Security system for software

• US 5,155,768 A
• Filed: 03/11/1991
• Issued: 10/13/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sega Enterprises LTD.
• Original Assignee: Sega Enterprises LTD.
• Inventors: Matsuhara, Taku
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US07/667,738
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 380/4, 380/23, 380/25, 380/49, 380/50, 364/200, 364/900, 395/200, 395/425, 395/600, 395/725, 340/825.31, 340/825.34
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• 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 2221/2109 Game systems

Abstract

A security lock for use with a game machine that displays the content of a game through a video display device. The security lock uses a video game system comprising a means of storage, which stores the game programs as software, that is connected in a flexible manner to the game machine.

The means of storage includes a device for reading a security code stored within said means of storage and for comparing this security code to a separate security identical, the game machine will operate as usual. However, if both codes are not identical, the game machine will not operate.

Claims

1. In a game system having a game machine, a game machine CPU and a remote game program stored on a remote storage device flexibly coupled to a bus of the game machine, a security system to verify the authenticity of the remote program comprising:

means for initializing, when said game machine is powered up, a security device contained within said game machine and wherein when said security device is initialized said security device outputs an enable signal to said game machine CPU;

means for reading a first security code stored in a storage part of said remote storage device;

means for addressing said security device;

means for comparing, in said security device said first security code read from said storage part to a second security code read from said game machine, when said security device is addressed; and

means for resetting the enable signal output by said security device to a reset signal when said first security code and said second security code do not match whereby said security device outputs said reset signal to said game machine CPU to halt operation of said game machine.

2. In a game system having a game machine with a video display device and a CPU;

and having a remote game program and software stored on a remote storage device flexibly coupled to a bus of said game machine, a security system implemented in hardware to verify the authenticity of the remote software comprising;

a storage part, contained with said remote storage device, for storing a first security code;

a video controller, coupled to said bus, for addressing said storage part and a security device containing within said game machine;

said security device having;

i) an input coupled to said bus and an output coupled to said CPU;

ii) a comparator to conduct, when addressed by said video controller, a comparison of said first security code to a second security code stored in said game machine and for outputting an enable signal when said first and second security codes match and for outputting a reset signal to halt operation of said CPU when said first and second security codes do not match; and

means, coupled to said security device, for initializing said security device when said game machine is powered up, wherein when said security device is initialized by said means for initializing, said security device outputs said enable signal to aid CPU.

3. In a game system having a game machine with a video display device and a CPU;

and having a remote game program stored on a remote storage device removably coupled to a bus of said game machine, a security system to verify the authenticity of the remote program comprising;

a storage part, contained within said remote storage device, for storing a first security code;

a security device, contained within said game machine and having an input coupled to said bus and an output coupled to said CPU, for comparing said first security code read from said storage part to a second security code stored in said game machine and having;

(i) an address decoder, having an input coupled to said input of said security device for receiving an address, and having an output;

(ii) a comparator, having a first input for receiving said second security code and a second input coupled to said input of said security device for receiving said first security code, for comparing said first and second security codes and outputting a determination signal when said first and second security codes match;

(iii) a first holding circuit, having an input coupled to an output of said comparator and to output of said address decoder, wherein when said determination signal is output and an output signal of said address decoder is output, said first holding circuit clears a first value and retains a determination signal value; and

(iv) a second holding circuit, for holding an enable signal value and having an output coupled to an output of said security device and having an input coupled to an output of said first holding circuit and to said output of said address decoder, wherein when said output signal of said address decoder is asserted and said determination signal value is retained in said first holding circuit, said second holding circuit outputs said enable signal to said CPU, and when said first value is retained in said first holding circuit, said second holding circuit resets said enable signal value to a reset signal value and outputs a reset signal to said CPU.

4. The security system of claim 3 wherein said game machine further comprises:

a video controller to address said security device and said storage part.

5. The security system of claim 4 wherein said memory further comprises a feedback loop from said output of said memory to said input of said memory.

6. In a game system having a game machine with a video display device and a CPU;

and having a remote game programs stored on a remote storage device flexibly coupled to a bus of said game machine, a security system to verify the authenticity of the remote program comprising;

a storage part, contained within said remote storage device, for storing a first security code;

a security device, contained with said game machine and having an input coupled to said bus and an output coupled to said CPU, for comparing said first security code read from said storage part to a second security code stored in said game machine and having;

i) a first decoder, having an input coupled to said input of said security device for receiving a first address, and having an output;

ii) a second decoder, having an input coupled to said input of said security device for receiving a second address, and having an output;

iii) a memory, having an input coupled to said input of said security device and said output of said first decoder, for storing said first security code;

iv) a comparator, having an input coupled to receive said second security code and to an output of said memory to receive said first security code, for comparing said first and second security codes and asserting a determination signal when said first and second security codes match;

v) a first holding circuit, having an input coupled to an output of said comparator and to an output of said first decoder, wherein when said determination signal is asserted and an output signal of said first decoder is asserted, first aid holding circuit clears a first value and retains a determination signal value; and

vi) a second holding circuit set to an enable signal value and, having an output coupled to an output of said security device and having an input coupled to an output of said first holding circuit and to said output of said second decoder, wherein when an output signal of said second decoder is asserted and said determination signal value is retained in said first holding circuit, said second holding circuit outputs an enable signal to said CPU, and when said first value is retained in said first holding circuit, said second holding circuit resets said enable signal value to a reset signal value and outputs a reset signal to said CPU.

7. The security system of claim 6 wherein said game machine further comprises:

a video controller to address said security device and said storage part.

8. A method for verifying an authenticity of a remote means of storage flexibly connected to a game machine used in a video game system comprising the steps of:

initializing, when said game machine is powered up, a security device contained within said game machine is powered up, a security device contained within said game machine to output an enable signal to a CPU of said game machine;

reading a first security code stored in a storage part of said remote means of storage;

comparing, in said security device said first security code read from said storage part to a second security code read from said game machine and

resetting said security device to output a reset signal from to said CPU of said game machine to halt continued operation of said game when said first security code and said second security code do not match.

9. A method for verifying an authenticity of a remote means of storage flexibly connected to game machine used in a video game system comprising the steps of:

reading a first security code stored in a storage part of said remote means of storage;

comparing, in a security device contained within the game machine, said first security code read from said storage part to a second security code read from said game machine; and

outputting an enable signal from said security device to a CPU of said game machine to permit operation of said game when said first security code and said second security code match.

10. A method for verifying an authenticity of a remote means of storage flexibly connected to a game machine used in a video game system comprising the steps of:

setting a first holding circuit to a first value when said game machine is powered up;

reading a first security code stored in a storage part of said remote means of storage;

storing said first security code read from said remote means of storage in a memory of said game machine;

comparing said first security code stored in said memory to a second security code read from said game machine and asserting a determination signal when said first and second security codes match;

setting a second holding circuit to a second value when said game machine is powered up;

resetting said first holding circuit to a determination signal value when said determination signal is asserted and said output from said first decoder is asserted and outputting said determination signal to said second holding circuit; and

retaining in said second holding circuit to said second value when said determination signal is output from said first holding circuit and to said output from said second decoder is asserted and outputting an enable signal from said second holding circuit to a CPU of said game machine to permit operation of said video game system.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

maintaining said first value in said first holding circuit when said determination signal is deasserted and said output from said first decoder is asserted; and

resetting said second holding circuit to a reset signal value when said determination signal is deasserted and said output from said second decoder is asserted and outputting a reset signal to said CPU to halt operations of said CPU.