Modified license key entry for pre-installation of software

• US 6,324,649 B1
• Filed: 03/02/1998
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Lee, Michael H., Eyres, Kevin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DIEU MINH T
• Application Number:
  US09/033,257
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 713/202, 713/1, 713/2, 702/119, 702/123, 395/712, 705/58, 705/59, 714/38
• US Class Current: 726/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/121 Restricting unauthorised execution of programs

Abstract

A method and computer system according to the disclosed invention allows the pre-installation of a software application without a license key. The computer system installs a software application and provides a prompt for a license key. The license key is stored in a registry. If the license key is not entered, the computer system installs the software application and installs disabling code. At startup, the code is executed if installed, providing a prompt for a license key. If the proper license key is entered, the computer system stores the key in a registry and uninstalls the disabling code, allowing installation of the software application. If an improper key is entered, the computer system allows the key to be reentered.

Claims

1. A computer system for allowing the pre-installation and operation of a software application without entering a key, the computer system comprising:

a processor;

a mass storage subsystem coupled to the processor;

a data transfer device coupled to the processor;

the data transfer device for outputting the software application to the computer system; and

installation and operating software code residing in a data transfer media, the installation and operating software code, when executed by the processor, performing the steps of;

executing the startup code, further comprising the steps of;

upon execution of the startup code, determining if a key is stored in the registry;

if the key is not stored in the registry, providing a user discernable prompt, the user discernable prompt requesting a key entry;

determining if a proper key has been entered;

the proper key has been entered, storing the key in the registry;

executing the software application, further comprising the steps of;

upon execution of the software application, determining if the key is stored in the registry;

if the key is stored in the registry, continue execution of the program;

if the key is not stored in the registry providing a user discernable prompt;

the user discernable prompts requesting a key entry;

determining if the proper key has been entered;

if the proper key has not been entered, ceasing execution of the software application; and

if the proper key has been entered, storing the key in the registry and continue execution of the program.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the user discernable prompt includes providing a visual user prompt.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the visual user prompt includes providing an indication on a computer screen.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the step of determining if a proper key has been entered includes comparing the key entry with a defined set of proper keys.

5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the step of determining if the proper key has been entered includes comparing the key entry with an algorithmic solution.

6. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the data transfer device is a removable media device.

7. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the data transfer device is a modem;

the modem for receiving software applications.

8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the data transfer device is a CD-ROM drive.

9. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the mass storage subsystem is a hard disk drive.

10. A computer system for allowing the pre-installation and operation of a software application without entering a key, the computer system comprising:

a processor;

a mass storage subsystem coupled to the processor;

a data transfer device coupled to the processor;

the data transfer device for outputting the software application to the computer system; and

a software code residing in a data transfer media, the software code including a startup code and a software application, the software code when executed by the processor adapted to perform the steps at start up of;

determining if the key is stored in a registry;

if the key is not stored in the registry, providing a user discernable prompt, the user discernable prompt requesting a key entry;

determining if the key entry is a proper key; and

if the key entry is the proper key, storing the key entry in the registry;

the software code when executed by the processor adapted to perform the steps during execution of the software application of;

determining if the key entry is stored in the registry;

if the key entry is stored in the registry, continue execution of the software application;

if the key entry is not stored in the registry, providing a user discernable prompt, the user discernable prompts requesting the key entry;

determining if the key entry is the proper key;

if the key entry is not the proper key, ceasing execution of the software application; and

if the key entry is the proper key, storing the key entry in the registry and continue executing the software application.