US Patent 7437571 Dedicated nonvolatile memory

One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for limiting unauthorized access to digital services. A protected nonvolatile memory component is configured. The protected nonvolatile memory component is used to contain state information to provide desired functionality and enforce one or more security policies for accessing the digital services. Additionally, the protected nonvolatile memory component and a microprocessor's nonvolatile memory component share a programming charge pump and programming control. Access to the nonvolatile memory component is then controlled through a fixed state custom logic block.