Altering software behavior based on internet connectivity

• US 8,433,798 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Issued: 04/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Smith, Aaron J., Patel, Kalpesh, Soulami, Tarik, Sliouniaev, Valentin, Kao, Chih-Pin Benjamin, Eizenhoefer, Richard S., Cheng, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): DONAGHUE, LARRY D
• Application Number:
  US12/485,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20100318629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,414 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/219, 709/225, 705/901, 705904-905, 726/7
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/128 involving web programs, i.e. using technology especially used in internet, generally interacting with a web browser, e.g. hypertext markup language [HTML], applets, java

Abstract

A system, a method, and computer-readable media are provided for altering behavior of software based on detection of an Internet connection. The system, method, and media detect when a computer has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet. This detection may include analyzing a connection history of the computer to the Internet, reporting in real-time when the computer establishes a connection to the Internet, or attempting to actively establish a connection with an Internet resource using the computer. A first set of software functionality may be disabled when a previously established connection with the Internet is identified, a real-time report of a connection with the Internet is generated, or a connection with the Internet resource is established. In addition, a second set of software functionality may be enabled when the first set of software functionality is disabled.

Claims

1. Computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, perform a method of altering a behavior of software based on detection of an Internet connection, the method comprising:

detecting when a first computer has connected to an Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet, wherein said detecting includes attempting to actively establish a connection with an Internet resource using said first computer; and

disabling a first set of software functionality for a second computer in communication with said first computer when said connection with an Internet resource using said first computer is established.

2. The media of claim 1, further comprising enabling a second set of software functionality for said second computer when said first set of software functionality is disabled.

3. The media of claim 2, wherein said second set of software functionality reduces the functionality of said software.

4. The media of claim 1, further comprising requiring a user to obtain licensing data to re-enable said first set of software functionality.

5. The media of claim 1, further comprising requiring said second computer to obtain licensing data within a period of time from when said first set of functionality is disabled, and when said period of time expires, disabling all software functionality on said second computer.

6. The media of claim 1, wherein detecting when said first computer has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet is performed without user intervention.

7. The media of claim 1, wherein detecting when a first computer has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet includes authenticating data that indicates an active connection with said Internet.

8. The media of claim 1, wherein attempting to actively establish a connection with an Internet resource includes sending a DNS query for an Internet-facing host.

9. The media of claim 1, further comprising alerting a management system when said first set of software functionality is disabled.

10. A system for altering software behavior based on detection of an Internet connection, said system comprising:

a detection component configured to determine if a first computer has connected to an Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet, wherein said detection component includes an active-testing component configured to attempt to establish a connection with an Internet resource using said first computer;

a disabling component configured to disable a first set of software functionality in a second computer when said detection component detects said first computer has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet; and

a licensing component configured to re-enable said first set of software functionality in said second computer when licensing data is obtained for said second computer.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said disabling component is further configured to enable a second set of software functionality in said second computer when said first set of software functionality is disabled.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein said active-testing component is stored remotely from said first computer.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein said active-testing component accesses other components stored on said first computer to determine if said first computer has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet.

14. A computer-implemented method for altering behavior of software based on detection of a connection to an Internet, said method comprising:

detecting software operating in a network environment that is connected to the Internet by identifying at least one computer in said network environment that has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet;

in response to said detection, instructing said software to operate in accordance with an altered functionality mode on at least one other computer, wherein one or more functions of said software are disabled in said altered functionality mode; and

re-enabling said one or more functions of said software incident to detecting compliance with a set of rules associated with said software.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein detecting said software is operating in a network environment that is connected to the Internet is performed without user intervention.