System for preventing the use of an unauthorized external memory

Claim 1

An authentication system for preventing an unauthorized external memory unit from being used in an information processing system which utilizes a pluggable external memory unit, said information processing system being capable of displaying a predetermined image by a display means in accordance with a program stored in said external memory unit when the external memory unit is attached thereto, said authentication system comprising: an information processing means in said information processing system capable of accessing a predetermined maximum address space, an internal memory having a first memory area corresponding to a first memory space, relatively smaller than said maximum address space, and storing first character data and an authenticity determining program for determining the authenticity of said external memory unit based upon said first character data, and memory selecting means for selecting any one of said internal memory and said external memory; said external memory unit having an external memory including a second memory area having a memory space corresponding to said first memory space and a third memory area having a relatively larger second memory space; said external memory including means for storing second character data having a predetermined relationship with respect to said first character data stored in said internal memory, said second character data being stored in a portion of said third memory area of said external memory, said program for displaying an image in accordance with a predetermined purpose of use being stored in at least the remaining memory area of said third memory area of said external memory; said memory selecting means including means for selecting said first memory space such that said information processing means can access the said internal memory when the said external memory unit is loaded to said information processing apparatus; said information processing means including means for determining whether said first character data and said second character data have said predetermined relationship based upon said authenticity determining program data stored in said internal memory; and said memory selecting means including means responsive to said means for determining for selecting said second memory space such that said information processing means can access said external memory when said first character data and said second character data having said predetermined relationship.

Claim 9

A system for preventing an unauthorized external memory unit from being used in an information processing system including an external memory unit being attachable or detachable to or from said information processing system, said information processing system being capable of displaying a predetermined image in accordance with a program stored in the external memory unit when the external memory is attached thereto, comprising: said information processing system includes internal memory means for storing first character data; said external memory unit including external memory means for second character data; first means for reading said first character data from said internal memory means; second means for reading said second character data from said external memory unit when said external memory unit is loaded to said information processing apparatus; display means for displaying an image; means for controlling said display means to display character(s) data in accordance with the second character data which is read from said external memory unit by said second means for reading; determining means for determining whether said first character data read by said first means for reading and said second character data read by said second means for reading have a predetermined relationship or not; allowing means for allowing said information processing apparatus to access to said external memory unit when it is determined that said first character data and said second character data have said predetermined relationship; and inhibiting means for inhibiting said information processing apparatus from accessing said external memory unit when it is determined that said first character data and said second character data do not have said predetermined relationship.

Claim 10

A system for preventing an unauthorized external memory unit from being used in an information processing system including an external memory unit being attachable or detachable to or from said information processing system, said information processing system being capable of displaying a predetermined image in accordance with a program stored in the external memory unit when the external memory is attached thereto, comprising: said information processing system includes internal memory means for storing first character data; said external memory unit including external memory means for second character data; first means for reading said first character data from said internal memory means; second means for reading said second character data from said external memory unit when said external memory unit is loaded to said information processing apparatus; display means for displaying an image; means for controlling said display means to display character(s) data in accordance with the second character data which is read from said external memory unit by said second means for reading; determining means for determining whether said first character data read by said first means for reading and said second character data read by said second means for reading have a predetermined relationship or not; allowing means for allowing said information processing apparatus to access to said external memory unit when it is determined that said first character data and said second character data have said predetermined relationship; and inhibiting means for inhibiting said information processing apparatus from accessing said external memory unit when it is determined that said first character data and said second character data do not have said predetermined relationship.

Claim 12

A system for preventing an unauthorized external memory unit from being used in a hand-held game machine which utilizes a pluggable external memory unit including external memory means for storing game programs said system comprising: main game processing means for executing said game program; internal memory means coupled to said main game processing means for storing first character data; a pluggable external memory unit including external memory means for storing said game program, second character data and auxiliary data; said main game processing means including: first means for comparing said first character data with said second character data and for generating a first signal if a predetermined relationship exists between said first character data and said second character data; means responsive to said first signal for performing a predetermined calculation using said auxiliary data; second means for comparing the results of said predetermined calculation with a prestored value; and means for enabling game program to be executed if said first signal is generated and if said predetermined value has a predetermined relationship with said prestored value.

Claim 13

A system for preventing an unauthorized external memory unit from being used in a hand-held game machine which utilizes a pluggable external memory unit including external memory means for storing game programs said system comprising: main game processing means for executing said game program; internal memory means coupled to said main game processing means for storing first character data; a pluggable external memory unit including external memory means for storing said game program, second character data and auxiliary data; said main game processing means including: first means for comparing said first character data with said second character data and for generating a first signal if a predetermined relationship exists between said first character data and said second character data; means responsive to said first signal for performing a predetermined calculation using said auxiliary data; second means for comparing the results of said predetermined calculation with a prestored value; and means for enabling game program to be executed if said first signal is generated and if said predetermined value has a predetermined relationship with said prestored value.