Software rental system and method
First Claim
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1. A software rental system for controlling the use of rented software on a computer, the system comprising:
- control means for storing access control parameters, said control means being adapted to obtain and periodically update said access control parameters from a server over a network according to user payment parameters at said server, for each of a plurality of software programs;
wherein said control means is adapted to interact with each said software program to control each said software program in accordance with respective said access control parameters.
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Abstract
A software rental system is described for controlling the use of rented software on a user'"'"'s computer. On the user'"'"'s computer a control module uses stored access control parameters obtained from a server over a network to control software programs. The access control parameters are obtained and periodically updated from the server.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A software rental system for controlling the use of rented software on a computer, the system comprising:
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control means for storing access control parameters, said control means being adapted to obtain and periodically update said access control parameters from a server over a network according to user payment parameters at said server, for each of a plurality of software programs; wherein said control means is adapted to interact with each said software program to control each said software program in accordance with respective said access control parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A software rental method for controlling the use of rented software on a computer, the method comprising:
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obtain and periodically update access control parameters from a server over a network according to user payment parameters at said server, for each of a plurality of software programs; and interacting with each said software program to control each said software program in accordance with respective said access control parameters. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31)
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28. A software rental system for allowing a user to rent software for use on a computer, the system comprising:
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selection means for selecting a plurality of software programs for rental from a library of software programs; software storage means for storing said software programs; input means for inputting user payment information for said selected software programs; parameter storage means for storing said user payment information as user payment parameters; communication means for communicating with a user'"'"'s computer to transmit said selected software programs and said user payment parameters to said user'"'"'s computer for the control of said selected software programs. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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32. A software rental method for allowing a user to rent software for use on a computer, the method comprising:
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receiving a user selection of a plurality software programs for rental from a library of software programs; receiving a user input user payment information for said selected software programs; storing said user payment information as user payment parameters; communicating with a user'"'"'s computer to transmit said selected software programs and said user payment parameters to said user'"'"'s computer for the control of said selected software applications. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of renting software comprising:
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receiving a rental request; providing software to a user; receiving regular payments for the rented software; and if payment is not received at any regular point in time, deactivating said provided software. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A method of renting software comprising:
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receiving a rental request; providing software to a user; monitoring use of said software; comparing use of said software with said rental request; and if the monitored use exceeds said rental request, deactivating said software. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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Specification