Semiconductor chip having identification/encryption code
US5799080A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/0891
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A code mechanism is provided in an integrated circuit for identifying the integrated circuit such as by serial number or for use in enabling the circuit and equipment housing the circuit. Fuses, antifuses, and programmable field effect transistors are used in an array for establishing a code. The code can be established by loading a register through the array and then reading the register. Alternatively,the contents of the register can be compared with a code provided by a user to enable the circuit. In another embodiment, a ROM is loaded with a table of encryption keys, and a user addresses the ROM by loading an address in a register or in a RAM.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.