System and method for platform activation
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- in a portable data device, checking a wireless network card for a stored platform discrimination indication; and
depending on the value of the platform discrimination indication, inhibiting or allowing data transfer using the wireless network card.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A platform discrimination indication register is stored in a wireless network card. This register holds a platform discrimination indication that indicates whether the wireless network card can be used to transfer data with notebook computers or whether the wireless network card is restricted to transferring data from a personal digital assistant or defined set of restricted devices. The platform discrimination indication can be upgraded using a key value obtained from an Internet site. This key value is limited to a specific wireless network card because of the use of a unique electronic I.D. An Internet site encrypts the electronic I.D. to produce the first key, such as a platform activation key (PAK). This first key is then decrypted at the personal data device in order to obtain a unique calculated I.D. value. If the calculated I.D. value matches the electronic I.D. value on the wireless network card, then the platform discrimination indication is altered (upgraded), allowing the operation of the wireless network card with notebook computers.
14 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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in a portable data device, checking a wireless network card for a stored platform discrimination indication; and
depending on the value of the platform discrimination indication, inhibiting or allowing data transfer using the wireless network card. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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at a first device, using an input electronic ID of a wireless network card to determine a first key value;
at a portable data device not the first device, using the first key value to calculate a calculated ID value; and
at the portable data device, comparing the calculated ID value to the electronic ID of the wireless network card so that if the calculated ID value matches the electronic ID of the wireless network card data transmissions from the portable data device through the wireless network card are enabled. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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- 22. A wireless network card for use with portable data devices, the wireless network card including a stored platform discrimination indication, the value of the platform discrimination indication determining whether the wireless network card can be used with a given type of portable data device, one value of the platform discrimination indication allowing the wireless network card to be used with a restricted set of portable data devices, another value of the platform discrimination indication allowing the use of the wireless network card with an expanded set of portable data devices, the expanded set of portable data devices including the restricted set of portable data devices as well as additional portable data devices not included in the restricted set of portable data devices.
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27. A wireless network card software driver for a portable data device, the wireless network card software driver adapted to implement the steps of:
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checking wireless network card for platform discrimination indication;
using platform discrimination indication to determine whether to enable data transfer using the wireless network card;
if data transfer not enabled, prompting user for key value;
using key value to determine a calculated ID value;
comparing the calculated ID value with ID value obtained from wireless network card;
if calculated ID value matches ID value obtained from wireless network card, modifying platform discrimination indication in wireless network card to enable data transfer using the wireless network card.
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Specification