JPH03105525A - Program control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To protect the user right and to prevent the illegal copying acts by sending a key part of an installer and an ID number stored in a computer system into the system software, comparing the ID number of the system software with the ID number of a computer, and starting a user program main body when the coincidence is obtained between both ID numbers. CONSTITUTION:The installer part 6 of an object software 7 includes an installer part 1 and a key part 8, and a user program main body 5 includes a key start part 2 which starts the part 8. The part 1 transfers the main body 5 to an external storage medium 9 and also sends an ID number 3 stored in a computer system 4 into the part 1. The part 1 also has an function to send the part 8 in the part 1 and the number ID number 3 into the prescribed positions of the system software 10. The part 8 compares the number 3 stored in the software 10 with the ID number of the system 4 and starts the main body 5 when the coincidence is obtained between both ID numbers. Thus it is possible to prevent the illegal copying acts and to protect the normal user right.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] Regarding a method for preventing illegal copying of software on a computer, the number of computers that can be used at the same time is limited to one, and even if the program is transferred to another computer, the program cannot be started. In a computer system that has an internal ID number, the aim is to protect the rights of both software rights holders and authorized users by doing so, and to prevent duplication from causing unnecessary trouble to users. The target software consists of a user program main body and an installer, and the installer has an installer section that transfers the user program main body to another medium and a key section that is a program fragment. There is a key activation part that starts the above key part, and the above installer part moves the main body of the user program to an external storage medium. At the same time, enter the ID number in the computer system into the installer section. At the same time, it has a function that inserts the key part in the installer part and the ID number in the computer system into a predetermined position in the system software. The key section is designed to have a function of comparing the ID number inside the system software and the ID number of the computer system, and starting the user program if they match.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a method for preventing illegal copying of software on a computer.

Software is primarily protected by copyright law. Unless otherwise specified by the rights holder, users of the software are subject to some form of usage restriction. The following three points are typical restrictions on use. ■Only one computer can use the software at the same time.

■Only a portion of the data is duplicated for backup purposes.

■When transferring the rights to the software to another party, all documents accompanying the software must be attached.

In addition. In the case of software that is used by many computers via a network, the provisions in (2) may be changed depending on the situation.

Many software require that the user agree to all three conditions. The format is such that its use is permitted.

Prevention of illegal copying of software is intended to ensure thorough compliance with Paragraph 1. The rights a user has to multiple pieces of software are limited to making some copies as specified in Section 2. However. In reality, it is being illegally copied and distributed by users, seriously infringing on the rights of rights holders. For this reason, right holders prevent illegal copying by applying measures to software media that prevent software from being freely copied.

[Conventional technology]

Currently, most of the 9-city version software is provided on floppy disks. First, the format of a floppy disk used by a normal OS will be explained, and then a conventional method for preventing illegal copying will be described.

FIG. 5 shows the standard format of a floppy disk. The magnetic surface 6l on the floppy disk is . It is logically divided into area tracks 62 arranged concentrically. Each track 62 is further divided into several sectors 63. The sector 63 is the basic unit for storing data on a floppy disk. The amount of data that can be stored on a floppy disk is determined by the number of tracks, the number of sectors, and the number of bytes that can be stored in one sector, and these are determined by the OS based on the physical characteristics of the floppy disk.

Next, many of the conventional methods to prevent illegal copying involve installing a different OS and converting the data on the media into a special format. Data on the medium can be read only when the computer is started from the medium.

If you do this, the data on the medium cannot be read from the normal OS on the computer. It can no longer be copied using normal copy programs, which helps prevent illegal copying.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram in which the header of the floppy disk has been rewritten. Data string 72 used as sector header 7l
is defined by the OS. Therefore, from a software perspective, it is no longer possible to read information on sectors starting in columns other than this. Here, system software that is a modified version of the normal OS is loaded onto the floppy disk, so that it can read sectors starting with the regular header 71 and the header uniquely used within the floppy disk.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of the extra track. The upper limit for the number of tracks on a floppy disk is determined by the OS in consideration of the characteristics of the floppy disk, but generally speaking, writing or reading beyond this upper limit does not significantly reduce reliability. For this reason, the OS in the 5 floppy disk was modified to allow information to be stored in tracks that cannot normally be used. Figure 8 shows a diagram of the original format. On a regular floppy disk. The tracks are arranged on concentric circles, but unique formants are used, such as making them spiral.

Figure 9 is. Figure 3 shows a diagram of track synchronization. In a normal OS, there is no correlation between adjacent tracks. By synchronizing adjacent tracks on a sector by sector basis and directly controlling the header when reading. A method is used to change the synchronization relationship between tracks. This is because copying using the normal method does not preserve the correlation between Tora and Noku. It can be determined whether the software on the floppy disk is a duplicate.

Also, the software itself can be freely copied. For execution, the documentation attached to the software, e.g.
Make it necessary to refer to the manual etc. There is a way to prevent the manual from being copied by printing it in color.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Each of the conventional techniques has its own problems.

first. The method of making a file unreadable by a normal OS can almost certainly prevent illegal copying. This violates the right of authorized users to make "copies for backup purposes." Also. Under this method, software cannot be started from another medium such as a hard disk. This is because software is often used on a storage medium that can be accessed at high speed, such as a hard disk. This is a major restriction for users.

Some software that uses this method is designed to allow copying to other media a limited number of times;
The condition that it does not work on two or more computers at the same time is not satisfied, and there remains the problem of requiring users to take extra effort to duplicate. Next, although the method of making users refer to attached materials does not infringe on the user's right to make copies, it does require them to have the materials on hand at all times when using them, which may cause unnecessary effort. There is.

The present invention protects the rights of both software rights holders and authorized users by limiting the number of computers that can be used at the same time to one and making it impossible to start the program even if the program is transferred to another computer. Protection. The aim is to provide a copy prevention method that does not require the user to take any more effort than necessary.

[Means to solve the problem]

FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the principle of the present invention.

In the figure, ■ is the installer part. The user program body 5 is transferred to the target medium (external storage medium 9), and at the same time, the ID number 3 in the computer system 4 is placed in the installer 6. At the same time, the key part 8 in the installer 6 and the computer system 4
The ID number 3 in the file is infiltrated into the system software 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes target software, which consists of a user program main body 5 and an installer 6, and the installer 6 includes program fragments called the installer part 1,=m part 8. Reference numeral 2 denotes a key activation unit, in which the system software 10 reads the user program main body 5 from the external storage medium 9 in the state resulting from activation of the installer unit 6. Thereafter, the key section within the system software 10 is activated. The key section 8 compares the ID number inside the system software 10 and the ID number of the computer, and if they match, starts the user program main body 5.

[Effect]

According to the present invention, by activating the installer section 1, the installer imports the number 10, but as a result, the installer does not use the imported ID until the removal process is performed.
Allow installation processing to be performed only on computers with numbers.

Furthermore, since the two-user program itself is not protected against copying, it can be freely copied, and the system software can be processed any number of times.

Also, to import the ID number during installation. The number of computers that can be used at the same time can be limited to one, and at the same time, even if the user program main body and system software are transferred to another computer, the other computer's ■D number and ID number in the system software will not fail, so the original operation will continue. This means that we will not be able to do so. It also protects the rights of software rights holders. As described above, the tree method makes it possible to protect users' rights and prevent illegal copying.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 shows a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure. Reference numeral 21 denotes target software, which is controlled by the user program body 24 and the installer 22.

20 is a floppy disk. Target shift wear 2
It is a portable magnetic medium that stores 1. The installer 22 includes an installer section 29 that installs the user program main body 24 into the data processing device 25 and a key section 23 that is a small program. The user program main body 24 includes a key activation unit 30 that activates the key unit 23.

The data processing device 25 has an ID number 26 and system software (OS) 27. Data processing device 25
An external storage device 28 is connected to.

With the above structure. The data processing device 25 is the installer 22
, and start the installer section 29. Move the user program main body 24 to the external storage device 28, and at the same time transfer the key part 23 in the installer 22 and the ID number 26 in the computer.
into a predetermined position in the system software 27.

In Figure 3. A flow diagram of the installer section 29 is shown.

In the figure, in the process of Sl, the installer section is activated. Next, in the process of S2, the installer section [D
It is determined whether the computer has a +D number or not, and if it does not have a +D number, the ID number of the computer is copied to the installer section in the process of S5, and the process moves to steps 56 and below. If the installer has an ID number, in the S3 process, the ID number of the installer and the ID number of the system software are used.
The numbers are compared, and if they do not match, a termination process is performed in step S4, and in step 36, the ID number is embedded in the system software. Next, in the process of 37. Embed the key into the system software. Next, in the process of 38. Copy the user program main body to an external storage device.

In the state after the installer section 29 has been started, the system software 27 is started and the user program main body is read into the main memory. Next, the key activation section 30 within the user program operates to activate the key section 23 and enter the ID number within the system software and the ID of the computer.
Compare numbers. If they match, the user program is started; if they do not match, the user program is not started and the process ends.

After the installer section 29 has been activated, the removal processing section 31 in the installer 22 can be activated to return to the original state.

FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of the removal processing section 3l.

In the figure, in the process of S21. Load the installer into main memory. Next, in the process of S22, the removal processing unit is activated, and in the process of S23, it is determined whether the ID numbers of the computer and the installer unit match, and if they do not match, the termination process is performed in S24. ．． If they match, the ID number inside the system software is removed in the process of S25. Next, in the process of S27, the key part inside the system software is removed. Next, in the process 328, the user program main body in the external storage device is removed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As stated above. According to the invention. This makes it possible to limit the number of machines on which software can be installed, while allowing users to freely back up software. This makes it possible to both prevent illegal copying and protect the rights of authorized users, greatly contributing to the development of the software business.

4. Explanation of the drawings Figure 1 is a diagram explaining the principle of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the installation section, FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the removal processing section, and FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the removal processing section. ．． Figure 6 is a diagram of the standard format of a floppy disk. This is a diagram of the floppy disk header rewritten. Figure 7 is a diagram of the extra track. 5 Figure 8 is a diagram of the extra track.
Figure 9 is a diagram of a unique format. FIG. 3 is a diagram of trunk synchronization.

In Figure 1, 1 is the installer part, 2 is the key activation part 3 is the ID number 4 is a computer system, 5 is the user program main body, 6 is the installer, 7 is the target software. 8 is the key part. 9 is an external storage medium, 10 is system software.

1 Figure 2 Figure 2 Excluding Rokugenri-gun 70 9F54 Figure Furo Sogoi Disc's I Fusuma Tsukahira, Little Brother 5 Diagram 7 No. 9 No. 9, Figure 6

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A computer system (4) that has an internal ID number (3)
) has target software (7) consisting of a user program main body (5) and an installer (6), and the installer (6) has an installer section (1) that transfers the user program main body (5) to another medium. ) and a key part (8) which is a program fragment, and the user program main body (5) is present.
) has a key activation unit (2) that activates the key unit (8), and the installer unit (1) transfers the user program main body (5) to the external storage medium (9) and at the same time starts the computer system ( 4) Enter the ID number (3) in the installer section (
6) and at the same time insert the key part (8) in the installer part and the ID number (3) in the computer system (4) into a predetermined position in the system software (10). 8) is the system software (1
0) A program control system characterized by having a function of comparing the internal ID number and the ID number (3) of the computer system (4) and starting the user program main body (5) if they match. (2) The computer system (4) is added to the installer (6) above.
) ID number (3) and ID number in the installer section (6)
If the numbers match, the ID number inside the system software (10), the ID number inside the installer section (6), the key section inside the system software (10), and the user program main body (5) in the external storage medium (9). The program control system according to claim 1, further comprising a removal processing section (11) for removing.