Copy protection system only authorizes the use of data if proper correlation exists between the storage medium and the useful data

摘要

The copy protection system and method combines the features of a conventional electronic data carrier with a dongle to form a secure storage medium. The storage medium has a unique identification, such as a device serial number. The host transmits a challenge signal to the storage medium and then checks the response received from the storage medium for a proper correlation between the useful data and the storage medium. A mismatch indicates that the data is present on a bootleg carrier instead of on its authorized carrier. Therefore, if the response signal in the challenge-response process does not correspond to the expected setpoint response, then the data are not authorized for processing.