AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM, FIRMWARE DEVICE, ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT AND AUTHENTICATION METHOD

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a situation in which an authenticator is read out by a malicious code and unauthorized authentication is gained by using the authenticator read out. SOLUTION: An authenticator acceptance period detection means 96 detects a period over which any yet-to-be authenticated program is guaranteed as inoperative as an authentication acceptance period. A program execution means 97 defines a period for sending the authenticator to be within the authentication acceptance period. An authentication means 98, after it is authenticated as bona fide during the authentication acceptance period, computes a unidirectional function value for the authenticator from the program execution means 97, and compares the computed value X with data Y stored previously concerning the program execution means 97. The authentication means 98, if X equals Y, authenticates the program execution means 97. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO