Broadcast software distribution
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of distributing software encrypted by a software encryption key to a target computer, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a number unique to the target computer;
encrypting the software encryption key using the number unique to the target computer unique number;
transmitting the encrypted software encryption key to the target computer;
communicating a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer; and
broadcasting a message at the communicated timeslot and channel, the message comprising the encrypted software.
4 Assignments
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for broadcasting encrypted software to a target computer enables simultaneous transmission to a plurality of licensed target computers. An encryption key is generated to encrypt a software package. The encryption key is then itself encrypted using a target computer identification code, and the encrypted encryption key is loaded onto the target computer. The encrypted software is broadcast, for example, via satellite, and received at the target computer. The target computer uses its identification code to decrypt the encrypted encryption key (i.e., unlock the encryption key). Once the target computer unlocks the encryption key, it uses the encryption key to decrypt the software to be installed on the target computer.
218 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of distributing software encrypted by a software encryption key to a target computer, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a number unique to the target computer; encrypting the software encryption key using the number unique to the target computer unique number; transmitting the encrypted software encryption key to the target computer; communicating a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer; and broadcasting a message at the communicated timeslot and channel, the message comprising the encrypted software. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for distributing software encrypted by a software encryption key to a target computer, comprising:
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means for receiving a number unique to the target computer; means for encrypting the software encryption key using the number unique to the target computer unique number; means for transmitting the encrypted software encryption key to the target computer; means for communicating a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer; and means for broadcasting a message at the communicated timeslot and channel, the message comprising the encrypted software. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A program storage device, readable by computer, tangibly embodying one or more programs of instructions executable by the computer to perform method steps of distributing software encrypted by a software encryption key to a target computer, the method steps comprising the steps of:
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receiving a number unique to the target computer; encrypting the software encryption key using the number unique to the target computer unique number; transmitting the encrypted software encryption key to the target computer; communicating a timeslot and channel for broadcasting the encrypted software to the target computer; and broadcasting a message at the communicated timeslot and channel, the message comprising the encrypted software. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification