SOFTWARE AUTHENTICATION DEVICE

摘要

An authentication device (80) has electrical connections (100, 110) to a device indicator (120). The device indicator (120) is formed from an electrochromic material which is caused to change colour and/or to reveal an underlying image in dependence upon communication with software that the device (80) is to authenticate. In use, a device reader/writer (70) is connected to a computer (20) into the memory of which is loaded a video game or the like. Before the video game is startable, a user is required to authenticate that game by inserting a valid authentication device (80) into the device reader/writer. Once authenticated, the game may start. Completion of various levels of the video game may allow the device reader/writer to cause, in turn, signals to be sent to the electrochromic material so as to alter its state.