JP2003330806A - Storage information erasing device, storage information erase service device, storage information erase managing device, and storage information erasing system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a storage information erasing device, storage information erase service device, storage information erase managing device, and storage information erasing system and program, for lightening the load of operation for erasing the storage information in discarding or selling a device such as a personal computer. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 201 of a contract system 200 determines whether the storage information such as various data and programs is erased by online system or by offline system according to an instruction from an operating part 203. In the case of an instruction for erasing by online system, an erasing program is downloaded from a service center 100 through the Internet, and according to the erasing program, the storage information is erased, and in the case of an instruction for erasing by offline system, the storage information is erased by another method. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to stored information for erasing information (various data, programs) stored in a device such as a personal computer, a workstation or a server when the device is discarded or sold. Erasing device,
The present invention relates to a stored information erasing service device, a stored information erasing management device, a stored information erasing system, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information (various stored data) stored by using an information processing device such as a personal computer, or information stored in advance in the information processing device (management information such as password and authentication information, For programs that perform specific processing such as cryptographic processing, programs that require a license agreement for each user, etc.), the device is disposed of or sold, or it is transferred to another user. In order to prevent the use or leakage of the stored information of the device, it is required to erase or destroy the stored contents (in some cases, physically destroy the device).

In order to make it impossible to use various data and programs by erasing the stored contents, a volume (storage) that operates under the control of an OS (device management program: operating system) that drives the device is generally used. Medium:
Floppy (registered trademark) disk, fixed disk, etc. Initialization (initialization) program (program that has a specific function to erase or use the contents of each storage medium)
Alternatively, a format program (a processing program that is applied to a magnetic recording medium so that writing / reading of data or the like can be performed in a certain format; it may be called an allocation processing program) is used.

For example, when erasing a magnetic recording recorded on a magnetic recording medium, the entire magnetic recording medium,
Logical contents can be obtained by deleting a management unit called a file, the format of files stored in a magnetic recording medium and the format of data stored in a file, and the index (also called a directory) that manages the location in the magnetic recording medium. A method is implemented to disable reading of.

By the way, as an apparatus for individually identifying whether or not recording / erasing of recording data on a recording medium is possible, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-2001
Japanese Patent No. 331372 has been proposed. This apparatus controls the recording / erasing of the recording data on the recording medium based on the information indicating whether or not the recording / erasing corresponding to the recording data is possible. Further, as a device for safely storing information, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
No. 01-236317 has been proposed. When the writing device accesses, the device requests an identification code and a password corresponding to the identification code, authenticates these, and then permits writing of information.

[0006]

However, in the prior art, the stored information is stored by the device user or the device administrator executing a series of processes as described above by a predetermined program or the like for the above purpose. Although the erasing process is performed, as an operation when performing the erasing process, it is necessary to specify the program or file to be erased, and it is also necessary to keep a record of the erasing process. .

In particular, a user of a personal computer or the like used exclusively for business processing is not familiar with various operations of the personal computer, and imposes a series of operations related to the erasing process on the user. This can cause resistance and burden.

[0008]

It is an object of the present invention to improve the inconvenience of the conventional example, reduce the burden of erasing stored information at the time of discarding or selling a device such as a personal computer, and the result of erasing by an administrator. It is an object of the present invention to provide a stored information erasing device, a stored information erasing service device, a stored information erasing management device, a stored information erasing system, and a program that can realize centralized management of the above.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a stored information erasing device for erasing stored information such as various data and programs, whether the stored information is erased online or offline. And a erasing process for erasing the stored information based on the erasing program when the erasing program is downloaded from an external device via a communication medium when the erasing is determined by the online method. If it is determined that the information is to be erased by the off-line method, control means for erasing the stored information by another method is provided. This is intended to achieve the above object.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the operator inputs an instruction to erase the stored information such as various data and programs by the online method, the control means causes the external device to execute the erase program. Download and erase the stored information based on the erase program, while
When the operator inputs an instruction to erase by the offline method,
The control means controls to erase the stored information by another method. As a result, when the device is discarded or sold, when the user of the device is replaced by another person, or when the device is diverted to another department, the previously stored information in the device is forcibly deleted. By doing so, confidentiality protection and privacy protection can be achieved. According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control means of the storage information erasing device, when it is determined to erase by the online method, specifies whether or not the storage information to be erased is all data of all storage means. Depending on whether it is data in a storage means or a program such as a specified operating system,
The erasing process is performed based on the erasing program.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the management information managed in the device and the program itself such as the operating system can be erased so that the password information, the personal attribute information held by the cookie program, the license, etc. It is also possible to delete a program or the like for which the right is owned. Further, when the operating system becomes inoperable due to a device failure or the like, the self-loading erasure of the contents stored in the fixed disk device becomes possible. In addition, it is possible to prevent the conventional problem that the stored information is erased due to an erroneous operation due to a normal initialization operation or the like, and the confirmation of the erasure cannot be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means of the stored information erasing device requests the external device to transmit the erasing program and transmits requesting identification information. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the storage information erasing apparatus requests the erasing program from the external apparatus by transmitting the erasing program transmission request and the requester identification information to the external apparatus. The stored information can be erased. This makes it possible to protect confidentiality and privacy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, if the control means of the storage information erasing device determines that the storage information to be erased by the off-line method is all the storage data of all the storage means. , A BIO having an erasing function depending on whether it is data in a designated storage means or a program such as a designated operating system
The erasing process is performed by S (Basic Input Output System).

