JP2002023876A - Method for protecting software incorporated into electronic equipment and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for protecting software incorporated into electronic equipment for preventing the illegal incorporation of the software into the electronic equipment, and the electronic equipment. SOLUTION: Application software 20 and electronic equipment 10 into which the application software 20 is legally incorporated are respectively provided with matching identification data 1 and 2, and only when the equipment side identification data 2 provided in the electronic equipment 10 match with the identification data 1 in the application software 20 as a result of collation, the electronic equipment 10 is operated according to the application software 20. When any illegal application software 20 is incorporated, the identification data 1 do not match the equipment side identification data 2, and the electronic equipment 10 is not operated according to the application software 20. Thus, it is possible to prevent the illegal incorporation of the application software 20 into the electronic equipment 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of protecting software embedded in an electronic device, which prevents illegal software from being installed in an electronic device having a different function by incorporating different types of software, and to an electronic device. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, electronic devices which operate according to applications by application software installed therein have been provided.

An electronic device is an image processing device such as an image checker that captures and processes an image. The electronic device is a memory that stores application software for operating the electronic device according to the application, and reads and executes application software from the memory. Main unit having a CPU to perform the operation, a camera controlled by the CPU to shoot an image, a monitor displaying an image shot by the camera, and a keyboard and a mouse for instructing the CPU to perform a desired operation by operating the camera. And other operation input devices.

[0004] By incorporating, for example, application software for IC appearance inspection into such electronic equipment, this electronic equipment becomes an appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of ICs, such as delicate scratches, chips, foreign substances, or the like.
By incorporating application software for measurement to position electronic components to be mounted on the printed wiring board, this electronic device detects the absolute position of the cutting fiducial mark on the printed wiring board and mounts the electronic components. It also serves as a positioning device that outputs the position data to be output.

[0005]

However, the above-described application software manufactured by a manufacturer of electronic equipment can be used by a user even if the source code of the application software is not disclosed by the manufacturer. By using
There has been a problem that it is illegally incorporated into electronic devices.

For example, there is a price difference between the application software for IC appearance inspection and the application software for measurement as described above, and the appearance inspection device incorporating the application software for IC appearance inspection is used for a measurement application. If the price is more expensive than the positioning device with embedded software, the user, including the middleman, purchases both devices one by one, and then purchases only the low-cost positioning device, The application software for IC appearance inspection incorporated in the inspection device is illegally copied using the development device, and the illegally copied application software is incorporated in the positioning device. Sometimes made available As a result, the manufacturer cannot sell the visual inspection apparatus at a regular price and suffers a disadvantage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for protecting software embedded in an electronic device and an electronic device, which prevent illegal installation of software into the electronic device.

