Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-24
2004-05-18
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
C340S568100, C340S005600, C340S684000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06736312
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and an electronic apparatus operation system operating subsequent to the authentication of a user, a system and method for authenticating the user, and an information storage medium for storing authentication information.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since the risk of theft of onboard apparatuses such as a car audio set is high today, various anti-theft means are devised and implemented in the attachment system of an apparatus and the front panel thereof.
When such a set is demounted for transportation, the set may be subject to various problems including scratches, damage, or even missing in the course of transportation. To prevent the set from missing, a security function using a code input to the set is contemplated. But such a security is troublesome. If the input code is simplified for easy operation, the level of security is lowered.
Another type of code input method has been proposed in which an input code may be stored in a card or a semiconductor storage medium, and the set is started by inserting the card into the set. This method presents another security problem that data to be input can be copied.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that allows security lock to be disengaged in response to an easy operation while assuring the safety of input data.
An electronic apparatus of the present invention in a first aspect includes a control unit for reading information from an information storage medium which stores first identification information, an operation unit which operates under the control of the control unit, and a memory which stores second identification, and which the control unit reads information from and writes information to, wherein when a portion of the first identification information read from the information storage medium coincides with the whole or portion of the second identification information stored in the storage unit, the control unit causes the operation unit to operate, and causes the memory to store another portion of the first identification information as a portion of the second identification information.
In this arrangement, a user adds information set by the user himself to the first identification information or overwrites a portion of the first identification information with the user set information in the information storage medium. The control unit determines whether a portion of the first identification information coincides with the second identification information. If the first identification information prior to the addition or overwriting by the user coincides with the second identification information, the control unit causes the operation unit to operate. The other portion of the first identification information, namely, the information added or written by the user is stored as the portion of the second identification information. The second identification information thus contains the added (overwriting) information in the information storage medium.
Even if the user further adds information to the first identification information or further overwrites the first identification, a portion of the first identification information (the portion other than the added portion or the overwriting portion), which is subjected to comparison by the control unit, coincides with the whole or portion of the second identification information including information previously added or written by the user. The control unit causes the operation unit to operate, based on the determination that the portion of the first identification information coincides with the second identification information, and furthermore, the control unit stores newly added or overwriting information of the first identification information as a portion of the second identification information. Specifically, even if the user adds information to the first identification information or overwrites the first identification information, the control unit determines whether the two pieces of identification information, taking into consideration the added information or overwriting information coincide with each other next time. The control unit thus disengages security lock even if the user adds information to the identification information or overwrites the identification information.
Specifically, when information to be read, out of the first identification information, includes an additional portion, and when the remaining portion other than the additional portion coincides with the second identification information, the control unit may cause the memory to additionally store the additional portion as a portion of the second identification information. In this arrangement, the user successively adds first identification information.
Preferably, the control unit causes the information storage medium to store overwrite inhibition information with the additional portion associated therewith when the control unit reads the additional portion. In this arrangement, the read portion of the first identification information is free from overwriting, and there is no possibility that overwriting causes the second identification information on the electronic apparatus to be noncoincident with the first identification information.
Preferably, when information to be read, out of the first identification information, includes a newly overwriting portion, and when the remaining portion other than the newly written portion coincides with a portion of the second identification information, the control unit causes the memory to store the newly writing portion as another portion of the second identification information. In this arrangement, the user can successively overwrite the first identification information.
Preferably, the control unit causes the information storage medium to store read end information with the newly overwriting portion associated therewith when the control unit reads the newly overwriting portion. In this arrangement, the control unit determines which portion to overwrite when overwriting the first identification information.
An electronic apparatus operation system of the present invention in a second aspect includes a portable information storage medium having a read and write record area with identification information written on the record area, and an electronic apparatus which reads the identification information from the information storage medium. The electronic apparatus includes a drive into which the information storage medium is loaded, a memory for storing correspondence identification information corresponding to the identification information, a comparator which reads the identification information from the information storage medium loaded into the drive and compares the read identification information with the correspondence identification information, a starter which operates in response to the output from the comparator, and an additional storage device for storing, in the memory, at least a portion of additional information about the identification information stored in the record area, as a portion of the correspondence identification information.
In this arrangement, the electronic apparatus or at least one function of the electronic apparatus is started using the portable information storage medium. In this case, identification information stored in the information storage medium can be added. The addition of the identification information includes overwriting of information, namely, deleting information and then writing new information on space left after the deleted information. Preferably, the drive and the comparator exchange information with each other through radio link. In this case, the information storage medium is mounted on a wireless commander, and the identification information is transmitted to the electronic apparatus through the wireless commander.
Preferably, the electronic apparatus is an onboard apparatus.
The present invention in a third aspect i
Komurasaki Tadahisa
Onishi Sei
Frech Karl D.
Hess Daniel A.
Maioli Jay H.
Sony Corporation
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