Importance

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Abstract

A method for verifying that an integrated circuit design tool kit has not been modified in an unauthorized manner is accomplished by providing a verification procedure that, when an executable subrule of the tool kit has been selected to be part of the rule system, the executable subrule reads a table of time stamps. This table of time stamps and a key are provided, as representative data, to an authentication subrule by the executable subrule. The executable subrule and the authentication subrule perform an authentication check algorithm upon the representative data to produce remotely and locally checked data respectively. The executable subrule then provides the locally checked data to the authentication subrule which compares the locally checked data with the remotely checked data. When a match occurs between the data, the authentication subrule indicates that the executable subrule has not been modified in an unauthorized manner. When the locally checked data does not match the remotely checked data, the authentication subrule indicates that an unauthorized modification has occurred.

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First Claim