US5677891A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuitry and method that allows for external control of a data security device
Assignee: National Semiconductor Corp
•
Filing: 1996-11-26
•
Granted: 1997-10-14
•
Expires: 2016-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A data security device is unitarily formed in an integrated circuit. A processor of the data security device operates in response to a clock signal provided at a clock input of the processor. Clock signal generation circuitry generates an internal clock signal. First processor-readable program code is configured to cause the processor to detect an internal, protectable, non-volatile indication of a state of the integrated circuit data security device. For example, one indication may be that non-volatile memory of the data security device has never been initialized. Another indication may be that the non-volatile memory of the data security device contains a manufacturing test pattern. Clock signal selection circuitry selectively provides a path for either the internal clock signal to be provided to the clock input of the processor or, alternatively, for an externally-provided clock signal to be provided to the clock input of the processor. Second processor-readable program code is configured to cause the processor to control the selection by the clock signal selection circuitry responsive to the state indication.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy A. Short
- 👤 Matthew H. Childs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:04
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C29/00; G11C29/56; G11C29/56012; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/70; G06F21/71; G06F21/74; G11C29/04; G11C29/50; G11C7/00; G11C7/24; G11C2029/5602
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A data security system unitarily formed in an integrated circuit, comprising: a signal processing circuit that operates in response to a clock signal provided at a clock input of the signal processing circuit; clock signal generation circuitry that generates an internal clock signal; first means for causing the processing circuit to detect an internal, protectable, non-volatile indication of a state of the integrated circuit data security system; clock signal selection circuitry that selectively provides a path for the internal clock signal to be provided to the clock input of the signal processing circuit or a path for an externally-provided clock signal to be provided to the clock input of the signal processing circuit; and second means, responsive to the state indication, for causing the signal processing circuit to control the selection by the clock signal selection circuitry.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A data security system unitarily formed in an integrated circuit, comprising: a signal processing circuit that operates in response to a clock signal provided at a clock input of the signal processing circuit; clock signal generation circuitry that generates an internal clock signal; first means for causing the processing circuit to detect an internal, protectable, non-volatile indication of a state of the integrated circuit data security system; clock signal selection circuitry that selectively provides a path for the internal clock signal to be provided to the clock input of the signal processing circuit or a path for an externally-provided clock signal to be provided to the clock input of the signal processing circuit; and second means, responsive to the state indication, for causing the signal processing circuit to control the selection by the clock signal selection circuitry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A data security system as in claim 1, and further comprising an non-volatile memory that holds non-volatile data, first means includes third means for causing the processing circuit to latch at least a portion of the non-volatile data; and fourth means for causing the processing circuit to detect the state indication from the non-volatile data latched.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A data security system as in claim 2, wherein the fourth means is configured to cause the signal processing circuit to detect the state indication by determining if the non-volatile data latched includes a predetermined data pattern indicating that the non-volatile data held in the non-volatile memory includes sensitive information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A data security system as in claim 3, wherein the second means is configured to cause the signal processing circuit to control the clock signal selection circuitry to provide the path for an externally-provided clock signal to be provided to the clock input of the signal processing circuit in response to a determination that the non-volatile data latched does not include the predetermined data pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A data security system as in claim 2, wherein the fourth means is configured to cause the signal processing circuit to detect the state indication by determining if the non-volatile data latched includes a predetermined test data pattern.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A data security system as in claim 5, wherein the second means is configured to cause the signal processing circuit to control the clock selection circuitry to provide the path for an externally-provided clock signal to be provided to the clock input of the signal processing circuit in response to a determination that the non-volatile data latched does not include the predetermined test data pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
A data security system as in claim 1, and further comprising a non-volatile memory, wherein the second means is configured to cause the signal processing circuit to clear the non-volatile memory of sensitive information before controlling the clock signal selection circuitry to provide a path for an externally-provided clock signal to be provided to the clock input of the signal processing circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
A data security system as in claim 7, wherein the clock signal selection circuitry includes circuitry that provides the path for an externally-provided clock signal to be provided to the clock input of the signal processing circuit only in response to a predetermined sequence of signals, and wherein the second means includes means configured to cause the signal processing circuit to cause the predetermined sequence of signals to be provided to the clock signal selection circuitry.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A data security system as in claim 1, wherein the signal processing circuit includes circuitry for receiving a reset signal, wherein receipt of the reset signal by signal processing circuit is configured to cause the signal processing circuit to have a predetermined state and, further, and wherein the clock signal selection circuitry is not affected by the reset signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
A data security system as in claim 1, wherein the clock signal selection circuitry includes means for preventing a single failure of the clock signal circuitry from causing the clock selection circuitry to provide the path for an externally-provided clock signal to be provided to the clock input of the signal processing circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5499218A
Cited
US5557573A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-13 | 2001-04-14 | 2001-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-13 | 2005-04-14 | 2005-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-13 | 2009-04-14 | 2009-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |