Computer software licensing authentication method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of providing a level of authentication for a computer software program sign-on intermediate trust-based licensing and hardware-based protection, using a computer and a display screen having a standard sign-on procedure, comprising the steps of:
- (a) requiring entry of a registration name at the time of initial use of the computer software program which is provided in an Init-File;
(b) providing a freshness interval based upon number of sign-ons or the passage of time as the maximum allowable hiatus between re-authentication sign-ons;
(c) at each invocation of the computer software program determining if an invocation is within the freshness interval;
(d) if the invocation is within the freshness interval, controlling the computer and display screen to provide standard sign-on;
(e) if the invocation is not within the freshness interval, controlling the computer and display screen to provide a re-authentication query on the display screen which requires a response before standard sign-on will be allowed;
(f) if a correct response to the query in step (e) is given, controlling the computer and display screen to provide standard sign-on, and starting a new re-authentication freshness interval so that steps (c)-(e) may be repeated; and
(g) if an incorrect response to the query in step (e) is given, controlling the computer and display screen to provide information about authorized registration.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus provide a level of authentication or a computer software program sign-on that is intermediate trust-based licensing and hardware based protection. Entry of a registration name is required at the time of initial use of the program, and at each invocation of the program the computer determines if the invocation is within the freshness interval (based upon the number of sign-ons, e.g. 30, or the passage of time, e.g. 30 days). If the sign-on is not within the freshness level, the computer and display screen provide a re-authentication inquiry, which may require a response before a standard sign on is allowed. If the re-authentication response is at odds with the initial registration name, standard sign-on may be precluded, and the screen displays a phone/fax number or electronic address to contact for appropriate registration information. The software may be a Shell++ product, and the registration number is provided in an Init-File, a Chalkmark Checksum calculated encoded at initial registration. At each invocation the computer may also be controlled to determine if there is an Init-File in some directory in the current command search path for the software, and if is there is a Chalk-File in the same directory as an Init-File, and if the system'"'"'s file version date for Chalk-File is the same as the date encoded into the Chalkmark Checksum.
161 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing a level of authentication for a computer software program sign-on intermediate trust-based licensing and hardware-based protection, using a computer and a display screen having a standard sign-on procedure, comprising the steps of:
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(a) requiring entry of a registration name at the time of initial use of the computer software program which is provided in an Init-File; (b) providing a freshness interval based upon number of sign-ons or the passage of time as the maximum allowable hiatus between re-authentication sign-ons; (c) at each invocation of the computer software program determining if an invocation is within the freshness interval; (d) if the invocation is within the freshness interval, controlling the computer and display screen to provide standard sign-on; (e) if the invocation is not within the freshness interval, controlling the computer and display screen to provide a re-authentication query on the display screen which requires a response before standard sign-on will be allowed; (f) if a correct response to the query in step (e) is given, controlling the computer and display screen to provide standard sign-on, and starting a new re-authentication freshness interval so that steps (c)-(e) may be repeated; and (g) if an incorrect response to the query in step (e) is given, controlling the computer and display screen to provide information about authorized registration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of providing a level of authentication for a computer software program sign-on intermediate trust-based licensing and hardware-based protection, using a computer and a display screen having a standard sign-on procedure, comprising the steps of:
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(a) requiring entry of a registration name at the time of initial use of the computer software program which is provided in an Init-File; (b) providing a freshness interval based upon number of sign-ons or the passage of time as the maximum allowable hiatus between re-authentication sign-ons; (c) at each invocation of the computer software program determining if an invocation is within the freshness interval; (d) if the invocation is within the freshness interval, controlling the computer and display screen to provide standard sign-on; (e) if the invocation is not within the freshness interval, controlling the computer and display screen to provide a re-authentication query on the display screen which requires a response before standard sign-on will be allowed; (f) if a correct response to the query in step (e) is given, controlling the computer and display screen to provide standard sign-on, and starting a new re-authentication freshness interval so that steps (c)-(e) may be repeated; (g) if an incorrect response to the query in step (e) is given, controlling the computer and display screen to provide information about authorized registration; and wherein there are at least two successive versions of the computer software, and comprising the further step of controlling the computer and display screen to provide a different Checksum for each of the versions to initiate steps (e)-(g) if one of the versions had not be properly registered. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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12. A method of providing a level of authentication for a computer software program sign-on intermediate trust-based licensing and hardware-based protection, using a computer and a display screen having a standard sign-on procedure, comprising the steps of:
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(a) requiring entry of a registration name at the time of initial use of the computer software program which is provided in an Init-File; (b) providing a freshness interval based upon number of sign-ons or the passage of time as the maximum allowable hiatus between re-authentication sign-ons; (c) at each invocation of the computer software program determining if an invocation is within the freshness interval; (d) if the invocation is within the freshness interval, controlling the computer and display screen to provide standard sign-on; (e) if the invocation is not within the freshness interval, controlling the computer and display screen to provide a re-authentication query on the display screen which requires a response before standard sign-on will be allowed; (f) if a correct response to the query in step (e) is given, controlling the computer and display screen to provide standard sign-on; (g) if an incorrect response to the query in step (e) is given, controlling the computer and display screen to provide information about authorized registration; and (h) controlling the computer and display screen so that steps (e)-(g) are disabled for an initial predetermined period of time or sign-on procedures to provide a demonstration period.
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14. A method of providing an authentication procedure for a computer software program sign-on, using a computer and a display screen having a standard sign-on procedure, comprising the steps of:
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(a) requiring entry of a registration name at the time of initial use of the computer software program which is provided in an Init-File; (b) providing a freshness interval based upon number of sign-ons or the passage of time as the maximum allowable hiatus between re-authentication sign-ons; (c) at each invocation of the computer software program determining if an invocation is within the freshness interval; (d) if the invocation is within the freshness interval, controlling the computer and display screen to provide standard sign-on; (e) if the invocation is not within the freshness interval, controlling the computer and display screen to display the name of one or more registered users and inquire as to whether or not sign-on is being practiced by a registered user and to simultaneously provide information about authorized registration and starting a new re-authentication freshness interval so that steps (c) and (d) may be repeated; and (f) after step (e) controlling the computer and the screen to provide standard sign-on. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. Apparatus for providing authentication for a computer software program sign-on, comprising:
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a computer; a display screen connected to and controlled by said computer; means for entering commands into said computer; and means for providing a predetermined task to said computer comprising; means for requiring entry of a registration name at the time of initial use of said computer software program and for storing said registration name in an Init-File; means for providing a freshness interval based upon number of sign-ons or the passage of time as the maximum allowable hiatus between re-authentication sign-ons; means for at each invocation of said computer software program determining if an invocation is within the freshness interval; means for, if the invocation is within the freshness interval, controlling said computer and display screen to provide standard sign-on; means for, if the invocation is not within the freshness interval, controlling said computer and display screen to provide a re-authentication query on said display screen which requires a response before standard sign-on will be allowed; means for, if the correct response to the query is given, controlling said computer and display screen to provide standard sign-on and starting a new re-authentication freshness interval using said means for providing a freshness interval; and means for, if an incorrect response to the query is given, controlling said computer and display screen to provide information about authorized registration. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification