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US5111390A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Software security system for maintaining integrity of compiled object code by restricting users ability to define compilers

Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1988-08-22
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Granted: 1992-05-05
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Expires: 2008-08-22
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Abstract

Abstract A computer system which uses a main processor with main memory, and operates under a specialized software operating system, provides for checking the integrity of its compiler by use of software routines which permit an authorized user or an authorized program to authorize a file as a compiler and additionally will operate to identify any ordinary user and ordinary programs so as to prevent such ordinary user or ordinary program from authorizing a code file as a compiler.

Inventors

  • 👤 Larry R. Ketcham

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 04:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/50; G06F21/57

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 182 words
In a computer system having program files, the method of authorizing a code file as a compiler, comprising the steps of: (a) establishing, via an operating system, a FILEKIND attribute value to differentiate files as to being a data file, a code file, or an authorized compiler; (b) requesting, via a first program, the operating system to assign a FILEKIND value to a secondprogram, where said first program is prevented, by the operating system, from assigning a FILEKIND value that would indicate a code file or a compiler; (c) establishing, via an operating system routine, the ability to assign a COMPILERCODEFILE value to a program's FILEKIND attribute where only a privileged user/privileged program is permitted access to the operating system routine, designated SETSTATUS, wherein said COMPUTERCODE FILE value represents an integer created by the operating system which designates a code file as a compiler; (d) permitting, via a supervisory program designated DCKEYIN, that only a privileged user or privileged program, will get access capability to request, via said operating system routine, said operating system to authorize a code file as a compiler.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 182 words
In a computer system having program files, the method of authorizing a code file as a compiler, comprising the steps of: (a) establishing, via an operating system, a FILEKIND attribute value to differentiate files as to being a data file, a code file, or an authorized compiler; (b) requesting, via a first program, the operating system to assign a FILEKIND value to a secondprogram, where said first program is prevented, by the operating system, from assigning a FILEKIND value that would indicate a code file or a compiler; (c) establishing, via an operating system routine, the ability to assign a COMPILERCODEFILE value to a program's FILEKIND attribute where only a privileged user/privileged program is permitted access to the operating system routine, designated SETSTATUS, wherein said COMPUTERCODE FILE value represents an integer created by the operating system which designates a code file as a compiler; (d) permitting, via a supervisory program designated DCKEYIN, that only a privileged user or privileged program, will get access capability to request, via said operating system routine, said operating system to authorize a code file as a compiler.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 36 words
The method of claim 1 which includes the step of: (6e) preventing, via said operating system, any ordinary user or ordinary program from changing the FILEKIND attribute value of a code file into a COMPILERCODEFILE value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 49 words
The method of claim 1 which includes the step of: (7e) operating a program that invokes a Master Control Program (MCP) as the said operating system via the SETSTATUS entry point which will authorize a code file as a compiler by changing the FILEKIND value into a COMPILERCODEFILE value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 200 words
In a computer system, the method of controlling files which might be used as a compiler, comprising the steps of: (a) providing, through a system administrator, a Master Control Program (MCP) which includes an entry point designated SETSTATUS which has the capability of changing a FILEKIND attribute value of a designated file into a COMPILERCODEFILE value; (b) establishing a routine, designated as DCKEYIN, for receiving a MAKE COMPILER command from both ordinary programs and privileged programs; (c) denying, through said DCKEYIN routine, said ordinary programs from transmitting said MAKE COMPILER command to a CONTROLLER program, where said CONTROLLER program initiates entry into said SETSTATUS program entry point of said Master Control Program; (d) permitting, via said DCKEYIN routine, said privileged program to transmit said MAKE COMPILER command to said CONTROLLER program; (e) receiving, by said CONTROLLER program, of said MAKE COMPILER command from said DCKEYIN routine; (f) transmitting, by said CONTROLLER program, of said MAKE COMPILER command to said SETSTATUS entry point of said MCP operating system; (g) changing, via said SETSTATUS initiation of said MCP operating system, the FILEKIND value of said designated file into the COMPILERCODEFILE value which will authorize said designated file to operate as a compiler.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 200 words
In a computer system, the method of controlling files which might be used as a compiler, comprising the steps of: (a) providing, through a system administrator, a Master Control Program (MCP) which includes an entry point designated SETSTATUS which has the capability of changing a FILEKIND attribute value of a designated file into a COMPILERCODEFILE value; (b) establishing a routine, designated as DCKEYIN, for receiving a MAKE COMPILER command from both ordinary programs and privileged programs; (c) denying, through said DCKEYIN routine, said ordinary programs from transmitting said MAKE COMPILER command to a CONTROLLER program, where said CONTROLLER program initiates entry into said SETSTATUS program entry point of said Master Control Program; (d) permitting, via said DCKEYIN routine, said privileged program to transmit said MAKE COMPILER command to said CONTROLLER program; (e) receiving, by said CONTROLLER program, of said MAKE COMPILER command from said DCKEYIN routine; (f) transmitting, by said CONTROLLER program, of said MAKE COMPILER command to said SETSTATUS entry point of said MCP operating system; (g) changing, via said SETSTATUS initiation of said MCP operating system, the FILEKIND value of said designated file into the COMPILERCODEFILE value which will authorize said designated file to operate as a compiler.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 160 words
In a computer system, the method of controlling files which might be used as a compiler, comprising the steps of: (a) establishing, by a system administrator, a Master Control Program (MCP) which includes an entry point designated SETSTATUS having the capability of changing a FILEKIND attribute value of a designated file into a COMPILERCODEFILE value; (b) providing, via said system administrator, a CONTROLLER program to transmit MAKE COMPILER commands to said SETSTATUS entry point, and to receive MAKE COMPILER commands from a menu-assisted resource control (MARC) program; (c) inputting, from ordinary users and privileged users, the MAKE COMPILER commands into said MARC program; (d) inhibiting, by said MARC program, said MAKE COMPILER commands from said ordinary users; (e) transmitting, by said MARC program, said MAKE COMPILER commands from privileged users to said CONTROLLER program; (f) initiating, via said CONTROLLER program, of the SETSTATUS entry point of the Master Control Program to authorize the program designated by the MAKE COMPILER command.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 160 words
In a computer system, the method of controlling files which might be used as a compiler, comprising the steps of: (a) establishing, by a system administrator, a Master Control Program (MCP) which includes an entry point designated SETSTATUS having the capability of changing a FILEKIND attribute value of a designated file into a COMPILERCODEFILE value; (b) providing, via said system administrator, a CONTROLLER program to transmit MAKE COMPILER commands to said SETSTATUS entry point, and to receive MAKE COMPILER commands from a menu-assisted resource control (MARC) program; (c) inputting, from ordinary users and privileged users, the MAKE COMPILER commands into said MARC program; (d) inhibiting, by said MARC program, said MAKE COMPILER commands from said ordinary users; (e) transmitting, by said MARC program, said MAKE COMPILER commands from privileged users to said CONTROLLER program; (f) initiating, via said CONTROLLER program, of the SETSTATUS entry point of the Master Control Program to authorize the program designated by the MAKE COMPILER command.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 51 words
The method of claim 5 which includes the step of: (10g) generating, by said CONTROLLER program, the transmission of a MAKE COMPILER command, when originated from a privileged operator terminal, to said CONTROLLER program for input to said SETSTATUS entry point to achieve authorization of a code file as a compiler.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 197 words
A method for ensuring that only properly privileged personnel and programs can authorize a code file as a compiler in a computer system, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing, via a system administrator, a Master Control Program (MCP) operating system which includes safeguard routines to check any "MAKE COMPILER" command generated in said system, said MCP being initiated via a SETSTATUS entry point; (b) recognizing, by checking the FILEKIND attribute, via the said MCP operating system, whether a file is or is not a compiler; (c) assigning, via a program, a FILEKIND value to a file which will identify it as a "compiler" or as a "code file" or as a "system code file" or as a "data file"; (d) checking out the source of any "MAKE COMPILER" commands by means of programs designated as DCKEYIN, and menu-assisted resource control (MARC) which cooperate with a CONTROLLER program which can allow or deny further transmission of the MAKE COMPILER command to the SETSTATUS entry point of the MCP operating system; (e) enabling, via the said SETSTATUS entry point and the MCP operating system, the MAKE COMPILER command to authorize a file to act as a compiler.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 197 words
A method for ensuring that only properly privileged personnel and programs can authorize a code file as a compiler in a computer system, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing, via a system administrator, a Master Control Program (MCP) operating system which includes safeguard routines to check any "MAKE COMPILER" command generated in said system, said MCP being initiated via a SETSTATUS entry point; (b) recognizing, by checking the FILEKIND attribute, via the said MCP operating system, whether a file is or is not a compiler; (c) assigning, via a program, a FILEKIND value to a file which will identify it as a "compiler" or as a "code file" or as a "system code file" or as a "data file"; (d) checking out the source of any "MAKE COMPILER" commands by means of programs designated as DCKEYIN, and menu-assisted resource control (MARC) which cooperate with a CONTROLLER program which can allow or deny further transmission of the MAKE COMPILER command to the SETSTATUS entry point of the MCP operating system; (e) enabling, via the said SETSTATUS entry point and the MCP operating system, the MAKE COMPILER command to authorize a file to act as a compiler.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-05-05 1995-11-04 1996-05-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-05-05 1999-11-04 2000-05-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-05-05 2003-11-04 2004-05-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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