Patent ID: 8108941

Claim:
A processor for performing an operation utilizing information stored in a non-volatile memory, comprising: a processing unit configured to perform the operation utilizing information stored in the non-volatile memory; a first authentication memory formed integrally with the processing unit, and storing first memory authentication information for authentication of the non-volatile memory; an authentication information acquiring section configured to acquire second memory authentication information from a second authentication memory formed integrally with the non-volatile memory; a memory authenticating section configured to compare the first memory authentication information and the second memory authentication information to authenticate the non-volatile memory; and a memory access controlling section configured to permit an access to the non-volatile memory when the memory authenticating section succeeds in authentication, wherein the first authentication memory and the processing unit formed on a first device, the second authentication memory and the non-volatile memory are formed on a second device, the processor is formed separately from the second device, and the processing unit executes at least the authentication information acquiring section and the memory authenticating section, wherein the processor operates by electric power supplied from a power supply that supplies electric power to the processing unit and a capacitor that supplies electric power to the processing unit when the supply of electric power from the power supply to the processing unit stops, and the processor further comprises a power supply suspension detecting section configured to detect a timing of suspension of the supply of electric power from the power supply; an authentication information generating section configured to generate the first memory authentication information after the timing of the suspension of the supply of electric power; and a transferring section configured to transfer the first memory authentication information generated by the authentication information generating section to the second authentication memory before the timing of the suspension of the supply of electric power, wherein the first authentication memory stores the first memory authentication information generated by the authentication information generating section.