Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Multiple computer communication using cryptography – Protection at a particular protocol layer
Patent
1997-04-23
2000-02-08
Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W.
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Multiple computer communication using cryptography
Protection at a particular protocol layer
380 4, G06F 1214
Patent
active
060237635
ABSTRACT:
A software protection method and apparatus uses a removable hardlock to prevent the unauthorized installation and/or use of a licensed software program. The removable hardlock, when supplied to a user, stores an access variable indicating the number of licenses available for the software program. During installation of the software program on a computer, the removable hardlock is inserted into an external port of the computer and the access variable is read to determine if any licenses for the software program are still available. If so, the software program is installed on the computer in a manner that allows the software program to be run on the computer when the removable hardlock is removed from the external port of the computer. The access variable on the removable hardlock is then decremented to indicate that one of the previously available licenses has now been used. However, when the access variable on the removable hardlock indicates that no further licenses are available, the software program is installed on the computer in a manner that prevents the software program from being implemented on the computer when the removable hardlock is removed from the external port of the computer.
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Crypkey Home Page, 2 pp. (Jul. 1997).
Crypkey Software Licensing System User Manual, pp. II, 55-62 (Sep. 1995).
Aladdin Hardlock Home Page, 2 pp. (Jul. 1997).
Grumstrup Bruce F.
Ryan Patrick O.
Beausoliel, Jr. Robert W.
Fisher Controls International Inc.
Shaw Brian H.
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