Patent · US Expired

Computer apparatus, method and memory including license key

US6662284B2 · kind B2 · utility

19Cited by
14References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 20, 2001
Grant dateDec 9, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 24, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S707/99939
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A headless computer entity has a license key data stored on a raw disk sector separate from a system disk and a data disk. The license key data control the available data storage capacity within the headless computer entity, and protect the computer entity from unauthorized upgrade to a higher product specification. The license key data are encrypted and protected from hacking via software updates introduced on an external data carrier, such as a CD ROM.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.