Communication system and method, information processing terminal and method, and information processing device and method

• US 8,019,359 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2010
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Oba, Haruo, Ayatsuka, Yuji
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US12/801,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20100235884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 455/461, 455/456.1, 455/456.3, 455/412
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/445 by mutual authentication, e.g. between devices or programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• 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 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communication system and method, an information processing terminal and method, and an information processing device and method which enable simple and secure restricted access. When a PDA 11 is brought close, a reader 2 of a personal computer 1 reads a device ID form an IC tag 12. The personal computer 1 registers device IDs on a connection permission list, and permits only devices registered on the list to connect. When being instructed to perform accessing, the PDA 11 controls a communication unit to access the personal computer 1 and to transmits its device ID. The personal computer 1 determines whether or not the transmitted ID is registered on the connection permission list, and permits the connection when determining that the ID is registered. The present invention can be applied to various information processing devices such as a personal computer and a PDA.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising;

a storing unit for storing first identification information, wherein the first identification information includes a first number;

an acquiring unit for acquiring second identification information from another information processing apparatus by short distance wireless communication, wherein the second identification information includes a second number; and

an establishing unit for establishing wireless communication with the other information processing apparatus,

wherein the establishing unit establishes wireless communication by sending a request to the other information processing apparatus when the first identification information is determined to be greater than the second identification information based on a comparison of the first and second numbers, and

wherein the establishing unit establishes a wireless communication based on a request from the other information processing apparatus when the second identification information is determined to be greater than the first identification information based on the comparison of the first and second numbers.

2. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a communication unit for receiving an instruction to communicate with the other information processing apparatus.

3. The information processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the acquiring unit acquires the second identification information in response to the instruction.

4. The information processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the instruction includes the request to establish a connection with the other information processing apparatus.

5. The information processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the establishing unit establishes the wireless communication with the other information processing apparatus after receiving the instruction.

6. The information processing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is in a first mode before acquiring second identification information from another information processing apparatus.

7. The information processing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the information processing apparatus switches from the first mode to a second mode to establish the wireless communication with the other information processing apparatus.

8. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an authentication unit for authenticating the other information processing apparatus.

9. The information processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the authentication unit performs mutual authentication between the information processing apparatus and the other information processing apparatus.

10. The information processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the authentication unit performs mutual authentication between the information processing apparatus and the other information processing apparatus before establishing the wireless communication with the other information processing apparatus.

11. The information processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the authentication unit authenticates the other information processing apparatus before establishing the wireless communication with the other information processing apparatus.

12. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein establishing the wireless communication includes changing a first mode of the information processing device to a second mode.

13. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first identification information identifies a property of the information processing apparatus, and the second identification information identifies a property of the other information processing apparatus.

14. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the acquiring unit includes an antenna for outputting an electric wave.

15. The information processing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the information processing apparatus communicates with the other information processing apparatus by transmitting the electric wave to an antenna of the other information processing apparatus.

16. A communication method being executed by an information processing apparatus, comprising:

storing, in a storage unit of the information processing apparatus, a first identification information, wherein the first identification information includes a first number;

acquiring second identification information from another information processing apparatus by short distance wireless communication, wherein the second identification information includes a second number; and

establishing wireless communication with the other information processing apparatus,

wherein the wireless communication is established by sending a request to the other information processing apparatus when the first identification information is determined to be greater than the second identification information based on a comparison of the first and second numbers, and

wherein the wireless communication is established based on a request from the other information processing apparatus when the second identification information is determined to be greater than the first identification information based on the comparison of the first and second numbers.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

switching, the information processing apparatus, from a first mode to a second mode to establish the wireless communication with the other information processing apparatus.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

authenticating the other information processing apparatus before establishing the wireless communication with the other information processing apparatus.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving an instruction to communicate with the other information processing apparatus.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the instruction includes the request to establish a connection the other information processing apparatus, and the second identification information is acquired in response to the instruction.

21. A computer-readable medium storage comprising instructions which, when executed on a processor, causes the processor to perform a communication method between an information processing apparatus and another information processing apparatus, the method comprising:

storing a first identification information, wherein the first identification information includes a first number;

acquiring second identification information from another information processing apparatus by short distance wireless communication, wherein the second identification information includes a second number; and

establishing wireless communication with the other information processing apparatus,

wherein the wireless communication is established by sending a request to the other information processing apparatus when the first identification information is determined to be greater than the second identification information based on a comparison of the first and second numbers, and

wherein the wireless communication is established based on a request from the other information processing apparatus when the second identification information is determined to be greater than the first identification information based on the comparison of the first and second numbers.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21, wherein the method further comprises:

authenticating the other information processing apparatus before establishing the wireless communication with the other information processing apparatus; and

switching, the information processing apparatus, from a first mode to a second mode to establish the wireless communication with the other information processing apparatus.