Patents by Inventor William K. Nickless

William K. Nickless 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).

  • SYSTEM FOR PROGRAM COUNTER ENCRYPTION
    Publication number: 20180060585
    Abstract: A method and system for protecting a device against return oriented programming attacks by encrypting a central processing unit (CPU) program counter value when storing that value in a software accessible memory and decrypting that value when loading it back into the program counter; whereby alterations to the value will prevent proper decryption and interoperation with the CPU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Richard L. Griswold, William K. Nickless, Ryan C. Conrad
  • System for processing an encrypted instruction stream in hardware
    Patent number: 9311493
    Abstract: A system and method of processing an encrypted instruction stream in hardware is disclosed. Main memory stores the encrypted instruction stream and unencrypted data. A central processing unit (CPU) is operatively coupled to the main memory. A decryptor is operatively coupled to the main memory and located within the CPU. The decryptor decrypts the encrypted instruction stream upon receipt of an instruction fetch signal from a CPU core. Unencrypted data is passed through to the CPU core without decryption upon receipt of a data fetch signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Richard L. Griswold, William K. Nickless, Ryan C. Conrad
  • SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING AN ENCRYPTED INSTRUCTION STREAM IN HARDWARE
    Publication number: 20150039905
    Abstract: A system and method of processing an encrypted instruction stream in hardware is disclosed. Main memory stores the encrypted instruction stream and unencrypted data. A central processing unit (CPU) is operatively coupled to the main memory. A decryptor is operatively coupled to the main memory and located within the CPU. The decryptor decrypts the encrypted instruction stream upon receipt of an instruction fetch signal from a CPU core. Unencrypted data is passed through to the CPU core without decryption upon receipt of a data fetch signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Richard L. Griswold, William K. Nickless, Ryan C. Conrad