JPH0721089A - File managing method for information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the content of an outside storage device from being illegally copied by activating an information processor only when an identification number stored in a storage device is matched with an identification number stored in a file device. CONSTITUTION:The identification number is added to each hard disk 5 and 6, and the identification number is stored in a non-volatile memory 12 on a main board. In each hard disk 5 and 6, the identification number is stored in each prescribed sector before a system is shipped. At the time of activating the system, the identification number stored in each hard disk 5 and 6 is read, and compared with the identification number stored in the non-volatile memory 12. As the result, when they are matched, the entire system is activated. Thus, the content of the outside storage device can be prevented from being illegally copied.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to identification and determination of an external storage device including a hard disk in a personal computer or the like as an information processing device, and more particularly to a file management method for starting and copying an information processing device having a plurality of hard disks. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a personal computer or a medical electronic computer is equipped with a plurality of external storage devices such as hard disks in the same system, the data stored in one of the hard disks is stored in another hard disk. When a hard disk fails, the file data stored in the hard disk is copied to the other, and the system is operated to reduce the frequency of system down. Has been done. In this case, as a file device such as a hard disk and a magneto-optical disk, a file device having exactly the same hardware specifications can be or can be installed in the same system.

[0003]

In the conventional configuration, when a file device storing various data is connected to another system because there is no identification number for connecting each file device in the same system. The original data can be used as is in the system,
There is a drawback that data can be illegally copied and used between systems.

Further, in the downsizing process (downsizing) of computer systems today, downsizing of external storage devices such as hard disks is progressing. Taking a hard disk as an example, the hard disk is conventionally composed of a disk having a size of 8 inches or 5 inches or more, the weight is about 3 kg to 8 kg, and 4 to 6 cables for connection are required. Was difficult to install and remove.

However, recent hard disks have a disk size of 3.5 inches or 2.5 inches and a weight of 20.
The weight has been reduced from 0 to 800g, and only two connecting cables for the power supply and data signal are required. It is extremely easy to remove and replace the hard disk described above, making it easy to illegally use the data in the file. There was a shortcoming. Therefore, the present invention proposes a new structure for preventing the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0006]

The present invention provides an input means for inputting data, an information processing section, a storage means for storing input data by the input means and data processed by the information processing section, and various data. In an information processing apparatus having a plurality of storage devices and a display device for holding the storage device, each storage device is provided with an identification number, and the identification number is stored in a file device provided for activation to start the information processing device. At this time, the identification number stored in the storage device is compared with the identification number stored in the file device, and the information processing device is activated only when they match.

[0007]

According to the file management method of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent illegal copying (copying) and illegal use of data between a plurality of systems having a plurality of hard disks as in the conventional case.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the basic operation of a system for explaining a file management method of an information processing apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a system block for explaining the method. Fig. 3 and Fig. 1
A memory map used for the memory in FIG. 3, and FIG. Next, in FIG. 2, (1) is a keyboard as an input unit, (2) is an input unit, (3) is a CPU as an information processing unit, and (4) is temporary input data and data processed by the CPU. Memory as a storage means for a buffer that stores the
(5) and (6) are respectively the first provided as the external storage device.
And the second hard disk (HD1, HD2), (7)
Is a display device having an LCD or CRT for displaying data, (8) is a printer for printing on a printing paper (9), (1
Reference numerals 0) and (11) denote an output unit, and (12) denotes a nonvolatile memory as a file device that stores the identification number (ID) attached to the hard disk.

A series of operations in FIG. 2 will be described next. A predetermined operation is selected from the keyboard (1) by pressing an input data key and various function keys, and a hard disk (5) contains a predetermined system program. Various programs are stored and an identification number (ID1) is stored, and at the same time, an identification number (ID2) is stored in the backup hard disk (6). Further, the non-volatile memory (12) stores the identification numbers (ID1 and ID2) assigned to the hard disks (5) and (6).

The memory map in the non-volatile memory (12) at this time is, as shown in FIG. 3, hard disks (HD1 and HD2) (5) (6) in area 1 and area 2, respectively.
The identification number of is stored. Therefore, with the configuration shown in FIG. 2, various data are keyed in from the keyboard (1). For example, in a medical office computer, when receiving medical treatment at a medical institution, individual data unique to the patient, such as the patient's name and insurance policy number, is keyed in, and the medical treatment code related to medical treatment is also keyed in. After data processing is performed and the data is temporarily stored in the memory (4), when the data is saved, it is stored in the hard disk as an external storage device.

In this case, the hard disk (5) among the hard disks can be saved and the hard disk (6) can be saved for backup. However, although the hard disks (5) and (6) have exactly the same specifications, it is unclear whether or not they were built into the original system. In other words, it is possible to remove a hard disk with exactly the same specifications from another system or purchase a hard disk that is sold as a unit and install it. In such a case, we want to prevent it from being treated the same as the original systemized unit. .

Therefore, in the system of the present invention, the hard disks (5) and (6) are individually assigned identification numbers, and the identification numbers are provided in separate parts, for example, on a so-called main board including the CPU (3). It is stored in the non-volatile memory (12). At this time, the identification number (ID1) is assigned to area 1 (predetermined address) for HD1 and area 2 for HD2.
The identification number (ID2) is stored in (predetermined address).
On the other hand, in the hard disks (5) and (6), identification numbers (ID1 and ID2) are stored in predetermined sectors of each hard disk before shipment of the system.

In such a configuration, the basic operation of the system is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the power switch is turned on and the system is started, it is determined whether the identification numbers of the hard disks (5) and (6) are appropriate. This reads the identification number (ID) stored in the hard disks (5) and (6) and compares the identification number (ID1 or ID2) stored in the non-volatile memory (12). If they match, as a result, the entire system is started up, and the system startup flow chart shown in FIG. 4 is entered.

However, if the identification numbers (IDs) do not match, the flags of HD1 and HD2 are checked, and if they are correct, display A (lighting of a message or mark based on the occurrence of a hardware failure) is performed. As an example, a message is displayed on the screen of the display device (7) or a mark LED, lamp or the like is turned on to notify the operator that the system hardware is defective.

On the other hand, if the flag in the hard disk (5) or (6) is incorrect, it means that an illegal copy has been attempted and the flag is cleared.
In the case of data storage in an information processing device systemized by hardware and software as described above, among the hard disks provided as external storage devices,
Prevents unauthorized copying to the backup hard disk.

[0016]

When a file is backed up in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the contents of the external storage device such as a hard disk are not illegally copied, so that the entire system is in a genuine state (genuine part). The configuration can be maintained, and in particular, the product warranty can be checked, and troubles after product shipment can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration for explaining the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a memory map within a non-volatile memory in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart when the system of the present invention is activated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Keyboard (3) CPU (4) Memory (5) (6) Hard disk (7) Display device (12) Non-volatile memory

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An input means for inputting data, an information processing section,
In an information processing apparatus including a storage unit for storing input data by the input unit and data processed by the information processing unit, a plurality of storage devices for holding various data, and a display device, the storage devices are respectively identified. The information processing unit stores the identification number in a file device provided for booting with a number, and stores the identification number stored in the storage device and the identification number stored in the file device when the information processing device is activated. A file management method for an information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus is activated only when read, compared, and matched. 2. When the identification number stored in the storage device and the identification number stored in the file device do not match, the data corresponding to the mismatch stored in the file device is read and the data does not match the display device. The file management method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein is displayed. 3. When the identification numbers stored in the plurality of storage devices and the identification numbers stored in the file device match, the data in the first storage device can be copied to the second storage device. The file management method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein