US6128741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact transparent dongle device
Assignee: Thales DIS CPL USA Inc
•
Filing: 1998-03-05
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Granted: 2000-10-03
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Expires: 2018-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A compact hardware key for protecting software executing on a computer is disclosed. The hardware key uses a two piece insulator design in which each insulator piece provides a double layer insulator body for protection from tampering, insulator areas for electrically isolating I/O connector pins, and an integral circuit board support portion for securely mounting the circuit board assembly. The compact hardware key also comprises a unique coaxially displaced interrupt pin structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudy Goetz
- 👤 Bahram Afghani
- 👤 Allan D. Anderson
- 👤 Patrick N. Godding
- 👤 Maarten G. Punt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:37
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/60; G06F21/62; G06F21/6209; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2153
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of software executable on a computer having an I/O port, comprising: a circuit board assembly having a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures operatively coupled to a processor for performing software security routines; a plurality of pins disposed through the apertures to provide electrical communication between the computer I/O port and the processor, each pin having a first pin portion adapted for operative coupling with the I/O port, and a second pin portion adapted for operative coupling with a peripheral device; an interrupt pin, having an interrupt pin first portion adapted for operative coupling with the I/O port in a first axis, and an interrupt pin second portion electrically isolated from the interrupt pin first portion and adapted for operative coupling with the peripheral device in the first axis; and wherein the second interrupt pin portion is communicatively coupled to the male portion via the processor in accordance with the software security routines.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
An apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of software executable on a computer having an I/O port, comprising: a circuit board assembly having a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures operatively coupled to a processor for performing software security routines; a plurality of pins disposed through the apertures to provide electrical communication between the computer I/O port and the processor, each pin having a first pin portion adapted for operative coupling with the I/O port, and a second pin portion adapted for operative coupling with a peripheral device; an interrupt pin, having an interrupt pin first portion adapted for operative coupling with the I/O port in a first axis, and an interrupt pin second portion electrically isolated from the interrupt pin first portion and adapted for operative coupling with the peripheral device in the first axis; and wherein the second interrupt pin portion is communicatively coupled to the male portion via the processor in accordance with the software security routines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first insulator having a plurality of first insulator apertures disposed substantially parallel to the first axis for accepting the plurality of second pin portions and the second interrupt pin portion; a second insulator having a plurality of second insulator apertures disposed substantially parallel to the first axis for accepting a plurality of first pin portions and the first interrupt pin portion; and wherein the first and the second insulator form a circuit board supporting portion therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising: a first attachment aperture and a second attachment aperture, each attachment aperture configured to accept a screw adapted for insertion into an computer I/O port threaded aperture; and a rivet disposed through the first attachment aperture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
124 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a first D-shell, disposed about the first pin portions and extending across an outer surface of the first insulator, the first D-shell comprising a first D-shell first attachment aperture coaxial with the first attachment aperture and a first D-shell second attachment aperture coaxial with the second attachment aperture; a second D-shell, disposed about the second pin portions and extending across an outer surface of the second insulator, the second D-shell comprising a second D-shell first attachment aperture coaxial with the first attachment aperture and a second D-shell second attachment aperture coaxial with the second attachment aperture; and wherein the first insulator, the second insulator, the first D-shell, and the second D-shell are affixed together via the rivet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 4 above, wherein the rivet comprises a depressed portion configured to releasably constrain an attachment screw configured for the computer I/O port threaded aperture within the rivet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 above, wherein the rivet depressed portion is stamped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the first insulator further comprises a first body portion defining a first cavity therein, the cavity comprising a ledge adapted to accept the circuit board; and the second insulator further comprises a second body the second insulator body portion adapted for insertion into the first cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 above, wherein the circuit board is affixed by contact between the first body portion and the second body portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first body portion and the second body portion define an enclosed cavity when the second body portion is mated with the first cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first insulator body portion further comprises a gripping surface on the outer surface of the first insulator body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interrupt pin first portion comprises an offset portion disposed non-coaxial with the first axis, the offset portion operatively coupled to the interrupt pin first portion and operatively coupled to the processor via the circuit board.