Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Multiple computer communication using cryptography – Protection at a particular protocol layer
Patent
1997-09-08
2000-03-07
Palys, Joseph E.
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Multiple computer communication using cryptography
Protection at a particular protocol layer
713202, G06F 1214
Patent
active
060354038
ABSTRACT:
A method is provided for protecting distributed software, either through the internet/telephone networks or via physical storage media like floppy diskettes, magnetic tapes, CD-ROMS, DVD-ROMS, etc., by using biometric information (personal fingerprint information in particular). In one approach, the fingerprint of the software purchaser is embedded into the purchased software at the time of purchase. All subsequent use of the software by the purchaser at his/her home or office is subject to (a) providing his/her fingerprint again and (b) the fingerprint matches that embedded in the purchased software. In another related approach, prior to the use or installation of distributed software, the user's computer calls a central management server station. The software then requests the user to provide his or her fingerprint by any device that would capture such information. The fingerprint information is then processed on the local user computer by any image processing program, and the relevant information is then sent to the central server along with a key or serial number that is built into the distributed software. The central management server then compares the provided information with the information previously stored in its central database and decides whether the user is authorized. Such a method can also be employed in a license management system whereby software product usage can be remotely monitored and fees for usage charged appropriately.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2952181 (1960-09-01), Mawer
patent: 4151512 (1979-04-01), Riganati et al.
patent: 4322163 (1982-03-01), Schiller et al.
patent: 4537484 (1985-08-01), Fowler et al.
patent: 4747147 (1988-05-01), Sparrow
patent: 5260999 (1993-11-01), Wyman
patent: 5337357 (1994-08-01), Chou et al.
patent: 5420936 (1995-05-01), Fitzpatrick et al.
patent: 5467403 (1995-11-01), Fishbone et al.
patent: 5493621 (1996-02-01), Matsumura
patent: 5495411 (1996-02-01), Ananda
patent: 5509070 (1996-04-01), Schull
patent: 5613012 (1997-03-01), Hoffman et al.
patent: 5721583 (1996-11-01), Harada et al.
patent: 5724426 (1998-03-01), Rosenow et al.
patent: 5748765 (1998-05-01), Takhar
patent: 5781724 (1998-07-01), Nevarez et al.
patent: 5805897 (1998-09-01), Glowny
patent: 5826011 (1998-10-01), Chou et al.
patent: 5838790 (1998-04-01), McAuliffe et al.
patent: 5870723 (1999-02-01), Pare, Jr. et al.
Gaffney, Jr., J.E., "Fingerprint Pattern Offset Determination and Matching Method;" pp. 773-774; Aug. 3, 1974; IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin.
Rao, T.C., "Feature Extraction for Fingerprint Classification," pp. 181-192; Aug. 9, 1975; Pattern Recognition Letters.
"Software Theft Extends Well Beyond China," May 20, 1996, Wall Street Journal.
"New Chip Verifies Fingerprints," May 22, 1997, Tom Abate, San Francisco Chronicle.
"Embeddable Module for Fingerprint Capture and Matching," Sep. 11, 1996, D. Ramesh K. Rao, et al., U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/025,949.
"Method of Using Fingerprints to Eliminate Wireless Phone Fraud and to Ascertain a Caller's Identity," Sep. 11, 1996, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/025,947.
Li Yang
Rao D. Ramesh K.
Subbiah Subramanian
HUSH, Inc.
Mai Rijue
Palys Joseph E.
LandOfFree
Biometric based method for software distribution does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Biometric based method for software distribution, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Biometric based method for software distribution will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-373200