Method to securely initialize, protect and recover system date/time
First Claim
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1. A method of protecting a timer on a pay for use computer system from being improperly adjusted, the method comprising:
- establishing a baseline value for at least one timer on the pay for use computer system wherein a user pays for a time period of use of the computer system;
determining threshold frequency differences;
monitoring the pay for use computer system for a timer anomaly that indicates a possible improper timer adjustment by;
determining a set of timers in the computer system;
including the at least one timer;
periodically obtaining current operating frequencies of each of the timers, respectively;
repeatedly computing a current set of frequency differences by computing a difference between each of the current operating frequencies of the respective timers such that the current set of frequency differences includes a frequency difference between each timer and every other timer;
detecting a timer anomaly by repeatedly comparing the frequency differences in the current set of frequency differences against the threshold frequency differences, respectively, and determining that a timer anomaly has occurred when one of the threshold frequency differences is exceeded by a corresponding current frequency difference;
imposing a sanction if the timer anomaly is detected wherein the sanction comprises limiting functionality of the computer system and leaving the computer system in a reduced functioning operating state.
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Abstract
The claimed method and system monitors computer system timer(s) relative to other timers to detect discrepancies and/or may capture an offset to provide a method of more accurately determining a current time. The invention may also provide a method to detect power source tampering using a last known good time and may provide a means to securely initialize system time using an encrypted time stamp.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of protecting a timer on a pay for use computer system from being improperly adjusted, the method comprising:
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establishing a baseline value for at least one timer on the pay for use computer system wherein a user pays for a time period of use of the computer system; determining threshold frequency differences; monitoring the pay for use computer system for a timer anomaly that indicates a possible improper timer adjustment by; determining a set of timers in the computer system;
including the at least one timer;periodically obtaining current operating frequencies of each of the timers, respectively; repeatedly computing a current set of frequency differences by computing a difference between each of the current operating frequencies of the respective timers such that the current set of frequency differences includes a frequency difference between each timer and every other timer; detecting a timer anomaly by repeatedly comparing the frequency differences in the current set of frequency differences against the threshold frequency differences, respectively, and determining that a timer anomaly has occurred when one of the threshold frequency differences is exceeded by a corresponding current frequency difference; imposing a sanction if the timer anomaly is detected wherein the sanction comprises limiting functionality of the computer system and leaving the computer system in a reduced functioning operating state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium is not a signal, physically configured to store computer-executable instructions for performing operations comprising:
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determining a set of timers in a computer system; establishing a baseline value for at least one timer on the computer system comprising determining a threshold frequency difference; monitoring the computer system for a timer anomaly that indicates a possible improper timer adjustment, the monitoring comprising; repeatedly measuring a set of frequency differences between the timers in the set of timers by obtaining operating frequencies of the timers and subtracting the operating frequencies, the operating frequencies comprising clock frequencies of the timers; repeatedly comparing the frequency differences against the threshold frequency difference to detect when the threshold frequency difference has been exceeded, and when so detected determining that a timer anomaly has occurred; issuing signal responsive to the determining that a timer anomaly has occurred; in response to the signal, operating the computer system in a reduced functioning state wherein the computer system is still operable by a user but with reduced functionality.
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Specification