Trusted personal computer system with management control over initial program loading
US5432939A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jul 11, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F12/1408
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
This invention relates to personal computer systems and, more particularly, to such a system having security features enabling control over access to data retained in such a system. The features here described include a prioritized initial loading program for enabling initial loading of an operating system from a selected one of a plurality of sources, the prioritized initial loading program normally designating an interpreter program as a final option default in the event of failure of access to an operating system from any other one of the plurality of sources; a security utility program for enabling a designated user to (a) selectively modify the initial loading program by specifying the number and priority order of the plurality of sources and (b) selectively modify the initial loading program by deleting the interpreter program from the plurality of sources; a master cryptographic key for use in encrypting and decrypting data processed by the system CPU; and a second security utility program for enabling a designated user to modify the master cryptographic key.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.