Video game cartridge recognition and security system
First Claim
1. In a video game system having means for displaying a game including a central processing unit (CPU);
- a display screen;
means for accepting operator instructions in response to game play, and means for receiving remote software units storing one or more video games, the improvement comprising;
a removable software unit including a first memory unit having a plurality of addressable memory locations, predetermined locations of the memory locations being encoded with a first set of specific information signals for displaying a proprietary visual display at separate discrete and independent locations on the display screen and other memory locations being encoded with specific information signals capable of operating the video game system for the visual display of the game;
means for identifying the contents of said predetermined locations of said remote software unit and verifying said first set of information signals as acceptable to the CPU;
means for requiring the proprietary visual display to be shown for a predetermined time period after acceptance by the CPU; and
means for passing control of the video game system from the CPU to the removable software unit only after verification and display of the proprietary visual display on the display screen.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A security system for ascertaining the authenticity of removable video game cartridges adapted to interface with a video game system having a CPU. The system includes the comparison of the contents of predetermined addresses in the memory unit of the game cartridges with a security message stored in the CPU, and the rejection of the cartridge unless the contents of these predetermined memory locations are the same as the security message. The system further includes means for displaying a proprietary notice message to the operator of the video game system before substantive interfacing between the CPU and remote software unit occurs. Control over game operation will occur only if the CPU recognizes the cartridge as an authorized unit.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. In a video game system having means for displaying a game including a central processing unit (CPU);
- a display screen;
means for accepting operator instructions in response to game play, and means for receiving remote software units storing one or more video games, the improvement comprising;a removable software unit including a first memory unit having a plurality of addressable memory locations, predetermined locations of the memory locations being encoded with a first set of specific information signals for displaying a proprietary visual display at separate discrete and independent locations on the display screen and other memory locations being encoded with specific information signals capable of operating the video game system for the visual display of the game; means for identifying the contents of said predetermined locations of said remote software unit and verifying said first set of information signals as acceptable to the CPU; means for requiring the proprietary visual display to be shown for a predetermined time period after acceptance by the CPU; and means for passing control of the video game system from the CPU to the removable software unit only after verification and display of the proprietary visual display on the display screen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- a display screen;
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6. A software security system, comprising:
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a central processing unit (CPU); a remote software unit, adapted to interface with said CPU and including a memory unit having a plurality of addressable memory locations; said CPU adapted to address predetermined locations of said remote software unit and compare the contents of said locations with a security message accessible to said CPU, said CPU adapted to recognize said remote software unit as authentic if said contents of said predetermined memory locations are identical with said security message, said CPU adapted to reject said remote software unit unless identity is recognized. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification