JP2000066890A - Recording medium recorded with start-limiting program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an illicitly installed application software from being started by generating a protection ID from an installation ID and a volume serial number and deciding the illicit installation on the basis of the installation ID and protection ID. SOLUTION: The start limiting program allows a computer device 20 to generate an installation ID from a user code UC and installation time. Further, a protection ID is generated from the installation ID and volume serial number BS and on the basis of the installation ID and protection ID, illegal installation is decided. Consequently, even when one application software program is installed on plural computer devices 20, the illegally installed application software can be prevented from being started through the decision stage of the two volume serial numbers. Further, this method is adaptive to re-installation with an upper-limit frequency.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a start-up method for detecting the presence or absence of unauthorized installation of software recorded on a recording medium such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM and installed in a computer device such as a personal computer. The present invention relates to a recording medium on which a start restriction program is recorded so as to have a function capable of conditionally coping with software recovery work.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A recording medium using a conventional startup restriction program will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram relating to installation of application software from a recording medium to a computer device. FIG. 9 (a) is an explanatory diagram of a first conventional example, and FIG. 9 (b) is an explanatory diagram of a second conventional example. .

In the first conventional example shown in FIG. 9A, application software SW1 is installed in a computer device 20 such as a personal computer via a recording medium 10 such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM. Application software SW1
For those who have been licensed by the engineering company,
A user code UC is assigned in advance. Recording medium 1
The 0, in addition to the application software SW1, key encryption corresponding to the user code UC is recorded as user code identification code ID _01. An operation input user who performs installation causes the computer device 20 to read the recording medium 10 and inputs the user code UC to the computer device 20. Computer device 20
It is based on the user code identification code ID ₀₁ by checking the correctness of the user code UC, to determine whether to install the application software SW1.

In the second conventional example shown in FIG. 9B, application software SW1 is installed in a computer device 20 such as a personal computer via a recording medium 10 such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM. The recording medium 10 records an installation restriction program SW2 in addition to the application software SW1. The installation restriction program SW2 is provided by an engineering company in advance.
A unique volume serial number _BS01 is stored in the hard disk of the computer device 20 so that the volume serial number can be determined. The read volume serial number is the volume serial number _BS01.
The application software SW1 is basically installed only once in the computer device 20 only when the value matches the value of. That is, even if the operator attempts to install the application software SW1 by inserting the recording medium 10 into a hard disk of the computer device 21 different from the computer device 20, for example,
Installation restriction program SW2 is volume serial number read from the hard disk of the computer 21 for the volume serial number BS ₀₁ are different volume serial number BS _02, do not install the application software SW1 to the computer device 21. As described above, in the second conventional example, the installation restriction program SW2 installs the application software SW1 only on the predetermined computer device 20.

In the first conventional example or the second conventional example, the installation restriction program SW2 may have a function of restricting the number of installations. In this case, the installation restriction program SW2 is such that the application software SW1 can be installed not only once but also up to a predetermined number of times. The installation restriction program SW2 is
It is manufactured so as to have a function of combining the function of confirming the correctness of the user code UC as shown in the first conventional example and the function of limiting the number of installations. Volume serial number BS
_It is manufactured to have a function of combining the function of confirming the validity of ₀₁ and the function of limiting the number of installations.

In each of the above-mentioned conventional examples, although not shown, the installation restriction program SW2 may have a function of preventing the recording medium 10 from being duplicated. In this case, the installation restriction program SW2 stores a unique number SN ₀₁ in the recording medium 10 such as a serial number of the recording medium 10 of the normal. The recording medium 11 obtained by duplicating the recording medium 10 also has the unique number SN ₀₂ , and the installation restriction program SW of the recording medium 11
2 ₀₂ does not install the application software SW1 of the recording medium 11 on the computer device 20 or the like unless the unique number SN ₀₂ matches the unique number SN ₀₁ . Thus, the installation restriction program SW
No. 2 compares the unique numbers SN ₀₁ and SN ₀₂ to know that the recording medium 11 has been duplicated and prevents unauthorized installation.

