JP2002373029A - Method for preventing illegal copy of software by using ic tag - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that a plurality of persons and install software of a single serial number in a plurality of personal computers(PC) when installing, in the prior art, the software in the PC. SOLUTION: One part or all of the files required for installation in the PC are enciphered, an IC tag storing a decipher key for deciphering is embedded in an optical disk. In the case of installation by loading the relevant optical disk into an optical disk reader with IC tag reader, one part or all of the enciphered software files are deciphered by using the decipher key so that the installation by means of the optical disk illegally copied for installation can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for reading information from an optical disk and an IC tag.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, optical disks are widely used because of their low cost and moderately large data storage capacity. Particularly, in the field of personal computers, when selling software, it is common to store the software data on an optical disk before selling. When installing the software on a personal computer, the optical disk storing the data of the software is inserted into a dedicated optical disk reading device, and the installer is started. In many cases, the user is required to enter a serial number to confirm that the software is a legitimate product during the installation process. In most cases, the serial number is described in the manual included with the product case or on a postcard or sticker for user registration. The user refers to this postcard or sticker to obtain the serial number. You are typing. The input serial number is compared by the identification program, and software is installed only when the operation result is correct.

On the other hand, an IC tag is a small chip provided with a wireless antenna. 2 ¹²⁸ bits
Data can be saved, and the saved data can also be stored in ROM (Re
Since the format is an "adonly memory", it cannot be falsified. In addition, since an antenna is provided, 2.
In addition to being capable of non-contact reading by 45 GHz charged waves, it is compact and has high strength, and can be attached to paper, clothing, or the like.

[0004]

As described above, when software is installed in a personal computer, the serial N
The input of O confirms that the product is a genuine product. However, since the medium describing the serial number is a postcard or manual that is visible to humans, even if the optical disk is illegally duplicated, If the NO is distributed together in a form such as a memo, it is possible to illegally install the software. That is, it is possible for a plurality of persons to install software on a plurality of personal computers with one serial NO.

At present, the most frequently used method is CD-R.
Copy the optical disk storing the software using
This is distributed along with the serial number. In particular, friends and acquaintances exchange disks, and since it is possible to duplicate the disk from the duplicated backup disk, it is very damaging as a software maker, and it is virtually impossible to manage licenses . When updating software, if an old version of the software to be updated is installed, the software can be updated to the latest version by purchasing or downloading an updated product. For this reason, the software is updated to the latest version even if the software is installed incorrectly when it is first installed.

Therefore, while preventing installation from an optical disk that has been illegally copied using an IC tag,
When updating software, only users who have legitimate software can update.

[0007]

The personal computer software according to the present invention is characterized in that part or all of the files necessary for installation on the personal computer are encrypted, and an IC storing a decryption key for decrypting the decryption key. It is stored on the optical disk in which the tag is embedded. When the optical disk is inserted into the optical disk reader with an IC tag reader and installed, some or all files of the software encrypted with the decryption key are decrypted, and the software is illegally copied for installation. It is possible to prevent installation by the used optical disc. When a conventional optical disk reader is used, the software can be installed by using an external IC tag reader. Similarly, when updating software, a part or all of the files necessary for updating the software are characterized by being encrypted, and when updating the software, the software is embedded in the optical disk storing the old version of the software. A decryption key is read from the IC tag using an optical disk reader with an IC tag reader or an external IC tag reader, and is updated.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a device form according to the present invention. FIG. (101) stores software characterized in that part or all of the files necessary for installation are encrypted.
2) An optical disk in which an IC tag storing a decryption key for decrypting the software is embedded.
FIG. (103) shows an optical disk reading device provided with a device for reading information stored in an IC tag. Alternatively, in the case where the IC tag reading device shown in FIG. (105) is provided, a normal optical disk reading device may be used. FIG. (104) shows that an optical disk reader with an IC tag reader (103) is connected, or that an optical disk reader is connected and I
It is a personal computer to which the C tag reading device (105) is connected.

FIG. 2 shows a device configuration when updating software via the Internet. FIGS. (101) to (105) are the same as FIG. FIG. (201) shows an apparatus for connecting a personal computer to the Internet. This includes those with built-in personal computers and those with external devices. FIG. 202 shows that when the software user updates the software,
Publish a home page managed by the software development company to accept download requests for update data from users, and when a download request is received from a user, contact the license management company to confirm the user. It is a server that performs a series of processes of accessing and receiving a reply from the license management company, and then downloading update data to the user. FIG. 203 shows that a software development company receives a user's download request, and permits the user to download when the user is confirmed to be a legitimate user. Alternatively, the software update data is characterized in that all data is encrypted. FIG. (204) is a communication control device for receiving an inquiry from a software development company via the Internet, transmitting the processing to a database, and returning a processing result from the database to a server (202) of the software development company. FIG. 205 shows a database managed by a license company that stores at least the company code, serial number, user name, and software version information of the software development company. Note that FIG.
05) Other information may be stored.

FIG. 6 shows an IC embedded in an optical disk.
This shows details of the information stored in the tag.
FIGS. (101) and (102) are the same as FIG. FIG. 601 shows a decryption key for decrypting a part or all of the files required when installing the software, and stores at least one numeral.

FIG. 7 shows detailed information of the database owned by the license company shown in (205) of FIG. FIG. 701 shows a unique number assigned by the license management company to each software development company. FIG. 702 is a unique number assigned by the software development company to its product. FIG. 703 shows a user name of the software. FIG. 704 shows the current user (70).
3) shows the version of the software used. The information of the database may include other information such as an update date and a software name.

FIG. 8 is FIG. 2, which is used by the software developer when the software user downloads data necessary for the update from the software developer to the software developer to update the software currently used by the user. This is a website for accepting download requests from users. FIG. 801 shows a top page of a home page for receiving a request for downloading software update data from a user. FIG. 802 shows items to be selected when the user requests download of software update data. FIG. 803 is a page that appears when the user selects the selection item 802 in FIG. 801. FIG. 804 is an item for inputting the name of the user when downloading the software update data. FIG. 805 is an item for the download requester to input the serial number of the old version of the software to be updated this time. The pages (801) and (803) may have other input items and selection items. FIG. 806 is a button to be pressed when transmitting the input items input on the page to the license management company. FIG. 807 is a button for the user to return to the previous page for some reason. FIG. 808 is a screen for executing a download requested by the user whose license has been confirmed in FIG. FIG. 809 shows a dialog box indicating that software update data is being downloaded. FIG. 812 is a page that appears when the download of software update data has been completed normally. FIG. 813 is a message for notifying the user that the download of the software update data has been normally completed. FIG. 810 shows the contents (80) transmitted to the license management company.
4) This page is displayed when there is something wrong with (805). FIG. 811 shows information (804) or (80) transmitted to the license management company.
5) is a message for notifying the user that there is fraud.

FIG. 9 shows information managed by the software development company. FIG. 901 shows a list of serial numbers that have been distributed for each software product developed by the software development company. FIG. 902 shows software names developed by the software development company. FIG. 903 shows a unique number assigned to each piece of software developed by the software development company. FIG. 904 is a list of login IDs and passwords assigned by the license management company in order for the software development company to access the database of the license management company. FIG. 905 shows an ID for the software development company to log in to the database (205) of the license management company. FIG. 906 shows a password for referring to or updating the database of the license management company. Also, the license management company distinguishes the company number by the password (906). FIG. 907 shows the user's own name (80) entered by the user from the website of the software development company.
4). FIG. 908 shows the serial number (80) entered by the user on the website of the software development company.
5) Based on the license management company database (20)
This is the search result when the user is searched in 5). The software development company compares the input user name (907)
If both of the search result user names (908) have the same name, downloading of software update data is permitted.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an embodiment in which software is installed according to the present invention. An IC tag (102) that stores software that is characterized in that some or all of the files necessary for installation are encrypted and that stores a decryption key (601) for decrypting the software is embedded. When the inserted optical disc (101) is inserted into the optical disc reader with an IC tag reader (103) or the conventional optical disc reader, the optical disc reader with an IC tag reader (103) is connected, or The personal computer (104) to which both the optical disk reader of the type and the external IC tag reader (105) are connected detects this (30).
1). The optical disk (101) on the personal computer (104)
Is detected, the software installer starts automatically or manually by the user from the optical disc (101) (302). The installer has a program for decrypting the encrypted file from the decryption key (601) stored in the IC tag (102). In step (303), the optical disk reader with IC tag ( 103) or external IC
When the tag reading device (105) detects the presence of the IC tag, a program for decrypting the code starts, and the IC tag (10) embedded in the optical disc (101) is activated.
It is determined whether the decryption key (601) stored in 2) can be read. If the decryption key can be read,
The decryption program is started, and all files encrypted using the decryption key are subjected to arithmetic processing, and it is determined whether or not the decryption of the software can be decrypted with the read decryption key (601) (304). ). When the encryption is successfully decrypted, the software is installed (305), and when the installation is completed, the setup program ends (306). On the other hand, the judgment (3
If the decryption key (601) read in step 04) cannot decrypt the software, an error message is output (311) and the setup program ends (306). If the decryption key (601) cannot be read in the determination (303), it is determined that the device into which the optical disk is inserted is a conventional optical disk reader, and the decryption key is read by the external IC tag reader (105). A message is output to read (601) (307). After the message is output, the relevant optical disk (10
In order to read the decryption key (601) from the IC tag (102) embedded in 1), the optical disk (101) is ejected from the optical disk reader (103) (308). External IC tag reader (105)
When the presence of the IC tag (102) is detected in (30)
9) It is determined whether the decryption key (601) stored in the IC tag (102) can be read (310). When the decryption key (601) is read in the determination (310),
Using the read decryption key (601), arithmetic processing is performed on the encrypted file, and it is determined whether the software can be decrypted (304). When the encryption is successfully decrypted, the installation of the software is started (305), and the installation is completed and the setup program ends (306). Judgment (310)
If the decryption key (601) cannot be read, an error message is output (311), and the setup program ends (306).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an embodiment in the case of updating software according to the present invention. Here, it is assumed that an old version of the software is already installed on the user's personal computer according to the procedure of FIG. When updating the installed software, the user accesses the homepage (801) of the software development company using the Internet connection device (201). Here, a download request for the update data (203) is made (401). The user can access the homepage (80
Select the selection item (802) in 1) and select the page (803)
Input the user name in the input item (804), input the serial number of the software currently used in the input item (805), and press the button (806) (40).
2). The server (202) has a button (8)
05) is detected, the login ID
Using the password (906) and the password (906), the user logs in to the database (205) owned by the license company via the communication control device (204) (403), and obtains the user name from the serial number entered by the user. Make a search request. When the database (205) detects the search request from the server (202), the database (205) determines the user (70) from the transmitted company number (701) and serial number (805).
3) is searched (404), and the search result is returned to the server (202) owned by the software development company (405).
Upon detecting the reply from the license management company database (205), the server (202) determines whether the user name (907) who has requested the update this time matches the search result name (908) (406). . If the user names match, the server (202) starts downloading the update data (203), which is characterized in that part or all of the data necessary for the update is encrypted (407). Server (20
2) After confirming that the message (813) of download completion of the update data (203) has been output, the database (205) of the license management company
Is requested to update the version information (704) of the software used by the user to the version of the downloaded software (408). On the other hand, in the judgment (406), if the user name (907) of the update request does not match the search result (908), the download request of the update data (203) is rejected (409).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of updating an old version of software using the software update data (203) downloaded in the process of FIG. The user manually starts the update program from the downloaded software update data (203) (501). This update program reads a decryption key (601) from an IC tag (102) embedded in an optical disk (101) storing an old version of software, and is encrypted in the update data (203). It has a program to decrypt files called The update program inserts the optical disk (101) storing the data of the old version into the optical disk reader (103) with the IC tag reader, or inserts the external IC tag reader (10
At 5), the user is requested to read the decryption key (601) stored in the IC tag (102) (50).
2). Error message output from judgment (303) (31
Up to 1) is the same as FIG. When the encrypted file is subjected to arithmetic processing using the decryption key (601) read from the IC tag, and as a result of the arithmetic processing, the encryption applied to the update data (203) can be decrypted (304) Then, the update of the software is started (503), and when the update is completed, the update program ends (504).

[0017]

As described above, if the optical disk in which the IC tag of the present invention is embedded is used, the optical disk can be duplicated by the CD-R, but the IC tag cannot be duplicated. Software cannot be installed from an optical disk that has been created illegally. Also, when updating software, IC
Since the update cannot be performed without the decryption key stored in the tag, the software can only be updated by an authorized user. Therefore, the present invention can enhance the protection of the rights of the software development company.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a device form according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a device form when software is updated using the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of software installation according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for updating software according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of information stored in an IC tag.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing detailed information in an IC tag.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing details of a database owned by a license management company.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a homepage that receives downloads of software updates.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing data owned by a software management company.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Optical disk 102 IC tag 103 Optical disk reader with IC tag reader 104 Personal computer 105 External IC tag reader 201 Internet connection device 202 Server managed by software development company 203 Data for software update 204 Communication control device 205 Owned by license management company Database 301 Detection of optical disk insertion 302 Setup program start 303 Determination processing 304 Determination processing 305 Installation start 306 Setup program end 307 Message output 308 Optical disk ejection 309 IC tag detection 310 Determination processing 311 Message output 401 Software update request 402 User name and serial number Detection 403 Login to database 40 User search 405 Search result reply 406 Judgment process 407 Download 408 Database update 409 Download abort 501 Start update program 502 Insert optical disk 503 Update start 504 End of update program 601 Decryption key 701 Company number 702 Serial number 703 User name 704 Software version Information 801 Top page 802 Selection item 803 User name and serial number input page 804 Input item 805 Input item 806 Button 807 Button 808 Page at the time of download 809 Dialog box 810 Error message display page 811 Message 812 Download end page 813 Message 901 Serial NO List 902 Software name 9 3 Serial NO 904 login ID and password table 905 login ID 906 password 907 inputted user name 908 Results user name

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Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A personal computer software characterized in that part or all of the files for installation on a personal computer are encrypted, and a decryption key for decrypting the software is stored on an optical disk storing the software. Embedded in an IC tag storing the software, and when installing the software on a personal computer, decrypt the data using the decryption key stored in the IC tag and install the software so that installation from an optical disc other than a regular optical disc is prohibited. A method for preventing unauthorized copying. 2. An IC embedded in an optical disk according to claim 1.
An optical disc reading device comprising a device for reading a decryption key stored in a tag. 3. A user who has purchased the software registers a license from a website of a company that has developed the software, and at least a serial number and a user name transmitted via a server of the company that has developed the software. An illegal copy prevention service that has a database that stores software version information and manages licenses and users for each software development company.