JP2012123753A - License information management system and license information management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a license information management system and license information management method capable of attaining efficient utilization without increasing a load on the management of license information by improving flexibility in authenticating the license information.SOLUTION: A license information management system manages the performance of a delivery application 111 in an on-vehicle unit 2B by authenticating a license with respect to the delivery application 111, based on license information 120 to be delivered from a management center 1C managing the license information 120 corresponding to the delivery application 111. The management center 1C divides the license information 120 of the delivery application 111 to be a target so as to generate multiple tallies, and also delivers the generated multiple tallies to the on-vehicle unit 2B. The on-vehicle unit 2B authenticates the license of the delivery application 111 to be a target, based on one or multiple tallies selected from the multiple tallies to be delivered.

Description

  The present invention relates to a license information management system and a license information management method for managing execution of an application in an information processing apparatus or the like based on assigned license information.

  As is well known, in various information processing apparatuses such as mobile terminals and mobile terminals, the license information distributed with an application indicating that the execution of the application installed therein indicates the right to execute the application. Managed by license authentication based on. According to such license authentication, for example, license information issued when a fee is paid is stored in an information processing apparatus that executes an application, and the stored license is executed each time the application is executed in the information processing apparatus. Management such as license authentication based on information is realized.

  An example of an application execution management technique based on such license authentication is described in Patent Document 1. In the license information management system described in Patent Document 1, an application (content) composed of digital information can be copied between a portable storage device and an information processing device, and license information about the application is also stored in the portable storage device. It is possible to copy or move between the apparatus and the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus that executes the application manages the execution of the application by license authentication based on the license information copied or moved from the portable storage device.

Special table 2007-529835

  By the way, in the conventional system of this type including the management system described in Patent Document 1, at least one piece of license information is necessary for actual application. In addition, with the recent increase in the amount of application distribution, the number of license information distributed along with the application continues to increase. In addition to this, with the increase in the number of functions of applications, the complexity of license information is also progressing, such as making the provided functions variable according to the type of license. For this reason, the license information management load accompanying the increase in license information and the complexity of the license contents is becoming ignorable, and a countermeasure for reducing the management load of the license information is eagerly desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its object is to increase the flexibility of license information authentication, thereby increasing its efficiency without increasing the load on management of license information. An object of the present invention is to provide a license information management system and a license information management method that can be operated.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
The invention according to claim 1 is a license information management for managing execution of an application in an information processing apparatus by authenticating a license for the application based on license information distributed from a management center that manages license information corresponding to the application. The management center divides license information of a target application to generate a plurality of tally, and distributes the generated plurality of tally to the information processing apparatus. The gist of the apparatus is to authenticate the license of the target application based on one or more tally selected from the plurality of tally distributed.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided license information management for managing execution of an application in an information processing apparatus by authenticating a license for the application based on license information distributed from a management center that manages license information corresponding to the application. A method of generating a plurality of tally by dividing license information of a target application in the management center, and distributing the generated plurality of tally to the information processing apparatus; And gating the license of the target application based on one or more tally selected from the plurality of tally distributed.

  According to such a configuration and method, since a plurality of tally are generated from one piece of license information, the degree of freedom for license grant is improved. In other words, even if the number of issued license information is one, by using a plurality of tally, it becomes possible to handle one piece of license information as a plurality of pieces of information. Can be increased. In addition, when one piece of license information is handled as a plurality of pieces of information, the number of pieces of license information managed by the management center can be suppressed, so that an increase in the load on license management by the management center can be suppressed. It also becomes.

  In addition, the license can be authenticated based on one or more tally selected from a plurality of distributed tallys, that is, a part of a plurality of distributed tallys. The degree is improved.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the license information management system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more tally distributed by the management center and selected by the information processing apparatus is an execution authority for the target application. The gist is that they are organized as tally bodies of a predetermined number or size according to the above.

  The invention according to claim 18 is the license information management method according to claim 17, wherein one or a plurality of tally distributed from the management center and selected by the information processing apparatus is executed authority to the target application. The gist is to knitting as a tally body of a predetermined number or size according to.

According to such a configuration and method, it becomes possible to authenticate a license according to the execution authority by using a tally that is composed of one or more tally based on one piece of license information.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the license information management system according to the second aspect, the tally size is larger than the size of the tally size determined corresponding to all execution rights for the target application. The glyph with a small size is characterized in that a predetermined restriction is imposed on the execution authority of the target application.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the license information management method according to the eighteenth aspect, the tally font size is larger than the tally size determined corresponding to all execution rights for the target application. The gist is that a predetermined restriction is imposed on the execution authority of the target application for a tally body with a small size.

  For example, when license information consisting of bit codes is divided, the number of bits constituting the tally is large, that is, a large tally is more secure than a small one. is there.

  That is, according to such a configuration and method, it is possible to authenticate a license whose execution limit is variable according to the size of the tally. In this way, by restricting the execution authority of small tally fonts, execution rights with less restrictions are given when security is high, and conversely, execution rights with many restrictions are given when security is low. Since execution rights can be restricted according to the level of security, the use of tally is naturally optimized. A large tally font includes those having a large number of bits constituting the tally font, and includes a tally font having a large number of tally.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the license information management system according to the second or third aspect, a tally required for authenticating the license of the target application is separated from the plurality of distributed tallys. In addition, the gist further includes redistribution tally organization means for organizing redistribution tally from tally not used for license authentication.

  The invention described in claim 20 is the license information management method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein a tally required for the authentication of the license of the target application is separated from the plurality of distributed tallys. In addition, the present invention includes a redistribution tally organization step for organizing a redistribution tally from tally not used for license authentication.

  According to such a configuration and method, even if it is based on a single piece of license information, a plurality of tally bodies can be organized from a plurality of tallys. As a result, by making each tally font correspond to a predetermined execution authority, the license authentication mode can be expanded more than the original license information.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the license information management system according to the fourth aspect, the information processing apparatus acquires a tally used for authentication of the license through data communication with the management center. The gist is to do.

  The invention according to claim 21 is the license information management method according to claim 20, wherein the information processing apparatus obtains a tally used for authentication of the license through data communication with the management center. The gist is to do.

According to such a configuration and method, the tally body (tally) can be acquired through data communication such as the Internet, so that the degree of freedom of tally acquisition can be increased.
A sixth aspect of the present invention is the license information management system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the data communication is performed via a portable storage device that can communicate with the management center and the information processing apparatus, respectively. And

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the license information management method according to the twenty-first aspect, the data communication is performed via a portable storage device that can communicate with the management center and the information processing apparatus, respectively. To do.

According to such a configuration and method, the tally body is transmitted to the information processing apparatus via the portable storage device, so that the tally body can be stored in the portable storage device in advance. It becomes like this. As a result, the convenience of distributing license information (tally, tally) can be improved.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the license information management system according to claim 6, wherein the redistribution tally organization means is provided in the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus is used for the redistribution. The gist is that the tally for redistribution knitted by the tally knitting means can be moved to the portable storage device.

  According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the license information management method according to the twenty-second aspect, the information processing apparatus includes the redistribution tally organization step, and the information processing apparatus is configured to perform the redistribution. The gist further comprises a step of moving the tally for redistribution knitted by the tally knitting for use to the portable storage device.

  According to such a configuration and method, since the tally for redistribution can be moved to the portable storage device, the degree of freedom for carrying the tally for redistribution can be increased. As a result, the availability of the redistribution tally is improved.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the license information management system according to claim 6, wherein the redistribution tally organization means is provided in the portable storage device, and the portable storage device is the target Segregation of tally required for the license authentication of the application and the tally for redistribution organized by the redistribution tally organization means, and the tally required for the license authentication The gist is to transmit the body to the information processing apparatus.

  According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the license information management method according to the twenty-second aspect, the redistribution tally organization step is provided in the portable storage device, and the portable storage device includes: It is necessary for the authorization of the license together with the separation of the tally required for the activation of the license of the target application and the step of holding the redistribution tally formed by the redistribution tally organization step. Further comprising a step of transmitting the tally body to the information processing apparatus.

  According to such a configuration and method, the tally required for license authentication can be carried by the portable storage device, and the portable storage in which the tally for redistribution is organized is also provided. Since it is held by the device, the degree of freedom of carrying the tally for redistribution is increased.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the license information management system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the portable storage device is communicable with another information processing device different from the information processing device, and The gist is that the tally for redistribution is configured to be distributed to the other information processing apparatus.

  The invention described in claim 25 is the license information management method according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the portable storage device is configured to be able to communicate with another information processing device different from the information processing device. The gist of the present invention includes the step of distributing the tally for redistribution to the other information processing apparatus.

  According to such a configuration and method, the tally for redistribution can be distributed from the portable storage device to another information processing device, so that the tally for redistribution in other information processing devices can be used. Can be made easier.

The invention according to claim 10 is the license information management system according to claim 9,
The portable storage device is configured to be capable of organizing a new redistribution tally composed of tally required for authentication of the license of the target application from the redistribution tally. The gist.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the license information management method according to the twenty-fifth aspect, the portable storage device is required to authenticate the license of the target application from the redistribution tally. The main point is that a step for organizing a new tally for redistribution comprising tallys is provided.

  According to such a configuration and method, a tally required for license authentication can be organized even in a portable storage device. As a result, the use range can be expanded by using one or more new tallys organized by dividing the redistribution tally.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the license information management system according to the tenth aspect, the other information processing apparatus is configured to perform the redistribution tally or the new redistribution tally. The gist is to authenticate the license of the target application.

  According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, in the license information management method according to the twenty-sixth aspect, in the other information processing apparatus, the redistribution tally or the new redistribution tally The gist is that the license of the target application is authenticated.

  According to such a configuration and method, since the license authentication based on the tally for redistribution can be performed in another information processing apparatus, the use of the divided license information (tally) is further expanded. Be able to.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the license information management system according to the eleventh aspect, the redistribution tally or the new redistribution tally has all execution rights for the target application. The gist of the invention is that when the size of the tally font is smaller than the size of the tally font determined corresponding to the above, a predetermined restriction is imposed on the execution authority of the target application.

  The invention according to claim 28 is the license information management method according to claim 27, wherein the tally for redistribution or the new tally for redistribution has all execution authority for the target application. The gist of the invention is that when the size of the tally font is smaller than the size of the tally font determined corresponding to the above, a predetermined restriction is imposed on the execution authority of the target application.

  According to such a configuration and method, even when based on a tally for redistribution, it becomes possible to authenticate a license whose execution authority is variable depending on the size of the tally. As a result, it becomes possible to set the degree of restriction of execution authority in a form corresponding to the number (size) of bits proportional to the security level, and to optimize the use of tally. .

  The invention according to claim 13 is the license information management system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the other information processing device is a tally for redistribution distributed from the portable storage device. The gist is that transmission to a body other than the portable storage device is prohibited.

A twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention is the license information management method according to any one of the twenty-fifth to twenty-eighth aspects, wherein the other information processing apparatus uses a redistribution tally distributed from the portable storage device. The gist is that transmission of the body to other than the portable storage device is prohibited.

  According to such a configuration or method, transmission of the tally for redistribution from other information processing apparatuses is prohibited, so that the tally for redistribution is used elsewhere or is unknown. Is prevented, and proper management of license authentication can be maintained.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the license information management system according to the tenth aspect, the portable storage device holds a tally not used for the new redistribution tally in a non-distributable state. However, the gist is to generate a temporary tally that is a tally with a temporary restriction, although distribution is possible, based on the tally held in the undistributable state.

  According to a thirty-third aspect of the invention, in the license information management method according to the twenty-sixth aspect, the portable storage device holds a tally that was not used for the new tally for redistribution in a non-distributable state. In addition, the gist is provided with a step of generating a temporary tally that is a tally with a temporary restriction although distribution is possible based on the tally held in the undistributable state.

  According to such a configuration and method, a temporary and temporary tally generated based on the authority of the license according to the type and number of the tally by the non-distributable tally held in the portable storage device. The body can make temporary use of the application possible. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately manage licenses while giving flexibility to license authentication. Further, by effectively using the tally remaining in the portable storage device or the like, it becomes possible to prevent the management center from having to manage new license information.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the license information management system according to the fourteenth aspect, the temporary tally is moved to an information processing apparatus that is temporarily used, and is used temporarily. The gist of the present invention is to authenticate the license of the target application for a certain period.

  The invention according to claim 31 is the license information management method according to claim 30, wherein the temporary tally is moved to an information processing device that is temporarily used, and the information processing device that is temporarily used The gist is to authenticate the license of the target application for a certain period.

  According to such a configuration and method, the application can be used by the information processing apparatus for a certain period of time, even temporarily, so that the flexibility of license authentication is enhanced. In addition, since the application cannot be used after a certain period of time, proper management of license authentication can be maintained.

  The gist of a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the license information management system according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the information processing apparatus is mounted on a vehicle as a moving body.

  The gist of the invention according to claim 32 is the license information management method according to any one of claims 17 to 31, wherein the information processing apparatus is mounted on a vehicle as a moving body.

According to such a configuration and method, the license management load of the application for the vehicle is reduced. In addition, since one piece of license information can be divided into a plurality of tally, distribution of the divided tally to a plurality of vehicles can reduce the license management load on the plurality of vehicles. In particular, the distribution to a plurality of vehicles can improve the convenience of the application, and the convenience of a user such as a driver can be maintained if a similar driving environment can be maintained in a plurality of vehicles. Also gets higher.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a license information management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing tally generated by dividing license information in the license information management system. The conceptual diagram which shows the aspect which divides a some tally and comprises the tally body which consists of one part tally in the same license information management system. The flowchart which shows the process of determining the execution right by the number of tallys in the same license information management system. The conceptual diagram which shows the aspect which divides the tally for redistribution in the license information management system. The conceptual diagram which shows the utilization aspect of the tally only for holding | maintenance in the license information management system. (A)-(h) is the schematic which shows roughly the division | segmentation aspect of the tally produced | generated from one license information in the license information management system. The sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the license information management system. The sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the license information management system. The sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the license information management system. The sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the license information management system. The sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the license information management system. (A)-(h) is a schematic diagram which shows typically the tally produced | generated from one license information and its utilization aspect about 2nd Embodiment which actualized the license information management system which concerns on this invention. The block diagram which shows the schematic structure about 3rd Embodiment which actualized the license information management system which concerns on this invention. The conceptual diagram shown about the other aspect of the tally produced | generated by dividing | segmenting execution right information in the license information management system which concerns on this invention.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment embodying a license information management system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the configuration of the license information management system of this embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the license information management system is a management center 1C that manages distribution of the distribution application 111 and execution right information 112, and a mobile body that receives distribution of the distribution application 111 and execution right information 112 from the management center 1C. Vehicle 2A. The license information management system also includes a mobile device 3A as a portable storage device to which the redistribution execution right information 220 is distributed from the vehicle 2A, and a mobile unit to which the redistribution execution right information 310 is distributed from the mobile device 3A. And a vehicle 5A as a mobile body to which temporary temporary execution right information 312 is distributed from the mobile device 3A.

The management center 1C performs data communication between the distribution application management unit 11 that manages the distribution application 111 and the execution right information 112, the execution right generation unit 12 that generates the execution right information 112, and the vehicle 2A. And a communication unit 13 for distribution.

  The execution right generation unit 12 generates one piece of license information 120 including a user identification number and the like based on a license (execution authority) given to the distribution application 111 when the user purchases the distribution application 111. . The distribution application 111 is provided with a plurality of execution modes such as an all-function mode in which all functions can be used and a simplified version mode in which only some functions can be used, and these execution modes are licensed (execution authority). It is possible to switch according to the contents of. Therefore, in this embodiment, as a license for the distribution application 111, at least one of a license for setting the execution mode to the full function mode and a license for setting the execution mode to the simplified version mode is given. The license information 120 is configured as a bit string (bit length) to which predetermined confidentiality (security) is given by encrypting predetermined information related to the license. The distribution application 111 includes an application ID that is an identification number for identifying the distribution application 111.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the execution right generation unit 12 divides the license information 120 according to a predetermined rule to generate a plurality of, for example, 10 tally 1 to 10. For example, the tally 1 is a part of the license information 120 as shown in the dashed-dotted box in FIG. The header includes information indicating relevance with the license information 120, such as which part corresponds to the header. Since each tally 2 to 10 other than tally 1 is also composed of a part of the license information 120 and a header indicating the relationship with the license information 120 in the same way as tally 1, I will omit the explanation. That is, by referring to the headers of the respective tally 1 to 10, it is possible to reproduce one license information 120 that is a division source thereof from the ten tally 1 to 10. Each of the tally 1 to 10 configured in this way has a size (bit length) of about one-tenth of the license information 120 (bit length) plus a header size (bit length). It will be the size. Each tally 1 to 10 is generated so as to have substantially the same size (bit length). However, since the license information 120 may not be divided equally, it is divided based on a predetermined rule. If so, there may be some differences in their sizes. The generated plurality of tally 1 to 10 is held in the distribution application management unit 11 as a set of execution right information 112 corresponding to the distribution application 111.

  In general, the confidentiality of encrypted data increases as the bit length increases and decreases as the bit length decreases. Therefore, the confidentiality of each tally 1 to 10 is lower than the confidentiality assigned to the license information 120. That is, if ten tally 1 to 10 are grouped together, the same confidentiality as that of one license information 120 is secured, but the confidentiality is lowered as the number of tallys is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the number of tally corresponding to the license (execution authority) for all function modes requiring high confidentiality is larger than the number of tally corresponding to the license (execution authority) for the simplified version mode. Is set to be

The distribution application management unit 11 manages and holds the execution right information 112 associated with the distribution application 111 together with the distribution application 111. When the distribution application management unit 11 distributes the distribution application 111 in response to a distribution request from a user, the distribution application management unit 11 includes execution right information 112 associated with the distribution application 111 together with the distribution application 111, and the license information of the user. The execution right information 112 generated based on 120 is distributed. Note that the distribution application 111 according to the present embodiment authenticates the license based on the execution right information 112 including ten tally 1 to 10. For example, the license of the distribution application 111 is authenticated by all or a part of ten tally 1 to 10, for example, three or four tallys. In the present embodiment, the distribution application 111 is preset to require four tallys in the all function mode and three tallys in the simplified version mode. That is, the tally consisting of three tally smaller than the tally consisting of four tally corresponding to the all function mode corresponds to the simplified version mode in which a predetermined restriction is imposed. Yes.

  The distribution communication unit 13 enables various types of data communication through communication including wireless communication with the vehicle 2A. Through this data communication, the management center 1C can receive the distribution request of the distribution application 111 transmitted from the vehicle 2A, and can transmit the distribution application 111 and the execution right information 112 to the vehicle 2A. .

  The vehicle 2A is a user-owned vehicle and is equipped with an in-vehicle device 2B as an information processing apparatus such as a navigation system. For example, the in-vehicle device 2B detects the current position of the vehicle 2A using a global positioning system (GPS) or the like (not shown). Then, by referring to the stored map information based on the detected current position, the user (driver) is guided on the travel route of the vehicle 2A to the travel destination. The in-vehicle device 2B is provided with an input / output device (not shown). Operation information from the user is input via an input device such as a switch, and information such as the route guidance is output on a screen or a speaker. It is output via the device. Further, the in-vehicle device 2B includes a CPU that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM that stores various control programs, a RAM that is used as a work area for data storage and program execution, and a memory (a storage device including a nonvolatile memory). A microcomputer (not shown) having the above is provided. The microcomputer performs various types of information processing related to the functions of the navigation system provided from the in-vehicle device 2B.

  The in-vehicle device 2B is provided with a communication unit 20 capable of wireless data communication with the management center 1C and the mobile device 3A, and a distribution application execution unit 21 that holds the distribution application 111 in an executable manner. The in-vehicle device 2B is provided with a redistribution execution right generation unit 22 as a redistribution tally organization means for reorganizing the redistribution execution right information 220 from the distributed execution right information 112. Note that the distribution application execution unit 21 and the redistribution execution right generation unit 22 perform processing for exhibiting these functions by executing a predetermined program in the microcomputer of the in-vehicle device 2B. Yes.

  The communication unit 20 can transmit a distribution request of the distribution application 111 based on a user operation or the like to the management center 1C, and can receive the distribution application 111 and the execution right information 112 transmitted by the management center 1C. Then, the communication unit 20 transmits the received distribution application 111 and execution right information 112 to the distribution application execution unit 21. Further, the communication unit 20 can transmit the redistribution execution right information 220 to the mobile device 3A.

The distribution application execution unit 21 provides the user with the functions of the distribution application 111 by causing the microcomputer to execute the distribution application 111. The distribution application execution unit 21 holds the distribution application 111 and the execution right information 211 distributed from the management center 1C by a storage device (not shown) and the like, and licenses the distribution application 111 based on the execution right information 211. An execution right determination unit 212 for authentication is provided. When the distribution application execution unit 21 executes the distribution application 111 in accordance with an instruction from the user or the like, the execution right determination unit 212 authenticates the license. If the license is authenticated as a result of the authentication, the distribution application 111 is executed. It is supposed to be executed. On the other hand, the distribution application execution unit 21 is configured not to execute the distribution application 111 when the license is not authenticated as a result of the license authentication. The distribution application execution unit 21 can once hold the execution right information 112 received from the communication unit 20 as the execution right information 211 as it is.

  The redistribution execution right generation unit 22 generates redistribution execution right information 220 from the execution right information 211 based on an instruction from the user. In the present embodiment, it is set so that all functions of the distribution application 111 can be used in the owned vehicle (vehicle 2A). Therefore, the redistribution execution right generation unit 22 secures a tally that is composed of at least four tallys in order to authenticate a license that can use all the functions of the distribution application 111. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the redistribution execution right generation unit 22 authenticates a license that can use all the functions of the distribution application 111 from the execution right information 211 (112) including ten tallys 1 to 10. The first tally body knitted from the four tally 1 to 4 necessary for the above is divided and secured. Furthermore, the redistribution execution right generation unit 22 redistributes execution right information 220 that can distribute the remaining six tallys 5 to 10 not included in the first tally, that is, the second tally for redistribution. Organize and secure as a body. Since the redistribution execution right generation unit 22 is moved from the redistribution execution right information 220 to the mobile device 3A, after it is moved (distributed), the redistribution execution right generation is generated. The portion 22 does not remain. As a result, unauthorized distribution of the redistribution execution right information 220 can be prevented, and the license can be used appropriately.

  The redistribution execution right generation unit 22 organizes the redistribution execution right information 220, so that the distribution application execution unit 21 receives the first tally (4 tally 1) as the execution right information 211. Only ~ 4) is retained. As described above, the execution right information 211 of the distribution application execution unit 21 holds the execution right information 112 including ten tally 1 to 10 or the first tally body including four tally 1 to 4. Or be retained.

  The execution right determination unit 212 compares the number of tally required for the authentication of the license set in the distribution application 111 with the number of tally included in the execution right information 211 for the license authentication of the distribution application 111. The license authentication process is performed based on the above. As shown in FIG. 4, when the license authentication process is started, the execution right determination unit 212 determines that the number of tallys held in the execution right information 211 is necessary for the execution of all the functions of the distribution application 111. It is determined whether or not the number is greater than or equal to the number (step S10 in FIG. 4). When it is determined that the number of tally is greater than or equal to the number necessary for execution of all functions (YES in step S10 in FIG. 4), the execution right determination unit 212 sets the execution mode of the distribution application 111 to the all function mode. The license to be authenticated is authenticated (step S11 in FIG. 4). Then, the license authentication process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of tallys included in the execution right information 211 is insufficient for the execution of all functions (NO in step S10 in FIG. 4), the execution right determination unit 212 executes the execution right. It is determined whether or not the number of tally included in the information 211 is greater than or equal to the number necessary for execution of the simplified version (step S12 in FIG. 4). If it is determined that the number of tallys included in the execution right information 211 is equal to or greater than the number necessary for execution of the simplified version (YES in step S12 in FIG. 4), the execution right determination unit 212 The license for setting the execution mode to the simplified version mode is authenticated (step S13 in FIG. 4). Then, the license authentication process ends.

If it is determined that the number of tally included in the execution right information 211 is insufficient to execute the simplified version (NO in step S12 in FIG. 4), the execution right determination unit 212 executes the execution right information. It is determined whether or not the number of tally included in 211 is greater than or equal to the number necessary for temporary execution (for example, two) (step S14 in FIG. 4). When it is determined that the number of tally included in the execution right information 211 is greater than or equal to the number necessary for temporary execution (YES in step S14 in FIG. 4), the execution right determination unit 212 temporarily executes the distribution application 111. (Step S15 in FIG. 4) and a temporary execution right used for temporary execution is generated (step S16 in FIG. 4). Then, the license authentication process ends. By the way, the temporary execution right is an execution right that can temporarily authenticate the license of the distribution application 111. For example, the temporary execution right is composed of four temporary tallys by two tallys included in the execution right information and two tallys generated separately based on the information of the vehicle 2A. Organized as tally, the license of the distribution application 111 is temporarily authenticated by the four tally. However, since these four tallys are temporary (timed), the authentication of the license of the distribution application 111 becomes invalid after a predetermined period.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of tally included in the execution right information 211 is insufficient to be necessary for temporary execution (NO in step S14 in FIG. 4), the execution right determination unit 212 determines the license of the distribution application 111. Is not authenticated (step S17 in FIG. 4), and the license authentication process is terminated. Since the license authentication process is necessary for the license authentication of the distribution application 111, it is performed not only in the vehicle 2A but also in the vehicle 4A and the vehicle 5A.

  That is, with such license authentication, the execution right determination unit 212 of the vehicle 2A determines whether the number of tallys included in the execution right information 211 includes four or more necessary for all the function modes of the distribution application 111. Determine whether. When the number of tallys included in the execution right information 211 is four or more, the vehicle 2A authenticates the license for all the function modes of the distribution application 111. On the other hand, when the number of tally included in the execution right information 211 is less than four, such as when the execution right information 112 is not received, the license for the all function mode is not authenticated in the vehicle 2A. When the number of tally is three, the license of the limited edition mode of the distribution application 111 is authenticated in the vehicle 2A. When the number of tally is two, the license of the distribution application 111 is temporarily stored in the vehicle 2A. It is supposed to be authenticated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile device 3A includes a communication unit 30 capable of wireless data communication with each vehicle 2A, 4A, 5A, and new redistribution execution right information 220. A redistribution execution right generation unit 31 is provided as a redistribution tally organization means for organizing the redistribution execution right information 310 and generating temporary execution right information 312. Note that the redistribution execution right generation unit 31 is configured to perform processing for exhibiting these functions in a microcomputer mounted on the mobile device 3A.

  The communication unit 30 can transmit a distribution request for the redistribution execution right information 220 to the vehicle 2A based on a user operation or the like, and can receive the redistribution execution right information 220 transmitted by the vehicle 2A. . The communication unit 30 transmits the received redistribution execution right information 220 to the redistribution execution right generation unit 31. In addition, the communication unit 30 can transmit the redistribution execution right information 310 to the vehicle 4A and the temporary execution right information 312 to the vehicle 5A.

The redistribution execution right generation unit 31 organizes new redistribution execution right information 310 from the redistribution execution right information 220 based on an instruction from the user and the like, and temporarily organizes the limited execution right information 311. The execution right information 312 can be generated. In the present embodiment, the redistribution execution right generation unit 31 is configured to use all functions of the distribution application 111 even in a non-owned vehicle (vehicle 4A). In order to authenticate the license of the full function mode, a tally body composed of four tallys is secured. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the redistribution execution right generation unit 31 can use all the functions of the distribution application 111 from the redistribution execution right information 220 including the six tally 5-10. The redistributable redistribution execution right information 310 organized from the four tally 5 to 8 necessary for the authentication, that is, the third tally for redistribution is divided and secured. Further, the redistribution execution right generation unit 31 uses the remaining two tallys 9 and 10 that are not included in the third tally as non-distributable limited execution right information 311, that is, a non-distributable fourth tally. Organize and secure.

  Since the redistribution execution right information 310 (third tally) is moved from the redistribution execution right generation unit 31 to the vehicle 4A, the redistribution execution right information 310 is redistributed. The right generation unit 31 does not remain. Further, the redistribution execution right information 310 (third tally) can be returned to the mobile device 3A to which it has been distributed. As a result, unauthorized distribution of the redistribution execution right information 310 is prevented and proper use of the license is achieved.

  Note that the redistribution execution right information 310 and the limited execution right information 311 can be returned to the vehicle 2A that distributed them. In other words, the redistribution execution right generation unit 31 manages the vehicle 2A that has distributed the redistribution execution right information 220 and the redistribution execution right information 220 in association with each other.

  Further, the redistribution execution right generation unit 31 performs temporary execution right information 312 as a temporary tally that can be distributed based on the non-distributable limited execution right information 311 (fourth tally), that is, a fifth tally. Can be generated. The temporary execution right information 312 is execution right information generated for a temporarily used vehicle such as a rental car, and is generated so as to include, for example, a usable time limit. It should be noted that the expiration date can be set by the user or acquired from the rental car by communication with the rental car. As shown in FIG. 6, the temporary execution right information 312 does not include the two tallys 9 and 10 that organize the limited execution right information 311, and is generated based on the two tallys 9 and 10. It is composed of two tally 9α and 10α. As a result, although the limited execution right information 311 composed of the two tallys 9 and 10 can be continuously held in the mobile device 3A, The other temporary execution right information 312 cannot be generated from the two tallys 9 and 10 (limited execution right information 311).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 4A is a user's non-owned vehicle such as a passenger car of the user's family. The vehicle 4A is equipped with a vehicle-mounted device 4B as an information processing device similar to the vehicle-mounted device 2B mounted on the vehicle 2A. The in-vehicle device 4B is provided with a communication unit 40 similar to the communication unit 20 mounted on the vehicle 2A and a distribution application execution unit 41 similar to the distribution application execution unit 21 mounted on the vehicle 2A. ing. In the in-vehicle device 4B, the redistribution execution right generation unit 22 mounted in the in-vehicle device 2B of the vehicle 2A is not shown. In the following description, regarding the vehicle 4A, the description of the same configuration as the vehicle 2A is omitted. It is assumed that the distribution application 111 has already been distributed to the vehicle 4A, although the license is not authenticated.

  The communication unit 40 can receive the redistribution execution right information 310 from the mobile device 3A, request the execution right information from the mobile device 3A, and return the execution right information. It is also possible to do.

The distribution application execution unit 41 holds the distribution application 111 and the redistribution execution right information 310 in a storage device (not shown), and executes the authentication of the distribution application 111 based on the redistribution execution right information 310. A right determination unit 410 is provided. The execution right determination unit 410 also performs the same license authentication process as the execution right determination unit 212 mounted on the vehicle-mounted device 2B of the vehicle 2A. That is, when the distribution application execution unit 41 receives an instruction to execute the distribution application 111 from a user or the like, the execution right determination unit 410 authenticates the license. If the license is authenticated as a result of the authentication, the distribution application execution unit 41 The application 111 is executed. On the other hand, the distribution application execution unit 41 is configured not to execute the distribution application 111 when the license is not authenticated as a result of the license authentication. As shown in FIG. 5, since the redistribution execution right information 310 includes four tallys 5 to 8, the execution right determination unit 410 authenticates the license for all function modes. On the other hand, when the redistribution execution right information 310 is not held because the execution right information is not distributed, the execution right determination unit 410 does not authenticate the license.

  Further, since the distribution application execution unit 41 holds the distributed redistribution execution right information 310 so that it cannot be redistributed, the redistribution execution right information 310 is further distributed to other vehicles and the like. It is not possible. On the other hand, the distributed redistribution execution right information 310 can be returned to the mobile device 3A that is the distribution source. In other words, the distribution application execution unit 41 determines whether to execute the redistribution execution right information 310 and the redistribution execution right information 310 based on a device identification number generally used for specifying a communication destination during data communication. A certain mobile device 3A is associated and managed. Thereby, further illegal distribution of the redistribution execution right information 310 is prevented, and the license can be used appropriately.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 5A is a vehicle for temporary use such as a rental car. Since the vehicle-mounted device 5B as an information processing apparatus similar to the vehicle-mounted device 4B mounted on the vehicle 4A is mounted on the vehicle 5A, the description of the configuration is omitted. It is assumed that the distribution application 111 has already been distributed to the vehicle 4A, although the license is not authenticated.

  By the way, the temporary execution right information 312 (fifth tally) is transmitted from the mobile device 3A to the vehicle 5A intended for temporary use based on a user instruction or the like. In the vehicle 5A, the distribution application 111 is set to be temporarily executed by the license authentication process, and a temporary execution right that is valid only during the use period of the vehicle 5A is generated. As a result, the license of the distribution application 111 is temporarily authenticated only during the use period of the vehicle 5A.

Next, the operation of the license information management system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, tally division and distribution will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the execution right information 112 including ten tally 1 to 10 generated from the license information 120 is distributed from the management center 1C to the vehicle 2A (owned vehicle). As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the execution right information 112 includes the first tally body composed of four tally 1-4 and the second tally composed of six tally 5-10 in the vehicle 2A. It is divided and organized into tally fonts. Then, the first tally is held in the vehicle 2A as execution right information 211, while the second tally is moved to the mobile device 3A as redistribution execution right information 220. As shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D, the second tally body moved to the mobile device 3A is a third tally composed of four tallys 5 to 8 distributed to the vehicle 4A (non-owned vehicle). And a fourth tally body composed of two tallys 9 and 10 used in a limited manner. That is, as shown in FIG. 7 (e), the third tally is moved to the vehicle 4A as new redistribution execution right information 310, while the fourth tally is shown in FIG. 7 (f). As shown, the limited execution right information 311 is held undistributable to the mobile device 3A. As shown in FIGS. 7G and 7H, the mobile device 3A has the temporary execution right information 312 (fifth tally) whose use period is limited based on the fourth tally.
Is generated and distributed to the vehicle 5A (temporary use vehicle), and the fourth tally is held in such a manner that the temporary execution right information 312 cannot be generated during the use period.

Next, main processing performed in the license information management system will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, an operation for introducing the distribution application 111 into the vehicle 2A will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, when the distribution application 111 is purchased by the in-vehicle device 2B of the own vehicle (vehicle 2A) (step S20 in FIG. 8), distribution of the distribution application 111 including user information, the form of the selected license, and the like. The request is transmitted from the in-vehicle device 2B to the management center 1C (step N20 in FIG. 8). The management center 1C that has received the distribution request prepares the execution right information 112 to be distributed based on the license information 120 corresponding to the user information (step S21 in FIG. 8), and also executes the execution right information 112 and the distribution application. 111 and a distribution application package to be distributed to the in-vehicle device 2B are prepared (step S22 in FIG. 8). Then, the prepared distribution application package is distributed from the management center 1C to the in-vehicle device 2B (step N21 in FIG. 8). After receiving the distributed distribution application package, the in-vehicle device 2B performs installation processing of the distribution application 111 and holds the distribution application 111 in a mode that can be executed by the distribution application execution unit 21 (FIG. 8). Step S23). Thereby, the distribution application 111 is introduced into the vehicle 2A.

  Next, an operation in which the distribution application 111 is executed in the vehicle 2A will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, when the distribution application execution unit 21 is instructed to start the distribution application 111 by a user operation or the like (step S30 in FIG. 9), the distribution application execution unit 21 performs a process of starting the distribution application 111 (FIG. 9). Step N30). Through this activation process, the application ID of the distribution application 111 is notified to the in-vehicle device 2B (steps S31 and N31 in FIG. 9). Then, based on the execution right information 211 (steps N31 and N32 in FIG. 9), the distribution application execution unit 21 performs a license authentication process corresponding to the notified application ID (step S32 in FIG. 9). When the license is authenticated, the distribution application execution unit 21 executes the distribution application 111 based on the distribution application execution permission (execution mode) based on the license authentication (steps N34 and S33 in FIG. 9). As a result, the distribution application execution unit 21 executes the distribution application 111.

  Next, an operation in which the redistribution execution right information 220 generated in the vehicle 2A is moved to the mobile device 3A will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, when the distribution application execution unit 21 starts to organize the redistribution execution right information 220 (step S40 in FIG. 10), the distribution application execution unit 21 obtains an application ID from the distribution application 111. Obtained (steps N40 and N41 in FIG. 10). Further, the distribution application execution unit 21 acquires the mobile device ID from the mobile device 3A (steps N42 and N43 in FIG. 10) and also acquires the execution right information 211 (steps N44 and N45 in FIG. 10). Then, the redistribution execution right generation unit 22 notifies the redistribution execution right generation unit 22 of the acquired application ID, the mobile device ID, and the execution right information 211. The knitting process 220 is performed (steps N46 and S41 in FIG. 10). When the distribution application execution unit 21 is notified that the redistribution execution right information 220 has been organized (step N47 in FIG. 10), the distribution application execution unit 21 sets the redistribution execution right information 220 to the mobile device ID. It is distributed (moved) to the acquired mobile device 3A (step N48 in FIG. 10). In the present embodiment, the redistribution execution right information 220 is organized by dividing the execution right information 211, so that the distribution destination mobile device ID is not included therein, but the distribution destination mobile device ID. May be organized.

  Next, an operation in which the redistribution execution right information 310 is moved from the mobile device 3A to the in-vehicle device 4B of the vehicle 4A (non-owned vehicle) will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, when the distribution application 111 is introduced into the in-vehicle device 4B of the vehicle 4A by a user operation or the like (step S50 in FIG. 11), the in-vehicle device 4B to the mobile device 3A based on the user operation or the like. The execution right information request including the application ID of the distribution application 111 is notified (step N50 in FIG. 11). Upon receiving the request for execution right information, the mobile device 3A prepares for distribution by organizing new redistribution execution right information 310 (step S51 in FIG. 11), and then executes the redistribution execution right information. 310 is distributed (moved) to the vehicle-mounted device 4B (step N51 in FIG. 11). The new redistribution execution right information 310 moved to the in-vehicle device 4B is stored in the in-vehicle device 4B. Thereby, in the vehicle 4A, the distribution application 111 can be used in all function modes.

  The operation of distributing temporary execution right information from the mobile device 3A to the in-vehicle device 5B of the vehicle 5A that is a temporary use vehicle will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, when the distribution application 111 is introduced into the in-vehicle device 5B of the vehicle 5A by a user operation or the like (step S60 in FIG. 12), the application ID of the distribution application 111 is transferred from the in-vehicle device 5B to the mobile device 3A. An execution right information request including the above is notified (step N60 in FIG. 12). Upon receiving the request for execution right information, the mobile device 3A organizes the limited execution right information 311 and generates temporary execution right information 312 based on the limited execution right information 311 organized (step in FIG. 12). S61, S62). Then, the mobile device 3A distributes the temporary execution right information 312 to the in-vehicle device 5B. The temporary execution right information 312 moved to the in-vehicle device 5B is stored in the in-vehicle device 5B. The temporary execution right information 312 is stored in the in-vehicle device 5B by adding information necessary for temporary authentication, for example, a tally generated separately based on information on the vehicle 5A. Also good. As a result, the vehicle 5A can use a predetermined function of the distribution application 111 during a predetermined period.

As described above, according to the license information management system of the present embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained.
(1) Since a plurality of tallys 1 to 10 are generated from one piece of license information 120, the degree of freedom for license grant is improved. That is, even if the number of issued license information 120 is one, it is possible to handle one license information 120 as a plurality of pieces of information by using ten tallys. Such flexibility can be enhanced. Further, when one piece of license information 120 is handled as a plurality of pieces of information, the number of license information 120 managed by the management center 1C can be reduced, and the load on license management by the management center 1C or the like increases. Can be suppressed.

  (2) Also, since the license can be authenticated based on one or more tally selected from the plurality of distributed tally 1 to 10, that is, a part of the plurality of distributed tally, this also allows The degree of freedom for license authentication is improved. More specifically, the license can be authenticated according to the execution authority based on the tally (first to fourth tally) formed from one or more tally based on one license information 120. .

  (3) When the license information 120 made up of bit codes is divided, the number of bits constituting the tally is large, that is, a large tally has a higher security than a small tally. Is.

Therefore, it is now possible to authenticate licenses whose execution limit can be changed according to the size of the tally font. For example, compared to a tally that consists of 4 tallys, a tally that has a high security (confidentiality) due to its large size by restricting the execution authority of the tally that consists of 3 or 2 tally. The body is given a less restrictive execution right, and conversely, because it is small, a tally body with low security (confidentiality) is given a more restrictive execution right. As described above, since it is possible to set a restriction on the execution right according to the level of security, it is possible to appropriately optimize the use of the tally. A large tally font includes those having a large number of bits constituting the tally font, and includes a tally font having a large number of tally.

  (4) Even if it is based on one piece of license information 120, a plurality of tally bodies can be organized from a plurality of tally 1-10. As a result, by making each tally font correspond to a predetermined execution authority, the license authentication mode can be expanded more than the original license information 120.

  (5) Since the second tally (redistribution execution right information 220) can be moved to the mobile device 3A, the degree of freedom of carrying the second tally is increased. As a result, the availability of the second tally is improved.

  (6) Since the third tally (redistribution execution right information 310) can be distributed from the mobile device 3A to the other in-vehicle device 4B, it is easy to use the third tally in the other in-vehicle device 4B. To be able to.

  (7) The third tally required for license authentication can be organized in the mobile device 3A. As a result, the use range can be expanded by using a new third tally, etc. each composed of one or more new tallys that are organized by dividing the second tally.

  (8) Since the license authentication based on the third tally body can be performed in the other in-vehicle device 4B, the use of the divided license information 120 (tally) can be further expanded.

  (9) Even if it is based on the third tally, it is possible to authenticate a license whose execution authority is variable depending on the size of the tally. As a result, it becomes possible to set the degree of restriction of execution authority in a form corresponding to the number (size) of bits proportional to the security level, and to optimize the use of tally. .

  (10) Since transmission of the third tally from the in-vehicle device 4B is prohibited, it is possible to prevent the third tally from being used elsewhere or to be unknown, and to properly manage license authentication. Will be able to maintain.

  (11) Temporary temporaryness generated based on the authority of the license according to the type and number of the tally by the non-distributable tally 9, 10 (fourth tally) held in the mobile device 3A The fifth tally (temporary execution right information 312) of the application can be used temporarily. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately manage licenses while giving flexibility to license authentication. Further, by effectively using the tally 9, 10 remaining in the mobile device 3A, it becomes possible to prevent the management center 1C from managing the new license information 120.

  (12) Since the distribution application 111 can be used by the in-vehicle device 5B of the vehicle 5A only for a certain period, even if it is temporary, the flexibility of license authentication is enhanced. In addition, since the distribution application 111 cannot be used after a certain period of time has elapsed, proper management of license authentication can be maintained.

  (13) From these things, the license management load of the distribution application 111 for the vehicles 2A, 4A, and 5A in the management center 1C is reduced. That is, since one piece of license information 120 can be divided into a plurality of tally 1 to 10, licenses for a plurality of vehicles 2A, 4A, and 5A are distributed by distributing the divided tally to a plurality of vehicles 2A, 4A, and 5A. Management load is reduced. Further, according to the distribution to the plurality of vehicles 2A, 4A, 5A, the convenience of the distribution application 111 can be improved, and the same driving is performed in the plurality of vehicles 2A, 4A, 5A as a user such as a driver. The environment can be maintained and such convenience is enhanced.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment of the license information management system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, since the size of the generated tally is different from that in the first embodiment, the following description will mainly focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the management center 1C generates the execution right information 60 including two tally 1A and one tally 1B from the license information 120. The two tally 1A are generated in the same size, while the one tally 1B is generated in a size different from the tally 1A and smaller than the tally 1A. In the distribution application 111, the tally 1A is set for the all function mode, and the tally 1B having a size smaller than the tally 1A is set for the simplified version mode. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13B, in the vehicle 2A to which the execution right information 60 is distributed, the distribution application 111 can be used in all function modes by one tally 1A. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13D, one tally 1A and one tally 1A are obtained by separating one tally 1A (execution right information 61) from the execution right information 60 in the vehicle 2A. The redistribution execution right information 62 having the tally 1B is organized and moved to the mobile device 3A. In the mobile device 3A, as shown in FIGS. 13D, 13E, and 13F, the redistribution execution right information 62 that has been moved is separated into one tally 1A and one tally 1B. Thus, new redistribution execution right information 63 composed of one tally 1A and limited execution right information 64 composed of one tally 1B are organized. As shown in FIG. 13E, the new redistribution execution right information 63 is distributed to the vehicle 4A, and is used to authenticate the license for the all-function mode of the distribution application 111 in the distributed vehicle 4A. As shown in FIGS. 13F and 13H, from the limited execution right information 64, temporary execution right information 65 composed of tally 1Bα created based on one tally 1B is generated, and is sent to the vehicle 5A. Distributed. The distributed temporary execution right information 65 is used for authentication of a license imposed with a predetermined restriction such as a usable period restriction of the distribution application 111 in the vehicle 5A. As shown in FIG. 13G, the limited execution right information 64 that has generated the temporary execution right information 65 is held in the mobile device 3A while the generation of the temporary execution right information 65 is temporarily restricted. to continue.

  As described above, according to the license information management system of this embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (13) described in the first embodiment, the effects listed below can be obtained. It becomes like this.

  (14) Increasing the appropriateness of the license usage by setting the tally usage conditions according to the size of the tally while ensuring the degree of freedom of license authentication by changing the size of the tally. Will be able to.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment of the license information management system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the execution right information 112 is stored in the mobile device 3.
It is different from the first embodiment that it is distributed to the vehicle 2A via A. Therefore, in the present embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The mobile device 3A can hold the distribution application 111 and can temporarily hold the execution right information 112. Then, the distribution application 111 once held in the mobile device 3A is distributed to the vehicle 2A. Further, the redistribution execution right generation unit 31 is configured to include four tallys 1 to 4 from the execution right information 112 based on the setting that the distribution application 111 is used in the all function mode in the vehicle 2A. One tally font can be generated. Therefore, a first tally body is generated and distributed to the vehicle 2A along with distribution of the distribution application 111 to the vehicle 2A. In the vehicle 2A, by holding the distributed first tally as the execution right information 211, the vehicle 2A can authenticate a license that allows the distribution application 111 to be executed in the full function mode.

  In addition, after the first tally body is distributed (moved) to the vehicle 2A, the redistribution execution right generation unit 31 has six tally 5 to 10 (second) as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the redistribution execution right generation unit 31 can organize a third tally body for the vehicle 4A, a restricted fourth tally body, and the like.

  As described above, according to the license information management system of this embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (4) and (6) to (13) described in the first embodiment, The effects listed are obtained.

  (15) Since the first tally body is transmitted to the in-vehicle device 2B via the mobile device 3A, the first tally body can be stored in the mobile device 3A in advance. . As a result, the convenience of distributing the execution right information 112 (tally, tally) is also improved.

  (16) The first tally required for license authentication can be carried by the mobile device 3A, and even if it is in the second tally, it is organized into a third or fourth tally. Since it is held by the mobile device 3 </ b> A capable of carrying out the above, the degree of freedom for carrying the second to fourth tally bodies is increased.

In addition, each said embodiment can also be implemented with the following aspects.
In each of the above embodiments, the case where the redistribution execution right information 310 (third tally) is transmitted to the vehicle 4A (non-owned vehicle) is exemplified. The second tally body may be transmitted to the car. Also by this, the license of the distribution application can be authenticated in the vehicle (non-owned vehicle).

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the license information management system is illustrated as including the management center 1C, the vehicle 2A, the mobile device 3A, the vehicle 4A, and the vehicle 5A. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the license information management system only needs to include at least a management center and one vehicle (owned vehicle). And as needed, you may make it provide a mobile device, a vehicle (non-owned vehicle), and a vehicle (temporary use vehicle) further. As a result, the degree of freedom of the configuration of the license information management system is improved, and the adoption possibility is improved.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where there is only one distribution application 111 has been illustrated. Even if there are a plurality of distribution applications, each distribution-type application generates tally execution right information, and the in-vehicle device authenticates each distribution-type application license based on each execution right information. May be. Thereby, the availability as a license information management system is improved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where each communication unit (13, 20, 30, 40) directly communicates is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each communication unit may communicate using a public line such as a telephone line, or may communicate via a communication line such as the Internet. If a tally (tally) can be acquired via a communication line such as the Internet, the degree of freedom of tally acquisition can be increased by expanding the number of connection destinations.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the execution right information 112 is distributed by communication is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be described on a package or a license card obtained with the purchase of the distribution application. Thereby, the applicability of the license information management system can be expanded.

  In each of the above embodiments, the execution right information 112 is divided and the redistribution execution right information 220 and 310 is organized. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and distribution destination information, distribution source information, and the like may be added to redistribution execution right information into which execution right information is classified. As a result, the manageability of the redistribution execution right information can be improved, and the redistribution execution right information can be appropriately used.

  In the first embodiment, the case where all the tally 1 to 10 of the execution right information 112 are generated in substantially the same size is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the execution right information may include tally having different sizes. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the execution right information may include tally 1-8 having the same size and tally 1B having a size different from tally 1-8. In this case, it is possible to increase the appropriateness of the use of the license by setting the tally usage condition according to the size of the tally while ensuring the degree of freedom of license authentication.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the execution right information 112 is divided into three tally bodies is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the execution right information may be divided into two or four or more. Further, the limited execution right information may not be organized. Thereby, the freedom degree of the division | segmentation of execution right information is improved.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the license information 120 is divided into ten tallys 1 to 10 having substantially the same size is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the license information 120 may be divided into 9 pieces or less or 11 pieces or more. As a result, the degree of freedom of license authentication is improved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the number (size) of tally required for license authentication is set in the distribution application 111 is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number (size) of tally required for license authentication may be transmitted separately. As a result, the degree of freedom of design of the distribution application and the degree of freedom of license authentication are improved.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where the number (size) of tally required for license authentication is set in advance is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number (size) of tally required for license authentication may be changed later. For example, the distribution application 111 can be changed by updating. As a result, the degree of freedom of design of the distribution application and the degree of freedom of license authentication are improved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the number and size of the tally 1 to 10 included in the tally is determined according to the execution authority for the application to be license-authenticated is not limited to this. The tally font may be given a type corresponding to the execution authority for. For example, such a kind can be given by the size of the tally font.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where a part of the tally included in the execution right information 112 is used for all the function modes of the distribution application 111 is illustrated. You may make it use all the tally included. As a result, license authentication similar to conventional license authentication can be performed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the license of the distribution application 111 distributed from the management center 1C is authenticated is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the application for license authentication is provided in advance in the vehicle. It may be a thing, or it may be such that only the processing result is notified. This expands the applicability of the license information management system.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the in-vehicle devices 2B, 4B, and 5B are navigation systems is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle-mounted device may be various vehicle control devices provided in the vehicle, an information processing device such as an acoustic product, or the like. Thereby, this license information management system can be widely applied to in-vehicle devices.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the in-vehicle devices 2B, 4B, and 5B are information processing devices has been illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the information processing apparatus may be a mobile phone or an information terminal carried by a person. As a result, the types of information processing apparatuses that can provide this license information management system are expanded, and the convenience of these information processing apparatuses can be improved.

  1-10, 9α, 10α ... tally, 1A, 1B, 1Bα ... tally, 1C ... management center, 2A ... vehicle, 2B ... vehicle-mounted device, 3A ... mobile device, 4A ... vehicle, 4B ... vehicle-mounted device, 5A ... vehicle, 5B: In-vehicle device, 11 ... Distribution application management unit, 12 ... Execution right generation unit, 13 ... Distribution communication unit, 20 ... Communication unit, 21 ... Distribution application execution unit, 22 ... Redistribution execution right generation unit, 30 ... Communication unit 31 ... Redistribution execution right generation unit 40 ... Communication unit 41 ... Distribution application execution unit 60,61 ... Execution right information 62,63 ... Redistribution execution right information 64 ... Limited execution right information 65 ... Temporary execution right information, 111 ... Distribution application, 112 ... Execution right information, 120 ... License information, 211 ... Execution right information, 212 ... Execution right determination unit, 220, 310 ... Redistribution execution right information, 11 ... Limited execution right information, 312 ... one o'clock execution right information, 410 ... execution right judging unit.

Claims (32)

A license information management system that manages execution of an application in an information processing apparatus by authenticating a license for the application based on license information distributed from a management center that manages license information corresponding to the application,
The management center divides the license information of the target application to generate a plurality of tally, and distributes the generated tally to the information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus authenticates a license of the target application based on one or more tally selected from the plurality of tally distributed. The one or more tallys distributed from the management center and selected by the information processing apparatus are organized as tally bodies of a predetermined number or size according to execution authority for the target application. 1. The license information management system according to 1. A tally that is smaller in size as a tally than the size of the tally that is defined for all execution rights for the target application has a predetermined restriction on the execution right of the target application. The license information management system according to claim 2. Redistribution that separates tally required for license authentication of the target application from the plurality of distributed tally and organizes tally for redistribution from tally that is not used for license authentication The license information management system according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising tally body organization means. The license information management system according to claim 4, wherein the information processing apparatus acquires a tally used for authentication of the license through data communication with the management center. The license information management system according to claim 5, wherein the data communication is performed via a portable storage device that can communicate with the management center and the information processing apparatus, respectively. The redistribution tally organization means is provided in the information processing apparatus,
The license information management system according to claim 6, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to be able to move a redistribution tally formed by the redistribution tally formation unit to the portable storage device. The redistribution tally organization means is provided in the portable storage device,
The portable storage device holds a tally for separation of tally required for license authentication of the target application and a tally for redistribution organized by the tally for redistribution tally. The license information management system according to claim 6, wherein a tally required for license authentication is transmitted to the information processing apparatus. The portable storage device is configured to be able to communicate with another information processing device different from the information processing device, and to be able to distribute the tally for redistribution to the other information processing device. 9. The license information management system according to 7 or 8. The portable storage device is configured to be capable of organizing a new redistribution tally composed of tally required for license authentication of the target application from the redistribution tally. 9. The license information management system according to 9. The license information management system according to claim 10, wherein the another information processing apparatus authenticates a license of the target application based on the redistribution tally or the new redistribution tally. The tally font for redistribution or the new tally font for redistribution has a size as a tally font as compared with the size of the tally font determined corresponding to all execution rights for the target application. The license information management system according to claim 11, wherein when the password is small, a predetermined restriction is imposed on an execution right of the target application. The other information processing apparatus is configured to prohibit transmission of a redistribution tally distributed from the portable storage device to a device other than the portable storage device. The license information management system according to one item. The portable storage device holds a tally that was not used for the new redistribution tally in a non-distributable state, and can be distributed based on the tally held in the non-distributable state. The license information management system according to claim 10, wherein a temporary tally that is a tally with a temporary restriction is generated. The temporary tally is moved to an information processing device that is temporarily used,
The license information management system according to claim 14, wherein the temporarily used information processing apparatus authenticates a license of the target application for a certain period. The license information management system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the information processing apparatus is mounted on a vehicle as a moving body. A license information management method for managing execution of an application in an information processing apparatus by authenticating a license for the application based on license information distributed from a management center that manages license information corresponding to the application,
Dividing the license information of the target application in the management center to generate a plurality of tally, and distributing the generated plurality of tally to the information processing apparatus;
And a step of authenticating the license of the target application based on one or a plurality of tally selected from the plurality of distributed tallys in the information processing apparatus. 18. One or more tallys distributed from the management center and selected by the information processing apparatus are organized as tally bodies having a predetermined number or size according to execution authority for the target application. The license information management method described. For a tally that is smaller in tally size than the size of the tally that is defined for all the execution privileges for the target application, the execution authority of the target application is predetermined. The license information management method according to claim 18, wherein the restriction is imposed. Redistribution that separates tally required for license authentication of the target application from the plurality of distributed tally and organizes tally for redistribution from tally that is not used for license authentication The license information management method according to claim 18, further comprising a tally structure for use. The license information management method according to claim 20, wherein the information processing apparatus acquires a tally used for authentication of the license through data communication with the management center. The license information management method according to claim 21, wherein the data communication is performed via a portable storage device that can communicate with the management center and the information processing apparatus, respectively. The information processing apparatus is provided with the redistributed tally knitting step,
23. The license information management method according to claim 22, wherein the information processing apparatus further includes a step of moving the redistribution tally formed in the redistribution tally formation step to the portable storage device. The portable storage device is provided with the tally organization for redistribution,
The portable storage device has the steps of separating the tally required for the activation of the license of the target application and holding the tally for redistribution organized by the tally organization for redistribution. The license information management method according to claim 22, further comprising a step of transmitting a tally required for authentication of the license to the information processing apparatus. The portable storage device is configured to be able to communicate with another information processing device different from the information processing device, and includes the step of distributing the redistribution tally to the other information processing device. 23. The license information management method according to 23 or 24. The portable storage device is provided with a step of organizing a new redistribution tally composed of tally required for license authentication of the target application from the redistribution tally. The license information management method according to claim 25. 27. The license information management method according to claim 26, wherein the other information processing apparatus authenticates a license of the target application based on the redistribution tally or the new redistribution tally. . The tally font for redistribution or the new tally font for redistribution has a size as a tally font as compared with the size of the tally font determined corresponding to all execution rights for the target application. 28. The license information management method according to claim 27, wherein when the password is small, a predetermined restriction is imposed on an execution right of the target application. The other information processing apparatus is prohibited from transmitting a tally for redistribution distributed from the portable storage device to a device other than the portable storage device. License information management method. The portable storage device holds a tally that was not used for the new redistribution tally in a non-distributable state, and can be distributed based on the tally held in the non-distributable state 27. The license information management method according to claim 26, further comprising: generating a temporary tally that is a tally with a temporary restriction. Moving the temporary tally to an information processing device temporarily used;
The license information management method according to claim 30, wherein the information processing apparatus that is temporarily used authenticates the license of the target application for a certain period. The license information management method according to any one of claims 17 to 31, wherein the information processing apparatus is mounted on a vehicle as a moving body.

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