Disaggregated secure execution environment

US8073779B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Microsoft Corporation · US

Inventors

• Alexander Frank · Bellevue, US
• Curt A. Steeb · Redmond, US
• Isaac P. Ahdout · Bellevue, US
• Richard Thompson · Jacksonville, US
• Thomas G. Phillips · Bellevue, US
• William J. Westerinen · Issaquah, US
• Zhangwei Xu · Redmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 14, 2006
• Grant date: Dec 6, 2011
• Expiry date: Jun 22, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

An electronic device, such as, a computer, may be adapted for self-monitoring for compliance to an operating policy. The operating policy may specify a pay-per-use or subscription business model and measurements associated with compliant usage. A secure execution environment may measure usage in accordance with the business model as well as monitor and enforce compliance to the operating policy. To increase the difficulty of attacking or otherwise disabling the secure execution environment, elements of the secure execution environment may be distributed. The distribution points may include other functional elements of the computer, such as interface circuits, or may even be remotely located over a network. An implementation method for disaggregating the secure execution environment is also disclosed.