Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Multiple computer communication using cryptography – Protection at a particular protocol layer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-20
2001-09-11
Beausoleil, Robert (Department: 2184)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Multiple computer communication using cryptography
Protection at a particular protocol layer
C713S152000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289459
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to processor identification, and more specifically, to user controllable processor identification.
BACKGROUND
One prior art method of including a processor number is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,207. A CMOS microprocessor chip includes an on chip single poly EPROM that is process compatible with the CMOS process used to manufacture the microprocessor. The EPROM is used to store manufacturing and contract related data such as processor number, customer, and process related data such as wafer number test results, binning data, etc. This provides important information for quality and reliability control.
Past systems with processor number capability do not have the ability to provide a tamper-resistant disable capability. This is becoming more of a concern as users become more concerned with their privacy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5732207 (1998-03-01), Allen et al.
patent: 798620 (1997-10-01), None
patent: 9736237 (1997-10-01), None
Processor Serial Number Control Utility Download Page, www.intel.com.*
“ReadMe.txt” for Intel processor serial number control utility Version 1.03-Read ME Notes. Jan. 21, 1999 downloaded from www.intel.com.*
Miles, Stephanie “Pentium III: How bad is privacy threat?” Mar. 26, 1999 www.cnet.com.*
Kanellos, Michael “Intel to phase out serial number feature” Apr. 27, 2000 www.cnet.com.*
Kanellos, Michael “Intel touts Pentium III enhancements” Feb. 17, 1999, www.cent.com.*
“Common BIOS Services for Vital Product Data in Personal Systems” IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Jul. 1994, vol. 37, issue 7, pp. 429-434.*
“no Rhye or Reason to dealing with with online privacy: INtel backs down on plans for identifying serial number in New Pentium III chip” Electronic Commerce News (Feb. 1, 1999) vol. 4, No. 5.*
Int'l Search Report, Application No. PCT/US00/01088, mailed May 23, 2000, 3 pgs.
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Intel Processor Indentification and the CPIUD Instruction, Application Note-485, Intel Corporation, Dec. 1998, 47 pages.
Fischer Stephen A.
Pollack Frederick J.
Sullivan Robert R.
Thakkar Shreekant S.
Beausoleil Robert
Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Bonzo Bryce P.
Intel Corporation
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