[0007]

However, in the recording medium on which the above-mentioned conventional start-up restriction program is recorded, the first conventional example only checks the user code UC. 20, the same application software S can be installed on a plurality of computer devices 20.
W1 can now be started, and the purpose of preventing unauthorized installation may not be fulfilled. Also, the second
In the conventional example of application software SW1
Since the number of installable times is limited to a predetermined number of times, such as once or twice, due to the installation restriction program SW2, troubles such as damage or malfunction of the computer device 20 occur, and If the same application software SW1 has to be installed again in the computer device 20 on which the software SW1 has been installed up to that time, the protection function of the installation restriction program SW2 hinders the reinstallation work for recovery. There was a problem that it could not be handled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the illegally installed application software from starting, and to provide a computer device which is a legitimate installation destination of the application software. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium on which a start-restriction program that can be re-installed on a computer is recorded.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a program for restricting activation of application software installed in a computer device having a volume serial number and a clock function, The start-up restriction program for the recording medium stores the number of installations indicating the number of installations of the recording medium on the computer device, and installs the application software on the first computer device with a user code assigned in advance to the user of the application software. Installation I, which is a first type identification number calculated based on the installation time
D and a protection ID, which is a second type identification number calculated based on the volume serial number and the installation ID, are calculated when the number of installations to the computer is the first time, and recorded on the recording medium. When the application software is installed in the computer, the installation ID is calculated, the number of installations is read, and if the number of installations is the first time, the volume serial number of the first computer is read, and the protection ID is read. Is calculated, and the install ID and the protect ID are recorded in the recording medium of the application software and the first computer. If the number of installations is the second or more, the computer is connected to the first computer and the first computer. Other than the second Regardless of the computer device, the install ID is updated and recorded as a new install ID in the computer device, the protect ID of the computer device is updated to the value of the protect ID recorded on the recording medium, and the installation is performed. When the process is completed and a start instruction of the application software is given after the installation, the volume serial number and the installation I
D, a new protect ID is calculated, and if the protect ID already recorded in the computer device matches the new protect ID, the application software is started, and the new protect ID already recorded in the computer device is used. If the new protect ID does not match, a comparison is made as to whether the volume serial number as a component of the new protect ID matches the volume serial number as a component of the protect ID recorded in the computer device. And if they match,
It is determined that the application software is installed again on the same computer, and the application software is started. If the two do not match, it is determined that the application software is installed on a computer other than the predetermined one, and the application is determined. The software is not started.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a boot restriction program according to the present invention, a recording medium on which the boot restriction program is recorded, and a computer apparatus in which the boot restriction program is installed will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows an installation ID and a protection ID.
(A) is an explanatory diagram illustrating the exchange of data at the time of installation between a floppy disk of a recording medium and a hard disk of a computer device, and (b) is a diagram illustrating a user code and installation. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing that an install ID is generated from time and a protect ID is generated from the install ID and a volume serial number. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a recording medium. FIG. 2A is a floppy disk in which functional modules mainly operating during installation are stored.
(b) mainly represents a CD-ROM in which functional modules that operate at the time of startup after installation are stored. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the installation program stored on the floppy disk. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a list of concepts for generating an install ID and a protect ID, assuming that this is the first installation for a floppy disk as a recording medium. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram listing the concept of generating the install ID and the protect ID in the same manner as FIG. 4, and is an explanatory diagram on the assumption that the floppy disk as a recording medium is the second or subsequent installation.
6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the operation at the time of starting the application software installed on the hard disk of the computer from the CD-ROM.

[0012] Computer device 20 such as a personal computer, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), a memory M _BS for recording the volume serial number BS is a unique identification number, a timer function for measuring the time And a timer T provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, a recording medium 10 includes an installation medium 1 which is a floppy disk, and a CD-R.
It consists of an installation medium 2 which is an OM.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the installation medium 1 includes an installation function module MD1, an installation count function module MD2, an installation ID calculation function module MD3, a volume serial number reading function module MD4, and a protection function. I
Installer software that includes a D calculation function module MD5 and an ID recording function module MD6 is recorded.

The installation function module MD1 is
Application software S on the computer device 20
Install function module to install W1
is there. The install function module MD1 is a serial
Number SN such as a number unique to the installation medium 1₀₁Write
Remember that the application
When installing software SW1, install
Unique number SN of the toll medium 1₀₂Is read. Instrument
Rule function module MD1 has a unique number SN ₀₁And unique
Number SN₀₂Is determined to match with the unique number SN₀₁
And unique number SN₀₂If the matches, open the installation.
Start with a unique number SN₀₁And unique number SN₀₂Matches
Otherwise, unique number SN₀₂Installation medium with
1 is not a master disk, but an illegal copy
And a unique number as shown in the conventional example
SN₀₂From installation medium 1 with
Does not execute.

The installation number counting function module MD2 counts the number of times the application software SW1 is installed in the computer device 20. The installation ID calculation function module MD3 includes a user code UC previously assigned to the user of the application software SW1 and the computer device 20.
An installation ID, which is a first type identification number, is calculated based on the installation time at which the application software SW1 is installed in the application software SW1.

The volume serial number reading function module MD4 reads the volume serial number BS from the computer device 20. The protect ID calculating function module MD5 calculates a protect ID as a second type identification number based on the volume serial number BS read by the volume serial number reading function module MD4 and the install ID calculated by the install ID calculating function module MD3. I do.

If the number of installations counted by the installation number counting function module MD2 is the first time, the ID recording function module MD6 records the installation ID and the protection ID on the recording medium 10 and the computer device 20, and installs the If the number of installations counted by the count function module MD2 is equal to or more than the second time, the install ID is updated and recorded in the computer device 20 as a new install ID, and the protect ID recorded in the computer device 20
Is updated to the value of the protect ID recorded on the recording medium 10.

The installation medium 2 records application software SW1 to be installed. The application software SW1 has a start management function module MD7 that determines whether or not to start when a start command is given from outside such as a keyboard after being installed in the computer device 20.

The boot management function module MD7 includes a boot management volume serial number reading function module M
D8, an activation management protection ID calculation function module MD9, and a protection ID comparison function module MD10
And the regular installation ID prompting function module MD11
And an application activation function module MD12.

The startup management volume serial number reading function module MD8 reads the volume serial number BS from the computer device 20. The boot management protection ID calculation function module MD9 is a boot management volume serial number reading function module MD8.
, A new protect ID is calculated based on the volume serial number BS to be read and the install ID read from the computer device 20. The protect ID comparison function module MD10 compares whether the new protect ID matches the protect ID at the time of the first installation. The regular installation ID prompting function module MD11 displays a screen for prompting the operator to input a user code UC and an installation time which constitute the latest installation ID recorded in the computer device 20.

Application start function module MD
12 starts the application software SW1 according to the comparison result of the protect ID comparison function module MD10, when the new protect ID matches the protect ID at the time of the first installation, and sets the new protect ID to the first install. If it does not match with the protect ID at the time, whether the volume serial number BS as a component of the new protect ID matches the volume serial number BS as a component of the protect ID recorded in the computer device 20 is determined. Are compared, and if they match, the same computer device 2
0, it is determined that the application software SW1 has been installed again, and if the time from the latest installation time read from the installation ID to the time when the start command is given is within a predetermined time, the normal installation ID prompting function module MD11 A screen is displayed, and the installation time input by the operator is recorded in the computer device 20 while the user code UC input by the operator matches the user code UC constituting the latest installation ID recorded in the computer device 20. If the installed time matches the installed latest installation ID, the application software SW1 is started, and the time from the latest installation time read from the installation ID to the time when the start command is given has passed a predetermined time. If, without starting the application software SW1, if both are matched, it is determined that you have installed the same application software SW1 to a plurality of computer devices 20, not start the application software SW1.

As described above, the functional modules MD1 to MD12 are collectively referred to as an activation restriction program SW3. The recording medium 10 records the activation restriction program SW3, and the activation restriction program SW3 is stored in the computer device 20. When the application software SW1 is installed on a computer, the computer device 20 has a function of selecting whether or not the computer device 20 is a legitimate installation target.

The operation of the activation restriction program SW3 will be described below mainly with reference to FIGS. In the installation medium 1, the initial value of the install ID, the initial value of the protect ID, and the initial value of the install count of the install count function module MD2 are all set to zero.

