Method and system for providing a software license via the telephone
First Claim
1. A method for activating a software product over the telephone after installing the software product on a computer, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting an installation ID over the telephone to a customer service representative, wherein the installation ID is associated with the software product and is encoded in base ten;
receiving a confirmation ID from the customer service representative, wherein the confirmation ID comprises a license to use the software product and is encoded in base ten; and
entering the confirmation ID into the computer, wherein the software product is licensed and activated for use.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for activating a software product over the telephone after installing the software product on a computer is disclosed. A user transmits an installation ID over the telephone to a customer service representative. Typically, the installation ID represents the product ID of the software product being installed and the hardware ID of the user'"'"'s computer. The hardware ID is used to tie the hardware components of the user'"'"'s computer to the installed software product so that the software product may not be copied to another computer (with different hardware components). The installation ID is encoded in base ten and encrypted before being transmitted to the customer service representative. The customer service representative connects with an activation authority, receives a confirmation ID and transmits the confirmation ID over the telephone to the user. The user receives the confirmation ID, inputs the confirmation ID into the computer so that the software product is licensed and activated for use. The confirmation ID is encoded in base ten and comprises the license to use the software product. The confirmation ID may comprise an expiry date for the license so that the software product may be licensed on a subscription basis. The confirmation ID may comprise a signature identifying that the license originates from a valid source and has not been tampered with.
99 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for activating a software product over the telephone after installing the software product on a computer, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting an installation ID over the telephone to a customer service representative, wherein the installation ID is associated with the software product and is encoded in base ten;
receiving a confirmation ID from the customer service representative, wherein the confirmation ID comprises a license to use the software product and is encoded in base ten; and
entering the confirmation ID into the computer, wherein the software product is licensed and activated for use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An installation ID for use with an activation system for activating a software product installed on a computer and installing a license for the software product on the computer, wherein the installation ID comprises:
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a product ID associated with the software product;
a hardware ID associated with a plurality of hardware components of the computer; and
wherein the installation ID is encoded in base 10 and encrypted. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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14. A confirmation ID for use with an activation system for activating a software product installed on a computer and installing a license for the software product on the computer, wherein the confirmation ID comprises:
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a license associated with the software product, wherein the installation ID is encoded in base 10 and encrypted.
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Specification