Patents by Inventor Ken Fernald

Ken Fernald has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING INTERNAL MEMORY FROM EXTERNAL ACCESS
    Publication number: 20080126728
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for protecting internal memory from external access. A method for protecting a memory space from external access is provided. A plurality of lock bits are stored in a location in memory, each associated with a separate logical portion of the memory space and determinative as to the access thereof for a predetermined operation thereon. A request is then detected for access to a location in the memory space for operating thereon. The requested operation is then compared with the associated lock bit in the associated logical portion and then it is determined if access is allowed for the requested operation. If allowed, the requested operation is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: SILICON LABS CP, INC.
    Inventor: Ken Fernald
  • Method and apparatus for protecting internal memory from external access
    Patent number: 7284106
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for protecting internal memory from external access. A method for protecting a memory space from external access is provided. A plurality of lock bits are stored in a location in memory, each associated with a separate logical portion of the memory space and determinative as to the access thereof for a predetermined operation thereon. a request is then detected for access to a location in the memory space for operating thereon. The requested operation is then compared with the associated lock bit in the associated logical portion and then it is determined if access is allowed for the requested operation. If allowed, the requested operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Labs CP, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Fernald
  • Embedded microprocessor multi-level security system in flash memory
    Patent number: 6615324
    Abstract: An embedded microprocessor two level security system in flash memory. The memory includes an address input and a memory space of addressable locations having a restricted area and a user area. Addressing one of a the addressable locations therein results in the output of information therefrom in response to the receipt of an associated address on the address input. A logic device is provided for determining if a received address on the address input corresponds to an attempt to access an addressable location in the restricted space for output of information therefrom as the result of execution of a program instruction from the user area by an external processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Cygnal Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Fernald