US4649510A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for the protection and control of computer programs
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-04-30
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Granted: 1987-03-10
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Expires: 2002-04-30
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for the protection and control of computer programs wherein a valid program is modified to provide a furnished program and a corresponding restoration program, one or both of these are modified in accordance with confirmation data, and the furnished program, confirmation data, and restoration program data are supplied to an equipped computer installation in the form of a furnished program medium, a confirmation unit, and a restoration unit, via separate commercial channels.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter E. Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06F21/12; G06F21/121; G06F21/125; G06F21/123; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
The method of protecting and controlling a computer program, comprising the steps of: systematically invalidating said computer program in accordance with a predetermined invalidation procedure; making a recording of said systematically invalidated computer program on a storage device; and making a recording on another storage device of a restoration program for restoring said systematically invalidated computer program to its valid form.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
The method of protecting and controlling a computer program, comprising the steps of: systematically invalidating said computer program in accordance with a predetermined invalidation procedure; making a recording of said systematically invalidated computer program on a storage device; and making a recording on another storage device of a restoration program for restoring said systematically invalidated computer program to its valid form.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
60 words
The method of protecting and controlling a computer program, comprising the steps of: systematically invalidating said computer program in accordance with a predetermined invalidation procedure; making a recording of said systematically invalidated computer program on a storage device; and making a recording on another storage device of a restoration program for execution withheld elements of the corresponding valid computer program.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
60 words
The method of protecting and controlling a computer program, comprising the steps of: systematically invalidating said computer program in accordance with a predetermined invalidation procedure; making a recording of said systematically invalidated computer program on a storage device; and making a recording on another storage device of a restoration program for execution withheld elements of the corresponding valid computer program.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of protecting and controlling a computer program, comprising the steps of: systematically invalidating said computer program; and inserting into the systematically invalidated computer program at least one restoration instruction for instructing a restoration device to emit a corresponding part of a restoration program for restoring said invalidated program to its valid form; wherein said corresponding part of a restoration program is a subprogram for modifying one or more parts of said invalidated program.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
75 words
The method of protecting and controlling a computer program, comprising the steps of: systematically invalidating said computer program; and inserting into the systematically invalidated computer program at least one restoration instruction for instructing a restoration device to emit a corresponding part of a restoration program for restoring said invalidated program to its valid form; wherein said corresponding part of a restoration program is a subprogram for modifying one or more parts of said invalidated program.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
76 words
The method of protecting and controlling a computer program, comprising the steps of: systematically invalidating said computer program; and inserting into the systematically invalidated computer program at least one restoration instruction for instructing a restoration device to emit a corresonding part of a restoration program for restoring said invalidated program to its valid form; wherein said corresponding part of a restoration program is a subprogram for executing a withheld part of the corresponding valid computer program.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
76 words
The method of protecting and controlling a computer program, comprising the steps of: systematically invalidating said computer program; and inserting into the systematically invalidated computer program at least one restoration instruction for instructing a restoration device to emit a corresonding part of a restoration program for restoring said invalidated program to its valid form; wherein said corresponding part of a restoration program is a subprogram for executing a withheld part of the corresponding valid computer program.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
76 words
The method of protecting and controlling a computer program, comprising the steps of: systematically invalidating said computer program; and inserting into the systematically invalidated computer program at least one restoration instruction for instructing a restoration device to emit a corresponding part of a restoration program for restoring said invalidated program to its valid form; wherein said restoration instruction comprises an instruction for the insertion of a withheld element into said invalidated program at a predetermined location.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
76 words
The method of protecting and controlling a computer program, comprising the steps of: systematically invalidating said computer program; and inserting into the systematically invalidated computer program at least one restoration instruction for instructing a restoration device to emit a corresponding part of a restoration program for restoring said invalidated program to its valid form; wherein said restoration instruction comprises an instruction for the insertion of a withheld element into said invalidated program at a predetermined location.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-03-09 | 1990-09-08 | 1991-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-09 | 1994-09-08 | 1995-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-09 | 1998-09-08 | 1999-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |