JP5326255B2 - Time monitoring apparatus, electronic device, and time monitoring method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a time monitoring device, an electronic device, a program, and a time monitoring method, and more particularly, to a time monitoring device, an electronic device, a program, and a time monitoring method for monitoring that the time is set incorrectly.

  Some contents, such as software programs and videos, are allowed to be used and viewed after a period of use. The content provider provides a charge according to the usage period, and the user can determine the necessary usage period and make a contract to use the content. The electronic device for using the content has a clock, and determines whether or not the content can be used by comparing the usage period of the content with the clock.

  However, by illegally operating the clock of the electronic device, the user can illegally use the content even after the usage period has passed. In the invention of Patent Document 1, the expiration date management device acquires the standard time from an external standard time providing site, resets the internal clock, and compares the internal clock with the expiration date of the content. It is preventing.

  Further, the invention of Patent Document 2 sets an allowable value of the difference between the set time and the time of the local clock circuit, and resets the local clock only when the difference is equal to or less than the allowable value. The operation is prevented.

JP-A-11-85500 WO2004 / 107064 publication

  The invention of Patent Document 1 requires a configuration for connecting a target device to the outside for communication in order to acquire an external standard time, and there is a problem that it is expensive to implement. In addition, the invention of Patent Document 2 permits only when the set time and the current time are within a certain range in the time correction (time reset) per time, and it is illegal to significantly rewind the date and time. Time correction can be prevented. However, there is a problem in that it is not possible to prevent an unauthorized operation of rewinding the date and time by repeating correction within a certain range.

  The objective of this invention is providing the time monitoring apparatus, electronic device, program, and time monitoring method which solve the subject mentioned above.

  The time monitoring device of the present invention accumulates the difference between the time before correction and the time set by the correction, compares the accumulated value with a predetermined allowable value, and determines whether the time correction is possible based on the comparison result. It has the processor which determines.

The first electronic device of the present invention includes the time monitoring device of the present invention, a timepiece, and a second processor, and the second processor is attached to the time correction request when detecting the time correction request. The set time is output to the time monitoring device together with a monitoring request, and when a normal setting response is received from the time monitoring device, the current time of the clock is updated with the set time. The device includes a processor, a clock, and a storage unit, and when the processor corrects the current time of the clock, the processor accumulates a difference between the current time before the correction and the current time set by the correction. Whether or not the time correction is possible is determined based on a result of comparing the accumulated value and the allowable value stored in the storage unit.

  A third electronic device of the present invention includes a processor, a clock, and a storage unit, and the processor corrects the current time before the correction and the current time set by the correction when correcting the current time of the clock. Is determined, and whether to execute the content is determined based on a result of comparing the accumulated value of the difference and the allowable value stored in the storage unit.

  When the time correction request is detected, the program of the present invention stores a procedure for acquiring the current time from the clock, a procedure for calculating a difference between the set time indicated by the time correction request and the current time, and the calculated difference. And causing the computer to execute a procedure for adding to the accumulated difference value stored in the memory and a procedure for determining whether time correction is possible by comparing the added accumulated difference value and the allowable difference value stored in the storage unit. Features.

  In the first time monitoring method of the present invention, when the processor corrects the time, the processor accumulates the difference between the time before the correction and the time set by the correction, and obtains the accumulated value and a predetermined allowable value. Whether to correct the time is determined based on the comparison result.

  In the second time monitoring method of the present invention, when the processor corrects the current time, the difference between the current time before correction and the current time set by the correction is accumulated, and the accumulated value of the difference is determined in advance. Whether to execute the content is determined based on the result of comparison with the allowable value.

  The present invention has an effect of preventing illegal time correction at low cost.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the outline of the present invention will be described. The present invention has two general configurations. One is the time correction apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the other is the electronic device shown in FIG. The first outline configuration of the present invention is described in detail in the following first and second embodiments of the present invention. The second overview configuration of the present invention is described in detail in the following. It is a 3rd Example of this invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the schematic configuration of the time monitoring apparatus of the present invention includes a processor 1A. The processor 1A determines whether or not time correction is possible based on the comparison result, a difference accumulation unit 2A that accumulates the difference between the current time and the set time, a comparison unit 3A that compares the accumulated value with a predetermined allowable value, and The function of the determination unit 4A is executed.

  In the first outline configuration, the difference between the current time and the set time can be accumulated during time correction, and the accumulated value can be compared with the allowable value. Therefore, the first outline configuration can obtain an effect of preventing unauthorized time correction by deciding to reject the time correction when the accumulated value exceeds the allowable value. In particular, the present invention can reliably detect and prevent illegal time correction in which the time is rewound by repeating little by little.

  The procedure of the difference accumulating unit, the procedure of the comparing unit, and the procedure of the determining unit in FIG. 1 can be realized by a program. The time monitoring device is an example of a computer. The time monitoring method in the schematic configuration of FIG. 1 uses a processor to operate a difference accumulation unit, a comparison unit, and a determination unit. It is obvious that the program and the time monitoring method in this outline configuration can obtain the same effects as the time monitoring apparatus.

  Next, a second schematic configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic apparatus having the general configuration of the present invention is different in that it includes a timepiece 5A that is not included in the first general configuration, but is otherwise the same. It is obvious that the second outline configuration of the present invention can obtain the same effect as the first outline configuration.

  Next, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the time monitoring apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The time monitoring device 10 is one device of a computer including a time correction monitoring function, and may be installed independently, or may be incorporated in another device and manually installed.

  The time monitoring apparatus 10 includes a storage unit 11, a processor 12, and an interface unit 13. The storage unit 11 is a means for storing a program and data executed by the processor 12 and is realized by a main storage device composed of a semiconductor storage device. When a large storage capacity is required, the storage unit 11 is a magnetic disk. It can also be configured in combination with an auxiliary storage device such as a device. The storage unit 11 can store the monitoring control unit 14, the accumulated difference value 15, the allowable difference value 16, the activation condition 17, the recording time 18, and the flag 19.

  The processor 12 is a device that processes data, and has a function of executing a program stored in the storage unit 11. The interface unit 13 has a function of exchanging information by connecting to the outside of the time monitoring apparatus 10 under the control of the processor 12. Although not shown, the interface unit 13 is connected to a clock provided outside to acquire the current time, and is connected to an external control unit to exchange various information.

  The monitoring control unit 14 is a program for controlling the time monitoring device 10, stored in the storage unit 11, and executed by the processor 12. The monitoring control unit 14 performs an operation for preventing the time correction from being illegal. The operation of the monitoring control unit 14 will be described in detail in the description of the operation described later (see the flowcharts in FIGS. 4 and 5).

  The accumulated difference value 15 is a value obtained by accumulating the difference between the time set by the time correction and the current time, and is stored in the storage unit 11. That is, the accumulated difference value 15 is a value obtained by accumulating the time corrected by the time correction, and represents the total correction time when the time correction is repeatedly executed. The allowable difference value 16 is set by an external supervisor, and is a value that defines the allowable range of the accumulated difference value 15 and is stored in the storage unit 11.

  The activation condition 17 is a condition that is set by an external monitor and activates an operation for monitoring the passage of time from the viewpoint of whether the time has been rewound, and is stored in the storage unit 11. For example, the activation condition 17 is set as a time interval determined as a 1-minute period, a 10-minute period, or an 1-hour period, or as a time to be executed such as every day at 10:00 am, every hour 0 minutes 0 seconds. Can do. The shorter the activation condition 17 is, the earlier the time monitoring device 10 can find fraud. However, the load for the monitoring operation of the time monitoring device 10 increases as the activation condition 17 is set to a shorter interval. The user can set the activation condition 17 in consideration of these.

  The recording time 18 is the current time at which the recording time 18 is recorded periodically or at predetermined times, and is stored in the storage unit 11. The flag 19 is a flag representing either the on or off state, and is turned on when the recording time 18 is compared with the current time and the current time is determined to be invalid. In the present embodiment, the flag 19 is stored in the storage unit 11, but may be stored in a register (not shown) in the processor 12 or may be stored in a dedicated flip-flop. Similarly, the accumulated difference value 15, the allowed difference value 16, the activation condition 17, and the recording time 18 may be stored in a place other than the storage unit 11.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present invention, an operation for monitoring the passage of time and an operation for monitoring the accumulated difference value 15 are performed. First, the operation for monitoring the passage of time will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, and the operation for monitoring the accumulated difference value 15 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the following description of the operation, for the sake of convenience, the operation subject is described as the monitoring control unit 14 that is a program. However, the processor 12 actually executes the monitoring control unit 14. Similarly, in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the operation subject is described as a program.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a time-lapse monitoring operation. However, when there is a monitoring request for instructing the monitoring operation of the difference accumulation value 15, the monitoring control unit 14 preferentially executes the operation of monitoring the difference accumulation value 15. The operation of FIG. 4 is executed when the operation for the monitoring request is not executed.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the monitoring control unit 14 acquires the current time (Tp) from an external clock via the interface unit 13 (S51). Next, the monitoring control unit 14 refers to the current time (Tp) and determines whether the activation condition 17 is satisfied (S52). If the activation condition 17 is not satisfied (S52 / No), the monitoring control unit 14 waits for a certain time (for example, 1 minute / 10 minutes / 1 hour) and returns to step S51, and monitors the activation condition 17 being satisfied.

  When the activation condition 17 is satisfied (S52 / Yes), the monitoring controller 14 compares the current time (Tp) with the recording time 18 (Tr) (S53). If it is normal, the current time (Tp) should be a future time (Tp> Tr) from the recording time 18 (Tr).

  If the current time (Tp) is not later than the recording time 18 (Tr) (Tp ≦ Tr) (S54 / No), the monitoring controller 14 turns on the flag 19 (S55), and the time of the clock becomes invalid. Record that. Subsequently, the current time (Tp) is stored at the recording time 18 (S56). On the other hand, if the current time (Tp) is later than the recording time 18 (Tr) (Tp> Tr) (S54 / Yes), the current time (Tp) is stored in the recording time 18 (S56). The operation for monitoring the passage of time repeats the above procedure.

  Next, an operation for monitoring the accumulated difference value 15 in time correction will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of monitoring the accumulated difference value 15. Referring to FIG. 5, the monitoring control unit 14 monitors whether a monitoring request is received from the outside via the interface unit 13 (S61). The monitoring request is generated along with the execution of time correction on the clock externally. The monitoring request includes, as attached information, the current time (Tp) of the clock subject to time correction and the set time (Ts) newly set as the current time by the correction.

  When the monitoring request is received (S61 / Yes), the monitoring control unit 14 determines whether or not the flag 19 is on (S62). If the flag 19 is ON (S62 / Yes), the monitoring control unit 14 returns a setting abnormality response to the outside (S68).

  If the flag 19 is off (S62 / No), the monitoring control unit 14 calculates the difference (Ts−Tp = Δ) between the set time (Ts) and the current time (Tp) (S63). The difference Δ is a negative value if the set time (Ts) is past the current time (Tp), a positive value if it is in the future, and is “0” if they match. The monitoring control unit 14 adds the difference Δ to the difference accumulated value 15 (ΣΣ) and updates the difference accumulated value 15 (ΣΔ ← ΣΔ + Δ) (S64).

  At this time, both the difference Δ and the difference accumulated value 15 are calculated with signs. That is, the accumulated difference value 15 does not increase monotonously but may increase or decrease. For example, when an external clock has a characteristic of moving forward or backward, it is estimated that Δ becomes a positive value or a negative value. If the external clock has a characteristic that always advances, Δ is estimated to be a negative value.

  Next, the monitoring control unit 14 compares the updated difference accumulated value 15 with the allowable difference value 16 (L), and determines whether or not the accumulated difference value 15 is within the allowable difference value 16 (−L ≦ ΣΔ ≦ L). Determination is made (S66). If the accumulated difference value 15 is within the allowed difference value 16 (S66 / Yes), the monitoring control unit 14 returns a setting normal response to the outside. On the other hand, if the accumulated difference value 15 is not within the allowable difference value 16 (S66 / No), the monitoring control unit 14 returns a setting abnormality response to the outside.

  Here, the operation in the case where the external timepiece always has a characteristic of advancing or always having a characteristic of being delayed will be described. In the case of a watch having such characteristics, the difference accumulated value 15 continues to increase, and if the operation is continued as it is, there is a possibility that the difference allowable value 16 may be exceeded. Therefore, the monitoring control unit 14 needs to correct the accuracy of the difference accumulated value 15 before the difference accumulated value 15 exceeds the allowable difference value 16 due to the accuracy of the clock.

  For example, when the accuracy of the external clock is 5 minutes per month, even if the time is correctly corrected, the difference accumulated value 15 can be a maximum of 5 minutes per month. If the allowable difference value 16 is set to 30 minutes, the accumulated difference value 15 may reach the allowable difference value 16 in six months and may be erroneously determined to be illegal.

  An example of the correction operation resulting from the accuracy of the timepiece will be described. The monitoring control unit 14 determines the correction interval (T) based on the allowable difference value 16 and the accuracy value (E). The correction interval may be determined in advance, and the maximum candidate may be selected from candidates that satisfy the conditions. For example, the candidates may be determined as one year interval, one month interval, or one day interval.

  The accuracy value (E) is a value indicating the accuracy of the target timepiece, and can be acquired from the timepiece or external storage means. When the correction interval elapses, the monitoring control unit 14 corrects the accumulated difference value 15 by subtracting the accuracy value (E) from the accumulated difference value 15 (ΣΔ). In the subtraction, the monitoring control unit 14 subtracts the absolute value of E from the absolute value of ΣΔ and keeps the sign as it is. At this time, if (absolute value of ΣΔ) <(absolute value of E), the monitoring control unit 14 sets the accumulated difference value 15 (ΣΔ) = 0.

  For example, a case where the accuracy is a clock with a monthly difference of 5 minutes and the allowable difference value 16 (L) is 30 minutes will be described as an example. Since the monitoring controller 14 has an accuracy value (= 5 minutes) <L (= 30 minutes), the correction cycle can be determined as one month. If L <5 minutes, the monitoring control unit 14 can determine the correction interval as one day, and if L> 60 minutes, the monitoring control unit 14 can determine the correction interval as one year.

  The monitoring control unit 14 subtracts the accuracy value from the difference accumulated value 15 when the correction interval elapses. In this example, the monitoring control unit 14 subtracts 5 minutes from the monthly difference accumulation value 15. The monitoring control unit 14 sets the difference accumulation value 15 to “0” if the difference accumulation value 15 is within the range of −5 minutes to +5 minutes. For example, if the difference accumulation value 15 is “−7 minutes”, the monitoring control unit 14 corrects the difference accumulation value 15 to “−2 minutes”.

