System for determining a truth of software in an information processing apparatus

• US 5,426,762 A
• Filed: 04/07/1993
• Issued: 06/20/1995
• 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): RUDOLPH, REBECCA
• Application Number:
  US08/043,745
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 380/3, 380/4, 380/5, 235/380, 235/382, 235/426, 235/436, 395/400, 395/425
• 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

An external memory cartridge for replaceable connection with a video game main unit contains a security device that prevents unauthorized memory cartridges from playing on the game main unit. The video game main unit connects to a television receiver, and includes at least one video graphics processing arrangement that controls the television receiver to display a changing picture defined by video game software contained in the external memory cartridge. The external memory cartridge has a cartridge housing that contains a video game memory device and a security device. The video game memory device contains video game software. An electrical connector couples the video game memory device with said video game main unit to permit the video game main unit to access and execute the video game software. The security device includes at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal connected to said electrical connector. The security device may comprise a microprocessor that performs a stored security program. It receives input signals from its electrical connector on the input terminal and generates, on its output terminal, results based on said received input signals and the stored security program.

Claims

1. An external memory cartridge for replaceable connection with a video game main unit, said video game main unit being connectable to a television receiver, said video game main unit including at least one video graphics processor arrangement that at least in part controls said television receiver to display a changing picture defined at least in part by video game software contained in the external memory cartridge, said external memory cartridge comprising:

a cartridge housing;

at least one video game memory device disposed within said cartridge housing, said video game memory device containing said video game software;

at least one electrical connector connected to said memory device, said electrical connector for, in use, coupling said memory device with said video game main unit to permit said video game main unit to access said video game memory device and execute said video game software; and

a security microprocessor arrangement disposed within said cartridge housing, said security microprocessor arrangement including at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal, said input terminal and output terminal being connected to said electrical connector, said security microprocessor arrangement including a security program memory device containing a security program, said security microprocessor arrangement accessing said security program memory device and performing said stored security program, said security microprocessor arrangement, in use, receiving input signals from said electrical connector on said input terminal and generating, on said output terminal, results based at least in part on said received input signals and said stored security program.

2. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement includes a reset input connected to said electrical connector, said reset input in use being controlled by said main unit to cause said security microprocessor arrangement to reset.

3. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said main unit also includes a main unit security microprocessor arrangement operating independently from said main unit video graphics processor arrangement, and wherein said electrical connector communicates signals between said memory cartridge security microprocessor arrangement and said main unit security microprocessor arrangement.

4. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement compares data received on said input terminal from said electrical connector with internally computed data.

5. External memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement has a clock input coupled to said electrical connector said clock input for, in use, receiving a clock signal provided by said main unit to said security microprocessor arrangement through said connector.

6. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement includes an internal clock frequency divider.

7. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement includes at least one internal data storage register.

8. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement includes an accumulator for, in use, temporarily storing program data.

9. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security program memory device comprises a read only memory storing said security program.

10. An external memory cartridge as in claim 9 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement includes a random access memory.

11. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement includes a random access memory.

12. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement comprises a four-bit microprocessor.

13. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 further including a circuit board, said security microprocessor arrangement, said memory device and said connector all being disposed on said circuit board, said circuit board being at least partially enclosed within said cartridge housing.

14. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement comprises a single integrated circuit chip.

15. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement includes a power input terminal connected to said electrical connector, said electrical connector, in use, connecting electrical power from said main unit to said security microprocessor arrangement power input terminal.

16. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement includes a further output for, in use, generating a reset output signal.

17. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement includes a CPU which, in use, executes sequences of operations at timings based on respective clock phases φ

1, φ

2, φ

3, φ

4 of a four-phase clock.

18. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein, in use, operations of said security microprocessor arrangement are synchronized with operation of said main unit.

19. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement, in use, performs the following functions:

(a) compute first results;

(b) receive first results from said electrical connector on said input terminal;

(c) determine whether said computed first results match said received first results;

(d) compute second results;

(e) receive second results from said electrical connector on said input terminal; and

(f) determine whether said computed second results match said received second results.

20. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement, in use, performs the following functions:

(a) compute first results;

(b) receive first results from said electrical connector on said input terminal;

(c) determine whether said computed first results match said received first results;

(d) compute further results based at least in part on previously computed results;

(e) receive further results from said electrical connector on said input terminal;

(f) determine whether said computed further results match said received further results; and

(g) endlessly repeat said functions (d)-(f) as long as said changing picture continues to be displayed on said television receiver.

21. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement, in use, performs the following functions:

(a) receive data from said electrical connector on said input terminal;

(b) compute first results based on said received data;

(c) compute further results based at least in part on previously computed results; and

(d) endlessly repeat said function (c) as long as said picture continues to be displayed on said television receiver.

22. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement includes a further input terminal connected to said electrical connector and includes means coupled to said further input terminal for, in use, determining, based on a level applied by said electrical connector to said further input terminal, whether to operate as a lock device or as a key device.

23. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement comprises a custom integrated circuit chip.

24. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor includes a random access memory and said security program memory device comprises a read only memory program store.

25. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement and said video game software memory device comprise different integrated circuit chips.

26. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement and said video game software memory device comprise separate discrete devices.

27. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement and said video game software memory device are separate from one another.

28. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement and said video game software memory device, in use, operate substantially independently of one another.

29. An external memory cartridge as in claim 1 wherein said security microprocessor arrangement comprises a CPU and an associated program store, said CPU performing a predetermined sequence of operations based on instructions stored in said program store.

30. An external memory cartridge as in claim 29 wherein said predetermined sequence of operations includes at least one operation of branching depending on the value of an intermediate result.

31. An external memory cartridge as in claim 29 wherein said predetermined sequence of operations includes at least one data comparison operation.

32. A replaceable external memory cartridge for replaceable connection with a video game main unit, said video game main unit being connectable to a television receiver, said video game main unit including at least one processor arrangement that at least in part controls said television receiver to display a changing picture based on the particular video game software contained in the external memory cartridge, said external memory cartridge comprising:

a cartridge housing;

a circuit board disposed at least partially within said cartridge housing;

at least one video game software memory device disposed on said circuit board, said memory device containing said particular video game software;

at least one electrical connector connected to said memory device, said electrical connector, in use, coupling said video game software memory device with said main unit processor arrangement; and

a security processor disposed on said circuit board and connected to said at least one electrical connector, said security processor having a security program memory device storing a security program, said security processor accessing said security program memory device and performing said stored security program, said security processor, in use, receiving input signals from said main unit through said electrical connector and providing to said main unit results through said electrical connector responsive at least in part to said received input signals and said stored security program.

33. An external memory cartridge as in claim 32 wherein said security processor is separate from said video game software memory device.

34. An external memory cartridge as in claim 32 wherein said security processor includes a microcomputer having a CPU, said security program memory device comprises a program memory storing said security program, and said security processor includes at least one input connected to said electrical connector and at least one output connected to said electrical connector.

35. An external memory cartridge comprising:

a cartridge housing;

a circuit board disposed at least in part within said cartridge housing;

at least one video game software memory device disposed on said circuit board, said video game software memory device containing video game software;

at least one electrical connector connected to said video game software memory device, said electrical connector, in use, coupling said video game software memory device to a video game main unit to permit said video game main unit to electrically access said video game software memory device and execute said video game software; and

a security microprocessor disposed on said circuit board and connected to said electrical connector, said security microprocessor including a security program memory device containing a security program, said security microprocessor accessing said security program memory device and performing said security program, said security microprocessor, in use, receiving input signals from said main unit through said connector and providing to said main unit through said connector results responsive at least in part to said received input signals and said stored security program.

36. An external memory cartridge for replaceable connection with a video game main unit, said video game main unit being connectable to a television receiver, said video game main unit including at least one processor arrangement that at least in part controls said television receiver to display a changing picture based on video graphics software contained in the external memory cartridge, said external memory cartridge comprising:

a cartridge housing;

at least one video graphics software memory device disposed within said cartridge housing, said video graphics software memory device containing said video graphics software;

at least one coupling structure connected to said video graphics software memory device, said coupling structure for, in use, coupling said video graphics software memory device with said main unit processor arrangement to permit said main unit processor arrangement to access said video graphics software memory device and execute said video graphics software contained therein; and

a security integrated circuit chip disposed within said housing and connected to said coupling structure, said security integrated circuit chip including at least one input terminal and at least one output terminal, said security integrated circuit chip, in use, performing a predetermined sequence of data processing steps based at least in part on a control sequence internally defined within said security integrated circuit chip, said security integrated circuit chip, in use, receiving input data applied to said input terminal through said coupling structure and generating output results on said output terminal, said output results being based at least in part on (a) said received input data, and (b) said predetermined sequence of data processing steps, said output results being applied to said coupling structure.

37. A replaceable external memory cartridge for at least partial insertion into a video game main unit, said cartridge comprising:

a cartridge housing;

a circuit board disposed at least partially within said cartridge housing;

at least one integrated circuit game software memory device disposed on said circuit board, said integrated circuit game software memory device containing game software;

at least one electrical connector connected to said integrated circuit memory device, said electrical connector, in use, coupling said integrated circuit memory device to said main game unit so as to permit said video game main unit to access said game software contained within said game software memory device and play a video game base don said game software; and

a security integrated circuit disposed within said housing, said security integrated circuit including;

(a) a power input terminal connected to said electrical connector;

(b) a ground terminal connected to said electrical connector;

(c) a synchronization terminal connected to said electrical connector that, in use, synchronizes internal data processing operations of said security integrated circuit based on a synchronization signal received thereon from said video game main unit through said electrical connector;

(d) a clock input terminal connected to said electrical connector that, in use, causes said security integrated circuit to perform a predetermined sequence of data processing steps based at least in part on a control sequence defined internally within said security integrated circuit at a timing determined by clocking signals applied thereto by said video game main unit through said electrical connector;

(e) a data input terminal connected to said electrical connector which, in use, receives input data from said video game main unit through said electrical connector; and

(f) a data output terminal connected to said electrical connector which, in use, provides output data to said electrical connector, said security integrated circuit, in use, computing said output data based at least in part on said received input data as processed by said predetermined sequence of data processing steps.

38. A memory cartridge comprising:

a cartridge housing;

a circuit board disposed at least partially within said cartridge housing;

at least one integrated circuit video game software memory device disposed on said circuit board, said integrated circuit video game software memory device containing video game software;

at least one electrical connector connected to said integrated circuit memory device, said electrical connector for, in use, permitting said video game software to be accessed in and read from said video game software memory device; and

a security integrated circuit disposed within said housing, said security integrated circuit including;

(a) a power input terminal connected to said electrical connector;

(b) a ground terminalll connected to said electrical connector;

(c) a synchronization terminal connected to said electrical connector that, in use, synchronizes internal data processing operations of said security integrated circuit based on a synchronization signal received thereon through said electrical connector;

(d) a clock input terminal connected to said electrical connector that, in use, causes said security integrated circuit to perform a predetermined sequence of data processing steps based at least in part on a control sequence defined internally within said security integrated circuit at a timing determined by clocking signals applied thereto through said electrical connector;

(e) a data input terminal connected to said electrical connector which, in use, receives input data from said electrical connector; and

(f) a data output terminal connected to said electrical connector which in use, provides output data computed based at least in part on said received input data as processed by said predetermined sequence of data processing steps.

39. A removable external memory unit for storing a video game program to be executed, in use, by a host system, said external memory unit comprising:

program memory means for storing a video game program;

character memory means for storing data defining video game related characters;

verification processor means for operating in accordance with a verification program when said external memory unit is connected to said host system; and

connector means, coupled to said program memory means, said character memory means, and said verification processor means, for electrically connecting, in use, said external memory unit to said host system;

said verification processor means including;

verification program memory means for storing said verification program,

input means for receiving data, when connected in use to said host system, via said connector means,

output means for transferring data related to the results of the execution of said verification program, when connected in use to said host system, via said connector means,

synchronizing input means for receiving, in use, a synchronization signal via said connector means, and

processing means, responsive to said synchronization signal, for executing said verification program, said processing means including means operable to receive a host system generated value from said input means, means for performing predetermined processing operations on said host system generated value to generate results, and means for transferring at least some of said results of said predetermined processing operations to said output means.

