IP Library Granted Patent US 7,464,406
Granted Patent B2
US 7,464,406 · App. 10/830,378 · Granted Dec 9, 2008

System and method for user determination of secure software

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,464,406
App. No.
10/830,378
Granted
Dec 9, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A secure computer system includes a central processing unit in which plural programs reside. The system includes means for verifying whether the at least one program is trusted or not trusted. That means can be an external key device that includes a verification program that can communicate with the programs residing within the central processing unit.

Claims (10)

1. A secure computer system, comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU);

at least one program residing within the central processing unit; and

a portable device configured for communicating with the program to verify whether the program is trusted, the portable device first determining whether the program is operating in a trusted portion of the CPU, and if not, indicating not verified, otherwise determining whether the program is operating in a trusted mode, and if not, indicating not verified, otherwise indicating verified.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the device is wireless and includes means for indicating whether the at least one program is trusted or not trusted.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the device is wireless and includes a verification program for communicating with the program.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the verification program generates a random identifier and sends the random identifier to the program within the CPU.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the verification program encrypts the random identifier prior to sending it.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the verification program further comprises logic for:

when the at least one program is trusted, receiving the random identifier from the at least one program.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2025
From: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
To: LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 069870/0670 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Nov 25, 2015
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD.
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 037160/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2005
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD.
Reel/Frame 016891/0507 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2004
From: CROMER, DARYL CARVIS; LOCKER, HOWARD JEFFREY; SPRINGFIELD, RANDALL SCOTT
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 014829/0246 →