EP0613073A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Licence management mechanism for a computer system
Assignee: Fujitsu Services Ltd
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Filing: 1993-08-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A computer system includes a license manager for regulating usage of software items. The license manager checks the host identity of the computer on which it runs and permits usage only if the host identity matches an identity value in a license key. The host identity of the computer is supplied by a security identification device removably coupled to an external port on the computer. Communication of the host identity between the security identifier device and the license manager is protected by encryption.
Inventors
- 👤 Barrie Archer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06F21/109; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A computer system including a license manager for regulating usage of software items in accordance with license keys issued to the license manager, the license manager being arranged to check the host identity of the computer on which it runs and to permit usage only if the host identity matches an identity value in the license keys, characterised in that the host identity of the computer is supplied by a security identification device removably coupled to an external port on the computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to Claim 1 wherein communication of the host identity between the security identifier device and the license manager is protected by encryption.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to Claim 2 wherein each host identity returned by the security identifier device is encrypted together with a sequence number which is incremented each time the host identity is returned.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
30 words
A system according to any preceding claim wherein the license manager regulates the usage of software items within a domain comprising software items that can communicate with the license manager.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system according to Claim 4 wherein said domain is distributed over a network of computers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
EP0191162A2
Cited
US4924378A
Cited
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