Apparatus and method for cryptographic companion imprinting
First Claim
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1. A node comprising:
- a system processor including;
a semiconductor package,a processor core contained in the semiconductor package and initially placed in a non-functional state, andan empowerment unit contained in the semiconductor package and coupled to the processor core, the empowerment unit placing the processor core into a functional state where the processor core is operative upon receiving an encrypted, authorization message; and
a cryptographic device coupled to the empowerment unit of the system processor, the cryptographic device including a processing unit transmitting the authorization message to the empowerment unit in order to place the processor core in the functional state after confirming that the cryptographic device is in communication with the system processor.
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Abstract
A mechanism to conditionally activate an electronic device implemented within electronic computing equipment such as a computer. Such activation may be based on user authentication and/or confirmation that the electronic device is operating in conjunction with its companion cryptographic device.
265 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A node comprising:
a system processor including; a semiconductor package, a processor core contained in the semiconductor package and initially placed in a non-functional state, and an empowerment unit contained in the semiconductor package and coupled to the processor core, the empowerment unit placing the processor core into a functional state where the processor core is operative upon receiving an encrypted, authorization message; and a cryptographic device coupled to the empowerment unit of the system processor, the cryptographic device including a processing unit transmitting the authorization message to the empowerment unit in order to place the processor core in the functional state after confirming that the cryptographic device is in communication with the system processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A node requiring authentication of its user to be functional, the node comprising:
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a bus; and a system processor coupled to the bus, the system processor including a semiconductor package, a processor core contained in the semiconductor package, the processor core being initially placed in a non-functional state, and a cryptographic processing unit coupled to at least the processor core and contained in the semiconductor package, the cryptographic processing unit placing the processor core in a functional state upon establishing that the cryptographic processing unit is in communication with the processor core. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method for conditionally activating an integrated circuit device implemented in a node along with a companion device, the method comprising:
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powering up the node; disabling the integrated circuit device at power up of the node to prevent the integrated circuit device from processing digital information, the integrated circuit device permanently containing a device identification; verifying that a user of the node is authorized to use the node; confirming that the integrated circuit device is operating in conjunction with the companion device, the companion device permanently containing the device identification; and enabling the integrated circuit device if the user is verified and the integrated circuit device is confirmed to be operating in conjunction with the companion device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A computer comprising:
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a system processor including; a semiconductor package, a processor core contained in the semiconductor package, and an empowerment unit contained in the semiconductor package and coupled to the processor core, the empowerment unit controlling an operating state of the processor core by (i) placing the processor core in a non-functional state in response to a first event so that the processor core is inoperative, and alternatively (ii) placing the processor core in a functional state in response to a second event; and a cryptographic device coupled to the system processor, the cryptographic device signaling the empowerment unit to place the processor core in the functional state. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer comprising:
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a semiconductor device package; processing means contained in the semiconductor device package for processing digital information, the processing means being initially placed in a non-functional state after power is applied thereto; and cryptographic means for placing the processing means in a functional state after verifying that the cryptographic means is in communication with the processor means, the cryptographic means being contained in the semiconductor device package.
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Specification