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

Claim 2

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.

Claim 3

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.

Claim 4

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.

Claim 5

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.

Claim 6

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.

Claim 7

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

Claim 8

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

Claim 9

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

Claim 10

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

Claim 11

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

Claim 12

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

Claim 13

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

Claim 14

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.

Claim 15

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

Claim 16

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.

Claim 17

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.

Claim 18

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 φ1, φ2, φ3, φ4 of a four-phase clock.

Claim 19

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.

Claim 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 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.

Claim 21

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.

Claim 22

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.

Claim 23

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.

Claim 24

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

Claim 25

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.

Claim 26

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.

Claim 27

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

Claim 28

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.

Claim 29

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.

Claim 30

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.

Claim 31

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.

Claim 32

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

Claim 33

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.

Claim 34

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.

Claim 35

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

Claim 36

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.

Claim 37

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.

Claim 38

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.

Claim 39

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.

Claim 40

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.

Claim 41

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.

Claim 42

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.

Claim 43

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.

Claim 44

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.

Claim 45

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.

Claim 46

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.

Claim 47

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.

Claim 48

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.

Claim 49

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.

Claim 50

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

Claim 51

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.

Claim 52

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.

Claim 53

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.

Claim 54

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.

Claim 55

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.

Claim 56

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.

Claim 57

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.

Claim 58

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.

Claim 59

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.

Claim 60

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.

Claim 61

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.

Claim 62

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

Claim 63

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.

Claim 64

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.

Claim 65

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.

Claim 66

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.