Group admission system and server and client therefor

• US 20040162870A1
• Filed: 01/07/2004
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakano, Toshihisa, Futa, Yuichi, Matsuzaki, Natsume
• Granted Patent: US 7,949,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1012 to domains
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/505 Clust
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1008 based on parameters of servers, e.g. available memory or workload monitoring of computer activity G06F11/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/101 based on network conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1021 based on client or server locations
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Disclosed is a group admission system having a client and a server that belongs to a closed group within which contents are available. The client determines whether it is permissible to request to join the group to be a member device thereof based on the number of groups that the client is in and the maximum number of groups that the client is permitted to be in. If permissible, the client transmits a registration request to the server with information unique to the client. The server determines whether to permit the client to join the group by registering with the server based on the number of member devices registered with the server and the maximum number of member devices registerable with the server. If it is permitted, the server registers the unique information, and transmits group identification information to the client. The client receives and stores the group identification information.

Claims

1. 1. A group admission system in which a server and a client determine whether the client is permitted to join a closed group to be a member device thereof, the group being a range within which contents are available, comprising:

a first restricting unit included in the client and operable to determine whether it is permissible for the client to request to join the group based on a number of groups that the client is in and a maximum number of groups that the client is permitted to be in; and

a second restricting unit included in the server that supplies a content to member devices of the group and operable, when the client requests to join the group, to determine whether to permit the client to join the group by registering with the server based on a number of member devices registered with the server and a maximum number of member devices registerable with the server.

2. The group admission system according to claim 1, wherein

when determined permissible by the first restricting unit, the client requests to join the group by transmitting a registration request to the server together with information unique to the client,

when permitted by the second restricting unit, the server receives the registration request and the unique information, registers the received unique information, and transmits group identification information to the client, and

the client receives and stores the group identification information.

3. A server for registering a client that requests to join a group to which the server belongs, the group being a range within which contents are available, comprising:

a receiving unit operable to receive from the client, information unique to the client and a request for registration with the server;

a judging unit operable, when the client is an authorized device, to judge whether a number of member devices registered with the server is less than a maximum number of member devices registerable with the server;

a registering unit operable, when judged that the registered number is less, to register the received unique information; and

a communicating unit operable, on registration of the unique information, to transmit identification information identifying the group to the client.

4. The server according to claim 3, wherein

the judging unit judges whether the unique information is already registered by the registering unit, and

the registering unit prohibits registration of the unique information when judged that the unique information is already registered.

5. The server according to claim 3, wherein

the registration request includes a first authentication value, and

the judging unit prestores a second authentication value, and authenticates the client when the first and second authentication values match.

6. The server according to claim 5, wherein

the first and the second authentication values are passwords.

7. The server according to claim 5, wherein

the registration request includes a first data set on a feature that is extracted from a user'"'"'s fingerprint, and

the judging unit prestores a second data set on a feature that is extracted from a user'"'"'s fingerprint, and judges whether the first and second data sets match.

8. The server according to claim 5, wherein

the registration request includes a first data set on a feature that is extracted from a user'"'"'s iris image, and

the judging unit prestores a second data set on a feature that is extracted from a user'"'"'s iris image, and judges whether the first and second data sets match.

9. The server according to claim 3, wherein

the judging unit authenticates the client when the client is connected to a local area network to which the server is connected.

10. The server according to claim 3, wherein

when another server that belongs to the group is designated as a main server of the group,

the communicating unit transfers, on the receiving unit receiving the registration request and the unique information, the received registration request and unique information to the main server,

the main server registers the unique information when judging that a number of member devices registered with the main server is less than a maximum number of member devices registerable with the main server, and outputs representative identification information as a judgment result to the server, the representative identification information identifying a group to which the main server belongs,

the judging unit receives the judgment result instead of judging whether the registered number is less than the maximum number, and

the communicating unit transmits the received judgment result to the client.

11. The server according to claim 10, wherein

the communicating unit includes a designating subunit operable to designate one of the server and the other server as the main server.

12. The server according to claim 11, wherein

the designating subunit designates the main server based on at least one of predetermined conditions that are priority ranks, performance capabilities, and processing statuses of the servers.

13. The server according to claim 3, wherein

the communicating unit further transmits inquiry information to another server that belongs to the group, the inquiry information including the received unique information and inquiring as to whether the client is registerable with the other server,

the other server judges whether a number of member devices registered with the other server is less than a maximum number of member devices registerable with the other server, and when judged that the registered number is less, registers the unique information and transmits identification information as a judgment result to the server, the identification information identifying a group to which the other server belongs,

the judging unit receives the judgment result from the other server instead of judging whether the registered number is less than the maximum number, and

the communicating unit transmits the received judgment result to the client.

14. The server according to claim 13, wherein

the communicating unit transmits the inquiry information to the other server when the judging unit judges that the registered number is equal to the maximum number.

15. The server according to claim 13, wherein

the communicating unit acquires from the other server, first identification information identifying the group to which the other server belongs,

the judging unit prestores second identification information identifying the group to which the server belongs, and judges whether the acquired first identification information matches the second identification information, and

the communicating unit transmits the inquiry information when the first identification information matches the second identification information.

16. The server according to claim 3, wherein

the communicating unit acquires from a management device that is external to the group, a number of member devices registerable with the server, and makes a payment according to the acquired number, and

the judging unit sets the acquired number as the maximum number.

17. The server according to claim 3, wherein

the communicating unit acquires from a management device that is external to the group, a number of member devices additionally registerable with the server, and makes a payment according to the acquired number, and

the judging unit adds the acquired number to the maximum number to obtain a new maximum number.

18. The server according to claim 3, further comprising:

a content storage unit operable to store a content key and a content that is encrypted using the content key;

a key generating unit operable to generate a session key; and

an encrypting unit operable to encrypt the content key using the session key to obtain an encrypted content key, wherein

the receiving unit receives a content transmission request and unique information from a client,

the judging unit judges whether unique information identical to the received unique information is registered, and

the communicating unit transmits, when judged that identical unique information is registered, the encrypted content and the encrypted content key to the client that issued the content transmission request.

19. The server according to claim 3, wherein

the registering unit generates valid period information showing a valid period during which the registered unique information remains valid, stores the valid period information associatively with the unique information, monitors expiry of the valid period, and deletes the unique information on expiry of the valid period, and

the judging unit increments the registered number on registration of the unique information, and decrements the registered number on deletion of the unique information.

20. The server according to claim 19, wherein

the communicating unit transmits, on registration of the unique information, the valid period information to the client.

21. The server according to claim 19, wherein

on expiry of the valid period, the communicating unit transmits to the client, an expiry notification indicating that the valid period has expired.

22. The server according to claim 3, wherein

the receiving unit receives a withdrawal request and unique information from a client,

the registering unit deletes unique information that is identical to the unique information received with the withdrawal request, and

the judging unit increments the registered number on registration of the unique information, and decrements the registered number on deletion of the unique information.

23. The server according to claim 22, wherein

the registering unit registers the deleted unique information in a withdrawal list,

the judging unit judges whether the withdrawal list includes unique information identical to the unique information that is received with the registration request, and

the registering unit prohibits registration of the unique information when judged that identical unique information is in the withdrawal list.

24. The server according to claim 3, further comprising a selecting unit operable, in conjunction with another server, to select whether each client in the group is to remain in the group or to be withdrawn from the group and join another group to which the other server belongs, wherein

the registering unit deletes unique information corresponding to the client selected to be withdrawn from the group and decrements the registered number by a number of pieces of unique information deleted.

25. The server according to claim 24, wherein

the selecting unit further selects, from the servers belonging to the group, a server to be designated as the other server.

26. The servers according to claim 24, wherein

the selecting unit further selects, from the clients in the group, a client to be designated as the other server.

27. The server according to claim 26, wherein

the selecting unit selects the client to be designated as the other server based on at least one of predetermined conditions that are priority ranks, performance capabilities, and processing statuses of the clients in the group.

28. The server according to claim 24, wherein

the receiving unit further receives a priority rank of each client, and

the selecting unit makes the selection based on the priority ranks.

29. The server according to claim 24, wherein

the registering unit includes:

a timer subunit operable to clock a date-time; and

a unique information writing subunit operable, when judged that the registered number is less than the maximum number, to acquire a date-time clocked by the timer subunit as a registration date-time, and to register the unique information associatively with the registration date-time in a registration list, and

the selecting unit makes the selection based on registration dates-times.

30. The server according to claim 3, wherein

the judging unit judges whether a number of pieces of unique information registered in a registration list is less than the maximum number, and

the registering unit registers the received unique information in the registration list when judged that the number of registered pieces is less.

31. The server according to claim 30, further comprising an input unit operable to receive unique information inputted from an external source, wherein

the judging unit registers the received unique information in a provisional registration list, and judges, on the receiving unit receiving the unique information, whether the provisional registration list includes unique information that is identical to the unique information received by the receiving unit, and

the registering unit registers the unique information received by the receiving unit when judged that the registered number is less than the maximum number and that identical unique information is registered in the provisional registration list.

32. The server according to claim 30, wherein

the communicating unit transmits the registration list to another server belonging to the group and receives another registration list from the other server, so that the registration lists are exchanged,

the judging unit extracts from the other registration list, unique information that is not registered in the registration list, and judges whether a number of pieces of unique information extracted is not greater than a remaining number that is a difference between the registered number and the maximum number, and

the registering unit additionally registers the extracted unique information in the registration list when judged that the number of extracted pieces is not greater, and when judged that the number of extracted pieces is greater, selects as many pieces of unique information as the maximum number from the unique information in the registration list and the extracted unique information, and renews the registration list by registering the thus selected unique information.

33. The server according to claim 32, wherein

the registering unit includes:

a timer subunit operable to clock a date-time; and

a unique information writing subunit operable, when judged that the registered number is less than the maximum number, to acquire a date-time clocked by the timer subunit as a registration date-time and to register the unique information associatively with the registration date-time in the registration list, and

when judged that the number of extracted pieces is greater, the unique information writing subunit makes the selection of unique information in an ascending order of registration dates-times.

34. The server according to claim 32, wherein

the receiving unit acquires a priority rank of each client, and

when judged that the number of extracted pieces is greater, the registering unit makes the selection of unique information in a decreasing order of priority ranks.

35. The server according to claim 32, wherein

the communicating unit acquires from the other server, first identification information identifying a group to which the other server belongs,

the judging unit prestores second identification information identifying a group to which the server belongs, and judges whether the acquired first identification information matches the second identification information, and

the communicating unit exchanges the registration lists when the two pieces of identification information match.

36. The server according to claim 30, further comprising a determining unit operable, when a new group is to be formed by merging the group with another group and when the server is determined to belong to the new group, to determine, in conjunction with another server belonging to the other group, new-group identification information identifying the new group, wherein

the communicating unit transmits the registration list to the other server, and receives from the other server another registration list stored in the other server,

the judging unit extracts from the other registration list, unique information that is not registered in the registration list, judges whether a number of pieces of unique information extracted is not greater than a remaining number that is a difference between the registered number and the maximum number, increments the registered number by the number of extracted pieces when the number of extracted pieces is not greater, and alters the registered number to be equal to the maximum number when the number of extracted pieces is greater,

the registering unit additionally registers the extracted unique information in the registration list when the number of extracted pieces is not greater, and when judged that the number of extracted pieces is greater, selects as many pieces of unique information as the maximum number from the unique information in the registration list and the extracted unique information and renews the registration list by registering the thus selected unique information, and

the communicating unit transmits the new-group identification to each client corresponding to the unique information registered in the registration list.

37. The server according to claim 36, wherein

the registering unit includes:

a timer subunit operable to clock a date-time; and

a unique information writing subunit operable, when judged that the registered number is less than the maximum number, to acquire a date-time clocked by the timer subunit as a registration date-time, and to register in the registration list, the unique information associatively with the registration date-time,

when judged that the number of extracted pieces is greater, the unique information writing subunit-makes the selection of unique information in an ascending order of registration dates-times.

38. The server according to claim 36, wherein

the receiving unit further receives a priority rank of each client, and

when judged that the number of extracted pieces is greater, the registering unit makes the selection of unique information in a decreasing order of priority ranks.

39. A client for joining a group by registering with a server that belongs to the group, the group being a range within which contents are available, comprising:

a judging unit operable, when the server is an authorized device, to judge whether a number of groups that the client is registered to be in is less than a maximum number of groups that the client is permitted to be in;

a communicating unit operable, when judged that the registered number is less, to transmit to the server, a request for registration with the server together with information unique to the client, and receive from the server, identification information identifying the group to which the server belongs; and

a registering unit operable to register the received identification information.

40. The client according to claim 39, further comprising an input receiving unit operable to receive an authentication value from an external source, wherein

the communicating unit transmits the registration request that includes the authentication value.

41. The client according to claim 40, wherein

the input receiving unit receives a password as the authentication value.

42. The client according to claim 40, wherein

the input receiving unit receives a user'"'"'s fingerprint as the authentication value, and extracts a feature from the fingerprint, and

the communicating unit transmits the registration request that includes the feature.

43. The client according to claim 40, wherein

the input receiving unit receives a user'"'"'s iris image as the authentication value, and extracts a feature from the iris image, and

the communicating unit transmits the registration request that includes the feature.

44. The client according to claim 39, wherein

the judging unit selects a server from among a plurality servers belonging to the group based on at least one of predetermined conditions that are a distance to the client, a time period taken to communicate with the client, a performance capability, and a processing states of each server, and

the communicating unit transmits the registration request and the unique information to the selected server.

45. The client according to claim 39, wherein

the communicating unit acquires from a management device that is external to the group, a number of groups that the client is permitted to be in, and makes a payment according to the acquired number, and

the judging unit sets the acquired number as the maximum number.

46. The client according to claim 39, wherein

the communicating unit acquires from a management device that is external to the group, a number of groups that the client is additionally permitted to be in, and makes a payment according to the acquired number, and

the judging unit adds the acquired number to the maximum number to obtain a new maximum number.

47. The client according to claim 39, wherein

the communicating unit receives, after transmitting the registration request, valid period information showing a valid period during which the client remains registered with the server,

the registering unit monitors expiry of the valid period, and deletes the identification information on expiry of the valid period, and

the judging unit increments the registered number on registration of the identification information, and decrements the registered number on deletion of the identification information.

48. The client according to claim 39, wherein

the communicating unit further receives, after receiving the identification information, a notification informing that the valid period has expired,

the registering unit deletes the identification information on receipt of the notification, and

the judging unit increments the registered number on registration of the identification information and decrements the registered number on deletion of the identification information.

49. The client according to claim 39, wherein

the communicating unit transmits to the server, a request for withdrawal of the client from the group, and receives from the server a notification informing that the requested withdrawal is completed,

the registering unit deletes the identification information on receipt of the notification, and

the judging unit increments the registered number on registration of the identification information and decrements the registered number on deletion of the identification information.

50. The client according to claim 49, wherein

the registering unit registers the deleted identification information in a withdrawal list,

the communicating unit acquires, before transmitting the registration request, the identification information from the server,

the judging unit judges whether the withdrawal list includes identification information that is identical to the acquired identification information anywhere in the withdrawal list or at a last of the withdrawal list in a registration order, and

the communicating unit transmits the registration request to the server when judged that no identical identification information is registered in the withdrawal list or when identical information is registered at the last of the withdrawal list.

51. The client according to claim 39, wherein

the communicating unit receives from one of the server belonging to the group and another server belonging to another group, identification information identifying a group to which a corresponding server belongs, and

the registering unit deletes the registered identification information and newly registers the further received identification information, so that the client joins the group identified by the further received identification information.

52. The client according to claim 39, further comprising a selecting unit operable, when the client is designated a server of another group and in conjunction with the server of the group, to select whether each client in the group is to remain in the group or to be withdrawn from the group and join the other group, wherein

the communicating unit transmits identification information identifying the other group to the client selected to join the other group, and

the registering unit deletes the identification registered, and registers unique information of the client selected to join the other group.

53. The client according to claim 52, wherein

the communicating unit acquires from the server, unique information of the client selected by the selecting unit to join the other group.