Trust Domain Key Management via Hardware Isolation

The patent introduces a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) as an intermediary hardware component between software applications and encryption keys. The TPM handles key generation, storage, and management operations securely in isolated hardware space, while providing standardized interfaces for key operations. This mediator approach allows software to manage keys flexibly through standardized APIs while maintaining security isolation that prevents direct software access to cryptographic operations.

The patent merges the TPM functionality with the CPU architecture by integrating the TPM as a specialized hardware module that operates within the existing processor framework. The TPM shares the CPU's memory address space and uses standard memory protection mechanisms, combining secure key storage with conventional processor operations. This integration approach provides hardware-based security isolation while avoiding the need for entirely separate complex hardware systems.

The patent implements a universal TPM interface that serves multiple trust domains through a single hardware platform. The TPM maintains separate key stores for different trust domains while providing unified access mechanisms through standardized commands. This multi-functional design allows the same TPM hardware to securely manage encryption keys across multiple isolated domains without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each domain, reducing overall system complexity.