Execution protection for floppy disks
First Claim
1. In a control system for an image processing apparatus including a main memory and a floppy disk drive, the method of inhibiting the execution of a floppy disk loaded into the floppy disk drive, the floppy disk having a predetermined key track, the key track including random data unrecognizable to the control but including an arbitrarily positioned index pattern and a password related to the index pattern, comprising the steps of:
- transferring the contents of the key track from the floppy disk to the main memory,recognizing an error signal manifesting the unrecognizable random data,ignoring the error signal and scanning the random data to find the arbitrarily positioned index pattern,locating the password related to the index pattern among the random data, andcomparing the password to a second password stored in the main memory to be able to execute the instructions stored on the floppy disk.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The method of permitting the execution of a disk loaded into the disk drive, the disk having a plurality of tracks, comprising the steps of writing data in non-standard format and length to a normally unaccessible track of the disk, the data including an encrypted password, the password being located at an arbitary location within the data, reading the data resulting in an error signal, locating an indexing position and applying an offset to identify the password, and unencrypting and authenticating the password in order to execute the disk.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. In a control system for an image processing apparatus including a main memory and a floppy disk drive, the method of inhibiting the execution of a floppy disk loaded into the floppy disk drive, the floppy disk having a predetermined key track, the key track including random data unrecognizable to the control but including an arbitrarily positioned index pattern and a password related to the index pattern, comprising the steps of:
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transferring the contents of the key track from the floppy disk to the main memory, recognizing an error signal manifesting the unrecognizable random data, ignoring the error signal and scanning the random data to find the arbitrarily positioned index pattern, locating the password related to the index pattern among the random data, and comparing the password to a second password stored in the main memory to be able to execute the instructions stored on the floppy disk. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In a control system for an image processing apparatus including a main memory and a disk drive, the method of permitting the execution of a disk loaded into the disk drive, the disk having a plurality of tracks, comprising the steps of:
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placing a data file including arbitrary data and a password on a normally unaccessible track of the disk, reading the data file from the normally unaccessible track of the disk and storing in main memory, decoding the password and comparing the password to a default password, and upon a permissible comparison of the password with the default password, permitting execution of the disk. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. In a control system for an image processing apparatus including a main memory and a disk drive, the method of permitting the execution of a disk loaded into the disk drive, the disk having a plurality of tracks, comprising the steps of:
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writing data in non-standard format and length to a normally unaccessible track of the disk, the data including an encrypted password, the password being located at an arbitrary location within the data, reading the data resulting in an error signal, locating a starting position and applying an offset to identify the password, and unencrypting and authenticating the password in order to execute the disk. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification