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

• US 4,799,635 A
• Filed: 12/23/1985
• Issued: 01/24/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Nakagawa, Katsuya
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fairbanks, Jonathan C.
• Application Number:
  US06/812,929
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• 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
• US Class Current: 711/115
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/123 by using dedicated hardware, e.g. dongles, smart cards, cryptographic processors, global positioning systems [GPS] devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2109 Game systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2121 Chip on media, e.g. a disk or tape with a chip embedded in its case
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0256 of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms

Abstract

A 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.

Claims

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.