Software distribution method and apparatus

• US 8,099,366 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Clement, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): Augustin, Evens J
• Application Number:
  US11/501,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20070027813A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,989 Days
• Field of Search: 705/59, 705/55, 705/51
• US Class Current: 705/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/12 Protecting executable software
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for distributing digital information, such as software applications, to application users. By providing the digital information on unused memory space of a computer system, and providing a process for authorizing access to the information, the information can be efficiently and cost effectively transferred to users. Traditional inventory and distribution channel difficulties are avoided.

Claims

1. A method of distributing software, comprising digital data and computer executable programs useful with a computer system, the method comprising:

recording the digital data and the computer executable programs on a non-volatile storage device in the computer system;

recording computer readable instructions in the computer system, the computer readable instructions configured to automatically implement access authorization procedures; and

automatically controlling access to the digital data and the computer executable programs in the computer system by at least;

in response to receiving a first request from a first entity for access to the digital data and the computer executable programs, automatically executing the computer readable instructions causing the computer system to contact a party authorized to grant access to the digital data;

when the party provides authorization to grant access to the digital data and the computer executable programs, automatically executing the computer readable instructions causing the computer system to record the authorization in the computer system and grant a first access to the digital data and the computer executable programs based on the recorded authorization; and

in response to receiving at least a second request from the first entity for access to the digital data and the computer executable programs, automatically executing the computer readable instructions causing the computer system to grant a second access to the digital data based on the authorization recorded in the computer system and without contacting the party authorized to grant access to the digital data and the computer executable programs;

wherein the computer executable programs comprise program instructions configured to enable stand-alone operation of the software without continued access to a network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the storage device comprises removable medium.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a hard drive.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the recording the digital data and the computer executable programs is performed by a second entity based at least in part on a purchase of the software application by the first entity.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling access to the digital data and the computer executable programs further includes determining if the first entity has a sufficient account credit to continue access to the digital data.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling access to the digital data and the computer executable programs further comprises determining if the first entity should be billed for accessing the digital data and the computer executable programs.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling access to the digital data and the computer executable programs further comprises verifying a permission of the first entity to access the software.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling access to the digital data and the computer executable programs further comprises verifying a permission of the computer system to access the software.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the recording the digital data and the computer executable programs on the storage device in the computer system comprises recording a software application on the storage device;

the receiving a first request for access to the digital data and the computer executable programs includes automatically detecting a first attempt by the first entity to access the software application; and

the automatically executing the computer readable instructions in response to detecting the first attempt to access the software application includes automatically executing computer code that causes the computer system to automatically establish an electronic connection with a remote computer configured to grant access to the software application.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the software application includes at least one of a word processing application, a spreadsheet application, a gaming application, and an Internet access application.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the recording the digital data and the computer executable programs is performed by a second entity based at least in part on a purchase of the software application by the first entity.

12. A computer-implemented method of controlling access to digital data in a first computer system, the method comprising:

receiving a first request via the first computer system for access to the digital data, the first request based at least in part on a first entity attempting to access the digital data;

in response to receiving the first request, automatically executing computer readable instructions causing the first computer system to electronically contact a second computer system authorized to grant access to the digital data;

responsive to the second computer system provides authorization to grant access to the digital data, automatically recording the authorization in the first computer system and granting a first access to the digital data based on the recorded authorization;

receiving at least a second request via the first computer system for access to the digital data, the second request based at least in part on a user attempting to access the digital data; and

responsive to the receiving the second request, automatically granting a second access to the data based on the authorization recorded in the first computer system and without electronically contacting the second computer system authorized to grant access to the digital data.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the digital data comprises a software application, and the method further comprises storing the software application on the first computer system during manufacture of the first computer system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein controlling access to the digital data further comprises verifying a permission of the first computer system to access the software.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the recording the digital data is based at least in part on a purchase of the software application by the user.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the contacting the second computer system comprises contacting a computer system remote from the first computer system.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising presenting at the first computer an opportunity to qualify for access to the digital data if the second computer system does not provide authorization to grant access to the digital data.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising generating a request to set up an account if the second computer system does not provide authorization to grant access to the digital data.

19. A method of controlling access to digital data in a computerized apparatus, the method comprising:

receiving a first request for access to the digital data;

based at least in part on receiving the first request, automatically executing computer readable instructions to activate a network link to contact a party authorized to grant access to the digital data;

if the party fails to provide authorization to grant access to the digital data, not granting a first access to the digital data;

if the party provides authorization to grant access to the digital data, recording the authorization in the computerized apparatus, and granting a first access to the digital data based at least in part on the recorded authorization;

receiving at least a second request for access to the digital data; and

based at least in part on receiving the second request, granting a second access to the data based on the authorization recorded in the computerized apparatus and without contacting the party authorized to grant access to the digital data;

wherein the digital data comprises a software application, and the method further comprises storing the software application on the first computerized apparatus during manufacture of the computerized apparatus.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the storing the software application is performed based at least in part on a purchase of the software application by a user.

21. A software module operable to control access to a software application recorded on a storage device in a computerized apparatus, the software module operating by a method comprising:

detecting a first use of the software application on the computerized apparatus;

based at least in part on detecting the first use, contacting a party authorized to grant access to the software application;

based on the party providing or not providing authorization to grant access to the software application, (i) recording the authorization in the computerized apparatus and granting a first access to the software application based on the recorded authorization, or (ii) not granting a first access to the software application, respectively;

detecting at least a second use of the software application on the computerized apparatus; and

based at least in part on detecting the second use, granting a second access to the software application based on the authorization recorded in the computerized apparatus and without contacting the party authorized to grant access to the software application.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising storing the software application on the computerized apparatus during manufacture of the computerized apparatus, said storing the software application being performed based at least in part on a purchase of the computerized apparatus.

23. The software module of claim 22, wherein the software application is configured to enable stand-alone functional operation of the software application independently of a continued access to a network.

24. The software module of claim 23, wherein the software module and the software application are stored on the computerized apparatus during manufacture of the computerized apparatus.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein storing the software application is performed based at least in part on a purchase of the software application.

26. The software module of claim 25 wherein providing or not providing authorization to grant access to the software application comprises verifying permission of a user to access the software application.

27. The software module of claim 25, providing or not providing authorization to grant access to the software application comprises verifying a permission of the computer system to access the software application.

28. The software module of claim 27 wherein the verifying the permission is accomplished through a network connection.

29. A method of using a computerized apparatus comprising a processor, a memory in data communication with the processor, and a first and a second storage device, the method comprising:

recording a software application on the first storage device by a first party;

recording computer readable instructions executable on the processor and the memory in the computerized apparatus;

transferring the computerized apparatus to a second party, the second party being different from the first party;

based at least in part on a first request for access to the software application, automatically executing the computer readable instructions causing the computerized apparatus to contact a party authorized to grant access to the software application; and

when the party authorized to grant access provides authorization to grant access to the software application, automatically executing the computer readable instructions causing the computerized apparatus to record the authorization in the computerized apparatus, and to grant a first access to the software application based on the recorded authorization;

wherein;

the recording of the authorization in the computerized apparatus is configured to enable automatic execution the computer readable instructions causing the computerized apparatus to grant a second access to the software application based at least in part on receiving at least a second request for access to the software application without contacting the party authorized to grant access to the software application; and

recording of the software application is performed based at least in part on a purchase of the computerized apparatus.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the recording of the software application is performed based at least in part on a purchase of the software application.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the contacting the party authorized to grant access to the software application comprises communication via a network connection.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the party authorized to grant access provides authorization to grant access to the software application based at least in part on verifying a permission of the computerized apparatus to access the software application.

33. The computer system of claim 31, wherein the recording of a software application and computer readable instructions is performed during manufacture of the computerized apparatus.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the contacting the party authorized to grant access to the digital data comprises sending digital data associated with at least one of the software application and/or the computer readable instructions from the computerized apparatus to the party authorized to grant access.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the software application comprises at least one of:

(i) a word processing application, and/or (ii) a spreadsheet application.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the software application comprises a gaming application.

37. The method of claim 34, wherein the software application comprises at least one of (i) a multimedia application, and/or (ii) Internet access application.

38. A method of distributing software with a computerized apparatus, the method comprising:

recording digital data on a storage device in the computerized apparatus;

recording computer readable instructions in the computerized apparatus that automatically implement access authorization procedures; and

automatically controlling access to the digital data in the computerized apparatus by at least;

based at least in part on a first request for access to the digital data, automatically executing the computer readable instructions causing the computerized apparatus to contact a party authorized to grant access to the digital data; and

when the party provides authorization to grant access to the digital data, automatically executing the computer readable instructions causing the computerized apparatus to record the authorization in the computerized apparatus, and grant a first access to the digital data based on the authorization;

wherein the recording of the authorization in the computerized apparatus enables subsequent automatic execution the computer readable instructions causing the computerized apparatus so as to grant a second access to the digital data based at least in part on receiving at least a second request for access to the digital data, the second access not requiring contact with the party authorized to grant access to the digital data; and

wherein the contact with the party comprises transmission of at least a portion of the digital data recorded on the computerized apparatus to the party.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the recording the digital data and recording computer readable instructions is performed by a first party, and the second request is generatable by a second party, the second party different from the first party.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein contacting the party authorized to grant access to the digital data comprises accessing a network connection, and the digital data comprises a software application configured to operate independently of a continued access to the network connection.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein recording the software application and recording computer readable instructions are each performed during manufacture of the computerized apparatus.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the party provides authorization to grant access to the digital data based at least in part on verifying a permission of the computerized apparatus to access the software application.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the recording the digital data and the computer readable instructions are performed based at least in part on a purchase request for the computerized apparatus.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the software application is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) a word processing application, (ii) a spreadsheet application, (iii) a gaming application, and (iv) Internet access application.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the recording the digital data and the computer readable instructions are each performed based at least in part on a purchase request for the software application.

46. A computerized apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

a first storage device having digital data stored thereon substantially at time of sale or manufacture;

a plurality of computer readable instructions stored on a second storage device of the computerized apparatus, the instructions configured to, when executed on the processor, implement authorization and control access to the digital data by at least;

based at least in part on receiving a first request from a user for access to the digital data, causing the computerized apparatus to contact a party authorized to grant access to the digital data;

receiving authorization to grant access to the digital data;

causing the computerized apparatus to record the received authorization in the computerized apparatus, and grant access to the digital data based at least in part on the authorization; and

in response to receiving at least a second request a user for access to the digital data, cause the computerized apparatus to grant another access to the digital data based on the authorization recorded in the computerized apparatus, and without further contact with the party;

wherein;

said contact with the party authorized to grant access to the digital data comprises transmission of at least a portion of the digital data recorded on the computerized apparatus to the party; and

said digital data being stored based at least in part on a purchase request for the computerized apparatus.