Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Access or authorization
Patent
1995-03-30
1998-12-08
Harrison, Jessica
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Access or authorization
463 43, A63F 922
Patent
active
058461310
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an information storage medium which stores information of game programs, etc., and an electronic device for reading and utilizing the information stored in the information storage medium and more specifically to a CD-ROM and a game machine for optically reading program information stored in the CD-ROM and for executing games.
BACKGROUND ART
Various amusing computer game software have been developed for home video game machines with which various games can be played by changing CD-ROMs. Such video games are very popular for amusement. Sometimes, the supply of popular game software does not catch up with the demand, and CD-ROMs carrying game software are traded at high prices. Counterfeits of such CD-ROMs are continually being discovered.
Producers of game software have made various security systems to prohibit counterfeiting of game software which is the fruit of development by producers with considerable amounts of investment of money, time and effort.
In one such security system, the agreement of data, such as a special code incorporated into program information read from a CD-ROM with data stored in advance in a main body of a game machine is judged to allow access to the CD-ROM.
However, in such conventional security systems, where security depends on the agreement between program information stored in a storage medium and data stored in a main body of a game machine, security is unavoidably released when security data are decoded. If the security is released, means for expelling counterfeits are limited, which makes it difficult to effectively expel counterfeit from the market.
Known security systems for improving such disadvantages are described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 101349/1983, U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,594, U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,486, U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,076, etc.
In the security system disclosed by the known art, a coded identifier indicative of a trademark, copyright or the like, is stored in a program memory in a video game cartridge, and a reference identifier is stored in a computer system in a video game machine. When the cartridge is loaded into the video game machine, the reference identifier in the video game machine is compared with the identifier read from the program memory.
When the comparison finds agreement between the reference identifier in the video game machine and the identifier in the program memory, the identifier, i.e., a trademark, copyright or the like, is displayed on a monitor display. When they do not agree with each other, the operation of the video game machine is stopped, prohibiting the execution of the program.
For a counterfeiter to supply a program operative on video game machines, it is necessary to incorporate a coded identifier corresponding to a trademark, copyright or the like which agrees with a reference identifier stored in advance in authentic game machines. This is an infringement, in principle, of proprietary rights, such as trademarks, copyrights or the like.
In a conventional security system, unless a counterfeiter displays a trademark, copyright or the like corresponding to a reference identifier visibly on the exterior surface of, e.g., a cartridge, legal accusation is difficult, as property right infringement is based only on visually observed trademarks, copy right or the like. Hence, conventional security systems are at a disadvantage and make it difficult to seek protection under trademark acts, intellectual property laws, etc.
A first object of the present invention is to provide an information storage medium incorporating a novel security system which can effectively expel counterfeits or unauthorized copies and an electronic device using the same.
A second object of the present invention is to provide an information storage medium which can effectively expel counterfeits even when its security system is deciphered, and an electronic device using the same.
A third object of the present invention is to provide an information storage medium which can effectively expel counterfeit
REFERENCES:
patent: 4462076 (1984-07-01), Smith, III
patent: 4860128 (1989-08-01), Nakagawa
patent: 4865321 (1989-09-01), Nakagawa et al.
patent: 4967286 (1990-10-01), Nomula et al.
patent: 5004232 (1991-04-01), Wang et al.
patent: 5014982 (1991-05-01), Okada et al.
English Language Abstract No. 2-179941 to Eijiro Ichimura Entitles "Optical Information Recording Medium and its Production".
English Language Abstract No. 1-4933 to Toshimitsu Tanaka Entitled "Optical Information Recording Medium".
Japanese Abstract No. 2-179941 to Eijiro Ichimura Entitled "Optical Information Recording Medium and its Production".
Japanese Abstract No. 1-4933 to Toshimitsu Tanaka Entitled "Optical Information Recording Medium".
Japanese Abstract No. 2-265040 to Shigeru Fujita Entitled "Optical Disk and Stamper for Manufacturing Optical Disk".
Japanese Abstract No. 62-259244 to Minoru Fujita Entitled "Optical Reading Card".
Japanese Abstract No. 1-288489 to Akihiko Hashimoto Entitled "Optical Card and Card Reader".
Japanese Abstract No. 62-279538 to Keiichi Kameda Entitled "Production of Optical Disk".
Japanese Abstract No. 2-9033 to Toshimitsu Tanaka Entitled "Optical Information Recording Medium".
Harrison Jessica
O'Neil Michael
Sega Enterprises Ltd.
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