WO2003077129A1

WO2003077129A1 - Apparatus for protecting computer using functional character

Info

Publication number: WO2003077129A1
Application number: PCT/KR2002/000431
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byung-Ki Kim
Original assignee: Win Enterprise Co., Ltd.; Lee, Sung-Jun
Priority date: 2002-03-13
Filing date: 2002-03-13
Publication date: 2003-09-18
Also published as: AU2002239121A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting computer for notifying the outside of each of operation state of virus inspection using the character apparatus connected to the computer. The present invention includes computer for generating and transmitting the USB code value corresponding to registry value inspected from each of operation state of vaccine engine, and character apparatus for inquiring and outputting the voice data corresponding to the USB code value received from the computer. Hence, the present invention has an effect on not only hearing the information to virus inspection through the voice irrespective of the time as it always surveys the vaccine engine, but also presenting a fine view around the computer and increasing the effective value of the character by forming the character apparatus as the character including a doll.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING COMPUTER USING FUNCTIONAL

CHARACTER

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for protecting a computer, and more particularly, to an apparatus for protecting a computer, in which each of operation states of virus inspection is notified to an exterior using a character apparatus connected to the computer.

BACKGROUND ART

Now, with advance of computer and Internet, the number of users of the computer and Internet is continuously increased. It is a general tendency that the increase in the number of users of the computer and Internet is not limited to one nation but applied all over the world.

Using computers, the users can obtain necessary information and also provide necessary information to other users throughout the world.

Accordingly, relative importance that the computers occupy can influence national interests in modern intellectual society. In general, computers are established through a series of installations provided by different computer developers, and the respective installations set up one or more software components. For example, one or more software components can be an operating program for operating a computer or an application for processing information under a control of the operating program.

Like other things, although the computer has an advantage that other user can acquire necessary information through information sharing, it has also disadvantages of virus spreading and hacking committed by malicious users.

Specifically, owing to generalization of computer and. Internet in modern society, virus spreading for destroying important information of individuals, companies or nations and hacking for acquiring important information are rampant much more.

In order to protect against the virus spreading and the hacking, worldwide leading companies have spent a large amount of money in various vaccine programs. Using these vaccine programs, the users execute virus inspection of files existing in the computer or introduced from an exterior through Internet to treat the files infected with virus .

Meanwhile, character products that can be decorated by installing extra units are rapidly developed as the standard of living is raised to a higher level in modern society. Here, the character products can be dolls imitating human being, animal, movie actor or actress, cartoon actor or actress, etc.

Also, the users of computer can prettily decorate desks, where the computers are place, with necessary accessories, i.e., the character products.

However, these typical character products have no effect other than providing pleasant feeling to people due to an image effect . Of course, adding functionality to character products, several companies have developed character products which can implement voice or action in response to events provided from an exterior.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for protecting a computer using a character apparatus that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for protecting a computer, which can notify each of operation states of a vaccine engine using a character apparatus . Another object of the present invention is to provide a character having an additional function of notifying each of operation states of a vaccine engine using a character apparatus .

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for notifying each of operation states of a vaccine engine using a character apparatus.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims thereof as well as the appended drawings . To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, there is provided an apparatus for protecting a computer using a character apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a computer for detecting registry values from each of operation states of a vaccine engine, and generating and transmitting USB code values corresponding to the detected registry values; and a character apparatus connected to the computer via a communication cable, for receiving the USB code values, inquiring a storage means and outputting voice data corresponding to the respective USB code values.

According to the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus, an external appearance of the character apparatus is a character shape and can be provided with various shapes.

According to the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus, the USB code values are defined as values corresponding to the registry values.

According to the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus, the storage means stores the voice data corresponding to the USB code values.

According to the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus, the character apparatus includes an input means for generating an event so as to control the vaccine engine.

According to the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus, if the event is generated by the input means, the USB code values are generated in response to the event so that the vaccine engine is controlled.

According to the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus, the vaccine engine performs file retrieval, E-mail retrieval, file download retrieval, or Internet web file retrieval. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a character apparatus having functionality and a method thereof. The character apparatus comprises: a reception means for receiving USB code values from the computer; a retrieval means for retrieving voice data corresponding to the USB code values received from the reception means; and an output means for outputting the voice data inspected by the retrieval means to an exterior.

The character apparatus and method thereof further comprises an input means for generating an event so as to control a vaccine engine.

The USB code values represent the operation states of the virus inspection.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product which comprises the steps of: retrieving a registry to detect registry values; generating USB code values corresponding to the registry values; and outputting the USB code values . To further achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention,

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings : Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus for protecting a computer using a character apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for performing virus inspection of a vaccine engine in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for detecting each of operation states of the vaccine engine to notify the detected operation states to the character apparatus in the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for outputting voice in response to the virus operation states received by the character apparatus of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an apparatus for protecting a computer using a character apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figs. 1 and 2 are a schematic diagram and a block diagram illustrating the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, respectively. Referring to Fig. 1, the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus includes : a computer 100 for generating and transmitting USB code values according to each of operation states of a vaccine engine; and a character apparatus 200 for inquiring predetermined voice data corresponding to the USB code values received from the computer 100 and outputting the inquired voice data to an exterior.

Here, the character apparatus 200 can be a character having the above-described functions. Although the character can be a doll imitating human being, animal, move actor or actress and cartoon actor or actress, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the doll. In other words, anything that has minimum volume enough to provide the above-described functions and can be decorated on the computer will be sufficient.

In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention limit the execution of the virus inspection to the computer, it is also applicable to PDA, notebook computer, mobile terminal, etc.

Further, it is desirable that the computer 100 and the character apparatus 200 be connected via a communication cable.

A more detailed description of the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus will be made with reference to Fig. 2. The computer 100 includes a vaccine engine 120 for inspecting virus, and a communication module 140 for detecting each of operation states of the vaccine engine 120 and transmitting the detected operation states to the character apparatus 200. Here, the vaccine engine 120 can be anything provided from various vaccine program development companies. At this time, however, the vaccine engines provided from the vaccine program development companies should be compatible with the communication module 140 so that the communication module's specific operations can be performed.

The vaccine engine 120 can be executed manually or simultaneously when the computer is booted. In addition, in case that the virus inspection is executed, each of the operation states are recoded into a registry through the processes of Fig. 3. In accordance with the present invention, although only the file retrieval is shown in Fig.

3, the virus inspection using the vaccine engine is also applicable to E-mail retrieval, file download retrieval, or Internet web file retrieval, etc.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing a method for inspecting virus using the vaccine engine in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 3, in case that the file retrieval is executed so as to inspect virus, the user selects a specific drive to be inspected and the vaccine engine 120 loads files contained in the selected drive (step 311) .

The vaccine engine 120 determines whether or not to inspect the loaded files (step 314) . If the progressing inspection is completed, the vaccine engine 120 outputs the states of whether or not the selected drive is infected with virus (steps 317 and 320) .

Meanwhile, if the corresponding files are infected with virus, the vaccine engine 120 checks whether or not the infected files are treated (step 323) . If the treatment is completed, the vaccine engine 120 informs the user of the treatment confirmation (steps 326 and 329) .

On the contrary, if it is determined in the step 323 that the infected files are not treated, the vaccine engine 120 checks whether or not to delete the infected files (step 332) . Here, the "delete" operation are used in the case that the infected files cannot be treated because they are damaged .

If the vaccine engine 120 recognizes the user command for deleting the infected files, the vaccine engine 120 deletes the infected files. Then, when the file deletion is completed, the vaccine engine 120 informs the user of a deletion confirmation (steps 335 and 338) .

If the infected files cannot be deleted, i.e., if a vaccine program capable of treating the corresponding files is not installed, the corresponding files are moved from a current directory to other directory. If the file movement is completed, the vaccine engine 120 informs the user of the movement confirmation (steps 341 and 344) . The files moved to other directory can be treated if a vaccine program capable of treating them is installed.

As described above, in case of checking whether or not the corresponding drive are infected with virus, operation state values (1) to (4) respectively calculated at the steps 320, 329, 338 and 344 can be recoded in a registry in which a computer environment setup or a relationship between components is recoded. In accordance with the present invention, the values recoded in the registry can be represented in decimal numeral. These values represented in decimal numeral should be set corresponding to the USB code values generated in the communication module 140, as shown in a following TABLE 1. Here, the USB code values can be represented in binary numeral which can be communicated through the character apparatus 200 and the communication module 140.

[TABLE 1 ]

Here, the registry value "256" represents the execution of the vaccine engine, "257" the virus detection, "258" the virus treatment confirmation, "259" the file deletion, "260" the file movement, respectively. The TABLE 1 does not show all of the operation states calculated in the respective operations of the virus inspection. The registry values can be calculated as many as the user wants according to the respective operations of the virus inspection. In addition, it should be noted that developers of the communication module can modify the USB code values corresponding to the registry values differently from TABLE 1.

Referring again to Fig. 2, the communication module 140 always inspects the operation states calculated according to each operation of the vaccine engine 120. As the inspection result, if the registry values are changed, i.e., if the operation states are changed, USB code values corresponding to the changed registry values are generated and transmitted to the character apparatus 200. At this time, the USB code values corresponding to the registry values should be defined in the communication module 140.

In addition, the communication module 140 can execute the vaccine engine 120 according to the USB code values which are generated in response to a certain event of the character apparatus 200 and transmitted thereto. For example, when updating the vaccine program, if the user manipulates a specific portion of the character apparatus, signals generated according to the manipulation are converted into corresponding USB code values and inputted to the communication module 140. Then, the communication module 140 executes the vaccine engine 120 according to the USB code values to thereby update the vaccine engine. At this time, the USB code values should be defined between the communication module 140 and the character apparatus so that they can mean the update of the vaccine program.

The character apparatus 200 includes: a control unit for reading out voice data corresponding to the USB code values received from the computer 100 and outputting the voice data through an output unit 240; a storage unit 220 for storing the voice data read out by the control unit 210; and the output unit 240 for outputting the voice data to an exterior under a control of the control unit 210.

As described above, the character apparatus can be a character including a doll. The control unit 210 retrieves the storage unit 220 based on the USB code values inputted from the communication module 140. At this time, the voice data corresponding to the USB code values should be stored in the storage unit 220. The storage unit 220 can store an alarm sound command instructing to generate a voice effect sound, as well as a voice data.

The control unit 210 retrieves the storage unit 220 to read out data corresponding to the USB code values and the alarm sound command and then transmits them to the output unit 240. At this time, since the voice data is a digital signal, a digital-to-analog converter 230 for converting digital signals into analog signals can be provided between the control unit 210 and the output unit 240.

In addition, the control unit 210 can convert the signals (e.g., a vaccine program update signal) inputted via the input unit 250 into USB code values so as to allow the signals to be communicated with the communication module, and then transmit the converted USB code values to the communication module 140. Here, the signals inputted via the input unit 250 are signals that are generated when the user touches or presses a specific portion of the character apparatus 200. The output unit 240 is used to output the voice data converted by the digital-to-analog converter 230 and can be, for example, a speaker.

Hereinafter, a method for protecting the computer using the character apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for detecting each of operation states of the vaccine engine to notify the detected operation states to the character apparatus in the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 4, when the vaccine engine 120 runs, the communication module 140 retrieves the registry (step 411) . If the virus inspection is executed, as shown in Fig. 3, the respective operation state values

(i.e., the registry values) (1) to (4) of the virus inspection are recoded in a registry, and the communication module 140 retrieves the registry to detect the corresponding registry values. The communication module 140 checks whether or not there are the corresponding registry values (step 414) . As a check result, if there are the corresponding registry values, the communication module 140 detects the corresponding registry values (step 417) . If the corresponding registry values are detected, the communication module 140 generates the USB code values corresponding to the registry values and transmits them to the character apparatus 200 (steps 420 and 423) . At this time, the USB code values corresponding to the registry values should be defined in the communication module 140.

Accordingly, if the registry value is the execution of the vaccine engine, the communication module 140 generates corresponding USB code value. If the registry value is the virus detection, the communication module 140 generates corresponding USB code value.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for outputting voice in response to the operation states received by the character apparatus of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 5, if the character apparatus 200 receives the USB code values from the computer 100 (step 511) , the character apparatus 200 retrieves the storage unit 220 (step 514) . At this time, voice data corresponding to the USB code values are previously stored in the storage unit 220.

The character apparatus 200 checks whether or not there are voice data corresponding to the USB code values in the storage unit 220 (step 517). As a checking result, if there are the voice data corresponding to the USB code values in the storage unit 220, the character apparatus 200 reads out the voice data and notifies them to an exterior via the output unit 240 (step 520) . For example, when executing the vaccine engine, a voice of "this program is a virus inspection engine" is outputted via the output unit 240. When the treatment of the file is completed, a voice of "the virus treatment is completed" is outputted.

Meanwhile, the user can execute the vaccine engine 120 of the computer 100 by manipulating a specific portion of the character apparatus 200.

For example, in case the user wants to update the vaccine program, the user presses a nose of the character apparatus 200.

Then, the character apparatus 200 generates a signal due to a stimulus of the nose. The signal is converted into USB code value so that the signal can be communicated with the communication module 140 and then the USB code value is transmitted to the communication module.

If the communication module 140 receives the USB code value from the character apparatus 200, the communication module 140 analyzes the USB code value and executes the corresponding command. In other words, if the command is a request for the update of the vaccine program, the communication module 140 controls the vaccine engine so that the vaccine engine can be updated.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In accordance with the apparatus for protecting the computer using the character apparatus, since each of the operation states of the virus inspection can be heard in voice through the character apparatus, it is unnecessary for the user to keep watching on the computer monitor. Since the character apparatus always surveys the vaccine engine, information on the virus inspection can be heard in voice irregardless of time. In addition, a fine view can be presented around the computer by forming the character apparatus in a character shape, including a doll.

Further, it is possible to enhance an effective value of the character by adding a function of notifying each of the operation states of the virus inspection in voice to an exterior.

Furthermore, such a character apparatus is applicable to PDA, notebook computer, mobile terminal, etc., which have the communication connection port and the communication module, as well as the computer, so that applications of the character apparatus can be remarkably expanded.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present covers the modifications and variations of this invention that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents .

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An apparatus for protecting a computer using a character apparatus, comprising: a computer for detecting registry values from each of operation states of a vaccine engine, and generating and transmitting USB code values corresponding to the detected registry values; and a character apparatus connected to the computer via a communication cable, for receiving the USB code values, inquiring a storage means and outputting voice data corresponding to the respective USB code values.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an external appearance of the character apparatus is a character shape.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the USB code values are defined as values corresponding to the registry values.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage means stores the voice data corresponding to the USB code values .

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character apparatus outputs an alarm sound.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character apparatus includes an input means for generating an event so as to control the vaccine engine .

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, if the event is generated by the input means, the USB code values are generated in response to the event so that the vaccine engine is controlled.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vaccine engine performs file retrieval, E-mail retrieval, file download retrieval, or Internet web file retrieval.

9. A character apparatus having functionality, the character apparatus being connected to a computer to output each of operation states of a virus inspection, the character apparatus comprising: a reception means for receiving USB code values from the computer; a retrieval means for retrieving voice data corresponding to the USB code values received from the reception means; and an output means for outputting the voice data inspected by the retrieval means to an exterior.

10. The character apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an input means for generating an event so as to control a vaccine engine.

11. The character apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the voice data is previously stored corresponding to the USB code values.

12. The character apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the USB code values represent the operation states of the virus inspection.

13. A method for notifying each of operation states of a virus inspection using a character apparatus with functionality, the method comprising the steps of: receiving USB code values from a computer; retrieving voice data corresponding to the received USB code values; and outputting the retrieved voice data to an exterior.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: generating an event so as to control the vaccine engine; and providing the USB code values to the computer in response to the event .

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the USB code values represent the operation states of the virus inspection.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the voice data are previously stored corresponding to the USB code values.

17. A computer program product which is a computer readable medium used in a data processing system notifying each of operation states of a computer virus inspection, comprising the steps of : retrieving a registry to detect registry values; generating USB code values corresponding to the registry values; and outputting the USB code values.

18. The computer program product according to claim 17, wherein the registry values are calculated from each of operation states of a vaccine engine.

19. The computer program product according to claim 17, wherein the USB code values are defined as values corresponding to the registry values.

20. The computer program product according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of: receiving the USB code values, the USB code values being generated in response to an event by a character apparatus ; and controlling the vaccine engine using the received USB code values .

21. The computer program product according to claim 17, wherein the virus inspection of the computer is executed with respect to files, E-mail, file download, or Internet web files.