Apparatus and method for securing electronic information in a wireless communication device

• Main Authors: JANSSEN; JOHN JEROME, OLSEN; STEVEN J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 21.09.1999
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: ADVERTISING; CALCULATING; CODING OR CIPHERING APPARATUS FOR CRYPTOGRAPHIC OR OTHERPURPOSES INVOLVING THE NEED FOR SECRECY; COMPUTING; COUNTING; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; EDUCATION; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; ELECTRICITY; PHYSICS; SEALS; TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHICCOMMUNICATION; WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

An apparatus (200) for securing electronic information (205) includes a microcontroller (202) and an external memory (204) coupled thereto. The microcontroller (202) comprises a one-time programmable security flag (230) that is programmed when the electronic information (205) is stored in the memory (204). Once programmed, the security flag prevents reprogramming of the memory (204). Additionally, the microcontroller (202) comprises an algorithm (400) that generates electronic authentication information (207) from the electronic information (205). The authentication information (207) is stored in the memory (204) along with the electronic information (205). Upon retrieval from the memory (204) for registration, the electronic information (205) is authenticated by generating new electronic authentication information (508) via the algorithm (400) to compare to the authentication information (207) stored in the memory (204). Such authentication prevents swapping out of the memory (204) to gain system access.