server 7 records the system data achieved in step SP4 in the data
base of the data base server 4, and in the subsequent step SP8 they
finishes the processing procedure. The web server 5 and the service
server 7 authenticate the user and the personal computer 2 by using
the system identification data DC2 distributed to the user as
described above, and further ascertain the authentication of the
user and the personal computer 2 by using the system data and the
device identification data DC1 in combination.
[0043] That is, FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a
series of processing associated with the download. In the program
providing system 1, when the download program is started and the
menu for the download is selected in the personal computer 2 by the
user, this processing procedure is executed. Here, the download
program creates the system data by the selection of this menu, and
transmits the system data to the web server 5 together with the
system identification data DC2 and the device identification data
DC1.
[0044] Accordingly, the web server 5 and the service server 7 go
from step SP11 to step SP12 to achieve the system data, the system
identification data DC2 and the device identification data DC1. In
the subsequent step SP13, the user and the personal computer 2 are
authenticated by accessing the data base of the data base server 4
on the basis of the system data, the system identification data DC2
and the device identification data DC1.
[0045] Here, the service server 7 accesses the data base on the
basis of the system identification data DC2 achieved in step SP12
to check whether the corresponding system identification data DC2
exists, thereby authenticating the personal computer 2 and the user
of the personal computer 2. Furthermore, in addition to the
authentication based on the system identification data DC2, it is
checked whether the device identification data DC1 recorded in the
data base which is specified on the basis of the system
identification data DC2 achieved in step SP12 is coincident with
the device identification data DC1 achieved in step SP12.
Furthermore, the personal computer 2 is authenticated by comparing
the system data achieved in step SP12 with the system data recorded
in the data base specified by the system identification data DC2
achieved in step SP12. In the authentication based on the
comparison of the system data, there may be considered a case where
the user separately installs an application program or the like,
and thus the coincidence in the basic hardware construction and the
software construction is checked.
[0046] When no coincidence result is achieved through the check
processing for the authentication, there may be considered a case
where a third party who pretends to be a normal user is making an
access. Alternatively, there may be considered a case where a
normal user is making an access, however, the user uses a computer
different from a user-registered personal computer. In such a case,
the service server 7 notifies failure of authentication to the web
server 5, and on the basis of this notification, the web server 5
provides the personal computer 2 with a display screen indicating
that this service is unusable.
[0047] On the other hand, when the authentication succeeds, in the
subsequent step SP14, the service server 7 records the system data
achieved in step SP12 in addition to the recording of the system
data of the data base by the data base server 4, whereby the
records of the hardware construction and the software construction
in the personal computer 2 can be recorded.
[0048] Furthermore, the success of the authentication is notified
to the web server 5, and on the basis of this notification, the web
server 5 provides a display screen for a list of application
programs, drivers, patches, etc. provided by the program providing
system 1. Accordingly, in the program providing system 1, the user
and the personal computer 2 are authenticated on the basis of the
system identification data DC2 which is one kind of identification
code without notifying the log-in ID, the password, etc. to the web
server 5 by user's operation, and thus the management of the
computer (2) side can be simplified.
[0049] By automatically executing the return of the system
identification data DC2, the series of processing can be executed
at the user side with paying no attention to this type of
authentication processing, so that the management of the user side
can be further simplified. Furthermore, by further authenticating
the personal computer 2 on the basis of the device identification
data DC1 for specifying the device and the system data in addition
to the authentication based on one system identification data DC2
as described above, any third party can be surely prevented from
unjustly achieving programs, and there can be surely provide a
service suitable for the personal computer 2.
[0050] That is, when the title of each program or the like is
selected on the list display screen by user's mouse operation, the
web server 5 provides the personal computer 2 with a display screen
for the detailed description of the content of each program or the
like through an access tracing links set to the title. At this
time, when the user selects a menu for the download box, the web
server 5 provides the personal computer 2 with a list of titles of
available programs, etc. through an access tracing links set in the
menu.
[0051] Through the above processing, the web server 5 notifies the
access in the menu for the download box to the service server 7,
and on the basis of this notification, the service server 7 refers
to the system data achieved in the step SP12 to select application
programs, drivers, etc. usable in the personal computer 2.
Furthermore, with respect to the applications, the drivers, etc.
thus selected, programs which have been already installed in the
personal computer 2 are properly displayed, so that the
applications which have been already purchased or the programs
which have been already installed can be easily identified at the
user side.
[0052] On the basis of these notifications, a list of available
programs, etc. is displayed at the personal computer 2. When the
title of each program or the like is selected on the list display
screen by the mouse operation, the web server 5 provides the
personal computer 2 with a display screen for the detailed
description of the content of each program or the like through an
access tracing links set to the title. Furthermore, in the web
server 5, a list of available services is displayed for application
programs on this display screen.
[0053] When the user selects a desired service content on the list
display screen of the services and operates a menu for checking
this display screen, the web server 5 accepts selection of download
of this program, selection of a service in the subsequent step
SP16. When the application program selected by the user is a
program associated with a driver or patch in the list of the step
SP15, it is provided with free-charge in the program providing
system 1. Therefore, the check of the download by the user is
accepted in step SP16 without displaying a service list as
described above.
[0054] The web server 5 notifies this selection to the service
server 7, and on the basis of this notification, the service server
7 transmits the corresponding application program or the like
through the web server 5 to the personal computer 2 in the
subsequent step SP17. The service server 7 downloads the
application program or the like selected by the user.
[0055] When the download is completed, the service server 7 records
the name of the program thus downloaded, the content of a service
if the program is associated with a special service, the download
date, restriction of functions, etc. as service content data of the
corresponding device data in step SP18.
[0056] When the content of the data base is renewed to the content
associated with the download, the service server 7 further renews
the content of the system data recorded in the data base 4 so that
the content of the system data is matched with alteration of the
software construction based on the download, and goes to step SP19
to finish the processing procedure.
[0057] Accordingly, in the program providing system 1, a user's
desired program can be downloaded in a user's desired using style
by easy operation.
[0058] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the update
processing of application programs, drivers, etc. thus
downloaded.
[0059] In the program providing system 1, when the download program
is started and an update menu is selected in the personal computer
2 by the user, this processing is executed. Here, by selection of
the update menu, the download program transmits the system data to
the web server 5 together with the system identification data DC2,
the device identification data DC1 as in the case of the
download.
[0060] At this time, the web server 5 and the service server 7 goes
from step SP21 to SP22 to achieve the system data, the system
identification data DC2 and the device identification data DC1. In
the subsequent step SP23, the authentication processing is executed
on the basis of the system data, the system identification data DC2
and the device identification data DC1 as in the case of the
download.
[0061] When the authentication succeeds, the service server 7
additionally records the record of the system data of the data base
by the data base server 4 in the subsequent step SP24, whereby the
hardware construction and the record of the software construction
in the personal computer 2 can be recorded.
[0062] Furthermore, the success of the authentication is notified
to the web server 5, and on the basis of this notification, the web
server 5 provides a display screen of a list of application
programs, drivers, patches, etc. to be updated by the program
providing system 1. Accordingly, in the program providing system 1,
the user and the personal computer 2 can be authenticated without
notifying the log-in ID, the password, etc. to the web server 5 by
the user's operation each time, and a normal user (a personal
computer 2 at the normal user side) can use this service.
[0063] When the title of each program or the like is selected on
the list display screen by the user's mouse operation, the web
server 5 provides the personal computer 2 with the display screen
for the detailed description of the contents of version-up,
edition-up, etc. through an access tracing links set to the title.
When an update box menu is selected by the user, a list of the
titles of updatable programs or the like is provided to the
personal computer 2 through an access tracing links set in the
menu.
[0064] Through this processing, the web server 5 notifies the
access based on the menu of the download box to the service server
7, and on the basis of this notification, the service server 7
refers to the system data achieved in step SP22 to select
applications, drivers, etc. associated with the update which can be
used in the personal computer 2. Furthermore, programs which are
contained in the applications, the drivers, etc. thus selected and
have been already updated in the personal computer 2 are properly
displayed, whereby the user can easily identify the applications
which have been already purchased and the programs which have been
already installed.
[0065] On the basis of these notifications, a list of the updatable
programs, etc. is displayed in the personal computer 2. When the
title of each program or the like is selected on the list display
screen by the mouse operation, the web server 5 provides the
personal computer 2 with a display screen for the detailed
description of the contents associated with the version-up,
edition-up of each update program through an access tracing links
set to the title.
[0066] When a menu for checking upload is operated on this display
screen by the user, the web server 5 accepts this program selection
in the subsequent step SP26. The web server 5 notifies this
selection to the service server 7, and on the basis of this
notification, the service server 7 transmits the corresponding
program to the personal computer 2 through the web server 5 in the
subsequent step SP27, whereby the service server 7 downloads and
updates the application program or the like selected by the
user.
[0067] When the download is completed, the service server 7 renews
the corresponding contents of the data base as in the case of the
download in step SP28, and goes to step SP29 to finish the
processing procedure, whereby a desired program can be updated by
easy operation in the program providing system 1. At this time, in
the personal computer 2, the update-associated program or the like
thus downloaded can be updated by carrying out the install
processing according to the processing procedure set for each
program.
[0068] When the download/update processing is carried out with
charge, the service server 7 and the web server 5 displays the
service content, the version-up content, etc. together with the
charge for use of each service. Furthermore, the settlement
processing is executed in accordance with the service selected by
the user.
[0069] That is, when a user downloads application programs by
purchase or updates various kinds of programs, the service server 7
executes the settlement processing on the basis of settlement data
recorded in the data base by the data base server 4 with respect to
the corresponding charges.
[0070] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the service server
7 and the web server 5 constitute identification data issuing means
by which system identification data for specifying a service target
device (i.e., a personal computer 2) and the user of the device is
issued to the service target device through the communications with
the service target device, and also constitute service providing
means for authenticating the device concerned and the user of the
device concerned on the basis of the system identification data in
response to a service request from the device concerned and
providing services to the device concerned.
(2) Operation of Embodiment
[0071] In the program providing system 1 (FIG. 2), the short-cut to
the user registration home page by the web server 5 and the device
identification data DC1 for specifying the personal computer 2 are
recorded in the personal computer 2, and thus they are provided to
the user together with the identification data DC1 which is
inherent to the personal computer 2 and specifies the personal
computer 2, and the log-in ID and the password corresponding to the
identification data which is inherent to the user and specifies the
user. The system data indicating the hardware construction and the
software construction of the personal computer at the shipping time
and the log-in ID, the password and the device identification data
DC1 provided to the user are recorded and held as the device data
associated with the personal computer 2 in the data base based on
the user ID for specifying the user, the user data such as the
address, and the name, and the settlement data (FIG. 3)
[0072] In the program providing system 1, when the user registering
operation is carried out by user's selection of the short-cut in
the personal computer 2 provided thus (FIG. 4), the support program
is downloaded to the personal computer 2 by the web server 5.
Furthermore, by the initial processing of the download program 2B
of the support program, the system data indicating the hardware
construction and the software construction of the personal computer
2 are generated and transmitted to the web server 5 together with
the device identification data DC1 and the log-in ID and the
password input by the user. In the service server 7, the user and
the personal computer 2 are authenticated by collating the log-in
ID, the password and the system data with the corresponding data
recorded and held in the data base by the data base server 4.
[0073] When the authentication is rightly performed, the system
identification data DC2 for specifying the user and the personal
computer 2 are generated, and the system identification data DC2 is
transmitted to and recorded in the personal computer 2. The system
identification data DC2 is recorded in the data base together with
the system data achieved from the personal computer 2. In the
program providing system 1, the user and the personal computer 2
can be simultaneously authenticated by using the system
identification data DC2 which are held at both the user side and
the host side. Therefore, the management of the identification data
as described above at the user side can be simplified, so that the
cumbersome work at the user side can be effectively avoided and
users can use their desired services.
[0074] With respect to the device identification data DC1, it is
held in the personal computer 2 in such a style that it is
difficult to alter the device identification data DC1 dishonestly,
and also it is transmitted to the host side at all times.
Furthermore, the system identification data DC2 is also transmitted
to and held in the personal computer 2 in such a style that it is
difficult to dishonestly alter and find the system identification
data DC2, whereby any third party can be effectively prevented from
unjustly achieving and using the identification data DC2, DC1.
[0075] That is, in the program providing system 1, when the
download program is started and the download menu or upload menu is
operated by the user after a series of user registration processing
as described above is carried out, the system identification data
DC2 is transmitted to the service server 7, and the service server
7 collates the system identification data DC2 thus transmitted with
the system identification DC2 recorded in the data base by the data
base server 4 (FIGS. 1 and 5), whereby the authentication of the
user and the personal computer 2 is performed by using one
identification data DC2 in the program providing system 1.
[0076] The system data and the device identification data DC1 are
provided to the service server 7 by the personal computer 2
together with the system identification data DC2, and the system
data and the device identification data DC1 thus transmitted are
collated with the record of the data base by the data base server
4, whereby the authentication processing can be more surely
performed. In the series of processing described above, the system
data, the system identification data DC2 and the device
identification data DC1 are automatically transmitted at all times
on the basis of the user's acknowledgement. Therefore, in the
program providing system 1, any access from any third party who
unjustly achieves these data can be effectively avoided, and
further the profit of a copyright holder who created the program
concerned can be effectively protected.
[0077] still further, at the user side, the authentication
processing is notified to the host side and carried out without
inputting any keyboard operation by executing the support program
having the automatic authentication function based on the system
identification data DC2 and the device identification data DC1,
thereby enhancing the usability of the system.
[0078] In the program providing system 1, when such authentication
processing is rightly completed by selection of the download menu,
programs contained in the programs such as application programs,
drivers, patches, etc. to be provided to the user through the
download, which correspond to the personal computer 2 of the user
and have not yet been downloaded by the user, are selected on the
basis of the system data. When such authentication processing is
rightly completed by selection of the update menu, programs
contained in the programs such as application programs, drivers,
and patches associated with the version-up, the edition-up, etc.,
which correspond to the personal computer 2 of the user and have
not yet been updated by the user, are selected on the basis of the
system data.
[0079] Furthermore, the programs thus selected are provided to the
user in a list style, and downloaded into the personal computer 2
by user's selection.
[0080] Accordingly, in the program providing system 1, the user's
cumbersome load of downloading such types of programs can be
reduced. That is, when an application program is provided
separately from a personal computer through the Internet or the
like as described above, it is required to check the hardware
construction of the computer, the operation program implemented in
the computer, etc. and institute a search for the application
program at the user side. However, according to the program
providing system 1, a program suitable for the personal computer 2
is selected and provided on the basis of the system data at the
host side, whereby such a cumbersome work can be effectively
avoided and the usability can be enhanced.
[0081] In this embodiment, not only the system identification data
for specifying the user and the device, but also the device
identification data for specifying the device, and the password,
the log-in ID and the user ID for specifying the user are recorded,
whereby the data base can be applied to various other services.
That is, in the service provision using the Internet as described
above, there is a service which is dependent on a user, but not
dependent on any device like a case where electronic money of an IC
card is processed at a terminal device, for example. Conversely,
there is also a service which is dependent on a device, but not
dependent on any user. That is, the data base according to this
embodiment can be broadly used for various services as described
above. Accordingly, in the program providing system 1,
expandability and flexibility of the system can be secured.
(3) Effect of the Invention
[0082] According to the above-described construction, the system
identification data for specifying the device and the user of the
device is issued to the personal computer serving as a service
target device, and the authentication processing is carried out on
the basis of the system identification data to provide services,
whereby the cumbersome work at the user side can be effectively
avoided and user's desired services can be provided to users
through the Internet.
[0083] In addition to the system identification data, the
authentication processing is carried out by using the device
identifying data for specifying the device and the system data
indicating the construction of the device, whereby the
authentication processing can be more surely performed.
[0084] With respect to the system identification data and the
device identification data, they are held in the personal computer
in such a style that it is difficult to dishonestly alter them, so
that fraudulent use by a third party can be effectively
prevented.
[0085] Furthermore, with respect to the system data which is one of
the data used for the authentication, it is made more difficult to
find the system identification data and the device identification
data which are original authentication data by notifying the system
data to the host device at all times on the basis of user's prior
consent, whereby fraudulent use by a third party can be effectively
prevented.
(4) Another Embodiment
[0086] In the above-described embodiment, the service suitable for
the device is executed on the basis of the system data by selecting
and notifying a program suitable for a personal computer on the
basis of system data after the authentication processing is carried
out on the basis of the system identification data. However, the
present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and in place
of the processing based on the system data, the service suitable
for the personal computer may be executed on the basis of
information on a device specified by the system identification
data.
[0087] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the system
data is used for assist authentication or provide programs.
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment,
and a service of restoring the personal computer 2 is provided on
the basis of the system data.
[0088] Still furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the
password and the log-in ID are provided separately from the
personal computer. However, the present invention is not limited to
this embodiment, and they may be provided by recording them in the
personal computer.
[0089] Still furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the
system identification data are created and used on the basis of the
password, the log-in ID and the device identification data.
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.
In short, any manner may be used insofar as the device and the user
are specified on the basis of the system identification data, and
system identification data which is created irrelevant to the
password, the log-in ID and the device identification data may be
used.
[0090] Still furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, not
only the system identification data for specifying the user and the
device, but also the device identification data for specifying the
device and the password, the log-in ID and the user ID for
specifying the user are recorded to construct the data base.
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment,
and the recording of the device identification data, the password,
the log-in ID and the user ID may be omitted as occasion demands.
This modification suffers deterioration in expandability and
flexibility with which the system providing system is applicable to
other services, however, it can simplify the system construction
more greatly.
[0091] In the above-described embodiment, the system identification
data is held at the device side behind the curtain. However, the
present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the system
identification data may be recorded in an IC card or the like to
input it into the device, or identification based on fingerprint
collation may be used. Furthermore, when practically sufficient
security can be secured, the system identification data may be
input by operating a keyboard or the like.
[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is
applied to the download service of the program for the personal
computer on the Internet. However, the present invention is not
limited to this embodiment. For example, the present invention is
broadly applicable to such a case that programs are updated for a
game machine, a device such as set top box.
[0093] Still further, in the above-described embodiment, the
support program is achieved by operating the short-cut icon.
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment,
and it may be provided by another method like a case where the
support program is provided while it is implemented in a personal
computer in advance, a case where it is distributed by CD-ROM or
the like.
[0094] Still furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the
data achieved by the support program are directly transmitted to
the web server. However, the data achieved may be held as DB in a
personal computer to provide other services using these data.
[0095] Still furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in the
program providing system for the download service of programs, the
present invention is applied to the service providing apparatus
constructed by the web server, etc. However, the present invention
is not limited to this embodiment, and the present invention is
broadly applicable to a service providing apparatus which provides
various kinds of services such as distribution of various kinds of
contents.
[0096] Still furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the
present invention is applied to the download service of programs
for personal computers on the Internet. However, the present
invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the present
invention is broadly applicable to a case where music, video or
other types of data are distributed.
[0097] Still furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the
present invention is applied to the service on the Internet.
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment,
and it may be broadly applied to a case where services are provided
on various networks.
[0098] As described above, according to the present invention, the
system identification data for specifying a service target device
and the user of the device concerned are issued to the device
concerned, and the authentication processing is carried out on the
basis of the system identification data to provide services,
whereby the cumbersome work at the user side can be effectively
avoided and a user's desired service and an optimum service can be
provided through the Internet or the like.
* * * * *