Patents by Inventor Joel WITTENAUER

Joel WITTENAUER 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).

  • Publication number: 20250038999
    Abstract: Multiple helper data solutions (a.k.a., helper data images) are generated to produce preselected non-random values (a.k.a., “target values”) from a physically unclonable function (PUF) circuit. Therefore, multiple preselected PUF output values may be generated for a given integrated circuit die, where each the output values are derived from a combination of the chip-unique PUF circuit and the chip-unique helper data solution. These helper data blocks are stored in a nonvolatile memory on the integrated circuit die. In an embodiment, the preselected non-random values may be used as secret encryption or decryption keys. In this manner, multiple secret values can be reliably stored within a chip, using a combination of the chip-unique PUF circuit and the multiple chip-unique helper data solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Winthrop John WU, Scott C. BEST, Joel WITTENAUER
  • Publication number: 20240056316
    Abstract: Multiple helper data solutions (a.k.a., helper data blocks), and therefore multiple possible PUF output values, are generated for a given integrated circuit die. These helper data blocks are encrypted and stored in a nonvolatile memory on the integrated circuit die. Each helper data block is encrypted such that each helper data block can only be decrypted by a decryption key that is different from the other encrypted helper data blocks stored on that integrated circuit die. The keys to decrypt the multiple helper data blocks are released one at a time and spread over time. Because the helper data is encrypted, each PUF output value is only discoverable when its associated key is released. Accordingly, counterfeit systems or integrated circuits will need to be re-reverse engineered each time a new key is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Scott C. BEST, Joel WITTENAUER
  • Publication number: 20220293152
    Abstract: A random number generator selects addresses while a ‘scoreboard’ bank of registers (or bits) tracks which addresses have already been output (e.g., for storing or retrieval of a portion of the data.) When the scoreboard detects an address has already been output, a second address which has not been used yet is output rather than the randomly selected one. The second address may be selected from nearby addresses that have not already been output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Scott C. BEST, Mark Evan MARSON, Joel WITTENAUER