Patent US6785805B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6151707A
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US
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System and method for product registration
Assignee: REMEDY ACQUISITION Corp A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE
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Filing: 1997-11-20
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Granted: 2000-11-21
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Expires: 2017-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A method for registering a software program and performing post-registration activities includes initiating a registration session for the software program; identifying a matching software program; selecting registration information stored in a memory, the selected registration information provided by a user during a previous registration session for the matching software program; and proceeding with the registration session based on the selected registration information. In another embodiment, the method includes determining a current registration status of the software program based on a current date, a reference date, and a configurable post-registration activity period; and conducting the post-registration activity based on the status of the software program.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Hecksel
- 👤 Russel A. Duderstadt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 06:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/60; G06F8/61; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for registering a software program, comprising: initiating a registration session for the software program; searching a memory for a matching software program comprising a previously registered software program having at least one attribute that matches an attribute of the software program; adding the matching software program to a list of matching software programs; selecting the most recently accessed matching software program from the list of matching software programs; retrieving selected registration information associated with the selected matching software program and provided by a user during a previous registration session for the selected matching software program; and proceeding with the registration session based on the selected registration information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for registering a software program, comprising: initiating a registration session for the software program; searching a memory for a matching software program comprising a previously registered software program having at least one attribute that matches an attribute of the software program; adding the matching software program to a list of matching software programs; selecting the most recently accessed matching software program from the list of matching software programs; retrieving selected registration information associated with the selected matching software program and provided by a user during a previous registration session for the selected matching software program; and proceeding with the registration session based on the selected registration information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the matching program comprises identifying a previously registered software program associated with registration information presented in the registration session.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the matching program comprises: determining a user, a national language, or the name of a publisher of the software program; and identifying a previously registered software program having a user, a national language, or a publisher matching the user, national language, or publisher of the software program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the most recently accessed matching software program comprises: determining a current date; determining a last-accessed date of each matching software program; comparing the current date to the last-accessed date of each matching software program; and selecting the matching software program having a last-accessed date closest to the current date.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, wherein proceeding with the registration session comprises: populating a registration data field with the selected registration information; and presenting the populated registration data field to a user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein proceeding with the registration session comprises: receiving current registration information from a user; and updating the registration information associated with the matching software program with the current registration information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein proceeding with the registration session comprises: receiving current registration information associated with the software program; and establishing a unique identifier for the current registration information associated with the software program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating registration information associated with the software program to a remote device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating registration information associated with the software program during a subsequent registration session for another software program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring usage statistics associated with the software program; and collecting the usage statistics during the registration session.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
67 words
A system for registering a software program, comprising: a memory operable to store registration information provided by a user during a previous registration session for a most recently accessed matching software program; a user interface operable to receive input from a user; and a processor operable to retrieve the registration information associated with the matching software program for use in a registration session for a software program.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
67 words
A system for registering a software program, comprising: a memory operable to store registration information provided by a user during a previous registration session for a most recently accessed matching software program; a user interface operable to receive input from a user; and a processor operable to retrieve the registration information associated with the matching software program for use in a registration session for a software program.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the memory comprises a plurality of configuration files capable of being indexed according to at least one attribute of the matching software program.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 11, wherein the memory comprises a plurality of configuration files capable of being indexed according to a user, a national language, or a publisher associated with the matching software program.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 11, further comprising a usage monitor operable to gather usage statistics related to the software program.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 11, further comprising a communication link operable to communicate information associated with the registration session to a remote site.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer readable media having a software program operable to execute the following steps on a processor of a computer: initiating a registration session for a software program; searching a memory for a matching software program comprising a previously registered software program having at least one attribute that matches an attribute of the software program; adding the matching software program to a list of matching software programs; selecting a most recently accessed matching software program from the list of matching software programs; retrieving selected registration information associated with the selected matching software program and provided by a user during a previous registration session for the selected matching software program; and proceeding with the registration session based on the selected registration information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
121 words
A computer readable media having a software program operable to execute the following steps on a processor of a computer: initiating a registration session for a software program; searching a memory for a matching software program comprising a previously registered software program having at least one attribute that matches an attribute of the software program; adding the matching software program to a list of matching software programs; selecting a most recently accessed matching software program from the list of matching software programs; retrieving selected registration information associated with the selected matching software program and provided by a user during a previous registration session for the selected matching software program; and proceeding with the registration session based on the selected registration information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer readable media of claim 16 wherein identifying the matching program comprises identifying a previously registered software program associated with registration information presented in the registration session.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer readable media of claim 16, wherein identifying the matching program comprises: determining a user, a national language, or a publisher associated with the software program; and identifying a previously registered software program having a user, a national language, or a publisher matching the user, national language, or publisher associated with the software program.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
The computer readable media of claim 16, wherein selecting the most recently accessed matching software program comprises: determining a current date; determining a last-accessed date of each matching software program; comparing the current date to the last-accessed date of each matching software program; and selecting the matching software program having a last-accessed date closest to the current date.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer readable media of claim 16, wherein proceeding with the registration session comprises: populating a registration data field with the selected registration information; and presenting the populated registration data field to a user.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer readable media of claim 16, wherein proceeding with the registration session comprises: receiving current registration information from a user; and updating the registration information associated with the matching software program with the current registration information.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer readable media of claim 16, wherein proceeding with the registration session comprises: receiving current registration information associated with the software program; and establishing a unique identifier for the current registration information associated with the software program.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer readable media of claim 16, further comprising communicating registration information associated with the software program to a remote device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable media of claim 16, further comprising communicating registration information associated with the software program during a subsequent registration session for another software program.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer readable media of claim 16, further comprising: monitoring usage statistics associated with software program; and collecting the usage statistics during the registration session.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for performing a post-registration activity associated with a software program, comprising: accessing a memory comprising a reference date and at least one configurable post-registration activity period; for each configurable post-registration activity period, generating an activity date comprising the reference date plus the configurable post-registration activity period; comparing the current date to at least one activity date to determine a current activity date; and conducting a post-registration activity based on the determined current activity date.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for performing a post-registration activity associated with a software program, comprising: accessing a memory comprising a reference date and at least one configurable post-registration activity period; for each configurable post-registration activity period, generating an activity date comprising the reference date plus the configurable post-registration activity period; comparing the current date to at least one activity date to determine a current activity date; and conducting a post-registration activity based on the determined current activity date.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the reference date comprises an installation date of the software program.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 26, wherein comparing the current activity date to at least one activity date further comprises identifying a current activity date having an activity date immediately preceding the first activity date occurring after the current date.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 26, further comprising: identifying a current post-registration activity period associated with the current activity date; and accessing the memory to retrieve a registration status associated with the current post-registration activity period.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the post-registration activity comprises registering the software program.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 30, wherein registering the software program comprises: accessing a memory comprising registration information relating to a previously registered software program; presenting the user with a plurality of registration data fields; and populating the data fields with registration information associated with the previously registered software program.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 26, wherein conducting a post-registration activity comprises: presenting the user with a configurable survey question associated with the current activity date; and receiving a response to the configurable survey question.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 26, wherein conducting post-registration activity comprises: accessing a memory comprising registration information associated with the software program; and updating registration information associated with a previously registered program.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 26, wherein conducting a post-registration activity comprises: determining that a registration status of the software program is deferred; accessing a memory comprising registration information associated with the software program; establishing a communication link with a remote device; and transmitting the information associated with the software program to the remote device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 26, wherein conducting a post-registration activity comprises: gathering usage statistics associated with the software program; establishing a communication link with a remote device; and communicating the usage statistics associated with the software program to the remote device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 26, further comprising: establishing a communication link with a remote device; transmitting information received during the session to the remote device.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for performing post-registration activities, comprising: a memory comprising: a reference date associated with a software program; a configurable post-registration activity period associated with the software program; and registration information relating to at least one previously registered software program; and a processor operable to access the memory to determine a current registration status of the software program, the current registration status based on a relationship between the reference date, a current date, and the configurable post-registration activity period, the processor further operable to conduct a session based on the current registration status of the software, the processor further operable to access the memory in response to a current registration of the software program to retrieve selected registration information relating to a selected previously registered software program, and to utilize the selected registration information in the current registration of the software program.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
142 words
A system for performing post-registration activities, comprising: a memory comprising: a reference date associated with a software program; a configurable post-registration activity period associated with the software program; and registration information relating to at least one previously registered software program; and a processor operable to access the memory to determine a current registration status of the software program, the current registration status based on a relationship between the reference date, a current date, and the configurable post-registration activity period, the processor further operable to conduct a session based on the current registration status of the software, the processor further operable to access the memory in response to a current registration of the software program to retrieve selected registration information relating to a selected previously registered software program, and to utilize the selected registration information in the current registration of the software program.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 37, wherein the selected registration information comprises information selected from a group consisting of information personal to the user and the user's previous responses to survey questions.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
85 words
A computer readable media having a software program operable to execute the following steps on a processor of a computer: initiating a session; accessing a memory comprising a reference date and at least one configurable post-registration activity period; for each configurable post-registration activity period, generating an activity date comprising the reference date plus the configurable post-registration activity period; comparing the current date to at least one activity date to determine a current activity date; and conducting a session based on the determined current activity date.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
85 words
A computer readable media having a software program operable to execute the following steps on a processor of a computer: initiating a session; accessing a memory comprising a reference date and at least one configurable post-registration activity period; for each configurable post-registration activity period, generating an activity date comprising the reference date plus the configurable post-registration activity period; comparing the current date to at least one activity date to determine a current activity date; and conducting a session based on the determined current activity date.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer readable media of claim 39, wherein the reference date comprises an installation date of the software program.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer readable media of claim 39, wherein the current activity date comprises: an activity date immediately preceding the first activity date occurring after the current date.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer readable media of claim 39, further comprising: identifying a current post-registration activity period comprising the configurable post-registration activity period associated with the current activity date; and accessing the memory based on the current post-registration activity period to determine a current registration status the current registration status comprising the registration status associated with the current post-registration activity period.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer readable media of claim 42, wherein determining the registration status and conducting a session comprise: determining that the registration status of the identified software is unregistered; and conducting a registration session to register the software program.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
58 words
The computer readable media of claim 43, wherein conducting a registration session to register the software program comprises: accessing a memory comprising registration information relating to at least one previously registered software program; presenting the user with a plurality of registration data fields; and populating the data fields with registration information associated with the previously registered software program.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
60 words
The computer readable media of claim 43, wherein determining the registration status and conducting a session comprise: determining that the registration status of the software program is deferred; accessing a memory comprising registration information associated with the software program; establishing a communication link with a remote device; and transmitting the information associated with the software program to the remote device.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable media of claim 39, wherein conducting a session comprises: presenting the user with a configurable survey question associated with the current activity date.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer readable media of claim 39, wherein conducting a session comprises: accessing a memory comprising registration information associated with the software program; and updating the registration information associated with the software program.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer readable media of claim 47, further comprising updating registration information associated with a previously registered program.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer readable media of claim 39, wherein conducting a session comprises: gathering usage statistics associated with the software program; establishing a communication link with a remote device; and communicating the usage statistics associated with the software program to the remote device.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer readable media of claim 39, further comprising: establishing a communication link with a remote device; transmitting information received during the session to the remote device.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for performing post-registration activities, comprising: a memory comprising: a reference date associated with a software program; a configurable post-registration activity period associated with the software program; a chronology table comprising an activity date corresponding to each configurable post-registration activity period comprising the reference date plus one of the configurable post-registration activity periods; and a current activity date determined by comparing a current date to at least one activity date; and a processor operable to access the memory to determine the current activity date and to conduct a post-registration activity based on the determined current activity date.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
98 words
A system for performing post-registration activities, comprising: a memory comprising: a reference date associated with a software program; a configurable post-registration activity period associated with the software program; a chronology table comprising an activity date corresponding to each configurable post-registration activity period comprising the reference date plus one of the configurable post-registration activity periods; and a current activity date determined by comparing a current date to at least one activity date; and a processor operable to access the memory to determine the current activity date and to conduct a post-registration activity based on the determined current activity date.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the reference date comprises an installation date of the software program.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the current activity date comprises: the activity date immediately preceding the first activity date occurring after the current date.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 51, further comprising: a usage monitor operable to gather usage statistics related to the software program; and wherein the memory comprises usage statistics related to the software program.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the memory comprises at least one configurable survey question associated with the current activity date.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 51, further comprising a communication link operable to couple the processor to a remote device.
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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) | 2003-11-21 | 2004-05-22 | 2004-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-21 | 2008-05-22 | 2008-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-05-22 | 2012-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |