JP2006344174A - Information processing system and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing system and an information processing method capable of managing a usage right, a usage limit, a usage frequency and the like of ID paper/pen for suitably preventing illicit use of the ID paper due to duplication and the like. <P>SOLUTION: Using the ID pen 201, an ID formed on the ID paper 101 is detected, and information about the usage limit of the ID paper 101 corresponding to the ID is extracted from a database 303 inside an information processing terminal 301. When use of the ID paper 101 by the ID pen 201 is impossible, use of the ID pen 201 on the ID paper 101 is restricted. When use of the ID paper is possible, the ID pen 201 transmits information about an optional scan locus to the information processing terminal 301 for its processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system and an information processing method for detecting chained data of dots on a paper on which a special dot pattern is formed using a digital pen.

  Currently, various information processing systems are known that read various information formed on a document and execute processing. For example, there is an information processing system that prepares a sheet on which a frame and an entry field have been printed and processed in advance for processing a document, reads the sheet surface by a specific device, and executes processing of detected data. .

Similarly, a digital pen compatible paper (hereinafter referred to as “ID paper”), which is a recording medium on which a special dot pattern on the paper and an ID assigned to the dot pattern are formed, and the ID. Using a digital pen (hereinafter referred to as “ID pen”) having a function of scanning the paper to detect and store the dot pattern chain data and transmitting the chain data, the ID paper has an ID. An information processing system that reads information such as characters written using a pen is also known.
JP 2004-094558 A

  However, ID paper as described above can be easily copied using a copying machine or the like, and once a copy is created, unauthorized use using the copy or unlimited use of the copy is possible. There was a problem of being used.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and manages the authority to use ID paper and ID pen, the expiration date, the number of times of use, etc., and suitably prevents unauthorized use by a copy of the ID paper. It is an object to provide an information processing system and an information processing method.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention transmits information relating to a scanning locus when a recording medium is arbitrarily scanned using the first apparatus to the second apparatus, and the second apparatus transmits the information. An information processing system for processing
Detecting means for detecting identification information of the recording medium formed on the recording medium using the first device;
Storage means for correspondingly storing the identification information of the recording medium and information relating to the use restriction of the recording medium;
Extraction means for extracting from the storage means information relating to the use restriction of the storage medium corresponding to the identification information detected by the detection means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the recording device can be used by the first device based on the information on the use restriction extracted by the extracting means;
Use restriction means for restricting the use of the first device to the recording medium when the first device cannot use the recording medium.

Further, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention transmits information relating to a scanning locus when a recording medium is arbitrarily scanned using the first apparatus to the second apparatus, and the second apparatus An information processing method in an information processing system for processing the information,
A detection step of detecting identification information of the recording medium formed on the recording medium using the first device;
Extraction step of extracting information on the use restriction of the storage medium corresponding to the identification information detected by the detection step from the storage means for storing the identification information of the recording medium and the information on the use restriction of the recording medium correspondingly When,
A determination step of determining whether or not the recording device can be used by the first device based on the information on the use restriction extracted by the extraction step;
A use restricting step for restricting use of the first device with respect to the recording medium when the recording device cannot use the recording medium with the first device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suitably prevent unauthorized use by a copy of an ID paper by managing the authority to use the ID paper and ID pen, the expiration date, the number of times of use, and the like.

  In the following, referring to the drawings, an ID on an ID paper is detected using an ID pen, and information such as characters entered using the ID pen on the ID paper corresponding to the ID is transmitted and processed. Details of the information processing system and information processing method will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, ID paper 101 includes a special dot pattern indicating a two-dimensional absolute position on a sheet, and a paper ID assigned corresponding to the dot pattern formed differently for each sheet. It is recorded. In the information processing system according to the present embodiment, information is detected by reading the ID data or dot pattern chain data on the ID paper 101 using the ID pen 201, and the information is processed via the communication path 1001. Send to. This chain data corresponds to a scanning locus when the ID pen 201 is arbitrarily scanned on the ID paper 101. The information processing terminal 301 exchanges various data with the server 401 connected via the network 1002.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining dot patterns formed on the ID paper 101 used in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the dot pattern recorded on the ID paper in this embodiment is drawn in a grid pattern, one dot is assigned to each intersection, and the four directions (upper right, upper left) of each intersection. , Lower right, lower left) in which the dot is arranged. That is, each dot formed on the ID paper 101 has 4-bit data, and a unique ID is formed by combining these dot positions.

  In the present embodiment, lines are drawn in a grid pattern. However, as described above, bits are formed by deviations in the arrangement of dots, so even if the ID is not drawn. Good. Further, in the present embodiment, each dot is arranged in the four directions of upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left of the intersection of lines drawn in a grid pattern, but other four directions (for example, right, 4 directions (left, up and down).

  Next, in the information processing system shown in FIG. 1, the user of the ID pen 201 reads each dot information of the ID paper 101 using the ID pen 201 to detect the arrangement state, and relates to the chain of the dot patterns. It has a function of storing information as chain data and transmitting the chain data to the information processing terminal 301. Therefore, the ID pen 201 includes a detection unit 202 that detects data recorded on the ID paper 101 and acquires data, an ID encoding unit 203 that encodes data acquired by the detection unit 202, and an information processing terminal. An external I / F unit 204 that transmits and receives data to and from 301 is provided.

  The detection unit 202 has a scanner function such as a CCD camera, detects each arrangement of dots linked by scanning dots of the ID paper 101, and detects information (chain data) based on the arrangement relation of the dots. To do.

  The ID encoding unit 203 encodes and records the chain data based on the dot arrangement detected by the detection unit 202. Note that the chain data encoded by the ID encoding unit 203 may include information relating to the dot detection time, the force applied to the pen tip of the ID pen 201, and the like. Thereby, in addition to the chain data, it is possible to analyze the moving speed and writing pressure of the ID pen 201.

  The external I / F unit 204 transmits and receives information encoded by the ID encoding unit 203 and other information (for example, status information and control signal) to and from the information processing terminal 301 via the communication path 1001. To do. As a data transmission / reception method between the information processing terminal 301 and the ID pen 201, for example, a wireless communication method such as infrared or Bluetooth, or a wired communication method such as USB or serial communication can be used. .

  In FIG. 1, the information processing terminal 301 manages a database 303 for IDs recorded on the ID paper 101. Then, the information processing terminal 301 analyzes the information received from the ID pen 202 by the internal program 310, and coordinates information such as the ID of the ID paper 101 and chain data of the dot pattern, the speed of the ID pen 201, the writing pressure, etc. Convert to information.

  The information processing terminal 301 records the read information in the database 303, controls the usage method of the ID pen 201 based on the contents of the database 303, information received from the ID pen 201 using the application 305, etc. Or information in the database 403 of another information processing terminal (for example, the server 401) can be changed through the network 1002.

  Further, in the information processing terminal 301, the external I / F unit 302 receives information such as the ID of the ID paper 101 and its coordinate information, the ID of the ID pen 201, the speed, and the writing pressure from the ID pen 201 via the communication path 1001. This is an interface for receiving data including data and transmitting a control signal to the ID pen 201.

  Furthermore, the database 303 in the information processing terminal 301 is a database used for managing IDs. For example, the database 303 is recorded on a hard disk drive or the like, but may be recorded on a hard disk drive or the like of another information processing terminal via the network 1002 or the like. The database 303 records information related to usage restrictions such as the usage authority, the usage period, and the number of usages of the control program 311 stored in the ID pen 201, the ID paper 101, or the information processing terminal 301.

  The above-described data recorded in the database 303 can be referred to in correspondence with the ID. These data are encrypted so that unauthorized users cannot view or rewrite them. It is assumed that the data can be rewritten only when an update program described later is executed.

