Program, usage restriction method, and information processing device.

Abstract

To provide a technology for releasing the function restriction of an terminal according to a read image code.SOLUTION: Each of the facility terminals 20 has a reading means 20a, a transmission means 20b, a reception means 20c, and a display means 20d. A reading means 20a reads image codes corresponding to the identifiers of user terminals 30 and time limit information showing the time limit of release of limitation from the user terminals 30. The transmission means 20b transmits a request for authenticating information included in the read image code to the server 10. The receiving means 20c receives an authorization response to the authorization request from the server 10. The display means 20d displays a home screen including a UI object for starting an application when the certification response indicates the success of certification, and displays a screen not including the UI object when the certification response indicates the failure of certification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program, a usage restriction method, and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Various techniques for restricting the reproduction of content in a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as "terminal") have been proposed. As an example, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 can be cited.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=4十三条]]The techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are all techniques for restricting the reproduction of content in a terminal by delivering content corresponding to an image code read by the terminal, and are not techniques for解除the functional restrictions imposed on the terminal.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the problems described above, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for解除the functional restrictions of a terminal device according to a read image code.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] It should be noted that the content in the original text seems to have some inaccuracies or unclear expressions. For example, "端末に課されている機能制限を解除する技術ではなかった" and "読み取った画像コードに応じて端末装置の機能制限を解除する技術を提供することを目的とする" in the translation are translated according to the literal meaning, but the context may need to be further understood to ensure the accuracy of the overall meaning. Also, "解除" in the above translation is a literal translation, and a more appropriate word might be needed depending on the specific context to make the translation more fluent and accurate.One aspect of the present disclosure provides a program for a computer to perform the following steps: read an image code from a user terminal or recording medium corresponding to identification information that identifies the user terminal or recording medium and expiration information indicating the expiration date for lifting the restrictions; send an authentication request to a server for the information contained in the image code that was read; receive an authentication response from the server for the authentication request; if the authentication response indicates that the authentication was successful, display a home screen that includes a UI object for launching an application program that is permitted to be used; and if the authentication response indicates that the authentication failed, display a screen that does not include a UI object for launching an application program.

[0007] The authentication request includes identification information that uniquely identifies the computer, and the program may cause the computer to perform the following steps upon startup: sending a request to the server to confirm that the restriction removal period has expired; receiving an acknowledgment to the request; displaying the home screen if the acknowledgment indicates that the restriction removal period has expired; and displaying a screen that does not contain UI objects for starting the application program if the acknowledgment indicates that the restriction removal period has expired.

[0008] The authentication request may include identification information that uniquely identifies the computer, and the program may cause the computer to perform the steps of receiving a notification from the server that the deadline for lifting the restriction has passed, and, upon receiving the notification, displaying a screen that does not contain any UI objects for launching the application program.

[0009] A screen that does not include the aforementioned UI object may include a display that guides the user through reading the image code.

[0010] The authentication request may include facility information indicating the facility where the computer is installed or the type of facility, and in the step of displaying the home screen, the home screen may include UI objects for launching an application program selected according to the facility information.

[0011] The home screen does not need to include UI objects for installing new application programs on the computer.

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for restricting the use of a device terminal in a computer system having a server and a device terminal, the method comprising: the device terminal reading an image code from a user terminal or recording medium corresponding to identification information that identifies the user terminal or recording medium and expiration information indicating an expiration date for lifting the restriction; the device terminal sending an authentication request for the information contained in the image code read to the server; the server authenticating the authentication request; the server sending an authentication response including the result of the authentication to the device terminal; the device terminal receiving the authentication response from the server; if the authentication response indicates that the authentication was successful, the device terminal displaying a home screen including a UI object for launching an application program that is permitted to be used; and if the authentication response indicates that the authentication failed, the device terminal displaying a screen that does not include a UI object for launching an application program.

[0013] The authentication request may include identification information that identifies the equipment terminal or the group to which the equipment terminal belongs, and the usage restriction method may include the step of the server generating the authentication response which includes identification information of an application program that is permitted to be used in accordance with the identification information.

[0014] A further aspect of the present disclosure provides an information processing apparatus comprising: reading means for reading an image code from a user terminal or recording medium corresponding to identification information that identifies the user terminal or recording medium and expiration information indicating the expiration date for lifting the restrictions; transmitting means for sending an authentication request for the information contained in the image code read to a server; receiving means for receiving an authentication response from the server to the authentication request; and display means for displaying a home screen including a UI object for launching an authorized application program if the authentication response indicates that the authentication was successful, and displaying a screen that does not include a UI object for launching an application program if the authentication response indicates that the authentication failed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example configuration of a computer system 1A according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of server 10. [Figure 3] A functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of server 10 and equipment terminal 20. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of the contents of the database DB stored on server 10. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of equipment terminal 20. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of the software configuration of equipment terminal 20. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of the home screen displayed on the equipment terminal 20. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of the reading screen displayed on the equipment terminal 20. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of a communication sequence in computer system 1A. [Figure 10] This diagram shows an example of the contents of the database stored on server 10. [Figure 11] A diagram showing an example configuration of a computer system 1B according to one embodiment. [Figure 12]A diagram showing an example of the registration content of the database DB stored in server 10. [Figure 13] A functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configurations of server 10 and facility terminal 20. [Figure 14] A diagram showing an example of a communication sequence. [Figure 15] A diagram showing an example of the registration content of the database stored in server 10.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] The embodiments described below are subject to various technically preferable limitations. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the forms described below.

[0017] 1. First Embodiment 1-1. Configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a computer system 1A including a facility terminal 20 which is an example of an information processing apparatus of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the facility terminal 20, the computer system 1A includes a server 10 and a user terminal 30. The facility terminal 20 is a tablet-type information processing apparatus that operates with a predetermined OS (Operating System) such as Android (registered trademark) or iOS (registered trademark). The facility terminal 20 is owned by an operator that provides viewing services such as TV programs to inpatients in a hospital, or is owned by the hospital, and is installed on a hospital bed using a fixture that imitates the arm part of an electric stand, for example.

[0018] Traditionally, hospital rooms were typically equipped with prepaid card-operated television sets. When this type of television set was installed, inpatients could purchase a prepaid card, often called a "TV card," from an automatic ticket machine or shop within the hospital and insert it into the television set's card slot to watch television programs. While many of the television sets in hospital rooms were replaced with models compatible with digital terrestrial broadcasting during the 2011 switchover, equipment that is now 10 years old is beginning to require replacement due to age-related deterioration. While small television sets of 20 inches or less were the norm for hospital beds, these types of small television sets are rarely manufactured anymore. Furthermore, with the rapid spread of internet-based video streaming services, simply watching digital terrestrial television programs is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of inpatients. Installing the equipment terminal 20 at the hospital bed addresses these challenges.

[0019] The user terminal 30 is a terminal owned by a user (end user) of the computer system 1A. A specific example of the user terminal 30 is a smartphone. The communication network 40 includes a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) laid within the facility where the equipment terminal 20 is installed (in this embodiment, a hospital). Although detailed illustration is omitted in Figure 1, the communication network 40 includes a wireless access point device that accommodates the equipment terminal 20 and the user terminal 30. The user terminal 30 and the equipment terminal 20 are connected to the communication network 40 by being connected to this wireless access point device. The communication network 40 also includes an external telecommunications line (e.g., the Internet) connected to the wireless LAN laid within the hospital. The user terminal 30 and the equipment terminal 20 connected to the communication network 40 can use various communication services provided via the Internet, such as sending and receiving emails or browsing websites. Note that using the Internet connection via the wireless LAN is a paid service, and users of the equipment terminal 20 cannot connect the equipment terminal 20 or the user terminal 30 to the wireless LAN without paying the fee. The usage fees for the wireless LAN and the equipment terminal 20 are settled using a predetermined payment service via the user terminal 30. In this example, the wireless LAN connection service at this facility is provided by the same provider under the same contract as the viewing service. That is, an end user who has entered into a contract with this service provider can use both the wireless LAN and the equipment terminal 20. For the method of managing and controlling terminals using the wireless LAN on the network, for example, the technology described in Japanese Patent No. 5848467 can be used.

[0020] Server 10 is a computer device connected to the communication network 40 and is operated and managed by a service provider that provides television program viewing services to users of the equipment terminals 20. Server 10 communicates with the equipment terminals 20 and user terminals 30 via the communication network 40 in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol such as TCP / IP. Although detailed illustrations are omitted in Figure 1, each equipment terminal 20 is equipped with an antenna for receiving terrestrial digital broadcast signals and a terrestrial digital broadcast compatible television tuner. This television tuner receives the terrestrial digital broadcast signal, encodes the received signal, and distributes it as video data to the equipment terminals 20 within the facility. As will be described in detail later, the equipment terminals 20 have an application program pre-installed that receives and plays the video data distributed from the television tuner. Hereinafter, this application program will be referred to as the television viewing app. Server 10 may provide television program viewing services to one facility or to multiple facilities.

[0021] Although Figure 1 shows only one equipment terminal 20, the computer system 1A may contain multiple equipment terminals 20. Similarly, although Figure 1 shows only one user terminal 30, the computer system 1A may contain multiple user terminals 30. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, restrictions are imposed on the launch of application programs such as TV viewing applications on the equipment terminal 20, and these restrictions are lifted when the server 10 and the equipment terminal 20 perform predetermined communication. The following description will focus on the server 10 and equipment terminal 20, which prominently demonstrate the features of this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of server 10, and Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of server 10 and equipment terminal 20. As shown in Figure 2, server 10 includes a CPU 100, memory 110, storage 120, and a communication interface (abbreviated as IF in Figure 2; the same applies hereafter in this specification) 130.

[0023] The storage 120 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The storage 120 stores a server program for providing television program viewing services. The storage 120 also functions as a storage means 10c (see Figure 3) that stores a database DB in which various data necessary for providing television program viewing services are registered.

[0024] Figure 4 shows an example of the contents registered in the database DB. As shown in Figure 4, attribute information is registered in the database DB in association with identification information. The identification information includes information about a user who has entered into a service agreement with a provider of television program viewing services. The identification information includes an identifier (e.g., MAC address) to uniquely identify the user terminal 30 used by the user who has entered into a service agreement for viewing services, and an identifier to uniquely identify the equipment terminal 20 that the user is permitted to use under the agreement. Hereinafter, the user terminal 30 used by the user who has entered into a service agreement for viewing services will be referred to as the parent terminal, and the equipment terminal 20 that the user is permitted to use will be referred to as the child terminal. The number of child terminals that a single user is permitted to use under the above service agreement may be one or multiple. When a user is permitted to use multiple child terminals, the identifiers of multiple child terminals may be registered in the database DB in association with the identifier of one parent terminal, or an identifier that uniquely identifies the group of multiple child terminals may be registered. An example of a group of multiple child terminals is a multicast group or VLAN formed by multiple child terminals, and an example of an identifier that uniquely identifies such a group is a multicast address or VLAN ID.

[0025] Attribute information includes the current status of the child terminal (whether it is unused or not), the expiration date of the usage agreement, the type of facility where the usage agreement was concluded, and information indicating the number of devices permitted to be used under the usage agreement. Figure 4 illustrates an example where one user is permitted to use up to three devices in total, including both parent and child terminals. As will be explained in more detail later, when a usage agreement for the viewing service is concluded, the identifier of the parent terminal, the expiration date of the usage agreement, the type of facility, and information indicating the number of devices permitted to be used under the usage agreement are registered in the database DB, and the contents of the database DB will be as shown in Figure 4. In addition, identification information that identifies each contract may also be recorded in the database DB.

[0026] Memory 110 is a volatile storage device such as RAM (Random Access Memory). Memory 110 is used by the CPU 100 as a work area when executing server programs. Communication IF 130 is a wired or wireless communication device and is connected to the communication network 40. Communication IF 130 receives data transmitted from the communication network 40 and passes the received data to the CPU 100, while also sending the data received from the CPU 100 back to the communication network 40.

[0027] When the power to the server 10 (not shown) is turned on, the CPU 100 reads the server program from the storage 120 into the memory 110 and starts executing the server program. Operating according to the server program, the CPU 100 registers the identifier and attribute information of the parent terminal in the database DB in response to a registration request sent from the user terminal 30, and in response to a confirmation request sent from the equipment terminal 20, it determines whether the equipment terminal 20 is already registered as a child terminal and sends back a confirmation response according to the result of that determination.

[0028] Furthermore, the CPU 100, which operates according to the server program, functions as the receiving means 10a, authentication means 10b, generation means 10d, and transmission means 10e shown in Figure 3. In other words, each of the receiving means 10a, authentication means 10b, generation means 10d, and transmission means 10e shown in Figure 3 is a software module realized by operating the CPU 100 (i.e., the computer) according to the server program. The functions performed by each of the receiving means 10a, authentication means 10b, generation means 10d, and transmission means 10e shown in Figure 3 are as follows.

[0029] The receiving means 10a receives authentication requests transmitted from the equipment terminal 20 via the communication network 40 using the communication IF 130. As will be described in detail later, the authentication request transmitted from the equipment terminal 20 includes an identifier of the equipment terminal 20 (i.e., the child terminal) that is the source of the authentication request, and an image code containing information indicating the contents of the user agreement for the viewing service. The authentication means 10b authenticates whether the user agreement for the television program viewing service by the server 10 is valid for the source of the authentication request received by the receiving means 10a. The generating means 10d generates an authentication response according to the authentication result by the authentication means 10b. For example, if the user agreement is not valid, such as because the expiration date of the user agreement has passed, the generating means 10d will fail authentication and generate an authentication response indicating authentication failure, such as a notification that the user agreement has expired. On the other hand, if authentication is successful, the generating means 10d will show an authentication response indicating authentication success. The transmission means 10e sends the authentication response generated by the generation means 10d to the source of the authentication request using the communication IF 130. This completes the configuration of the server 10.

[0030] Figure 5 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the equipment terminal 20. As shown in Figure 5, the equipment terminal 20 includes a CPU 200, memory 210, storage 220, communication IF 230, display device 240, and input device 250. The display device 240 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and its driving circuit. The display device 240 displays various images under the control of the CPU 200. The input device 250 includes a transparent sheet-like pressure sensor and an imaging device such as a camera. The transparent sheet-like pressure sensor included in the input device 250 is provided so as to cover the display surface of the display device 240. This pressure sensor transmits data indicating the user's pressing position to the CPU 200. In this embodiment, a touch panel is formed by the display device 240 and the pressure sensor covering the display surface of the display device 240. The imaging device included in the input device 250 captures various images in response to user instructions on the touch panel and transmits the image data representing the captured images to the CPU 200.

