JP2007026352A - Update method for license information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an update method for license information, allowing use of software even when a part of a computer obtaining use permission of the software is exchanged. <P>SOLUTION: When use of the software is permitted only in the specific computer and when the license information thereof is managed by an authentication server, a whole characteristic value including all the exchange target parts and a plurality of partial characteristic values except at least one of the exchange target parts are calculated in time of the first start-up of the software, and combination thereof is registered in the authentication server. In time of the first computer start-up after the part exchange, the exchanged part is recognized, and is recorded. In time of the first software start-up after the part exchange, a whole characteristic value and a partial characteristic value are calculated, and are transmitted to the authentication server. In the authentication server, the whole characteristic value and the partial characteristic value excluded with the parts except the exchanged part are updated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for authenticating whether or not a computer has authority to use software.

  Conventionally, various techniques for preventing unauthorized copying and unauthorized use of software have been used. One of them uses hardware specific information. In the technique of preventing illegal use of software by utilizing hardware specific information, when the software is first used on a computer, information specific to the hardware of the computer to be used (MAC address, CPUID, HDD) The unique value is calculated from the serial number or a combination thereof, and the license number recorded in the software to be used is read and notified to the server, and the combination of the license number and the unique value is license information. As registered on the server.

Then, at the next execution of the software, a unique value is calculated on the computer side to be used again, the license number is read, and the license information is transmitted to the server, and compared with the license information registered in the server. If it does, it gives permission to execute. In this way, when specific software is to be used on another computer, the combination of the license number and eigenvalue is different from the registered one. You will not be able to run the software. Therefore, some software can only be used by the first computer that is executed first, and solves the problem of unauthorized copying. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-109624 A

  However, in the above-described conventional method, when a computer that has obtained permission to use software replaces a part that is the basis of calculation of the eigenvalue, the newly calculated eigenvalue is different from the stored eigenvalue. Execution permission will not be issued, and software that has been properly obtained cannot be used even on a computer that has been authorized to use it.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for updating license information that enables the use of software even when a computer part that has been approved for use is replaced.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the present invention, when a license for use of software is given only to a specific device, the license is authenticated by an authentication server. A method for updating license information, wherein at the initial startup of the software, the total eigenvalue calculated based on all the calculated basic parts, which are parts used as a basis for calculating the total eigenvalue, and one or more parts of the calculated basic parts Calculating a partial eigenvalue calculated based on other calculation basic parts excluding, a step of transmitting the calculated total eigenvalue and a plurality of partial eigenvalues to the authentication server, and the authentication server received the total eigenvalue, part A step of registering a combination of eigenvalues. A step of recognizing a part, a step of recording that the recognized replacement part has been replaced, a step of calculating a total eigenvalue and a partial eigenvalue when the software is first started after replacement of the part, and the replacement Adding to the partial eigenvalue calculated by excluding the part recorded to be that the partial eigenvalue is unchanged, and transmitting the entire eigenvalue and a plurality of partial eigenvalues to the authentication server And the authentication server detects the corresponding license information based on the combination of the received whole eigenvalue and the partial eigenvalue added to be invariant, and updates the license information with the received whole eigenvalue and partial eigenvalue. A method for updating license information having stages is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the software is initially started, the total eigenvalues based on all parts and the partial eigenvalues excluding one or more parts are calculated and registered, and when the first target device is started after parts replacement, Recorded whether the replacement was performed, calculated the total eigenvalue and partial eigenvalue at the first software startup after parts replacement, and recorded that the partial eigenvalue calculated excluding the replaced part was unchanged. Since the registered license information is updated on the basis of the whole unique value and the partial unique value, the licensed computer can use the software even when the parts are replaced.

(System environment)
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an environment for license authentication in which a license information updating method according to the present invention is executed. In FIG. 1, 10a to 10c are target devices, 20 is a network, and 30 is an authentication server. The target device 10 is a device to be used for software, and has a network access function such as the Internet. In the present embodiment, the target device 10 will be described assuming a computer terminal such as a personal computer. The target device 10 is installed with a dedicated program for causing the target device 10 to execute the license information update method of the present invention, in addition to the software to be licensed. In the example of FIG. 1, only three target devices 10 a to 10 c are shown as target devices 10, but in reality, a large number of target devices 10 are connected to the network 20. The network 20 is a general-purpose communication network that can be used by general users, and can use the Internet or the like. When the license number and unique value are transmitted from the target device 10, the authentication server 30 registers the license number if it is new. If the license number is already registered, the authentication server 30 registers the unique value. It is judged whether or not the combination with the one already registered is the same, and a function for authenticating whether or not the combination is used in the licensed terminal is provided. Such a function in the authentication server 30 is realized by executing a dedicated program.

  In the target device 10, part information of each part is recorded in a built-in storage device or the like. For example, when the target device 10 is a general-purpose personal computer, it is usually stored in a predetermined storage area of a built-in hard disk or each hardware component. Here, an example of part information stored in the target device 10 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, part IDs for a plurality of parts are recorded in the part information. In the example of FIG. 2, CPU, LAN board, motherboard, sound board, OS, and HDD are recorded. In addition, for each part, it is possible to record whether or not the part has been replaced. In the example of FIG. 2A, the “replacement flag” field is blank, indicating that the parts have not been replaced since the previous activation of the target software. In the system environment shown in FIG. 1, these pieces of information are extracted by a device driver in the target device 10 and stored in a predetermined storage area in the target device 10.

(Registration of license information)
When a certain software is used for the first time in the target device 10 in the system environment as described above, when the software is activated, the target device 10 reads the license number unique to the software. The license number is a number assigned to each product, and even for the same software, it is different for each product. In addition, the target device 10 calculates a unique value according to a predetermined rule using a plurality of part IDs stored in its own predetermined storage area. Here, eigenvalues are calculated from the six part IDs shown in FIG. These parts that are used as the basis for calculating the total eigenvalue will be referred to as calculation basic parts. Eigenvalues are calculated based on “total eigenvalues” calculated based on all preset calculation basic parts and the other five calculated basic parts obtained by removing any one part from the calculated basic parts. Two types of “partial eigenvalues” are calculated. For example, when there are six calculated basic parts, six partial eigenvalues are calculated to calculate partial eigenvalues excluding each calculated basic part. In this embodiment, the eigenvalue is calculated using a hash function as a specific calculation method. As a method for calculating the eigenvalue from a plurality of part IDs, a known method other than a method using a hash function can be used.

  Here, FIG. 3A illustrates an example of the license number read by the target device 10, the calculated overall unique value, and a plurality of partial unique values. In FIG. 3A, partial eigenvalues 1 to 6 are partial eigenvalues based on five calculation basic parts excluding the CPU, partial eigenvalues based on five calculation basic parts excluding the LAN board, and 5 excluding the motherboard. Partial eigenvalues based on 5 calculated basic parts, Partial eigenvalues based on 5 calculated basic parts excluding sound board, Partial eigenvalues based on 5 calculated basic parts excluding OS, and 5 calculated basic parts excluding HDD Respectively corresponding to partial eigenvalues based on. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the eigenvalue is expressed by four digits, but actually, the eigenvalue is usually expressed by several tens of digits.

  Subsequently, the target device 10 transmits a combination of the license No. and the calculated total unique value and partial unique value to the authentication server 30 via the network 20. For example, a combination of the license number, the entire unique value, and the partial unique value as shown in FIG. 3A is transmitted to the authentication server 30.

  The authentication server 30 checks whether or not the received license number has already been registered. If the license number has not been registered, the authentication server 30 registers the combination of the received license number, the entire eigenvalue, and the partial eigenvalue as they are. . An example of license information in the authentication server 30 in this case is shown in FIG. In this case, since the license No. is used for the first time, the authentication server 30 transmits a signal indicating permission of use (hereinafter referred to as a use permission signal) to the target device 10. When the target device 10 receives the use permission signal, the target device 10 grants use permission to the software, and the software can be activated. When the software is used in the target device 10 after the next time, the total eigenvalue is calculated, and then the combination of the license number and the entire eigenvalue is transmitted to the authentication server 30. In this case, since the authentication server 30 matches the combination of the received license No. and the entire eigenvalue, the authentication server 30 transmits a use permission signal to the target device 10.

(At the time of the first target device startup after parts replacement)
Next, a description will be given of a case where the calculation base part, which is the basis for calculating the entire eigenvalue, is replaced in the target device 10 that has once obtained permission to use the software. When the calculated basic part is exchanged, the part ID, which is information unique to the calculated basic part, is naturally different. Therefore, since the calculated total unique value is also different, even if the combination of the license number and the calculated total unique value is transmitted to the authentication server 30, a signal indicating that the use is not permitted because the combination is not a registered combination. The software is transmitted to the target device 10, and the target device 10 cannot use the software.

  Therefore, in the method according to the present invention, the following processing is performed. When the user first activates the target device 10 after exchanging the calculated basic part of the target device 10, the target device 10 recognizes which calculated basic part has been replaced by the device driver, and sets the corresponding part in the part information. Record the exchange. The state of the parts information at this time is shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the target device 10 records the actually replaced parts as “replacement parts”. That is, an exchange flag is set. The example shown in FIG. 2B shows a case where the device driver corresponding to the CPU notifies the target device 10 that the CPU has been replaced, and the target device 10 records that fact in the part information. Note that the above-mentioned “exchanged” information can also be realized by recording it in a registry that is a database in which setting data of the system and application software is recorded.

(At the first software startup after parts replacement)
Assume that the user activates the software after actually exchanging parts. Then, the target device 10 reads the license number unique to the software. In addition, the target device 10 checks whether or not “replacement parts” are recorded in its own predetermined storage area. If “replacement parts” are recorded, the target device 10 calculates each partial eigenvalue and replaces it. The whole eigenvalue is calculated based on all the calculation basic parts to be processed including the later calculation basic parts. Furthermore, since the partial eigenvalue calculated by excluding the calculation basic part recorded as “replacement part” is unchanged before and after the replacement, the fact that it is unchanged is added to the partial eigenvalue and recorded. The license information in this case is shown in FIG. Then, a combination of the license number, the entire unique value, and the partial unique value is transmitted to the authentication server 30. Here, a combination of a license number, an entire eigenvalue, and a partial eigenvalue as shown in FIG. 3C is calculated and transmitted.

  When the authentication server 30 receives the combination of the license number, the whole unique value, and the partial unique value, the authentication server 30 recognizes the partial unique value to which the invariant is added and registers the combination of the partial unique value and the received license number. Check whether it is. When this combination is registered, the original whole eigenvalue and partial eigenvalue are updated with the received whole eigenvalue and the other five partial eigenvalues. Here, the received license number is “2345678”, and the partial unique value to which the fact that it is unchanged is added is “QWER”. As shown in FIG. 3B, the license number “2345678”, the partial unique value “QWER” "Is registered in the authentication server 30, the whole unique value and the partial unique value in the authentication server 30 are updated with the received whole unique value and the partial unique value to which no change is added. An example of the license information in the authentication server 30 in this case is shown in FIG.

  As described above, when the first target device 10 is started after parts replacement, the replaced parts are recognized and recorded, and when the software is started for the first time after parts replacement, the total eigenvalue and partial eigenvalue are calculated. Is transmitted to the authentication server 30 together with the license number, and the entire unique value and partial unique value in the authentication server 30 are updated. Therefore, when the software is used in the target device 10 after the next time, the received license number and the entire unique value are updated. The combination of eigenvalues matches that already registered, and the authentication server 30 transmits a use permission signal to the target device 10. The target device 10 that has received the use permission signal can use the software.

  In the above process, after the target device 10 reads the software-specific license number, it checks whether or not “replacement parts” are recorded in its predetermined storage area, and “replacement parts” is recorded. If there is no part, the parts have not been exchanged, so only the entire eigenvalue is calculated and transmitted to the authentication server 30 together with the read license number. In this case, since the combination of the received license No. and the entire unique value is the same as the combination of the registered license No. and the entire unique value, the authentication server 30 transmits a use permission signal to the target device 10. .

(Modification)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the calculation is made for the remaining calculation basic parts excluding one calculation basic part as the partial eigenvalue, but the calculation is performed for the remaining calculation basic parts excluding two or more calculation basic parts. You may do it. In this way, even when two or more calculation basic parts are exchanged at the same time, the software can be executed by the target device for which use permission is first obtained.

It is a figure which shows the system environment by which the update method of the license information which concerns on this invention is performed. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of part information stored in a target device 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of license information in the target device 10 and the authentication server 30. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Target device 20 ... Network 30 ... Authentication server

Claims (1)

When a license for use is granted only to a specific device in the software, in the system that authenticates the license with an authentication server, the license information is updated according to the replacement of the parts of the device that is permitted to use,
Calculated based on the total eigenvalue calculated based on all calculated basic parts, which are the parts used as the basis for calculating the total eigenvalue, and other calculated basic parts excluding one or more parts of the calculated basic parts at the initial startup of the software And calculating the partial eigenvalue, transmitting the calculated total eigenvalue and a plurality of partial eigenvalues to the authentication server, and registering a combination of the received total eigenvalue and partial eigenvalue by the authentication server,
Recognizing the replaced part at the time of starting the first target device after the part replacement, and recording the fact that the recognized replacement part has been replaced;
When the software is started for the first time after the replacement of the part, the partial eigenvalue is invariable between the stage of calculating the total eigenvalue and the partial eigenvalue, and the partial eigenvalue calculated by excluding the part recorded as having been replaced. Based on a combination of a step of adding an effect, a step of transmitting the entire eigenvalue and a plurality of partial eigenvalues to the authentication server, and a partial eigenvalue added to the effect that the authentication server is invariant with the received overall eigenvalue Detecting the corresponding license information and updating the received license information with the whole unique value and partial unique value received,
A method for updating license information, comprising:

Images