[0008]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a software protection method for preventing software from being improperly incorporated into an electronic device. The electronic device incorporated in the electronic device is provided with identification means that match each other, and the identification means provided in the electronic device is compared with the identification means of the software incorporated in the electronic device, and when each identification means matches, Only when the electronic device is operated in accordance with the embedded software, and when unauthorized software is incorporated in the electronic device, the identification means of the software and the identification means of the electronic device do not match, and the embedded device is incorporated. By not operating the electronic device in response to the software Incorporation can be prevented. For example, there are inexpensive electronic equipment and expensive electronic equipment in which two types of software different from each other and having a price difference are respectively incorporated depending on the application, and the user is expensive. By copying software from an electronic device and illegally assembling the software into an inexpensive electronic device, it is possible to prevent a user from obtaining an expensive electronic device at a low price.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, at least a part of at least one of software and identification means provided in each of the electronic devices into which the software is properly incorporated is provided, When performing collation, the collation is performed after the changed one of the identification means is returned to its original state by a predetermined modification process,
Even if one of the software and the identification means provided in each of the electronic devices in which the software is properly incorporated is grasped by the user, one of the identification means is changed and a predetermined Undo by the modification process makes it difficult for the user to know the other identification means unless the user knows the content of the modification process, thereby further preventing unauthorized installation of the software in the electronic device. Can be.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the software is application software that has an identification unit made of data and operates an electronic device according to a use. The system is characterized in that a system program for controlling hardware of an electronic device is incorporated with an identification unit including data on the electronic device side, and the system program compares its own identification unit with the identification unit on the application software side. ,
When unauthorized application software is incorporated into an electronic device, the system program checks its own identification means against the identification means of the application software, and as a result of mismatch between them, the electronic device is not operated according to the incorporated application software. This can prevent unauthorized application of the application software into the electronic device, and the identification means on the electronic device side is provided in the system program. The hardware manufacturing process of the electronic device can be unified without being individually changed according to the type of software.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the software is application software having identification means made of data and operating the electronic device according to a use. The system program incorporates a system program for controlling hardware of an electronic device, and sets identification means including data according to the open / closed state of one or more contacts. When unauthorized application software is installed in an electronic device, the identification means set according to the open / closed state of the contact by the system program is compared with the identification means of the application software. Results that do not match each other By not operating the electronic device in accordance with the application software, unauthorized application of the application software into the electronic device can be prevented, and even if the entire contents of the system program are copied by the user, The identification means is not copied because it is set in accordance with the open / closed state of the contact, thereby further preventing unauthorized installation of application software.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided processing means for executing embedded software and performing processing in accordance with the application in accordance with the software, and a device which matches identification means provided in the software which is properly incorporated. Side identification means;
The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises a collating means for collating the device-side identification means with the identification means of the incorporated software, and permitting the execution of the incorporated software by the processing means only when there is a match. When the software is incorporated in the device, the identification means of the software and the identification means on the device side are collated by the collation means. As a result, if the two do not match, execution of the software by the processing means is not permitted. For example, there are inexpensive electronic devices and expensive electronic devices in which two types of software that are different from each other and have a price difference according to the application are separately installed, and the user is expensive. Copy software from inexpensive electronic devices and illegally assemble this software into inexpensive electronic devices. By replacing, consequently it is each time the user is prevented from so that give low-cost expensive electronic devices.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, one of the identification means of the software which is properly incorporated and the device-side identification means which matches the identification means,
At least partly changed, the collating means is characterized in that the changed one of the identifying means is restored by a predetermined change process and collated, and the identification means of the software incorporated properly and the device-side identifying means Even if any one of them is grasped by the user, one of the identification means has been changed, and when the collation means performs collation, it is returned to the original state by a predetermined modification processing, so that the user can perform the change processing of the collation means. Unless the content of the software is known, it is difficult to identify the other identification means, and it is possible to further prevent the software from being illegally incorporated into the electronic device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the software is application software having an identification unit composed of data and operating an electronic device according to a use. In addition to controlling the hardware of the electronic device, it is a system program having device-side identification means consisting of data, when unauthorized application software is incorporated in the electronic device, the system program and the device-side identification means, The identification means of the application software are compared with each other, and as a result, the execution of the software by the processing means is not permitted, thereby preventing the application software from being improperly incorporated into the electronic device. But the system By providing the program, the hardware of the electronic device can be integrated in the manufacturing process of the hardware of the electronic device without being individually changed according to the type of application software that is properly incorporated. it can.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, the software is application software that has an identification unit composed of data and operates an electronic device according to a use. A system program for controlling hardware of an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes one or more contacts, and a contact opening / closing device in which device-side identification means including data is set according to an opening / closing state of the contacts. When unauthorized application software is incorporated into an electronic device, the system program checks the device-side identification means set in the contact switching device and the application software identification means, and results in a mismatch between the two. The execution of software by processing means is not permitted, In addition to preventing unauthorized incorporation of the application software into the electronic device, the identification means of the electronic device is set according to the open / closed state of the contacts even when the entire contents of the system program are copied by the user. As a result, the application software is not copied, and the improper incorporation of application software can be further prevented.

[0016]

(Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment, like a conventional example, incorporates application software 20 for operating the electronic device 10 according to the application. 10a and a plurality of peripheral devices 10b controlled by the device body 10a.

The device main body 10a executes the embedded application software 20, and executes processing according to the application in accordance with the application software 20. The device-side identification means 2 that matches the means 1 and the hardware of the electronic device are controlled, and the device-side identification means 2 and the identification means 1 of the installed application software 20 are compared. A system program 12 as collation means for permitting the execution of the application software 20 by the CPU 13 and the peripheral devices 10
b. A peripheral device interface unit 14 for interfacing with the peripheral device b. Further, the device-side identification means 2 is provided in the system program 12.

Each of the peripheral device interface sections 14 is configured in accordance with the peripheral device 10b connected to the device main body 10a. For example, if each of the peripheral devices 10b is an operation input device such as a monitor, a keyboard or a mouse as in the conventional example, or an external storage device such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive or a CD-ROM drive, a peripheral device interface Each of the units 14 is a monitor output circuit unit that outputs an image signal, an input circuit unit that inputs a signal from an operation input device, and a drive circuit unit that transmits and receives data according to an external storage device. Also, RS
For the peripheral device 10b connected via a serial port such as 232C, the peripheral device interface unit 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a serial circuit unit for transmitting and receiving signals in accordance with RS232C. For the peripheral device 10b connected via Ethernet (registered trademark), the peripheral device interface unit 14 serves as an interface circuit unit for Ethernet. .

The application software 20 and the system program 12 are stored in a backup area 11a of a memory 11 provided in the device body 10a, and are controlled by the CPU 13 when the electronic device 10 starts up.
The execution area 11b is moved to one execution area 11b and executed.
For example, a hard disk or a ROM is used as the backup area 11a, and a DRAM or the like is used as the execution area 11b.

The collation between the device-side identification means 2 of the system program 12 and the identification means 1 of the application software 20 as described above is represented by a conceptual diagram as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, for example.

The system program 12A provided in the electronic device 10 shown in FIG. 2A is provided with device-side identification means 2A protruding in a substantially triangular shape, and application software 20A properly incorporated in the electronic device 10.
Includes the device-side identification means 2A of the system program 12A.
There is provided an identification means 1A which is recessed in a substantially triangular shape so as to be fitted.

The system program 12A collates the device-side identification means 2A so as to match the identification means 1A of the application software 20A, and if they fit, the application software 20A is properly incorporated. CPU1
3 is permitted to execute the application software 20A.

On the other hand, similarly to the system program 12A and the application software 20A, the system program 12B and the application software 20B provided in the electronic device 10 shown in FIG.
Is provided with a device-side identification means 2B projecting in a substantially rectangular shape, and the application software 20B is provided with a substantially rectangular recessed identification means 1B fitted with the device-side identification means 2B of the system program 12B. I have.

For example, in the electronic device 10 shown in FIG.
When the application software 20B is incorporated and the device-side identification means 2A and the identification means 1B of the application software 20B are collated by the system program 12A, even if the identification means 2A and 1B are matched, they do not fit. 1
2A determines that the identification means 2A and 1B do not match, and determines that the application software 20B has been improperly installed, and does not permit the CPU 13 to execute the application software 20B.

More specifically, the device-side identification means 2 of the system program 12 and the identification means 1 of the application software 20 which is properly incorporated in the electronic device 10 provided with the system program 12 are, for example, "123456". It consists of the same identification data.

Here, the operation of the electronic device 10 from when the power is turned on to the electronic device 10 in which the application software 20 is properly incorporated as described above until the application software 20 is executed is shown in the flowchart of FIG. A brief description will be given based on this.

When the power of the electronic device 10 is turned on (S
1) First, the CPU 13 moves the system program 12 from the backup area 11a to the execution area 11b and starts it (S2). The system program 12 initializes the peripheral device interface units 14 and (S2).
3), device-side identification data 2 (“123
456 ") and the identification data 1 (" 123456 ") of the application software 20 are collated (S4).
In the system program 12, the device-side identification data 2 and the identification data 1 match, and the application software 2
If it is determined that the application software 20 is properly incorporated, execution of the application software 20 by the CPU 13 is permitted, and the application software 20 is moved from the backup area 11a to the execution area 11b (S
5) The application software 20 is executed (S6).

However, the identification data 2 of the installed application software 20 is, for example, “45612”.
If “3”, the system program 12 determines in step S4 that the device-side identification data 2 (“12345
6)) and the identification data 1 (“456123”) of the application software 20 are compared, and it is determined that the application software 20 has been improperly incorporated without matching each other. As a result, the system program 12 keeps the application software 20 in the backup area 11a without permitting the execution of the application software 20 by the CPU 13 (S7). The CPU 13 notifies the user of a warning message notifying that the user is present (S8).

As described above, in the present embodiment, as in the conventional example, the version upgrade of the application software 20 that has been properly incorporated can be entrusted to the user who owns the development device, while the application software 20 can be outsourced. The electronic device 10 in which the application software 20 is incorporated has identification data 1 and 2 that match each other. The device-side identification data 2 provided in the electronic device 10 is compared with the identification data 1 of the application software 20. Application software 2 only when it matches
By operating the electronic device 10 according to 0, when the unauthorized application software 20 is incorporated into the electronic device 10, the identification data 1 and the device-side identification data 2 do not match, and the application software 20 does not match. The electronic device 10 of the application software 20 does not operate the electronic device 10 according to the
Unauthorized incorporation into the device can be prevented.

Thus, for example, there are an inexpensive electronic device 10 and an expensive electronic device 10 in which two types of application software 20 different from each other and having a price difference according to the application are respectively incorporated. From expensive electronic equipment 10 to application software 20
By copying this application software 20 to the inexpensive electronic device 10 illegally,
As a result, it is possible to prevent the user from obtaining the expensive electronic device 10 at a low price.

In this embodiment, the device-side identification data 2
Is provided in the system program 12 so that the hardware of the electronic device 10 does not need to be individually changed according to the type of the application software 20 that is properly incorporated, and the hardware manufacturing process of the electronic device 10 can be performed. It can be unified.

(Embodiment 2) By the way, the system program 12 is closed to the public, is stored in a ROM or the like used for the backup area 11a by the manufacturer at the time of manufacture, and is provided in the electronic device 10 so that the user cannot change it. ing.

However, application software 2
0 allows the user to make changes, the user changes the contents of the application software 20 using a commercially available development device,
0 may be upgraded.

At this time, even if the source code of the application software 20 is not disclosed from the manufacturer, the user can use the development device to store the backup area 1.
Application software 2 stored in 1a
The identification data 1 can be seen from the execution file 0.

Further, if the development device is used, it is possible to compare and search the device-side identification data 2 of the system program 12 also stored in the backup area 11a from the identification data 1 of the application software 20, and as a result, the identification Data 1 and device-side identification data 2
May be found, and unauthorized application software 20 may be incorporated into electronic device 10.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the identification data 1 of the application software 20 that is properly incorporated is converted in advance, and the system program 12 uses the converted identification data 1 of the application software 20 as a basis by a predetermined conversion process. Return and collate.

For example, when the device-side identification data 2 and the identification data 1 of the application software 20 which is properly incorporated are each composed of data of "123456", the data is converted to the application software 20 by being shifted by three digits in advance. The identification data 1 includes data of “456123”.

When the power of the electronic device 10 is turned on and the system program 12 is moved to the execution area 11b and started, the system program 12 is stored in the backup area 11a as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The converted identification data 1 (“456123”) of the application software 20 being read is read (S1), and “456123” is shifted by three digits to return to the original identification data 1 “123456” by a predetermined conversion process (S1).
2). After that, the system program 12 determines its own device side identification data 2 (“123456”) and the identification data 1 returned to the source of the application software 20.
("123456") (S3), and when it is determined that they match and the application software 20 is properly incorporated, the application software 20 is moved to the execution area 11b and the CPU 13 is executed. Application software 2
0 is permitted (S4).

However, if the identification data 1 provided in advance in the application software 20 is "345"
612 ", the system program 12 shifts" 345612 "in step S2 by three digits by the same conversion processing as described above, and the original identification data 1 is" 612 ".
345 ", and the identification data 1 (" 612345 ") of the restored application software 20 is compared with its own device-side identification data 2 (" 123456 ") (S3).

At this time, the system program 12 keeps the application software 20 in the backup area 11a and determines that the application software 20 has been improperly incorporated because the collation results do not match each other. Is prohibited (S5).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the user uses the development device to backup the backup area 11a of the electronic device 10.
When the identification data 1 of the application software 20 stored in the application software 20 is known, the identification data 1 of the application software 20 is converted in advance, and the system program 12 restores the original data by a predetermined conversion process and performs collation. As a result, as long as the user does not know the contents of the conversion process, the comparison with the identification data 1 is performed to obtain the device-side identification data 2 in the system program 12.
Is difficult to find out, and the improper incorporation of the application software 20 into the electronic device 10 can be further prevented.

