Information notification system, information notification method, and information notification application program

Abstract

To provide an information notification system capable of improving security.SOLUTION: An information notification system 1 notifies message information from an information transmission server 10 to a user-side receiving unit 31 of a communication terminal device 30 via an information distribution server 20. The information transmission server 10 is provided with: a user registration unit 11 that associates device tokens with user-specific information; an outgoing collation information generation unit 12 that generates outgoing collation information based on user-specific information; a message reception unit 13; a transmission processing unit 14 that transmits outgoing information including device tokens, message information, and outgoing collation information to the information distribution server 20; and the information distribution server 20 is capable of causing the communication terminal device 30 to transmit the outgoing information. The user-side receiving unit 31 is provided with a receiving collation information generation unit 33, a receiving unit 32 for outgoing information, and an opening determination unit 34 that determines whether or not the user is authorized to open the message information by collating the received outgoing and receiving collation information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information notification system, an information notification method, and an information notification application program that can be used for information notification such as push notification. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, payment systems that authenticate users (customers) while protecting personal information are known (for example, Patent Document 1). The payment system described in Patent Document 1 has a user terminal, a user terminal management server, and a collection agency server, and the user's personal information is stored in each of the user terminal management server and the collection agency server. The payment system described in Patent Document 1 also creates hash values ​​based on the personal information in each of the user terminal management server and the collection agency server, and stores these hash values ​​in both the user terminal management server and the collection agency server. The payment system described in Patent Document 1 also authenticates the user based on the hash values ​​stored in the user terminal management server and the collection agency server when an authentication request is made from the user terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-259105 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Recently, various services have been provided via networks such as the Internet. In providing these services, service providers transmit information to users via what is also called push notifications. The push notifications are provided, for example, by a management server of the service provider requesting a push notification delivery server to deliver (notify) information related to a message or the like. Upon receiving the information delivery request, the push notification delivery server sends a push notification to a specific user.

[0005] However, when determining the delivery destination of the above-mentioned push notification, a push notification delivery server managed by another company must verify information about the user terminal and the device token assigned to the user terminal. Therefore, if there is an error in the verification information in the push notification delivery server, there is a concern that the push notification may be sent to a user other than the user to whom the push notification is intended to be sent. This raises concerns about information leaks and security issues. Furthermore, when a push notification is sent in the payment system described in Patent Document 1, there is a similar concern that the push notification may be sent to a user other than the user to whom the push notification is intended to be sent.

[0006] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information notification system and an information notification method that can prevent information leakage and improve security, and an information notification application program that makes it easy to use the information notification system and the information notification method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The information notification system of the present invention, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, is an information notification system for notifying a user who has registered for use in advance of message information from an information transmission server via the information distribution server, by using an information distribution server that is capable of receiving transmission information including a device token and message information and transmitting the transmission information to a user-side receiving unit realized in a communication terminal device corresponding to the device token included in the transmission information, wherein the information transmission server includes a user registration unit that associates and registers user identification information for identifying the user and a device token assigned to the communication terminal device used by the user, a transmission-side matching information generation unit that generates transmission-side matching information based on the user identification information, a message reception unit that receives the message information to be transmitted, and a transmission-side matching information generation unit that generates transmission-side matching information based on the device token assigned to the communication terminal device used by the user as a transmission destination, the message information to be transmitted to the user, and the user identification information related to the user. and a transmission processing unit that transmits information including the sender matching information generated in the transmission processing unit to the information distribution server as send information, and by transmitting the send information from the transmission processing unit, the information distribution server that receives the send information can transmit the send information to the communication terminal device corresponding to the device token included in the send information. The user-side receiving unit comprises a receiver matching information generation unit that generates receiver matching information based on the user identification information, a receiving unit that receives the send information from the information distribution server, and an opening determination unit that determines whether or not the user has authority to open the message information included in the send information by matching the sender matching information included in the send information received by the receiving unit with the receiver matching information generated in the receiver matching information generation unit, and the opening determination unit determines that the user has authority to open the message information on the condition that the sender matching information and the receiver matching information match, and opens the message information.

[0008] In the above-mentioned information notification system, outgoing information including sender-side matching information sent from an information sending server is transmitted to a user-side receiving unit implemented in a communication terminal device via an information distribution server. Furthermore, the above-mentioned information notification system determines whether or not a user has authority to open message information included in the outgoing information by comparing the sender-side matching information received by the user-side receiving unit with the receiver-side matching information generated by the user-side receiving unit. In other words, even if the information distribution server is managed by a third party, the above-mentioned information notification system can determine whether or not a user has authority to open message information without relying on the information distribution server.