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the interrupt pin first portion and the interrupt pin offset portion are operatively coupled by an interrupt pin connecting portion; and wherein the interrupt pin connecting portion is comprises a substantially planar portion disposed along the first axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first insulator further comprises a slot configured to accept the interrupt pin connecting portion to impede movement of the interrupt pin first portion along the first axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein movement of the interrupt pin first portion along the first axis is further impeded by cooperative interaction between the slot and an adjacent second insulator aperture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interrupt pin carries a busy signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pin portion is a male portion and the second pin portion is a female portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of pins are metallic one piece press fit pins.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first axis.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of assembling an apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of software executable on a computer having an I/O port, comprising the steps of: inserting a plurality of pins into associated apertures in a circuit board assembly, wherein each pin has a first pin portion adapted for operative coupling with the I/O port and a second pin portion adapted for operative coupling with a peripheral device, and the circuit board apertures provide operative coupling between at least one of the pins and a processor for performing software security routines; inserting the second pin portions into an associated plurality of first insulator apertures disposed in a first insulator; inserting the first pin portions into an associated plurality of second insulator apertures; and affixing the first insulator to the second insulator.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of assembling an apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of software executable on a computer having an I/O port, comprising the steps of: inserting a plurality of pins into associated apertures in a circuit board assembly, wherein each pin has a first pin portion adapted for operative coupling with the I/O port and a second pin portion adapted for operative coupling with a peripheral device, and the circuit board apertures provide operative coupling between at least one of the pins and a processor for performing software security routines; inserting the second pin portions into an associated plurality of first insulator apertures disposed in a first insulator; inserting the first pin portions into an associated plurality of second insulator apertures; and affixing the first insulator to the second insulator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: inserting an interrupt pin first portion into an associated interrupt pin first portion aperture in the circuit board assembly; and inserting an interrupt pin second portion into an associated interrupt pin second portion aperture in the circuit board.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
188 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the first insulator comprises a first insulator first attachment aperture and a first insulator second attachment aperture, and the second insulator comprises a second insulator first attachment aperture and a second insulator second attachment aperture, and the step of affixing the first insulator to the second insulator comprises the steps of: disposing a first D-shell about the first pin portions and across an outer surface of the first insulator, the first D-shell comprising a first D-shell first attachment aperture and a first D-shell second attachment aperture; disposing a second D-shell about the second pin portions and across an outer surface of the second insulator, the second D-shell comprising a second D-shell first attachment aperture and a second D-shell second attachment aperture; affixing a first rivet through the first insulator first attachment aperture, the second insulator first attachment aperture, the first D-shell first attachment aperture and the second D-shell first attachment aperture; and affixing a second rivet through the first insulator second attachment aperture, the second insulator second attachment aperture, the first D-shell second attachment aperture and the second D-shell second attachment aperture.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of preventing unauthorized use of software executable on a computer having a computer I/O port, comprising the steps of: affixing a hardware key to the computer I/O port, the hardware key comprising a circuit board assembly having a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures operatively coupled to a processor for performing software security routines; a plurality of pins disposed through the apertures to provide electrical communication between the computer I/O port and the processor, each pin having a first pin portion adapted for operative coupling with the I/O port, and a second pin portion adapted for operative coupling with a peripheral device; an interrupt pin, having an interrupt pin first portion adapted for operative coupling with the I/O port in a first axis, and an interrupt pin second portion electrically isolated from the interrupt pin first portion and adapted for operative coupling with the peripheral device in the first axis; wherein the second interrupt pin portion is communicatively coupled to the male portion via the processor in accordance with the software security routines; and permitting execution of the software only when indicated by the software security routines.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of preventing unauthorized use of software executable on a computer having a computer I/O port, comprising the steps of: affixing a hardware key to the computer I/O port, the hardware key comprising a circuit board assembly having a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures operatively coupled to a processor for performing software security routines; a plurality of pins disposed through the apertures to provide electrical communication between the computer I/O port and the processor, each pin having a first pin portion adapted for operative coupling with the I/O port, and a second pin portion adapted for operative coupling with a peripheral device; an interrupt pin, having an interrupt pin first portion adapted for operative coupling with the I/O port in a first axis, and an interrupt pin second portion electrically isolated from the interrupt pin first portion and adapted for operative coupling with the peripheral device in the first axis; wherein the second interrupt pin portion is communicatively coupled to the male portion via the processor in accordance with the software security routines; and permitting execution of the software only when indicated by the software security routines.
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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) | 2003-10-03 | 2004-04-03 | 2004-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-03 | 2008-04-03 | 2008-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-03 | 2012-04-03 | 2012-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |