WO2002099629A1

WO2002099629A1 - Method for charging application software, charging system, charging server and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2002099629A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/005468
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fumihito Tsuchiya; Masanori Egawa
Original assignee: Linkworld, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-06-01
Filing date: 2001-06-26
Publication date: 2002-12-12
Also published as: JP2002358134A

Abstract

A system for charging an application software depending on the use frequency thereof while preventing unauthorized copy or use of the application software. In the method for charging an application software program, the start program of an application software program is set to start the application software program after receiving a message of permission for start from a charging server. The charging server has a function for transmitting an initialization key generated anew while affixing the start key to the message of permission for start every time it is transmitted. The start program has a function of holding a received start key in the user terminal and transmits the start key held in the user terminal while affixing the start key to the message of request for start when the user starts the application software program. The charging server collates the received start key with the previously transmitted start key. When they match with each other, the charging server transmits the message of permission for start to the user terminal along with a new start key to be used next time. Consequently, the application software can be charged depending on the use frequency thereof while preventing unauthorized copy or use of the application software.

Description

Description Application · Software billing method, billing system, billing server device, and computer program

The present invention relates to a method of charging application software stored and distributed on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk, and an application software distributed via a communication network such as an Internet connection network. And a charging system for implementing the charging method. Further, the present invention relates to a charging server device and a computer program used in the charging system. Background art

Conventionally, as a method of charging application software, a method of charging a product stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk at the time of purchase at a store or the like is generally used. Computers and applications / software distributed over a network can be used freely, for example, free of charge for a certain period of time, and after that period can be used on condition that a password is entered. A method is also known in which the password is set in advance and the password is issued when the password is issued.

However, in the conventional billing method, in each case, the user purchases the application software, and therefore, it has utility value especially for business application software with a high selling price. Even so, there are times when hesitating to introduce it in terms of cost. In addition, users have to pay high costs for applications that are rarely used, regardless of how often they are used. Furthermore, in the purchase method, the application software has multiple terminals. However, it is difficult to prevent unauthorized use. Disclosure of the invention

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and enables application and software to be charged according to the frequency of use of the application and software, and is also effective in preventing unauthorized copying of the software and unauthorized use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a charging method, a charging system for realizing the charging method, a charging server device, and a computer program.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention according to claim 1 comprises a user terminal device provided with a charging target application and software, and a charging server device connected to the terminal device via a communication network. Application's software in a billing system

The application / software activation program is set to activate the application / software by receiving an activation permission notification from the charging server device, and the charging server device transmits the activation permission notification every time the transmission server transmits the activation permission notification. A function of attaching the newly generated activation key to the activation permission notification and transmitting the activation key to the terminal device, and the activation program having a function of holding the received activation key in the terminal device. When the application software is activated, the activation program attaches the activation key held in the terminal device to the activation request notification and transmits the activation request notification to the accounting server device.The accounting server device receives the activation key. Is compared with the previously transmitted activation key, and if they match, a startup permission notification is sent An application / software billing method is transmitted to the terminal device together with a key.

The present invention according to claim 2, wherein the termination program of the application software is a termination notification to the billing server device when the application software terminates. The charging server device calculates the usage fee of the application software based on the time from transmission of the activation permission notification to reception of the end notification. A method for billing an application according to claim 1 is provided.

The present invention according to claim 3, wherein the charging server device stores a transmission time of the activation permission notification as a use start time of the application software, and further stores a reception time of the end notification in the application. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the time is stored as the software use end time.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the application software termination program, the activation key held by the terminal device is attached to the termination notification and transmitted to the charging server device. The charging server device compares the received activation key with the activation key transmitted when the application software is activated. 4. An application / software charging method according to claim 3, wherein the time is stored as the use end time of the application / software.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the application / software activation program is set to include user authentication information in the activation request notification and transmit the user authentication information to the accounting server device. The received user authentication information is collated with the authentication information of the user registered in advance, and if they match, the activation key attached to the activation request notification is collated. 4. Provide a billing method for the application software described in any one of 4 above.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned billing server device, when the received start request notification or end notification is found to be invalid, the application software use prohibition information is used as the authentication information of the user. The application / software billing method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the billing method is stored in association with the application software. You.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the charging server device, the use of the application software is prohibited by referring to a user management database storing the use prohibition information based on the received user authentication information. 7. A method for charging application software according to claim 6, wherein a start-up rejection notice is transmitted to the terminal device when the user is a user.

The present invention according to claim 8 is an application / software charging system having a terminal device of a user having application software to be charged and a charging server device connected to the terminal device via a communication network. And

The application / software activation program is configured to activate the application / software by receiving an activation permission notification from the charging server device, and the charging server device transmits the activation permission notification. The activation key is generated, the activation key is generated, the activation key is generated, the activation key is attached to the activation permission notification, and the activation key is transmitted to the terminal device. The program includes: means for holding the received activation key in the terminal device; and means for attaching the activation key to an activation request notification and transmitting the activation key to the charging server device at the time of the next activation request of the application software. The charging server device includes: a unit configured to compare the received activation key with a previously transmitted activation key; Fruit, if they match, provides a billing system applications • Soft, characterized in that it comprises means for transmitting and attach newly generated activation key to said activation permission notification to the terminal device.

The present invention according to claim 9, wherein the termination program of the application software is set to transmit a termination notification to the accounting server device when the application software terminates, 9. The application according to claim 8, further comprising: means for calculating a usage fee of the application software based on a time from transmission of the activation permission notification to reception of the termination notification. ・ Provide software billing system.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the charging server device, the transmission time of the activation permission notification is stored as a use start time of the application software, and the reception time of the end notification is stored in the application software. 10. An application 'software charging system according to claim 9, further comprising means for storing the use end time of the software.

The present invention according to claim 11, wherein the termination program of the application software is configured to attach the activation key held by the terminal device to the termination notification and transmit the activation key to the accounting server device. The charging server device is configured to check the received activation key with the activation key transmitted at the time of starting the application software. 10. The application / software charging system according to claim 10, further comprising: means for storing a reception time of the notification as the use end time of the application / software.

The present invention according to claim 12, wherein the application / software activation program is configured to include user authentication information in the activation request notification and transmit the user authentication information to the accounting server device. The apparatus includes means for comparing the received user authentication information with the authentication information of the user registered in advance, and when the result of the comparison by the matching means shows a match, the activation key attached to the activation request notification An application software billing system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the billing is performed.

The present invention according to claim 13, wherein the billing server device, when the received start request notification or termination notification is found to be illegal, uses the application software use prohibition information as the authentication information of the user. 13. A charging system for application software according to any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising means for storing in association with the software. According to the present invention as set forth in claim 14, in the charging server device, the use of the application software is prohibited by referring to a user management database storing the use prohibition information based on the received user authentication information. The application software billing system according to claim 13, further comprising means for transmitting a start rejection notice to the terminal device when the user is a user who is not authorized.

The present invention according to claim 15 is connected to a terminal device of a user provided with a chargeable application software via a communication network,

Means for generating a start key each time a start P possible notification for starting the application software is transmitted to the terminal device;

Means for holding the generated activation key,

Means for attaching the activation key to the activation permission notification and transmitting the activation request notification to the terminal device; receiving an activation request notification transmitted from the terminal device; and transmitting the activation key attached to the activation request notification last time. Means for checking with the obtained activation key,

Means for attaching a newly generated activation key to the activation permission notification and transmitting the activation key to the terminal device when the result of the collation by the collation means indicates a match.

And a charging server device comprising:

The present invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that, based on a time from transmission of the activation permission notification to reception of an end notification transmitted from the terminal device when the application software ends, the application 16. A charging server device according to claim 15, further comprising means for calculating a software usage fee.

The present invention according to claim 17, wherein a transmission time of the activation permission notification is stored as a use start time of the application software, and a reception time of the end notification is stored as a use end time of the application software. The charging server device according to claim 16, further comprising means for storing.

The present invention according to claim 18 compares the activation key attached to the termination notification received from the terminal device with the activation key transmitted when the application software is activated. Means,

A means for storing the reception time of the end notification as the end time of use of the application software if the result of the comparison by the matching means indicates a match.

The billing server device according to claim 17, further comprising:

The present invention according to claim 19, further comprising: means for comparing the user authentication information included in the activation request notification received from the terminal device with the authentication information of the user registered in advance. As a result of the above, when they match, the activation key attached to the activation request notification is collated to provide the accounting server device according to any one of claims 15 to 18.

The present invention described in claim 20 is that, when the received start request notification or termination notification is found to be illegal, the use prohibition information of the application software is associated with the authentication information of the user. A charging server device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, further comprising means for storing the charging server.

In the present invention according to claim 21, based on the received user authentication information, the use of the application software is prohibited by referring to a user management database storing the use prohibition information. 20. The charging server device according to claim 20, further comprising: means for transmitting a start rejection notification to the terminal device when the user is a user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a charging system including a user terminal device and a charging server device connected to the terminal device via a communication network, the terminal device is stored in a storage device. Application for billing · A computer program for executing billing according to the frequency of use of the software.

There is provided a computer program characterized by including a start step of starting the application software only when a start permission notice transmitted from the billing server device is received.

The present invention according to claim 23, wherein the activation step comprises: Receiving an activation key attached to the activation permission notification and transmitting the activation key, and causing the terminal device to hold the activation key;

Sending a start request notification to the charging server device with the start key attached when the application software is requested to start;

22. A computer program according to claim 22, wherein the computer program comprises:

The present invention according to claim 24, wherein the activation step includes a step of disconnecting the connection between the terminal device and the accounting server device after receiving the activation permission notification. A computer program according to claim 22 or 23 is provided.

The invention according to claim 25, wherein the activation step includes a step of including user authentication information in the activation request notification and transmitting the user authentication information to the charging server device. 22 The computer program according to any one of 22 to 24 is provided.

The present invention according to claim 26 is characterized in that it comprises an end step of transmitting an end notice to the billing server device when the application software ends. The computer program according to any one of to 25 is provided.

The present invention according to claim 27, wherein the termination step includes a step of attaching the activation key held by the terminal device to the termination notification and transmitting the activation key to the accounting server device. 26. A computer program according to claim 26, wherein the computer program is configured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a billing system for implementing a billing method for application software according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the above embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of software to be charged and software to be charged. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the charging server device in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the charging system in the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the charging system in the embodiment.

In FIGS. 1 to 3 above, reference numeral 10 denotes a user terminal device, 11 denotes a storage device, 20 denotes a billing server device, 21 denotes a system control unit, and 211 denotes a ?? 11, 2 1 2 are memory, 2 2 is a storage device, 2 2 is a main program, 2 2 a is activation key generation means, 2 2 b is activation key holding means, 2 2 c is activation permission notification Transmission means, 2 2 1 d is activation key verification means, 2 2 e is usage fee calculation means, 2 2 f is usage time recording means, 2 1 g is authentication information verification means, 2 2 1 h is use prohibited Information recording means, 2 2 1 1 is activation refusal notice transmitting means, 2 2 2 is a user management database, 2 2 3 is a billing information database, 2 3 is a communication unit, 3 0 is a communication network, 4 0 Is application software to be charged, 4 1 is a startup program, 4 1 1 is a means for requesting input of user authentication information, 4 1 2 is a means for sending a request for activation request, 4 1 3 is a means for receiving a notice of rejection of activation, 4 2 is an end A program, 4 2 1, is an end notification transmitting means.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a billing system for implementing a billing method for application software according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the billing system according to the present embodiment has a user terminal device 10 and a billing server device 20 connected to the terminal device 10 via a communication network 30. It is composed.

The terminal device 10 is not limited as long as it can be used by a user and has a communication function capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from a billing server device 20 described later. A telephone or the like can be used. Terminal device A storage device 11 such as a hard disk provided in 10 stores application software 40 to be charged.

The chargeable application software 40 is stored on a computer-readable recording medium, for example, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD, or a magneto-optical disk such as an MO or MD. It is distributed to users. However, the application software 40 is not necessarily installed in the user's terminal device 10 via the recording medium, but is distributed via a communication network from a server device on the application software provider side. May be used.

Also, the application software 40 is not limited in its type, and includes all software developed for various uses, whether for personal use or business use. Includes general-purpose software such as, spreadsheets, databases, and graphics, as well as custom-made contract development software. However, the application software 40 is provided with a start program 41 and / or an end program 42 having unique processing means (processing steps).

That is, the activation program 41 of the application software 40 in the present embodiment activates the application software 40 by receiving the activation permission notification from the charging server device 20 described later (that is, the application software 40). Software 40, etc.).

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the start-up program 41 provides the user using the application software 40 with the user authentication information provided in advance from the charging server device 20 described later. User authentication information input requesting means 4 1 1 requesting input, start request notification transmitting means 4 1 2 for transmitting start-up request notification of application software 40 to charging server device 20, and starting from charging server device 20 It has an activation permission Z rejection notification receiving means 4 13 which receives a permission notice or an activation rejection notice.

The user authentication information input requesting means 4 1 1 is a table such as a monitor of the user terminal 10. An input screen for prompting the user to input user authentication information is displayed on a display device (not shown). The “user authentication information” referred to here means that a user who uses the application software 40 for the first time issues a user issued from the charging server device 20 when registering the user to the charging server device 20, and transmits the user to another user. It consists of a user ID for identifying the user and a password for identifying the user.

When transmitting the activation request notification of the application software 40 to the charging server device 20 described below, the activation request notification transmitting means 4 12 attaches the user authentication information to the activation request notification and activates the activation key. And sending it. The “activation key” here is received from the charging server device 20 and is temporarily stored in the user terminal device 10, and its main function is that of the application software 40. It plays a role as a collation key for the charging server device 20 to determine whether there is any unauthorized use. Therefore, as long as the activation key can perform such a function, the format and structure of the data is not limited.For example, whether the activation key is a random numerical value or a combination of a numerical value and a character Data or data obtained by encrypting the data can be used.

The activation permission Z rejection notification receiving means 4 13 receives the activation permission notification from the charging server device 20 described later, receives the activation key attached to the activation permission notification, and transmits the activation key to the user. Of the terminal device 10. The activation key received from the charging server device 20 is not displayed on the display device of the terminal device 10 by the activation permission rejection notification receiving means 4 13, and is stored in the storage device 11 of the terminal device 10. Is stored in the area. The activation key held in the terminal device 10 is read out from the storage device 11 by the activation request notification transmitting means 4 12 at the time of the next activation request of the application software 40 and attached to the activation request notification. Then, it is transmitted to the accounting server device 20. Therefore, the user cannot know the existence of the activation key in normal use.

In addition, the activation permission Z rejection notification receiving means 4 13 is transmitted from a charging server device 20 described later. After receiving the activation permission notification and holding the activation key in the terminal device 10 of the user, disconnecting the connection between the terminal device 10 and the charging server device 20; and thereafter, the application software 40 Activating.

In addition, the activation permission Z rejection notification receiving means 4 13 disconnects the connection between the user terminal device 10 and the accounting server device 20 when receiving the activation rejection notification from the accounting server device 20 described later. Then, there is a step of terminating the application software 40 without starting it.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the termination program 42 of the application software 40 according to the present embodiment transmits a termination notification to a charging server device 20 described later when the application software 40 terminates. End notification transmitting means 4 2 1 to be provided.

When transmitting the termination notification of the application software 40 to the charging server device 20 described later, the termination notification transmitting means 421 includes, in the termination notification, the activation held by the terminal device 10 of the user. And transmitting the attached key.

As shown in FIG. 3, the billing server device 20 processes the request from the user terminal device 10 and controls the entire system of the billing server device 20, as shown in FIG. And a communication unit 23 functioning as a means for communicating with the user terminal device 10.

The system control unit 21 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 211 and a memory 211. In the storage device 22, as a recording medium on which various data are recorded, in addition to a memory and a hard disk, the recording medium is loaded into a corresponding type of drive provided in the charging server device 20, for example, a flexible disk or the like. Recording media such as magnetic disks, optical disks such as CD-R〇M and DVD, and magneto-optical disks such as M〇 and MD are also included. Further, it is preferable that the communication section 23 has a configuration that can be connected to a plurality of lines at the same time.

The storage device 22 has a main program 2 2 1 and a user management database 2 2 2 And a billing information database 222 are stored.

The main program 2 21 is used in the system control unit 21, and includes a boot key generating unit 2 2 a, a boot key holding unit 2 2 1 b, a boot permission notification transmitting unit 2 2 1 c, a boot key Verification unit 2 2 1d, usage fee calculation unit 2 2 1e, usage time recording unit 2 2 1f, authentication information verification unit 2 2 1g, use prohibition information recording unit 2 2 1h, and activation rejection notification transmission unit 2 2 1 i and so on.

The activation key generation means 222 a has a function of generating an activation key each time a startup permission notification for activating the application software 4 is transmitted to the terminal device 10 of the user. The activation key holding unit 222b stores the activation key generated by the activation key generation unit 222a in, for example, a user management database 222 described later in association with the user authentication information. Having.

The activation permission notification transmission means 222c has a function of attaching the activation key generated by the activation key generation means 222a to the activation permission notification and transmitting the activation key to the user terminal device 110. The activation key verification means 2 2 1 d has a function of receiving the activation request notification transmitted from the user terminal device 10 and collating the activation key attached to the activation request notification with the previously transmitted activation key. .

The usage fee calculating means 222 e has a function of calculating the usage fee of the application software 40 based on the time from the transmission of the activation permission notification to the reception of the termination notification. The use time recording means 2 2 1 f uses the transmission time of the activation permission notification as the use start time of the application software 40 and the reception time of the end notification as the use end time of the application software 40. It has a function of storing the start time and the use end time in, for example, a user management database 222 described later. The authentication information matching means 222g has a function of receiving the user authentication information transmitted from the terminal device 10 of the user and comparing the user authentication information with the authentication information of the user registered in advance. The use prohibition information recording means 2 2 1h is configured to execute the application request when the activation request notification or the termination notification transmitted from the user terminal device 10 is found to be illegal. It has a function of associating the use prohibition information of the application software 40 with the authentication information of the user, for example, in a user management database 222 described later. In addition, the use prohibition information of the application software 40 is, for example, when the user has delinquently used the application software 40, etc., the administrator of the charging server 20 By operating an input device such as a keyboard, it can be stored in the user management database 222.

The activation rejection notification transmitting means 2 2 1 i refers to the user management database 2 2 2 which stores the use prohibition information of the application and software 40 based on the user authentication information received from the user terminal 10. If the user is a user who is prohibited from using the application software 40, the terminal device 10 has a function of transmitting an activation rejection notice to the user's terminal device 10. Note that the activation rejection notification transmitting means 2 21 i is not limited to the above case, and the result of the verification of the activation key or the user authentication information by the activation key collating means 2 2 Even in the case of a mismatch, an activation rejection notification is transmitted to the user terminal device 10.

The charging server device 20 performs a predetermined operation described later when the system control unit 21 controls the entire system of the charging server device 20 according to the main program 221, which includes the above-described units.

The user management database 222 stores attribute information such as the name or address of a user who uses the application software 40 to be charged, an address, a telephone number, and an e-mail address. In addition, user authentication information issued to a user who uses the application software 40 is stored for each user. In addition, the use of the application software 40 prohibits the use of the application software 40 in the event of a user's misconduct due to the function of the use prohibition information recording means 222 h. The information is stored in association with the authentication information of the user.

In the present embodiment, the user management database 222 includes a means for holding an activation key, a means for storing user authentication information, It functions as a means for storing the use start time and the use end time and a means for storing the use prohibition information of the application software 40, but by storing such information in another storage area formed in the storage device 22. Of course, it is good.

The charging information database 222 contains a history of the use of the application software 40 by the user (date and time of use), the usage fee calculated by the usage fee calculation means 222 e, and the usage fee for each use of the application software 40. And the accumulated usage fee per unit period are stored for each user.

It should be noted that the user management database 222 or the charging information database 222 may store the account number of the financial institution for collecting the usage fee, the credit card number, or the like. Of course. Usage fees can be collected by any of the following methods: collecting money by visiting, transferring money to financial institutions, and online electronic payment.

As the communication network 30, a general public network can be used. In addition, communication lines can be used as appropriate regardless of whether they are wireless or wired.

Next, an example of the operation of the charging system configured as described above and the operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

The chargeable application software 40 stored in a recording medium and distributed to a user or distributed via a communication network is installed in a user terminal device 10 and used. When a user uses the application software 40 for the first time, first, the user attribute information (name, address, etc.) is displayed on the display device of the terminal device 10 in accordance with a user registration program provided in the application software 40. A screen prompting you to enter is displayed. Information input by the user according to the screen is transmitted to the accounting server device 20.

The charging server device 20 stores the received user attribute information in the user management database 222. In addition, the user ID and password of the user are set, and the user ID and password are stored in the user management database 222. These are transmitted to the user terminal device as user authentication information. It should be noted that the user registration and the issuance of the user authentication information may be performed by exchanging a letter or an e-mail between the user and the administrator of the billing server device 20 without depending on the above procedure. is there.

As the user registered as described above uses the application software 40, for example, when the user operates the start icon displayed on the display device of the terminal device 10 with a mouse, the application software 40 is used. 0 start program (starting step) 4 1 starts processing. First, the user authentication information input requesting means 4 11 1 displays a screen prompting the input of user authentication information on the display device of the terminal device 10.

(Step (S) 100). When the user enters the user ID and password as user authentication information according to the screen, and then presses the Enter key on the keyboard or clicks the “Start” button displayed on the screen with a mouse, for example, An activation request notification is transmitted to the accounting server device 20 by the activation request notification transmitting means 4 12 (S 101).

At this time, when transmitting the activation request notification, the activation request notification transmitting means 4 12 attaches the user authentication information input by the user to the activation request notification and transmits the activation request notification to the storage device 11 of the terminal device 10. The activation key stored in a predetermined area is read, and the activation key is attached and transmitted. When the user attempts to activate the application software 40 for the first time, the activation key received from the charging server device 20 is not stored in the terminal device 10. A default value preset in 40 is attached to the activation request notification as an activation key and transmitted to the accounting server device 20.

When the charging server device 20 receives the activation request notification transmitted from the user terminal device 10 (S200), the charging server device 20 first attaches the activation request notification to the activation request notification by the authentication information collating means 22g. The user management database 222 is accessed based on the user authentication information, and collation is performed with the user authentication information stored in advance (S201). If the results of the comparison do not match, and the user is not recognized as a registered user, an activation rejection notification is transmitted to the user's terminal device 10 by the activation rejection notification transmission means 22 1 i (S 202). When the startup program 41 of the application software 40 receives the startup rejection notification (S102), the startup program 41 ends the application software 40 without starting it (S103).

On the other hand, if the result of the verification by the authentication information verification means 2 21 g matches that of the registered user, the activation key verification means 2 2 1 d uses the activation key verification means 22 1 d to add the activation key attached to the activation request notification. Then, the user management database 222 is accessed to collate with the previously transmitted activation key stored in the user management database 222 (S203). When the user tries to activate the application or software 40 for the first time, the activation key transmitted last time does not exist. In this case, the activation key collating means 221 d sets the user management data in advance. It is compared with the activation key stored in the evening base 222 and corresponding to the default value as the activation key transmitted from the user terminal device 10.

If the activation keys do not match as a result of the verification of the activation key, the activation rejection notification transmitting means 2 21 i transmits an activation rejection notification to the user's terminal device 10 (S 204). When the startup program 41 of the application software 40 receives the startup rejection notification (S104), it ends the application software 40 without starting it (S105). If the activation keys do not match in this way, it is possible that the illegally copied application software 40 was activated or that the activation key was forged. In this case, the application software 40 cannot be used because it is terminated without starting as described above. Therefore, unauthorized copying and unauthorized use of the application software 40 can be reliably prevented.

If such fraud is recognized, the use prohibition information recording means 2 21 h associates the use prohibition information of the application software 40 with the authentication information of the user and stores it in the user management database 22 2. It is memorized (S205). In addition, —The presence or absence of the use prohibition information of the application software 40 in the management database 222 is determined by the authentication information collation means 222 g, which is the next step after the user authentication information collation (S201). (Not shown), if the user is referred to by the authentication information matching means 222g based on the user authentication information and the use of the application software 40 is prohibited, the activation is rejected. The notification transmitting means 2 2 1 i transmits an activation rejection notification to the user terminal device 10. As a result, the application software 40 is terminated without starting, and cannot be used. On the other hand, if the result of the comparison by the activation key matching means 2 2 1 d shows that they match, the activation key generating means 2 2 1 a generates a new activation key different from the previously transmitted activation key (S 2 0 6) The activation key storage unit 222b stores the generated activation key in the user management database 222 in association with the user authentication information (S207). Then, the activation permission notification transmitting means 222c transmits the activation permission notification to the user terminal device 10 with the activation key generated by the activation key generation means 222a (S208). ). Further, the billing server device 20 uses the transmission time of the activation permission notification as the use start time of the application software 40 by the use time recording means 2 21 f, and uses the use start time as the user management database. It is stored in 222 (S209).

The activation program 41 of the application software 40 receives the activation permission notification from the charging server device 20 by the activation permission rejection notification receiving means 4 13 (S106), and activates the program attached to the activation permission notification. After the key is stored and held in a predetermined area of the storage device 11 of the terminal device 10 (S107), the connection between the terminal device 10 and the charging server device 20 is disconnected (S108) ). Then, the application software 40 is activated by the activation permission / denial notification receiving means 413 (S109). Thus, the functions of the application software 40 can be executed, and the user can use the application software 40.

As described above, in this embodiment, the activation key is collated after the user authentication. Therefore, in other words, the user authentication and the verification of the activation key are performed separately, and the user authentication is not performed in a form including the verification of the activation key, so that the user authentication can be performed in a short time. As a result, if the user enters a wrong user ID or password, the user can be immediately notified of the fact, and the waiting time for user authentication is eliminated for the user.

The activation key is generated every time the activation permission notification is transmitted to the user terminal device 10 and is attached to the activation permission notification and transmitted. Therefore, the activation key has a unique value every time. Then, since the activation key is compared with the activation key transmitted last time at the time of the next activation request, if there is an unauthorized copy or unauthorized use of the application software 40, it can be detected. Use of application software 40 can be prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to prevent such actions.

Also, after receiving the activation permission / rejection notification, the activation permission / rejection notification receiving means 4 13 constituting the activation program 41 of the application software 40 receives the activation permission notification or the activation rejection notification. The user does not need to operate the terminal device 10 for disconnecting the connection.

In addition, since the application software 40 is built into the user's terminal device 10, the display speed is much faster than reading and using software on the server device side, especially when the software has a large data capacity. And the processing speed is fast, so the user can use it comfortably.

In addition, since the application software 40 is built in the user's terminal device 10, the terminal device 10 and the billing server device 20 need to be constantly connected to use the application software 40. There is also an advantage that the cost required for communication can be reduced.

Next, when ending the use of the application software 40, the user operates the end icon displayed on the display device of the terminal device 10 with a mouse or the like. 4 2 processing First, the activation key received from the accounting server device 20 at the time of activation is read out and stored in the storage device 11 of the terminal device 10 (S110). The activation key is retained in the terminal device 10 even after being read out here, and is updated when a new activation key is received from the charging server device 20 at the next activation.

Next, the termination program 42 attaches the read activation key to the termination notification, accesses the accounting server device 20, and transmits the termination notification with the activation key attached to the accounting server device 20 ( S 1 1 1). Then, after transmitting the end notification, the connection between the terminal device 10 and the charging server device 20 is disconnected (S112), and the application software 40 is terminated (S113).

When the billing server device 20 receives the termination notification from the user terminal device 10 (S210), the charging server device 20 first activates the activation key collating means 2211d based on the activation key attached to the termination notification. Then, the user management data base 222 is accessed to collate with the activation key stored at the time of starting stored in the user management data base 222 (S211).

If the activation key does not match as a result of the verification, the terminal device 10 of the user assumes that the application software 40 is in use and maintains the state before receiving the end notification. In such a case, since it is considered that the activation key has been illegally copied or the termination notification has been forged, the use prohibition information recording means 22 1 uses the application prohibition information of the software 40. Is stored in the user management database 222 in association with the authentication information of the user (S2122).

On the other hand, if they match, it is assumed that the application software 40 has been used correctly and that the application software has been normally terminated, and the use time recording means 2211f sets the reception time of the end notification to the application software 40. The use end time is stored in the user management database 222 as the use end time (S213).

In steps 209 and 213 described above, the charging server device 20 determines the use start time and use end time of the application software 40 based on the user management data. Once recorded in 2 22, the usage fee calculation means 2 2 1 e then calculates the time from the transmission of the activation permission notification to the reception of the end notification, that is, the above-mentioned use start time and use end time. Based on this, the usage fee of the application software 40 is calculated (S 2 14), and the calculated usage fee is recorded in the charging information database 2 23 (S 2 15). As described above, the charging server device 20 in the present embodiment calculates and stores the usage fee every time the user uses the application software 40. Then, on a predetermined date, the usage fee calculation means 2 2 1 e obtains the usage fee per unit period (for example, one month) by adding up the individual usage fees accrued during the period, and obtains the billing information. Memorize the data in Base 2 2 3. As a result, the usage fee corresponding to the usage time of the application software 40 can be collected. In the above description, the start-up program (start-up step) 41 and the end program (end step) 42 of the application software 40 are provided as a part of the application software 40, but not necessarily. It does not need to be integrated with Application Software 40. The start-up program (start-up step) 4 1 and the end program (end step) 4 2 are used to execute the above functions when starting or ending the application software 40. By associating with the application software 40, it can be provided independently of the application software 40. Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the application software billing method, the billing system, the billing server device, and the computer program of the present invention, it is possible to perform billing corresponding to the frequency of use of the application software, and It is possible to prevent unauthorized copying and unauthorized use of software.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A billing method for application software in a billing system having a terminal device of a user having a billable application software and a billing server device connected to the terminal device via a communication network,

The application / software activation program is set to activate the application / software by receiving an activation permission notification from the charging server device, and the charging server device transmits the activation permission notification every time the transmission server transmits the activation permission notification. A function of attaching the newly generated activation key to the activation permission notification and transmitting the activation key to the terminal device, and the activation program having a function of holding the received activation key in the terminal device. When the application software is activated, the activation program attaches the activation key held in the terminal device to the activation request notification and transmits the activation request notification to the accounting server device.The accounting server device receives the activation key. Is compared with the previously transmitted activation key, and if they match, a startup permission notification is sent A method for charging application software, wherein the method is transmitted to the terminal device together with a key.

2. The application / software termination program is set to transmit a termination notification to the billing server device when the application software terminates, and the billing server device sends the termination permission notification to the billing server device. 2. The application / software charging method according to claim 1, wherein a charge for using the application / software is calculated based on a time from transmission to reception of the end notification.

3. The charging server stores the transmission time of the activation permission notification as the use start time of the application software, and stores the reception time of the end notification as the use end time of the application software. The billing method for application software according to claim 2, which is characterized in that:

4. The termination program of the application software sends the termination notice The activation key held by the terminal device is attached to be transmitted to the accounting server device, and the accounting server device transmits the received activation key to the application software. 4. The application / software charging method according to claim 3, wherein the activation key is compared with the transmitted activation key at that time, and when the activation key matches, the reception time of the termination notification is stored as the application termination time of the application / software. .

5. The application / software activation program is set to transmit the user authentication information to the accounting server device by including the user authentication information in the activation request notification, and the accounting server device transmits the received user authentication information to the accounting server device. The application according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the verification is performed against authentication information of the user registered in advance, and when the authentication information matches, the activation key attached to the activation request notification is collated. · Software billing method.

6. The billing server device stores the use prohibition information of the application software in association with the authentication information of the user when the received start request notification or termination notification is found to be illegal. The method for charging application software according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. Based on the received user authentication information, the billing server device refers to a user management database storing the use prohibition information, and if the user is a user whose use of the application software is prohibited, 7. The charging method for application software according to claim 6, wherein a start rejection notice is transmitted to the terminal device.

8. An application / software charging system including a user terminal device having a charging target application software and a charging server device connected to the terminal device via a communication network,

The application / software activation program is configured to activate the application software by receiving an activation permission notification from the charging server device, and the charging server device transmits the activation permission notification. Every time Means for generating an activation key; means for holding the generated activation key; and means for attaching the activation key to the activation permission notification and transmitting the activation key to the terminal device. Means for holding the received activation key in the terminal device, and means for attaching the activation key to an activation request notification and transmitting the activation key notification to the charging server device at the time of the next activation request of the application software, The billing server device matches the received activation key with a previously transmitted activation key, and attaches a newly generated activation key to the activation permission notification when the result of the collation by the collation unit matches. Means for transmitting to the terminal device by means of the application software.

9. The application / software termination program is set to transmit a termination notification to the billing server device when the application software is terminated, and the billing server device is configured to execute the activation permission. 9. The application / software charging system according to claim 8, further comprising: means for calculating a fee for using the application and the software based on a time from transmission of the notification to reception of the termination notification.

10. The charging server device stores the transmission time of the activation permission notification as the use start time of the application software, and stores the reception time of the end notification as the use end time of the application software. The application / software charging system according to claim 9, comprising means.

11. The end program of the application and software is set to attach the activation key held by the terminal device to the end notification and to transmit the start key to the accounting server device, The apparatus includes means for comparing the received activation key with the activation key transmitted at the time of activating the application software, and, when the result of the collation by the collation means shows a match, the reception time of the end notification is set to the application. 10. The application according to claim 10, further comprising means for storing the use end time of the software.

12. The start-up program of the application software is set to transmit user authentication information to the charging server device by including the user authentication information in the start request notification, and the charging server device transmits the received user authentication information to the charging server device. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for checking the authentication information of the user registered in advance, and when the result of the check by the check means matches, the start key attached to the start request notification is checked. The application according to any one of items 8 to 11 · A software billing system.

13. The billing server device stores the information prohibiting use of the application software in association with the authentication information of the user when the received start request notification or termination notification is found to be illegal. The charging system for application software according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by comprising:

1 4. Based on the received user authentication information, the charging server device refers to a user management database that stores the use prohibition information, and if the user is a user who is prohibited from using the application software. 14. The application / software charging system according to claim 13, further comprising: means for transmitting a start rejection notice to the terminal device.

15. Connected via a communication network to the user's terminal equipped with

Means for generating a start key each time a start permission notification for starting the application software is transmitted to the terminal device;

Means for holding the generated activation key,

Means for attaching a newly generated activation key to the activation permission notification and transmitting the newly generated activation key to the terminal device when the result of the collation by the collation means indicates a match.

A billing server device comprising:

16. A means for calculating the usage fee of the application software based on the time from the transmission of the activation permission notification to the reception of the end notification transmitted from the terminal device when the application software is terminated. 16. The accounting server device according to claim 15, further comprising:

17. A means for storing a transmission time of the activation permission notification as a use start time of the application software, and storing a reception time of the end notification as a use end time of the application software. 17. The accounting server device according to claim 16, wherein:

18. A means for comparing the activation key attached to the end notification received from the terminal device with the activation key transmitted when the application software is activated,

Means for storing the reception time of the end notification as the end time of use of the application software when the result of the comparison by the matching means indicates a match.

18. The accounting server device according to claim 17, further comprising:

19. A means for matching the user authentication information included in the activation request notification received from the terminal device with the authentication information of the user registered in advance, and when the result of the matching by the matching means matches, The charging server device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the activation key attached to the activation request notification is collated.

20. If the received activation request notification or termination notification is found to be illegal, a means for storing the use prohibition information of the application software in association with the authentication information of the user is provided. The billing server device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein:

21. Based on the received user authentication information, refer to a user management database that stores the use prohibition information, and if the user is a user whose use of the application software is prohibited, 20. The charging server device according to claim 20, further comprising means for transmitting an activation refusal notice.

22. A user's terminal device and a billing service connected to the terminal device via a communication network. A charging system having a storage device of the terminal device, a computer program for executing charging in accordance with the frequency of use of the application software to be charged,

A computer program comprising a start step of starting the application software only when a start permission notice transmitted from the billing server device is received.

23. The start-up step includes: receiving a start-up key transmitted from the billing server device attached to the start-up permission notification; and causing the terminal device to hold the start-up key.

Sending a start request notification with the start key attached to the billing server when the application software is requested to start;

23. The computer program according to claim 22, wherein the computer program comprises:

24. The activation step, comprising: after receiving the activation permission notification, disconnecting the connection between the terminal device and the billing server device. Computer program according to 3.

25. The request according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the activation step includes a step of including user authentication information in the activation request notification and transmitting it to the charging server device. Computer program according to 1.

26. The system according to any one of claims 22 to 25, further comprising a termination step of transmitting a termination notification to the billing server device when the application software is terminated. Computer programs.

27. The termination step includes a step of attaching the activation key held by the terminal device to the termination notification and transmitting the activation key to the charging server device. Computer program according to item 26.