Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE AND RECEIVING DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an information processing system, etc. in
which
electronic equipment and a server device communicate with each other.
BACKGROUND ART
In an information processing system including electronic equipment, an
information processing device and a server device, when electronic equipment
such as
a home computer, a television, and the like is accessed by an external device
such as a
portable telephone, it is necessary to update information such as an IP
address
(address information) at the side of WAN (Wide area network) of the
information
processing device represented by a router managed by the server device and an
electronic equipment identifier such as a port number of the electronic
equipment, etc.
A first method to update the address information of the server device and the
electronic equipment identifier includes a method using UPnP (Universal plug
and play).
UPnP is a standard for connecting household electrical appliances to a
computer via a
network so as to provide functions with each other. Equipment corresponding to
UPnP
has information for connecting by itself, so that it can be used on the
network from the
time it is connected to the network.
A second method includes a server mode mentioned below. In the server
mode, the server device always stores up-to-date IP address of the information
processing device and port number of the electronic equipment in a database,
and
searches the database so as to notify up-to-date IP address of the information
processing device and port number of the electronic equipment to the
electronic
equipment via the information processing device every time (usually
regularly).
However, according to the above-mentioned first conventional technology, the
information processing device such as a router must correspond to UPnP. In the
future, to routers that do not correspond to UPnP, which have been already
provided all
over the world, electronic equipment capable of normally accessing from the
outside
cannot be connected.
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Furthermore, according to the second conventional technology, the server
device
has much load to search database. In the near future, when a large number of
electronic equipment is connected to the network, the server device is to
manage
records (electronic equipment information) including several ten million IP
addresses,
etc. In such a case, the server device has huge load to search database.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention there is provided an
information processing system comprising electronic equipment and a server
device,
the electronic equipment comprising:
io an information storage section storing information for the server device to
have
access to the electronic equipment,
a change confirmation information forming section for obtaining information to
have access to the electronic equipment from the information storage section,
and
constituting the change confirmation information having the information for
accessing
the electronic equipment,
a change confirmation information sending section for transmitting the change
confirmation information,
a confirmation information receiving section for receiving the confirmation
information transmitted from the server device, and
a return information sending section for transmitting a return information
corresponding to the confirmation information,
the server device comprising:
an electronic equipment address information storage section storing no less
than one piece of electronic equipment address information having information
for
accessing the electronic equipment,
a change confirmation information receiving section for receiving change
confirmation information, which is a change confirmation information
transmitted by
the electronic equipment, and in which is written information for accessing
the
electronic equipment at the time of transmission, and
an electronic equipment address information updating section for transmitting
confirmation information to the electronic equipment, to judge whether the
change
confirmation information received by the change confirmation information
receiving
section is proper or not, receiving the return information corresponding to
the
transmission of the confirmation information, judging whether the change
confirmation
information is proper or not, based on the return information, and, in the
case where
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the information is judged proper, rewriting the information for accessing
electronic
equipment in the electronic equipment address information into a latest
information for
accessing the electronic equipment contained in the change confirmation
information.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an
information processing system comprising electronic equipment and a server
device,
the electronic equipment comprising:
an information storage section storing information for the server device to
have
access to the electronic equipment,
an index information holding section holding the index information which is an
information for obtaining an electronic equipment identifier,
a change confirmation information forming section for obtaining information
for
accessing the electronic equipment from the information storage section,
obtaining
index information from the index information holding section, and constituting
the
change confirmation information having the information for accessing the
electronic
equipment and the index information,
a change confirmation information sending section for transmitting the change
confirmation information,
a confirmation information receiving section for receiving the confirmation
information transmitted from the server device, and a return information
sending
section for transmitting a return information corresponding to the
confirmation
information,
the server device comprising:
an electronic equipment address information storage section storing no less
than one piece of electronic equipment address information having information
for
accessing the electronic equipment in correspondence to the electronic
equipment
identifier,
an electronic equipment identifier correspondence management section storing
the electronic equipment identifier for accessing electronic equipment address
information in correspondence to the index information,
a change confirmation information receiving section for receiving change
confirmation information, which is a change confirmation information
transmitted by
the electronic equipment and in which is written information for accessing the
electronic equipment at the time of transmission, and
an electronic equipment address information updating section for transmitting
confirmation information to the electronic equipment, to judge whether the
change
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confirmation information received by the change confirmation information
receiving
section is proper or not, receiving the return information corresponding to
the
transmission of the confirmation information, judging whether the change
confirmation
information is proper or not based on the return information, and, in the case
where the
information is judged proper, obtaining an electronic equipment identifier
based on the
index information contained in the change confirmation information, obtaining
an
electronic equipment address information based on the electronic equipment
identifier,
and rewriting the information for accessing electronic equipment in the
electronic
equipment address information into a latest information for accessing the
electronic
equipment contained in the change confirmation information.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
server device which constitutes an information processing system having
electronic
equipment and a server device, comprising:
an electronic equipment address information storage section storing no less
than one piece of electronic equipment address information having information
for
accessing the electronic equipment,
a change confirmation information receiving section for receiving change
confirmation information, which is a change confirmation information having
information for accessing the electronic equipment held by the electronic
equipment,
transmitted by the electronic equipment, and in which is written information
for
accessing the electronic equipment at the time of transmission and
an electronic equipment address information updating section for transmitting
confirmation information to the electronic equipment, to judge whether the
change
confirmation information received by the change confirmation information
receiving
section is proper or not, receiving the return information corresponding to
the
transmission of the confirmation information, judging whether the change
confirmation
information is proper or not based on the return information, and, in the case
where the
information is judged proper, rewriting the information for accessing
electronic
equipment in the electronic equipment address information into a latest
information for
accessing the electronic equipment contained in the change confirmation
information.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a
server device which constitutes an information processing system having
electronic
equipment and a server device, comprising:
an electronic equipment address information storage section storing no less
than one piece of electronic equipment address information, having information
for
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accessing the electronic equipment, in correspondence to the electronic
equipment
identifier,
an electronic equipment identifier index correspondence management section
storing the electronic equipment identifier for accessing
electronic equipment address information in correspondence to the index
information,
a change confirmation information receiving section for receiving change
confirmation information, which is a change confirmation information having
information for accessing the electronic equipment held by the electronic
equipment
io and index information which is an information for obtaining an electronic
equipment
identifier, transmitted by the electronic equipment, and in which is written
information
for accessing the electronic equipment at the time of transmission, and
an electronic equipment address information updating section for transmitting
confirmation information to the electronic equipment, to judge whether the
change
confirmation information received by the change confirmation information
receiving
section is proper or not, receiving a return information corresponding to the
transmission of the confirmation information, judging whether the change
confirmation
information is proper or not based on the return information, and, in the case
where the
information is judged proper, obtaining an electronic equipment identifier
based on the
index information contained in the change confirmation information, obtaining
an
electronic equipment address information based on the electronic equipment
identifier,
and rewriting the information for accessing electronic equipment in the
electronic
equipment address information into a latest information for accessing the
electronic
equipment contained in the change confirmation information.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided
an information processing method used in a server device which constitutes an
information processing system having electronic equipment and a server device,
comprising:
a change confirmation information receiving step for receiving change
confirmation information, which is a change confirmation information having
information for accessing the electronic equipment held by the electronic
equipment,
transmitted by the electronic equipment, and in which is written information
for
accessing the electronic equipment at the time of transmission, and
an electronic equipment address information updating step for transmitting
confirmation information to the electronic equipment, to judge whether the
change
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confirmation information received in the change confirmation information
receiving step
is proper or not, receiving a return information corresponding to the
transmission of the
confirmation information, judging whether the change confirmation information
is
proper or not, based on the return information, and, in the case where the
information
is judged proper, rewriting the information for accessing the electronic
equipment in the
electronic equipment address information stored in the electronic equipment
address
information storage section into a latest information for accessing the
electronic
equipment contained in the change confirmation information.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided
an information processing method used in a server device constituting an
information
processing system having electronic equipment and a server device, comprising:
a change confirmation information receiving step for receiving change
confirmation information, which is a change confirmation information having
information for accessing the electronic equipment held by the electronic
equipment
and index information which is an information for obtaining an electronic
equipment
identifier, transmitted by the electronic equipment, and in which is written
information
for accessing the electronic equipment at the time of transmission, and
an electronic equipment address information updating section for transmitting
confirmation information to the electronic equipment, to judge whether the
change
confirmation information received in the change confirmation information
receiving
step is proper or not, receiving a return information corresponding to the
transmission
of the confirmation information, judging whether the change confirmation
information
is proper or not, based on the return information, and, in the case where the
information is judged proper, obtaining an electronic equipment identifier
based on the
index information contained in the change confirmation information, by using
the
electronic equipment identifier and the index information for accessing the
electronic
equipment address information stored in correspondence to each other in the
electronic equipment identifier correspondence management section, obtaining
an
electronic equipment address information based on the electronic equipment
identifier,
by using the electronic equipment address information having information for
accessing
the electronic equipment and the electronic equipment identifier, stored in
correspondence to each other in the electronic equipment address information
storage
section, and rewriting the information for accessing the electronic equipment
in the
electronic equipment address information into a latest information for
accessing the
electronic equipment contained in the change confirmation information.
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According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a
recording medium recording a program for making a computer execute processing
in a
server device which constitutes an information processing system having
electronic
equipment and a server device, more specifically a recording medium readable
by
computer recording a program for making a computer execute:
a change confirmation information receiving step for receiving change
confirmation information, which is a change confirmation information having
information for accessing the electronic equipment held by the electronic
equipment,
transmitted by the electronic equipment, and in which is written information
for
accessing the electronic equipment at the time of transmission, and
an electronic equipment address information updating step for transmitting
confirmation information to the electronic equipment, to judge whether the
change
confirmation information received in the change confirmation information
receiving step
is proper or not, receiving a return information corresponding to the
transmission of the
confirmation information, judging whether the change confirmation information
is
proper or not based on the return information, and, in the case where the
information is
judged proper, rewriting the information for accessing the electronic
equipment in the
electronic equipment address information stored contained in the electronic
equipment
address information storage section into a latest information for accessing
the electronic
equipment contained in the change confirmation information.
According to still yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided a
recording medium recording a program for making a computer execute processing
in a
server device which constitutes an information processing system having
electronic
equipment and a server device, more specifically a recording medium readable
by
computer recording a program for making a computer execute:
a change confirmation information receiving step for receiving change
confirmation information, which is a change confirmation information having
information for accessing the electronic equipment held by the electronic
equipment
and index information which is an information for obtaining an electronic
equipment
identifier, transmitted by the electronic equipment, and in which is written
information
for accessing the electronic equipment held at the time of transmission, and
an electronic equipment address information updating section for transmitting
confirmation information to the electronic equipment, to judge whether the
change
confirmation information received in the change confirmation information
receiving
step is proper or not, receiving a return information corresponding to the
transmission
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of the confirmation information, judging whether the change confirmation
information
is proper or not based on the return information, and, in the case where the
information is judged proper, obtaining an electronic equipment identifier
based on the
index information contained in the change confirmation information, by using
the
electronic equipment identifier and the index information for accessing the
electronic
equipment address information, stored in correspondence to each other in the
electronic equipment identifier correspondence management section, obtaining
an
electronic equipment address information based on the electronic equipment
identifier,
by using the electronic equipment address information having information for
accessing
the electronic equipment and the electronic equipment identifier, stored in
correspondence to each other in the electronic equipment identifier
correspondence
management section, and rewriting the information for accessing the electronic
equipment in the electronic equipment address information into a latest
information for
accessing the electronic equipment contained in the change confirmation
information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an information processing system
according to a first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the information processing system according
to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart to illustrate an operation of electronic equipment
according
to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart to illustrate an operation of an information processing
device according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart to illustrate an operation of a server device according
to the
first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an information processing system
according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the information processing system
according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the information processing system
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according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a view showing an electronic equipment management table according
to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an information processing system according
to a second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart to illustrate an operation of electronic equipment
according to the second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart to illustrate an operation of an information processing
device according to the second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart to illustrate an operation of a server device according
to
the second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing an information processing system
according to the second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an information processing system according
to a third exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart to illustrate an operation of a server device according
to
the third exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing an information processing system
according to the third exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a view to illustrate sending and receiving of information according
to
the third exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of an information processing system
including a receiving device and an information processing device, etc. are
described
with reference to drawings. Note here that in the exemplary embodiments, since
elements provided with the same reference numerals carry out similar
operations, the
descriptions therefore may be omitted in some cases.
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(FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT)
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an information processing system
according to the first exemplary embodiment. The information processing system
includes electronic equipment 11, information processing device 12, the
Internet 13 and
server device 14.
For example, electronic equipment 11 cannot have a global IP address and is
provided with a local IP address from information processing device 12 so as
to be
connected to the Internet 13. Note here that a global IP address is an example
of the
address information. Address information is an address (information) with
which an
lo external device (an external device, etc. connected to the Internet)
communicates with
an electronic equipment and may be any addresses (information) other than a
global IP
address as long as they can realize such a function. For example, in a case
where a
plurality of LANs (Local area networks) using private IP are connected by a
router
having a NAT (Network address translator) function, an address of the LAN at
the side
that a server of the router is located is the address information denoted
herein.
Furthermore, the address information may be taken as a combination of an IP
address
and a port number. In the present invention, first address information, second
address
information and third address information are respectively one of the address
information. Furthermore, electronic equipment 11 may be a computer, a
microwave
oven, a telephone, a printer, a facsimile machine, a refrigerator, a
television, a set-top
box, and others.
Information processing device 12 herein has a function of connecting
electronic
equipment 11 and the Internet 13 with each other. Specifically, it has a path
control
function, a network address translation (NAT) function, and the like.
Information
processing device 12 is, for example, equipment called a router. Information
processing device 12 holds a global IP address. That is to say, information
processing
device 12 has a function of connecting electronic equipment 11 that can only a
private
IP address to the Internet.
The server device 14 is connected to the Internet 13 and receives information
from electronic equipment 11 via information processing device 12 so as to
process
thereof.
Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an information processing system
according to the first exemplary embodiment. Electronic equipment 11 includes
first
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address information storage section 1101, first electronic equipment
identifier storage
section 1102, first address change confirmation information forming section
1103 and
first address change confirmation information sending section 1104.
Information
processing device 12 includes second address information storage section 1201,
second
electronic equipment identifier storage section 1202, first address change
confirmation
information receiving section 1203, second address change confirmation
information
forming section 1204 and second address change confirmation information
sending
section 1205. Server device 14 includes electronic equipment address
information
storage section 1401, second address change confirmation information receiving
section
1402, determination section 1403 and electronic equipment address information
updating section 1404.
First address information storage section 1101 stores first address
information
showing an address with which server device 14 sends information to
information
processing device 12. The first address information is, for example, a global
IP address
at the side of WAN of information processing device 12 (router, etc.). The
first address
information is notified, for example, from server device 14 to electronic
equipment 11
and thereby stored in first address information storage section 1101. First
address
information storage section 1101 can be realized by a nonvolatile recording
medium or
a volatile recording medium. Note here that the global IP address may be a 32-
bit IP
2o address of IPv4 (Internet protocol version 4) or may be a 128-bit IP
address of IPv6
(Internet protocol version 6).
First electronic equipment identifier storage section 1102 stores a first
electronic
equipment identifier that is information with which information processing
device 12
sends information to electronic equipment 11. The first electronic equipment
identifier
is, for example, a port number. The first electronic equipment identifier is
notified
from, for example, information processing device 12 to electronic equipment
11, and
thereby stored in first electronic equipment identifier storage section 1102.
First
electronic equipment identifier storage section 1102 can be realized by a
nonvolatile
recording medium or a volatile recording medium.
First address change confirmation information forming section 1103 obtains the
first address information from first address information storage section 1101,
obtains
the first electronic equipment identifier from first electronic equipment
identifier storage
section 1102 and forms first address change confirmation information
containing the
first address information and the first electronic equipment identifier. First
address
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change confirmation information forming section 1103 can be usually realized
by MPU,
a memory, and the like. A processing procedure in which first address change
confirmation information forming section 1103 forms the first address change
confirmation information is usually realized by software, and the software is
recorded in
a recording medium such as a hard disk. However, it may be realized by
hardware
(leased line).
First address change confirmation information sending section 1104 sends the
first address change confirmation information to information processing device
12.
First address change confirmation information sending section 1104 can be
realized by
a wire or wireless communication means.
Second address information storage section 1201 stores second address
information showing an address with which server device 14 sends information
to
information processing device 12. At present, the second address information
is
information showing an address with which server device 14 sends information
to
information processing device 12. Note here that the above-mentioned first
address
information may be invalid (cannot be used for communication because it is
changed).
Second address information storage section 1201 can be realized by a
nonvolatile
recording medium or a volatile recording medium.
Second electronic equipment identifier storage section 1202 stores a second
electronic equipment identifier that is information with which information
processing
device 12 sends information to electronic equipment 11. The second electronic
equipment identifier is, for example, a current port number of the electronic
equipment
11. Note here that the above-mentioned first electronic equipment identifier
may be
invalid (cannot be used for communication because it is changed). Second
electronic
equipment identifier storage section 1202 can be realized by a nonvolatile
recording
medium or a volatile recording medium.
First address change confirmation information receiving section 1203 receives
first address change confirmation information. First address change
confirmation
information receiving section 1203 can be realized by a wire or wireless
communication
means.
Second address change confirmation information forming section 1204 obtains
the second address information from second address information storage section
1201,
obtains the second electronic equipment identifier from second electronic
equipment
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identifier storage section 1202, and forms second address change confirmation
information by writing the second address information and the second
electronic
equipment identifier in the first address change confirmation information. A
data
structure of the second address change confirmation information is not
particularly
limited. However, the server device 14 needs to know a data structure of the
second
address change confirmation information. Second address change confirmation
information forming section 1204 can be usually realized by MPU, a memory, and
the
like. A processing procedure in which second address change confirmation
information
forming section 1204 forms the second address change confirmation information
is
usually realized by software, and the software is recorded in a recording
medium such
as a hard disk. However, it may be realized by hardware (leased line).
Second address change confirmation information sending section 1205 sends
the second address change confirmation information to server device 14. Second
address change confirmation information sending section 1205 can be realized
by a
wire or wireless communication means.
Electronic equipment address information storage section 1401 stores one or
more pieces of electronic equipment address information containing third
address
information and a third electronic equipment identifier. Electronic equipment
address
information storage section 1401 can be realized by a nonvolatile recording
medium or
a volatile recording medium.
Second address change confirmation information receiving section 1402 receives
second address change confirmation information. Second address change
confirmation
information receiving section 1402 can be realized by a wire or wireless
communication
means.
Determination section 1403 determines whether or not the first address
information and the second address information, which are contained in the
second
address change confirmation information, agree with each other, or/and whether
or not
the first electronic equipment identifier and the second electronic equipment
identifier,
which are contained in the second address change confirmation information,
agree with
each other. Determination section 1403 can be usually realized by MPU, a
memory,
and the like. A processing procedure in which determination section 1403 makes
the
above-mentioned determination is usually realized by software, and the
software is
recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk. However, it may be
realized by
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hardware (leased line).
When determination section 1403 determines that the first address information
and the second address information do not agree with each other or that the
first
electronic equipment identifier and the second electronic equipment identifier
do not
agree with each other, electronic equipment address information updating
section 1404
rewrites third address information or/and a third electronic equipment
identifier of the
electronic equipment address information containing third address information
agreeing
with the first address information contained in the second address change
confirmation
information and a third electronic equipment identifier agreeing with the
first electronic
equipment identifier contained in the second address change confirmation
information
to second address information or/and second electronic equipment identifier
contained
in the second address change confirmation information. Electronic equipment
address
information updating section 1404 can be usually realized by MPU, a memory,
and the
like. A processing procedure in which electronic equipment address information
updating section 1404 updates as mentioned above can be usually realized by
software,
and the software is recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk.
However, it
may be realized by hardware (leased line).
Hereinafter, an operation of the information processing system is described.
Firstly, an operation of electronic equipment 11 is described with reference
to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 3.
(Step S301) First address change confirmation information forming section 1103
determines whether or not an instruction to confirm an address change was
received.
For example, electronic equipment 11 issues an instruction to confirm an
address
change automatically and regularly. When the instruction to confirm an address
change is received, the step goes to step S302. When the instruction to
confirm an
address change is not received, the step returns to step S301. Furthermore,
first
address change confirmation information forming section 1103 may form first
address
change confirmation information based on a user's instruction.
(Step S302) First address change confirmation information forming section 1103
obtains first address information from first address information storage
section 1101.
(Step S303) First address change confirmation information forming section 1103
obtains a first electronic equipment identifier from first electronic
equipment identifier
storage section 1102.
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(Step S304) First address change confirmation information forming section 1103
forms first address change confirmation information containing the first
address
information obtained in step S302 and the first electronic equipment
identifler obtained
in step S303. Usually, first address change confirmation information forming
section
1103 forms the first address change confirmation information that is a packet
in which
the first address information and the first electronic equipment identifier
were written in
payload.
(Step S305) First address change confirmation information sending section 1104
sends the first address change confirmation information formed in step S304 to
information processing device 12.
Next, an operation of information processing device 12 is described with
reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.
(Step S401) First address change confirmation information receiving section
1203 determines whether or not the first address change confirmation
information was
received. When the first address change confirmation information is received,
the step
goes to step S402. When the first address change confirmation information is
not
received, the step returns to step S401.
(Step S402) Second address change confirmation information forming section
1204 obtains second address information from second address information
storage
section 1201.
(Step S403) Second address change confirmation information forming section
1204 obtains a second electronic equipment identifier from electronic
equipment
identifier storage section 1202.
(Step S404) Second address change confirmation information forming section
1204 forms second address change confirmation information by writing the
second
address information obtained in step S402 and the second electronic equipment
identifier obtained in step S403 in the first address change confirmation
information.
Usually, second address change confirmation information forming section 1204
writes
the second address information and the second electronic equipment identifier
in a
header portion of a block.
(Step S405) Second address change confirmation information sending section
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1205 sends the second address change confirmation information formed in step
S404
to server device 14.
Next, an operation of server device 14 is described with reference to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 5.
(Step S501) Second address change confirmation information receiving section
1402 determines whether or not the second address change confirmation
information
was received. When the second address change confirmation information is
received,
the step goes to step S502. When the second address change confirmation
information is not received, the step returns to step S501.
(Step S502) Determination section 1403 takes out the first address information
and the first electronic equipment information contained in the second address
change
confirmation information.
(Step S503) Determination section 1403 takes out the second address
information and the second electronic equipment information contained in the
second
address change confirmation information.
(Step S504) Determination section 1403 determines whether or not the first
address information and the second address information, which are contained in
the
second address change confirmation information, agree with each other, or/and
whether or not the first electronic equipment identifier and the second
electronic
equipment identifier, which are contained in the second address change
confirmation
information, agree with each other. When they agree with each other, the
processing is
completed and when they do not agree with each other, the step goes to step
S505.
Note here that since the processing is completed when they agree with each
other, in
such a case, server device 14 is to abandon the received packet.
(Step S505) Electronic equipment address information updating section 1404
rewrites third address information or/and a third electronic equipment
identifier of the
electronic equipment address information containing third address information
agreeing
with the first address information contained in the second address change
confirmation
information and a third electronic equipment identifier agreeing with the
second address
information to second address information or/and a second electronic equipment
identifier contained in the second address change confirmation information.
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Hereinafter, a specific operation of the information processing system in the
first
exemplary embodiment is described. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the
information
processing system. In FIG. 6, electronic equipment 11 is, for example, a
personal
computer. Information processing device 12 is, for example, a router. Server
device
14 is connected to information processing device 12 via the Internet 13.
Furthermore,
server device 14 holds an electronic equipment address information management
table
shown in FIG. 6. Electronic equipment address information management table
stores
one or more pieces of electronic equipment address information. Electronic
equipment
address information herein includes "ID," "third address information" and
"third
electronic equipment identifier." "ID" is an identifier for identifying the
electronic
equipment address information, which are data necessary for management of
table.
"Third address information" herein denotes a global IP address at the side of
WAN of
information processing device 12 (router).
First of all, FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing the information
processing
system showing information sent from electronic equipment 11. The information
shown in FIG. 7 (packet (1) and packet (2)) is generally called a packet. The
packet
includes a sender's IP address (hereinafter, which is appropriately referred
to as "SA"), a
destination IP address (hereinafter, which is appropriately referred to as
"DA"), a port of
a device specified by the sender's IP address (hereinafter, which is
appropriately
referred to as "SP"), a port of a device specified by the destination IP
address
(hereinafter, which is appropriately referred to as "DP") and data
(hereinafter, which is
appropriately referred to as "Data"). Note here that the data are a main body
portion
of the information (payload) to be sent. Furthermore, "OSA" of the data is
first address
information and "OSP" is first electronic equipment identifier. "OSA" and
"OSP" may be
old information. That is to say, "OSA" stored in electronic equipment 11
originally
agrees with a global IP address held by the information processing device.
However,
when the global IP address held by the information processing device is
changed, both
information do not agree with each other. To confirm such a case, processing
according
to the first exemplary embodiment is carried out. Note here that "OSP" is an
old port
number of electronic equipment 11, and when it is not changed, it agrees with
"SP."
According to FIG. 7, the first address information stored in electronic
equipment
11 is "219.126.194.60" and the first electronic equipment identifier stored in
electronic
equipment 11 is 1." Electronic equipment 11 writes the first address
information
"219.126.194.60" and the first electronic equipment identifier "1" in payload
as OSA
and OSP, respectively. Electronic equipment 11 forms the first address change
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confirmation information of packet (1), and sends the first address change
confirmation
information to information processing device 12. "SA" of the packet (1) is a
local IP
address assigned to electronic equipment 11 and "DA" is a global IP address of
server
device 14. Electronic equipment 11 holds a global IP address of server device
14 in
advance for communicating with server device 14.
Information processing device 12 stores the second address information
"219.126.194.60" and the second electronic equipment identifier "1:" The
second
address information "219.126.194.60" is a current IP address at the side of
WAN of
information processing device 12. Information processing device 12 receives
the first
address change confirmation information of packet (1), and rewrites "SA" to
the second
address information "219.126.194.60" and "SP" to the second electronic
equipment
identifier "1:" Thus, packet (2) shown in FIG. 7 is formed. Packet (2) shown
in FIG. 7
is second address change confirmation information. Then, information
processing
device 12 sends packet (2) to server device 14.
Server device 14 receives packet (2) shown in FIG. 7, compares "SA" with "OSA"
of packet (2) and compares "SP" with "OSP" of packet (2). In packet (2), "SA"
agrees
with "OSA," and "SP" agrees with "OSP," respectively. Therefore, server device
14
abandons packet 2 without doing anything.
Next, information sent from electronic equipment 11 is shown in FIG. 8.
According to FIG. 8, the first address information stored in electronic
equipment 11 is
"219.126.194.62" and the first electronic equipment identifier stored in
electronic
equipment 11 is "1." Then, electronic equipment 11 writes the first address
information "219.126.194.62" and the first electronic equipment identifier "1"
in
payload as OSA and OSP, respectively. Then, electronic equipment 11 forms the
first
address change confirmation information of packet (1), and sends the first
address
change confirmation information to information processing device 12.
Next, information processing device 12 stores the second address information
"219.126.194.63" and the second electronic equipment identifier "1." The
second
address information "219.126.194.63" is a current IP address at the side of
WAN of
information processing device 12. Information processing device 12 receives
the first
address change confirmation information of packet (1) and rewrites "SA" to the
second
address information "219.126.194.63" and "SP" to the second electronic
equipment
identifier "1." Thus, packet (2) shown in FIG. 8 is formed. Packet (2) shown
in FIG. 8
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is second address change confirmation information. Then, information
processing
device 12 sends packet (2) to server device 14.
Next, server device 14 receives packet (2) shown in FIG. 8, compares "SA" with
"OSA" of packet (2), and compares "SP" with "OSP" of packet (2). In packet (2)
shown
in FIG. 8, "SA" and "OSA" do not agree with each other. Therefore, server
device 14
searches electronic equipment address information management table containing
"OSA
= 219.126.194.62" and "OSP = 1" in "third address information" and "third
electronic
equipment identifier" respectively, and rewrites "third address information"
and "third
electronic equipment identifier" of the record ("ID = 2") to "SA" and "SP" of
packet (2).
Therefore, "third address information" of the record of "ID = 2" in the
electronic
equipment address information management table becomes "219.126.194.63" and
"third electronic equipment identifier" of the record of "ID = 2" becomes "1:"
Consequently, the electronic equipment management table of server device 14 is
changed as in shown in FIG. 9.
As mentioned above, according to the first exemplary embodiment, when the
address with which the server device sends information to the information
processing
device or the electronic equipment identifier of the electronic equipment is
changed, the
server device can change and manage addresses or electronic equipment
identifiers
with light load of CPU and a small amount of communication data. That is to
say, with
light load of CPU and light communication load, the server device can continue
to
communicate with the electronic equipment normally.
Note here that in the first exemplary embodiment, the timing at which the
electronic equipment sends first address change confirmation information was
not
described in detail. However, it is preferable that the electronic equipment
sends first
address change confirmation information to the information processing device
regularly.
Because it is not preferable that when a state in which the IP address, etc.
at the side of
WAN of the information processing device managed by the server device
continues for a
long time, a state in which the electronic equipment cannot be accessed from
the
outside continues for a long time. "Regularly" means, for example, every three
minutes. The same is true in the other exemplary embodiments. Furthermore,
even
when the above-mentioned address change confirmation information (packet) is
sent,
for example, every three minutes, data amount is small and communication load
is also
small.
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Furthermore, needless to say, a structure of the electronic equipment address
information of the server device mentioned in the first exemplary embodiment
is not
limited to the structure shown in FIG. 6. The electronic equipment address
information
may include, for example, electronic equipment specific information (MAC
address, etc.)
for identifying the electronic equipment. The same is true in the other
exemplary
embodiments.
Furthermore, the operations of the electronic equipment, the information
processing device and the server device, which were described in the first
exemplary
embodiment, may be realized by software, and the software may be disposed on
the
server, for example, so to be distributed by software download. Furthermore,
the
software may be recorded in a recording medium such as CD-ROM so as to be
provided. Various devices can be realized by software, etc., which can be
applied to
the other exemplary embodiments.
Note here that a program in which the operation of the electronic equipment in
the first exemplary embodiment was realized is as follows. The program allows
a
computer to execute a step of obtaining first address information stored in
advance; a
step of obtaining first electronic equipment identifier stored in advance; a
first address
change confirmation information forming step of forming first address change
confirmation information containing the first address information and the
first electronic
equipment identifier; and a first address change confirmation information
sending step
of sending the first address change confirmation information to the
information
processing device.
(SECOND EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT)
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an information processing system according
to the second exemplary embodiment. The information processing system includes
electronic equipment 101, information processing device 102, the Internet 13
and
server device 104.
Electronic equipment 101 includes first address information storage section
1101, first electronic equipment identifier storage section 1102, first
address change
confirmation information forming section 1103, first address change
confirmation
information sending section 1104, confirmation information receiving section
10101 and
send back information sending section 10102.
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Information processing device 102 includes second address information storage
section 1201, second electronic equipment identifier storage section 1202,
first address
change confirmation information receiving section 1203, second address change
confirmation information forming section 1204, second address change
confirmation
information sending section 1205, confirmation information sending/receiving
section
10201 and reply information sending/receiving section 10202.
Server device 104 includes electronic equipment address information storage
section 1401, second address change confirmation information receiving section
1402,
determination section 1403 and electronic equipment address information
updating
section 10404. Electronic equipment address information updating section 10404
includes confirmation information forming means 104041, confirmation
information
sending means 104042, reply information receiving means 104043, reply
information
determination means 104044 and updating means 104045.
Confirmation information receiving section 10101 receives confirmation
information from information processing device 102. The confirmation
information is
information for confirming whether or not address information (an IP address
at the
side of WAN, etc.) of information processing device 102 actually changes and a
data
structure thereof is not particularly limited. Examples of the confirmation
information
are shown below specifically. Confirmation information receiving section 10101
can be
realized by a wire or wireless communication means.
Send back information sending section 10102 sends reply information
corresponding to the confirmation information to information processing device
102.
The reply information is information with which server device 104 confirms
whether or
not the change in the address information (an IP address at the side of WAN,
etc.) of
information processing device 102 is impersonated by a malicious user, etc.
and a data
structure of thereof is not particularly limited. Examples of the reply
information are
shown below specifically. Send back information sending section 10102 can be
realized
by a wire or wireless communication means.
Confirmation information sending/receiving section 10201 receives confirmation
information from server device 104 and sends the confirmation information to
electronic
equipment 101. Confirmation information sending/receiving section 10201 can be
realized by a wire or wireless communication means.
Reply information sending/receiving section 10202 receives reply information
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from electronic equipment 101 and sends the reply information to server device
104.
Reply information sending/receiving section 10202 can be realized by a wire or
wireless
communication means.
Confirmation information forming means 104041 forms confirmation
information. A data structure of the confirmation information is not
particularly limited.
The confirmation information usually includes new address information, which
was
thought to be changed, of the information processing device or electronic
equipment
identifier of the electronic equipment. Forming includes also a processing of
reading
out information stored in advance. Confirmation information forming means
104041
io can be usually realized by MPU, a memory, and the like. A processing
procedure in
which confirmation information forming means 104041 forms confirmation
information
can be realized usually by software, and the software is recorded in a
recording medium
such as a hard disk. However, it may be realized by hardware (leased line).
Confirmation information sending means 104042 sends the confirmation
information formed by confirmation information forming means 104041 to
information
processing device 102. Confirmation information sending means 104042 can be
realized by a wire or wireless communication means.
Reply information receiving means 104043 receives reply information
corresponding to the sending of the confirmation information from information
2o processing device 102. Reply information receiving means 104043 can be
realized by
a wire or wireless communication means.
Reply information determination means 104044 determines whether or not the
reply information received by reply information receiving means 104043
satisfies a
certain condition. Determination algorithm of reply information determination
means
104044 is not particularly limited. Determination algorithm of reply
information
determination means 104044 is described below specifically. Reply information
determination means 104044 can be usually realized by MPU, a memory, and the
like.
A processing procedure in which reply information determination means 104044
makes
a determination can be realized usually by software, and the software is
recorded in a
recording medium such as a hard disk. However, it may be realized by hardware
(leased line).
When reply information determination means 104044 determines that a certain
condition is satisfied, updating means 104045 rewrites third address
information or/and
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a third electronic equipment identifier of the electronic equipment address
information
containing third address information that is the same as the first address
information
contained in second address change confirmation information and a third
electronic
equipment identifier that is the same as the first electronic equipment
identifier
contained in the second address change confirmation information to second
address
information or/and a second electronic equipment identifier contained in the
second
address change confirmation information. Updating means 104045 can be usually
realized by MPU, a memory, and the like. The processing procedure of updating
means
104045 can be realized usually by software, and the software is recorded in a
recording
medium such as a hard disk. However, it may be realized by hardware (leased
line).
Hereinafter, an operation of the information processing system is described.
Firstly, an operation of electronic equipment 101 is described with reference
to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 11.
(Step S1101) First address change confirmation information forming section
1103 determines whether or not an instruction to confirm an address change was
received. When the instruction to confirm an address change is received, the
step goes
to step S1102, and when the instruction to confirm an address change is not
received,
the step returns to S1101.
(Step S1102) First address change confirmation information forming section
1103 obtains first address information from first address information storage
section
1101.
(Step S1103) First address change confirmation information forming section
1103 obtains a first electronic equipment identifier from first electronic
equipment
identifier storage section 1102.
(Step S1104) First address change confirmation information forming section
1103 forms first address change confirmation information containing the first
address
information obtained in step S1102 and the first electronic equipment
identifier
obtained in step S1103.
(Step S1105) First address change confirmation information sending section
1104 sends the first address change confirmation information formed in step
S1104 to
information processing device 102.
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(Step S1106) Confirmation information receiving section 10101 determines
whether or not confirmation information was received from information
processing
device 102. When the confirmation information is received, the step goes to
step
S1107, and when the confirmation information is not received, the step skips
to step
S1109.
(Step S1107) Send back information sending section 10102 forms send back
information.
(Step S1108) Send back information sending section 10102 sends the send back
information formed in step S1107 to information processing device 102.
(Step S1109) It is determined whether or not time is out. When it is
determined that time is out, the processing is completed, and when it is
determined
that time is not out, the step returns to step S1106. Note here that timeout
means
that a certain time has passed since the first address change confirmation
information
was sent. Electronic equipment 101 holds a timer. The case of timeout is
usually a
case where no change occurs in the address information.
Next, an operation of information processing device 102 is described with
reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12.
(Step S1201) First address change confirmation information forming section
1203 determines whether or not first address change confirmation information
was
received. When the first address change confirmation information is received,
the step
goes to step S1202, and when the first address change confirmation information
is not
received, the step returns to S1201.
(Step S1202) Second address change confirmation information forming section
1204 obtains second address information from second address information
storage
section 1201.
(Step S1203) Second address change confirmation information forming section
1204 obtains a second electronic equipment identifier from second electronic
equipment
identifier storage section 1202.
(Step S1204) Second address change confirmation information forming section
1204 forms second address change confirmation information by writing the
second
address information obtained in step S1202 and the second electronic equipment
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identifier obtained in step S1203 in the first address change confirmation
information.
(Step S1205) Second address change confirmation information sending section
1205 sends the second address change confirmation information formed in step
S1204
to server device 14.
(Step S1206) Confirmation information sending/receiving section 10201
determines whether or not confirmation information was received from server
device
104. When the confirmation information is received, the step goes to step
S1207, and
when the confirmation information is not received, the step skips to step
S1210.
(Step S1207) Confirmation information sending/receiving section 10201 sends
lo the confirmation information received in step S1206 to electronic equipment
101.
(Step S1208) Reply information sending/receiving section 10202 determines
whether or not reply information was received from electronic equipment 101.
When
the reply information is received, the step goes to step S1209, and when the
reply
information is not received, the step returns to step S1208.
ls (Step S1209) Reply information sending/receiving section 10202 sends the
reply
information received in step S1208 to server device 104.
(Step S1210) It is determined whether or not time is out. When it is
determined that time is out, the processing is completed, and when it is
determined
that time is not out, the step returns to step S1206.
20 Next, an operation of server device 104 is described with reference to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 13.
(Step S1301) Second address change confirmation information receiving section
1402 determines whether or not second address change confirmation information
was
received. When the second address change confirmation information is received,
the
25 step goes to step S1302, and when the second address change confirmation
information is not received, the step returns to step S1301.
(Step S1302) Determination section 1403 takes out first address information
contained in the second address change confirmation information.
(Step S1303) Determination section 1403 takes out second address information
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contained in the second address change confirmation information.
(Step S1304) Determination section 1403 compares the first address
information with the second address information so as to determine whether or
not
they agree with each other. When they agree with each other, the processing is
completed, and when they do not agree with each other, the step goes to step
S1305.
Note here that since the processing is completed when they agree with each
other, in
such a case, server device 14 is to abandon the received packets.
(Step S1305) Confirmation information forming means 104041 forms
confirmation information.
(Step S1306) Confirmation information sending means 104042 sends the
confirmation information formed in step S1305 to information processing device
102.
(Step S1307) Reply information receiving means 104043 determines whether or
not reply information was received. When the reply information is received,
the step
goes to step S1308, and when the reply information is not received, the step
returns to
step S1307.
(Step S1308) Reply information determination means 104044 determines
whether or not the reply information received by reply information receiving
means
104043 satisfies a certain condition. When the certain condition is satisfied,
the step
goes to step S1309, and when the certain condition is not satisfied, the
processing is
completed.
(Step S1309) Updating means 104045 rewrites third address information or/and
a third electronic equipment identifier of electronic equipment address
information
containing third address information agreeing with the first address
information
contained in the second address change confirmation information and a third
electronic
equipment identifier agreeing with the first electronic equipment identifier
contained in
the second address change confirmation information to second address
information
or/and a second electronic equipment identifier contained in the second
address change
confirmation information.
Note here that in the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, determination section 1403
compared only the first address information with the second address
information so as
to determine whether or not they agree with each other. However, determination
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section 1403 may determine whether or not the first address information and
the
second address information, which are contained in the second address change
confirmation information, agree with each other, and whether or not the first
electronic
equipment identifier and the second electronic equipment identifier, which are
contained
in the second address change confirmation information, agree with each other.
Hereinafter, a specific operation of the information processing system in the
second exemplary embodiment is described. The conceptual diagram of this
information processing system is the same as that shown in FIG. 6.
Furthermore, the
server device stores the electronic equipment address information management
table
shown in FIG. 6. Furthermore, the electronic equipment is a personal computer,
and
the information processing device is a router.
In the second exemplary embodiment, when the server device determines,
based on the second address change confirmation information sent from the
router, that
the address information of the router (for example, an IP address at the side
of WAN)
changes, for confirmation thereof, it sends confirmation information to the
router.
Then, the confirmation information is sent to the electronic equipment via the
router.
Then, reply information is formed in the electronic equipment and sent to the
server
device via the router. At this time, when the reply information is based on a
certain
condition, or when the reply information is received, the server device
updates the
managed electronic equipment address information management table.
Herein, the processing before the server device determines that the address
information of the router changes and the processing in which the server
device
updates the electronic equipment address information management table are the
same
as described in the first exemplary embodiment. Herein, the processing after
it is
determined that the address information of the router changes and before
confirmation
information is sent, reply information is received and it is determined that
the electronic
equipment address information management table is updated is described
specifically.
Firstly, a first example is described. Now, it is assumed that packet (1)
shown
in FIG. 14 (same as packet (1) shown in FIG. 8) is sent from the electronic
equipment
to the router and that the router forms packet (2) shown in FIG. 14 (same as
packet
(2) shown in FIG. 8). Then, the router sends packet (2) to the server device.
Next,
the server device determines that "third address information" and "'*third
electronic
equipment identifier" of the record of "ID = 2" in the electronic equipment
address
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information management table may be updated according to packet (2).
Next, the server device forms, for example, packet (3) shown in FIG. 14.
Packet (3) is confirmation information. That is to say, the server device
assigns the
changed IP address of the router, "219.126.194.63," to "DA." Furthermore, the
server
device assigns the changed port number of the electronic equipment, "1;" to
"DR"
Furthermore, the server device assigns "1" to "Data." When the server device
assigns
"1" to "Data" and "1" is returned as it is, the server device determines that
the changed
IP address of the router, "219.126.194.63" and the changed port number of the
electronic equipment, 1;' are correct information. That is to say, it is
determined that
the received packet (2) is not impersonated information but correct
information. That
is to say, herein, the reply information determination means of the server
device
determines that a certain condition is satisfied when data of the body part
(payload) of
the sent confirmation information agree with data of the body part (payload)
of the
received reply information. Note here that the value "1" of the above-
mentioned
"Data" is information showing that the address changes. Furthermore, as the
value of
the above-mentioned "Data," the changed IP address of the router,
"219.126.194.63,"
and the changed port number of the electronic equipment, "1;" may be assigned.
In
such a case, it is preferable that the electronic equipment reads out the
changed IP
address, "219.126.194.63" and the changed port number, "1" and records them in
the
electronic equipment. Furthermore, needless to say, as the above-mentioned
"Data," a
character string such as "confirmation information" may be assigned.
Next, the server device sends packet (3) shown in FIG. 14 to the router. The
router receives packet (3), forms packet (4) and sends packet (4) to the
electronic
equipment. Next, the electronic equipment receives packet (4) (confirmation
information) and forms packet (5) (reply information). Herein, the electronic
equipment uses "SA", "DA", "SP" and "DP" as the reply information same as in
packet
(1), and "Data" of the reply information uses "Data" of the confirmation
information.
Thus, reply information (packet (5)) is formed. Then, the electronic equipment
sends
packet (5) to the router. That is to say, the electronic equipment knows that
"Data"
contained in the received confirmation information is used for "Data" of the
reply
information.
Next, the router receives packet (5), forms packet (6) and sends packet (6)
(reply information) to the server device. The server device receives packet
(6) (reply
information) and checks whether or not the value of "Data" of packet (6) is
"1." Since
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the value of "Data" of packet (6) (reply information) is "1," it is determined
that packet
(2) is a right packet (second address change confirmation information), and
the server
device rewrites "third address information" and "third electronic equipment
identifier" of
the record of "ID = 2" of the stored electronic equipment address information
management table to "SA" and "SP" of packet (2). As mentioned above, "third
address
information" of the record of "ID = 2" of the electronic equipment address
information
management table becomes "219.126.194.63" and "third electronic equipment
identifier" of the record of "ID = 2" becomes "1" (see FIG. 9).
Next, a second example is described. Now, similar to the first example, it is
1o assumed that packet (1) shown in FIG. 14 was sent from the electronic
equipment to
the router and that the server device received packet (2) shown in FIG. 14.
Then, the
server device determines that "third address information" and "third
electronic
equipment identifier" of the record of "ID = 2" in the electronic equipment
address
information management table may be updated according to packet (2).
Next, the server device sends, for example, packet (3) shown in FIG. 14. Then,
the server device checks whether or not reply information is received from the
router in
a predetermined time. When reply information is received from the router in a
predetermined time, the server device determines that packet (2) is a right
packet
(second address change confirmation information). Then, as mentioned above,
the
server device rewrites "third address information" of the record of "ID = 2"
in the
electronic equipment address information management table to "219.126.194.63"
and
"third electronic equipment identifier" of the record of "ID = 2" to "1."
Next, a third example is described. Now, similar to the first example, it is
assumed that packet (1) shown in FIG. 14 was sent from the electronic
equipment to
the router and that the server device received packet (2) shown in FIG. 14.
Then, the
server device determines that "third address information" and "third
electronic
equipment identifier" of the record of "ID = 2" in the electronic equipment
address
information management table may be updated according to packet (2).
The server device sends, for example, packet (3) shown in FIG. 14. Then, the
electronic equipment receives packet (4) shown in FIG. 14. Then, the
electronic
equipment encrypts data of packet (4) by algorithm such as SSL. Then, the
electronic
equipment sends the encrypted information to the server device via the router.
The
server device receives and decrypts the encrypted information. Then, the
server
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device determines that the packet (2) is a right packet (second address change
confirmation information) when the decrypted information (reply information)
satisfies a
certain condition. Then, as mentioned above, the server device rewrites "third
address
information" of the record of "ID = 2" in the electronic equipment address
information
management table to "219.126.194.63" and "third electronic equipment
identifier" of
the record of "ID = 2" to"1."
As mentioned above, according to the second exemplary embodiment, when it is
determined that address information with which the server device sends
information to
the information processing device or an electronic equipment identifier of the
electronic
equipment changes, the server device confirms whether or not the determination
is
right (whether or not the packet is impersonated by a malicious user, etc.).
Thereby,
the address information is not unjustly changed by a cracker, etc., so that
the reliability
is increased. Furthermore, by encrypting reply information by algorithm such
as SSL
(Secure socket layer), the reliability is further increased.
Note here that in the second exemplary embodiment, the server device
confirmed whether or not the received second address change confirmation
information
was right by various algorithm, however, the confirmation is not particularly
limited to
the above-mentioned examples. For example, in the first example, it is assumed
that
the server device and the electronic equipment knew the number obtained by
adding
"1" to "Data" of confirmation information became "Data" of reply information.
In such
a case, the electronic equipment forms reply information by rewriting "Data"
to 112"
when confirmation information having "Data" of "1" is received. The server
device
receiving such reply information determines that the second address change
confirmation information was right and may rewrite address information, etc.
as
mentioned above. Furthermore, as the value of "Data" of the confirmation
information,
the changed IP address of the router, "219.126.194.631" and the changed port
number
of the electronic equipment, "1" are assigned. When the information in "Data"
inside
the packet replied from the electronic equipment and "SA" and "SP" inside the
packet
agree with each other, the server device determines that the second address
change
confirmation information was right and may rewrite the address information,
etc. as
mentioned above. That is to say, the server device sends the confirmation
information
to the electronic equipment via the information processing device, receives
reply
information corresponding to the sending of the confirmation information and
may
determine the rightness of the received second address change confirmation
information based on the reply information. The term "based on the reply
information"
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also includes the determination that the reply information is right without
checking the
content of the reply information when the reply information is received as
mentioned
a bove.
Furthermore, a program in which the operation of the electronic equipment in
the second exemplary embodiment was realized by software is as follows. The
program allows a computer to execute a step of obtaining first address
information
stored in advance; a step of obtaining a first electronic equipment identifier
stored in
advance; a first address change confirmation information forming step of
forming first
address change confirmation information containing the first address
information and
io the first electronic equipment identifier; a first address change
confirmation information
sending step of sending the first address change confirmation information to
the
information processing device; a confirmation information receiving step of
receiving
the confirmation information from the information processing device; and a
reply
information sending step of sending reply information corresponding to the
confirmation
information to the information processing device.
(THIRD EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT)
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an information processing system according
to the third exemplary embodiment. The information processing system includes
electronic equipment 151, the Internet 13 and server device 154. Electronic
equipment 151 includes electronic equipment identifier storage section 15101,
index
information holding section 15102 and send information sending section 15103.
Server device 154 includes electronic equipment related information storage
section
15401, electronic equipment identifier index correspondence management section
15402, send information receiving section 15403 and information access section
15404.
Electronic equipment identifier storage section 15101 stores an electronic
equipment identifier that is information for identifying electronic equipment.
Examples
of the electronic equipment identifiers include a MAC address or an IP address
of the
electronic equipment, and the like. However, an electronic equipment
identifier may be
any information as long as it is information unique to electronic equipment.
This
electronic equipment identifier is information that is not desired to be known
to third
parties. For example, when a MAC address or an IP address is known to
malicious
third parties, electronic equipment may be accessed freely. Note here that a
data
structure of the electronic equipment identifier is not particularly limited.
It is
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preferable that electronic equipment identifier storage section 15101 is
realized by a
nonvolatile recording medium. However, it may be realized by a volatile
recording
medium.
Index information holding section 15102 holds index information. Index
information is information used by server device 154 for identifying
electronic
equipment. A data structure of the index information is not particularly
limited. When
server device 154 has a table in which electronic equipment identifier is
stored, the
index information is, for example, address information of the table. It is
preferable
that index information holding section 15102 is realized by a nonvolatile
recording
medium. However, it may be realized a volatile recording medium.
Send information sending section 15103 obtains index information from index
information holding section 15102 and sends the send information containing
the index
information to the server device 154. A data structure of the send information
is not
particularly limited. Send information sending section 15103 can be realized
by a wire
or wireless communication means.
Electronic equipment related information storage section 15401 stores
electronic
equipment related information that is information related to electronic
equipment. The
electronic equipment related information is one or more pieces of information
related to
electronic equipment. Examples of the electronic equipment related information
include information (record including an IP address, a port number, and the
like) for
accessing one or more electronic equipment. Electronic equipment related
information
storage section 15401 can be realized by a nonvolatile recording medium or a
volatile
recording medium.
Electronic equipment identifier index correspondence management section
15402 stores an electronic equipment identifier for accessing electronic
equipment
related information with corresponding to the index information.
"Corresponding to"
just means that the electronic equipment identifier can be obtained from the
index
information. That is to say, there may be a record containing index
information and an
electronic equipment identifier, or index information may be linked to an
electronic
equipment identifier, or an electronic equipment identifier may be stored in
an address
shown by index information. Electronic equipment identifier index
correspondence
management section 15402 can be realized by a nonvolatile recording medium or
a
volatile recording medium.
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Send information receiving section 15403 receives send information containing
index information from electronic equipment 151. Send information receiving
section
15403 can be realized by a wire or wireless communication means.
Information access section 15404 obtains an electronic equipment identifier
based on the index information contained in send information, and accesses
electronic
equipment related information based on the electronic equipment identifier.
"Accessing" refers to searching, updating, deleting, and the like. Information
access
section 15404 can be usually realized by MPU, a memory, and the like. A
processing
procedure of information access section 15404 is usually realized by software.
The
software is usually recorded in a recording medium such as a hard disk.
However, it
may be realized by hardware (leased line).
Hereinafter, an operation of the information processing system is described.
Firstly, an operation of electronic equipment 151 is described. Electronic
equipment
151 obtains index information by some trigger so as to form send information
containing the index information and sends it to server device 154. The timing
at
which electronic equipment 151 sends the send information to server device 154
is not
particularly limited.
Next, an operation of server device 154 is described with reference to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 16.
(Step S1601) It is determined whether or not send information receiving
section
15403 received send information from electronic equipment 151. When the send
information is received, the step goes to step S1602, and when the send
information is
not received, the step returns to step S1601.
(Step S1602) Information access section 15404 obtains index information from
the send information received in step S1601. Note here that the send
information may
agree with the index information. In such a case, this step may not be
necessary.
(Step S1603) Information access section 15404 obtains an electronic equipment
identifier from electronic equipment identifier index correspondence
management
section 15402 based on the index information obtained in step S1602.
(Step S1604) Information access section 15404 accesses electronic equipment
related information of electronic equipment related information storage
section 15401
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based on the electronic equipment identifier obtained in step S1603.
Hereinafter, a specific operation of the information processing system in the
third
exemplary embodiment is described. FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram of the
information
processing system. Electronic equipment and a server device are connected to
each
other via the Internet. Then, information stored in the electronic equipment
and the
server device and sent/received information are described with reference to
FIG. 18.
In FIG. 18, an electronic equipment identifier is stored in ROM of the
electronic
equipment, and index information is stored in RAM of the electronic equipment.
Furthermore, the server device holds electronic equipment identifier index
correspondence management section shown in FIG. 18. In this electronic
equipment
identifier index correspondence management section, the index information
shows an
address at which the value of the electronic equipment identifier exists.
Furthermore,
the server device holds the electronic equipment related information storage
section
shown in FIG. 18. The electronic equipment related information storage section
holds
one or more pieces of electronic equipment related information. The value of
electronic
equipment identifier shows an address at which the electronic equipment
related
information in the electronic equipment related information storage section
exists.
Furthermore, the electronic equipment related information includes, for
example, "IP,"
"Port," "lasttime" and "index information." "IP" means an IP address with
which the
server device accesses the electronic equipment. IP address is, for example,
an IP
address at the side of WAN of a router (not shown) between the electronic
equipment
and the server device. "Port" is a port number with which the electronic
equipment is
connected to the router. "Lasttime" means the last time when the electronic
equipment related information is rewritten.
In the state mentioned above, the electronic equipment forms packet (send
information) containing index information and sends it to the server device.
Next, the
server device receives send information. Then, the server device obtains index
information from the send information and obtains an electronic equipment
identifier
having the value of the index information as an address from the electronic
equipment
identifier index correspondence management section. Then, the server device
accesses the electronic equipment related information which exists at an
address of the
value of the electronic equipment identifier. As mentioned above, the server
device can'
access the electronic equipment related information by using the index
information.
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As mentioned above, according to the third exemplary embodiment, without
using an electronic equipment identifier, by using index information, it is
possible to
access unique information of the electronic equipment managed by the server
device.
Therefore, an electronic equipment identifier is not stolen when information
is sent from
the electronic equipment to the server device, so that the security can be
assured.
Electronic equipment identifier is usually information for accessing the
electronic
equipment. When such information is stolen, the electronic equipment may be
attacked variously from third parties.
Furthermore, according to the third exemplary embodiment, the significance of
accessing the electronic equipment related information in the server device
was not
described in detail. However, for example, in the processing in the first
exemplary
embodiment or second exemplary embodiment, the access method of the server
device
using the index information in this exemplary embodiment may be used.
The information processing system used for the first exemplary embodiment is
as follows: an information processing system including: electronic equipment;
an
information processing device; and a server device, the electronic equipment
including
a first address information storage section storing first address information
showing an
address with which the server device sends information to the information
processing
device, a first electronic equipment identifier storage section storing a
first electronic
equipment identifier that is information with which the information processing
device
sends information to the electronic equipment, an index information holding
section
holding index information, a first address change confirmation information
forming
section for obtaining first address information from the first address
information storage
section, obtaining a first electronic equipment identifier from the first
electronic
equipment identifier storage section, obtaining index information from the
index
information holding section and forming a first address change confirmation
information
containing the first address information, the first electronic equipment
identifier and the
index information, and a first address change confirmation information sending
section
for sending the first address change confirmation information to the
information
processing device; the information processing device including a second
address
information storage section storing second address information showing an
address
with which the server device sends information to the information processing
device, a
second electronic equipment identifier storage section storing a second
electronic
equipment identifier that is information with which the information processing
device
sends information to the electronic equipment, a first address change
confirmation
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information receiving section for receiving the first address change
confirmation
information, a second address change confirmation information forming section
for
obtaining second address information from the second address information
storage
section, obtaining a second electronic equipment identifier from the second
electronic
equipment identifier storage section and forming second address change
confirmation
information by writing the second address information and the second
electronic
equipment identifier in the first address change confirmation information, and
a second
address change confirmation information sending section for sending the second
address change confirmation information to the server device; and the server
device
io including an electronic equipment address information storage section
storing one or
more pieces of electronic equipment address information containing third
address
information and a third electronic equipment identifier with corresponding to
the
electronic equipment identifier, an electronic equipment identifier index
correspondence
management section storing an electronic equipment identifier for accessing
the
electronic equipment address information with corresponding to the index
information,
a second address change confirmation information receiving section for
receiving the
second address change confirmation information, a determination section for
determining whether or not first address information and second address
information,
which are contained in the second address change confirmation information,
agree with
each other or/and whether or not a first electronic equipment identifier and a
second
electronic equipment identifier, which are contained in the second address
change
confirmation information, agree with each other, and an electronic equipment
address
information updating section for obtaining an electronic equipment identifier
from the
index information, obtaining the electronic equipment address information
based on the
electronic equipment identifier, rewriting third address information or/and a
third
electronic equipment identifier of electronic equipment address information
containing
third address information agreeing with the first address information
contained in the
second address change confirmation information and a third electronic
equipment
identifier agreeing with the first electronic equipment identifier contained
in the second
address change confirmation information to second address information or/and a
second electronic equipment identifier contained in the second address change
confirmation information when the determination section determines that the
first
address information and the second address information do not agree with each
other
or that the first electronic equipment identifier and the second electronic
equipment
identifier do not agree with each other.
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Furthermore, the information processing system used for the second exemplary
embodiment is as follows. That is to say, in the above-mentioned information
processing system, the electronic equipment further includes a confirmation
information
receiving section for receiving the confirmation information from the
information
processing device, and a send back information sending section for sending
reply
information corresponding to the confirmation information to the information
processing
device; and the information processing device further includes a confirmation
information sending/receiving section for receiving the confirmation
information from
the server device and sending the confirmation information to the electronic
equipment,
lo and a reply information sending/receiving section for receiving the reply
information
from the electronic equipment and sending the reply information to the server
device;
and when the determination section of the server device determines that the
first
address information and the second address information do not agree with each
other
or that the first electronic equipment identifier and the second electronic
equipment
identifier do not agree with each other, the electronic equipment address
information
updating section of the server device obtains an electronic equipment
identifier from the
index information, obtains the electronic equipment address information based
on the
electronic equipment identifier, rewrites third address information or/and a
third
electronic equipment identifier of electronic equipment address information
containing
third address information agreeing with the first address information
contained in the
second address change confirmation information and a third electronic
equipment
identifier agreeing with the first electronic equipment identifier contained
in the second
address change confirmation information to second address information or/and a
second electronic equipment identifier contained in the second address change
confirmation information.
Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiments, the server device may notify the
index information to the electronic equipment and the electronic equipment may
accumulate the index information. Therefore, it is preferable that a region in
which the
electronic equipment stores the index information is re-writable recording
medium such
3o as RAM.
Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiments, it is preferable that the server
device encrypts the index information and then notifies it to electronic
equipment. It is
advantageous because when a malicious third party obtains the index
information, the
malicious third party can access the electronic equipment related information
of the
server device.
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Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiments, the index information should be
changed regularly. It is because a high security is further achieved. In such
a case, it
is intended that the server device notifies the index information to the
electronic
equipment regularly.
Furthermore, a program of realizing an operation of the electronic equipment
by
software in the exemplary embodiments is as follows. The program allows a
computer
to execute a step of obtaining index information held in advance, a step of
forming send
information containing the index information, and a step of sending the send
information to the server device.
As mentioned above, according to the present invention, when information for
communication with respect to the electronic equipment managed by the server
device
is kept up to date, load can be reduced.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The present invention relates to an information processing system etc. in
which
electronic equipment and a server device communicate with each other. When
information for communication with respect to the electronic equipment managed
by
the server device is kept up to date, load can be reduced.
