Data security apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A data security apparatus for controlling whether program data stored in a replaceable, external storage medium is to be processed by a data processor, the data security apparatus comprising:
- a security check means for detecting the presence or absence of a security code stored in an external storage medium;
an internal storage means for storing an identification code read out from the external storage medium;
a replacement detect means for detecting a replacement of the external storage medium with a second external storage medium;
a judgment means for comparing the identification code stored in the internal storage means with an identification code read out from the second external storage medium and judging whether the codes correspond;
a control means for controlling whether the program data stored in the external storage medium or the second external storage device is to be processed by the data processor or not;
wherein, when the presence of the security code in the external storage medium is detected by the security check means, and the replacement means detects a replacement of the external storage medium with the second external storage medium, and the judgment means judges that the identification code stored in the internal storage means and the identification code read out of the second external storage medium correspond, then the security check means does not check the second external storage medium for the security code and the control means permits the program data stored on the second external storage medium to be processed by the data processor,and when the absence of the security code in the external storage medium is detected by the security check means, and the replacement means detects a replacement of the external storage medium with the second external storage medium, the security check means checks the second external storage medium for the security code,and when the external storage medium has a security code but does not have an identification code, and the replacement means detects a replacement of the external storage medium with the second external storage medium, the security check means checks the second external storage medium for the security code,and when the presence of the security code in the external storage medium is detected by the security check means, and the replacement means does not detect a replacement of the external storage medium with the second external storage medium, then the control means permits any program data stored on the external storage medium to be processed by the data processor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data security apparatus and method permits programmed data stored in a replaceable external storage medium to be processed by the data processor when it is determined that a security code is stored on the external storage medium and a replacement second external storage medium is available. The data can then be transferred under a controlled process without performing a security check on the second external storage medium. A hardware security apparatus can therefore be disabled to permit authorized game developers to test their games on an actual game system.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A data security apparatus for controlling whether program data stored in a replaceable, external storage medium is to be processed by a data processor, the data security apparatus comprising:
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a security check means for detecting the presence or absence of a security code stored in an external storage medium; an internal storage means for storing an identification code read out from the external storage medium; a replacement detect means for detecting a replacement of the external storage medium with a second external storage medium; a judgment means for comparing the identification code stored in the internal storage means with an identification code read out from the second external storage medium and judging whether the codes correspond; a control means for controlling whether the program data stored in the external storage medium or the second external storage device is to be processed by the data processor or not; wherein, when the presence of the security code in the external storage medium is detected by the security check means, and the replacement means detects a replacement of the external storage medium with the second external storage medium, and the judgment means judges that the identification code stored in the internal storage means and the identification code read out of the second external storage medium correspond, then the security check means does not check the second external storage medium for the security code and the control means permits the program data stored on the second external storage medium to be processed by the data processor, and when the absence of the security code in the external storage medium is detected by the security check means, and the replacement means detects a replacement of the external storage medium with the second external storage medium, the security check means checks the second external storage medium for the security code, and when the external storage medium has a security code but does not have an identification code, and the replacement means detects a replacement of the external storage medium with the second external storage medium, the security check means checks the second external storage medium for the security code, and when the presence of the security code in the external storage medium is detected by the security check means, and the replacement means does not detect a replacement of the external storage medium with the second external storage medium, then the control means permits any program data stored on the external storage medium to be processed by the data processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A data security apparatus for controlling whether program data stored in a replaceable, external storage medium is to be processed by a data processor, the data security apparatus comprising:
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a security check means for detecting the presence or absence of a security code stored in an external storage medium; a replacement detect means for detecting a replacement of a first external storage medium with a second external storage medium; data readout control means for controlling the transfer of program data from the first or second external storage medium to the data processor; wherein when the presence of the security code is detected by the security check means in the first external storage medium and the replacement detect means detects a replacement of the first external storage medium, the data readout control means transfers the program data from the second external storage medium to the data processor without performing a security check on the second external storage medium, and when the absence of the security code is detected by the security check means in the first external storage medium and no replacement is detected, then the data readout control means does not transfer the program dam to the data processor, and when the absence of the security code is detected by the security check means in the first external storage medium and the replacement means has detected a replacement of the first external storage medium, then the security check means checks the second external storage medium for the security code, and when the presence of the security code is detected by the security check means in an external storage medium and the replacement detect means has not detected a replacement of the external storage medium, the data readout control means transfers any program data stored on the external storage medium to the data processor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A data security method for determining whether program data stored in a replaceable, external storage medium is to be processed by a data processor, the data security method comprising the steps of:
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determining whether a security code is stored in a first external storage medium; reading an identification code from the first external storage medium and storing the identification code in an identification storage means; detecting a replacement of the first external storage medium with a second external storage medium; reading an identification code from the second external storage medium; comparing the identification code stored in the identification code storage means with the identification code from the second external storage means and determining whether the identification codes correspond; and transferring the program data from the second external storage medium to the data processor without determining whether a security code is stored on the second storage medium when the identification codes correspond.
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16. A data security method for allowing program data stored on a storage medium to execute on a data processing machine, the data processing machine having a hardware security apparatus, wherein the storage medium does not have a required security code stored thereon as required by the security hardware apparatus, the data security method comprising the steps of:
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detecting a key external storage medium attached to the data processor, the key external storage medium comprising a security code; and detecting a replacement of the key external storage medium with a program data storage medium, the program data storage medium comprises program data; wherein the key external storage medium disables the hardware security apparatus, such that the hardware security apparatus does not check the program data storage medium for the required security code, and the program data stored on the program data storage medium is executed on the data processor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification