US6289459B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Processor unique processor number feature with a user controllable disable capability
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1999-01-20
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Granted: 2001-09-11
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Expires: 2019-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A software method of setting a state in a processor regarding whether a processor number encoded in the processor will be available for reading is described. The method comprises prompting the user to enter an indication whether the processor number should be available for reading by a program. Then, setting a state to inhibit the processor number from being read by a program if the indication indicates that the processor number should not be available for reading by the program. For one embodiment, the method further includes testing the indication if a request for the processor number is received, and releasing the processor number if the indication indicates that the processor number is available.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen A. Fischer
- 👤 Shreekant S. Thakkar
- 👤 Robert R. Sullivan
- 👤 Frederick J. Pollack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:01
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/70; G06F21/71; G06F21/73; G06F11/00; G06F11/006; G06F21/10; G06F21/101; G06F2207/00; G06F2207/72; G06F2207/7219
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A software method of selectively releasing a processor number encoded in a processor, the method comprising: determining if the processor number is available to a first type of query; and displaying the processor number in response to the query if a display decision controllable by a user is set to display the processor number; wherein the user is provided control over whether or not to release the processor number.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A software method of selectively releasing a processor number encoded in a processor, the method comprising: determining if the processor number is available to a first type of query; and displaying the processor number in response to the query if a display decision controllable by a user is set to display the processor number; wherein the user is provided control over whether or not to release the processor number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the display decision is sticky, such that the display decision is only changed by an active intervention by the user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising: permitting the user to alter the display decision at boot-up only.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying comprises making the processor number available to software applications.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the display decision may be dependent upon an identity of a requester.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the display decision comprises a plurality of levels of access based on a location of the requester.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
48 words
A method comprising: receiving a request for a processor number; querying a preference set in the processor to reveal or not reveal the processor number, the preference set by the a user; and transmitting the processor number if the preference states that the processor number may be revealed.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
48 words
A method comprising: receiving a request for a processor number; querying a preference set in the processor to reveal or not reveal the processor number, the preference set by the a user; and transmitting the processor number if the preference states that the processor number may be revealed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
A software method of setting a state in a processor regarding whether a processor number encoded in the processor will be available for reading, the method comprising: permitting the user to enter an indication whether the processor number should be available for reading by a program; and setting a state to inhibit the processor number from being read by a program if the indication indicates that the processor number should not be available for reading by the program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A software method of setting a state in a processor regarding whether a processor number encoded in the processor will be available for reading, the method comprising: permitting the user to enter an indication whether the processor number should be available for reading by a program; and setting a state to inhibit the processor number from being read by a program if the indication indicates that the processor number should not be available for reading by the program.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the software that prompts the user is part of the boot-up software of the processor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the software that prompts the user is an application that runs on top of an operating system that runs on the processor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the software that permits the user to change the state is available only upon booting of the processor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the state setting the preference of the user is sticky, such that the state is only changed by an active intervention by the user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the availability of the processor number is dependent upon an identity of a requester.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the state indicates a plurality of levels of access based on a location of the requester.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein displaying comprises making the processor number available to software applications.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
79 words
A machine readable medium having stored thereon data representing sequences of instructions, which when executed by a computer system, cause said computer system to perform the steps of: permitting the user to enter an indication whether the processor number should be available for reading by a program; and setting a state to inhibit the processor number from being read by a program if the indication indicates that the processor number should not be available for reading by the program.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
79 words
A machine readable medium having stored thereon data representing sequences of instructions, which when executed by a computer system, cause said computer system to perform the steps of: permitting the user to enter an indication whether the processor number should be available for reading by a program; and setting a state to inhibit the processor number from being read by a program if the indication indicates that the processor number should not be available for reading by the program.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The machine readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the state setting the preference of the user is sticky, such that the state is only changed by an active intervention by the user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The machine readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the software that permits the user to change the state is available only upon booting of the processor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The machine readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the display decision may be dependent upon an identity of a requester.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The machine readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the state indicates a plurality of levels of access based on a location of the requester.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-09-10 | 2005-03-12 | 2005-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-10 | 2009-03-12 | 2009-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-10 | 2013-03-12 | 2013-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |