Method and apparatus for copy protecting a digital electronic device

摘要

A device and a method of authenticating an electronic device are described. The method may comprise transmitting a token value and a parameter value to the electronic device and selecting a private key within the electronic device using the parameter value. The token value may be processed with a method selected by the parameter value to generate a processed token. The processed token may be compared with an expected processed token and the electronic device may be authenticated if the processed token compares favorably with said expected processed token.

主权项

1. A method of authenticating an electronic device, said method comprising:
transmitting a token value and a parameter value to said electronic device; creating a generated private key using said parameter value, said generated private key being created using a combination of at least a portion of at least one private key within a set of stored private keys stored on said electronic device; selecting a private key from a set of private keys using a multiplexer of said electronic device including selecting said selected private key using said parameter value as an input to said multiplexer, said set of private keys including said set of stored private keys and said generated private key; processing, by said electronic device, said token value with said selected private key using a particular method specified by said parameter value to generate a processed token; wherein said selecting said selected private key and said processing said token value are performed within an integrated circuit and wherein said selected private key and said processing said token value are not externally readable from outside of the integrated circuit; comparing said processed token with an expected processed token; and authenticating said electronic device if said processed token compares favorably with said expected processed token.