Key interface for secure object manipulation

A system for controlling access to at least one functionality of a first software, the system comprising:

• a key verification module being adapted to verify a key provided by a second software, the key being associated with at least one desired functionality of the first software to be used by the second software;
• a tier functionality application programming interface (API) being adapted to interface with the second software to provide the at least one desired functionality to the second software;
• and
• a tier access control module operably connected to the key verification module and the tier functionality API and being adapted to direct the tier functionality API to allow the second software to access the at least one desired functionality of the first software when the key is verified by the key verification module.

A computer readable medium for controlling access to at least one functionality of a first software, the computer readable medium comprising a set of instructions being adapted to manipulate a processor to:

• receive, from a second software, a key associated with at least one desired functionality of the first software;
• verify the key;
• and
• allow the second software to access the at least one desired functionality of the first software when the key is verified.

In a network gateway of a distributed communications network, a system for controlling access to at least one functionality of a first software of the network gateway, the system comprising:

• a key verification module being adapted to verify a key provided by a second software, the key being associated with at least one desired functionality of the first software to be used by the second software;
• a tier functionality application programming interface (API) being adapted to interface with the second software to provide the at least one desired functionality of the first software to the second software;
• and
• a tier access control module operably connected to the key verification module and the tier functionality API and being adapted to direct the tier functionality API to allow the second software to access the at least one desired functionality when the key is verified by the key verification module.

An operating system comprising:

• a key verification module being adapted to verify a key provided by software external to the operating system, the key being associated with at least one desired functionality of the operating system to be used by the external software;
• a tier functionality application programming interface (API) being adapted to interface with the external software to provide the at least one desired functionality of the operating system to the external software;
• and
• a tier access control module operably connected to the key verification module and the tier functionality API and being adapted to direct the tier functionality API to allow the external software to access the at least one desired functionality of the operating system when the key is verified by the key verification module.

A network protocol stack comprising:

• a key verification module being adapted to verify a key provided by a component external to the network protocol stack, the key being associated with at least one desired functionality of the network protocol stack to be used by the external component;
• a tier functionality application programming interface (API) being adapted to interface with the external component to provide the at least one desired functionality of the network protocol stack to the external component;
• and
• a tier access control module operably connected to the key verification module and the tier functionality API and being adapted to direct the tier functionality API to allow the external component to access the at least one desired functionality of the network protocol stack when the key is verified by the key verification module.