JP2009200865A - Communication system, communication terminal and communication control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system for improving security to personal information of a user who uses a communication terminal and facilitating to substitute the communication terminal. <P>SOLUTION: The communication system includes terminals A and B connectable to a network 30 and includes a non-contact IC chip 20A storing identification information allocated to a user, and a server device 40 for storing information for each user connected to the network 30. The communication terminals A and B have a communication means 10 for transmitting and receiving information to/from the network 30, a storing means 12 for storing authentication information, a non-contact interface means 13 for receiving the identification information from the non-contact IC chip 20A, a determining means 11 for determining whether or not the identification information received by the non-contact interface means 13 coincides with the authentication information, and a control means 14 for allowing the communication means 10 to be used so as to be able to provide desired information from the server device 40 when the identification information coincides with the authentication information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system including a communication terminal connectable to a network, and more particularly to a communication terminal having an authentication function and a communication control method thereof.

  A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card employed in the third generation mobile communication system is an IC card in which a subscriber's telephone number and identification information are recorded, and a portable terminal can be changed by simply replacing it. As a usage form, one subscriber can use a plurality of portable terminals properly, or a plurality of subscribers can share one portable terminal.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a system that eliminates the trouble of replacing a SIM card and avoids loss of the SIM card. Specifically, a SIM card is attached to an infrared communication device, and an authentication process is executed between the mobile terminal and the network using infrared communication.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a method for performing authentication between a SIM card and a terminal and confirming the reliability of the terminal.

JP 2007-134696 A JP 2004-180310 A

  However, if the mobile terminal in which the SIM card is inserted is lost, personal information such as a telephone directory stored in the nonvolatile memory in the terminal is also lost at the same time, and there is a risk of information leakage and unauthorized use. Even if the loss is notified to the telecommunications carrier, post-processing such as remote deletion of personal information and processing to transfer to an alternative terminal is complicated, which places a heavy burden on the telecommunications carrier and the user. Such security measures against leakage of personal information due to loss of a portable terminal with a SIM card inserted are not considered at all in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, since the SIM card is always inserted into the infrared communication device, it is possible to prevent the SIM card from being lost, but it is not practical to always carry the infrared communication device with the SIM card inserted.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system, a communication terminal, and a communication control method thereof that improve the safety of personal information of a user who uses the communication terminal and can easily replace the communication terminal.

  A communication system according to the present invention includes a communication terminal that can be connected to a network, a contactless IC chip that stores identification information assigned to a user, and a server device that is connected to the network and stores information for each user. The communication terminal has communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from the network, storage means for storing authentication information, and non-contact for receiving the identification information from the non-contact IC chip. Contact interface means, determination means for determining whether or not the identification information received by the non-contact interface means matches the authentication information, and when the identification information and the authentication information match, the communication means And control means for permitting use and enabling provision of desired information from the server device.

  According to the present invention described above, the safety of the personal information of the user who uses the communication terminal is improved, and the communication terminal can be easily replaced.

1. First Embodiment A communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is an IC chip in which various functions of a communication terminal (call-related functions, applications such as a telephone directory and a browser) are stored on the network side, and identification information is recorded. Can be connected to mobile terminals using non-contact interface technology. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system and a communication terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, in order not to make the description complicated, the portable terminal A and the portable terminal B which is an alternative device are illustrated as communication terminals, and the portable terminals A and B input the identification information of the non-contact IC chip 20A. It is assumed that the personal data server 40 can be accessed through the network 30.

  The network 30 includes a mobile communication network and a core network, and a non-contact IC chip 20A in which identification information as a subscriber ID is recorded is issued to a user who subscribes to the mobile communication network. And The non-contact IC chip 20A is typically an IC chip mounted on a SIM card, but has a non-contact interface. As the non-contact interface, an existing short-range wireless interface such as RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification), Felica (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be preferably used. The non-contact IC chip 20A does not have to be a card such as a SIM card. It is desirable that the non-contact IC chip 20 is incorporated in or inserted into a thing that the subscriber carries or wears as much as possible so as not to lose it. For example, it is processed into a wearable accessory such as a ring or a necklace, or is inserted into an object that is extremely unlikely to be lost such as a wallet or a portable belt pouch.

  The portable terminal A has a wireless communication unit 10 for communicating with a base station of a mobile communication network, and can make a call or data communication as a so-called portable communication terminal. Further, the portable terminal A is provided with a determination unit 11, a recognition information memory 12, a non-contact interface 13, and a control unit 14 for controlling them, and identification information can be input from the non-contact IC chip 20A by the non-contact interface 13. it can.

  When the identification unit 11 inputs the identification information from the non-contact IC chip 20A through the non-contact interface 13, the determination unit 11 determines whether or not the recognition information is pre-recorded in the recognition information memory 12 (authentication process). Only the control unit 14 permits the wireless communication unit 10 to communicate with the network 30. Further, the determination unit 11 performs an authentication process with the non-contact IC chip 20A through the non-contact interface 13 when the mobile terminal A is activated or when a user requests a service under the control of the control unit 14. Although it is executed, it is desirable to periodically execute the authentication process with the non-contact IC chip 20A even when the service is not requested.

  As will be described later, the mobile terminal A according to the present embodiment does not store data belonging to individual users such as a so-called telephone directory, communication function-related applications such as a browser, and communication function-related data. Necessary services are provided from the network side. In addition, although the portable terminal A has a memory | storage part controlled by the control part 14, a display part, an operation part, etc., it is abbreviate | omitted here. The mobile terminal B has the same configuration as the mobile terminal A.

  The personal data server 40 stores personal data for each registered user and provides a service in response to a request from the user. The personal data includes, for example, telephone directory data, communication related applications such as a browser, or communication related data. As described above, when a service (for example, browser download) is requested from the mobile terminal A that is permitted to communicate by the non-contact IC chip 20A, the personal data server 40 relates to data and functions necessary for the requested service. Information or the like is transmitted to the mobile terminal A. For example, when the browser and the address data of the user are downloaded, the user can access the desired site on the Internet from the mobile terminal A.

  FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system including the communication control method of the communication terminal according to the present embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the user of the portable terminal A starts up the portable terminal A while wearing the non-contact IC chip 20A.

  When the portable terminal A is activated (step S100), the control unit 14 drives the non-contact interface 13 to start the mutual authentication process (step S101). When a response including identification information is returned from the non-contact IC chip 20A within a predetermined time with respect to the electromagnetic wave signal transmitted from the non-contact interface 13, the determination unit 11 receives the authentication information recorded in the authentication information memory 12 and The identification information input from the non-contact interface 13 is compared. If they match (step S102), the control unit 14 permits the use of the wireless communication unit 10, whereby the wireless communication unit 10 controls the network 30 (here, the mobile communication network) under the control of the control unit 14. ) To communicate with a base station (not shown), and the mobile terminal A is authenticated and registered (step S103).

  When connected to the network 30, the control unit 14 sends a request for function related information used for a function (for example, a call from a telephone directory) designated by the user from an operation unit (not shown) together with the subscriber ID of the user. It transmits to the personal data server 40 (step S104). The personal data server 40 returns function-related information (for example, phone book data) used for the requested service among the personal data of the user to the mobile terminal A (step S105).

  When the necessary function-related information is received, the control unit 14 executes a desired function (for example, a call from a telephone directory) using the information (step S106). In the case of a request for access to a site on the Internet, the control unit 14 requests the browser and address data from the personal data server 40. When the browser and address data are received, the control unit 14 activates the browser, You can access the site.

  As described above, the mutual authentication process with the non-contact IC chip 20A is performed at the time of start-up or a desired service request. If the mutual authentication process is started (step S107) and a response including identification information is not returned from the non-contact IC chip 20A even after a predetermined time set in the timer elapses (timeout), the control unit 14 downloads and stores the response. If there is user information or the like temporarily stored in the section, all of them are deleted (step S108). That is, since the user who should be wearing the non-contact IC chip 20A is not within the predetermined range, the mobile terminal A may be lost, and the user information in the mobile terminal A is prevented from leaking. Is deleted.

  It is assumed that the user loses the portable terminal A, notifies the communication carrier that provided the non-contact IC chip 20A currently worn, and is provided with the alternative portable terminal B (step S200). Since the alternative mobile terminal B performs the same configuration and operation as the mobile terminal A, when the mobile terminal B is activated, an authentication process is executed in the same manner as in steps S100 to S105 described above, and authentication and location registration for the network 30 are performed. After that, service data used for a desired function is requested and provided. In this way, when the user wearing the non-contact IC chip 20A is provided with the alternative portable terminal B, the user can immediately use the desired function without turning on the SIM card or the like simply by turning on the power. It becomes possible to do.

  That is, the service providing system according to the present embodiment stores the personal data associated with the SIM card or the like in the personal data server 40 on the network side without storing it in the mobile terminal. This prevents leakage of personal information when it is lost, and can also be used to change settings immediately when replacing a terminal or changing the terminal temporarily. Can be used from any terminal.

  The functions equivalent to those of the determination unit 11 and the control unit 14 described above can also be realized by executing a program on a program control processor such as a CPU.

2. 2. Embodiment 2.1) System Configuration Next, a communication system and a communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, there is a SIM card corresponding to each mobile terminal, and the SIM card can be connected to the corresponding mobile terminal through a non-contact interface. Further, it is assumed that the SIM card 20A of the mobile terminal A is set to be usable by the mobile terminal B and the fixed communication terminal C. In this case, even if the mobile terminal A is lost, the user holding the SIM card 20A moves close to the mobile terminal B or the fixed communication terminal C (within a distance enabling connection with a non-contact interface). It is possible to download and use a desired function from the personal data server 40 using these communication terminals. In this sense as well, it is desirable to wear the SIM card 20A and incorporate it in an object (accessory, wallet, etc.) that is not easily lost, or to attach it with a string so as not to leave.

  Further, even when the personal data downloaded in the personal data temporary storage area provided in the mobile terminals A and B is temporarily stored, as described above, there is a state where mutual authentication with the SIM card 20A cannot be performed. If it continues for a predetermined time or more, all the data in the personal data temporary storage area is erased, so even if the mobile terminal is lost, the possibility of personal data leakage is extremely low. It can also be deleted with the existing remote personal data deletion function.

  Note that the portable terminals A and B and the stationary fixed communication terminal C may be provided by the same communication provider or may be different. The communication function of the fixed communication terminal C may be wireless communication or wired communication similar to the portable terminal. The fixed communication terminal C is, for example, a stationary public shared terminal.

2.2) Mobile communication terminal FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a communication terminal according to this embodiment. Here, a short-range wireless interface such as RFID, Felica (registered trademark), or Bluetooth (registered trademark) is used as the non-contact interface.

  A mobile communication terminal 300 as a communication terminal according to the present embodiment is a portable information processing apparatus that operates by program control and has communication functions (call, mail transmission / reception, Internet connection), and is a server via the communication network 30. 40 and other portable communication terminals.

  The mobile communication terminal 300 includes a wireless communication unit 301 that wirelessly transmits and receives information to and from a wireless base station device (not shown) via an antenna. Further, if the wireless IC chip 400 (RFID tag) in which the charging subscriber information (ID information) is recorded is within a predetermined range (within several meters), the short-range communication unit that wirelessly obtains the ID information from there. (RFID reader) 302, camera unit 303 that acquires (photographs) image information, and audio processing that processes audio signals input and output via the transmitter (microphone) 305 and receiver (speaker) 306 Unit 304, display unit 307 for outputting information such as images, figures, characters, symbols, etc., operation unit 308 including numeric keys, four-way keys, etc. as input keys for inputting various information, musical sound and notification sound A storage unit that stores a speaker 309 that outputs a sound such as authentication information for identifying a user, download information acquired via a communication network, a program, and the like 10, telephone, mail, Web connection (browser), a camera, a content reproduction, a control unit 311 for controlling functions and units included in the other terminal, and a.

  The charging subscriber information (ID information) of the wireless IC chip 400 (RFID tag) can be shared with the ID information of other IC cards equipped with a non-contact interface.

  Further, user information such as download data stored in the personal data temporary storage area in the storage unit 310 may be deleted by an existing remote personal data deletion function, or communication with the wireless IC chip 400 or the SIM card. May be automatically deleted in synchronization with the personal data on the network when it cannot be performed for a certain period of time.

2.3) Operation First, when the user uses the mobile communication terminal 300, mutual authentication using a non-contact interface is performed between the wireless IC chip 400 of the SIM card owned by the user and the mobile communication terminal 300. As described above, this authentication process can be performed periodically.

  If the authentication is successful, the mobile communication terminal 300 authenticates the user of the user to the network 30, and the network 30 provides the user with a general mobile phone service and an access function to the personal data server 40 on the network. To do.

  Next, the user accesses the personal data server 40 on the network 30 and searches for and downloads his / her phone book information, for example, so that a desired service such as a telephone call can be used.

  If the storage unit 310 of the mobile communication terminal 300 has a temporary storage area for personal data and is set to use the personal data, the personal data is not stored (initial state) or the personal data on the network is updated. If so, the personal data is downloaded from the personal data server 40 on the network and stored in the temporary storage area. At that time, it is desirable to perform processing in the background so as not to disturb the user's latest usage service.

  If the user loses the mobile communication terminal 300, the user contacts the communication carrier and receives an alternative device or borrows another mobile communication terminal owned by the family as described above. The use of the service can be continued by combining the SIM card and personal data on the network using a stationary public shared terminal provided by the communication carrier.

  The lost mobile communication terminal automatically synchronizes the personal data protection area in the mobile communication terminal and the personal data on the network if mutual authentication with the SIM card becomes impossible for a preset period. Erase personal data in the mobile communication terminal. In addition, when communication with the network 30 is impossible, or when the remaining capacity of the battery is small, it is possible to set to immediately erase data.

2.4) Another Example FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another example of the communication terminal according to this embodiment. Here, a biometric authentication interface is used instead of the non-contact interface, and the biometric information is substituted for the SIM card.

  The mobile communication terminal shown in FIG. 5 has basically the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 4, but instead of a non-contact interface, a biometric authentication interface having a biometric authentication input unit 302a and a biometric authentication unit 302b for reading a fingerprint or the like. Different points are used. When the user uses the mobile communication terminal 300, for example, biometric authentication such as a fingerprint is performed to determine whether or not the authentication information stored in the storage unit 310 matches, and the control unit 311 matches the authentication information. Only when the wireless communication unit 301 is used, the use of the wireless communication unit 301 is permitted. Other operations are the same as the example shown in FIG.

2.5) Effect According to the embodiment described above, the SIM card can be worn separately from the mobile communication terminal, and does not need to be always inserted into the mobile communication terminal. Therefore, when the terminal is lost, there is no loss at the same time, and there is an effect that the use can be resumed immediately by using the alternative terminal.

  In addition, since it is not necessary to always insert the SIM card into the mobile communication terminal, the degree of freedom with respect to the shape of the SIM card is increased, and there is no risk of processing to a wearable shape (ring, necklace) or loss easily. It can be easily inserted into a wallet, a portable belt pouch, etc., and contributes to prevention of loss of the SIM card itself.

  Also, personal information is always held in a server on the network, not in the mobile communication terminal. Even if it is temporarily stored in the mobile device, it is only stored as a backup, so if it is lost, it can be deleted remotely or automatically, improving the safety of personal information .

  Also, by storing personal data on the network, it is possible to prevent leakage at the time of loss and to quickly perform resetting when changing the terminal. In addition, the usage scenes of other people's mobile terminals, rental-type shared mobile terminals, public telephone-type shared stationary terminals, and the like can be expanded.

3. Second Embodiment As in the first embodiment, a communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention stores various functions of the mobile terminal A in the personal data server 40 on the network side, and the wireless IC chip 20A is short-range wireless. It can be connected to the portable terminal A using the interface. In addition to this function, in the second embodiment, related identification information can be received from a wireless station or a wireless IC chip existing near the mobile terminal A, or a wireless IC chip owned by another person. Depending on the presence / absence of information, communication functions (telephone, e-mail, web connection, etc.) can be restricted / expanded, or communication functions can be permitted, and access control / expansion to the personal data server 40 can be controlled. This will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. However, blocks having the same functions as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, according to the present embodiment, related identification information can be stored in the authentication information memory 12 of the mobile terminal A possessed by the user A in addition to the same authentication information as in the first embodiment. The determination unit 11 also performs determination using the related identification information in addition to the authentication information. In addition to the response signal from the wireless IC chip 20A having the identification information recorded, the short-range wireless communication unit 13 is provided as a non-contact interface, and the related identification is performed from the wireless IC chip 50 possessed by another user B nearby. Information can also be received.

  Not only the wireless IC chip 50 possessed by the user B but also the wireless IC chip 50 can be installed in a specific place. When the mobile terminal A of the user A approaches the specific place, related identification information can be given to the mobile terminal A. Conversely, when the mobile terminal A is away from the specific location, the related identification information cannot be received.

  In this way, it is possible to determine whether to limit, not limit, or expand the functions and services to be provided, depending on whether or not related identification information that can be received is stored in the authentication information memory 12.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a communication control method of a communication terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention. First, when the portable terminal A is turned on (step S401), the control unit 14 determines whether or not use of a desired function is started (step S402). When the use is started (step S402: YES), the control unit 14 drives the short-range wireless communication unit 13 to receive the identification information of the wireless IC chip 20A and the related identification information of the specific wireless IC chip 50. Execute (Step S403). However, since the control unit 14 periodically drives the short-range wireless communication unit 13, if related identification information is received at that time, it is stored in the authentication information memory 12.

  The determination unit 11 determines whether or not the received identification information matches the authentication information stored in advance in the identification information memory 12 (step S404). If they do not match, the process returns to step S403, and if they match (step S404). Next, it is determined whether or not the related identification information is stored in the authentication information memory 12 (step S405).

