Biometric based method for software distribution
US6035403A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2211/007
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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 wi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.