Method and apparatus for feature authorization and software copy protection in RF communications devices

A digital radio transceiver of the type including a microprocessor for controlling a plurality of radio transceiving functions in response to program control information stored in a memory associated therewith, comprising:

• digitally controlled transceiving circuitry for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals;
• a memory for storing function-enabling program control information, said function-enabling information being stored in an encrypted form;
• a serial number storage device for storing a serially assigned numerical value unique to said transceiver;
• and
• feature authorization means for decrypting said function-enabling information and for performing at least one predetermined mathematical transformation operation involving both decrypted function-enabling information and said unique assigned value, said feature authorization means authorizing said microprocessor to perform selected transceiving functions only if said transformation operation resulted in a predetermined value.

In a digital radio communications device performing a plurality of radio transceiving functions in response to program control information stored in a memory associated therewith, said program control information including function-enabling information for selectively enabling various predetermined combinations of transceiving functions, a method for preventing use of unauthorized program control information comprising the following steps:

• providing said digital radio communications device, at time of manufacture, with a serially assigned numerical value unique to said digital radio communications device, said serial number stored within said digital radio;
• and
• said digital radio communications device performing the further steps of:
• (a) performing a mathematical data-transformation operation on said function-enabling information and said stored unique assigned value and
• (b) performing various transceiving functions authorized by said function-enabling information only if said data-transformation operation results in a predetermined value.

In a digital radio communications device for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals of the type including a microprocessor for performing a plurality of radio transceiving functions in response to program control information stored in a memory associated therewith, said program control information including encrypted function-enabling information for selectively permitting the operation of various predetermined combinations of transceiving functions, a method for preventing unauthorized alteration, copying and/or downloading of said program control information into other products while allowing an authorized alteration of said function-enabling information to provide a different combination of functions, comprising the following steps:

• providing said digital radio communications device, with:
• a serially assigned numerical value unique to said digital radio communications device, a predetermined check value, and an encryption seed, said serial number, check value and encryption seed data stored electronically in said digital radio;
• and
• said digital radio communications device performing the further steps of:
• (a) decrypting said function-enabling information stored in said associated memory based on said encryption seed data;
• (b) performing a mathematical data-transformation operation on the decrypted function-enabling information of step (a) using said unique serial number;
• and
• (c) performing various transceiving functions authorized by said decrypted function-enabling information only if said data transformation operation results in said predetermined check value, said predetermined check value calculated using the same data-transformation operation, unique assigned value and function-enabling information as in steps (a) and (b), and stored in said associated memory prior to power-up.

In a digital radio communications device for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals of the type including a microprocessor for performing at least first and second radio transceiving functions in response to program control information stored in a memory associated therewith, said program control information including function-enabling information for selectively permitting the operation of various predetermined combinations of transceiving functions, an arrangement for preventing unauthorized alteration, copying or downloading of said program control information into other products, while permitting an authorized alteration of said enabling information to provide a different combination of functions, comprising:

• digitally controlled transceiver circuitry for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals;
• a memory for storing transceiver function-enabling information;
• a serial number storage device for storing a serially assigned numerical value unique to said transceiver;
• and
• feature authorization means for performing at least one predetermined data transformation operation using said function-enabling information and based on said unique assigned value, said feature authorization means allowing selected transceiving functions to operate if said transformation operation resulted in a predetermined value.

In a digital radio communications device for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals of the type including a microprocessor for performing a plurality of radio transceiving functions in response to program control information stored in a memory associated therewith, said program control information including function-enabling data for selectively permitting the operation of various predetermined combinations of transceiving functions, a method for providing function-enabling data that is specifically tailored for an individual communications device and for preventing unauthorized use of said program control information by alteration, duplication or downloading into other products, comprising the following steps of:

• (a) providing said digital radio communications device with a serially assigned numerical value unique to said digital radio communications device, said assigned value stored within said digital communications device;
• (b) performing a data transformation operation on selected function-enabling data using said assigned value, said transformation operation performed prior to storing said function-enabling data in said associated memory;
• (c) storing the transformed function-enabling data in said associated memory along with program information for performing a reverse data transformation operation for reproducing said selected function-enabling data from transformed function-enabling data.

A method of operating a radio frequency communications device comprising:

• (a) reading a feature authorization code;
• (b) reading an identification code that identifies said device;
• (c) computing a value in response to said feature authorization code and said identification code;
• (d) testing said computed value;
• and
• (e) selectively enabling at least one radio communicating feature based on results of said test and said feature authorization code.

A method of operating radio frequency equipment comprising:

• (a) reading feature authorization information from a medium;
• (b) determining whether said read feature authorization information authorizes performance of an optional radio feature;
• (c) testing authenticity of said read feature authorization information to determine whether it originated from an authorized source;
• and
• (d) enabling said equipment to operate in accordance with said optional radio feature only if said determining step (b) determines that said optional radio feature is authorized and said testing step (c) reveals that said feature authorization information is from said authorized source.

A method of operating radio frequency transceiving equipment comprising:

• (a) reading feature authorization information from a medium;
• (b) testing of said feature authorization information read by said reading step (a) to determine whether said authorization information is from an authorized source;
• (c) if said testing step (b) reveals said read feature authorization information is from said authorized source, enabling at least one optional radio feature specified by said read feature authorization information;
• and
• (d) transmitting and receiving radio frequency electromagnetic signals in accordance with said enabled optional radio feature.

Radio frequency equipment comprising:

• a housing;
• a storage medium disposed within said housing, said storage medium storing coded feature authorization information;
• enabling means, disposed within said housing and coupled to said storage medium, for enabling performance of an optional radio feature if read feature authorization information indicates said optional radio feature is to be enabled and said read feature authorization information is from an authorized source;
• and
• radio frequency circuitry connected to said enabling means and at least partially disposed within said housing, said radio frequency circuitry functioning in accordance with said optional radio feature if said enabling means enables performance of said optional radio feature.

Radio frequency transceiving equipment comprising:

• radio frequency transceiving circuitry that transmits and receives radio frequency electromagnetic signals;
• a medium that stores feature authorization information indicating whether an optional radio transceiving function is authorized;
• an authenticating arrangement connected to said medium, said authenticating arrangement testing whether said feature authorization information is from an authorized source;
• and
• a controller for said radio frequency transceiving equipment, said controller cooperating with said radio frequency transceiving circuitry, said medium and said authenticating arrangement to perform said optional radio transceiving function if said optional radio transceiving function is authorized by said feature authorization information and authenticating arrangement testing indicates said feature authorization information is from an authorized source.

A digital radio comprising:

• a digitally controlled radio transmitter;
• a digitally controlled radio receiver;
• a digital controller connected to said radio transmitter and said radio receiver, said digital controller operating in accordance with stored program control information;
• and
• an arrangement for preventing unauthorized alteration, copying or downloading of said program control information into other products, comprising:
• a memory storing feature authorization information and a digital code identifying said radio;
• wherein said digital controller authenticates, using at least one predetermined data transformation operation, said stored feature authorization information and said digital code as being from an authorized source and wherein said digital controller allows selected transceiving functions to operate if said function enabling information and said digital code are authentic.

A digital radio comprising:

• a digitally controlled radio transmitter;
• a digitally controlled radio receiver;
• a memory storing feature authorization information and a digital ID code identifying said digital radio;
• a digital controller connected to said radio transmitter and said radio receiver;
• wherein said digital controller includes means for transforming said ID code and said feature authorization information to provide transformed results, and means for testing said transformed results to determine whether said feature authorization code is authorized for said ID code.

A method for preventing unauthorized alteration, copying or downloading of control information stored in a digitally controlled communications device into other products, comprising:

• (a) storing feature authorization information and a digital ID code identifying said digital communications device in a memory in said device;
• said communications device digitally controlled to perform only communications functions authorized in said feature authorization information;
• (b) transforming said ID code and said feature authorization information to provide transformed results, and
• (c) storing said transformed results in a memory in said communications device;
• said communications device transforming said ID code and said feature authorization information to provide transformed results, and testing said transformed results to determine whether said feature authorization code is authorized for said ID code.

A method of operating radio equipment having at least one memory device storing code and also storing feature authorization information, said stored code at least in part defining a first processing operation and associated characteristics of the operation of said radio equipment, said method comprising the following steps:

• (a) reading at least a part of said feature authorization information from said memory device;
• (b) determining if said feature authorization information authorizes said first processing operation;
• (c) determining if said feature authorization information is authentic;
• (d) tuning to selected radio frequencies based at least in part on said stored code;
• and
• (e) processing radio frequency signals transmitted over the air at said selected radio frequencies, including performing said first processing operation if said determining step (b) determines said first processing operation is authorized and said determining step (c) determines said feature authorization information is authentic.