First, the operator of the computer device 20
The installation medium 1 and the installation medium 2 are
Computer device 20 and inserted into the drive device.
To read the data. At this time, the installation machine
The function module MD1 has a unique number S stored in advance.
N₀₁And the unique number SN of the current installation medium 1 ₀₂
Is determined to match with the unique number SN₀₁And a unique number
SN₀₂If the matches, start the installation and
Number SN₀₁And unique number SN₀₂If they do not match,
Existence number SN₀₂Installation media 1 with a master
Seen to be a duplicated rogue, not a disk
Then, as shown in the conventional example, the unique number SN₀₂Have
Do not execute installation from installation media 1
No. In this embodiment, the unique number SN₀₁And a unique turn
Issue SN₀₂And adopt the user code UC
(Step 100 in FIG. 3).

Install ID calculation function module MD
3 converts a character string or a numeric string into another character string or a numeric string according to a predetermined rule based on the user code UC and the installation time measured by the clock function of the computer device 20 (Step 110 in FIG. 3). Is converted using a conversion table for conversion into a single combination of letters or numbers. This one combination string of characters or numbers is the installation ID. As described above, the installation ID calculation function module MD3 calculates the installation ID using the conversion table (Step 1 in FIG. 3).
20). Installation count function module MD
In step 2, the number of installations is incremented and recorded and held (step 130 in FIG. 3).

The ID recording function module MD6 reads the number of installations counted by the installation number counting function module MD2 (step 14 in FIG. 3).
0) If the number of installations is the first time, the volume serial number reading function module MD4 is caused to read the volume serial number BS of the computer device 20 (step 150 in FIG. 3), and the protect ID calculation function module MD5 is configured to read the volume serial number BS. The protection ID is calculated based on the installation ID calculated in step 120 (step 1 in FIG. 3).
60). In step 160, the protect ID calculating function module MD5 converts the character string or the numerical string of the installation ID and the volume serial number BS into, for example, RSA.
It is converted into a completely different string of letters or numbers by an encryption method.

The ID recording function module MD6 records the installation ID and the protection ID on the installation medium 1 and the hard disk of the computer device 20 (steps 170 to 200 in FIG. 3). The installation function module MD1 includes, in the installation medium 2, application software SW to the computer device 20.
1 (step 21 in FIG. 3).
0). In this way, the installation in the case where the number of installations in step 140 is the first time is completed.

If the number of installations in step 140 is the second or more, the ID recording function module MD
Reference numeral 6 rewrites the installation ID recorded on the hard disk of the computer device 20 with the value of the installation ID calculated in step 120. That is, ID
The recording function module MD6 updates the installation ID recorded on the hard disk of the computer device 20 in step 190 as a new installation ID (step 220 in FIG. 3). The ID recording function module MD6 further updates the protect ID recorded in the computer device 20 in step 200 described above to the value of the protect ID recorded in the install medium 1 in step 180 (step 230 in FIG. 3). ). The installation function module MD1 causes the installation medium 2 to install the application software SW1 on the computer device 20. In this way, the installation in the case where the number of installations in step 140 is the second or more is completed.

The relationship between the install ID and the protect ID generated during the description of FIG. 2 is represented as shown in FIG. 1 (b). The installation ID is generated based on the user code UC and the installation time. At this time, the installation time represents not only the year, month and day but also to the hour and minute. The installation time is calculated by the installation ID calculating function module MD3 using completely different characters or Convert to a sequence of numbers. The installation ID calculation function module MD3 converts the user code UC into a completely different character or numeric string using a conversion code table prepared in advance, similarly to the installation time.

Further, the protect ID is generated based on the install ID and the volume serial number BS. At this time, the protection ID calculation function module MD5 converts the character string or the number string of the installation ID and the volume serial number BS into a completely different character or number string by, for example, the RSA encryption method.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the concept of generating an install ID and a protect ID and recording them on a recording medium of application software and a computer device. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the recording medium (installation medium 1) includes an installation ID and a protection ID when the number of installations on the computer is the first time.
Are recorded and held. That is, the recording medium (installation medium 1) is stored in step 170 in FIG.
3 and the protect ID recorded in step 180 of FIG. 3 are stored without being updated. The recording medium (installation medium 1) does not update the installation ID and the protection ID stored therein even in steps 220 and 230 in FIG. 3, and stores the calculated installation ID and protection ID in the computer device 20. It is recorded only on the hard disk.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the recording medium (installation medium 1) does not distinguish the volume serial number BS at the time of installation. The installation is performed not only on the device 20 but also on another computer device.

After being installed in this way, the application software SW1 is
When a start command is given from an external device such as a keyboard 0, the start management function module MD7 determines whether or not the start is possible as described in FIGS.

Upon receiving a start command from the OS (operating system) of the computer device 20 (step 300 in FIG. 6), the start management function module MD7 starts the module alone (step 310 in FIG. 6). At this time, the application main body of the application software SW1 has not been started yet.

The boot management protection ID calculating function module MD9 reads the installation ID from the computer device 20 (step 320 in FIG. 6).

The startup management volume serial number reading function module MD8 reads the volume serial number BS from the computer device 20 (step 330 in FIG. 6). The volume serial number BS obtained in step 330 is represented as volume serial number BS1.

The protection ID calculating function module MD9 for start-up management generates a new protection I based on the volume serial number BS1 obtained in step 330 and the installation ID obtained in step 320.
D is calculated (step 340 in FIG. 6). Step 34
0, the new protection ID is
I will express it as 1.

Protect ID comparison function module MD1
0 reads the protect ID 2 recorded on the hard disk of the computer device 20 (step 35 in FIG. 6).
0), and a comparison is made as to whether the protect ID 1 and the protect ID 2 match (step 360 in FIG. 6).

At step 360, the protection ID
If 1 and the protection ID 2 match, the application activation function module MD12 activates the application main body of the application software SW1 (Step 370 in FIG. 6). Only in this step 370, the application main body of the application software SW1 can be started unconditionally. That is, in the present invention, one user code UC corresponds to one user code UC.
It is intended to be able to perform only one-time installation on one computer device 20 and furthermore,
If the application software SW1 has a track record of being already installed in one computer device 20 for one user code UC, it is possible to deal with reinstallation with an upper limit of the number of times (and with a time limit as described later) when recovery is necessary. It is.

At step 360, the protection ID
If 1 does not match the protect ID 2, the application activation function module MD12 decrypts and obtains the volume serial number BS2 (step 380 in FIG. 6). Application start function module MD1
2 compares the volume serial number BS1 as a component of the protect ID 1 with the volume serial number BS2 as a component of the protect ID 2 recorded in the computer device 20 (step in FIG. 7). 390). In step 390, if the volume serial number BS1 and the volume serial number BS2 do not match, the application start-up function module MD12 determines that the same application software SW1 is installed in a plurality of computer devices 20. The operation ends without activating the application software SW1 (step 4 in FIG. 7).
00).

In step 390, if both the volume serial number BS1 and the volume serial number BS2 match, the application activation function module MD12 determines that the application software SW1 has been installed again on the same computer device 20. Judgment is made and the latest installation time R is read from the installation ID 1 constituting the protection ID 1 (step 410 in FIG. 7). Further, the application start-up function module MD12 sets the start-up time N to which the start-up instruction of the above-mentioned step 310 has been given to the computer device 20.
From the history file (step 4 in FIG. 7)
20), calculate the time from the latest installation time R to the activation time N (Step 430 in FIG. 7).

From the latest installation time R to the start time N
If the time until the maintenance is completed is within a predetermined time D set to, for example, two weeks before the maintenance by the engineering company is completed, the application activation function module MD12 activates the application body of the application software SW1 with a time limit ( Step 440 in FIG. 7).

After activating the application body of the application software SW1 in step 440, the application activation function module MD12
In the regular installation ID prompting function module MD11,
Installation ID 2 recorded in computer device 20
Is displayed to prompt the operator to input the user code UC2 and the latest installation time R (step 450 in FIG. 7). That is, the cause of the mismatch between the protect ID 1 and the protect ID 2 in the step 360 is the same as that in the step 39.
0 indicates that the error occurred due to a mismatch between the two installation IDs. Therefore, the idea is to change the installation ID 2 recorded in the computer device 20 to a regular value provided by the engineering company. Here, the installation ID 2 is adopted as a regular installation ID. In this way, the application activation function module MD12 replaces the installation ID2, which was initially recorded as an invalid value, with the proper installation ID.
D can be adopted. However, the conversion operation method for calculating the installation ID based on the user code UC and the installation time R is not known to the user side because the conversion operation method is confidential. Is confidential. Therefore, the user notifies the engineering company of the user code UC and the installation time notified by the display notification from the computer device 20. The engineering company calculates the installation ID 3 based on the user code UC and the installation time notified from the user, and notifies the user of the installation ID 3 (step 460 in FIG. 7).

Application activation function module MD
12, when the user inputs the installation ID 3 (step 470 in FIG. 7), a comparison is made as to whether the installation ID 3 matches the installation ID 2 (FIG. 7).
Step 480), and if they do not match, the operating stage is returned immediately before step 420. If the installation ID3 matches the installation ID2 in step 480, the application activation function module MD12
Overwrites the protect ID 2 with the protect ID 1 as the regular protect ID (step 49 in FIG. 8).
0), as in step 370, the application main unit of the application software SW1 is started (step 500 in FIG. 8).

In step 430, the time from the latest installation time R to the start time N is a predetermined time D.
If already exceeded, the application activation function module MD12 terminates the operation without activating the application software SW1 as in step 400 (step 510 in FIG. 8).

In the processing steps from step 410 to step 510, the fact that the same application software SW1 has been installed twice or more in the same computer device 20 is determined by the user through the step 460. There is an aim to make it notified. As a result of going through step 460, the user must send a notice to the engineering company.
It is possible to know that the same application software SW1 has been installed on the same computer device 20 twice or more, and the occurrence can be used as a reference for troubleshooting in the future.

Accordingly, the activation restriction program SW3 causes the computer device 20 to generate an installation ID from the user code UC and the installation time, and further generates a protection ID from the installation ID and the volume serial number BS. Since the operation for discriminating unauthorized installation is performed based on the ID, even if one application software SW1 is installed in a plurality of computer devices 20, the step of determining the two volume serial numbers BS in step 390 is performed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the application software SW1 that has been improperly installed from being activated, and to cope with a case where the values of the installation ID1 and ID2 are different from each other.
Since it is possible to determine whether or not the application software 1 is activated, it is possible to cope with re-installation of the same application software SW1 in the same computer device 20 with a time limit within a predetermined time D while having an unauthorized installation prevention function. That is, in the present invention, one user code UC
With the aim of being able to perform only one-time installation on one computer device 20 and basically
Furthermore, if the application software SW1 has a track record of being already installed in one computer device 20 for one user code UC, it is possible to deal with reinstallation with an upper limit on the number of times when recovery is necessary.

Also, such a startup restriction program SW
The recording medium 10 can be provided such as an installation medium 1 which is a floppy disk on which the CD 3 is recorded, or an installation medium 2 which is a CD-ROM.

In the above embodiment, the engineering company is notified that the same application software SW1 has been installed twice or more in the same computer device 20 by employing the processing steps from step 410 to step 510. Although the example which can be performed is illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this.
Of course, the processing steps from 10 to 490 may be omitted, and if an equal determination is made in step 390, the application software SW1 may be activated. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the recording medium 10 is exemplified by being divided into a plurality of installation media 1 and 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the recording medium is only an installation medium which is a CD-ROM. Alternatively, only the installation medium which is a floppy disk may be used, and the recording method of the installation medium is not limited to each of the electric, magnetic and magneto-optical methods, and may be any data recording method capable of operating a computer device. Such a recording method may be used.

[0051]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a program for restricting activation of application software to be installed in a computer having a volume serial number and a timekeeping function. The restriction program stores the number of installations indicating the number of installations of the recording medium on the computer device, the user code assigned in advance to the user of the application software, the installation time for installing the application software on the first computer device, and An installation ID, which is a first type identification number calculated based on the ID, and a protect ID, a second type identification number calculated based on the volume serial number and the installation ID, are transmitted to the computer device. This is calculated when the number of installations is the first time, and is recorded and held in the recording medium. When installing the application software on the computer device, the installation ID is calculated, the number of installations is read, and if the number of installations is the first time, If
The volume serial number of the first computer device is read, the protect ID is calculated, the install ID and the protect ID are recorded on the recording medium of the application software and the first computer device, and if the number of installs is the second or more, Computer equipment is first
And the second computer device other than the first computer device, the install ID is updated and recorded on the computer device as a new install ID, and the protect ID of the computer device is recorded on a recording medium. Is updated to the value of the protection ID recorded in the storage device, the installation is completed, and when a start instruction of the application software is given after the installation, a new protection ID is calculated based on the volume serial number and the installation ID, and the computer device If the protect ID already recorded and the new protect ID match, start the application software,
If the protect ID already recorded in the computer device does not match the new protect ID, the volume serial number which is a component of the new protect ID and the volume which is a component of the protect ID recorded in the computer device A comparison is made as to whether or not the serial numbers match, and if they match, it is determined that the application software has been installed again on the same computer device, the application software is started, and the two must match. For example, it is determined that the application software is installed on an unspecified computer device, and the application software is not started. Therefore, even if one application software is installed on a plurality of computer devices, a new By determining the volume serial number of the same computer device, it is possible to prevent the application software that has been illegally installed from starting, and it is possible to determine whether the application software can be started by coping with the case where the values of the new and old installation IDs are different. It is also possible to permit the reinstallation of the same application software on the server.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an operation for generating an install ID and a protect ID for a startup restriction program according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a recording medium according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of an installation program stored in an installation medium (floppy disk) according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a concept of generating an install ID and a protect ID in the above embodiment, and is an explanatory diagram on the assumption that the installation is the first installation for a floppy disk as a recording medium.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a concept of generating an install ID and a protect ID according to the first embodiment, on the assumption that the floppy disk as a recording medium is installed for the second time or later.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of starting application software installed in the computer device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of starting application software installed in the computer device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of starting up application software installed in the computer device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram regarding installation of application software from a conventional recording medium to a computer device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 recording medium 20 computer device BS volume serial number SW1 application software SW3 start-up restriction program T installation time UC user code

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 12, 1998 (1998.10.
12)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yuki Matsushima 1048 Odakadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Inside Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. (72) Inventor Tadashi Iwata 1048 Odaka, Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Term (reference) 5B017 AA07 BA09 CA15 5B076 FB16

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A recording medium recording a program for restricting the start of application software installed in a computer device having a volume serial number and a timekeeping function, wherein the program for restricting the activation of the recording medium is a computer device of the recording medium. The number of times of installation indicating the number of installations to the first computer is stored, and the first number is calculated based on the user code assigned to the user of the application software in advance and the installation time at which the application software is installed on the first computer device. The installation ID, which is the type identification number, and the protect ID, which is the second type identification number calculated based on the volume serial number and the installation ID, are compared with the first time the number of times of installation to the computer device is changed. In the case where application software is installed in a computer device, an install ID is calculated, the install count is read, and if the install count is the first time, 1 reads the volume serial number of the computer device, calculates the protect ID, and installs the install ID and the protect ID.
Is recorded in the recording medium of the application software and the first computer, and if the number of installations is the second or more, the computer is connected to the first computer and a second computer other than the first computer. In either case, the installation ID is updated and recorded on the computer as a new installation ID, the protection ID of the computer is updated to the value of the protection ID recorded on the recording medium, the installation is completed, and the installation is completed. When a start instruction of the application software is given later, a new protect ID is calculated based on the volume serial number and the install ID, and if the protect ID already recorded in the computer device matches the new protect ID, the application is updated. Seo If the protect ID already recorded in the computer device does not match the new protect ID, the volume serial number which is a component of the new protect ID and the protect ID recorded in the computer device are activated. A comparison is made as to whether or not the volume serial number as a component matches, and if they match, it is determined that the application software has been installed again on the same computer, and the application software is started, If the two do not match, it is determined that the application software has been installed on a computer other than the predetermined computer device, and the application software is not started, and a recording medium storing a start restriction program.