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US5771347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method to allow a user a trial period before licensing a software program product
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1996-06-27
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Granted: 1998-06-23
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Expires: 2016-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided to permit copies of software products to be installed on systems, with a predetermined delay before commencement of a designated test period. The predetermined delay provides for a cumulative elapsed time, beginning with the installation of the software product to be evaluated during the designated test period, to allow for miscellaneous starts of the computer system prior to productive use for the purpose of evaluation during the user trial period. The miscellaneous starts may be associated with software product installation procedures during preload activities, attachment of devices and/or adapters to tailor the system to a particular user configuration, or to otherwise "boot" or check the system prior to productive use.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey A. Grantz
- 👤 J. Robert Ure
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:09
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for preventing continued use of a protected computer program product in a data processing system beyond a test period, comprising the steps of: determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred, the predetermined amount of use indicating that productive use of the data processing system has begun; responsive to the determination of the predetermined amount of use, setting the test period by storing a current date as a beginning of a designated test period; periodically determining whether the designated test period has ended by comparison of a current date with the stored date; and responsive to the determination that the designated test period has ended, causing the protected computer program product to be disabled.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for preventing continued use of a protected computer program product in a data processing system beyond a test period, comprising the steps of: determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred, the predetermined amount of use indicating that productive use of the data processing system has begun; responsive to the determination of the predetermined amount of use, setting the test period by storing a current date as a beginning of a designated test period; periodically determining whether the designated test period has ended by comparison of a current date with the stored date; and responsive to the determination that the designated test period has ended, causing the protected computer program product to be disabled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred comprises the steps of: starting a timer after the protected computer program product is installed; incrementing the timer to measure a cumulative period of time that the data processing system is active; and making a determination as to whether the timer has reached a predetermined value equivalent to the predetermined amount of use.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of storing the current date as the beginning of the designated test period comprises the steps of: making a determination as to whether a date stamp has been created; creating a date stamp from the current date if the predetermined amount of use has occurred; and storing the date stamp in a memory of the data processing system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as recited in claim 3 further comprising the step of providing an initial time setting for the timer at the time of installation of the protected computer program product in the data processing system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the protected computer program product is preloaded in the data processing system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: making a determination as to whether a valid password has been entered; and responsive to the entry of a valid password, enabling the protected computer program product past the designated test period.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
A data processing system including processor, memory and input device which prevents continued use of a protected computer program product in a data processing system beyond a test period, comprising: means for determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred, the predetermined amount of use indicating that productive use of the data processing system has begun; means responsive to the determination of the predetermined amount of use for setting the test period by storing a current date as a beginning of a designated test period; means for periodically determining whether the designated test period has ended by comparison of a current date with the stored date; and means responsive to the determination that the designated test period has ended for causing the protected computer program product to be disabled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
135 words
A data processing system including processor, memory and input device which prevents continued use of a protected computer program product in a data processing system beyond a test period, comprising: means for determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred, the predetermined amount of use indicating that productive use of the data processing system has begun; means responsive to the determination of the predetermined amount of use for setting the test period by storing a current date as a beginning of a designated test period; means for periodically determining whether the designated test period has ended by comparison of a current date with the stored date; and means responsive to the determination that the designated test period has ended for causing the protected computer program product to be disabled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
The system as recited in claim 7 wherein the means for determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred comprises: means for starting a timer after the protected computer program product is installed; means for incrementing the timer to measure a cumulative period of time that the data processing system is active; and means for making a determination as to whether the timer has reached a predetermined value equivalent to the predetermined amount of use.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as recited in claim 8 further comprising means for providing an initial time setting for the timer at the time of installation of the protected computer program product in the data processing system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system as recited in claim 7 wherein the means for storing the current date as the beginning of the designated test period comprises: means for making a determination as to whether a date stamp has been created; means for creating a date stamp from the current date if the predetermined amount of use has occurred; and means for storing the date stamp in a memory of the data processing system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as recited in claim 8 wherein the protected computer program product is preloaded in the data processing system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system as recited in claim 7 further comprising the steps of: means for making a determination as to whether a valid password has been entered; and means responsive to the entry of a valid password for enabling the protected computer program product past the designated test period.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
134 words
A protected computer program product on a computer readable medium for preventing continued use of the protected computer program product in a data processing system beyond a test period, comprising; means for determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred, the predetermined amount of use indicating that productive use of the processing system has begun; means responsive to the determination of the predetermined amount of use for setting the test period by storing a current date as a beginning of a designated test period; means for periodically determining whether the designated test period has ended by comparison of a current date with the stored date; and means responsive to the determination that the designated test period has ended for causing the protected computer program product to be disabled.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
134 words
A protected computer program product on a computer readable medium for preventing continued use of the protected computer program product in a data processing system beyond a test period, comprising; means for determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred, the predetermined amount of use indicating that productive use of the processing system has begun; means responsive to the determination of the predetermined amount of use for setting the test period by storing a current date as a beginning of a designated test period; means for periodically determining whether the designated test period has ended by comparison of a current date with the stored date; and means responsive to the determination that the designated test period has ended for causing the protected computer program product to be disabled.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
The product as recited in claim 13 wherein the means for determining that a predetermined amount of use of the data processing system has occurred comprises: means for starting a timer after the protected computer program product is installed; means for incrementing the timer to measure a cumulative period of time that the data processing system is active; and means for making a determination as to whether the timer has reached a predetermined value equivalent to the predetermined amount of use.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as recited in claim 14 further comprising means for providing an initial time setting for the timer at the time of installation of the protected computer program product in the data processing system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
67 words
The product as recited in claim 13 wherein the means for storing a current date as a beginning of the designated test period comprises: means for making a determination as to whether a date stamp has been created; means for creating a date stamp if said predetermined amount of use has occurred; and means for storing the date stamp in a memory of the data processing system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The product as recited in claim 13 wherein the protected computer program product is preloaded in the data processing system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The product as recited in claim 13 further comprising: means for making a determination as to whether a valid password has been entered; and means responsive to the entry of a valid password for enabling the protected computer program product past the designated test period.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-22 | 2001-12-22 | 2002-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-22 | 2005-12-22 | 2006-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-22 | 2009-12-22 | 2010-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |