Patent ID: 6775778
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A secure computing system comprising:a nonvolatile memory having stored program code for at least one program, said program code including a verification code encrypted with a predetermined private key; a data processor for data manipulation under program control disposed on an integrated circuit, said data processor executing a program stored at a predetermined address upon each initial application of electric power; a read only memory disposed on said integrated circuit as said data processor and inaccessible for reading from outside said integrated circuit, said read only memory storing a public key corresponding to said predetermined private key and storing an initialization program stored beginning at said predetermined address, said initialization program including instructions causing said data processor to (1) employ said public key to decrypt said verification code of said at least one program stored in said nonvolatile memory, (2) indicate verification of security of said program or non-verification of security of said program; a modem connected to said data processor and a telephone line; and said initialization program stored in said read only memory includes instructions causing said data processor to transmit a predetermined message via said modem to a predetermined phone number upon non-verification of security of said program stored in said nonvolatile memory and further includes instructions causing said data processor to download another copy of the same version of said at least one program stored in said nonvolatile memory upon non-verification of security of said at least one program stored in said nonvolatile memory.