Method and apparatus for software access to a microprocessor serial number
US5790663A · kind A · utility
58Cited by
5References
11Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 28, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2211/007
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for software to access a microprocessor serial number. Provision of the serial number allows the manufacturer better control over its product and also permits software vendors to register their products. The serial number is encrypted using a pair of encryption keys to prevent unauthorized changes. At least one of the encryption keys is itself encoded to prevent unauthorized access, while permitting software to access the serial number.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.