JP2010067085A - Information processing system, external equipment, platform starting method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

A platform is prevented from being illegally used by determining, by authentication, a device body to which an external device capable of providing a solution can be connected.
A device administrator turns on a power switch of the device to start an OS stored in a ROM 22 of an external device 20 and starts a platform start program stored in the ROM 22. The platform activation program acquires authentication data unique to the external device 20 and collates it with the collation data table in the ROM 22 in order to confirm whether or not the platform can be operated on the external device 20. If they match, the authentication data is acquired from the device main body 10 and collated with the collation data table in the ROM 22. When both the authentication data and the collation data match, it is determined that use permission has been obtained, and the platform in the ROM 22 is activated on the external device 20. If they do not match, the program startup is terminated.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an external device, a platform activation method, a program, and a storage that connect an external device to a device body that performs information processing, such as a multifunction peripheral or a printer, and determines use permission of a platform that provides a solution It relates to the medium.

  Conventionally, by writing a MAC address unique to a network connection device in a specific area of the function expansion card, the device main body and the function expansion card are associated with each other, and the device ID of the function expansion card is read out at the time of startup, and the MAC address of the own device In some cases, a network connection device can be provided that can prevent forgery of a function expansion card at low cost by disabling the expansion function if they do not match (see Patent Document 1).

  Further, there has been provided an authentication device and an application issuing method that can easily perform mutual authentication required between an external device such as a terminal and an authentication device without using a new authentication method ( Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, there has been provided a software authentication system, a software authentication program, and a software authentication method that enable development of highly stable software by verifying the operation of the software before introduction into the execution environment ( (See Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-280612 JP 2007-122379 A JP 2006-293980 A

  However, in the above conventional example, as shown in Patent Document 1, for example, the MAC address unique to the network connection device is written in the function expansion card, and the device ID of the function expansion card and the MAC address of the own device are collated at the time of activation. By doing so, it is possible to prevent forgery of the function expansion card. Patent Document 1 is mainly composed of network connection devices, and can maintain security as viewed from the network connection device side, but cannot be used to limit the connectable device main body mainly from external devices. There was a problem. In other words, any function expansion card approved by the network connection device and having the MAC address written therein can be used.

  Further, Patent Document 2 uses an already-contracted authentication method when issuing an application from an external device (corresponding to a device main body) that issues an application to an IC card as an authentication device (corresponding to an external device). Thus, mutual authentication can be performed without using a new authentication method. However, in the case of restricting the connection target to which the connection destination of the external device having the built-in operation program is recognized and to be able to provide the service, the authentication of the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 is only implemented. There was a problem that it was difficult.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 performs verification before introducing software operations into the execution environment, and adds electronic signature information to an execution file when it is determined that the software can be installed. As described above, Patent Document 3 aims to develop highly stable software by verifying the execution environment of software in advance, and is applied to authentication such as to which range of connectable device bodies are recognized. There was a problem that it was not possible to do this, and it took time to verify the execution environment in advance.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and sets in advance a target device that can be connected to an external device capable of operating a platform that provides a solution, performs authentication, and determines whether or not connection is possible. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, an external device, a platform startup method, a program, and a storage medium that can prevent unauthorized use of the platform by limiting external devices that can provide solutions. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is a platform that provides a solution that connects an external device to a device body that performs information processing and operates on the external device. An information processing system for determining use permission and providing a solution or service, wherein the device main body includes first storage means for storing device-specific information for specifying the device main body, and the external device The second storage means for storing device-specific information for identifying the external device, platform activation means for activating the platform operating on the external device, and checking the device-specific information Third storage means for storing verification data for authentication, and the platform activation means is configured to receive each of the first and second storage means from the respective storage means. An information acquisition unit for acquiring device-specific information, a data verification unit for verifying the acquired device-specific information and verification data stored in the third storage unit, and a verification result And a program starting unit for starting the platform.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the device main bodies and a plurality of the external devices are connected and stored in the third storage means. The collation data is characterized in that device-specific information in the plurality of device main bodies and the plurality of external devices is collected in a collation data table and collated using the collation data table.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the collation data table indicates whether or not it can be used for each functional unit of the device body in the device-specific information of the device body. It is characterized by holding information to be shown.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an external device that is connected to a device body that performs information processing, determines permission to use a platform for providing a solution, and provides a solution or a service. Second storage means for storing device-specific information for identifying the device, platform activation means for activating the platform operating on the external device, and device-specific information for identifying the device body and the external device And a third storage unit that stores verification data for verification by performing verification, and the platform activation unit acquires information specific to each device from the device main body and the second storage unit. And a data collation unit that collates the acquired information unique to each device and the collation data stored in the third storage unit , Characterized in that it and a program activation unit for activating the platform when the collation result matches.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the external device according to claim 4, wherein the information unique to the device is information for uniquely identifying the device main body and the external device, and the machine number , Information having at least one of serial number, RAM information, HDD information, and MAC address.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the external device according to claim 5, wherein the device-specific information includes the machine number, the serial number, the RAM information, the HDD information, and the MAC address. Among them, a hash value obtained by combining arbitrary data is used.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the external device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the verification data stored in the third storage means are the device main body and the device Information unique to the external device is collected in a collation data table, and collation is performed using the collation data table.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the external device according to claim 7, wherein the verification data table indicates whether or not the collation data table can be used for each functional unit of the device body in the device-specific information. It is characterized by holding information to be shown.

  The invention according to claim 9 provides a solution or a service by connecting an external device to a device body that performs information processing, determining permission to use a platform that provides a solution that operates on the external device. A platform activation method for activating the platform, wherein the platform activation means for activating the platform acquires information specific to each device from the external device and the device main body, and the device-specific information acquired by the platform activation means. A step of collating information with collation data for authentication possessed by the external device, and the platform activation unit performs collation, and information unique to each of the external device and the device main body and the collation Starting the platform when the data matches And wherein the door.

  The invention according to claim 10 is a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the platform starting method according to claim 9.

  The invention according to claim 11 is a computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 10.

  According to the present invention, the information acquisition unit of the platform activation unit of the external device acquires device-specific information from the first storage unit of the device body and the second storage unit of the external device, respectively, Only when the collation data stored in the third storage unit in the external device is collated by the data collation unit of the platform activation unit of the external device and all match by the program activation unit of the platform activation unit of the external device. Start the platform on the external device. For this reason, unless a specific external device corresponding to the device main body is connected in advance, the platform cannot be activated and a solution or service cannot be provided. In this way, by limiting the number of external devices that can provide a solution, the platform can be prevented from being illegally used.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information processing system, an external device, a platform activation method, a program, and a storage medium according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system shown in FIG. 1 is configured by connecting an external device 20 having an operation panel such as a touch panel to a device body 10 such as a low-end copying machine having an operation panel that can display only four lines. Yes. The external device 20 is connected to an external network 30 such as the Internet here. The information processing system according to the first exemplary embodiment determines whether to permit use of a program (platform) that provides a solution that operates on the external device 20 by authentication.

  The device body 10 can use a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and a scanner function, or a single-function image forming apparatus such as a printer. Holding. Device-specific information (hereinafter also referred to as authentication data) is used for verification at the time of authentication, and is data that uniquely identifies hardware (for example, machine number, serial number, RAM information, HDD information, MAC address) Etc.). It is also possible to use a hash value of data obtained by arbitrarily combining these data for collation.

  The external device 20 is a device connected to the device body 10 for the purpose of providing solutions and services. Here, the operation information is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel, and the touch panel for inputting the information by directly touching the display unit is provided, and an interface (I / F) can be provided to the user. A program providing a solution, a so-called platform, operates on the external device 20. Similar to the device main body 10, the external device 20 holds device-specific information that identifies the device. The external device 20 further has a program for starting this platform, and this program is installed in a ROM described later. The program for starting the platform includes an information acquisition unit that acquires authentication data of the device body 10 and the external device 20 that are permitted to use the platform. The verification data for verification with the authentication data can be stored in the ROM 22 that cannot be easily rewritten on the external device 20 or an external server connected to the external network 30. It should be noted that an expiration date can be set for the collation data, whereby the expiration date for permitting use of the device main body or external device can be specified.

