Patent ID: 7814233

Claim:
A personal computer configured for a connection to a network of computers including the Internet, comprising: a microchip including a microprocessor, the microprocessor including a master control unit that is configured using hardware and firmware, and at least two processing units; the master control unit of the microprocessor being further configured to allow a user of the personal computer to control the processing units of the microprocessor; an internal hardware firewall that is located between a protected portion of the microchip and an unprotected portion of the microchip; said protected portion of the microchip including at least said master control unit of the microprocessor and at least one of the processing units of the microprocessor, said unprotected portion of the microchip including one or more of the processing units of the microprocessor, said one or more unprotected processing units being separate from and located outside of said internal hardware firewall; said hardware firewall denying access to said protected portion of the microchip by a network including the Internet when the personal computer is connected to the network including the Internet; and said hardware firewall permitting access by another computer in the network including the Internet to said one or more of the processing units included in the unprotected portion of the microchip for an operation with said another computer in the network including the Internet when the personal computer is connected to the network including the Internet; and an active configuration of a circuit integrated into the microchip.