Patent EP0653695A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0653695A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Software pay per use system
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1994-11-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A pay per use system for the prevention of the unauthorized use of computer software. An encryption program encodes original software to produce secured software. The encoding is accomplished by using cryptographic techniques. In order to use the software, a user must call a telephone number to receive the cryptographic keys necessary to decrypt the secured software. Thus, users must pay for each use of the secured software. The system allows software developers to freely distribute the secured software. Copies of the secured software may be freely made, because payment is based on each use of the software not on each copy of the software. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Alan D. Michel
- 👤 Robert E. Reinke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:54
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06F21/12; G06F21/121; G06F21/123; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A system for the validation and use of secured computer software comprising: a software validation system; a software user system comprising secured software; a communications network connected to the software validation system and the software user system for the transmission of data between the systems; said software validation system comprising: means for storing at least one decryption key, means for receiving from said user system over said communications network an identification of said secured software, means for recording the receipt of said identification of secured software, and means for transmitting to said user system over said communications network a decryption key chosen from said at least one stored decryption key, wherein said chosen decryption key is capable of decrypting said identified secured software; said software user system further comprising: means for transmitting said secured software identification to the software validation system over said communications network, means for receiving said chosen decryption key capable of decrypting said identified secured software from said software validation system over said communications network, and means for decrypting said secured software using said chosen decryption key.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A software validation system comprising: means for storing at least one decryption key; means for receiving from a communications network an identification of encrypted software; means for recording the receipt of said identification; and means for transmitting to the communications network a decryption key chosen from said at least one stored decryption key, wherein said chosen decryption key is capable of decrypting said identified encrypted software, and wherein a fee is charged for the establishment of comnunication over the communications network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The software validation system of claim 2 further comprising: means for masking said decryption key with a random number prior to transmitting it to the communications network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The software validation system of claim 3 further comprising means for receiving said random number from the communications network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The software validation system of claim 2 further comprising: means for generating a first random number; means for receiving a second random number from the communications network; means for producing a third random number by concatenating said first random number and said second random number; and means for masking said decryption key with said third random number prior to transmitting it to the communications network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The software validation system of claims 3 or 5 further comprising means for encrypting said masked decryption key prior to transmitting it to the communications network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The software validation system of claim 6 wherein said means for encrypting is by use of a public key encryption algorithm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
The software validation system of claim 2 further comprising: means for generating a first random number; means for encrypting said first random number; means for transmitting said encrypted first random number to the communications network; means for receiving an encrypted second random number from the communications network, wherein said eecond random number comprises a first section and a second section; means for decrypting said second random number; and means for masking said decryption key with said second random number prior to transmitting it to the communications network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The software validation system of claim 8 further comprising: means for determining whether said first or second section of said second random number is equal to said first random number; and means for masking said decryption key with said second random number prior to transmitting only if said first or second section of said second random number is equal to said first random number.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A software user computer system for the execution of secured software, the system comprising: encrypted computer program code; means for transmitting an identification of the encrypted computer program code to a communications network; means for receiving a decryption key from the communications network, said decryption key capable of decrypting said encrypted computer program code; and means for decrypting said encrypted computer program code with said decryption key; wherein a fee is charged for the initiation of the communication over the communications network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The software user computer system of claim 10 wherein said received decryption key has been masked prior to receipt, the system further comprising: means for generating a random number; means for transmitting said random number to the communications network; and means for unmasking said masked decryption key with said random number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The software user computer system of claim 10 wherein said received decryption key has been masked and encrypted prior to receipt, the system further comprising: means for decrypting said encrypted masked decryption key; means for generating a random number; means for transmitting said random number to the communications network; and means for unmasking said encrypted masked decryption key with said random number.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The software user computer system of claim 10 further comprising means for preventing the unauthorized decryption of said encrypted computer program code if communication over the communications network has not been initiated by a telephone call which results in a per call aervice fec.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
118 words
A software user computer system for the execution of secured software, the system comprising: encrypted computer program code; means for transmitting a software identification identifying the encrypted computer program code to a communications network; means for generating a first random number; means for receiving a second random number; means for combining said first and second random number to produce a third random number; means for receiving a masked decryption key capable of decrypting said encrypted computer program code; means for unmasking said masked decryption key with said third random number; and means for decryptiny said encrypted computer program code with said decryption key, wherein a fee is charged for the initiation of the communication over the communications network.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
29 words
The system of claims 1, 2, 10 or 14 wherein communication over the communications network is initiated by a telephone call which results in a per call service fee.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The software user computer system of claim 14 wherein said masked decryption key is encrypted prior to receipt, said system further comprising means for decrypting said encrypted masked key prior to unmasking said key.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
The software user computer system of claim 14 wherein said second random number is encrypted prior to receipt and said masked decryption key is encrypted prior to receipt, said system further comprising: means for decrypting said encrypted masked key prior to unmasking said key; and means for decrypting said encrypted second random number prior to combining said first random number and second random number.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
83 words
A computer system for the registration of software and the generation of secured software comprising: means for transmitting software identification information to a communications network; means for receiving at least one key and a unique software identification from the communications network; and means for encrypting an executable software file using said at least one key to create a secured software module, wherein said executable software file is capable of being executed by a user only after receipt of said at least one key.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
