JPH10187433A - Electronic equipment and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the illegal copy of software by providing the setting right of password number on the side of system and preventing the contents of password number from being opened for users by providing specified password numbers on the sides of both a storage medium for storing the software and a hardware to install the software and confirming the coincidence of password numbers on both the sides at the time of install. SOLUTION: When installing an application program(AP) in the case of executing application processing based on an AP, first of all, the coincidence between the password number previously stored in a password storage memory 6 and the password number previously set on the side of that AP is confirmed by a CPU 2 and when the coincidence is confirmed, application processing is continued by judging the user regular but when the password numbers are not coincident, an illegal copy message is displayed on a display device 5 by judging illegal copy so that application processing can be stopped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electronic device and a storage medium for preventing unauthorized copying of software.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional computer system in which software such as an application program is installed and used, as a method for preventing unauthorized copying of the software, the following typical methods are employed. I have. Format the master disk in a special file format so that duplicates cannot be made. Rewrite the contents of the master disk at the time of software installation to prevent copying more than the specified number of times. When installing the software, enter the security code that is disclosed only to the authorized user. If the security code does not match, the software will not operate or the installation will not be able to continue.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional software copy protection method,
Since the master disk or the password is under the control of the end user, there is a problem that a duplicate can be easily created depending on the moral of the user.

[0004] That is, even if the master disk is formatted in a special file format, it is easy to copy it to another disk in that format to create a duplicate disk, and to input a password. In this case, once the authorized user gives the password to another person, it is easy for another person other than the authorized user to install the software using the master disk.

[0005] For this reason, the above-mentioned conventional illegal copy prevention method often depends on the morals of authorized users, and is not sufficient as a method for protecting software from unauthorized copy.

An object of the present invention is to have a specific password on both a storage medium for storing software and a hardware on which software is installed, and to confirm the coincidence of the passwords at the time of installation. Another object of the present invention is to provide the system with authority to set a personal identification number so that the contents of the personal identification number are kept private to the user to prevent unauthorized copying of software.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In an electronic device that installs and uses an application program, the application program sets unique password information, and stores password information stored in advance in the unique password information stored in the application program. At the time of execution, it is determined whether the application program is legitimate by comparing the unique password information set in the application program with the unique password information stored in the password information storage unit. And a control unit for prohibiting the execution of the application program when the application program is determined to be invalid as a result of the determination.

[0008] Therefore, both the storage medium for storing the software and the hardware for installing the software have specific passwords, and by confirming the coincidence of the passwords at the time of installation, the passwords of the passwords are confirmed. By giving the setting authority to the system side, the contents of the personal identification number can be kept private to the user, the use of application programs on other computer systems can be prevented, and unauthorized copying of software by the user can be prevented. Can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in an electronic device in which an application program is installed and used, the application program has unique password information, and transmits password information corresponding to the unique password information of the application program. Storage means having a password file to be stored, and password information collation means for collating the presence / absence of a password file in the storage means and the unique password information when the application program is first started, and as a result of this collation, If the password file exists and the password information matches, the password information is set and the password file is deleted, and when the application program is started thereafter, the password is determined based on the setting of the password information. Control means for executing the application program by It is characterized by comprising.

Therefore, the software has a password file including a specific password, and only checks the password-checked flag when the application is started.
Because the software has the authority to set the password,
Even if the user knows the password, it is meaningless to input the password after the installation, thereby preventing the use of the illegally copied application program.

[0011]

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

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams showing a computer system according to a first embodiment to which an electronic apparatus and a storage medium of the present invention are applied.

First, the configuration will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a computer system 1 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a computer system 1 includes a CPU 2,
It comprises an input device 3, a RAM 4, a display device 5, a password storage memory 6, a storage device 7, a storage medium 8, and the like. Each part except the storage medium 8 is connected to a bus 9.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2
Converts an application program designated from among a system program stored in the storage device 7 and various application programs corresponding to the system into R
Various instructions or data input from the input device 3 are stored in a program storage area (not shown) in the
Various processes are executed in accordance with the application program stored in the storage device 7 in accordance with the input instruction and the input data stored in the M4, and the processing results are stored in the RAM 4 and displayed on the display device 5. And R
The processing result stored in the AM 4 is stored in a storage destination in the storage device 7 designated by the input device 3.

When executing an application process based on an application program described later, the CPU 2 first installs the personal identification number stored in the personal identification storage memory 6 and stores the personal identification number in the application program side when installing the application program. Checks for a match with the set password, and if the match is confirmed, determines that the user is a legitimate user and continues application processing; otherwise, determines that the copy is illegal and displays an illegal copy message. 5 and the application processing is stopped.

The input device 3 includes a cursor key, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and outputs a pressing signal of the pressed key to the CPU 2.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 4
A memory area for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the CPU 2 is formed. The display device 5 is C
It consists of RT (Cathode Ray Tube) etc.
Display data input from the
A message indicating that the copy is an illegal copy that is input at the time of application processing executed by the PU 2 is displayed.

The password storage memory 6 is composed of a flash memory or the like, and stores a password that is referred to when the CPU 2 executes an application process.
The personal identification number stored in the personal identification storage memory 6 is stored in advance in a closed state to the end user, and cannot be accessed by the user.

The storage device 7 has a storage medium 8 in which programs, data, and the like are stored in advance, and the storage medium 8 is constituted by a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 8 is fixedly provided in the storage device 7 or is detachably mounted. The storage medium 8 includes the system program, various application programs corresponding to the system, and a password check processing program. And data processed by each processing program.

The program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 8 may be received and stored from another device connected via a communication line or the like. A storage device having the storage medium may be provided on the other connected device side, and the program and data stored in the storage medium 8 may be used via a communication line.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

The application processing executed by the CPU 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The CPU 2 sets the storage medium 8 storing the application program in the storage device 7,
When the application program is installed in the RAM 4, first, a password (XXXX) preset in the installed application program is set.
..) Are read out (step S1), and a personal identification number check function process is executed (step S2).

The details of the password number check function process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the personal identification number check function processing shown in FIG. 3, when a personal identification number (XXXX...) Preset in the application program is developed in the RAM 4, the personal identification number stored in the personal identification storage memory 6 is read (step S21). It is determined whether or not the password set in the application program matches the password read from the password storage memory 6 (step S22). If the passwords match, information indicating that the passwords match is set (step S23), and the process returns to step S3 in FIG. 2. If the passwords do not match, the passwords indicate that the passwords do not match. Is set (step S24), and the process returns to step S3 in FIG.

When this password number check function processing is completed, the flow returns to step S3 in FIG. 2, and it is checked whether the coincidence information of the password is set or the mismatch information is set. If password match information is set,
It is determined that the user is a legitimate user, and the installation process of the application program is continued (step S4). If the password mismatch information is set, it is determined that the installed application program has been illegally copied. Then, a message indicating that the copy is illegal is displayed on the display device 5 (step S5).

Then, after ending the processing by the application program in step S4 or ending the display processing of the unauthorized copy message in step S5, the present application processing is ended.

As described above, the computer system 1 according to the first embodiment includes the password storage memory 6 composed of a flash memory, and the password storage memory 6 stores a password that is not disclosed to the end user. When the application program is stored in advance and the application processing is executed, it is confirmed that the password stored in the password storage memory 6 matches the password set in the application program. Since the computer system 1 determines whether or not the application program belongs to the user and whether to continue or cancel the application program, it is possible to avoid the execution of the application program with a differently copied personal identification number. it can.

Therefore, both the storage medium for storing the software and the hardware for installing the software have specific passwords, and by confirming the coincidence of the passwords at the time of installation, it is possible to confirm the password. By giving the setting authority to the system side and keeping the contents of the personal identification number private to the user, it is possible to prevent the use of application programs on other computer systems and prevent unauthorized copying of software by the user. Can be.

Further, since access to the password storage memory 6 by the user is prohibited, it is possible to prevent the user from taking out the password and prevent the password from being known to the user. It is possible to prevent unauthorized copying of the program.

In the first embodiment, the application program can be executed by matching the password stored in the computer system 1 with the password set in the application program. Is more generic than
It is more effective to apply the present invention to a computer system or the like configured to execute a specific process such as a business process.