  Furthermore, in the information processing terminal 301, the network I / F unit 304 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other information processing terminals (for example, the server 401 in FIG. 1) via the network 1002. . Furthermore, a program 310 is stored in a ROM or a hard disk drive in the information processing terminal 301. By executing the program 310, the ID pen 201 is controlled, the information obtained from the ID pen 201 is processed and converted into another application 305, the use authority, the use period, the number of use, etc. of the system are set. And can be managed.

  One of the programs that can be executed in the present embodiment is a control program 311 for controlling the ID pen 201. The control program 311 is executed by data communication via the communication path 1001 between the external I / F unit 302 of the information processing terminal 301 and the external I / F unit 203 of the ID pen 201.

  At the time of the data communication, the control program 311 checks the restriction information such as the ID of the ID paper 101 and the ID pen 201, the use authority, the use period, the number of use, etc., and can use them by referring to the database 303. Judge whether there is. As a result, when it is determined that the ID pen cannot be used, the control program 311 performs control so that the ID pen 201 cannot be used. Further, the control program 311 can also restrict the execution of the program 310.

  As one of the programs that can be executed in the present embodiment, there is a conversion program 312 that converts data received from the ID pen 201 so that the application 305 operates in the information processing terminal 301. By executing the conversion program 312, the information processing terminal 301 can analyze, for example, data received from the ID pen 201 and convert it into a text file or an image file.

  Furthermore, as one of the programs that can be executed in the present embodiment, there is a database management program 313 for managing the database 03. By executing the database management program 313, the information processing terminal 301 adds or deletes functions such as the usage authority, usage period, and usage count of the ID paper 101, ID pen 201 and program 310 managed in the database 303. Can be executed.

  However, in this embodiment, in order to rewrite the contents of the database 303 by the information processing terminal 301, it is assumed that the server 401 must be accessed and an update program managed by the server 401 must be downloaded and executed. Then, when downloading the update program, it is possible to request billing or the like. Note that data communicated between the server 401 and the information processing terminal 301 is encrypted and communicated.

  In FIG. 1, a server 401 is an information processing terminal that manages IDs, and is unique ID information for a plurality of information processing terminals such as the information processing terminal 301 from the network I / F unit 402 via the network 1002. Distribute The server 401 holds a database 403, and holds ID information of all ID papers targeted by the information processing system according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that all data exchanged by communication is encrypted. Further, in order to connect to the server 401, it is assumed that a connection cannot be made unless a unique number distributed in advance, such as a serial number, is entered and authenticated.

  The information processing terminal 301 and the server 401 described above can be realized using a general-purpose computer or the like. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer capable of realizing the information processing terminal 301 and the server 401 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a CPU, which operates according to a program that realizes a processing procedure described later in the information processing terminal 301 or the like. A RAM 602 provides a storage area necessary for the operation of the program. Reference numeral 603 denotes a ROM which holds a program for realizing a processing procedure described later. A hard disk (HDD) 604 holds content data and the like. A communication device 605 communicates with the ID pen 101 via the communication path 1001 or communicates with the server 4011 via the network 1002. Reference numeral 606 denotes an internal bus that interconnects the above-described units.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of the operation in the case of limiting the use authority and the expiration date for the ID pen 201 in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When the ID pen 201 is activated, a connection request is transmitted from the external I / F unit 204 of the ID pen 201 to the information processing terminal 301 via the communication path 1002 (step S10). Note that the communication method via the communication path 1002 is performed using infrared rays, Bluetooth, USB, IEEE1394, or the like. Then, the information processing terminal 301 determines whether or not the connection from the ID pen 201 is successful (step S15). As a result, if the connection is successful (Yes), since communication between the ID pen 201 and the information processing terminal 301 is established, the control program 311 is executed and the process proceeds to step S20. On the other hand, if the connection cannot be made (No), the process times out and the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S20, the ID pen 201 transmits its own ID (pen ID) to the information processing terminal 301 that is a host. Next, when the information processing terminal 301 receives the ID transmitted from the ID pen 201, the information processing terminal 301 checks the expiration date and usage restrictions of the program 310 and the database 303 at the time of activation to determine whether the program can be used. (Step S30). As a result, when it is determined that the program 310 and the database 303 are usable (Yes), the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S30, the database to be checked is managed by another information processing apparatus (for example, the server 401) connected to the network I / F unit 304 via the network 1002 in addition to the database 303. It is also possible to refer to a database. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that the program 310 or the database 303 cannot be used due to a failure of the information processing terminal 301 or a network failure (No), the process proceeds to step S31.

  In step S31, it is determined whether or not to newly create a database on the information processing terminal 301 and use the program. As a result, when a database is newly created and the program is used (Yes), a database is newly created by downloading and executing an installation program for creating data from the server 401 (step S32). Then, after a new database is created and the program can be executed, the process proceeds to step S40. In step S31, if a new database cannot be created or cannot be created (No), the process proceeds to step S80.

  In step S40, referring to the corresponding ID from the database 303, it is determined whether or not the ID has been registered. As a result, if the ID corresponding to the database 303 has been registered (Yes), the process proceeds to step S50, and if not registered (No), the process proceeds to step S41.

  In step S41, it is determined whether or not the ID is added and registered in the database 303, that is, whether or not the information on the use restriction held in the database 303 is updated. As a result, when registering the ID (Yes), the database is changed (step S42), and the process proceeds to step S50. On the other hand, when not registering (No), the process proceeds to step S80. Details of the database change processing in step S42 will be described later. Further, the database changing process may be performed at the same time as the process of steps S51 and S61 described later.

  In step S50, the expiration date of the ID referenced from the database 303 is checked. As a result, when the expiration date remains (Yes), the process proceeds to step S60, and when the expiration date does not remain (No), the process proceeds to step S51. As for the expiration date reference method, the expiration date for each ID is recorded on the database 303, and the current time is acquired from another device via the information processing terminal 301 or the network I / F unit 304 when referring to the ID information. And compare. If the expiration date has expired, control is performed by the control program 311 so that the ID pen 201 cannot be used.

  In step S51, it is determined whether or not the expiration date is extended (added). As a result, if the expiration date is extended (Yes), the database is changed (step S52). If the expiration date is not extended (No), the process proceeds to step S80. The details of the database change process in step S52 will be described later. Then, after extending the expiration date in step S52, the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, the number of usable IDs referenced from the database 303 is checked. As a result, if the usable number remains (Yes), the process proceeds to step S70, and if the usable number does not remain (No), the process proceeds to step S61. As for the method of referring to the usable number of times, a counter for each ID is prepared on the database 303, and each time the ID pen 201 is used, the counter value is automatically decreased by one. When the counter value becomes 0, control is performed by the control program 311 so that the ID pen 201 cannot be used.

  In step S61, when the usable number of times is added (Yes), the database is changed (step S62). When the usable number is not added (No), the process proceeds to step S80. The details of the database change process in step S52 will be described later. In addition, after the database change process is performed in step S62 and the usable count is added, the process proceeds to step S70.

  In step S70, communication with the ID pen 201 is permitted, and the ID pen 201 can be used. That is, when the use of the ID pen 201 is restricted, the restriction is released and the ID pen 201 can be used. On the other hand, in step S80, the control program 311 transmits a control signal to the ID pen 201, thereby limiting the scan function or turning off the power so that the ID pen 201 does not operate normally. .

  Next, registration processing (steps S42, S52, S62) for changing the database 303 in the flowchart described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the database 303 is changed according to the database management program 313. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining details of the change processing of the database 303 in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, a data change request is made from the information processing terminal 301 to the server 401 via the network 1002 (step S101). The server 401 requests input of an ID and a password for access from the information processing terminal 301 (step S102). Here, as the ID and password, a unique ID pen 201 or a serial number of the program 310 given to the information processing terminal 301 in advance is used. These pieces of information are transmitted after being encrypted, and are managed by the information processing terminal 301.

  Then, authentication is performed based on the input ID and password (step S103). As a result, if the number matches the managed number, the authentication is successful and the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if they do not match, it is determined that authentication has failed, and the process proceeds to step S102 to request input of an ID and password again. If authentication fails or cannot be performed, the process may proceed to step S110 to cancel the database change.

  In step S <b> 104, the information processing terminal 301 transmits database change contents such as ID registration, extension of the expiration date of use, and the number of usable times to the server 401. Note that the communication at this time is also encrypted.

  Next, the server 401 refers to the management information of the authenticated ID from the database 403, and compares it with the content sent in step S104 (step S105). Based on the contents compared in step S105, the information processing terminal 301 is charged for the changed contents of the database 303 (step S106).

  Next, the information processing terminal 301 confirms the amount charged for the billing process from the server 401, and determines whether or not to agree and pay the contents (step S107). As a result, when the user agrees with the contents of the billing process (Yes), the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if the contents of the accounting process are not agreed (No), the database change is stopped (step S110).

  In step S108, the server 401 transmits a database change program corresponding to the change contents to the information processing terminal 301, rewrites the contents of the database 303 to the information processing terminal 301, and proceeds to step S109. In step S109, when the update of the database 303 by the execution of the database update program in the information processing terminal 301 is completed, the connection between the information processing terminal 301 and the server 401 is disconnected, and the change of the database 303 is completed.

  In step S110, the information processing terminal 301 may be notified that the change processing of the database 303 is not simply stopped, but is terminated because the operation cannot be normally performed due to an access restriction or a connection error.

  As described above, the information processing terminal 301 according to the present embodiment controls the ID pen 201 and executes the program 310 (control program 311, conversion program 312, database management program 313) and other applications 305. Is possible.

  Next, a method for reading information described on the ID paper 101 using the ID pen 201 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the reading process of the ID paper 201 by the ID pen 201 in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, in the information processing system according to the present embodiment through the above-described processing, the ID pen 201 becomes usable when the ID pen 201 and the information processing terminal 301 can be connected. The ID on 101 can be read.

  When characters are written on the ID paper 101 using the ID pen 201, the ID pen 201 detects a dot on the ID paper 101 in the detection unit 202. Then, the ID pen 201 reads information by encoding and recording information including one or a plurality of coordinate points from the detected dots by the ID encoding unit 203 (step S201). These pieces of information include detection time between dots, writing pressure of the ID pen 201, and the like in addition to dot coordinate information. And it is judged whether information was able to be read by step S201 (step S202).

  As a result, if the information can be read (Yes), the process proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, when reading is not possible (No), the process proceeds to step S216 to notify the user of an error notification.

  In step S203, the ID chain data stored in step S201 is transmitted from the external I / F unit 204 to the information processing terminal 301 via the communication path 1001. Then, it is determined whether or not the ID chain data has been transmitted (step S204). As a result, if it is determined that the transmission is possible (Yes), the process proceeds to step S205, and if the transmission is not possible (No), the process proceeds to step S216 to notify an error.

  In step S205, the ID of the corresponding ID paper 201 is referred to from the database 303 of the information processing terminal 301. Here, as the database, in addition to the database 303, it is also possible to refer to a database arranged on another device that can communicate via the network I / F unit 304.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the ID corresponding to the database 303 has been registered (step S206). As a result, if registered (Yes), the process proceeds to step S209, and if not registered (No), the process proceeds to step S207. In step S207, it is determined whether to additionally register an ID. As a result, when the ID is additionally registered (Yes), the process proceeds to the registration process (the process of changing the database 303) illustrated in FIG. 4 (step S208). On the other hand, when the ID is not additionally registered (No), the process proceeds to step S280. Note that after the ID is additionally registered in step S208, the process proceeds to step S209. Here, the database change by the ID additional registration process in step S208 may be performed at the same time as the change process in steps S211 and S214 to be described later by temporarily storing the change contents.

