US6502195B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer readable storage medium for providing repeated contact with software end-user
Assignee: Z4 Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2000-05-18
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Granted: 2002-12-31
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Expires: 2020-05-18
Abstract
Abstract A computer readable storage medium for providing repeated contact with computer software or a software user to transfer information which may include advertising, promotional, 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 19:31
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: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer to provide repeated contact with a user computer, computer software, or a software user, the computer readable storage medium comprising: instructions for automatically attempting to contact an administrator; instructions for receiving a password from the administrator 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 software user; and instructions for repeating the steps of automatically contacting and receiving a password.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer to provide repeated contact with a user computer, computer software, or a software user, the computer readable storage medium comprising: instructions for automatically attempting to contact an administrator; instructions for receiving a password from the administrator 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 software user; and instructions for repeating the steps of automatically contacting and receiving a password.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 1 wherein the instructions for receiving a password are operative only after obtaining valid registration information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 2 further comprising instructions for comparing registration information with registration information obtained during first use of the computer software.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 1 wherein the instructions for repeating include instructions for repeating at predetermined periods.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 4 wherein the instructions for repeating at predetermined periods include instructions for repeating at a period based on a clock and/or calendar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 4 wherein the instructions for repeating at predetermined periods include instructions for repeating at a period based on elapsed execution time of the computer software.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 4 wherein the instructions for repeating at predetermined periods include instructions for repeating at a period based on a version number associated with the computer software.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 4 wherein the instructions for repeating at predetermined periods include instructions for repeating at random periods.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 4 wherein the instructions for repeating at predetermined periods include instructions for repeating at a period based on number of times the computer software is executed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer to provide repeated contact with a user computer, computer software, or a software user, the computer readable storage medium comprising: instructions for automatically attempting to contact an administrator; instructions for receiving a password from the administrator 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 software user; instructions for receiving software information, software upgrades, marketing, promotional, or advertising information from the administrator; and instructions for repeating the steps of automatically attempting to contact and receiving software information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
113 words
A computer readable storage medium having stored data representing instructions executable by a computer to provide repeated contact with a user computer, computer software, or a software user, the computer readable storage medium comprising: instructions for automatically attempting to contact an administrator; instructions for receiving a password from the administrator 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 software user; instructions for receiving software information, software upgrades, marketing, promotional, or advertising information from the administrator; and instructions for repeating the steps of automatically attempting to contact and receiving software information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 10 wherein the instructions for receiving software information are operative only after obtaining valid registration information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 11 further comprising instructions for comparing registration information with registration information obtained during first use of the computer software to determine if the registration information is valid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 10 wherein the instructions for repeating include instructions for repeating at predetermined periods.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 further comprising instructions for transferring an authorization code to authorize continued use of the computer software for an authorization interval.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein the authorization interval is equal to one of the predetermined periods.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 14 wherein the predetermined period and/or the authorization interval is based on a new version of the computer software being released such that the authorization interval increases based on a number of subsequently released versions of the computer software.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 wherein the instructions for repeating at predetermined periods include instructions for repeating at a period based on a clock and/or calendar.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 wherein the instructions for repeating at predetermined periods include instructions for repeating at a period based on elapsed execution time of the computer software.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 wherein the instructions for repeating at predetermined periods include instructions for repeating at a period based on a version number associated with the computer software.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 wherein the instructions for repeating at predetermined periods include instructions for repeating at random periods.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 wherein the instructions for repeating at predetermined periods include instructions for repeating at a period based on number of times the computer software is executed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 13 wherein the instructions for repeating at predetermined periods include instructions for repeating at 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) | 2005-12-30 | 2006-07-01 | 2006-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-30 | 2010-07-01 | 2010-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-30 | 2014-07-01 | 2014-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |