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Systems, methods and apparatuses for secure time management

  • US 9,654,297 B2
  • Filed: 05/06/2016
  • Issued: 05/16/2017
  • 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;

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

    a second counter configured to increment at a second predetermined frequency, wherein the first predetermined frequency and the second predetermined frequency are different; 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 digital signature of the response;

    verify that the response is received within a predefined time;

    compare 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 calculated at the apparatus based on the synchronization time, numbers counted by the first and the second counters respectively, and switching event information; 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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