US3744034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing a security system for a computer
Assignee: Applied Biosystems Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-27
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1992-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A security system for a computer provides reliability in operation by limiting access to application and other programs stored in the memory of the computer. The control panel of the computer severely limits access by providing thereon only on-off control, run control, and keyed program load control switches. Thus an operator can only turn on and off the computer and actuate the run control. The possession of a key is required to load the computer with an application program.
Inventors
- 👤 G Paul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/30; G06F21/31; G06F21/50; G06F21/57; G06F21/575
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A security system for a computer to obtain reliability in operation by limiting access to application and other programs stored in a plurality of storage locations in a memory in said computer, comprising in combination a control panel for said computer having positioned thereon onoff controls and a run switch control for respectively turning said computer on and off and for running said computer, said run switch being coupled to read out the contents of a preselected storage location in said memory, means for initially storing a halt instruction in said preselected location prior to storing said application program in said memory to prevent the operation of said computer when said run switch is operated, and means for erasing said halt instruction from said preselected location when said application program is properly read into said memory.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A security system for a computer to obtain reliability in operation by limiting access to application and other programs stored in a plurality of storage locations in a memory in said computer, comprising in combination a control panel for said computer having positioned thereon onoff controls and a run switch control for respectively turning said computer on and off and for running said computer, said run switch being coupled to read out the contents of a preselected storage location in said memory, means for initially storing a halt instruction in said preselected location prior to storing said application program in said memory to prevent the operation of said computer when said run switch is operated, and means for erasing said halt instruction from said preselected location when said application program is properly read into said memory.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said control panel further includes a load switch connected for actuating a memory-stored program for starting the loading of said application program into said memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said load switch includes a key operated mechanism so that only the correct key can operate said load switch.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
130 words
The method of providing operational security for a computer by limiting access to programs stored in the memory of the computer comprising the steps of: loading into said memory an initializing bootstrap program that includes a halt instruction that is loaded into a preselected storage location in said memory to halt the operation of said computer when read and executed, providing a run control that, when actuated, reads out and executes the contents of said preselected storage location, and overwriting into said preselected storage location the beginning address of the portion of said memoRy into which an application program is written when said application program passes selected tests in order to erase said halt instruction to cause said computer to execute said application program when said run control is actuated.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
130 words
The method of providing operational security for a computer by limiting access to programs stored in the memory of the computer comprising the steps of: loading into said memory an initializing bootstrap program that includes a halt instruction that is loaded into a preselected storage location in said memory to halt the operation of said computer when read and executed, providing a run control that, when actuated, reads out and executes the contents of said preselected storage location, and overwriting into said preselected storage location the beginning address of the portion of said memoRy into which an application program is written when said application program passes selected tests in order to erase said halt instruction to cause said computer to execute said application program when said run control is actuated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 4 that further includes the step of: providing a keyed load control that activates said bootstrap program to load a supervisory loading program into said memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 5 that further includes the step of: loading an application program into said memory under the supervision of said supervisory loading program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 6 that further includes the step of: dividing said application program into a series of blocks of program instructions with said blocks being of known length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as claimed in claim 7 that further includes the step of: providing checksums in said supervisory loading program to compare with the lengths of said blocks in said application program to provide checksum tests for loading the proper application program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 8 that further includes the step of: utilizing said checksum tests to initiate the overwriting into said preselected storage location so as to erase said halt instruction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3508205A
Cited
US3609697A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |