KR100518037B1 - System for managing the serial number of equipment to be based on hard disk driver - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a serial number management system of equipment based on a hard disk (HDD), and stores the serial number assigned in a production step in a predetermined area of the hard disk (HDD) to communicate with an external data server. It is an object of the present invention to provide a serial number management system of equipment based on a hard disk (HDD) that can be used as an authentication means.

In addition, the present invention is a hard disk that can eliminate the hassle of separately managing the serial number and the unique identifier by automatically generating a unique identifier (ID and password) with the serial number stored in a predetermined area of the hard disk (HDD) in the production stage ( It is an object of the present invention to provide a serial number management system for equipment based on HDD).

Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a serial number management system that can very easily process the process of transmitting such authentication information to a hard disk (HDD) based equipment in a production process with minimal additional hardware. .

Description

System for managing the serial number of equipment to be based on hard disk driver}

The present invention relates to a serial number management system of a hard disk (HDD) -based device, and more particularly, to support a hard disk (HDD) -based device to process authentication with an external data server using a serial number. A serial number management system.

Recently, all equipments are equipped with a serial number sticker that records the year, month, and date of manufacture, and they are used as equipment information when receiving a repair service or trying to sell to a used market.

However, a hard disk (HDD) -based device, for example, a personal video recorder (PVR) is an external data server that provides a paid service, for example, an electronic program guide (EPG). When communicating with the server to update schedule information, a separate unique identifier for authentication, that is, ID and password, was stored and used.

However, the present inventors have attempted to allow customers who purchase their equipments to receive services free of charge from an external data server in order to increase the sales rate of such hard disk-based equipment. To this end, the method considered in the process of the present invention was to store a unique identifier for authentication when a device based on a hard disk (HDD) communicates with an external data server. According to this method, a manufacturer of a hard disk (HDD) -based device should perform a production process in which a unique identifier is stored in a hard disk (HDD) of all hard disk (HDD) -based devices. In addition, the file storing the unique identifier should be provided to the external data server operator.

Here, using the serial number as a unique identifier of the hard disk (HDD) based equipment is efficient in terms of production process and management of the unique identifier. Therefore, the inventor of the present invention attempted to use the serial number of the hard disk (HDD) based equipment as authentication information, and the present invention was derived in the process.

The present invention has been proposed in such a background, a hard disk (HDD) that can utilize the serial number as an authentication means when communicating with an external data server by storing the serial number given in the production step in a predetermined area of the hard disk (HDD) Its purpose is to provide a serial number management system for equipment based on

In addition, the present invention is a hard disk that can eliminate the hassle of separately managing the serial number and the unique identifier by automatically generating a unique identifier (ID and password) with the serial number stored in a predetermined area of the hard disk (HDD) in the production stage ( It is an object of the present invention to provide a serial number management system for equipment based on HDD).

Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to provide a serial number management system that can very easily process the process of transmitting such authentication information to a hard disk (HDD) based equipment in a production process with minimal additional hardware. .

According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object,

In the serial number management system including a serial number reader and a serial number management computer connected to a hard disk (HDD) based equipment and a communication cable,

The serial number management computer:

A first communication unit including a communication port for communicating with a hard disk (HDD) based device; a serial number receiving unit receiving a serial number from a serial number reader; a serial number file by processing a serial number received from the serial number receiving unit; A serial number processor configured to generate the data and store the data in a temporary storage area, and generate authentication information using the serial number and store the authentication information in an authentication information database; an IP request from a hard disk (HDD) based device through the first communication unit; And a download processing unit for lowering a predetermined IP when receiving the IP, checking whether the IP is normally operated in a hard disk (HDD) based device, and transmitting the serial number file to the hard disk (HDD) based device if it is normal. The hard disk (HDD) based equipment: for communication with the serial number management computer A second communication unit including one communication port; a serial number management unit storing the serial number file received by the second communication unit in a serial number storage area of a hard disk (HDD); and a serial number storage area of the hard disk (HDD); An authentication processing unit for generating authentication information using a serial number stored in the transmission unit, transmitting the authentication information to an external data server connected through a communication network, and receiving and processing authentication result information in response thereto;

And a data updater for downloading data from an external data server and updating the latest data when an authentication success signal is input from the authentication processor.

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Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily understand and reproduce the present invention.

1 is a schematic overall block diagram of a serial number management system for a hard disk (HDD) based equipment according to the present invention. As shown, a serial number management system for a hard disk (HDD) based device according to the invention is a serial number reader 10, a serial number management computer 20, a hard disk (HDD) based equipment 30 and external data Server 40.

The serial number reader 10 is for reading the serial number of the serial number sticker 1 attached to an outer surface of a hard disk (HDD) based device, and generally uses a commercially available barcode reader. The serial number sticker 1 is provided by a printer in advance. The serial number reader 10 transmits the read serial number to the serial number management computer 20 connected by a communication cable.

The serial number management computer 20 processes the serial number received from the serial number reader 10, automatically generates a serial number file and an ID and password for authentication, and stores the serial number file in a memory. The serial number management computer 20 is connected with a hard disk (HDD) based device 30 by a communication cable, and after confirming that the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 is connected, the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 Send the serial number file.

According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the information transmitted to the HDD-based device 30 is a serial number itself, and the information stored to be provided to the external data server 40 is authentication information generated therefrom. . The serial number management computer 20 that processes this function for generating authentication information, for example, an ID and a password from the serial number is the same function implemented as a code programmed in the HDD-based device 30. Must be the same function as the function.

The hard disk (HDD) based device 30 stores the serial number file transmitted from the serial number management computer 20 and transmits the ID and password to the serial number through the same function contracted when communicating with an external data server 40. Automatically generates and transmits the ID and password to the external data server 40. After that, the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 receives the corresponding data after receiving authentication from the external data server 40.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hard disk (HDD) -based device 30 uses a set top box or PVR (Personal Video Recorder). The PVR can convert an analog video transmitted from a television into digital and store the same on a hard disk (HDD), and convert the digital video stored in the hard disk (HDD) into analog to output to a television. Can be. In addition, by receiving the program schedule information from the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information provider server, it is possible to select a viewing program or to perform an operation such as reservation / recording.

The external data server 40 receives the ID and password information of the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 from the serial number management computer 20 and stores the ID and password information in a memory, and accesses the hard disk (HDD) based device connected through a network. When communicating with 30, perform authentication by searching for ID and password information, and download the requested data according to whether the authentication is successful.

In the present invention, the external data server 40 uses an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information provider server. The EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information provider server is known before the filing date and will not be described in detail here.

The USB-Ethernet Adapter (50) is usually added as a preferred embodiment because the HDD connection device 30 may not be provided with a network connection port. The TCP / IP protocol of the number management computer 20 and the computer upper protocol, in this embodiment, handle conversion between the USB protocol. Since such a device is known before the filing date of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

2 is a block diagram of a serial number management server according to the present invention.

As shown, the serial number management computer 20 according to the present invention is a control device based on a microprocessor. The controller 22 is preferably implemented as a microprocessor in which a ROM, a RAM, and a peripheral device are integrated therein. The memory 23 uses a hard disk (HDD), a flash memory, or a portable storage device (eg, floppy diskette, CD ...). The serial number receiving unit 21 includes a communication port connected to the serial number reader 10, and receives the serial number of the corresponding hard disk (HDD) based device 30 from the serial number reader 10. The first communication unit 24 includes a communication port for communicating with a hard disk (HDD) based device 30.

Each of the blocks 22a and 22b constituting the control unit 22 is implemented by program code. The database 23a of the memory 23 is implemented with a database table stored in the memory. Since the hardware constituting the serial number management computer 20 can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art by FIG. 2, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The serial number processor 22a processes the serial number received from the serial number receiver 21 to generate a serial number file and stores the serial number file in the memory 23. In addition, the serial number processor 22a generates an ID and a password through a function program contracted using the serial number and stores the ID and password in the memory 23.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, since the serial number management computer 20 is a production facility used in the next process step after the assembly of the hard disk (HDD) -based equipment 30 is completed, the serial number management computer 20 Many hard disk (HDD) -based devices will repeatedly connect and disconnect. According to an advantageous aspect of the present invention, the serial number management computer 20 grants an IP to the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 based on the Dynamic Host Computer Protocol (DHCP) technology, thereby generalizing it. Communication with the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 is performed using the network communication protocol. Accordingly, the serial number management computer 20 and the hard disk (HDD) -based device 30 are automatically and quickly set up as a communication process or a SETUP process for communication.

When the download processor 22b receives an IP request from the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 when communicating with the hard disk (HDD) based device 30, the download processor 22b lowers the fixed IP and the IP is based on the hard disk (HDD). Check that the equipment 30 is operating normally. If the check result is normal, the download processor 22b accesses the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 through a conventional network file transfer protocol, for example, a file transfer protocol (FTP) or telnet. The serial number file is transmitted to the hard disk (HDD) based device 30. Here, the serial number file is a read-only and hidden file, and has high security against hacking.

3 is a block diagram of a hard disk (HDD) based equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the hard disk (HDD) based equipment 30 is a microprocessor based control device. The controller 32 is preferably implemented as a microprocessor in which a ROM, a RAM, and a peripheral device are integrated therein. The memory 33 uses a hard disk HDD including an area for storing a serial number. The second communication unit 31 includes a communication port for communication with the serial number management server 20. The data updater 34 includes a communication port for communicating with an external data server 40 and a hard disk (HDD) based device 30 which can receive a free service from an external data server 40 connected through a network. The ID and password are sent for authentication. In addition, the data updater 34 receives the authentication from the external data server 40 and then updates data, for example, EPG data necessary for the user to check the program schedule information, and updates the latest data.

The serial number manager 32a stores the serial number file received by the second communication unit 31 in the serial number storage area of the hard disk HDD. The serial number manager 32a is implemented as an application program that runs on an embedded Linux operating system.

The authentication processing unit 32b is based on a hard disk (HDD) capable of receiving a free service from an external data server 40 by the same function program as described above for the serial number stored in the serial number storage area of the hard disk (HDD). Automatically generate ID and password for authentication whether the device 30 is stored in the memory 33.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication between a serial number management computer and a hard disk (HDD) based device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, connect a communication cable (①) to each communication port of the serial number management computer 20 and the hard disk (HDD) based equipment 30, and then apply power to the hard disk (HDD) based equipment (30). After that, when the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 requests an IP to the serial number management computer 20 (②), the serial number management computer 20 is a predetermined IP as the hard disk (HDD) based device 30. Download (③). Thereafter, the HDD-based device 30 sets the network to receive the IP and receive the serial number from the serial number management computer 20 (④). The serial number management computer 20 checks whether the downloaded IP is normally operated in the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 (⑤). In this case, the IP normal operation check uses a method using a ping of ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) or a method of monitoring by a protocol or socket program specific to a company.

Thereafter, the serial number management computer 20 receives the serial number from the serial number reader 10 (⑥) and automatically generates the serial number file and authentication information and stores them in the memory (⑦). Subsequently, when the serial number management computer 20 accesses the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 connected by a communication cable via Telnet and transmits the serial number file (⑧), the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 receives the serial number file and stores the serial number file in a serial number storage area of a hard disk HDD (⑨).

As described above, the HDD-based device 30 automatically stores the serial number on the HDD and automatically generates an ID and password, which is authentication information for downloading data from the external data server 40, through the serial number. It is possible to do

Hereinafter, a process in which a hard disk (HDD) based device 30 storing a serial number is connected to an external data server 40 providing a free service and downloading data is described.

5 is a flowchart illustrating communication between an external data server and a hard disk (HDD) based device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The hard disk (HDD) based device 30 connects to the external data server 40 through the communication network (①) and automatically generates authentication information (②) to transmit the authentication information to the external data server 40. (③). External data server 40 is a hard disk (HDD) based equipment 30 that can be provided with a free service by searching the authentication information database of the memory that stores the authentication information received from the hard disk (HDD) based equipment 30 Acknowledge authentication (④). Such authentication information is more realistic and security advantageous than being sent offline via CD-ROM or FLOPPY DISK rather than transmitted over a network. After that, when the external data server 40 transmits the authentication result (⑤), the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 receives the authentication result (⑥). If the authentication result is successful, the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 requests the latest data from the external data server 40 (⑦) and downloads the latest data from the external data server 40 (⑧). After that, the HDD-based device 30 updates the memory with the downloaded data (⑨).

As such, the hard disk (HDD) based device 30 according to the present invention does not need a separate unique identifier for authentication when accessing the external data server 40 that can be provided with a free service.

As described above, according to the present invention, the serial number assigned in the production step is stored in a predetermined area of the hard disk (HDD), so that the serial number can be used as an authentication means when communicating with an external data server.

In addition, according to the present invention, by automatically generating a unique identifier (ID and password) with a serial number stored in a predetermined area of the hard disk (HDD) in the production step can eliminate the trouble of separately managing the serial number and unique identifier It has a useful effect.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is a useful effect that can be processed very simply and at the same time to minimize the additional hardware to perform the process of transmitting the authentication information to the HDD-based equipment in the production process.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many various obvious modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention from this description. Therefore, it should be interpreted by the claims described to include many such variations.

1 is a schematic overall block diagram of a serial number management system for a hard disk (HDD) based equipment according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of a serial number in a serial number management system for a hard disk (HDD) based device according to the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of a hard disk (HDD) based equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication between a serial number management computer and a hard disk (HDD) based device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating communication between an external data server and a hard disk (HDD) based device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (4)

In the serial number management system including a serial number reader and a serial number management computer connected to a hard disk (HDD) based equipment and a communication cable, The serial number management computer: A first communication unit including a communication port for communicating with a hard disk (HDD) based device; A serial number receiving unit which receives the serial number from the serial number reader; A serial number processing unit processing a serial number received from the serial number receiving unit to generate a serial number file, storing the serial number file in a temporary storage area, generating authentication information using the serial number, and storing the serial number file in an authentication information database; When the IP request is received from the hard disk (HDD) based device through the first communication unit, a predetermined IP is lowered down, and if the IP is normally operated in the hard disk (HDD) based device, the serial number file is hard. Includes; download processing unit for transmitting to the disk (HDD) based equipment; The hard disk (HDD) based equipment: A second communication unit including a communication port for communicating with the serial number management computer; A serial number manager which stores the serial number file received by the second communication unit in a serial number storage area of a hard disk (HDD); An authentication processing unit for generating authentication information using a serial number stored in a serial number storage area of the hard disk (HDD), transmitting the authentication information to an external data server connected through a communication network, and receiving and processing authentication result information in response thereto; ; A data updating unit downloading data from an external data server and updating the latest data when an authentication success signal is input from the authentication processing unit; Serial number management system comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the download processing unit: A serial number management system that checks whether IP is operating normally on a hard disk (HDD) -based device by using a ping of the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP). The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the download processing unit: Serial number management system characterized in that the serial number file is transmitted to the hard disk (HDD) based device by accessing the hard disk (HDD) based device through telnet. The method of claim 1, wherein the second communication unit: Serial number management, characterized in that implemented by the USB-Ethernet Adapter (USB-Ethernet Adapter) to handle the protocol conversion between the TCP / IP protocol of the serial number management computer and the USB protocol of the hard disk (HDD) -based equipment system.