According to the invention of claim 4, in the BIOS type device equipped with the erasing function, the management information managed in the device and the program itself such as the operating system can be erased, so that the password information, the cookie key program, etc. It is also possible to delete the personal attribute information, the program having the license right, etc. held by the. Further, when the operating system becomes inoperable due to a device failure or the like, the self-loading erasure of the contents stored in the fixed disk device becomes possible. In addition, it is possible to prevent the conventional problem that the stored information is erased due to an erroneous operation due to a normal initialization operation or the like, and the confirmation of the erasure cannot be obtained.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the stored information erasing device is equipped with an instruction means for instructing erasing of the stored information.
The control means is configured to perform the erasing process by the erasing function-equipped BIOS based on the erasing instruction from the instructing means.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the storage information erasing device, that is, in the BIOS type device having the erasing function, it is possible to erase the management information managed in the device and the program itself such as the operating system. Thus, the password information, the personal attribute information held by the cookie program, the program having the license right, etc. can be deleted. Further, when the operating system becomes inoperable due to a device failure or the like, the self-loading erasure of the contents stored in the fixed disk device becomes possible. In addition, it is possible to prevent the conventional problem that the stored information is erased due to an erroneous operation due to a normal initialization operation or the like, and the confirmation of the erasure cannot be obtained.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the control means of the stored information erasing device transmits the report regarding the result of the erasing process to the external device.

According to the invention of claim 6, the external device manages the erasing process result of each device based on the result report of the erasing process from the stored information erasing device, thereby achieving centralized management at the time of mass disposal of devices. It is possible to grasp the status of the erasing process, and to protect confidentiality and privacy for system audits.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the control means of the stored information erasing device is configured to record the result of the erasing process on the recording means, print on the printing means, or display on the display means.

According to the invention of claim 7, the erasing process result can be stored or confirmed by recording the erasing process result in the recording means, printing by the printing means, or displaying by the display means. .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the stored information erasing device is installed in a device such as a personal computer, a workstation or a server.

According to the invention of claim 8, in a company or the like in which equipment such as a personal computer, a workstation and a server is installed, the previously stored information in the equipment such as a personal computer, a workstation and a server is forcibly erased. By doing so, confidentiality protection and privacy protection can be achieved.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of stored information erasing service devices that provide a service related to erasing processing of stored information such as various data and programs in contractors who have equipment such as personal computers, workstations and servers. On the basis of service management means for managing the contract party, storage means for holding an erasing program used for erasing the stored information, and a transmission request and identification information of the erasing program transmitted from the contracting party. The program management means for transmitting the erasing program held in the storage means to the contracting party and the report managing means for managing the report on the result of the erasing process transmitted from the contracting party are provided. ing.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the stored information erasing service device that provides a service relating to the erasing process provides the erasing program with the erasing program based on the transmission request and the identification information of the erasing program transmitted from the contracting party. The result of the erasing process that is sent to the contractor is, for example, a contractor who intends to dispose of a large amount of equipment or sell it when the equipment such as a personal computer, workstation, or server is renewed. Stored information (various data files, personal identification management information, programs, etc.) for each procedure described above
By receiving the result of the erasing process, the status of the erasing process at the contractor can be accurately grasped.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in a storage information deletion management device installed in a management department of a contractor who owns equipment such as a personal computer, a workstation and a server, the storage information such as various data and programs in the equipment. On the basis of a report from a stored information erasing service device that provides a service related to the erasing process, an erasing process management means for managing the erasing process of the stored information in the device is provided.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the storage information deletion management device installed in the management department of the contractor is based on the report from the storage information deletion service device providing the service, for example, when a large amount of equipment is disposed of. It is possible to perform centralized management and grasp the status of erasing processing.

In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the storage information deletion management device can specify a method of acquiring a report regarding the result of the deletion process when using the deletion processing service of the storage information deletion service device. It takes the structure.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by making it possible to specify the acquisition method of the report regarding the result of the erasing process, the stored information erasure management device responds from the stored information erasure service device to the actual condition of the contract partner. It becomes possible to use the service related to the erasing process result report.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the stored information erasing device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the stored information erasing service device according to the ninth aspect, and the storage according to the tenth or eleventh aspect. An information erasure management device is provided.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in a company or the like, when a large amount of devices are discarded or sold by a model change of devices such as personal computers, workstations, servers, etc. The stored information (various data files, personal identification management information, programs, etc.) is deleted according to the procedure, and the stored information deletion management device of the company displays the deletion processing result of each device based on the report from the stored information deletion service device. By managing it, it is possible to perform centralized management at the time of mass disposal of devices and grasp the status of erasing processing, and to protect confidentiality and privacy for system audits.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is determined that the stored information such as various data and programs is erased by an online method or an offline method based on an external input, and it is determined that the information is erased by the online method. In this case, the erasing program is downloaded from an external device through a communication medium, the erasing process of the stored information is performed based on the erasing program, and when it is determined to erase by the offline method, the storage is performed by another method. It has a structure of a stored information erasing program for causing a computer to execute the function of erasing information.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, by loading and executing the program on a computer, the computer can be disposed of or sold, the user of the computer can change to another person, or the computer can be changed. When the information is diverted to another department, it is possible to protect confidentiality and privacy by forcibly deleting the previously stored information in the computer.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the stored information erasing system of this embodiment. This system comprises a service center 100, a contract system 200, and a contract manager system 300.

More specifically, the service center 10
0 is storage information of devices such as personal computers (various data files, personal identification management information, programs, etc.)
Management of contractors wishing to delete (contract management), management of deletion programs for deleting stored information and programs (program management), and management of reports regarding stored information and program deletion results (report management) An information processing device for service management is provided. Contract system 200
Are various devices such as a personal computer, a workstation, a server, etc. installed in a contracted party with the service center 100.
Put output system) includes a device with built-in erasing function and a function to erase stored information. The contract administrator system 300 is a contract management information processing device installed in the contract management department.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the service center 100, the contract system 200, and the contract manager system 300. Note that FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an essential configuration, and regarding the storage unit, an internal storage device (ROM, RAM) and an external storage device (hard disk, etc.) are shown in a collective form. Illustration of other configurations that are not directly related is omitted.

The service center 100 is provided with a service management information processing apparatus for providing a erasing program to a contracting party who desires to erase stored information and programs and managing the contracting party. Service management unit 10 for management, program management, and report management
1 (service management means, program management means, report management means), a storage unit 102 (storage means) for storing data relating to an erasing program and contractor, a keyboard and pointing device for inputting various data and instructions The operation unit 103, the contract system 200, and the contract manager system 300 that are provided are provided with a communication unit 104 that performs data communication by Internet connection in a WEB configuration.

The contract system 200 includes a personal computer, a workstation, and
A control unit 201 (a device such as a server) that controls each unit of the device and performs a process of deleting stored information (various data files, personal identification management information, programs, etc.) based on a deletion program received from the service center 100. Means, control means), a storage unit 202 for storing programs and various data, a keyboard and a pointing device for inputting and instructing various data, and
An operation unit 203 having an attached switch (instructing means) for erasing processing, a display unit 204 for displaying a screen, a service center 100, and a communication unit 205 for performing data communication with the contractor administrator system 300 are provided. Also, contract system 2
A printer 400 is appropriately connected to 00.

