JP2006163924A - Software protection method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a software protection method that reliably prevents unauthorized use of software and does not cause a disadvantage to a user.
It is checked whether a hardware key (dongle) corresponding to software is correctly connected to a device to be controlled by the software (S401), and when it is determined that the software is not normally connected. Performs unconnected mode control (S406) for reducing the processing capability of the apparatus according to selection by the user (S405).
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a software protection method, and more particularly to a software protection method using a hardware key.

  As a means for preventing unauthorized use of software, software protection using a hardware key called a “dongle” is well known.

  The dongle is usually in the form of a connector that can be connected to a parallel port, serial port, USB, etc. of a personal computer (PC), etc. If this is not connected, the software with the dongle must be used on the PC. It is a mechanism that cannot.

  Briefly explaining such a mechanism, the dongle is shipped in a state where the specific information (license information) of the corresponding software is stored, and at the time of installation or use of the software (strictly at startup), first, The license information is read from the dongle, and this is compared with the license information of the software.

  If the license information is recognized as correct as a result of the verification, it is determined that the software is not illegally used, and the software protection is released (that is, installation or use can be performed normally).

  On the other hand, if the dongle is not connected or if a dongle that does not correspond to the software is connected, the license information is not recognized as correct, so the use of the software is determined to be illegal. Software protection will not be released (that is, it cannot be installed or used).

  As described above, software protection using a dongle is a measure for preventing unauthorized use only at the software level (for example, in the case of a key code such as a serial number at the time of software installation (usually a case of a software system disk (CD-ROM, etc.)). It can be said that it is a means that can prevent unauthorized use of software more reliably than a general method in which protection is canceled by direct input by a user.

  For example, in the relationship between a certain device and a higher-level device that is an improved version of the device and has better processing capability, there is almost no difference in hardware between the two, but upgraded software is introduced into the higher-level device. Software that uses the above dongle when there is a situation that causes a difference in processing capacity between the two (there are not a few cases in recent years where reduction in development costs is required) It can be said that applying protection is a particularly effective means in terms of protecting the commercial value of the host device.

  As described above, in software protection using a dongle, the software cannot be used unless the dongle is properly connected (that is, the device cannot be controlled). In other words, in the above case, even if the user has purchased a higher-level device, if the dongle cannot be properly connected due to loss, failure, etc., the device will be used until a new dongle is available. It will be impossible.

  In this way, using a dongle can more securely prevent unauthorized use of software. However, in the above case, it cannot be denied that there is an aspect in which it is disadvantageous for a regular purchase user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a software protection method using a dongle (hardware key), while preventing unauthorized use of software with certainty, does not give a disadvantage to the user. An object is to provide a software protection method.

  The software protection method according to the present invention is a software protection method using a hardware key, and is necessary when the hardware key corresponding to the software is not normally connected to the device to be controlled by the software. Accordingly, the apparatus is controlled under a predetermined limit in order to suppress the processing capacity of the apparatus.

  According to the software protection method of the above configuration, even if the hardware key (so-called “dongle”) cannot be normally connected for some reason, a predetermined restriction is made as necessary (if the user desires or automatically). Under the control of the device. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the user who has purchased the device properly cannot control the device (that is, cannot be used) only for reasons related to a dongle trouble (failure or loss).

  Even in such a case, the control is performed by suppressing (that is, reducing) the processing capability (for example, the work amount per unit time) of the apparatus under the predetermined limit. The function of preventing unauthorized use of the system will not be impaired.

  Further, under the predetermined restriction, it can be said that it is preferable to control the processing capacity so as to be substantially equal to the processing capacity of the predetermined apparatus located on the lower side of the apparatus.

  If the software protection method having the above configuration is used, for example, the hardware configuration is substantially the same as that of the host device (device using the present invention), but due to the difference in software (that is, the software version is old) ) When there is a lower-level device with inferior processing capability, even if the user of the lower-level device can illegally obtain only the software of the higher-level device (that is, software that has been upgraded) As long as there is no dongle, the lower-level device cannot exhibit the processing capability higher than that of the lower device (ie, guaranteed by the manufacturer). Therefore, it is possible to reliably protect the commercial value of the higher-level device.

  On the other hand, the device cannot be used at all in the event of a dongle trouble, but the processing capability substantially the same as that of the device located on the lower side is guaranteed, so the service to the user can be improved.

  Furthermore, as an application example of the present invention, it is preferable that the apparatus is a photographic processing apparatus, and the processing capacity is the number of prints per unit time.

  Further, in this case, the photographic processing apparatus conveys a long photosensitive material that is continuously supplied inside, and sequentially performs a predetermined process on the photosensitive material to generate a print. Then, it is preferable to perform control to stop the conveyance of the photosensitive material for a predetermined time every time the photosensitive material is processed for a predetermined length.

  As described above, as a means for reducing the processing capacity (that is, the number of prints per unit time), a kind of intermittent operation control is performed in which the conveyance of the photosensitive material is stopped for a predetermined time every time the photosensitive material is processed for a predetermined length. If it is adopted, it is not necessary to set up the apparatus again, so that no unnecessary burden is imposed on the user. In addition, it is possible to easily and reliably adjust the desired processing capability level.

  As described above, if the software protection method of the present invention is used, even if the dongle cannot be normally connected, the device can be used under a predetermined restriction. Therefore, it is possible to improve the service for authorized users who have purchased the device of the present invention appropriately.

  And in the state where the dongle is not normally connected, because the processing capability of the device is reduced and controlled, even if the software of the device of the present invention is illegally used in other devices, The processing ability equivalent to that of the apparatus of the present invention cannot be exhibited. Therefore, the commercial value of the use apparatus of this invention can be protected reliably.

  Hereinafter, a software protection method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a photo processing apparatus using the software protection method according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the photo processing apparatus. This photographic processing apparatus 1 reads image data from a photographic film F or media M, performs digital image processing such as color density correction or contrast correction on the image data, and generates image data for output. And a printing apparatus 2 that prints an image on the photosensitive material PA based on the image data output from the image processing apparatus 1.

  The image processing apparatus 1 includes a scanner 3 that reads an image from a photographic film F, a media drive 4 that can read and write image data on a medium M such as a CD-ROM or a memory card, and a book that includes control of the image processing apparatus 1. A main control device 5 that controls the entire photographic processing device, a monitor 6 that displays an image read from the photographic film F and media M, and an input device 7 (a keyboard 7a and a mouse 7b) that receive an operation command from a user are provided. .

  The main control device 5 includes a CPU 8 that is a main body of the control and calculation, a ROM 9a that stores a software program for controlling the photographic processing device, a RAM 9b that is used as a work area for processing, and various external devices (scanner 3). In addition, an I / O processing unit 10 that performs I / O processing with the media drive 4, the monitor 6, and the input device 7) is provided therein.

  Also, a dongle 11 (details will be described later) as a hardware key is connected to a predetermined port (not shown) of the image processing apparatus 1, and information on the dongle 11 via the I / O processing unit 10. Can be read.

  The printing apparatus 2 includes an exposure processing unit 12 that performs exposure processing on the photosensitive material PA based on image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing device 1, and a development processing unit 13 that performs development processing on the exposed photosensitive material PA. The drying processing unit 14 performs drying processing on the developed photosensitive material PA, and the sorting processing unit 15 performs sorting processing on the photosensitive material PA that has been subjected to the drying processing to become a photograph.

  The exposure processing unit 12 pulls out the photosensitive material PA from the pair of magazines 16 a and 16 b and transports it to the downstream side by the transport roller pair 17. Then, the photosensitive material PA is exposed by an exposure device 18 including a light source 18a composed of a halogen lamp or the like and an optical shutter 18c connected to the light source 18a via an optical fiber bundle 18b. The exposure device 18 is not limited to the PLZT method, and may be a laser method, a CRT method, or the like.

  The development processing unit 13 performs processing such as development, bleaching, fixing, and stabilization on the photosensitive material PA.

  The drying processing unit 14 blows hot air from the hot air device 19 onto the photosensitive material PA sent from the development processing unit 13 and performs a process of drying the developer and the like attached to the photosensitive material PA.

  The sorting processing unit 15 sorts the photosensitive material PA that has been subjected to the exposure processing, the development processing, and the drying processing into sizes, and the small size photosensitive material PA sorted by the size sorting unit 20 for each order. An order sorting unit 21 for sorting is provided.

  The size sorting unit 20 discharges the photosensitive material PA having a large size to the tray 22 and conveys the photosensitive material PA having a small size to the conveyor 23. The order sorting unit 21 distributes the photosensitive material PA conveyed by the conveyor 23 to each tray 24 for each order.

  Each processing unit described above is controlled based on a software program (software 30) recorded in the ROM 9a of the main control device 5. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main configuration of the software 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the software 30 includes a dongle connection check process 31, a user I / F (interface) process 32, an image process 33, and a print process 34 which will be described later.

  The user I / F processing 32 performs input processing from the input device 7 by the user, output processing to the monitor 6, and the like. In addition, by displaying an operation screen (not shown) on the monitor 6 using a GUI (graphical user interface), an environment that facilitates the operation of the photo processing apparatus is provided to the user.

  The image processing 33 mainly performs digital image processing such as color density correction and contrast correction on the read image data. The print processing 34 mainly performs control of the printing apparatus 2 (for example, control related to conveyance of the photosensitive material PA, control related to exposure processing, and the like).

  The photo processing apparatus having the above configuration uses a software protection method using a hardware key. Normally, when this method is used, the software-specific dongle is not allowed to be used unless the software-specific dongle is normally connected to a predetermined port (that is, the device cannot be used). The protection method makes it possible to use the device even if the dongle is not normally connected by adding a predetermined restriction to the processing function. The features of the present invention will be described below.

  The dongle 11 has a shape (connector shape) that can be connected to a predetermined general-purpose port (for example, a parallel port, a serial port, or a USB) of the image processing apparatus 1, and has a read-only (non-rewritable) memory included therein. Stores information specific to the software 30 (license information). The license information is information (code) made up of numerical values, symbols, or combinations of several digits that are uniquely assigned for each software 30 (sold as a set with a photo processing apparatus).

  When the dongle 11 is connected to the port, the dongle connection check process 31 reads out the license information from the dongle 11 at a predetermined timing and compares it with the license information of the software 30. In this embodiment, the start timing of the dongle connection check process 31 is determined when the photographic processing apparatus is turned on or when the apparatus state is changed (for example, when the photosensitive material PA is supplied, that is, the magazines 16a and 16b are loaded). When it is replaced).

  If the dongle connection check process 31 determines that the dongle 11 is not normally connected (if the connection is not connected or the license information does not match. Hereinafter, the dongle is not connected), the user is notified of that. A notification to that effect is made. When the user desires processing in such a dongle unconnected state, the photo processing apparatus is controlled in the “dongle unconnected mode”.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing up to the control in the dongle unconnected mode.

  First, when the photo processing apparatus is turned on (startup) or a “start” operation is performed by the user (step S400), the dongle connection check process 31 is started (step S401).

  Here, the “start” operation by the user means an operation for restarting that is necessary when some change occurs in the state of the photo processing apparatus, such as replacement of the magazines 16a and 16b. Specifically, the user performs an operation using an input unit such as the input device 7 via an operation screen displayed on the monitor 6 (if the monitor 6 is configured by a touch panel method, the user's finger or (It can also be operated using a dedicated input pen etc.)

  The dongle connection check process 31 outputs a signal (license information inquiry signal) to the dongle 11 via a predetermined port. Upon receiving this, the dongle 11 returns a response signal (including license information). The dongle connection check process 31 extracts license information from the response signal and compares it with the license information of the software 30. If no response signal is returned after a predetermined time has elapsed after the license information inquiry signal is output, it is assumed that the dongle 11 is not connected.

  As a result, if the dongle is not connected (NO in step S402), normal control is performed (step S403). On the other hand, if the dongle is not connected (YES in step S402), the dongle connection check process 31 displays an error message such as “The hardware key cannot be detected” on the monitor 6 via the user I / F process 32. (Step S404). In addition, an inquiry message as to whether or not to continue processing in the current state (the dongle is not connected) is also displayed.

  If processing continuation is selected by a user input operation or the like (YES in step S405), the photo processing apparatus is controlled in the dongle unconnected mode (step S406). On the other hand, when the process stop is selected (NO in step S405), the photo processing apparatus is not controlled (that is, the photo processing apparatus does not function).

  If the above operation (selection of processing continuation or processing suspend) is not performed by the user for a predetermined time after displaying the error message or the like in step S404, it is automatically regarded as processing continuation or processing suspending. Can also be adopted.

  In the dongle unconnected mode, control is performed by reducing the processing capability of the photographic processing apparatus (in the present embodiment, the number of print output sheets per unit time).

  Specifically, such a decrease in processing capacity is realized by performing a control to stop the conveyance for a predetermined time every time the photosensitive material PA is processed (ie, conveyed) for a predetermined length by the printing process 34 ( A kind of intermittent operation control). The processing length of the photosensitive material PA is obtained, for example, by calculating from a driving frequency applied to a pulse motor that drives the conveyance roller pair 17.

  Various control methods for reducing the processing capacity are conceivable, such as adjusting the exposure speed and the conveyance speed. However, if the exposure speed or the conveyance speed is adjusted, it is necessary to set up the apparatus again. This is not a suitable control method in view of the time and effort required for the apparatus. In that respect, the method of the present embodiment does not require re-setup, and therefore does not impose an unnecessary work burden on the user. It is also possible to easily adjust to a desired processing capacity level.

  The degree to which the processing capacity of the photographic processing apparatus is reduced is the same type of photographic processing apparatus as the photographic processing apparatus (the same type here is in the range where the manufacturer and the like are the same and can be distinguished only by the version) And is determined based on the processing capability of the photographic processing apparatus A located on the lower side of the photographic processing apparatus in terms of processing capability. In other words, in the dongle unconnected mode, control is performed so as to be approximately equal to the processing capability of the photo processing apparatus A.

  Specifically, for example, if it takes about 10 seconds for the photographic processing apparatus and about 15 seconds for the photographic processing apparatus A to process 1 m of the photosensitive material PA, in the dongle unconnected mode, What is necessary is just to perform the intermittent operation control which stops about 15 seconds for every 3 m processing. By controlling in this way, the processing lengths of the photosensitive material PA per unit time are substantially the same, and as a result, both processing capabilities (number of printed sheets per unit time) can be made substantially equal. Become.

  As described above, if the software protection method of the present embodiment is used, even if the dongle 11 cannot be connected due to failure or loss (dongle unconnected state), at least photo processing is performed according to the user's selection. Since the processing can be continued with the processing capability of the apparatus A, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the photographic processing apparatus cannot be used only due to a dongle trouble.

  Further, regarding the relationship between the photographic processing apparatus and the photographic processing apparatus A, for example, only the software 30 can be ported to the photographic processing apparatus A, and the photographic processing apparatus A can be controlled by the software 30. However, not only the photographic processing apparatus A is controlled with the processing capability equivalent to that of the photographic processing device, but also its own processing capability is reduced by the dongle unconnected mode. Therefore, in fact, the concept of unauthorized use of software (software 30) is unlikely to occur, and it can be said that an excellent effect is exhibited in terms of software protection.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  For example, in the dongle unconnected mode of the above embodiment, the “processing capability” is reduced by controlling the number of prints per unit time (that is, the work amount per unit time) to be reduced. For example, special processing (for example, image processing such as scratch removal and red-eye correction on the film emulsion side) that can be performed only by the host device is controlled so that it does not function in the dongle unconnected mode. A reduction in “processing capacity” can also be realized.

  In the above embodiment, the dongle connection check is performed when the power is turned on (when the photo processing apparatus is started up) or when a “start” operation is performed by the user. The dongle connection check process 31 may be started periodically, so that the connection state of the dongle can be always checked.

1 is an external view of a photo processing apparatus using a software protection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the photographic processing apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main configuration of software that controls the photo processing apparatus according to the embodiment. In the same embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process until it reaches control in a dongle unconnected mode.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing apparatus, 2 ... Printing apparatus, 3 ... Scanner, 4 ... Media drive, 5 ... Main control apparatus, 6 ... Monitor, 7 ... Input device, 8 ... CPU, 9a ... ROM, 9b ... RAM, 10 ... I / O processing unit, 11 ... dongle, 12 ... exposure processing unit, 13 ... development processing unit, 14 ... drying processing unit, 15 ... sorting processing unit, 16a, 16b ... magazine, 17 ... conveying roller pair, 18 ... exposure device , 18a ... light source, 18b ... optical fiber bundle, 18c ... optical shutter, 19 ... hot air device, 20 ... size sorting unit, 21 ... order sorting unit, 22 ... tray, 23 ... conveyor, 24 ... dish, 30 ... software, 31 ... Dongle connection check process, 32 ... User I / F process, 33 ... Image process, 34 ... Print process

Claims (4)

A software protection method using a hardware key,
When the hardware key corresponding to the software is not normally connected to the device to be controlled by the software, the device is controlled under a predetermined restriction as necessary to suppress the processing capability of the device. A software protection method characterized by the above.   2. The software protection method according to claim 1, wherein, under the predetermined restriction, control is performed so that the processing capability is substantially equal to a processing capability of a predetermined device located on a lower side of the device.   3. The software protection method according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a photo processing apparatus, and the processing capability is the number of prints per unit time.   The photographic processing apparatus internally conveys a long photosensitive material that is continuously supplied and generates a print by sequentially performing a predetermined process on the photosensitive material. Under the predetermined limitation, the photosensitive material 4. The software protection method according to claim 3, wherein control is performed to stop the conveyance of the photosensitive material for a predetermined time each time processing is performed for a predetermined length.

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