Computer systems manufacturing method and apparatus

• US 8,374,969 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2011
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Clement, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): Augustin, Evens J
• Application Number:
  US13/234,854
• Publication Number:
  US 20120011023A1
• Time in Patent Office: 515 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 manufacturing a computerized apparatus, the method comprising:

recording a first plurality of computer readable instructions on a non-volatile storage device in the computer apparatus by a first entity;

recording a second plurality of computer readable instructions in the computerized apparatus, the second plurality of instructions configured to automatically effect control of access to at least a portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions in the computerized apparatus by at least;

based at least in part on receiving a first request from a second entity for access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions, causing automatic execution of the second plurality of computer readable instructions configured to cause the computerized apparatus to contact, via a network, a party authorized to grant access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions;

when the party provides authorization to grant access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions, causing recording of authorization information in the computerized apparatus, the authorization information configured to grant a first access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions; and

in response to receiving at least a second request from the second entity for access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions, causing automatic execution of the second plurality of computer readable instructions to cause the computerized apparatus to grant a second access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions based on the recorded authorization information and without contacting the party authorized to grant access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of computer readable instructions is configured to effect stand-alone operation of a software application, the stand-alone operation effected regardless of continued access to the network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein recording the first plurality of computer readable instructions is performed by the first entity based at least in part on a sale of the software application.

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

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

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a programmable memory.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the control of access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions further comprises determining if the second entity has a sufficient resources in an account to access at least the portion of the second plurality computer readable instructions.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the control of access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions further comprises determining if the second entity should be billed for accessing at least the portion of the second plurality computer readable instructions.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein the control of access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions further comprises verifying a permission of the second entity to access the software application.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the control of access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions further comprises verifying a permission of the computerized apparatus to execute the software application.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein recording the first plurality of computer readable instructions is performed by the first entity based at least in part on a sale of the computerized apparatus.

12. A method of using a computerized apparatus, comprising:

recording a first plurality of computer readable instructions on a non-volatile storage device in the computer apparatus by a first entity;

recording a second plurality of computer readable instructions in the computerized apparatus, the second plurality of instructions configured to enable automatic control of access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions by at least;

based at least in part on receiving a first request from a second entity for access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions, cause the computerized apparatus to contact via a network a party authorized to grant access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions;

causing the computerized apparatus to receive authorization to grant access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions;

causing the computerized apparatus to record the received authorization in the computerized apparatus, and grant access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions based at least in part on the authorization; and

in response to receiving at least a second request from the second entity for access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions, cause the computerized apparatus to grant another access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions based on the authorization recorded in the computerized apparatus, and without further contact with the party.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions is configured to effect a stand-alone operation of a software application, the stand-alone operation effected regardless of continued access to the network.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the contact with the party comprises transmission of at least a portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions recorded on the computerized apparatus to the party.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein recording of the authorization in the computerized apparatus is effected without intervention by the second entity.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein granting of another access is effected without intervention by the second entity.

17. A computerized apparatus comprising a processing apparatus, a non volatile storage device, and a medium adapted to store a plurality of computer readable instructions, which when executed by the processing apparatus implement a method of controlling access to a software application recorded on the non volatile storage device, the method comprising:

based at least in part on receiving a first request via the computerized apparatus for access to the software application, the first request based at least in part on a first entity attempting to access the software application causing automatic execution of the plurality of computer readable instructions configured to cause the computerized apparatus to electronically contact a computer system adapted to provide authorization to grant access to the software application;

cause receiving the authorization to grant access to the software application;

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

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

18. The method of claim 17, wherein recording of the authorization in the computerized apparatus is effected without intervention by the first entity.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein granting of another access is effected without intervention by the first entity.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising causing presentation at the computerized apparatus of an opportunity to qualify for access to the software application if the computer system does not provide the authorization to grant access to the software application.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising causing generation of a request to set up an account if the computer system apparatus does not provide authorization to grant access to the software application.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein contacting the computer system comprises identification of the software application by the computer system.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein identification of the software application comprised transmission of at least a portion of the software application recorded on the computerized apparatus to the computer system.

24. A computerized apparatus manufactured according to a method comprising:

recording a digital data on non volatile storage medium in the computerized apparatus by a first entity; and

recording computer readable instructions in the computerized apparatus by the first entity; and

wherein the recorded computer readable instructions are configured to effect control of access to the digital data by a user after purchase of the apparatus by at least;

based at least in part on receiving a first request to access the digital data, causing automatic execution of the computer readable instructions adapted to (i) activate a remote data link, and (ii) to contact a party authorized to grant access to the digital data, and (iii) receive authorization to grant access to the digital data over the data link;

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 for access to the digital data, causing the computerized apparatus to grant another access to the digital data based at least in part on the authorization recorded in the computerized apparatus, and without further contact with the party relating to the computerized apparatus.

25. The computerized apparatus of claim 24, wherein said recording the digital data is based at least in part on said purchase of the computerized apparatus.

26. The computerized apparatus of claim 24, wherein:

said digital data comprises a software application; and

said recording the digital data is based at least in part on a sale of the software application.

27. The computerized apparatus of claim 26, wherein the sale of the software application is pursuant to the purchase of the computerized apparatus.

28. The computerized apparatus of claim 24, wherein:

recording of the received authorization in the computerized apparatus is effected without intervention by the second entity, and

granting of another access is effected without intervention by the second entity.

29. A method of manufacturing a computerized apparatus, the method comprising:

recording a software application on a non-volatile storage device in the computer apparatus, and

recording a plurality of computer readable instructions in the computerized apparatus, the plurality of instructions configured to automatically effect control of access to the software application in the computerized apparatus after transfer thereof to a first entity by at least;

based at least in part on receiving a first request from the first entity for access to the software application, causing automatic execution of at least a portion of the plurality of computer readable instructions, thereby to causing the computerized apparatus to contact a remote apparatus authorized to grant access to the software application, and receive from the remote apparatus information authorizing access to the software application;

causing the computerized apparatus to record at least a portion of the received information in the computerized apparatus, and grant access to the software application based at least in part on the information; and

in response to receiving at least a second request from for access to the software application, causing automatic granting of at least a second access to the software application based at least in part on the recorded information and without further contact with the party.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein recording the software application is performed by a second entity based at least in part on a sale of the computerized apparatus to the first entity.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the storing the software application is performed based at least in part on a sale of the software application to the first entity.

32. A method of manufacturing a computerized apparatus, the method comprising:

recording a first plurality of computer readable instructions on a non-volatile storage device in the computer apparatus by a first entity;

recording a second plurality of computer readable instructions in the computerized apparatus, the second plurality of instructions configured to automatically effect control of access to at least a portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions in the computerized apparatus by at least;

based at least in part on receiving a first request from a second entity for access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions, causing automatic execution of the second plurality of computer readable instructions configured to cause the computerized apparatus to contact, via a network, a party authorized to grant access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions;

when the party provides authorization to grant access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions, causing recording of authorization information in the computerized apparatus, the authorization information configured to enable a first access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions; and

in response to receiving at least a second and subsequent request for access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions, automatically granting a second access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions based at least in part on the recorded authorization information, and without contacting the party authorized to grant access to at least the portion of the first plurality of computer readable instructions.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the second request is received from a purchaser of the computerized apparatus via an input device of that computerized apparatus.

34. A method of using a computerized apparatus comprising a first plurality of computer readable instructions and a second plurality of computer readable instructions stored in the computerized apparatus, the second plurality of instructions configured to enable automatic control of access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions, the method comprising:

receiving a first request from a user of the apparatus for access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions;

causing the computerized apparatus to remotely access an authorization to grant access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions;

receiving information relating to the authorization to grant access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions;

recording the received information in the computerized apparatus, and granting access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions based at least in part on the authorization; and

in response to receiving at least a second request for access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions, causing the computerized apparatus to grant another access to the first plurality of computer readable instructions based on the information recorded in the computerized apparatus, and without further contact with the party.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the second request is received from the user, and the remote access comprises access of a remote database maintained by a third party.