License Checking for Removable Media Substance Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing use of removable information recording media in various information processing apparatuses has led to instances of illegal copying and usage, with existing countermeasures being insufficiently effective.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that utilizes a removable information recording medium with both first and second license information, including identification information for the apparatus and the medium, to control substance information usage through a license checking and adding mechanism, ensuring legal usage by verifying the compatibility of license information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If removable information recording medium is used to store substance information, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but illegal copy and usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage of removable information recording mediumVSAvoidillegal copy and usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The license management system is segmented into multiple components: first license information stored in the information processing apparatus, second license information stored in the removable information recording medium, and a license checking part that verifies both. This segmentation allows independent storage and verification of licensing credentials, preventing illegal copying while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The license checking part acts as an intermediary between the information processing apparatus and the removable information recording medium. It verifies the compatibility between the first and second license information before allowing substance information usage, thereby preventing illegal usage while preserving the versatility of removable media.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If license checking mechanism is implemented, then illegal usage is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of substance information usageVSAvoidlicense checking system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by storing first license information in the information processing apparatus and second license information in the removable information recording medium before allowing substance information execution. The license checking part verifies both licenses in advance, ensuring reliability while keeping the complexity manageable through pre-established verification protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7610246B2Information processing apparatus, control method therefor and computer readable information recording medium

Publication Date: 2009.10.27 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus handling a removable formation recording medium storing predetermined substance information and first license information concerning the information processing apparatus includes a storing part storing second license information concerning the removable information recording medium, a license checking part carrying out checking of license information with the use of at least one of the first license information and the second license information, and a substance information usage allowability control part controlling, based on a result of the checking carried out by the license checking part, allowability for usage of the predetermined substance information from the removable information recording medium.