Method and apparatus to control access to device enable features
US8402241B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 19, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11C16/22
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An integrated circuit device includes a first plurality of non-volatile memory locations such as fuses that supply programmed values corresponding to initially selected device features such as voltage, frequency, clock speed, and cache parameters. The device is programmed with a lock value in a second plurality of non-volatile memory locations. That lock value may be a randomly generated number that is unique for each device. After initial programming of the device, access to the device is prevented by appropriately programming access control. In order to unlock the device and modify device features, an unlock key value is supplied to the device. If the unlock key value correctly corresponds to the lock value, the device features can be modified. In that way device features can be modified, but security is maintained to prevent unauthorized modification to device features.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.