For example, the identification data 1A of the application software 20A which is properly incorporated into one electronic device 10 provided with the system program 12A is "12".
3456, and the identification data 1B of the application software 20B that is properly incorporated in the other electronic device 10 provided with the system program 12B is “9
In the case of “87654”, even if the user can recognize these identification data 1A and 1B, these identification data 1A and 1B are
Since it is not known how the conversion is performed by the electronic program 12B, the application software 20B and 20A of the other electronic apparatus 10 cannot be incorporated into one electronic apparatus 10 provided with the system programs 12A and 12B.

In the present embodiment, the ROM used as the backup area 11a is taken out, and
All contents stored in the system program 1
When the contents of the conversion process 2 and the device-side identification data 2 are copied, the illegal application software 2
0 cannot be prevented from being incorporated into the electronic device 10, the ROM is provided so as not to be taken out of the device main body 10a, and a commercially available development device is connected to the ROM by connecting the ROM to the device main body 10a. A connector for upgrading is provided to prevent copying of all contents stored in the ROM. Furthermore, by sticking a seal sticker on the device main body 10a to leave as evidence that the ROM has been taken out by being peeled or torn, when the ROM is taken out, an unauthorized act is performed by the user. You can clarify what was done.

In this embodiment, the identification data 1 of the application software 20 is converted in advance. However, the device-side identification data 2 of the system program 12 is changed in advance, and the system- 2 may be restored to match with the identification data 1 of the application software 20.

(Embodiment 3) Since the basic configuration in this embodiment is common to Embodiment 1 or 2, the same reference numerals are given to the common parts, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only will be described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the electronic device 10 of the present embodiment has a contact opening / closing device 1 having a plurality of contacts 15a, such as jumper pins and dip switches.
5, the device-side identification data 2 is not provided in the system program 12 as in the first or second embodiment, but is set according to the open / close state of the contacts 15a of the contact switch device 15.

The contact opening / closing device 15 has a CPU 1
3 via a bus 16, the CPU 13 accesses the contact opening / closing device 15 by specifying an address and sets "0" and "1" data according to the open / close state of the plurality of contacts 15a. Device side identification data 2 consisting of columns
Recognize.

The system program 12 of the present embodiment
Converts the device identification data 2 composed of a data string of “0” and “1” set in the contact switching device 15 and recognized by the CPU 13 into decimal data and reads the converted data.

Further, in this embodiment, the second embodiment
Conversely, the device-side identification data 2 that matches the identification data 1 of the application software 20 that has been properly incorporated is converted in advance and set in the contact opening / closing device 15, and the system program 12 converts the device-side identification data into the converted device-side identification data. Data 2 is restored by a predetermined conversion process and collated.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the operation of the system program 12 is the same as that of the system program 12 of the second embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG.
When the identification data 1 is read, the contact switch 1
5 in that the device-side identification data 2 is read as decimal data, and the conversion process performed in step S2 is performed on the device-side identification data 2.

For example, the system software 12 includes “456123” of the identification data 1 of the application software 20 which is properly incorporated, and the contact switch 15
Then, "123456" of the device-side identification data 2 which is set by being shifted by three digits in advance is read (S1). Then, the system program 12 shifts “123456” of the device-side identification data 2 back to “456123” of the original device-side identification data 2 by shifting three digits (S2). 45
6123 ”and“ 4 ”of the returned device-side identification data 2
56123 "(S3).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the user uses the commercially available development device to execute the application software 2.
Even if the identification data 1 of 0 is known, the contact switch 15
Is set with the device-side identification data 2 converted in advance.
Since the system program 12 performs the conversion back to the original by the predetermined conversion process, it is difficult to determine the device-side identification data 2 unless the user knows the content of the conversion process.
Unauthorized incorporation into the electronic device 10 can be further prevented.

In this embodiment, even if the ROM used as the backup area 11a is taken out and all the stored contents are copied, the device-side identification data 2
Is set by the contact opening / closing device 15, so that the improper incorporation of the application software 20 into the electronic device can be further prevented without the device-side identification data 2 being known.

Further, the contact opening / closing device 15 may be constituted by a sealed chip. In this case, when the electronic device 10 is manufactured, individual contact opening / closing corresponding to the type of application software 20 that is properly incorporated. Although the device 15 must be manufactured and provided in the device main body 10a, unauthorized installation of the application software 20 can be reliably prevented.

[0055]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a software protection method for preventing improper incorporation of software into an electronic device, wherein identification means matching the software and the electronic device into which the software is properly incorporated are compatible with each other. Each comprising, identification means provided in the electronic device,
The software checks the identification means of the software installed in the electronic device, and operates the electronic device according to the installed software only when each identification means matches. Sometimes, the software identification means and the electronic equipment identification means do not match, and by not operating the electronic equipment according to the installed software, it is possible to prevent the software from being improperly incorporated into the electronic equipment. For example, there are an inexpensive electronic device and an expensive electronic device in which two types of software different from each other and having a price difference are respectively incorporated according to applications, and a user copies software from the expensive electronic device. By improperly converting this software to inexpensive electronic devices, There is an effect that an electronic device can each prevent the thus obtained at a low price.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, one of software and one of matching means provided in each of the electronic devices into which the software is properly incorporated is provided.
Since at least a part is changed and collated after the changed one of the identification means is restored by a predetermined change process when collating, the identification provided in the software and the electronic device in which the software is properly incorporated is provided. Even if any one of the means is grasped by the user, one of the identification means is changed and returned to the original state by the predetermined change processing at the time of collation, so that the user is informed of the contents of the change processing. Unless it is not possible, it is difficult to identify the other identification means, and it is possible to further prevent the software from being illegally incorporated into the electronic device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the software is application software for operating an electronic device in accordance with a use having identification means composed of data, and the electronic device controls hardware of the electronic device. The system program is incorporated with the identification means consisting of data on the electronic device side, and the system program checks its own identification means against the identification means on the application software side, so that unauthorized application software was incorporated into the electronic device. Sometimes, the system program checks its own identification means against the identification means of the application software. As a result, the two do not match. As a result, the electronic device is not operated in accordance with the installed application software. In addition to preventing unauthorized incorporation into the system, the identification of the electronic device is provided in the system program, so that the hardware of the electronic device can be individually set according to the type of application software that is properly incorporated. Without change
There is an effect that the hardware manufacturing process of the electronic device can be unified.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the software is application software for operating an electronic device in accordance with a use, having identification means made up of data, wherein the electronic device controls hardware of the electronic device. Since the system program is installed and the identification means composed of data is set according to the open / close state of one or more contacts, the system program compares the identification means on the electronic device side with the identification means on the application software side. When unauthorized application software is installed in an electronic device, the identification means set in accordance with the open / closed state of the contact by the system program is compared with the identification means on the application software side. Depending on application software By not operating the electronic device, it is possible to prevent the improper incorporation of application software into the electronic device, and even if the entire contents of the system program are copied by the user, the identification means of the electronic device can be used as a contact point. Since the setting is made in accordance with the open / close state, the copy is not performed, and there is an effect that the improper installation of the application software can be further prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided processing means for executing embedded software and performing processing in accordance with the intended use in accordance with the software, and a device which matches identification means provided in the software which is properly incorporated. Side identification means;
Since the device-side identification means is compared with the identification means of the embedded software, and the matching means permitting the execution of the incorporated software by the processing means only when there is a match, the unauthorized software is incorporated into the electronic device. When the software is identified, the identification means of the software and the identification means on the device side are collated by the collation means. As a result, the execution of the software by the processing means is not permitted. For example, there are inexpensive electronic devices and expensive electronic devices in which two types of software different from each other and different in price according to the application are respectively incorporated, and the user needs expensive electronic devices. Copy the software from the By, resulting in an effect that a user can each time to prevent the thus obtained low-cost expensive electronic devices.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, at least a part of at least one of the identification means of the software incorporated properly and the device-side identification means matching the identification means is changed,
Since the collation means collates the changed one identification means back to the original by a predetermined change process, one of the identification means of the software incorporated properly and the device-side identification means is recognized by the user. In this case, when one of the identification means is changed, and the collation means performs collation, it is returned to the original state by a predetermined modification process. This has the effect of making it difficult to identify the identification means and further preventing unauthorized incorporation of software into the electronic device.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the software is application software that has an identification unit composed of data and operates the electronic device according to the application, and the collation unit controls hardware of the electronic device. In addition, since the system program has device-side identification means composed of data, when unauthorized application software is incorporated into the electronic device, the system program checks the device-side identification means and the application software identification means, and checks each of them. As a result of the disagreement, the execution of the software by the processing means is not permitted, thereby preventing the improper incorporation of the application software into the electronic device, and by providing the device-side identification means in the system program, Child device hardware, there is an effect that it is possible to unify the manufacturing process of the justified without being changed individually according to the type of application software to be incorporated, the electronic equipment hardware.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the software is application software that has an identification unit made of data and operates an electronic device according to a use. The collation unit is a system that controls hardware of the electronic device. The electronic device includes one or more contacts, and includes a contact opening / closing device in which device-side identification means including data is set according to the opening / closing state of the contacts. When incorporated in an electronic device, the system program checks the device-side identification means set in the contact switching device with the application software identification means, and as a result of the mismatch, the execution of the software by the processing means is not permitted. , Illegal set of application software to electronic devices Can be prevented, and even when the entire contents of the system program are copied by the user, the identification means of the electronic device is not copied because it is set according to the open / closed state of the contact, and the application software is not copied. There is an effect that illegal incorporation can be further prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration block diagram of an electronic apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are conceptual diagrams for explaining the above.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above system program.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration block diagram of an electronic apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a CPU and a contact opening / closing device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the above system program.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Identification data 2 Device-side identification data 10 Electronic device 10a Device main body 10b Peripheral device 11 Memory 11a Backup area 11b Execution area 12 System program 13 CPU 14 Peripheral device interface unit 20 Application software

