US6314408B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling access to a product
Assignee: Open Text Corp
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Filing: 1998-07-15
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Granted: 2001-11-06
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Expires: 2018-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A method for controlling access to a product includes receiving a request for a product, generating a license string for the product, and transmitting that license string to a user of the product. The license string is generated substantially at the time a request is received. A corresponding system is also described. In some embodiments the product functions for a trial period before requiring input of the license string. License strings may be generated that extend the trial period.
Inventors
- 👤 Pito Salas
- 👤 Jeffrey Beir
- 👤 Melissa Leffler
- 👤 McDonald Glenn
- 👤 Paul Kleppner
- 👤 Craig Morrissey
- 👤 James E. Tonra, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/958
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for controlling access to a product, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a request for a product; (b) generating, substantially at the time the request is received, a license string that controls access to the product, the license string being formed using a cryptographic process to encode a date of creation of the license string, a number of users enabled by the license string, and a type associated with the license string; and (c) transmitting the license string to a requestor of the product.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for controlling access to a product, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a request for a product; (b) generating, substantially at the time the request is received, a license string that controls access to the product, the license string being formed using a cryptographic process to encode a date of creation of the license string, a number of users enabled by the license string, and a type associated with the license string; and (c) transmitting the license string to a requestor of the product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises receiving the request via a distributed communications network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises receiving payment information from the requestor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of verifying the received payment information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the cryptographic process encodes a character text string and wherein the license string controls access to the product when supplied by the requestor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the cryptographic process encodes the license string as an upper case alphanumeric string, the alphanumeric string excluding capital O, capital I, and numbers 0 and 1, and wherein the license string controls access to the product when supplied by the requestor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises including validation information in the generated license string.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the license string controls access to a single facility.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the license string controls access to multiple facilities.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises transmitting the license string to the requestor via a distributed communications network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the product functions for only a predetermined period of time if the license string is not entered into the product.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the license string enables the product to function beyond a predetermined period of time.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for controlling access to a product, the system comprising: an input unit receiving a request for a product; a license string generator in electrical communication with said input unit, said license string generator producing, substantially at the time a request is received, a license string that controls access to said product, said license string being formed using a cryptographic process to encode a date of creation of said license string, a number of users enabled by said license string, and a type associated with said license string; and an output unit transmitting said license string to a requestor of said product.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
103 words
A system for controlling access to a product, the system comprising: an input unit receiving a request for a product; a license string generator in electrical communication with said input unit, said license string generator producing, substantially at the time a request is received, a license string that controls access to said product, said license string being formed using a cryptographic process to encode a date of creation of said license string, a number of users enabled by said license string, and a type associated with said license string; and an output unit transmitting said license string to a requestor of said product.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said input unit is in electrical communication with a network and said input unit receives said request for said product via said network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said license string controls access to a single facility.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said license string controls access to multiple facilities.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said output unit is in electrical communication with a network and said output unit transmits said product and said license string to said requestor via said network.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article of manufacture having computer-readable program means embodied thereon, the computer-readable program means comprising the system of claim 13 .
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
106 words
An article of manufacture having computer-readable program means for electronically distributing a product, the computer-readable program means comprising: computer-readable program means for receiving a request for a product; computer-readable program means for generating a license string that enables the product, the license string being formed using a cryptographic process to encode a date of creation of the license string, a number of users enabled by the license string, and a type associated with the license string; computer-readable program means for associating the license string with the product; and computer-readable program means for transmitting the product and the associated license string to a requestor of the product.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
106 words
An article of manufacture having computer-readable program means for electronically distributing a product, the computer-readable program means comprising: computer-readable program means for receiving a request for a product; computer-readable program means for generating a license string that enables the product, the license string being formed using a cryptographic process to encode a date of creation of the license string, a number of users enabled by the license string, and a type associated with the license string; computer-readable program means for associating the license string with the product; and computer-readable program means for transmitting the product and the associated license string to a requestor of the product.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of manufacture of claim 19 further comprising computer-readable program means for receiving payment information from the requestor.
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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) | 2004-11-05 | 2005-05-07 | 2005-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-05 | 2009-05-07 | 2009-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-05 | 2013-05-07 | 2013-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |