JPS61267831A - Surreptitious use preventing device for computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the surreptitious use of a computer program by comparing the key signal given previously into the program with that of a key signal generator and allowing execution of the program only when the coincidence is obtained between both key signals. CONSTITUTION:When a loaded application program is started, a key signal is delivered from a key signal generator 3 and supplied to an input/output 2 via a switch 4. The the key signal read out of the application program is compared with the key signal sent from the 1st key signal generator 3. If no coincidence is obtained between both signals, (n) pieces of key signal generators are searched with sequential changeover of the switch 4. Then the program is executed when the key signal corresponding to the using application program. While an error display is given if no desired key signal is detected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a computer program plagiarism prevention device.

<Prior Art> Computer programs are stored on storage media such as floppy disks and sold to the general public, and such storage media can be easily copied, so it is difficult to create programs that require a lot of time and effort. Once a program is in the hands of a user, it can easily be stolen.

Conventionally, as a software-based method to prevent program theft, different identification signals are stored in advance for each user in the ROM that stores the computer startup program and the floppy disk that stores the program. There is a method to make it impossible for other computers to use the computer by storing the computer and checking its identification signal, but this requires writing a different identification signal for each computer into the ROM in advance.

In addition, as a device for preventing program theft using hardware, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-59248 discloses a key device in which the main part of the program is converted into eight-hardware, that is, a series of signals from key operation signal means on the computer side. An anti-theft device has been proposed that includes a key device that inputs a key signal, performs arithmetic processing on a specific unique function using this data signal as a variable, and stores the key signal at a predetermined key address.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in an apparatus in which a key device with the above structure is installed in a computer, the structure of the key device becomes complicated, the manufacturing cost becomes high, and it is difficult to install the key device in the computer. Because the key device is a dedicated component, it is inconvenient for users who use many computers to have to install this key device on all computers, and certain programs can only be used on specific computers. there were.

Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and uses a key signal generator that can be easily connected to an input/output port of a computer to generate key signals corresponding to a program. The program can be used on any computer that has a key signal generator that generates the key signal, and it is impossible to use the program on a computer that does not have a key signal generator to prevent program theft.This prevents computer program theft. The device is configured as follows.

That is, as shown in the overall configuration diagram of FIG. 1, the present invention provides a plurality of key signal generators connected to the connector of the input/output port 2 of the computer I, each of which sequentially outputs a plurality of key signals in accordance with a readout signal. a switch 4 that sequentially switches the key signals output from the plurality of key signal generators 3 and sends them to the input/output port 2; The key signal determining means 5 sequentially compares each key signal sequentially outputted from the key signal generator 3, and enables execution of a program only when both key signals match.

<Embodiments> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings. Figure 2 shows a basic block diagram of a computer to which the program theft prevention device of the present invention is applied.
U (central processing unit) executes various arithmetic processing based on a predetermined program. Also, cptyto
As will be described later, it also functions as key signal determining means 5 for determining the consistency of key signals. 11 is a read-only memory RO that stores basic program data and various constants, etc.
M.

12 is a readable/writable R where various data such as numbers and character codes, application programs, etc. are written.
It is AM. CPU10. ROM11, RAM12. The input/output ports 2.13 and 2.13 are connected to each other by a common bus 15, and data and signals are transmitted. Kapo in and out
) 13 is an external storage device such as a floppy disk device, magnetic disk device, magnetic tape device, etc.! 14 is connected, and application program data stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk is loaded into the computer 1 from this external storage device 14.

The input/output port 2 is provided with an R3-232C connector (a terminal for connecting an input/output device such as an acoustic coupler or MODEM), and this R3-232C connector has a plurality of terminals, for example, n
The key signal generators 3 are connected in parallel using separate branch type connectors. That is, the RTS (request to send) output terminal in the R3-232C connector, D
TR (data terminal ready) output terminal and SG (
3 of each key signal generator 3 to the signal ground) terminal
Although the bins are connected in parallel, the connection from the key signal generator 3 to the DSR input terminal for sending the key signal to the input/output port 2 is made via a switch 4. This switcher 4 sequentially switches the key signals output from the n key signal generators 3 in response to the on/off signal sent from the RTS output terminal.
It is composed of circuits such as a multiplexer so as to be sent to the R input terminal.

The n key signal generators 3 each generate a plurality of unique key signals (signals indicating a predetermined number or code, in response to a read signal from the computer 1 side, and a large number of key signals in the form of a data table are keyed). ) are sequentially stored in the signal generator. In addition, the key signal generator 3 is basically made of a gate array, and is equipped with a connector for connection, a level converter to match the voltage level with the computer side, and a voltage generator to create a power supply voltage from the signal, and is compact. It is made in

On the other hand, a plurality of different application programs stored in a storage medium stored in the external storage device 114 include program data for key signal determination and a plurality of keys output from the key signal generator 3 corresponding to each program. Signal data is written in advance.

In other words, No.

The application program No. 1 has No. 1, and the key signal output from the key signal generator 3 No. 1 has No. 1.

The key signal output from the key signal generator 3 of No. 2 is written in the application program No. 2.

Next, the operation of the theft prevention device will be explained with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 3 and the flowchart of FIG. 4.

When the loaded application program is started after the computer is booted, step 110 is first executed, and one pulse signal is output from the RTS terminal to the key signal generator 3 and the switch 4, as shown in FIG. .

