Dynamic Trace Elements

摘要

The present invention relates to a dynamic hardware tracer for use in a circuit. The circuit is comprised of real circuitry which performs a real function and the tracer. The tracer is comprised of functional tracer circuitry which receives input signals from the real circuitry and processes the input signals. The functional tracer circuitry does not interact with the real circuitry to contribute to or modify the real function of the circuit. The dynamic hardware tracer provides an indication of a copied circuit. The present invention also relates to a dynamic software tracer located within a piece of software. The dynamic tracer is comprised of at least one line of software tracer code imbedded in a block of real software code. The at least one line of software tracer code interacts with a tracer output signal from tracer circuitry located in a circuit which also includes real circuitry which produces real output signals providing a real function. The block of real software code interacts with the real output signals. The software tracer does not effect the operation of the real software, the real circuitry or the real function. The software tracer provides an indication of copied software. The piece of software need not interact with an integrated circuit, in which case the dynamic tracer is comprised of a block of software tracer code which is imbedded in and interacts with the block of real code but which does not effect the running of the real code. Methods are also provided for determining the origin of both hardware components and software.