COPY-PROTECTED SOFTWARE CARTRIDGE
First Claim
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1. A cartridge adapted for use with a console, the cartridge comprising:
- an interface unit for communication with the console;
a first memory adapted to store at least parts of an application; and
a processor adapted to execute at least one function;
a dispatcher adapted to;
receive, from the interface unit, data originating from the console executing the application, the data comprising an address in a memory space comprising at least two blocks of addresses, each block being uniquely associated with one of the first memory and the processor; and
when the received address is in a block associated with the first memory;
convert the received address to a physical address of the first memory; and
communicate with the physical address of the first memory; and
when the received address is in a block associated with the processor;
convert the received address; and
send the converted address to the processor.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cartridge preferably for use with a game console. The cartridge comprises a ROM, a non-volatile memory, a processor and a dispatcher. An application running on the console may communicate with the dispatcher using predefined addresses, which enables the dispatcher to access the ROM, the non-volatile memory, or the processor, as the case may be. The invention improves on the prior art copy protection as no generic copy method may be found if the addresses are changed from one cartridge to another. In addition, to copy the software, the processor must be emulated.
8 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A cartridge adapted for use with a console, the cartridge comprising:
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an interface unit for communication with the console; a first memory adapted to store at least parts of an application; and a processor adapted to execute at least one function; a dispatcher adapted to; receive, from the interface unit, data originating from the console executing the application, the data comprising an address in a memory space comprising at least two blocks of addresses, each block being uniquely associated with one of the first memory and the processor; and when the received address is in a block associated with the first memory; convert the received address to a physical address of the first memory; and communicate with the physical address of the first memory; and when the received address is in a block associated with the processor; convert the received address; and send the converted address to the processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for executing an application on a console that interacts with a cartridge comprising the steps of:
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by the application being executed by a processor of the console, sending data comprising at least an address to the cartridge, the address being in a memory space comprising at least two blocks of addresses, each block being uniquely associated with one of a first memory and a processor of the cartridge; and by a dispatcher in the cartridge; receiving the data; and when the received address is in a block associated with the first memory; converting the received address to a physical address of the first memory; and communicating with the physical address of the first memory; and when the received address is in a block associated with the processor; converting the received address; and sending the converted address to the processor.
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Specification