40. An external memory unit according to claim 39, wherein said processing means receives further values via said input means from said host system and further includes means for comparing said results with said further values.

41. An external memory unit according to claim 40, wherein said processing means further includes means, responsive to the detection of coincidence between said results and said further values for performing at least a further arithmetic operation.

42. An external memory unit according to claim 41, wherein said processing means includes means for performing said further arithmetic operations and for outputting a further result.

43. An external memory unit according to claim 41, wherein said processing means further includes means for repetitively performing further arithmetic operations.

44. An external memory unit according to claim 43, wherein said means for repetitively performing further arithmetic operations executes, in use, further arithmetic operations during video game program execution.

45. An external memory unit in accordance with claim 39, wherein said verification processor means includes clock signal input means, coupled to said connector means, for receiving, in use, clock signals from said host system.

46. An external memory according to claim 45, wherein said processor means includes means responsive to said clock signals for generating a plurality of timing signals each of which initiates the performance of a predetermined processing operation.

47. An external memory unit according to claim 45, wherein said verification processor means includes means responsive to said plurality of timing signals for receiving data from said host system in response to a first timing signal, for performing predetermined arithmetic operations in response to a second timing signal and for transferring data to said host system in response to a third timing signal.

48. A video game program cartridge comprising:

an electrical interface connector having plural electrical contacts;

a first digital memory device storing a video game program;

a second digital memory device storing videographics data related to said video game program;

a microcomputer authenticating device having a microprocessor CPU, a read-only memory ROM and read/write storage RAM components, said ROM having stored therein a program for said microcomputer;

said first and second memory devices having electrical connections to a first subset of said connector electrical contacts;

said microcomputer having electrical connections to a second subset of said connector electrical contacts, said second subset being different from said first subset;

said microprocessor CPU having data communication paths only with other components of said authenticating device and said second subset of connector electrical contacts.

49. A video game cartridge according to claim 48, wherein said video game program is executed, in use, by a host system when said electrical interface connector is coupled to said host system, and wherein said program for said microcomputer is a verification program,

said microcomputer authenticating device further including:

an input port for receiving data, when connected in use to said host system, via said second subset of connector electrical contacts of said electrical interface connector, and

an output port for transferring data related to the results of the execution of said verification program, when connected in use to said host system, via said second subset of connector electrical contacts of said electrical interface connector.

50. A video game cartridge according to claim 48, wherein said microcomputer authenticating device further includes a synchronizing input port for receiving, in use, a synchronization signal via said second subset of connector electrical contacts of said electrical interface connector, and

wherein said microcomputer authenticating device is responsive to said synchronization signal, to execute said verification program, said microcomputer is operable to receive a host system generated value from said input port to perform predetermined processing operations on said host system generated value to generate results, and to transfer at least some of said results of said predetermined processing operations to said output port.

51. A video game cartridge according to claim 50, wherein said microcomputer device receives further values via said input port from said host system and further includes means for comparing said results with said further values.

52. A video game cartridge according to claim 51, wherein said microcomputer device further included means, responsive to the detection of coincidence between said results and said further values for performing at least a further arithmetic operation.

53. An video game cartridge according to claim 52, wherein said microcomputer device includes means for performing said further arithmetic operations and for outputting a further result.

54. A video game cartridge according to claim 53, wherein said microcomputer device further includes means for repetitively performing further arithmetic operations.

55. An video game cartridge according to claim 54, wherein said means for repetitively performing further arithmetic operations executes, in use, further arithmetic operations during video game program execution.

56. A video game cartridge in accordance with claim 53, wherein said microcomputer device includes clock signal input means, coupled to said electrical interface connector, for receiving, in use, clock signals from said host system.

57. A video game cartridge according to claim 56, wherein said microcomputer device includes means responsive to said clock signals for generating a plurality of timing signals each of which initiates the performance of a predetermined processing operation.

58. A video game cartridge according to claim 56, wherein said microcomputer device includes means responsive to said plurality of timing signals for receiving data from said host system in response to a first timing signal, for performing predetermined arithmetic operations in response to a second timing signal and for transferring data to said host system in response to a third timing signal.