Information distribution system
First Claim
1. A programmable processor to authorize the use of an informational product stored on a storage medium, the informational product operatable in a plurality of modes by the programmable processor, the operational modes comprising a full-function mode and an evaluation mode, the operational modes of the informational product being stored in the informational product, the informational product initially operating in the evaluation mode, the programmable processor comprising:
- means for determining the operational mode of the informational product each time the informational product is activated;
means for generating a registration code for a user of the informational product when the operational mode of the informational product is determined to be the evaluation mode, the registration code including previous user information;
means for accepting as input an authorization code generated at a second processor as a function of the registration code; and
means for performing a verification function to verify the authorization code, and if the verification is successful, changing the operational mode of the informational product to full-function mode, and thereafter storing the identity of the user in the informational product.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system to control the use of an informational product is disclosed. The informational product is stored on a storage medium and executed by a first processor. The informational product is operatable in a plurality of modes. The system comprises three manufacture modules. The first manufacture module, executed by the first processor, generates a registration code for a user of the informational product, the registration code being a function of the identity of the first processor, the identity of the user and the identity of the informational product. The second manufacture module, executed by the first processor, accepts as input an authorization code, verifies the authorization code and, if the verification is successful, changes the operational mode of the informational product. The second manufacture module also stores a user record in the informational product. The third manufacture module examines the user record each time the informational product is activated. The third module determines the operational mode of the informational product as a function of the operational mode stored in the user record and the identity of the processor on which the third module is executed. The third module returns to the informational product the user record.
348 Citations
43 Claims
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1. A programmable processor to authorize the use of an informational product stored on a storage medium, the informational product operatable in a plurality of modes by the programmable processor, the operational modes comprising a full-function mode and an evaluation mode, the operational modes of the informational product being stored in the informational product, the informational product initially operating in the evaluation mode, the programmable processor comprising:
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means for determining the operational mode of the informational product each time the informational product is activated; means for generating a registration code for a user of the informational product when the operational mode of the informational product is determined to be the evaluation mode, the registration code including previous user information; means for accepting as input an authorization code generated at a second processor as a function of the registration code; and means for performing a verification function to verify the authorization code, and if the verification is successful, changing the operational mode of the informational product to full-function mode, and thereafter storing the identity of the user in the informational product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method to enable a user of a software product to evaluate the software product prior to purchasing the software product, the software product stored on a storage medium and operatable in a plurality of modes by a programmable processor, the operational modes comprising a full-function mode and an evaluation mode, the software product initially operating in the evaluation mode, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining the operational mode of the software product when the software product is executed by the programmable processor; if the operational mode is determined to be the full-function mode, allowing the user to operate all features of the software product; and if the operational mode is determined to be the evaluation mode, (i) enabling the operation of limited features of the software product, (ii) generating a registration code for the user of the software product when requested by the user, (iii) accepting as input an authorization code generated at a second processor, the authorization code being a function of the registration code, (iv) performing a verification procedure to verify the authorization code, and (v) if the verification is successful, changing the operational mode of the software product to the full-function mode and thereafter allowing the user to operate all features of the software product. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method to allow a user of a software product to sample predefined features of the software product prior to purchasing the software product, the software product sorted on a storage medium and operatable in a plurality of modes by a programmable processor, the operational modes comprising a full-function mode and an evaluation mode, the software product initially operating in the evaluation mode, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining the operational mode of the software product when the software product is executed by the programmable processor; and if the operational mode is determined to be the evaluation mode, (i) enabling the operation of limited features of the software product, (ii) generating a registration code when requested by a user, (iii) at a second processor, generating an authorization code being a function of the registration code, (iv) at the second processor, storing a record of the name of the user in a database, (v) accepting as input the authorization code generated at the second processor, (vi) performing a verification procedure to verify the authorization code, and (vii) if the verification is successful, changing the operational mode of the software product to the full-function mode and thereafter allowing operation of all features of the software product. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method to authorize and control the use of an informational product stored on a storage medium, the informational product being executed by a first processor and operatable in a plurality of modes including a full-function mode and an evaluation mode, the method comprising the steps of:
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at the first processor, providing a record that includes the mode of operation of the informational product, the record being stored in the informational product; at the first processor, accessing the record stored in the informational product each time the informational product is activated; at the first processor, ascertaining if the mode of operation of the informational product is the evaluation mode or the full-function mode by examining the record; if the mode of operation of the informational product is the full-function mode, enabling a user to operate all functions of the informational product; and if the mode of operation of the informational product is the evaluation mode, enabling the user to operate a predefined set of functions of the informational product so as to evaluate the informational product and, if requested by the user, (i) generating a registration code at the first processor, (ii) at a second processor, accepting as input the registration code, (iii) at the second processor, allocating a unique user code to the user of the informational product, (iv) at the second processor, generating a unique authorization code, (v) providing the authorization code to the first processor, (vi) at the first processor, accepting the authorization code as input, (vii) at the first processor, determining the validity of the authorization code, and (viii) at the first processor, changing the mode of operation of the informational product from the evaluation mode to the full-function mode if the authorization code is valid. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 38, 39)
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36. A method to authorize the use of a software product stored on a storage medium, the software product being executed by a first processor and operatable in a plurality of modes including an evaluation mode and a full-function mode, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a registration code from a user of the software product when the software product is operating in the evaluation mode, the registration code identifying the software product; receiving user data from the user of the software product; storing the user data in a database; utilizing the registration code to access the database to obtain price information for the software produce; receiving a payment from the user; allocating an identification number to the user; generating an authorization code; communicating the authorization code to the user to enable changing the mode of operation of software product from evaluation mode to full-function mode. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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40. A system to authorize the use of an informational product sorted on a storage medium, the informational product operatable in a plurality of modes including an evaluation mode and a full-function mode, the mode of operation being stored in a record of the informational product, the system comprising:
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a first processor ascertaining if the mode of operation of the informational product is the evaluation mode or the full-function mode by accessing the record stored in the informational product each time the informational product is activated, the record initially set to the evaluation mode, and when the mode of operation of the informational product is ascertained to be the evaluation mode, enabling a user to generate a registration code; and a second processor, accepting as input the registration code, allocating a unique user code to the user of the informational product, and generating a unique authorization code, the authorization code being a function of the registration code; wherein, the first processor, responsive to accepting as input the authorization code and thereafter determining the validity of the authorization code, and if the authorization code is valid, changing the mode of operation of the informational product from the evaluation mode to the full-function mode. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43)
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Specification