Mobile unit authenticating method

• US 7,418,594 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2002
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Miyake, Izumi, Tanaka, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Moise; Emmanuel L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Davis; Zachary A
• Application Number:
  US10/061,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20020108038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,395 Days
• Field of Search: 380/247, 713/168, 713/169, 726/4, 726/5, 726/9, 455/406, 455/420, 455/410, 455/411, 455/414.1, 705/77, 705/52, 705/53, 705/26
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/425 using two different networks, one for transaction and one for security confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215

Abstract

Before obtaining service from an installed terminal, a mobile unit can be authenticated (subauthenticated) only by the operation of the mobile unit such as an unauthenticated digital camera, etc. using an authenticated mobile phone. A digital camera is radio-connected with an installed terminal, and the digital camera is also radio-connected with a mobile phone of a user. The installed terminal center is notified of the identification code of the mobile phone through the digital camera and the installed terminal. The installed terminal center inquires of the carrier center about the validity/invalidity of the mobile phone. Upon receipt of the notification of the validity of the mobile phone from the carrier center, the installed terminal center permits service to the installed terminal in the installed terminal.

Claims

1. A mobile unit authenticating method which authenticates a first mobile unit of a user when service is offered through communications of digital content between an installed terminal and the first mobile unit, comprising the steps of:

connecting the first mobile unit of the user to the installed terminal;

connecting the first mobile unit to a second mobile unit of the user which has been authenticated by another system;

transmitting identification information about the second mobile unit to the installed terminal through the first mobile unit;

transmitting the identification information about the second mobile unit from the installed terminal or an installed terminal center which integrally manages a plurality of installed terminals including the installed terminal to a management center which manages the identification information about the second mobile unit when the installed terminal receives the identification information about the second mobile unit;

determining whether or not the second mobile unit is valid based on the received identification information about the second mobile unit when the management center receives the identification information about the second mobile unit;

transmitting a determination result to the installed terminal or the installed terminal center;

setting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit as allowed in the installed terminal if it is determined that the second mobile unit is valid; and

if service is set as allowed, processing, in the installed terminal, digital content provided by the first mobile unit in accordance with a requested service.

2. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 1, wherein determining whether or not the second mobile unit is valid comprises:

transmitting, from the management center, information about a current position of the second mobile unit to the installed terminal or the installed terminal center;

comparing, at the installed terminal or the installed terminal center, a position of the installed terminal with the current position of the second mobile unit; and

allowing or rejecting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit based on a result of the comparison.

3. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting, to the installed terminal or the installed terminal center, information about a largest possible amount to be billed to the second mobile unit;

calculating a charge to carry out a requested service; and

rejecting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit if an amount of the calculated charge for the requested service in the installed terminal is greater than the largest possible amount to be billed.

4. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 1, wherein the installed terminal or the installed terminal center transmits charges to the management center for processing the digital content in the installed terminal, and the management center includes the charges in a billed amount of the user of the second mobile unit.

5. A mobile unit authenticating method which authenticates a first mobile unit of a user when service is offered through communications of digital content between an installed terminal and the first mobile unit, comprising the steps of:

connecting the first mobile unit of the user to the installed terminal;

connecting the first mobile unit to a second mobile unit of the user which has been authenticated by another system;

obtaining identification information about the installed terminal;

transmitting the identification information about the installed terminal and identification information about the second mobile unit to a management center for managing the identification information about the second mobile unit;

determining whether or not the second mobile unit is valid based on the received identification information about the second mobile unit when the management center receives the identification information about the second mobile unit;

transmitting a determination result to the installed terminal or an installed terminal center for integrally managing a plurality of installed terminals including the installed terminal;

setting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit as allowed in the installed terminal based on the determination result; and

if service is set as allowed, processing, in the installed terminal, digital content provided by the first mobile unit in accordance with a requested service.

6. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 5, wherein determining whether or not the second mobile unit is valid comprises:

transmitting from the management center information about a current position of the second mobile unit to the installed terminal or the installed terminal center;

comparing a position of the installed terminal with the current position of the second mobile unit; and

allowing or rejecting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit based on a result of the comparison.

7. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 5, further comprising:

transmitting, to the installed terminal or the installed terminal center, information about a largest possible amount to be billed to the second mobile unit;

calculating a charge to carry out a requested service; and

rejecting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit if an amount of the calculated charge for the requested service is greater than the largest possible amount to be billed.

8. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 5, wherein the installed terminal or the installed terminal center transmits charges to the management center for processing the digital content in the installed tenninal, and the management center includes the charges in a billed amount of the user of the second mobile unit.

9. A mobile unit authenticating method which authenticates a first mobile unit of a user when service is offered through communications of digital content between an installed terminal and the first mobile unit, comprising the steps of:

connecting the first mobile unit of the user to the installed terminal;

connecting the first mobile unit to a second mobile unit of the user which has been authenticated by another system;

transmitting identification information about the second mobile unit to the installed terminal through the first mobile unit;

transmitting the identification information about the second mobile unit from the installed terminal or an installed terminal center which integrally manages a plurality of installed terminals including the installed terminal to a management center which manages the identification information about the second mobile unit when the installed terminal receives the identification information about the second mobile unit;

determining whether or not the second mobile unit is valid based on the received identification information about the second mobile unit when the management center receives the identification information about the second mobile unit;

transmitting a determination result to the installed terminal or the installed terminal center;

setting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit as allowed in the installed terminal if it is determined that the second mobile unit is valid;

the installed terminal obtaining image files to be printed from the first mobile unit if service is set as allowed; and

printing the image files to be printed in the installed terminal.

10. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 9, wherein determining whether or not the second mobile unit is valid comprises:

transmitting, from the management center, information about a current position of the second mobile unit to the installed terminal or the installed terminal center;

comparing, at the installed terminal or the installed terminal center, a position of the installed terminal with the current position of the second mobile unit; and

allowing or rejecting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit based on a result of the comparison.

11. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting, to the installed terminal or the installed terminal center, information about a largest possible amount to be billed to the second mobile unit; and

rejecting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit when an amount billed to the user for service in the installed terminal is greater than the largest possible amount to be billed.

12. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 9, wherein the installed terminal or the installed terminal center transmits charges to the management center for service rates on offered service in the installed terminal, and the management center includes the service rates in a billed amount of the user of the second mobile unit.

13. A mobile unit authenticating method which authenticates a first mobile unit of a user when service is offered through communications of digital content between an installed terminal and the first mobile unit, comprising the steps of:

connecting the first mobile unit of the user to the installed terminal;

connecting the first mobile unit to a second mobile unit of the user which has been authenticated by another system;

obtaining identification information about the installed terminal;

transmitting the identification information about the installed terminal and identification information about the second mobile unit to a management center for managing the identification information about the second mobile unit;

determining whether or not the second mobile unit is valid based on the received identification information about the second mobile unit when the management center receives the identification information about the second mobile unit;

transmitting a determination result to the installed terminal or an installed terminal center for integrally managing a plurality of installed terminals including the installed terminal;

setting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit as allowed in the installed terminal based on the determination result;

the installed terminal obtaining image files to be printed from the first mobile unit if service is set as allowed; and

printing the image files to be printed in the installed terminal.

14. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 13, wherein determining whether or not the second mobile unit is valid comprises:

transmitting from the management center information about a current position of the second mobile unit to the installed terminal or the installed terminal center;

comparing a position of the installed terminal with the current position of the second mobile unit; and

allowing or rejecting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit based on a result of the comparison.

15. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 13, further comprising:

transmitting, to the installed terminal or the installed terminal center, information about a largest possible amount to be billed to the second mobile unit; and

rejecting service between the installed terminal and the first mobile unit when a billed amount of the user for the service in the installed terminal is greater than the largest possible amount to be billed.

16. The mobile unit authenticating method according to claim 13, wherein the installed terminal or the installed terminal center transmits charges to the management center for service rates on offered service in the installed terminal, and the management center includes the service rates in a billed amount of the user of the second mobile unit.