Computer architecture with automatic disabling of hardware/software features using satellite positioning data
First Claim
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1. A computer system, comprising:
- a microprocessor operatively connected to detect inputs from an input device;
a memory which is connected to be read/write accessible by said microprocessor;
input/output circuitry operatively connected to said microprocessor; and
a wireless locator device which comprises a receiver receptive to at least one worldwide positioning systems, and which is operatively connected to communicate current location information to at least one component of said system;
wherein said computer system is programmed to selectively disable at least one operational feature thereof, based upon said current location information wherein said computer system is programmed to apply a spatial margin of error to said location data, to avoid any possible errors when the computer is in close proximity to a country'"'"'s border, before enabling said operational feature.
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Abstract
A method and system for enabling/disabling automatic encryption engines/algorithms using the Global Positioning System for country/locale verification and compliance with federal encryption export statutes.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A computer system, comprising:
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a microprocessor operatively connected to detect inputs from an input device;
a memory which is connected to be read/write accessible by said microprocessor;
input/output circuitry operatively connected to said microprocessor; anda wireless locator device which comprises a receiver receptive to at least one worldwide positioning systems, and which is operatively connected to communicate current location information to at least one component of said system; wherein said computer system is programmed to selectively disable at least one operational feature thereof, based upon said current location information wherein said computer system is programmed to apply a spatial margin of error to said location data, to avoid any possible errors when the computer is in close proximity to a country'"'"'s border, before enabling said operational feature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer system, comprising:
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a microprocessor operatively connected to detect inputs from an input device;
a memory which is connected to be read/write accessible by said microprocessor;
input/output circuitry operatively connected to said microprocessor; anda wireless locator device which comprises a receiver receptive to at least one worldwide positioning system, and which is operatively connected to communicate current location information to at least one component of said system; wherein said computer system is programmed to selectively enable execution of at least one cryptographic algorithm based upon said current location information wherein said microprocessor is programmed to apply a spatial margin of error to said location data, to avoid any possible error when the computer is in close proximity to a country'"'"'s border, before enabling said execution. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer system, comprising:
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one or more microprocessors operatively connected to detect inputs from an input device;
a memory which is connected to be read/write accessible by said microprocessors;
input/output circuitry operatively connected to said microprocessors; anda wireless locator device which comprises a receiver receptive to at least one worldwide positioning system, and which is operatively connected to communicate current location information to at least one component of said system; wherein said microprocessors collectively have a maximum performance of more than a first value based upon a computer performance standard, and are selectively limited to a lower mode of performance less than said first value, based on said current location information wherein said microprocessor is programed to apply a spatial margin of error to said location data, to avoid any possible error when the computer is in close proximity to a country'"'"'s border. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of selectively disabling a feature of a computer, comprising the steps of:
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(a.) receiving location data from a locator device; and (b.) authorizing or not authorizing operation of said feature, based upon said location data; wherein said locator device is integral with and internal to the computer, and connected so that the computer becomes inoperative if said locator device is removed wherein said authorizing step applies a spatial margin of error to said location data, to avoid any possible errors when the computer is in close proximity to a country'"'"'s border. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of operating a computer, comprising the steps of:
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(a.) receiving location data from a locator device; and (b.) depending on said location data, conditionally limiting the maximum performance of a computer to less than a first value which is defined by a computer performance standard, wherein said conditional limiting step applies a spatial margin of error to said location data, to avoid any possible errors when the computer is in close proximity to a country'"'"'s border. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification