JPH08234967A - Distribution method for ciphered information - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a circulation method of ciphered information which can facilitate the separation of responsibility between a program producer and a program receiver by decoding only the uninstalled information when the ciphered information is decoded and without remodeling an installer by separating the inatallation processing from the decoding processing. CONSTITUTION: All software including an installer are ciphered and stored in a secondary storage 16, and these software are installed in a computer by means of an installation program included in the restored software. Thereby, the decoding processing carried out by the computer of a terminal user is separated from the installation processing. Then the responsibility can be easily separated between a program producer and a person received the ciphered program without remodeling the installer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for making software distribution of terminal users more flexible and improving software distribution in an information distribution mechanism, and more specifically, recording via a network or a CD-ROM or the like. The present invention relates to a distribution method of encrypted information, which is installed while decrypting encrypted distribution information distributed by an information distributor via a medium using a decryption key delivered from a key center.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the conventional encrypted information distribution method in which information is encrypted and distributed through a network or a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a decryption which is acquired in advance when software is installed. There is a method of installing while decrypting the encrypted information using the encryption key. Note that the distribution information includes not only software but also various data such as music, moving images, and dictionaries. Here, distribution information will be described as software as a representative.

[0003]

The method used in the past requires modification of many installers made for each software in order to incorporate the decoding process. Further, since the installation process is completed without separating the installation process and the decryption process, it is difficult to separate responsibility between the creator and the person who distributes the software by encrypting the software, which causes confusion.

The present invention has been made in view of the above,
The purpose is that when decrypting encrypted distribution information, only the information before installation is decrypted, and the installation is performed independently of the decryption, so the installer does not need to be modified, and the program It is to provide a distribution method of encrypted information that facilitates the separation of responsibility between the creator and the distributor of.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the method of distributing encrypted information according to the present invention is cheaper for information distributors via a network or a recording medium represented by a CD-ROM. Alternatively, an encryption that decrypts encrypted distribution information that is distributed free of charge using the decryption key delivered from a key center that has a decryption key that decrypts the distribution information to a terminal connected by a network. In the method of distributing computerized information, a program for information distribution prepared by the information distributor obtained by the user of the terminal on the terminal via a network or a recording medium represented by a CD-ROM is used to purchase the desired software. The user can select the software name, record the software name in the purchase list, and have the capacity on the terminal to expand all the distribution information recorded in the purchase list. Check if the secondary storage device is empty, and if the free space is insufficient, clear the purchase list and recreate the purchase list, and if the free space is sufficient, the distribution information written in the purchase list. The gist of the present invention is to request the key center for the decryption key required to decrypt the key, obtain the decryption key, decrypt the distribution information, and store the decryption information in the secondary storage device.

[0006]

In the encrypted information distribution method of the present invention, the entire software set including the installer is encrypted, and the decrypted software set is stored in the secondary storage device at the time of decryption so that the terminal user can use the software distribution method. Allows you to install it independently.

More specifically, pre-encrypted software is distributed to terminal users via a network or a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, and information generated from a key center is obtained online or by human intervention. Then, the terminal user's computer uses that information to decrypt the software, restores the decrypted software to the secondary storage device, the computer erases the decryption key, and the terminal user uses the restored software. By installing the software in the computer by using the installation program included in, the decryption process and the installation process in the computer of the terminal user are separated.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the entire procedure of the encrypted information distribution method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is the hardware for implementing the encrypted information distribution method shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration, and FIG.
It is a figure which shows the structure of the terminal used for the distribution method of the encryption information shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the personal computer 1 of the terminal user is connected to the key center 7 from the communication terminal device 3 via the network 5 and can receive the decryption key from the key center 7. ing. The personal computer 1 includes a keyboard 11 for inputting information, a CD-ROM system 12 for reproducing a CD-ROM in which distribution information such as software is stored, a CPU 13 for controlling the overall operation, a program and fixed data, etc. ROM 14 for storage, display 15 for displaying images and characters, secondary storage device 16 for storing decrypted software, floppy disk system 1 for recording backup of the software stored in the secondary storage device 16.
7. RAM1 for temporarily storing various information and data
8. The input / output interface 19 is connected to the communication terminal device 3.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 1 and the terminal configuration shown in FIG.

The software provider encrypts the software and distributes it to the terminal users via a network or a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The terminal user can access from a database or CD- via the network.
Purchased software to be decrypted is selected from a recording medium such as a ROM (step S11). Then, the software desired to be purchased is recorded in the purchase list (step S12). Then, it is checked whether or not there is further software to be purchased, and if there is software, the process returns to step S11 to repeat the same operation, but if not, the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the secondary storage device 1
It is checked whether there is enough free space in which the decrypted software can be expanded in 6. Note that the decryption key is assumed to be charged, so this check is performed to guarantee the decryption result. Step S14
If there is not enough free space in the secondary storage device 16 in the check, the purchase list is cleared (step S
15) Return to the first step S11 to create the purchase list again, but if the secondary storage device 16 has sufficient free space, the terminal user distributes the decryption key to the key center 7
Contact the operator or request the decryption key online and obtain the decryption key (steps S16, S).
17). In this case, if necessary, payment processing for the decryption key price is also performed.

When the decryption key is obtained, the decryption key is used to decrypt the target encrypted software (step S18), and the decrypted software is stored in the secondary storage device 16 (step S19). . The terminal user then uses the floppy disk system 17
A backup of the software stored in the secondary storage device 16 is recorded on a floppy disk (step S2).
0). The terminal user installs the acquired software in the terminal (step S21).

Based on the information in the charge database (DB), the charge center operator charges the terminal user and pays the usage right seller.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the processing when the distribution medium of the distribution information is a CD-ROM will be described. 4 and 5, steps S16 to S16 are performed.
It is a series of processes connected to 17 with an interlace symbol A.

In FIG. 4, the software provider encrypts the software to be provided (step S).
31). The object to be encrypted is a set of programs included in normal package software. Therefore, at this time, a plurality of program files and installation programs (commands) are also encrypted.

These encrypted software are edited, written in a CD-ROM, and distributed to the terminal user for a fee or free of charge (step S32). The terminal user obtains this CD-ROM (step S33) and
The D-ROM is activated (step S34). This CD-
Software to be purchased is selected from the ROM (step S11).

In the subsequent processing, as in the processing shown in FIG. 1, by obtaining the decryption key and decrypting the encrypted software stored in the CD-ROM,
The software is obtained, and the terminal user himself / herself backs up the floppy disk and installs it. The same steps are denoted by the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a process for obtaining distribution information using a network will be described. It should be noted that FIGS. 6 and 7 show a series of processes connected by the interlace symbol B in steps S16 to S17.

In FIG. 6, the software provider encrypts the software to be provided (step S).
41). The object to be encrypted is a set of programs included in normal package software. Therefore, at this time, a plurality of program files and installation programs (commands) are also encrypted.

These encrypted software are stored in a database (D
B) is registered (step S42). Then, the terminal user obtains the information distribution program for the software distribution method (step S43) and selects the software to be purchased through the network (step S4).
4). The software desired to be purchased is written in the purchase list (step S45). Then, the encrypted selection software is stored in the secondary storage device 16 of the terminal (step S46). Then, it is checked whether or not there is more to purchase (step S13).

In the subsequent processes, as in the process shown in FIG. 1, the decryption key is obtained, the encrypted software is decrypted to obtain the software, and the terminal user himself / herself obtains the floppy disk. The backup is performed on the disk and the installation is performed. The same steps are denoted by the same step numbers, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the above description, the protection of the encrypted information, the decryption key, etc. against a malicious user is out of the scope of the present invention, so that no special explanation will be given, but another means is taken. .

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Encrypt all software including installer,
By storing the decrypted software in the secondary storage device and using the installation program included in the restored software to install the software in the computer, the decryption process and the installation process in the computer of the terminal user can be performed. Since they are separated, it is not necessary to modify many installers created for each program, and it is possible to easily separate the responsibility between the program creator and the person who distributes the program by encrypting it.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an overall procedure of a method for distributing encrypted information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration for implementing a method of distributing encrypted information shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a terminal used in the method for distributing encrypted information shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process when a distribution medium of distribution information is a CD-ROM.

5 is a flowchart showing a process when a distribution medium of distribution information is a CD-ROM, and shows a process following the process of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process when obtaining distribution information using a network.

7 is a flowchart showing a process when obtaining distribution information using a network, showing a process following the process of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Personal Computer 3 Communication Terminal Device 5 Network 7 Key Center 12 CD-ROM System 13 CPU 16 Secondary Storage Device

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Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A CD-R via a network or
The encrypted distribution information, which is distributed inexpensively or free of charge by an information distributor through a recording medium represented by OM, is connected by a network from a key center having a decryption key for decrypting the distribution information. In the distribution method of encrypted information, which is decrypted using the decryption key delivered to a terminal, the user of the terminal uses a network or a CD-RO.
The information distribution program prepared by the information distributor, obtained on the terminal through the recording medium represented by M, allows the user of the terminal to select the desired software for purchase, records the software name in the purchase list, and purchases the software. Check whether the secondary storage device on the terminal has enough space to expand all the distribution information recorded in the list, and if the free space is insufficient, clear the purchase list and recreate the purchase list, If the free space is sufficient, the key center is requested to obtain the decryption key necessary for decrypting the distribution information recorded in the purchase list, the decryption key is acquired, and the distribution information is decrypted to A method for distributing encrypted information, characterized by storing the encrypted information in a next storage device.