JPS63291282A - Cartridge for floppy disk - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily protect the right of authorship by providing an electric memory device and an electric contact which realizes the input-output of a signal between the electric memory device and an outside. CONSTITUTION:The memory device 4 is incorporated in a microfloppy type chassis 1 enclosing a magnetic substantial disk 3 and a non-woven fabric 5 which protects the magnetic substantial disk 3, and electrically connected with the contact 2. The contact 2 is provided in order that the outside and the memory device 4 can input and output the signal. Then, by using optional key information, software is encoded in a fixed form and the encoded software is recorded on the magnetic substantial disk 3 in an ordinary recording form. Simultaneously to that, key information used when decoding the encoded software is written in the memory device 4. Besides, when the software is used, the key information from the memory device 4 in a cartridge is read and the software recorded on the magnetic substantial disk 3 is decoded in the fixed form by using the key information. Thus the right of authorship of the software can be easily protected.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a casing for a floppy disk.

(Prior Technology) Conventionally, cartridge-type floppy disks include microfloppy and quick disk.

Products with names such as Disc Card (■Nintendo trademark) are known.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, with conventional cartridge-type floppy disks, the software recorded on the magnetic disk can be copied, so there is a problem that copyright protection is difficult. ing.

In addition, methods for protecting copyright include methods for recording software on a magnetic disc in a special format to prevent copying, and the software cannot be executed unless special hardware is installed in the combiator itself. A method has been adopted in which the software has a check function such as this (Information-technology Promotion Agency, 1985 Survey Report 60 Technique-063); however, the former method does not allow the user to back up the software. The latter method has the problem that it is inconvenient for the user to have to install special hardware on the comviator body when using the software.

An object of the present invention is to provide a floppy disk cartridge that eliminates such conventional drawbacks and allows easy copyright protection.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The floppy disk cartridge of the present invention is characterized by having an electrical storage device and an electrical contact point that enables signal input/output between the electrical storage device and the outside. That is.

(Example) No. 111(a) is a plan view of an example in which the present invention is applied to a microfloppy, and FIG. 111(b) is a sectional view thereof.

In FIG. 1, a storage device 4 is built in a micro-floppy type housing 1 that surrounds a magnetic disc 3 and a non-woven cloth 5 that protects the magnetic disc 3. The electrical connection is broken. The contact 2 is provided to enable input/output of signals between the outside and the storage device 4.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of internal connections in the embodiment of FIG. 1 when the storage device 4 is composed of a ROM (read only memory). In the second @ specific example, the storage device 4 is made up of only ROMII, and the contact 2 has RO
The MII signal line itself is connected.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of the storage device 4 and the connection between the storage device 4 and the contact 2 in the case where the storage device 4 is composed of a RAM (random access memory) and its peripheral devices. . In the third @ specific example, the input/output of signals between the storage device and the contact point 2 is through the interface 25.
The signal is stored in RAMZ3. All internal signal exchange is performed via the path 21, and the bus 21.
The RAM 23 and the interface 25 are controlled by the CPU 2Z. Further, power is supplied to all the elements by a power supply 24 built into the storage device 4.

Next, an example of a software copyright protection system using the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the software copyright holder encrypts the software in a certain manner using arbitrary key information. Then, the user uses the software by recording the encrypted software on the magnetic disk 3 in a normal recording format and at the same time writing the key information used to decrypt the code into the storage device 4. In this case, the key information is read from the storage device 4 in the cartridge, and the software recorded on the magnetic disk 3 is decrypted using the key information in a certain manner. Key information is set uniquely for each piece of software, but a common encryption and decryption program that does not depend on each piece of software is placed in the floppy disk drive device.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, a copyright holder can write information not only on the magnetic disc but also on the cartridge itself. Since general users do not have the means to write information onto the cartridge, copyright holders can use the information on the cartridge to determine whether the software on the magnetic disk is a duplicate.

This makes it easy to protect software copyrights.

Further, according to the present invention, since the recording format on the magnetic disk can remain as usual, the user can freely make copies. Although the user cannot use the copied software, if a fault occurs on the original floppy disk, the user can quickly recover from the fault by writing the copied software back onto the original floppy disk.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the key information and the main body of the software are integrated, the user does not need to install special hardware on the main body of the comviator, and especially the software protection mechanism is provided. You can use the software without even realizing it.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1(a) is a plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1(b) is a sectional view of the embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows that the storage device 4 is
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a specific example of internal connections in the embodiment when the storage device 4 is composed of an OM, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the configuration of a storage device 4 and a connection between the storage device and a contact point 2 in a case where the storage device 4 is composed of a storage device 4 and its peripheral devices. In the figure, 1 is a micro-floppy type floppy disk housing, 2 is a contact, 3 is a magnetic disk, 4 is a storage device,
5 is a nonwoven fabric, 11 is a ROM, 21 is a data bus, 22 is a CPU, 23 is a RAM, 24 is a power supply device, and 25 is an interface device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A floppy disk cartridge characterized by having an electrical storage device and an electrical contact that enables signal input/output between the electrical storage device and the outside.