CA2106122A1

CA2106122A1 - Protection of a software copyright and operation of a software

Info

Publication number: CA2106122A1
Application number: CA 2106122
Authority: CA
Inventors: Takeshi Kokado
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
Priority date: 1992-09-14
Filing date: 1993-09-14
Publication date: 1994-03-15

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE
The present invention discloses a system for protecting copyright of a software to be supplied to a compound communication terminal device including a communication unit and an information processing unit; further for automatically starting a program depending where the compound communication terminal device locates.
A protection key to protect the copyright is generated in accordance with communication information relating to the compound communication terminal device and it is embedded into the software together with a detection unit.
The compound communication terminal device holds a correspondence table indicating correspondence between notification information received from a base station and a program to start, and a start unit for receiving the notification information and starting a program corresponding to the received notification information in the correspondence table. Accordingly, a program to start can be selected in accordance with location of the compound communication terminal device. Validation of operation of a software is determined as referring to validation of a source number or a destination number over the communication network and user registration information. Data and a part of a program are taken from the software beforehand, so that operation of the software cannot complete itself unless transmission request from the compound communication terminal device is validated and receives the missing data and the missing part of a program.

Description

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PROTECTION OF A SOFTWARE COPYRIGHT AND OPERATION OF A SOFTWARE
Background of the Invention (1) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method to protect copyright of a software as well as a method to control operation of the software.

(2) Description of the Related Art Protection of a copyright of a software is a great concern at sales thereof. Hereunder are a list of conventional methods employed to protect a copyright of a software. (To be noted, "software" refers to a program holding in a certain form instructions to be executed by a computer at a compound communication terminal device while "program" refers to whole or a part of executions, operations, and procedures. Also the compound communication terminal device includes an information processing device or a computer with communication capability which obtains a software or a program by communication.) 1) According to Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 61-067161, a software can be operated if its code corresponds to a code of a memory device. That is, a code is embedded into a unique code memory device (e.g., ROM) uniquely;

and a code corresponding to the code of the unique code memory device is embedded into a storage medium. In this construction a program stored in the storage medium can be operated if the code of the storage medium corresponds to the code of the - unique code memory device.
2) According to Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 62-236035, a software and a hardware share the same code.
~hat is, the software provides its own code to the hardware.
A program stored in the software can be operated if the code of the hardware is consistent with the code of the software.

3) According to Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 62-079526, data and/or a part of a program being essential for operation of a software, are stored into an information storage card; and operation of the software will start when the information is read from the information storage card.

4) According to Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 03-288227, the utmost frequency of operation of a software as well as an operation frequency are counted. Operation of the 80ftware wlll stop when the operation frequency reaches to the utmost value.
Conventionally, a copyright of a program is protected by controlling content of a menu or an IC card. That is, a user selects a program to operate from a menu or by selecting an IC card holding the program; therefore, operation of the program can be controlled by selecting programs included in the menu or by selecting the IC cards to be provided to the user beforehand.
Each of the above conventionally applied methods;
however, has its own drawback.
1~ According to the software copyright protection method 21~1.22 listed first, a software will be sold togeth~r with a hardware holding a code corresponding to a code of the software.
Otherwise, a maker of a software obtains a code of a hardware beforehand, then produces the software holding the code corresponding to the code of the hardware. Thus, cost of a software will be considerably high.
2) In the software copyright protection method listed second, a code of a hardware is set by a software in accordance with a code of the software. Therefore, once the software is copied, its copyright cannot be protected.
3) In the software copyright protection method listed third, a software needs to be sold together with its corresponding information storage card; therefore, cost of the software will be considerably high. Also, a hardware specially produced t~ read the infor~ation storage card will be needed.
Furthermore, the information storage card may be lost.
4) In the software copyright protection method listed fourth, copyright of a software cannot be protected if a storage medium holding the software is copied before the operation frequency of the software does not reach to the utmost operation frequency. Also, values of the operation frequency and the utmost operation frequency can be rewritten with others if their recording areas are detected.
Also, when employing the menu or the IC card, operation of a program cannot be controlled. That is, selection of a program is conducted by a user, and the system simply provides .

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the user with options. Therefore, copyright of a software cannot be protected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to enable a user to operate a software while protecting copyright of the software.
The above object may be fulfilled by a software copyright protection unit employed in a software supply system, wherein the software supply system comprises a compound communication terminal device comprised of a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software, a software supply device comprised of a communication unit and a software supply unit for obtaining the software requested by the compound communication terminal device, embedding a protection key into the software to protect its copyright, and transmitting the software, and a detection unit incorporated with the compound communication terminal device to detect if the software transmitted by the software supply device can be operated by the compound communication terminal device as ~O referring to the protection key embedded in the software and information received from the compound communication terminal device, and the software copyright protection units protects copyright of the software by making the software supply device generate the protection key as referring to communication information obtained when the compound communication terminal ~:~Q~12`~

device builds a communication path between itself and the software supply device.
The above object may be fulfilled by a software copyright protection unit to be operated by a compound communication terminal device, wherein the compound communication terminal device comprises a communication unit capable of operating radio communication with a base station, and an information processing unit for operating a software, and the software copyright protection unit comprises a communication information recognition unit for recognizing broadcast information relating to the base station supervising the compound communication terminal device whose communication unit received a call, and a program start unit for receiving the broadcast information from the communication information recognition unit, selecting one of a program and a subroutine as referring to the broadcast information, and starting it.
The above object may be fulfilled by a software copyright protection unit in a software supply system, wherein the software supply system comprises a compound communication terminal device including a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software, a software supply device for holding the software and supplying it, the software supply device including a communication unit and a validation unit for examining validation, and a communication network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the compound communication terminal . , . ~ . : ~ , , , ~ : -:' - . : - - . .
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device, examining validation of the call reguest, and building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device so that transmission/reception of information therebetween will be possible, and the software copyright protection unit makes the validation unit in the software supply device examine the validation of operation of the software by monitoring validation information relating to operation of the software, the validation information including communication information about the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device whose validation was examined by the communication network, obtaining the communication information by reading it from a validation request and the call request and/or by receiving it from the communication network, and examining the validation by comparing the communication information with the validation information, and enabling the operation of the software by transmitting information over the communication network if the validation is detected.
The above object may be fulfilled by a software protection unit employed in a software supply system as a user registration unit, wherein the software supply system comprises a compound communication terminal device equipped with a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software, a software supply device equipped with a communication unit, a software supply unit for holding the software and supplying it, and a validation unLt for examining .. , ,., ., .~ .. . , ..... .. " . . , .
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.... .--~0~122 validation of operation of the software, a communication network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, examining one of validation of the call request and validation of the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, and building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device when the validation is detected, and the user registration unit registers a user by making the communication unit of the 10 compound communication terminal device transmit a software transmission request to the software supply device so that it will obtain the software over the communication network, making the validation unit of the software supply device receive the software transmission request, and obtain communication 15 information relating to the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device by reading it from the software transmission request and/or by receiving it from the communication network, the compound communication terminal device whose validation was examined by the communication 20 network, making the validation unit register the communication information as validation information relating to a user who will operate the software requested by the software transmission request, and examining the validation of the software as referring to the validation information.
The above object may be fulfilled by a software copyright protection unit employed in a software supply system ,,"
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~lOfi1 22 as a user registration unit, wherein the software supply system comprises a compound communication terminal device equipped with a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software, a software supply device equipped with a communication unit, a software supply unit for holding the software and supplying it, and a validation unit for examining validation of operation of the software, and a communication network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, examining one of validation of the call request and validation of the communication unit, and building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device when the validation is confirmed, and the user registration unit makes the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device transmit a user registration request to the communication unit of the software supply device over the communication network, the user registration request including an identification number embedded in the software uniquely.
The above object may be fulfilled by a software copyright protection unit in a software supply system, wherein the software supply system comprises a compound communication terminal device including a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software, a software supply device including a communication unit, a validation unit for examining validation, and a software supply :-. , ; - ~ , . : . . .
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unit for holding the software and supplying it, and a communication network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, examining validation of the call request, and building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device so that transmission/reception of information therebetween will be possible, and the copyright protection unit protects copyright of the software by taking data and a part of a program in the software to outside, and making a data control unit by controlling them exclusively, making the communication unit of the information processing unit transmit a data transmission request to the software supply device via the communication network when at least one o the data and the part of the program are needed to operate the software which was transmitted by the software supply device, making the validation unit examine validation of the data transmission request, and enable the compound communication terminal device to obtain the data and/or the part of the program by transmitting the data transmission request or by transmitting information to the compound communication terminal device, the information allowing the compound communication terminal device to read the data and/or the part of the program from the data control unit.
The above object may be fulfilled by a software : copyright protection unit in a software supply system, wherein - : , . : . . : -. . . . . .. . -. .,, . ~
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the software supply system comprises a compound communication terminal device including a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software, a software supply device including a communication unit, a data control unit, and a charge control unit for controlling charge information, and a communication network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the software supply device, examining validation of the call request, and building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device so that transmission/reception of information therebetween will be possible, and the copyright protection unit protects copyright of the software by taking data and a part of a program in the software to outside, and making a data control unit control them exclusively, making the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device transmit a data transmission request to the software supply device via the communication network when at least one of the data and the part of the t program are needed to operate the software transmitted by the software supply device, making the data control unit of the software supply device transmit the requested data and/or the part of the program to the information processing unit via the communication network by employing the communication unit, making the charge control unit count a fee for the transmission of the data and/or the part of the program, receive from the network or the communication unit of the software supply device lo ?1 06~22 communication information relating to the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, the communication information employed to examine validation of the call request or the data transmission request, and charge the compound communication terminal device for the transmission of the data and/or the part of the program.
The above o~ject may be fulfilled by a software copyright protection unit in a software supply system, wherein the software supply system comprises a compound communication terminal device including a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software, a software supply device including a communication unit, a data control unit, and a charge control unit for controlling charge information, and a communication network including a charging unit and a network, the charging unit for receiving the charge information from the charge control unit of the software supply device and for charging, and the network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the software supply device, examining validation of the call request, and building 2~ a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device so that transmission/reception of information therebetween will be possible, and the copyright protection unit protects copyright of the software by taking data and a part of a program in the software to outside, and making a data control unit control them exclusively, making the communication unit of the - - : . .. . .. :

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information processing unit transmit a data transmission request to the software supply device via the communication network when at least one of the data and the part of the program are needed to operate the software transmitted by the software supply device, making the validation unit examine validation of the transmission request, and enable the compound communication terminal device to obtain the data and/or the part of the program by transmitting the data transmission request to the compound communication terminal device or by transmitting information to the compound communication terminal device, the information allowing the compound communication terminal device to read the data and/or the part of the program from the data control unit, making the charge control unit count a fee for the transmission of the data and/or the part of the program and notify the charging unit in the communication network of the fee, and making the charging unit charge the compound communication terminal device for the transmission of one of the data and the part of the program besides charging for use of a communication line controlled by the communication network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following descriptions thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention. In ': , ` ' ; . ` ` " . ' ' the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows construction of a software supply system in a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 shows construction of a software to be supplied in the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 depicts operation of the software supply device;
FIG. 4 depicts operation of a compound communication terminal device;
FIG. 5 shows construction of a compound communication terminal device in a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 shows construction of a compound communication terminal device in a third embodiment of the present invention, which operates a pro~ram as referring to an identification number of a base station;
FIG. 7 shows construction of a software supply system employing the compound communication terminal device in FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 shows construction of validation system employed in a fourth embodiment of the present invention, which ;; ~ registers validation information to a software when the software is purchased;
FIG. 9 shows transmission/reception of signals at ~: transmlssion of a software and at user registration to the :~ 25 validation system in FIG. 8 which employs ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) procedure;

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2iO61~ 22 FIG. 10 shows transmission/reception of si~nals at validation of a software in the validation system in FIG. 8 which employs ISDN procedure;
FIG. 11 depicts operation of a compound communication terminal device in the fourth embodiment;
FIG. 12 shows construction of validation system for registering validation information at a first operation of a software in a fifth embodiment;
FIG. 13 shows transmission/reception of signals at user registration to the validation system in FIG. 12 which employs ISDN procedure; and FIG. 14 shows a first operation of a software in the validation system in FIG. 12; and FIG. 15 shows transmission/reception of signals at validation in the validation system in FIG. 12 which employs ISDN procedure.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[Embodiment 1]
A software supply system in a first em~odiment employs a terminal identification number to validate operation of a software.
Construction of the software supply system will be described with reference to FIG. 1. A compound communication terminal device 1, a computer with communication capability, receives a software via a communication path. The compound : communication terminal device comprises a communication unit .

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2; a recording unit 3; an information processing unit 4; a display unit 5; and a communication information notification unit 6. A software supply device 10 records/controls a software received from outside. The communication unit 2 builds a radio communication path between the compound communication terminal device 1 and the software supply device 10 so that it can access to the software supply device 10. The recording unit 3 records a software received by the communication unit 2; and enables read of the software. The information processing unit 4 reads the software received by the communication unit 2 or the software recorded in the recording unit 3; then operates it. Requested by the information processing unit 4, the communication information notification unit 6 provides information controlled by the communlcation unit 2. The software supply device 10 comprising a key built-in unit 11, a communication unit 12, a recording unit 13, and a communication information notification unit 16, provides a software to the compound communication terminal device 1 via the communication path. The key built-in unit 11 generates a protection key in accordance with the communication information controlled by the communication unit 12 through a predetermined generation procedure; and embeds the protection key into the software requested by the communication terminal device 1. The communication unit 12 enables the access to the compound communication terminal 1, and supplies the requested software. Requested by the key built-in unit 11, the .
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communication information notification unit 16 notifies the communication information controlled by the communication unit 12. The recording unit 13 records the software which was generated beforehand as well as enables read of the software requested by the compound communication terminal device 1.
Basing its control procedure upon ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), a communication network 20 builds a communication network enabling a mobile communication.
Construction of a software employed in the software supply system which validates operation of a software in accordance with a terminal identification number will be described as referring to FIG. 2.
A software 30 provided from the software supply device 10 holds a program inclùding a detection unit 31, a protection key 32, a software body 33, and a software destruction unit 34.
Although only general idea of a software is described in the figure, its actual construction is far more complex. (For example, when describing a software in a program language, each of the detection unit 31, the protection key 32, and the software destruction unit 34 comprises a number of instructions and logic expressions, some of which are shared by the software body 33. All of the instructions and the logic expressions are scattered over the software by employing a G0 T0 instruction).
The detection unit 31 examines the protection key 32 embedded 2S in the software and communication information provided by the communication information notification unit 6 in the compound .:, . , . : . .. . . . ~ .. - . . . :. -..... . - .. . -.. . . . . .

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communication terminal 1. The protection ~ey 32 is embedded into the software by the key built-in unit 11 in the software supply device 10. A software body 33 to be supplied by the software supply device 10 is a target program being essential for the compound communication terminal device 1 to operate its computation and the like. The software destruction unit 34 is a program designed to destroy the software 30.
Needless to say, the compound communication terminal device l and the software supply device 10 include an antenna which connects themselves to the communication network 20, a ROM holding communication standards set by CCITT (Comite Consultatif International Telephonique et Telegraphique), and a display unit/an operation terminal necessary for operation by an operator. Also the software 30 holds an auxiliary logic program or a subroutine to operate the detection unit 31 and the protection key 32 as well as a software or communication information being essential for the compound communication terminal device to implement a communication. The compound communication terminal device 30 requests the communication network for an identification number of the other terminal when examining validation; accordingly, it is equipped to implement the transmission of the request. Since these are obvious and are not related to feature of the present invention, further explanation thereof will be omitted herein and in other embodiments of the present invention.
Operation of the software supply device will be :

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described with reference to FIG. 3.
The communication unit 2 in the compound communication terminal device 1 accesses to the software supply device 10 via the communication network 20. Once a communication path between the software supply device 10 and the communication unit 12 is built, the compound communication terminal device 1 will send a software supply request to the software supply device 10 (al). The key built-in unit 11 obtains from the information notification unit 16 a terminal identification number of the compound communication terminal device 1 which is employed by the communication unit 2 to form a communication path between itself and the software supply device 10. The communication standard is also referred herein (a2). To be precise, the terminal identification number is obtained by the software supply device 10 when requesting the communication network 20 for information, and receiving a response to the information request. Otherwise, the terminal identification number is obtained by the software supply device 10 when receiving information from the compound communication terminal device 1. In the latter case, validation of the information to be received by the software supply device is checked by the communication network 20; and corrects an error before it is transmitted thereto. Thus, the communication network 20 confirms the validation of the software supply device to receive the information.
The protection key 32 is generated in accordance with ... . . . . .

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the obtained terminal identification number (a3), which will be described in detail later. At the software supply device, on the other hand, the requested software is taken from the recording unit 13 (a4), and is transferred to the key built-in unit 11. It is supposed in this embodiment that thesoftware recorded by the recording unit 13 includes operation of the detection unit 31. The generated protection key 32 is then embedded into the software to be supplied (a5); and the software 30 holding both the protection key 32 and the detection unit 31 is transmitted to the compound communication terminal device 1 via the communication unit 12 (a6).
Operation of the compound communication terminal device 1 will be descrlbed with reference to FIG. 4. The software 30 received by the communication unit 2 is sent to the information processing unit 4 and stored therein. Processing at the information processing unit 4 starts with operation of the detection unit 31 (bl). That is, the detection unit 31 holds a program comprising a detection request, so that the detection unit 31 requests the communication information notification unit 6 for notification of the terminal identification number controlled by the communication unit 2 (b2); and obtains it (b3). The obtained terminal identification number is examined by the detection unit 31 in the software 30 together with the protection key 32 stored in the software 3, which will be described in detail later in (b4) (bS) (b6). If the terminal identification number and the protection key 32 correspond to lg : ..: :. . , . ..: .: . .. . - :..
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~1 Ofi~22 each other, the operation of the software 30 will be forwarded (b7). If they do not correspond to each other, in other words the software is a copy of the original software and is being operated by a compound communication terminal device other than the one designated for the original software, the software body 33 included in the copy will not be operated, and the copy will be sent to the software destruction unit 34 (b8). The software destruction unit 34 orders the information processing unit 4 to destroy the software being processed currently; as a result, storage area in the software will be cleared or will be filled with random data so that the copy cannot be operated (b9).
As has been described, the software supply device 10 generates a protection key in accordance with a terminal ide~tifica~ion number of the compound communication terminal device 1 . The generation of a protection key ~(a3) in FIG.
3~ will be described in detail.
It is assumed that "P" is a thirty place prime number;
"g" is its primitive root; and "a" is an obtained terminal identification number. In this case, remainder ~ obtained from a rule (~_ga (mod P)) will be a protection key. The rule says that "P" is equal to "g" raised to ath power. Subsequently, the protection key will be stored at a predetermined place in the software to be supplied. Thus, the obtainment of 11 from "g", "a", and "P" is relatively easy, so that a program implementing this will be simple. Further, it is impossible to obtain "~" without knowing all of the above computation and . , . , , ~ . . ~. . .

~IQ~I 22 the components "g" and "P". For example, a person can learn "a" from a user who pays for operation of a software; however, he will not be able to obtain "" without knowing the above computation as well as the components "g" and "P".
Consequently, the protection key of a software can be kept secret as long as the software supply device does not provide the computation, "g", or "P". Thus, copyright of a software will be protected.
The operation of the detection unit 31 at (b4), (b5), and (b6) in FIG. 4, will be described. The detection unit 31 holds a program including a notification request of a terminal identification number, a computation (fl--gb (mod P)), and components "g" and "P". A terminal identification number to be notified by the communication unit 2 via the information processing unit 4 and the information notification unit 6 will be stored at b in the above computation. The computation is operated to obtain "~". Subsequently, the obtained ~ will be compared to the protection ~ey ~ (b5)(b6). If "~" is consistent with the protection key "u", it will be judged that the compound communication terminal device is permitted to operate the software having the protection key : and hence, the software body 33 of the software will be processed (b7).
If they are not consistent with each other, on the other hand, it will be judged that the compound communication terminal is attempted to operate a copy of the software 30 without paying for the operation (b8); therefore, the software destruction ~ ~ - , , ; . : .

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unit 34 will order the information processing unit 4 to destroy the copy (b9).

~Embodiment 2]
A software supply system in a second embodiment generates a protection key in accordance with an identification number of a base station. Construction of the software supply system will be described as referring to FIG. 5. The so~tware supply system comprises the compound communication terminal device 1, the software supply device 10, the communication network 20, all of which are the same as in FIG. 1; and a base station 40 for operating radio communication with the compound communication terminal device 1. Further, an area 41 indicates a district to which the base station 40 belongs. Descriptions of the components are basically the same as in the first embodiment, and they will not be repeated herein.
Operation of the software supply system with the above construction will be described. The communication unit 2 in the compound communication terminal device 1 builds a radio communication path between the compound communication terminal 1 and the base station 40 through a radio (mobile) communication. Then, the compound communication terminal device 1 accesses the software supply device 10 via the communication network 20. When a communication path is built ; between the software supply device 10 and the communication unit 12, the compound communication terminal device 1 sends a ,.
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software supply request to the software supply device 10.
Receiving the software supply request, the software supply device 10 stores the protection key 32 and the detection unit into the requested software. The protection key 32 was generated beforehand in accordance with the terminal identification number(s) of the base station(s) locating within the area 40 while the detection unit 31 examines validation of the software as referring to the protection key and the terminal identification number of the base station of the compound communication terminal device. Then, the communication unit 12 transmits the requested software 30 to the compound communication terminal device 1. Receiving the software 30 holding the protection key 32, the communication unit 2 in the compound communication terminal 1 sends it to the information processing unit 4. According to the detection request included in the detection unit 31, the information processing unit 4 requests the communication information notification unit 6 for an identification number of the base station 40 being available for the current communication; and obtains it from the communication unit 2. The detection unit 31 in the software 30 examines the obtained identification number and the protection key 32 through a predetermined procedure. When they correspond to each other, the operation of the software will be forwarded; in other words, operation of the software body 33 will start. When they do not correspond to each othex, on the other hand, the software will I

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~e sent to the software destruction unit 34 and will be destructed or eliminated. Thus, operation of a software by the compound communication terminal device location outside of the designated area will be prevented. As a result, copyright of a software can be protected.

[Embodiment 3]
Another application of the present invention will be described. In a third embodiment the compound communication terminal device obtains an identification number of a base station when communicating therewith, and starts operation of a program in accordance with the obtained identification number. As shown in FIG. 6, a compound communication terminal 51 includes a communication unit 52 for operating a radio communication, a storage unit 53 for holding a program; an information processing unit 54 for operating a software received from the communication unit 52 or a software stored in the storage unit 53; and a communication information notification unit 65 for examining communication information controlled by the communication unit 52 and notifying the information processing unit 54 of the communication information when necessary.
The information processing unit 54 is further comprised of a correspondence table 56 holding correspondence between the communication information received from the communication information notification unit 55 and a program to operate; and i ~ ., ~ . ' ,' 21~ 27 a program start unit 57 for receiving communication information and starting operation of a program corresponding to the received communication information in the correspondence table 56.
A communication system relating to operation of the compound communication terminal device in FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. 7. The communication system includes the compound communication terminal device 51, the communication network 20 for implementing a communication (a mobile communication), the base station 40 for building a communication path between itself and the compound communication terminal device 51, and an area 41 being a district supervised by each base station.
Operation of the compound communication terminal with above construction will be described. The base station 40 supervises the compound communication terminal device 51. The communication unit 52 in the compound communication terminal device 51 registers a location of the base station 40 by an identification number of the base station 40 so that the communication unit 52 can receive a call over the radio communication path. When a call is made, the communication network 20 detects the base station 40 for the compound communication terminal device for which the call is destined as referring to the registered identification number, and makes the detected base station 40 transfer the call to the destination. Thus, the communication unit 52 in the compound communication terminal device 51 holds an identification number ~1 Q6122 of the base station having registered its location to the communication network 20. Further, the communication unit 52 monitors at intervals a base station available for the current communication. Consequently, if the compound communication terminal device 51 migrates so far that the communication unit 52 judges that a communication between the compound communication terminal device 51 and the base station 40 is hardly possible, the communication unit 52 will register another base station which can communicate with the migrated compound communication terminal device 51 and will hold an identification number of the newly registered base station.
~he operation described so far corresponds to operation of a portable telephone.
The communication information notification unit 55 notifies the program start unit 57 of the identification number of the newly registered base station. Subsequently, an interruption occurs in the operation of the software; and the program start unit 57 starts its operation. To be concrete, the program start unit 57 determines a program to be operated as referring to the correspondence table 56. The program being operated at the information processing unit 54 stops unless it is consistent with the program to be operated by the program start unit 57. The program start unit 57 transfers the program to operate from the storage unit 53 into the information processing unit 54: and operation thereof will start. Thus, a program selected as referring to a current location of the . : . . . . -. . : . :

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compound communication terminal device can start automatically.
Therefore, copyright of a software can be protected appropriately.

tEmbodiment 4]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention relates to a validation system for storing validation information into a software when the software is purchased. As shown in FIG. 8, the validation system comprises a compound communication terminal device 60 for information processing and a communication; a software supply device 70 for transmitting a software requested by the compound communication terminal 60 as well as for judging validation of a software to be operated by the compound communication terminal device 60; and a communication network 20 for building a commùnication path between the compound communication terminal device 60 and the software sùpply device 70 when requested by one of the devices 60 and 70 so that a communication therebetween will be possible. The compound communication terminal device 60 is further comprised of a communication unit 61 for communicating over the communication network 20 and an information processing unit 62 for operating a software. The software supply device 70 is further comprised of a communication unit 71 for communicating over the communication network 20, a validation unit 72 for examining validation of a software to be operated by the compound communication terminal device 60, a software - .. .. : ... : : . : .~.: - . . : .
.... . . . . .. :.: :~
. : . . . . ., : . .; ... . . ..
.: -.; - , . , .: : . ~. : :. . - , 2'?

control unit 73 for controlling a software, and a data control unit 74 for controlling data or a part of a program being essential for operation of a software. The communication network 20 is further comprised of a detection unit 21 for checking validation of a call originating from/destining to the communication unit in the compound communication terminal device 60 or the software supply device 70 , and a charge unit 22 for charging use of the communication line as well as charging for information provided for the sake of an information giver.
Operation of the validation system will be described, When a user does not ind a software to be operated in the compound communication terminal device 60, he sends a software transmlssion request ~SETUP+ W I tuser~user~information)] in FIG. 9, Receivlng the software transmission request, the communication network 20 has the detection unit 21 examine a source number of the software transmission request; corrects an error if any; and transmits the software transmission request to the software supply device 70 being destination of the software transmission request.
The software supply device 70 reads the source number and a desired software type from the software transmission request; and holds them as validation information to be employed by the validation unit 72. Subsequently, a software corresponding to the desired software type is read from the software control unit 73. Then, the communication unit 71 . . ... ,~ ., .. ~ .. .. :
: ~ . ~ ,. , . :
:: . . : . .. .. . .. .
': :' : " . :' , . , : .

~lQ~ 2~?

sends it to the compound communication terminal 60.
According to a contract made with the software supply device 70, the communication network 20 is assigned to charge the communication unit 61 in the compound communication terminal device 60 for the transmission of a software. The communication networ~ 20 also charges the communication unit 61 for use of the communication line separately from the above charge. The software to be transmitted by the software supply device 70 is a software body, and some data and a part of a program are taken to outside beforehand; therefore, operation of the software cannot be completed itself. That is, the compound communication terminal 60 requests the software supply device 70 for data and a part of a program which are missing in the software when they are needed. Thus, a software or the compound communication terminal 60 sends a validation reguest in FIG. 10 from the communication unit 61 when the missing data and the missing part of a program are needed to forward the operation; and it receives the needed information from the software supply device 70. The data and the part of the program destine for the same address in a memory of the information processing unit 62; therefore, they cannot be operated at one time. That is, the missing data and the missing part of the program will be provided bit by bit in accordance with each operation need.
Reception of new data which is required to forward operation of a software will be described as referring to FIG.

I

~1 061 ,~2 11. Receiving the validation request from the compound communication terminal device 1, the detection unit 21 i~ the communication network 20 examines validation of the source number, then transmits the validation request to the software supply device 70 if the source number is validated.
Subsequently, the software supply device 70 reads a software type and the source number from the received validation request; and examines validation of the received validation request by comparing the software type and the source number with validation information controlled by the validation unit 72. When the validation request is validated and operation of the software is admitted, the data and the part of the program being necessary for operation of the software are transmitted from the data control unit 74 to the compound communication terminal device 60.
An unregistered user who did not pay for use of the software possesses a line number and a terminal identification number different from a registered user, so that such unregistered user cannot obtain the data and the part of the program being necessary to complete operation of the software.
As has been described, the communication network 20 is assigned by the software supply device 70 to charge for transmission of a software; and hence, the charge unit 22 in the communication network 20 charges the communication unit 61 in the information processing device 60 for operation of a software in addition to use of the communication line. As a . - . . .
.:: . . . - . . . . - ..

21 Ofil2~ ~

result, the communication unit 61 will be charged depending on how far it has operated a software.

tEmbodiment 5]
A fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a validation system which registers validation information at an initial operation stage of a software. As shown in FIG. 12, the system comprises a compound communication terminal device 60 implementing information processing and radio communication;
a base station 40 for controlling a radio communication conducted within a district; a communication network 20 for building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device 60 and a validation device 80 when re~uested so by one of the devices 60 and 80; and the validation device 80 for examining validation of a software to be operated by the compound communication terminal device 60.
The compound communication terminal device 60 is further comprised of a communication unit 61 for realizing a radio communication, and an information processing unit 62 for operating a software. The communication network includes a detection unit 21 for examining validation of the communication unit 61 or a call from the communication unit 61. The validation device 80 is comprised of a communication unit 81 for communicating over the communication network 20, a 2~ validation unit 82 for judging the validation, a data control unit 83 for controlling data and a part of a program being -21 ~1 2~

essential for operation of a software, and a charge unit 84 for charging the compound communication terminal device 60 for data and a part of a program transmitted thereto so that it can operate a software.
Operation of the validation system having the above construction will be described.
A software to be operated by the compound communication terminal device 60 includes a user registration program for automatically registering a user for his operation of a software at an initial operation stage and a target program for target operation of a software.
The compound communication terminal device 60 receives a software to be operated. If it had not operated the received software before, a user registration program embedded in the software is operated. The operation of the user registration program is described in FIG. 13. That is, a user registration request is transmitted from the communication unit 61 to the validation device 80. The user registration request includes a software type indicating a type of a software to operate and a software identification number assigned to a software uniquely.
The communication network 20 receives the user registration request. Then, the detection unit 61 examines validation of the communication unit 61 by a predetermined procedure, and sends the user registration request to the validation device 80 via the base station 40 when the :... .. ,: .

-~iOfil 2~

communication unit is validated as a source of the user registration request. The validation device 80 reads a software type and a software identification number from the received user registration request. Also the validation device 80 requests the communication networ~ 20 for information (a line number and a terminal identification number of the communication unit 61 and destination of an invoice) stored in the communication unit 62 to examine validation of the user registration request, to conduct a rooting, and to charge.
The validation device 80 examines validation of the obtained software identification number by examining following points.
1) The software identiication number included in the user registration request corresponds to a software identification number originally provided to the software.
2) According to the validation information controlled by the validation unit 82, no user registers his use of software having the same software identification number as the one included in the user registration request.
The former point will prevent a user from registering use of a software by a software identification number other than the one originally provided to the software. The latter point will prevent a user from registering use of a copy of the software.
If the software identification number is validated, validation information for each software type, including the . ' . ' ' . ' . ' , ~'. . . , ~ ' . - , .:
" . ~ - .: .. .

1 2 ?

software identification number, the line number and the terminal identification number of the communication unit 61, will be provided to the validation unit 82. Also, charge information for each software type, including the line number, the terminal identification number of the communication unit 61j and invoice destination will be provided to the information processing device 60. Subsequently, the information processing device 60 is informed that the user registration is completed.
If the software identification number is not validated, the invalid software identification number as well as the line number, the terminal identification number, and the invoice destination corresponding to the software identification number will be recorded to detect the cause; and the information processing device 60 i8 informed that the user regi~stration failed.
Informed that the user registration completed, the software at the information processing device 60 replaces the user registration program with a target program. Accordingly, the target program will be operated from a succeeding operation of the software. That is, the user registration program will not be operated any longer once the software identification number is validated. The replacement of the user registration program with the target program is shown in FIG. 14.
A target program is generated to lack some data or a part of the program so that it cannot be completed itself.
Accordingly, a target program will receivc the missing data 21(~12~

and a missing part of a program from the validation device 80 when they are needed.
As shown in FIG. 15, the software transmits the validation request from the communication unit 61 when it needs the missing data and the missin~ part of a target program.
Since destinations of the data and a part of a target program in a memory of the information processing unit 62 are overlapped with each other, they will be provided bit by bit in accordance with each operation need.
The validation request transmitted by the communication unit 61 in the compound communication terminal 60 is received by the communication network 20 via the base station 40. The detection unit 21 in the communication network 20 examines validation of the communication unit 61, and sends the validation request to the validation device 80 if the communication unit is validated as a source.
The validation device 80 reads a software type from the received validation request while requesting information controlled by the communication network 20 to examine validation and operate a routing. Thereby, the validation device 80 reads from the received information a line number and a terminal identification number.
The obtained software type, the line number, and the terminal identification number are compared to the validation information controlled by the validation unit 82 to examine validation of the compound communication terminal device 60.

' .... , . : . j ': .' .~.. - ' ~. :' , 21 ~512~

If operation of the software by the compound communication terminal 60 is validated, the missing data and the missing part of a target program being necessary for operation of the software are transmitted from the data control unit 83 If a user has not registered his use of a software, the user cannot obtain data and a part of a program being necessary for operation of the software since he possesses a line number and a terminal identification number different from a registered user. Consequently, no user can complete operation of a software without registering his use of the software.
The charge unit 84 detects a compound communication terminal device to be charged as referring to the obtained software type, the line number and the terminal identification number; and charges the detected compound communication terminal for operation of the software. Hence, the charge unit 84 can charge the compound communication terminal depending on how far the software has been operated.

(Embodiment 6) A validation system in a sixth embodiment is substantially the same as the fifth embodiment. That is, validation information is registered at an initial operation stage of a software. However, the sixth embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in that validation information controlled by the validation unit 82 of the validation device 80 includes an identification number of a , .. - , : . , . - :, . : ; ., . :: .: .,: :.
.. .. .

~10~1 22 base station to which the communication unit 61 in the compound communication terminal 60 is registered; and charge information controlled by the char~e unit 84 include an identification number of a base station corresponding to destination of an invoice. The validation information and the charge information are prepared for each software type.
Operation of the validation system in this embodiment will be described as referring to the fifth embodiment.
As was in the fifth embodiment, a software lacks data and a part of a program being necessary for operation of the software. Accordingly, operation of the software cannot be completed itself. As shown in FIG. 15, the software is designed to send a validation request from the communication unit 61 to the validation device 80 when it needs the missing data and the missing part of a program, and receive them from the validation device 80. The missing data and the missing part of a program will be obtained bit by bit since destination addresses thereof are overlapped with each other.
The validation re~uest transmitted from the compound communication terminal 60 is received by the communication network 20. Subsequently, the detection unit 21 in the communication network 20 examines validation of the communication unit 61 by a predetermined procedure, and sends the validation request to the validation device 80 when the communication unit 61 is validated as source of the validation request. To be noted, in order to receive a call from the - . . ..

21~122 communication network 20 the communication unit 61 in the compound communication terminal 60 registers an identification number of a base station 40 to the communication network 20 to identify its location.
S The validation device 80 reads a software type from the received validation request while obtaining from the communication network 20 the identification number of the base station to which the communication unit 61 has registered.
The validation unit 82 in the validation device 80 examines validation of the compound communication terminal device by comparing the obtained identification number to validation information controlled by the validation unit 82.
When operation of the software by the compound communication terminal device is validated, data and a part of a program being necessary for operation of the software are read from the data control unit 83 and are transmitted to the compound communication terminal device 60.
According to the above validation system, operation of t a software by a compound communication terminal device locating outside a predetermined district can be prevented. Examples of the predetermined district are an amusement park and an office. That is, play of a game software can be allowed if a user is inside of the designated amusement park. Also a data base can be accessed if a user accesses it inside of the office.
Destination of an invoice which charges operation of a !

... ,. ,. , . ~ ., . . ~ .. . - . :: .

21Qfi1 2~) software can be detected by the charge unit 84 from the received software type and the identification number of the base station to which the compound communication terminal device is registered. Accordingly, charge for operation of a software will destine for a company when it is operated inside the company while it will destine for a user when it is operated privately.
Other applications of the present invention are as follows.
(1) A detection unit embedded can be embedded in a compound communication terminal in accordance with an agreement between a giver and a receiver instead of a software in the first and the second embodiments. In this case, the software holds only a protection key.
(2) The communication information notification unit 6 may notify information controlled by the communication network 40 instead of information controlled by the communication unit 2 in the first and the second embodiments. (For example, the communication information notification unit 6 requests the communication network 40 for the information controlled by the communication unit 2. Otherwise, the information notification unit 6 calls the communication unit 2 via the communication network 40; and the called communication unit 2 transmits its information to the information notification unit 6).
(3) The protection key may include a line number, a personal identification number and so on instead of a terminal !
, ",~; " " , ,,, ,,, , : . . . .. . .

:, ~la~t 22 identification number in the first embodiment or an identification number of a base station in the second embodiment. Furthermore, computation for validation can be reduced by using only the first and the last column instead S of all columns in the above numbers.
(4) When communication means in a compound communication terminal device conducts a radio communication, a line number and a personal identification number may be included in a protection key which identifies a compound communication terminal device.

(5) A software stored in a recording medium such as a floppy disk may be supplied instead of being supplied via communication means in the first and the second embodiments.

(6) A plurality of protection keys may be embedded in a software to be supplied instead of single protection key in the first and the second embodiments. To be precise, various line numbers and personal identification numbers may be employed; and random numbers may be generated from a '-computation for obtaining a protection key. In this case, a 0 plurality of detection means may be embedded in a software.

(7) A personal identification number, a line number, and a terminal identification number may use a letter of the alphabet and a Chinese character to identify a compound communication terminal device which can operate a software as well as a district allowing operation of a softwaxe. In this case, a protection key may be generated from a letter of the ~1~61 29 alphabet and a Chinese character; or a letter of the alphabet and a Chinese character may be converted into numerical codes to be processed in a formula.

(8) The procedure to control a call may not follow ISDN. That is, a call may be controlled by an agreement between a giver and a receiver of a software.

(9) A plurality of protection keys may be embedded in a software. In this case, operation of the software will be permitted only when one of the protection keys is justified.
Accordingly, more than two uses at the same compound communication terminal device can operate the software.

(10) Destruction or elimination of a software may be caused by operating the same routine of a program repeatedly so that further processing of the program will become impossible instead of making the whole software incapable of operating. Accordingly, destruction of a program caused by a mistaken key input will be prevented.
(ll) An identification number of a base station included in a protection key may be notified by a compound communication terminal device or a communication network instead of employing the identification number determined beforehand in the second embodiment. Accordingly, operation of a software will be allowed only within a district including a compound communication terminal device.
(12) The correspondence table and the program start unit in the third embodiment may be united with a program to .~lO61 ~

be operated by the information processing unit instead of location outside of the program. Tn this case, the correspondence table may hold correspondence between broad information received from a base station and a subroutine to start; and the program start unit may search the correspondence table for a subroutine to start when receiving broadcast information from the communication information notification unit. Accordingly, a subroutine to operate will be automatically determined in accordance with location of a terminal.
(13) An interruption may be generated by a timer at intervals whereby the program start unit starts its operation instead of occurring when the communication information notification unit notifies information in the third embodiment.
Subsequently, the program start unit will start its operation to obtain from the communication information notification unit validation information about a radio station, and select a correct program.
(14) The communication information notification unit may notify the information when receiving new information from a base station instead of notifying information when a location of a compound communication terminal device is registered.
(15) Notification information to start a program may include an identification number of a base station, a type of a system to which a base station belongs, communication line condition, and call information rather than an identification i . .
., ., , .. , ~ . , .. .. .. ,_ . . .. .... : .. : . - .

~ . . . .

number of a base station.
(16) Various broadcast information including an identification number of a base station, a system type, a communication line condition, and call information as well as a combination thereof may be employed to start a program.
Also a plurality of correspondence tables and program start units may be embedded in a software.
(17) The program start unit may be notified of information indicating a program to start or a certain subroutine, so that the program start unit will read the received information and operate the program or the subroutine.
(18) Broadcast information including an identification number of a base station, a system type, communication line condition, and call information may employ a letter of the lS alphabet or a Chinese character so that a program or a subroutine to start will be identified. In this case, the broad information will be generated from a letter of the alphabet or Chinese characters; otherwise, a letter of the alphabet and Chinese characters will be converted into numeral coded once and they will be processed in a formula.
(19) Not only data and a part of a program are not supplied but also operation of a software may stop if validation of a compound communication terminal device is not confirmed in the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth embodiments.
(20) A combination of a line number of the communication unit, a personal identification number of the compound f , . ' ' i A ' , . . ', . , , , I , ' ~ , , ' -21 061 2~

communication terminal device, a terminal identification number of the communication unit, and an identification number of a base station may be employed to embody information to be controlled by the validation unit or the charge unit.
(21) Each of the validation unit, the data control unit, the software control unit, the charge unit may have its own communication unit and they may be dispersed.
~22) Responding to a validation reguest, information may be sent to the compound communication terminal device so that it may read data and a part of a program being essential for operation of the program from the data control unit.
(23) The data control unit may be stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk or in a memory in the information processing unit in the compound communication terminal; and information directing to read data from the software control unit may be transmitted to the information processing unit; and the information processing unit may read data and a part of a program from the data control unit stored in the memory or in the storage medium and forward its operation.
(24) The charge unit may read information validated by the communication network from a validation reguest, and charge basing upon the information.
(25) Validation of software operation may be examined before the operation; therefore, a software will not be operated until all the conditions (data, a program) to allow the operation are ready.

- , (26) Control of a call does not follow ISDN. That is, a call is controlled by an agreement between the communication unit and the communication network.
(27) A plurality of the software supply system may share the same validation unit and the charging unit.

Claims

1. Software copyright protection means employed in a software supply system, wherein the software supply system comprises:
a compound communication terminal device comprised of a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software;
a software supply device comprised of a communication unit and a software supply unit for obtaining the software requested by the compound communication terminal device, embedding a protection key into the software to protect its copyright, and transmitting the software; and detection means incorporated with the compound communication terminal device to detect if the software transmitted by the software supply device can be operated by the compound communication terminal device as referring to the protection key embedded in the software and information received from the compound communication terminal device, and the software copyright protection means protects copyright of the software by making the software supply device generate the protection key as referring to communication information obtained when the compound communication terminal device builds a communication path between itself and the software supply device.

2. The software copyright protection means of Claim 1, : 46 wherein the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device holds the communication information which is necessary to build the communication path between itself and the software supply device, and receives the software from the software supply device;
the information processing unit of the compound communication terminal device receives the software from the communication unit, operates information processing, and takes the protection key out of the software; and the detection means receives the communication information from the communication unit, receives the protection key from the information processing unit, and examines if the compound communication terminal device can operate the software by examining the protection key and the communication information.

3. The software copyright protection means of Claim 1, wherein the software supply device is comprised of a communication information obtaining unit for receiving a software transmission request from the compound communication terminal device, and obtaining the communication information relating to the compound communication terminal device by reading it from the software transmission request or by requesting the communication network for notification of the communication information, and a key built-in unit for receiving the communication information from the communication information obtaining unit, generating the protection key as referring to the communication information, and embedding the protection key into the software to be transmitted to the compound communication terminal device.

4. The software copyright protection means of Claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the communication information includes a line number of the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device.

5. The software copyright protection means of Claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the communication information includes a personal identification number of a user of the compound communication terminal device.

6. The software copyright protection means of Claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the communication information includes a terminal identification number of the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device.

7. The software copyright protection means of Claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the communication information includes information relating to the communication network, the information being available for the compound communication terminal device.

8. The software copyright protection means of Claim 7, wherein the information relating to the communication network and being available for the compound communication terminal device includes an identification number of a base station being employed by the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device.

9. The software copyright protection means of Claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the detection means destructs the software so that operation of the software will become impossible if the validation of the compound communication terminal is not detected by the detection means.

10. The software copyright protection means of Claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the detection means is a program incorporated with the software to be supplied to the compound communication terminal device, the program instructing the information processing unit of the compound communication terminal device to read the communication information from the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device and to compare the communication information with the protection key embedded in the software by a predetermined procedure.

11. The software copyright protection means of Claim 10, wherein the program supply device includes a detection means built-in unit for embedding the detection means into the software to be provided to the compound communication terminal device.

12. The software copyright protection means of Claims 10 or 11, wherein the protection key includes at least one of a line number to be employed by the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device to communicate with the software supply device, a personal identification number of the user, a terminal identification number of the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, information relating to the network which can be obtained by the compound communication terminal device, and an identification number of a base station to be employed by the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device.

13. The software copyright protection means of Claims 10 or 11, wherein the detection means destructs the software so that operation of the software will become impossible when the validation of the compound communication terminal device is not detected.

14. Software copyright protection means to be operated by a compound communication terminal device, wherein the compound communication terminal device comprises:
a communication unit capable of operating radio communication with a base station; and an information processing unit for operating a software, and the software copyright protection means comprises:
a communication information recognition unit for recognizing broadcast information relating to the base station supervising the compound communication terminal device whose communication unit received a call, and a program start unit for receiving the broadcast information from the communication information recognition unit, selecting one of a program and a subroutine as referring to the broadcast information, and starting it.

15. The software copyright protection means of claim 14, wherein the program start unit which selects one of the program and the subroutine in accordance with the broadcast information received from the communication information recognition unit is embedded in the software to be operated by the information processing unit.

16. The software copyright protection means of Claims 14 or 15, wherein the broadcast information employed by the program start unit to select one of the program and the subroutine includes an identification number of the base station.

17. The software copyright protection means of Claim 16, wherein the communication information recognition unit replaces one of the program and the subroutine with another if the broadcast information is updated because of migration of the compound communication terminal device, by notifying the updated broadcast information.

18. The software copyright protection means of Claim 16, wherein the communication information recognition unit notifies the program start unit of the updated broadcast information periodically, or whenever the identification number of the base station controlled by the communication unit changes because of migration of the base station, the base station being available for communication.

19. The software copyright protection means of Claim 16, wherein the communication information recognition unit recognizes the broadcast information received by the communication unit, the broadcast information relating to the base station, when the communication information recognition unit registers its location to the base station.

20. The software copyright protection means of Claim 16, wherein the program start unit obtains the updated broadcast information by sending a transmission request to the communication information recognition unit periodically.

21. Software copyright protection means in a software supply system, wherein the software supply system comprises:
a compound communication terminal device including a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software;
a software supply device for holding the software and supplying it, the software supply device including a communication unit and a validation unit for examining validation; and a communication network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, examining validation of the call request, and building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device so that transmission/reception of information therebetween will be possible, and the software copyright protection means makes the validation unit in the software supply device examine the validation of operation of the software by:
monitoring validation information relating to operation of the software, the validation information including communication information about the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device whose validation was examined by the communication network;
obtaining the communication information by reading it from a validation request and the call request and/or by receiving it from the communication network; and examining the validation by comparing the communication information with the validation information, and enabling the operation of the software by transmitting information over the communication network if the validation is detected.

22. Software protection mean employed in a software supply system as user registration means, wherein the software supply system comprises:
a compound communication terminal device equipped with a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software;
a software supply device equipped with a communication unit, a software supply unit for holding the software and supplying it, and a validation unit for examining validation of operation of the software;
a communication network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, examining one of validation of the call request and validation of the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, and building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device when the validation is detected, and the user registration means registers a user by:
making the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device transmit a software transmission request to the software supply device so that it will obtain the software over the communication network;
making the validation unit of the software supply device receive the software transmission request, and obtain communication information relating to the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device by reading it from the software transmission request and/or by receiving it from the communication network, the compound communication terminal device whose validation was examined by the communication network;
making the validation unit register the communication information as validation information relating to a user who will operate the software requested by the software transmission request; and examining the validation of the software as referring to the validation information.

23. Software copyright protection mean employed in a software supply system as user registration means, wherein the software supply system comprises:
a compound communication terminal device equipped with a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating the software;
a software supply device equipped with a communication unit, a software supply unit for holding the software and supplying it, and a validation unit for examining validation of operation of the software; and a communication network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, examining one of validation of the call request and validation of the communication unit, and building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device when the validation is confirmed, and the user registration means makes the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device transmit a user registration request to the communication unit of the software supply device over the communication network, the user registration request including an identification number embedded in the software uniquely.

24. The software copyright protection means of Claims 21, 22, or 23, wherein the validation information controlled by the validation unit includes at least one of a line number of the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, a terminal identification number thereof, and a personal identification number of its user.

25. The software copyright protection means of Claims 21, 22, or 23, wherein the validation information controlled by the validation unit is an identification number of a base station.

26. Software copyright protection means in a software supply system, wherein the software supply system comprises:
a compound communication terminal device including a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software;
a software supply device including a communication unit, a validation unit for examining validation, and a software supply unit for holding the software and supplying it; and a communication network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, examining validation of the call request, and building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device so that transmission/reception of information therebetween will be possible, and the copyright protection means protects copyright of the software by:
taking data and a part of a program in the software to outside, and making a data control unit by controlling them exclusively;
making the communication unit of the information processing unit transmit a data transmission request to the software supply device via the communication network when at least one of the data and the part of the program are needed to operate the software which was transmitted by the software supply device;

making the validation unit examine validation of the data transmission request, and enable the compound communication terminal device to obtain the data and/or the part of the program by transmitting the data transmission request or by transmitting information to the compound communication terminal device, the information allowing the compound communication terminal device to read the data and/or the part of the program from the data control unit.

27. Software copyright protection means in a software supply system, wherein the software supply system comprises:
a compound communication terminal device including a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software;
a software supply device including a communication unit, a data control unit, and a charge control unit for controlling charge information; and a communication network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the software supply device, examining validation of the call request, and building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device so that transmission/reception of information therebetween will be possible, and the copyright protection means protects copyright of the software by:

taking data and a part of a program in the software to outside, and making a data control unit control them exclusively;
making the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device transmit a data transmission request to the software supply device via the communication network when at least one of the data and the part of the program are needed to operate the software transmitted by the software supply device;
making the data control unit of the software supply device transmit the requested data and/or the part of the program to the information processing unit via the communication network by employing the communication unit;
making the charge control unit count a fee for the transmission of the data and/or the part of the program, receive from the network or the communication unit of the software supply device communication information relating to the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, the communication information employed to examine validation of the call request or the data transmission request, and charge the compound communication terminal device for the transmission of the data and/or the part of the program.

28. Software copyright protection means in a software supply system, wherein the software supply system comprises:

a compound communication terminal device including-a communication unit and an information processing unit for operating a software;
a software supply device including a communication unit, a data control unit, and a charge control unit for controlling charge information; and a communication network including a charging unit and a network, the charging unit for receiving the charge information from the charge control unit of the software supply device and for charging, and the network for receiving a call request from the communication unit of the software supply device, examining validation of the call request, and building a communication path between the compound communication terminal device and the software supply device so that transmission/reception of information therebetween will be possible, and the copyright protection means protects copyright of the software by:
taking data and a part of a program in the software to outside, and making a data control unit control them exclusively;
making the communication unit of the information processing unit transmit a data transmission request to the software supply device via the communication network when at least one of the data and the part of the program are needed to operate the software transmitted by the software supply device;
making the validation unit examine validation of the transmission request, and enable the compound communication terminal device to obtain the data and/or the part of the program by transmitting the data transmission request to the compound communication terminal device or by transmitting information to the compound communication terminal device, the information allowing the compound communication terminal device to read the data and/or the part of the program from the data control unit;
making the charge control unit count a fee for the transmission of the data and/or the part of the program and notify the charging unit in the communication network of the fee; and making the charging unit charge the compound communication terminal device for the transmission of one of the data and the part of the program besides charging for use of a communication line controlled by the communication network.

29. The software copyright protection device of Claim 28, wherein the charge information read by the charging unit to identify destination of an invoice, the invoice charging the fee, includes a line number of the communication unit of the compound communication terminal device, a terminal identification number thereof, and a personal identification number of its user.

30. The software copyright protection device of Claim 28, wherein the charge information read by the charging unit to identify destination of an invoice, the invoice charging the fee, includes an identification number of a base station.