  Furthermore, the program for starting the platform includes a data collating unit that collates each acquired authentication data with the collation data. If the data matches as a result of collation by the program that activates the platform, a program activation unit that activates the platform is provided.

  The line 1 connecting the external device 20 and the device main body 10 is connected using either or both of a LAN cable and a USB. In FIG. 1, the external network 20 is illustrated as being connected to the external device 20, but the external network 30 may be connected to the device main body 10. Communication between the devices 10 and 20 or between the devices 10 and 20 and the external network 30 may be encrypted.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of the device main body of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, in the case where the device main body 10 is a printer, in addition to a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, and an interface (I / F) 14, a storage unit 15 and a printing unit 16 are provided. In the case where the device main body 10 is a multi-function device, although not shown in FIG. 2, in addition to these, an image input unit and a facsimile are provided.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the external device shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the external device 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, and an interface (I / F) 24, a storage unit 25, and a touch panel 26 that provides an interface for a user to perform an operation. ing. This touch panel 26 serves as a user interface of an application corresponding to the solution.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of software installed in an external device. As shown in FIG. 4, various application programs 40, 41, and 42 are arranged in the highest hierarchy, and a platform 43 as a program for providing solutions and services is arranged in the lower layer. In the first embodiment, a program to be subjected to use permission determination (authentication) corresponds to the platform 43.

  Under the platform 43, programs such as the function wrapper 44 and the panel wrapper 45 are arranged, and by absorbing differences on the platform of the application, it is possible to make it appear as a unified interface.

  Below the platform 43, an installation service unit 46 for further installation, a system service unit 47 for providing basic common services to the application, and a processing request from the application can be received by a predefined function. API 48 and the like are provided.

  A scanner driver 49 for driving hardware, a printer driver 50, a fax driver 51, a panel driver 52, etc. are provided between the API 48 and the OS 53 as basic software for managing program execution and peripheral devices. Various software is arranged.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an application display example corresponding to the solution displayed on the touch panel of the external device. In the display example of the touch panel 26 shown in FIG. 5, the user touches and selects a desired print job from the print job list display, and print processing is executed by touching the print button 26a.

  The information processing system according to the first embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below.

  FIG. 6 is a basic sequence diagram at the time of starting the platform according to the first embodiment. In the sequence diagram of FIG. 6, the OS 53 of the external device 20, the ROM (stores the platform activation program) 22, the platform 43, and the device main body 10 are arranged in the block order from the left, and the operations exchanged between these blocks explain.

  First, the device administrator turns on the power switch of the device (step S100). When the power switch is turned on, power flows to the external device 20 and the OS 53 of the external device 20 is activated (step S101), and the platform activation program stored in the ROM 22 is activated.

  Subsequently, the platform activation program starts a use permission confirmation process as to whether or not the platform can be operated on the external device 20 (step S102). First, the platform activation program acquires authentication data of itself (external device 20) (step S103). Then, the platform activation program compares and collates the acquired authentication data with the collation data stored in advance in the ROM 22 of the external device 20 (step S104). If they match, the process proceeds to the next process. If they do not match, the program ends. As a result of collating both data, if they do not match, the device administrator may be notified of this.

  Subsequently, the platform activation program starts a use permission confirmation process for determining whether or not the platform can be operated with the device main body 10 as a connection destination (step S105), and obtains authentication data from the device main body 10 (step S106). ). The platform activation program compares the acquired authentication data with the verification data stored in advance in the ROM 12 of the device main body 10 (step S107). If they do not match, the program ends. As a result of collating both data, if they do not match, the device administrator may be notified of this.

  Thus, the platform activation program activates the platform 43 when the authentication data and the verification data of the external device 20 and the device main body 10 match each other and the use permission to operate the platform is obtained (step S108). . Note that the platform may be checked for tampering before starting the platform.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, platform use permission is determined for the device main body 10 and the external device 20, and the platform is activated only when both use permission is obtained. Thus, it is possible to restrictly supply external devices capable of providing a solution to the device main body 10 composed of a multifunction device or a low-end device of a printer. For this reason, it is possible to freely set the target range of the device main body to which the external device can be connected only by changing the contents of the collation data. The verification data used for authentication is stored in the external device here, and is used only for verification within the external device. Therefore, the verification data may be copied or used illegally. It has the advantage of being difficult.

  The verification data may be held not only in the external device 20 and the ROM in the device main body 10 as described above, but also in a PC or server connected to the external network 30. In that case, since collation data can be freely rewritten even from a remote place, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom increases. At that time, in order to exchange verification data via the network, it is desirable to encrypt the communication between the devices 10 and 20 and the external network 30 for security.

(Second Embodiment)
A feature of the information processing system according to the second embodiment is that a plurality of external devices 20 are connected to a plurality of device main bodies 10, and a plurality of external devices 20 are connected to a storage unit 25 in the external device 20. And the collation data table format in which the collation data of the plurality of device main bodies 10 are collected. The collation data table held in the storage unit 25 can be referred to from a program on the device, and the contents can be rewritten.

  FIG. 7 is a basic sequence diagram when the platform according to the second embodiment is started, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of a collation data table. The collation data table shown in FIG. 8 stores collation data for external devices and device bodies. In the sequence diagram of FIG. 7, from the left, the OS 53 of the external device 20, the ROM (stores the platform activation program) 22, the storage unit (stores the collation data table) 25, the platform 43, and the device main body 10 are shown in block order. The operation that is arranged and exchanged between these blocks will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7, the device manager turns on the power switch of the device (step S200). When the power switch is turned on, power flows to the external device 20 and the OS 53 of the external device 20 is activated (step S201), and the platform activation program stored in the ROM 22 is activated.

  Subsequently, the platform startup program starts a use permission confirmation process as to whether or not the platform can be operated on the external device 20 (step S202), and obtains authentication data of the external device 20 (step S203). ). Then, the platform activation program collates using the acquired authentication data and the collation data table stored in the storage unit 25 (step S204).

  The platform activation program searches for collation data using the collation data table in the storage unit 25 (step S205), and proceeds to the next process if the authentication data matches the collation data, and terminates the program if they do not coincide. To do. As a result of collating both data, if they do not match, the device administrator may be notified of this.

  Further, the platform activation program starts a use permission confirmation process as to whether or not the platform can be operated with the device body 10 as a connection destination (step S206), and acquires authentication data from the device body 10 (step S207). Then, the platform activation program collates using the acquired authentication data and the collation data table stored in the storage unit 25 (step S208).

  The platform activation program searches for collation data using the collation data table in the storage unit 25 (step S209). If the authentication data matches the collation data, the process proceeds to the next process. If not, the program ends. To do. As a result of collating both data, if they do not match, the device administrator may be notified of this.

  At this time, when there are a plurality of connection-destination device main bodies 10, the procedure from step S206 to step S209 is repeated for the number of connection-destination device main bodies 10.

  As described above, the platform activation program activates the platform 43 when the authentication data acquired from the plurality of external devices 20 and the plurality of device main bodies 10 match the collation data table and use permission is obtained ( Step S210). Note that the platform may be checked for tampering before starting the platform.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, even when a plurality of device main bodies 10 and a plurality of external devices 20 are connected, by using the collation data table, It is possible to efficiently and collectively perform the use permission determination work.

  In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the collation data table has been described using the example stored in the storage unit 25 of the external device 20, but the external device 20 It may be stored in a PC or server connected to the connected external network 30 and the collation work may be performed by accessing this. Also in this case, as in the first embodiment, since the collation data table can be freely rewritten even from a remote place, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom increases. At that time, for security, communication between the devices 10 and 20 and the external network 30 is encrypted.

