Patent ID: 7590862

Claim:
A method to detect and/or to avoid the modification of software embedded in a programmable memory within a system comprising a hard kernel containing hardware security functions suitable for verifying the integrity of a soft kernel comprising a programmable memory, the system comprising a local data interface, comprising the following steps: placing the system in a disabled state if a signal received on the local data interface is invalid; instigating a secure startup procedure, with execution of the control functions if the signal received on the local data interface is a disconnection signal, or there is no signal; auto testing of the hard kernel wherein: if the auto test is OK, then test the integrity of the reprogrammable memory; if this integrity is OK, then activate the system for normal operation; if this integrity is OK, then place the system in a disabled state; if the auto test is OK, then place the system in a disabled state; wherein if the received signal is a valid startup signal; if the system is in a development mode, render it enabled; if the system is in an enabled utilization mode and if the signal is a test signal, then deactivate at least one of the essential functions of enabled operation.