Patent US5764995A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5764995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Write once read only registers
Assignee: RPX Corp
•
Filing: 1996-07-12
•
Granted: 1998-06-09
•
Expires: 2016-07-12
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a simple I/O port which can be used to support a variety of system functions such as a revision, configuration or identification register. This port is provided with a means to be programmable once, upon system power-up so that changes to the port contents are possible, but only under controlled conditions. Once the register has been programmed, it will no longer respond to writes.
Inventors
- 👤 David T. DeRoo
- 👤 Mark D. Nicol
- 👤 Michael P. Krau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A write protected register in a computer system, comprising: means including a write once read many (WORM) register having one or more volatile storage devices for storing data, said one or more volatile storage devices including one or more registers adapted to being connected to one or more predetermined data lines to enable said data storing means to be written to once anytime after said data storing means is powered up including the time after the computer system is booted up; and means connected to said data storing means for automatically locking data into said write once read many register and automatically blocking subsequent write signals to said data storing means subsequent to the first write to said write one read many register after boot up.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A write protected register in a computer system, comprising: means including a write once read many (WORM) register having one or more volatile storage devices for storing data, said one or more volatile storage devices including one or more registers adapted to being connected to one or more predetermined data lines to enable said data storing means to be written to once anytime after said data storing means is powered up including the time after the computer system is booted up; and means connected to said data storing means for automatically locking data into said write once read many register and automatically blocking subsequent write signals to said data storing means subsequent to the first write to said write one read many register after boot up.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A WORM register as recited in claim 1, further including means for resetting said storing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A WORM register as recited in claim 2, wherein resetting means includes means for resetting said storing means when said storing means is powered down.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
138 words
A configuration register write protection system in a computer system, comprising: means including a write once read many register having one or more volatile storage devices for storing data which include one or more registers adapted to being connected to one or more predetermined data lines to enable said data storing means to be written to once anytime after said data storing means is powered up; means for allowing said write once read many register to store data once anytime after said data storing means is powered up; and means for automatically locking data in said write once read many register and preventing user applications from writing to said write once read many register by automatically blocking subsequent write signals to said data storing means subsequent to said data storing means storing data once anytime after boot up.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
A configuration register write protection system in a computer system, comprising: means including a write once read many register having one or more volatile storage devices for storing data which include one or more registers adapted to being connected to one or more predetermined data lines to enable said data storing means to be written to once anytime after said data storing means is powered up; means for allowing said write once read many register to store data once anytime after said data storing means is powered up; and means for automatically locking data in said write once read many register and preventing user applications from writing to said write once read many register by automatically blocking subsequent write signals to said data storing means subsequent to said data storing means storing data once anytime after boot up.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A WORM register as recited in claim 4, further including means resetting said storing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A WORM register as recited in claim 5, wherein resetting means includes means for resetting said storing means when said storing means is powered down.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
A write inhibited configuration register in a computer system, comprising: a write once read many (WORM) register having one or more volatile storage devices adapted to store data, said storage devices including one or more registers adapted to being connected to one or more predetermined data lines to enable said data storage devices to be written to once anytime after power up including the time after the computer system is booted up; and a data locking device connected to said storage devices and adapted to automatically lock the current data into the WORM register and to prevent subsequent user applications from modifying said locked data by automatically blocking subsequent write signals to said storage device subsequent to the first write to the WORM register after boot up.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
A write inhibited configuration register in a computer system, comprising: a write once read many (WORM) register having one or more volatile storage devices adapted to store data, said storage devices including one or more registers adapted to being connected to one or more predetermined data lines to enable said data storage devices to be written to once anytime after power up including the time after the computer system is booted up; and a data locking device connected to said storage devices and adapted to automatically lock the current data into the WORM register and to prevent subsequent user applications from modifying said locked data by automatically blocking subsequent write signals to said storage device subsequent to the first write to the WORM register after boot up.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
A configuration register write protection system, comprising: a configuration register including a write once read many (WORM) register adapted to store configuration data, said WORM register adapted to being connected to one or more predetermined data lines; firmware adapted to enable said WORM register to be written to once anytime after power up including the time after the computer system is booted up; and a data locking device connected to said storage devices and adapted to automatically lock the current data into said WORM register and to prevent subsequent data from user applications from overwriting said locked data by automatically blocking subsequent write signals to said storage device subsequent to the first write to the WORM register after boot up, said configuration data being changeable only through a change in firmware.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
131 words
A configuration register write protection system, comprising: a configuration register including a write once read many (WORM) register adapted to store configuration data, said WORM register adapted to being connected to one or more predetermined data lines; firmware adapted to enable said WORM register to be written to once anytime after power up including the time after the computer system is booted up; and a data locking device connected to said storage devices and adapted to automatically lock the current data into said WORM register and to prevent subsequent data from user applications from overwriting said locked data by automatically blocking subsequent write signals to said storage device subsequent to the first write to the WORM register after boot up, said configuration data being changeable only through a change in firmware.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4674034A
Cited
US4580246A
Cited
US4710869A
Cited
US4799145A
Cited
US4809167A
Cited
US4875186A
Cited
US4787032A
Cited
US5068781A
Cited
US4796235A
Cited
US5226122A
Cited
US4939637A
Cited
US5101490A
Cited
US4980838A
Cited
US4959860A
Cited
US4942606A
Cited
US4984213A
Cited
US5162675A
Cited
US5291494A
Cited
US5214785A
Cited
US5052388A
Cited
US5283889A
Cited
US5396635A
Cited
US5168564A
Cited
US5237692A
Cited
US5260697A
Cited
US5148051A
Cited
US5418936A
Cited
US5379382A
Cited
US5410707A
Cited
US5388267A
Cited
US5336950A
Cited
US5287481A
Cited
US5355336A
Cited
US5313618A
Cited
US5327531A
Cited
US5341494A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-12-08 | 2002-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-12-08 | 2006-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-08 | 2009-12-08 | 2010-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |