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US Patent 4796181 - Billing system for computer software
US Patent Issued on January 3, 1989
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
October 24, 2006Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
October 24, 2006Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.AbstractA computer software security and billing system is disclosed in which the application program is enciphered in accordance with an algorithm driven by a numeric key. The user's computer is provided with a hardware security module and a removable billing module, both of which carry unique codes. A security program accesses the application program and also writes information about billing into the billing module. The billing module is periodically replaced so the user can be charged based on amount of usage of the software.Other References
| InventorApplicationNo. 06/922689 filed on 10/24/1986US Classes:705/52, Usage or charge determination380/230, Including usage recording705/32, Time accounting (time and attendance, monitoring billable hours)705/55Requiring a supplemental attachment or input (e.g., dongle) to openExaminersPrimary: Smith, JerryAssistant: Kibby, Steven G. Attorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References3806882, 4168396, Microprocessor for executing enciphered programsIssued on: 09/18/1979 Inventor: Best4246638, Method and apparatus for controlling usage of a programmable computing machine Issued on: 01/20/1981 Inventor: Thomas4278837, Crypto microprocessor for executing enciphered programs Issued on: 07/14/1981 Inventor: Best4310720, Computer accessing system Issued on: 01/12/1982 Inventor: Check, Jr.4433207, Cryptographic decoder for computer programs Issued on: 02/21/1984 Inventor: Best4446519, Method and apparatus for providing security for computer software Issued on: 05/01/1984 Inventor: Thomas4447890, Remote postage meter systems having variable user authorization code Issued on: 05/08/1984 Inventor: Duwel , et al.4450535, System and method for authorizing access to an article distribution or service acquisition machine Issued on: 05/22/1984 Inventor: de Pommery , et al.4458315, Apparatus and method for preventing unauthorized use of computer programs Issued on: 07/03/1984 Inventor: Uchenick4462078, Computer program protection method Issued on: 07/24/1984 Inventor: Ross4471163, Software protection system Issued on: 09/11/1984 Inventor: Donald , et al.4494114, Security arrangement for and method of rendering microprocessor-controlled electronic equipment inoperative after occurrence of disabling event Issued on: 01/15/1985 Inventor: Kaish4504915, Method and apparatus for individualized postage value computing Issued on: 03/12/1985 Inventor: Daniels , et al.4511970, Portable terminal device Issued on: 04/16/1985 Inventor: Okano , et al.4513389, ROM security circuit Issued on: 04/23/1985 Inventor: Devchoudhury4562306, Method and apparatus for protecting computer software utilizing an active coded hardware device Issued on: 12/31/1985 Inventor: Chou , et al.4609777, Solid state key for controlling access to computer software Issued on: 09/02/1986 Inventor: Cargile4658093, Software distribution system Issued on: 04/14/1987 Inventor: Hellman4683553Method and device for protecting software delivered to a user by a supplier Issued on: 07/28/1987 Inventor: Mollier International ClassesG06F 1/00 (20060101)G06F 21/00 (20060101) G06Q 30/00 (20060101) |