[0031] The communication IF230 is a wireless communication device connected to the communication network 40. The communication IF230 receives data transmitted from the communication network 40 and passes the received data to the CPU200, while the CPU200 sends the data it receives back to the communication network 40. The storage 220 is a non-volatile storage device, similar to the storage 120. Various applications are stored in the storage 220. The memory 210 is a volatile storage device, similar to the memory 110. The memory 110 is used by the CPU200 as a work area when executing various applications.

[0032] Figure 6 shows an example of the software configuration of the equipment terminal 20, i.e., the applications stored in the storage 220. The storage 220 of the equipment terminal 20 has pre-stored applications A, B, C, etc., and a home application. For example, application A is a TV viewing application, application B is an application for viewing videos provided via the internet, and application C is a game application. The home application is an application that enables the restriction and removal of the launch of other applications other than the home application, such as applications A, B, and C, and displays the home screen. As mentioned above, the owner of the equipment terminal 20 is the business operator providing the above viewing service, so even users who are permitted to use the equipment terminal 20 are not permitted to install new applications on the equipment terminal 20. For this reason, the home screen does not include UI objects for installing new application programs.

[0033] When the power to the equipment terminal 20 (not shown in Figure 5) is turned on, i.e., when the equipment terminal 20 starts up, the CPU 200 reads the home application from the storage 220 into the memory 210 and starts executing the home application. Operating according to the home application, the CPU 200 generates a confirmation request that includes the identifier of the equipment terminal 20 and sends the generated confirmation request to the server 10. If the CPU 200 receives a confirmation response indicating that the application is registered, it displays the home screen shown in Figure 7 on the display device 240. This home screen contains UI objects (rectangular icons in the example shown in Figure 7) corresponding to applications A, B, and C, and the user of the equipment terminal 20 can launch the application corresponding to any of the UI objects by touching that UI object.

[0034] In response to this, if an acknowledgment indicating unregistered status is received, the CPU 200 displays the reading screen shown in Figure 8 on the display device 240. As shown in Figure 8, the reading screen includes a message guiding the user to read the image code ("Please read the image code"). In addition, the rectangle indicated by the dotted line in Figure 8 corresponds to the imaging field of view of the imaging device included in the input device 250, and the image captured by the imaging device is displayed within this rectangle.

[0035] The reading screen shown in Figure 8 prompts the user to authenticate using the aforementioned image code, and this reading screen does not contain any UI objects corresponding to the application. Therefore, when the screen shown in Figure 8 is displayed on the display device 240, in other words, when authentication has not been successful, the user of the equipment terminal 20 cannot launch any application other than the home application.

[0036] When the CPU 200 operates according to the home application and displays the reading screen shown in Figure 8 on the display device 240, it functions as the reading means 20a, transmitting means 20b, receiving means 20c, and display means 20d shown in Figure 3. In other words, each of the reading means 20a, transmitting means 20b, receiving means 20c, and display means 20d shown in Figure 3 is a software module realized by operating the CPU 200 (i.e., the computer) according to the home application. The functions performed by each of the reading means 20a, transmitting means 20b, receiving means 20c, and display means 20d shown in Figure 3 are as follows.

[0037] The reading means 20a reads the image code displayed on the user terminal 30 by capturing it using the imaging device included in the input device 250. This image code is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark) and contains an identifier that identifies the user terminal 30, expiration information indicating the deadline for lifting restrictions on the use of applications other than the home application (in other words, the expiration date for using the equipment terminal 20), and facility information indicating the type of facility where the equipment terminal 20 is installed. The transmitting means 20b sends an authentication request containing the information contained in the image code read by the reading means 20a to the server 10 using the communication IF 230. This authentication request includes the identifier of the equipment terminal 20 that is the source of the authentication request. The receiving means 20c receives the authentication response sent from the server 10 in response to the authentication request using the communication IF 230. If the authentication response indicates that authentication was successful, the display means 20d displays the home screen shown in Figure 7 on the display device 240. Furthermore, if the authentication response indicates that authentication has failed, the display means 20d causes the display device 240 to display a screen that does not contain any UI objects for launching the application (for example, a screen with only text indicating that the expiration date has passed). This completes the configuration of the equipment terminal 20.

[0038] 1-2.Operation Next, we will explain the operation of the server 10 and the equipment terminal 20 in the computer system 1B, using the example of a user who has been admitted to a hospital where the equipment terminal 20 is installed and is using the equipment terminal 20 for the first time.

