IP Library Granted Patent US 7,194,629
Granted Patent B2
US 7,194,629 · App. 10/780,622 · Granted Mar 20, 2007

Apparatus for authenticating memory space of an authorized accessory

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,194,629
App. No.
10/780,622
Granted
Mar 20, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus for authenticating memory space of an authorized accessory of a device includes an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is configured to define two secret keys K 1 and K 2 , a random function which returns a random number R and a first parameter being a function of the random number R using the secret key K 1 of the integrated circuit and to define a test function operable on data using the secret key K 2 of the integrated circuit to return a one or a zero. A control system is configured to call the random function of the integrated circuit, to call a read function defined by the accessory using a function of R with the secret key K 1 stored by the accessory as a second parameter, such that the accessory returns a third parameter from the memory space which is a function of R using the secret key K 2 stored by the accessory if the first and second parameters are equivalent, to call the test function using a function of R with the secret key K2 of the integrated circuit as a fourth parameter. The integrated circuit is configured so that the test function returns a one if the third and fourth parameters are equivalent.

Claims (13)

1. An apparatus for authenticating memory space of an authorized accessory of a device, the apparatus comprising

an integrated circuit which is configured to define two secret keys K 1 and K 2 , a random function which returns a random number R and a first parameter being a function of the random number R using the secret key K 1 of the integrated circuit and to define a test function operable on data using the secret key K 2 of the integrated circuit to return a one or a zero; and

a control system which is configured to call the random function of the integrated circuit, to call a read function defined by the accessory using a function of R with the secret key K 1 stored by the accessory as a second parameter, such that the accessory returns a third parameter from the memory space which is a function of R using the secret key K 2 stored by the accessory if the first and second parameters are equivalent, to call the test function using a function of R with the secret key K2 of the integrated circuit as a fourth parameter, the integrated circuit being configured so that the test function returns a one if the third and fourth parameters are equivalent.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the random, test and read functions are one-way functions.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , in which the integrated circuit is configured to advance R with each invocation of the random number generator.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , in which the integrated circuit includes a linear feedback shift register which defines the random number generator.

5. A method of authenticating memory space of an authorized accessory of a device, the method comprising the steps of:

storing secret keys, K 1 and K 2 , in an integrated circuit of the device and in the memory space of the accessory;

generating a random number R and a first parameter being a function of R using the key K 1 of the integrated circuit of the device;

calling a read function defined by the accessory using a second parameter being a function of R using the key K 1 of the accessory;

returning a third parameter, being a function of R using the key K 2 of the accessory if the first and second parameters are equivalent;

calling a test function of the integrated circuit using a fourth parameter being a function of R using the key K 2 of the integrated circuit device; and

returning a one if the third and fourth parameters are equivalent to authenticate the memospace.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 25, 2014
From: ZAMTEC LIMITED
To: MEMJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033244/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2013
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LIMITED
To: ZAMTEC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 031506/0621 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2004
From: SILVERBROOK, KIA
To: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY. LTD.
Reel/Frame 015005/0301 →