In-circuit security system and methods for controlling access to and use of sensitive data

• US 9,124,930 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2013
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Barry W., Riemenschneider, Kristen R. O., Tillack, Jonathan A., Russell, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEARSON, DAVID J
• Application Number:
  US13/947,313
• Publication Number:
  US 20130305056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/51 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/22 Matching criteria, e.g. proximity measures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1076 Revocation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/72 in cryptographic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/85 interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/13 Sensors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1365 Matching; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/06 for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3231 Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4415 using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein is an in-circuit security system for electronic devices. The in-circuit security system incorporates identity credential verification, secure data and instruction storage, and secure data transmission capabilities. It comprises a single semiconductor chip, and is secured using industry-established mechanisms for preventing information tampering or eavesdropping, such as the addition of oxygen reactive layers. This invention also incorporates means for establishing security settings, profiles, and responses for the in-circuit security system and enrolled individuals. The in-circuit security system can be used in a variety of electronic devices, including handheld computers, secure facility keys, vehicle operation/ignition systems, and digital rights management.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a single integrated circuit having

a first portion including an identity credential verification subsystem, the identity credential verification subsystem configured to identify a user based on a stored identity credential and to verify the user based on a security privilege associated with the stored identity credential,

a second portion associated with functionality of the single integrated circuit not used during operation of the identity credential verification subsystem, the second portion configured to be enabled when the identity credential verification subsystem has identified the user based on the stored identity credential and verified the user based on the security privilege associated with the identity credential, the second portion configured to be disabled when the identity credential verification subsystem has not at least one of (1) identified the user based on the stored identity credential, or (2) verified the user based on the security privilege associated with the stored identity credential,

a power source, and

a real-time clock configured to generate data when the second portion of the single integrated circuit is enabled and the real-time clock is operatively connected to the power source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the identity credential verification subsystem is configured to be in electronic communication with a cryptographic subsystem of the single integrated circuit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the single integrated circuit includes a cryptographic subsystem operatively coupled to the real-time clock, the cryptographic subsystem configured to perform at least one of encryption, decryption, digital signing, and digital signature verification.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stored identity credential is a biometric template, the apparatus further comprising:

a biometric scanner configured to receive a biometric input from the user, the biometric scanner configured to send data associated with the received biometric input to the identity credential verification subsystem,

the identity credential verification subsystem configured to determine whether the received biometric input matches the stored biometric template.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the security privilege associated with the stored identity credential includes a permission to at least one of selectively disable a component or selectively destroy a component of an electronic device that includes the single integrated circuit.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the security privilege associated with the stored identity credential includes a permission to selectively enable a disabled component.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the security privilege associated with the stored identity credential includes a permission to access stored data.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the single integrated circuit is included in an electronic device configured for electronic messaging, the security privilege associated with the stored identity credential includes a permission to encrypt an electronic message with a stored private key.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the single integrated circuit includes a processor and a cryptographic subsystem, the processor configured to receive a signal from the identity credential verification subsystem when the second portion of the single integrated circuit is enabled, the cryptographic subsystem configured to receive a signal from the processor and to encrypt the electronic message with the stored private key.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the user is a first user,

the stored identity credential is a first identity credential of a plurality of identity credentials stored within a memory of the single integrated circuit, the plurality of identity credentials including a second identity credential associated with a second user different from the first user,

the security privilege associated with the first identity credential is a first security privilege of a plurality of security privileges stored within the memory of the single integrated circuit, the plurality of security privileges including a second security privilege associated with the second identity credential, the second security privilege being different from the first security privilege.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an electronic lock mechanism including the single integrated circuit, the single integrated circuit configured to send a signal configured to unlock the electronic lock mechanism when the second portion of the single integrated circuit is enabled and when the security privilege permits access to data or a location protected by the electronic lock mechanism.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an electronic lock mechanism including the single integrated circuit, the single integrated circuit configured to send a signal configured to place the electronic lock mechanism in a state such that the electronic lock mechanism cannot be unlocked unless the electronic lock mechanism is reset by a recognized authority when the identity credential verification subsystem denies access for a predetermined number of access attempts within a predetermined time period.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an electronic lock mechanism including the single integrated circuit,

the stored identity credential being a first identity credential, the single integrated circuit configured to place the electronic lock mechanism in a state such that the identity credential verification subsystem does not accept a second identity credential when the identity credential verification subsystem denies access based on the first identity credential.

14. An electronic device, comprising:

a single integrated circuit including

an identity credential verification subsystem configured to authenticate a biometric input of a user based on a pre-enrolled biometric template stored in a memory of the electronic device,

a power source,

a real-time clock operatively connected to the power source,

a processor operatively coupled to the real-time clock, the processor configured to deny access for a predetermined number of access attempts within a predetermined period of time based on failed authentication at the identity credential verification subsystem,

the single integrated circuit configured to disconnect the real-time clock from the power source when the access is denied by the processor.

15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the single integrated circuit is configured to produce a biometric digital representation based on the biometric input of the user, the identity credential verification subsystem is configured to compare the biometric digital representation with the pre-enrolled biometric template during authentication.

16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the single integrated circuit includes a cryptographic subsystem and a memory storing a private key, the identity credential verification subsystem configured to send a signal to the processor indicating that the user is authorized to use the stored private key when the biometric input of the user is authentic, the processor configured to send an electronic message associated with input from the user to the cryptographic subsystem, the cryptographic subsystem configured to encrypt the electronic message based on the stored private key.

17. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the single integrated circuit includes a cryptographic subsystem configured to (1) receive an electronic message associated with input from the user from the processor, (2) encrypt the electronic message, and (3) send the encrypted electronic message to a transmitter of the electronic device for output to a recipient.

18. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein operation of the real-time clock is halted when the real-time clock is disconnected from the power source.

19. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the electronic device is an electronic lock mechanism, the identity credential verification subsystem configured to send a signal to place the electronic lock mechanism in a state such that the electronic lock mechanism cannot be unlocked unless the electronic lock mechanism is reset by a recognized authority, the identity credential verification subsystem configured to send the signal when the identity credential verification subsystem denies access for a predetermined number of access attempts within a predetermined time period.

20. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the biometric input is a first biometric input, the electronic device is an electronic lock mechanism having a first state in which the identity credential verification subsystem accepts the first biometric input, and a second state in which the identity credential verification subsystem does not accept a second biometric input when the identity credential verification subsystem denies access based on the first biometric input.