Claims (8)

[Claims] A software protection method for preventing software from being illegally incorporated into an electronic device, wherein the software and the electronic device into which the software is properly incorporated are provided with identification means that match each other,
The identification means provided in the electronic device is compared with the identification means of the software incorporated in the electronic device, and only when the respective identification means match, is the electronic device operated according to the incorporated software. Characteristic method of protecting electronic device embedded software. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the identification means provided in each of the software and the electronic device into which the software is properly incorporated is changed, and the changed one identification means is used for collation. 2. The method for protecting software embedded in an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the collation is performed after being restored by a predetermined change process. 3. The software is application software that has an identification unit composed of data and operates an electronic device according to a use. The electronic device includes a system program that controls hardware of the electronic device. With the identification means consisting of the data of the side,
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the system program checks its own identification means against the identification means on the application software side. 4. The software is application software that has an identification unit composed of data and operates an electronic device according to a use. The electronic device incorporates a system program for controlling hardware of the electronic device. And an identification means comprising data is set according to the open / close state of one or more contacts, and the system program compares the identification means on the electronic device side with the identification means on the application software side. Item 3. The electronic device embedded software protection method according to item 1 or 2. 5. A processing means for executing embedded software and performing a process according to the use in accordance with the software, a device-side identification means matching the identification means provided in the software which is properly incorporated, An electronic device, comprising: a device-side identifying unit that matches the installed software identifying unit; and a matching unit that permits execution of the installed software by the processing unit only when the matching is performed. 6. One of the identification means of the software properly incorporated and the device-side identification means matching the identification means is at least partially changed, and the collation means determines the changed one of the identification means to a predetermined value. 6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the collation is performed by returning to the original state by the change processing. 7. The software is application software that has an identification unit made of data and operates an electronic device according to a use. The collation unit controls hardware of the electronic device and is made up of data. 7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the electronic device is a system program having device-side identification means. 8. The software is application software that has an identification unit composed of data and operates an electronic device according to a use. The collation unit is a system program that controls hardware of the electronic device. 6. The electronic device according to claim 5, further comprising: a contact opening / closing device including one or a plurality of contacts, wherein a device-side identification unit including data is set according to an opening / closing state of the contacts.
Or the electronic device according to 6.