Patent ID: 6480097
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A computer system adapted for protecting a resource, comprising:a processor; at least one resource to be protected, the resource coupled to the processor, the resource having a protected state and an unprotected state, access to the resource being controlled by a password code; and a security device coupled to the processor, comprising: at least one memory slot for securely storing the password code, the memory slot having a locked state and an unlocked state; a status/data register for receiving a user-entered software key code; and comparator logic coupled to the memory slot and the status/data register, the comparator logic in response to a command asserting an unlock signal to the memory slot to place the memory slot in an unlocked state if the user-entered software key code matches the password code without allowing reading of the password code.