[0009] Therefore, even if there is an error in the delivery destination on the information delivery server, the above-mentioned information notification system can prevent users with different delivery destinations from opening the message information. This allows the above-mentioned information notification system to improve security. Here, the information delivery server can use, for example, a push notification delivery server that performs push notifications, and the outgoing information (message information) sent to the user-side receiving unit can be a push notification such as an advertisement.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above-described information notification system, user identification information for identifying a user and a device token assigned to a communication terminal device used by the user are associated and registered in an information transmission server, and sender matching information is generated based on the user identification information. That is, the above-described information notification system can associate and manage transmitted information (push notifications) and user identification information on the information transmission server (e.g., a management server of a service provider such as a vehicle manufacturer) side, without relying on the association of a device token and a communication terminal device on the information distribution server (e.g., a push notification distribution server) side. This allows the above-described information notification system to manage the transmission (notification) of transmitted information under the management of the service provider, thereby improving the security of the transmitted information.

[0011] Furthermore, the information notification system may be configured to discard the message information without opening it if it is determined that the user does not have the authority to open it. By configuring the information notification system in this way, it is possible to reliably prevent users who do not have the authority to open the message information from obtaining the message information.

[0012] (2) In the information notification system of the present invention described above, the communication terminal device may be an in-vehicle information communication device in a vehicle or a mobile terminal device of a user who owns the vehicle, and the user identification information may include vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle.

[0013] By configuring the above-described information notification system as described above, it is possible to associate a vehicle (including an in-vehicle information communication device) with a vehicle user based on vehicle identification information. This allows for a stronger association between notification of outgoing information (push notification) and the user. Furthermore, the above-described information notification system is preferably used, for example, when outgoing information related to a vehicle connect service is distributed to a specific user. Here, it is preferable to use a vehicle identification number (VIN) as the vehicle identification information.

[0014] (3) In the information notification system of the present invention described above, the user-side receiving unit may be equipped with a display unit, and the message information may be displayed on the display unit on the condition that the opening determination unit determines that the user has the authority to open the message.

[0015] By adopting such a configuration, the information notification system described above can provide message information that is visually appealing to the user.

[0016] (4) In the information notification system of the present invention described above, the sending side matching information generation unit is capable of assigning to the sending side matching information first encrypted information generated by encrypting at least the user identification information included in the sending side matching information, the receiving side matching information generation unit is capable of assigning to the receiving side matching information second encrypted information generated by encrypting at least the user identification information included in the receiving side matching information, and the opening determination unit is capable of determining that the user has the authority to open the document by comparing the first encrypted information included in the sending information with the second encrypted information included in the receiving side matching information, provided that the first encrypted information and the second encrypted information match.

[0017] The above-described information notification system determines whether or not a user has the authority to open a document by comparing first encrypted information related to user identification information included in the sender-side matching information with second encrypted information related to user identification information included in the receiver-side matching information. Therefore, the above-described information notification system can reduce the risk of user identification information leakage and more reliably authenticate users. Here, the encryption process may utilize, for example, conversion to a hash value using a hash function. In such a case, the first encrypted information and the second encrypted information are assigned as hash values. In this way, by using hash values ​​as encrypted information, the above-described information notification system is expected to improve the security of information (data) during matching and facilitate implementation in the information notification system.

[0018] (5) The information notification method of the present invention, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, is an information notification method for notifying a user who has registered for use in advance of message information from an information transmission server via the information distribution server by using an information distribution server that is capable of receiving transmission information including a device token and message information and transmitting the transmission information to a user-side receiving unit realized in a communication terminal device corresponding to the device token included in the transmission information, wherein the information transmission server includes a user registration step of registering user identification information for identifying the user and a device token assigned to the communication terminal device used by the user in association with each other, a transmission side matching information generation step of generating transmission side matching information based on the user identification information, a message reception step of receiving the message information to be transmitted, and transmitting information including the device token assigned to the communication terminal device used by the user as a transmission destination, the message information to be transmitted to the user, and the transmission side matching information generated based on the user identification information related to the user as transmission information. and an outgoing information sending step of sending the outgoing information to the information distribution server, and an outgoing information sending instruction step of causing the information distribution server, which receives the outgoing information, to send the outgoing information to the communication terminal device corresponding to the device token included in the outgoing information by sending the outgoing information to the information distribution server, and the user-side receiving unit is capable of receiving the outgoing information from the information distribution server, a receiver-side matching information generating step of generating receiver-side matching information based on the user specifying information included in the received outgoing information, and an opening determination step of determining whether or not the user has authority to open the message information included in the outgoing information by comparing the sender-side matching information included in the received outgoing information with the receiver-side matching information generated in the receiver-side matching information generating step, and on the condition that the sender-side matching information and the receiver-side matching information match in the opening determination step, it is determined that the user has authority to open the message information, and an opening step is executed in which the message information is opened.

[0019] In the above-described information notification method, in the opening determination step, the sender-side matching information received in the receiving step is compared with the receiver-side matching information generated in the receiver-side matching information generation step, thereby determining whether or not the sender has the authority to open the message information included in the transmitted information. In other words, even if the information distribution server is managed by a third party, for example, the above-described information notification method can determine whether or not the sender has the authority to open the message information without relying on the information distribution server.

[0020] Therefore, the above-described information notification method can prevent users with different delivery destinations from opening message information even if there is an error in the delivery destination on the information distribution server. This allows the above-described information notification method to improve security. Here, the information distribution server can use, for example, a push notification delivery server that performs push notifications, and the outgoing information (message information) sent to the user-side receiving unit can be a push notification such as an advertisement.

[0021] Furthermore, in the above-described information notification method, in a user registration step, user identification information for identifying a user and a device token assigned to a communication terminal device used by the user are associated and registered, and in a caller matching information generation step, caller matching information is generated based on the user identification information. That is, the above-described information notification method can associate and manage the transmitted information (push notification) and the user identification information on the information transmission server (e.g., a management server of a service provider such as a vehicle manufacturer) side, without relying on the association of the device token and the communication terminal device on the information distribution server (e.g., a push notification distribution server) side. As a result, the above-described information notification method can manage the transmission (notification) of the transmitted information under the management of the service provider, thereby improving the security of the transmitted information.

[0022] Furthermore, the information notification method may be configured to discard the message information without opening it if it is determined in the opening determination step that the user does not have the authority to open the message. By configuring the information notification method in this way, it is possible to reliably prevent users who do not have the authority to open the message information from obtaining the message information.

[0023] (6) The information notification application program of the present invention, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, is characterized by being capable of executing the above-mentioned information notification method.

[0024] The above-described information notification application program can execute processing related to the information notification method on the application program, thereby preventing users with different distribution destinations from obtaining other people's information, thereby improving security. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The present invention can provide an information notification system and an information notification method that can prevent information leakage and improve security. The present invention can also provide an information notification application program that makes it easy to use the information notification system and the information notification method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of an information notification system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an information notification system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a chart illustrating an embodiment of an information processing method executed in an information notification system and an information notification application program of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] An information notification system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. In this embodiment, the information notification system 1 is used for a connect service relating to the use of a connected car. In addition, in this embodiment, the information transmission server 10 is a server managed by a service provider such as a vehicle manufacturer, and the information distribution server 20 is a push notification distribution server. In this embodiment, the communication terminal device 30 is a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone of a user who owns a vehicle.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the information notification system 1 includes an information transmission server 10. The information notification system 1 also utilizes an information distribution server 20 and a communication terminal device 30 that are communicably connected to the information transmission server 10 via a network such as the Internet. Specifically, the information notification system 1 receives transmission information including a device token and message information, and notifies a pre-registered user of the message information via the information transmission server 10 and the information distribution server 20 to a user-side receiving unit 31 implemented in the communication terminal device 30 corresponding to the device token included in the transmission information. Here, the device token is a terminal identification ID assigned to identify a specific device. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, the device token is assigned by the information distribution server 20.

[0029] 1, the information transmission server 10 is configured as an information processing device such as a computer, and is capable of various types of calculation processing. The information transmission server 10 also includes a user registration unit 11, a sender-side matching information generation unit 12, a message reception unit 13, a transmission processing unit 14, etc.

[0030] The user registration unit 11 is configured with a storage medium such as a memory or a hard disk. The user registration unit 11 is configured to register user identification information for identifying a user and a device token (DT) assigned to the communication terminal device 30 used by the user in association with each other. Here, the user identification information is a user ID (e.g., membership information) for identifying a user who uses the information notification system 1.

[0031] The caller-side matching information generation unit 12 is configured to generate caller-side matching information based on the user identification information. Here, the caller-side matching information includes at least the user identification information. In this embodiment, the caller-side matching information generation unit 12 encrypts the user identification information to generate first encrypted information. Specifically, the caller-side matching information generation unit 12 converts the user identification information into a first hash value (see FIG. 2) equivalent to the first encrypted information using a hash function. This allows the caller-side matching information generation unit 12 to assign the first hash value to the caller-side matching information.

[0032] The message receiving unit 13 receives message information to be transmitted. Specifically, the message receiving unit 13 receives message information to be transmitted to the user's communication terminal device 30. Here, the message information is, for example, a notification (push notification) related to an advertisement or the like prepared by a service provider that manages the information transmission server 10.

[0033] The transmission processing unit 14 is configured as a communication device capable of performing information communication via a network such as the Internet. The transmission processing unit 14 can transmit, as outgoing information (see FIG. 2 ), information including a device token assigned to the communication terminal device 30 used by the user who is the destination, message information to be sent to the user, and sender matching information generated by the sender matching information generation unit 12 based on user identification information related to the user, to the information distribution server 20.

[0034] The information transmission server 10 has the above-mentioned configuration, and by transmitting transmission information (see Figure 2) from the transmission processing unit 14, the information distribution server 20 that receives the transmission information can transmit the transmission information including message information and the first hash value to the communication terminal device 30 corresponding to the device token included in the transmission information.

[0035] The information distribution server 20 used in the information notification system 1 of the present invention is, for example, a push notification distribution server provided by a third party. The information distribution server 20 distributes (notifies) the transmission information to the user's communication terminal device 30 in response to a distribution instruction for the transmission information transmitted from the information transmission server 10. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, the information distribution server 20 identifies the communication terminal device 30 as the transmission destination from the device token included in the transmission information transmitted from the information transmission server 10, and transmits the transmission information to the communication terminal device 30.

[0036] The communication terminal device 30 is, for example, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone owned by a user. The communication terminal device 30 is capable of information communication via a network such as the Internet. The communication terminal device 30 is also equipped with an appropriate display unit 35 and is capable of displaying various information via the display unit 35. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the communication terminal device 30 has a user-side receiving unit 31 implemented within the communication terminal device 30. In this embodiment, the user-side receiving unit 31 is implemented within the communication terminal device 30 by executing an information notification application program capable of executing an information notification method described below. The information notification application program can be installed in the communication terminal device 30, for example, to implement the user-side receiving unit 31 in a local environment of the communication terminal device 30. The information notification application program can also be executed on a server accessible via a browser, application, or the like installed on the communication terminal device 30, for example, to implement the user-side receiving unit 31 via the communication terminal device 30 in an online environment. The user-side receiving unit 31 includes a receiving-side matching information generating unit 32, a receiving unit 33, an opening determining unit 34, and the like.

[0037] The receiver-side matching information generation unit 32 generates receiver-side matching information based on the user identification information. In this embodiment, the receiver-side matching information generation unit 32 encrypts the user identification information to generate second encrypted information. Specifically, the receiver-side matching information generation unit 32 converts the user identification information into a second hash value (see FIG. 2) equivalent to the second encrypted information using a hash function. This allows the receiver-side matching information generation unit 32 to assign a first hash value to the receiver-side matching information.

[0038] The receiving unit 33 is capable of communicating information via a network such as the Internet. In this embodiment, the receiving unit 33 utilizes the communication function of the user's mobile terminal device. The receiving unit 33 can receive transmitted information from the information distribution server 20.

[0039] The opening determination unit 34 is configured to determine whether the user has authorization to open the message information included in the outgoing information by comparing the sender matching information included in the outgoing information received by the receiving unit 33 with the receiver matching information generated by the receiver matching information generating unit 32 (see FIG. 2 ). In this embodiment, the opening determination unit 34 is configured to compare the first encrypted information included in the outgoing information with the second encrypted information included in the receiver matching information to determine whether the first encrypted information matches the second encrypted information. Furthermore, the opening determination unit 34 determines that the user has authorization to open the message information, and opens the message information, provided that the first encrypted information matches the second encrypted information. In this embodiment, when the message information is opened, the message information is displayed on the display unit 35. In this way, the information notification system 1 described above can provide the user with visually appealing message information using the display unit 35.

[0040] On the other hand, if the opening determination unit 34 does not have the authority to open the message, that is, if the first encrypted information and the second encrypted information do not match, the message information is not opened and is discarded (see Figure 2).

[0041] The above is the configuration of the information notification system 1 of the present invention, and next, the effects of the information notification system 1 of the present invention will be described below.

[0042] As described above, in the information notification system 1 of the present invention, outgoing information including sender matching information sent from the information transmission server 10 is transmitted to the user-side receiving unit 31 realized in the communication terminal device 30 via the information distribution server 20. Furthermore, the above-mentioned information notification system 1 is configured to determine whether or not the user has authority to open message information included in the outgoing information by comparing the sender matching information received by the user-side receiving unit 31 with the receiver matching information generated by the user-side receiving unit 31. In other words, the above-mentioned information notification system 1 can determine whether or not the user has authority to open message information, without relying on the information distribution server 20, even if the information distribution server 20 is managed by a third party, for example.

[0043] Therefore, the above-described information notification system 1 can prevent users with different delivery destinations from opening message information even if there is an error in the delivery destination on the information delivery server 20. This allows the above-described information notification system 1 to improve security.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above-described information notification system 1, user identification information for identifying a user and a device token assigned to the communication terminal device 30 used by the user are associated and registered in the information transmission server 10, and sender matching information is generated based on the user identification information. That is, the above-described information notification system 1 can associate and manage transmitted information (push notification) and user identification information on the information transmission server 10 side, without relying on the association between the device token and the communication terminal device 30 on the information distribution server 20 (e.g., push notification distribution server) side. As a result, the above-described information notification system 1 can manage the transmission (notification) of transmitted information under the management of the service provider, thereby improving the security of the transmitted information.

[0045] Furthermore, the above-described information notification system 1 discards message information without opening it if it is determined that the user does not have the authority to open it. Therefore, the above-described information notification system 1 can reliably prevent users who do not have the authority to open it from obtaining message information.

[0046] Furthermore, the above-described information notification system 1 is configured to determine whether or not a user has the authority to open a document by comparing first encrypted information related to the user identification information included in the sender-side matching information with second encrypted information related to the user identification information included in the receiver-side matching information. Therefore, the above-described information notification system 1 can reduce the risk of leakage of user identification information and more reliably authenticate users. Here, in this embodiment, the encryption process utilizes, for example, conversion to a hash value using a hash function, and the first encrypted information and the second encrypted information are assigned as hash values. Therefore, the above-described information notification system 1 is expected to improve the security of information (data) during matching and is easy to implement in the information notification system 1.

[0047] The above has described in detail the configuration and effects of the information notification system 1 of the present invention. Next, details of an information notification method using the information notification system 1 of the present invention and an information notification application program (hereinafter also referred to as an information notification app) capable of executing the information notification method will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. Note that in this embodiment, a case where an information notification app is incorporated into the communication terminal device 30 will be described as an example.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 3, first, a user applies for registration of the communication terminal device 30 on the information notification app (step S1). In step S1, the registration application is made from the information notification app to the information distribution server 20. Next, the information distribution server 20 associates the communication terminal device 30 with the device token (step S2). When the processing in step S2 is completed, the device token is granted to the information notification app (user-side receiving unit 31) (step S3).

[0049] Next, the information notification application applies for member registration to the information transmission server 10 (step S4). The member registration is performed to permit use of services (for example, connect services) provided by the service provider.

[0050] When an application for member registration is made in step S4, user identification information is assigned (step S5). Here, the assignment of user identification information corresponds to the issuance of a user ID.

[0051] Next, in the information transmission server 10, the information notification app transmits the user identification information and the device token associated with the communication terminal device 30 to the information transmission server 10. The information transmission server 10 also associates and registers the user identification information and the device token (user registration step S6).

[0052] Next, the information transmission server 10 generates sender-side matching information based on the user identification information (sender-side matching information generation step S7). In this embodiment, when the sender-side matching information is generated, a first hash value (first encrypted information) is added to the sender-side matching information.

[0053] When the processing in the sender-side matching information generation step S7 is completed, the user identification information (user ID) is notified to the information notification application (user-side receiving unit 31) (step S8). The information notification application that received the notification in step S8 manages (registers) the user identification information and the device token in association with each other (step S9). When the registration processing in step S9 is completed, message information is transmitted from the information transmission server 10 at an appropriate timing. Furthermore, the information distribution server 20 returns to a registration waiting state (rotation) for the communication terminal device 30 until a registration application for a different user's communication terminal device 30 is made (step S10). The processing in step S10 may be performed as needed.

[0054] Here, when the information transmission server 10 transmits message information, the information transmission server 10 executes a message reception step (not shown) for receiving message information to be transmitted.

[0055] When the message information to be sent is prepared in the message receiving step, information including a device token assigned to the communication terminal device 30 used by the user who is the destination, the message information to be sent to the user, and sender-side matching information generated based on the user identification information related to the user is sent to the information distribution server 20 as outgoing information (outgoing information sending step S11). Also, in the outgoing information sending step S11, an outgoing information sending instruction is issued to the information distribution server 20 to cause the information distribution server 20 to send the outgoing information to the communication terminal device 30 (outgoing information sending instruction step). Specifically, in the outgoing information sending step S11, the outgoing information is sent to the information distribution server 20, and the information distribution server 20 that has received the outgoing information then executes an outgoing information sending instruction step together with the outgoing information sending step S11, in which the information distribution server 20 sends the outgoing information to the communication terminal device 30 corresponding to the device token included in the outgoing information.

[0056] The information distribution server 20 receives the transmission information and the instruction to transmit the transmission information to the communication terminal device 30, and transmits the transmission information to the information notification application (communication terminal device 30) (step S12).

[0057] The user-side receiving unit 31 (information notification application) in the communication terminal device 30 receives the outgoing information transmitted from the information distribution server 20 (receiving step). Furthermore, when the communication terminal device 30 receives the outgoing information, it generates receiver-side matching information based on the user identification information included in the outgoing information (receiver-side matching information generating step S13). In this embodiment, when the receiver-side matching information is generated, a second hash value (second encrypted information) is added to the receiver-side matching information.

[0058] Next, the opening determination unit 34 determines whether or not the user has the authority to open the message information contained in the received outgoing information by comparing the sender matching information contained in the outgoing information with the receiver matching information generated in the receiver matching information generation step S13 (opening determination step S14).

[0059] In the opening determination step S14, it is determined that the sender has the authority to open the message information if the sender matching information (first hash value) and the receiver matching information (second hash value) match, and the message information is opened (opening step S15). Here, when the message information is opened, control is performed via the operating system (OS) in the communication terminal device 30 to display the message information on the display unit 35.

[0060] On the other hand, if it is determined in the opening determination step S14 that the user does not have the authority to open the message, the message information is discarded without being opened (displayed) (step S16). In this way, the above-described information notification method can reliably prevent users who do not have the authority to open the message information from obtaining the message information.

[0061] When the above processing is completed, the information notification application returns to a state of waiting for message information from the information transmission server 10. In principle, the processing from steps S1 to S9 above does not need to be executed once registration has been completed, except when the communication terminal device 30 or the user is changed.

[0062] The above is an embodiment of the information notification method and the information notification application program using the information notification method of the present invention. Next, the effects of the information notification method and the information notification application program of the present invention will be described below.

[0063] In the above-described information notification method, in opening determination step S14, it is determined whether or not the sender has the authority to open the message information included in the transmitted information by comparing the sender matching information received in the receiving step with the receiver matching information generated in receiver matching information generation step S13. In other words, even if, for example, information distribution server 20 is managed by a third party, the above-described information notification method can determine whether or not the sender has the authority to open the message information without relying on information distribution server 25.

[0064] Therefore, the above-described information notification method can prevent users with different delivery destinations from opening message information even if there is an error in the delivery destination on the information distribution server 20. This allows the above-described information notification method to improve security.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above-described information notification method, in user registration step S6, user identification information for identifying a user and a device token assigned to the communication terminal device used by the user are associated and registered, and in caller matching information generation step S7, caller matching information is generated based on the user identification information. That is, the above-described information notification method can associate and manage the transmitted information (push notification) and the user identification information on the information transmission server 10 (e.g., a management server of a service provider such as a vehicle manufacturer) side, without relying on the association between the device token and the communication terminal device 30 on the information distribution server 20 (e.g., a push notification distribution server) side. As a result, the above-described information notification method can manage the transmission (notification) of the transmitted information under the management of the service provider, thereby improving the security of the transmitted information.

[0066] The above-described information notification application program can execute processing related to the information notification method on the application program, thereby preventing users with different distribution destinations from obtaining other people's information, thereby improving security.

[0067] The above are embodiments of the information notification system 1, information notification method, and information notification application program of the present invention, but the information notification system 1, information notification method, and information notification application program of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be modified in various ways.

[0068] In the present embodiment, when the service provided by the information transmission server 10 is a service involving a vehicle, such as a connect service, the user identification information may include vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle. Here, the vehicle identification information may be a vehicle identification number (VIN) unique to the vehicle. In addition, although the present embodiment illustrates an example in which the communication terminal device 30 is a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone owned by the user, the communication terminal device 30 may also be a communication device such as a TCU (telematics control unit) or a navigation device.

[0069] The above-described information notification system 1 includes vehicle identification information in the user identification information, thereby enabling association between a vehicle (including an in-vehicle information communication device) and the vehicle user based on the vehicle identification information. This allows for a stronger association between notification of outgoing information (push notification) and the user. Furthermore, the above-described information notification system 1 can be preferably used, for example, when outgoing information related to a vehicle connect service is delivered to a specific user. Here, the vehicle identification information may preferably be a vehicle identification number (VIN).

[0070] In this embodiment, the device token is issued (granted) by the information distribution server 20, but this is not limiting, and for example, the device token may be issued by the information transmission server 10. Also, in this embodiment, the communication terminal device 30 is identified by the device token assigned to the user's communication terminal device 30, but it is also possible to use various information unique to the communication terminal device 30 other than the device token (for example, a MAC address, etc.) when identifying the communication terminal device 30. Also, the message information notified to the communication terminal device 30 can include various information.

[0071] In addition, in the present embodiment, the information distribution server 20 is exemplified as a push notification distribution server managed by a third party. However, various types of servers can be used as the information distribution server 20, and the administrator may not only be a third party but also a service provider managing the information transmission server 10. Furthermore, various types of communication terminal devices 30 available to users can be used as the communication terminal device 30. For example, communication devices such as smartphones, in-vehicle navigation devices, or fixed personal computers can also be used. In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which an information notification app is incorporated into the communication terminal device 30 has been described. However, the information notification system 1 and information notification method of the present invention can also be provided without using an information notification app. Furthermore, the information notification app need not be incorporated into the communication terminal device 30, but can also be incorporated into the information transmission server 10 or the information distribution server 20. In such a case, the information notification app may be mutually linked between the information transmission server 10, the information distribution server 20, and the communication terminal device 30 to enable use of the information notification app.

[0072] Furthermore, the message information notified to the communication terminal device 30 can include various types of information. Furthermore, the user identification information registered in the user registration unit 11 can include various types of information that can identify the user. Furthermore, the caller matching information can include various types of information that can associate and identify the user and the communication terminal device 30 used by the user. Furthermore, the outgoing call information sent to the communication terminal device 30 can include various types of message information to be sent to the user and various types of information that can identify the communication terminal device 30. The receiver-side matching information can also include various information corresponding to the sender-side matching information.

[0073] In this embodiment, the message information is opened when the sender-side matching information and the receiver-side matching information match, and the message is determined to have the authority to open the message in the opening determination unit 34. However, the opening determination unit 34 can use various conditions as the determination conditions for determining whether the sender has the authority to open the message.

[0074] In addition, in this embodiment, the communication terminal device 30 (user-side receiving unit 31) is provided with the display unit 35, but various notification means can be used instead of or in addition to the display unit 35. For example, message information may be notified by voice.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user identification information is converted into a hash value using a hash function, but this is not limited thereto, and various encryption processing means can be used for the encryption processing in the present invention. Furthermore, the above-mentioned information notification system 1, information processing method, and information notification app may not encrypt the sender matching information or the receiver matching information. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user identification information is encrypted, but this is not limited thereto, and various types of information that can identify a user can be encrypted.

[0076] The above are various embodiments and variations of the information notification system 1, information notification method, and information notification application program according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the examples given in the above-mentioned embodiments and variations, and it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the claims in accordance with the teachings and spirit of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0077] The information notification system, the information notification method, and the information notification application program of the present invention can be used for various services such as connect services, etc. Furthermore, the information notification system, the information notification method, and the information notification application program of the present invention can be used for notification of information such as push notification in various services. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1: Information notification system 10: Information transmission server 11: User Registration Department 12: Caller matching information generation unit 13: Message reception section 14: Transmission processing unit 20: Information distribution server (push notification distribution server) 30: Communication terminal device (portable terminal device) 31: User side receiving unit 32: Receiving side matching information generation unit 33: Receiving unit 34: Opening determination section 35:Display section

Claims

1. An information notification system for notifying a user who has registered for use of message information from an information transmission server via an information distribution server, the information transmission server being capable of transmitting the transmission information to a user-side receiving unit realized in a communication terminal device corresponding to the device token included in the transmission information by receiving transmission information including a device token and message information, the information notification system comprising: The information transmission server a user registration unit that associates and registers user identification information for identifying the user and a device token assigned to a communication terminal device used by the user; a caller verification information generating unit that generates caller verification information based on the user identification information; a message receiving unit that receives the message information to be sent; a transmission processing unit that transmits, as transmission information to the information distribution server, information including a device token assigned to a communication terminal device used by the user who is a transmission destination, the message information to be transmitted to the user, and the transmission side matching information generated by the transmission side matching information generation unit based on the user identification information related to the user; In addition to providing By transmitting the transmission information from the transmission processing unit, the information distribution server that has received the transmission information can transmit the transmission information to the communication terminal device that corresponds to the device token included in the transmission information, The user-side receiving unit a receiver-side matching information generating unit that generates receiver-side matching information based on the user identification information; a receiving unit that receives the transmitted information from the information distribution server; an opening determination unit that determines whether or not an authority to open the message information included in the transmitted information is present by comparing the sender-side matching information included in the transmitted information received by the receiving unit with the receiver-side matching information generated by the receiver-side matching information generation unit; It is equipped with the opening determination unit determines that the sender has authority to open the message information on the condition that the sender matching information and the receiver matching information match, and then opens the message information; An information notification system characterized by the above.

2. The information notification system according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal device is an in-vehicle information communication device in a vehicle or a mobile terminal device of a user who owns the vehicle, and the user identification information includes vehicle identification information for identifying the vehicle.

3. The caller matching information generation unit It is possible to add first encrypted information generated by encrypting at least the user identification information included in the sender verification information to the sender verification information, The receiving side matching information generating unit second encrypted information generated by encrypting at least the user identification information included in the receiver-side verifying information can be added to the receiver-side verifying information; The information notification system described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening determination unit determines that the recipient has the authority to open the message by comparing the first encrypted information contained in the sending information with the second encrypted information contained in the receiving side matching information, provided that the first encrypted information and the second encrypted information match.

4. An information notification method for notifying a user who has registered for use of message information from an information transmission server via an information distribution server, the information transmission server being capable of transmitting the transmission information to a user-side receiving unit realized in a communication terminal device corresponding to the device token included in the transmission information by receiving transmission information including a device token and message information, the method comprising: The information transmission server a user registration step of registering user identification information for identifying the user and a device token assigned to a communication terminal device used by the user in association with each other; a caller verification information generating step of generating caller verification information based on the user identification information; a message receiving step of receiving the message information to be sent; a transmission information transmission step of transmitting, to the information distribution server, information including a device token assigned to a communication terminal device used by the user who is a destination, the message information to be transmitted to the user, and the transmission side matching information generated based on the user identification information related to the user; It is possible to execute the above and a step of instructing the information distribution server to transmit the transmission information to the communication terminal device corresponding to the device token included in the transmission information, the step of instructing the information distribution server to transmit the transmission information to the communication terminal device corresponding to the device token included in the transmission information, The user-side receiving unit a receiving step of receiving the transmitted information from the information distribution server; a receiver-side matching information generating step of generating receiver-side matching information based on the user identification information included in the received transmission information; an opening determination step of determining whether or not the user has authority to open the message information included in the received transmission information by comparing the sending side matching information included in the received transmission information with the receiving side matching information generated in the receiving side matching information generation step; is executable, In the opening determination step, it is determined that the sender has the authority to open the message on the condition that the sender matching information and the receiver matching information match, and an opening step is executed in which the message information is opened. An information notification method characterized by the above.

5. An information notification application program capable of executing the information notification method according to claim 4.

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