Abstract: A set of a management-use memory medium in which is written various type of regulatory information (limit I of use of software, limit L of production of the next generation, a number K of generations showing up to what generation backup copies can be produced, software identification information PID, etc.) and a software memory medium in which the software is stored is established and use of the software is allowed under the restrictions of this regulatory information. Further, the software memory medium and the management-use memory medium may be provided in the same memory medium or the two may be constituted as separate memory media. In the case of the latter separate management system, the software is allowed to be used only when the software identification information PID written in the two match. It is therefore possible to suppress the unauthorized use of software without detracting from the spatial convenience of software use.

Abstract: In a system for reproducing multimedia data such as enciphered characters, enciphered images, enciphered animation or enciphered sound, an ID is given every time the data are integrated to some extent and the ID and a sector of CD-ROM are made correspond one another so that an access in which a sector has been designated directly for the encoded data can be executed by directing the ID from the outside.

Abstract: This invention provides an input switchover means for switching input routes according to the type of medium or communications, a software management means for decoding encrypted software information and for managing monetary charges according to the usage amounts of this software, an information conversion section for converting decoded data outputted from the previously mentioned software management means to visible or audible data, and an output route switchover means for outputting to the previously mentioned software management means encrypted software data, and for outputting to the previously mentioned information conversion section non-encrypted software information.

Abstract: A software copying system which enables copyrighted software recorded in a master storage medium to be copied to a user's target storage medium in a legitimate manner. A contents identifier reading unit reads out a software identifier from the master storage medium, while a storage medium identifier reading unit reads out a storage medium identifier from the target storage medium., The two identifiers are then sent to a central site which manages licenses for the right to copy software products. At the central site, a signature generating unit produces a first signature from those identifiers and sends it back to the user's site, where a signature writing unit writes the received signature into the target storage medium. A signature generating/comparing unit produces a second signature out of the same identifiers as those sent to the central site, and compares it with the first signature stored in the target storage medium.

Abstract: A storage medium stores encrypted electronic data, a medium personal number which is unique for each storage medium and encrypted permission information. At least the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un-rewritable form which a user computer cannot rewrite.

Abstract: A scrambling method of a stream formed of a series of unit streams in succession, the unit stream including a first stream part and a second stream part located behind the first stream part. The scrambling method scrambles the second stream part by using a random number generator and includes a step of supplying predetermined data included in the first stream part and having a non-fixed value, for each of the second stream part to be scrambled, to the random number generator as an initial value. Further, a scrambling apparatus, a descrambling method and a descrambling apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A key management unit of a service provider system generates an individual key corresponding to a portable module connected to a service client making an access request and informs an authenticating unit of this individual key. The individual key is stored beforehand also in the portable module. A random-number generator generates a random number, transmits this random number to the portable module and informs the authenticating unit of it. The portable module encrypts the random number with the individual key and sends it back to the service provider system. An encrypting portion of the authenticating unit encrypts the random number with the individual key. A comparator of the authenticating unit compares data encrypted by the encrypting portion with encrypted data transmitted from the portable module and, if the two items of data are coincident with each other, confirms an access request from the portable module.

Abstract: There is provided a false statement determination system capable of determining the truth of the statement made by a user in a software distribution system comprising at least one user terminal and a center connected to the user terminal. The user terminal is notified by the center of decoding information on condition that a user of the user terminal pays for software which is supplied to the user in a coded form and then decodes the coded software by using the decoding information.

Abstract: A key authentication device and method which, through the use of user-unique information, prevents the improper use of software. The key authentication device is equipped with a software storage medium for storing software with encoded characters, graphs, images, or sound, and, when using the software of this software storage medium, employs an input characteristics detection section for detecting the characteristics of input operations performed by a user, a management center for encoding input characteristics detected by the input characteristics detection section and for generating consent information, and a comparison section for comparing the consent information generated by the management center with the input characteristics detected by the input characteristics detection section.

Abstract: A system for use when distributing information stored in a piece of storage medium from a supplier to users through a distributor(s). The information is ciphered when stored in each piece of storage medium in a supplier apparatus. In addition, ciphered key information may be stored in the piece of storage medium together with the above information to be distributed. A distributor apparatus may convert the cipher of the key information before distributing the piece of storage medium to the users. The distributor apparatus may write further information in the piece of storage medium before distributing the piece of storage medium to the users. The further information indicates a limit of an operation of reading the information by each user, and may be a maximum allowable accumulated time of reading the information by each user, a maximum number of repetitions of the reading operation of the information by each user, or a time limit of the operation of the reading operation by each user.

Abstract: The present invention was developed in order to provide a software management module incorporated in hardware or freely attachably/detachably set therein for encrypted software data to be obtained from software storing media or communications, wherein this software management module is provided with a function for decoding encrypted software, and an authorization control portion for managing authorization for decoding.

Abstract: In order to realize an optimal software distributing form involving a software storing medium distributor and a communication company which provides software by utilizing communication lines, a center device for providing specified software to a user by ciphering it, a relaying device and a user terminal device are provided, and the center and the relaying device are made to carry out ciphering in a mode optimal to the software supply mode.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a transformation pattern generating mechanism comprising: a key input section for inputting a key for encryption; a transformation pattern generating section for generating a transformation pattern for transformation of input data; and an output section for outputting the generated transformation pattern; wherein, when a number sequence corresponding to a predetermined transformation pattern is input as the key to the key input section, said transformation pattern generating section generates and outputs the predetermined transformation pattern corresponding to the number sequence.

Abstract: An enciphered file sharing method is adapted to an area distributed type data processing system in which a plurality of data processing units are coupled via a network and a plurality of users share files while maintaining privacy among the users. The enciphered file sharing method includes the steps of (a) enciphering files using a cipher key and storing enciphered files in directories having a hierarchical tree structure in at least a first data processing unit which functions as a file server, (b) enciphering files having the same access attribute by the same cipher key by assigning one cipher key to each of the directories, and (c) transferring the enciphered files in the network and locally deciphering the enciphered files in at least a second data processing unit which is used by one of the users, where the second data processing unit is different from the first data processing unit.

Abstract: A storage medium stores encrypted electronic data, a medium personal number which is unique for each storage medium and encrypted permission information. At least the medium personal number is written onto the storage medium in an un-rewritable form which a user computer cannot rewrite.

Abstract: A key control method is for use in an electronic cashless transaction system including at least a bank center, a store transaction terminal and an IC card being used as an electronic cashless transaction medium.

Abstract: A modular arithmetic unit comprises an input register, a multiple computing section, an adder, and a correcting section. There is provided a multiple table in which multiples of a modulo N are stored to correspond with low-order some bits of an input number T in the input register. The low-order some bits of the input number T are used to look up its corresponding multiple of the modulo N in the multiple table. The adder adds the multiple of the modulo N retrieved from the multiple table and the contents of the input register. This addition is performed n times. The contents of the input register are updated with high-order predetermined bits of the sum in the adder each time addition is performed in the adder. The correcting section makes a correction on the result t of addition by the adder after n additions have been performed.

Abstract: A system for use when distributing information stored in a piece of storage medium from a supplier to users through a distributor(s). The information is ciphered when stored in each piece of storage medium in a supplier apparatus. In addition, ciphered key information may be stored in the piece of storage medium together with the above information to be distributed. A distributor apparatus may convert the cipher of the key information before distributing the piece of storage medium to the users. The distributor apparatus may write further information in the piece of storage medium before distributing the piece of storage medium to the users. The further information indicates a limit of an operation of reading the information by each user, and may be a maximum allowable accumulated time of reading the information by each user, a maximum number of repetitions of the reading operation of the information by each user, or a time limit of the operation of the reading operation by each user.

Abstract: A key control method is for use in an electronic cashless transaction system including at least a bank center, a store transaction terminal and an IC card being used as an electronic cashless transaction medium.

Abstract: An electronic data protection system for protecting electronic data from illegal copying by a third party, includes: a storage medium for storing an encrypted electronic data, a medium number and encrypted permission information; a vendor computer having a personal key generating unit for generating a medium key based on the medium number, an electronic data decrypting key, and an encrypting unit for encrypting the electronic data decrypting key based on the medium key to generate the encrypted permission information; and a user computer having a personal key generating unit for generating a medium key based on the medium number, a decrypting unit for decrypting the encrypted permission information based on the medium key to generate the electronic data decrypting key which is the same as the electronic data decrypting key of the vendor computer, and a decrypting unit for decrypting the encrypted electronic data based on the electronic data decrypting key to generate a plain text electronic data.