The contract administrator system 300 is a contract management information processing device installed in the contract, and manages the erasing work of the contract system 200 (a personal computer, a workstation installed in the contract, Contract management unit 301 (erasure management unit) that performs equipment management related to devices such as servers, license management related to software that requires a license contract for each user, auditing, etc., and stores various data related to the management Storage unit 302, operating unit 30 including a keyboard and pointing device for inputting various data and instructing
3, a service center 100, and a communication unit 304 for performing data communication with the contract system 200. in this case,
The contractor administrator can specify the method of acquiring the report regarding the result of the erasing process when using the service of the erasing program of the service center 100.

Next, the operation of the system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.

<Data and OS in download type equipment
Electromagnetic erasing process> The control unit 201 of the contract system 200 in FIG.
When the start of the electromagnetic erasing process of S is instructed (step S
301), it is determined whether the instruction content is an online erasing process or an offline erasing process (step S302). In the case of erasing processing by the offline method,
The control unit 201 of the contract system 200 determines whether or not this device is an erasing function BIOS-equipped device (step S3).
17). If the device is a device equipped with an erase function BIOS, the process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG. If this device is a device other than the device with the erasing function BIOS installed, the erasing process is performed by another method.

In the case of erasing processing by the online method,
The control unit 201 of the contract system 200 transmits the contract ID, device identification information, and the like to the service center 100 via the communication unit 205, and requests the erasing program (in FIG. 1). The service management unit 101 of the service management information processing apparatus of the service center 100 normally stores the erasing program held in the program management in the contract system 20 through the Internet connection in the WEB configuration.
In accordance with the request of the erasing program from 0, the contracting system 200 obtains the corresponding erasing program that matches the above identification information through the download and recording process (FIG. 1).
Send to. At that time, management processing of the deletion program transmission destination (contractor) is also performed.

Here, the recording process is to record and retain the contract party who has transmitted the contract ID, the erasing target device, the erasing item, etc. as a report management together with a result report (-3 in FIG. 1) described later. Point to. The items to be recorded are the transmission date of the erasing program to the contractor and the contract I.
D, erasure management items (type of licensed software, data file, etc., presence / absence of result report, date) are assumed.

Further, the management process of the erasing program transmission destination is a process of erasing all software and data (all stored contents of all internal storage devices and external storage devices included in the device) or a designated portion ( This refers to the process of recording and managing the erasure status of the contract system 200 that has performed the process of erasing folders, programs, files, storage devices, and storage media, and reporting the results of the erasure status through a designated reporting route. . Note that the erasing program of the present invention is the Wind program installed in the contract system 200.
It is created to be executable even if an OS such as ows (registered trademark) does not operate.

The control unit 201 of the contract system 200 downloads the erasing program received from the service center 100 into the storage unit 202 (step S303),
The erasing process is performed by executing the erasing program (FIG. 1). In erasing, the erasing target provided by the erasing program, the recording of the erasing result, and various conditions of the erasing result report are selected and designated. To be erased, it is necessary to (a) specify the media device, (b) specify the range of media units or specified file units, and in the case of removable media, set the target medium to the device and specify it, and (c) erase the program. In the case of doing, the erasing process is executed by designating and specifying the program and the storage folder.

That is, the control unit 201 of the contract system 200
When the operator specifies all the stored contents of all the internal storage devices and the external storage devices (peripheral storage devices) to be erased from the operation unit 203 (step S304),
After confirming the power source of the device (step S305), all writable storage contents are erased (step S306). However,
When setting the medium in the external storage device and erasing the stored contents, a request to set the medium is made to enable continuous erasing of the stored contents of the medium, but if the setting operation of the medium is done, at that point The erasing process for the device ends. Further, as the storage information of the internal storage device, a resume process of a personal computer or the like (data such as a specific device so that it can be continuously used at the time of restart when an abnormal termination such as power-down during use is performed) is performed. The contents stored in the (writing process) function, and other stored information such as a built-in fixed disk are also included.

Further, the control unit 201 of the contract system 200
When the operator designates the file of the storage device or the storage content of the storage medium to be erased by the operator from the operation unit 203 (step S307), after confirming the power supply of the device (step S308), the storage device of the designated storage device is deleted. The stored content of the file or the stored content of the designated storage medium is erased (steps S309 and S310).

Further, the control unit 201 of the contract system 200
Is a target to be erased from the operation unit 203 by the operator.
When a program such as S (operating system) is designated (step S311), after confirming the power source of the device (step S312), the designated corresponding program is erased (step S313).

Next, the control unit 201 of the contract system 200
In the case where the operator has designated from the operation unit 203 a method of recording the erasure target for which the erasure process has been performed and the result of the erasure process for the purpose of confirming the erasure process work, etc. In the case of transmission to the center), the report of the result of the erasing process (-1 in FIG. 1) is transmitted to the service center 100 via the communication unit 205 (step S315). The service management unit 101 of the service center 100 reports the result of the erasing process transmitted from the contract system 200 on the basis of the content of the contract management (a) every time the report is made, (b) a designated period unit, and (c). Collected by contract system unit, etc., and report the result to the contract manager system 300 via the communication unit 104 (in FIG.
Perform 3). Upon receiving the result report from the service center 100, the contract management unit 301 of the contract administrator system 300 recognizes that the contract system 200 has performed the erasing process.

Further, the control unit 201 of the contract system 200
If the operator designates a method of outputting the result of the erasing process using the contract system 200 from the operation unit 203 (when recording is designated in step S314 and is output by the contract system), the erasing process is performed. The result (-2 in FIG. 1) is output (step S315). In that case, as the output destination, a method of printing the report 210 for confirming the erasure result by the attached printer 400, or a method in which the confirmation remains as a record of a floppy (registered trademark) disk or the like is selected. It is also possible to carry out by the method (display display, blinking of lamp, etc.).

Further, the control unit 201 of the contract system 200
If the operator does not specify from the operation unit 203 to record the result of the erasing process (recording is not specified in step S314), the display unit 204 displays the end result of the erasing process.
Is displayed (step S316).

<Electromagnetic Erasure Process of Data and OS in Erase Function BIOS-Installed Device> If the contract system 200 is the erase function BIOS-installed device in the determination of step S317 in the flowchart of FIG.
The erasing process is performed by a method not using the erasing program managed by 0, that is, the procedure of the flowchart of FIG.

First, the operator installs the erasing function in the BIOS of the contract system 200 (equipment with the erasing function BIOS) (the BIOS installed in the contract system).
The contents stored in the storage medium (floppy (registered trademark) disk, fixed disk, etc.) of the peripheral storage device connected to the contract system 200 (including measures to be incorporated into S at the time of factory shipment) (step S401). Is physically erased (destroyed) (step S402). Next, when the stored information or the program is deleted using the operation unit 203 such as a keyboard (“use” in step S403), the operator operates the operation unit 203 of the contract system 200.
The erasing process is performed by operating the auxiliary switch for erasing process, which is pre-installed on (step S404).

If the stored information or the program is erased without using the operation unit 203 such as a keyboard (“not used” in step S403), the contract system 200
The control unit 201 of step S405 to step S405 according to the distinction of all deletion targets (all internal storage devices and external storage devices, files or storage media of storage devices, programs such as OS).
The step S414 is executed. Steps S405 to S414 are steps S304 to S3 in FIG.
Since it is the same as that of 13, the description thereof will be omitted. Next, the control unit 201 of the contract system 200 determines whether or not there is a designation to record the erasure result (step S415), ends if there is no designation (step S417), and designates if there is designation. The erase result is recorded on the medium (step S41).
6).

In this case, depending on the operation of the contract partner, the contract system 200 notifies the contract manager system 300 of a report of the deletion result, and the contract manager system 300 is notified.
The erasing function manages the data and the electromagnetic erasing processing of the OS in the BIOS installed type.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a large amount of equipment is discarded or sold, for example, in a company when the equipment such as a personal computer, a workstation, and a server is remodeled, The stored information (various data files, personal identification management information, programs, etc.) is erased for each device according to the above-mentioned procedure, and the contract manager system 300 of the company concerned reports each device based on the report from the service center 100. By managing the erasing process result, it is possible to perform centralized management at the time of mass disposal of devices and grasp the status of the erasing process, and to protect confidentiality and privacy for system audits and the like.

Further, when the user of the device is changed to another person or when the device is diverted to another department, by forcibly deleting the stored information in the device,
Similarly, confidentiality and privacy can be protected.

Further, when the OS becomes inoperable due to a device failure or the like, the self-loading erasure of the contents stored in the fixed disk device becomes possible. Self-load type means O
It is a method of incorporating an independent program into the device and causing the program to function by using the initial program loading function possessed by the device without using S.

Further, it is possible to prevent the erasure of stored information due to an erroneous operation such as a normal initializing operation, and the inconvenience that the erasure cannot be confirmed.

Further, by making it possible to delete the management information managed in the device and the OS itself, it is possible to delete the password information, the personal attribute information held by the Kooky program, the program having the license right, etc. .

[Other Embodiments] (1) For example, when discarding a personal computer (PC) in each department of a company, the stored information of the PC or the stored information of the PC is used for each department by using the erasing program of the above embodiment. It is also possible to erase the program.

(2) In addition, the user can use a program or file deletion function by a system program such as Windows (registered trademark), a use environment setting function, or the like, or use a program for initial setting of a use medium. It is also conceivable to delete / delete information to be deleted.

[0064]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the operator inputs an instruction to erase the stored information such as various data and programs, the control means Downloads the erasing program from an external device and erases the stored information based on the erasing program. On the other hand, when the operator inputs an instruction to erase the stored information by the offline method, the control means erases the stored information by another method. Control to perform processing. As a result, when the device is discarded or sold, when the user of the device is replaced by another person, or when the device is diverted to another department, the previously stored information in the device is forcibly deleted. By doing so, confidentiality protection and privacy protection can be achieved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the management information managed in the device and the program itself such as the operating system can be erased so that the password information, the personal attribute information held by the cookie key program, and the license. It is also possible to delete a program or the like for which the right is owned. Further, when the operating system becomes inoperable due to a device failure or the like, the self-loading erasure of the contents stored in the fixed disk device becomes possible. In addition, it is possible to prevent the conventional problem that the stored information is erased due to an erroneous operation due to a normal initialization operation or the like, and the confirmation of the erasure cannot be obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the storage information erasing apparatus requests the erasing program from the external apparatus by transmitting the erasing program transmission request and the requester identification information to the external apparatus. The stored information can be erased. This makes it possible to protect confidentiality and privacy.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in the BIOS type device equipped with the erasing function, the management information managed in the device and the program itself such as the operating system can also be erased, so that the password information, the cookie key, etc. It is also possible to delete the personal attribute information, the program having the license right, etc. held by the. Further, when the operating system becomes inoperable due to a device failure or the like, the self-loading erasure of the contents stored in the fixed disk device becomes possible. In addition, it is possible to prevent the conventional problem that the stored information is erased due to an erroneous operation due to a normal initialization operation or the like, and the confirmation of the erasure cannot be obtained.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the storage information erasing device, that is, in the BIOS type device having the erasing function, it is possible to erase the management information managed in the device and the program itself such as the operating system. Thus, the password information, the personal attribute information held by the cookie program, the program having the license right, etc. can be deleted. Further, when the operating system becomes inoperable due to a device failure or the like, the self-loading erasure of the contents stored in the fixed disk device becomes possible. In addition, it is possible to prevent the conventional problem that the stored information is erased due to an erroneous operation due to a normal initialization operation or the like, and the confirmation of the erasure cannot be obtained.

According to the invention of claim 6, the external device manages the erasing process result of each device based on the result report of the erasing process from the stored information erasing device, thereby achieving centralized management at the time of mass disposal of the devices. It is possible to grasp the status of the erasing process, and to protect confidentiality and privacy for system audits.

According to the invention of claim 7, the erasing process result can be stored and confirmed by recording the erasing process result in the recording means, printing by the printing means, or displaying by the display means. .

According to the invention of claim 8, in a company or the like in which equipment such as a personal computer, a workstation and a server is installed, the previously stored information in the equipment such as a personal computer, a workstation and a server is forcibly erased. By doing so, confidentiality protection and privacy protection can be achieved.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the stored information erasing service device that provides a service relating to the erasing process provides the erasing program with the erasing program based on the transmission request and the identification information of the erasing program transmitted from the contracting party. The result of the erasing process that is sent to the contractor is, for example, a contractor who intends to dispose of a large amount of equipment or sell it when the equipment such as a personal computer, workstation, or server is renewed. Stored information (various data files, personal identification management information, programs, etc.) for each procedure described above
By receiving the result of the erasing process, the status of the erasing process at the contractor can be accurately grasped.

According to the invention of claim 10, the storage information deletion management device installed in the management department of the contracted party is based on the report from the storage information deletion service device providing the service, for example, when a large amount of equipment is disposed of. It is possible to perform centralized management and grasp the status of erasing processing.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, by making it possible to specify the acquisition method of the report regarding the result of the erasing process, the stored information erasure management device responds from the stored information erasure service device to the actual situation of the contract partner. It becomes possible to use the service related to the erasing process result report.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in a company or the like, when a large amount of devices are discarded or sold for the purpose of model renewal of devices such as personal computers, workstations, servers, etc. The stored information (various data files, personal identification management information, programs, etc.) is deleted according to the procedure, and the stored information deletion management device of the company displays the deletion processing result of each device based on the report from the stored information deletion service device. By managing it, it is possible to perform centralized management at the time of mass disposal of devices and grasp the status of erasing processing, and to protect confidentiality and privacy for system audits.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, by loading and executing the program on a computer, the computer can be disposed of or sold, the user of the computer can be replaced by another person, or the computer can be changed. When the information is diverted to another department, it is possible to protect confidentiality and privacy by forcibly deleting the previously stored information in the computer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration and a processing flow of a service center, a contract system, and a contract manager system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing configurations of a service center, a contract system, and a contract manager system according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an electromagnetic erasing process of data and programs in the download type device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an electromagnetic erasing process of data and programs in a device with an erasing function BIOS according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 service center 101 Service Management Department 200 contract system 201 control unit 202 storage 203 Operation unit 204 display 300 Contract administrator system 301 Contract Management Department

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A storage information erasing device for erasing storage information such as various data and programs, and a determining means for determining whether to erase the storage information online or offline based on an external input. If it is determined to erase by the online method, an erase program is downloaded from an external device via a communication medium, the stored information is erased based on the erase program, and it is determined that the offline method is performed. In this case, the stored information erasing device is equipped with control means for performing the erasing process of the stored information by another method. 2. The control means, when it is determined to erase by the online method, whether the storage information to be erased is all data of all storage means or data of a designated storage means. 2. The stored information erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the erasing process is performed based on the erasing program depending on whether the program is a designated operating system or the like. 3. The storage information erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit requests the external apparatus to transmit the erasing program and transmits identification information of a request source. 4. The control means, when it is determined to erase by the off-line method, whether the storage information to be erased is all data of all storage means or data of a designated storage means. 2. The storage information erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the erasing process is performed by a BIOS having an erasing function according to whether the program is a designated operating system program or the like. 5. The instructing means for instructing the erasing of the stored information is provided, and the control means performs the erasing process by the erasing function-equipped BIOS based on an erasing instruction by the instructing means. 4. The memory information erasing device described in 4. 6. The stored information erasing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit transmits a report regarding a result of the erasing process to the external device. 7. The stored information erasing function according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the recording unit to record the result of the erasing process, the printing unit to print the result, or the display unit to display the result. apparatus. 8. The stored information erasing apparatus according to claim 1, which is installed in a device such as a personal computer, a workstation, a server or the like. 9. A storage information erasure service device that provides a service related to erasure processing of stored information such as various data and programs at a contract owner who owns equipment such as a personal computer, a workstation, and a server. Service management means for managing, storage means for holding an erasing program used for erasing the stored information, and storage means for storing the erasing program based on a transmission request and identification information of the erasing program transmitted from the contractor. A stored information erasing service, comprising: a program management unit for transmitting the erased program to the contractor; and a report management unit for managing a report regarding the result of the erasing process transmitted from the contractor. apparatus. 10. A storage information erasure management device installed in a contract management department that owns equipment such as personal computers, workstations, servers, etc. The stored information deletion management device is equipped with deletion processing management means for managing the deletion processing of the stored information in the device based on a report from the stored information deletion service device. 11. The stored information erasing method according to claim 10, wherein a method of acquiring a report regarding a result of the erasing processing can be designated when using the erasing processing service of the stored information erasing service apparatus. Management device. 12. A storage information erasing device according to claim 1, a storage information erasing service device according to claim 9, and a storage information erasing management device according to claim 10 or 11. A memory information erasing system characterized by comprising: 13. A function for determining whether to erase stored information such as various data and programs by an online method or an offline method, and an external device when it is determined that the information is erased by the online method. From the erasing program via a communication medium, the stored information is erased based on the erasing program, and when it is determined to erase by the off-line method, the stored information is erased by another method. A stored information erasing program that causes a computer to execute the functions to be performed.