Method and apparatus for enabling trial period use of software products: method and apparatus for generating a machine-dependent identification
US5757907A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 25, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 26, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 25, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2137
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for distributing a software object from a source to a user. A software object is encrypted with an encryption operation utilizing a long-lived encryption key. It is directed from the source to the user. It is loaded onto a user-controlled data processing system having a particular configuration. A numerical machine identification is derived based at least in part upon the particular data processing system configuration of the user-controlled data processing system. A temporary key is derived which is based at least in part upon the numerical machine identification and the long-lived encryption key. The long-lived key generator is provided for receiving the temporary key and producing the long-lived encryption key. The user is allowed to utilize the temporary key for a prescribed interval to generate the long-lived encryption key to access the software object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.