Patent US5894516A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5894516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Broadcast software distribution
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1996-07-10
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Granted: 1999-04-13
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Expires: 2016-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for broadcasting encrypted software to a target computer enables simultaneous transmission to a plurality of licensed target computers. An encryption key is generated to encrypt a software package. The encryption key is then itself encrypted using a target computer identification code, and the encrypted encryption key is loaded onto the target computer. The encrypted software is broadcast, for example, via satellite, and received at the target computer. The target computer uses its identification code to decrypt the encrypted encryption key (i.e., unlock the encryption key). Once the target computer unlocks the encryption key, it uses the encryption key to decrypt the software to be installed on the target computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Barbara B. Brandenburg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of distributing software encrypted by a software encryption key to a target computer, comprising the steps of: receiving a number unique to the target computer; encrypting the software encryption key using the number unique to the target computer unique number; transmitting the encrypted software encryption key to the target computer; communicating a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer; and broadcasting a message at the communicated timeslot and channel, the message comprising the encrypted software.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of distributing software encrypted by a software encryption key to a target computer, comprising the steps of: receiving a number unique to the target computer; encrypting the software encryption key using the number unique to the target computer unique number; transmitting the encrypted software encryption key to the target computer; communicating a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer; and broadcasting a message at the communicated timeslot and channel, the message comprising the encrypted software.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast timeslot is periodically scheduled according to a user request.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission timeslot is regularly scheduled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the message further comprises a version packet notifying the target computer that an upgraded version of the software is being transmitted and enabling the target computer to download upgraded versions of software already installed on the target computer; and the method further comprises the step of decrypting the software using the target computer unique number when the version indicator indicates that an upgraded version of software already installed on the target computer is being broadcast.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the message further comprises a vendor header packet enabling the target computer to monitor broadcasts for software products offered by a vendor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: decrypting the software in the target computer using the target computer unique number; determining if there are peripheral computers coupled to the target computer to receive the decrypted software; and distributing the decrypted software to the peripheral computers when there are peripheral computers coupled to the target computer to receive the decrypted software.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the message further comprises a checksum packet for determining if the target computer received the encrypted software without error, and the method further comprises the steps of: receiving the checksum packet in the target computer; processing the checksum packet in the target computer to determine if the encrypted software was received without error; providing the target computer information regarding a next broadcast of the software when the encrypted software was not received without error; and waiting for retransmission of the encrypted software.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for distributing software encrypted by a software encryption key to a target computer, comprising: means for receiving a number unique to the target computer; means for encrypting the software encryption key using the number unique to the target computer unique number; means for transmitting the encrypted software encryption key to the target computer; means for communicating a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer; and means for broadcasting a message at the communicated timeslot and channel, the message comprising the encrypted software.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
89 words
An apparatus for distributing software encrypted by a software encryption key to a target computer, comprising: means for receiving a number unique to the target computer; means for encrypting the software encryption key using the number unique to the target computer unique number; means for transmitting the encrypted software encryption key to the target computer; means for communicating a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer; and means for broadcasting a message at the communicated timeslot and channel, the message comprising the encrypted software.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for providing a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer comprises means for periodically scheduling the timeslot according to a user request.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the means for providing a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer comprises means for regularly scheduling the transmission time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: the message further comprises a version packet notifying the target computer that an upgraded version of the software is being transmitted and enabling the target computer to download upgraded versions of software already installed on the target computer; and the apparatus further comprises means for decrypting the software using the target computer unique number when the version indicator indicates that an upgraded version of software already installed on the target computer is being broadcast.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the message further comprises a vendor header packet enabling the target computer to monitor broadcasts for software products offered by a vendor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: means for decrypting the software in the target computer using the target computer unique number; means for determining if there are peripheral computers coupled to the target computer to receive the decrypted software; and means for distributing the decrypted software to the peripheral computers when there are peripheral computers coupled to the target computer to receive the decrypted software.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the message further comprises a checksum packet for determining if the target computer received the encrypted software without error, and the apparatus further comprises: means for receiving the checksum packet in the target computer; means for processing the checksum packet in the target computer to determine if the encrypted software was received without error; providing the target computer information regarding a next broadcast of the software when the encrypted software was not received without error; and waiting for retransmission of the encrypted software.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
106 words
A program storage device, readable by computer, tangibly embodying one or more programs of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps of distributing software encrypted by a software encryption key to a target computer, the method steps comprising the steps of: receiving a number unique to the target computer; encrypting the software encryption key using the number unique to the target computer unique number; transmitting the encrypted software encryption key to the target computer; communicating a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer; and broadcasting a message at the communicated timeslot and channel, the message comprising the encrypted software.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
106 words
A program storage device, readable by computer, tangibly embodying one or more programs of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps of distributing software encrypted by a software encryption key to a target computer, the method steps comprising the steps of: receiving a number unique to the target computer; encrypting the software encryption key using the number unique to the target computer unique number; transmitting the encrypted software encryption key to the target computer; communicating a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer; and broadcasting a message at the communicated timeslot and channel, the message comprising the encrypted software.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The program storage device of claim 15, wherein the broadcast timeslot is periodically scheduled according to a user request.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The program storage device of claim 15, wherein the transmission timeslot is regularly scheduled.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
85 words
The program storage device of claim 15, wherein: the message further comprises a version packet notifying the target computer that an upgraded version of the software is being transmitted and enabling the target computer to download upgraded versions of software already installed on the target computer; and the method steps further comprises the method step of decrypting the software using the target computer unique number when the version indicator indicates that an upgraded version of software already installed on the target computer is being broadcast.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The program storage device of claim 15, wherein: the message further comprises a vendor header packet enabling the target computer to monitor broadcasts for software products offered by a vendor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
70 words
The program storage device of claim 15, wherein the method steps further comprise the method steps of: decrypting the software in the target computer using the target computer unique number; determining if there are peripheral computers coupled to the target computer to receive the decrypted software; and distributing the decrypted software to the peripheral computers when there are peripheral computers coupled to the target computer to receive the decrypted software.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
92 words
The program storage device of claim 15, wherein the message further comprises a checksum packet for determining if the target computer received the encrypted software without error, and the method steps further comprise the method steps of: receiving the checksum packet in the target computer; processing the checksum packet in the target computer to determine if the encrypted software was received without error; providing the target computer information regarding a next broadcast of the software when the encrypted software was not received without error; and waiting for retransmission of the encrypted software.
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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) | 2002-04-12 | 2002-10-12 | 2003-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-12 | 2006-10-12 | 2007-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-12 | 2010-10-12 | 2011-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |