Patent ID: 7971056
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of enforcing compliance to a restricted operating regime of an electronic device, the method comprising: identifying a condition requiring operation of the electronic device in the restricted operating regime; booting the electronic device into the restricted operating regime using an alternate basic input output system (BIOS) that is different from a first BIOS that is used for normal operation and which alternate BIOS, when executed, causes the electronic device to operate in the restricted operating regime; designating a first memory range for general use and second memory range restricted from use and inaccessible to the electronic device's main processor, wherein the second memory range is fully available to the main processor when operating from the first BIOS in normal operation; writing a pattern to the second memory range using a direct memory access only when operating from the alternate BIOS in the restricted operating regime; reading a content of the second memory; determining when the content and the pattern match; and resetting the electronic device when the content and pattern do not match only when operating from the alternate BIOS in the restricted operating regime.