Device control system

• US 7,424,733 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Kamiwada, Toru, Fujita, Takushi, Azami, Toshihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Barron, Jr.; Gilberto
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinh; Minh
• Application Number:
  US09/955,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20020180581A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,546 Days
• Field of Search: 713/168, 713/170, 713/176, 713/193, 340/5.2, 340/5.22, 340/5.5, 340/5.54, 340/5.61, 726/4, 726/7
• US Class Current: 726/4
• 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 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226

Abstract

The object of the present invention is, in a device control system that controls devices within a house, to reduce the effort required of a user during authentication, as well as to prevent unauthorized access by a third party. A device control system access restriction method includes the steps of accepting registration of terminal information for associating an identifier unique to an operating terminal with operating terminal access right, of accepting instruction information including operating terminal identifier and instruction signals relating to operations of a device, of determining the access right of an operating terminal based on the operating terminal identifier included in instruction information, and of controlling the device based on operating terminal access right and instruction signals relating to that device.

Claims

1. A device control server interconnected over a home network with a plurality of different types of devices in a home, said server controlling one or more of said plurality of different types of devices based on instruction information, relating to the operation of one or more of said plurality of different types of devices, sent from a single operating terminal directly to each of said plurality of devices, said server comprising:

terminal information acceptance means for accepting registration of the single operating terminal for the purpose of associating a unique identifier set for said single operating terminal with an operating terminal access right for accessing said one or more devices of said plurality of different types of devices connected on the home network;

terminal information storage means for storing said terminal information;

instruction information acceptance means for accepting instruction information that includes an identifier for said operating terminal and instruction signals relating to said operating terminal;

access right determination means for determining the access right of said operating terminal based on said instruction information; and

device control means controlling said one or more devices based on the access right of said single operating terminal as determined by said access right determination means and on instruction signals transmitted directly from said single operating terminal to said one or more devices included in said instruction information.

2. A device control server according to claim 1, further comprising:

public key acceptance means for, when accepting registration of said terminal information for accessing said one or more devices connected to the home network;

accepting a public key set for said operating terminal and storing said public key along with said terminal information in said terminal information storage means; and

operating terminal authentication means for performing authentication on said operating terminal by sending predetermined data, receiving said predetermined data after encryption thereof at said operating terminal using a secret key, decrypting using said public key, and comparing with said predetermined data.

3. A device control server according to claim 1, further comprising:

electronic information acquisition means for acquiring electronic information and

electronic information storage means for storing electronic information acquired by said electronic information acquisition means, wherein;

when said instruction signals relating to operation of said one or more devices include access to electronic information stored in said electronic information storage means, said access right determination means determines the access right of said operating terminal before determining whether or not to allow presentation of said electronic information.

4. A device control server according to claim 1, further comprising external communication means capable of connecting with an external network existing outside the house, wherein:

when said instruction signals relating to operation of said one or more devices include access to said external network, said access right determination means determines the access right of said operating terminal before determining whether to grant access to said external network.

5. A device control server according to claim 4, wherein determination of whether to grant access is made for each content on said external network.

6. A device control server according to claim 1, further comprising terminal location determination means for determining whether said operating terminal is inside or outside the house based on instruction information accepted by said instruction acceptance means, wherein said access right determination means determines access right for said operating terminal based on determination results of said terminal location determination means.

7. A device control server according to claim 1, further comprising individual information acceptance means accepting registration of individual information for associating information relating to a user operating said operating terminal with said operating terminal, wherein said access right determination means extracts individual information associated with this operating terminal based on said operating terminal identifier included in said instruction information, and determines access right based on said individual information and said terminal information.