Communication system, license management system, mobile terminal, communication method, communication program for a mobile terminal and control device

Abstract

Communication system (1) comprising: a mobile terminal (300) that can be operated by a user; and a control device (200) which is designed for communication with the mobile terminal (300), wherein the mobile terminal (300) sends and receives information to and from an external device (100) via a communication network (400) and sends and receives information to and from the control device (200) via wireless near-field communication, the mobile terminal (300) comprises: a communication network connection controller (324) for controlling the connection to the communication network (400), and a device connection controller (325) for controlling the connection to the control device (200) via wireless near-field communication, the control device (200) comprises: an information receiver (231) for receiving information from the mobile terminal (300) via wireless near-field communication, and the communication network connection controller (324) disconnects the connection to the communication network (400) when the mobile terminal (300) is in proximity to the control device (200) in order to establish the connection to the control device (200) via wireless near-field communication.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication system, a license management system, a mobile terminal, a communication method, a communication program for a mobile terminal, and a control device. Technical background

[0002] For example, in one known system, the user of a computer or control device can purchase a paid license to use additional functions on the device. JP 2004-139238 A describes a system in which a user's mobile phone receives a license certificate from a license management server, and a user's terminal device receives the license certificate from the mobile phone to enable use of the software purchased by the user on the terminal device.

[0003] The document US 2016 / 0 381 494 A1 discloses a relay device that forwards communication between an internal network and an external network.

[0004] A method for extending the functionality of a field device is known from DE 10 2016 124 671 A1.

[0005] DE 10 2019 116 209 A1 discloses a method for activating or deactivating at least one hardware and / or software functionality of an automation component.

[0006] A method for user management of a field device in automation technology is disclosed in DE 10 2018 102 608 A1. A computer-implemented method for enabling licensing in an industrial automation environment is disclosed in US 2008 / 0 082 449 A1. Brief description of the inventionTechnical problem

[0007] In the system described in JP 2004 - 139 238 A, a user's terminal can send and receive data to and from external terminals via a communications network, so that it can be unauthorizedly operated by an external terminal via the communications network. For example, a user's terminal that controls or monitors the production line of a factory must not be connected to a communications network to prevent unauthorized operation by external terminals. However, in the system described in JP 2004 - 139 238 A, a mobile phone can send and receive data to and from external terminals via a communications network at any time, so that the user's terminal can be unauthorizedly operated by an external terminal via the mobile phone.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to protect a control device from unauthorized operation by a third person. Solution to the problem

[0009] To achieve the above object, a communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a mobile terminal operable by a user and a control device configured to communicate with the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal sends and receives information to and from an external device via a communication network and sends and receives information to and from the control device via wireless near-field communication. The mobile terminal includes a communication network connection controller for controlling the connection to the communication network and a device connection controller for controlling the connection to the control device via wireless near-field communication. The control device includes an information receiver for receiving information from the mobile terminal via wireless near-field communication.The communication network connection controller disconnects the connection to the communication network when the mobile terminal is close to the control device to establish the connection to the control device via near-field wireless communication. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0010] In the communication system according to the above aspect of the present disclosure, when the mobile terminal and the control device are connected via near-field wireless communication, no connection is established between the mobile terminal and the communication network, and an external terminal used by a third party cannot connect to the mobile terminal via the communication network. When the mobile terminal and the control device are connected, an external terminal cannot connect to the control device via the mobile terminal. Therefore, in the communication system according to the above aspect of the present disclosure, when the mobile terminal and the control device are connected, the control device is less likely to be unauthorizedly operated by a third party, compared with a communication system in which the mobile terminal and the communication network are always connected. Short description of the characters Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a license management system according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating communication of information between devices under a license provided in accordance with Embodiment 1. Fig. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the license management system according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of each device illustrating the hardware configuration according to Embodiment 1. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display of license information in Embodiment 1. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a paper support in Embodiment 1. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of displaying device identification information in Embodiment 1. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of displaying output request information in Embodiment 1. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the display of license management information in Embodiment 1. Fig. 10 shows a flowchart for an Internet connection control procedure in Embodiment 1. Fig. 11 is a sequence diagram showing communication of information between devices under a license provided according to Embodiment 2. Fig. 12 shows a block diagram of a license management system according to Embodiment 2. Fig. 13 shows a block diagram of a license management system according to Embodiment 3. Fig. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating communication of information between devices under a license provided in accordance with Embodiment 3. Fig. 15 shows a functional block diagram of the license management system according to Embodiment 3. Fig. 16 shows a flowchart for a program authentication procedure in Embodiment 3. Description of embodiments

[0011] A communication system, a license management system, a mobile terminal, a communication method, a communication program for a mobile terminal, and a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the figures. In the figures, like reference numerals denote like or corresponding components. Embodiment 1License Management System 1

[0012] A license management system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure is an example of a communication system in which, for example, a user of a device for controlling or monitoring the production facility of a factory purchases a fee-based license to use additional functions on the control device.

[0013] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the license management system 1 includes a license management server 100 that manages a license, a device to be licensed 200 as an example of a control device for which the license is provided, and a mobile terminal 300 used by the user of the device to be licensed 200. The license management server 100 as an external device and the mobile terminal 300 can send and receive information to and from each other via the Internet 400 as an example of a communication network. In contrast, the device to be licensed 200 cannot fundamentally send or receive information to or from the license management server 100 and the mobile terminal 300 via the Internet 400.However, the device 200 to be licensed can send and receive information to and from the mobile terminal 300 via near-field communication (NFC) conforming to the NFC standard, as an example of short-range wireless communication. NFC conforming to the NFC standard will be referred to simply as NFC hereinafter. In the license management system 1 shown in FIG. 2, when the user purchases a license to use a specific function on the device 200 to be licensed, the mobile terminal 300 sends issue request information indicating a request to issue the license to the license management server 100. After receiving the issue request information, the license management server 100 issues license information indicating that the license is provided to the mobile terminal 300. After receiving the license information, the mobile terminal 300 transmits the license information to the device 200 to be licensed when the user brings the mobile terminal 300 close to the device 200 to be licensed to establish NFC. After receiving the license information, the device 200 to be licensed activates the specific function, or in other words, performs activation based on the license information.This allows the device 200 to be licensed to use the additional function specified based on the license information.

[0014] The device 200 to be licensed also transmits device identification information for identifying the device 200 to be licensed to the mobile terminal 300. After receiving the device identification information, the mobile terminal 300 generates license management information including the device identification information and the license information and transmits the license management information to the license management server 100. After receiving the license management information, the license management server 100 stores the license management information. Storing the license management information enables the license management server 100 to manage the license.

[0015] License Management Server 100 The License Management Server 100 is, for example, a computer with the function of a database server. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the license management server 100 includes a memory 110 that stores license management information, an information processor 120 that processes the license management information, and an external communicator 130 that communicates with an external terminal via the Internet 400. The memory 110 includes a license management information memory 111 that stores license management information. The information processor 120 includes a license information issuer 121 that issues the license information. The external communicator 130 includes an output request information receiver 131 that receives the output request information, a license information sender 132 that transmits the license information, and a license management information receiver 133 that receives the license management information.

[0016] Device to be licensed 200 The device to be licensed 200 is, for example, a graphic operation terminal (GOT, registered trademark) as an example of a display. The GOT (registered trademark) is connected, for example, to a programmable logic controller (PLC) as an example of a control device that controls the production equipment of a factory. The touchscreen of the GOT displays the states of the switches and sensors installed in the equipment, allowing a user to operate the switches and sensors on the screen.

[0017] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the device 200 to be licensed includes a memory 210 that stores license management information, an information processor 220 that processes the license management information, and an NFC communicator 230 that communicates with an external terminal via NFC. The memory 210 includes a device identification information memory 211 that stores the device identification information, and a license information memory 212 that stores the license information. The information processor 220 includes a function activator 221 that activates the specific function based on the license information. The NFC communicator 230 includes a license information receiver 231 as an example of an information receiver that receives the license information, and a device identification information transmitter 232 that transmits the device identification information. Mobile device 300

[0018] The mobile terminal 300 is, for example, a smartphone as an example of a portable computer. The mobile terminal 300 includes a memory 310 that stores license management information, an information processor 320 that processes the license management information, and an external communicator 330 that communicates with an external terminal via the Internet 400. The mobile terminal 300 also includes an NFC communicator 340 that communicates with an external terminal via NFC, and an imager 350 that captures an image of a two-dimensional code printed on a paper medium.

[0019] The memory 310 includes a license management information memory 311 that stores the license management information. The information processor 320 includes an output request information generator 321 that generates output request information, a license information acquirer 322 as an example of an information acquirer that acquires license information, and a license management information generator 323 that generates license management information. The information processor 320 also includes an internet connection controller 324 as an example of a communication network connection controller that controls the connection to the internet 400, and a device connection controller 325 that controls the NFC connection to the device 200 to be licensed.The external communicator 330, as an example of an information transmitter and receiver, includes an output request information transmitter 331 that transmits output request information, a license information receiver 332 that receives license information, and a license management information transmitter 333 that transmits license management information. The NFC communicator 340 includes a license information transmitter 341 that transmits license information and a device identification information receiver 342 that receives device identification information.

[0020] Hardware configuration of the license management server 100 As in Fig. 4, the license management server 100 includes a controller 51 that performs processing according to a control program 59. The controller 51 includes a central processing unit (CPU). The controller 51 functions according to the control program 59 as the Fig. 3 license information issuers shown 121.

[0021] Referring to Fig. 4, the license management server 100 includes a main memory 52 into which the control program 59 is loaded. The main memory 52 is used as a work area for the controller 51. The main memory 52 includes a random access memory (RAM).

[0022] The license management server 100 also includes an external memory 53 that pre-stores the control program 59. In response to an instruction from the controller 51, the external memory 53 provides the data stored in the program to the controller 51 and stores the data provided by the controller 51. The external memory 53 includes a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD). The external memory 53 functions as the Fig. 3 shown license management information storage 111.

[0023] Referring to Fig. 4, the license management server 100 includes a user-operable operating device 54. The information entered using the operating device 54 is transmitted to the controller 51. The operating device 54 includes components for information input, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touchscreen.

[0024] The license management server 100 also includes a display 55 that displays the information input using the operating device 54 and the information output by the controller 51. The display 55 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an EL (organic electroluminescence) display.

[0025] The license management server 100 also includes a transmitter / receiver 56 that transmits and receives information. The transmitter / receiver 56 includes an information communication component, such as a communication network connection device or a wireless communication device connected to a network. The transmitter / receiver 56 functions as an output request information receiver 131, a license information transmitter 132, and a license management information receiver 133, as shown in Fig. 3 is shown.

[0026] Referring to Fig. 4, in the license management server 100, the main memory 52, the external memory 53, the operating device 54, the display 55 and the transmitter / receiver 56 are all connected to the controller 51 via an internal bus 50.

[0027] The license management server 100 implements the functions of the above-mentioned components 111, 121 and 131 to 133, which are described in Fig. 3, with the controller 51 using the main memory 52, the external memory 53, the operating device 54, the display 55, and the transceiver 56 as resources. For example, the license management server 100 performs a step of storing license management information with the license management information storage 111. For example, the license management server 100 performs a step of issuing license information with the license information issuer 121.For example, the license management server 100 performs a step of receiving issue request information as an example of an information receiving step with the issue request information receiver 131, a step of sending license information as an example of an information transmitting step with the license information sender 132, and a step of receiving license management information as an example of an information receiving step with the license management information receiver 133.

[0028] Hardware configuration of the device 200 to be licensed Similar to the license management server 100, the device 200 to be licensed also includes a controller 51, a main memory 52, an external memory 53, an operating device 54, a display 55 and a transmitter / receiver 56, as shown in Fig. 4. The controller 51 functions in accordance with the control program 59 as the Fig. 3. The external memory 53 functions as a device identification information memory 211 and a license information memory 212. The transmitter / receiver 56 functions as a license information receiver 231 and a device identification information transmitter 232.

[0029] With further reference to Fig. 4, the device 200 to be licensed implements the functions of the above, in Fig. 3 with the controller 51 using the main memory 52, the external memory 53, the operating device 54, the display 55, and the transceiver 56 as resources. For example, the device 200 to be licensed performs a step of storing device identification information with the device identification information storage 211 and a step of storing license information with the license information storage 212. For example, the device 200 to be licensed performs a function activation step with the function activator 221.For example, the device to be licensed 200 performs a license information receiving step as an example of an information receiving step with the license information receiver 231 and a device identification information transmitting step as an example of an information transmitting step with the device identification information transmitter 232.

[0030] Hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 300 Similar to the license management server 100 and the device to be licensed 200, the mobile terminal 300 also includes a controller 51, a main memory 52, an external memory 53, an operating device 54, a display 55 and a transmitter / receiver 56, as shown in Fig. 4. The controller 51 functions in accordance with the control program 59 as an output request information generator 321, a license information acquirer 322, a license management information generator 323, an Internet connection controller 324, and a device connection controller 325, as shown in Fig. 3. The external memory 53 functions as the Fig. 3. The transmitter / receiver 56 functions as an output request information transmitter 331, a license information receiver 332, a license management information transmitter 333, a license information transmitter 341, and a device identification information receiver 342, which are shown in Fig. 3 are shown.

[0031] With further reference to Fig. 4, the mobile terminal 300 implements the functions of the above-mentioned components 311, 321 to 325, 331 to 333, 341 and 342, which are described in Fig. 3, with the controller 51 using the main memory 52, the external memory 53, the operating device 54, the display 55, and the transceiver 56 as resources. For example, the mobile terminal 300 performs a step of storing license management information with the license management information storage 311. For example, the mobile terminal 300 performs a step of generating output request information with the output request information generator 321, a license information obtaining step as an example of an information obtaining step with the license information acquirer 322, and a step of generating license management information with the license management information generator 323.For example, the mobile terminal 300 performs an Internet connection control step as an example of a communication network connection control step with the Internet connection controller 324 and a device connection control step with the device connection controller 325.

[0032] For example, the mobile terminal 300 performs a step of transmitting issue request information with the issue request information transmitter 331, a step of receiving license information as an example of an information receiving step with the license information receiver 332, and a step of transmitting license management information as an example of an information transmission step with the license management information transmitter 333. For example, the mobile terminal 300 performs a step of transmitting license information as an example of an information transmission step with the license information transmitter 341 and a step of receiving device identification information as an example of an information reception step with the device identification information receiver 342.

[0033] Details on the functional configuration of the License Management Server 100 Referring again to Fig. 3, the license information issuer 121 issues the license information in response to a user request. More specifically, upon receiving the issue request information from the mobile terminal 300, the license information issuer 121 generates the license information based on the issue request information and the information stored in the memory 110. The license information is used to activate the special function. The license information includes, for example, information about a license number used as a password for activating the special function. The license information includes, for example, the license number character information: 123-456-7890, as shown in Fig. 5 is shown.

[0034] The license information issuer 121 further issues the license information by causing the license information transmitter 132 to transmit the generated license information to the mobile terminal 300. The license information issuer 121 further generates a two-dimensional code that identifies the license information based on the generated license information and prints the generated two-dimensional code on a paper medium. The license information issuer 121 issues the license information by causing the license management server 100 to Fig. 6, on which the two-dimensional code is printed, to the user. As shown in Fig. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the words “Scan the 2D code below to obtain your license information.” and the two-dimensional code identifying the license information are printed on the paper medium.

[0035] The issue request information receiver 131 receives the issue request information from the mobile terminal 300 via the Internet 400. When the issue request information receiver 131 receives the issue request information, the license information issuer 121 issues the license information. The license information sender 132 transmits the license information to the mobile terminal 300 via the Internet 400. When issuing the license information, the license information issuer 121 causes the license information sender 132 to transmit the license information.

[0036] The license management information receiver 133 receives the license management information from the mobile terminal 300 via the Internet 400. When the license management information receiver 133 receives the license management information, the information processor 120 stores the license management information in the license management information storage 111. Details of the functional configuration of the device to be licensed 200

[0037] After receiving the license information from the mobile terminal 300, the function activator 221 activates the special function based on the license information.

[0038] The license information receiver 231 receives the license information from the mobile terminal 300 via NFC. When the license information receiver 231 receives the license information, the function activator 221 stores the license information in the license information storage 212 and activates the special function. The device identification information transmitter 232 transmits the device identification information to the mobile terminal 300 via NFC. When the function activator 221 activates the special function, the information processor 220 causes the device identification information transmitter 232 to transmit the device identification information stored in the device identification information storage 211.The device identification information must be unique for each device 200 to be licensed, or in other words, the device identification information must be an identifier. Examples of device identification information include information indicating the production number of the device 200 to be licensed, information indicating the serial number, and hardware identification information. The device identification information is, for example, as shown in . Fig. 7, information including the production number character information: ABCD-123456.

[0039] Details of the Functional Configuration of the Mobile Terminal 300 When the user inputs information indicating the type of special function requested by the user for the device 200 to be licensed, the issue request information generator 321 generates issue request information based on this information. The issue request information is to be used when the license management server 100 issues the license information, or more specifically, to identify the acquisition of the license, the device 200 to be licensed, and the special function to be activated. The issue request information includes, for example, information indicating the license order number that identifies the information entered by the user to purchase the license. The issue request information is, for example, as shown in Fig. 8, information including the License Order Number Character Information: XYZ-987654.

[0040] After receiving the license information from the device 200 to be licensed, the license information acquirer 322 acquires the received license information. When the user receives the paper medium and captures an image of the two-dimensional code printed on the paper medium with the imager 350, the license information acquirer 322 acquires the license information by identifying the license information from the captured image.

[0041] After receiving the device identification information from the device 200 to be licensed, the license management information generator 323 generates the license management information including the received device identification information and the license information temporarily stored in the license management information storage 311. The license management information is created by simply linking the license information and the device identification information. For example, the license management information as shown in Fig. 9, by simply connecting the license number character information: 123-456-7890 and the production number character information: ABCD-123456. The license management information generator 323 also stores the generated license management information in the license management information storage 311 by updating the license information temporarily stored in the license management information storage 311 with the license management information.

[0042] The Internet connection controller 324 controls the connection to the Internet 400. The Internet connection controller 324 establishes the connection to the Internet 400 when the mobile terminal 300 is far away from the device 200 to be licensed.

[0043] If the mobile terminal 300 is close to the device 200 to be licensed, at a distance of a few centimeters, the device connection controller 325 establishes an NFC connection with the device 200 to be licensed. If, on the other hand, the mobile terminal 300 is far away from the device 200 to be licensed, the device connection controller 325 does not establish an NFC connection with the device 200 to be licensed. If the NFC connection with the device 200 to be licensed remains, the internet connection controller 324 does not establish a connection to the internet 400. More specifically, if the mobile terminal 300 is close to the device 200 to be licensed, the internet connection controller 324 disconnects the connection to the internet 400 before establishing the NFC connection with the device 200 to be licensed.When the mobile terminal 300 moves away from the device 200 to be licensed, the internet connection controller 324 establishes a connection to the internet 400 after disconnecting the NFC connection to the device 200 to be licensed.

[0044] The issue request information sender 331 transmits issue request information to the license management server 100 via the Internet 400. When the issue request information generator 321 generates the issue request information, the information processor 320 transmits the issue request information to the issue request information sender 331. The license information acquirer 332 receives the license information from the license management server 100 via the Internet 400. When the license information receiver 332 receives the license information, the license information acquirer 322 temporarily stores the license information in the license management information storage 311. The license management information sender 333 transmits the license management information to the license management server 100 via the Internet 400.When the license management information generator 323 generates the license management information, the information processor 320 transmits the license management information to the license management information transmitter 333.

[0045] The license information transmitter 341 transmits the license information to the device 200 to be licensed via NFC. The information processor 320 causes the license information transmitter 341 to transmit the license information after the device connection controller 325 establishes an NFC connection with the device 200 to be licensed. The device identification information receiver 342 receives the device identification information from the device 200 to be licensed via NFC. When the device identification information receiver 342 receives the device identification information, the license management information generator 323 generates the license management information and stores the generated license management information in the license management information storage 311.

[0046] Controlling the Connection to the Internet A procedure performed by the mobile terminal 300 for controlling the connection to the Internet 400 is described below using a flowchart. After switching on, the mobile terminal 300 starts the Fig. 10. The internet connection controller 324 first determines whether the NFC connection to the device 200 to be licensed is interrupted (step S101). If the connection to the device 200 to be licensed is still active (N in step S101), the internet connection controller 324 repeats the processing from step S101 until the connection to the device 200 to be licensed is interrupted.

[0047] If the connection to the device 200 to be licensed is interrupted (Y in step S101), the internet connection controller 324 establishes a connection to the internet 400 (step S102). The internet connection controller 324 also determines whether the mobile terminal 300 is near the device 200 to be licensed in order to establish an NFC connection with the device 200 to be licensed shortly (step S103). If the mobile terminal 300 is far from the device 200 to be licensed (N in step S103), the internet connection controller 324 repeats the processing from step S103 until the mobile terminal 300 comes near the device 200 to be licensed.

[0048] When the mobile terminal 300 approaches the device 200 to be licensed (Y in step S103), the internet connection controller 324 disconnects the connection to the internet 400 (step S104) and determines whether an NFC connection to the device 200 to be licensed is established (step S105). If an NFC connection to the device 200 to be licensed is not established (N in step S105), the internet connection controller 324 repeats the processing from step S105 until a connection to the device 200 to be licensed is established. If an NFC connection to the device 200 to be licensed is established (Y in step S105), the internet connection controller 324 returns to step S101. The internet connection controller 324 then repeats the processing from steps S101 to S105.

[0049] As described above, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment allows the license management server 100 and the mobile terminal 300 to send and receive information to and from each other via the Internet 400 unless the mobile terminal 300 and the device to be licensed 200 are connected via NFC. The license management server 100 and the mobile terminal 300 cannot send or receive information to or from the device to be licensed 200 via the Internet 400. The mobile terminal 300 can send and receive information to and from the device to be licensed 200 via NFC. In this system, the license management server 100 receives issue request information from the mobile terminal 300 via the Internet 400 and issues license information.After obtaining the license information from the license management server 100, the mobile terminal 300 transmits the license information to the device 200 to be licensed via NFC when the user brings the mobile terminal 300 close to the device 200 to be licensed. The device 200 to be licensed receives the license information from the mobile terminal 300 via NFC and activates the special function based on the license information.

[0050] In this way, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment prevents a direct connection to the device 200 to be licensed from a remotely located external device, such as an internet-connected terminal used by an unauthorized third party. Furthermore, in the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the user places the mobile terminal 300 near the device 200 to be licensed, the mobile terminal 300 does not establish an internet connection to an external device. In this case, the mobile terminal 300 establishes an NFC connection with the device 200 to be licensed.Therefore, in the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, compared with a license management system in which no NFC connection is established between the mobile terminal and the device to be licensed, the device 200 to be licensed is less likely to be connected to an external device via the mobile terminal 300. As a result, in the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the device 200 to be licensed is less likely to be operated in an unauthorized manner by an external device used by a third party.Examples of unauthorized interference with the device 200 to be licensed by a third party may include falsification or theft of license management information such as license information or device identification information, falsification or theft of information about the factory's production facility, and malicious control of the facility.

[0051] In a license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the user brings the mobile terminal 300 close to the device 200 to be licensed, the device 200 to be licensed automatically obtains the license information from the mobile terminal 300 to automatically activate the special function. Thus, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment activates the special function on the device 200 to be licensed through user operation, which is more intuitive and simpler than in a license management system in which a special function is not automatically activated when the mobile terminal is placed next to the device to be licensed.Furthermore, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment reduces the user's workload compared to a license management system in which the license information obtained from the mobile terminal is manually entered by the user directly into the device to be licensed. Compared to a license management system in which the license information obtained from the mobile terminal is manually entered by the user directly into the device to be licensed, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment also reduces the processing time from the user's acquisition of the license information to the activation of the special function on the device 200 to be licensed.

[0052] The license management system 1 according to the present embodiment enables the transmission of license information to the device 200 to be licensed using a widely used mobile terminal 300 that supports NFC. For example, the user already owns such a mobile terminal 300 or is willing to own one. The license management system 1 according to the present embodiment is thus simpler in structure and more cost-effective than a license management system in which no license information is transmitted to the device to be licensed via an NFC-enabled mobile terminal.

[0053] In the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 300 can obtain the license information by receiving the license information from the license management server 100 via the Internet 400. Thus, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment can reduce the processing time from the issuance of the license to the activation of the special function on the device 200 to be licensed, compared to a license management system in which the user acquires the license information via a mailed paper medium. The license management system 1 according to the present embodiment enables the license to be provided and managed more easily by both the license manager and the user than in a license management system in which the user acquires the license information via a mailed paper medium.

[0054] In the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the internet connection controller 324 of the mobile terminal 300 maintains the disconnection from the internet 400 when the mobile terminal 300 is near the device 200 to be licensed and is connected to the device 200 to be licensed via NFC. Therefore, in the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the NFC connection is maintained, no connection is established between the mobile terminal 300 and the internet 400, and no external terminal can connect to the mobile terminal 300 via the internet 400. When the mobile terminal 300 and the device 200 to be licensed are connected via NFC, no external terminal can connect to the device 200 to be licensed via the mobile terminal 300.As a result, in the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the device 200 to be licensed is less likely to be operated unauthorized by a third party than in a license management system in which the mobile terminal and the communication network are connected when the mobile terminal and the device to be licensed are connected.

[0055] In the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, upon receiving the license information, the device to be licensed 200 transmits the device identification information to the mobile terminal 300 via NFC. The mobile terminal 300 receives the device identification information from the device to be licensed 200 via NFC to generate license management information, and transmits the license management information to the license management server 100 via the Internet 400. The license management server 100 receives the license management information from the mobile terminal 300 via the Internet 400 and stores the received information.

[0056] In this way, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment enables the storage of license management information including the interrelated license information and device identification information. The license management system 1 according to the present embodiment can thus manage the issued license in a manner that allows the system to identify the device 200 to be licensed for which the license is provided. As a result, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment can more easily detect unauthorized use of the license than a license management system that does not use license management information for license management, thereby reducing the labor required to manage license usage or assign a license to the device 200 to be licensed.

[0057] In the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 300 can generate the license management information, but the license management server 100 cannot generate the license management information including the license information and the device identification information linked together. The license management system 1 according to the present embodiment can thus reduce the burden of license management by the license management server 100 compared to a license management system in which the license management server generates the license management information. For example, when the user uses multiple devices 200 to be licensed and accordingly manages multiple licenses, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment allows the mobile terminal 300 to manage each of the multiple licenses for the corresponding device 200 to be licensed.The license management system 1 according to the present embodiment can thus reduce the workload for managing licenses by the user.

