_
`
`United States Patent [19]
`Logan
`
`US005199066A
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,199,066
`Mar. 30, 1993
`
`[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`PRQTECI'ING SOFTWARE
`
`v
`
`4,685,055 8/1987 Thomas ............................. .. 364/200
`4,740,890 4/1988 William ..
`364/200
`
`"
`
`4,866,769 9/1989 Karp . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . . .. 380/4
`
`"""""""""""" "
`' """
`
`[56]
`
`_
`References cued
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,901,168 2/1990 Yoshida et a1. ..................... .. 360/60
`[75] Inventor: Andrew J- Losm, Gladwyne, Pa-
`Primary Examiner-Bernarr E. Gregory
`[73] Assignee: Special Effects Software, Inc,
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Woodcock Washbum Kurtz
`Philadelphia, Pa-
`Mamew‘cz 8‘ N°ms
`[21] Appl. NO.: 339,760
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`[22] Filed:
`Apr. 18, 1989
`[51] Int Cl 5
`“ML 9/00‘ H04L 9/32 A method and system for protecting a software pro
`[52] U
`382V‘ 380/2}
`gram recorded within a storage medium for use with or
`' '
`346/825 311
`transmission to computer or processor based hardware
`’ 340/8253‘;
`comprises inputting a hardware code uniquely associ
`’
`'
`[58] Field of swell .................. .. 364/200, 900 380/3, md will‘ ‘he pmiwl'lr lmdwm and “mulling 1* ?rst
`380/4’ 23, 25’ 49, 50’ 22. 360/60. 34O/’825_31’
`software code uniquely associated with the particular
`’
`’
`82534
`embodiment of the software. A ?rst predetermined
`operation is performed upon the hardware code and the
`?rst software code to produce an intermediate code. A
`unique activation code obtained from the software sup
`lier is in utted and a second redetermined o ration
`P
`P
`.
`P.
`PC .
`
`15 perform upon th= mmwm code and the tion code to Produce a Second intermediate code’ The
`
`4
`....................................... ..
`
`21123155? 311331 32221181, .......................... .. 33814 4,471,163 9/1984 Donald et al. .................... .. 380/4
`
`4,558,176 12/ 1985 Arnold et a1. .................... .. 380/4
`4,562,306 12/1985 Chou et a1. ........................... .. 380/4
`i’ggi’ggi i/iggg gfuiohz """""""""""" " 3624392
`’
`'
`Pr cy e
`' """""""""""" "
`{12112; 81' """"""" "
`4:670:857 6/1987 Rackmani':
`‘ml... 380/4
`
`second intermediate code is compared to a second soft
`ware code uniquely associated with the particular em
`bodiment of the software and stored in a hidden loca
`tion within the software. The use of the software is
`enabled only if the second intermediate code and the
`“mud w?wm °°de 1" idcmical
`
`4,683,553 7/1987 Mollier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 380/4
`
`4,683,968 8/1987 Appelbaum et a1. ................. .. 380/4
`
`20 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1003 Page 1
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`5,199,066
`
`SOFTWARE SEFNALI‘DrFi OBTAIN
`HARDMSERMLNO.’ INFORMATION
`(RIGIML SG’TWARE—> FROM USER ‘
`G? C(PY NUMBER
`
`'
`YE
`'Fsrca mooeu NUMBER
`FOR SPECIFIED somme
`RIAL NUMBER
`
`FETCH moocu NUMBER
`F R SPECIFIE sorwms
`8 IAL NUM ER
`1
`mmmoommm
`
`L__
`SCI-‘WARE SEHAL no.
`SERIMNQANO
`HIIDEN NO. TO CREME ‘
`_ AC'ITVATION NWER
`
`OUTPUT ncizmmum
`TQ ussa
`I
`Fl 6. 2
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1003 Page 2
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`5,199,066
`
`BEGIN
`
`l N PUT HARDWARE
`SERIAL NUMBER
`i
`FETCH SOFTWARE
`SERIAL NUMBER
`
`ADD HNDWNRE MD
`SOFTWME
`SERIAL NUMBERS
`h——‘_
`|sroRE aesmrsn nselsmul
`
`_
`
`Acnvmmmn
`
`ENQBLE SOFTWARE
`
`STOP
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1003 Page 3
`
`

`
`1
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING
`SOFTWARE
`
`5
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to computer software
`or programs and, more particularly, to a method and
`system for protecting software programs from unautho
`rized use and/or copying.
`With the tremendous increase in the number of home
`computers, as well as business computers that are cur
`rently in use, there has been a corresponding increase in
`computer software or programs for use with such home
`and business computers. For example, specialized appli
`cations programs have been developed for everything
`from presenting elaborate spread sheets and desk top
`publishing to sophisticated computer games. In general
`such applications programs are sold to the end user
`either directly by the individual or company which
`developed the program, or through an established dis
`tribution network which may include mail order and/ or
`retail sales outlets. In many cases, the applications pro
`gram is stored within a standard magnetic storage me
`dium, such as ?oppy disk, to facilitate loading of the
`program into the home or business computer for per
`forming the desired task.
`Control of the software, particularly software distrib
`uted on a ?oppy disk, has become a major problem, due
`to the ease with which a program stored within a ?oppy
`disk may be duplicated. Although, in theory, the copy
`right laws protect software developers from unautho
`rized copying of such programs, it is impractical, if not
`impossible, for software developers to fully enforce
`their copyrights, particularly against companies or indi
`viduals making a relatively small number of copies. For
`example, a small company may purchase one copy of
`the original software from the developer and may then
`produce four or ?ve unauthorized copies of the soft
`ware for separate use on computers at different loca
`tions within the company.
`Likewise, a group of individuals may combine their
`money to purchase one original of the software for a
`particular computer game and then make a number of
`unauthorized copies for separate use of the software by
`45
`each of the individuals within the group on their own
`computers. In either event, the developer of the soft
`ware is unable to enforce its rights against the copiers
`since, without having inside information, it is not possi
`ble for the software developer to know that the unau
`thorized copies of the software were made and/or who
`made the unauthorized copies. Moreover, it would be
`prohibitively expensive to take legal action to enforce
`copyrights with respect to such small numbers of unau
`thorized copies. Accordingly, software developers are
`generally unable to enforce their rights and, therefore,
`are suffering economic loss.
`Various methods have been developed to prevent the
`unauthorized copying of software. One such method
`involves requiring the purchaser of the software to
`enter into a license agreement which permits use of the
`software only upon a single designated computer and
`prohibits the purchaser from making unauthorized cop
`ies. This form of protection is difficult and expensive to
`enforce, particularly when dealing with smaller compa~
`nies and individuals.
`A second form of protection requires utilizing a se
`cret code or password which must be obtained from the
`software supplier and entered when using the software.
`
`5,199,066
`2
`While this form of protection has merit, it still does not
`preclude unauthorized use or copying on a relatively
`small scale since the code or password can be obtained
`by one person from the software supplier and can be
`given to the other users within the company or group.
`A third form of protection involves placing restric
`tions within the computer program which completely
`preclude copying or permit only a single copy of the
`program to be made. While this form of protection can
`be effective, it may prevent a legitimate purchaser of
`the software from making a single backup copy, as
`permitted by law. In addition, specialized programs
`have been developed to circumvent or override this
`type of protection. Other forms of copy protection have
`been developed and employed with limited success. In
`some cases, the other forms of protection are too expen
`sive to employ with some software, and, in other cases,
`these other forms of protection are not technically suit
`able for some software.
`The present invention overcomes many of the prob
`lems inherent in the existing forms of protection for
`computer software and provides protection from both
`unauthorized use and copying. With one embodiment of
`the present invention, the serial number of the particular
`hardware, as well as the serial number of the particular
`copy of the software, must be entered, along with a
`unique activation number obtained from the software
`supplier, in order to enable use of the software. The
`software performs an operation upon the hardware
`serial number, the software serial number and the acti
`vation number to produce an intermediate code which
`is compared to a number hidden within the software
`and uniquely associated with the particular copy of the
`software. The program is arranged to automatically
`change the hidden number in a predetermined manner
`whenever the software is copied. The software is only
`operable if the comparison indicates that the intermedi
`ate code and the hidden number are identical. In this
`manner, only a single embodiment of the software can
`be used with the activation number initially supplied by
`the software developer. Every time a copy of the soft
`ware is made, the user must contact the software devel
`oper to obtain a new activation number. In this manner,
`the software developer is able to keep accurate records
`with respect to the number of copies made and may
`charge the user accordingly.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Brie?y stated, the present invention comprises a
`method and system for protecting a software program
`recorded within a storage medium for use with, or
`transmission to, computer or processor based hardware.
`The method comprises inputting a hardware code
`uniquely associated with the particular hardware with
`which the software is to be employed and inputting a
`?rst software code uniquely associated with the particu
`lar embodiment of the software being employed. A first
`predetermined operation is performed upon the hard
`ware code and the ?rst software code to produce a first
`intermediate code. A unique activation code for the
`particular embodiment of the software being employed
`is inputted, the activation code being received from the
`software supplier. A second predetermined operation is
`performed upon the first intermediate code and the
`activation code to produce a second intermediate code.
`The second intermediate code is compared with a sec
`ond software code uniquely associated with the particu
`
`25
`
`30
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1003 Page 4
`
`

`
`3
`lar embodiment of the software and stored at a hidden
`location within the software, the second software code
`not being ascertainable by the user. The software is
`enabled for use if the second intermediate code and the
`second software code are identical.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The foregoing summary, as well as the following
`detailed description of a preferred embodiment, will be _
`better understood when read in conjunction with the
`appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the
`invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodi
`ment which is presently preferred, it being understood,
`however, that the invention is not limited to the speci?c
`methods and instrumentalities disclosed.
`In the drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal computer
`and a ?oppy disk, within which is stored a computer
`program;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic ?ow diagram which depicts a
`method for a software supplier to generate an activation
`code in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
`invention; and
`FIG. 3 is a schematic ?ow diagram of a preferred
`embodiment of a portion of a computer program which
`25
`veri?es that an activation number received from the
`software supplier is correct and enables use of the re
`mainder of the computer program.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`5,199,066
`4
`Likewise, while in connection with the description of
`the presently preferred embodiment, the computer pro
`gram or software is illustrated as being stored within a
`?oppy disk 18, it will be appreciated by those skilled in
`the art that the program or software could alternatively
`be stored in any other type of storage medium, for ex
`ample, a different magnetic medium, such as a hard disk
`magnetic card, magnetic tape, etc.; a semiconductor
`based storage medium, such as a random access mem
`ory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a programma
`ble read only memory (PROM), etc.; or a nontraditional
`storage medium, such as a digital audio or video tape or
`disk or network of storage devices. Accordingly, it
`should be clearly understood that the present invention
`is not limited to the particular computer hardware 10 or
`storage medium 18 used to illustrate the preferred em
`bodiment of the invention.
`.
`FIG. _3 shows the operation of the presently preferred
`embodiment of the invention. Each original copy or
`embodiment of the computer software has a ?rst soft
`ware code which is uniquely associated with that one
`particular embodiment. In the presently preferred em
`bodiment of the invention, the first software code is
`comprised of the serial number for that particular copy
`of the software. When the software is stored within a
`?oppy disk 18, the serial number is generally imprinted
`upon a label or other indicia applied to the upper por
`tion of the ?oppy disk 18 in a manner well known in the
`art. In the present embodiment, the ?rst software code
`or serial number is preferably numeric and is comprised
`of any number of digits.
`Associated with each original copy of the software is
`a second software code which is stored within the soft
`ware at a hidden location. The second software code is
`unique for each original copy of the software and may
`have a predetermined relationship with the ?rst soft
`ware code or serial number. In any event, the software
`supplier is able to identify the second software code for
`each particular embodiment of the software by refer
`ence to the ?rst software code or serial number. As
`previously indicated, the second software code is hid
`den within the software at a location which is not identi
`?able or ascertainable by the software user. In the pres
`ently preferred embodiment, the second software code
`is numeric and may sometimes be referred to as the
`hidden number. However, it will be appreciated by
`those skilled in the art that the second software code
`could be some other specialized code, such as alpha,
`alphanumeric or digitally coded signal.
`The computer program automatically changes or
`increments the second software code in _a predeter
`mined manner each time the software is copied. In the
`presently preferred embodiment, the numeric second
`software code or hidden number is incremented by the
`addition of a predetermined number, such as 7, each
`time the software is copied. The software user is not
`made aware of the manner in which the hidden number
`is changed and cannot ascertain this information. It will
`be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the second
`software code could alternatively be changed in some
`other manner such as by multiplying the code by a
`predetermined number, or performing any other type of
`mathematical or logical operation upon the second soft
`ware code.
`-
`When a user wishes to use a program protected by
`the present invention, the software program is installed
`into the hardware being employed by the user. Of
`course, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
`
`60
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`~DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`30
`Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals
`indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in
`FIG. 1 a typical personal computer 10 of a type well
`known in the art, and commercially available from a
`variety of manufacturers, for example, IBM Corpora
`tion. The personal computer 10 includes a standard
`’ keyboard 12, a standard cathode ray tube (CRT) or
`screen 14 and a pair of ?oppy disk drives 16. The key
`board 12 is employed to facilitate communication be
`tween an individual user and the computer 10 in a man
`ner which is generally well known in the computer art.
`The CRT 14 also functions in a manner well known in
`the computer art for displaying information inputted
`through the keyboard 12, as well as information output
`ted by the inner workings of the computer 10. The disk
`drives 16 are employed in a manner well known in the
`computer art for receiving one or more ?oppy disks to
`facilitate the loading or entry of computer software or
`programs stored within a ?oppy disk into the computer
`10. A typical ?oppy disk 18 is illustrated in FIG. 1. As
`50
`used herein, the terms, “program,” “computer pro
`gram,” “software” and “software program” are inter
`changeably used to mean a series of instructions which
`are used to control the operation of computer hardware
`or other computer based or processor based hardware.
`While in the present description of a preferred em
`bodiment of the invention, a personal computer 10 is
`shown and described, it will be appreciated by those
`skilled in the art that the present invention may be em
`ployed in conjunction with any other type of computer,
`including standard computers such as a mini computer
`or a main frame computer, and/or special purpose com
`puters. In addition, the present invention may be em
`ployed in connection with any other type of computer
`or processor based hardware such as computer or pro
`cessor controlled machinery or equipment and any
`device or network of devices using digital signals or
`switching.
`
`65
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1003 Page 5
`
`

`
`5
`that in some circumstances, such as when employing a
`hard disk or a ?xed storage medium such as an EPROM
`or the like, the software will already be “installed” into
`the computer and need only be recalled and transferred
`from the storage medium into the active memory of the
`computer. The program then requests that the user
`input a hardware code uniquely associated with the
`particular hardware with which the software is to be
`employed. In the presently preferred embodiment, the
`hardware code is the numeric serial number of the hard
`ware upon which the program is to operate. However,
`the hardware code could be something other than the
`hardware serial number and need not be numeric. The
`program also, requests that the user input the ?rst soft
`ware code or serial number for the particular software.
`Of course, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
`art that in the case of some computers and some storage
`media, the program may have the ability to recall or
`otherwise obtain and input the software serial number
`and possibly the hardware serial number without any
`20
`speci?c action by the user.
`The program performs a ?rst predetermined opera
`tion upon the hardware code or hardware serial number
`and the ?rst software code or software serial number to
`produce a ?rst intermediate code. In the presently pre
`ferred embodiment, the ?rst predetermined operation
`comprises the operation of adding the numeric hard
`ware serial number to the numeric software serial num
`ber to produce the ?rst intermediate code which is also
`numeric. However, it will be appreciated by those
`skilled in the art that a different mathematical operation,
`such as multiplication, division, etc. may alternatively
`be employed. Moreover, since the hardware code and
`the ?rst software code need not be numeric, some other
`type of operation or data manipulation may alterna
`tively be employed. In the preferred embodiment, the
`result of the ?rst predetermined operation or ?rst inter
`mediate code may be stored in a predetermined location
`or register.
`40
`The computer also requests the user to input an acti
`vation code received from the software supplier. The
`activation code is unique for the particular embodiment
`of the software being employed, as well as for the par—
`ticular hardware with which the software is employed,
`and is individually determined or generated by the soft
`ware supplier in a manner which will hereinafter be
`described. In the presently preferred embodiment, the
`activation code is numeric and may be referred to as an
`activation number. However, it will be appreciated by
`those skilled in the art that the activation code need not
`be numeric but could be some other form, such u alpha,
`alphanumeric or any digitally coded signal.
`The program performs a second predetermined oper
`ation upon the ?rst intermediate code and the activation
`code to produce a second intermediate code. In the
`presently preferred embodiment, the second predeter
`mined operation comprises the operation of addition
`and the numeric ?rst intermediate code is added to the
`numeric activation code to provide a second intermedi
`ate code which is also numeric. However, it will be
`appreciated by those skilled in the art that the second
`predetermined operation may be a mathematical opera
`tion other than addition (i.e., multiplication, division,
`etc.) or may be a non-mathematical operation, such as a
`logical operation.
`In the presently preferred embodiment, the second
`intermediate code is temporarily stored in a predeter
`mined location, such as a register. The program then
`
`5,199,066
`6
`compares the second intermediate code with the second
`software code or hidden number. The comparison may
`be made in any known manner. If the comparison indi
`cates that the second intermediate code and the second
`software code are identical, the software is enabled and
`the user is permitted to operate the software uninhib
`ited. On the other hand, if the comparison indicates that
`the second intermediate code and the second software
`code are not identical, the program is halted and the
`user is prevented from using the software. The user is
`then required to contact the software supplier and pro
`vide the software supplier with information to permit
`the software supplier to determine or generate a correct
`activation code. The information which must be pro
`vided to the software supplier includes the serial num
`ber of the hardware upon which the program is to oper
`ate, the serial number of the software and the number of
`copies of the software which have been made. In this
`manner, the software supplier may confu-m how many
`copies have been made and upon which different hard
`ware serial numbers the particular program has been
`operated in the past and can utilize this information to
`obtain compensation from the software user commensu
`rate with the number of copies and the number of differ
`ent computers upon which the software is, or has been,
`operated. Thus, a software purchaser is precluded from
`using unauthorized software copies and is also pre
`cluded from using the software on more than a single
`computer without compensating the software supplier.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a preferred
`method for the software supplier to determine or gener
`ate an activation code or activation number to be sup
`plied to the user. The purchaser of the software must
`contact the software supplier and provide to the soft
`ware suppler the ?rst software code or software serial
`number, the hardware code or hardware serial number,
`as well as whether the original software is to be em
`ployed or, if not, the number of times copies have been
`made and the copy number. The software supplier then
`accesses its records to obtain the second software code
`or hidden number uniquely associated with the particu
`lar serial number of the software purchased. If the origi
`nal software is being used and one or more copies of the
`original software have been made, the second software
`code is appropriately changed or incremented in the
`same manner in which the software increments the
`hidden number so that the software supplier has a sec
`ond software code which is identical to the then current
`second software code in the particular embodiment of
`the software (original or copy) that the user is about to
`operate. The software supplier then performs the ?rst
`predetermined operation, in the presently preferred
`embodiment, addition, upon the software serial number
`and the hardware serial number to produce a ?rst inter
`mediate code in the same manner in which it would be
`accomplished by the software. The software supplier
`then performs a third predetermined operation upon the
`then'current second software code and the ?rst interme
`diate code to produce the activation code. In general,
`the third predetermined operation is complementary to
`the second predetermined operation which is per
`formed by the software. Thus, in the present embodi
`ment, the ?rst intermediate code is subtracted from the
`second software code to produce the activation code or
`activation number. The activation code is then pro
`vided to the software user to enable use of the software
`in the manner described above. Preferably, the software
`supplier will establish a telephone “hot line” to permit
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1003 Page 6
`
`

`
`7
`software users to conveniently obtain the proper activa
`tion code for the software. Preferably, the software
`supplier will have a computer system available for
`prompt generation of the activation code upon receiv
`ing the necessary information from the user.
`From the foregoing description, it can be seen that
`the present invention comprises a method and apparatus
`for protecting a software program from unauthorized
`use or copying. It will be appreciated by those skilled in
`the art that changes may be made to the embodiment
`described above without departing from the broad in
`ventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore,
`that this invention is not limited to the particular em
`bodiment disclosed, but is intended to cover all modi?
`cations which are within the scope and spirit of the
`invention as de?ned by the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method of protecting a software program re
`corded within a storage medium for use with or trans
`mission to computer or processor based hardware, the
`method comprising:
`inputting a hardware code uniquely associated with
`the particular hardware with which the software is
`to be employed;
`inputting a ?rst software code uniquely associated
`with the particular embodiment of the software
`being employed;
`performing a ?rst predetermined operation upon the
`hardware code and the ?rst software code to pro
`duce a ?rst intermediate code;
`inputting a unique activation code for the particular
`embodiment of the software being employed, the
`activation code being received from a software
`supplier;
`performing a second predetermined operation upon
`the ?rst intermediate code and the activation code
`to produce a second intermediate code;
`comparing the second intermediate code with a sec
`ond software code uniquely associated with the
`particular embodiment of the software being em
`ployed and stored at a hidden location within the
`software, the second software code not being as
`certainable by the user; and
`enabling the use of the software if the second interme
`diate code and the second software code are identi
`cal.
