JPH0836530A - Storage device and communication device applying the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a 3rd person from reading or illegally copying information by sufficiently protecting the information in a storage means storing information that can not be open to the 3rd person. CONSTITUTION:When the 3rd person detaches a case such as the rear lid of a pager 1, a detector 18 detects the rear lid being opened and an erasing circuit 15 supplies a voltage higher than specified to erase all ID data stored in an ID-ROM 14. Consequently, it is made difficult to read the ID data out of the ID-ROM 14, and individual information stored as the ID data can be protected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention controls a storage device and a communication line or a communication line that stores a storage means for storing information such as ID information that cannot be disclosed to a third party in a case. The present invention relates to a receiving device such as a pager or the like having a storage means for storing information stored therein and personal registration information in a case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a receiving apparatus represented by a so-called pager stores ID data such as frame data and address data assigned to individual pager service contractors in an ID-ROM, and at the same time, stores the ID-R.
The OM is stored in the case. The ID-ROM also stores information for controlling message data received by the paging service.

[0003]

By the way, in the conventional receiver, even if the case of the receiver is disassembled, personal ID data such as frame data and address data is still stored and held in the ID-ROM. Therefore, there were the following problems. (A) The case of the receiving device is maliciously disassembled, and the ID-RO
It is possible to read individual ID data from M,
Personal information stored as ID data has not been sufficiently protected. (B) It is possible to easily copy the ID data in the receiving device with the case disassembled to another receiving device,
From this point as well, there was room for improvement regarding protection of personal information. (C) Conventionally, personal ID data in an ID-ROM is vulnerable to illegal reading or copying, and if there is a person who attempts to read or copy illegally, it cannot be prevented.

Therefore, according to the present invention, when a third party unreasonably opens the case, the above-mentioned information can be sufficiently protected with respect to the storage means for storing the information forbidden to read and copy.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage device capable of preventing unauthorized copying by a third party and a communication device to which the storage device is applied.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the storage device according to the invention of claim 1 is a storage device having storage means for storing data-encoded information in a case. It is characterized in that an opening detecting means for detecting the opening of a part and an erasing means for erasing the information stored in the storage means based on the output of the opening detecting means are provided.

As a preferred mode of the storage device, for example, as described in claim 2, the storage means is E
The erasing means may be constituted by an EPROM, and the information stored in the EEPROM may be collectively erased on the basis of the output of the open detection means. For example, as described in claim 3, a personal identification code storage means for storing a personal identification code, an input means for inputting a personal identification code, a personal identification code input by the input means, and a personal identification code stored in the personal identification code storage means. It is also possible to further provide a prohibition unit that collates the code and prohibits the erasing of information by the erasing unit when the codes match. For example, claim 4
As noted, for the case that is partially open,
A closing detection means for detecting that the opened part is closed again, and a cancellation means for canceling the personal identification code input by the input means based on the output of the closing means may be provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device comprising a storage means for storing information for controlling a communication function in a case, and an opening detecting means for detecting that a part of the case is opened. And erasing means for erasing the information stored in the storage means based on the output of the opening detection means.

As a preferred aspect of the communication device, for example, as described in claim 6, the storage means is E
The erasing means may be constituted by an EPROM, and the information stored in the EEPROM may be collectively erased on the basis of the output of the open detection means. For example, as described in claim 7, a secret code storing means for storing a secret code, an input means for inputting a secret code, a secret code input by the input means, and a secret code stored in the secret code storing means. It is also possible to further provide a prohibition unit that collates the code and prohibits the erasing of information by the erasing unit when the codes match. For example, claim 8
As noted, for the case that is partially open,
A closing detection means for detecting that the opened part is closed again, and a cancellation means for canceling the personal identification code input by the input means based on the output of the closing means may be provided.

[0009]

According to the present invention, when a part of the case of the storage device (or the communication device equipped with this storage device) is opened, the open state is detected by the opening detection means and the information stored in the storage means by the erasing means. Is erased. Therefore, it is difficult to read the personal ID data from the storage means, and the personal information can be sufficiently protected.
Further, it is impossible to disassemble the case of the storage device and copy the information in the storage means, and it is possible to prevent the unauthorized copying of the personal ID data.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a pager to which the present invention is applied. A. Block Configuration of Pager In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a pager, and the pager 1 is roughly divided into an antenna 11, a receiving unit 12, and a decoder unit 1.
3, ID-ROM 14, erasing circuit 15, backup power supply 16, CPU 17, detector 18, detection circuit 19, input unit 20, RAM 21, ROM 22, switch circuit 2
3, a display unit 24, a notification unit 25, a power supply circuit 26, and a power supply voltage detection circuit 27. In the figure, the part indicated by a single line indicates the connection of the power supply system and the signal system, and the part indicated by the double line indicates the connection of the data system.

The receiver 12 demodulates the radio signal received from the pager base station via the antenna 11 and supplies the demodulated output to the decoder 13. The ID-ROM 14 is
For example, it is composed of an EEPROM capable of electrically erasing stored contents, and stores ID data (specifically, frame data, address data, etc.) individually assigned to the pager 1, and corresponds to a storage means. To do. The decoder unit 13 compares the individual calling signal in the radio signal demodulated by the receiving unit 12 with the reception with the address data in the ID data stored in the ID-ROM 14,
When they match, a call detection signal accompanying the reception of the individual call signal is output to the CPU 17, and when message data and the like follow the individual call signal, the message data and the like are also output to the CPU 17. A CPU (prohibition means, elimination means) 17 performs control necessary for achieving the function of the pager 1 according to a control program stored in the ROM 22, and outputs a control signal to each part of the circuit, and particularly, this embodiment. Then, when part of the case of the pager 1 is opened, control is performed to erase the ID data stored in the ID-ROM 14. Further, the entered personal identification number is collated with the personal identification number stored in the ROM 22, and if they coincide with each other, control is performed to prohibit the deletion of the ID data stored in the ID-ROM 14.

The input section (input means) 20 is composed of an operation key section for controlling output of display contents displayed on the display section 24 and various switch sections. When a predetermined input operation is performed by the operation key unit, the display unit 2 processes the CPU 17 and displays data based on the input operation.
4 is driven. Further, the operation key unit is the ID-ROM 14
The password for data protection can be input by a predetermined operation so as not to accidentally delete the ID data therein. Various switch sections switch the mode between ringing mode that produces a ringing tone and silent mode that does not produce a ringing tone when an individual ringing signal is received. It is composed of a reset switch or the like that is operated when the switch is operated. A ROM (PIN code storage means) 22 stores data such as a program for controlling the CPU 17 and a PIN number. The RAM 21 temporarily stores the message data and the like received by the pager 1.

The display unit 24 includes a liquid crystal display device (LCD), a drive circuit for driving the liquid crystal display device, a display buffer, and the like. The notification unit 25 includes a drive circuit, a buffer, and the like, and includes a speaker, an LED, and the like as notification means, and notifies that the individual calling signal has been received. The detector 18 is composed of a switch and the like, and detects that the case of the pager 1 is removed, and also detects that the opened part of the case of the pager 1 is closed again. . Therefore, the detector 18 constitutes an opening detection means for detecting that a part of the case is opened and a closing detection means for detecting that the opened part is closed again, and the detailed configuration will be described later. When the detector 18 detects that the case of the pager 1 has been removed, the detection circuit 19 outputs a detection signal to the CPU 17.
The erasing circuit 15 uses the ID-based on the command from the CPU 17.
The stored ID is supplied to the ROM 14 with a voltage higher than a predetermined value.
Delete all data at once. CPU 17 and erase circuit 1
Reference numeral 5 constitutes an erasing means. The power supply circuit 26 includes a power supply means and supplies a power supply voltage for operating each circuit unit. The power supply voltage detection circuit 27 constantly detects the power supply voltage of the power supply circuit 26 and the backup power supply 16,
When the voltage drops below a predetermined voltage, a detection signal is output to the CPU 17.

The switch circuit 23 is a power supply voltage detection circuit 27.
The power supply voltage supplied to each circuit unit is switched to the power supply circuit 26 or the backup power supply 16 by a control signal sent from the CPU 17 in accordance with the detection signal from the. Specifically, when the power supply voltage of the power supply circuit 26 becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the backup power supply 16 is switched to supply the voltage from the backup power supply 16 to each circuit unit. The backup power supply 16 includes a charger,
A power supply voltage is constantly supplied to the erasing circuit 15 and operates when the power supply voltage of the power supply circuit 26 becomes a predetermined value or less and is switched by the switch circuit 23 to supply operating power to each circuit section. . When the backup power supply 16 supplies the power supply voltage, the purpose of the supply is to hold the memory contents stored in the RAM 21 and to detect the opening of the case such as the back cover of the pager 1 to detect the ID-ROM.
This is for performing a series of operations until all the ID data stored in 14 are erased.

B. External Configuration of Front Side of Pager FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the front side of the pager 1. In FIG. 2, the pager 1 is formed in a thin box shape and has a portable size. The pager 1 has a pager body 1a, and a display unit 24 having a rectangular screen is arranged on the front side of the pager body 1a. On the upper part of the pager body 1a, the input unit 20 described above is provided.
Various switch parts 20a are arranged, and operation key parts 20b, 20c, 20d for controlling output of display contents displayed on the display part 24 are provided below the display part 24 on the front side of the pager body 1a. It is arranged. The operation key units 20b, 20c, 20d are for performing control such as displaying past received messages stored in the RAM 21 on the display unit 24, and input a personal identification number by numerical data by a predetermined operation. It is also possible.

C. External Configuration of Rear Side of Pager FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of the rear side of the pager 1. In FIG. 3, a pager 1 is a substrate 3 internally wired to form each circuit unit according to the circuit configuration diagram of FIG.
The first electrode 31, the second electrode 32, and the screw fixing plate 33 which form the detector 18 are arranged on the substrate 30. On the rear side of the pager 1, a back cover 41 and a battery cover 42 which is opened for battery replacement are detachably arranged. The back cover 41 is screwed into a screw fixing plate 33 by passing a screw 43 through a screw hole 44. It is fixed to the substrate 30 by being mixed in, and covers the rear surface side of the pager 1. On the other hand, by removing the screw 43 from the screw fixing plate 33, it is possible to slide the screw 43 in the direction indicated by the arrow to open the rear surface side of the pager 1. Further, the battery lid 42 can be removed by sliding it in the direction indicated by the arrow on the rear surface side of the pager body 1a.
It can be attached by sliding in the opposite direction and locking. A space for accommodating a battery is formed inside the rear surface of the pager 1 covered by the battery lid 42.

D. Configuration of Detector 18 FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the detector 18. In FIG. 4, the second electrode 32 is located on the substrate 30, and
The electrode 31 has elasticity and forms a switch with the second electrode 32. The end of the first electrode 31 is solder 31a.
Has been fixed by. When the back cover 41 is in the closed state, the screw 43 passes through the screw hole 44 and the screw fixing plate 3
3 is screwed in, and at this time the head of the screw 43
The electrode 31 is pressed, the switch contact is turned on with the second electrode 32, and the contact of the detector 18 is closed. On the other hand, when the screw 43 is loosened and removed from the screw fixing plate 33, the rear surface side of the pager 1 is opened, and at this time, the head of the screw 43 does not press the first electrode 31 and switches between the second electrode 32. The contact is turned off, and the contact of the detector 18 is opened. In this way, the detector 18 detects whether the back cover 41 on the rear side of the pager 1 is opened or closed.

E. Description of Operation Next, a data protection process when the back cover 41 of the pager 1 is opened will be described. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a program for protection processing of ID data stored in the ID-ROM 14. First, in step S10, the back cover 4
It is determined whether or not the opening of 1 is detected. This is to detect that a disassembling operation such as removing a case such as the back cover 41 is performed. For example, when you lose the pager 1,
A case may be considered in which a third party who obtains it removes the case such as the back cover 41 of the pager 1 to disassemble it. If the opening of the back cover 41 is not detected, the process stands by in step S10. On the other hand, when the detector 18 detects that the back cover 41 is opened, the detection circuit 19 outputs a detection signal C
It is output to PU17 and it progresses to step S12.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not the personal identification number has been input (set) in advance. Input section 20
If the operation key portions 20b, 20c, 20d are operated to input the predetermined numeral data and the personal identification number is set, the process proceeds to step S14, and the CPU 17 regards the detection signal from the detection circuit 19 as invalid. , A process of prohibiting deletion of ID data is performed. That is, the personal identification number input by the input unit 20 is collated with the personal identification number stored in the ROM 22, and if they match, it is determined that an authorized user removes the case such as the back cover 41 of the pager 1. , The deletion of the ID data is prohibited and the process proceeds to the next step S16. As a result, the ID data stored in the ID-ROM 14 is retained. Therefore, when an authorized user removes the case such as the back cover 41 of the pager 1 for inspection and repair, the ID data stored in the ID-ROM 14 is retained and is not invalidated. On the other hand, if the personal identification number has not been set by operating the operation key units 20b, 20c, 20d of the input unit 20 in advance, the CPU 17 regards the detection signal from the detection circuit 19 as valid, and proceeds to step S16 to proceed to the erasing circuit. A control signal is output to the I / O circuit 15, and the erasing circuit 15 receives the control signal and supplies a voltage equal to or more than a predetermined voltage to I.
The ID data stored in the D-ROM 14 are erased all at once. After step S16, the routine ends.

By entering the personal identification number in advance, the ID-ROM 1 can be opened by opening the case of the pager 1.
Although it is possible to avoid the simultaneous deletion of the ID data stored in 4, when the case is attached again and the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 are connected, the detector 18 sends this information to the detection circuit 19. The personal identification number that is output and input is reset. This process is step S18, step S
It is realized by 20. That is, after step S14, the process proceeds to the subsequent step S18, and it is determined whether or not the closing of the back cover 41 of the pager 1 is detected. this is,
The case where the case such as the back cover 41 is removed and the like is disassembled and then reassembled is detected. Case back 41
If the closing is not detected, the process stands by in step S18. On the other hand, when the detector 18 detects that the back cover 41 is closed, the detection circuit 19 outputs a detection signal to the CPU.
It is output to 17 and it progresses to step S20. Step S2
At 0, the set of the personal identification number is canceled (that is, the input personal identification number is reset). After step S20,
Exit the routine.

As described above, when a third party who does not know the personal identification number removes the case such as the back cover 41 of the pager 1, the detector 18 detects that the back cover 41 has been opened, and the erasing circuit 15 detects it. The ID data stored in the ID-ROM 14 are erased all together. Therefore, ID-
It is possible to make it difficult to read the personal information, that is, the ID data from the ROM 14, and to sufficiently protect the personal information. Also, disassemble the case of pager 1
-It becomes impossible to copy the personal information stored in the ROM 14, and it is possible to prevent the misuse of the personal ID data due to improper copying. As an example of abuse by copying, etc., there is an example in which the ID data is copied without contracting with a service company and the paging service is obtained without permission. In this embodiment, such abuse is effectively prevented. You can In addition, for example, when the pager 1 is changed from a rental system to a sales system, it is significant if it is possible to prevent illegal copying of ID data such as personal information.

In this embodiment, the ID data stored in the ID-ROM 14 is simultaneously erased by detecting the opening of the case of the pager 1. However, the power supply voltage of the power supply circuit 26 is not detected, Further, even if the power supply voltage of the backup power supply 16 becomes lower than a predetermined value, the ID data is erased all at once. As a result, for example, the backup power supply 16 can be removed to disable the operation of each circuit, and the ID data can be effectively prevented from being copied even by a third party who attempts to abuse the ID data. When the ID data is erased all at once in the above case, it is possible to restore the erased data by entrusting the service company that registered the pager 1 to the data.

The structure of the detector (opening detection means) according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately changed as long as it can be detected that the back cover, the case, etc. are to be removed. An example will be described as another embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention, which is an example in which the structure of the detector (opening detection means) is changed. In FIG. 6, 101 is a back cover of the pager, and 102.
Is a first electrode having a screw hole formed on the substrate 30, 103 is a second electrode having a screw hole formed on the substrate 30, and 104 is a conductive screw (hereinafter referred to as a conductive screw) Is. The first electrode 102, the second electrode 103, and the conductive screw 104 constitute a detector (opening detection means and closing detection means) 110.

The first electrode 102 and the second electrode 103 are fixed to the substrate 30 with screws 105 and 106, respectively. Threaded grooves are formed in the first electrode 102 and the second electrode 103, and the conductive screw 104 is screwed into the threaded groove formed in the first electrode 102 and the second electrode 103 through the threaded hole formed in the back cover 101. The back cover 101 is fixed by being tucked in. At this time, the first electrode 10
2 and the second electrode 103 constitute a switch, and the back cover 10
When 1 is in the closed state, the first electrode 102 and the second electrode 103 are turned on via the conductive screw 104,
The contacts of the detector 110 are closed. On the other hand, when the conductive screw 104 is loosened and removed from the first electrode 102 and the second electrode 103, the back cover 101 of the pager is opened, and at this time, the conductive screw 104 comes off from the first electrode 102 and the second electrode 103. As a result, the switch contact is turned off between the first electrode 102 and the second electrode 103, and the contact of the detector 110 is opened. In this way, when the back cover 101 on the rear side of the pager is opened, it is detected by the detector 110. The second embodiment as described above can also obtain the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment.

Third Embodiment of the Present Invention FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention, which is still another example in which the structure of the detector (open detection means) is changed. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, 151 is a back cover of the pager, 152 is a first electrode pad arranged on the substrate 30,
153 is a second electrode pad arranged on the substrate 30,
Reference numeral 4 is a leaf spring-like short pin. Short pin 15
Reference numeral 4 denotes an elastic member and a conductive member, one end side of which is fixed to the first electrode pad 152 by the solder 155, and the other end side of which can contact the second electrode pad 153. The first electrode pad 152, the short pin 154 and the second electrode pad 153 form a detector (open detection means and closed detection means) 160. FIG. 7A shows a state where the back cover 151 of the pager is closed. At this time, the short pin 154 is pushed by the back cover 151, the first electrode pad 152 and the second electrode pad 153 form a switch, and when the back cover 151 is in the closed state, the spaces between the pads are turned on and the detector is 1
The contacts of 60 are closed.

On the other hand, when the back cover 151 of the pager is removed and opened, the result is as shown in FIG. 7B. At this time, the short pin 154 is no longer pressed by the back cover 151 and the first electrode pad 152 and the second electrode pad 152 are removed. Electrode pad 153
Is turned off, and the contact of the detector 160 is opened. As a result, the opening of the back cover 151 is detected. In this way, the back cover 151 on the rear side of the pager
Is opened and detected by the detector 160. The same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained by the third embodiment as well.

The structure of the detector (opening detection means) is not limited to the examples of the above-mentioned embodiments, and for example, when the case is removed by providing a light receiving portion by a phototransistor on the substrate, the external light is emitted. May be received to detect the opening of the case. The above embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a pager which is one of receiving devices. However, the application of the present invention is applied to the ID-ROM in the pager.
However, the present invention can be applied to a storage device having an EEPROM as a storage means for storing information that cannot be disclosed to a third party. As an example of the storage device, it can be applied to, for example, a package of game software, and it is possible to prevent illegal copying by a third party.

[0028]

According to the present invention, when a part of the case of the storage device (or communication device) is opened, the open state is detected by the open detection means, and the information stored in the storage means is erased by the erasing means. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained. (1) It is difficult to read the personal ID data from the storage means, and the personal information stored as the ID data can be sufficiently protected. (2) It is possible to disassemble the case of the storage device (or communication device) so that the information stored in the storage means cannot be copied, and it is possible to prevent unauthorized copying of information such as personal ID data (for example, misuse by copying). Can be prevented. Therefore, the information in the storage means in the storage device (or communication device) obtained by disassembling the case cannot be copied to another storage device (or communication device), and in this respect, personal information can be sufficiently protected. (3) If there is a person who tries to make an illegal copy without being vulnerable to copying of personal ID data in the storage means, the copy can be surely prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a pager to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a front side of the pager of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a rear surface side of the pager of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a detector of the same example.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a program for data protection processing of the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a structure of a detector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a structure of a detector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 pager 14 ID-ROM (storage means) 15 erasing circuit 16 backup power supply 17 CPU (prohibition means, resolution means) 18 detector (open detection means) 19 detection circuit 20 input section (input means) 22 ROM (password code storage) Means) 24 Display unit 25 Notification unit 26 Power supply circuit 110, 160 Detector (opening detection means, closing detection means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Office reference number FI Technical display location H04Q 7/14 7/38 H04B 7/26 103 C 109 S

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A storage device comprising a storage means for storing data-encoded information in a case, and an opening detection means for detecting that a part of the case is opened, and an output of the opening detection means. And a erasing means for erasing the information stored in the storage means based on the erasing means. 2. The storage means is composed of an EEPROM, and the erasing means is based on an output of the open detection means,
2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the information stored in the EEPROM is erased at once. 3. A personal identification code storage means for storing a personal identification code, an input means for inputting a personal identification code, a personal identification code input by the input means, and a personal identification code stored in the personal identification code storage means. Then
3. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising: a prohibiting unit that prohibits the erasing of information by the erasing unit when they match. 4. For the case, which is partially open,
A closing detecting means for detecting that the opened part is closed again, and a canceling means for canceling the personal identification code input by the inputting means based on the output of the closing means are provided. 4. The storage device according to any one of items 1 to 3. 5. A communication device comprising a storage means for storing information for controlling a communication function in a case, the open detection means for detecting that a part of the case is opened, and the output of the open detection means. And a erasing means for erasing the information stored in the storage means based on the communication device. 6. The storage means is composed of an EEPROM, and the erasing means is based on an output of the open detection means.
6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the information stored in the EEPROM is erased at once. 7. A personal identification code storage unit for storing a personal identification code, an input unit for inputting a personal identification code, a personal identification code input by the input unit, and a personal identification code stored in the personal identification code storage unit. Then
7. The communication device according to claim 5, further comprising: a prohibiting unit that prohibits the erasing of information by the erasing unit when they match. 8. For the case, which is partially open,
A closing detecting means for detecting that the opened part is closed again, and a canceling means for canceling the personal identification code input by the inputting means based on the output of the closing means are provided. Item 8. The communication device according to any one of Items 5 to 7.