General Instrument Corporation

Roy A Griffin, Iii

James N Esserman

Steven E Anderson

Ron D Katznelson

Steven R Hart

Compromise of a predetermined secure data processing routine by a procedure known as a 'clock attack' is prevented by a method that inhibits synchronization with externally generated instructions by preventing determination of the time of execution predetermined data processing routine in relation to occurrence of an externally observable event that precedes the execution of the predetermined routine. The method includes the step of (a) randomly varying the duration between the occurrence of the externally observable event and the execution of the predetermined routine. Step (a) includes the steps of (b) executing one or more interim data processing routines between the occurrence of the externally observable event and the execution of the predetermined routine; and (c) randomly varying the duration of said interim routines. Steps (b) and (c) may include the step of (d) randomly assembling m said interim routines for said execution from a group of n stored routines having different durations, wherein m and n are integers, with n being greater than m. Step (d) may include either the step of (e) randomly accessing said m interim routines from a secure memory; or the steps of (f) randomly accessing pointers for said m interim routines from a secure memory; and (g) accessing said m interim routines from a memory in response to said pointers. Step (c) includes the step of (h) randomly varying the duration of the interim routines in response to dynamically processed data that does not repetitively recur each time said interim routines are accessed. The method further includes the steps of (i) monitoring said interim routines to detect whether said interim routines are being tampered with; and (j) preventing the execution of said predetermined routine in response to detecting that said interim routines are being tampered with.

Determination of time of execution of predetermined data processing

A descrambler for descrambling scrambled information signals through use of a predetermined decryption key. The processing means are adapted for processing data in accordance with a number of different data processing routines to descramble said scrambled information signals, including a routine for descrambling said scrambled information signals that utilizes said predetermined decryption key, and a routine for generating said predetermined decryption key. The processing means includes means for responding to an instruction for generating said predetermined decryption key by processing a first signal provided by the processing means with a second signal to generate said predetermined decryption key; and means for providing at least a portion of said second signal for processing with said first signal by retrieving a portion of said stored data from a portion of said memory means identified by a dynamic pointer contained in said instruction for generating said decryption key, with said retrieved data being data that is also used in a said data processing routine other than said routine for generating said predetermined decryption key.

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Oceanside, CA, United States of America

Roy A Griffin, Iii