Abstract:
A remote service system capable of providing service also in environment of a dynamic IP address is realized. A service demanding apparatus has a demand-side router connected to the Internet by using a dynamic IP address via a broadband line. The demand-side router has authentication obtaining means for obtaining authentication from a service providing apparatus and communication means for performing communication with the service providing apparatus. The service providing apparatus has an authentication server for authenticating the service demanding apparatus and a providing-side router connected to the Internet by using a static IP address. The providing-side router has communication starting means for accessing the demand-side router by using a telephone number on a broadband line to make the demand-side router start performing communication, and communication means for performing communication with the service demanding apparatus.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of China patent application 200610106346.5 filed Jul. 14, 2006 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a service system and, more particularly, to a service system in which the Internet is interposed between a service demanding apparatus and a service providing apparatus. 
         [0003]    An example of a service system in which the Internet is interposed between a service demanding apparatus and a service providing apparatus is a remote service system of a medical imaging apparatus. In the remote service system, a functional check, trouble shooting, and the like are performed on the medical imaging apparatus such as an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) apparatus, an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) apparatus, a radiographic apparatus, or a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) apparatus which is working in a site of a user from a server of a service provider by communications utilizing the Internet (refer to, Patent Document 1). 
         [0004]    In the remote service system, the medical imaging apparatus that is working in the user site corresponds to the service demanding apparatus, and the server of the service provider corresponds to the service providing apparatus. Generally, the correspondence between the service providing apparatus and the service demanding apparatuses is 1:n. Since the Internet is used for communications, a global remote service system can be configured. 
         [0005]    [Patent Document 1]Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-190105 
         [0006]    On the Internet, each service demanding apparatus is identified by an IP (Internet Protocol) address. In environment of a static IP address, an IP address is unique to a user. In contrast, in environment of a dynamic IP address, an IP address is extracted from a group of IP addresses that are pooled in advance and the extracted IP address is used each time access is made, so that an IP address is not unique to a user. Consequently, when a serving demanding apparatus uses a dynamic IP address, the service demanding apparatus cannot be specified with the IP address, so that service cannot be provided. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is desirable that the problem described previously is solved. 
         [0008]    One aspect of the invention provides a service system in which the Internet is interposed between a service demanding apparatus and a service providing apparatus, wherein the service demanding apparatus has a demand-side router connected to the Internet by using a dynamic IP address via a broadband line. The demand-side router includes authentication obtaining means for obtaining authentication from the service providing apparatus; and communication means for performing communication with the service providing apparatus. The service providing apparatus includes an authentication server for authenticating the service demanding apparatus; and a providing-side router for performing communication with the service demanding apparatus. The service providing apparatus includes an authentication server for authenticating the service demanding apparatus and a supply-side router connected to the Internet by using a static IP address, and the providing-side router includes communication starting means for accessing the demand-side router by using a telephone number on the broadband line and making the demand-side router start performing communication; and communication means for performing communication with the service demanding apparatus. 
         [0009]    It is preferable from the viewpoint of realizing a remote service system for a medical imaging apparatus that the service demanding apparatus demands for service on a medical imaging apparatus, and the service providing apparatus provides service on a medical imaging apparatus. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the broadband line is ADSL for the reason that the communication cost is low. Preferably, the communication is cipher communication for the reason that it is difficult for a third party to intercept the communication. Preferably, the cipher communication is VPN communication for the reason that security is high. 
         [0011]    According to the invention, a service system is provided in which the Internet is interposed between a service demanding apparatus and a service providing apparatus. The service demanding apparatus has a demand-side router connected to the Internet by using a dynamic IP address via a broadband line. The demand-side router includes authentication obtaining means for obtaining authentication from the service providing apparatus; and communication means for performing communication with the service providing apparatus. The service providing apparatus includes an authentication server for authenticating the service demanding apparatus; and a providing-side router for performing communication with the service demanding apparatus. The providing-side router has communication starting means for accessing the demand-side router by using a telephone number on the broadband line and making the demand-side router start performing communication. Consequently, the service system capable of providing service even in environment of a dynamic IP address can be realized. 
         [0012]    Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing the configuration of a service system as an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of operations of the service system as an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of operations of the service system as an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    A best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the best mode for carrying out the invention.  FIG. 1  shows a schematic configuration of a service system. The system is an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention. With the configuration of the system, an example of the best mode for carrying out the invention related to the service system is shown. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the system is configured by connecting service demanding apparatuses  100  and a service providing apparatus  200  via an Internet  300 . The service demanding apparatus  100  is an example of the serving demanding apparatus in the present invention. The service providing apparatus  200  is an example of the service providing apparatus in the invention. The Internet  300  is an example of the Internet in the invention. 
         [0018]    The service demanding apparatus  100  is, for example, a medical imaging apparatus such as an MRI apparatus, an X-ray CT apparatus, a radiographic apparatus, or a PET apparatus, and the service providing apparatus  200  is an apparatus for providing various services such as functional check, trouble shooting, and software updating on the medical imaging apparatus. 
         [0019]    The service demanding apparatus  100  is not limited to a medical imaging apparatus but may be various devices or facilities in various industrial fields and academic fields demanding for services. The service providing apparatus  200  provides required services to the facilities. 
         [0020]    The service demanding apparatus  100  is installed in the location of a user. When a number of users are spread out globally, a plurality of service demanding apparatuses  100  exist globally. The service providing apparatus  200  is installed in the location of a service provider. The service providing apparatus  200  provides services from its location to the service demanding apparatuses  100  all over the world via the Internet  300 . 
         [0021]    The service demanding apparatus  100  is connected to the Internet  300  via a broadband line  110  using a dynamic IP address. As the broadband line  110 , for example, an ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) is used. By using the ADSL, low-cost communication can be performed. The broadband line  110  is an example of the broadband in the invention. 
         [0022]    The service demanding apparatus  100  has a service demanding machine  102 . The service demanding machine  102  is the main body of service demand. The service demanding machine  102  is connected to the broadband line  110  via a router  106 . The router  106  is provided by the service provider. The router  106  is authorized in advance by the service provider. The router  106  is an example of a demand-side router in the invention. 
         [0023]    The router  106  has a dynamic IP address. The address is extracted from a group of IP addresses that are preliminarily pooled each time an access is made and is not unique to the service demanding apparatus  100 . The router  106  has a telephone number on the broadband line. The telephone number is unique to the service demanding apparatus  100 . 
         [0024]    The service providing apparatus  200  is connected to the Internet  300  by a static IP address via a broadband line  210 . As the broadband line  210 , for example, FTTH (fiber to the home) or the like is used. The broadband line  210  is not limited to FTTH but may be ADSL. 
         [0025]    The service providing apparatus  200  has a service providing machine  202 . The service providing machine  202  is the main body of service provision and is constructed by a server for providing service or the like. The service providing apparatus  200  also includes an authentication machine  204 . The authentication machine  204  authenticates validity of service demand from the service demanding apparatus  100  and is constructed by a server for authentication or the like. The authentication machine  204  is an example of an authentication server in the invention. 
         [0026]    The service providing machine  202  and the authentication machine  204  are connected to the broadband line  210  via a router  206 . The router  206  has a static IP address. The address is unique to the service providing apparatus  200 . The router  206  is an example of a providing-side router in the invention. 
         [0027]    The operation of the system will be described. There are two operation modes; a push mode in which the service providing apparatus  200  side takes action first, and a pull mode in which the service demanding apparatus  100  side takes action first. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a flow chart of operations in the push mode. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in step  21 , the service providing apparatus  200  makes a call to a predetermined service demanding apparatus  100 . A telephone call is made from the router  206  of the service providing apparatus  200  to the router  106  of the predetermined service demanding apparatus  100 . 
         [0029]    Since the telephone number is unique to the service demanding apparatus  100 , by making a call to the number, the service demanding apparatus  100  intended by the service side can be accessed with reliability. That is, even the user of a dynamic IP address can accurately use on-demand push service from the service providing side. 
         [0030]    Since a dynamic IP address is sufficient, service can be provided also to a user in an area in which a static IP address cannot be used or is difficult to be used, so that customer coverage is widened. 
         [0031]    The router  106  of the service demanding apparatus  100  that has received the call establishes communication with the service providing apparatus  200  in step  22 . Cipher communication is used as the communication. The cipher communication makes interception of a third party difficult. As the cipher communication, for example, VPN (Virtual Private Network) is used. By the VPN, high levels of security are maintained. 
         [0032]    By utilizing the established VPN, in step  23 , the service providing apparatus  200  provides services to the service demanding apparatus  100 . The service is provided by the service providing machine  202 . 
         [0033]    The router  206  that makes a call in step  21  and makes the router  106  establish communication in step  22  is an example of communication starting means in the invention. The router  206  performing communications with the service demanding apparatus  100  in step  23  is an example of communication means in the invention. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows a flow chart of operations in the pull mode. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the service demanding apparatus  100  accesses the service providing apparatus  200  in step  31 . Specifically, the router  106  in the service demanding apparatus  100  accesses the router  206  in the service providing apparatus  200 . 
         [0035]    The service demanding apparatus  100  accesses the service providing apparatus  200  by using a static IP address. Since the static IP address is unique to the service providing apparatus  200 , the access to the service providing apparatus  200  is made accurately. 
         [0036]    The router  106  is connected to the authentication machine  204  in the service providing apparatus  200  in step  32 . The authentication machine  204  determines whether the service demanding apparatus  100  is a site that has been preliminarily authenticated or not in step  33 . 
         [0037]    When it is determined that the service demanding apparatus  100  is an authenticated site, the router  206  stores predetermined information such as serial number, site name, access time, and the like in step  34  and establishes communication to the service demanding apparatus  100  in step  35 . As the communication, cipher communication is used. The cipher communication is, for example, VPN. 
         [0038]    By using the established VPN, the service demanding machine  102  receives the service provided by the service providing machine  202  in step  36 . The router  106  performing communication with the service providing apparatus  200  in step  36  is an example of communication means in the invention. 
         [0039]    When it is determined in step  33  that the service demanding apparatus  100  has not been authenticated yet, the router  106  of the service demanding apparatus requests the authentication machine  204  to perform authentication in step  37 . The router  106  making the request for authentication in step  37  is an example of authentication obtaining means in the invention. 
         [0040]    On the basis of the request, in step  38 , the authentication machine  204  examines whether the request is to be permitted or not. When the request is permitted, in step  39 , the request permission is downloaded to the router  106  of the service demanding apparatus. 
         [0041]    Consequently, when the router  106  is connected again to the authentication machine  204  in step  32 , based on the determination of the authentication machine  204  in step  33 , service provision can be received. When the authentication machine  204  determines in step  38  that the request is not permitted, the request is rejected in step  40 . 
         [0042]    Many widely different embodiments of the invention may be configured without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described in the specification, except as defined in the appended claims.