(Third embodiment)
A feature of the information processing system according to the third embodiment is that information indicating whether or not use is permitted for each function of the device main body 10 is added to the collation data table in the external device 20 in the second embodiment. The point is. In this way, by adding information on whether or not each function can be used, it is possible to provide only necessary services to a solution-compatible application developer.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of a collation data table according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a basic sequence diagram at the time of starting the platform according to the third embodiment. The collation data table shown in FIG. 9 stores collation data for external devices, and the collation data for the device main body indicates whether or not use is permitted for each functional unit (print function, scan function, fax function, etc.). The information shown is also described. The sequence diagram shown in FIG. 10 is basically the same as the sequence diagram of FIG. 7 according to the second embodiment, but is substantially different in that the data contents to be collated (collation data in the collation data table) are different. The processing contents are different.

  In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 10, from the left, the OS 53 of the external device 20, the ROM (stored in the platform activation program) 22, the storage unit (a verification data table holding information indicating whether or not use is permitted for each function of the device body) Is stored), the platform 43, and the device main body 10 are arranged in the block order, and an operation performed between these blocks will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the device administrator turns on the power switch of the device (step S300). When the power switch is turned on, power flows to the external device 20 and the OS 53 of the external device 20 is activated (step S301), and the platform activation program stored in the ROM 22 is activated.

  The activated platform activation program starts a use permission confirmation process as to whether or not the platform can be operated on the external device 20 (step S302), and acquires authentication data of the external device 20 (step S302). S303), collation is performed using the acquired authentication data and the collation data table stored in the storage unit 25 (step S304).

  Here, the collation data table in the ROM 25 is configured as shown in FIG. 9, and the collation data of the external device 20 that matches the acquired authentication data is searched (step S305), and the collation data that matches the authentication data. If there is a match in the collation data table of FIG. 9, the process proceeds to the next process. As a result of collating both data, if they do not match, the device administrator may be notified of this.

  Subsequently, the platform activation program starts a use permission confirmation process as to whether or not the platform can be operated with the device main body 10 as a connection destination (step S306), and acquires authentication data from the device main body 10 (step S307). . Then, the platform activation program collates using the acquired authentication data and the collation data table stored in the storage unit 25 shown in FIG. 9 (step S308).

  The collation data table in the storage unit 25 is configured as shown in FIG. 9, and the collation data of the device main body 10 that matches the acquired authentication data is searched (step S309), and the collation data that matches the authentication data is shown in FIG. If it is in the collation data table, the process proceeds to the next process. At this time, information indicating whether or not the use of the functional unit of the device main body corresponding to the collation data matching the authentication data is permitted in the collation data table is acquired. If there is no collation data that matches the authentication data in the collation data table of FIG. 9, the program ends. As a result of collating both data, if they do not match, the device administrator may be notified of this.

  At this time, when there are a plurality of connection-destination device bodies 10, the procedure from step S306 to step S309 is repeated for the number of connection-destination device bodies 10.

  As described above, the platform activation program activates the platform 43 when the authentication data of the plurality of external devices 20 and the device main body 10 matches the verification data and permission to use the platform is obtained (step S310). At this time, the third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that only the function of the device body to which use permission is given is valid. Note that the platform may be checked for tampering before starting the platform.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the use permission of the platform can be determined for the functional units of the plurality of device main bodies 10 and the plurality of external devices 20 using the collation data table. it can.

  In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the collation data table of FIG. 9 has been described using the example stored in the storage unit 25 of the external device 20. The collation data table may be stored in a PC or an external server connected to the external network 30 connected to the device 20 and accessed for collation. Also in this case, as in the second embodiment, since the collation data table can be freely rewritten even from a remote place, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom increases. At that time, for security, communication between the devices 10 and 20 and the external network 30 is encrypted.

  The platform activation program executed on the external device of the information processing system according to the first to third embodiments is provided by being incorporated in advance in the ROM 22 of FIG.

  The platform startup program is a file in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). You may comprise so that it may record and provide.

  Further, the platform activation program executed on the external device of the information processing system according to each of the above embodiments is stored on a computer connected to the external network 30 such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. You may comprise so that it may provide. Further, the platform activation program executed on the external device of the information processing system according to each of the above embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The platform activation program executed on the external device of the information processing system according to each of the above embodiments acquires information unique to each device from the first and second storage units performed by the platform activation unit described above. The module includes an information acquisition unit, a data collation unit that collates with the collation data stored in the third storage unit, and a program activation unit that activates the platform when the data matches. As actual hardware, the CPU (processor) 21 reads the platform activation program from the ROM 22 and executes it, so that the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device, and the information acquisition unit, data collation unit, and program activation unit It is generated on the main memory.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing system concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of the device main body of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of the external device of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram of the software mounted in an external apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of application display corresponding to the solution displayed on the touch panel of external equipment. It is a basic sequence figure at the time of platform starting concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a basic sequence figure at the time of platform starting concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a collation data table. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the collation data table concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is a basic sequence figure at the time of platform starting concerning a 3rd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 line 10 device body 11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Interface (I / F)
15 Storage Unit 16 Printing Unit 20 External Device 21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 Interface (I / F)
25 Storage Unit 26 Touch Panel 30 External Network 40, 41, 42 Application Program 43 Platform 44 Function Wrapper 45 Panel Wrapper 46 Installation Service Unit 47 System Service Unit 48 API
49 Scanner Driver 50 Printer Driver 51 Fax Driver 52 Panel Driver 53 OS

Claims (11)

An information processing system that provides solutions and services by connecting an external device to a device body that performs information processing, determining permission to use a platform that provides a solution that operates on the external device,
The device body is
First storage means for storing device-specific information for specifying the device body;
The external device is
Second storage means for storing device-specific information for identifying the external device;
Platform activation means for activating the platform operating on the external device;
Third storage means for storing verification data for verification by verifying with the device-specific information;
With
The platform activation means is
An information acquisition unit for acquiring information unique to each device from the first and second storage means;
A data collation unit that collates the acquired device-specific information with the collation data stored in the third storage unit;
A program launcher that launches the platform when the matching results match;
An information processing system comprising: A plurality of the device main bodies and a plurality of the external devices are connected,
The collation data stored in the third storage means is a collation data table in which device-specific information in a plurality of the device main bodies and a plurality of external devices is collated, and collation is performed using the collation data table. The information processing system according to claim 1.   3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the collation data table holds information indicating whether or not each function unit of the device main body can be used in the device-specific information of the device main body. An external device that provides a solution or service by connecting to the device body that performs information processing, determining permission to use the platform that provides the solution,
Second storage means for storing device-specific information for identifying the external device;
Platform activation means for activating the platform operating on the external device;
Third storage means for storing verification data for performing verification by verifying with the device-specific information that identifies the device main body and the external device;
The platform activation means is
An information acquisition unit for acquiring information specific to each device from the device body and the second storage unit;
A data collation unit that collates the acquired device-specific information with the collation data stored in the third storage unit;
A program launcher that launches the platform when the matching results match;
External equipment characterized by comprising.   The device-specific information is information that uniquely identifies the device body and the external device, and is information having at least one of a machine number, a serial number, RAM information, HDD information, and a MAC address. The external device according to claim 4, wherein:   The device-specific information uses a hash value obtained by combining arbitrary data among the machine number, the serial number, the RAM information, the HDD information, and the MAC address. External equipment.   The collation data stored in the third storage means is characterized in that device-specific information of the device main body and the external device is collected in a collation data table and collated using the collation data table. The external apparatus as described in any one of Claims 4-6.   The external device according to claim 7, wherein the collation data table holds information indicating whether or not the device main unit can be used for each functional unit in the device-specific information of the device main body. A platform activation method for providing a solution or a service by connecting an external device to a device body that performs information processing, determining use permission of a platform that provides a solution that operates on the external device,
Platform activation means for activating the platform acquires information specific to each device from the external device and the device body; and
Collating the device-specific information acquired by the platform activation means with the verification data for authentication possessed by the external device;
The platform activation means performs collation, and activates the platform when the device-specific information of the external device and the device main body matches the collation data; and
A platform activation method comprising:   A program for causing a computer to execute the platform activation method according to claim 9.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 10.

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