Authentication system

• US 7,617,394 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2004
• Issued: 11/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Daio, Fumio, Tsuboka, Eiichi, Kaiya, Hideo
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Kimyen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Paliwal; Yogesh
• Application Number:
  US10/992,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20050108309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,818 Days
• Field of Search: 713/168, 320/106
• US Class Current: 713/168
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/445 by mutual authentication, e.g. between devices or programs

Abstract

An authentication system determines if a counterfeit ineligible unit is installed in a main device. When connected with a battery pack, a notebook PC generates and combines a random number and a function determination signal using a signal combining unit and transmits same to the battery pack. A first function calculation unit calculates the function of the random number. The battery pack has a signal separation unit to separate the combined signal into the random number and function determination signal, and a second function calculation unit to calculate the function of the random number for transmitting back to the notebook PC. A comparison unit compares the calculation results by the first and second function calculation units to determine whether the connected battery pack is an authorized one and denies connection if the pack is an unauthorized one.

Claims

1. A system for authenticating compatibility, comprising:

a battery pack;

a notebook personal computer including;

a first memory storing first authentication procedures for authenticating including a set of pre-stored functions;

a microcomputer configured to execute said procedures such that said microcomputer functions as the following;

a random number generator configured to generate a random number R;

a function signal generator configured to generate a function selection signal K for identifying one of said set pre-stored functions;

a signal combiner configured to combine the random number with the function selection signal K into a combined signal;

a function calculator configured to select said one of said set of pre-stored functions using said function selection signal K and apply said selected one of said pre-stored functions to operate on said random number to produce a first data result;

a first interface unit for communicating said combined signal, including said function selection signal K and said random number R, to said battery pack and receiving a second data result from said battery pack;

a comparison unit configured to compare said first data result with said second data result and determine if a match exists;

a power source management circuit for effecting a power connection between said battery pack and said notebook personal computer; and

a connection determination unit configured to control said power source management circuit to accept the power connection between said battery pack and said notebook personal computer if said match exists and reject the power connection if the match does not exist by disconnecting a charging connection to said battery pack; and

said battery pack including;

a battery;

an integrated circuit having operation circuits for effecting operations;

a second memory storing procedures for calculating battery charge levels, and second authentication procedures for authenticating including said set of pre-stored functions; and

said operation circuits being configured to execute said second authentication procedures such that said operation circuits function as the following;

a second interfacing unit for interfacing with said first interfacing unit to receive said combined signal and transmit said second data result;

a charge capacity determination unit;

a signal separator configured to separate the random number from the function selection signal K; and

a second function calculator configured to select said one of said set of pre-stored functions using said function selection signal K to effect the selection and apply said selected one of said pre-stored functions to operate on said random number to produce said second data result and engage said second interfacing unit to transmit said second data result to said first interfacing unit of said notebook personal computer.