Method and apparatus for secure management of debugging processes within communication devices
US8438621B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2151
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method, device and system for securely managing debugging processes within a communication device, such as a set top box or other multimedia processing device. For example, a security processor (SP) within the communication device manages the lifetime (LT) of any access token issued for use in activating debugging privileges within the communication device. The security processor authenticates an issued access token and securely delivers appropriate debug authorization information to the device controller. The security processor uses its secure, internal timer to count down the lifetime and update the remaining lifetime of the issued access token during the processing of each command by the security processor. In addition to securely managing the issuance of the access token and it's remaining lifetime, the updating process reduces any impact on the normal communications within the device. The method overcomes the issue of the communication device not having a secure internal clock.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.