`2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the hard
`ware code is comprised of the serial number for the
`particular hardware.
`3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the ?rst
`software code is comprised of the serial number of the
`particular software.
`4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the hard
`ware code and the ?rst software code are numbers and
`wherein the ?rst predetermined operation comprises a
`mathematical manipulation of the hardware code and
`the ?rst software code to produce the ?rst intermediate
`code, which is also a number.
`5. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein the acti
`vation code is a number and wherein the second prede—
`termined operation comprises a mathematical manipula
`tion of the ?rst intermediate code and the activation
`code to produce the second intermediate code, which is
`also a number.
`6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein both the
`first and second predetermined operations comprise
`addition.
`
`5,199,066
`8
`7. The method as recited in claim 1 further compris
`ing the step of changing the second software code in a
`predetermined manner each time the software is copied
`so that a different activation code is required to enable
`use’ of the software.
`8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the acti
`vation code is generated by the software supplier re
`ceiving the hardware code and the ?rst software code
`from the user and performing the ?rst predetermined
`operation upon the hardware code and the ?rst soft
`ware code to produce the ?rst intermediate code, the
`software supplier obtaining the second software code
`from its records and performing a third predetermined
`operation upon the second software code and the ?rst
`intermediate code to produce the activation code, the
`third predetermined operation being complementary to
`the second predetermined operation.
`9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein prior to
`the generation of the activation code the software sup
`plier obtains information from the user regarding the
`copy status of the software and changes the second
`software code in a predetermined manner in accordance
`with the copy status of the software.
`10. A method of preventing use of an unauthorized
`copy of a computer software program recorded within
`a storage medium for use in computer hardware by
`preventing the software from operating in the absence
`of a proper activation code, the method comprising:
`inputting a numeric hardware code uniquely associ
`ated with the particular hardware with which the
`software is to be employed;
`inputting a ?rst numeric software code uniquely asso
`ciated with the particular software storage me
`dium;
`performing a ?rst predetermined mathematical oper
`ation upon the hardware code and the ?rst soft
`ware code to produce a ?rst numeric intermediate
`code;
`inputting a numeric activation code received from a
`software supplier, the activation code being
`uniquely determined for activation of the software
`having the particular ?rst software code for use
`with hardware having the particular hardware
`code;
`performing a second predetermined mathematic op
`eration upon the ?rst numeric intermediate code
`and the numeric activation code to produce a sec
`ond numeric intermediate code;
`comparing the second numeric intermediate code
`with a second numeric software code uniquely
`associated with the particular storage medium and
`stored at a hidden location within the software, the
`second numeric software code not being ascertain
`able by the user, the second numeric software code
`being changed in a predetermined manner each
`time the software is copied; and
`enabling the use of the software if the second numeric
`intermediate code and the second numeric soft
`ware code are identical.
`11. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein the
`hardware code is the hardware serial number.
`12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the
`?rst numeric software code is the software serial num
`ber.
`13. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the
`?rst and second predetermined mathematical operations
`comprise addition.
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`Petitioners Ex. 1003 Page 7
`
`

`
`5
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`5,199,066
`10
`9
`computer means for performing a second predeter
`14. A method of generating an activation code for
`mined operation upon the ?rst intermediate code
`enabling the use of a software program with particular
`and the activation code to produce a second inter
`computer or processor based hardware, the method
`comprising:
`mediate code;
`computer means for comparing the second intermedi
`obtaining from the user a hardware code uniquely
`ate code with a second software code uniquely
`associated with the particular hardware with
`associated withthe particular embodiment of the
`which the software is to be employed;
`software and stored at a hidden location within the
`obtaining from the user a ?rst software code uniquely
`software, the second software code not being as
`associated with the particular embodiment of the
`software being employed;
`certainable by the user; and
`means for enabling the use of the software if the sec
`performing a predetermined operation upon the hard
`ond intermediate code and the second software
`ware code and the ?rst software code to produce a
`code are identical.
`?rst intermediate code;
`16. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein the
`obtaining a second software code uniquely associated
`hardware code is comprised of the serial number for the
`with the particular embodiment of the software
`from stored information corresponding to the ?rst
`. particular hardware.
`17. The system as recited in claim 15 wherein the ?rst
`software code; and
`software code is comprised of the se