Network and terminal devices

• US 20030126039A1
• Filed: 12/27/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Hibino, Masaaki, Kiyose, Katsumi
• Granted Patent: US 7,571,240 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2115 Third party
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/00 Affiliation to network, e.g. registration; Terminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration

Abstract

A service providing system including an administrator terminal device, a user terminal device, and a service providing device. The service providing device authorizes a process to register a user terminal device after determining that the service providing device is connectable to both the user terminal device and the administrator terminal device via a wireless network. When the service providing device is under the care and supervision of the administrator, the service providing device is entrusted to register the user terminal device, thereby providing services to the user terminal device without burdening the administrator. The system further includes an image outputting device as one of service providing devices. The system adjusts a timing of producing an image, depending on who stays in a communication range.

Claims

1. A service providing system comprising;

a service providing device that provides services;

a user terminal belonging to a user of the service providing device, the user terminal being connectable to the service providing device via a wireless network;

an administrator terminal belonging to an administrator of the service providing device, the administrator terminal being connected to the service providing device via a wireless network;

a determining unit that determines whether the administrator terminal is connected to the service providing device via a wireless network and determines whether the user terminal is connected to the service providing device via a wireless network; and

an authorizing unit that authorizes a predetermined process by the service providing device when the determining unit determines that the user terminal is connected to the service providing device via a wireless network and the administrator terminal is connected to the service providing device via a wireless network.

2. The service providing system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process authorized by the authorizing unit is a process for registering the user terminal granted the provision of services from the service providing device.

3. The service providing system according to claim 2, wherein service provision is allowed through the process of registering the user terminal only while the administrator terminal is connected to the service providing device via a wireless network.

4. The service providing system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process authorized by the authorizing unit is a process for providing services from the service providing device.

5. The service providing system according to claim 1, wherein the range in which the service providing device and the administrator terminal is connected via a wireless network is variable.

6. The service providing system according to claim 1, wherein the authorizing unit authorizes the predetermined process by the service providing device, when confirming that an authorization instruction has been received from the administrator terminal connected via the wireless network.

7. The service providing system according to claim 1, wherein the services produces an image.

8. A service providing system comprising:

a service providing device that provides services;

a user terminal belonging to a user of the service providing device, the user terminal that is connectable to the service providing device via a wireless network;

an administrator terminal belonging to an administrator of the user terminal, the administrator terminal being connectable to the user terminal via a wireless network;

a determining unit for determining whether the administrator terminal is connected to the user terminal via a wireless network and determines whether the user terminal is connected to the service providing device via a wireless network; and

an authorizing unit that authorizes the user terminal to perform a predetermined process on the service providing device when the determining unit determines that the user terminal is connected to the service providing device via a wireless network and that the administrator terminal is connected to the service providing device via a wireless network.

9. The service providing system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined process authorized by the authorizing unit is a process for registering the service providing device that grants a service request.

10. The service providing system according to claim 9, wherein a period in which the request for services is granted after registering the service providing device according to the predetermined process is only while the administrator terminal is connected to the user terminal via a wireless network.

11. The service providing system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined process authorized by the authorizing unit is a process for issuing a request for services to the service providing device.

12. The service providing system according to claim 8, wherein the range in which the user terminal and administrator terminal are connected by a wireless network is variable.

13. The service providing system according to claim 8, wherein the authorizing unit authorizes the user terminal to perform the predetermined process on the service providing device, when confirming that an authorization instruction has been received from the administrator terminal connected via the wireless network.

14. The service providing system according to claim 8, wherein the services produces an image.

15. A service providing device for providing services, comprising:

a determining unit that determines whether the service providing device is connected via a wireless network to an administrator terminal possessed by an administrator who manages the service providing device determines that whether the service providing device is connected via a wireless network to a user terminal possessed by a user of the service providing device; and

an authorizing unit that authorizes a predetermined process when the determining unit determines that the service providing device is connected to both the user terminal and the administrator terminal via a wireless network.

16. The service providing device according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined process authorized by the authorizing unit in the service providing device is a process for registering the user terminal granted the provision of services.

17. The service providing device according to claim 16, wherein a time period in which service provision is granted through registration based on the process for registering the user terminal is a period in which the administrator terminal is connected to the service providing device via a wireless network.

18. The service providing device according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined process authorized by the authorizing unit in the service providing device is a process for providing services.

19. The service providing device according to claim 15, wherein a range in which the service providing device and the administrator terminal is connected together via a wireless network is variable.

20. The service providing device according to claim 15, wherein, the authorizing unit authorizes the predetermined process, when confirming that an authorization instruction has been received from the administrator terminal connected via the wireless network.

21. The service providing device according to claim 15, wherein the services produces an image.

22. A user terminal for requesting services from a service providing device via a wireless network, comprising:

a determining unit that determines whether the user terminal is connected via a wireless network to an administrator terminal possessed by an administrator who manages the user terminal; and

an authorizing unit that authorizes a predetermined process for the service providing device when the determining unit determines that the user terminal is connected via a wireless network to the administrator terminal.

23. The user terminal according to claim 22, wherein the predetermined process authorized by the authorizing unit in the user terminal is a process for registering the service providing device that grants a service request.

24. The user terminal according to claim 23, wherein a time period in which the service request is granted after registering the service providing device based on the predetermined process described above is a period in which the user terminal is connected to the administrator terminal via a wireless network.

25. The user terminal according to claim 22, wherein the predetermined process authorized by the authorizing unit is a process for issuing a request for services to the service providing device.

26. The user terminal according to claim 22, wherein a range in which the user terminal and the administrator terminal are connectable via a wireless network is variable.

27. The user terminal according to claim 22, wherein the authorizing unit authorizes the predetermined process for the service providing device, when confirming that an authorization instruction has been received from the administrator terminal connected via the wireless network.

28. The user terminal according to claim 22, wherein the services produces an image.

29. A service providing system comprising:

a first device that wirelessly transmits identification data for identifying the first device;

a first receiving unit that wirelessly receives the identification data transmitted from the first device when the first device is positioned within a communication range;

a first determining unit that determines whether the first device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the first receiving unit;

a service providing device that provides services;

a first controlling unit that controls the provision of services from the service providing device based on the determination by the first determining unit of whether the first device is positioned within the communication range;

a second device that wirelessly transmits identification data for identifying the second device;

a second receiving unit that wirelessly receives the identification data transmitted from the second device when the second device is positioned within a communication range;

a second determining unit that determines at least one of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the second receiving unit, and whether the second device is nearing the second receiving unit; and

a first restriction controlling unit that applies a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing device based on one of a first determination by the second determining unit of that the second device is positioned within the communication range, and a second determination by the second determining unit of that the second device is nearing the second receiving unit.

30. The service providing system according to claim 29, wherein the restriction placed on the provision of services can be removed based on a determination by the second determining unit that the second device is no longer within the communication range.

31. The service providing system according to claim 29, further comprising a third determining unit that determines whether the second device is moving away from the second receiving unit, wherein the restriction placed on the provision of services is removed based on a determination by the third determining unit that the second device is moving away from the second receiving unit.

32. The service providing system according to claim 29, further comprising:

a communication range varying unit that varies the communication range; and

a confirming unit that confirms the range of possible communication with the second device by varying the communication range using the communication range varying unit and determining whether communication with the second device is possible in that communication range, wherein by repeatedly confirming the communication range with the confirming unit, the direction where the second device is moving relative to the second receiving unit is determined.

33. The service providing system according to claim 29, further comprising:

a fifth determining unit that determines whether the second device satisfies predetermined conditions based on the identification data, wherein the restriction controlling unit applies restrictions when the fifth determining unit determines that the second device satisfies the predetermined conditions.

34. The service providing system according to claim 29, further comprising:

a notifying unit that wirelessly transmits notification data regarding the restriction to one of the first and second device; and

a reporting unit provided in one of the first and second device that executes a report regarding the restriction.

35. The service providing system according to claim 29, further comprising:

a restriction removing unit that transmits a command to remove a restriction, wherein the restriction controlling unit removes the restriction based on the command received from the restriction removing unit.

36. The service providing system according to claim 29, wherein the standard for communicating identification data is a wireless LAN standard.

37. The service providing system according to claim 36, wherein the wireless LAN standard is the Bluetooth (trademark) standard.

38. The service providing system according to claim 29, wherein the service produces an image.

39. A service providing system comprising:

a second device that wirelessly transmits identification data for identifying the second device;

a second receiving unit that wirelessly receives the identification data transmitted from the second device when the second device is positioned within a communication range;

a second determining unit that determines at least one of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the second receiving unit, and whether the second device is nearing the second receiving device;

a service providing device that provides services based on commands from an external device; and

a second restriction controlling unit that applies a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing device based on the commands when the second determining unit performs one of two determinations of;

that the second device is positioned within the communication range, and that the second devise is nearing the second receiving device.

40. The service providing system according to claim 39, wherein the restriction placed on the provision of services can be removed based on a determination by the second determining unit that the second device is no longer within the communication range.

41. The service providing system according to claim 39, further comprising a third determining unit that determines whether the second device is moving away from the second receiving unit, wherein the restriction placed on the provision of services is removed based on a determination by the third determining unit that the second device is moving away from the second receiving unit.

42. The service providing system according to claim 39, further comprising a communication range varying unit that varies the communication range;

and

a confirming unit that confirms the range of possible communication with the second device by varying the communication range using the communication range varying unit and determining whether communication with the second device is possible in that communication range, wherein by repeatedly confirming the communication range with the confirming unit, the direction where the second device is moving relative to the second receiving unit is determined.

43. The service providing system according to claim 39 further comprising:

a fifth determining unit that determines whether the second device satisfies predetermined conditions based on the identification data, wherein the restriction controlling unit applies restrictions when the fifth determining unit determines that the second device satisfies the predetermined conditions.

44. The service providing system according to claim 39, further comprising:

a notifying unit that wirelessly transmits notification data regarding the restriction to one of the first and second device; and

a reporting unit provided in one of the first and second device that executes a report regarding the restriction.

45. The service providing system according to claim 39, further comprising:

a restriction removing unit that transmits a command to remove a restriction, wherein the restriction controlling unit removes the restriction based on the command received from the restriction removing unit.

46. The service providing system according to claim 39, wherein the standard for communicating identification data is a wireless LAN standard.

47. The service providing system according to claim 46, wherein the wireless LAN standard is the Bluetooth (trademark) standard.

48. The service providing system according to claim 39, wherein the service produces an image.

49. A service providing system comprising:

a first device that wirelessly transmits identification data for identifying the first device;

a second device that wirelessly transmits identification data for identifying the second device;

a first receiving unit that wirelessly receives the identification data transmitted from the first device when the first device is positioned within a communication range;

a second receiving unit that wirelessly receives the identification data transmitted from the second device when the second device is positioned within a communication range;

a third receiving unit that receives service information associated with the identification data;

a first determining unit that determines whether the first device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the first receiving unit;

a second determining unit that determines whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the second receiving unit;

a service providing device that provides services;

a second controlling unit that controls the provision of services based on the service information received by the third receiving unit and associated with identification data identifying the first device to the service providing device based on the determination by the first determining unit of whether the first device is positioned within the communication range;

a third controlling unit that controls the provision of services based on the service information received by the third receiving unit and associated with identification data identifying the second device to the service providing device based on the determination by the second determining unit of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range; and

a fourth restriction controlling unit that applies a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing device and second controlling unit based on the service information received by the third receiving unit and associated with identification data identifying the second device.

50. The service providing system according to claim 49, further comprising:

a fifth determining unit that determines whether the second device satisfies predetermined conditions based on the identification data, wherein the restriction controlling unit applies restrictions when the fifth determining unit determines that the second device satisfies the predetermined conditions.

51. The service providing system according to claim 49, further comprising:

a notifying unit that wirelessly transmits notification data regarding the restriction to one of the first and second device; and

a reporting unit provided in one of the first and second device that executes a report regarding the restriction.

52. The service providing system according to claim 49, further comprising:

a restriction removing unit that transmits a command to remove a restriction, wherein the restriction controlling unit removes the restriction based on the command received from the restriction removing unit.

53. The service providing system according to claim 49, wherein the standard for communicating identification data is a wireless LAN standard.

54. The service providing system according to claim 53, wherein the wireless LAN standard is the Bluetooth (trademark) standard.

55. The service providing system according to claim 49, wherein the service produces an image.

56. A service providing device comprising:

a first receiving unit that wirelessly receives identification data transmitted from a first device positioned within a communication range, the first device being capable of wirelesely transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a first determining unit that determines whether the first device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the first receiving unit;

a service providing unit that provides services;

a first controlling unit that controls the provision of services from the service providing unit based on the determination by the first determining unit of whether the first device is positioned within the communication range;

a second receiving unit that wirelessly receives identification data transmitted from a second device positioned within a communication range, the second device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a second determining unit that determines at least one of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the second receiving unit, and whether the second device is nearing the second receiving unit; and

a first restriction controlling unit that applies a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing unit based on one of a first determination by the second determining unit of that the second device is positioned within the communication range, and a second determination by the second determining unit of that the second device is nearing the second receiving unit.

57. A service providing device comprising:

a second receiving unit that wirelessly receives identification data transmitted from a second device positioned within a communication range, the second device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a second determining unit that determines at least one of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the second receiving unit, and whether the second device is nearing the second receiving unit;

a service providing unit that provides services based on commands from an external device; and

a second restriction controlling unit for applying a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing unit based on the commands when the second determining unit performs one of two determinations of that the second device is positioned within the communication range, and that the second device is nearing the second receiving unit.

58. A service providing device comprising:

a first receiving unit that wirelessly receives identification data transmitted from a first device positioned within a communication range, the first device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a second receiving unit that wirelessly receives identification data transmitted from a second device positioned within a communication range, the second device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a third receiving unit that receives services information associated with the identification data;

a first determining unit that determines whether the first device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the first receiving unit;

a second determining unit that determines whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the second receiving unit;

a service providing unit that provides services;

a second controlling unit that controls the provision of services based on the service information received by the third receiving unit and associated with identification data identifying the first device to the service providing device based on the determination by the first determining unit of whether the first device is positioned within the communication range;

a third controlling unit that controls the provision of services based on the service information received by the third receiving unit and associated with identification data identifying the second device to the service providing device based on the determination by the second determining unit of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range; and

a fourth restriction controlling unit that applies a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing unit and second controlling unit based on the service information received by the third receiving unit and associated with identification data identifying the second device.

59. A detecting device comprising:

a first receiving unit that wirelessly receives identification data transmitted from a first device positioned within a communication range, the first device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a first determining unit that determines whether the first device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the first receiving unit;

a first controlling unit that controls the provision of services from a service providing device, based on the determination by the first determining unit of whether the first device is positioned within the communication range;

a second receiving unit that wirelessly receives identification data transmitted from a second device positioned within a communication range, the second device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a second determining unit that determines at least one of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the second receiving unit, and whether the second device is nearing the second receiving unit; and

a first restriction controlling unit that applies a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing device based on one of a first determination by the second determining unit of that the second device is positioned within the communication range, and a second determination by the second determining unit of that the second device is nearing the second receiving unit.

60. A detecting device comprising:

a second receiving unit that wirelessly receives identification data transmitted from a second device positioned within a communication range, the second device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a second determining unit that determines at least one of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the second receiving unit, and whether the second device is nearing the second receiving unit;

a service providing device that provides services based on commands from an external device; and

a second restriction controlling unit that applies a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing device based on the commands when the second determining unit performs one of a first determination of that the second device is positioned within the communication range, and a second determination of that the second device is nearing the second receiving unit.

61. A detecting device comprising:

a first receiving unit that wirelessly receives identification data transmitted from a first device positioned within a communication range, the first device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a second receiving unit that wirelessly receives identification data transmitted from a second device positioned within a communication range, the second device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a third receiving unit that receives service information associated with the identification data;

a first determining unit that determines whether the first device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the first receiving unit;

a second determining unit that determines whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received by the second receiving unit;

a second controlling unit that controls the provision of services based on the service information received by the third receiving unit and associated with identification data identifying the first device to a service providing device for providing services based on the determination by the first determining unit of whether the first device is positioned within the communication range;

a third controlling unit that controls the provision of services based on the service information received by the third receiving unit and associated with identification data identifying the second device to the service providing device based on the determination by the second determining unit of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range; and

a fourth restriction controlling unit that applies a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing device and second controlling unit based on the service information received by the third receiving unit and associated with identification data identifying the second device.

62. A computer program provided in a service providing device that provides services, comprising:

a first receiving process for wirelessly receiving identification data transmitted from a first device positioned within a communication range, the first device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a first determining process for determining whether the first device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received in the first receiving process;

a first controlling process for controlling the provision of services from the service providing device based on the determination in the first determining process of whether the first device is positioned within the communication range;

a second receiving process for wirelessly receiving identification data transmitted from a second device positioned within a communication range, the second device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a second determining process for determining at least one of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received in the second receiving process, and determining whether the second device is nearing the second receiving unit; and

a first restriction controlling process for applying a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing device based on one of a first determination in the second determining process of that the second device is positioned within the communication range, and a second determination in the second determining process of that the second device is nearing the second receiving unit.

63. A recording medium comprising the computer program according to claim 62 recorded thereon.

64. A computer program provided in a service providing device for providing services based on commands from an external device, comprising:

a second receiving process for wirelessly receiving identification data transmitted from a second device positioned within a communication range, the second device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a second determining process for determining at least one of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received in the second receiving process, and determining whether the second device is nearing the second receiving unit; and

a second restriction controlling process for applying a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing device based on the commands when the second determining unit performs either one of a first determination of that the second device is positioned within the communication range, and a second determination of that the second device is nearing the second receiving unit.

65. A recording medium comprising the computer program according to claim 64 recorded thereon.

66. A computer program provided in a service providing device for providing services, comprising:

a first receiving process for wirelessly receiving identification data transmitted from a first device positioned within a communication range, the first device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a second receiving process for wirelessly receiving identification data transmitted from a second device positioned within a communication range, the second device being capable of wirelessly transmitting identification data identifying itself;

a third receiving process for receiving service information associated with the identification data;

a first determining process for determining whether the first device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received in the first receiving process;

a second determining process for determining whether the second device is positioned within the communication range based on the identification data received in the second receiving process;

a second controlling process for controlling the provision of services based on the service information received in the third receiving process and associated with identification data identifying the first device to the service providing device based on the determination in the first determining process of whether the first device is positioned within the communication range;

a third controlling process for controlling the provision of services based on the service information received in the third receiving process and associated with identification data identifying the second device to the service providing device based on the determination in the second determining process of whether the second device is positioned within the communication range; and

a fourth restriction controlling process for applying a restriction on the provision of services from the service providing device and in the second output controlling process based on the service information received in the third receiving process and associated with identification data identifying the second device.

67. A recording medium comprising the computer program according to claim 66 recorded thereon.