JPH07234785A - Computer and method for controlling rental period of software - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily obtain application software to correctly control a rental period by comparing prescribed rental passage time data with rental period specifying data and, when rental passage time data is larger, outputting a rental period finishing signal so as to erase rental software. CONSTITUTION:First of all, erasing control software is started, a public line with a rental company is connected to it to collate a sent identification number, and after then, communication with a user is enabled. (S1 to S3) The rental period of the user is checked to transmit 'OK' at the time of being within the period and the message of 'NG' and period update software at the time of being outside of the limit. (S4, S6) At the time of 'OK', processing by erasing control software is finished, application software is executed and the connection of a communication line is disconnected. (S5) At the time of 'NG', period update software is received and at the time of not updating the period, the erasing of application software is instructed. (S9 to S10).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer for inputting and executing rental software, for example, a computer for controlling an executable period of software supplied via a communication line or a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a remarkable spread of personal computers and game machines. Generally, a user stores a storage medium, such as a floppy disk or an R, that stores software supplied by a software manufacturer.
I purchase an OM card and a CD-ROM, install it on the computer hardware owned by the user, and use it.

[0003]

However, in order to obtain these pieces of software, the user has to go to a store that deals with a storage medium storing these software or to apply for mail order. Also, users could not try these software before purchasing. Also, if you rent the application software for rental, when returning it, or if you want to extend the loan beyond the loan deadline, go to the rental store,
It was necessary to return or extend the loan. In addition, some users may not return even after the loan period has expired and continue to use it without permission, which makes it difficult to manage the loan period.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a computer in which a user can easily obtain application software and easily perform accurate loan term management.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a computer for managing a software lending term and a software lending term management method of the present invention have the following configurations. That is, storage means for inputting and storing lending software including predetermined lending term designation data,
The lending software stored in the storage means is notified from the measuring means, which comprises a measuring means for measuring the elapsed rental time and an executing means for executing the lending software including the predetermined lending term designation data. Comparing the predetermined loan elapsed time data with the loan expiration date designation data, and if the loan elapsed time data exceeds the predetermined loan expiration date designation data, a comparing means for outputting a loan expiration end signal; and the loan expiration date Erasing means for erasing the lending software stored in the storing means based on the end signal.

Another aspect of the present invention is to input a lending software including predetermined lending term designation data and store the lending software in storage means, a measuring step for measuring elapsed lending time, and the predetermined lending term. The lending software stored in the storage means is compared with predetermined lending elapsed time data notified from the measuring step, and the lending term designation data. If the loan elapsed time data becomes larger than the predetermined loan deadline designation data, a comparing step of outputting a loan deadline end signal, and lending software stored in the storage means based on the loan deadline end signal And an erasing step of erasing the wear.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first computer includes a measuring step for measuring the elapsed loan time and an output step for outputting the lending software including predetermined lending term designation data to the second computer. The second computer receives the lending software including predetermined lending term designation data and stores the lending software in a storage unit, and executes the lending software including the predetermined lending term designation data. The lending software stored in the storage means compares the predetermined lending elapsed time data notified from the measuring step with the lending deadline designation data, and the lending elapsed time data is the predetermined lending data. If it is larger than the lending deadline designation data, a comparison step of outputting a lending deadline end signal, and based on the lending deadline end signal, It lending stored in pay Engineering means and an erasing step of erasing the software.

[0008]

In the above structure, the storing means inputs the lending software including the predetermined lending term designation data,
The lending software stored, the measuring means measures the elapsed loan time, the executing means executes the lending software including the predetermined lending term designation data, and the lending software stored in the storing means is The predetermined lending elapsed time data that is notified is compared with the lending deadline designation data, and if the lending elapsed time data becomes larger than the predetermined lending deadline designation data, the comparing unit outputs a lending deadline end signal. The erasing means erases the renting software stored in the storing means based on the lending term end signal.

Another aspect of the present invention is to input lending software including predetermined lending term designation data, store the lending software in storage means, measure elapsed lending time, and lend software including the predetermined lending term designation data. The lending software stored in the storage means executes the software and compares the predetermined lending elapsed time data notified from the measuring step with the lending deadline designation data, and the lending elapsed time data is the predetermined lending data. If it is larger than the lending deadline designation data, the lending deadline end signal is output, and the lending software stored in the storage means is erased based on the lending deadline end signal.

According to another aspect of the invention, the first computer measures the elapsed rental time and outputs the lending software including predetermined lending term designation data to the second computer, and the second computer. Inputting lending software including predetermined lending term designation data, storing the lending software in storage means, executing the lending software including the predetermined lending term designating data, and lending software stored in the storage means , Comparing the predetermined loan elapsed time data notified from the measuring step with the loan expiration date designating data, and outputting the loan expiration date end signal if the loan elapsed time data becomes larger than the predetermined loan expiration date data Then, the lending software stored in the storage means is deleted based on the lending term end signal.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An outline of a computer system of this embodiment according to the present invention will be briefly described first. The computer system of this embodiment includes a modem that communicates via a communication line,
A storage device that stores data received via a communication line, a counter that counts a clock of an oscillator, and a control unit that erases or invalidates received data stored in the storage device according to the count number of the counter. Equipped with. Further, the counter and the control unit are realized, for example, by executing software which is received data stored in the storage device. Further, a board including a modem, a storage device, a counter, and a control unit can be connected to the computer system main body.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system based on this embodiment. The area inside the broken line is a general personal computer 22 (hereinafter, simply "PC
22 "). The CPU 1 has a system bus 2
Via a RAM, which is a work area for loading and executing various software, and for execution, a ROM 4 including a font, various software and an operating system (hereinafter, simply referred to as "OS"), various An HDD 5 which is a hard disk for storing application software and an FDD 6 which is a floppy disk are connected. Further, a real-time clock circuit 7 (hereinafter, abbreviated as RTC circuit 7) having a timer function is connected. The RTC circuit 7 can continue the calculation of the current time even when the device power is off by the built-in lithium battery. Also, a keyboard controller 8 for controlling data input from the keyboard 11,
A display controller 9 for controlling image display on the CRT 12 and a mouse controller 13 for controlling data input from the mouse 13 are connected. The system bus 2 has an expansion slot 21 to which the expansion board 14 of one embodiment of the present invention is connected. The expansion board 14 has a C
NCU16 for communicating with PU15 via public line
And a modem 17, a rewritable non-volatile memory 18 for storing information received by the modem 17 (hereinafter referred to as a flash memory 18), an RTC circuit 19 similar to the RTC 7 mounted on the PC 22, and a data buffer area. The RAM 20 is provided. The CPU 15 can control the circuit in the expansion board 14 to store the information received from the public line in the RAM 20 or erase the stored information.

On the other hand, the rental company has a computer system as shown in FIG. The system bus 102 of the CPU 101 is connected with a RAM 103 as a software execution area, a data erasure control software, and an HDD 104 for storing the OS and temporarily saving the software. Further, the RTC circuit 105 and the keyboard 107 similar to the RTC 7 described in FIG.
Keyboard controller 1 for controlling data input from
10, a display controller 109 for controlling image display on the CRT 106, and a mouse controller 111 for controlling data input from the mouse 108 are connected. Further, a CD-ROM driver 112 for reading data from a CD-ROM storing application software to be rented, a modem 113 for communicating with a user's computer, and an NCU 114 via the modem 113.
Are connected. In the CD-ROM or HDD 104,
During communication with the user, the user side CRT also stores software for displaying a message prompting the user to select a rental.

When the user activates the rented application software with the keyboard 11, the CPU 15 executes a communication task. And N
A line is connected to the rental company via the CU 16 and the rental software selection mode is entered. The user decides to receive the rental by designating the desired software and the rental period while looking at the screen. On the rental company side, when the designated rental period elapses in the designated application software, erasing software for controlling erasing of this software is added and transmitted to the user's computer via the public line. The transmitted software is stored in the flash memory 18 in the expansion board and becomes executable. The erasing software monitors the timer of the RTC circuit 19 in the expansion board 14, and when the count value of the timer becomes larger than the count number set in the software, it is stored in the flash memory 18. Erase application software. As described above, even when the power of the device is off, the timer is driven by the backup battery, so the timer function is retained, and when the power is turned on again and the CPU 15 in the expansion board starts up. The timer value is compared to determine whether to erase.

The RTC circuits 7 and 19 of this embodiment are, as shown in FIG. 3, IC2 which is a semiconductor integrated circuit dedicated to RTC.
0 (for example, MC146818 of Monoroller), an oscillator 21, and a backup battery 22. RTC
The dedicated IC 20 inputs and sets the current date and time by a binary counter unit that counts the clock of the oscillator, a calendar unit that stores a calendar up to several decades ahead, and a set command from the CPU 1 or CPU 15 to set the binary counter unit. And a timer register unit for sequentially updating the date and time according to the counter.

For erasing, all the application software stored in the flash memory 18 is set to 0 or 1.
It is done by rewriting.

Next, a case where the user desires to purchase the application software during the rental period will be described.

As in the case of rental, the line is connected to the rental company through the NCU 16 and the application software purchase mode is entered. The user selects whether the software is rented or not rented, and selects to purchase the rented software. The rental company uses a public line to specify a designated drive (for example, HDD) in the user's computer body.
In 5), copy the application software files in an executable state under the directory selected by the user.

The extension board 14 has an RTC circuit section 19
However, it is arranged in a sealed case and the transmitter, timer, etc. cannot be modified.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the erasing of the rental application software is controlled by monitoring the timer of the RTC circuit in the expansion board 14.
In order to deal with the possibility that the software may be purchased after the end of the rental period, it is possible not to erase the software but to disable the software execution. This method can be realized by inserting a timer monitoring routine into the software that starts the application software. This is to display the information on the display screen and stop the activation of the application software when the timer is over the rental period. This monitoring routine can be canceled by adding software for skipping the monitoring software, which is transferred from the rental company, or by changing the timer comparison value for determining the rental period. (Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a computer system based on the second embodiment. Similar to FIG. 1, the inside of the broken line is a general personal computer 40 (hereinafter, PC 40).
Is called). The expansion board 23 is provided with an NCU 16 and a modem 17, and data communication via a public line is possible. The internal configuration of the personal computer 40 is the same as the internal configuration of the personal computer 22 shown in FIG.

The user operates the rented application software on the keyboard 11 as in the first embodiment.
When started by, the CPU 15 executes a communication task. Then, the line is connected to the rental company via the NCU 16 to enter the rental software selection mode. When the desired application software is selected, the rental company adds the erase control software to the designated application software and sends it to the user's computer. The transmitted software is stored in the storage unit (for example, HDD 5) designated by the user via the modem 7. The erase control software reads the timer value indicating the current date and time from the RTC circuit 7 when it is stored in the HDD 5, and sets the erase date and time and the timer value. In addition, a batch file that describes a procedure for automatically starting is created so that the erasure control software is automatically started when the computer is started, and the installation is completed. When the computer starts up, the erase control software starts up and compares the timer value indicating the current date and time with the allowable rental period value stored at the time of installation. As a result of comparison, when the rental period is exceeded, the rented application software and its own batch file are also deleted.

The erasure control software monitors that the user changes the current date and time, and modifies a predetermined allowable rental period according to the changed value so that the actual rental period is not changed. To process. (Third Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the erase control software based on the third embodiment.
In the first and second embodiments, the erasing control method using the RTC circuit has been described, but in the third embodiment, a method of enabling the erasing control when the lending period is exceeded is judged by the rental company. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Software for executing the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is application software sent from a rental company via a communication line, stored in the flash memory 18, and stored in the CPU 1 or the CP.
Interpreted and executed by U15.

In step S1, the application software transmitted from the rental company first activates the erase control software.

In step S2, the erase control software started up connects the public line with the rental company.

In step S3, the identification number incorporated at the time of rental (hereinafter referred to as an ID number) is transmitted to the company side. On the other hand, the computer system 2 on the rental company side
Then, after collating the sent ID number, a transition is made to a state in which communication with the user is possible.

In step S4, a message is sent to the rental company to ask if it is within the rental period. On the other hand, the computer system 2 on the rental company side
Then, check the rental period of the user according to the sent message, and if it is within the period, return an "OK" message, and if it is outside the period, update the rental period with the "NG" message. Sends the update software for the available period. Then, the returned message is checked, and if the message is "OK", step S5
If the message is "NG", the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S5, the processing by the erase control software is ended and the application software is executed. Also, disconnect the communication line from the rental company.

In step S6, the period updating software is received and the software is executed. When the allowable rental period has passed, this software displays a message on the CRT 12 prompting the renewal of the period.

In step S7, it is determined whether or not the user updates the allowable rental period, and if it is updated, an update request message is sent to the computer system 2 of the rental company. On the other hand, the computer system 2 on the rental company side receives this update request message, extends the allowable rental period for that user, and returns an "OK" message to the computer system on the user side. If the user does not update the allowable rental period, the computer system 2 on the rental company side
A message notifying that it will not be updated is sent to step S9. The computer system 2 on the rental company side
Then, when this message is received, the "erasure password" instructing the user to erase the application software is returned.

The method of determining whether or not the user updates the allowable rental period is as follows.
By using the keyboard 11 and the mouse 13, data indicating whether or not to update the allowable rental period is input, and the data is checked.

In step S8, the "OK" message from the computer system 2 on the rental company side is received. Then, the process proceeds to step S5 to execute the application software. Also, disconnect the communication line from the rental company.

In step S9, the "erase password" instructing to erase the application software is received from the computer system 2 of the rental company.

In step S10, the application software is erased.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying software to a system or an apparatus.

In the above embodiments, the example has been described in which the user provides the required software from the computer of the rental company via the communication line. However, the software is provided by a movable recording medium, For example, it may be a floppy disk or a writable nonvolatile memory.
In this case, the movable recording medium stores the lending term data, the software for deleting the application software when the above-mentioned lending term expires, and the application software required by the user. If you install it on your computer and the loan period expires, you can automatically delete the application software.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
The user can immediately obtain the desired application software via the public line without having to go to the store to purchase the required application software. In addition, it will be possible to try software that has been impossible in the past without the owner of the software nearby.

From the viewpoint of the application software supply side, it is possible to save the labor of sales. Further, in the case of rental sale, management regarding the allowable rental period becomes extremely easy, and when the user exceeds the allowable rental period, the information is forcibly sent to the computer system on the rental company side of this embodiment, It will automatically prompt the user to enter the extension of the allowable rental period or the end of the rental. If it is not extended, the application software rented to the user can be deleted automatically, so the user can illegally use it. The possibility of can be significantly suppressed.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, the user can easily obtain the application software and can easily perform the accurate lending term management.

[0040]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a user-side computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a computer system on the rental company side of an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an RTC circuit.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a user-side computer system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an erasing control process when the lending period is over according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU 2 System Bus 3 RAM 4 ROM 5 HDD 6 FDD 7 RTC 14 Expansion Board 15 CPU 16 Modem 17 NCU 18 Flash Memory 20 RTC Dedicated IC 21 Oscillator 22 Backup Battery

