JP3177047B2 - Memory area management method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for managing a memory area,
In particular, the present invention relates to a method of managing a memory area in which a memory area of a storage device built in an IC card is divided and assigned to a plurality of persons so that a plurality of persons can share the memory area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a new information recording medium replacing a magnetic card, an IC card has attracted attention. This IC card has a built-in memory element, has a remarkably improved information storage capacity as compared with a magnetic card, and has a high level of security. Therefore, one IC card can be used for a plurality of purposes. For example, one IC card issued to a specific individual can be used for multiple purposes such as a bank card for a bank, a medical examination card for a hospital, and a prepaid card for a department store. . In this case, a bank, a hospital, and a department store share the memory area in the same IC card. In order to share one IC card among a plurality of persons, it is general to define a plurality of areas in a memory area and assign each area to each person.
That is, in the case of the above example, three areas, that is, a bank area, a hospital area, and a department store area, are allocated at the time of issuing a card.

[0003]

The use of IC cards is expected to become more and more complicated in the future. In the example described above, the three parties, namely, the bank, the hospital, and the department store, are in a parallel use form, but it is likely that a hierarchical use form will be required in the future. For example, a usage form in which a bank lends a part of an area allocated to itself to a credit company and defines and uses a credit company area as a part of a bank area is also conceivable. In this case, the credit company belongs to the lower hierarchy for the bank of the upper hierarchy. Further, a usage form in which this credit company lends a part of the area allocated to itself to another small company is also conceivable. As described above, in order to realize not only a parallel usage mode but also a hierarchical usage mode, a reasonable management of the memory area is required, and the conventional management method cannot sufficiently cope with the problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a reasonable memory area management method capable of coping with a parallel use mode and a hierarchical use mode by a plurality of persons.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) In the first invention of the present application, a memory area is divided and assigned to a plurality of persons, and a directory in which information necessary for accessing the assigned area is prepared for each assigned area. In a memory area management method in which a user can share a memory area, a disposable area is provided which records a disposable capacity indicating the capacity of a disposable area which can be disposed of among the areas allocated to the user. If all or a part of the area is used by itself, a predetermined use area having a capacity within the range of the disposable capacity is secured in the memory area, and information indicating the address and capacity of the secured use area is included. In addition to creating a real directory, update processing is performed to reduce the disposable capacity in its own frame directory by the capacity of the used area, and all or part of the disposable area When assigning to another person, a frame directory for the other person is created, and an update process is performed to reduce the disposable capacity in the own frame directory by the amount assigned to the other person. is there.

(2) In the second invention of the present application, in the management method according to the first invention, the total capacity of the area allocated to the self is recorded in the frame directory together with the disposable capacity. Things.

(3) In the third invention of the present application, in the management method according to the first invention, when creating a frame directory for another person, the allocated area is re-allocated to another person. The information prohibiting the writing is written in the frame directory to be created.

[0008]

[Operation] In the memory area management method according to the present invention, two types of directories, a frame directory and a real directory, are prepared for each user of the memory area. In the frame directory, the total capacity of the area allocated to itself and the disposable capacity indicating the capacity of the disposable area that can be disposed of are recorded. The disposable area can be used in two ways. The first is to use it yourself, and the second is to lend it to others. Regardless of the method used, the used part is no longer a disposable area. When the user himself / herself uses it, a real directory is created and a use area is actually secured on the memory. In the real directory, various information (total capacity, address, number of recorded records, and the like) necessary for accessing the secured use area are recorded. When lending to another person, a frame directory for this other person is created. The other person who has received the loan can similarly use two methods within the range of the disposable area recorded in the frame directory. In addition, if necessary, when lending to another person, information that prohibits lending to another person is written in the frame directory, so that the lending authority can be restricted.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. Here, the EEPRO built in the IC card
An example in which the memory area of M is shared by a plurality of persons will be described. First, a data area and a directory area as shown in FIG. 1 are defined on the memory area of the EEPROM. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the following description will be continued assuming that a data area is defined at addresses 1 to 100 in the memory space of the EEPROM. The data area is an area for recording actual data, and as will be described later, a plurality of use areas are secured by a plurality of persons. At the stage shown in FIG. 1, no use area has been secured yet, and all data areas are empty data areas. On the other hand, the directory area
This is an area for recording a directory having information necessary for accessing the data area. At the stage shown in FIG. 1, a frame directory marked "M frame" has already been recorded. In this embodiment, the data area is used from the beginning of the address (upper part in the figure), and the directory area is used from the end of the address (lower part in the figure).

A feature of the memory area management method according to the present invention is that two types of directories, a frame directory and a real directory, are used. In the frame directory, the total capacity of the area allocated to itself and the disposable capacity indicating the capacity of the disposable area that can be disposed of are recorded. In the present application, one directory recorded in the directory area is illustrated in one horizontal row, and the directory name is indicated by an abbreviation in the left column and the directory contents are indicated in the right column. For example, the frame directory shown in the bottom line of FIG. 1 has a directory name indicated by an abbreviation “M frame” and “all 100, available 100”.
This is a directory having directory contents indicated by abbreviations. The directory name is indicated by a two-letter abbreviation, the first letter of the alphabet indicates the user of the directory, and the second letter “frame” or “actual” indicates that the directory is a frame directory. Or a real directory. Therefore, the directory name indicated by the abbreviation “M frame” indicates that it is a frame directory for the user M. Here, the directory of the abbreviation "M frame" is referred to as "frame directory M".

[0011] The user M is a person who oversees and manages the IC card, and other users receive the allocation of the use area from the user M and use the memory area.
Specifically, a company that performs the integrated management of the IC card is the user M, and a general user such as a bank, a hospital, or a department store is assigned a necessary use area from this company. As described above, in this embodiment, the term “user” means a company that provides a service using an IC card, and the owner of the IC card receiving the provided service is referred to as a “user”. I will use wording. When three users, ie, a bank, a hospital, and a department store, are allocated use areas from the user M, the “user” uses this one IC card to provide a banking service, a hospital service, and a department store service. Service will be available.

In the initial state shown in FIG. 1, the user M who is in the position of overall management has authority over all areas. That is, the entire data area corresponding to the capacity 100 from address 1 to address 100 is not allocated to any other user. The abbreviation “all 100, acceptable 100” which is the contents of the frame directory M in FIG. 1 indicates such a state. That is, the abbreviation “all 100” indicates that the total capacity of the data area allocated to the user M is 100, and the abbreviation “possible 100” indicates that the user M Has a capacity of 100 (hereinafter, referred to as a disposable capacity) in the area in which
Is shown. In other words, it is shown that the data area of the total capacity 100 is originally allocated to the user M, and all of them are disposable capacities.

The disposable capacity of the area allocated to the user can be used in two ways.
The first is to use it yourself, and the second is to lend it to others. Regardless of the method used, the used part is no longer a disposable area. Here, a process in which, in the initial state shown in FIG. 1, the user M who is in the position of general management lends (allocates) a data area to the user A (bank) and the user B (hospital) will be described. . Specifically, a case will be considered where a capacity 40 is allocated to the user A and a capacity 20 is allocated to the user B in the entire data area (capacity 100). In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, a frame directory A (abbreviation: frame A) for user A and a frame directory B (abbreviation: frame B) for user B are created. The contents of the frame directory A are recorded as “all 40, allowable 40, M frames”. This indicates that the total capacity of the area allocated to the user A is 40, and the disposable capacity is also the same 40.
In addition, the contents of the frame directory B are “20 in total, 20 in possible,
M frame "is recorded. This indicates that the total capacity of the area allocated to the user B is 20, and the disposable capacity is also the same 20. At the end of the contents of these directories, information "M frame" is recorded. This information is information indicating that these directories have been created based on the frame directory M (M frame). , "Compliant directory information". The arrow displayed outside the lower right column in FIG. 2 indicates a compliant directory.

Since the user M has allocated the capacities 40 and 20 to the user A and the user B in this way, the total capacity 60 can no longer be discarded without permission. That is, of the total capacity 100 allocated to the user M, the disposable capacity is 40
Will be reduced to Therefore, the frame directory A
At the same time as the process of creating the frame directory B, a process of updating the disposable capacity in the frame directory M to 40 is performed. FIG. 2 shows the state at this time. Note that, even when the frame directory is created, an actual use area is not necessarily secured in the data area. The frame directory merely defines the share of the capacity allocated to each user, and the actual use area is secured by the following real directory.

Now, in the state shown in FIG.
Has a disposable capacity of 40. The user A has the capacity 40
, The data area can be used in two ways. That is, they can be used by themselves or lent to others. Here, it is assumed that the user A decides to use only the capacity 20 of the capacity 40 by himself. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the user A may create the real directory A (A real). By creating the real directory A, an actual use area (the use area of A shown by hatching in the figure) is secured in the data area. In the contents of the real directory A, information necessary to access the secured use area of A is written. In the example of FIG. 3, information such as “all 20, addresses 1 to 20, 0 records out of 4 records, frame A” is written. This is because “the total capacity of the actually used area is 20. This area is located at addresses 1 to 20. In this area, a total of four records can be recorded. Is zero, and the compliant directory is the frame directory A. " As described above, when only the capacity 20 of the disposable capacity 40 of the user A is used by himself, the disposable capacity of the user A becomes 2
Decrease to zero. Therefore, simultaneously with the process of creating the real directory A, a process of updating the disposable capacity in the frame directory A to 20 is performed. FIG. 3 shows the state at this time.

Now, in the state shown in FIG.
Has a disposable capacity of 20. Therefore, a case is considered where the user A lends the capacity 15 of the capacity 20 to another person. For example, there is a case where a user A who is a bank allocates and uses a capacity 15 for a user C who is a credit company of his / her affiliate. in this case,
As shown in FIG. 4, a frame directory C for the user C
(Abbreviation: C frame) is created. The contents of the frame directory C are recorded as “all 15, available 15, and A frame”, the total capacity of the area allocated to the user C is 15, the disposable capacity is the same 15, and the compliant directory is the frame directory A. It is shown that there is. Since the user A has allocated the capacity 15 to the user C in this way, the remaining disposable capacity becomes five. Therefore, at the same time as the process of creating the frame directory C, a process of updating the disposable capacity in the frame directory A to 5 is performed. FIG. 4 shows the state at this time. After all, even if the frame directory C is created, an actual use area for the user C is not necessarily secured in the data area.

If the user C decides to use only the capacity 10 of the capacity 15 allocated for him / herself, as shown in FIG. 5, the user C becomes the real directory C ( C fact). With the creation of the real directory C, an actual use area (use area of C indicated by hatching in the figure) is secured in the data area. In the contents of the real directory C, information necessary for accessing the secured use area of C is written. In the example of FIG. 5, "all 10, addresses 21 to 3
Information of "0 record record in 0, 2 records, C frame" is written, and the total capacity of the actually used area is 10 and this used area is located at addresses 21 to 30, A total of two records can be recorded in the area, and the number of records recorded at this stage is 0.
And the compliant directory is the frame directory C. "
Is shown. Thus, when only the capacity 10 of the disposable capacity 15 of the user C is used by himself, the disposable capacity of the user C is reduced to 5. Therefore, simultaneously with the process of creating the real directory C, a process of updating the disposable capacity in the frame directory C to 5 is performed. FIG. 5 shows the state at this time.

Subsequently, in the state shown in FIG. 5, the user B sets the capacity 15 of the capacity 20 assigned to the user B to the user B.
Is lent to another person. For example,
User B is a hospital and User D is a nearby clinic
In this case, only the capacity 15 is allocated and used. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, a frame directory D (abbreviation: D frame) for the user D is created. The contents of the frame directory D are as follows: "all 15, possible 15, prohibited, B
“Frame” is recorded, indicating that the total capacity of the area allocated to the user D is 15, the disposable capacity is the same 15, and the compliant directory is the frame directory B. Here, the abbreviation "forbidden" is information indicating that the user D is prohibited from further assigning to another person. When such information is recorded in the frame directory D,
The user D can use the area allocated to him / herself, but cannot lend it to others. In this way, when a plurality of users have a hierarchical structure, the function of lending an area after a higher-level person imposes some restrictions on a lower-level person is very convenient in practice. is there. Now, since the user B has assigned the capacity 15 to the user D, the remaining disposable capacity becomes five. Therefore, simultaneously with the process of creating the frame directory D, a process of updating the disposable capacity in the frame directory B to 5 is performed. FIG. 6 shows the state at this time.

Finally, if the user D decides to use all of the capacity 15 allocated for him / herself, as shown in FIG. 7, the user D becomes the real directory D (D Actual) should be created. By creating the real directory D, an actual use area (use area of D indicated by hatching in the figure) is secured in the data area. In the contents of the real directory D, information necessary to access the reserved use area of D is written. In the example of FIG. 7, "all 15, addresses 31 to 45, 3
The information “0 record record in record, D frame” is written, and “the total capacity of the actually used area is 15
This use area is located at addresses 31 to 45,
In this use area, a total of three records can be recorded, and the number of records recorded at this stage is 0, and the compliant directory is the frame directory D. " As described above, when all of the disposable capacity 15 of the user D is used by himself, the disposable capacity of the user D becomes zero. Therefore, simultaneously with the process of creating the real directory D, a process of updating the disposable capacity in the frame directory D to 0 is performed. FIG. 7 shows the state at this time.

At this point, the frame directories for the four users A, B, C, and D have been created.
The real directories are created only for the users A, C, and D, and the use area of B is not yet secured on the actual data area. Since the user B has only five disposable capacities, the user B may create the real directory B, if necessary, to secure the use area of the user B, or to allocate it to another user. For users A and C, only five disposable volumes remain, and another use area may be reserved for each of them or may be allocated to others. For the user M who is in the position of general management, only the disposable capacity 40 remains, and this can be assigned to another person at any time.

FIG. 8 shows the hierarchical structure of each directory in the state shown in FIG. The frame directory M is located at the highest hierarchy, and the frame directories A and B are located at the lower hierarchy. As for the frame directory A, a real directory A is provided, and the user A
Has reserved a use area for self-use. Further, a frame directory C and a frame directory D are located at a further lower level, and a real directory C and a real directory D are provided, respectively. It is possible to create a frame directory of a lower hierarchy under the frame directory C, but it is prohibited to create another frame directory under the frame directory D. As described above, the user A and the user B take a parallel use form, but the user A and the user C or the user B and the user D take a hierarchical use form. It is taking. As described above, according to the memory area management method of the present invention, it is possible to cope with both a parallel use mode and a hierarchical use mode.

Although the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, but can be implemented in various other modes. In particular, the contents of the illustrated real directory are shown as an example, in short, what kind of information is recorded in the real directory as long as it is information for accessing the used area secured in the data area. It doesn't matter.
Although the contents of the illustrated frame directory include information indicating the total capacity, the frame directory only needs to include at least the value of the disposable capacity. Further, the compliant directory information is not always necessary.

[0023]

As described above, according to the memory area management method according to the present invention, since the shared form of the memory area is managed by the frame directory and the real directory, a plurality of persons can use the memory area in parallel. And hierarchical usage patterns.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an initial state of a memory area to which a management method according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which areas are allocated to users A and B in the state shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a user A has secured an actual use area in the state shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the user A is in the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which an area has been allocated to.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where a user C has secured an actual use area in the state shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the user B is in the state shown in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which an area has been allocated to.

7 is a diagram showing a state in which a user D has secured an actual use area in the state shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of each directory in the state shown in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 A frame: frame directory A B frame: frame directory B C frame: frame directory CD frame: frame directory D A real: real directory AC real: real directory CD real: real directory D

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-17751 (JP, A) JP-A-62-231393 (JP, A) JP-A-63-73348 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 12/02 510 G06F 12/00 520 G06K 19/07

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A memory area is divided and assigned to a plurality of persons, a directory in which information necessary for accessing the assigned area is recorded is prepared for each assigned area, and the memory area is assigned by a plurality of persons. In the method of managing a memory area that can be shared, a frame directory for recording a disposable capacity indicating the capacity of a disposable area that can be disposed of among the areas allocated to itself is prepared, and all or part of the disposable area is prepared. When using the self-service, a predetermined usage area with a capacity within the range of the disposable capacity is secured in the memory area, and a real directory containing information indicating the address and capacity of the secured usage area is created. And dispose of the disposable capacity in your
When an update process is performed to reduce by the capacity of the used area, and when all or a part of the disposable area is assigned to another person, a frame directory for the other person is created, and a file in the own frame directory is created. A method for managing a memory area, comprising performing an update process for reducing a disposal capacity by an amount allocated to another person. 2. The management method according to claim 1, wherein the total capacity of the area allocated to the self is recorded in the frame directory together with the disposable capacity. . 3. The management method according to claim 1, wherein when creating a frame directory for another person, information for prohibiting reassignment of an allocated area to another person is stored in the frame directory. A method for managing a memory area, wherein the data is written in a memory area.