JP4699095B2 - Software usage restriction method, usage restriction program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for restricting continuous use of software.

The trial version software incorporates a mechanism for preventing the user from continuing to use the software without restriction.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for limiting the use period of software as a method for limiting the use of software.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-366245

However, the situation in which software is used is usually different for each user. Therefore, when the technique described in Patent Document 1 is used, there is a case where the expiration date arrives without sufficient use, for example, the user cannot secure time for using the software.
For this reason, there has been a case where the original aim of the trial version software, which tries to promote the purchase of the software, cannot be achieved due to the user becoming familiar with and using the software.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even when a user's usage situation is different, the user can sufficiently use the software according to the usage situation. An object of the present invention is to provide a use restriction program and a recording medium.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the software usage restriction method according to claim 1 of the present invention is a software usage restriction method for an information processing apparatus that restricts the use of software according to a plurality of types of criteria. The information processing apparatus includes a reference selection unit, a remaining amount change unit, a remaining amount display unit, a reference switching unit, and a use end unit, and determines one type of reference from the plurality of types of reference at the start of use of the software. a reference selection step for selecting the reference selection section, depending on the use of the software, and random reduction step of changing the remaining amount change unit the remaining amount of the variable corresponding to the reference, for each of the plurality of reference, can be used reference switching stearyl switching such variables remaining amount display step remaining displayed by the remaining amount display portion of, the reference switching unit to another reference from the selected to have criteria Has a flop, the software uses the end step you prohibit the use of the software by the use end portion when the variable criteria is said selected has reached a predetermined limit value.

  The software usage restriction method according to claim 2 of the present invention is the software usage restriction method according to the invention described above, wherein the variable reduction step changes only the selected variable.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the software usage restriction method according to the third aspect, wherein the variable reduction step is a variable corresponding to all of the plurality of types of criteria. The remaining amount is reduced at the same rate according to the use of the software.

  The software use restriction method according to claim 4 of the present invention is the software use restriction method according to the invention described above, wherein the plurality of types of criteria are software operating time, audio or video. It includes at least one of the reproduction time, the amount of data transmission, the total storage file size, and the number of mouse or keyboard operations.

The software use restriction program according to claim 5 of the present invention is a computer program for controlling the operation of an information processing apparatus that restricts the use of software according to a plurality of types of criteria, the information processing apparatus Includes a reference selection unit, a remaining amount change unit, a remaining amount display unit, a reference switching unit, and a use end unit, and the computer selects one type of reference from the plurality of types of reference at the start of use of the software. a reference selection step for selecting the parts, depending on the use of the software, and random reduction step of changing the remaining amount change unit the remaining amount of the variable corresponding to the reference, for each of the plurality of reference, available variables group switching remaining remaining amount display step of displaying the remaining amount display portion, the reference switching unit to another reference from the selected and are criteria A switching step, variable criteria being the selected to perform the software used end step you prohibit the use of the software by the use end portion when it reaches a predetermined limit value.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the software use restriction program according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the variable reduction step changes only the selected variable.

  The software use restriction program according to claim 7 of the present invention is the software use restriction program according to the invention described above, wherein the variable reduction step is a variable corresponding to all of the plurality of types of criteria. The remaining amount is reduced at the same rate according to the use of the software.

  The software use restriction program according to claim 8 of the present invention is the software use restriction program according to the invention described above, wherein the plurality of types of criteria are software operating time, audio or video. It includes at least one of the reproduction time, the amount of data transmission, the total storage file size, and the number of mouse or keyboard operations.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium recording a computer program for controlling an operation of an information processing apparatus that restricts the use of software according to a plurality of types of criteria, wherein the information The processing apparatus includes a reference selection unit, a remaining amount change unit, a remaining amount display unit, a reference switching unit, and a use end unit, and the computer determines one type of reference from the plurality of types of reference at the start of use of the software. a reference selection step for selecting the reference selection section, depending on the use of the software, and random reduction step of changing the remaining amount change unit the remaining amount of the variable corresponding to the reference, for each of the plurality of reference, can be used such variables remaining amount display step remaining displayed by the remaining amount display portion of a reference switching for switching the reference switching unit to another reference from the selected to have criteria Recording a modified step, a program for variable criteria is said selected to run the software using the end step that prohibited the use end portion of use of the software when it reaches a predetermined limit value did.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the variable reduction step changes only the selected variable.

  The recording medium according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the recording medium according to the above-described invention, wherein the variable reduction step uses a remaining amount of the variable corresponding to the plurality of types of criteria as a software. Decrease at the same rate according to the use of the wear.

  The recording medium according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the recording medium according to the above-described invention, wherein the plurality of types of criteria are software operation time, audio or video reproduction time, and data transmission amount. , Including at least one of the accumulated file size and the number of mouse or keyboard operations.

  According to the present invention, the user can sufficiently use the software according to the use situation.

[First Embodiment]
A configuration of an information processing apparatus for realizing the software use restriction method according to the embodiment of the present invention and a main processing procedure thereof will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus 10 includes a monitor 11, a keyboard 12, a communication device 13, a storage device 14, a memory 15, a storage medium drive 16, a CPU 17, an interface 18, and an interface 19.

  The monitor 11 is a CRT or TFT liquid crystal display that displays information. The keyboard 12 is an input device for receiving an operation instruction input from a user.

  The communication device 13 exchanges information such as a program file by communication with an external device (not shown) such as a server. The storage device 14 is a storage medium that stores software management information and the like. The memory 55 is a buffer memory that temporarily stores data necessary for information processing. The storage medium drive 16 controls data input / output with an external storage medium. The CPU 17 comprehensively controls the operation of the information processing apparatus 10. The interfaces 18 and 19 control data exchange with the monitor 11 and the keyboard 12, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for installing software.
When the user instructs to execute the trial version software, a predetermined process for installing the software is executed in step S01. The trial version software may be fetched from the outside via the communication device 13, or the software recorded on the recording medium may be fetched via the recording medium drive 16. Then, following the installation process, in step S02, a management information file for managing use restrictions of the software is generated in a predetermined area in the storage device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of the management information file.
The management information file 20 describes “starting date / time”, “starting days”, “use amount”, “installation date / time”, and “restriction method”. In the “Start Date / Time” column, the latest date / time is written every time the trial version software is started. In the “startup days” column, the days on which the trial version software is started from the date of installation is stored. Even if the trial version software is activated a plurality of times within a day, the number of activation days is counted as 1, and is added to the number of activations.

In the “use amount” column, a value indicating the degree of use of the trial version software is stored. Appropriate items for each software are adopted as usage.
FIG. 4 is a list illustrating the types of usage.
“Usage amount” corresponds to, for example, a transmission amount in communication software, a reproduction time in music reproduction software and video reproduction software, and a display area in map software. As the common amount of software, the number of mouse and keyboard operations, the operating time of software, and the like can be used as usage amounts. Furthermore, the number of input characters may be used as the amount of input in word processing software, the number of calculations in spreadsheet software, and the cumulative amount or editing amount of saved file size in image software.

  In the “Installation Date / Time” column, the date / time when the trial version software is installed is recorded. In the “restriction method” column, data items used for restricting the use of the trial version software are stored. As this data item, a period, the number of startup days, and a usage amount can be used.

2, the CPU 17 stores the date and time when the trial version software is installed in the “installation date and time” column of the management information file 20. Next, when the user selects a restriction method from the period, the number of startup days, and the usage amount, in step S04, the CPU 17 stores the selected restriction method in the “restriction method” column.
With the above processing, every time trial version software is installed, a management information file 20 corresponding to the software is generated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the use restriction processing procedure when the trial version software is activated.
When the trial version software is activated, trial restriction determination processing (FIG. 6) is executed in step S10 of FIG.

In step T01 of FIG. 6, the current date and time is acquired from the system of the information processing apparatus 10. In step T02, the current date and time and the installation date and time of the management information file 20 are compared.
In the comparison at step T02, if the current date and time is earlier than the installation date and time, it is presumed that the trial period has been illegally extended. As "0", the process returns to the processing routine of FIG. At this time, the trial available flag (= 0) is passed to the processing routine of FIG. 5 as a determination result.

  If the installation date / time is earlier than the current date / time in the comparison at step T02, it is determined that the date / time is normal, and the restriction method of the management information file 20 is checked at step T03.

If “period” is selected as the restriction method in the investigation in step T03, the period check process (FIG. 7) shown in step T04 is executed.
In step P01 of FIG. 7, the current date and time are acquired from the system of the information processing apparatus 10. In step P02, the current date and time and the “install date and time” of the management information file 20 are compared.
In the comparison in Step P02, when the difference between the current date and time and the installation date and time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the trial period is exceeded. In Step P03, the trial flag is set to “0” in order to limit the trial. Return to the processing routine of FIG. At this time, the trial available flag (= 0) is passed to the processing routine of FIG. 5 as a determination result.
In the comparison in step P02, when the difference between the current date and time and the installation date and time is less than a predetermined value, it is assumed that it is within the trial period. In step P03, the trial flag is set to “1” in order to permit the trial. 5 is returned to the processing routine. At this time, the trial available flag (= 1) is passed to the processing routine of FIG. 5 as a determination result.

If “startup days” is selected as the restriction method in the investigation in step T03, the start days check process (FIG. 8) shown in step T05 is executed.
In step P10 of FIG. 8, the “starting days” of the management information file 20 is compared with a predetermined reference value.
In the comparison in Step P10, when the “starting days” of the management information file 20 exceeds the predetermined reference value, it is determined that the predetermined number of days have passed, and in order to limit the trial use in Step P11, The trial use flag is set to “0”, and the process returns to the processing routine of FIG. At this time, the trial available flag (= 0) is passed to the processing routine of FIG. 5 as a determination result.
If the “starting days” of the management information file 20 does not exceed a predetermined reference value in the comparison in step P10, it is determined that the predetermined number of days has not yet passed, and the trial is permitted in step P12. Therefore, the trial enable flag is set to “1” and the process returns to the processing routine of FIG. At this time, the trial available flag (= 1) is passed to the processing routine of FIG. 5 as a determination result.

If “usage” is selected as the limiting method in the investigation at step T03, the usage check process (FIG. 9) shown in step T06 is executed.
In step P15 in FIG. 9, the “usage amount” in the management information file 20 is compared with a predetermined reference value.
If the “use amount” of the management information file 20 exceeds the predetermined reference value in the comparison at step P15, it is determined that the predetermined use amount has been exceeded, and the trial use is restricted at step P16. Then, the trial enable flag is set to “0” and the process returns to the processing routine of FIG. At this time, the trial available flag (= 0) is passed to the processing routine of FIG. 5 as a determination result.
If the “use amount” in the management information file 20 does not exceed the predetermined reference value in the comparison in step P15, it is determined that the predetermined use amount has not yet been reached, and the trial is permitted in step P17. Therefore, the trial enable flag is set to “1” and the process returns to the processing routine of FIG. At this time, the trial available flag (= 1) is passed to the processing routine of FIG. 5 as a determination result.

Returning to FIG. 5, in step S <b> 11, the CPU 17 checks the trial use flag passed as the determination result.
In the case of No in step S11, that is, when the trial available flag is “0”, in step S12, the fact that the process is ended due to the use restriction is displayed on the monitor 11 and the operation of the trial version software is ended.
In the case of Yes in step S11, that is, when the trial available flag is “1”, it is checked in step S15 whether or not the current activation date is the same as the previous activation date. If the answer is No in step S15, that is, if the current activation date is different from the previous activation date, the management information file 20 is updated. In step S16, the activation date of the management information file 20 is updated. In step S17, the activation date of the management information file 20 is incremented by one.
In step S18, the operation of the trial version software is executed.

Next, a process of collecting the usage amount and checking the usage amount limit during the operation of the trial version software will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S21 of FIG. 10, when the trial version software detects that an event for changing a predetermined usage amount has occurred, in step S22, the usage amount of the management information file 20 is read and the planned usage amount is read. Add the amount.

In step S23, it is checked whether or not “usage amount” is selected as the restriction method by reading the “restriction method” column of the management information file 20.
If Yes in step S23, that is, if the limiting method is “use amount”, it is checked in step S24 whether the added use amount is within the reference value.
In the case of No in step S24, that is, if the usage amount exceeds the reference value, in step S25, the fact that the process is terminated due to the limitation of use is displayed on the monitor 11, and the operation of the trial version software is terminated.

  If Yes in step S24, that is, if the usage amount is within the reference value, or if No in step S23, that is, if the limiting method is not “usage amount”, in step S26, the event that has occurred is handled. In step S27, the actual usage amount is added to the “use amount” of the management information file 20 and stored.

Next, a method for changing the restriction method will be described.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for changing the restriction method.
When the user designates the trial version software or performs a predetermined operation while the trial version software is activated, a restriction method change dialog is displayed in step S31.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the restriction method change dialog 25.

  The restriction method change dialog 25 is provided with a restriction method selection area 25a and a use state display area 25b. In the restriction method selection area 25a, a pull-down menu for selecting a restriction method is displayed, and the user can select “period”, “startup days”, and “use amount” from this menu. Further, the usage status display area 25b displays the amount used so far and the remaining amount that can be used in the future for each restriction method.

When the user refers to the usage state display area 25b and grasps a restriction method with a large remaining amount and selects the restriction method from the restriction method selection area 25a, the restriction method changed by the user is acquired in step S32. In step S33, it is checked whether the selected restriction method has a remaining amount.
In the case of No in step S33, that is, when there is no remaining amount in the selected restriction method, in step S34, the fact that there is no remaining amount is displayed on the monitor 11, and the process returns to step S31 again to give the user a restriction method. Prompt to choose.
If Yes in step S33, that is, if there is a remaining amount in the selected restriction method, the selected restriction method is stored in the “restriction method” column of the management information file 20 in step S35.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a variation procedure for changing the restriction method.
In this variation, the display method of the use state display area 25b is different. When the restriction method is switched, the same ratio as the use state of the restriction method selected before the switching is applied to the restriction method after the switching and displayed.
When the user designates the trial version software or performs a predetermined operation while the trial version software is activated, a restriction method change dialog is displayed in steps S40 to S41.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a restriction method change dialog 25 related to variations.
For example, it is assumed that the restriction method is defined as a maximum of 60 days for the “period”, a maximum of 30 days for the “startup days”, and a maximum of 500 Mbytes for the “use amount”. When the current limit method is “period” and the remaining is three days, when switching to another limit method, the rest of the other limit methods are calculated to have the same ratio as the rest of “period”.
Therefore, since the remaining ratio of “period” is 5% (3 days / 60 days), the remaining “startup days” is 2 days (30 days * 5%), and the remaining “usage” is 25 Mbytes ( 500 Mbytes * 5%).

When the user selects a restriction method from the restriction method selection area 25a, the restriction method selected by the user is acquired in step S42. In step S43, it is checked whether the selected restriction method has a remaining amount.
In the case of No in step S43, that is, when there is no remaining amount in the selected restriction method, in step S44, the monitor 11 displays that there is no remaining amount, returns to step S40 again, and gives the user a restriction method. Prompt to choose.
If Yes in step S43, that is, if there is a remaining amount in the selected restriction method, the selected restriction method is stored in the “restriction method” column of the management information file 20 in step S45.

[Effect of the embodiment]
The software usage restriction method according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of restriction methods, and a restriction method suitable for the software can be selected at the time of software installation.
Further, even when the software is being used, the user can reselect a restriction method suitable for his / her use state. Since the remaining usage amount is displayed, the user can easily and effectively perform reselection.
Furthermore, various usage amounts can be applied depending on the type of software.

  In the present embodiment, the usage restriction method for the trial version software has been described. However, it is obvious that the usage restriction method according to the present invention can be widely applied to general software.

  Each function described in the above embodiment may be configured using hardware, or may be realized by reading a program describing each function into a computer using software. Each function may be configured by appropriately selecting either software or hardware.

  Furthermore, each function can be realized by causing a computer to read a program stored in a recording medium (not shown). Here, as long as the recording medium in the present embodiment can record a program and can be read by a computer, the recording format may be any form.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine suitably the component covering different embodiment.

The figure which shows the structure of information processing apparatus. The flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of installing software. The figure which shows the content of the management information file. A list illustrating the types of usage. The flowchart which shows the use restriction processing procedure when starting software. The flowchart which shows trial restriction | limiting judgment processing. The flowchart which shows a period check process. The flowchart which shows a starting day check process. The flowchart which shows a usage-amount check process. The flowchart which shows the process which collects the usage-amount and checks the restriction | limiting of a usage-amount. The flowchart which shows the procedure which changes a restriction | limiting method. The figure which shows a restriction method change dialog. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the variation which changes a restriction method. The figure which shows the restriction method change dialog which concerns on a variation.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information processing apparatus, 11 ... Monitor, 12 ... Keyboard, 13 ... Communication apparatus, 14 ... Storage device, 15 ... Memory, 16 ... Storage medium drive, 17 ... CPU, 20 ... Management information file, 25 ... Restriction method change dialog 25a ... Restriction method selection area, 25b ... Usage state display area.

Claims (12)

A software usage restriction method for an information processing device that restricts the use of software according to a plurality of types of standards,
The information processing apparatus includes a reference selection unit, a remaining amount change unit, a remaining amount display unit, a reference switching unit, and a use end unit.
A reference selection step for selecting one type of reference from the plurality of types of reference by the reference selection unit at the start of the use of the software;
A variable reduction step for changing the remaining amount of the variable corresponding to the reference by the remaining amount changing unit according to the use of the software,
For each of the plurality of criteria, a remaining amount display step for displaying the remaining amount of usable variable by a remaining amount display unit ;
A reference switching step of switching from the selected reference to another reference by a reference switching unit ;
And software used end step you prohibit the use of the software by the use end portion when the variable criteria is said selected has reached a predetermined limit value,
A software use restriction method characterized by comprising:   The software usage restriction method according to claim 1, wherein the variable reduction step changes only the selected variable.   2. The software use according to claim 1, wherein the variable reduction step reduces the remaining amount of the variable corresponding to all of the plurality of types of criteria at the same rate according to the use of the software. Restriction method.   The plurality of types of criteria includes at least one of software operation time, audio or video playback time, data transmission amount, accumulated file size, and mouse or keyboard operation count. 4. The software use restriction method according to any one of 1 to 3. A computer program for controlling the operation of an information processing device that restricts the use of software according to a plurality of types of criteria,
The information processing apparatus includes a reference selection unit, a remaining amount change unit, a remaining amount display unit, a reference switching unit, and a use end unit.
On the computer,
A reference selection step for selecting one type of reference from the plurality of types of reference by the reference selection unit at the start of the use of the software;
A variable reduction step for changing the remaining amount of the variable corresponding to the reference by the remaining amount changing unit according to the use of the software,
For each of the plurality of criteria, a remaining amount display step for displaying the remaining amount of usable variable by a remaining amount display unit ;
A reference switching step of switching from the selected reference to another reference by a reference switching unit ;
And software used end step you prohibit the use of the software by the use end portion when the variable criteria is said selected has reached a predetermined limit value,
A program to be run.   6. The program according to claim 5, wherein the variable reduction step changes only the selected variable.   6. The program according to claim 5, wherein in the variable reduction step, the remaining amount of the variable corresponding to all of the plurality of types of criteria is reduced at the same rate according to use of software.   The plurality of types of criteria includes at least one of software operation time, audio or video playback time, data transmission amount, accumulated file size, and mouse or keyboard operation count. The program according to any one of 5 to 7. A recording medium recording a computer program for controlling the operation of an information processing apparatus that restricts the use of software according to a plurality of types of criteria,
The information processing apparatus includes a reference selection unit, a remaining amount change unit, a remaining amount display unit, a reference switching unit, and a use end unit.
On the computer,
A reference selection step for selecting one type of reference from the plurality of types of reference by the reference selection unit at the start of the use of the software;
A variable reduction step for changing the remaining amount of the variable corresponding to the reference by the remaining amount changing unit according to the use of the software,
For each of the plurality of criteria, a remaining amount display step for displaying the remaining amount of usable variable by a remaining amount display unit ;
A reference switching step of switching from the selected reference to another reference by a reference switching unit ;
And software used end step you prohibit the use of the software by the use end portion when the variable criteria is said selected has reached a predetermined limit value,
Recording medium for recording a program for executing the.   The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the variable reduction step changes only the selected variable.   10. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein in the variable reduction step, the remaining amount of the variable corresponding to all of the plurality of types of standards is reduced at the same rate according to use of software.   The plurality of types of criteria includes at least one of software operation time, audio or video playback time, data transmission amount, accumulated file size, and mouse or keyboard operation count. The recording medium according to any one of 9 to 11.

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