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A computer for managing a software lending period, a storage unit for inputting and storing lending software including predetermined lending period designation data, and a measuring unit for measuring a loan elapsed time. The lending software stored in the storage means includes a predetermined lending elapsed time data notified from the measuring means, and the lending software, the lending software including the predetermined lending term designation data. If the comparison is made with the deadline specification data and the loan elapsed time data becomes larger than the predetermined loan deadline specification data, a comparing means for outputting a loan deadline end signal, and the storage means based on the loan deadline end signal A erasing means for erasing stored rental software. 2. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the measuring means for measuring the rental elapsed time is provided in a second computer separate from the computer. 3. The measuring means for measuring the loan elapsed time receives an inquiry about the loan elapsed time by executing the lending software stored in the storage means, and the measured loan elapsed time is determined by the predetermined loan elapsed time. The computer according to claim 2, wherein when the data becomes larger than the lending term designation data, a lending term end signal is output instead of the comparing means. 4. The measuring means for measuring the renting elapsed time is instructed to start measuring the renting elapsed time by executing the lending software stored in the storing means, and the measured lending elapsed time is The lending term end signal is output instead of the comparing means when the data becomes larger than the predetermined lending term designation data.
The computer described in. 5. The second computer and the computer, which include a measuring unit that measures the loan elapsed time,
It is connected via a communication line, and the lending software and the lending term end signal are input from the second computer to the computer via the communication line. The listed computer. 6. The erasing means measures the elapsed loan time without erasing the lending software stored in the storing means when the lending term end signal is input and the lending term request data is input from the user. The computer according to claim 1, further comprising a lending term extension means for updating the lending term extension update of the predetermined lending term designation data. 7. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the lending software including the predetermined lending term designation data is recorded in a movable storage medium. 8. The computer according to claim 7, wherein the removable storage medium is a floppy disk. 9. The computer according to claim 7, wherein the removable storage medium is a rewritable non-volatile memory. 10. A software lending term management method for managing a software lending term, comprising a storing step of inputting lending software including predetermined lending term designating data and storing it in a storing means, and a lending progress. The lending software stored in the storage means includes a measuring step for measuring time, and an executing step for executing lending software including the predetermined lending term designation data. Comparing the loan elapsed time data with the loan expiration date designating data, and outputting a loan expiration date end signal if the loan elapsed time data exceeds the predetermined loan expiration date designating data; And deleting the rental software stored in the storage means based on the above. Touea lending term management method. 11. The measuring step of measuring the loan elapsed time receives the inquiry of the loan elapsed time by executing the lending software stored in the storage means,
The lending term end signal is output instead of the comparing step if the measured lending elapsed time becomes larger than the predetermined lending term designation data.
The software lending term management method described in 0. 12. The measuring step of measuring the loan elapsed time is instructed to start measuring the loan elapsed time by executing the lending software stored in the storage means, and the measured loan elapsed time is The lending term end signal is output instead of the comparing means when the data becomes larger than the predetermined lending term designation data.
The software lending term management method described in 0. 13. The erasing step measures the elapsed loan time without erasing the lending software stored in the storing means when the lending period end signal is input and the lending period request data is input from the user. The software lending term management method according to claim 10, further comprising a lending term extension step of updating the lending term extension data of the predetermined lending term designation data. 14. The software lending term management method according to claim 10, wherein the lending software including the predetermined lending term designating data is recorded in a movable storage medium. 15. The software lending term management method according to claim 14, wherein the movable storage medium is a floppy disk. 16. The software lending time limit management method according to claim 14, wherein the movable storage medium is a rewritable non-volatile memory. 17. A software lending time limit management method for managing a software lending time limit, wherein the first computer comprises a measuring step for measuring a loan elapsed time, and lending software including predetermined lending time limit designation data. Is output to a second computer, the second computer inputs the lending software including predetermined lending term designation data, and stores the lending software in a storage unit; The lending software stored in the storage means comprises a predetermined lending elapsed time data notified from the measuring step, and the lending deadline designating data. When the loan elapsed time data becomes larger than the predetermined loan deadline designation data, the loan deadline ends. Comparing step and, on the basis of the rental expiry signal, the software rental term management method characterized by comprising an erasing step of erasing the rental software stored in the storage machining means for outputting a degree. 18. The measuring step of measuring the elapsed loan time, the inquiry of the elapsed loan time is received by executing the lending software stored in the storage means.
The lending term end signal is output instead of the comparing step if the measured lending elapsed time becomes larger than the predetermined lending term designation data.
The method for managing the software lending period according to 7. 19. The measurement step of measuring the loan elapsed time is instructed to start measuring the loan elapsed time by executing the lending software stored in the storage unit, and the measured loan elapsed time is The lending term end signal is output instead of the comparing step if the data becomes larger than the predetermined lending term designation data.
The method for managing the software lending period according to 7. 20. The first computer and the second computer are connected via a communication line, and the lending software and the lending deadline end signal are transmitted from the first computer to the communication line. 18. The information is input to the computer via the.
The software lending term management method described in. 21. In the erasing step, when the lending term end signal is input and lending term request data is input from the user, the lending software stored in the storing step is not erased and the lending elapsed time is measured. The software lending term management method according to claim 17, further comprising a lending term extension step of updating the lending term extension data of the predetermined lending term designating data. 22. The software lending term management method according to claim 17, wherein the lending software including the predetermined lending term designating data is recorded in a movable storage medium. 23. The software lending term management method according to claim 16, wherein the movable storage medium is a floppy disk. 24. The software lending time limit management method according to claim 16, wherein the movable storage medium is a rewritable non-volatile memory.