[0058] When the mobile terminal 300 sends or receives information via NFC and is then moved away from the device 200 to be licensed to disconnect, the internet connection controller 324 of the mobile terminal 300 establishes a connection to the internet 400. When the mobile terminal 300 is moved away from the device 200 to be licensed to establish the connection to the internet 400, it transmits the generated license management information to the license management server 100.

[0059] In the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the NFC connection between the mobile terminal 300 and the device to be licensed 200 is interrupted when an external terminal can be connected to the mobile terminal 300 via the Internet 400. When the mobile terminal 300 and the device to be licensed 200 are connected, an external terminal cannot connect to the device to be licensed 200 via the mobile terminal 300. As a result, in the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the device to be licensed 200 is less likely to be operated unauthorized by a third party than in a license management system in which the mobile terminal establishes the connection to the communication network before the connection between the mobile terminal and the device to be licensed is disconnected. Embodiment 2

[0060] In the license management system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the mobile terminal 300 generates the license management information using the device identification information transmitted from the device 200 to be licensed via NFC. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment. It is possible that the mobile terminal 300 does not receive the device identification information from the device 200 to be licensed via NFC. In a license management system 1 according to Embodiment 2, the mobile terminal 300 obtains device identification information about the device 200 to be licensed, which is input by the user. The license management system 1 according to Embodiment 2 will be described below with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. In Embodiment 2, components different from those of Embodiment 1 are described, and components similar to those of Embodiment 1 are not described to avoid repetition. License management system 1

[0061] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, in the license management system 1, after acquiring the license information, the mobile terminal 300 generates license management information including the license information and the previously acquired device identification information, and transmits the license management information to the license management server 100. The license management server 100 thus receives the license management information before storing the license management information. The mobile terminal 300 transmits the license information to the device 200 to be licensed when the user brings the mobile terminal 300 close to the device 200 to be licensed to establish NFC. After receiving the license information, the device 200 to be licensed activates the special function based on the license information. Device to be licensed 200

[0062] As in Fig. 12, the device to be licensed 200 according to the present embodiment does not include a device identification information transmitter 232 in the NFC communicator 230. Mobile device 300

[0063] In the mobile terminal 300 according to the present embodiment, the information processor 320 further includes a device identification information acquirer 326 as an example of an information acquirer that acquires device identification information, whereas the NFC communicator 340 does not include a device identification information receiver 342. Hardware configuration of the mobile device 300

[0064] With further reference to Fig. 4, the controller 51 of the mobile terminal 300 functions in accordance with the control program 59 as the Fig. 12 illustrated device identification information acquirer 326. The mobile terminal 300 implements the functions of the Fig. 12, with the controller 51 using the main memory 52, the external memory 53, the operating device 54, the display 55, and the transceiver 56 as resources. The mobile terminal 300 performs, for example, a step of acquiring device identification information as an example of an information acquiring step with the device identification information acquirer 326.

[0065] Details of the functional configuration of the mobile device 300 Back to Fig. 12: The device identification information acquirer 326 acquires the device identification information input by the user. For example, the device identification information may be constantly displayed on the device 200 to be licensed, or it may be displayed on the screen of the device 200 to be licensed as needed. In this case, the user may check the device 200 to be licensed to input the device identification information using the operation device 54 of the mobile terminal 300. The device identification information may also be displayed in other ways.For example, a two-dimensional code generated based on the device identification information and identifying the device identification information may be continuously displayed on the device 200 to be licensed, or the two-dimensional code may be displayed on the screen of the device 200 to be licensed as needed. In this case, when the user captures an image of the two-dimensional code with the imager 350, the device identification information acquirer 326 acquires the device identification information by identifying the device identification information from the captured image.

[0066] After receiving the license information from the license management server 100, the license management information generator 323 generates license management information including the received license information and the previously acquired device identification information. The license management information generator 323 also stores the generated license management information in the license management information storage 311 and causes the license management information transmitter 333 to transmit the generated license management information.

[0067] In the license management system 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the mobile terminal 300 acquires the device identification information before acquiring the license. Therefore, upon receiving the license information, the device 200 to be licensed does not transmit device identification information to the mobile terminal 300 via NFC. In this way, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment enables the license management information to be generated without the mobile terminal 300 obtaining the device identification information from the device 200 to be licensed via NFC.

[0068] In the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, upon receiving the license information from the license management server 100, the mobile terminal 300 transmits the generated license management information to the license management server 100. Specifically, the mobile terminal 300 acquires the license information and is then placed near the device 200 to be licensed to establish a connection after the mobile terminal 300 transmits the license management information to the license management server 100 via the already connected Internet 400. Therefore, when an external terminal can be connected to the mobile terminal 300 via the Internet 400, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment causes no NFC connection to be established between the mobile terminal 300 and the device 200 to be licensed.

[0069] The license management system 1 according to the present embodiment produces the same advantageous effects as the license management system 1 according to Embodiment 1. Embodiment 3

[0070] In the license management system 1 according to Embodiment 1, the single device 200 to be licensed obtains the license information from the mobile terminal 300 and activates the special function. However, the license management system 1 may also include multiple devices 200 to be licensed instead of the single device 200 to be licensed. A license management system 1 according to Embodiment 3 includes a first device 201 to be licensed and a second device 202 to be licensed, which obtain license information from the mobile terminal 300 to activate the special function. The license management system 1 according to Embodiment 3 will be described below with reference to Fig. 13 to 16. In Embodiment 3, components different from the components of Embodiment 2 are described, and components corresponding to the components of Embodiment 2 are not described to avoid redundancy. License management system 1

[0071] As in Fig. 13, the license management system 1 includes a first device to be licensed 201 and a second device to be licensed 202 instead of the device to be licensed 200 as examples of a control device. The first device to be licensed 201 and the second device to be licensed 202 cannot, in principle, send or receive information to or from the license management server 100 and the mobile terminal 300 via the Internet 400. The first device to be licensed 201 and the second device to be licensed 202 can send and receive information to and from the mobile terminal 300 via NFC. The first device to be licensed 201 and the second device to be licensed 202 can send and receive information to and from each other via a closed network 500, which is a closed communication network that cannot be connected to the Internet 400.The closed network 500 may, for example, be a wired or wireless local area network (LAN) deployed in the factory and not connected to the Internet 400.

[0072] The license management system 1 according to the present embodiment allows the user to purchase licenses for the first device 201 to be licensed and the second device 202 to be licensed in a single transaction. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 14, after acquiring the license information, the mobile terminal 300 generates license management information including the license information and the previously acquired device identification information about the devices 201 and 202 to be licensed, and transmits the license management information to the license management server 100. The license management server 100 receives and stores the license management information. The mobile terminal 300 transmits the license information when the user brings the mobile terminal 300 close to the first device 201 to be licensed or the second device 202 to be licensed to establish NFC. For example, when the user brings the mobile terminal 300 close to the first device 201 to be licensed to establish NFC, the mobile terminal 300 transmits the license information to the first device 201 to be licensed.

[0073] The licensed device 201 or 202 that has received the license information shares the license information with the other of the licensed devices 201 and 202. For example, when the first licensed device 201 receives the license information, the first licensed device 201 transmits the license information to the second licensed device 202 via the closed network 500. The licensed devices 201 and 202 then activate the special function based on the license information. This allows the licensed devices 201 and 202 to use the additional function specified based on the license information.

[0074] Devices to be licensed 201 and 202 Similar to the device to be licensed 200 according to Embodiment 2, the devices to be licensed 201 and 202 each comprise the components 210 to 212, 220, 221, 230 and 231, as shown in Fig. 15. The devices 201 and 202 to be licensed each further comprise an external communicator 240 that communicates with the other device 201 or 202 to be licensed via the closed network 500. The external communicator 240, as an example of an information transmitter and an information receiver, comprises a license information transmitter 241 that sends the license information and a license information receiver 242 that receives the license information. The information processor 220 further comprises a program authenticator 222 that authenticates the program on the mobile terminal 300 and a device connection controller 223 that controls the NFC connection to the mobile terminal 300. Hardware configuration of the devices 201 and 202 to be licensed

[0075] Although not shown, the devices to be licensed 201 and 202, similar to the device to be licensed 200 according to Embodiment 2, each include a controller 51, a main memory 52, an external memory 53, an operation device 54, a display 55, and a transmitter / receiver 56. The controller 51 functions as a program authenticator 222 and a device connection controller 223 in accordance with the control program 59, as shown in Fig. 15. The transmitter / receiver 56 functions as a license information transmitter 241 and a license information receiver 242.

[0076] The devices 201 and 202 to be licensed each implement the functions of the above-mentioned Fig. 15 communicate with the controller 51, using the main memory 52, the external memory 53, the operating device 54, the display 55, and the transmitter / receiver 56 as resources. For example, the devices 201 and 202 to be licensed each perform a program authentication step with the program authenticator 222 and a device connection control step with the device connection controller 223. The devices 201 and 202 to be licensed each perform, for example, a license information transmission step, as an example of an information transmission step, with the license information transmitter 241, and a license information reception step, as an example of an information reception step, with the license information receiver 242. Details of the functional configuration of the devices 201 and 202 to be licensed

[0077] The program authenticator 222 verifies that the mobile terminal 300 has a mobile terminal communication program that implements the above Fig. 15, comprises components 311, 321 to 326, 331 to 333, and 341. The program authenticator 222 determines whether the mobile terminal 300 includes the mobile terminal communication program based on the program authentication information indicating that the mobile terminal communication program is included being obtained from the mobile terminal 300 when an NFC connection is established with the mobile terminal 300.

[0078] When the mobile terminal 300 is near each of the devices 201 and 202 to be licensed and is within a distance of a few centimeters, the device connection controller 223 establishes an NFC connection with the mobile terminal 300. If the program authenticator 222 determines that the mobile terminal 300 does not have a mobile terminal communication program, the device connection controller 223 does not establish an NFC connection with the mobile terminal 300. In this case, the NFC connection with the mobile terminal 300 remains interrupted, and the license information receiver 231 does not receive any license information.

[0079] After the license information receiver 231 receives the license information from the mobile terminal 300 via NFC, the license information transmitter 241 transmits the license information to the other of the devices 201 and 202 to be licensed via the closed network 500. The license information receiver 242 receives the license information from the other of the devices 201 and 202 to be licensed via the closed network 500. When the license information receiver 242 receives the license information, the function activator 221 stores the license information in the license information storage 212 and also activates the special function. Details of the functional configuration of the mobile device 300

[0080] After receiving the license information from the license management server 100, the license management information generator 323 generates license management information including the received license information and the previously acquired device identification information about each of the devices to be licensed 201 and 202. Although not shown, the license management information is, for example, information formed by combining the license number character information: 123-456-7890 and the production number character information: ABCD-123456 and ABCD-123457, respectively. The license management information generator 323 may separately generate the license management information about the first device to be licensed 201 with the production number ABCD-123456 and the license management information about the second device to be licensed 202 with the production number ABCD-123457, for example.

[0081] The device connection controller 325 outputs the above-mentioned program authentication information to each of the devices 201 and 202 to be licensed when an NFC connection is established to each of the devices 201 and 202 to be licensed. Program authentication

[0082] A process performed by the licensed devices 201 and 202 to perform program authentication to establish an NFC connection with the mobile terminal 300 is described below using a flowchart. The licensed devices 201 and 202 each begin the Fig. 16 when they are turned on. The program authenticator 222 first determines whether the NFC connection to the mobile terminal 300 is interrupted (step S201). If the connection to the mobile terminal 300 is still active (N in step S201), the program authenticator 222 repeats the processing from step S201 until the connection to the mobile terminal 300 is interrupted.

[0083] If the connection to the mobile terminal 300 is interrupted (Y in step S201), the program authenticator 222 determines whether the mobile terminal 300 is nearby to briefly establish an NFC connection (step S202). If the mobile terminal 300 is not nearby (N in step S202), the program authenticator 222 repeats the processing from step S202 until the mobile terminal 300 is nearby. If the mobile terminal 300 is nearby (Y in step S202), the program authenticator 222 determines whether the program authentication information has been obtained from the mobile terminal 300 (step S203).

[0084] If the program authentication information has been acquired (Y in step S203), the program authenticator 222 determines that the mobile terminal 300 has the mobile terminal communication program, and the device connection controller 223 establishes an NFC connection with the mobile terminal 300 (step S204) and returns to step S201. If no program authentication information is acquired (N in step S203), the program authenticator 222 determines that the mobile terminal 300 does not have a mobile terminal communication program, and the device connection controller 223 returns to step S201 without establishing an NFC connection with the mobile terminal 300.

[0085] As described above, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment allows the first device to be licensed 201 and the second device to be licensed 202 to send and receive information to and from each other via the closed network 500 that cannot be connected to the Internet 400. When the license information receiver 231 of either the first device to be licensed 201 or the second device to be licensed 202 receives the license information from the mobile terminal 300 via NFC, the device to be licensed 201 or 202 shares the license information by transmitting the license information to the other device to be licensed 201 or 202 via the closed network 500. The function activator 221 of each of the device to be licensed 201 and 202 activates the specific function based on the license information.

[0086] In this way, simply transmitting the license information to one of the devices to be licensed 201 or 202 connected to the mobile terminal 300 via NFC allows the user to share the license information with the other of the devices to be licensed 201 or 202. The license management system 1 according to the present embodiment thus reduces the user's workload for activating the special function on the devices to be licensed 201 and 202 and improves convenience compared to a license management system in which the license information is transmitted to a single device to be licensed and not shared with all devices to be licensed.

[0087] In the present embodiment, two devices to be licensed, namely the first device to be licensed 201 and the second device to be licensed 202, are present. However, three or more devices to be licensed may be installed. For example, with three devices to be licensed, a third device to be licensed 203 may be installed in addition to the first device to be licensed 201 and the second device to be licensed 202.

[0088] In the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the program authenticator 222 determines whether the mobile terminal 300 has the mobile terminal communication program. If the program authenticator 222 determines that the mobile terminal 300 does not have a mobile terminal communication program, the license information receiver 231 of each of the devices to be licensed 201 and 202 maintains the disconnection of the NFC connection with the mobile terminal 300.

[0089] In this way, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment prevents each of the devices 201 and 202 to be licensed from being directly connected, for example, from a mobile terminal that is an external device used by an unauthorized third party. As a result, the license management system 1 according to the present embodiment is less likely to be operated in an unauthorized manner by a mobile terminal used by a third party. The license management system 1 according to the present embodiment leads to the same advantageous effects as a license management system 1 according to Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0090] Although the mobile terminal 300 may generate the license management information as described in Embodiments 1 to 3 to reduce the workload of the license management server 100, the license management server 100 may also generate the license management information. In this case, the mobile terminal 300 transmits the device identification information to the license management server 100 instead of the license management information. In Embodiment 2, the mobile terminal 300 may acquire device identification information before receiving the license information, so that the mobile terminal 300 can transmit, for example, issue request information with device identification information included in the issue request information.

[0091] In Embodiment 1, the mobile terminal 300 transmits the license management information to the license management server 100 when it moves away from the device 200 to be licensed to connect to the Internet 400. However, the license management information may be transmitted at a different time. For example, the license management information may be transmitted to the license management server 100 when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the mobile terminal 300 moves away from the device 200 to be licensed to connect to the Internet 400. In this way, the mobile terminal 300 has sufficient time to generate the license management information.

[0092] In Embodiment 2, the mobile terminal 300 transmits the license management information to the license management server 100 before approaching the device 200 to be licensed to establish NFC. However, the license management information may also be transmitted at a different time. For example, the mobile terminal 300 may transmit the license management information to the license management server 100 when it moves away from the device 200 to be licensed to reconnect to the Internet 400. In this way, similar to Embodiment 2, the mobile terminal 300 may transmit the license management information to the license management server 100 when the special function is activated by providing the license information to the device 200 to be licensed.

[0093] In Embodiments 1 to 3, the license management system 1 including the license management server 100, the device to be licensed 200, and the mobile terminal 300 is illustrated as an example of a communication system. However, the communication system may be any other communication system including a mobile terminal used by a user and a control device. For example, in the communication system, the mobile terminal can send and receive monitoring information to and from a monitoring server, which is an example of an external device connected via the Internet, via the control device, and can also send and receive control information to and from the control device via NFC.Even if the mobile terminal and the control device are connected via NFC, no connection is established between the mobile terminal and the Internet, and an external terminal used by a third party cannot connect to the mobile terminal via a communication network. When the mobile terminal and the control device are connected, the external terminal cannot connect to the control device via the mobile terminal. Therefore, with this communication system, the control device is less likely to be operated unauthorized by a third party when the mobile terminal and the control device are connected.

[0094] The main processing elements of the license management server 100, the device to be licensed 200, and the mobile terminal 300, each including the controller 51, the main memory 52, the external storage 53, the operating device 54, the transmitter / receiver 56, and the internal bus 50, can supply a program for performing the above processing to the license management server 100, the device to be licensed 200, and the mobile terminal 300. For example, a program for performing the above procedures can be stored for distribution in a non-volatile recording medium, such as a flash memory, that can be read by the license management server 100, the device to be licensed 200, and the mobile terminal 300, and installed to perform the above procedures.

[0095] For example, a communication program for the mobile terminal comprising the above-mentioned components 311, 321 to 325, 331 to 333, 341 and 342 described in the Fig. 3, Fig. 12 and Fig. 15, are stored in a non-volatile recording medium. In this case, the mobile terminal 300 can install the mobile terminal communication program read from the non-volatile recording medium into the mobile terminal 300 to implement the functions of the components 311, 321 to 325, 331 to 333, 341, and 342.

[0096] A computer may also be configured to store the program in the memory of a server, which is an external device in a communication network such as a LAN or the Internet, and to be downloaded from the license management server 100, the device to be licensed 200, and the mobile terminal 300.

[0097] In a system in which the functions of the license management server 100, the device to be licensed 200, and the mobile terminal 300 can be implemented by an operating system (OS) and an application program jointly or by cooperation between the OS and the application program, parts executable by the application program can be stored in a non-volatile recording medium or a memory.

[0098] The program may be superimposed on a carrier wave that is propagated over a network. For example, the computer program may be published in a mailbox (Bulletin Board System (BBS)) of the communications network for distribution over the communications network. The computer program may be activated and executed under the control of the operating system in the same manner as any other application program to perform the above-mentioned processing.

[0099] The foregoing describes some exemplary embodiments for purposes of explanation. Although specific embodiments have been presented in the foregoing discussion, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. This detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention will be defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. List of reference symbols 1 license management system 50 internal bus 51 Control 52 main memory 53 external storage 54 Operating device 55 Advertisement 56 transmitters / receivers 59 Control program 100 license management servers 110, 210, 310 memory 111 License Management Information Storage 120, 220, 320 Information processor 121 license information issuers 130, 240, 330 external communicator 131 Output Request Information Recipient 132, 241, 341 License information transmitter 133 License Management Information Recipients 200 devices to be licensed 201 first device to be licensed 202 second device to be licensed 211 Device identification information memory 212 License Information Storage 221 Function activator 222 Program Authenticator 223 Device connection control 230, 340 NFC communicator 231, 242 License information recipient 232 Device identification information transmitter 300 mobile devices 311 License Management Information Storage 321 Output Request Information Generator 322 license information recipients 323 License Management Information Generator 324 Internet connection control 325 Device connection control 326 Device Identification Information Recipients 331 Output Request Information Sender 332 License Information Recipients 333 License Management Information Sender 342 Device Identification Information Receiver 350 imagers 400 Internet 500 closed network

Claims

[1] Communication system (1) comprising: a mobile terminal (300) that can be operated by a user; and a control device (200) which is designed for communication with the mobile terminal (300), wherein the mobile terminal (300) sends and receives information to and from an external device (100) via a communication network (400) and sends and receives information to and from the control device (200) via wireless near-field communication, the mobile terminal (300) comprises: a communication network connection controller (324) for controlling the connection to the communication network (400), and a device connection controller (325) for controlling the connection to the control device (200) via wireless near-field communication, the control device (200) comprises: an information receiver (231) for receiving information from the mobile terminal (300) via wireless near-field communication, and the communication network connection controller (324) disconnects the connection to the communication network (400) when the mobile terminal (300) is in proximity to the control device (200) in order to establish the connection to the control device (200) via wireless near-field communication. [2] License management system (1) comprising: a mobile terminal (300) according to claim 1; a control device (200) according to claim 1; and a license management server (100) for managing a license, wherein the control device (200) is a device (200) to be licensed for which the license is made available, the mobile terminal (300) can be operated by a user of the device (200) to be licensed, the license management server (100) has: a license information issuer (121) that issues license information indicating that a license is provided in response to a user request, the mobile terminal (300) further comprises: a license information acquirer (322) for obtaining the license information output by the license management server (100), and a license information transmitter (341) for transmitting the license information to the device (200) to be licensed by means of wireless near-field communication, the information receiver (231) of the device (200) to be licensed is a license information receiver (231) for receiving license information from the mobile terminal (300) via wireless near-field communication, the device to be licensed (200) further comprises: a function activator (221) to activate a specific function based on the license information, and the communication network connection controller (324) disconnects the connection to the communication network (400) when the mobile terminal (300) is in the vicinity of the device (200) to be licensed in order to establish the connection to the device (200) to be licensed via wireless near-field communication. [3] License management system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the device to be licensed (200) comprises a first device to be licensed (201) and a second device to be licensed (202) which is different from the first device to be licensed (201), the first device (201) to be licensed and the second device (202) to be licensed are designed to send and receive information to and from each other via a closed communication network (500) that cannot be connected to the communication network (400), when the information receiver (231) in one of the device to be licensed (201, 202) selected from the first device to be licensed (201) and the second device to be licensed (202) receives the license information from the mobile terminal (300) via wireless near-field communication, the one device to be licensed (201, 202) shares the license information with the other device to be licensed (201, 202) selected from the first device to be licensed (201) and the second device to be licensed (202) via the closed communication network (500), and the function activator (221) of the first device (201) to be licensed and the function activator (221) of the second device (202) to be licensed activate a specific function based on the license information. [4] License management system (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the device to be licensed (200) further comprises: a device identification information transmitter (232) for transmitting device identification information for identifying the device (200) to be licensed to the mobile terminal (300) via wireless near-field communication when the license information is received, the mobile terminal (300) further comprising: a device identification information receiver (342) for receiving the device identification information from the device to be licensed (200) via wireless near-field communication, a license management information generator (323) for generating license management information including the received device identification information and the license information, and a license management information transmitter (333) for transmitting the license management information to the license management server (100) via the communication network (400), and the license management server (100) further comprises: a license management information receiver (133) for receiving the license management information from the mobile terminal (300) via the communication network (400), and a license management information storage (111) for storing the license management information. [5] License management system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the communication network connection controller (324), when the mobile terminal (300) is moved away from the device (200) to be licensed and the wireless near-field communication to the device (200) to be licensed is interrupted, establishes a connection to the communication network (400), and the license management information transmitter (333), when the connection to the communication network (400) is established, transmits the generated license management information to the license management server (100). [6] License management system (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mobile terminal (300) further comprises: a device identification information acquirer (326) for obtaining device identification information for identifying the device (200) to be licensed, a license management information generator (323) for generating license management information including the device identification information and the license information, and a license management information transmitter (333) for transmitting the license management information to the license management server (100) via the communication network (400), and the license management server (100) further comprises: a license management information receiver (133) for receiving the license management information from the mobile terminal (300) via the communication network (400), and a license management information storage (111) for storing the license management information. [7] License management system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the communication network connection controller (324) establishes a connection to the communication network (400) before the mobile terminal (300) is in the vicinity of the device (200) to be licensed in order to establish a connection to the device (200) to be licensed via wireless near-field communication, and the license management information transmitter (333) obtains the license information output by the license management server (100) and sends the generated license management information to the license management server (100). [8] Mobile terminal (300) comprising: a communication network connection controller (324) for controlling the connection to a communication network (400) so that information can be transmitted to and received from an external device (100); a device connection controller (325) for controlling the connection to a control device (200) via wireless near-field communication; and an information transmitter (341) for transmitting the information to the control device (200) via wireless near-field communication, wherein the communication network connection controller (324) disconnects the connection to the communication network (400) when the connection to the control device (200) is established by means of wireless near-field communication. [9] Communication procedure that includes: Establishing a connection to a communication network (400) that enables the sending and receiving of information to and from an external device (100) by a mobile terminal (300) and controlling the connection by the mobile terminal (300); after establishing the connection to the communication network (400), obtaining information from the external device by the mobile terminal (300) via the communication network (400); after obtaining the information, establishing a wireless near-field communication connection to a control device (200) by the mobile terminal (300) and controlling the connection; after establishing the connection to the control device (200) via wireless near-field communication, transmitting the information to the control device (200) by the mobile terminal (300) via wireless near-field communication; and Disconnecting the mobile terminal (300) from the communication network (400) when the connection to the control device (200) is established via wireless near-field communication. [10] Communication program for a mobile terminal, so that a mobile terminal (300) acts as: Information retrieval device (322) for retrieving information via a communications network (400) that enables the transmission and reception of information to and from an external device (100); Device connection control (325) for controlling the connection to a control device (200) via wireless near-field communication; Information transmitter (341) for transmitting the information via wireless near-field communication to the control device (200); and Communication network connection controller (324) for controlling the connection to the communication network (400) and for interrupting the connection to the communication network (400) when the connection to the control device (200) is established via wireless near-field communication. [11] A control device (200) for a communication system (1) comprising a mobile terminal (300) operable by a user, the mobile terminal (300) having a communication network connection controller (324) for controlling a connection to a communication network (400) and a device connection controller (325) for controlling a connection via wireless near-field communication, the mobile terminal (300) being configured to send and receive information to and from an external device (100) via the communication network (400), and to send and receive information via wireless near-field communication, the control device (200) comprising: an information receiver (231) for receiving information from the mobile terminal (300) via wireless near-field communication, and a program authenticator (222) for verifying that the mobile terminal (300) has the communication program for the mobile terminal when program authentication information is obtained from the mobile terminal (300) indicating that the mobile terminal (300) has the communication program for the mobile terminal according to claim 10 when the connection to the mobile terminal (300) is established via wireless near-field communication, wherein the connection between the mobile terminal (300) and the communication network (400) is interrupted when the mobile terminal (300) is in the vicinity of the control device (200) in order to establish a connection with the control device (200) via wireless near-field communication, the information receiver (231) interrupts the connection to the mobile terminal (300) via wireless near-field communication if the program authenticator (222) determines that the mobile terminal (300) does not have the communication program for the mobile terminal.

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