Method and system to grant access to software options resident on a medical imaging device
First Claim
1. A method to remotely permit user enablement of software options resident on a medical imaging device, the method comprising the steps of:
- (A) prompt a user to input a request and I.D. data into a data entry module remote from and communicatively coupled with a remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device, the request and I.D. data including a user identifier, a system identifier, a stand-alone device identifier, and a non-enabled option identifier;
(B) receiving, at a centralized facility, the request and I.D. data from the user, via the data entry module remote from and communicatively coupled with a remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device, wherein the request and I.D. data seek access to the non-enabled option resident on the device;
(C) generating an electronic licensing contract;
(D) prompt the user to either accept or decline the licensing contract;
(E) if the user accepts the licensing contract, generating an electronic enabler configured to enable the non-enabled option;
(F) transmitting the electronic enabler to the user via the data entry module; and
(G) providing instructions to the user via the data entry module to install the electronic enabler in the remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device to activate the option on the remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device, upon user-input of the enabler on the data entry module or the stand-alone medical imaging device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided that remotely grants limited access and permits use of resident software options in accordance with terms consistent with an access grant. The invention includes receiving an access request from a user to access a software option resident in memory of a device, determining whether to grant access in response to the request, and generating an electronic enabler in response to the access request that is transmitted from a centralized facility to a user of the remote device. The electronic enabler is configured to be input into the device whereupon activation of the option is achieved in accordance with terms of the access grant.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method to remotely permit user enablement of software options resident on a medical imaging device, the method comprising the steps of:
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(A) prompt a user to input a request and I.D. data into a data entry module remote from and communicatively coupled with a remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device, the request and I.D. data including a user identifier, a system identifier, a stand-alone device identifier, and a non-enabled option identifier; (B) receiving, at a centralized facility, the request and I.D. data from the user, via the data entry module remote from and communicatively coupled with a remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device, wherein the request and I.D. data seek access to the non-enabled option resident on the device; (C) generating an electronic licensing contract; (D) prompt the user to either accept or decline the licensing contract; (E) if the user accepts the licensing contract, generating an electronic enabler configured to enable the non-enabled option; (F) transmitting the electronic enabler to the user via the data entry module; and (G) providing instructions to the user via the data entry module to install the electronic enabler in the remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device to activate the option on the remotely located stand-alone medical imaging device, upon user-input of the enabler on the data entry module or the stand-alone medical imaging device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An access granting system comprising:
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a stand-alone device having a data entry module communicatively coupled therewith and further including at least one disabled option resident in memory thereon; and a centralized facility located remotely from the device and having at least one computer programmed to; display a graphical user interface configured to facilitate user activation of the at least one disabled option; receive a request to activate the disabled option from a user remote from the device and the centralized facility; generate an alphanumeric code; electronically transmit the alphanumeric code to the user, the alphanumeric code configured to activate the disabled option upon inputting of the alphanumeric code by the user on the data entry module communicatively coupled with the stand-alone device; prompt the user to input a set of identifying data including a user identifier, a system identifier, a stand-alone device identifier, and a disabled option identifier; generate an electronic licensing contract; and prompt the user to either accept or decline the licensing contract. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program having a set of instructions that when executed by a computer causes the computer to:
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display a graphical user interface configured to facilitate user activation of a disabled option resident on a medical imaging device by a user remote from the medical imaging device; receive a number of user inputs from the user; generate an alphanumeric code configured to activate the disabled option upon inputting of the alphanumeric code by the user on a data entry module communicatively coupled with the medical imaging device; automatically convey the alphanumeric code to the user; and wherein the instruction to convey the alphanumeric code includes one of emailing the alphanumeric code to the user via an electronic messaging system and displaying the alphanumeric code on the graphical user interface coupled with the data entry module. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An access granting system comprising:
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a stand-alone device having a data entry module communicatively coupled therewith and further including at least one disabled option resident in memory thereon; and a centralized facility located remotely from the device and having at least one computer programmed to; display a graphical user interface configured to facilitate user activation of the at least one disabled option; receive a request to activate the disabled option from a user remote from the device and the centralized facility; generate an alphanumeric code; electronically transmit the alphanumeric code to the user, the alphanumeric code configured to activate the disabled option upon inputting of the alphanumeric code by the user on the data entry module communicatively coupled with the stand-alone device; and wherein the at least one computer is further programmed to receive the request to activate the disabled option from the user remote from the device and the centralized facility initiated by the user from the data entry module in a remote link that serves to connect the centralized facility to the user by a dialup link to a web server in the centralized facility communicatively coupled with the stand-alone device.
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27. An access granting system comprising:
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a stand-alone device having a data entry module communicatively coupled therewith and further including at least one disabled option resident in memory thereon; and a centralized facility located remotely from the device and having at least one computer programmed to; display a graphical user interface configured to facilitate user activation of the at least one disabled option; receive a request to activate the disabled option from a user remote from the device and the centralized facility; generate an alphanumeric code; electronically transmit the alphanumeric code to the user, the alphanumeric code configured to activate the disabled option upon inputting of the alphanumeric code by the user on the data entry module communicatively coupled with the stand-alone device; and wherein the at least one computer is further programmed to receive the request to activate the disabled option from the user remote from the device and the centralized facility initiated by the user from the data entry module in a remote link that serves to connect the centralized facility to the user by a telephone and telephone connection through a conventional telephone network and to an interactive voice recognition system (IVR) in the centralized facility communicatively coupled with the stand-alone device.
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Specification