Patent ID: 12219040

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding elements in the drawings have the same reference characters allotted and description thereof will not be repeated.

A. Overview

According to the present embodiment, a service based on an authenticated network address and a platform for providing the service are provided. In a conventional network, there has been no technical concept of authentication of a network address itself and the network address has mainly been used only for establishing communication connection. Then, an authentication procedure has normally been performed by using an application for authentication. In contrast, since a network address itself is authenticated in the present embodiment, establishment of communication connection per se also serves as the authentication procedure and an additional authentication procedure or the like by using an application is not required.

Therefore, in providing a service adapted to a device or a user who uses the device, neither a special application nor an additional authentication procedure is required. Therefore, a response time period involved with provision of a service can be reduced.

A “network address” herein means identification information for uniquely identifying a device over some network and it is generally constituted of a character string including combination of characters, numerics, and/or signs. Though an Internet protocol (IP) address is assumed as a typical example of the network address, a lower-order address such as a media access control (MAC) address or a higher-order address such as a host name or a uniform resource locator (URL) managed by a domain name system (DNS) may be applicable. Regardless of a difference in network such as a global network and a private network, a protocol to be used can also arbitrarily be selected. A network address specific to an adopted protocol may be adopted as the network address.

When an IP address is typically adopted, the defined number of bits is different for each version. Under the currently established Internet protocol version 4 (IPv4), a 32-bit address space is defined, and under the currently established Internet protocol version 6 (IPv6), a 128-bit address space is defined. In the present embodiment, an IP address in conformity with IPv6 is mainly described as the network address.

An “authenticated network address” herein means a state that authenticity of the network address allocated to each device is guaranteed to a destination or a third party, that is, a state guaranteeing that a network address used by each device for data communication is not spoofed, by adopting a scheme as will be described later.

A “device” herein encompasses arbitrary things that can communicate data over a network. Typically, the device may be implemented as a single communication apparatus or may be implemented as a part of something or as being incorporated in something.

B. Overall Configuration of Network System

An overall configuration of a network system1according to the present embodiment will initially be described.

FIG.1is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary overall configuration of network system1according to the present embodiment. Referring toFIG.1, terminal devices100-1,100-2,100-3, . . . representing exemplary devices (which may also collectively be referred to as a “terminal device100” below) and server devices200-1,200-2,200-3, . . . representing other devices (which may also collectively be referred to as a “server device200” below) are connected to a network2such as the Internet.

For example, a smartphone or a portable telephone is assumed as terminal device100-1and terminal device100-1is connected to network2with a base station6provided by a mobile communication entity being interposed. For example, a tablet is assumed as terminal device100-2, and for example, a lap-top personal computer is assumed as terminal device100-3. Terminal devices100-2and100-3are connected to network2, for example, with an access point4being interposed.

Each of server devices200-1,200-2,200-3, . . . is a device that provides an arbitrary service. Each server device200provides a requested service by being accessed from any terminal device100.

Thus, network system1includes at least one server device200(a second device) and at least one terminal device100(a first device) that can access any of at least one server device200.

In network system1according to the present embodiment, server device200can obtain an authenticated network address of terminal device100which has accessed the server device. Similarly, terminal device100can obtain an authenticated network address of server device200that the terminal device has accessed.

Processing for mutually authenticating the network address is performed between terminal device100and server device200, and successful authentication of the network address allows start of data communication. Namely, terminal device100authenticates the network address between the terminal device and any of at least one server device and communicates data therewith. By adopting such a configuration for data communication, terminal device100and server device200can mutually obtain the authenticated network address of the destination.

For example, when server device200receives a request from terminal device100, it provides a service in accordance with the authenticated network address of terminal device100that has issued the request. Namely, server device200can provide a service in accordance with the obtained authenticated network address to terminal device100that has issued the request. An exemplary service in accordance with the network address will be described later. Since terminal device100can also obtain the authenticated network address of server device200, it can also transmits a specific command in accordance with destination server device200.

Thus, in network system1according to the present embodiment, the authenticated network address of each terminal device100can be obtained so that a service specific to each terminal device100can be provided without requiring an application for performing authentication processing. Since data communication between devices such as terminal device100and server device200means obtainment of the authenticated network address, a time period required for providing a service specific to terminal device100is also extremely short and waiting time until provision of a service can be shorter than in a configuration in which authentication processing is performed with the use of an application.

C. Configuration of Device for Realizing Authentication of Network Address

An exemplary configuration of a device for realizing authentication of a network address used in network system1according to the present embodiment will now be described. In order to realize authentication of a network address, for example, a hardware implementation and a software implementation are assumed. An exemplary implementation will be described below.

c1: Hardware Implementation

FIG.2is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a terminal device100A according to the present embodiment. Referring toFIG.2, terminal device100A includes a processor102, a main memory104, a display106, an input unit108, a communication module110, and a secondary storage130.

Processor102is a processing entity that performs various types of processing in terminal device100A. Processor102develops and executes a program or various instructions stored in secondary storage130on main memory104.

Main memory104is a volatile storage such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM). Secondary storage130is a non-volatile storage such as a flash memory or a hard disk. Secondary storage130stores an operating system (OS)132and one or more arbitrary applications134.

Display106is a component that presents a result of processing by processor102to the outside, and implemented, for example, by a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) display.

Input unit108is a component that accepts an operation by a user and implemented, for example, by an arbitrary input apparatus such as a keyboard, a touch panel, or a mouse.

Communication module110is a main component that provides an authenticated network address and includes an address authentication chip112, a WiFi module114, and an LTE module118.

Address authentication chip112is a semiconductor device having an authenticated network address and information necessary for authentication hard-coded thereon, and authenticates a network address in communicating data with another device by means of WiFi module114and/or LTE module118.

More specifically, in data communication by means of WiFi module114or LTE module118, address authentication chip112performs processing for mutually authenticating, between the address authentication chip and another device, an authenticated network address provided in advance. Address authentication chip112thus authenticates a network address between the address authentication chip and a destination device, by means of a communication function module (WiFi module114and/or LTE module118). Circuitry which is resistant against tampering is preferably adopted as address authentication chip112.

WiFi module114and/or LTE module118provide(s) a function of the physical layer and the data link layer of the open systems interconnection (OSI) reference model. WiFi module114provides, as being connected to an antenna116, a wireless communication function in conformity with a wireless access scheme such as wireless local area network (LAN) or WiMAX. LTE module118provides, as being connected to an antenna120, a wireless communication function in conformity with a wireless access scheme such as long term evolution (LTE), wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), or CDMA2000.

Though communication module110including WiFi module114and/or LTE module118is exemplified for the sake of convenience of description, both of the modules do not necessarily have to be included. Any one module alone may be incorporated or one or more modules providing other communication functions may be incorporated. In that case, not only a wireless communication function but also a wired communication function may be provided as the communication function.

Communication module110thus includes a communication function module (WiFi module114and/or LTE module118) that provides the communication function and a semiconductor device (address authentication chip112) having an authenticated network address hard-coded thereon.

By adopting the hardware implementation as set forth above, the authenticated network address can be provided and obtained in terminal device100A.

c2: Software Implementation

FIG.3is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a terminal device100B according to the present embodiment. Referring to (A) ofFIG.3, terminal device100B includes processor102, main memory104, display106, input unit108, secondary storage130, a WiFi module144, and an LTE module148.

Processor102is a processing entity that performs various types of processing in terminal device100B. Processor102develops and executes a program or various instructions stored in secondary storage130on main memory104. Secondary storage130stores an address authentication program136and authentication management information138in addition to OS132and one or more arbitrary applications134.

WiFi module144and/or LTE module148provide(s) the function of the physical layer and the data link layer of the OSI reference model. WiFi module144provides, as being connected to an antenna146, the wireless communication function in conformity with a wireless access scheme such as wireless LAN or WiMAX. LTE module148provides, as being connected to an antenna150, a wireless communication function in conformity with a wireless access scheme such as LTE, W-CDMA, or CDMA2000.

Though the configuration including WiFi module144and/or LTE module148is exemplified for the sake of convenience of description, both of the modules do not necessarily have to be included. Any one module alone may be incorporated or one or more modules providing other communication functions may be incorporated. In that case, not only a wireless communication function but also a wired communication function may be provided as the communication function.

As a result of execution of address authentication program136in terminal device100B, the authenticated network address is provided. A software configuration for providing an authenticated network address will be exemplified below.

FIG.3shows at (B) a schematic diagram for illustrating processing involved with data communication in terminal device100B. As shown in (B) ofFIG.3, WiFi module144and/or LTE module148providing the function of the physical layer realize(s) transmission/reception of a real signal (data) by means of a data link driver1322(a function of a part of OS132).

Application134such as a web browser utilizes a TCP/IP socket1324for data communication. TCP/IP socket1324may be provided as a function of a part of OS132. ThoughFIG.3illustrates at (B) TCP/IP socket1324by way of example, for example, a UDP/IP socket may be adopted.

TCP/IP socket1324normally realizes data transmission and data reception to and from another device by internally transmitting/receiving data to/from data link driver1322.

In contrast, in terminal device100B according to the present embodiment, address authentication program136is arranged between TCP/IP socket1324and data link driver1322. Address authentication program136authenticates a network address allocated to each device mutually between the address authentication program and a destination device in a specific session, and only when authentication is successful, the address authentication program transmits and receives data in the specific session. By adopting such a scheme, from a point of view of application134, transparency can be maintained without being conscious about presence of address authentication program136. Namely, application134should only transmit a packet including necessary data, and can rely on and use a network address included in a header of a packet received from any device, as it is.

Address authentication program136mutually authenticates a network address between the address authentication program and another device based on information stored in authentication management information138prepared in advance in a secure manner. Authentication management information138includes not only a network address allocated to each device but also a code for ensuring that the network address is authentic (that is, authenticated). Address authentication program136mutually authenticates a network address by transmitting additional information included in authentication management information138to a destination, together with the network address defined in authentication management information138.

Without being limited to a destination device with which data is communicated, the address authentication program may authenticate a network address between the address authentication program and an external authentication server device or the like.

Thus, terminal device100B includes a communication program (data link driver1322) directed to the data link layer, a communication program (TCP/IP socket1324) directed to the transport layer and the network layer, and address authentication program136connected between data link driver1322and TCP/IP socket1324.

ThoughFIG.3shows a configuration in which address authentication program136is logically arranged between layers of TCP/IP socket1324and data link driver1322, any implementation may be applicable without being limited as such, so long as address authentication program136can mutually authenticate a network address between the address authentication program and a destination.

For example, TCP/IP socket1324and address authentication program136may be arranged logically in parallel, and TCP/IP socket1324may be prevented from starting transmission and reception of a packet unless a network address is authenticated between address authentication program136and a destination device. In this case, once address authentication program136authenticates a network address, transmission/reception of data is thereafter continued between TCP/IP socket1324and data link driver1322and address authentication program136does not have to be involved with internal data transfer.

Since corresponding components among components of terminal device100B are the same as those in terminal device100A, detailed description will not be repeated.

By adopting the software implementation as set forth above, an authenticated network address can be provided to terminal device100B.

c3: Another Software Implementation

Without being limited to the functional configuration involved with data communication shown in (B) ofFIG.3, another implementation may be adopted.FIG.4is a schematic diagram showing another exemplary configuration of the terminal device according to the present embodiment.

In an exemplary implementation shown in (A) ofFIG.4, above a general layered structure, that is, the physical layer and the data link layer (WiFi module144and/or LTE module148), data link driver1322and TCP/IP socket1324are sequentially arranged. Arbitrary application134uses TCP/IP socket1324for data communication.

In the exemplary implementation shown in (A) ofFIG.4, at the time of start of or during transmission/reception of data by TCP/IP socket1324to/from a destination node, TCP/IP socket1324asks address authentication program136to authenticate the destination. Address authentication program136determines, by performing authentication processing as described above, whether or not the destination is a reliable node or whether or not data transmitted/received to/from the destination has been tampered, and provides a result thereof to TCP/IP socket1324. Basic processing by address authentication program136is similar to that by address authentication program136shown in (B) ofFIG.3described above.

In the implementation as shown in (A) ofFIG.4, TCP/IP socket1324asks address authentication program136to perform necessary authentication processing. Therefore, from a point of view of application134, secure communication with the destination having the authenticated network address can be established by using the interface the same as in normal communication.

In an exemplary implementation shown in (B) ofFIG.4, above the general layered structure, that is, the physical layer and the data link layer (WiFi module144and/or LTE module148), data link driver1322and TCP/IP socket1324are sequentially arranged. Arbitrary application134uses TCP/IP socket1324for data communication and also interacts with address authentication program136for necessary authentication.

In the exemplary implementation shown in (B) ofFIG.4, at the time of or during transmission/reception of data by application134to/from a destination node, application134asks address authentication program136to authenticate the destination. Address authentication program136transmits/receives data to/from TCP/IP socket1324and determines, by performing authentication processing as described above, whether or not the destination is a reliable node or whether or not data transmitted/received to/from the destination has been tampered. Then, address authentication program136provides a result of authentication to application134. Basic processing by address authentication program136is the same as that by address authentication program136shown in (B) ofFIG.3described above.

By adopting the implementation as shown in (B) ofFIG.4, secure communication with the destination having the authenticated network address can be established without changing a structure of a communication layer such as data link driver1322and TCP/IP socket1324.

c4: Interaction Between Devices

Exemplary interaction between devices such as terminal device100and server device200will now be described.

FIG.5is a schematic diagram for illustrating interaction between devices in network system1according to the present embodiment.FIG.5shows exemplary processing when data is transmitted/received between a device1and a device2.

Referring toFIG.5, device1and device2each includes a network authentication function (corresponding to address authentication chip112shown inFIG.2or address authentication program136shown inFIG.3). The network authentication function of each device performs processing for authenticating a network address. This authentication processing is basically performed in the network layer. When authentication processing is completed, the network authentication function of each device is used as a network address in transmission/reception of data by an application (application layer) executed in each device.

An application or a TCP/IP socket responsible for packet generation and packet reception may be notified of an authenticated network address.

By adopting the configuration as shown inFIG.5, a mutually authenticated network address can be used without special authentication processing being required on an application side.

D. Exemplary Processing Procedure

An exemplary processing procedure in network system1according to the present embodiment will now be described.

FIG.6is a sequence diagram showing an exemplary processing procedure involved with provision of a service in network system1according to the present embodiment.FIG.6shows a processing procedure in a typical example where server device200provides a requested service in response to access from terminal device100to server device200.

Specifically, referring toFIG.6, initially, when a user performs some operation on application134(step S2), an access request from application134to server device200is transferred to the network authentication function (address authentication chip112shown inFIG.2or address authentication program136shown inFIG.3) (step S4). The network authentication function of terminal device100performs processing for mutual authentication of a network address between the network authentication function of terminal device100and the network authentication function (the function corresponding to address authentication chip112shown inFIG.2or address authentication program136shown inFIG.3) of server device200(step S6). When authentication processing is completed, terminal device100uses the authenticated network address to transfer the issued access request to server device200(step S8).

In server device200, the access request transmitted from terminal device100is received by the network authentication function, subjected to necessary processing, and transferred to the application (step S10). The application of server device200identifies the network address used for communication of data in the access request received from terminal device100(step S12) and determines a service to be provided in accordance with the identified network address (step S14).

Then, the application of server device200transmits the data in accordance with the determined service to terminal device100(step S16). This data is received by the network authentication function of server device200, subjected to necessary processing, and transmitted to terminal device100(step S18).

In terminal device100, the data transmitted from server device200is received by the network authentication function, subjected to necessary processing, and transferred to application134(step S20). Then, application134presents contents in accordance with the received data to the user (step S22).

In network system1according to the present embodiment, when server device200is accessed from terminal device100, it can provide a service specific to terminal device100without performing additional authentication processing, because the network address included in that access has been authenticated. Namely, server device200identifies terminal device100that has issued the request based only on the network address used in interaction with terminal device100in the network layer, without performing authentication processing in the application layer.

E. Exemplary Application

An exemplary service provided in network system1shown inFIG.6will now be described.

e1: Exemplary Application No. 1

A web server is assumed as server device200and such a configuration as providing a specific web page in accordance with a network address of terminal device100which makes an access will initially be described by way of example.

FIG.7is a diagram for illustrating an exemplary application for providing a service by making use of network system1according to the present embodiment. FIG.7shows at (A) an exemplary network management table210held by server device200. In network management table210, initial screen information214representing an initial screen and preference information216representing preference are defined in association with a network address (IP address)212of terminal device100that made an access in the past or will make an access. Contents in network management table210may be updated manually by a user or by server device200in response to an operation by a user.

When server device200is accessed from terminal device100, the server device refers to network management table210with a network address provided to terminal device100serving as a key, and determines corresponding initial screen information214and preference information216. Then, server device200determines contents of a web page to be provided to terminal device100that has made an access, based on determined initial screen information214and preference information216.

FIG.7shows at (B) an exemplary web screen when server device200provides an on-line banking service by way of example. For example, in an exemplary web screen220A presented on a display of terminal device100provided with an IP address1, buttons for basic account management such as “payment procedure,” “check balance,” and “transfer procedure” are arranged. In an exemplary web screen220B presented on the display of terminal device100provided with an IP address2, buttons relating to foreign currency such as “buy foreign currency” and “sell foreign currency” are arranged together with a chart showing change over time of the exchange rate.

Such an initial screen can be determined, for example, by referring to initial screen information214in network management table210. Furthermore, by referring to preference information216in network management table210, not only the initial screen but also a service in accordance with preference can be provided for each terminal device100(that is, a user who operates terminal device100).

As set forth above, the initial screen and various service contents provided at the time of access to server device200can be customized based on the network address provided to terminal device100.

e2: Exemplary Application No. 2

A use management server in a hotel or the like is assumed as server device200and such a configuration as using terminal device100as an electronic key (a certificate for use) will now be described by way of example.

FIG.8is a diagram for illustrating another exemplary application for providing a service by making use of network system1according to the present embodiment.FIG.8shows at (A) an exemplary use management table230held by server device200. Use management table230stores contents of booking made through a booking site (a room number234and an allowable period of stay236) in association with a network address232provided to terminal device100used for a booking operation.

Specifically, when a user operates his/her own terminal device100to make a booking of an accommodation through a booking site, server device200adds contents of booking to use management table230together with the network address provided to terminal device100used for booking of the accommodation.

As shown in (B) ofFIG.8, a wireless communication unit242is arranged in front of each room of an accommodation240. When a user who stays in the accommodation comes closer to a booked room while carrying terminal device100used for making the booking of the accommodation, wireless communication unit242establishes wireless communication with terminal device100. Wireless communication between terminal device100and wireless communication unit242may be started automatically or in response to an explicit operation by the user.

Then, when the network address provided to terminal device100held by the user matches with any entry of network address232in use management table230, server device200unlocks a booked room based on corresponding room number234and allowable period of stay236.

ThoughFIG.8illustrates a configuration in which terminal device100is used as a key for each room of an accommodation such as a hotel as a typical example, the terminal device can be used as any certificate for use without being limited as such. For example, terminal device100itself can be used as an admission ticket for various facilities such as an amusement facility or various events such as concerts. Terminal device100itself can further also be used as a ticket for a train or an airplane.

As described above, in network system1according to the present embodiment, since the network address itself provided to terminal device100is authenticated, an application or the like for displaying a ticket is not required as in the existing technology, and barriers for prevalence of a system in which terminal device100itself is used as a certificate for use can be lowered.

As set forth above, terminal device100can readily be made use of as an arbitrary certificate for use based on a network address provided to terminal device100.

e3: Exemplary Application No. 3

A configuration that realizes processing for authenticating a network address itself in a more multi-faceted manner will now be described.FIG.9is a diagram for illustrating exemplary filtering of a network address by making use of network system1according to the present embodiment.FIG.9shows an exemplary configuration in which address authentication program136is arranged in a third layer (the network layer) of the OSI reference model and TCP (or UDP) is arranged in a fourth layer (the transport layer) by way of example.

InFIG.9, authentication management information138is arranged as a configuration for realizing filtering. Authentication management information138may include a black list1382and/or a white list1384. Both of black list1382and white list1384do not have to be prepared and only any one of them may be prepared.

Black list1382defines a network address from which access should be blocked and white list1384defines a network address from which access should be permitted.

FIG.9shows at (A) an example in which a filtering function is implemented by address authentication program136. More specifically, when an authenticated network address of a destination matches with any entry defined in black list1382, address authentication program136cuts off or prohibits communication with a destination (a black list node) having the authenticated network address. Namely, a packet from the black list node is blocked by address authentication program136and not given to application134.

Alternatively, only when the authenticated network address matches with any entry defined in white list1384, address authentication program136allows communication with a destination (a white list node) having the authenticated network address. Namely, a packet from the white list node is given from address authentication program136to application134. Application134provides a service based on the network address itself authenticated by address authentication program136and the received packet.

FIG.9shows at (B) an example in which the filtering function is implemented by application134. More specifically, when application134receives a packet from address authentication program136, it determines whether or not a network address (authenticated by address authentication program136) of a sender of the packet matches with any entry in black list1382or white list1384.

When the network address of the sender of the received packet matches with any entry defined in black list1382, application134blocks the packet. When the network address of the sender of the received packet matches with any entry defined in white list1384, application134processes that packet and provides a requested service.

As set forth above, in addition to the function to authenticate the network address itself, by combining the filtering function using the black list/the white list, a more practical network system can be realized.

F. Another Embodiment

Though a network system including one or more terminal devices100and one or more server devices200is illustrated as an exemplary configuration that uses a network address authenticated between devices in the embodiment described above, the configuration is also applicable to data communication between terminal devices100or between server devices200without being limited as such. Without being limited to a framework such as terminal device100or server device200, the configuration is available for data communication between arbitrary devices.

G. Advantages

According to the present embodiment, a service using an authenticated network address and a platform for providing that service are provided. Since the network address itself is authenticated, establishment of communication connection per se can also serve as an authentication procedure, and an additional authentication procedure using the application is not required. A variety of services suitable for IoT can thus be provided.

It should be understood that the embodiment disclosed herein is illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims rather than the description above and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1network system;4access point;6base station;100,100A,100B terminal device;102processor;104main memory;106display;108input unit;110communication module;112address authentication chip;114,144WiFi module;116,120,146,150antenna;118,148LTE module;130secondary storage;132OS;134application;136address authentication program;138authentication management information;200server device;210network management table;212network address (IP address);214initial screen information;216preference information;220A,220B exemplary screen;230use management table;232network address;234room number;236available time period;240accommodation;242wireless communication unit;1322data link driver;1324TCP/IP socket