  In this way, the present invention accumulates the time difference Δ corrected by the time correction, sets the difference allowable value 16 for the difference accumulated value 15, and the difference accumulated value 15 does not exceed the difference allowable value 16. Monitoring. For this reason, the present invention can prevent the timepiece from being rewound illegally by repeatedly rewinding the time within the permissible range. In addition, since the present invention also detects whether the time has been rewound, it is possible to detect fraud even if the time is rewound by other than the regular time correction procedure.

  Moreover, since the time monitoring apparatus 10 of the present invention can detect the clock time fraud without acquiring the standard time from the facility that provides the standard time, there is no facility use cost, No communication costs are required. Therefore, the time monitoring apparatus 10 does not require communication costs for time correction, and also does not require hardware for connecting to a public line for connecting to an external facility. Can be prevented.

  Further, since the first embodiment corrects the accumulated difference value 15 for the difference Δ generated due to the accuracy of the timepiece, the malfunction that occurs due to the accuracy of the timepiece can be solved in advance.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the electronic device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 20 includes the time monitoring device 10 of the first embodiment, and when the content 27 with the expiration date is executed, the expiration date is monitored by the time monitoring device 10 and the clock 23.

  Since the configuration and operation of the time monitoring device 10 are as described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The time monitoring apparatus 10 can be connected to the storage unit 21 and the processor 22 via the interface unit 13 to exchange information.

  The electronic device 20 is an electronic device having a function of operating software with expiration date, video, etc., for example, an information processing device ranging from a large computer to a personal computer, a mobile phone including an information processing function, information For example, a video playback device including a processing function. The electronic device 20 includes a storage unit 21, a processor 22, a clock 23, an input device 24, a display device 25, and a time monitoring device 10.

  The processor 22 is a device that processes data, and has a function of executing a program stored in the storage unit 21. The clock 23 has a function of ticking the current time, and has a function of setting the time for time correction and outputting the current time. The input device 24 is a device for a user to input data, such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display device 25 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device or a CRT device, and is used when the control program 26 displays necessary information or reproduces the video content 27.

  The storage unit 21 is a storage unit that can be configured by a main storage configured by a semiconductor storage element and an auxiliary storage configured by a magnetic storage device or an optical storage device. Information 28 is stored. The content 27 is software, video, or the like with a limited expiration date. Two or more contents 27 can be stored.

  The usage period information 28 is information attached to the content 27 and includes information defining the usage period of the content 27. For example, in the case of software used under a one-year contract, the usage period information 28 is defined as “October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008”. In the case of a video image that is viewed with a short term contract, the usage period information 28 is defined as “October 1, 2007 23:00 to October 2, 2007 23:00”. Two or more usage period information 28 can also be stored corresponding to the content 27.

  The control program 26 is a set of programs including an OS (operating system) and application programs, and is executed by the processor 22. However, application programs with expiration dates corresponding to the contents 27 are shown separately as the contents 27. When the content 27 is a video, the control program 26 includes an application program for reproducing the video.

  Further, the control program 26 includes a device control unit 29. The device control unit 29 is a program that controls whether or not to execute the content 27 and performs time correction. The operation content of the device control unit 29 is shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8, and will be described in detail in the description of the operation.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. In addition to the basic operation, the electronic device 20 performs a time correction operation for the clock 23 and an operation for controlling the activation of the content 27. The basic operation of the electronic device 20 is, for example, an operation of executing various information processing in the case of a computer, an operation of executing a call function in the case of a mobile phone, and a content 27 in the case of a video playback device. Is an operation to play.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the time correction request. When detecting the time correction request, the control program 26 notifies the device control unit 29 of the time correction request. Here, it is assumed that the time correction request includes the set time (Ts). Referring to FIG. 7, upon receiving a time correction request, the device control unit 29 reads the current time (Tp) from the clock 23. The device control unit 29 adds the set time (Ts) included in the time correction request and the read current time (Tp) to the monitoring request, and sends the monitoring request to the time monitoring device 10 (S71).

  The time correction request is generated, for example, by operating a program included in the control program 26 and instructing the user. The user can input the set time from the input device 24. In addition, although not shown, the time correction request can also be made from the outside by the communication means.

  When receiving the monitoring request, the time monitoring device 10 operates as described in the first embodiment, and returns either a setting normal response or a setting abnormality response. If the device control unit 29 receives a setting abnormality response (S72 / Yes), the device control unit 29 does not perform time correction. When the user operates time correction from the input device 24, the device control unit 29 can display on the display device 25 that the time correction has failed.

  Upon receiving the setting normal response (S73 / Yes), the device control unit 29 sets the set time (Ts) in the clock 23 as the current time (Tp) (Tp ← Ts) (S74). When the user operates time correction from the input device 24, the control program 26 can display on the display device 25 that the time correction has been successful.

  As described above, the electronic device 20 can prevent unauthorized time correction by using the time monitoring device 10. If the accumulated difference value 15 between the current time (Tp) of the time correction and the set time (Ts) exceeds the allowable difference value 16, a setting abnormality response is returned from the time monitoring device 10. Therefore, the electronic device 20 can stop the unauthorized time correction simply by mounting the time monitoring device 10 and prevent the clock 23 from being set to an unauthorized time.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the content use request. When the control program 26 detects a use request for the content 27, the control program 26 notifies the device control unit 29 of the use request. The use request includes information specifying the target content 27. Referring to FIG. 8, the device control unit 29 reads the usage period information 28 of the content 27 specified by the usage request, and reads the current time (Tp) from the clock 23 (S76). Subsequently, the device control unit 29 compares the read current time (Tp) with the usage period information 28 (S76), and determines whether or not the current time (Tp) is within the usage period (S77).

  If the current time (Tp) is within the usage period (S77 / Yes), the device control unit 29 permits the use of the designated content 27 and notifies the control program 26 (S78). When the control program 26 receives a notification of permission of use from the device control unit 29, it can start the software if the designated content 27 is software, and reproduces the video if the designated content 27 is video. Application programs can be started.

  At this time, the current time (Tp) of the clock 23 is a normal time by preventing an incorrect time correction by the operation of the time monitoring device 10. Therefore, the present invention can prevent unauthorized use of the content 27 due to unauthorized time rewinding.

  In addition, since the electronic device 20 does not require a configuration for connecting and communicating with the outside in order to acquire the standard time from a facility that provides an external standard time, the above-described unauthorized use of content is prevented at low cost. be able to. In addition, since the second embodiment includes the time monitoring device 10 of the first embodiment, it is obvious that the same effect as that described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, in the configuration of the second embodiment, the function of the processor 12 of the time monitoring apparatus 10 is substituted by the processor 22, and the storage content of the storage unit 11 is stored in the storage unit 21. Thereby, the third embodiment can further reduce the cost for preventing unauthorized time correction.

  For this reason, it is necessary to convert the format of the program executed by the processor 12 into a format that can be executed by the processor 22, and the monitoring control unit 14 is replaced with a monitoring control unit 34 that has been converted to be executed by the processor 22. Yes.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the electronic device 30 according to the third embodiment includes a storage unit 31, a processor 22, a clock 23, an input device 24, and a display device 25. The functions of the processor 22, the clock 23, the input device 24, and the display device 25 are the same as the configurations of the same names shown in the electronic device 20 of the second embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In addition to the control program 26, the content 27, the usage period information 28, and the device control unit 29 stored in the storage unit 21, the storage unit 31 starts up the accumulated difference value 15, the allowed difference value 16, and the activation value stored in the storage unit 11. The condition 17, the recording time 18, and the flag 19 can be stored. The components having the same names as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 3) and those having the same names as those of the second embodiment (FIG. 6) have the same functions and operate in the same manner, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The monitoring control unit 34 is a program obtained by converting the monitoring control unit 14 that operates on the processor 12 so that the processor 22 can operate. That is, the operation content of the monitoring control unit 34 is the same as the operation content of the monitoring control unit 14 and is a program that can be operated by the processor 22.

  Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. First, the time-lapse monitoring operation will be described. The monitoring control unit 34 executes the time lapse monitoring operation. The details of the operation are as shown in FIG. However, in step S51, the monitoring control unit 34 directly accesses the clock 23 and acquires the current time (Tp) without using the interface unit 13.

  Next, the operation of the time correction request and the operation of using the content 27 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the time correction request operation and the content 27 use request operation in the third embodiment.

  Steps S81 to S86 in FIG. 10 are executed by the control program 26, steps S87 to S89 are executed by the device control unit 29, and steps S91 to S97 are executed by the monitoring control unit 34. Detailed operation contents of steps S87 to S89 correspond to steps S76 to S78 of FIG. 8, and detailed operation contents of steps S91 to S97 correspond to steps S62 to S68 of FIG. Accordingly, the outline of steps S87 to S89 and steps S91 to S97 will be described.

  First, when the control program 26 detects a time correction request (S81 / Yes), it activates the monitoring control unit 34 to make a monitoring request (S82). When the control program 26 detects a use request for the content 27 (S83 / Yes), the control program 26 activates the device control unit 29 to request use (S84).

  When receiving the monitoring request, the monitoring control unit 34 determines whether or not the flag 19 is on (S91). If the flag 19 is on (S91 / Yes), the monitoring controller 34 notifies the control program 26 of a setting abnormality response (S97).

  If the flag 19 is off (S91 / No), the monitoring controller 34 calculates a difference (Ts−Tp = Δ) between the set time (Ts) and the current time (Tp) (S92). The monitoring control unit 34 adds the difference Δ to the difference accumulated value 15 (ΣΔ) and updates the difference accumulated value 15 (ΣΔ ← ΣΔ + Δ) (S93).

  Next, the monitoring control unit 34 compares the updated difference accumulated value 15 (ΣΔ) with the allowable difference value 16 (L) (S94), and the accumulated difference value 15 (ΣΔ) becomes the allowable difference value 16 (L ) (−L ≦ ΣΔ ≦ L) or not (S95). If the accumulated difference value 15 is within the allowable difference value 16 (S95 / Yes), the monitoring control unit 34 notifies the control program 26 of a setting normal response (S96). On the other hand, if the difference accumulated value 15 is not within the allowable difference value 16 (S95 / No), the monitoring control unit 34 notifies the control program 26 of a setting abnormality response (S97).

  Upon receiving the normal setting response, the control program 26 sets the current time (Tp) of the clock 23 at the set time (Ts) (Tp ← Ts) (S85). Upon receiving the setting abnormality response, the control program 26 suppresses the setting of the clock 23. The control program 26 can display on the display device 25 whether the time correction is successful. When the monitoring control unit 34 makes a setting abnormality response, the control program 26 can prevent unauthorized time correction.

  On the other hand, when receiving the use request, the device control unit 29 obtains the use period information 28 corresponding to the content 27 specified by the use request, and obtains the current time (Tp) from the clock 23 (S87). Subsequently, the device control unit 29 compares the acquired current time (Tp) with the usage period information 28 (S87), and determines whether or not the current time (Tp) is within the usage period (S88).

  If the current time (Tp) is within the usage period (S88 / Yes), the device control unit 29 notifies the control program 26 of permission to use the designated content 27 (S89). When receiving the use permission notification from the device control unit 29, the control program 26 activates and executes the content 27 (S86). If the designated content 27 is software, the control program 26 can start the software. If the designated content 27 is a video, an application program (in the control program 26) for reproducing the video is available. Can be activated.

  At this time, the current time (Tp) of the timepiece 23 is a normal time because the operation of the monitoring control unit 34 in steps S91 to S97 prevents unauthorized time correction. Therefore, the present invention can prevent unauthorized use of the content 27 due to unauthorized time rewinding.

  As described above, the electronic device 30 according to the third embodiment accumulates the time difference Δ corrected by the time correction as in the first and second embodiments, and makes a difference with respect to the difference accumulated value 15. An allowable value 16 is set to monitor whether the accumulated difference value 15 exceeds the allowed difference value 16. For this reason, the electronic device 30 of the third embodiment can also prevent the clock 23 from being rewound illegally by repeatedly rewinding the time within the permissible range. In addition, since the electronic device 30 of the third embodiment also detects whether the time has been rewound, even if the time is rewound by other than the regular time correction procedure, Can be detected.

  In addition, since the electronic device 30 of the third embodiment can detect the illegal time of the clock 23 without acquiring the standard time from the facility that provides the standard time, there is no facility usage fee, There is no need for communication costs. Therefore, the electronic device 30 does not require communication costs for time correction, and also does not require hardware for connecting to a public line for connecting to an external facility, thereby preventing unauthorized time correction at low cost. can do.

  Further, the electronic device 30 of the third embodiment can also perform the correction operation due to the accuracy of the timepiece described in the last part of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the procedure of the monitoring control unit 14 is executed by the processor 12, but in the third embodiment, the procedure of the monitoring control unit 14 can be incorporated in the monitoring control unit 34 and executed by the processor 22. Therefore, the electronic device 30 of the third embodiment can also prevent a malfunction caused by the accuracy of the timepiece, as in the first embodiment.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configuration of the electronic device of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment, description thereof is omitted. In the fourth embodiment, the operation contents of the device control unit 29 and the monitoring control unit 34 are different from those in the third embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the difference accumulated value 15 and the allowable difference value 16 are not compared with the time correction request, and the difference accumulated value 15 and the allowable difference value 16 are compared when the use request is made. It is characterized by controlling the activation of.

  Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the operation of the monitoring control unit 34 will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the monitoring control unit 34 executes only the time-lapse monitoring operation shown in FIG. Since the time lapse monitoring operation has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the operation of the time correction request and the operation of using the content 27 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the time correction request operation and the content 27 use request operation in the fourth embodiment.

  Steps S81 to S86 in FIG. 11 are executed by the control program 26, and the remaining steps are executed by the device control unit 29. Detailed operations in steps S81 to S89 in FIG. 11 correspond to steps S81 to S89 in FIG. 10, respectively, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Further, detailed operation contents of steps S101 to S103 in FIG. 11 correspond to steps S91 and S94 to S95 in FIG. However, although steps S91 and S94 to S95 are executed by the monitoring control unit 34 in FIG. 10, steps S101 to S103 of FIG. 11 are executed by the device control unit 29.

  First, when the control program 26 detects a time correction request (S81 / Yes), it activates the device control unit 29 to make a monitoring request (S82). When the control program 26 detects a use request for the content 27 (S83 / Yes), the control program 26 activates the device control unit 29 to request use (S84).

  Upon receiving the monitoring request, the device control unit 29 calculates a difference (Ts−Tp = Δ) between the set time (Ts) and the current time (Tp) (S92). The device control unit 29 adds the difference Δ to the difference accumulated value 15 (ΣΔ), updates the difference accumulated value 15 (ΣΔ ← ΣΔ + Δ) (S93), and notifies the control program 26 of the end. Upon receiving the end notification, the control program 26 resets the current time (Tp) of the clock 23 at the set time (Ts) (S85), and ends the process.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the clock is reset without determining whether the time can be set in response to the monitoring request. However, since the difference accumulation value 15 is updated, it can be held in a state where it can be determined whether or not the difference accumulation value 15 exceeds the allowable difference value 16.

  Upon receiving the use request, the device control unit 29 determines whether or not the flag 19 is on (S101). If the flag 19 is on (S101 / Yes), the device control unit 29 notifies the control program 26 that use is not permitted, although not shown. The control program 26 does not activate the content 27 even when it receives a notification of non-use of use.

  If the flag 19 is off (S101 / No), the device control unit 29 compares the difference accumulated value 15 (ΣΔ) with the allowable difference value 16 (L) (S102), and the difference accumulated value 15 (ΣΔ). Is within the allowable difference value 16 (L) (−L ≦ ΣΔ ≦ L) (S103). If the accumulated difference value 15 is not within the allowable difference value 16 (S103 / No), the device control unit 29 notifies the control program 26 that use is not permitted, although not shown. The control program 26 does not activate the content 27 even when it receives a notification of non-use of use.

  If the accumulated difference value 15 is within the allowable difference value 16 (S103 / Yes), the device control unit 29 acquires the usage period information 28 corresponding to the content 27 specified in the usage request, and the current time ( Tp) is acquired (S87). Subsequently, the device control unit 29 compares the acquired current time (Tp) with the usage period information 28 (S87), and determines whether or not the current time (Tp) is within the usage period (S88).

  If the current time (Tp) is not within the use period (S88 / No), the device control unit 29 notifies the control program 26 that use is not permitted, although not shown. The control program 26 does not activate the content 27 even when it receives a notification of non-use of use.

  If the current time (Tp) is within the usage period (S88 / Yes), the device control unit 29 notifies the control program 26 of permission to use the designated content 27 (S89). When the control program 26 receives a notification of use permission from the device control unit 29, the control program 26 activates and executes the content 27 (S86).

  As described above, the electronic device 30 according to the fourth embodiment accumulates the time difference Δ corrected by the time correction, and if there is a use request for the content 27, the difference accumulated value 15 does not exceed the allowable difference value 16. Only when the content 27 is activated.

  Therefore, the electronic device of the fourth embodiment can also prevent the watch 23 from being rewound illegally by repeatedly rewinding the time within the permissible range. In addition, since the electronic device of the fourth embodiment also detects whether the time has been rewound, the fraud is detected even if the time is rewound by other than the regular time correction procedure. can do.

  In addition, since the electronic device of the fourth embodiment can detect the illegal time of the clock 23 without acquiring the standard time from the facility providing the standard time, there is no fee for using the facility, No communication costs are required. Therefore, the communication cost for time correction is not required in the fourth embodiment, and hardware for connecting to a public line for connecting to an external facility is also unnecessary. Can be prevented.

  In addition, the electronic device of the fourth embodiment can also perform a correction operation caused by the accuracy of the timepiece described in the last part of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the procedure of the monitoring control unit 14 is executed by the processor 12. In the fourth embodiment, the procedure of the monitoring control unit 14 is incorporated in the monitoring control unit 34 and the device control unit 29 and executed by the processor 22. be able to. Therefore, the electronic device of the fourth embodiment can also prevent malfunction caused by the accuracy of the timepiece, as in the first embodiment.

It is the figure which showed schematic structure of the time monitoring apparatus of this invention. It is the figure which showed the outline | summary structure of the electronic device of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the time monitoring apparatus 10 of 1st Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the monitoring operation | movement of the time passage in 1st Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement which monitors the difference accumulation value 15 in 1st Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the electronic device 20 structure of the 2nd Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the time correction request | requirement in 2nd Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the usage request of the content in 2nd Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the electronic device 30 of the 3rd Example of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the time correction request | requirement in the 3rd Example, and the operation | movement of the use request | requirement of the content 27. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement of the time correction request | requirement in 4th Example, and the operation | movement of the use request | requirement of the content 27.

Explanation of symbols

1A Processor 2A Difference Accumulation Unit 3A Comparison Unit 4A Determination Unit 5A Clock 10 Time Monitoring Device 11 Storage Unit 12 Processor 13 Interface Unit 14 Monitor Control Unit 15 Difference Accumulated Value 16 Difference Allowed Value 17 Start Condition 18 Recording Time 19 Flag 20 Electronic Device 21 Storage unit 22 Processor 23 Clock 24 Input device 25 Display device 26 Control program 27 Content 28 Usage period information 29 Device control unit 30 Electronic device 31 Storage unit 34 Monitoring control unit

Claims (12)

  When correcting the time, the difference between the time before the correction and the time set by the correction is accumulated, the accumulated value is compared with a predetermined allowable value, and whether to correct the time is determined based on the comparison result. A processor to
  A difference accumulation value for accumulating the difference between the set time and the current time, and a storage unit for storing an allowable difference value indicating an allowable range of the accumulated difference value,
  When the processor receives a monitoring request issued in the process of time correction, the processor acquires the current time from a clock, calculates the difference between the set time indicated by the monitoring request and the acquired current time, and calculates the calculated difference Is added to the difference accumulated value acquired from the storage unit, the added difference accumulated value is compared with the difference allowance value to determine whether time correction is possible, and the added difference accumulated value is the difference allowance value. If it is within the value, a setting normal response that permits time correction is output, and if the added difference cumulative value exceeds the difference allowable value, a setting abnormality response that prohibits time correction is output,
  The storage unit stores a recording time and a flag indicating that the time is invalid,
  When not performing an operation for the monitoring request, the processor
  When the predetermined start time is reached, the current time is acquired from the clock, and if the acquired current time is past the recording time, the flag is turned on, and if the acquired current time is in the future from the recording time, the current time is acquired. A time monitoring device that updates the current time as the recording time.   When the processor receives the monitoring request, if the flag is on, a response to disallow time correction regardless of a comparison result between the added difference accumulated value and the allowed difference value is given. The time monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, which outputs the time.   The time monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the processor acquires the accuracy of the timepiece and corrects the accumulated difference value based on the accuracy.   The time monitoring apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the processor determines a correction interval based on the accuracy and the allowable difference value, and subtracts a time corresponding to the accuracy from the accumulated difference value for each correction interval.   A time monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a timepiece, and a second processor,
  When the second processor detects a time correction request, the second processor outputs a set time attached to the time correction request together with a monitoring request to the time monitoring device, and receives a setting normal response from the time monitoring device at the set time. An electronic device that updates a current time of the clock.   A time monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a clock, a storage unit that stores content and usage period information, and a second processor,
  When the second processor detects a content use request, the second processor obtains the current time from the clock, compares the current time with the use period information corresponding to the requested content, and the current time is within the use period. An electronic device that permits the use of requested content, if any.   A clock, a storage unit,
  When correcting the current time of the clock, the result of accumulating the difference between the current time before correction and the current time set by the correction, and comparing the accumulated value of the difference with the allowable value stored in the storage unit And a processor for determining whether time correction is possible,
  The storage unit stores a difference accumulated value obtained by accumulating a difference between a set time and a current time, and a difference allowable value indicating an allowable range of the difference accumulated value,
  When detecting the time correction request, the processor acquires the current time from the clock, calculates a difference between the set time indicated by the time correction request and the current time, and adds the calculated difference to the accumulated difference value. , By comparing the added difference accumulated value and the difference allowable value to determine whether time correction is possible,
  The storage unit stores a recording time and a flag indicating that the time is invalid,
  When the predetermined start time is reached, the processor acquires the current time from the clock, turns on the flag if the acquired current time is past the recording time, and the acquired current time is a time that is in the future from the recording time. An electronic device that updates the acquired current time as the recording time, if any.   When the processor detects a time correction request, the processor refers to the flag, and if the flag is off and the added difference accumulated value is within the allowable difference value, the processor sets the time correction requested at the set time. The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the current time of the clock is updated.   The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the processor acquires the accuracy of the timepiece and corrects the accumulated difference value based on the accuracy of the timepiece.   The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the processor determines a correction interval based on the accuracy and the allowable difference value, and subtracts a time corresponding to the accuracy from the accumulated difference value for each correction interval.   When the current time is corrected, the difference between the current time before correction and the current time set by the correction is accumulated, and whether or not the time can be corrected based on the result of comparing the accumulated value of the difference with a predetermined allowable value Having a processor to determine
  The processor is
    When the time correction request is detected, the current time is acquired from the clock, the difference between the set time indicated by the monitoring request and the current time is calculated, and the calculated difference is added to the accumulated difference value stored in the storage unit, Comparing the added difference accumulated value and the difference allowable value stored in the storage unit to determine whether time correction is possible,
    When the predetermined start time is reached, the current time is acquired from the clock, and if the acquired current time is past the recording time, the flag is turned on, and if the acquired current time is in the future from the recording time A time monitoring method in which the acquired current time is updated as a recording time.   When the processor detects a time correction request, the processor refers to the flag, and if the flag is off and the added difference accumulated value is within the allowable difference value, the time correction requested time is set. The time monitoring method according to claim 11, wherein the current time of the clock is updated.

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