EP0084441A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the protection of proprietary computer software
Assignee: TABS Ltd
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Filing: 1983-01-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-01-13
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for protecting proprietary computer software against unauthorised use comprises a store (11) for selected data, means (10) for comparing data successively communicated by a program running on a computer (1) with data from the storage means, means such as an indelible memory (15) associated with a microprocessor (14) for storing identifying data, and transmitting means (14) for sending stored identifying data to the computer. When a match is detected by the comparator, the identifying data are sent to the computer, which requires this data for continued normal running. A copy of the software cannot run on a computer without associated protection apparatus and unauthorised copies will therefore be unusable unless the protection apparatus can be obtained. For a great degree of protection, a sequence of matches and identifying data messages may be required to allow continued normal running of a program.
Inventors
- 👤 David Nigel Rogers
- 👤 Terence Eric Cyril Poole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06F21/12; G06F21/121; G06F21/123; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
Apparatus capable of protecting proprietary computer software against unauthorised use, comprising storage means for storing selected data, comparison means for comparing data successively communicated by a program running on a computer with data from the storage means, means for storing identifying data and transmitting means for sending stored identifying data to the computer, whereby on detection of a match in use, the transmitting means send said identifying data to the computer, said data being required for continued normal running of a proprietary program.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus capable of protecting proprietary computer software against unauthorised use, comprising storage means for storing selected data, comparison means for comparing data successively communicated by a program running on a computer with data from the storage means, means for storing identifying data and transmitting means for sending stored identifying data to the computer, whereby on detection of a match in use, the transmitting means send said identifying data to the computer, said data being required for continued normal running of a proprietary program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said selected data comprises a code of data bits and said identifying data comprises a message of data bits and a plurality of the data codes and data messages are stored in said respective storage means for the data codes to be successively compared and said data messages to be successively transmitted, whereby a proprietary program on an associated computer will cease running normally unless a predetermined sequence of identifying data messages is receiyed by the program from the apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, including a combined storage means for storing said selected data and said identifying data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including communications means for the transfer of data to and from a computer associated with the apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus is adapted for communication with a peripheral device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, comprising blocking means to prevent transfer of data to the peripheral device after detection of a match and until after said identifying data has been transmitted by said transmitting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, including switching means for preventing actuation of the blocking means, to allow the running of a non-proprietary program without interruption by the blocking means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a programmed microcomputer, wherein the storage means for the selected data and the identifying data comprise programmable read only memories and the comparison means is adapted to operate under the instructions of the programmed microcomputer by carrying out a sequence of logical operations to detect a match.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for protecting proprietary computer software against unauthorised use, comprising storing selected data and identifying data in protection apparatus associated with a programmed computer, successively communicating data from the computer to the apparatus, comparing said communicated data with said selected data and, on detection of a match, transmitting said identifying data to the computer, the identifying data being required by a proprietary program for continued normal running.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for protecting proprietary computer software against unauthorised use, comprising storing selected data and identifying data in protection apparatus associated with a programmed computer, successively communicating data from the computer to the apparatus, comparing said communicated data with said selected data and, on detection of a match, transmitting said identifying data to the computer, the identifying data being required by a proprietary program for continued normal running.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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