Restricted software and hardware usage on a computer

• US 20060064595A1
• Filed: 11/03/2005
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Feinleib, David A., Moran, Brian K., Kolb, Kurt, Swed, Jacob D., Haroun, Wassef, Kempin, Joachim, Gulledge, Carl L., Stubbs, Edward L.
• Application Number:
  US11/266,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20060064595A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/176
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1063 Personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/121 Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/51 at application loading time, e.g. accepting, rejecting, starting or inhibiting executable software based on integrity or source reliability

Abstract

A client computer runs an operating system that executes additional applications by loading them using an application loader and executes device drivers for peripheral devices by loading the drivers using a device loader. The operating system restricts the functionality of the operating system, such as by making selected portions and functionality of the operating system unavailable to the user or by limiting the user'"'"'s ability to add software applications or device drivers to the computer. Additionally, various techniques can be used to remove or reduce the functionality limitations of the computer

Claims

1. A method comprising:

generating a list of digital signatures corresponding to files including instructions for execution by a processor of a computer; and

making the instructions available for execution by the processor for a limited amount of time by making the list of digital signatures available to the computer for the limited amount of time,

wherein the list of digital signatures comprises a plurality of hash values digitally signed by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) making the list of digital signatures available to the computer.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the making further comprises making the list of digital signatures available to the computer for the limited amount of time based on a receipt of compensation from a consumer using the computer.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the generating comprises generating the list of digital signatures for storage, during the limited amount of time, at a server remote from the computer.

3. One or more computer-readable memories containing a computer program that is executable by a processor to:

generate a list of digital signatures corresponding to files including instructions for execution by a processor of a computer; and

make the instructions available for execution by the processor for a limited amount of time by making the list of digital signatures available to the computer for the limited amount of time,

wherein the list of digital signatures comprises a plurality of hash values digitally signed by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) making the list of digital signatures available to the computer.