Abstract: Techniques are described for using unique features of a storage medium for authentication of data as originating from the storage medium, and also for installing software and data to a storage medium in a way which inhibits unauthorized copying of the software and data to another storage medium. Cryptoprocessing keys are created using unique features of the storage medium such as location information related to storage of selected elements of a software installation on the storage medium, or alternatively defective block information relating to the storage medium. The cryptoprocessing keys are used to encrypt data for transmission to a remote server. The remote server uses the cryptoprocessing keys to decrypt the data and authenticates the data as having been encrypted with the correct keys.

Abstract: Techniques are described for using unique features of a storage medium for authentication of data as originating from the storage medium, and also for installing software and data to a storage medium in a way which inhibits unauthorized copying of the software and data to another storage medium. Cryptoprocessing keys are created using unique features of the storage medium such as location information related to storage of selected elements of a software installation on the storage medium, or alternatively defective block information relating to the storage medium. The cryptoprocessing keys are used to encrypt data for transmission to a remote server. The remote server uses the cryptoprocessing keys to decrypt the data and authenticates the data as having been encrypted with the correct keys.

Abstract: Techniques are described for using unique features of a storage medium for authentication of data as originating from the storage medium, and also for installing software and data to a storage medium in a way which inhibits unauthorized copying of the software and data to another storage medium. Cryptoprocessing keys are created using unique features of the storage medium such as location information related to storage of selected elements of a software installation on the storage medium, or alternatively defective block information relating to the storage medium. The cryptoprocessing keys are used to encrypt data for transmission to a remote server. The remote server uses the cryptoprocessing keys to decrypt the data and authenticates the data as having been encrypted with the correct keys.

Abstract: Techniques are described for using unique features of a storage medium for authentication of data as originating from the storage medium, and also for installing software and data to a storage medium in a way which inhibits unauthorized copying of the software and data to another storage medium. Cryptoprocessing keys are created using unique features of the storage medium such as location information related to storage of selected elements of a software installation on the storage medium, or alternatively defective block information relating to the storage medium. The cryptoprocessing keys are used to encrypt data for transmission to a remote server. The remote server uses the cryptoprocessing keys to decrypt the data and authenticates the data as having been encrypted with the correct keys.

Abstract: Techniques are described for using unique features of a storage medium for authentication of data as originating from the storage medium, and also for installing software and data to a storage medium in a way which inhibits unauthorized copying of the software and data to another storage medium. Cryptoprocessing keys are created using unique features of the storage medium such as location information related to storage of selected elements of a software installation on the storage medium, or alternatively defective block information relating to the storage medium. The cryptoprocessing keys are used to encrypt data for transmission to a remote server. The remote server uses the cryptoprocessing keys to decrypt the data and authenticates the data as having been encrypted with the correct keys. In order to control operation of software on a storage medium, location information unique to the storage medium is employed to create links between software modules comprising the software.

Abstract: Techniques are described for using unique features of a storage medium for authentication of data as originating from the storage medium, and also for installing software and data to a storage medium in a way which inhibits unauthorized copying of the software and data to another storage medium. Cryptoprocessing keys are created using unique features of the storage medium such as location information related to storage of selected elements of a software installation on the storage medium, or alternatively defective block information relating to the storage medium. The cryptoprocessing keys are used to encrypt data for transmission to a remote server. The remote server uses the cryptoprocessing keys to decrypt the data and authenticates the data as having been encrypted with the correct keys. In order to control operation of software on a storage medium, location information unique to the storage medium is employed to create links between software modules comprising the software.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for reading a radio frequency identification transponder are described. A transmit coil produces a transmit field to power and interrogate the transponder. A reference coil and a receive coil furnish inputs to a differential amplifier, balanced so that the differential amplifier produces a predetermined signal. The receive coil senses changes produced by the transponder, while the reference coil is relatively isolated from such changes. The differential amplifier produces an amplified signal based on the difference between the inputs from the receive coil and the reference coil, so that the signal produced by the differential amplifier is based on the field effect changes produced by the transponder.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for reading a radio frequency identification transponder are described. A transmit coil produces a transmit field to power and interrogate the transponder. A reference coil and a receive coil furnish inputs to a differential amplifier, balanced so that the differential amplifier produces a predetermined signal. The receive coil senses changes produced by the transponder, while the reference coil is relatively isolated from such changes. The differential amplifier produces an amplified signal based on the difference between the inputs from the receive coil and the reference coil, so that the signal produced by the differential amplifier is based on the field effect changes produced by the transponder.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for reading a radio frequency identification transponder are described. A transmit coil produces a transmit field to power and interrogate the transponder. A reference coil and a receive coil furnish inputs to a differential amplifier, balanced so that the differential amplifier produces a predetermined signal. The receive coil senses changes produced by the transponder, while the reference coil is relatively isolated from such changes. The differential amplifier produces an amplified signal based on the difference between the inputs from the receive coil and the reference coil, so that the signal produced by the differential amplifier is based on the field effect changes produced by the transponder.

Abstract: A data storage device having mediametric properties used as a source of data for cryptoprocessing keys. A memory array is formed by a plurality of memory cells, each cell containing a level of trapped charges that are difficult or impossible to set to a specific value, but which may be read relatively precisely. The levels of trapped charges are read from selected cells. Data relating to the level of the trapped charges is used to produce the cryptoprocessing keys. In addition, data relating to the charge levels in a memory array is used in generation of random numbers. When a random number is desired, data is written to selected cells of the memory array in order to establish random charge levels in the cells. The data is then read from the selected cells and processed to yield a random number.

Abstract: A value storage system in which information representing value is directly written to an easily portable storage medium as a reference fingerprint. The value storage system includes a plurality of read/write units for storing and retrieving the value information. Each of the read/write units may include a data authenticator for authenticating information previously stored on the storage medium, the authentication information consisting of a numerical representation of a level of trapped charges representing the reference fingerprint. The read/write units may be connected to a central server which retrieves information from each of the read write units, stores information, and provides various accounting and statistical analyses, as well as reconciling transactions between two or more read/write units.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for reading a radio frequency identification transponder are described. A transmit coil produces a transmit field to power and interrogate the transponder. A reference coil and a receive coil furnish inputs to a differential amplifier, balanced so that the differential amplifier produces a predetermined signal. The receive coil senses changes produced by the transponder, while the reference coil is relatively isolated from such changes. The differential amplifier produces an amplified signal based on the difference between the inputs from the receive coil and the reference coil, so that the signal produced by the differential amplifier is based on the field effect changes produced by the transponder.

Abstract: A transaction processing system employs an authentication device which receives identifying and authentication information from a token such as a credit or debit card. The authentication device forms an information block comprising the identifying and authentication information and encrypts the information block using a preprogrammed key. The information block is transferred to a transaction terminal such as a merchant terminal or customer computer and subsequently transferred to an authorizing server. The authorizing server transfers the information block to an authenticating server, which decrypts the information block, extracts the identifying and authentication information and compares the identifying and authentication information against similar information accessible to the authenticating server. The authenticating server instructs the authorizing server to accept or reject the transaction based on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating data stored in semiconductor memory cells. A reference fingerprint representing trapped charges in memory cells of a semiconductor device is created. Data is written to selected cells of the semiconductor device. After the data is written, the levels of trapped charges in the selected cells is determined by performing a series of read operations using progressively greater read thresholds. The level of trapped charges in a memory cell is identified by noting the voltage threshold at which the memory cell is read as a digital “1”. Once the levels of trapped charges of the memory cells are identified, a reference fingerprint is created to identify the semiconductor device. The reference fingerprint may be stored on the semiconductor device or on an external device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the density of data storage on a magnetic medium by using variations in positioning of magnetic transitions to encode bits. Conventionally encoded bits are written to the medium as sequences of magnetic transitions according to an encoding standard. Additional bits are encoded on the medium as deviations from a nominal position of magnetic transitions separating conventionally encoded bits. The deviation from the nominal position is within an allowable range of tolerance for the standard followed in encoding the conventionally encoded bits. In order to prevent accumulation of error, additional bits are only encoded in transitions separating a pair of conventionally encoded bits. The first and last transitions of the pair do not have additional bits encoded as deviations of transition locations. This technique allows the encoding of one additional bit for every two conventionally encoded bits.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing a memory challenge and response to allow access to a protected memory area of a semiconductor memory or to authenticate the data written therein. These techniques may be combined with known cryptographic approaches. Further data stored in the protected areas may include mediametric values to further enhance security.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the density of data storage on a magnetic medium by using variations in positioning of magnetic transitions to encode bits. Conventionally encoded bits are written to the medium as sequences of magnetic transitions according to an encoding standard. Additional bits are encoded on the medium as deviations from a nominal position of magnetic transitions separating conventionally encoded bits. The deviation from the nominal position is within an allowable range of tolerance for the standard followed in encoding the conventionally encoded bits. In order to prevent accumulation of error, additional bits are only encoded in transitions separating a pair of conventionally encoded bits. The first and last transitions of the pair do not have additional bits encoded as deviations of transition locations. This technique allows the encoding of one additional bit for every two conventionally encoded bits.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the density of data storage on a magnetic medium by using variations in positioning of magnetic transitions to encode bits. Conventionally encoded bits are written to the medium as sequences of magnetic transitions according to an encoding standard. Additional bits are encoded on the medium as deviations from a nominal position of magnetic transitions separating conventionally encoded bits. The deviation from the nominal position is within an allowable range of tolerance for the standard followed in encoding the conventionally encoded bits. In order to prevent accumulation of error, additional bits are only encoded in transitions separating a pair of conventionally encoded bits. The first and last transitions of the pair do not have additional bits encoded as deviations of transition locations. This technique allows the encoding of one additional bit for every two conventionally encoded bits.

Abstract: A value storage system in which information representing value is directly written to an easily portable storage medium as a reference fingerprint. The value storage system includes a plurality of read/write units for storing and retrieving the value information. Each of the read/write units may include a data authenticator for authenticating information previously stored on the storage medium, the authentication information consisting of a numerical representation of a level of trapped charges representing the reference fingerprint. The read/write units may be connected to a central server which retrieves information from each of the read write units, stores information, and provides various accounting and statistical analyses, as well as reconciling transactions between two or more read/write units.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing data stored in semiconductor memory cells of a semiconductor device is described. A reference fingerprint corresponding to numerical representations of a measurement of the levels of charges trapped in the memory cells is generated and stored. The measurement is performed immediately after programming data to the memory cells. The reference fingerprint is then compared to a measurement of numerical representations of the levels of charges trapped in the memory cells of a memory device that has been presented to a reader. If a match occurs, then the data stored in the memory device is authenticated. An intentional offset error voltage may be applied when writing data to the memory cells to enhance the security of the data. The reference fingerprint may also be encrypted prior to storage for added security.