Hardware Sub-Design Licensing via Trusted Host Identifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
IP block owners face challenges in licensing and controlling their hardware sub-designs due to the lack of trusted unique identifiers in FPGAs and ASICs, leading to unauthorized use and theft, as they cannot effectively track or enforce per-use licensing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hardware sub-design with a license verification sub-design protected by encryption, using a trusted host identifier unique to each integrated circuit, which prevents modification and ensures that licenses are generated based on this identifier, allowing only authorized use and tracking of hardware sub-designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If global one-time licenses are used for hardware sub-designs, then IP block owners can simplify licensing processes, but they lose the ability to track and control per-use licensing and maximize their leverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trusted host identifier as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between license issuance and usage tracking. This unique identifier is embedded in the hardware device and serves as a mediator to link specific hardware instances to their licenses, enabling per-use tracking without requiring complex license management infrastructure at the hardware level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the hardware sub-design that includes an encrypted license verification sub-design. This encrypted copy contains the license key and host identifier, allowing the hardware to verify its licensing status without transmitting the full design or requiring continuous communication with the licensor. The encrypted copy enables per-use tracking while simplifying the licensing operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If FPGAs and ASICs do not have trusted unique identifiers, then hardware designs can be implemented more simply, but IP block owners cannot enforce per-use licensing or prevent unauthorized use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding the trusted host identifier into the hardware device during manufacturing. This unique identifier is pre-programmed into the device before it reaches the user, establishing a trusted reference point that enables subsequent license verification without requiring additional complex infrastructure or post-manufacturing configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the license verification sub-design inside the hardware sub-design itself. The encrypted license verification sub-design is integrated within the hardware implementation, allowing the hardware to self-verify its licensing status using the embedded host identifier and license key without external intervention.
3Productivity
If hardware sub-designs are sold without per-use tracking, then transactions can be completed faster, but IP block owners cannot monitor where hardware sub-designs are copied or control their ultimate utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the hardware device to automatically verify its own licensing status using the embedded host identifier and the encrypted license verification sub-design. The hardware self-determines whether it is authorized to use the sub-design by comparing its host identifier with the licensed identifier, eliminating the need for continuous external monitoring while enabling per-use tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The host identifier acts as an intermediary that mediates between the hardware device and the licensing system. By embedding this unique identifier in the hardware and using it to verify licenses, the system enables tracking and monitoring of hardware sub-design usage without requiring complex external infrastructure or slowing down transaction processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for enforcing terms of a licensing agreement between a plurality of parties involved in a particular hardware design through the use of hardware technologies. According to one embodiment, a hardware sub-design includes a license verification sub-design that is protected from user modification by encryption. In one embodiment, a license is generated based on a trusted host identifier within an external hardware device. In one embodiment, each trusted host identifier is unique, and no two integrated circuits share the same trusted host identifier. In another embodiment, the integrated circuit is a field programmable gate array or an application specific integrated circuit. In one embodiment, a license determines how long the hardware sub-design will operate when the hardware sub-design is implemented within an integrated circuit having a trusted host identifier.