Further, in the first embodiment, the password is stored in the password storage memory 6 composed of a flash memory in order to prevent unauthorized copying of software. May be the same memory area as the memory area in the storage device 7 where the software is installed, and the storage location of the personal identification number is not particularly limited.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 4 to 6 are diagrams showing a computer system according to a second embodiment to which the electronic apparatus and the storage medium of the present invention are applied.

First, the configuration will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a computer system 20 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, a computer system 20 includes a CPU
21, an input device 22, a RAM 23, a display device 24, a storage device 25, a storage medium 26, and the like. Each part except the storage medium 26 is connected to a bus 27.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21
Stores an application program designated from the system program stored in the storage device 25 and various application programs corresponding to the system in a program storage area (not shown) in the RAM 23, and stores various application programs input from the input device 22. Instructions or data are stored in the RAM 23, various processes are executed in accordance with the input instructions and the input data in accordance with the application programs stored in the storage device 25, and the processing results are stored in the RAM 23 and stored in the display device 24. indicate. Then, the processing result stored in the RAM 23 is stored in a storage destination in the storage device 25 designated by the input device 22.

When executing an application process based on an application program described later, the CPU 21 installs a password file at the same time as installing the application program in the RAM 23, and stores the password in the password file memory 2 in the RAM 23.
3a and another memory area, respectively, and collates the presence or absence of the security file and the content (security number) when the installed application program is started, and sets (ON) the security check flag 23c in the RAM 23 when they match. After the password file is deleted, the processing of the application program can be continued only when the password check flag 23c is set (ON).

The input device 3 includes a cursor key, numeric input keys, various function keys, and the like, and outputs a pressing signal of the pressed key to the CPU 2.

RAM (Random Access Memory) 23
Forms a memory area for temporarily storing programs and data processed by the CPU 21, and as a memory area related to application processing, a password file memory 23a, an application program memory 23b, and a password check completed flag memory 2 shown in FIG.
3c is formed. The password file memory 23a is used to store a password file to be installed together with the application program at the time of application processing by the CPU 21, and the application program memory 23b is used to store an application program to be installed. The password-checked flag memory 23c is used to store a password-checked flag that is turned on when the collation of the password contents set by the password file installed during the application processing by the CPU 21 matches.

The display device 24 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tu).
be) and the like, and displays the display data input from the CPU 21 and displays a message indicating that the copy is an illegal copy input at the time of application processing executed by the CPU 21.

The storage device 25 has a storage medium 26 in which programs, data and the like are stored in advance, and this storage medium 26 is constituted by a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 26 is fixedly provided in the storage device 25 or removably mounted. The storage medium 26 includes the system program, various application programs corresponding to the system, and a security code check processing program. And data processed by each processing program.

The program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 26 may be configured to be received and stored from another device connected via a communication line or the like. A storage device having the storage medium may be provided on the other connected device side, and the program and data stored in the storage medium 26 may be used via a communication line.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

The application processing executed by the CPU 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the storage medium 26 storing the application program is set in the storage device 25 and the installation of the application program is started, the CPU 21 first stores a password-checked flag in the RAM 23c in the RAM 23c. Set (O
N) It is checked whether or not it has been performed (step S3)
1). If the password-checked flag is set (ON), the process proceeds to step S37 to continue the processing of the installed application program. If the password-checked flag is not set (OFF),
It is checked whether a password is stored in each of the password file memory 23a or another memory area in the RAM 23 (step S32).

Password file memory 23a in RAM 23
Alternatively, if the personal identification number is not stored in each of the other memory areas, it is determined that the installed application program has been illegally copied, and the process proceeds to step S38 to indicate that the copy is illegal. A message is displayed on the display device 24, and the present application processing ends. If a password is stored in the password file memory 23a or another memory area in the RAM 23, the password is read out (step S33), and it is determined whether or not the passwords match. Check (step S34).

If the read passwords do not match, the flow shifts to step S38 to display a message indicating unauthorized copying on the display device 24, and terminates the application processing. If the read personal identification numbers match, the personal identification numbers are deleted in the personal identification file memory 23a or the other memory area in the RAM 23 (step S35), and the personal identification numbers are stored in the personal identification checked flag memory 23c in the RAM 23. The checked flag is set (ON) (step S36).

Next, the processing by the installed application program is continued (step S37),
After the processing by the application program ends, the present application processing ends.

As described above, in the computer system 20 according to the second embodiment, when the application program is installed, the password file including the password provided by the application program is stored in the RAM 2.
3, the password storage file 6 required in the first embodiment is not required, so that the present invention can be applied to a computer system having a general configuration.

After the collation of the password, the password file and the password are deleted and only the password checked flag is checked to enable processing of the same application program. Therefore, the application program is started once. Later, the installation of the application program including the illegally copied password file can be excluded.

Therefore, the software has a password file including a specific password, and only checks the password-checked flag when the application is started.
Because the software has the authority to set the password,
Even if the user knows the password, it is meaningless to input the password after the installation, thereby preventing the use of the illegally copied application program. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the use of the application program in another computer system can be prevented, and the illegal copying of the software by the user can be prevented.

After the installation is completed, the password file is deleted.
The user's access to 3a is also meaningless, preventing the user from taking out the personal identification file, preventing the personal identification number from being known to the user, and preventing unauthorized copying of the application program by obtaining the personal identification number. Can be.

In the second embodiment, it is also possible to make the password file itself a hidden file or encrypt the password file memory 23a to enhance measures against unauthorized copying.

[0055]

According to the electronic device of the first aspect and the storage medium of the third aspect of the present invention, both the storage medium for storing software and the hardware for installing software are specified. By confirming the matching of the PIN at the time of installation, the system can have the authority to set the PIN, and the content of the PIN can be kept private to the user. The use of the application program in the computer system can be prevented, and the illegal copying of the software by the user can be prevented.

According to the electronic device of the second aspect and the storage medium of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the software has a password file including a specific password, and when the application is started, the password check completed flag is set. The software only has the authority to set the security code, so even if the user knows the security code, it is meaningless to enter the security code after installation.
Use of the illegally copied application program can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment to which an electronic device and a storage medium of the present invention are applied.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a main configuration of the computer system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an application process executed by a CPU 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a password check function process of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a second example to which the electronic device and the storage medium of the present invention are applied.
FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a main configuration of the computer system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a memory configuration in a RAM 23 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an application process executed by a CPU 21 of FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 20 Computer system 2, 21 CPU 3, 22 Input device 4, 23 RAM 23a Password file memory 23b Application program memory 23c Password checked flag memory 5, 24 Display device 6 Password storage memory 7, 25 Storage device 8, 26 Storage Medium 9, 27 bus

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device in which an application program is installed and used, wherein the application program sets unique password information, and password information storage means in which the unique password information set in the application program is stored in advance. When the application program is executed, by collating the unique password information set in the application program with the unique password information stored in the password information storage unit, the application program is authenticated. Determination means for determining whether or not the application program is executed, and control means for prohibiting execution of the application program when the application program is determined to be invalid. Electronics. 2. An electronic device in which an application program is installed and used, wherein the application program has unique password information, and has a password file storing password information corresponding to the unique password information of the application program. Storage means, when the application program is first started, a password information collation means for collating the presence or absence of a password file in the storage means and the unique password information, and as a result of the collation, the password file exists and When the password information matches, the password information is set and the password file is erased, and when the application program is subsequently started, the application program is executed based on the setting of the password information. And control means for performing Electronic equipment. 3. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program, wherein, when an application program is executed, unique password information set in the application program and unique password information stored in a predetermined storage means. By comparing the application program with the personal identification information, the program code executable by the computer to determine whether the application program is genuine, and as a result of this determination, it is determined that the application program is not genuine And a computer-executable program code for prohibiting the execution of the application program. 4. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program, wherein when an application program is first started, the presence or absence of a password file stored in a predetermined storage means and a password unique to the application program. A computer-executable program code for checking the match with the information; and, as a result of the check, if the password file exists and the password information matches, the password information is set and the password file is deleted. And thereafter, when the application program is started, a computer-executable program code for executing the application program based on the setting of the password information is stored. Storage medium.