US6484264B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for providing repeated contact with software end-user using authorized administrator
Assignee: Z4 Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2000-05-18
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Granted: 2002-11-19
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Expires: 2020-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A method for providing repeated contact with computer software or a software user to transfer information which may include advertising, promotional, and/or marketing information includes repeatedly contacting the software manufacturer or third party representative or agent for continued use of the software. The invention provides for automatically obtaining authorization information in addition to marketing, advertising, and/or promotional information prior to expiration of each authorization interval or period. The user and/or software contacts an authorized representative of the software to obtain authorization information which may be downloaded directly to the software or provided to the user for entry. Authorization intervals may vary depending upon the particular application. For example, in one embodiment, the present invention provides authorization information which allows continued use of the software for a period based on value of the software. The value of the software may be based on price or the availability of a subsequent version of the software. Authorization intervals of decreasing length may be supplied for software of increasing value. As the value of the software decreases, for example when one or more subsequent versions are released, the authorization intervals may increase accordingly.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Colvin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06F21/12; G06F21/121; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0207; G06Q30/0241
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for providing repeated contact between an administrator and a user computer, computer software, or a computer software user, the method comprising: automatically receiving information from the computer software by the administrator; transferring a password from the administrator to the user computer, the computer software, or the user to authorize continued use of the computer software such that the computer software is useable without requiring continuous communication between the administrator and the user computer, the computer software, or the user; and repeating the steps of automatically receiving and transferring at predetermined periods without requiring continuous communication between the administrator and the user computer, the computer software, or the user during periods other than the predetermined periods.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for providing repeated contact between an administrator and a user computer, computer software, or a computer software user, the method comprising: automatically receiving information from the computer software by the administrator; transferring a password from the administrator to the user computer, the computer software, or the user to authorize continued use of the computer software such that the computer software is useable without requiring continuous communication between the administrator and the user computer, the computer software, or the user; and repeating the steps of automatically receiving and transferring at predetermined periods without requiring continuous communication between the administrator and the user computer, the computer software, or the user during periods other than the predetermined periods.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transferring a password is performed only after obtaining valid registration information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein obtaining valid registration information comprises comparing registration information with registration information obtained during first use of the computer software.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on a clock and/or calendar.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on elapsed execution time of the computer software.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on a version number associated with the computer software.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined periods include random periods.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on number of times the computer software is executed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for providing repeated contact between an administrator and a user computer, computer software, or a software user, the method comprising: automatically receiving information from the computer software by the administrator; transferring a password from the administrator to the user computer, the computer software, or the user to authorize continued use of the computer software such that the computer software is useable without requiring continuous communication between the administrator and the user computer, the computer software, or the user; transferring software information, software upgrades, marketing, promotional, or advertising information from the administrator to the user computer, the computer software, or the user with the transferred password; and repeating the steps of automatically receiving, transferring a password, and transferring software information, software upgrades, marketing, promotional, or advertising information at specified periods without requiring continuous communication between the administrator and the user computer, the computer software, or the user during periods other than the predetermined periods.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for providing repeated contact between an administrator and a user computer, computer software, or a software user, the method comprising: automatically receiving information from the computer software by the administrator; transferring a password from the administrator to the user computer, the computer software, or the user to authorize continued use of the computer software such that the computer software is useable without requiring continuous communication between the administrator and the user computer, the computer software, or the user; transferring software information, software upgrades, marketing, promotional, or advertising information from the administrator to the user computer, the computer software, or the user with the transferred password; and repeating the steps of automatically receiving, transferring a password, and transferring software information, software upgrades, marketing, promotional, or advertising information at specified periods without requiring continuous communication between the administrator and the user computer, the computer software, or the user during periods other than the predetermined periods.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the step of transferring software information is performed only after obtaining valid registration information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 wherein obtaining valid registration information comprises comparing registration information with registration information obtained during first use of the computer software.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising transferring an authorization code from the administrator to the user computer, the computer software, or the user to authorize continued use of the computer software for an authorization interval.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the authorization interval is equal to one of the specified periods.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the specified periods and/or the authorization interval are based on a new version of the computer software being released such that the authorization interval increases based on a member of subsequently released versions of the computer software.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the specified periods include a period based on a clock and/or calendar.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the specified periods include a period based on elapsed execution time of the computer software.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the specified periods include a period based on a version number associated with the computer software.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the specified periods include random periods.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the specified periods include a period based on number of times the computer software is executed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the specified periods include regular but unequal periods.
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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) | 2005-11-18 | 2006-05-20 | 2006-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-18 | 2010-05-20 | 2010-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-18 | 2014-05-20 | 2014-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |