Digital compact disc player security system reproducing method and apparatus

• US 6,122,739 A
• Filed: 11/13/1995
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hirano, Tetsuya, Kutaragi, Ken
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Elisca, Pierre E.
• Application Number:
  US08/555,835
• Time in Patent Office: 1,772 Days
• Field of Search: 380/3, 380/4, 380/5, 380/22, 380/23, 380/25, 380/201, 395/186, 395/187.01, 395/188.01, 369/44.13, 369/47, 369/44.26, 369/275.5, 369/215.4, 713/200, 713/201, 713/202
• US Class Current: 726/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00586 said format change concerning the physical format of the recording medium
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00601 wherein properties of tracks are altered, e.g., by changing the wobble pattern or the track pitch, or by adding interruptions or eccentricity
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/007 Arrangement of the information on the record carrier, e.g. form of tracks , actual track shape, e.g. wobbled, or cross-section, e.g. v-shaped; Sequential information structures, e.g. sectoring or header formats within a track
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/24085 Pits
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/261 Preparing a master, e.g. exposing photoresist, electroforming

Abstract

A security system for preventing disc players from being used with unauthorized software is disclosed. The security code is stored through modulating an offset of the physical position of a plurality of data bits from a nominal track position. A two part optical read head provides an RF signal corresponding to the presence of a physical offset modulation. The RF signal is present when there is a physical offset of the data bits defining a first logical state and the absence of the RF signal defines a second logical state. A digital security code is encoded and decoded in this manner. A system for encoding a security code through modulating the physical offset of a plurality of data bits from a nominal track position is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A digital storage medium comprising:

a plurality of data bits stored on a side of the digital storage medium forming a track of data bits; and

a security code stored in the track which is defined as modulation of a positional offset of a physical location of the data bits from a nominal track location, wherein the security code is repeatedly stored;

wherein the digital storage medium is a digital optical disc and the security code is stored in a TOC area of the digital optical disc.

2. The digital storage medium of claim 1, wherein the positional offset of the data bits has a frequency of 22.05 kHz.

3. The digital storage medium of claim 1, wherein the modulation of the positional offset of the physical location of the data bits is in a radial direction of the recording medium.

4. The digital storage medium of claim 1, wherein the modulation of the positional offset of a physical location is a binary modulation wherein an offset of the data bits is defined as first logic state and lack of offset from a nominal track location is defined as a second logic state.

5. The digital storage medium of claim 4, wherein the first logic state is a logical "1".

6. The digital storage medium of claim 4, wherein the security code is stored in Non-Return to Zero format.

7. A method of preventing a processor controlled system from operating with unauthorized software contained in a software storage device comprising the steps of:

a) examining a track of data bits on a software storage device for a physical offset modulation of the data bits from a nominal track location;

b) demodulating the physical offset modulation which defines a digital code a plurality of times;

c) comparing the digital code with a predetermined security code to determine if the digital code matches the predetermined security code;

d) accepting the software storage device as authentic and passing control of the processor controlled system to the computer software stored in the software storage device if the digital code matches the predetermined security code; and

e) rejecting the software storage device if the digital code does not match the predetermined security code.

8. The method of preventing a processor controlled system from operating with unauthorized software of claim 7, further comprising the additional step of controlling the display of a predetermined video image only when the step of comparing the digital code with a predetermined security code determines that the digital code matches the predetermined security code.

9. The method of preventing a processor controlled system from operating with unauthorized software of claim 8, wherein the predetermined video image is a proprietary logo and comprising the additional step of controlling the display of the logo on a display screen associated with the system only if the digital code matches the security code.

10. The method of preventing a processor controlled system from operating with unauthorized software of claim 7, comprising the additional step of operating the system in accordance with software stored in the software storage device only when the step of comparing the digital code with a predetermined security code determines that the digital code matches the predetermined security code.

11. The method of preventing a processor controlled system from operating with unauthorized software of claim 7, further comprising the additional step of performing a second verification wherein the system compares a further code stored in a memory associated with the system with a code stored in a predetermined address of the software storage device and further wherein the system rejects the software storage device if the further code does not match the code stored in a predetermined address of the software storage device.

12. The method of preventing a processor controlled system from operating with unauthorized software of claim 11, wherein the further code is a proprietary logo and comprising the additional step of controlling the display of the logo on a display screen associated with the system if the further code stored in a memory associated with the system matches the code stored in a predetermined address of the software storage device.

13. An apparatus for reading a security code stored on a software storage device comprising:

a device for reading a physical offset modulation of a plurality of data bits in a track of data bits;

a detector for detecting a code stored in the physical offset modulation having an input connected to an output of the device for reading a physical offset modulation;

a discriminator for determining whether the code detected by the detector matches a predetermined security code stored in a memory associated with the apparatus; and

a controller for controlling reproduction of data stored on the software storage device depending on an output from the discriminator;

wherein the detector detects the code by reading the code a plurality of times.

14. The apparatus for reading a security code stored on the software storage device of claim 13, further comprising:

a device for reading data stored in a plurality of data bit locations on the software storage unit having an output;

a device for detecting a second code stored in a plurality of selected data bit locations on the software storage unit connected to an output of the device for reading; and

a second discriminator for determining whether the second code matches a further predetermined security code stored in a memory associated with the apparatus.

15. The apparatus for reading a security code stored on a software storage device of claim 14, wherein the second code is a logo and further wherein the apparatus further comprises a a device for controlling the display of the logo if it is determined that the second code matches the further predetermined security code.

16. The apparatus for reading a security code stored on the software storage device of claim 13, further comprising a display controller for controlling the display of a predetermined video image indicating that the software storage device is authorized only when the step of comparing the digital code with a predetermined security code determines that the digital code matches the predetermined security code.

17. The apparatus for reading a security code stored on a software storage device of claim 16, wherein the predetermined video image is a proprietary logo and comprising the additional step of controlling the display of the logo on a display screen associated with the system if the digital code matches the code stored in a predetermined address of the software storage device.

18. A method of storing a security code on a software storage device comprising the steps of:

a) generating a digital security code;

b) moving the software storage device with respect to a laser source;

c) positioning the laser source over an unrecorded track location of the software storage device;

d) while recording a plurality of data bits on the disc, offsetting a position of the laser beam on the software storage device from a nominal track position to define a first logical condition of a data bit of the security code and positioning the laser at a nominal track position to define a second logical condition of a data bit of the security code, and repeating the steps of offsetting and positioning so that the security code is defined repeatedly on the software storage device.

19. The method of storing a security code on a software storage device of claim 18, wherein the first logical condition is a logical "1".

20. The method of storing a security code on a software storage device of claim 18, wherein the step of offsetting the laser beam from a nominal track position location provides a track of data bits on the storage device having a frequency of the offset substantially equal to 22.05 kHz.

21. An apparatus for storing a security code on a software storage device comprising:

a security code generator for providing a digital security code;

an amplifier for amplifying the security code;

a laser beam; and

a circuit for receiving an output of the amplifier and outputting a signal to modulate a physical position of the laser beam with respect to a nominal track position in accordance with the output of the amplifier, the signal for offsetting a position of the laser beam on the software storage device from a nominal track position to define a first logical condition of a data bit of the security code and positioning the laser at a nominal track position to define a second logical condition of a data bit of the security code, while recording a plurality of data bits on the disc, the signal for modulating the physical position repeating so that the security code is defined repeatedly on the software storage device.

22. The apparatus for storing a security code on a software storage device of claim 21, wherein the first logical state is a logical "1".

23. The apparatus for storing a security code on a software storage device of claim 21, wherein the signal output from the circuit provides a track of data bits on the software storage device having a frequency of the offset modulation substantially equal to 22.05 kHz.

24. A method of reproducing information contained in an information storage device comprising the steps of:

a) examining a track of data bits on an information storage device for a physical offset modulation of the data bits from a nominal track location with a processor controlled device;

b) demodulating the physical offset modulation to define a digital code;

c) comparing the digital code with a predetermined security code to determine if the digital code matches the predetermined security code;

d) rejecting the information storage device if the digital code does not match the predetermined security code;

e) examining the information storage device to determine if the information storage device contains information other than a computer program; and

f) allowing a user to download information from the information storage device without passing control of the processor controlled device to software contained in the information storage device if the step of examining determines that the information storage device contains information other than a computer program.

25. The method of reproducing information contained in an information storage device of claim 24, further comprising a step of playing audio information contained in the information storage device through an audio system if the codes do not match.

26. The method of reproducing information contained in an information storage device of claim 24, further comprising a step of demodulating the physical offset modulation to repeatedly define a digital code.

27. The method of reproducing information contained in an information storage device of claim 24, further comprising a step of controlling the display of a predetermined video image only when the step of comparing the digital code with a predetermined security code determines that the digital code matches the predetermined security code.

28. The method of reproducing information contained in an information storage device of claim 27, further comprising a step of performing a second verification wherein the system compares a further code stored in a memory associated with the system with a code stored in a predetermined address of the information storage device and further wherein the system rejects the information storage device if the further code does not match the code stored in a predetermined address of the information storage device.

29. The method of reproducing information contained in an information storage device of claim 27, wherein the predetermined video image is a proprietary logo and comprising the additional step of controlling the display of the logo on a display screen associated with the system if the further code stored in a memory associated with the system matches the code stored in a predetermined address of the software storage device.

30. An apparatus for reproducing information contained in an information storage device comprising:

a) a device for examining a track of data bits on an information storage device for a physical offset modulation of the data bits from a nominal track location in a processor controlled device;

b) a device for demodulating the physical offset modulation to define a digital code;

c) a device for comparing the digital code with a predetermined security code to determine if the digital code matches the predetermined security code;

d) a device for rejecting the information storage device if the digital code does not match the predetermined security code;

e) a device for examining the information storage device to determine if the information storage device contains information other than a computer program; and

f) a device for allowing a user to download information from the information storage device without passing control of the processor controlled device to software contained in the information storage device if the step of examining determines that the information storage device contains information other than a computer program.

31. The apparatus for reproducing information contained in an information storage device of claim 30, further comprising an audio device for playing audio information contained in the information storage device if the codes do not match.

32. The device for reproducing information contained in an information storage device of claim 30, further comprising a device for demodulating the physical offset modulation to repeatedly define a digital code.

33. A digital storage medium comprising:

a plurality of data bits stored on a side of the digital storage medium forming a track of data bits; and

a security code stored in the track which is defined as modulation of a positional offset of a physical location of the data bits from a nominal track location, wherein the security code is repeatedly stored;

wherein the modulation of the positional offset of a physical location is a binary modulation wherein an offset of the data bits is defined as first logic state and lack of offset from a nominal track location is defined as a second logic state;

wherein the first logic state is a logical "1".

34. A digital storage medium comprising:

a plurality of data bits stored on a side of the digital storage medium forming a track of data bits; and

a security code stored in the track which is defined as modulation of a positional offset of a physical location of the data bits from a nominal track location, wherein the security code is repeatedly stored;

wherein the modulation of the positional offset of a physical location is a binary modulation wherein an offset of the data bits is defined as first logic state and lack of offset from a nominal track location is defined as a second logic state;

wherein the security code is stored in Non-Return to Zero format.

35. A method of preventing a processor controlled system from operating with unauthorized software contained in a software storage device comprising the steps of:

a) examining a track of data bits on a software storage device for a physical offset modulation of the data bits from a nominal track location;

b) demodulating the physical offset modulation which defines a digital code;

c) comparing the digital code with a predetermined security code to determine if the digital code matches the predetermined security code;

d) accepting the software storage device as authentic and passing control of the processor controlled system to the computer software stored in the software storage device if the digital code matches the predetermined security code;

e) rejecting the software storage device if the digital code does not match the predetermined security code; and

f) controlling the display of the a predetermined video image only when the step of comparing the digital code with a predetermined security code determines that the digital code matches the predetermined security code.

36. A method of preventing a processor controlled system from operating with unauthorized software contained in a software storage device comprising the steps of:

a) examining a track of data bits on a software storage device for a physical offset modulation of the data bits from a nominal track location;

b) demodulating the physical offset modulation which defines a digital code;

c) comparing the digital code with a predetermined security code to determine if the digital code matches the predetermined security code;

d) accepting the software storage device as authentic and passing control of the processor controlled system to the computer software stored in the software storage device if the digital code matches the predetermined security code;

e) rejecting the software storage device if the digital code does not match the predetermined security code; and

f) performing a second verification wherein the system compares a further code stored in a memory associated with the system with a code stored in a predetermined address of the software storage device and further wherein the system rejects the software storage device if the further code does not match the code stored in a predetermined address of the software storage device.

37. An apparatus for reading a security code stored on a software storage device comprising:

a device for reading a physical offset modulation of a plurality of data bits in a track of data bits;

a detector for detecting a code stored in the physical offset modulation having an input connected to an output of the device for reading a physical offset modulation;

a discriminator for determining whether the code detected by the detector matches a predetermined security code stored in a memory associated with the apparatus;

a controller for controlling reproduction of data stored on the software storage device depending on an output from the discriminator; and

a display controller for controlling the display of a predetermined video image indicating that the software storage device is authorized only when the step of comparing the digital code with a predetermined security code determines that the digital code matches the predetermined security code.