US5267311A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intelligent diskette for software protection
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-12-08
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Granted: 1993-11-30
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Expires: 2012-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A device for protection of computer software installed on hard disks against unauthorized copying and use, and particularly a device of such type that is embedded inside an ordinary diskette cartridge. The device depends mainly in its operation on a VLSI microcontroller embedded inside the diskette and interfaced to a read/write head placed in contact with the surface of the floppy disk. In connection with such device, a method is described to prevent an executable code from being installed on more than one machine, even if several machines are present in the same workplace. The device of the invention is very convenient for the software user. Together with the convenience, it successfully achieves two main objectives: first, preventing the software from getting transferred and used overseas, and secondly, preventing the software from getting transferred to a friend or colleague in the same workplace.
Inventors
- 👤 Ezzat G. Bakhoum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:18
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/00086; G11B20/00876; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/70; G06F21/78; G06F21/80; G11B23/00; G11B23/28; G11B23/283; G11B23/284; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A handshaking method between two digital systems, consisting of: a test signal, issued by first system; a confirmation signal, issued by second system; wherein the confirmation signal comprises a masked form of the test signal, mixed with other irrelevant data, such that the locations of the masked signal within said irrelevant data are known to the first system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A handshaking method between two digital systems, consisting of: a test signal, issued by first system; a confirmation signal, issued by second system; wherein the confirmation signal comprises a masked form of the test signal, mixed with other irrelevant data, such that the locations of the masked signal within said irrelevant data are known to the first system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the first system is a computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the second system is a hardware device for data protection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the second system generates irrelevant data by means of a pseudo-random bit generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the pseudo-random bit generator is driven by the masked test signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the second system comprises cyclic shift registers and control circuitry for allocation of the masked test signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the hardware device is embedded inside a diskette cartridge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the hardware device is embedded inside a tape cartridge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the hardware device is connected to a serial port in the computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the hardware device is connected to a parallel port in the computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the hardware device is connected to the data bus of the computer.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for preventing unauthorized use of software by means of detecting the movement of data files, consisting of: a verification file, wherein the contents of the verification file describe the original sector location of at least one data file on a hard disk, and wherein such contents are coded in a manner that is unknown to the user in order to prevent tampering with the verification file; an executable file for reading the contents of said verification file, and for comparing such contents with the physical sector location of the at least one data file; means within said executable file for disabling access to the software in case said original and physical sector locations do not match.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for preventing unauthorized use of software by means of detecting the movement of data files, consisting of: a verification file, wherein the contents of the verification file describe the original sector location of at least one data file on a hard disk, and wherein such contents are coded in a manner that is unknown to the user in order to prevent tampering with the verification file; an executable file for reading the contents of said verification file, and for comparing such contents with the physical sector location of the at least one data file; means within said executable file for disabling access to the software in case said original and physical sector locations do not match.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the verification file is the at least one data file.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the verification file is different from the at least one data file.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the executable file is the at least one data file.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the executable file is different from the at least one data file.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the contents of the verification file describe the physical locations of multiple data files.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the name of the verification file is known only to the executable file.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the verification file is created when the executable file is run for the first time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the size of the verification file is at least one byte.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the size of the verification file is at least 2K bytes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the contents of the verification file describe the starting sector number of the at least one data file.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the contents of the verification file describe the entire FAT entry of the at least one data file.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the verification file is a read-only file.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the verification file is a hidden file.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the verification file is mixed with a bundle of irrelevant files.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
10 words
A method according to claim 12, comprising multiple verification files.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 12, used in conjunction with a hardware device for verifying prior-installation of the software.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein the hardware device is embedded inside a diskette cartridge.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein the hardware device is embedded inside a tape cartridge.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein the hardware device is connected to a serial port in the computer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein the hardware device is connected to a parallel port in the computer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein the hardware device is connected to the data bus of the computer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 28, comprising a secret code placed inside a battery compartment for verifying the identity of the device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 28, comprising a label for displaying a name of a software firm and for warning against tampering with the device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 35, wherein the label is metallic for connecting a power source to the device and for disconnecting the power source when the device is tampered with. r
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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) | 1996-11-29 | 1997-05-31 | 1997-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-29 | 2001-05-31 | 2001-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-29 | 2005-05-31 | 2005-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |