Secure and backward-compatible processor and secure software execution thereon
US7322042B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F21/74
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A secure processor assuring application software is executed securely, and assuring only authorized software is executed, monitored modes and secure modes of operation. The former executes application software transparently to that software. The latter verifies execution of the application software is authorized, performs any extraordinary services required by the application software, and verifies the processor has obtained rights to execute the content. The secure processor (1) appears hardware-identical to an ordinary processor, with the effect that application software written for ordinary processors can be executed on the secure processor without substantial change, (2) needs only a minimal degree of additional hardware over and above those portions appearing hardware-identical to an ordinary processor. The secure processor operates without substantial reduction in speed or other resources available to the application software. Functions operating in secure mode might reside in an on-chip non-volatile memory, or might be loaded from external storage with authentication.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.