JP2000228051A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prohibit the reusing of used information by giving a substantially irreversible state change to at least the substantial one part of a recording medium, detecting the presence or absence of the state change and providing a first operation when a state change means detects that the state change is not present and a second operation when it detects that the state change is present. SOLUTION: After a system program which is written in a RAM performs initializations of parameters or the like, it reads in data of first and second partitions to compare these data in sector levels. When a tag 306 is not stripped off, data of the first and second partitions coincide with each other. When a user completes the game program of a first stage and strips off the tag 306 of a CD-ROM 3 by the instruction of a message, only the digest of the first stage becomes possible to read out on the CD-ROM 3 and the CD-ROM 3 loses the utilization value as a game software.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for reading information recorded on a recording medium and providing an operation function according to the information, and in particular, only a recording medium on which information is recorded is provided separately. To an information processing apparatus of a type to be performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electrically encoded information (data,
Program or the like) is generally transmitted and received via communication or a hard recording medium. Hard recording media are roughly classified into readable and writable media and read-only media. A floppy disk is a representative of the former, and a CD-RO is a representative of the latter.
M. A CD-ROM is an extension of a music CD, and is widely used because it can record a large amount of information of about 550 megabytes, can be accessed randomly, and is inexpensive and suitable for mass production. Have been.

A CD-ROM is composed of a transparent resin layer, a reflective layer, and a protective layer, and records information by forming pits on a track. The CD-ROM drive reads information by tracing these pits with a laser beam, and the presence or absence of the pits becomes a digital signal as it is. The laser light is focused through a transparent resin layer having a thickness of about 1.2 mm, and the beam diameter on its surface is about 1 mm. In comparison, small flaws on the surface are of negligible size, and there is no problem in operation even with some flaws. In addition, it has high resistance to magnetism, light, impact, and the like, and the information on the CD-ROM is held semi-permanently as long as it is handled normally. A CD-R that can be written only once has the same structure (except that it has a part of the material and a recording layer of an organic dye decomposed by a recording laser).
In addition, there are various media such as DVDs and DVD-Rs having similar features, and it is expected that the number will increase in the future.

[0004] Separately, an IC ROM may be used as a portable medium for information. In this case, the ROM in which the information is recorded is stored in a package such as a card or a cartridge which is advantageous for carrying, and the ROM is mounted on the apparatus for use (herein, collectively referred to as a ROM cartridge). CD-ROMs have the two points that they cannot be written by ordinary means and that they can stably maintain recorded information, but they are inferior in terms of capacity vs. price, and that in terms of reducing the overall size and weight of the apparatus. Take advantage. An example of using this is
It can be seen in the expansion of all-in-one portable game consoles and hardware with small displays.

[0005]

When considering the distribution of information, the fact that the recorded contents are held semi-permanently means that the quality of goods is maintained for a long period of time. This benefits every point from the developer to the user. However, since the commercial value is not lost even after use (obscurity is another problem), a loop originating from the user and returning to the user has been created. This is the so-called used software market. A consistent distribution channel from developers to users has a return to developers, but the second-hand software market does not. Even though the medium of a CD-ROM or the like is inexpensive, a great deal of capital is generally invested in the development of information recorded on the medium. The growth of distribution channels without developers not only poses a major threat to developers, but also puts pressure on development resources,
New products are no longer on the market, which is disadvantageous for users.

On the other hand, a software key or a hardware key is provided, and the use of information on a medium when there is no input or mounting thereof (browsing, starting of a program, etc.).
Some products have been banned, limiting the number of users and eliminating piracy. However, also in this case, as long as the software key or the hardware key is moved together with the medium, a distribution route that does not include the developer is established.

An object of the present invention is to reflect the fact of use of information on information on a recording medium.
An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of substantially prohibiting reuse of used information.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, in an information processing apparatus according to the present invention, a recording medium on which information is recorded, information reading means for reading the information, and at least a substantial part of the recording medium State change means for giving a substantially irreversible state change, state detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the state change, and information processing means for providing an operation according to the information read by the information reading means,
An information processing unit that provides a first operation when the state detection unit detects no state change, and provides a second operation that is at least partially different from the first operation when the state detection unit detects the state change; .

According to this, the operation provided differs depending on the presence or absence of the state change of at least a part of the recording medium, and the state change is substantially irreversible. The facts are reflected. This is effective, for example, when there is a strong causal relationship between the first operation and the second operation.

[0010] Further, there is provided key information generating means for generating key information when the state detecting means detects that there is no state change, and information means for passing the key information to the information processing means. A state change is indicated,
The second operation is provided when the key information is passed from the information means. That is, in order to receive the provision of the second operation, key information generated in a state where there is no substantial state change of at least a part of the recording medium is passed to the information processing means in a state where there is a substantial state change. There must be. In this case, at least a part of the key information generating means is an information processing means, and the first
Key information may be generated as at least a part of the operation of (1). This is effective, for example, when the causal relationship between the first operation and the second operation is weak.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game device that implements the present invention as an example. This device includes a main body 1, an input device 2, a CD-ROM 3, and a display 4. The main body 1 includes a CPU 100, an RO,
M101, RAM 102, I / O 110, drive 12
0 is provided. The input device 2 includes a movement key 201 and a selection key 202, and is connected to the main body 1 by a cable. A game program is recorded on the CD-ROM 3 and is detachable from the drive 120. The display 4 is a TV receiver, and is connected to the main body 1 by an RF cable.

When the user sets the CD-ROM 3 in the drive 120 of the main unit 1 and presses the select key 202, the main unit 1
Turns on. As a result, the CPU 100
1 is read and executed, and as a result, the game program recorded on the CD-ROM 3 is executed. The game program is executed in an interactive manner with the user, and the user performs input from the input device 2 while watching the display on the display 4. This type of game device is also well known in hardware, and in fact it can be considered one of the devices on the market in large quantities. However, in this embodiment, two types of CD-ROMs 3
Is used. The first is a conventional game CD-ROM. The method of use is as described above, and this is not particularly described. Second, according to the present invention, a mark 300 can be formed on the CD-ROM 3. The CD-ROM 3 in the following description has the latter configuration unless otherwise specified.

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3. The CD-ROM 3 includes a transparent resin layer 301 of polycarbonate, a reflective layer 302 of aluminum, a protective layer 303, and a label 304. That is, the label 304 is attached on the protective layer of the conventional CD-ROM. Information such as a game program and audio is recorded on a spiral track on the reflective layer 302 in which lands and pits are arranged. This track is a conventional general game CD-
Like the ROM, it is divided into a lead-in, a data track, a plurality of audio tracks, and a lead-out. In the embodiment, the data track has three more partitions (referred to as first, second, and third partitions). Divided into Making the CD-ROM a multi-partition configuration is a well-known technology, and there is no intention to make it a problem here, and no known technology such as TOB or partition map is mentioned. The third partition contains a system program described later,
A game program, a program necessary for executing the game, data, and the like are written therein.

Exactly the same data is recorded in the first partition and the second partition. When a value obtained by adding the helical pitch to the radius to the first sector of the first partition is a, and a value obtained by subtracting the helical pitch from the radius to the last sector is b, ba is a positive value. The label 304 has a cutout area 305 sized to fit inside a ring sandwiched by concentric circles given by radius a and radius b. A tag 306 is fixed to a portion of the label 304 inside the area 305, and a cut is provided at an outer edge of the area 305 to facilitate separation between the inside and the outside. The adhesive strength between the label 304 and the protective layer 303 is sufficiently strong.
05 and the protective layer 303 and the reflective layer 302 in this part are peeled off (hereinafter, this operation is referred to as “tag 3”).
06 "). As a result, the mark 300 is formed. Since no reflection is obtained at the mark 300, the data of the first partition is destroyed.

Before and after the mark 300 is formed, the operation provided to the user from the CD-ROM 3 is different. The CD-ROM 3 is further divided into two types according to the characteristics of the operation provided before and after the formation of the mark 300. The first is an operation in which operations before and after the operation are related to a game sequence (hereinafter referred to as a dependent system), and the second is an operation substantially independent of the game (hereinafter referred to as an independent system).

A good example of a subordinate game program is a role playing game. Here, the role playing game is divided into a first stage excluding the last ending and a remaining second stage. The game program of the first stage and the game program of the second stage corresponding to the divided game are C
It is stored in the third partition of the D-ROM 3. In addition, the third partition stores a system program, a simplified version of the first stage game program, programs and data necessary for executing the game, and the like.

The user who purchased this CD-ROM 3
First, the game of the first stage is played without removing the tag 306. When the game progresses and only the end is left, the CD-ROM 3 is taken out, the tag 306 is removed, and the process proceeds to the end of the second stage. After removing the tag 306, it is not possible to return to the full first stage game, but to play a simplified version thereof.

When the user sets the CD-ROM 3 in the drive 120 of the main body 1 and presses the select key 202, the power of the main body 1 is turned on. As a result, the CPU 100
After reading and executing the boot program in 101 and initializing the hardware, the system program is read from the CD-ROM 3 and written into the RAM 102. This system program determines the subsequent operation. next,
This operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In the following, the step numbers corresponding to the description are shown in parentheses.

The system program written in the RAM 102 initializes parameters and the like (601).
The data of the first and second partitions are read (60
2) Compare these data at the sector level (60)
3). Since exactly the same data is recorded in the first partition and the second partition, they coincide with each other unless the tag 306 is removed. In that case, the third
The game program of the first stage is read from the partition and executed (604). When the user finishes the game of the first stage to the end, a message "Can proceed to the second stage. Remove the CD-ROM and remove the tag." Is displayed (60).
5).

In the CD-ROM 3 in which the tag 306 has been peeled off and the mark 300 has been formed, no match is obtained in the comparison in step 603 because the data of the first partition has been destroyed. In this case, a message is displayed together with the character panel: "Enter Y to see the outline of the first stage, enter N to immediately proceed to the second stage." (606). The character panel is a panel on which characters that can be input displayed on the display 4 are arranged. After changing necessary characters to active using the movement key 201 and pressing the selection key 202, the corresponding character is input. Is done. This type of input method is a widely used conventional technique, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

At this time, when there is an input of Y (607), a simplified version of the game program of the first stage is read and executed (608). This version is a digest of the first stage game and is designed to be extremely difficult. When the user finishes the process or inputs N in step 607, the game program of the second stage is read and executed (609).

Even if the third party transfers the CD-ROM 3 from which the tag 306 has been removed, only the first stage game with extremely low difficulty and the end of the game are provided. In other words, the life of the CD-ROM 3 as a product ends when the user who purchases the CD-ROM 3 fully enjoys the first stage game and selects to proceed to the second stage.

A good example of the independent game program is a shooting game. In this type of game, too, it is possible to set a pseudo-subordination relationship based on difficulty, that is, a relationship in which a person masters a low level and then progresses to a high level. It is preferable to make them independent and have reversibility therein. CD-ROM3 in this case
The third partition stores a system program, a password generation function, a password update function, a demo version game program, a product version game program, programs and data necessary for executing the game, and the like.

The user who purchased this CD-ROM 3
The tag 306 is set in the drive 120 without removing it, and the program is started. If the tag 306 has not been removed, the password appears on the display 4, so the user writes this password and ends the program once. Subsequently, the CD-ROM 3 is removed from the drive 120, the tag 306 is removed, and the drive 120 is set again. When you start the program, you will be prompted for a password. Enter the password you wrote down. If this is the correct password, you can play the game. A sticker and a user registration card are attached to the CD-ROM 3 of the embodiment. Enter the password on the sticker and paste it on the label 304. Prescribed items such as an address, a name, and a telephone number are entered in the user registration card, returned to the support center, and assigned a user ID.

As described above, the user operates the CD-ROM 3
Is set on the drive 120 of the main body 1 and the selection key 202
By pressing, the power of the main body 1 is turned on. Thereby, the CPU 1
00 reads and executes the boot program in the ROM 101 and initializes the hardware, and then reads the CD-ROM
3 and reads the system program into the RAM 102. The following operation will be described with reference to FIG.

