Storage Medium ID Registration for Cross-Device Program Execution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for copy protection restrict a storage medium to be used only with the specific information processing apparatus it is associated with, preventing its use on other devices and limiting program execution and copying capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system that includes a program storage medium with a master program and an ID registration area, and an information processing apparatus with attaching means, ID storage, copyability determining means, and execution capabilities, allowing the medium to be used across multiple devices and enabling selective program execution and copying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a storage medium is associated with a specific information processing apparatus by making a copy or writing an ID, then copy protection is achieved, but the storage medium cannot be used in any other device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functionality into two independent parts: (1) copy protection mechanism that limits copying to one apparatus, and (2) execution mechanism that can run on multiple apparatuses. The storage medium contains both the program and a separate ID registration area, allowing the program to be copied to one apparatus while maintaining usability on others through the execution mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the execution mechanism with ID registration area) that mediates between the copy protection requirement and the multi-device usage requirement. This intermediary allows the system to verify apparatus identity and control copying while permitting program execution across multiple devices.
2Reliability
If copy protection is implemented by embedding ID numbers into storage media, then unauthorized copying is prevented, but the program cannot be started up directly from the medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the storage medium with both the program and the ID registration area during manufacturing. This preliminary setup enables the medium to be directly started up on the first apparatus without requiring prior ID writing, while still maintaining copy protection through the execution mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior where the execution mechanism can adapt its operation based on whether the storage medium has been copied to a specific apparatus. The system can detect the presence of a copied ID and adjust the startup process accordingly, allowing direct startup when appropriate while maintaining copy protection when needed.
3Reliability
If identification information is written into a storage medium, then device-specific execution is enabled, but the medium loses versatility for other devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the ID registration area optional and location-specific rather than mandatory and universal. The identification information is only written when and where needed (when copying to a specific apparatus), rather than being permanently embedded. This allows the storage medium to maintain its original versatility while enabling device-specific execution when required.
Data Source
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AI summary
A storage medium includes an ID registration area for storing therein a main body ID which is an ID unique to an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus has the main body ID stored therein. The information processing apparatus includes copying means for, when the storage medium is attached thereto, copying a program stored in the storage medium thereinto in the case where the main body ID has not yet been registered. When the copy is made, the main body ID is stored into the ID registration area of the storage medium. The information processing apparatus also includes execution program selecting means for selecting, from the copied program and from the program stored in the storage medium, a program to be executed.