The computer system of claim 18 wherein said secured software module comprises the encrypted executable software file and computer program code, said computer program code comprising said means for decrypting the executable software file using said at least one key, and wherein said at least one key is received by a user only after said user places a telephone call which results in a per call service fee.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
142 words
A software validation system for the registration of protected software, the system comprising: means for receiving software identification information from a communications network; means for generating a unique software identification code for said received software identification; means for generating at least one cryptographic key; means for transmitting said unique software identification code and at least one cryptographic key to the communications network; and means for storing said unique software identification and at least one cryptographic key, wherein said at least one cryptographic key will be used to generate a secured software module, said secured software module being executable by a user computer system only after receipt of said at least one cryptographic key over a communications network, wherein said receipt of said at least one cryptographic key is initiated by a telephone call which will result in a per call service fee.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for the validation.and use of encrypted secured software comprising the steps of: a user of secured software initiating a telephone call which will result in a per call service fee, said telephone call establishing communication over a communications network between said user and a software validation system; said user of secured software transmitting secured software identification to the software validation system over the communications network; said software validation system transmitting to said user over the communications network a decryption key capable of decrypting said secured software; and decrypting said secured software with said decryption key.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of: generating a random number in the user computer system; transmitting said random number to the software validation system; masking said decryption key with a random number in said software validation system prior to transmitting the decryption key to the user; and unmasking said decryption key with said random number in the user's computer system.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for validating secured computer software comprising the steps of: storing at least one decryption key; receiving from a communications network an identification of encrypted software; recording the receipt of said identification; and transmitting to the communications network a decryption key chosen from said at least one stored decryption key, wherein said chosen decryption key is capable of decrypting said identified encrypted software, wherein a fee is charged for the establishment of communication over the communications network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said establishment of communication over the communications network is established by placing a telephone call which results in per call service fee.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of masking said decryption key with a random number prior to transmitting it to the communications network.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of receiving said random number from the communications network.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of: generating a first random number; receiving a second random number from the communications network; producing a third random number by concatenating said first random number and said second random number; and masking said decryption key with said third random number prior to transmitting it to the communications network.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
25 words
The method of claims 25 or 27 further comprising the step of encrypting said masked decryption key prior to transmitting it to the communication network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said step of encrypting is by use of a public key encryption algorithm.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of: generating a first random number; encrypting said first random number; transmitting said encrypted first random number to the communications network; receiving an encrypted second random number from the communications network, wherein said second random number comprises a first section and a second section; decrypting said second random number; and masking said decryption key with said second random number prior to transmitting it to the communications network.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 30 further comprising the steps of: determining whether said first or second section of said second random number is equal to said first random number; and masking said decryption key with said second random number prior to transmitting only if said first or second section of said second random number is equal to said first random number.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for the execution of encrypted secured software comprising the steps of: initiating communication over a communications network which results in a service fee; transmitting an identification of the secured software to the communications network; receiving a decryption key from the communications network, said decryption key capable of decrypting said secured software; and decrypting said secured software with said decryption key.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said received decryption key has been masked prior to receipt, the method further comprising the steps of: generating a random number; transmitting said random number to the communications network; and unmasking said masked decryption key with said random number.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said received decryption key has been masked and encrypted prior to receipt, the method further comprising the steps of: decrypting said encrypted masked decryption key; generating a random number; transmitting said random number to the communications network; and unmasking said encrypted masked decryption key with said random number.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of: preventing the unauthorized decryption of said encrypted computer program code if communication over the communications network has not been initiated by a telephone call resulting in a per call service fee.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for the execution of encrypted secured software comprising the steps of: initiating communication over a communications network which results in a service fee; transmitting a software identification identifying the secured software to the communications network; generating a first random number; receiving a second random number; combining said first and second random number to produce a third random number; receiving a masked decryption key capable of decrypting said secured software; unmasking said masked decryption key with said third random number; decrypting said secured software with said decryption key.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
32 words
The method of claims 32 or 36 wherein said step of initiating communication over a communications network comprises the step of placing a telephone call resulting in a per call service fee.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said masked decryption key is encrypted prior to receipt, said method further comprising the step of decrypting said encrypted masked key prior to unmasking said key.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
60 words
The method of clairn 36 wherein said second random number is encrypted prior to receipt and said masked decryption key is encrypted prior to receipt, said method further comprising the steps of: decrypting said encrypted masked key prior to unmasking said key; and decrypting said encrypted second random number prior to combining said first random number and second random number.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for the registration of software and the generation of secured software comprising the steps: transmitting software identification information to a communications network; receiving at least one key and a unique software identification from the communications network; and encrypting an executable software file using said at least one key to create a secured software module, wherein said executable software file is capable of being executed by a user only after receipt of said at least one key.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said at least one key is received by a user only after said user initiates a telephone call to a telephone number which results in a per call service fee.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
132 words
A software validation method for the registration of protected software comprising the steps: receiving software identification information from a communications network; generating a unique software identification code for said received software identification; generating at least one cryptographic key; transmitting said unique software identification code and at least one cryptographic key to the communications network; and storing said unique software identification and at least one cryptographic key, wherein said at least one cryptographic key will be used to generate a secured software module, said secured software module being executable by a user computer system only after receipt of said at least one cryptographic key over a communications network, wherein said receipt of said at least one cryptographic key is initiated by a telephone call which will result in a per call service fee.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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