PROCESSING UNIT ENCLOSED OPERATING SYSTEM
A processing unit for use in an electronic device includes standard instruction processing and communication interfaces and also includes functional capability in addition to or in place of those found in an operating system. A secure memory within the processing unit may contain a hardware identifier, policy data, and subsystem functions such as a secure clock, policy management, and policy enforcement. Data in functions within the secure memory are not accessible from outside the processing unit.
1 . A processing unit for use in an electronic device comprising:
a clock circuit providing a monotonically increasing time base; and
a tamper-resistant memory storing data corresponding to a usage policy that regulates operation of the electronic device in compliance with the usage policy.