Patent ID: 8370923
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: G06F,G07C

Abstract:
1. A method of authorizing access to one or more restricted functions provided by a processing device, the method comprising: reading at least one time from a clock associated with the processing device; storing the read time as a reference time; after the storing step, reading a current time from the clock; comparing the reference time with the current time; reading a trend status associated with the reference time, the trend status indicating whether the clock is moved backward by an authorized user using an access token, whether the clock is moved backward by an unauthorized user, whether the clock is moved forward by the authorized user using an access token, or whether the clock is moved forward by the unauthorized user, wherein the trend status indicating how and if the clock has been adjusted and in what manner a change in the trend status indicates a discontinuity in a time trend; and authorizing access to the restricted functions provided by the processing device when (i) the read current time is chronologically later than the reference time and the trend status indicates no discontinuity and when (ii) the read current time is chronologically earlier than the reference time and the trend status is trusted backward mode, wherein option (ii) is limited to the same authorized user that adjusted the clock back in time, wherein the same access token that was used to change the trend status to the trusted backward mode is received prior to authorizing access to the restricted functions under option (ii).