WO1993012494A1

WO1993012494A1 - Interface of information selling terminal

Info

Publication number: WO1993012494A1
Application number: PCT/JP1992/001636
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masayoshi Son
Original assignee: Softbank Corporation
Priority date: 1991-12-16
Filing date: 1992-12-15
Publication date: 1993-06-24
Also published as: JPH05197732A; AU3096392A

Abstract

To retrieve chargeable information of a CD-ROM mounted on a CD-ROM system (200), a password is received through a MODEM (203) from a telephone reception operation center (300) after its sales contract. This password is collated with the registered password of a system password memory (204). After the collation of the password, the chargeable ciphered information is read out from the CD-ROM according to the command of a CPU (101). Then, the cipher is deciphered by an IC (201A) for deciphering, and the chargeable information is delivered to the personal computer.

Description

Light

Information terminal of information sales terminal

Technical field

The present invention relates to an interface of an information sales terminal device capable of paying information and providing information free of charge.

Background technology

Conventionally, when a user receives a sales service for information such as a software program or a database, there are the following two sales methods.

(1) A portable storage medium storing the above-mentioned software program information is sold by an information service company, and the user purchases the portable storage medium. The user attaches the purchased portable storage medium to an information processing device such as a personal computer, and then reads information from the portable storage medium using the information processing device.

(2) Connect the host computer installed at the above information service association ^ to the user and the terminal device via a communication line. The user uses the terminal device to notify the host computer of the information service company of the contents of the database to receive the service. The host computer of the information service company performs a search based on the contacted database, transmits the information obtained as a search result to the communication terminal device of the user, and sells the information service. User information necessary for billing and sales billing is stored inside the device. An information service company obtains the price by mail or the like based on the sales price information and user information stored in the host computer.

The first method is that it is easy to add other free information, such as program price information, to the information sold for a fee. An advantage is that the cost borne by the information service company is small. In addition, since the user receives the portable storage medium by mail or the like, there is a disadvantage in that it takes a long time from the purchase application to the receipt.

The second method has the advantage that the user can receive information promptly. On the other hand, if the amount of information received by the user is large, information communication takes time. However, the disadvantage was that the cost of using the communication line was high.

For this reason, the second method was not suitable for an information service company because the information service company could not provide information on the information provided free of charge. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In view of the above points, an object of the present invention is to provide an interface of an information sales terminal device capable of promptly selling information if necessary. It is in .

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, when delivery of pay information is permitted after password verification, the encrypted pay information is read from a storage medium mounted on the information sales terminal device, and the read is performed. A modem in the information sales terminal device for transferring the paid information to an external device, the modem receiving an input passcode used for the passcode verification via a public line; and A memory that stores a registered password used for the password verification, and a decryption circuit that decrypts encrypted pay information read from the storage medium. Features.

According to a second embodiment of the present invention, when delivery of pay information is permitted after password verification, the encrypted pay information is read from a storage medium attached to the information sales terminal device, and the read is performed. An interface in the information sales terminal device for transferring the paid information to an external device, wherein the memory stores a registration passcode used for the passcode verification; and And a decryption circuit for decrypting the encrypted pay information read from the medium.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the pay information Information delivery terminal device for reading the encrypted pay information from the storage medium attached to the information sale terminal device and transferring the read pay information to an external device when the delivery of the information is permitted. A modem for receiving, via a public line, an input passcode used for the passcode collation, and a cipher for decrypting encrypted pay information read from the storage medium. It is characterized by having a decoding circuit and.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the delivery of the pay information is permitted after the passcode verification, the pay information is read from the storage medium attached to the information sales terminal device, and the read pay information is stored in an external device. An interface in an information sales terminal device for transferring to a user, a modem for receiving an input password used for the password verification via a public line, and a modem for receiving the password It is characterized by having a memory for storing the registered password.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when delivery of pay information is permitted, encrypted pay information is read from a storage medium attached to the information sales terminal device, and the read pay information is read. An interface in the information selling terminal device for transferring to an external device, comprising an decryption circuit for decrypting the encrypted pay information read from the storage medium. Features.

In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the pay information In the information sales terminal device for reading the pay information from the storage medium attached to the information sales terminal device and transferring the read pay information to the external device when the delivery of the information is permitted. An interface, comprising a modem for receiving, via a public line, an input path card used for the path code collation.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when delivery of pay information is permitted after password verification, the pay information is read from a storage medium attached to the information sales terminal device, and the read pay information is read. An interface in the information sales terminal device for transferring the registered password to an external device, characterized by comprising a memory storing a registered password used for the password verification. I do.

Using the interfaces of the first to seventh embodiments of the present invention, free information and paid information can be provided to the user by one (portable) storage medium. In addition, paid information can be promptly provided to users after the sales contract is concluded. Also, since the circuit components in the information sales terminal device (CD-ROM) are installed on the external device (personal computer) side, the information sales terminal device can be downsized. Is obtained.

In addition, since the interface of the first and seventh aspects of the present invention is mounted on an external device connected to the information vending device, any one of a modem, a memory, and a decryption circuit is required. By installing it on the interface, the information sales end The degree of freedom in arranging the terminals can be increased, which can contribute to downsizing of the information sales terminal device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the telephone reception operation center 300 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the personal computer 100 and the CD-ROM system 200 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage area of the CD-R0M205 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the storage area of the CD-ROM 205 in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a purchase procedure of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a purchase procedure of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU 101 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU 101 in FIG.

Fig. 10 shows various arrangement examples of the decryption IC in Fig. 3. FIG.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing various arrangement examples of the decryption IC of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing various arrangement examples on the (dedicated) interface 201 of FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a telephone reception operation center 300 of a software / database sales company is connected to a public line ¾ line 250, and a CD-ROM system 200 is connected to a public line 250. The personal computer 100 and the telephone set 160 are connected via the PC.

The telephone reception operation center 300 is also connected to a plurality of communication terminal devices 400 and 410 via a communication line 350 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

The CD-ROM system 200 constitutes the information selling terminal device of the present invention.

Prior to the description of the system operation, the circuit and operation of each component described above will be described.

FIG. 2 shows the circuit configuration of the telephone reception operation center 300 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, the host computer 301, first to The third subcomputers 302 to 305, keyboard 306, and CRT (cathode ray tube) display 307 are commonly connected to the bus.

The host computer 301 can use, for example, IBM3090 and user information for each user who distributes a CD-ROM, ie, name, address, credit card number, The serial (identification) number is stored in the internal storage device. In addition, the storage device also stores database-related service information provided to the user.

The host computer 301 performs a matching process on the user information in the storage device and a search process on the service information.

The first sub-computer 302 is connected to an automatic voice response exchange 303 such as an answering machine, receives order information and user (related) information via the automatic voice response exchange 303, and hosts the user information. It instructs the computer 301 to inquire with the registration information, and determines whether or not the information can be sold based on the inquiry result. When it is determined that sale is possible, the calculation password and the sales fee according to the present invention are transmitted as a response to the user's telephone 16Q via the automatic voice response exchange 303.

After the information service contract between the user and the software / database sales company is concluded, the first subcomputer 302 reads information from a specific part of the CD-ROM. The password for reading the information is sent to the user's CD-ROM system via the automatic voice response exchange 303.

Send to 200.

The second sub-computer 304 exchanges information with the first and second communication terminal devices 400 and 410 installed at the store side.

The third sub-computer 305 stores the price information of the provided service and the system maintenance information in its internal storage device, and exchanges the information with other computers. . For example, an IBM personal computer can be used as the first to third subcomputers 302, 304, and 305.

From the keyboard 306, an operation instruction for each of the above-mentioned computers and the above-mentioned information to be registered are inputted.

The CRT display device 307 is used for displaying information input from the keyboard 306 and information output from each of the above computers.

Next, the personal computer 100 and the CD-ROM system 200 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

As the personal computer 100, a well-known one, for example, one manufactured by IBM can be used, so the explanation will be briefly given. In FIG. 2, a personal computer 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a read-only memory (ROM) 102, and a random access memory (RAM). ) 103, It mainly consists of a keyboard 104, a CRT display 105, a floppy disk drive (FDD) 106, an expansion slot 107, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 108. .

The CPU 101 executes system control of the entire device in accordance with the system program stored in the R0M102, and an application program stored on a floppy disk (FD) 206 or CD-ROM 205. And perform arithmetic processing

The RAM 103 temporarily stores the application program and the input / output information for the CPU 101. Information is input to the CPU 101 from the keyboard 104.

The CRT 105 displays input information from the keyboard 104 and calculation results of the CPU 101.

The FDD 106 reads and writes information to and from the mounted FD 206 according to the instruction of the CPU 101.

The expansion slot 107 is equipped with an input / output interface for connecting to peripheral devices. In this embodiment, an interface board 201 dedicated to the CD-ROM system is mounted on the expansion slot 107.

The HDD 108 stores free information and free information transferred from the CD-R0M205.

Next, the CD-ROM system 200 according to the present invention will be described.

The CD-ROM system 200 includes a dedicated interface board 201, a CD-ROM drive 202, a modem 203, and a system It is mainly composed of the SW 204, FD 206 and CD-ROM 205, and has a power adapter (not shown).

The CD-ROM drive 202, the modem 203, and the system password memory 204 are stored in one case.

Decryption IC (integrated circuit) 201A is mounted on the dedicated interface board 201, and the instruction of the CPU 101 of the personal computer 100 is given. Only in this case, the decryption process for the information read from the CD-ROM 205 is performed by the decryption IC 201A.

The CD-ROM drive 202 reads / writes information from / to the CD-R0M205 under the direction of the CPU 101 of the personal computer 100.

The modem 203 converts information signals exchanged between the personal computer 100 side and the public line into digital / analog signals. Note that it is also possible to connect a telephone 160 to the modem 203 and connect the telephone 160 to a public line by manually switching the signal line.

The system password memory 204 stores a system password and a registration password for verification. The registered password for verification is used for password verification according to the present invention.

Next, the CD-ROM 205 in FIG. 3 will be described.

Fig. 4 shows the configuration of the storage area of CD-ROM 205. You.

In FIG. 4, storage area A stores the first information written in a standard logical format. The storage area B stores the second information written in a special dedicated logical format different from the standard logical format.

In this embodiment, as a standard logical format, a high-format format defined by the ISO (International Standard Machine) and called a high format format is used.

As shown in FIG. 5, third information that has been subjected to encryption processing is written in a specific area in the storage area B in a dedicated logical format.

In the present embodiment, the first information stored in the storage area A is directory information and information indicating the contents and price of a sales program that can be viewed by the user free of charge. The directory information includes the identification names of a plurality of program information stored in the CD-ROM, the storage addresses of the respective programs, and the identification names of the storage areas A, B, and C. It consists of meter information and is referred to when reading information from the CD-ROM.

The second information stored in storage area B is a trial program that the user can execute on a personal computer free of charge. The third information stored in storage area C is a paid application program that is transferred to the personal computer after the sales contract is concluded. Third information is It is encrypted in advance.

Hereinafter, the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention will be described.

(a) User registration processing

When the user purchases the CD-R0M205, FD206, package software, and the main body of the CD-ROM system (see Fig. 3), the registration card with user information is soft Send it to the database sales company (see Fig. 6). When the software 'database sales company receives the postcard for registration, the operator inputs the user information described on the postcard for registration from the keyboard 306 in FIG. 2 and the host computer. Register it in the storage device (not shown) in 301.

After that, the second and subsequent CD-R0M205s will be distributed to users from the software / data sales company free of charge.

(b) Display of sales guidance information on CD-ROM 205

The user attaches the purchased CDR0M or the distributed CDR0M to the CD-ROM drive 202 of the CD-ROM system, and inserts the initially purchased FD206 into the personal computer 100. Attach it to the FDD 106. Next, the CPU 104 instructs the CPU 101 to start the system program (shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) for the CD-ROM on the FD 206 from the keyboard 104 of the personal computer 100. I do. The CPU 101 reads out the control procedure shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 onto the HDD 108 and then starts the operation. That is, the CPU 101 reads the processing menu information stored in the FD 206 and causes the CRT display device 105 to display the processing menu information (S10 in FIG. 8). In this embodiment, the following processing is prepared.

(1) Display of sales program information on CD-R0M205

(2) Transfer the trial program on the CD-OM205 to the personal computer 100 (installation)

(3) Processing of purchase procedures for sales programs on CD-ROM 205 and processing of transfer of sales programs to personal computer 100 after the conclusion of the sales contract

Then, the user looks at the display screen and inputs the instruction information for selecting the display processing of the sales program guide information from the keyboard 104 of the personal computer 100 (see FIG. 8). Step S20). Based on this instruction information, the CPU 101 of the personal computer 100 sets a standard logical format as a read format and sets a program on the CD-R0M205. The guidance information is read out (steps S30 to S100 in FIG. 8).

More specifically, the CPU 101 refers to the directory information on the CD-ROM 205, detects the storage address of the program guide information, and then reads out the read address and the read address. Directs instructions to CD-ROM drive 202. CD-ROM drive 202 Reads the storage information (program guide information) of the read address specified in response to the read command, and transfers the read information to the CPU 101. The CPU 101 temporarily stores the sequentially transmitted program guide information in the HDD 108, and then displays the program guide information on the CRT display device 105 (step S110- in FIG. 8). * S120)

As a result, the user can see the program guidance information on the display screen and know which programs can be sold and which can be tried.

After that, the CPU 101 ends the control procedure in response to the end instruction from the keyboard 104 (step S130 → end).

(c) Execution of trial program

After displaying the above-described processing menu on the display screen of the CRT display device 105 (step S10 in FIG. 8), the user performs a key transfer processing of the trial program in the processing menu. -Instruct from the board 104 (Step S20 in Fig. 8)

In response to this instruction, the CPU 101 shifts to the program selection mode. Subsequently, the user inputs the identification name of the trial program to be tried from the keyboard 104 to the like. Input the instruction (Step S20 → S30 → S40 → S200 in Fig. 8).

After this, the CPU 101 sets the dedicated logical format and follows the designated logical format in accordance with the designated test. The row program is read from the CD-ROM 205 via the CD-ROM drive 202 and transferred to the HDD 108 (Step 7 in FIG. 7: S210-S220) o

Hereinafter, the user inputs a program execution instruction from the keyboard 104? 11101 can run the trial program on 1100108.

(d) Purchase of sales program

After displaying the above-described processing menu on the display screen of the CRT display device 105 (step S10 in FIG. 8), the user performs the purchase procedure processing in the processing menu via the keyboard 104. (Step S20 in Fig. 8).

When the CPUIOI recognizes that the instruction for the purchase procedure processing has been input (step S50 in FIG. 8), the processing shifts to the execution procedure in FIG. That is, the CPU 101 reads out the message guide regarding the sales procedure from the FD 206 and displays it on the display screen of the CRT display device 105 (step S300 in FIG. 9).

The CPU 101 controls the modem 203 to make a call to the telephone reception operation center 300 of the software / database sales company. At this time, the modem 203 executes a message communication with the automatic voice response machine 303 of the telephone reception operation center 300 and transmits the order information (step S315 in FIG. 9). . The order information includes the credit number required for payment, the identification number indicating the purchase intention, and the identification number of the program or data to be purchased. No. and system password are prepared.

The automatic voice response exchange 303 transfers the received user-related information to the first sub-computer 302 each time it receives the above-mentioned order information as order information receiving means.

The first sub-computer 302 permits sales based on the user information registered in the host computer 301 and the predetermined sales conditions. Is determined. If sales are permitted, the first subcomputer 302 sends an automatic voice response exchange 303 to the automatic voice response and exchange machine 303 to execute a calculation program and a sales pass corresponding to the sales program or sales data. Instruct the user to communicate the charge to the modem 203 on the user side.

The memory in the first sub-computer 302 stores the identification number of the fee information and the password used for delivering the fee information in the form of a table. By searching for the CPU of the computer 302, a password corresponding to the identification number of the paid information for which the order was placed is extracted by searching.

In response to this instruction, the search processing device in the automatic voice response exchange 303 receives the designated computation password and sales from the voice information stored in the memory of the device in advance. The voice information indicating the price is selected and extracted, and a response is transmitted to the telephone set 160 on the user side to end the sales contract.

If the first sub-computer 302 determines that it cannot authorize the sale, it will automatically send the message information to that effect. Make the mobile voice response exchange 303 respond.

In this way, when the modem 203 receives the calculation password (the input password of the present invention) for delivering the pay information from the telephone reception operation center 300, The calculation password is input to the CPU 101 (S320 in FIG. 9).

The CPU 101 reads the system password from the system path memory 204 in the GD-R0M system via the dedicated interface board 201. Next, the CPU 101 combines the input operation password and the above-mentioned system password to create a verification password (step S330 in FIG. 9).

The CPU 101 reads the registered password for collation from the system password memory 204, and compares the password with the created password for collation (steps S340 to S350 in FIG. 9).

If the calculation password is notified by regular sales and acquisition, a match is obtained between the two passwords, and the CPU 101 activates the decryption IC 201A on the dedicated interface board 201. (Steps S350—S360).

After setting the exclusive logical format as the read format, the CPU 101 reads the program instructed to be purchased from the CD-R0M205, and transfers it to the HDD. At this time, the read-out via the CD-ROM drive 202 The encrypted program information is decrypted by the decryption IC 201A and converted into a general-purpose information processing code form.

Thereafter, the CPU 101 stops the decryption IC 201A, and ends the information selling process according to this control procedure (steps S380 to S390 in FIG. 9). Fig. 7 shows the processing steps performed between the user and the information service company for the above information sales processing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, if the input operation pass mode does not partially match the registered registration pass mode, the pay information transfer processing in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be described. And the sales program is not transferred to the personal computer 100 side. The CPU 101 of the personal computer 100 when executing the control procedures shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the FD 206 operates as a means for performing the password matching of the present invention. I do.

Also, the calculation password is not transmitted to the CD-ROM system 200 unless a sales contract is concluded between the software database sales company and the user. For this reason, for example, even if the CD-ROM 205 is owned by the user and is available, the sales program on the CD-ROM 205 can be extracted as long as the calculation password is not input. Can not.

In addition, the sales program is encrypted and written on the CD-R0M205 in a special format. For this reason, CD-ROM systems other than the CD-R0M205 system of this embodiment Even if the information stored on the CD-R0M205 is read out using, the read information becomes meaningless data. As a result, the confidentiality of the sales program on the CD-ROM 205 is maintained.

In addition, the system passcode, which is stored in the CD-ROM system 200 and cannot be seen by the user, is used for investigating users on the telephone reception operation center side. Even if the user tries to know the operation path maliciously by using a terminal device other than the -ROM system 200, the operation path cannot be known.

Various arrangements are possible for the arrangement of the components of the CD-ROM system 200 in FIG.

Figures 10 and 11 show the various installation positions of the decryption IC 201A.

CASE (A-1) is an example in which the decryption IC 201A is installed in the CD-ROM drive 202.

CASECA-2) is the example shown in FIG. 3, in which the decryption IC 201A is mounted on the interface board 201.

CASECA-3) is an example in which a decryption program 201B for causing the CPU 101 of the personal computer 100 to execute decryption processing is stored in the FD 205 instead of the decryption IC 201A.

CASE (A-4) is an example in which a decryption IC 201A is installed in a personal computer 100.

CASE (A-5) has a decryption IC 201A in the modem 203. In this example, the modem 203 is installed either in the case of the CD-ROM system 200 (the portion surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 3) or on the interface board 201. It is.

In the circuit example shown in FIG. 3, only the decryption IC 201A is mounted on the interface board 201, but the arrangement example on the interface board 201 For example, in addition to the arrangement example shown in FIG. 10, various arrangement examples are conceivable. Fig. 12 shows an example of these arrangements.

In FIG. 12, CASE (B-l) is an example in which the modem 203 is mounted on the interface board 201.

CASE (B-2) is an example in which the decryption IC 201A and the modem 203 are mounted on the interface board 201.

CASE (C-1) is an example in which the system password memory 204 is mounted on the interface board 201.

CASE (C-2) is an example in which the decryption IC 201A and the system password memory 204 are mounted on the interface board 201.

CASE (D-1) is an example in which a modem 203 and a system password memory 204 are mounted on an interface board 201.

CASE (D-2) is an example in which a decryption IC 201A, a modem 203, a system memory, and a swed memory 204 are mounted on an interface board 201.

IC201A for decryption, modem 203, system path ヮ一 The domain memory 204 may be selectively arranged on the interface board in relation to the arrangement of each of the other components of the CD-ROM system 200.

The modem 203 may be provided only when the operation password is automatically received, and may be listened to by the user via the telephone 160. In this case, enter the calculation password from the keyboard 104 of the personal computer 100. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, free information and pay information can be provided to a user by using a single (portable) storage medium, and a sales contract is established for pay information. It can be promptly provided to the user later. Also, since the circuit components in the information sales terminal (CD-ROM) are installed on the external device (personal computer) side, the effect of reducing the size of the information sales terminal can be obtained. can get.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. If the delivery of pay information is permitted after password verification, the encrypted pay information is read from the storage medium attached to the information sales terminal device, and the read pay information is read. The information sales terminal device for transferring the

A modem for receiving, via a public line, an input passcode used for the passcode matching;

A memory storing a registered password used for the password matching,

A decryption circuit for decrypting the encrypted pay information read from the storage medium;

An interface of an information sales terminal device that is characterized by having:

2. If the delivery of the pay information is permitted after the password verification, the encrypted pay information is read from the storage medium mounted on the information sales terminal device, and the read pay information is read. Information transfer terminal to transfer information to an external device.

A memory storing a registered passcode used for the passcode verification,

A decryption circuit for decrypting the encrypted pay information read from the storage medium; An interface of an information sales terminal device characterized by having:

3. If the delivery of the pay information is permitted after the password verification, the encrypted pay information is read from the storage medium attached to the information sales terminal device, and the read pay information is read. An interface in an information sales terminal device for transferring to an external device,

A modem for receiving an input password used for the password verification via a public line,

An interface of an information sales terminal device characterized by having:

4. If the delivery of the pay information is permitted after the password verification, the pay information is read from the storage medium attached to the information sales terminal device, and the read pay information is transferred to the external device. Interface in the information sales terminal device for

A modem for receiving, via a public line, an input password used for the password verification,

A memory storing a registered passcode used for the passcode verification;

An information sales terminal device characterized by having Tough ace.

5. When the delivery of the pay information is permitted, the encrypted pay information is read from the storage medium attached to the information sales terminal device, and the read pay information is transferred to the external device. An interface in an information sales terminal device for transfer,

An interface of an information sales terminal device, comprising: a decryption circuit for decrypting encrypted pay information read from the storage medium.

6. If the delivery of the pay information is permitted after the password verification, the pay information is read from the storage medium mounted on the information sales terminal device, and the read pay information is transferred to the external device. In the evening market in the information sales terminal device for forwarding to

An interface for an information sales terminal device, comprising a modem for receiving, via a public line, an input passcode used for the passcode verification.

7. If the delivery of the pay information is permitted after the password verification, the pay information is read from the storage medium mounted on the information sales terminal device, and the read pay information is transferred to the external device. An interface in the information sales terminal device for transferring to An interface of an information sales terminal device, comprising a memory storing a registration password used for the password verification.