JP2005135045A - Software start control system and method for personal computer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a software start control system and a method for a personal computer that can restrict the start of software by an unauthorized person even if the software is copied illegally. <P>SOLUTION: A personal computer has a storing means storing software and a digital certificate certifying that a provider has authorized a user to use the software, a means for reading a digital certificate stored in an IC card via an IC card reader/writer, a means for restricting the start of the software, a matching means for matching the digital certificate stored in the storing means with the digital certificate read via the IC card reader/writer, and a means for removing the software start restriction if the matching result is coincident. The IC card has a storing means storing the digital certificate about the software that a user of the personal computer is authorized to use. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a personal computer software activation control system and method for preventing unauthorized use of a personal computer and unauthorized copying of software.

  Conventionally, multiple types of software such as Japanese word processing software, spreadsheet software, communication software, data management software, game software, etc. are installed on a commercially available personal computer before it is marketed. The user selects and activates desired software from the plurality of types of software as necessary to perform various processes and enjoy games.

Normally, these software installed in a personal computer is in a state where anyone can start up, and there is no restriction on the use of each installed software.
In other words, in order to manage the use of the personal computer itself, there is a system that performs verification management using a password, etc., but once the password authentication is approved, all software installed on the personal computer It can be used freely.

In recent years, there are many jobs that use a personal computer, and even in companies and the like, there are increasing cases where a part-time job or part-timer who is temporarily employed performs various jobs using a personal computer.
For example, in addition to providing multiple PCs for employers to use in common in offices, etc., and installing multiple types of software in advance on these PCs, employers can respond to their work. Launching the software to allow work to be done has the advantage of reducing the burden on the equipment compared to providing a dedicated personal computer for each employer.

However, if various software that is not necessary for the employer to perform his / her duties is installed on the personal computer, the employer will voluntarily perform processing unrelated to the original work during work. Even if the desired software is activated without permission from the various software installed on the personal computer and personal work or game software is used, the administrator does not know. There is a problem that management for work cannot be done.
Furthermore, there is a problem in that there is a risk that the employer may launch unauthorized software and perform unauthorized processing.

In addition, there is a risk that software installed in a personal computer may be illegally copied by a third party without permission to use and installed on another personal computer without the manufacturer's permission.
There is a problem that such illegal copying of software is very difficult to control.

In the prior art, as a means for preventing unauthorized use of a personal computer by a third party, a technology for managing the use of the personal computer using an IC card is known. (For example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2)
However, even though the conventional technology can prevent unauthorized use of software that is normally installed on a computer by a third party, it does not have usage rights until the software is illegally copied to another computer. There is a problem that the use of third-party software cannot be restricted.
JP-A-62-73317 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-144827

  The present invention prevents the use of personal computer software by a third party who does not have the right to use, and even if the personal computer software is illegally copied to another personal computer, the software of a person without the right to use can be started. A personal computer software activation control system and method thereof can be provided.

  A personal computer software activation control system according to the present invention is a personal computer software activation control system that controls the activation of software installed in a personal computer based on information stored in an IC card. Storage means storing software and a digital certificate proving that the software provider has granted the software user a license, and a digital certificate stored in the IC card Means for reading through the IC card reader / writer, means for restricting activation of software, a digital certificate stored in the storage means, and a digital certificate read through the IC card reader / writer When the matching means for matching and the matching result by the matching means match, The IC card has storage means for storing a digital certificate relating to software that is allowed to be used by a personal computer user. It is characterized by.

  Furthermore, the personal computer software activation control system of the present invention is characterized in that digital certificates of a plurality of types of software are stored in the personal computer and the IC card.

  The personal computer software activation control method of the present invention is a personal computer software activation control method for controlling activation of software installed in a personal computer based on information stored in an IC card. Read the digital certificate stored in the storage means of the IC card via the IC card reader / writer, the digital certificate read by the IC card reader / writer, and the storage means of the personal computer. And a step of canceling the activation restriction of the software installed in the personal computer when the result of the verification processing matches.

  According to the present invention, by performing verification processing using a digital certificate that proves that the software provider has granted a license to the user of the software, the user has the proper use authority. Who are not authorized to use the software on the computer by unauthorized third parties, even if the software on the computer is illegally copied to another computer. There is an effect that the use of the software can be restricted.

  In addition, since the digital certificates of a plurality of types of software are stored in the personal computer and the IC card, it is possible to control the activation of the software even in a personal computer equipped with a plurality of types of software. is there.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a software activation control system for a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an IC card used for the software activation control system for a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a processing procedure of the personal computer software activation control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a personal computer and an IC card reader / writer used in the personal computer software activation control system according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer software activation control system according to the embodiment of the present invention is used with respect to a personal computer 1, an IC card reader / writer 2 connected to the personal computer 1, and software installed in the personal computer 1. And an IC card 3 possessed by a software user who is authorized to do so.

  For example, a plurality of types of software such as Japanese word processor software, spreadsheet software, communication software, data management software, and game software are installed in the personal computer 1 in advance. By inserting the IC card 3 from the IC card insertion port of the reader / writer 2, it is determined whether or not there is an authority to use individual software based on the information stored in the IC card 3, and software activation control is I can do it.

The IC card 3 has a configuration in which an IC module in which an IC chip is incorporated is embedded in a card base and an external connection terminal is provided on the surface.
The IC module 3a provided in the IC card 3 includes a CPU 4, a ROM 5 that is a read-only memory, a RAM 6 that is a volatile memory, an EEPROM 7 that is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, an external connection terminal 8, and the like. These are connected via a bus line 9.
A ROM 5 that is a read-only memory stores a control program in advance.
The EEPROM 7, which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, stores a digital certificate relating to software that is permitted to be used by a personal computer user.

This digital certificate is a certificate issued by the software provider. The digital certificate is used to verify that the software provider has authorized the use of the software. is there.
These digital certificates are not limited to one, and when there are a plurality of pieces of software permitted to be used, a plurality of digital certificates corresponding to these pieces of software are registered in the EEPROM 7.

Next, the system configuration of the personal computer 1 and the IC card reader / writer 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
The personal computer 1 includes a CPU 10, a ROM 11 as a read-only memory, a RAM 12 as a volatile memory, a display 13, a keyboard 14, a communication interface (I / F) 15, an HDD (hard disk drive) 16, and the like. Connected by line 17.

The HDD 16 stores a control program and a digital certificate relating to software that is permitted to be used by a user of the personal computer, and a series of processing is performed based on the control program.
Also, the digital certificate is not limited to one, and when there are a plurality of software that is permitted to be used, a plurality of digital certificates corresponding to the software are installed in the HDD 16.
The software installed in the HDD 16 of the personal computer 1 is set in advance by the control program so as not to be activated if it is not matched in the verification process using the digital certificate.

The IC card reader / writer 2 includes a CPU 20, a ROM 21 that is a read-only memory, a RAM 22 that is a volatile memory, a communication interface (I / F) 23, an IC card reader / writer unit 24, and the like. 25.
The IC card reader / writer 2 is provided with an IC card insertion slot 2a for inserting the IC card 3, and is connected to the external connection terminal 8 of the IC card 3 inserted into the IC card insertion slot 2a. Thus, the digital certificate stored in the IC card 3 can be read.

Next, a processing procedure of the software activation control system for a personal computer according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
First, the user of the personal computer 1 inserts and sets the IC card 3 possessed by the user from the IC card insertion slot 2a of the IC card reader / writer 2. (Step S1)
The personal computer 1 reads the digital certificate stored in the EEPROM 7 of the IC card 3 via the IC card reader / writer 2. (Step S2)

Next, the personal computer 1 collates the received digital certificate with a digital certificate registered in advance in the HDD 16. (Step S3)
If the result of this collation processing matches, the software that has been certified with the digital certificate from the software registered in the HDD 16 is released from the controlled activation state, and can be activated. To do. (Step S4)

If the result of the collation processing does not match, the processing of the software certified by the digital certificate among the software installed in the HDD 16 is terminated while the activation is controlled.
Therefore, the user cannot start the software.

  The present invention can be widely used as activation control of a personal computer preinstalled with software.

It is a block diagram of the software starting control system of the personal computer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of an IC card used in a software activation control system of a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a personal computer and an IC card reader / writer used in a personal computer software activation control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the software starting control system of the personal computer which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC
2 IC card reader / writer
3 IC card
3a IC module
4,10 CPU
5,11 ROM
6,12 RAM
7 EEPROM
8 External connection terminals
9,17 Bus line
10 CPU
13 Display
14 Keyboard
15 Communication interface (I / F)
16 HDD

Claims (3)

A software activation control system for a personal computer that controls the activation of software installed on a personal computer based on information stored in an IC card,
The personal computer stores software and a digital means for certifying that the software provider has granted the software user a license, and stored in the IC card. A digital certificate read via the IC card reader / writer, a means for restricting software activation, a digital certificate stored in the storage means, and a digital read via the IC card reader / writer A verification unit for verifying the certificate, and a unit for canceling the activation restriction of the software when the verification result by the verification unit matches,
A software activation control system for a personal computer, wherein the IC card has storage means for storing a digital certificate relating to software permitted to be used by a personal computer user.   The personal computer software activation control system according to claim 1, wherein digital certificates of a plurality of types of software are stored in the personal computer and the IC card. A computer software activation control method for controlling activation of software installed in a personal computer based on information stored in an IC card,
The personal computer reads the digital certificate stored in the storage means of the IC card via an IC card reader / writer;
Collating the digital certificate read by the IC card reader / writer with the digital certificate registered in the storage means of the personal computer;
When the result of the matching process matches, the step of releasing the restriction on the activation of the software installed in the personal computer;
A computer software activation control method characterized by comprising:

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