Network lock
First Claim
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1. A method for limiting use of an apparatus such as a computer or a device containing a computer when the apparatus is disconnected from a network, comprising the steps of:
- determining when enablement or re-enablement of the apparatus is to be requested or required;
attempting to contact an enabling or re-enabling host or data center using a network connection; and
if the attempting step fails, disabling at least one capability of the apparatus for subsequent use or changing or modifying the functions the apparatus performs.
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Abstract
A method and system for limiting use of a computer apparatus when the apparatus is disconnected from a network. Under the method and system of the present invention, the computer apparatus will periodically contact a host or data center, via a network, to be updated, backed-up, enabled, re-enabled, disabled, etc. However, if the computer apparatus is being used beyond its predetermined time period or conditions of use, the apparatus can be automatically disabled without having to contact the host or data center via the network.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for limiting use of an apparatus such as a computer or a device containing a computer when the apparatus is disconnected from a network, comprising the steps of:
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determining when enablement or re-enablement of the apparatus is to be requested or required;
attempting to contact an enabling or re-enabling host or data center using a network connection; and
if the attempting step fails, disabling at least one capability of the apparatus for subsequent use or changing or modifying the functions the apparatus performs. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 10)
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2. A method for limiting use of an apparatus such as a computer or device containing a computer when the apparatus is disconnected from a network, comprising the steps of:
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determining when enablement or re-enablement of the apparatus is to be requested or required;
disabling at least one capability of the apparatus for subsequent use;
after said disabling, attempting to contact an enabling or re-enabling host or data center using a network connection; and
if the attempting step succeeds, enabling or re-enabling at least one capability of the apparatus for subsequent use.
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3. A method for limiting use of an apparatus such as a computer or a device containing a computer when the apparatus is disconnected from a network, comprising the steps of:
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receiving at a data center or host a message from an apparatus requesting authorization of use or further use of at least one capability of the computer;
checking records to see if further use of the requesting apparatus should be authorized; and
if the records indicate that further use of the requesting apparatus should be authorized, sending an unlock message over a network connection to authorize further use of the requesting apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 8, 9)
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11. A method for limiting use of a computer apparatus, comprising the steps of:
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determining when enablement of a supplemental capability of the apparatus is required;
attempting to contact an enabling data center using a network connection;
if the attempting step fails, then avoiding enabling the supplemental capability of the apparatus; and
if the attempting step succeeds, then receiving enablement authorization from the data center and enabling the supplemental capability of the apparatus for subsequent use. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification