Method for providing repeated contact with software end-user using authorized administrator

• US 20020078374A1
• Filed: 11/05/2001
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: z4 Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: z4 Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Colvin, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,792,548 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/121 Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements

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.

Claims

1. A method for providing repeated contact between an authorized software administrator and computer software or a computer software user, the method comprising:

automatically receiving information from the computer software or the computer software user;

transferring information to the computer software or the user; and

repeating the steps of automatically receiving and transferring information.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of repeating is performed after predetermined periods.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on a clock and/or calendar.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on elapsed execution time of the computer software.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on a version number associated with the computer software.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined periods include random periods.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on number of times the computer software is executed.

8. A method for providing repeated contact between an authorized software administrator and computer software or a computer software user, the method comprising:

automatically receiving information from the computer software or receiving information from the computer software user;

transferring software information, software upgrades or marketing information; and

repeating the steps of automatically receiving and transferring.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of repeating comprises repeating the steps of automatically receiving and transferring information at predetermined periods.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on a clock and/or calendar.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on elapsed execution time of the computer software.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on a version number associated with the computer software.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the predetermined periods include random periods.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the predetermined periods include a period based on numb er of times the computer software is executed.