Processing unit enclosed operating system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A processing unit for use in an electronic device comprising:
- an instruction processing unit;
a communication interface;
an identification indicia;
a policy management circuit;
an enforcement circuit;
a clock circuit providing a monotonically increasing time base; and
a tamper-resistant memory storing data corresponding to a usage policy that regulates operation of the electronic device in compliance with the usage policy.
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Abstract
A processing unit for use in an electronic device includes standard instruction processing and communication interfaces and also includes functional capability in addition to or in place of those found in an operating system. A secure memory within the processing unit may contain a hardware identifier, policy data, and subsystem functions such as a secure clock, policy management, and policy enforcement. Data in functions within the secure memory are not accessible from outside the processing unit.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A processing unit for use in an electronic device comprising:
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an instruction processing unit;
a communication interface;
an identification indicia;
a policy management circuit;
an enforcement circuit;
a clock circuit providing a monotonically increasing time base; and
a tamper-resistant memory storing data corresponding to a usage policy that regulates operation of the electronic device in compliance with the usage policy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer adapted for use in compliance with a policy corresponding to at least one of a memory configuration, a processing capacity, a metering requirement, and authorization for a peripheral, the computer comprising:
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a volatile memory;
a non-volatile memory;
an input interface;
a communication interface; and
a processing unit coupled to the volatile memory, the non-volatile memory, the input interface, and the output interface, the processing unit comprising;
an instruction processing unit;
a data bus interface;
a policy management function;
an enforcement function;
a tamper-resistant clock; and
a secure memory storing the policy;
wherein the computer operates in accordance with the policy stored in the secure memory. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of operating a computer having a processing unit with a tamper-resistant memory, the method comprising:
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executing computer instructions to boot the computer;
executing computer instructions to read a policy from the tamper-resistant memory, the policy corresponding to at least one of a memory configuration, a processing capacity, a metering requirement, and authorization for a peripheral; and
executing computer instructions to operate the computer according to the policy. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification