JP4761632B2 - Application program expiration date setting method and application program expiration date setting system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and system for setting an expiration date of an application program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in order to use (or trial) an application program for a certain period of time, for example, a fixed date and time (for example, August 1, 2001) based on the date and time when the application program was installed or when the application program was applied for trial use. To July 31, 2002) is set as the expiration date. After the expiration date, even if an application program is to be executed, it cannot be executed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the period until the expiration date proceeds regardless of whether or not the application program is executed during that period, there is a problem that the expiration date has already passed at the time of execution and the execution may not be performed. Yes (for example, when it was not executed before the expiration date after installation or when it was not executed after the trial application and before the expiration date).
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to ensure a certain period of use by setting a time limit relatively from the start of use of an application program.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a method for setting an expiration date of an application program, the first step for prompting an input of a service provision key for setting an expiration date of a specific application program, and the input service provision A second step of determining the validity of the key, and a expiration date to be started after the determination for the specific application program when the input service providing key is determined to be valid. And a third step for setting.
[0006]
According to this method, it is possible to set an expiration date that starts after the input service provision key is determined to be valid, regardless of whether the period since the application program was installed or not. Become. In other words, a fixed period of use can be secured by setting a relative time limit.
[0007]
In the case where it is determined that the input service providing key is not valid, a fourth step of setting a use disapproval for the specific application program may be further provided. In this way, it is possible to effectively limit the execution of the application program based on the unauthorized service provision key.
[0008]
The second step may determine that the input service provision key is valid when a service provision key identical to the input service provision key is registered in advance. In this way, it is possible to prevent the expiration date from being set based on an unauthorized service provision key that is not registered.
[0009]
In the second step, when the same service provision key as the input service provision key is registered in advance and an identifier indicating that the service provision key is unused is registered, It may be determined that the input service providing key is valid. In this way, even when the service providing key is registered, it is possible to prevent duplication of the service providing key. That is, for example, it is possible to prevent duplicate use such as giving the same service provision key to a friend and using the service provision key together with the friend.
[0010]
In the third step, a use time limit of a part of the function of the specific application program may be set as a use time limit that starts after the determination. In this way, it is possible to limit the use of high value-added functions, and it is possible to continue using only basic functions.
[0011]
The present invention is also a method for setting an expiration date of an application program, the first step of setting an expiration date for a specific application program, and before the expiration of the set expiration date A second step that prompts an input of a service provision key for setting an expiration date of a specific application program; a third step of determining validity of the input service provision key; and the input service provision And a fourth step of updating the expiration date of the specific application program when it is determined that the key is valid.
[0012]
In this way, it is possible to extend the expiration date set in the application program by inputting the service providing key. This means that the application program and the service providing key can be sold separately.
[0013]
The present invention is also a system for setting an expiration date of an application program, an input means for inputting a service provision key for setting an expiration date of a specific application program, and the input service provision key A setting unit that sets a use expiration date that starts after the determination time for the specific application program when it is determined that the input service provision key is valid Means.
[0014]
According to this system, it is possible to set an expiration date that starts after the input service providing key is determined to be valid, regardless of whether the period of time since the application program was installed or not. Become. In other words, a fixed period of use can be secured by setting a relative time limit.
[0015]
The present invention is also a system for setting an expiration date of an application program, a setting means for setting an expiration date for a specific application program, and the specific date before the set expiration date has passed. Input means for inputting a service provision key for setting the expiration date of the application program, determination means for determining the validity of the input service provision key, and determination that the input service provision key is valid In this case, an update unit that updates and sets the expiration date of the specific application program is provided.
[0016]
In this way, it is possible to extend the expiration date set in the application program by inputting the service providing key. This means that the application program and the service providing key can be sold separately.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a program expiration date management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic system configuration of a program expiration date management system. The figure partially includes a functional block diagram.
[0019]
The program expiration date management system includes a user terminal 100 and a server 200, both of which include communication means such as a modem for data communication with each other via the Internet.
[0020]
The user terminal 100 is an information terminal such as a personal computer, and includes a computer main body, a storage device such as a hard disk device built in the computer main body, a CD-ROM drive device, input means such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a CRT display. And an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.
[0021]
A predetermined operating system such as Windows, Mac OS, or UNIX is installed in the hard disk device, and a browser program executed on the operating system and an application program P are installed.
[0022]
As the application program P, in the present embodiment, a character image such as anthropomorphic agent is displayed on the display, and characters such as a predetermined menu and topic information are displayed on the same screen as the character image (or voice is displayed). Software having various functions such as (output) is installed. As the application program, various other programs such as word processor software, mailer software, game software, and spreadsheet software may be used. In the hard disk device, the expiration date storage unit 130 is set by the activation of the application program P.
[0023]
The application program P is recorded on a CD-ROM and distributed, or distributed (downloaded) from a predetermined server (which may be a server 200 described later) via the Internet. When the application program is distributed by CD-ROM, it is installed in the hard disk device via the CD-ROM drive device.
[0024]
The configuration of the application program P will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the application program. The application program P mainly includes a program PA for displaying a character image, character image data PA2, dialogue data PA3, and voice data PA4. When the application program P is installed, these programs and data are stored in a predetermined area of the hard disk device.
[0025]
The program PA for displaying the character image is software (module) for displaying the character image based on the character image data PA2. The program PA is created by a script language having a system similar to the C language, and by specifying a desired character image PA2 (character image file name, etc.) using a function prepared in advance, the program PA Character images are displayed on the display.
[0026]
When the program PA is activated (executed), it displays the image data PA1 and dialogue PA3 of the character specified (description) in the program PA, and outputs the voice PA4. The character image includes a live-action image of a person or a living thing, an animation image (including a CG image) having an identity with the person or a living thing, an animated image of an imaginary person or a living thing, or a living thing or a non-living thing. Anthropomorphic animated images can be used. The character image may be a still image or a moving image.
[0027]
The program PA is a resident program that is started (executed) under a predetermined operating system and resides in a RAM (main storage device), and is used by other application software (such as word processing software and browser software). Even when the event is detected, the function of the program PA is executed when an event is detected. As an event, there is a click of a specific position (character image) with a mouse. When this click is detected, a menu screen as character information is displayed on the same screen as the character image.
[0028]
A click on a specific item in the menu screen is also detected as an event. For example, when the “Provide topic” and “Update information” items are displayed on the menu screen, and the click of “Provide topic” is detected, topic character information (for example, on the same screen as the character image) , "Today is XX anniversary. Origin is ...") (or audio information is output). On the other hand, when a click on “update information” is detected, character information (for example, “access server”) is displayed on the same screen as the character image and server 200 is displayed. When update information (such as a character image) is registered in the server, the update information is acquired and stored in its own hard disk device.
[0029]
Next, functions of the key input unit 110 and the key transmission / reception unit 120 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the functions of the functional blocks in FIG. The key input unit 110 and the key transmission / reception unit 120 are realized by an application program.
[0030]
When the service providing key for setting the expiration date of the application program P is input to the user terminal 100 via the input means (S100), the key input unit 110 sends the input service providing key to the key transmitting / receiving unit 120. Deliver (S110). The key transmission / reception unit 120 transmits the service providing key to the key verification unit 230 of the server 200 via the communication means and the Internet (S102). As will be described later, when the key transmission / reception unit 120 receives a use permission OK signal from the key collation unit 230 (S103, S104: OK), the key transmission / reception unit 120 sets an expiration date in the expiration date storage unit 130.
[0031]
The server 200 is a relatively high-performance computer such as a workstation, and includes a computer main body and a storage device such as a hard disk device built in the computer main body. There may be provided input means such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an image display device such as a CRT display and a liquid crystal display.
[0032]
A predetermined operating system such as Windows, Mac OS, or UNIX is installed in the hard disk device, and further, a server program executed on the operating system, a database management program, and the like are installed. The hard disk device stores an issued key management table 240 as a key DB (database).
[0033]
In this issued key management table 240, a serial number and a service providing key, an issued flag used to determine whether or not a service providing key has been issued, and a service providing key are used for each serial number. An unused flag used for determining whether or not the registration has been made is registered in association with each other. The service providing key is generated (issued) as a unique key by converting the serial number using a predetermined conversion algorithm.
[0034]
Key generation unit 210, key distribution unit 220, and key collation unit 230 are realized by a server program. The functions of these units will be described with reference to FIG.
[0035]
When accessed from the key distribution unit 220, the key generation unit 210 accesses the issued key management table 240 as a key DB and reads one serial number for which no service providing key has been issued (S201). Whether or not the serial number has not been issued is determined by whether or not the flag “N” is set in the issued flag column associated with the serial number. If “N” is set, it is determined that it has not been issued. For example, the issued key management table 240 shown in FIG. 1 indicates that the serial number “1236” has not been issued. In this case, the serial number “1236” is read out.
[0036]
The key generation unit 210 converts the read serial number into a unique service providing key using a predetermined conversion algorithm (S202). For example, the serial number “1236” is converted into a service provision key “ABCF”.
[0037]
The key generation unit 210 registers the service providing key generated in this way in the issued key management table 240 and sets a flag “Y” in the corresponding issued flag column. The key generation unit 210 delivers the generated service provision key to the key distribution unit 220 (S203).
[0038]
When the key distribution unit 220 is accessed from the user terminal 100 via the Internet, the key distribution unit 220 accesses the key generation unit 210 and acquires the service providing key generated by the key generation unit 210 as described above (S204). ). The key distribution unit 220 describes the acquired service provision key in an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Languege) file for displaying the service provision key notification screen (S205) and distributes it to the user terminal 100 (S206). ).
[0039]
When the key verification unit 230 receives the service provision key transmitted from the key transmission / reception unit 120, the key verification unit 230 accesses the issued management table 240 as the key DB (S207) and determines the validity of the received service provision key. That is, it is determined whether or not the reception service providing key has been issued and is not used (S208).
[0040]
Note that as the determination of the validity, it may be determined only whether or not the reception service providing key has been issued. The reason for determining whether or not it is unused is to prevent duplicate use of the same service provision key. Whether or not the received service provision key has been issued is determined by whether or not the flag “Y” is set in the issued flag column associated with the received service provision key. If “Y” is set, it is determined that it has been issued.
[0041]
Whether or not the reception service provision key is unused is determined by flag “Y” (an identifier indicating that the service provision key is unused) in the unused flag column associated with the reception service provision key. Judgment is made based on whether or not it is set. If “Y” is set, it is determined as unused.
[0042]
For example, the issued key management table 240 shown in FIG. 1 indicates that the service providing key “1235” has been issued, and also indicates that the service providing key “1235” is unused. .
[0043]
If it is determined that the reception service providing key has been issued and is not used as a result of the determination in S208 (S208: OK), the key collation unit 230 receives the issued key management table 240. A flag “N” is set in the unused flag column corresponding to the service providing key (1235 in the above case) (S209), and a use permission OK signal is issued and transmitted to the user terminal 100 (S210). On the other hand, as a result of the determination in S208, the key collating unit 230 determines that the reception service providing key has not been issued (not issued) or is not used (used) (S208: NG). Then, an NG signal (use non-permission signal) is issued and transmitted to the user terminal 100 (S211).
[0044]
Next, the operation of the program expiration date management system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the program expiration date management system.
[0045]
When a browser program is activated on the user terminal 100 and a predetermined URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is input via the browser, the WWW key purchase page is accessed (S300). This key purchase page is distributed from the server 200 as an HTML file. In the present embodiment, when newly setting the expiration date of the application program P or when trying to update and set the expiration date that has already been set, this key purchase page is accessed and a predetermined purchase procedure is performed. To obtain a service provision key. The predetermined purchase procedure includes designation of a period of use and designation of a payment method.
[0046]
The service purchase key purchase button is displayed on the key purchase page, and when it is detected that the button has been instructed (clicked) via the mouse, the key distribution unit 220 of the server 200 displays the key generation unit. 210 is accessed to obtain a unique service provision key (S301). The acquired service providing key is described in a part of the HTML file for displaying the service providing key notification screen by the key distribution unit 220 and distributed to the user terminal 100 (S302).
[0047]
The user terminal 100 analyzes the delivered HTML file using browser software and displays a service provision key notification screen. A service provision key (for example, 1235) is also displayed on this notification screen. In this way, the service providing key is notified to the user (S302). The service providing key may be notified by printing and distributing on a postal matter such as a postcard, or by synthetic voice or operator's real voice via a telephone.
[0048]
Next, when the application program P is started by, for example, clicking an icon associated with the application program P, the service provision key input screen is displayed to prompt the user to enter the service provision key. Yes. The user inputs the notified service providing key via this input screen (S303).
[0049]
When the expiration date has already been set for the application program P, the service provision key input screen is displayed before the expiration date (for example, one day before the expiration date) without being displayed at this timing. To prompt for a service provision key. Here, the description will be continued assuming that the expiration date has not yet been set (note that the same processing as described below is executed even when the expiration date is set).
[0050]
The input service providing key (1235 in the above case) is transmitted to the key verification unit 230 of the server 200 by the key transmission / reception unit 120 by performing a predetermined operation via the input means (S304).
[0051]
Upon receiving the service provision key, the key verification unit 230 accesses the issued key management table 240 as the key DB, and determines (confirms) the validity of the received service provision key (S305). That is, it is determined whether the received service provision key has been issued and is not used. As the determination of the validity, it may be determined only whether or not the received service providing key has been issued.
[0052]
As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the reception service provision key has been issued and is not used, the key collation unit 230 determines that the reception service provision key in the issued key management table 240 has not yet been received. A flag “N” is set in the use flag column, and a use permission OK signal is issued and transmitted to the user terminal 100.
[0053]
For example, the issued key management table 240 shown in FIG. 1 indicates that the issued flag corresponding to the service providing key “1235” is “Y” and that the service providing key “1235” has been issued. Yes. Further, the unused flag corresponding to the service providing key “1235” is “Y”, indicating that the service providing key “1235” is unused. Therefore, in this case, a use permission OK signal is transmitted to the user terminal 100 (see FIG. 3).
[0054]
When the key transmission / reception unit 120 receives the use permission OK signal (S306, S307: OK), the key transmission / reception unit 120 sets the expiration date to be started after the validity determination in S305 in the expiration date storage unit 130 (S308). For example, an expiration date of, for example, 6 months starting on the day (or the next day) when the usage permission OK signal is received is set as the expiration date starting after the validity determination in S305 (new purchase of a service provision key) If). If the usage permission OK signal is received when the expiration date has already been set, the expiration date is updated and set, such as the remaining expiration date + the expiration date of 6 months (when the service provision key is additionally purchased).
[0055]
Each time the application program P is started, the date and time information acquired from a calendar unit (not shown) provided in the user terminal 100 is referred to by referring to the expiration date set in the expiration date storage unit 130. It is determined whether or not it is within the set deadline, and the application program P is executed only when it is determined that it is within the deadline (continuation of execution).
[0056]
Note that as the expiration date, an expiration date of a part of the application program P (such as a function of accessing the server to acquire update information) may be set. In this case, each time the application program P is subsequently started, it is determined whether or not the date / time information acquired from the calendar portion is within the expiration date of some functions, and is determined to be within the expiration date. Only in this case, all functions of the application program P can be executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the expiration date of a part of the function has passed, it may be impossible to execute the function (for example, “information update” item is not displayed in the menu screen) ).
[0057]
In this way, it is possible to restrict the use of high value-added functions (such as the function of acquiring the above update information), and it is possible to continue using only basic functions. Therefore, it is possible to give a motivation to newly purchase a service provision key to a user who intends to use a high-value-added function whose use is restricted.
[0058]
On the other hand, as a result of the determination in S305, if it is determined that the reception service providing key has not been issued (not issued), or has been issued but not used (used) (S306: NG) ), An NG signal (usage non-permission signal) is generated by the key verification unit 230 and transmitted to the user terminal 100. In this case, the execution of the application program P is stopped (S307: NG). For example, after the screen display such as “Service providing key is inappropriate”, the execution of the application program P is stopped.
[0059]
When the execution is to be stopped, the use prohibition of the application program P is set. For example, a flag indicating that use of the application program P is not permitted is set in a predetermined area of the hard disk device. Next, when the activation of the application program P is instructed next time, the flag is referred to so that the application program P is actually activated (executed) only when the usage permission is not set. In this way, execution of the program P based on an unauthorized service provision key can be effectively limited.
[0060]
As described above, according to the program expiration date management system of the present embodiment, since only the service providing key can be sold separately and independently from the application program P, the cost of sales management can be reduced. In addition, there is no time limit on the use of unused service provision keys, and the user does not waste even if a user purchases a plurality of service provision keys in advance. Furthermore, by checking the validity (or validity) of the service providing key with the server 200 via the network, it becomes possible to reliably detect the expired key.
[0061]
In the above example, when it is determined that the input means (keyboard or the like) for inputting a service provision key for setting the expiration date of the application program P to the user terminal 100 and the input service provision key is valid. In the above description, the application program P is provided with setting means (S105 in FIG. 3) for setting an expiration date that starts after the determination. Further, the server 200 has been described as being provided with determination means (S208 in FIG. 3) for determining the validity of the service provision key input at the user terminal 100.
[0062]
Instead, an input unit may be provided in the user terminal 100, and a setting unit and a determination unit may be provided in the server 200. Further, the user terminal 100 may be provided with input means, setting means, and determination means. In this case, the server 200 becomes unnecessary.
[0063]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to ensure a certain period of use by setting a time limit relatively from the start of use of an application program.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic system configuration of a program expiration date management system for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an application program according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining functions of functional blocks included in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the program expiration date management system of the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 User terminal 110 Key input unit 120 Key transmission / reception unit 130 Expiration date storage unit 200 Server 210 Key generation unit 220 Key distribution unit 230 Key verification unit 240 Issued key management table P Application program

Claims (6)

A method for setting an expiration date of an application program,
A first step for prompting the user to enter a service provision key for setting an expiration date of a specific application program;
When the same service provision key as the input service provision key is registered in advance and an identifier indicating that the service provision key is unused is registered, the input service provision key A second step of determining that is valid ;
When it is determined that the input service provision key is valid, a third step of setting an expiration date to be started after the determination time for the specific application program is used. Deadline setting method.   2. The application program expiration date according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth step of setting a use disapproval for the specific application program when it is determined that the input service providing key is not valid. Setting method.   The application program expiration date setting method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third step sets an expiration date of a partial function of the specific application program as an expiration date starting after the determination. A method for setting an expiration date of an application program,
A first step of setting an expiration date for a particular application program;
A second step for prompting the user to enter a service provision key for setting an expiration date of the specific application program before the set expiration date has passed;
When the same service provision key as the input service provision key is registered in advance and an identifier indicating that the service provision key is unused is registered, the input service provision key A third step for determining that is valid ;
An application program expiration date setting method, comprising: a fourth step of updating and setting the expiration date of the specific application program when it is determined that the input service provision key is valid. A system for setting an expiration date of an application program,
An input means for inputting a service provision key for setting the expiration date of a specific application program;
When the same service provision key as the input service provision key is registered in advance and an identifier indicating that the service provision key is unused is registered, the input service provision key Determining means for determining that is valid ,
An application program expiration date setting comprising: setting means for setting an expiration date starting after the determination for the specific application program when it is determined that the input service providing key is valid system. A system for setting an expiration date of an application program,
A setting means for setting an expiration date for a specific application program;
An input means for inputting a service provision key for setting an expiration date of the specific application program before the expiration date of the set;
When the same service provision key as the input service provision key is registered in advance and an identifier indicating that the service provision key is unused is registered, the input service provision key Determining means for determining that is valid ,
An application program expiration date setting system comprising: update means for updating and setting an expiration date of the specific application program when it is determined that the input service provision key is valid.

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