Memory card reader/writer, access method, program and its recording medium
Abstract
Problem to be solved.To provide a security that fulfills a psychological defense function, that is, a memory card reading / writing device that realizes a weak security function, can cope with a loss of a memory card, and realizes various management of the memory card. , Access methods, programs and recording media thereof. A device user information acquisition unit acquires device user information from a storage unit that stores device user information that identifies a user of a memory card reading / writing device. Further, the memory card user information acquisition means acquires the main memory card user information that identifies the main user of the memory card from the memory card. Then, the user information comparison means compares these two pieces of information and outputs the comparison result. The output means provides a memory card reading / writing device, an access method program, and a recording medium thereof that perform a predetermined output based on the comparison result. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1
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Projected expiry passed 11 July 2023, 3.2 years ago.
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34 claims: 7 independent, 27 dependent
- 1メモリカード内に記録されているデータにアクセス可能なメモリカード読取・書込装置において、 上記メモリカード読取・書込装置の使用者を特定する装置ユーザ情報を格納する記憶手段と、 上記記憶手段より、上記装置ユーザ情報を取得する装置ユーザ情報取得手段と、 上記メモリカードの主となる使用者を特定する主メモリカードユーザ情報を、上記メモリカードから取得するメモリカードユーザ情報取得手段と、 上記装置ユーザ情報と、上記主メモリカードユーザ情報とを比較し、当該比較結果を出力するユーザ情報比較手段と、 上記比較結果に基づいて所定の出力を行う出力手段と を備えることを特徴とするメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 2上記出力手段は、上記装置ユーザ情報と上記主メモリカードユーザ情報との比較結果が不一致の場合に、当該不一致の旨を示す情報を出力する請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 3上記出力手段は、上記比較結果が不一致の場合に、上記メモリカードの主となる使用者の情報を出力する請求項2に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 4さらに、上記メモリカードに格納されているデータの内容一覧を示す情報を取得するメモリカード内容一覧情報取得手段を備え、 上記出力手段は、上記比較結果が一致の場合に、上記メモリカード内容一覧情報取得手段が取得した上記データの内容一覧を示す情報を出力する請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 5上記メモリカードが複数の領域に分割され、当該領域毎に、当該領域毎の主となる使用者の情報であるメモリカードユーザ情報が対応付けられている場合、 上記ユーザ情報比較手段は、上記装置ユーザ情報と上記領域毎のメモリカードユーザ情報とを比較し、 上記メモリカード内容一覧情報取得手段は、比較結果が一致したメモリカードユーザ情報に対応付けられている領域より、データの内容一覧を示す情報を取得し、 上記出力手段は上記メモリカード内容一覧情報取得手段が取得したデータの内容一覧を示す情報を出力する請求項4に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 6上記出力手段による出力は、上記メモリカード内のデータにアクセス可能な状態となった際に行われる請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 7さらに、上記比較結果が不一致であった場合、上記装置ユーザ情報を含む所定の情報で構成される履歴情報を上記メモリカードに書き込む履歴情報書込手段を備える請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 8上記履歴情報は、上記メモリカード内のアクセスされたコンテンツに関する情報をさらに含む請求項7に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 9さらに、上記メモリカードに格納されているデータの内容一覧を示す情報を取得するメモリカード内容一覧情報取得手段を備え、 上記出力手段は、メモリカードへのアクセスの履歴が作成される旨を示す情報を出力し、 上記履歴情報書込手段は、上記メモリカード内容一覧情報取得手段が上記メモリカードに格納されているデータの内容一覧を示す情報を取得後に上記履歴情報を書き込む請求項7に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 10さらに、上記比較結果に基づいて、当該メモリカード読取・書込装置の機能低下を招く処理を行なう機能制限手段を備えた請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 11上記機能制限手段による処理は、ディスプレイのバックライトのオフ、ディスプレイの表示輝度の低下、CPU(Central Processing Unit)の処理速度の低下、所定の表示データのオーバーレイ、所定の音声の出力、の少なくとも1つを含む請求項10に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 12上記メモリカードユーザ情報取得手段は、上記主メモリカードユーザ情報とは異なる上記メモリカードの使用者を特定する副メモリカードユーザ情報を上記メモリカードより取得し、 上記ユーザ情報比較手段は、上記装置ユーザ情報と、上記副メモリカードユーザ情報とを比較し、当該比較結果を出力する請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 13さらに、上記比較結果が一致であった場合、新たな主メモリカードユーザ情報の入力を受け付けるユーザ情報生成手段と、 入力された新たな主メモリカードユーザ情報を上記メモリカードに書き込むメモリカードユーザ情報書込手段と を備える請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 14上記ユーザ情報生成手段は、上記新たな主メモリカードユーザ情報を、上記メモリカードユーザ情報取得手段が取得した上記主メモリカードユーザ情報とは異なる上記メモリカードの使用者を特定する副メモリカードユーザ情報から選択的に入力させる請求項13に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 15上記ユーザ情報生成手段は、上記新たな主メモリカードユーザ情報として、ユーザは限定されない旨の情報を受信する請求項13に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 16さらに、上記比較結果が不一致であり、かつ上記主メモリカードユーザ情報が特定できない場合、上記装置ユーザ情報を新たな主メモリカードユーザ情報として上記メモリカードに書き込むメモリカードユーザ情報書込手段を備える請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 17さらに、新規の装置ユーザ情報の登録時に、既に登録されている装置ユーザ情報を旧装置ユーザ情報として記憶させるユーザ情報生成手段を備え、 上記ユーザ情報比較手段は、上記新規装置ユーザ情報と上記主メモリカードユーザ情報との比較結果が不一致であった場合、さらに上記旧装置ユーザ情報と主メモリカードユーザ情報とを比較し、当該比較結果を出力する請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 18上記旧装置ユーザ情報と主メモリカードユーザ情報との比較結果が一致である場合、上記新規装置ユーザ情報を上記メモリカードに主メモリカードユーザ情報として書き込むメモリカードユーザ情報書込手段を備える請求項17に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 19上記出力手段は、上記比較結果が不一致の場合に、上記主メモリカードユーザ情報に含まれる電子メールアドレスに対してメールを送信するメール送信手段である請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 20上記メールには、上記メモリカード読取・書込装置の使用者の情報を含む請求項19に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 21上記使用者の情報は、当該使用者の住所情報を含む請求項20に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 22さらにGPS(Global Positioning System)を備えると共に、 上記使用者の情報は、上記GPSより得られる現在位置の情報を含む請求項20に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 23さらに、メールを受信し、受信したメールより相手先の装置の使用者を特定する装置ユーザ情報を取得するメール受信手段と、 上記受信したメールより取得した装置ユーザ情報と、上記主メモリカードユーザ情報とを比較し、当該比較結果を出力するユーザ情報比較手段と、 上記比較結果に基づいて上記メモリカードへのアクセスを制御するアクセス制御手段と を備える請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 24さらに、上記アクセス制御手段は、上記メールに含まれる使用条件に基づいて上記メモリカードのアクセスを制御する請求項23に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 25上記アクセス制御手段は、上記使用条件に基づいて上記メモリカードの使用可能期間を管理する請求項24に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 26上記アクセス制御手段は、上記使用条件に基づいて上記メモリカードの使用可能回数を管理する請求項24に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 27さらに、上記メモリカード読取・書込装置の使用者を特定する装置ユーザ情報を格納する記憶手段と、 上記記憶手段より、上記装置ユーザ情報を取得する装置ユーザ情報取得手段と、 上記使用条件に基づいて、上記メモリカード内の主メモリカードユーザ情報を上記装置ユーザ情報で書き換えるメモリカードユーザ情報書込手段と を備える請求項24に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 28さらに、上記装置ユーザ情報取得手段が取得した装置ユーザ情報と送信先装置にてアクセス可能なメモリカードの使用条件とを含む使用許可情報を生成する使用許可情報生成手段と、 上記使用許可情報を上記送信先装置に送信するメール送信手段と を備える請求項1に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 29上記使用条件は、上記メモリカードへのアクセスの可不可である請求項28に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 30上記使用条件は、メモリカードの使用可能期間を含む請求項28に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 31上記使用条件は、メモリカードの使用可能回数を含む請求項28に記載のメモリカード読取・書込装置。
- 32メモリカード内に記録されているデータにアクセス可能なメモリカード読取・書込装置におけるデータのアクセス方法において、 上記メモリカード読取・書込装置の使用者を特定する装置ユーザ情報を格納する記憶手段より、上記装置ユーザ情報を取得する装置ユーザ情報取得ステップと、 上記メモリカードの主となる使用者を特定する主メモリカードユーザ情報を、上記メモリカードから取得するメモリカードユーザ情報取得ステップと、 上記装置ユーザ情報と、上記主メモリカードユーザ情報とを比較し、当該比較結果を出力するユーザ情報比較ステップと、 上記比較結果に基づいて所定の出力を行う出力ステップと を備えるアクセス方法。
- 33メモリカード内に記録されているデータにアクセス可能なメモリカード読取・書込装置に、 上記メモリカード読取・書込装置の使用者を特定する装置ユーザ情報を格納する記憶手段より、上記装置ユーザ情報を取得する装置ユーザ情報取得ステップと、 上記メモリカードの主となる使用者を特定する主メモリカードユーザ情報を、上記メモリカードから取得するメモリカードユーザ情報取得ステップと、 上記装置ユーザ情報と、上記主メモリカードユーザ情報とを比較し、当該比較結果を出力するユーザ情報比較ステップと、 上記比較結果に基づいて所定の出力を行う出力ステップとを実行させるプログラム。
- 34メモリカード内に記録されているデータにアクセス可能なメモリカード読取・書込装置に、 上記メモリカード読取・書込装置の使用者を特定する装置ユーザ情報を格納する記憶手段より、上記装置ユーザ情報を取得する装置ユーザ情報取得ステップと、 上記メモリカードの主となる使用者を特定する主メモリカードユーザ情報を、上記メモリカードから取得するメモリカードユーザ情報取得ステップと、 上記装置ユーザ情報と、上記主メモリカードユーザ情報とを比較し、当該比較結果を出力するユーザ情報比較ステップと、 上記比較結果に基づいて所定の出力を行う出力ステップとを実行させるプログラムを記録したコンピュータ読み取り可能な記録媒体。
Independent claims34
117 paragraphs, as filed
The present invention relates to a memory card reading / writing device for reading information stored in a detachable memory card, and more particularly to a memory card reading / writing device having a function of determining the owner of the memory card.
In recent years, memory cards have become known as small, portable recording media that can simultaneously store all large volumes of data such as text files, music content, and video content as semiconductor memories become smaller and more portable and have larger capacities. ing. In addition, the memory card is installed in portable devices such as audio players, digital cameras, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) by taking advantage of its small size. For example, an SD (Secure Digital) memory card is well known as such a memory card.
Currently, since such a memory card is relatively expensive, the owner (user) usually does not transfer or distribute the memory card to another person.<patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-211170</text></patcit>
<p> It can be expected that the above memory cards will also become cheaper in the future. This is clear from the currently popular FDs (Floppy (R) Disks) and CD-Rs.</p><p> In such a situation, it is not uncommon to use the memory card, for example, by easily transferring it to another person or sharing it within a specific group. Specifically, this corresponds to, for example, the case where a memory card is used for a circulation board used in the town block or an exchange diary exchanged between friends. Further, it is conceivable that one person owns a plurality of memory cards according to the data to be recorded, such as music data, image data, and document files.</p><p> However, when considering the usage pattern such as transferring it to another person or sharing it within a specific group, the security technology applied to the current memory card or other storage medium hinders the usage pattern. It is possible that it will come.</p><p> That is, the following problems occur when security is not provided at all when using the memory card. For example, when data that is not desired to be seen by other people such as the exchange diary is stored, the user or group does not like that the data can be seen by others. In other words, if the memory card that stores such data is lost, the user's anxiety will increase if security is not applied, as compared to the case where security is applied.</p><p> On the other hand, when strong security is applied when using the above memory card, it is necessary to inform all users of the method of canceling the security by, for example, notifying the password. That is, when one memory card is used by a plurality of people, if the above-mentioned strong security is applied, a complicated operation is required to view the data.</p><p> As an example of the above-mentioned strong security, the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-211170 can be mentioned. In this technology, authentication processing is performed using the identification data of the memory card and the identification data of the device to prevent the memory card from being used by a device other than the specific device.</p><p> However, in this conventional technique, it is necessary to provide a specific security function to the memory card, which cannot be realized by the memory card currently on the market that does not have the security function. Further, as described above, if such a strong security function is provided, the memory card cannot be used except for a specific device, so that it cannot be used when the memory card is shared by a plurality of people.</p><p> In other words, the data stored in the memory card that is shared in particular does not require security, but it has the property of causing operational problems if strong security is set.</p><p> Further, when a plurality of memory cards are owned, a management problem occurs in addition to the above-mentioned security problem. That is, one is a problem related to the management of the memory card itself.</p><p> As a method of managing the memory card itself, it is possible to attach a label containing the contents of various stored data to the memory card body as in the conventional FD (R). However, since the memory card is becoming smaller and smaller, it is difficult to label the memory card with information such as the owner and contents. In addition, when an individual holds a plurality of memory cards, it is troublesome to label all the memory cards, and the label may be peeled off when the memory card is inserted into or removed from the memory card reading / writing device. There is also.</p><p> In addition, there is a problem in managing the data stored in the memory card. That is, when different types of data are stored in the memory card, it is necessary to execute a dedicated application or use a dedicated device for each type of data in order to check the contents of the memory card. Here, the file name can be confirmed by using the file management software on the personal computer, but it is not easy to confirm the title of the music in the music content, for example, because of the original content management method of the memory card. That is, there is a problem that it is not easy to check the contents of the data stored in the memory card.</p><p> In addition, there are problems with managing memory card users. That is, in an environment in which a plurality of memory cards are shared by a plurality of users, there arises a problem that the main owner of the memory card cannot be known.</p><p> The present invention has been proposed based on the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and realizes security that fulfills a psychological defense function, that is, a weak security function, and can be used even when a memory card is lost, and also has a memory. An object of the present invention is to provide a memory card reading / writing device, an access method, a program, and a recording medium thereof that realize various management of cards.</p>
<p> The present invention employs the following means to achieve the above object. That is, the present invention is premised on a memory card reading / writing device capable of inserting and removing a memory card. Here, the device user information acquisition means acquires the device user information from the storage means that stores the device user information that identifies the user of the memory card reading / writing device. Further, the memory card user information acquisition means acquires the main memory card user information that identifies the main user of the memory card from the memory card. Then, the user information comparison means compares these two pieces of information and outputs the comparison result. The output means outputs a predetermined value based on the comparison result.</p><p> As the output content, when the comparison result between the device user information and the above-mentioned main memory card user information does not match, the configuration that outputs the information about the main memory card user information itself or the main user of the memory card, or the mismatch. There is a configuration that outputs information indicating that effect.</p><p> In this configuration, predetermined information (warnings, main memory card user information, etc.) is output, so that the information recorded on the memory card can be prevented from being read carelessly compared to the case where security is not applied at all. Alternatively, the owner of the memory card can be identified without checking the contents of the memory card in detail.</p><p> Even if the device user information and the main memory card user information do not match, the information recorded in the memory card can be read, viewed, and played back, so that strong security is provided. Compared to the case, smooth operation is possible even when multiple people share a memory card.</p><p> Further, by setting the output content when the comparison results match as the information indicating the content list of the data stored in the memory card acquired by the memory card content list information acquisition means, the user can select the content of the memory card. It can be easily confirmed, that is, the data stored in the memory card can be easily managed. Even when a plurality of areas exist in the memory card, when the memory card is used by a plurality of users by determining the memory card user information that identifies the main user of each area. It is also possible to improve the convenience when using multiple people.</p><p> Further, when the comparison results do not match, the history information writing means writes the history information including the device user information to the memory card.</p><p> In this configuration, the owner of the memory card can know the fact that the memory card was used by another person. Further, when a memory card is used for an operation that requires information on the circulation history, such as a circulation board, it is possible to automatically grasp the circulation history. The history information may include information about the content read (accessed) from the memory card. In this case, the owner of the memory card can grasp which content has been viewed.</p><p> Further, the output means outputs information indicating that the history of access to the memory card is created, and the history information writing means is the data in which the memory card content list information acquisition means is stored in the memory card. There is a configuration in which history information is written after acquiring the information indicating the content list of.</p><p> In this configuration, for example, in the information output by the output means to a display or the like, information such as "when the information of this memory card is read, a history is created", that is, a history of access to the memory card is created. It is possible to include information to that effect. By including such information, it is possible to strengthen the psychological security when another user reads the information on the memory card. Of course, it does not interfere with smooth operation because it does not provide psychological security for authorized users.</p><p> Further, when the device user information and the memory card user information do not match, the function limiting means has a configuration in which the function of the memory card reading / writing device is deteriorated. Examples of processes that cause functional degradation include turning off the display backlight, reducing the display brightness, reducing the processing speed of the CPU (Central Processing Unit), overlaying predetermined display data, and outputting predetermined audio. Can be mentioned.</p><p> In this configuration, the convenience of the memory card reading / writing device can be reduced, and as a result, the weak security function can be enhanced.</p><p> Furthermore, the memory card user information acquisition means acquires the secondary memory card user information that identifies the user of the memory card different from the main memory card user information from the memory card, and the user information comparison means obtains the device user information and the device user information. There is a configuration that compares with the secondary memory card user information and outputs the comparison result.</p><p> In this configuration, by registering the members of the group that can use the memory card in the secondary memory card user information, the user registered in the secondary memory card user information can use the memory card without warning. In other words, since the secondary memory card user information registered in the memory card can be used by the user group, free access is allowed within the user group, and loose restrictions can be easily applied to others. Can be set.</p><p> Further, when the comparison result is the same, the user information generating means accepts the input of the new main memory card user information, and the memory card user information writing means inputs the new main memory card user information to the memory card. There is a configuration to write to.</p><p> In this configuration, the main memory card user information can be rewritten only for the self-owned memory card, so that the memory card can be easily transferred to another person while maintaining weak security. .. As a result, it is possible to promote the distribution of contents using the memory card.</p><p> The user information generation means may be configured to selectively input new main memory card user information from the secondary memory card user information.</p><p> In this configuration, not only the input is facilitated, but also the main memory card user information of the own memory card can be rewritten only to other user information that is registered in advance and can be trusted, such as a specific group member. Therefore, it is possible to easily transfer the personal information to another person while avoiding the leakage of personal information.</p><p> Further, the user information generation means may be configured so that information to the effect that the user is not limited can be input as new main memory card user information.</p><p> In this configuration, by writing the main memory card user information without entering the new user ID and new user name, it is possible to distribute to an unspecified number of people without weak security, just like a newly purchased memory card. ..</p><p> Further, when the comparison results do not match and the main memory card user information cannot be specified, the memory card can be easily transferred by using the device user information as the new main memory card user information.</p><p> Further, there is a configuration in which the existing device user information is stored as the old device user information when the new device user information is registered, and the memory card user information and the old device user information are compared as needed.</p><p> With this configuration, even when the device user information is changed due to, for example, transfer, the user information of the existing memory card can be automatically rewritten, so that the convenience of the user can be improved.</p><p> On the other hand, when the comparison result between the device user information and the main memory card user information does not match, the mail sending means transmits a mail to the e-mail address included in the main memory card user information.</p><p> In this configuration, when the owner of the memory card reading / writing device and the owner of the memory card are different, for example, when the user who is the owner of the memory card reading / writing device inserts the memory card, the memory card Since the memory card owner is notified by e-mail that the memory card has been used, the memory card owner can know the usage status of the memory card at a remote location.</p><p> By including the information of the user of the memory card reading / writing device such as the address information in the e-mail, it is possible to clearly know who is using it.</p><p> In addition to being equipped with GPS, the location of the memory card can be known even if it is lost by including the current location information obtained from GPS in the user information.</p><p> Further, it is provided with an e-mail receiving means for acquiring device user information that identifies the user of the other party's device from the received e-mail, and the comparison means compares and compares the other party's device user information with the main memory card user information. The result may be output and the access control means may control the access of the memory card based on the comparison result. Here, the access control means can control the access to the memory card from a remote place by configuring the access control means to control the access of the memory card based on the usage conditions included in the mail.</p><p> The usage conditions can include usable, unusable, usable number of times, transfer, period setting, and the like.</p><p> In this case, the memory card reading / writing device that transmits the above-mentioned mail is a license information generating means that generates license information including device user information and usage conditions of a memory card that can be accessed by the destination device. It is provided with a mail transmitting means for transmitting the usage permission information generated by the usage permission information generating means to the destination device.</p><p> Here, the memory card reading / writing device can be embodied by using a computer. In that case, each of the above-mentioned means is embodied by running a program on a computer.</p>
<p> In the memory card reading / writing device according to the present invention, the device user information and the main memory card user information are compared, and predetermined information (warnings, etc.) is output based on the comparison result. It is possible to identify the owner of the memory card without checking in detail. In addition, it is possible to prevent the information recorded in the memory card from being read carelessly as compared with the case where security is not applied at all.</p><p> Further, even if the device user information and the main memory card user information do not match, the information recorded in the memory card can be read, viewed, and played back, so that strong security is provided. Compared to the case where the memory card is shared by multiple people, smooth operation is possible.</p><p> Further, when the device user information and the main memory card user information match, the memory card content list information acquisition means can immediately display the memory card content list when the memory card is inserted. Therefore, the user can easily check the contents of the memory card, that is, the data stored in the memory card can be easily managed.</p><p> Furthermore, by comparing each of the plurality of memory card user information in the memory card with the device user information, the user can automatically obtain information on his / her used area simply by inserting the card. This makes it possible to improve the convenience when a large-capacity memory card is used by a plurality of users.</p><p> Further, when the owner of the memory card reading / writing device and the owner of the memory card are different, history information including the device user information of the device that accessed the memory card can be recorded in the memory card. Therefore, the owner of the memory card can know the fact that the memory card has been used by another person.</p><p> Furthermore, when a memory card is used for an operation that requires information on the circulation history, such as a circulation board, it is possible to automatically grasp the circulation history by recording the history information.</p><p> Furthermore, when the owner of the memory card reading / writing device and the owner of the memory card are different, for example, in the information output by the output means to the display or the like, "When the information of this memory card is read, the history is recorded. It is possible to include information such as "will be created", that is, information indicating that the history of access to the memory card will be created. By including such information, it is possible to strengthen the psychological security when another user reads the information on the memory card.</p><p> Furthermore, by storing the content browsing information for the browsed content in addition to the memory card user information, the owner of the memory card can grasp which content is referred to. Therefore, even if the memory card is found after an unintentional loss, for example, it is possible to take measures based on the referenced contents.</p><p> Furthermore, if the comparison results do not match, the function of the memory card reading / writing device deteriorates, so that the convenience of the memory card reading / writing device can be reduced, and as a result, the weak security function can be enhanced. ..</p><p> Furthermore, by registering the members of the group that can use the memory card in the secondary memory card user information, the user registered in the secondary memory card user information can use the memory card without warning. In other words, since the secondary memory card user information registered in the memory card can be used by the user group, free access is allowed within the user group, and loose restrictions can be easily set for others. can do.</p><p> Furthermore, since the main memory card user information can be rewritten only for the self-owned memory card, the memory card can be easily transferred to another person while maintaining weak security. As a result, it is possible to promote the distribution of contents using the memory card.</p><p> Further, the new user ID and the new user name may be selected from the secondary memory card user information. In this case, not only the input is facilitated, but also the main memory card user information of the own memory card is rewritten only to other user information that is registered in advance and can be trusted, such as a specific group member. Therefore, it is possible to easily transfer personal information to another person while avoiding the leakage of personal information. By writing the main memory card user information without entering the new user ID and new user name, it is possible to distribute to an unspecified number of people without weak security in the same way as a newly purchased memory card.</p><p> Furthermore, the old device user information is stored, and when the device user information (new device user information) and the main memory card user information do not match, the old device user information is compared with the old device user information. As a result, even when the device user information is changed due to, for example, transfer, the user information of the existing memory card is automatically rewritten, that is, it is possible to reduce the user's rewriting work of the main memory card user information. ..</p><p> If the owner of the memory card reading / writing device and the owner of the memory card are different, for example, when the user who is the owner of the memory card reading / writing device inserts the memory card, the memory card Since the memory card owner is notified by e-mail that the memory card has been used, the memory card owner can know the usage status of the memory card at a remote location.</p><p> Furthermore, by using the address information as the current position information obtained from, for example, GPS, the position of the memory card can be known even when the memory card is lost.</p><p> Furthermore, by controlling the access to the memory card by the memory card access control means based on the information contained in the mail, not only the usage status of the memory card can be grasped in real time, but also the memory card can be sent from a remote location. You can control access.</p>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for the purpose of understanding the present invention. The following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Further, in the following embodiment, a PDA will be used as a specific example of the memory card reading / writing device, but any device that can access the memory card may be used. The present invention can be applied to the memory card as long as it is a portable recording medium.
