KR102658239B1 - Computing device to prevent disabling software - Google Patents

Abstract

A computing device for preventing software incapacitation according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a memory in which a protected application and a control program for monitoring whether the protected application is installed are installed; It includes the processor that runs the protected application and control program, and the firmware of the main board that receives toggle signals from the control program. At this time, the control program periodically transmits a toggle signal to the firmware when the installation of the application to be protected is confirmed, and if the firmware does not receive a toggle signal periodically from the control program, it limits the performance of the hardware included in the computing device. do.

Description

Computing device for preventing software disabling {COMPUTING DEVICE TO PREVENT DISABLING SOFTWARE}

The present invention relates to a computing device for preventing software defeat.

POS (Point Of Sales - Point of Sale Information Management) devices are devices that allow customers to make payments for product purchases in general wholesale and retail stores and perform inventory management and sales management for the payments made.

In particular, the POSgi used in offline stores constitutes a system that manages not only simple payments but also inventory management, sales management, and user information management, so users are increasingly relying on POSgi in stores. am.

The basic structure of a POS machine used in offline stores may consist of an input/output unit, a payment unit, a control unit, and a storage unit. Here, the input/output unit is a means that outputs payment information or inventory management to the outside and allows users to input payment amounts, etc., and the payment unit is a means that allows users to make payments using the consumer's payment method. In addition, the control unit is a means that can transmit and receive information and control information at the same time by controlling the input/output unit, payment unit, and storage unit, and the storage unit is a means that can store information processed inside the POS machine.

In general, companies that sell POS machines cover their costs through payment program usage fees and program update costs instead of selling POS machines at low prices.

However, these devices frequently delete application programs and use them for other purposes due to the user's intention.

To prevent this, it was previously attempted to prevent applications from being deleted by installing a deletion prevention program on the computer terminal. However, when the computer terminal is restored or the OS is reinstalled, the application and the deletion prevention program are deleted and cannot be confirmed. There is an impossible problem.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0067136 (Title of invention: Electronic device and method for preventing file deletion applicable thereto)

One object of the present invention is to provide a computer terminal for preventing software disabling in order to prevent a protected application program from being deleted.

However, the technical challenges that this embodiment aims to achieve are not limited to the technical challenges described above, and other technical challenges may exist.

As a technical means for achieving the above-described technical problem, a computing device for preventing software incapacitation according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a memory in which a protected application and a control program for monitoring whether the protected application is installed are installed; It includes the processor that runs the protected application and control program, and the firmware of the main board that receives toggle signals from the control program. At this time, the control program periodically transmits a toggle signal to the firmware when the installation of the application to be protected is confirmed, and if the firmware does not periodically receive a toggle signal from the control program, it limits the performance of the hardware included in the computing device. do.

In addition, a method for preventing software incapacitation according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the steps of checking whether an application to be protected is installed by a control program; When the installation of the application to be protected is confirmed, the control program transmits a toggle signal to the firmware of the motherboard; Determining whether the firmware periodically receives a toggle signal from the control program; and degrading hardware performance when the toggle signal is not received periodically.

According to the means for solving the problem of the present invention described above, it is possible to detect when a protected application is deleted from a computing device and reduce hardware performance to prevent the user from using the computing device for other purposes by causing inconvenience to the user. There is an effect.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a computing device for preventing software disabling according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for preventing software disabling according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. However, the present application may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In order to clearly explain the present application in the drawings, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and similar parts are given similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

Throughout this specification, when a part is said to be “connected” to another part, this includes not only the case where it is “directly connected,” but also the case where it is “electrically connected” with another element in between. do.

Throughout the specification of the present application, when a member is said to be located “on” another member, this includes not only the case where the member is in contact with the other member, but also the case where another member exists between the two members.

Throughout the specification of the present application, when a part is said to “include” a certain element, this means that it may further include other elements rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary. As used throughout the specification, the terms “about,” “substantially,” and the like are used to mean at or close to a numerical value when manufacturing and material tolerances inherent in the stated meaning are given, and are used to convey the understanding of the present application. Precise or absolute figures are used to assist in preventing unscrupulous infringers from taking unfair advantage of stated disclosures. The term “step of” or “step of” as used throughout the specification does not mean “step for.”

In this specification, 'part' includes a unit realized by hardware or software, and a unit realized using both, and one unit may be realized using two or more hardware, and may be implemented using two or more hardware. The above units may be realized by one hardware. Meanwhile, '~ part' is not limited to software or hardware, and '~ part' may be configured to reside in an addressable storage medium or may be configured to reproduce one or more processors. Therefore, as an example, '~ part' refers to components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, properties, and procedures. , subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided within the components and 'parts' may be combined into a smaller number of components and 'parts' or may be further separated into additional components and 'parts'.

Network refers to a connection structure that allows information exchange between nodes such as terminals and servers, including Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and World Wide Area Network (WWW). Wide Web), wired and wireless data communication networks, telephone networks, and wired and wireless television communication networks. Examples of wireless data communication networks include 3G, 4G, 5G, 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), LTE (Long Term Evolution), WIMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth communication, infrared communication, and ultrasound. This includes, but is not limited to, communication, Visible Light Communication (VLC), LiFi, etc.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following description. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computing device 100 for preventing software incapacitation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The computing device 100 of the present invention includes a memory 120, a processor 130, and firmware 142, and may further include a communication module 110. By way of example, the computing device 100 may be a Point of Sale (POS) device that processes payments between the seller and the customer after the seller sells a product, such as a product or service, to the customer, but is not limited thereto.

The computing device 100 may be implemented as a computer or portable terminal that can connect to a server or other terminal through a network. Here, the computer includes, for example, a laptop, desktop, laptop, etc. equipped with a web browser, and the portable terminal is, for example, a wireless communication device that guarantees portability and mobility. , may include all types of handheld-based wireless communication devices such as various smartphones, tablet PCs, smart watches, etc.

The memory 120 includes a protected application 122 and a control program 124 that monitors whether the protected application 122 is installed. At this time, the protected application 122 may be a program that processes payments between the seller and the customer after the seller sells a product such as a product or service to the customer, but is not limited to this. Additionally, the control program 124 monitors whether the application to be protected 122 is installed, and periodically transmits a toggle signal to the firmware 142 when the application to be protected 122 is confirmed to be installed.

At this time, the memory 120 should be interpreted as a general term for non-volatile storage devices that continue to maintain stored information even when power is not supplied and volatile storage devices that require power to maintain stored information. The memory 120 may perform the function of temporarily or permanently storing data processed by the processor 130. The memory 120 may include magnetic storage media or flash storage media in addition to volatile storage devices that require power to maintain stored information, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. no.

The processor 130 executes the application program 122 and the control program 124 to be protected stored in the memory 120. In one example, the processor 130 may include a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a processor core, a multiprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or an FPGA ( It may be implemented in the form of a field programmable gate array, etc., but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The firmware 142 is installed on the main board 140 and can receive a toggle signal from the control program 124. By way of example, the firmware 142 may refer to a set of microprograms that control hardware recorded in ROM (Read Only Memory). In other words, the firmware 142 is read-only stored in the ROM of the motherboard 140 and cannot be arbitrarily deleted or modified by the user.

If the firmware 142 fails to periodically receive a toggle signal from the control program 124, it may limit hardware performance. In other words, the firmware 142 is the hardware's This may limit performance. For example, the firmware 142 dims the brightness of the display included in the computing device 100, repeatedly turns the display screen on and off to blink, or outputs a warning sound through a speaker included in the computing device. can do. In addition, various types of hardware performance limitations are possible.

The control program 124 may communicate with the external authentication server 20 and periodically transmit a toggle signal to the firmware 142 when receiving use approval data from the authentication server 20. At this time, the control program 124 may communicate with the authentication server 20 through the communication module 110. The communication module 110 may include a device including hardware and software necessary to transmit and receive signals such as control signals or data signals through wired or wireless connections with other network devices.

As an example, when installing the application to be protected (122), the administrator assigns the application to be protected (122) a unique identification number that is different for each vendor, and the control program (124) is unique to the application to be protected (122). By transmitting the identification number to the authentication server 20, a request for approval to use the protected application 122 can be made. At this time, the authentication server 20 may compare the transmitted unique identification number with the identification number stored in the server and then transmit the use approval data to the control program 124.

In other words, the control program 124 confirms that the application to be protected 122 is installed and then transmits a request for use approval to the authentication server 20. When the control program 124 receives use approval data from the authentication server 20, the firmware A toggle signal can be periodically transmitted to (142). If use authorization data is not received from the authentication server 20, the firmware 142 cannot periodically receive the toggle signal, which may limit the performance of the hardware included in the computing device 100. .

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, a method for preventing software neutralization according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, it is checked whether the application to be protected (122) is installed by the control program (124) (S210).

In the step preceding step S210, the control program 124 may further include receiving use approval data from the authentication server 20. When the control program 124 receives use approval data from the authentication server 20, it may periodically transmit a toggle signal to the firmware 142.

Next, when the application to be protected 122 is confirmed, the control program 124 transmits a toggle signal to the firmware 142 of the main board 140 (S220).

Next, the firmware 142 determines whether a toggle signal is periodically received from the control program 124 (S230).

Next, the firmware 142 degrades hardware performance when the toggle signal is not received periodically (S240).

In other words, the firmware 142 is the hardware's This may limit performance. For example, the firmware 142 dims the brightness of the display included in the computing device 100, repeatedly turns the display screen on and off to blink, or outputs a warning sound through a speaker included in the computing device. can do.

One embodiment of the present invention may also be implemented in the form of a recording medium containing instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules executed by a computer. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. Additionally, computer-readable media may include computer storage media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.

Although the methods and systems of the present invention have been described with respect to specific embodiments, some or all of their components or operations may be implemented using a computer system having a general-purpose hardware architecture.

The description of the present invention described above is for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be easily modified into other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. will be. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. For example, each component described as single may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may also be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modified forms derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

100: computing device
110: communication module
120: memory
122: Application
124: Control program
130: processor
140: main board
142: firmware
20: Authentication server

Claims (10)

In a computing device for preventing software neutralization,
A memory in which a protection target application and a control program that monitors whether the protection target application is installed are installed;
A processor that executes the protected application and control program, and
It includes firmware of the main board that receives a toggle signal from the control program,
The control program periodically transmits a toggle signal to the firmware when installation of the application to be protected is confirmed,
When the firmware does not periodically receive a toggle signal from the control program, the firmware dims the brightness of the display included in the computing device, or repeatedly turns the screen of the display on and off to blink the output, thereby controlling the computing device. A computing device that limits the performance of hardware included in a computing device. According to paragraph 1,
A computing device, wherein the firmware is read-only and cannot be arbitrarily deleted or modified by a user. According to paragraph 1,
The firmware is a computing device that limits the performance of the hardware when the control program fails to transmit the toggle signal because the application to be protected is deleted or when the control program is deleted and the toggle signal cannot be transmitted. . According to paragraph 1,
The firmware outputs a warning sound through a speaker included in the computing device, thereby limiting the performance of the hardware. According to paragraph 1,
The control program communicates with an external authentication server and periodically transmits a toggle signal to the firmware when receiving use approval data from the authentication server. In a method of preventing software disabling of a computing device,
(a) Checking whether the application to be protected is installed by the control program;
(b) transmitting a toggle signal from the control program to the firmware of the motherboard when installation of the application to be protected is confirmed;
(c) determining whether the firmware periodically receives a toggle signal from the control program; and
(d) If the toggle signal is not received periodically, dimming the brightness of the display included in the computing device to limit hardware performance, or blinking the output by repeatedly turning the screen of the display on and off Methods for preventing software disabling, including ; According to clause 6,
It further includes a step of the control program receiving usage approval data from the authentication server,
A method for preventing software incapacitation, wherein the control program periodically transmits a toggle signal to the firmware when it receives use approval data from the authentication server. According to clause 6,
The step (d) limits the performance of the hardware when the control program cannot transmit the toggle signal because the application to be protected is deleted or when the control program cannot transmit the toggle signal because the application is deleted. , how to prevent software from being disabled. According to clause 6,
In step (d), the firmware outputs a warning sound through a speaker included in the computing device to limit the performance of the hardware. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for executing the method according to any one of claims 6 to 9.