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:
Jul. 08, 2014
Filed:
Aug. 25, 2010
Mark W. Eklund, Knoxville, TN (US);
Jared B. Pendleton, Knoxville, TN (US);
Richard Brian Livingston, Knoxville, TN (US);
Robert T. Bell, Bountiful, UT (US);
Steven Joseph Rich, Maryville, TN (US);
Mark W. Eklund, Knoxville, TN (US);
Jared B. Pendleton, Knoxville, TN (US);
Richard Brian Livingston, Knoxville, TN (US);
Robert T. Bell, Bountiful, UT (US);
Steven Joseph Rich, Maryville, TN (US);
Cisco Technology, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
An example method is provided and includes providing an encrypted image to a central processing unit of an integrated circuit and decrypting the encrypted image using a cryptographic key element. The cryptographic key element is embedded within the integrated circuit. The method also includes evaluating the decrypted image in order to verify its authenticity, and executing the decrypted image if the decrypted image is successfully verified. In more particular embodiments, the verification includes utilizing an executable and linkable format (ELF) to signify that encryption has been enabled for at least a portion of the encrypted image. A processor within the integrated circuit can be provided with the cryptographic key element that corresponds to a product family of devices. The method can also include providing a corresponding image of the decrypted image to an external memory of the integrated circuit.