[0039] Figure 9 shows an example of a communication sequence in computer system 1A. Consider the case where a user hospitalized in a hospital where equipment terminal 20 is installed wishes to use a television program viewing service. The user accesses a site for wireless LAN connection, such as WiFi connection, using user terminal 30. The user specifies the name of the facility (hospital name) where the viewing service will be used, the usage period of the viewing service (e.g., 12 hours or 3 days), and the number of equipment terminals 20 to be used, and concludes a usage agreement with the service provider that provides the viewing service. The usage fee for the viewing service varies depending on the type of facility where the viewing service will be used, the length of the usage period, and the number of equipment terminals 20 to be used, and this usage fee is settled at the site (step S101). Once the usage fee is settled, user terminal 30 sends a registration request to server 10 requesting registration of information indicating the contents of the usage agreement (step S102). This registration request includes information indicating the contents of the usage agreement and information indicating the source of the registration request (identifier of user terminal 30).

[0040] When the CPU 100 of server 10 receives a registration request using the communication IF 130, it associates information indicating the source of the registration request with information indicating the contents of the user agreement and registers this information in the database DB (step S103; see Figure 4 for details on the database DB). Once the database DB update in response to the registration request is complete, the CPU 100 of server 10 generates an image code containing information indicating the contents of the user agreement and sends a registration response containing this image code to the source of the registration request (step S104). Upon receiving this registration response, the user terminal 30 becomes able to display the image code.

[0041] Upon receiving the registration response, the user who obtains the above image code turns on the equipment terminal 20 on their hospital bed. When the power is turned on, the CPU 200 of the equipment terminal 20 starts running the home application and sends a confirmation request to the server 10 (not shown in Figure 9). As mentioned above, this confirmation request includes the identifier of the equipment terminal 20 that sent the confirmation request. When the CPU 100 of the server 10 receives the confirmation request using the communication IF 130, it checks whether the identifier indicating the source of the confirmation request is registered in the database DB. When a user admitted to the hospital where the equipment terminal 20 is installed uses the equipment terminal 20 for the first time, the information of the equipment terminal 20 is not registered in the database DB, so the server 10 sends a confirmation response to the equipment terminal 20 indicating that it is not registered (not shown in Figure 9).

[0042] Since the acknowledgment sent from server 10 indicates that the device is not registered, the CPU 200 of the device terminal 20 displays a reading screen (see Figure 8) on the display device 240 upon receiving the acknowledgment. As mentioned above, when the device terminal 20 is displaying the reading screen shown in Figure 8 on the display device 240, it is not possible to launch other applications or programs. When the user of the device terminal 20 views the reading screen shown in Figure 8, it displays a completed image code on the user terminal 30 (step S105) and has the device terminal 20 read the image code. The CPU 200 of the device terminal 20 reads the image code displayed on the user terminal 30 (step S106) and sends an authentication request to server 10 that includes the information contained in the read image code (step S107). The authentication request includes, for example, an identifier that identifies the parent terminal (user terminal 30 in this example), expiration information indicating the expiration date of the contract with the provider of the viewing service, and facility information indicating the type of facility where the device terminal 20 is installed. At least some of this information may be replaced with information that identifies the viewing agreement (or wireless LAN connection agreement) between the end user and the service provider (e.g., contract number). The authentication request further includes an identifier for the equipment terminal 20 that is the source of the authentication request. At this point, the equipment terminal 20 may not be able to use the wireless LAN internet connection, but communication with the server 10 is possible through the functions of a router (not shown) installed in the facility, for example.

[0043] The CPU 100 of server 10 performs authentication based on the information contained in the authentication request sent from the equipment terminal 20 (step S108). Specifically, the CPU 100 determines whether information indicating that the contract identified by the information contained in the authentication request is valid (i.e., within its term) is registered in the database DB. If it is determined that information indicating that the contract is valid is registered in the database DB, the CPU 100 authenticates the authentication request. If it is determined that information indicating that the contract is valid is not registered in the database DB, the CPU 100 does not authenticate the authentication request. If this authentication is successful, the CPU 100 registers the equipment terminal 20 as a child terminal in the database DB (see Figure 10). Server 10 sends an authentication response indicating successful authentication to the equipment terminal 20 (step S109). Upon receiving this authentication response, the CPU 200 of equipment terminal 20 displays the home screen shown in Figure 7 on the display device 240 (step S110), and the user of equipment terminal 20 can watch TV programs by launching the TV viewing application. Furthermore, if the home screen shown in Figure 7 is displayed on the display device 240, the user can watch videos by launching a video viewing app, and play games by launching a game app.

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment, the functional restrictions of the equipment terminal 20 are released in accordance with the image code read from the user terminal 30 using the equipment terminal 20, making it possible to allow the user of the equipment terminal 20 to use the TV program viewing service. The CPU 200 of the equipment terminal 20 may perform authentication checks with the server 10 at regular time intervals, and if it is confirmed that the usage contract is valid, it may allow the user to continue using other applications, thereby allowing the user to freely use the equipment terminal 20 until the expiration date. In this case, if it is confirmed that the expiration date has passed, the CPU 200 of the equipment terminal 20 may shut down other applications that are currently in use and display the reading screen (see Figure 8).

