Copy-protected software cartridge

• US 8,380,996 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Diehl, Eric, Eluard, Marc, Prigent, Nicolas
• Primary Examiner(s): JUNG, DAVID YIUK
• Application Number:
  US12/735,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20110119503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 713/193
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/121 Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
• 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

Abstract

A cartridge preferably for use with a game console. The cartridge comprises a ROM, a non-volatile memory, a processor and an encryption unit. An application running on the console may read data from the ROM, read data from the non-volatile memory, and write data in the non-volatile memory. Data to be written in the non-volatile memory is encrypted by the encryption unit, but data to be read is returned in encrypted form for decryption by a decryption function of the game application. Data may also be received encrypted to be decrypted and returned. The encryption or decryption unit may also receive data from the non-volatile memory and send it to the interface. The invention improves on the prior art copy protection as a hacker must reverse engineer the game application in order to copy it, if the encryption unit is unknown. The invention also provides an optical medium equipped with a RFID circuit.

Claims

1. A copy-protected storage support configured for use with a console, the storage support comprising:

a data storage area configured to store at least parts of an application executable on the console; and

an interface configured to;

send application data read from the data storage area to the console via an interface of the console;

wherein the storage support further comprises;

a memory configured for storage of application parameter data received by the interface from the application executed on the console;

a cryptographic unit configured to receive application parameter data from the interface, perform a cryptographic operation on the received application parameter data, and store the received application parameter data in the memory;

wherein the interface is further configured to;

read application parameter data from the memory;

communicate, via the interface of the console, the read application parameter data to the application executed on the console; and

the interface either receiving application parameter data in encrypted form from the application executed on the console and returning application parameter data in unencrypted form to the application executed on the console, or receiving application parameter data in unencrypted form from the application executed on the console and returning application parameter data in encrypted form to the application executed on the console.

3. The storage support of claim 1, wherein the cryptographic operation is decryption of the data, and wherein the interface is adapted to receive the data in encrypted form from the console and to return the data in unencrypted form to the console.

4. The storage support of claim 1, wherein the cryptographic operation is encryption of the data, and wherein the interface is adapted to receive the data in unencrypted form from the console and to return the data in encrypted form to the console.

5. The storage support of claim 1, wherein the storage support is a cartridge and the data storage area is a memory.

6. The storage support of claim 1, wherein the storage support is an optical storage medium embodying the data storage area, the optical storage medium being equipped with a RFID circuit that embodies the interface, the memory and the encryption unit.

7. The storage support of claim 1, wherein the algorithm used to encrypt the data is based on asymmetrical cryptography.

8. The storage support of claim 1, wherein the at least parts of the application executable on the console comprises either an encryption key for encrypting the application parameter data to be sent to the interface or a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted application parameter data received from the interface.

2. A copy-protected storage support configured for use with a console, the storage support comprising:

a data storage area configured to store at least parts of an application executable on the console; and

an interface configured to;

send application data read from the data storage area to the console via an interface of the console;

wherein the storage support further comprises;

a memory configured for storage of application parameter data received by the interface from the application executed on the console;

a cryptographic unit configured to receive application parameter data from the memory, perform a cryptographic operation on the received application parameter data, and send the received application parameter data to the interface;

wherein the interface is further configured to;

receive, via the interface of the console, application parameter data from the application executed on the console; and

store the received application parameter data in the memory; and

the interface either receiving application parameter data in encrypted form from the application executed on the console and returning application parameter data in unencrypted form to the application executed on the console, or receiving application parameter data in unencrypted form from the application executed on the console and returning application parameter data in encrypted form to the application executed on the console.

9. The storage support of claim 2, wherein the at least parts of the application executable on the console comprises either an encryption key for encrypting the application parameter data to be sent to the interface or a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted application parameter data received from the interface.