Authentication system and authentication method

• US 20060068759A1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Ikebe, Hayato, Ogawa, Kazuya, Hatayama, Yoshinori, Takemura, Hiroshi
• Application Number:
  US11/239,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20060068759A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2818 from a device located outside both the home and the home network access arrangements H04L12/2856; for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025; arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless eletrical link G08C17/00; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with remote control systems H04M11/007
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227

Abstract

A home server according to the present invention includes: a storage unit for storing an operation item indicating a type of operation content of the remote operation, and operation data in which each operation item corresponds with necessity of an authentication; a transmission-reception unit for receiving the operation direction from the remote control terminal; an authentication necessity decider for deciding both the operation item and the necessity of the authentication based on the operation direction received and the operation data; and an authorization verifier for authenticating the operation direction as transmitted by the remote control terminal which has been authorized when the authentication necessity decider determines that the authentication is necessary.

Claims

1. An authentication system for authenticating an operation direction directing remote operation of a remote controlled device connected to a communications network as transmitted by a remote control terminal which has been authorized, comprising:

an operation data storage unit configured to store operation data including an operation item indicating a type of operation content of the remote operation and necessity of an authentication;

an operation direction receiver configured to receive the operation direction from the remote control terminal;

an authentication necessity decider configured to determine the necessity of the authentication based on the operation direction received by the operation direction receiver and the operation data; and

an authenticator configured to authenticate the operation direction as transmitted by the remote control terminal which has been authorized when the authentication necessity decider determines that the authentication is necessary.

2. The authentication system of claim 1, further comprising a signature adder configured to add an electronic signature to the operation direction of the remote operation whose authentication is necessary based on the operation content and the operation data stored in the operation data storage unit, wherein

the authenticator verifies the electronic signature and thereby authenticates the operation direction received by the operation direction receiver as transmitted by the remote control terminal which has been authorized.

3. An authentication method using an authentication system for authenticating an operation direction directing remote operation of a remote controlled device connected to a communications network as transmitted by a remote control terminal which has been authorized, the authentication system including an operation data storage unit for storing operation data including an operation item indicating a type of operation content of the remote operation and necessity of an authentication, the authentication method comprising the steps of:

receiving the operation direction from the remote control terminal; and

authenticating the operation direction as transmitted by the remote control terminal which has been authorized when it is determined that the authentication is necessary based on the operation direction received and the operation data.