COPY PROTECTION FOR DATABASE UPDATES TRANSMITTED VIA THE INTERNET
First Claim
1. A method for preventing unauthorized use of software transmitted over a communication link, the method comprising the steps:
- (a) providing an electronic unit with a unique software key;
(b) encrypting the software to be transmitted as a function of said unique software key; and
(c) transmitting the encrypted software over said communication link. (d) providing an upload program which only allows for uploading of said software into an electronic unit with a matching software key.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for transmitting a database or other software over a communication link, such as the Internet, which prevents unauthorized use. In order to prevent such unauthorized use, the customer'"'"'s equipment, such as a GPS unit, is provided with a unique software key. The updated database is ordered over the communication link by providing the unique software key and may include electronic payment information. The database is encrypted, for example, as a function of the unique software key and transmitted over the communication link in encrypted form along with an upload program. The upload program only allows the encrypted database to be uploaded into a unit with a matching software key. As such, the system allows updated databases to be transmitted rather quickly and easily over a communication link while preventing unauthorized use.
41 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for preventing unauthorized use of software transmitted over a communication link, the method comprising the steps:
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(a) providing an electronic unit with a unique software key;
(b) encrypting the software to be transmitted as a function of said unique software key; and
(c) transmitting the encrypted software over said communication link. (d) providing an upload program which only allows for uploading of said software into an electronic unit with a matching software key. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for preventing unauthorized use of software transmitted over a communication link, the system comprising:
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an electronic unit with a software key;
means for encrypting software as a function of said software key defining encrypted software;
means for transmitting said encrypted software over a communication link; and
means for uploading said encrypted software into an electronic unit with a matching software key. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification