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Method and device for temporarily authorizing the use of a programme protected by an electronic cartridge

  • US 5,898,778 A
  • Filed: 06/27/1996
  • Issued: 04/27/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of authorizing execution of a computer program protected by an electronic cartridge, the cartridge being connected to a computer system which executes the computer program, the cartridge authorizing use of the computer program for a first rental period of a first predetermined limited duration, the method comprising the steps of:

  • scanning the cartridge to ensure that usage of the computer program is authorized, the scanning step being performed in response to an action taken by an operator on a control element of the computer system, the scanning step resulting in the performance of the following stepstriggering a monostable element, the monostable element assuming an active state upon being triggered and thereafter remaining in the active state for a predetermined amount of time before returning to an inactive state,counting units at the rate of a real time clock only while the monostable element is in the active state, the units representing time of usage of the computer program,comparing the counted units with a reference value, the reference value corresponding to the first rental period, andauthorizing continued use of the computer program based on the comparing step; and

    resetting the cartridge from the computer a plurality of times so as to authorize use of the computer program for a plurality of additional rental periods of predetermined limited durations, each resetting step occurring in response to an entry of a password into one of the computer system and the cartridge.

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