Virtual Fusing Register for Secure Hardware Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices are limited by permanent operating mode selection during manufacturing, which fails to accommodate changing application requirements and increases inventory costs due to the inability to reconfigure operating modes post-manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A secure reconfigurable operating mode system that utilizes a virtual fusing register and security processor to select and enable different operating modes through documented security files, allowing remote reconfiguration and authorization independent of the device's operating system, using a re-programmable ROM for initialization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electronic fusing circuits are used to permanently select operating mode during manufacturing, then manufacturing process is simplified, but device adaptability to changing applications is lost and inventory costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a virtual fusing mechanism that dynamically changes operating modes through software-based configuration rather than permanent hardware fusing. The virtual fuse register can be programmatically modified to change operating modes, enabling the device to adapt to different applications post-manufacturing while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state parameter of the fusing mechanism from permanent (hardware-level) to reconfigurable (software-level). By using a virtual fuse register that can be programmatically set and cleared, the system allows operating mode parameters to be changed without physical modifications, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.
2Device complexity
If permanent operating mode selection is done during manufacturing, then device complexity is reduced, but inventory projection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single device universal by enabling it to perform multiple operating modes through software configuration rather than requiring different hardware variants. The virtual fusing mechanism allows one device to be configured for different applications, eliminating the need to maintain separate inventory for each application-specific device variant.
3Reliability
If operating mode is permanently fixed during manufacturing, then security against unauthorized changes is improved, but flexibility for field reconfiguration is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (virtual fuse register with security protocols) that mediates between security requirements and reconfiguration needs. The virtual fuse can only be modified through authenticated security procedures, providing security against unauthorized changes while allowing legitimate field reconfiguration when proper authorization is presented.
Data Source
AI summary
A game cloud server, a method of operating a cloud server, and a method of playing a game on a game cloud server are disclosed. In one example, the game cloud server includes: (1) one or more processing units that virtually supports different gaming applications according to a gaming operating mode, and (2) an operating mode selector that is coupled to the one or more processing units and has (2A) a virtual fusing register that selects the gaming operating mode for executing the different virtually supported gaming applications, and (2B) a security processor that enables a secure virtual fusing based on documented security files authorizing selection of the gaming operating mode, separately from executing an operating system of the one or more processing units, wherein the gaming operating mode is a reconfigurable operating mode selectable from at least one signed license file of the documented security files.