After the system program initializes parameters and the like (701), the system program
The ID is read from the CD-ROM 3 as a password generation function, and an operation is performed (702). The ROM-ID is an identification number unique to each ROM, and the password generation function is a function unique to each game. When a ROM-ID is passed as an argument to this password generation function, a 32-bit password is returned. Subsequently, the data of the first partition and the data of the second partition are read (703), and these data are compared at the sector level (704).

If the tag 306 has not been removed, both data match, so the password generated in step 702 is displayed as a four-digit one-byte code, and the message "Copy this password on the attached sticker and select Please press the key. "(705). When the selection key 202 is pressed (706), the message is changed to "confirm the copied password again, and press the selection key if there is no error" (707). Next, when the selection key 202 is pressed (708), the display of the password is turned off, and a message "Please enter the transcribed password." Is displayed together with the character panel (709). If the password entered by the user is incorrect (710),
Returning to step 707, if it is correct, a message is displayed that says "I will suspend the program here. Remove the CD-ROM and remove the tag."
11).

The data of the first partition of the CD-ROM 3 from which the tag 306 has been removed does not match the data of the second partition (704). In that case, first R
Access the AM 102 to read out the stored password (712). I have a stored password,
If it is correct (713), launch the game program of the product version (714). If the password is not stored or the stored password is incorrect, enter the password together with the character panel. Is displayed (715).
If the input password is correct (716), the password is stored in the RAM 102 (717), and then the product version of the game program is started (714). After the next time, the input of the password is not required as long as the contents of the RAM 102 are held (712, 713). If there is an error in the entered password, "The password is incorrect. Y to re-enter, N to try the demo version, U to update the password
Please enter Is displayed (718). If Y is input at this time, step 715
(719), but when N is input, the game program of the demo version is read and activated (719, 72).
0). Update of the password will be described later.

The password generated by the system program is copied on a sticker by the user, and is written on a CD-R.
Since it is attached to the OM3, a third party can also know it. However, this password is stored on CD-ROM3
Is a password unique to the combination of the main body 1 generated using the ROM-ID of the ROM 101 as an argument and the game, and using the same CD-ROM 3 set in another device. However, even if you enter the password written on the sticker, it will not be accepted as the correct password. To get a valid password, the tag 306 must be unstripped
It is necessary to set the D-ROM 3 in the drive 102. That is, the CD-ROM 3 loses its value as a product when it is separated from the user who purchased it. However, the demo version of the game will be provided to the third party who inherits it, so the life as a sales expansion means will continue.

By the way, a user who has purchased the CD-ROM 3 may replace the main unit 1 with a new one. In that case, ROM1
01 and its ROM-ID change, the password used so far becomes invalid, and the CD-ROM 3
Cannot be used. Therefore, the user who has purchased the main body 1 requests the support center for an update key for updating the password. This procedure will be described next.

The user informs the support center of the product name, the user ID received by the user registration, and the old password (the password used so far), and waits for the contact from the support center. The support center provides a game-specific update key generation function using the user ID, the telephone number written on the user registration card or the telephone number changed through regular procedures (hereinafter, user telephone number) and the old password as arguments. It generates a 32-bit update key and distributes it to the user as a 4-digit 1-byte code. In this embodiment, this is communicated by telephone call from the support center to the user. The user who has received the update key inputs U in step 719.

When U is input at step 719, the process proceeds to step 721, where "user ID,
Enter the update key distributed from the support center and the registered phone number. Is displayed. When these are input, the password update function is read from the CD-ROM 3 and the operation is performed (722). This function is an inverse function of a game-specific update key generation function used by the support center, and generates an old password using a user ID, an update key, and a user telephone number as arguments. The old password generated at this time is
If the password matches the old password entered in step (723), it is assumed that the tag 306 has not been removed, and the password is reissued. After copying this password, press the select key. The password generated in step 702 is displayed together with the message (724). The following steps are the same as step 705 and subsequent steps except that the tag 306 has already been peeled off and the mark 300 has been formed, and thus description thereof is omitted. If they do not match, the process returns to step 718.

The distribution of the update key for updating the password means that the CD-ROM 3 "having its life as a product over" can be restored. However, in order for a third party other than the authorized user who has purchased the CD-ROM 3 to perform user registration to receive it, it is necessary to know the user ID and user telephone number of the authorized user together with the CD-ROM 3. is there. If the user telephone number is different from the telephone number of the third party, contact from the support center is impossible. In addition, for example, an authorized user can use the CD-ROM 3 together with the user I
It is also conceivable to pass D or the like, but if the third party changes the registered contents, the authorized user substantially loses the right to receive support for all products managed by the support center. This provides a strong deterrent to passing a user ID or the like to a third party. If a credit card number or the like is used instead of the telephone number, not only the deterrence but also the credit inquiry can be made. Here, the password generation function, the password update function, and the update key generation function are game-specific, but may be unique for each medium or lot if managed by the serial number of the product. Needless to say, the arguments of these functions, the number of bits in the generated word, etc. are merely examples. For example, the sector address to be destroyed may be specific to the game, and may be included in the argument of the password generation function. The difficulty in identifying a sector from the outside makes it virtually impossible to use a blind copy of the product, even before it is destroyed.

The replacement of the main body 1 by the user is easier if an external auxiliary memory is used. The auxiliary memory 5 indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1 is a so-called pigtail type non-volatile read / write memory connected to the main unit 1 via a serial port.
-All ROM passwords are stored. That is, in steps 712 and 717 of FIG.
This auxiliary memory 5 will be accessed instead of 102. When the user replaces the main unit 1, the old main unit 1
Then, the auxiliary memory 5 is detached and attached to the new main body 1. The CPU 100 searches the contents of the auxiliary memory 5 when U is input in step 719. If a password that matches the old password input in step 715 is found in the auxiliary memory 5, the process proceeds to step 724 and the subsequent steps to reissue the password. If not found, the process proceeds to step 721, so that the user ID, update key, and user telephone number need to be input as described above. In this case, if the auxiliary memory 5 is moved together with the CD-ROM 3, the password is reissued to a third party. However, since the passwords of other CD-ROMs are all stored in the auxiliary memory 5, the user who has passed the passwords cannot use the CD-ROM held at hand.

In the above embodiment, the same data is written in the first partition and the second partition, and the presence or absence of the mark 300 is detected by comparing the data. Even when used, the same judgment can be obtained from the presence or absence of destruction. However, a normal CD-ROM has data correction using empty bits. For example, if one data sector is 2048 bytes, the remaining 304 bytes are used by excluding 2352 bytes from one sector of the CD-ROM. Correction is performed. Since there is a possibility that data that should have been destroyed by this may be restored, the same data is written in each partition and comparison is performed at the sector level. In addition, although multi-partitions are adopted in consideration of security because data is destroyed "intentionally", the same is of course possible with a single partition. As for the method of destroying the data, there are various methods other than the method adopted here.
For example, a method in which an adhesive tape is applied only to a part where the mark 300 is formed without using the label 304, a method in which the part is displayed, and an instruction to cut off the protective layer 303 can be considered. However, the use of the concentric label 304 as exemplified here not only facilitates the positioning of the portion forming the mark 300, but also provides protection outside the portion. In addition, if the protection by the label 304 is sufficient, the label 304 can also serve as the protective layer 303. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the data track is placed before the audio track, but this is simply because there are many single-session types in the game CD-ROM. If the data track is located on the outermost side, the mark 300 may be formed by making a cut in the circumferential portion of the CD-ROM.

Although the embodiments described so far deal with a game program, this type of recorded content is not essential and need not be limited to this. For example, there is a CD-ROM for distributing application software. When this is applied to the subordinate system, the installer is divided into two stages, the tag 306 is peeled off at the time of completion of the first stage installation, and the second stage installation is performed. At this time, if it is assumed that there is a reinstallation,
In the subsequent installation after the tag 306 is removed, the complete installation may be performed on condition that there is a component that can be installed only by the installer in the former stage. In the case where the game program is applied to an independent system, it can be explained simply by replacing the game program of the above embodiment with an installer. If the correct password is not entered, launching the demo version can also be effective as a means of expanding sales.

Further, the medium need not be limited to a CD-ROM. Similar effects can be expected with a ROM cartridge as well as a medium having a similar configuration such as a CD-R or DVD. As one example, a method of cutting or short-circuiting a predetermined lead wire by physically deforming a part of the package of the ROM cartridge can be considered. In other words, when the package is in the initial state of shipment and there is no cutting or short-circuiting of the lead, the tag 30
6 provides operation when not stripped, and when part of the package is deformed and leads are cut or shorted, provides operation when tag 306 is stripped. More specifically, for example, a part of the package is molded thinly so that it can be easily torn off. If a lead wire is sandwiched in that portion, when the wire is torn, the lead wire is also cut. In the case of a short circuit, a part of the package is similarly thinly formed so as to be easily twisted. If two bare leads are passed through the twisted portion, the two leads are short-circuited when twisted. In addition, various embodiments may be considered, but they have no relation to the essence of the invention, and are not considered to be enumerated here.

[0038]

As described above, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the operation provided differs depending on whether or not at least a substantial part of the state of the recording medium on which the information is recorded has changed. Since the change is substantially irreversible, the information on the recording medium reflects the fact of use. The user pays for the operation provided both before and after the state change, and the storage medium limited to only one side and the information recorded therein are lost or at least lost as a product. Limited.

Further, when at least a part of the recording medium has no substantial state change, the configuration in which the key information generating means for generating the key information is added can provide repeatability except for the part for generating the key information. Versatility is increased. For example, as shown in the embodiment, if a password is generated from a code unique to the main body, a password unique to a combination of information recorded on a recording medium and a means for processing the information is generated, and only one of the passwords is generated (usually Moving the former) does not provide the intended operation. In other words, the recording medium on which the information is recorded loses its value as a product when it is separated from the user who purchased it. In the embodiment, the ROM-ID is used as the code unique to the main body. However, the code unique to the main body can be generated by using a DIP switch or the like. Further, it is not necessary to limit the parameters for generating the password and the update key to those shown in the embodiment.

Although not intended to be limited to this, a CD-ROM
For example, it is practically impossible to restore the peeled reflective layer (and the protective layer). That is, irreversible changes can be given to a part of the medium and the information recorded thereon by peeling off the reflective layer (and the protective layer) at a predetermined portion. The presence or absence of this change becomes apparent by reading the information recorded on the medium, and the present invention can be applied without any change to the hardware configuration of this type of existing information processing apparatus. Even in the case of a ROM cartridge, if the electrical elements (leads, discrete elements, etc.) in the package are changed (cut, short-circuited, etc.) by physical deformation applied to a part of the package, the package inside for the user can be changed. Because of the black box, this change is substantially irreversible, and the presence or absence of the change can be detected without changing the hardware configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game device that implements the present invention as an example.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of the cross-section of the CD-ROM 3.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a mark 300 of the CD-ROM 3;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 main body 2 input device 3 CD-ROM 4 display 5 auxiliary memory 100 CPU 101 ROM 102 RAM 110 I / O 120 drive 201, 202 key 300 mark 301 transparent resin layer 302 reflective layer 303 protective layer 304 label 305 cutout area 306 tag

Claims (2)

[Claims] An information processing apparatus comprising: a recording medium on which information is recorded; information reading means for reading the information; and information processing means for providing an operation according to the information read by the information reading means. State change means for giving a substantially irreversible state change to at least a substantial part of the recording medium; state detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the state change; An information processing device that provides a first operation when detecting no state change and provides a second operation at least partially different from the first operation when detecting a state change. 2. The information processing means further comprises: key information generating means for generating key information when the state detecting means detects no state change; and information means for passing the key information to the information processing means. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said state detecting means detects a state change, and provides said second operation when said key information is passed from said information means.