Method and apparatus for enabling trial period use of software products: method and apparatus for generating a machine-dependent identification

• US 5,757,907 A
• Filed: 04/25/1994
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Pryor, Robert Franklin, Cooper, Thomas Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US08/235,032
• Time in Patent Office: 1,492 Days
• Field of Search: 380/4, 380/9, 380/21, 380/23, 380/25, 380/49, 380/50
• US Class Current: 705/52
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/1063 Personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/126 Interacting with the operating system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for distributing a software object from a source to a user. A software object is encrypted with an encryption operation utilizing a long-lived encryption key. It is directed from the source to the user. It is loaded onto a user-controlled data processing system having a particular configuration. A numerical machine identification is derived based at least in part upon the particular data processing system configuration of the user-controlled data processing system. A temporary key is derived which is based at least in part upon the numerical machine identification and the long-lived encryption key. The long-lived key generator is provided for receiving the temporary key and producing the long-lived encryption key. The user is allowed to utilize the temporary key for a prescribed interval to generate the long-lived encryption key to access the software object.

Claims

1. A method of distributing a software object from a source to a user, comprising the method steps of:

encrypting said software object with an encryption operation utilizing an encryption key;

transmitting said encrypted software object from said source to said user;

loading said encrypted software object onto a user-controlled data processing system having a particular configuration;

generating a numerical machine identification based at least in part upon said particular configuration of said user-controlled data processing system;

generating a temporary key based at least in part upon said numerical machine identification, a prescribed interval, and said encryption key;

sending said temporary key to a key generator;

using said key generator to produce said encryption key; and

entering said temporary key to initiate said prescribed interval to generate said encryption key to access said software object.

2. A method of distributing a software object according to claim 1, where said encrypted software object is recorded onto a computer-accessible memory media and directed from said source to said user.

3. A method of distributing a software object according to claim 2, where said key generator is recorded onto said computer-accessible memory media and directed from said source to said user along with said encrypted software object.

4. A method of distributing a software object according to claim 1, further comprising the method step of:

transmitting a file management program, which Includes said key generator as a component thereof, from said source to said user along with said encrypted software object.

5. A method of distributing a software object according to claim 1, further comprising the method step of:

creating a key file in said user-controlled data processing system for recording at least said temporary key.

6. A method of distributing a software object according to claim 5, further comprising the method step of:

encrypting said key file utilizing at least one unique system attribute as an encryption key.

7. A method of distributing software objects from a producer to a user, comprising the method steps of:

encrypting a software object utilizing a key;

recording said software object onto a computer-accessible memory media;

shipping said computer-accessible memory media from said producer to said user;

loading a file management program into a user-controlled data processing system;

utilizing said file management program to derive a numerical machine identification based upon at least one attribute of said user-controlled data processing system;

reading said computer-accessible memory media with said user-controlled data processing system;

generating a temporary key based at least in part upon said numerical machine identification and a prescribed interval;

utilizing said file management program by executing it with said user-controlled data processing system to restrict access to said software object for said prescribed interval defined by said temporary key; and

utilizing a key generator in said user-controlled data processing system to provide said key in response to receipt of at least said temporary key.

8. A method of distributing software objects according to claim 7, wherein said file management program operates in a plurality of modes of operation when executed by said user-controlled data processing system, including the following modes of operation:

(a) a temporary trial mode of operation, wherein said software object is temporarily enabled by utilizing said temporary key;

(b) a permanent use mode of operation, wherein said software is permanently enabled, allowing unlimited use of said software object by said user.