Computer system security method and apparatus having program authorization information data structures
INFORMATION PROTECTION AND AUTHENTICATION OF TEXAS, LLCThe holder of the '717 patent has sued Microsoft, Symantec, CA, F-Secure, McAfee, Kaspersky, Sophos, Novell, and PC Tools for infringing this patent.
Last updated: about 1 year ago
Summary / Description
| Summary / Description | The present invention relates generally to software protection, and more particularly toward a method of and apparatus for enabling execution of software with only a data processing system authorized to execute the software. The software protection method and apparatus are particularly useful in a microprocessor based environment. |
Basic Information
| Type of Prior Art | Issued Patents - US |
| Country | United States of America |
| Patent/Application # | 4593353 |
| Kind Code | United States (US) - United STATES Patent - A |
| Patentee Name | Telecommunications Associates, Inc. |
| Relevant Pages, Columns, or Lines | col. 2, ln 26-42 |
| URL | http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/... |
| Publication Date | October 26, 1981 |
| Additional Information | The publication date given is actually the filing date. |
Notes / To Do
| Notes | |
Excerpt
In a computer software protection method and apparatus, in accordance with the invention, first and second authorization codes are recorded on a magnetic disc or other storage medium carrying proprietary software that is to be implemented in only an authorized data processing system. The first and second authorization codes are read prior to program execution. The first authorization code is supplied as an encryption key to a pseudorandom generator provided in a hardware module connected in circuit with the data processing system. The pseudorandom number generator performs a pseudorandom number generation algorithm unique to the authorized data processing system, and the resultant number is compared with the second authorization code. If there is a favorable comparison, an execute enable signal is generated to enable the software to be executed in the system.
Relevance
Claims
Claim 61
In a digital computer system for providing improved computer security having digital data processing means for executing a plurality of digital computer programs for a computer user and memory means for storing digital program instructions and digital data, apparatus for protecting a digital computer user from operations typically performable by a digital computer program executing on behalf of a user comprising:
a) means for storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from performing operations, when executed by said processing means, which are available to said computer user; and
b) means for storing in at least one segment digital data for associating said authorization information with at least one program to be executed by said processing means.
Relevance
a) means for storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from performing operations, when executed by said processing means, which are available to said computer user;
a) means for storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from performing operations, when executed by said processing means, which are available to said computer user;
Claim Chart
All
Claim 1
In a digital computer system having a digital data processing means for executing a plurality of digital programs and a memory means for storing digital program instructions and digital data, apparatus for protecting a digital computer user from operations typically performable by a digital computer program executing on behalf of a user comprising:
a) means for storing a plurality of digital authorization entries in said memory means, wherein said entries qualify operations which an associated program is permitted to perform when executed by said processing means; and
b) means for storing in at least one segment, digital data for associating said authorization entries with at least one program.
Relevance
a) means for storing a plurality of digital authorization entries in said memory means, wherein said entries qualify operations which an associated program is permitted to perform when executed by said processing means;
a) means for storing a plurality of digital authorization entries in said memory means, wherein said entries qualify operations which an associated program is permitted to perform when executed by said processing means;
Claim Chart
All
Claim 120
In a digital computer system having digital data processing means for executing a plurality of digital computer programs for a computer user and memory means for storing digital program instructions and digital data, a method for providing improved computer security comprising the steps of:
a) storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from accessing resources when executed by said digital data processing means which are accessible to said computer user; and
b) storing in at least one segment, digital data for associating said authorization information with at least one program to be executed by said processing means for said computer user.
Relevance
a) storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from accessing resources when executed by said digital data processing means which are accessible to said computer user
a) storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from accessing resources when executed by said digital data processing means which are accessible to said computer user
Claim Chart
All
