Software-Defined Silicon Licensing for Post-Sale Feature Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductor device manufacturers face challenges in activating dormant hardware and firmware features after the devices leave the factory, requiring new versions to be shipped, leading to inefficient inventory management and revenue loss, as well as potential misuse of software-defined silicon features due to lack of control over feature activation and deactivation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Software Defined Silicon (SDSi) systems that allow for the activation, deactivation, and management of silicon product features post-sale, using a cloud-based platform to manage licenses and prevent misuse through entropy-based identifiers and authentication keys, enabling customers to dynamically configure features and manufacturers to recover trapped revenue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dormant hardware and firmware features are included in shipped semiconductor devices, then future functionality and adaptability are improved, but inventory management complexity and revenue loss increase due to inability to activate features post-sale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic feature activation by transitioning from static factory-fixed configurations to post-sale programmable activation. The semiconductor device includes dormant hardware and firmware features that can be selectively activated through software control after shipment, allowing the system to adapt its functionality based on customer needs and usage patterns. This dynamic approach enables manufacturers to ship devices with comprehensive feature sets and activate specific features remotely, thereby improving revenue efficiency without sacrificing adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new versions of semiconductor devices are shipped to activate dormant features, then feature functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity and inventory management worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing semiconductor devices with multi-functional capability built-in. Instead of creating separate device versions for different feature combinations, the system incorporates all potential features into a single universal device platform. A control mechanism then selectively activates or deactivates specific features based on licensing and customer requirements. This approach eliminates the need for manufacturers to predefine and manage numerous SKUs for different feature combinations, as a single universal device can serve multiple configuration needs through software-controlled feature activation.
3Ease of operation
If feature activation is controlled without authentication mechanisms, then ease of operation is improved, but security and misuse prevention worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system that mediates between the user's desire for easy feature configuration and the need for secure license control. The system includes authentication keys, entropy-based identifiers, and license verification mechanisms that operate transparently in the background. When a user attempts to activate a feature, the intermediary authentication mechanism automatically verifies licensing rights and device identity without requiring complex user intervention. This maintains ease of operation for authorized users while preventing misuse through automated security checks and license enforcement.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to implement and manage software defined silicon products are disclosed. Example semiconductor devices disclosed herein include circuitry configurable to provide one or more features. Disclosed example semiconductor devices also include a license processor to activate or deactivate at least one of the one or more features based on a license received via a network from a first remote enterprise system. Disclosed example semiconductor devices further include an analytics engine to report telemetry data associated with operation of the semiconductor device to at least one of the first remote enterprise system or a second remote enterprise system, the analytics engine to report the telemetry data in response to activation or deactivation of the at least one of the one or more features based on the license.