Patent · US Active

Method and apparatus for securing a programmable device using a kill switch

US8461863B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
44References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 29, 2011
Grant dateJun 11, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 20, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2221/2143
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A kill switch is provided that, when triggered, may cause the programmable logic device (PLD) to become at least partially reset, disabled, or both. The kill switch may be implemented as a fuse or a volatile battery-backed memory bit. When, for example, a security threat is detected, the switch may be blown, and a reconfiguration of the device initiated in order to zero or clear some or all of the memory and programmable logic of the PLD.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.