JPH0283732A - Control system for program executing time limit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the use of the programs exceeding their time limits by permitting the execution of programs only when the present date read out of a date control mechanism at start up of a program is set between the preceding date of the end of the program and the time limit. CONSTITUTION:A program main body 13 is read into a main memory 2 via an external memory 7 and an external memory control part 3 before the main body 13 stored in a recording medium 10 is executed. When the execution of the main body 13 is started, the present date data is read out of a clock mechanism 4 with an instruction of a CPU 1. Then the preceding date 11 is read out of the medium 10 and collated with the present date data given from the mechanism 4. If the present date data is older than the date 11, the CPU 1 carried out the process of abnormality and stops the run of the main body 13. Then the CPU 1 carries out a power supply interruption instruction and finishes its process. In such a manner, the use of the programs exceeding their time limits can be avoided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a technique for managing the expiration date of a program in an information processing device and preventing unauthorized use of a program whose expiration date has passed.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art In information processing devices such as computers, there are programs that are provided to users for a limited period of time. Programs that have a limited period of use include programs that are provided as trial versions before purchasing the actual software, and programs that are provided as trial versions before purchasing the actual software.
yste+++) or maintenance programs, etc.
By updating the version number regularly, there are cases where it is expected that processing will always be performed using the latest version.

In this way, in a program with an expiration date set, as a means to prevent use after the expiration date, there is
As described in No. 2-212736, data regarding the expiration date is registered in advance in a medium such as a magnetic disk on which a program is recorded, and each time the program is started in an information processing device, information processing is performed. There is a known device that compares the output from a clock mechanism built into the device itself with the registered date and time and allows execution of the program only if the date and time are within the expiration date.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, the above technology is based on the premise that the clock mechanism itself is operating accurately, and does not give sufficient consideration to the case where the user intentionally manipulates the set date and time of the clock mechanism.

That is, in the above technology, if the expiration date of the program has already passed, the user operates the clock mechanism to set a date and time within the expiration date before starting the program. After that, unauthorized use of the program was allowed semi-permanently.

The present invention has been made with attention to the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to more reliably manage the expiration date of programs and prevent use after the expiration date has expired.

The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[Means to solve the problem]

A brief overview of typical inventions disclosed in this application is as follows.

In other words, there is a means for registering the expiration date and time of a program, a means for registering the date and time at the end of the program, and a means for registering the date and time at the time the program is started, and a means for registering the current date and time read from the system date and time management mechanism at the time of program startup to be the same as the previous program end date and time and the expiration date and time. and a permission means that permits execution of the program only when the program exists between the two.

[Effect]

According to the above-mentioned means, even if the user intentionally manipulates the date and time management mechanism of the system to change the set date and time,
This set date and time is compared with both the previous program start date and time and the expiration date and time, and the program can only be executed if it is between the two.

Therefore, even if the user intentionally sets the date and time, the range that can be set is limited to a certain date and time range, and the date and time range gradually narrows as the user intentionally sets the date and time multiple times. Semi-permanent unauthorized use will become impossible.

In addition, by forcing the host system to periodically configure date and time setting errors, the number of dates and times that can be intentionally set will be further shortened, making it possible to more reliably prevent fraudulent use of time-limited benefits. Can be done.

〔Example〕

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an information processing device that is an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a format structure for storing date and time information, and Fig. 3 is a process in expiration date management. A flowchart showing the process, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of date and time setting due to unauthorized use.

The system configuration of this embodiment is as shown in FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a microprocessor (CPU), which functions as the main control of the system and as a date and time registration means at the time of program startup and termination.

Reference numeral 2 connected to the microprocessor 1 via a bus 6 is a main memory (MS). The issued program and data are temporarily stored.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, information such as the current date and time read out at startup and the expiration date and time read out from the external storage device control section 3 is also temporarily stored in the main storage device 2 .

A clock mechanism 4 is further connected to the bus 6.

This clock mechanism 4 has, for example, an auxiliary power source (not shown), and the date and time are updated and operated even when the system is in a power-off state. This clock mechanism 4 reads the current date and time (current date and time) under the control of the microprocessor 1 when the system is powered on, when a program ends, or when the power is turned off. The recording medium (FD) of the external storage device 7 is
) This current date and time is written in a predetermined area such as 10.

In this embodiment, the clock mechanism 4 is configured to periodically correct its error by a clock mechanism (not shown) of the host device 15.

Therefore, even if the operator intentionally changes the date and time setting of the clock mechanism 4, the correct date and time setting is made relatively quickly due to the error configuration from the host device.

In this system, when the power to the system is turned off by operating the power switch 8, the processing of all mechanisms does not immediately stop, but after a certain period of waiting time after operating the power switch 8, the entire system operation is stopped. Therefore, after the power switch 8 is operated, the current date and time can be written to the recording medium 10 under the control of the microprocessor 1 before the system operation is stopped.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the internal configuration of the recording medium 10, including an area for storing the program main body 13,
Date and time of last use of the program 11 and expiration date 1
It has an area for registering 2. Date and time of last use above 1
1 is updated each time the program main body 13 ends, but the expiration date and time 12 is fixedly registered in advance, and it is impossible to rewrite the date and time intentionally.

Prior to executing the program main body 13 stored in the recording medium 10, the program main body 13 is first read into the main storage device 2 via the external storage device 7 and the external storage device control section 3.

Next, the procedure for executing the program main body 13 loaded into the main storage device 2 will be explained using FIG. 3.

When execution starts, first, the current date and time data is read out from the clock mechanism 4 according to an instruction from the microprocessor 1 (step 100). Subsequently, the last use date and time 11 is read from the recording medium 10 according to instructions from the microprocessor 1, and this is compared with the current date and time data from the clock mechanism 4 (110).

At this time, if the current date and time data is earlier (in the past) than the last use date and time 11, the microprocessor 1
, it is determined that there is a failure in the clock mechanism 4 or that the current date and time data has been intentionally changed, and the abnormality processing (150) is performed.
After executing , the program body 130 stops running, executes a power-off command (140), and ends the program. Here, abnormal processing includes processing such as displaying a message indicating abnormal termination on a display device such as a CRT to alert the operator.

In the verification process of step 110, if the current date and time data is after the last use date and time 11, the clock mechanism 4 is normal, and the current date and time data has not been intentionally changed. As such, the process moves to the next time limit confirmation step (120).

In this deadline confirmation step (120), the recording medium 10
The data of the expiration date and time 12 is read out and compared with the current date and time data read above. here,
If this date and time data exceeds the expiration date and time 12, the same abnormality processing (150) as described above is executed, and then a power-off instruction (140) is executed and the process ends.

On the other hand, in step 120, if the current date and time data does not exceed the expiration date and time 12, it is determined that the usage is normal, and the program main body 13 is executed (200).

When the execution of the started program main body 13 is completed as described above, first, before the power is turned off, a usage date and time storage process (130) is executed. In this use date and time storage process (130), the microprocessor 1 reads the date and time data at the time of completion of execution of the program main body 13 from the clock mechanism 4, and writes this into the area of the previous use date and time 11 in the recording medium 10. It is done by That is, the last use date and time 11 is updated by the above processing of the microprocessor l, and the data of the last use date and time 11 that has been updated at this time is used as the object of verification in the step 110 when the program is executed next time. It will be done.

When the use date and time storing process (130) is completed, the microprocessor 1 executes a power-off command (140), and the operation of the system is stopped.

In addition to being instructed by the microprocessor 1 to turn off the power after the execution of the program main body 13 is completed,
During execution of the program main body 13, the power switch may be operated intentionally or erroneously by the operator and the program is executed.

In this embodiment, when the power switch is operated during execution of the program main body 13, an interrupt process occurs in the processing of the microprocessor 1. Through this interrupt processing, the microprocessor 1 executes the use date and time storage processing (200), and then executes the power-off command (14).
0) is executed.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the operation of the power switch triggers the execution of the date and time storage process (130) during the execution of the program main body 13.

Note that there may be cases where the storage medium 10 is pulled out of the external storage device 7 while the program main body 13 is being executed, making it difficult to store the last use date and time (130). The device 7 is structured to include a mechanical locking mechanism so that the recording medium 10 cannot be removed from the external storage device 7 during the execution of the program main body 13, thereby making it possible to register the date and time storage process (130). We are working to ensure that Also,
The microprocessor sensor 1 monitors the operating state of the cover or lever of the external storage device 7, and if these are operated, it determines that the recording medium 10 has been pulled out, locks the power supply system, and disconnects the recording medium again. The system may be controlled in such a way that it is impossible to continue or stop the system unless 10 is inserted.

Next, a specific example will be explained using FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4, it is assumed that the expiration date and time 12 is set to June 30th, 0:00, and the last use date and time was updated to June 25th, 18:30. Note that all dates and times here belong to the same year.

Here, the time point indicated by A in the same figure, that is, July 2nd, 15
When attempting to execute this program main body 13 at 10 minutes, inserting the recording medium 10 into the external storage device 7 and operating the system, if the clock mechanism 4 is normal, this program has an expiration date and time of 12. Since 0:00 on June 30th has already passed, the abnormality process 150 shown in FIG. 3 is executed, and the program main body 13 becomes unable to be executed.

On the other hand, due to the operator's intentional operation of the clock mechanism 4, the current date and time can be changed to, for example, the point in time indicated by B in the figure.
That is, if the setting is changed to 18:30 on June 26th, execution of the program main body 13 is possible. However, when the execution of the program started in this manner is completed, the use date and time are stored in step 130 of FIG. 3 at the time of completion. The date and time at this time are added according to the execution time of the program main body 13. For example, if the execution time is one hour, it becomes 19:30 on June 26th. This date and time data is registered and updated as the last use date and time 11, so when you start running the program next time, the current date and time will be from June 26th 7:30 to June 3rd.
The program main body 13 cannot be executed unless it is intentionally reset so that it falls within the range of 0:00 on day 0 (the range shown in the figure).

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to execute the program even after the actual deadline has been set by intentionally operating the clock mechanism 4, but the range of dates and times that can be set is gradually narrowed. , long-term fraudulent use after the actual time-limited treatment has expired will be difficult.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the range in which the date and time can be intentionally changed is further narrowed by monitoring the clock mechanism 4 from the host device 15.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically explained above based on Examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above Examples and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. Nor.

For example, as a means for specifically preventing the execution of the program main body 13, as in the abnormality processing 150 shown in FIG. There are measures such as leaving the CRT as it is and generating noise on the CRT screen, making it virtually impossible to use.

In addition, in the embodiment, the expiration date and time, last use date and time, etc. are written to the recording medium under the control of a microprocessor as a means of registering the information.
It may be registered in AM or the like.

〔Effect of the invention〕

A brief explanation of the effects obtained by typical inventions disclosed in this application is as follows.

That is, according to the present invention, execution of a program after expiration date management can be more reliably restricted.

Further, when the present invention is applied to maintenance programs etc. that are regularly updated, it is possible to prevent the use of inappropriate versions, and it is possible to improve the reliability and efficiency of maintenance work.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of an information processing device that is an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the format configuration for storing date and time information, and Figure 3 is processing in expiration date management. A flowchart showing the process, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of date and time setting due to unauthorized use. 1...Microprocessor (CPU), 2...Main storage device (MS), 3...External storage device control unit (FD)
C) , 4... Clock mechanism, 5... System power control device (SPC), 6... Bus, 7... External storage device (FDU), 8... Power switch, 9... Power supply (PU), 10... Recording medium (FD), 11... Date and time of last use, 12... Date and time of expiration date, 13... Program main body, 14... CRT, 15... Host device . X Yamaguchi Seco and 0- to he he he he

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Means for registering the expiration date and time of a program, means for registering the date and time at the time of program termination, and a means for registering the date and time at the time of program termination, such that the current date and time read from the system date and time management mechanism at the time of program startup is the same as that of the previous program termination. A program execution deadline management method comprising a permission means for permitting program execution only if the program exists between a date and time and an expiration date and time. 2. The program execution deadline management method according to claim 1, wherein the date and time management mechanism of the system is periodically forced to set a date and time setting error by a host system. 3. The program execution deadline management system according to claim 1, wherein the program is terminated by turning off the power under control of the program itself or manually by an operator.