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System for determining authenticity of an external memory used in an information processing apparatus    

Custom CD of patents similar to US4799635 : System for determining authenticity of an external memory used in an information processing apparatus - $19.95
United States Patent4799635   
Link to this pagehttp://www.wikipatents.com/4799635.html
Inventor(s)Nakagawa; Katsuya (Kusatsu, JP)
AbstractA system is disclosed for determining the authenticity of computer software when used with a main processor unit. The software is stored in an external memory which may, for example, be in the form of a ROM cartridge, floppy disk or the like. The main processor unit is operated according to a program contained in the external memory. To verify that the external memory is authentic, duplicate semiconductor devices, for example microprocessors, are separately mounted with the external memory and in the main unit, respectively. The semiconductor associated with the external memory device acts as a key device and the duplicate device mounted in the main unit acts as a lock device. The key device and the lock device are synchronized with each other, executing the same arithmetic operation according to the same program. The results of these operations are exchanged between devices, and compared. If the results agree, the external memory is determined to be authentic and the main processor unit is allowed to operate; but if the external memory is determined to be false (not authentic), the main unit is left in a reset (disabled) condition.
   














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Drawing from US Patent 4799635
System for determining authenticity of an external memory used in an

     information processing apparatus - US Patent 4799635 Drawing
System for determining authenticity of an external memory used in an information processing apparatus
Inventor     Nakagawa; Katsuya (Kusatsu, JP)
Owner/Assignee     Nintendo Co., Ltd. (Kyoto, JP)
Patent assignment
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Company News
Publication Date     January 24, 1989
Application Number     06/812,929
PAIR File History     Application Data   Transaction History
Image File Wrapper   Patent Term   Fees
Litigation
Filing Date     December 23, 1985
US Classification     711/115 340/5.74 705/55 713/168
Int'l Classification     G06F 007/58
Examiner     Shaw; Gareth D.
Assistant Examiner     Fairbanks; Jonathan C.
Attorney/Law Firm     Jackson; Larry A.
Address
Parent Case    
Priority Data     Jun 24, 1985[JP]60-138699 Jun 28, 1985[JP]60-143026
USPTO Field of Search     364/200 MS File 364/900 MS File 364/300 364/410 380/4 380/25 235/380 235/382 235/375 360/60 365/52 273/DIG. 28 273/148 B 273/150 434/118 434/122 434/169 340/825.3 340/825.31 340/825.32 340/825.34
Patent Tags     determining authenticity external memory used an information processing
   
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 Technical Review Submit all comments and votes
 Claims Submit all comments and votes
 


What is claimed is:

1. A system for determining whether a videographics software program is authorized for use in an information processing apparatus, comprising:

a main data processor unit for executing a videographics software program;

an external memory for storing the videographics software program and for removable connection to said main processor unit, said external memory and main processor unit together constituting the information processing apparatus for executing the videographics software program;

a first authenticating processor device associated with said external memory for executing a first predetermined authenticating program to determine the authenticity of said external memory;

a second authenticating processor device which is installed in said main data processor unit for executing a second predetermined authenticating program to determine the authenticity of said external memory; and

control means for resetting said main data processor unit unless the execution of said first authenticating program by said first processor device exhibits a predetermined relationship to the execution of said second authenticating program by said second processor device.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first and second authenticating processor devices have substantially identical processors.

3. A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said authenticating processors of said first and second devices each include an analog processing device, and said control means includes means for determining whether the results of executions of said authenticating programs by said first and second processor devices are the same, and thereby exhibit said predetermined relationship.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first and second authenticating processor devices each include a digital microprocessor, and said control means comprises a determining means for determining whether results of said executions of the authenticating programs by said digital microprocessors are the same, and thereby exhibit said predetermined relationship.

5. A system in accordance with claim 4, which further comprises an authenticating program storing means for each of said first and second authenticating processor devices for storing the authenticating program.

6. A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein said microprocessors of said first and second authenticating processor devices are substantially identical, said program storing means provides the same authenticating program to said first and second authenticating processor devices, and said determining means includes means for determining whether or not the results of executing said authenticating program by said substantially identical microprocessors in said first and second devices coincide in time and value.

7. A system in accordance with claim 6, wherein said program storing means comprises a first semiconductor memory including the stored authenticating program for the microprocessor of said first authenticating processor device, and a second semiconductor memory including the stored authenticating program for the microprocessor of said second authenticating processor device.

8. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said second authenticating processor device has associated therewith a clock means for providing the same clock signal to said microprocessors of said first and second authenticating processor devices, and said determining means includes means for determining time coincidence of the results of executing said authenticating program by said first and second processor devices.

9. A system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said stored authenticating program in each of said first and second semiconductor memories include a plurality of at least first and second processing routines, respectively, said first and second authenticating processor devices including means for executing said first and second processing routines, and said determining means include means for determining coincidence of the results of the execution of said first and second routines.

10. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said first and second authenticating processor devices repeat the execution of said second routines in accordance with said authenticating program, and said determining means include means for determining whether or not the results of executing said routines coincide every time said second routine is repeated.

11. A system in accordance with claim 10, which further comprises means for counting the number of times that the execution of said second routine by said first and second authenticating processor devices is repeated.

12. A system for determining whether a videographics software program is authorized for use in an information processing apparatus comprising:

a main data processor unit having a reset control;

an external memory unit which is removably connected to said main data processor unit to form the information processing apparatus, said external memory unit storing the software program for controlling processing by said main data processor unit;

a first microprocessor mounted with said external memory unit and having a stored authenticating program for execution by said first microprocessor;

a second microprocessor mounted in said main data processor unit and having a stored authenticating program for execution by said second microprocessor, said second microprocessor cooperating with said first microprocessor in accordance with said stored authenticating programs to determine whether said external memory unit is authorized; and

control means for resetting said reset control of said main data processor unit unless said first and second microprocessors determine by the results of the executions of the authenticating programs that said external memory unit is authorized.

13. A system for determining whether a videographics software program is authorized for use in an information processing apparatus, comprising:

a main data processor unit for executing a software program;

an external memory unit for storing the videographics software program and for removable connection to said main processor unit, said external memory unit and main processor unit together constituting the information processing apparatus for executing the videographics software program;

a first separate digital processor device mounted with said external memory unit for executing first predetermined authenticating program to determine the authenticity of said external memory unit, and including a first semiconductor memory for storing said first predetermined authenticating program;

a second separate digital processor device which is installed in said main data processor unit for executing a second predetermined authenticating program to determine the authenticity of said external memory unit, said second digital processor device being substantially identical to said first digital processor device, and including a second semiconductor memory for storing said second authenticating program;

clock means in said main data processor unit for producing the same clock signal for said first and second digital processor devices; and

control means for resetting said main data processor unit unless the execution of said first authenticating program by said first digital processor device outputs results that coincide in time and sequence with the output of results from execution of said second authenticating program by said second digital processor device.
 Description Submit all comments and votes
 


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for determining authenticity of software in an information processing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for determining whether software contained in an external memory, for example, ROM cartridge, floppy disk or the like, is authorized for use with a main processor unit.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Conventionally, such information processing apparatus are known wherein an external memory is loaded in a main processor unit and the main unit executes a predetermined program according to software contained in this external memory. One example of such a data processing apparatus is the "Nintendo Entertainment System (trade mark)" manufactured and sold by the assignee of the present application. In that system, a ROM cartridge (external memory) is loaded into the main processor unit, the main unit is connected to a television receiver, and thereby various games can be enjoyed on the screen of the television receiver. A large number of software programs (ROM cartridges) are available for use in such information processing apparatus. However, such authentic software programs are subject to being imitated and counterfeited and it is desirable to provide a system that enables data processing of only authentic program cartridges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of determining authenticity of software contained in an external memory which is employed together with a main unit in an information processing apparatus. As used herein, authentic means that the software is genuine and authorized for use in the information processing apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for both determining authenticity of software contained in an external memory in an information processing apparatus and enabling data processing in accordance with such software only when it has been determined to be authentic.

An information processing apparatus in which the present invention may be used comprises a main processor unit and an external memory removably connected to this main unit, and wherein the external memory comprises a program (software) for operating the main unit. Associated with external memory is an active device for determining authenticity of the software, and this active device functions as a key device. Another active device is installed in the main unit, and this second active device functions as a lock device. By cooperation of the key device and the lock device, the information processing apparatus is enabled or disabled depending on the authenticity of the external memory which is installed in the main unit, and, if enabled, the apparatus executes a predetermined information processing program according to software contained in the external memory.

In accordance with the present invention, the main processor unit is not enabled unless an authentic external memory (software) is loaded, and therefore the use of a false (not authentic) external memory can be excluded effectively.

In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, duplicate semiconductor digital processing devices are used as the key device and the lock device. The two digital devices each execute a predetermined data processing program in synchronism. Then, the lock digital processing device compares the result of its processing with the result of the synchronous processing by the key device. In accordance with this preferred embodiment, the authenticity of the software of the external memory can be determined reliably by a simple arrangement of duplicate digital processing devices added to the main unit and the external memory, respectively.

These objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a video game machine as one embodiment of an information processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a lock device used in the systems of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining operation of FIG. 3 device.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the basic operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B are flow charts for explaining operation of FIG. 2 in further detail.

FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B are flow charts for explaining an alternative operation of a modified embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another example of a video game machine as another embodiment of an information processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing one example of a floppy disk used for the FIG. 8 embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view showing one example of an apparatus for reading data stored on the floppy disk of the FIG. 8 embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a game machine as one embodiment of the information processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention. Hereinafter, a description of the present invention is made with reference to the game machine shown in FIG. 1. However, i