Information-processing apparatus, information-processing method, information-processing system, recording medium and program

• US 20030005085A1
• Filed: 06/17/2002
• Published: 01/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Matsuno, Katsumi
• Granted Patent: US 7,188,244 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/121 Timestamp cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements involving time stamps H04L9/3297
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

In order to drive a PC and a cam-coder communicating with each other by adopting a Bluetooth technique to carry out mutual authentication processing, the user presses an authentication button of the PC and an authentication button of the cam-coder simultaneously. An authentication program of the PC detects an on time to turn on the authentication button of the PC and an off time to turn off the button. Likewise, an authentication program of the cam-coder detects an on time to turn on the authentication button of the cam-coder and an off time to turn off the button. The detected on and off times are exchanged between the PC and the cam-coder. If a difference between the on times and a difference between the off times are each found to be within a predetermined range, a result of the mutual authentication processing is considered to be positive. In this way, the mutual authentication processing can be carried out with ease.

Claims

1. An information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said information-processing apparatus comprising:

input means for inputting on and off commands;

first timing recognition means for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input by said input means;

second timing recognition means for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input by said input means; and

transmission means for transmitting said first and second timings to said other information-processing apparatus via said network.

2. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said network has a Bluetooth configuration.

3. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said first timings different from each other and said second timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said different second timings corresponding to said respective different first timings.

4. An information-processing method adopted by an information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said information-processing method comprising:

an input step for inputting on and off commands;

a first timing recognition step for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input in said input step;

a second timing recognition step for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input in said input step; and

a transmission step for transmitting said first and second timings to said other information-processing apparatus via said network.

5. A recording medium for storing a computer-readable program for controlling an information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said computer-readable program comprising:

an input control step for controlling input of on and off commands;

a first timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input in said input control step;

a second timing recognition control step or controlling recognition of recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input in said input control step; and

a transmission control step for controlling transmission of said first and second timings to said another information-processing apparatus via said network.

6. A program for driving a computer for controlling an information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said program comprising:

an input control step for controlling input of on and off commands;

a first timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input in said input control step;

a second timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input in said input control step; and

a transmission control step for controlling transmission of said first and second timings to said other information-processing apparatus via said network.

7. An information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said information-processing apparatus comprising:

input means for inputting on and off commands;

first timing recognition means for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input by said input means;

second timing recognition means for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input by said input means;

reception means for receiving a third timing and a fourth timing from said other information-processing apparatus where said third timing is a timing by which an input means employed by said other information-processing apparatus inputs an on command and said fourth timing is a timing by which said input means employed by said other information-processing apparatus inputs an off command;

comparison means for comparing said first timing with said third timing and comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

authentication means for executing authentication processing with respect to said other information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced by said comparison means.

8. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said network has a Bluetooth configuration.

9. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said comparison means finds a first difference between said first timing and said third timing as well as a second difference between said second timing and said fourth timing, and determines whether or not said first and second differences are each within a predetermined range.

10. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 9 wherein, if said first and second differences are each within a predetermined range, said authentication means authenticates said other information-processing apparatus.

11. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said first timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said first timings different from each other, said second timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said second timings, which are different from each other and correspond to said respective different first timings, and said reception means receives a plurality of said third timings different from each other as well as a plurality of said fourth timings, which are different from each other and correspond to said respective different third timings, from said other information-processing apparatus.

16. An information-processing system according to claim 15 wherein said network has a Bluetooth configuration.

17. An information-processing system according to claim 15 wherein said comparison means finds a first difference between said first timing and said third timing as well as a second difference between said second timing and said fourth timing, and determines whether or not said first and second differences are each within a predetermined range.

18. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 17 wherein, if said first and second differences are each within a predetermined range, said authentication means authenticates said first information-processing apparatus.

19. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said first timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said first timings different from each other, said second timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said second timings, which are different from each other and correspond to said respective different first timings, said third timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said third timings different from each other, said fourth timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said fourth timings, which are different from each other and correspond to said respective different third timings and said reception means receives said first timings as well as said second timings from said first information-processing apparatus via said network.

12. An information-processing method adopted by an information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said information-processing method comprising:

an input step for inputting on and off commands;

a first timing recognition step for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input in said input step;

a second timing recognition step for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input in said input step;

a reception step for receiving a third timing and a fourth timing from said other information-processing apparatus where said third timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an on command in an input step and said fourth timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an off command in an input step;

a comparison step for comparing said first timing with said third timing and comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

an authentication step for executing authentication processing with respect to said other information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said comparison step.

13. A recording medium for storing a computer-readable program for controlling an information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said computer-readable program comprising:

an input control step for controlling input of on and off commands;

a first timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a first timing with which an on command is input in said input control step;

a second timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a second timing with which an off command is input in said input control step;

a reception control step for controlling reception of a third timing and a fourth timing from said other information-processing apparatus where said third timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an on command in an input control step and said fourth timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an off command in an input control step;

a comparison control step or controlling comparison of said first timing with said third timing and comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

an authentication control step for controlling execution of authentication processing with respect to said other information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said comparison control step.

14. A program for driving a computer for controlling an information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said program comprising:

an input control step for controlling input of on and off commands;

a first timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a first timing with which an on command is input in said input control step;

a second timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a second timing with which an off command is input in said input control step;

a reception control step for controlling reception of receiving a third timing and a fourth timing from said other information-processing apparatus where said third timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an on command in an input control step and said fourth timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an off command in an input control step;

a comparison control step for controlling comparison of said first timing with said third timing and comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

an authentication control step for controlling execution of authentication processing with respect to said other information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said comparison control step.

15. An information-processing system including a first information-processing apparatus and a second information-processing apparatus connected to said first information-processing apparatus via a network,

said first information-processing apparatus comprising:

first input means for inputting on and off commands;

first timing recognition means for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input by said first input means;

second timing recognition means for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input by said first input means; and

transmission means for transmitting said first and second timings to said second information-processing apparatus via said network,

said second information-processing apparatus comprising;

second input means for inputting on and off commands;

third timing recognition means for recognizing a third timing with which an on command is input by said second input means;

fourth timing recognition means for recognizing a fourth timing with which an off command is input by said second input means;

reception means for receiving said first and second timings from said first information-processing apparatus via said network;

comparison means for comparing said first timing with said third timing and comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

authentication means for executing authentication processing with respect to said first information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced by said comparison means.

20. An information-processing method adopted by an information-processing system including a first information-processing apparatus and a second information-processing apparatus connected to said first information-processing apparatus via a network,

said information-processing method for said first information-processing apparatus comprising:

a first input step for inputting on and off commands;

a first timing recognition step for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input in said first input step;

a second timing recognition step for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input in said first input step; and

a transmission step for transmitting said first and second timings to said second information-processing apparatus via said network,

said information-processing method for said second information-processing apparatus comprising;

a second input step for inputting on and off commands;

a third timing recognition step for recognizing a third timing with which an on command is input in said second input step;

a fourth timing recognition step for recognizing a fourth timing with which an off command is input in said second input step;

a reception step for receiving said first and second timings from said first information-processing apparatus via said network;

a comparison step for comparing said first timing with said third timing and comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

an authentication step for executing authentication processing with respect to said first information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said comparison step.

21. A recording medium for storing a computer-readable program for controlling an information-processing system including a first information-processing apparatus and a second information-processing apparatus connected to said first information-processing apparatus via a network,

said computer-readable program for said first information-processing apparatus comprising:

a first input control step for controlling input of on and off commands;

a first timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a first timing with which an on command is input in said first input control step;

a second timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a second timing with which an off command is input in said first input control step; and

a transmission control step for controlling transmission of said first and second timings to said second information-processing apparatus via said network,

said computer-readable program for said second information-processing apparatus comprising;

a second input control step for controlling input of on and off commands;

a third timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a third timing with which an on command is input in said second input control step;

a fourth timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a fourth timing with which an off command is input in said second input control step;

a reception control step for controlling reception of said first and second timings from said first information-processing apparatus via said network;

a comparison control step for controlling comparison of said first timing with said third timing and comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

an authentication control step for controlling execution of authentication processing with respect to said first information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said comparison control step.

22. A program for driving computers for controlling an information-processing system including a first information-processing apparatus and a second information-processing apparatus connected to said first information-processing apparatus via a network,

said program, which causes one of said computers for controlling said first information-processing apparatus to execute processing comprising:

a first input control step for controlling input of on and off commands;

a first timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a first timing with which an on command is input in said first input control step;

a second timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a second timing with which an off command is input in said first input control step; and

a transmission control step for controlling transmission of said first and second timings to said second information-processing apparatus via said network,

said program, which causes one of the other computers for controlling said second information-processing apparatus to execute processing comprising;

a second input control step for controlling input of on and off commands;

a third timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a third timing with which an on command is input in said second input control step;

a fourth timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a fourth timing with which an off command is input in said second input control step;

a reception control step for controlling reception of said first and second timings from said first information-processing apparatus via said network;

a comparison control step for controlling comparison of said first timing with said third timing and comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

an authentication control step for controlling execution of authentication processing with respect to said first information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said comparison control step.

24. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said network has a Bluetooth configuration.

25. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said first timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said first timings different from each other, said second timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said second timings, which are different from each other and correspond to said respective different first timings, and said reception means receives a plurality of said third timings different from each other or a plurality of said fourth timings, which are different from each other and correspond to said respective different third timings, from said other information-processing apparatus.

26. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said comparison means finds a first difference between said first timing and said third timing or a second difference between said second timing and said fourth timing, and determines whether or not said first and second differences are each within a predetermined range.

27. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 26 wherein, if said first or second difference is within a predetermined range, said authentication means authenticates said other information-processing apparatus.

23. An information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said information-processing apparatus comprising:

input means for inputting on and off commands;

first timing recognition means for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input by said input means;

second timing recognition means for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input by said input means;

transmission means for transmitting said first or second timing to said other information-processing apparatus via said network;

reception means for receiving a third timing corresponding to said first timing or a fourth timing corresponding to said second timing from said other information-processing apparatus where said third timing is a timing by which an input means employed by said other information-processing apparatus inputs an on command and said fourth timing is a timing by which said input means employed by said other information-processing apparatus inputs an off command;

comparison means for comparing said first timing with said third timing or comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

authentication means for executing authentication processing with respect to said other information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced by said comparison means.

28. An information-processing method adopted by an information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said information-processing method comprising:

an input step for inputting on and off commands;

a first timing recognition step for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input in said input step;

a second timing recognition step for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input in said input step;

a transmission step for transmitting said first or second timing to said other information-processing apparatus via said network;

a reception step for receiving a third timing corresponding to said first timing or a fourth timing corresponding to said second timing from said other information-processing apparatus where said third timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an on command in an input step and said fourth timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an off command in an input step;

a comparison step for comparing said first timing with said third timing or comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

an authentication step for executing authentication processing with respect to said other information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said comparison step.

29. A recording medium for storing a computer-readable program for controlling an information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said computer-readable program comprising:

an input control step for controlling input of on and off commands;

a first timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a first timing with which an on command is input in said input control step;

a second timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a second timing with which an off command is input in said input control step;

a transmission control step for controlling transmission of said first or second timing to said other information-processing apparatus via said network;

a reception control step for controlling reception of a third timing corresponding to said first timing or a fourth timing corresponding to said second timing from said other information-processing apparatus where said third timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an on command in an input control step and said fourth timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an off command in an input control step;

a comparison control step for controlling comparison of said first timing with said third timing or comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

an authentication control step for controlling execution of authentication processing with respect to said other information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said comparison control step.

30. A program for driving a computer for controlling an information-processing apparatus connected to another information-processing apparatus via a network, said program comprising:

an input control step for controlling input of on and off commands;

a first timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a first timing with which an on command is input in said input control step;

a second timing recognition control step for controlling recognition of a second timing with which an off command is input in said input control step;

a transmission control step for controlling transmission of said first or second timing to said other information-processing apparatus via said network;

a reception control step for controlling reception of a third timing corresponding to said first timing or a fourth timing corresponding to said second timing from said other information-processing apparatus where said third timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an on command in an input control step and said fourth timing is a timing by which said other information-processing apparatus inputs an off command in an input control step;

a comparison control step for controlling comparison of said first timing with said third timing or comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

an authentication control step for controlling execution of authentication processing with respect to said other information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said comparison control step.

31. An information-processing system including a first information-processing apparatus and a second information-processing apparatus connected to said first information-processing apparatus via a network,

said first information-processing apparatus comprising:

first input means for inputting on and off commands;

first timing recognition means for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input by said first input means;

second timing recognition means for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input by said first input means; and

first transmission means for transmitting said second timing to said second information-processing apparatus via said network,

said second information-processing apparatus comprising;

second input means for inputting on and off commands;

third timing recognition means for recognizing a third timing with which an on command is input by said second input means;

fourth timing recognition means for recognizing a fourth timing with which an off command is input by said second input means; and

second transmission means for transmitting said third timing to said first information-processing apparatus via said network,

wherein said first information-processing apparatus comprises;

first reception means for receiving said third timing from said second information-processing apparatus via said network;

first comparison means for comparing said first timing with said third timing; and

first authentication means for executing authentication processing with respect to said second information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced by said first comparison means, and

wherein said second information-processing apparatus comprises;

second reception means for receiving said second timing from said first information-processing apparatus via said network;

second comparison means for comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

second authentication means for executing authentication processing with respect to said first information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced by said second comparison means.

32. An information-processing system according to claim 31 wherein said network has a Bluetooth configuration.

33. An information-processing system according to claim 31 wherein said first comparison means finds a first difference between said first timing and said third timing whereas said second comparison means finds a second difference between said second timing and said fourth timing, and said first comparison means and said second comparison means determine whether or not said first and second differences respectively are each within a predetermined range.

34. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 33 wherein, if said first and second differences are each within a predetermined range, said first authentication means and said second authentication means authenticate said second and first information-processing apparatus respectively.

35. An information-processing apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said first timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said first timings different from each other, said second timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said second timings, which are different from each other and correspond to said respective different first timings, said third timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said third timings different from each other, said fourth timing recognition means recognizes a plurality of said fourth timings, which are different from each other and correspond to said respective different third timings, said first reception means receives said third timings from said second information-processing apparatus via said network from said other information-processing apparatus and said second reception means receives said second timings from said first information-processing apparatus via said network.

36. An information-processing method adopted by an information-processing system including a first information-processing apparatus and a second information-processing apparatus connected to said first information-processing apparatus via a network,

said information-processing method for said first information-processing apparatus comprising:

a first input step for inputting on and off commands;

a first timing recognition step for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input in said first input step;

a second timing recognition step for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input in said first input step; and

a first transmission step for transmitting said second timing to said second information-processing apparatus via said network,

said information-processing method for said second information-processing apparatus comprising;

a second input step for inputting on and off commands;

a third timing recognition step for recognizing a third timing with which an on command is input in said second input step;

a fourth timing recognition step for recognizing a fourth timing with which an off command is input in said second input step; and

a second transmission step for transmitting said second timing from said first information-processing apparatus via said network;

wherein said information-processing method for said first information-processing apparatus comprises;

a first reception step for receiving said third timing from said second information-processing apparatus via said network;

a first comparison step for comparing said first timing with said third timing; and

a first authentication step for executing authentication processing with respect to said second information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said first comparison control step, and

wherein said information-processing method for said second information-processing apparatus comprises;

a second reception step for receiving said second timing from said first information-processing apparatus via said network;

a second comparison step for comparing said second timing with said fourth timing; and

a second authentication step for executing authentication processing with respect to said first information-processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said second comparison step.

37. A recording medium for storing a computer-readable program, which causes computers for controlling an information processing system to execute control processing,

said information processing system including a first information processing apparatus and a second information apparatus connected to said first information processing apparatus via a network,

said first information processing apparatus comprising:

first input means for inputting on and off commands;

first timing recognition means for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input by said first input means;

second timing recognition means for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input by said first input means; and

first transmission means for transmitting said second timing to said second information processing apparatus via said network,

said second information processing apparatus comprising;

second input means for inputting on and off commands;

third timing recognition means for recognizing a third timing with which an on command is input by said second input means;

fourth timing recognition means for recognizing a fourth timing with which an off command is input by said second input means; and

second transmission means for transmitting said third timing to said first information processing apparatus via said network,

wherein said program causes one of said computers for controlling said first information processing apparatus to execute;

a first reception control step for controlling reception of said third timing from said second information processing apparatus;

a first comparison control step for controlling comparison of said first timing with said third timing; and

a first authentication control step for controlling execution of authentication processing with respect to said second information processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said first comparison control step, and

wherein said program causes the other of said computers for controlling said second information processing apparatus to execute;

a second reception control step for controlling reception of said second timing from said first information processing apparatus;

a second comparison control step for controlling comparison of said second timing with said fourth timing; and

a second authentication control step for controlling execution of authentication processing with respect to said first information processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said second comparison control step.

38. A program, which causes computers for controlling an information processing system to execute control processing,

said information processing system including a first information processing apparatus and a second information apparatus connected to said first information processing apparatus via a network,

said first information processing apparatus comprising:

first input means for inputting on and off commands;

first timing recognition means for recognizing a first timing with which an on command is input by said first input means;

second timing recognition means for recognizing a second timing with which an off command is input by said first input means; and

first transmission means for transmitting said second timing to said second information processing apparatus via said network,

said second information processing apparatus comprising;

second input means for inputting on and off commands;

third timing recognition means for recognizing a third timing with which an on command is input by said second input means;

fourth timing recognition means for recognizing a fourth timing with which an off command is input by said second input means; and

second transmission means for transmitting said third timing to said first information processing apparatus via said network,

wherein said program causes one of said computers for controlling said first information processing apparatus to execute;

a first reception control step for controlling reception of said third timing from said second information processing apparatus;

a first comparison control step for controlling comparison of said first timing with said third timing; and

a first authentication control step for controlling execution of authentication processing with respect to said second information processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said first comparison control step, and

wherein said program causes the other of said computers for controlling said second information processing apparatus to execute;

a second reception control step for controlling reception of said second timing from said first information processing apparatus;

a second comparison control step for controlling comparison of said second timing with said fourth timing; and

a second authentication control step for controlling execution of authentication processing with respect to said first information processing apparatus on the basis of a comparison result produced in said second comparison control step.