COPY-PROTECTED SOFTWARE CARTRIDGE
First Claim
1. A copy-protected storage support adapted for use with a console, the storage support comprising:
- a data storage area adapted to store at least parts of an application executable on the console; and
an interface adapted to;
send application data read from the data storage area to the console (1) via an interface of the console;
wherein the storage support further comprises;
a memory adapted for storage of application parameter data received by the interface from the application executed on the console;
a cryptographic unit adapted to receive application parameter data from the interface, perform a cryptographic operation on the received application parameter data, and store the received application parameter data in the memory;
wherein the interface is further adapted to;
read application parameter data from the memory;
communicate, via the interface of the console, the read application parameter data to the application executed on the console; and
the interface either receiving application parameter data in encrypted form from the application executed on the console and returning application parameter data in unencrypted form to the application executed on the console, or receiving application parameter data in unencrypted form from the application executed on the console and returning application parameter data in encrypted form to the application executed on the console.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cartridge preferably for use with a game console. The cartridge comprises a ROM, a non-volatile memory, a processor and an encryption unit. An application running on the console may read data from the ROM, read data from the non-volatile memory, and write data in the non-volatile memory. Data to be written in the non-volatile memory is encrypted by the encryption unit, but data to be read is returned in encrypted form for decryption by a decryption function of the game application. Data may also be received encrypted to be decrypted and returned. The encryption or decryption unit may also receive data from the non-volatile memory and send it to the interface. The invention improves on the prior art copy protection as a hacker must reverse engineer the game application in order to copy it, if the encryption unit is unknown. The invention also provides an optical medium equipped with a RFID circuit.
-
Citations
7 Claims
-
1. A copy-protected storage support adapted for use with a console, the storage support comprising:
-
a data storage area adapted to store at least parts of an application executable on the console; and an interface adapted to; send application data read from the data storage area to the console (1) via an interface of the console; wherein the storage support further comprises; a memory adapted for storage of application parameter data received by the interface from the application executed on the console; a cryptographic unit adapted to receive application parameter data from the interface, perform a cryptographic operation on the received application parameter data, and store the received application parameter data in the memory; wherein the interface is further adapted to; read application parameter data from the memory; communicate, via the interface of the console, the read application parameter data to the application executed on the console; and the interface either receiving application parameter data in encrypted form from the application executed on the console and returning application parameter data in unencrypted form to the application executed on the console, or receiving application parameter data in unencrypted form from the application executed on the console and returning application parameter data in encrypted form to the application executed on the console. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
2. A copy-protected storage support adapted for use with a console, the storage support comprising:
-
a data storage area adapted to store at least parts of an application executable on the console; and an interface adapted to; send application data read from the data storage area to the console via an interface of the console; wherein the storage support further comprises; a memory adapted for storage of application parameter data received by the interface from the application executed on the console; a cryptographic unit adapted to receive application parameter data from the memory, perform a cryptographic operation on the received application parameter data, and send the received application parameter data to the interface; wherein the interface is further adapted to; receive, via the interface of the console, application parameter data from the application executed on the console; and store the received application parameter data in the memory; and the interface either receiving application parameter data in encrypted form from the application executed on the console and returning application parameter data in unencrypted form to the application executed on the console, or receiving application parameter data in unencrypted form from the application executed on the console and returning application parameter data in encrypted form to the application executed on the console.
-
Specification