System and method for authorizing software use
First Claim
1. A method for authorizing use of a software package distributed to a user, the method comprising:
- issuing the user a smart card granting access to the software package; and
granting the user access rights to the software package by authenticating the smart card, wherein the smart card includes at least one software module missing from the software package and a list of allowed software functionality.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A software vendor freely distributes software to users and issues smart cards to be used with the software. The smart card includes at least one software module missing from the software package and a list of allowed functionality dictating the capabilities of the software package. A user authenticates, using, e.g., public key cryptography, the smart card, which authorizes the use of the software. Once authorized, the module missing from the software is reunited with the rest of the software package. The software can be used limited to the allowed functionality included with the card. If more or different functionality is needed, the user can purchase another card authorizing such additional functionality, and then transfer the new functionality to the old smart card.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method for authorizing use of a software package distributed to a user, the method comprising:
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issuing the user a smart card granting access to the software package; and
granting the user access rights to the software package by authenticating the smart card, wherein the smart card includes at least one software module missing from the software package and a list of allowed software functionality. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for authorizing use of a software package, comprising:
a smart card having at least one software module missing from the software package and a list of allowed software functionality, wherein a user is granted access rights to the software package by authenticating the smart card. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A smart card for authorizing use of a software package, comprising:
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at least one software module missing from the software package; and
a list of allowed software functionality, wherein a user is granted access rights to the software package by authenticating the smart card. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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Specification