[0045] Furthermore, instead of placing UI objects corresponding to each of the apps stored in storage 220 on the home screen, only UI objects corresponding to apps specified according to the facility where the equipment terminal 20 is installed may be placed. Also, within the number of devices permitted under the user agreement, users may register other computer devices they own or smartphones of acquaintances who come to visit them as child terminals. In this case, a device to be newly registered as a child terminal accesses a dedicated site from a dedicated app installed on it or from a browser, and has the new child terminal read an image code displayed on the parent terminal. The server 10 authenticates the new child terminal using this image code, and if authentication is successful, the new child terminal is registered. The server 10 provides wireless LAN internet connection services to child terminals registered in the database DB. This allows the new child terminal to connect to the facility's wireless LAN. Alternatively, the service provider may also provide television program viewing services to child terminals other than the equipment terminal 20.

[0046] 2. Second Embodiment Figure 11 shows an example configuration of computer system 1B, which includes a server 10 and equipment terminals 20. In Figure 11, the same components as in Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As is clear from comparing Figure 11 with Figure 1, computer system 1B has a recording medium 50 instead of a user terminal 30. The recording medium 50 is a prepaid card sold at a shop or vending machine in the facility where the equipment terminals 20 are installed, and corresponds to a conventional television card. The recording medium 50 is issued by a business operator that provides television program viewing services. The price of the recording medium 50 varies depending on the length of the usage period for the television program viewing service and the number of equipment terminals 20 used. An image code, which contains information indicating the content of the usage agreement concluded between the end user and the business operator, is printed on the surface of the recording medium 50. In the first embodiment, the image code displayed by the user terminal 30 included identification information of the user terminal 30, but in the second embodiment, the image code printed on the recording medium 50 does not include identification information of the user terminal 30, but contains identification information that identifies the recording medium 50. The operator registers the identification information of the issued recording medium 50 in the database DB. Figure 12 shows an example of the contents stored in the database DB at the time of issuance of the recording medium 50. As is clear from comparing Figure 12 with Figure 4, the database DB in this embodiment differs from the database DB in the first embodiment in that it stores attribute information associated with the identification information, including the identifier of the recording medium 50. Child terminal

[0047] Figure 13 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of computer system 1B. In Figure 13, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in Figure 3. As is clear from comparing Figure 13 and Figure 3, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the image code printed on the recording medium 50 is supplied to the equipment terminal 20. The operation of server 10 and equipment terminal 20 in computer system 1B will be described below using the case where a user (end user) admitted to a hospital where equipment terminal 20 is installed uses equipment terminal 20 for the first time as an example.

[0048] Figure 14 shows an example of a communication sequence in computer system 1B. The end user purchases a recording medium 50 from an automatic ticket vending machine or shop within the facility (step S201). Next, the user turns on the power to the equipment terminal 20 at their bedside in their hospital room. When this happens, the CPU 200 of the equipment terminal 20 starts executing the home application and sends a confirmation request to the server 10 (not shown in Figure 14). When the CPU 100 of the server 10 receives the confirmation request using the communication IF 130, it checks whether the information of the equipment terminal 20, which is the source of the confirmation request, is registered in the database DB.

[0049] When a user admitted to a hospital where the equipment terminal 20 is installed uses the equipment terminal 20 for the first time, the information about the equipment terminal 20 is not registered in the database DB, so a confirmation response indicating that it is not registered is sent from the server 10 to the equipment terminal 20. Since the confirmation response sent from the server 10 indicates that it is not registered, the CPU 200 of the equipment terminal 20 displays the reading screen (see Figure 8) on the display device 240. Similar to the first embodiment described above, when the equipment terminal 20 is displaying the reading screen shown in Figure 8 on the display device 240, it is not possible to launch other applications or anything else.

[0050] When the user of the equipment terminal 20 views the reading screen shown in Figure 8, they cause the equipment terminal 20 to read the image code printed on the surface of the purchased recording medium 50 (step S202). The CPU 200 of the equipment terminal 20 sends an authentication request including the read image code to the server 10 (step S203). The server 10 performs authentication based on the information contained in the image code included in the authentication request sent from the equipment terminal 20 (step S204). If this authentication is successful, the equipment terminal 20 is registered as a child terminal in the database DB (see Figure 15), and the server 10 sends an authentication response indicating successful authentication to the equipment terminal 20 (step S205). Upon receiving this authentication response, the CPU 200 of the equipment terminal 20 displays the home screen shown in Figure 7 on the display device 240, as in the first embodiment (step S206), and the user of the equipment terminal 20 can watch television programs by launching the television viewing application.

[0051] In addition, just as with registering the equipment terminal 20, end users can access the wireless LAN internet connection service on their own computer devices, such as smartphones, by reading the image code with their own computer devices.

[0052] As described above, this embodiment, like the first embodiment, makes it possible to release the functional restrictions of the equipment terminal 20 according to the image code that is read. The point to note here is that a user terminal 30 is not required in this embodiment. According to the computer system 1B of this embodiment, even users who do not own a user terminal 30 such as a smartphone, or users who are unfamiliar with using a user terminal 30, such as children or the elderly, can use the television program viewing service.

[0053] Here, we have separately described an example of registering a child terminal using a user terminal 30 (first embodiment) and an example of registering a child terminal using a recording medium 50 (second embodiment). However, a single computer system 1 may support both the registration of child terminals using the user terminal 30 and the registration of child terminals using the recording medium 50. In this case, the database DB has an area for the user terminal 30 and an area for the recording medium 50. The server 10 determines whether the identification information included in the registration request received from the equipment terminal 20 belongs to the user terminal 30 or the recording medium 50. Whether the identification information belongs to the user terminal 30 or the recording medium 50 is determined by the identification number (for example, the identification information of the recording medium 50 may include a specific string).

[0054] 3. Variant The first and second embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but these embodiments may be modified as follows.

[0055] 3-1. Applicable Facilities The facilities to which Computer System 1 applies are not limited to hospitals. Facilities to which Computer System 1 applies may also be accommodation facilities such as hotels. When Computer System 1 is applied to a hotel, the equipment terminal 20 is, for example, a set-top box connected to the television receiver in the guest room. This set-top box has a camera connected to or built into it for reading image codes. The hotel operator gives the user who checks in a WiFi connection card (another example of recording medium 50) at the front desk. This card may be distributed free of charge or with an additional charge. Alternatively, when Computer System 1 accepts a reservation online, it may send information for displaying the image code (e.g., the URL of the image code) to the terminal of the user who made the reservation (another example of user terminal 30).

[0056] 3-2. Content Restrictions The application programs corresponding to the UI objects displayed on the home screen (i.e., the application programs that a user can launch on the equipment terminal 20) may be restricted according to the group to which the equipment terminal 20 belongs. These groups may be categorized by industry, such as "hospitals" and "hotels." Server 10 has a database that records the definition of each group and a list of application programs that are permitted to be launched for each group. Server 10 refers to this database in response to a registration request from the equipment terminal 20 to identify the application programs that are permitted to be launched. Server 10 sends the identification information of the permitted application programs to the equipment terminal 20, which is the source of the registration request. The equipment terminal 20 displays the UI objects corresponding to the application programs indicated by the identification information received from Server 10 on the home screen. That is, UI objects corresponding to application programs not included in the identification information received from Server 10 are not displayed on the home screen and cannot be launched on the equipment terminal 20. The transmission of the identification information of the permitted application programs may be included in the response to a confirmation request.

[0057] The group may be further subdivided into subgroups. For example, the group "Hospital" may have subgroups such as "Pediatric Ward" and "General Ward," and the application programs that are permitted to run may be defined for each subgroup. Alternatively, the application programs that are permitted to run may be defined for each of the equipment terminals 20.

[0058] 3-3. Authentication In each of the embodiments described above, when the equipment terminal 20 is powered on, the CPU 200 of the equipment terminal 20 sends a confirmation request to the server 10, and if the equipment terminal 20 is already registered, authentication of the equipment terminal 20 is omitted. However, the system may be modified so that the sending of the confirmation request is omitted and authentication of the equipment terminal 20 is always performed.

[0059] 3-4. Other variations In the above embodiment, the receiving means 10a, authentication means 10b, generation means 10d, and transmission means 10e were all software modules. However, one, more, or all of the receiving means 10a, authentication means 10b, generation means 10d, and transmission means 10e may be hardware modules such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). Similarly, one, more, or all of the reading means 20a, transmission means 20b, receiving means 20c, and display means 20d may be hardware modules such as ASICs.

[0060] In the embodiments described above, computer systems 1A and 1B, which include a device terminal 20 that is one aspect of the information processing device of the Disclosure, were described. However, the device terminal 20, i.e., the information processing device of the Disclosure, may be manufactured or sold as a standalone unit. Furthermore, a program (in the embodiments above, a home app) that causes the CPU 200 to execute a reading step for reading an image code from a user terminal 30 or recording medium 50, a request transmission step for sending an authentication request to a server, a response reception step for receiving an authentication response, a first display step for displaying a home screen including UI objects for launching an application program if the authentication response indicates successful authentication, and a second display step for displaying a screen without UI objects for launching an application program if the authentication response indicates failure, was pre-stored in the storage 220 of the device terminal 20. However, a program that causes the computer to execute the reading step, request transmission step, response reception step, first display step, and second display step may be manufactured or sold as a standalone unit. This is because by installing such a program on a general tablet terminal and operating the computer of the tablet terminal according to the program, the tablet terminal can function as the information processing device of the Disclosure. Specific methods of providing the above-mentioned program include distributing it by writing it to a computer-readable recording medium such as flash ROM (Read Only Memory), or distributing it by downloading it via telecommunications lines such as the Internet.

[0061] If a computer device without a camera wants to use a wireless LAN internet connection service, it cannot read the image code, so the wireless LAN internet connection service cannot be used with this computer device using the method described in the embodiment. Therefore, the issuer of the recording medium 50 may print a PIN on the recording medium 50 that corresponds one-to-one with the recording medium (i.e., the printed image code). The end user accesses a URL (this URL may also be printed on the recording medium 50) to access a website (i.e., server 10) for registering the child terminal, and enters the PIN on that site. Once the PIN is entered, server 10 registers the computer device in the database DB.

[0062] In this embodiment, an example was described in which a viewing service and a wireless LAN internet connection service are provided as a set. However, these two services may be provided separately.

[0063] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a server program that causes the CPU 100 to execute an authentication step for authenticating an authentication request and a response transmission step for sending an authentication response including the authentication result to the equipment terminal 20 was pre-stored in the storage 120. However, this server program may also be manufactured or sold as a standalone product.

[0064] In essence, the present invention provides a method for restricting the use of equipment terminals in a computer system having servers and equipment terminals, and the method includes the aforementioned reading step, request transmission step, authentication step, response transmission step, response reception step, first display step, and second display step.

[0065] The correspondence between functional elements and hardware elements in computer system 1 is not limited to those illustrated in the embodiment. For example, some of the functional elements described as being possessed by server 10 in the embodiment may be possessed by other computer devices such as equipment terminal 20 or user terminal 30. Also, multiple physical devices may cooperate to function as server 10. Server 10 may be a physical server or a virtual server (for example, a so-called cloud server). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1A, 1B... Computer system, 10... Server, 10a... Receiving means, 10b... Authentication means, 10d... Generation means, 10e... Transmission means, 20... Equipment terminal, 20a... Reading means, 20b... Transmission means, 20c... Receiving means, 20d... Display means, 30... User terminal, 40... Communication network, 100, 200... CPU, 110, 210... Memory, 120, 220... Storage, 130, 230... Communication interface, 240... Display device, 250... Input device.

Claims

1. On the computer, The steps include reading an image code from a user terminal or recording medium that corresponds to identification information identifying the user terminal or recording medium and expiration information indicating the expiration date for lifting the restrictions, The steps include sending an authentication request to a server, which includes the information contained in the image code read and facility information indicating the facility where the computer is installed or the type of facility; The steps include receiving an authentication response from the server for the authentication request, If the authentication response indicates that authentication was successful, the steps include displaying a home screen containing a UI object for launching an application program selected according to the facility information, If the authentication response indicates that the authentication failed, the steps include displaying a screen that does not contain a UI object for launching the application program. A program to execute.

2. The authentication request includes identification information that uniquely identifies the computer, The steps include: sending a request to the server to confirm that the restriction removal period has expired, triggered by the computer being started; The steps include receiving an acknowledgment response to the aforementioned acknowledgment request, If the acknowledgment indicates that the restriction removal period is still in effect, the home screen is displayed. If the acknowledgment indicates that the restriction removal period has not expired, the step is to display a screen that does not contain a UI object for launching the application program. The program according to claim 1 for causing the computer to execute the program.

3. The authentication request includes identification information that uniquely identifies the computer, The steps include receiving notification from the server that the deadline for lifting the restriction has passed, Upon receiving the aforementioned notification, the step is to display a screen that does not contain a UI object for launching the application program. The program according to claim 1 for causing the computer to execute the program.

4. A screen that does not include the aforementioned UI object includes a display that guides the reader of the image code. The program according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The home screen does not include any UI objects for installing a new application program on the computer. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for restricting the use of equipment terminals in an equipment terminal system having servers and equipment terminals, The equipment terminal reads an image code from a user terminal or recording medium that corresponds to identification information identifying the user terminal or recording medium and expiration information indicating the expiration date for lifting the restrictions. The equipment terminal sends an authentication request to the server, which includes the information contained in the image code read and facility information indicating the facility where the equipment terminal is installed or the type of facility; The server performs the authentication of the authentication request, The server sends an authentication response including the authentication result to the equipment terminal, The equipment terminal receives the authentication response from the server, If the authentication response indicates successful authentication, the equipment terminal displays a home screen containing a UI object for launching an application program selected according to the facility information. If the authentication response indicates an authentication failure, the equipment terminal displays a screen that does not contain a UI object for launching an application program. A method of restricting use that includes the following.

7. The authentication request includes identification information that identifies the equipment terminal or the group to which the equipment terminal belongs. The server has a step of generating the authentication response which includes the identification information of an application program authorized for use according to the identification information. The method of restricting use according to claim 6.

8. When the power is turned on, the home app is launched, and a restriction mechanism is in place to restrict the launch of other application programs. A reading means for reading an image code from a user terminal or recording medium that corresponds to identification information identifying the user terminal or recording medium and expiration information indicating the expiration date for lifting the restrictions, A transmission means for sending an authentication request to a server for the information contained in the image code that has been read, Receiving means for receiving an authentication response to the authentication request from the server, If the authentication response indicates that the authentication was successful, the display means displays a home screen containing a UI object for launching the permitted application program; if the authentication response indicates that the authentication failed, the display means displays a screen that does not contain a UI object for launching the application program. An information processing device having

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