  If the related identification information is stored in the authentication information memory 12 (step S405: YES), the control unit 14 sets the mobile terminal A to the extended function (step S406), and if there is no related identification information (step S405: NO) ), The basic function is set (step S407). On the other hand, if there is related identification information, the function can be limited, and if not, it can be set to an extended or basic function. For example, if the extended function is set, the service range obtained from the personal data server 40 is made wider than usual, and if it is a basic function, the service range is limited to the default service range.

  Specifically, when the related identification information is confirmed, the user is allowed to access the cellular phone service and the personal data server 40 on the network, and if there is no related identification information, the user is restricted. That is, the communication function (telephone, e-mail, web connection, etc.) is restricted or permitted, or access to the data server 40 is restricted or permitted depending on the specific location or the presence of a specific person holding the related identification information. It becomes possible to do.

  The present invention is applicable to a mobile phone system that uses identification information such as a SIM card.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the communication system by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the communication system by this embodiment. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block block diagram which shows an example of the communication terminal by a present Example. It is a block block diagram which shows the other example of the communication terminal by a present Example. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the communication system by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the communication control method of the communication terminal by 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wireless communication part 11 Determination part 12 Authentication information memory 13 Non-contact interface 14 Control part 20A Non-contact IC chip 30 Network 40 Personal data server 50 Other person's wireless IC chip

Claims (14)

In a communication system including a communication terminal connectable to a network,
A non-contact IC chip in which identification information assigned to a user is stored;
A server device connected to the network and storing information for each user;
The communication terminal includes:
Communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the network;
Storage means for storing authentication information;
Contactless interface means for receiving the identification information from the contactless IC chip;
Determining means for determining whether or not the identification information received by the non-contact interface means matches the authentication information;
Control means for permitting use of the communication means when the identification information and the authentication information match, and enabling provision of desired information from the server device;
A communication system comprising:   The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact interface means acquires the identification information from the non-contact IC chip by a short-range wireless interface.   The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the information for each user stored in the server device is information for executing a desired function in the communication terminal.   4. The control unit according to claim 1-3, wherein when the non-contact interface unit receives specific related identification information from another non-contact IC chip, the control unit expands or restricts the function of the communication terminal from the standard. The communication system according to any one of the above. In a communication terminal that can be connected to a network,
Non-contact IC chip that stores identification information assigned to a user and is physically separated from the communication terminal and capable of communicating through a non-contact interface;
Communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from the network;
Storage means for storing authentication information;
Contactless interface means for receiving the identification information from the contactless IC chip;
Determining means for determining whether or not the identification information received by the non-contact interface means matches the authentication information;
Control means for permitting use of the communication means when the identification information and the authentication information match, and enabling provision of desired information from the network;
A communication terminal comprising:   6. The communication terminal according to claim 5, wherein the non-contact interface means acquires the identification information from the non-contact IC chip by a short-range wireless interface.   The communication according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a server device storing information for each user is provided in the network, and the information is information for executing a desired function in a communication terminal. Terminal.   8. The control unit according to claim 5-7, wherein when the non-contact interface unit receives specific related identification information from another non-contact IC chip, the control unit expands or restricts the function of the communication terminal from the standard. The communication terminal according to any one of claims. In a communication control method for a communication terminal having a communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from a network,
Store authentication information in storage means in advance,
The identification information assigned to the user is stored and received through the non-contact IC chip and the non-contact interface physically separated from the communication terminal,
Determining whether the identification information and the authentication information match,
Allowing the use of the communication means when the identification information and the authentication information match, and enabling the provision of desired information from the network;
A communication control method for a communication terminal.   The communication control method for a communication terminal according to claim 9, wherein the non-contact interface is a short-range wireless interface.   The server according to claim 9 or 19, wherein a server device storing information for each user is provided in the network, and the information is information for executing a desired function in the communication terminal. A communication control method for a communication terminal.   The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein when specific related identification information is received from another non-contact IC chip by the non-contact interface, the function of the communication terminal is expanded or limited from the standard. The communication control method of the communication terminal as described.   A non-contact IC chip having a non-contact interface corresponding to the non-contact interface of the communication terminal according to claim 3. In a program for causing a computer to execute communication control of a communication terminal having communication means for transmitting and receiving information to and from a network,
A function of storing authentication information in the storage means in advance;
A function of receiving identification information through a contactless IC chip and a contactless interface in which identification information assigned to a user is stored and physically separated from the communication terminal;
A function of determining whether or not the identification information and the authentication information match;
A function of permitting use of the communication means when the identification information and the authentication information match, and enabling provision of desired information from the network;
Is realized by the computer.

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