System and method for securely controlling access to device functions
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for securely controlling access to a feature of a device, comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving a request to enable the feature of the device;
(b) determining whether the feature is disabled;
(c) determining whether the feature can be enabled with authorization;
(d) determining whether a requestor is authorized to enable the feature of the device;
(e) if the feature is disabled, if the feature can be enabled with authorization and if the requestor is authorized to enable the feature of the device, then enabling the feature of the device by modifying bit values stored in a bank of control bits, the bank of control bits comprising a one-time programmable bit; and
(f) locking the modified bit values stored in the bank of control bits by setting the one-time programmable bit of the bank of control bits.
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Abstract
Systems and methods that may securely control access to device functions are disclosed. A request is received to enable a feature of the device. In one embodiment, the device may be a set top box, for example. The device determines whether the feature is disabled, whether the feature can be enabled with authorization and whether a requester is authorized to enable the feature of the device. If the feature is disabled, if the feature can be enabled with authorization and if the requester is authorized to enable the feature of the device, then the feature of the device is enabled.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for securely controlling access to a feature of a device, comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a request to enable the feature of the device; (b) determining whether the feature is disabled; (c) determining whether the feature can be enabled with authorization; (d) determining whether a requestor is authorized to enable the feature of the device; (e) if the feature is disabled, if the feature can be enabled with authorization and if the requestor is authorized to enable the feature of the device, then enabling the feature of the device by modifying bit values stored in a bank of control bits, the bank of control bits comprising a one-time programmable bit; and (f) locking the modified bit values stored in the bank of control bits by setting the one-time programmable bit of the bank of control bits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for securely controlling access to features of a device, comprising:
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a non-volatile memory including a bank of mode control bits that correspond to the features of the device, the bank of the mode control bits indicating whether a particular feature of the device is one of disabled, enabled and capable of being enabled with user authorization; and a processor coupled to the non-volatile memory, the processor being configured to perform at least the following; receiving a request to enable the particular feature of the device, determining whether the particular feature is disabled, determining whether the particular feature can be enabled with the user authorization, determining whether a user is authorized to enable the particular feature of the device, and if the particular feature is disabled, if the particular feature can be enabled with the user authorization and if the user is authorized to enable the particular feature of the device, then enabling the particular feature of the device by modifying bit values stored in the bank of mode control bits, the bank of mode control bits comprising a one-time programmable bit, wherein the modified bit values stored in the bank of mode control bits are locked by setting the one-time programmable bit of the bank of mode control bits.
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18. A system for securely controlling access to a feature of a device, comprising:
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a chip interface that receives a request to enable the feature of the device; one or more circuits that are operatively coupled to the chip interface, wherein the one or more circuits determine whether the feature is disabled, wherein the one or more circuits determine whether the feature can be enabled with authorization, wherein the one or more circuits determine whether a requestor is authorized to enable the feature of the device, and wherein the one or more circuits enable the feature of the device if the feature is disabled, if the feature can be enabled with authorization and if the requestor is authorized to enable the feature of the device by modifying bit values stored in a bank of control bits, the bank of control bits comprising a one-time programmable bit; and a locking mechanism that locks the modified bit values stored in the bank of control bits by setting the one-time programmable bit of the bank of control bits. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification