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Systems, methods and apparatuses for secure time management

  • US 9,338,010 B2
  • Filed: 06/18/2013
  • Issued: 05/10/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for secure time management, comprising:

  • a non-volatile storage to store a synchronization time and a first maximum drift rate associated with a first counter;

    the first counter configured to increment at a first predetermined frequency; and

    a processor configured to;

    generate a request for a current time, the request to include a nonce generated at the apparatus;

    transmit the request to a trusted timekeeper;

    receive a response containing a current, real-world time from the trusted timekeeper, the response being digitally signed with a digital signature;

    verify the response by;

    verifying the digital signature of the response;

    verifying that the response is received within a predefined time interval; and

    comparing the nonce in the request to a nonce in the response;

    determine that the current, real-world time received from the trusted timekeeper is within a range of a first current time, wherein the first current time is calculated at the apparatus based on the synchronization time, a number counted by the first counter and the first maximum drift rate; and

    update the synchronization time with the current, real-world time in the response received from the trusted timekeeper, when the current, real-world time is within the range of the first current time.

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