WO2007046400A1

WO2007046400A1 - Protect system for preventing unauthorized install

Info

Publication number: WO2007046400A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/320712
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomoaki Ito
Original assignee: Orient Instrument Computer Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-10-18
Filing date: 2006-10-18
Publication date: 2007-04-26
Also published as: JPWO2007046400A1

Abstract

Provided is a protect system for preventing an unauthorized install of a computer software by restricting a file of an install source. A software is installed in a recording media (2) of a predetermined install target by executing an install file recorded in a recording medium (4) of the install source. The reinstall is then disabled by erasing the install file wholly or partially.

Description

Specification

Protect system to prevent unauthorized installation

[0001] The present invention relates to a non-protocol system that prevents unauthorized installation of software that runs on a computer. Note that the present invention can also be applied to devices including a highly functional mobile phone.

Background art

[0002] Recently, computers such as personal computers are used in various fields, and are used for business purposes and privately. This computer has a basic software operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS), and is provided with various software (application software) that runs on this OS!

[0003] By the way, as a result of increasing the functionality of these software, the capacity of the installation file often exceeds several hundred megabytes, and it becomes a large-capacity recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. Many things were recorded and offered. In addition, with the recent advancement of broadband communication lines, an environment where large amounts of data can be sent and received in a short time is now cheaper and easier than before.

[0004] Therefore, the provision of the above-described software also provides a large-capacity recording medium (usually a hard disk) mounted on the user's computer directly via a communication line without using the large-capacity recording medium. Became able to be done by downloading on top.

[0005] On the other hand, the acquisition of large-capacity and high-performance software has become easier, but the problem of unauthorized installation of these software has become serious, and software providers who have invested large amounts of development costs It has become difficult to protect profits legitimately.

Therefore, various inventions for preventing unauthorized copying or unauthorized installation, such as Patent Documents 1 to 3, have been proposed.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-212783

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-55728

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-173297 Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] The invention of “Method for preventing unauthorized use of software” in Patent Document 1 generates a password unique to the hard disk of the installation destination, and prevents installation on a computer whose number is greater than the number of licenses acquired. Is.

The invention of the “copy protection system” in Patent Document 2 determines whether the unique information of a computer system to be installed or executed corresponds to the unique information (distributed version) of software! This prevents unauthorized use.

In addition, the invention of “information processing system and information processing method for recording medium” in Patent Document 3 is

The unauthorized copy itself has the power to allow. It has a configuration that can prevent the use of illegally copied software.

[0007] Even if the invention for preventing copying of conventional software including Patent Documents 1 to 3 is implemented, the installation source file is still open.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a protection system capable of preventing unauthorized installation by providing restrictions on an installation source file.

Means for solving the problem

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a protection system for preventing unauthorized installation of computer software, and executes predetermined installation by executing an installation file recorded on a recording medium of an installation source. After installing the software on the previous recording medium, it is impossible to reinstall by erasing all or part of the installation file.

[0010] Thus, the installation source recording medium after the installation does not leave an installation file, and it is possible to reliably prevent installation on another computer after a predetermined installation is performed. it can.

[0011] Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the present invention records an installation file on a recording medium on the computer side of the installation destination via a communication line, and executes the installation with the recorded installation file. I made it.

[0012] When the present invention is implemented, the installation file is transferred to the installation destination via the communication line. Even when recording is performed on a computer-side recording medium and the installation is performed using the installation file recorded on the recording medium, if unauthorized installation is performed, it is possible to prevent further unauthorized installation.

[0013] Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the present invention is provided with an erasing program for erasing an installation file after executing installation.

[0014] Thus, unauthorized installation can be prevented by simply linking an erasure program to the installation file. In other words, it is not necessary to incorporate the erase program algorithm in the installation file, and the versatility can be improved.

[0015] In addition to the above-described invention, the present invention provides a counter that counts the number of times the installation file has been executed, and records the installation source when the number of installation executions reaches a preset number of times. Medium power The installation file was deleted.

[0016] Thereby, the installation operation can be performed a predetermined number of times, which is convenient for the user. In other words, when computer operations become unstable, formatting the startup hard disk and reinstalling the OS often improves the malfunction. In that case, if the present invention is implemented, the reinstallation can be performed properly.

In addition to the above-described invention, the present invention is provided with an erasing program for erasing an installation file when the number of installation executions reaches a predetermined number of times set in advance.

[0018] Thus, the installation file is not deleted until the predetermined number of installation executions reaches a predetermined number of times, and the installation file is deleted when the number of executions of installation reaches the predetermined number of times. be able to.

[0019] Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the invention is configured such that the erasing program is erased after the installation file is erased.

[0020] Thereby, both the installation file and the erasing program are erased, and unnecessary files are not left on the recording medium.

[0021] Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the present invention collects unique information of the recording medium at the installation destination, and generates an activation key for the installed software based on the collected unique information. Configured to do.

[0022] With this, even if the software key is copied to a recording medium other than the installed recording medium, the activation key does not match the recording medium, and the activation of the software can be prevented. In other words, unauthorized installation on another computer by copying the installed software files can be prevented.

[0023] Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the present invention includes a unique information collecting unit that collects information unique to the hardware of the installation destination at the time of initial installation, and a unique information collected by the unique information collecting unit. A recording medium for recording the information in an installation destination recording medium and an installation file is provided.

[0024] Thereby, unauthorized installation of software on a plurality of computers can be prevented.

[0025] Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the present invention requires the input of a password at the time of installation using an installation file.

[0026] This makes it possible to eliminate an illegal installation by a person other than the authorized license holder who can know the nose word.

[0027] Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the present invention is configured such that an installation file is deleted when a wrong password is input a predetermined number of times.

[0028] By setting a limit on the number of times the password is input in this way, it is possible to eliminate unauthorized installation.

[0029] Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the present invention is configured such that the installation file is deleted when the password input is not completed before the predetermined time elapses after the password input is started. .

[0030] In this way, by setting a limit on the password input time, it is possible to eliminate unauthorized installation.

[0031] Further, in the present invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the computer software is installed in a portable device or a navigation device.

[0032] Thereby, software installed in a highly functional portable device (for example, a mobile phone, a portable navigation device, etc.) or a navigation device mounted in a car is provided. Unauthorized installation can be eliminated.

[0033] Further, in the present invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the portable device is a mobile phone.

[0034] Thereby, unauthorized installation of software executed on a highly functional mobile phone can be eliminated.

The invention's effect

[0035] When the present invention is implemented, the installation source recording medium after the installation does not have an installation file, and after a predetermined installation is performed, to another computer or a device equipped with the computer. Can be surely prevented from installing. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook personal computer embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall system diagram in the case where the present invention is implemented by obtaining an installation file via a communication line.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for carrying out the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

[0037] 1 Personal computer

2 Hard disk

3 Drive drive

4 Recording media

6 Internet (communication line)

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a notebook personal computer 1 (hereinafter referred to as PC1) that implements the present invention.

FIG. The present invention can be applied to a portable device such as a mobile phone in addition to a (personal) computer. The personal computer 1 will be described below as an example. When practicing the present invention on a mobile phone, the following may be read by replacing “PC1” with “mobile phone” and “Hard disk 2” with “main phone memory” or “additional memory unit”. it can.

[0039] The PC 1 is a hardware in which an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) is installed. Built-in disk 2. Node 2 is a space where data can be stored and application software can be installed. Further, the PC 1 is provided with a drive drive 3 for a rewritable removable recording medium 4 such as a DVD-RAM, a DVD player RW, and a CD-RW.

A procedure for carrying out the present invention using the PC 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for carrying out the present invention.

[0041] A user who uses software must first obtain a valid use license. In many cases, you can obtain a license to use the software by paying a license fee. When you pay the license fee, you can obtain a rewritable recording medium 4 on which the software installation file is recorded.

In the recording medium 4, an installation file for installing software for use by the user and an installation information recording file are recorded. The installation information recording file includes a count program that counts the number of times the user performs installation work, and an erasure program that erases the installation file and the installation information recording file. Furthermore, the installation information recording file collects installation-specific information (hardware information of PC 1) when the installation is performed for the first time or when the recording medium 4 is loaded into the disk drive. To record.

[0043] The number of times that the user can install the software is limited, and the software can be installed up to a predetermined number of times (set value). For example, if up to 5 installations are permitted, the installation information recording file power count program counts the number of installations, and when the number reaches 5 times, the erase program executes all or all of the installation files. Part of it has been erased so that the sixth installation cannot be performed. However, if the PC is different from the PC1 installed for the first time, the installation will not be executed and the counter will not advance.

This installation information recording file is on the recording medium 4 and records the number of installations on the recording medium 4 when the software is installed. Perform the first installation After that, the erasure program is immediately executed to disable the reinstallation with the recording medium 4.

[0045] If the installation is accepted until the number of installations (count value by the count program) reaches a predetermined setting value, the count value is added by the count program every time the installation is executed, and the count value is set. When the value is reached, the installation program on the recording medium 4 is deleted by the deletion program. Here, the erasing program may erase the installation file and the installation information recording file (erase program itself) at the same time.

[0046] When installing the software on the hard disk 2 of the PC 1, the unique information (manufacturing number and serial number) of the hard disk 2 is obtained from the installation information recording file, and the software activation key is obtained based on the obtained unique information. It is preferable to generate and record the activation key on the hard disk 2 together with the software.

[0047] When the software is started up, the software startup program acquires the specific information of the recording medium on which the software is recorded, and if this matches the startup key, the software starts up normally. If they do not match, the software is configured not to start.

[0048] Therefore, since the unique information of the hard disk 2 and the unique information of another recording medium are different, the software installed on the hard disk 2 can be used even if it is ported (copied) to another recording medium. Can not. As a result, the software provided on the recording medium 4 can be prevented from being installed on another recording medium via the hard disk 2 at the installation destination.

[0049] In the above example, the unique information has been described by taking the unique information of the hard disk 2 as an example. However, instead of the hard disk 2, the manufacturing number or serial number of other hardware such as a CPU and a memory module is used. As unique information.

FIG. 2 is an overall system diagram in the case of implementing the present invention by acquiring an installation file via the Internet (communication line). A PC 1 owned by a software user is connected to the Internet 6 via a broadband router 5. The Sano 8 owned by the software provider is also connected to the Internet 6 via the broadband router 7. It is. The hard disk 9 provided in the server 8 stores the original installation file.

[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the installation file is not provided as recorded on the recording medium 4 (FIG. 1), but the user who has obtained a license is the server of the software provider (seller). It is provided by downloading from 8 to the hard disk 2 of the PC 1 via the Internet 6 (communication line). In the example of Fig. 2, the install file force is the force downloaded on the hard disk 2 of PC1. Otherwise, the implementation method is the same as the example of Fig. 1.

[0052] The installation file to be downloaded is preferably a compressed file called an archive. This archive collects files necessary for executing application software and information specific to the hardware environment of the installation destination (manufacturing numbers and serial numbers of node disks, CPUs, memory modules, etc.) It includes a program and a recording program that records the collected unique information on an installation file (archive) and a recording medium (node disk 2). This recording program is useful only at the time of the initial installation, and it is preferable that the recording program is erased after being recorded on the installation file and the recording medium of the installation destination. By erasing the recording program, it is possible to prevent individual hardware information from being recorded on a plurality of computers by some unauthorized means, and to prevent unauthorized installation.

[0053] The unique information collection program may collect the hardware information of the download destination (the unique information described above) before the installation file is downloaded and record it in the installation file. Then download this installation file. This makes it impossible to install software using a computer other than the download destination using this installation file. In addition, even if the installation file is copied to another computer before installation, unauthorized installation on the other computer can be prevented.

[0054] In addition, the installation file (archive) is used when the software is reinstalled, the newly collected hardware specific information and the previous installation (or Compared with the unique information collected and recorded at the time of download), a check program is provided to check whether or not they match.

[0055] When the software is reinstalled, it is checked by the hardware information of the reinstallation destination, the hardware information of the first installation destination, and the power check program. If they match, the software installation is started. If they do not match, the installation is forcibly terminated. This can prevent unauthorized installation on multiple computers.

[0056] The installation destination recording medium (node disk 2) also includes a hardware information collection program that collects hardware information at the time of software startup, and hardware information (specific information) that is collected and recorded at the time of initial installation. ) And a comparison program that compares the hardware information collected at software startup.

[0057] When the software is started, the hardware information (unique information) collected and recorded at the time of installation of the comparison program is compared with the newly collected hardware information (unique information). If they match, the software starts normally. Conversely, if they do not match, the software is not started. As a result, even if the installed software is copied to another computer, the unique information of the installation destination computer is also copied, so unique information different from the unique information of the destination computer is copied. It is recorded on a computer recording medium. Therefore, when the software is started, the comparison program compares the two as a result, so the software is not started. As a result, unauthorized copying of software can be substantially prevented.

[0058] The unique information collection program, the recording program, the check program, and the comparison program may be adopted even when the installation file is provided by a recording medium that is not only downloaded through a communication line. it can.

[0059] Instead of using the Internet, an ISDN line or a telephone line (communication protocol such as ZMODEM) may be used as a communication line, and the server 8 and the PC 1 may directly send and receive installation files. However, these are not preferred because the communication speed is orders of magnitude slower than broadband over the Internet. However, the size of the installation file is a number If it is less than megabytes, it can be practically used.

[0060] By the way, recently, there are many softwares that require input of a password, a serial number, and the like at the time of installation. To eliminate unauthorized installation, it may be possible to increase the number of digits in the password or serial number, but this will complicate the installation work for authorized license holders.

[0061] Therefore, the installation file is deleted when the input error of the password or serial number reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times). For example, the deletion program is provided with a function that measures the number of incorrect password entries. When the measured number reaches the predetermined number, the installation program deletes the installation file. In addition, the installation file can be deleted if the entry of the password or serial number is not completed before the installation has started and the specified time (for example, 3 minutes) has elapsed. Unauthorized installation can be eliminated very effectively.

[0062] In the above, power describing an example of implementation for a general-purpose computer. The present invention can also be implemented for highly functional portable devices. In other words, in a mobile phone, which is one of the mobile devices, in addition to the conventional call function, navigation using GPS (Global Positioning System) that displays e-mail transmission and reception, various game software, electronic payment, and current location is displayed. Various applications such as systems can be used. In other words, in order to use these additional functions, the mobile phone must have a system configuration similar to that of a computer (a CPU as a processing device, a memory as a storage device, a display device for displaying processing results, etc.).

[0063] As the memory, a main body memory that cannot be removed from the mobile phone body and an additional memory unit that can be detached are provided. As an additional memory unit, for example, a miniSD force mode can be used. The capacity of the installation file exceeds the capacity of the main unit memory! In this case, the installation file can be recorded in an additional memory unit via a telephone line or the Internet. You can also set the software installation destination to the additional memory unit.

[0064] In addition, the present invention can be implemented with respect to other mobile devices as well as mobile phones. For example, in a dedicated portable navigation device that is different from a mobile phone, GPS Therefore, the position information is input, and the map and the current location are displayed on the display. To add a voice guidance function to this basic function or to display facility information close to the current location, a CPU as a processing device and a memory as a storage device are required. The same applies to navigation devices installed in cars.

That is, in order to realize the above-described functions in these devices, these devices need to have a system configuration similar to that of a computer. Therefore, when the present invention is implemented, unauthorized installation of software executed on these devices can be eliminated.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A protection system for preventing unauthorized installation of computer software. After installing the software on a predetermined installation destination recording medium by executing the installation file recorded on the installation source recording medium, A protection system for preventing unauthorized installation, wherein re-installation is disabled by erasing all or part of the installation file.

[2] The injustice according to claim 1, wherein the installation file is recorded on a recording medium on the computer side of the installation destination via a communication line, and the installation is executed by the installation file recorded on the recording medium. A protected system that prevents installation.

[3] The protection system for preventing unauthorized installation according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an erasing program for erasing the installation file after executing the installation.

[4] A counter is provided to count the number of times that installation has been executed, and when the number of installation runs reaches a preset number of times, the installation source recording medium power is deleted. 3. A protection system for preventing unauthorized installation according to claim 1 or 2.

[5] The protection system for preventing illegal installation according to claim 4, further comprising an erasing program for erasing the installation file when the number of executions of installation reaches a predetermined number of times set in advance. .

6. The protection system for preventing unauthorized installation according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the erasing program is erased after erasing the installation file.

[7] The unique information of the recording medium of the installation destination is collected, and the activation key of the installed software is generated based on the collected unique information. A protection system that prevents unauthorized installation as described in Crab.

[8] Specific information collection means for collecting information specific to the hardware of the installation destination at the time of the first installation, and recording for recording the specific information collected by the specific information collection means in the recording medium of the installation destination and the installation file Characterized by comprising means The protection system for preventing unauthorized installation according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The protection system for preventing unauthorized installation according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a password is required for installation using an installation file.

10. The protection system for preventing unauthorized installation according to claim 9, wherein the installation file is deleted when a wrong number of input errors reaches a predetermined number of times. The installation file is deleted when the password input is not completed before the specified time elapses after the input of the password is prevented. Protection system.

2. The protection system for preventing unauthorized installation according to claim 1, wherein the computer software is installed in a portable device or a navigation device.

13. The protection system for preventing unauthorized installation according to claim 12, wherein the portable device is a mobile phone.