Patent · US Expired

System for persistently encrypting critical software data to control the operation of an executable software program

US7200760B2 · kind B2 · utility

45Cited by
22References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 31, 2002
Grant dateApr 3, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 9, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F21/125
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A data encryption/decryption system is provided which maintains in encrypted form one or more critical data elements required by a software program. A user must obtain a license key in order to decrypt the critical data elements before the software program can use them. The data elements can be chosen such that their contents provide a control mechanism for the correct operation of the executable software program. The system allows for the inclusion of different data elements with or within a single version of the software program. The different data elements are encrypted for different license keys to allow for different license options and corresponding levels of control and flexibility in the delivery of the software program.

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