The key signal generator 3 is initialized by this pulse signal from the RTS terminal, and the switch 4 is switched to select the key signal from the first key signal generator 3 and send it to the DSR terminal. Next, proceed to step 120 and DT
A pulse signal is sent from the R terminal to the key signal generator 3, and each time this pulse signal is applied to the key signal generator 3, a 1-bit key signal (number, code, etc.) is output from the key signal generator 3. A predetermined number of key signals are input to the input/output port 2 via the switch 4 and read into the CPU10. Then, step 130 is executed to determine whether the key signal read from the application program and the key signal input from the first key signal generator 3 match, and whether both key signals completely match. If not, the process proceeds to step 140, and if both key signals completely match, the process proceeds to step 160 to start execution of the application program.

On the other hand, in step 140, it is determined whether the key signal generator 3 of the key signal read in step 120 is the final key signal generator 3, that is, the n-th key signal generator 3, and the key signal generator 3 is the n-th key signal generator 3. If the key signal generator 3 is not
Returning to step 110 again, one pulse signal is output from the RTS terminal to the key signal generator 3 and the switch 4, the key signal generator 3 is initialized, and the switch 4 starts generating the second key signal. The key signal from the device 3 can be selected and switched to be sent to the DSR terminal. And step 120
At step 130, the key signal output from the second key signal generator 3 is read by CPU10, and at step 130 it is determined whether this key signal completely matches the key signal from the application program. If the key signals do not match here, the process proceeds to step 140 again, where it is determined whether the key signal generator 3 of the read key signal is the final n-th key signal generator, and the final key signal generator 3 is determined. If not, the process returns to step 110 again. in this way,
By repeatedly executing steps 110 to 140 above, n key signal generators corresponding to n removable application programs are searched by sequentially switching the switch 4, and corresponding to the application program to be used. If the specified key signal generator is found by the key signal, the program will be executed. If the desired key signal is not found even after searching n times, that is, all the key signal generators 3, an error is displayed in step 5 150, and the process is terminated. The counter is configured to count each time step 110 is executed, that is, each time the switch 4 sequentially switches the key signal generator 3, and this count value determines whether or not the key signal generator is the final key signal generator. Determine, and further,
By storing the number of the key signal generator 3 that generates a predetermined key signal based on this count value, you can use the key signal generator 3 to repeatedly determine whether the key signals match in the middle of an application program. The search is omitted and the key signal is immediately read out from the predetermined key signal generator 3.

In this way, an application program stored on a storage medium such as a floppy disk cannot be used without the corresponding key signal generator 3, and even if the program can be easily copied, it is meaningless. This prevents program plagiarism. In addition, a plurality of key signal generators 3 corresponding to the plurality of application programs to be used are connected to a branch type connector having a plurality of connectors, and a switch 4 switches these key signal generators 3 to generate key signals. Since the key signal generator 3 is searched to find it, there is no need to replace the key signal generator 3 every time the application program is changed, and the key signal generator 3 can be used efficiently.

Furthermore, the branch type connector into which multiple key signal generators 3 are inserted is connected to the R5-232G port currently installed on most computers, so companies that use a large number of computers can easily use the same model. Computers offer the convenience of being able to use programs.

Further, since the key signal generator 3 is made of a gate array of a custom integrated circuit, it is difficult to judge and copy the circuit configuration from the outside, and theft of the program is effectively prevented.

Note that if the R3-232C port is used to connect the key signal generator 3, input/output devices such as acoustic couplers and MODEMs that are used to connect this port cannot be used, but A new R5-2320 connector can be connected and installed, and the switch 4 can automatically switch to use the new R5-2320 connector.

In addition, in the above embodiment, R3 is connected to the key signal generator 3.
Although the -232C port was used, it is also possible to connect to a port other than R3-232C as long as it is a port (connector) that inputs and outputs a plurality of digital signals at the input/output port.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, according to the computer program theft prevention device of the present invention, a plurality of key signals are connected to a connector of an input/output port of a computer and each outputs a plurality of key signals sequentially in accordance with a read signal. a key signal generator, a switch that sequentially switches key signals output from a plurality of key signal generators and sends them to the input/output port, a key signal given in advance in a program loaded into a computer, and a plurality of key signals. The key signal determining means sequentially compares each key signal sequentially outputted from the key signal generator, and enables execution of the program only when both key signals match.

Therefore, if there is no predetermined key signal generator corresponding to a program, the program cannot be used, and theft of the program can be prevented. In addition, the key signal generator can be easily connected or removed from the outside to the input/output port connector of the computer, so the computer that uses the program is not limited to a specific one, and can be any computer to which the key signal generator is connected. It is convenient to use. Furthermore, the key signal generator can be manufactured compactly using a gate array, and can be easily applied to existing computers without modification. Furthermore, multiple key signal generators compatible with multiple usable application programs are connected at once, and a switch is used to switch the connections and search for key signals from them. There is no need to replace the key signal generator.

Switching between an external input/output device and a key signal generator can also be performed automatically using a switch.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a computer including the theft prevention device, Fig. 3 is a timing chart of input/output signals of the key signal generator, and Fig. 4 is a flow chart of the theft prevention operation. It is. 1... Computer, 2... Input/output port, 3... Key signal generator, 4... Switch, 5... Key signal determination means. Patent applicant MELF Co., Ltd. Figure 1 Iz diagram

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plurality of key signal generators connected to a connector of an input/output port of a computer, each of which sequentially outputs a plurality of key signals in accordance with a readout signal; and a plurality of key signal generators that are output from the plurality of key signal generators. a switch that sequentially switches key signals and sends them to the input/output port; and a switch that sequentially switches key signals and sends them to the input/output port; 1. A computer program plagiarism prevention device, comprising: key signal determining means that compares the key signals and enables execution of the program only when both key signals match.