Further, in the embodiment shown below, the memory card reading / writing device describes the access method with the memory card as a contact type, but the memory card reading / writing device adopting the non-contact type access method. It may be a built-in device. In this case, the state in which the memory card is inserted in the contact type access method corresponds to the state in which the memory card reading / writing device recognizes the memory card as accessible in the non-contact type access method. Further, the state in which the memory card is removed corresponds to a state in which the memory card reading / writing device disconnects the connection with the memory card, for example, by software in the non-contact type access method. (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a process of connecting and using a memory card to the memory card reading / writing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic functional block diagram when a PDA is specifically used as the memory card reading / writing device 100. The memory card reading / writing device 100 stores the device user information 101 in the storage means 108. It also includes device user information acquisition means 102, memory card user information acquisition means 103, user information comparison means 104, output means 105, memory card content list information acquisition means 106, and history information writing means 107. The details of the processing of each means will be described at any time.
Further, FIG. 2 is an image diagram showing a specific operation when a memory card used by a plurality of people is inserted into the memory card reading / writing device (PDA) 100.
In FIG. 2, the PDA100 is connected to a removable memory card 120, and includes a display 203 for displaying display information 202 to the user of the PDA100 and an operation button 204 for operating the PDA100. Device user information 101 that identifies the user of the device is stored. Here, the user of the PDA100 is referred to as "Taro Yamada".
Further, the memory card 120 stores the main memory card user information 121 that identifies the main user of the memory card. Here, the main user of the memory card is "Ichiro Tanaka".
First, for example, when the power of the PDA 100 is turned on, the device user information acquisition means 102 constituting the PDA acquires the device user information 101 that identifies the user of the PDA from the storage means 108 and transmits it to the user information comparison means 104. (Fig. 3: S301).
Subsequently, for example, the PDA 100 determines whether or not the memory card 120 is inserted. Here, when the memory card 120 is detected, the memory card user information acquisition means 103 acquires the main memory card user information 121 in the memory card 120 that identifies the main user of the memory card, and the user It is transmitted to the information comparison means 104 (Fig. 3: S302). As shown in FIG. 4A, the device user information 101 is composed of a 4-byte user ID 401 indicating a number that identifies the PDA user and a 64-byte user name 402 indicating the name of the PDA user. To. Similarly, the main memory card user information 121 is composed of a 4-byte user ID 401 indicating a number that identifies the main user of the memory card and a 64-byte user name 402 indicating the name of the user of the memory card. Will be done.
Next, the user information comparison means 104 compares the user ID 401 of the device user information 101 with the user ID 401 of the main memory card user information 121, and compares the comparison result with the device user information 101 and the main memory card user information 121. Is transmitted to the output means 105 (Fig. 3: S303). The above comparison result is represented by 4-byte data as shown in Fig. 5. If the comparison result does not match, it becomes "UNMATCH" defined in the value 1, and if the comparison result matches. Is "MATCH" defined with a value of 0. Note that the new memory card or the like may not contain the main memory card user information, but in such a case, it becomes "NOTHING" defined in the value 2.
Subsequently, when the above comparison result is "UNMATCH", the output means 105 generates output information based on the main memory card user information and outputs it to the PDA user (Fig. 3: S304No ). S306).
When the comparison result is "MATCH", the output means 105 acquires the memory card content list information 123 indicating the memory card content list from the memory card 120 via the memory card content list information acquisition unit 106. Then, output information is generated based on the memory card content list information and output to the PDA user (Fig. 3: S304Yes S305 S306).
As shown in FIG. 6A, the memory card content list information is composed of a file list information 602 of 68 bytes or more indicating a file list for each file type and a 4-byte file type number 601 indicating the number of file list information. File. As shown in Fig. 6B, the above file list information includes a 64-byte file type name 603 indicating the file type, a 128-byte file name 605 indicating the name of each file, and 4 bytes indicating the number of files. It consists of 604 files.
The processing shown above will be described below using more specific values. For example, when the memory card 120 is inserted into the PDA 100, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, the device user information 101 having the values of user ID = 0120 and user name = "Yamada" is acquired by the device user information acquisition means 102. (Fig. 3: S301). Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8A, the main memory card user information 121 having the values of user ID = 0124 and user name = Tanaka is acquired from the memory card 120 by the memory card user information acquisition means 103 (FIG. 8A). 3: S302). This is a situation where Mr. Yamada tried to read the information recorded on Mr. Tanaka's memory card for some reason.
Next, the user information comparison means 104 compares the user ID 0120 of the device user information 101 with the user ID 0124 of the main memory card user information (FIG. 3: S303). Here, since the comparison result is UNMATCH, the output means 105 generates display information based on the main memory card user information, and the display 203 of the PDA 100 is subjected to the memory card as shown in FIG. 9A. Outputs information including the main user's name "Tanaka" 901. The image at the time of output is the lower left figure of Fig. 2. Although the output is performed using, for example, a display, You may output audio such as "This memory card belongs to Mr. Tanaka". As for the output, it is effective to notify (warn) that the main memory card user information and the device user information are different. For example, Mr. Yamada can read the information recorded in Mr. Tanaka's memory card by selecting the "OK" button 205 in response to the notification. That is, the information recorded on the memory card can be accessed without any problem except for displaying the notification. After that, the information in the memory card can be browsed and played back according to the functions provided in the PDA100. Further, by removing the memory card in response to the above notification, it is possible to determine that the memory card is another person's memory card without accessing the information recorded in the memory card.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7A, device user information such that user ID = 0120 and user name = Yamada is acquired, and as shown in FIG. 8B, user ID = 0120 and user name = Yamada. When the main memory card user information such as is acquired, the comparison result is "MATCH". This is a situation where Mr. Yamada tried to read the information recorded on his own memory card.
In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the file type name 1001 is composed of two file list information of "SD-Audio" and "SD-Video", and "SD-Audio" is The memory card content list information 1000 that is composed of two files with the file name "black cat tango" 1002 and "white cat waltz" 1003 is acquired from the memory card.
Next, the output means 105 generates output information based on the acquired memory card content list information, and outputs a memory card content list as shown in FIG. 9B to the display 203 of the PDA 100. The image at the time of output is the lower right figure of Fig. 2, that is, if the user of PDA100 and the user of the memory card match, the above-mentioned notification (warning) is not output. After that, the information in the memory card can be browsed and played back according to the functions provided in the PDA100.
As described above, by comparing the device user information with the main memory card user information and outputting predetermined information (warnings, etc.) based on the comparison result, the memory can be stored without checking the contents of the memory card in detail. The owner of the card can be identified. In addition, it is possible to prevent the information recorded in the memory card from being read carelessly as compared with the case where security is not applied at all.
Furthermore, even if the device user information and the main memory card user information do not match, the information recorded in the memory card can be read, viewed, and played back, so that strong security is provided. Compared to the case where the memory card is shared by multiple people, smooth operation is possible.
Further, when the device user information and the main memory card user information match, the memory card content list can be immediately displayed via the memory card content list information acquisition means when the memory card is inserted. Therefore, the user can easily check the contents of the memory card, that is, the data stored in the memory card can be easily managed.
Next, a case where the inside of the memory card is divided into a plurality of user areas will be described. FIG. 11 shows an image in which the memory card 1101 is divided into a plurality of parts. That is, the memory card 1101 is divided into a plurality of areas (A) 1104 and areas (B) 1105, each of which has memory card user information (A) 1102 and memory card user information (B) 1103. It is in a state. The area referred to here may be logically divided, and may be divided into folders, for example.
When such a memory card 1101 is inserted into the PDA 100, the user information comparison means 104 first acquires device user information via the device user information acquisition means 102 (FIG. 12: S1201). Further, the user information comparison means 104 further acquires the memory card user information in the memory card 1101 for each area via the memory card user information acquisition means 103 (FIG. 12: S1202). If the memory card 1101 contains a memory card user information list 1106 in which the memory card user information and the area corresponding to the information are associated with each other, the memory card user information list may be acquired.
Subsequently, the user information comparison means 104 determines whether or not the device user information is compared with all the acquired memory card user information (FIG. 12: S1203).
Here, when all the determinations have not been completed, the user information comparison means 104 compares the device user information with the memory card user information (FIG. 12: S1203No S1205). Furthermore, if the comparison results match, the memory card content list information of the corresponding area is acquired and displayed on the display via the output means 105 (Fig. 12: S1206Yes S1207).
If the above comparison results do not match, comparison with another memory card user information is performed (Fig. 12: S1206No S1203). If all the memory card user information and the device user information do not match, the warning display described above and the processing related to weak security described later are performed (Fig. 12: S1203Yes S1204 end). ..
As described above, by comparing the plurality of memory card user information in the memory card with the device user information, the user can automatically obtain the information of his / her used area only by inserting the card. This makes it possible to improve the convenience when a large-capacity memory card is used by a plurality of users.
If there are a plurality of areas of the same user, for example, the above processing may be performed each time the area (folder) is switched, or the comparison result may be stored when the memory card is inserted. Further, when trying to access the area of another user, the above-mentioned or later-described weak security processing may be performed.
By the way, even when the above output (warning, etc.) is performed, if the owner does not know that the information has been read, it seems that some users read the information without any resistance. In order to deal with such a case, the function described below may be added. Of the steps shown in FIG. 13, the same processing as in FIG. 3 is assigned the same number.
In the above example, when the result of comparing the user IDs of the PDA 100 and the memory card 120 is "UNMATCH", the name of the main user of the memory card is displayed on the display 203 of the PDA 100. Here, at the same time, the device user information 101 is left in the memory card.
That is, in this case, the user ID of the acquired device user information 101 is compared with the user ID of the main memory card user information 121, and if the comparison result is "UNMATCH", the output means 105 writes history information. The device user information 101 is output to the means 107 (Fig. 13: S303 S304No).
The history information writing means 107 that has received the device user information is a memory that indicates the usage history of the memory card 120 based on the device user information and the date and time acquired from a timer (not shown) provided in the PDA 100. The card user information 1401 is generated, and additional writing is performed to the history information 122 of the memory card 120 (Fig. 13: S1301).
The memory card user information 1401 is represented by a data structure as shown in FIG. 14A, and has a 4-byte user ID 1402 indicating a number that identifies the user of the PDA100 and a 64-byte user ID 1402 indicating the name of the user of the PDA100. It consists of the user name 1403 and the 128-byte usage date and time 1404 that indicates the date and time when the memory card was used.
The history information 122 is represented by a data structure as shown in FIG. 14B, for example, and includes 0 or more memory card user information 1401 and a 4-byte memory card user number 1405 indicating the number of memory card user information. Consists of.
The processing shown above will be described below using more specific values. When the memory card 120 is inserted into the PDA100 by the user of the PDA100, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, the device user information with the values of user ID = 0120 and user name = "Yamada" is acquired, and FIG. 8A As shown in, the main memory card user information with the values of user ID = 0124 and user name = "Tanaka" is acquired (Fig. 13: S301 to S302).
Next, the user information comparison means 104 compares the user ID 0120 of the device user information with the user ID 0124 of the main memory card user information, and the comparison result is UNMATCH (FIG. 13: S303). S304 No).
Here, the memory card user information indicating that the user ID = 0120 and the user name Sato shown in FIG. 15B used at 2002/3/1 10:30 is the history information. It is assumed that it was recorded in the memory card in advance as 1501.
Based on the "UNMATCH", the output means 105 outputs device user information to the history information writing means 107. The history information writing means 107 creates memory card user information as shown in FIG. 15A, and adds it as new memory card user information 1502 as shown in FIG. 15B. In addition, 1 is added to the number of memory card users (1405, 1503) in the history information 122 (Fig. 13: S1301). As a result, Mr. Yamada's device user information is written in the history information of Mr. Tanaka's memory card. Therefore, Mr. Tanaka can confirm that the information stored in the memory card has been viewed by Mr. Yamada by looking at the history information of the memory card at a later date.
As described above, when the owner of the memory card reading / writing device and the owner of the memory card are different, history information including the device user information of the device that accessed the memory card can be recorded in the memory card. Therefore, the owner of the memory card can know the fact that the memory card has been used by another person.
<u style="single"></u>Further, when a memory card is used for an operation that requires information on the circulation history, such as the circulation board, it is possible to automatically grasp the circulation history by recording the history information. It is desirable that the history information is stored, for example, encrypted, or stored in a secure area in the memory card.
By the way, when the owner of the memory card reading / writing device and the owner of the memory card are different, in addition to the above-mentioned memory card user information, content browsing information indicating which content is viewed is added to the above history information. You may. In this case, when the user reads the predetermined content from the memory card 120, a warning to the user as shown in display 1801 of FIG. 18A is displayed. When the user disregards the warning and reads the content, the history information writing means 107 adds the name, date and time, and the number of times of the read content to the history information 122 in the history information generation / writing process S1301. To do. When the addition is completed, as shown in Display 1802, a display indicating that the history of referencing the content has been saved in the memory card is displayed.
When the content browsing information is added to the history information, the memory card user information 1601 included in the history information is represented by a data structure as shown in FIG. 16A. That is, the memory card user information 1601 is configured by adding the start address 1602 of the content browsing information to the structure of the memory card user information 1401 shown in FIG. 14A. The start address 1602 of the content browsing information stores the start address of the area in which the content browsing information 1603 shown in FIG. 16B is stored. Further, the content browsing information 1603 includes a 128-byte file name 1604 which is a file name of the content read by the user corresponding to the user ID 1402, a 64-byte file type name 1605 indicating the type of the content, and a file at the end. The 128-byte last used date and time 1606 indicating the read date and time, the 4-byte browsing count 1607 indicating the number of times the content was viewed, and the beginning of the 4-byte next content browsing information, which is the start address of the next content browsing information. The address 1608 is included.
Figure 17A shows a specific example in which content browsing information is added to the history information. In FIG. 17A, the start addresses 1701 and 1702 of the content browsing information are added to the history information shown in FIG. 15B for each user ID. In the start address of the content browsing information, the start address of the area in which the content browsing information corresponding to each user ID shown in FIG. 17B is stored is described. Specifically, the related content browsing information 1703 can be referred to based on "1001" stored in the start address 1702 of the content browsing information of "user ID 0120".
The content browsing information 1703 includes a file name 1704 of the content read by the user corresponding to the user ID, a file type name 1705 indicating the type of the content, and a last use date and time 1706 indicating the date and time when the file was last read. It includes the number of views 1707, which indicates the number of times the content has been viewed, and the start address 1708 of the next content browsing information. Further, the content browsing information about another content can be referred to based on the start address 1708 of the following content browsing information.
As described above, by storing the content browsing information for the browsed content in addition to the memory card user information, the owner of the memory card can grasp which content is referred to. Therefore, for example, when the memory card is found after an unintended loss, it is possible to take measures based on the referenced contents.
The content browsing information can be displayed to the owner of the memory card as shown in the display 1803 of FIG. 18B by using, for example, a predetermined history display means (not shown) provided in the PDA 1901. In the display, the user name that browsed the content, the file name of the referenced content, the file type name, the date and time of last use, the number of views, and the like are displayed.
When the owner of the memory card reading / writing device and the owner of the memory card are different, for example, in the information output by the output means to the display or the like, "When the information of this memory card is read, a history is created. It is possible to include information such as "is done", that is, information indicating that a history of access to the memory card is created (for example, warning information). By including such information, it is possible to strengthen the psychological security when another user reads the information on the memory card. Of course, it does not interfere with smooth operation because it does not provide psychological security for authorized users.
When displaying the information indicating that the above history is created, the "output information generation and output" step S1302 and the "memory card content list information acquisition" step S1303 by the output means are executed before the step S1301 in FIG. Will be done. In addition, the above step S1302 is an output including the above "information indicating that history information is created", and by removing the memory card at this point, the history information does not remain in the memory card, and the history information is stored in the memory card. Information is not read out. By ignoring the warning and selecting, for example, the "OK" button, the above "memory card content list information acquisition" step S1303 and "history information generation / writing" step S1301 are executed, that is, the information in the memory card. Is read out, and the history information is saved.
The function of recording the history has been described above as a function of preventing easy reference of the content by a user different from the owner, but the following functions may be added.
That is, when the user information comparison means 104 compares the device user information with the main memory card user information and there is a mismatch, the function limiting means 1905 receives the notification and, for example, is a function for making the display of the PDA 1901 easier to see. Turn off some backlight. The display image when the backlight is turned off is shown in FIG. 18C. The backlight of the PDA1901 display 1804 is turned off, making it difficult to see what is displayed on the display. This makes it difficult for the user to refer to the displayed content, and as a result, the weak security function can be enhanced.
In addition to turning off the backlight, the following can be mentioned as processes for enhancing the weak security function by the function limiting means 1905. For example: -Processing to reduce the brightness of the display display-Processing to slow down the processing speed of the CPU (Center Processing Unit) of the PDA-For example, adding a warning or a display that makes it difficult to view the normal display in addition to the normal display (overlay) Processing to display Processing to sound the buzzer regularly or constantly.
The processing that causes the PDA to deteriorate by such a function limiting means reduces the convenience of the PDA1901 and as a result, it becomes possible to enhance the weak security function.
By the way, in the memory card 120, information about a user who may use (read, write), for example, information in the memory card in addition to the main memory card user information, that is, secondary memory card user information is recorded. The memory card user information acquisition unit 103 may also read the sub-memory card user information. The sub-memory card user information is also to be compared with the device user information 101 in the user information comparison means 104. The above sub-memory card user information is shown in FIG. 4B. In the secondary memory card user information, the number of usable user IDs 405 and the 4-byte user ID 406 are stored in the number of usable user IDs. Needless to say, the user name corresponding to the user ID 406 may be added.
In this configuration, for example, by registering a member of a group that can use the above memory card in the secondary memory card user information, the user registered in the secondary memory card user information can use the memory card without warning. Become. In other words, since the secondary memory card user information registered in the memory card can be used by the user group, free access is allowed within the user group, and loose restrictions can be easily set for others. can do. Here, the sub-memory card user information can be treated as, for example, user information in which the memory card cannot be used. In this case, when the user corresponding to the sub-memory card user information uses the card, it can be used with the above-mentioned weak security applied. Furthermore, the warning display content may be changed for each sub-memory card user information, or voice data for different warnings may be output. (Embodiment 2) Subsequently, the memory card reading / writing device according to the second embodiment will be described. The memory card reading / writing device (PDA1901) according to the second embodiment makes it possible to rewrite the main memory card user information under a predetermined condition. As shown in FIG. 19, the PDA1901 includes a user information generating means 1903 and a memory card user information writing means 1904 in addition to the configuration in the first embodiment.
First, when the user inserts the memory card 120 into the PDA1901, the PDA1901 acquires the device user information 101 and the main memory card user information 121, and then the user information comparison means 104 compares the above two pieces of information. This is the same as in the first embodiment (Fig. 20: S300).
Here, when the device user information 101 and the main memory card user information 121 match, the user information comparison means 104 notifies the user information generation means 1903 of the match (FIG. 20: S304Yes).
Subsequently, the user information generation means 1903, which has received the above-mentioned agreement, outputs the display shown in FIG. 21 to, for example, the display of the PDA1901. Here, the display includes, for example, a dialog box that prompts the user of the PDA1901 to input the new user ID 2101 and the new user name 2102.
For example, when a user inputs a new user ID 2101 and a new user name 2102 in response to the above display, the input information is received by the user information generating means 1903, and the memory card user information writing means is used as the main memory card user information. It is written to the memory card 120 by 1904 (Fig. 20: S2001 S2002).
As described above, since the main memory card user information can be rewritten only for the own memory card, it is possible to easily transfer the memory card to another person while maintaining weak security. Become. As a result, it is possible to promote the distribution of contents using the memory card.
If the device user information 101 and the main memory card user information 121 do not match, and the main memory card user information 121 is, for example, NULL, it is assumed that the memory card is a new memory card, and the memory card user. The information writing means 1904 writes the device user information 101 as the main memory card user information in the memory card 120 (FIG. 20: S304No S2003No S2002).
If the device user information 101 and the main memory card user information 121 do not match and some information is stored in the main memory card user information 121, other processing is performed (FIG. 20 :). S304No S2003Yes S2004). Here, the other processing is, for example, the processing of steps S304No to S306 in the first embodiment.
Further, the new user ID 2101 and the new user name 2102 may be selected from the sub-memory card user information described in the first embodiment. In this case, not only the input is facilitated, but also the main memory card user information of the own memory card is rewritten only to other user information that is registered in advance and can be trusted, such as a specific group member. Therefore, it is possible to easily transfer personal information to another person while avoiding the leakage of personal information.
By writing the main memory card user information without entering it in the dialog box prompting to enter the new user ID and new user name, it will be distributed to an unspecified number of people without weak security, just like a newly purchased memory card. Things are possible.
By the way, in the above-described processing, the case where the device user information 101 is changed is not considered. That is, when the device user information 101 is changed due to transfer or the like, it is necessary to change all the main memory card user information in order to use the existing memory card. However, it becomes a very troublesome task for a user who owns a plurality of memory cards.
Therefore, the PDA1901 shall store a plurality of device user information. That is, for example, when registering new device user information in the PDA 1901, the user information generating means 1903 asks the user whether or not to save the old device user information by displaying a display or the like. Here, when the user selects to save the old device user information in response to the inquiry, the user information generating means 1903 stores the old device user information in a storage means (not shown) and then registers a new one. Register the device user information as device user information. By this process, the new device user information and the old device user information are stored in the PDA1901. Here, any number of old device user information may be stored.
If the user chooses not to save the old device user information, the old device user information is deleted without being stored in the PDA1901.
Subsequently, when the memory card 120 is inserted into the PDA 1901, the user information comparison means 104 acquires the device user information via the device user information acquisition means (FIG. 22: S2201). The device user information referred to here corresponds to the above-mentioned new device user information. Further, the memory card user information acquisition means 103 acquires the main memory card user information 121 from the memory card 120 (FIG. 22: S2202). Next, the user information comparison means 104 compares the two user information and determines whether or not they match (FIG. 22: S2203).
If they match, the user of the PDA1901 can use the memory card 120 without any problem (Fig. 22: S2204 Yes Exit).
Here, if they do not match, the user information comparison means 104 further determines whether or not there is old device user information (FIG. 22: S2204No S2205). If there is no old device user information, for example, the warning shown in FIG. 9A is displayed, and then the history information is stored as described above (Fig. 22: S2205No 2206 end).
Further, when there is old device user information, the user information comparison means 104 acquires the old device user information via the device user information acquisition means 102, and determines whether or not it matches the main memory card user information again. (Fig. 22: S2205 Yes S2207 S2208).
Here, when the old device user information and the main memory card user information match, the memory card user information writing means 1904 writes the device user information to the memory card 120 as the main memory card user information (FIG. 22 :). S2209 Yes S2210). The device user information referred to here is new device user information. After that, the user of the PDA 1901 can use the memory card 120 without any problem.
If the device user information and the main memory card user information do not match, a warning or the like is displayed as described above, and the history information is stored thereafter (Fig. 22: S2209No 2206 end).
In the above, the old device user information is stored, and when the device user information (new device user information) and the main memory card user information do not match, the old device user information is compared with the old device user information. As a result, even when the device user information is changed due to, for example, transfer, the user information of the existing memory card is automatically rewritten, that is, it is possible to reduce the user's rewriting work of the main memory card user information. .. (Embodiment 3) Subsequently, the memory card reading / writing device according to the third embodiment will be described. The memory card reading / writing device (PDA2301) according to the third embodiment enables the owner of the memory card at a remote location to grasp the current status of the memory card. As shown in FIG. 23, the PDA 2301 includes an email sending / receiving means 2302 and an email information acquiring means 2303 in addition to the configuration according to the first embodiment.
First, when the user inserts the memory card 120 into the PDA2301, the PDA2301 acquires the device user information 101 and the main memory card user information 121, and then the user information comparison means 104 compares the above two pieces of information. This is the same as in the first embodiment (Fig. 24: S300).
Here, when the device user information 101 and the main memory card user information 121 match, the PDA2301 performs another process (FIG. 24: S304Yes S2403). The other processing is, for example, the processing of steps S304Yes to S306 in the first embodiment.
If the device user information 101 and the main memory card user information 121 do not match, the user information comparison means 104 transmits information indicating that fact to the mail sending / receiving means 2302 (FIG. 24: S304No).
The mail sending / receiving means 2302 that has received the information to the effect of the inconsistency acquires the device user information shown in FIG. 7B from, for example, the storage means 108 via the mail information acquiring means 2303, and the sender mail address 2502 and the device shown in FIG. 25A. The user name is 2506 and the address information is 2507 (Fig. 24: S2401). In the same way, for example, the title 2504 shown in FIG. 25A is obtained from the storage means 108. Here, the sender e-mail address 2502 is the e-mail address of the owner of the PDA2301, and the address information 2507 is the address of the owner of the PDA2301.
Further, the e-mail sending / receiving means 2302 acquires the e-mail address 801 shown in FIG. 8C from the main memory card user information via the e-mail information acquiring means 2303, and sets it as the destination e-mail address 2503 shown in FIG. 25A (FIG. 24). : S2401). The e-mail address 801 stores the e-mail address of the owner of the memory card 120.
Further, the mail sending / receiving means 2302 acquires the current date / time from a timer (not shown) and sets the date / time of use 2505 shown in FIG. 25A (FIG. 24: S2401).
The mail transmission information 2501 is created by the mail transmission / reception means 2302 based on the above information, and the mail transmission information 2501 is specifically shown in FIG. 25B. In the email transmission information 2511, for example, "yamada@saijo.xx.jp" is the sender's email address, "tanaka@saijo.xx.jp" is the destination email address, and "memory card usage information" is the title. The current date and time "Mon 7 May 2002 15:06:44 +0900" obtained from a timer (not shown) is the device user name "Yamada" and the address information "1-1-1, Saijo, Hiroshima City". It is stored.
Subsequently, the mail transmission information 2511 is transmitted by the mail transmission / reception means 2302 to a terminal capable of receiving e-mail via, for example, the Internet (Fig. 24: S2402).
As described above, when the owner of the memory card reading / writing device and the owner of the memory card are different, for example, when the user who is the owner of the memory card reading / writing device inserts the memory card. Since the memory card owner is notified by e-mail that the memory card has been used, the memory card owner can know the usage status of the memory card at a remote location.
By using the above address information as the current position information obtained from, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System), it is possible to know the position of the card when the card is lost.
Subsequently, for example, a case where the above-mentioned mail is received by a PDA corresponding to the above-mentioned function (mail notification function) will be described.
Upon receiving the e-mail sent by the e-mail sending / receiving means 2302, the PDA2601 receives, for example, a sender e-mail address 2502, a destination e-mail address 2503, a title 2504, a date and time of use 2505, a device user name 2506, and an address information 2507, as shown in FIG. Outputs display 2701 including. The display is the same as the reception of a normal e-mail.
On the other hand, the use permission information generating means 2603 constituting the PDA2601 outputs, for example, a dialog box prompting the user to input the use permission setting to the display of the PDA2601. An example of the output is shown in FIG. 33A. Here, the e-mail address (sender e-mail address 2502) of the PDA2301 that sent the above e-mail is automatically entered in the address 3301.
It is assumed that the user (Mr. Tanaka) who uses the PDA2601 selects "Unavailable" from the usage conditions 3302 and presses the OK button in response to the dialog box 3300 prompting the above input.
Then, the license information generation means 2603 acquires the input information and creates the license information 3100 shown in FIG. 31A (FIG. 28: S2801). The license information 3100 includes a user ID 3101, a user name 3102, and a usage condition 3103. The user ID 3101 and the user name 3102 store the information acquired from the device user information 101 of the PDA2601, and the usage conditions 3103 store the values (0 to 4) shown in FIG. 31C (FIG. 28: S2802 S2803). ).
Here, the license information 3110 shown in FIG. 31B is a concrete example of the license information 3100. That is, since the user has selected "unusable", the value "3" corresponds to the usage condition 3103. Further, based on the device user information 101 of the PDA2601, for example, "0124" is stored in the user ID 3101 and "Tanaka" is stored in the user name 3102.
Subsequently, the use permission information generating means 2603 creates mail transmission information including the use permission information 3110 (FIG. 28: S2804). Figure 32A shows the structure of the mail transmission information used here. The email transmission information 3201 includes the sender email address 3202 stored in the device user information 101 of the PDA2601, the destination email address 3203 which is the email address of the PDA2301, the subject 3204, and the current date and time obtained from a timer (not shown). The date and time 3205, which is, and the license information 3100 created earlier are included.
FIG. 32B shows a concrete example of the above-mentioned mail transmission information 3201. The sender's email address is "tanaka@saijo.xx.jp", the destination email address is yamada@saijo.xx.jp, the title is, for example, "Memory card license certificate", and the date and time is the current date and time. "Mon 7 May 2002 15:06:44 +0900" is stored, the above "0124" is stored in the user ID, "Tanaka" is stored in the device user name, and "3" is stored in the usage conditions.
When the above-mentioned mail sending information 3201 is created, the mail sending / receiving means 2602 sends a mail to the PDA 2301 based on the mail sending information 3201 (Fig. 28: S2804).
Next, when the mail sending / receiving means 2302 receives the mail from the PDA2601, the user information comparison means 104 acquires the use permission information 3110 included in the mail (FIG. 29: S2901).
Further, the memory card user information acquisition means 103 acquires the main memory card user information 121 from the memory card inserted at the time of acquiring the use permission information 3110 or the newly inserted memory card (FIG. 29 :). S2902).
Subsequently, the user information comparison means 104 compares whether or not the user ID 3101 included in the use permission information 3110 and the user ID in the main memory card user information 121 match (FIG. 29: S2903). ..
Here, if the results of the above comparison do not match, the PDA2301 performs other processing, for example (Fig. 29: S2903No S2911). The other processing is, for example, the provision of other functions of the PDA.
Here, if the results of the above comparison match, the memory card access control means 2304 subsequently determines whether the above usage condition is "unusable" (usage condition = 3) (Fig. 29: S2903Yes S2904). ).
Here, since the usage condition is "unusable", the memory card access control means 2304 sets the usage permission flag 2306 stored in the memory card 120 to, for example, "0" according to the above usage condition "unusable". (Fig. 29: S2904 Yes S2909). The "0" of the permission flag means that the memory card is locked, and that the information in the memory card (excluding the main memory card user information) cannot be used (written or read). It should be noted that the above flag "0" may mean, for example, that there is no content in the card so that only the free area can be referred to, hidden files are not shown, or the content is read-only.
Here, if the usage condition is not "unusable", the memory card access control means 2304 unlocks the memory card 120 by changing the usage permission flag of the memory card 120 to "1", and at the same time, the memory card 120 is unlocked. The following judgment is made (Fig. 29: S2904 No S2905 S2906).
Subsequently, the memory card access control means 2304 determines whether it is "usable" (use condition = 4) (Fig. 29: S2906). Here, if it is "available", the process ends (Fig. 29: S2906 Yes end).
Here, if it is not "usable", the memory card access control means 2304 further determines whether the above usage condition is "usable only once" (usage condition = 2). Here, when it is "can be used only once", the extraction of the memory card is detected, and when the extraction is performed, the above permission flag 2306 is set to "0" and the memory card is locked (Fig. 29: S2907 Yes . S2908 Yes S2909). That is, the memory card 120 can be accessed while the memory card 120 is inserted.
Next, if the above usage condition is not "can be used only once", the process A (S2910) shown in FIG. 30 is further performed (FIG. 29: S2907 No S2910).
In the process A, the memory card access control means 2304 first determines whether the usage condition is "transfer" (usage condition = 0). Here, in the case of "transfer", the memory card user information writing means 2305 acquires the device user information 101 via the device user information acquiring means 102, and the main memory card user information 121 is used as the device user information 101. Rewrite to the contents (Fig. 30: S3001 Yes S3002 S3003). As a result, the memory card 120 belongs to the user of PDA2301.
Further, when the determination result is not "transfer", the memory card access control means 2304 determines whether the above usage condition is "only for one day" (usage condition = 1) (Fig. 30: S3001No S3004).
Here, when the determination result is "only one day", a timer (not shown) is activated, and when one day elapses, the memory card access control means 2304 sets the use permission flag to "0" to set the memory card. Lock (Fig. 30: S3004Yes S3005 S3006Yes S3007). If the above judgment result is not "only for one day", the memory card is locked by immediately setting the permission flag to "0" (Fig. 30: S3004No S3007). Instead of the lock, the weak security described above may be applied.
After that, when each process is completed, the PDA 2301 displays 3304 according to the license, for example, as shown in FIG. 33B.
It is also possible to give permission in units of hours, for example, by giving a numerical value to the above "only one day". Further, for example, the access control means counts the number of times the memory card is inserted and removed to manage the number of times the memory card can be used, so that the memory card can be used not only once but up to a predetermined number of times of insertion and removal. May be good.
As described above, by controlling the access to the memory card by the memory card access control means based on the information contained in the mail, not only the usage status of the memory card can be grasped in real time, but also the memory card can be grasped from a remote location. You can control access to.
The memory card reading / writing device, access method, program, and recording medium thereof according to the present invention can identify the owner of the memory card without checking the contents of the memory card in detail, and are completely secured. It is useful as a memory card reading / writing device having a function of identifying the owner of the memory card because it is possible to prevent the information recorded on the memory card from being read carelessly as compared with the case where the memory card is not read. Is.
<figref num="1">Schematic functional block diagram when a PDA is used as a memory card reading / writing device according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="2">Image diagram when multiple memory cards are used in multiple memory card reading / writing devices.</figref><figref num="3">The flowchart which shows the process of the memory card reading / writing apparatus in Embodiment 1.</figref><figref num="4">The figure which shows the structure of the apparatus user information, the main memory card user information, and the secondary memory card user information in Embodiment 1. FIG.</figref><figref num="5">A table showing the comparison results.</figref><figref num="6">The figure which shows the structure of the memory card contents list information and the file list information.</figref><figref num="7">The figure which shows the specific example of the device user information including the device user information and an e-mail address.</figref><figref num="8">The figure which shows the specific example of the main memory card user information including the main memory card user information and an e-mail address.</figref><figref num="9">This is a display example showing notification (warning) and memory card content list information.</figref><figref num="10">The figure which shows the specific example of the memory card contents list information.</figref><figref num="11">The figure which shows the image which the memory card is divided into a plurality.</figref><figref num="12">A flowchart showing processing when the memory card is divided into a plurality of parts.</figref><figref num="13">A flowchart showing the processing of the memory card reading / writing device at the time of creating history information.</figref><figref num="14">The figure which shows the structure of the memory card user information and history information.</figref><figref num="15">The figure which shows the specific example of the memory card user information and history information.</figref><figref num="16">The figure which shows the structure of the memory card user information and content browsing information.</figref><figref num="17">The figure which shows the specific example of history information and content browsing information.</figref><figref num="18">Display example showing display (warning), display of history information including content browsing information, and display when the backlight is off.</figref><figref num="19">The schematic functional block diagram of the memory card reading / writing apparatus in Embodiment 2. FIG.</figref><figref num="20">The flowchart which shows the process of the memory card reading / writing apparatus in Embodiment 2.</figref><figref num="21">A display example that prompts you to enter a new user ID and new user name.</figref><figref num="22">The second flowchart which shows the process of the memory card reading / writing apparatus in Embodiment 2.</figref><figref num="23">Schematic functional block diagram of the memory card reading / writing device (use permission receiving side) according to the third embodiment.</figref><figref num="24">The flowchart which shows the process of the memory card reading / writing apparatus in Embodiment 3.</figref><figref num="25">The figure which shows the structure of mail transmission information and the specific example thereof.</figref><figref num="26">The schematic functional block diagram of the memory card reading / writing apparatus (use permission transmitting side) in Embodiment 3. FIG.</figref><figref num="27">Display example of an email regarding memory card usage information.</figref><figref num="28">The flowchart which shows the process of the memory card reading / writing apparatus (usage permission transmitting side) in Embodiment 3.</figref><figref num="29">The first flowchart which shows the process of the memory card reading / writing apparatus (use permission receiving side) in Embodiment 3.</figref><figref num="30">The second flowchart which shows the process of the memory card reading / writing apparatus (use permission receiving side) in Embodiment 3.</figref><figref num="31">The figure which shows the structure of the license information, the specific example, and the table of the use condition.</figref><figref num="32">The figure which shows the structure of mail transmission information and a concrete example.</figref><figref num="33">The figure which shows the display example of the use permission registration screen and the memory card use permission certificate.</figref>
Code description
100 Memory card reading / writing device (PDA) 101 Device user information 102 Device user information acquisition means 103 Memory card user information acquisition means 104 User information comparison means 105 Output means 106 Memory card contents list Information acquisition means 107 History information writing means 108 Storage means 120 Memory card 121 Main memory card User information 122 History information 123 Memory card contents list information
Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office | Cited during |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010001602A1 | Cited by | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | International search |
| JP2009087124A | Cited by | Japan | Examiner |
| JP2008250739A | Cited by | Japan | Search report |
| JP2008250739A | Cited by | Japan | Examiner |
| US8356118B2 | Cited by | United States of America | Applicant |
| JP2007148762A | Cited by | Japan | Examiner |
| JP2008016001A | Cited by | Japan | Examiner |
6 members in 3 offices
Priority claims2
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002205094 | Japan | – | |
| 2002205094 | Japan | A |
Members6
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP1385129A2 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A2 | |
| JP2004046878AThis record | Japan | A | |
| US2004104805A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US6970066B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP1385129A3 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A3 | |
| JP4206004B2 | Japan | B2 |
11 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
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| Cancellation because of no payment of annual feesLAPS | LAPS | |
| Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)FPAY | FPAY | |
| Certificate of patent or registration of utility modelJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150R150 | R150 | |
| First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61A61 | A61 | |
| Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01A01 | A01 | |
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Numbers
- Publication
- 2004046878
- Application
- 273181
Titles2
- Japanese
- メモリカード読取・書込装置、アクセス方法、プログラム及びその記録媒体
- English
- Memory card reader / writer, access method, program and its recording medium
Classification
- IPC, 2
- G06K19 00
- G06K17 00