Pre-boot security controller
First Claim
1. An integrated circuit re-boot security controller adapted for inclusion in an electronic device that includes both a digital computer and a power subsystem for energizing operation of the digital computer, the pre-boot security controller receiving electrical power even though the power subsystem is not energizing operation of the digital computer and being adapted for enabling the power subsystem to energize operation of the digital computer upon receiving a pre-recorded user password by the pre-boot security controller, the integrated circuit pre-boot security controller comprising:
- a non-volatile password memory that stores at least one user password;
a password input circuit for receiving a password that is to be compared with any user passwords recorded in said password memory;
a digital logic circuit for comparing, while the pre-boot security controller is in a security operating mode, the password received by said password input circuit with any user passwords recorded in said password memory[if the pre-boot security controller is in a security operating mode]; and
an output circuit that is coupled to said digital logic circuit for transmitting an output signal to the power subsystem that enables the power subsystem to energize operation of the digital computer when the password received by said password input circuit matches a user password recorded in said password memory, while the pre-boot security controller is in the security operating mode said output circuit also continuously providing an output signal for indicating that the pre-boot security controller is in the security operating mode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pre-boot security controller in an electronic device is energized even though a power subsystem does not energize operation of a digital computer in the device. The security controller stores supervisor and user passwords in a non-volatile password memory for comparison with a password entered using a security keypad. While the security controller is in a security operating mode, an output signal from the securing controller indicates the existence of that operating mode. Upon entry of a matching password, the security controller enables the power subsystem to energize operation of the digital computer, disables the output signal that indicates the existence of the security operating mode, and the security controller transitions from the security to an application operating mode. In the application operating mode, the pre-boot security controller preserves data about pressings of the security keypad. A computer program executed by the digital computer may respond to recorded keypad pressing by initiating execution of a specific application computer program that a user associates with a specific key on the security keypad.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An integrated circuit re-boot security controller adapted for inclusion in an electronic device that includes both a digital computer and a power subsystem for energizing operation of the digital computer, the pre-boot security controller receiving electrical power even though the power subsystem is not energizing operation of the digital computer and being adapted for enabling the power subsystem to energize operation of the digital computer upon receiving a pre-recorded user password by the pre-boot security controller, the integrated circuit pre-boot security controller comprising:
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a non-volatile password memory that stores at least one user password;
a password input circuit for receiving a password that is to be compared with any user passwords recorded in said password memory;
a digital logic circuit for comparing, while the pre-boot security controller is in a security operating mode, the password received by said password input circuit with any user passwords recorded in said password memory[if the pre-boot security controller is in a security operating mode]; and
an output circuit that is coupled to said digital logic circuit for transmitting an output signal to the power subsystem that enables the power subsystem to energize operation of the digital computer when the password received by said password input circuit matches a user password recorded in said password memory, while the pre-boot security controller is in the security operating mode said output circuit also continuously providing an output signal for indicating that the pre-boot security controller is in the security operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9)
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8. (Canceled)
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10. An electronic device comprising:
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a digital computer;
a power subsystem for energizing operation of said digital computer; and
a pre-boot security controller that receives electrical power even though said power subsystem is not energizing operation of said digital computer and that is coupled to said power subsystem for enabling said power subsystem to energize operation of said digital computer upon receiving a pre-recorded user password by said pre-boot security controller, said pre-boot security controller including;
an integrated circuit that includes;
a non-volatile password memory that stores at least one user password;
a password input circuit for receiving a password that is to be compared with any user passwords recorded in said password memory;
a digital logic circuit for comparing, while the pre-boot security controller is in a security operating mode, the password received by said password input circuit with any user passwords recorded in said password memory[if the pre-boot security controller is in a security operating mode]; and
an output circuit that is coupled to said digital logic circuit for transmitting an output signal to said power subsystem that enables said power subsystem to energize operation of said digital computer when the password received by said password input circuit matches a user password recorded in said password memory, while the pre-boot security controller is in the security operating mode said output circuit also continuously providing an output signal for indicating that the pre-boot security controller is in the security operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An integrated circuit pre-boot security controller adapted for inclusion in an electronic device that includes both a digital computer and a power subsystem for energizing operation of the digital computer, the pre-boot security controller receiving electrical power even though the power subsystem is not energizing operation of the digital computer and being adapted for enabling the power subsystem to energize operation of the digital computer upon receiving a pre-recorded user password by the pre-boot security controller, the integrated circuit pre-boot security controller comprising:
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a non-volatile password memory that stores at least one user password;
a password input circuit for receiving a password that is to be compared with any user passwords recorded in said password memory;
a digital logic circuit for comparing, while the pre-boot security controller is in a security operating mode, the password received by said password input circuit with any user passwords recorded in said password memory; and
an output circuit that is coupled to said digital logic circuit for transmitting an output signal to the power subsystem that enables the power subsystem to energize operation of the digital computer when the password received by said password input circuit matches a user password recorded in said password memory, responsive to the pre-boot security controller being in the security operating mode said output circuit also continuously providing an output signal for indicating that the pre-boot security controller is in the security operating mode.
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Specification