  In step S209, the expiration date of the ID referenced from the database 303 is checked. As a result, if the ID expiration date remains (Yes), the process proceeds to step S212, and if not (No), the process proceeds to step S210. As for the expiration date reference method, the expiration date for each ID is recorded on the database 303, and the current time is obtained from another device via the information processing terminal 301 or the network I / F unit 304 when referring to the ID. Get and compare. Here, when the expiration date has expired, control is performed by the control program 311 so that the ID pen 201 cannot be used.

  In step S210, it is determined whether to extend the expiration date. As a result, when extending the expiration date (Yes), the process proceeds to the registration process shown in FIG. 4 (step S211), and when not extending the expiration date (No), the process proceeds to step S216. After performing the expiration date extension process (update process of the database 303) in step S211, the process proceeds to step S212.

  In step S212, the number of usable IDs referenced from the database 303 is checked. As a result, when the usable number remains (Yes), the process proceeds to step S215, and when the usable number does not remain (No), the process proceeds to step S213. As for the reference method of the number of usable times, a counter for each ID is prepared on the database 303, and each time the ID paper 101 is used, the counter value is automatically decreased by one. The control program 311 performs control so that the ID pen 201 cannot be used when the counter value becomes zero.

  In step S213, it is determined whether or not the number of times the database 303 can be used is added. As a result, when the usable number of times is added (Yes), the above-described registration process shown in FIG. 4 is executed (Step S214). When the usable number of times is not added (No), the process proceeds to Step S216. And after adding the frequency | count of usable in step S214, it changes to step S215.

  In step S215, the use of the ID paper 101 is permitted, and the reading process of the ID paper 101 by the ID pen 201 is permitted without restricting the function of the ID pen. On the other hand, in step S216, since the use of the ID paper 101 is not permitted, the function of the ID pen is restricted. For example, the ID pen cannot be used or the program 310 cannot be used.

  Regarding the use authority, use time limit, or number of uses in the information processing of the ID paper 101 described above, a group of IDs is created for each area or page unit, and one of the group IDs can be used. Authentication may be omitted when the ID of another group is read.

  As described above, in the information processing system according to the present embodiment, the ID pen use authority, the expiration date, or the number of times of use is managed to suitably limit the ID detection process from the ID paper using the ID pen. be able to. Specifically, as described above, when the ID pen is activated and connected to the host PC, the ID of the ID pen is sent to determine whether or not the ID pen can be used. If it cannot be used, a control signal is transmitted to the ID pen to limit use. Furthermore, the ID of the ID paper is read using an ID pen, information on usage restrictions, usage time limit, and number of times of use is obtained from the database, and it is determined whether or not it can be used, and a control signal is transmitted to the ID pen for use. Can also be restricted.

  In addition, when changing a database that records usage restrictions, expiration date, and number of times of use, a change request is made to the recording device that manages the database via a network or the like, and the database change program is downloaded and executed. Can be used to release usage restrictions. Thereby, it becomes possible to restrict | limit suitably the unauthorized use and duplication of ID paper.

  Although the embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or storage medium (recording medium). The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a single device or an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the dot pattern formed on ID paper 101 used with the information processing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of an operation in the case of restricting the use authority and the expiration date for the ID pen 201 in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the detail of the change process of the database 303 in the information processing system in one Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a reading process of the ID paper 201 by the ID pen 201 in the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the computer which can implement | achieve the information processing terminal 301 and the server 401 which are shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

101 ID paper 201 ID pen 202 detection unit 203 ID encoding unit 204, 302 external I / F unit 301 information processing terminal 303, 403 database 304, 402 network I / F unit 305 application 310 program 311 control program 312 conversion program 313 database Management program 401 Server 1001 Communication path 1002 Network

Claims (15)

An information processing system that transmits information about a scanning locus when arbitrarily scanning a recording medium using a first device to the second device, and processes the information in the second device,
Detecting means for detecting identification information of the recording medium formed on the recording medium using the first device;
Storage means for correspondingly storing the identification information of the recording medium and the information regarding the use restriction of the recording medium;
Extraction means for extracting from the storage means information relating to the use restriction of the storage medium corresponding to the identification information detected by the detection means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the recording device can be used by the first device based on the information on the use restriction extracted by the extracting means;
An information processing system comprising: use restriction means for restricting use of the first device with respect to the recording medium when the recording device cannot be used by the first device. The first device comprises:
The detection means;
Transmitting means for transmitting identification information of the recording medium detected by the detecting means to the second device;
Receiving means for receiving use restriction information of the storage medium transmitted from the second device when use of the first device with respect to the recording medium is restricted by the use restriction means;
Control means for restricting transmission of information relating to a scanning trajectory to the second apparatus when the recording medium is scanned using the first apparatus on the condition that the use restriction information has been received. The information processing system according to claim 1. When the first apparatus is in a state in which the recording medium can be used, information on a scanning locus when the first apparatus scans the recording medium is transmitted from the first apparatus to the second apparatus. Trajectory transmission means for transmitting to,
Trajectory receiving means for the second device to receive the information from the first device;
The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit configured to display a scanning trajectory of the first device on the recording medium on a display screen based on the information. The recording medium has a unique dot pattern defined for each recording medium and unique identification information corresponding to the unique dot pattern,
The locus transmitting means transmits the chain data of dot patterns arranged on a scanning locus when the first device scans the recording medium to the second device as information on the scanning locus. The information processing system according to claim 3.   A communication establishing means for transmitting unique information of the first device to the second device when the first device is activated and establishing communication between the first device and the second device; The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by:   6. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising an update unit configured to update information on the use restriction of the recording medium stored in the storage unit.   The information processing system according to claim 6, further comprising a billing unit that performs billing processing when the information related to the use restriction is updated by the updating unit. An update request means for requesting an update of information on the use restriction when use of the first device to the recording medium is restricted;
An update means for updating the information in response to an update request for information on the use restriction;
And a release unit for releasing the restriction on the use of the recording medium by the first device on condition that the update unit has enabled the use of the recording medium by the first device. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:   The storage means stores at least one of the authority to use the recording medium, the number of times that the recording medium can be used, and the expiration date as information relating to the use restriction in association with identification information of the recording medium. 9. The information processing system according to any one of items 1 to 8. The storage means stores an expiration date of the recording medium as information on the use restriction;
The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the update unit extends a use time limit of the recording medium. The storage means stores the number of times the recording medium can be used as information on the use restriction,
The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the updating unit increases the number of times the recording medium can be used.   The registration means for newly registering the identification information of the recording medium in the storage means when the storage means does not store the identification information of the recording medium. The information processing system according to any one of claims. An information processing method in an information processing system for transmitting information on a scanning locus when a recording medium is arbitrarily scanned on a recording medium using the first device to the second device and processing the information in the second device. And
A detection step of detecting identification information of the recording medium formed on the recording medium using the first device;
Extraction step of extracting information on the use restriction of the storage medium corresponding to the identification information detected by the detection step from the storage means for storing the identification information of the recording medium and the information on the use restriction of the recording medium correspondingly When,
A determination step of determining whether or not the recording device can be used by the first device based on the information on the use restriction extracted by the extraction step;
An information processing method comprising: a use restricting step for restricting use of the first device to the recording medium when the first device cannot use the recording medium. A second device that receives and processes information about a scanning locus when the recording medium is arbitrarily scanned on the recording medium using the first device;
Corresponding to the identification information of the recording medium formed on the recording medium detected by the first device from the storage means for storing the identification information of the recording medium and the information relating to the use restriction of the recording medium correspondingly An extraction procedure for extracting information on usage restrictions on storage media
A determination procedure for determining whether or not the use of the recording medium by the first device is possible based on the information on the use restriction extracted by the extraction procedure;
A use restriction procedure for restricting the use of the first device to the recording medium when the first device is in an unusable state.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 14.

Images