Microcontroller, authentication method for microcontroller, and authentication program for microcontroller
OwnerShuichi Hashidateinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one step of a program, an arbitrary value is written to an authentication code generation module. In the subsequent step, an authentication code is read from the authentication code generation module and it is determined whether the authentication code matches the value written in the preceding step. Normal processing is performed if the program is executed by a regular microcontroller that has an authentication code generation module. If the program is executed by another microcontroller that does not have the authentication code generation module, the authentication code cannot be read and, therefore, continuation of the processing becomes impossible. Accordingly, illegal use of a copied program can be prevented.
Claims11
An authentication method for a microcontroller that includes a memory in which a program is stored and a processor that performs computation and/or control in accordance with the program stored in the memory, the authentication method comprising:
- providing an authentication code generation unit that is accessed by the processor to generate an authentication code;
- reading the authentication code from the authentication code generation unit under the control of the program;
- and
- determining whether the authentication code thus read is normal.
A microcontroller comprising:
- a memory in which a program is stored;
- a processor that performs computation and/or control in accordance with the program stored in the memory;
- and
- an authentication code generation unit for holding data written by the processor as an authentication code and generating the authentication code in response to a read request from the processor.
A microcontroller comprising:
- a memory in which a program is stored;
- a processor that performs computation and/or control in accordance with the program stored in the memory;
- and
- an authentication code generation unit for generating a predetermined authentication code in response to a read request from the processor.
An authentication program for a microcontroller that includes a memory in which a program is stored, a processor that performs computation and/or control in accordance with the program stored in the memory, and an authentication code generation unit that is accessed by the processor to generate an authentication code, the authentication program comprising:
- reading the authentication code from the authentication code generation unit;
- and
- determining whether the authentication code thus read is normal.
An authentication program for a microcontroller that includes a memory in which a program is stored, a processor that performs computation and/or control in accordance with the program stored in the memory, and an authentication code generation unit for holding data written by the processor as an authentication code and generating the authentication code in response to a read request from the processor, the authentication program comprising:
- writing arbitrary data to the authentication code generation unit;
- reading the authentication code from the authentication code generation unit;
- continuing processing when the authentication code matches the written arbitrary data;
- and
- stopping the processing when the authentication code does not match the written arbitrary data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.