The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 05, 1998
Filed:
May. 29, 1996
Applicant:
Inventors:
Michael F Angelo, Houston, TX (US);
Jeff W Wolford, Spring, TX (US);
Assignee:
Compaq Computer Corporation, Houston, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G06F / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
395186 ;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing secure and private keyboard communications in a computer system. A request for private keyboard communications causes the computer's processor to enter into system management mode by generating an system management interrupt. A secure system management interrupt handler then directs specialized hardware to intercept and divert keyboard interrupts, such that data entered via the keyboard is only communicated to a non-readable black box security device that controls access to protected system resources. Keyboard data is thereby protected from interception by malicious software.